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
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
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
shewed to the New Saxon-Converts by permitting mariage in the third and fourth degrees gave occasion of murmuring and complaining to other Churches particularly those of Sicily Whereupon Felix Bishop of Messana wrote to S. Gregory desiring to be satisfied upon what grounds he dealt so favourably with the Saxons whereas both custom and the Decrees of ancient Popes the resolutions of Ancient Fathers in the great Councill of Nicéa and other Synods forbad Mariage to the seaventh degree This satisfaction he demanded not by way of accusing or calumniating S. Gregory as some Protestant Writers have done but proposing reverently his and his Fellow-Bishops difficulties and desirous to be taught by him who saith he we know does undergoe the care of the Vniversall Church and specially of Bishops who in regard of Contemplation are called the Eyes of Gods Church as the Prelats of the Holy See first the Apostles and afterward their Successours always have done 13. Hereto S. Gregory answered That by the indulgence granted to the Saxons he had no intention to innovate or establish a generall Law but only for a time to qualify the rigour of it least that Nation as yet imperfect and incapable of solid food should relinquish the Christian Profession which they had lately undertaken But as for all other Churches his intention was that the former Laws forbidding Mariage between kinred to the Seaventh generation should remain unalterable This says he which we write in answer to thee and the other Bishops in Sicily who is thou sayst have by thee consulted us we command to be observed generally by all Christians And this Decree renewed by S. Gregory the Catholick Church observed diligently till Pope Innocent the third in the Council of Lateran upon just and necessary causes contracted this amplitude of Degrees to the fourth as is now observed But quitting this diversion let us return to the rest of the Questions proposed by S. Augustin to S. Gregory 14. The eighth Question was Whether in case Bishops by reason of their great distance from one another could not meet together a Bishop might not be ordaind by him in their absence Hereto Saint Gregories Answer was That in the English Church where himself was then the onely Bishop Ordinations must needs be celebrated by him alone unlesse some Bishops out of France would vouchsafe to come But for the future Saint Gregory enjoyned Saint Augustin to ordain Bishops at a reasonable distance that the Canons of the Apostles and Councils might be duly observed which in all Ordinations doe require the presence of at least three Bishops By which resolution it seems S. Gregory was informed of the perversenes of the Brittish Bishops who were unwilling to afford any assistance in the establishing of Saxon Churches 15. His ninth Question was How he was to treat with the French and Brittish Bishops Whereto Saint Gregory answers that he gave him no authority to iudge the Bishops of France whose Metropolitan the Arch-bishop of Arles onely was in token whereof he had from precedent Popes received the Pall. In case therefore that he should goe into France he might assist the said Arch-bishop in reforming the Clergy or if he were negligent he might in cite him thereto but not assume any iurisdiction over any Bishop there But as for the Brittish Bishops saith S. Gregory we committ them all to thy Fraternity to teach the ignorant by perswasion to strengthen the infirm and by authority to correct the perverse If the Pall which is the sign of Metropoliticall Iurisdiction had remained among the Brittish Bishops as it did at Arles in France S. Gregory doubtlesse would as well have pronounced them free from S. Aug. Iurisdiction There were besides these nine two Questions more with their Answers which for their length and the Readers ease I omitt the curious may read them in Saint Gregory S. Beda or Sir H. Spelman c. 16. To these Questions we find in the late Edition of Paris adjoyned in the last place a Request That S. Gregory would please to send him of the Relicks of S. Sixtus Martyr The Motive of which request it seems was because he had been informed that somewhere in Kent a Body of a pretended Martyr of that name had been held in veneration This Petition S. Gregory granted but withall enjoyned him to repose the true Relicks of S. Sixtus which he sent him in some place apart And in case no Miracles appeared to have been wrought at the Body of the pretended Martyr nor any sufficient Tradition concerning the Story of his passion he required him to damme up the place where it lay and forbid the people to venerate an uncertain Relick 17. Another Epistle S. Augustin likewise received from S. Gregory at the same time in which he signifies to him that he had sent him a Pall the use whereof he allows him only during the solemn celebratiō of Masse and with this condition that he ordain twelve Suffragan Bishops in convenient places which were to be subject to his Iurisdiction He tells him withall that the Bishop of the Citty of London should ever after be consecrated by a Synod of that Province and receive the Pall of honour from the Apostolick See He advised him likewise to send a Bishop to York and in case that Citty and Province should be converted his will was that twelve Bishops likewise should be there ordained over whom the Bishop of York was to be Metropolitan to whom likewise he promised to send a Pall. And as for the two Provinces of London York neither of the Arch-Bishops should have iurisdiction over the other and that they should take place according to their Antiquity of Ordination Only S. Augustin as long as he lived should have authority to exercise Iurisdiction through both the Provinces and over all the Brittish Bishops likewise 18 Here it is worth our observation that in all this Epistle the See of Canterbury is not named as an Archiepiscopall See Whereas that of London is expressly decreed to be one And yet if we consult all our Ecclesiacall Histories after these times we shall not find that ever the Bishop of London enjoyed that Priviledge and authority but was always subject to the Arch-bishop of Canterbury notwithstanding that during the ages before whilst the Brittish Churches flourished London as the Prime Citty of the Island had been the Seat of the Prime Arch-bishop 19. We must therefore conclude that the orders prescribed in this Letter never took effect but that upon a following request from Saint Augustin the Metropoliticall authority was transferred from London to Canterbury The Motives of which request probably were because though London was the most Noble Citty for merchandise of the whole Island yet then Canterbury was the Royal Citty and place of residence of Ethelbert the Christian King and withall the most potent Now that this Translation was actually made by S. Gregory we read testified by the Letters
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
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
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
spoiles and dispersing them he quickly rescued the prisoners together with the cattle and other prey Which he restor'd to the miserable natives excepting a small part bestow'd on his weary Soldiers And so entred into the Citty in triumph ioyfully received by the people lately plunged in extreme misery and in a moment recovered by his valour There he made some stay with an intention to attempt greater matters yet without putting the army to hazard For by captives and spies he was inform'd that the sudden excursions of so many feirce nations could no other way be repress'd but by subtilty Hereupon to divide them he publish'd Edicts promising impunity to all who would submitt And those which came in he dispers'd into other quarters severally allowing them provisions Which gave an invitation to many more to submitt likewise After this he desir'd the Emperour to send over to him as his Deputy Governour in Brittany Civilis a man of a more then ordinarily sharp iudgment in such affairs and withall of great integrity At likewise for his Lievtenant in martiall affaires Dulcitius very skillfull therin And thus pass'd the affaires in Brittany that year 6. Two years after he march'd with his army from London northward where he putt to flight severall Nations which formerly had the insolence to invade the Roman provinces Thus he restor'd to their former security and plenty many Citties and castles which had been vex'd with many calamities But whilst he was busy in these matters he had like to have been circumvented by the treason of one Valentinus a Pannonian who for some great crimes had been banish'd into Brittany For this man being of an ambitious turbulent Spirit had solicited many of the Soldiers to conspire with him against Theodosius But the design being discovered he contented himself with the execution of Valentinus and a few of his nearest associats for he would not by tortures search further into the conspiracy least by dispersing a fear among his soldiers he should incite them to pursue the like attempts 7. Having escap'd this danger he successfully prosecuted the warr putting strong garrisons into Citties and limitany castles and in a short time recover'd the Province from the Enemies in which he placed a Governour 7. So that now that part of Brittany which was vnder the Romans dominion was divided into five Provinces The first call'd Britannia prima contain'd all the southern parts between the Sea and the Rivers of Thames and Severn The second call'd Britannia Secunda comprehended the Silures Dimetae and Ordovices that is all Wales The third call'd Flavia Caesariensis probably from this Theodosius his Son afterward Emperour of the Flavian family embraced all the Regions between Thames and Humber The fourth call'd Maxima Caesariensis reach'd from Humber to the River Tine And lastly Theodosius having expell'd the Picts and Scotts out of all the Province beyond Tine as far as between Dunbritton and Edinborough call'd this fifth Province Valentia In which was the wintring camp of a Roman Legion to represse the incursions of the Scotts 9. Theodosius having thus happily settled Brittany was two years after call'd by the Emperour to Court where he was made Generall of the Horse in Iovinus his place by the Senat honour'd with a Statue of brasse But the most illustrious effect of his martiall exploits was the recommending of his Son by the brightnes of them to the Empire XII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Ninianus Birth and education 3. Of S. Moyses Apostle of the Saracens said to have been a Brittain 1. THE year after Theodosius his departure out of Brittany our Ecclesiasticall Monuments commemorate S. Ninianus call'd by S. Beda S. Ninias his iourney to Rome to be there instructed in the true Orthodox Faith which he afterward with great efficacy communicated to his own countrey So that it is probable he attended Theodosius in that voyage 2. Concerning whose birth we read thus in his life He was born in great Brittany of a Princely Stock in that Region where the Western Ocean as it were stretching forth its arm and on each side making two angles divides the Provinces of the Scots and English as at this day they are separated Which countrey even to the times of the Saxons enjoy'd their own King as we are assured not only from the credit of History but even the memory of some yet alive His Father was Prince of that countrey Cumberland by Religion a Christian and truly happy in the blessing of such a Son Whilst Ninian was yet a child he shew'd great devotion to Churches and wonderfull love to his associats He was sober in his diet sparing of his tongue diligent in reading grave in conversation averse from lightnes and always carefull to subject the flesh to the spirit 3. At last by a forcible instinct of Gods holy spirit the Noble youth undertook a pilgrimage despising wordly riches and carnall affections Therfore passing over Sea into Gaule and taking his way through the Alpes he entred Italy and with a prosperous iourney came to Rome Where being arrived he went to the Cheif Bishop Pope Damasus to whom he declared the cause of his iourney Whereupon the Holy Bishop commending his devotion receiv'd him with the tendernes of a Father and appointed him Teachers to instruct him in the Disciplines of Truth and Orthodox Faith as likewise in the wholesome sence of Scriptures 4. By this relation it appears that S. Ninian was of the Nation of the Southern Picts And whereas he is call'd Son of a King that Title in the liberal stile of our ancient Legendaries signifies no more then a person of Power and riches in his countrey Though as Bishop Vsher observes in the ancient English Annalls there is frequent mention of the Kingdom of the Cumbri Cumberland whereto the Southern Picts belong The Authour of his life thus proceeds 5. Young Ninianus therfore with wonderfull avidity studying Gods word like a diligent Bee composed for his own use as from many flowers out of severall Sentences of holy Doctours honey-combs of spirituall wisedom which being layd upp in the hive of his bosome he preserv'd them for his own interiour refection in due time likewise to be poured forth for the consolation of many others Thus being chast in body prudent in mind provident in counsels circumspect both in actions and words he was commended by all and every day more favour'd by the supreme Bishop 6. Now it is no wonder that this holy Young man should make choice of Rome for education considering what speciall care the Emperour Valentinian took for the promoting of learning there and the priviledges cōfer'd by him on strangers which came thither to perfect themselves in Studies of literature as appears by his Law still extant in the Theodosian Code And Pope Damasus likewise being himself learned was a great favourer therof 7. Now how S. Ninianus after little more then twenty years was
sublime a name they might better resist the Enemy But the unconstant soldiers finding his incapacity as suddenly depos'd him and in his place chose Gratianus born in the same Island 2. But within four monthes they slew likewise Gratianus for his insupportable cruelty Which being divulg'd in the countreys abroad their old Enemies out of Ireland return'd and being attended by the Scots Norvegians and Daci they march'd crosse the Island from sea to sea wasting all with fire and sword 3. In this extremity the Brittish Army proclam'd Emperour a Soldier called Constantin not for any merit of his courage saith S. Beda but only for the hope they fancied in his name as if the present ruins could not be repair'd but by another Constantin 4. Concerning this mans Election Geffrey of Monmouth follow'd by Florilegus and others frames this story How Wichelin commonly call'd Guithelin Arch Bishop of London seeing the calamity of Brittany and weaknes of the Romans pass'd over Sea into lesser Brittany formerly call'd Armorica where Aldroenus raign'd the fourth from Conanus whom Maximus had first constituted King there To him the Bishop made his humble petition that he would out of commiseration to the countrey from which himself was descended undertake the Government of it The King refused this offer as to himself but was content that his Brother Constantin should accept that Title whom he furnished with Soldiers and a Navy sent them into Brittany When presently the Brittains generally flock'd to him out of their caverns and lurking places and vnder his conduct marching against the Enemies obtain'd an illustrious Victory This being done they sett the Crown on his head at Chichester and gave him to wife a Noble Roman Lady who had been brought up by the same Bishop Guithelin By her he had three Sons the Eldest was Constans whom he made a Monk at Winchester in the Church of S. Amphibalus The other two were Aurelius Ambrosius and Vterpendragon whom he committed to the education of the same Archbishop 5. But these are fictions either invented or credulously embraced by Geffrey of Monmouth a man whose end in writing a history was not to propagate Truth but to exalt his own nation For first it is certain that when Constantin was proclam'd Emperour in Brittany the Arch-Bishop of London was not Wichelin but Fastidius Priscus who dyed about the year four hundred and twenty whose Successour was Voadinus and after him Guithelin in the year four hundred fifty six 6. Again that this Constantin was so far from being Brother of a King that his originall was base and unknown we have the testimony of the most ancient and authentick Historians S. Beda sayes he was chosen Ex infimâ militiâ out of the lowest rank in the Army and this not for any merit but meerly a fortunat presage of his name The place where he was chosen Emperour was Caër-Segont neer Caër-narvon afterward call'd Caer-custenith perhaps from this Constantins election there Being chosen he directed Messengers to the Emperour Honorius to excuse himself as being by violence compell'd by the soldiers to accept that Title thus writeth Zosimus which alone destroys Geffreys fable 7. The same year Constantin pass'd over into Gaule where gathering an army he subdued all the regions on this side the Cottian Alpes dividing Gaule from Italy and then saith the same Zosimus he accounted his possession of the Empire secure He likewise drew out of his Monasticall Solitude his Son Constans whom he created Caesar This is testified by Orosius and Marcellinus Comes 8. The seat of his Empire he placed at Arles he constituted firm guards upon the River Rhine to hinder the excursions of the Germans and utterly broke the forces of the Vandalls Sueves and Alans which had wasted all the Provinces between the river Seine and the Rhine 9. Afterward he sent his Son Constans into Spain who by many successfull combats subdued the countrey And whereas two Noble Brethren Didymus and Verenianus having collected an army of Spaniards faithfull to the Roman Empire had seised on the streit passages through the Pyrenean mountains Constans courageously broke through them Which having done he committed the care of defending those passages to forraign Soldiers to the great displeasure of the Spaniards who thereupon entred into league with the Vandals and Gothes against him For these good successes Constans by his Father was pronounced Emperour to whom he repaired leaving Gerontius in his place Generall in Spain 10. But the year following he was sent back into Spain attended by Iustus a famous Captain Whereat saith Zosimus Gerontius was so offended that he procured the barbarous Soldiers in Gaule to revolt so that Constantin having sent a considerable part of his army into Spain and not being able to represse them severall Provinces both in Gaule and Brittany forsook their dependence on Rome casting out the Roman Magistrats and governed themselves by their own will and laws Notwithstanding the same Authour afterward insinuats that the Emperour Honorius himself freed the Brittains from their dependence writing letters to them wherin he exhorted them to provide for themselves 11. Gerontius not content with this assumed to himself the Title of Emperour and investing with the same purple Maximus whom he left in Spain he with an army marched against Constantin whom he beseiged in Arles But an Army from Honorius under the conduct of Constantius a Roman approaching Gerontius his soldiers forsook him and the Spaniards remaining out of contempt of him attempted to kill him and encompassing the house into which he retired they sett it on fire So that Gerontius having first killd his wife at last killd himself also This is Sozomens relation 12. As for Constantin he was again beseiged at Arles by the Roman General Constantius and being inform'd that Ebodicus whom he had sent into Germany to collect aid from the Franks and Alemanni was intercepted in his return he devested himself of his Imperiall Purple and flying for refuge into a Church was there consecrated a Preist Whereupon the Soldiers in the Town having pardon offred them opened the gates Constantin with his Son Iulian was sent into Italy but by the way was slain 13. The year before Constantins unhappy death was deplorable to the whole world by the destruction of Rome overcome and sack'd by Alaricus King of the Goths Then not only the immense wealth of the Citty for so many years heap'd together but the ornaments of Churches became the prey of barbarous Soldiers who were astonish'd to see the munificent vessells with which Constantin the Great had enrich'd them XXVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Melorus a young Brittish Prinie 1. OVR Martyrologe the same year wherin the Vsurper Constantin was slain commemorats a more happy death call'd a Martyrdom of a young Brittish Prince whose name was Melorus or Meliorus Of whom mention is made in the Monuments of Cornwall
quelled their fury Then he admonished his Collegue and encourag'd all the rest So with one breath and clamour prayers were powr'd forth to our Lord. Immediatly the Divine vertue shewd it self present the infernall Enemies were dissipated a calm tranquillity ensued the winds are turn'd and become favourable to their voyage the waves serviceably drive on the ship so that in a short time having dispatch'd a vast space they safely arriv'd in a quiet and secure haven 11. This Oyle made use of by S. Germanus was not that Sacramentall oyle consecrated for the spirituall comfort of the Sick but ordinary Oyle which we frequently read to have been used by holy men upon the like occasions and by their benediction of it to have produc'd the like effects in severall exigences Of the former fort of Sacramentall Oyle S. Iames in his Epistle speaks and of this latter S. Mark in the sixth Chapter of his Gospell saith Baronius Severall examples of the like may be read in Sozomen as where S. Anthony by annointing a lame man with oyle cur'd him and another holy Monk call'd Benjamin by the like means cured severall diseases And Ruffinus testifies that in his presence and sight severall miracles were after the same manner wrought by religious Hermits V. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Germanus his Disputation against the Pelagians and Miracle 10. c. A victory over the Scotts by his Prayers 1. THese two Holy men saith the same Constantius being landed a great mulâ—itude from severall quarters meâ—t to receive them of whose coming they had been informed by the predictions of wicked Spirits which were sore affrighted thereat For these being by the power of Preists cast out of those whom they had possess'd did openly declare the furiousnes of the tempest and the dangers which themselves had oppos'd to their voyage and how by the command and sanctity of those holy men they had been vanquish'd Afterwards these venerable Bishops with their fame preaching and miracles fill'd the whole Island of Brittany the greatest of all others And being ouerpress'd with the multitudes of those who resorted to them they preached Gods word not only in Churches but in lanes and high wayes whereby Catholicks were confirmed in their faith and those who had been deprav'd were reduced to the Church They were receiv'd as if they had been indeed Apostles considering the authority which their holines gave them the eminency of their learning and the wonderfull miracles wrought by them Divine Truth therefore being declared by persons so qualified generally the whole Island submitted to their doctrin The authours of the contrary perverse persuasion lurked in dark holes being as the wicked Spirits also were vexed to see the people freed from their snares But at last after long study and meditation they presum'd to enter into dispute with these Apostolick men 2. The place made choice of as most proper for this disputation was not London as Hector Boethius imagins but Verolam then a famous Citty neer S. Albans where the Body of the glorious Martyr Saint Alban repos'd Now what pass'd in that solemne conflict is thus related by Constantius 3. The Pelagians came pompously attended by their flattering disciples in glittring and costly raiment and they rather chose to run the hazard of a conflict then by their silence to confesse they had an ill cause Infinite numbers of people were assembled there with their wives and children The disputants stood on each side very unlike in their condition For on one side was placed divine authority on the other human presumption Here was Orthodox Faith there perfidious Errour Here Christ was acknowledg'd the authour there Pelagius At the first entrance the Holy Bishops gave free scope of disputing to the Pelagians who vainly spent the time and tired the auditory with empty verball discourses But after them the Venerable Bishops poured forth the torrents of their eloquence accompanied with Evangelicall and Apostolicall thunder They mingled with their own discourses texts of divine Scripture and their assertions were attended with testimonies of Gods word Thus vanity was convinc'd and perfidiousnes confuted insomuch as the Pelagians by their inhability to reply confessing their own guilt the people standing by as iudges could scarce contain their hands frrom violence to them and with clamours acknowledged the Victory 4. Immediatly after this a certain person of authority being a Tribune of the army coming with his wife into the midst of the Assembly leading in his hand his young daughter about ten years old which was blind Her he presented to the â—oly Bishops desiring their help for her cure But they bid him first to offer her to the Adversaries Who being deterr'd by an ill conscience joyn'd their entreaties with her parents prayers to the Venerable Prelats Whereupon perceiving the expectation of the people and their adversaries conviction they address'd themselves to God by a short prayer And then S. Germanus full of the Holy Ghost invok'd the Blessed Trinity and taking from his neck a little boxe full of Holy Relicks in the sight of the whole multitude he applied it to the eyes of the young maid which immediatly loosing their former darknes were filld with a new light from heaven At this so apparent miracle the parents exult and the people tremble And after this day all mens minds were so clearly purged from their former impious heresy that with thirsting desires they receiv'd the doctrin of these Holy Bishops 5. The truth of this narration is acknowledg'd by severall Protestant Writers as Archbishop Parker S. Henry Spellman and others who highly exalt the learning Sanctity and Orthodox Faith of these two Apostolick Bishops but withall they purposely conceale the miracle and manner how it was performed fearing to commend that in S. Germanus which they resolve to reprehend in the Holy Monk S. Augustin calling his devotion to Gods Saints superstitions and his bringing into Brittany holy Relicks triviall fopperies affirming him to have been a Teacher rather of superstition then Faith But let us proceed in the Narration of Constantius 6. Perverse Heresy being thus repress'd saith he and the Authours of it confuted so that all mens minds were illustrated with the purity of Faith the holy Bishops repair'd to the Sepulcher of the glorious Martyr Saint Alban with an intention to give thanks to Almighty God by his intercession There S. German having with him Relicks of all the Apostles and diverse Martyrs after Prayer made he commanded the Sacred Sepulcher to be opened because he would there lay up these precious Gifts For he thought it convenient that the same Repository should contain the members of many Saints out of diverse regions whom Heaven had receiv'd and crownd for the equality of their merits Having then with great reverence depos'd joynd together so many Sacred Relicks he digg'd up from the place where the Blessed Martyr S. Alban had shed his blood a masse of dry earth which he
a town and Church calld Llan-lwit contractedly from Llan-iltut not far from Llan-carvan the habitation of S. Cadocus where S. Iltutus diligently preached Gods word and moreover instituted a Colledge of Schollars whom he instructed in learning and piety Among whom the most illustrious was S. Sampson of whom wee shall treat presently and who by his Masters directions embraced likewise a Religious Profession 6. Severall fables and unsavoury Miracles reported in Capgrave touching S. Iltutus deserve to be omitted Neither seems there to be any iust ground for this passage in the conclusion of his life That when his last end approach'd he return'd into lesser Brittany and there in the Citty of Orle after many signs and miracles wrought by him he commended his body to the earth and his Spirit to God on the eight day before the Ides of November For doubtles if he had dyed in Lesser Brittany the Gallican Martyrologe would not have been silent in that particular Wheras it mentions nothing of him but that he was a Disciple of S. Germanus of Auxerre whilst he preach'd against the Pelagians in Brittany that he was the Instructour of S. Sampson Bishop of Dole and of many other illustrious Monks and lastly that he was eminent for the Spirit of Prophecy and many Miracles Which Martyrologe differs in one particular from ours in which he is sayd to have been the Disciple of S. Germanus Bishop of Paris not of Auxerre XXVIII CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Sampson 3.4 Of S. Piro 5. S. Sampson an Arch-bishop in Brittany and where 6. c He caries the Pall to Dole in Lesser Brittany which Church therefore pretended an exemption from Tours 8. Of S. Conaid or S. Mein 1. AS touching S. Iltutus his Disciple S. Sampson he was born in Great Brittany in the Province of the Dimetae or South-wales now calld Glamorganshire He descended from Noble parents His Fathers name was Amon as we read in B. Vsher and his Mothers Anne who was born in the next Province calld Venetica from the cheif Citty Caer-guent or Venta Silurum His parents having liv'd many years childlesse at last by their frequent fasting Alms and prayers obtained him of God 2. In his younger years he became a worthy Disciple of S. Iltutus saith Pits from Leland from whom he learn'd human knovledge integrity of life and Monasticall institution in a Monastery which a little before he had founded by the assistance of a Holy man calld Piro 3. Concerning this Holy man we read in Vincentius this testimony There was saith he a certain Island not far distant from the Monastery of S. Iltutus in which another Monastery was built by a holy man named Piro Thither did S. Sampson hasten by Gods guidance and the advice of his Master S. Iltutus and there did he lead a perfect and Angelicall life He was in his conversation aâ—iable persevering in good works and vigilant in prayer c. Not long after Piro being prevented by Death the Holy man Sampson was by the unanimous suffrages of the Convent chosen Abbot This Election by B. Vshers computation was made in the year of Grace five hundred and thirteen And eight years before when S. Petroc as hath been said came into Cornwal the rustick Pagans living there gave him notice of the sanctity and austere life of this Holy man who then liv'd not far from thence a solitary life 4. Four years after he had been chosen Abbot saith B. Vsher by the permission of the Holy Bishop Dubricius he went into Ireland in the company of certain Scotts who in their return from Rome came thither His stay in Ireland was not long for he was present at the Synod of Brevy in the year of our Lord five hundred and nineteen 5. He was afterward ordain'd and consecrated an Arch-bishop in Brittany but neither the time nor place can assuredly be defined But that S. Sampson a Brittish Arch-bishop went out of this Island into Lesser Brittany and caried over with him the Pall which was the ensign of his dignity is certain beyond all controversy A great debate there was in the time of Pope Innocent the third whether the Pall was tranferd from York or from Menevia Mathew Paris declares his opinion that it was from York But Giraldus Cambrensis in his Dialogue concerning the Church of Menevia relating this controversy brings in Pope Innocent thus obiecting in the behalf of the Church of York Yea but this Sampson Bishop of Dole as the tradition is had formerly been Arch-Bishop of York Wherto Giraldus thus answers Saving your Reverence the case is otherwise for the History of the Church of Dole affirms him to be ours at Menevia and to have relation to no other Church in Brittany Hence it is that in the Sequence sung in that Church on the Festivity of S. Sampson it is expressly said That the Prelate of Menevia was transferd to the supreme Dignity of the Church of Dole As for the Advocats in behalf of the Church of York they are deceived by an equivocation of the Name because in their Records they find the name of an Arch-bishop Sampson And another plea which those of York had for their cause was a supposititious Prophecy of Merlin That the dignity of London should adorn Canterbury And the seaventh Pastour of York should be honour'd in Lesser Brittany 6. The debate therfore is generally concluded to the advantage of the Church or Menevia in which S. Sampson is supposed to have succeeded in the place of Kinorus who was next to S. David Now the Church oâ— Menevia being a Metropolitan Church enioying all the Priviledges of the Church of Caer-leon the Archbishop thereof by consequence wore a Pall the Ensign of that Dignity Which Pall was by S. Sampson caried over to Dole in â—esser Brittany in the year of Grace five hundred sixty six at which time the whole Province of Menevia was almost depopulated by a raging pestilential disease as hath been observed by Roger Hoveden Harpsfeild Sigebertus and others the Holy Bishop was unwilling to avoyd the danger But his freinds being urgent he took ship and landed in Armorica 7. Being arrived there he was admitted into great favour by Childebert then King of France and with his licence and contribution founded a Monastery where he lead a life wholly employ'd in Divine meditations and by his most holy example and admonitions directed many Disciples in the same way Thus we read in the Gallican Martyrologe 8. S. Sampson in his voyage took with him a companion of suitable holines call'd S. Conaid vulgarly by the French named S. Mein who probably is the same which otherwise is is stiled S. Mevennius whose life hath been written by Roland à Nova-Villa by whom he is stiled the son of a Noble man of Great Brittany living in the Region of Venta or Caër-guent in CaÌ„bria S. Sampsons countrey That he receiv'd good education having been by
will adventure to declare from an Ancient Writer Ealred Abbot of Rievall But because such things seem dreams to Protestants for mine own iustification or at least excuse I conceive fit to premise That the Tradition of this wonder has been confirmd moreover by Sulcard in his Chronicle of Westminster by William of Malmsbury in his second Book of English Bishops by Richard of Cicester in his Annals Yea moreover by other Witnesses of higher rank and authority Saint Edward the Confessour in his Charter given to that Church nine days before his death in the year of Grace one thousand sixty six and before him by King Edgar repairer of the same Church in his Charter dated in the year nine hundred sixty nine and lastly by Pope Nicholas the second in his Rescript to King Edward 7. The Narration of the foresaid Abbot Ealred in his life of S. Edward touching this Miracle is as followeth In the time when King Ethelred by the Preaching of Saint Augustin embraced the Faith of Christ his Nephew Sibert who governed the East-Angles rather East-Saxons by the same Holy Bishops Ministery also received the same Faith This Prince built one Church within the walls of London the principall Citty of the Kingdom where he honourably placed Mellâ—tus Bishop of the same Citty Without the walls likewise toward the West he founded a famous Monastery to the honour of S. Peter and endowd it with many possessions Now on the night before the day design'd for the dedication of this Church the Blessed Apostle S. Peter appearing to a certain Fisherman in the habit of a stranger on the other side of the River of Thames which flows beside this Monastery demanded to be wafted over which was done Being gone out of the boat he entred into the Church in the sight of the Fisherman And presently a heavenly light shone so clear that it turnd the night into day There was with the Apostle a multitude of heavenly Cittizens coming out and going into the Church a divine melody sounded and an odour of unexpressible fragrancy was shed abroad Assoon as all things pertaining to the Dedication of the Church were perform'd the glorious Fisher of men returnd to the pooâ— Fisherman who was so affrighted with his Divine splendour that he almost lost his senses But Saint Peter kindly comforting him brought him to himself Thus both of them entring into the Boat Saint Peter asked him if he had any provision Who answerd that partly being stupified with seeing so great a light and partly detaind by his return he had taken nothing being withall assured of a good reward from him Hereto the Apostle replied Let down thy Netts The Fisherman obeyd and immediatly the Nett was filld with a multitude of fishes They were all of the same kind except one Salmon Esocium of a wonderfull largenes Having then drawn them to shore Saint Peter sayd Cary from mee this gâ—eat Fish to Mellitus the Bishop and all the rest take for thy hire and moreover be assured that both thou all thy life time and thy children after thee for many years shall be plentifully furnish'd with these kinds of fishes Onely be carefull you fish not on our Lords days I who speak now with thee am Peter and I my self have dedicated this Church built to my fellow-cittizens and to my honour so preventing by mine own authority the Episcopall Benediction Acquaint the Bishop therfore with the things which thou hast seen and heard and the signs yet marked on the walls will confirm thy speeches Let him therefore surcease from his design of consecrating the Church and only supply what I have omitted the celebration of the Mystery of our Lords Body and Blood and the instruction of the people Let him likewise give notice to all that I my self will oftimes visit this place and be present at the prayers of the faithfull and I will open the gates of heaven to all who live soberly iustly and piously in this world As soon as he had sayd this he presently vanish'd from his sight 8. The next morning as the Bishop Mellitus was going in procession to the Church with an intention to dedicate it the Fisher-man mett him with the Fish and related to him whatsoever Saint Peter had enioynd him At which the Bishop was astonish'd and having unlock'd the Church-dores he saw the pavement mark'd with Letters and inscriptions both in Greek and Latin and the wall annointed in twelve severall places with holy Oyle He saw likewise the remainders of twelve torches sticking to as many Crosses and the Church every where yet moyst with aspersions All which being observ'd by the Bishop and people present they rendred praises and thanks to Almighty God 9. A further testimony and proof to this Miracle is afforded by the whole progeny of that Fisherman For his children according to the command receiv'd from their Father brought the tythes of all their gains by fishing and offred them to Saint Peter and the Preists attending Divine service in his Church But one among them having presum'd to defraud the Church of this Oblation presently was deprived of the wonted benefit of his trade till having confess'd his fault and restord what he had reserv'd he promis'd amendment for the future Thus wrote Ealred above five hundred years since The summ wherof was delivered some what before him by William of Malmsbury who adds this particular That the Fisherman who was very simple and as yet not a Christian described to the Bishop very exactly the shape and line aments of Saint Peter well known to the Bishop by his Picture publickly extant at Rome which long before this S. Silvester shewd to the Emperour Constantin 10. The beleif of this miraculous Story was the cause that this Church was wonderfully enrich'd by following Princes as King Offa and Kenulph mentiond in the fore nam'd Charter of King Edgar And for the same reason it was chosen anciently for the place of the inauguration of our Kings And a proof full of evidence demonstrating the Truth here related was S. Mellitus his forbearing to repeat the Ceremonies of the Dedication which by certain signs he perceived to have been performed before And moreover because going awhile after to Rome he related these particulars to a Synod there assembled and demanded their advice whether any more was to be done to the Consecration of the same Church These particulars being related by our Authours of the prime Classe it argues a great contempt of the authority of our Ancestors in Protestants who without any proof from Antiquity will confidently proscribe such Traditions as dreams and fables XXI CHAP. i. 2 c. The Church of S. Paul in London built and endowed 1. THE same year in the same Citty of London and by the piety of the same King Sebert another Noble Church was erected in the midst of the Citty to the honour of the other Prince of the Apostles Saint Paul Yet some Writers
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
this time given to the Monks of Glastonbury of electing their own Abbott argues that in former ages the constituting of Abbots belonged not to the Monks but to the Bishop or the Prince from whose power and Iurisdiction the Monks could not exempt themselves without their free devesting themselves of it which we see here done by King Kentwin and Bishop Hedda concerning whom we shall speak more hereafter 7. As for King Kentuin the Memory of his Munificence to the Monastery of Glastonbury was there gratefully conserved for this Elogy we read of him in the great Table of that Monastery In the same place reposes the body of King Câ—â—twin under a stone-Pyramid in the Church-yard of the Monks He was the first of the English Kings which granted to the Isle of Glastonbury an Exemption from all Regal Service as the Brittish Kings before him had of old time confirmed 8. To this time is referred the erecting or rather restoring of the prime Church in the Isle of Ely which was first consecrated to the honour of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles but afterward entitled to S. Ediltrudis or Ethelreda Concerning which Church we read this testimony of B. Godwin Ethelbert saith he King of Kent by the advice of S. Augustin had seaventy years before this time built a Church in that place to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and seaven Which Church through neglect for want of reparation falling to ruine was rebuilt in a more magnificent manner in the year six hundred seaventy seaven by S. Ediltrudis This she did by the counsel of Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York but her Brother Aldulfus or Alnufus King of the East-Angles furnished the Charges of the work This Aldulfus was the Successour of Edilwald in that Kingdom and if according to Speed he was the Son of Ethelherd Brother of Anna he was not Brother but cousin german to S. Ediltrudis XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. Kent miserably wasted Putta Bishop of Rochester quitts his See in whose place Quichelm succeeds 1. AT this time there was a great desolation in the Churches and kingdom of Kent wherby the labours of Saint Theodore were much encreased Which desolation was caused by a furious invasion of that kingdom the year before by Edilred King of the Mercians What the provocation or motive of this warr was is not mentioned by ancient Writers but the effects of it were terrible 2. S. Beda thus breifly describes it In the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy six Edilred King of the Mercians brought a furious army into Kent and layd the whole countrey wast yea without all regard of Piety or the fear of God profaned and demolished also Churches and Monasteries Particularly the Gâ—tty Rhofi or Rochester was utterly consumed in â—hat common calamity Of that Citty Putta was â—heâ— Bishop though absent at the time of its destruction Lothair was now King of Kent who fearing the violence and courage of Edâ—red saith Huntingdon made no resistance at all but auoyded his fight So that Edilred passed freely through the whole Province destroyed the Citty of Rochester and carted back with him innumerable Spoyles 3. As for Putta Bishop of Rochester being a man that loved quietnes and solitude he according to Saint Beda's relation seing his Church utterly spoyled and wasted retired to Sexulphus Bishop of the Mercians from whom having received the possession of a Church and a small peice of ground adioyning he there ended his life in peace He did not at all employ his solicitude about the restoring of his Bishoprick being one whose industry was little exercised in worldly affaires Therefore he contented himself in serving God after a poor manner in the foresaid Church and some times when he was entreated he would goe to other places for the instruction of Ecclesiasticall persons in the Roman manner of singing the Church service 4. The See of Rochester being thus deprived of a Pastour the Arch-bishop Theodore in the place of Putta consecrated Quithelm Bishop of that Citty and when he also shortly after quitted his Bishoprick by reason of its extreme poverty the said Arch-bishop substituted in his room another Bishop called Gebmund XXIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Vina the Simoniacall Bishop of London 3 4. c. S. Erconwald succeeds in that See 1 DVring this confusion in Kent the Kingdom of the adioyning East-Saxons enioyd a profound peace under the government of Sebb and Sigher two pious Kings Particularly King Sebb employed all his care in advancing Piety among his Subjects in promoting the affaires of the Church and in encouraging devout persons to renounce thâ— world and consecrate themselves to God in a Monasticall Profession To which state of life himself also earnestly aspired being desirous to abandon his Regall authority and to change his purple for a poor Religious Habit but was hindred by the obstinacy of his Queen who refused to consent to a separation and to imitate her husbands piety and without her complyance the Ecclesiasticall Canon rendred him incapable of executing his pious design Many years he spent in perswading her to her own and his happines and at lost by devout importunity expugned her resistance as shall shortly be shewed 2. In the mean time a great part of his solicitude was employed in settling a worthy Prelut in London the Metropolis of his Kingdom We have declared before how Wina the Sacrilegious Bishop of the West-Saxons having for his crimes been expelled out of that Province with a summ of money Simoniacally procured from Vulfere King of the Mercians to be violently introduced into that See in the year of Grace six hundred sixty six which he for the space of nine years unworthily administred After whose death King Sebb expressed a zealous care to repair the prejudice and harm done to that Province by so impious a Prelat For which purpose he earnestly sought out a Successour as eminent for piety and integrity as the other was for his crimes 3. At that time there lived not any one in that Kingdom in so high esteem of all men for vertue and Religion as Erconwald He was as hath been declared the Son of Anna King of the East-angles not of Offa as Capgrave and from him Harpsfeild mistakes and from his tender years conceived a distast and contempt of secular designs and pleasures Insomuch as he relinquished his Native Province and retired among the East-Saxons where he employed his plentifull patrimony in works of piety We have already declared how he founded two Monasteries in that Kingdom one for himself at Chertsey in Surrey near the River Thames and another for his Sister Edilburga in Essex in a village called Barking 4 This in all regards so eminent an Abbot Erconwald was made choice of by King Sebbe to administer the vacant See of London to which he was consecrated by Saint Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury according to this relation of Saint Beda
At that time saith he to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy five Sebbe and Sighere Kings of the East-Saxons constituted Earconwald Bishop in the Citty of Londen whose life and conversation both whilst he was Bishop and before is reported to have been full of Sanctity as the Miracles to this day wrought by his intercession doe demonstrate For the horse litter in which during his sicknes he was wont to be caried and which is preserved by his Disciples does still continue to cure many persons afflicted with feavers and other infirmities Neither doth it work this effect only upon such as are placed under it or leane against it but likewise chipps sliced from it and caried to the sick doe restore them to health 5. We will adioyn hereto the testimony even of B. Godwin likewise Erconwald saith he a man eminent for learning and Sanctity bestowed his whole Patrimony in erecting and endowing Monasteries One he founded for himself at Chertsey and another for Religious Virgins at Barking over which he appointed his Sister Edilburga Abbesse He employed wast summs of money in the structure of the Church dedicated to S. Paul the revenews whereof he much encreased and obtained from the Princes of that age great Priviledges thereto He addsi That his Body was layd in a Coffin of great price and buried in the East part of S. Pauls Church above the high Altar where it continued till about fourscore years agoe at which time it disappeared Concerning this Holy Bishop occasion will offer it self to say more hereafter THE EIGHTEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. A debate between Saint Wilfrid and Saint Theodore raised by the covetous Queen of the Northumbers Saint Wilfrids Appeal and banishment 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight Pope Donus dying Pope Agathon succeeded him in the Chair Apostolick whom we shall have occasion frequently to mention by reason of a great controversy this year begun in Brittany between the two Supreme Prelats of this Island S. Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York and S. Theodore of Canterbury which lasted many years sometimes composed by the said Popes authority and again breaking forth to the great disturbance of the peace of our Saxon Churches though it pleased the Divine goodnes by occasion thereof to enlarge his Church by the happy câ—nversion of severall Nations both within and out of Brittany 2. A breif account of this dissention foresignified by a prodigious Comet appearing the same year it thus recorded by S. Beda In the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy eight saith he which was the eighth year of the raign of Egfrid King of the Northumbers there appeared in the month of August a Comet or blazing star which for three months together arose every morning representing a great pillar of wonderfull light The same year a dissention arising between the said King Egfrid and the most Reverend Prelat Wilfrid the Holy Arch-bishop was driven from his See and in his place were substituted two Bishops to govern the Nation of the Northumbers to witt Bosa who administred the Episcopall Office in the more Southern parts of the Deiri or Yorkshire c. and Eata in the Nation of the Bernicians or Northumberland c. The former had his Episcopall See at York the other in the Church of Hagulstad Hexham or Lindesfarn Both of them were taken out of a Convent of Monks and thence promoted to the Episcopall degree And together with these a third person named Eadhed was ordained Bishop over the Province of the Lindesfars or Lincolnshire which a short time before King Egfrid having defeated Wulfere King of the Mercians had gott the possession of This Eadhed was the first peculiar Bishop of the said Province the prime Seat of his Bishoprick was Sidnacester a place whose memory is now worn out by age Yet some esteem it to be the same that is now called Gainsborow or at least situated near it from whence in after times the See was translated to Dorchester and last of all to Lincoln where it still remains 5. Thus writes S. Beda of S. Wilfrids expulsion and of a new distinction and institution of Episcopall Sees Saint Ceadda before he was translated to Lichfeild had been the only Prelat of the whole Kingdom of the Northumbers governing both the Churches of York and Lindesfarn He by the sentence of Arch-bishop Theodore surrendred that whole Province to Saint Wilfrid Now Saint Wifrid by the displeasure and Violence of King Egfrid being expelled in his place Bosa administers the See of York and Eata that of the Province of the Bernicians who is reckoned the fifth Bishop of Lindesfarn and first of Hagulstad 4. The Institution of these New Bishopricks was ordered in vertue of the ninth Canon of the fore-mentioned Synod of Hertford assembled by Arch-bishop Theodore five years before this where it was ordained that the number of Christians encreasing Bishopricks likewise should be multiplied From hence issued the first spark of dissension this year between the two Holy Arch-bishops S. Wilfrid and S. Theodore which afteward was raised to a great flame The progresse of which dissension we will consequently relate from William of Malmsbury which indeed took its first originall from the Court of King Egfrid and the malicious envy of his new Queen Ermenburga For it has been fatall to the Brittish Saxon and Norman Churches of this Island that generally disorders and Schisms have been begun by woemen 5. As long as the glorious Virgin Saint Ediltrudis enioyd the Title of Queen and Consort to King Egfrid all things succeeded happily to the Kingdom and Church of the Northumbers and Saint Wilfrid by the great esteem and reverence which his piety and zeale had obtained was well enabled to promote the affairs of the Church But assoon as the said Holy Virgin by Saint Wilfrids assistance had gained her husbands consent to exchange a temporal for a celestiall mariage and to retire into a Religious Solitude enriched with poverty and a want of all sensuall contentments there more freely to enioy the Spirituall embracements of her heavenly Bridegroom King Egbert received into her place a Second Consort Ermenburga a Lady of a disposition much different from the former and particularly tainted with the vices usually enough attending that Sex Covetousnes and Envy 6. By the piety of the former King Oswi and severall of the Nobility so wonderfull an accession of possessions and riches had been made to the tender growing Churches of the Northumbers under the care of Saint Wilfrid that the Sacred Vessels pertaining to Gods Altars were many of them of pure gold and not any of a lower mettall then Silver and the Vestments and other ornaments of a suitable magnificeÌ„ce This splendour dazeled the eyes of the New Queen who with a malignant aspect began to look upon the Holy Arch-bishop by whose zeale such riches had been