so that, as a result, nearly the whole of the sun’s orb seemed as if it were covered by a shield most black and dreadful.
In the 734^th year the moon was bathed in blood-red for almost a whole hour on 31 January, about cock-crow; then, after becoming darker, it returned to its natural brightness.
So far we have been able to adopt the words of the venerable and most truthful Bede—teacher not only of the English, but (we venture confidently to say) truly of the whole church—just as from the source of the clearest spring, namely the Ecclesiastical History of our people composed by him. Henceforth, however, the history which follows has been excerpted here and there from various places.
In the same year Archbishop Tatwine died.
In the 735^th year Nothhelm was ordained archbishop of Canterbury. Egberht bishop of York, the first after Paulinus to have received the pall from the apostolic see, was confirmed as archbishop by the people of Northumbria.
In the 736^th year Nothhelm, after the pall had been received from the Roman pontiff, ordained 3 bishops, namely Cuthberht, Herewald and Æthelfrith. Bede, the venerable teacher, died in Jarrow.
In the 737^th year Aldwine bishop of Lichfield died, and in his place Hwita and Totta were consecrated bishops of Mercia and the Mid-Angles. In the same year Ceolwulf, the most noble king of Northumbria, when he had reigned for 8 years, became a monk, and he left the sceptre of his kingdom to Eadberht, son of his paternal uncle. This Eadberht reigned for twenty-one years.
In the 738^th year Swæfberht, king of the East Saxons, died.
In the 739^th year Nothhelm, archbishop of Canterbury, and Aldwulf, bishop of Rochester, passed away.
In the 740^th year Cuthberht, 11^th of the church of Canterbury, received the archiepiscopacy in the time of Zachary, and Dunn succeeded Aldwulf at Rochester. Æthelwald, bishop of Lindisfarne, passed away to the Lord, and Cynewulf was placed in the bishopric. In the same year Æthelheard, king of the West Saxons, when he had reigned for 14 years, died, and Cuthred reigned in his place. The holy Acca of Hexham died; he was succeeded by the holy Frithoberht, bishop.
In the 741^st year the minster in York was set on fire on Sunday 23 April. Éogan king of Scots died; he was
In the 742^nd year succeeded by his son, Muiredach.
In the 743^rd year
In the 744^th year a battle occurred between Picts and Britons. In the same year Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, and Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, were reconciled, and fought against the British after bringing their forces together.
In the 745^th year shots of fire were seen in the sky, like scattering stars, during the whole night of 1 January, which was a great marvel to all who beheld it. In the same year Dom Wilfred II, bishop of York, died. Also, bishops died in that year: Ingwald of London and the bishop of the Hwicce.
In the 746^th year Daniel, bishop of Winchester, died.
In the 747^th year Selered, king of the East Angles, died; he was succeeded by Ælfwald. Éogan king of Scots died;
In the 748^th year he was succeeded by his son, Áed the white.
In the 749^th year Eadberht, king of the inhabitants of Kent, son of Wihtred, died; he was succeeded by Æthelberht. In the same year Ælfwald, king of the East Angles, died, and Hun, Beonna and Alberht divided the kingdom among themselves. Also in this year Cynric son of Cuthred, king of the West Saxons, small in years, but great in vigour, was killed in a military engagement.
In the 750^th year Eadberht, king of Northumbria, took Cynewulf, bishop of Lindisfarne, captive in the city of Bamburgh, and caused the basilica of Peter in Lindisfarne to be besieged. Cuthred strove to finish the war against the haughty king of Mercia. Bishop Alwig died; Aldwulf succeeded him.
In the 751^st year King Cuthred fought against his most daring ealdorman, Æthelhun, who had stirred up dissension against him. Just when victory had almost fallen to this ealdorman, he, after receiving a wound, allowed