HumanitiesWeb.org - Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book III (Chapter XVI) by Venerable Bede
Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book III Chapter XVI
by Venerable Bede
HOW THE SAME AIDAN, BY HIS PRAYERS, SAVED THE ROYAL CITY WHEN FIRED BY THE ENEMY. [A.D.
651.]
ANOTHER notable miracle of the same father is related by many such as were likely to
have knowledge thereof; for during the time that he was bishop, the hostile army of the
Mercians, under the command of Penda, cruelly ravaged the country of the Northumbrians far
and near, even to the royal city; which has its name from Bebba, formerly its queen. Not
being able to enter it by force, or by a long siege, he endeavored to burn it; and having
destroyed all the villages in the neighborhood of the city, he brought to it an immense
quantity of planks, beams, wattles and thatch, wherewith he encompassed the place to a
great height on the land side, and when the wind set upon it, he fired the mass, designing
to burn the town.
At that time, the most reverend Bishop Aidan resided in the isle of Fame, which is
nearly two miles from the city; for thither he was wont often to retire to pray in
private, that he might be undisturbed. Indeed, this solitary residence of his is to this
day shown in that island. When he saw the flames of fire and the smoke carried by the
boisterous wind above the city walls, he is reported, with eyes and hands lifted up to
heaven, to have said, "Behold, Lord, how great mischief Penda does!" Which words
were hardly uttered, when the wind immediately turning from the city, drove back the
flames upon those who had kindled them, so that some being hurt, and all frightened, they
forbore any further attempts against the city, which they perceived was protected by the
hand of God.
