Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation Ecclesiastical History of the English Nation, Book IV Chapter IX
by Venerable Bede
OF THE SIGNS WHICH WERE SHOWN FROM HEAVEN WHEN THE MOTHER OF THAT CONGREGATION DEPARTED
THIS LIFE.
[A.D. 676]
WHEN Ethelberga, the pious mother of that holy congregation, was about to be taken out
of this world, a wonderful vision appeared to one of the sisters, called Tortgith; who,
having lived many years in that monastery, always endeavoured, in all humility and
sincerity, to serve God, and took care to assist the same mother in keeping up regular
discipline, by instructing and reproving the younger ones. Now, in order that her virtue
might be perfected in affliction, according to the apostle, she was suddenly seized with a
most grievous distemper, under which, through the good providence of our Redeemer, she
suffered very much for the space of nine years; to the end, that whatever stain of vice
remained amidst her virtues, either through ignorance or neglect, might all be eradicated
by the fire of long tribulation. This person, going out of her chamber one night, just at
the first dawn of the day, plainly saw as it were a human body, which was brighter than
the sun, wrapped up in a sheet, and lifted up on high, being taken out of the house in
which the sisters used to reside. Then looking earnestly to see what it was that drew up
the glorious body which she beheld, she perceived it was drawn up as it were by cords
brighter than gold, until, entering into the open heavens, it could no longer be seen by
her. Reflecting on this vision, she made no doubt that some one of the society would soon
die, and her soul be lifted up to heaven by her good works as it were by golden cords,
which accordingly happened; for a few days after, the beloved of God, Ethelberga, mother
of that society, was delivered out of the prison of the flesh; and her life is known to
have been such that no person who knew her ought to question but that the heavenly kingdom
was open to her, when she departed from this world.
There was also, in the same monastery, a certain nun, of noble worldly origin, and much
nobler in the love of the world to come; who had, for many years, been so disabled in all
her body, that she could not move a single limb. Being informed that the venerable
abbess's body was carried into the church, till it could be buried, she desired l to be
carried thither, and to be bowed down towards it, after the manner of one praying; which
being done, she spoke to her as if she had been living, and entreated her that she would
obtain of the mercy of our compassionate Creator, that she might be delivered from such
great and lasting pains; nor was it long before her prayer was heard: for being taken out
of the flesh twelve days after she exchanged her temporal afflictions for an eternal
reward. Three years after the death of this lady, the abovementioned servant of Christ,
Tortgith, was so far spent with the distemper before mentioned, that her bones would
scarcely hang together; and, at last, when the time of her dissolution was at hand, she
not only lost the use of her other limbs, but also of her tongue; which having continued
three days and as many nights, she was, on a sudden, relieved by a spiritual vision,
opened her mouth and eyes, and looking up to heaven, began thus to direct her discourse to
the vision which she saw: " Your coming is very acceptable to me, and you are
welcome! " Having so said, she was silent awhile, as it were, waiting for the answer
of the person she saw and spoke to; then, as if displeased, she said, "I am not
pleased with this; " then pausing awhile, she said again, " If it cannot be
today, I beg the delay may not be long; " and again holding her peace for a short
while, she concluded thus: " If it is positively so decreed, and the resolution
cannot be altered, I beg that it may be no longer deferred than this next night."
Having so said, and being asked by those about her to whom she talked, she said,
"With my most dear mother, Ethelberga; " by which they understood, that she was
come to acquaint her that the time of her departure was at hand; for, as she had desired,
after one day and night, she was delivered from the bonds and infirmity of the flesh, and
entered the joys of eternal salvation.
