DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.6886#0063
WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
31
CHAPTER THE THIRD,
FROM THE RESTORATION OF THE MONASTERY IN THE TIME OF
KING EDGAR, TO THE REBUILDING OF IT BY KING EDWARD THE
CONFESSOR.
It is universally agreed by all the writers who mention Dunstan, more generally
called St. Dunstan, that he entertained a regard, which amounted almost to a
passion, for monastic institutions; indeed, it is the principal feature of his character,
and displayed, not merely a pious, but a most violent zeal in the support of them,
which he was enabled to indulge from the predominant influence he had acquired in
all ecclesiastical matters during the reign of King Edgar. When, therefore, he was
appointed bishop, or rather administrator of the bishopric of London*, he easily
engaged that peaceable and pious prince to order the Monastery of Westminster
to be restored, and rendered fit for the reception of those inhabitants whom he
had destined to the religious occupation of it. He also obtained from the king
the restoration of some of the lands of which it had been despoiled, and purchased
others. He then brought hither, most probably from Glastonbury, where he had
himself been abbot, twelve monks, for the purpose of constituting it a small monas-
tery of the Benedictine orderf.
* This circumstance has occasioned Dunstan having the credit given him, by some, at least, of
his order, of rebuilding or renovating the church at his own expence, and thereby acquiring the
title of one of its founders; but it is not probable, nor was it necessary, when there was a prince whom
he could so readily call to such a work.
t William of Malmsbury, p. 141, edit. 1596.
31
CHAPTER THE THIRD,
FROM THE RESTORATION OF THE MONASTERY IN THE TIME OF
KING EDGAR, TO THE REBUILDING OF IT BY KING EDWARD THE
CONFESSOR.
It is universally agreed by all the writers who mention Dunstan, more generally
called St. Dunstan, that he entertained a regard, which amounted almost to a
passion, for monastic institutions; indeed, it is the principal feature of his character,
and displayed, not merely a pious, but a most violent zeal in the support of them,
which he was enabled to indulge from the predominant influence he had acquired in
all ecclesiastical matters during the reign of King Edgar. When, therefore, he was
appointed bishop, or rather administrator of the bishopric of London*, he easily
engaged that peaceable and pious prince to order the Monastery of Westminster
to be restored, and rendered fit for the reception of those inhabitants whom he
had destined to the religious occupation of it. He also obtained from the king
the restoration of some of the lands of which it had been despoiled, and purchased
others. He then brought hither, most probably from Glastonbury, where he had
himself been abbot, twelve monks, for the purpose of constituting it a small monas-
tery of the Benedictine orderf.
* This circumstance has occasioned Dunstan having the credit given him, by some, at least, of
his order, of rebuilding or renovating the church at his own expence, and thereby acquiring the
title of one of its founders; but it is not probable, nor was it necessary, when there was a prince whom
he could so readily call to such a work.
t William of Malmsbury, p. 141, edit. 1596.