The Life of Saint Cuthbert

CUTHBERT’S LIFE UP TO THE TIME OF HIS ENTRANCE INTO THE MONASTERY.

§ 4. We will first relate an incident which occurred in his earliest years, and which we have heard recorded by a number of persons, among whom was Bishop Tnma, of holy memory, as also Elias, a priest of our church, who had heard and repeated from the mouth of St. Cuthbert himself this proof of God’s spiritual election and predestination to his future course of life. Their account is as follows: — When he was a child of eight years he excelled all his companions of the same age in activity and playfulness, so that often, when the others were tired out and obliged to rest, he would remain by himself, as though triumphant, on the playground, challenging any of them to contend longer with him. One day a number of lads were assembled in the meadow, he himself being amongst them, when they began to engage in all manner of wild and extravagant freaks. Some actually took their clothes off and stood on their heads, with their feet and legs extended in the air, performing other like antics and feats of strength.