Cuthbert and the Weary Hawk
A bird of prey shattered the peace of St Cuthbert’s island, and was taught an unforgettable lesson.
1193
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
A bird of prey shattered the peace of St Cuthbert’s island, and was taught an unforgettable lesson.
1193
Anglo-Saxon Britain 410-1066
This post is number 7 in the series Miracles of St Cuthbert
St Cuthbert (?634-687) loved the many birds of his island retreat, and before he died the saint promised them ‘St Cuthbert’s Peace’: that if they lived in harmony with one another, no man or beast would disturb them and go unpunished. Five centuries later, monk Bartholomew (?-1193) saw for himself the saint’s determination to keep a promise.
IN the days when monk Bartholomew lived in St Cuthbert’s hermitage on Inner Farne,* a hawk from a neighbouring island flew over and slew his tame sparrow, which used to feed out of his hand. The hawk looked for a quiet spot for his meal, but having broken the peace of Cuthbert’s island, it was not right that he should enjoy any peace there himself.
To his dismay, the hawk discovered that he could neither escape the island nor land upon it, but must fly and fly without rest. In rising panic, he sought refuge in the chapel, where Bartholomew found the exhausted bird fluttering about uselessly by the altar, betrayed by a trail of sparrow-feathers.
Bartholomew took pity on the weary creature, and gently carried him to the shoreline, where he released him, blessing him in St Cuthbert’s name. But he did not forget to give the shamefaced hawk a lecture on leaving the birds of Inner Farne in peace.*
Next in series: Cuthbert, the Bridle and the Book
Bartholomew, of Viking blood, died in 1193 and was regarded by some as a saint.
See also Cuthbert and the Expert Witness.
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What crime had the hawk committed?
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Bartholomew kept a pet sparrow. It fed from his hand. A hawk killed it.