but that afterward the sayd Abbey was destroyed which was again repaired by S. Edward the Confessour and richly endowed In which testimony is implied that from the beginning there were placed in it a Convent of Monks Concerning whose Rule and Institute we shall treat hereafter 4. A Second Metropolitan Church at this time was erected at the City of York which a learned Writer Philip Berterius quoted by Bishop Vsher esteems in that age the prime Citty and Church of Brittany Whose opinion the Bishop seems to approve saying Though as this day London be the most noble Citty of the whole British Kingdome and though it has been in former ages celebrated by Ammianus Marcellinus as an ancient Town and by Cornelius Tacitus as famous for Marchandise and abord of strangers Nowithstanding the most learned Berterius positively affirms that York was much rather the ancient Metropolis of the Diocese of Brittany not only as being a Colony of the Romans but because there was placed the Emperours Palace and Courts of Iudgment And hence it is that Spartianus in the life of the Emperour Severus calls it by way of preeminence The Citty The same thing is likewise further proved by this That in the Synod of Arles assembled under Constantin the Great among the subscriptions the name of Eborius Bishop of York precedes Restitutus Bishop of London Though I am not ignorant that in the ordring of such subscriptions regard was had rather to the antiquity of the persons then dignity of their Sees 5. As for the third Metropolitan Citty of Cair-leon upon Vsk Henry of Huntingdon thus writes of it In Cair-legion there was an Arch bishoprick in the times of the Brittains but at this day one can scarce discern any remainders of its walls except a little where the River Vsk falls into Severn And Giraldus Cambrensis adds that in the same Citty there were in ancient times three Noble Churches One bearing the Title of the holy Martyr Iulius which was beautified with a Monastery of Virgins consecrated to God A second founded by the Name of his companion S. Aaron ennobled with an illustrious Quire of Canons And the Third famous for being the Metropolitan See of all Cambria 6. Notwithstanding however this Citty of Cair-leon being in the times of King Lucius the Civill Metropolis of those parts might then to be design'd from an Archiepiscopall See yet we doe not find in History any ancient Bishops with that Title Yea the Church of Landaff seems to have enjoy'd that Title before Cair-Leon Concerning which Church thus writes Bishop Godwin The Cathedrall Church of Landaff as some report was first built by King Lucius about the year of Grace one hundred and eighty Notwithstanding I doe not find any Bishop there before Dubritius who was consecrated Bishop there by S. German Bishop of Auxerre and was by the King and whole Province elected Arch-bishop over all the Welsh Brittains saith the Authour of his life extant in Capgrave 7. Vpon these grounds it was that in succeeding times the Bishops of Landaff refused Canonicall obedience to the Metropolitans of Menevia or S. Davids as appears by a Protestation made by Bishop Vrbanus in the Councill of Rhemes before Calixtus second Pope of that name part whereof is cited by Bishop Vsher out of the Register of that Church as followeth From the time of our ancient Fathers as appears by the handwriting of our Holy Patron Teiliavus this Church of Landaff was first founded in honour of S. Peter and in dignity and all other Priviledges was the Mistresse of all other Churches Thus it remained till by reason of intestin seditions and forraign war in the days of my Predecessour Herwold it became weakned and almost deprived of a Pastour by the cruelty of the inhabitants and invasion of the Normans Yet there always remain'd in it Religious men attending to Divine service After this partly by reason of the neighbourhood of the English from whom we differed nothing in matters touching Ecclesiasticall Ministery as having been bred and instructed together and likewise because from most ancient times that is from the time of Pope Eleutherius there hath always been a Bishop of this place subject to none After the coming of S. Augustin into Brittany the Bishop of Landaff has always been subject and obedient both to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury and also the King of England Thus argued the sayd Bishop Vrbanus but what proofs he had does not appear Certain it is that in all Records at this day extant there is no mention of any Bishop actually sitting at Landaff before Dubritius Whence it is that the erecting of that See is attributed to S. Germanus by Mr. Camden saying Germanus and Lupus French Bishops having repress'd the Pelagian Heresy largely spread in Brittany erected Landaff into a Cathedrall Church preferring thereto the most holy man Dubritius to be the first Bishop to wit in the year of our Lord four hundred thirty and six 8. Besides these the same King built a Church at Dover concerning which Bishop Vsher writes in this manner That in the time of King Lucius there was a Chappell erected in the Castle of Dover and dedicated to the honour of our Saviour is related by Leland out of the Annals of the same Citty venerable for their great antiquity The same thing we likewise read in a Commentary touching the first beginning of the sayd Castle where it is sayd That in the one hundred sixty one year of our Lord King Lucius built a Temple to Christ on the height of Dover-Castle for the maintaining of which he assign'd the Tribute of that Haven And whereas in a later Chronicle of Dover we read That among other liberalities besto'wd by King Lucius on God and his Church one was the building of a Church in the Castle of Dover to the honour of S. Mary the glorious Mother of God where both the King and his people as likewise their Catholick Successours received the Sacraments and Holy Rites of Christian Religion This does not prejudice the foregoing Record for all Churches are primarily erected to the honour of Christ and in consequence thereof to the honour of his Saints 9. There are severall other sacred places and Churches which in old Records pretend to King Lucius as their Founder but whose pretentions cannot in reason and prudence be admitted Thus the Authour of the Chronicle of Glastonbury written about four hundred years since relates That in the one hundred eighty seaventh year of our Lords Incarnation the Bishoprick of Somerset took its beginning being erected by the Holy men Fugatius and Damianus and for a long time the Episcopall See was placed at Kungresbury in which very many Bishops sate successively till the dayes of Ina King of the West Saxons the number gests and times of which Bishops can no where be found But in the time of the foresayd King Ina Daniel who as we have received
and without any consideration of their affinity mutually butchering one another Till in the end Vespasian being the conquerour Peace was at last restored 3. Now during these furious contentions only in Brittany the Roman armies were uninteressed and consequently free from either doing or suffring mischeifs And the reasons given by Tacitus hereof were partly their distance from the cheif Scene of these Tragedies and partly because having been exercised with severall expeditions against the unquiet Brittains they were taught to direct their hatred rather against their enemies then any party among the Romans 4. Trebellius Maximus who had been sent Propretor into Brittany by particular factions in the army was forced to fly out of the Countrey and had recourse to Vitellius newly proclam'd Emperour In his place succeeded Vectius Bolanus who saith Tacitus governed with more mildnes then was fitting in a Province so feirce and apt for commotions 5. Assoon as Vespasian was declared a pretender to rhe Empire the Roman Army in Brittany quickly express'd great favour towards him as one who had been made Leader of the Second Legion there by the Emperour Claudius and perform'd severall exploits with great reputation 6. After three years spent by Vectius Bolanus in a quiet government of Brittany there was by Vespasian who had then been three years Emperour sent to succeed him Petilius Cerealis who presently upon what provocation it doth not appeare assailed the Nation call'd Brigantes took their cheif Citty York the most populous then of all Brittany as Tacitus affirms and fought many battels some of them very bloody conquering a great part of rhat Province and engaged the Romans in a war with the rest 7. In the sixth year of Vespasians raign Iulius Frontinus was sent in the place of Cerealis during whose governmēt the Silures inhabiting the Western parts of Brittany rebell'd against the Romans whose Countrey he with great courage invaded and though partly by their valour but principally by difficulties of passages they brought him to great extremities yet in the end with wonderfull constancy he conquered all opposition and entirely subdued them And to restrain them from future commotions he fortified in their Province the Citty call'd Isca placing one of his Legions there from whence it took the name of Caer-Leon or the Citty of the Legion 8. After Frontinus the Government of the Roman Army was committed to Iulius Agricola in the ninth which was the last year of the raign of Vespasian Whose worthy exploits and signall vertues both in war and peace have been most nobly described by his son in law Cornelius Tacitus in a Book purposely written of his life Which exploits because they were perform'd after the death of St. Ioseph and his companions we will delay the giving a breif account of them to the next Book and we will conclude this with relating some considerable circumstances attending the death and buriall of those Apostolick Saints and Patrons of our Nation XII CHAP. 1. S. Ioseph dyed and was buried at Glastonbury This not contradicted by the Ro-Martyrologe 2.3 S. Ioseph an example both of a Pastorall and Monasticall life 4.5 The particular place where S. Ioseph was buried unknown 6. One Iohn Blome upon a suppos'd inspiration petition'd that he might search it 7. His action censured 1. IT is a received generall Tradition in this Island that S. Ioseph ended his days in his solitude of Avallonia or Glastonbury and this on the twentie seaventh of Iuly in the eighty second year of our Lords Incarnation Notwithstanding in the Roman Martyrologe on the seaventeenth of March we read thus At Ierusalem is the commemoration of S Ioseph a noble Counsellor of Arimathea and a Disciple of our Lord who took down his Body from the Crosse and buried it in his own new Sepulcher But hereby is evinc'd neither that he dyed then nor at Ierusalem but only that on that day his memory was celebrated there as in the same Martyrologe there are severall examples of the like 2. Now though this holy Saint dyed at Glastonbury we are not to imagin that he spent his days there since the design which brought him to Brittany was to preach the Gospell and convert soules Bishop Godwin without any authority would inform us that he and his companions perceiving that their preaching had little or no effect among the rude Brittains and despairing of doing any good gave themselves at last to a Monasticall contemplative life But we should wrong their charity and Apostolike zeale if we should think they would so soon faint and be weary of their holy employment It is more then probable that they would frequently retire into this their solitude to the end by undistracted Prayers to renew their courage and patience in their Apostolike employment as likewise to repose after their labours so we read in the Gospell that the Apostles after their Mission perform'd return'd to our Saviour who for their refreshment was pleased to withdraw them from a common conversation into a desert there to repose 3. We may likewise prudently judge that it was the speciall design of the Divine Providence to make choice of these particular Saints to be not only Preachers of his word but examples also of a Monasticall Conversation in an Island so commodious for it Excepting S. Mark in the deserts of Egypt we doe not find any other of the Primitive Disciples which seem'd to have had such a design There wanted not indeed from the beginning many who relinquish'd their worldly employments and gave their riches to the poore that without any impediments they might wholly give themselves to God and being freed from all distractions practise the exercises of Divine Contemplation But this they did apart in their own houses and not in Community as S. Ioseph and his Companions did wherin they were imitated by their Successours So that Brittany was the almost only place in the world where the Christian Faith began with a Monasticall Profession And we see also that when that Profession by persecution ceased the same Faith likewise was banished 4. That S. Ioseph and his companions also were buried at Glastonbury in or near the Church built by him we are informed by the Great Table of Glastonbury mention'd by Bishop Vsher where it is sayd In this Church doe repose the bodies of the twelve Disciples of our Lord of whom S. Ioseph of Arimathea who buried our Lord was the Cheif and Superiour Many Pagans also converted to the Faith of Christ and baptised by them doe rest there likewise the multitude of whom is for their number so great that they cannot be reckoned The same likewise is affirm'd by the Authour of Eulogium 5. As for the particular place in which the Tomb of our Saint was seated most probable it is that it was in a Cave under ground in a Chappel afterwards built and dedicated to his honour as this Epitaph imports Ad Britones veni
most illustrious are S. Aaron and S. Iulius who in this persecution of Diocletian and Maximianus consummated a most glorious Martyrdom there 3. Concerning whom our Countrey-man Balâ— though as became an Apostat a bitter Enemy of the Roman-Catholick Church writes thus Iulius and Aaron Noble Cittizens of the famous Citty of Caer-Leon for so Isca of the Silures is called from two Legions garrisond there and Disciples in Christ of the holy Martyr Amphibalus were most illustrious ornaments of piety to our Countrey of Brittany These two addicted themselves with much diligence to the study of learning not only in their own countrey but also undertook a Voyage into forraign Nations for the attaining skill in good arts for history informs us that they studied at Rome especially and therfore celebrates them much for their Learning 4. Iohn Fox likewise commends these two holy men but mistakes when he calls them Cittizens of Verolam whom Gildas and S. Beda positively affirm to have been inhabitants of Caer-Leon The words of S. Beda are these At the same time during the persecution of Diocletian Aaron and Iulius Cittizens of Caer-Leon together with very many others in diverse places of both sexes suffred Martyrdom Who after the suffering of severall tortures had their members torn asunder by unheard of cruelty and at last consummating a glorious Martyrdom they sent up their soules to the ioys of the heavenly Citty The same expression is used concerning them in the Roman Martyrologe on the first of Iuly when the Martyrdom of Aaron and Iulius is commemorated And both the said Martyrologe and S. Beda have borrowed the phrase describing the manner of their death from our most ancient Historian Gildas 5. And the deuout Brittains of those times after the same manner honourd the Memory of these two Holy Martyrs as they had done that of S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus by erecting Altars and Churches to their honour Thus Giraldus Cambrensis in his Itinerary of Wales treating of the famous Citty of Caër-Leon writeth Here lye the bodies of two Noble Christians and next to S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus the most illustrious Protomartyrs of Brittany who were here crowned with Martyrdom I mean Iulius and Aaron each of which had a famous Church erected to his honour in this Citty For there were in ancient times in the said Citty three magnificent Churches One of the Martyr S Iulius adornd with a Quire and Convent of Religious Virgins A second dedicated to the honour of his Companion S. Aaron and graced with a Noble Quire of Canons The third was the Metropolitan Church of all Cambria This last Church was afterward translated by the holy Bishop S. David to Menevia the authority of Dubritius Legat of the Bishop of Rome concurring thereto 6. It is observable that all these Churches were built by Brittains long before the Saxons entred into this Island So that there is no need of expecting S Gregory the Great or S. Augustin the Monk to him who would find arguments to proove the Antiquity of the Roman Faith touching the Veneration of Saints in Brittany 7. Besids these wee find celebrated in ancient Martyrologes the memory of two Noble Brittish Christians the Disciples of S. Amphibalus who were crownd with Martyadom in the same persecution of Diocletian their names are Stephanus and Socrates Mention is made of them likewise by S. Beda Vsuardus Ado and others whereto also severall ancient Manuscripts doe accord We find no particular Gests of theirs only in the English Martyrologe it is said that in the Province of the Silures Churches were built to their honour Now whether this Stephanus was Bishop of London it is a doubt A Bishop of that name is sayd to have governed that See in this age though Authours place him somewhat later To this time likewise is referd the murdring of all the Monks in the Monastery of Winchester built by King Lucius Of which wee shall speak in the next year but one 8. Whilst the Romans thus raged in Brittany very many Christians not having the courage to keep their ranks expose themselves to their Enemies Violence yet resolving not to betray their Faith withdrew themselves from the fury of men least by the immanity of torments they should be compell'd to renounce it Thus Gildas writes of the remainder of Christians in those dayes Those persecuted Christians saith he which were left hid themselves in woods defarts and caves of rocks expecting from God the iust Iudge of all when he would please to execute his iudgments on their persecutours and restore safety and liberty to their own soules 9. This Christian prudence and caution of theirs was suitable to the advice given the year before by the holy Pope and Maâ—tyr Caius at Rome when the persecution first began For he in an Assembly of beleivers meeting together on that occasion thus spoke to them Our Lord Iesus Christ who perfectly foresees and knows the frailty of mankind hath ordained two ranks and degrees of Beleivers namely Confession and Martyrdom to the end that those who have not strength or courage enough to sustain the weight of Martyrdom may at least hold fast the Grace of Confession Let such yeild up the glory of Martyrdom to the valiant soldiers of Christ which are resolved to coÌ„bat for him and take a sollicitous care of their own soules Let them therfore who are so disposed depart out of this feild of battell whither they please together with our dear children Chromatia and Tiburtius and for the rest who are more courageously resolved let them remain still here in the Citty with mee 10. This flight of Christians in Brittany suitable to the Roman practise gave occasion to Persecutours to extend their rage upon Churches and Monasteries all which by this tempest were so uterly destroyd that as Gildas saith in severall Provinces of this Island there remained no marks at all of Christian Religion This desolation continued about seaven years till the happy return of Constantius as soon as he was created Caesar by whose clemency the Christian Faith and worship again flourishd in Brittany and this much sooner then in any other parts of the Roman Empire Which mercy of God seems to have been extended in a speciall manner toward the Brittains because as S. Beda saith they only preserv'd among them their primitive Faith received in the dayes of King Lucius entire and inviolate till the Raign of Diocletian XX. CHAP. 1.2.3 Carausius the Admirall of the Emperours Navy his rapines and rebellion he takes possession of Brittany 4.5 Maximianus his preparations against him without effect 6. The Tyrant left in quiet possession of Brittany subdues the Caledonian Brittains A monument of his Victory 1. THIS Tyranny of the Roman Emperours against Christian Religion God was pleased to revenge by permitting another Tyrant to raise himself against them in Brittany This was Carausius who saith Victor drew his Originall from
the mis-intelligence between the severall petty Princes raigning here he forced them to yeild and submit themselves to Tribute Those who opposed him were only a few severall states in the Southern parts of the Island who made choice of Cassibelin King of a few Provinces about London to be Generall in the warre For as for the Northern and Midland Countreyes of Brittany they were not at all engaged nor suffred any prejudice by his conquest Notwithstanding that small purchase which he made and which he paints forth much to his own advantage was so highly esteemed by himselfe and the Roman Senate that they ordained no lesse then twenty days of publick thanksgiving to their Gods for so great a victory as beleiving that they had discovered a new world whose bounds were unknown to them For till the next Age it was not known to be an Island 4. Caesar in his description of this Attempt omits severall passages which were not for his advantage but other Roman Historians of those times take notice of them and particularly Lucan affirms that his affrighted soldiers turn'd their backs to the Brittains in search of whom they made so many voyages And all the fruit of his victory accrewing either to himselfe or the Citty of Rome was very inconsiderable besides the glory of having been an invader saith Dio. Insomuch as Tacitus confesses that though by one prosperous combat he terrified the inhabitants and got some possession of the Sea coasts yet he might be sayd rather to have discovered the Countrey to posterity then to have given them the possession 5. The Motives of his passing the Ocean thither in that warlike manner besides his naturall ambition and thirst of Glory which was boundles was a desire of revenge against the Brittains who sent succours to the Gaules against him and thereby gave some stop and delay to his victories over them Suctonius adds another Motive of Covetousnes for says he Caesar had a great hope of enriching himself with Brittish Pearles the largenes of which he did much admire 6. This first conquest in Brittany such an one as it was hapned about five and fifty yeares before the Birth of our Saviour And the effect of it was only obtaining a verball dependance of some few Southern Princes of the Island on Rome testified by an inconsiderable Tribute The Countrey in the mean time being altogether governed as before for there were as yet no Garrisons left there to keep them in awe the petty Kings raigning still enjoy'd their former dominion over their subjects which by acquaintance with the Romans became more Civil and in that regard were indeed gainers by being conquered III. CHAP. 1.2 The Birth of Christ in the three and fortieth yeare of Augustus when Cynobelin was King in Brittany 3 4 His three children 5. Adminius the eldest is banish'd and Togodumnus succeeds in the Kingdome who denies Tribute 6. The affairs of Brittany neglected by Augustus and Tiberius 7.8 Caligula's fanaticall attempt against it 9. c. Claudius his invasion and conquest continued by his Generall Plautius who after Togodumnus his death overcomes Caractacus and sends him prisoner to Rome 16. His Successours victories 17.18 Of Cartismandua Queen of the Brigantes 19. Suetonius Paulinus subdues the Isle of Mona 20. c. The Iceni under Queen Boudicea rebell and destroy eighty thousand Romans but are defeated by Paulinus 24. Peace succeds 1. CAesar relates as one occasion or pretence for his invasion of Brittany that Mandubratius a son of Immanuentius late King of the Trinobantes that is Middlesex and Essex who had been slain by Cassibelin fled over into France and there demanded Caesars Protection who brought him with him into Brittany and restored him to his Principality This Mandubratius seems to have been the same that Beda Eutropius c. call'd Androgeus a title probably given him by the Brittains for betraying the liberty of his Countrey for in that name according to the ancient Brittish lāguage is imported one that is a criminall facinorous person This Androgeus or Mandubratius seems afterward to have been again expell'd For in Augustus his days Caesars adopted son we find Cynobelin a son of Cassibelin to have raigned in Brittany and continued the payment of the Tribute imposed by Caesar as appears by ancient Coyns which were the Numismata Census 2. It was in the time of this Cynobelin usually by Brittish Historians called Kimbelin and in the forty third yeare of Augustus his raign that the Sun of righteousnes arose a light unto the Gentiles and the glory of his people Israel for then our Lord Iesus Christ the only eternal Son of God was born of a pure Virgin in Bethlem the Citty of David 3. The Seat of this King as likewise of his Predecessours was Camulodunum now called Maldon in Essex as Dio witnesses Which Town received its name from Camulus in an ancient inscription called the Holy and most powerfull God answering to the Roman and Grecian God Mars 4. According to the ancient Brittish Chronicles this Cynobelin had two sons Guiderius and Arviragus who raigned successively after him But in the Roman Histories we find that Cynobelin had three sons of quite different names to wit Adminius Togodumnus and Catarecus or Caractacus It is hard to devine whence this so great diversity of relations should proceed whether the same persons had severall names or whether these were severall persons and Princes of severall dominions in Brittany Neither indeed is it much important in it self and much lesse for our present design that this ambiguity should be cleared 5. It may suffise us to be informed from the Roman Story that in the raign of the Emperour Tiberius who succeeded Augustus the eldest son of Cynobelin called Adminius was for some great crime banish'd by his Father who dying presently after his second son called by the Brittains Guiderius and by the Romans Togodumnus succeeded in the Kingdome and had the confidence to be the first who denyed to pay the Tribute to the Romans imposed on his Ancestours 6. That which gave him this confidence may seem to have been the neglect which Augustus had of preserving his interest in this Island For though toward the middle of his raign upon some provocations he had had an intention to transport an Army hither which was diverted by other occurrents of greater importance yet growing old he changed his mind being so far from an ambition to extend his Empire that he straitned the bounds of it confining it with the River Euphrates on the East and the Ocean on the West and North by which this our Island was in a sort excluded from the Roman Empire And this design which was an effect of Augustus his wisedome was through sluggishnes and an attendance to sensuall pleasures continued by Tiberius who for the space of the first two years never went out of his Palace and during the succeeding twenty years of his his
ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments a wife of another name assign'd to him namely Priscilla Notwithstanding this being the name of Pudens his Mother it is not unprobable that Claudia in succeeding times might for her husbands sake assume his Mothers name However matters in this point stood it can not be denyed that our Countrey has a great Obligation to a late Noble and Learned Writer Francis Moncaeus Lord of a Signory call'd the Cold Valley who has published a Discourse full of ancient literature entitled Ecclesiae Christianae veteris Britannicae incunabula Regia in which he confidently pretends out of Antiquity to demonstrate this our Claudia Ruffina to have descended from the Royall blood of Brittany and to have been the Wife and Mother of Saints far more glorious And moreover this one proof hereto may be added that our Ancient Histories report that Timotheus the eldest son of Pudens came into Brittany where he converâ—ted very many to the Faith and at least disposed King Lucius to his succeeding Conversion Now it is very likely that it was out of regard to his Mother a Brittish Lady that this Apostolicall Saint made so particular a choice of Brittany to be the Province in which he desired to exercise his Christian zeale and charity 10. It only remains to be spoken of this Claudia Ruffina what we find in the Martyrologe of England upon the seaventh of August where we read these words A Commemoration of S. Claudia 11. It is an ambition scarce excusable upon groundlesse suspicions to lay claim to Saints and Patrons as some modern writers would entitle the Wife of Plautius who in Claudius his time as hath been sayd triumphed for Victories over Brittany to an Apostolicall office of converting many in this Island when she was here with her Husband Her name was Pomponia Graecina and according to Tacitus his relation â—he was accused of a strange Religion externae Superstitionis forbidden by the Roman Laws the cognizance of which pretended crime was by the Senat permitted to her husband who according to an ancient Institut in force at Rome in the presence of her kindred sate as Iudge of the fame and life of his Lady and in conclusion pronounced her innocent This Account given of her by Tacitus has induced learned Writers to beleive that this extern Superstition layd to Pomponia Graecina's Charge was no other then the Profession of the Christian Faith the fruits of which in her practise being perfect humility obedience chastity and all other celestiall vertues it is no wonder that her husband should so easily absolve her But that she should be a companion of Plautius when he was sent General into Brittany was against the Roman Laws and Custome as the same Tacitus elsewhere declares Probable it is that staying at Rome in regard of her husbands authority in Brittany she might be visited by Claudia Ruffina and other new converted Brittains and by such means be made partaker of Evangelicall light and become a Disciple of S. Peter 12. But a more unquestionable Disciple of S. Peter we find in ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments by birth a Brittain by name Mansuetus and by office an Apostolicall converter and Patron to the Citty of Toul in Lorrain being the Metropolis of a people called Leuci. Concerning whom Isengrenius as likewise Arnoldus Mirmannus out of old Records gives this Testimony that he was by Nation a Scot born of a Noble family a Disciple of Simon Bariona that is S. Peter Cheif of the Apostles companion of S. Clement Bishop of Metz and consecrated by S. Peter the first Bishop of Toul a Citty of the Leuci in the forty ninth yeare of Christ and in the raign of Tiberius Claudius Caesar. 13. Now wheras he is called a Scot this is to be understood as King Lucius in Ancient Records is called a King of England that is of that Countrey which was afterward call'd England For as Mr. Cambden well observes after most diligent disquisition the name of Scots is not to be found in any Ancient Writer till the Age of Constantin the Great about which time they are supposed to have settled themselves in the Northern parts of Brittany So that it may confidently be affirmed that S. Mansuetus was a Northern Caledonian Brittain who either in the company of Adminius a Brittish Prince or Bericus a Noble man of the same Countrey or as an Attendant of Caractacus went to Rome where he was converted by S. Peter and as hath been sayd design'd by him the Apostolicall Bishop of Toul probably at the request of some Proselytes of that Countrey 14. A yet more authentick Testimony both of the life and death of this Holy Bishop is extant in the ancient Gallican Martyrologe on the third of September where we read this passage At Toul a Citty of the Leuci there is on this day a commemoration of S. Mansuetus a Bishop who was of Noble birth by Originall a Scot and one of the first Disciples of S. Peter by whom being baptized he devested himself of his former Heathenish name and assumed the Title of Mansuetus or Meek from the Meeknes of the Lamb of God which he imitated He by the same S. Peter was sent to enlighten this Citty with Evangelicall verities At his first entrance whereinto he found it so wholly given up to abominable Idolatry that his preaching and exhortations would have produced little fruit had not Divine power promoted his endeaâ—vours by a wonderfull Miracle by whose assistance this Preacher of salvation restored to life and health a son of the Governour of this Citty who from a high Tower beholding certain horse-troops exercising themselves fell down to the ground all bruised and torn Vpon occasion of this Miracle the Governour with his whole family and a great number of the Cittizens joyn'd themselves to the flock of Christ and were signed with the saving Character of Baptisme After which the word of God had a free course and great multitudes not only of the Inhabitants of this Citty but also of the Countrey adioyning were established in the knowledge of salvation Thus S. Mansuetus enioying a firm peace erected and consecrated a Church to the Holy Trinity under the Patronage of S. Steven the first Martyr He likewise ordained here Ecclesiasticall Ministers and having instructed the people generally in the knowledge and practise of all manner of Piety in the fortieth yeare after he had begun the exercise of his Apostolicall Office he quietly closed his eyes in the sleep of death and so attained to the fruition of eternall rewards with Christ whom he always only thirsted after 15. A third holy Brittish Disciple though not Convert of S. Peter's Antiquity records to wit one both in Title and reality Beatus or Blessed Of this Saint mention is made by severall Writers some of them averse from Catholick Religion Yet none of them speak of him without admiration The summe of his Acts recorded by them is
as followeth He became a Christian in Brittany converted by some unknown Primitive Beleiver Before his Conversion his name was Suetonius being born of noble parents Out of Brittany he under took a voyage to Rome moved therto by other devout Christians to be instructed more perfectly in the holy Faith by the Blessed Apostle S. Peter by whom being baptised as a testimony of his present happines and hopes of a future accomplishment of it he was called Beatus After he was sufficiently instructed he was esteemed worthy to be employed in the Apostolicall office of instructing others In his return toward his Countrey passing through Helvetia now called Suizzerland he neglected not to disperse the good seed with which he had been furnish'd at Rome and perceiving that very many in that Countrey chearfully embraced the true Faith he rested there pursuing his journey no further Thus he became the Apostle of the Helvetians illustrious for his Piety holines and miracles In his declining age having distributed all his substance to the poore he retir'd himselfe to the exercises of a contemplative life chusing for his habitation nere a village called Vrbigenum Vnderseven a Grotte in a Mountain out of which with the sign of the Crosse he expelled a dangerous and cruel serpent It is not certain in what place he dyed S. Bede makes only this mention of him At Rome is the commemoration of S. Beatus a Confessour on the ninth of May. But the Roman Martyrologe thus In the Town Vindecinum or Vendosme is celebrated the deposition of S. Beatus a Confessour But the Ecclesiasticall Writers of Germany the Annals of the Helvetians and Monuments of the Church of Constantia doe unanimously agree that he dyed in his solitude neer Vnderseven in Helvetia in the hundred and tenth yeare of our Lord when the Emperour Traian raigned VI. CHAP. 1. Testimonies of S. Peters preaching in Brittany 2. Proved by the Catalâ—gue of the Provinces of the severall Apostles 3. And by the testimony of Pope Innocentius the first 4. S. Paul sayd to have preached in Brittany 5.6.7 Simon Zelotes reported by Nicephorus to have preached in Brittaâ—ny but disproved by C. Baronius 8.9 The time of S. Peters coming in to this Island uncertain as likewise his Gests 1. IT was no doubt a great mercy which God extended to this our Island that he was pleased so early to enlighten it with his Divine Truth and moreover to transforme its barbarous inhabitants into Apostles and Messengers of salvation to other Countreys also But a far greater blessing yet did God bestow on it by directing hither his Apostle him who was the Prime of the whole order S. Peter himselfe whose accesse to this Island is attested by Ancient Monuments and by Writers who had no interest at all to induce them to partiality Those who formerly had preached the Gospell here were persons though of great holines and zeale yet such as for want of an Apostolicall Episcopall Character could onely preach unto baptise those with whom they conversed But wheresoever any of the Apostles themselves came or persons sufficiently qualified by them they provided for posterity also The former could only beget children but the other could beget both children and Fathers establishing in the places where they preached a constant order and Government which might last to the worlds end 2. When the Apostles before their separation divided by lott among themselves the severall Regions of the world the West became the portion of Saint Peter as Eusebius quoted by Metaphrastes testifies saying S. Peter spent twelve yeares in the East and twenty he pass'd at Rome in Brittany and other citties in the West Which passage though it be not extant in any Books of Eusebius now remaining this does not prejudice the validity of this authority since as S. Hierom writes in his Catalogue Eusebius publish'd an infinite number of volumes and among others an Vniversall History together with an Epitome of it severall Books likewise of Martyrs and other works Of which a great number are by the iniury of time perished And in some of those we may ought reasonably to judge that those words were found rather then to imagin that such a Writer as Simeon would voluntarily feign such things from his own brain since he had no interest in the glory of Brittany and besids was one who for his Sanctity is venerated in the Greek Church 3. The same Authour out of ancient Monuments adds furcher S. Peter says he out of the East came to Rome from whence he went to Millan and Photice which are Citties in the continent In which places having constituted Bishops and Preists he pass'd into Brittany In which Island having made a long abode and converted to the Faith of Christ severall Nations of unknown names he had a Vision of Angells which sayd to him Peter the time of thy dissolution is at hand and it is necessary that thow goe to Rome where thou must suffer the death of the Crosse and so receive the reward of righteousnes Having received this Revelation he glorified God giving thanks for the same and continuing certain dayes among the Brittains during which he enlightned many more with the word of Grace having constituted Churches and ordained Bishops Preists and Deacons in the twelfth yeare of the Emperour Nero he return'd to Rome To this revelation made to him in Brittany the Apostle has regard in his second Epistle saying I know that shortly I must put off my Tabernacle even as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shew'd me 4. Hereto wee may adde an important testimony of S. Innocent the first Pope of that name who writing to Decentius Bishop of Eugubium hath this passage Who can be ignorant or not observe that that which hath been delivered to the Roman Church by Peter Prince of the Apostles and is there observed to this day ought to be obediently kept by all and that nothing ought to be introduced or super-added by any which doth not come from the same authority or seems to be practised in imitation of any other Especially since it is manifest that through all Italy Gaules Spain Africk and Sicily as likewise the interiacent Islands none ever instituted any Churches but only such as the Venerable Apostle S. Peter or his Successours did ordain Preists and Bishops If any would contradict this let them produce Records testifying that any other of the Apostles can be found or heard to have taught in those Provinces Therfore if no such Records can be produced they must be obliged to submitt to the observation of that which the Roman Church teaches and practises from which without doubt they received their Originall This they must doe least while they affect strange observances they may seem to divide from the Head of Ecclesiasticall Institutions 5. This positive Assertion of so ancient learned and Holy a Pope to witt that none of the Apostles besids
they were most numerous that Countrey being the source of our Religion and also by reason of the Devotion which all of them bore to those holy places consecrated by the actions and suffrings of our Saviour to celebrate the memory of which there was continually a confluence of Beleivers from all the quarters of the world 2. This moved envy in the minds of the Iews and Gentiles likewise upon whose complaints the Emperour not only renew'd the persecution of them begun by his Predecessour but as Sulpitius Severus affirms imagining that he could destroy Christian Religion it selfe by iniurious defacing the place where it began he erected in the most sacred place of our our Lords Passion the Idols of Devils And because Christians were generally esteemed an off-spring of Iews be ordained a Cohâ—rt of souldiers to keep contâ—nuall watch to forbid all Iews an accesse into Ierusalem 3. S. Paulinus more particularly says that on Mount Calvary where our Lord suffred Hadrian placed the Idol of Iupiter S. Hierom adds that on the Rock where the Crosse had been placed he erected a marble-statue consecrated to Venus and profaned Bethleem the place of our Saviours Birth with the Temple of Adonis This he did as conceiving that the Root as it were and foundation of the Church would be destroyed if Idols were worshipped in those places in which Christ was born that he might suffer and suffred that he might rise again and râ—se that he might raign being iudged by men that he might be Iudge of mankind 4. In this desolation did those Holy places lye till Helena the Mother of the Emperour Constantin out of a pious affection to Christian Religion thought it worth her pains and industry to search out the Venerable Crosse. But neither that nor the divine Sepulcher of our Lord were easily to be found For the ancient Gentiles persecutors of the Church labouring with their utmost endeavours to oppresse and destroy Christâ—an Religion then newly strung forth overwhelm'd that place by heaping on it a great bank of earth And moreâ—ver encompassing the whole place both of the Sepulcher whence Christ rose Mount Calvary where he was crucified with a great wall in all sides â—â—hy afterwards profaned it by ornaments of their own heathenish fashion For first they paved it with stones and then raised up a Temple of Venus and in conclusion placed in it the Idol of that impure Goddesse This they did to the end that if any would adore Christ in that place they might seem to worship Venus and consequently to processe of time the true cause 〈◊〉 mâ—n had that place in Veneration would be utterly forgotten 5. We see here who they were to whom the Ensigns of our Lords Passion his Crosse and Sepulcher as likewise the place of his Nativity were venerable to wit the ancient Primitive Christians our Brittish Saint Helena c. and to whom they were odious to envious Iewes and persecuting Heathens And yet the abolishing of those sacred Monuments the scornfull reproaches and blasphemies cast on the Crosse of our Lord are of late made the proofs of Primitive Reformation The Crosse saith Lactantius was frequently to wicked Princes a principall Motive of persecuting Christians And the reason is given by S. Athanasius because by the preaching of the ignominy of the Crosse Idolatry was confounded and the golden Temple of the Heathens fell to the ground VIII CHAP. 1. Persecution against Christians mitigated why 2.3 c. Severall rebellions of Iewes and their destruction 1. THis persecution rais'd by Hadrian was shortly after mitigated upon occasion of a suggestion made to him by Grâ—vianus Prâ—câ—nsul of Asia that it was against all law and equity that persons in all other respects innocent should only for the name and and Title of a Sect be exposed to the fury of impious multitudes And moreover there wanted not among the Christians themselves persons of eminence and learning who employ'd their pens to write Apologies in justification of the piety and innocence of the Christian Profession such were Quadratus a Disciple of the Apostles and Aristides Bishop of Athens By such means the eyes of many were opened and men began to consider Christianity not by the erroneous judgments and rumours of the Vulgar or the malicious suggestions of Iewes but by the sober account given of it by prudent men and the untainted lives and constant deaths of the Professours of it These things moved many to approve and embrace it and the Emperour Hadrian himselfe to publish an Edict prohibiting the punishment of any for their Beleife if otherwise they were free from crimes 2. What effect this mitigation of the persecution probably wrought in Brittany we shall presently shew But first we will observe Gods just severity against the most inveterate hatred of the Iewes always active and restlesse to incite and inflame persecutions against innocent Christians 3. The Iews had rais'd a rebellion in the beginning of Hadrians raign and with much adoe were at last subdued insomuch as they were forbidden to enter into or so much as from a far to look upon their Citty Ierusalem The name of which was by the Emperour likewise changed into Aelia Capitolina and in it a Temple was built to Iupiter Yea moreover the Iews were by a Law forbidden to practise circumcision thereby to distinguish themselves from others 4. Vpon these provocations a second Rebellion far more violent and largely spread then the former was raised by them by which saith Dio the whole world was shaken and disordered To oppose them after that the Emperours first Generall Tinius Rufus had been unsuccesfull Iulius Severus was commanded out of Brittany which he had governed severall years and in his place was sent Lâ—ciniâ—s Priscus favoured by the Emperour for service formerly done against the Iewes in their first sedition Concerning whom nothing remains of any exploits done by him for all his employment was to guard the Wall or Rampire lately raised to restrain the inroads of the rude Northern Brittains Only there is still extant an ancient Inscription signifying this his promotion and the cause of it which Monument was raised by one of his Officers Q Cassius Domitius Palumbus 5. As for the particulars touching the prosecution of the Iewish war the savage cruelties exercised by them and the great hazards sustained by the Romans which yet ended in almost an utter extirpation of the Iewish Nation these things not pertaining to our present design are to be enquired into among the Histories of that Age. We will now return to the Ecclesiasticall affairs of Brittany hapning in this time which though of small moment are not therefore to be omitted IX CHAP. 1.2 The death of the Brittish King Coellus to whom succeeds his Son Lucius a child The reason of his name 3. A message sent from the Brittains to Pope Evaristus 4. An answer given by his Successour Pope Alexander 5. Many Baptis'd in Brittany
assemblies of lawfull Pastours Adding withall That they constituted in diverse Citties of the Kingdome twenty eight Bishops which were in subjection to three Arch-Bishops and Metropolitan Sees The Prime See was London to which Loegria and Cornwall was subject to wit all the Provinces on the South of Severn and Wales The second was Yorck to which was submitted Deira and Albania divided from Loegria by the River Humber The Third was the Citty of Legions which had Dominion over Cambria or Wales separated from Loegria by the River Severn This Citty was anciently seated on the River Osca in Glamorganshire as the old walls and buildings there doe shew 3. Thus that Historian herein following a more ancient Writer Geffrey of Monmouth with whom accord severall others mention'd by Bishop Vsher. And though he as likewise Bishop Godwin call this a vain invention and Dream as truly they may justly if by that passage of our Historian were to be understood that immediatly upon the first Conversion of the Brittains so many Bishops and Arch-Bishops were established in the Kingdom Notwithstanding we may reasonably interpret the meaning to be That in ordring the Ecclesiasticall Policy of the New Christian Church they according to the pattern given not only by the Roman but all Eastern Churches design'd a distinction of Dioceses and Provinces according to the number and splendour of the respective Citties So that there being then in Brittany twenty eight Citties as S. Bede says compass'd with walls and fortified with Towres and Gates they ordain'd that in future times when the number of Pastours was multiplied each Citty and Territory belonging to it should be governed by a particular Bishop Wheras in the beginning those who were consecrated Bishops did not confine themselves to one place but according to occasions and emergent necessities transfer'd their solicituds and exercise of their Pastorall duties from one Citty and Province to another till in future times the Harvest encreasing and labourers proportionably multiplying every Bishop and Pastour in his Iuridiction was limited to his peculiar flock with a prohibition to exceed his limits 4. This sence of the forecited Historians seems to be given by the Authour of the ancient Book belonging to the Monastery of Abingdon quoted by Bishop Vsher where we read this passage The Venerable man Pope Eleutherius sent to the illustrious King Lucius his Messengers Faganus and Divianus religious persons and sufficiently instructed in the Christian Faith These holy men did with great devotion baptize both the King himselfe and his people who unanimously embraced the Christian Faith and withall destroyed Idols and built Churches to the worship of God In a word these two men in all things seeking the glory of God and the propagation of Christian Religion decreed that there should be appointed in all places particular Ministers of the Omnipotent God and that in those Cities where formerly resided Arch-flamens according to the Superstition of the Pagans in their place should be establish'd Arch-Bishops and likewise to the ordinary simple Flamens should succeed Bishops Now at that time there were in the three most famous places to wit London York and the Citty of Legions ordained three Arch-Prelats that is Arch-flamens of the Pagan Superstition 5. This distinction and subordination of Arch-flamens and Flamens though we doe not find mention'd by Roman Writers to have been setled among the Idolatrous Brittish Preists under those Titles Yet that the Druids had an Order and Degree among them and that there was one Principall person who enioyd a Domination over their whole Body Caesar an eye-witnes of their customs doth acquaint us From whence necessarily follows that since one single person could not alone have an inspection over so many subjects so widely dispersed it necessarily follows that he must have subordinate Ministers to govern in severall places and to give him an account of the state of their affairs And indeed without such a subordination it was impossible they should subsist in one Body insomuch as these blind Heathens have shew'd greater effects of reason and naturall prudence in composing their Congregation then our Modern Sects withall their pretended light of Scriptures have done 6. These Druid-Preists have the Title of Arch-flamens and Flamens given them not by themselves but by our Historians writing of them in imitation of the Romans among whom those Titles were in use so call'd from the Flamen or flame-colourd Hat wherewith their heads were always coverd These Flamines among the Romans were of severall orders according to the Deities whom they served as Iupiter Mars c. And each order had a distinct Cheif and all these cheifs were subject to the Pontifex Maximus a Title assum'd by the Emperours themselves VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of twenty eight Cities anciently in Brittany The names of them out of ancient Authours 7. In what sence Arch-Bishops are saâ—d to have been in those times 1 NOw wheras mention has been made of twenty eight Citties in Brittany suitably to what our ancient Gildas has written that this Island was strengthned with twice ten and twice four Citties it will not be a vain Curiosity to enquire what those Citties were which were design'd for the Sees of so many Bishops 2. To give a full satisfaction to such an enquiry will be no easy matter considering so great and frequent Vicissitudes of inhabitants tongues governments and warrs which since these times have succeded in this our Countrey from all which must needs follow great confusion of names and destruction of places 3. Our Ancient Historians have scattringly mention'd severall of them and particularly Nennius a Monk of Bangor and the Arch-deacon of Huntingdon have made a collection of them But the most exact Catalogue of them is afforded us by the late learned Bishop Vsher described out of two very ancient Manuscripts extant in Sir Iohn Cottons Library which he sayth he coÌ„par'd with nine Written Copies more in which the old Brittish names were seâ— down together with an interpretation of them as followeth 4. These are the Names of all Citties in Brittany in number twenty eight I. Caïr Guintguic which perhaps is Norwich call'd by the Brittains Cair Guntins Or rather it is Winwick in Lancashire The old Glossary of Nennius interprets it Winchester II. Caâ—r Mincip or Municip erroneously written in Henry of Huntingdon Mercipit This is Verolam a Town neer S. Albans which as we read in Tacitus was anciently a Free-town enioying the Priviledge of the Citty of Rome III. Caïr Liqualid or Legevit or Lualid This is Luguballia call'd by Huntingdon Caïr Leil now Carlile IV. Caïr Meguaid or Meigâ—od at this day Meivod in the Province of Montgomery It was anciently call'd by Ptolomy and Antoninus Mediolanum V. Caïr Colun or Colon which Geffrey of Monmouth and Huntingdon call Colchester situated on the River Coln and it is in Antoninus his Itinerary call'd Colonia VI. Caïr Ebranc by others Caïr branc it is York
VII Caâ—r Custeint This Citty was formerly called Seiont near Caernarvont being the same which Antoninus calls Seguntium But it chang'd its name into Caïr Custeinâ— because Constantius the Father of Constantin was buried there Whose body saith Mathew of Westminster was found at Caernarvon near Snowdon in the time of King Edward the first after the Conquest and by his command honourably buried in the Church VIII Caïr Caratauc or Caïr Caradoc in the borders of Shropshire between the Rivers Temdus and Colunus Where King Caractacus rais'd against the Roman Generall Ostorius a great Rampire but was there defeated by him There a Citty being afterwards rais'd was from his Name called Caïr Caradoc So that Geffrey of Monmouth and Huntingdon are much mistaken who interpret this Citty to be Salisbury IX Caïr Grant or Granteceaster or Grantbridge now Cambridge taking its name from the River Grant or Gront X. Cair Maunguid or Manchguid suppos'd to be the same Which by Antoninus is called Mancunium or Manchester in Lancashire others conceive it to be Manduessedum or Manchester in Warwickshire XI Caïr Lundein by others Caïr Lud now London XII Caïr Guorthigirn a Citty situated in Radnorshire and called from King Vortigern who conceild himself there being afraid of punishment for his horrible crimes but was found out by Divine Iustice and by Lightning burnt together with his Citty What the prime name of this Citty was in King Lucius his dayes does not appeare XIII Caïr Ceint or Kent now called Canterbury formerly Dorobernia XIV Caïr Guiragon or Guorangon that is Wigornia The Welsh call it Caër Wrangon the English Worcester Antoninus calls it Branonium and Ptolomy Branogenium XV. Caïr Perâ—s otherwise Portcester from the commodiousnes of the Haven It is now called Portsmouth XVI Caïr Daun named by Antoninus Danus now Doncaster in Yorkshire XVII Caïr-Legioâ— taking its name from the the twentieth Legion by Iulius Agricola's appointment quartering there It is at this day called Chester or Westchester XVIII Caïr Guricon or Guoricon or as Cambden writes it Caïr Guaruinc now warwick so called because it was a Garrison of the Romans which in the Brittish Language is called Guarth XIX Caïr Segeint or the Citty of the Segontiaci which were the people who first surrendred themselves to Caesar It is now called Silcester in Hampshire XX. Caïr Leon or Vsk so call'd because the second Brittish Legion brought over by Vespasian was quartered here It was seated in Monmouthshire but is now quite demolished XXI Caïr Guent called by the Romans Venta Belgarum to distinguish it from severall other places called Ventae being in the Province of the Belgae a people which came out of lower Germany and seated themselves in Hampshire it is now called Winchester XXII Caïr Brito a Citty placed between the Rivers Avon and Fome it is now called Bristol XXIII Caïr Lerion by the Saxons afterward called Legecestria now Leicester XXIV Caïr Draiton the situation whereof is now uncertain there being many places of that name Bishop Vsher thinks it is the same now call'd Dragton in Shropshire XXV Caïr Pentavelcoit seated on the River Ivel in Somershire now called Ivelcester or Ilchester The same learned Bishop writes it Caïr Pensavelcoit supposing it to be Pentsey in Sussex where William the Conquerour first landed XXVI Caïr Vrvac called by Antoninus Vriconium and by the Saxons Wrekenceaster at this day Wroxcester in Shropshire XXVII Caïr Calemion or as Mr. Cambden reads it Caïr Calion which he thinks to be Camelet in Somersetshire where remains the footsteps of an ancient Roman Camp and where many Roman Coyns are frequently found XXVIII Caïr Luitcoit or rather Lindcoit by Antoninus and Ptolomy call'd Lindum by the Saxons Lindecollinum at this day Lincoln 5. These are the twenty eight Citties of Brittany all which cannot yet be asserted to have been extant at least under those names in the dayes of King Lucius since among them there are severall which took their Title from persons living in after-ages as Caïr Vortigern Caïr Casteint c. And Caïr Draiton seems to have been a Saxon building 6. Henry of Huntington in the account of them varies somewhat from this and in the place of some of these omitted by him substitutes others as Caïr Glou that is Glocester Caïr Cei or Chichester Caïr Ceri that is Cirencester Caïr Dorm call'd by Antoninus Durobrivae at this day Dornford in Huntingdonshire Caïr Dauri or Caïr Dorin now Dorcester And Caïr Merdin still remaining with the same name from whence a Province in Wales takes its title These are the Cittie 's design'd to be the Residences of Arch-bishops and Bishops when the number of Pastors should be so encreased as to supply them 7. Now whereas here is mention'd the Title of Arch-bishops we are to take notice that that Title was not in use as yet in the Church in the dayes of King Luciâ—s but yet the same latitude of Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction was from the beginning under the name of Metropolitan Bishops For the Policy of the Church being squared according to the Civill as the Governours of Citties which were Metropoles exercised an Authority over other Citties also depending on them so did the Bishops likewise of those Citties over the whole Provinces IX CHAP. 1.2.3 Of Saint Theanus first Bishop of London 4.5 Elvanus his Successour 1. HOw many of those twenty eight Citties were in those dayes supplied with Bishops is uncertain Besides Elvanus consecrated Bishop at Rome our Ecclesiasticall Records mention only one Brittish Bishop more called Theanus the first Metropolitan Bishop of London where our devout King Lucius built a Church consecrated to S. Peter and seated in the place called Cornhill 2. The truth of this is testified by an ancient Table belonging to the same Church wherein was this Inscription In the year of our Lord one hundred seaventy nine Lucius the first Christian King of this Land founded the first Church at London namely the Church of Saint Peter in Cornhill He established likewise there an Archiepiscopall See and the prime Church of the Kingdom and so it continued for the space of four hundred years till the coming of S. Augustin the Apostle of England c. Thus the Inscription 3. But Iocelinus a Monk of Furnes testifying this holy Prelat Theanus to have been the first Archbishop of this new erected See of London makes him to be the Founder of this Church for thus he writes Thean or Theanus is sayd in the time of King Lucius to have built the Church of S. Peter on Cornhill in London being assisted therein by Ciranus the Kings Cheif Cupp-bearer 4. After Theanus his decease the time of whose government in that See is uncertain there succeeded him therein S. Elvanus who generally is acknowledged the second Metroâ—politan of London But whether in those times there was in Brittany any Iurisdiction properly Metropoliticall which must presuppose an erection of severall subordinate Dioceses cannot by any of our
Gests of S. Lucius in his Apostolick Office 4.5 His death and buriall in the Citty of Curia or Chur. 6. Of S. Emerita a sister of King Lucius who accompanied him her Martyrdom 7. Dempsâ—ers ridiculous pretention that King Lucius as buried in Scotland 1. HAving from authorities of great weight asserted the Apostleship of this our Pious King in pursuance therof we will collect out of ancient Writers some of his particular Gests and suffrings in the discharge of the said Office 2. He having resolved to consecrate the remainder of his old age to the service of Christ pass'd first into France landing at Bolâ—ign a Citty of the Mâ—rini where saith Malbranque he first began his office of preaching the Faith of Christ and from thence made his progresse through the Region of the Nervians the Countrey of Liege to Triers in Germany After which the next place bless'd by his presence and Charity was Ausburg Augusta Vindelicorum where he converted to the Faith a Noble Cittizen call'd Campestrius with his whole family But there the Devill rais'd against him a great persecution for saith Nauelerus the people out of a hatred to a Religion formerly unknown by them pursued the preacher of it with stones and afterward cast him into a pit Out of which he was secretly drawn by some Christians there and conducted to the Citty of Curia where he ended his life by Martyrdom 3. From Ausburg S. Lucius went to Reginoburgum or Ratisbon where he efficaciously spread the seed of the Gospell And having spent almost all his strength in such works of Charity to others he desired to end his life in solitude quietnes and prayer For which purpose he retired himself into the mountainous countrey of Rhetia and saith Tscudus having pass'd over the hill under which is situated the Castle called Gutenberg which to this day retains the name of S. Lucius his Cliff he came into the Region where now the Citty Curia or Chur is placed together with his devout sister S. Emerita who presently after for preaching the Christian Faith suffred Martyrdom at Trimas or Trimontium distant from Curia the space of two or three miles But S. Lucius repos'd himselfe in a certain Grot in the Mountain above the Citty Curia where he taught the Faith of Christ. The place where he built a little Oratory doth still testify his Sanctity and abode there for in memory thereof there was afterward founded a Monastery of Norbertins Praemonstratenses which took its name from S. Lucius as Aubertus Miraeus and Raderus doe affirm 4. As touching the manner of S. Lucius his death the same Aegidius Tscudus writes thus At last Lucius was slain neer to Curia in the Castle call'd Martiola by the infidell inhabitants and the Prefect of that Region Notwithstanding other Authours affirm that he died in peace though the honour and Title of a Martyr cannot be denyed him since anciently as Baronius saith it was communicated not only to such as by a violent death for Christs honour were snatchd out of this world but likewise to those who for the confession of the Faith suffred any torments though they did not consummate Martyrdom by death 5. The precise year of the death of this glorious King is by Florilegus determin'd to be the year of Christ two hundred and one which was the seaventy eighth year of his Raign and the eighty eighth of his life Wherto the learned Chronologist Bishop Vsher likewise accords His words are these In so great a debate among Writers my iudgment doth incline to beleive that King Lucius ended his life in the first year of the third Century after Christ. And the grounds of this perswasion are because I observe that not only the Annals of the Church of Salisbury and the Chronicle of the Brittains abbreviated as likewise the London Tables but also Roger Wendover Mathew Paris and Mathew of Westminster together with the History of Rochester doe agree that he dyed in the year of our Lord two hundred and one 6. His sacred Relicks have been dispersed in severall places of Germany and to this day saith Raderus are venerated in a Church of the Franciscans and another of the Iesuits at Ausburg Which argues that he dyed not in Brittany but Germany Therfore although our Citties of Glocester and Winchester have boasted themselves to have been the Repositories of some parts of the body of this Pious King it is more likely that considering their near relation to him they should procure them from the Church of Curia then that the German Churches should obtain them out of Brittany 7. Now wheras in the Passage cited out of Aegidius Tscudus mention was made of Saint Emerita the devout Sister of King Lucius and companion of all his travails and dangers and how in the Countrey of the Helvetians she added the Crown of Martyrdom to the garland of Virginity our Brittish Martyrologe thus commemorats her At Trimas in the territory of Curia this day being the fourth of December is celebrated the Feast of S. Emerita Virgin and Martyr the Sister of Lucius King of the Brittains who together with her Brother went into Germany and for confession of the Christian Faith being persecuted by the infidells of that countrey consummated her glorious Martyrdom by fire about the year of our Lord one hundred ninety three The entire history of her life may be read in the Breviary of the Church of Curia Mention is made of this holy Virgin and Martyr by Isengrenius and Hermannus Schedelius in his Chronicle 8. But Philippus Ferrarius in his Catalogue of Saints omitted in the Roman Martyrologe being mislead by Dempster a Writer most ridiculously partiall for his Scottish Nation as Bishop Vscher observes assigns a place in the Western parts of Scotland call'd Trimontium and now Attetish for the place of this Virgins Martyrdom and in the Scottish Calander her commemoration is appointed on the twenty sixth of May. Which assertion is so evidently contradicted by many authentick Records of severall Churches and by Authours of such unquestion'd integrity that it deserves not a serious confutation XVII CHAP. 1.2 S. Fugatius and Damianus preach the the Gospell in Brittany 3.4.5 They retire to Glastonbury and rebuild it establishing a succession of Monks They find there the Holy Crosse c. 6. The place of their buriall uncertain 1. HAving thas largely set down the Gests of our Holy King Lucius the first among all Christian Kings we will adioyn hereto such particulars as our ancient Monuments furnish us with all touching the two Holy Legats Fugatius or Phaganus and Damianus or Diruvianus sent by the Venerable Pope Eleutherius to baptise the sayd King and to settle the affaires of the New Brittish Church 2. Now concerning these two glorious Saints thus writes Malmsburiensis out of the Ancient Records of Glastonbury Phaganus and Dervianus came into Brittany to preach the Gospell
them used all manner of despight to them and endeavoured either to hide or consume them with fire and cast the ashes before the wind 2. Thus in the Acts of S. Sebastian who suffred the same or next year to S. Albanus we read That they tooke the Body of Sebastian by night and cast it into a common sink saying Least perhaps the Christians make him their Martyr And again three years after we find in the Authentick Acts of S. Tharacus this passage The President sayd to him Doe not think thou shalt be dispatch'd at once I will make an end of thee by peece meale and the remainders of they carkeise shall be devoured by beasts Tharacus answered him what thou hast a mind to doe doe quickly doe not delay mee by promises The President said Thou thinkest villain that after thy death silly women shall have thy body and embalme it with unguents and spices c. And afterward The President said Doest thou not think that I will thus destroy thee and thy relicks least foolish women should enwrapp it in clean linnen and honour it with unguents and odours And concerning the Martyr Andronicus The President said Consume him to ashes and disperse them before the wind least some of his impious Consorts or foolish woemen should gather up any of them and preserve them as if they were some precious holy thing 3. Now how acceptable to God this devout reverence of Christians to the Relicks of Martyrs was was often declared by the miraculous ways which God shewed in discovering the said holy Relicks when they were either conceal'd or their members mix'd and confounded with those of impious malefactours putt to death with them Thus we read in the said Acts of S. Tharacus S. Andronicus and another Christian martyr'd with them how when some devout Christians adventured to search them out by night three bright torches like starrs appeard over their bodies and afterward went before them conducting them to the other side of the Mountain where they secretly buried them 4. This practise was so generall among the Primitive Christians that the Manicheans only were observed to be contemners of it as if there were in it some Idolatrous Superstition But their folly and profanenesse is excellently confuted by S. Augustin who distinguishes the Veneration due to Saints and their holy Relicks which he calls Dulian from the Supreme degree of adoration due only to God which he terms Latrian 5. Now that such reverence was express'd to the Body of S. Alban is not to be doubted Which that it may appeare a passage in our ancient Brittish Historian Gildas will sufficiently confirm it Who after he had treated of the Martyrdome of this Holy Martyr as we declared before consequently shews the great change in Brittany nine years after this tempest rais'd by Diocletian His words are as followeth 6. The space of two lustres that is ten years after the foresaid storm being not entirely fullfilld when the violence of those bloody Edicts against Christians abated all the devout Soldiers of Christ with ioyfull eyes beheld and received the lightsomnesse and temper following so tedious a winters night Then they began to restore Churches formerly demolishd they founded new sacred Temples consecrated to the honour of Holy Martyrs these they erect accomplish and adorn celebrating publick Festivities and Sacrifices with pure hearts and mouthes as manifest signs and tropheys after their victory 7. This happy change hapned when the Tyrants Carausius and Allectus were vanquished and expell'd by Constantius who in the year of Grace two hundred ninety two being created Caesar received the government and administration of Brittany By which calculation of Gildas evidently appears that S. Albanus suffred Martyrdom in the beginning of Diocletians raign nine years before Constantius the second time governed Brittany 8 Likewise by this Testimony of Gildas is reproved the assertion of Protestant writers who attribute to S. Gregory the Great the bringing into Brittany the custome of dedicating Churches to the honour of Martyrs in the time of the Saxons Wheras besides this authority of Gildas the said assertion is manifestly confuted by the story of S. Germanus of Auxerre and S. Lupus of Troyes French Bishops who came into Brittany before the entrance of the Saxons to root out thence the Pelagian Heresy For thus we read in the Galliean Martyrologe The Memory of S. Albanus shined gloriously in Brittany to whose honour a famous Church was erected in the place whereby shedding his blood he had triumphed The which Church was by S. Germanus visited with great devotion to the end he might there pay his thanks to God for his victory against the Pelagian Hereticks There opening the holy Martyrs Sepulcher to honour him he repos'd in it severall Relicks of Apostles and Martyrs which he had brought out of France And because he would not depart thence without the protection of the Holy Martyr from the place where the Martyrs blood had been shed he took a lump of earth which at his return he caried to his own See And from this action of S. Germanus the Veneration of S. Albanus the Brittain was spread through allmost all the Churches of France being consign'd in all the Ecclesiastical Tables of most Episcopall Churches there particularly of Bourges Sens Orleans Austun S. Malo Constantia c. The same story concerning S. Germanus is related likewise by S. Beda 9. Hence may be argued the mistake in the supplement to the French Martyrologe where it is sayd that Otho the second Emperour of that name translated to Colen the Body of S. Albanus which S. Germanus had brought out of Brittany into France For certain is is that not his body but only a portion of earth dyed with the Holy Martyrs blood was transferd by Saint Germanus as S. Beda expressly affirms and as the following Annalls of Brittany confirm where we read how Off a King of the Mercians translated the sacred Body and built over his Monument a most magnificent Church 10. It is here to be observed that S. Albanus is venerated at Ments in Germany under the name of S. Albinus The occasion wherof was this Theophania wife to the Emperour Otho the second having obtained at Rome a portion of the Relicks of S. Albanus caried them with her into Germany intending to place them at Colen in the Monastery of S. Pantaleon In her way she passed through Mentz in which Citty was celebrated with great devotion the Memory of another S. Albanus a Martyr also Hereupon Wiltegecus Bishop of Mentz deeply apprehending least the Memory of our Brittish Albanus should obscure the glory of their Speciall Patron Albanus by reason of agreement in name together with the Imperiall Authority which probably would promote his veneration made it his most humble and earnest suit unto the Empresse that our Brittish Saint should afterward in those countreys be call'd Albinus for distinctions sake which humble request by the
or regard of age or affinity mercilesly without any resistance putt to the sword all their thousand countreymen for the Faith of Christ neighbours murdring neighbours freinds freinds and kinsmen kinsmen As for the holy man Amphibalus who was reserved to a more cruell death being compass'd aboue with the livelesse bodies of these holy Martyrs he with ioy commended their happy soules to God 9. As touching the place where so cruell and inhuman a butchery was made it is not agreed by Historians some affirm it to have been among the Silures in the Province of Monmouth and hereto the Authour of Amphibalus his life seems to accord but others more probably say that these holy Martyrs suffred among the Cornavij in Warwick shire where their persecutours overtook them in their way towards Wales at Lichfeild which Citty seems to have taken its name from this slaughter of so many Martyrs for as Iohn Rosse of warwick interprets the word it signifies the feild of dead bodies which are also to this day the Arms of the Citty XVII CHAP. 1.2 S. Amphibalus lead prisoner towards Verolam in the way miraculously cures a sick person 3. He is barbarously tormented his gutts wrapp'd about a stake 4. During his torments he enveighs against Idolatry 5. His Executioner is converted 6. A voyce from heaven testifies S. Amphibalus his Sanctity He dyes and his Body is privatly buried 1. AFter the offring made of so many immaculate Victimes to God S. Amphibalus saith Mathew of westminster became the sole object against whom these bloody Executioners powrd forth all their rage for binding his arms with sharp and streit cords they so drove him with naked feet before their horses toward the Citty of Verolam who the nearer he approached to his beloved Disciple S. Albanus the lesse was he sensible of the roughnes of the wayes and toyle of the iourney Moreover in the way Amphibalus fast bound as he was had yet the vertue to unloose a sick person from the bonds of his infirmity 2. This miracle is thus related in the life of S. Amphibalus In the way as they pass'd a certain infirm person began to crye out O servant of the High God help mee that by thy intercession I may be freed from this my greivous infirmity for I beleive that by calling on the name of Christ over mee thou maist speedily restore my health Whereupon immediatly in the sight of them all the sick person arose chearfull and perfectly recoered This miracle finds credit generally among all except Iohn Foxe who says there was no cause which might move almighty God to shew his power As if there were neither infidells to be converted nor beleivers to be confirm'd nor such malicious Sectaries as himself to be preiudged 3. But to proceed in the suffrings of this glorious Martyr as they are related in his Acts to have been inflicted on him at the end of his long iourney when he was entred into the confines belonging to the Citty of Verolam There the foresaid Inhabitants of Verolam barbarously stripp'd him of his garments and fastning a stake into the ground they with a sword ripp'd up his belly and tying the end of his gutts about the stake with cruell whipping thy forced him to walk about it so inwrapping it with his bowells And not content thus they with knives and lances tore the rest of his body as if he had been a mark sett on purpose to exercise their weapons upon All this while the man of God stood with a cheerfull countenance as if he had suffred nothing being every moment more constant though there was not left any part of his body in which there were not imprinted marks of his Martyrdom insomuch as it seemd a prodigious thing that after so many tortures and sorts of death he could have any life remaining in him 4. The same moment diverse who were there present and saw the constancy of the holy Martyr renounced their Idolls and submitted themselves to the Faith of Christ beseeching the Blessed man to pray to God for them that they might partake eternall Happines for the obtaining of which they were ready to lay down their lives Which when it was known the Cheif Magistrate calling the Officers gave them command to kill all those who had cast off the worship and reverence of Heathen Gods and embraced the Doctrine of the Christian Preacher Immediatly they executed this horrible Edict and putt to death a thousand persons whilst Blessed Amphibalus look'd on and commended their soules to our Lord. 5. Then one of the by-standers ruder then the rest thus spake to the man of God O pâ—ttilesse wretch way hast thou deceived these simple people with thy frudulent speeches withdrawing them from the worship of the Gods By thy cunning perswasions we have utterly lost our parents and freinds Notwithstanding though hereby thou hast above measure incensed both Gods and men yet even now at last by thy repentance thou maist recover their pardon and favour And this will be a proof and sign of thy repentance if thou wilt renounce the impious Sect which hitherto thou hast followed and begin to adore the omnipotent Gods which perhaps out of ignorance thou hast offended If thou wilt doe this then the same all-powerfull Gods will restore again to life those whom thou hast murdred 6. To whom the Holy man thus answered O Infidell whilst thou endeavourest with thy false praises to exâ—â—ll thy Gods be assured that thou hast offended the true God by thy speeches For it is Iesus Christ my Lord who alone has the power to raise and give life to the dead As for those whom yee worship as Gods and think them to be powerfull in heaven they doe now suffer most horrible torments in hell And partakers in the fellowship of those torments shall be all injust persons adulterers slanderers and such as by their reprobate actions whilst they liv'd here rendred themselves like to Devills And for thy part O Pagan and all who like thee worship Idolls except you quickly renounce your heathenish Superstition and convert your selves to the Faith of Christ you shall all incurr the same punishments in hell Doe not despair for the mercy of God is great Breake off your evill wayes and make hast to be partakers of the Grace of Baptism By Baptism all sins are forgiven Heaven is opened to men who therby become as it were new creatures having devested themselves of their old wicked inclinations For those who before Baptism by their sinns were Children of the Devill become afterward Sons of God Run therfore for refuge to this Grace that you may escape everlasting torments 7. When the impious Pagans heard these speeches they were kindled with rage and with all their forces laboured to deprive him of life But the holy Martyr though he was on all sides bruised with a great multitude of stones which were thrown at him yet he remain'd immoveable in prayer
Egypt and Iulianus together with the Nations called Quinquegentana Africk 2. These distractions occasion'd the Election of two New Caesars that so the Empire might rest more securely upon more pillars Constantius was chosen by Maximianus and Galerius sirnamed Armentarius by Diocletian Notwithstanding the supreme authority and Majesty of the Empire resided in Diocletian to whom the other three imputed their advancement and were his hands and instruments to fight and overcome for him 3. Moreover it was prudently advised among them to streiten their Society by the bond of affinity Whereupon Diocletian gave his daughter Valeria a wife to Galerius and Maximianus his wifes daughter Theodora to Constantius before which mariage he was compelled to a divorce from his beloved Wife Helena who after this was esteem'd his Concubine or at least a wife in the second and inferiour place Which divorce notwithstanding brought no prejudice to their Son Constantin who was born in mariage before and enioyd his right of Primogeniture and succeeded his Father in the Empire notwithstanding other Sons born to Constantius by Theodora 4. What became of Helena after this new mariage will deserve our enquiry Malbranque a French Historian affirms tha she lived at Quantia a Town in the Province of Belgick Gaule where now Hesdin is situated But more probable it is that Constantius fixd her habitation at Triers where he built her a sumptuous Palace saith the Abbot Berengosius who stiles her an inhabitant of the Citty of Triers Trevirorum adding this passage The ancient magnificence of her Palace at Triers argues the Nobility of Helena's race where the Pavement strow'd with marble of severall sorts declares how much that house excelled all other The walls also enrich'd with gold and purple doe gracefully testify the marks of their Mistrisses high extraction Besides all this the great number of possessions conferr'd by her on Gods Churches loudly speak the ancient Nobility of her stock From hence it is saith Lupoldus Bebenburgius that many Authours as Otto Frisingensis and Godefridus Viterbiensis doe affirm that S. Helena the Mother of Constantin had her originall from Triers 5. Certain it is that there are many marks which testify her affection to that Citty which a little while after this to declare its relation to S. Helena and to eternise her name caused Medalls to be coyned with this Inscription on the one side FLAVIA HELENA AVGVSTA and on the other SECVRITAS REIPVBLICAE whereto was adjoyned underneath S. TR. importing that it was Signed or Coyned at Triers Which Inscription evidently declaring Helena to have been adopted into the Imperiall Flavian family and honour'd with the Title of Augusta or Empresse sufficiently evict that Helena was not the daughter of a mean host nor cast off by Constantius after his mariage with Theodora 6. As for her Son Constantin he was at this time received into the family of Diocletian at Rome there to remain as it were a pledge of his Fathers fidelity Where saith Eusebius being then but a youth though his conversation was among persons full of all impiety yet he was not infected by them For his naturall good disposition directed by an instinct of Gods holy Spirit drew him from their vitious customs to a course of life acceptable to God and exemplary for piety Besides this an earnest desire to imitate his Fathers vertues invited him powerfully to conform his practises to the good examples given him by those who were pious and good Thus writes Eusebius who professes that himself was an eye-witnes of all this in a progres of the Court through Palestina and how he saw the great esteem that Diocletian had of him when he was but very young at whose right hand he commonly stood highly graced by the Emperour and acceptable to all that saw him for his beauty grace fullnes and modesty But leaving young Constantin at Rome or perhaps in the East we must return to his Father Constantius XXIII CHAP. 1. Constantius his expedition against Carausius into Gaule 2. He winâ— Gessoriacum or Boloign He subdues the Franks in Batavia 3. Caransius slain by Allectus in Brittany who succeeds in the Tyranny 4 Constantius passes into Brittany 5. Allectus defeated and slain by Constantius his Generall 6. Constantius saves London from ruine and makes the Franks captives and slaves to the Brittains 7. The ioy of the Brittains at the reception of Constantius 8. Constantin accompanies Diocletian into the East his vertues 1. COnstantius being created Caesar immediatly made an expedition into Gaule with an intention to passe over into Brittany against the Tyrant Carausius Being in Gaule he by admirable art and industry took the Sea-town Gessoriacum now call'd Boloign which Carausius had for his own safety and use strongly fortified Which exploit of Constantius is elegantly celebrated by the Oratour Eumenius in his Panegyrick pronounced before him 2. There likewise we read how Constantius not to be idle during the time that a fleet was preparing for his expedition into Brittany subdued Batavia Carausius his own countrey then possess'd by severall Princes of the Franks who were a German Nation great numbers of whom had transplanted themselves thither 3. Now whilst Constantius thus employ'd himself on the other side of the Sea Carausius in Brittany was murdred by C. Allectus whom he had made Generall of his forces and who for diverse flagitious acts done by him feared his just revenge After which the Traytour thinking that the better way to secure himself assumed also the Title of Emperour as is declared by his Coyns yet extant bearing the said Title 4. Against this new Tyrant Constantius the year following sailed into Brittany Allectus then had a strong fleet in the Isle of Wight to oppose his Enemies coming But such was Constantius his felicity that by reason of tempestuous weather his fleet pass'd undiscovered by Allectus his Ships and landed without opposition in Brittany where being arrived Constantius in excesse of courage sett on fire all his own ships to let his soldiers know that they must either over com or be slaves All this we learn from the forementioned Oratour 5. After this saith the same Authour Constantius marching against the Tyrant divided his Army one part he lead himselfe and the other he committed to the conduct of Asclepiâ—doâ—us Praefect of his Praetorian bands Allectus avoyding the opposing himself against Constantius chose to try his fortune against Asclepiodotus by whom without any losse of the Romans side he was utterly defeated and notwithstanding his design to disguise himself by casting off his Imperiall Purple he was found out and slain 6. But a great part of his Army consisting of strangers Franks and Batavians seeing their Prince and Tyrant dead fled diligently towards London with an intention to take the spoyles of that rich Citty abounding with merchandise When on the sudden Constantius happily appeard unawares and cutt them in peices so freeing that Citty from
it is thus from his own relation declar'd by Eusebius Constantin saith he was distracted and disquieted with great doubts and feares what this wonderfull Vision should portend In which solicitude of thoughts the night overtooke him And when he was asleep our Lord appeard to him bearing the same sign which had been shown him from heaven and commanded him to cause a draught and Copy representing the same sign which had appeard to him to be framed and that he should make use of that as a firm guard and protection whensoever he was to committ battell with his enemies 10. The Historian adds as soon as the day appeared he rose from his bed and declared to his freinds this mysterious vision And afterwards calling together the most cunning artificers skillfull in gold and precious stones he placed himself in the mid'st among them and by words describ'd to them the form and pattern of the Sign which had appeared from heaven Commanding them to imitate the form therof in gold and precious stones And the said Authour giving a description of the Labarum or Banner caried always in Constantins Army thus proceeds The Emperour saith he did always after make use of this Saving Sign of the Crosse as a sure defence against all hostile violence and danger the expresse representations wherof he commanded to be made and perpetually be caried before his Army 11. The devotion of this pious Emperour encreasing more and more to the Sacred Crosse moved him to cause innumerable representations of it to be placed in severall places both publick and private To this purpose writes the same Eusebius So great and so divine was that love wherwith the Emperour embraced our Lord that he took care that the Ensign of his saving Passion should in a faire Table adorned with much gold and precious stones of all kinds he fixed in the Entrance of his Palace in the principall room in the middle of his house and in the guilded roof therof That seemed to the most holy Emperour to be a firm bullwark of his Empire 12. No wonder then if the veneration of the Holy Crosse became yet more encreased among Christians We have shewd in the life of S. Albanus that it was even from the beginning practised Which practise sems now to have been authorised by our Lord himselfe from heaven And that the devout Christians of these times understood it so appears by the generall zeale they shewd in honouring this mark of our Salvation which that it was acceptable to God was demonstrated by innumerable Miracles wrought thereby But to return to Constantin VI. CHAP. 1.2 Constantius victorious march to Rome 3.4 He fights with Maxentius and overcomes him who is drown'd in the Tiber to the infinite ioy of the Romans c. 7.8 c. Constantin venerates the Crosse. D. whittacres mistake 1. COnstantin being encourag'd with this so glorious a testimony of Divine assistance armed with the Crosse both on his helmet and forehead and conducting an army before which was caried the same triumphant Ensign pursued his expedition into Italy and approaching to the Alpes subdued the Segusians presuming to resist him And having pass'd those Mountains conquered the Taurini and after them the Citty of Verona which trusting in the multitude of its garrison had the boldnes to shutt the gates against him Aequileia Mutina and all other Citties on this side the Pâ— follow'd the fortune of Verona 2. Thus having cleared all the Provinces behind him of Enemies he marched courageously to Rome it selfe where the Tyrant for more then sixe years had exercised all manner of crimes He had not the courage all that time to issue once out of the Citty or to oppose Constantins progresse partly being stupified with his lusts and affrighted with prodigies and divinations of his Sooth-sayers 3. But assoon as Constantin approached to the Citty Maxentius was enforced to draw out his army consisting of one hundred and seaventy thousand foot and eighteen thousand horse all these numerous forces he raged beyond the Milvian bridge so that they were shut out of the Citty by the river To the strength of his army the Tyrant added the subtilty of a stratagem for he had caused the bridge so to be framed that at his pleasure he might for his advantage easily dissolve it 4. On the other side Constantin having ranged his army himself with great courage gave the onset by which he immediatly broke his enemies ranks so that little resistance was made except by the Pretorian soldiers who expecting no pardon because they onely had created Maxentius Emperour covered the ground with their dead bodies 5. The enemies being thus put to flight found their flight unsucces'full because the straitnes of the bridge hindred them so that the slaughter was excessively great and there being no other meane to avoyd the sword but by entring the River great multitudes were swallow'd by it As for the Tyrant he to conceale himself had cast off all marks of his authority and adventured into the Tiber but not being able to ascend the steep banks was hurried down the stream and drowned His body was cast upon the shore below which the Roman people having found they cut off his head which fastning on the topp of a speare they caried it up and down the Citty with great ioy and triumph 6. Since Rome was built saith the Panegyrist never shone a day celebrated with greater and a more universall ioy or that deserved to be so celebrated then that of Constantins triumph after this Victory His triumphall chariot was attended not with conquered Princes or Generalls but with the Roman Nobility freed from dungeons and chains Rome did not enrich herselfe with spoyles of enemies but herselfe ceased to be the Spoyle of an inhuman Tyrant c. 7. This common ioy acclamations and applauses the pious Emperour would have to be asscribed not to himself but God only the vertue of his holy Crosse to whom he gave the praises and acknowledgment of his Victory as Eusebius testifies And Prudentius adds that Constantin at his triumphall entrance into the Citty commanded the Crosse to be caried before his army to the end Rome might see by what arms she had been freed from slavery and moreover that he enjoyn'd both the people and Senat of Rome to prostrate themselves before the Crosse and adore the name of Christ. 8. It is a great mistake therfore in somâ— Protestant Writers by name Whitaker who affirms that Constantin indeed did use the sign of the Crosse which appeard to him from heaven for an Ensign but that no proof can be given that the Crosse was honoured or venerated by him Wheras the passage now cited out of Prudentius evinces the contrary and Sozomen expressly affirms that Constantin gave great honour to the holy Crosse both for the aid afforded him by its vertue in his warr against his enemies and likewise for the Divine apparition of it
greater alacrity then ever before she went up and down her house glorifying the Power of God Thus was the Empresse satisfied in that which she so earnestly desired 6. The substance of this relation given by Ruffinus is attested by the consent of severall other ancient Ecclesiasticall writers so that to doubt of it or impudently to deny the truth of it as the Lutheran Centuriators doe can be no other but an undeniable effect of malice against the Truth testified hereby to their confusion 7. The Pious Lady to declare her thankfullnes to God for so signall a favour was not content to build a magnificent Church to the Memory of our Saviours Passion but added another which was dedicated to the saving sign of the Crosse as Eusebius writes 8. And as touching the Crosse it self she took care that part of it should be sent to the Emperour and honourably layd up in his Palace the remainder she enclosed in a Boxe of silver and gave it to the Bishop of Ierusalem exhorting him that it might be there reserved as a Monument of our Salvation Thus Theodoret To which S. Paulinus adds That every year on the day of our Lords Resurrection it is produced by the Bishop and exposed to the peoples veneration the Bishop himself first performing that honour to it 9. Socrates further relates that Constantin assoon as he had received part of the Crosse beleiving that the Citty in which it was kept should be preserved in safety from all danger inclos'd it in a statue of his own which was placed in the Market place of Constantinople on a mighty Pillar of Porphyry This saith Eusebius seem'd to the most holy Emperour a firm bulwark of his Kingdom 10. Besides the Crosse there were found other Ensigns of our Saviours Passion which were not neglected by Helena to witt the Nailes which had not only touched our Lords Body as the Crosse did but peirced into his sacred flesh and sinews being bathed in his blood Part of which nayles saith Theodoret and S. Ambrose she took care should be artificially enclos'd within the Emperours helmet that therby his head might be preserved safe from his enemies weapons and part she mingled with the Iron of his horses bitt therby both to give a safe protection to him and likewise to fullfill an ancient Prophecy of Zacharias saying That which is on the horses bitt shall be holy to the Lord Omnipotent And a third nayle she cast into the Adriatick Sea during a horrible tempest by which meanes she saved her self and company from shipwrack Thus writes Gregory Bishop of Tours XVI CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Helenas piety to Religious Virgins 3. c. To Martyrs S. Lucianus the Magi c. 7.8 c. Place of her death Rome where a Church is built to the H. Crosse. 12.13 c. Constantins piety to his Mother Augusta 15.16 c. Her Memory celebrated in severall places Churches built to her honour in England 1. WITH such Acts of Piety devotion and liberality did Helena adorn her latter dayes a particular account of which belongs to the design of this History she being a Brittish Princesse For which reason we will prosecute the course of her life which seems to have ended the same year or in the beginning of the following 2. An example of her humility and devout respect to Virgins consecrated to Gods service by a profession of Chastity is related by Ruffinus in this manner The holy Virgins saith he which she found at Ierusalem she invited to dinner and entertain'd them with so great devotion and respect that she thought it a misbecoming thing that her Maids should attend on theÌ„ Therfore she herself being girt after the manner of a wayting maid sett meat on the Table gave them cupps to drink and powred water on their hands Thus she who was Empresse of the world and Mother of the Emperour esteem'd her self no better then a servant of the hand maids of Christ. 3. Eusebius likewise celebrates her wonderfull manificence shew'd through all her progresse in the Eastern Provinces For whither so ever she came she gave innumerable gifts both to whole citties and particular persons of all professions The poor she munificently supplied with all necessaries those who were condemn'd to working in mines or perpetuall imprisonment she sett at liberty the oppress'd she delivered from fraud and iniury and those which were banish'd she restored to their own countrey 4. At her return out of Palestina into Greece she passed by Drepanum a Town of Bithynia where reposed the Body of the glorious Martyr S. Lucianus Assoon as shee saw these holy Relicks lying so neglected without any mark of honour or reverence she in zeale to the honour of God and his Martyr caused a sumptuous Church to be built over them moreover enlarged the same place into a Citty which she compass'd with walls and bullwarks Which Citty her Son afterward call'd by his Mothers name Helenopolis and to make her name yet more celebrated by posterity the Sea there adioyning was called Helenopontus not because she was born there but because by her care and liberality the region there about formerly obscure became illustrious 5. We read moreover in severall ancient Monuments how this holy Empresse in her progresse through the East having been informed of the place where the Bodies of the three Magi or Wisemen which came to Bethlehem to adore our Saviour new born reposed brought them with her to her Son Constantin who reverently layd them in a Church of his new Citty from whence they were â—ranslated to Milan and afterward to Colen where now they are with great veneration celebrated 6. A more particular relation hereof we read in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrologe made by Andrew de Saussay in these words At Colonia Agrippina in the Gallick Soyle is celebrated the Memory of the three holy Kings who on this day the Sixth of Ianuary adored our Lord in his cradle at Bethlehem The Bodies of these Saints were by the care and devotion of the Holy Empresse Helena brought out of the East to Constantinople where in the Temple of S. Sophia afterward more magnificently repaired by Iustinian they remained to the times of the Emperour Emanuël who bearing a great affection to Eustorgius Bishop of Milan by birth a Grecian at his earnest prayers bestowd on him those Sacred pledges Eustorgius presently conveyed them to Milan placing them in a Church of Religious Virgins But in the yeare eleaven hundred Sixty and fâ—wer the Emperour Frederick having by force reduced Milan to his obedience granted to his Chancellour Reynaldus Archbishop of Colen at his most earnest suit the same three Sacred Bodies which he transfer'd to Colen were he reposed them in the principall Church in which place they are to this day celebrated with great veneration 7. In such pious works did the Holy Empresse conclude her worldly pilgrimage The place of her death
One William Basing likewise is sayd to have built a Church consecrated to S. Helena at London XVII CHAP. 1.2 Constantins zeale against Paganism and Heresy 3. c. He is seduced by his Sister to favour Arius c. but repents 5.6 He adorns his New Citty Constantinople 7.8 Miracles by the Holy Crosse. 9. Other acts of Constantins piety 1. AFter S. Helena's death Constantin returned into the East where he express'd his zeale against Pagan Idolatry For Eunapius a Pagan writer complains Through the whole world the most celebrated Temples were overthrown by Constantin He made severe Lawes against Heathenish Sacrifices mention'd in Theodosius his Code 2. Neither was he wanting to establish the Churches Peace and Vnity by publishing rigorous Edicts against Hereticks Novatians Valentinians Marcionists Paulians Montanists c. forbidding all Assemblies among them both publick and private and withall exhorting them to return to the Communion of the Catholick Church that so they might be rendred partakers of its Sanctity and so attain to Truth Thus writes Eusebius adding that hereupon many of them did acknowledge their errours and at last joyn'd themselfves to the Churches Communion 3. Notwithstanding being seduced by the Craft of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia the Pillar of the Arian faction he began a persecution against S. Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria This Eusebius had cunningly insinuated himself into the affections of Constantiae the Emperours Sister by whom at her death he was recommended to Constantin in whose mind a scruple likewise was injected by certain speeches of hers threatning a severe punishment to him after death for his severity against so many innocents so she called the Arians Wherupon he commanded that Arius himself should return and be received at Alexandria For which purpose he wrote threatning letters to S. Athanasius that he should be deposed in case he refused him Notwithstanding being inform'd by Athanasius that Arius did not repent of his Heresy but was still a profess'd Enemy of the Councill of Nicaea Constātin desisted from urging his reception 4. Afterward the Meletians accused Saint Athanasius of many crimes but Constantin upon examination finding his innocence quickly absolved and dimiss'd him Yea moreover the pious Emperour turn'd his anger against him who was the cheif Architect of all machinations against S. Athanasius to witt Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia as appears by his letters written to the people of that Citty and recited by Theodoret in which he complains how himself had been deluded by his forgeries and lyes And on that occasion he proceeds to pronounce Sentence against the whole faction of the Arians banishing Eusebius and severall other Bishops from their Sees 5. But the year following by occasion of the inauguration of his New Citty Constantinople among other Examples of his Clemency he restored them Nicephorus writes that the Citty was consecrated to our Lord and his immaculate Mother with offring the unbloody Sacrifice and prayers Adding that Constantins Statue was erected in a publick place upon a pillar of Porphyry having in his right hand a golden Apple on which was placed the Holy Crosse with this Inscription To thee O Christ our God I commend this Citty 6. Eusebius describing the Magnificence of Constantin in adorning this Citty with many Churches consecrated to the Holy Martyrs saith The Emperour intending to illustrate after an extraordinary manner the Citty called by his own name adorn'd it with many magnificent Churches partly in the Suburbs and partly in the Citty it self by which he both celebrated the Memories of the Holy Martyrs and consecrated the Citty it self to the God of Martyrs The principall of those Martyrs are recorded to have been S. Mocius S. Agathonicus S. Mennas and S. Acacius 7. Sozomen likewise an eye witnes especially celebrats a Church built in a place formerly dedicated to Vesta which was afterward named Michaelium from an apparition of that Holy Archangell In which many Miracles had been wrought by vertue of the Holy Crosse there erected of which vertue the Authour acknowledges that himself had been partaker Among which one speciall Miracle must not be omitted which he relates after this manner 8. I have been informed saith he that a Soldier of the Emperours Guards called Probianus being afflicted with greivous torments in his feet not only received ease in that place but was also honoured with a wonderfull divine vision For he having been formerly a Pagan and converted to Christianity though he were satisfied of the truth of all other instituts of our Religion yet he would never be perswaded that the Holy Crosse could be the cause of mankinds salvation Being thus affected there was offred to him a Divine Vision which set before his eyes the Image of the Crosse which usually was sett on the Altar of that Church and the same Vision declared to him manifestly that whatsoever thngs had been performed either by Angells or Holy men for the publick or privat proffit of men since the time that Christ was crucified were not rightly performed but by the vertue of the saving Crosse. 9. Besides these sacred Ornaments Constantin added much wealth to endow the holy Churches built by him He likewise caused a world of Copies of the Holy Scriptures to be curiously written in parchments richly adorned which he dispersed through severall Churches in the Citty He gave likewise great priviledges to Physicions Grammarians and Professours of other Arts by which means learning much flourish'd there In a word he endeavour'd to make it equall in all respects to Old Rome placing there a Senat with the same honours and authority into which many Christians were elected as Baronius declareth XVIII CHAP. 1.2 S. Athanasius persecuted by Arians 3.4.5 He is banish'd into the west for his safety 6.7 Arius conven'd before Constantin 8.9 c. His fearfull death 10. Pope Iulius 1. BVT the restlesse malice of the Arians against S. Athanasius the principall defender of the Faith declared by the Nicene Councill urged them to invent and forge new accusations against him of breaking a Chalice of murdering a man and using enchantments with his dead hand of committing adultery by violence c. With these crimes they charged him before the Emperour importuning him that he might be condemned and deposed 2. Hereupon a Synod of Bishops being assembled at Tyre Athanasius his cause was there examined and though in all particulars his innocence was evidently declared ye◠he was condemned by them Which manifest injustice astonish'd Constantin as appears by a Letter of his recorded by Saint Athanasius in his Apology 3. Notwithstanding these impious Bishps after they had consecrated at Ierusalem a magnificent Church built by Constantin repairing to Constantinople there renew'd their accusations and probably by the favour of the Emperours Son Constantius infected with their Heresy did so beseige Constantins eares that S. Athanasius could scarce gett accesse to prove his
hundred and eighty XXIII CHAP. 1. Honorius Emperour of the West 2. c. Pelagius the Heretick appears c. 5. The Roman Legion call'd our of Brittany 6.7 Alaricus invading Italy is twise vanquish'd 8. Innocentius Pope 1. IN the year of Grace three hundred and ninety five the glorious Emperour Theodosius dyed for whose soule S. Ambrose devoutly prayd the Prince Honorius assisting at the Holy Altar He left his Empire between his two Sons committing the Eastern Regions to the Elder son Arcadius and the Western to the younger Honorius who being of tender years was left under the tuition of Stilico whose daughter he maried Yet Stilico afterward not satisfied with this honour attempted to establish his own son to effect which he call'd or at least permitted barbarous Nations to enter and wast the Empire who in conclusion were the destruction of it 2. In the fourth year of Honorius his raign Pope Siricius dyed to whom succeeded Anastasius a man saith S. Hierom of rich poverty and Apostolick solicitude which he express'd in opposing the Errour of Origen which Ruffinus and his Disciple Melania now brought into Rome The same Holy Pope likewise first repress'd the Heresy of Pelagius which first appeared under him Of which for the relation which that Arch-heretick had to Brittany from whence he came we shall presently treat more largely 3. The year following the same Emperour publish'd an Edict which Iacobus Gothofredus conceives to have been directed to the Vicar of Brittany The From of Which Edict was this As we utterly forbid the offring of Pagan Sacrifices so our pleasure is that the Ornaments of publick Works though representing Pagan Superstitions should be preserved And to the end those who presume to demolish them pretend not any authority for so doing we hereby command that if any ancient Inscription or Law be found such papers be taken out of their hands and brought to us Thus Wrote the Emperour to Proclianus Vicar of the five Provinces Into which number Brittany was lately divided as hath been shewd 4. This Island seems at this time to have enioyd repose being freed from the violence of their Northern Enemies by a Roman Legion quartered in the confines It was governed by a Roman Generall call'd Marcus whom Honorius sent hither Of this peaceable State of Brittany the Poet Claudian gives testimony in his Panegyrick inscrib'd to Stilico who was Consull in the year of Christ four hundred 5. But this calm lasted but a little space for troubles hapning in Italy all the forces which defended Brittany being call'd away this poore Island was left miserably expos'd to her barbarous enemies Those Troubles were caused by an invasion of the Goths under their King Alaricus who out of Pannonia by the Norick Alpes descended to Trent from thence driving a Garrison of Honorius and so peircing into Rhetia was there stop'd by Stilico who made great preparations against him 6. The following year a battell was fought between Alaricus and Stilico wherin the Gothes were vanquish'd and might have been utterly destroyd had not Stilico permitted them to retire back into Pannonia This he did to the end his ambitious designs might more securely proceed during troubles by means of which he continued in possession of the Empires forces 7. Alaricus by pact with Stilico return'd towards Italy with a more numerous army And presuming to subdue the Countrey was again fought with by Stilico at Pollentia and once more overcome To this Battle the Roman Legion which was the only defence of Brittany was sent for as Bishop Vsher from Claudian the Poet well observes But such frequent invasions by barbarous Nations oblig'd the Romans to strengthen their Citty with new walls and Towers as the same Claudian elegantly relates 8. In these times Pope Anastasius dying there succeeded him in the Apostolick See Innocentius first of that name concerning the integrity of whose Faith thus writes S. Hierom to Demetrias a Virgin in Africa Because I feare saith he yea have been credibly inform'd that the venemous spriggs of Heresy he meanes Pelagianism doe still budd forth in Africa I thought my self obliged out of a pious affection of charity to admonish thee firmly to hold the Faith of the Holy Pope Innocentius who in the Apostolick chair is now Successour and Son to Anastasius and take heed of entertaining any strange Doctrins what ever esteem thou mayst have of thine own wit and skill XXIV CHAP. 1.2 Of Pelagius the Brittish Heretick 3.4 c The speciall Points of his Heresies condemn'd by severall Popes Synods c. 11. Brittany infected 12. Of Vigilantius his Heresies 1. HEre it will be seasonable to treat of the New blasphemous Heresy of Pelagianism which now began to infect the world The Authour of it was Pelagius by birth a Brittain for which cause S. Augustin stiles him Pelagius by Sirname Brito and S. Prosper more expressely calls him the Brittish Serpent And hereto consent S. Beda Polidor Virgâ—ll and generally Modern Historians But whether his originall came from the Roman Provinces in Brittany or the Scottish some doubt may be made considering S. Hierom in severall places mentioning him calls him a Scott descended from the Scottish Nation bordering on Brittany and elsewhere he says that he the most stupide of men was stuffed with Scottish pulse Not withstanding the Authour of S. Albanus his life in Capgrave affirms that he was Abbot of that famous Monastery of Bangor where two thousand and one hundred Monks under the Discipline of one Abbot did get their living by the labour of their hands 2. Certain it is that he was a Monk for by that title he is call'd for the most part by the Bishops in the Councill of Diospolis because he had no Ecclesiasticall degree And S. Augustin saith After many ancient Heresies a New one is lately risen not invented by any Bishops or Preists no nor so much as inferiour Clarks but by a sort of Monks which dispute against the Grace of God Isidor the Pelusiot adds that he was a vain stragling Monk incorrigible one who wandred from Monastery to Monastery smelling out feasts and fawning on Magistrats for their good chear c. observing withall that it was in his old age that he fell into this Heresy whereas before he had liv'd according to S. Augustins testimony in repute for his sanctity and Christian life of no ordinary perfection 3. The speciall Points of his Heresy are thus sett down by Sigebertus In Brittany saith he Pelagius endeavoured to defile the Church of Christ with his execrable doctrines Teaching that man may be saved by his merits without Grace That every one is directed by his own naturall Free will to the attaining of iustice That infants are born without Originall sin being as innocent as Adam was before his Transgression That they are baptised not to the end they should be
c. And the Romans take their last leave of Brittany 1. WHilst Brittany was thus infested with suggestions of Hereticks the Scotts Picts and Norvegians saith Florilegus miserably vex'd it with their incursions In which necessity as Gildas writes the Brittains sent messengers to Rome with humble and earnest Petitions for assistance vowing their eternall subjection to the Roman Empire in case their cruell enemies might be repell'd 2. In complyance with which request saith the same Authour a Legion was sent into the Island sufficiently furnish'd with arms which had not been partaker of the former defeat given to the Romans This army coming to a conflict with those barbarous Nations slew great multitudes of them and drove all the rest out of the borders so freeing the poore Brittains from horrible vexations and imminent slavery 3. Who the Roman Generall was under whose conduct this Victory was obtained is not mention'd in story Probable it is that it was Chrysanthus the Son of Marcianus who afterward was chosen Bishop of Constantinople For concerning him Socrates thus writes In the raign of the Great Theodosius this Chrysanthus was by him design'd Prefect of Italy Afterward he was constituted the Emperours Vice-gerent in Brittany in the administration whereof he attained great commendation 4. Who ever was the Generall he together with his Legion was presently sent for back But before their departure saith Gildas they gave order to the Brittains once more to raise a wall between the two Seas Glotta and Bodotria to restrain the Enemies and be a defence to the Brittains But this wall being made by a rude multitude destitute of a Governour and framed for the most part of turfes availed little or nothing at all The bounds of this wall S. Beda thus describes It began toward the West about two miles distance from a Monastery call'd Aebercurnig in a place nam'd in the Picts language Penvahel but in English Penveltun and going Eastward it ended neer the Citty Acluith Now from the Name in the Pictish tongue Penvahel a Brittish word M. Camden iudiciously infers that the Picts were a Brittish Northern Nation for in Welsh at this day Pengual signifies the Head of a Rampire caput valli 5. So useles was this ill-built wall that it was scarce finished but the Scotts and Picts again broke in for according to Gildas his relation Assoon as the Legion with great triumph and joy was gone homeward those former Enemies like ravennous wolves Ambrones lupi enraged with excessive hunger on all sides encompassing the sheepfold in the absence of the shepheard so they with â—ares and full-blown sayles invaded the Island broke into the borders and layd wast all things in their way mowing down and treading underfoot the Brittains like ripe corn 6. Hereupon the afflicted Brittains again sent Messengers after a most deplorable manner with rent garments and their heads covered with dust to implore aide from the Romans endeavouring like fearfull chickens to shrow'd themselves under their Mothers wings They earnestly begg'd them to prevent the utter miserable ruin of their countrey and that the Roman name might not be rendred contemptible to forraign Nations 7. This wofull Petition was address'd to the famous Roman Generall Aetius Prefect of Gaule under whom Brittany was also subiect He therefore mov'd to pitty with so tragicall a relation sent forces under the conduct of Gallio a Cittizen of Ravenna who once more vanquish'd the Enemies But having done this he declar'd to them the Emperours pleasure That for the future Brittany must rely on its own strength and not expect any assistance at all from Rome which at so great a distance and amid'st so many distractions could not attend to so remote a Province He advis'd them therfore to exercise themselves in military affairs to build fortifications in places convenient especially towards the Sea to strengthen their Citties with walls c. And having thus counselled and encouraged the Brittains the Romans took their last leave of them never returning more Yet before they went they once more joyn'd with the Brittains to repair the Wall which they made far more strong then formerly contributing thereto both publick and private charges THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY UNDER BRITTISH KINGS II. PART THE NINTH BOOK I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. Kingdoms of the Picts and Scotts established in Brittany 1. THE Romans having taken their farewell of this Island it is from that Epocha that we may reckon the institution of two Kingdoms here the Picts and the Scotts For though heretofore there hath been mention made of severall Princes and Kings of each Nation yet they seem to have been Kings rather by election and in the nature of Generall 's for present expeditions then as enjoying an establish'd Principality 2. For as much as concerns the Picts though they always had their habitation in the Northern parts of Brittany yet they were oft forced to change and contract their Seats But now enjoying peace and security by the Romans absence they became establish'd in their ancient Territory Which Territory they in a few years enlarged making an irruption through the Wall of separation and possessing themselves of the Province more Southerly 3. And as for the Scotts they being hitherto as auxiliaries of the Picts mingled among them in all their invasions and oâ—t compell'd by the Romans to return to their habitation in Ireland and other Northern Regions Yet now they fix'd their habitation in the Northern coasts of Brittany under Fergusius their King 4. Of these two Nations and Kingdoms the principall in this age was that oâ— the Picts And if we enquire into their peculiar Seats the Picts seem to have possess'd the Provinces about Edinborough confining to the Wall which therefore was anciently call'd the Picts-wall And the Scots inhabited the Northern and Western Provinces lying nearest to Ireland from whence they came But in the following age they turn'd their arms against the Picts whose numbers and power they by degrees diminished and at last utterly destroy'd their kingdom and name and gave to the whole countrey the new appellation of Scotland II. CHAP. 1. Death of Honorius to whom succeeds Valentinian the third 2 c. A three fold Mission by Pope Celestin into Brittany and Ireland 6 7 S. Patricks Divine vocation 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred twenty three the Emperour Honorius dyed in whose place succeeded Valentinian the third of that name Son of Constantius who had been created Caesar and immediatly before his death Augustus In the Eastern Empire there raign'd the younger Theodosius 2. The same year dyed also Pope Bonifacius and after him was chosen Pope Celestinus to whom our Islands of Brittany and Ireland have an eternall obligation for by him they were either preserved from errour or converted to the Christian Faith By him S. Palladins was sent to the Scotts who freed them from their barbarous Idolatry By him S. Patrick
And to the end that nothing might be wanting to render him consummate in learning after severall years frequenting the Gallican Schooles where he was taught the liberall Sciences he went to Rome and there he enrich'd his mind with a perfect knowledge of the Imperiall Laws At his return he was made Governour of the Citty and Territory of Auxerre the place of his Nativity 5. But not to dilate upon the occurrents of his Life during his secular state we will from the Relation of Constantius a pious and learned Preist of the same age who wrote his life declare by how strange a Providence he was assum'd into the Ecclesiasticall Profession and promoted to the sublime degree of a Bishop 6 Whil'st he was Governour of Auxerre the Bishop of that Citty was a holy man call'd Amator This good Bishop being in the Church and whil'st he was preparing himself to perform his Office perceiving among others Germanus Prefect of the Citty entring with a body and mind compos'd to modesty and piety he commanded immediatly that the dores should be safe lock'd And then being accompanied with many persons of the Clergy and Nobility he laid hold on Germanus and devoutly calling on the name of our Lord he cut off his haire and devesting him of his secular ornaments he very respectfully cloathed him with a Religious habit Which having done he said thus to him Now most dear Brother it is our duty to be diligent in preserving this honour committed to thee without stain For assoon as I am dead Almighty God committs to thee the Pastorall charge of this Citty 7. Amator shortly after died in whose place Germanus succeeded about the year of Grace four hundred and eighteen as Bishop Vsher reckons And being Bishop the austerity of his life is thus describ'd by the same Authour From the first day in which he undertook the Episcopall Office to the end of his life he never used Wine vinegar oyle nor so much as salt to give a savoury tast to his meat At his Refections he first took ashes into his mouth and after that barley bread and this so slender and ungratfull diet he never us'd till toward sun-set Some-times he would passe half a week yea seaven whole days without any satisfaction given to his craving stomack His bed was hard boards coverd over with ashes and to prevent any profoun'd sleep he would admit no pillow under his head Why doe I speak of sleep When as he spent whole nights in continuall sighing and incessantly waterd his hard couch with his tears He was a zealous observer of hospitality and whensoever any poor or strangers came to him he would prepare for them a plentifull feast whilst himself fasted Yea with his own hands he would wash their feet kissing them and sometimes bedewing them with showrs of teares Withall to the end he might cleanse himself from the stains which by familiar conversation with men could not be avoyded he built a Monastery into which he oft retir'd himself feeding and refreshing his mind there with the wonderfull sweetnes of celestiall contemplation Thus qualified was S. Germanus before he exercis'd his Apostolicall Office in Brittany impos'd on him by Pope Celestinus 8. Next as touching his companion S. Lupus he was born at Toul a Citty of the Leuci of a Noble family his Fathers name was Epirochius After whose death he was sent to schoole and there imbued in the study of Rhetorick He was maried to Pimeniola Sister to S. Hilarius Bishop of Arles a Lady from her youth inflam'd with a love of Chastity And hence it came to passe that after seaven years spent in mariage by divine inspiration both of them mutually exhorted one another to a state of Conversion And Lupus himself by a strong impulse from heaven was moved to visit the Blessed S. Honoratus first Abbot of the famous Monastery of Lerins To whom being come he humbly submitted himself to his Discipline with meek shoulders undergoing the yoak of our Lords service and mortifying himself with continuall watchings and fastings After he had spent a year there in a great fervour of faith he return'd to the Citty of Mascon with an intention to sell his possessions there and distribute the money to the poor When Loe on a sudden he was unexpectedly snatch'd away and compell'd to undertake the administration of the Bishoprick of Troyes His admirable sanctity is celebrated by the writers of those times and particularly Sidonius Apollinaris in an Epistle written to him after he had been forty five years Bishop stiles him Father of Fathers Bishop of Bishops and a second Iacob of his age 9. Such were the Apostolick Reformers of the ancient Brittish Churches their humility and austerity of Life had a proper and specificall vertue to oppose the Pride and sensuality of Pelagian Hereticks Such Missioners as these were indeed worthy Delegats of the Apostolick See whose particular Gests before they came to Sea we leave to French Ecclesiasticall Annalists as how S. Germanus consecrated with a Religious Veyle the holy Virgin S. Genoveufe how he bestowd on her as a memoriall a certain coyn casually found imprinted with the sign of the Crosse. But the accidents befalling them at Sea must not be omitted which are thus related by the forenam'd Constantius 10. These two holy men saith he under the conduct and direction of our Lord took shipping and were by him safely protected and tryed in and by many dangers At first the Ship was caried with favourable winds from the Gallick shore till they came into the midst of the Sea where no land could be discover'd But presently after this the fury of a whole Legion of Devills envying their voyage design'd for the salvation of a world of soules assail'd them These oppose dangers raise stormes darken the heavens and make darknes more horrible by adding therto fearfull swellings of the sea and ragings of the aire The sailes are no longer able to sustain the fury of winds nor the boat to resist mountains of waves dashing against it So that the ship was 〈◊〉 forward rather by the prayers then skill or force of the mariners And it so fell out that the prime Pilot the Holy Bishop Germanus was then securely compos'd in sleep That advantage the tempest took to encrease in horrour since he who only could resist it was in a sort absent So that the ship overset with waves was ready to sink Then at last S. Lupus and all the rest in great trouble and feare awak'd the old man who only was able to withstand the fury of the elements He not at all astonish'd at the danger addresses his prayers to our Lord and his threats to those of the Ocean and to the raging storms he opposes the cause of Religion which invited them to that voyage And presently after taking a small quantity of oyle which he blessed in the Name of the holy Trinity and Sprinkling it on the raging waves immediatly
Abulci at Anderida no doubt placed in this Citty near the Sea to defend the Coasts from the Saxon Pirats But when the Romans who maintain'd these garrisons had quitted the Island the shores were left unguarded and so expos'd to the invasions of the Germans There now only remains a great forest call'd by the Saxons Andraedswald and by the Brittains Coid Andred which continues the name of Anderida anciently seated near it saith Camden 5. About this time King Ambrosius is said to have come to the Mount of Ambri near Caer-carec Now called Salisbury where Hengist had treacherously slaughtered so many Princes for whom he intended to raise a famous Monument There also he is sayd to have constituted two Metropolitans Saint Sampson at Yorck and Saint Dubricius at Caer-leon XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 A Victory of the Brittains at the Hill Badonicus Where that hill was seated 4.5.6 Prince Arthur was in this Battell he confides in the protection of our B. Lady 1. THE second year after the erection of this New Kingdom of the South-Saxons was illustrious for a great Victory obtain'd by the Brittains against the Saxons at the Hill call'd Badonicus Concerning which Saint Beda thus writes The Brittains conducted by their famous King Ambrosius take courage and provoking the Victorious Saxons to combat by the Divine favour obtaind a Victory over them After which sometimes the Brittains sometimes the Saxons gott the upper hand till the year forty four after their arrivall in Brittany in which the Saxons were beseig'd on the Mountain call'd Badonicus and a great slaughter made of them This passage Saint Beda transcribes out of our Brittish Historian Gildas who in the end of it addes these words This was the year of my Nativity 2. This Mountain is by Polydor Virgil interpreted to be Blackmore through which the River Tese Athesis runs between Yorkshire and the Bishoprick of Durham Where the Saxons were assembled expecting great supplies out of Germany But being encompass'd by the Brittains by whom also the Sea-coasts were strongly guarded the Saxons press'd with want of provisions were forced to come to a battell in which they were with great slaughter putt to flight 3. Henry of Huntingdon acknowledges ingenuously that he was utterly ignorant where this Mountain Badonicus was seated But Camden with very great probability makes the territory of the ancient Citty of Bath in Somersetshire the Scene of this battell and victory which Citty saith he is by Ptolomy call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hott Waters by Antoninus Aquae Solis Waters of the Sun by the Brittains Caër-Badon by Stephanus Badiza in Latin Bathonia and at this day by us Bathe This Citty about the forty fourth year after the coming of the Saxons was by them beseig'd But the Warlick Prince Arthur coming upon them they were forced to retire to the Mountain Badonicus where after a long and desperate fight they were overcom and great numbers of them slain This seems to be that Mountain which is now called Bannesâ—own at the foot whereof is seated a little village called Bathestone where to this day are seen rampires and trenches the Marks of a Camp 4. We are not yet so to ascribe this victory to Arthur as to exclude Ambrosius from his share to whoÌ„ S. Beda principally ascribes it Kinz Ambrosius was the Conductour in cheif of the Brittish Army under whom Arthur his Nephew being Son to his Brother Vther-pendragon was a Captain principall Officer For thus writes Malmsburâ—ensis of the present Brittish affaires King Vortimer being fatally taken away the strength of the Brittains withred away and their hopes were diminis'hd And they had assuredly falln to ruine had not Ambrosius succeeded who alone remaind of the Roman stock and after Vortigern was Monark of the Kingdom He by the assistance of the warlick Prince Arthur repress'd the haughty Saxons swelling with pride of their conquests 5. This is that Arthur saith the same Authour concerning whom the Brittains to this day report and write so many trifling fables A Prince surely worthy to be magnified by true History and not to be made the subject of idle dreamers since he alone by his admirable courage sustain'd his declining countrey and incited the minds of the Brittains broken with many calamities to resume new courage 6. One particular concerning this Prince is related by the same Historian and most pertinent to the design of our History In the seige of the Mountain Badonicus Prince Arthur considing in the protection of our Blessed Lady whose Image he carâ—ed sow'd in his arms putt to flight and slew no fewer then nine hundred Saxons And that it was his custom afterwards to make use of these Spirituall arms is confirmed by other ancient Writers For Henry of Huntingdon testifies that in a combat neer the Castle Guinnion the same Prince carâ—ed the image of the Blessed Mary Virgin-mother of our Lord on his shoulders and that whole day by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and his holy Mother Mary the Saxons were putt to flight and great numbers of them perâ—sâ—nd Flortiegus likewise says that Prince Arthurs sheild in which was painted the Image of our Lady whom he often call'd to mind was named Fridwen Lastly the same Writer addes that in a certain battell Arthur drawing forth his sword Caliburn â—â—voked the name of the Blessed Virgin and with great violence peircing into the midst of the Enemies troops at one blow slew whomsoever he touch'd with it Neither did he give over till he had slain eight hundred and forty of his enemies with his sword alone XVIII CHAP. 1. The Apparition of S Michael on Mount Garganus 2 3 c. Of S Richard the first converted Saxon His voyage into Italy where he is made Bishop of Andria His Gests He was present at the Consecration of the Church built to S Michael 1. ABout this time there was a wonderfull Apparition of the glorious Archangel S. Michael on the Mountain Garganus in Calabria the Memory whereof is celebrated anniversarily by the Catholick Church on the eighth of May. The commemoration whereof challenges a place in this History because a Holy Bishâ—p born in Brittany was present at the consecration of a Church built by occasion of the said Apparition The name of this Saint was Richard Bishop of Andria a Citty of the same Region 2. His name shows him not to have been a Brittain though born in this Island For he was descended of Saxon parents having been the first of that Nation recorded in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments to have been gained to Christ not long after their entrance into Brittany before an open hostility broke forth between the Nations 3. Concerning him we read thus in the Ecclesiasticall Office of his Solemnity in the Church of Andria Richard by Nation an Englishman was born in that Island of illustrious parents in the year of Grace four hundred fifty five at
especially building and fortifying of Citties In two of which he left the memory and footsteps of his own name Chichester and Cisbury in the Province of Sussex Concerning which Camden thus writes Chichester is a large Citty compass'd with walls by Cissa the second Saxon Prince of that Province who succeeded his Father Ella From this Cissa it takes its name So likewise did another town call'd Cisbury Now this Cissa together with his Father Ella and Brother Cimen landed in a port of that Province call'd therefore Cimenshore V. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Kentigern his Birth c. 1. THE same year in which Cerdic obtained an illustrious Victory against the Brittains was yet more signalized with the Birth of the famous Brittish Bishop Saint Kentigern Whose Nativity admirable for the strangenes of it since it is celebrated by many ancient Writers must not here be omitted This year is assigned thereto by Bishop Vsher in his Chronologicall Index where his Mother is sayd to have been Thenis the daughter of Loth King of Pict-land and of Anna the daughter of Vther Pendragon Whence it follows that he was Nephew to King Arthur by his Sister It is not known who was his Father yet some suppose Eugenius the third of that name King of the Scotts 2. Iohn of Tinmouth an Ancient Historian cited by Capgrave thus relates his originall A certain King in the Northern parts of Brittany who was a Pagan begot of his wife a very beautifull daughter She having frequently been a hearer of Sermons preached by the servants of God obtain'd the Grace to beleive his Truth and renounce the worshipping of Idols And though she had not yet been purified with the Sacrament of Baptism yet she was diligent in observing Gods commandements with an humble and devout mind being much addicted to prayer and Almsgiving and other Duties of Ecclesiasticall Discipline as much as the fear of incensing her Father would permit She bore so great devotion to the fruitfull Virginity and integrity of the Blessed Virgin Mary that mov'd with a womanish presumption she begg'd of our Lord that she might in some measure imitate her in her Conception and birth At length as she thought she obtain'd her desire for she found her self with child Now it is not to be conceiv'd that this hapned without the embrace of a man notwithstanding who that man was or in what manner and when this was done she oft protested and with oaths confirmed it that she was utterly ignorant 3. Her Father perceiving this and not being able either by fair speeches or threatnings to wrest from her who was the Father of the Child for she seriously protested that she had never suffred the unlawfull embraces of any man hereupon in a great rage he determined to execute upon her the law establish'd by his ancestours by which it was enacted that whatsoever young maid should be with child by fornication in her fathers house should be thrown down headlong from the top of a high mountain and the person corrupting her should loose his head 4. In conformity therefore to this Law the young woman was placed on the highest point of a Mountain in that countrey called Dunpelder from thence to be thrown down and torn in peices She therefore with deep sighs looking up to heaven implored the mercy and help of her Redeemer holding up her hands and shedding many tears After this she was cast down but by the fall was neither bruised nor received the least harm but sliding down easily and slowly came safe to the bottom 5. The Pagans who were present ascribed this deliverance 〈…〉 magicall enchantments of Christians and therefore with the Kings consent they caried her severall miles into the Sea and there left her destitute of all human help in a small Boat made of leather and without any oares But he who commands the winds and the Sea was her Protectour for by his power the Boat was caried streight to a far distant haven with greater swiftnes then either rowers or sayles could have driven her Being arrived there the young Lady went out of the Boat and presently after in a place called Collenros her throws of child-birth coming upon her she without the assistance of a Midwife was safely delivered of a Son Now the place here called Colenros is probably the same which Saint Beda calls Coludi and Ptolomy Colania in the Province of Laudon So that Pits from I know not what Authour erroneously makes the place of S. Kentigern's birth to have been S. Asaph's in Flintshire formerly called Elqua The ground of which Errour seems to have been because afterward he was Bishop and built a Monastery there from whence he is by the Centuriators of Magdeburg called Elicius 6. But whatsoever his Sirname was his proper name was given him by S. Servanus For thus it follows in Tinmouths narration The next morning Saint Servanus came to the place and seing the desolate Mother with her infant he said in his countreys language Mochohe Mochohe that is my beloved child my beloved child Blessed art thou who art come in the name of our Lord. He took them therefore into his care nourish'd and baptised them calling the Mother Thanen and the child Kientâ—ern that is Cheif Lord. The child being of a towardly disposition proffited much in learning and vertue and was beloved by S. Servanus beyond all his companions insomuch as usually he call'd him Munghu which signifies one dearly beloved By which name to this day saith Bishop Vsher the Scots call S. Kentigern Thus far the Nativity and Name of this Holy man After five and twenty years when he was consecrated Bishop of Glasco more will be sayd of him VI. CHAP. 1. King Arthur crowned 2.3 Of the Isle of Berdesey 4.5 c. Twelve Victories gained by K. Arthur 1. THE continuall troubles caused by the Saxons through all the quarters of Brittany would not alow King Arthur to solemnise his Coronation till eight years after his Fathers death Which Ceremony was magnificently perform'd in the year of Grace five hundred and sixteen in a generall Assembly of the Bishops and Nobles at the Citty Caâ—r-leon And S. Dubricius Bishop of that Citty set the Crown on his head 2. After this the said Holy Bishop being very aged retired into a certain Island in Northwales call'd by Ptolomy Edri by Pliny Adros by the Brittains Enhly and by the English Berdsey Which Island saith Camden was inhabited by so many Saints that besides Dubricius and Merlin the Caledonian no fewer then twenty thousand holy men were buried there as ancient Records inform us 3. Concerning this Island we read in the Life of Aelgar saith Bishop Vsher that it was call'd by the Brittains the Rome of Brittany for the distance of it the difficulty of the passage likewise the Sanctity and security of it the Sanctity since twenty thousand bodies of Saints are there venerated as Martyrs And the
security it being on all sides compass'd with the Sea Whence appears the esteem that the Brittains had then of Rome which argues that between them there was an agreement in Religion 4. The Exploits of King Arthur after his Coronation are thus recorded by Florilegus At that time saith he the Saxons invited more of their Countreymen out of Germany And under the Conduct of Colgrin they subdued all that part reaches of Brittany which from Humber â—â— Marâ— Cantanensium to the Sea of Cathanes Whereof as soon as King Arthur was inform'd he march'd with an Army toward York which was then held by the Saxons Colgrin assoon as he heard of King Arthurs approach met him with a great multitude near the River Duglus in Lancashire and coming to a battell Colgrin was put to flight and was pursued by King Arthur to York Now Baldulph the Brother of Colgrin at the same time lay with some forces toward the Sea expecting the coming of the Saxons He intended to make an irruption by night upon King Arthurs Army But the King being admonish'd hereof by Spies sent Cador Duke of Cornwall with six hundred horse and three thousand foot to intercept the Saxons Who setting on them unexpectedly kill'd great numbers of them and compell'd the rest to fly 5. Whilst King Arthur diligently pursued the siege of York there arrived the next year in the Northern parts a famous German Captain call'd Cheldric with seaven hundred boats who landed in Albania The Brittains therefore were afraid to encounter such great multitudes Whereupon King Arthur was compelled to leave the Siege of York and retired with his army to London Where taking counsell of his freinds he sent messengers into Lesser brittany to King Hoel to inform him of the calamity of this Island Now Hoel was Nephew of King Arthur by his sister Therefore hearing of his Vncles danger he commanded a great Army to be gathered and with fifteen thousand men having a prosperous wind he landed safely in the haven of Hamon where with great honour and ioy he was receiv'd by King Arthur 6. With these new forces encourag'd he gaind the next year two famous victories against the Saxons The former saith Huntingdon near the River call'd Bassas The latter in the wood of Chelidon Both these battells were fought in Lincolnshire near to the cheiâ— Citty whereof Ninius places the wood call'd Cathcoit Calidon And Mathew of Westminster writing of this second victory saith that the Brittains made near Lincoln a great slaughter of the Saxons of whom no fewer then six thousand were slain And the remainders flying to the forrest of Caledon were pursued by King Arthur who commanded the trees to be hewd down and layd athwart to hinder their escape By which means the Saxons being enclosed and reduced to extreme famine begg'd leave to depart the Kingdom leaving all their spoyles behind them By this Exploit of King Arthur the Saxons were expell'd out of the middle Provinces of Brittany Whereas in the Western parts they grew more powerfull insomuch as the year following Cerdicius fram'd there an establish'd Kingdom 7. Those Historians who relate the Heroicall Gests of King Arthur to equall him with Hercules mention principally twelve great Battells fought and as many victories gaind by him upon the Saxons Of which these two last are accounted the sixth and seaventh It suffices as to my present design though I be not curiously exact in adhering to that computation and assigning the proper time and manner of each in order 8. Another Victory call'd by Huntingdon the eighth though the year be not mention'd was gaind against those barbarous Enemies neer the Castle call'd Guinnion In that battell King Arthur caried upon his shoulders the Image of the Blessed Virgin-Mother of God and all that day by the vertue and power of our Lord Iesus Christ and S. Mary his Mother the Saxons were compell'd to fly and perish'd with a great slaughter The succeeding exploits of this famous King shall breifly follow in their due place VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Saints in Wales of S Daniel Bishop of Bangor 1. WHilst most of the Provinces of that part of Brittany afterward call'd England were thus miserably disquietted the Western parts since call'd Wales enjoyd great repose and were illustrated by far more glorious Exploits of great numbers of Saints who flourish'd there Such were S. Dubricius S. Sampson S. David S. Thelian S. Kined S. Paternus S. Daniel S. Iustinian c. Some of these have been already mention'd and more of their Gests will follow 2. As touching S. Daniel he is reported by Bishop Vsher from Bale to have instituted a Colledge or Monastery of the Apostolick order for the sacred Exercices of learned and pious men The place where this Colledge was founded was in Arvonia the countrey of the Venedati not far from the streit where men passe into the Isle of Anglesey out of Wales which Colledge he call'd the Port or Haven And the time of this new Erection was the year of our Lord five hundred and Sixteen In the same place not long after Malgo Conan built a Citty which for the beauty of its situation he called Bancor or Bangor where likewise was the seat of a Bishop in which this S. Daniel was the first who sate So that it is a mistake in B. Godwin affirming that before the times of the Normans there had been no Bishop there 3. This Citty of Bangor was a place distinct from the famous Monastery of that name though Malmsburiensis confounds them together True it is that in both places there was a Monastery But this was seated in the Province call'd Arvonia now Caernarvon upon the River Menai dividing it from Anglesey Wheras the other was in Flintshire Again this Monastery was first erected by S. Daniel wheras the other was extant even in the infancy of Christianity under King Lucius as hath been shewn In both of them there lived Monks called by Bale Apostolici ordinis viri men of the Order Apostolicall because in imitation of the Apostles they practis'd self-abnegation and a renouncing of temporall possessions 4. This Holy man Daniel saith Pits from Leland was joynd with S. Dubricius and David in confuting and condemning the Pelagian Heresy for which purpose he was present at the Synod of Brevi He dyed in the same year of Grace five hundred forty four in which the holy Bishop S. David dyed And he was buried in the Isle of Berdesey calld the Rome of Brittany for the multitude of Saints there liuing and buried in which regard saith B. Vsher it is still in the Welsh language calld Yr ugain mil Saint He is commemorated in our ancient Martyrologe on the tenth of December Who succeeded him in that Bishoprick it does not appeare VIII CHAP. 1. 2. c. Of S. Iustinian his Gests 1. THere were at this time two other Saints which though by birth strangers yet challenge a
in his practise fullfilld the Instructions which he mett with in reading Now it fell out that his Master Paulens with extreme pains falling on his eyes lost the use of them Hereupon calling his Disciples together he desired that one after another they would look upon his eyes and say a prayer or benediction on them When they had done this and that he receiv'd no ease or remedy David said thus to him Father I pray you doe not command mee to look you in the face for ten years are pass'd since I studied the Scripture with you and in all that time I never had the boldnes to look you in the face Paulens admiring his humility said since it is so it will suffise if by touching my eyes thou pronounce a benediction on them Presently therefore assoon as he touched them sight was restored to them XIV CHAP. 1.2 The Westsaxon Kingdom founded 3.4 Priviledges given to Cornwall c. 5.6 A second combat at Monâ— Badonicus 7. c. Fables of King Arthurs conquests 1. THE same year in which the Synod of Brevi was celebrated Cerdic began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that is saith Huntingdom in the seaventy first year after the first coming of the Saxons and in the raign of the Emperour Iustin the Elder of that name With him agrees Ethelwerd Malmsbury and others And Thomas Rudburn in his greater Chronicle addes that he was crowned with Pagan Ceremonies at Winchester in the place which once had been the Church of the true God but which those barbarous heathens had changed into a Temple of Dagon having slain all the Monks who served God there 2. The raising of this New Kingdom sufficiently disproves the Fables of Geffrey of Monmouth who reports great and frequent Victories of King Arthur in these dayes Whereas Huntingdon expresly declares that this year a terrible battell was fought between Cerdic and the Brittains and that on both sides the Captains fought magnanimously till even but then the Saxons gott the victory which would have been more bloody to the Brittains had not the darknes hindred the pursuit After this the fame of Cerdic and his son Kinric was largely spread through the whole land For from that day began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which remains to our times having swallowd all the other Principalities And Ranulpâ—us of Chester relates how after many battells fought betweem King Arthur and Cerdic wherin sometimes one some times the other had the better at last King Arthur grew weary and contenting himself with an oath of fidelity received from Cerdic he gave to him the Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset 3. But Thomas Rudburn taking no notice of any Oath of Fidelity declares that King Arthur growing weary of renewing war against Cerdic entred into league with him by which Cerdic obliged himself to the inhabitants of Cornwal to permitt them paying an annual tribute to enjoy the exercise of Christian Religion And that such a speciall indulgence was allowd to that Province appears by the great numbers of Saints which in these and the following times flourished there whereas scarce any were to be found in other parts of Brittany subject to the Saxons Now the ground of this Priviledge afforded particularly to them of Cornwal no doubt was because great multitudes of Brittains flying from the Saxons into those most distant and more defensible parts as likewise into Wales rendred them more capable to resist new Masters who therefore were forced to give them better conditions 4. Notwithstanding we are not to suppose that the two Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset mentioned by Ranulphus and Cornwall by Rudburn were all the Provinces which made up the new Kingdom of the West-Saxons for besides them Cerdic had subdued the Danmonij in Devonshire the Durotriges in Dorsetshire the Atrebatij in Barkshire and the Belgae in Wiltshire And to these shortly after was added the Isle of Wight which he bestowd on his late arriv'd kinsmen Stuffa and Whitgar who saith Camden utterly destroy'd the Brittish inhabitants there at Whitgarn-burg from Whitgar so call'd but now more contractedly Caresburg 5. Whilst Cerdic was busy establishing his new Kingdom fresh enemies to the Brittains arriv'd For as Mathew of Westminster relates in the year five hundred and twenty the Saxon Captains Colgrin Baldulf and Cheldric lately subdued by King Arthur at York and forced to abiure the Island repented themselves of the Covenants made and returning took land at Totenes from whence passing through Cerdic's dominion they came to the Citty of Bath which they besieged The fame whereof coming to King Arthur he caused the hostages left by them to be hanged And gathering a might army came to raise the siege Where the armies being ioyned he calling on the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose Image he wâ—re over his armour he slew great numbers of them and among the rest Colgrin and his Brother Baldulph Which Cheldric seing fled and by the Kings command was purâ—â—ed by Cador Duke of Cornwal who rested not â—ill he overtook them in the Isle of Thane where â—e slew Cheldric and â—orced the rest to yeild 6. Though some particulars in this Nâ—râ—ation may deserve to be excepted against is the place which is sayd to have been the Citty oâ— Bath neer which is the Mountain called Badonicus where Arthur before he was King is sayd to have defeated the Saxons long before the time mentioned by this Historian Besides Bath being a part of Cerdics new Kingdom how come the new arrived Saxons to besiege it Notwithstanding it may probably be answered that there might have been and comparing our Writers it is likely there were two battles fought by Arthur at this Mount Badonicus And again the Citty of Bath being seated in the utmost extremity Westward of Cerdic's Pricipality it might perhaps at this time have been in the possession of the Brittains 7. As touching King Arthurs invoking our blessed Lady's assistance in the fight it was a devotion generally practis'd by the Church in this age For two year before this there having been assembled two Councils in the East one at Ierusalem and another at Constantinople the Synod of Ierusalem thus wrote to the Bishops of the other Council O most holy Bishops we beseech you to pray with us to our Lord for these same things for the necessities of all Gods Preists ought to be common Make your supplications likewise together with us to the most holy and glorious Virgin Mary Mother of God that she would intercede for the peace of the holy Churches and for the victory and long life of our most pious and most Excellent Emperour The like practise we find elsewhere of which many Examples may be given 8. The year following King Arthur was called into the Northern parts to assist Prince Howel who three years before was come out of Lesser Brittany to his aid and was now besieged by the 〈◊〉 and Scots in the Citty
his parents recommended to S. Sampson of Menevia One speciall Miracle is recorded to have been wrought by him which was that by his prayers a fountain sprung forth in a dry soile very effectuall for curing severall diseases and specially the Scurvey Psora which therefore is vulgarly call'd the Disease of S. Mein This is related in the Gallican Martyrologe on the fifteenth of Iune He is suppos'd to have dyed in the year of Grace five hundred and ninety And he is commemorated likewise in our English Martyrologe on the same day by the name of S. Main 9. After that S. Sampson had spent some years in his Monastery of Dole the Bishop of that Citty dying he was elected in his place And having in his custody the Pall which he had worn formerly being Arch-bishop of Menevia the same he made use of in his Episcopall functions also at Dole From whence his Successours Bishops of Dole taking advantage assum'd likewise to themselvas the honour of wearing a Pall and consequently of challenging an Archiepiscopall Iurisdiction and an exemption from the power of their former Metropolitan the Archi-bishop of Tours This they continued many ages till the dayes of Pope Innocent the third notwithstanding many oppositions and protestations of the said Arch-bishops And all that time the See of Menevia or S. Davids though acknowledged the prime Church and Metropolis of Cambria yet abstain'd from the Pall. For which cause Pope Eugenius the third under our King Henry the first subjected it to the See of Canterbury in the year of our Lord eleaven hundred forty eight 10. Thirty three years S. Sampson with admirable sanctity administred that Bishoprick and in the year five hundred ninety nine receiv'd his eternall Reward His body by reason of the frequent incursions of the Danes and Normans was removed from Dole to Orleans Where it was receiv'd with such reverence that a Church was built on purpose to keep it which to this day is dedicated to his honour although destitute of that sacred pledge which among many other Bodies of Saints was impiously burnt by those professed Enemies of Sacred things the Huguenots in the last age who seised on that Citty Thus we read in the Gallican Martyrologe on the twenty eighth of Iuly Some part of his Relicks was with great veneration repos'd in the Abbey of Middleton in Dorsetshire which was built by King Ethelstan in expiation of being at least accessory to the murder of his brother Edwin in the year of Grace nine hundred thirty four 11 His Successour in the See of Dole was his kinsman and companion of his voyage S. Maglore concerning whom we shall treat in due place XXIX CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Malo or Mahutus 1. ANother Kinsman of S. Sampson call'd S. Maclovius or S. Malo otherwise S. Mahutus was famous at this time He during the tempest rais'd in Brittany by the treason of Mordred against his Vnckle King Arthur and the bloody war following left the kingdom and pass'd likewise into Lesser Brittany the common refuge of devout men in those times 2. He was born in Brittany His Fathers name was Went He is call'd Hano in the Gallican Martyrologe a Count and founder of the Citty by Historians call'd Guincensis His Mother was call'd Derwella or Darwalla and she being threescore years old was deliver'd of him on the Vigile of Easter in the valley of Llan-carvan in Glamorgan-shire 3. In the same place at that time lived a Holy man call'd S. Brendan Abbot of the Monastery of Llan-carvan by whom this Infant so wonderfully born was baptis'd and afterwards educated in all vertue and piety From his childhood he is reported to have shin'd gloriously by innumerable Miracles saith Harpsfeild which indeed accompanied him all his life-time many of which are recorded by Vincentius and S. Antoninus but resolutly declar'd to be impostures by the Centuriators of Magdeburg without any proof 4. Our learned Camden affirms that the constant Tradition was that he was afterward made Bishop of a Citty in the Province of the Iceni now Huntingdon shire call'd by Antoninus Durosipons because seated neer the River Ouse but afterward the name was changed into Gormonchester from Gormon or Guthrum the Dane to whom upon his becoming Christian King Aelfred gave those Provinces Notwithstanding it is rather probable that the said Tradition was grounded on some mistake 5. In succession of time upon occasion of the troubles afore said S. Malo or Mahutus went beyond sea into Lesser Brittany where he liv'd in great sanctity But when the fame thereof was spread abroad as we read in the Gallican Martyrologe he out of a contempt of his own glory retir'd himself privily into a certain bordring Island where in his Eremiticall manner of living he express'd an Angelicall purity But the brightnes of the divine splendour discovered this light which endeavour'd to conceale it self For when the Inhabitants of the neighbouring Island heard say that a certain stranger excelling in the gift of preaching and power of Divine Miracles did hide himself there from the conversation of men this they were told by some who had receiv'd help from him they in a common assembly came and drawing him by force out of his solitude chose him for their Pastour and inviting the neighbouring Bishops they placed him in the Pontificall chair of the Citty of Aleth and partly by entreaties partly by mere force they compell'd him to be their Bishop and Ecclesiasticall Governour 6. S. Machutus being thus exalted to this dignity shed forth abundantly the beames of that Divine Grace with which he was replenish'd illustrating mens soules with the true knowledge of God inflaming them with his Love and affording both admonitions and examples of all vertues to which likewise he added a great efficacy by wonderfull operations and miracles Insomuch as since the Apostles time wee read not of any one who wrought greater wonders in the name of Christ then he For with his word he calmed tempests three dead persons he restor'd to life to the blind he gave sight by the sprinckling of Holy Water he expell'd Devills and quenched the poyson of serpents 7. Neither was it in regard of Miracles onely that this Holy Bishop was like unto those Princes of our Faith but resembled them likewise in his patience which was oftimes put to the tryall For he was assaulted by certain impious persons and suffred many calamities for iustice and Religion insomuch as in the end he was violently thrust out of his Episcopall Throne and Diocese together with seaven other devout persons whom he had chosen for his especiall companions and who imitated him in purity of living yet this so heavy a Crosse he bore after our Lord with a courageous mind as the Apostles heretofore did 8. Attended with these holy men Saint Mahutus fled into Aquitain and in the Citty of Xaintes Santonum he was most kindly entertaind and fatherly assisted by Saint Leontius
Arch-bishop of Bourdeaux and Metropolitan of that Citty who there accommodated him with a convenient habitation for serving God For the Holy Arch-bishop Leontius bore a most tender affection to him admiring and reverencing the Divine Graces which he observ'd in him whom he esteemd as sent from heaven to assist him in his Pastorall charge For which reason in all Visitations of his Diocese and Province he took him for his companion earnestly beseeching him to be his assistant by his wholesom counsells by his Prayers acceptable to God and by the examples of his holy Life 9. Moreover this Man of God although so disgracefully and uniustly exild was not unmindfull of his flock but forgetting all iniuries he dayly invok'd our Lords clemency for the conversion of that stubborn people The Divine Majesty aâ— last condescended to his Prayers and by an Angel acquainted him that his flock was now penitent and earnestly desir'd the return and favour of their Pastor and that it was Gods will that he should repair to them and restore to health that Region which was greivously afflicted with the scourges of Divine severity that he should restore plenty to the barren earth and bestow his benediction on the inhabitants And lastly having done this that he should again return to Xaintes where he was to be devested of his corruptible flesh that his soule might freely ascend to partake eternall felicity All these things the Holy Bishop perform'd according as God had commanded and when he came back from Brittany S. Leontius receiv'd him with greater ioy and express'd more respectfull Offices and kindnes to him then formerly 10. Shortly after this S. Mahutus or S. Maclovius dyed full of dayes and sanctity and was buried by Leontius in Aquitain And though the inhabitants of Aleth were deprived of the sacred Relicks of their prime Prelat whom they had treated so iniuriously yet the Name of Blessed Maclovius remains never to be blotted out which to this day both adorns and defends that Citty with his glorious protection and celestiall benefits Notwithstanding the Episcopall See does not now remain at Aleth but is remov'd to an Island two miles distant from thence anciently call'd Aaron where a Citty new built is in memory of their Holy Prelat and Patron call'd S. Malo Vrbs Macloviensis 11. To this large relation in the Gallican Martyrologe Iohn of Tinmouth adds That S. Mahutus with his seaven Disciples in devotion visited Rome where he redeemd many Infidell Captives and having instructed them in the true Faith baptis'd them Moreover that after forty years government having been iniustly and violently driven from his See at Aleth he cursed and excommunicated the people and then retired to an Island in Aquitain calld Agenis from whence he repair'd to Leontius a Bishop there Which relation contradicts the Gallican Martyrologe according to which S. Maclovius was so far from cursing his flock that he prayed dayly for it However the Centuriators of Magdeburg charitably remember only his cursing and not his prayers and most unskilfully write that he flourish'd under Leontius Bishop of the Saxons mistaking Saxonum for Santonum and that he curs'd the Brittains his own countreymen from whom he never receiv'd any iniury How long he liv'd appears not but his death is in our Martyrologe assign'd to the year of Grace five hundred sixty four XXX CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Brendan 3. Of S. Doc and S. Canic 1. SAint Brendan the spirituall Father and Instructour of S. Maclovius though by birth no Brittain is not be denied a place in this History Concerning whom we read in B. Vsher that he came out of Ireland to visit the Holy man S. Gildas Albanius in Brittany where he built a Monastery and a Church He was also Superiour in the Monastery of Lancarvan where he baptised S. Maclovius After that he returned into Ireland where he was Abbot of a Monastery call'd Birra and in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy one most happily ended his holy Life Of whose glory and Beatitude revealed to S. Columba the Authour of that Saints life call'd Adamannus thus writes where he introduces S. Columba thus discoursing with his Minister Diormitius Columba Goe and quickly provide all things necessary for celebrating the Holy Eucharist for this is the day of the blessed death of S. Brendanus Diormitius Why doe you command that we should prepare so solemnly for Masse to day since no Messenger from Ireland Scotia has yet brought tidings of the death of that Holy man Columba However goe and faile not to doe as I have commanded for this last night I saw heaven on a sudden opened and quires of Angels descending to meet S. Brendans soule by whose incomparable splendour the whole world was that houre enlightned 2. S. Brendan thus call'd to heaven enjoyd on earth also an eternall Monument of his name and Sanctity for in the Isles of Orkney a town and Church were built and were call'd from his Name The reason of which honour and devotion was because his Sacred body was thither translated The day of his death is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May and his Translation on the fourteenth of Iune 3. We will here conclude with the Memory of a Holy Brittish Abbot call'd S. Doc who flourish'd in this Age. Of whom the Irish Annals thus write in the life of Saint Canic from whom the Province of Kilkenny took its appellation importing the Church of Canic When S. Canic was grown to an age capable of knowledge he was desirous of instruction and therefore pass'd over the Sea into Brittany to a Religious wise man naimed Doc and under him he studied diligently and was taught both learning and piety This S. Doc was one of the three Holy Brittains from whom the Irish learnd the form and Rites of celebrating Masse as hath already been shewd the other two were S. David and S. Gildas THE TWELTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. Constentin succeeds King Arthur His Cruelly Pennance and undertaking a Religious life 1. IT seems the Brittains at the beginning had no such conceit of King Arthurs returning for surely they would have expepected awhile and not immediatly have filled his Throne with a succession of strange Princes The Bards had not yet contrived their fantasticall Stories which could find none in these times to hearken to them 2. Therefore after King Arthurs death Constantin according to his designation succeeded him in the Government of Brittany He was the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall and kinsman to King Arthur His sufficiency to discharge that employment for the benefit of his countrey was enough approv'd by his glorious Predecessours choice But Almighty God having fix'd a period to the Brittish Monarchy permitted many factions to arise and many pretendants to the Principality the opposing of whom hindred Constantin from advancing the common proffit and safety of the Kingdom 3. Yea
Successours or as some write all the subjects were called Vffings Some place the beginning of this Kingdom before that of the West-Saxons but no where can we find their names recorded the reason perhaps being because before Vffa's time they were Kings only by courtesy and with dependance on greater Princes as those of Kent c. as indeed in following ages they were again the Beneficiarij sometimes of the Mercian Kings and sometimes of those of Kent 4. Two years after the beginning of Vffa's raign was fought a Battle fatall to the Brittains by which they were expelld out of almost all the fertile plaine regions of the Island and driven to the Mountains of Cambria Geffrey of Montmouth to make his countrey-mens calamity more illustrious tells us that a certain King calld Gormand came with an army of one hundred sixty six thousand African soldiers and ioynd with the Saxons against King Careticus and his Brittains and drove them beyond the Severn into Wales 5. But Ethelwerd Malmsbury c. more soberly inform us that whereas the Brittains had hitherto defended themselves against the West-Saxons by the firm walls of their Citties of Glocester Cirencester and Bathe this year Ceaulin after an overthrow given them in battell expugn'd those three strong Citties and forc'd them to retire to mountains and woods This battell saith Camden was fought at a place calld Deorham after which the Citty of Bath was given up to the Saxons In which battell three Christian Kings of the Brittains were slaine whose names were Commagil Condidan and Faringmagil So that afterward Ceaulin and his Son Cuthwin were so terrible to the Brittains that all places hastned to render themselves to their power Thus we read in Henry of Huntingdom 6. The Brittains notwithstanding after seaven years rest again attempted another combat with the Saxons at a place calld Fedhanlea saith the same Authour where on both sides they fought with horrible fury In somuch as Cuthwin the Son of Ceaulin being oppressâ—d with multitudes was slain and the army of the Angli putt to flight But King Ceaulin having again repair'd his army the soldiers wherof bound themselves by an oath that they would not fly at last in a battell vanquish'd the conquering Brittains and pursuing them took many Provinces and innumerable spoyles B. Vsher saith that this Battell was fought iuxta Moram lapideam at Sâ—â—an-more in West-morland But that place being a part of the territories of Alla King of the Deiri and Northumbrians no probable cause can be assign'd to draw the King of the West-Saxons so far from his own Dominions unlesse perhaps to give assistance to Alla. XV. CHAP. 1.2 The Mercian Principality erected by Crida 3.4 c. Theonus Arch-bishop of London and Thadioc of York with most of the Brittains quitt England and fly into Wales c. carying Relicks c. with them 1. WHereas our Historians say that by the last battles the conquered Brittains lost many Citties and Regions we may iudge that Mathew of Westminster had some reason to affirm that in the year of Grace five hundred eighty five the Kingdom of the Mercians took beginning under their first King Croeda or Crida Notwithstanding it may more properly be said that the foundations of that Kingdom were now layd which took not its iust form till ten years after 2. This Crida reckond himself the tenth in descent from Woden the Idol Deity of the Saxons And wheras the other Saxon Princes possess'd themselves of the extreme parts of the Island towards the Cambrians Picts and the Ocean Crida peirc'd into the bowells of Brittany by little and little possessing himself of all the Provinces which were towards the North confined with the Rivers Humber and Mersey on the South with Thames on the East with the Severn and Deva and on the East with the German Ocean 3. The Brittains themselves by a voluntary cession made Crida's way very easy to his new erected throne in which he as yet sate contented with the inferiour Title of Governour or Duke For the Saxons being now dispersed through all the parts and Provinces of Brittany and every day gaining more strength became intolerably burdensom to the poor Brittains and being Infidels publish'd Lawes extremely preiudiciall to Christian Religion profess'd by them Whereupon by agreement between the Clergy and other Brittish Inhabitants hitherto mixt with the Saxons they resolved to quitt the Countrey and to retire some of them flying to the mountains of Cambria others into Cornwall and great numbers beyond Sea into Lesser Brittany and other Christian Regions 4. Then it was saith Mathew of Westminster to wit in the year of our Lord five hundred eighty six that the Arch-prelats Theonus Bishop of London and Thadioc of York seing all the Churches which had been subiect to them now destroyd to the ground they attended with many Ecclesiasticks who had escap'd danger from the Saxons fled into Cambria and caried with them the sacred Relicks of Saints out of fear least by an irruption of the Barbarous Saxons the Sacred Bones of so many and so great Saints should otherwise be blotted out of the memory of men Many likewise passing over into Armorick Brittany left the two Provinces of Loegria and Northumbria utterly depriv'd of Christian Congregations The Bodies also of some Saints after they had reverently hid them in Monuments they cast great heaps of earth over them least they should be obnoxious to the contumelious scorn of the Infidels For the Kings of the Angli and Saxons as they were very powerfull in arms so they were most violent Pagans who thirsted after nothing more then defacing of the name of Christ and subverting his Religious Worship Insomuch as when they had subdued the countrey if any Church remaind untouch'd they took occasion thereby to bring greater confusion and contempt on the Name of Christ by turning it into a Temple of their profane Idoll-Gods and with their impious Sacrifices polluting the Holy Altars of the true God 5. Concerning this Theonus Arch-bishop of London he was formerly Bishop of Glocester and from thence translated to London in the year five hundred fifty three saith B. Godwin And the year of Grace five hundred eighty Six taking his whole Clergy with him he is sayd to have fled to his own countrey men in Wales together with Thadioc Arch-bishop of York And those who afterward in the time of the Saxons sate at London were simple Bishops the Metropoliticall dignity being transferd to Dorobernia or Canterbury as shall be declared Neither after the departure of Thadioc doe we read of any other Arch-bishop of York till by the conversion of Edwin son of Alla King of the Northumbrians S. Paulinus was there consecrated Arch-bishop 6. By this Secession and flight of the Brittish Clergy and other inhabitants there remaind the miserable relicks of the Brittaâ—ns saith Mathew of Westminster onely in three Provinces to wit in
ascribe this munificent work to King Ethelbert whose Tributary King Sebert his Nephew was Yea Polydor Virgil addes that the Citty it self a little before this was become part of King Ethelberts own Dominion And Camden to the like effect writes thus Ethelbert King of Kent under whom Sebert raigned as by courtesy in this Tract built a Church at London to the honour of Saint Paul the Apostle which in after times being enlarged and beautified grew to that vastnes and magnificence as we now see it as likewise to such rich endowments by which are plentifully maintained besides the Bishop a Dean Precentour Chancellour Treasurer fower Arch-deacons nine and twenty Prebends besides many others of inferiour rank 2. As Saint Peters Church in Westminster was erected upon the ruines of the Pagan Temple of Apollo So was this dedicated to Saint Paul upon those of a Temple to Diana Some marks whereof to this day remain saith the same Authour for ancient adjacent Lodgings in the Archives of the Church are called Diana's Chamber and in King Edward the firsts time an incredible number of beeves heads was digged up in the Church-yard the ancient Sacrifices Tauropolia solemnised to Diana c. 3. In this Church by the Kings appointment the Bishop and his Successours had their fixed seat The Church service being sung not by Monks but other Church-men who lived Canonically in community 4. To the Bishops of this Church saith Saint Beda King Ethelbert offred many rich gifts and for the maintenance of those who lived with the Bishops he added many territories and possessions Particularly the Lordship of Tillingham is named in the Formule of Donation supposed by Stow and Speed to have been written by Ethelbert in this manner King Ethelbert by Divine Inspiration hath given to Miletus rather Mellitus for the remedy of his soule the land called Tillingham for the use of the Community Monasterium of Saint Paul Which Donation in after ages King William the Conquerour confirmed in these words Know ye that I grant to God and Saint Paul and his Ministers the four and twenty Hydes of land which King Ethelbert gave near the Citty of London to the Church of Saint Paul at the first foundation to be free and quitt of all Gilds and of all expedition worke c. Where we find what quantity of ground that territory of Tillingham contained to witt four and twenty Hydes of land each hyde being as much as could be cultivated yearly by one Plough And therefore in a Donation made by Saint Dunstan we read it expounded thus I grant a portion of seaven Ploughs of land which in English is called seaven Hides A Hyde by Saint Beda is called a family or Manse XXII CHAP. 1. 2. An Episcopall See erected at Rochester 3.4 c. The Bishop of Landaff consecrated by the Arch-bishop of Canterbury 1. THE same year another Episcopall See was erected in the Province of Kent in a Citty by the Romans called Durobrum by Saint Beda Durobrevis in after times Roffa or Rochester from the name of a principall Saxon to whom it belonged Where King Ethelbert built a Church to the honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle the Episcopall See of S. Iustus the first Bishop who lately came from Rome with S. Mellitus Of whose Consecration S. Beda thus writes 2. S. Augustin ordained Iustus a Bishop in Kent it self in the Citty of Durobrevis which the English Nation from a prime Noble person inhabiting there called Rotchester There did King Ethelbert build a Church to the honour of S. Andrew the Apostle and bestowed on that B. as he had done on the Church of S. Paul many Gifts adding withall possessions and lands for the maintenance of those who attended on the Bishop and Church Thus in a few years the Province of Kent obtained two Episcopall Sees 3. The two Sees of London and Rochester acknowledged subiection to that of Canterbury And which is strange the like was at this very time done by the Brittish See of Landaff notwithstanding the late dissension of the Brittish Bishops in the Synod of Worcester For we read that S. Oudoceus the Successour of S. Theliau sirnamed Helios or The Sun for his learning and Sanctity came for Ordination to Saint Augustin 4. The same moreover appears by a Protestation made in the Synod of Rhemes by Vrban Bishop of Landaff to Pope Calixtus the Second of that Name in the year of Grace eleaven hundred and nineteen extant in B. Vsher. Which Protestation was by him thus conceived From the ancient time of our Fathers Holy Father as the Hand-Writing of our Holy Father Saint Theliau testifies this Church of Landaff first founded to the honour of Saint Peter the Apostle was in dignity and Priviledges the Mistresse of all the Churches in Wales till by seditions and warrs in the time of my Predecessour Herwold it was weakned almost deprived of a Pastour and annihilated by the cruelty of the inhabitants and invasion of the Norman Nation Yet there always remaind in it Religious men serving God both by reason of the neighbourhood of the English by whom they were instructed though differing from them in the Ecclesiasticall Ministery as likewise because from very ancient times that is from the days of Saint Eleutherius Pope and after the coming of Saint Augustin into Brittany the Bishop of this place hath always been subiect and obedient in every thing to the Arch-bishop of the Metropolitan Church of Canterbury and to the King of England 5. For what concerns the present year the same learned B. Vsher in his Chronologicall Index writes how Saint Theliau Bishop of Landaff and Caer-leon being dead Saint Oudoceus his Sisters Son succeeded him whom at his return from the Citty of Canterbury where he had been consecrated by Saint Augustin the Arch-bishop Mouric Prince of Glamorgan honourably received and by his authority confirmed the Priviledges of the Church of Landaff 6. The same Authour further declares the grounds upon which the Church of Landaff became subiect to that of Canterbury For sayes he The Bishops of Landaff as heyrs of those of Caer-leon disdaind to be subiect to the Bishops of Menevia to whom the Metropoliticall Iurisdiction had been transferd from Caer-leon And therfore from this time they rather chose to receive their Consecration from the Arch-bishop of Canterbury And the Church of Caer-leon was so annexed to the neighbouring Church of Landaff that the Dioceses were not only ioynd but the Territory likewise belonging to the Churches of Saint Iulius and Saint Aaron was given to Nuddus the one and twentieth Bishop of Landaff and his Successours as we find express'd in the Register of that Church 7. Now if there be any truth in these Records it will follow that those Protestant Writers are much mistaken who affirm that all the Brittish Bishops oppos'd S. Augustin On the countrary the most illustrious among them S. Theliaus and his Successour
S. Oudoceus either were not present at the Synod of Worcester or did not ioyn in the faction rais'd by younger passionat spirits who frequently in such meetings by tumults and clamours over-power the counsells of such as are more wise and vertuous XXIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Two Charters of King Ethelbert to the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul in Canterbury 1. IN the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and five King Ethelbert who had express'd such munificence in the founding and endowing the Churches of S. Paul in London and S. Andrew at Rochester shewd more zeale in adorning and amplifying the Church and Monastery by him first erected in his own Royall Citty of Canterbury on which he bestowd many donations and noble Priviledges And moreover to secure all these from the Sacrilegious invasions of his Successours or any other he confirmd them with a Charter ratifyed both with Regall and Ecclesiasticall authority The Copy wherof we will here sett down with the more confidence because the following Monarks of our Nation beleiv'd and acknowledged it for the true Authentick Act of this King For the two Norman Edwards the first and Second in their Letters from the first word in them calld Inspeximus have not only mentiond this Donation but express'd likewise the Tenour of it 2. This Charter of Donation is recorded by William Thorn in his History of the foundation of the Church and Monastery of Canterbury from whence we will here exscribe that which pertains to this matter Viz. In the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and five King Ethelbert confirmd in the Catholick Faith together with his Queen Bertha and their Son Eadbald as likewise the most Reverend Prelat Augustin and other Nobles of the land celebrated the Solemnity of our Lords Nativity at Canterbury Where convoking a publick assembly as well of the Clergy as people on the fifth day before the Ides of Ianuary with the approbation of all and every one of them he by the Blessed Bishop S. Augustin himself surrendred and delivered to God and the Monks there perpetually serving our Lord the said Monastery on which he conferrd a liberty from all burdens for ever moreover enriching it with many possessions and other magnificent Gifts In the same Monastery likewise he placed a Congregation of Monks over whom he constituted Abbot a Monk named Peter And that these things may more manifestly appear to the Readers I thought expedient to adioyn hereto the Tenour of the Charter of King Ethelbert and Saint Augustin as followeth 3. In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ. Every man who lives according to Gods Law and hopes to be rewarded by him ought chearfully and from his heart to promote pious prayers and Devotions to him it being certain that he shall so much more easily obtain the effect of his own prayers to God as he more willingly bestows any thing on God Wherefore I Ethelbert King of Kent with the consent of the Venerable Archbishop Augustin and my Nobles doe give and grant for the honour of Saint Peter a certain portion of land belonging to mee which lyes on the East of the Citty of Canterbury to the end that both the place where the Monastery is built and the fore said land remain in the power and possession of the Abbot who shall be there ordained Therefore I adiure and command in the name of our Lord and Omnipotent God who is the just Iudge of all that the foresaid land be for ever confirmed by this Donation here subscribed so that it may not be lawfull either for mee or any of my Successours Kings and Princes or any other Dignities or orders Ecclesiasticall or Civil to defraud or diminish any thing of it But if any one shall attempt to prejudice or make voyd any thing of this our Donation Let him for the present be separated from the Communion of the Body and Blood of Christ and in the Day of Iudgement for a iust reward of his Malice and iniustice let him be severed from the Fellowship of Gods Saints The said land is encompassed with these limits On the East with the Church of S Martin on the South with the way of Burghate On the West and North with Druting-street Acted in the Citty of Canterbury Dorobernia in the six hundred and fifth year after our Lords Incarnation and the eighth Indiction In the End there is added the sign of the Crosse omitted by Sir H. Spelman in this manner †I Ethelbert King of Kent being in sound mind and with deliberate Counsell have confirmed this with the Sign of the Crosse made with mine own hand I Augustin by the Grace of God Archbishop in testimony of my consent have willingly subscribed Edbald Hamegisilus Augemundus Referendery Hocca Tangil Pinca Geddy 4. This was the first Charter granted by King Ethelbert to which he added a Second The Tenour whereof likewise shall for the Antiquity of it be sett down with a desire of the Readers pardon who shall very seldom be interrupted or detained by such Forms for I will content my self with delivering the substance of them when occasion is to mention them This Second Charter is by Sir H. Spelman inscribed A Donation of the land of Langeport the Form whereof followeth 5. In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ. Be it known to all both present and to come that I Ethelbert by the Grace of God King of the English Nation having from an Idolater been made a Christian by Augustin my Father in the Gospel have given to God by the same Prelat a certain portion of land belonging to mee lying under the Eastern wall of the Citty of Canterbury namely about the place where by my said Instructour in Christ I built a Monastery to the honour of the Princes of the Apostles Peter and Paul Which Monastery with the said land and all other things pertaining thereto I have endowed with free liberties So that it may not be lawfull for mee or any of my Successours or any other Power Ecclesiasticall or Secular to usurp any thing of it but that it remain in the free power and possession of the Abbot If any one therefore shall attempt to diminish or make voyd any thing of this our Donation Let him by the Authority of God and Blessed Pope Gregory as likewise our Apostle Augustin and our own imprecation be separated from all Communion of Holy Church and in the Day of Iudgement from all Society of Gods Elect. The sayd land is on all sides encompassed with these bounds On the East with the Church of Saint Martin and likewise with Siblendoune Al. be si Wendowne And so to the North be Wikengesmarke Likewise at the East by Kingesmarke Also at the North and East by Kingesmarke So on the West to Rideschape And so to the North to Drutingstreete This was done in the Citty of Canterbury in the six hundred and fifth year from the Incarnation of Christ and
into a formed Schism as Baronius suspects and others who make mention of an Interdict imposed by S. Gregory on the publick Schooles in Brittany of which no ground can be found in our ancient Writers But why this Letter should be written to the Brittish Preists and not their Bishops it does not appear 7. The same Saint Beda discoursing of the pious industry of our Holy Bishop in promoting Vnity thus concludes How much good he wrought by these his endeavours and labours the present times declare By which expression he implies that the ceasing of those Controversies which in S. Beda's time were quite silenced was much to be imputed to the care and industry of S. Laurence For we shall see him shortly not contenting himself with writing letters but undertaking a voyage into Ireland c. to promote Ecclesiasticall Vnity and that with good successe II. CHAP. i. 2 c. S. Mellitus his iourney to Rome touching Monks that they might have a power of Elections And to know whether they might be employed in Pastorall Functions c. 1. THere is extant in Sir Henry Spelman the Copy of a third Charter of King Ethelbert by which he gave to the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul a village named Sturigaâ— otherwise Cistelet together with many other precious Gifts all which he offred for the redemption of his soule and out of hope of eternall retribution Adding that in the same Church he provided a place of buriall for himself and Successours hoping that he should be loosed from the chains of his sins and conducted into the gate of eternall happines by the Prince of the Apostles to whom our Lord delivered the Keyes of heaven giving him the power of binding and loosing c. Which Charter is dated the year six hundred and ten which was the fiftieth year of the same Kings raign 2. At the same time saith S. Beda Mellitus Bishop of London went to Rome there to treat with Pope Boniface about affairs nearly concerning the English Church Being arrived the Pope assembled a Synod of the Bishops of Italy with an intention to make ordinances concerning the life and secure quietnes of Monks In which Synod Mellitus sate among the Italian Bishops and by his authority subscribed and confirmed the Decrees regularly ordained which at his return into Brittany he caried with him that they might be observed there The same Pope likewise wrote Epistles to the Holy Arch-bishop Laurence and to the Clergy as also to King Ethelbert and the English Nation This Synod was celebrated in the eighth year of the Empire of Phâ—cas and the thirteenth Indiction 3. In this Narration we find insinuated the principall Motive of Mellitus his iourney to Rome which was to provide for the life and quiet of Monks Which will more manifestly appear by Pope Bonifacius his Letters to the King and Arch-bishop but especially by a Decree of the said Pope 4. There were two speciall Points concerning Monasticall Institution the clearing of which did much concern the present State of the English Church the first was a care to make them immortall by a succession by permitting the present Monks to chuse and assume into the same Profession such among the Brittains as they found well disposed thereto This permission and power King Ethelbert by Mellitus desired to be confirmed by the Pope which he easily obtained as appears by Bonifacius his answer extant in a Letter of Pope Alexander many ages after written to S. Lanfranc Arch-bishop of Canterbury in which we read this passage extracted out of it That which thou O glorious Son hast desired of the Apostolick See by our Fellow-bishop Mellitus we willingly grant and by our Apostolick authority decree namely that your Royal benignity may appoint an habitation of Monks living regularly and that the present Monks who were the Preachers of Salvation to you may associate to themselves a congregation of Monks and adorn them with holy Instituts in the Monastery which your Holy Doctour Augustin the Disciple of Gregory of Blessed Memory did consecrate in the Citty of Canterbury to the Name of our Holy Saviour in which at present our beloved Brother Laurence is Prelat This our present Decree if any of your Successours Kings or Bishops c. shall attempt to make voyd let him be subject to Anathema c. This part of Pope Bonifacius his Letter is recited out of Pope Alexanders by Eadmer the Monk and the entire Letter is extant in the Annals of Peterborough 5. The other Point seems to have been touching the employing of Monks in the Office of preaching administring Sacraments and other Pastorall Dutyes which some thought improper for Monks who are obliged to Solitude But this Controversy had been before decided by S. Gregory in his employing onely Monks in the English Mission and was confirmed by Pope Boniface the fourth in a Solemne Decree by which he declares from the Examples of S Martin S. Gregory and the late S. Augustin that the power of binding and loosing may worthily be administred by Monks Neither saith he did S. Benedict the glorious Institutour of Monkes in his Rule forbid this but only commanded them to abstain from secular affairs Which last Clause strongly proves against Baronius that S. Augustin Saint Laurence S. Mellitus S. Iustus and the rest yea S. Gregory also were Disciples of S. Benedict and subject to his Rule The Summe of this Decree is referr'd into the Canon Law by Gratian Cap. Sunt nonnulli 16. q. 1. And other authorities added froÌ„ whence he concludes thus By all these authorities it is clearly demonstrated that Monks may lawfully give Pennance baptise and administer other Preistly Offices 6. If the Acts of this Roman Synod had not been lost we should no doubt have read their judgment touching the Consecration of the Church of Westminster performed as hath been declared by S. Peter himself But the result of it appears by what William of Malmsbury writes It is believed saith he that the Mystery of its Consecration was never repeated which was shewd to have been perfected by so many Candles lighted in the Church Crosses made Holy Water sprinckled and marks of Sacred Oyle in the due places Human diligence therefore gave place to an Office divinely administred prophetically declaring how illustrious that Church and Monastery would prove in which the Apostle himself exercised the Pontificall Office III. CHAP. 1. Of Saint Golven a Bishop in Lesser Brittany 2. Of S. Baldred or S. Balter 3. S. Mellitus his return from Rome 4 Ceolulf King of the West-Saxons dying Kinegils succeeds 1. THE same year dyed S. Golvin Bishop of Leon in Lesser Brittany who in our Martyrologe is sayd to have been an Englishman But whether thereby be meant a Brittain I cannot define In the Gallican Martyrologe his Commemoration is thus expressed On the first of Iuly at Leon in Armorica under the Arch-bishoprick of Tours is celebrated the Memory of
consonantly to Saint Beda writes Florilegus In the year of Grace six hundred twenty eight the Arch-bishop Paulinus converted to the Faith of Christ the Province of Lindissa which lyes on the South-coast of the River Humber And the first baptised by him was Blecca governour of the Prime Citty thereof Lindocollina with all his family In which Citty he likewise built a Church Which Church saith Saint Beda was of stone of exquisite work the Roof whereof either by negligence or hostile violence is cast down but the walls are yet standing and every year in that place miraculous cures are wrought to the great benefit of those who in devotion visit it 2. The same Saint Beda also testifies that the Pious King Edwin accompanied Saint Paulinus in this devout labour and was present when he baptised a very great multitude in the River Trent Concerning the Faith of the inhabitants of this Province belonging to the kingdom of the Mercians saith he I was told by a certain Abbot and Preist calld Deda of the Monastery of Peurtanei a man of great integrity that an ancient man had assured him that he himself was one of those who had been baptised by Saint Paulinus at Mid-day King Edwin being present and that a great multitude were also baptised with him in the River Trent neer a Citty calld in the English tongue Tiovulsingacestir The same man was likewise wâ—nt to describe the shape of the said Holy Bishop that he was a man of a tall stature but some what bowing that he had black hayre a lean face a nose somewhat rising that he was very slender and with his aspect begetting both veneration and terrour in the beholders He had likâ—Wise attending him a Deacon calld Iames Who was a man very illustrious in Christ and his Church who lived to our very times 3. We read likewise in Camden that in the Province of Nottingham at the same time a Church was built and consecrated to the Blessed Virgin at a town calld Southwell the which Church as the fame goes Was erected by Paulinus first Arch-bishop of York when he baptised the inhabitants of this countrey in the River Trent He coniectures likewise very probably that this Southwel was the same Citty of the Mercians which Saint Beda calls Tiovulfingacestir 4. The same year dyed S. Iustus Archbishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See three entire years He was a Bishop saith Harps-feild of such integrity that the Name of Iustus may seem to have been given him rather to honour his vertues then as belonging to his family Which vertues were acknowledged to be in him and wonderfully cherished by Pope Boniface the fourth rather fifth who likewise by his Letters exhorted him to consummate to the end his so excellent course of piety He ended this mortall life the fourth day before the Ides of November and was buried in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul near to Saint Augustin 5. His Successour in the Archbishoprick was Honorius who indeed deserved all Honour for his piety and zeale in preaching the Gospell When he was to be ordaind he came to Saint Paulinus who mett him in the Citty of Lincoln where he was consecrated the fifth Prelat of that See after Saint Augustin saith Saint Beda Hereby it appears that Saint Paulinus either had before this received his Pall or at least a power of ordaining the Prime Arch-bishop in case of vacancy without the assistance of any other Bishops Which Priviledge considering the penury of Bishops at this time was by Pope Honorius shortly after conferred on each of those two Sees in these terms That when either of the Arch-bishops should leave this world and return to his Creator the surviver might ordain another in his place This appears in the Letters of the said Pope to King Edwin and Saint Paulinus written five years after this Notwithstanding this Ordination of Honorius to the Arch-bishoprick seems to have been conferred on him not the same year that Saint Iustus dyed but the year following during which time probably such Faculties were sent from Rome XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Penda the cruell King of the Mercians His war against the West-Saxons 1. AFter such hopefull beginnings of the Gospell in the kingdom of the Mercians the progresse therof was interrupted by the violence of Penda King of those Provinces a Prince of an ambitious turbulent and cruel nature and one who professedly bore an irreconcileable enmity to Christian Religion He is by some Authours esteemd the first King of the Mercians For Cridae descended in the tenth degree from Woden the Idol-deity of the Saxons about the year of Grace five hundred eighty five invading the midland Provinces of this Island layd the first foundations of that Kingdom To him succedeed his Son Wibba who by fire and sword enlarged the bounds thereof After him raigned Ceorl whose daughter Quenburga was the first wife of King Edwin and he dying Penda a Son likewise of Wibba inherited the Crown and more then all his Predecessours rendred the Name and power of the Mercians formidable to all their Neighbours The former Princes are said to have contented themselves whith the Title of Dukes and Penda to have assumed that of King 2. He was according to William of Malmsbury fifty years old when he ascended the Throne which was in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred twenty six a Prince illustrious for his descent active and vigilant in war and who by frequent excursions into his Neighbours Provinces had nourished and much encreased his boldnes But withal he was even fanatically zealous in his Pagan superstition and impiety Therefore as soon as he was possessed of the Kingdom being impatient of rest and not regarding how great a crime an uniust war was he infested the neighbouring Citties disturbed the bounds of his confining Saxon Princes and filld all the Provinces about him with tumult and terrour 3. In the third year of his raign in which hapned the Conversion of Blecca Governour of Lincoln he broke into open war against Kinegils and Quicelm Kings of the West-Saxons and beleaguerd the Citty of Cirencester belonging to them To raise which siege they gathred a great army and came to battell Which was fought a whole day together with extreme fury each army having abjured flight so that only want of light sever'd them The next morning both sides being much weakned by the intercession of persons of more moderation they entred into conditions of peace and retired 4. Cirencester where this battel was fought is the same ancient Citty which Ptolomy calls Corinium Antoninus Cornovium and the Brittains Caâ—r-Cori It is seated in the Province of the Dobuni Glocestershire at the River Corin now call'd Churn The ruines of the ancient walls containing a circuit of two miles shew it to have been a large Citty It belonged to the West-Saxons for we read how Penda King of
cites for it William of Malmsbury Huntingdom Florentius Mathew of Westminster c. 3. I have thought expedient saith he to describe here out of the Acts of S. Birinus a wonderfull Miracle beseeming an Apostolick man which is omitted by S. Beda It was thus The Holy man being arrived to the shore of the Brittish Sea and ready to take ship celebrated the Divine Mysteries offring to God the Sacrifice of the Saving Host as a Viaticum for himself and followers After which the season being proper he was hastily urged to enter the ship and the wind serving thē they sayled speedily when on the sudden Birinus called to mind that he had lost a thing infinitely precious to him which by the urging hast of the Sea-men having his mind other ways busied he had left behind him at land For Pope Honorius had bestowed on him a Pall or Corporal upon which he consecrated the Body of our Lord and afterward used to wrap in it a particle of the said Sacred Body which he hung about his neck and allways caried with him but when he celebrated Masse he was wont to lay it by him upon the Altar Armed therefore with Faith he by Divine inspiratiō went down frō the ship into the Sea and walkd securely upon it to the shore Where finding what he had left behind he took it and in like manner returned to the ship Which he found standing still immoveable whereas a little before he had left it sailing extreme swiftly When he was entred into the ship not one drop of water appeared on his cloathes Which the Marriners seeing kneeld before him and worshipped him as a God and many of them by his preaching were converted to the Faith of Christ. 4. This custom of carying with them the Consecrated Body of our Lord was practised from the beginning of the Church many proofs whereof are in Tertullian S. Cyprian S. Ambrose writing of his Brother Satyrus S. Basile c. Which pious custom saith Baronius as the fervour of Religion introduced so Religion as holy hath in latter times forbidden it Formerly a firm Faith incited to the doing that which Reverence afterward disswaded In both cases Gods faithfull people deserve commendation as we read both the confidence and the modesty of the Apostles praised in the Gospel both when they were sorrowfull to want our Lords presence for a moment and likewise when S. Peter desired his absence saying Lord goe from mee for I am a sinfull man 5. S. Birinus being thus arrived in Brittany with an intention to visit the inmost rudest parts of the Island according to his promise to Pope Honorius he found at his landing so full a harvest that as William of Malmsbury says he thought it a folly to goe any further or to seek out sick men whom he should cure when as in the place where he already was there were not any sound Thus it hapned to S. Birinus as it had formerly to S. Augustin who being sent to the Deiri in the North stayd at the very entrance into the Island in the South He has notwithstanding found a more favourable esteem among Protestant Writers then S. Augustin did thought both taught the same Doctrin For B. Godwin calls him a man of great zeal and devotion and Camden says he was illustrious for his Sanctity even to a miracle c. 6. At his first coming S. Birinus addressed himself to King Kinegils to whom he with a modest boldnes expounded the Summ of the Christian Faith which he was come so far to preach for his salvation The Doctrines of Christianity were not now become strange even among the Pagans in Brittany But withall it fell out very happily that at the same time the most vertuous and Victorious King of the Northumbers Oswald as S. Beda stiles him was then present at the West-Saxon Court being come thither to demand King Kinegils his daughter for his wife This pious King gave his royal testimony to the Truth of the Doctrine preached by S. Birinus which was suitable to that received in the whole kingdom of the Northumbers And this he did so effectually that King Kinegils submitted his iudgment to the King and Bishop desiring to be conducted to the gate which opens into Heaven Hereupon he was sufficiently catechised and after that admitted to Baptism in which by a pious commerce King Oswald became Spirituall Father to him whose daughter he presently after maried 7. The King being thus converted the whole Province generally followd his example for according to S. Birinus his Acts the people hastned in great troops to heare the H. Bishop preach and with their hearts humbly embraced the Doctrine taught by him And no wonder for besides the sanctity and innocence of the Preacher God was present with him to confirm his Doctrin by Miracles One particularly is recounted in the said Acts after this manner There was in the Province a certain ancient Woman who a long time had been deprived both of her sight and hearing To her it was suggested by revelation that she should repair to the Holy Bishop for her cure She delayd not therefore but took with her a Guide to conduct her The Bishop therefore seing the womans piety immediatly made the sign of the Crosse upon her eyes and ears whereupon both her sight and hearing were restored to her 8. The Christian Faith being thus spread in that Kingdom both the Kings saith S. Beda assigned to the Holy Bishop the Citty called Dorinca to be his Episcopall See Where severall Churches were erected and consecrated and great multitudes gained to Christ after which he went to our Lord. This Citty Dorinca is the same which is now called Dorchester not the principal town of Dorsetshire but another of that name seated near Oxford Which at this time belonged to the West-Saxons but afterward passed to the Mercians 9. This Holy Bishop not being by profession a Monk instituted in his Church at Dorchester a Community of Canons who lived in a kind of Regular Observance and according to S. Gregories directions imitated the Institut of the Primitive Church during the Apostles times wherein not any of them esteemed that which he possessed to be his own but they had all things common In the said Church this Holy Bishop and seaven and twenty of his Successours continued the space of four hundred fifty seaven years 10. Fifteen years S. Birinus laboured with great fruit in cultivating this our Lords vineyard and at last in the year of Grace six hundred and fifty received his reward on the third of December on which day he is commemorated in our Martyrologe He was buried saith S. Beda in the same Citty o◠Dorchester and several years after his sacred Body was translated into the Citty of Winchester by Hedde Bishop of the same Citty and reposed in the Church of the Blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul 11. This passage of S. Beda was
others 5. Another eminent Example of the like Charity to others with neglect of himself the same King formerly gave in the time of a wasting Pestilence For being peirced to the soule with compassion seing such a world of funeralls he earnestly prayd to God as King David had done that he would spare his people and turn the scourge against himself and his family Which prayer Almighty God heard for presently after the plague seised upon him with such violence that he was brought to the utmost extremity Lying thus a victime for the whole Nation and inwardly ioyfull in hope that with his single death he should purchase a world of lives to others he saw three persons of a stature more then human who approached to his bed and conversing together spoke many words full of comfort to him At last one of them sayd to him O King thy Prayers and resignation are acceptable to God Thou art one of ours for shortly thou shalt receive an immortall crown for thy Faith Charity and Piety But that time is not yet come For God at the present gives thee both thine own and thy subiects liveâ— Now thou art willing to dye for them Shortly thou shalt dye far more happily a Martyr for God Having said this they disappeared leaving the King full of wonder Who presently recoverd his health and after that not any of his subiects dyed of the same infection 6. The Authour of his life adds That the King was wont to relate to his Bishops that not only with his intellectual but corporall eyes also he often saw Angelical Spirits in great splendour By which visitations Divine love was much more kindled in his heart and a studious care to encrease in all vertues And because corporal purity doth frequently attend that of the mind by the consent of his Queen Kineburga daughter of Kinegils King of the West-Saxons he abstaind from matrimonial conversation knowing well how gratefull to heavenly spirits is an aversion from carnall sensuality 7. Thus happily did King Oswald proceed in his course to heaven when that scourge of all good men Penda King of the Mercians envying the progresse of Christianity and the glory of Oswald became an instrument of exalting him to a heavenly Crown For whilst King Oswalds thoughts were busied in advancing Châ—ists Kingdom the said Tyrant made an impression into a Province belonging to him to repell which King Oswald with an army mett him in a place by S. Beda calld Macerfelth 8. It is not yet decided in what Province that place of combat between these two Kings is seated The inhabitants of Lancashire earnestly contend that King Oswald was slain neer a well known village of theirs calld Winwick where they find a place to this day nam'd Macerfelth and alledge likewise an ancient Inscription in the Church of Winwick importing the same And their coniecture may seem to receive strength from this consideration that the said Province certainly belonged to the Dominion of King Oswald who was assalted by Penda 9. Notwithstanding Camden and others of our learned Writers doe rather design the place of the Combat in the Western part of Shropshire neer the Kiver Morda where there is a town from Oswald calld Oswestre and by the Brittains Oswalds-Crosse And this agrees with what wee read in Saint Oswalds life that the place of the Combat was near the confines of Armorick Wales seaven miles distant from Shrews bury not full half a mile from King Offa's ditch dividing Wales from England and Sixteen mileâ— from the Monastery of Wenlock In the feild where the battell was fought a Church called the White Church was founded to the honour of Saint Oswald near which arises a fresh spring which the Inhabitants call Saint Oswalds fountain 10. Now although Shropshire anciently belonged to the Kingdom of the Mercians yet at this time it seems among other Provinces to have been a portion of King Oswalds conquests For the same Authour relates how Penda a little before this had been overcome and puâ—t to flight by King Oswald so that it seems that part of the Mercian kingdom was become an accession to that of the Northumbers 11. The two armies therefore ioyning here that of King Oswald could not sustain the fury of Penda but after a short combat was forced either to seek safety by flight or like devout Soldiers fighting for God and his Church by patient exposing themselves to purchase immortality King Oswald seing his Army dispersed perceived that now the hower promised him by the Angels was come Therefore he was not very solicitous to avoyd his Enemies weapons but in the expression of William of Malmsbury having seen all his guards cutt in peices though he had as it were a grove of iron weapons planted on his breast yet neither the greivousnes of his wounds nor the approach of death could hinder or interrupt his devout Prayers to God for the salvation of his faithfull subjects Thus was this Blessed King slain saith Saint Beda in a place called in the English tongue Macerfelth in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred forty two and the thirty eighth of his age on the fifth day of August 12. The barbarous Tyrant Penda was not satisfied with the death of his Enemy but most cruelly raged against his dead body which he cutt in peices and caused his head and armes divided from the trunk to be hung up on three stakes as a Trophey and monument of his Cruelty and to be a terrour to others XI CHAP. 1. 2. c. King Oswi buries the Relicks of his Brother S. Oswald 5.6.7 The Incorruption of his hand testified in severall ages 8. 9. c. His other Relicks where disposed The great Veneration given to him Churches built in his honour 1. THE inhuman Tyrant Penda thought by his barbarous usage of the Holy King Oswalds liveles body to render him a spectacle of misery but Almighty God shewd himself more powerfull to glorify him then the Tyrant had been to dishonour him For his Members had been for a whole years space exposed to the injuries of rain and tempests yet notwithstanding they preserved their former lineaments lively freshnesse and comlines The head and left arm continued all that time hanging on the stakes and the right arm was faln into water for no man durst take them away or shew any regard to them for fear of the Tyrant 2. At last Oswy the Brother and Successour of King Oswald by a Divine Oracle was admonished to perform due respect to his Brothers torn Body by bestowing an honourable buryall on it Therefore fearles of the Tyrants rage or power he gathered an Army and marching into that Province he came to the place Where taking out of the Water the right Arm he inclosed it in a Silver Boxe and reverently deposed it in the Church of S. Peter in a Citty then called Bebba from a Queen of that Name now Bamburg
Monastery But afterwards when a Church more magnificent was there built it was translated thither and deposed at the right hand of the Altar with veneration due to so holy a Prelat 3. How great the merit of this Blessed Bishop was saith the same S. Beda God was pleased to shew by severall Miracles It will suffise to relate onely two of them in this place A certain Preist named Vtta a man highly esteemed even by Princes for his gravity and integrity was sent into Kent to conduct from thence Eanfleda the daughter of King Edwin to be wife to King Osâ—in This Preist went thither by land but intended to return by Sea with the Virgin Before hâ—â— iourney he went to the Holy Bishop Aidan desiring his prayers for a safe iourney to himself and company The Bishop gave him his benediction and withall delivered to him some Oyle which had been sanctified saying I know that when you shall be at Sea a contrary wind and tempest will come on you but remember that when you are in danger you cast this Oyle into the Sea aend thâ— tempest will pâ—esently cease and your return will be prosperous All which particulars succeeded in order exactly as the Holy Bishop had foretold Thus the Man of God both foretold the Tempest by the Spirit of Prophecy and by the power of the same spirit though corporally absent he calmed the Tempest when it was risen The account of this Miracle I received not from a relatour of doubtfull credit but a Preist of our Church of great integrity called Cynimund who protested that it was told him by Vtta himself the Preist to whom and by whom it befell 4. The Second Miracle was that when King Penda entred with an Army into those parts and was determined to sett on fire the Royal Citty which took its name from Queen Ebba for which purpose he encompassed it with heaps of wood and other combustible matter to which fire was applied S. Aidan being then retired into his Isle of Farne about two miles distant from that Citty and seeing the fire smoke ascending up-wards he lifted up his eyes full of tears to heaven and said Behold o Lord how great mischeif Penda does to thy people Assoon as he had said those words the wind immediatly turned the flames upon those who had kindled them So that the enemies forbore to impugn the Citty which they saw was defended from heaven 5. Now though S Aidan and his White Monks did erroneously swerve from the generall practise of the Church in the Observation of Easter yet saith Baronius far be it from us to reckon among the Quartodeciman Hereticks such a man who by an Apostolick Spirit and power converted that Nation to the Faith How their practise differed from that of those Hereticks we have already declared out of S. Beda His Memory is celebrated in the Roman Martyrologe on the one and thirtieth of August where this elogium is given of him In England on the said day is the commemoration of S. Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn whose soule S. Cuthbert then a keeper of sheep seing caried up to heaven he left his sheep and became a Monk XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Cuthbert a child sees Saint Aidans soule caried into heaven whereupon he quitts the world and retires into the Monastery of Mailros 1. THAT which the Roman Martyrologe wraps up in a few words touching the occasion of S. Cuthberts undertaking a Monasticall Profession S. Beda more at large sets down in his Book of the Life of that Saint which for the reverence due both to him and S. Aidan we will hâ—â—e transcribe And shall hereafter have â—â—equent occasion to write more of his Sanctity the rudiments whereof now began 2. When the Divine Grace which governs the lives of Gods servants was pleased that the devout young man Cuthbert by undergoing a more austere Profession should obtain a higher reward of Glory he was then employed in the guard of sheep committed to his care in the remote mountains One night it hapned that whilst he was watching in prayer his companions then being asleep he saw on a sudden a light from heaven so bright that it dispelled all the darknes and therein he saw great multitudes of Angels descending to the earth and presently after return to heaven carying with them a soule of a marvellous brightnes This sight caused great compunction in the devout youth and an earnest desire to undertake a spiritual Life that thereby he might be partaker of eternall felicity among Gods Saints And presently giving thanks and praises to God for this favour he also wakened his companions inciting them with brotherly exhortations to ioyn with him in praising God Alas poor wretches said he we are wholly given up to sleep and idlenes and are unworthy to see the light of Christs ServaÌ„ts who are always watchfull in his Praises Behold I whilst I was even now praying saw the great wonders of God the Gate of Heaven was opened and the soule of some holy person was conducted by Angels into the glory of heavenly Mansions where it will for ever blessedly behold our Lord whilst we remain negligent in this darknes below Surely this was either a Holy Bishop or some other perfect Christian whom I saw with such resplendent brightnes and such Quires of Angels caried up to heaven These words of S. Cuthbert did not a little inflame the hearts of the other Shephards to praise God 3. The next day he was informed that S. Aidan Bishop of the Church of Lindesfarn a man of admirable piety dyed that very houre in which he had seen his soule mounting to heaven Whereupon he presently resigned up the sheep which he had fed to their owner and resolved without delay to goe to a Monastery 4. S. Cuthbert now meditating seriously on his entrance into a new and more stricks life the Divine Grace was present to him confirming his mind in that good purpose and moreover by manifest signs shewed that to those who seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousnes all things necessary for bodily subsistence shall be administred For on a certain day as he was iourneying alone about the third hower he turned aside into a certain village which he saw a good distance from him and entred into the house of a certain Matron being desirous to repose there awhile and to gett food not for himself but his horse The woman received him kindly and earnestly desired that she might make some thing ready for his refection But the devout young man refused telling her that he could not eat because it was a day of Fast. For it was indeed Friday on which most faithfull Christians out of reverence to our Lords Passion doe prolong their fasting till three of the clock after noon She notwithstanding being devoutly addicted to hospitality persisted in her desire and told him that all the rest of his iourney he would find neither village nor
in thankfullnes for his victory obtaind against the bloody King of the Mercians Penda XXII CHAP. 1.2 The Gests of S. Adulf and S. Botulph brethren 1. AT the same time with S. Hilda flourished S. Botulph and his Brother S. Adulph whom erroneously some Writers affirm to have been Scotts who are confuted by the whole contexture of their Lives For thus we read in their Gests recorded by Ioannes Anglicus in Capgrave Before Christian Religion was spread over Brittany the Venerable Fathers Botulph and Adulf born of a Noble family and of a German descent and more strictly linked by charity then blood being very young were initiated in spirituall and celestial exercises For being born of a Saxon stock which conquered Brittany by martiall courage they from their infancy were imbued in the Christian Faith But their parents being rude and unacquainted with the Documents of perfection sent their children five in number to their ancient countrey of Saxony there to learn the Discipline of a holy conversation 2. Thus by mistake writes that Authour for as yet Christianity was not entred into Saxony Therefore in stead of Saxony we are to understand Belgick France whither by S. Beda's testimony our Ancestors in those times usually sent their children to be in 〈◊〉 in more sublime Christian Philosophâ— The same Writer thus prosecutes hiâ— Narratio 3. With this intention the foresaid Fathers paâ—sing the Sea repaired to Monasteries of Holy Religious men desiring coÌ„munication with them to be instructed in the Document of a spirituall life There being imbued with Monastical Instituâ— and disciplines of a more austere life they received the Religious Habit and in a short time Gods Grace became enabled co be Teachers â— Perfection 4. The King therefore hearing the fame of S. Adulphus exalted him to the Government of the Church of Virect in Belgium Who in discharge of that sublime employment was very watchfuâ— and solicitous to prevent the snares and cunning designs of the Devill who like a ravening wâ—l sought the destruction of his flock He was sedulouâ— in works of mercy feeding the poor cloathing the naked correcting those which strayd and comforting the afflicted to the end he might himself obtain the effect of our Lords Promise Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy He was instant in fasting watching and prayers He prevented his preaching by his practise and in all things lead a saintlike life 5. In the Gallican Martyrologe he is adorned with this Elogy On the seaventeenth of Iune is celebrated the Memory of S. Adulph Bishop of Vâ—rect who was Brother of S. Botulph and out of Brittany passing with him into France for his eminent endowments and Sanctity of life was raised to that See wherein by his admirable vertues and learning he became a shining light to his flock and at last with a great affluence of merits ended his life or rather being translated by death he passed to a life immortall 6. As for his Venerable Brother S. Botulph by the testimony of the foresaid Authour being well exercised in vertue and holines he resolved to return into England Now there were in the same Monastery where he made his abode two Sisters of Ethelmund a Prince among the Southangles who had been sent thither to be instructed in Monasticall Disciplines They hearing that the Blessed man had a purpose to return to his countrey gave him commissions to be delivered to their Brother Having therefore passed the Sea S. Botulph was honourably received by the said Prince who having heard his Sisters petitions and accepted them granted to the Holy man a place for building a Monastery Now S Botulph did not desire that for his cause any one should be driven out of his hereditary possession but rather that some place unpossessed and uncultivated should be assigned him that there he might build a Church and congregate brethren to serve God by whose pious lives and prayers his Principality might be established in this world and an eternall kingdom prepared for him in the world to come This request the Prince willingly granted whereupon the Venerable Father chose a certain untilled place where none dwelt named Ikanho It was a Wildernes unfrequented by men but possessed by Devills whose phantasticall illusions were to be expelled thence and a Religious conversation of pious men to be introduced that where the Devills fallacies abounded there our Lords Divine Grace might superabound 7. Where this place called Ikanho was seated is now uncertain The Centuriators of Magdeburg from Leland and Bale place it not far from the Citty of Lincoln And indeed in that Province where the River Witham enters the Sea there is a Town called Boston but more truly Botulphs-town for saith Camden it being formerly by Beda called Icanhoe took a new name from Botulph a most holy Saxon. Likewise in Huntingdon-shire there is a town called Bottle-bridge for S. Botulphs-bridge So that it seems in one of these two places S. Botulph built his Monastery 8. The said Authour thus pursues his Narration When he had finished his Monastery like a good shepheard he gathered together his flock whom he diligently taught Apostolick Doctrines and Instituts of the Holy Fathers and whatsoever good Documents he had learnt abroad concerning Monasticall Disciplines those he instilled into the minds and practises of his Monks He was beloved by all for he was free from arrogance being humble mild and affable in all things He was illustrious likewise for many miracles and the gift of Prophecy For sometimes by Divine inspiration he foretold future things as expressly as if they had been passed When he was oppressed with any infirmity he with blessed Iob persisted in thanking God and all his discourse was of matters which might edify and advance the hearers Such was his conversation during his life and in such exercises he attained to a good old age 9. He dyed most happily the same year in which S. Hilda also dyed and was buried in the Monastery which he had built There his Sacred Relicks remained till the Danes invading this Island wasted all Holy places with fire and sword Then by the care of S. Ethelwold they were translated part to the Monastery of Ely and part to that of Thorney The Memory of S. Botulph was elsewhere also celebrated for at London there is a Church dedicated to his honour Hence we read this passage in Capgrave In the Book of the Church of S. Botulph near Aldersgate London there is mention how a part of the Body of S. Botulph was by King Edward of Happy memory conferred on the Church of S. Peter in Westminster His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May. THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. The Mercians Converted and an Episcopall See erected there 5 Ithamar Bishop of Rochester dyes and Damian succeeds 6. The Holy Offspring of Merovald a Prince of the Mercians
gathered a numerous Congregation of Disciples into whose minds they instilled the waters of saving knowledge Yea moreover they mingled with the Instructions of Christian Doctrin out of Holy Scriptures other Documents likewise of Poetry Astronomy and Ecclesiasticall Computation In proof whereof there remained alive to these times severall of then Disciples who understood the Latin and Greek Tongues as perfectly as their Native language Thus writes S. Beda 2. And forasmuch as concerns the Greek tongue the said Arch-bishop saith B. Godwin erected a Schoole for the teaching of it in a village which from thence was called Greeklade but now corruptly Cricklade The teachers whereof afterward repairing to Oxford about twenty miles distant from thence are supposed to have thereby layed the foundations of that most famous Vniversity Notwithstanding Brian Twine the Antiquary of the said Vniversity will not allow this to have been the prime Originall thereof but earnestly contends that it was a long time before in the times of the Brittains founded by certain Grecian Doctours 3. The said B. Godwin addes that the Arch-bishop and Abbott brought with them from Rome a plentifull store of most choice Books both Greek and Latin and among the rest a Homer so accuratly written in such beautifull letters that it is scarce credible that at this day there should be extant any one Copy even among the most exquisite Prints either more fair or more perfectly correct then it 4. So great indeed was the benefitt which this Nation received from the diligence zeale and liberality of these two eminent persons that Saint Beda with iust reason affirmed That there had never been more happy times since the Saxons and English first entred this Island Such valiant and withall Christianly pious Kings governed here that they were a terrour to all barbarous Nations Likewise generally their Subjects desires were caried to heavenly and eternall ioyes at this time more effectually preached unto them then any time before And who soever were willing to be instructed in Sacred learning had Maisters ready the teach them Moreover they begun now through all to Churches of the English to learn the Roman manner of singing in the Church which before was only practised in Kent And the first Master of Ecclesiasticall Musick in the Kingdom of the Northumbers except Iacob heretofore mentioned was Eddi sirnamed Steven who was invited thither out of Kent by the most Venerable Prelat Wilfrid who was the first Bishop of the English Nation which taught the Saxon Churches the Catholick manner of living VIII CHAP. 1.2 Saint Theodore visites all Provinces 3.4 c. He ends the Controversy about the Bishoprick of York between S. Wilfrid and Saint Ceadda to the advantage of S. Wilfrid 6. c. S. Ceadda made Bishop of the Mercians at Lichfeild 1. WHereas S. Beda as hath been declared testifies that the Holy Arch-bishop Theodore made a progresse through all the Provinces of Brittany to reform abuses determine Controversies and settle Order and Vniformity every where in as much as an Vniversall Iurisdiction was committed to him by the Pope We will here mention some particular Gests of his especially recorded in our ancient Monuments 2. In the first place then saith S. Beda the Arch-bishop Theodore coming to the Citty of Rhofi Rochester which See since the death of the Bishop Damian remaind Vacant he there ordaind a man more versed in Ecclesiasticall matters and content with the former simplicity of living then exercised in secular businesses His name was Puâ—ta He was most eminently skilld in the Roman manner of Singing in the Church which he had learnt from the Disciples of Pope Gregory 3. From thence he went Northward and in the Kingdom of the Northumbers concluded a long debate touching the Bishoprick of York to which there were two pretenders both venerable and Holy Bishops S. Wilfrid and S. Ceadda S. Wilfrid had been first Elected thereto and was sent by Alâ—frid King of the Deiri or Yorkshire into France to be consecrated by Agilbert Bishop of Paris But his Father King Oswi upon what Motive is not declared appointed Saint Ceadda then an Abbot among the Northumbers to be Bishop of York to which he was consecrated by the impious and Sacrilegious Wina formerly Bishop of Winchester and then of London This controversy the Arch-bishop Theodore determined to the advantage of S. Wilfrid who returned into Brittany a little before his arrivall and in Kent saith Saint Beda ordained Preists and Deacons untill the Arch bishop Theodore came to his See 4. In this Controversy the Sanctity of Saint Ceadda did eminently shine forth who readily and humbly obeyed the Arch-bishops sentence and willingly rendred both his See and Episcopall dignity to S. Wilfrid This is thus related by the same S. Beda When the Arch-bishop saith he charged S. Ceadda that he had not been duly consecrated Bishop he with an humble voyce answered If you are sure that I have not entred into this Bishoprick aright I willingly depart from the Office for truly I never judged my self worthy of it but it was simply out of Obedience that I though unworthy thereof undertook it being thereto commanded The Arch-bishop hearing the humility of his answer said that it was not requisite he should quitt the Episcopall dignity and therefore he again perfected his Consecration after the Catholick manner Now what Errour had been committed in his former Consecration is not declared by any of our Writers For though his Ordainer Wina were indeed an unwortly Bishop impious and Sacrilegious and though he had been consecrated to a Church not vacant this might be a sufficient cause to oblige him to relinquish that See but neither of these could invalidate his Consecration 5. Now it hapned at the same time very commodiously that Iarumanâ—us Bishop of the Mercians dying King Wulfere requested the Archbishop to appoint a Bishop over his Province The Arch-bishop would not ordain there a New Bishop but desired King Oswi that Ceadda might be given them for their Bishop who at that time lived quietly in his Monastery at Lestinghe Thus S. Ceadda undertook the Bishoprick of the Nation of the Mercians and likewise of the Lindesfari which he according to the examples of the ancient Fathers administred with great diligence and perfection of life Thus writes the same Saint Beda From whose words misunderstood Iohn Stow erroneously collects that S. Ceadda was Bishop both of the Mercians and of Lindesfarn also whereas the Lindesfari in that passage are the inhabitants of Lincolnshire among whom not long before the Christian Faith having been spread they had a Bishop of their own seated at Sidnacester an ancient Citty whereof at this day no traces remain 6. S. Ceadda now a second time Bishop did not for all that relinquish his Monasticall manner of living but according to the ancient custome joynd it with the Episcopall And for that purpose saith S. Beda King Wulfere gave unto him a
filthy Idolatry the Devill to interrupt that good work or to be revenged on the worker kindled again in the minds of his Adversaries among the Northumbers that envy and malice which seemd to have been asswaged by his exile insomuch as they became enraged to hear that the Holy Bishop persecuted by them should be made an instrument of good to Srangers Hereupon by messages and gifts they solicited the Franks to procure the murder of the Apostolick Prelat 5. There lived still in greatest power among the Franks Ebroin Maire of the Kings Palace who as hath been declared had already embrued his hands in the blood of Dalphinus Bishop of Lyons and severall other Prelats of the French Church Him did the malicious Northumbers hire to this execrable murder Who immediatly by promises gifts and menaces solicited Adalgise King of the Frisons to be the Executioner But this barbarous half-pagan Prince did so utterly abhorr this unchristian proposall that he threw the Letters of Ebroin into the fire after he had read them in the hearing of Saint Wilfrid who was then feasted by him and whilst they were burning he added these words So may he be burned who for covetousnes of gold would dissolve the band of freindship once agreed upon 6. Thus by the watchfull Providence of God did the Holy Bishop escape the snares layd against his life and when the Spring had mitigated the feircenes of the aire and opened the wayes for travelling Saint Wilfrid renewed his iourney towards Rome and as William of Malmsbury relates passing through the Kingdom of the Franks inhabiting beyond the Rhene came to the King of that Nation called Dagobert Who entertained him with all kindnes and respect calling to mind how when he himself had formerly by a faction of his Nobles been driven out of his Kingdom into Ireland at his return this Holy Bishop had lodged him freindly and moreover furnished him with horses and attendants to his own countrey To expresse his gratitude therefore this King not only with extreme benignity received Saint Wilfrid but with most earnest prayers solicited him to accept the Bishoprick of Strasbourg and fixe his habitation in his countrey This kind offer the Holy Bishop thought not convenient then to accept but deferred his resolution till his return from Rome Whereupon he was though unwillingly dismissed by the King and being accompanied with his Bishop Deodatus prosecuted his iourney 7. Thus writes the said Historian But what he relates of Dagoberts expulsion into Ireland ought to be applied to Theodoric King of the Franks who lived at this time and being reiected by his Subjects might have been thus hospitably entertained by S. Wilfrid Whereas King Dagobert was dead severall years before this 8. Saint Wilfrid being thus dismissed with recommendations passing through Champaigne diverted out of the straight way to visit Berthaire Prince of that Province This Prince had from the Holy Bishops enemies been informed of the cause of his journey and moreover invited by promises to procure some mischeif to him Whereupon at his first coming he received him with an arrogant frowning countenance but assoon as he had been acquainted with a true relation of the cause his displeasure was mitigated insomuch as he did not only abstain from doing him any hurt but by his recommendation and assistance brought the controversy to a good end Withall professing that he was induced hereto by the humanity of the King of the Hunns in whose Court he had formerly lived during his banishment who though he was a Pagan yet could by no offers be corrupted to doe the least harm to him to whom he had once promised security 9. The like courtesy and Civility did Saint Wilfrid find from all Princes through whose Courts and Provinces he passed insomuch as at last he arrived safely at Rome where he found Pope Agathon busily employed in repressing the Heresy of the Monothelites who taught that our Saviour though subsisting in two Natures yet had but one Will. This Heresy had at that time greivously infected the Eastern Churches for the extirpation whereof and preventing the spreading of it in the West that Holy Pope had at this time assembled a Synod at Rome to which S. Wilfrid was invited where likewise his cause was determined But before we relate the successe thereof it will be expedient to declare how in his absence almighty God justified his innocence by inflicting a sharp judgment on his Enemies and persecutours at home III. CHAP. 1 2. c. Saint Wilfrids Prophecy fullfilled Winfrid Bishop of Lichfeild expelled 1. THAT Propheticall denunciation by which Saint Wilfrid being derided by the Courtiers of King Egfrid for his Appeale to Pope Agathon â—oretold them That their laughter should precisely within the space of a year be turned into greivous lamentation was exactly fulfilld the next yeare in which he remaind at Rome For not long after his departure Ethelred King of the Mercians Brother of Wolfere being desirous to avenge the iniuries of his brother sustained from King Egfrid who had overcome him in battell and possessed himself of the Province of the Lâ—ndesfars or Lincolnshire he denounced war against the said Egfrid Who swelling with pride for his former victory courageously mett him with an army not doubting of like successe against him 2. The two armies mett saith Saint Beda near the River Trent where coming to a decisive battell the Mercians utterly defeated the army of the Northumbers and among a multitude of others there was slain Eâ—win the Brother of Egfrid a young man â—bout eighteen years old tenderly loved both by the Northumbers and Mercians for his Sister named Ostrids was wife to King Etheâ—red And it hapned that on the very day a twelf-month after Saint Wilfrid had suffred the â—orementioned iniury the dead body of that hopefull young Prince was brought to York which caused a generall and long continued mourning both to the Citty and Province 3. If this battell was fought on the South side of Trent in Nottingham-shire where remains a village called Edwinstow it is most probable that place took its name rather from this Prince who by William of Malmsbury is called Edwin then from the Holy King and Martyr Saint Edwin who by Saint Beda's testimony was slain at a place called Heathfeild in Yorkshire 4. By this victory King Ethelred recovered that portion of his Kingdom called the Province of the Lindesfari which Egfrid had formerly won from his brother Wolfere But this one defeat not concluding the war to the continnance of which both these Kings made great preparations S. Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury trusting in the Divine assistance interposed himself between them and by many zealous exhortations pacified their minds so as that flame was quite extinguished insomuch as no other satisfaction was given to King Egfrid for the death of his Brother but only a summ of money And the peace concluded between the two Nations continued
that saving Oblation was of wonderfull vertue for the redemption both of soule and body This relation I my self received from severall persons who had heard it from the man himself to whom these things befell And therefore I thought it expedient having been clearly convinced of the truth of it to insert it as undoubtedly certain in this my History Thus writes S. Beda After this disgression wee will return to Saint Wilfrid at Rome IV. CHAP. i. 2 c. Saint Wilfrids cause heard and determined in a Roman Synod to his advantage 1. WEE have already declared how Saint Wilfrid arriving at Rome found Pope Agathon in great solicitude concerning the faith of all Churches upon occasion of the Heresy of the Monothelites much spread in the East For which purpose among other Provinces he sent likewise into Brittany where he commanded a Synod to be assembled to the end he might explore whether the Faith of the Saxon Church there were sound and uniform with other Catholick Churches or in any point corrupted 2. The person sent by him for this purpose saith S. Beda was a Venerable Preist called Iohn Arch-Cantor of the Church of S. Peter and Abbot of the Monastery of S. Martin who this year arrived in Brittany being conducted by the most Reverend Abbot Biscop by sirname Benedict His busines was to invite the Arch-bisho Theodore to come himself or at least to depute another in his name to the Rome Synod to be assembled for repressing the foresaid Hiresy This appears by the said Popes Letters written the next year to the Emperours of Constantinople Heraclius and Tiberius in which this passage is extant Our hope was saith he to have ioynd to this our Assembly our Fellow-bishop Theodore a learned Philosopher and Arch-bishop of the great island of Brittany together with other Bishops abiding in those parts and for that reason we hitherto deferred this Council Which expression as it argues a wonderfull merit and esteem in which this holy Arch-bishop was held in that age so it disproves manifestly the assertion of Sir H. Spelman who thence collects that S. Theodore was called to the Council held at Constantinople whereas it is evident that it was the Roman Synod assembled the year following to which he was invited 3. In the mean time S. Wilfrid being arrived at Rome saith William of Malmsbury he found the whole Citty in a solicitous expectation of him For his coming was prevented by a Messenger sent from S Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury whose name was Kenewald a Monk of a modest and Religious comportment who brought with him in Writing severall Articles of accusation against S. Wilfrid conceived in very rude and bitter expressions S Hilda the famous Abbesse likewise sent Messengers on purpose to aggravate the charge against him This seemd a matter of so great consequence to the holy Pope Agathon that for determining it he presently assembled a Council of fifty Bishops and Abbots in the Great Church of our Saviour which had its sirname from the founder of it the Emperour Constantin Before this Council was S. Wilfrid summond accused defended and in the end absolved The whole proceeding of this Council in the cause of this holy Bishop which was the only busines debated in it cannot be better related then we find in thâ— authentick Copy of it preserved by William of Malmsbury and also extant in a Manuscript produced by Sir H. Spelman among his Councils of Brittany The Form whereof is as followeth 4. In the Name of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Chr. In the twelfth year of the raign of our most pious and glorious Emperour Constantin the elder and his Brethren our new made Emperours Heraclius and Tiberius in the seaventh Indiction in the month of October Agathon the most blessed Pope of the Catholick Church presiding the most holy Gospels being sett before in the Church of Saviour named from Constantin and together sitting with him these holy and learned Bishops as Assessours in the present cause Crescens Bishop of Vinon Phoberius Andreas of Ostia Iuvenal of Albano 5. Agathon the most Holy and Blessed Bishop of the Catholick Church and Apostolick Citty said thus to the Bishops sitting with him I doe not beleive that your Holy Fraternities are ignorant of the cause moving mee to call you to this Assembly For my desire is that your Reverences would ioyn with mee in hearing and treating of a Debate lately risen in the Church of the Brittish Isle where through Gods Grace the multitude of true Beleivers is encreased A relation of which Controversy hath been brought to us as well by information of persons thence arrived here as by Writings 6. Then Andrew the most Keverend Bishop of Ostia and Iohn of Porto said The ordering of all Churches dependeth on the authority of your Apostolick Sanctity who sustain the place of the Blessed Apostle S. Peter But moreover we by your command have read unto our fellow-Bishops sitting here with us the severall Writings which Messengers directed hither from Brittany presented to your Holines as well those which certain Messengers a good while since brought from the most Reverend Arch-bishop there together with the informations of others against a certain Bishop who as they say is privily slipped away as also those which were presented by the Devout Bishop Wilfrid Bishop of the Holy Church of York who having been cast out of his See by the forenamed Holy Arch-bishop is come hither In all which Writings though many questions be inserted yet we doe not find that by any Ecclesiasticall Canons he ha's been convicted of any crimes and consequently he was not canonically and legally eâ—ected Neither doe his accusers here present charge him wiâ—h any naughty acts meriting a degradation On the contrary it appears to us that notwithstanding his uniust suffrings he hath born himself modestly abstaining from all seditious contentions All that he hath done is that being driven out of his See the said venerable Bishop Wilfrid made known his cause to his fellow-bishps and it come for iustice to this See Apostolick 7. Agathon the most holy and blessed Bishop of the Catholick Church and of the Apostolick Citty of Rome said to his Brethren sitting with him Let Wilfrid the Venerable Bishop â—f the Holy Church of York who I am informed attends at the dores of our Secretary be here admitted and bring with him the Petition which he is sayd to have compiled The holy Bishop Wilfrid being entred into the Venerable Secretary said I beseech your Holines be pleased to command that my Petition may be openly read The most holy Bishop Agathon said Let the Petition of Venerable Wilfrid be received and publickly read And Iohn the Notaery received and read it to the holy and Apostolick Council in tenour following 8. I Wilfrid an humble and unworthy Bishop have at last by Gods assistance brought my steps to this supreme residence of Apostolick dignity as to a strong tower of safety from
drew him full of tears likewise out of his most sweet retirement to the Synod Where being arrived though he again renewd his resistance yet at last he was overcome by the united wills of all the Bishops and compelled to submitt his neck to the burden of the Episcopall Office 4. But though he was then elected and had consented to his Election yet he was not consecrated till the year following at the great solemnity of Easter The See to which he was ordained was not that of Hagulstadt now vacant by the deposition of Tumbert but Lindesfarn administred by Eata For Eata who at first had been consecrated Bishop both of Lindesfarn and Hagulstad in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight when that Province was shortly after divided he surrendred the See of Hagulstad to Tumbert reserving Lindesfarn to himself and now perceiving that S. Cuthbert rather desired Lindesfarn in which Diocese his beloved desart was seated the humbly devout Bishop Eata willingly surrendred it to him and again resumed Hagulstad Thus writes the Authour of S. Cuthberts life in Capgrave 5. This Synod in which S Cuthbert was Elected Bishop continued a part of two years for he was elected towards Winter and not ordained till the Easter following at whose ordination all the Bishops were present And before the dissolution of the Synod King Egfrid gave many munificent gifts to his new Prelat which were confirmed by the subscription of the King and all the Bishops 6. In his Life preserved by Capgrave we read That King Egfrid gave to him in York all the land from the Wall of S. Peters to the great Westgate and from thence to the Citty-wall toward the South He gave him likewise a village called Creike three miles in circuit that it might be a mansion for him in his iourney to and from York There Saint Cuthbert founded a Monastery constituting an Abbot named Gave The said place called Creike is seated in the forest of Gautres in Calaterio nemore in some parts abounding with wood and elsewhere a morish plain It stands a little Northward from York in the way towards Durham thus writes Camden 7. Besids this the King added another and greater Gift for he bestowd on him the Citty Luel or Caer-leil and fifteen miles about it where the holy Bishop founded a Monastery for consecrated Virgins ordaining an Abbesse over them He appointed Schooles for learning also in the same Citty Concerning this Donation the same Camden thus writes in his Description of Cumberland Egfrid gave to S. Cuthbert the Citty Lugubalia in this form I have given the Citty which is called Lugubalia and the land about it for the space of fifteen miles This name of Lugubalia or Luguvallia was given to that citty by reason of its proximity to the famous rampire or Vallum raised by the Romans to exclude the barbarous Nations beyond it commonly called The Picts Wall 8. Neither did King Egfrids munificence rest here for thus it follows in Capgrave After that S. Cuthbert had raised a child from death in a village called Exenford King Egfrid gave to him the land called Carthmel and all the Brittains inhabiting there c. Afterward Egfrid gave to the man of God Mailros that is to say Meuros and Carram and all the Appurtinances It is said that in that rich Treasury of Brittish Antiquities the Library of Sir Iohn Cotton there is extant a Charter of these Donations of King Egfrrid subscribed by Trumwin Bishop of the Picts and other English Bishops out of which Bishop Vsher quotes certain passages And the Munificence of King Egfrid was imitated by severall Princes his Successours who wonderfully enlarged their liberality to his Church and See afterward transferred to Durham called the Patrimony of S. Cuthbert Of which more hereafter 9. But as for S. Cuthbert himself he was nothing the richer for these possessions he practised the poverty of a Monk in the sublime state of a Bishop and as S. Beda reports in his life he adorned with works of piety the Episcopall degree undertaken by him therin imitating the Apostles of our Lord and with his wholesom admonitions invited to eternall happines the flock committed to his charge And the thing which gave the greatest efficacy to his exhortations was that himself in his own practise afforded an example for others to imitate For he was in a supreme degree fervent in divine Charity modest in the vertue of patience studiously intent to Prayer and affable to all who came to him for comfort Yea he esteemed the contributing his charitable assistance to his infirm brethren equivalent to Prayer because he who said Thou shalt love the Lord thy God said also Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self His abstinence was admirable he through the grace of compunction had his mind always elevated to heavenly things To conclude Whensoever he offred to God the most holy Sacrifice he addressed his prayers to him not with a loud voyce but with teares flowing from the depth of his heart This may suffise touching S. Cuthbert for the present wee shall add more when we come to treat of his death III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of Saint Eata Bishop of Hagulstad with his death 6. S. Iohn of Beverley succeeds him 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred eighty six the holy Bishop Eata after the administring the Sees of Lindesfarn and afterward of Hagulstad the space of seaven years dyed with such opinion of Sanctity that in our English Martyrologe his memory is celebrated among the Saints on the twenty sixth of October 2. Concerning his education from his infancy wee read thus in the Authour of his Life who follows S. Beda The Holy Bishop Aidan saith he undertook to instruct in the Religion of Christ twelve young children of the English Nation Of these Eata was one being a child of a very good disposition and a meek humble heart By the admonitions and good examples of his pious Teacher to whom he gave diligent attendance he became notable in all vertues so that finding grace both with God and man he became a Monk and according to the Profession of that state he sedulously gave himself to Watchings fasting and other good Exercises day and night For he was a man eminent for the vertue of patience brightly adorned with chastity affable and pleasing to all and as Venerable Beda testifies of him he was beyond all others adorned with the Grace of Meeknes and holy simplicity Afterward the was made Abbot of the Monastery of Mailros or Meuros in the execution of which charge he exhibited to his Brethren yet greater examples of humility and charity then formerly insomuch as they tenderly loved him not as an awfull Master but an indulgent Father He was held in such veneration among the rich and powerfull men of that age that even Kings themselves reverenced him as a Father and with devout minds conferred on
Frisons Rugini Danes Hunns Old Saxons Boruchtuarians severall other To these the foresaid soldier of Christ intended to direct his voyage round about Brittany by Sea to the end he might endeavour to snatch some soules out of the snares of Satan and bring them to the obedience of Christ Or in caâ—e his endeavours proved fruitles to continue his voyage to Rome and there devoutly visit the Monuments of the Blessed Apostles and Martyrs But this his good design could not take effect and by what impediments it was obstructed the same Writer from Saint Beda thus further relates 5. Saint Egbert pursuing this good resolution was notwithstanding forbidden by Divine Oracles and wonders to putt it in execution For having made choice of companions in the said work men of learning courage when he had prepared all things necessary for the voyage on a certain day early in the morning there came to him a Monk who had formerly in Brittany been a Discâ—ple and attendant on the Venerable Preist Boisil then Priour of the Monastery of Mailrose under Eata Which Monk related to him a Vision which had appeard to him the night before 6. When I had finished the Midnight Psalmody said he I laid my self down to sleep in which there appeared to mee my ancient Master and benefactour Boisil who addressing his speech to mee said I am come hither to bring an answer and commission of our Lord and Saviour to Egbert with which thou must acquaint him Tell him therefore that it is Gods will that he pursue not this voyage but betake himself to the Monasteries instituted by Columba and there teach the Monks their duty Now this Columba was the first who preached the Faith to the Northern Picts inhabiting beyond the Mountains he was also the first founder of the famous Monastery seated in the Isle called Hy which Columba is now by some called Colum-celli by a name compounded of Columba and a Monasticall Cell When Egbert had heard the words of this Vision he charged the Monk to tell no man of it having a suspicion that it might be an illusion Yet considering better of it he had an apprehension that it was a truth Notwithstanding he ceased not for all that to make preparation for his iourney 7. But a few dayes after the same Monk came again to him and told him that the night before presently after Matins Boysil appeard once more to him saying Why didst thou so negligently and coldly relate the commission I gave thee to Egbert But now goe and tell him that whether he will or no he shall be forced to goe to the Monasteries of Columba because their ploughs doe not goe right and it must be his charge to rectify those disorders Egbert hearing this again commanded the Monk not to discover these things to any And for himself though he had no doubt of the Vision yet he adventured to begin the designed iourney with his Brethren 8. Assoon therefore as all things necessary for their voyage were putt into the Ship after they had for some dayes expected a favourable wind there hapned one night so furious a tempest that the ship was cast on one side in the water which entring in spoyled most of the provisions layd therein yet whatsoever belonged to Egbert and his companions was saved Egbert seeing this and saying in the words of the Prophet For my sake is tempest as hapned retired himself not daring to pursue the iourney and so was compelled to stay at home But one of his companions named Wibert being eminent for his contempt of the world and his knowledge in spirituall matters for he had spent many years in Ireland leading an Anachoreticall life in great perfection took ship and coming into Friseland preached the word of life to the inhabitants there and to their King Radbode yet with small fruit among them After two years therefore unproffitably spent there he returned to his beloved solitude where he attended to God only and since his endeavours had been unsuccessfull in converting strangers to the Faith he was carefull to proffit his own countreymen by the good example of his piety 9. Baronius having recited these things out of Saint Beda adioyn this observation That since all things which proceed from God are orderly and free from confusion it is no wonder that these zealous devout men had no successe since they had not received their Mission from the Pope to whom belongs the power to conferr the Apostolicall Office 10. Saint Beda proceeds in his Narration thus Assoon as the man of God Egbert perceived that himself was not permitted to goe and preach to the Infidell Nations being detained for another benefitt of the Church revealed to him by a Divine Oracle and moreover that Wibert who had made a voyage thither had small successe in his preaching His zeale rested not here but he attempted the same design once more and sent other holy men and withall very industrious among whom the most eminent was Willebrord a Preist of great desert Those new Missioners twelve in number assoon as they had passed the Seas turned aside out of their way to visit Pipin Duke of the French nation by whom they were favourably received And wheras he had a little before subdued the Southern Friseland out of which he had driven the foresaid King Radbode he sent them thither to preach and moreover assisted them with the royall authority forbidding any one to molest them in their preaching and promising his favour to all who should receive the Faith Hence it came to passe through the divine Grace that in a short time many were converted by them to the Faith of Christ. 11. The place where these holy men aborded was Wiltemburg or Traiectum now called Vtrecht seated on the ancient Rhin in lower Germany mistaken by some Writers for another Citty called likewise Traiectum or Maestricht in Brabant seated upon the River Meause Of the former Traiectum S. Willebrord was afterward Arch-bishop as shall be shewed in due place II. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Names of the twelve Apostolick Missioners c. 1. IT will not be curiosity but duty to propagate to posterity the names of these twelve Apostolicall Missioners as likewise to declare by what authority they willingly undertook the charge of preaching the Gospell to Pagans A perfect information hereof we have received from one of that number S. Marcellinus who has committed to writing an account of their progresse as likewise the particular Gests of S. Willebrord and Suibert who were most eminent among them 2. The illustrious Prelat S. Egbert saith he thirsting after the salvation of all and particularly of the Pagan Frisons and Saxons in as much as the English were descended from them persevering in this charitable design endeavoured to send to the discharge of that holy employment of converting soules certain holy and industrious persons fitted thereto both in point of learning courage and diligence He
of curiosity desirous to see the manner of Christian Worship and particularly the Actions of S. Swibert of whom he had heard wonderfull things though as yet he remained in his ignorance and infidelity he attended by three servants took boat about seaven a clock in the morning willing to see the Ceremonies of the Dedication of the Church at Malsen which was but a small mile distant from Duerstat Now as the boat was sayling in the midst of the River Rhene or Leck the young man sate on the side of it leaning on his sword and sportfully passing the time but on a sudden by reason of the moistnes and slipperines of the boat his feet sliding he fell backwards into the River and notwithstanding all the endeavours of his servants to save him was swallowd by the deep gulfe and drowned Whereupon the servants filled the shores on both sides of the river with their clamours and not daring to return to his parents they ran away This misfortune caused an incredible sorrow not only to his parents and kindred but all the inhabitants neer adioyning 5. At last about noon the same day his body was taken up in a Nett by fishermen and with great lamentation caried to the house of his parents and though his ioynts were become stiff and inflexible yet by the advice of the Pagan Preists he was putt into a warm bed and so caried into their Idoll-Temple of Mars For they had heard that the Christians having caried severall persons who had been drowned into their Churches they were by the Sacrifices and prayers of the Bishops restored to life The Father therefore of this young man called Gunther a Noble Soldier and Lord of Adengyn made hast with his family and freinds to the Temple of Mars where he offred an abominable Sacrifice killing many beasts of severall sorts to their great God Mars hoping thereby to have his onely Son restored to life But after they had with mournfull hearts continued in their Sacrifices and Prayers two howers and found no help the afflicted Father despaired of his Sons recovery neither indeed had they ever heard that their false God had had the power to doe such things 6. Now the same day there were present severall Christians who being desirous to see the successe of these Sacrifices and Prayers followd the Funerall to the Porch of the Temple These seeing the inexpressible greif of Gunther and his freinds and reioycing at such a proof of the impotency of Heathen Gâ—ds they called Gunther aside and to the end that Christ might be magnified they advised him with all speed to send for S. Swibert the Christian Bishop from Malsen to whom his Sons intention had been to goe assuring him that upon condition himself would renounce his Idols and beleive in Christ the Bishop by our Lords Power would raise his Son to life 7. Gunther having heard this and calling to mind how the same Saint Swibert in that very Citty had been freed by an Angell out of Prison and how in Hagenstein he had in the Name of Iesus restored sight to one born blind was encouraged by these Christians speeches and without delay taking with him some freinds of the better sort he went presently to Malsen Where being come to the presence of Saint Swibert he immediatly leaped from his horse and casting himself at the Holy Bishops feet and kissing his hands he with many tears and sighs declared to him the manner of his Sons unfortunate death beseeching him that he would vouchsafe to goe with him to Duerstat and by the power of the glorious Name of Iesus the Omnipotent God restore his Son to life promising that himself with his whole family and kindred would beleive and be baptised 8. Saint Swibert with great courtesy and respect raised him up speaking comfortable words to him but notwithstanding he had great compassion of his greif and lamentations yet he piously excused himself fearing to tempt God in a matter of so great importance Gunther therefore again embracing his feet with great importunity beseeched him for the love of Iesus Christ the living God to goe along with him Thus at last being overcome with his pittifull cryes and principall with the prayers of Werenfrid and my self together with other New-Converts he attended by us entred a Charret prepared for him and with great speed came to Duerstat after Complin about six of the Clock Now there was a great multitude of people assembled on the banks of the Rhene or Leck expecting the arrivall of Saint Swibert at which Profane Idoll-Preists were much greived 9. Assoon then as we had passed over the River Leck as he was in the way toward the place where the dead body lay being attended by his Disciples and also a great troop of Pagans the Lady Mechtildis the Mother of Splinter who had been drownd mett him almost distracted with greif and casting her selfe at his feet in the open street she with a loud voyce cryed O servant of the living God help mee and restore my Son in the Name of thy God and I will beleive in him with my whole family for our Gods are unable to raise him up S. Swibert took up the Lady and comforting her sighed within himself a little 10. Now the Body of Splinter who had been drownd was again caried from the Temple of Mars into his fathers house When the Holy Bishop then was come before it he desired that the Pagan Preists would please to be present with him that they might see the power of our Lord Iesus Christ the Omnipotent God In the mean time he commanded us to attend devoutly to our prayers and to implore the Divine Mercy for restoring life to the dead man and himself likewise prayed Whilst the whole multitude therefore wept and when some of the Idoll-Preists at the request of the Lord Gunther stood by trembling S. Swibert kneeling down and weeping abundantly with a loud voyce cryed unto our Lord saying O Lord Iesus Christ who art our Refuge incline thine eare unto our prayers that thy glory may be revealed to these men and thy holy Name be glorified by these Vnbeleivers That they may know that our Faith is not vain and that besides thee there is no other God whose Mercy is endlesse and whose gifts are â—â—measurable For the glory of thy Name restore life to this thy servant who has been deluded by the fraud of the Devill that they may know that all Idolls which they worship for Gods are images filled with Devills and that seeing the Power of thy Mercy they may beleive in thee and beleiving may be saved 11. Having thus said he rose from Prayer having a great confidence in Christ and said O Lord Iesus Christ the comforter of the sorrowfull who hast sayd Whosoever beleives in mee the works that I doe he also shall doe and greater then these he shall doe O most mercifull Lord God who at the tears of the two holy Sisters Mary Magdalen and
esteem Saints Yet neither their Sanctity nor learning could secure their Lives from the present sanguinary Laws now in force 7. Some Writers affirm that S. Aldelm was a Scott but his name meerly Saxon does disprove them which signifies an ancient Helmet And generally our Historians acknowledge him to have been of the English-Saxon progeny Capgrave B. Godwin and others affirm that he was Brothers son to King Ina. Brian Twine says he was son to King Ina himself And William of Malmsbury that he was from â—is ancient Progenitours nearly allied in blood to King Ethelstan 8. There succeeded him in the Episcopall See of Shirborn a devout Preist named Forther who by the testâ—mony of Saint Beda his contemporaney is described to have been a man well versed in the study of Divine Scriptures Little more is extant concerning him in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments Onely Bishop Godwin relates of him that almost thirty years after this he attended a Queen of the West-Saxons in her pilgrimage to Rome 9. Probably this is the same person to whom Brithwald at this time Archbishop of Canterbury wrote an Epistle extant among those of Saint Boniface the Apostle of Germany with this Inscription To the most Reverend and most Holy our Fellow-Bishop Fortherey Berthwald a Servant of the Servants of our Lord sendeth health in our Lord. The Epistle it self because it gives some Light to the practise of that age wee will here adioyn as followeth 10. Since the request which in your presence I made to the Venerable Abbot Beorwald took no effect which was that he would sett at liberty a young captive mayd whose kinred dwell near to this Citty being importuned by them I thought fitt to direct once more these Letters to you by a Brother of the same mayd whose name is Eppa Hereby therefore I doe earnestly entreat you that you would by all means obtain from the foresaid Abbot that he would from this bearers hands accept three hundred shillings solidos for the ransome of the sayd young mayd and consign her into his hands to be brought hither to the end she may spend the rest of her age in ioyfull freedome among her freinds This affaire if you will bring to good effect you will not fayle to receive a good reward from God and many thanks from mee Besides this I conceive that our Brother Beorwald receiving this money will be no looser I ought to have made my first request that you would be mindfull of mee in your dayly Prayers Our Lord Iesus Christ preserve your Reverence in health many years 11. The slavery of this young mayd mentioned here denotes the ancient custome of the Saxons continued a long time after by the Normans of buying slaves and annexing them to certain Mannors or Lands which were therefore called Villains which without a ransome could not be restored to freedome 12. As for Beorwald mentioned in this Letter he was probably Abbot of Glastonbury who succeded Hemgisle in the year of Grace seaven hundred and five as the Antiquities of that Monastery declare And he it was who wrote the life of the Holy Bishop Egwin and not as some mistakingly affirm Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury who sate above four and twenty years in that See before S. Egwin died IX CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Indractus an Irish Prince his murder miraculously discovered 1. ABout this time hapned the Martyrdom of a son of a certain Irish King who returning from a Pilgrimage to Rome by Brittany in his way from Glastonbury towards Ireland was together with seaven of his companions barbarously murdred by robbers His name was Indractus and his Memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the fifth of February 2. Concerning him thus writes the Authour of his life in Capgrave After that Saint Patrick had converted the Irish Nation to the Faith of Christ by many signs and wonders he passed over the Sea thence into Brittany and at Glastonbury he happily ended his days in a good old age For this cause many devout persons of Ireland have accustomed in devotion to visit the sayd Monastery Now there was in Ireland the son of a certain King his name was Indractus a young man well imbued with learning adorned with vertues and favoured both by God and man This young Prince aspiring only to heavenly ioyes for a more secure obtaining them resolved to despise yea to fly from all the snares of Princely palaces and delicacies Taking therefore with him nine companions together with his Sister named Dominica our Martyrologe calls her Drusa he in devotion undertook a pilgrimage to Rome Having therefore a prosperous passage by Sea he arrived at a Haven in Brittany named Tamerunt And there this devout assembly built an Oratory and spent a long space of time in the service of God and mortification At length leaving his Sister there he with his other Companions pursued their pilgrimage to Rome As for the frequent Miracles wrought by the Holy man in Brittany or in his iourney I omitt them the curious Reader may have recourse for them to the Authour who thus prosecutes his Story 3. Returning after some time from Rome into Brittany he had a resolution to goe to Glastonbury and there at the Monument of Saint Patrick to pour forth his Prayers to God Now at that time Inas King of the West-Saxons held his Court neer that place in a town called Pedret in the villages round about which many of his Servants and attendants were dispersed Among whom there was a certain son of iniquity named Hona This man curiously observing Indractus and his companions in their way from Glastonbury that their baggs and purses were well stuffed with money Whereupon the Minister of Satan with his complices following them overtook them at a Village named Shapwick and violently breaking into the house while they were sleeping there murdred them all Which having done they took their Sacred Bodies and cast them into a deep pitt to the end no man might find them 4. Now it fortuned that King Inas whose abode was near that place on a certain night being afflicted with great pain in his bowells to assâ—age the same went abroad into the open aire and looking towards heaven he saw a pillar as it were of fire issuing out of the place in which the sacred bodies were hidden the splendour of which was always in his eyes which way soever he turned them The same spectacle offred it self to him three nights consequently whereupon taking some of his Courtiers with him he went to the place and having found the bodies of the holy Martyrs he took care that they should be buried at Glastonbury with great honour The Body of S. Indractus was placed on the left side of the Altar opposite to the Monument of S. Patrick and his companions under the pavement round about As for the Murderers they having the impudence to be present at the buriall were visibly seysed
chearfullnes of devotion and humility attended and ministâ—ed to them She had a Brother called Bana and three devout Sisters S. Eadwara Saint Wilgitha and Sidwella all which imitated her piety and vertue 6. Not long after S. Iuthwara's Mother was dead her Father took a second Wife a woman for her extraction Noble enough but of a most malicious disposition for her soule by the Devills instinct was full of the gall of bitternes especially against this devout Virgin for the destruction of whom she employd continually the thoughts of her poysonnous heart in contriving snares and mischeivous treachery And for the executing thereof she intended to make Bana a robustious man but fitt for any villany her instrument 7. It was the Holy Virgin 's constant practise in all Vigils of Saints to be present at Divine Service and to spend whole nights in Prayer But thither she never went alone but in the company of other Virgins She was likewise very assiduous in Watching and Fasting and other Mortifications subduing carnall desires With these austerities and greif for her Fathers death she became extremely feeble and pale This occasion by the Devills suggestion her malicious Mother in Law took to execute her rancour against her For which purpose dissembling her bloody intent under a shew of Motherly affection and care she began to speak kindly to her and solicitously to enquire the causes of her palenesse S. Iuthwara suspecting no ill imputed it to the losse of her dear Father the greif for which had caused great pain in her breast The Malicious woman having heard this spoke comfortably to her and promised her to find out some remedy And presently after she brought her two small peices of Fresh cheese still dropping with whey which she bad her to lay upon each breast before she went to Church assuring her that this would take away all her pain The simple Virgin suspecting no harm did accordingly Then the cruell stepdame went to the Virgins Brother Bana and told him that his Sister was with child and for a proof thereof advised him to open her breasts and taking away the linnen cloath which covers them he should see them all were with milk dropping from them The young man foolishly beleiving her meets his Sister as she was coming out of Church and before all the people asked her Who had gott her with child The poor Virgin astonished at such a Question protested she was not with child Whereupon he presently opened her breasts and finding the linnen all moyst in a rage he drew out his sword and cutt off her head 8. Immediatly after this the Holy Virgin with her own hands took up the head and to the astonishment of all caried it back steadily into the Church And moreover for a further proof of the Holy Virgins Sanctity Almighty God caused a fountain to burst forth out of the place where the head fell and over the fountain as miraculously a Tree began to grow 9. Thus writes the Authour of her Life adding many other Miracles as testimonies of her Sanctity The memory of this Holy Virgin as likewise of her Sister Sidwella is much renowned in some Western parts of England and certain Chappell 's have been erected to their Honour in Devonshire Our Martyrologe stiles them Brittish Virgins adding that the Martyrdom of S. Iuthwara hapned in some part of South-wales Which is very probable because none of our Ancient Historians treating of Saxon affaires have mentioned any of these Sisters 10. Wee will adioyn to her another admirable Virgin who was without all question of English blood and whose glorious Memory is celebrated both at home and abroad Now though her actions and death can not by any certain signs be consigned to determinate years yet since our Writers generally agree that they belonged to the times of the Raign of Cuthred King of the West-Saxons our Martyrologe likewise declares that she flourished about this year seaven hundred forty it seems expedient here to assemble such particulâ—r passages touching her life and death as are found dispersed in our severall Authours William of Malmsbury Mathew Paris and Capgrave 11. The Holy Virgin concerning whom wee are now to treat is the famous S. Fridesâ—ida the ornament and Patronesse of the most illustrious Citty and Vniversity of Oxford Her Fathers name was Didan a person of Noble quality and her Mothers Safrida Both which for their happines in the birth and pious education of such a daughter have deserved to be kept in the memory of posterity Almighty God was pleased even from her infancy to shew that he chose her for his own so great a sence of piety he inspired into her soule in her most tender years For saith the Authour of her life even then she had an aversion from all delicacies in so much as she usually lay upon the hard pavement and not this rest would she afford her self till she could no longer resist sleep so that a great part of the night she spent in prayer upon her knees or prostrate on the ground Her ordinary dyet was barley-bread with a few hearbes and roots and her drink only water Hence it was that her Parents perceiving that all her thoughts were directed to God freely gave her leave to consecrate her self entirely to him in a Religious Profession And by her example twelve other Virgins of Noble families forsook the world to attend only upon our Lord. 12. By the Munificence therefore of the King she built a Monastery into which entring with her companions she passed the greatest part of her time in Prayer and Fasting And this particular task of Devotion she imposed on her self to recite a certain number of Prayers to God upon her knees a hundred times each day and as many in the night 13. But what soule can perfectly aspire to goodnes without incurring the envy of him who is unchangeably evill And when his envy is once raised all his pernicious subtilties will be employed to destroy or diminish at least the good which he envyes Saint Frideswida enclosed in a Monastery may seem secure from all attempts prejudiciall to her purity Yet even there the Devill found a way to endanger her Before she had consecrated herself to God there was a certain Prince deeply wounded by her beauty not knowing that he was prevented by another celestiall Rivall He used all the Arts and flatteries of a Lover to win the devour Virgins affections But in vain Her spirituall espousalls made his hoped-for Mariage impossible and the desire of it Sacrilegious But what will not carnall Love inflamed with rage attempt Since flatteries could not prevayle when she lived free in the world he will not fear to use force now she is confined to her Enclosure This when the Holy Virgin saw she concluded there could not be any other security for her but in flight Hereupon she privately stole alone out of the Monastery and endeavoured to secure her self in a wood neighbouring
this 〈◊〉 gave to the people the parings of his nayles and the hayr which fell from his head bidding tâ—em tâ— mingle those with the Relicks of S. Peter Yea hâ—â— presumption came to that point that whâ—â— any came and prostrated themselves at hâ—â— feet desirous to confesse their sins hâ— would tell â—hem I know all your sins already your very thoughts are not hid from mee therefore there is no need to confesse theâ— Goe home in peace have no doubt at all but your sins are pardond These and many other like marks of Pride and Hippocrisy did Adelbert shew in his habit gate gesture and behaviour 8. As for the other Heretick called Clement his Heresies did more openly destroy the common Faith of the Church He rejected all the Sacred Canons all the Writings of the Holy Fathers and all authority of Councills He would maintain that he might lawfully be a Catholick Bishop though he had two children born in adultery Yea he introduced Iudaism affirming that a Christian might without sin if he pleased mary his own Brothers Widow Moreover in opposition to the constans Doctrine of the Fathers he taught that Christ the son of God when he descended into Hell delivered out of that Infernall prison all without exception beleivers and infidells And many Heresies more he published touching Divine Predestination contrary to Catholick Faith 9. These things being made known to the Synod at Rome The Fathers unanimously deprived Adelbert of his Sacerdotall function condemning him to Pennance and in case he should afterward seduce any they pronounced Anathema against him and all that should adhere to him or his doctrines In like manner they deposed Clement and actually excommunicated him and whosoever should consent to his sacrilegious Opinions 10. Our late Zealous Reformers of Scotland may here discover with gratulation their prime Patriark who desirous to be an Apostle of a New pureâ—-Religion made the foundation of it to be a contempt of the Doctrines of Ancient Fathers and Sacred Canons of the Church And in the like unhappy attempt he will shoâ—tly be imitated by another Preist of the same Nation called Sampson who in despight of Sacred Tradition and the Vniversall practise of the Church denyed the necessity of Baptism asserting that by the simple Imposition of hands by a Bishop without Baptism one might be made a good Catholick Christian. 11. An account of all these Proceedings Pope Zacharias gave S. Boniface in a Letter requiring him to publish through Germany France the condemnation of these Hereticks He signifyed moreover that he confirmed all things which had passed in the Synod of Mentz ratifying the erection of that See to a Metropolitan dignity though he knew that many Schismaticall Preists in France did earnestly oppose themselves against it And whereas a request had been made to him from France that the Citty formerly called Agrippina but then Colonia might be erected to be a Metropolitan Church he signified his â—ssent but so that it should be subordinate to hâ—s See of Mentz He also intimated to him that in case a certain Seducer named Geoleob who formerly had usurped the name authority of a Bishop should present himself to him at Rome without his approbation he would treat him as he deserved And he enioynd likewise S. Boniface not to admitt any Bishops or Metropolitans confirmed by him at Rome except they brought Commendatory Letters from him XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. A Letter of Saint Boniface and the Synod of English Bishops at Mentz to the Mercian King Ethelbald reproving him for his incestuous lusts and Sacriledge 7. c. Another Letter of the same to Egbert Arch-bishop of York 1. NEither did S. Boniface's Christian Charity and Pastorall solicitude confine it self to Germany alone But he thought it his duty to give his best assistance to his Native countrey Brittany almost over-whelmd with a Sea of vices There King Ethelbald the most potent among the English-Saxon Princes had in a high manner offended God in a sacrilegious invasion of the rights and revenews of Churches within his Dominions of Mercia in offring violence to the chastity of Religious Virgins consecrated to God and many other crimes and there was a iust fear least such enormities in a King should become exemplary to his subjects and draw many to imitate them Therefore S. Boniface and his companions in this Synod of Mentz who were all Bishops of English race thought expedient to admonish the sayd King Ethelbald of his Duty as a Christian Prince by a Letter directed to him in the name of â—he whole Synod Which was likewise done by them 2. This Letter is still extant In which with a modest yet vigorous stile becoming an Apostolick Spirit they signifyed to hâ—m that publick fame having informed them that he had all his life abstaind from Mariage which if he had done out of the Love and fear of God and for chastities sake they should have much reioyced in it But they were told that he refused to take a lawfull wife and polluted himself in adulteries and unlawfull lusts not abstaining even from devout Virgins the Spouses of our Lord a sin so horrible that it is by God esteemed equall to Heathenish Idolatry Yea the ancient Pagan Saxons did so abhorr adultery that if any woman though unmaried were found guilty of it they would coÌ„pell her with her own hands to hang her self after her death they would consume body with fire and hang him who had corrupted her over her smoking ashes Or else they would cause a multitude of women to drive her out of their town with whips cutting all her garment away to her wast and lancing her body with knives and thus she would be entertaind by the women of the next village who would use the like rigour towards her till they dispatched her of her Life Now if Heathens have such a zeale for Matrimoniall Chastâ—ty how iealous will our Lord be of his Spouses contracted to him by Vow and how infinitly more heavy will the punishment be which he will inflict on their Sacrilegious corrupters 3. They adiured him moreover to consider that Gods fury will more feircely be inflamed against Kings who are guilty of unlawfull lusts because probably their subjects will imitate them by which means the whole Nation like Sodom will become polluted and thereby leave a posterity effeminated by lusts despised both by God and men and regardles even of their Faith An example whereof might be seen in the Nations in Spain Province and Burgundy which giving themselves to filthy luxury were forsaken by God who justly suffred the Saracens to come upon them and overcome them so that now they have lost all knowledge of God and their Holy Faith 4. Hereto they added another great Crime which publick fame made him guilty of which was breaking the Priviledges of Churches and Monasteries and invading their revenews â—n which abominable sin he was followed by his Nobles who sett
holy King extended the bounds of his banishâ—ment further and visitted the shrines of the Holy Apostles beyond the Alpes and afterwards retired himself into other uninhabited places to the end he might more freely there attend to God At length after a long continued exile after many internall combats after frequent and painfull suffrings by hunger thirst and cold all his conflicts ended in the Province of Italy and Citty of Lucca there he received his rewards thence his soule was received into heaven and his Sacred members were placed near the Body of S. Frigidianus in a Church dedicated to his honour where his glorâ— shines abroad by many miracles His Festivity 〈◊〉 solemnized on the seaventh day before the Ides of February 3. The observations made by the illustrious Cardinall Baronius in his Annals this year upon this Inscription particularly to disprove the Title of King of the English attributed to S. Richard doe not seem to mee concluding For though it be true that his name is not found in the Catalogue of the Saxon or English Kings that is no sufficieÌ„t proof against him Since wee read very many examples or the like So in S. Beda mentioned is made of Edilward son of Oswald King of the Dierâ— likewise of Elbuin and of Osri King of the Wiccians And Cissa in his Charter in Harpsfeild calls himself King of the West-Saxons S. Boniface also mentions Sâ—gâ—â—ald King of the same Province and Ina a King called Balred Lastly in the Life of S. Botulph wee read of one Ethelmunâ— King of the South-Saxons yet not the name of any of these appear in the Catalogues oâ— the Kings of those severall Kingdoms And whereas he affirms that Philip of Eyslat a German is the first Authour who gives the Title of King to S. Richard it is a mistake For Wolfhard an Authour much more ancient who lived in the next Century to this and with great fidelity wrote the Life of Saint Walburga affords him the same Title and Stuartius in his Notes upon the same Life affirms that all Authours almost with one consent make him a King of England insomuch as none in his sound witts will deny it And indeed hereto agree the Roman Martyrologe Philip Bishop of Eystat Trithemius Molanus Yepes Gualter and very many others Yea Gretser in his observations on the Life of Saint Wilibald son to this Saint Richard prooves by many arguments the same as from common Tradition from ordinary Images of him from severall Missals Breviaries and Authours Notwithstanding that he did not actually at least not long enioy this Title and power may be granted Now the right which he had thereto may be shewed out of our Ancient Monuments 4. For wee have before declared how Lothere King of Kent succeeded to his Brother Egbert to the prejudice of his Brothers son Edric And after eleaven years raign being dispossessed and slain his son was also debarred the Succession never mounted the Throne Now this Prince Richard according to the opinion of some Writers and particularly of the learned Annalist R.F. Alford was that disinherited son of Lothere who content with the security and sweetnes of a private Life never sought nor desired soveraignty though iustly due to him 5. But more probable it is that this Richard was a King of the West-Saxons immediately after King Ina. For though Ethelard be the the onely King named his Successour Yet Saint Beda sayes expressely that King Ina left his Kingdom to severall young Princes among whoÌ„ this S. Richard probably was one This is confirmed by what we read in the life of this Prince that he recommended his children Winnebald and Willebald to S. Boniface because he was of his kingdom Now it is certain that S. Boniface was born at Kirton near Exceter in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons But Ethelard being a Prince of high spirits seems to have excluded the rest and S. Richard whose ambition lay another and better way was willing to employ his thoughts and endeavours in pursuing the hopes of an Eternall Kingdom to be obtained by peaceablenes and neglect of temporall Glory 6. And God was pleased to reward this his love with a far greater Blessing in giving him three children worthy of eternall memory S. Willibald S. Winibald and S. Walburga These three children in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five were sent by their Father to S. Boniface in Germany because he was born in his kingdom as the Authour of S Richards Life writes twenty years before the said S. Boniface was Arch-bishop of Mentz neither did their Father accompany them at that time as the Authour of the Inscription mistaking writes But severall years after followed them thither out of a desire to enioy their happy conversation and end his Life in the society of so many Saints Notwithstanding out of a Motive of Devotion very fashionable in that age he undertook a Pilgrimage in a mean habit to visit the Shrines of the Blessed Apostles at Rome After which in his return this year through Etruria or Tuscany God was pleased in the Citty of Lucca to putt an end to his iourney and restore to him with advantage a heavenly Crown And we are obliged to that Noble Citty for preserving his Memory in so Noble a Monument His name is both in the Roman and English Martyrologe recited among the Saints on the seaventh of February Where likewise he is stiled S. Richard King of the English because perhaps he had a right though never any possession of the Kingdom 7. The same year dyed the Holy Virgin Tecla Abbesse of the Monastery of Kirzengen at Ochnafort in Germany for so doe the Centuriators of Magdeburg stile the place And write concerning her and her holy companions in this manner This age or Century likewise had women famous for their learning some of which Boniface sent for out of England into Germany to preach the Gospell namely Chunitâ—ude Tecla Lioba Waldoburga Chunilda and Beragytha We doe indeed acknowledge that these Holy Virgins were sent for out of England into Germany but not to be Preachers It is no Catholick custom to make women overseers and disposers of Ecclesiasticall matters The end for which they were invited out of England was indeed to teach German Virgins the Instituts of a Religious Conversation As touching S. Tecla in particular she had her devout education in the Monastery of Winborn wherein she proffited so well that S. Boniface thought her fitt to teach others what she had so well learnt and to govern others having been so perfect in Obedience her self This Office after she had piously and diligently exercised fifteen years she was called to the embraces of her heavenly Bridegroom on the fifteenth day of October on which day she is commemorated among the Saints in the Roman Martyrologe 8. Our Martyrologe likewise mentions a certain English man a Bishop called German who went over Sea to preach
degrees or orders the Nobles whom they call Edlingen Free-men whom they called Frilingen and Servants whom they called Lassâ— every Borough or District was governed by a Noble man to whom the Freemen and Servants were Subjects Now every year once their custome was to hold a generall Assembly of all these Boroughs and all degrees of Inhabitants The place of their meeting was called Marklo neaâ—â—he River Weser 7. Now this great Assembly being ready to meet the Man of God S. Leibwin had a resolution to present himself before it and there either to gain a good number of Converts to God or Martyrdom to himself It hapned that at this time he was entertained in the house of a certain Noble man of great Power to whom he communicated his intention But the said Noble man whose name was Folbert endeavoured to disswade him telling him that though there were some to whom he was very dear yet the greatest part would shew themselves enemies and endanger to take away his life He besought him therefore during the time of the Assembly either to return home or to goe to the house of his dear freind Davo after which he might come and visiâ— him again But the Holy man replied That he neither ought nor durst neglect to perform the work which our Lord Iesus Christ had commanded him to doe The Noble man hearing this opposed no further but remained very sad 8. The Assembly then being mett the courageous soldier of Christ taking all his Spirituall Armour and withall cloathing himself with his Preistly Vestments and taking a Crucifix in one hand as our Lords Ensign-bearer and in the other a Book of the Gospells presents himself in the midst of the Assembly where they were offring Idolatrous Sacrifices and devotions to their false Gods Which the Holy man seeing with an inflamed zeale loud voyce condemned their Superstitions telling them that they were Devills which they worshipped which would reward them with eternall torments Whereas if they would turn to the only true God the Creatour of all things and Saviour of men and repenting of their Idolatries embrace the true Faith and be baptized to the remission of their Sins he would grant them tranquillity and plenty in this world and everlasting glory in the next He added hereto That if they neglected to follow his wholesom and saving counsell God had preordained for their present punishment a King not far distant from them of wonderfull prudence courage and power who would avenge the cause of God by their destruction 9 When they heard these words they be came inflamed with rage against him calling him Seducer and Impostour and not content with this they snatchd out of the hedges stakes of wood which they sharpned intending to kiâ—l him with them for they wore no weapons at such assemblies But the Holy man protected by Supernaturall assistance passed through the midst of them undiscerned and so escaped 10. Yet among them some there were whose â—earts Aâ—mighty God touched with his Grace Of whâ—ch the principall was one called Buâ—o who ascending to an eminent place boldly told them that since they never refused to receive and hearken to Embassadours sent from their barbarous neighbours much lesse ought they to stop their ears against the speeches of an Embassadour sent from the Supreme God who to procure their good was willing to sacrifice his own life That they might iudge of the power of that God since he had delivered his servant from the fury of so great a multitude Therefore no doubt the threatning which in the name of his God he had made against them would certainly be executed The mind of the Multitude hearing these things was deeply struck with fear and thereupon they decreed by common consent That none should hurt or disquiet that Messenger of God but suffer him freely to passe whithersoever he thought fitt 11. Saint Liebwin therefore seeing such a visible proof of Divine protection over him gave due thanks to God though he was not without some greif that the blessing of Martyrdom was denyed him But since he could not suffer from others he spared not to afflict himself mortifying and crucifying the flesh and sensuall affections of it with Watching Fasting and Prayer by which mean without persecution he suffred a long Martyrdom And as for the Apostolick Office enioynd him he incessantly employed his time in teaching exhorting and baptizing great multitudes which dayly gave up their names to Christ. This he ceased not to doe till Almighty God this year thought meet to call him to receive the reward of a good and faithfull servant on the day before the Ides of November on which day his memory is celebrated both in the English and Gallican Martyrologe 12. After his death certain malicious Pagans among the Saxons envying so great a Congregation of Christians as assembled in his Oratory first despoyled the place and then sett it on fire They had a great desire to exercise their rage by some indignities to his Sacred Body but with all their diligence in seeking it they could never find it 13. Not long after the said Oratory was again restored It was built in the haven of the Citty called afterwards Daventry Which name it took from the forementioned person Davon a Noble man of Saxony and most cordiall freind and Disciple of S. Liebwin 14. In the mean time the devout servant of God Gregory dyed and Alberic succeeded him in the Archiepiscopall See of Vtrecht By his directions and command a certain Preist afterward a Bishop named Ludger was sent to seek out the Sacred Relicks of this Holy man of God which at last by a vision in sleep he was directed to find and having taken them up he with great veneration deposed them in the Church new built Many years after this Bertulf accounted the twentieth Bishop of Vtrecht is said to have been the founder of another Magnificent Church in the same Town which was consecrated to the honour of God and his faithfull servant Saint Liebwin VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of Saint Winnebald 5. And of Saint Sola 1. THE same year likewise gave an end to the labours of two Disciples of S. Boniface S. Winnebald and S. Sola As touching the former he was as hath been sayd Son to Saint Richard the English King and Brother to S. Willebald There little remains in Ecclesiasticall Monuments recorded of him but that he was one of those Preists which in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five were called out of Brittany to assist S. Boniface in preaching to the Frisons He was by the same Saint afterward made Abbot of the Monastery of Heildesham Which Office did not so wholly employ him but that he travelled the countrey about to root out Idolatrous superstitions 2. The greatest difficulty he found was in reprooving and correcting the errours and vices of false Christians especially such as took on them the title and Office of Preists Many
of which were most horribly depraved and defiled with all manner of uncleannes These were so impatient of reformation that they endeavoured many wayes to destroy him who spared no labours to save them But God defended his servant from their malice 3. After many years spent and divided between the exercises of Martha and Mary sometimes attending in the solitude of his Monastery to Prayer and Contemplation as likewise to the establishing perfect Regular Observance and sometimes travelling abroad to win soules to Christ At last a greivous infirmity seized on him nowithstanding which he would needs undertake a iourney to visit his fellow Disciple Megingant then Bishop of Wizteburg with whom he staied only three dayes For returning homeward his infirmity encreasing he retired to a Monastery in the way dedicated to S Benedict Being there he sent to his Brother S. Willebald who was a Bishop and to other his freinds desiring them to visit and assist him in his last sicknes Who being come exhibited to him all requisit Offices of Christian Charity At last the Holy man perceiving his last hour to approach after many pious exhortations made to all that were present quietly yeilded up his soule to God 4. S. Ludger who wrote the life of S. Gregory the third Bishop of Vtrecht his Master affirms that S. Winnebald was very dear to him who by many Miracles after his death shewd how great the sanctity of his life had been His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of September but in the Gallican on the first of May Where mention is made of his Relicks translated to Furnes a town in Flanders 5. The other Disciple of S. Boniface was S. Sola an English-Saxon likewise who emulating the piety of his Master taught the Counsells of Christian Perfection to such as S. Boniface had converted to the Faith He accompanied S. Winnebald and S. Willebald in their pilgrimages to Rome And was afterward the first Abbot of a Monastery founded by himself in a place from him called Solenhoffen His Life is extant written above eight hundred years since by Ermenold a Deacon and Disciple of Rabanus Arch-bishop of Mentz Wherin wee read how he became a Father of a great congregation of devout Monks and after many blind lame dumb and deaf miraculously healed by him in the name of Iesus he at last full of all vertues in a good old age gave up his Spirit to God About a hundred years after his death Altimus Bishop of Eysâ—at obstained of Pope Gregory the fourth that his name shâ—uld be written among the Saints Molanus affirms that his Feast is celebrated on the third of December IX CHAP. 1. 2. c. A Rebellion among the Northumbers c. 4.5 Bregvin Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Iambert succeeds 6.7 c. Severall Episcopall Sees vacant supplied 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred hundred sixty one which was the third of the Raign of Ethelwald Mol King of the Northumbers a certain Nobleman of that kingdom named Oswin raised a rebellion against the said King and Armies on both sides being brought into the feild a terrible battell was fought at a place called Edwinscliff in which Oswin was slain 2. The year following the same King in the Citty of Cataract took to wife his Queen called Edilthrida As touching the Citty where this Mariage was celebrated Camden writes that at this day nothing remains of it great but its name being a very small village called Ca-Catarick and Catarick bridge The antiquity whereof is demonstrated by the large Roman way and old broken monuments there digged up 3. No more is found touching the forenamed Queen Edilthrida unlesse this be the same to whom an Epistle of Alcuin is found directed with this inscription To the devout servant of God formerly a Queen now a most beloved Religious Sister Aedilthrydis the humble Levite Alchuin wisheth health Which Epistle is full of pious exhortations and instructions suitable to the state professed by her and likewise of thankfullnes for her munificent liberality to him then living in France 4. The same year Bregwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had governed that Province only three years dyed Concerning whom this Elegy is found in Capgrave Bregwin was appointed by God as a Mirrour so brightly shining with all vertues that in his life every one might find what he ought to imitate At length in the third year of his Bishoprick being full of good works and examples of vertues he departed this life to eternall happines on the seaventh day before the Calends of September and was buried in the Church of S. Iohn adioyning to the Cathedrall Church But in our Martyrologe his Deposition is commemorated on the ninth day before the said Calends In B. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops wee read that the Monks of S. Augustin with armed men entred the Archiepiscopall Palace endeavouring by force to take away the dead Body of Bregwin and that their Abbot Lambrith or Iambert went to Rome to make complaint of the wrong done to that Monastery 5. But besides that none other of our Historians mention this the relation is probably disproved because the same Iambert was by the Citty Monks elected to succeed in the Archiepiscopall See who two years after either went to Rome or from Rome received the Archiepiscopall Pall. 6. The year following the Episcopall See of Candida Casa or Witern being vacant by the death of Frithwald Pectwin was immediatly ordained his successour As yet that Bishoprick pertained to the Iurisdiction of the English and was subordinat to the Metropolitan See of York and so it remaind saith William of Malmsbury all the time of Pectwin Ethelbrith and Beadulf the succeeding Bishops after whom no more can be found because the said Bishoprick quickly failed being seated in the utmost Northern coast of the English Territory and exposed to the violence of the Scotts and Picts 7. Assoon as Iambert Arch-bishop of Canterbury had received his Archiepiscopall Pall he consecrated four Bishops the same year One in Kent and three in the kingdom of the Mercians In Kent the See of Rochester being vacant by the death of Dunn there was substituted in his place Eardulâ— From whom together with a Kentish Prince of the same name there is among the Epistles of S. Boniface found one directed to tâ—e Holy Arch-bishop of Mentz Lullus to renew a charitable correspondence which had past between him and the others his Predecessours Withall as a testimony of such Charity he desired him in his holy Prayers and Sacrifices to be mindfull of three Religious Virgins lately dead in Kent their names were Irmigy Northry and Dulicha 8. There interven'd a great communication of affections and Christian Offices between Saint Lullus and our English Bishops yea Kings also For wee find an Epistle likewise sent to him from Kenulf King of the West-Saxons by a Messenger formerly directed
it 1. WE will conclude this Book and Century with a short view of the state of Gods Church in Brittany at this time Sir Henry Spelman has published another Synod held this year at Clovesho In which after a publick attestation of the Vniformity of their Faith with the same which Saint Gregory the Great caused to the taught here at the first Conversion of the Nation with a Profession that what they beleived they would also in their lives practise a Decree was made for the restitution of all lands and goods which had been usurped by Lay-persons and violently taken from Churches and Monasteries 2 More specially Athelard Arch-bishop of Canterbury presiding in the same represented to the Synod how Ethelbald King of the Mercians had given formerly to the Church of our Saviour in Canterbury a certain Monastery called Cotham with all the Lands and possessions belonging thereto and that such his Donation might be of perpetuall force he sent by Cuthbert then Archbishop a Turf of the said land together with all Writings perâ—aining to the same Monastery which he required him to lay upon the Altar of our Saviours Church But after the death of the said Arch-bishop two men who had been educated by him named Veâ—head and Osbert by the Devills instigation stole away those Writings and caried them to Ceolulf King of the West-Saxons who thereupon took to his own use the said Monastery and land notwithstanding any thing that the Arch-bishop could alledge His Successours likewise in the Arch-bishoprick Bregwan and Iambert in severall Synods made complaints of this injury done to the Church of our Saviour both to the King of the West-Saxons and to Offa King of the Mercians who had subdued many Citties and particularly that Territory in which the said Monastery of Cotham was seated which he annexed to his own Dominion But now at last Kenulf King of the Mercians repenting of his injustice had restored all the said Writings adding withall a great summe of money humbly requesting that he might be absolved from the Excommunications denounced against Sacrilegious usurpers of Church-lands 3. Matters standing thus the said Arch-bishop Athelard together with his principall Officer Cuba brought the foresaid Writings into the Synod which were publickly read and approved Then he acquainted the Synod that by a mutuall agreement between himself and a certain Abbesse named Cynedritha she should possesse the said Monastery of Cotham with all lands belonging to it giving in exchange land of one hundred and ten Mansions and Sixty Hides Cassatarum in a place named Fleot and thirty in another called Tenaham and twenty in a third named Creges Ennulina all which lands King Offa had formerly given to her and her heyrs and after their decease to the Church of Beodford This agreement touching an exchange with a mutuall surrendry of all Writings on both sides the Arch-bishop desired might be approved and confirmed by the Synod that no difference might hereafter happen between his Successours and the heyrs of King Offa. He moreover gave to the same Abbesse another Monastery seated in a place called Pectonege which the devout King Egfrid had bestowd on him to be possessed by a right of inheritance XXIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Alcmund a Northumbrian Prince 4.5 c. Brithric King of the West-Saxons murdred by his Queen Eadburga For which it was ordained that the wives of succeeding Kings should never have the Title of Queens 1. THE Kingdom of the Northumbers at this time was again most greivously plagued by the Danish Pirats for a most horrible army of them landing in the Northern parts cruelly spoyled the Churches of Hercenes and Tynmouth 2. The same year also Alcmund son of Alred who had been there King was apprehended by the guards of the present Vsurping King Eardulf and by his command was slain together with all those who had been his companions in banishment 3. This Prince Alcmund was son of that King Alred who in the year of Christ seaven hundred seaventy four was by a rebellion of his Subiects driven out of his kingdom and fled to the Picts This Prince willingly followed his Father into banishment the incommodities whereof he bore with a Christian equanimity By such afflictions God disposed this pious Prince for a far richer crown For though by the relation of Mathew of Westminster he is said to have been slain by the cruelty of King Eardulf yet in our Martyrologe he is commemorated in the quality of a Martyr made a sacrifice to God by the inhumanity of the Danes Certain it is that he dyed a violent and uniust death and by posterity has been aâ—ways venerated as a Saint which God approved by many Miâ—racles In the Citty of Darby a magnificent Church was built to his honour called to this day the Church of S. Alcmund Another likewise was erected in Shrewsbury as our Martyrologe testifies where his Name is celebrated among Saints on the nineteenth of March. And in former times a great concourse thither was made especially from the Northern parts to pay their devotions to God in honouring his Saint their iniured countreyman 4. This Century concluded with the death of Brithric King of the West-Saxons by the treacherous cruelty of his Wife The manner thereof is thus described by Mathew of Westminster King Brithric saith he had taken to wife Eadburga daughter to Offa King of the Mercians This woman being exalted to so great honours did not content her self but was restlesse in her ambition to enioy alone all wealth and power Therefore with a tyrannous malice she was wâ—nt to accuse before the King and persecute all the Nobles of the Kingdom and all others who favoured iustice By which means she became the Obiect of the Vniversal hatred both of the Princes and inferiour subiects Because that wicked woman by her flatteries had so insinuated her self into the Kings affection and esteem that whosever she accused were presently either banished or slain Or if she could not obtain this her custom was privatly to destroy them by poison 5. Now there was at that time a certain young man of a Noble family and deeply in the Kings favour against whom the Queen not having any thing of which she could with any pretence of iustice accuse him she provided poyson with which she killed him And a part of this poyson the King unawares taesting immediatly dyed Her purpose then was not that the poison should be given to the King but only to the young man his favourite but by mishap they both drank of it and both presently dyed 6. The King being thus unhappily slain the Queen knowing how universally she was hated in great fear fled away privatly carying with her inestimable treasure And passing the Sea she went to the Emperour-Charles to whom she presented many rich gifts On a certain time 〈◊〉 she was among other Ladies standing in his presence being though a most wicked yet a