Baring-Gould’s sources: Whitford’s Salisbury Martyrology. Saussaye, and Menardus on Nov. 30; Bucelinus on April 28; Wilson’s Anglican Martyrology on Feb. 19. Authorities; — Bede, in his Hist. Ecc., and the Life and Miracles of S. Acca in the “ Liber de Sanctis Ecclesise Hagulstaldensis, ” in Mabillon, Acta SS. Ord. S.B. This, however, was written at the end of the 12th cent1] S. Acca, according to Simeon of Durham, was a disciple of Bosa, Bishop of York. He became an attached follower of the turbulent Wilfrid, attended him to Rome, and was with him when he died at Oundle.

“ Acca, Wilfrid's priest,” says Bede [English monk and historian (d. 735)], who knew him personally, “succeeded Wilfrid in the bishopric of the church of Hexham; being himself a most active man, and great in the sight of God and man. He much adorned and added to the structure of his church, which is dedicated to the Apostle S. Andrew. For he made it his business, and does so still, to procure relics [the bodily remains of a saint, or objects they used, kept with honor] of the blessed apostles and martyrs of Christ from all parts, to place them on altars, dividing the same by arches in the walls of the church. Besides which he diligently gathered the histories of their sufferings, together with other ecclesiastical writings, and erected there a most numerous and noble library. He likewise industriously provided holy vessels, light, and such like things as appertain to the adorning of the house of God. He in like manner invited to him a celebrated singer, called Maban, who had been taught to sing by the successors of the blessed Gregory in Kent, for him to instruct himself and his clergy; and kept him twelve years, to teach such ecclesiastical songs as were 1 It contains nothing concerning his life which may not be found elsewhere, being made up of miracles wrought after his death. VOL. XII. IO [Oct ao.

not known, and to restore those to their former state which were corrupted either by want of use, or through neglect For Bishop Acca was himself a most expert singer, as well as most learned in Holy Writ, most pure in the confession of the Catholic faith, and most observant in the rules of ecclesiastical institutions; nor did he ever cease to be so till he received the rewards of his pious devotion, having been bred up and instructed among the clergy of the most holy and beloved of God, Bosa, Bishop of York. Afterwards, going to Bishop Wilfrid in hopes of improving himself, he spent the rest of his life under him till that bishop’s death, and going with him to Rome, learned there many profitable things concerning the government of the holy Church, which he could not have learned in his own country.” The Saxon Chronicle gives a.d. 710 as the date of Acca’s succession to the bishopric of Hexham, and adds under date 733, that then Acca was expelled his bishopric, but why is not said. This is the date of the capture and tonsure [shaving part of the head as a sign of entering the clergy or monastic life] of Ceolwulf, King of Northumbria [the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of northern England and south-east Scotland], and the banishment of Acca may have been political Acca and Bede were friends, and Bede dedicated to him many of the most important of his commentaries on the Scriptures, composed at his desire.

According to Richard of Hexham, it was said that he retired to Whitem, and that he survived his banishment eight years. As Richard appears to have used original documents, we may perhaps consider the date he gives, a.d. 740, as the most authentic, though the Saxon Chronicle says he died in a.d. 737. His body was translated to Hexham, to be buried in the church which owed to him so much of its beauty. Oct acx].S'. John Caniius.