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434
MEDIEVAL ENGLAND
only drew multitudes to the cloister but were also the exemplar
and inspiration of all others who aspired to a life of holiness
among the clergy and layfolk. During this period, and espe^
daily perhaps among the ranks of the new Anglo/Norman
ruling classes, England could show many examples of sanctity,
even if the list is strictly drawn to include only those sainted
by papal or popular judgement. Among the men of English
blood we have Edward the Confessor, Wulfstan the monk/
bishop of Worcester, Godric the hermit of Finchale, Ailred,
abbot ofRievaulx, and Waltheof, abbot ofMelrose. Of native
Anglo-Normans there are Gilbert of Sempringham, Thomas
of Canterbury, and Robert of Newminster, and among those
of foreign birth who lived and worked in England there are
Anselm of Canterbury, Osmund of Salisbury, Gundulf of
Rochester, William, first abbot of Rievaulx, and Hugh of
Lincoln. To these might easily be added a dozen ofacknow
ledged holiness of life such as Lanzo, prior of Lewes, and
Robert ofBethune, bishop ofHereford. Taken as a it group, is
a notable list for a country of perhaps
a million and a half in
habitants. One comment may be made: no woman saint is
among the number, though St. Margaret of Scotland might
fairly be included. Neither in this age nor in any other of the
later middle ages did England give birth to a Hildegarde, a
Clare, or a Catherine.
The thirteenth century was the century of friars and bishops
the former preaching a way of simplicity and poverty, more
individual and in a sense more evangelical than what had gone
before; the latter presenting the Christian life and virtues as
they had been analysed and defined in the schools. Among the
early friars there were many examples of sanctity, though from
the nature of things only a domestic fame was won. Among the
bishops there were several of unusual holiness of life, and it is
noteworthy that the only Englishmen ofthe period to become
canonized saints were diocesan bishops, none of whom was a
monk or friar. Edmund of Canterbury, Richard ofChichester,
and Thomas of Hereford attained the altars of the universal
Robert of Lincoln was re'
Church; the cause of the great