Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 01.djvu/70

Aboyne  Sir Daniel Lambert; besides several of the counsel and jurymen.’

[Foss's Judges of England, viii. 96–7, 8vo, London, 1864.]  ABOYNE, and [See .]

ABRAHAM, ROBERT (1773–1850), a London architect, was the son of a builder, and educated as a surveyor. At the conclusion of the war in 1815, when an impetus was given to architecture by Nash in his projected plans for the improvement of the metropolis, Abraham placed himself in a high position as an architect. He obtained an introduction to some of the chief Roman catholic families in England, and much valuable private connection. Among his works may be mentioned the conservatories and garden buildings for the Earl of Shrewsbury at Alton Towers, the works at Arundel Castle, Worksop, Farnham, and Norfolk House, for the Duke of Norfolk, the Synagogue near the Haymarket, and the Westminster Bridewell. Abraham died 11 Dec. 1850.

[The Builder, viii. 598, 602; Art Journal (1851), 44; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists (1878).]  ABYNDON, RICHARD. [See .]

ACCA (d. 740), fifth bishop of Hexham (709–732), was a native of Northumbria, and was brought up from childhood in the household of Bosa, who was made bishop of York in 678 in the place of Wilfrid. Wilfrid was deposed from his see because he refused to assent to the subdivision of the Northumbrian diocese according to the plan of Archbishop Theodore. It would seem that Acca sympathised with Wilfrid. He transferred himself to Wilfrid's service, accompanied him in his wanderings, and stood high in his confidence and affection till his death. He was with Wilfrid in his missionary journey among the South Saxons (, H. E. iv. 14–15). He went with Wilfrid to Friesland, and visited St. Willibrord (H. E. iii. 13). He further accompanied Wilfrid to Rome. On their return in 705 Wilfrid was seized with sickness at Meaux, and lay as though dead, but was restored by a vision of St. Michael. On recovering consciousness his first question was, ‘Ubi est Acca presbyter?’ and to Acca alone he narrated his vision (, ch. 54). When Wilfrid, on his return to Northumbria in 705, settled in his favourite monastery of Hexham, and became bishop of the see, which embraced the southern part of Bernicia, Acca shared in his labours. He was made by Wilfrid abbot of Hexham (, ch. 62), and on Wilfrid's death in 709 Acca was chosen to succeed his master.

As bishop of Hexham, Acca faithfully carried out the work which Wilfrid had begun. Wilfrid brought to the adornment of Hexham all the cultivation which he had gathered from his journeys on the Continent. He built the monastery church, which was dedicated to St. Andrew, and three others, St. Mary's, St. Peter's, and St. Michael's (, p. 18). These buildings Acca completed and adorned. He gathered relics of saints and martyrs, and erected side-chapels with altars in their honour. Eddius (ch. 22) says that they were splendid with gold and silver and precious stones, and were draped with purple and silks. Acca procured holy vessels, lamps, and all things needed for the ornament of his churches. He was himself a skilful musician, and wished to have the services performed according to the model which he had seen in Italy. He summoned to Hexham a famous singer, Maban by name, who had learned his art in Kent from the descendants of those whom St. Gregory had sent to instruct in ritual the barbarous English. Maban abode in Hexham twelve years, till he had trained a choir. Nor was Acca satisfied with merely providing for outward magnificence. He carefully brought together a large and noble library, consisting of theological works and lives of the saints.

In administering his diocese, Acca was a strict upholder of ecclesiastical discipline, and showed a worthy example to his clergy and people. He was renowned for his theological learning, and his advice was freely sought by students. His library at Hexham was probably of great service to Bede, with whom Acca stood in intimate relations. Their friendship began soon after Acca's coming to Hexham, as Bede dedicated his ‘Hexameron’ to Acca while still abbot. Bede mentions Acca as his authority for several things which he narrates in his ‘History’ (iii. 13, iv. 14). Eddius, in his preface to his ‘Life of Wilfrid,’ says that he undertook the work at Acca's instigation. Acca seems to have acted as an adviser and patron to men of letters. He was in constant correspondence with Bede about his ‘Commentaries on the Scriptures,’ and encouraged him to proceed with his work. Bede's Commentaries on Genesis, on St. Mark's Gospel, and on the Acts of the Apostles are all dedicated to Acca; and a poem of Bede on the Last Judgment, addressed to Acca, is interpolated into Simeon of Durham's ‘Chronicle’ (, 96, &c.). In the prologue to his ‘