He had also made a harp that was said to play of itself--which it very likely did, as AEolian Harps, which are played by the wind, and are understood now, always do.

For these wonders he had been once denounced by his enemies, who were jealous of his favour with the late King Athelstan, as a magician; and he had been waylaid, bound hand and foot, and thrown into a marsh.

But he got out again, somehow, to cause a great deal of trouble yet.
The priests of those days were, generally, the only scholars.

They were learned in many things.

Having to make their own convents and monasteries on uncultivated grounds that were granted to them by the Crown, it was necessary that they should be good farmers and good gardeners, or their lands would have been too poor to support them.