By means of which frequent taking away the dust a trench of no small depth and largenes was made in the place His name therefore is deservedly commemorated in our Martyrologe and the Roman likewise among the Saints on the Nones of Iuly 2. S. Hedda being dead the Bishoprick of that Province saith the same Authour was divided into two Dioceses one whereof was given to Daniel who governs the same to this day that is to the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty one in which S. Beda concluded his History and the other to S. Aldelm who worthily administred the same the space of four years Both these men were eminently skilfull in Ecclesiasticall affairs and in the doctrine of Holy Scriptures 3. S. Beda does not mention the name of the Episcopall See assigned to Daniel but other Authours doe generally agree that it was Winchester which he governed forty years As for S. Aldelm the Seat of his Bishoprick was Shirburn in the Province of the Durotriges or Dorsetshire in which a few of his Successours continued till the Episcopall See was afterward translated to SaruÌ„ or Salisbury 4. These were two Prelats of eminent learning and illustrious starrs of the West-Saxon Kingdom As touching Daniel we shall shew hereafter how S. Boniface the glorious Apostle of the Germans frequently consulted him in difficulties occurring about the discharge of that sublime office Hence it is that Bishop Godwin gives this Character of him Daniel was a man excellently learned and wrote many volumes amongst others these following Of the affairs of the Province of the South-Saxons Of the Life of the Holy Bishop Cedda Of the affairs of the Isle of Wight All which are now lost 5. As for S. Aldelm he was froÌ„ his youth bred up in learning and piety by S. Maâ—dulf a Scottish Hermiâ— from whom the famous Monastery of Malmsbury received its name for many devout persons moved with the fame of his Sanctity had recourse to him in that solitude by whom they were coenobitically governed and a Monastery was there erected by Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons In the year six hundred and seaventy S Maidulfus dying Saint Aldelm succeeded Abbot in his place And five years after the said Monastery was endowed by the liberality of Leutherius Bishop of the West-Saxons upon the suggestion of S. Aldelm For before that time the Monks lived there only upon courtesy Thirteen years after he attended King Cedwalla to Rome where he obtained from Pope Sergius a Breif of Priviledges and immunities to his Abbey How in the year of Grace six hundred ninety two he was appointed by a Synod to write to a certain Prince of Cornwall called Geruntius a Book in confutation of the Brittains erroneous observation of Easter and other miscariages hath heretofore been declared At last this year he was upon the death of S. Hedda ordained a Bishop of the West-Saxons and as hath been said kept his Episcopall residence at Shireburn 6. Being thus made a Bishop he gave a full and free authority to his Monks of Malmsbury to chuse their Abbot But their duty and affection to him was such that during his life they would acknowledge no other Spirituall Father Only they humbly petitioned him to grant them the Priviledge after his death to elect their own Abbot And that such Election should not pertain to the Bishop as the custom was in Kent by the Ordinance of King Withred but descend to the Monks This Priviledge S. Aldelm granted not only to them but to all other Monasteries which he had founded And moreover caused his Indult to be confirmed by the Subscription of K. Ina and of Daniel Bishop of Winchester Authentick Copies are still extant of this Indult and Priviledge granted both by S. Aldelm and King Ina in the Register of the said Abbey of Malmsbury Concerning this holy Bishop S. Aldelm more remains to be said when we come to speak of his death In the mean time the affairs of Germany happily managed by S. Swibert and his blessed companions recall us thither II. CHAP. i. 2 c. Swiberts Preaching and miraculous freeing a man possessed by the Devill 1. SAint Swibert after he had successfully preached the Gospell to the Inhabitants of Brunswick and other neighbouring Nations directed his steps to a people called Boructuarians or Prussians lying more Northerly and yet more savage then the former Concerning his progresse in their conversion we have this account from his companion S. Marcellinus Assoon as he was entred that Province saith he he instilled the saving Mysteries and precepts of the Gospell into their foolish and blind hearts and enlightned their savage minds with the luster of divine Truth being glorious among them in his preaching and holy in his actions So that turning them from their profane superstitions to the Faith of Christ he confirmed them in the same Faith by many wonderfull miracles But the multitude oâ— Converts encreasing the Devils envy likewise encreased who enraged to see so many escape his snares earnestly endeavoured by his malicious instruments either to kill him or expell him from that Province 2. On a certain day therefore as he was preaching to a great multitude of Pagans their sacrilegious Preists drunk with the Idolatrous cupp of Babylon sett violently upon him and after they had beaten him with their fists rodds and stones they endeavoured to drive him out of their coasts But by the industry of certain courageous Christians he was taken out of their hands and for a few days was concealed by them for they durst not kill him out of fear least their Governour should be offended But presently after the Holy Bishop renewd his preaching among them and dayly baptized great numbers which despising their Idols publickly confessed the Name of Christ. 3. Consequently the same Holy Writer declares how by occasion of the Devills malice the Faith of Christ became more illustrious among that people For saith he on a certain time in a village of the Boructuarians a Rich and potent man named Ethelhere was possessed by the Devill insomuch as they were forced to bind him with chains because he endeavoured to bite all that came near him and tore his own cloaths Now the same Ethelhere was one of those who had persecuted and incited others to persecute the Holy Bishop and was the first that had the boldnes to smite him with a staff This man being thus dayly in a horrible manner tormented by the devill it hapned on a certain day in the presence of severall Pagan Preists and others who came to visit and condole with him that the Devill cryed out Except Swibert servant of the living God and Bishop of the Christians come hither I will not depart out of this man And when he oft more and more loudly repeated the same words the Idolatrous Preists and other freinds of the Demoniack went away in great confusion and perplexity what they should doe At last they all agreed that Saint
same purpose and that they having received his Benediction were returned full of sorrow the Monk who had heard the celestiall Musick went to the Bishop and prostrating himself to the ground before him said Venerable Father may it be permitted mee to ask you a question The Bishop answered Ask freely whatsoever thou wilt Then said he I beseech you tell mee What meant that ioyfull song which I heard sung by many with great ioy who came from heaven to this Oratory and after a while returned back to heaven again The Bishop replyed If thou hast indeed heard that Musick and perceived the heavenly company which came hither I command thee in the Name of our Lord that thou acquaint none with it before my death The truth is they were Angells and celestiall Spirits which came to call mee to receive those heavenly rewards which I always loved and desired and they have promised mee to return seaven dayes hence and conduct mee with them to heaven And indeed thus it came to passe as he had foretold For presently after a languishing infirmity came upon him which dayly encreased and on the seaventh day as had been promised him after he had armd himself against death by receiving devoutly the Body and blood of our Lord his soule was freed from the prison of his body and as we may piously beleive accompanied by Angells to celestiall ioyes Of whose glory S. Egbert was a witnes as we have already shewed in his Gests related by the same Authour 5. It is no wonder if he entertained with ioy the day of his death saith the same Authour since through the whole course of his life his cheif solicitude was to prepare himself for it insomuch as when any great wind or thunder hapned he would presently lay aside all other busines in hand and prostrating himself on his face pour forth his soule to God in prayer For as he told his Disciples the reason why God sends forth those voyces of terrour is to imprint his fear in mens minds and make them mindfull of those storms and tempests which shall be raised in the last dayes before the Generall Iudgment This S. Beda relates from the testimony of a Religious Monk called Trumbert his Master in Divine learning who had been a Disciple of this Holy Bishop 6. Now S. Ceadda dyed on the sixth day before the Nones of March and was first buried near the Church of our Blessed Lady But afterwards a magnificent Church having been built to the honour of the Prince of the Apostles his Sacred bones were translated thither And in both places for a proof of his Sanctity frequent miracles and cures were wrought 7. The place where he was buried was covered with a woodden tomb built in the form of a little house having a window in the wall through which such as in devotion came thither were accustomed to putt in their hand and take thence some part of the dust Which they mingled with water and gave to be tasted to sick men or cattell also by which their infirmities were presently taken away 8. We may with more assurance relate these Miracles because even the Lutheran Centuriators of Magdeburg acknowledge their beleif of them For thus they write Ceadda the Brother of Ced succeeded Iarumannus in the Bishoprick of the Mercians He received from King Wulfere his Episcopal See in a town of Lindissi called Lichfeild and governed the Churches of the Midland-English and Lindesfarians After his death he was renouned for Miracles insomuch as a man who was frantick and slept only at his tomb was restored to health and others afflicted with any manner of diseases by tasting the dust of his monument were perfectly cured 9. His Memory was with great devotion celebrated in all succeeding ages insomuch as the Cathedrall Church of his Bishoprick being raised with greater magnificence took its appellation from him This came to passe in the dayes of King Edward the second at which time saith B. Godwin Walter Langton Bishop of that See of Lichfeild bestowed two thousand pounds to enrich the Chest which contained the Body of his Predecessour S. Ceadda or Chad and likewise encompassed the precincts of the Church with a wall and ditch adding thereto two gates one very magnificently built toward the west and a lesser one to the East 10. To conclude this Narration we must not omitt one late memorable example of a wonderfull iudgment of God against the professed Enemies of his Saints In the beginning of the late rebellious warr a warr undertaken as much against Gods departed Saints as living Governours one of the most zealous Leaders of a Sacrilegious faction conducting his Army to this Citty of Lichfeild with an intention to break into the Inclosure of S. Ceadda's Church fortified by a Royal party whilst compleatly armed he pulled up the visour of his helmet that he might better view how to place his Ordinance against the wall was mortally wounded in the eye being the only part of his body exposed to danger by a bullet short at random Thus he perished in the heat of his fury whilst he assaulted the Church of S. Ceadda and upon the very Feast day of S. Ceadda 11. In the place of S. Ceadda the Arch-bishop Theodore ordained Bishop of that See a good and modest man saith S. Beda named Winfrid or Wilfrid who was Deacon to his Predecessour and at that time lived in the Monastery of Athburn Of whom we shall speak more hereafter X. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of severall Saints Of King Oswi Of Abbot Boisilus Of Oswin a Monk of Diman and Adammannus 1. IN the six hundred and seaventieth year of our Lords Incarnation saith S. Beda which was the second year after the coming of Theodore into Brittany Oswi King of the Northumbers in the fifty eighth year of his age fell sick of an infirmity of which he dyed At the same time he was so affectionatly desirous to receive more perfect Instruction in Religion from the Apostolick See of Rome that he was determined in case he had recovered of that disease to goe thither and end his days at the Sacred places of the Apostles for which purpose he had desired the Holy Arch-bishop Wilfrid to be his guide in that journey for which he designed him a great summe of money He dyed the fifteenth day before the Calends of March and left his Son Egfrid heyr of the Kingdom He was buried in the Monastery of Strenshalch to which he had long before consecrated his daughter Edelfleda from her first infancy as hath been declared 2. That he dyed in general opinion of Sanctity appears in that his Name is read among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the fiâ—teenth of February And William of Malmsbury recounts how his body together with the bodies of many other Saints was removed three hundred years after his death For thus he writes At Streneshalt in the Quire
He was born of a Noble extraction but was far from making that an argument of pride and contempt of others as some doe but as became a true servant of God he used it as a motive to aspire to true Nobility of soule consisting in Piety and humility He was cousin germain to his Abbot S. Benedict but in both of their minds there was such a contempt of worldly respects or priviledges that neither did Easterwin at his first admission into the Monastery expect any preeminence in consideration of his birth nor any priviledge or favour for his propinquity to the Abbot who likewise for his part did not at all consider these relations but he lived in the Monastery in an equall state with the meanest 3. Add hereto that whereas he had been an Officer in the Court of King Egfrid assoon as he had quitted secular employments and undertaken a spirituall warfare onely he continued always like the rest of his poor brethren humble and obedient and not only willingly but ioyfully would he winnow or thrash corn milk the ewes or heyfers and labour in the bake-house garden or kitchen and any other painfull or mean services of the Monastery 4. Yea after he had unwillingly undertaken the degree and Office of Abbot he remained in the same mind he was before towards all according to the Wise mans admonition saying They have made thee a Ruler be not lifted up but be amongst them as one of them mild affable and kind to all Whensoever upon occasion he was obliged to exercise Regular Discipline or correction towards any of his brethren after a fault committed he so behaved himself as rather to prevent any future recidivation then to expresse anger for what was past neither did he shâ—w a countenance clouded with any passion Whensoever the necessity of busines called him abroad which often hapned if he found any of his brethren at labour he would presently ioyne himself with them either holding the plough or turning the van to winnow or hammering iron and the like For in his youth he was robustious and fitt for any labour He had a sweet and winning speech a cheerfull heart a liberall hand and well conditioned aspect Whilst he was Abbot he contented himself with the same dyet he used before and as the rest of his Community used he lay in the same Common Dormitory insomuch as when the disease of which he dyed seised on him so that as he perceived by certain signs it would prove mortall he continued two dayes resting in the Dormitory For the five remaining dayes before his death he made himself to be removed to a more retired lodging in the Monastery And one of those dayes coming abroad into the aire he sent for all his Brethren and with great compassion and kindnes gave to each of them the kisse of peace they all the while weeping bewayling the departure of so good and great a Father and Pastour 5. He dyed the night before the Nones of March whilst the Monks were exercised in singing Martins He was four and twenty years old when he first entred the Monastery in which he lived twelve years seaven of which were spent in his Preistly duty and four in governing the Convent after which leaving his earthly corruptible body he went to receive his reward in the heavenly kingdom Having premised this short account of the life of the Venerable Abbot Easterwin we will return to the order of our Narration XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests sicknes and death of the Holy Abbots S. Sigfrid and Saint Benedict Biscop 1. SAint Benedict having constituted the said Easterwin Abbot of the Monastery of S. Peter and Ceolfrid of that of Saint Paul he not long after undertook his fourth voyage to Rome and as formerly he returnd enriched with innumerable gifts proper for the Church as Sacred Books and abundance of holy Images In which was described the whole life of our Saviour in so many severall peices as they suffised to encompasse the whole Church of our Lady built in the greater Monastery And our Church of S. Paul likewise was adorned with pictures containing such histories in the Old and New Testament as had a coÌ„formity each to the other For example there were placed opposite to one another the Image of Isaac carrying wood with which he was to be burnt in sacrifice and over against it our Lord in like manner carrying his Crosse Again to the Serpent exalted by Moyses in the wildernes there answered the Image of our Lord exalted on his Crosse. Besides these he brought with him two Mantles all of pure silk of inestimable work for which he had in exchange from King Aldfrid and his Counsellours for before his return King Egfrid was slain a possession of three families lying Southward to the Mouth of the River Wire 2. But to qualify the ioy of the good successe of his voyage he found his Monastery in a sad condition by reason of the death of the Venerable Abbot Easterwin and a great number of the Monks under his charge which had been taken out of the world by a pestilence raging through all that countrey Yet this greif was attended with some consolation for as much as in the place of Easterwin by an Election made by the Religious Monks there with whom also was ioyned the Reverend Abbot Ceolfrid there was substituted a Successour in the charge of Abbot Sigfrid a Deacon a man of equall gravity and meeknes with his Predecessour He was sufficiently learned in the Scriptures adorned with all vertues and of wonderfull abstinence But as his mind was enriched with all Graces his body was much depressed with sicknes for he was tormented with an incurable disease of the lungs 3. And not long after the Venerable Abbot Benedict also began to be afflicted with a tedious sicknes For God in his mercifull Providence to the end he might prove the solidity of their piety by patience cast them both upon their beds that after their infirmities had been cured by death he might eternally refresh them in the quiet repose of Light and peace For as we said Sigfrid after he had been vexed with a tedious and irksom pain in his lungs and entralls was brought to his end And Benedict for three years space languishing with a Palsey was reduced to that extremity that all the lower members of his body were deprived of motion and life and the upper parts without which life could not consist were reserved free for the exercise of his patience Now during the time of their sicknes both these Holy Abbots ceased not to give thanks to their Creatour continually attending to the Praises of God and charitable admonitions to their Brethren 4. Particularly S. Benedict did frequently and earnestly exhort his Monks to a constant Stability in the Observance of the Rulâ— which he had given them For said he You must not think that the Constitutions which you have received from mee were inventions of
mine own brain But having in my frequent voyages passed through no fewer then seaventeen-well ordred Monasteries I informed my self in all their Laws and Orders and selecting the best among them those I have recommended to you Moreover he enioyned them to have a speciall care that the most noble and well furnished Library which he had brought from Rome and which was so necessary for the instruction of the Church should not through negligence be spoyld or dissipated 5. But one speciall Injunction he often and earnestly renewd to them which was That in the Election of an Abbot no regard at all should be had by any of them to kinred but only to integrity of life and ability of reaching For said he I prosesse unto you that I would much rather chuse that this place in which I have founded this Monastery if such were the will of God should be reduced to a barren wildernes then that mine own Brother who we know does not walk in the wayes of Piety should succeed mee in the charge of Abbot And therefore my Brethren be yee in a speciall manner wary not to seek in my place a Father either among strangers or for propinquity of blood to any of you But according as is contained in the Rule of the Great Patriark and Abbot S. Benedict as likewise in the particular Decrees of this Monastery when you meet together in the common Assembly of your Congregation for the Election of an Abbot let him be proposed to the Bishop to receive his Benediction whom you shall unanimously chuse as most apt for that charge both with regard to his vertue and learning 6. The same Venerable Abbot Benedict likewise to qualify the tediousnes of long nights which by reason of his infirmity he was forced to passe without sleep was accustomed to send for one of the Monks to read to him some portion of Scripture suitable to his present state as the Story of the patience of Iob or such like by meditating on which his mind might be more vigorously affected to the love and desire of heavenly things And because he was utterly unable to rise out of his bed to the Quire and withall found great difficulty to raise his voyce and frame his tongue to the usuall course of Psalmody he out of a prudent devotion would every Ecclesiasticall hower send for some of his Monks and whilst they divided as it were into two quires chanted the Psalms proper for the Hower by day or night he as well as he could would ioyn his voyce with theirs and so by their assistance he would perform the divine Office which alone he could not doe 7. These two Venerable Abbots being thus oppressed with sicknes one day had a desire to meet together that they might see one the other and consult together touching the common good of the Monasteries which they were become unable any longer in their own persons to govern But so extreme was their weaknes that Abbot Sigfrid was carried in a Coffin to the Chamber where S. Benedict lay on his bed and both of them being placed close to one another with their heads on the same pillow yet their weaknes was such that without the help of others attending on them they were unable to ioyn their lips together to give and take their last kisse of charity which was a sad spectacle to the assistants who helped them to perform this last Office 8. At that time Holy Abbot Benedict by the advice of Sigfrid and consent of all the Monks of both Monasteries sent for Ceolfrid a man of nearer propinquity to his vertues then blood whom he had formerly constituted Abbot of the Monastery of S. Paul and proposed him to be Abbot of both the Monasteries whereto all the Religious men present willingly consented as judging it most proffitable to the common good and the preservation of peace and concord that one Spirituall Father should have the care and direction of those two neighbouring Monasteries 9. After these things were thus ordered within two months the Venerable and devout Abbot Sigfrid having passed through the fire and water of many tribulations was conveyed to the refreshment of eternall peace And four months after his death S. Benedict also the great conquerour of all vertues was brought to his last end That whole night the Religious Monks spent in watching and modulating Divine Psalms so comforting themselves in the losse of so beloved and reverenced a Father Severall of them continued in the chamber where the devout Abbot lay expecting his deliverance from mortality All that night they employed in reading some parts of the Gospell for his comfort and in prayers and his last hower approaching they gave him for his Viaticum the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of our Lord. And thus that holy soule after it had been purified in the furnace of many tribulations took her flight freely to eternall glory precisely in the point of time when the Monks reciting the whole Psalter were come to this Psalm Domine quis similis erit tibi c. the scope of which Psalm imports that notwithstanding the malice and violence of our spirituall enemies continually watchfull to destroy us yet by Gods help every faithfull soule shall triumph over them and mock at their eternall confusion So that it may seem that by Divine Providence this Psalm was recited the same moment when that happy soule left her mortall body to shew that no Enemy should have power to hinder her passage to eternall felicity 10. His death hapned in the sixteenth year after he had founded the Monastery of Saint Peter which he governed eight years alone and the eight years following with the assistance of Easterwin Sigfrid and Ceolfrid the first of whom continued Abbot four years the second three and the third one He dyed on the day before the Ides of Ianuary and was buried in the Church of the Blessed Apostle S. Peter to the end that after his death his Body might not be far divided from the Altar and Relicks of him to whom whilst he lived in the flesh he bore a devout affection and who was to open unto him the gates of the celestiall kingdom 11. Thus far have we continued the History of the two ancient and famous Monasteries of S. Peter and S. Paul at Wiremouth and Girwy together with the Gests and death of the first Abbots S. Benedict Easterwin and Sigfrid which though they hapned beyond the present time of this History yet I thought fitt not to interrupt S. Beda's Narration or divide each occurrent assigning it to its proper year to the prejudice of the Readers memory As for the Gests of the remaining Abbot Ceolfrid to whose care our famous and learned Historian S. Beda was committed we will treat of them hereafter in due place XIV CHAP. 1.2 c The Gests of Saint Ebba Abbesse of Coldingham 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred eighty three S. Ebba Abbesse of
he was ordained the Second Arch-bishop of Vtrecht And having spent sixteen years in preaching the Gospell through Friseland he together with his associats was crowned with Martyrdom In like manner S. Wirâ— a Bishop of the Deiri or rather of Iren that is Ireland and S. Plechelm Bishop of the Church by S. Beda called Candida casa Saint Orger a Deacon with other glorious Preists and Preachers But of these later Missioners wee shall speak more largely in due place for they are mentioned in this place by Marcellâ—â—us onely occasionally 7. Hereto he adds a Summary Narration of the various successes and ends of the Prime Missionners thus proceeding S. Acca returning in England with S. Swibert was by S. Wilfrid consecrated Bishop of Hagulstad and after many years spent in great purity and Holines there rested in our Lord. S. Wigbert as hath been declared was crownd with Martyrdom in Fosteland Saint Willâ—bald going into the Eastern part of France was made Bishop of Eystat S. Winnibald his Brother was ordained Abbot of Heyndelam the Sister of these two Holy men was the devout Virgin Walburgis Lebvin after he was consecrated Bishop was crownd with Martyrdom near Gaunt The two Brethren of the Name Ewald having preached Christ in Nabia and thence going up into Saxony ended their lives with a glorious Martyrdom Saint Werenfrid a Preist and worthy Preacher was sent towards Batua and piously governed the new-converted flock of Christ in Eâ—st and Westerwâ—irt being both in his life death illustrious through many Miracles at Westerwâ—irt happily rendred his Spirit to God on the Ides of September and was miraculously buried at Elst. S. Adelbert a Deacon son of Edilbald King of the Deiri who was Son of S. Oswald King and Martyr having built a Church at Egmond in Holland after the Conversion of many Pagans and glorious consummation of a most holy life happily rested in Christ on the seaventh day before the Calends of Iuly and was buried in Egmond where by his intercession many Miracles are wrought to this day He was an illustrious Confessour and first Arch-deacon of the Church of Vtrecht Thus writes Marcellinus touching his Brethren and devout companions and concerning himself adds these words 8. And I Marcellinus an unproffitable Preist was sent by the foresaid Holy Bishops to the Region beyond the River Isel and at the present have the care over Aldenseel Trent Tuvent Coverdy and Daventry in which places through Gods Providence and blessing I have by preaching gained to our Lord in a manner all the people having purged them from their Superstitious Idolatry As for Saint Willebrord he remained in his Diocese of Vtrecht and with great fervour preached the Gospell of Christ to all the people there about But the rest were dispersed here and there to preach the Word of God and after the Conversion of a world of Pagans happily rested in our Lord. XIV CHAP. 1.2.3 Lawes of King Withred 4. Ostritha Queen of the Mercians murdred 1. THE same year in Brittany there was assembled a Synod also by Withred King of Kent and Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Berghansted where many wholesome Laws and Constitutions called The Iudgments of King Withred were enacted for the regulating both the Church and Civill state of that Kingdom 2. Of which Laws the first was That publick Prayers should be made for the King And the following regard severall Heads as the preserving the Peace of the State and Church The punishment of Adultery in severall conditions of men Against irregular Tonsure Forbidding working or travelling on our Lords day and the even before it Against offring any thing to the Devill and giving flesh to ones servant on a Fast-day Concerning the severall ways by which severall conditions of men were to purge themselves the King and Bishops by a simple affirmation without Oathes Preists and Abbots in this Form I speak the truth in Christ I lye not So likewise Deacons Inferiour Clerks with four compurgators laying one hand on the Altar and the other extended to the Oath a stranger without compurgators laying his hand on the Altar So likewise a Thane or Noble man of the King a simple countrey-man with four compurgators and bowing down his head towards the Altar That if any one depending on the Bishop be accused the hearing of the cause belongs to Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction c. That no compensation shall be made by one who kills a Theife c. And that if a stranger shall privily wander through the countrey and neither crye aloud nor sound with his horn he is to be taken for a theif and either to be killed or banished 3. These Iudgments of King Withred are extant among the Collection of Brittish Councills compiled by Sir Henry Spelman and translated by him into Latin out of Ancient Saxon Manuscript called The Text of Rochester Textus Roffensis to whom the Reader is referred 4. About this time a barbarous Act was committed by the Mercians against their Queen Ostritha or Ostgida Sixteen years before this she had been given by her Brother Egfrid King of the Northumbers a wife to Ethelred King of the Mercians as it were in compensation for the death of his Brother Elwin and to establish a peace between the two Kingdoms And this year saith Huntingdon the Mercians called South-humbers committed a base Villany for they inhumanly murdred Ostrida their Queen Wife to King Edelred and Sister to King Egfrid S. Beda particularly charges the Nobility of those Mercians with that foul crime namely the inhabitants of Lincoln or of Nottingham shire What was the Motive or provocation to this inhuman act does not appear in History XV. CHAP. 1.2 Edfrid succeeds to Eadbert in the See of Lindesfarn 3.4 c. Death of Adamannus the Holy Abbot of Hy he could not perswade his Monks to the Catholick Observance of Easter 6. The Northumbers defeated by the Picts 1. THE year of Grace six hundred ninety eight was the eleaventh after the death of S. Cuthbert in which the Monks in whose Church his sacred Body reposed having hitherto privatly performed veneration to his memory seing the frequent Miracles wrought at his Sepulcher thought fitt to translate his Relicks to some more honourable place and expecting to have found nothing but dry bones they saw his Body as entire yea and his garments as fresh as when they were first layd in the ground Which being certified to his Successour Saint Eadbert he caused New Vestments to be putt upon him and the Body to be raised above the pavement pronouncing withall happines to any to whom God would grant the priviledge to be layd by him Which Priviledge himself obtained this same year for rendring his devout soule to our Lord on the day before the Nones of May his Body was enterred under the Body of S. Cuthbert saith Bishop Godwin And his memory is celebrated not only in the English but Roman Martyrologe also on the sameday
Divine Verities as far as they had â—carnâ— them they in succession of times should be instructed by the English Nation in those things which they had not so well learnt and be brought to a perfect form of living As on the contrary the Brittains who refused to make known to the English that knowledge of Christianity which they had when as afterward the English became by other means perfectly instructed in the Rule of Christian Faith and Discipline they remain in their old errour and irregular practises neither admitting the ancient Catholick Tonsure on their heads and observing the Christian solemnities contrary to the Orders and practise of the Catholick Church 4. Now these Monks of Hy by the instruction of Saint Egbert received the Catholick Rite when Dunchad was their Abbot about fourscore years after they had sent Aidan their Prelat to preach to the English Nation This Dunchad was the tenth Abbot of Hy after Saint Colomba and the Annals of Vlster observe that he admitted the Roman Rites of Easter in the year of Grace seaven hundred and sixteen on the fourth day before the Calends of September being Saturday and that he dyed the year following 5. As touchinh S. Egbert S. Beda addes that he remained thirteen years in the sayd Island which by a new Grace of Ecclesiasticall Communion and peace he had consecrated to Christ. Concerning his happy death we shall speak in due place THE TWO AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. The Gests of the Holy Abbot S. Ceolfrid He resigns his Office and in travelling toward Rome dyes at Langres in France 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred and seaventeen is illustrated by the deaths of two glorious English Saints the great S Swibert Apostle of the Germans and Saint Ceolfrid the worthy Successour of S. Benedict Bâ—scop in the government of the Monasteries of Saint Peter and S. Paul at Wiremouth and Girwy in the Kingdom of the Northumbers 2. Treating above of the occurrents of the year of our Lord six hundred eighty three we then out of a History of Saint Beda lately published concerning the Abbots of those two Convents related the memorable Gests and happy deaths of Easterwin Sigfrid and S. Benedict Biscop who had been Abbots of the same before this S. Ceolfrid to whom S. Benedict at his death recommended the care of them both and by whom Saint Beda himself received his education in learning and piety Now therefore it will be requisite to pursue his Narration concerning this his devout carefull Master and Benefactour Which is as follows 3. S. Ceolfrid saith he was a man industrious in all things sharp of witt diligent in busines ripe in iudgment and fervent in his zeale for promoting Religion He as hath been already declared by the assistance of S. Benedict Biscop in the space of seaven years founded perfected and governed the Monastery of S. Paul the Apostle and afterward became Abbot both of that and the other Monastery also of S Peter which considering their mutuall charity and propinquity were to be esteemed as one Monastery In which Office he continued twenty eight years carefully and prâ—dently accomplishing the worthy design begun by his Predecessour S. Benedict For he added severall new built Oratories encreased the number of Sacred Vessels and Vestments for the Altars and Church and also much enlarged the Libraries of both the Monasteries formerly well furnished by his Predecessour Particularly he added three Pandects of a New Translation to a former one of an old of which one he took with him in his last voyage to Rome leaving the others to each Monastery one he gave likewise a large Book of Cosmography of an admirable work which S. Benedict had bought at Rome 4. Moreover he purchased of the devout and learned King Aldfrid a peice of land of eight families near the River Fresca for a possession to the Monastery of S. Paul which land had been taxed by S. Benedict but he dyed before he could accoÌ„plish the purchase But afterward in the raign of King Osred Saint Ceolfrid made an exchange of this land for other land of twenty families near a town called Sambuâ—e from which it tooke its name because it lay nearer and more conveniently to the Monastery for the effecting of which exchange he added a considerable Summ of money And having done this he sent certain Monks to Rome who obtained of Sergius Pope of happy memory a Priviledge for the security of the Monastery as S. Benedict before had received from Pope Agathon and this latter likewise as the former was confirmed in a Synod by the subscription of the Magnificent King Aldfrid and the Bishops there present In his time also a certain servant of Christ learned in Scriptures and secular knowledge called Witmer undertaking a Monasticall Profession in the Monastery of S. Peter which he afterwards governed gave for a perpetuall possession to the same Monastery a peice of land of ten families which had been given him by King Aldfrid 5. But S. Ceolfrid after a long and exact practise of Regular Observance instructions for which he had received partly from his Father Saint Benedict and partly himself had collected from the ancient Fathers after an incomparably skillful exercise of Prayer and Psalmody never omitted by him after a wonderfull fervour showed by him in correcting the disobedient and irregular as likewise an equall mildnes in comforting and strengthning the infirm after a sparingnes in eating and drinking not usuall in governours as likewise a coursenes and vilenesse in cloathing at last seeing himself full of dayes and by reason thereof incapable of continuing the due Office of a Spirituall Superiour in teaching and giving good example to his Monks having seriously and a long space meditated on these things at last it seemed to him most expedient to give order to his Monks that according to the Priviledge given them and according to the Rule of the Holy Abbot Saint Benedict they should chuse to themselves an Abbot as himself had been chosen young by his Predecessour then going to visit the Sepulchers of the Apostles that by this means himself night have the opportunity before his death to attend to his own soule in solitude and exemption from secular cares and they under the conduct of a younger Abbot more perfectly observe the instituts of a Regular life 6. Now having made this proposall though all the Monks at first opposed themselves with sighs tears and prostrations yet at last he obtained his desire And so earnest he was to begin his iourney that the third day after he had discovered his purpose secretly to his Brethren he began it towards Rome For he was afraid least he should be prevented by death before he could come thither as in effect it fell out and indeed he was desirous to avoyd the importunity of his freinds men of quality in the world who he knew would interpose delayes and lastly
administration of his Kingdom to a Nephew by his Sister and Son of Loth King of the Picts called Mordred Who taking advantage of his Vncles absence invaded the throne upon a pretence that King Arthur was a bastard as being born not in lawfull mariage And to this treason he added the crime of incest violently taking his Vncles wife Queen Guenhumara Moreover to strengthen him self he entred into a Confederacy with the King of the West-Saxons to whom he quietly yeilded severall Provinces 3. These infamous crimes being come to the ears of King Arthur he presently returned into Brittany inflamed with a rage and hatred unquencheable against his abominable kinsman Mordred was prepared to hinder his landing at which time a cruell batell was fought between them in which Angusâ—lus King of Albania and Walwan another Nephew of King Arthur were slain Notwithstanding at last with infinite difficulty he landed And renewing the fight he made a great slaughter of his enemies and compelled Mordred to fly to Winchester Whither he was with great fury pursued by King Arthur where in a second batell after much blood shed Mordred was again putt to flight which he directed towards Cornwal But King Arthur not ceasing to follow at last overtook him neer the River Camblan in which place the controversy between them was ended but fatally to them both 4. For Mordred having ranged his army in a desperat fury rushed among his enemies resolved rather to dye then once more to shew his back to them In this coÌ„bat which continued almost a whole day after horrible blood-shed on both sides King Arthur with the courage and fury of a lyon rushed into the troop where he knew Mordred was and making way with his sword at last with horrible slaughter dispersed his enemies There fell the Traytour Mordred and with him severall Saxon Commanders Cheldric Elaphius Egbrith and Bruning and many thousands with them 5. But this Victory cost King Arthur his life also For in the combat he received a mortall wound Whereupon he was conveyed into the Isle Avallonia now Glastonbury by the charity of a kinswoman of his a noble Matron called Morganis This gave the foolish Brittish Bards occasion to invent the story of a Faery Goddesse called Morganis which caried the Body of King Arthur by Magical skill into Avallonia with a promise that she would cure his wounds and that he should return with his former courage and strength to govern his Brittains And for this reason during many years yea ages his return was expected by them as foolshly as the coming of the Messias is by the Iewes 6. When Queen Guenhumara heard of the return of her husband and his war with his Nephew she fled in great hast to the Citty Caër-leon where she took the Habit of Religion among the Nunns in the Monastery of S. Iulius the Martyr 7. The true reason why King Arthur would be caried to the Monastery of Glastonbury doubtles was partly to prepare himself more perfectly for death in the company and by the assistance of the Holy Monks living there and likewise that after his death he might be buried among such a world of Saints as reposed there from the beginning of Christianity The like design we read of in Constantin for he ordaind his buriall in like manner to the end he might be partaker of the Suffrages of so many Saints of the prayers of such as in succeeding times should come to visit their Monuments 8. King Arthur before his death gave unto the said Monastery Brent-march and Poulden with other lands beside Which the Pagan Angli took away but afterward being converted to the Faith restored with advantage He appointed likewise for his Successour a kinsman of his called Constantin and having recommended himself to the Prayers of the Monks he dyed happily and after a Christian manner was buried with a Crosse. 9. His conveyance to Glastonbury was it seems by own order done with great secrecy and by the same order his death and place of burial was studiously coÌ„ceald The reason is given by Mathew of Westminster in these words The dying King was desirous to be hidden least his enemies should insult and his freinds be molested for so great a calamity And hence it is that since our Histories doe relate nothing of his death and buriall the Brittish Nation out of their great affection to him doe contend that he is still alive And on this occasion was invented the Prophecy fathered on Merlin the Magician that he should appear and raign once more Lastly Malmsburiensis affirms that in his time who dyed in the year of Grace one thousand one hundred forty two the Sepulcher of King Arthur could no where be found whereas the Monument of his Heroical Nephew Walwin Prince of a Territory called Walwerth had lately been found in the time of King William near the Sea-coast and that it was fourteen foot long 10. Notwithstanding a little while after in the raign of King Henry the Second by the pious industry of certain devout persons King Arthurs Monument was at last found and the expectation of his return utterly vanished among the Welsh Nation The manner how it was found together with the description of it we have in severall of our Historians as Mathew Paris and Giraldus Cambrensis who affirms that the Abbot who found it shewd him the Crosse which lay over King Arthurs body the characters whereof he curiously read c. 11. But the most authentick account hereof we may receive from the Great Table of Glastonbury framed on purpose to continue the memory of the said Invention a copy whereof is preserved by B. Vsher in this tenour In this Island Avallonia or rather this Tomb of Saints at Glastonbury doe rest King Arthur the flower of the Kings of Brittany and Guenhavera his Queen who after their decease were honourably buried near the old Church between two stone-Pyramids heretofore nobly engraven And in the same place have their bodyes rested for many ages to wit six hundred twenty eight years till the time of Henry de Soili who after the burning of the said Church was Abbot of the same place The which said Abbot after many admonitions by severall persons commanded men to digg between the said Piramids to try whether they could find the Kings body but before they began to digg the place was all encompassed with cortains They digged therefore exceeding deep and at last found a very great Biere of wood altogether shutt which with their instruments they opened and within it discovered the Kings body and a certain Crosse of Lead of which one whole side was filled with this Inscription Here lyes buried the famous King Arthur in the Island Avallonia Then they opened the Tomb of the Queen and the hayr 's of her head were spread over her body and seemd as if she had been lately buried but assoon as they touched them they fell all
to the Faith and likewise strengthned in the same Faith and Love of Christ many who before beleived 3. Supposing it may be for the Readers edification I will not neglect to set down here at large some of those wonderfull visions which in an Excesse of mind our Lord revealed to him concerning the state of soules after death Which visions saith Saint Beda he himself would sometimes declare but only to such as out of a desire of compunction asked him 4. This holy man saith the same Authour was descended from a most Noble family among the Irish Scots but was much more Noble for the vertues of his mind then his blood From his very child-hood he carefully gave himself to reading holy Books and practising Religious austerities and which most became Gods Saints whatsoever good things he learnt by reading he was solicitous to expresse in his practise 5. To be breif in processe of time he built himself a Monastery to the end he might more freely and without interruption attend to heavenly meditations Where on a certain time falling into an infirmity he was rapt from his body and in that Extasy which continued from Evening to Cockcrowing he was favoured with the sight of troops of Angels and the hearing the Hymns of Praises which they sung to our Lord. And among other particulars he was wont to relate how he heard them distinctly to chant these verses of the Psalm The Saints shal goe from vertue to vertue And again The God of Gods shall be seen in Sion 6. Three days after being again in an Extasy he saw yet more glorious apparitions of Angels and heard Divine Lauds sung by them more solemnly Moreover there were discovered to him very earnest contentions of Wicked Spirits who by many accusations of a certain Sinner lately dead endeavoured to stop his passage to heaven but by reason the Holy Angels protected him they could not effect their desire 7. Now if any one desires to be more accuratly informed in all these particulars touching the malicious subtilty with which the Devils layd to the Mans charge all his actions idle words and even his very thoughts as if they had them written in a Book as likewise severall others some ioyfull others sad which he learnt from the Angels and glorified Saints which he saw among them let him read the Book of this Saints life and I doubt not he will receive thereby much spiritual edification Amongst all which I will select one passage to putt in this History from which many may receive proffit 8. On a certain time being elevated in Spirit he was commanded by the Angels which conducted him to look down upon the Earth whereupon bowing his eyes down ward he saw as it were a darke valley under him in a very low bottom He saw likewise in the aire four fires not much distant from one another And asking the Angels what fires those were he was told that those were the fires which now inflamed the world and would in the end consume it The first was the fire of Lying when we doe not perform what we promised in Baptism to renounce Sathan and all his works The second was the fire of Covetousnes when we preferre worldly riches before the love of heaven The third was the fire of Dissension when we are not affraid to offend our neighbours even for things of no moment The fourth was the fire of Iniquity when we make no conscience to robb or cousen those who are weaker then our selves Now these four fires encreasing by little at last ioynd together and became an immense flame And when they approached near them Fursey was afraid and sayd to the Angel Sir behold the flames come close to us But the Angel answered Fear not for since thou didst not kindle this fire it will not burn thee For though this flame seems to thee great and terrible yet it tryes every one according to his Merits so that the concupiscence which is in any one shall burn in this fire For accordingly as every one being in the body is inflamed by unlawfull pleasure so being loosd from his body shall he burn by condign torment Then he saw one of the three Angels which in both these visions had been his conductours goe before the other and divide the flame and the other two flying on each side of him which defended him from the danger of the fire He saw likewise many Devils flying through the fire and kindling war against the just These malign Spirits pursued him likewise with accusations but the good Angels defended him And after this he saw greater numbers of blessed Spirits among which some were of his own Nation Preists who had well discharged their Office as he had heard by report By these he was informed of many things very proffitable both to himself and all who are willing to attend to them When they had finished their speeches and were returned to Heaven with the rest of the Angels there remaind only with Saint Fursey the three Angels mentioned before who were to restore him to his body And when he came close to the foresaid great fire one of the Angels divided it as before But when the Man of God was come to a dore which stood open among the flames the Vnclean Spirits snatching up one of those whom they were tormenting in the flames and casting him against him touched him and burnt his shoulder and one of his cheekes He knew the man and remembred how when he was ready to dye he had received of him a garment But the Angel laying hold of him cast him back into the fire But the Devil answered Doe not cast him back since you have once received him For as you have taken the goods belonging to a Sinner so you must be partakers of his punishment But the Angel replied He took not that out of covetousnes but for saving the mans soule After this the burning ceased and the Angel turning himself to Saint Fursey said The fire that thou hast kindled has now burnt thee For if thou hadst not received money from this man who is dead in his sins thou hadst not tasted of his torments Many other discourses he made giving him wholesom instructions how he should deale with such as repented at their death 9. Saint Fursey being afterward restored to his body caried visibly in his shoulder and cheek all his life time the marks of the burning which he had suffred in his soule c. There remains alive to this day an ancient Monk of our Monastery who is wont to tell us that a man of great integrity and veracity assured him that he saw Saint Fursey himself in the Province of the East-Angles and from his own mouth heard him relate his Visions Adding that it was in the time of a very sharp frosty winter and yet the Holy man wearing only a single sleight garment whilst he related these things yet partly by the extreme fear and sometimes great
proceeded out of the same family S. Edilburga the naturall daughter of King Anna Saint Sedrido daughter to King Anna's wife Hereswida by another husband and Saint Eartongatha neice to them both being daughter to Earcombert King of Kent and his wife Saint Sexburga These three Holy Virgins though they dyed in severall years yet since Saint Beda ioyns them together we will here follow his example placing their Gests this year of Grace six hundred and sixty in which S. Sedrido according to our Martyrologe dyed 3. They all out of a desire of a more strict and perfect life went over into France by reason that as yet there were not in Brittany many Monasteries for Religious Virgins and there betook themselves to the Monastery of Saint Phara whom formerly Saint Columban had instructed in Piety and a love of Christian Perfection The relation which Saint Beda gives of them is as followeth 4. Eartongatha the daughter of King Earcombert and S. Sexburga was a Virgin of eminent vertues as became the offspring of such parents She spent her life in our Lords service in a Monastery of France built by the most illustrious Abbesse S. Phara in a place called Brige or Brye For at that time by reason there were not many Monasteries erected in Brittany it was the custome for many parents in this Island to send over their daughters into French Monasteries there to be instructed in piety and consecrated to our Lord especially in the Monasteries of Brige Cale or Chelles and Andilegum In the number of such noble Virgins so sent into France was Sedrido daughter of the wife of Anna King of the East-angles and likewise Edilburga a naturall daughter of the same King Both these Virgins for the merit of their vertues though strangers were constituted Abbesses of the Monastery of Brye now called Pharmonstier And hence may those Writers be corrected who place Saint Sedrido in the Monastery of Chelles which as yet was not built by the Holy Queen S. Bathildis 5. Therefore Andrew Saussay in his Martyrologe on the seaventh of December truly writes concerning Saint Phara and these Virgins after this manner The Father of Saint Phara being at last better advised built for her a Monastery in the forest of Brye in a place then called Eboriacum but afterwards it took the name of Pharmonstier from the said Holy Abbesse She being settled there by the odour of her Sanctity drew many other devout Virgins thither over whom she becoming a Mother excelled them more in Grace and vertue then in her preeminence and dignity And indeed so great was the some of her Sanctity that great numbers of Noble Virgins yea and Princesses out of all the Provinces of France yea Germany England and Ireland contended to be there received and to those being inflamed with Divine love she communicated her own vertues and Graces Among those devout Virgins the most renowned for Piety was Edilburga naturall daughter of Anna King of the East-angles who after the death of Saint Phara supplied her Office in the government of the Monastery and by the divine progresse of her life deserved to be inscribed in the number of Saints after her death Where succeeded her in the same Office her neece Saint Earthongatha daughter of Earcombert King of Kent a worthy branch and well beseeming so noble a Stock for she flourishing with eminent piety and vertue served our Lord there till her death in wonderfull purity both of body and Spirit 6. Our Martyrologe seems to make Saint Sedrido the immediate Abbesse of Pharmonstier after S Edilburga and after her S. Earthongatha is supposed to have succeeded though her name which is strange be there omitted And as touching S. Sedrido her commemoration in the French Martyrologe is on the tenth of Ianuary in these words On that day is celebrated the memory of S. Sethrida Virgin in the Monastery of S. Phara in the territory of Brye Who being an English Lady out of zâ—ale to Perfection came to the same Monastery where she professed a Religious state and having consummated the course of an Angelicall life upon earth departed to the heavenly society of Holy Virgins Her praises are written by venerable Beda 7. We must not here omitt what the same Saint Beda writes concerning S. Earthongata Many things are related very miraculous by the inhabitants of that territory concerning this Holy Virgin But we will onely mention breifly her death and the wonders succeeding it When the day approached in which she was to be called out of this world to eternall happines she went about the Monastery visiting the Celles of the Religious Virgins especially such as were more ancient and eminent for piety to whose prayers she humbly recommended her self not concealing from them that she was taught by revelation that her departure was at hand The manner of which revelation was sayd to be this She saw a great troop of men in white garments enter the Monastery and asking them what they sought for there their answer was That they were sent thither to receive and carry back with them a precious Medall of gold which came thither out of Kent Now on the same night toward the end whereof near break of day she passed from the darknes of this world to the heavenly Light many of the Monks whose lodgings were adioyning to the Monastery report that they heard distinctly a Melody of Angells singing and a noyse as it were of a great multitude entring the Monastery Whereupon going forth to see what the matter was they saw a wonderfull great Light from heaven in which that holy soule when delivered from the prison of her body was conducted to eternall ioyes They add many other wonders hapning the same night which we pursuing other matters leave to their relation 8. The Sacred body of the Virgin and Spouse of our Lord was buried in the Church of the Protomartyr S. Steven Three days after they having a mind to take up the Stone which covered her Sepulcher and raise it higher as they were busy about this a sweet odour of so wonderfull fragrancy evaporated from beneath that it seemd to the Religious men and Sisters there assisting as if a cellar full of precious bauâ—m was then opened Thus writes S. Beda touching S. Earthongata 9. And concerning S. Edilburga he addes Likewise S. Edilburga formerly mentioned the Aunt of S Earthongata by her Mother she likewise preserved the glory of perpetuall Virginity with great purity and perfection and of how eminent merits she was appeared yet more after her death In the time whilst she was Abbesse she began the building of a Church in the Monastery to the honour of all the Apostles where her desire was to be buried But death snatched her away before half the building was finished notwithstanding she was buried in the same place where she had desired After her death the Monks who had care of the Monastery employd their minds in other matters so
and the Tonsure of the Crown for of this also no small debate was made And went back into Scotland with a purpose to treat there with his Countrey-men whether for the future he should conform to the Catholick Rites or no. But not long after he returned to his See and forsaking the Scottish custome submitted to the Catholick way of celebrating Easter XIX CHAP. 1.2 c. B. Colman goes into Ireland Where he builds a Monastery for Saxon-English Monks 5.6 c. His death and Elogy Monks then in great veneration 1. COlman Bishop of Lindesfarn though he returned presently out of Scotland well reformed from his former Errours yet his abode at his See was very short For saith Saint Beda he relinquished Brittany upon what Motive is not expressed and took with him all the Scotts which he had assembled in the Isle of Lindesfarn And besides them there went with him thirty of the English Nation who had likewise been imbued in Monasticall Exercises by him 2. Thus having left a few Religious Brethren in his Church he went first to the Island His or Iona from whence he had formerly been sent to preach the Gospell to the English Nation After that he retired from thence into a little Island West-ward from Ireland which in the Scottish language is called Inhys-bovinde or The Isle of the White Calf There he built a Monastery in which he placed the Scottish and English Monks which had attended him from Lindesfarn But shorly after a disagreement hapned between them upon this occasion The Scotts in Summer time when fruits were to be gathered were wont to leave the Monastery and to wander up and down in the countrey where they had much acquaintance But the Winter following they would return and expect their part in the Provisions gathered by the English which they thought unreasonable to allow them 3. To remedy this dissension therefore Colman after much travell up and down at length found another place in Ireland commodious for building a Monastery called in the Scottish or Irish tongue Magiâ— or Maiyo There he bought of a certain Count to whom the possession belonged a part of it to found his Monastery adding withall this Condition That the Monks in their dayly Devotions should be obliged to pray for the said Counts prosperity Having therefore with the assistance of the Count and Neighbours adioyning built a Monastery he placed the English Monks there having left the Scotts in the foresaid Island Which Monastery is to this day possessed by English Monks and from a slender beginning enlarged very much being vulgarly called Intugeo Here resides a famous Congregation of Religious Monks gathered out of England who are much reformed in their Institut and following the Example of their Venerable Fathers doe live under a Canonicall Rule and Abbot by the labour of their hands with great continence and simplicity 4. When Colman left Lindesfarn saith the same Authour he took with him part of the bones of his Predecessour the most Reverend Bishop Aidan and part he left in the Church which he had governed commanding they should be buried in the Secretary or Chancell of the same Church Whereby it is plain that certain Protestant Writers doe unjustly impute the introducing of these practises of Veneration of the Relicks of Saints to Roman Missioners after the departure of these ancient Preachers from Scotland These Relicks Bishop Colman reposed in his Monastery of Bovinde in which Island S. Rioch Nephew of S. Patrick by his Sister Darerca had long before fixed an Episcopall See 5. In that Island the same Venerable Bishop Colman ended his dayes in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy five as the Annals of Vlster doe testify Though our Martyrologe signifies that he went into Austria and there preaching â—he Gospell of Christ was slain by Infidels about the year of our Lord seaven hundred and five 6. To honour the Memory of this worthy Bishop we will here adioyn the Character given of him by Saint Beda together with that of the Religious Monks of that age How great the parsimony and continence of the Venerable Bishop Colman was the very place which he governed will declare For when they were departed excepting the Church only scarce any other buildings were found that is no more then were absolutly necessary for Civil conversation They had no money at all for they contented themselves with a few cattell For indeed there was no need neither of money nor buildings for the reception of great men which oft repaired to that Monastery for they never came upon any other busines but only to pray or hear the Word of God preached The King himself upon occasion would some times come attended only by five or six servants and as soon as he had ended his Prayers in the Church he would depart Or if sometimes they took any refection there they would desire no more then the dayly simple Provisions of the Monks 7. For the Teachers of that age employd all their solicitude in serving God not the world all their care was to garnish their soules not their bellies And for this cause the Habit of Religion was in those dayes held in great veneration insomuch as whithersoever any Ecclesiasticall or Religious person went he would be ioyfully entertained by every one as a faithfull servant of God And whensoever such an one was meâ—t in a iourney the people would approach to him and bowing down their heads would desire him to sign them with the Crosse or give them his benediction And they were very attentive to their good admonitions and exhortations Vpon Sundays likewise and Feasts the people with great fervour would repair to Churches or Monasteries not for refreshing their bodies but hearing Gods Word And if any Preist occasionally came into a village all the Inhabitanes would gather together and desire him to communicate to them the Word of life For indeed Preists and Clergy-men in those dayes had no other busines to call them out of their Solitude into towns or Villages but only to preach baptise visit the sick or to doe some other spirituall good to soules They were then so perfectly free from the infection of covetousnes that without some violence and constraint they would not so much as accept of lands and possessions from men for building Monasteries And this devout conversation of Clergy-men and Monks continued a good while after this in the Churches of the Northumbers XX. CHAP. 1.2 c. A great plague Death of King Earcombert and of the Arch-bishop Deus-dedit 4.5 c. Apostacy of one King of the East-Saxons and piety of the other 8. Of the Holy Bishop Iarumannus 9 10. wini the first Simoniacall Bishop in England 1. THE same year in the Month of May there was a great Eclipse of the Sun and a mortality or plague followed it so raging as no memory had been of the like saith Mathew of Westminster The destruction caused by it in
Anna heretofore King of that Nation had formerly built two Monasteries one for himself and the other for his Sister Edilburga His own Monastery was seated in the Province of Suderige or Surrey near the River Thames in a place called Ceorotesey that is the Island of Ceorot the present name is Chertsey His Sisters Monastery was in a place called Berekingham Barking in the Province of the East-Saxons where that Holy Virgin became a Mother and Nurse of many devout Virgins shewing her self worthy such a Brother being Zealous to advance the Spiritual perfection of those under her charge as severall Divine Miracles did testify 2. The fury of the pestilence wasting the countrey about invaded likewise this Monastery as well the part where the Virgins inhabited as that of the Monks which attended the Altar Whereupon the Holy Abbesse consulted with her Religious Subiects concerning a place commodious for the burial of the dead But receiving no resolution from them she purposed to expect an answer from God On a certain time therefore after they had ended their Midnight-devotions the Virgins going out of the Church to sing at the graves of the Monks on a sudden a wonderfull Light like a Sheet came over them wherewith they were so affrighted that they were forced to intermitt their Psalmody A little after the said light removed to the Southern part of the Monastery which lay west-ward from their Oratory and presently was taken up into heaven in the sight of them all insomuch as not any of them doubted but that the same light which was â—o conduct their Soules to glory marked also the place where their bodies were to expect a glorious Resurrection 3. The names of those Spouses of our Lord which out of this Monastery during this plague went to heaven are written in the Book of life S. Beda names only one before the death of S. Edilburga her name was Eadgida How she was called to her eternall reward he thus relates There was said he in the same Monastery a little boy not above three years old called Esica who by reason st his infant-age was bred up and taught by the Religious Virgins This child having been struck with the sayd infection and ready to dye called aloud to one of the said Virgins as if she had been present crying out Eadgid Eadgid Eadgid and with these words ended his present life and entred into life eternall And the same Virgin which the child at his death called on that very day dyed also of the same disease and followd him who had called her to the celestiall kingdom 4. Another likewise of those Handmaids of our Lord being struck with the same contagion and drawing to her end began about midnight to call to those which attended her desiring them to putt out the candle standing by This she often did but none obeyed her At last she said I know you think I speak I know not what but it is not so For I assure you I see so wonderfull a light in the room that the candles light is darknes compared to it And when after all this none answered her or complyed with her desire she said again Well let the candle burn if you please but know that is not my Light For my light will come at day-break After this she told them how a certain Holy man who dyed the same year had appeared to her assuring her that the next morning she should goe to everlasting light And the truth of this Vision was confirmed by the death of the said Virgin who expired at the break of day XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Plague among the Northumbers the death of S. Cedde and of Tuda Bishop of Lindesfarn 1. THe same horrible infection spread it self Northward likewise and there wrought the like destruction not only among the lay people but Religious also insomuch as many eminent for learning and Sanctity ended their mortality by it Among which the most illustrious were Cedd Bishop of London who according to his custom visiting his Monastery in the Province of the Northumbers was seised upon by that disease And Tuda Bishop of Lindesfarn 2. Concerning the former Saint Beda thus writes The Venerable Bishop Cedd having for the space of many years administred the Bishoprick of London in the Province of the East-Saxons and thereto ioynd the care likewise of the Monastery of Lestinghen in the Province of the Northumbers â—ver which he appointed Superiours it hapned that coming to visit the said Monastery in this time of Mortality the contagion surprising him he dyed there At first he was buried abroad but not long after a Church of Stone being built in the said Monastery and dedicated to the honour of the Blessed Virgin-Mother of our Lord his Body was removed and layd at the right hand of the Altar He committed the government of his Monastery after his death to his Brother Ceadda who was afterward consecrated a Bishop as we shall shortly declare 3. When the Monks of another Monastery of his in the Province of the East-Saxons heard that he was dead and buried in the Kingdom of the Northumbers about thirty of them went thither being desirous to live and when the pleasure of God should be to dye and be buried near the Body of their Venerable Father They were willingly received by their Brethren there and in a short time they all dyed of the same infection excepting one young child onely who as was constantly beleived was preserved from death by the prayers of the Holy Bishop For whereas he lived a long time after and gave himself to reading the Holy Scriptures he found at last that he had not been regenerated by the Waters of Baptism Whereupon being presently baptised he afterward was promoted to the Order of Preist-hood and did much good to many in Gods Church Therefore I doe not doubt as was said but that he was detaind from death by the intercession of his Holy Father out of love to whom he was come thither by whose prayers he thus escaâ—ped the danger of eternall death and also by hâ—â— teaching afforded the ministery of life and Salvation to others 4. In the same Province of the Northumbers by the same pestilence was snatcheâ— away also Tuda Bishop of Lindesfarn who had a little before upon the departure of Bishop Colman been ordained his Successour For so writes S Beda Colman said he being returnâ—â— into his Countrey the servant of our Lord Tuda received after him the Bishoprick of the Northumbers He had his instruction among the Southern Scotts and by them was ordained Bishop He received the fashion of the Ecclesiastical Tonsure according to the Custom of that Province but he observed the Catholick Rule of the Paschal Solemnity He was a good Religious Bishop but his government of that Church lasted a very short time He came out of Scotland during the life of Colman and with great diligence both by preaching and good example
Camden makes mention of it as done at Wedun thogh other Writers affirm that it hapned at Chester where she is said to have lived severall years The manner of it was as followeth There was near the walls of the Town a farm belonging to the Monastery the corn wherof was much wasted by flocks of Wild-geese which the Steward of the place endeavoured but in in vane to chase away Of which incommodity he made complaint to the Holy Virgin Whereupon she commanded him saying Goe our ways and shutt them all up in a house He wondring at so strange a command thought the Saint spoke those words in â—east But when she renewd the same iniunction constantly and in a serious manner he returned among the corn where seeing great numbers of such fowle devouring the grain he with a loud voyce commanded them in his Mistresses name to follow him Hereupon immediatly they all in one drove followd him and were shutt up together in a house Now it hapned that a certain servant privatly stole one of the said birds which he hidd with intention to eat it The next morning early the Holy Virgin went to the house where after she had in a chiding manner reprehended the birds for usurping that which belonged not to them she commanded them to flye away and not return Immediatly the whole army of them took wing but being sensible of the iniury done them they flew not away but hovering over the Holy Virgins head with wonderfull noyse made complaint of their losse She hearing their importunat clamours understood by inspiration the cause therof and after search made the offender confessed his theft Whereupon she commanded the bird to be restored to her companions after which they all with one consent flew away so as not any bird of that kind was afterward seen in that territory 8. Thus writes the Authour of the Virgins Life in Capgrave more simply and credibly then William of Malmsbury who affirms that the stoln bird was killd and again restored to life by the Saint As for Camden succinctly mentioning this miracle he covertly insinuates his unwillingeÌ„s to beleive it for thus he writes The Miracles of Wereburga in driving away Wild-geese are ambitiously related by credulous Writers Implying that he had not faith enough to assent thereto Notwithstanding recounting the very like Miracle formerly by S. Hilda he is far from professing any distrust of it For saith he those Wild-geese whensoever they fly over the territory anciently belonging to S. Hilda doe suddenly fall to the ground to the great admiration of beholders This I should have forborn to relate had I not received it from the testimonies of very many persons of good credit And this is ascribed to the Sanctity of S. Hilda So that it seems the beleif of such Writers is an act not of reason but of will or humour Now the said territory saith Harpsfeild contains the circuit of about twelve miles 9. Wee will now passe to the death of the Holy Virgin Assoon as she perceived that Almighty God calld her to receive the reward of her piety she gave a strict command to her Religious Sisters that in what place soever she departed this life her body should presently be caried to the Monastery of Hanbury and there buried Which Monastery is situated in the Province of Cambridge neer the Isle of Ely So that it seems her desire was to rest where she had learnt the first rudiments of her Sanctity But notwithstanding her command the devout Virgins of Trickingham where she dyed on the third day before the Nones of February out of excessive affection and reverence to their beloved Mother neglected her command and not only refused to deliver the sacred treasure to the inhabitants of Hanbury who iustly demanded it but by all ways endeavoured to secure their own possession of it But in vain for no human care or force could resist the Holy Virgins Will. The foresaid Authour in Capgrave thus relates the matter full of wonder The body of S. Werburga saith he was caried to the Church of Trickingham where it was most diligently kept the dores of the Church being carefully barred and a watch moreover sett upon it But one night a deep sleep suddenly seised on those which watched and at the same time great multitudes of the inhabitants of Hambury coming on them all the dores of the Monastery became opened the locks and barre without any violeÌ„ce offred falling to the ground Whereupon they tooke away the body not any one resisting and with great ioy caried it to Hanbury where it was honourably buried In which place sick persons recover health sight is restored to the blind hearing to the dumb the leaprous are cleansed and persons oppressed with severall other diseases doe there praise God for their recovery 10. Nine years after her Sacred Body had been thus removed to Hanbury or Eanbirig it was found entire and untainted as a certain proofe of the purity and integrity of her soule and so it remaind the space of fifty years till the time when the Pagan Danes with horrible cruelty wasted most of the Provinces of Brittany For then it was removed to Chester anciently called Civitas Legionum There a certain Count named Leofric a little before the Norman Conquest founded a Monastery of Religious Virgins which was afterward enlarged by Hugo Lupus Earle of Chester in the year of Grace one thousand ninety two and dedicated to the honour of Saint Wereburga For the setling and ordering of which Monastery Saint Anselm afterward Arch-bishop of Canterbury was first invited into England The Commemoration of this Holy Virgin is in our Martyrologe instituted on the third of February XVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests Miracles and death of S. Milburga 1. AT this time the Saxon Churches in Brittany flourished like the Paradise of our Lord saith Baronius For they were plentifully adorned with Lillies of pure Virginity with violets of Religious Monks not so conspicuous because growing in more humble places They abounded likewise with most Holy Bishops Among which Saint Erconwald was most illustrious for his Sanctity He might have added Saint Theodore in Kent Saint Leutherius among the West-Saxons and Saint Wilfrid among the Northumbers And to these he might have adioyned severall pious Princes as Sebb King of the East-angles and Ethelred of the Mercians both which laying aside their Crown and Purple took on them the humble Habits of Monks as shal be shewed here after and have deserved a place among Saints in our Martyrologe 2. Among the Lillies which adorned this Paradise none were in this age more illustrious then the three daughters of Merwald who this year began to raign over the Mercians together with his Brother Ethelred Their names were Saint Milburga the eldest Saint Mildreda the second and Saint Milgitha or as some Authours call her Saint Milwida the youngest These three were born to him by Saint
and the feilds with a pleasant verdure brought forth fruits of all kinds in great plenty Thus abandoning their Idolatry the hearts and flesh of all the inhabitants exalted in the living God perceiving that he was indeed the only true God who in mercy had enriched them with goods of all kinds both for their soules and bodies 8 The same Authour in another place relates how Saint Wilfrid taught the people another remedy against the famine For says he the Sea and rivers in that countrey abounded with fish but the inhabitants had no skill at all in fishing except only for Eeles But by his command a great number of such Netts as were used for Eeles being gathered together they cast them into the Sea and by Gods providence took of severall sorts of fishes to the number of three hundred Which being divided into three parts one hundred was given to the poore anotheâ— to those which laboured and the third he reserved for the use of him and his attendants By such benefits as these he gott a cordiall affection of them all by which means they were the more easily induced to expect heavenly blessings promised them in his Sermons since by his assistance they had already obtained temporall 9 Great numbers therefore having been converted the next care was to appoint a Mansion for Saint Wilfrid and his companions This care was not wanting for as the same Authour says At that time King Edilwalch gave to the most Reverend Bishop a possession of eighty seaven families for the entertainment of himself and those who would not forsake him in his banishment The place was called Seolesea or the Island of Seales It was encompassed by the Sea on all sides except toward the West where the entrance into it is in breadth about a bow-shoot Assâ—on as the Holy Bishop had the possession of this place he founded there a Monasâ—ery placing therein for the most part â—uch as he had brought with him whom he instituted in a Regular conversation and this Monastery is to this day governed by such as have succeeded him For he remained in those parts the space of five years that is to the death of King Egfrid and worthily exercised his Episcopall Office both by word and deed And whereas the King together with the said land had bestowed on him all the goods and persons upon it he instructed them all in the Christian Faith and purified them with the Sacrament of Baptism among whom were men and mayd-serâ—ants two hundred and fifty all which were not only by baptism rescued from the slavery of the Devill but had likewise bestowed on them a freedom from human servitude 10. Severall Bishops anciently have had their Episcopall See in this Half-Island and were called Bishops of Selsey but none succeeded S. Wilfrid there till the year of Grace seaven hundred and eleaven Afterward about the year one thousand and seaventy the Episcopall See was translated thence to Cissancester now called Chichester where it remains to this day As for the ancient small Citty in which those Bishops resided there remains only the caâ—keyse of it which in high tides is quite covered with the Sea but at low water is open and conspicuous saith Camden 11. Over the Monks in this new founded Monastery S. Wilfrid appointed Abbot a devout Preist named Eappa of whom we have already treated And a little after hapned a terrible plague which swept away great numbers both of Religious persons there and in the countrey about By occasion of which the Monks appointed a solemn Fast three days together with prayers and Sacrifices for the asswaging of it And on the second day of the said Fasâ— hapned that Miracle which we mention'd â—â—fore at the Death of the Holy King Martyr S. Osâ—ald how a young child in the said Monastery lying alone sick of the infection whilst the Monks were at Prayers in the Church there appeared to him the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul bidding him not to be afraid of death for the same day he should be caried by them into heaven but he was to expect till the Masses were finished after which he should receive the precious body and blood of our Lord for his Viaticum They commanded him likewise that he should call for the Preist and Abbot Eappa to whom he should declare that God had heard and accepted their prayers and excepting the young child himself not any one of the Monastery or possessions adioyning should dye of that sicknes And that this mercy to them was obtained by the intercession of the glorious King and Martyr Saint Oswald who the very same day had been slain by Infidels This the child declared accordingly to the Preist Eappa and the event confirmed the truth for he dyed the same day and not any one after him all that were sick recovered and the infection ceased X. CHAP. 1.2 Three Bishopricks among the Northumbers 3.4 c. Trumwin ordained Bishop of the Picts and afterward expelled 1. WEE will leave S. Wilfrid among the South-Saxons awhile busy in his Apostolick employment among his new Converts and return to take a view what passed in the mean time in the Northern parts of Brittany We have already declared how S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury partly in compliance with King Egfrids passion against S. Wilfrid and partly in conformity to a Canon of the Council of Hertford divided the single Diocese of the Northumbers into two that of York and another of the more Northern Provinces the Episcopall See whereof was placed indifferently at Lindesfarn and Hagulstad This was done in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight And two years after he again added a third Bishoprick in the same Province For wheras Eata had been consecrated Bishop both of Lindesfarn and Hagulstad he then divided that Diocese leaving that of Lindesfarn to Eata and ordaining Tumbert or Cumbert over that of Hagulstad now called Hexham 2. He instituted likewise at the same time a New Bishoprick among the Viccians or inhabitants of Worcester-shire consecrating Boselus their first Bishop For he who had been formerly designed thereto named Tatfrith a man of great courage and learning and of an excellent iudgment saith S Beda quote by B. Godwin had immaturely been snatchâ—â— away by death before he could be consecrated 3. At this time the Nation of the Pictâ— though they had embraced the Christia Faith many years before yet by reason oâ— the great vicissitudes hapning among them wanted a Bishop In the year six hundred forty two they were subdued by King Oswald and made tributary After the death of the next King Oswi and in the first year of the raign of Egfrid the same Picts saith William of Malmsbury contemning the infancy of this young King withdrew themselves from his obedience and boldly invaded his Kingdom under the conduct of a Noble man named Berney The young King courageously mett them and with an army much inferiour
has mercifully granted our desires 7. The truth of this Propheticall promise was really confirmed by the event for after they were parted they never saw one the other corporally and in the same moment of time their Spirits were delivered from their mortall bodies and by the ministery of Angells translated to the beatificall vision of God But the devout Hermite before his death was purified by a tedious and painfull infirmity which probably hapned to him by a mercifull divine dispensation to the end that the torments of a long sicknes might instrumentally supply the defect in which he came short of the holy Bishops merits that so being made equall in Grace with his pious Intercessour he might not only in the â—â—me moment of time but with an equall participation enioy eternall Glory together with him 8. Among the many miraculous proofes of his Sanctity and favour with God we will here recount onely one which he performed during his last Visitation of his Diocese which is recorded by the same Writer as followeth On a certain day when in Visiting his Province he preached the word of life to the poore countrey-people and likewise by imposition of hands conferred the Grace of Confirmation on such as had been baptized he came to the Village of a certain Count whose wife at that time lay sick at the point of death The Count himself mett him in the way and with bended knees gave thanks to our Lord for his coming and so conducted him into his house And when the Venerable Bishop after he had according to the use of strangers washed his hands and feet and was sett down the Count began to acquaint him with the desperate state of his wife beseeching him that he would give his benediction to water for sprinckling her For said he I firmly beleive that either she will thereby by Gods blessing presently recover or if she dye she will passe from her miserable and tedious paines to eternall rest The Holy Bishop assented to the mans request and water being brought he blessed it and gave it to a Preist commanding him to sprinckle the sick Lady with it Who thereupon entred into her chamber where she lay like one deprived of sence life and both sprinckled her face and her bed yea withall opening her mouth distilled a few dropps into it The holy Water had no sooner touched her but o Wonderfull though she was utterly ignorant of what had been done she preseÌ„tly recovered a perfect health of body and mind and devoutly blessed our Lord who had sent such holy guests to visit and restore her to health And without delay rising up she herself like the Mother of S. Peters wife came to doe service to the Bishop being the first of the whole family which presented to him a Cup of refection VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Cuthberts preparation to death 4.5 c. The admirable occurrents at his death 1. THIS was the last time that S. Cuthbert visited his Diocese after which he again retired himself into his solitude of Lindesfarn there to prepare himself without distraction for his last account which he was shortly to make as Gods holy Spirit had signified to him Onely three months space was allowed him for this preparation for as Saint Beda declares he retired himself when the Feast of our Lords Nativity was ended in the year six hundred eighty six and dyed on the twentieth of March following 2. What his employment was during this his last retirement S. Beda who either was or might have been present will inform us Having passed saith he two years in performing his Episcopall charge the Holy man of God knew in spirit that the day of his departure out of this world approached whereupon he discharged himself of his Episcopall solicitude and made hast to return to his beloved exercises of an Eremiticall conversation to the end that by the flame of his accustomed compunction he might purge away and consume all the drosse of worldly affections In which time he oftimes would goe out of his solitary mansion to exhort and comfort his Religious brethren who came to visit him 3. The same Authour a little after declares the particular occurrents hapning to the Holy Bishop a little before his death which he relates in the words of a devout Monk whose abode was near to the place and also was scrupulously inquisitive into all matters concerning the Holy Bishop The account given by him is as followeth 4. The holy man of God S. Cuthbert returned into his Mansion in the Island as soon as the Solemnity of our Lords Nativity was ended He was attended to the boat by a troop of his Religious Brethren and being ready to enter into it one of the ancient Monks venerable for his piety strong in Faith but weak in body by reason of a Dyssentery which afflicted him sayd thus to him Tell us my Lord Bishop when wee may expect your return To this simple and plain question the holy Bishop answered as plainly for he certainly knew what should befall him My return shall be when you shall bring back my dead body 5. Thus he passed into the Island where for two months space he spent the time in great ioy for the recovering his beloved tranquillity and solitude yet not admitting any sensuall refreshment but on the contrary mortifying himself both externally in body and internally in mind according to his ancient accustomed rigour After which he was suddenly assaulted with a sharp sicknes by the bitter pains whereof he was purified and prepared for eternall rest and ioy 6. As for the manner of his death I will relate it saith Saint Beda in the very words of him from whose mouth I received it which was a Preist venerable for his Piety named Herefrid who at that time was Abbot of the Monastery of Lindesfarn viz. Three whole weekes was he continually tormented and purified with his disease of which he dyed for upon a Wednesday he began to be sick and upon a Wednesday death ended his sicknes and sent him to our Lord. 7. Now the first day in which his last infirmity had seised on him I went early in the morning to him for three days before I arrived in the Island attended by severall of my Brethren for I had a desire to partake the comfort of his benediction and pious exhortation Assoon as I had given the accustomed sign of my being there he came to the window of his Mansion and when I had saluted him all the answer he gave mee was a sigh My Lord Bishop said I how doe you Perhaps your usuall languishing infirmity has this last night grown upon you It is true said he I have been very weak this night Now I thought he had meant it of his old infirmity which seldom left him and not of a new unusuall sicknes Therefore I questioned him no further but sayd Give us your benediction for it is time for us to return
Doe so answered he take boat and goe home in safety But when God shall have received my soule bury mee in this mansion near my Oratory toward the South which lyes Eastward from the holy Crosse which I have erected Now toward the Northern part of the said Oratory there is a Coffin covered with green turf which the Venerable Abbot Cudda gave mee long since In that Coffin lay my body having first enwrapped it in a sheet which you will find in the same place which I would never make use of in my life time having had a care out of my affection to the devout Abbesse Verca who sent it mee to reserve it for my Winding-Sheet 8. When I had heard him speak thus I said to him Since you speak of your sicknes and that you shall dye shortly I beseech your Paternity to permitt some of our Brethren to remain here to attend you But his answer was For the present goe away and in convenient time return hither again Notwithstanding I earnestly entreated him to accept of one to serve him which he utterly refusing at last I asked him when he would have us return to him He answered when it shall be Gods pleasure to direct you 9. Wee therefore according to his command went back to our Monastery where assembling all the Monks together I ordained Prayers to be said without intermission for him for said I I perceive by some speeches of his his departure is at hand Now I was very solicitous to hasten my return to him by reason of his sicknes But for five days together there was such a tempest that we could not possibly take boat And the event shewed that this impediment was caused by a speciall dispensation of Divine Providence For Almighty God having a purpose by his Fatherly chastisements to purify his servant from all staines of humane fraylty and to shew how weak were all attempts of his Spirituall Adversaries against the firmnes of his Faith he was therefore pleased that he should remain so long a time separated from all society of men that he might be examined and tryed to the uttermost both by bodily paines and a most sharp combat and assault of his Old Enemy the Devill 10. At last when the weather grew calm wee returned to the Island where being arrived wee found that he was gone out of his own mansion and was sitting in the house where wee ordinarily made our aboad when wee visited him Now because a particular necessity required it I took order that the Brethren who came with mee should sayle back to the next shore and my self remained alone in the Island to assist minister help and comfort to him Therefore warming some water I washed one of his feet which having been long swoln was broke then into an ulcer out of which corrupt matter issued so that it stood in need of dressing I likewise brought him a little wine which I had warmed also and desired him to drink of it For I perceived by his look that his spirits were even spent with fasting and feeblenes caused by his infirmity 11. After I had administred these refreshments to him he sate up upon his couch saying nothing and I also sate by him And when he remained still silent I sayd to him I perceive my Lord Bishop that since we left you you have been much tormented with your sicknes and indeed I wonder why you would not permitt us to leave with you any to assist you He answerd This was done by the Divine Will and Providence to the end that being destitute of all human society and help I might be exposed to suffrings For assoon as you were departed from mee immediatly my sicknes encreased and therefore I went out of mine own mansion to this place that if any of you came to attend mee they might find mee here and not be obliged to goe into my mansion And from the time that I entred into this room and seated my self here I have never stirrd from hence but remained these five dayes and five nights quiet in the same place I replyed But how was it possible you should continue so Have you remained so long a time destitute of all sustenance Then he lifting up a skirt of the Coverlet on which he sate shewd mee five onyons hid there and sayd This has been all my food these five dayes For whensoever my palate was dryed and burnt with thirst by tasting of these I received some refreshment Now I perceived that one of those onyons had had a lesse half of it diminished 12. Moreover he added saying My spirituall Enemies have these five last days assaulted mee with more frequent and bitter persecutions then they have done all the time that I have abode in this Island I durst not presume to ask him concerning the nature and quality of those tentations Therefore I only besought him that he would admitt of some to assist him To this request he yeilded and retained with him certain of our Brethren among whom one was the Elder Beda a Preist who anciently had been his familiar assistant and particularly had taken an account of whatsoever he had given or received Him he made choice of to the end he might acquaint him whether any thing had been received for which no recompence had been made and which before his death he would needs have restored He designed likewise among his attendants another Monk especially who a long time had been sick of a fluxe and could receive no help from Physicians but for his piety prudence and gravity became worthy to be a wittnes of the last words of the holy Bishop and of the manner of his happy death and departure to our Lord. 13. In the mean time I returned home and acquainted my Brethren that it was our Venerable Fathers will to be buried in his own Island But in my opinion it would be more just and fitting that we should solicite him to permitt his Body to be translated hither and buried with honour in our Church The motion made by mee was pleasing to them all therefore going to the Bishop we petitioned him saying We dare not presume contemptuously to disobey your Order that your Body should be buried in this place Notwithstanding we humbly request you to honour us so far as to permitt us to translate it to our Monastery that we may enioy the blessing of its presence among us He answerd Truly my desire was to repose in my body here where I have combatted so long time against my Spirituall Enemies and at last according to the Grace given mee consummated my course and my hope was that from hence I should be called by my mercifull Iudge to receive a crown of glory Moreover my opinion is that it would be more commodious for you also that I should repose here considering that notwithstanding my many imperfections a fame is gone out and entertained by the people that I am a faithfull servant of Christ by which many
facinorous or persecuted men will probably have recourse to my Tombe for protection and safety upon which account you will be oft obliged to intercede in their behalf with Princes and Great men to your great distraction and inconvenience For this reason it is that I am unwilling that my Body should repose among you 14. But notwithstanding all these allegations we persisted in our Petition professing that the incommodity and trouble alledged by him would seem light and even gratefull to us Whereupon the Holy Bishop seing our constancy at last with great gravity sayd Since you are resolved to conquer my will and will needs have my Body among you it seems to mee your best course to bury it within your enclosure for so you may whensoever you have a mind visit my Sepulcher and it will be in your power to admitt or exclude strangers When he had given us this permission and advice we upon our knees gave him most humble thanks and returned home Yet after this we frequently went to visit him 15. But when by the encrease of his disease and weaknes he perceived his death to be at hand he commanded us to carry him into his own little mansion and Oratory It was then about nine a clock in the morning We caried him therefore for through extremity of weaknes and pain he was not able himself to walk When we were come to the entrance of it we desired him to permitt some one of us to enter with him for his assistance For during the space of many years not any one but himself had entred thither He therefore taking a view of us all fixed his eyes on the Monk who as I said was troubled with a fluxe said Let Walchsted that was his name enter in with mee He therefore went in and remaining with him till three a clock in the afternoon came then out and called mee telling mee that it was the Holy Bishops pleasure I should enter also to him He added withall I can tell you a strange thing Assoon as ever I touched the Bishop to conduct him into his Oratory immediatly I perceived my self perfectly freed from all my paâ—n and infirmity 16. I went in therefore to him about the hower forenamed and I found him sitting in a corner of his Oratory over against the Altar I sate also by him He spoke very little because the extremity of his pain and weaknes made speaking difficult to him But when I earnestly asked him what good advice he would leave to his poore Brethren for a last Legacy he then began to make a short but efficacious discourse concerning peace and humility and the avoyding of such as were enemies to these vertues Be carefull said he to conserve Peace and Divine Charity among you and whensoever any necessity shall oblige you to consult in common about your affaires be unanimous in your counsells Maintain likewise a good correspondance and concord with other Servants of Christ who professe also a Religious life and whensoever they come to you for hospitality doe not neglect them but entertain them with familiarity and kindnes and so dismisse them not preferring your selves before others of the like Profession But as for such as have broken Ecclesiasticall Vnity either by their perverse living or celebrating Easter out of its due time have no Communion at all with them Know this therefore and be sure not to forgett that in case you be compelled to make choice of one among two opposite incommodities I had much rather that you should diâ—g my body out of the tombe and carry it with you to what other place so ever God shall provide for you then that you should in the least measure consent or submitt your necks to the yoke of Schismaticks Be diligent to learn and observe the Catholick Instituts of our Fathers as likewise those which by Gods mercy I have ordained for regulating your Religious conversation For I am assured that though to some I appeare contemptible yet after my death it will appear what an one I was both for my life and Doctrine 17. When the Holy Bishop had concluded these and the like discourses with many intermissions because as I said the extremity of his weaknes would not permitt him to continue his speaking he spent the rest of the day till evening in silence and repose The following night likewise he passed in watching and still prayers But when the usuall time of Midnight Prayer was come perceiving his end to be at hand he received at my hands the last Sacraments and armed himself against his Spirituall Enemies with the Communion of our Lords Body and blood After which lifting up his eyes to heaven and stretching likewise his hands on high he breathed forth his soule then fixedly intent on the Divine Praises to continue the same Praises for ever in celestiall ioyes 18. Assoon as he was dead I presently went out and signified it to my Brethren who likewise had passed the whole night in watching and Prayer and as it hapned in the same moment according to the order of the Nocturnall Office were singing the fifty ninth Psalm which begins Deus repulisti nos destruxisti nos tratus es misertus es nobis At the same time one of them likewise in hast ran out of the Quire and taking in each hand a candle lighted went with them to a place more elevated and there waved them that the Brethren remaining in the Monastery oâ— Lindesfarn might see them for that was a sign agreed on between them to signify the Holy Bishops death This being observed by a Brother who for that purpose stood on a Watchtower in Lindesfarn he presently ran to the Church where the Monks likewise were then employed in the Nocturnall Psalmody and at his entrance thither they also were repeating the same Psalm And the following Events shewed that this was ordered prophetically by Divine dispensation For assoon as the Holy Bishop was buried so great a Tentation and storm of persecution shook that Church and Congregation that severall of the Monks chose rather to depart from thence then to expose themselves to the dangers threatning them 19. But after a year was passed and Eadbert a man of great piety and knowledge in the Scriptures and withall much given to Almes was ordained Bishop these tempests of persecution were dissipated and to use the phrase of Scripture our Lord again built up Hierusalem that is the Visian of peace and gathered together the dispersions of Israel He healed the broken in heart and bound up their ruptures By which it was plainly discovered what was signified by the foresaid Psalm sung at the Holy Bishops death to witt that immediatly after his departure his children should be persecuted and oppressed but after men had for a while made shew of their fury Divine pitty would again comfort and refresh them 20. We layd the venerable Body of our Holy Father in a boat and so brought it back to the Isle
of Lindesfarn where it was received by a great Troop of devout people who mett it together with severall Quires of Monks singing Psalms and it was with great reverence layd in a Stone Coffin and buried in the Church of the Blessed Apostle S. Peter on the right side of the Altar This is the Narrative which the Venerable Abbot Herefride who was an eye-witnes of all things gave to Saint Beda touching the circumstances of the happy death of the glorious Saint Cuthbert IX CHAP. 1 2. c. The incorruption of Saint Cuthberts Body testified in all ages The great liberality of our Kings to his Church Its Priviledges c. 1. SO precious in the Sight of God was the death of this most admirably holy Bishop that to shew the incorruption of his Faith God was pleased to conferre an incorruption on his Body likewise A miraculous Priviledge not only conspicuous to the age immediatly following but even to these our times Saint Beda who wrote his life and might have been an eye-witnes of what he wrote testifies as much for that age â— The Divine disposition saith he being pleased to demonstrate in how great glory the man of God Saint Cuthbert lived after his death the Sanctity of whose life had before been arrested by many miraculous signs gave this illustrious testimony Eleaven years after his buriall God inspired into the minds of his Brethren the Monks to take up his his bones which they conceived according to the course of Nature to be dry and the flesh dissolved into dust Those bones they intended to lay in a new Coffin and place them more honourably in a Tombe raised above the pavement This intention of theirs they signified to their Venerable Bishop Eadbert who approving it commanded them to put it in execution on the next Anniversary day of his Deposition They did so and opening the Sepulcher found his body perfectly entire with a lively freshnes and all his limbs as flexible as if he had been alive so that he appeared like a person rather asleep then dead Moreover all his Vestments were not only undecayed but appeared in their primitive freshnes and also with the addition of a wonderfull luster â— The Monks seing this were much astonished and with great hast signified these wonders to their Bishop who then had retired himself to a place a good way distant from the Church which every tide was encompassed by the Sea For his custome was every year both during the time or Lent and forty dayes likewise before our Lords Nativity to confine himself to that solitude there passing the time in great abstinence compunction and prayer And to the same place his Venerable Predecessour S. Cuthbert had been accustomed severall times to retire himself for devotion and mortification before he went to the Isle Farne 4. Hither came the Monks bringing with them some shreds of the vestments wherwith the Sacred Body had been cloathed which they presented to the Bishop He accepted their gift very thankfully and with much content heard their relation of this miracle with an affectionate devotion kissing those garments as if the body which they had covered had been there present Withall he commanded them to provide new vestments to enwrapp the body and to lay it reverently in the New Coffin which they had provided For I am assured said he that the place consecrated by God with so celestiall a miracle will shortly be frequenâ—ted with great devotion And how happy shall that man be on whom God the Authour of all Blessednes shall conferre the Grace and priviledge to repose there Many other like speeches did the Venerable Bishop adde with a trembling tongue and great compunction After which the Monks according to his command inwrapped the Sacred Body in new vestments and layd it in a New Coffin which they putt into a Tombe raised above the pavement of the Sanctuary 5. Presently after this the devout Bishop Eadbert was assaulted by a very sharp disease the violence of which encreasing more more an within in a few dayes that is the day before the Nones of May he also departed to our Lord. Whose body likewise the Monks layd in the Tombe of their Blessed Father S. Cuthbert over the Coffin in which his incorrupted Body râ—posed After which many miraculous cures there done have given an assured testimony of the Sanctity of them both a particular relation of severall of which I have sett down in the Book of the life of the same glorious S. Cuthberth to which I referr the Reader 6 Occasion will frequently be given in the pursuit of this History to renew the memory of this glorious Saint for severall times have his Sacred Relicks been translated and never without a renewing of miraculous testimonies of his Sanctity and glory 7. So wonderfull was the Veneration in which his memory was held by all succeeding ages that Kings Princes sett no bounds to their magnificence toward him that is toward the Church for his honour heaping Gifts lands Priviledges and immunities on it Alfrid who at this time was King of the Northumbers out-passing the liberality of his Father Egfrid gave the whole countrey between the Rivers Were and Tine for a perpetuall possession to S. Cuthbert and those who administred divine Mysteries in his Church Which likewise succeeding Kings made a Sanctuary and Refuge to all that on any occasion whatsoever repaired to it granting them an entire security for the space of thirty seaven dayes upon no â—ccasion to be infringed Thus writes Camden in his Description of the Bishoprick of Durham to which place S. Cuthberts Reliks were last of all translated 8. And for that reason saith the same Authour that whole Region with others confining is by Monks in their writings called The land or patrimony of Saint Cuthbert For that title was given to all the land belonging to the Church of Durham of which Saint Cuthbert was Patron This Cuthbert in the first infancy of the Saxon Church was Bishop of Lindesfarn a man of such Sanctity and integrity of life that he was canonized among the Saints And our Kings and Nobles beleiving him to be a Tutelary S. against the Scotts did not onely very oft visit his Body with great devotion which our Writers have perswaded us to have continued hitherto entire and uncorrupted but likewise bestowed upon it very large possessions and many immunities 9. Among which immunities this was one not the least signall that all the inhabitants of that countrey as being the Watchmen and Guards of Saint Cuthberts Body were exempted from all servitudes and obligations of attending even the King himself in his warr for as we read in the ancient Book of Durham They sayd that they were Halywerke folks and that they held their land for the defence of the Body of Saint Cuthbert and they ought not either for King or Bishop to goe out of the limits of the Bishoprick that is beyond the Rivers
upon an apparition of our Blessed Lady he builds the Monastery of Evesham 1. IN the occurrents of the year of Grace six hundred ninety three we have declared how upon the death of Ostfor Bishop of Worcester there succeeded him in that See Egwin a man in high esteem for his Sanctity born in the same Province of a Princely extraction who in his tender age bâ—ing prevented by Divine Grace conceived an aversion from secular pomps and pleasures and consecrated himself to the service of God in an Ecclesiasticall state In the which having regularly passed the inferiour degrees he was exalted to Preist-hood and afterwards that See being vacant he was by the earnest petition both of the Laity and Clergy demanded for their Pastour and Bishop Which charge notwithstanding he very unwillingly and not without the forcible perswasions of King Coenred at last accepted 2. But in the execution of this sublime Office he incurred the generall disfavour of that Province insomuch as he was forced to forsake his countrey God so disposing it for the tryall of his piety and to render him more illustrious in his Church That which made him obnoxious to the displeasure of worldly men was his zeale and constancy in reproving vice and particularly in opposing himself to many unlawfull customes which that people lately converted to Christianity would not be perswaded to forsake certain heathenish Superstitions incestuous mariages and other noxious errours to which they had been accustomed 3. Persons who are sick of such incurable diseases ordinarily become more enraged by Physick whereupon these men not only refused all correction and reformatioÌ„ but combined seditiously to raise a fuâ—ious persecution against the Holy Bishop and to drive violently out of the Province To effect which they spread abroad many calumnious accusations against him by which they induced not only the vertuous King Coenred but the Holy Arch-bishop Brithwald also to declare an enmity against him 4. The holy man assured of his own innoceÌ„ce as to any of the crimes layd to his charge yet behaved himself as if he had been guilty for he undertook a laborious and painfull Pilgrimage to Rome thereby to satisfy for the offences of his people and withall as some Ancient Authours have written to doe a rigorous Pennance for some faults formerly committed in his youth And to render his Pilgrimage more painfull he in the presence of a great multitude bound about his leggs certain iron-chains and cast the key which locked them together into the River of Avon publickly protesting that he would never esteem himself secure of the pardon of his sins till either the key were restored to him or the chains unloosed by a power Supernaturall Withall he vowed that if God would vouchsafe to make his iourney prosperous he would build a Church to his honour 5. Having performed this voyage with great incommodity and painfullnes he at last arrived at Rome where whilst he was performing his devotions in the Church of Saint Peter his servants going to the rivers side to buy provision for their Master they found in a fishes belly the key which had formerly locked the chains about his leggs which being brought to him he in the presence of a great multitude unlocked the said chaines perceiving that such was the Divine Will and mercy An event so miraculous was immediatly spread through the whole Citty insomuch as he who before was looked upon as a miserable enormous sinner was afterward honoured as a Saint and servant of God highly favoured Thus writes the Authour of his life in Capgrave Whereas William of Malmsbury relates that it was in his return as he passed the Sea between France and Brittany that the Key was found in a fishes belly taken by the Marriners 6. Notwithstanding this variety as to the circumstances of this miracle certain it is that S. Egwin at his return recovered with advantage King Coenreds esteem and also great veneration among the people for his Sanctity the fame whereof was largely spread in the world 7. Now to what year precisely we ought to ascribe this his first iourney to Rome for he undertook afterwards a second voyage thither not any Ancient Writers doe afford us sufficient Light to determine But it seems to have been in the year of Grace seaven hundred and eight that he built the famous Monastery of Evesham in the Province of Worcester for as himself declares in a Writing preserved by the Authour of his life in Capgrave the said Monastery was founded a little time before the death of the Holy Bishop Aldelm which hapned the year following 8. The same Authour from Brithwald a Monk of Glastonbury relates a wonderfull apparition which occasioned the building of the said Monastery In those days says he there was in the territory of Worcester a certain place wholly uncultivated and almost unpassable by reason of thorns and bryars thick growing there This place formerly called Homme was in succeeding times named Eâ—vesham for the reason which I will now declare S. Egwin had appointed four Shepheards to feed their flocks about the said wood for the sustenance of his Monks Now on a certain day it hapned that one of the said Shepheards named Eoves entring deeply into the midst of the wood there appeared before him a certain most glorious Virgin attended by two others her splendour darkned that of the Sun it self and her beauty incomparably exceeded alâ— wordly features She held in her hand a book out of which she with the other two Virgins sung hymnes of praise to God The poore man dazeled with this splendour upon which he durst not fix his eyes stood awhile silent and trembling and presently after in great fear retired home and repairing to the Bishop acquainted him with this vision 9. The Holy Bishop considering the matter advisedly with himself on a certain day after he had fasted and prayed taking three companions with him went toward the place described by the Shepheard walking all the way bare-foot praying and singing Psalms And commanding his attendants to step at a distance he himself passed further into the wood and being come to the place be fell prostrate on the ground where with many sighs and teares he remained a good space imploring a mercifull regard from our Lord. After which he rose up from prayer and immediatly there appeared to him the three Virgins with the same maiesty and glory as before among whom she who stood in the midst seemed more tall and resplendent then the otheâ— in pure whitenes infinitly excelling lillies and in freshnes roses and from her proceeded a celestiall and inestimable odour She held in her hand a Book together with a golden Crosse casting forth bright beames of light 10. Now whilst he thought within himself that surely this was the Mother of our Lord the said glorious Virgin as it were approving such his inward pious cogitation stretching forth the said Crosse gave him a Benediction with it and
a man of a red colour and a splendour inexpressible which marked the outward dore of the house with the Sign of the Crosse thereby happily prefiguring that the infant then ready to be born should constantly cary in his body the Crosse of Christ. A great multitude of neighbours there present being astonished with the strangenes of this Miracle concluded that some great unknown Mystery was represented by it when presently one of the Midwives issuing forth pâ—blished the birth of the infant When he was baptized he had the name Guthlac given him which in the Saxon language signifies A good gift And indeed he was given to his parents by God to the end he might courageously fight against their oppressours both carnall and spirituall and victoriously triumph over them He was of a countenance chearfull and mild so that he became gratefull and beloved by all 3. When he had attained to the four and twentieth year of his age seeing the Enemies of his countrey grow strong he began to aspire to military honours and raising soldiers he feircely invaded them broke into their Citties subverted their Castells and by many warlick exploits gaind to himself immortall fame Yet even in the midst of his fury he shewd mercy to his enemies and restored a third part of all the spoiles gotten by him 4. But at last calling to mind the sad and â—earfull deaths of many Princes from whom he had descended and considering how all secular pomp is but a smoke suddenly passing away that life is short death terrible a dreadfull Iudge and the pains to be suffred for sins incomprehensible endles Therefore calling his soldiers together he told them That having hitherto fought for vanities he would spend the remainder of his life in our Lords warfare That they should chuse themselves a Captain but for his part he would follow the Crosse of his Captain Christ. And when by no perswasions he could be drawn from this resolution quitting his arms he went to Rependon or rather Rippon where there was a famous Monasteâ—y in which receiving the Clericall Tensure he submitted himself to a strict Monasticall Discipline wholly abstaining from any drink which could inebriate He was very diligent in learning the Psalms and Church Hymnes and in the space of two years he with great facility advanced himself in the knowledge of Srcred Scriptures He had a pleasing aspect was humble in his gesture and gate religiously shewing great fear of in God his actions firm in Faith patient in hope profuse in Charity kind and mild to all provident in counsell and circumspect in his words 5. Having spent two years in a Coenobiticall conversation he aspired to greater austerities in a solitary Anachoreticall life Now there is in Brittany a vast fenny countrey which beginning from the River Gronâ—e extends itself Northward along the Sea coast for a very great space and it is variously divided by feâ—ns woods and serpentine rivers Thither did he repair having fiâ—st obtained leave of his Religious Brethren and was told by the inhabitants of the place that the Iâ—le was named Câ—oyland where severall persons having had a desire to dwell were forced to fly away by terrible apparitions of Devills This report not discouraging him he passed over into it in a fishers boat on the Feast day of S. Bantholmew the Apostle in whose intercession having a speciall confidence he resolved to make his abode there in that place of horrour and vast solitude having with him only two young men which had followed him 6. Whereupon he built himself a small cottages his cloathing was only raw skins of beasts and his nourishment barley-bread with muddey water and this never till Sunâ—ett and with great parsimony The Enemy of mankind therefore envying the Humility of this Man of God did suggest to his mind so vehement a tentation that he had falln into the pitt of despaire had not our Lord mercifully regarded him by the intercession of the Blessed Apostle S. Bartholmew For when he being in great disturbance of mind was upon the point to desert his Desart S. Bartholmew visibly appearing to him encouraged him to coÌ„stancy by discovering that such Tentations were permitted by our Lord for the tryall of his Faith and to the end that distrusting himself he might place all his confidence in God who would never forsake him After such like exhortations the Apostle vanished out of his sight and from that hower the Devill never had the boldnes to tempt him with the spirit of Despair 7. Consequently the devout Authour recounts severall other particular Tentations horrible apparitions of Devills in severall shapes sometimes perswading him to immoderate and indiscreet fasting thereby to destroy his health sometimes insulting upon him whipping binding and carrying him through those fenng places c. all which he despised and triumphed over 8. Now as hath been sayd there were attending him two younâ— men the name oâ— one of them was Bertelin he had received the Clericall Tonsure and served our Lord in Spiritual Exercises under the direction of the Holy man Now the Wicked Spirit perceiving that he could not by any tentation subvert the Saint raised in the heart of this young man so violent a passion against him that he took a firm resolution to murder his Master and Teacher that he being dispatched out of the way his house and furniture in it might descend as by right upon him But the pious servant of our Lord by revelation of the Holy Ghost was acquainted with all these malicious designs of Bertelin therefore on a certain day calling him to him he plainly and distinctly told him all his thoughts when and where and in what manner and with what intention he had designed his murder The young man perceiving that he was deprehended with great remorse cast himself at his feet begged and easily obtaind pardon And from that hower he shewed all fidelity to him and continued with him to his death after which he had the honour to assist at his buriall This is the same Bertelin who dictated all these particulars to Felix the Writer of his Life 9. Hereto the Authour addes severall miâ—aculous signs wrought upon severall occasions by the man of God which the Reader at leasure may have recourse to Moreover he relates how he was visited by a certain Bishop named Hedda who being a witnesse of his piety testified by his discerning the thoughts of a Preist called Wilfrid who attended the Bishop and promised to explore whether he was not an Hypocrite such as he had seen many in Scotland who pretending a solitary life gave themselves to idlenes and excesse Hereupon the Bishop forced the Holy man against his will to receive the degree and honour of Preist-hood 10. One particular more we will add breifly mentioned by the foresaid Authour of his life but more fully related by Ingulfus Abbot of Croyland who writes the History of his Abbey beginning it with this story of the Conversion of
being afterward converted betook himself to an Anachoreticall Life and succeeded S. Guthlac in his solitude XXVI CHAP. 1.2 3. The unhappy death of Osred King of the Northumbers 1. IN the kingdom of the Northumbers the same year dyed King Osred after he had raigned eleaven years And as he resembled the Mercian King Ceolred in his life so he did in his unfortunat death likewise Therefore S Boniface in his Letter to King Ethelbald who notwithstanding his good beginning fell afterward into the crimes of incest and sacriledge to deterre him from pursuing such sins makes use not only of the unhappy end of his Predecessours Ceolred as hath been declared but likewise of this King Osred his neighbour The words of his Epistle are these 2. Since the time saith he that Saint Gregory sent from the See Apostolick Preachers of the Catholick Faith into Brittany the Priviledges of Churches have remaind unviolated to the times of Ceolred King of the Mercians and Osred of the Deiri and Bernicians These two Kings by the Devills instinct not only practised but by their example taught others publickly to practise in this kingdom these two horrible sins the viâ—lating of consecrated Nunns and infringing the Priviledges of Monasteries For which by the iust iudgment of God they have not only been cast down head-long from the height of Regal authority but being prevented by an immature and terrible death they are separated from everlasting Light and plunged deeply in the bottom of Hell For first as touching your Predecessour Ceolred c. as before And Osred who likewise was a Sacrilegious adulterer and â—avisher of holy Virgins the infernall Spirit never ceased to agitate and impell him from one excesse to another till he made him loose his kingdom youthfull life and soule likewise by a dishonourable death To these may be added a third exaÌ„ple for Charles the late King of the Franks who was an invader and consumer of the revenews of Monasteries was at last consumed by a tedious tormenting sicknes and fearfull death following it 3. As touching the manner of King Osreds death all that we can find in our Ecclesiasticall monuments is that in a combat near unto Mere he was unfortunatly slain by the treason of his kinsman Kenred the son of Cuthwin who succeeded him in the government of the kingdom but enioyd the price of his impiety only two years XXVII CHAP. 1.2 The happy death of the holy King Ethelred 3 And of Saint Egwin Bishop of worcester 1. BVT there were two illustrious persons in Brittany whose deaths this year were as precious and happy as those of the two forenamed Princes were miserable These were Ethelred who had quitt the throne of the Mercian Kingdom to spend the remainder of his Life in the solitude and austerities of a Monastery And Egwin the famous Bishop of Worcester founder of the Noble Monastery of Evesham 2. Concerning the former Florentius of Worcester thus breifly writes Ethelred late King of the Mercians after he had been Abbot of the Monastery of Bardeney built by himself this year departed this life and entred into the ioyes of eternall felicity tranquillity and Light He was buried in the same Monastery called Bardeney by William of Malmsbury who affirmeth that many ages it was famous for the Sanctity of the Religious Monks living in it and its plentifull endowments especially after that King Ethelred there took the Crown of Monasticall Toâ—sure In the Church of the said Monastery his Monument is seen to these times Wee doe anniversarily celebrate his Memory among Saints on the fourth of May. 3 In the next place the happy and holy death of Saint Egwin Bishop of Worcester is from the Authour of his life thus described by Harpsfeild When Saint Egwin 〈◊〉 come to the extremity of his mortall life he called together his Monks and children whom he had begotten to God and said to them My Brethren I have lived thus long amongst you and I am not ashamed that I have so lived for I have done what good I was able though all I have done is very small What you are to doe and what to avoyd I have frequently and in all the manners which seemed to mee expedient informed you Having therefore shewed you the only right way I beseech you to walk in it and let not any vain shadow of present felicity seduce you out of the way for it quickly vanishes and never remains in the same state Our Lord who is the way Truth and life remove from you the way of iniquity and instruct you in the way of his iudgments Thus being full of vertues he departed to our Lord on the third day before the Calends of Ianuary in the seaven hundred and twentieth year of Grace leg 16 And he was buried in the Monastery of Evesham founded by himself After his death God was pleased to work many Miracles by his intercession His Successour in the See of Worcester was Wilfrid or as he subscribes his name to the Charter of King Ethelbald given to the Monastery of Croyland Winfrid He was elected this year but not consecrated till the next XXVIII CHAP. i. 2 c. The Scottish Monks of Hyreduced to the due Observation of Easter c. by S. Egbert 1 A Great accesse was made to the luster of this year by the Conversion of the 〈◊〉 of Hy in Scotland and all the Monastâ—ries and Churches subject to them to the Vnity of the Catholick Church in the Observation of Easter and the Ecclesiasticall Tonsure Which pious work was perâ—ormed by the Hâ—ly Monk Egbert of whom we have severall times treated How this was done by him S. Beda thus relates 2. Not long after saith he those Monks of the Scottish Nation inhabiting the Island Hy together with other Monasteries subiect to them were brought through Gods Providence to the Observance of the Catholick rite of Easter and the Canonicall Tonsure For in the year seaven hundred sixteen after our Lords Incarnation in which Osred King of the Northumbers being unhappily slain Coenrea or Kenâ—e unâ—ertook the government of the same the most Venerable Father Egbert Preist of whom we formerly made mention came to them out of Ireland and was with great honour and ioy received by them He being both a winning Teacher and a devout practiser of the dutyes he taught was willingly hearkned to by them all and by his pious and diligent exhortations wholly changed the inveterate Traditions which they had received from their Fathers to whom might be applyed that saying of the Apostle That they had the Zeale of God but not according to knowledge and taught them the Celebration of the Paschal Solemnity and the right Ecclesiasticall Tonsure or Crown after the Catholick and Apostolick Manner 3. And truly herein was visible an effect of Divine dispensation and goodness that whereas that Nation had formerly with great charity communicated to the English people the knowledge of
Apostolick And withall commanded him that in case any thing were wanting to him in the succeeding discharge of his Office and Ministery that he would not faile to give intimation thereof to him 6. Saint Boniface after he had received these Letters from the Venerable Pope went from Rome to Luitprand King of the Lombards by whom he was honourably entertained and abode with him some space of time Then taking leave of him he passed the steep mountains of the Alpes and visiting the formerly unknown borders of the Bavarians and Germany from thence came into Thuringia where like a diligent and prudent Bee he searched all places where he might gather and carry the delicious Nectar of the Holy Faith 7. During his abode which was a considerable time in Thuringia he with lively and spiritually exhortations invited the Princes of that Province to embrace the Holy Faith and Religion of Christ. And certain Preists whom he found in those parts addicted to many vices and disorders he with effectuall reprehensions reduced to an orderly and Canonicall conversation VII CHAP. i. 2 c. The miserable death of King Radbode deluded by the Devill 1. WHilst S. Boniface abode in Thuriâ—gia the happy newes came to him of the death of the Tyrant Radbode King of the Frisons who had lately with great fury persecuted the Christians At which report he received great ioy and presently after sayled into Friseland where with great Zeale and diligence he disperâ—ed the precious seed of the Gospell and withdrew very many from their Superstitions and Idolatry 2. But before wee proceed in this Narration touching the Gests of this glorious Apostle it will be expedient to declare the circumstances of the miserable death of this Tyrant Radbode recorded by a devout Writer of the same age Ionas a Monk of Fontanell in France who in the life of S. Wulfran Archbishop of Sens a ioynt-labourer with S. Willebrord and S. Boniface in the Conversion of the Frisons professes that what he wrote he received from the testimony of a Venerable Preist called Ovo a Frison by Nation who himself had been miraculously delivered from death by the said Apostolick Bishop when he had been condemned and for the space of two howers actually hanged by the Tyrants command as a Sacrifice to his Idols 3. When by the sight of many Miracles saith he King Radbode had been convinced of the Verity of Christian Religion and was disposed to receive Baptism he by many earnest adiurations obliged the Apostolick Bishop to answer him to this Question In whether of the two places did remain his Predecessours Kings and Princes in that celestiall Region promised to him in case he would be baptised or in the other Region of darknes and torments Hereto the Bishop replied that without doubt since they all dyed without Faith in Christ and Baptism they were condemned to eternall torments When the barbarous King heard this He being ready to step into the fountain where he was to be baptised streight with-drew his foot and said That he could not be induced to want the society of so many gallant Princes and live for ever among a small company of beggars and vile people 4. Yet again after this he was perswaded once more to advise with the Holy Bishop Willebrord whom he sent for to see whether he taught the same Doctrine with S. Wulfran S. Willebrord answered the Messenger Since the King will not hearken to the counsell of my Holy Brother Wulfran it is not likely that he will be perswaded by mee For this last night I saw him bound fast with a fiery chain Yet he followed the Messenger but in the way was told that that the unhappy King was dead without Baptism 5. And indeed it appeard that the wicked King had filled up the measure of his sins and was given up by God to impenitency For in his last sicknes by the Divine permission the Devill appeard to him in his sleep transformed into an Angell of light with a crown of gold upoÌ„ his head glistering with inestimable iewells and garments gloriously shining and said to the astonished King Tell mee Noble Prince who has seduced you to a willingnes to forsake the Religion of your Predecessours Doe not hearken to them but continue constant in the worship of the ancient Gods of your Nation and you shall not fayle after death to be translated to golden Palaces and live there in all manner of pleasures and felicity And to shew you that I doe not seduce you To morrow send for the Christian Doctour Wulfran and command him to give you a sight of that happy eternall mansion which he promises you in case you will embrace the Christian Faith and be baptized This since I am assured he cannot doe Let there be Messengers chosen of his Beleif and yours I will undertake to be their Guide to shew them that gloriously happy Mansion which I have promised you 6. Assoon as the King awaked he sent for the Holy Bishop and recounted to him his Vision Who groaning in Spirit told him that it was an illusion of the Devill to bring him to eternall misery no way to be avoyded but by Faith in the Saviour of the world and purging of Sins by Baptism But the King replied that unlesse he would give him a sight of the Happines promised him he would not fayle according to the order prescribed in the Vision to send his Messengers Hereupon the Holy Bishop apprehending that in case he should refuse to send one Messenger likewise to detect the Devills fraud the Pagans would publish their own fictions therefore he thought good to send one of his Deacons to accompany the Kings Messenger These two therefore assoon as they were at an indifferent distance from the town mert with one who appeared in the shape of a man and told them saying Make hast for I will shew you the happy mansion which I promised the King Hereupon they following him travelled through many unknown pathes till at last they came to a large way paved with severall sorts of polished marble Then they saw afarr off a golden house and the street leading to it was covered with gold and precious Stones Assoon as they were entred into the house they saw a most glorious Throne of a wonderfull beauty and magnificence and their Guide told them This is the Palace and this the Seat which God has promised to give to King Radbode 7. When the Deacon with great astonishment saw these things he said If all these things be works of the Omnipotent God let them remain for ever But if they be illusions of the Devill let them presently vanish Having said this he immediatly armed himself with the sign of the Crosse and the Guide which seemed to have been a man vanished into a Devill and the whole Palace became durt So that the two companions the Deacon and the Frison found themselves entangled in the midst of reeds and briars in a great
pretentions are not all together unprobable 5. Saint Pectelm being dead to him succeeded Frithwald in the See of Candida Casa So that the Illustrious Cardinall Baronius is evidently mistaken in the sence of a passage in S Beda in which after mentioning the death of Heddi he immediatly addes these words To conclude Pecthelm who a long time was Deacon and a Monk with his Successour Aldelm was wont to relate c. From which Passage the learned Cardinall affirms that Pecthelm had for his Successour Aldelm whereas S. Beda's meaning was that Aldelm was Successour to Heddi and that Pecthelm was S. Aldelms Deacon and Monk which from severall Authours we have verified before 6. As touching the Companions of S. Pecthelm the uncertainty of their native countrey is as great Saint Wiro as hath been declared is likewise challenged by the Irish and one particular mentioned in his Life argues strongly for it where it is sayd That it was the custom in the Island where he was born that when any Bishop was elected he was sent to Rome to receive Ordination from the hands of the Pope and so to return and take possession of his See 7. Saint Wiro therefore being thus ordaind was with great ioy received by his flock to whom he diligently gave wholesom instructions both by preaching and example Yet a desire long fixed in his mind to live in a forrain countrey known only to God still remained Whereupon privatly escaping away with S. Pecthelm and S. Otger he passed over into France where as hath been sayd he was with all respect and favour received by Prince Pipin who held him particularly in such Veneration for his eminent Sanctity that he chose him for his Spirituall Father and Guide of his soule to whom he usually confessed his sins and this with so great humility that his custom was to approach to him with bare feet 8. How long he remaind wiâ—h 〈◊〉 is â—ncertain But certain it is that thirsting after Solitude he retired himself to the place called the Mount of S. Peter of Odilia near the Citty of Ruremond in the Diocese of Liege where both by his preaching Sanctity and Miracles he became illustrious And being full of years and Sanctity a feaver not violent freed him from the prison of his flesh and sent his Spirit to heaven His commemoration among the Saints is placed in our Martyrologe on the eighth of May. His Body was buried in the Chappell dedicated to our Blessed Lady near Ruremond but afterward at least a great part of it was translated to Maestrick where it is held in great veneration 9. It remains that wee speak breifly of S. Oâ—ger who is generally acknowledged to have been born in Brittany For Surius in his Life declares that Saint Pecthelm and S. Wiro in their iourney to Rome passing through Brittany by a speciall Providence of God S. Otger a Deacon adioynd himself to their company who out of a fervent desire of heavenly good things contemning all commoditie and pleasures on earth became an inseparable Companion to S. Wiro whom from Rome he followed to the said Mount of Saint Peter where leading a heavenly life upon earth and inflaming the soules of many with a Love of Spirituall and Celestiall good things he there happily ended his Life on the tenth of September on which day his memory is celebrated The Centuriators of Magdeburg confounding him with S. Aldebert doe mistake in affirming that he was son to the King of the Deiri or Yorkshire V. CHAP. 1.2 c. Egbert Archbishop of York restores the Primitive dignity to his See 5. He consecrates Suffâ—agan Bishops 1. THE same year as hath been sayd not only the See of Canterbury but that of York also received a New Pastour For Wilfrid the younger either dying or which seems more probable voluntarily reliquishing that See there was chosen in his place Egbert Brother to Eadbert or as some also call him Egbert who shortly after was King of the Northumbers 2. The Church of York since the death of the founder of it and first Arch-bishop Saint Paulinus to this time continued in much depression By whose fault this hapned it does not appear perhaps it was by means of the contentions long continuing among the Bishops or the multiplication of Bishopricks But now Egbert being a man of great parts and courage restores it to its primitive Dignity as William of Malmsbury thus declares Egbert saith he by his prudence and assisted with his Brothers power reduced that See to its first State For as it is manifest to any one who reads the Ancient Gests of the English Nation Saint Paulinus the first Prelat of that Church was by open violence and hostility driven out of it So that he was forced to retire himself to Rochester in Kent where he died Bishop of that See and there left the Archiepiscopall Pall which he had received from Pope Honorius As for his Successours in that great Church of York they contented themselves with the simple Title of Bishops not aspiring higher But Egbert a man of a more haughty disposition considering with himself that as it is a mark of â—ride for a man to seek honours undue so is it a mark of basenes to neglect such as are due thereupon by severall Appeals to the See Apostolick he at last recovered the Archiepiscopall Pall so raising that Church once more to a Metropolitan Dignity 3. Not any of our Historians doe impute this action of Egbert to a culpable ambition on the contrary his memory is much celebrated by them Harpsfeild sayes that he was a Prelat in many regards worthy of high commendation And William of Malmsbury gives him this Character That he was a Treasury of all liberall sciences And of this says he I can produce a witnes of unquestioned authority the learned Alcuin who in an Epistle to the Emperour Charles the Great thus writes Let mee be furnished with Books of more exquisite learning such as whilst I lived in mine own countrey of Brittany by the favour and industry of my worthy Master Egbert Arch-bishop of York I had the use of And if such be your Excellencies pleasure I will send thither some of my Disciples to coppy out there bring with them into France the choycest flowers in their Libraries Probably this Alcuin who after Saint Aldelm and Saint Beda was the most learned man of the English Nation had a principall regard in this passage cited out of him to that most Noble Library which Egbert furnished at York 4. But nothing gives a greater luster to him and more setts forth his learning and erudition then that Saint Boniface iudged him a person capable to resolve his difficulties There is among his Epistles one written after the death of Saint Beda to him in which he desires him to send him some of that Holy Doctours Treatises and withall asks his advice whether he might lawfully permitt a
remained a long time after their mariage without children Her Fathers name was Dimo her Mothers Ebba both of noble race and both of great piety At length God bestowed on them this daughter to whom they gave the name Truthgeba but her ordinary sirname was Lioba which in the Saxon tongue signifies Beloved Which sirname continuing made the other forgotten Assoon as she came to mature years her mother recommended her to the education of the foresaid Venerable Abbesse Tetta under whom she employed her self entirely in the studies of heavenly Disciplin She was diligent also in imitating what soever vertues and graces she observed in any of her Religious Sisters Hereby she attained to that Perfection that in succeeding time God was pleased to honour her with a celestiall Vision signifying to her under the semblance of a purple thread issuing out of her mouth in such abundance that she wound it into a large bottom as much as her hands could contain that the Doctrine of Divine Wisedom should by her be communicated to many soules abroad 6. At that time S. Boniface laboriously spread the Gospell among the people of Germany Who among other works of Spirituall industry had an intention to erect a Monastery of Religious Virgins in that Region And being desirous to constitute Superiour and Abbesse of it a Spirituall Mother of eminent piety he sent messengers with Letters to the foresaid Abbesse Tetta desiring amonâ— others that this Religious Virgin Lioba might be sent being one whose Sanctity and learning was in great esteem Her Spirituall Mother was very unwilling to have her depart from her Notwithstanding for accomplishing the foresaid Vision God enclined her mind to send her honourably to the Blessed Bishop He with great veneration received her and appointed her Abbesse of a Monastery in a place called Biscoffsheim where a considerable congregation of Religious Virgins was gathered together which by the example and instructions of so holy a Mistresse diligently gave themselves to the study of heavenly Disciplin in which by her assistance they so much proffited that scarce any other Monasteries of Virgins were founded which did not desire from this some of her disciples to be Mistresses of spirituall and Regular Disciplin 7. For indeed S. Lioba was a woman of admirable vertues eminent in prudence boundlesse in Charity and for her aspect of Angelicall beauty She allways had a chearfull smiling look yet never so as to break forth into unseemly laughter Never did any one hear proceed from her lips a word of reproachfull or bitter speech against any Though she was very kind and liberall in her allowance of meat and drink to others yet to her seâ—f she was extremely sparing insomuch as the little Cup which contained her measure of drink was by her Sisters commonly called the Small Cup of the Beloved for so the name of Lioba in the Saxon tongue signifies But withall it was wonderfull to observe the diligence which she always shewd in reading From her infancy she was perfectly instructed in the knowledge of Grammar and other Liberall Sciences And afterward she in a manner incessantly with great sharpnes studied and medicated on the Sacred Books of the Old and New Testament diligently committing to her memory the divine Precepts therin contained Moreover for a plenitude of perfect knowledge she added thereto the Sayings of the Holy Fathers the Decrees of Synods and the entire Ecclesiasticall Laws She was a mistresse to all and yet botâ— in heart she esteemed and in behaviour shewed her self as the meanest of all 8. It cannot be doubted but such a spectacle of all vertue and piety was most greivous to the Enemy of all good and that it horribly inflamed his envy and malice He used all his arts to corrupt the purity both of such a Mistresse and her Disciples And that noâ— succâ—eding he endeavoured to cast a staiâ— upon them in the worlds opinion For which purpose this Infernall Tempter incite a certain poor woman who had had a child by fornication to cast it into a river which passed through the said Monastery But this being discovered what does that chast Congregation doe They alâ— betook themselves to prayer unanimously and earnestly beseeching God to remove that infamy from them Every one of them lifting up their arms in manner of a Crosse stood unmoveable till they had recited the whole Psalter in order Thâ—â— they did when all the neigbouring people were gathered to see that horrible spectacle of the murdred infant And our mercifull God did not delay to discover and punish the injury and scandall done to his devout Hand-maids For presently after that wretched woman possessed by the Devill whose captive she had made her self ran among them and loudly calling the Holy Abbesse by name openly confessed the crime which she had committed At which the whole multitude astonished made great clamours and the Religious Virgins wept for ioy In a word the merit and Sanctity of the Holy Virgin Lioba was celebrated by all 9. In the mean time the Blessed man of God S. Boniface by a Martyrdom much desired by him putts an end to all his labours Notwithstanding the want of so worthy and Venerable a Master does not discourage this holy Virgin who continued unmoveable fixing her hope in the assistance of God alone 10. She was held in great reverence by all that knew her even Princes also Pipin King of France and especially his illustrious son Charles who often invited her to his Court and honoured her with many magnificent presents The Queen Hildegardis likewise respected her with a pure affection â—as earnest with her to make her aboad at her Court But she detested the tumult of a Palace as poyson Princes loved her Nobles honoured her Bishops with great ioy vencrated her yea moreover considering her prudence in counsell and perfect knowledge in Scriptures and Sacred learning they often consulted her about Divine Mysteries and Ecclesiasticall Instituts 11. But she employed her principall solicitude about matteâ—s belonging to her own charge which she had undertaken Therefore as became a spirituall Guide of soules she diligently visited the Monasteries under her care inciting her Religious Virgins to a holy emulation in aspiring to the glory of Perfection This was her continuall exercise and employment till being weakned with old age after she had putt into good Order all the Monasteries commended to her care by the advice of the Holy Arch-bishop Lullus Successour to Saint Boniface she retired her self to a Monastery called Schoversheim four miles distant from the Citty of Mentz southward Where she abode till her death with devout Virgins there serving our Lord spending nights and days in fasting and prayers 12. This Blessed Virgin dyed on the twenty eighth day of September and the Monks of Fulda receiving her Sacred Body caried it in solemn Procession at which many Noble persons attended to their own Monastery where according the order formerly given by the Holy Martyr S.
place to succeed nothing but tumults rage and treasons His young son Osulf to whom he had surrendred the kingdom in the space of one year saith Hoveden held it and lost it For on the ninth day before the Calends of August the year after his Father had instituted him in it he was impiously slain by his own family His tender age and innocence rendring him obnoxious and exposed to treachery His Successour was his Vncle Edilwald sirnamed Mul or Mollo mentioned before who is sayd to have contributed to his Nephews murder And though he was a man of great courage and prudence yet he found there could be no security in power obtaind by crimes for not long after he likewise came to a tragicall end 2. But among the Mercians a far more prosperous fate attended the new King Offa who had driven the Tyrant Beorâ—red out of the kingdom and was by the unanimous consent of the people placed in his Throne which he held the space of thirty nine years His Royall descent is thus described by Huntingdon The most Noble Prince Offa saith he was the son of Wingferd the son of Eanulf the son of Osmod the son of Epus the son of Wippa the son of Creada the son of Kinewal the son of Knibba the son of Icel the son of Eomer the son of Agelthen the son of Offa the son of Weremond the son of Withald the son of Woden Mathew of Westminster stops not here in his Genealogy but goes on till he brings him up to Adam 3. As for Mathew a Monk of Saint Albans his fictions either contrived or beleived by him wee will neglect who out of a partiall affection to Offa the founder of his Monastery recounts how he being the only son of his Father was born blind and dumb for which cause he was at first called Pinered But afterward God miraculously restored his sight and gave liberty to his tongue moreover bestowing on him a beautifull wife happy children and great triumphs over his enemies In acknowledgment for which blessings he founded the said Monastery 4. As soon as King Offa was crownd and established in his Throne saith Mathew Paris peace and prosperity flourishd again among the Mercians the people were eased of their former pressures the Regal Blood was restored Laws for publick tranquillity were enacted and the Nobles formerly banished out of the Kingdom by Beornred were recalled 5. We shall have occasion very frequently to treat of the actions of this Noble King Therefore at present we will only adioyn the Character in generall given to him by William of Malmsbury King Offa saith he the great grand child of Penda was a man of mighty courage and magnanimity who resolutely undertook whatsoever design he once conceived in his mind and he raigned the space of nine and thirty years When I revolve in my mind his Gests in which there was great variety I am in great doubt whether I should recken him among the Good or evill Kings such an interchangeable vicissitude there was of vertues and vices in him who like another Proteus was always changing his form and features VI. CHAP. 1.2.3 Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying gave order that his body should be buried in the Archiepiscopall Church to the prejudice of Saint Augustins Monastery 4. Bregwin succeeds him 5.6 S. Eadburga Abbesse Six Saints of the same name 1. THE same year Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See seaventeen years dyed When he was ready to dye saith William of Malmsbury he commanded his servants to bury him privatly in his Archiepiscopall Church which was built within the walls of the Citty And because the Monks of S. Augustin whose Monastery was seated without the said Citty by an Ancient custom which they were stubboraly constant to observe did challenge as their vndoubted right that the Bodies of the Arch-bishops should be buried in their Church in so much as they would probably endeavour even by violence to take away with them his Body after he was dead therfore he enioynd his family as soon as he was dead to abstain from any noise in bewayling his death both in the Citty and Palace so that no notice of his death being given abroad there might be no concourse of people and by that means they might without disturbance bury him in the Archiepiscopall Church and not apprehend any danger that the Monks would take him out of the ground when they should perceive how they had been overreached by cunning 2. But B. Godwin relates that the Tradition was that the Body of Arch-bishop Cuthbert was not buried in the Archiepiscopall Church it self called Christ-Church but in another lesser Church seated near it and dedicated to S. Iohn which he had built on purpose for baptizing infants and which both himself and his successours vsed in their life time for a Consistory and for a place of buriall after they were dead Moreover that this Church in after ages having been consumed by fire together with the Cathedrall Church was never after rebuilt 3. The motive inducing the Arch-bishop to make this change was in the iudgment of Sir Henry Spelman a kind of indignation that his Cathedrall Church should be deprived of the honour of being a sepulcher of eminent persons and particularly of Arch-bishops who had performed all Episcopall duties in it Therefore in as much as till that time there had no buriall places been permitted within Citties he had recourse to the Pope for a dispensation from that obligation and to the King for a change of the place of buriall both for Arch-bishops and Kings Notwithstanding if the foregoing relation be true what need was there of that subtilty to circumvent the Augustinian Monks who doubtlesse would not have had the boldnes to contradict the Orders both of the Pope and King 4. The year following there was substituted to Cuthbert in the Archiepiscopall See Bregwin who was consecrated on the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel This Bregwin according as we read in the Antiquities of Brittany was born in old Saxony of noble parents After he had passed his childhood he betook himself to the study of sacred learning to which he had so great an affection that for advantaging himself in his studies he passed over into Brittany quite forsaking his native soile After some abode in Brittany he was for his modesty and vertue so much in generall esteem and favour that he had the priviledge of naturalization And he made so great progresse in sacred knowledge that he alone was esteemed worthy to be the successour to Cuthbert in the Archbishoprick After which he did so excell in all good works that not any in his time approached within many degrees to him 5. At that time the Holy Virgin and Abbesse Eadburga sirnamed Buggan also dyed It is no wonder there should be some confusion in Writers touching her and other Saints of
the servant of God S. Sturmis and to give order that he should come to his presence Being then brought to the Palace and severall days expecting when he should be called to the Kings presence It hapned one morning early that the King intending that day to hunt went according to his custom to prayers into his Chappell where the Holy man after the Mattin office still remained Who seing the King presently took a light which he caried before the King till he came to the Altar where after he had prayed he said to the Holy Abbot God ha's once more brought us together What was that which your Monks accused you of and which moved my displeasure against you I have quite forgotten it The Holy man answerd Though I have oft ofâ—fended God yet I am free of all offence against your Maiesty The King replied However the matter stands If you have imagined or done any thing to my preiudice God forgive you as I likewise 〈◊〉 In saying which words he drew out of his garment a thread of silk which he threw on the ground saying Let this be a token that I have cast away all displeasure against you And presently after knowing how much his return was desired he sent him back honourably confirming the Priviledge given by the Pope by which that Monastery was exempted from the Iurisdiction of Lullus Arch-bishop of Mentz The report of his return being divulged he was solemnly mett by all the Religious Monks in those quarters who with singing of Psalms and great ioy attended him to his Monastery 12 The Blessed Abbot then employed his whole time in correcting all disorders in his Monastery in adorning the Church and repairing the decayd buildings about it And particularly to the end all occasions of going abroad might according the S. Benedicts Rule be taken away he took care that all necessary Manufactures should be exercised within the Convent and for a generall commodity he caused trenches to be made by which he conveyd water within the Monastery to the inestimable benefitt of his Religious He also made a sumptuous Shrine for the Sacred Body of S. Boniface enriched with gold and silver which remains to this day And so great favour and familiarity he had with King Pipin that he obtained of him a Mannor called Omunstat belonging to the Crown with all â—hat depended on it 13 The like favour he enioyed with King Charles after his Father King Pipins death who oft sent for him and bestowd another Mannâ—r on the said Monastery called Hamelenburg In consideration of which Prayers are said to this day by the Monks for him After this the said Most Christian King began to think seriously how to induce the barbarous Nation of the Saxons to embrace the Faith of Christ Which design he recommended to the prayers of all Gods servants Then gathering a great Army and taking with him many Ecclesiasticall persons he partly by terrour and partly by their preaching and exhortations withdrew a great part of that Nation hitherto captived by the Devill from Idolatry and caused them to submitt themselves to the easy yoke of Christ. After which he divided the countrey into Parishes appointing Preists to preach baptize among them 14. Notwithstanding after the King was departed with his army most of the Saxons renouncing Christianity returned to their old Idolatries and not content with that they raised forces killing all Christians among them and wasting the whole countrey as far as the River Rhene When they came neer to Fulda the Holy Abbot knowing that they had sent a band of soldiers to burn the Monastery and to kill all they found in it gave notice to his brethren of the danger Whereupon they all taking the holy Martyrs body with them went towards Hamelenburg But the Holy Abbot went to a place call'd Weisereth endeavouring to gather soldiers to represse the cruelty of the barbarous Saxons Which was also effected And when the Saxons were compelled to retire home the Monks returned with the Holy Martyrs body to Fulda 15. After this King Charles brought a second time his Army against the Saxons and commanded the Holy Abbot Sturmis with his Monks to remain in a strong town called Heresbury And after the warr which was prosperously ended by the King he seÌ„t him being sick to his Monastery atteÌ„ded by his own â—hysicion called Winter who mistaking his disease applied Physick to him which instead of qualifying much encreased it Whereupon the man of God perceiving that death approached commanded all his Monks to be assembled whom he earnestly exhorted to persevere in the same Regular observance which he had instituted among them And then recommending himself to their prayers he begged pardon of every one who thought himself any way iniurd by him and professed that he cordially forgave all his persecutours particularly the Arch-bishop Lullus who had always been his adversary Then he took leave of them all and presently after his sicknes coming to extremity we who assisted him besought him with tears that he would be mindfull of us and pray for us in heaven He suddenly turning himself toward us sayd Make your selves worthy that my Prayers may doe you good and I will not faile to doe what you desire After this his pious Soule was delivered out of the prison of the Body and being plentifully enriched with all divine vertues and graces departed to our Lord to live forever in his heavenly kingdom Amen 16. Thus writes the Devout Abbot Aegila successour and Disciple of this blessed man who was an eye witnes of many things here related He was canonized by Innocent the second in a Councill of Lateran celebrated in the year eleaven hundred thirty nine His Memory is celebrated on the sixteenth of December XVII CHAP. i. 2 c The Gests and happy death of Saint willebald an English Apostolick Bishop in Germany 1. THE year following another Disciple Companion of S. Boniface in his Apostolick Office received the reward of his labours This was S. Willibald Son of King Richard and Bonna who is said to have been sister to S. Boniface and Brother to S. Winnebald and Saint Walburga His Life remains written by a kinswoman of his a Religious Virgin who lived in his Sister Walburga's Monastery at Heidenham in Germany The summ whereof is this 2. When he was but three years old a certain greivous infirmity seised on him by which all his members were so contracted benummed that he became as in a sort dead so that his parents almost despaired of his recovery Where with being greivously afflicted they took him and offred him to our Lord to whose service they designed him in case he would please to restore him his health Now it was a custom among the Saxons that instead of Oratories they would erect in the feilds or near their houses Crosses of stone or wood to which they would repaire for performing their devotions Before such a Crosse they layd
with a violence not beseeming his Profession Notwithstanding the Holy Martyrs bowell he placed in a Church at Mentz where they are held in great veneration 4. Moreover in a further expression of his love and regard to his blessed Masters memory he exhorted S. Willebald his Nephew to write the Holy Martyrs Life to the end that posterity might know honour and imitate the heavenly vertues which shone so brightly in him 5. Severall Monasteries he founded as that of Heresfeild in Hassia not far from Mentz which he endowd with ample revenews adorned it with many Relicks translating likewise thither from Fritzlar the Body of S. Wigbert for which a magnificent shrine was made by the contribution of King Charles the Great Another Monastery likewise he erected at a place called Bleidenstat about two miles from Mentz Which afterward by his Successour Bertold was changed into a Colledge of Canons Thither also he translated the Relicks of S. Ferruth from Kassel In a word his whole life was employed in nothing but the advancement of piety and vertue either in converting Pagans from Idolatry to the Christian Faith or in promoting devout Christians in the wayes of Perfection 6. When his last sicknes seised on him he sent for the Holy companion of his Apostolick Office S. Witta who had been consecrated by S. Boniface Bishop of Birburg and after that Town was destroyd was made Successour of S. Wigbert in the Monastery of Fritzlar Him being come he desired to say Masse after which he intended to direct him to his Monastery of Heresfeild The good Bishop after he had with great devotion prepared himself for celebrating that most dreadfull Sacrifice not then perceiving in himself any bodily infirmity at all went to the Holy Altar where he had no sooner performed that Divine Liturgy and communicated but immediatly he expired His Body Saint Lullo presently caused to be caried into a boat conveying it himself to Heresfeld where he buried it with great honour This Holy Bishop is by some German Writers called Albuinus according to the Saxon signification of his name Witta or White 7 Presently after S. Lullo himself followd him partaking together the eternall rewards of his labours on the sixteenth day of October His Body was there likewise in the same Monastery buried with all religious piety and solemnity And about threescore years after being taken up it was found with as fresh a colour as due proportion and softnes of all the members yea and covered with vestments as free from any decay as if it had been then newly buried 8. The said Monastery of Heresfeld having been ruined by the rebellious Lutherans it is not known whither that Sacred body was removed But his Head was caried to the Monastery of S. Godard the Abbot whereof Herman in the year of Christ sixteen hundred and three gave it to the Iesuits of Mentz to be placed there in their Colledge 9. Many Miracles are recorded as performed by him both in his life and after his death I will only mention one Is the year of Grace eight hundred forty seaven when his Body was taken up as the Monks there were removing a huge Stone which lay over it it fell from their hands upon the foot of one of their Brethren so crushing and breaking it that it quite lost the shape of a foot Whereupon the Religious Monks being much contristated had recourse to God in Prayer begging likewise the Saints intercession And the night immediatly following it was so perfectly restored that the said Brother assisted at the next Mattins not retaining any mark of the least bruise at all 10. A little before his death he by the appointment of Pope Adrian ordained S. Willehade Bishop of Bremen Which Citty was then newly erected into an Episcopall See by the same Pope and richly endowed by the munificence of Charles the Great Whose Charter describing the limits of the Territory whereof and likewise of the lands conferred on it is extant in Baronius As touching S Willehade the first Bishop thereof we shall deliver his Gests in the occurrents of the year of Christ seaven hundred ninety one in which he dyed THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1. 2. c. Alfwold the pious King of the Northumbers murdred to whom Osred succeeds and presently after Ethelred 7.8 Ethelred Bishop of Hagulstad the magnificence of that Church 1. NOTWITHSTANDING all the care which the Legats of Pope Adrian in the late Synod with the unanimous consent of the Bishops and Nobles had taken for the preventing seditions and rebellions in the Kingdom of the Northumbers yet such an unquiet tumultuous Spirit had taken so fixed a possession of the minds of that people that scarce any King could be permitted to sit upon that throne but by the murder of his Predecessour and the uniust usurper by his own destruction made way for his Successour Which restlesse turbulent disposition since it could not be cured by the Laws and authority of Gods Church God took the revenge into his own hands and sent the terrible Nation of the Danes first to lay wast that kingdom and afterwards to be a most tearfull scourge to the whole Island 2. In the year of Grace seaven hundred eighty nine Alfwolâ— the good pious King of the Northumbers after that he had with the great ioy of vertuous men governed that kingdom the space of eleaven years was by a tempestuous sedition of wicked men deprived of it and his life also The Head of the faction against him was Sâ—gga a Noble man of that Kingdom who gathering a troop of desperatly wicked men murdred this most innocent King in a place called Silcester near the Picts wall This was an ancient Station of the Romans where the Asturian Wing quartered to oppose the irruptions of the barbarous Picts and Caledonians and it was then called Cilurnam but is now much more celebrated for the death of this pious King In the place where he was slain a heavenly light was frequently seen saith Huntingdon 3. His Body was caried to the Cathedrall Church of Hagustald where it was with great honours and devotion buried which Church had been built to Gods honour and the memory of his Saints Saint Cuthbert and S. Oswald King and Martyr Of how great merit this innocent King was with God the miracles performed at his Tombe and elswere doe declare abundantly 4. Moreover the Divine iustice gave a yet greater testimony of his Sanctity by the terrible revenge with which God expiated this execrable murther which though committed by a few was punished with a common calamity For not only Sigga who defiled his hands with his blood the same year out of despair became his own executioner and murderer But likewise dire Prodigies terrified the whole Nation Horrible thunders and fiery dragons in the aire foretold a most greivous famine shortly ensuing and an unexpressible slaughter of men Thus
thinking himself as yet secure to confirm his kingdom yet more strongly sought the freindship and association of Offa King of the Mercians the most powerfull of all the English Saxon Princes at this time And to knitt more strictly the league between them he demanded his daughter named Elfleda for his wife which he likewise obtained having cast off his former wife But that which he contrived for his security was the occasion of his ruine for his Subiects abhorting such impiety deprived him of his kingdom and afterwards of his life And with him ended the Nortumbrian Kingdom though the Name of King was given to some few others Notwithstanding by the invasion and horrible depopulation made by the barbarous Danes those Titular Kings of the English blood were scarce taken notice of by any III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests and happy death of Saint Burchard Bishop of Wirtzburg 10.11 c. Likewise of his Suceessour Saint Megingand 1. THE same year in which Ethelard was assumed to the Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury is marked with the death of two English Apostolick Bishops in Germany S. Burchard and S. Willehade the former Bishop of Wirtzburg and the other of Bremen 2. The Life of S. Burchard has been written by Egilward a Monk of his own Monastery near Wirtzburg as Trithemius testifies Some affirm saith that Authour that S. Burchard and S. Swithun concerning whom we will treat in the next Century were brethren born of Noble parents in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons in Brittany and that they were kinsmen to S. Boniface Certain it is that S. Burchard was one of those who were called out of Brittany in the year of Christ seaven hundred twenty five to assist S. Boniface in his Apostolick Office in Germany 3. Assoon as S. Burchard was arrived there S. Boniface destined to him in a propheticall manner the flock of Christ which had been gathered by S. Kilian and his companions and for which they had suffred Martyrdom But to fitt him for so high an employment he lived some years in the society of severall devout and learned Preists under the Conduct of S. Boniface After which S. Boniface ioyning to his own Letters also written by King Pipin to Pope Zacharias requested that the Citty of Wirtzburg might be erected to an Episcopall See To which request the Pope easily condescended after he had been informed that the said Church was endowd by S. Boniface himself with sufficient revenews to sustain the necessities of the poor as well as of the Clergy And upon the testimony given by S. Boniface S. Burchard his Disciple was consecrated the first Bishop of that Episcopall See 4. These things being happily effected at Rome Saint Boniface conducting his now fellow Bishop to Wirtzburg recommended him to his flock by whom he was most ioyfully received At which time the bounds of the said Diocese were limitted And S. Burchard being left in his New See omitted no duty of a worthy Prelat being assiduous in reading affable in conversation powerfull in preaching exemplary in life liberall in almes-giving tenderly loving and beloved by his flock 5. In the second year after he was consecrated Bishop by the advice and with the assistance of S. Boniface he made diligent search for the Sacred Bodies of S. Kilian and his companions the holy Apostolick Martyrs of Christ which having found he with great devotion took them out of the place into which they had been ignominiously cast by their murderers the Idolatrous Pagans Assoon as the earth was opened a celestiall fragrancy was breathed from thence and though their flesh was already resolved into dust yet the vestments and books which had been cast with them into the pitt were found entire nothing at all defaced They were in a most solemne Procession caried to the Church of Wirtzburg where by a world of miracles they so encreased mens devotion that by means thereof the Church became enriched with great possessions S Burchard himself gave a village called Michelnstat which Prince Caroloman had formerly bestowed on him King Pipin afterwards gave a certain Castle called Karelburg with severall other ample possessions 9. Near the said Castle there was a small Monastery which had been built by a Holy Virgin named Gertrudis This Monastery being much retired did another devout Virgin called Immina begg of Saint Burchard and in exchange gave him a place called The Mount of Saint Mary or Old Wirtzburg of far greater valew To this place were the Sacred Bodies of Saint Kilian and his companions translated There likewise did Saint Burchard build a magnificent Monastery and placed there his Episcopall See And thither did he oft retire whensoever he could obtain any vacancy from the solicitudes of his charge and conversation of men and there did he attend to God and celestiall things only 7. Forty years did this Holy Bishop spend in the exercises of perfect Charity either to God in Prayer and contemplation or to men in advancing their soules in the same Divine Charity And after such incessant labours in our Lords Vineyard his corporall strength diminishing he called his Clergy together to whom he declared his desire to see his Episcopall See provided of a person able to sustain the weighty employments of it for which purpose he proposed to them his Disciple and companion Megingand well known to them for his eminent vertues and piety who was immediately by common consent elected to be after his death his Successour and during his life his assistant A confirmation of this Election he easily obtained from his Metropolitan the Arch-bishop of Mentz Charles the Great King of France consenting thereto 8. Having discharged his mind of so great a care he took with him only six of his Disciples and by boat descended to a certain Castle called Hohenburg where he employed the remainder of his dayes in great austerities in watching fasting and incessant Prayer He had a desire to have continued his iourney to Michelnstat where his purpose was to build another Monastery But his infirmity encreasing upon him would not permitt him to accomplish his desire For within a few days after his coming to Hohenburg he gave up his soule into his Redeemers hands having before secured his last passage by the Sacraments of Holy Church which he received with admirable fervour and Spirituall ioy 9. His Sacred body was by the affectionate care of his Disciple and Successour Mengingand transported to his Cathedrall Church of Wirtzenburg where it was reposed near to the Sacred Relicks of Saint Kilian all the Nobility and in a manner all the inhabitants of the Countrey being assembled to honour the funeralls of their beloved Pastour Who as in his life time he had been an instrument of great benedictions to them so after his death likewise they experienced many effects of his Love by frequent deliverances and consolations obtained by his intercession The day of his death is marked oâ— the fourth day before the Nones
of February But his principall Feast is obser-served on the fourteenth of October the day of his Translation 10. His Successour Saint Megingand who was one of those which Saint Boniface had called out of Brittany was come to a great age at the death of Saint Burchard yet he administred that See the space of fifteen years in all things conformable to the good example of his Blessed Predecessour And â—t last being oppressed with age by the consent of his Clergy he elected for his Successour a certain Disciple and Monk of his Monastery called Bernwelf to whom he resigned the whole care of his Bishoprick consigning into his hands all the possessions and goods left by Saint Burchard And attended by a few disciples he retired to a certain place given to him by a devout person named Hatto 11. But in this his choice he was not so happy as his Predecessour had been for instead of kindnes and respect due to him he found extreme ingratitude and persecution from his Successour Insomuch as whereas in the Monastery of Saint Kilian he had left fifty Monks laudable in their observance of Regular Disciplin all these did Bernwelf with iniuries drive out of the Monastery and compelled them to have recourse to his Master Mengingand And not content with that he most greivously and incessantly vexed the good old man with frequent clamorous accustions of having detained certain Vestments and Books left by Saint Burchard So great and insupportable unquietnes and troubles he caused to his Master who had made him Bishop that he was compelled to forsake that place of his retirement called Korinlathe and afterwards Nieustat which he gave up to the patronage of King Charles and betook himself to another further distant Monastery by the same King bestowed upon him and his Monks Where living in all freedom from secular molestation under the protection of the illustrious King Charles in all things being acceptable to God and men he in a short time full of good works departed this life to receive his eternall reward IV. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests and blessed death of Saint Willehade first Bishop of Bremen 1. AS for Saint Willehade he likewise came out of Brittany presently after Saint Boniface his Martyrdom and arrived at a place called Dockum where the said Holy Martyr received his Crown There he remaind a good space not deterred by the so late cruelty of the barbarous Pagans from boldly preaching the Gospell and God so blessed his labours that many were converted and baptized by him From thence passing over the River Lavinca he went to a place called Huchmark where endeavouring likewise to withdraw those barbarous people from their Idolatry they in a great rage cryed out that such a profane seducer ought to be killed And when they were ready to putt this in execution certain men among them more moderate told them that they ought to make a tryall according to the ancient custom of their countrey by casting of Lotts whether his death would be acceptable to their Gods or no And being hereto perswaded through Gods Providence he escaped so that they gave him free permission to goe out of their countrey 2. Leaving them therefore he went to a place called Drente where by his preaching many were converted and baptized But when his Disciples moved with zeale began to destroy the Heathen Temples the barbarous people became incensed and had a resolution to kill them Saint Willehade was sore bruised with clubbes and one among them ran upon him with his sword purposing to cutt off his head Lifting up therefore his sword he with all his force smote him on the neck Now the Holy man had at that time a case full of Relicks tyed about his neck The sword then curt a sunder the string only and did not at all enter into the flesh The Pagans therefore astonished at this Miracle let both him and his Disciples depart without any further harm done them 3. Now the Victorious King of France Charles having heard report of this Holy man's sanctity and zeale encouraged him much to be constant in preaching the Gospell He went therefore into a Territory called Wigmode where he converted many and built Churches Yea the greatest part of the Frisons inhabiting thereabout promised they would embrace the Christian Faith But not long after Wittekind Duke of the Saxons rebelled against King Charles and raising an army began a great persecution against the Christians The holy man therefore after he had escaped an imminent danger went to Rome Where being much comforted and encouraged by Pope Adrian he returned back into Franconia 4. Moreover at the command of the same King the man of God went again into Wigmode where he openly and boldly preached the Faith and repaired the Churches which the Pagans had demolished And God did so prosper his labours that the Frisons once more embraced the Faith which they had renounced Yea Duke Wittekind himself the Authour of all the mischeif submitting himself to King Charles was perswaded to receive Baptism 5. The said King seeing so many Christians converted thought good that a New Episcopall See should be erected for which purpose he made choice of a place called Bremen in the countrey of Wigmode there he caused a Church to be built and with the advice of Lullo he sent to Pope Adrian to demand that this Holy man Willehade should be consecrated Bishop of Bremen which was accordingly performed There is in the Annalls of Baronius extant the Charter of King Charles for the erection and endowment of this Episcopall See in which after thanks given to God for his many victories over the Saxons he declares the limits of this new Diocese what possessions and Tithes were annexed to it as likewise to a Monastery adioyning all which were committed to the care of the Holy servant of God Willehade Which Charter was dated in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred eighty eight 6. In this function Saint Willehade behaved himself with wonderfull piety and encreased his diligence in the practise and progresse in all vertues And falling into an infirmity of body he was commanded by Pope Adrian to eat fish for formerly out of a rigorous abstinence he forbore the use of them Scarce any day passed in which he did not with great contrition of heart celebrate Masse and besides that he would some dayes recite the whole Psalter twice or thrice Thus the blessed man did wonderfully adorn his Doctrine and by his own example confirm that which with his tongue he preached to others 7. At length after he had severall times with great zeale visited his Diocese he came to a certain place called Bleckensee now Plexem Where so violent a feavour took him that his Disciples despaired of his recovery And one of them being more familiarly conversant with him could not forbear to testify his greif by teares and complaints saying Holy Father doe not so soon
possession of fifty families for building a Monastery in a place called Etbearn that is At the wood in the Province of Lindissi or Linconshire where to this day the Observances of a Regular life instituted by him doe still remain The Authour of Saint Ceadda's life in Capgrave calls this place Brawe the situation whereof is now unknown 7. But his Episcopall See was at Lichfeild concerning which the same Authour thus writes He had the See of his Bishoprick at a place called Licidfeld where he also dyed and was buried and where his Successours have still remaind Moreover he built for himself a mansion not far from the Church whither he was wont to retire with seaven or eight Monkes that he might in solitude attend to prayer and reading as oft as the solicitudes of his Episcopall Office would permitt 8. The same King Wulfere finished likewise the Monastery begun by his Brother in the year of Grace six hundred fifty six which he consecrated to S. Peter commanding it to be called Peterborough and enriched it with great possessions appointing the first Abbot of the same in the year six hundrod sixty nine a very pious man saith Camden called Sexwulf by whose perswasion principally it was built And he addes That the said Monastery flourished with great opinion of Sanctity the space of two hundred and fourteen years till the most calamitous times when the Danes layd all places especially Sacred wast For then the Monks were murdred and the Monastery lay buried in its own rubbish a hundred and nine years This Sexwulf had formerly lived an Eremiticall life in the Island called Thorney where he built an Oratory which by the liberality of King Edgar became a Noble Monastery in the year of Grace nine hundred sixty nine as we shall then declare 9. As touching the said Bishop Ceadda he was industrious in preaching assiduous in prayer unwearied in labours and always conversant with God And whereas saith Saint Beda it was the usuall custom of that most Reverend Bishop in preaching the Gospell through his Diocese for the most part to goe on foot from place to place the Arch-bishop Theodore enioyned him that when he was to goe to any place a good way distant he should ride the good Bishop was very unwilling so great was his aversion from ease in the work of God Yet in the end the Arch-bishop even compelled him thereto and with his own hands lifted him on horse back For he saw that he was a very holy man c. IX CHAP. 1.2 c. The Holy and most happy death of S. Ceadda 1. BEcause we will not interrupt the Narration touching this Holy Bishop Ceadda we will here adioyn the relation of his happy death shortly ensuing suitable to his pious life which is thus at large recorded by S. Beda 2. After he had governed the Church of the Mercians most gloriously the space of two years and a half the time by divine dispensation approached concerning which Ecelesiastes writeth There is a time to scatter and a time to gather stones For a destroying sicknes was sent from heaven by which many living stones of Gods Church were translated from earth to the heavenly building And hereby not a few belonging to the Church of this most Reverend Prelate having been taken out of the world the hour of his passage likewise to our Lord drew near It hapned then on a certain day that himself accompanied only with one Monk named Owin abode in the forementioned Mansion all the rest upon some occasion being returned to the Church The said Owin was a Monk of great merit who out of a pure intention for a heavenly reward had forsaken the world and indeed he was in all respects a person esteemed by our Lord worthy to receive Divine revelations and worthy also of beleife when he discovered them to any He had formerly come into that Province from the Region of the East-Angles with Queen Edildride being the cheif Officer of her family Not long after his arrivall the fervour of his Faith encreasing he resolved to leave the world which resolution he exeâ—uted diligently insomuch as relinquishing all his possessions and contenting himself with a simple habit and taking in his hands onely an axe to cutt wood he went to the Monastery of the same most Venerable Prelat called Lestinghen For he did not as some have done retire to a Monastery to live idlely there but to labour diligently as he gave good proof by his conversation for the lesse proper he was to spend much time in Meditation the more did he addict himself to manuall labour 3. This man therefore having for his zeale and devotion been selected to abide with the Bishop in the said Mansion commonly when the rest were busied within-dores in reading he was abroad busy about some externall work for the common benefit Now on a certain day as he was thus employed while the rest of the Monks as hath been said were returned to the Church and the Bishop in his Oratory reading or praying he said that on a sudden he heard most melodious voyces of many persons singing and reioycing which descended from heaven to the earth These voyces he heard at first as from the South-east quarter which by little and little approached to him till they came to the roof of the mansion where the Bishop was into which they entred and filled it all about He therefore attending solicitously to this Musick about an hour after he heard the same voyces songs of Ioy with unexpressible sweetnes ascending from the top of the house by the same way to heaven again After which remaining astonished a good space and wondring what this should be the Bishop opened the window of his Oratory and according to his custom made a noyse with his hand which was to give notice that if any were without they should come to him Hereupon the Monk hastily entred to whom the Bishop said Goe presently to the Church and bidd those seaven brethren to come immediatly hither and come thou with them When they were all come he first admonished them to observe Charity and peace both among themselves and with all others and likewise diligently to follow the Instituts of Regular Discipline which they had learnt both from his tongue and practise or had found in the instructions and actions of their precedent Fathers Hereto he added that the day of his death was near at hand For said he that blessed and amiable Guest who was wont to visit our Brethren did mee the grace to come this day to mee and summoned mee to depart out of this world to our Lord. Therefore goe to the Church and desire the rest of our Brethren to commend my departure to our Lord and let them be mindfull to prevent also their own deaths the hour of which is uncertain with watchongs prayers and good works 4. After he had spoken these and other words to the
a certain Prince of Mercia called Ethelbaldus by the good advice of S. Guthlac 11. In those days saith he that is in the year before the death of this Holy Hermit Prince Ethelbald great grandchild of Alwy the Brother of King Penda was banished out of the kingdom of the Mertians He was of an elegant stature strong of body and warlick of mind but which was to be bewayled he was high-minded and apt to any rash attempt against the King For which turbulent spirit of his as we may iustly imagine he was exposed to many dangers and for a long space debarred all medling with State-affaires And not only so but King Coelred did violently persecute him every where insomuch as being in great danger and wholly destitute of freinds and all means to resist he would oft come privatly to the man of God Saint Guthlac who was his Confessour to seek for spirituall counsell when all worldly assistance fayled him and to him he humbly made his complaints 12. The Holy man having heard him kindly and mildly comforted him and withall as one to whom future things were by divine revelation known he distinctly and particularly discovered to him what should succeed afterward promising him that he should be King of his Nation and subdue all his Enemies Yea moreover he bad him be confident that all these things should happen to him without any combat or effusion of blood only by Gods power and Providence over him 13. But to these comforting promises he added serious admonitions that he should fear our Lord God above all things and shew â—ll subwission and respect to his Holy Church That he should often deplore his former crimes and constantly make good his purpose of amendment For he told him that if he would be carefull to obey the Divne Law he might with confidence expect Gods help and favour By such exhortations and comforts the mind of the afflicted Prince was exceedingly refreshed insomuch as in the presence of his holy Father Saint Guthlac and others then standing by he expressly promised that assoon as God should sett him peaceably in the Throne of the Kingdom he would found a Monastery in the same place to the honour of God and memory of his sayd Father And this promise a short time after he effectually accomplished XXI CHAP. 1. 2. c. The death of Saint Guthlac and wonderfull occurrents Of his Sister Saint Pega 1. AFter a life spent with such austerity holines and devotion there must needs follow a death conformable to it which is thus related from the mouth of his companion and Disciple Berthelin 2. When the day of his departure approached he called to him his Disciple Berthelin to whom he sayd My son I am now going to reap the fruit of my Labours I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ. And after other words to the same effect he enioynd him to goe and with great affection in his name salute his Sister Pega desiâ—ing her to take care of his buriall Withall he bid him tell her that therefore he had avoyded the seeing and conversing with her in this present life that they might for ever enioy each others company in the life to come 3. Then his sayd Disciple took the boldnes to say thus to him I adiure you Holy Father that you will not refuse to tell mee plainly what the matter was that every morning and evening since I dwelt with you I heard you speak to and sometimes seem to answer some body Who was that person with whom you conversed Your speeches I heard but could never understand with whom you spoke To this question the Holy-man answered My dear son My last hower is now at hand It is not therefore expedient for mee now to lye who all my life have abhord it Know therefore that from my first entrance into this wildernes every morning and evening I have enioyd the conversation and comfort of a heavenly Angell who by his celestiall consolations refreshed mee in all my labours and tentations He foretold to mee things future discovered such as were absent and acquainted mee with hidden Mysteries which it is not expedient nor lawfull for mee to make known But now My son be carefull to seal up in silence these things and presume not to discover them to any but my Sister Pega and the devout Anchoret Egbert 4. When he had sayd this such an odortferous fragrancy came from his mouth that it seemed as if one had strowed roses or pourd forth balsam in the place And from midnight till morning a Light of inestimable brightnes shone through the whole house And assoon as the Sun was risen he sayd to his Disciple Bertelin My Son now is the moment that I must goe to Christ Having said this with hands stretched forth toward heave he fell asleep in our Lord on the third day before the Ides of April And the same Brother saw as it were a tower of fire reaching from the earth to heaven the splendour of which was so wonderfull that in comparison the light of the Sun at midday was pale and obscure A while after Blessed Pega the holy Mans Sister coming into the Island found the whole house replenished with a sweet fragrancy infinitly exceeding all odours which either art or nature could produce Then having decently buried her Brother S. Guthlat in his Oratory she returned to her own dwelling 5. About a year after his death his sister and other Preists came to his Oratory with a resolution to bury his body more honourably and they found it entire without the least corruption as if he had been asleep The ioynts likewise of his arms and fingers were as easily flexible as if the humours and spirits were yet running through his veyns his sinews had lost nothing of their former vigour Moreover the garments in which his sacred body had been wrapped preserved stil their primitive freshnes and glasse With great ioy and exaltation therefore they again reposed the Sacred Body once more in a Tombe expressly made for it 6. Now Prince Ethelbald in his exile having heard of the death of the Holy man was overwhelmed with greif and coming to his sepulcher he cryed out with many tears O Father whither shall I a poor banished man goe to whom shall I have recourse Now indeed I perceive that I am a miserable exile Dear Father Guthlac doe not you forsake him who is abandond by all and exposed to all miseries and torments Having spoken many such words with extreme greif and bitter sighs towards midnight he saw the Oratory wonderfully enlightned with an inexpressible brightnes and the Holy man himself appeard to him with a celestiall splendour saying to him these words My dear Son our Lord has a regard to thee be comforted and assured that within two years all thy travells shall have an end and thou shalt recover thy throne with great glory Besides this the Holy man expressly discovered to him how many