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10 SCOTTISH ANNALS
that he left successors notable for great continence, and for
love of God, and regular training. In the time of the chief
festival, it is true, they followed doubtful orbits, inasmuch as
no one had brought to them, situated far beyond the world,
the Synodal decrees for the observance of Easter ; but they
observed diligently those works of piety and chastity which
they wr ere able to learn in the prophetic, evangelic and apostolic
writings. But the observance of Easter after this fashion
remained with them for no short time that ; is, for a hundred
and fifty
till years, the year of the Lord's incarnation 715.
But then came to them the most revered and holy father
and priest Egbert, of the race of the Angles. He had lived
very long in exile for Christ in Ireland, and was both most
learned in the Scriptures and distinguished for the long-continued
perfection of his life. And they were corrected by him,
and brought over to the true and canonical day of Easter ;
though even before then they celebrated it not, as some imagined,
always on the fourteenth day of the moon, with the
Jews, but on Sunday, although in other weeks than they ought.
For, being Christians, they knew that the Lord's resurrection
which took place on the first day of the week must always be
celebrated on the first day of the week ; but, being barbarians
and peasants, they had by no means learned when that
first day (which is now called the Lord's day) arrived.
And because they omitted not to
of charity they
burn with the grace
merited to receive perfectly the knowledge
of this matter also, according to the promise of the
apostle who says :
" And if anything ye understand other-
wise, even that also shall God reveal to you." *
But of this we must speak more fully below, in its place. 2
597
ANGLO-SAXON CHRONICLE, S.A. 597, MSS. A,B,C,E. 3
At this time Ceolwulf began to reign in Wessex, and con-
cast out devils, and done many miracles, the Lord will reply that he never
knew them. But forbid that I should say this of your fathers ; for it is far
j uster to believe good than evil of men unknown. And therefore I do not
deny that they also were servants of God, and beloved of God, who loved
God with rustic simplicity, but with pious intention."
1
Philippians, III, 15.
2
V. infra, s.a. 716.
3
Cf. Ethelwerd, s.a. 597, in M.H.B. V^05 ; Fl. of W., 10 ; H. of H., 54-55.
*
I