at his funeral going before his corps with an infinite number of people and Souldiers attending with all honour and pompe some going before others following with most sweet harmony of singing This was the End which God shewed of this Emperours Godly and Religious manners and life evidently to all people then living as Eusebius witnesseth who also then lived and called him most holy Euseb l. 1. de vita Constan c. 16. which he a learned christian Bishop could not give to any but an holy professed Christian in his knowledge or judgement and therefore attributeth so much to Constantius in this kind that he calleth Constantine the great himself whom he so much extolleth for his Christian Religion and advancement thereof a follower of his fathers piety in such affairs Constantine the Great Constantius having thus honourably ended his dayes and declared Constantine his eldest son successor in his Empire his whole Army doth presently with mutual consent and joy proclaim him King and Emperour and all Nations subject to his fathers Empire were filled with incredible joy and unspeakable gladness that they had without intermission so worthy and renowned an Emperour Of the coming of this most noble Brittain to the Empire escaping and preserved from so many dangers and difficulties before Euseb c. 18. so generally and joyfully chosen and accepted and proving after so happy a Ruler Eusebius saith that he was chosen by God himself and that no mortal man could glory of this onely Emperour his advancement for although he was generally and ordinarily chosen and accepted by men yet as the same Authour writeth he was miraculously preserved by God and by his extraordinary protection brought safely from all danger to his father here in Brittain old and ready to die to be invested in the Empire after him And so soon as he was Emperour as the same Authour then living and well known unto and knowing Constantine Euseb l. 1. vit Const c. 12. testifieth and so declared by the Armies as the custom was being chosen of God long before to that end insisted in his fathers steps in favouring and advancing Christian Religion Euseb Hist l. 8. c. 14. So that in this part of the world as Brittain and France where Constantine succeeded his father and now reigned there was no persecution used against Christians but all favour and indulgence towards them and that assertion of divers Historians both of this and other Nations which affirmeth that the persecution begun by Dioclesian and Maximian did continue after their forsaking the Empire Euseb in Chron. Flo. Wigorn. in Chron. Mar. Sco. Aetat 6. l. 2. in Const and until the seventh year of the reign of Constantine is to be understood of those parts which until about that time were not under the Rule of Constantine but of Galerius Severus and Maxentius persecutors and so Florentius Marianus and others expounded it and it can have no other construction to be true for evident it is in Histories that not onely from the beginning of the reign of Constantine but in his fathers time all Christians under their Government were free from persecution And so soon as Constantine had conquered Maxentius and was sole and absolute Emperour all Christians in the world under him were delivered from persecution and set at liberty even publickly to profess their Religion And from his first entrance into the Empire and to be King of Brittain the Christians here in this Nation did not onely enjoy Religion but as in the time of his father made and freely had publick exercise and profession thereof as our old Churches re-edified new builded and erected Bishops Priests and all Clergy and religious men restored to their former Quiet Revenues Honours and Dignities witness Of this we have divers Testimonies and Examples in particular yet left unto us as out of the old Annals of Winchester where we find of that old Church builded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the late persecution The Church of Winchester builded in the time of King Lucius and hallowed and dedicated October the twenty and ninth Annals Eccle. Winton one hundred eighty nine by Faganus and Damianus Bishops amongst the rest at this time of Dioclesian went to wrack the building thereof being ruined Godwin Catal. of Bish Winch. In initio and made even with the ground and the Moncks and all the Officers belonging unto it either slain or enforced to flye for the present time In the year three hundred and nine the Church aforesaid was again re-edified and that with such wonderful forwardnesse and zeal as within one year and thirty dayes both it and all the edifices belonging unto it as chambers and other buildings for Moncks and Officers were quite finished in very seemly and convenient manner The fifteenth day of March following it was again hallowed and Dedicated unto the honour and memory of St. Amphibalus that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans Bishop of Winchester at the request of Diodatus Abbot of this New erected Monastery It is evident by this relation that this holy work so publick with freedom and zeal was quite finished in the time of Constantine his being here before he went hence against Maxentius And yet we see both Bishop Priest and Abbot and religious men publickly and honourably restored to their former condition The Church with unspeakable devotion builded and dedicated to the holy Saint and Martyr who in the late persecution was most hated by the enemies of Christ So I say of the Church of St. Alban a Church of wonderfull workmanship Bede Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 7. Math. West Anno. 313. and worthy of his Martyrdoni was builded so soon as the Christians were here at quiet Matthew of Westminster hath the same words and explaineth this time of the quiet of Christians here when this Church was so sumptuously builded to have been ten years after his Martyrdome the perfect finishing whereof he setteth down to have been the same year in which Constantine went from hence towards Rome against Maxentius which was by him in the sixt year of Constantine and before the general occasion of persecution in other places Constantine not being absolute and sole Emperor untill his victory against Maxentius nor the general quiet then ensuing Both St. Bede and the Monck of Westminster write that in their several times often curing of Infirmities and other miracles were wrought there The old Churches of St. Julius and Aaron The foundation of Lhanturnanus and St. Julians Church in Caerleon Martyred in the late persecution in the City of Caerlegion derive their ancient foundation from this time so do many others founded in honour of several Martyrs then cruelly put to death for the name of Christ so I affirm of all the Cathedral Churches Archiepiscopal and Episcopal with their particular Sees and Cities founded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the time of the
so many veins and arteries running through the whole body of the Iland these things could not but please but yet they are not solely to be enjoyed without some danger for as the Trojans passe from place to place to view the scituation and opportune places to inhabit they are oft encountered with grisly creatures exceeding humane proportion who give them but rude and savage welcome and these were they whom the Goddesse meant when she said habitata Gygantibus olim amongst these prodigious Caitiffs one exceeded all the rest in bulk and robustiousnesse who was called Gogmagog with whom Corineus Nephew to Brute wrestled who although he had a rib broken by this Monster yet so foiled him that he cast him down from the Cliffs for which cause the place afterwards was called The Fall of Gogmagog I have heard some say that in Glamorganshire there is a place which the Inhabitants in their own Mother tongue call Cwymp y Cawr which is as much as to say The Gyants fall or overthrow but that Name being changed it was afterwards called The Fall of Dover For this most valiant Act and speciall good Services Brute gave and allotted unto Corineus the Province or Country now called Cornwall Brute having destroyed that race of Gyants formerly mentioned after a perfect discovery of the whole Island passing by the River of Thames for his Recreation and finding a place in all respects fit to build a City to make the Capital and prime habitation of his new atchieved Kingdome set Workmen of all Arts and Callings to accomplish and finish this his Design which being brought to perfection to renew like a Phenix out of Ashes Old Troy he caused it to be called Troynovant i. new Troy which name continued till K. Lud enjoyed the Scepter and rule in Great Brittaine upon that time saith my Author of M. lxviii Fabian fol. 10. who then caused it to be called Luds Town and now London This now Glorious City Rome it self was not built in one day and formerly as glorious a stile being called Augusta for we read in divers Grave and Learned Authors that St. Augulus was Bishop of Augusta viz. London in England as both Catholicks and Protestants expound it and among them one in a Sermon before K. James saith Your City hath been anciently stiled Augusta for we read both in the ancient Roman Martyrologe St. Bede Vsuardus Ado Vandalbertus Petrus de Natalibus and others that this Augulus was Bishop of Augusta in Brittannia Augusta or London in Brittanny and was a Martyr Augusta in Brittannia natalis beati Auguli Episcopi qui aetatis cursum per Martyrium explens aeterna proemia suscipere meruit Baronius saith he cannot tell when he suffered Quo tempore passius sit hactenus mihi obscurum But if we compare the name of London at that time it was called Augusta with other circumstances and with the Catalogue of the Bishops of London after the time of K. Lucius we shall very probably find that this our worthy Saint Bishop of London is to be reckoned one of the first Bishops that were consecrated in this Kingdom and long before our common Conversion in the dayes of K. Lucius and so consequently of St. Peter or his Disciple St. Aristobulus no other then being here with eminent Authority to consecrate him Bishop and settle him Bishop of Augusta London or first this City was not called Augusta in the Reign of K. Lucius when this Nation was generally converted but onely Londinum London nor never since that time or by any before but by the Romans at their first setling here in the time of Claudius and that the general opinion was that London was called Augusta Dio. And Xiphelinus writ That Legio Augustalis non nata hibernabat in superiore Britannia The Roman Legion so termed wintered in the upper Brittany near London as is thought it was long before Dioclesian's time when it was thus called in the dayes of Caesar Augustus or soon after A late French Author of this our Brittain in his History seemeth to say or think that Caerlegeon was in the time of Julius Agricola and by him named Augusta which if it were so it only varyeth the particular place of his Martyrdome viz. St. Augulus nothing detracting from him or the glory of this Nation and that this Saint was Bishop of Augusta i. London and not Augusta Caerlegion this reason may conclude for that Tremonius and St. Dubritius be the first that be named Bishops of Augusta Caerlegion Certainly Mr. Cambden observeth very well That London was called Augusta quia ea dignitate floruit Londinum ut Augusta dici caeperit and many forraign Cities very famous were called Augusta in that Respect as Augusta Taurinorum Aug. Trieastinorum Aug. Veromanduor m Aug. Valeria Aug. Emerita Aug. Bracchara Aug. Acilia Aug. Tiberii Aug. Vindeliciorum Aug. Caesarea Aug. Vestorum Aug. Trevirorum Now as concerning Bishops not onely Augusta London St. Anacletus it being ordered by the Church to constitute Primates where Pagans had their Arch-flamens but also other places ordered by his Tome or the Catalogues of St. Peter St. Clement Caerlegion ex Anacleto hujus insulae divisionem Canterbury London Caerlegeon York and Alba in Scotland by some taken to be the now St. Andrews urbs legionum observe in the Latin Caerlegion i. urbs Legionum put in the first place Cantuaria Londonia Eboraca and Alba unde Albania Provincia were designed Sees of such Primates as Giraldus Cam. Sir John Price Matthew Parker 1 Arch. B. Pro. do testifie Thus much concerning this famous and renowned City of London not without cause called Augusta Brute having finished this structure and given name to it to perpetuate the memory of that City of which the Poet saith Nunc seges est ubi Troja fuit gave also a name to the whole Iland calling it Britania à Bruto so did Romulus by Rome Alexander by Alexandria and Caesar by Casarea and so divers other great and eminent Commanders and Potentates named both whole Kingdoms Ilands and great Cities after their own names that in them their Memories might live for ever Brute having accomplished the thred of life allotted by the fatal Sisters and having left Rules for his Britons to live in civil Amity and orderly Government after a prosperous Reigne and happy in a hopeful posterity he bethinks himself of setling his Estate whereby to avoid all Contention and Discord betwixt his Sons which were three Locrine Camber and Albanact betwixt these three he divides his new acquired Kingdom to the eldest he gives Troynovant with all the Countries adjacent which are now called England containing East West and South but as his Father had called the whole Iland Britannia and his Subjects Britannos or Britones so Locrinus after his name called his Share Loegria and at this very day the Welsh call England Lloegre to his second Son Camber he bequeathed that part which after the Saxons call Wales
Epist by the Brittish History Dinuanius was also bishop there Episcopatus Guintonia Dinvanio decernitur the same author produceth an old Manuscript which testifieth another Monasterie founded at Winchester only his error is which the Antiquity doth not say that it was the Cathedral Church confounding them as one whereas both the Brittish History and Matthew of Westminster make them two several Churches otherwise he thus truly writeth a Church in Winchester according to a report that I find in an old Manuscript was first built and erected by King Lucius who abolishing Paganisme embraced Christ about the year of our Lord 180. and placing Monks in the same allotted for their maintenance large Revenues which heretofore had belonged for the most part unto the Flamens and other Heathenish Priests and this Monasterie so continued untill the persecution of Dioclesian when it was destroyed and the Monks martyred or dispersed yet upon the ceasing of the persecution it was presently within one year and thirty days new builded and the Church hallowed and dedicated unto the honour and memory of Amphibalus who was a noble Brittain that had suffered death for Christ in the late persecution by Constans bishop of Winchester in the year 309. the 15. day of March at the request of Deodatus the Abbot The first Dedication of that Church in King Lucius time 〈◊〉 Bâ—ough â—â—l â—09 by the two Legats Faganus and Damianus bishops was by that old Antiquity October the 29. 189. The Antiquities of Winchester make it more ancient and it thus continued a famous Monasterie until the year 519. at which time Cerdick the first King of the West Saxons converted the Church into a Temple of Dagon and either slew or chased away all the Monks This was that holy Sanctuary whither to the Altar of this Church one of the Sons of Mordred did flie for succour against Constantine the younger who there cruelly slew him before the Altar Constantinus filios Morâ—redi caepit alterum juvenem Wintoniae in Ecclesiam Sancti Amphibali fugientem aute altare trucidaâ—it in the year 543. others say that it continued within 17 years of St. Augustin's coming hither others continue Christians there for longer time Winchester hath honoured both Earls and Marquesses with their Titles As first 1. Saer de Quincy E. a Fess and labell of xi points 2. Robert de Quincy Gules 7. Mascles Or 33. 1. 3. Hugh de Spencer Quarterly the first and 4. arg the 2. and 3. each charged with a fret Or a bond sable 4. Lewes de Bruges Azure 10 Mascles 4. 3. 2 and 1. Or on a Canton Gules a Lyon passant gardant of the second 5. William Pawlett E. of Wiltshire and Marquesse of Winchester 6. John Pawlett 7. William Pawlett 8. William Pawlett 9. John Pawlet Marquesse of Winchester 1657. Sable 3 swords in pile Argent hilts and pomels Or a mullet for difference The Third City which this King built was Caer Septon now called Shaftsbury and Caer Paladur ut falso vulgus putabat saith Mr Cambden for he takes and draws what he can from Brittish glory it seems the Welshmen gave him no liberal hospitality in his travels for he is no friend of theirs he will by all means ascribe the building of this place to King Alfred producing this Monument and Malmsburiensis for his Author Anno Dominicae Incarnationis Elfridus Rex fecit hanc Vrbem DCCCLXXX Regni sui VIII The Saxons called this place Scheafverbyryg it may be from the broach or spice which in their language they call Scheaf in this place one Aquila whether Man or Eagle is incertain by the report of Historians is said to have prophesied the future times of this Empire and that after the Reigns of the Saxons and Normans it should again return unto the Government of the Brittish Kings In this City was St. Edward the Martyr Son of Edgar and one and thirtieth Monarch of the English Nation interred 972. being murdered at Corf Castle by his Stepmother Aelfrith to make way for her own Son to the Crown But as concerning Mr. Cambden who would gladly take away the glory of building this place from the Brittons the Predecessors and Forefathers of the Welshmen so abusively called by their Enemies and confer it upon the Saxons Hear what a learned Writer saith and a deep Searcher into Antiquities having demonstrated where the Primates and Metropolitans of this I le have their Sees which I will shew you as occasion requires after tells you where the Suffragans or ordinary bishops had theirs taking two Rules for his direction From Antiquity the one that they were placed as the custom was in our Brittish Cities the other that they were ordained where the Pagan Flamens were before Gildas writeth that Brittain had 28 Cities besides strong Castles bis denis bisque quaternis civitatibus instructa but he names them not but Ranulphus Higeden the Monk of Chester citing Alfridus tells us thus Regio Britanniae erat quondam civitatibus nobilissimis 28 Insignita The Country of Britain was in old times adorned with 28 Cities beside innumerable number of Castles defensed with strong Walls Towers Gates and Locks The Names of the Cities were these Caer Lud i.e. London Caer Ebrane i.e. York Caer Kent Canterbury Caergorongon Worcester Caerlyrion Leicester Caer Glau Glocester Caer Golden Colchester Caerrei Chichester which the Saxons anciently called Cissancester Caer Ceri Cirencester Caer went Winchester Caergrant Cambridge Caerlile Lugubalia Caerlile Caerperis Porchester Caer drom Dorchester Caerludcoit Lincoln Caer Merthin i. e. the City of Merlin Caersegen Silcester was is seated upon Thames not far from Reading Caerthleon or Caerlegion i. e. the City of Legions which first was called Lenscester but now Chester Caer Badon Bath which sometime was called the City of Achamannus Caer Paladur now ut falso credebat vulgus good Mr. Cambden here are Authors above vulgar people Septona now called Shaftsbury there are also other names of Cities sound in Chronicles This King reigned 29 years or as Fabian saith 39. who calls Septon or Shaftsbury Mount Paladur by reason that it is seated upon a Hill BLADVD the Son of Lud Hardibras BLadud the Son of Hardibras took upon him the Crown of this Iland in the year of the Worlds creation 4318. This King was much addicted to Learning insomuch that he undertook a Journey to Athens the most famous City in the World for the knowledge of Philosophy Astrology and all other Sciences whatsoever there fully to be instructed by the grave Philosophers of that place neither was he content to become learned himself learning indeed being the greatest ornament a Prince can have but he endeavoured likewise to confer so great a Treasure upon the Nobles of his Court and Subjects of his Realm and to that end he brought from Athens with him into our Brittain four learned Philosophers to lay a platform and found an habitation for the Muses and Nursery for Learning making choice of
Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimity Giral sup Itin. com l. 1. c. 5. Summa magnanimitate in acie Christi praestantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witness that amongst the Martyrs of that time they were the chiefest next to St. Alban and St. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui martyrio coronati Julius Aron How they were honoured of the holy Catholick Christians of that time with Churches dedicated to them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdom and they both there and in other places honoured invocated and prayed unto presently upon the ceasing of the Persecution Now it will suffice to conclude with that their title of glory and renown which the ancient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath given them and the due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Jacent hic duo nobilis Brittanniae Majoris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Julius Aron Here lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Brittain Julius and Aron and there crowned with Martyrdom This title to be the first Martyrs of Brittain in the most terrible persecution and with such exceeding magnanimity and Christian constancy as hath been related in induring torments till then never heard of without any example going before them but giving themselves the first example hereof so wonderfull patience love of Christ and Heroical true fortitude to so many thousands which by their singular example with invincible courage imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeild to such blessed Saints on earth their Festivity is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologie upon the first day of July Baronius in Indice non Sanct. in Julie Arone On which day as Baronius plainly writeth many others suffered Martyrdom with them Julius Aron Martyres cum aliis plurimis in Brittania sub Dioclesiano primo die Julii So likewise affirmeth the English Writer and the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth upon may very well carry that construction for setting down for a certain truth that these two holy Martyrs were put to death in Brittany upon the first day of July Primo die Julii in Brittannia Sanctorum Martyrum Julii Aron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth quo tempore ibidem quam plurimi diversis cruciatibus torti saevissime lacerati ad supernae civitatis gaudia consummato agone pervenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with divers torments and most cruelly torn having ended their combats came to the joys of heaven And St. Bede saith that ea tempestate at that time when St. Julius and St. Aron were martyred divers others both men and women were put to death Alii utriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington Passi sunt eo tempore Julius Aron alii quoque plures utriusque sexus And we cannot probably think that these raging Persecutors who in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned City an Archiepiscopal See and Christian University put them to death by thousands sent these here by cruel Martyrdom to heaven alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdom at Caerlegion and both Giraldus Cambrensis and Ranulphus Higeden writing at Winchester As also our late Antiquaries of the same Country plainly say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopal City and School distinguishing it from Winchester by some called Caerlegion also I will only cite one Englished to my hand by a Modern In this Region Monmouthshire is seated the most ancient and most noble City of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon on Usk that is to say the City of Legions upon Usk for difference sake between it and the other which is built in Northwales upon the River Dee of which Giraldus writeth thus The same was a Noble and ancient Town the tokens whereof remain as yet an huge Palace a Giant like Tower goodly Baths and Hot-houses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walls partly yet standing also buildings under the ground Conducts secret passages and Vaults under the Earth framed with wondeâ—full Workmanship There lyeth Julius and Aron which had Churches dedicated unto them Vna Julii Martyris altera Araonis In the Church of St. Julius which is now called St. Julians and is distant from the now Caerleon a mile seated fast by the River of Vsk which runneth through the Town belonging to the Right Honourable Edward Lord Herbert of Cherbury and Castle Issand a most stately house in this Church formerly Virgineo choro de corata was a Nunnery for in this Town were two famous Monasteries one of Monks or Canon Regulars the other of Nuns M. Broug fol. 603. 9. Matth. Westm an 541. dedicated to St. Julius in which Queen Guenhumara wife to King Arthur did after receive the habit of Religion Guenhumara Regina in Monasterio Julii Martyris inter Moniales habitum Religionis suscepit Not far from Caerlegion is a place called St. Albans standing on the ascent of a hill at the bottom whereof runneth the River of Vsk where by an old Tradition the Inhabitants believe St. Alban was put to death and will not be perswaded out of their errour by any reason wherefore to convince that mistake Mr. Br. 443 though the circumstances of the place be something alike where St. Alban was put to death for St. Bede writeth that the people who came to behold his Martyrdom were so many that being to passe over the River by a Bridge if St. Alban had not so miraculously dryed up the River they could hardly have gone over by the Bridge before night Ita fluminis occupabat pontem ut intra vesperam transire vix posset There was scarcely any left in the City Cunctis pene egressis a great multitude of both Sexes divers Estates and Ages came thither by instinct Vtriusque sexus conditionis diversae aetatis quae sine dubio divinitatis instinctu ad obsequium beatissimi confessoris ac Martyris vocabantur Therefore so many of divers conditions being thus called by the inspiration of God to such an holy purpose we cannot but think many of them were there converted at that time St. Bede setetth this to be done at St. Albans death before the great miracle of Angels appearing and praising of God and honouring St. Alban the night following at his place of burial and so soon as this miracle appeared the Pagans presently came thither in great numbers to hear and see it publikely professing that those Miracles were wrought by the power of Christ the Sonne of GOD and so being converted unto him a thousand of them at one time took their Journey to seek Saint Amphibalus in those parts which we now call Wales so far distant from Verulamium now St. Albans in England where by the help
the dissensions of the Brittains as other Historians do and maketh them of as long continuance only he saith that Severus the Emperor came hither four years after the death of King Lucius to seek to appease things so doth Matthew of Westminster Florentius and others as far as Harding doth This holy King graunted made and signed many writings Charters and Donations for the defence maintainance and preservation of Religion and the chief teachers and professors thereof as to the University of Cambridge the School of Bangor Monastery of Salisbury and such others and to every Archiepiscopal or Episcopal See in Brittain both for the assuring the old revenues and priviledges of the Archflamens and Flamens as others new and more ample which he conferred unto them and such as should sit and succeed them for ever And we find in Antiquities that in the very time of King Lucius besides the Cathedral Churches in Great Cities there were others also builded in them as namely Glocester Worcester Caerleon and others for we read of divers kinds of Churches in them all both Cathedral and others King Lucius was buried at Glocester in the Church of the Chief or first Order The same distinction is given for Winchester which necessarily inferreth other Churches or a Church in either of them of inferiour Order for the word first proveth a second for the Inferiour Churches besides the Cathedral in Caerleon they are remembred in Histories Viz. of St. Julius and St. Aaron so of other Cities not inferiour unto these Glocester being then but a new and no great City we find others as at Abington in Oxfordshire Amsbury in Wiltshire Cambridge Stanford and other places where to have been Christian Churches in that time there is still sufficient testimony left us Mr. Bro. 307. 5. Gal Mon Hist l. 5 c. 1. Math. West an 201. Bulla Honorii an 624. Chart. Regis Cadw an 685. Chart. Reg. Art An. 531. die 7. apud Caium l. 1. de Antiq. Cont. John Harding Chron c. 25. fol. 22. John Ross Hist Manus Jo Caius Apol A ca. Cantib de Antiq l. 1. Will. Harri Dis Bâ—iâ— c. 3. Tâ— of Universitie p. 146. 〈◊〉 H st Bladud Bal. pref in l de scrip Twin l. de Antiq Ox. Ha â—is sup a Ha â—s manu G aston Chron. Bal l. de ser Brit cent 1. in Congello Barnachoren Gal Mor Hist Brit l 1. c. 12. Math. West an 603. Harding Chron. c. 50. f. 42 p. 2. Ma. h. West an 124. Harding Chron. c. 51. f. 43. Hâ—llershed H st of Brit. fol. 57. And to provide as well for the continuall maintainance and repair of the house of God at the first founding and building thereof these ancient Schools or Universities of this Kingdom which all now had received the faith and Religion of Christ and so were to be as Seminaries and Mothers of Christian Divinity and holy learning for preservation and upholding of Gods Church King Lucius endowed with great priviledges and Immunities that they might more quietly and diligently employ themselves to their so profitable and holy studies This his Charter of priviledges to the University of Cambridge the Antiquaries thereof prove by divers Ancient Testimonies The Bull of Pope Honorius 1000. years ago the Charter of King Cadwalladrus and King Arthur long before wherein is contained that he granted to the University of Cambridge as King Lucius with other Kings had done before to be free from all publick Vectigalls and burdens that they might the more freely and quietly attend their studies The like I may affirm of Stanford which from the time of King Bladud untill it was interdicted by St. Gregory for the Pelagian heresie continued an University so of Glamorgan claiming but a little later original Greeklade and Liechlade of such Antiquity Bellisilum now Oxford as it pleadeth Therefore whereas a late writer confidently sayeth there were 600. Students in ancient times and others not so well remembred to all which now converted to the faith of Christ and training up spiritual Soldiers for the defence profession and maintainance thereof we have sufficiently grounds to affirm King Lucius gave the like priviledges as unto Cambridge one and the same reason being for all and yet besides these which he found founded before he himself was founder of others namely Bangor in Wales which long continued in that State untill it was after changed into so great a Monastery that above 2000. Moncks as our Histories testifie abode there A late Author tells us of another University for so he calleth it by the name of Accademia Legionensis the University of Caerlegion which he would to have to be Westchester others rather take it to be Caerlegion upon Vsk in Glamorgan making it a fourth distinct place from the Metropolitan Church and the several Churches of St. Julius wherein were sacred Nuns and St. Aaron of Canon Regulars In the time of Sixtus Bishop of Rome reigned here in Brittain either Coillus or Lucius his son according to the diversity of opinions of several Authors but seeing all Antiquities and Antiquaries confess so many great and renowned things and of such labour and difficulty to have been performed for receiving generally Christian Religion and abandoning the Pagan superstitions in this Kingdom in the time of K. Lucius we must not keep the crown of Brittain from him long after the death of Pope Sixtus Harding who saith his Father Coillus reigned but 13. years will make him King all this Popes time which Matthew of Westminster doth confirm with four years addition at least to the time of his reign in the time of Pope Alexander before And yet he maketh the years of his whole age but 87 from which if we deduct the whole terme between the year 124. when the Monck of Westminster saith Lucius began his reign untill the year 142. or 143. when St. Sixtus was Martyred to prove by all accounts King Lucius reigned in some part of the Papacy of Pope Sixtus we make the time of his reign being very younge at the death of his Father not so many years as some ascribe John Harding saith Lucius King of Brittain reigned 54 years others allow but 53 years Hollenshed in his History of England tells us that Lucius having brought his people to perfect light and understanding of the true God that they needed not to be deceived any longer with the crafty temptations and feigned miracles of wicked spirits he abolished all prophane worshippings of false Gods and converted such Temples as had been dedicated to their service unto the use of the Christian Religion and thus studying only how to advance the glory of almighty God and the knowledg of his word without seeking the vain glory of worldly triumph which is gotten with slaughter of many a guiltless person he left his Kingdom though not enlarged with broader Dominion then he found it yet greatly augmented and enriched with quiet rest good ordinances and that which is more to be esteemed
before so many persecutors and in the highest of their malice and rage against St. Alban fell thereby into the same degree of hatred with them for presently thereupon to speak in an old Authors words The Enemies of truth apprehended him beat out his teeth rent his holy mouth and brake all his bones and although nothing remained in his body without hurt Gild. l. 2. de excid Brit. c. 8. yet his fervent faith remained without harme and being thus left so maimed lame and baptised in his own blood and also half dead with all the power and strength he could with his hands crept up to the hill where St. Alban was martyred whom when the judge espied he said unto him pray to thy Alban to set thy bones in order and lay his head here stricken off to thy body and thou shalt receive perfect health from him bury thou him and let him cure thee Heraclius answered I most firmly believe that St. Alban by his merits is able to heal me and easily performe that you mock us with Then reverently taking the head of St. Alban and devoutly laying it to his body he began to recover the former strength of the same despaired before and being thus miraculously recovered and made whole ceased not in the hearing of all the people to preach unto them the merit of St. Alban and power of Christ and digging the earth buried the body of the martyred Saint before them there which the Pagans seeing said among themselves what shall we do this man cannot be put to death with sword we have already broken his body and he hath already received his former strength again And apprehending him with horrible torment they tare his holy body in pieces and lastly cut off his head And so this happy Souldier persevering in the faith of Christ together with St. Alban deserved to be honoured with the crown of martydom The Judge himself was hereby so moved and convinced Mr. Br. 443. 2. that he presently commanded the persecution to cease Jacobus Genuensis Bishop of Genoa and his old English translation say this Souldier called by some before Herculius was a Knight And they yield a reason besides their assertion which was the noble renown of St. Alban who as they say was Lord of the City of Verulam and Prince of the Knights and Steward of the land Bede l. 1. c. 7. and the Judge dread for to slay him because of the great love that the Emperour had to him and for reverence of his dignity and power of his kindred unto the time that he had informed Dioclesian Jacob. Gon. in vit St. Alb. S. Amp. Anglica translat ibid. Mr. Br. f. 455. And therefore when judgment was pronounced against him the which was deferred six weeks until Miximian his coming into Brittain to see such wicked executions thus they deliver then Maximian and Asclepiodotus gave final sentence on him saying In the time of the Emperour Dioclesian Alban Lord of Verulam Prince of Knights and Steward of Brittain during his life hath despised Jubiter and Apollin Gods and to them hath done derogation and disworship wherefore he ought by the law to be dead by the hand of some Knight and the body to be buryed in the same place where his head shall be smitten of and his Sepulchre to be made worshipfully for the honour of Knighthood whereof he was Prince And also the crosse that he bare and Sklavin that he ware should be buried with him and his body to be closed in a chest of lead and so laid in his Sepulchre This sentence hath law ordained because he hath renied our principal Gods These Authours say Maximian and King Asclepiodotus gave this sentence we have spoken elsewhere of those Martyrs which suffered at Litchfield Let us therefore return to St. Amphibalus whom Almighty God had made the instrument to the conversion of so many souls These bloody persecutors having thus barbarously and without all commpassion of lineage kindred friendship country or whatsoever relation of love or mercy put these holy Saints to death they now pour out the bottom of their malice upon St. Amphibalus neither regarding his noble descent before remembred venerable and old years Mat. West an 303. Manus Antiq. in vita S. Amp Capg in eodem Mr. Br f. 447. 1 learning or whatsoever but bind his arms with thongs and drive him barefooted before their horses so long a journey from the borders of Brittain where they apprehended him unto the City of Verulam where the Prefect and Lieutenant then was resident And as they thus contemptibly carried him barefooted and bound a sick man lying in the way in the sight and hearing of them all cryed out unto him O thou servant of God Almighty help me that I which lye oppressed by my own infirmity may be relieved by thy intercession for I do believe that by the calling upon the name of Christ thou art able presently to restore my health unto me And forthwith the man which lay thus sick before the eyes of them all arose up joyfully and perfectly well When these wicked Pagan persecutors had thus barbarously brought him within the sight of the walls of the City as though this holy Saint had been unworthy to enter into it and their Troops so great by that is said before that they could not be conveniently received therein they stay themselves as it were pitching their tents in a place then desart now called Redburne three miles from St. Albans throwing down their shields and striking their speers into the ground And thus resting themselves only St. Amphibalus rested not but preached continually the doctrine of salvation to his enemies who in the mean time gave notice to the Prince and those of the City of their return and bringing with them the instructor of St. Alban and that they had put all those Christians before spoken of to death in the uttermost parts of the Kingdom after their long journey thither which when the Governour heard he called the people together and exhorted them Let us all go forth and meet our enemy that he that hath offended may receive revenge of us all And so hasting forth striving as it were who should go first went by the way leading to the North as our antiquities say the better to set down the old place and situation of that antient City which they then left almost vacant And coming in this raging madnesse and multitude to torment and Martyr this holy Saint they find him all wrapped in chains and bonds and presently stripped him naked slit his belly and pulled out his entrails tying them to a stake which they had fastned in the ground enforcing him to be led round about it And the holy Saint of God shewing no signe of grief at all among such and so many afflictions the wicked persecutors thereby the more enraged sent him for a mark as it were and with their knives and spears pierced and