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
raign never made progresse further then a few Cities neighbouring to Rome the remotest of which was Antium 7. This slothfull disposition in Tiberius seems to have been the cause that our banish'd Prince Adminius either did not addresse himself to him for his restitution or was neglected by him But a more active nature in Tiberius his Successour Caius Caligula encouraged Adminius to implore his protection This he did when Caligula by his frantick lusts had emptied his Treasure and having by his extortions empoverish'd all Italy went with an Army into Gaule meerly upon pretence of commotions in Germany to pillage that and the rest of the adiacent Countreyes Afterward he made a shew as if he would passe over into Brittany and continued his march to the Ocean where he stay'd making no further attempts at all yea being enraged against any of his Officers whensoever they executed any warlike design 8. Here it was that Adminius submitted himselfe and all the right which he pretended to his Kingdome to Caligula which so puffed up the mind of the vain Emperour that as if the whole Island had been effectually delivered up to him he wrote boasting letters to Rome but was so far from restoring that banish'd Prince that all he did was to range his Army in battel on the Sea coasts over against Brittany planting his Engins c. no man imagining what he intended when upon the suddain he commanded all his souldiers to fill their helmets and bosoms with cockles and other fish-shells calling this a conquest of the Ocean and with those spoyles return'd in triumph to Rome 9. But Caligula's next Successour Claudius pursued his design against Brittany more seriously Severall Motives he might have to renew an invasion either for Guiderius his neglect of continuing his Tribute as Mathaus Westmonasteriensis or to shew himselfe a Prince usefull to the Common-wealth as Paulus Orosius or because of fresh tumults in the Island However in the second yeare of his raign one Bericus a Brittish Nobleman being for sedition banish'd out of Brittany as Adminius had been in the raign of Caligula sollicited likewise Claudius to make an invasion to recover his rights there Whereupon order was given to Aulus Plautius the Emperours Generall in Gaule to transport his Army into Brittany which though with great difficulty by reason of the souldiers unwillingnes he performed His army landed in severall places and particularly Vespasian his Lievtenant-Generall in the Isle of Wight which he subdued The Brittains not expecting an invasion were unprovided and dispersed so that the Romans had much adoe to find and draw them out of their woods and fast-nesses But at last they in severall battles overcame first Caractacus then Togodumnus or Guiderius sons of Cynobelin who after the defeat of their Armies escaping retired to the place where the River of Thames disburdens it selfe into the Sea There likewise by means of the German souldiers in the Roman Army which were accoustumed to swimme armed over the most rapid Rivers the Brittains were again defeated and Togodumnus slaine 10. After whose death when the Brittains were so far from being discouraged with it that they more earnestly and unanimously renewed the warre inflamed with a desire to revenge that and their former losses Aulus Plautius out of feare pursued the warr no further but repaired to the Emperour as he had been commanded in case any extraordinary difficulty interven'd Hereupon Claudius himself in the fourth yeare of his raign resolved to make an expedition for which purpose renforcing his Army and making great provisions for the war among which were Elephants also he went down to Oslia from whence sayling to Marseilles and performing the rest of the journey partly by Land and partly by Sea he arrived at his Army expecting him on the Banks of Thames which River having pass'd over he faught the Enemy and had an entire Victory insomuch as he possess'd himself of Camulodunum the Pallace of the King and shortly after he subdued many by force and received others by a voluntary surrendry Whereupon he suddenly return'd to triumph in Rome having spent in all these exploits only sixteen dayes in Brittany the Government of which he left to Plautius All these particulars are recorded by Dio 11. Plautius after the Emperours departure pursued the war vigorously so much to the Emperours satisfaction that he granted him the honour of an inferiour sort of Triumph call'd Ovation in the procession whereof he graced him so far as to attend him himself on foot walking by his side both in his going to the Capitoll and returing thence And so highly did he esteem this Conquest of Brittany that he accepted among his own Titles and gave to his only son the name of Britannicus 12. In the tenth yeare of Claudius his raign there was sent into Brittany as Successour of Plautius in the Government of the Army Publius Ostorius who finding great troubles and tumults in the Countrey by his diligence and courage quickly pacified them disarming the Brittains fortifying with Garrisons all the Provinces between the Rivers Antona which seems to have given the name to South-hampton and Severn Thence advancing to the Eastern parts of the Island inhabited by the Iceni that is those of Suffolk Norfolk Cambridge and Huntingdon whom he found willing to enter into an association but utterly refusing to admit Garrisons Whereupon he subdued them by force though severall other Provinces and some which had formerly submitted joyned themselves with them And to strengthen the Romans possession he placed in Camulodunum a colony of the fourth Legion called Victrix 13. From thence he turn'd his arms Westward against the Silures inhabiting Herefordshire and the Southern part of Wales Here he found terrible resistance for besides that these Silures were a feirce Nation they put great confidence in Caractacus who eight years before having been driven from the Trinâ—bantes had his refuge among them and became their Generall A man by many heroicall exploits courageously perform'd and by his admirable patience in suffrings become highly renouned both among the Brittains and Romans Notwithstanding by the advantage which the Romans had in their arms for the poore Brittains were wholly unprovided of such as were defensive Ostorius gained a memorable Victory by which he became seised of the wife daughter and brethren of Caractacus As for himselfe he escaped by flight and repairing to Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes or Yorkshire he was by her perfidiously delivered up to the Romans and sent prisoner to Rome being for the fame of his courage a spectacle of wonder to all the Citties of Italy through which he pass'd All these particulars together with his magnanimous behaviour before the Emperour Claudius may be seen elegantly celebrated by Tacitus For as for the dreaming fables of Mathaeus Westmonasteriensis concerning a mariage formerly made between Caractacus whom he confounds with Arviragus and a daughter of Claudius call'd Genuisa never heard of
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
hundred and eighty XXIII CHAP. 1. Honorius Emperour of the West 2. c. Pelagius the Heretick appears c. 5. The Roman Legion call'd our of Brittany 6.7 Alaricus invading Italy is twise vanquish'd 8. Innocentius Pope 1. IN the year of Grace three hundred and ninety five the glorious Emperour Theodosius dyed for whose soule S. Ambrose devoutly prayd the Prince Honorius assisting at the Holy Altar He left his Empire between his two Sons committing the Eastern Regions to the Elder son Arcadius and the Western to the younger Honorius who being of tender years was left under the tuition of Stilico whose daughter he maried Yet Stilico afterward not satisfied with this honour attempted to establish his own son to effect which he call'd or at least permitted barbarous Nations to enter and wast the Empire who in conclusion were the destruction of it 2. In the fourth year of Honorius his raign Pope Siricius dyed to whom succeeded Anastasius a man saith S. Hierom of rich poverty and Apostolick solicitude which he express'd in opposing the Errour of Origen which Ruffinus and his Disciple Melania now brought into Rome The same Holy Pope likewise first repress'd the Heresy of Pelagius which first appeared under him Of which for the relation which that Arch-heretick had to Brittany from whence he came we shall presently treat more largely 3. The year following the same Emperour publish'd an Edict which Iacobus Gothofredus conceives to have been directed to the Vicar of Brittany The From of Which Edict was this As we utterly forbid the offring of Pagan Sacrifices so our pleasure is that the Ornaments of publick Works though representing Pagan Superstitions should be preserved And to the end those who presume to demolish them pretend not any authority for so doing we hereby command that if any ancient Inscription or Law be found such papers be taken out of their hands and brought to us Thus Wrote the Emperour to Proclianus Vicar of the five Provinces Into which number Brittany was lately divided as hath been shewd 4. This Island seems at this time to have enioyd repose being freed from the violence of their Northern Enemies by a Roman Legion quartered in the confines It was governed by a Roman Generall call'd Marcus whom Honorius sent hither Of this peaceable State of Brittany the Poet Claudian gives testimony in his Panegyrick inscrib'd to Stilico who was Consull in the year of Christ four hundred 5. But this calm lasted but a little space for troubles hapning in Italy all the forces which defended Brittany being call'd away this poore Island was left miserably expos'd to her barbarous enemies Those Troubles were caused by an invasion of the Goths under their King Alaricus who out of Pannonia by the Norick Alpes descended to Trent from thence driving a Garrison of Honorius and so peircing into Rhetia was there stop'd by Stilico who made great preparations against him 6. The following year a battell was fought between Alaricus and Stilico wherin the Gothes were vanquish'd and might have been utterly destroyd had not Stilico permitted them to retire back into Pannonia This he did to the end his ambitious designs might more securely proceed during troubles by means of which he continued in possession of the Empires forces 7. Alaricus by pact with Stilico return'd towards Italy with a more numerous army And presuming to subdue the Countrey was again fought with by Stilico at Pollentia and once more overcome To this Battle the Roman Legion which was the only defence of Brittany was sent for as Bishop Vsher from Claudian the Poet well observes But such frequent invasions by barbarous Nations oblig'd the Romans to strengthen their Citty with new walls and Towers as the same Claudian elegantly relates 8. In these times Pope Anastasius dying there succeeded him in the Apostolick See Innocentius first of that name concerning the integrity of whose Faith thus writes S. Hierom to Demetrias a Virgin in Africa Because I feare saith he yea have been credibly inform'd that the venemous spriggs of Heresy he meanes Pelagianism doe still budd forth in Africa I thought my self obliged out of a pious affection of charity to admonish thee firmly to hold the Faith of the Holy Pope Innocentius who in the Apostolick chair is now Successour and Son to Anastasius and take heed of entertaining any strange Doctrins what ever esteem thou mayst have of thine own wit and skill XXIV CHAP. 1.2 Of Pelagius the Brittish Heretick 3.4 c The speciall Points of his Heresies condemn'd by severall Popes Synods c. 11. Brittany infected 12. Of Vigilantius his Heresies 1. HEre it will be seasonable to treat of the New blasphemous Heresy of Pelagianism which now began to infect the world The Authour of it was Pelagius by birth a Brittain for which cause S. Augustin stiles him Pelagius by Sirname Brito and S. Prosper more expressely calls him the Brittish Serpent And hereto consent S. Beda Polidor Virgâ—ll and generally Modern Historians But whether his originall came from the Roman Provinces in Brittany or the Scottish some doubt may be made considering S. Hierom in severall places mentioning him calls him a Scott descended from the Scottish Nation bordering on Brittany and elsewhere he says that he the most stupide of men was stuffed with Scottish pulse Not withstanding the Authour of S. Albanus his life in Capgrave affirms that he was Abbot of that famous Monastery of Bangor where two thousand and one hundred Monks under the Discipline of one Abbot did get their living by the labour of their hands 2. Certain it is that he was a Monk for by that title he is call'd for the most part by the Bishops in the Councill of Diospolis because he had no Ecclesiasticall degree And S. Augustin saith After many ancient Heresies a New one is lately risen not invented by any Bishops or Preists no nor so much as inferiour Clarks but by a sort of Monks which dispute against the Grace of God Isidor the Pelusiot adds that he was a vain stragling Monk incorrigible one who wandred from Monastery to Monastery smelling out feasts and fawning on Magistrats for their good chear c. observing withall that it was in his old age that he fell into this Heresy whereas before he had liv'd according to S. Augustins testimony in repute for his sanctity and Christian life of no ordinary perfection 3. The speciall Points of his Heresy are thus sett down by Sigebertus In Brittany saith he Pelagius endeavoured to defile the Church of Christ with his execrable doctrines Teaching that man may be saved by his merits without Grace That every one is directed by his own naturall Free will to the attaining of iustice That infants are born without Originall sin being as innocent as Adam was before his Transgression That they are baptised not to the end they should be
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
assemblies of lawfull Pastours Adding withall That they constituted in diverse Citties of the Kingdome twenty eight Bishops which were in subjection to three Arch-Bishops and Metropolitan Sees The Prime See was London to which Loegria and Cornwall was subject to wit all the Provinces on the South of Severn and Wales The second was Yorck to which was submitted Deira and Albania divided from Loegria by the River Humber The Third was the Citty of Legions which had Dominion over Cambria or Wales separated from Loegria by the River Severn This Citty was anciently seated on the River Osca in Glamorganshire as the old walls and buildings there doe shew 3. Thus that Historian herein following a more ancient Writer Geffrey of Monmouth with whom accord severall others mention'd by Bishop Vsher. And though he as likewise Bishop Godwin call this a vain invention and Dream as truly they may justly if by that passage of our Historian were to be understood that immediatly upon the first Conversion of the Brittains so many Bishops and Arch-Bishops were established in the Kingdom Notwithstanding we may reasonably interpret the meaning to be That in ordring the Ecclesiasticall Policy of the New Christian Church they according to the pattern given not only by the Roman but all Eastern Churches design'd a distinction of Dioceses and Provinces according to the number and splendour of the respective Citties So that there being then in Brittany twenty eight Citties as S. Bede says compass'd with walls and fortified with Towres and Gates they ordain'd that in future times when the number of Pastours was multiplied each Citty and Territory belonging to it should be governed by a particular Bishop Wheras in the beginning those who were consecrated Bishops did not confine themselves to one place but according to occasions and emergent necessities transfer'd their solicituds and exercise of their Pastorall duties from one Citty and Province to another till in future times the Harvest encreasing and labourers proportionably multiplying every Bishop and Pastour in his Iuridiction was limited to his peculiar flock with a prohibition to exceed his limits 4. This sence of the forecited Historians seems to be given by the Authour of the ancient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon quoted by Bishop Vsher where we read this passage The Venerable man Pope Eleutherius sent to the illustrious King Lucius his Messengers Faganus and Divianus religious persons and sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith These holy men did with great devotion baptize both the King himselfe and his people who unanimously embraced the Christian Faith and withall destroyed Idols and built Churches to the worship of God In a word these two men in all things seeking the glory of God and the propagation of Christian Religion decreed that there should be appointed in all places particular Ministers of the Omnipotent God and that in those Cities where formerly resided Arch-flamens according to the Superstition of the Pagans in their place should be establish'd Arch-Bishops and likewise to the ordinary simple Flamens should succeed Bishops Now at that time there were in the three most famous places to wit London York and the Citty of Legions ordained three Arch-Prelats that is Arch-flamens of the Pagan Superstition 5. This distinction and subordination of Arch-flamens and Flamens though we doe not find mention'd by Roman Writers to have been setled among the Idolatrous Brittish Preists under those Titles Yet that the Druids had an Order and Degree among them and that there was one Principall person who enioyd a Domination over their whole Body Caesar an eye-witnes of their customs doth acquaint us From whence necessarily follows that since one single person could not alone have an inspection over so many subjects so widely dispersed it necessarily follows that he must have subordinate Ministers to govern in severall places and to give him an account of the state of their affairs And indeed without such a subordination it was impossible they should subsist in one Body insomuch as these blind Heathens have shew'd greater effects of reason and naturall prudence in composing their Congregation then our Modern Sects withall their pretended light of Scriptures have done 6. These Druid-Preists have the Title of Arch-flamens and Flamens given them not by themselves but by our Historians writing of them in imitation of the Romans among whom those Titles were in use so call'd from the Flamen or flame-colourd Hat wherewith their heads were always coverd These Flamines among the Romans were of severall orders according to the Deities whom they served as Iupiter Mars c. And each order had a distinct Cheif and all these cheifs were subject to the Pontifex Maximus a Title assum'd by the Emperours themselves VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of twenty eight Cities anciently in Brittany The names of them out of ancient Authours 7. In what sence Arch-Bishops are saâ—d to have been in those times 1 NOw wheras mention has been made of twenty eight Citties in Brittany suitably to what our ancient Gildas has written that this Island was strengthned with twice ten and twice four Citties it will not be a vain Curiosity to enquire what those Citties were which were design'd for the Sees of so many Bishops 2. To give a full satisfaction to such an enquiry will be no easy matter considering so great and frequent Vicissitudes of inhabitants tongues governments and warrs which since these times have succeded in this our Countrey from all which must needs follow great confusion of names and destruction of places 3. Our Ancient Historians have scattringly mention'd severall of them and particularly Nennius a Monk of Bangor and the Arch-deacon of Huntingdon have made a collection of them But the most exact Catalogue of them is afforded us by the late learned Bishop Vsher described out of two very ancient Manuscripts extant in Sir Iohn Cottons Library which he sayth he coÌ„par'd with nine Written Copies more in which the old Brittish names were seâ— down together with an interpretation of them as followeth 4. These are the Names of all Citties in Brittany in number twenty eight I. Caïr Guintguic which perhaps is Norwich call'd by the Brittains Cair Guntins Or rather it is Winwick in Lancashire The old Glossary of Nennius interprets it Winchester II. Caâ—r Mincip or Municip erroneously written in Henry of Huntingdon Mercipit This is Verolam a Town neer S. Albans which as we read in Tacitus was anciently a Free-town enioying the Priviledge of the Citty of Rome III. Caïr Liqualid or Legevit or Lualid This is Luguballia call'd by Huntingdon Caïr Leil now Carlile IV. Caïr Meguaid or Meigâ—od at this day Meivod in the Province of Montgomery It was anciently call'd by Ptolomy and Antoninus Mediolanum V. Caïr Colun or Colon which Geffrey of Monmouth and Huntingdon call Colchester situated on the River Coln and it is in Antoninus his Itinerary call'd Colonia VI. Caïr Ebranc by others Caïr branc it is York
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
it is thus from his own relation declar'd by Eusebius Constantin saith he was distracted and disquieted with great doubts and feares what this wonderfull Vision should portend In which solicitude of thoughts the night overtooke him And when he was asleep our Lord appeard to him bearing the same sign which had been shown him from heaven and commanded him to cause a draught and Copy representing the same sign which had appeard to him to be framed and that he should make use of that as a firm guard and protection whensoever he was to committ battell with his enemies 10. The Historian adds as soon as the day appeared he rose from his bed and declared to his freinds this mysterious vision And afterwards calling together the most cunning artificers skillfull in gold and precious stones he placed himself in the mid'st among them and by words describ'd to them the form and pattern of the Sign which had appeared from heaven Commanding them to imitate the form therof in gold and precious stones And the said Authour giving a description of the Labarum or Banner caried always in Constantins Army thus proceeds The Emperour saith he did always after make use of this Saving Sign of the Crosse as a sure defence against all hostile violence and danger the expresse representations wherof he commanded to be made and perpetually be caried before his Army 11. The devotion of this pious Emperour encreasing more and more to the Sacred Crosse moved him to cause innumerable representations of it to be placed in severall places both publick and private To this purpose writes the same Eusebius So great and so divine was that love wherwith the Emperour embraced our Lord that he took care that the Ensign of his saving Passion should in a faire Table adorned with much gold and precious stones of all kinds he fixed in the Entrance of his Palace in the principall room in the middle of his house and in the guilded roof therof That seemed to the most holy Emperour to be a firm bullwark of his Empire 12. No wonder then if the veneration of the Holy Crosse became yet more encreased among Christians We have shewd in the life of S. Albanus that it was even from the beginning practised Which practise sems now to have been authorised by our Lord himselfe from heaven And that the devout Christians of these times understood it so appears by the generall zeale they shewd in honouring this mark of our Salvation which that it was acceptable to God was demonstrated by innumerable Miracles wrought thereby But to return to Constantin VI. CHAP. 1.2 Constantius victorious march to Rome 3.4 He fights with Maxentius and overcomes him who is drown'd in the Tiber to the infinite ioy of the Romans c. 7.8 c. Constantin venerates the Crosse. D. whittacres mistake 1. COnstantin being encourag'd with this so glorious a testimony of Divine assistance armed with the Crosse both on his helmet and forehead and conducting an army before which was caried the same triumphant Ensign pursued his expedition into Italy and approaching to the Alpes subdued the Segusians presuming to resist him And having pass'd those Mountains conquered the Taurini and after them the Citty of Verona which trusting in the multitude of its garrison had the boldnes to shutt the gates against him Aequileia Mutina and all other Citties on this side the Pâ— follow'd the fortune of Verona 2. Thus having cleared all the Provinces behind him of Enemies he marched courageously to Rome it selfe where the Tyrant for more then sixe years had exercised all manner of crimes He had not the courage all that time to issue once out of the Citty or to oppose Constantins progresse partly being stupified with his lusts and affrighted with prodigies and divinations of his Sooth-sayers 3. But assoon as Constantin approached to the Citty Maxentius was enforced to draw out his army consisting of one hundred and seaventy thousand foot and eighteen thousand horse all these numerous forces he raged beyond the Milvian bridge so that they were shut out of the Citty by the river To the strength of his army the Tyrant added the subtilty of a stratagem for he had caused the bridge so to be framed that at his pleasure he might for his advantage easily dissolve it 4. On the other side Constantin having ranged his army himself with great courage gave the onset by which he immediatly broke his enemies ranks so that little resistance was made except by the Pretorian soldiers who expecting no pardon because they onely had created Maxentius Emperour covered the ground with their dead bodies 5. The enemies being thus put to flight found their flight unsucces'full because the straitnes of the bridge hindred them so that the slaughter was excessively great and there being no other meane to avoyd the sword but by entring the River great multitudes were swallow'd by it As for the Tyrant he to conceale himself had cast off all marks of his authority and adventured into the Tiber but not being able to ascend the steep banks was hurried down the stream and drowned His body was cast upon the shore below which the Roman people having found they cut off his head which fastning on the topp of a speare they caried it up and down the Citty with great ioy and triumph 6. Since Rome was built saith the Panegyrist never shone a day celebrated with greater and a more universall ioy or that deserved to be so celebrated then that of Constantins triumph after this Victory His triumphall chariot was attended not with conquered Princes or Generalls but with the Roman Nobility freed from dungeons and chains Rome did not enrich herselfe with spoyles of enemies but herselfe ceased to be the Spoyle of an inhuman Tyrant c. 7. This common ioy acclamations and applauses the pious Emperour would have to be asscribed not to himself but God only the vertue of his holy Crosse to whom he gave the praises and acknowledgment of his Victory as Eusebius testifies And Prudentius adds that Constantin at his triumphall entrance into the Citty commanded the Crosse to be caried before his army to the end Rome might see by what arms she had been freed from slavery and moreover that he enjoyn'd both the people and Senat of Rome to prostrate themselves before the Crosse and adore the name of Christ. 8. It is a great mistake therfore in somâ— Protestant Writers by name Whitaker who affirms that Constantin indeed did use the sign of the Crosse which appeard to him from heaven for an Ensign but that no proof can be given that the Crosse was honoured or venerated by him Wheras the passage now cited out of Prudentius evinces the contrary and Sozomen expressly affirms that Constantin gave great honour to the holy Crosse both for the aid afforded him by its vertue in his warr against his enemies and likewise for the Divine apparition of it
follow'd the Eastern Rite of the Quartodecimani from whence they inferr that the Gospell was not communicated to this Island from Rome but certain Eastern Apostolicall Missioners 11. But the contrary is most evident For First it is certain that they received the order about Easter from Pope Eleutherius Again as certain it is that Restitutus Bishop of London caried into Brittany the Decrees of the Councill of Arles Thirdly wee find expressly in the Letter written by Constantin to all Churches that among other Provinces which observed the order prescribed by the Councill of Nicâ—a after that of Arles Brittany was one 12. The Errour therfore which in succeeding times crept among the Baittains was not the Orientall Iewish way of observing Easter as in the Law of the Passeover exactly on the fourteenth day of the Moon as the Quatodecimani did whether that day were Sunday or not But only this that when it fell upon a Sunday they did not as all other Catholick Churches did delay the celebration of it till the Sunday following on purpose to declare their opposition to the Iewes but they kepd it on that day in which the Iews kepd it So that once in seaven years they varied from other Christian Churches The only cause of which Errour doubtlesse was the calamity of those times when all commerce between the Brittains and Rome was intercluded XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Helenas iourney of Devotion to Ierusalem and Churches built by her 4.5 c. The Invention of the Holy Crosse. 1. PResently after the dissolution of this famous Councill Helena the Mother of Constantin being near fourscore years old had the courage and fervour to undertake a pilgrimage to Ierusalem there to visit the holy places sanctified by our Lords actions and suffrings and to adore his footsteps For Surely saith S. Hierom to adore the place where our Lords feet stood is a part of Faith So that it was not Superstition as the Lutheran Centuriators calumniously impute to her but an act of singular counsell and wisedome as Eusebius yea by divine admonition received in her sleep as Socrates saith that she was incited to this iourney 2. The place which she most ardently desired to visit and adorn was the Sepulcher of our Lord which the flagitious impiety of former Pagans had endeavoured to blott out of the memory of man kind foolishly thinking hereby to hide and make divine Truth undiscoverable saith Eusebius So that it cost incredible labour to remove that vast heap of earth with which it had been covered on the top of which had been raised a Temple to Venus solemnised with all manner of impurity 3. The place being cleansed there was by Constantins order erected upon it a most magnificent Temple the structure and ornaments wherof are particularly described by the same Historian And besides this the same devout Empresse began the building of two other sumptuous Churches the one at Bethlehem where our Lord was born and the other on Mount Olivet whence our Lord ascended into heaven Which after her death shortly succeeding were finish'd by her Son In this last place was yet extant the impression of our Lords feet which she honoured with due veneration Concerning which the Prophet Zacharias long before prophecied saying And in that day his feet shall stand upon the Mount Olivet over against Ierusalem to the East S. Hierom testifies that the same footsteps of our Lord imprinted on the ground were shewd in his time And though the Earth was continually taken away by the devotion of Christians yet those holy footsteps did immediatly receive their former state 4. Hereto we may not omitt to adioyn a stupendious Miracle related by Sulpitius Severus in these words That was a wonderfull thing saith he that place on which at his Ascension our Lords feet last stood could not be continued to the rest of the pavement about For whensoever marble was layd on it the earth refused to receive it casting the stones ofteÌ„times upward to the faces of those who applied them And moreover the footsteps of our Lord there seen are a lasting Monument that the dust there had been trod on by our Saviour S. Bede adds another Miracle that wheras the Temple built over the place consisted of three stories or concamerations the two uppermost wherof were vaulted with Arches that which was the lowest and most inward could by no art or labour be closed with a vault 5. But whilst these magnificent structures were preparing there yet wanted that which the devout Empresse most of all desired to find which was the Holy Crosse on which our Lord perfected the Redemption of mankind and by the apparition of which her Son had lately been drawn to Faith and Baptism A rumour there was that it was still extant hid in some of those holy places but where to find it was the difficulty Cammand therfore was given that all places there about should be digg'd but in vain At last saith Ruffinus the Religious Lady was by a celestiall admonition informed where it lay Wherupon causing all the rubbish to be removed she found deep under ground three Crosses in a confus'd order So that her ioy was much diminish'd by the uncertainty which of them was the true one There was found likewise with them the Title which had been written by Pilat in Greek Latin and Hebrew letters But yet that being separated did not give any signs wherby to discern which was our Lord Crosse. In this uncertainty the onely remedy was to begg by Prayer a Divine testimony It hapneâ— that at the same time there was in the Citty a certain woman of quality who lay sick of a greivous disease ready to expire Macarius therfore who was then Bishop of Ierusalem seeing the Empresse and all about her solicitous to discover the 〈◊〉 Crosse commanded saying Let all three be brought and God will be pleased to shew us that which bore our Lord. Entring therfore together with the Empresse and many of the people into the sick womans house he kneeled on the ground and in this manner prayed O Lord who by thy onely begotten Son hast vouchsafed to bring salvation to mankind through his suffring on the Crosse and hast lately inspired into the heart of thy Hand-maid here present a desire to find the Crosse on which our salvation did hang Be pleased to shew unto us evidently which of these three Crosses was employed to glorify our Lord and which for the servile punishment of malefactours and let this be the mark that this woman who lies here half dead assoon as she touches the saving Crosse of thy Son may be recalled to life from the gates of death Having said this he applied first one of the Crosses which availed nothing then the second yet without any effect But assoon as he had applied the third Crosse unto her immediatly the woman opened her eyes rose up in perfect health and with
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
used to speak in it remaining mute only being able to signify that the Body of the holy Martyr Babylas hindred his speech Iulian caused the Sacred body to be removed from thence into the Citty which the Christians perform'd with great solemnity singing Psalms all the way specially those wherin Idolatry is derided to the infinit indignation of the Emperour who thereupon caused many of them to be tortured but by the intercession of the Holy Martyr their torments were miraculously converted into pleasure The same Story is confirm'd likewise by S. Chrysostom 7. But a war against the Persians interrupted his rage against Christians who at his first setting forth threatned that when that Expedition was finish'd he would destroy all who profess'd the name of Christi A threatning very acceptable to the Pagans but greivous to the afflicted Christians Whilst he was busy in the prosecution of this war Libanius a Heathen Sophister in derision of Christ ask'd a certain Christian What the Carpenters Son was then doing Who answerd He is preparing a Coffin for Iulian. And the event made these words propheticall for the wicked Emperour receiv'd from an unknown hand a wound mortall to him self but healthfull to all the world beside 8. In his place the Army chose Iovian Emperour though he refus'd that honour professing that being a Christian he neither would nor could govern an Army poysond with heathenish Idolatry Whereupon all the soldiers cryed out that they also were Christians those who were ancient among them having been train'd up in the piety of Constantin and the younger imbued with the precepts of Constantius So that the two years raign of Iulian could not extirpate the good seeds sown in their hearts 9. Iovian thus chosen restored the Christian Faith reducing the Church to its former splendour He also publish'd a Law by which in all Cittie 's a certain proportion of Wheat was contributed to Sacred Virgins by vow consecrated to God And another which inflicted death on any who should ravish or but attempt their Chastity He likewise ordain'd that all Catholick Bishops who had been formerly banish'd should return to their Sees There is extant an Epistle of S. Athanasius in answer to one from the Emperour who had desir'd to be inform'd by him who among the divided Sects of Christians retain'd the Orthodox Faith Which Epistle challenges a mention in this History because among the severall Nations constantly persevering in the Faith of our Saviours Divinity establish'd in the Councill of Nicéa he expressly names Brittany Whence appears that hitherto the Brittish Churches were pure in their Faith however some particular persons there might have been infected 10. This pious Emperour lived but one year to whom succeeded Valentinian a Prince equally Orthodox But who unhappily made partner in his Empire his Brother Valens infected with the Arian Heresy and impiously zealous in the promoting of it XI CHAP. 1.2.3 Picts Scotts and Attacotti infest the Brittains Who these last were 4.5 c. Theodosius Governour of Brittany His Victories there 8. Brittany divided into five Provinces 9. Theodosius recall'd 1. IN Brittany during Iulians raign the Prefect was Alipius the Successour of Gumoharius Where quietnes continuing the Picts and Scotts securely multiplied both in numbers and strength Of which presently after they showd terrible proofs For as Marcellinus relates in the first year of Valentinians raign the barbarous Nations on all sides of the Roman Empire as if universally excited by a trumpet broke their limits made furious incursions into the Roman Provinces The Alamanni wasted Gaule and Rhetia The Sarmatians and Quadi made irruptions into Pannonia and the Picts Saxons Scotts and Attacotti vexed the Brittains with incessant calamities 2. By which appears that the Enemies of Brittany were multiplied For to the Picts Scotts here is an addition of the Saxons and the Attacotti never mention'd before in Story with relation to Brittany As for the Saxons a Germā Nation who now first made thēselves known by their cruelty to the Brittains within a few years they will be too well known not by their piracies on the Seacoasts as at this time but by an invasion of the whole Island so successfull to them that they gott almost an entire possession of it leaving only a barren mountainous corner to the fearfull Brittains 3. But who were the Attacotti S. Hierom will tell us What shall I say of the immanity of other Nations I my selfe in my youth saw in Gaule the Attacotti a Brittish Nation who nourish'd themselves with human flesh These men in the forrests meeting with heards of beeves sheep and swine neglected them and cutt off the hanches of the Pastours breasts of the woemen and fed upon them accounting these to be their principall delicacies It seems therefore that these Attacotti were a Savage people in the Northern mountains of Scottland living without all Law or Government who likewise had promiscuous wives ad common children This rude multitude were invited by the Picts Scotts ioyn with them in the invasion of the Civill Brittains 4. Vpon this occasion the Emperour Valentinian leaving his Brother Valens to govern the East made an expedition into Gaule where he compos'd the troubles rais'd by the Alamanni This being done as he was in a hasty march from the Province of the Ambiani or Amiens toward Triers he was stopp'd by an astonishing message out of Brittany which informed him how by a conspiracy of severall barbarous Nations the Brittains were reduc'd to the utmost extremity How Nectaridius Admirall Comes of the Sea coasts had been slain by the Enemies and Bulchobaudes the General circumvented by their ambushes Vpon which horrible reports the Emperour dispatch'd into Brittany Severus one of his cheif Officers to remedy those disorders But shortly after recalling him he sent Iovinus thither making a suddain provision of ammunition and store preparing strong armies to assist him according to the instant urgent necessities In conclusion fresher and more horrible rumours encreasing he made choice of Theodosius to goe General thither a man famous for many martiall exploits happily atchiev'd who being attended with courageous Legions and cohorts made up of lusty youth prosecuted the expedition with a noble confidence 5. At the same time the Franks and Saxons had infested the coasts both of Gaule and Brittany and into this latter they had made an impression as far as London where they drove all the countrey about To remedy which injuries the vigilant Generall Theodosius took shipping at Boloyn in Gaule and passing the Sea landed at Rutupiae Richborough in Kent neer Sandwich Which is a secure Station for ships Whither as Soon as his Cohorts call'd Herculij Iovij Victores Fidentes c. aborded he marched from thence streight to London an ancient town afterward call'd Augusta and dividing his Army into severall squadrons he set on the stragling Enemies loaden with
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
younger S. Germanus XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Patrick comes out of Ireland into Brittany thence goes to Rome c 4 c. At his return he retires to Glastenbury His Chart Relicks of Saint Steven c. 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred thirty nine Saint Patrick having with wonderfull advantage laboured in our Lords vineyeard in Ireland the space of eight years returned into Brittany where saith Malmsburiensis he abode thirty years in the Isle Avallonia or Glastenbury leading a most holy life Notwithstanding whether at that time he visited Glastenbury is uncertain Probably the motive of his leaving Ireland might be to take a journey to Rome and there give an account of his Apostleship â—or this is affirm'd by severall Authours as Capgrave Bishop-Vsher c. 2. Iocelinus adds that before his voyage he fixed his Episcopall chair in the Citty of Armagh resolving in his mind that the same should be the Prime Metropolis and Mistresse of the whole Island And to the end that this design might have an effect irrevocable he determin'd to repair to the See Apostolick and thence obtain authentick Priviledges to ratify this his purpose An Angel from our Lord approv'd his intention of undertaking that â—ourney c. Whereupon having ordain'd Bishops Preists and other Ecclesiasticall Ministers whom he placed in opportune residences he gave them his benediction and took leave of them 3 That in his way either to or from Rome he retir'd into a Monastery to enjoy for some time the peace of contemplation is affirm'd by our Historians and that Glastenbury was the place chosen by him in which afterward also he repos'd himself there happily ending his dayes And herein he imitated the holy practise of former Saints as Saint Fugatius and Damianus who after labouring in their Apostolicall Office retir'd from worldly conversation and spent their last days in conversation with God alone 4. What were the speciall exercises of S. Patrick in his retirement is related by ancient Writers viz. attending to Prayer Fasting and purity of Life instituting rules for a Monasticall Profession in Glastenbury where he found Religious men the Successours of S. Ioseph of Arimathea and S. Fugatius and S. Diruvianus These S. Patrick reduced from an Eremiticall to a Coenobiticall course of life gving them instituts which himself had receiv'd from his glorious Vnckle S. Martin of Tours who long since had cloathed him with the Monasticall habit Which Habit saith Iocelin was a White Cowle of the naturall-colour of the wooll over his other garments by which was denoted purity and innocence And this fashion was imitated by the Iâ—ih Monks as likewise the Monks of Brittany before Saint Augustins coming who to distinguish himself from them assum'd a Black Cowle whence the New Monks his Successours were usually stiled Nigri Monachi Black Monks 5. In Glastenbury it was where S. Patrick wrote that famous Chart the whole tenour whereof hath been already produced in the second Book of this History upon occasion of declaring the foundation of that most famous Monastery In which Chart the Holy Bishop particularly describes the Isle then called Ynswitrin where was an ancient Chappell consecrated to the honour of the most blessed Virgin And how there he found twelve Hermites Successours of the Disciples of S. Phaganus and Diruvianus by whom he was elected their Head There also he declares his happy invention of a Writing composed by the foresaid Apostolicall men Phaganus and Diruvianus in which was contain'd that they had receiv'd from Pope Eleutherius ten years of Indulgence and that by a revelation from our Lord they had built a Church to the honour of S. Michael the Archangel How likewise by a Vision it was signified to him that he was to honour the same Blessed Archangell in the same place for a testimony of the certainty of which Vision his left arm withered and was not restored till he had acquainted the rest of his Brethren with what he had seen This Chart S. Patrick left with two devout Irish Monks Arnulphus Ogmar his companions which resolved to remain attending on the said Chappell In conclusion the Holy Bishop relates how he conferr'd an Indulgence of a hundred dayes on those who by cutting down wood cleared a passage for the devout Visitants of the Chappell consecrated by our Lord himself to the honour of his most Blessed Mother 6. At his return from Rome S. Patrick brought with him some Relicks of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul and likewise of Saint Stephen the Blessed Deacon and Martyr together with a linnen cloath on which was sprinkled of the Blood of our Saviour Iesus-Christ which holy Relicks were reserved there behind the Altar of Saint Patrick This is the narration of the Authour of S. Patricks life in Capgrave 7. That which is here deliver'd particularly concerning the Relicks of S. Stephen the Martyr seems confirmed by what Baronius out of Ancient Writers reports how this same year Eudocia wife of the Emperour Theodosius brought from Ierusalem the said Relicks which were layd up in the Church of S. Laurence the Martyr and there piously venerated by devout Christians 8. Iocelinus who expressly affirms that it was in S. Patricks return from Rome that he visited Brittany further declares that during his abode in this his Native countrey he founded many Monasteries filling them with Religious men who willingly submitted themselves to the observation of that form of a Religious life which was prescribed by him That he foretold with the tongue and Spirit of Prophecy many unfortunate and many prosperous things which in future times should befall Brittany And moreover that he foresaw and foretold the Sanctity of S. David then enclos'd in his Mothers womb who was born in the year of Christ four-hundred sixty two whereby is confirm'd what in the Antiquities of Glastenbury is asserted concerning S. Patricks long abode in Brittany after his converting Ireland XVI CHAP. 1.2 Of Bachiarius Disciple to S. Patrick His Pilgrimage His Epistle to an incestuous Preist c. 1. AMong the Brittish Disciples of Saint Patrick the memory of Saint Bachiarius whom some affirm to be the same with Saint Maccaeus or Mocthaeus is celebrated He was saith Pits by Nation a Brittain and Disciple of Saint Patrick He addicted himself to the study of litterature at Caër-leon He was an excellent Poet and skillful Mathematician for his younger years he entirely employd in such studies Gennadius in his Catalogue gives him the Character of a man excellently versed in Christian Philosophy Adding withall that for conserving his integrity and Chastity he forsook his countrey and undertook a long Pilgrimage 2. We were inform'd above from Girardus Cambrensis that the Brittains instructed by S. Germanus accounted Pilgrimages especially to Rome among the works of Piety And many motives S. Bachiarius might have to absent himself from his countrey besides that mention'd by Gennadius For it could not
Mary sitting at our Lords feet and exchange it for that of Martha's ministery in attending and providing a supply to his necessities in his members 2. And some such cause occurr'd some disorders in the new-founded Church of Ireland hapned which after ten years quiet repose drew him out of his solitude Which though we cannot precisely determine what it was yet no doubt it is involv'd in some one or more of the Canons and Decrees of a Synod which upon his return into that Island he assembled 3. Which Decrees for many ages conceal'd and by negligence expos'd to rust and mothes have been of late days by the industry of S. Henry Spelman rescued and restor'd to light though in severall places defac'd Wee will not here trouble the Reader with the entire Transcript of them since those who are more curious may have recourse to the said S. Henry Spelmans first volume of Brittish and English Councils It will be sufficient to select from them some speciall Canons which will give us some light to discover the Ecclesiasticall Discipline of those times 4. It is there ordain'd That if any Ecclesiasticall person from the Dore-keeper to the Preist shall not for decency wear a Tunick and have his hair cutt after the Roman manner or shall permitt his wife to goe abroad unvayl'd shall be separated from the Communion Again That a Monk and consecrated Virgin shall not abide in the same lodging nor travel in the same Chariot That if a Monk shall neglect the Divine Office and wear long haire he shall be excommunicated That the Alms of Excommunicated persons or Pagans shall not be receiv'd That if any Christian shall be guilty of manslaughter fornication or consulting Soothsayers he shall perform Pennance for each crime the space of a year And he that is guilty of stealing half a year of which twenty days he shall eat bread only But withall he must be oblig'd to restitution That if any Christian shall beleive Spirits may be represented in a Glass he shall be anathematiz'd c. That if any consecrated Virgin shall marry she shal be excommunicated till she be converted and forsake her adulteryes which having done she shall perform due Pennance After which they are forbidden to live in the same house or town That if any Preist shall build a Church he must not offer Sacrifice in it before it be coÌ„secrated by the Bishop That if a Clergyman be excommunicated he must say his Prayers alone and not in the same house with his Brethren Neither must he presume to offer or consecrate till he be absolv'd That a Bishop may not ordain in another Bishops Diocese without his permission Only upon Sundays he may offer Sacrifice That a Clark coming from the Brittains into Ireland without Letters testimoniall be not suffred to minister 5. There is no mention made of this or any other Irish Synod in any Authour except only in a generall expression of Iocelinus and Probus who wrote S. Patricks life extant among S. Bedas works And in him wee find this only passage The most holy Bishop S. Patrick together with three other Bishops and many Clercks came to a fountiain call'd Debach which flows from the side of Crochon toward the East there to celebrate a Synod touching Ecclesiasticall affaires and they sate neer the fountain When behold two daughters of King Logaren came early in the morning to wash in the same fountain as woemen there usually did and they found the Holy Synod with S. Patrick neer the fountain Now the Bishops names were S. Patrick Auxilius and Issernininus for this is the Inscription of this present Synod Thanks be given to God the Father Son and Holy Ghost Pà tricius Auxilius and Isserninus to the Preists Deacons and whole Clergy Health It is better we should premonish those who are negligent then blame things past for Salomon says It is better to reprove then be angry The tenour of our Definition is here under written and begins thus If any captive c. Of these two Bishops Auxilius and Isserninus mention has been made before 6. Another Holy Bishop and Disciple of S. Patrick challenges once more a commemoration in this History to wit S. Albeus in whose life extant in Bishop Vsher we read That when he heard that S. Patrick had converted to our Lord Engus King of Munster Momonensium and was with him in his Royal Citty Cassel he came to salute them Now the King and S Patrick much rejoyced at the arrivall of S. Albeus whose joy to see them also was great There the Holy man reverently entertained his Master S. Patrick for he was very humble After this King Engus and S. Patrick ordaind that the Archiepiscopall See of all Munster should for ever be placed in the Citty and chair of S. Albeus 7. And as touching the Conversion of King Engus this passage also is extant in the same learned Authour a little before The glorious Bishop S. Patrick having sowen the Faith of Christ in the Regions of Lenster prosecuted his way to the limits of Munster And the King of Munster named Engus hearing of the Holy Bishops coming with great joy mett him having an earnest deâ—sire to beleive and be baptised He conducted therefore S. Patrick with much reverence and joy to his Royal Citty call'd Cassel and there the King having been instructed beleived and received Baptism 8 It is probable that S. Patrick abode at this time severall years in Ireland For three years after this he consecrated S. Benignus Archbishop of Armagh And then quite devesting himself of all solicitude for others he returned into Brittany to his much desired solitude of Glastenbury where he likewise ended his dayes 9. As for his Successour S. Benignus he also after seaven years spent in care of his Province thirsting after solitude and willing to see again his most beloved Master came to Glastenbury desirous to receive from him a most perfect Rule of Monasticall Profession This he did saith Malmsburiensis by the admonition of an Angel And being come thither he demanded of S. Patrick what place he should make choice of to live in Vnion with God alone divided from human society 10. The Answer given him by S Patrick who encourag'd him to persist in his present purpose is thus recorded by Adam of Domerham Benignus saith he discovered to S. Patrick the motives of his journey who exhorted him to pursue happily his well begun purpose saying Goe my beloved Brother taking only your staff with you And when you shall be arriv'd at the place appointed by God for your repose wheresoever having fix'd your staff in the ground you shall see it flourish and grow green there know that you must make your abode Thus both of them being comforted in our Lord with mutuall discourses Saint Benignus being accompanied only with a youth nam'd Pincius begun his journey
be blessed for ever 11. After this her soule being ready to depart out of her body she saw standing before her a troop of heavenly Angels ready ioyfully to receive her soule and to transport it without any fear or danger from her spirituall Enemies Which having told to those who stood by her blessed soule was freed from the prison of her body on the eighth day before the Ides of October In her dissolution her face smiled and was all of a rosy colour and so sweet a fragrancy proceeded from her Sacred Virgin-body that those who were present thought themselves in the ioy of Paradice S. Cadocus buried her in her own Oratory where for many years she had lead a most holy mortified life very acceptable to God XV. CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Almedha sister to S Keyna and strange things hapning on her solemnity 3. Of her Brother Saint Canoc and his wreath 4. Of Saint Clitanc King of Brecknock and Martyr 1. TO the Gests of this Holy Virgin Saint Kâ—yna we will here adjoyn what remains in ancient Monuments concerning her sister Saint Almedha 〈◊〉 her Brother Saint Canocus There are saith Giraldus Cambrensis dispersed through severall Provinces of Cambria many Churches illustrated by the names of the Children of Braganuâ— Of these there is one seated on the top of a certain hill in the region of Brecknock not far distant from the principall Castle of Aberhodni which is called the Church of Saint Almedha who reiecting the mariage of an Earthly Prince and espousing her self to the Eternall King consummated her life by a triumphant Martyrdom The day of her solemnity is every year celebrated in the same place the first of August Whereto great numbers of devout people from far distant parts use to assemble and by the merits of that Holy Virgin receive their desired health from divers infirmities 2. One especiall thing usually hapning on the solemnity of this Blessed Virgin seems to mee very remarkable For you may oftimes see there young men and maids sometimes in the Church sometimes in the Church-yard and sometimes whilst they are dancing in an even ground encompassing it to fall down on a sudden to the ground at first they lye quiet as if they were rapt in an Extasy but presently after they will leap up as if possess'd with a frenzy and both with their hands and feet before the people they will represent whatsoever servile works they unlawfully performed upon Feast-dayes of the Church One will walk as if he was holding the plow another as if he were driving the Oxen with a goad and both of them in the mean time singing some rude tune as if to ease their toyleâ— One will act the trade of a Shoomaker another of a tanner a third of one that were spinning Here you may see a mayd busily weaving and expressing all the postures usuall in that work After all which being brought with Offrings unto the Altar you would be astonish'd to see how suddenly they will return to their senses again Hereby through Gods mercy who rejoyces rather in the conversion then destruction of Sinners it is certain that very many have been corrected and induced to observe the Holy Feasts with great devotion 3. As touching their Brother Saint Canoc the fame of his Sanctity was most eminent among the Siluâ—es His name is consign'd in our English Martyrologe on the eleaventh oâ— February where likewise he is sayd to have flourish'd in all vertues about the year of Christ four hundred ninety two To him most probably is to be referd that which is reported of the Wreath Torques of S. Canauc for so he calls him Which the inhabitants of that countrey esteem to be a precious Relick and of wonderfull vertue insomuch as when any one is to give a testimony by Oath if that Wreath be placed in fight he dares not presume to commit periury 4. Our Martyrologe also among other Saints of this time commemorates the death and Martyrdom of a King of Brecknock in Southwales calld Clitanc or Clintanc on the nineteeth day of August in the year of Grace four hundred niâ—â—ty two Concerning whom we read in Capgrave that he was a Prince very observant of peace and iustice among his Subiects and that in the end he became a Martyr adorn'd with a celestiall crown for his vertues and merits and particularly his Chastity and purity from carnall delectations For he was murdred by treason of a certain impious wretch whose name is perished with him But to return to the publick affairs of these times between the Brittains and Saxons XVI CHAP. 1.2.3 The erection of the Kingdom of the South-Saxons 4. Of the Citty Anderida 5. Two Metropolitans constituted 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred ninety one is placed by our best Historians the beginning of the Kingdom of the South-Saxons which as it began on a sudden and more timely then the rest so was it likewise the first that fayled and the last which embraced the Christian Faith The manner how this New Kingdom was erected is thus described by Henry of Huntingdon 2. Then began saith he the Kingdom of Sussex which Ella a long time held and administred with great power He had received great recruits out of Germany so that being confident of his forces he in the third year after the death of Hengist the Roman Emperour Anastasius then raigning layd siege to the Strong Citty of Andredecester Whereupon the Brittains were gatherd together in infinite numbers to raise this siege and both day and night vexed the besiegers with ambushes and incursions But they nothing discouraged gave continuall assaults on the Citty and in every assault the Brittains sett on their backs showrâ—ng arrows and darts upon them So that they were forc'd to give over the assault and turn their forces against them But the Brittains being more nimble quickly ran into the woods and when the Saxons returnd to the walls they follow'd them at their bac'ks 3. By this means the Saxons were a long time extremely harass'd and great slaughters were made of them Till at last they were compell'd to divide their Army into two parts that whilst one was employed in expugning the Citty the other part might be in a readines to fight with the Brittons from without Than indeed the besieged being weakned with famine could no longer resist the Saxons by whom they were all consum'd with the sword so that not one escaped And moreover in revenge of the great losses sustain'd by the Saxons during this Siege they demolish'd the Citty utterly so that it was never built again Onely the marks of the place where a most Noble Citty had been seated might be seen by passengers 4. The Citty here called Andredecester was by the Romans call'd Anderida Guido Pancirolus discoursing on the Officers subordinate to the Count of the Saxon-shore in Brittany makes mention of a Provost of a company of soldiers call'd
which time S. Leo the first governed the Church and Marcian the Roman Empire when Ateila infested Italy He is here improperly call'd an Englishman for though the Angli were at that time in Brittany and probably S. Richard was descended of a family of that particular Nation yet many yeares pass'd before the Island received from them the appellation of England 4. The said Office further prosecutes the Narration of the piety and innocence expressed by this Saint even in his tender years how a verse he was from wantonnes and luxury incident to that age wholly giving himself to reading of Holy Scripture conversing with men of learning and vertue c. insomuch as he gained not only fervent love from his parents but veneration from his companions and strangers 5 But because the following wars and especially the Idolatrous Rites of his countreymen the Saxons furious enemies of the Religion to which our Lord had call'd him were a hindrance to his free progress in piety there we further read how he was miraculously invited to forsake his countrey and to depart ino Italy For thus it follows in the said Office Whilst the Blessed S. Richard was assiduously intent on his devotions and prayers to God there appear'd to him in sleep the glorious Apostle S. Peter commanding him in the name of Almighty God to take a journey into Apulia and there to preach the word of God to the Andrians That he should not apprehend the length of the way or the threatnings of Infidels because our Lord would be present to assist him Having said this the Apostle vanish'd And S. Richard being awak'd from sleep immediatly rose and casting himself before a Crucifix gave humble thanks to God and S. Peter for this Visitation The day following he forsook his Brethren who were persons of power and eminence and taking leave of his dearest freinds began his journey notwithstanding their importunity to detain him Being arrived at Rome he address'd himself to the Holy Pape Gelasius and declar'd what commands had been in a Vision impos'd on him by the Holy Apostle thereupon beseeching him that with his permission and blessing he might goe to Andria there to fullfull the Ministery enjoyn'd him Gelasius hearing this did greatly rejoyce and observing the venerable aspect of S. Richard together with his gravity ordained him Bishop of the Church of Andria and commanded him that whither soever he went he should preach the Gospell of Christ and this done kissing the holy man he gave him his beneâ—iction 6. Through the whole course of his journey S. Richard accordingly preach'd the word of God and by many miracles and cures wrought on the sick converted many to the Faith and worship of the true God till at length he arrived at Andria There before the gate of the Citty he saw a blind man and a woman bowd and contracted together both which begg'd an Alms of him Whereupon he began to expound to them the Word of God c. and perceiving the blind man to be devoutly attentive to his speeches he said to him If thou wilt beleive in Iesus Christ and be baptis'd thou shalt receive thy sight Who answer'd I believe in Iesus Christ whom thou preachest and I beg that I may be baptis'd Assoon as this was said the Holy man with his hands making the sign of the Crosse upon the blind mans eyes he immediatly recover'd his sight and casting away the staves which had help'd him in walking he gave due thanks to God and to S. Richard by whom he had been enlightned As for the woman when she saw this miracle she likewise was converted and S. Richard seeing her Faith took her by the hand whereupon she presently rose up streight and walking cryed with a loud voyce There is onely one most high God who by his good servant hath made mee whole At these clamours of the woman the greatest part of the Citty met together and attending to the Holy Bisphops preaching were in a short time converted God working many other Miracles by him and having broken down all their Idols were baptis'd by him 7. Not long after this there follow'd the foresayd Apparition of S. Michael to the people of Sipontâ— who commanded them to erect a Chappell there to his name This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius and he to Pope Gelasius desiring his advice what was to be done His answer was that such being the will of the Blessed Archangel a Church should forthwith be built And that this should be executed by the Holy Bishops Laurentius of Siponto Sabinus of Carnusium Pelagius of Salapia Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria 8. Then follows a Narration how the two Holy Bishops Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria performed their journey to Siponto on foot with dayly fasting toylsome labour and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun Which incommodity on their prayers was miraculously remedied by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their heads which shadow'd them during all their journey to Siponto At their arrivall they executed what had been enjoyn'd them as we read in the publick Office of the Church To conclude no more doe we find recorded of this Holy Bishop but his holy and happy death commemorated in our Martyrologe on the Ninth of April XIX CHAP. 1.2.3 The coming of Cerdic the Saxon founder of the West-Saxon Kingdom 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred ninety four a third Noble German call'd Cerdic arriv'd in Brittany For having heard how by the valour of the Saxons two Kingdoms had been there erected he resolv'd to pretend likewise for a share in the spoiles being a man of high spirits and noble descent as having proceeded from the stock of Woden one of the German Gods 2. His coming is thus describ'd by Henry of Huntingdon In the forty seaventh year after the first coming of the Angli Cerdic and his Son Cenric attended with five ships arriv'd in Brittany and landed at a place afterward call'd Cerdic-shore The same day great multituds of the Brittains meeting fought with them The Saxons having ranged their forces in order stood immoveable before their ships The Brittains boldly set on them and then retired but were not pursued by the enemy who resolved not to quit their place Thus was continued the fight the Brittains sometimes charging and then retreating till the nights darknes sever'd them After which the Brittains having experience of the feiâ—cenes of these new-come strangers departed so that neither side could boast of a Victory Yet this advantage the Saxons had that they took possession of their enemies shore and by little and little enlarg'd their conquests along the Sea coasts 3. Their landing was in the Province of the Iâ—eus comprehending Suffolk and Norfolk yet there they setled not But marching through the Island they came into the Western parts where in time they erected the New powerfull Kingdom of the West-Saxons XX. CHAP. 1.2
having conquered the Norvegians placed his Nephew Loth in the throne and then with ioy returned into Brittany 5. Acts of Chevalry yet more prodigious have been in a seeming sober manner recounted especially by Geffrey of Monmouth which in a generall manner shall be here set down in the expression and with the Censure of Ranulphus of Chester As touching this King Arthur saith he among all Historians only thus extolled by Geffrey of Monmouth many doe wonder how any one can beleive those things to be true which are reported of him For if there were any probability that he conquered thirty Kingdoms if he subdued the King of the Franks if he slew Lucius the Emperours Governour in Italy how comes it to passe that all Historians Romans French Saxons should make no mention at all of such Heroicall Exploits of so great a Prince whereas they have related far lesse acts of persons much inferiour Geffrey tells us that his Arthur conquered Frollo King of the Franks whereas among the French Writers such a Name as Frollo cannot be found He says likewise that during the raign of the Emperour Leo King Arthur kild Lucius an Italian Generall of the Empire and yet according to all the Roman Historians there was no Lucius Governour in Italy Neither did King Arthur raign nor was so much as born in the time of Leo but of Iustinian the fifth Emperour after Leo. To conclude Greffrey says he much wonders that Gildas and S. Beda should make no mention of King Arthur in their Writings Whereas we may much rather wonder that this Geffrey should so highly extoll a man whose actions have scarce been mentioned by any ancient Historians of high esteem for their truth sincerity But perhaps this is the custom of every nation to exalt some one of their Princes with excessive praises as the Grecians have enormously magnified their Alexander the Romans their Octavian the English their Richard the French their Charles and in like manner the Brittains their Arthur This often happens saith Iosephus either for the beautifying of their Histories or the delighting their Readers or extolling their own blood 6. That there was such a King of the Brittains as Arthur and that he was a Prince of a most magnanimous and Heroical Spirit we are assured by Monuments of such unquestioâ—ned authority that Geffreys lyes cannot disparage them And had it not been that Almighty God had given up the Brittains to destruction no hand could have been more proper able to rescue them then King Arthurs and no doubt it was to his valour that we ought to ascribe the security of the remains of them amoÌ„g the Mountains of Wales But as for his conquering so many kingdoms and driving the Saxons out of his own these are inventions so impudently false that in the very same years to which these Victories are assigned our unquestioned Histories inform us that the Saxons made some notable progresse in their conquests and some new kingdom of theirs became established 7. It may notwithstanding be allowd to Malbranque since he will needs entitle King Arthur to the subduing his Morini that being weary of contending in vain with the Saxons and a surcease of arms being agreed between them King Arthur to avoyd idlenes might transport some forces over Sea into that Province of France and there settle in the Principality his kinsmaÌ„ Leodegarius bestowing on him the Strong Citty of Bouloign Bononia with the territory adjoyning with this condition that he and his Successours should hold it with acknowledgment and dependance of the Blessed Virgin to whom we have seen before that King Arthur bore so particular devotion All which saith that Authour is extracted out of the ancient Archives of that Citty 8. Thus much may be iudged expedient to be said concerning King Arthur of whom nothing will remain more to be related for the space of many years till we come to treat of his death The intercurring time being to be supplyed by a few passages touching Ecclesiasticall affaires occurring in Brittany XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 The Kingdoms of the East-angles and East-Saxons erected 4 The Isle of wight conquered whence the name 1. ABout the year of Grace five hundred twenty seaven two new Kingdoms were erected in Brittany without any disturbance from King Arthur The seat of them was in the Eastern parts of the Island The Province of the Iceâ—â— containing Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgshire was possessed by the Angli and made up the Kingdom of the East-angles The Province of the Trinobantes containing Essex Middlesex were possessed by a Tribe of the Saxons and made up the Kingdom of the East-Saxons But whether of these two kingdoms began first is uncertain in our History because the names of their first Kings are for the unconsiderablenes of their actions not left recorded 2. Mathew of Westminster fixes their beginning in the same year five hundred twenty sixe when saith he there came out of Germany certain Pagans who seysed on the Eastern parts of Brittany namely that Region which is called the Kingdom of the East-Angles And some of the same Germans invading the Middle Provinces of the Island fought many battles against the Brittains But because their Leaders were many and not subordinate to one their names are forgotten The same year the Kingdom of the East-Saxons also took its Origiâ—nal in these days called Essex the first King whereof as is beleived was Erkenwin the Son of Offa. 3. This Writer does not acquaint us with the name of the first King of the East-Angles But that defect is supplied by Ranulphus of Chester though he assign the Original of that Kingdom much sooner For thus he writes In the year of Grace four hundred ninety 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of the East-Angles began under Vffa from whom all the succeeding Kings were anciently called Vffings which since we call Ficans or Fikeys Such is the uncertainty about the beginning of these two Kingdoms to discourse of which concerns not our design 4. The year following the Isle of Wight was invaded by King Cerdic and his Son Kinric as hath been sayd But almost three years passed before they could quite subdue it For in the year five hundred and thirty saith Huntingdon Certic and his Son with a numerous army fought with the Brittains in Witland or the Isle of Wight and having overcome them took possession of the Island In which battell they made a wonderfull slaughter of them at Whitgaresberg in the thirteenth year of their Raign This Island called in Latin Vâ—cta they gave four years after to their Nephews â—â—uffa and Witgar The Brittains call this Island Guith which saith Nennius signifies a divorce or renting asunder because is is divided from Brittany by so narrow a sea intervening that is seems to have been once ioynd with it The Saxons from the Brittish word called it Witland or Vitland XVIII CHAP. 1.2 A Synod assembled in Wales by Saint
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
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
Peter design'd Abbot of his New Monastery to assure S. Gregory of the well-fare of his children and the great hopes of a good successe of their Mission 2. Withall he made a request for a fresh supply of New Missioners to assist them in the dispensation of Divine Mysteries considering the great coÌ„course of those which desired instruction to comply with all which exceeded the power of those few labourers already employd And lastly for his own information and enablement to govern as became him the infant-Church of the Saxons so as to give no offence nor advantage of calumny to the Brittish Clergy which no doubt attentively bent their eyes upon his actions S. Augustin proposed certain Questions and difficulties to S. Gregory desiring his resolution of them What these particular Questions were will appeare when S. Gregories answer comes 3. For the present we will only take notice of a somewhat confident Censure which a Protestant B. Godwin has given of S. Augustin on this occasion Augustin saith he was perhaps no ill man but his ignorance was shamefull as appears by the Questions proposed by him to S. Gregory But he might have considered that those Questions principally regarding outward Rites and Iurisdiction which Rites were not altogether uniformly practised at Rome and in France c. It was necessary in a tender Church as this was to take care and circumspection about matters which otherwise were not of so great importance However the Character wich S. Gregory from knowledge and experience gave of S. Augustin deserves more to be regarded then B. Godwins which Character is contain'd in an Epistle written by that Holy Pope to King Ethelbert Our most Reverened Brother and Fellow-bishop Augustin saith he is a man very learned in the Rule of Monastick Institution full of the Science of the Sacred Scriptures and through the Divine Grace eminent in good works and vertues 4. Iohn Pits testifies moreover that by the same Messengers Letters were sent to Saint Gregory from King Ethelbert whom he reckons among the ancient Illustrious Writers of Brittany because there were extant besides a Treatise call'd Decrees of Iudgment a Book of Epistles writen by the same King to S. Gregory and S. Augustin as this Authour collects from S. Beda IX CHAP. 1. 2. c. The Gests Miracles Translation c. of S. Ivo 1. WIthout interrupting the order of the Gests of S. Augustin the next of which regards S. Gregories Answer to his Letters and Requests which will not arrive till this year of our Lord six hundred be past We will here interpose the Gests of two Saints the one a stranger but dying in Brittany the other a Brittain but dying beyond seas and of both the death hath been consign'd to this year 2. The first was S. Ivo concerning thorn Camden thus Writes The River Vse being ready to enter into Cambridgshire passes by a town handsom enough and well inhabited which in the Saxon tongue was anciently call'd Slepe but now S. Ives from Ivo a Persian Bishop who about the year six hundred travelled through England and every where left a sweet-odour of his Sanctity carefully sowing the word of God where he pass'd and at last left his name to this Town where he ended his life From whence notwithstanding the Monks of Ramsey shortly after translated his Body thither This was a very rich Monastery seated among the Fennâ— about seaven miles distant from thence 3. More particularly concerning this Saint we read in Capgrave Florentius Matheâ—â— of Westminster and Malmsburiensis that he was born in a Citty of Persia called Frianeos that his Father was a Prince there named Yomos and his Mother Isitalia That his onely Brother Athanatos lived an Eremiticall life in a certain wood and was illustrious for Miracles That Saint Ivo was elected Bishop in the town where he was born and not long after translated to the Archiepiscopall See of the Citty Asitanea Which See he governed with great Sanctity and prudence till a terrible famine so desolated the Countrey that Parents were compelled to devour their children By reason whereof Saint Ivo with eleaven more devout companions forsook that Region and passing through many countreys at last came to Rome where by the advice of the Pope they severed themselves and Saint Ivo by divine disposition together with his Nephew Sithius his kinsman Inthius and some others caâ—e into Brittany Where he spread the Gospell wheresoever he came and afterward went over into France where yet he could not be perswaded to abide long though the king and people expressed all kindnes and respect to him but returned into Brittany and to his death remaind in a town call Slepe at three miles distance from Huntington serving God all his days in watching fasting and prayers 4. The occasion of the Translation of his body from thence is by the same Authours described after this manner His Sacred Body remained severall ages in the place of his buriall insomuch as his Memory was lost in that place But at last in the year of Grace one thousand and one a certain husband man as he was plowing the ground light upon his Tomb which being taken up and opened the Body of a Bishop in his Pontificall ornaments was seen in it Whereupon the Pastor of that village called Ednoth a Monk being sent for they with his advice caried the Body into the Church and with great reverence placed it near the Altar The night following the same Bishop S. Ivo appeared in a very reverend form and with great brightnes to a Carpenter called Ezi and told him who he was commanding him to signify to another Ednoth Abbot of Ramsey that he should translate his and his companions bodies from thence to his Monastery But the poor man not having the boldnes to relate this vision he appeared to him a second time repeating the same commands Which he still neglecting to perform at the third apparition the Bishop smote him on the side with his Crosier telling him that the pain of that stroke should remain till he had performed what had been enjoyned him The mun awaking presently after found a greivous pain in his side as if a sword had peirced it 5. That was he compelled to declare his vision to the Abbot which assoon as he had done he was freed his pain But the Abbot would give no credit to what the man told him but calling him clown and fool said Must we translate and venerate the ashes of I know not what cobler The night following the Holy Bishop appeared to the Abbot and said Rise quickly for I whom thou scornfully calledst Cobler have brought thee here a pair of boots that will last a good while These thou must putt on and wear for my sake Having said thus he seemed to draw on his leggs a pair of boots with care to make them sitt smooth and hand som. Presently the Abbot waking felt such horrible pain
take a view of the effects which these Letters and admonitions produced in the persons to whom they were directed King Ethelbert and Saint Augustin King Ethelbert therefore casts down all Idols and commands the Temples accustomed to profane and impious Sacrifices to be changed into places of pure Worship and Piety And S. Augustin assisted by fresh labourers purges those profane Temples and instead of Idols erects the Sacred Crosse the Hieroglyphick of our Faith 2. More particularly King Ethelbert to whom S. Gregory had proposed Constantin for a pattern with a munificence like Constantins gave his Palace and whole Royal Citty of Canterbury to S. Augustin saith Camden and built for himself a Palace at Reculver Regulbium Which place Saith Parker was situated near the Sea Where likewise he founded a Monastery the last Abbot whereof was called Wenred Nothing now remains of this place by reason the Sea breaking in has cover'd it Onely the tops of towers other ruins of the Monastery are marks to Seamen that they may avoyd the dangerous flats there 3. Together with the Royal Citty King Ethelbert conferred likewise on S. Augustin and his Successours many Regall Priviledges Iura Regalia Among which one was a right of coyning Money with his own Stamp For to this effect Selden thus Writes The ancient Right of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury is signified by an Old Coyn one side whereof is signed with the name Plegmuud Arch-bishop and the other with the name of Eâ—cmund the Coyner The Prototype is preserved in the Treasure of the family of Cotton where I my self saw a peice of silver having imprinted on it the name image of Celnoth Arch-bishop And it seems the right of coyning money generally esteemed a Regal Priviledge did belong to the Arch-bishop as Lord of that Citty in those times 4. This Right remained to that See till the times of King Ethelstan about the year of Grace nine hundred twenty four who then abrogated it in the opinion of Selden publish'd a Law that not any coyn should passe but such as was stamped with the Kings Image Notwithstanding it was not quite abrogated for among the same Kings Laws this is one Let there be seaven Minters or Coyners at Canterbury Of which four shall belong to the King two to the Arch-bishop and one to the Abbot So that this prerogative remained many ages entire to the Arch-bishops though the measure and valew of the money coynd was restrain'd by King Athelstan who commanded the same coyn for price and quantity to have passage through his dominions and that none out of Citties should be permitted to stamp it Neither can it appear from any authentick Record but that this Priviledge continued till the time of the Norman Conquest 5. To the same See of Canterbury also by vertue of S. Gregories Rescript did belong an Vniversall Iurisdiction over the whole Island Forthough in a Synod shortly following the Brittish Bishops made their opposition and contradiction to this Priviledge for which reason S. Augustin forbore to presse it Yet the same was afterward admitted not only by all the Churches of the Saxons but of Brittany in the largest sence yea of the Brittanies in the plurall number Britanniarum comprehending in the language of ancient Authours Polybius hist. l. 3. and Ptolomy Georg. l. 2. both old Scotland which is Ireland and Albany which is Modern Scotland For on the See of Canterbury did both those Nations depend in Ecclesiasticall matters 6. Thus Queen Matildis call'd S. Anselm the Arch-bishop of the prime See and Primar of the Northern Islands call'd Orcades And before S. Anselms time the custom was for the Irish Bishops to receive Consecration from the Arch-bishops of Canterbury as evidently appears from S. Lanfrancs letter to Gothric King of Ireland extant in Baronius as likewise from the letter of Murchertac another Irish King and Dofnald a Bishop to S. Anselm Arch-bishop of Canterbury in which they request him to institute a Bishop at Waterfoxd by vertue of the power of Primacy over them which was invested in him and of the authority of Legat of the Apostolick See which he exercised This is testified by Eadmerus the Monk an eye-witnes of that transaction 7. Next as touching Scotland in the modern acception though anciently it was subject to the Arch-bishop of York by a Decree of Pope Eleutherius sent by Fugatius and Damianus Yet now S. Gregory derogated from that Decree and either having regard to S. Augustins sanctity or the eminent Empire of Ethelbert who was in some sort Monarch of the whole Island he publish'd a New Decree that all Churches of the Brittanies should be subject to the See of Canterbury And this is manifest in the Controversy between Alexander King of the Scotts and the foresaid Eadmer who at the request of that King was appointed Bishop of S. Andrews in Scotland by Radulphus Arch-bishop of Canterbury whom the King would have to receive Consecration from the Arch-bishop of York but he refused informing him that the authority of the See of Canterbury did of old extend over all Brittany and therefore that he would require Consecration from the said Arch-bishop But the King not being satisfied Eadmer chose rather to relinquish his new Bishoprick then prejudice the Prerogative of the Prime See of Brittany XV. CHAP. i. 2 The King of the Northumbers overcomes the King of the Scotts 1. THE year following which was the six hundred and third of our Lords Incarnation Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers overcame Edan King of the Scotts This Ethelfrid saith Beda was a most potent King and wonderfully thirsty after glory He had wasted the Brittains more then any of the Saxon Princes and had made many of their Provinces tributary Whereupon Edan King of the Scots inhabiting Brittany being mov'd by the great progresse of his Victories came against him with a mighty and well appointed army but was overcome and forced to fly back with few attendants For in a place called Degsasten or The Stone Degsa celebrated by that battell his whole army in a manner was destroyed Yet in the same combat Theobald Brother of Ethelfrid with that part of the army lead by him was slain And from that time till the dayes of S. Beda himself never durst any King of the Scotts enter Brittany against the English Nation 2. The said King Aidan as Fordon the Scottish Chronicler testifies after that discomfiture did so afflict himself with greif that two years after he dyed at Kentyre After whose death Kennet Ker son of Conal seysed on the Crown but within lesse then a years space dying Eugenius Buydwel Son of Aeidan succeeded in the Kingdom Which King Eugenius saith he infested the Regions of the Saxons and sometimes of the Picts with furious irruptions But in this clause he manifestly contradicts S. Beda forecited who likewise elsewhere expressly affirms That the Scotts inhabiting Brittany contented themselves with
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
the Deposition or death of S. Golven Bishop and Confessour who succeeding S. Paul weaned the Church committed to him from its childish nourishment and strengthned it with the solid meat of holy Teaching illustrated it with the light of pious conversation and advanced it to the perfect form of vertue So rendring himself gratious to our Lord by his care to adorn his Spouse he in white robes ascended to the Mariage of the Lamb celebrated in the Heavenly Ierusalem The Holy Bishop dyed at Rennes and was buried in the Monastery of S. Melanius 2. But the Originall of S. Balred is more assured a holy man born in the Northern parts of Brittany who dyed this year and his Memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the twenty ninth of March. Where it is sayd that he was wonderfully buried in three places seing three Towns Aldham Tinnigham and Preston contended for his Body Probably this is the same who by our Historians Mathew of Westminster Hoveden is called S. Balter whose Church having been impiously layd wast by Analef the Dane he was shortly after punished for his Sacriledge by a miserable death 3. The year following by the return of S. Mellitus and the Decrees of Pope Boniface and the Roman Synod peace was restored and confirmed to the English Church and quietnes to Monasteries 4. In the year of Grace six hundred and twelve Ceolulf King of the West-Saxons after a raign of fourteen years dyed He had spent all his life in war saith William of Malmsbury and never allow'd himself any rest but was always employed either with defending or enlarging his Provinces Two Princes succeeded together in his Throne both of them valiant and both contending with one another in all offices of kindnes and freindship their names were Cinegislus and Quincelmus And for their concord unusuall among Kings they were a miracle to their own times and an example for succeeding Many wars they managed so as it was doubtfull whether they shewd therein greater courage or moderation Sometimes they fought against the Brittains sometimes against Penda King of the Mercians a Prince exercised in all the sleights of war This Quicelmus is by some Writers said to have been the Brother of Cinegislus but others more probably say he was his Son and assumd into a participation of his Throne IV. CHAP. 1.2 c Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers kills above twelve hundred Brittish Monks 7.8 S. Augustin uniustly accused of this slaughter by Protestants and defended W. Prinns horrible calumnies 1. THE year of our Lord six hundred and thirteen was blackned by a greivous calamity hapning to the Brittains and among them principally to those who least deserved it the Religious Monks of the famous Monastery of Bangor Which calamity was brought upon them by the barbarous King of the Northumbers Ethelfrid who well deserved the sirname given him of ferus cruel or Savage His Character we have already delivered from Malmsburiensis and how he broke the power of Edan King of the Scotts The present Story is related by Saint Beda in the manner following 2. The most powerfull King of the Angli Edelfridus having gatherd a mighty army made a terrible slaughter of the perfidious Nation of the Brittains at the Citty of the Legions in the English tongue calld Legacester but more rightly in the Brittish Caër-Legion Chester When he was ready to begin the battell he saw their Preists who were mett to pray to God for their army standing a part from it in a place of greater safety Whereupon he ask'd who those men were and for what design they were assembled in that place Now most of them were of the Monastery of Banchor in which the Number of Monks was so great that being divided into seaven companies each under a particular President every company consisted of no sewer then three hundred and all lived by their labour Now the greatest part of them were mett together in this Army to pray for it where they likewise celebrated a Fast three days together and a certain Captain calld Brochmal was appointed with convenient forces to protect them from the swords of their barbarous Enemies whilst they should be intent to their Proyers 3. King Edilfrid therfore having understood the cause why those Monks were come together he said If it then be so that they they cry unto their God against us they doe truly fight against us though they wear no arms since they persecute us with their imprecations Thereupon he gave command to sett upon them first which was performd and after their slaughter he destroyd all the other forces of the perfidious Brittains though with a considerable losse to his own Army 4. The report is that of those Monks which came to pray there were slain no fewer then twelve hundred and that fifty onely escaped by flight For Brocmal at the first charge of the Enemy fled with all his soldiers so leaving those whom he ought to have defended naked and unarmd to the swords of the barbarous Saxons And thus was fulfilld the Prophecy of the Holy Bishop Saint Augustin though himself a long time before was gone to heaven That for their perfidious refusall of his counsel and offer of eternall Salvation they should feele a Divine revenge by their temporal destruction 5. This cruelty of the Pagan King was notwithstanding presently after iustly punish'd for Nicholas Trivet a French Chronologist from I know not what Records writes How Ethelfrid after this combat marching forwards toward Bangor was mett by three Brittish Princes Blederic Duke of Cornwal Margaduc Prince of Southwales Demetiae and Cadwan Duke of Northwales Venedotiae who fought with him and killd of his army ten thousand and sixty men Vpon which victory Cadwan was by ioynt consent made King who pursued Ethelfrid to the River of Humber But when Ethelfrid returnd with his own and other Saxon auxiliary forces a composition was made between them by freinds on these conditions That Cadwan should enioy the Provinces towards Wales on the south of Humber and Ethelfrid all on the North side 6. This is the true Narration concerning the slaughter wee may call it Martyrdome of the twelve hundred innocent Monks of Bangor attested generally by the consent of all our ancient Historians Onely Sigebert affirms this calamity to have befalln the Scottish Monks so he misnames them in the war between Edilfrid and Edan which he refers to the year of Grace six hundred and fifteen which was seaven years after the death of Saint Augustin But true Chronology confirmed by our best Writers place this massacre two years before and thus saith B. Vsher doe the Annals of Vlster refer to the year of Christ six hundred and thirteen the war of Kaerlegion where the Saints were killd by the Saints intending these Monks of Bangor 7. Which consent of Historians evidently disproves the blasphemous calumnies by some Protestant Writers B. Parker B. Iewel
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
following Now in his Letters to King Edwin calld by S. Beda exhortatory Letters the Copy of which is recorded by him after â—ongratulating with him for his piety and zeal he with a fatherly charity incites him to persist continually and advance in the Faith of that saving truth which he had embraced Adding withall that at his request he had sent two Palls for the two Metropolitans Honorius and Paulinus with a Faculty enabling each of them by his authority to subrogate another when either of them should depart this life This priviledge he granted as well out of his affection to the King as in consideration of the great distance between Rome and Brittany 4. At the same time likewise Pope Honorius wrote letters to Honorius the new Arch-bishop of Canterbury in which saith S Beda he renewd the Decree mentioned in the former letter That when the Arch-bishop of Canterbury or York should dye he who remaind alâ—ve being of the same degree should have power to ordain another in the place of him who was dead that it might not be necessary to weary themselves with sending to Rome through so far extended spaces of land and Sea for the ordaining an Arch-bishop He further signified that he had sent him a Pall and another to S. Paulinus for the same purpose The Exemplar of this Letter is likewise extant in S. Beda 5. Moreover the same year Pope Honorius wrote to the Scotts touching their Errour about Easter for thus writes the same Authour The same Pope likewise directed Letters to the Nation of the Scotts having found that they erred in the observation of the Paschal solemnity Whom he earnestly exhorted not to prefer their own reason being inconsiderable for their paucity and living in the utmost bounds of the world before all other Churches both ancient and Modern through the whole world and consequently that they would not celebrate another different Easter contrary to the Paschall computations and Synodal Decrees of the Vneversal Church 6 The successe of which Letters is thus declared by B. Vsher That these admonitions were not unproffitable I partly collect from Beda who relates how the Scotts dwelling in the Southern parts of Ireland by the advice given them from the Bishop of the Apostolick See were taught to observe Easter after the Canonical Rite and partly from Cummian who lived at the same time and in his Epistle to Segeni Abbot of the Monastery of Hye writes thus touching the first admitting in Ireland the great Cycle of the Alexandrins consisting of five hundred thirty two years composed of the multiplication of nineteen or the Cycle of the Sun into eight and twenty the Cycle of the Moon The first year saith he in which the Cycle of five hundred thirty two years was received by our countrey-men I my self received it not but held my peace neither daring to discommend nor commend it But after a year was passed I consulted the Successour of our Holy Fathers Albeus Bishop Queran of Cloen Brendin Nessan and Lugid who being assembled in the feild of Lena made a Decree that the year following Easter should be celebrated the same time with the Church Vniversal 7. By this narration of Cummian it seems that in the Synod of Lena two years since at least the more sound and considerable part of the Irish Ecclesiasticks determined to conform to the generall practise of the Church but that those inhabiting the Northern and more rude parts continued refractary Which the Abbot Lasrean signifying to the Pope occasioned the writing of these Letters in which the Church of Ireland in generall is not taxed but onely some part of it for the Popes expression related by S. Beda is this I am informed that certain persons of your Province in opposition to the Orthodox Faith doe endeavour to renew an Heresy already antiquated c. It was so of old in Asia for not that whole Province even of Lesser Asia but some particular Churches in it obstinatly maintained the Errour of the Quarto decimani XXI CHAP. 1.2 c. King Edwin slain and acknowledged a Martyr c. 8. His Queen Ethelburga returned into Kent 1. WHilst these contentions were agitated among the Scotts who desired to draw the Brittains into the same faction the English-Saxon Churches flourished wonderfully Christian Faith having changed their manners heretofore extremely barbarous but now exemplary to the whole world for their Modesty Iustice and Charity especially in the Kingdom of the Northumbers In which saith William of Malmsbury there were no domestick theeves no treacherous under-miners of conjugal chastity no fraudulent usurpers of other mens Estates which happines is to be attributed to King Edwins care For this large extended Empire was limited by Iustice and peace which there mutually kissed each other And this felicity had been accomplished but that an immature death unfortunatly snatchd him from his countrey His death indeed which hapned this year was most deplorable to his countrey but most happy to himself For the cheif blessing promised him by the forementioned Divine Oracle remaind alone not yet accomplished which was after many temporal Crowns one that was eternal The manner how he attaind it is now to be declared 2. We have before shewd how Cadwan Prince of Northwales for his valour and good conduct against Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers was chosen King of all the Brittains After his death his Son succeeded in the same power called by Writers severally Cadwallin Cedwalla and by Saint Beda Carduella but the Brittains call him Caswallo Now there hapned a Controversy between him and King Edwin saith Florilegus which could not be decided without war Whereupon they came to a battell in which Cadwallin was putt to flight and lost many thousands of his Soldiers King Edwin therefore having obtaind the Victory marchd with his Army into the Provinces of the Brittains burning their Citties destroying the inhabitants till at last he brought under his Dominion their three kingdoms of Demetia Venedotia and Menevia 3. Cadwallin seing his power thus broken enters into a league with the potent King of the Mercians Penda by which both of them conspired to the destruction of King Edwin Cadwallin was a Christian and Penda a violent Pagan yet the Christian Prince was in his manners and cruelty far more barbarous and cruel then the Pagan Wherefore ioyning all their forces together they invaded King Edwins Territories 4. The time and successe of this war is thus describ'd by S. Beda King Edwin saith he had now raignd seaventeen years most gloriously over the English and Brittains of which he spent six years in the service and Spirituall warfare of Christ. Then did Carduella King of the Brittains rebell against him and was assisted with the auxiliary forces of Penda the potent Prince of the Mercians who governed that Kingdom with variable fortune the space of two and twenty years They came at length to a furious combat in a
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
Heathens and how impossible it was that there should be more then one Eternall Omnipotent God Governour of the world This foundation layd in his mind easily prepared it to admitt the Light of the Gospell which once kindled was never after extinguish'd He received Baptism from the said Felix stiled in his Life a Bishop who therby gave him a Title to a far better Kingdom 5. In the mean time King Erpenwald dyed having been slain by one of his Pagan Noblemen at the Instigation of Penda the cruel King of the Mercians as hath been sayd After whose death Sigebert succeeded in the kingdom Who assoon as he was King made it his prime care to introduce among his subiects the Christian Faith and civility of the French For which purpose he calld out of France his Spiritual Father Felix the Burgundian Who coming into Brittany first addressed himself to Honorius Arch-bishop of Canterbury by whom he was sent to preach the Gospel to the East-Angles Bo Parker says that Honorius first consecrated him Bishop and then directed him in that Mission But the Authour of his life affirms that he was a Bishop before his coming So that the reason why at his first coming he addressed himself to the Arch-bishop was because not having received his Mission immediatly from the See Apostolick he could not according to the Laws of the Church exercise iurisdiction within the Arch-bishops Province without his permission Now if any one shall obiect the coming of Aidan out of the Monastery of Hy without expecting orders either from within or without the Island Saint Beda will solve the difficulty by declaring that the said Isle of Hye or Iona did always enioy for its governour an Abbot who was a Preist to whose Iurisdiction that whole Province and even Bishops themselves were subiect the like example being no where else to be found But the reason of it was because the first Apostolick Teacher of that Nation was not a Bishop but only a Preist and Monk 6. Felix now Bishop of the East-Angles went to Sigebert by whom he was received with great honour and had assignd him for the See of his Bishoprick saith Saint Beda the Citty calld Dummoc situated in the Province of the Iceni or Suffolk It is now calld Dunwich saith Camden the greatest part wherof is swallowd by the Sea and almost reduced to a solitude the Episcopall See many ages since having been transferd At first it alone exercised the whole Iurisdiction over the Kingdom of the East-Angles But Bisus the fourth Bishop from Saint Felix growing old and sickly and uncapable to manage so large a Province divided it into two Dioceses constituting the other Episcopal See at North-Elmholm now a small town 7. The desire which Saint Felix had to serve our Lord in that Employment wanted not good successe saith Saint Beda for his labours produced manifold fruits in that Nation For according to the happy omen of his name he reduced the whole Province from its former infelicity and iniquity to the true Faith to the works of Christian Iustice and the rewards of eternall Felicity And as King Oswald assisted Saint Aidan by interpreting his speeches into a more intelligible language So did King Sigebert to Saint Felix being a stranger in the countrey For Huntingdon writes that Sigebert the Successour and Brother of Erpwald was a most Christian King and together with Felix the Biâ—hop brought others to Christianity 8. The same King whom S. Beda calls a most learned and most Christian Prince as by his example and command he lead his subiects to the true Faith and works of Iustice So to establish the same Faith more firmly he built Churches adorned Altars reverenced the Clergy and those who professed a more severe Christian austerity of life Besides the Church belonging to the Episcopal See he erected another at a town calld Babingley where Felix first entred that Province and a third a place calld Sharnburn Thus writes Camden 9. Moreover remembring the inconstancy of his subiects who had more then once deserted the Christian Profession the pious King Sigebert saith Saint Beda desirous to imitate the good orders which he had seen practised in France instituted a Schoole for the instructing of children Wherein he was assisted by his Bishop Felix who appointed Teachers and Masters according to the manner of Kent And though Saint Beda mentions a School in the singular number only which some interpret to be understood of the Vniversity of Cambridge Notwithstanding our other ancient Historians affirm that S. Felix instituted Schooles in severall opportune places and by little and little reformd the barbarousnes of the Nation by introducing the civility of the Latin tongue Which was a benefit much to be celebrated to bring a people formerly rude and fanatick to tast the sweetnes of human literature This is the testimony of William of Malmsbury in which Florilegus and Huntingdon doe ioyn And our modern Writers doe more particularly affirm that at this time a Schoole for the instructing young children was erected at Flixton a Town which took its name from Saint Felix 10. This same year Quichelm the Son of Kinegils and partner with him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons followd the example of his Father in embracing the Christian Faith and receiving the Sacrament of Baptism but went before him to receive the crown of his Faith and innocence for he dyed the same year saith Huntingdon and Florentius of Worcester who adds that he was baptised by Saint Birinus in the Citty Dorice by which he seems to understand Dorchester the Episcopall See of S. Birinus 11. King Oswald likewise the same year maried Kineburga daughter to Kinegils by whom the year following he had a Son called Ethelwald VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of S. Fursey 5.6 c. His wonderfull Visions 11.12 He builds a Monastery in Essex which he recommends to his Brother 13. He goes into France where he dyes His Memory celebrated at Peronne 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred thirty seaven Saint Felix Bishop of Dunwich received great comfort and assistance in his Apostolick labours by the arrival of a stranger out of Ireland This was Saint Fursey who having spent many years in preaching the Gospel in his own countrey came this year into Brittany saith Bishop Vsher. 2. Saint Beda relates the same more expressly saying Whilst Sigebert as yet held the raines of the Government in his hand there came out of Ireland a holy man named Fursey illustrious both for his teaching and piety who was desirous to spend the remainder of his life in a strange countrey wheresoever he could find opportunity the more perfectly to serve our Lord. This devout man coming into the Province of the East-Angles was honourably received by the said King and there he executed his usuall employment of preaching by which ioynd with his vertuous example he converted many Infidels
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
gathered a numerous Congregation of Disciples into whose minds they instilled the waters of saving knowledge Yea moreover they mingled with the Instructions of Christian Doctrin out of Holy Scriptures other Documents likewise of Poetry Astronomy and Ecclesiasticall Computation In proof whereof there remained alive to these times severall of then Disciples who understood the Latin and Greek Tongues as perfectly as their Native language Thus writes S. Beda 2. And forasmuch as concerns the Greek tongue the said Arch-bishop saith B. Godwin erected a Schoole for the teaching of it in a village which from thence was called Greeklade but now corruptly Cricklade The teachers whereof afterward repairing to Oxford about twenty miles distant from thence are supposed to have thereby layed the foundations of that most famous Vniversity Notwithstanding Brian Twine the Antiquary of the said Vniversity will not allow this to have been the prime Originall thereof but earnestly contends that it was a long time before in the times of the Brittains founded by certain Grecian Doctours 3. The said B. Godwin addes that the Arch-bishop and Abbott brought with them from Rome a plentifull store of most choice Books both Greek and Latin and among the rest a Homer so accuratly written in such beautifull letters that it is scarce credible that at this day there should be extant any one Copy even among the most exquisite Prints either more fair or more perfectly correct then it 4. So great indeed was the benefitt which this Nation received from the diligence zeale and liberality of these two eminent persons that Saint Beda with iust reason affirmed That there had never been more happy times since the Saxons and English first entred this Island Such valiant and withall Christianly pious Kings governed here that they were a terrour to all barbarous Nations Likewise generally their Subjects desires were caried to heavenly and eternall ioyes at this time more effectually preached unto them then any time before And who soever were willing to be instructed in Sacred learning had Maisters ready the teach them Moreover they begun now through all to Churches of the English to learn the Roman manner of singing in the Church which before was only practised in Kent And the first Master of Ecclesiasticall Musick in the Kingdom of the Northumbers except Iacob heretofore mentioned was Eddi sirnamed Steven who was invited thither out of Kent by the most Venerable Prelat Wilfrid who was the first Bishop of the English Nation which taught the Saxon Churches the Catholick manner of living VIII CHAP. 1.2 Saint Theodore visites all Provinces 3.4 c. He ends the Controversy about the Bishoprick of York between S. Wilfrid and Saint Ceadda to the advantage of S. Wilfrid 6. c. S. Ceadda made Bishop of the Mercians at Lichfeild 1. WHereas S. Beda as hath been declared testifies that the Holy Arch-bishop Theodore made a progresse through all the Provinces of Brittany to reform abuses determine Controversies and settle Order and Vniformity every where in as much as an Vniversall Iurisdiction was committed to him by the Pope We will here mention some particular Gests of his especially recorded in our ancient Monuments 2. In the first place then saith S. Beda the Arch-bishop Theodore coming to the Citty of Rhofi Rochester which See since the death of the Bishop Damian remaind Vacant he there ordaind a man more versed in Ecclesiasticall matters and content with the former simplicity of living then exercised in secular businesses His name was Puâ—ta He was most eminently skilld in the Roman manner of Singing in the Church which he had learnt from the Disciples of Pope Gregory 3. From thence he went Northward and in the Kingdom of the Northumbers concluded a long debate touching the Bishoprick of York to which there were two pretenders both venerable and Holy Bishops S. Wilfrid and S. Ceadda S. Wilfrid had been first Elected thereto and was sent by Alâ—frid King of the Deiri or Yorkshire into France to be consecrated by Agilbert Bishop of Paris But his Father King Oswi upon what Motive is not declared appointed Saint Ceadda then an Abbot among the Northumbers to be Bishop of York to which he was consecrated by the impious and Sacrilegious Wina formerly Bishop of Winchester and then of London This controversy the Arch-bishop Theodore determined to the advantage of S. Wilfrid who returned into Brittany a little before his arrivall and in Kent saith Saint Beda ordained Preists and Deacons untill the Arch bishop Theodore came to his See 4. In this Controversy the Sanctity of Saint Ceadda did eminently shine forth who readily and humbly obeyed the Arch-bishops sentence and willingly rendred both his See and Episcopall dignity to S. Wilfrid This is thus related by the same S. Beda When the Arch-bishop saith he charged S. Ceadda that he had not been duly consecrated Bishop he with an humble voyce answered If you are sure that I have not entred into this Bishoprick aright I willingly depart from the Office for truly I never judged my self worthy of it but it was simply out of Obedience that I though unworthy thereof undertook it being thereto commanded The Arch-bishop hearing the humility of his answer said that it was not requisite he should quitt the Episcopall dignity and therefore he again perfected his Consecration after the Catholick manner Now what Errour had been committed in his former Consecration is not declared by any of our Writers For though his Ordainer Wina were indeed an unwortly Bishop impious and Sacrilegious and though he had been consecrated to a Church not vacant this might be a sufficient cause to oblige him to relinquish that See but neither of these could invalidate his Consecration 5. Now it hapned at the same time very commodiously that Iarumanâ—us Bishop of the Mercians dying King Wulfere requested the Archbishop to appoint a Bishop over his Province The Arch-bishop would not ordain there a New Bishop but desired King Oswi that Ceadda might be given them for their Bishop who at that time lived quietly in his Monastery at Lestinghe Thus S. Ceadda undertook the Bishoprick of the Nation of the Mercians and likewise of the Lindesfari which he according to the examples of the ancient Fathers administred with great diligence and perfection of life Thus writes the same Saint Beda From whose words misunderstood Iohn Stow erroneously collects that S. Ceadda was Bishop both of the Mercians and of Lindesfarn also whereas the Lindesfari in that passage are the inhabitants of Lincolnshire among whom not long before the Christian Faith having been spread they had a Bishop of their own seated at Sidnacester an ancient Citty whereof at this day no traces remain 6. S. Ceadda now a second time Bishop did not for all that relinquish his Monasticall manner of living but according to the ancient custome joynd it with the Episcopall And for that purpose saith S. Beda King Wulfere gave unto him a
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
due punishment For the very next year the same King leading forth his army to wast the Province of the Pâ—â—sts was slain by them 2. Among others who fearfully apprehended Gods revenge upon this unjust cruelty of King Egfrid was his devout Sister Edelfleda who lately succeeded the Holy Abbesse Saint Hilda in the government of the Monastery of Streneshalâ— Therefore in great solicitude she consulted with S. Cuthbert then a Monk and famous for the gift of Prophecy concerning her Brother and whether the imprecations of the Irish nation ahainst him would not proove too successfull And from him she understood that the King her Brother should not out-live the following year The particular narration of these things is thus compiled by Saint Beda 3. On a certain time saith he the most Venerable Virgin and Mother of our Lords Virgins Elfleda or Edilfleda sent to the man of God Cuthbert adjuring him in the name of God that she might have the happines to see him and to speak with him about matters of necessary importance He therefore accompanied with some of his Brethren took ship and came to an Island which receives its name from a River called Coqued before whose entrance into the Sea it was situated For the foresaid Abbesse had desired him to meet her there When they were come together she proposed many questions to him whereto he gave her satisfactory answers And upon a sudden in the midst of their discourse she cast her self prostrate at his feet and adjured him by the terrible name of the Almighty and of his Angells to tell her plainly how long a time the life and raign of her Brother was to last For said she I am assured that if you will you can tell mee this by the Spirit of Prophecy which God has given you But he astonished at this adjuration yet unwilling to give her a plain discovery of the secret thus answered her It is a strange thing that you being a prudent woman and skillfull in the Scriptures will call the time of mans life long whereas the Psalmist sayes Our years are like a spiders webb and Salomon admonishes us If a man live many years and has spent in mirth all his life he ought to be mindfull of the time of darknes and the many dayes following which when they shall come all that is passed will appear to be vanity How much more truly may this be applied to him who has but one year more to live 4. When the devout Abbesse heard this answer she fell a weeping bitterly bewayled this ominous presage But at last wiping her eyes she again with a woman-like boldnes adiured him by the Majesty of God to tell her who should succeed him in the Kingdom for said she you know he has no children and I have never a brother besides him The Holy man continuing silent awhile at last said Doe not say that you want Brethren for you shall see one to succeed him whom you will affect with as tender and sisterly a love as you now doe Egfrid himself She replied I beseech you tell mee in what countrey he now lives He answered Doe you see this Vast Sea abounding with Islands It is an easy thing for God out of some one of them to provide a man whom he may sett over this Kingdom By this she understood that he spoke of Alfrid who was reputed to be her Fathers naturall Son and at that time lived as a banished man in one of those Scottish Islands where he addicted himself to the study of learning After many discourses he said to her I command you in the name of our Lord and Saviour that you reveale to none before my death what you have heard from mee After this he returned to his solitary Island and Monastery 5 Before this year was ended King Egfrid whose disafâ—ection to S. Wilfrid still continued was so far from any intention to recall him to his See of York that when there was a vacancy in any of his Bishopricks by the death of any who possessed his place he would take care that some other should be substituted in their room as he did this year in which S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury at the said Kings request assembled a Synod of Bishops at a place called Twiford in Northumberland in which the famous Saint Cuthbert was notwithstanding his earnest resistance elected and the year following consecrated Bishop of Lindesâ—arn But of this we will treat more largely when we come to the Gests of the said glorious Bishop We will now declare the successe of his Prophecy touching the approaching death of King Egfrid XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 King Egfrid slain by the Picts 4.5 Different censures of him 6. Bishop Trâ—mwin driven out of Pictslands 1. THE year after the forementioned invasion of Ireland saith S. Beda King Egfrid would himself conduct an army to spoyle and wast the Province of the Picts though his freinds and especially S. Cuthbert lately ordaind a Bishop earnestly dissâ—aded him Being entred the Province with his army the enemies conterfeâ—â—ing fear fled from him whom he pursuing was lead into streits of inaccessible mountains and there with the greatest part of his forces slain on the thirteenth day befoâ—e the Calends of Iune in the fortieth year of his age and fifteenth of his raign Now as I said his freinds earnestly opposed his undertaking this warr But as the year before he would not hearken to the most Reverend Father Egbert who dissâ—aded him from invading Ireland Scotiam from whence he had received no injury So now by Gods just iudgment for punishment of that crime he was hindred from hearkning to those who desired to with-hold him from his destruction 2. Whilst King Egfrid was fighting against the Picts S. Cuthbert anxious about the successe went to Lugubalia or Carlile to comfort his Queen Ermenburga and there God revealed to him the death of the King and defeat of his army The particulars are thus related by S. Beda Whilst King Egfrid saith he rashly adventured the invasion of the Picts and with horrible cruelty wasted their countrey the man of God Cuthbert knowing that the time drew near which he had foretold his Sister that the King should live but one year longer he went to the Citty Lugubalia corruptly named by the inhabitants Luel to speak with the Queen who there expected the event of this warr in a Monastery of her Sister The day after as the Cittizens were honourably leading him to see the walls of the Citty and a fountain in the same of a wonderfull structure according to the Roman manner the Holy Bishop on a suddain as he was leaning on his staff became troubled in mind and with a sad countenance cast his eyes on the ground and presently raising himself up again and looking to heaven he said not very loud Now is the combat decided A Preist-standing by who understood his meaning suddenly and indiscreetly said to him How doe
Martha didst restore to life Lazarus having been four days dead vouchsafe for shewing the power of thy Divinity to raise to life this dead person 12. Then taking the hand of him who had been drownd he said In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ who was crucified God omnipotent I command thee to rise live and confesse thy Creatour Immediatly after this he who was dead opened his eyes and sighing arose as from a deep sleep and embracing the feet of the holy Bishop he cryed out with many groanings There is no God in heaven and earth but the Lord Iesus Christ who was crucified and whom this his holy servant Swibert preaches who by his mercifull goodnes at his prayers has raised mee from death and Hell O how glorious is this mans life who by his Prayers has driven away death from anothers body and by the trust he has in Christ ha's robbed hell of its prey Surely death can have no power where the holy man Swibert interposes his prayer 13. Immediatly upon this all that were present and had heard these words and seen the wonderfull and strange Miracle exalted with condigne praises the goodnes of God through Iesus Christ our Lord who had vouchsafed to make his holy Servant Swibert illustrious by so glorious a Miracle Whereupon casting themselves at the feet of the H. Bishop they professed their readines to beleive in Christ and desire to be baptized in his name And amoÌ„g these some were Pagan Preists who despised and renounced the vain worship of their Idols 14 Lastly the parents kinred of the Young man with infinite ioy gave thanks to God and his Saint embracing him with great devotion and affectionatly kissing him and his Disciples Saint Swibert also himself with the other Christians prostrated themselves on the ground blessing God who had done great things among his people There was moreover in the street so great a clamour or Pagans who had a desire to see the young man who had been restored to life that S. Swibert was compelled after he was cloathed to lead him forth by the hand with great devotion to the glory of God that he might be seen by all Whom assoon as they saw alive and walking they cryed out Of a truth the God of the Christians is a great God who by his servant has wrought such admirable things There was therefore an universall ioy among them all who saw these wonders and the name of our Lord Iesus Christ was glorified 15. At the same time Splinter who had been restored to life was baptized together with his parents kinred and others to the number of one hundred twenty six besides many children of both sexes 16 The day following when an infinite multitude of Pagans were assembled together Saint Swibert after he had premised a Prayer to the Holy Ghost that he would open their hearts to despise Idols and embrace the Faith in which Prayer his Disciples ioynd with him he preached to them at large declaring to them the Transgression of our First Parent Adam the Incarnation of the Son of God and how all those shall be eternally damned who contemning the true God worship Idols and boast in graven Images And the efficacy of his Preaching was such that a great part of the Citty was converted to the Faith of Christ. 17. Now that Citty though by Profession Pagan was subject to the Dominion of the Christian Princes the King of France and his Generall Duke Pipin and the Regions confining Brabant Flanders and Part of Holland had already embraced the Faith So that the Pagans of Duerstat freely conversing with Christians had frequently heard mention made of Christ. 18. S. Swibert remained many dayes in the same Citty with great vigilance and assurance preaching Christ to the Pagans and confirming the Neophytes Insomuch as not only the ordinary Sort of Pagans but likewise many Idoll-Preists seeing the wonderfull Miracle and heavenly Grace shining in the Holy Bishop cast off their Infidelity and Idolatrous Profession and with great devotion received Baptism of him Thus does Marcellin relate the Gests of his Master S. Swibert till the return of Saint Willebrord Of which Gests himself had been an eye-witnes X. CHAP. 1.2 c The Wonderfull story in S Beda of a man revived and recounting his Visions 1. IT will be pertinent and I conceive not unpleasing to the devout Catholick Reader that here should be adioyned another Story related at large by S. Beda in which we shall read how about the same time in Brittany another dead person for the instruction of the living was restored to life Which Story though by some Protestant Writer it be derided because the Churches Doctrin touching Purgatory is confirmed by it Yet since no arguments can be produced by them to disproove it besides their voluntary ungrounded asseveration that they will not beleive it I will not be sparing of the labour to sett it down as it is found in S. Beda's History 2. In these times saith he a Miracle very memorable which might be compared to the Wonders of old hapned in Brittany For to the end that negligent Christians then alive might be raised up from the death of their soules a certain man who had been a good while dead was restored to the life of his Body and related many Notable things which he had seen This man was an honest House-keeper who with his family lived a religious life in a Region of the Northumbers caâ—led Incuningum Who having been struck with a disease the same growing more and more violent upon him it brought him to extremity so that on a certain day towards evening he dyed But the day following early he came to life again and suddenly raising himself up in his bed all those who mourn fully watched the Body were terribly affâ—ighted and ran away Only his Wife whose love to him was excessive though she trembled at the sight stayd still by him 3. The man seing his Wiâ—e bid her be oâ— comfort Fear not said he for I am truly restored to life from death which had seised on mee and permission is give mee to live awhile longer among men But my conversation hereafter must he quite otherwise then formerly it has been Having said this he presently rose and went to an Oratory of that Village where he remained a good while in Prayer Afterward having divided his whole substance into three portions one portion he gave to his Wâ—fe a second to his children and the third he distributed to the poor 4. Not long after having thus freed himself from all worldly cares he went to the Monastery of Mailros which for the greatest part is encompassed with the River Tweed There having received Tonsure he entred into a secret mansion assigned him by the Abbot where he continued to the day of his death in such contrition and mortification both of mind and body that though his tongue were silent the manner of his life did sufficiently tell the
Camden calls the village of Alfrid the most learned King of the Northumbers wherein his Monument is exâ—ant XXV CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Wilfrid in a Synod in Brittany restored to his Rights The testimony of the Holy Royall Virgin Elfleda c. in his behalf 1. WEE are now approching towards an end of the long continued troubles of this illustrious Bishop Saint Wilfrid Whose restitution though it found some delay and opposition after the death of King Alfrid yet by a Synod shortly after assembled in the Province of the Northumbers it was fully effected The manner and progresse whereof is thus declared by the same Authour 2. When King Alfrid was dead a certain Noble man named Edulf who had a design to usurp the Kingdom vomited likewise forth his malicious fury against Saint Wilfrid as if he had been by oath engaged in the frenzy of King Alfrid For when the Holy Bishop calling to mind that the same Edulf had professed freindship formerly to him thought it expedient to goe to him the senceles man fell into such a passion that he commanded him presently to depart his Kingdom and gave order that all his goods should be confiscated and himself cast out thence But two months after the Tyrant loft both his Kingdom and life and the Nobility restored to the Throne Osred the Son of Alfrid 3 Now among the Nobles of that Kingdom the highest both in authority and fidelity was one named Berthfrid Him did Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury admonish to cause a Synod to be assembled in that Kingdom for determining the cause of Saint Wilfrid whereto he consented And in the said Synod to the end that controversy might have a peaceable end it was ordered according to the precepts contained in the Popes Letters that a choice should be offred to the Bishops who were parties against Saint Wilfrid that either they should resign to him his Episcopall See or repair presently to Rome there to iustify the cause of their refusall And whosoever would not accept of this choice should be excommunicated 4. S. Beda notes the particular place where this Synod meâ—t saying it was near the River Nid which gives a name to the Province of Nidds-dale now belonging to the Kingdom of Scotland but anciently within the Dominion of the Northumbers At this Synod were present Arch-bishop Brithwald with S. Wilfrid likewise Bosa Bishop of York and Iohn of Hagulstad There came thither also the Royall Virgin and Abbesse of Streneshalck Elfleda Sister to King Alfrid whose testimony was of great moment for ending the controversy For thus writes William of Malmsbury 5. Whilst the cause of S. Wilfrid was agitating in the Synod and the Bishops according to their former manner contradicted his pretentions the Holy Virgin Elfleda Sister to the late King Alfrid and Abbesse of Streneshalck after S. Hilda putt an end to the busines Saying Let these tedious discourses little to the purpose cease Here doe I produce the last Will of my Brother at the making whereof my self was present by which he declares that if God restored him his health he would without delay observe and execute the commands of the See Apostolick or if death kindred him he would oblige his heyr and successour thereto 6. After the Holy Virgin had spoke thus Berthfrid immediatly added these words My sentence is that we ought to obey the Popes commands especially considering that our obligation thereto â—â— strengthned by our late Kings will and the solemn promise also which we our selves made in our necessity for when after his death we were besieged in the Citty of Bedda-burgh and that the enemies inclosing us used their utmost endeavour to break into the Town in this extremity and danger we made a Vow to God that if we might escape we would fullfill the commands of the See Apostolick We had scarce ended this Vow but presently the whole Province submitted it self to us and every one strove who should prevent the other in running to our assistance The Royall youth Osred was acknowledged King the Enemy was defeated and the usurping Tyrant slain To conclude it is our young Kings will also that the Venerable Bishop Wilfrid be restored Now Berthfrid had no sooner spoke thus but immediatly all clouds of dissension were dissipated and a lightsome calmnes of peace succeeded All the Bishops hastned to embrace one another and passed the remainder of their lives in amity and concord 7 The result of the Synod was That Saint Wilfrid should be re-instated in all the dignities and possessions formerly belonging to him Notwithstanding Bosa who had been Bishop of York dying presently after this Synod S. Wilfrid permitted Iohn to remove to York and himself being now very old contented himself with the See of Hagulstad or Hexham and his own Monasteries 8. Thus at last ended all the troubles of this Holy Bishop Wilfrid Which were the more heavy to him in that all his persecutours were persons of vertuous holy lives The consideration whereof gave occasion to the Historian to make this complaint It is hence manifest how great the misery is wherein human Nature is involved inasmuch as those men and woemen whose sanctity is much celebrated by Antiquity such were Theodore Brithwald Iohn Bosa and likewise the Holy Abbesse Hilda they all with utmost violence persecuted S. Wilfrid a Bishop most highly favoured by Almighty God Particularly as touching Bosa he is stiled by S. Beda a most holy Prelat and beloved by God and his Name is commemorated among Gods Saints in our Martyrologe on the ninth of March though his death hapning this year is assigned to the year of Grace seaven hundred THE ONE AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. S. Hedda Bishop of the West-Saxons dying his Sâ—e is divided into two Winchester of which Saint Daniel is made Bishop and Shirborn of which S. Aldelm 1. THE same year in which debates were so happily ended in the Northern part of Brittany Hedda Bishop of Winchester dyeâ— concerning whom thus writes S. Beda In the beginning of the Raign of Osred King of the Northumbers Heddi Bishop of the West-Saxons departed this world to eternall felicity For he was a good and iust man and was enabled to discharge his Episcopall function in governing and teaching rather by the light proceeding from Charity and the love of vertue deeply imprinted in his heart then by reading of Books In a word the most Reverend Prelat Pechthelm who then was a Deacon and Monk in the Monastery of S. Aldelm his successour was wont to relate how in the place where the holy Bishop Heddi was buried many miracles were wrought by his merits and intercession and that the inhabitants of that Province were accustomed to take dust from thence which they putt into water and either therewith sprinckled or gave it to drink to such as were sick either men or beasts and thereby conferred health on them
torments which soules would sometimes sitt on the brink of the pitts in some refreshment and anon with great wayling fall into the flames again And one of the Angells told him that such a short vicissitude of rest did signify that God after the last iudgment would give perpetuall rest to those poor soules 11. Now under those Pitts there were others infinitly lower whence said he I heard a most dreadfull and inexpressibly horrible groning and shreiking of soules such as to which our Lord would never extend his mercy but everlasting flames shall torment them 12. He saw likewise a place of admirable deliciousnes in which there was a glorious multitude oâ— persons wonderfully beautifull and reioycing with inexpressible ioy who invited him if it were possible to come to them and partake of their happines And from that place there was exhaled a most odoriferous fragrancy which was nothing but the breath issuing from those happy and ioyfull soules This place the Angells sayd was that so much spoken of Paradise of God 13. And not far from this delicious place he saw a terrible River which flowed with fire and pitch over which there lay a narrow plank instead of a bridge towards which those happy soules made great hast to the end that passing over it they might arrive on the other bank to another place infinitly more glorious and happy then the former And some of them without any wavering or difficulty soon passed over but others slipping aside fell into that horrible River some only to the knees others to the arm-pitts others quite plunged over head yet every one of them came out much more beautifull and glorious then before they fell in And one of the Blessed Angells said These are such â—oules as when they ended their mortall life were staind with some not very heynous sins and therefore stand in need of Gods mercy that they may be perfectly purified before they be admitted to his presence 14. Beyond that River he saw the walls of a Citty of an unmeasurable length height shining like the Sun and he heard the Angells saying This is that Holy and glorious Citty the Heavenly Ierusalem in which those pure soules shall reioyce for ever and their glory therein shall be so immense that for the incomprehensible splendour no eye can look upon them 15. The man likewise told mee that among others he saw the soule of a certain Abbot lately dead which seemed of great beauty which notwithstanding was seised on by the Wicked Spirits crying out earnestly that he belonged to them But one of the Angells sayd O you wicked wretches I will presently shew you that you can have no power ovrr him Then immediatly there appeared a great multitude of white shining soules which cryed out saying This man was our Teacher and Instructour and by his exhortation gained us to God by the merit of which charity he is rescued from you and therefore manifestly can not belong to you And with these soules the Angels ioynd in their contention with the other infernall Spirits by which assistance of the Angels that soule was delivered Then one of the Angels shâ—rply rebuking the Devills sayd Take notice that without any right or title at all you have layd hold on this soule therefore be gone from hence into everlasting fire Assoon as he had sayd this immediatly those Wicked Spirits with greivous houling cast themselves into those horrible pitts But a while after there came out others which renewed the contention about the merits or demerits of soules 16. He sayed moreover that at that time he could discern the different merits and condition of men yet alive And that those who kept themselves free from crimes were manifestly in Gods favour and defended from all danger by Angells to whom they were united and in a sort allyed by Charity But to those who polluted themselves by heynous sins there was continually associated a Wicked Spirit always inâ—iting them to sin And after every sin committed by them in thought word or deed this Wicked Spirit would make it known to other Infernall Spirits at which they would reioyce and immediatly the former Evill Spirit would return to his Office oâ— tempting 17. Particularly he told mee that he then saw a mayd yet alive who grinding in a mill saw near her lying a new distaffe curiously carved which belonged to another woman and this distaffe because it pleased her she stole Then those wicked spirits with ioy declared this theft to their companions bidding them take notice of it 1â— He added saying I saw the soule of a certain Brether newly dead to whom I gave assistance during his sicknes and assisted at his buriall and he at his death charged mee to require in his name of his brother that for the comfort of his soule he would give freedom to a certain captive mayd But his Brother through avarice refused to perform his request for which the foresaid soule with greivous sighs complaind of his brothers hard-heartednes 19. He likewise testified concerning Ceolred King of the Mercians who at the time of these visions was certainly alive Him he saw defended from the violence of Devills by Angells who held over his head a certain Vmbrella like a large book But the Devills panting with earnestnes besought the Angells to take away that defence and give him up to their fury for they layd to his charge a multitude of most horrible crimes for which sayd they he is designed to everlasting torments in Hell Then the Angells with sad countenances sayd Alas alas this wretched sinner can be defended no longer neither can we afford him any further assistance so great and unpardonable is his guilt and impenitence Having sayd this they removed the defence from over his head and immediatly those infernall spirits more in number then all creatures now alive in the world with shoutings and ioy layd hold on him tore him incessantly with severall sorts of torments 20. At length the Angels commanded the person who being rappd from his body saw and heard all these things in a spirituall vision that he should without delay return to his own body and that he should confidently manifest all these things to such as with a good intention asked him but by no means to unbeleivers or deriders They likewise charged him to discover particularly to a certain woman dwelling a great way off all her sins committed by her withall signifying to her that if she would she might yet by Pennance and satisfaction recover the favour of Gtd. But in the first place they commanded him to reveale all these visions distinctly to a certain Preist named Buggan and according to his instructions declare them to others That he should also confesse to the same Preist all those his own sins of which he had been accused by the Vnclean Spirits and according to his iudgment correct and amend them And for a proof that it was by an Angells command that he
he apprehended that some freinds would present him with gifts which he should not be able to require on a sudden For this had been always his custom that whensoever any presents were made him he would not fayle either presently or in a competent time to return some thing as valuable 7. On the day therefore before the Nones of Iune being thursday Masse being solemnly sung very early in tâ—e Church of the most Blessed Virgin and S. Peter at which all who were present communicated he immediatly prepared himself foâ— his voyage All the Monks therefore being assembled in the Church of S. Peter he having incenced the Altar and made his Prayer before it standing upon the steps with the Censer in his hand gave his benediction to them all whilst they were singing Litaries which they interrupted with their sighs and tears Then from thence they went into the Oratory of the Holy Martyr S. Laurence which is in the Dormitory there giving them his last farewell he admonished them all to preserve mutuall Charity and peace and not to omitt on occasion brotherly Correption as the Gospell enioyns after which he imparted to all who had any way offended him his pardon and love desiring all to pray for him and to pardon him if he had shewd too much severity in reprehending any 8. This being done they went to the Sea shoare where once again kneeling he recited a Prayer and having given them all the kisse of peace who wept all the while he took ship with his attendants The Deacons of the Church likewise lighting their Tapers and carying their golden Crosse he passed over the River adores the Crosse mounts on horse-back and so departed leaving in his Monasteries allmost six hundred Religious Brethren 9. When he was gone the Brethren went to the Church where with weeping they commended themselves and all their affairs to our Lord. And awhile after having recited Tierce they assembled againe and consulted what was to be done and resolved that by Prayer Psalmody and fasting they should without delay demand a Superiour and Father of God and wâ—thall by sending some of their brethren they declare to the Religious Monks or Saint Paul what they had determined â—o doâ— who willingly give their assent theâ—eto So that â—ll became of one mind all their hearts and tongues were lifted up to God 10. At length on the third day after being Whitsunday they mett tâ—gether again and to them came not a few of the elder Monks of Saint Paul Then with an unanimous consent they elected for their Abbot Whetbert wâ—o from his childhood had been brought up in the Monastery and well instructed not only in Regular Observance but in the skill of writing singing reading and teaching He likewise in the dayes of Pope Sergius of happy memory had been at Rome where continuing a good space he learnt wrote and brought back with him whatsoever things he iudged necessary 11. This man then being by the generall consent of the Monks of both the Monasteries chosen Abbot took with him some of his Brethren and with hast went to the Holy Abbot Ceolfrid who expected a wind proper for his voyage and to him he signifyed the Election which the Monks had made whose answer was God be thanked and presently confirmed the Election Then he received of the new Abbot Letters commendatory to Pope Gregory in which with great tendernes they besought his Holines to extend all requisite Charity to their most beloved and most carefull Father whose corporall presence though they were deprived of yet they were assured that whether he were alive or dead they should ever find him an intercessour with God and Patron to them 12. Now when Abbot Whetbert was returned home Bishop Acca was desired to come to the Monastery who with the accustomed form of Benediction confirmed the Abbot in his Office And he among innumerable actions performed to the common aduantage of the Monastery added this which was very acceptable to all that he took up the bones of Abbot Easterwin which had been buried in the porch entring into the Churâ—h of Saint Peter as likewise the bones of Abbot Sigfrid who had formerly been his Master which had been reposed without the Sacristie and putting them into one Coffin yet so that there was a partition between them they buried them within the Oratory of the Blessed Father Saint Benedict This solemnity was performed on the eleaventh day before the Calends of September being the Anniversary day of Abbot Sigfrid on which very day also by a strange Providence of God the Venerable servant of Christ Withmer mentioned before departed this world and was buried in the same place with the sayd Abbots the example of whose vertues he had carefully imitated 13. But to return to the servant of God Ceolfrid he pursuing his iourney towards the Monuments of the Apostles at Rome before he could approach thither he was seised on by a sicknes of which he dyeâ— For being come as far as Langres in France about nine of the clock before noon at four in the after noon he departed to our Lord and the day following was honourably buried in the Church of the three Twin-brethren and glorious Martyrs Speusippus Eleusippus and Meleusippus who as they were born at the same birth by one Mother so they were regenerated together in the same faith of their Mother the Church and on the same day together with their Grand-Mother Leonilla they left to that place a worthy Memory of their Martyrdom 14. At the buriall of the Holy Abbot Ceolfrid there was vehement weeping not only by those of the English Nation attending him in his iourney who were no fewer then fourscore but likewise the inhabitants of that Citty who much bewayld the retarding and fayling of the desire of the Reverend Old man Neither could any one without difficulty contain his teares seeing the dispersion of this good Abbots Disciples and followers for some of them notwithstanding the losse of their Father continued their devout iourney to Rome and others thought fitt rather to return home and give notice of his death Lastly some there were who out of an unquencheable affection to their beloved Father would continue at his Tombe amongst a people whose language they understood not at all 15. He was when he dyed seaventy four years of age he had been a Preist forty seaven and had executed the Office of Abbot thirty five or rather three for from the time that Saint Benedict began to build his Monastery to the Honour of the Prince of the Apostles he was his inseparable companion and assisted him not only in that labour but also in the care of Monasticall Institution In the practise of which he was so sedulous that notwithstanding any occasion of age infirmity or iourney from the day that he left his Monastery till his death that is from the day before the Ides of Iune to the seaventh before the Calends of October which was one
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
degrees or orders the Nobles whom they call Edlingen Free-men whom they called Frilingen and Servants whom they called Lassâ— every Borough or District was governed by a Noble man to whom the Freemen and Servants were Subjects Now every year once their custome was to hold a generall Assembly of all these Boroughs and all degrees of Inhabitants The place of their meeting was called Marklo neaâ—â—he River Weser 7. Now this great Assembly being ready to meet the Man of God S. Leibwin had a resolution to present himself before it and there either to gain a good number of Converts to God or Martyrdom to himself It hapned that at this time he was entertained in the house of a certain Noble man of great Power to whom he communicated his intention But the said Noble man whose name was Folbert endeavoured to disswade him telling him that though there were some to whom he was very dear yet the greatest part would shew themselves enemies and endanger to take away his life He besought him therefore during the time of the Assembly either to return home or to goe to the house of his dear freind Davo after which he might come and visiâ— him again But the Holy man replied That he neither ought nor durst neglect to perform the work which our Lord Iesus Christ had commanded him to doe The Noble man hearing this opposed no further but remained very sad 8. The Assembly then being mett the courageous soldier of Christ taking all his Spirituall Armour and withall cloathing himself with his Preistly Vestments and taking a Crucifix in one hand as our Lords Ensign-bearer and in the other a Book of the Gospells presents himself in the midst of the Assembly where they were offring Idolatrous Sacrifices and devotions to their false Gods Which the Holy man seeing with an inflamed zeale loud voyce condemned their Superstitions telling them that they were Devills which they worshipped which would reward them with eternall torments Whereas if they would turn to the only true God the Creatour of all things and Saviour of men and repenting of their Idolatries embrace the true Faith and be baptized to the remission of their Sins he would grant them tranquillity and plenty in this world and everlasting glory in the next He added hereto That if they neglected to follow his wholesom and saving counsell God had preordained for their present punishment a King not far distant from them of wonderfull prudence courage and power who would avenge the cause of God by their destruction 9 When they heard these words they be came inflamed with rage against him calling him Seducer and Impostour and not content with this they snatchd out of the hedges stakes of wood which they sharpned intending to kiâ—l him with them for they wore no weapons at such assemblies But the Holy man protected by Supernaturall assistance passed through the midst of them undiscerned and so escaped 10. Yet among them some there were whose â—earts Aâ—mighty God touched with his Grace Of whâ—ch the principall was one called Buâ—o who ascending to an eminent place boldly told them that since they never refused to receive and hearken to Embassadours sent from their barbarous neighbours much lesse ought they to stop their ears against the speeches of an Embassadour sent from the Supreme God who to procure their good was willing to sacrifice his own life That they might iudge of the power of that God since he had delivered his servant from the fury of so great a multitude Therefore no doubt the threatning which in the name of his God he had made against them would certainly be executed The mind of the Multitude hearing these things was deeply struck with fear and thereupon they decreed by common consent That none should hurt or disquiet that Messenger of God but suffer him freely to passe whithersoever he thought fitt 11. Saint Liebwin therefore seeing such a visible proof of Divine protection over him gave due thanks to God though he was not without some greif that the blessing of Martyrdom was denyed him But since he could not suffer from others he spared not to afflict himself mortifying and crucifying the flesh and sensuall affections of it with Watching Fasting and Prayer by which mean without persecution he suffred a long Martyrdom And as for the Apostolick Office enioynd him he incessantly employed his time in teaching exhorting and baptizing great multitudes which dayly gave up their names to Christ. This he ceased not to doe till Almighty God this year thought meet to call him to receive the reward of a good and faithfull servant on the day before the Ides of November on which day his memory is celebrated both in the English and Gallican Martyrologe 12. After his death certain malicious Pagans among the Saxons envying so great a Congregation of Christians as assembled in his Oratory first despoyled the place and then sett it on fire They had a great desire to exercise their rage by some indignities to his Sacred Body but with all their diligence in seeking it they could never find it 13. Not long after the said Oratory was again restored It was built in the haven of the Citty called afterwards Daventry Which name it took from the forementioned person Davon a Noble man of Saxony and most cordiall freind and Disciple of S. Liebwin 14. In the mean time the devout servant of God Gregory dyed and Alberic succeeded him in the Archiepiscopall See of Vtrecht By his directions and command a certain Preist afterward a Bishop named Ludger was sent to seek out the Sacred Relicks of this Holy man of God which at last by a vision in sleep he was directed to find and having taken them up he with great veneration deposed them in the Church new built Many years after this Bertulf accounted the twentieth Bishop of Vtrecht is said to have been the founder of another Magnificent Church in the same Town which was consecrated to the honour of God and his faithfull servant Saint Liebwin VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of Saint Winnebald 5. And of Saint Sola 1. THE same year likewise gave an end to the labours of two Disciples of S. Boniface S. Winnebald and S. Sola As touching the former he was as hath been sayd Son to Saint Richard the English King and Brother to S. Willebald There little remains in Ecclesiasticall Monuments recorded of him but that he was one of those Preists which in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five were called out of Brittany to assist S. Boniface in preaching to the Frisons He was by the same Saint afterward made Abbot of the Monastery of Heildesham Which Office did not so wholly employ him but that he travelled the countrey about to root out Idolatrous superstitions 2. The greatest difficulty he found was in reprooving and correcting the errours and vices of false Christians especially such as took on them the title and Office of Preists Many
of which were most horribly depraved and defiled with all manner of uncleannes These were so impatient of reformation that they endeavoured many wayes to destroy him who spared no labours to save them But God defended his servant from their malice 3. After many years spent and divided between the exercises of Martha and Mary sometimes attending in the solitude of his Monastery to Prayer and Contemplation as likewise to the establishing perfect Regular Observance and sometimes travelling abroad to win soules to Christ At last a greivous infirmity seized on him nowithstanding which he would needs undertake a iourney to visit his fellow Disciple Megingant then Bishop of Wizteburg with whom he staied only three dayes For returning homeward his infirmity encreasing he retired to a Monastery in the way dedicated to S Benedict Being there he sent to his Brother S. Willebald who was a Bishop and to other his freinds desiring them to visit and assist him in his last sicknes Who being come exhibited to him all requisit Offices of Christian Charity At last the Holy man perceiving his last hour to approach after many pious exhortations made to all that were present quietly yeilded up his soule to God 4. S. Ludger who wrote the life of S. Gregory the third Bishop of Vtrecht his Master affirms that S. Winnebald was very dear to him who by many Miracles after his death shewd how great the sanctity of his life had been His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of September but in the Gallican on the first of May Where mention is made of his Relicks translated to Furnes a town in Flanders 5. The other Disciple of S. Boniface was S. Sola an English-Saxon likewise who emulating the piety of his Master taught the Counsells of Christian Perfection to such as S. Boniface had converted to the Faith He accompanied S. Winnebald and S. Willebald in their pilgrimages to Rome And was afterward the first Abbot of a Monastery founded by himself in a place from him called Solenhoffen His Life is extant written above eight hundred years since by Ermenold a Deacon and Disciple of Rabanus Arch-bishop of Mentz Wherin wee read how he became a Father of a great congregation of devout Monks and after many blind lame dumb and deaf miraculously healed by him in the name of Iesus he at last full of all vertues in a good old age gave up his Spirit to God About a hundred years after his death Altimus Bishop of Eysâ—at obstained of Pope Gregory the fourth that his name shâ—uld be written among the Saints Molanus affirms that his Feast is celebrated on the third of December IX CHAP. 1. 2. c. A Rebellion among the Northumbers c. 4.5 Bregvin Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Iambert succeeds 6.7 c. Severall Episcopall Sees vacant supplied 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred hundred sixty one which was the third of the Raign of Ethelwald Mol King of the Northumbers a certain Nobleman of that kingdom named Oswin raised a rebellion against the said King and Armies on both sides being brought into the feild a terrible battell was fought at a place called Edwinscliff in which Oswin was slain 2. The year following the same King in the Citty of Cataract took to wife his Queen called Edilthrida As touching the Citty where this Mariage was celebrated Camden writes that at this day nothing remains of it great but its name being a very small village called Ca-Catarick and Catarick bridge The antiquity whereof is demonstrated by the large Roman way and old broken monuments there digged up 3. No more is found touching the forenamed Queen Edilthrida unlesse this be the same to whom an Epistle of Alcuin is found directed with this inscription To the devout servant of God formerly a Queen now a most beloved Religious Sister Aedilthrydis the humble Levite Alchuin wisheth health Which Epistle is full of pious exhortations and instructions suitable to the state professed by her and likewise of thankfullnes for her munificent liberality to him then living in France 4. The same year Bregwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had governed that Province only three years dyed Concerning whom this Elegy is found in Capgrave Bregwin was appointed by God as a Mirrour so brightly shining with all vertues that in his life every one might find what he ought to imitate At length in the third year of his Bishoprick being full of good works and examples of vertues he departed this life to eternall happines on the seaventh day before the Calends of September and was buried in the Church of S. Iohn adioyning to the Cathedrall Church But in our Martyrologe his Deposition is commemorated on the ninth day before the said Calends In B. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops wee read that the Monks of S. Augustin with armed men entred the Archiepiscopall Palace endeavouring by force to take away the dead Body of Bregwin and that their Abbot Lambrith or Iambert went to Rome to make complaint of the wrong done to that Monastery 5. But besides that none other of our Historians mention this the relation is probably disproved because the same Iambert was by the Citty Monks elected to succeed in the Archiepiscopall See who two years after either went to Rome or from Rome received the Archiepiscopall Pall. 6. The year following the Episcopall See of Candida Casa or Witern being vacant by the death of Frithwald Pectwin was immediatly ordained his successour As yet that Bishoprick pertained to the Iurisdiction of the English and was subordinat to the Metropolitan See of York and so it remaind saith William of Malmsbury all the time of Pectwin Ethelbrith and Beadulf the succeeding Bishops after whom no more can be found because the said Bishoprick quickly failed being seated in the utmost Northern coast of the English Territory and exposed to the violence of the Scotts and Picts 7. Assoon as Iambert Arch-bishop of Canterbury had received his Archiepiscopall Pall he consecrated four Bishops the same year One in Kent and three in the kingdom of the Mercians In Kent the See of Rochester being vacant by the death of Dunn there was substituted in his place Eardulâ— From whom together with a Kentish Prince of the same name there is among the Epistles of S. Boniface found one directed to tâ—e Holy Arch-bishop of Mentz Lullus to renew a charitable correspondence which had past between him and the others his Predecessours Withall as a testimony of such Charity he desired him in his holy Prayers and Sacrifices to be mindfull of three Religious Virgins lately dead in Kent their names were Irmigy Northry and Dulicha 8. There interven'd a great communication of affections and Christian Offices between Saint Lullus and our English Bishops yea Kings also For wee find an Epistle likewise sent to him from Kenulf King of the West-Saxons by a Messenger formerly directed
from Saint Lullus upon some affairs 9. In the Kingdom of the Mercians Sees now vacant were Lichfeild by the death of Hemel Lindissa by the death of Eadulf and Leicester by the death of Totta To the first was substituted Cuthfrid to the second Ceolulf and to the third Edbert But wheras Mathew of Westminster affirms that he cannot find the names of the Citties where the said Bishops sate It cannot be denyed but that anciently those Episcopall Sees were moveable yet in this age by the munificence of Kings they seem to have been fixed As that of Lichfeild where many Bishops had already successively remained Likewise the See of Leicester was established But as for Lindissa the See was ordinarily at Dorchester a Town saith William of Malmsbury in the Country of Oxford small and unfrequented But the Majesty of the Churches either of old or lately built was great In that See after Hedhead there sate Ethelwin Edgar Kinebert Alwi Ealdulf and Celnulf Yet true it is that these Bishops sometimes sate at Sidnacester a place the memory of which has faild X. CHAP. 1.2 The unhappy death of Ethelwald Mol King of the Northumbers 3.4 c. Also of Egbert Arch bishop of York at which Alcuin was present 10. A strange Charter of King Kenulf to the Church of Welles 11. Severall Episcopall Sees vacant and supplied 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred sixty five Ethelwald sirnamed Mul King of the Northumbers dyed after he had raigned six years though William of Malmsbury assigns to him eleaven years Hoveden relates certain terrible apparitions in the aire which hapned in the beginning of this year presaging the unhappy death of this King who on the twenty seaventh of October was slain by the treachery of Alred at a place called Wircanheate 2. The condition of these Kings in this age was very sad few of them dyed naturall deaths This Ethelwald gott the Kingdom by the murder of Osulf and by the like means lost it And the same fate will attend his successour Alred 3. The year following gave an end to the worthy actions of Egbert Arch-bishop of York after he had nobly administred that See the space of one and thirty years A person he was descended of Royall progeny and imbued with divine knowledge Of whose vertues and memorable actions we have treated already Our Historians doe vary in the account of the years in which he continued Bishop the ground of which uncertainty is because it does not appear whether the time be to be reckoned from the resignation or death of his Predecessour Wilfrid the younger 4. There was present and assistant at his death his famous Disciple Alcuin whom a little before he had made Deacon and who having hitherto all his life composed all his actions by his rule and order was desirous to receive his commands and instructions at his death also for the future disposing of his actions Thus wee read in the Life of the said Alcuin prefixed before his Works and taken out of an ancient Manuscript belonging to the Church of Rhemes whence we will here extract the following passage S. Albinus or Alcuinus proceeding from one vertue to another was consecrated Deacon on the day of the Purification of our Blessed Lady for before on the same Feast he had received the Clericall Tonsure And perceiving that his Blessed Father Egberts infirmity encreasing shewed that his death was at hand having hitherto done all things by his counsell he was earnest to enquire of him what his pleasure was he should doe and how he should dispose of him self after that death should separate them 6. Hereto the Holy Bishop returned this Answer suggested to him as the event showd by a supernaturall direction of God I would have you said he first goe to Rome and in your return to visit France For I know that there you will produce much good Our Lord shall be the Guide of your journey and will bring you back in safety Be diligent in impugning the late abominable Heresy which endeavours to assert that Christ is only an adoptive Son of God and be a constant defender of the Mystery of the Holy Trinity this Doctrine cease not clearly and solidely to preach After he had spoken thus he gave him his fatherly Benediction commending him to our Lords safe protection and presently after he with chearfullnes departed to our Lord on the sixth day before the Ides of November 7. He was buried in the Porch of the Church of York and near to him was also layd the Body of his Brother King Egbert or Eadbert who exchanged his Royall Purple for a poore Monasticall habit and dyed two years after him 8. The Arch-bishop left behind him severall Monuments of his learning to enrich the Noble Library which he made at York Among which are reckoned A Book of Penitentiall Canons likewise Collections out of the Canon Law of the Church and others mention'd by Sir H. Spelman To those we may add A Dialogue of Ecclesiasticall Institution lately printed with an Epistle of S. Beda to him and other Treatises by the care of Sir Iames Ware 9. His successour in the Archiepiscopall See of York was Aldebert otherwise called Coena To whom by this latter name remains an Epistle from Saint Lullus Bishop of Mentz with his Answer to it The subiect whereof is only the renewing of Ancient Freindship sending of presents and entreating of Prayers for dead freinds 10. There is extant a Charter of Kenulf King of the West-Saxons by which he this year gave to the Church of Wells and Colledge formerly built there by King Ina certain Lands there adiacent the bounds whereof he setts down These possessions he gave for the love of God for the expiation of his siâ—s and for sâ—me vexation to his enemies of the Cornish Nation These are the words of the Charter What he meant by this last Motive I leave to the Reader to iudge 11. This year dyed Frithebert Bishop of Hagustaldt whose Successour was Alâ—mund a Prelat of great piety and prudence And shortly after Cuthwin Bishop of Dumwhich dying his place was supplied by Aldbert Like as upon the death of Ethelfrid Bishop of Helmham there was substituted Lansert I know not by what fate these two Episcopall Sees of the East-Angles for the most part loose and get new Bishops at the same time at least so we are informed by the Ecclesiasticall Chronicles of that Church And the following year Edbrith who is reckoned the ninth among the London Bishops after he had governed that Church eight years dying left it vacant to his Successour Eadgar XI CHAP. 1. 2. c. The beginning of the Raign of the Charlemagne c 4 Of two learned English Virgins 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred sixty nine is notable through the whole Church for the beginning of the Raign of that most famous King and afterward Emperour Charles
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
with a violence not beseeming his Profession Notwithstanding the Holy Martyrs bowell he placed in a Church at Mentz where they are held in great veneration 4. Moreover in a further expression of his love and regard to his blessed Masters memory he exhorted S. Willebald his Nephew to write the Holy Martyrs Life to the end that posterity might know honour and imitate the heavenly vertues which shone so brightly in him 5. Severall Monasteries he founded as that of Heresfeild in Hassia not far from Mentz which he endowd with ample revenews adorned it with many Relicks translating likewise thither from Fritzlar the Body of S. Wigbert for which a magnificent shrine was made by the contribution of King Charles the Great Another Monastery likewise he erected at a place called Bleidenstat about two miles from Mentz Which afterward by his Successour Bertold was changed into a Colledge of Canons Thither also he translated the Relicks of S. Ferruth from Kassel In a word his whole life was employed in nothing but the advancement of piety and vertue either in converting Pagans from Idolatry to the Christian Faith or in promoting devout Christians in the wayes of Perfection 6. When his last sicknes seised on him he sent for the Holy companion of his Apostolick Office S. Witta who had been consecrated by S. Boniface Bishop of Birburg and after that Town was destroyd was made Successour of S. Wigbert in the Monastery of Fritzlar Him being come he desired to say Masse after which he intended to direct him to his Monastery of Heresfeild The good Bishop after he had with great devotion prepared himself for celebrating that most dreadfull Sacrifice not then perceiving in himself any bodily infirmity at all went to the Holy Altar where he had no sooner performed that Divine Liturgy and communicated but immediatly he expired His Body Saint Lullo presently caused to be caried into a boat conveying it himself to Heresfeld where he buried it with great honour This Holy Bishop is by some German Writers called Albuinus according to the Saxon signification of his name Witta or White 7 Presently after S. Lullo himself followd him partaking together the eternall rewards of his labours on the sixteenth day of October His Body was there likewise in the same Monastery buried with all religious piety and solemnity And about threescore years after being taken up it was found with as fresh a colour as due proportion and softnes of all the members yea and covered with vestments as free from any decay as if it had been then newly buried 8. The said Monastery of Heresfeld having been ruined by the rebellious Lutherans it is not known whither that Sacred body was removed But his Head was caried to the Monastery of S. Godard the Abbot whereof Herman in the year of Christ sixteen hundred and three gave it to the Iesuits of Mentz to be placed there in their Colledge 9. Many Miracles are recorded as performed by him both in his life and after his death I will only mention one Is the year of Grace eight hundred forty seaven when his Body was taken up as the Monks there were removing a huge Stone which lay over it it fell from their hands upon the foot of one of their Brethren so crushing and breaking it that it quite lost the shape of a foot Whereupon the Religious Monks being much contristated had recourse to God in Prayer begging likewise the Saints intercession And the night immediatly following it was so perfectly restored that the said Brother assisted at the next Mattins not retaining any mark of the least bruise at all 10. A little before his death he by the appointment of Pope Adrian ordained S. Willehade Bishop of Bremen Which Citty was then newly erected into an Episcopall See by the same Pope and richly endowed by the munificence of Charles the Great Whose Charter describing the limits of the Territory whereof and likewise of the lands conferred on it is extant in Baronius As touching S Willehade the first Bishop thereof we shall deliver his Gests in the occurrents of the year of Christ seaven hundred ninety one in which he dyed THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1. 2. c. Alfwold the pious King of the Northumbers murdred to whom Osred succeeds and presently after Ethelred 7.8 Ethelred Bishop of Hagulstad the magnificence of that Church 1. NOTWITHSTANDING all the care which the Legats of Pope Adrian in the late Synod with the unanimous consent of the Bishops and Nobles had taken for the preventing seditions and rebellions in the Kingdom of the Northumbers yet such an unquiet tumultuous Spirit had taken so fixed a possession of the minds of that people that scarce any King could be permitted to sit upon that throne but by the murder of his Predecessour and the uniust usurper by his own destruction made way for his Successour Which restlesse turbulent disposition since it could not be cured by the Laws and authority of Gods Church God took the revenge into his own hands and sent the terrible Nation of the Danes first to lay wast that kingdom and afterwards to be a most tearfull scourge to the whole Island 2. In the year of Grace seaven hundred eighty nine Alfwolâ— the good pious King of the Northumbers after that he had with the great ioy of vertuous men governed that kingdom the space of eleaven years was by a tempestuous sedition of wicked men deprived of it and his life also The Head of the faction against him was Sâ—gga a Noble man of that Kingdom who gathering a troop of desperatly wicked men murdred this most innocent King in a place called Silcester near the Picts wall This was an ancient Station of the Romans where the Asturian Wing quartered to oppose the irruptions of the barbarous Picts and Caledonians and it was then called Cilurnam but is now much more celebrated for the death of this pious King In the place where he was slain a heavenly light was frequently seen saith Huntingdon 3. His Body was caried to the Cathedrall Church of Hagustald where it was with great honours and devotion buried which Church had been built to Gods honour and the memory of his Saints Saint Cuthbert and S. Oswald King and Martyr Of how great merit this innocent King was with God the miracles performed at his Tombe and elswere doe declare abundantly 4. Moreover the Divine iustice gave a yet greater testimony of his Sanctity by the terrible revenge with which God expiated this execrable murther which though committed by a few was punished with a common calamity For not only Sigga who defiled his hands with his blood the same year out of despair became his own executioner and murderer But likewise dire Prodigies terrified the whole Nation Horrible thunders and fiery dragons in the aire foretold a most greivous famine shortly ensuing and an unexpressible slaughter of men Thus
cause of many troubles in ages following insomuch as the See Apostolick was oft appeald unto to decide the Controversy raised between the two Churches which contended earnestly whether of them were possessours of his Relicks The summ of which controversy though hapning in a far remote age yet pertinent to the present subject I will here deliver that I may shew the esteem which the Monuments of our Holy Ancestours deserve at our hands 12. S Birinus as hath been said instituted in his Church of Dorchester a Colledge of Canons Regulars which lived in a Community under a certain Rule Which Colledge in processe of time was seised upon by other Canons called Seculars who dividing the revenews among themselves each of them lived and enioyd separatly his portion But in the Raign of King Steven by the procurement of Alexander Bishop of the Diocese the Regulars were restored These men bearing a great respect and devotion to theiâ— Prime Patron and Founder whose Body they were perswaded still remained among them by Letters demanded leave of the Pope to place his Relicks more decently and to adorn his Monument Hereupon the Pope Honoâ—ius the third wrote to Steven Langton then Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Cardinal to examine all things well and accordingly proceed in satisfying the said Canons The Arch-bishop committed the affair to the diligence and prudence of the Arch-Deacon 13. Then broke out the pious contention between the Monks of Winchester and Canons of Dorchester Those of Winchester placed the summ of their cause in the testimony of Saint Beda But they of Dorchester produced severall witnesses and among the rest a certain Canon who deposed up on Oath that a former Canon called William in his hearing oft protested that by Vision in sleep a certain man appearing to him had commanded him to search such a sepulcher in the Church of Dorchester before the Altar of the Holy Crosse and that there he should find the Body of S. Birinus Whereupon search having been made by the Abbots permission and in his presence together with the Canons they found a Bishops Body entire with two stoles and other Episcopall ornaments of a red colourd silk together with a Crosse of metall upon his breast and a Chalice a little below it 14. Moreover in further confirmation they added proofs of severall miracles as of a certain young man deaf and dumb cured there who affirm'd that he was commanded in a vision to repair to that And being cured at the Sepulcher of S. Birinus he spoke in the English tongue Whereupon one of the Canons said in a ieasting manner He who taught thee to speak was no Courtier otherwise he would have taught thee a better language And three days after he spoke perfectly both in French and English Other Miracles also were alledged as of a blind man receiving sight a leper cleansed and two dead persons restored to life c. 15. As to the testimony alledged from S. Beda the Abbot answerd That Historians doe not relate all things from their own sight but oft by hear-say Therefore S. Beda might have been misinform'd and for a proof that he was so the Abbot acknowledged that the Body of a certain Bishop called Bertinus the tenth from S. Birinus had been translated to Winchester Which body had been buried in a corner of the Church near the dore a place unfitt for the Prime Patron of the See He added that after the Invention of Saint Birinus his Body a certain Anchoret a holy man named Mathew living at Haliwell near Oxford heard a certain voyce saying to him Birinus under the pavement Bertinus behind the dore He concluded that since many Miracles were wrought at Dorchester and not any at Winchester this was a certain proof that the Sacred Body had not been translated 16. Notwithstanding all which allegations yet would not the Arch-deacon presume to pronounce sentence in favour of the Canons but sent a particular relation of all the Acts to the Pope Who in a Second Letter expressed so much deference to the single authority of S. Beda that he would not determine the Controversy but gave order for another Search to be made in the Church of Winchester and an enquiry whether any like Miracles had been wrought there by the same Saints Intercession demanded by devout persons c. But what proceedings were further made in the matter and whether the Controversy were decided does not appear in any of our Authours Probably permission was given to both Churches to shew honour to the Saint since it was likely and very ordinary in such Translations to divide the Relicks V. CHAP. 1.2 c. Sigebert after his exile King of the East-Angles 5.6 c. He sends for Felix to convert his Kingdom who is made Bishop of the East-Angles His Piety c. 10. Quichelm King of the West Saxons baptized and dyes 1. THE year of our Lord six hundred thirty six as it was mournfull to the Eastern Church for then did the Saracens possesse themselves of the Holy Citty Hierusalem So was it ioyfull happy to the Kingdom of the East-Angles in Brittany who were then again converted to the Christian Faith and held it more constantly then they had done in the days of King Redwald or his Son Erpenwald For now Sigebert deservedly sirnamed Pious raigned there to whom that Kingdom was beholding for learning and the Province for the Christian Faith Who after a Monasticall profession was assumed to the Royall Purple and that purple adorned with Martyrdom 2. This Sigebert was not as Pits supposes a Son of King Redwald but only a half Brother to Erpenwald by the Mother as William of Malmsbury testifies And being very gracious among the Subjects for his vertues in the Raign of Redwald was commanded as heretofore Edwin had been to depart the Court least his eminent probity and endowments should prove preiudiciall to Erpenwald heyr to the Crown 3. Sigebert being thus through envy expelled the Court left the Prrvince and Island also and sayld into France where civility learning and Religion flourished He had not yet given up his name to Christ but he was naturally of so good a disposition that any thing that was good would easily make an impression in his mind To qualify the anguish and tediousnes of his banishment he gave himself to the study of human learning and by inquisition into Naturall causes he was lead to the knowledge of the First supreme Cause 4. His most frequent conversation was with learned men among which the most eminent were Desiderius Bishop of Cahors as appears saith Pits by mutuall Letters between them still extant in the Monastery of Saint Gall among the Swizzers and Felix a Burgundian Preist who afterward became the Apostle of his Countrey the East-Angles By discourse with these learned and pious men he quickly perceived the vanity of Idols and Pagan Rites how unproffitable and noxious to mens soules were the Gods worshipd by