Cedd

Also known as: Bishop Cedd · Family: English · Role: priest · First appears: Book III · Chap. XXI

In c. 653, Cedd went with Peada, Adda, Betti, and Diuma to preach in Peada’s province, where many abandoned idolatry. Oswy then summoned him from the Midland Angles and sent him with another priest to preach to the East Saxons. After Finan found that the Gospel had prospered through his work, he ordained Cedd bishop of the East Saxons; Cedd later baptized Suidhelm at Rendlaesham. “The aforesaid priests, arriving in the province with the prince, preached the Word, and were heard willingly;”

At Laestingaeu, Oidilwald offered Cedd land for a monastery, and Cedd asked to remain there in prayer and fasting throughout Lent. When the king summoned him with ten days of Lent remaining, Cedd asked his brother Cynibill to finish the work; Cynibill built the monastery and established customs according to Lindisfarne, while Cedd’s brother Caelin was with the king. Cedd later fell sick and died there during a plague, was first buried outside the walls, and in time was moved into the stone church beside the altar. His brother Ceadda governed the monastery after him.

In 664, Cedd abandoned the practices of the Scots, accepted the Catholic observance of Easter, and returned to his bishopric. “Cedd, forsaking the practices of the Scots, returned to his bishopric, having submitted to the Catholic observance of Easter.”