Non Angli, sed Angeli

According to the well-known story reported by Bede as a tradition current in his day, the mission of St. Augustine was inspired by an experience of the man who later become Pope Gregory the Great. Walking one morning in the marketplace at Rome, he came upon some fair-haired boys about to be sold as slaves and was told that they were fron the island of Britain and were pagans.

‘‘‘Alas! what pity,’ said he, ‘that the author of darkness is possessed of men of such fair countenances, and that being remarkable for such a graceful exterior, their minds should be void of inward grace?’ He therefore again asked,what was the name of that nation and was answered, that they were calledAngles. ‘Right,’ said he, ‘for they have an angelic face, and it is fitting that suchshould be co-heirs with the angels in heaven. What is the name,’ proceeded he,‘of the province from which they are brought?’ It was replied that the natives of that province were called Deiri. ‘Truly are they de ira,’ said he, ‘plucked from wrath, and called to the mercy of Christ. How is the king of that province called?’ They told him his name was Ælla; and he, alluding to the name, said ‘Alleluia, the praise of God the Creator, must be sung in those parts.”

Baugh & Cable. (2013). A History of the English Language