Page:The Church of England, its catholicity and continuity.djvu/40

 with men who would bring over with them Roman customs. This is why it is that, from the time that Northumbria was again established in the Faith, we hear of continual disputes between the upholders of the old Celtic Church and those of the Roman Mission.

Already I have referred to these differences. Now that each party was in a prominent position again, these differences were more marked than even before. There were two things now on which the two Churches could not agree—the time when the feast of Easter should be kept, and the particular shape of the tonsure.

At Northumbria, in the same year, Easter was celebrated at different times, in accordance with the opinion of the respective upholders of their customs. It was thought to be absolutely necessary that, on so important a matter, some settlement should have been arrived at. A Conference was called at Whitby to consider the question. This was in the year 664. This was called by the order of King Oswy, of Northumbria. Colman, the old British Bishop, was there to represent the old custom, and Wilfrid, who was a Northhumbrian, to uphold the truth of the Roman custom. He had spent much of his time in Rome, and became attached to the customs prevalent there. In many respects Wilfrid was a grand man and a splendid character. His life was a very troublesome one. He had but little peace in his life. Driven from country to country, immense money was offered for his head. Because he so loved Rome, in his difficulties he appealed to her for help. The Pope always took his side, with the hope, no doubt, that he might gain a hold on England. The king of Northumbria, however, did not care