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First Steps of the English
in Civilization
in reproving the haughty and powerful, and at the same
time his tenderness in comforting the afflicted and reliev-
ing or defending the poor. "To say all in a few words,
as near as I could be informed by those that knew him,
he took care to omit none of those things which he found
in the apostolic or prophetical writings, but to the utmost
of his power endeavored to perform them all." 1
Bede's eulogy of Aidan has the more value inasmuch
as he did not approve of the date of the Celtic obser-
vance of Easter, nay, "very much detesting the same," as
lie clearly indicates by his continued 'recurrence to a
theme which excited great controversy and perturbation
of mind in his day. But these aforesaid things he much
loved and admired in the bishop. "This difference about
the observance of Easter, whilst Aidan lived, was patiently
tolerated by all men, as being sensible, that, tho he could
not keep Easter contrary to the custom of those who had
sent him, yet he industriously labored to practise all works
of faith, piety, and love, according to the custom of all
holy men ;
for which reason he was deservedly beloved
by all, even by those who differed in opinion concerning
Easter, and was held in veneration, not only by indifferent
persons, but even by the bishops Honorius of Canterbury
and Felix of East Angles."
2. AIDAN AND His FOUNDATIONS IN ENGLAND
Aidan, like most of the notable members of other Irish
monasteries, was of high birth, a fact which had a good
deal to do in endowing him with influence both among
the Irish clans and the English tribes. He was a son of
Lugair, an Irish saint commemorated on May nth, and
apparently of the same lineage as St. Brigid. He was
iHist. Eccl. Ill, XVII.
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