Died July 30, 734. Saint Tatwin, a monk of Bredon (Brenton) in
Worcestershire, was described by
Saint Bede (f.d. May 26)
as a man of
remarkable prudence, devotion, and learning. At the recommendation of
the Mercian King Ethelbald, Tatwin was chosen to succeed
Saint Brithwald (f.d. January 9)
as archbishop of Canterbury in 731. This was the same
year in which Bede finished his Ecclesiastical History. Thereafter he
consecrated bishops for Lindsey (Lincolnshire) and Selsey (West Sussex).
After his death miracles were wrought through his intercession, an
account of which was written by Goscelin.
Tatwin left several works including "Riddles" ("Enigmata'), consisting
of 40 acrostics similar to those of
Saint Aldhelm (f.d. May 25).
The
Riddles are written in Latin hexameters and Tatwin's ingenuity is
prominent: he makes the initials and finals of the first line of each
riddle into an acrostic of hexameters. These were published by Giles in
"Anecdota Bed?", 1851. They treat of such diverse subjects as
philosophy, charity, the alphabet, the pen, scissors, and swords. His
"Grammar" ("Ars Tatwini") expands upon that of Consentius and borrows
from Donatus, Priscian, and other sources
(
Benedictines,
Farmer).
Tatwin was buried in the abbey church of Saint Augustine at Canterbury.
His relics, as well as the others buried there, were translated in 1091
when the church was enlarged. The epitaph on his tomb praised him for
the same qualities described by Bede"
Vir religione et Prudentia insignis,
sacris quoque literis nobiliter instructus
(a man notable for his prudence, devotion and learning).