york00orns

64 VORK.
York, which was to be associated with him in the
choice of assistant bishops with whom he could live
peaceably, and who were to receive consecration at
the hands of Theodore. The policy of the latter as
to the partition of the diocese was thus admitted to
be sound, but it was not to be carried out by his own
autocratic authority.
During \\'ilfrid"s absence Bosa ruled over the diocese
of York, which was recognised under Theodore's
subdivision as being commensurate with the province
of Deira. Besides Eata and Eadhed, whose consecration
has already been mentioned, Theodore added
two more bishops—Tunbert, abbot of Gilling, whom
he placed at Hexham, Eata remaining altogether at
Lindisfarne—and Trumwine, who, as bishop of Abercorn,
had the oversight of the Picts, who at that time
were subject to the supremacy of Northumbria.
Eadhed, who was obliged to retire from Lindsey when
its possession was regained by Ethelred, was made
bishop of Ripon.
In 680 Wilfrid returned to Northumbria, bringing
the decree which had been made by the Apostolic
see. It bore the " bullce "
and the seals attached to
it, which were marks of its authenticity. He presented
himself before Ecgfrid and showed him the document.
A " witan " was convened, and AVilfrid laid it in due
form before the assembly, and it was read in their
presence. But it was received with every mark of
contumely, some even suggesting that bribery had
been employed to procure it. The issue of the
" witan " was that Wilfrid was thrown into prison by
command of the king and his council, the intruding