A.D. 1062. CONSECRATION OF WULSTAN. 127 he would pass without sleep, and thus incur danger through the brain being almost dried up, had he not hastened to satisfy nature by a hurried sleep. At length, when, by the power of nature he was compelled to sleep, he did not refresh his limbs in slumber by means of bed or bedclothes, but, upon a bench in the church, supporting his head with the book from which he was praying or reading, he would recline for a short time. At length, on the death of Egelwin, prior of the monastery, this venerable man was chosen by bishop Aldred, prior and father of the fraternity. This office he discharged most laudably, far from relaxing the severity of his former life, but on the contrary increasing it in many ways, that he might thereby afford to the others an example of good living. Afterwards, in the course of some years, on the election of the abovenamed Aldred, bishop of ^Vorcester, to the archbishopric of York, the unanimous consent both of the clergy and of the whole of the people fixed upon him, king Edward having given them leave to choose as their bishop whomsoever they pleased. It so happened that, on this occasion, the legates of the Apostolic See were present at his election, namely, Armenfred, bishop of Sion, and another, who, having been sent by pope Alexander to Edward, king of the English, on ecclesiastical business, by the royal orders resided at "Worcester throughout nearly the whole of Lent, waiting there for an answer to be given to their legateship, when a royal court was held at the ensuing Easter. These persons, while staying there, were witnesses of his laudable life, and not only gave their sanction to his election, but even encouraged in every way both the clergy and the people to that course, and by their authority confirmed the election. He however, on the other hand, most obstinately refused, and exclaimed, that he was not worthy, and even affirmed with * an oath that he would much more willingly assent to his do-capitation than to the acceptance of so high an office. When, therefore, he had been often attended by several religious men on this question, and could not by any means be persuaded to give hie consent, he was at length severely rebuked for his disobedience and obstinacy, by AVulsy, a recluse, and a man of God, who was known then to have passed more than forty years of his life in solitude. Alarmed, also, by a Divine warning, with the greatest sorrow of heart he was compelled to give his consent, and having accepted the bishopric, was