Α.Ο. 798. THE VIRGIN APPEARS TO POPE LEO. him in chains in triumph. But not long afterwards, when he was dedicating the church at Winchelcombe, which he had founded, on the day of the consecration he released the captive king before the altar, and gave him his liberty. There was present there Cuthred, whom king Kinulfus had set over the see of Canterbury, in the place of the before-mentioned Eadbert. The church reechoed with applause, the streets resounded with men running to and fro, because in an assembly of thirteen bishops and ten dukes no one had suffered any denial of liberality, but every one went away with his pouch fìlli. For besides the presents which the chief men received of incalculable value and number, in utensils, and garments, and fine horses, there was given to all who had no estate a pound of silver, and to each priest a mark of gold, and to each monk a broad piece, and last of all, he distributed many gifts among the general crowd. He also enriched the monastery with such ample revenues, as would appear incredible at the present time. The same year, Eanbald, archbishop of York, convened a synod at Jftncfyale. About the same time, Eardulf, king of Northumberland, fought a battle against duke Wad and some o f his fellow conspirators, in the place which is calledStltngtfm. But at last, after many had been slain on both sides, the king obtained a most royal victory over this enemy. Hirenes reigned by herself for three years. When Leo, while a young man, was doing penance for wanton conduct, and while he was praying before the altar of the blessed Virgin, she, appeared to him, saying, " Ο Leo, correct your excesses, and I will promote you to the highest rank." He, remembering these words, abandoned the study of rhetoric, and betook himself to that of theology, and becoming changed into quite another man, he became chaste and modest, and diligent and learned. And he became a mos t skilful rhetorician and theologian. Therefore when the apostolic see became vacant he was raised to it, and when he was celebrating solemn mass for the first time, an offering of no small magnitude was made to him. For among those who were bringing offerings, a certain woman, to whom, as itwas said, he had had access in former times, sweetly pressed the hand o f Le o himself, and while pressing it kissed it, till she raised the flame of lust in the pope. He, reminding himself of the TOX. I. oc