46 ROGER OF WENDOVER. [A.D. 560. begun and completed. Florus committed his son Bartolf to the blessed man to be educated ; and many other nobles following his example brought the place into repute. A severe winter, in which the birds became tame. In the year of grace 554, the winter was so severe with frost and snow, that the birds and the wild animals became so tame as to allow themselves to be taken by the hand. In the year of grace 555, there was seen the appearance of lances in the north-west quarter of the heavens. Medard suffers martyrdom. In the year of grace 556, St. Medard, bishop of Noyon, a man distinguished for his virtues, departed to the Lord, and was buried at Soissons. In the year of grace 557, queen Radegundis, formerly the wife of Clothaire, king of the Franks, assumed the religious garb, and became eminent for her sanctity. In these days there were frequent conflicts between the Britons and the Angles, and many fell on both sides, at one time the natives and at another the enemy prevailing. St. Gregory became eminent at Borne. In the year of grace 558, Gregory, son of Gordian the senator, grew in public estimation at Rome. Out of his own patrimony he founded six monasteries in Sicily and one in his own house at Rome. From being a prœtor of the city he became a monk, and was equally remarkable for his learning, wisdom, doctrine, and sanctity. Kineric dies and is succeeded by Ceaulin. In the year of grace 559, died Kineric, king of the West-Saxons, and was succeeded by his son Ceaulin who reigned thirty years. Kingdom of Northumberland divided. In the year of grace 560, on the death of Ida, king of the Northumbrians, that kingdom was divided into two. For Ella, son of a powerful chief named Yffa, began to reign in Deira, which was the name he gave his kingdom, and reigned thirty years. But Adda, son of Ida, succeeded his father in the kingdom of the Bernicii, and reigned seven years. This is that