Book 2, Chapter 8, Edwy the Fair from 955 AD to 975 – Archbishop Dunstan and the Clergy
Like many other men whose lives have been scandalous in the extreme, but who have affected great horror at like sins in others, Edgar professed much zeal for the correction of abuses, and pretended to be greatly shocked that any of the clergy should continue to live with concubines, as he and the monks termed their lawful wives.
In a general council held during this reign, the king, addressing Dunstan, said, “Are all our pious endeavours now frustrated by the dissolute lives of the priests? Not that I throw any blame on you, you have reasoned, besought, inculcated, inveighed, but it now behoves you to use sharper and more vigorous remedies, and conjoining your spiritual authority with the civil power to purge effectually the temple of God from thieves and intruders.” In thus speaking, he was but the mouthpiece of Dunstan, who was ever ready to seize upon opportunities for extending his ecclesiastical authority.
Chapter 8, Edwy the Fair
Origin of Anglo Saxon Surnames
Conflicting Testimony Concerning Edwy
Incident on His Coronation Day
Chapter 8, Origin of Monasteries in England
Chapter 8, Dunstan
His Alleged Visions and Miracles
Becomes Abbot, Bishop and Archbishop
Chapter 8, Archbishop Dunstan and the Clergy
Aided by Bishops Oswald and Ethelwald
The Secular Clergy Supplanted by the Monks
The Worth of the Eulogies Pronounced on Him by the Monks
His Position Among the Anglo-Saxon Kings
Policy Towards the Danes of Northumbria
Categories: Book 2
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