york00orns

66 YORK.
long years had exercised an influence of the most
marvellous kind over both princes and ecclesiastics,
passed away in the month of November, 680. She
was a woman of singular gifts, large-hearted, wise and
prudent, uniting, to the tenderness of her own sex, a
strength and tenacity of purpose and a capacity for
rule which have perhaps rarely been equalled by the
most powerful intellect of the other. She was consulted
perpetually by kings and princes in matters of
all kinds which demanded wise and prudent counsel,
and with a loving unanimity of reverential affection
the appellation of " The Mother," par excellence, was,
by common consent, accorded to her. The house
over which she presided, and of which she was the
foundress, was a double community of monks and
nuns. Under her wise rule none of those abuses
crept in which, as we learn from Bede, w^ere alleged
against Coldinghnm. Tlie study of Holy Scripture
and the practice of every good word and work were
carefully and constantly inculcated upon the monks
whom she governed, so that bishops sought for clergy
amongst those who had been under her care and
guidance, and no fewer than five of those whom she
had trained became bishops in the Church of God.
Bosa was one. The others were ^Ua, of Dorchester
Oftfor, of Worcester ;
John, of Hexham ; and Wilfrid,
second of the name, of York.
There was another inmate of Hilda's monastery
whose name must not pass unnoticed, for he holds a
place of unique distinction. It is that of Caedmon,
" the father of English poetry." He was a herdman
in the neighbourhood, undistinguished except for his