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9
EDWIX'S BASILICA AT YORK. 1
future abbess of Whitby." Paulinus soon suggested
to his royal convert the erection of a larger and more
stately church, which was at once commenced. It
was of stone, and it enclosed within its four walls the
little wooden structure which had been hastily put
together for the baptism of the king. But Edwin did
not live to witness its completion. This was effected
by his successor Oswald. The oratory of wood has
perished long ages ago, though it was carefully preserved
down to the time of Archbishop Albert
[a.d. 767-782] ; but there are remains still visible
which may possibly be associated with the basilica
enclosing it, which was commenced by Edwin. Under
the choir of York minster there is a dark and gloomy
crypt, which may undoubtedly be regarded as the
site of the church of St. Peter which synchronized
with Edwin's baptism. Some small portions of Saxon
masonry may be seen in its recesses. It may be,
when we gaze upon them, that our eyes are resting
upon fragments of the very walls which were reared
by the first Christian king of Northumbria. That
lowly building was the germ and the precursor of that
glorious work of high intelligence which we now
behold—the mighty minster which lifts its majestic
head above the walls and towers and dusky buildings
of the metropolis of the North, the pride and
glory of the great shire of York, the mother-church of
Northern England.
Paulinus was now free to commence in earnest the
great work which he had in view—the preaching of
God's word throughout the length and breadth of
Northumbria. No aid was lacking which Edwin
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