The Saturday Magazine, No. 66, July 1833

The Saturday Magazine, No. 66, July 1833

The first authentic mention of Lichfield occurs in Bedes Ecclesiastical History, where it is alluded to as the See of an Anglo-Saxon Bishop. The name is of Saxon origin, but its etymology has been much disputed. In the Saxon Chronicle the word is written Licetfeld; in Bede, Lyccetfelth and Licitfeld. Some etymologists derive its signification from leccian, to water (and it is well known to have abounded in numerous lakes and pools); others, from the verb licean or lician, to like, or to be agreeable, and therefore make it to signify Pleasant Field. It has however been more frequently allowed to be derived from lic, a dead body, and consequently as signifying cadaverum campus, the Field of Dead Bodies. This derivation is supported by a prevailing tradition, of the martyrdom of a thousand British Christians on this spot, at the time of the persecution (A.D. 303) under Dioclesian, when Maximian was governor of Britain. It is certain that the present diocese of Lichfield and Coventry, anciently formed a part of the kingdom of Mercia, which, being conquered by (the Christian King) Oswy, introduced the Christian faith into this powerful kingdom of the Saxon Heptarchy. He made Lichfield an episcopal See, by appointing Diuma, a Scotsman, the first Bishop, A.D. 656. After a succession of three others, the famous Ceadda, or Chad, was raised to the Bishopric A.D. 667. Bede informs us, that he had built himself an habitation not far removed from the church; wherein he was wont to pray, and read with a few, that is, seven or eight, of the brethren, as often as he had any spare time from the labour and ministry of the word. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 53577
Author: Various
Release Date: Nov 22, 2016
Format: eBook
Language: English