In the meantime, Malcolm, king of the Scots, boldly laid waste Northumbria, the earldom of his sworn brother, Tosti, having violated the peace18 of Saint Cuthbert at Eilond. In the same year, pope Nicolas departed this life, and Alexander, being chosen the hundred and forty-ninth pope, succeeded him. In the year 1062, "Wulstan, a venerable man, was appointed bishop of Worcester. Beloved by God, he was a native of the province of Warwick in the kingdom of Mercia, and sprung of pious parents, Eastan being the name of his father, and Wulf-giva of his mother ; he was trained in literature and the ecclesiastical duties, at the noble monastery which is called Burgh ; indeed, both his parents were so extremely zealous in the cause of piety, that long before the end of their lives, making a vow of chastity, they separated from each other, and rejoiced to end their days in the holy garb of the monastic order. The young man, led by their example, his mother in especial persuading him to it, left the world, and in the same monastery at Worcester, in which his father before him had served God, received the monastic habit and ordination from the venerable Brithege, bishop of that church, by whom he was ordained both deacon and priest. Immediately, therefore, at the very onset, he embraced a life of severe discipline and entirely devoted to the practice of piety, and speedily became a wonderful example in watching, fasting, praying, and all kinds of virtues. In consequence of this, by reason of the rigidness of his morals, he was first chosen for some time master and guardian of the novices ; after which, on account of his intimate acquaintance with ecclesiastical duties, he was, by the mandate of the seniors, appointed both chaunter and treasurer of the church. Having now gained an opportunity of more freely serving God, by reason of the guardianship of the church being entrusted to him, he gave himself up wholly to a life of contemplation; both day and night he devoted himself either to prayer or to reading the Scriptures, and subdued his body by-fasting two or three days together ; he practised holy vigils to such an extent, that not only day and night, but even sometimes, a thing that we could hardly have credited, if we had not heard it from his own mouth, even four days and nights together 18 Probably meaning that he had ravaged some of the lands belonging to the church of Saint Cuthbert, or the see of Durham. 126 ANNALS OF B.OGEE DE HOVEDEN. A.D. J0G2.