In this calamity, Bishop Wilfrid, their first preacher, collecting nets, at the head of his attendants, plunged into the sea; and having opened this great resource of food, he reconciled the desperate people to life, and their minds to the spiritual care of those who had shown themselves so attentive to their temporal preservation.[42] The same regard to the welfare of the people appeared in all their actions.

The Christian kings sometimes made donations to the Church of lands conquered from their heathen enemies.

The clergy immediately baptized and manumitted their new vassals.

Thus they endeared to all sorts of men doctrines and teachers which could mitigate the rigorous law of conquest; and they rejoiced to see religion and liberty advancing with, an equal progress.

Nor were the monks in this time in anything more worthy of praise than in their zeal for personal freedom.