A view towards Inner Farne, showing Knoxes Reef in the foreground. The white lighthouse was built in 1810 on the far side of the island as we look, the side nearest the mainland. It was on that side that Cuthbert built a house for visitors. The low chapel on the near side, the seaward-side, was commissioned in 1369, and stands roughly where St Cuthbert’s hermitage stood. The neighbouring tower was commissioned by Thomas Castell, Prior of the Abbey at Durham from 1494 to 1519, to add additional protection in troubled times.
FELGELD had for a long time suffered from an angry red swelling on his face, and he worried that he might have to give up his cherished retreat and move into the infirmary at Lindisfarne. So he kept back a piece of the calfskin, steeped it in water, and then gently laved his face in the water. As he had confidently expected, the swelling immediately subsided, never to return.
Bede told us this little history as the very last act in the dramatic life of St Cuthbert, Bishop of Lindisfarne, though he acknowledged that the calfskin was Ethelwald’s and he deserved at least some of the credit. Of the truth of it he was certain. For one thing, he knew a priest who had examined Felgeld’s face both before and after. For another, Bede knew Felgeld himself, and he had confirmed every word. And whether we credit it to Cuthbert or to Ethelwald, said Bede, we must credit it to Almighty Grace, which in this world heals many of us, and in the world to come will heal our every sickness of mind and body, satisfy our longing for all that is good, and crown us everlastingly with mercy and compassion.
A paraphrase of the final chapter of ‘Life of Cuthbert’ by St Bede of Wearmouth and Jarrow (?672-735).
Précis
Felgeld kept one piece of the calfskin for himself, and after steeping it for a time bathed a painful swelling in his face in the water. At once the disfigurement vanished. Whether it was Cuthbert or Ethelwald who worked the miracle, said Bede, it was a foretaste of the healing from all hurts that waits for us in heaven. (59 / 60 words)
Felgeld kept one piece of the calfskin for himself, and after steeping it for a time bathed a painful swelling in his face in the water. At once the disfigurement vanished. Whether it was Cuthbert or Ethelwald who worked the miracle, said Bede, it was a foretaste of the healing from all hurts that waits for us in heaven.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, if, may, ought, since, whereas, whether.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Die. His. North.
2 Act. Cause. Everlasting.
3 Gentle. Immediate. Mind.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Statements, Questions and Commands Find in Think and Speak
Use each word below in a sentence. Try to include at least one statement, one question and one command among your sentences. Note that some verbs make awkward or meaningless words of command, e.g. need, happen.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Worry. 2 Occur. 3 Start. 4 State. 5 Wind. 6 Demand. 7 Move. 8 Mind. 9 Board.
Variations: 1. use a minimum of seven words for each sentence 2. include negatives, e.g. isn’t, don’t, never 3. use the words ‘must’ to make commands 4. compose a short dialogue containing all three kinds of sentence: one statement, one question and one command
Adjectives Find in Think and Speak
For each word below, compose sentences to show that it may be used as an adjective. Adjectives provide extra information about a noun, e.g. a black cat, a round table, the early bird etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Least. 2 Longest. 3 Lasting. 4 Willing. 5 Sick. 6 Longer. 7 Long. 8 Best. 9 Almighty.
Variations: 1.show whether your adjective can also be used as e.g. a noun, verb or adverb. 2.show whether your adjective can be used in comparisons (e.g. good/better/best). 3.show whether your adjective can be used in attributive position (e.g. a dangerous corner) and also in predicate position (this corner is dangerous).
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
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