Ina

Ina king of the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 689 to 729, celebrated as the principal legislator of the Anglo-Saxons, deserves mention here on account of his enactments in favor of religious observances. He was the first in that portion of England who made the laws of Christianity the basis of all civil and social relations. Particular regard was paid to the observance of the Sabbath day; the rite of baptism was ordered to be performed on infants within thirty days after their birth, etc. His relation with the see of Rome was very intimate. He made several journeys to the Eternal City, and originated in his dominions the payment of the annual tribute of the "Peter's pence." See Riddle. Hist. of the Papacy, 1, 310; Baxter, Ch. Hist. p. 93 sq. (J. H.W.)