owland was
the first in the neighbourhood to be restored. This restoration was
effected by Thurketyl. Instigated probably by his example, Ethelwold,
Bishop of Winchester, encouraged and supported by King Edgar, rebuilt
the monastery of Medeshamstede after the old model. The rebuilding was
completed in 972; and the name of Burgh was given to the place, and the
old name went altogether out of use.

The first Abbot, after the re-establishment of the monastery, was
=Aldulf= (971-992), formerly Chancellor to the King. He is said to have
accidentally caused the death of his only son, and feeling that he could
no longer live happily in the midst of earthly vanities, he endowed this
monastery with all his possessions, and was appointed to govern it.
Gunton declares that the prosperous and wealthy condition of the abbey
under the rule of Aldulf caused its name to be improved into
Gildenburgh, the Golden Borough. At this time most of the neighbouring
woods were cut down and the land brought into cultivation. Aldulf became
Bishop of Worcester after remaining twenty years at Burgh; and in 995
was made Archbishop of York. He died in May 1002, and is buried at
Worcester. He held indeed the See of Worcester with that of York till
his death.

He was succeeded at Burgh by =Kenulf= (992-1005). He is described as
famous for his wisdom and learning, and as having governed his abbey
"most admirably and sweetly." In 1005 he was made Bishop of Winchester,
not without suspicion of a corrupt purchase (_episcopatum nummis
nundinatus fuerat_), and died the following year.

The next Abbot, =Elsinus= (1006-1055), was remarkable chiefly for the
number of relics he collected, designing thereby to increase the fame
and wealth of the monastery. Dean Patrick thinks that before Elsinus
there was an abbot named KINSINUS, whose name he found in one record;
but he adds that if he were really abbot it could at most have been for
a few days or months. The list of relics gathered together by Elsinus is
extensive. At least eighty are enumerated. It speaks volumes for the
credulity of the age when we find in this list such things as the
following:--A portion of Aaron's rod that budded; a portion of one of
the five loaves that fed the five thousand; a shoulder-blade of one of
the Holy Innocents; two pieces of the Virgin Mary's veil; part of the
stone paten of the Evangelist S. John. The great relic of the house was
the arm of S. Oswald. The date when this was