Page:Historical Works of Venerable Bede vol. 2.djvu/287

 Rh fifteenth year of his episcopacy, embarked on board a ship in order to leave England, having with him some of the treasures of the church. But the wind drove him back to Scotland, and he was afterwards taken at Elig by the king's men and brought to Abendune, where he was kept by the king's command in strict custody. Though he was frequently admonished to restore what he had taken from the church, he persisted with an oath that he had taken nothing. But one day, as he was washing his hands before he sat down to table, a bracelet fell from his arm down to his hand, in the sight of all, and thus convicted the Bishop of perjury. Wherefore he was, by the king's command, cast into prison, where his anguish of mind would not allow him to eat, and he died of vexation and want of food.

§ 36. In the time of Bishop Walcher, the first of the clerical order who was Bishop of the church of Durham, except one who acted simoniacally, and who died a few months after. King William aforesaid, returning with his army from Scotland, entered Durham, and inquired diligently whether St. Cuthbert's body lay therein. Every body assured him with an oath that it was there, but he would not believe them. He therefore determined to examine with his own eyes, having with him bishops and abbots who would do as he bade them: for he had determined, if the body should not be found there, to put to death all the oldest and most noble among them. All were therefore in alarm, and implored God's mercy through the King William merits of St. Cuthbert, and on the festival of All Saints, when the aforesaid bishop celebrated the mass, the king, wishing to accomplish what he had determined on, was on a sudden seized with such a violent heat, that it was hardly possible for him to endure it. He therefore left the church in haste, and mounting his horse, urged him to speed until he reached the Tees. By which sign he acknowledged that God's Holy Confessor, St. Cuthbert, reposed in that place.

§ 37. After some time, the king sent one Ranulf to