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Life of St Wilfrid

Eddius Stephanus, tr. Colgrave, 1927

How He Was Ordered to Return Home and Took Holy Relics with Him

So, after many months had passed away with almost daily examinations and debate, at last he appeared victorious and altogether free from guilt. But although our holy bishop wished to remain in the Apostolic See and crucify the world to himself in his old age and finish his life there, yet, inasmuch as he had previously promised his humble obedience, the Apostolic chief and the holy synod one and all charged him to depart to his country, completely absolved by the Apostolic authority from every charge, definite and indefinite, after a long period of affliction. They bade him, in the name of the Lord, to carry their written decisions to the kings and the archbishop, and to soothe the grief of his followers and renew the joy of his friends. But our holy bishop, in all obedience, visited with his friends the shrines of the saints, and according to his habit, collected from elect men holy relics authenticated by the names of saints, buying also vestments of purple and silk to ornament the churches. With the blessing of the saints he made his way homewards, over hill and dale, by smooth paths and rough, until, after a long journey, he reached the kingdom of Gaul.