Bede's Life of St Cuthbert

Book excerpt: 'At this time, Cuthbert was keeping watch over flocks of sheep on some remote mountains. One night he was staying awake, praying through the night, with his companions sleeping beside him. Suddenly he saw a light streaming down from heaven, breaking through the darkness. In the light were choirs of angels coming down to earth, and after taking away a soul that was full of light, they returned to their heavenly country...' Written only a few years after the death of Cuthbert himself, Bede's Life is the definitive biography of the North's favourite saint. With introduction and notes.