Died c. 700. Saint Bede tells us that, in 681, Saint Trumwin was
appointed bishop over the southern Picts by
Saint Theodore (f.d. September 19)
and King Egfrid. Archbishop Theodore of Canterbury had
divided the Northumbrian diocese governed by
Saint Wilfrid (f.d. October 12)
into three, establishing the sees of Deira, Bernica, and Lindsey.
Three years later, two more diocese were created for Hexham and on the
Firth of Forth to govern the Pictish lands recently
conquered. This last became the seat for Trumwin, who organised his see
at the monastery of Abercorn and later founded a monastery at Lothian on
the Firth of Forth. Trumwin also accompanied Theodore to Farne to
persuade
Saint Cuthbert (f.d. March 20)
to be consecrated bishop of
Hexham. In 685, King Egfrid was killed by the Picts in the disastrous
battle of Nechtansmere and Saint Trumwin and all his monks had to flee
south when the English were ousted. He went to Whitby
Abbey, where he was welcomed by
Abbess Saint Elfleda (f.d. February 8).
There he lived out his last days in
austerity to the benefit of many
others beside himself
(Bede). Trumwin's relics were translated during
the 12th century with those of King Oswy and Saint Elfleda
(
Benedictines,
Coulson,
Farmer).