tent into Scotland, where he had been in banishment, and invited over Ardan, the pontiff, a man of great piety. Arid when the bishop came, Oswald erected an episcopal see for him in the island of Lmdisfarne. When, therefore, the faith began to extend itself, it happened that as Aidan, who was preaching the gospel, had not a perfect knowledge of the English language, the king himself served as his interpreter to his generals and servants. For during the long period of his exile, he had thoroughly learnt the language of the Scots, and owing to this, it happened that in a short time the faith spread so widely, that there was not a single unbeliever to be found in all that district. But Oswald was the son of king Ethelred, the brother of Eanfrid, on which account he succeeded to both the kingdoms, and reigned over them gloriously. In this year also, Penda, king of Mercia, was sent by Cadwallen, king of the Britons, with a large army, into Northumberland, for the purpose of killing king Oswald. But Oswald, being attacked by Penda in the place which is called ffeeinu fiHto, that is to say, the Heavenly Plain, raised up with his hands the sign of the life-giving cross, and, fixing it in a hole, steadied it with turves, and ordered all his comrades to cry out to God in these words with their loudest voice, "Let us all kneel to God, and let us all together pray to him to defend ue from the army of the proud long of Britain, and his wicked general, Penda ; for He knows that we are engaged in war for the just protection of our nation." All therefore did as he commanded, and in this manner they advanced against the enemy, and, as their faith deserved, gained the victory ; and the place in which the king erected the cross is to this day accounted to be endowed with miraculous power, and is held in great reverence. In the same year, by command of pope Honorine, Birinus came into the country of the West Saxons, and was ordained bishop by Asterius, pontiff of Geuua, that he might preach the grace of faith to that people ; and, as he preached the Gospel in that country, Kinigilf, the king o f that province, believed, and was baptized with all his nation. It happened at that time that king Oswald was present, and received him as he came up from the font, and Oswald was about to take his daughter to wife. Accordingly, both the kings gave the city of Dorchester to be an episcopal see, and, when they had