The History of Berwick-Upon-Tweed, and Its Vicinity; To Which Is Added a Correct Copy of the Charter Granted to That Borough (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1817. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... COLDINGHAM. THE Monastery of Coldingham was once the most flourishing in the Kingdom, although neither the name of its founder, nor the time of its foundation is accurately known. . At the request of its Abbess, the pious St. Cuthbert visited Coldingham about the year 661, previous to his departure from Melrose to Lindisfarne. In the year 709, this sacred house was consumed by fire, believed to have been a punishment inflicted by Heaven on account of the wickedness of its inhabitants.--It was the custom of those times for both Monks and Nuns to reside in the same Monastery, who, though occupying different parts of the house, often contrived to hold communication not altogether spiritual.*--This relaxation of discipline so alarmed St. Cuthbert, that, after his elevation to the Episcopal Dignity in Lindisfarne, he forbade, under the severest penalty, the approach of women to his Monastery, and many miracles are related of the .most dreadful punishments befalling those females who rashly presumed to violate this prohibition. By the exertions of St. Cuthbert, the Monastery of Coldingham was at last placed under the care of a pious Abbess named Ebba, and was again burned by the Danes in the year 867.--Hearing of the landing of these invaders at Berwick, THE CHARTER. * Grose's Antiq. and dreading the cruelties practised by them upon all who were devoted to religion, this pious Lady, in order to save herself and her Nuns from violation, took the desperate resolution of cutting off her nose and her hps, and prevailed upon them to follow her example. The Danes, shocked at such a bloody spectacle as presented itself, and enraged at their disappointment, set fire to the Monastery, and consumed therein its wretched inhabitants.* In 1099, Edgar King of Scotland, considering ...