Section II

From the first we hear of books in connexion with Canterbury.
Gregory the Great gave to Augustine, either just
before his English mission, or sent to him soon afterward,
nine volumes, which were put in St. Augustine's monastery
--the monastery of SS. Peter and Paul, beyond the walls.
Being for church purposes, the books were very beautiful
and valuable. There was the Gregorian Bible in two
volumes, with some of its leaves coloured rose and
purple, which gave a wonderful reflection when held to
the light; the Psalter of Augustine; a copy of the
Gospels called the Text of St. Mildred, upon which a
countryman in Thanet swore falsely and, it is said, lost
his sight; as well as another copy of the Gospels; a
Psalter, with plain silver images of Christ and the four
Evangelists on the cover; two martyrologies, one adorned
with a silver figure of Christ, the other enriched with silver-
gilt and precious stones; and an Exposition of the Gospels
and Epistles, also enriched with gems.[1] Some of these
books were kept above the altar. Bede also records the
gift by Gregory to Augustine of "many manuscripts,"
and his authority is unimpeachable, as he derived his
knowledge of Canterbury affairs from written records and
information supplied by Albinus, first English abbot of
Augustine's house.[2] This monastery "was thus the mother-
school, the mother-university of England,... at a time when