Cuthbert becomes a monk

Cuthbert`s early life is shrouded in mystery.He was raised by a step mother as many better off Northumbrians she was called Kenswith. Later he would visit her at Wrangham

As an 8 year old Cuthbert showed stamina and agility,running,jumping,wrestling and doing summersaults they used to ìbend their bodies in unnatural forms.î Cuthbert told Trumwhine who later told theHistorian Bede.Bede says that he was told from an early age that he would be a Bishop,by a young child who berated him for playing childish games.ìIt does not become a priest and prelate".

He may have fought for King Oswiu.

Cuthbert at North Shields

One day on the banks of the Tyne he was in a large crowd who were watching as five ships manned by monks were being blown out to sea by a strong westerly wind,other monks prayed for them but the crowd of locals laughed and hurled abuse accusing the mionks of ending their ancient rites and customs.but Cuthbert knelt down and prayed and the wind dropped and the monks landed safely.

One night (31st August 651)while shepherding on some hills,he saw a vision of light and learned next morning that Aidan had died.He at once decided to become a monk.

Where was he?Some people think he was in the Lammermuir hills.How quickly could news have arrived from Bamburgh.?Some think it was near Wooler.Bede`s next story sees Cuthbert on a journey in winter by horseback that takes more than a day and crosses wild land with no villages only a summer shieling for shepherds where his horse finds a meal of bread and meat hidden in the straw roof.

He chose Melrose because of the reputation of the teacher Boisil.(the town at Melrose is called St Boswell`s.today.) He arrived there on horseback with a travelling spear which suggests he was well to do. As he arrived Boisil said "Behold a servant of the lord". The book Boisil used to instruct Cuthbert was a prized possession of the Community of St Cuthbert.

Monk at Melrose

Eata was the abbot of Melrose and Boisil the Provost when Cuthbert arrived

Some years later Eata was given land at Ripon by Oswy`s son Alchfrith sub-king of Deira to build a monastery.He took Cuthbert with him to be Guest master.Unfortunately Alchfrith then came under the influence of Wilfrid and gave the monastery to him.Wilfrid insisted on introducing Roman customs into the monastery,so Eata and Cuthbert returned to Melrose.

He visited the Monastery at Coldingham where Ebbe, Oswy`s half sister was abbess.At night he walked into the sea until it reached his neck and stayed there praying all night .when he left the water sea otters came out of the sea and warmed his feet.He was seen by a monk who was spying on him.Cuthbert forbade him to tell others until Cuthbert was dead.As Bede says "the man concealed the miracle during St Cuthbert`s life;but,after his death,took care to tell it to as many persons as possible."

An attack of plague which was common at the time hit the community at Melrose. Cuthbert was sick but recovered,although he suffered pain in his thigh which was swollen ever after.Boisil his teacher died.Fear of the plague led many people to return to their old pagan beleifs,like wearing charms, and touching wood against evil.

Cuthbert went out into the wild places of Northumbria preaching to the people.When he arrived in a village crowds would gather to hear him.Sometimes he was away from Melrose for a month at a time.

Eata who was also abbot of Lindisfarne transferred Cuthbert there to convert those who held to the Celtic customs after the Synod of Whitby.