the Christians heare in this Nation did not onely enioy freedome and Immunitie from all penalties and Persecution against Christian Churches and Monasteries that were ruinated restored and new builded Religion but as in the time of his Father made and freely had publike exercise and Profession thereof as our old Churches reedified new builded and erected Bishops Preists and all Cleargie and Religious men restored to their former quiet Reuenewes honours and dignities 2. Of this we haue diuers testimonies and examples in particular yet left vnto vs as out of the old Annalls of Winchester where we finde of that old Church builded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the late Persecutiō the Church of Winchester builded in the time of King Lucius and hallowed and dedicated Annal. Eccles Winton Godwin Catalog of Bishop Wincester in initio October 29. 189. By Faganus and Damianus Bishops amongst the rest at this time of Dioclesian went to wracke the buildings thereof being ruinated and made euen with the ground and the Monkes and all the officers belonging vnto it either slaine or enforced to fly for the present time in the yeare 309. the Church a foresaid was againe reedified and that with such wonderfull forwardnesse and Zeale as within one yeare and thirty dayes both it and all the Edifices belonging vnto it as chambers and other buildings for the Monkes and officers were quite finished in very seemely and conuenient manner The 15. day of March following it was againe hallowed and dedicated vnto the honor and memory of Amphibalus that had suffered death for Christ in the late Persecution by Constans Bishop of Winchester at te request of Deodatus Abbot of this new erected Monastery It is euident by this Relation and that is saide before that this holy worke so publike and with freedome and zeale was quite finished in the time of Constantine his being heare before he went hence against Maxentius And yet we see both Bishop Abbot Preists and Religious men publikly and honorably restored to their former condition The Church with vnspeakable deuotion builded and dedicated to that holy Saint and Martyr which in the late Persecution was most hated by the enemies of Christ So I say of the Church of S. Alban Ecclesia a Church as S. Bede writeth mirandi operis atque eius martyrio condigna extructa est a Church Bed Eccl. Hist l. 1. c. 7. Mat. West An. 313. of wonderfull workemanship and worthie of his martyrdome was builded so soone as the Christians were heare at quiet Redeunte temporum Christianorum serenitate Matthew of Westminster hath the same words and explaneth this time of the quiet of Christians heare when this Church was so sumptuously builded to haue bene ten yeares after his Martyrdome decem scilicet annis post passionem eius elapsis the perfect finishing whereof he setteth downe to haue bene in the same yeare in which Constantine went from hence towards Rome against Maxentius Which was by him in the 6. yeare of Constantine and before the generall ceasing of Persecution in other places Constantine not being absolute and sole Emperor vntill his victory against Maxentius nor the generall quiet then presently ensuing Both S. Bede and the Monke of Westminster write that in their seuerall times often curing of infirmities and Bed Matth. supr other miracles were wrought there in quo videlicet loco vsque ad hanc diem curatio infirmorum frequentium operatio virtutum celebrari non desunt The old Churches of S. Iulius and S. Aaron martyred in the late Persecutio◠in the Citie of Caerlegion deriue their auntient Foundation from this time So doe many others founded in honor of seuerall Martyrs then cruelly putt to death for the name of Christ So I affirme of all the Cathedrall Churches Archiepiscopall and Episcopall which I haue before remembred with their Particular Sees and Cities founded in the time of King Lucius and destroyed in the Persecution of the Tyrants Dioclesian and Maximinian as also those that were not Episcopall but subordinate and inferior ouerthrowne with that tempest of Persecution for S. Gildas S. Bed and others testifie without exception that all they which were then pulled downe euen to the ground were now reedified renouant Ecclesias ad solum vsque destructas Matthew of Westminster Gild. l. de excid conquest Brit. ca. 8. Bed Eccles Hist l. 1. c. 8. Mat. Westm an 313. plainely writeth that besides the new Churches builded in honor of their late Martyrs of which S. Gildas and S. Bede also make this memory Basilicas Sanctorum Martyrum fundant construunt perficiunt The Christians heare at this time renewed builded againe all the Churches dedicated to former Saints which had bene so destroyed and throwne downe to the ground Sanctorum Ecclesias ad solum vsque destructas renouant 3. And when we are warranted both by Protestant and Catholike Antiquaries Matth. Parker Antiq. Brit. pa. 8. Io. Goscel Eccl. Hist Manuscrip de Archiep. Can. tuar prope Init. Manuscr Gallie Antiq. cap. 28. also that from the beginning of Christianitie heare we had many Abbots Monkes and Monasteryes in euery Age tot tantaque Abbatum Monachorum Cenobiorum vetusta nomina quae quouis seculo extiterunt And that these Monasteryes were all destroyed in Dioclesian his Pesecution we must needs assigne their restauration to this time as I haue first exemplified before in the old Monastery of Winchester now reedified with so greate speede and deuotion the Abbot thereof being called Deodatus To this I ioyne the Monastery of Abingdon allready spoken of where this our greate King and Emperour Constantine as the old Annalls thereof doe pleade had his education when he was young wherein there where as it testifieth further aboue 500. Chron. Monast Abingdon apud Nich. Harpesf Eccl. Hist saecul 10. c. 9. Monkes liuing by the labour of their hands in th◠woods and Desarts adioyning vpon son dayes festiuall dayes comming to the Monastery besides 60. which did continually abide in the same seruing God there Quod Monachi supra quingentos illi fuerant adscripti qui per syluas loca deserta quae in vicinia fuere manuum labore victitabant ad Coenobium singulis Sabbatis Dominicis conuenientes praeter sexaginta qui assiduè in ipso Coenobio versabantur quod Constantinus ille Magnus Abingdoniae educatus fuerit Therefore we cannot doubt if we will accept this auntient Record for witnesse but of all other Monasteries this greate Emperour had an especiall care of restoring and endowing this his nursing place of education 4. To this time we may assigne the reedificing of the noble Monastery first builded by the Founder Ambrius or Ambry after called Amsbury in Wiltshire where at the comming of the Saxons hither there were 300. Religious men Coenobium trecentorum fratrum in monte Ambrij qui vt fertur fundator Galfr. Monum Hist Brit. l. 8. c. 9.
the Archbishops of that place which were since the Conuersion Much persecution and Martyrdome was in Londen before this vnder King Lucius in any Historie and for other reasons before mentioned I haue rather made him farre more auncient Yet it is apparant enough that London tasted of this Persecution euen in the first arising thereof for we reade that in the time of Alectus to whome Asclepiodotus succeeded Paganis Galfrid Mon. Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 4. Virun l. 5. Hist Harding Chron. c. 56. Mat. West An. 294. Manuscr Antiq. in Vit. S. Albani Iacob Genuen Capgrau in â—od me was publikly professed there which could not easely be done without greate Persecution of Christians especially the sacred Preists of the Arehiepiscopall See in that Citie And in the Towne of Verolamium where S. Alban was Martyred it was a strange thing at the time of his death to heare of Christianitie and they which were conuerted by his miraculous death had neuer bene Christians before but were vnbaptized as that History relateth This Persecution being generall to all Churches and places euen in the beginning thereof came to the Citie of Caerlegion where the Church being destroyed and the Schoole founded by King Lucius ouerthrowne the holy Preists and other Christians there had their part therein 2. Among others S. Iulius and S. Aaron were then cruelly Martyred in that Citie being by all Citizens and Inhabitants there Aaron Iulius Legionum Gild. l. de excid c. 7. Bed Hist Eccl. lib. 1. c. 7. Galfrid Mon. l. 5. c. 5. Girald Cambr. Itin Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. Henric. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Diocletian Capgrau Catal. in S. Alban Io. Bal. Praef. in l. de Script cent 1. in Amphibalo Dauid Powell Annot. in c. 4. Girarld Cambr. descr Cambriae vrhis ciues most cruelly then torne in peeces with Torments neuer heard of before passi sunt inaudita membrorum disceptione in testimonium Dei excelsi Others say it is euident in Histories that they were learned meÌ„ brought vp in the Colledge or Schoole there founded by King Lucius thus write two of our cheifest Protestant Antiquaries Ex Sanctorum Historijs constat Amphibalum Aaronem Iulium sanctissimos Dei Martyres caelestem Christi doctrinam apud vrbem Legionum inter litteras tradidisse Ex nobili Gymnasio vrbis Legionum viri multi summa pietatis doctrinae laude conspicui prodierunt vt Amphibalus Iulius Aaron By which Authorities and testimonies ioyning these holy Martyrs for education Schoole learning preaching and professing Christ with that most renowned Prâ—ist and Bishop S. Amphibalus they incline to hold and teach that they also were Clergy men And if we remember what I haue said before how S. Alban was not our Protomartyr in respect of time but otherwise and this Persecution at Caerlegion when these holy Martyrs were putt to death was at the destruction of the Cathedrall Church there being at the same time as the like desolation was at Winchester loÌ„g before S. The old schoole of CaerlegioÌ„ brought forth many glorious Martyrs in this time Alban his Martyrdome I must needs say the same of these Saints as the Annals of Winchester doe of their Martyrs And this the rather because our Antiquaries before haue told vs that S. Amphibalus that conuerted S. Alban was borne bredd instructed in learning and remayned at Caerlegion and being there in all probable iudgment when these trobles began there was as our Brittish History witnesseth pursued and in present danger to be apprehended by the Persecutours when S. Alban gaue him first entertaynment and succour and addeth plainely that when S. Amphibalus thus fledd from Caerlegion S. Iulius S. Aaron were absque cunctamine presently Martyred there S. Iulius and S. Aaron martyred at Caerlegion with many others before S. Alban Galfr. Mon. Hist Reg. Brit. l. 5. c. 5. hauing their members so torne in peeces as the like had not bene heard of before Inter caeteros vtriusque sexus summâ Magnanimitate in acie Christi perstantes passus est Albanus Verolamius Iulius quoque Aaron vrbis Legionum ciues quorum Albanus charitatis gratia feruens confessorem suum Amphibalum à Persecutoribus insectatum iam iam comprehendendum in domo sua occuluit Caeteri verò duo inaudita membrorum discerptione lacerati ad egregias portas Hierusalem absque cunctamine cum Martirij trophaeo conuolauerunt The very same testimony Gildas l. de excid c. 8. is giuen hereof by S. Gildas both for S. Amphibalus then flying the Persecutours and the Martyrdome of these Saints at that time S. Bede also is witnesse that S. Alban entertayned S. Amphibalus flying the Persecutours Clericum quendam Persecuâ—ores fugientem hospitio recepit And that S. Aaron S. Iulius were martyred at that time Passi sunt ea tempestate Aaron Iulius Bed Hist Eccl. l. 1. c. 7. Matth. Westm an 303. Girald Cambr. Itiner Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. Gildas excid Bâ—â—t c. 8. Legionum vrbis ciues The like haue others Therefore Giraldus Cambrensis doth worthely call them our two Noble Protomartyrs in this time onely in dignitie second and next to S. Alban and Amphibalus but in time first and before them Duo nobiles post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui Britanniae Maioris Protomartyres These our two Protomartyrs are wonderfully commended in our Histories S. Gildas saith of them that they stood out in the Army of Christ with greatest magnanimitie summa magnanimitate in acie Christi perstantes dico Giraldus Cambrensis is witnes that among the Martyrs of that time they were the cheifest next to S. Alban and S. Amphibalus Post Albanum Amphibalum praecipui Martyrio coronati Iulius Aaron How Girald supr Itiner Cambr. l. 1. c. 5. they were honoured of the holy Catholike Christians of that time with Churches dedicated vnto them Pilgrimages to the places of their Martyrdome and they both there and in other places honoured inuocated and The Martyrs then honored with prayers and Pilgrimages to them prayed vnto presently vpon the ceasing of the Persecution I will declare among other memories of that time in their place in the beginning of the next Age. 3. Now it will suffice to conclude with that their Title of glory and renowne Girald Cambr. supr which the auncient and learned Bishop of their Nation before hath giuen them as their due and honour to the place of their triumphant death Iacent hic duo Nobiles Britanniae Maioris Protomartyres ibidem Martyrio coronati Iulius Aaron Heare lie at Caerlegion the two Noble Protomartyrs of great Britaine and crowned with Martyrdome there Iulius and Aaron This Title to be the first Martyrs of Britaine in that most terrible Persecution and with such exceeding magnanimitie and Christian constancy as hath bene before remembred in enduring Torments neuer vntill then heard of without any example going before them but giuing themselues the first example
heare of so wonderfull patience loue of Christ and Heroicall true fortitude to so many thowsands which by their singular example with inuincible couradge imitated them therein is the greatest honour we can yeeld to such blessed Saints one earth Their Festiuitie is celebrated by the old Roman Martyrologe vpon the first day of Iuly On which day as Baronius plainely writeth many Martyr Rom. die 1. Iulij others suffered Martyrdome with them Iulius Aaron Martyres cum alijs plurimis in Britannia sub Dioclesiano primo die Iulij So likewise affirmeth a Caesar Baron in Indice NominuÌ„ Sanctorum in Iulio Aarone Author of Engl. Martyr 1. Iul. late English Wtiter And the Roman Martyrologe which Baronius glosseth may well carry that construction for setting downe for a certaine truth that these two holy Martyrs were putt to death in Britaine vpon the first day of Iuly Primo die Iulij in Britannia Sanctorum Martyrum Iulij Aaron qui in persecutione Dioclesiani passi sunt it presently addeth Quo tempore ibidem quamplurimi diuersis crutiatibus torti saeuissimè lacerati ad supernae ciuit atis gaudia consummato agone peruenerunt At the same time in the same place very many tortured with diuers torments and most cruelly torne hauing ended their combate came to the Ioyes of heauen And S. Bede saith that ea tempestate Martyrol Ro. 1. die Iulij Bed l. 1. Hist c. 7. Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. in Diocles Matt. West an 303. Io. Capgr in S. Albano alij Girald CaÌ„bren Itiner Camb. l. 1. cap. 5. Ranulph Higed l. 1. c. 48. Dauid Powel Annot. in Girald supr Harrison Descript of Brit. c. 13. Humfr. Lhuyd Brâ—uiar Britan. Et Tho. Twyne ib. f. 82. The glory of Caerlegâ—â—nâ—ur Archieâ—iscâ—â—all see before this time at that time when S. Aaron and S. Iulius were Martyred diuers others both men and women were putt to death Alijque vtriusque sexus passi sunt ea tempestate So hath Henry of Huntington passi sunt co tempore Aaron Iulius alij quo que plures vtriusque sexus So haue others And we cannot probably thinke that those raging Persecutours which in places where there were not in any degree so many Christians as in this renowned Citie an Archiepiscopall See and Christian Vniuersitie putt them to death by thowsands sent these heare by cruell Martyrdome to heauen alone These holy Martyrs by all Antiquities suffered Martyrdome at Caerlegion and both Giralâ—us Cambrensis Ranulphus Higeden writing at Westchester as also our Protestant Antiquaries of the same Country plainely say it was at Caerlegion in Monmouthshire which was the Archiepiscopall Citie and Schoole distinguishing it from Westchester by some called Caerlegion also I will onely cite one thus Englished to my hand by a Protestant Historian In this Region Monmouthshire is situated the most auncient and Noble Citie of Legions which our Countrymen call Caerleon are Wish that is to say the Citie of Legions vpon Vsk for difference sake betweene it and the other which is builded in Northwales vpon the Riuer Dee Of whome Giraldus writeth thus The same was an auncient and noble Towne the tokens whereof remayne as yet an huge Palace a Giantlike Tower goodly Bathes and hotehouses Reliques of Churches and places like Theaters compassed with beautifull walles â—artly yet standing Also buildings vndeâ— the grounde Conducts secreâ—â—e passages and Vaultes vnder the earth framed by wonderfull workemanship Thâ—â—â—â—â—th two Martyrs Iulius and Aaron which had Churches dedicate◠〈…〉 The like and more plainely haue many others auncient and late Catholiks and Protestants Therefore that Protestant Bishop which singularlie saith it was at Chester apud vrbem Legionum Cestriam nun vocatam is much deceaued in this matter Io. Bâ—l. Prâ—fat in l. de Scriptor THE XVIII CHAPTER HOW SAINT AMPHIBALVS A BRITTISH Bishop and many holy and learned Preists of the Britans in this Persecution went to the Scots and Picts were reuerently receaued of them and preached liued and continued there in greate Sanctitie and left greate Succession of such there after them 1. VPON this Persecution and Martyrdome of these holy Saints Gildas l. de excid c. 8. and others at that time as S. Gildas with others writeth they which escaped death hidd theÌ„selues in Woods Desarts Dens and fledd into Ilands to the Scots for refuge Qui superfuerant Hector Boeth Hist Scotor l. 6. f. 102. Georg. Buchan Rer. Scot. l. 4. in Rege 33. Hollinsh Hist of Scotland in Crathlint and Fincomarke siluis ac desertis abditisque spelnncis se occult aâ—ere Our Scottish Historians say a greate number of our Brittish Christians to auoide the crueltie of the Persecutours fledd to the Scots and Picts Magnus piorum numerus persequentium saeuitiam declinare cupiens ad Scotos Pictos concessit They haue preserued the particular names of diuers of them whome they recompt among the most renowned learned men of that Age such were Amphibalus a Bishop Modocus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus and Carnocus worshippers of God called in the old Scottish languadge Culdeis which by their preaching taught the Religion of Christ with many labours throughout the Scots Countries There were then very many more but these the cheifest of them whose names came to posteritie Inter Nostrates eadem fuere tempestate sacra doctrina pollentes Ampbibalus Amistes Modocus Priscus Calanus Ferranus Ambianus Caroncus Dei cultores Culdei prisca nostra vulgari lingua dicti Christi Seruatoris doctrinam omnes per Scotorum Regiones concionando multis pijsque sudoribus seminantes Fuere tunc alij permulti sed hij quorum nomina ad Posteros delata praecipui Many of these holy Brittish Christians liued in poore Georg. Buchan Rer. Scotic l. 4. Reg. 35. Hollinsh of Scotl. in Fincomarke Cels professing the most austeere penitentiall cremiticall life in so greate sanctitie that as these Scottish Antiquaries haue before deliuered their very Cels were dedicated into Churches after they were dead and with such reuerence obserued with that Nation our Protestants so confessing and testifying that from the time of those holy Brittish Saints which thus liued there the old Scots called Churches by the name of Cels Ex â—â—que consâ—etudo mansit apud Posteros vt prisci Scoti templa Cellas vocent 2. Among these our holy Bishop S Amphibalus a man of singular pietie and excellent in diuine learning Amphibaluâ— Brito vir â—â—sigâ—â— pietate sacra doctrina pollens preached the word of Christ throughouâ— the Scots and Picts S. Amphibalus a BritaÌ„ and Martyr a learned and holy Bishop in Mona I le with the Scots Countries speaking and writing much against the Pagans Religion 〈◊〉 dogma per Scotorum Pictorumqae Regiones propâ—â—aâ—do mâ—lâ—a a contra Geâ—â—â—â—um Religionem dicendo scribendoquâ— Crathlint then King of the Scots entertayned this holy Bishop and his company with greate loue and builded for them a â—hurch in the I
testified by S. Athanasius 555. 7. The Bishops of Britaine before S. Augustins time learned and truely Catholike and holy men 592. 3. Bishops of Britaine renowned in the Eastern Nations teaching there true Religion and condemning of Heresies 592. 3. Vide. Archbishop Braghan a noble Britan stiled King 585. 10. Braghan had 12. sonnes and 12. daughters all happy Saints ib. S. Brendon found in an Iland of America a Monastery of disciples of sainct Patrike and sainct Albeus 328. 3. Brennus commonly supposed to be a Britan and brother to our King Beline 119. 4. S. Briget became a Nunne in the I le of Mona 605. 11. or 608. 11. Britaine the Queene of Ilandes 32. 4. Britaine called by some an other world 141. 3. Three Britains of old 48. 6. Britaine deuided into Cambria Loegria Albania by Brutus 280. 1. Britaine deuided also into 5. Prouinces 35. 8. 187. 2. Britaine deuided into 3. Prouinces by the Romans their names and Metropolis 314. 3. Britaine had aunciently 28. Cities 285. 1. Their names 285. 1. c. The number of Britan Ilands 141. 3. Britaine subiect to diuers pettie Kings 127. 1. Britaine made Tributary to the Romans by Iulius Caesar â—1 1. Britaine kept vnder the Romans with a small garrison 1. 1. Britaine neuer so seruil to the RomaÌ„s as other kingdomes 232. 2. Britaine neuer subiects to the RomaÌ„s Iure belli 238. 4. All Britaine belonged to the RomaÌ„s in the time of Maximus 575. 6. Britaine had alwaies its owne Kings both by inheritance and descent froÌ„ their auncient Brittish Regall Race 232. 2. The old right and Title of Britaine to the Ilands neere Norway and Denmarke 334. 1. Britains Conuersion foretold by the Prophets of the old TestameÌ„t 31. 3. Britaine began to be enlightned with the sunne of the Gospell euen in the daies of Tiberius 21. 4. Britaine enioyed diuers Bishops and Preists after sainct Aristobulus death 171. 3. Manifold lets of the generall Conuersion of Britaine 232. 1. c. Britaine generally conuerted vnder S. Eleutherius 255. 3. 270. 6. Britaine receaued in king Lucius time the old Decrees of the primitiue Popes 338. 4. Britaine the first kingdome in the world that generally and publikly receaued the faith of Christ 250. 5. Britains generall Conuersion neither lawfully might or could be established without the help and Power of the Roman Apostolike See 248. 3. Britaine receaued Church discipline from Rome and when 320. 7. Great encrease of Christians in Britaine in Pope Higinius time 209. 3. Britaine a Paterne to deuide other Prouinces into Diocesses and Parishes 338. 1. Britaine at variance by reason of King Lucius death without a successor 250. 1. Britaine distempered in ciuill affaires by the longe absence of Constantine 542. 2. Britaine at ciuill warres 542. 3. Litle Britaine probably the place giuen by Constantine to the Brittish Souldiars which had serued him in his warres 542. 2. Britaine as free as any Nation from the Arrian Heresie 544. 7. Britaine receaued and obserued the Nicen faith 546. 9. All Britaine not perfectly free from the Arrian contagion 555. 8. Britaine in S. Ninians time did agree in Religion with the present Roman Church 589. 4. All Britaine subiect vnto the Pope in spirituall busines vntill Caluins time 353. 4. Britans carried as Prisoners and Hostages to Rome 1. 1. The Britans temporall dependance on the Roman Empire occasion of their greatest spirituall good 2. 3. The Britans beleife of Christ to come did not diminish in the inhabitants after the death of Iosinas and Finnanus 11. 6. Many Britans liued in perpetuall chastity before the Natiuity of Christ and why 16. 7. Some Britans came to more knowledge of Christ in Tiberius daies 12. 1. Many Britans conuerted at Rome 19. 2. A reason out of S. Ambrose of the Roman Britans so quicke Conuersion 20. 3. Britans of the Northren parts CoÌ„uersion before those of the South 34. 6. The Britans first Apostle necessary to be knowne 40. 1. With what Nations the Britans had commerce at Rome 21. 4. The Britans well affected to the Româ—ns vnder Tiberius 23. 4. Diuerse Britans probably conuerted with S. Mansuetus by S. Peter 32. 5. Diuers BritaÌ„s probably accompaned S. Peter from hence to Rome 162. 2. The first Christian Britans honor loue towards S. Peter 164. 3. Our Britan Christians probably buried S. Peter ib. Britans both at home and else where enioyed quietly vnder the RomaÌ„s the free vse of Christian Religion vntill the Persecution of Dioclesian 164. 3. 20000. Britans serued vnder Vespasian at the sacking of Hierusalem 166. 2. Credible that many of these Britans were Christians ib. Many Britans receaued the faith in the time of Antoninus Pius 203. 4. Britans euer loued learning 206. 8. Many Britans went to Rome to inable themselues in learning Religion for the generall Conuersion of Britaine 222. 4. Britans the first Christian people in the world 335. 3. Britans and Scots receaued not their first faith from any Church of Asia 353. 4. Many Britans fall againe into Paganisme 367. 3. Britans sent to Rome to pay Tribute accustomed to sacrifice in the TeÌ„ple of Mars 367. 3. Britans knighted at Rome with Pagan rites and ceremonies 367. 3. The Britan Christians manifold miseries in Dioclesians Persecution 423. 2. c. Britans fly to the Scots and Picts to auoide Persecution 429. 1. The Britan Christians care in restoring Religion after the Persecution of Dioclesian 180. 8. The Britans deuotion to S. Simeon Stellita 589. 5. The Britans detested the Pelagian Heresie 610. 6. S. Brithwald a Monke of Glastenbury 333. 9. Saint Brithwald chosen Abbot in the Monastery of Reculuer in Kent ib. S. Brithwalds Vision of S. Peter 76. 12. Brutus a Troian landed heare in the time of Hely and Samuel 280. 1. Brutus called this Country before named Albion Britannia ib. Brutus deuided at his death the Iland to his sonnes ib. C. S. Cadocus Bishop and Martyr a Prince by birth his Monanastery where builded 603. 9. S. Cadocus large almes 604. 9. Caelius Sedulius a Scot a man of great learning and by some a Bishop 593. 3. Caelius Sedulius preached in the East ib. Caelius Sedulius professed the same faith with the present Roman Church 593. 3. Caelius Sedulius his workes approued by sainct Gelasius Pope ib. Caelius Sedulius stiled by S. Gelasius Venerabilis ib. Some of his writings vsed in the Church publike seruice ib. Caerlegion first builded by Belinus 281. 3. Caerlegions diuers names ib. Caerlegion not so called from any Roman Legion 181. 10. Caerlegion an Archflamens Seat 281. 3. Caerlegions Archbishops 319. 4. The glory of Caerlegion 428. 3. or 425. 3. Caerlegion Schoole brought forth many glorious Martyrs during the Persecution of Diocletian 427. 2. S. Caffo sainct Kebius Disciple 567. 4. A strange wounder performed by him ib. Sainct Caius Pope and Martyr 385. 17. S. Caius Kindsman to the Emperour Dioclesian ib. S. Caius his Decrees ib. Caius Caligula the Emperor a freind to Christians 30.
IS SHEWED TO BE THE MOST probable opinion that S. Peter at his first coming to Rome was receaued there by Britans of this Nation and who probably they were 1. THE holy and learned auncient Pope sainct Leo treating of the coming of sainct Peter to Rome for the settling of his supreame Apostolicall power and preeminency there and reconciling this westerne part of the world vnto Christ writeth in this manner CuÌ„ duodecim Apostoli accepta per spirituÌ„ sanctuÌ„ omnium locutione linguarum imbuendum Euangelio mundum distributis sibi terrarum S. Leo ser 1. de S S. Apost Petro Paulo partibus suscepissent beatissimus Petrus Princeps Apostolici ordinis ad arcem Romani destinatur Impery vt lux veritatus quae in omnium gentium reuelabatur salutem officatius se ab ipso capite per totum mundi corpus effunderet Cuius autem nation is homines in hac tunc vrbe non essent aut quae vsquam gentes ignorarent aut Roma didicisset I am populos qui ex circumcisione crediderant erudieras iam Antiochenam Ecclesiam vbi primum Christiani nominis dignitas est orta fundaueras I am Galatiam Cappadociam Asiam atque Bithyniam legibus Euangelicae praedicationis impleueras nec vt dubius de prouentu operis aut de spatio tuae ignarus aetatis Trophaeum crucis Christi Romanis Acibus Inferebas quò te diuinis praeordinationibus anteibant honor potestatis gloria passionis When the twelue Apostles hauing receaued by the holy Ghost the guift of speaking all languages diuiding the parts of the earth amongst them had vndertaken to endue the world with the ghospell most blessed Peter Prince of the Apostolike order is seÌ„t to the chiefest place of the RomaÌ„ Empire That the light of the Truth which was reuealed for the saluatioÌ„ of all natioÌ„s might more effectually diffuse it selfe from the heade thereof to the whole body of the world For what NatioÌ„ was there that men thereof were not theÌ„ in this citie or what Nations in any place could be ignorant of that which Rome had learned Now thou S. Peter hadst instructed the people of the circumcision which had beleeued Thou hadst already founded the Church of Antioch where first the dignitie of the Christian name was risen Thou hadst already replenished Pontus Galatia Cappadoâ—ia Asia and Bithynia with the lawes of preashing the ghospell neither as doubtfull of the successe of thy worke or ignorant of the space of thy age Thou didst bringe the Trophie of the Crosse of Christ to the Roman Towers whether by the preordination of God both the honor of thy power and glory of thy passion went before thee Where we see by this most learned Pope the generall consent of the other holy Fathers and Antiquitie concurring with him in this declaration that it was the mercifull preordinance of God that seeing the whole world and in that these westerne nations also were to be instructed in the truth and the number of the Apostles to performe so woÌ„derfull a worke was so small That Rome theÌ„ being the of the head world where people of all Nations liued especially of these westerne Regions and more principally of this kingdome of Britaine hauing many thereof then making their dwelling at Rome The cheifest Apostle should be directed and sent thither by Christ to bring this happie worke the more easily to passe and settle there for euer by the glory of his passion the honor of his greatest Apostolicall power quò te diuinis praeordinationibus anteibant honor potestatis gloria passionis 2. In this happines common to all then dwelling at Rome this Iland hauing so many Britans both as hostages and otherwise residing there as all our histories of those times assure vs was equall with the best In one which S. Peter first entertained at Rome by Britans his Cathedrall See Church first in their howse I take to be the greatest honor and happines this kingdome euer had or any other could haue this our Britaine stript and ouerwent them all Which was that our Britains then dwelling at Rome were the first except the Romans themselues deceaue me that receaued entertained and happily harboured that blessed Guest S. Peter there The first erection of sainct Peters Chaire and See the coÌ„maunder of the Christian world in spirituall things was made in the howse of one of our noble BritaÌ„s there Where the first ChristiaÌ„ Church of that greate and holy Apostolike Citie as the Christian pouertie of that time would permit was founded where the ghospell was preached the most blessed Sacrifice of the sacred body and blood of Christ was offered for the lyuing and the deade where the dayly and ordinary Synaxes and holy Assemblies of Christians then for these and other most holy exercises of Christian Religion were kept from whence many holy disciples of that highest Apostle were afterward sent and directed by him both into this kingdome of Britaine and other nations in this westerne world the happy and renowned Christians of this Country that then dwelled there in the best sorte and sence they could cooperating and assisting in so heauenly labours For whereas we are told for an vndoubted truth by a Tradition of the Romans that S. Peter Traditio Romanorum apud Baron in Annotat. in Martyrolog Roman 19. die Maij in Pudent Authour of the 3. conuers with others was first lodged at Rome in the howse of Pudens a Senator and that the Christians met there at their Synaxis had their Church there which is now called the Church of S. Pudentiana maiorum firmatum traditione praescriptum est domum Pudentis Romae fuisse primum bospitium S. Petri Principis Apostolorum illicque primum Christianos conuenisse ad Synaxim coactam Ecclesiam vetustiss imumque omnium Titulnm Pudentis nomine appellatum qui Pastoris nomine dictus reperitur hodie vulgò Ecclesia S. Pudentianae nuncupatur The Romans must giue me leaue to write and more then probably to proue that this howse called by them the howse of Pudens a Romane Senator came not to him from his Roman Auncestors but rather by his wife Iure vxoris suae a noble Christian and lady of Beda Martyrol 14. cal Iunij Seuerin Binnius annotat in Tom. 1. Concil in S. Pio. Baron Tom 2. Annal. 159. Zepher Bin. annot in tom 1. coÌ„cil in Pio. 1. Traditio Romanorum apud Patres tam Latin quam Graecos Matth. Westm ad An. 42. Florent Wigor hist an 28. 60. Stowe And Howe 's hist Britaine called by our histories and sainct Paul also Claudia by others Priscilla or Sabinella 3. And so at the coming of sainct Peter to Rome this holy place was the howse and habitation of the Christian Brittish parents of that renowned Lady Claudia which then liued as hostages at Rome to the Emperour for this lande and kingdome of Britaine and by that meanes it was their happines and honor to
Preist sainct Trophimus sent from sainct Peter the Apostle and from thence by little and little the gift of faith was infused to the other Regions of Fraunce Where we see it proued by the publike letters and testimonie of all the Bishops of that Prouince That it was a certaine and confessed truth among all the Churches of Fraunce and knowne also at Rome that sainct Trophimus who was so renowned in Fraunce was sent thither by sainct Peter which yet doth not condemne their opinion which say sainct Paul in his Iorney from Rome to Spayne left him by the way at Arles whether he was formerly sent by sainct Peter and sainct Paul finding him at Arles went on his Iorney leauing sainct Trophimus where he found him Which confirmeth that I haue deliuered before of this matter and thus I haue compassed and circuited all CouÌ„tries round about vs find that they all first receaued the faith of Christ in these times by sainct Peter the Apostle and his disciples and no other meanes but this was left or to be fownde in histories to bring the first knowledge of saluation to this Kingdome And hauing this farre entreated of sainct Peters Disciples let vs now speake of that most glorious Apostle himselfe his preacing heare THE XIIII CHAPTER WHEREIN IS PROVED BY MANY ARGVments Authorities and Antiquaries both Catholiks and Protestants that sainct Peter the Apostle parsonally preached and founded Christian Religion in this kingdome 1. NOW I am come to giue that glory to this kingdome whereof a Protestant thus speaketh we should accompt it Godwyn Conu of Britâ—ine p. 6. a greate glory to our Nation to deriue the peti-degree of our spituall linadge from so noble and excellent a father as sainct Peter And diuers others of that profession will seeme to giue that Preeminencie vnto him To satisfie therefore these men and giue that due honour to this kingdome this is sufficieÌ„tly proued before by those that haue told vs he preached in all kingdomes and Ilands of the west therefore this Cuontry so greate and ample a portion of the westerne world and the most florishing Iland thereof cannot be excluded from this prerogatiue This moued our first Christian King Lucius and the S. Peter his personall preaching and founding our Church in Britain proued by all human authoritie cheifest of the cleargie heare in that time in the first publik and generall conuersion of this kingdome to dedicate the first and principall Churches of this Land to this glorious Apostle as our first father and founder in Christ as namely two in one cittie of London the one of them the Metropolitane cheife See diuers hundreds of yeares scituated in Cornhill and still keeping the name of sainct Peters Church The other at westminster also to this day Stowe hist in K. Lucius an D. 179 Holinsh. ib. hist of Engl. The Table of S. Peters Church there Ihon Norden Specul Britan. part 1. p. 42. Camden in Brit. Belgae Sommersetshâ—re Francis Mason Consecrat l. 2. c. cap. 2. pag. â—0 retayning the name sainct Peters Church and diuers others in this kingdome when except that of Glastenbury dedicated to our blessed lady sainct Mary we cannot finde the like of dedicating so auncient and many Churches to any other sainct sainct Paul sainct Ioseph or whom soeuer supposed to haue preached heare 2. The next argument shall be from the testimonie of our holy King Inas and the Clergie of England then Who in the place of the olde Church of Glastenbury building a very magnificent new Church dedicated it to Christ sainct Peter and sainct Paul and in the high forefront thereof engraued certaine verses in the honour of sainct Peter and sainct Paul among which these three are founde Surgit in his templum quod placet ara Deo Anglia plaude lubens mittit tilâ— Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus Glasconiam irradiat The first which our Protestants omitt to translate is thus in Thâ—se to wit sainct Peter and sainct Paul a Church and an Altar pleasing vnto God is raised The other two are thus tranâ—lated by our Protestants Be glad England Rome sâ—â—deth health to thee and Apostolicall Brightnes doth lighten Glastenbury And they say that this is ment either of doctrine or protection But the words mittit â—â—bi Roma salutem That Rome sâ—nt saluation vnto Britaine and the Apostolicall brightnes of sainct Peter and Paule did illuminate Glastenbury doe include onely doctrine and Saluation and no mention there at all is had of protection which is contrary to protestant Religion and in Catholik Religion for so worthie a King as sainct Inas was to ascribe the patronadge of Glasten burie to sainct Peter and sainct Paul if neither of them had giuen Influence to the first settling of Religion there and exclude sainct Ioseph who both liued and died in that place is an harsh vnworthie construction And to giue further testimonie that the words of that Inscription are altogether to be vnderstood of our first conuersion and receauing the faith from sainct Peter and Rome all those verses excepting the words Anglia and Glastonia England and Glastenbury are taken word by word from Venantius Fortunatus Bishop of Venant Fortun. l. 3. c. 7. Poyctires in Fraunce who testifieth in those verses as I haue by others proued before that Gallia Fraunce and the Allobroge people of Sanoye and the Dolphinists were conuerted by S. Peter and his disciples and S. Paul also preached there as I shall shew hereafter And therefore among the rest of the encomiasticall verses of those two glorious Apostles hath these Gallia plaude Lubens mittit tibi Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus visitat Allobrogas Which King Inas applyed to Britanie and Glastenbury in the same maÌ„ner onely changing Gallia into Anglia and Allobrogas into Glastoniam and to make a true verse visitat into Irradiat in the maner before related Anglia plaude lubens mittit tibi Roma salutem Fulgor Apostolicus Glastoniam irradiat Which he neither would nor truly could haue done except as venantius Fortunatus truely found by vndeniable Authorities that Fraunce and the people of Sauoy and Delphinate did first receaue the doctrine of Saluation from Rome S. Peter and S. Paul So King Inas had sufficient warrant to apply the very same and in the same sence to Britaine or England and Glastenbury to haue receaued the first light of faith from the same Rome and holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul 3. I may add to these the testimony of Kenulphus King of the Mercians with vs to Pope Leo the third where in his epistle vnto him thus he writeth vnde Tibi Apostolica dignitas inde nobis fidei veritas Innotuit from whence Apostolicall dignitie was deriued vnto thee which by all consent was from S. Peter Kenulphus Rex Mercior epist ad Leonem Pap. 3. the Apostle from thence the truthe of faith appeared or was made knowne vnto vs Which by the reason
before must needs be from S. Peter And we reade in an Epistle of Pope Ihon the fift written in the yeare 686. to Ethelred King of the Marshes and to Alfride King of Northumberland on the behalf of Bishop Wilfrid for the restoring his Chuch vnto him with certaine Monasteries that this land of Britaine first receaued the faith of Christ by S. Peter Ioa. Pap. 5. epist ad Ethelred Alfrid Reges Guliel Malmes l. 3. de Pontific c. de Archiep. Ebor ex libr. Step. Cantuariens in vita S. Wilfrid Archiepis Ebor. Harr. hist tom 1. cheife of the Apostles the words are as followe Dominis eminentissimis Ethelredo Regi Merciorum Alfrido Regi Deirorum Bernitiorum Ioannes Papa de vestra Religionis accâ—ssibus gratia Dei cooperante gaudemus feruorem fidâ—i â—ernentes in vobis quam ex praedicatione principis ApostoloruÌ„ Deo vestros animos illuminante percepistis efficaciter tenetis Pope Ihon to the most â—â—inent Lords Ethelred King of the Mercians and Alfride King of the Deires and Bernitians we reioyce of the accesses of your Religion the grace of God cooperating perceauing the feruour of faith in you which you haue receaued â—y the preaching of the prince of the Apostles Where we playâ—ely see the first preaching of the faith of Christ in those parts ascribed to S. Peter the Apostle For testimony whereof we may also add the words of Pope Alexander the third in his epistle to King Henry the second of England where he playnely saith That England was vnder S. Peters protection euer since Christs name was glorified there Or why did Arnobius that renowned father 1200. yeares since speaking of S. Alexand. Pap. 3. epist ad Henric. 2. Reg. Angl. Eugubin de donatione Const Arnobiuâ— lib. 2. contra gentes Peters trauayles say that he preached in all the Ilands and prouinces of the west in Insulis prouincijs quas Sol occidens lustrat except he thought he was heare in Britaine the most renowned Iland of all the western world Where the lesser and more vnnoble are included as by such generall words they are the most noble and worthie cannot be thought to be excluded 4. And so certaine this seemeth that a late writer inclineth to think that Harris in Theatr l. 1. S. Peter gaue denomination to some places at his being heare There is saith this Authour in the North parts an old Citie called Aldclihit which in the Britans time many hundred yeares passed bore his S. Peters name For Aldclihit in the Brittish tonge is as much to say as Peters Clyhit or Peterclyhit for so Henricus Huntingtoniensis a learned Author of reuereÌ„d antiquitie telleth vs in his first booke of Histories where he saith Orientalis autem habet in medio sui vrbem Guidi Henric. Hunting l. 1. hist occidentalis supra se hoc est ad dextram sui habet vrbem Aldclyhit quod lingua BritonuÌ„ significat Petrum Clyhit est autem iuxta fluuium nominis illius Thus in This Authour wrote before the printing â—f Henry of Huntington by the Protestans so citeth the Manuscript For the printed booke hath Petram Clyhit and not Petâ—um English the east part of Northumberland hath in the midst of it a cytie called Guidi and in the west part on the right hand thereof there is a cytie called Aldclyhit which in the Britans languadge doth signifie Peters Clyhit or Peter Clyhit The which standeth vppon a Ryuer of the same name In which sence also the words of S. Prosper seeme to be vnderstoode who writing of S. Celestine Pope of Rome his care to purdge this Iland of the Pelagian Heresie and conuert Ireland to the faith of Christ speaketh in this manner dum Romanam Insulam studet seruare Catholicam fecit etiam Barbaram Christianam while â—e studieth to keepe the Roman Iland Catholike he also made the Barbarous Iland Christia Whereas Prosper l. contra collatorem c. 41. by the Barbarous Iland he vnderstandeth Ireland so by the Roman Iland he meaneth and describeth this Iland of Britaine Which can in no other sence especially at that time be called the Roman Iland but as it was vnder S. Peters spirituall Empire and Regiment and his Successours Popes of Rome For first in respect of temporall subiection this Iland was neuer at any time wholly Romana Insula a Romane Iland all those Countryes beyond Seuerus or Adrians wall were free from subiection to the Romans and in S. Prosper his time and S. Celestine of which he speaketh It was further from hauing any such denomination both Scots Picts and Saxons hauing inuaded and spoyled diuers prouinces of that part Which the Romans did formerly possesse and the Romans at that time had nothing at all to doe in this Iland but the Britans had Kings of their owne as Vortigern Vortimer Aurelius Ambrosius and others Which construction of S. Prosper is more warranted by the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury who citeth Cardinal Pole the Popes legate in these termes neuer improuing but allowing them haÌ„c Insulae nobilitatem atque gloriaÌ„ Dei prouidentiae atque beneficientiae soli acceptam ferendam sed tamen Matth. Parket l. antiquâ—t Brâ—t â—n Reginaâ—d Pol. Cardina p. 351. 1. cap. 69. viaÌ„ ipsam atque rationeÌ„ qua haec nobilitas atque gloria parta est a sede Romana nobis pâ—imo semperque monstratam patefactam fuisse we must ascribe tâ—is nobilitie and glory of this Iland to haue the first of all receaued the faith of Christ to the prouidence and Bounty of God but yett that the away and meanes how this Nobilitie and glory â—as gotten to this nation was first and alwayes shewed and made open from the See of Rome Which must needs be extended and ascend to S. Peter and the Apostles time as the words primo semperque first and alwayes doe demonstrate for it is the common opinion of our Protestant writers and amonge them three of their Bishops here cited that Britanniae Ecclesiae origo ab Apostolis ipsis Parker in Indice v. Britannia Bal. l. de Scriptor Cent. 1. in Ioseph Ara. Godwyn Conu of Brit. c. 2. p. 15. Theater of great Britaine l. 6. cap. 9. pag. 202. probatur that the begynning of the Church of Britaine was from the Apostles 5. How the first Apostle that preached heare could be no other then S. Peter I haue made manifest by our Protestants before and in their Theater of greate Britaine their best learned Antiquaries from diuers authors and approued Antiquities thus testifie sainct Peter the Apostle is supposed to haue preached in Britaine And agayne That S. Peter the Apostle preached the word of life in this Iland as to other Nations he did for whome God had chosen him that from his mouth they might heare the ghospell and beleeue as himself alledgeth and that he heare founded Churches and ordeyned Preists and Deacons which is reported Metaphrast Gul.
allmost all the same reasons and Bed Martyrol 15. Cal. Octobr. Mart. Rom. die 17. Septemb. Vsuatd Ado Mart. Anglic. Secundum vsum Sarum cod die Engl. Marty 17. Sept. authorities to assist mee which I vsed for S. Augulus and therefore need not repcate them againe and no argument or Authour but that late writer without all warrant for these as for S. Augulus to impugne mee and him I haue fully answeared Onely one thing he writeth to their honour which I willingly allowe There are diuers Churches yet remayning in Wales that in auncient times haue bene dedicated in their honour among whom also their memory is yet famous vntill this day especially in Monmouthshire and the Southern parts adioyning But that they were martyred vnder Diocletian he bringeth no Authoritie The Authours which he citeth for them being those I alledged before are silent S. Soâ—ates and S. Stephen probably maâ—tyred in Britaine about this time of any such thing onely they say that vpon that day not speaking of any time they were martyred in Britaine Neyther can I finde any grounde with him or elswhere for that he saith of them They were conuerted to the faith of Christ in our Primatiue Church by the preaching of S. Amphiball Preist and Martyr For Britaine and the Britans were conuerted long before And though many Christians in Britaine were put to death in the time or Persecution commonly ascribed to Dioclesian as a thowsand at one place called Lichfeild which argueth the inhabitants heare then were Christians and more needed grace of perseuerance then preaching especially towards the Countryes now called Wales yet I doe not finde any particularly named in auncient Authours but S. Alban Heraclius Amphibalus Aaron and Iulius except we should allow of that which Regino writeth of S. Lucia Virgin and Martyr in Britaine Lucia Virgo in Britannia Which is discredited by himselfe for he saith she Regino in Chronic an D. 242. was putt to death in Britaine in the yeare of Christ 242. Which probably was before Dioclesian was borne Yet will I not denie but Regino PrunieÌ„sis mistaking the time for the number of yeares may otherwise write a truth that S. Lucia Virgin Martyr in Britaine by Regino Pruniensis Lucia a Virgin was martyred in Britaine and in the dayes of Dioclesian and if halfe so much Authoritie had or could be brought for S. Augulus Socrates or Stephen I should not so easilie haue disabled it Onely one thing I will adde concerning the place of S. Augulus Martyrdome 10. That a late French writer in his Historie of this our Britaine seemeth to Andre du Chesne Taurauge en l'Historie general d'Angleterre Escosse d'Irland thinke that Caerlegion was in the time of Iulius Agricola and by him named Augusta which if it were so it onely varieth the particular place of his Martyrdome nothing detracting from the glorie of him or this Nation or contradicting that I haue said of the time of his death for no memory is in Histories of any such there in the time of Dioclesian nor any Archbishops name of that place preserued long after Dioclesian his death Tremonius S. Dubritius the first that be named in Histories which rather confirmeth the honor of the place of his Martyrdome to LondoÌ„ especially seeing this Authour bringeth neither reason nor Authoritie to infring it if we take the denominatioÌ„ Augusta to haue bene giuen heare in respect of the Nobility of the place it must needs best agree to our most auncient and noble Citie as Camden and others yeeld that reason ea dignitate floruit Londinum vt Augusta dici caeperit many forreine Cities very famous were called Augusta in that respect as Vacienorum Augusta praetoria Camden in middle sex pag. 217. Monster in Cosmogra Cooper in Augusta Abraham Ortelius in Indice Antiq. Region Insul Vrb. Oppid c. Augusta Taurinorum Augusta Tricastinorum Augusta Veromanduorum Augusta Valeria Augusta Emerita Augusta Bracchara Augusta Acilia Augusta Tiberij Augusta Vindeliciorum Augusta Caesarea Augusta Vestonum Augusta Treuirorum and other famous Cities among Cosmographers which haue taken that name for their Noblenes and not from the Roman Legion called Augusta lying in so many places And of all places Caer-legion could not be so named from that relation no euidence giuen that any so named Legion continued there And the generll name Caer-legion the Citie of the Legion conuinceth it had not the name from any Legion in particular much lesse Augusta for then it should haue bene named Caer-augusta and not Caer-legion as we see all the others are before named Augusta absolutely without reference to any Legion either in generall or particular And the Cities before named Augusta are called as we see of the Countryes where they be or were and not from any Roman Legion 11. I haue mentioned before that the Emperour Traian was a Persecutor of Christians and among many others the renowned Pope S. Clement was barbarously first exiled and after cruelly put to death But this Persecution as it much aduanced the honor of our Brittish Christians so it gaue occasion to encrease their number Our noble Christian Brittish house at Rome as in this time and before it was the most frequented receptacle of Christians releeuing them in all their wants while they liued so now in this storme of Persecution besides the famous Sepulchrary and burying place which it had most charitably before prouided in via Salaria bearing the name of S. Priscilla our Brittish Foundresse thereof there was an other very costely burying place Loco caemiterij at their owne dwelling house as the Baron Annot. in Martyrol Rom. die 16. Ianuarij Romans haue before confessed where they secretly buryed the bodyes of the holy Martyrs suffering in these Persecutions ad sepeliendos sublatos occultè Martyres And as I haue shewed before this Christian Brittish house hauing so greate resorte of Christians vnto it that at one time there were in it baptized nonaginta sex homines 96. men besides women and children as that phrase is vsually taken in Histories and was as the coÌ„mon schoole Seminary cheife Church and place to minister Sacraments and consecrate holy parsons we must needs conclude from hence that this kingdome of Britaine was before all other Nations to take especiall fruite and benefite thereby to haue diuers of those holy Preists there consecrated to be sent hither vnto it This the lawe of the Ghospell allowed the chardge of S. Peter exacted and S. Clement as duely performed the lawe of nature pleading for Britaine to our Christian Brittish house and schoole in Rome that so it ought to be And yet an other lawe and of no small power with those that desired to serue Christ with quiet and securitie the lawe of necessitie drewe many Christians from Rome and those parts of the Empire where the Persecution then raiged as diuers both Catholike and Protestant Authours haue before proued to come vnto and liue
hauing three sonnes Locrinus Albanact and Camber did at his death diuide the IlaÌ„d into three parts or Prouinces Loegria now England to Locrinus his eldest sonne Albania Scotland to Albanact the second and Cambria Wales to Camber the youngest Locrino primoginito dedit illam partem quae quondam Loegria nunc vero Anglia nominatur Albanacto filio natu secundo dedit Albaniam quae nunc Scotia vocitatur Cambro vero tertio filio dedit Cambriam quae modo wallia nominatur reseruata Locrino Regia dignitate This might suffice for this busines for being testified with so many domesticall and forreine priuate and publike witnesses that this Tripartited diuision was heare from the beginning and first name of Britaine we must needs for euery seuerall part and Prouince assigne a seuerall gouernment and order therein as their Rulers and Gouernours were diuers and distinct 2. But our Antiquities carry vs further and informe not onely that London Yorke and Caerlegion were the seuerall cheife Cities in this diuision but the Kings which founded them for such ordayned them likewise to be the Seats and Residences of three seuerall Archiflamens or Protoflamens For the glory and Noblenes of London therevpon named Augusta I haue spokeÌ„ before and as it is the common opinion in Antiquities that it is the most auncient Citie of this Iland builded by Brutus as not onely the Brittish Historie Galfridus Virunnius and our English Antiquaries after them but Gildas Sigebertus and others sufficiently witnes and except M. Stowe is deceaued in his Authours Aethicus an old Pagan Philosopher testifieth no lesse affirming that Brutus named this kingdome Brutannia And Ihon Harding in his plaine verse with others recordeth how he there from the very beginning instituted an Archflamens Seate And Troynouant he made full especially An Archflaume his Sâ—e Cathedrall certayne A temple thereof Apolyne to optaine By Troian Lawe This is commonly written to haue bene 1100. yeares before Christ And it is a coÌ„mon receaved opinion among our Antiquaries that EbraÌ„cus sonne to Mempricius about 100. yeares after builded the Citie of Yorke calling it after his name Kairbranke as both Brittans and Saxons Catholiks and Protestants consent Whereas Harding and Stowe with others affirme he seated an Archflamen Harding saith Hee made a Temple in Ebranke Citie Harding Chron. c. 21. f. 22. Stowe Hist in Ebranke Of Diane where an Archflamen he sett To rule Temples as that time was his dett In the tweÌ„tith yeare of his Reigne writeth Stowe he builded Kayrbranke since by the Saxons called Euorwike now corruptly Yorke wherein he builded a Temple to Diana and sett there an Archflamen and was there buryed when he had reigned 60. yeares Thus auncient these our Historians make Archflamens in Britaine and I haue related their very words not that I thinke the name and worde Archflamen but onely their office and calling among the Gentils to be so auncient as the time assigned to our Brutus but of youÌ„ger continuance and age by diuers hundreds of yeares the word Flamen not knowne vntill the time of Numa Pompilius and taken from a kinde of attyre worne vppon their heads on Festiuall dayes yet the office of Flamen Ranulp Higed l. 1. c. 24. and Pontifex and Archflamen and summus Pontifex was allwayes the same among the Pagans 3. The Institution of the third Archflamen at Caerlegion vppon vske was of later time as also the Foundation of that Citie first builded by Belinus as the Brittish Historie Galfridus Virunnius Matthew Westm Ranulph Higeden Caxton Harding Stowe Hollinshed and to write in his words most parte of Holinshed Hist Engl. lâ—b 3. cap. 4. Galfr. Mon. l. 3. Hâ—st c. 10. Vâ—run l. 3. Matth. West aetat 5. Ranulpâ— Higeden l. 1. c. 48 all our writers haue deliuered Galfridus calleth this Citie Kaerose Virunnius nameth it Caerusc the Monke of Westm Kaerusc Higeden termeth it Caerhuth And such nake it kept vntill the comming of the Romans hither when of their Legions wintring there it was named Caerlegion as also Chester was as the same Ranulphus which liued and wrote his Historie there with others witnesseth And this Caerusc was the Metropolis of those parts And as diuers of the Authours testifie Belinus seated an Archflamen there as he also confirmed the Archflamens of London and Yorke Thus among Harding Cron. f. 29. c. 33. others Harding relateth Three Archflamens he made through all Britaine As Archbishops now in our Lawes bene There Temples all to gouerne and domaine At Troynouant one Logres to ouersene Her fals Gods to serue and to queme At Ebranke an other for Albany And at Caerleon for Cambre one soueranly So hath Stowe with others And their generall agreement is that these Stowe Hist in Belâ—n were the cheife most renowned and Metropolitan Cities in Britaine which being so amply proued and so many consenting that there were Archflamens in them all so long before the coÌ„ming of Christ lesse Authoritie then we haue for this matter might serue vs to coÌ„fesse that seeing at the abolishing of these Pagan Rulers and Rites they ought to be and were changed into so many Archbishops or Metropolitans in Christian Religion And this is so euident a truth in Histories that the Protestant Bishop himselfe which before with one onely opposed against Archflamens freely confesseth that at this time Archbishops were placed in those three Cities in Britaine and in them onely where so many haue testified and shall testifie further hereafter these Archflamens were resident Thus he writeth At what time Christian Godwin Cat. of Bishops in London 1. p. 181. edit an 1615. Râ—â—â—gion 〈◊〉 first publiâ—ly receaued in this Island there were established in the same 28. Sees or Cathearâ—â—i Churches whereof three were Archbishopricks Yorke whose Prouince was Scotland and the North of England Caerlegion now called Carlcon vpon vsk to which the Churches of Wales where subiect and lastly London that had Iurisdiction ouer the rest of England 4. Therefore this which is the cheifest matter in this busines being thus granted by all and the other so sufficiently proued I will onely add to the former for the more euidency hereof the testimonie of some few others such as eyther were before the time of Geffery of MoÌ„mouth the Translatour of the Brittish History or tooke their notice from other Authours then that History Ranulphus Higeden in his Manuscript History citeh Alfridus Beuerlacensis who by a Protestant Bishop wrote an excellent History from the beginning of the Britans and coming of Brute hither to his owne time in the Reigne of King William the Bastard allmost 100. yeares before Geffery of Monmouth could write Ab origine Britannorum ad suam aetatem vsque contexuit Historiam Io. Bal. l. de Scrip. cent 2. in Alfrid Beueâ—lacen Alfâ—idus Beuerl apud Ranulph â—â—geden l. 1. c. 52 de Episcopâ—tâ—b in lâ—bro Manusc perpulchram And writeth as Ranulphus citeth him that in the time of Lucius the first Christian
heare were now changed into Bishops and Archbishops the three ArchflameÌ„s as also the Archbishops which were ordayned in their places were at London Yorke and Caerlegion in Wales So also testifie our English Cronicles as the old English Chronicle published by Caxton Caxton Historie in King Lucius Old Manuscript Engl. Chronicle in K. Lucius Hoâ—â—â—h hist of Engâ— lib. 4. cap. 19. Stow. Howes Hist an 179. in Lucius Theater of great Britaine l. 6. Barnes in vit Pontif. Rom. in Eleuther Stowe supr Godwin Conuers of Brit. p. 26. Io. Selden Analect c. 6. Pomp. Laet. de Sacerd. Rom. c. 7. Fenestâ—â—l de Sacerd. Rom. c. 5. and thereby commonly called Caxtons Chronicle likewise doth an other more auncient English Manuscript History So testifie our Protestant Historians Raphael Holinshed Howes and Stowe the Protestant Theater writers Barnes Whitgift Bridges Barlowe and others against the Puritans and to conclude with two Protestants Stowe and Godwine the first saith it is the common opinion of the writers of that time The other as before granteth it is the Iudgment of diuers both auncient and learned and so generall that he a greate Searcher into Antiquities perceaueth not any that haue gaynesaid it before Doctour Sutcleffe And he is wholly reiected therein by such Prorestant Antiquaries as haue written since among whome M. Ihon Selden following the generall opinion of changing Flamens and Archflamens in Britaine to Bishops and Archbishops and placing the Archflamens and Archbishops in London Yorke and Caerlegion and citing both Pomponius Laetus and Fenestella addeth Quemadmodum autem Episcopis apud nos Archiepiscopi sic Flaminibus Archiflamines praeponebantur As among vs Christians Archbishops are aboue Bishops so in the Pagans Lawe were Archflamens aboue Flamens And he proueth with the rest before that although neither King Lucius nor the Roman Emperours had any command in Scotland yet these Legats submitted that Country to the Archbishop of Yorke his Iurisdiction diuisis Parochijs subiacuit Metropolitano Eboracensi Deira Albania quas magnum flumen Humbri à Loegria fecerunt And citing Polyder and Camden he addeth that in Polid. Virgil. l. 13 Hâ—st Camden â—n Brig auncient time the Archbishop of Yorke was Primate of Scotland and this was reestablished in a Prouinciall Councell heare by Hugo the Popes Legate in the time of King Henry the second Eboracensis autem Archiepiscopus in omnes Scotiae Praesules ac Antistites iure Primatus olim fungebantur Quod resancitum erat sub Henrico secuÌ„do Hugone Legato PoÌ„tificio His first Authour saith Polyd. Virgil. Angl. Hist l. 13. in Henric. 2. pag. 234. it was vrged in this Councell by Roger then Archbishop of Yorke that the Right of that See to haue Power ouer the Scottish Bishops might be restored vnto it for the Popes of Rome had euen from the beginning ordayned the Bishop of Yorke to be Primate of all Scotland and the Orchades and the rest of the Ilands Which Lawe so made the Bishops of those places had kept many yeares Agitatum est vt Rogerio Archiepiscopo Eboracensi qui id temporis eam tenebat sedem ius in Episcopos Scotiae restitueretur Quandoquidem Romani Pontificâ—s George Buc. kniâ—ht discourse of the 3. Vmuersitie c. 6. of S. Peteâ—s in Cornehill i am inde ab initio sanxerant ipsum Eboracensem Antistitem totius quoque Scotiae atque Orchadum caeterarumque Insularum Primatem Quam sanè datam legem eorum locorum Episcopi per multos deinde annos seruarunt The auncient Armes of S. Peters Church one Cornhill as our ProtestaÌ„t Antiquaries deliuer theÌ„ will keepe in memory from whom Religion heare receaued Foundatian Thus 〈…〉 and Archiâ—pisâ—opall Church â—â— S. Peter in 〈◊〉 LoÌ„dâ—n 〈…〉 they write This most famous Schoole Church of S. Peter in Chornill by right of prioritie and precedencie which belongeth to Antiquitie should haue the first place for it is held by our best Antiquaries to be the most aunciâ—nt Christâ—â—n Church of London being founded about the yeare of Christ 160. and it is recorded to be the most auncient See both of the Arâ—hbishops and also Bishops of â—â—ndon The Armes of this Church and Schoole of S. Peter in Cornhill be Argent a Crosse gules empaled with S. Peters keyes or the feild Azure But Sulchardus a Monke of Sulchard Monach Westm an 1061. Richard Vit. Hist l. 5. Westminster writing there in or about the yeare of Christ 1060. testifieth with others after him that S. Lucius King founded the first Metropolitan See of Londâ—â— at Westminster out of the Ruines of a Temple there formerly erected to 〈◊〉 THE XVIV CHAPTER OF THE EPISCOPALL SEES AND CITIES of the Inferiour Bishops subordinate to the Archbishops which where and how many they were ordayned by these Roman Legats and continued Bishops Sees in the Romans and Britans time 1. HAVING thus seated and disposed of our holy Primatiue Arche Cheife Higher and commanding Bishops in their seuerall Sees and Iurisdictions Method and Order by relatiue and mutuall connexion betweene such Where other Bishops were now placed in Britaine in this time with our auncient Cyties their Sees and Ordinary Lower Suffragan and Inferiour Bishops calleth vppon mee to setle these also so well as a desolation of our Antiquities will permitt in their Cities Dioceses and Gouernments We haue had two Rules from Antiquitie deliuered vnto vs before to help vs in this labour One that they were placed as the custome was from the beginning in our Brittish Cities The other that they were ordayned where the Pagan Flamens were before Gildas writeth that Britaine had eight and twenty Cities besides strong Castles but nameth them not Bis denis bisque quaternis ciuitatibus instructa So do many others Gildas libro de conq exidio Brit. in initio Nennius in proaem hist Manuscript among whom Nennius or Nenius is one and he deliuereth both the number and names of our Brittish Cities in this Order Haec sunt nomina omnium ciuitatum quae sunt in tota Britannia quarum numerus est 28. These are the names of all the Cities which be in all Britaine being 28. in number Cair Gnoricon Cair Guerthigirn Cair Municip Cair Megnod Cair Eboranc Cair Caratanc Cair Mauchguid Cair Caint Cair Peris Cair Legion Cair Regent Cair Guerit Cair Lerion Cair Pensanelcoit Cair Celermon Cair Gunting Cair Luordijs Cair Colan Cair Custemt Cair Granth Cair Lunden Cair Guoirangon Cair Danu Cair Legion Cair Britto Cair Droithan Cair Vrnach Cair Luitcoit Thus they are recompted by Nennius in one Copy In an other more auncient they are related thus Cair Guntgme Cair miuncip Cair Ligalid Meguard or Meguid Colun Ebranc Custemt Carntanc Granth Manuguid Lunden Guorchigirn Gumigon Peris Claun Legion Guricon Segemt Cair Legion Guar Vsic Guent Brithon Lerion Draithon Cair Pensa Vell Coit Vrnach Celennon Cair Luit Coit Thus they are seuerally written in those two seuerall Manuscript Copies of
Nennius as I could with my best diligence obserue Onely with this further difference that the note of their number to be 28. in all is in the first and later Manuscript written in the end after the Cities recited in the laâ—â— and oldest it is sett downe before the names of the Cities And although at the first vewe these Relations will seeme to vary much yet an indifferent Reader though but meanely exercised in reading auncient Manuscripts and obseruing how often and ordinarily vnlearned or improuident Scribes doe mistake alter add or detract letters in transcribing old writings he will reconcile them with litle or no materiall difference 2. And Henry ArchdeacoÌ„ of Huntington who as Geffry of MoÌ„mouth writeth Galfr. Monum Hist l. 12. c. 20. Henricus Hunting historiar l. 1. §. Hucusque L. 1. Fere in Initio had written his History before he translated the Brittish Historie had not seene it as he relateth the coÌ„ming of Brutus hither as he found it in other Authours which had written it before in alijs Authoribus reperi saith this our Britaine which he called so after his owne name ex nomine suo Britanniam vocauit besides innumerable walled stronge Castels had aunciently in the Britans and Romans time 28. most Noble Cities erat ciuitatibus quondam 28. nobilissimis insignita praeter Castella innumera quae ipsa muris turribus portis ac seris erant instructa firmissimis Ciuitatum autem nomina haec erant Britannicè And these 28. Cities names in Brittish speach were these Kair Ebrancid est Eboracum Yorke Kair chent 1. Cantuaria Canterbury Kair Gorangon 1. Wigornia worcester Kair Lundene 1. Lundonia London Kair Legion or Lirion 1. Leâ—â—â— stria Leicester Kair Collon 1. Coleceastria Colchester Kair Glou. 1. Gloueceastria Glocester Cair Cei 1. Ciceastria Kair-Briston Kair-Ceri 1. Cicerceastria Kair Guent 1. winceastria winchester Kair Grant 1. Granteceastria quae modo dicitur Cantebrigia alias Grantebrigia Cambridge Kair Lion quam vocamus Carleuil Carlile Kair Dauri 1. Doreceastria Dorchester Kair Dorm 1. Dormeceastria quae sita in Huntedonensi Prouincia super Flumen quod vocatur Nen penitus destructa est Dormanchester not Godmanchester or Gormanchester in Huntington shire vpon the Riuer Nen vtterly destroied It was betweene Wansford and Stilton about twelue myles North from Huntington in the Roade way to Yorke Kair Loitchoit 1. Lincolnia Lincoln Kair Merdin quae nunc quoque sic vocatur Still so called Kair Guorcon Kair Cucerat Kair Guortigern Kair vraac Kair Celemion Kair Meguaid Kair Licelid Kair Peris 1. Porcestre Kair Kegion al. Lerion in qua fuit Archiepisâ—opatus tempore Britonum nunc autem vix maenia eius comparent Vbi vsca â—adit in Sabrinam in which there was an Archbishops See in the time of the Britons now scarly appeare the walls thereof where the Ryuer Vsc falleth into Seuerne Kair Draiton Kair Mercipit Kair Segent quae fuit super Tamesin non longè a Reding vocatur Silcestre Haec erant nomina Ciuitatum tempore Romanorum Britannorum Kair Segent which was vpon the Riuer of Thems not farre from Reding and is called Silcestre These were the names of the Cyties in the time of the Romans and Britans Thus this Archdeacon of Huntington 3. And the Monke of Chester Ranulphus Higeden citing Alfridus thus writeth in the same manner Regio Britanniae quondam erat ciuitatibus nobilissimis Raâ—ulph Higid Polychronic l. 1. c. â—â— M. S. 28. insignita The Country of Britaine was in old times adorned with 28. Cyties besides an innumerable number of Castles defensed with most stronge walls Towers Gates and Locks The names of the Cyties were these Caerlud that is London Caer Ebranc Yorke Caerkent Canterbury Caergorangon worcester Caerlirion Leycester Caer Clau Glorcester Caer Golden Colchester Caerrei Chichester Which the Saxons aunciently called Cissancester Caerceri Cirencester Caerwent Winchester Caergrant Cambridge Caerliel Lugubalia Carlile Caerperis Porchester Caerdrom Dorchester Caerludcoit Lincoln Caermerthin that is to say the Citie of Merlin Caersegen Silcester which is seated vpon Thames nor farre from Reding Caerthleon or Caerlegion that is the Ciâ—ie of Legions which first was called Legecester but now it is named Chester Caer Badon Bathe which sometime was called the Citie of Achamannus Caer Paladur Septoma now Shastesbury There are also others names of Cities found in Chronicles Thus this Manuscript Authour speaking of Caerlegion vpon Vsc where the Achiepiscopall See was in the l. 1. cap. 48. next Chapter Diuers of these Cities had their Foundation or at the least tooke their denomition long after this time of the generall ordaining Bishops in our Cities as Caer Golden Colchester tacking the name from King Coel Father to the holy Empresse S. Helena mother to Constantine the Emperour Cair Guortigern of King Vortigern and Caer Merthin of Merlin so we may not number these among our first Episcopall Cities Diuers also of the others were so vnknowne in the time of Henry of Huntington that he a very learned and auncient writer dareth not to take vpon him to deliuer what or where they were as he and Ranulphus Higeden after him doth of the other remembred Cities Which we may take to be the reason that this later writer did not mention them at all But yet if we looke into our Histories we shall finde more auncient Cities as Ranulphus saith and among them diuers which were then Episcopall Sees Ihon Rous affirmeth that Oxford first Io. Rous apud Stowe Hist Brit. in Ebranke Galfrid Monum Hist l. 4. c. 16. Annales Duren apud Leland in comment Antiq Britan. v. Doris Leland supra verb. Couae verb. Manditi Castrum called Caier Mennip at building thereof after Bellisitum Caier Bossa Rhidohen and lastly Oxford was founded by King Ebranke as Yorke was Galftidus calleth it Caerpen huelgoit Leland from the Antiquities of Douer writeth that it was a Citie before the time of King Aruiragus that builded the Castle adioynÌ„ing and nameth it a most renowned Citie and that King Lucius builded a Church in that Castle referunt ijdem Annales Lucium Regem Britannorum And the same Authour from Antiquities is witnes that there was an other auncient City of the Britans called by them Cairbro by the I le of Wight He writeth also that there was aunciently a Bishops See at S. Maus in Cornewayle by Famouthe and that S. Manditus was Bishop there giuing that name to the place now a fisher Towne It is also euident in our Histories that besides the Citie Venta that is Wincester called among other names Venta Belgarum the Inhabitants in those parts being called Belgae there were diuers other auncient Cities of that name among the Britans as Venta Silurum by Camd. in Brit. in Belg. Io. Leland supr in Venta Verolamium Ptolom Cosmograph descript Britan. Hect. Boeth in elucidatione Regionum Oppid ante Historiam some in South wales neare Chepstow quite destroyed Venta
Simenorum Venta Icenorum and Verolamium where S. Albons standeth was famous euen with the Pagan writer Cornelius Tacitus and Ptolomaeus So was Barwicke which Ptolomy nameth Tuesis of the Ryuer thereby passing diuiding England and Scotland Hector Boethius saith that Corinimum which now we call Shrewsbury was in auncient time a most famous Towne oppidum olim celebratissimum And at the comming of S. Augustine hither besides their Archbishop there were seuen other Bishops of seuerall Sees and Cities in that Iurisdiction of which scarcely any one in probable Iudgment is before recited 4. Therefore to trauaile no further in this enquiry we haue found more then a sufficient number of old Brittish Cities to setle 3. Archbishops and 28. Bishops in and yet not carry any of them into Scotland but onely where King Lucius and the Romans ruled Now I will endeuour particularly to The Episcopall Sees and Cities in particular in that Age. finde out the seuerall Cities and Sees of all many or most of them A late writer in a Manuscript Historie neuer yet printed thus recounteth them Winchester Glocester Cilicester Worcester Chechester Bangor Hereford Cardiffe Landaffe Morgan Alclud Canterbury Godmanchester in Huntington Haâ—â—is Manusc Tom. 2. in Lucius shiere where S. Machutus was Bishop about the yeare of our Lord 550. for the rest except the three Archbishop Sees London Yorke and Caerlegion he confesseth ignorance where they were A Protestant Historian William Harrison in his Description of England hath vsed some more diligence in this busines And thus proceedeth herein in old time we reade that there were eight William Harrison description of England c. 13. of Cities and Townes and twenty Flamins and Archflamins in the South part of this Isle and so many greate Cyties vnder their Iurisdiction Then to shew where they were and where Archbishops and Bishops succeeded them he addeth If any man be desirous to knowe the names of those auncient Cyties that stood in the time of the Romans he shall haue them heare at hand in such wise as I haue gathered them out of our writers obseruing euen their manner of writing of them so neare as to mee is possible without alteration of any corruption crept vp into the same Then he setteth downe the names of these auncient Cyties in this order Lundon Yorke Canterbury Colchester Lincoln warwicke aunciently called Cair Guttelin Cair Line or Cair Leon Cair Gwair Cair vmber Cair Gwaerton Chester or Cair Legion vpon Vsk Carleill S. Albons aunciently named Cair Maricipit Cair Municip verolamium Verlamcester and Cair watteling of the street whereon it stood Winchester Cisceter Silcester Bath Shastesbury worcester Chichester Bristow Rochester Portchester Cair Marden Glocester Leircester Cambridge formerly stiled Grantabric Cair Graunt After these 23. he addeth Cair vrnach peraduenture Burgh castle Cair Cucurat Cair Draiton now a slender villidge Cair Celemon Cair Megnaid pleading Ignorance of the fiue last places as likewise Cair Dorman of which I haue spoken before and Alcluid of which more hereafter But seeing both Britans and Saxons Catholiks and Protestants before haue agreed vpon these Cities and the diuision of this Iland into Loegria Albania and Cambria wales and that in England or Loegria alone there were so many Cities in the Britans time as are remembred onely two of them Cair Leon vpon vsc and Cair Merthen to be found in wales except we will place Cair Guorchigirn there we may not depriue the Archbishop there of his Suffragan Bishops nor that auncient Countrye of the old Cities but say these fiue not to be found in any part of Loegria by any Authour were Cities of wales howsoeuer their names vpon many accidents be changed since Nennius time and diuers of them were Episcopall Sees allthough Cair Draiton bewraieth itselfe to be no older then the Saxons Languadge heare and so could not be a Bishops See in the Reigne of King Lucius For most of the rest the onely Argument of this Protestant Authour finding them called by diuers old Brittish names if we had no other giueth them probable title to that Honour 5. But I shall help him with more both reasons and Authoritie herein Harding c. 25. 26. 27. Harding Cron. c. 23. 24. Stowe and Howes Hist in Bladud Leir Harris Hist Galfr. l. 2. Virun l 2. Annal. Wintomen Manuscr Godwin Catal. of Bishops Winchester 1. For the auncient Cities of Canterbury winchester Shastesbury Leircester Bathe Carlile and Alcliud We haue both Brittish and Saxon Catholike and Protestant Antiquaries affirming they were the auncient Residences of Flamens and so must by that is said before needs be Bishops Sees in this time And to exemplifie in some of them the old Manuscript Antiquitie of Winchester saith King Lucius builded there a Cathedrall Church Lucius Rex fundauit Ecclesiam Wintoniensem dedicating it to our Sauiour which a Protestant Bishop thus also writeth from the same or like Antiquitie The Cathedrall Church of Winchester according to a report that I finde in an old Manuscript was first build and erected by King Lucius Seeing then a Cathedrall Church and a Bishop are knit together we must needs acknowledg there was then a Bishop there And to speake in this mans and his Authours words This Church was hallowed and dedicated October 29. 189. by Faganus and Damianus Bishops And he proueth from the same Antiquitie that in the yeare 309. one Constans was Bishop there And in S. Dubricius time by the Brittish History Diuuanius was Hist Brit. l. 9. c. 15 l. 8. c. 17. Harding Chron. c. 76. f. 67. the Bishop of that place Episcopatus Guintoniae Diâ—uanio decernitur And concerning the Bishoprike of Alcliud it was then giuen to one named Eledanius Pontificalis Infula Alclud Eledanio decernitâ—r Elednore by Harding was Bishop there Which proueth it was a Bishiprock froÌ„ the beginning no change Harding Chro. c. 24. f. 21. Abbreuiatio Chron. inter an 170. 180. in Lucio of Sees being before this time For Canterbury it was first a Flamens seate And the old Manuscript History Abbreuiatio Chronicorum saith in this time and setling Bishops in King Lucius Reigne that the old Church of S. Martin which liued in the Apostles time was builded Tunc constructa est extra Cantuariam Ecclesia sancti Martini and to notifie that he ment thereby a Cathedral and Episcopall Church he addeth this when he speaketh of changing Historia RoffeÌ„n Manuscr Lambert PeraÌ„b of Kent p. 113. Flamens into Bishops And all Histories testifie that the holy Bishop Lethardus which came hither with Queene Bertha before S. Augustins time vsed it as his Episcopall See And Canterbury besides the Archbishop had an other Bishop in that Church of S. Martin diuers hundreds of yeares and Harding Chro. c. 23. Harding sup c. 30. f. 24. Stowe Hist Britan. in Morg. and Cunedag Lel. com Brit. antiq v. Manditi Castr Cap. in Catal. in S. Kebio Meloro Vrsula Gul. Malm. l. 1. de Regib c. 6.
l. 3. in Gul. 1. Contin Flor. Wigorn. in Praesul Cridiat Godwin Catal. in Exeter 1. Ann. Eccl. Meneuen apud eund supra in S. Dauids Galfr. Monum Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 1. Matth. Westm an gratiae 201. Hist Manuscr apud Harris Hist Tom. 2. c. 21. M. Lambert the Pâ—otestant Antiquarie of Kent saith from Antiquities S. Martins Church built by the Romans in Canterbury was a Bishops See vntill the Normans came in and so two in one Citie this substitute to the Archbishop Likewise we may so say of Shastesbury Bathe Leicester and Carleil by the same reason all of these as before hauing Flamens and being old auncient Brittish Cities the first named Cair Paladour Septonia The second Cair Badon Aquae Solis and Thermae by Ptolomaeus Leircester before by Henry of Huntington Cair Legion or Cair Lirion Leicestria Carlile Cair Lueill Cair Leill Lugubalia Cair Doill Which proue they were auncient Cities both to the Britans and Romans as Harding saith In Britaine tongue plainely Cair is to say a Citie in their language As yett in Wales is their common vsage As in the time of the Pagans there was a Flamen in Cornwaile So in exordio Christianae fidei in the beginning of Christianitie heare as Capgraue and others before him write there was a Bishop and a Synode of Bishops there Diuers of their names be preserued Kebius Manditus Columbanus Iwanus Dotharius with others in Succession and the See some time at S. Manus S. Petroks Crediton or S. Germans vppon diuers changes remembred by Antiquaries And a Protestant Bishop hath produced an old Manuscript belonging to S. Dauids that in these times of the Britans there was a Bishops See and Bishop at Exceter in Deuonshire And that an other of these our first Primatiue Bishops was seated at Glocester Cair Glowy or Glou we haue diuers Authorities for most of our Antiquities that entreate of the death of King Lucius say he was buried there in the Episcopall and Cathedrall Church In vrbe Claudiocestriae ab hac vita migrauit in Ecclesia primae Sedis honorificè sepultus est And M Harris in his Manuscript Historie saith he had an old written Chronicle which spake of this Church The Table of King Lucius hanging in S. Peters Church in Cornhill in London is witnes this Church stood where the Order of S. Francis was placed in Glocester And no Authour speaking either of change of Sees or new founding any there after in the Britans time our Histories are witnesses that one Theonus Bishop of Glocester was made Archbishop of London in the Britans time So was Eldad long before Bishop of Glocester in the Reigne of Aurelius Ambrosius That Caer Segent Segen or Silcester now onely there being a Farme house was a Bishops See in those Matth. Westm an gratiae 489. Galfr. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 8. c. 7. Manuscript Gallic antiq an 477. c. 47. Galfr. Mon. Hist Brit. l. 9. c. 15. Manuscr antiq apud Stowe Hist Britans and Sax. in Arthur Galfr. Monum l. 9. c. 1. Hist Brit. l. 6. c. 5. Harding Chron. c. 76. f. 67. dayes besides the name and place for a Flamen we are assured from the Brittish History that in the time of S. Dubritius Archbishop and King Arthur when diuers old Bishops Sees were voide this was one among the rest and that Bishoprick was giuen to one named Mauganius Episcopatus verò Silcestriae Mauganio decernitur This Citie was so renowned in the Britans time that as an old Manuscript witnesseth Constantius sonne of Constantine was honorably buried there and Constantine and Arthur there crowned with such Pompe and solemnitie as our Histories declare This place is 6. miles or there abouts from Reading in Barkshire the remnants of the wall with 4. places where the 4. gates were were two myles in compasse much Roman Money there was found in digging 6. Ihon Harding saith that Chichester was a Bishops See in the time of King Arthur and S. Dubritius and that Mangauero was Bishop there in those dayes And among these I would take Dunwich to haue also bene an Episcopall See about that Age the place in Suffolke no other Towne assigned for a Bishops See in that part of England giueth way vnto it our English Antiquaries confesse it was an auncient Citie and in probable coniecture that which our old Nennius expresseth among the most renowned Brittish Cities by the name of Caer Daun or Dunn after by the Saxons Danmocke or Dunwick no oâ—her auncient knowne Citie more answeareable to that Brittish Appellation And to giue more life to this opinion when the Saxons became Christians and had Bishops it was the care of the Popes and spirituall Rulers then to place both Arcbishops and Bishops where such had bene in the Britans time The two Archbishops Sees of London and Yorke which were voide were by S. Gregory appointed for such againe and by this Title diuers decayed Cities as I shall more expresse hereafter had also Bishops being Episcopall Sees when the Britans and Romans heare ruled And so S. Faelix by Stowe sup liber Elu Records Dun. this Title was first Bishop among the East Angles and of that Citie so renowned that it hath had as a Protestant Historian writeth from the Tradition and Records of that Citie two and fyftie diuine houses and very many of them Parish Churches Heare I haue rather sought to setle a Bishop then at Colchester as one doth where besides the old name Caer common to very Will. Harrison descr of Brit. c. 13 Nenn. Histor Henr. Hunt Hist l. 1. many that neuer were Episcopall Cities besides what I haue said before I finde no motiue at all to say it was at any time much lesse then a Bishops See it is in a corner of that Country an vnwalled thing vntill S. Helen her time much to late to make it a Bishops Citie in King Lucius dayes I can neither finde a Flamen there before nor any Bishop since either when the Britans Romans Saxons or any others ruled heare And yet to giue all to Colchester which the aduauncers thereof require that it was the Towne called Camulodunum as also Colonia of the Colonie planted by the Romans which is more then I dare to doe to giue two so seuerall and distinct names to one singular place by one people at one time yet allowing it so and a Municipium enioying the Romans priuiledges yet all this doth not sufficiently able it for being a Bishops See for we doe not finde that the Romans were then such friends to Christian Religion in those times as with publike allowance to place such spirituall Rulers in their priuiledged Townes as were contrary to the priuiledges Immunities of them so that of all Cities heare those which were Municipia to the Romans as Verolamium S. Albons others were they were the furthest from hauing Christian Bishops in them And we see by experience in Verolamium their Municipium that within one hundred
Episcopor Curien Ecclesiae Germans was borne of the Regall Race among the Britans and to propagate the faith of Christ came out of Britaine into Germany and preached first at Salisburge then at Ausburge from whence he was cast out by the Infidels there and then went with his sister S. Emerita to the Cytie of Chur where preaching againe both he and his Sister Emerita were Martyred by the Pagans S. Lucius at Chur in the castle of Mars and S. Emerita at Trine-castle And that there is without the walls of Chur a very old Monastery called S. Lucius which was begun by him and was his Oratory Lucium hunc aliqui regio stemmate apud Britannos ortum natum esse affirmant venisse autem illum amore propagandae doctrinae de filio Dei Iesu Christo ex Britannia in Germaniam vt Christum Germanis etiam adhuc Idololatris concionaretur eos ad Christum conuerteret Id aiunt illum primum fecisse Salisburgi postea Augustae Vindelicorum vbi cum eijceretur ab Infidelibus dicitur Churam cum sorore S. Emerita cessisse vbi cum itidem Idololatricas opiniones reprehenderet aliquamdiu concionaretur Christum liberatorem ab Infidelibus tum Rhetis caesi Martyrio coronati sunt S. Lucius S. Emerita S. Lucius Churae in Martis Castro S. Emerta apud Trimontium Est Churae extra vrbis muros Caenobium S. Lucij preuetustum in vitifero colle situm quod ab eo caeptum Oratorij loco conditum aiunt And he vtterly disliketh their opinion which hold that this was our first Christian King S. Lucius And that onely Tradition that the S. Lucius which was the Apostle of that people was Martyred Curae in Martis Castro at Chur in the Castle of Sebast Munster Cosmogr l. 3. ca. 214. de Episcopatu Curiensi Aegyd Schud in descript Rhaetiae Alpinae c. 15. alij Mars doe make it vnpossible to be our King Lucius so doth their Tradition that this S. Lucius which first preached vnto them was their first Bishop of Chur for both Sebastian Munster Egidius Schudus and others doe demonstrate that the Citie of Chur was not builded vntill after King Lucius time so he could neither be Bishop of nor Martyred in that Citie then not extant 3. And how would or in conscience could so wise and Religious a King as Lucius hauing no child or Heire fitt or able to gouerne Britaine or which the Romans would allowe forsake his owne kingdome to leaue it in such certaine distresse and troble both temporall and spirituall as after his death ensued and could not but be morally foreseene in his prudence with the Apostacy of so many Britans his subiects to aduenture vpon vncertaine successe to preach in forraine Countries or what Antiquitie doth proue that he was either Bishop Preist or Cleargie man all our Historians sett downe the time and place of his death and buryall in Britaine making him onely a glorious King Lay parson and Confessour no Cleargie man nor Martyr And those forreine Writers which inclyne to hold he went out of Britaine into Germany either for the most part mistake their Authours or grounde vpon heare-sayes and vnsound reports Nicholas Viginier vseth S. Bede for witnesse which Nich. Vign Biblioth Hâ—st pag. 765. Naucler Chron. Genera 6. p. 565. Petr. Merssaeus in Episc Treuer in Episcop TuÌ„gar in S. Marcelio Henric. Patal de Vir. Illust Germ. part 1. p. 110. Magdeb. cent 2. c. 2. col 9. hath no such thing And he himselfe beleeueth it not rather teaching the contrary Nauclerus saith fertur it is onely reported and setteth downe King Lucius death as our Historians doe Petrus Merssaeus writeth doubtfully some times saying S. Lucius of Britaine that preached in Germany was a King otherwhiles onely a Prince as Constantius and S. Helens sonne was Henry Pantaleon the Annals of Chur as he citeth them and Stumphius onely say that S. Lucius the Apostle of Chur was borne of the Regall Race among the Britans ex Regio Britannorum sanguine prognatus which is true of the second S. Lucius The Magdeburgian Protestants terme it a very fable to thinke that King Lucius left his Country and kingdome to preach in Germany fabulam omnino resipiunt quod Lucius Rex Imperio suo sponte abdicato factus sit Concionator qui in Gallijs in Germania nempe Augustae in Sueuia passim praedicarit Christum ac denique Curiensis Ecclesiae Doctor effectus Martyrio occubuerit And they say it is one of the fables with which the Deuill defiled the Church of Christ His fabulis Diabolus conspurcauit Ecclesiam Christi when and where King Lucius dyed was honorably interred in Britaine in the Cathedrall Church of Glocester I haue set downe in his time before 4. And a very greate mistaking it is of Auentine Feuardentius Gaspar Bruchius and Sebastian Munster if they incline to thinke that this Apostle Auentin apud Magdeb. cent 1. l. 2. c. 10. Feuardentius Annot. in Irenaeum l. 1. Har. c. 3. Gaspar Bruch Cata og Episc Curien Augustano Martyrol Rom. die 3. Decembr Annal. Ecclesiae ChurieÌ„ Breu. Eccl ChurieÌ„ die 3. 4. Decembr in festo S. Lucij Emeritae Martyrol Rom. die 6. Maij. Bed Vsuard Ado eod die Sebastia Munster l. 3. cap. 217. Act. Apost c. 13. Naucler gener 6. Volum 2. pag. 565. Bishop and Martyr of Chur and the Rhetians named Lucius was Lucius Cyrenensis S. Paules Kinsman and mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles For besides all those Authours named before the old Roman Martyrologe the Annals of Chur and their publike Church office one the Feasts of S. Lucius and his Sister S. Emerita with others doe fully assure vs that S. Lucius the Apostle there was borne in Britaine of the Regall Race there brother to S. Emerita a Martyr and Martyred at Chur. Of which not any one agreeth with S. Lucius CyreneÌ„sis for he was borne at Cyrena in Lybia poore by birth sonne of S. Simon Cyrenaeus that bore the Crosse of Christ Bishop of Cyrena where he was borne no Martyr and died the 6 day of May on which his Feast is kept when they of Chur celebrate their Apostles solemnitie vpon the third day of DeceÌ„ber And it is proued before Sebastian MuÌ„ster himself vrging it that the Citie of Chur was not builded vntill loÌ„g time after the death of S. Lucius CireneÌ„sis No other S. Lucius though many of that name is remeÌ„bred in any Martyrologe or other MonumeÌ„t to haue preached suffered Martyrdome in or neare that place or this time nor any other a Britan borne or of such Noble Parentadge but this our renowned S. Lucius sonne of Constantius and S. Helen therefore of necessitie we must yeeld as his due this honour onely to him And glorifie God that so greate a Prince of this Nation eldest Sonne to an Emperour our King and Empresse our Queene and by iust discent Heire both
of the name of this glorious man which the Brittish Antiquities notwithstanding doe expressely set downe Istius Clerici nomen licet Romanae Matth Westm An. gratiae 303. taceant Historiae in Historia Britonum tamen expressè continetur Which were Title enough to claime him to be of this kingdome But this Authour is deceaued herein for allthough in the Roman Martyrologe there is no more memory of his name and calling but onely this that he was Clericus a Clergie man yet Iacobus Bishop of Genua and so to be termed of that Citie in Italy a Roman Writer and writing fourescore yeares or thereabouts before Matthew our Monke testifieth that his name was Amphibalus a Britan of Iacob Genuen in Vita S. Amphibali Harris Manuscr Hist of Brit l. 3. c. 35. this kingdome and sonne to a Prince thereof relating his History and life at lardge But our Monke might without blame be ignorant of that Authour And this forreyne Bishop addeth that he went from hence to Rome with Bassianus in the time of Seuerus and was there knighted amongst that Noble A Monastory now at Caermerden and S. Amphibalus a Monk◠there and probably Bishop there company most of this Nation recompted in number 1540. of which S. Alban was also one And that S. Amphibalus was there made Preist by the Pope of Rome and sent home into this his Country Giraldus Cambrensis saith he was borne at Caerlegion the renowned Citie and Schoole in Wales Fuit Amphibalus hinc Caerlegion oriundus So haue diuers others The old Manuscript Antiquitie of the Church of Winchester saith he was an holy Monke Girald Cambr. Itiner Camb. l. 1. c. 5. Dauid Powell Annot. ib. in c. 4. descr Cambriae Annal Manuscr Eccl. Wintonien and Doctour in the Church of Caermerdin in Wales Amphibalus sanctus Monachus Doctor in Ecclesia Caermerdin alias nominata Ciuitas Merlini in Wallia And this is the last certaine place of his Residency which that Antiquitie giueth vnto him before his Persecution and going to the Scots and so it seemeth not vnprobable but he was also Bishop of that Citie Caermerdin or without question of some other Citie heare For otherwise how he could be consecrated Bishop among the Scots by whose Annals he is before accompted the first Bishop they had resident among them is not so easie to be resolued except we should coniecture that he was consecrated among the Scots by other Brittish Bishops then flying vnto them for which we doe not finde any warrant in Histories to vphold vs in that opinion And there is a silence in all Martyrologes and Authours of that time of any S. Amphibalus but this our renowned Britan and both the Scottish and our owne Historians haue proued vnto vs that he was a Bishop and of this our Britaine How reuerend a man he was now for yeares aswell as for vertue and learning we may know if we reflect vpon that which is said before that he was knighted with Bassianus and consecrated Preist by Saint Zepherine Pope who was Martyred in or about the 218. yeare of Christ by all accompts so that allowing S. Amphibalus then the youngest yeares wherein preisthood may be giuen and this his and others Persecution heare in Britaine to haue bene in such time as I haue set downe before we must needs graunt S. Amphibalus now to haue bene allmost 100. yeares of Age and much more if we should with some deferre his Martyrdome to the begining of the fourth next following Age. 3. But this most worthie Bishop thus in all respects so reuerend and now loaden with the burden of many yeares feeble in body fainted not in his holy profession in preaching Christ and being now come so long a Iorney as betweene the I le of Man and Verulamium where S. Albans now standeth and by all writers being pursued by his persecutours was driuen thither being then a Municipall place all professing Roman Paganisme and then there vpon named Caermunicip and not without the greate mercy of God and harbowred by his old acquaintance and fellowe in Chiualrie Alban a man eminent in that Citie and descended from Noble Romans erat Albanus ciuis verolamius vir eminens in ciuitate ex illustri Romanorum Prosapia originem ducēs he boldly preached Christ vnto him though a man in that eminency vnder the Roman Pagan persecutors that some though not perhaps with greatest warrant haue termed him high Steward of the Britans And allthough this Engl. Martyrol die 22. Iunij Noble Alban did for old acquaintance or Hospitalitie sake courteously entertaine and releeue him hic sanctum Virum hospitio benignè suscipiens vitae necessaria S. Amphibalus preacheth at Verolamium to be Alban ministrauit yet when S. Amphibalus began to speake of Iesus Christ the sonne of God and Incarnate for mans Redemption he was so farre off from being a Christian that he had scarcely heard of Christ before but said this testimony of Christ was strange vnto him Quis est inquit iste filius Dei quid est quod Deus natus esse asseritur noua sunt haec mihi hactenus inaudita And S. Amphibalus more particularly declaring the mysteries of Christ his Natiuitie Passion Resurrection and Ascension Alban was yet so farre from beleeuing that he told S. Amphibalus he was madd to preach such things that vnderstanding did not apprehend nor reason allowe and if the Citizēs of that place did know what he speake concerning Christ they would most cruelly putt him to death and feared much that he would fall into troble before he could goe forth of his house Albanus ait quid est quod loqueris Insanis nescio quid dicis Assertionem tuam non capit intellectus ratio non admittit Si noscent viri huius ciuitatis te talia locutum fuisse de Christo sine mora pessima morte te occiderent Ego vero pro te omnino sollicitus ne quid tibi contingat aduersi priusquam de domo mea recesseris vehementer pertimesco But what the preaching of Saint Amphibalus S. Alban his holy vision to persuade him to be a Christian preuailed not in his earnest prayer and watching obtained of God for Alban For as the old Brittish Writer of his life liuing in that time relateth this History S. Amphibalus watching in prayers all the night following a strange and admirable vision appeared to Alban with which he being exceedingly terrified and perplexed he presently arose and went to S. Amphibalus thus declaring his vision and desiring the exposition thereof in this order and these words in English O my Friend if the things which thou preachest of Christ are true I beseech the be not afrayde to tell vnto me the true meaning of my dreame or vision I did attēd and behold a man came frō heauē whome a greate or vnnumerable multitude of men apprehended and layed diuers kinds of Tormēts vpon him His
stones in thy right hand let the bridle of thy horse loose and goe as the Angell of God shall leade thee And drawe the point of thy Labarum so on the ground that it may drawe and leaue a line behinde it by which trace and circuite shalt tho cause walles to be builded this old Citie almost dead thou shalt rayse to be new and thou shalt call it by thy name and make it the Queene of all Cities The name of Lord Iesus Christ shall be magnified in it and in it Churches of God shall be builded to the honor of all Saints and thy sonnes after thee and the sonnes of thy sonnes shall reigne in it Tu fixam cuspidem Labari in terra sic trahe vt semitam faciat transitus sui per quam semitam extrui facias muros hanc veteranam ciuitateni pene mortuam in iuuenculam suscitabis tui nominis vocabulum suscitabis ita vt Reginam illam facias o mnium vrbium Erit enim in ea nomen Domini Iesu Christi magnificum erant in Gul. Malmesb. l. 4. sup ea templa Dei ad honorem omnium Sanctorum constructa filij tui postâ—te filij filiorum tuorum regnabunt in ea William the Monke of Malmesbury saith that the answere was that an Imperiall Posteritie should reigne in that Citie for euer Et regnabit in ea perpetuo imperatoria progenies as we haue seene many hundreds of yeares performed And he addeth that Constantine by fasting and almes deeds procured the solution of this vision from heauen Huius somnij solutionem Augustus ieiunijs eleemosynis extrahebat è coelo And among other reasons did greately ioy also for this because he borne heare in Britaine a colder Nation could not so well endure the heate of the sonne he was by Gods commandement to build his cheife permanent Citie there where both the fruitefulnesse of the soyle and temper of the ayre were agreable vnto health Gratumque admodum fuisse ferunt Imperiali animo vt illic vrbem diuino iussu fundaret vbi soli vhertas coeli temperies mortalium saluti conueniret Quia enim in Britannia natus fuerat ardores solis exosus est 2. But the cheifest cause of his Ioy in this designment vnto Constantine was this to see his owne will so to haue concurred with the will of God and to be thus Miraculously confirmed that the greate Liberties Dononations which he had conferred vpon the Apostolike See of Rome and his leauing that his Imperiall Citie to S. Syluester then Pope and his Successors in honour of S. Peter and S. Paul ruling and Martyred there and to founde an other for himselfe and his Imperiall Posteritie plainely expressed aswell by this our English as other Authours paruit Augustus visioni procliue ciuitatemae quam Guliel Malmes supr Romae constituit professus non debere Imperatorem Romae principari vbi a Christo principabantur coronati Apostoli And as S. Aldelme addeth this worthie Emperour S. Aldelm l. de laudib Virgin cap. 12. supra presently vpon this heauenly vision direction went to the Church and acquainted the Bishop of that place an holy man named Sisaminus therewith and offering there gifts vnto God and receauing the holy Sacrament of Christs body tooke his horse and Labarum as he was directed and went as the Angell of God did leade him and caused the foundation to be laide as the marke of the Labarum prescribed And the Citie was called the Citie of Constantine Constantinople in the Greeke languadge to this day Euigilans Constantinus statim ad Ecclesiam perrexit indicansque Episcopo ciuitatis viro sancto nomine Sisamino somnium quod prius viderat offerens Deo munera communicans Sacramentum Dominicum ascendit equum perrexit quo eum duxit Angelus Domini atque per semitas Labari fundamenta creuerunt Appellata est autem ciuitas Constantini quod Graeco sermone interpretatur Constantinopolis vsque in hodiernum diem 3. Greate was the honour and glory both temporall and spirituall of this Citie William of Malmesbury saith the Wall was twenty miles in circuite Viginti millia passuum muro complexa And thereupon termed by the Turkes as Gul. Malm. supr Sebastian Munster Cosmogr l. 4. in Graecia Constantinopol Sozomen Hist Eccl. l. 2. c. 2. Cosmographers haue writen Stampolei or Stampolda id est ampla ciuitas the greate Citie Sozomen witnesseth that in all mens Iudgments in his time it farre excelled Rome both for number of people aboundance of money and Ritches Tum frequentia hominum tum pecuniae diuitiarum abundantia Romam omnium consensu longè superaret And for spirituall Dignitie the same Authour writeth of this Citie the faith of Christ so increased there that very many Iewes and allmost all the Gentils there were conuerted to Christian Religion And this Citie being made the cheifest of the Empire at that time when the Religion of Christ was so generally dilated it did not afterward defilc itselfe either with the Altars or Temples of the Gentils except onely while Iulian did reigne a short time the error of the Gentils was renewed but preseÌ„tly after extinguished againe Constantine placed a Court called a Senate in it and assigned to the Senators the same honours and Priuiledges which were giuen to the old Romans and laboured to make this Citie called by his name equall to Rome which is in Italy He adorned it with many and most greate Churches to whose labour herein God himselfe gaue assistance and by certaine visions confirmed that the Churches founded in that Citie were holy and bringing saluation cuius propenso studio Deus ipse opem tulit visionibus quibusdam confirmauit Ecclesias in ea vrbe aedisicatas sanctas salutares esse He setteth downe one of these Churches principally to haue bene then in greate reuerence euen with Pilgrims resorting vnto it in pilgrimadge and deuotion called Michaelium because S. Michael the Archangell appeared there and in this Church Sozomen himselfe receaued greate help And diuers others fallen into ineuitable mischances and dangers into diseases and vnknowne greifes of body so soone as they prayed in that place were prefectly deliuered from the calamities where with they were oppressed Which would be too long to mention particularly being so many Eam quae in loco qui vestae sacer obim dicebatur in maximo honore tum a peregrinis tum a ciuibus ex illo tempore habitam fuisse constat Idem locus iam Michaelium nominatur Loco verò istud nomen eò impositum est quod pro certo creditur diuum Michaelem Archangelum ibi apparuisse Quod etiam ipse equidem non paruum in eodem loco beneficium adeptus verissimum esse confiteor Atque idica se habere argumento praeterea esse possunt multae aliae res quas compertum est ibidem gestas esse Nam nonnulli in graues
of God with eternall felicitie in heauen but had such honour and renowne also heare on earth that greater she could not haue she was Empresse the Coine stamped with her Image she had power ouer the Imperiall Treasure to vse it at her pleasure and being gloriously to dye about fourescore yeares old left her sonne Emperour and grandsonnes Caesars and the better to perpetuate her memory on earth two Cyties were founded of her name one in Bithinia the other in Palestina Pro quibus rebus videtur dignè a Deo remunerata esse Nam vita quam hic degebat eius generis fuit vt neque splendidior neque illustrior esse potuerit Augustaitem fuit appellata eiusque Imagine nummi signati Thesauri quoque Imperatorij potestatem a filio adepta eo pro arbitratu vsa est Mortem gloriasam obijt tum cum annos circiter octoginta confecisset filium simul cum nepotibus Caesaribus totum Imperium Romanum gubernantem post se relinqueret Denique nomen eius iam mortuae obliuione minime obrutum est sed sunt duae vrbes altera in Bythinia in Palestina altera vtraque eius nomine nsuncupata velut pignus ad illius memoriam perpetuandam aetati posterae relictâ— 24. At her death her sonne so greate an Emperour diligently wayted on her and held her hands and so most blessed woman she seemed vnto wisemen not to dye but leaue a worse for a better life Suo filio tanto tamque eximio Imperatore ipsi praesto assistente sedulo inseruiente manus ipsius tenente finem ita viuendi fecit vt beatissima quidem iure optimo non mori prudentibus videretur sed vitam caducam fragilem cum caelesti aeterna reuera commutare Her body Euseb lib. 3. de vit Const c. 46. Martyrol Rom. 18. Aug. Socrat. Hist l. 2. cap. 13. Niceph. l. 8. c. 31. honored with renowned obsequies attended with a wonderfull company of wayters on it was so conueyed from Rome vnto Constantinople and there layed in an Imperiall Sepulchre Eius autem Tabernaculum splendidis exequijs decoratum nam maxima satellitum turba ad ciuitatem quae principem locum tenet Imperij deportatum fuit ibique regali Sepulchro conditum 25. As she is glorious in heauen so on earth her Feast in the Latine Church is Martyrol Rom. supr Vsuard Ado. eod die Menolog Graec. 12. Cal. Iul. Inscript Antiq. ante valuas Eccles S. Gereonis Colon. Petr. Merssaeus Catal. Elect. Eccl. in Archiep. Colon. Io. Pitseus de Illustr Brit. Scrâ—pt aetate 4. in sancta Helen Io. Bal. l. Script Brit. centur 1. in Helen Fláuia celebrated the 18. day of August in the Greeke the 20. of Iune and in old Monuments proposed for and most honorably and singularly named a Paterne and Example for greate Kings and Princes and an Empresse full of grace as in the old Church of S. Gereon in Collen one of her Noble foundations Regibus Exemplum Sacroque Chrismate Plena Condidit hoc templum Sancti Gereonis Helena ConstaÌ„tinus Manasses calleth her faeminam beatissimaÌ„ A late English Writer writeth that from Christ to her time there scarcely was to be found a woman more adorned with all vertues and learned in all sciences A Christo nato vsque ad illud tempus vix viderat sol faeminam omnibus virtutibus ornatiorem in omnibus scientijs doctiorem And to giue vnto her Protestants praises not too lauish in commending such holy Saints they are enforced to confesse Helena Augusta Seremissimi Coeli Regis haeres vnica filia Magni Constantini Caesaris mater incomparabili decore fide Religione bonitate pia magnificentia Eusebio etiam teste per totum resplenduit orbem Inter omnes aetatis suae faeminas nulla inueniebatur eâ in liberalibus artibus doctior nulla in instrumentis musicis peritior aut in linguis Nationum copiosior Innatam habebat ingenij claritudinem oris facundiam ac morum ornatissimam compositioneÌ„ hebricè graecè Latinè erudita Marito Constantio Chloro Caesare Eboraci defuncto cum Anna illa Euangelica in sancta viduitate perdurauit ad vltimum vitae diem tota Christianae Religioni dedita Sunt enim Authores qui narrent peristam cessante persecutione pacem Ecclesijs datam ad tantam Philosopbiae cognitioneÌ„ eam ferunt peruenisse vt ediderit de Prouidentia Dei Librum vnum De immortalitate animae librum 1. c. The Empresse Helena Mother of Constantine the Emperour for her incomparable beauty faith ReligioÌ„ goodnes and pious magnificence as Eusebius himselfe witnesseth was renowned throughout all the world Among all woman of that Age none was found more learned in Liberall Arts none more skillfull in musicall InstrumeÌ„ts none more copious in the languages of Nations She had a naturall promptnes of wit eloquence of speach and most commendable conuersation in life Excellenlly learned in Hebrue Greeke and Latine Her husband Constantius Chlorus Emperour dying at Yorke with holy Anne spokeÌ„ of in the Ghospell she perseuered in holy wydowe hood vntill her death wholly deuoted to Christian Religion And Authours say that by her peace was giuen to Churches She is reported to haue come to so greate knowledge in learning that she wrote a Booke of the Prouidence of God one of the Immortalitie of the soule one the Rule of well lyuing One of Epistles to her sonne Constantin one of her Reuelations one to S. Anthony the Abbot one of Greeke Pontic Virun Hist Brit. l. 5. verses extant in Ponticus Virunnius his time as he writeth extant adhuc Carmina quae dam graeca quae illius fuisse perhibentur Thus this glorious Saint and Empresse ended her life so holy vertuous as Sozomen writeth that none could Sozomen Hist Eccl. lib. â— cap. 1. be more honorable renowned then it was vita quam hic degebat eius generis fuit vt neque splendidior neque illustrior esse potuerit 26. Baronius and the Roman Writers dare not for certaine deliuer or in Baron Spond Annal. an 326. particular set downe the yeare of her death but say it is not knowne quoto anno Domini defuncta fuerit incompertum habetur But our English Historians both Catholicks Protestants are more confident say she dyed in the 337. yeare of Christ being then as others also testifie 80. yeares old Octogenaria Io. Pitseus aetat 4. in S. Helena Ioh. Bal. l. de Script Britan. in Helena Flauia Baron Spond supr Sozomen l. 2. Hist cap. 1. Eus l. 3. vit Const cap. 45. Euseb l. 4. vit Const Baron SpoÌ„d Annal. an 335. Marian. Scot. aetat 6. an 385. Euseb supr cap. 40. Socrat. Hist Eccl. l. 1. cap. obdormiuit in Domino quinto Calendas Septembris anno Redemptionis humanae 337. And Baronius doth not write to the contrary but rather inclineth to confirme it when writing of the yeare
Reliques 588. 3. Heirgustus builded a Church to S. Andrew ib. S. Helena borne of noble Parents in Britaine 392. 2. S. Helena the sole heire and daughter to King Coel. ib. S. Helena was not borne in Bithinia 392. 3. S. Helena but younge when she married Constantius 377. 6. S. Helena the lawfull wife of Constantius 392. 3. From whence it came that she was called Concubine 393. 1. 397. 6 S. Helens sumptuous pallace 395. 4. S. Helenas lands about Treuers probably descended to her by her Mother 395. 5. S. Helenas Sanctitie of life 395. 4. S. Helenas beauty learning and other qualities 398. 8. Whence first called Stabularia 400. 9. S. Helena in some sort may be called and Inholdresse 397. 6. S. Helena the Mother of 4. Children 401. 1. S. Helena alwaies a Christian 406. 1. c. S. Helenas guifts to the City of Treuers 407. 2 S. Helena not baptized by S. Syluester 408. 3. S. Helena compelled to depart from Constantius 414. 2. S. Helena perswades Constantine to persecute the Iewes 478. 1. S. Helena neuer a Iew or corrupted by such 478. 2. S. Helena departed not out of Britaine with her sonne Constantine 478. 2. c. S. Helena present at Rome at the Roman Councell consented to it 480. 4. S. Helena visiteth the holy lande 513. 1. S. Helenas great labours in finding out the holy Crosse 515. 8. c. The time she found the Crosse 463. 2. S. Helena sent part of the Crosse and the Nailes to her sonne 519. 20. S. Helena builded a new City called Hierusalem 521. 1. S. Helena buildeth a sumptuous Church at our Sauiours sepulcher 521. 1. S. Helena waites on two Nunnes in Hierusalem 522. 5. S. Helena founded a Religeous house of Nunnes 527. 23. S. Helena builded a Tēple where she found the holy Crosse 522. 7. S. Helena founded diuerse other Churches 522. 7. sequent S. Helena turned the Potters fielde into a buriall place for strangers 525. 19. S. Helenas happy death 527. 23. The yeare of the same 527. 26. Two Cities builded in her name 527. 25. S. Helenas body carried from Rome to Constantinople 528. 24. The day of her festiuity 528. 25. Heliogabalus Bassianus sonne chosen Emperour 372. 3. Heliogabalus name and linadge ib. Heliogabalus trew heire to Britaine but neuer enioyed it 373. 2. Heluius S. Ioseph of Aramathias nephew 124. 1. Heluius came in S. Iosephs company into Britaine ib. Hengistus his murders 600. 4. Hengistus destroies Monasteries ib. Heraclius a Souldiar conuerted and how 440. 3. 442. 1. Heraclius his desire of Martyrdome 442. 1. Heraclius beaten and cruelly brused 443. 2. Heraclius cured by touching S. Albans head ib. Heraclius buried S. Alban ib. Heraclius martyred ib. Hermes the cheife Prefect of Rome conuerted by S. Alexander Pope 197. 3. Herod declared by the Senat King of the Iewes 5. 5. Herod builded Cesarea in honour of Augustus ib. Hiberia a Country so called in Armenia 28. 5. A Hierarchy acknowledged by Protestants in the Church 93. 1. c. The Hierarchy of Archbishops Bishops c. setled in Britaine by the Popes Authority 272. 1. c. The Hierarchy of the Church of Britaine deriued from S. Aristobulus 93. 2. The Hierarchy instituted by S. Peter in Britaine did continue without interruption vntill Queene Elizabeths Protestant Persecution 41. 1. S. Higinius Successor in the Papacy to Sainct Telesphorus 208. 2. S. Higinius his Religeon by English Protestants testimony in thinges now questioned by them ib. S. Higinius carefull of the conuersion of England 209. 3. S. Higinius sent a letter to King Lucius to further his conuersion 211. 5. S. Higinius Martyred 219. 1. Hildebertus the learned Tutor of Coelius Sedulius probably Archbishop of Yorke 590. 1. or 560. 1. Historians deputed vnto the Emperours reigne the yeare werein he died 201. 1. Historians mistooke in setting donne the time of King Lucius conuersion 220. 3. Historians often mistaking the name of Pope Eleutherius 221. 3. Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury dieth a miserable death and why 567. 5. I. S. Iames the Apostle preached not in Ireland 25. 1. S. Iames preached in Spaine 26. 2. S. Iames preched only to the Iewes in Spaine 27. 5. S. Iames cōuerted according to some but 9. persons in Spaine 26. 2. Idolaters sacrificed in Groues and woodes 241. 1. All Idols fell to the Ground at the entry of our Sauiour into Egipte 6. 7. S. Ioseph of Aramathia inclosed by the Iewes in a close Prison 136. 1. S. Ioseph watched by the high Preists themselues ib. S. Ioseph Miraculously deliuered from them 136. 2. S. Ioseph came into Britaine and when 22. 6. 106. 1. S. Ioseph the first foūder of a Monasticall life in Britaine 110. 4. S. Ioseph the most auncient of any Regular Abbot in the schoole of Christ 331. 8. S. Iosephs comming made doubtfull by some others wholy denie it ib. S. Ioseph was not sent hither out of France by S. Philip the Apostle 111. 1. S. Ioseph with S. Philip amongst the Gaules of Asia 120. 7. S. Ioseph came from parts not farre distant from where S. Philip preached ib. S. Ioseph landed about the North part of Britaine 121. 7. S. Ioseph probably directed into Britaine by S. Peter 121. 9. S. Ioseph was present at the Assumption of our Lady ib. All S. Iosephs Associats vowed chastitie vntill their arriuall in Britaine 124. 1. Diuers of S. Iosephs companions Noble personadges and some of our Brittish kings descended from them ib. S. Ioseph imprisoned in Venodocia 125. 2. 127. 1. S. Ioseph sett at libertie by a Noble man whome he conuerted to the faith 125. 2. S. Ioseph extreamly persecuted by the Iewes 126. 2. S. Ioseph with his associats preached litle 128. 2. S. Ioseph and his companions at the first gaue themselues to a Monasticall and eremiticall life 128. 2. c. S. Ioseph admonished by an Angle builded a Church to our Lady 109. 2. 128. 2. 129. 3. 136. 2. S. Ioseph releiued in his necessities by our B. Lady 329. 4. S. Ioseph did not actually conuert to the faith of Christ either King Aruiragus Coillus or Marius 131. 1. S. Ioseph how named an Apostle 135. 1. S. Ioseps praiers and duties to our B. Lady 136. 2. S. Ioseph makes Crosses and other pictures 138. 5 S. Ioseph brought hither reuerenced Relickes ib. S. Ioseph his death 170. 3. S. Ioseph buried and where ib. S. Ioseph his sonne a Bishop in Britaine 97. 9. S. Iosephs sonne consecrated Bishop by S. Peter or his Disciples ib. King Iosinas ouerthrew Idolatry 10. 3. Iouinian created Emperour 570. 1. Iouinian refused to be Emperor ouer Infidels ib. Iouinian made choise rather to leaue the warre then sacrifice to Idols ib. Iouinian allwaies a constant Catholike 571. 3. Iouinians short raigne 371. 2. Ireland named Ierna 28. 7. Irelands other names ib. Ireland by Britaine not conuerted in Constantins time 503. 6. c. In Ireland no Christian to be named before S. Patritius his time 26. 2. The