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Ireland and the Making
found, who, solving the seven problems
of Britain
of the celestial
library are able to unlock them to untutored smatterers.
The fields of Ireland are as rich in learners and in the
exuberant number (pascuosa numerositate) of students as
the pivots of the pole quiver with vibrations of the glitter-
ing constellations, and yet Britain (if you like to say so)
placed almost at the extreme verge of the world, possesses
a glowing sun and a lustrous moon, that is to say, Theo-
dore, the archbishop of the island, who has grown old in
acquiring the flowers of the philosophic art, and Adrian,
his companion in the brotherhood of learning, and inef-
fably endowed with pure urbanity." 1
While it is sometimes asserted that Adrian founded
other schools in England besides that at Canterbury there
has been found only one charter, accepted as genuine by
Kemble, containing grants to him. This is dated 686 and
is a conveyance of land in Kent, being a part of his own
demesne (terrae juris mei) made with the consent of his
elders by King Eadric to St. Augustine's abbey.
IRISH PLANT ARTS AND INDUSTRIES IN ENGLAND
3.
No missionary from Italy had ever, till the installation
of Theodore of Tarsus, dwelt outside the boundaries of
Kent. Their hold even on Kent was a feeble hold, for
reversion to heathensim was the order of the day and the
graces of civilized life were not even coveted or imparted.
Of themselves the English could do nothing. As a result
of their almost absolute barbarism they showed from the
beginning an incapacity for initiating or originating anything.
Thus while Britain was everywhere encumbered
with Roman buildings of stone, intact or in ruins, Benet
i Giles, Adhelmi Opera, p. 94; Migne Pat. Lat., LXXXIX, col. 94. Stubba
suggests that Eahfrid, to whom Aldhelm's letter is addrest, may have been
either Echfrith, abbot of Glastonbury, or Eadfrid, bishop of Lindisfarne.
Raine definitely identifies him with this latter.
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