_Offa king of the Eastsaxons with other go to Rome, he is shauen and
becommeth a moonke, succession in the kingdome of the Eastsaxons and
Eastangles, Osred king of Northumberland hath carnall knowledge
with nuns, he is slaine in battell, Osrike renouncing his kingdome
becommeth a moonke, bishop Wilfrid twise restored to his see,
Westsaxonie diuided in two diocesses, bishop Aldhelme a founder of
religious houses; Ethelard succeedeth Inas in regiment, two blasing
starres seene at once, and what insued, the king dieth: the successiue
reigne of Wichtreds three sonnes ouer Kent, what prouinces were
gouerned by bishops; of what puissance Ethelbald king of Mercia was,
Egbert archbishop of Yorke aduanceth his see; a notable remembrance of
that excellent man Beda, his death._

THE SECOND CHAPTER.


[Sidenote: Kings of the Eastsaxons. _Beda lib. 5. cap. 20_.
Offa king of Eastsaxons.]
In this meane time Sighard and Seufred, kings of the Eastsaxons,
being departed this life, one Offa that was sonne to Sigerius
succéeded in gouernment of that kingdome, a man of great towardnesse,
and of right comelie countenance: but after he had ruled a certeine
time, being mooued with a religious deuotion, he went to Rome in
companie of Kenred king of Mercia, and of one Egwine bishop of
Worcester, and being there shauen into the order of moonks, so
[Sidenote: King Selred.]
continued till he died. After him one Selred the sonne of Sigbert the
good, ruled the Eastsaxons the tearme of 38 yéeres. After Aldulfe the
[Sidenote: 688.]