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were able to say the soothest how each thing had been in this land in the days of their elders; in addition to what himself had learned from books and from wise men. Him told the very old men, as well clergy as laity, that their elders had told them how it had been established by law soon after St. Augustine came to this land. When Augustine had obtained the bishopric in the city,^[1] then was he archbishop over all king Ethelbert's kingdom, as it is related in Historia Anglorum^[2] . . . . . . make (a bishop's) see by the king's aid in . . . . was begun by the old Romans . . . and to sprout forth. In that company the foremost were Mellitus, Justus, Paulinus, Rufinianus. By these sent the blessed pope the pall, and therewith a letter, and instruction how he should consecrate bishops, and in which place in Britain he should seat them. And to the king (also) he sent letters and many worldly gifts of divers things. And the churches which they had got ready he commanded to be consecrated in the name of our Lord and Saviour Christ and St. Mary; and for himself there fix a dwelling-place, and for all his after-followers; and that he (should) place therein men of the same order that he had sent thither, and of which he himself was, and also that each monks who should fill the archi episcopal seat at Canterbury, and that be ever observed by God's leave and blessing and by St. Peter's, and by all who came after him. When this embassy came again to king Egelbert and to Augustine, they were very pleased with such instruction. And the archbishop then consecrated the minster in Christ's name and St. Mary's, (on) the day which is called the mass-day of the two martyrs, Primus et Felicianus, and there within placed monks all as St. Gregory commanded: and they God's service continently performed ; and from the same monks bishops were taken for each . . . . . as thou mayst read in Historia Anglorum.^[3] Then was archbishop Alfric very blithe, that he had so many witnesses (who) stood best at that time with the king. Still more, the same witan who were with the archbishop said: Thus also we . . . . monks have continued at Christ-Church during Augustine's days, and during Laurentius', Mellitus', Justus', Honorius', Deusdedit, Theodore's, Berthwold's, Tatwine's, Nothelm's, Cuthbert's, Bregwine's, Lambert's, . . ..

1. Canterbury.
2. Bede, b. i. c. 25.
3. Bede, b. i. c. 33.