but that afterward the sayd Abbey was destroyed which was again repaired by S. Edward the Confessour and richly endowed In which testimony is implied that from the beginning there were placed in it a Convent of Monks Concerning whose Rule and Institute we shall treat hereafter 4. A Second Metropolitan Church at this time was erected at the City of York which a learned Writer Philip Berterius quoted by Bishop Vsher esteems in that age the prime Citty and Church of Brittany Whose opinion the Bishop seems to approve saying Though as this day London be the most noble Citty of the whole British Kingdome and though it has been in former ages celebrated by Ammianus Marcellinus as an ancient Town and by Cornelius Tacitus as famous for Marchandise and abord of strangers Nowithstanding the most learned Berterius positively affirms that York was much rather the ancient Metropolis of the Diocese of Brittany not only as being a Colony of the Romans but because there was placed the Emperours Palace and Courts of Iudgment And hence it is that Spartianus in the life of the Emperour Severus calls it by way of preeminence The Citty The same thing is likewise further proved by this That in the Synod of Arles assembled under Constantin the Great among the subscriptions the name of Eborius Bishop of York precedes Restitutus Bishop of London Though I am not ignorant that in the ordring of such subscriptions regard was had rather to the antiquity of the persons then dignity of their Sees 5. As for the third Metropolitan Citty of Cair-leon upon Vsk Henry of Huntingdon thus writes of it In Cair-legion there was an Arch bishoprick in the times of the Brittains but at this day one can scarce discern any remainders of its walls except a little where the River Vsk falls into Severn And Giraldus Cambrensis adds that in the same Citty there were in ancient times three Noble Churches One bearing the Title of the holy Martyr Iulius which was beautified with a Monastery of Virgins consecrated to God A second founded by the Name of his companion S. Aaron ennobled with an illustrious Quire of Canons And the Third famous for being the Metropolitan See of all Cambria 6. Notwithstanding however this Citty of Cair-leon being in the times of King Lucius the Civill Metropolis of those parts might then to be design'd from an Archiepiscopall See yet we doe not find in History any ancient Bishops with that Title Yea the Church of Landaff seems to have enjoy'd that Title before Cair-Leon Concerning which Church thus writes Bishop Godwin The Cathedrall Church of Landaff as some report was first built by King Lucius about the year of Grace one hundred and eighty Notwithstanding I doe not find any Bishop there before Dubritius who was consecrated Bishop there by S. German Bishop of Auxerre and was by the King and whole Province elected Arch-bishop over all the Welsh Brittains saith the Authour of his life extant in Capgrave 7. Vpon these grounds it was that in succeeding times the Bishops of Landaff refused Canonicall obedience to the Metropolitans of Menevia or S. Davids as appears by a Protestation made by Bishop Vrbanus in the Councill of Rhemes before Calixtus second Pope of that name part whereof is cited by Bishop Vsher out of the Register of that Church as followeth From the time of our ancient Fathers as appears by the handwriting of our Holy Patron Teiliavus this Church of Landaff was first founded in honour of S. Peter and in dignity and all other Priviledges was the Mistresse of all other Churches Thus it remained till by reason of intestin seditions and forraign war in the days of my Predecessour Herwold it became weakned and almost deprived of a Pastour by the cruelty of the inhabitants and invasion of the Normans Yet there always remain'd in it Religious men attending to Divine service After this partly by reason of the neighbourhood of the English from whom we differed nothing in matters touching Ecclesiasticall Ministery as having been bred and instructed together and likewise because from most ancient times that is from the time of Pope Eleutherius there hath always been a Bishop of this place subject to none After the coming of S. Augustin into Brittany the Bishop of Landaff has always been subject and obedient both to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and also the King of England Thus argued the sayd Bishop Vrbanus but what proofs he had does not appear Certain it is that in all Records at this day extant there is no mention of any Bishop actually sitting at Landaff before Dubritius Whence it is that the erecting of that See is attributed to S. Germanus by Mr. Camden saying Germanus and Lupus French Bishops having repress'd the Pelagian Heresy largely spread in Brittany erected Landaff into a Cathedrall Church preferring thereto the most holy man Dubritius to be the first Bishop to wit in the year of our Lord four hundred thirty and six 8. Besides these the same King built a Church at Dover concerning which Bishop Vsher writes in this manner That in the time of King Lucius there was a Chappell erected in the Castle of Dover and dedicated to the honour of our Saviour is related by Leland out of the Annals of the same Citty venerable for their great antiquity The same thing we likewise read in a Commentary touching the first beginning of the sayd Castle where it is sayd That in the one hundred sixty one year of our Lord King Lucius built a Temple to Christ on the height of Dover-Castle for the maintaining of which he assign'd the Tribute of that Haven And whereas in a later Chronicle of Dover we read That among other liberalities besto'wd by King Lucius on God and his Church one was the building of a Church in the Castle of Dover to the honour of S. Mary the glorious Mother of God where both the King and his people as likewise their Catholick Successours received the Sacraments and Holy Rites of Christian Religion This does not prejudice the foregoing Record for all Churches are primarily erected to the honour of Christ and in consequence thereof to the honour of his Saints 9. There are severall other sacred places and Churches which in old Records pretend to King Lucius as their Founder but whose pretentions cannot in reason and prudence be admitted Thus the Authour of the Chronicle of Glastonbury written about four hundred years since relates That in the one hundred eighty seaventh year of our Lords Incarnation the Bishoprick of Somerset took its beginning being erected by the Holy men Fugatius and Damianus and for a long time the Episcopall See was placed at Kungresbury in which very many Bishops sate successively till the dayes of Ina King of the West Saxons the number gests and times of which Bishops can no where be found But in the time of the foresayd King Ina Daniel who as we have received
most illustrious are S. Aaron and S. Iulius who in this persecution of Diocletian and Maximianus consummated a most glorious Martyrdom there 3. Concerning whom our Countrey-man Balâ— though as became an Apostat a bitter Enemy of the Roman-Catholick Church writes thus Iulius and Aaron Noble Cittizens of the famous Citty of Caer-Leon for so Isca of the Silures is called from two Legions garrisond there and Disciples in Christ of the holy Martyr Amphibalus were most illustrious ornaments of piety to our Countrey of Brittany These two addicted themselves with much diligence to the study of learning not only in their own countrey but also undertook a Voyage into forraign Nations for the attaining skill in good arts for history informs us that they studied at Rome especially and therfore celebrates them much for their Learning 4. Iohn Fox likewise commends these two holy men but mistakes when he calls them Cittizens of Verolam whom Gildas and S. Beda positively affirm to have been inhabitants of Caer-Leon The words of S. Beda are these At the same time during the persecution of Diocletian Aaron and Iulius Cittizens of Caer-Leon together with very many others in diverse places of both sexes suffred Martyrdom Who after the suffering of severall tortures had their members torn asunder by unheard of cruelty and at last consummating a glorious Martyrdom they sent up their soules to the ioys of the heavenly Citty The same expression is used concerning them in the Roman Martyrologe on the first of Iuly when the Martyrdom of Aaron and Iulius is commemorated And both the said Martyrologe and S. Beda have borrowed the phrase describing the manner of their death from our most ancient Historian Gildas 5. And the deuout Brittains of those times after the same manner honourd the Memory of these two Holy Martyrs as they had done that of S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus by erecting Altars and Churches to their honour Thus Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinerary of Wales treating of the famous Citty of Caër-Leon writeth Here lye the bodies of two Noble Christians and next to S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus the most illustrious Protomartyrs of Brittany who were here crowned with Martyrdom I mean Iulius and Aaron each of which had a famous Church erected to his honour in this Citty For there were in ancient times in the said Citty three magnificent Churches One of the Martyr S Iulius adornd with a Quire and Convent of Religious Virgins A second dedicated to the honour of his Companion S. Aaron and graced with a Noble Quire of Canons The third was the Metropolitan Church of all Cambria This last Church was afterward translated by the holy Bishop S. David to Menevia the authority of Dubritius Legat of the Bishop of Rome concurring thereto 6. It is observable that all these Churches were built by Brittains long before the Saxons entred into this Island So that there is no need of expecting S Gregory the Great or S. Augustin the Monk to him who would find arguments to proove the Antiquity of the Roman Faith touching the Veneration of Saints in Brittany 7. Besids these wee find celebrated in ancient Martyrologes the memory of two Noble Brittish Christians the Disciples of S. Amphibalus who were crownd with Martyadom in the same persecution of Diocletian their names are Stephanus and Socrates Mention is made of them likewise by S. Beda Vsuardus Ado and others whereto also severall ancient Manuscripts doe accord We find no particular Gests of theirs only in the English Martyrologe it is said that in the Province of the Silures Churches were built to their honour Now whether this Stephanus was Bishop of London it is a doubt A Bishop of that name is sayd to have governed that See in this age though Authours place him somewhat later To this time likewise is referd the murdring of all the Monks in the Monastery of Winchester built by King Lucius Of which wee shall speak in the next year but one 8. Whilst the Romans thus raged in Brittany very many Christians not having the courage to keep their ranks expose themselves to their Enemies Violence yet resolving not to betray their Faith withdrew themselves from the fury of men least by the immanity of torments they should be compell'd to renounce it Thus Gildas writes of the remainder of Christians in those dayes Those persecuted Christians saith he which were left hid themselves in woods defarts and caves of rocks expecting from God the iust Iudge of all when he would please to execute his iudgments on their persecutours and restore safety and liberty to their own soules 9. This Christian prudence and caution of theirs was suitable to the advice given the year before by the holy Pope and Maâ—tyr Caius at Rome when the persecution first began For he in an Assembly of beleivers meeting together on that occasion thus spoke to them Our Lord Iesus Christ who perfectly foresees and knows the frailty of mankind hath ordained two ranks and degrees of Beleivers namely Confession and Martyrdom to the end that those who have not strength or courage enough to sustain the weight of Martyrdom may at least hold fast the Grace of Confession Let such yeild up the glory of Martyrdom to the valiant soldiers of Christ which are resolved to coÌ„bat for him and take a sollicitous care of their own soules Let them therfore who are so disposed depart out of this feild of battell whither they please together with our dear children Chromatia and Tiburtius and for the rest who are more courageously resolved let them remain still here in the Citty with mee 10. This flight of Christians in Brittany suitable to the Roman practise gave occasion to Persecutours to extend their rage upon Churches and Monasteries all which by this tempest were so uterly destroyd that as Gildas saith in severall Provinces of this Island there remained no marks at all of Christian Religion This desolation continued about seaven years till the happy return of Constantius as soon as he was created Caesar by whose clemency the Christian Faith and worship again flourishd in Brittany and this much sooner then in any other parts of the Roman Empire Which mercy of God seems to have been extended in a speciall manner toward the Brittains because as S. Beda saith they only preserv'd among them their primitive Faith received in the dayes of King Lucius entire and inviolate till the Raign of Diocletian XX. CHAP. 1.2.3 Carausius the Admirall of the Emperours Navy his rapines and rebellion he takes possession of Brittany 4.5 Maximianus his preparations against him without effect 6. The Tyrant left in quiet possession of Brittany subdues the Caledonian Brittains A monument of his Victory 1. THIS Tyranny of the Roman Emperours against Christian Religion God was pleased to revenge by permitting another Tyrant to raise himself against them in Brittany This was Carausius who saith Victor drew his Originall from
the Consummation of the saints A Church into which all nations should flow A Church or citty built upon a hill so that it cannot be hidden and which is alwayes at unity in it selfe a Church unto which Kings shall be Nursing-fathers and Queenes nursing-Mothers Lastly a Church in which Christs people should doe the miracles which he did and greater yet then they were which last Character is referred to the whole body of the Church in whom this vertue doth shine for ever as is observed in the margin of the English Bible 12. This being so let those defamers of Gods Church be demanded Where is the Church that is promised and thus described to be found We can shew them such an one not one of these marks wanting to it but let them shew the like to us They abhorre all supposition that the Catholick Church staind as they accuse her with horrible superstitions and Idolatries should be it for what would they then be Where then would they have us to looke for it Trâ—ly if they be our directours we may looke long enough to little purpose We may search all corners with candles and torches and all in vain And this our adversaries acknowledge For not any one of them pretends to shew a Church distinct from the Catholick and qualified as the ancient Prophecies require On the contrarie they content themselves with the fancie of a Church invisible and hidden in some unknown desart presently after the Apostles times during the whole space contained in this history so that no wonder if they can give no account of it which is to say in plain language Christ could not or would not and certainly did not make good the many promises of his Father 13. O the miserably sandy and miry foundation on which these men doe build all their pretentions of belonging to Christ and expectation of eternall happinesse from him since it relies upon this blasphemous supposition That all the Saints acknowledged hitherto by Gods Church and iustified to be such by innumerable stupendious miracles all the famous Doctours and Converters of Nations all the Glorious Martyrs all the immaculate Virgins and in a word all those who have and doe acknowledge themselves members of this one Catholick Church have been estranged from Christ excluded from that happinesse by criminall Anti-christian superstitions and Idolatries 14. Now I must confesse that this way of arguing does take its force from another supposition which whether it be made good or no the prudent Readers eyes may iudge which is this That by the following History is evinced that the present Catholick Church teaches the very same doctrines which from the infancy of Christianity were taught and received in our Nation The truth of which Assertion I doe not wel know or imagin by what course or methode it can rationally be expugned or considerably weakned and much lesse can I conceive how upon supposition that it is true it can be sleighted by any 15. Yet I assure my selfe this book will fall into the hands of some who without examining particulars will think with one puff of their breath to blow down the whole fabrick of this by professing confidently That they have no obligation at all to beleive one word written in it being withall certain that all is false whatsoever it is which may be pretended advantageous to Catholicks The Scripture the Scripture and nothing but the Scripture can challenge beleife from them as for all other writers and especially such as these out of whom this history was collected who were generally Monks or little better Iohn Fox has taught to make their stories no part of their Creed 16. But as for these men they seem not unlike an honest Northern tenant of the late Earle of Cumberland very zealous for the honour of his Lords family who when another his companion had in discourse imputed treason to some of the said Lords Ancestours replyed I am sure that is false for I have read all the Bookes of histories both in the old and new Testament and I defie any man to shew me that ever any Clifford has been a Traytour 17. Others there will be who will read this History with very great indifference whether the things related be true or not yea and whether the inference even now drawn from thence be valid or not A preassumed assurance as they conceive that the now Catholick Church is such an Anti-christian Congregation as they read described in the Apocalypse fortifies their stomack to swallow down and digest any consequences whatsoever though Christianity it selfe should be endangered by them 18. To such Readers as these I have nothing more to say but that I am sorry since they want the skill of Iudging like rational creatures that they have the misfortune not to want the facultie of reading or at least that it is not in my power to prevent their unproffitable expenses of money and time upon such a book as this 19. But as touching more sober Protestant readers who notwithstanding out of a preiudice against Catholick Doctrines and some times out of a feare of the worldly incommodities of being convinced by writings which assert them are ordinarily too negligent in examining the weight of Testimonies produced in thâ—râ— behalfe In case this Historie fall in to the hands of such the Authour having first besought almighty God to give them a more perfect discernment between temporall and spirituall things desires them seriously to consider in generall the degrees of credibility which occurr in Histories and Records and how far they doe respectively require our assent to them as a dutie of obligation 20. God our heavenly creatour as he has given us an internall light of reason to iudge of the nature of objects occurring to our senses by a frequent Experience of effects flowing from them So for asmuch as concernes other obiects which can come no other way to our knowledge but by the testimonie of men such as are actions or events which have hapened before our dayes the same God who is pure reason it selfe has instituted another light or guide which is authority to direct our reason in iudging of them that is in affording our assent proportionably to the merit and weight of such authority Therefore obstinately to refuse our assent to the testimony of witnesses who can be iustified to have been persons of learning Iudgment diligence fidelity and pietie and especially in matters the truth of which it highly concernes us to know is to oppose ones selfe to the most wise ordonnance of God and not onely to renounce our reason but the most necessary care of eternitie Vpon which ground S. Augustin sayes it is some unhappines to be mis-lead by authority but it is a far greater unhappines not to be moved by it The reason is because the former onely argues the imbecillity of human reason but the latter an absolute contradiction to it as if our soules were fit to iudge of nothing
among the stains and Errours of his writings they reckon these That he seems to maintain the libertie of mans will And that the law is possible for he sayes it is no impossible thing for men who have a good will to love God above themselves and their neighbours as themselves Yea moreover he denyes concupiscence to be sin Lastly in general they write that the doctrine of Iustification was delivered by the Doctours of this age too negligently and obscurely that is much otherwise than Luther delivered it 34. In the third Century they find yet more things to displease them The Doctours of this age say they for the greatest part admitt free will Thus Tertullian Origen Cyprian and Methodius Again the most sublime article of Iustification is for the most part obscured by Origen and Methodius And as for the doctrine touching Good works the Doctours of this age did yet more decline from the true Doctrine of Christ and his Apostles and Luther then those of the former For they invented and inculcated many voluntary observances Thus Tertullian doth immoderatly extoll chastity and continence Origen attributes to good workes that they are a preparation to salvation and consequently a cause And with the like errour was Cyprian misled who ascribes to good works that they are the Guardians of hope the stay of Faith and cause us to abide continually in Christ to live in God and to attain to heavenly promises and Rewards Then for Pennance the doctrine thereof hath been wonderfully depraved by the Writers of this age They impute remissions of sins to Contrition Cyprian expressely affirmes that sins are redeemed and washed away by penitentiall satisfaction Moreover the same Cyprian speakes dangerously not according to the Tradition of Christ and the Apostles concerning unction in Baptisme saying it is necessary that the person baptised should be annointed with Chrisme that thereby he may become the annointed of God and have the grace of Christ in him And concerning the Eucharist Cyprian does superstitiously faine that some vertue accrews thereto from the person administring it for he sayes the Eucharist sanctified on the altar And again The Priest doth execute the office of Christ and offers sacrifice to God the Father Which phrase of offring sacrifice is used also by Tertullian You may moreover say they observe in the writings of the Doctours of this age Origen and Cyprian not obscure signes of Invocation of Saints And lastly touching the Primacy of the Bishop of Rome Cyprian affirms expressely and without any foundation of holy scripture that the Roman Church ought to be acknowledged by all for the mother and root of the Catholick Church Likewise Origen sayes that Peter by vertue of Christs promise deserved to be made the foundation of the Church The foresaid Cyprian hath moreover on this subiect other dangerous opinions as where he tyes and limits the Pastorall office to ordinary succession And for bids inferiours to iudge Bishops and prelates of the Church 35. It is pitty to proceed any further in producing out of the following Centuries the sometimes sad but most often angry complaints acknowledgments made by these honest German Writers how generally their Patriark Luthers Doctrines have been preiudged and condemned by the fathers and Doctours of Gods Church and the Faith of the present Roman Church asserted The further they proceed in their collection a greater number of yet more Severe Iudges they discover till in short tyme they cannot find one to speake a good word for them And this like a conscionable Iury they attest In so much as one would be tempted almost to suspect that they had been secretly bribed by the Pope to publish their own condemnation 36. These things considered I cannot fore see any probabilitie of a Debate likely to ensue touching this Historie I mean for asmuch as concerns the doctrinall part of it nor any considerable arguments to proove against the result of it that the points of Catholick faith have not been taught through all the ages comprised within its limits And as for the ages following that is since the Conquest by the Normans it is out of all dispute that our forefathers have been Romans in a deeper degree perhaps then wee their children are now 37. But I must acknowledge I am not secure against quarrels for as much as concerns the Christian practises of pietie and vertue commended in the Saints whose Gests are heere related and the reason is because our modern sectaries have a quite different notion of vertue and pietie from that which Catholicks from the beginning to this age have entertained Therefore such Readers missing in this booke storyes of Exploits performed in old tymes such as they magnifie in their primitive red-lettred saints of their new fashioned Calendars and finding practises here exalted for vertues which with their good-will they would renounce in their Baptisme as works and pompes of Sathan I shall not want adversaries good store of all ages and sexes 38. For I confesse that among the hundreds of Saints commemorated in this book of whom not a few are acknowledged for Saints even by the Protestants and which is more for Workers of stupendious Miracles not one can be found of their new Mode Not one can be found magnified as Inventours of new Doctrines opposite to the Common faith of the Church Not one who to spread abroad such Doctrines armed subiects against their Princes demolished altars burnt Churches violated Holy Virgins or invaded the possessions of God Not one who thought his Christian libertie could iustifie sacrilegious lusts in breaking vowes of Chastity and soliciting others to doe the like Here we shall not read of somuch as one Good-wife of the citty or country not one chamber-maid Prentice or Groome disputing with Doctours and Bishops and confuting all the Fathers and Councils of Gods Church c. So that if for want of such qualifications as these all our antient Holy Bishops Martyrs Doctours and Virgins must be unsainted there remains for us no remedie but the old uncomfortable one Patience 39. Yet perhaps this defect or want of heroicall perfections will not so confidently at least in publick be obiected against our Worthies as the vertues for which we commend them A continuall macerating of the flesh with abstinences fastings Watchings Haire-cloathes lying on the cold hard ground and the like these austerities our moderne spiritualists will mock at as uselesse us voluntary self-afflictions concerning which they assure God wil say Who hath required these things at your hands And they will be yet more angry and doe hope that God will be so too against consecrating ones self to perpetuall Virginity or continence in Mariage against secluding ones selfe from all conversation with the world against almost all use of the tongue except speaking to God against an entire submission of the will to the Direction of another and specially against renouncing riches honours Pleasures c. 40. But such
with his Queen Brethren and no doubt a great multitude of attendants 4. As touching the former the ancient Fathers saith Baronius doe generally agree to what Eusebius a Grecian Ecclesiasticall Historian not at all partiall for Rome delivers in this passage of his Chronicle saying In the second yeare of Claudius which was the four and fortieth of our Saviours Nativity the Apostle S. Peter having founded and setled the Church of Antioch went to Rome where preaching the Gospell he continued Bishop of that Citty the space of five and twenty years that is sayth S. Hierom till the last yeare of Nero. The particular affaire obliging the Apostle to that voyage as the same Father after Arnobius c. affirms was the pursuing Simon Magus the Prince of all blaspheming Hereticks against whom this Prince of the Apostles was from the begining match'd in combat whose impieties he discovered and by true miracles rendred ineffectuall the others Sorceries till in the end during the raign of Nero by his Prayers he dissipated the fiery Chariot carried by Devils in the aire into which the Magician was mounted and in the sight of all Rome tumbled him down all broken into a precipice lower then the Earth it selfe 5. But besides this the Divine Providence had a more illustrious and universall design in disposing this journey of S. Peter to Rome whch cannot better be expressed then in this discourse of S. Leo the Great his most worthy Successour whose words are these When the twelve Apostles after having received by the Holy Ghost the power of speaking all Tongues had undertaken the Employment of communicating the Gospel to the whole world for which purpose they by common consent distributed the severall parts of it among themselves The most blessed S. Peter the Prince of the Apostolicall Order was design'd to the principall Tower of the Roman Empire to the end that the light of Divine Truth revealed for the salvation of all Nations might more efficaciously spread it selfe from the head to all the other members of the Body For what Nation was there some of whose inhabitants were not at Rome or what Region could be ignorant of what passed in that Citty Here the opinions of humane Philosophy were to be trampled under foot Here the vanities of earthly wisdome were to be dissipared Here the abominable worship of Devils was to be confuted here the impiety of all Sacrileges was to be destroyed For in this one Citty by a most superstitious diligence was heaped together in one masse whatsoever had been in any other parts of the world instituted by the vain errours of men To this Citty therefore thou O most blessed Apostle S. Peter wast not afraid to come and having the Apostle S. Paul afterwards a companion of thy Glory who as yet was busied in the ordering of other Churches thou courageously entredst into this forrest replenish'd with raging beasts and this Ocean horrible both for its depth and tempestuousnes of its waves yet thou entredst it with a far greater resolution then when formerly at our Lords command thou didst walk upon the Sea Neither didst thou feare Rome it selfe Mistresse of the world who before in Caiphas his house wast frighted by the Priests Maid servant And yet was not the Emperour Claudius his power and Nero's cruelty far more formidable then Pilats Tribunall or the Iews violence It was therefore a new Power of Divine Love in thy soule that was victorious over all inducements to feare neither didst thou esteem any terrour could deserve to be apprehended when thou wert imployed in procuring the eternall salvation of those who were committed to thy Love Thus S. Leo and thus doe many other Fathers expound the Oeconomy of Divine Wisdome in sendig S. Peter to Rome Many effects of whose Pastorall sollicitude in sending from that Metropolis of the world into all other Western Regions diligent labourers in Gods Vineyard and some particularly into Brittany we shall presently mention from the authority of ancient Records 6. A second not inefficacious Expedient furthering the effusion of Evangelicall Light into Brittany was as hath been sayd the captivity of the Brittish King Caractacus and his family whose magnanimous behaviour there together with the Emperour Claudius his favourable treating and as it is beleived restoring him to his Principality we have already related out of Tacitus 7. Among other attendants of this Captive Prince ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuâ—ments celebrate the memory of Claudia Ruffina a Brittish Virgin and as learned Writers probably judge one of the Daughters of King Caractacus who by her vertue and Christian Piety being a Disciple of S. Peter became a more illustrious Ornament to our Countrey then Caractacus was by his heroicall magnanimity She seems to have received a change of her Brittish name into Claudia from the Emperour whose captive she was for such was the Roman custome to which was added Ruffina from her husband Rufus This is the same Claudia Ruffina which the Poet Martial afterward so highly commended for her illustrious birth beauty and exquisite perfection both in the Grecian and Roman literature expressly declaring that she was a Brittain This the Epigrammatist writes in a short Epithalamium compos'd upon her marriage with Pudens a Roman Senatour 8. Now who this Pudens was is not evident in Antiquity Severall learned Writers of our own Nation and some Externs likewise doe confidently pronounce that this was that famous Senatour Aulus Pudens concerning whom Baronius thus writes It is delivered by a firme Tradition of Antiquity that the house of Pudens at Rome was the place of the first entertainment of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles and that there new converted Christians began their assemblies to celebrate Divine Mysteries Which house was erected into a Church by the most ancient Title of Pudens The Church it selfe yet remains wherein is extant this antique Inscription In this holy and most ancient Church dedicated by the Holy Pope Pius by the Title of Pastour heretofore the house of Saint Pudens a Senatour and the Hospice of the Holy Apostles there rest the bodies of three thousand Martyrs which the Holy Virgins of Christ Pudentiana and Praxedes buried with their own hands 9. If this was the same Pudens mentioned by Martial as husband to our Claudia Ruffina our Countrey has yet greater reason to glory in the title we have to her And that he was the same that passage of S. Pauls second Epistle to Timothy affords a not contemptible proofe where among the salutations sent to Timothy from Rome the Apostle in the same short verse joyns together Pudens and Claudia saying Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the Brethren salute thee Notwithstanding it cannot be denyed but that the difficulties oppos'd to this are considerable because that Pudens who first entertained S. Peter and was the happy father of four illustrious Saints Saint Timotheus Saint Novatus Saint Pudentiana and Saint Praxedes has in
ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments a wife of another name assign'd to him namely Priscilla Notwithstanding this being the name of Pudens his Mother it is not unprobable that Claudia in succeeding times might for her husbands sake assume his Mothers name However matters in this point stood it can not be denyed that our Countrey has a great Obligation to a late Noble and Learned Writer Francis Moncaeus Lord of a Signory call'd the Cold Valley who has published a Discourse full of ancient literature entitled Ecclesiae Christianae veteris Britannicae incunabula Regia in which he confidently pretends out of Antiquity to demonstrate this our Claudia Ruffina to have descended from the Royall blood of Brittany and to have been the Wife and Mother of Saints far more glorious And moreover this one proof hereto may be added that our Ancient Histories report that Timotheus the eldest son of Pudens came into Brittany where he converâ—ted very many to the Faith and at least disposed King Lucius to his succeeding Conversion Now it is very likely that it was out of regard to his Mother a Brittish Lady that this Apostolicall Saint made so particular a choice of Brittany to be the Province in which he desired to exercise his Christian zeale and charity 10. It only remains to be spoken of this Claudia Ruffina what we find in the Martyrologe of England upon the seaventh of August where we read these words A Commemoration of S. Claudia 11. It is an ambition scarce excusable upon groundlesse suspicions to lay claim to Saints and Patrons as some modern writers would entitle the Wife of Plautius who in Claudius his time as hath been sayd triumphed for Victories over Brittany to an Apostolicall office of converting many in this Island when she was here with her Husband Her name was Pomponia Graecina and according to Tacitus his relation â—he was accused of a strange Religion externae Superstitionis forbidden by the Roman Laws the cognizance of which pretended crime was by the Senat permitted to her husband who according to an ancient Institut in force at Rome in the presence of her kindred sate as Iudge of the fame and life of his Lady and in conclusion pronounced her innocent This Account given of her by Tacitus has induced learned Writers to beleive that this extern Superstition layd to Pomponia Graecina's Charge was no other then the Profession of the Christian Faith the fruits of which in her practise being perfect humility obedience chastity and all other celestiall vertues it is no wonder that her husband should so easily absolve her But that she should be a companion of Plautius when he was sent General into Brittany was against the Roman Laws and Custome as the same Tacitus elsewhere declares Probable it is that staying at Rome in regard of her husbands authority in Brittany she might be visited by Claudia Ruffina and other new converted Brittains and by such means be made partaker of Evangelicall light and become a Disciple of S. Peter 12. But a more unquestionable Disciple of S. Peter we find in ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments by birth a Brittain by name Mansuetus and by office an Apostolicall converter and Patron to the Citty of Toul in Lorrain being the Metropolis of a people called Leuci. Concerning whom Isengrenius as likewise Arnoldus Mirmannus out of old Records gives this Testimony that he was by Nation a Scot born of a Noble family a Disciple of Simon Bariona that is S. Peter Cheif of the Apostles companion of S. Clement Bishop of Metz and consecrated by S. Peter the first Bishop of Toul a Citty of the Leuci in the forty ninth yeare of Christ and in the raign of Tiberius Claudius Caesar. 13. Now wheras he is called a Scot this is to be understood as King Lucius in Ancient Records is called a King of England that is of that Countrey which was afterward call'd England For as Mr. Cambden well observes after most diligent disquisition the name of Scots is not to be found in any Ancient Writer till the Age of Constantin the Great about which time they are supposed to have settled themselves in the Northern parts of Brittany So that it may confidently be affirmed that S. Mansuetus was a Northern Caledonian Brittain who either in the company of Adminius a Brittish Prince or Bericus a Noble man of the same Countrey or as an Attendant of Caractacus went to Rome where he was converted by S. Peter and as hath been sayd design'd by him the Apostolicall Bishop of Toul probably at the request of some Proselytes of that Countrey 14. A yet more authentick Testimony both of the life and death of this Holy Bishop is extant in the ancient Gallican Martyrologe on the third of September where we read this passage At Toul a Citty of the Leuci there is on this day a commemoration of S. Mansuetus a Bishop who was of Noble birth by Originall a Scot and one of the first Disciples of S. Peter by whom being baptized he devested himself of his former Heathenish name and assumed the Title of Mansuetus or Meek from the Meeknes of the Lamb of God which he imitated He by the same S. Peter was sent to enlighten this Citty with Evangelicall verities At his first entrance whereinto he found it so wholly given up to abominable Idolatry that his preaching and exhortations would have produced little fruit had not Divine power promoted his endeaâ—vours by a wonderfull Miracle by whose assistance this Preacher of salvation restored to life and health a son of the Governour of this Citty who from a high Tower beholding certain horse-troops exercising themselves fell down to the ground all bruised and torn Vpon occasion of this Miracle the Governour with his whole family and a great number of the Cittizens joyn'd themselves to the flock of Christ and were signed with the saving Character of Baptisme After which the word of God had a free course and great multitudes not only of the Inhabitants of this Citty but also of the Countrey adioyning were established in the knowledge of salvation Thus S. Mansuetus enioying a firm peace erected and consecrated a Church to the Holy Trinity under the Patronage of S. Steven the first Martyr He likewise ordained here Ecclesiasticall Ministers and having instructed the people generally in the knowledge and practise of all manner of Piety in the fortieth yeare after he had begun the exercise of his Apostolicall Office he quietly closed his eyes in the sleep of death and so attained to the fruition of eternall rewards with Christ whom he always only thirsted after 15. A third holy Brittish Disciple though not Convert of S. Peter's Antiquity records to wit one both in Title and reality Beatus or Blessed Of this Saint mention is made by severall Writers some of them averse from Catholick Religion Yet none of them speak of him without admiration The summe of his Acts recorded by them is
our Lord appearing in a vision by night to him forbad him And moreover for a sign that our Lord himselfe had formerly dedicated the Church together with the Church-yard he with his finger bored through the Bishops hand which was next day seen by many persons so peirced Afterward the same Bishop by Divine Revelation and upon occasion of the encreasing number of Holy persons there added a Chappell to the East-side of this Church and consecrated it in honour of the Blessed Virgin the Altar of which he adorned with a Saphir of inestimable valew for a perpetuall Memory hereof And least the place or quantity of the former Church by such Additions should come to be forgotten this Pillar was erected in a line drawn by the two Eastern angles of the sayd Church southward which line divides the foresayd Chappell from it Now the Length of it from the sayd line toward the West was sixty feet the Breadth twenty six And the distance of the Center of the sayd Pillar from the middle point between the foresayd angles contained forty eight feet 3. This ancient Inscription carefully recorded by Sir Henry Spelman in his Collection of Councils is notwithstanding censured by him as a thing borrowd from fabulous Legends by which he condemn's his own superfluous curiosity to preserve it And wheras he endeavours by severall reasons to make good his Censure they being prudently examined will appeare insufficient 4. For first of all he doubts whether any Christian Churches at all were erected so early And indeed if by Churches he means such magnificent Structures as were made when the Christian Faith ceased to be persecuted it is certain there were formerly no such But that there were even at Rome it selfe places assign'd for the meeting of Christians to exercise the Duties and Rites of their Religion this is attested by all Ecclesiasticall Histories 5. Again he positively affirms that if there were any Churches yet that they were not encompassed with ground for buriall no mention occurring of any such before the time of S. Cuthbert and the Roman laws forbidding burial within Cities But the former allegation is a manifest mistake for long before S. Cuthberts dayes King Ethelbert our first Converted King and S. Augustin our first Apostle were buried in the Church of S. Peter and S. Paul And Constantin the first Christian Emperour was buried among the Relicks and and bones of the Apostles and Martyrs Hereupon S. Augustin and S. Maximus Taurinensis shew that it was usually the desire of ancient Christians to joyn their Sepulchers to those of Saints and Martyrs as expecting great security to their soules thereby And as for the old Roman Law forbidding buriall within Citties it was long before this antiquated And however Glastonbury in those days was far from being a Citty or even a Village it was rather a mere desart and solitude Therfore without any breach of the Roman Law our Lord might provide for S. Ioseph a place of buriall who had before lent him his own Sepulcher 6. But besid's this he excepts against the Rite of Consecrating Churches mention'd in this Inscription which he thinks to be of a far later date And no doubt many ceremonies and solemnities were by the Church added to that Rite in following Ages But that generally the houses in which Christians in the Primitive times met for the exercise of their Religion were by some Ceremonies dedicated to that use as by Erecting a Title fixing a Crosse c the most ancient Records of the Church doe testify 7. Lastly that which most displeases Sir Henry Spelman is the Dedication of this Church to the Honour of the Blessed Virgin a Devotion he thinks not in use till severall ages following Notwithstanding that even in this very age this was not the only Example of such a Veneration exhibited to the most Holy Virgin Mother of our Lord the ancient Churches of Spain will assure us which by a Tradition universally received among them attested in all their Liturgies severall of their Councils relate that there were even from the first entrance of Christianity into that Kingdom several Churches erected to her honour Among which the most famous is that Temple at Saragoça called del Pilar or of the Pillar celebrated above a thousand years since by S. Maximus Bishop of that Citty who composed severall Hymns to celebrate that most venerable house called Angelical because the Pillar on which her statue was fixed was brought thither by the ministery Angels 8. The foresayd Inscription therfore containing litle more then what hath been justifyed by Witnesses of great authority S. Patrick and S. David ought to enioy its title to our beleife the substance of it not having been questiond for above a thousand years but on the contrary admitted in Councills confirm'd by ancient Records and Charters esteem'd by the whole state of this Kingdom so authentick that to honour that most venerable Church and in gratitude to our common Patron the Founder of it possessions Gifts and ornaments of inestimable valew have in all Ages been offred IX CHAP. 1. King Marius succeed's Arviragus 2.3 c. In his time is the first mention of the Picts who they were and why so called 1. ABout ten years after S. Ioseph's entrance into Brittany King Arviragus dying his son Marius succeeded him in the Kingdom resembling his Father as in courage and other Princely vertues so likewise in his kindnes to these Holy strangers for he not only confirm'd Arviragus his liberality to them but moreover extended his own as we read in Capgrave 2. In this Kings time we first find any mention made of the Picts as if they were a Nation in the Northern parts of Brittany distinct from the Brittains Mathew a Monk of Westminster sirnamed Florilegus thus writes of them In the seaventy fifth yeare of Grace saith he Roderick King of the Picts coming out of Scythia landed in the Northern coast of Brittany and began to wast that Province But Marius King of the Brittains meeting him in warlike manner slew him And afterwards gave unto the conquered people which remain'd alive that part of Albany which is called Catenes a desart uninhabited countey 3. In like manner S. Beda thus relates the coming of the Picts into Brittany In the beginning says he this Island was inhabited only by the Brittains from whom it took its name And they enioying the possession of the greatest part of the Island beginning from the Southern parts it hapned that a certain Nation called Picts as the report is coming out of Scythia adventured to Sea in long boats not many in number and being toss'd by tempests beyond the coasts of Brittany came into Ireland entring into the Northern parts of it and finding in inhabited by a Nation call'd Scots desired of them permission to plant themselves there but were refused Now Ireland is of all Islands next to Brittany the
afterward ordained Bishop of Tongres and Triers For before Constantins time saith Miraeus those two Citties were govern'd by one Bishop In the Annals of which Church we read that Saint Lucius King of Brittany was made a Christian and baptised by this Marcellus a Teacher of the inhabitants of Triers Indeed it is not unprobable that King Lucius might have been instructed in the verities of Christian Religionâ— and well disposed to the Profession of it by this Saint but there are far more authentik testimonies demonstrating that he was baptised by Fugatius and Damianus sent from Rome by Pope Eleutherius as shall be demonstrated herafter 4. This holy Bishop was the first Brittain which suffred Martyrdom out of the Island as S. Alban was the first that suffred within it He is commemorated in our Martyrologe on the fourth of September and in the Gallican Martyrologe he is celebrated with an illustrious Elogy This his Martyrdom hapned many years after this time in a great persecution rais'd against Christians during the raign of Antoninus his Successour Marcus Aurelius when he was absent from Rome and gone into the Eastern parts then in commotion after he had finished the German warr XII CHAP. 1.2 S. Timothy the son of Pudens preaches in Brittany 3. Of his Sister S. Pudentiana 4. Who Priscilla was 1. TOgether with S. Marcellus there came from Rome another illustrious Saint of Noble Birth and plentifull fortunes all which notwithstanding he despis'd and relinquish'd that with more freedom he might preach Christ crucified This was S. Timotheus the son of Pudens a Roman Senatour and of his wife suppos'd by many to have been the famous S. Claudia the Brittish Lady concerning whom we have already treated He was Brother to Novatus and to S. Pudentiana and S. Prâ—xedes whose memories are anniversarily celebrated by the Catholick Church 2. The coming of S. Timotheus is a considerable proof that his Mother was a Brittain and for that reason the whole family may iustly challenge a place in this History And because he survived the rest we will breifly set down what we find in the Ecclesiasticall Office touching the two Holy Sisters 3. Pudentiana a Virgin daughter of Pudens a Roman Senatour with admirable piety practising the duties of Christian Religion together with her sister Praxedes sold her patrimony and distributed to the poore the monâ—y arising from thence giving her selfe wholly â—o fasting and prayer By her endeavours and zeale her whole family consisting of ninety six persons was converted to the Faith and baptised by Pope Pius And wheras by an Edict of the Emperour Antoninus publick Sacrifices of Christians were forbidden the Holy Pope celebrated the Divine Mysteries together with other Christians in the house of Pudentianâ— who kindly entertained them all affording them all things necessary for their sustenanâ—e Thus continually employing herselfe in these offices of Piety she departed out of this life and on the fourteenth of the Calends of Iune in the year of our Lord one hundred sixty and one she was buried in the Sepulcher of her Father in the Coemitory of Priscilla situated in the Salarian way 4. Priscilla here mention'd by whom a Coemitory or common place of buriall for Christians had been bestow'd was the Mother of Pudens and Grand-mother of this holy Virgin From her probably it was that her Mother Claudia took her name For as she being a Captive attending King Caractacus when he was taken prisoner by Ostorius she changed her Brittish name into Claudia out of regard to Emperour Claudius so being maried to Pudens she it seems once more changed it for another peculiar to her husbands family XIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Novatus Brother of S Timothy and S Pudentiana signified in a lâ—tter from the Holy Preist Pastor S. Timothy in Brittany 3. S. Timothy's Answer who leaves to the disposall of his Sister S. Praxedes the state left by their Brother 4 5. She dedicats the Bathes of Novatus or Timothy into a Church where Christians assembled 6. Why Churches in Rome call'd Tituli 1. THe next yeare followed the death of Pudentiana's Brother Novatus Concerning which the ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments have still preserved a letter written by the Holy Preist called Pastor directed to S. Timotheus then absent from Rome and employed in the Apostolick Office in Brittany the tenour of the Letter is as follows 2. Pastor a Preist to his follow Preist Timotheus health in our Lord. The Venerable Virgin Praxedes was in great affliction for the death of her Sister Pudentiana Whereupon many honourable Christians together with our Holy Pope Pius came to her to comfort her There came likewise to her for the same purpose Novatus your Brother who is also our Brother in our Lord and gave her much consolation and moreover by his liberality he greatly refreshed many poore Christians ministring to them plentifully of his wealth Being with his Sister he earnestly desired that by her prayers he might obtain mercy from our Lord. He likewise together with our most blessed Bishop Pius doth frequently commemorate you at the Altar of our Lord. About a month and twenty eight days days after he was departed from the Virgin Praxedes he fell sick Now our Bishop Pius together with the Virgin Praxedes having a solicitude for all Christians they enquired where the Man of God Novatus was since he appeared not in the Congregation And they were informed that he was detained thence by sicknes then were all very sorrowfull Hereupon the Blessed Virgin Praxedes sayd to our Bishop Pius If it be your Holines pleasure let us goe to him for by your visitation and prayers I doe assure my selfe our Lord will save him Vpon this her proposall it was resolved accordingly and at night wee together with our Bishop Pius and the Virgin of our lord Praxedes went to the Man of our Lord Novatus And when this Holy man heard that this assembly was come to see him he gave thanks to our Lord for the comfort he received by the Visitation of the Holy Bishop Pius together with the Virgin of our Lord and all the rest of us Thus wee remained in his house eight days and nights And during the time we were with him he expressed his Will and pleasure to be to bequeath to your selfe and the Blessed-Virgin Praxedes all his estate and on the thirteenth day following he departed to our Lord. Of these things we together with holy Pius Bishop of the Apostolick See and the Virgin Praxedes thought meet to give you an account by these our letters to the end you might acquaint us with your pleasure how you would have the estate of your Brother Novatus disposed that your appointment may in all things be observed Sent by Eusebius a Subdeacon of the holy Roman Church 3. To this Letter S. Timotheus his Answer follows though short yet full of piety and perfum'd with the simplicity and Christian Charity of that age
VII Caâ—r Custeint This Citty was formerly called Seiont near Caernarvont being the same which Antoninus calls Seguntium But it chang'd its name into Caïr Custeinâ— because Constantius the Father of Constantin was buried there Whose body saith Mathew of Westminster was found at Caernarvon near Snowdon in the time of King Edward the first after the Conquest and by his command honourably buried in the Church VIII Caïr Caratauc or Caïr Caradoc in the borders of Shropshire between the Rivers Temdus and Colunus Where King Caractacus rais'd against the Roman Generall Ostorius a great Rampire but was there defeated by him There a Citty being afterwards rais'd was from his Name called Caïr Caradoc So that Geffrey of Monmouth and Huntingdon are much mistaken who interpret this Citty to be Salisbury IX Caïr Grant or Granteceaster or Grantbridge now Cambridge taking its name from the River Grant or Gront X. Cair Maunguid or Manchguid suppos'd to be the same Which by Antoninus is called Mancunium or Manchester in Lancashire others conceive it to be Manduessedum or Manchester in Warwickshire XI Caïr Lundein by others Caïr Lud now London XII Caïr Guorthigirn a Citty situated in Radnorshire and called from King Vortigern who conceild himself there being afraid of punishment for his horrible crimes but was found out by Divine Iustice and by Lightning burnt together with his Citty What the prime name of this Citty was in King Lucius his dayes does not appeare XIII Caïr Ceint or Kent now called Canterbury formerly Dorobernia XIV Caïr Guiragon or Guorangon that is Wigornia The Welsh call it Caër Wrangon the English Worcester Antoninus calls it Branonium and Ptolomy Branogenium XV. Caïr Perâ—s otherwise Portcester from the commodiousnes of the Haven It is now called Portsmouth XVI Caïr Daun named by Antoninus Danus now Doncaster in Yorkshire XVII Caïr-Legioâ— taking its name from the the twentieth Legion by Iulius Agricola's appointment quartering there It is at this day called Chester or Westchester XVIII Caïr Guricon or Guoricon or as Cambden writes it Caïr Guaruinc now warwick so called because it was a Garrison of the Romans which in the Brittish Language is called Guarth XIX Caïr Segeint or the Citty of the Segontiaci which were the people who first surrendred themselves to Caesar It is now called Silcester in Hampshire XX. Caïr Leon or Vsk so call'd because the second Brittish Legion brought over by Vespasian was quartered here It was seated in Monmouthshire but is now quite demolished XXI Caïr Guent called by the Romans Venta Belgarum to distinguish it from severall other places called Ventae being in the Province of the Belgae a people which came out of lower Germany and seated themselves in Hampshire it is now called Winchester XXII Caïr Brito a Citty placed between the Rivers Avon and Fome it is now called Bristol XXIII Caïr Lerion by the Saxons afterward called Legecestria now Leicester XXIV Caïr Draiton the situation whereof is now uncertain there being many places of that name Bishop Vsher thinks it is the same now call'd Dragton in Shropshire XXV Caïr Pentavelcoit seated on the River Ivel in Somershire now called Ivelcester or Ilchester The same learned Bishop writes it Caïr Pensavelcoit supposing it to be Pentsey in Sussex where William the Conquerour first landed XXVI Caïr Vrvac called by Antoninus Vriconium and by the Saxons Wrekenceaster at this day Wroxcester in Shropshire XXVII Caïr Calemion or as Mr. Cambden reads it Caïr Calion which he thinks to be Camelet in Somersetshire where remains the footsteps of an ancient Roman Camp and where many Roman Coyns are frequently found XXVIII Caïr Luitcoit or rather Lindcoit by Antoninus and Ptolomy call'd Lindum by the Saxons Lindecollinum at this day Lincoln 5. These are the twenty eight Citties of Brittany all which cannot yet be asserted to have been extant at least under those names in the dayes of King Lucius since among them there are severall which took their Title from persons living in after-ages as Caïr Vortigern Caïr Casteint c. And Caïr Draiton seems to have been a Saxon building 6. Henry of Huntington in the account of them varies somewhat from this and in the place of some of these omitted by him substitutes others as Caïr Glou that is Glocester Caïr Cei or Chichester Caïr Ceri that is Cirencester Caïr Dorm call'd by Antoninus Durobrivae at this day Dornford in Huntingdonshire Caïr Dauri or Caïr Dorin now Dorcester And Caïr Merdin still remaining with the same name from whence a Province in Wales takes its title These are the Cittie 's design'd to be the Residences of Arch-bishops and Bishops when the number of Pastors should be so encreased as to supply them 7. Now whereas here is mention'd the Title of Arch-bishops we are to take notice that that Title was not in use as yet in the Church in the dayes of King Luciâ—s but yet the same latitude of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction was from the beginning under the name of Metropolitan Bishops For the Policy of the Church being squared according to the Civill as the Governours of Citties which were Metropoles exercised an Authority over other Citties also depending on them so did the Bishops likewise of those Citties over the whole Provinces IX CHAP. 1.2.3 Of Saint Theanus first Bishop of London 4.5 Elvanus his Successour 1. HOw many of those twenty eight Citties were in those dayes supplied with Bishops is uncertain Besides Elvanus consecrated Bishop at Rome our Ecclesiasticall Records mention only one Brittish Bishop more called Theanus the first Metropolitan Bishop of London where our devout King Lucius built a Church consecrated to S. Peter and seated in the place called Cornhill 2. The truth of this is testified by an ancient Table belonging to the same Church wherein was this Inscription In the year of our Lord one hundred seaventy nine Lucius the first Christian King of this Land founded the first Church at London namely the Church of Saint Peter in Cornhill He established likewise there an Archiepiscopall See and the prime Church of the Kingdom and so it continued for the space of four hundred years till the coming of S. Augustin the Apostle of England c. Thus the Inscription 3. But Iocelinus a Monk of Furnes testifying this holy Prelat Theanus to have been the first Archbishop of this new erected See of London makes him to be the Founder of this Church for thus he writes Thean or Theanus is sayd in the time of King Lucius to have built the Church of S. Peter on Cornhill in London being assisted therein by Ciranus the Kings Cheif Cupp-bearer 4. After Theanus his decease the time of whose government in that See is uncertain there succeeded him therein S. Elvanus who generally is acknowledged the second Metroâ—politan of London But whether in those times there was in Brittany any Iurisdiction properly Metropoliticall which must presuppose an erection of severall subordinate Dioceses cannot by any of our
ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments be asserted Vpon which grounds Malmsburiensis saith There is no certainty in what place was seated the Archiepiscopall Iurisdiction in the time of the Brittains before the entry of the Saxons X. CHAP. 1.2 S. Fugatius and Damianus return to Rome to obtain a Confirmation of their Acts. 3.4 Recourse to the See Apostolick ancient 5 6. At their return they bring a blessed Crown and a Letter to King Lucius 7. The extent of King Lucius his Dominions 8. Of Archflamens and Flamens 1. AFter three years succesfull labours in this new Vineyard of our Lord these two Holy Apostolick Preachers Fugatius and Damâ—anus returned to Rome to give an account to S. Eleutherius of the affairs of Brittany This is testified by our ancient Historians Geffrey of Monmouth Roger Wendover the compiler of the History of Rochester as likewise a Brittish ancient Poet taking the name of Gildas and quoted by Bishop Vsher. 2. But most expresly by Matthew of Westminster whose words are these In the year of Grace one hundred eighty six the Blessed Prelats Fugatius and Damianus returned to Rome and obtained from the holy Pope Eleutherius a Confirmation of all they had done in Brittany And having perform'd this the foresayd Doctours came back into Brittany accompanied with many others By whose inctructions the Nation of the Brittains being confirm'd in tho Faith of Christ became illustrious The names and Acts of these men are found in the Book which our Historian Gildas wrote of the Victory of Aurelius Ambrosius 3. That it was the practise of Christian Churches especially in the West upon severall occasions to have recourse to the Chair of S. Peter many examples occurre in the Ecclesiasticall History and this even from the beginning of Christianity We mention'd formerly a Message sent from the Christians of Brittany by S. Beatus to Rome for a more perfect instruction in the Christian Faith And about this time of King Lucius the Church of Lyons in France sent S. Irenaeus to this Holy Pope Eleutherius for resolving certain Questions about Ecclesiasticall affairs saith S. Ierome 4. This they did partly to shew their dependance and subordination to the supreme Tribunal of the Church as likewise for the preservation of Vnity of which the Chair of S. Peter was always acknowledged the Center But the present Church of Brittany having been constituted a Church by the zeale and authority of this blessed Pope Eleutherius there was a greater necessity and obligation of recourse to him for the confirmation of those Ordinances which had been made by his Delegats 5. Among other memorable passages touching the Answer sent by Pope Eleutherius to this Message of King Lucius this is one That Fugatius and Damianus presented the King from him with a Crown blessed by him This is asserted by a late learned Protestant Lawyer William Lambard who professes that in his search among the Ancient Lawes of England for many ages hid in darknes he produced this adding withall that besides a Crown bless'd by this Holy Pope he likewise ordain'd the limits of the Brittish Kingdom and withall prescrib'd the Duty and Right of a Christian King saying thus A King being the Minister and Delegat of the Supreme King is appointed by God for this end that he might govern this earthly Kingdom and people of our Lord and above all that he should venerate and govern his Church defending it from all who would injure it that he should root out of it and utterly destroy all evill doers 6. Roger Hoveden four hundred years before M. Lambard transcribing the same passage out of the Ancient Laws of King Edward onely differs from him in this That where mention is made of a Kings Office toward the Church he leaves out the word Regat 7. As touching the limits of King Lucius his Kingdom which this Authour saith was prescribed by Pope Eleutherius whether from thence it came that all the Northern Provinces of the Island afterwards called Scotland governed by a King of their own Nation were subiect to the Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction of the Metropolitan Church of York cannot now be determin'd Polydor Virgil out of ancient Scottish Records affirms that this subjection was a principio from the very beginning of Christianity and that the Bishop of Glasco was to receive his consecration from the Arch-Bishop of York More Maiorum by an immemoriall custom of their Ancestors But of this hereafter 8. One passage more relating to this Answer of Pope Eleutherius is recorded by Martinus Polonus who writes thus The foresaid Holy men Fugatius and Damianus by an Apostolicall Mandat of the Pope ordained that Bishops should be placed in those Citties where formerly there were Flamens and Arch-bishops where Arch-flamens Wherby he signifies that the Pope confirmed the Ordonances formerly made by these his Legats XI CHAP. 1. Severall Churches built by King Lucius 2.3 As Westminster deputed for the buriall of Princes 4. A second at York then the Cheif Citty 5. A third at CaeÌ„r-leon in Wales 6.7 It is question'd whether that was a Metropolitan See 8. A Church built at Dover 9. An Episcopall See said to be erected at Kungresbury in Somersetshire buâ— that is doubtfull 1. IT hath already been declared that King Lucius presently after his Baptism or Theanus consecrated first Bishop of London built a Cathedrall Church to the honour of S. Peter on Cornhill in London Now after the return of Fugatius and Damianus there were severall other Churches erected The names of many of which are still extant upon ancient Records 2. The first of these was the Church of Westminster concerning the first foundation wherof Sulcardus a Monk wrote a Book which he dedicated to Vitalis constituted Abbot there by King William the Conquerour From whence some have collected that in the same place had been formerly erected an Idol-temple consecrated to Apollo which by an Earthquake in the raign of Antoninus Pius was cast to the ground 3. Another Authour called Iohn Fleet who wrote in the year of our Lord one thousand four hundred forty three adds in consequence to Sulcardus out of an Ancient Chronicle written in the Saxon tongue that this place was from the days of King Lucius destin'd for the burying place of our Kings as wee see to this day His words quoted by Bishop Vsher are these From the Primitive age of Christian Faith among the Brittains that is from the days of Lucius their King who in the year of Grace one hundred eighty four is sayd to have received the Divine Law of Christ and together with it the Baptism of holy Regeneration this place of Westminster was founded and consecrated to the honour of God and specially deputed for the buriall of Kings and a Treasury or Repository of their Royall Ornaments To the same effect writes Radolphus Nigerâ— affirming that it was built in the last year of Marcus Aurelius Antoninus
by Tradition was the last who sate in the Chair of Kungresbury transfer'd that See which had continued six hundred years or more at Kungresbury to a Town then call'd Tethescine but now Welles which was given by King Ina who also consented to the Translation The said Daniel was the last of the Brittains who sate in that Bishoprick 10. This Story at least for as much as concerns the antiquity of the Episcopall See of Kungresbury seems to want a solide foundation For that Town took its name about the year of our Lord seaven hundred and eleaven from a holy man called Cungar a son of a Constantinopolitan Prince who coming into Brittany and desirous to live a retired life was kindly received by King Ina who bestow'd on him that portion of Land call'd afterward by his name and withall built for him a Mansion and Oratory there As for the Church of Wells it was then built by King Ina and endow'd with Lands by Kenulphus the Successour of King Ina in the year seaven hundred and sixty six But saith Bishop Godwin it was then not a Cathedrall but Collegiat or Monasticall Church and was erected into an Episcopall See in the year nine hundred and five in which the first Bishop was Adelmus XII CHAP. 1.2 King Lucius richly endows Churches with possessions 3.4 Priviledge of Sanctuary long continued in Brittany 1. KIng Lucius as he was very zealous and munificent in building Churches to the Glory of God he was no lesse in liberall endowments and Priviledges bestow'd on them To this purpose Matthew of Westminster call'd Florilegus writes thus In the year of Grace one hundred eighty seaven Lucius the glorious King of the Brittains having seen the true Worship of God largely spread in his Kingdom liberally bestow'd possessions and territories on Churches and Ecclesiasticall persons and also firmly established them with Charters and immunities Such liberties he gave to Churches and their Precincts that if any Malefactour made his refuge to them he became safe from all injuries of any man whosoever Thus living happily in the love of God and his Neighbour he governed his Kingdom in great peace A Modern Historian Richard White adds That this King having destroyed all the Idols and worship of false Gods transfer'd all their possessions on Christian Churches which he further enrich'd with more Lands and greater immunities as knowing very well that greater honour is due â—o the houses of the true God 2. We may from hence in some degree compute this King Munificence to Gods Church for since he judged that the Worship of the true God ought to be more splendid and sumptuous then that of their profane Idols had been by searching into ancient Monuments we shall find that the former Brittish Idolatry had been very costly and consequently the true worship much more To this purpose Geffrey of Monmouth and after him Ponticus Virunnius thus writes At London the Pagan Flamens sacrificed yearly forty thousand cowes a hundred thousand sheep and fowle of all kinds so many as could scarce be numbred And besides all these they offred thirty thousand savage cattle stags and other beasts bred in the woods 3. As for the Priviledge of Sanctuary granted by King Lucius to Churches he seems therein to have been a pattern to the Emperour-Constantin and other Christian Princes in future Ages who by their Laws gave unto the Church the like prerogative Hence the Fathers of the Councill of Orleans above eleaven hundred years since made this Canon to renew the use of former Canons and Lawes Concerning Manslayers adulterers and theeves who shall seek refuge in a Church we now ordain that that shall be observed which the Ecclesiasticall Canons have decreed and the Roman Law appointed to wit that it shall not be lawfull for any man by force to draw them from the Courts of Churches or houses of Bishops 4. This respect and reverence which King Lucius shew'd to the Church and Church-men was for many ages continued in Brittany more then in any Christian Nation besides These Priviledges of Sanctuaries were extended not only to Churches and Church-yards but much further according to limits and bounds determined by Bishops Insomuch saith Giraldus Cambrensis that by the indemnity of such immunity far exceeding the indulgence allow'd by the Canons of the Church which grant security only to the body and members of offenders many were induced to commit great outrages and from such places of Refuge did greivously molest both their Countrey and even their Princes themselves Whence appears with what religion the Ordinances of King Lucius were received and practised by posterity XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. A famous Church and Monastery erected by King Lucius at Winchester with Possessions and Priviledges which continued till the raign of Diocletiaâ— 6.7 Of what Institute the Monkâ— in those days were 9. Severall decays and restitutions of that Monastery 1. THE Piety of King Lucius in the sixth year after his conversion did more gloriously shew it selfe in the foundation and plentifull endowment of a Church and Monastery at Winchester then call'd Ventae Belgarum Which Church saith Bishop Godwin was consecrated by Fugatius and Damianus on the twenty ninth of October in the year one hundred eighty nine 2. Moratius a very ancient Authour quoted by Thomas Radburn Harpsfeâ—ld Bishop Vsher c. gives us a perfect description of this Church and Monastery And first as touching the dimensions and bounds of it he writes thus as he is quoted by Thomas Radburn Bishop of S. Davids The measure of the Church founded by King Lucius according to Moratius in his first Book and second Chapter was in length two hundred and nine paces in breadth fourscore paces and in heighth ninety two paces From one corner crosse the Church to the opposite corner were one hundred and thirty paces The situation of the Monastery on the East side of the Church towards the Temple of Concord was one hundred paces in length and in breadth towards the New Temple of Apollo â—orty On the Northpart it was one hundred and sixty paces in length and ninety eight in breadth On the West side of the Church there were in length one hundred and ninety in breadth one hundred On the south coast there were in length four hundred and fifty paces and in breadth five hundred and eighty On this side was seated the Episcopall Palace as likewise the habitation of the Monks 3. In the next place the same Authour Moratius describes the large possessions wherewith this Church and Monastery were endowed by King Lucius saying The limits of their possessions were extended twelve miles round about the Citty of Winchester reaching so far on every side In which space there were on each quarter seated eight wealthy Villages Now if one Church possessed so large 2 Territory we may collect how richly all the Churches of Brittany were endowed even in those Primitive times 4. The forementiond Thomas
Rudborn in the greater Chronicle of the Church of Winchester further shews the speciall affection that King Lucius bore to that Church and the Immunities which he bestowd on it The glorious and most Christian King Lucius saith he perceiving how by the two holy men Fugatius and Duvianus his Kingdom did wonderfully increase in the Worship of God taught by true Faith and being therfore replenishd with great ioy he converted to a better use the possessions and territories formerly possess'd by the Temples of the Flamens transferring them to the Churches of the Faithfull and he not only added more and larger Mannors and lands but advanced them likewise with all sorts of Priviledges And particularly touching the Church of Winchester which in his affection he in a speciall manner preferd before others he raisd it from the very foundations And before he had perfected the whole work he built a little habitation an Oratory Dormitory and Refectory for the Monks design'd by him to dwell there Having finishd the entire building in the fifth year after his Conversion the foresayd Prelats and Monks Fugatius and Duvianus dedicated it to the honour of our holy Saviour on the fourth of the Calends of November in the year of Grace one hundred Sixty nine and filld it with Monks who devoutly served our Lord there constituting the Abbot of the place a certain Monk called Denâ—tus The same excellent Prince likewise resolved to conferr on the Bishop and Monks of that Church of Winchester all the possessions and farms which anciently belonged to the Flamens of the same Citty together with all their Priviledges and Immunities 5. What those Priviledges were the same Authour a little after thus declares saying The foresaid most Christian King Lucius bestow'd on the said Church newly founded by him the Suburbs of the Citty of Winchester together with the Priviledge of Dunwallo Molmutius Which Dunwallo as Moratius Gildas and Geffrey of Monmouth also testify was the sixteenth King of the Brittains And being extremely zealous in his Heathenish Superstition he enacted Lawes famous till the dayes of King William the Conquerour under the Title of Molmutian Lawes by which he ordained That the Citties and Temples of their Idoll-Gods as likewise the high wayes leading to them together with the Farms of their Tenants and husbandmen should enioy the immunity of Sanctuary Insomuch as if any Malefactour should seek refuge there he might safely depart though his adversary were present Now by means of such endowments and Priviledges the Church of Winchester enioyd its possessions in all tranquillity dayly singing the praises of God the space of one hundred and two years to wit from the first year of the most Christian King Lucius his Conversion to the second year of the Tyrant Diocletian Thus writeth this Authour though he faile somewhat in his Chronology Which defect is rectified by the ancient Authour of the Book of Antiquities of the Church of Winchester who numbers exactly one hundred years from King Lucius his Conversion to the first year of Diocletian during which time the said Monks quietly served God in their Monastery 6. If any one have the curiosity to enquire what the Rule and Institut of these ancient Monks were the foresaid Thomas Rudburn will satisfy him presently adding That S. Faganus and Duvianus filld that Church with Monks devoutly serving and praising God and profess'd according to the Rule delivered by S. Mark the Evangelist 7. Now the order and manner of the Rule prescribed by S. Mark is thus declared by Cassianus an ancient Writer of the Church In the beginning of the Christian Faith saith he a very few and those of approved sanctity were dignified with the Title of Monks Which men as they receiv'd their Rule of living from S. Mark the Euangelist first Bishop of Alexandria of blessed Memory they did not content themselves with retaining the order of living practis'd by the Primitive Christians concerning which wee read in the Acts of the Apostles That all the multitude of beleivers were of one soule Neither did any one esteem that which he possessed to be his own but they had all things common For those who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the price laying it at the Apostles feet Which was divided to every one according to their need But besids this the ancient Monks aspired to other practises more sublime For retiring themselves into the most secret places of the suburbs there they lead a life so austere and with such rigorous abstinence that even those who were strangers to Christian Religion were astonish'd at it For with so wonderfull fervour they attended day and night to the reading of holy Scripture prayer and labouring with their hands that neither the appetite nor so much as thought of meat did interrupt their abstinence except every second or third day and then they received food not to satisfie their desire but meer necessity And neither did they this till after Sun-set so dividing their time as to make the Light accompany the exercise of their spirituall Meditations and darknes the care of their Bodies These and besides these many other more perfect and sublime were the practises of the Ancient Monks Thus Cassianus 8. Such were the Monks who first possess'd the Church of Winchester and in such holy exercises they continued till the Tempest of the persecution raised by the Tyrant Diocletian dissipated them After which in a short time they were restored and the Church consecrated by Constantius Bishop of Winchester in the year of Grace three hundred and nine taking its new name from S. Amphibalus who together with Saint Alban was crow'nd with Martyrdom at which time the Abbot was named Deodatus Hence it is that Gildas the most ancient of all our Historians mentions it under that Title where he relates how the sons of Mordred to avoyd the cruelty of Constantin fled thither But in vain For the Tyrant not regarding the Sanctity and Priviledge of the place took the sons of Mordred and murdred one of them before the Altar of the Church of S. Amphibalus at Winchester whither he had fled for Sanctuary 9. The same Church afterward suffred another Ecclipse when the barbarous Infidell-Saxons profan'd and layd wast all the sacred places of this Island But not long after the same Saxons having by Gods mercy embraced that Faith which they formerly persecuted repaired with advantage all the ruins they had made And particularly this Church and Monastery of Winchester called afterwards de Hida was restored with far greater splendour and magnificence then ever before And thus it with the rest continued for many Ages fortified with the Charters of Kings encreased by the Devotion of the people secured by the Bulls of Popes and the Curses of Prelats against all tyrannous usurpations till by the schism avarice lust and fury of King Henry the eighth more fatall to the Church then the savage cruelty of heathenish
Gests of S. Lucius in his Apostolick Office 4.5 His death and buriall in the Citty of Curia or Chur. 6. Of S. Emerita a sister of King Lucius who accompanied him her Martyrdom 7. Dempsâ—ers ridiculous pretention that King Lucius as buried in Scotland 1. HAving from authorities of great weight asserted the Apostleship of this our Pious King in pursuance therof we will collect out of ancient Writers some of his particular Gests and suffrings in the discharge of the said Office 2. He having resolved to consecrate the remainder of his old age to the service of Christ pass'd first into France landing at Bolâ—ign a Citty of the Mâ—rini where saith Malbranque he first began his office of preaching the Faith of Christ and from thence made his progresse through the Region of the Nervians the Countrey of Liege to Triers in Germany After which the next place bless'd by his presence and Charity was Ausburg Augusta Vindelicorum where he converted to the Faith a Noble Cittizen call'd Campestrius with his whole family But there the Devill rais'd against him a great persecution for saith Nauelerus the people out of a hatred to a Religion formerly unknown by them pursued the preacher of it with stones and afterward cast him into a pit Out of which he was secretly drawn by some Christians there and conducted to the Citty of Curia where he ended his life by Martyrdom 3. From Ausburg S. Lucius went to Reginoburgum or Ratisbon where he efficaciously spread the seed of the Gospell And having spent almost all his strength in such works of Charity to others he desired to end his life in solitude quietnes and prayer For which purpose he retired himself into the mountainous countrey of Rhetia and saith Tscudus having pass'd over the hill under which is situated the Castle called Gutenberg which to this day retains the name of S. Lucius his Cliff he came into the Region where now the Citty Curia or Chur is placed together with his devout sister S. Emerita who presently after for preaching the Christian Faith suffred Martyrdom at Trimas or Trimontium distant from Curia the space of two or three miles But S. Lucius repos'd himselfe in a certain Grot in the Mountain above the Citty Curia where he taught the Faith of Christ. The place where he built a little Oratory doth still testify his Sanctity and abode there for in memory thereof there was afterward founded a Monastery of Norbertins Praemonstratenses which took its name from S. Lucius as Aubertus Miraeus and Raderus doe affirm 4. As touching the manner of S. Lucius his death the same Aegidius Tscudus writes thus At last Lucius was slain neer to Curia in the Castle call'd Martiola by the infidell inhabitants and the Prefect of that Region Notwithstanding other Authours affirm that he died in peace though the honour and Title of a Martyr cannot be denyed him since anciently as Baronius saith it was communicated not only to such as by a violent death for Christs honour were snatchd out of this world but likewise to those who for the confession of the Faith suffred any torments though they did not consummate Martyrdom by death 5. The precise year of the death of this glorious King is by Florilegus determin'd to be the year of Christ two hundred and one which was the seaventy eighth year of his Raign and the eighty eighth of his life Wherto the learned Chronologist Bishop Vsher likewise accords His words are these In so great a debate among Writers my iudgment doth incline to beleive that King Lucius ended his life in the first year of the third Century after Christ. And the grounds of this perswasion are because I observe that not only the Annals of the Church of Salisbury and the Chronicle of the Brittains abbreviated as likewise the London Tables but also Roger Wendover Mathew Paris and Mathew of Westminster together with the History of Rochester doe agree that he dyed in the year of our Lord two hundred and one 6. His sacred Relicks have been dispersed in severall places of Germany and to this day saith Raderus are venerated in a Church of the Franciscans and another of the Iesuits at Ausburg Which argues that he dyed not in Brittany but Germany Therfore although our Citties of Glocester and Winchester have boasted themselves to have been the Repositories of some parts of the body of this Pious King it is more likely that considering their near relation to him they should procure them from the Church of Curia then that the German Churches should obtain them out of Brittany 7. Now wheras in the Passage cited out of Aegidius Tscudus mention was made of Saint Emerita the devout Sister of King Lucius and companion of all his travails and dangers and how in the Countrey of the Helvetians she added the Crown of Martyrdom to the garland of Virginity our Brittish Martyrologe thus commemorats her At Trimas in the territory of Curia this day being the fourth of December is celebrated the Feast of S. Emerita Virgin and Martyr the Sister of Lucius King of the Brittains who together with her Brother went into Germany and for confession of the Christian Faith being persecuted by the infidells of that countrey consummated her glorious Martyrdom by fire about the year of our Lord one hundred ninety three The entire history of her life may be read in the Breviary of the Church of Curia Mention is made of this holy Virgin and Martyr by Isengrenius and Hermannus Schedelius in his Chronicle 8. But Philippus Ferrarius in his Catalogue of Saints omitted in the Roman Martyrologe being mislead by Dempster a Writer most ridiculously partiall for his Scottish Nation as Bishop Vscher observes assigns a place in the Western parts of Scotland call'd Trimontium and now Attetish for the place of this Virgins Martyrdom and in the Scottish Calander her commemoration is appointed on the twenty sixth of May. Which assertion is so evidently contradicted by many authentick Records of severall Churches and by Authours of such unquestion'd integrity that it deserves not a serious confutation XVII CHAP. 1.2 S. Fugatius and Damianus preach the the Gospell in Brittany 3.4.5 They retire to Glastonbury and rebuild it establishing a succession of Monks They find there the Holy Crosse c. 6. The place of their buriall uncertain 1. HAving thas largely set down the Gests of our Holy King Lucius the first among all Christian Kings we will adioyn hereto such particulars as our ancient Monuments furnish us with all touching the two Holy Legats Fugatius or Phaganus and Damianus or Diruvianus sent by the Venerable Pope Eleutherius to baptise the sayd King and to settle the affaires of the New Brittish Church 2. Now concerning these two glorious Saints thus writes Malmsburiensis out of the Ancient Records of Glastonbury Phaganus and Dervianus came into Brittany to preach the Gospell
only propagated the Faith but likewise illustrated it by building many Churches This is affirm'd by S. Gregory Nyssen who says that in those days many Churches and Altars were erected every where And particularly the holy Pope Fabianus commanded Churches to be built over the vaults where the bodies of the holy Martyrs had been buried which Churches were much frequented by the devotion of Christians No wonder then if in Brittany as yet free from all persecution there be so many testimonies of Churches Altars and Sacrifices Neither can it be doubted but that among others Obinus Bishop of London as likewise Conanus his next Successour about these times were carefull to imitate the zeale of other Bishops 4. We will not here omitt the taking notice of a Monument or Inscription found among the Brigantes being a Votive Table For the safety of M. Antonius Gordianus the Son of Publius the invincible Emperour and of Sabina Furia Tranquilla his Wife and their whole sacred Family Which Table was erected by the Emperours Wing of horse for their courage call'd Gordia the Prefect wherof was Aemilius Crispinus a Gentleman of Rome born at Tuidrus or Thisdrus in the Province of Africa under the command of Nonnius Philippus the Emperours Lieutenant Propretor of Brittany Atticus and Pratextatus being Consuls 5. In which Table we learn two particulars no where else to be found The first is That Nonnius Philippus was at this time Governour of Brittany And the other That the Daughter of Misitheus whom the Emperour married was called Sabinâ— Furia Tranquilla though Paulus Diaconus calls her Tranquillina XI CHAP. 1. The Emperour Gordianus slain by Philippus who succeeded 2.3 The Emperour Philippus and his Son become Christians The occasion of their Conversion 4. After seaven years raign they are slain by their soldiers and Decius succeeded in the Empire 1. IN the sixth year of his raign was the Emperour Gordianus slain by the treason of M. Iulius Philippus who succeeded him and within a few years gave a proof how instable Kingdoms are which are unlawfully purchased for by the like though lesse uniust treason he was depriv'd both of his Empire and life by his own Guards Yet thiâ— advantage did Philip enioy above any of his Predecessors that Almighty God gave him the Grace to wash away his sins by Baptisme and Pennance 2. The occasion of whose conversion to Christianity is thus declared in the Acts of S. Pontius the Martyr Pontius a person advanced to a high dignity was known and a particular freind of the two Philips the Father and the son who were Emperours Now in the year one thousand after the foundation of Rome they sayd to Pontius Let us goe and begg the favour of the Gods which have brought us to this thousandth year of the Roman City But Pontius used many excuses to avoyd this however they in a freeidly manner endeavoured to compell him to the Sacrifice Whereupon he conceiving this to be a good opportunity given him by God to advance his truth sayd to them O most pious Emperours since it is the only true God which has bestowed on you the Supreme dominion over men why doe you not rather adore Him by whom such power and majesty has been conser'd on you The Emperour Philip answered him For that cause it is that I desire to sacrifice to the great God Iupiter But Pontius smiling Be not deceiv'd O Emperour said he It is that Omnipotent God whose throne is in heaven who created all things by his Word and by his Spirit gave life to them which made you Emperour In a word by these and other like speeches and perswasions the Emperours received the Faith of Christ and were baptis'd by the holy Pope Fabianus 3. The two Emperour being thus perswaded of the Truth of Christianity gave a worthy example of Christian modesty and humility when they came to be baptis'd as Eusebius relates it The report is saith he that Philip who was then converted to the Christian Faith on the last Vigils before Easter coming to the Church with a desire to be partaker of the Prayer together with the Congregation was not permitted by the Bishop then presiding over the Church to enter till he had confess'd his sins and placed himselfe among those who were yet unabsolved and therefore were separated from the rest in a rank appointed for Penitents For the Bishop told him plainly that considering the many crimes publickly known to have been committed by him he could not upon any other condition receive him into the Church Whereupon the Emperour with a willing and chearfull mind submitted himselfe to the Bishops injunction thereby declaring an ingenuous modesty together with a Religious and pious affection proceeding from a reverent fear of God 4. These two Emperours raigned full seaven years and at the end were slain by their own soldiers The time and manner of their death is signified by an ancient Inscription and Monument at Verona where the Elder Philip was kill'd The Words of the Inscription are these In the two hundred fifty and third year of Christ the Emperour Philip the Elder was slain at Verona and the Younger at Rome by their own Guards incited thereto by Decius who succeeded in the Empire XII CHAP. 1. The birth of Helena Mother of Constantin 2.3 A Controversy about the Place of her birth c. 1. THE Raign of the two Philips is rendred to us more illustrious by the Mother of Constantin the Great She was the daughter of a Brittish Prince called Coëllus or Coelus who exercised a Dominion among the Trinobantes the Regni and the Iceni that is Essex Middlesex Surrey Sussex Norfolk c. For though after the death of King Lucius not any Brittain was allow'd the name of King yet certain it is there were severall Princes of the Brittish blood which under an inferiour Title exercised a kingly Iurisdiction in their respective Provinces 2. There is a controversy among Writers in which of these Provinces S. Helena was born The more common opinion is that it was among the Trinobantes in Essex and particularly in Colchester which saith M. Camden was in those days the prime Citty of that Province as a world of ancient Coyns there dayly digg'd up doe testify And that she was indeed born there the same Authour prooves by an argument of some weight for says he The inhabitants of Colchester doe confidently affirm that Flavia Iulia Helena the Mother of Constantin the Great and daughter of King Coâ—llus was born in their Citty And therefore in memory of the Holy Crosse found by her they bear for their Arms in a Scutcheon a knotty Crosse placed between four Crowns 3. Notwithstanding severall Historians of the Greek Church doe challenge S. Helena to themselves affirming that she was born in Bithynia in a town rais'd by her son Constantin to the dignity of a Citty and from her called Helenopolis Moreover
give his iudgment on the matter made a most holy and religious Decree For he commanded that the Episcopall house should be given to those to whom the Christians of Italy and Bishops of the Citty of Rome should by their letters assign it And thus at last Paulus to his great shame and infamy was by the authority of the Secular supreme Power entirely expelled from his Church THE SIXTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAP. 1.2 Constantius his first Expedition into Brittany 3. He was then only a Roman Senatour 4. He is received peaceably by the Brittains 5.6 c. He associates himself with Coëlus a Brittish Prince and marries his daughter Helena 1. THERE are mention'd in Story two Voyages of Constantius Chlorus into Brittany The first was now in the year of Grace two hundred seaventy four and the fourth of Aurelianus his raign presently after Tetricus had submitted to him in Spain The other was almost twenty years after when Carausius in Brittany took on him the Title of Emperour against whom he was sent Now for want of distinguishing these two Voyages great confusion has been brought into the History of Constantius and his Son Constantin by Grecian Writers as shall hereafter appear 2. Concerning this first Expedition Baronius in a discourse proving his son Constantin to have been born in Brittany thus writes This hapned in the time of the Emperour Aurelianus by whom Constantius illisstrious for the fresh memory of the Emperour Claudius to whom he was allyed was sent with an Army into Brittany to the end he might contain that Nation frequently accustomed to tumults in their duty and fidelity to the Emperour 3. Suitably hereto we read in the life of S. Helena That the Romans taking into consideration the dammage they had receiv'd by the losse of the Kingdom of Brittany which always adhered to the interests of such Tyrants in Gaule as had usurped the Title of Emperours such were Posihumius Tetricus c sent thither the Senatour Constantius with authority who had lately subdued Spain unto them a man wise courageous and beyond any other zealous to enlarge the Majesty of the Empire Constantius therfore at his first arrivall into Brittany was not Emperour nor so much as Caesar that is deputed to succeed in the Empire but simply a Patritian and Senatour This not being observ'd by certain Authours has occasion'd great obscurity in history and given advantage to some Greekish Writers to entitle other Provinces to the Birth of Constantin 4. Constantius being arriv'd in Brittany was beyond expectation with all quietnes and submission receiv'd as the Emperours Lieutenant both by the Brittains and Romans That which may be supposed to have been the principall cause of such compliance in the Brittains was the Religion profess'd by them which taught them as to yeild Faith and worship to Christ so also their duty and obedience to Caesar that is to Aurelianus universally acknowledged the only lawfull Emperour The Romans likewise in Brittany being but few and withall having among them no Generall Officer For Tetricus whom they formerly obeyd had newly deposed himselfe they had but small encouragement to resist a Generall so famous as Constantius guarded by an Army lately victorious 5. To such a quiet reception of him the many vertuous qualities of Constantius no doubt much contributed The which we find celebrated by Eumenius a Rhetorician of these times in a Panegyricall oration pronounced to his son Constantin By considering the passages wherof we may be better directed to a view of the state of these times then by almost any succeeding Historians The clause therin referring to our present subiect is this What shall I speak sayes he concerning your Fathers recovery of Brittany The sea was so calme when he passd it as if being astonish'd at the burden it caried it had lost all its motions And when he aborded the Island victory did rather expect him there then accompany him thither What shall I say of his clemency and mercy by which he forbore to insult over those whom he had conquered What of his iustice by which he restored all dammages to those which had been pillaged What of his Providence by which having strengthned him self with associations he so behaved himself in the exercise of his iurisdiction that those who had formerly been treated as slaves were made happy by a liberty restored to them and those who had been guilty of crimes were by forbearing of punishment moved to repentance 6. Now wheras the Oratour here mentions associations made by Constantius with the Brittains it is most probable that he reflected on the freindship and affinity contracted by him wich such Princes as were then of power in the Island among which the most eminent was Coellus Prince of the Trinobantes and Iceni of whom we spoke before To him therfore did he in a particular manner apply himselfe and not only induced him to submit to Aurelianus and renew his former tribute but moreover to make the league more inviolable and to endear the minds and affections of the Brittains to himself he demanded affinity of that Prince and espoused his only daughter S. Helena then a Virgin All this is confirmed by an ancient Poet whose verses the learned Bishop Vsher cites from Ioannes de Garlandia 7. The same likewise is recorded in the life of S. Helena extant in Cap-grave to this effect Moreover Coël King of the Brittans and Father of Helena assoon as he was informed of Constantius his arrivall fearing to make war with a person so famous for many noble victories he directed Embassadours to him to demand peace and to promise subiection upon those terms that he should still enioy the possession of his Principality paying the accustomed tribut To these conditions Constantius agreed and having demanded hostages confirmed a peace With him Not long after a greivous sicknes seised on Coël of which in a short time he dyed After whose death Constantius having maried the beautifull Princesse Helena took possession of his Principality 8. To this effect doe our ancient Records relate Constantius his first expedition into Brittany and the consequences of it And hereto doe subscribe the most learned Historians of the Western Church in opposition to the fables grounded on manifest mistakes which some Writers of the Greek Church have publish'd which shall shortly be examined and refuted II. CHAP. 1.2 The Birth of Constantin in Brittany 3.4 5. A Controuersy about the place of his birth 1. THE year after the happy mariage between Constantius then only a Roman Senatour and Helena in Brittany was born Constantin afterward worthily sirnamed the Great not only for his Victories over severall Tyrants and reducing the Roman Empire to a peaceable and flourishing state but principally for destroying the Empire of Sathan and advancing the Kingdom af God over Idolatry and all kinds of impious superstitions At this time there sate in the Chair of
fled to Fincomark King of Scotland who refused to yeild him up at the request of Traërnus on the contrary in his quarrell he rais'd an army fought and vanquish'd Traërnus in the Province of Westmerland which say they since Carausius his times belonged to Scotland All which story seems an invention on purpose to illustrate the name of Scotland and its pretended Kings of which no mention as yet can be found in any approved Authours 7. At this time Constantin made his abode in Gaule afterward called France where he was much distracted and disquietted and more by the factions of Schismaticks among Christians then any commotions of confining barbarous Nations Vpon which occasion he was compell'd to command a Generall Assembly or Synod of the Western Empire to meet at Arles for composing the seditions rais'd by the Donatists To which Synod since the Brittish Bishops were by name call'd it is requisite we should make some stay to declare the proceedings of it IX CHAP. 1.2 c. Schism of the Donatists and its occasion 3. c The Donatists after severall condemnations still appeale 1. THE Enemy of Truth and Peace having lost the advantage of opposing Christian Religion by the violence and rage of his instruments the Heathen persecuting Emperours did not for all that cease from his malice which was heightned by Envy against it but rather executed another way with more successe by suggesting matter of seditions and divisions among Christians themselves The first publick infamous Scene of which scandalls was Carthage in Africk And the occasion was this 2. Caecilianus Archdeacon to Mensurius Bishop of Carthage had reprehended a Spanish woman call'd Lucilla then living in that Citty because before receiving the holy Sacrament she had with veneration kiss'd the head of a certain person esteem'd by her a Martyr yet not acknowledged for such by the Bishop Lucilla being a woman of great power and wealth upon this reprehension conceived an implacable rage and fury against Cacilianus earnestly expecting all occasions of revenge 3. This was afforded her not long after in the year of Christ three hundred and six when upon the death of Mensurius Caecilianus was chosen Bishop of that Citty For he requiring a restitution of certain vessells of silver and gold belonging to his Church which in the late time of persecution had by his Predecessour been recommended to the fidelity of certain Elders of that Citty they to avoy'â— the necessity of restoring them ioyn'd themselves to the faction of Botrus and Celesius who had ambitiously sought after the same Bishoprick and were rejected the resentment of which repulse incited them to question the Election of Caecilianus Lucilla earnestly ioynd herself to this faction of unjust discontented persons who publickly withdrew themselves from the Communion of their Bishop by which means there was rais'd in Africk a most horrible and irreconcileable Schism the flame wherof could not for many ages be extinguish'd 4. These factious persons to strengthen their party invited to Carthage a number of African Bishops who formerly in a publick Councill at Cirtha had been convicted Traditores that is such as for feare of persecution had deliver'd up to Heathen Magistrats the Holy Vessels and Books belonging to the Church among whom the principall was Secundus Bishop of Tâ—gisis and Primat of Numidia These Bishops seaventeen in number kept their Assemblies at Carthage separated from Caecilianus in opposition to whom they presumed sacrilegiously to ordain another counterfeit Bishop of Carthage calld Maiorinus one who had been Lector to Caecilianus when he was Archdeacon and was now a Domestick of Lucilla 5. Moreover to iustify their Schism these Bishops who were most manifest Traditors themselves alledged that Caecilianus his Ordination was illegall because he had received imposition of hands from Felix Bishop of Aptungis and others whom they falsly accused of their own crime They likewise wrongfully charged Caecilianus that he had forbidden necessary provision to be administred to certain Martyrs in prison during the last persecution All which calumnies they by letters spread through the whole countrey of Africa Caecilianus in the mean time being acknowledged lawfull Bishop by Marcellus Bishop of Rome and all other Bishops through the Catholick Church before whom he confidently offred himselfe to a legall tryall This relation is given by S. Optatus and Saint Augustin 6. Now though this Schism was cheifly forged by Botrus and Celesius together with the foremention'd Elders and Lucilla and encreased by Secundus and other Traditors Bishops yet it first took its name Title from Donatus Bishop of a place call'd Casae nigrae or Black Cottages in Numidia who first at the instigation of Lucilla withdrew himself from the communion of Caecilianus whilst he was Deacon But the Donatists being ashamed to take their appellation from one who had been condemn'd by Pope Melchiades chose rather to call themselves Donatists from another Donatus who succeeded Majorinus in the Schism and whom they esteem'd a person of great eminence both for learning and Sanctity 7. This unhappy Schism received such strength in a short space that within three years ioyning themselves with Traditors Bishops and drawing into their sacrilegious Communion all the Numidians they assembled a Councill of no fewer then two hundred and seaventy Bishops which continuing together seaventy five dayes and repeating all their former Constitutions made a Decree that all those who were guilty of the horrible crime of Tradition if they refused to be rebaptised should notwithstanding be admitted into Communion as if they were innocent 8. When Constantin had overcome Maxentius the Donatists obtain'd of Anulinus Governour of Africk to send his letters full of calumnious accusations against Caecilianus unto the Emperour who was then in Gaule and some of the same Schismaticall Bishops made a voyage to him earnestly requesting him to appoint Iudges of their cause The Emperour himself saith Optatus with great indignation answered theÌ„ You require a secular iudgment from mee who my self expect the iudgment of Christ. Yet with extreme importunity they at last wrested from him for their Iudges Maternus Bishop of Colonia Agrippina Rheticius Bishop of Austun Marius of Arles 9. But presently after this Constantin conâ—idering of what weight and necessity the authority of the Roman Bishop was in such a cause he commanded the Donatists Bishops together with Caecilianus and as many other of his Communion to attend these three Iudges at Rome to debate and conclude the cause before the holy Pope Melchiades in a Roman Synod To whom likewise the pious Emperour wrote a letter in which he tells the Pope that he thought fitt to send these contending Bishops before him to the end they might receive iudgment from him and the other Iudges as you know saith he the most holy law of God requires 10. A Synod therfore being assembled at Rome the result therof after a diligent examination of the parties and witnesses was a
One William Basing likewise is sayd to have built a Church consecrated to S. Helena at London XVII CHAP. 1.2 Constantins zeale against Paganism and Heresy 3. c. He is seduced by his Sister to favour Arius c. but repents 5.6 He adorns his New Citty Constantinople 7.8 Miracles by the Holy Crosse. 9. Other acts of Constantins piety 1. AFter S. Helena's death Constantin returned into the East where he express'd his zeale against Pagan Idolatry For Eunapius a Pagan writer complains Through the whole world the most celebrated Temples were overthrown by Constantin He made severe Lawes against Heathenish Sacrifices mention'd in Theodosius his Code 2. Neither was he wanting to establish the Churches Peace and Vnity by publishing rigorous Edicts against Hereticks Novatians Valentinians Marcionists Paulians Montanists c. forbidding all Assemblies among them both publick and private and withall exhorting them to return to the Communion of the Catholick Church that so they might be rendred partakers of its Sanctity and so attain to Truth Thus writes Eusebius adding that hereupon many of them did acknowledge their errours and at last joyn'd themselfves to the Churches Communion 3. Notwithstanding being seduced by the Craft of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia the Pillar of the Arian faction he began a persecution against S. Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria This Eusebius had cunningly insinuated himself into the affections of Constantiae the Emperours Sister by whom at her death he was recommended to Constantin in whose mind a scruple likewise was injected by certain speeches of hers threatning a severe punishment to him after death for his severity against so many innocents so she called the Arians Wherupon he commanded that Arius himself should return and be received at Alexandria For which purpose he wrote threatning letters to S. Athanasius that he should be deposed in case he refused him Notwithstanding being inform'd by Athanasius that Arius did not repent of his Heresy but was still a profess'd Enemy of the Councill of Nicaea Constātin desisted from urging his reception 4. Afterward the Meletians accused Saint Athanasius of many crimes but Constantin upon examination finding his innocence quickly absolved and dimiss'd him Yea moreover the pious Emperour turn'd his anger against him who was the cheif Architect of all machinations against S. Athanasius to witt Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia as appears by his letters written to the people of that Citty and recited by Theodoret in which he complains how himself had been deluded by his forgeries and lyes And on that occasion he proceeds to pronounce Sentence against the whole faction of the Arians banishing Eusebius and severall other Bishops from their Sees 5. But the year following by occasion of the inauguration of his New Citty Constantinople among other Examples of his Clemency he restored them Nicephorus writes that the Citty was consecrated to our Lord and his immaculate Mother with offring the unbloody Sacrifice and prayers Adding that Constantins Statue was erected in a publick place upon a pillar of Porphyry having in his right hand a golden Apple on which was placed the Holy Crosse with this Inscription To thee O Christ our God I commend this Citty 6. Eusebius describing the Magnificence of Constantin in adorning this Citty with many Churches consecrated to the Holy Martyrs saith The Emperour intending to illustrate after an extraordinary manner the Citty called by his own name adorn'd it with many magnificent Churches partly in the Suburbs and partly in the Citty it self by which he both celebrated the Memories of the Holy Martyrs and consecrated the Citty it self to the God of Martyrs The principall of those Martyrs are recorded to have been S. Mocius S. Agathonicus S. Mennas and S. Acacius 7. Sozomen likewise an eye witnes especially celebrats a Church built in a place formerly dedicated to Vesta which was afterward named Michaelium from an apparition of that Holy Archangell In which many Miracles had been wrought by vertue of the Holy Crosse there erected of which vertue the Authour acknowledges that himself had been partaker Among which one speciall Miracle must not be omitted which he relates after this manner 8. I have been informed saith he that a Soldier of the Emperours Guards called Probianus being afflicted with greivous torments in his feet not only received ease in that place but was also honoured with a wonderfull divine vision For he having been formerly a Pagan and converted to Christianity though he were satisfied of the truth of all other instituts of our Religion yet he would never be perswaded that the Holy Crosse could be the cause of mankinds salvation Being thus affected there was offred to him a Divine Vision which set before his eyes the Image of the Crosse which usually was sett on the Altar of that Church and the same Vision declared to him manifestly that whatsoever thngs had been performed either by Angells or Holy men for the publick or privat proffit of men since the time that Christ was crucified were not rightly performed but by the vertue of the saving Crosse. 9. Besides these sacred Ornaments Constantin added much wealth to endow the holy Churches built by him He likewise caused a world of Copies of the Holy Scriptures to be curiously written in parchments richly adorned which he dispersed through severall Churches in the Citty He gave likewise great priviledges to Physicions Grammarians and Professours of other Arts by which means learning much flourish'd there In a word he endeavour'd to make it equall in all respects to Old Rome placing there a Senat with the same honours and authority into which many Christians were elected as Baronius declareth XVIII CHAP. 1.2 S. Athanasius persecuted by Arians 3.4.5 He is banish'd into the west for his safety 6.7 Arius conven'd before Constantin 8.9 c. His fearfull death 10. Pope Iulius 1. BVT the restlesse malice of the Arians against S. Athanasius the principall defender of the Faith declared by the Nicene Councill urged them to invent and forge new accusations against him of breaking a Chalice of murdering a man and using enchantments with his dead hand of committing adultery by violence c. With these crimes they charged him before the Emperour importuning him that he might be condemned and deposed 2. Hereupon a Synod of Bishops being assembled at Tyre Athanasius his cause was there examined and though in all particulars his innocence was evidently declared ye◠he was condemned by them Which manifest injustice astonish'd Constantin as appears by a Letter of his recorded by Saint Athanasius in his Apology 3. Notwithstanding these impious Bishps after they had consecrated at Ierusalem a magnificent Church built by Constantin repairing to Constantinople there renew'd their accusations and probably by the favour of the Emperours Son Constantius infected with their Heresy did so beseige Constantins eares that S. Athanasius could scarce gett accesse to prove his
necessary or expedient for humane life Now this one particular is worthy of eternall memory that immediatly before his last day he recited a funerall Oration in the place accustomed wherin by a continued discourse he spoke of the immortality of soules of the rewards which God had prepared for those who lived piously in this world and on the contrary of the miserable end of those who lead ungodly lives Which discourses pronounced with gravity and constancy aâ—d so affect some of his domesticall servants that one of them a Pagan Idolater who pretended to wisedom being ask'd What his opinion was of the Emperours Oration answered though with some unwillingnes that the things spoken by him seem'd to him to be true and particularly that he could not but highly commend his discourse against a multitude of Gods Such entertainments as those the pious Emperour had among his familiar freinds a little before his death by which he seem'd to make the way to a better life more easy and eaven 5. Eutropius relates that there appeared in heaven at that time a Comet of an unusuall biggnes portending his death After which he fell into some distemper which encreasing forced him to make use of hott bathes in the Citty From whence saith Eusebius he was removed to his Mothers Citty Helenopolis in Bithynia where for a long time continuing in the Church consecrated to the Holy Martyr S. Lucianus he offred his Prayers and publick vowes to God 6. The same Authour in another place pretends that Constantin was at this time baptis'd by the Arian Bishop of Nicomedia neer that Citty But the generall Tradition of the Western Church refutes him as hath been shew'd Therfore what was done by Constantin was not receiving Baptism but Pennance which the same Eusebius relating it calls an imitation of saving Baptism For thus he writes when the consideration of his last day came into Constantins mind he iudging this an opportune time for him to be cleansed of his sins which as a mortall man he had committed and beleiving that by the efficacy of Divine Mysteries and an imitation of the saving laver of Baptism his soule would be purged he I say considering these things fell humbly on his knees in the Church of Martyrs at Helenopolis and there confessing his sins he offred himself a suppliant to God for the pardon of them And then it was that he first became worthy to receive absolution by imposition of hands and prayer 7. In the last place touching his death the same Authour thus prosecutes his Narration Assoon as all holy Mysteries were perform'd he was cloathed with Kingly robes shining brighter then light and was layd in a bed of a most pure whitenesse for his Imperiall Purple he rejected and would never make use of it afterward Then with a clear distinct voyce he prayd and gave thanks to God adding words to this purpose Now I am assured of happines and immortall life now I am made partaker of Divine light Withall he with detestation bewayld the state of miserable Pagans whom be affirm'd most unhappy in that they were deprived of such divine blessings 8. And when the Centurions and other Superiour Officers were admitted and deplored with mournfull voyces their unhappines in the losse of such an Emperour wishing him a longer life To these he answered that now he had attain'd true life indeed and that himself only understood his own happines for which reason his desire was to hasten his departure to God After this he disposed his will in which he gave honourable pensions to such Romans as inhabited the Royall Citty new built by him As for his Empire he left it as a Patrimony to his children Thus dyed Constantin during the solemnity of Pentecost 9. As for the Vniversall mourning the clamours of the people the tearing of garments and prostration of bodies on the ground practised by the Soldiers to testify their inconsolable sorrow for so great a losse together with the glorious solemnization of his funeralls at which was only of all his Sons Constantius present all these things may be read at large in the same Authour This one passage in him must not be omitted where he writes thus Great multitudes of people together with the Preists did not cease with teares and much groaning to powre forth Prayers unto God for the soule of the Emperour wherin they performed an Office very acceptable and desired by the pious Prince himself And likewise God therby shew'd his singular goodnes to his servant both in that after his death his Empire descended to his own dear children and that himself obtain'd repose in the place so affected by him wherin the Memory of the Apostles was ioyâ—tly celebrated 10. That the Church did not doubt of the happines and glory of this pious Emperour after his death the Martyrologes of the Greek the Gallican and Brittish Churches are assured testimonies in which on the one and twentieth of May his Memory is anniversarily solemnised And particularly in Brittany Temples were built and dedicated to his honour One of which still remaines in the Province of the Ordovices or Northwales call'd at this day by his name which was erected by the Brittains when they Were driven by the Saxons into those quarters THE EIGHTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAP. 1.2 Constantin divides the Empire among his three Sons 3. Brittany under Constantin the younger 4. His kindnes to S. Athanasius 5. He is slain by his Brothers soldiers 1. THE Emperour Constantin at his death divided the Roman Empire among his three Sons so as that his eldest Son Constantin enioy'd for his portion the Provinces of Gaule Spain Brittany and all other conquer'd countreyes on this side the Alpes Constantius the Second Son being only present at his Fathers death took possession of the Eastern Regions together with Egypt and the youngest son Constans had the government of Italy and Africk 2. Now the Gests of these and severall succeeding Emperours we will leave to such Historians as have written of the generall affaires of the Church and Empire For having confin'd our selves to matters which concern the Ecclesiasticall state of Brittany our purpose is to treat no further of such Emperours then as they are necessary for Chronology or shall concern our own countrey 3. As touching therfore the Second Constantin within whose Iurisdiction Brittany was comprised his Raign was short not lasting entirely four years And all that we can record of him is that he was constant in the Profession of the Catholick Faith establish'd in the Great Council of Nicaea wherin he was imitated likewise by his Youngest Brother Constans So that by these two Emperours means all the Western Churches were secured from the infection of Heresy which miserably defaced the Eastern parts by reason that Constantius raigning there suffred himself to be perverted by Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia and other Arian Hereticks 4. Now an illustrious proof
and putt him in fetters with the rest Martinus in his own defence sett upon Paul with his sword and wounded him yet with so remisse a blow that the wound did not prove mortall whereupon he turn'd his sword upon his own breast and thus dyed this most just and mercifull Pretor for endavouring to divert the calamities of a multitude of miserable innocent persons VI. CHAP. 1.2.3.4 Councill of Ariminum Wherin were Brittish Bishops poor but generous 5 6 c. The Councill at first constant and Orthodox 10. It is tyrannised over 1. THE year of our Lord three hundred fifty nine was blackned with a publick scandall the greatest that ever exposed the Church both to danger and infamy and that was the great Councill of Ariminum assembled by the authority of the Arian Emperour Constantius with design to abolish the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God Concerning which Councill Sulpitius Severus gives this relation 2. Constantius saith he commanded a Councill to be assembled at Ariminum a Citty of Italy and withall layd this injunction on the Prefect Taurus that when the Bishops were mett together he should not permitt them to depart till they had all consented in one Faith promising him the Consulship if he effected this Sending therfore his Officers through Illyricum Italy Africk Spain and the Gaules under which was comprehended Brittany as being governed by the same Prefect they summoned and drew together out of the Western Empire to Ariminum more then four hundred Bishops 3. To all these the Emperour commanded that allowance for provisions and lodging should be given But that seem'd an unseemly thing to our Bishops of Aquitain Gaule and Brittany and therfore refusing the publick allowance they chose rather to maintain themselves at their own costs Onely three Bishops which came out of Brittany being destitute of subsistence from their own Sees were content to make use of the Emperours liberality for they refused the contribution which the rest of the Bishops offred to them esteeming it more becoming their dignity and Sanctity to be a charge to the publick Treasure then to particular persons 4. This passage saith the Authour I my self heard related by our Bishop Gavidius and he told it by way of reprehension and diminution of them But I am quite of another opinion and esteem those British Bishops to deserve great commendation first for that they had devested themselves of all propriety and next that they chose rather to be obliged to the Emperours Exchequour then their Brethren for their maintenance In both which regards they left an example worthy to be praised and imitated 5. When the Bishops were assembled the Emperours letters were in the first place publickly read by which he took on him to prescribe Laws unto the Synod what they should doe and what they should forbeare For saith Saint Hilary he severely enjoyn'd them to determin nothing which might touch the Eastern Bishops but only themselves And in case they should transgresse this his order he declared a Nullility in their proceedings He commanded them withall that having finished their Decrees they should send them to Court by ten Bishops châ—sen by common consent In the Inscription of which Letter it is observable that he writes himself by the Name of Constantin not Constantius 6. But notwithstanding these threats the Holy Bishops courageously performed their Duty For as the same Holy Father relates they confirmed the Nicene Creed forbidding any addition or diminution thereof Protesting that they would never depart from the Faith which they had received from God the Father by the Prophets and our Lord Iesus Christ which the Holy Spirit taught in the Gospells and writings of the Apostles according as was delivered by Tradition of the Fathers succeeding the Apostles to the times wherin the Controversy was debated at Nicea against a Heresy which then arose To this Definition all the Catholick â—ishops in the Synod unanimously agreed 7. In which Definition it is observable that though it was grounded on the Holy Scriptures yet those Scriptures are interpreted by the successive Tradition of the Church Whereas on the contrary the faction of a few Arian Bishops separatedly framed a Decree which according to the almost vniform practise of Hereticks was pretended to agree with the simple words of Scripture interpreted by themselves For thus writes Saint Athanasius In a Creed made by them they professed the Son of God to be like to the Father who begott him whose generation according to the Scriptures no man knows but the Father only As for the word Substance it being simply sett down by the Fathers not understood by the people and occasioning great scandall in a much as it is not expressly contained in Scriptures they decreed that it should be quit abolished and that for the future no mention should be made of the Substance of God because the Holy Scriptures have never mention'd the Substance of the Father and the Son But we say that the Son is in all things like to the Father as the Holy Scriptures doe say and teach 8. The same Father adds that when these Arian Bishops of which Valens and Vrsacius were cheif saw that they could not impose upon the Western Bishops they then said We came to this Meeting not because we stand in need of a Faith For we have a faith sound and orthodox but that we might confound those who contradict the Truth and would introduce Novelties into the Church And thereupon they seperated themselves from the rest of the Council which with unanimous suffrages pronounced Valens Vrsacius Germinius Auxentius Caius and Demophilus to be Hereticks and excluded from the Communion of the Church 9. Which done the Council by a common Letter informed the Emperour of all these things In which Letter there is this memorable passage that whereas the Arian Bishops to induce the Catholicks to comply with them used this argument That Vnity and peace would be restored to the Church in case they would relinquish that one word Substance the Catholick Bishops there wrote It is not as Vrsacius and Valens affirm that peace will â—ollow by the Subversion of things which are just and true For how can those men behave themselves peaceably who quite take away peace On the contrary more contentions and disturbances will spring up both in other Citties and particularly at Rome And in conclusion they begg'd leave of the Emperour that the Council might be dissolved considering the poverty age and infirmity of many of the Bishops in it 10. Constantius perceiving how unsuccess'full his Design was of introducing his Arian Misbeleif into the Western Churches broke forth into open tyranny some of the Catholick Bishops he caused to be shut up in prison others he afflicted with famin and all manner of opprobrious usage not suffring any to depart till he had compell'd them to subscribe to a Form of Belief wherin though nothing Hereticall was
that S. Patrick was by birth a Brittain yet mistakes in the particular Province For it was not in the Northern parts of Brittany that he was born but in the South-west coast among the Dimetae dwelling in the Province call'd Penbrockshire as besides Stanihurst a learned Irish Antiquary it is asserted by our Learned Camden The words of Stanihurst are these In the year of our Redemption three hundred sixty one a certain honourable and vertuous person call'd Calphurnius or Calphurinus had by his equally vertuous wife whose name was Conchessa a Son who at his Baptism was call'd Suchar or Socher which name afterward was by S. German Bishop changed into Magonius and in conclusion by Pope Celestin he was named Patrick Now Patrick was born in a territory of Brittany lying by the Sea which anciently was named Triburnia or Eiburnia This is a place of the Dimetae in Penbrockshire called by Ptolomy the Promontory of the Octopitae and at this day S. Davids or Menevia Menew A countrey this is stony and barren saith Giraldus Cambrensis neither cloath'd with woods nor divided with rivers nor adorn'd with meadows but â—n all sides expos'd to winds and tempests Notwithstanding this rude unfruitfull place as Camden relates was the â—etreat and dwelling of persons eminent in sanctity For Calphurnius a Brittish Preist as we find in our Ecclesiasticall Records in a valley of this countrey call'd Rosina had by his Wife Concha the Sister of S. Martin Bishop of Tours a Son call'd Patrick the Apostle of Ireland And also David a most Religious Bishop removed his Archiepiscopall See from Caer-leon Isca Legionum in Monmouthshire to Menew which is the remotest corner of this Region 5. In these testimonies we find not only the place of S. Patricks birth but the names of his parents also All which though with some variety is confirm'd by S. Beda who writes thus S. Patrick who was also called Sochet was by Nation a Brittain Where after great tribulations suffred in his youth he became an instrument of salvation to his nation and countrey He was begotten in Brittany by his Father Calphurnius a Deaton who was the Son of Potitus a Preist and his Mothers name was Concha The place of his birth was a village call'd Bannava in the Region of Triburnia not far distant from the Western Sea Which village we find was unquestionably situated in the Province of Neustria where anciently Gyants are said to have dwelt Thus writes S. Beda from Probus the first Describer of S. Patrick Gests 6. Now wheras Calphurnius the Father of S. Patrick is said by some to have been a Preist or more truly by S. Beda a Deacon we are to understand that according to the Ecclesiasticall Laws and custom of that age his Father after receiving holy Orders profess'd continency as S. Hilary of Poictiers and S. Restitutus Bishop of London likewise did 7. And as for S. Patricks Mother called Conches or Conchessa she was Sister or rather as Bishop Vsher iudges daughter to the Sister of the famous S. Martin Bishop of Tours who flourish'd gloriously in this age and who according to Sulpitius Severus his computation was at this time in the forty fifth year of his age He came out of Pannonia Hungary descended from parents saith the same Authour according to worldly dignity of no mean degree Thus much of the Birth countrey and Parents of this glorious S. Patrick of whose wonderfull Gests we shall in prosecution of this History have frequent occasion to treat X. CHAP. 1.2.3.4 c. Iulian succeeds Constantius Becomes an Apostate and Persecutour 7. c. Is slain to whom Iovian succeeds and restores Christianity 10. Iovian dying Valentinian is chosen Emperour 1. COnstantius in the five and twentieth year after his Father Constantins death and in the eleaventh after the death of his Brother Constans dyed of a feaver at Mopsuestia in Cilicia to whom Iulian formerly created Caesar by him succeeded in the Empire which he polluted by his infamous Apostacy 2. He had from his infancy not only been bred in the Profession of Christianity but was likewise inscrib'd in an inferiour Ecclesiasticall Degree of Lector but being of an inconstant curious disposition and unfortunatly falling into the acquaintance and freindship of certain Pagan Philosophers and Magicians he was perverted by them And though during Constantius his life he dissembled his change yet being possess'd of the Empire he publickly profess'd not only a defection from the Christian Faith but an implacable hatred of it and resolution to employ all the power of Earth and Hell to destroy it 3. The first proof hereof he gave as S. Gregory Nazianzen witnesses in taking away that famous Labarum or Imperiall Ensign of the Crosse which in Constantins and Constantius his times leading their Armies had given them assured victories in place whereof he restor'd the Images of the Heathen Gods and Devills together with the representations of Eagles Dragons Wolves Minotaurs c. which the soldiers were commanded to adore 4. Moreover saith Suidas he endeavoured to abolish all other monuments of the Holy Crosse insomuch as he caused to be digg'd out of the-Earth a representation of the Citty of Constantinople on the top wherof Constantin had caused the Crosse to be fixed to denote the felicity of that New Citty And his custome was both in words and Writing to object to Christians by way of ignominy their Veneration of the Holy Crosse. For this speech of his is quoted by S. Cyrill of Alexandria O wretched Christians said he you have left off to adore and worship those sheilds Ancilia which the great God Iupiter Father of Mars lett fall from heaven to be a reall not verball pledge of his perpetuall protection to our Citty and which are still kepd in it Instead of which you adore the wood of the Crosse painting images of it on your foreheads and before your dores Thus Iulian censures the Rite of the Ancient Church and of all the faithfull in his time who on all occasions express'd their Veneration of that blessed sign and instrument of our Redemption 5. With the same malignity he sought to abolish all other Sacred images and Statues erected in severall places to preserve the memory of past Divine benefits as likewise the Relicks of former Saints and Martyrs Thus Sozomen relates how he caused to be thrown down the miraculous Statue of our Saviour which the devout woman who had been curd by him of an issue of blood had rais'd at Caesaréa Philippi in the place wherof the impious Apostat erected his own But immediatly fire from heaven divided his Satue in the mid'st throwing to the ground the upper half which remain'd till the Historians days all black as things strook with lightning use to be 5. The same Authour likewise recounts how the same Impious Emperour consulting a certain Oracle at Daphne neer Antioch and the Devill which
the learned Fathers of those times earnestly wrote against him particularly S. Hierom S. Ambrose and S. Augustin 3. Concerning his speciall Hereticall Doctrines S. Hierosme thus declares them I will breifly sett down saith he our Adversaries opinions and out of his obscure bookes as out of dark denns draw out the Serpents neither will I suffer him to cover his venemous head with the foldings of his spotted body Let his poysonnous doctrines be brought to light that so we may see to tread and bruise them under our feet He affirms that Virgins Widows and maried women being once baptiz'd are of the same merit in case they differ not in other works Again he undertakes to prove that those who with a compleat Faith have been regenerated by Baptism cannot afterward be subverted by the Devill And in the third place he professes that there is no difference in regard of merit between fasting from meats and the receiving of them with thanksgiving 4. Pope Siricius likewise in his Epistle concerning him to the Church of Milan gives this character of Iovinian that he was an imitatour of the Devill being an Enemy of Chastity a Teacher of luxury nourish'd with gluttonous crudities punish'd by abstinence he hates fasting telling his Ministers that such things are superfluous c. In opposition whereto a Synod assembled by the same Holy Pope catholickly professes Wee doe not undervalew or disparage the Vowes of mariage at which we oftimes are present but we attribute greater honour to the spirituall mariage of Virgins Calling therfore a Synod it appeard that Iovinians assertions are contrary to our doctrin that is to the Christian Law Therfore since these men teach contrary to what wee have learnt by Tradition We the whole Clergy of Rome with the Preists Deacons following the Precept of the Apostle doe unanimously pronounce this sentente That Iovinian Auxentius Genialis Germinator Felix Frontinus Martianus Ianuarius and Ingeniosus who have been found zealous teachers of this New Heresy and blasphemy be by Divine sentence and our iudgment condemn'd and cast out of the Church Which sentence our hope is that your Holines will likewise confirm 5. Conformably hereto the Church of Milan in a Synodicall answer penn'd by S. Ambrose after high commendation of the Popes zeale tells him That the said Hereticks therfore fled to Milan that they might find no place in which they should not be condemn'd All that saw them avoyded them as if they had been infected with the plague and that being condemn'd with an universall execration they were thrust our of the Citty of Milan like vagabonds 6. To conclude S. Augustin reciting the Positions of his Heresy concludes with these words The Holy Church did most fruitfully and most courageously resist this Monster And in another place This Heresy saith he was quickly extinguished neither could it ever make such progresse as to seduce any Preists though some ancient Virgins at Rome being perswaded by lovinian were reported thereupon to have taken husbands No sign appears that it ever entred into Brittany in those times so precious and venerable was Virginity then so great a Multitude of Seminaries there of Chastity and such frequency of abstinence and fasting So that it seems a more powerfull Devill attended Luther and Calvin then Iovinian XX. CHAP. 1. Valentinian murdred 2. Eugenius a Tyrant Slain by Theodosius 3. A Roman Legion left in Brittany 1. AFter four years raign the young Emperour Valentinian who with great bloodshed had recovered his Empire from which he had been forced to fly into banishment was slain neer the same Citty of Lyons which had been a witnes of his Brothers murder and his dead body was dishonour'd with hanging saith S. Hierom. This was done by the treason of his Count Arbogastes He had desir'd Baptism from S. Ambrose but was slain before it could be administred 2. In his place the Tyrant Eugenius invaded the Empire of the West in shew a Christian but indeed addicted to Heathenish superstition Who was the next year slain by Theodosius who saith Ruffinus prepared himself to the warr not so much with help of arms as fasting and prayer He fortified himself with night-watchings rather in Churches then camps and made Processions through all places devoted to Prayer being accompanied with the Preists and people He lay prostrate before the Monuments of the Apostles and Martyrs coverd with sack-cloath and begg'd divine assistance by a confident hope of the intercession of Gods Saints 3. The Generall employ'd Theodosius in this warr was Stilico call'd out of Brittany for that purpose Where he had settled the countrey by repressing the incursions of the Picts and Scotts whom he overcame in severall incounters and when he left the Island he placed for its defence against those restlesse enemies a Roman Legion at the Northern borders XXI CHAP. 1.2.3 c. S. Ninian made Bishop of the Southern Picts 6. c. His Episcopall See Candida Casa 1. THE Holy young man S. Ninian of whose birth and countrey as likewise his voyage to Rome to be instructed in the Catholick Faith we have heretofore treated this year wherin Theodosius slew the Tyrant Eugenius shewd forth the glorious fruits of his pious education under the Holy Popes Damasus and Siricius For now was he consecrated Bishop and sent back into his own countrey to preach the saving Truths of Christs Gospell to the rude nation of the Southern Picts For thus we read in his Life extant in Capgrave 2. The Roman Bishop Siricius having heard that a Nation in the Western parts of Brittany had not yet receiv'd the Faith of Christ exalted S. Ninianus to the Episcopall degree and giving him his Apostolicall benediction destin'd him to become the Apostle of the foresaid Nation 3. That which is here call'd a Western Nation in Brittany is the same which S. Beda calls Southern Picts situated between Cumberland and the Bay of Glotta or Cluide Dunbritton For the Northern Picts inhabiting beyond that Bay received not the light of the Gospell till many yeares after 4. Let us now prosecute S. Ninianus his Voyage as we find in the same Authour of his Life who tells us That the man of God in his return from the Citty of Rome was moved with an earnest desire to visit the glorious Bishop S. Martin at Tours whom some Writers affirme to have been his Vnkle whereupon he diverted from his iourney to that Citty S. Martin honourably receiv'd him by inspiration knowing that he was extraordinarily sanctified by God and that he would be a happy instrument of the salvation of many 5. Being dismissed by S. Martin the holy man pursuing his iourney came at last to the place whither he was destin'd And there he found a great concourse of people who it seems had notice of his return There was express'd wonderfull ioy and devotion and the praises of Christ sounded every where because they all
sublime a name they might better resist the Enemy But the unconstant soldiers finding his incapacity as suddenly depos'd him and in his place chose Gratianus born in the same Island 2. But within four monthes they slew likewise Gratianus for his insupportable cruelty Which being divulg'd in the countreys abroad their old Enemies out of Ireland return'd and being attended by the Scots Norvegians and Daci they march'd crosse the Island from sea to sea wasting all with fire and sword 3. In this extremity the Brittish Army proclam'd Emperour a Soldier called Constantin not for any merit of his courage saith S. Beda but only for the hope they fancied in his name as if the present ruins could not be repair'd but by another Constantin 4. Concerning this mans Election Geffrey of Monmouth follow'd by Florilegus and others frames this story How Wichelin commonly call'd Guithelin Arch Bishop of London seeing the calamity of Brittany and weaknes of the Romans pass'd over Sea into lesser Brittany formerly call'd Armorica where Aldroenus raign'd the fourth from Conanus whom Maximus had first constituted King there To him the Bishop made his humble petition that he would out of commiseration to the countrey from which himself was descended undertake the Government of it The King refused this offer as to himself but was content that his Brother Constantin should accept that Title whom he furnished with Soldiers and a Navy sent them into Brittany When presently the Brittains generally flock'd to him out of their caverns and lurking places and vnder his conduct marching against the Enemies obtain'd an illustrious Victory This being done they sett the Crown on his head at Chichester and gave him to wife a Noble Roman Lady who had been brought up by the same Bishop Guithelin By her he had three Sons the Eldest was Constans whom he made a Monk at Winchester in the Church of S. Amphibalus The other two were Aurelius Ambrosius and Vterpendragon whom he committed to the education of the same Archbishop 5. But these are fictions either invented or credulously embraced by Geffrey of Monmouth a man whose end in writing a history was not to propagate Truth but to exalt his own nation For first it is certain that when Constantin was proclam'd Emperour in Brittany the Arch-Bishop of London was not Wichelin but Fastidius Priscus who dyed about the year four hundred and twenty whose Successour was Voadinus and after him Guithelin in the year four hundred fifty six 6. Again that this Constantin was so far from being Brother of a King that his originall was base and unknown we have the testimony of the most ancient and authentick Historians S. Beda sayes he was chosen Ex infimâ militiâ out of the lowest rank in the Army and this not for any merit but meerly a fortunat presage of his name The place where he was chosen Emperour was Caër-Segont neer Caër-narvon afterward call'd Caer-custenith perhaps from this Constantins election there Being chosen he directed Messengers to the Emperour Honorius to excuse himself as being by violence compell'd by the soldiers to accept that Title thus writeth Zosimus which alone destroys Geffreys fable 7. The same year Constantin pass'd over into Gaule where gathering an army he subdued all the regions on this side the Cottian Alpes dividing Gaule from Italy and then saith the same Zosimus he accounted his possession of the Empire secure He likewise drew out of his Monasticall Solitude his Son Constans whom he created Caesar This is testified by Orosius and Marcellinus Comes 8. The seat of his Empire he placed at Arles he constituted firm guards upon the River Rhine to hinder the excursions of the Germans and utterly broke the forces of the Vandalls Sueves and Alans which had wasted all the Provinces between the river Seine and the Rhine 9. Afterward he sent his Son Constans into Spain who by many successfull combats subdued the countrey And whereas two Noble Brethren Didymus and Verenianus having collected an army of Spaniards faithfull to the Roman Empire had seised on the streit passages through the Pyrenean mountains Constans courageously broke through them Which having done he committed the care of defending those passages to forraign Soldiers to the great displeasure of the Spaniards who thereupon entred into league with the Vandals and Gothes against him For these good successes Constans by his Father was pronounced Emperour to whom he repaired leaving Gerontius in his place Generall in Spain 10. But the year following he was sent back into Spain attended by Iustus a famous Captain Whereat saith Zosimus Gerontius was so offended that he procured the barbarous Soldiers in Gaule to revolt so that Constantin having sent a considerable part of his army into Spain and not being able to represse them severall Provinces both in Gaule and Brittany forsook their dependence on Rome casting out the Roman Magistrats and governed themselves by their own will and laws Notwithstanding the same Authour afterward insinuats that the Emperour Honorius himself freed the Brittains from their dependence writing letters to them wherin he exhorted them to provide for themselves 11. Gerontius not content with this assumed to himself the Title of Emperour and investing with the same purple Maximus whom he left in Spain he with an army marched against Constantin whom he beseiged in Arles But an Army from Honorius under the conduct of Constantius a Roman approaching Gerontius his soldiers forsook him and the Spaniards remaining out of contempt of him attempted to kill him and encompassing the house into which he retired they sett it on fire So that Gerontius having first killd his wife at last killd himself also This is Sozomens relation 12. As for Constantin he was again beseiged at Arles by the Roman General Constantius and being inform'd that Ebodicus whom he had sent into Germany to collect aid from the Franks and Alemanni was intercepted in his return he devested himself of his Imperiall Purple and flying for refuge into a Church was there consecrated a Preist Whereupon the Soldiers in the Town having pardon offred them opened the gates Constantin with his Son Iulian was sent into Italy but by the way was slain 13. The year before Constantins unhappy death was deplorable to the whole world by the destruction of Rome overcome and sack'd by Alaricus King of the Goths Then not only the immense wealth of the Citty for so many years heap'd together but the ornaments of Churches became the prey of barbarous Soldiers who were astonish'd to see the munificent vessells with which Constantin the Great had enrich'd them XXVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Melorus a young Brittish Prinie 1. OVR Martyrologe the same year wherin the Vsurper Constantin was slain commemorats a more happy death call'd a Martyrdom of a young Brittish Prince whose name was Melorus or Meliorus Of whom mention is made in the Monuments of Cornwall
And to the end that nothing might be wanting to render him consummate in learning after severall years frequenting the Gallican Schooles where he was taught the liberall Sciences he went to Rome and there he enrich'd his mind with a perfect knowledge of the Imperiall Laws At his return he was made Governour of the Citty and Territory of Auxerre the place of his Nativity 5. But not to dilate upon the occurrents of his Life during his secular state we will from the Relation of Constantius a pious and learned Preist of the same age who wrote his life declare by how strange a Providence he was assum'd into the Ecclesiasticall Profession and promoted to the sublime degree of a Bishop 6 Whil'st he was Governour of Auxerre the Bishop of that Citty was a holy man call'd Amator This good Bishop being in the Church and whil'st he was preparing himself to perform his Office perceiving among others Germanus Prefect of the Citty entring with a body and mind compos'd to modesty and piety he commanded immediatly that the dores should be safe lock'd And then being accompanied with many persons of the Clergy and Nobility he laid hold on Germanus and devoutly calling on the name of our Lord he cut off his haire and devesting him of his secular ornaments he very respectfully cloathed him with a Religious habit Which having done he said thus to him Now most dear Brother it is our duty to be diligent in preserving this honour committed to thee without stain For assoon as I am dead Almighty God committs to thee the Pastorall charge of this Citty 7. Amator shortly after died in whose place Germanus succeeded about the year of Grace four hundred and eighteen as Bishop Vsher reckons And being Bishop the austerity of his life is thus describ'd by the same Authour From the first day in which he undertook the Episcopall Office to the end of his life he never used Wine vinegar oyle nor so much as salt to give a savoury tast to his meat At his Refections he first took ashes into his mouth and after that barley bread and this so slender and ungratfull diet he never us'd till toward sun-set Some-times he would passe half a week yea seaven whole days without any satisfaction given to his craving stomack His bed was hard boards coverd over with ashes and to prevent any profoun'd sleep he would admit no pillow under his head Why doe I speak of sleep When as he spent whole nights in continuall sighing and incessantly waterd his hard couch with his tears He was a zealous observer of hospitality and whensoever any poor or strangers came to him he would prepare for them a plentifull feast whilst himself fasted Yea with his own hands he would wash their feet kissing them and sometimes bedewing them with showrs of teares Withall to the end he might cleanse himself from the stains which by familiar conversation with men could not be avoyded he built a Monastery into which he oft retir'd himself feeding and refreshing his mind there with the wonderfull sweetnes of celestiall contemplation Thus qualified was S. Germanus before he exercis'd his Apostolicall Office in Brittany impos'd on him by Pope Celestinus 8. Next as touching his companion S. Lupus he was born at Toul a Citty of the Leuci of a Noble family his Fathers name was Epirochius After whose death he was sent to schoole and there imbued in the study of Rhetorick He was maried to Pimeniola Sister to S. Hilarius Bishop of Arles a Lady from her youth inflam'd with a love of Chastity And hence it came to passe that after seaven years spent in mariage by divine inspiration both of them mutually exhorted one another to a state of Conversion And Lupus himself by a strong impulse from heaven was moved to visit the Blessed S. Honoratus first Abbot of the famous Monastery of Lerins To whom being come he humbly submitted himself to his Discipline with meek shoulders undergoing the yoak of our Lords service and mortifying himself with continuall watchings and fastings After he had spent a year there in a great fervour of faith he return'd to the Citty of Mascon with an intention to sell his possessions there and distribute the money to the poor When Loe on a sudden he was unexpectedly snatch'd away and compell'd to undertake the administration of the Bishoprick of Troyes His admirable sanctity is celebrated by the writers of those times and particularly Sidonius Apollinaris in an Epistle written to him after he had been forty five years Bishop stiles him Father of Fathers Bishop of Bishops and a second Iacob of his age 9. Such were the Apostolick Reformers of the ancient Brittish Churches their humility and austerity of Life had a proper and specificall vertue to oppose the Pride and sensuality of Pelagian Hereticks Such Missioners as these were indeed worthy Delegats of the Apostolick See whose particular Gests before they came to Sea we leave to French Ecclesiasticall Annalists as how S. Germanus consecrated with a Religious Veyle the holy Virgin S. Genoveufe how he bestowd on her as a memoriall a certain coyn casually found imprinted with the sign of the Crosse. But the accidents befalling them at Sea must not be omitted which are thus related by the forenam'd Constantius 10. These two holy men saith he under the conduct and direction of our Lord took shipping and were by him safely protected and tryed in and by many dangers At first the Ship was caried with favourable winds from the Gallick shore till they came into the midst of the Sea where no land could be discover'd But presently after this the fury of a whole Legion of Devills envying their voyage design'd for the salvation of a world of soules assail'd them These oppose dangers raise stormes darken the heavens and make darknes more horrible by adding therto fearfull swellings of the sea and ragings of the aire The sailes are no longer able to sustain the fury of winds nor the boat to resist mountains of waves dashing against it So that the ship was 〈◊〉 forward rather by the prayers then skill or force of the mariners And it so fell out that the prime Pilot the Holy Bishop Germanus was then securely compos'd in sleep That advantage the tempest took to encrease in horrour since he who only could resist it was in a sort absent So that the ship overset with waves was ready to sink Then at last S. Lupus and all the rest in great trouble and feare awak'd the old man who only was able to withstand the fury of the elements He not at all astonish'd at the danger addresses his prayers to our Lord and his threats to those of the Ocean and to the raging storms he opposes the cause of Religion which invited them to that voyage And presently after taking a small quantity of oyle which he blessed in the Name of the holy Trinity and Sprinkling it on the raging waves immediatly
casa 3. Here the Reader may observe that this Bishop was by the confession of these Lutheran Protestants famous for his Sanctity and miracles and withall one who dayly studied the Holy Scriptures Yet he was very devout in giving respect and Veneration to Gods Saints to whose honour he likewise built Churches S. Martin dyed not above thirty years before S. Ninianus ended his life and yet we find a Church built by S. Ninianus and dedicated to S. Martin Yet the same Protestants make sharp invectives against the Roman Church for imitating these Saints magnified by themselves 4. The Example of S. Ninianus was imitated by the Brittish Church neer the same age for when S. Augustin the Monk came into Brittany to convert the Saxons he found saith S. Beda in the Citty of Canterbury a Church dedicated to the honour of S. Martin which had been anciently built in the times when the Romans inhabited this Island 5. S. Ninianus before he dyed divided the Provinces of the Picts into Parishes he ordained Preists there and consecrated Bishops This he did by the authority of the Roman Bishop from whom as hath been related he received his Mâ—ssion 6. As touching the Miracles which God wrought by his servant S. Ninianus although my intention be to be spating in relating such things yet since the foremention'd Lutheran Writers acknowledge this Saint to have been famous for them it may be expedient in this place to record one as followeth 7. In the Region of the Picts saith the Authour of S. Ninianus life there was a certain Prince named Tudwal a proud high-spirited man who contemning the admonitions of this man of God and derogating from his doctrin and life resisted him openly On a certain day having been more then ordinarily troublesome and rude to him God the Supreme heavenly Iudge would not suffer any longer the iniuries offred to his holy Servant to passe unrevenged but strook this proud man with an intolerable pain in his head by the violence of which those lofty eyes of his became utterly blind So that he which had before impugn'd the Light of Divine Truth deservedly lost the light of this world But upon beâ—ter consideration he sent a message to the holy Bishop humbly beseeching him in imitation of our Lords benignity to return to him good for ill and love for hatred The Venerable Bishop hereupon first sharply reprov'd the Prince and then touching him imprinted on his eyes the sign of the Crosse when immediatly his pains ceased his blindnes was dissipated and afterward the Prince highly honoured the Holy Bishop and readily granted whatsoever he ask'd of him 8. As touching the place of his Buriall and Episcopall See call'd Candida casa and by the Saxons Wit-hern Malmsburiensis thus writes of it Candida casa is the name of a place in the confines of England and Scotland where is the sepulcher of the Blessed Confessour Ninias by nation a Brittain who there first preached the Gospel of Christ. That name was given to the place by occasion of a Church which the holy Bishop there built of hew'n stone which to the rude Brittains seemd a wonder This Holy man Ninias is celebrated by Antiquity for his many miracles 9. There is extant in Bishop Vshers Brittish Antiquities an Epistle of our Learned Countreyman Alcuinus not printed among his works wherin he testifies the great fame of the Sanctity and Miracles of this Blessed Bishop It is directed to the Religious Preists then living at Candida Casa And Paschasius Radbertus recounst a Miracle in the same age wherin Alcuinus who attended on the Emperour Charles the Great liv'd which miracle hapned to a devout Preist celebrating Masse at the Saints monument There was a certain Religious Preist saith he nam'd Plegils who frequently solemnis'd Masse at the Body of S. Ninias Bishop and Confessour Who living a vertuous and holy life began frequently to beseech our Lord that he would please to shew visibly to him the nature and verity of the Body and Blood of Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament This Prayer he made not from want of Faith in the truth of the Mystery but meerly out of an affection of devotion and piety Consequently the Authour declares how to his great consolation our Lord appeard to him in the Sacrament in the form of a young child XII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Germanus his second coming into Brittany 6.7.8 He Ordains Bishops here Of Landaff 10.11 He instituts the Vniversity of Oxford 1. THree years after the death of S. Ninianus S. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre was once more invited into Brittany to perfect the good work which he had formerly begun in rooting out the Pelagian Heresy there spreading it self again The relation we must borrow from the same Authour the learned Preist Constantius to whom Baronius gives this Character that he was a Writer of those times of most perfect integrity and sincerity in all things 2. In the mean time says he a Message from Brittany comes declaring that the perversity of the Pelagian Heresy by the impious diligence of a few Authours began to enlarge it self there Hereupon once more the prayers of all are again address'd to S. Germanus that he would maintain the cause of Divine Grace which by his diligence formerly prevayl'd The Holy Bishop made no delay to comply with their petition for his delight was to labour and even spend his strength in the service of Christ. The Devills envy began now to languish as the Holy mans vertues encreas'd neither durst he so much as tempt him whom by experience he knew to be a freind of God 3. There was adjoyn'd to him for his companion Severus Bishop of Triers a person of consummate Sanctity who had long preach'd the word of God to the Nations of Germania Prima In his way he pass'd by Paris where he is received with great joy and acclamations of the people as the presence of so eminent a Saint well deserved 4. In the mean time infernall Spirits flying through the whole Island foretold the return of Saint Germanus being forc'd to doe so against their wills Insomuch as that one nam'd Elaphius a principall person of the countrey without any notice given of the Holy Bishops journey came in hast to meet them He brought with him his Son upon whom from the flower of his youth a lamentable infirmity had seis'd For all his members were withred and the hamm of his leggs so drawn together that by reason of the drynes of his thigh he could not sett his foot to ground Elaphius was attended by almost the whole province which assembled together though no advice had been given them of the Holy Bishops coming By whom assoon as they mett together an Episcopall Benediction was confer'd on the people and the words of Truth preach'd to them S. Germanus perceives that the generality of the people persever'd constant in the doctrin which he had left
his aid the barbarous warlick Saxons prostituted it to their rapines and tyranny This Character we read of him in Malmsburiensis At that time Vortigern was King of Brittany a man voyd both of courage and counsell yea addicted wholly to carnall pleasure and the slave of almost all vices particularly of avarice pride and luxury He as we read in the Gests of the Brittains solicited and with the hope of making her a Queen deflourd his own daughter and of her gott a Son Who notwithstanding his incestous birth was by a miracle of Divine Grace a Saint his name being S. Faustus 3. His wife was a Lady equall to him in blood but most unlike in disposition By her he had three Sons Vortimer Catigern and Pascentius Whilst she lived he governed his Principality with moderation but after her death he loosed the rains to all vices For which having been reproved by S. Germanus and upon his impenitence in a Synod excommunicated he revenged himself by inflicting the fore mentioned iniuries and calumnies upon the Holy Bishop But in the end was severely punish'd by fire from heaven 4. Before his Election to the Vniversall Government of Brittany he was Prince of the Danmonij or as others write Consul of the Gevisses inhabitants of the South-western parts about Cornwall or South-wales Which Principality it seems he had governed well enough to be esteemd not unworthy to be preferr'd above his formerly fellow Princes though indeed that age the men of which Gildas calls atramentum aetatis the inke of their age afforded it seems so little choice that a Prince not absolutly vicious deserved reputation However this unworthy King is recorded a restorer of the Citty of Oxford We will awhile suspend a relation of the Gests of this unhappy King to the end we may interpose some affairs touching the Churches of Brittany at this time occurring XIV CHAP. 1.2 c S. Dubricius ordained Bishop of Landaff by S. Germanus The place of his Birth c. 1. AMong the actions beneficiall to Brittany done by Saint Germanus the election and consecration of Saint Dubricius to the Bishoprick of Landaff was deservedly reckoned This Dubricius say the Centuriatours of Magdeburg sirnamed Gainius Vagiensis from the place where he was born was peradventure the Son of a Monk by Euedila a Noble Virgin and grew afterward famous among tâ—e English Thus write they without all authority from antiquity desirous to faign one Example at least to be a president for their Master Luthers incest 2. But from more authentick Testimonieâ— it appears that Saint Dubricius was by nation a Brittain born in the Province of the Dimeta or West Wales he was sirnamed Gainius from the River which runs by the place where he was born His Fathers name is not mentioned among Authours his Mother was Euedila a woman of a clear fame for her vertues Thus write Bale Picts Powel and the Authour of his life in Capgrave 3. It is there moreover related how being a child care was taken to imbue his mind with litterature And having attained a few years more he made such proficiency in learning that not the ignorant only but such also as had acquired a good degree in knowledge repaired to him to encrease their skill among whom were Saint Theliaus Saint Sampson Saint Aidanus and others In the soile of his Nativity neer the River Vaga from whence he was called Vagiensis he chose a fitt seat for his own and his Disciples studies and there he spent many years in the charitable employment of communicating his learning to others Afterward having by command of an Angel built a Church there he preached and taught the people wholesom Christian Doctrin Moreover by imposing his hands he often cured many infirmities insomuch as those which came to him sad and unsound returned joyfull and in health And therefore he was qualified fitt to be advanced by S. Germanus to the Degree of a Bishop 4. The period of his life is uncertain Yet certain it is that he lived to a very old age for many years after this he was transferr'd by Aurelius Ambrosius then raigning to the Arch-Bishoprick of Caër-Leon in the Province of Monmouth So that he will once more occurre in our History As for his Disciples Saint Theliaus Saint Iâ—tutus c. eminent Saints and Doctours which therefore could not likewise escape the calumnious pens of the Lutheran Centuriators we shall treat of them in the following age 5. But here we must not omitt what a learned French writer Andrew Saussay in his French Martyrologe relates of another famous Disciple of Saint Germanus named Saint Briocus a Brittain who was afterward Bishop in Armorica or lesser Brittany so illustrious for his Sanctity that the See of his Bishoprick is to this day from his name called S. Brieu a suffragan Bishoprick to Tours 6. Saint Briocus saith he was by countrey an Englishman he should have said a Brittain of the Province of Corticia descended of a Noble Stock He was by Saint Germanus of Auxeâ—â—e preaching the Orthodoxe Faith there brought out of Brittany into Gaule and here by him instructed happily in the Discipline of Piety After he had enriched his mind with saving Doctrins he returned into his Native countrey and there informed his parents in the true Faith which he likewise preached with great successe in the countrey about After this being desirous to employ our Lords Talent yet more copiously he came over into Armorica where having shed the beams of Evangelicall Light on the minds of his kinsman Conanus Count of Triguâ—er Trecorensem he afterward cleansed him with the Laver of Baptism Then assembling severall devout persons aspiring to the perfection of a Religious life he built a Monastery and there by the liberality of the said Count he layd the foundations of an Episcopall See and being consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of Tours Metropolitan of that countrey he with an admirable splendour of vertue ad piety governed the said Diocese the space of thirty years Afterward making a journey to Angiers to furnish himself with Ecclesiasticall ornaments he there breathed forth his spotlesse soule From thence his Body was caried back and with great honour buried in the Church which himself had built where frequent miracles were wrought at his Relicks Thus as he gave his name to the Monastery Town and Mother-Church of that Diocese so he likewise afforded continuall protection to them 7. Certain Irish Historians would challenge S. Briocus to their countrey as having been born in the Territory of Cork But his having been a Disciple of Saint Germanus who had nothing to doe with Ireland proves him a Brittain And whereas Bishop Vther conjectures that the Master of Saint Briocus might have been another Saint Germanus Bishop of Paris who lived in the following age His living with Conanus and relation of kinred to him demonstrate him both a Brittain and more ancient then the
out of her hiding place and last of them all receiv'd the crown of Martyrdom 11. Such a Sacrifice as this had never before nor hath been since offred to Almighty God by his Church We read of a S. Agnes a S. Catherine a S. Lucia and a few other miraculous Examples of courage and chastity in tender Virgins but they were single persons neither is it unusuall with God to shew the power of his Grace in some particular favourits of his to exalt the Faith and confound Vnbeleivers There have likewise been recorded illustrious Examples of multitudes of men which have freely without resistance suffred Martyrdom as the Thebaean Legion c. But such courage in men especially soldiers who dayly look death in the face is not to be esteemed very extraordinary Whereas here we find a far more numerous Army consisting of young timerous tender Virgins to whom ordinarily the sight of an Enemies look is insupportable offring themselves freely to innumerable swords Among them all not one single soule is found which yeilds to their flatteries or fury and but one which delays her suffring the space onely of a single night after which she as it were animated with the united Spirits of all her Companions next day solicites the united fury of innumerable Enemies against her self alone and gloriously triumphing over the rage of men and Hell too is ioyfully receiv'd among her blessed CoÌ„panions XXIII CHAP. 1 2.3 c. The Names of these Holy Virgins Their Sacred Relicks dispersed all the world over Names of Churches where they are Venerated 1. THE fame of this Tragedy in which was display'd the extremity of savage cruelty in men and miraculous courage in Virgins was no sooner spread abroad in the world but that all countreys and Churches became suitours to be enrich'd with a portion of their sacred Relicks which have been spread through Germany Gaule Italy Brittany yea Asia Africk and of late India it self So exactly was fullfill'd the Canticle of S. Vrsula and her Associats mention'd by Gildas Thou O God hast given us as sheep to be devoured and hast disperst us among the Nations 2. Not above ten years after this glorious Martyrdom that is about the year of Grace four hundred sixty three saith Hermannus Fleien one of the Canons of Colen Solinus nam'd by others Aquilinus Arch-Bishop of that Citty as we find in our ancient Records out of reverence to the Memory of these holy Virgins enclosed with walls the sacred place of their Martyrdom in which was erected a Church consecrated to their cheif Captain S. Vrsula which remains to this day by the accesse of which place the Citty of Colen was so much enlarg'd He also took out of the ground as carefully as he could their sacred bones which he reverently again buried in chests hewn out of stone 3. Neither did Brittany long delay to testify her veneration to these her blessed countrey-women A witnes whereof is a well known Town call'd Maidenhead For thus writes Camden The Thames saith he winds back to a little town formerly call'd Southlington but afterward Maidenhead from the Superstitious reverence there given to the head of I know not what holy Virgin one of the eleaven thousand Brittish Martyrs which under the conduct of S. Vrsula returning from Rome into their countrey were martyrd by Attila call'd the Scourge of God near Colen in Germany Thus he censures the piety of a world of devout Emperours Kings Princes Bishops and Doctours of Gods Church in all ages 4. A volume might be written if we should â—eap up all testimonies which a world of Churches have given of their veneration to these Holy Martyrs Therefore we will only here sett down a Catalogue of such of their Names as have escaped oblivion And thereto adjoyn the Churches where many of them are venerated in regard their Holy Relicks repose there 5. S. Vrsula for orders sake divided that innocent Army into certain Squadrons First then she gave a generall authority over all under her to these Virgins S. Cordula S. Eleutheria S. Florentia and S. Pinnosa Next she assign'd the care inspection of a thousand to each of these following S. Benedicta S. Benigna S. Carpophora S. Celindes S. Clementia S. Columba S. Lata S. Lucia S. Odilia S. Sapientia and S. Sybylla After which these particular Virgins names are recorded Saint Agnes S. Antonina S. Areaphila S. Babcaria S. Baldina S. Candida S. Caraduméa S. Christina S. Columbina S. Corona S Cunera Saint Deodata S. Flora S. Florina S. Florentina S. Grata S. Honorata S. Honoria S. Hostia S. Languida S. Margarita S. Margaria S. Oliva S. Panpheta S. Panefrides S. Pavia S. Paulina S. Pharanina S. Pisona S. Sambaria S. Sancta S. Semibaria S. Terentia S. Valeria 6. The Body of S. Vrsula her self is still preserv'd at Colen but her Head was translated to Paris where the illustrious Colledge of Sorbon acknowledges her their Patronesse At S. Denys in France there is a commemoration of Panefredis Secunda Semibaria Florina and Valeria companions of S. Vrsula whose relicks repose there At Huy in Germany is celebrated the Translation of S. Odilia famous for frequent miâ—acles In Flanders the Monastery of Marcian possesses some part of the Body of S. Cordula The Monastery of Good Hope belonging to the Premonstratenses enjoy the Relicks of S. Terentia S. Marguarita S. Baldina S. Samburia and S. Margaria translated thither when Reinaldus was Arch-Bishop of Colen The Monastery of S. Martin in Tornâ—y glories in the Bodies of S. Honorata Florina and some part of the Relicks of S. Vrsula The Monastery of S. Amand in Pabula preserves the Bodies of three of these Virgins whose names are unknown At Andain in Arduenna repose the Bodies of S. Grata S. Hostia and S. Areaphila A Hospital in Tornay possesses S. Languida At Arras the Bodyes of S. Beata and S. Sancta are said to repose in the Cathedrall Church Four of these Holy Virgins are celebrated at the Monastery of S. Bertin in S. Aumar At the Church of S. Salvius the Relicks of S. Pavia and S. Caradumea are venerated The Norbertins at Vicoine possesse the Bodies of S. Corona S. Pharanina S. Babcaria S. Margarita another S. Margarita S. Benedicta S. Cordula S. Sambaria S. Deodata S. Panpheta and S. Christina The Canons of Tungres venerate the Heads of S. Pinnosa and S. Oliva The Nunnes of Mays venerate the Relicks of S. Paulina S. Florentina and eight other Holy Virgins companions of S. Vrsula In the town of Rhenen in the Diocese of Vtrecht is celebrated the memory of S. Cunera which holy Virgin in our Martyrologe is said to have been withdrawn from the slaughter by a certain noble Matron in whose house she was awhile conceal'd but being discover'd had her neck broken But the Belgick Writers say that she in compassion was by a certain Noble man privately taken from the rest and conveyed to his house Where his
raign our Ecclesiasticall monuments doe record extreme cruelty exercis'd by Hengist in all places where his armies came principally in Kent against Preists and Holy Virgins especially great numbers of which he caused to be massacred Altars he profaned every where and demolish'd Churches 3 But among the Victimes of this barbarous Princes cruelty there onely remains the memory of one illustrious Bishop Voadinus Arch-bishop of London who dyed a glorious Martyr in this tempest The names of all the rest are onely written in heaven 4. Now concerning Saint Voadinus we read thus in our ancient English Martyrologe On the third of Iuly at London is the commemoration of Saint Voadinus Martyr Arch-bishop of London who being a man of great Sanctity reproved Vortigern King of Brittany for repudiating his lawfull wife and marrying an â—nfidell For which cause Hengist King of Kent the father of Vortigerns second illegitimate wife inflam'd with fury commanded the said Holy Bishop together with many other Preists and religious men to be stain Whence may appear that all good men did execrate the Kings last and adulterous mariage 5. Chamber in the life of Vortigern as Richard White relates affirms that Saint Voadinus his admonition to King Vortigern had two heads The first was his unlawfull dispâ—sall of part of the patrimony and crown of the Kingdom without the consent of the Clergy Nobility and people The other was his marrying a Pagan wife his own being yet alive against whom he could alledge no cause which might iustify a divorce This double reprehension did Hengist revenge by the death of the holy Bishop Now though both these grounds of reprehension were very iust yet it was the latter proceeding from a a reverence to the Sacrament of the Church vitiated by the new Bride which principally regarded a Bishop to censure and which for so doing and suffring for his duty gave him a sufficient title to Martyrdom 6. Gildas and Saint Beda though they mention not by name this Martyrdom of Saint Voadinus yet deliver generall expressions of the cruell persecution rais'd by Hengist especially against Ecclesiasticall persons that they afford sufficient grounds to render it unquestionnable For Gildas declares that great numbers of Bishops and Preists were massacred by that Saxon-King And Saint Beda relates the same in these words The impious King after his Victory almighty God the iust Iudge so disposing layd wast the Citties and provinces adjoyning and without any resistance continued the flame from the Eastern to the Western sea covering the whole surface of the miserable Island with ruine Both publick and private buildings were demolish'd And every where the Prelats of the Church together with the people without any regard to their dignity were consum'd with sword and fire neither were there any who took care to bury their bodies after they were so cruelly slain VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Hengist at a Feast perfidiously murders the Brittish Nobles 5. Stone-henge a Monument of this 6.7 Vortigern being a Prisoner redeems himself with surrendring severall Provinces to the Saxons 1. FOR two or three years wee read nothing memorable perform'd between the Brittains and Saxons but the year of Grace four hundred sixty one is noted with an act of most horrible perfidious cruelty done by Hengist For he having a resolution by any means to enlarge his bounds in Brittany and finding that by exercice of war the Brittish courages encreased turnd his thoughts to invent some stratagem by which without any hazard he might compasse his end 2. For this purpose insinuating himselfe into the minds of Vortigern and the Brittish Nobility as if he were desirous of amity and peace which if they would grant he would turn his arms against the Picts and Scotts and drive them quite out of the Island He quickly obtain'd beleif from the easy nature of Vortigern as if his intentions were sincere Whereupon a Meeting is ordain'd between the Brittains and Saxons with this caution that each King should be attended with only three hundred and those unarm'd at which Meeting they were to treat of the conditions of peace 3. The place appointed for this fatall Assemblâ— was a plain neer Sorbiodunum or Old Salsbury a Citty seated in the Province of the Belgae in which still remains a monument of a dismall Tragedy For these being mett on both sides a great Feast was prepared for the Brittains at which the articles of agreement were to be ratified by mutuall promises and oathes 4. But toward the end of the Feast when they were dissolv'd in wine Hengist on a sudden calld aloud To arms which was the watchword agreed on among the Saxons Whereupon they immediately drew out short swords which they had conceald under their cloathes and quickly slew their unarmed guests the Brittains Yet in that Tragedy one memorable example of courage was perform'd by a Brittish Noble man if Geffrey of Monmouth may be beleived For Eldol the valiant Governour Consul of Glocester Claudiocestriae snatching up a stake by chance lying near slew seaventy of the Saxons with it 5. A Monument not long after rais'd by the Brittains continues to this day the memory of this most barbarous and perfidious Tragedy This is that which is Vulgarly calld Stone-henge on Salsbury plains where in a space of ground compass'd with a ditch are placed as in a threefold crown stones of an incredible vastnes some of them twenty eight feet in height and seaven in breadth over many of which other great stones are placed a crosse The report is saith Camden that Ambrosius Aurelianus or his brother Vther Pendragon by the help and art of Merlin the famous Magician rais'd this Monument in memory of the Brittains treacherously slain by the Saxons at a conference Though others deliver that this was a magnificent Sepulcher rais'd to Ambrosius Aurelianus himself slain near this place from whom likewise the town of Ambresbury not far distant took its name 6. In this slaughter the Saxons took Vortigern prisoner and the year following saith Mathew of Westminster threatning him with death they bound him in chains and for his life requir'd of him to deliver up severall of his Citties and munitions Who quickly granted whatsoever they demanded so he might scape with his life This being confirm'd by oath they gave him his liberty and first of all they seys'd on the Citty of London then Yorck and Lincoln likewise Winchester all which Provinces they wasted killing the miserable Brittains like Sheep They destroyed to the ground all Churches and buildings belonging to Ecclesiasticall persons they killd the Preists near the Altars they burnt with fire all Books of Holy Scripture and heaped earth on the sepulchers of Martyrs Such religious men as could scape their fury repaired to desarts woods and rocks carying with them the Relicks of Saints Vortigern therfore seing so horrible destruction retir'd into the parts â—f Wales Cambria and there inclos'd himself in a town
in his solitary retreat at Glastenbury as already hath been declared before the proper time because wee would not too distractedly sett down the Gests of that glorious Apostolicall Saint Concerning whom thus wee read in the antiquities of Glastenbury In these days after the death of Vorâ—igern Aurelius Ambrosius raigned â—ver the Brittains And the Saxons grew strong multiplying exceedingly Then it was that S. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland and first Abbot in the Isle Avallonia after he had sufficiently instructed the foresaid Brethren in Regular Disciplines and competently enrich'd that Monastery with possessions procured from Kings and Princes at last yeilded to nature in the thirty ninth year after his return to the said Island And was buried in the Old Church on the right hand of the Altar by direction of an Angell a great flame likewise in the sight of all breaking forth in the same place 7. The Irish Writers eagerly contend against this and other Brittish testimonies concerning S. Patrick's being buried in Brittany confidently affirming that his Body reposes in the Church of Downpatrick in Ireland Whose assertion likewise seems to be confirm'd by S. Bernard who in the life of S. Malachias a Holy Irish Bishop writes that S. Patricks body rests in the See of Armagh accompanied with those of S. Colombanus and S. Brigide But this controversy may be commodiously enough composed as many of the like nature have been by replying that some considerable Relicks of his Sacred Body have been requested by the Irish from the Brittains and deposited at Down Which Relicks have after by mistake been reputed his entire Body a world of examples of the like errour being exstant in Ecclesiasticall History XI CHAP. 1. Hengists victory 2.3 c. Ella a Saxon invades Sussex where he erects the Kingdom of the South-saxons 6.7 c. King Ambrosius marches Northward against Hengist His pious vow and Victory 10 11. c. Hengist a Prisoner sentenced to death by the cruell sentence of a Bishop 13. Hengists son Aesca succeeds in the Kingdom of Kent 1. AFter some years cessation or at least sleight incursions occasionally exercis'd between the Brittains and Saxons in the year four hundred seaventy three Hengist obtain'd an important Victory against the Brittains for thus we read in Ethelwerd a Noble Saxon Writer The space of eight years being compleat after the Battell at Wippedflet Hengist together with his son Esca took up arms against the Brittains once more whose army they discomfited and caried away immense spoyles This Victory is not expressly mention'd by any other Historians but may be conceiv'd to be in generall words intended by Gildas and S. Beda in this expression From that time sometimes the Brittains and sometimes their Enemies had the Victory till the year wherin the Mountain of Bath Mons Badonicus was beseig'd which was ten years after this combat 2. In the year of Christ four hundred seaventy seaven Hengist perceiving that with his present forces he could make no progres against so valiant a Captain as Ambrosius nor yet maintain the Provinces lately given him by Vortigern for his redemption sent for new and greater supplies out of Germany Whereupon a famous Saxon captain calld Ella with his three sons Cymen Pleting and Cissa attended with a numerous army and strong fleet took sea and by Hengists directions bended their course to the Southern shore of Sussex 3. The order and successe of this expedition is thus describ'd by Henry of Huntingdon The great Saxon Commander Elle with his Sons and navy furnish'd with a strong and well orderd army landed in Brittany at a place call'd Cymen-shore from the name of Ella's eldest Son And while the Saxons were landing from their ships the Brittains rais'd a loud crye at which a world of people repaired to them from the places adiacent And streight a combat began The Saxons men of high stature and courage receiv'd them politickly and the Brittains most imprudently sett upon their enemies for coming in loose companies one after another they were easily slain by the Saxons who kep'd themselves together in close bodies Thus the Brittains which still came in to ayd their countreymen were suddenly discouraged by the noyse they heard of the defeat of the former They were all therefore putt to flight as far as the next wood called Andredesbeige And the Saxons possess'd themselves of the coasts of Sussex lying toward the Sea every day by little and little enlarging their limits till the ninth year after their coming 4. In which ninth year whilst Ella and his sons boldly entred further into the countrey The Princes and Nobles of the Brittains mett in arms together at a place call'd Mercredeburn and fought against the Saxons The Victory was doubtfull for on both sides the Armies were much empaired and broken So that each of them retired back to their own quarters 5. Mathew of Westminster addes that Ella with his Sons were forced to forsake the feild So that perceiving that he had not strength enough to make good his present conquests much lesse to enlarge them he sent into Germany for new supplies till the coming of which he lay still upon the defensive But after their arrivall he courageously continued his progresse in gaining more territories till he establish'd a new Kingdom of the South-Saxons in those parts 6. Whilst King Ambrosius employ'd his forces to represse the Saxons in these Southern regions Hengist having well fortified his Kindom of Kent took a journey into the Northern Provinces where joyning himself with the Picts and Scots he took many Citties and towns before the Brittains could oppose him and for the security of his new Conquests he built many Castles and strong holds and wheresoever he came he demolish'd all Churches Of which King Ambrosius being informed he with great courage as in Gods cause march'd after him And saith Richard white whilst he passed on his journey beholding the towns layd wast the lamentable ruines of Churches and miseries of the poore people he could not refrain weeping Whereupon by Vow he promised Almighty God that if he would grant him the Victory over the impious Saxons he would restore and rebuild all the Churches destroyed 7. How his pious Vow was approved by God the successe demonstrates thus related by Mathew of Westminster In the year of Grace four hundred eighty seaven Aurelius Ambrosius having gathered a great Army of Brittains resolved to provoke the Saxons to a combat Marching therefore with his army to the North he found Hengist with his forces beyond Humber Who being inform'd of his approaching boldly went to meet him with an intention to sett upon his army unawares in a feild call'd Maisbely through which Ambrosius was to passe whom he hoped to find unprovided But the Brittish King had notice of his design which hindred him to march to the same feild At last the two Armies meeting in good military order
a feirce battell was begun and much blood shed on both sides But at last Hengist perceiving his army to give ground and that the Brittains began to prevayle he presently fled to a town call'd Caêr-conan now Cuningbury But considering the weaknes of the town to resist he knew his only safety consisted in the swords and spears of his followers Ambrosius pursued him and by the way putt to the sword all the Saxons he found Thus having obtaind the Victory he with great zeale and devotion gave praise to the God of heaven 8. As for Hengist he fortified his camp as well as he could neer the said town But after a few days saith Camden he was forc'd to come to a battell before his camp which was fatall to him and his for the greatest part of his army was cutt in peices and himself being taken prisoner was beheaded by the Brittains 9. This battell saith Florilegus was fought on the banks of the River Don. And the manner how Hengist was taken prisoner was this The valiant Eldot Duke or Consul of Glocester Claudiocestriae had an earnest desire to cope with Hengist Therefore with the forces under his command furiously peircing through the Enemies squadrons he at last found him and laying hold on the fore part of his helmet with main force he drew him in among his own troops saying God at last hath fullfilld my desire It is he who hath given us the Victory Presently after this the Saxons fled every one his own way whom Ambrosius pursuing manfully slew Octa the Son of Hengist with the greatest numbers fled to York But Esca and not a few with him betook themselves to another Citty call'd Aclud After this Victory Ambrosius took the Citty Caër-conan which he entred triumphantly staying there onely three days 10. The same Author consequently relates the manner how Hengist was sentenced and executed after the fight After the saith he Ambrosius calling his Captains together commanded them to decreet what should becom of Hengist Whereupon Eldad Bishop of Glocester who was also Brother of Eldot impos'd silence on them all and gnashing his teeth for rage he thus said Though all here present had a desire to set him free I my self would cutt him in peices Why doe you delay O effeminat Brittains Did not Samuêl a Prophet having taken the King of Amalec prisoner in a battell cutt him in peices one limme after another saying As thou hast made many Mothers childles so will I make thy mother childles this day Doe you therefore deale in the same manner with this barbarous King who is another Agag and has depriv'd a world of Brittish Mothers of their children When he had thus sayd Eldad drew his sword and leading him out of the Citty cutt off his head sending his soule into hell 11. If this relation be true Eldad shew'd himself an unmercifull man and one who forgott the duty of a Christian Bishop who ought rather to have mitigated the rigour of other mens sentences then to pronounce so cruell a iudgment whilst others who were soldiers too held their peace He therefore little deserves the commendation given him by Pits for his piety and prudence which he â—ill express'd when gnashing his teeth for rage he extorted a Captive Kings death from an Assembly of soldiers The Book of Invective Orations for which the same Authour likewise reckons him among the ancient Brittish Writers probably proceeding from the same spirit deserved rather to be forgotten then recorded as in honour of our Ancestors 12. After this so signall a Victory Ambrosius mindfull of his Vow call'd together workmen Masons and Carpenters and took care to repaire the Houses of God which had been destroyed and placing in them Preists and other Clergy-men he reduc'd the Divine service to the pristine order And wheresoever he found any Idols or Temples of false Gods he defac'd them utterly out of the memory of men He was studious to observe iustice and peace especially to Ecclesiasticall persons and confer'd on them liberall revenews enjoyning them all to pray for the Kingdom and state of Gods Church 13. Hengist being thus dead his Son Aesca succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent He is call'd Oisc by S. Beda who addes that from him the succeeding Kings of Kent were call'd Oiskings As for his other Son Otta in the former narration of Florilegus said to have fled to York nothing can be found of him among the Ancient Writers So that small credit is to be given to what Modern Historians relate concerning him that King Ambrosius bestow'd on him the Province of Galloway in Scotland since in those days that Province was not in the disposall of the Brittains XII CHAP. 1.2 S. Brigit comes out of Ireland into Brittany for Relicks and returns 1. THE same year in which Hengist was slain the Holy Virgin S. Brigit came out of Ireland into Brittany as we find recorded in the Antiquities of Glastonbury and her busines was to obtain some Relicks of her most dear and honour'd Patron S. Patrick for she had been his Disciple and a great admirer of his sanctity which she zealously imitated Being in Brittany she pass'd some years in a certain small Island near Glastonbury where there was an Oratory consecrated to the honour of S. Mary Magdalen The Island was called Bekery or the Little Island Afterward having left behind her scripp chain bell and other vestments of her own weaving which for the memory of her Sanctity are there expos'd she return'd into Ireland where not long after she rested in our Lord and was buried in the Citty of Down 2. This is that famous Virgin for her Sanctity and miracles venerated by Gods Church on the first day of February On which day we read in the Martyrologes of Rome S. Beda and Ado these words This day is celebrated the Memory of S. Brigid a Virgin who in testimony of her virginity having touch'd the Wood of an Altar it became presently green Her death is frequently assign'd by writers to the eighteenth year of the following Century But truër Chronology saith Bishop Vsher makes her to out live S. Patrick only thirty years XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Sophias a Brittish Martyr and Bishop of Beneventum 1. IN our English Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of Ianuary there is a commemoration of a Brittish Saint and Martyr call'd S. Sophias whose death is assigned to the four hundred and ninetieth year of our Lord. 2. This S. Sophias was the Son of Guilleicus Prince of the Ordovices or Northwales He undertook a Monasticall Profession in a Monastery built by himself in the same Province It is written of him that he had such devotion to our Lords Passion that he made three pilgrimages to Ierusalem to visit the marks and footsteps of it He had likewise a great Veneration to Rome and those places which had been consecrated by the
in his practise fullfilld the Instructions which he mett with in reading Now it fell out that his Master Paulens with extreme pains falling on his eyes lost the use of them Hereupon calling his Disciples together he desired that one after another they would look upon his eyes and say a prayer or benediction on them When they had done this and that he receiv'd no ease or remedy David said thus to him Father I pray you doe not command mee to look you in the face for ten years are pass'd since I studied the Scripture with you and in all that time I never had the boldnes to look you in the face Paulens admiring his humility said since it is so it will suffise if by touching my eyes thou pronounce a benediction on them Presently therefore assoon as he touched them sight was restored to them XIV CHAP. 1.2 The Westsaxon Kingdom founded 3.4 Priviledges given to Cornwall c. 5.6 A second combat at Monâ— Badonicus 7. c. Fables of King Arthurs conquests 1. THE same year in which the Synod of Brevi was celebrated Cerdic began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that is saith Huntingdom in the seaventy first year after the first coming of the Saxons and in the raign of the Emperour Iustin the Elder of that name With him agrees Ethelwerd Malmsbury and others And Thomas Rudburn in his greater Chronicle addes that he was crowned with Pagan Ceremonies at Winchester in the place which once had been the Church of the true God but which those barbarous heathens had changed into a Temple of Dagon having slain all the Monks who served God there 2. The raising of this New Kingdom sufficiently disproves the Fables of Geffrey of Monmouth who reports great and frequent Victories of King Arthur in these dayes Whereas Huntingdon expresly declares that this year a terrible battell was fought between Cerdic and the Brittains and that on both sides the Captains fought magnanimously till even but then the Saxons gott the victory which would have been more bloody to the Brittains had not the darknes hindred the pursuit After this the fame of Cerdic and his son Kinric was largely spread through the whole land For from that day began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which remains to our times having swallowd all the other Principalities And Ranulpâ—us of Chester relates how after many battells fought betweem King Arthur and Cerdic wherin sometimes one some times the other had the better at last King Arthur grew weary and contenting himself with an oath of fidelity received from Cerdic he gave to him the Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset 3. But Thomas Rudburn taking no notice of any Oath of Fidelity declares that King Arthur growing weary of renewing war against Cerdic entred into league with him by which Cerdic obliged himself to the inhabitants of Cornwal to permitt them paying an annual tribute to enjoy the exercise of Christian Religion And that such a speciall indulgence was allowd to that Province appears by the great numbers of Saints which in these and the following times flourished there whereas scarce any were to be found in other parts of Brittany subject to the Saxons Now the ground of this Priviledge afforded particularly to them of Cornwal no doubt was because great multitudes of Brittains flying from the Saxons into those most distant and more defensible parts as likewise into Wales rendred them more capable to resist new Masters who therefore were forced to give them better conditions 4. Notwithstanding we are not to suppose that the two Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset mentioned by Ranulphus and Cornwall by Rudburn were all the Provinces which made up the new Kingdom of the West-Saxons for besides them Cerdic had subdued the Danmonij in Devonshire the Durotriges in Dorsetshire the Atrebatij in Barkshire and the Belgae in Wiltshire And to these shortly after was added the Isle of Wight which he bestowd on his late arriv'd kinsmen Stuffa and Whitgar who saith Camden utterly destroy'd the Brittish inhabitants there at Whitgarn-burg from Whitgar so call'd but now more contractedly Caresburg 5. Whilst Cerdic was busy establishing his new Kingdom fresh enemies to the Brittains arriv'd For as Mathew of Westminster relates in the year five hundred and twenty the Saxon Captains Colgrin Baldulf and Cheldric lately subdued by King Arthur at York and forced to abiure the Island repented themselves of the Covenants made and returning took land at Totenes from whence passing through Cerdic's dominion they came to the Citty of Bath which they besieged The fame whereof coming to King Arthur he caused the hostages left by them to be hanged And gathering a might army came to raise the siege Where the armies being ioyned he calling on the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose Image he wâ—re over his armour he slew great numbers of them and among the rest Colgrin and his Brother Baldulph Which Cheldric seing fled and by the Kings command was purâ—â—ed by Cador Duke of Cornwal who rested not â—ill he overtook them in the Isle of Thane where â—e slew Cheldric and â—orced the rest to yeild 6. Though some particulars in this Nâ—râ—ation may deserve to be excepted against is the place which is sayd to have been the Citty oâ— Bath neer which is the Mountain called Badonicus where Arthur before he was King is sayd to have defeated the Saxons long before the time mentioned by this Historian Besides Bath being a part of Cerdics new Kingdom how come the new arrived Saxons to besiege it Notwithstanding it may probably be answered that there might have been and comparing our Writers it is likely there were two battles fought by Arthur at this Mount Badonicus And again the Citty of Bath being seated in the utmost extremity Westward of Cerdic's Pricipality it might perhaps at this time have been in the possession of the Brittains 7. As touching King Arthurs invoking our blessed Lady's assistance in the fight it was a devotion generally practis'd by the Church in this age For two year before this there having been assembled two Councils in the East one at Ierusalem and another at Constantinople the Synod of Ierusalem thus wrote to the Bishops of the other Council O most holy Bishops we beseech you to pray with us to our Lord for these same things for the necessities of all Gods Preists ought to be common Make your supplications likewise together with us to the most holy and glorious Virgin Mary Mother of God that she would intercede for the peace of the holy Churches and for the victory and long life of our most pious and most Excellent Emperour The like practise we find elsewhere of which many Examples may be given 8. The year following King Arthur was called into the Northern parts to assist Prince Howel who three years before was come out of Lesser Brittany to his aid and was now besieged by the 〈◊〉 and Scots in the Citty
them to mind caused great unquietnes and remorse in him But whereas the foresaid Authour says That by a custom introduced among the Brittains this Sacrament of Ordination of Bishops was practis'd thus imperfectly it appears that such a deficiency was crept in among them and this only since the Saxons entring caused so great disturbances in the Island that the Ecclesiasticall Canons were either forgotten or if remembred could hardly be practised Either there were no Metropolitans or they were so far distant that in those dangerous times no accesse could be had to them Most places wanted Bishops and even inhabitants so that it was a wonder that even the Holy Chrism could be supplied which no doubt was furnish'd out of Ireland 7. Hence it is manifest that these disorders and neglect of Ecclesiasticall Canons were an Errour veniall because unavoydable that in former peaceable times the practise was otherwise and the Canons were duly observed So that the purity of the Brittains Faith was hereby nothing prejudiced Therefore some Protestant Controvertists doe unreasonably collect from hence that the Brittains before S. Gregories time did not in their Ordinations conform themselves to the Roman Church but received their Rites from I know not which Eastern Churches Whereas no Eastern Churches can be found which neglected any of these Ceremonies and as for the Roman it is evident by what hath been formerly declared that the Brittains in their Discipline establish'd by Councils demanded a confirmation from the Sea Apostolick 8. But a more Authentick proof of the respect and dependance which the Brittish Churches had of the Roman cannot be imagin'd then the behaviour of S. Kentigern himself For being afterwards afflicted in mind for the foresaid defects in his Ordination he did not seek for Counsel or remedy from any Metropolitains in Brittany Ireland or France but only from Rome and the Supreme Bishop thereof to whom the Custody of Ecclesiasticall Canons was by the Church committed and who had authority to enjoyn the observation of them to punish the transgression and to supply or dispence with the defects either by negligence or necessity occurring in the execution of them 9. This is expressly declar'd by the foresaid Iohn of Tinmouth in his prosecution of the Life of S. Kentigern where he tells us That the Man of God went seaven severall times to Rome where he simply and particularly layd open his whole life his Election Consecration and all the accidents which had befallâ— him to S. Gregory the speciall Apostle of the English Vpon which the Holy Pope perceiving that he was a sincere man of God and full of the Grace of Gods holy Spirit confirm'd his Consecration knowing that it came from God Moreover at his often and earnest request yet with great unwillingnes he condescended to supply those small defects which were wanting in his Consecration and having done this he dismissed him to the work of the Ministery which was enjoyn'd him by the Holy Ghost 10. Hence appears that in the Ordination of S. Kentigern nothing was omitted that was of any necessity since it was only upon his importunity and for satisfaction of his Scrupulosity that S. Gregory supplied the omissions of certain Rites required by the Canons The greatest fault that the Holy Bishop could impute to himself was his being consecrated by one onely Irish Bishop against the Expresse Canon of a General Council But considering the unquietnes and danger of the times and the want of Bishops though there was a transgression of the words of the Canon yet there was none of the mind of it which certainly does not oblige to impossibilites And this was the resolution of the sence of it which the same S. Gregory gave to S. Augustin answering the like difficulty in these words In the Church of the Angli wherein at present thou art the onely Bishop thou canst not ordain any other Bishop but thy self alone without the concurrence of other Bishops XXIV CHAP. 1.2 S. Kentigern Vertues 1. HOW S. Kentigern behav'd himself in discharge of his Episcopall Office is thus further declar'd by the same Authour After his Consecration during the whole course of his life his custom was to eat only every third day and sometims fourth and his food was bread Milk cheese and butter For he alway abstain'd from flesh and wine or any other drink which could distemper Next his skin he wore a very rough hayr-cloath and over that a garment made of goat-shins together with a close Cowle and his uppermost clathing was a white Albe He always wore a Stole and caried a Pastorall staffe or Crosier not sphericall nor gilded and sett with precious stones but of simple wood bowing back at the toop and in his hand he ever held a book Thus he was always in a readines to exercise his function whensoever necessity or reason requir'd He lay in a stone-chest made hollow like a Biere under his head lay a stone and under his body were cast cinders and a Cilice of hayr in which posture he with some unwillingnes admitted a short sleep after which he would plunge himself in cold water and so recite the whole Psalter This customary practise neither snow nor rain did interrupt nor any thing but sicknes or journeying and then he would redeem a discontinuation of these austerities with some spirituall exercise Thus does that Authour describe S. Kentigerns private life by many other arguments showing him to be a man absolutely perfect in all vertues 2. Consequently he relates other actions of his in order to the discharge of his Episcopall Office saying He fix'd his Episcopal See in the Citty of Glasco where likewise he ordain'd a great Congregation of Religious men who liv'd according to the form of the Primitive Church in community of all things The Infidels in his Diocese he converted to the Faith Apostats and Hereticks he by his sound doctrin recall'd to the bâ—som of our Holy Mother the Church He every where threw down Idols and Images of Devils and built some Churches He distinguish'd Parishes by their certain bounds He was always travelling to gain soules to God never riding on hors-back but in imitation of the Apostles always going a foot And because he would not eat his bread in idlenes his custom was to labour with his hands in agriculture His other Gests we shall relate here after XXV CHAP. 1.2 c. Mordred King Arthurs Nephew rebelles He is pursued by King Arthur and both slain 7.8 King Arthur dyed and was buried at Glastonbury 9. His appearing again long expected by the Welsh 10 11. c. His Monument discovered in after ages 1. ABout this time it was that our famous King Arthur found at last repose in his grave which he could never enjoy during life The manner how he was brought to his end is thus related by our Historians 2. In an expedition which upon some unknown occasion he made abroad he left the
Arch-bishop of Bourdeaux and Metropolitan of that Citty who there accommodated him with a convenient habitation for serving God For the Holy Arch-bishop Leontius bore a most tender affection to him admiring and reverencing the Divine Graces which he observ'd in him whom he esteemd as sent from heaven to assist him in his Pastorall charge For which reason in all Visitations of his Diocese and Province he took him for his companion earnestly beseeching him to be his assistant by his wholesom counsells by his Prayers acceptable to God and by the examples of his holy Life 9. Moreover this Man of God although so disgracefully and uniustly exild was not unmindfull of his flock but forgetting all iniuries he dayly invok'd our Lords clemency for the conversion of that stubborn people The Divine Majesty aâ— last condescended to his Prayers and by an Angel acquainted him that his flock was now penitent and earnestly desir'd the return and favour of their Pastor and that it was Gods will that he should repair to them and restore to health that Region which was greivously afflicted with the scourges of Divine severity that he should restore plenty to the barren earth and bestow his benediction on the inhabitants And lastly having done this that he should again return to Xaintes where he was to be devested of his corruptible flesh that his soule might freely ascend to partake eternall felicity All these things the Holy Bishop perform'd according as God had commanded and when he came back from Brittany S. Leontius receiv'd him with greater ioy and express'd more respectfull Offices and kindnes to him then formerly 10. Shortly after this S. Mahutus or S. Maclovius dyed full of dayes and sanctity and was buried by Leontius in Aquitain And though the inhabitants of Aleth were deprived of the sacred Relicks of their prime Prelat whom they had treated so iniuriously yet the Name of Blessed Maclovius remains never to be blotted out which to this day both adorns and defends that Citty with his glorious protection and celestiall benefits Notwithstanding the Episcopall See does not now remain at Aleth but is remov'd to an Island two miles distant from thence anciently call'd Aaron where a Citty new built is in memory of their Holy Prelat and Patron call'd S. Malo Vrbs Macloviensis 11. To this large relation in the Gallican Martyrologe Iohn of Tinmouth adds That S. Mahutus with his seaven Disciples in devotion visited Rome where he redeemd many Infidell Captives and having instructed them in the true Faith baptis'd them Moreover that after forty years government having been iniustly and violently driven from his See at Aleth he cursed and excommunicated the people and then retired to an Island in Aquitain calld Agenis from whence he repair'd to Leontius a Bishop there Which relation contradicts the Gallican Martyrologe according to which S. Maclovius was so far from cursing his flock that he prayed dayly for it However the Centuriators of Magdeburg charitably remember only his cursing and not his prayers and most unskilfully write that he flourish'd under Leontius Bishop of the Saxons mistaking Saxonum for Santonum and that he curs'd the Brittains his own countreymen from whom he never receiv'd any iniury How long he liv'd appears not but his death is in our Martyrologe assign'd to the year of Grace five hundred sixty four XXX CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Brendan 3. Of S. Doc and S. Canic 1. SAint Brendan the spirituall Father and Instructour of S. Maclovius though by birth no Brittain is not be denied a place in this History Concerning whom we read in B. Vsher that he came out of Ireland to visit the Holy man S. Gildas Albanius in Brittany where he built a Monastery and a Church He was also Superiour in the Monastery of Lancarvan where he baptised S. Maclovius After that he returned into Ireland where he was Abbot of a Monastery call'd Birra and in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy one most happily ended his holy Life Of whose glory and Beatitude revealed to S. Columba the Authour of that Saints life call'd Adamannus thus writes where he introduces S. Columba thus discoursing with his Minister Diormitius Columba Goe and quickly provide all things necessary for celebrating the Holy Eucharist for this is the day of the blessed death of S. Brendanus Diormitius Why doe you command that we should prepare so solemnly for Masse to day since no Messenger from Ireland Scotia has yet brought tidings of the death of that Holy man Columba However goe and faile not to doe as I have commanded for this last night I saw heaven on a sudden opened and quires of Angels descending to meet S. Brendans soule by whose incomparable splendour the whole world was that houre enlightned 2. S. Brendan thus call'd to heaven enjoyd on earth also an eternall Monument of his name and Sanctity for in the Isles of Orkney a town and Church were built and were call'd from his Name The reason of which honour and devotion was because his Sacred body was thither translated The day of his death is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May and his Translation on the fourteenth of Iune 3. We will here conclude with the Memory of a Holy Brittish Abbot call'd S. Doc who flourish'd in this Age. Of whom the Irish Annals thus write in the life of Saint Canic from whom the Province of Kilkenny took its appellation importing the Church of Canic When S. Canic was grown to an age capable of knowledge he was desirous of instruction and therefore pass'd over the Sea into Brittany to a Religious wise man naimed Doc and under him he studied diligently and was taught both learning and piety This S. Doc was one of the three Holy Brittains from whom the Irish learnd the form and Rites of celebrating Masse as hath already been shewd the other two were S. David and S. Gildas THE TWELTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. Constentin succeeds King Arthur His Cruelly Pennance and undertaking a Religious life 1. IT seems the Brittains at the beginning had no such conceit of King Arthurs returning for surely they would have expepected awhile and not immediatly have filled his Throne with a succession of strange Princes The Bards had not yet contrived their fantasticall Stories which could find none in these times to hearken to them 2. Therefore after King Arthurs death Constantin according to his designation succeeded him in the Government of Brittany He was the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall and kinsman to King Arthur His sufficiency to discharge that employment for the benefit of his countrey was enough approv'd by his glorious Predecessours choice But Almighty God having fix'd a period to the Brittish Monarchy permitted many factions to arise and many pretendants to the Principality the opposing of whom hindred Constantin from advancing the common proffit and safety of the Kingdom 3. Yea
Columba into Brittany Ceaulin and Cutha mov'd a Civill war against Ethelbert But Malmsbury and Huntingdon acknowledge Ethelbert King of Kent to have been the aggressour For it seems being vex'd to see the Dominions and power of Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons so much encreas'd for besides his own Territoryes immediatly subiect to him the other Saxon Princes in the East and South acknowledged a dependance so that Ceaulin assum'd the Title of Monark Hereupon Ethelbert a valiant Young Prince being mindfull of the glory of his Ancestours who first had establish'd a Kingdom in Brittany and had always enjoyd a preeminence above other Princes resolved to enlarge the bounds of his Empire and not to content himself with the only Province of Kent 2. In pursuance of which design he rais'd an Army and with it march'd out of his own confines into the Province of the Regni or Surrey where passing unwarily over a little River calld Vandalis he was rudely repuls'd by Ceaulin and again endeavouring to march forward the Armies mett at a Village calld Wibbandun now Wimbledon where he was with a great slaughter of his army compelld to fly back into Kent having lost in the combat his two Cheif Captains Oslaf and Knebban Near the place where the battell was fought remains still a Monument of it to wit a rampire rais'd in a round form as encompassing a Camp which is at this day calld Knebensbury or the Burg of Kneben 3. Ethelbert after this losse sought to strengthen himself by forrain aid for which purpose he treated a freindship and confederacy with the neigbouring powerfull Kingdom of the Franks to make which confederacy more lasting he desired to joyn it more strictly by mariage which accordingly was effected 4. Hitherto when we had occasion to mention that Kingdom we calld it Gaule which was its ancient Primitive name But afterward a Nation out of Germany calld Franks invading it and under King Pharamond possessing the greatest part of it changed the name of it from Gaule into France and so hereafter we shall call it The Successours of Pharamond for severall generations were Pagans till by the Apostolick zeale of Saint Remigius Bishop of Rhemes in the year of Grace four hundred ninety nine King Clodovéus was converted to the Christian Faith and with him the greatest part of his kingdom Which Faith ever after continued and encreased there 5. At this time that Kingdom was divided into four parts each of them severally governed by four Kings Sons of Clotharius and Grandchildren of Clodovéus Charibert the Eldest Son had the seat of his Kingdom at Paris Chilperic at Soissons Gunthram at Orleans and Sigebert at Rhemes Now a daughter of one of these did Ethelbert King of Kent marry but of which of them particularly is not mention'd in our Story Saint Beda indefinitly writes that she was daughter of a King of the Franks 6. The name of this Lady according to S. Beda Malmsburiensis c. was Berta But S. Gregory who liv'd in this age and had entercourse by letters with her more rightly calls her Aldiberga and adiudges great praise due to her in the conversion of the Saxons 7. The parents of this Lady made a difficulty to deliver a daughter professing the Christian Faith to the bed of a Pagan But Ethelbert engaging himself to allow her and her family an entire freedom publickly to professe her Religion and to exercise all the Sacred Rites belonging to it the mariage was concluded and the Lady sent into Brittany 8. She was attended by a prudent and devout Christian Bishop called Lethardus by Harpsfeild said to have been Bishop of Salvanort but he doubts there is an errour in the Copies where this unknown name is found This Bishop is in Capgrave stiled the Precursor of S. Augustin and one who opened the dore by which he brought in Christianity 9. There were then in Dorobernia the prime Citty of Kent since calld Canterbury severall Churches which had been built many ages before by Christians in the times of the Romans and which had not been utterly demolish'd by the Saxons Among which the Queen made choice of that which was dedicated to the honour of Saint Martin a holy Bishop in wonderfull veneration through all France For thus writes Saint Beda There was near to the Citty toward the East a Church anciently consecrated to the memory of S. Martin whilst the Romans inhabited Brittany In which Church the Queen who as hath been said was a Christian usually perform'd her devotions 10. What those Devotions were is thus more particularly express'd by the Authour of the life of the Holy Bishop Lethardus in Capgrave who writes thus In the most ancient Church of the Holy Bishop S. Martin situated near the Citty the Queen together with her Christian family did frequent the Sacraments of Masses and Prayers in the celebrating whereof the Blessed Bishop Lethardus was President or Cheif Prelat For the saying or singing of Masses were indeed the Solemn Devotions of the Church in those times as appears for as much as concerns France particularly the Native countrey of this Queen by the Councils of Orleans and Tours celebrated in these very times And this is acknowledged to have been the generall practise of this age by the Centuriators of Magdeburg who write thus The reader hereby may observe that the Solemnities of Masses did now fill all places And for as much as concerns Brittany we have already shewd that among the Northern Picts S. Columba knowing by revelation the death of S. Brendan in Ireland celebrated a Solemne Masse for his soule XIV CHAP. 1.2 King Ceaulins conquests and death 3. c. The Kingdom of the East Saxons Erected 1. THE two Saxon Kings in Kent and the Western parts did not prosecute their hatred against one another but esteemd it more for their advantage to enlarge their Dominions by invading the Provinces as yet in the possession of the Brittains In order whereto Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons who had hitherto employ'd his forces in the conquest of places bordring especially on the Sea sent his Brother Cutha or Cuthwolf with an army into the inland Provinces The Successe of which expedition is thus described by Florentius and which saith he was undertaken in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy one 2. Cuthulf the Brother of King Ceaulin fought with the Brittains in a place calld Bedanford or Bedford And having obtaind the Victory he took from them four Royal Citties to wit Linganburgh a place now unknown Egelesburgh now calld Aylsbury in Buckinghamshire Bensingtun or Benson in Oxfordshire and Egnesham where placed is uncertain After which victory he the same year departed this life 3. In the year five hundred seaventy five was erected the Kingdom of the East Angles in Norfoll Suffolk and Cambridgshire together with the Isle of Ely The name of the first King raigning there was Vffa from whom his
Cornubia or Cornwall so calld because it stretcheth it self like a horn into the Sea in Demetia which is Southwales and in Venedotia which is calld Northwales With these narrow limits they were forc'd to be contented nevertheles they never departed from the true Faith of Christ. One thing indeed there is for which they are iustly to be reprehended which is the mortall hatred which even to this day they bear to the English Nation by whom they were expelld their ancient Territories which hatred is so irreconcileable that they will lesse willingly communicate with them then with dogs 7. By what hath here been transcrib'd out of our ancient Historians the discreet Reader may iudge how vainly and groundlesly our Modern Protestant Writers doe boast of their conformity with the Religion of the ancient Brittains in opposition to Writers doe boast of their conformity with the Religion of the ancient Brittains in opposition to that which S. Augustin the Monk shortly after taught the Saxons and how impudently some of them affirm that the Saxons were instructed in Christianity by the Brittains and not from Rome XVI CHAP. 1.2.3 A preparation for the Conversion of England erroneously denyed by B. Parker 4 5. c. How S. Gregory seing pretty English slaves was moved to seek the Conversion of our countrey 1. THE Saxons were no sooner in a secure possession of this Island but Almighty God began so to dispose the effects of his Divine Providence as to prepare the way for their conversion to him in order to their eternall Happines as if an Earthly kingdom had not been a reward answerable to their merits in destroying an ungratefull people abandond to all filthines and impiety 2. The instrument of this felicity shortly to approach was the Blessed man S. Gregory as yet a privat Preist and Monk but presently after a most worthy Successour of S. Peter in the Chair Apostolick at Rome And the occasion moving him to interesse himself in so pious and glorious a design is thus breifly declared by our learned Selden There having been brought to Rome saith he a number of young English children to be expos'd to sale in the publick market Gregory then a Monk excited by a Zealous affection to propagate the name of Christ and moved to a tender compassion by seeing the amiablenes and beautifull features of those youths and being inform'd that the Nation from whence they came was destitute of the knowledge of Christ he took a resolution to sow amongst them the Divine seeds of Christian Faith And being afterward exalted to the Pontificate in order to the effecting his pious design he sent a certain Monk calld Augustin to lay the foundations of a Christian Church in the Island adioyning to him other auxiliaries devout companions of his labours 3. Notwithstanding B. Parker the generally supposed Authour of the Brittish Antiquities out of envy and indignation to acknowledge any obligation to Rome pronounces this to be a mere Fable His argument is for that in his iudgment there was no probability that the Saxons for gain should sell their children Whereas Tacitus recounting the manners of the ancient Germans sayes that they would out of greedines of gaining by dice-playing even sett their own liberty to stake and Malmsburiensis affirms that it was a familiar and almost naturally inbred custome among the Saxons to sell their Children Which custom continued many ages in our Nation insomuch as in the days of our King Henry the second by the testimony of Giraldus Cambrensis a Synod at Armagh in Ireland was obliged to make a Decree for the redeeming of such English youths as had been sold for slaves in that Island And before that time among the Laws of Inas King of the West-Saxons there is more then one which under great penalties forbid this horrible and unnaturall commerce Lastly with regard to Saint Gregories own time he himself is a witnes beyond all exception that the Angli were accustomed to sell their children for in an Epistle to Candidus a Preist his Procurator in France he gives him order to redeem such English children as he mett with sold for slaves in that Kingdom and having bought them to send them to Rome to be there instructed in the Christian Faith 4. This difficulty therefore being sufficiently cleared we will here more particularly and circumstantially set down that passage of Story which gave occasion to S. Gregory to extend his charitable care towards our Nation Wee find it related by almost all our ancient Historians and by forrainers too when they treat of the Gests of S. Gregory Yet in some of them and particularly in Malmsburiensis and Ioannes Diaconus one Errour is to be observed touching Chronology For they referr this passage of Story to the times of Pope Benedict wheras most certain it is that it hapned toward the latter end of Saint Gregories immediate Predecessour Pope Pelagius For a good while pass'd after Pope Benedicts death before Saint Gregory was Prefect of the Citty after which he undertook a Monasticall Profession in a Monastery built by himself Ad clivum Scauri from whence he was shortly after calld and created Archdeacon of the Roman Church then sent Apocrisarius or Nuncio to Constantinople at his return from whence he saw these English youths with so much kindnes and compassion 5. The exact Narration of which passage is in this manner deliver'd by Saint Beda We must not passe in silence says he a relation which by Tradition from our Ancestours is brought down to us to wit upon what motive it was that Saint Gregory express'd so much care of the salvation of our Nation For they tell us how on a certain day when great variety of Merchandise was brought into the Market-place by forrain Merchants lately arrived and a world of people were mett to buy S. Gregory among the rest came and took notice cheifly of three young children of a pure complexion beautifull looks and hayre gracefully ordred Assoon as he saw them he enquir'd from what countrey they came and was told that they came from the Isle of Brittany where the inhabitants generally are so comely He demanded further whether those Islanders were Christians or Pagans and was told that they were Pagans Hereupon he deeply sighed saying Alas what pitty is it that the Prince of Darknes should possesse men of such lovely bright countenances and that persons so amiable in their looks should cary soules utterly voyd of inward Grace Again he askd what was the name of their particular Nation to whom it was replyed that they were called Angli Well may they be call'd so sayd he for they have Angelicall faces suitable to such as shall be coheyrs with Angells He enquired further how the Province was call'd from whence they were brought The answer was that the inhabitants of it were call'd Deiri They are well call'd Deiri said he importing by their Name that they shall be
and will for a good space furnish us with most plentifull matter proper to our History Yet considering that ere long the West-Saxon Kingdom will both grow in power and be very fruitfull in affording rïchly materialls relating to Religion but especially considering that in time the same Kingdom will swallow all the rest and reduce the whole Kingdome into a Monarchy we will therefore hereafter prefixe successively the Names of the West-Saxons Kings beginning with Celric in whose dayes the Holy Christian Missionners arrived in Brittany bringing with them the happy tidings of the Gospell ioyfully hearkened to in Kent but either not made known or unwelcome to the said Celric as likewise to his Successour Ceolulf and their Subjects the West-Saxons THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY UNDER THE ENGLISH-SAXON HEPTARCHY III. PART THE THIRTEENTH BOOK I. CHAPTER 1.2 S. Gregory himself undertook the Mission into England but was recalled 3. c. The Conversion of England falsely and maliciously ascribed to the Brittains and French 10. Queen Aldiberga a promoter of it 11. Other Queens in this age did the like 1 THOSE bowels of Compassion which eight years agoe the sight of a few well featur'd English slaves had moved in S. Gregory then only a private person and those charitable designs which on that occasion God had inspired into his heart to procure the eternall felicity of our Nation seemd all this while to have been little better then ineffectuall wishes arguments of a good Nature or a mercifull Christian disposition onely for which he might expect and obtain a reward and blessing to himself but with little advantage to us 2. Yet if a Tradition verified by Authours of no mean esteem may be beleived even then also S. Gregory proceeded further then to wishes for he is sayd not only to have solicited Pope Pelagius to employ able Ministers for reducing into Christs fold a Nation both in name and beauty resembling Angels but when the difficulty of the journey the uncertain event of it the savagenes of the Nations manners and roughnes of their language had terrifyed all men from the attempt he himself petitiond for and obtain'd so dangerous art employment and had proceeded three days in the iourney towards Brittany when the Pope was forced to recall him by reason the Citty of Rome loudly murmured to be deprived of so excellent and so necessary a person who was only fit to succeed in the Chair of S. Peter and to watch over the whole Church 3. S. Gregories holy intentions therefore seemd to sleep till himself was invested with power to promote so heroically Christian an affaire and sixe years were spent in his Pontificat before he could find persons capable of the courage to undertake it It may be wondred that among the Brittish Clergy their temporall losses should work so deeply on their minds that they should envy heaven to their Conquerours and that not any should be found among them willing to preach Christ among a blind people to whom he was unknown 4. But such uncharitablenes and unchristian aversenes from the spirituall good of their enemies is observ'd avd condemn'd in the Brittains by our Ancient Writers Gildas and S. Beda as is fully testified by this expression of the latter of these two pious Historians Among other unexpressibly heynous crimes of his countreymen which the Brittish Historian Gildas describes and deplores in his mournfull stile he adds this also That they would never be brought to preach the Word of Christian Faith to the Nations of the Saxons and Angli inhabiting Brittany with them 5. Indeed if the Brittains had undertaken a commission of such a Nature small successe could have been expected For as hath been sayd heretofore the whole Nation both Ecclesiasticks and Laicks were so coverd withall sorts of vices that such Teachers would have disgraced that Holy Truth which they profess'd in words but renounced by their actions Therefore the Divine piety saith same Saint Beda did not desert his people whom he foresaw but destin'd far more worthy Preachers to the Saxon Nation by whom they should be effectually induced to beleive 6. Notwithstanding in despight of such evident Testimonies a Modern Protestant Historian of the highest rank without any ground from Antiquity or any Motive but a hatred to the Apostolick See of Saint Peter will needs entitle the Brittish Preachers to the Conversion of severall of our Saxon Princes before Saint Augustins arrivall from Rome He had rather acknowledge for the founders and Apostles of the Christian Churches in this kingdome men by their own Writers describ'd to be enormously cruel haters of Truth and lovers of lyes men wholly polluted with luxury drunkennes animosities strifes contentions envy and all other vices in a word such men as provoked God to destroy their own Nation and therefore very improper instruments of the salvation of strangers then professe any obligation to Saint Gregory for his vertues and piety onely sirnam'd Great by the whole Church a man eminent for his learning exemplary for his piety illustrious for his Miracles and by constant Tradition acknowledged the Apostle of England 7. Another Protestant Controvertist on the same motive of envy will shamelesly ascribe to the French Clergy the greatest share in the Conversion of the Saxons Whereas how slow they were in teaching the true Faith to their neighbours even when some of them desirous of information implor'd their help we find testified bz Saint Gregories complaint in letters to the French Kings Theodoric and Theodebert themselves and their Queen Brunichildis Where he acquaints them that he was credibly inform'd that the English Nation through Gods mercy were in a willing disposition to receive the Christian Faith but that the French Clergy and Bishops their neighbours were negligent and voyd of all Pastorall solicitude towards them And therefore least the soules of that Nation should perish in eternall damnation he had undertaken the care to send the bearer of those Letters Augustin c. 8. But let it be suppos'd that the Apostles of the Saxons had been Brittish or French Preachers certain it is they would have been far enough from teaching them such doctrines as these men have publish'd in their Writings They would neither by their words nor example have taught the Clergy the conveniency of wives or independency on the Governours of Gods Church Nor the Layty to deny due veneration to Gods Saints to tread under feet their sacred ashes to demolish Monasteries to detest vows of Chastity to renounce Roman Rites to abominate the Holy Sacrifice and Altars to abiure all care and charity to the dead c. So that whosoever were the Planters of the Christian Faith among the Saxons such Preachers as Parker and Sutcliff are not their Successours but supplanters of the same Faith 9. Now whereas Saint Gregory signifies that the Nation of the Angli were willing to embrace the Christian Faith we cannot ascribe this good disposition in
thy fury from this Citty and this thy Holy house Alleluia Thus the Holy Crosse once more took possession of the place from which it had been banished and thus the oraculous speech pronounced by S. Gregory began to be accomplished that Alleluia should be sung in that Pagan countrey 11. Let us now observe how these Holy Missioners employed their time Of this the same S. Beda will inform us That assoon as they were entred into the Mansion which the King had given them they began to imitate the Apostolick life of the Primitive Church by attending to assiduous prayers watching and fasting by preaching the word of life to all they could by despising all worldly things as if they belonged not to them by receiving from their Disciples only such things as were meerly necessary for their subsistence by practising themselves according to the preceps which they taught others and lastly by having minds prepar'd to suffer any adversities even death it self for that Truth which they preached Insomuch as not a few beholding the simplicity of their innocent lives and admiring the sweetnes of their celestiall doctrine beleived and were baptis'd 12. The same Authour further declares that the Church of S. Martin deputed for the Queens devotions as hath been said was the first publick place where they met together sung prayd celebrated Masses preach'd and baptis'd till after the Kings conversion they received a great liberty to preach and build Churches every where 13. Here we may see what manner of entring these our Apostles had among us and how they turn'd our Ancestours from Idols to serve the living and true God Neither was their Gospell in speech only but in power and in the Holy Ghost and a plenitude of his Gifts and miracles as shall be shewd The Preachers are Monks they are sent by the authority of the Bishop of Rome they carry the banner of the Holy Crosse and the Image of our Saviour before them they celebrate Masses they work miracles For all which they are honour'd their memory is precious through all Gods Church almost a thousand years together But now one Apostat Monk can perswade a great part of Christians that it was not Christ which these men preach'd One Calvinisticall Bishop dares call these men Apostles to the English not of the Christian Faith or Word of God but of Roman ceremonies and Rites who taught them to become not Christians but Romanists and Papists To such blasphemous accusations as these no answer ought to be given Quia meliùs eas committo fidelium gemitibus quà m sermonibus meis V. CHAP. 1.2 Many Converted 3.4 S. Augustin goes to Arles to be ordained Bishop and why 1. BY the life and preaching of these Holy men no small number of Converts were gathered to the Church which were baptis'd on the day of Pentecost in the forementioned Church of S. Martin But shortly after far greater multitudes follow'd their Example Whether King Ethelbert was one of those then baptis'd does not expressly appear in any of our ancient Records 2. That which S. Beda relates touching him in particular is thus express'd Among others King Ethelbert was much delighted with the purity of these Saints lives and with the comfortable sweetnes of their promises the truth and certainty whereof they confirmed with many evident miracles So that in the end he also beleived and was baptised After which very many others dayly began to flock together that they might heare the word of God by which they were perswaded to relinquish their Gentile Superstitions and to unite themselves to the holy Church of Christ. Which the King perceiving he much congratulated their Faith and Conversion and embraced them with more ardent Charity as being fellow cittizens with him of the Kingdom of Heaven but yet he compelled none to the profession of Christianity For he had learnt from the Teachers and Authours of his salvation that the service of Christ must be voluntary and not by compulsion 3 Saint Augustin seeing a Harvest so plentifull and ripe according to the instructions formerly given him by Saint Gregory went back into France there to be ordained Bishop because besides the power of administring Baptisme the other Sacrament of Confirmation was requisite by which these tender plants might be strengthned in the Faith Which Sacrament could not be administred but by the hand and power of a Bishop This is testified by the same Saint Beda saying In the mean while the man of God Augustin went to Arles in France where by the Arch-bishop of that Citty Etherius or rather Virgilius he was Consecrated Arch-bishop of the Nation of the Angli according as he had received commands from Saint Gregory This was performed the sixteenth day before the Calends of December saith Sir H. Spelman 4. It may be demanded why Saint Augustin should receive his Episcopal consecration from the Bishop of Arles the furthest distant from him in France and not rather from the Prelat of Lyons or some other nearer to Brittany The reason hereof doubtles was because such a Prerogative belonged to the Church of Arles which Saint Gregory who was most observant of Ecclesiasticall rights would by no means infringe This prerogative that See challenged and enjoyed because that was the first Church in those parts which had received a Bishop S. Trophimus ordained by the Apostle S. Peter himself as appears by an Epistle of the Bishops of that Province to S. Leo in which they iustify their rights and priviledges of Ordination against the pretentions of their neighbour Church of Vienna 5. It was a great prejudice to the New Saxon Church that the year before S. Augustins coming into Brittany the Holy Bishop Saint Asaph Successour to S. Kentigern in the Bishoprick of Elwy in wales should dye as likewise S. Columba the same year that Saint Augustin arrived For doubtles the authority and piety of two such eminent Saints would have prevented the contestations petulancy of the Brittish Bishop which followed VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Augustin consecrates an Idol-Temple near Canterbury into a Church dedicated to S. Pancraece 6. A prodigy caused by the Devill there against S. Augustin 7.8 He builds a Church and Monastery to Saint Peter and Saint Paul near the Citty 9. And another in the Citty to our Saviour 10. He places a Suffragan Bishop in the Church of S. Martin 1. SAint Augustin having been consecrated by Virgilius Arch-bishop of Arles returned into Brittany in the year of Grace five hundred ninety eight where he was received by King Ethelbert with greater reverence then before who assigned to him an Episcopal See in the same Citty which he afterward enriched with great possessions as S. Beda testifies 2. This New Episcopall Church was not that of S. Martin where the Queen was formerly wont to pray But it was a Temple anciently frequented by the King whilst he was a Pagan and was situated in the
midway between the Church of Saint Martin and the walls of the Citty In this Temple after it had been purified from its former Superstitions and the Idol cast out S. Augustin consecrated to the honour of S. Pancratiâ—â— 3. Concerning which Church Sir H. Spelman in his Councils furnishes us with this Extrait out of an ancient Manuscript of the foundation of S. Augustins Monastery in Canterbury Augustin being ordaind Bishop returned into England and was received by the King and peoâ—ple with all becoming solemnity and by the same Kings grant obtaind an Episcopall See in the Citty of Canterbury which was the Primatial Church of the English Nation The pious King himself undertaking the Patronage of that Church did triumph through ioy constituting him the President of his Metropolis whom before he had received as a poore stranger Neither did he onely make him a Spirituall Watchman over his Citty but his whole Dominions also translating the throne of his Kingdom into a Pontificall Seat and his Royal Court into a Church of Christ. 4. Yea moreover to shew that he had putt off the old man with his acts and putt on the New by the wholesom advice of the blessed Bishop he caused that Idol-temple seated Eastward from the Citty between the Church of S. Martin and the walls in which he had oft according to the rite of his Superstition sacrifised to Devills and not to God to be purged from the pollutions of Paganism and having broken in peices the Idol which was in it he changed it into an Ecclesiasticall Synagogue and caused it to be consecrated by the name of S. Pancratius Martyr And this was the first Church dedicated by our Patriark and prime Prelat S. Augustin 5. Now it was very convenient and suitable to reason that the blessed child Pancratius who at Rome the Mistresse of the world was honoured as a famous Martyr should especially be venerated by the English since that certain English Children exposed to sale in Rome by their beauty and brightnes had moved Saint Gregory then an Abbot in the Monastery of S. Andrew built by himself to associate those English children with Angels 6. After this narration there follows in the same Manuscript a relation of a prodigy caused by the Devill enraged against Saint Augustin for eiecting him out of his possession Whilst the blessed Bishop S Augustin saith that Authour was celebrating Masse the first time in the same Church the Enemy of mankind envying the purity of the English Nation likely to be much encreased by the child Saint Pancratius and out of rage to see himself expelled from a place possessed by him so long a time he endeavoured all he could to destroy that Church to the ground A rent in the Eastern wall of it plainly seen to this day which he made with his nayles is a sufficient witnes of his rage By which is evident that the Masse is not hated by Calvinists alone 7. King Ethelberts liberality ended not here for as the same Authour writes Saint Augustin obtained of him after this a certain portion of land adjoyning in which the King built a Church to the honour of the Apostles S Peter and S. Paul to be as it were a perpetuall munition and Safe-guard for himself and his whole kingdom and instituted therin a Convent of Monks to serve God for ever over whom was canonically chosen and placed Abbot a Monk called Peter one of S. Augustins companions sent thither from the See Apostolick But between the foundation and endowment of this Monastery there intervened six years saith Sir H. Spelman as appears by the Charters of that Foundation 8. In this Church saith S. Beda the Bodies of S. Augustin and his Successours the Arch-bishops of Canterbury as likewise of the Kings of Kent were designed to be buried Notwithstanding this Church was not consecrated by S. Augustin but by his Successour S. Laurentius And the first Abbot of the Monastery was Peter a Preist 9. S. Augustin also by the liberality and assistance of the King obtaind another Church in the same Citty which as he was informed had been built by the ancient Christians in the time of the Romans This Church he consecrated to the glory of our Lord and Saviour and adioyning thereto he fixed an habitation for himself Successours where he lived with such Clerks as he had brought with him out of France who performed all the Ecclesiasticall Offices in the Church For a Monastery was not instituted in that Church till the age following And though these Latter Monks contended with the other for antiquity yet they lost their cause For as the Authour of the forementioned Manuscript observes in all the authenticall Priviledges granted by Popes to the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul we find this clause inserted As in the infancy of Christianity in England this was the first wherein Monasticall Instituts were observed So we decree that it with all belonging to it remain for ever free from all service undisturbed by all secular noyse and tumults and exempted from all Ecclesiasticall iurisdiction and burdens 10. Moreover the Church of S. Martin without the walls of the Citty eastward in which the Queen before had performed her Devotions he made an Episcopall See in which he placed a Suffragan Bishop Corepiscopum who was alwayes to remain at home or at the Archiepiscopall Palace within the Citty and supplied the place of the Arch-bishop when he was to attend the King or to be absent upon occasion of Visitations or other affaires At such times he celebrated Solemnities in the Metropolitan Church after which he returned home He being a Monk had power to call Monks to his assistance He performed the Office of Arch-deacon and summoned ordered and corrected such Clergy-men as pertained to the Arch-bishop but those Clergy-men which lived in the Mannâ—rs pertaining to the Monks were corrected by the Priour of the Church otherwise called the Dean The same Suffragan Bishop likewise conferred the Minour Orders in the Arch-bishops absence Yet we doe not find that ever he was summoned to Councills or subscribed in them This custom continued till the beginning of King William the Conquerours raign At which time the last of such Suffragan Bishops was Godwin who dying in the fourth year of his raign S. Lanfranc then Arch-bishop refused to substitute another in his place alledging that two Bishops must not be in one Citty whereas his See was out of the Citty Therefore instead of a Suffragan Bishop he constituted one of his Clarks Arch-deacon For which he was by many condemned Though in that age generally through the Church those Corepiscopi were suffred to expire because it was found that they took too much upon themselves so as to consecrate Holy Oyles to ordain Preists c. insomuch as for humbling them many Decrees had been made in Councills c. VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Ten thousand baptized by S. Augustin by the
will adventure to declare from an Ancient Writer Ealred Abbot of Rievall But because such things seem dreams to Protestants for mine own iustification or at least excuse I conceive fit to premise That the Tradition of this wonder has been confirmd moreover by Sulcard in his Chronicle of Westminster by William of Malmsbury in his second Book of English Bishops by Richard of Cicester in his Annals Yea moreover by other Witnesses of higher rank and authority Saint Edward the Confessour in his Charter given to that Church nine days before his death in the year of Grace one thousand sixty six and before him by King Edgar repairer of the same Church in his Charter dated in the year nine hundred sixty nine and lastly by Pope Nicholas the second in his Rescript to King Edward 7. The Narration of the foresaid Abbot Ealred in his life of S. Edward touching this Miracle is as followeth In the time when King Ethelred by the Preaching of Saint Augustin embraced the Faith of Christ his Nephew Sibert who governed the East-Angles rather East-Saxons by the same Holy Bishops Ministery also received the same Faith This Prince built one Church within the walls of London the principall Citty of the Kingdom where he honourably placed Mellâ—tus Bishop of the same Citty Without the walls likewise toward the West he founded a famous Monastery to the honour of S. Peter and endowd it with many possessions Now on the night before the day design'd for the dedication of this Church the Blessed Apostle S. Peter appearing to a certain Fisherman in the habit of a stranger on the other side of the River of Thames which flows beside this Monastery demanded to be wafted over which was done Being gone out of the boat he entred into the Church in the sight of the Fisherman And presently a heavenly light shone so clear that it turnd the night into day There was with the Apostle a multitude of heavenly Cittizens coming out and going into the Church a divine melody sounded and an odour of unexpressible fragrancy was shed abroad Assoon as all things pertaining to the Dedication of the Church were perform'd the glorious Fisher of men returnd to the pooâ— Fisherman who was so affrighted with his Divine splendour that he almost lost his senses But Saint Peter kindly comforting him brought him to himself Thus both of them entring into the Boat Saint Peter asked him if he had any provision Who answerd that partly being stupified with seeing so great a light and partly detaind by his return he had taken nothing being withall assured of a good reward from him Hereto the Apostle replied Let down thy Netts The Fisherman obeyd and immediatly the Nett was filld with a multitude of fishes They were all of the same kind except one Salmon Esocium of a wonderfull largenes Having then drawn them to shore Saint Peter sayd Cary from mee this gâ—eat Fish to Mellitus the Bishop and all the rest take for thy hire and moreover be assured that both thou all thy life time and thy children after thee for many years shall be plentifully furnish'd with these kinds of fishes Onely be carefull you fish not on our Lords days I who speak now with thee am Peter and I my self have dedicated this Church built to my fellow-cittizens and to my honour so preventing by mine own authority the Episcopall Benediction Acquaint the Bishop therfore with the things which thou hast seen and heard and the signs yet marked on the walls will confirm thy speeches Let him therefore surcease from his design of consecrating the Church and only supply what I have omitted the celebration of the Mystery of our Lords Body and Blood and the instruction of the people Let him likewise give notice to all that I my self will oftimes visit this place and be present at the prayers of the faithfull and I will open the gates of heaven to all who live soberly iustly and piously in this world As soon as he had sayd this he presently vanish'd from his sight 8. The next morning as the Bishop Mellitus was going in procession to the Church with an intention to dedicate it the Fisher-man mett him with the Fish and related to him whatsoever Saint Peter had enioynd him At which the Bishop was astonish'd and having unlock'd the Church-dores he saw the pavement mark'd with Letters and inscriptions both in Greek and Latin and the wall annointed in twelve severall places with holy Oyle He saw likewise the remainders of twelve torches sticking to as many Crosses and the Church every where yet moyst with aspersions All which being observ'd by the Bishop and people present they rendred praises and thanks to Almighty God 9. A further testimony and proof to this Miracle is afforded by the whole progeny of that Fisherman For his children according to the command receiv'd from their Father brought the tythes of all their gains by fishing and offred them to Saint Peter and the Preists attending Divine service in his Church But one among them having presum'd to defraud the Church of this Oblation presently was deprived of the wonted benefit of his trade till having confess'd his fault and restord what he had reserv'd he promis'd amendment for the future Thus wrote Ealred above five hundred years since The summ wherof was delivered some what before him by William of Malmsbury who adds this particular That the Fisherman who was very simple and as yet not a Christian described to the Bishop very exactly the shape and line aments of Saint Peter well known to the Bishop by his Picture publickly extant at Rome which long before this S. Silvester shewd to the Emperour Constantin 10. The beleif of this miraculous Story was the cause that this Church was wonderfully enrich'd by following Princes as King Offa and Kenulph mentiond in the fore nam'd Charter of King Edgar And for the same reason it was chosen anciently for the place of the inauguration of our Kings And a proof full of evidence demonstrating the Truth here related was S. Mellitus his forbearing to repeat the Ceremonies of the Dedication which by certain signs he perceived to have been performed before And moreover because going awhile after to Rome he related these particulars to a Synod there assembled and demanded their advice whether any more was to be done to the Consecration of the same Church These particulars being related by our Authours of the prime Classe it argues a great contempt of the authority of our Ancestors in Protestants who without any proof from Antiquity will confidently proscribe such Traditions as dreams and fables XXI CHAP. i. 2 c. The Church of S. Paul in London built and endowed 1. THE same year in the same Citty of London and by the piety of the same King Sebert another Noble Church was erected in the midst of the Citty to the honour of the other Prince of the Apostles Saint Paul Yet some Writers
ascribe this munificent work to King Ethelbert whose Tributary King Sebert his Nephew was Yea Polydor Virgil addes that the Citty it self a little before this was become part of King Ethelberts own Dominion And Camden to the like effect writes thus Ethelbert King of Kent under whom Sebert raigned as by courtesy in this Tract built a Church at London to the honour of Saint Paul the Apostle which in after times being enlarged and beautified grew to that vastnes and magnificence as we now see it as likewise to such rich endowments by which are plentifully maintained besides the Bishop a Dean Precentour Chancellour Treasurer fower Arch-deacons nine and twenty Prebends besides many others of inferiour rank 2. As Saint Peters Church in Westminster was erected upon the ruines of the Pagan Temple of Apollo So was this dedicated to Saint Paul upon those of a Temple to Diana Some marks whereof to this day remain saith the same Authour for ancient adjacent Lodgings in the Archives of the Church are called Diana's Chamber and in King Edward the firsts time an incredible number of beeves heads was digged up in the Church-yard the ancient Sacrifices Tauropolia solemnised to Diana c. 3. In this Church by the Kings appointment the Bishop and his Successours had their fixed seat The Church service being sung not by Monks but other Church-men who lived Canonically in community 4. To the Bishops of this Church saith Saint Beda King Ethelbert offred many rich gifts and for the maintenance of those who lived with the Bishops he added many territories and possessions Particularly the Lordship of Tillingham is named in the Formule of Donation supposed by Stow and Speed to have been written by Ethelbert in this manner King Ethelbert by Divine Inspiration hath given to Miletus rather Mellitus for the remedy of his soule the land called Tillingham for the use of the Community Monasterium of Saint Paul Which Donation in after ages King William the Conquerour confirmed in these words Know ye that I grant to God and Saint Paul and his Ministers the four and twenty Hydes of land which King Ethelbert gave near the Citty of London to the Church of Saint Paul at the first foundation to be free and quitt of all Gilds and of all expedition worke c. Where we find what quantity of ground that territory of Tillingham contained to witt four and twenty Hydes of land each hyde being as much as could be cultivated yearly by one Plough And therefore in a Donation made by Saint Dunstan we read it expounded thus I grant a portion of seaven Ploughs of land which in English is called seaven Hides A Hyde by Saint Beda is called a family or Manse XXII CHAP. 1. 2. An Episcopall See erected at Rochester 3.4 c. The Bishop of Landaff consecrated by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1. THE same year another Episcopall See was erected in the Province of Kent in a Citty by the Romans called Durobrum by Saint Beda Durobrevis in after times Roffa or Rochester from the name of a principall Saxon to whom it belonged Where King Ethelbert built a Church to the honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle the Episcopall See of S. Iustus the first Bishop who lately came from Rome with S. Mellitus Of whose Consecration S. Beda thus writes 2. S. Augustin ordained Iustus a Bishop in Kent it self in the Citty of Durobrevis which the English Nation from a prime Noble person inhabiting there called Rotchester There did King Ethelbert build a Church to the honour of S. Andrew the Apostle and bestowed on that B. as he had done on the Church of S. Paul many Gifts adding withall possessions and lands for the maintenance of those who attended on the Bishop and Church Thus in a few years the Province of Kent obtained two Episcopall Sees 3. The two Sees of London and Rochester acknowledged subiection to that of Canterbury And which is strange the like was at this very time done by the Brittish See of Landaff notwithstanding the late dissension of the Brittish Bishops in the Synod of Worcester For we read that S. Oudoceus the Successour of S. Theliau sirnamed Helios or The Sun for his learning and Sanctity came for Ordination to Saint Augustin 4. The same moreover appears by a Protestation made in the Synod of Rhemes by Vrban Bishop of Landaff to Pope Calixtus the Second of that Name in the year of Grace eleaven hundred and nineteen extant in B. Vsher. Which Protestation was by him thus conceived From the ancient time of our Fathers Holy Father as the Hand-Writing of our Holy Father Saint Theliau testifies this Church of Landaff first founded to the honour of Saint Peter the Apostle was in dignity and Priviledges the Mistresse of all the Churches in Wales till by seditions and warrs in the time of my Predecessour Herwold it was weakned almost deprived of a Pastour and annihilated by the cruelty of the inhabitants and invasion of the Norman Nation Yet there always remaind in it Religious men serving God both by reason of the neighbourhood of the English by whom they were instructed though differing from them in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery as likewise because from very ancient times that is from the days of Saint Eleutherius Pope and after the coming of Saint Augustin into Brittany the Bishop of this place hath always been subiect and obedient in every thing to the Arch-bishop of the Metropolitan Church of Canterbury and to the King of England 5. For what concerns the present year the same learned B. Vsher in his Chronologicall Index writes how Saint Theliau Bishop of Landaff and Caer-leon being dead Saint Oudoceus his Sisters Son succeeded him whom at his return from the Citty of Canterbury where he had been consecrated by Saint Augustin the Arch-bishop Mouric Prince of Glamorgan honourably received and by his authority confirmed the Priviledges of the Church of Landaff 6. The same Authour further declares the grounds upon which the Church of Landaff became subiect to that of Canterbury For sayes he The Bishops of Landaff as heyrs of those of Caer-leon disdaind to be subiect to the Bishops of Menevia to whom the Metropoliticall Iurisdiction had been transferd from Caer-leon And therfore from this time they rather chose to receive their Consecration from the Arch-bishop of Canterbury And the Church of Caer-leon was so annexed to the neighbouring Church of Landaff that the Dioceses were not only ioynd but the Territory likewise belonging to the Churches of Saint Iulius and Saint Aaron was given to Nuddus the one and twentieth Bishop of Landaff and his Successours as we find express'd in the Register of that Church 7. Now if there be any truth in these Records it will follow that those Protestant Writers are much mistaken who affirm that all the Brittish Bishops oppos'd S. Augustin On the countrary the most illustrious among them S. Theliaus and his Successour
stole or by fraud usurped any thing belonging to the Church to Bishops or other Ecclesiasticks of inferiour degrees For his desire was to give his protection especially to those whom he had so reverently received and whose Doctrine he had embraced 2. What those Decrees and Forms of Iudgments were may be seen in that celebrated Manuscript called the Text of Rochester which in the days of King Henry the first was composâ—d by Enulphus Bishop of that Citty under this Title These are the Decrees or Iudgements which King Ethelbert constituted in the life time of Saint Augustin Here I will sett down onely such Laws as regard the Church and which Saint Beda seems to mention The which have been brought by Sir H. Spelman into the first Tome of English Councils and expressed both in the Saxon and Latin tongues The sence of them here follows 3. Whosoever shall uniustly take away any thing belonging to God and the Church shall make satisfaction by a twelve-fold restitution If such things belong to a Bishop he shall restore eleaven fold If to a Preist nine fold If to a Deacon six fold If to an inferiour Clark three fold If the peace of the Church shall be violated by any one let satisfaction be made by paying double and the like for disturbing the peace of a Monk If when the King shall call an Assembly of his people and any iniury shall be offred them the Offender shall restore double and moreover pay to the King fifty shillings Solidos If when the King shall be entertained in any house any dammage shall be done there let it be recompenced double c. 4. Besides these saith the same Sir H. Spelman in his Annotations to these Decrees there follow many other Laws pertaining to honesty of life and correction of manners but these are all which regard the Church The precise time when these Decrees were published does not appear but as the Title declares they were made whilst Saint Augustin was alive and as the care of the Church manifests they were published after King Ethelberts conversion XXVI CHAP. i S. Augustin ordains S. Laurence his Successour 2.3 c. His Bull confirming the Monastery of Canterbury suspected 1. THERE is among our Historians great variety of iudgments touching the number of years spent by Saint Augustin in Brittany and in what year he dyed Those who place his death in the third year of this Century as Iohn Stow or in the fourth as Baronius endeavours to collect from Saint Beda doe too-much hasten his end For the Charters of King Ethelbert before mentioned declare that he was alive in the fifth year On the other side those prolong his life too-much who affirm that he dyed not till the year of Grace six hundred and fifteen as some Authours quoted by F. Reyner in his Apostolatus or thirteen as Sir Henry Savill in his Chronologicall Fasts or twelve as Malmsburiensis or eleaven as Polydor Virgil For Pope Boniface in his Letters dated six hundred and ten does suppose him dead Therefore in such variety of opinions Sigebert and Mathew of Westminster most probably place his death in the year of Grace six hundred and eight 2. A little before his death Saint Augustin consecrated Laurence a Bishop designing him his Successour in the Archiepiscopall See Which he did after the example of many former holy Bishops who upon their view of death approaching relinquishing the care of others attended devoutly to the contemplation of that one necessary thing This same passage is thus related by Saint Beda Laurence succeeded Saint Augustin having been ordained Bishop by him whilst he was yet alive out of an apprehension least after his death the State of the Church as yet tender being destitute of a Pastour though but foâ— a moment shâ—uld begin to falter And herein he followed the Example of the Prime Pastour of Gods Church namely Saint Peter Prince of the Apostles who having founded the Church of Christ at Rome is reported to have made Saint Clement his Coadjutour in preaching the Gospell and consecrated him his Successour 3. The last publick Act attributed to Saint Augustin was the Confirming by a Solemne Bull all the Rights and Priviledges of his Beloved Monastery of Saint Peter and Saint Paul exempting it from all Episcopall Iurisdiction from all tribute servitude c. Prohibiting all Bishops to say Masses exercise Ordinations or Consecrations c. as by their own authority or Iurisdiction in that place deputed for the Treasury of Saints and burying place of succeeding Arch-bishops and Princes And assigning the Election of Abbots to the free Suffrages of the Monks c. All which Priviledges he confirmed with a denunciation of eternall damnation to transgeessours of them by the authority of Saint Peter and his Vicar the Bishop of Rome Saint Gregory This Bull was published in the presence and with the approbation of King Ethelbert his Son Eadbald all the Nobility of the Kingdom his Successour Laurence Mellitus Bishop of London Iustus Bishop of Rochester and Peter the Abbot and Monks of the same Monastery 4 To which Bull there was appended a Seale of Lead Neither is it a wonder saith the Transcriber of the said Bull that Saint Augustin being a Roman an Apostle of the English Nation and a Legat of the Apostolick See indued with a plenary Authority to erect Bishopricks and consecrate Bishops all which were to be subject to him should have the power and right to make use of a leaden Seale Though for the space of five hundred years the like priviledge was not afterward granted to any of our Bishops 5. Notwithstanding Sir H. Spelman not unreasonably suspects this not to be a genuine Bull because the fabrick of the Seale expresses not so great antiquity and the Sculpture of it more elegant then suited with that age likewise the Image of our Saviour and the form of a Church engraved in it ressembles the exactnes almost of these later times Moreover the Letters of the Inscription are such as were used in far later ages about the raign of King Henry the second or Richard the first And lastly the Seal is appended to the Bull not after the Roman fashion with a Chord of Silk but with a Skrole of parchmin after the Norman custom To these we may add that by mentioning in the same Writing together both Laurence his Successour and Peter the Abbot who was drowned above a year before that designation of a Successour the order of times is manifestly crofounded and the authority of the Bull prejudiced 6. However that most of these Priviviledges were even from the beginning conferred on that Monastery yea by Saint Augustin himself in vertue of a delegated authority from the See Apostolick though the simplicity of that age did not need such Legall Instruments and formall clauses the constant Tradition of that age doth justify Which Priviledges in succeeding times were frequently ratified by following Popes
deserting his former profession For it was against their Superstitious Law for a Pontife to carry arms or to ride except upon a mare Thus being girt with a sword and having a lance in his hand mounted likewise on the Kings horse he went to the Idol-Temples When the common people saw this they thought him out of his witts but he went on however and when he was come to the Temple he profaned it by casting into it the lance which he held in his hands shewing great joy for the knowledge of the true God which he had newly learnt And having done this he commanded his companions to destroy and burn to the ground the Temple and all buildings belonging to it 11. The place where this Assembly was held and Idols destroyd is thus described by the same Saint Beda Men shew the place where the Idol-temple formerly stood It is not far from York toward the East beyond the River Derwen and it is at this day called Godmundigham where the foresaid Pontife by Divine Inspiration polluted and destroyd the Heathen Altars which himself had consecrated The memory thereof has likewise been conserved ever since Saint Beda's time being still called Godmunham or the mansion of the false Heathen Gods Yet some Authours ascribe an higher Original thereto as far as the ancient Brittish and Roman times For they conceive that the town called Delgovitia which in the Brittish tongue signifies an Idol was anciently seated here 12. Hereto accords this Observation of Camden in his perambulation through these parts I doe not doubt saith he but that in the times of the Brittains here was a famous Oracle when Superstition spread through all Nations had more strongly possessed the minds of the ignorant inhabitants But when Paulinus preached Christ to the Northumbers Coyfi who was the Pontife of their Pagan Ceremonies having embraced Christian Religion was the first who by casting a lance into it profaned the Temple a Mansion of impiety there XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. King Edwin Baptised and great numbers of his Subjects 1. KING Edwin though perfectly converted deferred hic Baptism to the year following which probably he did to the end he might have more companions of his happines Saint Beda thus relates it King Edwin with all the Nobles of his kingdom and great multitudes of the common people received the Faith and Laver of Regeneration or Baptism in the eleaventh year of his Raign which was the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred twenty seaven and about the hundred and eightieth after the coming of the English into Brittany He was baptised at York on the Holy Feast of the Paschal Solemnity the day before the Ides of April in the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle which during the time of his instructing in the Faith he commanded to be suddenly erected for that purpose 2. This Church for the quicker dispatch was at first built of wood and though of a good capacity yet it was too narrow to receive all that flockd to Baptism among which are named Offrid and Edfrid the Kings Sons born to him by his Queen Quenburga whilst he was in exile 3. In the same Citty of York saith Saint Beda he assigned the Episcopall See to his Teacher and Prelat Saint Paulinus And presently after his Baptism upon the proposall of Saint Paulinus he took order for the erecting a far larger and more magnificent Church in the same place and in the midst of the New Church was inclosed the Oratory built before The foundations therefore being prepared in a large square on all sides of the former Oratory the Churches building went on with great diligence 4. How wonderfully King Edwins good example drew the rest of his Subjects in other parts to seek instruction in Christian Faith is thus described by the same Authour It is reported that the peoples fervour to embrace the Christian Faith and their desire to be initiated by Baptism was so great that on a certain time when Saint Paulinus attending the King and Queen came to a certain countrey Palace of theirs at a Town called Adregin or rather Adgefrin now Yeverin seated in the utmost parts of Northumberland he was obliged to stay there thirty six dayes spending that whole time from morning till evening in Catechising and baptising such as came to him in the River Glent which flowd not far of This village was deserted in the times of the following Kings who made their abode in another called Melmin but now Melfeild In the same countrey of the Bernicions not far from that place there is a Town saith Camden called Halyston or Holy Stone where the report is that in the Primitive Church of the Saxons Saint Paulinus baptised three thousand persons 5. But a more plentifull harvest did Saint Paulinus reap in the other Province of Deiri containing Yorkshire c. For thus Saint Beda prosecutes his Story In the Province of the Deiri where for the most part Saint Paulinus made his abode with the King he baptised greater numbers in the River Swale which passes by a village called Cataract For as yet in the infancy of that Church Oratoryes and Fonts could not so soon be built Notwithstanding at Campodon where the King had a Royal Mansion he erected a Church which afterward the Pagans by whom King Edwin was slain sett on fire together with the town adjoining Instead of which the following Kings built themselves another in the Territory called Leidis or Leeds Notwithstanding the Altar belonging to the said Church escaped the fire because it was of Stone and it is to this day kept in the Monastery of the most Reverend Abbot Trumwulsi which is seated in the forest Elmete This place Campodon is the same which now is called Almondbury but the true name is Albonbury saith Camden from a Church built there which was consecrated to Saint Alban by Saint Paulinus the Apostle of the Saxons And to this day the black colour of the Stones remaining of its ruines doe testify its burning 6. Among the persons baptised by Saint Paulinus we must not omitt three Royal Infants which Queen Ethelburga bore to King Edwin concerning whom Saint Beda thus writes In the time following there were baptised by him other children of King Edwin by his Queen Edilburga Their names were Edilhime Edilfrida a daughter and another son called Wlfrea Of which the two former were taken out of this life whilst they were in their white robes of Baptism and were buried in the Church at Yorke XVI CHAP. 1.2.3 Christianity received in Lincolnshire 4.5 Saint Iustus Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Saint Honorius succeed him who is consecrated by Saint Paulinus 1 NEITHER was the piety of King Edwin and zeale of Saint Paulinus confined to the Provinces on the North-side of Humber but their effects passed over that River the year following into the Province of the Coritani or Lincolnshire For thus
consonantly to Saint Beda writes Florilegus In the year of Grace six hundred twenty eight the Arch-bishop Paulinus converted to the Faith of Christ the Province of Lindissa which lyes on the South-coast of the River Humber And the first baptised by him was Blecca governour of the Prime Citty thereof Lindocollina with all his family In which Citty he likewise built a Church Which Church saith Saint Beda was of stone of exquisite work the Roof whereof either by negligence or hostile violence is cast down but the walls are yet standing and every year in that place miraculous cures are wrought to the great benefit of those who in devotion visit it 2. The same Saint Beda also testifies that the Pious King Edwin accompanied Saint Paulinus in this devout labour and was present when he baptised a very great multitude in the River Trent Concerning the Faith of the inhabitants of this Province belonging to the kingdom of the Mercians saith he I was told by a certain Abbot and Preist calld Deda of the Monastery of Peurtanei a man of great integrity that an ancient man had assured him that he himself was one of those who had been baptised by Saint Paulinus at Mid-day King Edwin being present and that a great multitude were also baptised with him in the River Trent neer a Citty calld in the English tongue Tiovulsingacestir The same man was likewise wâ—nt to describe the shape of the said Holy Bishop that he was a man of a tall stature but some what bowing that he had black hayre a lean face a nose somewhat rising that he was very slender and with his aspect begetting both veneration and terrour in the beholders He had likâ—Wise attending him a Deacon calld Iames Who was a man very illustrious in Christ and his Church who lived to our very times 3. We read likewise in Camden that in the Province of Nottingham at the same time a Church was built and consecrated to the Blessed Virgin at a town calld Southwell the which Church as the fame goes Was erected by Paulinus first Arch-bishop of York when he baptised the inhabitants of this countrey in the River Trent He coniectures likewise very probably that this Southwel was the same Citty of the Mercians which Saint Beda calls Tiovulfingacestir 4. The same year dyed S. Iustus Archbishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See three entire years He was a Bishop saith Harps-feild of such integrity that the Name of Iustus may seem to have been given him rather to honour his vertues then as belonging to his family Which vertues were acknowledged to be in him and wonderfully cherished by Pope Boniface the fourth rather fifth who likewise by his Letters exhorted him to consummate to the end his so excellent course of piety He ended this mortall life the fourth day before the Ides of November and was buried in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul near to Saint Augustin 5. His Successour in the Archbishoprick was Honorius who indeed deserved all Honour for his piety and zeale in preaching the Gospell When he was to be ordaind he came to Saint Paulinus who mett him in the Citty of Lincoln where he was consecrated the fifth Prelat of that See after Saint Augustin saith Saint Beda Hereby it appears that Saint Paulinus either had before this received his Pall or at least a power of ordaining the Prime Arch-bishop in case of vacancy without the assistance of any other Bishops Which Priviledge considering the penury of Bishops at this time was by Pope Honorius shortly after conferred on each of those two Sees in these terms That when either of the Arch-bishops should leave this world and return to his Creator the surviver might ordain another in his place This appears in the Letters of the said Pope to King Edwin and Saint Paulinus written five years after this Notwithstanding this Ordination of Honorius to the Arch-bishoprick seems to have been conferred on him not the same year that Saint Iustus dyed but the year following during which time probably such Faculties were sent from Rome XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Penda the cruell King of the Mercians His war against the West-Saxons 1. AFter such hopefull beginnings of the Gospell in the kingdom of the Mercians the progresse therof was interrupted by the violence of Penda King of those Provinces a Prince of an ambitious turbulent and cruel nature and one who professedly bore an irreconcileable enmity to Christian Religion He is by some Authours esteemd the first King of the Mercians For Cridae descended in the tenth degree from Woden the Idol-deity of the Saxons about the year of Grace five hundred eighty five invading the midland Provinces of this Island layd the first foundations of that Kingdom To him succedeed his Son Wibba who by fire and sword enlarged the bounds thereof After him raigned Ceorl whose daughter Quenburga was the first wife of King Edwin and he dying Penda a Son likewise of Wibba inherited the Crown and more then all his Predecessours rendred the Name and power of the Mercians formidable to all their Neighbours The former Princes are said to have contented themselves whith the Title of Dukes and Penda to have assumed that of King 2. He was according to William of Malmsbury fifty years old when he ascended the Throne which was in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred twenty six a Prince illustrious for his descent active and vigilant in war and who by frequent excursions into his Neighbours Provinces had nourished and much encreased his boldnes But withal he was even fanatically zealous in his Pagan superstition and impiety Therefore as soon as he was possessed of the Kingdom being impatient of rest and not regarding how great a crime an uniust war was he infested the neighbouring Citties disturbed the bounds of his confining Saxon Princes and filld all the Provinces about him with tumult and terrour 3. In the third year of his raign in which hapned the Conversion of Blecca Governour of Lincoln he broke into open war against Kinegils and Quicelm Kings of the West-Saxons and beleaguerd the Citty of Cirencester belonging to them To raise which siege they gathred a great army and came to battell Which was fought a whole day together with extreme fury each army having abjured flight so that only want of light sever'd them The next morning both sides being much weakned by the intercession of persons of more moderation they entred into conditions of peace and retired 4. Cirencester where this battel was fought is the same ancient Citty which Ptolomy calls Corinium Antoninus Cornovium and the Brittains Caâ—r-Cori It is seated in the Province of the Dobuni Glocestershire at the River Corin now call'd Churn The ruines of the ancient walls containing a circuit of two miles shew it to have been a large Citty It belonged to the West-Saxons for we read how Penda King of
cites for it William of Malmsbury Huntingdom Florentius Mathew of Westminster c. 3. I have thought expedient saith he to describe here out of the Acts of S. Birinus a wonderfull Miracle beseeming an Apostolick man which is omitted by S. Beda It was thus The Holy man being arrived to the shore of the Brittish Sea and ready to take ship celebrated the Divine Mysteries offring to God the Sacrifice of the Saving Host as a Viaticum for himself and followers After which the season being proper he was hastily urged to enter the ship and the wind serving thē they sayled speedily when on the sudden Birinus called to mind that he had lost a thing infinitely precious to him which by the urging hast of the Sea-men having his mind other ways busied he had left behind him at land For Pope Honorius had bestowed on him a Pall or Corporal upon which he consecrated the Body of our Lord and afterward used to wrap in it a particle of the said Sacred Body which he hung about his neck and allways caried with him but when he celebrated Masse he was wont to lay it by him upon the Altar Armed therefore with Faith he by Divine inspiratiō went down frō the ship into the Sea and walkd securely upon it to the shore Where finding what he had left behind he took it and in like manner returned to the ship Which he found standing still immoveable whereas a little before he had left it sailing extreme swiftly When he was entred into the ship not one drop of water appeared on his cloathes Which the Marriners seeing kneeld before him and worshipped him as a God and many of them by his preaching were converted to the Faith of Christ. 4. This custom of carying with them the Consecrated Body of our Lord was practised from the beginning of the Church many proofs whereof are in Tertullian S. Cyprian S. Ambrose writing of his Brother Satyrus S. Basile c. Which pious custom saith Baronius as the fervour of Religion introduced so Religion as holy hath in latter times forbidden it Formerly a firm Faith incited to the doing that which Reverence afterward disswaded In both cases Gods faithfull people deserve commendation as we read both the confidence and the modesty of the Apostles praised in the Gospel both when they were sorrowfull to want our Lords presence for a moment and likewise when S. Peter desired his absence saying Lord goe from mee for I am a sinfull man 5. S. Birinus being thus arrived in Brittany with an intention to visit the inmost rudest parts of the Island according to his promise to Pope Honorius he found at his landing so full a harvest that as William of Malmsbury says he thought it a folly to goe any further or to seek out sick men whom he should cure when as in the place where he already was there were not any sound Thus it hapned to S. Birinus as it had formerly to S. Augustin who being sent to the Deiri in the North stayd at the very entrance into the Island in the South He has notwithstanding found a more favourable esteem among Protestant Writers then S. Augustin did thought both taught the same Doctrin For B. Godwin calls him a man of great zeal and devotion and Camden says he was illustrious for his Sanctity even to a miracle c. 6. At his first coming S. Birinus addressed himself to King Kinegils to whom he with a modest boldnes expounded the Summ of the Christian Faith which he was come so far to preach for his salvation The Doctrines of Christianity were not now become strange even among the Pagans in Brittany But withall it fell out very happily that at the same time the most vertuous and Victorious King of the Northumbers Oswald as S. Beda stiles him was then present at the West-Saxon Court being come thither to demand King Kinegils his daughter for his wife This pious King gave his royal testimony to the Truth of the Doctrine preached by S. Birinus which was suitable to that received in the whole kingdom of the Northumbers And this he did so effectually that King Kinegils submitted his iudgment to the King and Bishop desiring to be conducted to the gate which opens into Heaven Hereupon he was sufficiently catechised and after that admitted to Baptism in which by a pious commerce King Oswald became Spirituall Father to him whose daughter he presently after maried 7. The King being thus converted the whole Province generally followd his example for according to S. Birinus his Acts the people hastned in great troops to heare the H. Bishop preach and with their hearts humbly embraced the Doctrine taught by him And no wonder for besides the sanctity and innocence of the Preacher God was present with him to confirm his Doctrin by Miracles One particularly is recounted in the said Acts after this manner There was in the Province a certain ancient Woman who a long time had been deprived both of her sight and hearing To her it was suggested by revelation that she should repair to the Holy Bishop for her cure She delayd not therefore but took with her a Guide to conduct her The Bishop therefore seing the womans piety immediatly made the sign of the Crosse upon her eyes and ears whereupon both her sight and hearing were restored to her 8. The Christian Faith being thus spread in that Kingdom both the Kings saith S. Beda assigned to the Holy Bishop the Citty called Dorinca to be his Episcopall See Where severall Churches were erected and consecrated and great multitudes gained to Christ after which he went to our Lord. This Citty Dorinca is the same which is now called Dorchester not the principal town of Dorsetshire but another of that name seated near Oxford Which at this time belonged to the West-Saxons but afterward passed to the Mercians 9. This Holy Bishop not being by profession a Monk instituted in his Church at Dorchester a Community of Canons who lived in a kind of Regular Observance and according to S. Gregories directions imitated the Institut of the Primitive Church during the Apostles times wherein not any of them esteemed that which he possessed to be his own but they had all things common In the said Church this Holy Bishop and seaven and twenty of his Successours continued the space of four hundred fifty seaven years 10. Fifteen years S. Birinus laboured with great fruit in cultivating this our Lords vineyard and at last in the year of Grace six hundred and fifty received his reward on the third of December on which day he is commemorated in our Martyrologe He was buried saith S. Beda in the same Citty o◠Dorchester and several years after his sacred Body was translated into the Citty of Winchester by Hedde Bishop of the same Citty and reposed in the Church of the Blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul 11. This passage of S. Beda was
The lest arm likewise he layd there in a place separate from the other as also the Body And the whole Body sayth William of Malmsbury according to the course of Nature was turnd into dust But the arms and hands by divine power doe remain incorrupt as an Historian of great veracity affirms 3. How long those Sacred Relicks remaind there was to the said Authour in certain A report there is that a certain Monk of Peterborough perceiving great negligence in keeping that Treasure stole away the right arm and Silver boxe and deposed them in his own Monastery Ingulphus a grave Writer confirms this Suspicion for relating the cruel depopulations made by the Infidell Danes in that countrey he declares how the Abbot and Convent there were forced to fly who carried with him the Sacred Relicks of the Holy Virgins Kineburga and Kineswitha and the Priour says he accompanied with some of his Brethren taking the arm of S. Oswald King fled with it to the Isle of Ely 4. The benediction of S. Aidan saying Let this hand never be corrupted was fullfilld saith Beda for when it was severed from the rest of the Body after the battell it remains to this day incorrupt Now what this learned and devout Historians relates of his own time which was almost a hundred years after the death of S. Oswald the succeeding Writers in following ages testify also with regard to their times For William of Malmsbury who wrote four hundred years after S. Beda hath this Expression I beleive that the Truth of that Divine Oracle He dispersed he gave to the poor his iustice remains for ever was fullfilld in King Oswald For that royal right hand which had bestowd so many Almâ— together with the arm skin and sinâ—ws remains to this day fresh and incorrupt but the rest of the Body beside the bones did not escape the common condition of mortality but was dissolved into dust This may seem strange to the Reader but none has the impudence to dare to deny the Truth of this 5. In the next age after lived Roger Hoveden who was no Monk this is added because Protestant Writers impute such stories to the fiction of Monks who writes thus In the Citty Bebba seated on the top of a Mountain is a beautifull Church in which there is a precious boxe containing the right hand of the holy King Oswald which remains uncorrupted After him lived Mathew of Westminster who gives this testimony In the fight where King Oswald was slain his right hand and arm was cutt of which to this day remains free from corruption In the following age Iohn Capgrave thus writes When King Osâ—ald was slain his Arme was cutt from his body which hitherto remains incorrupt 6. Polydor Virgil a secular Preist in the next age recites the Propheticall speech of S. Aidan to King Oswald May this hand never perish This saith he we may beleive proceedeâ— from Divine Inspiration For the same hand always remaind entire though the body was consumed which is still preserved in a decent boxe and with great veneration deposed in the Church of S. Peter in the Royal Citty Lastly Nicholas Harpsfeild a secular Preist likewise who wrote not long after says yet more expressly S. Aidan who then sate at Table admiring this munificence of the King prayd that a hand so liberal might never wither Which Prayer to this our times did never want effect c. That munificent hand indeed did never wither For what S. Beda and our following Historians affirmd to be true each one in respect of his own age our present age likewise hath confirmed There are at this day alive Witnesses of great worth and veracity beyond all exception who have testified to mee that themselves saw the same hand 7. Now let the Reader iudge whether such a chain of Tradition deserves not rather our assent then the impudent charge of lying layd on all our Ancestours by the Centuriators of Magdeburg who without any ground or suspicion from Antiquity impute forgery Superstition or what other crime they please to Writers whose learning and piety has been approved and coÌ„mended by the whole Church 8. As for the other Relicks of this holy King his Sacred Head was deposed in the Monastery of Lindesfarn which himself had lately founded for his Bishop S. Aidan It was afterward removed from thence and more decently buried with the Body of S. Cuthbert And when the See of Lindesfarn was translated to Durham about the year of Grace one thousand and twenty together with the Body of S. Cuthbert the same Head was removed by Edmand Bishop of that See for William of Malmsbury a hundred years after testifies that the Head of S. Oswald together with his arms was found there 9. His other bones together with the trunk of his body saith S. Beda were by the industry and devotion of Offrida wise to King Ethelred son of Oswi at this time King of the Northumbers removed to the Monastery of Bardeney in Lincolnshire Who likewise recounts how when the Monks refused to receive these Sacred relicks out of an ancient hatred to his person as a stranger and Enemy to the Mercians by a Pillar of Light which all the night before stood over the Charriot in which these Holy Relicks were exposed to the aire they earnestly begged that their Church might be honourd with them And many other wonderfull Miracles recounted by him by William of Malmsbury and others which God was pleased to work in severall ages by the intercession of this holy King all these may be read in those Authours for I have no inclination to transcribe them Onely I will add that upon the incursion of the Danes these Relicks were from the Monastery of Bardeney translated to Glocester Yea so illustrious was the Memory of his Sanctity that severall other forrain Churches in Ireland Flander c. were ambitious to be partakers of them 10. Yea not only the bones of this Blessed King were held in veneration and operative in miracles But according to the testimony of S. Beda in the place where fighting for his countrey and Religion he was slain by Pagans frequent cures were wrought both on men and cattell Whence it came to passe that many took of the dust it self where his body fell and putting it into water thereby restord health to the sick Which custom was so much frequented that by the continuall deminution of earth a trench was made the heighth of a man in depth c. 11. So great was the veneration born among us to this Holy King that severall Churches and Monasteries were built and dedicated to him As in Cumberland neer the River Itun there is Kirk-Oswald another in Northumberland at Silecester neer the Picts wall a third in Lincolnshire at Bardeney a fourth at Glocester when his Relicks were translated thither And in Yorkshire the Monastery of Nosthil was consecrated to him saith Camden
Monastery But afterwards when a Church more magnificent was there built it was translated thither and deposed at the right hand of the Altar with veneration due to so holy a Prelat 3. How great the merit of this Blessed Bishop was saith the same S. Beda God was pleased to shew by severall Miracles It will suffise to relate onely two of them in this place A certain Preist named Vtta a man highly esteemed even by Princes for his gravity and integrity was sent into Kent to conduct from thence Eanfleda the daughter of King Edwin to be wife to King Osâ—in This Preist went thither by land but intended to return by Sea with the Virgin Before hâ—â— iourney he went to the Holy Bishop Aidan desiring his prayers for a safe iourney to himself and company The Bishop gave him his benediction and withall delivered to him some Oyle which had been sanctified saying I know that when you shall be at Sea a contrary wind and tempest will come on you but remember that when you are in danger you cast this Oyle into the Sea aend thâ— tempest will pâ—esently cease and your return will be prosperous All which particulars succeeded in order exactly as the Holy Bishop had foretold Thus the Man of God both foretold the Tempest by the Spirit of Prophecy and by the power of the same spirit though corporally absent he calmed the Tempest when it was risen The account of this Miracle I received not from a relatour of doubtfull credit but a Preist of our Church of great integrity called Cynimund who protested that it was told him by Vtta himself the Preist to whom and by whom it befell 4. The Second Miracle was that when King Penda entred with an Army into those parts and was determined to sett on fire the Royal Citty which took its name from Queen Ebba for which purpose he encompassed it with heaps of wood and other combustible matter to which fire was applied S. Aidan being then retired into his Isle of Farne about two miles distant from that Citty and seeing the fire smoke ascending up-wards he lifted up his eyes full of tears to heaven and said Behold o Lord how great mischeif Penda does to thy people Assoon as he had said those words the wind immediatly turned the flames upon those who had kindled them So that the enemies forbore to impugn the Citty which they saw was defended from heaven 5. Now though S Aidan and his White Monks did erroneously swerve from the generall practise of the Church in the Observation of Easter yet saith Baronius far be it from us to reckon among the Quartodeciman Hereticks such a man who by an Apostolick Spirit and power converted that Nation to the Faith How their practise differed from that of those Hereticks we have already declared out of S. Beda His Memory is celebrated in the Roman Martyrologe on the one and thirtieth of August where this elogium is given of him In England on the said day is the commemoration of S. Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn whose soule S. Cuthbert then a keeper of sheep seing caried up to heaven he left his sheep and became a Monk XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Cuthbert a child sees Saint Aidans soule caried into heaven whereupon he quitts the world and retires into the Monastery of Mailros 1. THAT which the Roman Martyrologe wraps up in a few words touching the occasion of S. Cuthberts undertaking a Monasticall Profession S. Beda more at large sets down in his Book of the Life of that Saint which for the reverence due both to him and S. Aidan we will hâ—â—e transcribe And shall hereafter have â—â—equent occasion to write more of his Sanctity the rudiments whereof now began 2. When the Divine Grace which governs the lives of Gods servants was pleased that the devout young man Cuthbert by undergoing a more austere Profession should obtain a higher reward of Glory he was then employed in the guard of sheep committed to his care in the remote mountains One night it hapned that whilst he was watching in prayer his companions then being asleep he saw on a sudden a light from heaven so bright that it dispelled all the darknes and therein he saw great multitudes of Angels descending to the earth and presently after return to heaven carying with them a soule of a marvellous brightnes This sight caused great compunction in the devout youth and an earnest desire to undertake a spiritual Life that thereby he might be partaker of eternall felicity among Gods Saints And presently giving thanks and praises to God for this favour he also wakened his companions inciting them with brotherly exhortations to ioyn with him in praising God Alas poor wretches said he we are wholly given up to sleep and idlenes and are unworthy to see the light of Christs ServaÌ„ts who are always watchfull in his Praises Behold I whilst I was even now praying saw the great wonders of God the Gate of Heaven was opened and the soule of some holy person was conducted by Angels into the glory of heavenly Mansions where it will for ever blessedly behold our Lord whilst we remain negligent in this darknes below Surely this was either a Holy Bishop or some other perfect Christian whom I saw with such resplendent brightnes and such Quires of Angels caried up to heaven These words of S. Cuthbert did not a little inflame the hearts of the other Shephards to praise God 3. The next day he was informed that S. Aidan Bishop of the Church of Lindesfarn a man of admirable piety dyed that very houre in which he had seen his soule mounting to heaven Whereupon he presently resigned up the sheep which he had fed to their owner and resolved without delay to goe to a Monastery 4. S. Cuthbert now meditating seriously on his entrance into a new and more stricks life the Divine Grace was present to him confirming his mind in that good purpose and moreover by manifest signs shewed that to those who seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousnes all things necessary for bodily subsistence shall be administred For on a certain day as he was iourneying alone about the third hower he turned aside into a certain village which he saw a good distance from him and entred into the house of a certain Matron being desirous to repose there awhile and to gett food not for himself but his horse The woman received him kindly and earnestly desired that she might make some thing ready for his refection But the devout young man refused telling her that he could not eat because it was a day of Fast. For it was indeed Friday on which most faithfull Christians out of reverence to our Lords Passion doe prolong their fasting till three of the clock after noon She notwithstanding being devoutly addicted to hospitality persisted in her desire and told him that all the rest of his iourney he would find neither village nor
could not hinder the fury of Ebroinus was in common fame charged with the crime though according to the Gallican Martyrologe she was at this time retired into a Monastery 3. The said Martyrologe therefore will give us a true information of this Fact where on the twenty eighth of October in the commemoration of this Holy Bishop we find this passage Clodoveus being some years before dead and his Widow S. Bathildis retired into her Monastery at Cala Ebroin Maire of the Palace a most cruel man and extremely disaffected to Ecclesiasticall persons began to rage every where with sacrileges rapines and murders of innocent persons No wonder therefore if S. Ennemund Bishop sirnamed Dalfin incurred his hatred because out of an affection of piety and iustice he was earnest with the King to ease the people of their pressures Therefore after that the Brother of the Holy Bishop who was Prefect of Lyons had been slain at Orleans upon a false accusation as if he had an intention to rebell Ebroin presently after with the like violence persecuted S. Ennemund Who being informed that accusations were falsely charged on him before the King perceiving the machinations of his cruel adversary at first departed from Lyons But presently after taking courage and placing his whole trust in God he returned thither again where whilst he was diligent in his devotions and pious works he was seised upon by the Emissaries of Ebroin and to the generall extreme greif of the Citty caried away with shew that he was to be lead to the Kings presence but by the way near Chaillon in Burgundy he was murdred by night whilst he prayd God to pardon his enemies and so for a reward of his iustice charity and patience he received a never fading crown of Glory 4. This Narration doth evidently absolve the good Queen Bathildis Whose memory ought to be in a speciall manner precious to us since she descended from a Saxon family in Brittany which she left unwillingly For as the Authour of her life in Surius and Haraeus who lived in the same age recounts She was stolln out of Brittany by Pirats and by them sold to Erchinoald a famous Prince in France then Maire of the Kings palace In whose service she behaved herself so decently for she descended from Noble Saxon Ancestors that the said Erchinoald's Lady being dead he intended to have taken her to wife But the Holy Virgin withdrew her self from his sight till he had maried another This her Modesty made her so acceptable to King Clodovaeus the second of that name son of Dagobert that as we read in the Appendix to Gregory Bishop of Tours he made her though a stranger his Queen for her prudence and comlines and had by her three Sons Cloathair Childeric and Theodoric 5. After Clodovaeus his death she awhile governed the Kingdom with her children and then with great difficulty obtaind permission of the Nobility to retire her self into a Monastery built by her self in a place called Cala in the Territory of Paris over which she had placed Abbesse a Holy Virgin called Bertilia sent for by her out of the Monastery of Iâ—dro To this Monastery of Cala therefore she retired where she lived a great example of Piety and vertue Now at that time there being in Brittany few Monasteries of Religious Virgins saith Saint Beda many Noble men sent their daughters out of Brittany into France to be instructed there and espoused to their Heavenly Bridegroom especially in the Monasteries of Brige Cale now called Chelles and Andilege 6. She built likewise in the Territory of Amiens at a place called Corbey a Monastery for Religious Monks which she magnificently enriched with possessions and all things necessary for their subsistence Over which Monks she placed Abbot a venerable person called Theofred whom she had for that purpose desired to be sent out of the Monastery of Luxueil Luxovium Which Abbot was afterward a Bishop 7 Neither was her piety confined to France onely For she honourd with many precious Gifts the Churches of the Holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul at Rome out of the great love and devotion she had to them Likewise great liberality she extended to the poor and to persons professing a Reclused solitary life in the same Citty 8. Thus in all conditions both as a simple Virgin a Queen and a Religious Nunne she sparkled with all divine Graces Particularly during her Regency by her zeale the Simoniacal Heresy which then defiled the Church of God was quite driven out of the Kingdom And for a further proof of her innocency touching the death of S. Ennemund or Dalfin Bishop of Lyons there is mention in her life of another Bishop called Sigebrand who by the practise of Ebroin against her will without conviction or examination was slain coÌ„trary to Law and iustice 9. Her piety to Holy Bishops particularly to S. Eligius the famous Bishop of Noyon is celebrated by S. Audoâ—n Bishop of Rouen who lived at the same time and wrote his life For he relates with what affection and devotion this Holy Queen with her children and Nobles hastned to take care for his honourable enterment Her desire was it should be conveyed to her Monastery of Cala but by no force it could be removed Whereupon overcome with a violent greif she uncovered his face which she bedewed with showrs of tears At last turning her self to her Nobles she said We now see it is not his will that his body should be removed from his own Citty let us therefore permitt his own flock to enioy it Which words she had no sooner uttered but the Body and Coffin became easily moveable so that two persons alone were able without difficulty to carry it Thus having venerated the Sacred Body she retired weary and hungry for she had continued a Fast of three days with Prayers and tears thereby to know Gods will for disposing the Body 10. The same Holy Writer further declares the same Queens devotion to S. Eligius after his death and how in a vision by night he commanded a certain Courtier to reprove her for wearing iewells and costly apparrell during her Widdow-hood Which she did not out of Pride but because she thought it fitting to be done whilst she took care of administring the Kingdom during her sons minority This command thrice repeated not having been executed by the said Courtier he was pâ—nished with a violent feaver During which having been visited by the Queen he declared it to her and immediatly the feaver quitted him Whereupon the Queen layd aside her Iewells and Ornaments a great part of which she distributed to the Poor and with the richest of them she made a most beautifull sumptuous Crosse which she deposed at the head of S. Eligius or S. Eloy Which devotion of hers was imitated by the Nobles so zealously that in a short time his Church was enriched with incredible riches Offrings
same purpose and that they having received his Benediction were returned full of sorrow the Monk who had heard the celestiall Musick went to the Bishop and prostrating himself to the ground before him said Venerable Father may it be permitted mee to ask you a question The Bishop answered Ask freely whatsoever thou wilt Then said he I beseech you tell mee What meant that ioyfull song which I heard sung by many with great ioy who came from heaven to this Oratory and after a while returned back to heaven again The Bishop replyed If thou hast indeed heard that Musick and perceived the heavenly company which came hither I command thee in the Name of our Lord that thou acquaint none with it before my death The truth is they were Angells and celestiall Spirits which came to call mee to receive those heavenly rewards which I always loved and desired and they have promised mee to return seaven dayes hence and conduct mee with them to heaven And indeed thus it came to passe as he had foretold For presently after a languishing infirmity came upon him which dayly encreased and on the seaventh day as had been promised him after he had armd himself against death by receiving devoutly the Body and blood of our Lord his soule was freed from the prison of his body and as we may piously beleive accompanied by Angells to celestiall ioyes Of whose glory S. Egbert was a witnes as we have already shewed in his Gests related by the same Authour 5. It is no wonder if he entertained with ioy the day of his death saith the same Authour since through the whole course of his life his cheif solicitude was to prepare himself for it insomuch as when any great wind or thunder hapned he would presently lay aside all other busines in hand and prostrating himself on his face pour forth his soule to God in prayer For as he told his Disciples the reason why God sends forth those voyces of terrour is to imprint his fear in mens minds and make them mindfull of those storms and tempests which shall be raised in the last dayes before the Generall Iudgment This S. Beda relates from the testimony of a Religious Monk called Trumbert his Master in Divine learning who had been a Disciple of this Holy Bishop 6. Now S. Ceadda dyed on the sixth day before the Nones of March and was first buried near the Church of our Blessed Lady But afterwards a magnificent Church having been built to the honour of the Prince of the Apostles his Sacred bones were translated thither And in both places for a proof of his Sanctity frequent miracles and cures were wrought 7. The place where he was buried was covered with a woodden tomb built in the form of a little house having a window in the wall through which such as in devotion came thither were accustomed to putt in their hand and take thence some part of the dust Which they mingled with water and gave to be tasted to sick men or cattell also by which their infirmities were presently taken away 8. We may with more assurance relate these Miracles because even the Lutheran Centuriators of Magdeburg acknowledge their beleif of them For thus they write Ceadda the Brother of Ced succeeded Iarumannus in the Bishoprick of the Mercians He received from King Wulfere his Episcopal See in a town of Lindissi called Lichfeild and governed the Churches of the Midland-English and Lindesfarians After his death he was renouned for Miracles insomuch as a man who was frantick and slept only at his tomb was restored to health and others afflicted with any manner of diseases by tasting the dust of his monument were perfectly cured 9. His Memory was with great devotion celebrated in all succeeding ages insomuch as the Cathedrall Church of his Bishoprick being raised with greater magnificence took its appellation from him This came to passe in the dayes of King Edward the second at which time saith B. Godwin Walter Langton Bishop of that See of Lichfeild bestowed two thousand pounds to enrich the Chest which contained the Body of his Predecessour S. Ceadda or Chad and likewise encompassed the precincts of the Church with a wall and ditch adding thereto two gates one very magnificently built toward the west and a lesser one to the East 10. To conclude this Narration we must not omitt one late memorable example of a wonderfull iudgment of God against the professed Enemies of his Saints In the beginning of the late rebellious warr a warr undertaken as much against Gods departed Saints as living Governours one of the most zealous Leaders of a Sacrilegious faction conducting his Army to this Citty of Lichfeild with an intention to break into the Inclosure of S. Ceadda's Church fortified by a Royal party whilst compleatly armed he pulled up the visour of his helmet that he might better view how to place his Ordinance against the wall was mortally wounded in the eye being the only part of his body exposed to danger by a bullet short at random Thus he perished in the heat of his fury whilst he assaulted the Church of S. Ceadda and upon the very Feast day of S. Ceadda 11. In the place of S. Ceadda the Arch-bishop Theodore ordained Bishop of that See a good and modest man saith S. Beda named Winfrid or Wilfrid who was Deacon to his Predecessour and at that time lived in the Monastery of Athburn Of whom we shall speak more hereafter X. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of severall Saints Of King Oswi Of Abbot Boisilus Of Oswin a Monk of Diman and Adammannus 1. IN the six hundred and seaventieth year of our Lords Incarnation saith S. Beda which was the second year after the coming of Theodore into Brittany Oswi King of the Northumbers in the fifty eighth year of his age fell sick of an infirmity of which he dyed At the same time he was so affectionatly desirous to receive more perfect Instruction in Religion from the Apostolick See of Rome that he was determined in case he had recovered of that disease to goe thither and end his days at the Sacred places of the Apostles for which purpose he had desired the Holy Arch-bishop Wilfrid to be his guide in that journey for which he designed him a great summe of money He dyed the fifteenth day before the Calends of March and left his Son Egfrid heyr of the Kingdom He was buried in the Monastery of Strenshalch to which he had long before consecrated his daughter Edelfleda from her first infancy as hath been declared 2. That he dyed in general opinion of Sanctity appears in that his Name is read among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the fiâ—teenth of February And William of Malmsbury recounts how his body together with the bodies of many other Saints was removed three hundred years after his death For thus he writes At Streneshalt in the Quire
this time given to the Monks of Glastonbury of electing their own Abbott argues that in former ages the constituting of Abbots belonged not to the Monks but to the Bishop or the Prince from whose power and Iurisdiction the Monks could not exempt themselves without their free devesting themselves of it which we see here done by King Kentwin and Bishop Hedda concerning whom we shall speak more hereafter 7. As for King Kentuin the Memory of his Munificence to the Monastery of Glastonbury was there gratefully conserved for this Elogy we read of him in the great Table of that Monastery In the same place reposes the body of King Câ—â—twin under a stone-Pyramid in the Church-yard of the Monks He was the first of the English Kings which granted to the Isle of Glastonbury an Exemption from all Regal Service as the Brittish Kings before him had of old time confirmed 8. To this time is referred the erecting or rather restoring of the prime Church in the Isle of Ely which was first consecrated to the honour of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles but afterward entitled to S. Ediltrudis or Ethelreda Concerning which Church we read this testimony of B. Godwin Ethelbert saith he King of Kent by the advice of S. Augustin had seaventy years before this time built a Church in that place to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and seaven Which Church through neglect for want of reparation falling to ruine was rebuilt in a more magnificent manner in the year six hundred seaventy seaven by S. Ediltrudis This she did by the counsel of Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York but her Brother Aldulfus or Alnufus King of the East-Angles furnished the Charges of the work This Aldulfus was the Successour of Edilwald in that Kingdom and if according to Speed he was the Son of Ethelherd Brother of Anna he was not Brother but cousin german to S. Ediltrudis XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. Kent miserably wasted Putta Bishop of Rochester quitts his See in whose place Quichelm succeeds 1. AT this time there was a great desolation in the Churches and kingdom of Kent wherby the labours of Saint Theodore were much encreased Which desolation was caused by a furious invasion of that kingdom the year before by Edilred King of the Mercians What the provocation or motive of this warr was is not mentioned by ancient Writers but the effects of it were terrible 2. S. Beda thus breifly describes it In the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy six Edilred King of the Mercians brought a furious army into Kent and layd the whole countrey wast yea without all regard of Piety or the fear of God profaned and demolished also Churches and Monasteries Particularly the Gâ—tty Rhofi or Rochester was utterly consumed in â—hat common calamity Of that Citty Putta was â—heâ— Bishop though absent at the time of its destruction Lothair was now King of Kent who fearing the violence and courage of Edâ—red saith Huntingdon made no resistance at all but auoyded his fight So that Edilred passed freely through the whole Province destroyed the Citty of Rochester and carted back with him innumerable Spoyles 3. As for Putta Bishop of Rochester being a man that loved quietnes and solitude he according to Saint Beda's relation seing his Church utterly spoyled and wasted retired to Sexulphus Bishop of the Mercians from whom having received the possession of a Church and a small peice of ground adioyning he there ended his life in peace He did not at all employ his solicitude about the restoring of his Bishoprick being one whose industry was little exercised in worldly affaires Therefore he contented himself in serving God after a poor manner in the foresaid Church and some times when he was entreated he would goe to other places for the instruction of Ecclesiasticall persons in the Roman manner of singing the Church service 4. The See of Rochester being thus deprived of a Pastour the Arch-bishop Theodore in the place of Putta consecrated Quithelm Bishop of that Citty and when he also shortly after quitted his Bishoprick by reason of its extreme poverty the said Arch-bishop substituted in his room another Bishop called Gebmund XXIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Vina the Simoniacall Bishop of London 3 4. c. S. Erconwald succeeds in that See 1 DVring this confusion in Kent the Kingdom of the adioyning East-Saxons enioyd a profound peace under the government of Sebb and Sigher two pious Kings Particularly King Sebb employed all his care in advancing Piety among his Subjects in promoting the affaires of the Church and in encouraging devout persons to renounce thâ— world and consecrate themselves to God in a Monasticall Profession To which state of life himself also earnestly aspired being desirous to abandon his Regall authority and to change his purple for a poor Religious Habit but was hindred by the obstinacy of his Queen who refused to consent to a separation and to imitate her husbands piety and without her complyance the Ecclesiasticall Canon rendred him incapable of executing his pious design Many years he spent in perswading her to her own and his happines and at lost by devout importunity expugned her resistance as shall shortly be shewed 2. In the mean time a great part of his solicitude was employed in settling a worthy Prelut in London the Metropolis of his Kingdom We have declared before how Wina the Sacrilegious Bishop of the West-Saxons having for his crimes been expelled out of that Province with a summ of money Simoniacally procured from Vulfere King of the Mercians to be violently introduced into that See in the year of Grace six hundred sixty six which he for the space of nine years unworthily administred After whose death King Sebb expressed a zealous care to repair the prejudice and harm done to that Province by so impious a Prelat For which purpose he earnestly sought out a Successour as eminent for piety and integrity as the other was for his crimes 3. At that time there lived not any one in that Kingdom in so high esteem of all men for vertue and Religion as Erconwald He was as hath been declared the Son of Anna King of the East-angles not of Offa as Capgrave and from him Harpsfeild mistakes and from his tender years conceived a distast and contempt of secular designs and pleasures Insomuch as he relinquished his Native Province and retired among the East-Saxons where he employed his plentifull patrimony in works of piety We have already declared how he founded two Monasteries in that Kingdom one for himself at Chertsey in Surrey near the River Thames and another for his Sister Edilburga in Essex in a village called Barking 4 This in all regards so eminent an Abbot Erconwald was made choice of by King Sebbe to administer the vacant See of London to which he was consecrated by Saint Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury according to this relation of Saint Beda
that saving Oblation was of wonderfull vertue for the redemption both of soule and body This relation I my self received from severall persons who had heard it from the man himself to whom these things befell And therefore I thought it expedient having been clearly convinced of the truth of it to insert it as undoubtedly certain in this my History Thus writes S. Beda After this disgression wee will return to Saint Wilfrid at Rome IV. CHAP. i. 2 c. Saint Wilfrids cause heard and determined in a Roman Synod to his advantage 1. WEE have already declared how Saint Wilfrid arriving at Rome found Pope Agathon in great solicitude concerning the faith of all Churches upon occasion of the Heresy of the Monothelites much spread in the East For which purpose among other Provinces he sent likewise into Brittany where he commanded a Synod to be assembled to the end he might explore whether the Faith of the Saxon Church there were sound and uniform with other Catholick Churches or in any point corrupted 2. The person sent by him for this purpose saith S. Beda was a Venerable Preist called Iohn Arch-Cantor of the Church of S. Peter and Abbot of the Monastery of S. Martin who this year arrived in Brittany being conducted by the most Reverend Abbot Biscop by sirname Benedict His busines was to invite the Arch-bisho Theodore to come himself or at least to depute another in his name to the Rome Synod to be assembled for repressing the foresaid Hiresy This appears by the said Popes Letters written the next year to the Emperours of Constantinople Heraclius and Tiberius in which this passage is extant Our hope was saith he to have ioynd to this our Assembly our Fellow-bishop Theodore a learned Philosopher and Arch-bishop of the great island of Brittany together with other Bishops abiding in those parts and for that reason we hitherto deferred this Council Which expression as it argues a wonderfull merit and esteem in which this holy Arch-bishop was held in that age so it disproves manifestly the assertion of Sir H. Spelman who thence collects that S. Theodore was called to the Council held at Constantinople whereas it is evident that it was the Roman Synod assembled the year following to which he was invited 3. In the mean time S. Wilfrid being arrived at Rome saith William of Malmsbury he found the whole Citty in a solicitous expectation of him For his coming was prevented by a Messenger sent from S Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury whose name was Kenewald a Monk of a modest and Religious comportment who brought with him in Writing severall Articles of accusation against S. Wilfrid conceived in very rude and bitter expressions S Hilda the famous Abbesse likewise sent Messengers on purpose to aggravate the charge against him This seemd a matter of so great consequence to the holy Pope Agathon that for determining it he presently assembled a Council of fifty Bishops and Abbots in the Great Church of our Saviour which had its sirname from the founder of it the Emperour Constantin Before this Council was S. Wilfrid summond accused defended and in the end absolved The whole proceeding of this Council in the cause of this holy Bishop which was the only busines debated in it cannot be better related then we find in thâ— authentick Copy of it preserved by William of Malmsbury and also extant in a Manuscript produced by Sir H. Spelman among his Councils of Brittany The Form whereof is as followeth 4. In the Name of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Chr. In the twelfth year of the raign of our most pious and glorious Emperour Constantin the elder and his Brethren our new made Emperours Heraclius and Tiberius in the seaventh Indiction in the month of October Agathon the most blessed Pope of the Catholick Church presiding the most holy Gospels being sett before in the Church of Saviour named from Constantin and together sitting with him these holy and learned Bishops as Assessours in the present cause Crescens Bishop of Vinon Phoberius Andreas of Ostia Iuvenal of Albano 5. Agathon the most Holy and Blessed Bishop of the Catholick Church and Apostolick Citty said thus to the Bishops sitting with him I doe not beleive that your Holy Fraternities are ignorant of the cause moving mee to call you to this Assembly For my desire is that your Reverences would ioyn with mee in hearing and treating of a Debate lately risen in the Church of the Brittish Isle where through Gods Grace the multitude of true Beleivers is encreased A relation of which Controversy hath been brought to us as well by information of persons thence arrived here as by Writings 6. Then Andrew the most Keverend Bishop of Ostia and Iohn of Porto said The ordering of all Churches dependeth on the authority of your Apostolick Sanctity who sustain the place of the Blessed Apostle S. Peter But moreover we by your command have read unto our fellow-Bishops sitting here with us the severall Writings which Messengers directed hither from Brittany presented to your Holines as well those which certain Messengers a good while since brought from the most Reverend Arch-bishop there together with the informations of others against a certain Bishop who as they say is privily slipped away as also those which were presented by the Devout Bishop Wilfrid Bishop of the Holy Church of York who having been cast out of his See by the forenamed Holy Arch-bishop is come hither In all which Writings though many questions be inserted yet we doe not find that by any Ecclesiasticall Canons he ha's been convicted of any crimes and consequently he was not canonically and legally eâ—ected Neither doe his accusers here present charge him wiâ—h any naughty acts meriting a degradation On the contrary it appears to us that notwithstanding his uniust suffrings he hath born himself modestly abstaining from all seditious contentions All that he hath done is that being driven out of his See the said venerable Bishop Wilfrid made known his cause to his fellow-bishps and it come for iustice to this See Apostolick 7. Agathon the most holy and blessed Bishop of the Catholick Church and of the Apostolick Citty of Rome said to his Brethren sitting with him Let Wilfrid the Venerable Bishop â—f the Holy Church of York who I am informed attends at the dores of our Secretary be here admitted and bring with him the Petition which he is sayd to have compiled The holy Bishop Wilfrid being entred into the Venerable Secretary said I beseech your Holines be pleased to command that my Petition may be openly read The most holy Bishop Agathon said Let the Petition of Venerable Wilfrid be received and publickly read And Iohn the Notaery received and read it to the holy and Apostolick Council in tenour following 8. I Wilfrid an humble and unworthy Bishop have at last by Gods assistance brought my steps to this supreme residence of Apostolick dignity as to a strong tower of safety from
you know this But he unwilling to publish that which he had received by revelation said Doe you not see how suddenly and strangely the weather is changed and grown tempestuous But who can find out the iudgments of God 3. After this he immediatly went to the Queen and speaking with her secretly it was then Saturday Be sure said he that on Munday morning betimes you take coach for on Sunday you must not travell and make hast into the Royall Citty for fear the King be killed And because to morrow I am entreated to consecrate a Church in a Monastery near at hand assoon as the dedication is dispatched I will make all hast after you Thus writes S. Beda and a little after he addes The day following one who had fled out of the battell arrived who plainly enough declared the secret predictions of the man of God and by computation it was found that the same moment the King was killed in which it had been revealed to the Holy Bishop whilst he stood by the forementioned fountain 4. Thus unhappily dyed this famous King Egfrid and has left to posterity an argument of much dispute whether he be to be numbred among good or evill Kings William of Malmsbury after a curious debate and examination of his particular acts abstains notwithstanding from a resolute Sentence whom we will imitate Certain it is that he had a great zeale in defending and propagating the Catholick Faith that he was wonderfully munificent towards Churches and Monasteries that he bore great reverence to holy men as to S. Cuthbert c. But on the other side what excuse can we find for his obstinat and irreconcileable hatred to S. Wilfrid or his cruelty against the innocent Irish c. We will therefore leave him to the Iudgement of Him who cannot iudge unjustly 5. Some Writers affirme that he was slain by Bride or Birde his cousin germain King of the Picts However certain it is that by his death the Kingdom of the Northumbers suffred an irreparable losse for by the testimony of Saint Beda from that time the hopes and strength of the English began to decay for both the Picts recovered all their lands of which the English had been possessed and the Scotts likewise living in Brittany and some part of the Brittains regained their liberty which they enioy to this time forty six years after that battell By which last clause and computation it appears that S Beda wrote his History in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty and one 6. The Picts puffed up with Victory drove all the English out of their countrey and among others their worthy Bishop Trumwin who as hath been said betook himself to Streneshalâ— the Monastery of Saint Elfleda where he lived a great comfort and assistant to her in the government of her Monastery XVIII CHAP. 1.2 To Lothere King of Kent succeeds Edric 3.4 5. Kentuin King of the West-Saxons dying Cedwalla succeeds him 6 Cadwaâ—lader last King of the Brittains 1. THIS year was fatall to severall of our Saxon Kings in Brittany for besides Egfria King of the Northumbers slain by the Picts Lothere King of Kent was also slain by his Nephew Edric This Lothere was brother to the former King Egbert after whom he seised upon the Kingdom to the prejudice of his Nephews as hath been declared of which he kept the possession twelve years though with much trouble and danger For Edric the elder of his Nephews and lawfull heir of the Crown after he was come to years sought to gain his right by force insomuch as many battells were fought between them with various successe At last Edric assisted with an army of the South-Saxons fought with his Vsurping Vncle in which battell Lothere was sore wounded of which wounds he shortly after dyed He is said to have left behind him a son named Richard eminent for sanctity of whom we shall treat hereafter 2. Concerning these two Brothers Egbert and Lothere successively Kings of Kent our ancient Ecclesiasticall Writers doe observe saith William of Malmsbury that for their cruelty they both came to an untimely end in as much as Egbert slew or at least connived at the murder of his uncles children Ethelred and Etheâ—â—bert who were Canonized Martyrs and Lotherâ— derided the honour done to their memory Truâ— it is Egbert afterward bewayld the fact anâ— in testimony of his sorrow gave part of the Isle of Thanet to their Mother for the endowment of a Monastery 3. Besides these this year also dyed Kentwin King of the West-Saxons after a raign of nine years His memory is celebrated for his great victories against the Brittainâ— whom he invaded with great forces and without much difficulty drove them to the Sea wasting their countrey and inhabitants with fire and sword 4. His piety and munificence to the famous and ancient Monastery of Glastonbury is recorded in the Antiquities of the same where we read that Kentwin granted to the said Monastery a liberty from all service six hides of land and a priviledge that the Monks of the same place might have the power of electing and constituting to themselves an Abbot according to the Rule of S. Benedict He gave moreover near the wood called Cantodun the Mannour of West-munkaton three and twenty hides and in Caric twenty hides of land for a supplement of Regular Observance in the same Monastery And when he had raigned nine years he departed to our Lord. His Body reposes in the Church-yard under a Pyramid of an ancient and noble structure Some Writers are of opinion that before his death he layd aside his Crown in the said Monastery spending his last dayes as his Successours did in solitude and devotion 5. To Kentwin succeeded Cedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons to Lothere Edric in Kent and to Egfrid Alfrid among the Northumbers according to the Prophecy of S. Cuthbert to his Sister the Holy Abbesse and Virgin Saint Elfleda Of which severall Princes more hereafter 6 To this same year likewise is consigned the beginning of the raign of Cadwallader Son of Cadwallon and last King of the Brâ—ttains in Wales For after his death hapning twelve years from this time the Brittains lost all shew of Monarchy THE NINETEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 Of Boysil the Holy Priour of Mailros 3.4 c. The Gests and vertues of S. Cuthbert before he was Bishop 1. THE same year that the foresaid Kings dyed the famous and glorious S. Cuthbert having the year before with great repugnance been drawn out of his beloved Solitude was consecrated Bishop of Lindesfarn The admirable way by which Almighty God drew him from keeping sheep to a spirituall life of contemplation by representing to him in a Vision the assumption into heaven of S. Aidaeus soule Bishop of Lindesfarn and how thereupon he betook himself to the Monastery of Mailrâ—s seated beyond the River of Tweed in the Province
was changed from Cedwalla to Peter the cause of which change is thus related by S. Beda At the time of his Baptism the foresaid Pope imposed on him the name of Peter to the end he might bear the Name of the Prince of Apostles out of a pious love to whom he had undertaken so long a iourney to visit the Monument of his most sacred Body 9. After the celebration of his Baptism he was according to the most ancient Ecclesiasticall custom cloathed with a White Vestment or Stole signifying the immaculate purity of those who had duly received that holy Sacrament The Stole was to be worn eight dayes but before those dayes were ended he was seised on by a mortall infirmity of which he dyed most happily to the great greif of the whole Citty 10. Pope Sergius bewayling the losse of so glorious and pious a Son to testify his affection and esteem of him celebrated his funeralls with great solemnity and moreover by his order his body was entombed in the Church of S. Peter and an Epitaph both in verse and prose inscribed on his monument saith S. Beda to the end the memory of his devotion might remain to future ages and that those who either did read or hear it might by his example be inflamed to the love and Zeale of Religion The Epitaph in verse is at large copied out by the same Authour containing a Summary of what hath been already related touching this glorious King To which was adioynd this Inscription in prose Here lyes buried Cedwalla otherwise named Peter King of the Saxons the twelfth day before the Calends of May in the second Indiction who lived about the space of thirty years and dyed in the fourth year of the Pontificat of Pope Sergius 11. It deâ—erves not our care to disprove the assertion of the fabulous Writer Geffrey of Monmouth who confounds this Cedwalla a Saxon King with Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains to whom he ascribes the heroicall Gests of Cedwalla so burying that Kingdom with honour Whereas it is evident from S. Beda William of Malmsbury Henry of Huntingdon Florentius of Worcester and the expresse tenour of the forementioned Epitaph that Cedwalla who dyed at Rome was King of the West-Saxons or Gevissi Which Nation was so called from the name of the Grand father of the first King Cerdic Geuvis the father of Elesa the Father of Cerdic saith Asser. Neither are there three Kings called â—edwalla mentioned by S. Beda as Baronius by mistake affirms but only two one who was a Brittish Prince who in the year of Grace six hundred thirty three slew the pious King of the Northumbers Edwin and this Saxon King Cedwalla of whom we now treat 12. A place is assigned to him in our Martyrologe among the Saints where on the twentieth of Aprill his deposition is commemorated with this Elogy that he was baptised at Rome by Pope Sergius and dyed in his white baptismall robe in the year of Christ six hundred eighty nine His whole raign not having coÌ„tinued full three years we have here to the relation of his Gests added that also of his happy death because we would not interrupt our narration concerning him though in the progresse of our Story we are not yet arrived to the year in which he dyed We will therefore return to relate occurrents hapning in the Saxon Churches in the mean time between King Cedwalla's raign and death Among which the most memorable are those which concern the last actions of our glorious S. Cuthbert VII CHAP. 1.2 S. Cuthbert gives the Religious Veyle to Queen Ermenburga 3.4 c. He obtains for a Holy Hermite Herebert that they should dye at the same time 8 He cures miraculously a sick Lady with Holy Water 1. WITH what unwillingnes S. Cuthbert was drawn out of his solitude to be exalted to the Episcopall Throne and with what perfection he afterward discharged his Episcopall function hath been already declared It remains that we relate how the conclusion of his Life was suitable to the beginning and progresse of it 2. Yet one action of piety more performed by him whilst he was Bishop we will not omitt which was the consecrating to almighty God the Queen Ermenburga whose heart it seems Gods holy Spirit had touched with compunction for all the mischeifs done by her to the Holy Arch-bishop Wilfrid This particular is thus related by S. Beda Not long after the death of King Egfrid the Servant of God S. Cuthbert being thereto requested came to the Citty Luguballia or Carlile there to ordain Preists and also to give his benediction to the Queen Ermenburga by conferring on her the Religious habite of Holy conversation 3. At the same time he was admonished from heaven concerning his approaching death which he discovered to a devout Hermit to whom he bore a particular affection and who had been accustomed once a year to repair to him for spirituall comfort and instruction The circumstances of their last conversation the same devout Authour setts down in the manner following 4. There was saith he a certain Venerable Preist named Herebert who for many years before had been ioynd in spirituall freindship to the Holy Bishop This man lead a solitary life in a little Island situated in the vast lake out of which the River Derwent flows and his custome was every year to visit the man of God to receive from him documents of piety and salvation He being informed that S. Cuthbert was to make some stay in the fore-said Citty came to him as his manner had been with a desire to be more inflamed in heavenly desires by his wholesome exhortations 5. They being thus mett together and interchangeably communicating to one another draughts of celestiall wisedome among other discourses S. Cuthbert said to him Be mindfull Brother Herebert to propose now to mee whatsoever doubts you desire to be resolved in for after we are parted we shall never see one the other in this life For I am assured that the time of my dissolution approaches and that I shall very shortly putt off this my mortall Tabernacle The devout Hermite having heard these words cast himself at his feet and with many â—eates and grones said I beseech you by our Lord that you will not forsake nor forgett your old companion but make your petition to the Divine mercy that as we have joyntly served our Lord together on earth we may likewise together passe out of this world to see his Glory For you know that I have always been diligent to conform my life to your admonitions and likewise according to your will to correct what soever faults I have any time committed through ignorance or frailty 6. Hereupon the Holy Bishop betook himself to prayer and being inwardly taught in Spirit that his petitions were granted by our Lord he said to him Arise dear Brother weep no longer but rather reioyce for the Divine Clemency
six hundred ninety four In which Council the most Clement King of Kent Withred presided likewise Bertwald the most Reverenâ— Arch-bishop oâ— Brittany together with Tobias Bishop of the Church of Rochester and other Abbots Abbesses Preists Deacons Dukes and Lords all which meâ—t together and in common with great diligence and solicitude we advised and consulted what ordinances were to be made and established for perpetuity touching the state oâ— Gods Churches and Monasteries within the Kingdom of Kent and the Revenews of them given by devout Kings my Predecessours and kinsmen for a perpetuall possession 5. Therefore I Withred earthly King being touched with compunction and inflamed with a love of Iustice by the King of Kings have learnt from the Ancient Traditions and Precepts of the Holy Fathers that it is not lawfull for any lay-person to draw and usurp to himself as his own proper possession any lands or Revenews formerly given to our Lord and consecrated or established with the Crosse of Christ for wee know and by experience find that whatsoever thing any man hath thus taken into his own power from the Church our Lord will not suffer such sacrilege to passe without Divine vengeance It is a horrible crime therefore to robb the living God or to mangle his coat and inheritance When therefore any part of our earthly substance has been offred to God to the end that thereby wee may expect an eternall retribution in Heaven it is manifestly declared that the lesse cautiously a secular person shall invade the inheritance of the Eternall King the more severely shall he be punished by him 6 These things being seriously considered we doe ordain decree and in the Name of the Omnipotent God and all his Saints we doe command all our Successours Kings Princes and all persons whatsoever of secular state that not any of them presume to usurp the Demeans or rights of any Church or Monastery which either by my self or any of my Predecessours in ancient times have been offred for a perpetuall inheritance to our Lord Iesus Christ to his Holy Apostles as likewise to the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of our Lord. 7. Great care moreover is to be observed according as is commanded in the Ecclesiasticall Canons that whensoever any Prelat Bishop Abbot or Abbesse shall dye intimation thereof be given to the Arch-bishop of that Province and with his counsell and consent let another be chosen whose life hath by examination been found to be pure and unblameable And without the advice and consent of the said Arch-bishop Let none be promoted For things of this nature doe not at all pertain to the command or disposition of the King 8. Now if any one either through ignorance or malice shall doe otherwise let his Election be voyd and himself deposed without delay Neither let secular King interpose their authority in the spiritual matters for it belongs not to them to ordain Ecclesiasticall persons but secular Princes Prefects and Officers Whereas to govern the Churches of God to constitute Abbots Abbesses Preists and Deacons to consecrate establish or depose such persons and to have a care that not any of our Lords sheep should wander from his flock all this belongs to the Office of the Metropolitan Bishop This our Precept we ordain shall be observed with regard of these Monasteries here named the Monastery of Saint Peter Prince of the Apostles called Vpminster Raculf Sudminster Dofras Folcanstan Hymminque Scepeys and Hor. We doe utterly forbid any lay-person whatsoever to usurp or take into his own possession any thing belonging to any of these Monasteries And let this Law in behalf of all the Churches of God in our Kingdom remain and be in force for ever for the eternall health of my own soule and the soules of my Predecessours and the hope of an everlasting Kingdom 9. We further add in this place the concession of a greater liberty to the Church In the first place let the whole Church of Canterbury with possessions thereto belonging and in like manner the Church of Rochester with her possessions and all the other foresaid Churches be subject to God For the salvation therefore oâ— mine own soule and my Predecessours and for the hope of an heavenly kingdom from this day hence forth we give and grant unto them that they be free from all difficulties of secular service from all provision to be given to the King Princes oâ— Counts likewise from all labours all greivances greater or lesser from all claims violence and censures of Kings Which liberty is to continue for ever except of their own free will and abundance they shall think good to contribute any thing Which if they doe such free contributions shall not oblige them for the future to the like nor advantage be made from them to bring in an ill custom But on the contrary let them remain in all security to the end they may offer to Almighty God worthy Sacrifices for us and by their immaculate Oblations wash away our sins that by their intercessions we may becom worthy to hear that happy Sentence Come ye blessed of my Father receive the Kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world 10. Now if any King hereafter to be raised to this Throne or any Bishop Abbott or Count or any other in authority shall attempt to contradict or infringe this Charter Let him know that he is sequestred from the Body and Blood of our Lord Iesus Christ and that he is so excommunicated that he is uncapable of remission of his sins in this world and the world to come except he first make full satisfaction according to the judgment of the Church 11. Let this our Writing irrefragably confirmed be kept and preserved for ever in the Church of our Saviour seated in the Citty of Canterbury where the Primat resides for an Example and Defence of all Churches in the Kingdom Let this Law remain unviolable to the end of the world For these Priviledges are not given to any earthly man for they are all granted and given into the hands of the Omnipotent God and all Saints 12. This is the tenour of the Charter made in this Assembly of the Clergy and Nobility of Kent To which are adioyned in order these subscriptions following †I Withred by the aid of Christ have subscribed to these Laws constituted by mee for my self for the Queen Werburga and our Son Alric †I Bertwald by the Grace of God Arch-bishop have subscribed to these Laws constituted by us †The sign of the hand of Ethelbart for himself and his Brother Eadbert †The sign oâ— the hand of Tobia Bishop †The sign of the hand of Etheldride Abbesse †The sign of the hand of Wilnolda Abbesse †The sign of the hand of Redemptus Preist †The sign of the hand of Bothred Bishop †The sign of the hand of Walch Prâ—â—st †The sign of the hand of Mildreda Abbesse †The sign of the hand of Aete
English as should come to the Citty and in which if any of them hapned to dye here they might be buried Thus writes the same Authour who in another place declares that Burrhed last King of the Mercians going in pilgrimage to Rome and there dying was after a Royall manner buried in the Church of the Blessed Virgin adioyning to the Schoole of the English 5 It is not easy to determin in what region of this Citty the said Schoole and Church were placed Severall of our Historians agree that it was the same which is to this day called the Hospitall of the English or the Hospitall of S. Thomas thus write Polydor Harpsfeild Parker c But other Authours mentioning the frequent conflagrations of it particularly Anastasiuâ— Biâ—bliothecarius in his description thereof about the year of Grace eight hundred twenty three shews that it was seated in the Suburbs near to the Church of S. Peter in that place which is now called the Borgo and anciently Saxia because a Colony of Saxons was sent thither by Charles the great 6. King Inas having thus provided for securing a perpetuall succession and propagation of the Faith among his countreymen presently retired himself to a quiet repose in contemplation He therefore in the expression oâ— William of Malmsbury cutt off his hair and cloathing himself with a vile plebeian habit spent the short remainder of his age in a secret retirement And how acceptable this last sacrifice of himself was to Almighty God he was pleased to shew by many miracles saith the same Authour Now that by this plebeian habit was meant a Monasticall one the generall consent of our Historians doe confirm For the cloathing of Religious persons at the beginning was the same with that of the ordinary meaner sort of people but fashions altering among secular persons and Religious men not changing hence it comes that they have a distinct peculiar habit nothing at all resembling the generall fashion of other men in the world 7. His life was not prolonged at Rome For in our Martyrologe he is recorded to have dyed this same year and his memory is celebrated among Saints on the seaventh of February Which does not well agree together For his arrivall at Rome and the orders taken for such buildings could not be effected so early in the year Yet that he did not passe through the following year may be collected from hence that being dead his Sacred Body was buried with great honour in the entrance of S. Peters Church by reason that the Church founded by him to the honour of the Blessed Virgin was not quite finished XX. CHAP. 1.2 Death of S. Willeic and of S. Engelmund a Martyr 3.4 Oswold rebells against King Ethelard and is expelled 5 6 c. Death of S Egbert 8.9 Osric King of the Northumbers dying the pious King Ceolulf succeeds 1. TO this same year is consigned the happy death of the Holy Preist and Disciple of S. Swibert S. Willeic of whom some what hath been sayd before Concerning him thus writes Miraeus in his Belgick Calendar S. Willeic was an assistant of the holy Bishop S. Swibert in the preaching of the Gospell and became a Canon of the Church of Vtrecht lately erected After S. Swiberts death he governed the Monastery of Werda the space of ten years with great commendasion and esteem He dyed this year and his Memory is celebrated among the Saints on the second of March 2. About the same time also dyed yet more happily because his life was sacrifised by Martyrdom the glorious Saint and câ—panion of S. Willebrord S. Engelmund who according to the same Authour imbueâ— with Evangelicall Doctrin the â—acavians and Kenemarians But in the Supplement to the Gallican Martyrologe a larger Elogy is â—iven oâ— him in this manner At Welsa in Holland on this one and twentieth day of Iune is celebrated the happy death of S. Engelmund Preist and Martyr He by Nation an Englishman was companion of S. Willebrord by command of Pope Sergius was ioynd in commission with him in his Apostolick Office in preaching converting of soules and working miracles among the Pâ—isons He was also Abbot and directour of many Religious persons which he assembled together to praise our Lord. At length being zealously vrgent to withdraw the Savage Nation of the Prisons from their horrible Superstitions and barbarous manners he for so great Charity incurred their hatred and furâ—ous persecution with which he was at last oppressed So crowning his Apostolick Office with a glorious Martyrdom 3. The year following the Kingdom and Churches of the West-Saxons were much disquieted by the restles ambition of a young Prince of the Royall family called Oswold who it seems in indignation that King Ina in resigning the Crown preferred his kinsman Ethelward or Adelhard before him thought by force to give it himself Concerning this tumult and the successe of it unhappy to the aggressour thus writes Henry of Huntingdon Adelhard King of the West-Saxons before the first year of his raign was expired fought a batel against Oswold a young man of the Royall stock who attempted to obtain the kingdom for himself But the young man not being able to bring equall forces into the feild having for some time born the burden of a furious combat at last being overpowred was forced to fly and quite abandon the kingdom By which means King Ethelward was firmly established therein 4. This worthy King to shew himself a deserving Successour of King Ina presently after extended his Royall magnificence to houses of piety and Religion particularly to the famous Monastery of Glastonbury the memory whereof the Antiquities of that place doe thus commend to posterity When Câ—ngisle was Abbot in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred twenty nine Ethelard King and Successour of Ina bestowed for a stable possession to the Religious family serving our Lord in the Monastery of Glastonbury sixty hâ—des of land in Pohonholâ— and twelve hydes in Thoric His Queen likewise named Fridogitha gave Brunant How this devout Queen nine years after this quitted her Royall state and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome where she consecrated herself to God wee shall shew hereafter 5. This year likewise dyed the most holy Abbot Egbert of whom frequent mention has been made This is he who in the year of Grace six hundred sixty four being mortally sick of the Pestilence was wonderfully restored to health and forsaking his Native countrey Brittany went into Ireland in the year six hundred and ninety where for his admirable piety he was in â—igh estimation and being desirous to expose himself to all incommodities and dangers for spreading the Faith in forrain countreys waâ— by Almighty God who designed him for another employment hindred Notwithstanding by his exhortations the glorious Saint Willebrord Sutbert and their companions undertook that most famous Apostolick Mission into Germany This likewise was he who thirteen years
England being the son of a Prince called Richard son to king Lothere as some affirm seems to have been placed in the third See though commonly in Writers he be called Bishop of Eystad 4. The year following Saint Boniface received an Answer to his Letter from Pope Zacharias wherein after expressing much ioy for the wonderfull successe of his preaching he 1. Confirms the three Bishopricks newly erected by him in Germany adding that he had sent to the three Bishops Epistles of Confirmation which they were to receive from his hands 2. Whereas Carloman Duke of the French had desired Saint Boniface to assemble a Synod in France and preside in it to correct the infinite disorders of the Clergy hapning by reason they had no Archbishop neither had any Synod been convoked there of fourscore years S. Boniface answered the Duke that Fâ—ance not being within the district of his Iurisdiction he had no authority without order from the Pope to call a Synod there Hereupon Pope Zacharias gives him authority to assemble a Synod and in his name to preside there 3. The speciall disorders which he would have rectified were to exclude from Preist-hood or if they were already Bishops or Preists to prohibiâ—e the exercises of their office to all such persons as were guilty of adultery or had had many wives or cohabited after they were Preists with the wives they formerly had or had shed the blood of any Christians or Pagans 4. Whereas Saint Boniface had petitioned for leave to constitute one who might be his Successour in his Archiepâ—scopall authority the Pope absolutely refused him as being contrary to Ecclesiasticall Canons Yet he permitts him at the hower of his death to design a Successour upon this condition notwithstanding that such his Successour shall repair to Rome and receive Ordination there and no where else 5. Whereas a certain person of quality had maried his Vncles wife who likewise formerly had been the wife of her cousen german and in his life time was separated from him and had received the Sacred Veyle of Religion and the New husband pretended but falsely that he had a dispensation for this Mariage from the the See Apostolick Pope Zacharias commands Saint Boniface that he should take order to dissolve so abominable a Matrimony telling him withall that he had sent a Commonitory Breif to the same purpose 6. To a certain admonition which Saint Boniface had sent to the Pope desiring him to prohibite certain Superstitions said to be practised at Rome near Saint Peters Church on New-years day or the night before at which time there were publickly in the streets dancing after a Pagan manner with loud acclamations neither would any one then out of a Heathenish Superstition lend his neighbour any thing out of his house not so much as fire and more over women wore about their arms and leggs ligatures phylacteries and superstitious knotts which also they made to sell to others that they observed auguries incantations c. All which superstitions caused great Scandall among the Germans who thought every thing to be lawfull which they saw or heard to be practised at Rome Hereto the Pope answered that indeed such things had been some times done at Rome but assoon as he was consecrated Pope he utterly forbad them as most detestable and pernicious practises commanding Saint Boniface to doe the like 7. Whereas certain Bishops or Preists formerly guilty of adultery and fornication pretended that they had a dispensation from the See Apostolick to exercise their charges notwithstanding the Pope bids Saint Boniface by no means to beleive them but to execute against them the rigour of the Canons 8. To conclude he tells him he had sent other Letters to Carloman desirâ—ng his assistance to him in the execution of these Ordonnances XI CHAP. 1.2 c A Synod at Ratisbon convoked by King Carloman in which S. Boniface presided 4. The Decrees of it confirmed by the Pope 5.6 c. S. Boniface his Letter to Câ—thbert Arch bishop of Canterbury taxing the disorders of the English 1. AFter the receit of these Letters the proceedings of S Boniface and his suâ—â—â—a an Bishops are thus described by Cardinall Baronius out of the Authour of Saint Bonifac'es Life At that time sayes he when the Noble Duke Charles Martel had finished the course of his life and his Sons Caroloman and Pipin had succeeded in his Government of which Caroloman as being the eldest disposed all publick affairs of the Kingdom S. Boniface went to him and presenting Pope Zacharias his Letters earnestly besought him for the Love of God the establishment of his Dominion and the salvation of his Subjects to advance the Orthodox Faith therein imitating the zeale of his Illustrious Father Vpon which request Caroloman as if he had received a command from heaven used his utmost endeavours to recall to the way of iustice and piety all persons Ecclesiasticks and Secular who had swerved from the duties to which Christian Religion obliged them for this purpose employing both his Kingly authority and the Ecclesiasticall likewise He commanded moreover a Synod to be assembled at Ratisbon by the prescript whereof all abuses should be corrected The Decrees of which Synod being full of edification doe here follow 2. In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ I Caroloman Duke and Prince of the French in the year after our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred forty two on the eleaventh day before the Calends of May have by the Counsell of the Servants of God and of my Nobles in the fear of Christ assembled to a Synod the Bishops which â—â—e in my Kingdom together with their Preists namely Boniface Arch-bishop Burchard Rinfrid Wittan and Willebrord Dadan and Adan with their Preists to the end they may give mee advice how the Law of God and Christian Religion which in our Predecessours days has been much dissipated may be restored and the Christian people hitherto seduced by false Preists may be brought back into the way of salvation Therefore by the counsell of the said Religious Prelats as likewise of my Nobles order has been taken for consecrating Prelats in our Citties over whom wee have constituted Arch-bishop Boniface who is Legat of the See Apostolick Wee have appointed likewise that every year a Synod be assembled in our presence for restoring the ancient Canons and Discipline of the Church and correcting abuses 3. More particularly wee command that restitution be made of all moneys fraudulently taken from Churches 2. Wee have deprived of all participation of Church-revenews all false Preists Deacons and other Clarks who have been adulters or fornicatours moreover degrading them and constraining them to Pennance 3. Wee have utterly forbidden all the Servants of God Ecclesiasticks to fight or wear arms yea or to be present in our Armies excepting only those who are purposely chosen for the Divine Ministery the Celebrating of Masse or carying Sacred Relicks that is one or two to attend the
this 〈◊〉 gave to the people the parings of his nayles and the hayr which fell from his head bidding tâ—em tâ— mingle those with the Relicks of S. Peter Yea hâ—â— presumption came to that point that whâ—â— any came and prostrated themselves at hâ—â— feet desirous to confesse their sins hâ— would tell â—hem I know all your sins already your very thoughts are not hid from mee therefore there is no need to confesse theâ— Goe home in peace have no doubt at all but your sins are pardond These and many other like marks of Pride and Hippocrisy did Adelbert shew in his habit gate gesture and behaviour 8. As for the other Heretick called Clement his Heresies did more openly destroy the common Faith of the Church He rejected all the Sacred Canons all the Writings of the Holy Fathers and all authority of Councills He would maintain that he might lawfully be a Catholick Bishop though he had two children born in adultery Yea he introduced Iudaism affirming that a Christian might without sin if he pleased mary his own Brothers Widow Moreover in opposition to the constans Doctrine of the Fathers he taught that Christ the son of God when he descended into Hell delivered out of that Infernall prison all without exception beleivers and infidells And many Heresies more he published touching Divine Predestination contrary to Catholick Faith 9. These things being made known to the Synod at Rome The Fathers unanimously deprived Adelbert of his Sacerdotall function condemning him to Pennance and in case he should afterward seduce any they pronounced Anathema against him and all that should adhere to him or his doctrines In like manner they deposed Clement and actually excommunicated him and whosoever should consent to his sacrilegious Opinions 10. Our late Zealous Reformers of Scotland may here discover with gratulation their prime Patriark who desirous to be an Apostle of a New pureâ—-Religion made the foundation of it to be a contempt of the Doctrines of Ancient Fathers and Sacred Canons of the Church And in the like unhappy attempt he will shoâ—tly be imitated by another Preist of the same Nation called Sampson who in despight of Sacred Tradition and the Vniversall practise of the Church denyed the necessity of Baptism asserting that by the simple Imposition of hands by a Bishop without Baptism one might be made a good Catholick Christian. 11. An account of all these Proceedings Pope Zacharias gave S. Boniface in a Letter requiring him to publish through Germany France the condemnation of these Hereticks He signifyed moreover that he confirmed all things which had passed in the Synod of Mentz ratifying the erection of that See to a Metropolitan dignity though he knew that many Schismaticall Preists in France did earnestly oppose themselves against it And whereas a request had been made to him from France that the Citty formerly called Agrippina but then Colonia might be erected to be a Metropolitan Church he signified his â—ssent but so that it should be subordinate to hâ—s See of Mentz He also intimated to him that in case a certain Seducer named Geoleob who formerly had usurped the name authority of a Bishop should present himself to him at Rome without his approbation he would treat him as he deserved And he enioynd likewise S. Boniface not to admitt any Bishops or Metropolitans confirmed by him at Rome except they brought Commendatory Letters from him XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. A Letter of Saint Boniface and the Synod of English Bishops at Mentz to the Mercian King Ethelbald reproving him for his incestuous lusts and Sacriledge 7. c. Another Letter of the same to Egbert Arch-bishop of York 1. NEither did S. Boniface's Christian Charity and Pastorall solicitude confine it self to Germany alone But he thought it his duty to give his best assistance to his Native countrey Brittany almost over-whelmd with a Sea of vices There King Ethelbald the most potent among the English-Saxon Princes had in a high manner offended God in a sacrilegious invasion of the rights and revenews of Churches within his Dominions of Mercia in offring violence to the chastity of Religious Virgins consecrated to God and many other crimes and there was a iust fear least such enormities in a King should become exemplary to his subjects and draw many to imitate them Therefore S. Boniface and his companions in this Synod of Mentz who were all Bishops of English race thought expedient to admonish the sayd King Ethelbald of his Duty as a Christian Prince by a Letter directed to him in the name of â—he whole Synod Which was likewise done by them 2. This Letter is still extant In which with a modest yet vigorous stile becoming an Apostolick Spirit they signifyed to hâ—m that publick fame having informed them that he had all his life abstaind from Mariage which if he had done out of the Love and fear of God and for chastities sake they should have much reioyced in it But they were told that he refused to take a lawfull wife and polluted himself in adulteries and unlawfull lusts not abstaining even from devout Virgins the Spouses of our Lord a sin so horrible that it is by God esteemed equall to Heathenish Idolatry Yea the ancient Pagan Saxons did so abhorr adultery that if any woman though unmaried were found guilty of it they would coÌ„pell her with her own hands to hang her self after her death they would consume body with fire and hang him who had corrupted her over her smoking ashes Or else they would cause a multitude of women to drive her out of their town with whips cutting all her garment away to her wast and lancing her body with knives and thus she would be entertaind by the women of the next village who would use the like rigour towards her till they dispatched her of her Life Now if Heathens have such a zeale for Matrimoniall Chastâ—ty how iealous will our Lord be of his Spouses contracted to him by Vow and how infinitly more heavy will the punishment be which he will inflict on their Sacrilegious corrupters 3. They adiured him moreover to consider that Gods fury will more feircely be inflamed against Kings who are guilty of unlawfull lusts because probably their subjects will imitate them by which means the whole Nation like Sodom will become polluted and thereby leave a posterity effeminated by lusts despised both by God and men and regardles even of their Faith An example whereof might be seen in the Nations in Spain Province and Burgundy which giving themselves to filthy luxury were forsaken by God who justly suffred the Saracens to come upon them and overcome them so that now they have lost all knowledge of God and their Holy Faith 4. Hereto they added another great Crime which publick fame made him guilty of which was breaking the Priviledges of Churches and Monasteries and invading their revenews â—n which abominable sin he was followed by his Nobles who sett
holy King extended the bounds of his banishâ—ment further and visitted the shrines of the Holy Apostles beyond the Alpes and afterwards retired himself into other uninhabited places to the end he might more freely there attend to God At length after a long continued exile after many internall combats after frequent and painfull suffrings by hunger thirst and cold all his conflicts ended in the Province of Italy and Citty of Lucca there he received his rewards thence his soule was received into heaven and his Sacred members were placed near the Body of S. Frigidianus in a Church dedicated to his honour where his glorâ— shines abroad by many miracles His Festivity 〈◊〉 solemnized on the seaventh day before the Ides of February 3. The observations made by the illustrious Cardinall Baronius in his Annals this year upon this Inscription particularly to disprove the Title of King of the English attributed to S. Richard doe not seem to mee concluding For though it be true that his name is not found in the Catalogue of the Saxon or English Kings that is no sufficieÌ„t proof against him Since wee read very many examples or the like So in S. Beda mentioned is made of Edilward son of Oswald King of the Dierâ— likewise of Elbuin and of Osri King of the Wiccians And Cissa in his Charter in Harpsfeild calls himself King of the West-Saxons S. Boniface also mentions Sâ—gâ—â—ald King of the same Province and Ina a King called Balred Lastly in the Life of S. Botulph wee read of one Ethelmunâ— King of the South-Saxons yet not the name of any of these appear in the Catalogues oâ— the Kings of those severall Kingdoms And whereas he affirms that Philip of Eyslat a German is the first Authour who gives the Title of King to S. Richard it is a mistake For Wolfhard an Authour much more ancient who lived in the next Century to this and with great fidelity wrote the Life of Saint Walburga affords him the same Title and Stuartius in his Notes upon the same Life affirms that all Authours almost with one consent make him a King of England insomuch as none in his sound witts will deny it And indeed hereto agree the Roman Martyrologe Philip Bishop of Eystat Trithemius Molanus Yepes Gualter and very many others Yea Gretser in his observations on the Life of Saint Wilibald son to this Saint Richard prooves by many arguments the same as from common Tradition from ordinary Images of him from severall Missals Breviaries and Authours Notwithstanding that he did not actually at least not long enioy this Title and power may be granted Now the right which he had thereto may be shewed out of our Ancient Monuments 4. For wee have before declared how Lothere King of Kent succeeded to his Brother Egbert to the prejudice of his Brothers son Edric And after eleaven years raign being dispossessed and slain his son was also debarred the Succession never mounted the Throne Now this Prince Richard according to the opinion of some Writers and particularly of the learned Annalist R.F. Alford was that disinherited son of Lothere who content with the security and sweetnes of a private Life never sought nor desired soveraignty though iustly due to him 5. But more probable it is that this Richard was a King of the West-Saxons immediately after King Ina. For though Ethelard be the the onely King named his Successour Yet Saint Beda sayes expressely that King Ina left his Kingdom to severall young Princes among whoÌ„ this S. Richard probably was one This is confirmed by what we read in the life of this Prince that he recommended his children Winnebald and Willebald to S. Boniface because he was of his kingdom Now it is certain that S. Boniface was born at Kirton near Exceter in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons But Ethelard being a Prince of high spirits seems to have excluded the rest and S. Richard whose ambition lay another and better way was willing to employ his thoughts and endeavours in pursuing the hopes of an Eternall Kingdom to be obtained by peaceablenes and neglect of temporall Glory 6. And God was pleased to reward this his love with a far greater Blessing in giving him three children worthy of eternall memory S. Willibald S. Winibald and S. Walburga These three children in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five were sent by their Father to S. Boniface in Germany because he was born in his kingdom as the Authour of S Richards Life writes twenty years before the said S. Boniface was Arch-bishop of Mentz neither did their Father accompany them at that time as the Authour of the Inscription mistaking writes But severall years after followed them thither out of a desire to enioy their happy conversation and end his Life in the society of so many Saints Notwithstanding out of a Motive of Devotion very fashionable in that age he undertook a Pilgrimage in a mean habit to visit the Shrines of the Blessed Apostles at Rome After which in his return this year through Etruria or Tuscany God was pleased in the Citty of Lucca to putt an end to his iourney and restore to him with advantage a heavenly Crown And we are obliged to that Noble Citty for preserving his Memory in so Noble a Monument His name is both in the Roman and English Martyrologe recited among the Saints on the seaventh of February Where likewise he is stiled S. Richard King of the English because perhaps he had a right though never any possession of the Kingdom 7. The same year dyed the Holy Virgin Tecla Abbesse of the Monastery of Kirzengen at Ochnafort in Germany for so doe the Centuriators of Magdeburg stile the place And write concerning her and her holy companions in this manner This age or Century likewise had women famous for their learning some of which Boniface sent for out of England into Germany to preach the Gospell namely Chunitâ—ude Tecla Lioba Waldoburga Chunilda and Beragytha We doe indeed acknowledge that these Holy Virgins were sent for out of England into Germany but not to be Preachers It is no Catholick custom to make women overseers and disposers of Ecclesiasticall matters The end for which they were invited out of England was indeed to teach German Virgins the Instituts of a Religious Conversation As touching S. Tecla in particular she had her devout education in the Monastery of Winborn wherein she proffited so well that S. Boniface thought her fitt to teach others what she had so well learnt and to govern others having been so perfect in Obedience her self This Office after she had piously and diligently exercised fifteen years she was called to the embraces of her heavenly Bridegroom on the fifteenth day of October on which day she is commemorated among the Saints in the Roman Martyrologe 8. Our Martyrologe likewise mentions a certain English man a Bishop called German who went over Sea to preach
the Gospell to the Brabanters and Frisons Which Office having performed in an Apostolick manner he received an Apostolick reward which was a Crown of Martyrdom this year Rosâ—eydâ—s a learned Iesuit mentions him in the Calendar on the second of May. Whether this were a person distinct from him who was Brother to S. Ediltrudis is uncertain Concerning whom William of Malmsbury makes mention saying In the Church of S. Edmundsbury these lye the Bodies of two Saints German and Botulf whose Gests I cannot find in the Antiquities of that Church nor any where else Only this I find of them that the former was Brother to Saint Etheldritha and the second a Bishop XXIII CHAP. 1.2 Edilhun a Valiane Consul rebells against the King of the West Saxons and is subdued 3.4 The King of the Northumbers persecutes a holy Bishop 1. THE same year there were commotions both in the Western and Northern Provinces of our Island For in the West-Saxons Kingdom as Huntingdon relates Cuthred in the eleaventh year of his Raign fought a furious combat against Edelhun a Noble man Consulem of a most bold courage Who raising a sedition against his Lord and both their Armies meeting in the feild though Edilhun was far inferiour to the King in number of soldiers yet he maintaind the combat a long time with admirable courage for his single valour supplied the place of many bands of soldiers And when the victory was ready to declare it self for him an unfortunat wound peircing his body made the Kings iust cause to triumph over his perjury and infidelity 2. Edelhun with the blood issuing out of this wound expelled likewise Pride and contumacy out of his heart So that voluntarily submitting himself to his King and repenting his rebellious Treason he not only found pardon but was admitted into his Lords favour and freindship 3. But in the Kingdom of the Northumbeâ—s wee find a vertuous King persecuting a worthy Bishop and another innocent person and what the offence or provocation was not any of our Historians mention The Story is thus breifly touched by Mathew of Westminster and Hoveden Eadbert or Egbert King of the Northumbers took Renulphus Bishop of Lindesfarn Prisoner and lead him Captive into the Citty called Bebba where he was cast into chains in that state remained a long time Likewise he commanded the Church of S. Peter in Lindesfarn to be besieged The motive of which siege is further declared by the same Houeden saying Offo the son of Alfred an innocent young man was compelled for avoyding the fury of King Eadbert to seek sanctuary at the Relicks of the Holy Bishop S. Cuthbert where he remained till being almost starved to death by famin he was without armes taken out from thence As touching the Citty where the said Bishop was so straitly imprisoned and which in this Narration is called Bebba it is seated in the Province of Northumberland near the Isle of Farne and is at this day called Bamborow 4 Now though wee find expressed in no Historian the cause of the Kings displeasure against the said Bishop yet wee may perhaps probably collect it from other actions of the same King performed this year To which purpose the Authaur of the Epitome at the end of S. Beda's History relates how King Eadbert this same year by force annexed to his Dominions the territory of Cyel with other regions Now this Territory at this day called Keile or Coyle was possessed by the Scotts and was seated at the Frith of Cluid Glottae aestuarium where the Citty Alcuit and the Castle now called Dunbritton lyes Notwitstanding since the King of the Northumbers pretended to all the right which the Romans formerly enioyed in those parts which extended as far as the said Frith King Eadbert might think he had iust cause to recover it Now it is probable that the pious Bishop Renulf opposed the Kings ambition and avarice and so incurred his displeasure XXIV CHAP. 1.2 c. Pope Zacharias resolves severall Doubts of S. Boniface c. 1. THE following year nothing occurrs to furnish our History either in the Ecclesiasticall or Civill state of Brittany but only the death of two Bishops in the Kingdom of the Mâ—rcians of Witta Bishop of Lichfeâ—ld to whom succeeded Hemel And of Alwy Bishop of the Lindesfari whose place was supplied by Aldulf 2. But in Germany S. Boniface affords sufficient matter For he this year sent Lul or Lullo in a message to Pope Zacharias to desire of him a resolution of certain difficulties occurring in his Province and also a confirmation and Priviledges to his Archiepiscopall See of Mentz and his new founded Monastery of Fulda 3. As touching the Doubts proposed to the said Pope the Resolution of them is found in his Answer where he tells him 1. That he could not condemn him for refusing to communicate with the French Bishops who refused to keep the Promises made by them 2. That Christians ought to abstain from eating the flesh of Choughs Crows Storks and much more of wild horses 3. That the Roman Rite was upon Maundy Thursday after the making of Chrism to cause three Lamps to be lighted capacious enough to burn three days that upon Saturday the Vigil of Easter other Lamps to be lighted froÌ„ thence for the ceremony of blessing the Font. As for the making use of fires taken from burning glasses they had no such Tradition at Rome 4. Concerning such as had the falling-sicknes if it came from their birth they were not to be admitted into the Church for fear of infecting others But the same rigour was not to be used to such as had it afterwards those might be admitted to the Communion yet so as that they must come when all others had communicated 5. That there was no prohibition for Religious Virgins to wash one anothers feet as well as men 6. That it is more congruous not to admitt to Preisthood any till they be of good years and such as have a good testimony and that the age prescribed by Canons is thirty years Notwithstanding in case of want and necessity such may be taken as have passed five and twenty 7. As touching the Question how long men are to stay from eating Lard after the beast is skilld this was not found in Tradition yet his counsell was not to eat of it till it had been dryed well in smoke and then boyld Yet in case any desired to eat it unboyld let him at least abstain till after Easter 8. That concerning the revenews of the Church he need to make no scruple to require a shilling of every house solidum de casa and that would suffise 9. That in case any had been received into the Clergy who at their Ordination had conceald such Capitall sins as they had formerly been guilty of and such sins came afterward to be discovered such were to be deprived and condemned to Pennance 10. That in
place to succeed nothing but tumults rage and treasons His young son Osulf to whom he had surrendred the kingdom in the space of one year saith Hoveden held it and lost it For on the ninth day before the Calends of August the year after his Father had instituted him in it he was impiously slain by his own family His tender age and innocence rendring him obnoxious and exposed to treachery His Successour was his Vncle Edilwald sirnamed Mul or Mollo mentioned before who is sayd to have contributed to his Nephews murder And though he was a man of great courage and prudence yet he found there could be no security in power obtaind by crimes for not long after he likewise came to a tragicall end 2. But among the Mercians a far more prosperous fate attended the new King Offa who had driven the Tyrant Beorâ—red out of the kingdom and was by the unanimous consent of the people placed in his Throne which he held the space of thirty nine years His Royall descent is thus described by Huntingdon The most Noble Prince Offa saith he was the son of Wingferd the son of Eanulf the son of Osmod the son of Epus the son of Wippa the son of Creada the son of Kinewal the son of Knibba the son of Icel the son of Eomer the son of Agelthen the son of Offa the son of Weremond the son of Withald the son of Woden Mathew of Westminster stops not here in his Genealogy but goes on till he brings him up to Adam 3. As for Mathew a Monk of Saint Albans his fictions either contrived or beleived by him wee will neglect who out of a partiall affection to Offa the founder of his Monastery recounts how he being the only son of his Father was born blind and dumb for which cause he was at first called Pinered But afterward God miraculously restored his sight and gave liberty to his tongue moreover bestowing on him a beautifull wife happy children and great triumphs over his enemies In acknowledgment for which blessings he founded the said Monastery 4. As soon as King Offa was crownd and established in his Throne saith Mathew Paris peace and prosperity flourishd again among the Mercians the people were eased of their former pressures the Regal Blood was restored Laws for publick tranquillity were enacted and the Nobles formerly banished out of the Kingdom by Beornred were recalled 5. We shall have occasion very frequently to treat of the actions of this Noble King Therefore at present we will only adioyn the Character in generall given to him by William of Malmsbury King Offa saith he the great grand child of Penda was a man of mighty courage and magnanimity who resolutely undertook whatsoever design he once conceived in his mind and he raigned the space of nine and thirty years When I revolve in my mind his Gests in which there was great variety I am in great doubt whether I should recken him among the Good or evill Kings such an interchangeable vicissitude there was of vertues and vices in him who like another Proteus was always changing his form and features VI. CHAP. 1.2.3 Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying gave order that his body should be buried in the Archiepiscopall Church to the prejudice of Saint Augustins Monastery 4. Bregwin succeeds him 5.6 S. Eadburga Abbesse Six Saints of the same name 1. THE same year Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See seaventeen years dyed When he was ready to dye saith William of Malmsbury he commanded his servants to bury him privatly in his Archiepiscopall Church which was built within the walls of the Citty And because the Monks of S. Augustin whose Monastery was seated without the said Citty by an Ancient custom which they were stubboraly constant to observe did challenge as their vndoubted right that the Bodies of the Arch-bishops should be buried in their Church in so much as they would probably endeavour even by violence to take away with them his Body after he was dead therfore he enioynd his family as soon as he was dead to abstain from any noise in bewayling his death both in the Citty and Palace so that no notice of his death being given abroad there might be no concourse of people and by that means they might without disturbance bury him in the Archiepiscopall Church and not apprehend any danger that the Monks would take him out of the ground when they should perceive how they had been overreached by cunning 2. But B. Godwin relates that the Tradition was that the Body of Arch-bishop Cuthbert was not buried in the Archiepiscopall Church it self called Christ-Church but in another lesser Church seated near it and dedicated to S. Iohn which he had built on purpose for baptizing infants and which both himself and his successours vsed in their life time for a Consistory and for a place of buriall after they were dead Moreover that this Church in after ages having been consumed by fire together with the Cathedrall Church was never after rebuilt 3. The motive inducing the Arch-bishop to make this change was in the iudgment of Sir Henry Spelman a kind of indignation that his Cathedrall Church should be deprived of the honour of being a sepulcher of eminent persons and particularly of Arch-bishops who had performed all Episcopall duties in it Therefore in as much as till that time there had no buriall places been permitted within Citties he had recourse to the Pope for a dispensation from that obligation and to the King for a change of the place of buriall both for Arch-bishops and Kings Notwithstanding if the foregoing relation be true what need was there of that subtilty to circumvent the Augustinian Monks who doubtlesse would not have had the boldnes to contradict the Orders both of the Pope and King 4. The year following there was substituted to Cuthbert in the Archiepiscopall See Bregwin who was consecrated on the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel This Bregwin according as we read in the Antiquities of Brittany was born in old Saxony of noble parents After he had passed his childhood he betook himself to the study of sacred learning to which he had so great an affection that for advantaging himself in his studies he passed over into Brittany quite forsaking his native soile After some abode in Brittany he was for his modesty and vertue so much in generall esteem and favour that he had the priviledge of naturalization And he made so great progresse in sacred knowledge that he alone was esteemed worthy to be the successour to Cuthbert in the Archbishoprick After which he did so excell in all good works that not any in his time approached within many degrees to him 5. At that time the Holy Virgin and Abbesse Eadburga sirnamed Buggan also dyed It is no wonder there should be some confusion in Writers touching her and other Saints of
A particular reason why her veneration is great in that Citty is given by Miraeus Because saith he it is a constant Tradition of that Church that this same holy Virgin in her way from England into Germany made some abode in Antwerp And to this day there is seen in the most ancient Church of that Citty a certain Grott in which she was wont to pray for which reason the same Church formerly called the Castle Church was afterward by our Ancestours dignifyed with the Title of S Walburgis And indeed before the receiving of the Roman Office there the same Church was accustomed to celebrate the memory of S. Walburgis as their peculiar Patronesse four times every year but since that time they keep her Feast but once 7. It is very probable that this Holy Virgiâ— was entertained for some time at Antwerp by the Disciples of S. Willebrord as being of the same Countrey For it appears by the Testament of the same Holy Bishop that he possessed to his death the Church built in the Castle of Antwerp near the River Scald together with a third part of the custom or tribute belonging to it as we have before declared 8. The same Authour adds that in the forementioned vault of that Church there is preserved a part of S. Walburga's â—awbone which saith he in the year of Christ sixteen hundred and fifteen was visited and reverently kissed by the pious Archdukes Albert and Isabella XIV CHAP. 1.2 Succession of Bishops 3. The Northumbers rebellious 4.5 King Offa's victory over the West-Saxons 1. PEctwin the Bishop of Witern or Candida casa dying in the year of Christ seaven hundred seaventy seaven after he had administred the same See seaven years there was substituted in his place Ethelbert who twelve years after was translated to the See of Hagustald 2. The year following in the place of Ethelmod Bishop of Shirborn Denefrit was ordained in the same See Of these two Bishops saith B. Godwin besides their names I can find nothing in our Ecclesiasticall monuments 3. The Northumbers still persist in their seditious tumults For Ethelred whom they had five years before this placed in the throne out of which they had eiected Alred they now also drive into exile or as some write detain iâ— prison and in his place substitute Alfwold The principall movers of this sedition were two great Northuusbrian Dukes concerning whom Mathew or Westminster thus writes Ethelwald and Herebert saith he who were Dukes in the kingdom of the Northumbers rebelled against their King and at a place called Kings-clive they slew Ealdulf who was Generall of King Ethelreds army and a while after the same Dukes in a great battell slew two other Generalls of the same King Kenulf and Eggen As for King Ethelred he was forced to fly out of the Kingdom in whose place they constituted Alfwold King a Prince of great piety and iustice who raigned ten years After which time Ethelred was again restored 4. In the Western parts likewise there arose great commotions For anciently the West-Saxon kingdoÌ„ had extended as far as Oxfordshire Where among other strong places a Castle had been built at a place anciently called Bensigetun now Benson But Offa king of the Mercians unwilling any longer to suffer his neighbour Prince to enioy such an advantage to incommodate his countrey raised an Army and besieged the said Castle To raise this siege Kenulf King of the West-Saxons approached with other forces So that they came to a battell In which Kenulf was defeated and compelled to fly By which means King Offa took and possessed the Castle This was the only misfortune which hitherto had befalln Kenulf who was a Prince renowned both for his vertues and warlick exploits But after this continuall calamities oppressed him till his death which was also very unhappy 5. Kenulf after this defeat endeavoured by the assistance of the Brittainâ— to repair his losses But Offa to prevent the entercourse between the West-Saxons and Brittains caused a mighty trench for the space of ninety miles between the Rivers Dee Deva and Wey Vaga to be made which though it was the occasion of many contentions yet in them all Offa had the advantage XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. Miraculous Iudgments of God against the Pagan blasphemers of Saint Swibert and Sacrilegious destroyers of his Church and Monastery at Werda 9.10 c The Writer of that Narration is Saint Ludger whose Holines together with the Doctrine of the Veneration of Saints is asserted 1. WHilst these troubles afflicted Brittany Almighty God in Germany fought for the defence of the Faith planted there by the English-Saxons miraculously punishing the Sacriledge committed by the Saxons and Westphalian Pagans against the Monastery or Werda built by his servant S. Swibert as we find written in an Epistle of S. Ludger Bishop of Munster written to Rixfrid Bishop of Vtrecht 2. Whilst the glorious King of the French Charles sirnamed the Great was fighting in the Southern parts of France against the Saracens then raigning in Spain the feirce and perfidious Saxons and Westphalians iudging this to be a fitt time to revenge themselves of the losses which they had formerly suffred from the Christians raised a mighty army with which they wasted all the countreys as far as the Rhene expressing their raâ—e principally against the Churches of God and sparing neither sexe nor age With this fury they came to Werda where was the Church of S. Swibert There they utterly destroyed and burnt to the ground both the Town and Church all the inhabitants and Preists they killed which had not escaped by flight and all the Sacred Books and ornaments they burnt Only the Sacred Body of S. Swibert was preserved from their fury though with all possible diligence they made search for it Yea many of those Saxons who were Christians had a desire to expresse their hatred against this Holy Bishop because many years before this by his intercession the French had gaind a memorable victory against them 3. In this detestable Army there was not any one so execrable in his malice and cruelty as a certain Officer called Ogell Osterbach of Paderborn This man was the principall instrument of the Devill in all mischeifs committed in which he took excessive pleasure And particularly he it was who with great labour and diligence heaped wood for burning the said Church which with much adoe at last by Gods permission he performed 4. After he had among many other abominable actions executed this being at dinner with his companions in a meadow adioyning to the same place he with great ioy and triumph recited to them what he had done particularly insulting upon S. Swibert the Protectour of the French and blaspheming God But behold in the middst of his laughter and ioy the heavy wrath of God came upon him so that he fell backward before them all upon the plain ground and broke his neck by this horrible
into the Church where having received the Body of our Lord he gave up his spirit to him looking towards the Altar His Memory is celebrated on the twenty fifth of August 5. As touching his Successour Albericus he was by birth an Englishman and is named in the Gallican Martyrologe with this elogy On the one and twentieth of August is celebrated at Vtrecht the deposiâ—ion of S Albertâ— Biâ—hop of the same Citty anâ— Confessour He was born in Brittany in the Diocese of York from whence he came into Germany to preach the Gospell and for his excellent endoâ—ments in piety and eminent learning he was made Canon of the Church of Vtrecht Afterward when S. Gregory through weaknes and old age was disabled to administer the same See S. Alberic was appointed a diâ—â—enser of the whole Diocese to govern both the Clergy and people and S. Gregory himself by inspiration of the Holy Ghost foretold that he should â—ucceeâ—â—im in the Bishoprick Therefore after the Holy Bishop was freed from the chains of his flesh S. Aâ—â—eric was according to the desires of all exalted to his Epiâ—â—copall throne After which not contentinâ— himself with the solicitudes of his particular Diocese and Province he extended his care to the adiacent regions and sent S. Ludger who was afterward Bishop of Munster into the countrey of the Frisons there to spread the Gospell aâ—d root out Idolatrous superstitions At lâ—nâ—th after he had governed the Church of Vtrecht many years with admirable Sanctity this blessed servant of God who was wholly celestiall forsook the earth to which his heart never had been fixed and departed to his heavenly countrey He was honourablâ— buâ—ied near to his holy Predecessour accompany 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 in his Tomb and reward whom he has always fâ—llowed in order and merit XX. CHAP. 1.2 Succession of Bishops in England 3.4 c. The unhappy death of Kenulphus King of the West Saxons 6. Brithric succeeds him 7. Of Rictritha a Holy Queen and Abbesse 1. AT the same time in Brittany the Episcopall See of London being vacant by the voluntary resignation of Kenwalch as it is sayd it was supplied by Eanbald or Eadberch And after the death of Edbert Bishop of Leicester Vnwona was ordaind in his place 2. The year next following the two Bishops of the East-Angles dye again together and to Eadred Bishop of Dumwich succeeded Alphun to Hunfert Bishop of Helmham Bibba And within two years both these agree to dye together and to leave their Sees to new Bishops 3. This was the last year of the Raign of Kenulf King of the West-Saxons a Prince who had given many examples of vertue and piety but yet ended his life unhappily The length of his raign and circumstances of his death are thus declared by William of Malmsbury Kenulf says he was a Prince illustrious both for his vertues and warlick exploits In one only battell which in the four and twentieth year of his raign he fought against Offa King of the Mercians he was overcome And after that he was afflicted with many calamities and in conclusion came to a dishonourable and unhappy end For after he had governed the kingdom of the West-Saxons the space of one and thirty years neither cowardly nor immodestly at last whether it was out of a proud confidence that none durst resist him or out of a provident care of the security of his Successour he commanded Kineard the Brother of the Tyrant Sigebert whom he saw to encrease dayly in power and wealth to depart his kingdom Kineard iudging it best to yeild to the tempest went away with a shew of willingnes But presently after by private meetings and unsinuations he assembled a body of men given to all manner of villany with which he watched an opportunity against the King And having been informed that he was for his recreation and lustfull pleasure retired with a small retinue into a certain countrey dwelling he came suddenly upon him with some light armed soldiers and encompassed the house where the King was securely attending to his unlawfull luxury Who perceiving the danger he was in advised with his servants what he should doe At first he barricadoed the dores hoping either by fair speches to winn or by threatnings to terrify the soldiers without But finding neither way to succeed in a furious rage he suddenly leaps forth upon Kineard and wanted very little of killing him But being compassed by the multitude and thinking it inglorious to fly after he had well avenged himself by the death of many of the Traytours he was slain And those few servants with attended him scorning to yeild and earnest to avenge their Lord were killd likewise 4. Presently the fame of so execrable a Tragedy was spread abroad and came to the knowledge of certain Noble men not far distant with the Kings Guards Among whom Osric who was most eminent both for age and prudence encouraged the rest not to suffer the death of their Prince to passe unrevenged to their perpetuall infamy Whereupon they all drew their swords and rushed upon the trayterous murderers Kineard at first endeavoured to iustify his cause to promise great matters and to challenge kinred But when all this proffited nothing then he inflam'd the minds of his companions and fellow soldiers to resist boldly A good while the combat was doubtfull one side fighting for their lives and the other for glory At last victory having a good space hovered uncertainly turned her self to the iuster cause So that wretched Traytour after a courageous but vain resistance left his life having enioyed the successe of his treachery a very short time The Kings body was caried to Winchester where it was buried in a Monastery in those times very magnificent but in this age almost desolate 5. Other Historians mention the name of the village where King Kenulf was thus unfortunatly slain Thus Florentius writes It hapned saith he that Kenulf at that time went to a certain village which in the English tongue is called Meretum for a certain wanton womans sake c. This village is in the Province of Surrey and is now called Merton of old saith Camden famous for the fatall end of the West-Saxons 6. There remaind in that Kingdom two Princes of the Royall family which might pretend to the succession Brithric and Egbert Brithric was preferred perhaps for his mild and modest disposition For he was a man more studious of peace then war he was skilfull in reconciling freinds when dissenting forraign Princes he civilly courted and was indulgent to his own servants yet so as not to prejudice the vigour of his government 7. As for Egbert he was to attend sixteen years before the scepter would fall to his lott Which having once gott he managed it gloriously for he it was who dissolved all the petty governments and reduced the whole kingdome into a Monarchy as it has ever since continued and moreover obliged all
there arrived three ships of Daâ—es in Brittany who came only to â—obb and spoile Which the Governour of that Province where they landed knowing he went with too much negligence and security to meet them intending to apprehend them and lead them captives to the Kings Court This he did not well informing himself who and how many they were nor for what cause they were come Therefore unadvisedly falling in among them he was slain This was the first Englishman which the Danes slew but afterward many thousands suffred the like fate And these were the first Danish ships which aborded in England 3 The same year two new Bishops were according to custom together consecrated in the Kingdom of the East-Angles Tâ—dfred to the Church of Dumwich and Alherd to that of Helmham And about the same time Wulfhard succeeded to Vtel in the See of Hereford These were the first Bishops consecrated by the late ordained Metropolitan of Lichfeild 4. We read among the Antiquities of S. Denys in France compiled by a Monk of the same Monastery a certain Charter in which the Authour of it Berthwald a Duke in the Kingdom of the South-Saxons in Brittany relates how having falln into a disease iudged by Physicians incurable he had been informed that in France at the Monastery of Saint Dionysius S. Rusticus and Saint Eleutherius of which the Venerable Florad was Abbot many miraculous cures were wrought by the intercession of the said Saints Whereupon having demanded and obtained leave of King Charles he went thither And there after he had for the space of a very few dayes lyen sick he was restored to perfect health through Gods mercy obtained by the intercession of those Blessed Saints Therefore according to a Vow which he had made to God and the said Saints some Relicks of whom he brought back into Brittany he built a Church dedicated to their honour at a Mansion house of his seated in a village called Kâ—â—reseld upon the River Saford in a territory called Cutfesta in which lyeth the Citty of Chichester For the maintaining of the Monks belonging to the said Church he by the consent of his Brother Eadbald gave the same Village with all its dependencies and moreover the benefit of the two havens near adioyning Hastings and Pevensel with the Salâ—pits c. that they might pray for his soule This Charter was accepted by a Monk called Deodatus in the name of the said Saints Dionysius c. 5. This donation made by Duke Berthwald to the Monastery of S. Denys in France was confirmed by a Charter of King Offa dated the second year following In which Charter there is likewise a ratification of another Donation to the same Monastery by two Brethren Agonowaâ—a and Sigren oâ— certain lands seated in a haven caâ—led Lundonwic To which the said King likewise adds a gift of all the rents and customs due to himself out of the same Haven and land And this at the Petition of Maginarius Abbot of S. Denys who sent a Monk of his called Nadetharius to receive in his Abbots name this Charter from the Kings hands And Subscribers thereto are King Offa Higbert Arch-bishop of Lichfeild Kinidred the Queen Vnwona a Bishop and others 6. In the next Century likewise upon occasion of a complaint made by the Abbot of S. Denys to Ethelwolf Monarch of the English of iniuries done by a certain Officer of the King called Togred to the Tenants of that Monastery in Ridrefeld in the Havens Saltpits c. the said King renewed a confirmation of the foresaid Donation and Charter The like did also King Edgar upon such a complaint above a hundred years after that XXVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of S. Lullo Arch-bishop of Mentz 6. The sudden and happy death of S. Witta Bishop and Abbot 7.8 c. The Blessed death of Saint Lullo 10. S. wille hade first Bishop of Bremen 1. IN the same year dyed S. Lul or Lullo the Successour of S. Boniface in the Archbishoprik of Mentz His parents were Noble for he was kinseman to Kineard Bishop of Winchester and as some write to S. Boniface He was educated in the Monastery of Malmsbury Maldubia When he was Deacon he went over into Germany with other Apostolick Preists in the year of Christ seaven hundred twenty five at the invitation of S. Boniface by whom he was ordained Preist and employed in the great charge of preaching to the Pagans in Hassia and Thuringia Afterward he was sent to Rome to procure the erection of the Church of Mentz into a Metropolitan See as likewise Priviledges to the Monastery of Fulda which he easily obtained 2. When S. Boniface undertook his last iourney into the countrey of the Frisons where he was martyrd he obtained permission to consecrate S. Lullo his Successour in the See of Mentz as hath been declared and withall recommended him to the protection and favour of King Pipin and other Princes and least they should forget this recommendation he wrote to a certain Preist named Fulrad Chaplain to King Pipin desiring him earnestly to take him into his care in which Epistle he gave S. Lullo this Character which shewd his esteem and particular affection to him I desire you saith he and in the name of God doe earnestly beseech you that you will so order matters that my Son and Fellow-bishop Lul may be constituted in a power to compose the affairs of the People and Churches and be made a Teacher of Preists And I confidently hope through Gods grace that the Preists will find in him a Master the Monks a Regular Doctour and the people a faithfull Preacher and Pastour 3. S. Lullo worthily made good this commendation given of him by his Master for assoon as he was gone he in person visited his Province teaching exhorting and correcting all abuses But shortly hearing of the Martyrdom of his dear Father he did not so wholly â—eild to greif for his losse but that he employd his thoughts how to honour his Memory And therefore calling his Clergy together he attended by a great multitude of Ecclesiasticks and Nobles also went to the place where the Holy Bishop had been martyred and with great solemnity singing of Psalms and lighted torches he brought the Sacred Body to Mentz where he earnestly desired it might be buried in the Archiepiscopall Church founded by him But herein he was strongly opposed by S. Sturmis Abbot of Fulda who bid him call to mind that the last words almost which he had spoken to S. Lullo himself were a command that his body should repose in his Monastery of Fulda Hereto S. Lullo was compelled to yeild but yet the love incomparable respect which He bore to the memory of his dear Master kindled in his heart such a passionate displeasure against S. Sturmis for depriving him of so beloved and so sacred a pledge that he scarce ever ceased afterward to doe him any dispâ—easure and even to persecute him
thinking himself as yet secure to confirm his kingdom yet more strongly sought the freindship and association of Offa King of the Mercians the most powerfull of all the English Saxon Princes at this time And to knitt more strictly the league between them he demanded his daughter named Elfleda for his wife which he likewise obtained having cast off his former wife But that which he contrived for his security was the occasion of his ruine for his Subiects abhorting such impiety deprived him of his kingdom and afterwards of his life And with him ended the Nortumbrian Kingdom though the Name of King was given to some few others Notwithstanding by the invasion and horrible depopulation made by the barbarous Danes those Titular Kings of the English blood were scarce taken notice of by any III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests and happy death of Saint Burchard Bishop of Wirtzburg 10.11 c. Likewise of his Suceessour Saint Megingand 1. THE same year in which Ethelard was assumed to the Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury is marked with the death of two English Apostolick Bishops in Germany S. Burchard and S. Willehade the former Bishop of Wirtzburg and the other of Bremen 2. The Life of S. Burchard has been written by Egilward a Monk of his own Monastery near Wirtzburg as Trithemius testifies Some affirm saith that Authour that S. Burchard and S. Swithun concerning whom we will treat in the next Century were brethren born of Noble parents in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons in Brittany and that they were kinsmen to S. Boniface Certain it is that S. Burchard was one of those who were called out of Brittany in the year of Christ seaven hundred twenty five to assist S. Boniface in his Apostolick Office in Germany 3. Assoon as S. Burchard was arrived there S. Boniface destined to him in a propheticall manner the flock of Christ which had been gathered by S. Kilian and his companions and for which they had suffred Martyrdom But to fitt him for so high an employment he lived some years in the society of severall devout and learned Preists under the Conduct of S. Boniface After which S. Boniface ioyning to his own Letters also written by King Pipin to Pope Zacharias requested that the Citty of Wirtzburg might be erected to an Episcopall See To which request the Pope easily condescended after he had been informed that the said Church was endowd by S. Boniface himself with sufficient revenews to sustain the necessities of the poor as well as of the Clergy And upon the testimony given by S. Boniface S. Burchard his Disciple was consecrated the first Bishop of that Episcopall See 4. These things being happily effected at Rome Saint Boniface conducting his now fellow Bishop to Wirtzburg recommended him to his flock by whom he was most ioyfully received At which time the bounds of the said Diocese were limitted And S. Burchard being left in his New See omitted no duty of a worthy Prelat being assiduous in reading affable in conversation powerfull in preaching exemplary in life liberall in almes-giving tenderly loving and beloved by his flock 5. In the second year after he was consecrated Bishop by the advice and with the assistance of S. Boniface he made diligent search for the Sacred Bodies of S. Kilian and his companions the holy Apostolick Martyrs of Christ which having found he with great devotion took them out of the place into which they had been ignominiously cast by their murderers the Idolatrous Pagans Assoon as the earth was opened a celestiall fragrancy was breathed from thence and though their flesh was already resolved into dust yet the vestments and books which had been cast with them into the pitt were found entire nothing at all defaced They were in a most solemne Procession caried to the Church of Wirtzburg where by a world of miracles they so encreased mens devotion that by means thereof the Church became enriched with great possessions S Burchard himself gave a village called Michelnstat which Prince Caroloman had formerly bestowed on him King Pipin afterwards gave a certain Castle called Karelburg with severall other ample possessions 9. Near the said Castle there was a small Monastery which had been built by a Holy Virgin named Gertrudis This Monastery being much retired did another devout Virgin called Immina begg of Saint Burchard and in exchange gave him a place called The Mount of Saint Mary or Old Wirtzburg of far greater valew To this place were the Sacred Bodies of Saint Kilian and his companions translated There likewise did Saint Burchard build a magnificent Monastery and placed there his Episcopall See And thither did he oft retire whensoever he could obtain any vacancy from the solicitudes of his charge and conversation of men and there did he attend to God and celestiall things only 7. Forty years did this Holy Bishop spend in the exercises of perfect Charity either to God in Prayer and contemplation or to men in advancing their soules in the same Divine Charity And after such incessant labours in our Lords Vineyard his corporall strength diminishing he called his Clergy together to whom he declared his desire to see his Episcopall See provided of a person able to sustain the weighty employments of it for which purpose he proposed to them his Disciple and companion Megingand well known to them for his eminent vertues and piety who was immediately by common consent elected to be after his death his Successour and during his life his assistant A confirmation of this Election he easily obtained from his Metropolitan the Arch-bishop of Mentz Charles the Great King of France consenting thereto 8. Having discharged his mind of so great a care he took with him only six of his Disciples and by boat descended to a certain Castle called Hohenburg where he employed the remainder of his dayes in great austerities in watching fasting and incessant Prayer He had a desire to have continued his iourney to Michelnstat where his purpose was to build another Monastery But his infirmity encreasing upon him would not permitt him to accomplish his desire For within a few days after his coming to Hohenburg he gave up his soule into his Redeemers hands having before secured his last passage by the Sacraments of Holy Church which he received with admirable fervour and Spirituall ioy 9. His Sacred body was by the affectionate care of his Disciple and Successour Mengingand transported to his Cathedrall Church of Wirtzenburg where it was reposed near to the Sacred Relicks of Saint Kilian all the Nobility and in a manner all the inhabitants of the Countrey being assembled to honour the funeralls of their beloved Pastour Who as in his life time he had been an instrument of great benedictions to them so after his death likewise they experienced many effects of his Love by frequent deliverances and consolations obtained by his intercession The day of his death is marked oâ— the fourth day before the Nones
from Rome a Synod was assembled by the Kings command in which himself and Athelard presided The place where the Synod was held was called Bacanceld In which the Aâ—ch-bishop in the name of Pope Leo by the consent of the whole Synod published this Prohibition adiuring all men by the most dreadfull iudgment of God from that day forward not to infringe the liberties nor usurp the revenews of Gods Churches and Monasteries denouncing against all transgressours excommunication in this world and damnation in the next 2. At the same time likewise the dignity of late empaired was restored to the Metropolitan Church of Canterbury And Aldulf formerly stiling himself Arch-bishop of Lichfeild submitted himself to the Popes command and to the iurisdiction of Athelard in this Synod subscribing himself by the simple Title of Bishop Yet all matters were not so cleared in that Controversy but that upon new emergent difficulties Athelard was obliged once more to have recourse to the See Apostolick 3. In the Kingdom of the Northumbers likewise a Synod was called at Finchal now Finkley in which Eanbald Arch-bishop of York presided and at which were present many persons of high rank both Ecclesiasticall and Secular In this Synod many Ordonnances were made proffitable to the Church of God and the whole nation touching the Observation of the Paschall solemnity the regulating of Iudicatories both Ecclesiasticall and Secular the introducing of good order among Clarks and Religious persons and many other like Ordonnances by which the generall state of that Province was excellently composed Eanbald likewise the Arch-bishop commanded that the Faith of Gods Church explained by the five Generall Councils should be publickly recited whereto all unanimously consented The same as we have before declared had been practised in the Synod of Hatfeild under Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury XIX CHAP. 1.2 c. Pope Leo conducted to Rome by King Charles the Great 1. THE year following King Charles with great pomp conducted Pope Leo back to Rome Among other expressions of ioy at his reception testified by Anastasius this was one That all the Schooles of Strangers in that Citty to witt of the Franks Frisons Saxons and Lombards ioyning together in one body with Crosses and flaggs singing likewise spirituall Canticles received the Pope leading him to the Church of Saint Peter where he solemnly celebrated Masse Now by the Schoole of the Saxons he certainly means that of the English instituted by King Ina and amplified in revenews by King Offa. For the Name of Brittany began now to grow out of use Shortly we shall have it by Regall authority changed into England In the mean time it was most usually called Saxony beyond the Sea to distinguish it from the Old Saxony in the Continent Hence in the last Letter written by Pope Leo to Kenulf King of the Mercians he stiles him King of the Province of Saxony 2. It is probable that Athelard Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Kinebert Bishop of Winchester accompanied their countreymen in this Procession For at this time those two Bishops were at Rome as Florentius testifies The occasion of Athelards second iourney thither was to clear some difficulties arising from the change made lately in the Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction in Brittany Which difficulties were so many and of such consideration that all opposition could not be quieted nor all impediments removed till four years more were passed 3. And as for Kinebert the Motive of his going to Rome was either devotion or to offer in the name of Brithric King of the West-Saxons the yearly contribution called Romescot which was collected our of his Dominions XX. CHAP. 1.2 c. Charles the Great solemnly crowned Emperour of Rome by Pope Leo the third 6. Saint Alcuin's congratulation to him 1. THE last year of this Century was rendred illustrious by the New erection of the Western Empire The Emperours of Constantinoplâ— besides that for severall ages they had been the Protectours of Heresy they were become unable to defend the Western Regions from the assaults which the Saracâ—nâ— made in severall parts especially the Islands and Rome particularly was exposed to many oppressions from the Lombards and other petty Princes tyrannising in Italy yea from the Nobility of the Citty it self and of the Territory adioyning who oft compelled the Popes to flye into France and Germany So that it was necessary to seek out a common Protectour abroad Now not any Christian Prince could enter into competition with the Kings of France either for power or inclination to defend the Apostolick See or to secure Italy it self from the Saracens abroad and Tyrants within the bowells of it The obligations which Rome and especially the See Apostolick had already to the Predecessours of King Charles not only for quelling the Tyrants who oppressed it but for raising it from poverty and weaknes to wealth and power to be envyed even by Princes were so fresh and so excessive that to seek a Protectour from any other Kingdom had been folly And among the Kings and Princes governing in France none hitherto approached to King Charles the Great either for power or for affection to the Church a proof whereof he at this time gave to the present Pope in his care to secure him from his malicious enemies by retiring into France his tender affectionate and respectfull entertainment of him there and his restoring him with far greater splendour then ever to his See with power to execute iustice and if he pleased any revenge upon his barbarous enemies 2. These things considered both gratitude and interest strongly moved Pope Leo to resent the inestimable benefitts which he had so lately received from King Charles And since his abilities could stretch no further then to exalt so great a King by Words and Titles and no Title was either more easy for him to bestow or more becoming King Charles to receive then that of Emperour of the West or of Rome For these reasons the sayd Pope at this time made choice of that way of expressing his gratitude 3. Now that this new Honour might be conferred as it were in a Legall manner and due Form according to the ancient custom he caused the Nobility and cheif among the Clergy at Rome and neighbouring places to assemble together as constituting a resemblance of the ancient Roman Senat And by their unanimous Votes and suffrages was this illustrious King nominated and chosen Emperour of Rome Which election was presently signified to the Common people of Rome and other Regions of Italy assembled in infinite multitudes from all parts by whom it was with loud acclamations ratified and confirmed Which being done Pope Leo as Prince of the Senat did in all their names with the greatest solemnity and glory imaginable ioyning in the ceremony both Civill and Spirituall authority sett the Imperiall Crown upon his head on the day of the great Solemnity of our Lords Nativity 4. The fame of this being spread
it 1. WE will conclude this Book and Century with a short view of the state of Gods Church in Brittany at this time Sir Henry Spelman has published another Synod held this year at Clovesho In which after a publick attestation of the Vniformity of their Faith with the same which Saint Gregory the Great caused to the taught here at the first Conversion of the Nation with a Profession that what they beleived they would also in their lives practise a Decree was made for the restitution of all lands and goods which had been usurped by Lay-persons and violently taken from Churches and Monasteries 2 More specially Athelard Arch-bishop of Canterbury presiding in the same represented to the Synod how Ethelbald King of the Mercians had given formerly to the Church of our Saviour in Canterbury a certain Monastery called Cotham with all the Lands and possessions belonging thereto and that such his Donation might be of perpetuall force he sent by Cuthbert then Archbishop a Turf of the said land together with all Writings perâ—aining to the same Monastery which he required him to lay upon the Altar of our Saviours Church But after the death of the said Arch-bishop two men who had been educated by him named Veâ—head and Osbert by the Devills instigation stole away those Writings and caried them to Ceolulf King of the West-Saxons who thereupon took to his own use the said Monastery and land notwithstanding any thing that the Arch-bishop could alledge His Successours likewise in the Arch-bishoprick Bregwan and Iambert in severall Synods made complaints of this injury done to the Church of our Saviour both to the King of the West-Saxons and to Offa King of the Mercians who had subdued many Citties and particularly that Territory in which the said Monastery of Cotham was seated which he annexed to his own Dominion But now at last Kenulf King of the Mercians repenting of his injustice had restored all the said Writings adding withall a great summe of money humbly requesting that he might be absolved from the Excommunications denounced against Sacrilegious usurpers of Church-lands 3. Matters standing thus the said Arch-bishop Athelard together with his principall Officer Cuba brought the foresaid Writings into the Synod which were publickly read and approved Then he acquainted the Synod that by a mutuall agreement between himself and a certain Abbesse named Cynedritha she should possesse the said Monastery of Cotham with all lands belonging to it giving in exchange land of one hundred and ten Mansions and Sixty Hides Cassatarum in a place named Fleot and thirty in another called Tenaham and twenty in a third named Creges Ennulina all which lands King Offa had formerly given to her and her heyrs and after their decease to the Church of Beodford This agreement touching an exchange with a mutuall surrendry of all Writings on both sides the Arch-bishop desired might be approved and confirmed by the Synod that no difference might hereafter happen between his Successours and the heyrs of King Offa. He moreover gave to the same Abbesse another Monastery seated in a place called Pectonege which the devout King Egfrid had bestowd on him to be possessed by a right of inheritance XXIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Alcmund a Northumbrian Prince 4.5 c. Brithric King of the West-Saxons murdred by his Queen Eadburga For which it was ordained that the wives of succeeding Kings should never have the Title of Queens 1. THE Kingdom of the Northumbers at this time was again most greivously plagued by the Danish Pirats for a most horrible army of them landing in the Northern parts cruelly spoyled the Churches of Hercenes and Tynmouth 2. The same year also Alcmund son of Alred who had been there King was apprehended by the guards of the present Vsurping King Eardulf and by his command was slain together with all those who had been his companions in banishment 3. This Prince Alcmund was son of that King Alred who in the year of Christ seaven hundred seaventy four was by a rebellion of his Subiects driven out of his kingdom and fled to the Picts This Prince willingly followed his Father into banishment the incommodities whereof he bore with a Christian equanimity By such afflictions God disposed this pious Prince for a far richer crown For though by the relation of Mathew of Westminster he is said to have been slain by the cruelty of King Eardulf yet in our Martyrologe he is commemorated in the quality of a Martyr made a sacrifice to God by the inhumanity of the Danes Certain it is that he dyed a violent and uniust death and by posterity has been aâ—ways venerated as a Saint which God approved by many Miâ—racles In the Citty of Darby a magnificent Church was built to his honour called to this day the Church of S. Alcmund Another likewise was erected in Shrewsbury as our Martyrologe testifies where his Name is celebrated among Saints on the nineteenth of March. And in former times a great concourse thither was made especially from the Northern parts to pay their devotions to God in honouring his Saint their iniured countreyman 4. This Century concluded with the death of Brithric King of the West-Saxons by the treacherous cruelty of his Wife The manner thereof is thus described by Mathew of Westminster King Brithric saith he had taken to wife Eadburga daughter to Offa King of the Mercians This woman being exalted to so great honours did not content her self but was restlesse in her ambition to enioy alone all wealth and power Therefore with a tyrannous malice she was wâ—nt to accuse before the King and persecute all the Nobles of the Kingdom and all others who favoured iustice By which means she became the Obiect of the Vniversal hatred both of the Princes and inferiour subiects Because that wicked woman by her flatteries had so insinuated her self into the Kings affection and esteem that whosever she accused were presently either banished or slain Or if she could not obtain this her custom was privatly to destroy them by poison 5. Now there was at that time a certain young man of a Noble family and deeply in the Kings favour against whom the Queen not having any thing of which she could with any pretence of iustice accuse him she provided poyson with which she killed him And a part of this poyson the King unawares taesting immediatly dyed Her purpose then was not that the poison should be given to the King but only to the young man his favourite but by mishap they both drank of it and both presently dyed 6. The King being thus unhappily slain the Queen knowing how universally she was hated in great fear fled away privatly carying with her inestimable treasure And passing the Sea she went to the Emperour-Charles to whom she presented many rich gifts On a certain time 〈◊〉 she was among other Ladies standing in his presence being though a most wicked yet a
place calld Hethfeild in which King Edwin was slain on the fourth day before the Ides of October and the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred thirty three in the forty eighth year of his age and his whole army was either slain or dispersed 5. In the same battell was also slain King Edwins son Offrid a little before his Father And because this war was managed by him in defence of Gods Church and Christian Faith against its barbarous enemies our Ancestors have allways esteemd Kind Edwin a Saint and Martyr so that his name deservedly enioys a place in our Martyrologe on the fourth of December Where likewise it is sayd that a Church was anciently consecrated to him in London and another in Somersetshire at a Town calld Brewe His head saith S. Beda was brought to York and buried in the Church of S. Peter the Apostle begun by himself but finished by his Successour Oswald It was layd in the Porch of S Gregory Pope by the preaching of whose Disciples he had received the Word of life 6. What followd the death of this Blessed King is thus further related by the same Authour At that time there was made a most greivous slaughter in the Church and Nation of the Northumbers inasmuch as one of the Leaders was a Pagan and the other because in his nature barbarous more cruel then a Pagan For Penda with his whole Nation was devoted wholly to Idols and ignorant of Christianity But Carduella or Cedwalla though in name and outward profession he was a Christian notwithstanding in his mind and manners he was so very barbarous that be spared neither sex nor age but like a raging wild beast with cruel torments killd all he could meet with A long time he ranged through the countrey every where exercising his savage cruelty determining to root out of the land the whole Saxon race Neither had he any regard to Christian Religion newly planted among them For such was and to this day continues the malice of the Brittains that they sett at nought the Christianity of the English with whom they will no more communicate then with Pagans 7. To this horrible slaughter may be added the most iniust murder of King Edwins second son Edfrid born to him by his former Queen Quenburga and baptised by S. Paulinus Which Edfrid saith S. Beda being thereto compelld by necessity fled to Penda King of the Mercians by whom he was afterward slain contrary to his promise confirmd by an Oath during the raign of Oswald 8. What became of the pious Queen Ethelburga the same S. Beda thus declares The affairs of the Northumbers being brought to this miserable state saith he immediatly after this slaughter S. Paulinus seing there was no security but in flight took with him the Queen Ethelburga whom he had at first conducted thither and fled with her into Kent where he was honourably received by the Arch-bishop Honorius and King Eadbald He came thither under the guard of Bassus a most valiant soldier of King Edwins and with the Queen there was her daughter Heanfled and her son Vulcfrea together with Iffi the son of Offrid both whom the afterward sent into France recommending them to the protection of King Dagobert out of the fear she had of Edbold and Oswald Kings of the Northumbers And there both those infants dying were buried with such honour as became their Royal birth and such innocent lambs of Christ. The Queen likewise caried with her great store of King Edwins most precious jewells and Vessells and among the rest a great Crosse of gold and a golden Chalice consecrated for the ministery of the Altar Both which have to this day been kept in the Church of Canterbury XXII CHAP. 1.2 S. Paulin administers the Church of Rochester 3. He repaires the Old Church of Glastonbury 4 5 His Death and Translation 6 7. c. Queen Ethelburga retires into a Monastery Her happy death 1. SAint Paulinus having been thus in duty obliged to conduct his special charge the Queen in safety to her own Countrey left not for all that his flock deprived of a good Pastor For according to S. Beda's narration he recommended the care of the Church of York to Iames his Deacon of whom we have already made mention a holy man and very observant of Ecclesiastical Order He remaind in the said Church a long time and by teaching and baptising recoverd from the Devills power very many soules There is a village neer Cataract where he most usually made his abode that beares his name to this day He was very skilfull in Church Musick and therfore when peace was afterward restord and the number of Christians augmented he became the Master of Ecclesiasticall Singing according to the custom of Rome and Canterbury and in the end full of days and merits he followd the way of his fathers 2. In the mean time S. Paulinus was not without employment in Kent The Church of Rochester saith S. Beda being vacant because Romanus who had been Prelat therof had been drownd in passing the Sea towards Rome whither he was sent by S. Iustus Arch-bishop to consult with Pope Honorius about Ecclesiasticall affairs S. Paulinus therefore at the invitation of the Arch-bishop Honorius and King Badbald undertook the charge of it till in his due time he went to heaven there to reap the fruits of his glorious labours And at his death he left in the said Church the Pall which he had received from the Pope 3. We read in the Antiquities of Glastonbury That S. Paulinus who had been Arch-bishop of York but then was Bishop of Rochester the third from S. Iustus who had been consecrated by S. Augustin came to Glastonbury where he abode a long time and made the walls of the old Church to be built from the top to the bottom of timber wheras anciently they were made of wattles and to be coverd with lead And thus that Holy Oratory remaind in the same plight till the time that the Church was burnt in the days of King Henry the first Such care had that holy Bishop that without preiudicing the Sanctity of that place an addition should be made to its beauty We find mention of this Church thus repaird by S. Paulinus in the Charters granted to it by King Inas in the year of Grace seaven hundred and four and of King Canuâ—us above three hundred years after Inas both which Charters are said to have been confirmd and signd in the same woodden Church 4. Concerning S. Paulinus nothing occurrs in our Ecclesiasticall Records till his death which hapned in the year of Grace six hundred forty four the sixth day before the Ides of October saith S. Beda after he had held the Bishoprick of Rochester nineteen years and one and twenty days He was buried in the Secretary of S. Andrew the Apostle which King Ethelbert built from the foundations in the Citty of Rochester 5.
The opinion of his Sanctity was great after his death and the memory of it remaind in that Church many ages for thus writes the Authour of his Life When Gundulph was Bishop of Rochester Lanfranc the Arch-bishop pluck'd quite down the Church of S. Andrew and built a new one at which time he took out of the ground the bones of S. Paulinus and putt them honourably in a boxe Now among others then present there was a certain Matron greivously afflicted with an infirmity of body but much more burdned with a certain crime She coming to the Sepulcher of S. Paulinus there with great devotion offred her vow to God That if by the merits of S. Paulinus she might be freed from her disease she would never more committ that sin in which she then lived and presently she was restord to health This Translation was on the fourth day before the Ides of Ianuary on which day his Anniversary solemnity was observ'd in the Church of Rochester His Memory is celebrated both in the English and Roman Martyrologes on the tenth of October In his place Honorius the Arch-bishop of Canterbury ordaind Ithamar descended from a family which was native of Kent but in learning and piety equal to his Predecessours 6. As for the Widdow-Queen Ethelburga after she had dispos'd of her Children the love to whom was the only worldly affection remaining in her heart she determind to shutt it entirely to temporall things and to employ in a Religious solitude all her thoughts and desires upon heaven and God alone Which intention of hers being known to her Brother King Eadbald he piously assiâ—ted her vow and assign'd her a place remov'd from the noise of the Court where she might with much commodity execute her Religious design and moreover bestowd on her a village calld Liming where she built a Monastery and for ought appears was the first Widow among the Saxons which with a Religious veyle receiv'd from S. Paulinus consecrated her self to serve our Lord. B. Parker most unskilfully calls her a veyld Virgin thinking perhaps that none but Virgins might take a Religious Veyle Whereas S. Hierome expressly says that both Virgins and Widows who in scorn of the world had vowd themselves to God did offer their hayr to be cutt off by the Mothers of the Monasteries and afterward went not in contradiction to the Apostles ordinance with their heads uncoverd but bound and veyld 7. Which Sacred veyl was not such an one as woemen ordinarily wear of a light transparent stuff but made of a course weal and â—o thick that mens sights could not peirce it True entire and pure Virginal Chastity saith Tertullian fears nothing so much as its own self It will not suffer the eyes even of women It flyes to the veyl on the head as to a helmet yea as to a sheild to protect its onely good from the darts of Teâ—tations and scandals against suspicions and whispers And concerning this Veyl S. Ambrose has this expression Let men lift up the eyes of their minds and bodyes and consider this congregation of modesty this assembly of integrity this Council of Virginity here are no curious ribbons to adorn the head but an ignoble veyl yet ennâ—bled with the exercise of chastity here all arts to set forth beauty are abandoned 8. This excursion may be pardond being occasiond by this first example in our Saxon Story But this was an example which presently after was imitated by thousands Almost every year we shall read of Virgins hastning out of the world to live with Christ of Monasteries erected enclosures establish'd and God most purely and devoutly served All which continued almost a thousand years in the esteem and gratulation of all Christians till an Apostate Friar solicited a Professed Virgin for his lust to break her vow of chastity and by that example the habitations of Piety became exposed to the rapines and lusts of a Sacrilegious generation 9. This Religious Widow after that by Poverty chastity and subiection of her Will she had ascended to the Perfection of Divine Love ended at last her Mortality Her Memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the tenth of September where she is stiled a Mother of Many Virgins and Widows because many such by her example undertook the Sacred Institut of a Religious Profession XXIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests and Martyrdom of S. Livinus 1. ABout this time hapned the Martyrdom of S. Livinus who though not born in Brittany may yet challenge a place in this History The Summary of his Life is thus described by Aubert Miraeus Livinus was born of a noble race in Scotland he means Ireland His Teachers were first a worthy Preist called Benignus afterward the Great S. Augustin first Bishop of England by whom also he was baptised The same Holy Bishop exalted him likewise to the Order of Preisthood in the discharge of which Office he behaved himself so worthily that not long after the Scotts or Irish chose him for their Arch-bishop But he after a while leaving his Vicar in Scotland a man of eminent Sanctity called Silvanus who was his Arch-deacon being moved with the zeale of propagating the Gospell in other Countreys took with him three of his Disciples Folian Helias and Kilian sailed into Flanders and entring into a Monastery at Gant lately built by the Holy Bishop S. Amand he was there kindly entertained by the Abbot Floribert and his Brethren Three years before that S. Bavo had been there buried at whose monument great miracles were wrought And for this reason S. Livinus stayd there thirty days celebrating Masse continually upon his Sepulcher 2. After this departing from thence to execute the Office of preaching he by his instructions example and Miracles converted a world of Infidels to the Faith of Christ. But certain impious persons who hated our Lord and all piety perceiving such great multitudes brought by the Holy Bishop to a Religious life and a contempt of their former Vices and Errours persecuted him wonderfully Neither did they desist from their malice till having seised upon him they cut out his tongue which they cast to be devoured by doggs Which notwithstanding was miraculously restored to him Yet not mollified with this they at last having wounded him greivously in severall places murdred him at Escha a village in Flanders in the year of Grace six hundred thirty three or as some reckon the year following 3. This S. Livinus is to be distinguished from another almost of the same name called Levinus or Lebvinus a companion of S. Willebrord and S. Suibert who likewise finished his Life by Martyrdom neer Gant and is stiled the Apostle of Daventre But he was a Saxon as we shall declare toward the end of this Century Whereas S. Livinus of whom we now treat was an Irishman His Memory is celebrated in the English and Gallican Martyrologes on the twelfth of December THE FIFTEENTH