on the one side wherof were inscribed these words Antoninus and Geta the third time Consuls and on another was a votive dedication to the Dui or God of the Brigantes Who this God was is uncertain onely it appears that every Province and perhaps every city and Town in Brittany had their peculiar Deâ—â—y such an one was Belatucadrus Andates c. Now the Roman Superstition was such as that they worshipped all the Idols of the Nations conquered by them and such an one probably was this Dui or God of the Brigantes Yet considering the late conversion both of the Southern and Northern Brittains why may not this God of the Brigantes be the only true God worshipped by these New Converts and honour'd with an Inscription by this unbeleiving Roman as one among the croud of profane Deities superstitiously adored by them V. CHAP. 1.2 S. Amphibalus a Young Christian Brittain and afterward the Converter of S. Albanus accompanies the two young Emperours to Rome 1. AMong other Brittains which now attended the two young Emperours in their return to Rome being moved therto either out of respect to them or a curiosity of travelling into foraign countreys one young man is particularly taken notice of in our ancient Annalls which after some years doe celebrate his Memory as a glorious ornament of our Nation in being the Instructour of our first Martyr S. Alban in the Christian Faith and a companion of his Martyrdom This was young Amphibalus born at Cair-leon upon Vsk Isca in the County of Monmouth Concerning whom our Writers give this Character That he was from his â—ender years bred up in good literature and withall instructed in Christian Religion whilst he liv'd in Brittany that he learnt both the Greek and Latin tongues and was likewise instituted in Eloquence Afterward he travelled to Rome with a resolution there to betake himself to higher studies where he spent his time principally in reading and understanding Holy Scripture and the Doctrine of Christian Religion till the beginning of the cruell persecution rais'd by Diocletian 2. Two voyages of his to Rome are commemorated and it was in the Second that he made his continuance there in which he gave himselfe to these serious and sacred studies and was ordain'd a Preist and sent back by the Pope into Brittany where saith Boethius and Bale he became Bishop of the Isle of Man In this his first voyage thither he was an Auditour of the Holy Pope Zephirin who interpreted the Christian Law as our Martyrologe testifies But concerning Amphibalus more shall be spoken hereafter VI. CHAP. 1.2.3 A long silence touching British affairs And fictions of Geffrey of Monmouth touching Caransius 4. Succession of Popes 1. FOR the space of almost threescore yeares after the death of Severus the Writers of Roman affairs make no mention at all of Brittany which silence of theirs has given occasion to some of our ancient Historians to insert fictions of their own or to relate true occurrents without any regard to time and order 2. Thus Geffrey of Monmouth and some Modern Writers mislead by him affirm that a certain Brittish Prince called Carausius having kill'd the Emperour Antoninus Bassianus sirnamed Caracalla in a battell in the year of our Lord two hundred and eighteen therupon invaded the Kingdom of Brittany Wheras it is certain that at this time Antoninus was in the Eastern parts where with giving hopes of a Mariage with the daughter of King Artabanus he treachorously killd great numbers of the Parthians and presently after was himselfe murdred by Macrinus Prefect of the Pretorian bands who succeeding in the Empire was in lesse then a years space likewise kill'd by Heliogabalâ—s To whom afterward succeeded Alexander Severus 3. As for Carausius certain it is that he took the Title of Emperour in Brittany but that hapned sixty eight years after this time assign'd by Geffrey of Monmouth and his followers so that being not yet born he could neither raign nor kill Antoninus We shall speak of him in his due place and season 4. In the year of Grace two hundred twenty and one Pope Zephirin died having sate eighteen years and Calistus succeeded him In whose time our ancient Records mention one Cadorus Bishop of London after whose death Obinus followd the fourth Bishop of that See Of whom nothing remains recorded but only their Names VII CHAP. 1. The Emperour Alexander Severus murdred by Maximinus who succeeds in the Empire 1. THE Emperour Alexander Severus a vertuous Prince no enemy to Christianity which some conceive to have been profess'd by his Mother Mammaea was in the fourteenth year of his raign slain by the treason of Iulius Maximinus who succeeded in his place We mention this here that we may take notice of the mistake of some Writers who affirm that he was slain in Brittany in a town called Sicila This is evident saith Richard White and that town took its name from Sicilius a Son of King Guintelin True it is that Victor resolutly says that it was at Sicila a Village of Brittany that Alexander was slain and Lampridius affirms that it was in Brittany or as other Writers will have it in Gaule But Herodian Capitolinus and generally other Historians confidently pronounce that it was in a Village neer Mogontiacum or Mentz called Sicila wherin they are followed by Eusobius Onuphrius Panvinius Platina Baronius c. And this no doubt is the truth since there are no ancient Monuments testifying that Alexander or his Successour and Murderer Maximinus ever were in Brittany VIII CHAP. i. c. Of Chrathlintus a Christian King of the Caledonian Brittains taught by S. Amphibalus Sacred Rites of those days And who this S. Amphibalus was 1. IN these times when Maximinus began his raign Christian Religion flourish'd in Brittany both in the Southern parts under the Romans dominion and among the Caledonians also where raigned Chrathlintus a Christian Prince successour of Donaldus This Chrathâ—intâ—s is sayd to have been directed in matters of Religion by Amphibalus who is suppos'd to have return'd from Rome about this time and become a Teacher of the Caledonians 2. Now what Sacred Rites he taught them is thus declared by Hector Boethius King Chrathlintus saith he adorned the Sacred Temple built by the Holy Bishop Amphibalus in the Isle of Man with very Noble gifts as Chalices Patens Candlesticks and such like sacred Vessells all made of silver and gold likewise with an Altar enclos'd with Copper and brasse He assigned moreover for the maintenance of the said Church revenews out of the lands adioyning therto That was the first Church among the Scots consecrated according to Christian Rites and wherin the Prime Bishop and Ecclesiasticall Prelate had his See The same Authour hereto adds That this Church was called Sadorensis or rather as at this day Sodorensis the reason of which name as hath befalâ—n to many
demonstrated XXV CHAP. 1. Constantius goes into Gaule against the Alamanni 2. He is accompanied by Brittains who build towns there 3. He overcomes the Germans at Langres 1. AFTER three years abode in Brittany Constantius was oblig'd to passe over into Gaule to oppose a German Nation call'd by some Carpi by others Alamanni by others Marcomanni which grievously infested that Countrey and in his absence he left Asclepiodotus Governour in Brittany 2. It seems great numbers of Brittains attended Constantius in this Expedition if the conjecture of Adolphus Mekerchus be true that the Town of Bretta in Germany was at this time built by Brittains who followed Constantius The same Authour fancies likewise that the town of Heidelsheim was named by them from Helena the wife of Constantius whose name was most acceptable and precious to the Brittains But leaving conjectures let us pursue the more certain story of Constantius his Expedition thus related by Eutropius 3. At the same time saies he Constantius Caesar fought against the Germans in Gaule neer the Citty of Langres where in one day he had experience both of very great good and ill fortune For he was obliged upon a suddein and violent assault of the Enemies to retire into the Citty with so great hast and danger that they were forced to shut the gates and draw him up with ropes and a few hours after upon the approach of his army he set upon the Germans and kill'd neer sixty thousand of them The same Victory at Langres is likewise celebrated by the Oratour Eumenius who adds who adds that in that combat Constantius received a wound After which Victory he dispersed the remaining Germans into severall vacant places of Gaule XXVI CHAP. 1. Stephanus Bishop of London how a Martyr 2. Constantius returns into Brittany 3.4.5 Memorable examples of his Vertues His moderation For which he is tenderly affection'd by his subjects and master of their wealth How he tried the Constancy of his Christian servants 6. Brittish Guards 7. Constantius and his family Christians 8. Hereto S. Helena contributed much 1. THE quietnes which Brittany happily enioyed under Constantius is the cause that for some few years it affords little matter to furnish History Only in the year three hundred Stephanus Bishop of London highly commended for his sâ—â—ctity is said to have ended his life by Martyrdom Not that any were then putt to death for Christian Religion but he is call'd a Martyr according to the phrase of that Age for the persecution he had suffred formerly during the rage of Diocletian and Maximianus He is in the English Martyrologe stiled the eighth Bishop of that See wheras more truly he should have been call'd the seaventh for S. Augulus of whom shortly is by Historians nam'd the eighth 2. In the year of Grace three hundred and two upon occasion of the death of Asclepiodotus whom he had left President here Constantius seems to have return'd into Brittany establishing peace in that Church which himself had begun whilst in all other Provinces of the Empire whole rivers of Christian blood were shed with all imaginable cruelty and immanity 3 Now Brittany being the countrey where as Zosimus says Constantius made his longest abode 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and where for diverse respects he both express'd and received the greatest proofs of affection it is most probable that in Brittany and about these times were performed by him those memorable actions of bounty clemency and piety recorded by Historians which rendred him admired and beloved through the whole Empire 4. An illustrious Example of the prudent moderation of his Government of his liberality and of the mutuall affection between him and his subjects was as Eusebius records declared on this occasion The Emperour Diocletian being inform'd that Constantius by his too profuse liberality and negligence had utterly impoverished his Treasure by messengers sent on purpose sharply reproved him for it Constantius having desired the messengers to expect a few days for his answer in the mean space sent notice through his whole dominions to all his subjects especially such as abounded with wealth that he stood in great need of money and that a more fitt opportunity could never be offred them to testify their duty and affection to him Hereupon without any delay and with extreme chearfullnes and ardour each contended with other who should send most so that in a short time his Treasure was filld with innumerable summes of money This being perform'd Constantius invited the Messengers to be spectatours of his wealth desiring them to testify to the Emperour what they had seem Telling them withall that all those riches had been deposited by him in the owners hands as the most safe guardians The Messengers seeing the wonderfull aflection shew'd to Constantius by his subjects were astonishd at it When they were gone the kind and bountifull Emperour restored all that maâ—se of treasure to the owners expressing withall an affectionat resentment of their duty and good will to him 3. Another worthy action of the same Prince denoting both the sharpnes of his iudgment and religious disposition is to this effect related by the same Authour Bring desirous to order his family and Court distracted into factions by persons of various Sects and Religions he publish'd an Edict That whosoever would continue in his office should conform himself to the Roman Idolatry for he was resolved that no other should remain in his Court. As for others they should be permitted to enioy the liberty and possession of what they had but they must avoyd his presence This Ordinance caused great trouble in the minds of such Christians as ambitiously affected worldly honour and wealth who therfore preferring Mammon before God relinquishd their profession to conform themselves to Caesars Religion But severall other sincere and genuine Disciples of Christ shewd themselves willing rather to forsake their Princes seruice then Gods Which being observ'd by Constantius he chased from his Court all those fainthearted hypocriticall dissemblers saying they would never preserve their fidelity to him which had basely betrayd their Faith to God And those who continued constant he prefer'd to dignities committing the care of his safety to them 6. From hence it came that the Brittains who generally were Christians became Guards both to him and other Emperours This is affirm'd by Nicetas Choniates who therfore calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Brittish Guards which always encompass'd the Emperour being arm'd with long halberts 7. Such piety and constancy of Brittish Christians being observ'd by Constantius might probably be one strong motive inducing him to forsake Idolatry For so much is implied by Eusebius saying Constantius having for a long space shewd forth illustrious signs of vertues becoming a Prince at last he wholly renounced the impious Idolatry and worship of many Gods willingly acknowledging the onely true God Governour of all the world and firmly establsshd his Court by
from whence Capgrave hath extracted the following Narration 2. In the primitive times of Christianity the Apostles Doctrin being dispers'd through all the regions of the world Brittany was likewise converted from Paganism to Christianity and of that Nation many beleiving in our Lord and in their lives conforming themselves to the Apostles precepts shined gloriously by many miracles Of which number we are confidently assured that Blessed Melorus was He was descended from a Noble family of the Brittains for his Father call'd Melianus enjoyd the Dukedom of Cornwall In the seaventh year of whose Rule an Assembly of the nobility being mets to consult about the generall affairs of the Province Rinaldus brother to the Duke coming with force upon him slew him and invaded the Dukedom 3. Now Melianus had then a young Son a child of seaven years old named Melorus Him also after his Fathers death his Tyrannous Vncle sought to kill fearing least being come to mans estate he should deprive him of the Principality With this deliberation he brought the child with him into Cornwall Where at the same time was assembled a Synod of Bishops Who all interceded for the life of the child so that the Tyrant contented himself with cutting off his right hand and left foot in place whereof there was framed for the child a hand of silver and a foot of brasse After this Melorus was educated in a certain Monastery of Cornwall till he was fourteen years old spending his time in the reading Holy Scripture every day growing in innocence vertue and piety 4. But then Rinoldus by many gifts and promises of large possessions tempted and obtain'd from Cerialtanus to whose care the child was committed an assurance of his death Which he impiously accomplished by cutting off his head which he sent to Rinoldus challenging his promis'd reward The person employ'd for carrying the Martyrs head was a Son of Cerialtanus who by a just iudgment of God fell from the Castle wall with the head in his hands and broke his neck 5. After this the Holy childs Nurse came to the house where the Body lay and there she saw a Vision of Heavenly Angells and lights gloriously shining And having buried the Body in a decent place the day following they saw it laid above ground Three severall times they buried it and still the same accident arrived By common advice therefore they laid the Sacred Body upon a Cart to which were tyed two young Bulls never used to the Yoke These they permitted to goe at liberty without any leader whither Gods Providence should direct them The Bulls then on a sudden becoming tame caried it to a certain place where being arrived they stood still But the company attending the Cart not liking the place which they thought unfitt for his buriall employ'd their hands arms and shoulders against the wheeles to force them to roule forward But they found the Cart by divine vertue so fixed that by no strength or art it could be moved After diverse attempts made to no purpose at last giving thanks to God they buried the Sacred Body with great solemnity in the same place There many devout people repairing and imploring the Martyrs help and intercession in their afflictions and infirmities frequently with ioy obtain'd their desired remedy 6. The Head of the Martyr was caried to the Tyrant Rinoldus which he having touch'd died miserably three days after After whose death the Bishops and Clergy caried the Head and buried it together with his Body Severall dayes after this certain Preachers not of Brittish blood took the Coffer wherin the Sacred Relicks repos'd which they caried in Procession through many places and at last according as they were enjoyn'd they arriv'd at Ambrisburg where they layd the Holy Relicks upon an Altar Thus find we related the Gests of S. Melorus in Capgrave 7. Now Ambrisburg is a well known town among the Belgae in Wiltshire in the Territory of Winchester so call'd from Ambrose the Son of Constantinus the late mention'd Vsurper of the Empire concerning whom we shall hereafter treat M Camden adds out of an ancient Book called Eulogium that there was erected a Monastery of three hundred Monks which afterward was pillaged by a certain barbarous Tyrant call'd Gurmundus Moreover that at Ambrisburg S. Melorus and his Sacred Relicks were in a speciall manner venerated Bishop Vsher affirms saying The solemnity of the celebrating the Relicks of S. Melorus by the inhabitants of Ambrisburg obscured in time the memory of Ambrius or Ambrosius XXVII CHAP. 1. Victorinus Governour in Brittany recalled 2.3 c. Brittany poyson'd with Pelagianism by Agricola a Bishop 4. Severall arch-Arch-Bishops of London 1. AFter Constantins death severall other Tyrants arose in France as Maximus Iovinus and Sebastian but by the courage of Constantius they were quickly subdued As for Brittany it again return'd to the Obedience of the Roman Empire Constantius therefore sent Victorinus Governour thither a man gratefull to the Brittains and formidable to the Picts and Scotts whose violences he easily repress'd as the Poet Rutilius testifies But being too soon recall'd by Honorius and the Roman Legion with him the Brittains in a short time became miserably and iâ—remediably expos'd to their barbarous cruelties 2. Pope Innocentius dying after he had the space of fifteen years governed the Roman Church Zosimus succeeded him who with the like care endeavoured to preserve the Church from the infection of Pelagianism In whose place after two years was chosen Pope Bonifacius who saith Prosper made use not only of Apostolick but also Imperiall Edicts against the same Enemies of Divine Grace 3. In his time this Island of Brittany became poyson'd with their presumptuous Doctrines The unhappy instrument of which calamity was one Agricola the Son of a Bishop call'd Severianus Bale is mistaken when he affirms this Agricola to have been a Brittain a Monk of Bangor and companion of Pelagius for he was by Nation a Gaul And the same Authour with the like Errour confounds Agricola with Leporius who infected Gaule with the same Heresy But afterward going into Africa was there rectified in his iudgment by S. Augustin 4. In Brittany there were at this time severall Bishops full of piety and learning who oppos'd themselves against this Heresy Among whom the most celebrated was Fastidius Priscus Archbishop of London highly commended by Gennadius and Trithemius as a man skillfull in Holy Scripture and a Zealous Preacher of Divine Truth moreover illustrious in holy conversation and famous for his sharpnes of iudgment and elocution Bale adds that he left behind him a Book entitled Pious Admonitions which probably contain'd an Antidot against the contagion of that Heresy It is uncertain what year he dyed and consequently when it was that Voadinus succeeded him in that Bishoprick XXVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Brittains begg help of the Romans a Legion is sent and call'd back
be dark 7. Edwin being thus left alone in obscurity had the greater freedom to entertain his melancholick thoughts which were busied rather how to dye nobly then how to secure his life which he conceived impossible Being taken up with such meditations he on a sudden heard the voyce of one at a little distance who ask'd him Why he staid there alone in the dark when all others were asleep Edwin nothing imagining who this unknown person was desired him to be gone Yet he departed not but continuing his speech he said My Son you have indeed great cause to be greived and to stand in fear of Redwald who is resolved on your â—uine But what reward would you give to one who would restore you without all danger to this Kings fidelity Edwin answerd that it was beyond his power to make an equall recompence But said the other what retribution would you make to him who should not only doe this but make you stronger then your enemy and possessour of his crown yea and encrease your patrimony with the accession of other kingdomes beside Hereto Edwin sayd I can only promise a gratefull mind for such obligations exceed all possible retribution When he had said this the Angell for that it was an Angell the successe demonstrated added these words But what will you doe for him who will not only make you happy and glorious in this world but after this life procure for you immortall glory Will you not at least afford him your attention and submission when he shall propose to you counsells in themselves holy and good for you This being readily promised by Edwin Then the Angel layd his hand upon his head and sayd to him When you shall hereafter see a mans hand thus layd on your head and all the things which I have foretold you accomplish'd then be sure to remember this promise you have made And having said this he vanished leaving Edwin in an uncertainty between hope and feare 8 Now whilst these discourses passed between Edwin and the unknown Messenger from heaven which S. Beda Huntingdon Florilegus and severall Protestant Writers doubt not to call a Divine Oracle the Queen Wife of Redwald undertook the patronage of Edwin representing to her husband his noble qualities the basenes and infamy which would lye on him being a King if for fear he should betray his freind c. In a word she so wrought with him that he renounced the promise made to Ethelfrid embraced Edwin confirming his ancient fidelity and in revenge of the infamy which the Tyrant would have perswaded him to he sent first a defiance to Ethelfrid saith Florilegus provoking him to a combat Whereupon armies were raised on both sides which mett in the Region of the Iutes on the Eastern side of the River Idle 9. Huntingdon gives this Narration of the combat They fought saith he in the Province of the Coritani Nottinghamshire in the bounds of the Mercians on the East of the River Idle which lost its colour by the abundance of blood shed there King Edâ—lfrid wondring and disdaining that any one should dare to oppose him with his choicest and most tryed soldiers with wonderfull boldnes but withall discorderly rushd among his Enemies whose army was ranged to the best advantage and terrible to behold for they were not only more numerous but with shining helmets great groves of spears and innumerable banners they march'd orderly in three great bodies Notwithstanding the King of the Northumbers hastily rushing as to an assured prey among the thickest squadrâ—ns slew Rayner the son of Redwald sending him and his part of the army before him to Hell But Redwald nothing affrighted but rather incensed with this losse kept his ground invincibly with his two other Bodies Which the Northumbrians being not able to peirce through Edilfrid beyond his power striving to enter was separated a good distance from his own soldiers and in a short time waâ— slain his body lying upon a heap of enemies slaughterd by him Assoon as this King was dead his whole army fled 10. This deserved end had the ambition of Edilfrid nourish'd with all manner of crimes after he had raign'd four and twenty years In whose place succeeded Edwin now rightfull King of the Northumbers who was present at this combat and seems to have given name to a town not far distant called Edwinstow though others derive that appellation from another root As for the Sons of Ethelfrid Oswald and Ebba born to him by Acca the sister of Edwin they fled privily into Scotland by which some understand the originall countrey of the Scottish nation Ireland Of whose return we shall treat in due place And thus much of the Divine Oracle was this year fullfilld the rest also will be duly accomplish'd in the proper season IX CHAP. i. 2 c Eadbald King of Kent repents his Apostacy 1. WE will now contemplate the happy change which the right hand of our Lord made in the heart of Eadbald King of Kent upon the sight of the wounds which the stripes inflicted on the Body of the Archbishop S. Laurentius by S. Peter caused It is thus described by S. Bede When the King heard that for his eternall good the Bishop had suffred from the Apostle such wounds and torments he was sore affrighted And renouncing his former accursed Idolatry also repudiating his incestuous Wife he received the Faith of Christ and was baptised After which he was carefull to favour and with his utmost power to promote the affairs of the Church 2. S. Beda had reason to mention his favour and liberality to the Church for there is to this day extant a Charter of his dated this year in which after a commemoration of the occasion of his Conversion by seing the stripes inflicted on S. Laurence he declares that for the remedy of the soules of his father his own and others of his kinred he granted for the use of the Monastery of Saint Peter and S. Paul a portion of land of thirty ploughs in Kent call'd Northborne and withall confirmed all the Gifts Priviledges and liberties formerly granted by his Father to the same Church c. 3. Moreover to testify his care of the advancing the Christian Faith in his kingdom he sent saith Saint Beda into France from whence he recalled Mellitus and Iustus ordaining that they should return to their Churches and freely instruct and govern the flocks committed to them Accordingly they came back about a year after their departure And Iustus indeed went to his Church at Rochester formerly committed to him But the inhabitants of London would not receive their Bishop Mellitus for they rather chose to obey their Idolatrous Preists X. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Laurence his voyage to procure Vnity with the Irish and Scottish Bishops the good Successe of it 5 6 His death Saint Mellitus his Successour 1. AFter this S. Laurence survived no long time for he dyed in
the beginning of the following year But the short remainder of his life he spent very proffitably for Gods Churches For not contenting himself with providing for the spirituall good of his own See he extended his zeale and care beyond the limits of the Island Insomuch as some Authours write that to procure an Vnion and charitable correspondance between the Churches of the Saxons Brittains Scotts and Irish he undertook a painfull voyage into Ireland to perswade them to a conformity with the Vniversall Church in celebrating the Paschall solemnity 2. But perhaps their meaning was that by his appointment a Conference or Synod was assembled in which certain Irish and Scottish Bishops met to compose differences about that point Which Synod according to the Centuriators of Magdeburg was celebrated in the Isle of Man in which S. Laurence earnestly contended for an uniformity with the Catholick Church in that Observation and wrote letters to the same effect to the Irish and Scottish Bishops who were absent 3. Neither were his endeavours vain for as the Authour of his Life in Capgrave relates By S. Laurence his preaching and exhortations in Ireland Scotia his fame was largely spread insomuch as S. Tenan an Arch-bishop of Ireland came to him A man of so great Sanctity that he is reported to have raised to life three dead persons Which Holy Bishop having heard S. Laurence disputing touching the Paschall observation and other Apostolick Institutions yeilded the Victory to Truth and endeavoured to â—eform the practise of his own Nation 4. And no wonder it is that Truth defended by such a man should prevayle since he by Gods assistance confirmed it with Divine Miracles Among which the restoring of a dead man to life at his return from the same Synod is recorded by the said Authour The man of God Laurence being returned saith he found the son of a man who had kindly entertained him dead and the parents in great sorrow Who with a loud voyce cryed to him O holy man restore our son to us that we may more firmly beleive in Iesus Christ whom thou hast preached to us Hereupon the Holy Bishop having first offred up his prayers to God said to the Child Arise who presently rose up and withall testified that being dead his soule was violently drawn by horrible spirits to the flames of Hell but upon the prayer of the holy man Laurence it was by Angels shining with brightnes brought back to the body Hereupon the child together with his Father mother whole family and kinred were baptised and the Holy Bishop passing through the whole region dispersed saving doctrine every where which he confirmed with Miracles 5. These are the last Gests recorded of S. Laurence who in the beginning of the following year of Grace six hundred and nineteen deposed his mortality and was buried in his own Church neer his Predecessour S. Augustin with an Epitaph inscribed which commemorated his forementioned scourging by S. Peter Not the English only but Roman Church likewise celebrates his memory on the second of February for thus we read in the Martyrologe At Canterbury in England is this day celebrated the commemoration of S. Laurence who after S. Augustin govern'd that Church and converted also the King to the Faith Vpon which passage Baronius thus writes In the Catalogue of the Writers of Brittany is signified that the Life of S. Laurence was compiled by Gâ—tzelin a Monk of S. Bertins in Flanders which probably is the same still extant in Capgrave 6. It hapned commodiously that S. Mellitus Bishop of London was returned into Brittany before the death of S. Laurence For since the Kings of the East-Saxons would not admit him neither could Eadbald whose power was not so great as his Fathers constrain them to it now upon the vacancy of the See also at the the request of Eadbald and no man opposing he succeeded S. Laurence therein whilst S. Iustus governed the See of Rochester These two Bishops as we read in the Antiquities of Brittany with an equall care and solicitude exercised their Episcopall function and received exhortatory letters from Pope Boniface who after Deusdedit governed the Roman Church Those to Mellitus are not now extant But the Letters directed to S. Iustus shal be mentioned in due place 7. King Eadbald the year foregoing this had begun the building a Chappel to the honour of the Blessed Mother of God in the Monastery of S. Peter which being now finish'd was consecrated by S. Mellitus S. Beda makes mention of it And how gratefull it was to the Blessed Virgin Mary was oftimes made manifest by praises sung to God in it by the glorified Saints and many Miracles saith the Authour of S. Mellitus his life XI CHAP. 1.2 c King Edwins Conquests 1. IN the mean time Edwin King of the Northumbers according to a Divine Oracle being exalted from a state of Exile to that Kingdom encreased his dominions For in the year six hundred and twenty he fought against Cadwan the Brittish King who had compelled King Ethelfrid to retire more Northward quitting certain Provinces of the Brigantes Yorkshire lying towards Wales Which Provinces Edwin now again recovered having overcome him in battell The Region thus recovered was anciently called Elmeâ— saith Camden and it is seated near Leeds a principall town in Yorkshire in the Saxon tongue called Loyds which became a Royal Town after the burning of Cambodunum Almonbury or Albanbury in this Kings days where S. Paulinus built a Church to the honour of our Proto-Martyr S. Alban 2. The year following the same King Edwin fought prosperously against the Scotts and Picts lead by their King Eugenius and recovering from them the Provinces of Galloway and Laudon added them to his own Dominions That Region was in the times of the Romans call'd Valentia belong'd to the Brittains Some Wrâ—terâ— say that the Scottish King Eugenius was at this time dead and that these Provinces were won from Ferquhard his Son and this with lesser difficulty by reason of civill dissentions between the said Ferquhard and his Nobles He is sayd to have been educated and instructed by Conan the Holy Bishop of Sodor in the Isle of Man and that afterward by means of frequent conversation with Brittish Preists he fell into the Heresy of Pelagius with which never any Scottish King before had been tainted Thus Hector Boëtius Although no other Historian does in this age impute that Errour to the Brittains 3. King Edwins conquests were the next year yet further extended For according to Saint Beda's relation he subdued the Islands called Mevaniae or Meneviae to the English Empire One of which Islands lying more toward the South namely Anglesey is both more happy in producing plenty of corn and other fruits and in quantity larger as containing according to the English estimation the measure of nine hundred and sixty families Whereas the other to wit
such a fault but moreover encreased his Merit since it hapned to him for iustice sake and for his zeale to obserâ—e the Precepts of our Lord. Thus writes S. Beda and the same iudgment is given also by William of Malmsbury 7. The Successour to this good King Sigebert was Suidelm the son of Sexbald who was baptised by the same Holy Bishop Cedd in the Province of the East-angles in a village belonging to the King called Rendelesham or the mansion of Rendilus And Edelwald King of the East-angles the Brother of Anna formerly King was his God father who received him ascending out of the Sacred Font. His raign continued only three years XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Province of the West-Saxons divided into two Dioceses Dorchester and winchester For which the Holy Bishop Agilbert retires into France 1. IN the same year of our Lord six hundred sixty and one which was the eighteenth of the raign of Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons the said King perfected the Structure of the Church of Winchester begun by his Father Kinegils and not only ratified his Fathers donation thereto but moreover added the Mannours of Dornton Altesford and Wordyam thus writes B. Godwin 2 And at the same time the Church of the West-Saxons by the industry of Agilbert Bishop of the same Province was so mightily encreased that the King thought good to divide that Province into two Dioceses One other Motive hereto the King had because Agilbert being a stranger could not but very imperfectly speak the Saxon tongue For saith Saint Beda At last the King who understood no other but his Native language being weary to heare the Bishops barbarous pronunciation of the Saxon tongue or his expressing himself in French which the King understood not brought into the Province another Bishop of his own tongue named Wini who was ordained in France Thus he divided the Province into two Dioceses and to Wini he gave for his Episcopall See the Citty Venta called by the Saxons Wintancestir or Winchester Herewith the Holy Bishop Agilbert being greivously offended because the King had done this without his advice returned into France where he received the Bishoprick of Paris and died there an old man and full of dayes 3. Andrew Saussay in his Martyrologe assigns another cause of Bishop Agilberts indignation and departure for saith he the King being corrupted with money gave a portion of that Bishoprick to Wina Which abominable Simony Agilbert having an Excoration quitted his Episcopall Seat and returned presently into his native countrey retiring himself to Paris as a secure harbour But herein he much wrongs the memory of King Kenewalch who is not taxed by any of our Historians for that Crime Indeed it was justly imputed to Wina who by such an execrable negotiation purchased the Bishoprick not of Winchester but of London for so S. Beda testifies saying Not many years after the departure of Agilbert out of Brittany Wini was thrust out of his Bishoprick of Winchester by Kenewalch and retiring to the King of the Mercians named Wulfere bought with money of him the See of London where he remained Bishop till his death 4. As for the Holy Bishop Agilbert after his relinquishing of his See at Dorchester he did not presently goe into France but as Huntingdon relates he retired to Alfrid the son of Oswi King of the Northumbers who was his freind And three years after this we read that he was present at a Synod or solemne Conference touching the Celebration of Easter and the Preistly Tonsure of which we shall treat shortly where he declared himself for the Roman Observation against the Scotts XIV CHAP. 1.2 c. The South Saxons last converted And their King Edilwalch baptised 8 9. c. The Martyrdom of Vlfald and Rufin sons of King Wulfere 1. THE same year was illustrious in the Conversion of the South-Saxons That was one of the first Saxon-Principalities settled in Brittany by Ella then the most potent of all the Kings and it was the last which admitted the Christian Faith The manner how that Kingdom came to be converted is thus described by Henry of Huntingdon Kenwald or Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons in the twentieth year of his raign fought against Wulfere King of Mercia the Son of Penda a Prince who inheâ—â—ed both his Fathers courage and successe in Martiall affaires in which battell the King of the West-Saxons was defeated and compelled to fly Whereupon Wulfere entred his countrey in a hostile manner insomuch as penetrating to the utmost confines of it he invaded and conquered the Isle of Wight In which expedition by Wulfers industry and zeale Adelwold or as S. Beda calls him Edilwalch King of Sussex was converted first of all to the Faith Vpon whom at his Baptism Wulfere being his God father bestowed as a sign of adoption the Isle of With or Wight and withall for the conversion of the said Island he sent thither a Preist named Epa to preach the Gospell But his preaching as yet had not any good successe 2. It is no easy matter to find out who the person was that baptised this King The Historiall Books of S. Swithun of Winchester in Speed of S. Hilda relate how Athelwold was the first King of Sussex who was converted to the Faith of Christ and baptised in Mercia by S. Birinus a Monk and Apostle of the Gevisses in the presence and by the suggestion of Wolfere King of the Mercians But this cannot consist with the truth of Story and Chronology because S. Bâ—rinus was dead long before Wulfere was King of the Mercians Others ascribe his Baptism to S. Wilfrid Bishop of York But these Writers place his Baptism too late as the former did too early for S. Wilfrid was not yet Bishop And though they would ground their asserâ—tion on the authority of S. Beda yet S. Beda plainly disproves them affirming that this King was baptised before S. Wilfrid came into his Province 3. His words are these S. Wilfrid turning out of his way into the Province of the South-Saxons and finding the people as yet addicted to Pagan Idolatry preached to them the word of Faith and baptised many Now the King of that Nation Edilwalch not long before had been baptised in the Province of the Mercians in the presence and by the perswasion of King Wulfere By whom as he came out of the Font he was received and for a mark of adoption had bestowed on him the Isle of Wight and the Province of the Meanvari belonging formerly to the West-Saxons but lately conquered by Wulfere Which little Province seems to be a small Territory in Hampshire containing three Hundreds East-mean West-mean and Means-borough which preserve still the Marks of the old name in S. Beda Meanvari 4. Therefore in all probability King Edilwalch was by the Sacred Waters of Baptism admitted into the number of Christians by Trumhere Bishop of the Mercians whom before
Tine and Teise 10. It was no doubt not so much by perswasion of our Writers as by evidence of wonderfull Miracles wrought by the intercession of this illustrious Saint that our Kings honoured his Monument with such extraordinary Priviledges Such esteem our greatest among the Saxon and Danish Princes before the times of the Normans had of Saint Cuthbert And particularly of the last of these King Canutus it is related that going in devotion to visitt his body he approached his monument with bare feet a signe of his excellency and incorruption of his Body 11. Four hundred and eighteen years after his death his Sacred Body was again raised out of his Monument and shewed openly to all who had a mind to see it at which time it was found still uncorrupted This Translation was made by Radulph afterward Arch-bishop of Canterbury saith William of Malmsbury And four hundred twenty-three years after that when by command of King Henry the eight the Sâ—rines of all our Saints through England were broken and robbed his body was again found entire onely a small part of the extremity of his nose was wanting and on his finger was found a gold ring in which a Saphire was enchased which Harpsfeild boasts that he had seen and touched and the late learned Bishop of Chalcedon with greater reason gloried in the possession of it having received it in gift from the late Lord Antony Viscount Montagu who had it from Robert Hare a Noble Catholick Gentleman and he from Thomas Watson Bishop of Lincoln who in Queen Elizabeths time suffred much for the Catholick Faith 12. So unquestionably illustrious was his Sanctity that even Protestant Writers deny him not their testimony B. Godwin affirms that he discharged the Episcopall Office committed to him with great praise of Sanctity and industry And if any one be desirous to read the miracles performed by him he may find them at the end of the fourth Book of Saint Beda's Ecclesiasticall History He addes That he was a diligent preacher of Gods word And Foxe in his Acts writes thus Cuthbert Iaruman Cedda and Wilfrid lived in the same age all whom I esteem to have been Bishops of holy Conversation Aâ— touching their miracles since they are not written in the Gospell or Creed but in certain ancient Chronicles of that age they are no part of my Faith But as for their lives this I read and beleive that the Brittish and English Clergy of that time had no worldly designs but gave themselves wholly to preaching and teaching the word of our Saviour and in their lives and actions they performed what they taught so giving good examples to others c. 13. Both the Scotts and Irish would arroâ—gate him to their own countreys The Scotts because he was in his childhood bred at Mailros a place now belonging to Scotland But they forget that in this age the Province of Laudon in which Mailros is seated was under the dominion of the English and was afterward in the year of Grece nine hundred seaventy five given to Kened King of the Scotts by Edgar King of England as Mathew of Westminster witnesses 14. As for the Irish some of their writers affirm that Saint Cuthbert was born in Ireland of a certain Kings daughter defloured by force and left in England at Mailros whilst his Mother performed a pilgrimage to Rome But Saint Beda a witnes beyond all exception in the beginning of his Poëm of Saint Cuthberts life expressly sayes that he was born in Brittany and likewise affirms that he oft visitted a devout woman in England who had nourished him in the very beginning of his childhood whom therefore he oft called Mother And moreover that being a child he had the care of guarding Cattell committed to him And being come to mans age he entred the Monastery of Mailros Yea his Name alone compounded of English-Saxon words Cuth that is knowledge and Bert or bright manifestly declares his Originall to have been English 15 The Anniversary celebration of his Memory is in our English Martyrologe assign'd to the twentieth day of March And with him is ioynd S. Herebert the holy Hermite before mentioned who in the same day moment in which S. Cuthbert dyed in the Isle of Farne departed likewise this life in an Island seated in a very great lake in Cumberland out of which first issues the River Derwent Which was obtained by the merits and prayers of S. Cuthbert X. CHAP. i. 2 c. Saint Theodore repents his persecuting Saint Wilfrid and is reconciled to him recommending him to the Kings of the Mercians and Northumbers By whom he is restored to his rights 1. THE same year in which by the death of S. Cuthbert the Northern Provinces were deprived of so eminent a Light a compensation was made by the return of Saint Wilfrid from his long but not unproffitable five years exile For Saint Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury who had so earnestly opposed him was at last a little before his death mollified by the good Bishops patience and struck with admiration of his Sanctity and successfull labours in the Conversion of so many nations from Idolatry to the obedience of Christ. Insomuch as he was desirous instead of restoring him to his Northern Province to make him his Successour in the See of Canterbury Almighty God likewise touched the heart of Alfrid King of the Northumbers to desire and endeavour to procure the Holy Bishops return This together with the circumstance of time is thus breifly related by Saint Beda Wilfrid saith he in the second year of the raign of Alfria who succeeded Egfrid by the invitation of the said King received again his See and Bishoprick In the quiet possession whereof he remained the space of five years after which by a New tempest he was driven out of the haven as in due place shall be declared 2. As touching Saint Theodores repentance and reconciliation with Saint Wilfrid the particular circumstances thereof are thus sett down by William of Malmsbury At this time Egfrid King of the Northumbers had been slain in his warr against the Picts and Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury declined toward his end when being wounded in conscience for his injustice committed against Saint Wilfrid he summoned him and Bishop Erconwald to meet him at London There being mett together he confessed to them all his sins acknowledging withall that the thing which caused in his mind the sharpest remorse was his injustice against the said Holy Bishop in that he had partly by open endeavours procured or by secret connivance permitted him to be despoyled of his Bishoprick against the Ecclesiasticall Canons And because said he I am by a warning from heaven and my frequent infirmities admonished that my death will not be delayd beyond the next year I beseech you O holy Bishop Wilfrid mildly to forgive mee my fault and moreover to take upon you the charge of my
Martin in the Town of Dover and enriched the Monks living there with large possessions XIX CHAP. 1. Brithwald consecrated Arch bishop of Canterbury 2.3 Pope Sergius his Letters to the Saxon Kings and Bishops 4. Brithwald ordains Bishops 1. PEace and tranquility being thus restored to the Kingdom of Kent the Consecration of a New-Arch-bishop in the place of S. Theodore dead two years since was very seasonable and necessary His Successours name was Brithwald who saith S. Beda was an Abbot in a certain Monastery seated near the place called Raculf where the River Genlade discharges it self into the Sea He was a man well versed both in holy Scriptures and likewise in Ecclesiasticall and Monasteriall Disciplines Yet much inferiour to his Predecessour He was chosen Bishop in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred ninety two on the first of Iuly Wichtred and Suebhard being then Kings of Kent But his Ordination was deferred to the year following for the attaining of which he was forced to passe over the Sea to Rome thence returned into France where he was consecrated by Godwin a Metropolitan there on the third day before the Calends of Ianuary and took possession of his own See on the day before the Calends of September being a Sunday 2. The same year there came Letters from Pope Sergius directed to Ethelred Alfrid and Adulf English Kings to whose protection and favour he earnestly recommended the New Arch-bishop The Motive of writing this Letter seems to have been the divisions and turmoyles of Kent of the composing of which it seems the Pope was ignorant and therefore did not addresse it to Withred King of Kent 3. Other Letters also came then from the same Pope to all the Bishops of Brittany in which he acquaints them with how much gladnes he entertained the said Elect Arch-bishop newly arrived at Rome as likewise the tidings of the Orthodox Vnity which was amōg them Consequētly he signified to them that according to the ancient Priviledge of that Church of Cāterbury from the dayes of his Holy Predecessour S. Gregory to the present time he had invested him with the Primacy of all the Churches of Brittany conferred on him the Sacred use of the Pall and Dalmatick Vestment Whereupon he required and commanded them to yeild to him all due honour and obedience as their Supreme Prelat and Primat These two Letters are cited by William of Malmsbury in his Discourse touching the dignity of the See of Canterbury 4. The first care of this New Arch-bishop was to supply the vacant Sees with worthy Prelats and saith S. Beda among many Bishops ordained by him he consecrated in the place of Gebmund Bishop of Rochester then dead Tobias a man skilfull in the Greek Latin and Saxon tongues and adorned with great variety of litterature To Tobias we may adioyn Waldher about this time ordained Bishop of London and successour to the holy Bishop Erconwald concerning whose Princely extraction vertues and Sanctity attested by many miracles before and after his death we have already spoken S. Erconwalds body was buried in his Church at London but in the year of Grace eleaven hundred forty eight his Sacred Relicks were taken up and translated to a more honourable place where for many miracles they were held in great veneration as Mathew of Westminster testifies in the same year XX. CHAP. 1.2 c. King Sebbe becomes a Monk His sicknes and Blessed death 6. Impious folly of the Centuriators of Magdeburg 7. c. A miracle at the enterrement of the Holy King Sebbe 9. The Holy Bishop Egwin succeeds to Ostfor in the See of Worcester 1. THE same year afforded to the world an illustrious example of the contēpt of perishing honours and pleasures in the person of a Prince who had many years enjoyd them and by experience knew the iust valew or rather the reall basenes of them and unsatisfaction to be found in them This was an example as ordinary in that age as to be esteemed miraculous in this 2. The person who afforded this example was Sebbe King of the East-Saxons concerning whose piety and desire to relinquish his purple for a poor Religious habit we have spoken already This desire at last he this year executed The order and manner whereof is thus related by S. Beda 3. When Sebbe had spent thirty years in the government of the East-Saxons all which time by his piety and devotion he shewed himself a soldier contending for a heavenly kingdom he was at last assaulted by a greivous sicknes which left him not till it brought him to his grave Being in this condition he admonished his wife that she should no longer oppose his retirement from the world but rather ioyn with him in dedicating the remainder of their lives in the service of God since neither of them could any longer enioy any content in the pleasures or rather slavery of the present world It was with much adoe that he obtained her liking hereto But having at last with much importunity wrested her consent he went to Valdhere then Bishop of London and successour to S. Erconwald and with his approbation and benediction he received the Habit of Religion so long and so earnestly desired by him He brought to the said Bishop a great summ of money to be distributed among the poore reserving nothing at all to himself so great was his desire to become truly poor in spirit for the kingdom of heaven 4. When his sicknes encreased on him so far that he perceived his death to approach being a person of a truly royall mind and therefore apprehending least the pains of his end night enforce him either by words gestures or actions to behave himself otherwise then became a person of his quality and condition he being then at London sent for the foresaid Bishop and desired him that besides himself and two of his own servants no other should be present at his death 5. This request the venerable Prelat willingly granted And not long after the devout King in his sleep by a comfortable Vision was freed from all the anxiety of his former solicitude and moreover had notice given him of the precise day in which he was to end his life For as himself afterward related he saw three men in shining vestments coming to him of which one sate down before his bed whilst the other two his companions stood by and askd him how he did Then he that was sett down said to him Be of good chear for your soule shall without any pain at all and with great splendour forsake your body and on the third day following you shall dye And the event really made good both these promises which he received in the vision For on the third day immediatly after Noon without any sence of pain he breathed forth his soule as if he had quietly rested in sleep 6. Thus happily dyed this Religious King whose death no doubt was precious in
years he should live and many other things which should befall him And when the Prince desired some sign to assure him that these things should be accomplished the Holy man added Let this be a mark and sign to thee that to morrow before nine a clock in the morning the inhabitants of this place now in want shall be beyond their hope supplied with abundance of provisions Now when the Prince saw this really fullfilld his mind before wavering was confirmed with great hope and confidence And indeed a short while after Almighty God took out of the way King Ceolred his persecutor and dispersed all his enemies so that within the â—â—ne promised the Royall dignity was restored to him as shall shortly be declared and likewise how Ethelbald gratefully and magnificently accomplished his Promise XXII CHAP. 1.2 The Death of the Royall Virgin Saint Eanfleda c. 3. The death of Waldhere Bishop of London to whom Inguald succeeds 4. Beorna King of the East Angles after Elwold 1. THE same year the Royall Virgin and holy Abbesse S. Eanfleda likewise left this valâ—â—y of tears to goe and enioy the eternall embraces of her heavenly Bridegroom to whom she had been consecrated from her infancy We have already declared how she being born immediately before her Father Oswi King of the Northumbers was ready to ioyn battell with the bloody King of the Mercians Penda he made a vow that in case God would give him the Victory he would devote her to his service in a Religious life And the Victory ensuing he gave her to the care of S. Hilda Abbesse of the Monastery of Heortsig and afterward of Steneshalch in which S. Eanfleda lived some years in obedience and afterward became Abbesse thereof Where saith S. Beda having accomplished threescore years in great devotion and purity she was translated to heaven to celebrate her mariage with our Lord to whom she had been all her life espoused In the same Monastery both she and her Father Oswi her Mother Eanfled and her Mothers Father Edwin and many other Noble personages were buried in the Church of S Peter the Apostle and her name is anniversarily recited among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the eighth of February 2. Among the Epistles of S. Boniface there is one which seems to have been written by this Holy Virgin to an Abbesse named Adolana who lived in forrain parts somewhere in the way to Rome for therein she recommends to her care and charity another Religious woman formerly brought up in her Monastery who in devotion to the Blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul had undertaken a pilgrimage to Rome to visit their Holy Sepulchers 3. The year following Waldhere Bishop of London dyed who had succeeded the glorious Bishop S. Erconwald in that See and who as S. Beda testifies gave the Habit of Monasticall Profession to Sebbe the devout King of the East-Saxons a little before his death His Successour was Inguald who governed the same Diocese about thirty years and is reckoned the sixth among the Bishops of London 4. About the same time also hapned the death of Elwold King of the East-Angles in whose place his Brother Beorna raigned who was the youngest son of Ethelhere XXIII CHAP. 1.2 Warr between King Ina and Ceolfrid 3. Horrible crimes of Ceolfrid 1. THE same year there arose great troubles in Brittany by reason of a bloody war between Inas King of the West-Saxons and Ceolred King of the Mercians These were both in power and extent of Dominion the most puissant Kings among the Saxons An equality therefore bred a mutuall emulation and desire in each of them to advance themselves by the ruine of the other King Ina was the invader Neither did he find Ceolred unprepared so that they quickly came to a battell And the place of their combat was a Town in Wiltshire called Wodensbury from Woden the Idol of the Pagan-Saxons answering to Mercury It is seated near Wansdike and is the same place where in the year of Grace five hundred ninety one Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons fought his last battell which having lost he dyed presently after 2. In this place did Inas and Ceolred meet to decide their controversy whether should be Master And saith Huntingdon the battell was fought on both sides with such horrible obstinacy that it could scarce be determined â—â— wâ—ether part the destruction was greater 3. Ceolred esteemed it as a victory that he could resist so powerfull a King as Ina from whom he little apprehended a second invasion considering the great deminution of his forces by the last combat So that he esteemed himself secure and freely gave himself up to his lusts and abominable sacriledge By which he filled up the measure of his sins and felt the year following in a terrible manner the avenging hand of Gods justice His lusts he extended even to Religious Virgins consecrated to the immortall God who therefore ought to be exempted from the touch of any mortall man And as for his Sacriledge in inâ—ringing the priviledges of Religious houses and invading their possessions our Historians doe not particularly exemplify in any So that it is probable that it was the late-built Monastery of Evesham which was violated by him notwithstanding the great Priviledges and Exemptions conferred on it both by the Papall and Regall authority and notwithstanding the solemne maledictions denounced by the founder thereof Saint Egwin yet alive who in consecrating it is recorded to have pronounced these words If any King Prince or other shall be incited by the Spirit of avarice so as to diminish the Rights of this Monastery which God forbid Let him be judged before the Tribunal of God and never come into the memory of Christ but let his name be for ever blotted out of the Book of the living and himself bound with the chains of eternall torments except he repent and satisfy for his crime in this life 4. But before we relate the effect of this Curse upon this unhappy King it will be expedient to recount the story of a wonderfull vision hapning about this time to a certain man who was restored from death to life on purpose that by relating the wonders of the other world he might deterr sinners from the obstinacy of their rebellion against God By which vision it appears that this King Ceolred was some time before his death destined to eternall torments It is not without some scruple that I am moved to insert in this History Narrations of this Nature But the unquestionable authority and Sanctity of the Relatâ—ur obliges mee not to omitt it though the Centuriators of Magdeburg without any shew of a rationall disproof of it doe voluntarily and at adventure condemne it as a fable XXIV CHAP. 1.2 c. The Narration of a terrible Vision of a man when his soule was separated from the body and afterward restored related hy S. Boniface 1. THIS wonderfull relation is
related by Sir H. Spelman out of an ancient Manuscript of the Life of S. Alban in this manner King Offa having then assembled at Verulam a Council of his Bishops and Nobles by their unanimous consent and out of his great affection to Saint Alban he conferred on that Monastery very large possessions considering that great hospitality was to be kept there Because near thereto lyes the broad high way called Watlingstrete by which men came from the Northern parts and returned Therefore he esteemed it a pious thing that travellours might find there a house to be entertaind freely For this reason he addicted that place to the Monastery which he dignified with many Priviledges and immunities Moreover he gathered a Congregation of Monks out of severall houses where Regular Observance was kept with best care especially from the Monastery of Becc in Neustria or Normandy in France and ordained an Abbot over them named Willigode a man who was indeed according to his Name of good Will He was descended of the Royall family being near of kin to King Offa. 7. The particular possessions given by the King at this time to the said Monastery are specified in his Charter which remains to this day And besides the Priviledges before related he added these that what soever exactions or for feytures due to the King from any criminall person within the liberties of the same Monastery should be payed thereto That the Abbot or Monk who was Arch deacon under him should exercise Episcopall Iurisdiction over all persons both Preists and Laymen living within their possessions and that they should pay subiection neither to Archbishop nor Legat but to the Pope alone In a word the said Church as it had all Royall rights from the King so did it likewise enioy Episcopall ornaments from the Pope 8. This Charter the King sent to Rome to be confirmed by Pope Hadrian and this seems to have been one of the last actions performed by the same worthy Pope Who having sate in S. Peters chair twenty three years ten months and seaventeen days was notwithstanding esteemed by all good men to have quitted the government of the Church immaturely Particularly King Charles for the respect which he bore him distributed alms not only through the Churches in Provinces subiect to him but also in forrain countreys for his soule as we have declared in his Letter sent to King Offa. 9. The same year Higbert or Humbert the first Archbishop of Lichfeild dying there succeeded him Aldulf to whom a Pall was sent from Rome notwithstanding before he dyed he was obliged to lay aside that Archiepiscopall ornament and to content himself with the simple Title of Bishop Likewise to Eadbald Bishop of London the same year succeeded Heathobert and to Egbald Bishop of Winchester Dudda IX CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of King Offa and his Children 4.5 c. Egfrid his pious Successour dyes shortly after him being ready to restore the Rights to the See of Canterbury 9. Eanbald Archbishop of York dyes to whom another Eanbald succeeds 1. THE year of Christ seaven hundred ninety six was the last of the raign life of Offa the illustrious King of the Mercians after he had raigned thirty nine years He left a noble memory of his courage in three victories obtained against the Kings of Brittany the King of Kent of the West-Saxons and Northumbers And of his Piety in founding the famous Monastery of S. Alban and charitable contribution to the See Apostolick besides many other Monuments of his Charity and devotion 2. The memory of his name he left to severall places For in Warwickshire having built a Church a town thereto adioyning was called Off-Church and in Suffolck another town was called Offton Lastly he dyed in a village named Offley From whence his Body was removed to the Town of Bedford where it was buried in a Chappell without the Citty-walls with Royall solemnity But in processe of time his Sepulcher was swept away by a violent inundation of the River Vsk. 3. He left behind him by his Queen Quendreda severall children His eldest son and Successour was Egfrid who succeeded to his Fathers vertues but not the years of his raign for he governed the Kingdom not a full half year In Capgrave we read of another Son of his called Fremond slain afterward by the Danes but the story related of him does so disagree from Chronology that it is manifest the Authour of it mingled together the Occurrents of severall ages He had two daughters the one named Ethelburga who in her vices ressembled her impious Mother Queen Quendreda for she not only left a stain upon her own countrey by poysoning her husband King Brithric but upon France also as wee shall declare The other much unlike her sister truly the daughter of her fathers Piety 〈◊〉 Alfleda whom the Holy Martyr King Etheâ—â—â—rt had demanded for his wife and who after his deâ—th preferred the fenns of Croyland before her Fathers Palace 4. His eldest son Egfrid had been assumed by his Father into a society in his Throne nine years before this yet this is called the first and only year of his raign for he did not out-live his Father more then five months Yet in that short time he left many and lasting Monuments of his piety wholly employing the few days of his raign in adorning and amplifying Monasteries and Churches He was a Prince saith William of Malmsbury who studiously avoyded the steps of his Fathers cruelty He restored all the Priviledges of Churches which had been preiudiced by his Father Moreover a possession which his Father had taken from the Monastery of Malmsbury he willingly returned into the hands of Cuthbert then Abbot thereof upon the exhortation of the worthy and courageous Archbishop of Canterbury 5. Above all he most favoured the Monastery of S. Alban to which he not only confirmd all the possessions and liberties given by his Father but himself added new in a place called Pinnelesfeld as appears by his Charter recorded at the end of Mathew Paris and subscribed by the Queen Cynedrida his Bishops and Nobility In a second Charter likewise to the same Monastery in like manner subscribed he added another possession called Thyrefeld The place where this was written and confirmed in a Synod is named Celchyed 6. Athelard Arch-bishop of Canterbury perceiving the pious disposition of this young King suggested to him his obligations to repair the iniuries done by his Father to the Mother-Church of Brittany Canterbury which by all Princes since the beginning of Christianity had been esteemed the only Metropolitan Church of that part of Brittany but lately had been diminished by the uniust exaltation of the See of Lichfeild With which suggestion of the worthy Archbishop King Egfrid was mollified and had restored the honour of the Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury if death had not too hastily taken him away But what Athelard could not
absolute Reprobation predestination to sin impossibility of loosing grace c. as opposed to the Roman faith have thereby given the Presbyterians advantage to brand all moderate Protestants with the unpardonnable crime of Popery These are who though they will not or dare not themselves undervalue the Challenge made by the Church of England of a legitimate succession of Ordinations yet have rendred such succession uselesse to them and indeed ridiculous by giving the right hands of fellowship to Calvinisticall Congregations abroad In which those who call themselves Ministers of Gods word and dispensers of his Sacraments have no more right to such titles than their wives or daughters have Lastly these Prelats have been the persons who not onely favouring but by their own writings promoting the Fanatick position That the Pope is Antichrist have hereby put a sword into the hands of Presbyterian Gladiators by which they can cutt mangle destroy every way whom soever they please as easily as they think they can Catholicks themselves Bishops they can destroy with it as being proud Prelats who by their own confession have received their character and Iurisdiction from Anti-christ And kings they can with a safe conscience destroy in case they will not deliver up unto them Anti-christian Bishops Anti-christian Litanies sober prayers or Ceremonies yea and Anti-christian Lord-ships or mannners too Indeed so advantageous has this Engin of Popish Anti-christianisme been to every Sect which would destroy another that we have seen even the Presbyterians themselves wounded almost to death with it by the Independents Anabaptists c. who confidently charged their Classes and Synods with Anti-christian tyranny 7. Ecclesiasticall matters being reduced to these termes in England can any one esteeme it a wonder if malicious and unquiet Sectaries being shadowed under such Rochets are so securely busy both to encrease their esteeme and credit amonst the ignorant multitudes by their zeale against Popery and withall at the same time closely pursue their old designs upon Church livings and for that end make use of such credit to pluck down that Church which now they would seeme to support Whilst they snarle and grin against Catholicks they bite and hope shortly to devoure Prelatical Protestants and whatsoever Power shal maintain them 8. Such being the present state of Controversie-writings To what purpose should any Catholick interesse himselfe in confuting bookes in which if there be any thing material it is the undermining of that Church which in the frontis-peice is pretended to be asserted for generally it is agreed on by the late Authours that the English Church has no authoritie to oblige any one in conscience to beleive doctrines proposed by her From whence followes necessarily that no man can be obliged to be a member of it and therefore that she can not iustly excommunicate or otherwise punish any one for not yeilding obedience to her or for deserting her and choosing another communion And yet lesse are we concerned in what is written by them directly against us and the faith which we professe since not a word of sober reasoning can be found but what the last age had heard a hundred times obiected and refuted If there may be any thing new it is a Texture of new invented calumnies phrases of foule language And what a folly and pitty likewise is it by contesting to open yet wider such noysom Flood-Gates 9. Yet notwithstanding all this the Cause of Gods Church must not be deserted Therefore far be it from mee in so miserable a distraction of Iudgments and affections to entertain any resolution of surceasing endeavours to promote Catholick vnity and Peace And our Lord be blessed it seemes to mee that this desireable and never more than at this time seasonable duty may be performed without any quarrelling controversie at all And one healthfull meane for this purpose I have here made use of which is a sincere simple relation uncontested by any of the state of our Brittishs Churches since from the Primitive times both as to the Doctrines of faith received by them and externall practises in use among them For I suppose that any sober and rational Christian will not unwillingly grant That that Church which in these times shall appear most conformable to those Primitive Apostolical doctrines and practises ought unquestionably to be esteemed most safe and Orthodoxe Now for a Triall of this there will be no use of sylloziging or disputing The simplest Readers eyes will resolve him that those very points of faith and discipline for which the Roman Catholick Church is so cruelly assaulted on all sides by Sectaries are the very same which Apostolick Doctours at first taught our forefathers and which by their Successours have been so carefully transmitted to us that during the space of more than a thousand yeares comprehended in this History not any congregation at all nor any persons except a few dispersed known Hereticks did ever appear to contradict what we still beleive and practise nor did ever teach any of those opinions which now constitute any of our later English Sects 10. Now this way and Method of arguing implicitely without disputing seems to me of force inexpugnable as being not obnoxious to the peevish Cavils of quarrelsom spirits and efficacious to extort the assent of such as are truly desirous to find the truth For though among all our Sectaries as antiently among professed Hereticks the pretence of each one be to admitt no other Rule of faith but onely his own sence of Scripture the chime whereof seems to every one of them to accord to the tune framed by himselfe though each of them has a tune utterly discordant from all the rest Yet surely that man must renounce his reason forgett his Creed yea he must covertly blaspheme Christ himselfe who shall continue to impute most horrible superstitions and Idolatries to the Catholick Church after that he shal have discovered plainly that she teaches the very same Doctrines and Observances which were at first delivered by Apostolick Preachers For since there never was anciently any other Church in Brittany and the like may be said of other Countries but that which taught the same doctrines such blasphemers of Gods Church must consequently affirm That so many Holy Apostolical Doctours have taught so many glorious Martyrs have shed their blood and so many Blessed Saints have wrought most stupendious Miracles for confirming most damnable superstitions and Idolatries 11. Now what other consequence can flow from hence but this most execrable yet by them unavoydable one that Iesus Christ was not the true Messias for how can they esteeme him the Messias who it seems failed in the principal End for which the Messias was sent which was by shedding his blood to redeem and by the effusion of his spirit to sanctifie a Church and such an one as is prophetically described to be a spiritual kingdom which should never be destroyed a Church in which God would place Pastours till
ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments a wife of another name assign'd to him namely Priscilla Notwithstanding this being the name of Pudens his Mother it is not unprobable that Claudia in succeeding times might for her husbands sake assume his Mothers name However matters in this point stood it can not be denyed that our Countrey has a great Obligation to a late Noble and Learned Writer Francis Moncaeus Lord of a Signory call'd the Cold Valley who has published a Discourse full of ancient literature entitled Ecclesiae Christianae veteris Britannicae incunabula Regia in which he confidently pretends out of Antiquity to demonstrate this our Claudia Ruffina to have descended from the Royall blood of Brittany and to have been the Wife and Mother of Saints far more glorious And moreover this one proof hereto may be added that our Ancient Histories report that Timotheus the eldest son of Pudens came into Brittany where he converâ—ted very many to the Faith and at least disposed King Lucius to his succeeding Conversion Now it is very likely that it was out of regard to his Mother a Brittish Lady that this Apostolicall Saint made so particular a choice of Brittany to be the Province in which he desired to exercise his Christian zeale and charity 10. It only remains to be spoken of this Claudia Ruffina what we find in the Martyrologe of England upon the seaventh of August where we read these words A Commemoration of S. Claudia 11. It is an ambition scarce excusable upon groundlesse suspicions to lay claim to Saints and Patrons as some modern writers would entitle the Wife of Plautius who in Claudius his time as hath been sayd triumphed for Victories over Brittany to an Apostolicall office of converting many in this Island when she was here with her Husband Her name was Pomponia Graecina and according to Tacitus his relation â—he was accused of a strange Religion externae Superstitionis forbidden by the Roman Laws the cognizance of which pretended crime was by the Senat permitted to her husband who according to an ancient Institut in force at Rome in the presence of her kindred sate as Iudge of the fame and life of his Lady and in conclusion pronounced her innocent This Account given of her by Tacitus has induced learned Writers to beleive that this extern Superstition layd to Pomponia Graecina's Charge was no other then the Profession of the Christian Faith the fruits of which in her practise being perfect humility obedience chastity and all other celestiall vertues it is no wonder that her husband should so easily absolve her But that she should be a companion of Plautius when he was sent General into Brittany was against the Roman Laws and Custome as the same Tacitus elsewhere declares Probable it is that staying at Rome in regard of her husbands authority in Brittany she might be visited by Claudia Ruffina and other new converted Brittains and by such means be made partaker of Evangelicall light and become a Disciple of S. Peter 12. But a more unquestionable Disciple of S. Peter we find in ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments by birth a Brittain by name Mansuetus and by office an Apostolicall converter and Patron to the Citty of Toul in Lorrain being the Metropolis of a people called Leuci. Concerning whom Isengrenius as likewise Arnoldus Mirmannus out of old Records gives this Testimony that he was by Nation a Scot born of a Noble family a Disciple of Simon Bariona that is S. Peter Cheif of the Apostles companion of S. Clement Bishop of Metz and consecrated by S. Peter the first Bishop of Toul a Citty of the Leuci in the forty ninth yeare of Christ and in the raign of Tiberius Claudius Caesar. 13. Now wheras he is called a Scot this is to be understood as King Lucius in Ancient Records is called a King of England that is of that Countrey which was afterward call'd England For as Mr. Cambden well observes after most diligent disquisition the name of Scots is not to be found in any Ancient Writer till the Age of Constantin the Great about which time they are supposed to have settled themselves in the Northern parts of Brittany So that it may confidently be affirmed that S. Mansuetus was a Northern Caledonian Brittain who either in the company of Adminius a Brittish Prince or Bericus a Noble man of the same Countrey or as an Attendant of Caractacus went to Rome where he was converted by S. Peter and as hath been sayd design'd by him the Apostolicall Bishop of Toul probably at the request of some Proselytes of that Countrey 14. A yet more authentick Testimony both of the life and death of this Holy Bishop is extant in the ancient Gallican Martyrologe on the third of September where we read this passage At Toul a Citty of the Leuci there is on this day a commemoration of S. Mansuetus a Bishop who was of Noble birth by Originall a Scot and one of the first Disciples of S. Peter by whom being baptized he devested himself of his former Heathenish name and assumed the Title of Mansuetus or Meek from the Meeknes of the Lamb of God which he imitated He by the same S. Peter was sent to enlighten this Citty with Evangelicall verities At his first entrance whereinto he found it so wholly given up to abominable Idolatry that his preaching and exhortations would have produced little fruit had not Divine power promoted his endeaâ—vours by a wonderfull Miracle by whose assistance this Preacher of salvation restored to life and health a son of the Governour of this Citty who from a high Tower beholding certain horse-troops exercising themselves fell down to the ground all bruised and torn Vpon occasion of this Miracle the Governour with his whole family and a great number of the Cittizens joyn'd themselves to the flock of Christ and were signed with the saving Character of Baptisme After which the word of God had a free course and great multitudes not only of the Inhabitants of this Citty but also of the Countrey adioyning were established in the knowledge of salvation Thus S. Mansuetus enioying a firm peace erected and consecrated a Church to the Holy Trinity under the Patronage of S. Steven the first Martyr He likewise ordained here Ecclesiasticall Ministers and having instructed the people generally in the knowledge and practise of all manner of Piety in the fortieth yeare after he had begun the exercise of his Apostolicall Office he quietly closed his eyes in the sleep of death and so attained to the fruition of eternall rewards with Christ whom he always only thirsted after 15. A third holy Brittish Disciple though not Convert of S. Peter's Antiquity records to wit one both in Title and reality Beatus or Blessed Of this Saint mention is made by severall Writers some of them averse from Catholick Religion Yet none of them speak of him without admiration The summe of his Acts recorded by them is
postquam Christum sepelivi Docui requievi That is After I had buried Christ I came to the Brittains Here I taught them and here I was buried 6. Notwithstanding his Relicks could not be discovered insomuch as some anciently doubted whether he was indeed buried at Glastonbury To cleare which doubt a certain devout Catholike in the days of King Edward the third presented a supplication to the King and obtain'd leave to search after it The Kings Patents for that purpose are still extent wherein it is sayd A Supplication hath been made to us by Iohn Blome of London that whereas as he affirms he hath received a command from Heaven diligently to seek till he could find the venerable Body of the Noble Counsellor Ioseph of Arimathea which reposes in Christ being buried within the limits of the Monastery of Glastonbury and which for the Saints honour and edification of many is to be discovered in these times And whereas also in ancient Records it is contained that his Body was there buried We in case it be so being desirous to bestow due honours to the Monument and Venerable Reliques of him who express'd so great piety and charity to our Redeemer dying that he took his Body from the Crosse and placed it in a new Monument which he had built for himselfe and hoping that by the revealing of his holy Relicks greater grace and favour shall be shewed by God to us and our whole Kingdome We thereforefore have given and granted permission as much as lyes in us to the sayd Iohn â—lome to digg wheresoever he shall find expedient within the precincts of the sayd Monastery in order to the searching out of the sayd pretious Relicks according to the iniunction and Revelation made to him Provided notwithstanding that he shall doe nothing which may damnify our Beloved in Christ the Abbot and Convent of the sayd Monastery or endanger ruine to the Church For which purpose he is to desire and obtain the permission and assent of the sayd Abbot and Convent for whatsoever he shall there doe Witnes the King at Westminster the eighth day of Iune 7. What effect this search had does not appeare by History Which is a sign and presumption strong enough that Iohn Blome mistook a dream for a Revelation His devotion and good will may deserve at least pardon if not commendation but Christian prudence required that he should have committed to the examination and judgment of Superiours or Spirituall persons his pretended Revelation before the publication of it and much more before he did presume to engage the King in the execution of his imaginations XIII CHAP. 1.2.3 S. Ioseph brought with him two vessels fill'd with the blood of our Saviour 4. The like reported of the Master of St. Iohns in Hierusalem 5 6. c. The truth thereof asserted by Bishop Grosthead 8.9 Why S. Ioseph would have those vessels buried with his body 1. THE same Monuments which inform us of the life death and buriall of S. Ioseph at Glastonbury a Tradition unquestion'd in all ages by Brittains Saxons Danes and Normans the same doe likewise testify that S. Ioseph brought with him into Brittany two silver vessels fill'd with the blood of our Saviour Iesus Christ as we read in Capgrave which most precious Vessels by his order were buried with him in his Tomb. Thus among others writes the Authour of Eulogium cited by B. Vsher. And the same in publick Tables hath been transmitted to posterity by the Monastery of Glastâ—nbury for a perpetuall memory of so rich a treasure 2. Severall proofes hereof were extant even to the dayes of Queen Elizabeth which the foresayd learned Bishop Vsher hath collected And among others he recounts this Adde hereunto saith he the narration of William Good a Iesuit who during the raign of King Henry the eighth was born and in his child-hood bred up at Glastonbury Who affirms that at Glastonbury there were extant in his time brasse-plates ingraven for perpetuating the memory of these things likewise Chappels Grottes Crosses Arms and the observation of the Festivall of S. Ioseph on the sixth of the Calends of August All these remain'd as long as the Monks enioy'd the most firm Charters of Kings but now they are all buried in the ruins of the place Yet never did any Monk know the certain place of the Sepulcher of this Saint They sayd that it was hid extreamly deep under ground or in some place of the Mountain neighbouring to the sharp-mountain call'd Hamden-hill And that in future times when the Body should be found the whole world would repair thither in devotion being invited with the multitude and greatnes of the miracles that should be wrought And among other things sayd he I remember that I saw in a Stone-crosse which in the raign of Queen Elizabeth was demolished a plate of brasse in which was written That in the thirtieth yeare after the Passion of our Lord Ioseph of Arimathea with eleaven or twelve companions came into Brittany and that permission was given them by King Arviragus to abide at Glaston then call'd Avallonia like simple solitary men And that he brought with him two silver Vessels of no great capacity in which were contain'd a portion of the blood and most sacred water which flow'd out of Christs side after he was dead And that a Crosse was erected there many years before to shew the length of the Chappel which the same S. Ioseph built of rods waâ—led to the honour of the most Holy Virgin the which length is measured by a line drawn from the middle of that Crosse unto the side of a Chappel afterwards built of squar'd stones And on the out-side of the wall of this Chappell erected to the honour of the most blessed Virgin were ingraven in a stone in most ancient Characters these two words IESUS MARIA These things are likewise confirm'd by the ancient Arms of the same Monastery which are a white Scutcheon upon which is erected straight downwards the stock of a Crosse green and knotted and from side to side are the arms of the Crosse of the same colour There are likewise sprinkled all over the field drops of blood and on both sides of the stock under the wings of the crosse are placed two viols gilded These were always call'd the Badges of St. Ioseph who is piously beleived to have dwelt and peradventure been buried there 3. Now that S. Ioseph together with Nicodemus did indeed out of respect and veneration gather the Blood of our Lord and that for diverse ages the same blood was piously worshipped by devout Christians both in the East and West ancient Histories and Martyrologies doe testify 4. And on this occasion we must not omit what is related by Matthew Paris in the one thousand two hundred forty and seaventh year of our Lord Then the Master of the Temple and Hospitall of S. Iohn of Ierusalem sent a certain portion of the blood of our Lord shed on
the other side having brought his Army in sight of the enemy rais'd their courage by showing that they were now come to an end of all their labours and dangers that this Victory would bring them all manner of security and plenty And however that in case they should be overcome it would not be inglorious to their memory that they dyed in the utmost bounds of the Earth and Nature 11. The battell was fought with valour on both sides proportionable to the necessity but at last the Brittains were entirely defeated and though in the chace through woods and fast places their rage made them turn upon their pursuers and kill not a few of them yet they were so wholly broken that for many years after their impotency made them quiet 12. This combat was fought in the eighth and last year of Agricola's Government For in the beginning of the year following which was the fifth of Domitians raign he returned to Rome having triumphall ornaments decreed him by the Senat and though in appearance he was honourd by the Emperour yet his glory and vertues rendred him the object of the Tyrants Envy and hatred and within a few years the sacrifice of his cruelty II. CHAP. 1.2 Of the Successours of Agricola in the Government of Brittany 3. Roman Legions continued in Brittany 1. AFter Agricola's departure out of Brittany it does not evidently appeare in History who succeeded him And no wonder since so entire a conquest of the Nation had been gained by Agricola that whosoever follow'd him could not afford any considerable exploits to furnish a History 2. Some Writers say that Cneus Trebellius was the next who succeeded in the Government during Domitians raign Others that it was Salustius Lucullus mention'd by Suetonius in these words Domitian saith he put to death Salustius Lucullus who had been Generall of the Roman Army in Brittany for this only crime because he had suffred lances of a new fashion contrived by himselfe to be called Lucullean Lances 3. This is all that any of the Roman Historians mention touching Brittany during not only the remainder of Domitians raign but also the two Emperours Nerva and Traian which succeeded him The Roman Legions continued still in the Countrey though all their employment was only to prevent any insurrections among the Brittains Iosephus the Iewish Historian gives us an account of the number of those Legions writing thus Brittany is compass'd with the Ocean being a new discover'd world little lesse then ours The Romans now inhabiting there have reduced it to the obedience of their Empire and four Legions are sufficient to over-awe and keep in order the Island though abounding with great multitudes of inhabitants III. CHAP. 1.2 S. Clement Pope He sends Bishops into Gaule 3.4 Of S. Taurinus Bishop Ebroicensium of Eureux not Eboracensium of York 5. The Legation of Brittany to Saint Clement 1. ANcient Ecclesiasticall Monuments doe suggest little or nothing to History relating to Christian Religion in Brittany during the space of time between the end of Nero and the death of Domitian containing twenty eight years from the seaventieth year of Christ to the ninety eighth 2. Toward the latter end of that time S. Clement sitting in the Chair of S. Peter express'd his generall care over the Church both toward the East and West for by a most divine Epistle to the Church of Corinth he prevented a schism threatning its ruine and as Irenaeus saith he repair'd their Faith much decayd by declaring to them the Tradition which he freshly had received from the Apostles 3. Moreover he supplied these Northwest Regions principally the Gaules with Pastors and Bishops sending S. Nicasius to Rouen S. Eutropius to Xaintes S. Lucian to Beauvais and S. Taurinus to Eureux Concerning this last we read thus in the Roman Martyrologe Among the inhabitants of Eureux in Gaule there is on the eleaventh of August a commemoration of S. Taurinus Bishop who having been ordain'd Bishop of that Citty by Saint Clement Pope by his preaching the Gospel propagated the Christian Faith in those Regions and being illustrious by the Glory of his Miracles after many labours sustained for the Truth he slept peaceably in our Lord. 4. Particular notice is to be taken by us of this Saint because of a mistake of certain modern Historians who from a resemblance of the words Ebroicenses and Eboracenses affirm this S. Taurinus to have been Bishop of York For thus doe the Centurists of Magdeburg write S. Taurinus was Bishop of York and dyed a Martyr under the Emperour Adrian Licinius being then Prefect of the Countrey Yea moreover not only Bishop Godwin but S. Antoninus likewise affirm that S. Taurinus and S. Nicasius also pass'd over into Brittany Neither indeed is it altogether without example that Bishops in those days out of a common zeale to mens salvation should change their Seats and remove their residence whither greater necessities and want of spirituall Light did call them And if any credit may be given to the assertion of a Modern Historian that S. Clement formerly accompanying S. Peter preach'd the Gospel in Brittany it is not to be doubted but that his care was to promote the good work begun by himself 5. Yea I find an ancient Manuscript quoted by the R. F. Alford wherein is contained how the Church of Brittany in the year of Grace one hundred sent a Legation to S. Clement desiring him to communicate to them the Order and Rites of celebrating Divine Service And Baronius affirms it to be an ancient Tradition that S. Clement set down in Writing the Order of offring Sacrifice instituted by S. Peter which was afterward in use through the whole Western Church And long before him S. Isidore affirms the same True it is that in following times it was lengthned by additions made to it IV. CHAP. 1. Brittains sayd to have been divided into Ecclesiasticall Provinces by Pope Anacletus in the raign of Trajanus 2. Such a Division much later 1. IN the raign of the Emperour Traian S. Anacletus the Successour of S. Clement in the Chaire of S. Peter is sayd to have divided Brittany into five Provinces and Metropoles ordaining Bishops and Primats in each and hereto we find our Protestant Arch-Bishop Parker to have given his asassent The ground whereof is a certain Decretall Epistle long since publish'd under the name of the sayd Pope in which a division of Provinces is indeed mentioned yet without any application to Brittany But the authority of that Epistle being much suspected yea renounced by severall not only Protestant but Catholike Authours little credit is to be given to that relation grounded by some upon it touching the sayd Division though Giraldus our Welsh Historian undertake to set down the particular names of the Provinces calling one Britannia prima which is the Western part of the Island the second he names Britannia secunda
they were most numerous that Countrey being the source of our Religion and also by reason of the Devotion which all of them bore to those holy places consecrated by the actions and suffrings of our Saviour to celebrate the memory of which there was continually a confluence of Beleivers from all the quarters of the world 2. This moved envy in the minds of the Iews and Gentiles likewise upon whose complaints the Emperour not only renew'd the persecution of them begun by his Predecessour but as Sulpitius Severus affirms imagining that he could destroy Christian Religion it selfe by iniurious defacing the place where it began he erected in the most sacred place of our our Lords Passion the Idols of Devils And because Christians were generally esteemed an off-spring of Iews be ordained a Cohâ—rt of souldiers to keep contâ—nuall watch to forbid all Iews an accesse into Ierusalem 3. S. Paulinus more particularly says that on Mount Calvary where our Lord suffred Hadrian placed the Idol of Iupiter S. Hierom adds that on the Rock where the Crosse had been placed he erected a marble-statue consecrated to Venus and profaned Bethleem the place of our Saviours Birth with the Temple of Adonis This he did as conceiving that the Root as it were and foundation of the Church would be destroyed if Idols were worshipped in those places in which Christ was born that he might suffer and suffred that he might rise again and râ—se that he might raign being iudged by men that he might be Iudge of mankind 4. In this desolation did those Holy places lye till Helena the Mother of the Emperour Constantin out of a pious affection to Christian Religion thought it worth her pains and industry to search out the Venerable Crosse. But neither that nor the divine Sepulcher of our Lord were easily to be found For the ancient Gentiles persecutors of the Church labouring with their utmost endeavours to oppresse and destroy Christâ—an Religion then newly strung forth overwhelm'd that place by heaping on it a great bank of earth And moreâ—ver encompassing the whole place both of the Sepulcher whence Christ rose Mount Calvary where he was crucified with a great wall in all sides â—â—hy afterwards profaned it by ornaments of their own heathenish fashion For first they paved it with stones and then raised up a Temple of Venus and in conclusion placed in it the Idol of that impure Goddesse This they did to the end that if any would adore Christ in that place they might seem to worship Venus and consequently to processe of time the true cause 〈◊〉 mâ—n had that place in Veneration would be utterly forgotten 5. We see here who they were to whom the Ensigns of our Lords Passion his Crosse and Sepulcher as likewise the place of his Nativity were venerable to wit the ancient Primitive Christians our Brittish Saint Helena c. and to whom they were odious to envious Iewes and persecuting Heathens And yet the abolishing of those sacred Monuments the scornfull reproaches and blasphemies cast on the Crosse of our Lord are of late made the proofs of Primitive Reformation The Crosse saith Lactantius was frequently to wicked Princes a principall Motive of persecuting Christians And the reason is given by S. Athanasius because by the preaching of the ignominy of the Crosse Idolatry was confounded and the golden Temple of the Heathens fell to the ground VIII CHAP. 1. Persecution against Christians mitigated why 2.3 c. Severall rebellions of Iewes and their destruction 1. THis persecution rais'd by Hadrian was shortly after mitigated upon occasion of a suggestion made to him by Grâ—vianus Prâ—câ—nsul of Asia that it was against all law and equity that persons in all other respects innocent should only for the name and and Title of a Sect be exposed to the fury of impious multitudes And moreover there wanted not among the Christians themselves persons of eminence and learning who employ'd their pens to write Apologies in justification of the piety and innocence of the Christian Profession such were Quadratus a Disciple of the Apostles and Aristides Bishop of Athens By such means the eyes of many were opened and men began to consider Christianity not by the erroneous judgments and rumours of the Vulgar or the malicious suggestions of Iewes but by the sober account given of it by prudent men and the untainted lives and constant deaths of the Professours of it These things moved many to approve and embrace it and the Emperour Hadrian himselfe to publish an Edict prohibiting the punishment of any for their Beleife if otherwise they were free from crimes 2. What effect this mitigation of the persecution probably wrought in Brittany we shall presently shew But first we will observe Gods just severity against the most inveterate hatred of the Iewes always active and restlesse to incite and inflame persecutions against innocent Christians 3. The Iews had rais'd a rebellion in the beginning of Hadrians raign and with much adoe were at last subdued insomuch as they were forbidden to enter into or so much as from a far to look upon their Citty Ierusalem The name of which was by the Emperour likewise changed into Aelia Capitolina and in it a Temple was built to Iupiter Yea moreover the Iews were by a Law forbidden to practise circumcision thereby to distinguish themselves from others 4. Vpon these provocations a second Rebellion far more violent and largely spread then the former was raised by them by which saith Dio the whole world was shaken and disordered To oppose them after that the Emperours first Generall Tinius Rufus had been unsuccesfull Iulius Severus was commanded out of Brittany which he had governed severall years and in his place was sent Lâ—ciniâ—s Priscus favoured by the Emperour for service formerly done against the Iewes in their first sedition Concerning whom nothing remains of any exploits done by him for all his employment was to guard the Wall or Rampire lately raised to restrain the inroads of the rude Northern Brittains Only there is still extant an ancient Inscription signifying this his promotion and the cause of it which Monument was raised by one of his Officers Q Cassius Domitius Palumbus 5. As for the particulars touching the prosecution of the Iewish war the savage cruelties exercised by them and the great hazards sustained by the Romans which yet ended in almost an utter extirpation of the Iewish Nation these things not pertaining to our present design are to be enquired into among the Histories of that Age. We will now return to the Ecclesiasticall affairs of Brittany hapning in this time which though of small moment are not therefore to be omitted IX CHAP. 1.2 The death of the Brittish King Coellus to whom succeeds his Son Lucius a child The reason of his name 3. A message sent from the Brittains to Pope Evaristus 4. An answer given by his Successour Pope Alexander 5. Many Baptis'd in Brittany
other things and places is by the great antiquity conceal'd from posterity Some Writers imagine that it was called Sodorensis because it was by Amphibalus dedicated to our Saviour called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soter 3. This Narration for as much as concerns Amphibalus if this be the Brittish Martyr Amphibalus seems to be of doubtfull credit since he could scarce be so timely a Bishop For almost fifty years must yet passe before we introduce him ascending the Episcopall throne offring himselfe a Champion and Sacrifice for the Christian Faith IX CHAP. 1. The Sixth Persecution rais'd by the Emperour Maximinus Martyrdom of Pope Pontianus 2. Of Cyriacus a Brittain falsly suppos'd to be the Successour of Pope Pontianus 3.4.5 The Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and the eleaven thousand Virgins falsly refer'd to this age Fictions concerning them 1. AT this time S. Pontianus Bishop of Rome governed the Church of God whose Predecessour was S. Vrban who succeeded S. Calistus Now the Tyrant Maximinus raising the sixth Persecution sharpned it especially against Bishops and Teachers of the Christian Flock By his command therfore S. Pontianus who by the Emperour Alexander had been banish'd into Sardinia was crown'd with Martyrdom being beaten to death with clubbs To him succeeded S. Anterus by NatioÌ„ a Grecian who the year following was likewise put to death by the same Tyrant 2. Hence it appears that those Writers are manifestly disprooved who after S. Pontianus place in the Chair of S. Peter a person unknown to Antiquity called Cyriacus The Patrons of this Errour are the Authour of the â—asciculus temporum Bergomensis Nauclerus c. Hereto some Modern Writers add that Cyriacus was by birth a Brittain and appointed by S. Pontianus going into banishment his Vicar at Rome to exercise there in his absence the Papall offices for which cause he was by some called Pope 3. A yet greater Errour is that by which certain Authours refer the Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and many thousand Virgins her companions to these times Concerning whose particular Gests things are reported beyond all bounds of probability or even possibility Hermanus Crombachius who has written a book of the Martyrdom of those Virgins pretends that S. Vrsula was the daughter of a certain Prince in Ireland a Christian called Dionethus or Dionothus and that all her companions came out of the same Countrey These holy Virgins saith he the Emperour Maximinus beseeging and winning by assault Colonia most barbarously murdred Wheras it is most certain both by Tradition and all ancient Monuments that before S. Patricks time the first Apostle of Ireland there was in that Island no Prince that was Christian and much lesse could it afford eleaven thousand Christian Virgins Which by what miracle they should in those times be brought to Colen no man can rationally imagin 4. A yet more absurd fancy is entertain'd by some others concerning these Virgins who affirm that they in devotion undertook a pilgrimage to Rome accompanied by severall Princes and in their retinue the foremention'd Cyriacus and returning by Colen were there martyred Indeed a proper time is found by these Writers for a Pilgrimage to be perform'd by such an Army of Virgins c. when the persecuting Tyrant Maximinus so cruelly raged against Christians Notwithstanding besid's pretended Revelations there is produced an eye-witnes of all this a certain companion of S. Vrsula call'd Vetena who it seems escaped the slaughter that she might acquaint posterity with the story of her Fellows The tale reported by her is as followeth When we were at Rome there were at that time two wicked Princes whose names were Maximinus and Africanus Yet Maximinus though then Consul with Africanus never was at Rome who seeing our great multituds and how many Romans associated themselves to us conceived great indignation against us fearing least by our means Christian Religion might encrease and gather strength Hereupon having by â—heir Spyes learnt out what way we intended to â—ourney they sent with great hast messengers to a certain kinsman of theirs called Iulius who was Prince of the Nation of the Hunns exhorting him to bring forth his Army to persecute and destroy us Who readily complying with their desire rush'd violently upon us when we were at Colen and there shed our blood 5. Such dreams as these the inventions of vain and idle witts which gain no beleif to themselves and disgrace Truth reported by others deserve not to be confuted but with indignation to be rejected and conteâ—â—'d And as for the true Story of S. Vrsula's Martyrdom with her companions we shall herafter in due time and place about the middle of the fifth Century give a sober and rationall account of it shewing that she was indeed the daughter of one Dionothus a petty Christian Prince not in Ireland but Cornwall and that those holy Virgins being destin'd for spouses to great multituds of Brittains not long before placed in Gallia Armorica from them named lesser Brittany they were on the Sea surpris'd by a Navy of Hunns and by them led captives up the Rhine to Câ—len where they received a glorious Martyrdom X. CHAP. 1. Maximinus the Emperour slain by his Army His Successours 2. Of Pope Fabianus and his pretended Bull to confirm the Priviledges of Cambridge 3. Peace of Gods Church and many Churches built 4. An Ancient Monument touching the Emperour Gordianus and his Wife 1. MAximinus having raign'd not full four years was slain by his own soldiers at Aquileia to whom succeeded Maximus and Balbinus chosen by the Roman Senat to oppose Maximinus who after a few months were likewise slain by the Soldiers and in their place they advanced to the Empire Gordianus the grandchild of a former Gordianus who in a sedition against Maximinus had been proclamed Emperour in Africk and approved by the Senat and people of Rome but presently after was deprived both of his Empire and life 2. During the Raign of Maximinus as likewise of the Younger Gordianus the Holy Pope Fabianus sate in the Chair of S. Peter being the Successour of Pontianus There is produced by Caius the Advocat of the Vniversity of Cambridge a Bull of Pope Honorius dated the six hundred twenty fourth year of our Lord in which this Pope Fabianus is sayd to have approv'd and confirm'd the sayd Vniversity In case the said Bull be authentick it shall not here be inquired what Proofs those who obtain'd it from Pope Honorius could alledge for their pretending to such a Confirmation by S. Fabianus This is however certain that this Holy Pope was not only watchfull over the affairs of the whole Church but a favourer of learning and learned men To him did the famous Origen give account in an Epistle of the orthodoxe soundnes of his doctrin as Eusebius testifies 3. At this time the Christian Church enioyed great tranquillity saith Baronius Of which occasion many Bishops making good use not
only propagated the Faith but likewise illustrated it by building many Churches This is affirm'd by S. Gregory Nyssen who says that in those days many Churches and Altars were erected every where And particularly the holy Pope Fabianus commanded Churches to be built over the vaults where the bodies of the holy Martyrs had been buried which Churches were much frequented by the devotion of Christians No wonder then if in Brittany as yet free from all persecution there be so many testimonies of Churches Altars and Sacrifices Neither can it be doubted but that among others Obinus Bishop of London as likewise Conanus his next Successour about these times were carefull to imitate the zeale of other Bishops 4. We will not here omitt the taking notice of a Monument or Inscription found among the Brigantes being a Votive Table For the safety of M. Antonius Gordianus the Son of Publius the invincible Emperour and of Sabina Furia Tranquilla his Wife and their whole sacred Family Which Table was erected by the Emperours Wing of horse for their courage call'd Gordia the Prefect wherof was Aemilius Crispinus a Gentleman of Rome born at Tuidrus or Thisdrus in the Province of Africa under the command of Nonnius Philippus the Emperours Lieutenant Propretor of Brittany Atticus and Pratextatus being Consuls 5. In which Table we learn two particulars no where else to be found The first is That Nonnius Philippus was at this time Governour of Brittany And the other That the Daughter of Misitheus whom the Emperour married was called Sabinâ— Furia Tranquilla though Paulus Diaconus calls her Tranquillina XI CHAP. 1. The Emperour Gordianus slain by Philippus who succeeded 2.3 The Emperour Philippus and his Son become Christians The occasion of their Conversion 4. After seaven years raign they are slain by their soldiers and Decius succeeded in the Empire 1. IN the sixth year of his raign was the Emperour Gordianus slain by the treason of M. Iulius Philippus who succeeded him and within a few years gave a proof how instable Kingdoms are which are unlawfully purchased for by the like though lesse uniust treason he was depriv'd both of his Empire and life by his own Guards Yet thiâ— advantage did Philip enioy above any of his Predecessors that Almighty God gave him the Grace to wash away his sins by Baptisme and Pennance 2. The occasion of whose conversion to Christianity is thus declared in the Acts of S. Pontius the Martyr Pontius a person advanced to a high dignity was known and a particular freind of the two Philips the Father and the son who were Emperours Now in the year one thousand after the foundation of Rome they sayd to Pontius Let us goe and begg the favour of the Gods which have brought us to this thousandth year of the Roman City But Pontius used many excuses to avoyd this however they in a freeidly manner endeavoured to compell him to the Sacrifice Whereupon he conceiving this to be a good opportunity given him by God to advance his truth sayd to them O most pious Emperours since it is the only true God which has bestowed on you the Supreme dominion over men why doe you not rather adore Him by whom such power and majesty has been conser'd on you The Emperour Philip answered him For that cause it is that I desire to sacrifice to the great God Iupiter But Pontius smiling Be not deceiv'd O Emperour said he It is that Omnipotent God whose throne is in heaven who created all things by his Word and by his Spirit gave life to them which made you Emperour In a word by these and other like speeches and perswasions the Emperours received the Faith of Christ and were baptis'd by the holy Pope Fabianus 3. The two Emperour being thus perswaded of the Truth of Christianity gave a worthy example of Christian modesty and humility when they came to be baptis'd as Eusebius relates it The report is saith he that Philip who was then converted to the Christian Faith on the last Vigils before Easter coming to the Church with a desire to be partaker of the Prayer together with the Congregation was not permitted by the Bishop then presiding over the Church to enter till he had confess'd his sins and placed himselfe among those who were yet unabsolved and therefore were separated from the rest in a rank appointed for Penitents For the Bishop told him plainly that considering the many crimes publickly known to have been committed by him he could not upon any other condition receive him into the Church Whereupon the Emperour with a willing and chearfull mind submitted himselfe to the Bishops injunction thereby declaring an ingenuous modesty together with a Religious and pious affection proceeding from a reverent fear of God 4. These two Emperours raigned full seaven years and at the end were slain by their own soldiers The time and manner of their death is signified by an ancient Inscription and Monument at Verona where the Elder Philip was kill'd The Words of the Inscription are these In the two hundred fifty and third year of Christ the Emperour Philip the Elder was slain at Verona and the Younger at Rome by their own Guards incited thereto by Decius who succeeded in the Empire XII CHAP. 1. The birth of Helena Mother of Constantin 2.3 A Controversy about the Place of her birth c. 1. THE Raign of the two Philips is rendred to us more illustrious by the Mother of Constantin the Great She was the daughter of a Brittish Prince called Coëllus or Coelus who exercised a Dominion among the Trinobantes the Regni and the Iceni that is Essex Middlesex Surrey Sussex Norfolk c. For though after the death of King Lucius not any Brittain was allow'd the name of King yet certain it is there were severall Princes of the Brittish blood which under an inferiour Title exercised a kingly Iurisdiction in their respective Provinces 2. There is a controversy among Writers in which of these Provinces S. Helena was born The more common opinion is that it was among the Trinobantes in Essex and particularly in Colchester which saith M. Camden was in those days the prime Citty of that Province as a world of ancient Coyns there dayly digg'd up doe testify And that she was indeed born there the same Authour prooves by an argument of some weight for says he The inhabitants of Colchester doe confidently affirm that Flavia Iulia Helena the Mother of Constantin the Great and daughter of King Coâ—llus was born in their Citty And therefore in memory of the Holy Crosse found by her they bear for their Arms in a Scutcheon a knotty Crosse placed between four Crowns 3. Notwithstanding severall Historians of the Greek Church doe challenge S. Helena to themselves affirming that she was born in Bithynia in a town rais'd by her son Constantin to the dignity of a Citty and from her called Helenopolis Moreover
the Grace of the holy Ghost celebrated frequently Masses and Synods in vaults where the Bodies of holy Martyrs rested 7. After S. Mello's Baptism S. Stephanus ere long promoted him by all the severall Ecclesiasticall degrees to the sublime Order of a Bishop for S. Mello continually adhered to him Now by how stupendious a Miracle he was designed to be the Bishop of Rhotomagum or Roüen we find in his life collected out of ancient Ecclesiasticall Records in this manner 8 S. Stephanus together with S. Mello persever'd in Fastings and watching Now on a certain day whilst the Holy Bishop S. Stephanus was celebrating Masse both himselfe and S. Mello saw an Angell standing at the right side of the Altar Masse therfore being finish'd he gave to him a Pastorall Croster or staff which the Angell held in his hand saying Receive this staff with which thou shalt govern the inhabitants of the Citty of Roüsen in the Province of Neustria And though the labours of away and course of life hitherto unexperienced by thee may prove burdensom notwithstanding doe not feare to undertake it for our Lord Iesus Christ will protect thee under the shadow of his wings Thus having received a benediction from the holy Pope he betook himself to his iourney And when he was come to Altissiodorum or Auxerre in Gaule having in his hand the staff which he had received from the Angell he by his prayer restored to health a man who had his foot cut in two peices by an axe 9. The learned Molanus calls S. Mello the first Bishop of Roüen and seems to proove it by an Ancient Distick of that Church importing as much But a former more authentick Tradition describ'd out of the ancient Catalogue of Bishops of that Church by Democharus declares that S. Nicasius preceded S. Mello in that Bishoprick However saith Ordericus Vitalis The Ancient Pagan Superstition after the Martyrdom of S. Nicasius possess'd the said Citty filling it with innumerable pollutions of Idolatry till the time that S. Mello was Bishop there XV. CHAP. 1.2 c A prosecution of the Gests of S. Mello Bishop of Roüen 5. Dempster impudently challenges him to be a Scott 1. BEcause we would not interrupt this story of S. Mello it will be convenient here to prosecute his life and Gests unto his death which hapned almost two and twenty years after his Ordination Thus therfore the Gallican Martyrologe relates concerning him 2. S. Mello unwilling to delay the execution of the Mission impos'd on him by the Holy Ghost departed from Auxerre and went streight to Roüen Where courageously setting upon his divine employment he began to preach to the inhabitants the name of Christ with such efficacy of speech and power of miracles to which the admirable Sanctity of his life added a greater vertue that in short time he brought almost the whole Citty to the obedience of Faith This great change began especially when on a certain day the people were busy in attending to an abominable sacrifice offred to a certain false Deity of theirs For S. Mello coming there suddenly upon them and inflam'd with a heavenly zeale sharply reproved that frantick people for their blindnes which worship'd a senceles stock as if it were a God And presently calling on the Name of Christ and making the triumphant Sign of the Crosse he immediatly tumbled down the Idoll and with the word of his mouth alone in the sight of them all broke it into small peices-Hereupon the people being astonish'd with this sight willingly attended to his admonitions who taught them the knowledge of the true God and the hope of immortall life to be attaind by his pure Worship By this means a great multitude of the Cittizens became imbued with the Doctrines of our holy Faith and purified by the water of Sacred Baptisme And S. Mello in the same place from which he had expelled the Devill erected the first Trophey to our Lord building there a Church under the Title of the Supreme most Holy Trinity In which Church the people being assembled every Sunday were instructed more perfectly by him in the Worship of God there he offred the unbloody Sacrifice and communicated to his flock the means and helps by which they might attain salvation 3. Thus the flock of Christ encreasing plentifully every day certain Merchants of other countreys negotiating there became attentive and obedient to the Divine Word for whose commodity the Holy Bishop built another Church in an Island where they might more conveniently assemble themselves to which he gave the Title of S. Clement He added moreover a third Church to the end he might comply with the fervour of the multitudes flowing together to see the Wonders wrought by him This he consecrated to the veneration of the most holy Virgin the Mother of God and placed there a Colledge of Preists therby designing it for an Episcopall See 4. Having thus persisted the space of many years in the discharge of his Apostolicall Office and by the seed of the Divine Word having begotten many thousand soules to Christ this Blessed man a veteran Soldier in our Lords warfare at last in the year of Grace two hundred and eighty departed to his eternall rest there receiving from his heavenly Generall whom he had served with great courage perseverance and glory an inestimable Doâ—â—tive and reward He was buried in a vault in the suburbs over which afterward was erected a Church dedicated to S. Gervasius a glorious Monument worthy of him From whence notwithstanding afterward when the Danish armies raged in France his sacred Body was removed into parts more remote from the Sea and reverently layd at a Castle called Pontoise where to this day it reposes in a Church which from him takes its Title where the memory of so illustrious a Champion of Christ lives with great glory and splendour 5. This account gives the Gallican Martyrologe of our Blessed Brittish Saint Mello or Melanius Probus as Possevin calls him Whom yet in opposition to the universall consent of all Writers and Records agreeing that he was a Brittain Dempster most impudently in his Scottish Menology will needs call a Scott falsly affirming that Possevin acknowledges him for such Wheras to this time there is not mention in any ancient Writers of such a Nation as Scotts in this Island Or if there had been certain it is that their countrey never having been subdued by the Romans there was no Tribut sent from thence to Rome which yet we see was the occasion of S. Mello's first going thither But it is Dempsters constant practise ridiculously to adopt into a Scottish family all persons whatsoever which in these Primitive times are called Brittains If this were granted Ireland would have a better title to this Saint then Scotland for in this age that Island was the only countrey of the Nation called Scots which afterward transplanted themselves into the Northern parts of the Caledonian Brittains But
fled to Fincomark King of Scotland who refused to yeild him up at the request of Traërnus on the contrary in his quarrell he rais'd an army fought and vanquish'd Traërnus in the Province of Westmerland which say they since Carausius his times belonged to Scotland All which story seems an invention on purpose to illustrate the name of Scotland and its pretended Kings of which no mention as yet can be found in any approved Authours 7. At this time Constantin made his abode in Gaule afterward called France where he was much distracted and disquietted and more by the factions of Schismaticks among Christians then any commotions of confining barbarous Nations Vpon which occasion he was compell'd to command a Generall Assembly or Synod of the Western Empire to meet at Arles for composing the seditions rais'd by the Donatists To which Synod since the Brittish Bishops were by name call'd it is requisite we should make some stay to declare the proceedings of it IX CHAP. 1.2 c. Schism of the Donatists and its occasion 3. c The Donatists after severall condemnations still appeale 1. THE Enemy of Truth and Peace having lost the advantage of opposing Christian Religion by the violence and rage of his instruments the Heathen persecuting Emperours did not for all that cease from his malice which was heightned by Envy against it but rather executed another way with more successe by suggesting matter of seditions and divisions among Christians themselves The first publick infamous Scene of which scandalls was Carthage in Africk And the occasion was this 2. Caecilianus Archdeacon to Mensurius Bishop of Carthage had reprehended a Spanish woman call'd Lucilla then living in that Citty because before receiving the holy Sacrament she had with veneration kiss'd the head of a certain person esteem'd by her a Martyr yet not acknowledged for such by the Bishop Lucilla being a woman of great power and wealth upon this reprehension conceived an implacable rage and fury against Cacilianus earnestly expecting all occasions of revenge 3. This was afforded her not long after in the year of Christ three hundred and six when upon the death of Mensurius Caecilianus was chosen Bishop of that Citty For he requiring a restitution of certain vessells of silver and gold belonging to his Church which in the late time of persecution had by his Predecessour been recommended to the fidelity of certain Elders of that Citty they to avoy'â— the necessity of restoring them ioyn'd themselves to the faction of Botrus and Celesius who had ambitiously sought after the same Bishoprick and were rejected the resentment of which repulse incited them to question the Election of Caecilianus Lucilla earnestly ioynd herself to this faction of unjust discontented persons who publickly withdrew themselves from the Communion of their Bishop by which means there was rais'd in Africk a most horrible and irreconcileable Schism the flame wherof could not for many ages be extinguish'd 4. These factious persons to strengthen their party invited to Carthage a number of African Bishops who formerly in a publick Councill at Cirtha had been convicted Traditores that is such as for feare of persecution had deliver'd up to Heathen Magistrats the Holy Vessels and Books belonging to the Church among whom the principall was Secundus Bishop of Tâ—gisis and Primat of Numidia These Bishops seaventeen in number kept their Assemblies at Carthage separated from Caecilianus in opposition to whom they presumed sacrilegiously to ordain another counterfeit Bishop of Carthage calld Maiorinus one who had been Lector to Caecilianus when he was Archdeacon and was now a Domestick of Lucilla 5. Moreover to iustify their Schism these Bishops who were most manifest Traditors themselves alledged that Caecilianus his Ordination was illegall because he had received imposition of hands from Felix Bishop of Aptungis and others whom they falsly accused of their own crime They likewise wrongfully charged Caecilianus that he had forbidden necessary provision to be administred to certain Martyrs in prison during the last persecution All which calumnies they by letters spread through the whole countrey of Africa Caecilianus in the mean time being acknowledged lawfull Bishop by Marcellus Bishop of Rome and all other Bishops through the Catholick Church before whom he confidently offred himselfe to a legall tryall This relation is given by S. Optatus and Saint Augustin 6. Now though this Schism was cheifly forged by Botrus and Celesius together with the foremention'd Elders and Lucilla and encreased by Secundus and other Traditors Bishops yet it first took its name Title from Donatus Bishop of a place call'd Casae nigrae or Black Cottages in Numidia who first at the instigation of Lucilla withdrew himself from the communion of Caecilianus whilst he was Deacon But the Donatists being ashamed to take their appellation from one who had been condemn'd by Pope Melchiades chose rather to call themselves Donatists from another Donatus who succeeded Majorinus in the Schism and whom they esteem'd a person of great eminence both for learning and Sanctity 7. This unhappy Schism received such strength in a short space that within three years ioyning themselves with Traditors Bishops and drawing into their sacrilegious Communion all the Numidians they assembled a Councill of no fewer then two hundred and seaventy Bishops which continuing together seaventy five dayes and repeating all their former Constitutions made a Decree that all those who were guilty of the horrible crime of Tradition if they refused to be rebaptised should notwithstanding be admitted into Communion as if they were innocent 8. When Constantin had overcome Maxentius the Donatists obtain'd of Anulinus Governour of Africk to send his letters full of calumnious accusations against Caecilianus unto the Emperour who was then in Gaule and some of the same Schismaticall Bishops made a voyage to him earnestly requesting him to appoint Iudges of their cause The Emperour himself saith Optatus with great indignation answered theÌ„ You require a secular iudgment from mee who my self expect the iudgment of Christ. Yet with extreme importunity they at last wrested from him for their Iudges Maternus Bishop of Colonia Agrippina Rheticius Bishop of Austun Marius of Arles 9. But presently after this Constantin conâ—idering of what weight and necessity the authority of the Roman Bishop was in such a cause he commanded the Donatists Bishops together with Caecilianus and as many other of his Communion to attend these three Iudges at Rome to debate and conclude the cause before the holy Pope Melchiades in a Roman Synod To whom likewise the pious Emperour wrote a letter in which he tells the Pope that he thought fitt to send these contending Bishops before him to the end they might receive iudgment from him and the other Iudges as you know saith he the most holy law of God requires 10. A Synod therfore being assembled at Rome the result therof after a diligent examination of the parties and witnesses was a
condemnation of Donatus Bishop of Casaenigrae by the Sentence of all the Iudges for by his own Confession he had rebaptised some who ioynd in Communion with him and impos'd his hands on Bishops who in persecution had renounced the Faith On the other side Caecilianus was pronounced innocent because the witnesses brought to accuse him protested that they could say no crime at all to his charge 11. But notwithstanding this Iudgment the Donatists without any consideration of justice or truth most impudently appeald from these Iudges to the Emperour himself who upon the first hearing mention of such an Appeale cryed out O the rabide impudence of these mens fury They have presumed to interpose an Appeale as the custom is among Heathens in secular causes Yet after all this the Donatists were so shameles as to boast that Constantin had adjuged the cause to Donatus and condemn'd Caecilianus And moreover to extenuate the iudgmeÌ„t of Pope Melchiades against them they endeavour'd to defame his memory by imputing to him that he had been a Traditor 12. The Donatists still continuing their tumults in Africa and directing their malice principally against Felix Bishop of Aptungis the Ordainer of Caecilianus whom they accused to have been a Traditor Constantin gave commission to Aelianus Proconsul of Africa to determin that cause who in the examination detecting many lyes and frauds of the Donatists pronounced in a legall manner the innocence of Felix But once more they appealed from his iudgment to the Emperour to whose Court likewise many of their Bishops repaired protesting that many of their allegations of greatest weight had not been taken into coÌ„sideration in the former iudgments Whereupon Constantin not daring as S. Augustin saith to become a Iudge of the iudgment given by Bishops at Rome refer'd the matter to a Synod of all the Western Bishops appointed to meet in the Citty of Arles because his abode was then in Gaule And for that purpose he directed his letters to the Metropolitans to send their Bishops and to the Proconsull of Africa Ablavius and other Magistrats to defray the charges of such Bishops of both parties as took their iourneys to the Councill Examples of which letters are still extant in Eusebius c. X. CHAP. 1.2 Councill of Arles condemns the Donatists 3 4.5 Severall Canons there of 6. The names of Brittish Bishops in it 1. IN the Councill of Arles there metâ— above two hundred Bishops from all parts of the Western Provinces as far as Brittany who in the first place examining again the cause of Felix Bishop of Aptungis the Ordainer of Caecilianus declared him innocent of the crime of Tradition impos'd on him by the Donatists so confirming the iudgment formerly given in Africa 2. This cause being concluded it seem'd good to the Fathers to frame certain Canons touching Ecclesiasticall Discipline to be uniformly observed through the whole Church And first they ordained that the solemn Feast of Easter should be celebrated the same day through all Churches This they did in opposition to the Quartadecimani who observed it according to the Iewish custom on the fourteenth day of the first Moon in March which practise began now more and more to prevayl in the East To this Canon the Brittish Bishops in this Councill subscribed so that the controversy afterward arising about its observation in Brittany was not whether the Eastern practise should be kept here but only whether in case the fourteenth day of the first Moon should fall on a Sunday Easter should then be observed or no The Scottish Prelats affirming and the others denying 3. Another Canon of this Councill which is the thirteenth deserves our particular consideration in which it is ordain'd that all those should be removed from the Order of the Clergy who in time of persecution had delivered up to Pagans the holy Scriptures or Vasa Dominica our Lords Vessells which Vessells that they were deputed for the Christian Sacrifice appears in the twentieth Canon which commands that a place to offer Sacrifice should be afforded to a stranger Bishop Restitutus therfore our then Brittish Bishop subscribing to this Councill did offer Sacrifice and could not be denyed that priviledge in a strange countrey which now would be refused him in his own with death if he perform'd it 4. Some Protestants doe much boast of a pretended Canon in this Councill prescribing that if Deacons at their Ordination shall protest their resolution to marry it might be lawfull for them to doe so and yet remain in the Ministery But Sir Henry Spelman ingenuously observes that in ancient Copies he could not find this Canon among the rest And however if such a Priviledge had then been allowed to Deacons since Preists are not mention'd it argues that they were forbidden mariage 5. At the conclusion of the Synod Marinus Bishop of Arles in the name of the whole Assembly wrote a letter yet extant to Pope Silvester wherto he annexed a Copy of the Canons ordain'd there desiring that by his care and diligence the said Decrees should be observed in all Churches Here wee find likewise among the rest our Brittish Bishop Restitutus professing the Vnity of our Holy Mother the Catholik Church with the most Religion Pope Silvester whom with due reverence they all salute They iudge likewise all those who reiect Tradition to be persons of an unbrideled mind burdensom and perniciâ—us to our Christian Law Lastly they professe their acknowledgment that the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul nâ—t only sate Bishops at Rome but likewise doe without intermission still glorify God by their blood shed there Such Professions as these made by our Primitive Brittish Bishops doe much vary from the modern stile Let the Readers conscience iudge to whether party it is most safe to adioyn himselfe 6. It is observed by persons learned in Ecclesiasticall Antiquities that through the negligence or mistake of Transcribers the Names of the Bishops present and subscribing to this Council are wrongfully transfer'd to the End of the Second Synod assembled some years after at the same Citty of Arles Among whom those Bishops which came from Brittany and for whose sake it was our obligation to insist on this Synod were according to the most corrected Copies these which follow and according to this Order The first among the Brittish Subscribers was Eborius Bishop of the Citty of York in the Province of Brittany The Second was Restitutus Bishop of the Citty of London in the same Province Concerning whom the Protestant Centurists of Magdeburg give this testimony that he was a man considering the age wherin he liv'd many wayes learned and most modest in his conversation who among other things wrote one Book to his own Countreymen touching this Council of Arles and severall Epistles to Hilary Bishop of Poiâ—tiers He was famous in the year of Grace three hundred and fifty The third Brittish Bishop was Adelfius stiled Bishop of the Citty call'd The Colony of the
greater alacrity then ever before she went up and down her house glorifying the Power of God Thus was the Empresse satisfied in that which she so earnestly desired 6. The substance of this relation given by Ruffinus is attested by the consent of severall other ancient Ecclesiasticall writers so that to doubt of it or impudently to deny the truth of it as the Lutheran Centuriators doe can be no other but an undeniable effect of malice against the Truth testified hereby to their confusion 7. The Pious Lady to declare her thankfullnes to God for so signall a favour was not content to build a magnificent Church to the Memory of our Saviours Passion but added another which was dedicated to the saving sign of the Crosse as Eusebius writes 8. And as touching the Crosse it self she took care that part of it should be sent to the Emperour and honourably layd up in his Palace the remainder she enclosed in a Boxe of silver and gave it to the Bishop of Ierusalem exhorting him that it might be there reserved as a Monument of our Salvation Thus Theodoret To which S. Paulinus adds That every year on the day of our Lords Resurrection it is produced by the Bishop and exposed to the peoples veneration the Bishop himself first performing that honour to it 9. Socrates further relates that Constantin assoon as he had received part of the Crosse beleiving that the Citty in which it was kept should be preserved in safety from all danger inclos'd it in a statue of his own which was placed in the Market place of Constantinople on a mighty Pillar of Porphyry This saith Eusebius seem'd to the most holy Emperour a firm bulwark of his Kingdom 10. Besides the Crosse there were found other Ensigns of our Saviours Passion which were not neglected by Helena to witt the Nailes which had not only touched our Lords Body as the Crosse did but peirced into his sacred flesh and sinews being bathed in his blood Part of which nayles saith Theodoret and S. Ambrose she took care should be artificially enclos'd within the Emperours helmet that therby his head might be preserved safe from his enemies weapons and part she mingled with the Iron of his horses bitt therby both to give a safe protection to him and likewise to fullfill an ancient Prophecy of Zacharias saying That which is on the horses bitt shall be holy to the Lord Omnipotent And a third nayle she cast into the Adriatick Sea during a horrible tempest by which meanes she saved her self and company from shipwrack Thus writes Gregory Bishop of Tours XVI CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Helenas piety to Religious Virgins 3. c. To Martyrs S. Lucianus the Magi c. 7.8 c. Place of her death Rome where a Church is built to the H. Crosse. 12.13 c. Constantins piety to his Mother Augusta 15.16 c. Her Memory celebrated in severall places Churches built to her honour in England 1. WITH such Acts of Piety devotion and liberality did Helena adorn her latter dayes a particular account of which belongs to the design of this History she being a Brittish Princesse For which reason we will prosecute the course of her life which seems to have ended the same year or in the beginning of the following 2. An example of her humility and devout respect to Virgins consecrated to Gods service by a profession of Chastity is related by Ruffinus in this manner The holy Virgins saith he which she found at Ierusalem she invited to dinner and entertain'd them with so great devotion and respect that she thought it a misbecoming thing that her Maids should attend on theÌ„ Therfore she herself being girt after the manner of a wayting maid sett meat on the Table gave them cupps to drink and powred water on their hands Thus she who was Empresse of the world and Mother of the Emperour esteem'd her self no better then a servant of the hand maids of Christ. 3. Eusebius likewise celebrates her wonderfull manificence shew'd through all her progresse in the Eastern Provinces For whither so ever she came she gave innumerable gifts both to whole citties and particular persons of all professions The poor she munificently supplied with all necessaries those who were condemn'd to working in mines or perpetuall imprisonment she sett at liberty the oppress'd she delivered from fraud and iniury and those which were banish'd she restored to their own countrey 4. At her return out of Palestina into Greece she passed by Drepanum a Town of Bithynia where reposed the Body of the glorious Martyr S. Lucianus Assoon as shee saw these holy Relicks lying so neglected without any mark of honour or reverence she in zeale to the honour of God and his Martyr caused a sumptuous Church to be built over them moreover enlarged the same place into a Citty which she compass'd with walls and bullwarks Which Citty her Son afterward call'd by his Mothers name Helenopolis and to make her name yet more celebrated by posterity the Sea there adioyning was called Helenopontus not because she was born there but because by her care and liberality the region there about formerly obscure became illustrious 5. We read moreover in severall ancient Monuments how this holy Empresse in her progresse through the East having been informed of the place where the Bodies of the three Magi or Wisemen which came to Bethlehem to adore our Saviour new born reposed brought them with her to her Son Constantin who reverently layd them in a Church of his new Citty from whence they were â—ranslated to Milan and afterward to Colen where now they are with great veneration celebrated 6. A more particular relation hereof we read in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrologe made by Andrew de Saussay in these words At Colonia Agrippina in the Gallick Soyle is celebrated the Memory of the three holy Kings who on this day the Sixth of Ianuary adored our Lord in his cradle at Bethlehem The Bodies of these Saints were by the care and devotion of the Holy Empresse Helena brought out of the East to Constantinople where in the Temple of S. Sophia afterward more magnificently repaired by Iustinian they remained to the times of the Emperour Emanuël who bearing a great affection to Eustorgius Bishop of Milan by birth a Grecian at his earnest prayers bestowd on him those Sacred pledges Eustorgius presently conveyed them to Milan placing them in a Church of Religious Virgins But in the yeare eleaven hundred Sixty and fâ—wer the Emperour Frederick having by force reduced Milan to his obedience granted to his Chancellour Reynaldus Archbishop of Colen at his most earnest suit the same three Sacred Bodies which he transfer'd to Colen were he reposed them in the principall Church in which place they are to this day celebrated with great veneration 7. In such pious works did the Holy Empresse conclude her worldly pilgrimage The place of her death
One William Basing likewise is sayd to have built a Church consecrated to S. Helena at London XVII CHAP. 1.2 Constantins zeale against Paganism and Heresy 3. c. He is seduced by his Sister to favour Arius c. but repents 5.6 He adorns his New Citty Constantinople 7.8 Miracles by the Holy Crosse. 9. Other acts of Constantins piety 1. AFter S. Helena's death Constantin returned into the East where he express'd his zeale against Pagan Idolatry For Eunapius a Pagan writer complains Through the whole world the most celebrated Temples were overthrown by Constantin He made severe Lawes against Heathenish Sacrifices mention'd in Theodosius his Code 2. Neither was he wanting to establish the Churches Peace and Vnity by publishing rigorous Edicts against Hereticks Novatians Valentinians Marcionists Paulians Montanists c. forbidding all Assemblies among them both publick and private and withall exhorting them to return to the Communion of the Catholick Church that so they might be rendred partakers of its Sanctity and so attain to Truth Thus writes Eusebius adding that hereupon many of them did acknowledge their errours and at last joyn'd themselfves to the Churches Communion 3. Notwithstanding being seduced by the Craft of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia the Pillar of the Arian faction he began a persecution against S. Athanasius then Bishop of Alexandria This Eusebius had cunningly insinuated himself into the affections of Constantiae the Emperours Sister by whom at her death he was recommended to Constantin in whose mind a scruple likewise was injected by certain speeches of hers threatning a severe punishment to him after death for his severity against so many innocents so she called the Arians Wherupon he commanded that Arius himself should return and be received at Alexandria For which purpose he wrote threatning letters to S. Athanasius that he should be deposed in case he refused him Notwithstanding being inform'd by Athanasius that Arius did not repent of his Heresy but was still a profess'd Enemy of the Councill of Nicaea Constātin desisted from urging his reception 4. Afterward the Meletians accused Saint Athanasius of many crimes but Constantin upon examination finding his innocence quickly absolved and dimiss'd him Yea moreover the pious Emperour turn'd his anger against him who was the cheif Architect of all machinations against S. Athanasius to witt Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia as appears by his letters written to the people of that Citty and recited by Theodoret in which he complains how himself had been deluded by his forgeries and lyes And on that occasion he proceeds to pronounce Sentence against the whole faction of the Arians banishing Eusebius and severall other Bishops from their Sees 5. But the year following by occasion of the inauguration of his New Citty Constantinople among other Examples of his Clemency he restored them Nicephorus writes that the Citty was consecrated to our Lord and his immaculate Mother with offring the unbloody Sacrifice and prayers Adding that Constantins Statue was erected in a publick place upon a pillar of Porphyry having in his right hand a golden Apple on which was placed the Holy Crosse with this Inscription To thee O Christ our God I commend this Citty 6. Eusebius describing the Magnificence of Constantin in adorning this Citty with many Churches consecrated to the Holy Martyrs saith The Emperour intending to illustrate after an extraordinary manner the Citty called by his own name adorn'd it with many magnificent Churches partly in the Suburbs and partly in the Citty it self by which he both celebrated the Memories of the Holy Martyrs and consecrated the Citty it self to the God of Martyrs The principall of those Martyrs are recorded to have been S. Mocius S. Agathonicus S. Mennas and S. Acacius 7. Sozomen likewise an eye witnes especially celebrats a Church built in a place formerly dedicated to Vesta which was afterward named Michaelium from an apparition of that Holy Archangell In which many Miracles had been wrought by vertue of the Holy Crosse there erected of which vertue the Authour acknowledges that himself had been partaker Among which one speciall Miracle must not be omitted which he relates after this manner 8. I have been informed saith he that a Soldier of the Emperours Guards called Probianus being afflicted with greivous torments in his feet not only received ease in that place but was also honoured with a wonderfull divine vision For he having been formerly a Pagan and converted to Christianity though he were satisfied of the truth of all other instituts of our Religion yet he would never be perswaded that the Holy Crosse could be the cause of mankinds salvation Being thus affected there was offred to him a Divine Vision which set before his eyes the Image of the Crosse which usually was sett on the Altar of that Church and the same Vision declared to him manifestly that whatsoever thngs had been performed either by Angells or Holy men for the publick or privat proffit of men since the time that Christ was crucified were not rightly performed but by the vertue of the saving Crosse. 9. Besides these sacred Ornaments Constantin added much wealth to endow the holy Churches built by him He likewise caused a world of Copies of the Holy Scriptures to be curiously written in parchments richly adorned which he dispersed through severall Churches in the Citty He gave likewise great priviledges to Physicions Grammarians and Professours of other Arts by which means learning much flourish'd there In a word he endeavour'd to make it equall in all respects to Old Rome placing there a Senat with the same honours and authority into which many Christians were elected as Baronius declareth XVIII CHAP. 1.2 S. Athanasius persecuted by Arians 3.4.5 He is banish'd into the west for his safety 6.7 Arius conven'd before Constantin 8.9 c. His fearfull death 10. Pope Iulius 1. BVT the restlesse malice of the Arians against S. Athanasius the principall defender of the Faith declared by the Nicene Councill urged them to invent and forge new accusations against him of breaking a Chalice of murdering a man and using enchantments with his dead hand of committing adultery by violence c. With these crimes they charged him before the Emperour importuning him that he might be condemned and deposed 2. Hereupon a Synod of Bishops being assembled at Tyre Athanasius his cause was there examined and though in all particulars his innocence was evidently declared ye◠he was condemned by them Which manifest injustice astonish'd Constantin as appears by a Letter of his recorded by Saint Athanasius in his Apology 3. Notwithstanding these impious Bishps after they had consecrated at Ierusalem a magnificent Church built by Constantin repairing to Constantinople there renew'd their accusations and probably by the favour of the Emperours Son Constantius infected with their Heresy did so beseige Constantins eares that S. Athanasius could scarce gett accesse to prove his
there is not express'd by the Writers of his life Yet our Martyrologe relates on the sixth of Iune that he rested in our Lord with great Sanctity about the year of Christ four hundred and three and the visions and wonders preceding his death are thus related by those who have written his life 8. An Angel of our Lord from heaven appear'd to him with a pleasant countenance saying O worthy soldier of God may the joy of our Lord always encrease in thee and his peace continually remain with thee Be ready prepar'd for e're long God will call thee out of this world and thou shalt meet thy heavenly King with a palm of Victory This celestiall Messenger of God stay'd with him a good space and fill'd his soule with a spirituall sweetnes known only to God A second time another Angell appear'd unto him and sayd I am Michael the Archangel sent to thee from our Lord by whose command I am to acquaint thee with what shall shortly befall Behold I declare unto thee the hour of thy departure for after ten dayes thou shalt ioyfully issue out of thy prison of flesh and escape out of the dungeon of this world With inestimable gladnes thou shalt meet thy heavenly King into whose presence we will beare thee and he will receive thee with glory enrolling thee among the Cittizens and Courtiers of his kingdom 9. It is said that his Mother and sisters were present and assisting at his death being invited thither by the fame of his miracles And after his departure it seems they caried his body back with them into Brittany But afterward when the Pagan Saxons demolish'd the Christian Sepulchers in our Island it was transported again into Flanders for thus we read in his life 10. The Holy man dyed the eighth day before the Ides of Iune and his Body was buried in the Isle of Plet or Plecit where it remained many years illustrious by many miracles But barbarous people afterwards invading the Countrey forced the Brittains to fly into forrain regions at which time the Brethren of the foresaid Monastery took up the sacred Body and carried it with them over the Sea which divides Brittany from Gaule And travelling with this sacred pledge at last they arrived at his own Monastery where they repos'd it Where because it was not entertained with due honour a certain Noble Marques call'd Arnulphus appointed by God to be the instrument of the safety of many men removed it to the Monastery of Blandinium in Gaunt together with the precious Relicks of the famous Confessour Bertulpus Which Translation was made on the third day before the Nones of December when Clotharius raigned in France On which day yearly to this time the sacred Body is caried in a solemne Procession And what miracles were wrought severall times during such Processions Cap-grave relates III. CHAP. 1. Constans quiets Gaule and comes into Brittany 2 3. A Synod at Sardica where Brittish Bishops come 4. Gests of the Synod 5.6 c. Of Appeales to Rome c. 12.13 c. S. Athanasius restor'd and again banish'd 15.16 Constans his death 1. IN the yeare three hundred forty two as Paulus Diaconus writes great commotions began in the Roman Empire For the Nation of the Franks setling themselves in Gaule used all hostility against the Romans But this trouble was quickly appeas'd by the Emperour Constans who coming out of Illyricum â—ought with and subdued them After which he pass'd over into Brittany which usually follow'd the motions of Gaule This appears from Iulius Firmicus who in a Book dedicated to the same Emperour recounts this journey performed during the tempestuous season of Winter telling him that the Brittains at the unlook'd for sight of him were affrighted into obedience 2. Four yearts after this upon occasion of great combustions especially in the Eastern Empire the two Emperours ioyn'd to call a Council intended to be Oecumenicall For the Eastern Bishops of the faction of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia Cheif-Pillar of the Arians had condemned S. Athanasius in two Synods at Tyre and Antioch On the contrary Iulius Bishop of Rome in a Synod of Italian Bishops received him into his Communion notwithstanding the intercession of the Orientals who sent to Rome their Decree of the condemnation of S. Athanasius Wherupon a Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches being likely to break forth to prevent it the Orthodox Emperour Constans earnestly solicited his brother Constantius ro joyn with him in calling a Generall Councill therby to preserve inviolate the heritage of their Fathers piety by which he had establish'd the Empire destroyed Tyrants and reduced to his obedience many barbarous Nations 3. Hereupon a Synod was assembled the year following at Sardica in Illyrium to which there came out of the Western Empire about three hundred Bishops and out of the East onely seaventy sixe Now among the Western Bishops some there were who came out of Brittany as S. Athanasius in whose cause especially the Synod met expressly affirms naming one of them to wit Restitutus Bishop of London who twenty years before had been at the Councill of Nicea to establish the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God In which regard to treat more particularly of this Synods affairs appertains to our present History for therby will appeare the conformity of the Brittish Churches in those dayes to the Faith and Discipline of the Catholick Church 4. For as much therfore as concerns the Acts of this Synod the principall was a confirmation of Faith establish'd in the Council of Nicéa Next the declaring the innocence of S. Athanasius Marcellus Asclepas and other Orthodox Bishops persecuted and chased from their Sees by the Arian faction together with the deposition and excommunication of their adversaries Then succeeded a condemnation of those Eastern Bishops which deserted the Synod and made a Schismaticall Assembly at Philippopolis neer Sardica where they likewise publish'd Decrees and Canons in contradiction to the lawfull Synod 5. Then touching matters of Disciplin establish'd in this holy Synod the most considerable was the confirming by an expresse Canon the lawfullnes of Appeales that is Petitions for Revisions of Episcopall causes From all other Churches both Eastern and Western to the See Apostolick of Rome The form of which Canon is as followeth 6. Osius Bishop said This must likewise necessarily be added That it may not be lawfull for Bishops to passe out of their own Province into another Province in which there are Bishops unlesse peradventure they be invited by their Brethren least they should seem to shut the dore of Charity But if it happen that in any Province a Bishop have a contention against his Brother Bishop one of the two may call out of another Province a Bishop to judge the cause But if any Bishop shall be judged and condemned in any cause yet thinks his cause to be good In this case to
at first receiv'd with some kindnes by the Emperour Constantius and at last permitted to return to his See at Alexandria 15. But his abode there was very short for the next year he was again expell'd by the practises of his implacable enemies the Arian Bishops whose power became in a manner boundles by the death of the Orthodox Emperour Constans Who by the conspiracy of Magnentius Chrestius and Marcellinus principall Officers of his was slain at Helena a town of France neer the Pyrenean mountains whither he fled having been informed that Magnentius had taken on him the Imperiall Purple There was a common report that Constans had receiv'd a Prediction that he should dye in his Grand-mothers bosom which was fuffill'd by his murder in a town call'd by her name 6. His death was deservedly much bewayld by S. Athanasius not so much for the Protection and favours shew'd to himself as for the greivous calamity which by his losse befell the Orthodox Faith in danger to be oppressed by the Arian Emperour Constantius who remain'd sole Governour of the Roman Empire though before he could quietly enjoy it two Tyrants were to be oppress'd The one was Vetrannio who had formerly govern'd Brittany and afterwards Illyricum where being Prefect he was proclaimed Emperour by his soldiers but within a few days was deposed by Constantius who not only spared his life but allow'd him in his old age a retreat full of abundance ad pleasure The other was Magnentius who took the Title of Emperour at Austun Augustodunum in France and held it three years till by the losse of a battell he was forced to kill himself IV. CHAP. 1. Constantius his Pride he persecutes the Faith A false Councill at Arles 2.3 Pope Liberius his constancy 4.5 His fall and rising Of Felix an Antipope 1. COnstantius after this Victory would be call'd Emperour of the whole world as if he had beeÌ„ exalted to a degree above human mortality he assumed the impious title of his eternity And which was yet worse all this Pride power he exteÌ„ded to the oppression of the Catholick Faith establishing of the Arian Heresy For which purpose he used his utmost endeavour to pollute therewith the Western Churches also For commanding a Councill to be assembled at Arles in France he by violence extorted the suffrages of the Bishops to favour his Heresy and condemne S. Athanasius drawing into the same impiety also the Legats of Pope Liberius who newly had succeeded Iulius So that unlesse Liberius had expressly protested against their Sentence he would deservedly have incurred the same suspicion 2. On the contrary whilst Constantius remained in France Liberius more then once solicited him by Legats and Epistles in the behalf of S. Athanasius complaining that the suffrages of Bishops were mercinarily sold according to the Princes inclination He wrote likewise to S. Eusebius the famous Bishop of Vercelles exhorting him to courage in maintaining the Catholick Faith and opposing himself to the violence of adversaries 3. Whereupon Constantius perceiving that Pope Liberius his defending of S. Athanasius rendred unproffitable the Sentences of his Synods pack'd against him used all possible endeavours to win him by promises and favours to his party But these allurements proving uneffectuall he sent for him and Liberius being come to his presence used great liberty of speech to him as S. Athanasius relates protesting his readines to suffer all things rather then from being a Christian to become an Arian At which the Emperour being highly offended sent him into banishment to Beraea a Citty of Thrace Whereto he chearfully submitted and would not accept five hundred crowns which the Emperour sent for his maintenance Into whose place was substituted a certain Roman Preist called Felix one who though in iudgment a Catholick yet condescended to communicate with the Arians 4. Liberius continued in his exile little above two years but returned with as much infamy as he had submitted to it with glory For wanting constancy to support the tedious delay of his banishment he yeilded at last to the condemnation of S. Athanasius and subscrib'd likewise to a Confession of Faith fram'd in a Synod at Sirmium in which though there was nothing hereticall yet the word of Consubstantiality not being express'd in it his subscription was scâ—ndalous arguing an unlawfull compliance with the Arians 5. But being return'd to Rome he broke off all commerce with the Arians rejoyn'd himself to S. Athanasius his Communion and to demonstrate the Orthodoxnes of his Faith in an Epistle to him recorded by S. Athanasius himself he wrote thus Our Confession most beloved Athanasius is that the Word is the Son of God being according to his Nature begotten of God his Father not created he is God his Fathers collegue in his Empire and obtains an endles kingdome for infinite ages Amen V. CHAP. 1. Gratian Propretor of Brittany deprived 2.3 c. His Successour Martinus a just man Cruelty of Paul the Notary Martinus kills himself 1. WHilst Constantius in the west thus afflicted the Catholick Church and Faith the Propretor of Brittany was Gratian Father of Valentinian who was afterward Emperour He was rais'd from a vile original to that high degree for his courage and vertue He was call'd by a mock-name Funarius the Rope-man because in his younger age having been a seller of ropes he was of such strength that five soldiers could not with their ioynt forces wrest a rope out of his hands This Gratian having incurr'd Constantius his displeasure by favouring the faction of Magnentius was depriv'd of his Office and Estate 2. There succeeded him in the Government of Brittany Martinus a Propretor who governed this Island with great justice and kindnes to the Brittains But his Government and life lasted not long being interrupted upon this occasion 3. The Emperour Constantius being a Prince extremely suspicious employed severall Officers to search out all such as were guilty of any practises against him Among these there was one call'd Paul a Notary very acceptable to him for his malicious diligence and sagacity in exploring such matters who was therfore sent into Brittany to bring over in chains such soldiers as had intermedled in the conspiracy of Magnentius This employment the Notary executed with such horrible cruelty and injustice that the Pretor Martinus not able to continue a spectatour of it first by way of entreaty endeavoured to avert the miseries of a world of innocents and this being unsuccessfull he protested he would leave the Province Paul being extremly incens'd hereat out of a feare least if he should surcease his cruelty the Emperour would impute it to want of zeale in him he by his subtilty for which he had the Sirname of Catena or a Chain given him involv'd the Pretor himself also in a suspicion of the same guilt and treason And being very earnest to seise upon him
esteemd him as a Prophet Then began he with great diligence to root up their ill planted superstitions to disperse their long gathered wicked customes and to demolish their impious Idolatries Having thus purged their minds from errours he instructed them in all duties belonging to good Christians and by his works and example shewd them a pattern of all vertues and piety all which he confirm'd by frequent miracles 6. He chose for his place of Episcopall residence an habitation afterward call'd Wite-hern seated neer the Sea by which it is almost encompassed to which there was onely one passage toward the North. This place is seated saith Camden in the Province of the Novantes now call'd Galloway By the Latin Writers it is nam'd Candida casa from the colour of it and by the Saxons Wite-hern or white house Here it was that in the dayes of the younger Theodosius Ninianus erected his Episcopall See And here it is that Ptolomy places the Promontory call'd by him Leucopibia which seems to have been an erroneous transcribing of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or white houses 7. The summ of what hath been written is thus delivered by S. Beda The Southern Picts saith he forsaking the Errour of their Idolatry receiv'd the true Faith by the preaching 〈◊〉 most holy man and most reverend Bishop Ninias Ninianus who was by Nation a Brittain and had been regularly instructed in the Mysteries of the true Faith at Rome 8. Many years he spent in his Apostolicall Office for his death ensued not till thirty eight years after his first entrance He consecrated Bishops ordained Preists and divided the the whole countrey into certain Parishes as the Authour of his Life declares There remains more to be written of him which we will reserve till the time of his death And whereas his See was establish'd in the Province of Galloway which may seem to imply that he was a Scott we shall in due place demonstrate that in those dayes that Province was belonging to the Iurisdiction of the Brittains not Scotts XXII CHAP. 1. c. S. Regulus comes into the Pictish kingdom out of Greece with the Relicks of S. Andrew c. 6. c. Of the Culdei or Coli-Dei 1. THE Labours of S. Ninianus were no doubt much lightned by the arrivall thither of another Saint to wit S. Regulus who the year following by divine Inspiration came out of Achaia into the same countrey bringing with him the precious Relicks of the Apostle S. Andrew Whose story is thus sett down by Hector Boctius out of ancient Monuments 2. The holy man Regulus saith he as one night he watched at the Sacred monument of S. Andrew was admonished from heaven to take the bone of the holy Apostles arme three fingers and as many ioints of one of his feet and laying them up decently in a vessell to carry them to the Island Albion or Brittany seated in the utmost confines of the world because that in future times there would live a people which should give great veneration to the Apostle S. Andrew and by his intercession receive great graces and benefitts both earthly and heavenly through the Divine goodnes 3. In complyance with which admonition the holy man undertook that tedious iourney and was ioyfully received there for as it follows in the Narration The report of his arrivall with that sacred Treasure being spread through the Regions of the Picts inflamed the minds of many to see and venerate the holy Relicks of the glorious Apostle The people therfore flowd together from all quarters bringing gifts and Offrings to the holy Apostle There came likewise Hirgustus others call him Hungus their King being invited by the same of these things The Holy man Regulus receiv'd him with a Soline Procession in which Preists and Monks sung Hymns and praises to God The King falling prostrate on the ground with great veneration kiss'd the Sacred Relicks And when all Holy Rites were performed after the Christian manner of which the King was very observant he freely bestowd his Royall Palace to the honour of S. Andrew on Regulus and the Preists who were there to perform Divine service and not farr from them built another Church dedicated to the same Apostle 4. This is the place where in following ages the Scottish Arch-Bishops and Primats establish'd their Archiepiscopall See Which place saith Camden the Ancients call'd Regimont or Regulus his Mount where Vngus King of the Picts erected the principall Church of his Kingdom to this day call'd S. Andrews 5. Some modern Writers perhaps out of an aversion to Sacred Relicks doe professe a doubt of this Narration Yet it is certain that Pope Boniface the Eighth in an Epistle of his to King Edward the first writes in this manner Your Royall Highnes may please to understand that the Kingdom of Scotland was converted to the Vnity of the Catholick Faith by the Venerable Relicks of S. Andrew the Apostle such was the great goodnes of Almighty God 6. The forecited Hector Boetius describing the ornaments with which the pious King Hirgustus enrich'd his New built Church saith he adorned it with munificent gifts Patens Copes Chalices Basons Lavers c. framed of silver and gold and likewise with other precious furniture proper for Sacreduses placing in the same Preists to perform Divine service there 7. These Preists dedicated to Gods worship are the same which the Picts call'd Culdei or Colidei that is worshippers of God Some of these came with S. Regulus into Brittany For he living in Achaia was a Father and Teacher of many who were addicted to true piety And to those others from among the Picts and Brittains ioynd themselves leading a solitary life with such a fame of their Sanctity saith Buchanan that being dead their Cells were converted into Churches And from hence was derived the succeeding custom among the Scotts to call Temples Cells This sort of Monks was anciently call'd Culde◠and their Name and Institut remain'd till a later kind of Monks expell'd them But this last clause he writes with the spirit of a factious Presbyterian For not a later sort of Monks but such Apostats as himself enemies to the Divine Sacrifice celebrated by these contemners of Gods Saints were those who out of Scottland expell'd the Culdees or Religious servants of God 8. Notwithstanding if we speak of the prime originall of these Culdei we have already shewd that they began long before when by reason of the furious persecution rais'd by Diocletian a world of Christians retir'd themselves into desarts there with safety and vacancy to attend to God by Prayer and Religious austerities who therfore were call'd Colidei and corruptly Culdei 9. This digression we make upon occasion of the Gests of S. Regulus whom the English Martyrologe celebrates among the Saints on the twenty eighth of August where notwithstanding there is a mistake in placing his death in the year of Christ three
of S. Patrick written by the ancient Authour Probus Palladius saith he being ordain'd Bishop by Pope Celestinus was directed to the conversion of this Northern Island of Ireland But Almighty God did not give Successe to his preaching Neither can any man receive any thing on earth unles it be given him from heaven For the savage and brutish inhabitants of this countrey would by no means receive his doctrin Therfore he would not spend much time in a land not his own but returned to him that sent him And having pass'd the sea he arriv'd at the confines of the Picts where he remain'd till his death 8. Moreover that the principall care of S. Palladius was exercis'd toward the Brittish Scotts appears in this that his two Disciples Servanus and Tervanus are reckon'd among the learned Teachers of Brittany Of which the former was sent to instruct the inhabitants of the Orcades and the other to the Picts Concerning Servanus the Centuriators of Magdeburg write in this manner When Palladius was sent into Scotland Servanus adjoyn'd himself to him and together with him promoted the Gospell and propagated the Doctrin of it He was afterward sent by the same Palladius after experience had of his learning and Sanctity to be an Apostle of the Isles of Orkney and to teach the inhabitants there true Religious Christian worship This he perform'd with great diligence and zeale and thereby obtain'd the Title of the First Apostle of those Islands Dempster indeed a Scottish Writer attributâ— that Title to another call'd Serfus who sayes he preach'd there before S. Servanus and was Bishop of those Isles chosen from among the Culdees or Colidei But most probable it is that Serâ—us and Servanus were one and the same person 9. And touching Tervanus likewise the other Disciple of S. Palladius another Scottish Historiographer thus writes Palladius having promoted Servanus to the degree of Bishop sent him to the Orcades to imbue that rude and barbarous Nation with the Faith of Christ. He likewise created Tervanus Arch-Bishop of the Picts In which places these two holy men perform'd the Office of their Mission so diligently by advancing piety and religion among them as likewise by rooting out the poyson of the Pelagian heresy out of the minds of many that the one worthily deserv'd to be call'd the Apostle of the Orcades and the other of the Picts The foremention'd Centuriators adde That Tervanus was sent to the Picts to water our Lords vineyard planted among them by S. Ninianus So that he seems to have been Ninianus his Successour And indeed this agrees exactly to the account formerly given touching the Gests and death of S. Ninianus Bishop of Wite-hern or Candida casa for in the year following this that Blessed Saint dyed 10. Little more is found recorded in ancient Ecclesiasticall Monuments touching the Gests of S. Palladius And no wonder his life not continuing much more then a year after he was made Bishop as S. Beda declares who saith that he dyed in the eighth year of the younger Theodosius Which eighth year is to be reckoned from the death of his Vncle the Emperour Honorius and not of his Father Arcadius For at that time Theodosius was but eight years old and under the tuition of Isdegerdes King of Persia. This if Cardinall Baronius had considered he would not have thought fit to correct S. Beda's Chronology 11. Certain modern Writers by mistake conceiving this Palladius to have been an Asiatick doe impute to him the implanting of the Eastern rites in the celebration of Easter among the Brittains And Trithemius likewise erroneously confounds him with Palladius familiar freind of Iohn of Ierusalem who was Bishop of Helenopolis infected with the Errours of Origen and a great defender of Pelagius Whereas this Palladius was a Roman Deacon who in the time of Pope Zosimus wrote the life of S. Iohn Chrysostom and was a zealous opposer of Pelagius and Celestius against whom he composed a Book His memory is celebrated in our English Martyrologe on the twenty seaventh of Ianuary IV. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Mission oâ— S. Germanus and S. Lupus into Brittany 4. c. Gests of S. Germanus before his Mission 8. c. And of S. Lupus 10. c. Their voyage into Brittany and Miracles 1. PResently after Saint Palladius his first voyage into Brittany upon his information sent to Pope Celestinus were deputed the two holy Bishops S. Germanus and S. Lupus to defend the Catholick Faith against the Enemies of Grace who had perverted many in this Island The occasion of whose journey hither is thus described by S. Beda The Brittains saith he being neither willing to receive the perverse Doctrins of those who blasphem'd the Grace of Christ nor also being able by disputes to refute their subtilties who endeavoured to introduce that impious perswasion agreed at last upon a discreet and happy advice which was to demand assistance in this spirituall warr from the Gallican Bishops Whereupon a Great Synod was assembled not in Brittany as Camden and Spelman suppose but in Gaule as appears by the relation of Constantius the Ancient Authour of S. Germanus his life In which Synod a serious consultation was had who should be sent thither to defend the Catholick Faith And at last by a generall and unanimous consent S. Germanus Bishop of Auxeâ—re Altisiodorensis and S. Lupus Bishop of Troyes Tricassinae civitatis were made choice of to goe into Brittany to confirm the Faith of Celestiall Grace 2. Now though in this Narration of S. Beda no mention be made of Pope Celestins interposing in the busines yet S. Prosper in the passage cited in the foregoing Chapter shews that the whole busines was managed by his orders and more expressly in his Chronicon he saith Pope Celestin sent Germanus Bishop of Auxerre in his place and with his authority Vice suâ to drive the Pelagian Hereticks out of Brittany and to establish the inhabitants of that Island in the Catholick Faith 3. Before we attend these two Holy Bishops in their journey to Brittany the relation and obligations we have to them require a particular information concerning their persons qualities former education Besides this we shall be able to judge of the Religion and state of the Brittish Churches in those times by observing their actions and behaviour who are now become the Teachers and Reformers of our Countrey So that any indifferent Reader will be able to perceive whether that Religion which S. Augustin the Monk taught the Saxons about a hundred and seaventy years after was changed from that which these holy Bishops profess'd as some Modern Protestants pretend it was 4. First then touching S. Germanus he was born at Auxerre in Gaule descended from illustrious parents From his infancy he was brought up in literature wherin by reason of his naturall capacity he so advanced himself that he became a great ornament to his countrey
meant to take along with him in which were yet extant marks of the Martyrs death palenes of his Persecutour These things being thus perform'd an innumerable multitude was that day converted to our Lord. 7. What became of this Boxe with the new Relicks of S. Albanus in it after S. Germanus his death the same Authour will acquaint us saying The holy Bishop being dead his inheritance was afterward divided The Emperour first took his portion and after him next the Bishops The like contention followd about dividing his poverty which usually befalls after the death of rich men when every one strives to get some thing and all cannot be satisfied The Empresse Galla Placidia Mother of Valentinian being heyre only of his Benediction had for her share his little Boxe of Sacred Relicks 8. The occurrents hapning after this disputation and miracle are thus further described by the same Writer At their return from this meeting the treacherous Enemy of mankind preparing snares for the Holy Bishop by a casuall fall S. Germanus putt his foot out of joynt This affliction the Devill procur'd being ignorant that after the example of Blessed Iob his merits would be advanced by his suffrings Now during the time that by this infirmity he was constraind to abide in a certain lodging it hapned that a fire took in some houses not far off which being covered with straw and sedges were quickly devour'd by it so that the fire driven forward by wind quickly approach'd to his lodging Whereupon a great concourse of people came to the Venerable Bishop in a great fright intending to take him in their armes and cary him out of danger But he reprehended them and utterly refused to remove having a firm Faith that no harm should happen to him The multitude then despairing of his safety endeavour'd all they could to stopp the progres of the flames But Almighty God the more to shew his Power and his servants Faith so ordained that whatsoever the people endeavoured to preserve was consum'd and that place only where the sick person lay was preserved For the flames as if afraid to touch the Holy Bishops lodging flew quite over it though they raged violently on both sides of it So that among the rolling flames the house wherin he lay was only untouch'd The multitude seing this miracle exulted rejoycing that their labours and endeavours had been conquered by divine power 9 Whilst he lay there a numberlesse multitude continually attended and watch'd at the dore of this holy poor man some seeking health for their soules and some for their bodies The wonderfull vertues and miracles which our Lord wrougth by his servant can scarce be related they were so many He being infirm himself gave strenght and health to others Neither would he permit any one to apply any remedy to his infirmity But on a certain night he saw standing before him a certain person in white garments who stretching forth his hand seemd to raise him up from his couch commanding him to stand firmly After which all his pain pass'd away and his strength was so restor'd that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey 10. After this followd a generall benefitt to the whole Brittish Nation procur'd by this holy Bishops merits and prayer which the same Authour thus relates In the mean time the Saxons and the Picts with joynt forces made warr upon the Brittains who therefore were drawn together into a body But being distrustfull of their ability to resist such powerfull enemies they humbly implor'd the assistance of these Holy Bishops which they chearfully promis'd and hastning their journey to the Brittish camp they so encreased the courage and resolution of the Brittains as if a new Army had been joyn'd to them Thus our Lord himself by the ministery of these his Captains seemd to be General of the Army Then was the holy time of Lent which the presence of these Venerable Bishops caused to be observed with greater devotion Insomuch as by their dayly preaching great multitudes flockd to receive Baptisme for the greatest part of the army desired to be partaker of that blessed Sacrament Hereupon a Church was prepared against the solemnity of Easter and though the place was open feilds yet it was ordered as if it had been in a Citty Thus the Army went in Procession moistned with the water of Baptism and being inflamed with the fervour of holy Faith they contemned the guard of outward weapons expecting more sure protection from heaven This order and posture of the Brittish army was come to the Enemies knowledge who not doubting a Victory against unarm'd people with great chearfullnes hastned to sett upon them The Brittains in the mean time were acquainted with their march and assoon as the Solemne Feast of our Lords Resurrection was past the greater part of the Army being newly baptis'd took to their arms and prepar'd themselves for a battell S. Germanus himself being their Generall He maks choice of a band of light arm'd soldiers and takes a view of the countrey round about and observing a valley compass'd with mountains lying directly in the Enemies way he there places a new army of a part of which himself would be Captain Now the feirce Enemies approach'd and were discover'd by such as had been placed in ambush Then on a sudden S. Germanus their Leader gave order to all his soldiers that with loud clamours they should repeat the words pronounc'd by him and immediatly while the Enemies thought to fall on presuming that they had not been discovered the Holy Bishops three times cryed out aloud ALLELVIAH whereupon the whole Army with one voice thundred out likewise ALLELVIAH which noyse was terribly multiplied and encreas'd by the Eccho's from the mountains round about 11. The sound alone of this sacred word suffised to terrify the Enemies Army which fell a trembling as if not the rocks only but heaven it self had falln on their heads insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight vex'd that their leggs could not cary them away fast enough They run all wayes every where they cast away their arms glad to escape with their naked bodies Great numbers of them in their headlong flight were swallow'd up by a river through which a little before they had march'd with confidence and leasure enough All this while the Brittish Army without striking a stroke was spectatour of the vengeance which Heaven tooke on their Enemies Afterward they gather the spoyles and prey expos'd to them with great devotion acknowledging the Victory due only to God The Holy Bishops then triumph indeed to see the Enemies defeated without blood-shed they triumph for a Victory gaind not by arms but Faith alone And thus having every wayes setled this rich Island in security both from their spirituall and carnall Enemies after so glorious a Victory over the Pelagians and Saxons they prepared themselves for their return to the great greif of the
casa 3. Here the Reader may observe that this Bishop was by the confession of these Lutheran Protestants famous for his Sanctity and miracles and withall one who dayly studied the Holy Scriptures Yet he was very devout in giving respect and Veneration to Gods Saints to whose honour he likewise built Churches S. Martin dyed not above thirty years before S. Ninianus ended his life and yet we find a Church built by S. Ninianus and dedicated to S. Martin Yet the same Protestants make sharp invectives against the Roman Church for imitating these Saints magnified by themselves 4. The Example of S. Ninianus was imitated by the Brittish Church neer the same age for when S. Augustin the Monk came into Brittany to convert the Saxons he found saith S. Beda in the Citty of Canterbury a Church dedicated to the honour of S. Martin which had been anciently built in the times when the Romans inhabited this Island 5. S. Ninianus before he dyed divided the Provinces of the Picts into Parishes he ordained Preists there and consecrated Bishops This he did by the authority of the Roman Bishop from whom as hath been related he received his Mâ—ssion 6. As touching the Miracles which God wrought by his servant S. Ninianus although my intention be to be spating in relating such things yet since the foremention'd Lutheran Writers acknowledge this Saint to have been famous for them it may be expedient in this place to record one as followeth 7. In the Region of the Picts saith the Authour of S. Ninianus life there was a certain Prince named Tudwal a proud high-spirited man who contemning the admonitions of this man of God and derogating from his doctrin and life resisted him openly On a certain day having been more then ordinarily troublesome and rude to him God the Supreme heavenly Iudge would not suffer any longer the iniuries offred to his holy Servant to passe unrevenged but strook this proud man with an intolerable pain in his head by the violence of which those lofty eyes of his became utterly blind So that he which had before impugn'd the Light of Divine Truth deservedly lost the light of this world But upon beâ—ter consideration he sent a message to the holy Bishop humbly beseeching him in imitation of our Lords benignity to return to him good for ill and love for hatred The Venerable Bishop hereupon first sharply reprov'd the Prince and then touching him imprinted on his eyes the sign of the Crosse when immediatly his pains ceased his blindnes was dissipated and afterward the Prince highly honoured the Holy Bishop and readily granted whatsoever he ask'd of him 8. As touching the place of his Buriall and Episcopall See call'd Candida casa and by the Saxons Wit-hern Malmsburiensis thus writes of it Candida casa is the name of a place in the confines of England and Scotland where is the sepulcher of the Blessed Confessour Ninias by nation a Brittain who there first preached the Gospel of Christ. That name was given to the place by occasion of a Church which the holy Bishop there built of hew'n stone which to the rude Brittains seemd a wonder This Holy man Ninias is celebrated by Antiquity for his many miracles 9. There is extant in Bishop Vshers Brittish Antiquities an Epistle of our Learned Countreyman Alcuinus not printed among his works wherin he testifies the great fame of the Sanctity and Miracles of this Blessed Bishop It is directed to the Religious Preists then living at Candida Casa And Paschasius Radbertus recounst a Miracle in the same age wherin Alcuinus who attended on the Emperour Charles the Great liv'd which miracle hapned to a devout Preist celebrating Masse at the Saints monument There was a certain Religious Preist saith he nam'd Plegils who frequently solemnis'd Masse at the Body of S. Ninias Bishop and Confessour Who living a vertuous and holy life began frequently to beseech our Lord that he would please to shew visibly to him the nature and verity of the Body and Blood of Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament This Prayer he made not from want of Faith in the truth of the Mystery but meerly out of an affection of devotion and piety Consequently the Authour declares how to his great consolation our Lord appeard to him in the Sacrament in the form of a young child XII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Germanus his second coming into Brittany 6.7.8 He Ordains Bishops here Of Landaff 10.11 He instituts the Vniversity of Oxford 1. THree years after the death of S. Ninianus S. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre was once more invited into Brittany to perfect the good work which he had formerly begun in rooting out the Pelagian Heresy there spreading it self again The relation we must borrow from the same Authour the learned Preist Constantius to whom Baronius gives this Character that he was a Writer of those times of most perfect integrity and sincerity in all things 2. In the mean time says he a Message from Brittany comes declaring that the perversity of the Pelagian Heresy by the impious diligence of a few Authours began to enlarge it self there Hereupon once more the prayers of all are again address'd to S. Germanus that he would maintain the cause of Divine Grace which by his diligence formerly prevayl'd The Holy Bishop made no delay to comply with their petition for his delight was to labour and even spend his strength in the service of Christ. The Devills envy began now to languish as the Holy mans vertues encreas'd neither durst he so much as tempt him whom by experience he knew to be a freind of God 3. There was adjoyn'd to him for his companion Severus Bishop of Triers a person of consummate Sanctity who had long preach'd the word of God to the Nations of Germania Prima In his way he pass'd by Paris where he is received with great joy and acclamations of the people as the presence of so eminent a Saint well deserved 4. In the mean time infernall Spirits flying through the whole Island foretold the return of Saint Germanus being forc'd to doe so against their wills Insomuch as that one nam'd Elaphius a principall person of the countrey without any notice given of the Holy Bishops journey came in hast to meet them He brought with him his Son upon whom from the flower of his youth a lamentable infirmity had seis'd For all his members were withred and the hamm of his leggs so drawn together that by reason of the drynes of his thigh he could not sett his foot to ground Elaphius was attended by almost the whole province which assembled together though no advice had been given them of the Holy Bishops coming By whom assoon as they mett together an Episcopall Benediction was confer'd on the people and the words of Truth preach'd to them S. Germanus perceives that the generality of the people persever'd constant in the doctrin which he had left
among them and that the fault adhered to a few busy persons which are diligently sought out and without delay condemned 5. As for Elaphius he humbly kneeling kiss'd the Bishops hands presenting to him his lame Son whose sad condition and necessity were sufficiently recommended to the Bishops charity by his youth and debility without his fathers request So miserable a spectacle mov'd compassion in all but especially in the holy Bishops mind which compassion they interpreted to be a sign of Gods clemency to cure him Presently therefore Saint Germanus compell'd the young man to sitt down and then handled his hamm that was contracted and with his right hand strok'd over all the members weakned with that infirmity Immediatly perfect health and strength attended that wholesom touch the withred members recovered their naturall iuice and humidity and the sinews their office and agility to move them Thus in the sight of all the young man was restored to his father as if he had been new made All the people are astonish'd at this miracle by which means the Catholick Faith is perfectly confirm'd in their minds The rest of the time was spent in preaching up and down which wanted not efficacy to convert and reform the hearers So that by an universall consent the Authours of the perverse Doctrine are brought before the Holy Bishops and then banish'd out of the Island This holy work was with such solidity perform'd then that to this day the Orthodox Faith remains in those places unstaind Thus all things being well compos'd the Blessed Bishops return'd with a voyage as prosperous as they came This is the summary narration of Constantius touching S. Germanus his second journey into Brittany Which Constantius liv'd about forty years after Saint Germanus his death and dedicated his Book to Patiens Bishop of Lyons 6. Notwithstanding our Ecclesiasticall Monuments record many more particular benefits which our Countrey receiv'd from the Holy Bishop Germanus during his abode this second time in Brittany which seems to have continued severall years though how many does not appeare by any Chronologists therefore we must be excus'd if we cannot assign the particular actions of this Saint to their determinate times 7. By many deeds of the holy Bishop here it may be concluded that he came with Commission from the See Apostolick Pope Sixtus then sitting in the Chair of S. Peter For Saint Germanus seeing many Churches deprived of Pastours by which means the people became wavering in their Faith call'd a Synod which was an act of Iurisdiction committed to him and by common advice selected learned and pious men whom he ordained Bishops placing them in severall Churches 8. Thus we read in the History of the Church of Landaff How after the foresaid Bishops had rooted out the Pelagian Heresy they consecrated Bishops in severall quarters of the land And over all the Brittains toward che right hand side that is the Southern parts of Brittany they promoted the Blessed man Dubricius to be Arch-Bishop who was an eminent Doctour and was chosen both by the King Mouricus and whole Diocese At Landaff they constituted an Archiepiscopall See with the said Kings consent where a Church was built and dedicated to the honour of the Prime Apostle Saint Peter These are the borders of it c. Now whereas Landaff is here call'd an Archiepiscopall See it is an Errour either of the Authour or Transcriber True it is that when that See was afterward transplanted to Caër-leon an Archiepiscopall See was established there 9. As touching the Holy Bishop Dubricius we shall treat more of him separatly after an account given of S. Germanus his actions And whereas it is said that by the consent of King Mouricus an Episcopall See was erected at Landaff notice is to be taken that this Mouricus was Son to Theodoric Prince of Glamorganshire Morganniae who as Bishop Godwin relates resign'd his Principality and embraced a Monasticall or Eremiticall life But afterward when the Saxons invaded the Island he was drawn out of his Cell to be leader of an Army and courageously rushing among the enemies receiv'd a mortall wound for which merit he was enroll'd in the number of Martyrs 10. S. Germanus his next care after ordaining Bishops was to visit the Schooles the sources of Learning For these two are the Pillars to sustain and perpetuate Faith Brian Twyne the Advocat of the Vniversity of Oxford affirms positively that Saint Germanus studied in that Vniversity But generally all Authours ancient and Modern agree that he establish'd good order there yea and probably to encourage both Teachers and Disciples himself for some time taught among them and gathered many Auditours Among whom one of the principall which we find in Records was S. Iltutus or Elcutus of whom here after as likewise of another whose memory is celebrated in Lesser Brittany nam'd S. Briocus 11 Concerning S. Germanus his establishing the Vniversity of Oxfor'd we have an illustrious testimony of our learned countrey-man Asserius who liv'd above eight hundred years since For treating of the Controversy between the Students of Oxford and Grimbaldus whom King Alfred had called out of France to govern that Vniversity he introduces the Students thus pleading for themselves in opposing the change that Grimbaldus would make in their Instituts They the Schollars likewise saith he proved by unquestionable testimonies of ancient Annals that the Orders and Instituts of that place had been establish'd by pious and learned men as Gildas Melkin Nemri Kentigern and others who all grew old in their studies there and administred all things happily in peace and concord They shewd moreover that Saint Germanus came to Oxford and abode there half a year approving wonderfully their said Orders and Instituts This was when he travell'd through Brittany preaching against the Heresies of the Pelagians This Testimony is of great force in case that passage be not an Addition of a later hand to Asserus as is much to be suspected XIII CHAP. 1.2 c S. Germanus his Faith was Roman the same with that of Saint Augustin the Monk This testified by Protestants 6.7 Churches built to his honour by the ancient Brittains 1. AFter how long abode in Brittany S. Germanus returned home is uncertain But the infinite obligations our Nation has to him are unquestionable Among which the greatest of all is his establishing the Catholick Faith here so firmly that it continued inviolate many ages Insomuch as even Protestant Writers attribute to him the Title of Apostle of Brittany 2. It will therefore be expedient that we conclude the Narration of his Gests with declaring what Doctrines in Religion S. Germanus himself profess'd for the same we may be sure he left behind him in Brittany This Enquiry seems necessary because it will give light for a resolution whether in the following age Saint Augustin the Monk sent by Saint Gregory the Great to convert the Saxons taught them a new Religion full of
Superstitions and quite changed from that which Saint Germanus profess'd as Protestants affirm who therefore magnify Saint Germanus for the purity of his Faith and as much derogate from S. Augustin 3. Touching therefore Saint Germanus his Religion particularly in the Points now most controverted and wherein Saint Augustin is charged to have been faulty we cannot more certainly nor more ingenuously determine it then by seeking information from a person of eminent learning in Antiquity a Protestant or however without question no Roman Catholick to witt M. Selden Who in a Treatise by him call'd Analecta Anglo-Britannica has inserted one Chapter exactly pertinent to our present purpose The Title of which Chapter is Touching the practises of Ecclesiasticall Discipline wherewith Germanus and Lâ—pus Bishops imbued the Brittains Which Enquiry he consequently satisfies in the following Chapter in the manner following 4. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre and Lupus Bishop of Troyes in Gaule came into Brittany to restore Christian Religion deprav'd by the Heresy of Pelagius and Errours of Pagans Their doctrines and documents taught by them as the fame is which also Giraldus Cambrensis testifies to have continued to his dayes were as followeth 1. Of every loaf of Bread set before them one corner they gave to the poore 3. They sate three together at dinner in memory of the Blessed Trinity 4. If any one mett in the way a Religious Monk or Clergy-man or any one in a Religious habit he would presently lay aside his weapons and with a low inclination of his head demand his Benediction 5. Generally all the people doe earnestly demand Episcopall Confirmation and Inunction with Holy Chrism by which the Holy Ghost is conferr'd 6. They some times bestow the Tithe of all their Substance cattle and Sheep namely either when they marry or undertake some long Pilgrimage or by the Churches Order submitt to some extraordinary Pennance for their sins This they call the great Tithe and two parts of it they bestow on the Church where they received Baptisme the third they give to the Bishop of the Diocese 7. Beyond all other externall labours of Mortification they are most devoted to Pilgrimages undertaken to Rome to visit the Monuments of the Apostles 8 Beyond any other Nation they expresse a devout reverence to Churches and Church-men likewise to Relicks of Saints to portable Bells Sacred Books and the Holy Crosse. And this devotion hath been rewarded with greater peace they any other Churches enjoyd 9. For entire security is observed in regard of Beasts feeding not only in Church yards but much beyond them through all bounds inclosed with ditches which Bishops design for observation of peace and indemnity And greater Churches to which antiquity always afforded greater reverence have power to grant and enjoyn the observation of such peace and security for cattle whilst at morn they goe and at Even return from their pastures This peace and security is observ'd so inviolably that if any one should incurr the mortall indignation of his Prince and afterward seeke refuge in a Church he may enjoy the fruit of this Peace both for his person and goods And indeed from such large immunities far beyond the ancient Canons which in such cases allow safety only to a mans life and body occasion of great abuses have been taken for by reason of such impunity many doe audaciously practise hostility and from such plâ—ces of Reâ—uge doe horribly infest the whole countrey about and even the Prince himself 5. There is scarce any one of these Christian practises but was taught by S. Augustin also and yet Protestant Writers condemne S Augustin for them and absolve S. Germanus yea magnify him and glory in an opinion that they are conformable to his Doctrin and Discipline They allow to Saint Germanus the glorious Title of Apostle of the Brittains who taught them no new Doctrins of Christianity but only confirmed them in what they had beleived before And the same Title they with contempt refuse to S. Augustin who withdrew the barbarous Pagan Saxons from their Idolatry and Infidelity and instilled first into their minds the true knowledge and worship of God Faith in the Redeemer of the world and Veneration to the Holy Crosse the Sign of our Redemtion Such partiality the Spirit of Schism does naturally produce 6. Our Ancestours in testimony of their gratitude to the Veneraâ—le Bishop S. Germanus and the high esteem of his Sanctity approved by many Miracles not long after his death built Chappell 's and Churches to his honour Particularly concerning one of these Camden thus writes In Cornwall neer the River Liver there is a village named from Saint German to which during the Danish tumults the Episcopall see of that Province was transferr'd out of feare it being a place more remote and secure There a Church had been erected and consecrated to the honour of S. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre who extirpated the Pelagian Heresy that began to rise anew among the Brittains In Yorkshire likewise a famous Monastery was consecrated to him as the same Authour thus testifies The River Ouse does water Selby a town well peopled there King William the First founded a Church in memory of S. Germanus who happily wounded to death the many-headed Hydra of Pelagianism which was oft quelld and oft revived again The Abbot of this Monastery and of S. Marâ—es at York were the only two Northern Abbots which had Seats in Parliament 7. Among the Silures in Northwales the Memory of S. Germanus is much celebrated for from him a part of Radnorshire is called Guarthenion For as our ancient Historian Nennius relates Vortimer the Son of Vortigern in satisfaction for injuries done by his Father to Saint Germanus dedicated that part of the countrey to him where he had been wrongd In memory of which it took the name of Guartheny which in the Brittish language signifies a calumny justly retorted Besides these many other Monuments testifying the like veneration to the same Apostolick Bishop might be produced but these are sufficient And this last Example proves this Devotion of the Brittains to him to have begun presently after his death XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Vortigern chosen King of all Brittany His Character c. 1. HItherto since the time that the Romans had relinquish'd all care and protection of Brittany the severall Provinces of the Island had been governed by petty Princes independent on one another But in the year four hundred thirty and eight by reason of the frequent inroads of their cruell Enemies the Picts and Scotts by a common agreement of the severall Provinces a Generall Captain of the whole Nation was chosen after the example of their Ancestors in the days of Iulius Cesar and the Kingdom established in his line 2. Which choice unhappily fell on Vortigern a man born for the destruction of his countrey for he it is that by his slouthfull vices first weakned it and afterward calling in to
but much afflict his soule to be a spectatour of the enormous vices raigning there and probably he had a foresight of the miseries which would shortly befall it 3. Concerning this Pilgrimage the forecited Authour Pits thus writes Bachiarius seeing his countrey afflicted with dayly calamities out of compassion to it and with an intention to implore divine assistance undertook very tedious and laborious Pilgrimages But there wanted not detractours and calumniatours in those times who therefore charged him with levity inconstancy and vanity if not worse Whereupon he was obliged to cleare himself by writing an Apology in which he seriously protested that he undertook and perform'd those travells meerly for the love of God the salvation of his soule and comfort of his afflicted countrey And because it was impossible for him to purge himself to all his detractours he wrote his Defence to S. Leo the first Pope of that name the common Father of all Christians as may be collected from Gennadius Honorius and Capgrave 4. There is moreover extant in the Great Bibliotheque of the Fathers a learned and elegant Epistle written on this occasion by the same S. Bachiarius He had heard that a certain Preist by the Devills suggestion had violated a consecrated Virgin for which he was cast out of the Church without any hope of being restor'd The Holy man was deeply afflicted both for the enormity of the Crime and extreme rigour of the punishment Whereupon he wrote an Epistle replenish'd both with Divine learning and compassionate Charity This Epistle he gave to a Preist call'd Ianuarius whom he humbly entreats and strongly evinces for the Restitution of the Offender shewing that in the most fruitfull feild of Gods Church there grew herbes medecinall to every wound Then addressing his speech to the guilty Preist he powerfully aexhorts him to Pennance in an inclos'd Monastery there to expiate his crime by fasting sack-cloath and prayer and to begg the Intercession of Gods Saints in his behalf And fearing least he should accumulate his sin by joyning Mariage to his incest he terrifies him with shewing the abominable excesse of marying one who was espous'd consecrated to our Lord when she took the Veyle of her Religious Profession By which Epistle may be seen as in a Mirrour the State of the Ecclesiasticall Disciplin of those times the inviolablenes of their Religious Vows and Celibacy of Preists So that we may easily iudge what censure the Prime Apostle of Reformation Luther with his Catherine Bor would then have incurr'd 5. Besides this Epistle the same S. Bachiarius wrote many other Treatises which are reckond up by the Centuriators of Magdeburg who adde that he liv'd to a very old age dying in the year four hundred and sixty If he be the same with him whom Bishop Vsher calls Maccaeus and the Annals of Vlster name Muchti or Mochta his death is prolonged much longer till the year of Grace five hundred thirty five XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Brittains lamentable demand of succours in vain 6. c. They call in the Saxons to their destruction 1. IN these times the Vandals by their incursions and numerous Armies greivously opprâ—s'd the Roman Empire Which opportunity being observ'd by the Picts Scotts they likewise broke their limitts and miserably wasted the Provinces of Brittany which had been subject to the Romans This hapned in the eighth year of Vortigerns raign 2. The year following they continued their invasion with such extreme violence and were so weakly resisted by the Brittains sortned with luxury that after much bloodshed and horrible wasting of the countrey their only refuge was to the Romans whom with the most humble and passionate Prayers they solicited to afford them succour 3. Their short but lamentable Epistle directed to Aetius Generall of the Roman forces is thus recorded by Gildas To Aetius third time Consul The groans of the Brittains Our barbarous enemies drive us to the Sea the Sea beates us back upon our barbarous Enemies Between these two we are expos'd either to be slain with the sword or drownd and to avoyd both we find no remedy 4. But these letters avayld nothing for the Romans with much adoe being scarce able to secure the heart of their Empire could not defend the remote bounds So that the Brittains wanting arms and much more wanting hearts became dayly a prey to their enemies With this calamity another was ioynd much more terrible which was extremity of famine saith S. Beda which forc'd many of them to render themselves slaves to their Savage enemies Only a few being by these miseries taught the wisedome to seek aid from heaven retir'd into inaccessible mountains caves from whence they took the courage often times with good successe to sett upon their Enemies busy only in heaping spoyles which they recover'd from them and drove them back into their own quarters 5. But this refreshment lasted but awhile because their Piety and recourse to Divine help presently vanish'd For as the same Authour from Gildas declares After the Hostile invasions of their enemies ceased the Island began to abound with all manner of fruits and provisions beyond what any former age could remember And as their plenty abounded so did their luxury which was quickly accompanied with all sorts of vices especially cruelty to one another hatred of Divine Truth c. 6. Gods patience therefore being spent towards a people which grew worse both by prosperity and adversity he brought upon them Enemies far more Savage and barbarous then either the Picts or Scotts Or rather he so infatuated the reprobat Brittains that they themselves invited from a remote countrey those new Enemies to consume them These were the Saxons the Angli and Iutes Nations of Germany terrible for their undaunted courage and agility saith Paulus Diaconus most formidable to the Romanâ— because most sudden and violent in their enterprises saith Marcellinus Esteemd the most warlick Nations among the Germans for strength of bodies courage of minds and pacience to suffer all corporall labours and incommodities saith Zosimus 7. But before we particularly relate the last fatall Tragedy of the ruine of the Brittish Kingdom and State in this Island some more speciall occurrents hapning at the same time and relating to Ecclesiasticall affaires require first to be dispatch'd that they may not interrupt the contexture of that dismall story XVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Patrick returns into Ireland Calls a Synod The Decrees of it 5.6 Of S. Albeus c. Disciples of S. Patrick 7. Conversion of K. Engus 8.9 c. S. Benignus his Successour in Armagh His retreat 1. SAint Patrick though for his particular consolation he had retir'd himself into the secure repose of a Monastery yet it was with this condition that whensoever any emergent pressing necessity of Gods Church requiring his presence and care should intervene he would quitt the Office of
through wooddy and marish places But assoon as he was arriv'd in an Island where he saw a solitary place which he iudg'd fitt for his habitation he presently fix'd his staff in the ground which without delay wonderfully grew green and brought forth fresh leaves There therefore Saint Benignus resolv'd to abide to his death in the service of God alone And to this day the same Tree the witnes and sign of his Sanctity remains flourishing with green boughs neer the Oratory of the blessed man c. 11. The same Authour further proceeds to declare how by another miracle God testified that the Holy mans watchings fasting and prayers with other austerityes were acceptable to him Although saith he that solitary place separated from wordly conversation was very opportune and proper for attending to God and Divine things Yet one incommodity it had that there was no water neer So that young Pincius was compell'd every day to fetch water almost three miles off whence it came to passe that partly through wearines but principally through suggestions of malignant Spirits he grew disheartned which the Holy man perceiving oftimes endeavoured to comfort and encourage him At last taking compassion of his labours he prostrating himself on the ground humbly and heartily besought our Lord to open for his servant a spring of water which might sufficiently supply his necessities After which admonish'd by an Angelicall vision he gave his staff to young Pincius commanding him to goe to a certain place full of reeds and there striking the ground with his staff he should without doubt find water so earnestly desir'd by them The child obeyd went to the place and in the name of the Blessed Trinity he strook the ground three times making three holes in it with the end of the staff which he had no sooner done but immediatly a fountain gush'd forth from whence to this day a brook and that no small one is supplied which is both good for fishing and healthfull likewise for many infirmities The same Narration is likewise to be found in Iohn the Monk and the summ of it in Capgrave who calls the Island in which S. Benignus liv'd by the name of Ferramere 22. Bishop Vsher in confirmation of this relation made by our Brittish Historians touching S. Benignus his coming into Brittany collects likewise from ancient Irish Writers that the same Holy Bishop four years before his death relinquish'd his Archiepiscopall See of Armagh and retired himself So that he is to be suppos'd to have ended his life about the year of Christ four hundred fifty five Six-hundred and thirty years after his Sacred Body was translated to Glastenbury by the direction and care of Thurstin then Abbott The ceremonies and solemnity of which Translation are to be read in the Antiquities of that famous Monastery XIX CHAP. 1.2 c. Many Irish Saints in Cornwall 4.5 c. Of S. Piran and S. Cadocus there 1. THE Example of S. Patrick and S. Benignus was imitated by many other Irish Saints which to enjoy a perfect vacancy from worldly affaires retired into Brittany to consecrate themselves to God in a life of Austerity and Contemplation And in Brittany the Province whither they most frequently betook themselves was Cornwall Insomuch as Camden had just ground to say That the people of Cornwal have always born such a veneration to the Irish Saints vhich retir'd thither that almost all the towns in that Province have been consecrated to their memory There is S. Buriens dedicated to an Irish Religious woman of that name to the Church whereof King Ethelstan in the year nine hundred thirty six gave the Priviledge of Sanctuary There is the town of S. Iies so call'd from S. Iia a woman of singular sanctity which came thither from Ireland There is S. Colomb named not from S. Columbanus as some Historians erroneously imagin but from an Irish S. Colomba as the same Authour assures us There is S. Merven S. Erben S. Eval S. Wenn S. Enedor and many other places all which took their names from Irish Saints 2. But one speciall Irish Saint is there venerated to whom in a more particular manner a place is here due That is S. Piran call'd by the Irish S. Kiaran Concerning whom B. Vsher out of an ancient Authour thus writes that he hearing that in Rome Christian Religion was most truly taught and faithfally practised forsook Ireland and travelled thither Where being arrived he was instructed in Christian Faith and baptised And there he remaind twenty years reading Divine Scriptures many books of which he gathered together and learning Ecclesiasticall Rules with all diligence He addes further that at Rome he was ordaind Bishop and sent into Ireland thirty years before S. Patrick for which reason some Irish Writers call him Sanctorum Primogenitum the first-born of all their Saints But it is scarce credibile that four Bishops as they pretend should have been sent into that Island before the days of S. Patrick who yet is acknowledged the Prime and only Apostle of that Countrey and in the Roman Martyrologe is said to be the first which preached Christ in Ireland 3. More probably the Authour of S. Pirans life in Capgrave affirms that he was one of the first twelve Bishops consecrated by S. Patrick to propagate the Faith which he first preached there And after that by his labours the Gospell had made gâ—d progresse by S. Patricks example S. Piran and many others inflam'd with the Divine Love forsook all wordly things and lead an Eremiticall life among whom was S. Bredan c. 4. But omitting others let us see what the same Authour writes concerning the Motives inducing S. Piran to retire himself in his old age into Brittany S. Piran saith he calling together his Disciples and the rest of the people thus spoke to them My Brethren and beloved children It is the Divine Will that I should forsake Ireland and goe into Cornwall in Brittany there to expect the end of my dayes I cannot resist the Will of God c. Having thus discours'd unto them he sailed into Cornwall where he built a mansion for himself and many miracles God was pleas'd to work by him among the people At last infirmity of body having seised on him of which he languish'd calling his Brethren together and copiously instructing them in things which concern the Kingdom of God he commanded his grave to be made ready which being done he went down into it on the third of the Nones of May and there rendred up his soule to God which with great glory was receiv'd into heaven His sacred Body reposes in Cornwall toward the Northern Severn sea fifteen miles from Petrock-stow Padstow five and twenty from Mousehole 5. The Memory of this holy man yet remains in the same place which Camden in his perambulation thus declares A more spacious region hence runs East ward the coast wherof winds nor thward
a feirce battell was begun and much blood shed on both sides But at last Hengist perceiving his army to give ground and that the Brittains began to prevayle he presently fled to a town call'd Caêr-conan now Cuningbury But considering the weaknes of the town to resist he knew his only safety consisted in the swords and spears of his followers Ambrosius pursued him and by the way putt to the sword all the Saxons he found Thus having obtaind the Victory he with great zeale and devotion gave praise to the God of heaven 8. As for Hengist he fortified his camp as well as he could neer the said town But after a few days saith Camden he was forc'd to come to a battell before his camp which was fatall to him and his for the greatest part of his army was cutt in peices and himself being taken prisoner was beheaded by the Brittains 9. This battell saith Florilegus was fought on the banks of the River Don. And the manner how Hengist was taken prisoner was this The valiant Eldot Duke or Consul of Glocester Claudiocestriae had an earnest desire to cope with Hengist Therefore with the forces under his command furiously peircing through the Enemies squadrons he at last found him and laying hold on the fore part of his helmet with main force he drew him in among his own troops saying God at last hath fullfilld my desire It is he who hath given us the Victory Presently after this the Saxons fled every one his own way whom Ambrosius pursuing manfully slew Octa the Son of Hengist with the greatest numbers fled to York But Esca and not a few with him betook themselves to another Citty call'd Aclud After this Victory Ambrosius took the Citty Caër-conan which he entred triumphantly staying there onely three days 10. The same Author consequently relates the manner how Hengist was sentenced and executed after the fight After the saith he Ambrosius calling his Captains together commanded them to decreet what should becom of Hengist Whereupon Eldad Bishop of Glocester who was also Brother of Eldot impos'd silence on them all and gnashing his teeth for rage he thus said Though all here present had a desire to set him free I my self would cutt him in peices Why doe you delay O effeminat Brittains Did not Samuêl a Prophet having taken the King of Amalec prisoner in a battell cutt him in peices one limme after another saying As thou hast made many Mothers childles so will I make thy mother childles this day Doe you therefore deale in the same manner with this barbarous King who is another Agag and has depriv'd a world of Brittish Mothers of their children When he had thus sayd Eldad drew his sword and leading him out of the Citty cutt off his head sending his soule into hell 11. If this relation be true Eldad shew'd himself an unmercifull man and one who forgott the duty of a Christian Bishop who ought rather to have mitigated the rigour of other mens sentences then to pronounce so cruell a iudgment whilst others who were soldiers too held their peace He therefore little deserves the commendation given him by Pits for his piety and prudence which he â—ill express'd when gnashing his teeth for rage he extorted a Captive Kings death from an Assembly of soldiers The Book of Invective Orations for which the same Authour likewise reckons him among the ancient Brittish Writers probably proceeding from the same spirit deserved rather to be forgotten then recorded as in honour of our Ancestors 12. After this so signall a Victory Ambrosius mindfull of his Vow call'd together workmen Masons and Carpenters and took care to repaire the Houses of God which had been destroyed and placing in them Preists and other Clergy-men he reduc'd the Divine service to the pristine order And wheresoever he found any Idols or Temples of false Gods he defac'd them utterly out of the memory of men He was studious to observe iustice and peace especially to Ecclesiasticall persons and confer'd on them liberall revenews enjoyning them all to pray for the Kingdom and state of Gods Church 13. Hengist being thus dead his Son Aesca succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent He is call'd Oisc by S. Beda who addes that from him the succeeding Kings of Kent were call'd Oiskings As for his other Son Otta in the former narration of Florilegus said to have fled to York nothing can be found of him among the Ancient Writers So that small credit is to be given to what Modern Historians relate concerning him that King Ambrosius bestow'd on him the Province of Galloway in Scotland since in those days that Province was not in the disposall of the Brittains XII CHAP. 1.2 S. Brigit comes out of Ireland into Brittany for Relicks and returns 1. THE same year in which Hengist was slain the Holy Virgin S. Brigit came out of Ireland into Brittany as we find recorded in the Antiquities of Glastonbury and her busines was to obtain some Relicks of her most dear and honour'd Patron S. Patrick for she had been his Disciple and a great admirer of his sanctity which she zealously imitated Being in Brittany she pass'd some years in a certain small Island near Glastonbury where there was an Oratory consecrated to the honour of S. Mary Magdalen The Island was called Bekery or the Little Island Afterward having left behind her scripp chain bell and other vestments of her own weaving which for the memory of her Sanctity are there expos'd she return'd into Ireland where not long after she rested in our Lord and was buried in the Citty of Down 2. This is that famous Virgin for her Sanctity and miracles venerated by Gods Church on the first day of February On which day we read in the Martyrologes of Rome S. Beda and Ado these words This day is celebrated the Memory of S. Brigid a Virgin who in testimony of her virginity having touch'd the Wood of an Altar it became presently green Her death is frequently assign'd by writers to the eighteenth year of the following Century But truër Chronology saith Bishop Vsher makes her to out live S. Patrick only thirty years XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Sophias a Brittish Martyr and Bishop of Beneventum 1. IN our English Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of Ianuary there is a commemoration of a Brittish Saint and Martyr call'd S. Sophias whose death is assigned to the four hundred and ninetieth year of our Lord. 2. This S. Sophias was the Son of Guilleicus Prince of the Ordovices or Northwales He undertook a Monasticall Profession in a Monastery built by himself in the same Province It is written of him that he had such devotion to our Lords Passion that he made three pilgrimages to Ierusalem to visit the marks and footsteps of it He had likewise a great Veneration to Rome and those places which had been consecrated by the
which time S. Leo the first governed the Church and Marcian the Roman Empire when Ateila infested Italy He is here improperly call'd an Englishman for though the Angli were at that time in Brittany and probably S. Richard was descended of a family of that particular Nation yet many yeares pass'd before the Island received from them the appellation of England 4. The said Office further prosecutes the Narration of the piety and innocence expressed by this Saint even in his tender years how a verse he was from wantonnes and luxury incident to that age wholly giving himself to reading of Holy Scripture conversing with men of learning and vertue c. insomuch as he gained not only fervent love from his parents but veneration from his companions and strangers 5 But because the following wars and especially the Idolatrous Rites of his countreymen the Saxons furious enemies of the Religion to which our Lord had call'd him were a hindrance to his free progress in piety there we further read how he was miraculously invited to forsake his countrey and to depart ino Italy For thus it follows in the said Office Whilst the Blessed S. Richard was assiduously intent on his devotions and prayers to God there appear'd to him in sleep the glorious Apostle S. Peter commanding him in the name of Almighty God to take a journey into Apulia and there to preach the word of God to the Andrians That he should not apprehend the length of the way or the threatnings of Infidels because our Lord would be present to assist him Having said this the Apostle vanish'd And S. Richard being awak'd from sleep immediatly rose and casting himself before a Crucifix gave humble thanks to God and S. Peter for this Visitation The day following he forsook his Brethren who were persons of power and eminence and taking leave of his dearest freinds began his journey notwithstanding their importunity to detain him Being arrived at Rome he address'd himself to the Holy Pape Gelasius and declar'd what commands had been in a Vision impos'd on him by the Holy Apostle thereupon beseeching him that with his permission and blessing he might goe to Andria there to fullfull the Ministery enjoyn'd him Gelasius hearing this did greatly rejoyce and observing the venerable aspect of S. Richard together with his gravity ordained him Bishop of the Church of Andria and commanded him that whither soever he went he should preach the Gospell of Christ and this done kissing the holy man he gave him his beneâ—iction 6. Through the whole course of his journey S. Richard accordingly preach'd the word of God and by many miracles and cures wrought on the sick converted many to the Faith and worship of the true God till at length he arrived at Andria There before the gate of the Citty he saw a blind man and a woman bowd and contracted together both which begg'd an Alms of him Whereupon he began to expound to them the Word of God c. and perceiving the blind man to be devoutly attentive to his speeches he said to him If thou wilt beleive in Iesus Christ and be baptis'd thou shalt receive thy sight Who answer'd I believe in Iesus Christ whom thou preachest and I beg that I may be baptis'd Assoon as this was said the Holy man with his hands making the sign of the Crosse upon the blind mans eyes he immediatly recover'd his sight and casting away the staves which had help'd him in walking he gave due thanks to God and to S. Richard by whom he had been enlightned As for the woman when she saw this miracle she likewise was converted and S. Richard seeing her Faith took her by the hand whereupon she presently rose up streight and walking cryed with a loud voyce There is onely one most high God who by his good servant hath made mee whole At these clamours of the woman the greatest part of the Citty met together and attending to the Holy Bisphops preaching were in a short time converted God working many other Miracles by him and having broken down all their Idols were baptis'd by him 7. Not long after this there follow'd the foresayd Apparition of S. Michael to the people of Sipontâ— who commanded them to erect a Chappell there to his name This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius and he to Pope Gelasius desiring his advice what was to be done His answer was that such being the will of the Blessed Archangel a Church should forthwith be built And that this should be executed by the Holy Bishops Laurentius of Siponto Sabinus of Carnusium Pelagius of Salapia Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria 8. Then follows a Narration how the two Holy Bishops Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria performed their journey to Siponto on foot with dayly fasting toylsome labour and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun Which incommodity on their prayers was miraculously remedied by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their heads which shadow'd them during all their journey to Siponto At their arrivall they executed what had been enjoyn'd them as we read in the publick Office of the Church To conclude no more doe we find recorded of this Holy Bishop but his holy and happy death commemorated in our Martyrologe on the Ninth of April XIX CHAP. 1.2.3 The coming of Cerdic the Saxon founder of the West-Saxon Kingdom 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred ninety four a third Noble German call'd Cerdic arriv'd in Brittany For having heard how by the valour of the Saxons two Kingdoms had been there erected he resolv'd to pretend likewise for a share in the spoiles being a man of high spirits and noble descent as having proceeded from the stock of Woden one of the German Gods 2. His coming is thus describ'd by Henry of Huntingdon In the forty seaventh year after the first coming of the Angli Cerdic and his Son Cenric attended with five ships arriv'd in Brittany and landed at a place afterward call'd Cerdic-shore The same day great multituds of the Brittains meeting fought with them The Saxons having ranged their forces in order stood immoveable before their ships The Brittains boldly set on them and then retired but were not pursued by the enemy who resolved not to quit their place Thus was continued the fight the Brittains sometimes charging and then retreating till the nights darknes sever'd them After which the Brittains having experience of the feiâ—cenes of these new-come strangers departed so that neither side could boast of a Victory Yet this advantage the Saxons had that they took possession of their enemies shore and by little and little enlarg'd their conquests along the Sea coasts 3. Their landing was in the Province of the Iâ—eus comprehending Suffolk and Norfolk yet there they setled not But marching through the Island they came into the Western parts where in time they erected the New powerfull Kingdom of the West-Saxons XX. CHAP. 1.2
called Acluid in which he lay sick Vpon King Arthurs approach saith Mathew of Westminster the Enemies retired to a place called Mureif whither he pursued them But they escaping by night fled to a Lake named Lumonoy Whereupon Arthur gathering many ships together encompassed the Island and in fifteen days brought them to such extreme famine that many thousands of them perish'd In which utmost danger the Bishops of that Regioâ— came bare-foot to the King with teares beseeching him to take pitty of that miserable people and to give them some small portion of that countrey to inhabit under the Yoake of perpetual servitude The King mollified with the teares of the Bishops both pardon'd his Enemies and granted their request 9. Here it is that some of our Brittish and Saxâ—n Writers ground the subjection of Scotland to the Crown of Brittany Particularly Walsingham relates how King Arthur having subdued Scotland placed over it as King a certain person named Angulsel who at a publick Feast in Caer-leon caried King Arthurs sword before him and did homage to him for his Kingdom And that successively all the Kings of Scotland were subject to the crown of Brittany But it seems very improbable that King Arthur at a time when his own countrey was peece-meale renting from him should be at leasure to conquer forrain Nations And however if the Scots were indeed now subdued certain it is that they shortly shook off that yoke XV. CHAP. 1.2.3 Of the Holy Bishop Nennion And of S. Finanus 1. WHereas in the last recited exploit of King Arthur it is sayd that certain Pictish or Scottish Bishops were suppliants to him in behalf of their distressed countreymen our inquiry must be what Bishops those probably were That the Province of the Picts where the Citty of Acluid was seated had many years since received the Christian Faith by the preaching of S. Ninianus hath been already demonstrated But who were his Successours till this time we can only find by conjecture In the Annals of Ireland there is mention of a certain Bishop call'd Nennion who is sayd to have flourished in Brittany about the year five hundred and twenty and to have had his seat in a place called the great Monastery This man probably was the Successour of S. Ninianus and this Great Monastery the same with Candida Casa where was the Monument of that Apostolick Bishop which by reason of frequent miracles wrought there invited great numbers of devout men to embrace a Coenobiticall Life as hath been shewd from Alcuinus Of this Bishop Nennion we read in the life of S. Finanus this passage That the said S. Finanus having in his childhood been instructed by S. Colman a Bishop was afterward recommended to â—he care of Nennion The words of Tinmouth extant in Capgrave are these Behold certain ships out of Brittany entred the said haven in Ireland in which ships was the Holy Bishop Nennion and severall others accompanying him These men being received with great ioy and honour Coelanus Abbot of Noendrum or as Iocelin writes of Edrum very diligently recommended young Finanus to the Venerable Bishop Thereupon Finanus presently after returned with him into his countrey and for severall years learned from him the Rules of a Monasticall life at his â—ee called the great Monastery Moreover with great proficiency he studied the Holy Scriptures and by invoking the name of Christ wrought many Miracles 2. Concerning the same Finanus it is further added Having been more then ordinarily instructed in Monastick institutions and holy Scripture by S. Nennion Finanus determined to take a journey to the See Apostolick to the end he might there supply whatsoever was defective in saving knowledge At Rome therefore he continued the space of seaven years dayly studying and advancing in Sacred science And after that he ascended to the degree of Preisthood 3. Thus much by the way concerning the holy Bishop Nennion who probably was one of those who interceded with King Arthur in behalfe of their countrey And it was about this time that S. Finanus lived under his Discipline For thus B. Vsher in his Chronologicall Index writes in the year five hundred and twenty Nennion Bishop of the See called The great Monastery flourish'd at this time in Brittany XVI CHAP. 1.2 Fables concerning King Arthur censured 1. IN the year of Grace five hundred twenty three King Arthur after the death of his wife Guenevera maried a Noble Lady called Guenhumara By occasion of which mariage his fame was spread through all countreyes This is thus declared by Florilegus In the forenamed year saith he King Arthur having reduced the Isle of Brittany to its former state maried a wife named Guenhumara descended from the Noble stock of the Romans She had been brought up in the Court of the Duke of Cornwal and in beauty excelled all the women of Brittany To this mariage he invited all Princes and Noble persons in the Regions adjacent and during the celebration of it such sports and such magnificence both in feasting and military exploits were shewn by him that Nations far removed did admire and emulate him By this means from some transmarine Kings he gained love and in others he imprinted a fear and terrour 2. Within little more then a year after this mariage he is sayd to have passed into Ireland and there to have taken Prisoners the King Gillamur and his Nobles and subdued the whole Island From thence to have sayled into Holland Gott-land and the Isles of Orkney all which Regions he brought under Tribute 3. Such Fables as these invented by idle and ignorant Bards and with addition published in a Latin stile by Geffrey of Monmouth have passed for true stories not only among the Brittains in succeeding times who might be pardond if in their poverty and miseries they recreated their minds with the imagined past glory of their Ancestours but they have imposed on forrain Writers and some of them otherwise not unlearned Hence it is that Malbranque a diligent French Antiquary has been induced to acknowledge that King Arthur after having forced Brittany from the Saxons subdued afterward that part of France which was inhabited by his own countreymen the Morini 4. Neither hath the Brittish Fables ended here They have sent King Arthur into Norway and his exploits there are thus recorded by Mathew of Westminster In the year of Grace five hundred thirty three King Arthur having a design to subdue all Europe passed with a Navy into Norway Where being arrived he found Sichelin King of that countrey dead who had bequeathed that Kingdom to Loth sisters son to King Arthur a Prince of great vertue and magnificence The sayd Loth had at that time a son called Walwan a youth twelve years old who was recommended to Pope Vigilius to be by him brought up from whom likewise he received the Order of Knight hood In the end King Arthur
and was signally approved by him in the Synod of Victory assembled by him ten years after his Consecration 7. Neither was his Pastoral solicitude confined to his own Province it extended it selfe abroad also and especially into Ireland From whâ—nce he was often visited and consulted with by devout men Hence Giraldus Cambrensis speaking of this age saith It was among the Irishmen in those days a frequeâ—t custom to goe in pilgrimage and their greatest devotion was to visit the monuments of the Apostles in Rome Among the rest one Barro an Abbot in the province of Cork went thither and in his return he pass'd by Menevia where he stayd till he could find the commodity of a ship and wind For such was the usuall practise of good devout Irishmen that either going or returning they would desire to enioy the conversation of the Holy Bishop David whose name like a precious fragrant Oyntment was spread all abroad 8. B. Vsher has publish'd a Catalogue of Irish Saints sorted into severall Orders according to the times wherin they liv'd The first Order was of such as liv'd either contemporaries to S. Patrick or presently after him The Second Order contain'd such Saints 〈…〉 about this age such as were S. Finaâ—â—â— caâ—â—â—d by the Irish Fin and by the Brittains Gain or Win. S. Brendan c. In which 〈◊〉 this observation is express'd The Saints of the Second Order received the Rite of 〈…〉 out of Brittany from holy men 〈◊〉 â—â—ere such as were S. David S. Gildas and S. Doc. 9. Moreover S. David sent over some of his Diâ—ciples into Ireland who grew famous there for their learning and sanctity Among which one oâ— the most illustrious as was Saint Aeâ—an concerning whom Giraldus thus wâ—ites S. Aâ—â—â—n call'd by the Irish S. Maidoc fâ—mous for his vertues and learning in Divine 〈◊〉 having received permission from his 〈◊〉 David and his Brethren with their benâ—â—◠〈◊〉 sayâ—d into Ireland Where after he had 〈…〉 fame by his piety and miracles at 〈◊〉 he built a Monastery near the Citty of 〈◊〉 where having collected a good number of 〈◊〉 Brethren he consecrated himself to the Service of God living according to the form and â—ule which he had received from his Pious Father S. David at Menevia Which Rule was the â—ame that was observed by the Monks in Aegypt as we read in the Antiquities of Glastonbury 10. This S. Aedan was afterward Bishop of Fernâ— and Metropolitain of Leinster whilst S. David was yet alive whom he used to consult in affairs of difficulty as we read in the Nameles Authour of the life of S. Lugid call'd also S. Moluca in these terms Saint Moedhog nam'd otherwise S Aedan the most Holy Bishop of Leinster would needs goe bâ—â—ond Sea into Brittany to his Master S. David Bishop there to demand of hâ—â— whom he would recommend for his Spirituall Father to heare his 〈◊〉 in Iâ—eland The life of this S. Aedan is 〈◊〉 in Capgrave where notwithstanding he is â—tiled only Abbot and not Bishop XX. CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Davids death and buriall The Time and Place and of his Successour 1. AFter many years spent by the Holy Bishop David at Menevia in the exercise of all Christian vertues it pleased almighty God in love to him and just anger to the ungratefull Brittains to translate this burning and shining Light from earth to heaven where it now shines most gloriously to all eternity 2. As touching the year of his death considering the great diversity in Historians about his age it must needs be involved in great uncertainty For Giraldus Cambrensis and Iohn of Tinmouth affirm S. David to have lived one hundred forty seaven years having been botâ— in the year of Grace four hundred sixty two and dying in the year six hundred and nine when S. Gregory the Great was Pope Pits likewise allows one hundred forty six years to his age and places his death in the year of Grace five hundred forty four By which account his birth would fall in the year of Christ three hundred ninety eight But both these assertions seem exorbitant the former placing his Death much too late and the latter his Birth as much too early 3. It is therefore more consonant to the order of Brittish affairs and story saith learned B. Vsher and better agrees with the Character of the time assign'd by Giraldus to affirm with Pits that he dyed in the year of Grace five hundred forty four and that at his death he was fourscore and two years old and no more For in that year the Calends of March fell on the third Feria as Giraldus says they did when he dyed 4. Let us now view what things are reported to have occurr'd before his death When the houre of his dissolution approached saith the Authour of his life in Capgrave the Angell of our Lord appear'd to him and said The day so much desir'd by thee is now at hand Prepare thy selfe for on the Calends of March our Lord Iesus Christ attended with a multitude of Angels will come to meet thee Whereupon he answerd O Lord dismisse now thy servant in peace The Brethren who assisted him having heard the sound of these words but not well understanding the sence fell prostrate to the ground in great feare Then the Holy Bishop cryed with a loud voyce Lord Iesus Christ receive my Spirit Whereupon when the Brethren made loud complaints he asswaged their sorrow with mild and comfortable words saying My Brethren be constant in your good Profession and beare unanimously to the end that yoke which you have undergone Observe and fulfâ—â— whatsoever things you have seen and heard from mee Aâ—d from that houre to the day of his death the week following he remained in the Church exhorting and encouraging them 5. When the houre of his departure was come our Lord Iâ—sus Christ vouch-safed his presence as he had promis'd by his Angel to the infinite consolation of our Holy Father Who at the sight of him exulted wholly in Spirit saying to him O my Lord Take mee after thee And with these words in our Lords company he gave up his Spirit to God on the Calends of March which being associated to a Troop of Angells with them mounted up to heaven in the year of his age one hundred forty seaven 6. The same Authour further adds That this Holy Bishops death by an Angel divulging it instantly was spread through all Brittany and Ireland Suitable whereto is this passage in the life of S. Kentigern Whilst the servant of God Kentigern one day continued his prayers with more then ordinary attention and devotion his face seemd as on fire the sight whereof fill'd the by standers with great amazement When Prayers were ended he began bitterly to lament And when his Disciples humbly ask'd him the reason of his sorrow he sate a while silent at last he said My dear children know for certain that
from it severall young trees five or sixe feet high and some higher which every year by our Lords blessing doe more and more flourish 3 The Centuriators of Magdeburg takâ— notice of this Saint and of the Orchard planted by him but conceale this Wonder He is likewise commemorated in the Gallâ—can Martyrologe on the seaven and twentieth of Iune 4. And as the French Church doth celebrate the memory of this holy Brittish Pâ—eist Iohn so doth the Irish that of S. Mâ—cthas who by B. Vshers supputation dyed also this year He in the beginning of the Saxon troubles forsook his countrey and pass'd over into Ireland And according to the narration of of Iocelinus coming to a certain place near the sea calld Lugh or Louth very pleasâ—â—t and delicious there he resolved to repose himself In the same place S. Patrick had formerly had a resolution to build a Church but was commanded by an Angel to consign that place to a certain Brittain named Mocthus or Mocchaeus who would shortly come thither and end his days with great sanctity which he accordingly did He was oftimes there visited by S. Patrick whose Disciple he became and withall took the care of twelve leapers recommended to him by S Patrick He prophecied of the Holy man Columba And was afterward consecrated Bishop of Louth by S. Patrick As touching the censure inflicted on him by S. Patrick that because he waver'd in his Faith touching the long lives attributed to the ancient Patriarks in Genesis he himself should live three hundred years so long a delay of his happines being to be his punishment this is deservedly reiected by the learned Bishop Vsher As likewise that S. Patrick before his death recommended to him the care of his See of Armagh For Records of good authority doe leave it out of doubt that S. Benignus was design'd by S. Patrick in his life-time his Successour in that See The memory of S. Moctha is celebrated in the Annals of Vlster on the thirteenth day before the Calends of September XXIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Kentigern made Bishop being onely five and twenty years old 5.6 c. Certain defects in his Ordination Dispensed with by S. Gregory the Great 1. IN the year five hundred thirty nine S. Kentigern being then no more then five and twenty years old was consecrated Bishop of Glasco Concerning his birth in the year of Grace five hundred and fourteen and how his Mother in his conception was deluded by some unknown person insomuch as he was vulgarly esteemd to have been the Son of a Virgin as likewise how great severity was used to her by her Father when she was known to be with child how she was first cast headlong from a high Mountain and miraculously escaping that danger was expos'd to the sea alone in a boat without Oares and by a wonderfull Providence landed safely in the Northern parts among the Scotts and there immediatly dilivered of her child and lastly how both the Mother and Infant were nourish'd by a Holy man calld Servanus hath already been declared 2. When he was capable of learning the same S. Servanus took great care to instruct him in knowledge and piety wherin he proffited admirably so that he was beloved by his Master beyond all his companions who therâ—ore gave him the Sirname of Munghu which signifies Dearly beloved By which name the Scotts vulgarly call him to this day saith B. Vsher. 3. How he came afterward to be elected Bishop Iohn of Tinmonth thus relates When he was come to an age wherein he might dispose his own actions the man of God Kentigern went from his Master to a place called Glashu where he liv'd alone in great abstinence untill the King and Clergy of that Region calld then Cumbria now Galloway together with the other Christians who were but few chose him for their Pastour and Bishop notwithstanding the utmost resistance he could make And sending for one single Bishop out of Ireland they caused him to be consecrated after the then usuall custome among the Brittains and Scotts For at that time a practise had gott footing to use no other Ceremonies in the Consecration of a Bishop but onely the infusion of Sacred Chrisâ—â— on their heads with invocation of the Holy Spirit benediction and imposition of hands For those Islanders remov'd as it were out of the world by meanes of their continuall infestations by Pagans were become ignorant in the Ecclesiasticall Canons For which reason the Law of the Church condescended to them and admitted an excuse in this regard so that Ecclesiasticall censures did not touch them Notwithstanding S. Kentigern as we shall declare presently did make full satisfaction for the defect and errour committed in his Consecration 4. His Diocese extended it self according to the limits of the Kingdom of Cumbria from that famous Wall from Sea to Sea which had formerly been built to hinder the Enemies incursions into the Provinces of the Brittains as far as to the Râ—â—er Ford or Scottish Sea Northerly It was in the five and twentieth year of his age that he was consecrated Bishop 5. In this Episcopall Consecration there were more then one defect and transgression of the Canons 1. First hiâ— age that he was made Bishop being no more then five and twenty years old wheras in the Council of Agde Agathensi assembled not above three and thirty years before this time and in which probably severall Brittish Bishops were present a Decree was made That no Metropolitan should presume to ordain any one Bishâ—p before 〈◊〉 was arrived to thirty years that is the age of a perfect man least by reason of his youth he should as it sometimes happens incurre some â—ault anâ— errour 2. Again the Fathers of the first Nicenâ— Council orderd That if any one were made a Bishop without the iudgment and conâ—ent of the Metropolitan he was forbidden to exercise his Episcopall function Now in this Ordination of S. Kentigern there was no consent of any Metropolitan nor so much as concurrence of any Bishop of the neighbouring Diocese 3 Thirdly the first Canon of the Apostleâ— confirm'd by many Councils enjoynd that every Bishop shoulâ— be ordain'd by at least two or three Bishops Whereas S. Kentigern was coÌ„secrated by one single Bishop and him a stranger of a â—orrâ—iâ— Nation 4 Fourthly in the consecration of Bishops the Ancient Fathers for the dignity oâ— that Degree ordained many Rites to be observed besides such as belong'd to the essence oâ— that Sacrament as annointing the Head with Chrism with invocation of the Holy Spirit signinâ— the person with the Sign of the Crosse imposition of hands together with severall other Rites adjoyned for the adorning the house of God a defect wherof did not vitiate the Sacrament but person only 6. Now in all these points some defects there were in the Ordination of S. Kentigern which defects when afterward he calld
Arch-bishop of Bourdeaux and Metropolitan of that Citty who there accommodated him with a convenient habitation for serving God For the Holy Arch-bishop Leontius bore a most tender affection to him admiring and reverencing the Divine Graces which he observ'd in him whom he esteemd as sent from heaven to assist him in his Pastorall charge For which reason in all Visitations of his Diocese and Province he took him for his companion earnestly beseeching him to be his assistant by his wholesom counsells by his Prayers acceptable to God and by the examples of his holy Life 9. Moreover this Man of God although so disgracefully and uniustly exild was not unmindfull of his flock but forgetting all iniuries he dayly invok'd our Lords clemency for the conversion of that stubborn people The Divine Majesty aâ— last condescended to his Prayers and by an Angel acquainted him that his flock was now penitent and earnestly desir'd the return and favour of their Pastor and that it was Gods will that he should repair to them and restore to health that Region which was greivously afflicted with the scourges of Divine severity that he should restore plenty to the barren earth and bestow his benediction on the inhabitants And lastly having done this that he should again return to Xaintes where he was to be devested of his corruptible flesh that his soule might freely ascend to partake eternall felicity All these things the Holy Bishop perform'd according as God had commanded and when he came back from Brittany S. Leontius receiv'd him with greater ioy and express'd more respectfull Offices and kindnes to him then formerly 10. Shortly after this S. Mahutus or S. Maclovius dyed full of dayes and sanctity and was buried by Leontius in Aquitain And though the inhabitants of Aleth were deprived of the sacred Relicks of their prime Prelat whom they had treated so iniuriously yet the Name of Blessed Maclovius remains never to be blotted out which to this day both adorns and defends that Citty with his glorious protection and celestiall benefits Notwithstanding the Episcopall See does not now remain at Aleth but is remov'd to an Island two miles distant from thence anciently call'd Aaron where a Citty new built is in memory of their Holy Prelat and Patron call'd S. Malo Vrbs Macloviensis 11. To this large relation in the Gallican Martyrologe Iohn of Tinmouth adds That S. Mahutus with his seaven Disciples in devotion visited Rome where he redeemd many Infidell Captives and having instructed them in the true Faith baptis'd them Moreover that after forty years government having been iniustly and violently driven from his See at Aleth he cursed and excommunicated the people and then retired to an Island in Aquitain calld Agenis from whence he repair'd to Leontius a Bishop there Which relation contradicts the Gallican Martyrologe according to which S. Maclovius was so far from cursing his flock that he prayed dayly for it However the Centuriators of Magdeburg charitably remember only his cursing and not his prayers and most unskilfully write that he flourish'd under Leontius Bishop of the Saxons mistaking Saxonum for Santonum and that he curs'd the Brittains his own countreymen from whom he never receiv'd any iniury How long he liv'd appears not but his death is in our Martyrologe assign'd to the year of Grace five hundred sixty four XXX CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Brendan 3. Of S. Doc and S. Canic 1. SAint Brendan the spirituall Father and Instructour of S. Maclovius though by birth no Brittain is not be denied a place in this History Concerning whom we read in B. Vsher that he came out of Ireland to visit the Holy man S. Gildas Albanius in Brittany where he built a Monastery and a Church He was also Superiour in the Monastery of Lancarvan where he baptised S. Maclovius After that he returned into Ireland where he was Abbot of a Monastery call'd Birra and in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy one most happily ended his holy Life Of whose glory and Beatitude revealed to S. Columba the Authour of that Saints life call'd Adamannus thus writes where he introduces S. Columba thus discoursing with his Minister Diormitius Columba Goe and quickly provide all things necessary for celebrating the Holy Eucharist for this is the day of the blessed death of S. Brendanus Diormitius Why doe you command that we should prepare so solemnly for Masse to day since no Messenger from Ireland Scotia has yet brought tidings of the death of that Holy man Columba However goe and faile not to doe as I have commanded for this last night I saw heaven on a sudden opened and quires of Angels descending to meet S. Brendans soule by whose incomparable splendour the whole world was that houre enlightned 2. S. Brendan thus call'd to heaven enjoyd on earth also an eternall Monument of his name and Sanctity for in the Isles of Orkney a town and Church were built and were call'd from his Name The reason of which honour and devotion was because his Sacred body was thither translated The day of his death is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May and his Translation on the fourteenth of Iune 3. We will here conclude with the Memory of a Holy Brittish Abbot call'd S. Doc who flourish'd in this Age. Of whom the Irish Annals thus write in the life of Saint Canic from whom the Province of Kilkenny took its appellation importing the Church of Canic When S. Canic was grown to an age capable of knowledge he was desirous of instruction and therefore pass'd over the Sea into Brittany to a Religious wise man naimed Doc and under him he studied diligently and was taught both learning and piety This S. Doc was one of the three Holy Brittains from whom the Irish learnd the form and Rites of celebrating Masse as hath already been shewd the other two were S. David and S. Gildas THE TWELTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. Constentin succeeds King Arthur His Cruelly Pennance and undertaking a Religious life 1. IT seems the Brittains at the beginning had no such conceit of King Arthurs returning for surely they would have expepected awhile and not immediatly have filled his Throne with a succession of strange Princes The Bards had not yet contrived their fantasticall Stories which could find none in these times to hearken to them 2. Therefore after King Arthurs death Constantin according to his designation succeeded him in the Government of Brittany He was the Son of Cador Duke of Cornwall and kinsman to King Arthur His sufficiency to discharge that employment for the benefit of his countrey was enough approv'd by his glorious Predecessours choice But Almighty God having fix'd a period to the Brittish Monarchy permitted many factions to arise and many pretendants to the Principality the opposing of whom hindred Constantin from advancing the common proffit and safety of the Kingdom 3. Yea
mett on the fourth day before the Nones of May at which Vigilius refused to be present not esteeming it Canonicall by reason of the absence of the Western Bishops who were most interessed in the affaire 7. However after twenty dayes respite obtain'd Vigilius sent a Writing to the Emperour which he calld a Constitutum wherin he at large gave his iudgment of â—he Tria Capitula telling him that as touching the blasphemies of Theodorus he did abhorre them but in imitation of the Council of Ephesus wold spare his name Again that it would be superfluous to cast any infamy on the Writings of Theodoret against S. Cyrill since S. Cyrill himselfe and the Councill of Chalcedon had requir'd no other satisfaction from him but only to pronounce Anathema against Nestorius which he did And as touching the Epistle of Ibas no discussion should be made of it after the Council of Chalcedon 8. This Constitutum the Emperour contrary to his promise reserv'd to himself but withall acquainting the Synod with Vigilius his mind touching the Tria Capitula which he had oftimes both by words and writing express'd the Synod proceeded to a condemnation of them withall complaining that the Pope would not afford his presence among them 9. After this Definition of the Bishops in the Council the Pope being in extreme anguish because he saw how the Western Bishops would be offended and that this scandal would be the greater by reason that the Emperour had not sent his Constitutum to the Council utterly refus'd his consent and approbation of their Definition For which refusall he was by the Emperour sent into banishment with seuerall other Bishops 10. His banishment did not continue long for six months after the Synods Definition Vigilius sent a Decretal Epistle to Eutychius the Successour of Menas in which he condemn'd the Tria Capitula and profess'd Communion with all those who embracing the Four Councils of the Church had condemn'd the same meaning hereby the last Council which he would not name This Decree of Vigilius was by the Grecians referd among the Acts of the Council by vertue wherof it became acknowleged a lawfull Oecumenicall Council 11. This end being given to this unnecessary Controversy all the Western Churches excepting only the Bishops of Istria Venice and Liguria consented to it But these Churches being under the dominion of the Longobardi broke into an open Schism which continued till the time of S. Gregory the Great And besides them we doe not find any other Churches unsatisfied excepting Ireland only to the Bishops whereof S. Gregory in the year before S. Kentigerns iourney to Rome wrote an Epistle in answer to one of theirs which had charged the Roman See for injuring the Council of Chalcedon by condemning the Tria Capitula But S. Gregory informed them that this Controversy did not at all touch the Faith of the Church but only the persons of two or three Bishops That the authority of the Council of Chalcedon was entire both with those who oppugn'd and those who defended the Tria Capitula and therefore none could have just cause to make a rent in the Church upon so trifling a quarrel Which answer of the Holy Pope it seems gave satisfaction to the Irish Bishops for we read following Epistles from him to them as to unanimous Brethren instructing them touching Rites in Baptism and whether it was to be administred to such as return'd from the Nestorian Heresy c. 12. The state of this Controversy hath been thus largely sett down because at this very time it was hottly agitated when S. Kentigern went to Rome and probably was a principall motive of his journey Which is the more likely because an Irish Bishop called Albanus went thither at the same time likewise And though the Brittish Churches are no where mention'd as partaking with those who were divided from the Roman See yet it might well become the zeale of so holy a Bishop as S. Kentigern to inform himself truly of the state of the present controversy that so he might prevent a future breach V. CHAP. 1. S. Kentigerns death 2. The manner of it 3 His preparation thereto 4. Of his Miracles 1. SAint Kentigern eight years after this his voyage to Rome by a mature and happy death rested from his labours to witt in the year of our Lord six hundred and one being then fourscore and five years old according to the true computation of Bishop Vsher though others mislead by Capgrave add a hundred years more to his age 2. The manner of his death is thus related by Iohn of Tinmouth The man of God Saint Kentigern being worn away with age had his nerves so dissolved that he was forced to sustain his iawes by tying a linnen ruban about his head which came under his Chin to the end he might be enabled with lesse difficulty to pronounce his words This dissolution of his sinews may be ascrib'd to a promise a little before his death made him by an Angell Who told him Since thy whole life in this world has been a continuall Martyrdom it hath pleas'd our Lord to grant thee a milder and easier end of thy life then other men ordinarily find 3. And as touching his preparation to his death it thus follows in the same Authour At length calling together his Disciples he earnestly exhorted them to a continuance in observing the duties of their holy Religion to mutuall charity peace hospitality and diligence in reading and Prayer Moreover he gave and bequeath'd to them earnest and efficacious precepts firmly to obey the Decrees of the Holy Fathers and Constitutions of the Holy Roman Church After which Exhortation given he departed to our Lord on the Ides of Ianuary in the sixtieth year after he was first consecrated Bishop 4. After his death the same of his Sanctity was every where spread by a world of miracles the particulars may be read in Capgrave to whom the Reader is refer'd Concerning him thus writes Iohannes Major S. Kentigern was contemporary and a singular freind of S. Columba He was illustrious for many miracles and his body reposes at Glasgu to whose honour a Church was erected in that Citty second to none in Scotland for costly ornaments and rich endowments of Canonries His Memory is celebrated in our English Martyrologe on the thirteenth of Ianuary VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Kingdom of the Northumbers erected 7. K. Conan dyes and Vortiper succeeds 8. After whom Malgo Conan raigns 9.10 Battells between the Brittains and Saxons 1. COnstantin the kinsman and Successour of King Arthur being dead or removed Aurelius Conanus his Nephew a young man of extraordinary worth and well deserving the Crown saith Westmonasteriensis succeeded him his only fault was that he was a lover of Civill contentions He cast into prison his Vncle to whom the Crown in right belonged and murdred two of his Sons who stood in his way to the kingdom
in his leggs that he was not able to walk or stand And fifteen years did he remain in this infirmity 6. By this Miracle the Sanctity of the Holy Bishop was approved whereupon his Sacred body was translated to the Monastery of Ramsey on the fourth of the Ides of Iune To whose honour the Abbot Ednothus built a Church in which he placed his Tomb after such a manner that half of it appeared within and half without the wall to the end that a fountain of water which flowed thence might be ready for the use of every one who came in devotion whether the Church was shutt or not Which Water by the merits of the Holy Bishop had the vertue to cure many diseases 7. One great Miracle wrought there shall not be omitted because the Relatour protests himself an eye-witnes of it I my self saw saith Malmsburiensis what I shall now relate A certain Monk languished a long time with a Dropsy His skin was strangely swelled and his breath so noysom that none could approach him and his drouth was so excessive that he thought he could drink whole barrells On a time by an admonition received in sleep he went to Saint Ivo's Monument where after he had taken onely three draughts of the water he cast up all the superfluous humours within him The swelling of his belly presently fell and his thighs lost their former withered leannes In a word he was restored to perfect health 8. As for the Abbot Ednothus though the infirmity and pain in his leggs continued till his death yet for a sign that his fault was pardoned Seaven days before he dyed the Holy Bishop Ivo appeared to him in great glory and said The time is now at hand when thou shalt perceive that the pains I have inflicted on thee will prove a remedy to procure thee eternall rest Prepare thy self therefore for seaven days hence I will come and deliver thee from the prison of thy body And it fell out accordingly X. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of S. Paul de Leon. 1. THE same year likewise is mark'd with the happy death of S. Paul a kinsman of S. Sampson Bishop of Dâ—le Concerning whom we read in the Gallican Martyrologe publish'd by Andrew Saussay that he was one of the Companions of S. Sampson That his Fathers name was Perfius and that he was a Scholler to S. Iltutus both in wit and innocence excelling all his companions Being very young he was prevented with many Graces of Gods holy Spirit and thereupon fearing least he should be tempted with vain glory at the age of fifteen he retir'd into a desart where building for himself an Oratory and a Cell he lead there an Angelicall life Thus growing every day more rich in merits when he was arrived at mature age he was compelled to accept the dignity of Preistly Office which he adorned with the splendour of his Sanctity The fame whereof being spread abroad he was sent for by King Margus probably the same with Malgus or Maglocunus whom together with his people he more perfectly instructed in the Mysteries of Christian Faith to which they had lately been converted 2. After some time by the admonition of an Angel he retired into an Island on the Coast of Lesser Brittany called Ossa where he brought many Infidels to the heavenly Light of the Gospell Where likewise by divine vertue he slew a monstrous Dragon After which the Prince of that Region called Vintrurus or Withurus offred him a Bishoprick which he with a resolute humility refused Notwithstanding he was with a pious fraud circumvented by him For being sent upon certain pretended affairs to Childebert King of the Franks he caried with him private letters desiring the King to ratify his Election to the Bishoprick The King received him with great reverence but withall compelled him to accept the Bishoprick which he had refused to which he was Canonically ordained by three Bishops The See of his Bishoprick was by the Kings decree seeled at Leon to which he was wellcomed by all the people with wonderfull ioy And this sublime Office he administred with admirable sanctity and Pastorall prudence to his death His sacred body many years after was thence translated by his Successour Mabbo to the Monastery of Fleury by occasion of the incursions of the Normans where it was a long time held in great veneration 3. The Authour of his life in the Bibliotheque of Fleury relates how he quitted his Bishoprick three severall times but was forced to resume it upon the death of his Successours But at last when his strength was even quite spent he ordained one of his Brethren named Cetomerin Bishop in his place a certain Noble Prince called Induael being present who came thither to recommend himself to his prayers And this being performed he retired himself into an Island called Batha where he spent many years governing a great Congregation of Monks and at last happily concluded his life being more then a hundred years old His Church is from him to this day called Saint Paul de Leon. 4. We read in Capgrave how this S. Paul on a time visiting a sister of his who devoutly served God in a Cell seated near the Sea on the Brittish shore at her request he obtained of God by his prayers that the Sea should never swell beyond the bounds marked by her by placing a row of stones By which means the sea was restrained the space of a mile from his usuall course and continues so to this day XI CHAP. i. 2 c. S. Gregory sends new Missioners with Letters and presents to severall persons 1. THE Messengers sent by S. Augustin to Rome stayd there a full year which delay it seems was caused by the difficulty of finding a sufficient number of able lobourers to cultivate our Lords Vineyard in Brittany At length in the year of Grace six hundred and one Laurence and Peter return'd accompanied with twelve others to assist them in the founding of the Saxon Church in our Island the principal of whom were Mellitus Iustus Paulinus and Ruffintanus all of them Monks and Brethren of the same Institut with S. Augustin 2. These devout Missioners were as the former by S. Gregory recommended to Princes and Bishops residing in the Citties through which they were to passe or were not far distant from their way One Letter exemplified in severall Copies he directed to Serenus Bishop of Marseilles to Mennas Bishop of Tholouse to Lupus Bishop of Chaillon on the Saone to Agilius Bishop of Mets and to Simplicius Bishop of Paris all whom he entreated to assist these Religious Monks with their charity that they might not be hindred from a quick dispatoh of their iourney so beneficiall to the Church of Christ. 3. Another letter was written by Saint Gregory to Siagrius Bishop of Autun in which he highly extolls his kindnes exhibited lately to S. Augustin desiring the like
their own confines and attempted nothing either openly or privily against the English Nation But from the Scotts we will passe to the Brittains and their contentions with the now Christian-Saxons about the Church and Ecclesiasticall Rites XVI CHAP. i. 2 c The death of S. Gregory the Great his admirable Sanctity c. 1. THE year of Grace six hundred and four is memorable to the whole Church but especially to Brittany for the death of S. Gregory the Supreme Pastor and the glorious Apostle of our Nation as likewise for the Generall Synod of Brittany convoked by S. Augustin in which there was a convention not only of Saxon and Brittish Bishops but likewise of severall from among the Picts and Scotts 2. As touching S. Gregory we read thus in S. Beda The blessed Pope Gregory after he had most gloriously governed the Roman and Apostolick Church thirteen years six months and ten days departed this life and was translated to an eternall Throne in the Kingdom of Heaven Whose memory we are obliged to celebrate in our History as being truly the Apostle of our Nation which by his industry was converted from the power of Satan to the Faith of Christ. For being elevated to the Pontificat over the whole world and made a Prelat of Churches already embracing the true Faith he made our Nation till his days enslaved to Idols a Church of Christ so that to him we may apply that of the Apostle For the seale of his Apostleship are we in our Lord. 3. His Memory is celebrated through the whole Chuch of God both Eastern and Western on the twelfth of March On which day we thus read in the Roman Martyrologe At Rome the commemoration of S. Gregory Pope and eminent Doctour of the Church who for many illustrious acts and converting the English Nation to the Faith of Christ hath the Title of Great and is called the Apostle of the English 4. The many glorious Gests of this Holy Pope not pertaining to our present subject I willingly omitt because either generally well known or easily to be found in Ecclesiasticall Historians and I will content my self with adioyning here a double Character given of him by two learned and Holy Bishops of Spain S. Isidor of Sevill and S. Ildefonsus of Toledo The former of which thus writes of him Pope Gregory Prelat of the Roman and Apostolick See was a Man full of compunction and fear of our Lord eminent in humility and endued with so great light of Divine knowledge by the grace of Gods Spirit that none was ever equall to him either in the times he lived in or any before him In the next place S. Ildefonsus gives this parallel description of the Pope He shone so bright saith he with the perfection of all vertues and merits that excluding all comparisons of any other illustrious persons Antiquity never shewed the world any one like to him He excelled S. Antony in Sanctity S. Cyprian in eloquence S. Augustin in wisedom c. 5. I ought to have bespoken the Protestant readers patience and now demand his pardon for representing this our Apostle reiected and disgraced by severall of them in the features and colours drawn by two such eminent Bishops who liv'd either in or near the same age with him and whose iudgment approv'd by the whole Christian world till this last age in reason deserves rather to be relyed upon then that of a few Apostats who liv'd almost a thousand years after him But I leave it to their consciences to determine whether this holy Pope deserv'd in England especially that such severe Laws should be enacted and such cruelties executed against him as have been against those who preach Christ as he did by the confession of Protestant Writers themselves And they must of necessity answer Yes for certainly if his Successours and disciples deserve these rigorous scourges he who seduced them deserved to be tormented with Scorpions XVII CHAP. 1. 2. c. A great Synod of Saxons Brittains c. assembled by S. Augustin 5.6 c. The place is uncertain 7.8 The Names of the Bishops 1. SAint Beda after recounting the death of this our Apostle S. Gregory proceeds to relate the actions of S. Augustin the same year in these words In the mean time Augustin by the assistance of King Ethelbert convoked to a Synod the Bishops or Doctours of the greatest and next Province of the Brittains who mett together in a place to this day in the English tongue calld Augustins-ac or Oake seated in the confines of the Wiccij or inhabitants of Worcester shire and the West-Saxons 2. Now this Synod having been a matter of great importance we will endeavour to frame with some diligence a Narration concerning it that is touching the place where it was celebrated the persons assembled in it and the speciall matters debated amongst them 3. The place though named with some Circumstances by S. Beda yet after such a vicissitude and chāge both of men and language is not at this day obvious or easy to be found It is doubtfull whether Augustins-Oke in S. Beda signifies simply a Tree only or a village among such trees that is Whether the Synod was held abroad in the open aire or in some house The former seems more probable to Sir H. Spelman for saith he It was an ancient custome in Brittany to hold their assemblies abroad for under a roof the Brittains apprehended danger by witch-craft or fascination as hath been formerly mentiond out of Beda at the meeting of King Ethelbert with this same S. Augustin Notwithstanding though by S. Beda's relation such was the Superstition of the Infidel Saxons no ground appears why it should be imputed to the Christian Brittains much lesse to S. Augustin and his companions who were Romans 4. It is therfore more likely that this Synod was celebrated within-dores in a place or village which had its appellation from an Oake and from this meeting obtaind the addition of S. Augustins name And herein it resembled an ancient Synod assembled by Theophilus against S. Iohn Chrysostom in the suburbs of the Citty of Chalcedon which was calld Ad quercum The Synod at the oak from some notable Oak which had stood near the Palace where the Bishops sate 5. But where to find this village is yet uncertain Camden with all his diligence and perspicacity leaves it in the dark For in his perambulation of the Province of the Wiccij mentiond by S. Beda he gives onely this account of it About this territory there is a place but the position of it is uncertain calld Augustins-ake or Oak at which Augustin the Apostle of England and the Brittish Bishops mett and after many hott disputes about celebrating Easter preaching the word of God to the Saxons and celebrating Baptism after the Roman rite they parted from one another with disagreeing minds 6. Notwithstanding if leave may be allowd to coniecture why
may we not suppose that a place in the outward limits of Worcestershire calld Ausric contractedly from Austinsric may not have that appellation from S. Augustin and this Synod There is another village likewise in the confines of Warwickshire calld Haustake which has some resemblance to the name in S. Beda And each of these lay commodiously enough for the meeting of the Brittains For Speed's opinon that this Synod was held in Hampshire wants probability both because that disagrees from the limits of the place describ'd by S. Beda and that province was not at all opportune for the Brittains 7. Next touching the persons meeting in this Synod our Ecclesiasticall Writers speak very indistinctly Sir H. Spelman affirms that wee may truly call this Synod Panbritannicam an Vniversall Synod of the whole Isle of Brittany since therin were assembled not only the Saxons under Augustin and his Roman companions but a multitude of Brittains likewise there were moreover some Scotts and Picts quarelling about Easter The names of those who mett at the first Session are unknown David Powel writes thus To this Synod were calld seaven Bishops of the Brittains For in those dayes that number of principall Churches after the Asiatick manner had their Ordinations under the Metropolitan of Menevia or Saint Davids Thus he from the Apostat Bale but most unskillfully 8. For neither can it be shewd that in Asia every Metropolitan had under him the determinat number of seaven Suffragans On the contrary it appears from the Synod of Ephesus that the Metropolitan of Pamphilia a Province of Asia by ancient custom had under him only two Bishops which custom was ratified by that Synod Neither is there any shew of probability that the Brittains in their Ordinations and Rites followd the Asiatick customs On the contrary we have demonstrated before that Saint David Saint Kentigern and other Holy Bishops in Brittany receiv'd their exemplar and Rule from the See Apastolick And particularly S. Kentigern at his death gave and left to his Disciples forcible precepts concerning the observation of the duties of holy Religion c. and a firm unshaken adherence to the Decrees of the Ancient Fathers and Instituts of the Holy Roman Church 9. Therfore it we consult Saint Beda and Henry of Huntingdom who writes conformably to him we shall find that in this Synod there were two Sessions and that to the first there came with Saint Augustin onely Mellitus and Iustus who were then probably designed but not yet consecrated Bishops And of the Brittains neither is the number of them defind nor the name of one of them recorded At the Second Session indeed Giraldus Camâ—â—ensis acknowledges the presence of seaven Brittish Bishops but seeks not out of Asia a reason of that Number for he writes thus The reason why at that time there were seaven Bishops in Brittany wheras at this day there are only four may be because in those dayes there were more Cathedrall Churches in Wales then now and perhaps Wales it self was further extended then at this day XVIII CHAP. 1 The Gests of that Synod 2.3 c. Calumnies of Protestant Writers against S. Augustin for pride and Ambition disprov'd 6.7 c. Saint Beda's true Narration of the Gests of the Synod And Saint Augustins doctrine confirmed by a Miracle 10.11 Wherein consisted the Errour of the Brittains about the Paschall Solemnity 1. ENough hath been sayd concerning circumstantiall matters of place and persons regarding this Synod in neither of which we can find any full satisfaction That which most imports us to know is the busines it self for which the Synod was assembled Which if we consult our ancient Historians will appear manifestly enough Wheras some Modern Writers since the Change of Religion incited by passion doe from their own invention and without any testimony of Antiquity tell us of ambitious designs of S. Augustin to establish his Tyranny over both the Saxons and Brittains and to introduce Roman ceremonies and superstitions unknown to the Brittains and prudently reiected by them 2. Thus writes David Powel Augustin saith he celebrated a Synod with this design to subdue to himself the Clergy of all Brittany and render them obsequious to the Roman Church Thus likewise the Centuriators of Magdeburg Augustin a Roman a Benedictin Monk was in the year 582. sent by Pope Gregory into England to gain it to the Roman Bishop and to subdue it to his gainfull and Superstitious Iurisdiction c. And again The same Augustin Bishop of the Angli mett in a Synod with the Bishops of the Brittains and Scotts and required of them to submitt themselves to him and to undergoe the common labour of preaching the Gospell to the Saxons They adde further He in a Synod obtruded on the Brittish Churches the Roman Rites and customs to wit Altars Vestments Images Masses Chalices Crosses Candlesticks Incense Banners Sacred Vessels Holy Water Books of Roman Ceremonies Oblations Processions Pomps Tithes and such like things hitherto unknown to the Brittains who were content with the Asiatick and Greek Ceremonies He requir'd moreover that they should celebrate Easter at the same time with him administer Baptism with the Roman Rites preach the Gospel to the Saxons together with him and acknowledge him for their Arch-bishop As if these Ceremonies and solemnities in Administring the Sacraments were unknown either to the Grecian or Brittish Churches When as S. Chrysostom severall ages before this time who was an Asiatick Preist and Grecian Bishop testifies of the ancestours of these Brittains that they had experience of the power of the Gospel For Churches were founded among them and Altars erected c. And hundreds of Examples have already been related in this History of the like 3. Such Impudent calumnies may be expected from Writers who had no other designs in their labours But they are not not pardonable in Sir H. Spelman a man versed in antiquity and who ordinarily is ingenuous in his Writings yet he likewise imputes to S. Augustin a design of subduing the Brittish Churches For the first thing demanded by Augustin in this Synod saith he was Obedience to the Roman Church And to that purpose he annexes to the sayd Synod a Writing translated out of Welsh and compiled by an unknown Authour in an unknown age as himself confesses but suppos'd to be the Answer of an Abbot of Bangor to Saint Augustin wherin he tells him Other obedience besides that of Charity I doe not acknowledge due to the man whom you call Pope c. Besides this We are already under the government of the Bishop of Caer-leon upon Vsk who under God is to have inspection over us to make us observe the spirituall rule and way 4. This New found Schedule though by him earnestly endeavourd to be iustified has been by many Catholick Writers sufficiently disprov'd and there needs no more to make it appear a Forgery then that passage wherin the
will adventure to declare from an Ancient Writer Ealred Abbot of Rievall But because such things seem dreams to Protestants for mine own iustification or at least excuse I conceive fit to premise That the Tradition of this wonder has been confirmd moreover by Sulcard in his Chronicle of Westminster by William of Malmsbury in his second Book of English Bishops by Richard of Cicester in his Annals Yea moreover by other Witnesses of higher rank and authority Saint Edward the Confessour in his Charter given to that Church nine days before his death in the year of Grace one thousand sixty six and before him by King Edgar repairer of the same Church in his Charter dated in the year nine hundred sixty nine and lastly by Pope Nicholas the second in his Rescript to King Edward 7. The Narration of the foresaid Abbot Ealred in his life of S. Edward touching this Miracle is as followeth In the time when King Ethelred by the Preaching of Saint Augustin embraced the Faith of Christ his Nephew Sibert who governed the East-Angles rather East-Saxons by the same Holy Bishops Ministery also received the same Faith This Prince built one Church within the walls of London the principall Citty of the Kingdom where he honourably placed Mellâ—tus Bishop of the same Citty Without the walls likewise toward the West he founded a famous Monastery to the honour of S. Peter and endowd it with many possessions Now on the night before the day design'd for the dedication of this Church the Blessed Apostle S. Peter appearing to a certain Fisherman in the habit of a stranger on the other side of the River of Thames which flows beside this Monastery demanded to be wafted over which was done Being gone out of the boat he entred into the Church in the sight of the Fisherman And presently a heavenly light shone so clear that it turnd the night into day There was with the Apostle a multitude of heavenly Cittizens coming out and going into the Church a divine melody sounded and an odour of unexpressible fragrancy was shed abroad Assoon as all things pertaining to the Dedication of the Church were perform'd the glorious Fisher of men returnd to the pooâ— Fisherman who was so affrighted with his Divine splendour that he almost lost his senses But Saint Peter kindly comforting him brought him to himself Thus both of them entring into the Boat Saint Peter asked him if he had any provision Who answerd that partly being stupified with seeing so great a light and partly detaind by his return he had taken nothing being withall assured of a good reward from him Hereto the Apostle replied Let down thy Netts The Fisherman obeyd and immediatly the Nett was filld with a multitude of fishes They were all of the same kind except one Salmon Esocium of a wonderfull largenes Having then drawn them to shore Saint Peter sayd Cary from mee this gâ—eat Fish to Mellitus the Bishop and all the rest take for thy hire and moreover be assured that both thou all thy life time and thy children after thee for many years shall be plentifully furnish'd with these kinds of fishes Onely be carefull you fish not on our Lords days I who speak now with thee am Peter and I my self have dedicated this Church built to my fellow-cittizens and to my honour so preventing by mine own authority the Episcopall Benediction Acquaint the Bishop therfore with the things which thou hast seen and heard and the signs yet marked on the walls will confirm thy speeches Let him therefore surcease from his design of consecrating the Church and only supply what I have omitted the celebration of the Mystery of our Lords Body and Blood and the instruction of the people Let him likewise give notice to all that I my self will oftimes visit this place and be present at the prayers of the faithfull and I will open the gates of heaven to all who live soberly iustly and piously in this world As soon as he had sayd this he presently vanish'd from his sight 8. The next morning as the Bishop Mellitus was going in procession to the Church with an intention to dedicate it the Fisher-man mett him with the Fish and related to him whatsoever Saint Peter had enioynd him At which the Bishop was astonish'd and having unlock'd the Church-dores he saw the pavement mark'd with Letters and inscriptions both in Greek and Latin and the wall annointed in twelve severall places with holy Oyle He saw likewise the remainders of twelve torches sticking to as many Crosses and the Church every where yet moyst with aspersions All which being observ'd by the Bishop and people present they rendred praises and thanks to Almighty God 9. A further testimony and proof to this Miracle is afforded by the whole progeny of that Fisherman For his children according to the command receiv'd from their Father brought the tythes of all their gains by fishing and offred them to Saint Peter and the Preists attending Divine service in his Church But one among them having presum'd to defraud the Church of this Oblation presently was deprived of the wonted benefit of his trade till having confess'd his fault and restord what he had reserv'd he promis'd amendment for the future Thus wrote Ealred above five hundred years since The summ wherof was delivered some what before him by William of Malmsbury who adds this particular That the Fisherman who was very simple and as yet not a Christian described to the Bishop very exactly the shape and line aments of Saint Peter well known to the Bishop by his Picture publickly extant at Rome which long before this S. Silvester shewd to the Emperour Constantin 10. The beleif of this miraculous Story was the cause that this Church was wonderfully enrich'd by following Princes as King Offa and Kenulph mentiond in the fore nam'd Charter of King Edgar And for the same reason it was chosen anciently for the place of the inauguration of our Kings And a proof full of evidence demonstrating the Truth here related was S. Mellitus his forbearing to repeat the Ceremonies of the Dedication which by certain signs he perceived to have been performed before And moreover because going awhile after to Rome he related these particulars to a Synod there assembled and demanded their advice whether any more was to be done to the Consecration of the same Church These particulars being related by our Authours of the prime Classe it argues a great contempt of the authority of our Ancestors in Protestants who without any proof from Antiquity will confidently proscribe such Traditions as dreams and fables XXI CHAP. i. 2 c. The Church of S. Paul in London built and endowed 1. THE same year in the same Citty of London and by the piety of the same King Sebert another Noble Church was erected in the midst of the Citty to the honour of the other Prince of the Apostles Saint Paul Yet some Writers
stole or by fraud usurped any thing belonging to the Church to Bishops or other Ecclesiasticks of inferiour degrees For his desire was to give his protection especially to those whom he had so reverently received and whose Doctrine he had embraced 2. What those Decrees and Forms of Iudgments were may be seen in that celebrated Manuscript called the Text of Rochester which in the days of King Henry the first was composâ—d by Enulphus Bishop of that Citty under this Title These are the Decrees or Iudgements which King Ethelbert constituted in the life time of Saint Augustin Here I will sett down onely such Laws as regard the Church and which Saint Beda seems to mention The which have been brought by Sir H. Spelman into the first Tome of English Councils and expressed both in the Saxon and Latin tongues The sence of them here follows 3. Whosoever shall uniustly take away any thing belonging to God and the Church shall make satisfaction by a twelve-fold restitution If such things belong to a Bishop he shall restore eleaven fold If to a Preist nine fold If to a Deacon six fold If to an inferiour Clark three fold If the peace of the Church shall be violated by any one let satisfaction be made by paying double and the like for disturbing the peace of a Monk If when the King shall call an Assembly of his people and any iniury shall be offred them the Offender shall restore double and moreover pay to the King fifty shillings Solidos If when the King shall be entertained in any house any dammage shall be done there let it be recompenced double c. 4. Besides these saith the same Sir H. Spelman in his Annotations to these Decrees there follow many other Laws pertaining to honesty of life and correction of manners but these are all which regard the Church The precise time when these Decrees were published does not appear but as the Title declares they were made whilst Saint Augustin was alive and as the care of the Church manifests they were published after King Ethelberts conversion XXVI CHAP. i S. Augustin ordains S. Laurence his Successour 2.3 c. His Bull confirming the Monastery of Canterbury suspected 1. THERE is among our Historians great variety of iudgments touching the number of years spent by Saint Augustin in Brittany and in what year he dyed Those who place his death in the third year of this Century as Iohn Stow or in the fourth as Baronius endeavours to collect from Saint Beda doe too-much hasten his end For the Charters of King Ethelbert before mentioned declare that he was alive in the fifth year On the other side those prolong his life too-much who affirm that he dyed not till the year of Grace six hundred and fifteen as some Authours quoted by F. Reyner in his Apostolatus or thirteen as Sir Henry Savill in his Chronologicall Fasts or twelve as Malmsburiensis or eleaven as Polydor Virgil For Pope Boniface in his Letters dated six hundred and ten does suppose him dead Therefore in such variety of opinions Sigebert and Mathew of Westminster most probably place his death in the year of Grace six hundred and eight 2. A little before his death Saint Augustin consecrated Laurence a Bishop designing him his Successour in the Archiepiscopall See Which he did after the example of many former holy Bishops who upon their view of death approaching relinquishing the care of others attended devoutly to the contemplation of that one necessary thing This same passage is thus related by Saint Beda Laurence succeeded Saint Augustin having been ordained Bishop by him whilst he was yet alive out of an apprehension least after his death the State of the Church as yet tender being destitute of a Pastour though but foâ— a moment shâ—uld begin to falter And herein he followed the Example of the Prime Pastour of Gods Church namely Saint Peter Prince of the Apostles who having founded the Church of Christ at Rome is reported to have made Saint Clement his Coadjutour in preaching the Gospell and consecrated him his Successour 3. The last publick Act attributed to Saint Augustin was the Confirming by a Solemne Bull all the Rights and Priviledges of his Beloved Monastery of Saint Peter and Saint Paul exempting it from all Episcopall Iurisdiction from all tribute servitude c. Prohibiting all Bishops to say Masses exercise Ordinations or Consecrations c. as by their own authority or Iurisdiction in that place deputed for the Treasury of Saints and burying place of succeeding Arch-bishops and Princes And assigning the Election of Abbots to the free Suffrages of the Monks c. All which Priviledges he confirmed with a denunciation of eternall damnation to transgeessours of them by the authority of Saint Peter and his Vicar the Bishop of Rome Saint Gregory This Bull was published in the presence and with the approbation of King Ethelbert his Son Eadbald all the Nobility of the Kingdom his Successour Laurence Mellitus Bishop of London Iustus Bishop of Rochester and Peter the Abbot and Monks of the same Monastery 4 To which Bull there was appended a Seale of Lead Neither is it a wonder saith the Transcriber of the said Bull that Saint Augustin being a Roman an Apostle of the English Nation and a Legat of the Apostolick See indued with a plenary Authority to erect Bishopricks and consecrate Bishops all which were to be subject to him should have the power and right to make use of a leaden Seale Though for the space of five hundred years the like priviledge was not afterward granted to any of our Bishops 5. Notwithstanding Sir H. Spelman not unreasonably suspects this not to be a genuine Bull because the fabrick of the Seale expresses not so great antiquity and the Sculpture of it more elegant then suited with that age likewise the Image of our Saviour and the form of a Church engraved in it ressembles the exactnes almost of these later times Moreover the Letters of the Inscription are such as were used in far later ages about the raign of King Henry the second or Richard the first And lastly the Seal is appended to the Bull not after the Roman fashion with a Chord of Silk but with a Skrole of parchmin after the Norman custom To these we may add that by mentioning in the same Writing together both Laurence his Successour and Peter the Abbot who was drowned above a year before that designation of a Successour the order of times is manifestly crofounded and the authority of the Bull prejudiced 6. However that most of these Priviviledges were even from the beginning conferred on that Monastery yea by Saint Augustin himself in vertue of a delegated authority from the See Apostolick though the simplicity of that age did not need such Legall Instruments and formall clauses the constant Tradition of that age doth justify Which Priviledges in succeeding times were frequently ratified by following Popes
against the Brittains at Beandune Bindon in Dorsetshire But at the first onsett the Brittains affrighted with their large swords and long bucklers were quickly putt to flight without any considerable losse on the Saxons side who upon a survay found the bodies of two thousand and six hundred Brittains slaine These large swords called by Huntingdon Secures and by Witechind large knives were in the Saxon tongue called Saxa from whence that Nation is sayd to have received its name 2. The year following according to Walsinghams account dyed the vertuous and devout Sebert King of the Trinobantes or East-Saxons and with great and general mourning was buried in the Church of Westminster built by himself which in succeeding times was magnificently enlarged and adorned and made the common Sepulcher of our Kings 3. How acceptable to God was the Sanctity and merits of this good King appeared by a lasting Miracle For in the days of King Edward the first of the Norman Race the Monks of Westmâ—nster having a resolution to translate his Body from the Old Church to the New assoon as with great devotion they had opened his Sepulcher they found his right hand to the middle of his arm entire in flesh skin nayles and bones compacted This was seaven hundred years after he had been there buried Thus writeth Walsingham In his place succeeded his three sons Sered Seward and Sigebert ioynd equally in the Government but much degenerating from their fathers piety VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of King Ethelbert and of the Holy Bishop Lethard 4.5 The Sanctity of King Ethelbert acknowledged 6. 7. His Children 1. PResently after if it was indeed after dyed also Ethelbert glorious in piety and merits the first Protectour of the rising Christian Church of the Saxons His death befell in the fifty sixth year of his raign and the one and twentieth after he had embraced the Christian Faith He was the third King of the English Nation whose Empire extended over all the Provinces Southward from the River Humber saith S. Beda adding that he was the first of those who went to heaven By which clause is implyed that he dyed before King Sebert However certain it is that a very small space of time intervend between both their deaths He was buried in the porch of Saint Martin within the Church of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul where likewise the Body of his devout Queen Bertha or Aldiberga was layd And his memory is consecrated both in ours and the Roman Martyrologe on the sixth of the Calends of March. 2. King Ethelbert had also another blessed companion in the place of his Sepulture to wit S. Lethard the Holy B. of Senliâ— who came with Queen Aldiberga out of France into Brittany Concerning whom William of Malmsbury thus writes An ancient Authour called Gosselin celebrates the miracles of Saint Lethard who accompanied Queen Bertha into this Island particularly his readines to afford rain in times of drouth when his intercession is demanded a pleasant example whereof was shewd about the same Writers time For there having been a terrible fiery drouth about the height of Sommer the Sacred Body of the Saint was solemnly carried in Procession with Litanies But no rain succeeding thereupon the Cantor at his return with the Body with some indignation addressed his speech to the Holy Bishop saying Doest thou not see how great the tribulation of the whole countrey is by reason of this drouth and yet thou art negligent in succouring us These words of a seeming reproof were no sooner uttred but presently there fell such abundance of rain that the most greedy desires were satisfied 3. The vertues of King Ethelbert are comprised by the Authour of his Life in these words This blessed King though his power extended as far as Humber yet in his conversation he shewd himself as perfectly one of Christ beggars as if he had possessed nothing It was a blessed sight to see this glorious King humbly serving the poore to see him who terrified Kings to stand in fear of Gods Preists and to shew an humble respect to the meanest Ministers of the Church How brightly he shone in repressing vice exalting vertue fulfilling the Divine precepts and in all works of piety is so much more clearly to be read in Gods heavenly Book as human Writers have been negligent in expressing c. Antiquity and the favourable authority of former Saints is an irreproachable Witnes of his Sanctity since from the beginning his Solemnity has been celebrated by Gods Saints 4. Among which Saints devoted to this Holy Kings memory S. Dunstan was one who in a certain night watching in devotion at the sepulchers of this King of S. Augustin and other Holy Bishops his Successours heard on a sudden voyces of certain persons singing this Antiphone of the Ecclesiasticall Office Gaudent in coelis animae Sanctorum qui c. The soules of thâ—se Saints who have followed our Lords steps doe now reioyce in heaven c. Whereat being astonish'd he approach'd to the dore and looking through the clefts for it was lock'd he saw the whole Oratory shining with a wonderfull light and a quire of persons in white robes melodiously and ioyfully singing that Antiphone Such honour is due to holy Kings and Prelats c. This we read related by Osbern an ancient Compiler of the Life of Saint Dunstan In which Narration though Saint Ethelbert be not named yet without question he reposing there was principally intended 5. In proof of his acknowledged sanctity c. there were in S. Augustins Church set up dayly five cierges continually burning to wit before the Tomb of S. Augustin of S. Mâ—â—red of S. Adrian Abbot before the great Altar before the Monument of King Ethelbert and of S. Lethard Bishop and a sixth in the Grott before the Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary where S. Dunstan was honourd with many visions of her as the Authour of S. Augustins liâ—e testifies And Polydor Virgil affirms that even to his days the Sacred body of King Ethelbert was illustrious by many Miracles 6. He left behind only two children by his Queen Adilburga Eadbald to whom he resign'd the Title of King after he had earnestly admonish'd him to be carefull in preserving and promoting the Christian Faith which admonition how he complyed with shall be shewd hereafter And Edelburga who was afterward married to Edwin King of the Northumbers and of whose Conversion she was a principall instrument To these two a third is added by Camden Speed and other Modern Writers namely the Holy Virgin Edburga who among Saxon Virgins was the first which undertook the Profession of a devout Nunne This holy Virgin saith the Authour of her life after she had received Sacred Baptisme gave praises to God day and night fervently begging of him the grace to be esteem'd worthy to enioy the spirituall rewards of her onely Bride-groom Iesus
Christ. She spent her life in serving God with all purity in the Church and Convent where her Neice S. Mildred was Abbesse to whom likewise she succeeded in the government of it 7. Among the praises of this holy King Ethelebrt we will in the last place mention his zeale to convert Redwald King of the East-Angles to the Christian Faith though the event proved not so happy in him as it had been in Sebert King oâ— the East-Saxons Concerning which Redwald S. Beda writes That in Kent the Kingdom of Ethelbert he had been imbued with the Mysteries and Sacraments of Christian Faith But in vain for when he return'd home he was perverted and depraved from the sincerity of Faith by his Wise and other impious Teachers so that his latter end was worse then his beginning for like the old Samaritans he would both serve Christ and his old Pagan Gods together placing in the same Temple a Holy Altar for the Sacrifice of our Lord and an impure Altar for the Victimes of Devills Which profane Altar Athelwolf who lived King of that Province in the dayes of S. Beda testifies to have remained to his time VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Apostacy of the Kings of Kent and the East-Saxons 5.6 S. Mellitus banished from his See at London 7 8. c. Laurentius determining to fly is chastâ—sâ—d by S. Peter 10. The Centuriators impudence 1. CHristian Religion seemd to have been so firmly rooted in the two Kingdoms of Kent and the East-Saxons by the piety and zeale of the two late holy Kings Ethelbert and Sebert that no danger could reasonably be apprehended of its fayling But that it might appear that Faith is the free gift of God his just Providence permitted the impiety of their children and successours to endanger the utter ruine of that heavenly Edifice which their Fathers had erected insomuch as that the Pastours of Gods people were banish'd their Churches profan'd and their Profession if not prohibited at least discountenanced 2. The order and manner of these disorders was as followeth King Ethelbert had left in Kent his Successour his only Son Eadbald who though in his Fathers dayes he seemd inclined to Christian Religion for he was a Witnes and approver of his Fathers Charters by which he bequeathed to the Church of S. Peter and S. Paul severall possessions Yet after his Fathers death he quickly returned to his vomit The first step whereof was his unlawfull lust to his Fathers second Wife whom he more unlawfully and incestuously married After which crime incompatible with a sincere Christian Profession he publickly renounced Christianity and again sett up Pagan Idols inviting also and tempting his subjects to follow his Example which the greatest part of them did Yet he did not force either S. Laurence Archbishop of Canterbury or S. Iustus Bishop of Rochester to abandon their Sees 3. This unhappy change in Kent was accompanied with a like or worse change in London and the rest of the East-Saxons Kingdom For the three Sons and Successours of Sebert perhaps communicating counsels with Eadbald relinquished their former seeming profession of Christianity an occasion whereof they took from the Holy Bishop Mellitus his refusing them the Holy Communion which they demanded out of a foolish curiosity or perhaps with an intention to make a quarrel The particular Story is thus related by S. Beda 4. This storm and perturbation was much encreased by the death of Sabereth or Sebert King of the East-Saxons who at his departure out of this life to a better Kindgdom in heaven left heyrs of his temporall kingdom his three Sons Sexred Seward and Sigebert who had remained obstinate in their Heathenish Superstitions though during his life time they had seemed to intermitt the exercise thereof But assoon as he was dead they publickly professed Idolatry and gave free leave to their subjects to doe the same 5. Now it hapned on a certain time that they saw the Holy Bishop Mellitus at the celebrating a Masse in the Church give the Holy Eucharist to the people Whereupon they in a foolish pride sayd to him Why doest thou not as well give us that white wafer which thou wast wont heretofore to give to our Father Saha for so they usually called him and still continuest to give the people His answer to them was If you will be washed with that saving water with which your Father was purified you may likewise as he was be partakers of this Holy bread But if you despise the water of life you must by no means receive the Bread of life But they replied We have no intention to enter into that Font of which we have no need But however we will have our part of that Bread When they were thus often and earnestly admonished by him that without a precedent purification by Baptism it was not lawfull to give them part of the most holy Oblation at last they grew into fury and told him If thou refusest to consent to us in a matter so easy as this thou shalt stay no longer in our Kingdom Thus they banished him commanding both him and all that belonged to him to depart out of their Province 6. Mellitus being thus expelled from his See of London came into Kent with an intention to demand counsell of Laurentius and Iustus what course for him was best in these extremities And after serious deliberation it was decreed by common advice among them that their best way was rather to return into Italy their Native countrey where they might serve our Lord with free minds then to remain among such rebelles and Apostats from their Faith where no good could be done conâ—idering the malice of their Princes Mellitus therefore and Iustus forthwith departed retiring themselves into France 7. But S Laurence shewd a little more constancy he could not so suddenly resolve to desert his flock though extremely diminished of which he was the Cheif Pastour Sometimes he would entertain hopes that God would not permitt so much labour so prospered by him to be lost But on the other side a sad consideration of the inconstancy of the people the impiety and unrestraind lusts of the King and that himself was now left alone without any to counsel or assist him such thoughts as these peircing deeply into his mind quickly extinguished his former faint rising hopes so that he resolved to quitt the ingratefull countrey likewise and to foâ—low his fellow-Bishops into France And this resolution he had putt in execution had not our Mercifull Lord by his Cheif Apostle prevented it The manner of which prevention is thus described by S. Beda 8. When S. Laurence was upon the point to follow Mellitus and Iustus and to desert Brittany the night before his iourney was to begin he gave order that a couch should be prepared for him in the Church of Saint Peter and S. Paul Whereon when after many prayers and tears powrd forth to God he had layd him
the Isle of Man contains little more then three-hundred 4. Many proofs may be produced to demonstrate that these Islands anciently belonged to the Iurisdiction of the Brittains for S. Beda expressly calls them Brittish Isles but had been a long time injuriously possessed by the Scotts taking advantage from the weaknes of the Brittains at their first invasion by the Saxons Hence it was that the Bishop of Sodore in the Isle of Man or lesser Menavia was subject to the Iurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of York XII CHAP. 1. 2. Death of the Apostats East Saxon Kings 3. 4 Also of S. Mellitus Arch bishop of Canterbury to whom S. Iustus succeeds 5.6 Epistles of P. Boniface confirming the Priviledges of the See of Canterbury 1. THE year of Grace six hundred twenty three is by Florileguâ— marked with the death of Sexred and Siward Kings of the East-Saxons who were slain by Kinegils King of the West-Saxons and his Son Quicelm And this saith he came to pâ—sse by the iust judgment of God because after the death of their Father King Sebert they return'd to the worship of Idols having expelled S. Mellitus Bishop of London out of their Dominions Their whole army was utterly destroyd that not one escaped home to carry the news 2. There succeeded in the Kingdom of the East-Saxons Sigebert sirnamed The little son of Siward saith William of Malmsbury from whence may be collected that the third Brother Sigebert the Son of Sebert was dead before For to this Sigebert the Little of whom small mention is made there succeeded another Sigebert Nephew to King Sebert by his Brother Sigebald As for Sigebert who begun his raign this year he had a Brother truly deserving the sirname of Great celebrated in all our Martyrologes for a Saint Of whom more hereafter 3. The year following S. Mellitus the lately made Arch-bishop of Canterbury dyed having seen the miserable end of those ingratefull Kings of the East Saxons who had banished him from his See of London and was buried saith S. Beda in the Church of S. Peter His Memory is celebrated on the four and twenâ—ieth of April both in the Roman and Englih Martyrologe as likewise that of S. Beda Vsuardus and Ado. 4. His Successour in the said See was Saint Iustus Bishop of Rochester who only of all the Romans remained in the Island adorned with a Miter Which moved King Eadbald to acquaint Pope Boniface with the penury of persons sufficient for so high a function Saint Iustus likewise informed the same Pope of the vertues and zeale of the King and how great hopes appeared of a great accesse to the Church if more labourers were sent to cultivate our Lords Vineyard 5. These particulars appear in the answer sent by Pope Boniface to Iustus recited by Saint Beda Wherein he expresses his great ioy to heare the good effects of his labours and zeale which King Eadbald had declared to him and exhorts him to persevere to communicate the Gospell both to Kent and other Provinces He likewise informs him that he had sent him a Pall to be made use of only in celebrating the Divine Mysteries giving him moreover a power to ordain Bishops in all places commodious c. 6. Another Epistle from the same Pope to Saint Iustus or rather a wrong Copy of the same is transcribed by William of Malmsbury wherein the Pope confirms the Priviledges conferred by Saint Gregory on the See of Canterbury constituted the Metropolitan and Primatiall See of the whole Nation immediatly under the protection of the See Apostolick Yet this Copy was by Saint Lanfranc sent to Pope Alexander to justify the Priviledges of the See of Canterbury as the same Authour declares Yea even Bishop Parker transcribes it entirely into his Antiquities and on this Letter grounds the dignity and supereminence of his See For other arguments he has none but such as are derived from Popes to whom notwithstanding he can allow no other titles but proud superstitious impious Prelats and such as had no lawfull Iurisdiction over Brittany Thus manifestly mentita est iniquitas sibi Such self-contradictions necessarily attending injustice and disorderly passion 7. Vpon the receit of these Letters and the Pall Saint Iustus consecrated Romanus Bishop of Rochester who for some time assisted him in propagating the Christian Faith But shortly after being obliged upon occasion of some emergent businesses not for the obtaining Consecration as the Cenâ—uriators fancy to goe to Rome he was drownd at Sea by the way and the See of Rochester became once more vacant XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Redwald K. of the East angles dyes And Edwin elected his Successour but gives it to Redwalds Son 3.4 c. Edwin Monark of the English demands the Sister of the King of Kent to wife and on certain conditions obtains her 1. THE same year Redwald the party-Christian and party-heathen King of the of the East-angles dyed and though he left behind him a son Erpenwald who was bred up to the expectation of the Crown yet were the affections and esteem of that people to Edwin King of the Northumbers so great that neglecting their late Kings Son they unanimously chose Edwin for their King having had long experience of his vertues during his exile in that Court and also incited with the fame of his Conquests 2. Notwithstanding Edwin gave to Erpenwald the Title and Ensigns of Kingly authority contenting himself with an authority paramount over that Kingdom as he enioyd the same over all the rest excepting only the Kingdom of Kent So that among his other Titles he now inserted that of Monark of the English Nation For after King Ethelberts death that Title descended not upon Eadbald his Son but on Redwald King of the East-Angles For saith Saint Beda the first who enioyd this Empire was Elli King of tho South saxons the second Celin or Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons the third Edilbert King of Kent the fourth Redualt King of the East-Angles who also during the life of Edilbert was Prince of that Nation And the fifth was Edwin King of the Northumbers who with greater power then any before governd all the inhabitants of Brittany whether Saxons or Brittains except Kent only He had also lately subdued to his Empire the two Brittish Islands calld Menavia seated between Brittany and Ireland 3. There remained nothing of the forementioned Divine Oracle given to Edwin unaccomplish'd that concernd his felicity in this life Of a poore afflicted and persecuted Exile he was exalted to the Throne of the Northumbers to that Kingdom he had added severall Regions and Islands lately subdued likewise another Kingdom of the East-Angles which offred it self to him and lastly a Supereminent Monarchicall Power over all the Brittains and Saxons excepting Kent Yet that was still wanting which alone could indeed make him happy the knowledge and love of the true God 4. In order therefore to a
Heathens and how impossible it was that there should be more then one Eternall Omnipotent God Governour of the world This foundation layd in his mind easily prepared it to admitt the Light of the Gospell which once kindled was never after extinguish'd He received Baptism from the said Felix stiled in his Life a Bishop who therby gave him a Title to a far better Kingdom 5. In the mean time King Erpenwald dyed having been slain by one of his Pagan Noblemen at the Instigation of Penda the cruel King of the Mercians as hath been sayd After whose death Sigebert succeeded in the kingdom Who assoon as he was King made it his prime care to introduce among his subiects the Christian Faith and civility of the French For which purpose he calld out of France his Spiritual Father Felix the Burgundian Who coming into Brittany first addressed himself to Honorius Arch-bishop of Canterbury by whom he was sent to preach the Gospel to the East-Angles Bo Parker says that Honorius first consecrated him Bishop and then directed him in that Mission But the Authour of his life affirms that he was a Bishop before his coming So that the reason why at his first coming he addressed himself to the Arch-bishop was because not having received his Mission immediatly from the See Apostolick he could not according to the Laws of the Church exercise iurisdiction within the Arch-bishops Province without his permission Now if any one shall obiect the coming of Aidan out of the Monastery of Hy without expecting orders either from within or without the Island Saint Beda will solve the difficulty by declaring that the said Isle of Hye or Iona did always enioy for its governour an Abbot who was a Preist to whose Iurisdiction that whole Province and even Bishops themselves were subiect the like example being no where else to be found But the reason of it was because the first Apostolick Teacher of that Nation was not a Bishop but only a Preist and Monk 6. Felix now Bishop of the East-Angles went to Sigebert by whom he was received with great honour and had assignd him for the See of his Bishoprick saith Saint Beda the Citty calld Dummoc situated in the Province of the Iceni or Suffolk It is now calld Dunwich saith Camden the greatest part wherof is swallowd by the Sea and almost reduced to a solitude the Episcopall See many ages since having been transferd At first it alone exercised the whole Iurisdiction over the Kingdom of the East-Angles But Bisus the fourth Bishop from Saint Felix growing old and sickly and uncapable to manage so large a Province divided it into two Dioceses constituting the other Episcopal See at North-Elmholm now a small town 7. The desire which Saint Felix had to serve our Lord in that Employment wanted not good successe saith Saint Beda for his labours produced manifold fruits in that Nation For according to the happy omen of his name he reduced the whole Province from its former infelicity and iniquity to the true Faith to the works of Christian Iustice and the rewards of eternall Felicity And as King Oswald assisted Saint Aidan by interpreting his speeches into a more intelligible language So did King Sigebert to Saint Felix being a stranger in the countrey For Huntingdon writes that Sigebert the Successour and Brother of Erpwald was a most Christian King and together with Felix the Biâ—hop brought others to Christianity 8. The same King whom S. Beda calls a most learned and most Christian Prince as by his example and command he lead his subiects to the true Faith and works of Iustice So to establish the same Faith more firmly he built Churches adorned Altars reverenced the Clergy and those who professed a more severe Christian austerity of life Besides the Church belonging to the Episcopal See he erected another at a town calld Babingley where Felix first entred that Province and a third a place calld Sharnburn Thus writes Camden 9. Moreover remembring the inconstancy of his subiects who had more then once deserted the Christian Profession the pious King Sigebert saith Saint Beda desirous to imitate the good orders which he had seen practised in France instituted a Schoole for the instructing of children Wherein he was assisted by his Bishop Felix who appointed Teachers and Masters according to the manner of Kent And though Saint Beda mentions a School in the singular number only which some interpret to be understood of the Vniversity of Cambridge Notwithstanding our other ancient Historians affirm that S. Felix instituted Schooles in severall opportune places and by little and little reformd the barbarousnes of the Nation by introducing the civility of the Latin tongue Which was a benefit much to be celebrated to bring a people formerly rude and fanatick to tast the sweetnes of human literature This is the testimony of William of Malmsbury in which Florilegus and Huntingdon doe ioyn And our modern Writers doe more particularly affirm that at this time a Schoole for the instructing young children was erected at Flixton a Town which took its name from Saint Felix 10. This same year Quichelm the Son of Kinegils and partner with him in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons followd the example of his Father in embracing the Christian Faith and receiving the Sacrament of Baptism but went before him to receive the crown of his Faith and innocence for he dyed the same year saith Huntingdon and Florentius of Worcester who adds that he was baptised by Saint Birinus in the Citty Dorice by which he seems to understand Dorchester the Episcopall See of S. Birinus 11. King Oswald likewise the same year maried Kineburga daughter to Kinegils by whom the year following he had a Son called Ethelwald VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of S. Fursey 5.6 c. His wonderfull Visions 11.12 He builds a Monastery in Essex which he recommends to his Brother 13. He goes into France where he dyes His Memory celebrated at Peronne 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred thirty seaven Saint Felix Bishop of Dunwich received great comfort and assistance in his Apostolick labours by the arrival of a stranger out of Ireland This was Saint Fursey who having spent many years in preaching the Gospel in his own countrey came this year into Brittany saith Bishop Vsher. 2. Saint Beda relates the same more expressly saying Whilst Sigebert as yet held the raines of the Government in his hand there came out of Ireland a holy man named Fursey illustrious both for his teaching and piety who was desirous to spend the remainder of his life in a strange countrey wheresoever he could find opportunity the more perfectly to serve our Lord. This devout man coming into the Province of the East-Angles was honourably received by the said King and there he executed his usuall employment of preaching by which ioynd with his vertuous example he converted many Infidels
Now that which encreased the reverence to this holy King was because saith William of Malmsbury he gave the first-fruits of Sanctity to his Nation for before him I known not any of the English illustrious for miracles To conclude his Memory is celebrated both in the Roman and English Martyrologes on the fifth of August Some part of his Relicks are sayd to have been translated beyond sea into Flanders and reposed in the Monastery of Bergs S. Winok the Memory of which Translation is celebrated there on the twelfth day before the Calends of Iune XII CHAP. 1.2 Oswi and Oswin Kings of the Northumbers 3.4 c. K. Kenewalch succeeds Kinegils His Apostacy and Repentance 9. The Monastery of Malmsbury 1. AFter S. Oswald was translated to a heavenly kingdom saith Saint Beda his Brother Oswi a young wan of about thirty years succeeded him in his throne which with great labour he possessed eight and twenty years He was onely naturall brother to King Oswald for he was born to Ethelfrid by a Concubine At the beginning he was onely King of the Bernicians For saith the same Authour he made his consort in the Kingdom Oswin descended from the royal family being the son of Osric of whom we treated before a man of excellent piety and Religion who governd the Province of the Deiri seaven years enioying great affluence of all things and beloved by all 2. These two Princes for some years raign'd in great concord being united both in blood and Religion But afterward by giving â—are to flatterers and sycophants enmity arose between them which proceeded so far that war was declared the successe wherof we shall declare in due season 3. The same year that King Oswald dyed in the North Kinigils also ended his life in the West He had lately embraced the Faith by the preaching of S. Birinus An argument of his Piety was his demolishing the Pagan Temple at Winchester which had been polluted with the superstitions of Idols and in the place erecting a Church which notwithstanding being intercepted by death he could not finish the care wherof he left to his son To this Church he added a Monastery saith Harpsfeild the revenews wherof were so great as ancient Monuments record that the whole region at seaven miles distance about was assigned by Kinegils to its use The Church was dedicated to the honour of S. Peter 4. After a long and quiet raign for the space of one and thirty years he ended his life and left his Successour Kenwalch calld by others Kenwald his Son For Quechelm his eldest dyed before him Besides Kenwalch he left another son alive named Kentwin William of Malmsbury adds a third calld Egelwin a Holy man and patron of the Monastery of Adeling for treating of that Monastery he saith The Monks of that place are few in number and poore who notwithstanding doe at least reap comfort if not ioy from their poverty by reason it affords them solitude and quietnes They dâ—e highly exalt the praises of their Patron S. Egelwin of whose sanctity they have experience by many benefits The constant fame is that he was Brother to Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons and by his vertue yet more ennobled his blood for though he was continually chaind by a long infirmity yet that did not abate his diligence and fervour in the service of God At last he dyed happily and by his intercession is present to all who invoke his help 5. Kenwalch succeeded his Father Kinegils in his kingdom but not in his piety For saith S. Beda he refused to embrace or renounced â—he Faith and Sacraments of the heavenly Kingdom and not long after deservedly lost the power of his temporal Kingdom This Character also William of Malmsbury gives of him In the beginning of his raign he might be compard with the worst Princes but in the middle and conclusion with the best Some write that by occasion of a prosperous combat fought against the Brittains he grew insolent and trode underfoot all Laws both humane and Divine But most probably his unhappines arose from his unlawfull repudiating his Queen Sexburga Sister to Penda King oâ— the Mercians 6. This aâ—front encreased by his marrying another wife Penda deeply resenting saith S. Beda made war against him in the third year of his raign and deprived him of his Kingdom so that he was forced to seek refuge with Anna King of the East-angles with whom he lived in banishment three years and there came to the acknowledgment of the true Faith For King Anna was a pious Prince and happy in a holy Offspring Kinewalch his conversion came by the admonitions of this holy King and his Apostolick Bishop S. Felix by whom he was baptised 7. By this trienniall Disciplin the Pride of Kinewalch being depressed and his lawfull Queen Sexburga restored to his bed he regain'd his Kingdom and afforded to his Subiects a pleasing spectacle of his change The recovering his kingdom seems to have been effected rather by force then covenants for Huntingdon relats how he bestowd on his Kinsman Aedred who had assisted him three thousand villages neer Aescendun This Aedred is by William of Malmsbury calld Cuthred who was his Brother Quichelms son on whom he munificently bestowd almost the third part of his Kingdom 8. Kenewalch thus restored to his Kingdom and his reason also to secure his crown for the future addicted himself to piety He shewd great reverence to the holy Bishop Birinus and the Church begun by his Father he so diligently finished that the same Writer gives him the whole praise For says he he was so religious that he was the first of the Saxons who built a Church to God at Winchester which was so fair that though when it was made an Episcopall See it was more beautified by Workmanship yet the same structure remained 9. At this time was founded the famous Monastery of Malmsbury by Maidulf an Irishman with the assistance of King Kenelwalk It is seated in Wiltshire where in former time Dunwallo Mulmutius King of the Brittains had built a Town which he called Caër-bladon which having been burnt in the Saxon warrs out of its ruines was raised a Castle called by the Saxons in their tongue Ingleburn till Maidulf an Irish-Scott saith Camden a man eminent in learning and piety invited with the pleasant solitude of a wood growing under it lead there an Eremiticall Life Afterward he opened there a School for learning and consecrating himself together with his Schollars to a Monasticall Profession he built there a Monastery Hence from this Maidulf instead of Ingleburn it was called Maidulfs-bury and afterward more contractedly Malmsbury Some Historians call it Meldunum XIII CHAP. 1. Ithamar a Saxon Bishop of Rochester 2. Birth of S. Swibert 3. S. Foillan Brother of S. Fursey 4.5 Death of S. Birinus whose Successour was S. Agilbert 6. Death of Saint Felix Apostle
for Oswin urging all men by Promises rewards and terrible threatnings to discover him Hunwald either allured with gain or affrighted with danger treacherously betraid his King and Benefactour Assoon as Oswin saw himself discovered and the place encompassed with soldiers he desired Ethelwin to content himself with his death alone and to spare his companion Tunder since his life only was sought by Oswi But the cruel executioner presently slew them both for indeed the faithfull soldier refused to survive his King This murder was committed on the thirteenth day before the Caâ—ends of September 5. The death of this pious King was greatly bewayld by all for from his child hood saith Mathew of Westminster he was a devout Professour of Christian Religion He was tall in stature valiant civill prudent liberall he was as his table sober in his bed modest affable to all and between the poor and rich he caried himself so that the poor regarded him as their equall and the rich as their Master Whence it came to passe that for the civility of his Royal mind all sought accesse to him and tenderly lov'd him even out of forrain Provinces The like character S. Beda gives of him 6. But among all his vertues the same Authour most commends his Humility a worthy example whereof he thus relates He had bestowd on the Holy Bishop Aidan a horse on which though ordinarily he went afoot sometimes he passed the rivers or upon necessity rode a iourney Awhile after as the Bishop was travelling a poor man mett him and begged an almes The Bishop presently lighting down commanded the horse to be given him with all his sumptuous furniture for he was very mercifull to the poor and a Father to such as were in misery This being related to the King he said to the Bishop as they were ready to sitt down to table My Lord Bishop what meant you to give so generous a horse to a beggar which I gave you for your own use We had horses of lesse valew or some other gifts which would have suffised him The Bishop presently answerd him Why says your Maâ—esty so Is a colt in more esteem with you then the Son of God Aâ—ter these speeches had passed between them they entred into the dining room and the Bishop sate in his place but the King being newly come from hunting stood with his servants warming himself at the fire And there calling to mind the Bishops words to him he putt off his sword and in hast went and cast himself at the Bishops feet beseeching him to pardon him for said he I will never speak or censure you for what you give to Gods children of my goods be it never so much The Bishop seing this was deeply struck with it and rising took the King up assuring him that he was very well satisfied upon condition he would be chearfull and sitt down to meat Now whilst the King at the Bishops request expressed much ioy the Bishop on the other side began to be very sad insomuch as he could not contain himself from weeping Which being observed by his Preist he asked him in his own countrey-language which neither the King nor his servants understood why he wept The Bishops answer was I am assured that this good King will not live long for till this hower I never saw an humble King whence I conclude that he will shortly be snatched out of this life And indeed it was not long after that the Kings death made good the Holy Bishops Prophecy 7. The place where he was slain was in the English tongue called Ingethling where his body was ignobly buried It was afterward called Gilling not far distant from Richmond and there saith Saint Beda and the Authour of his life Queen Eanfled wife of King Oswi and Kings Oswins kinswoman having obtaind permission from her husband built a Monastery for the expiation of his death in which dayly Prayers were to be offred to God for the redemption of both the Kings soules of him who had been slain and him by whose command he was slain Of which Monastery she appointed Abbot a certain devout man named Trumhere by nation an Englishman but instructed and ordaind by the Scotts who was also kinsman to the King This holy man was afterward made Bishop of the Southern Mercians under their King Wulsere where he converted great multitudes to Christ 8. This Monastery and Church by the furious incursion of the Danes was so totally destroyd that the memory of King Oswin was abolished But about the year of Christ one thousand sixty five by a vision in sleep a certain Monk of the Church of Tinmouth was admonished to inform the Bishop where the Holy Kings body lay which being taken up afforded a most sweet odour and was there with great veneration deposed in the Church of Tinmouth A second Translation followed in the year of Grace eleaven hundred and ten when his Sacred Relicks were removed to a New Church in the same town dedicated to our Blessed Lady 9. After which time mens devotion to this Holy King and Martyr much encreased the twentieth day of August being assigned for his Festivall And Thomas Walsingham Historiographer to King Richard the second relates how by a strange prodigy the neglect of that Feast was punished For saith he two Marriners at New-castle on the Tyne on that day being busy at work in hewing a peice of Timber for their ship at every stroke with their axe great quantity of blood issued And when one of them persisted notwithstanding in his work and turned the timber still the blood on all sides flowd abundantly out of it This Miracle says he was seen by very many and verified in an assembly of Ecclesiasticks appointed â—o examine it and the peice of Timber all staind with blood was caried into the Church of Tinmouth where the Saints Body reposed XV. CHAP. 1. 2. c. Death of Saint Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn His vertues c. 1. THE deplorable death of this Holy King Oswin was attended with that also of S. Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn for thus writes S. Beda On the twelfth day after the murder of the King dyed likewise the Holy Bishop who tenderly loved him to wit the day before the Calends of September 2. The place where this Holy Bishop dyed is described by the same Authour to be a countrey village belonging to the King where there was a Church and a lodging prepared for the Bishop to which he frequently retired to enjoy a better commodity for preaching For he had nothing in his own possession but a few small feilds about the said Church His lodging was a Tent pitched against the Western wall of the Church here leaning his head against the side of the Tent he gave up the ghost in the seaventeenth year after he had been Bishop His Body was caried to the Isle of Lindesfarn and buried in the Church-yard of the
any habitation of men Therefore said she I desire you before you goe to receive some sustenance for fear you should faint if you fast all day Notwithstanding out of a love to the Religious custom of fasting he would not be overcome with the womans importunity but fasting as he was he returned to his iourney and so continued till evening 5. Here we see that from the beginning of the English-Saxon Church the fast of Friday was observed so as that it was not permitted to dissolve the fast before evening They likewise anciently kept the fast of Wednesday but custom afterward moderating the piety of our Ancestours tempered that rigour affixing the observance only to Friday Thus we read in an ancient English National Council at Enham this among other Decrees Every Friday except it be a Festival a Fast must be observed The same is found among the Ecclesiasticall Laws of King Ina and King Canutus Both which are recorded by Sir H. Spelman But let us prosecute S. Cuthberts iourney 6. When Saint Cuthbert saw that by reason of the evenings approach he could not finish his iourney that day neither was there any lodging near as he was riding he saw certain cottages which in the Sommer time the Heardsâ—en had hastily raised up for their present use but then the winter approaching were left empty Thither he went with an intention to stay all night and tying his horse to the wall he gathered up a bundle of hay which the wind had blown from the house-covering and gave it him to eat and himself passed his time in Prayer But on a sudden as he was repeating Psalms he saw the horse lift up his head and with his teeth biting some thing which was on the house roof and presently after he drew down a linnen cloth wrapped up Being desirous therefore to know what that was as soon as he had finished his Prayers he took up the linnen and found wrapped up in it half a loaf of Bread warm from the Oven and so much flesh as would suffise for one refection For which he ioyfully praised God saying Blessed be God who vouchsafed to provide a supper both for mee and my companion Half of the Bread therefore he gave to the horse and the other half he eat himself 7. From that day he was ever after more willing and diligent to observe Fasts perceiving that in that solitude the same mercifull Lord had provided sustenance for him who in old times had by the ministery of Crows a long time nourished the Prophet Elias in the wildernes with the like food for his eyes are upon such as fear him and hope in his mercy to deliver their soules from death and nourish them in time of famine This passage was related to mee by a certain Religious Preist of our Monastery at the mouth of the River Wire named Inguald who is yet alive a very old man and one who can better see heavenly objects with the eyes of his mind then outward things with his bodily eyes and he protested that he heard this from S. Cuthberts own mouth being then Bishop 8. Saint Cuthbert being thus wonderfully refreshed went in the strength of that meat whither he intended Now there were at that time both in the Church of Lindesfarn men who lived in Regular observance and likewise Monks at Mailros on the Râ—ver Tweed Both which Communities had been instituted by the Holy Bishop Aidan At Mâ—iâ—ros Eata was Abbot and under him Boâ—silus was Priour of the Monks Thither Saint Cuthbert went Boisilus saith Saint Beda kindly received the devout young man and when he had declared to him the Motive of his iourney he detaind him there approving much his resolution to prefer a Monasticall life before a secular And a few days after at the return of Eata of happy memory then Preist and Abbot of the Monastery and afterward Bishop also of Lindesfarn he declared to him the good intention of Cuthbert and obtaind permission for him after Tonsure received to be admitted among the Brethren Thus entring the Monastery he was carefull to equall or excell the rest of the Monks in Religious observances of reading working watching and Prayer 9. The Institut under which Saint Cuthbert began his Religious Profession was certainly the same which Saint Aidan had formed and which he had learnt in the Monastery of Hye For as yet Saint Wilfrid had not published in those parts the Holy Rule of Saint Benedict neither was the Roman manner of celebrating Easter introduced among them Which controversy divided the Black Monks from those whom Saint Columba and the Monastery of Hye sent into Brittany Now that Saint Cuthbert did not weare then a Black Habit is evident from the testimony of Saint Beda who saith Saint Cuthbert used vestments of the common fashion and colour so as he shewed no singularity either in the nearnes of them or a wilfull neglect of cleanlines And hence it is that to this day in the said Monastery the Monks following his Example are content with habits of the naturall colour of the wooll afforded by the Sheep But whether afterward the Rule and Institut of S. Benedict was introduced among them we shall examine in due place We will now leave S. Cuthbert in the solitude of his Monastery perfectionating his mind with those vertues and Graces which rendred him a glorious Light to that Age whose Actions will plentifully furnish our following History XVII CHAP. 1.2 Finan Bishop of Lindesfarn after S. Aidan 3.4 Conversion of the Mercians 5.6 c. And of the East-Saxons by S. Cedde 9. Saint Honorius Arch-bishop of Canterbury dyes to whom Deus-dedit succeeds 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty two Finan succeeded to the Holy Bishop Aidan in the Church of Lindesfarn He was ordaind and sent by the Scotts from the Monastery of Hye saith S. Beda He built in the Isle of Lindesfarn a Church for the Episcopal See which according to the Scottish fashion he made not of Stone but hewn Timber and covered it with reeds This Church was afterward dedicated by the most Reverend Arch-bishop Theodor to the honour of Saint Peter the Apostle But Eadbert who in following time was Bishop of that place took away the thatch and made it be covered all over both roof and walls with plates of lead 2. As for King Oswi though by the death of Oswin he became possessed of the whole Kingdom of the Northumbers yet either out of remorse of conscience or a pious regard to the memory of Oswin he permitted his Son Edilwald to raign over the Province of the Deiri 3. The year following is worthily celebrated for the accession of two Provinces in Brittany to the Faith of Christ the Midland-Angli and the East-Saxons Concerning the former Saint Beda thus writes At this time the Midle-Angli under their Prince Peoda Son of King Penda embraced the Faith and Sacraments of Truth This Prince being a young
years When he was arrived at the fourteenth year of his age he in his affection preferd a Monastical life before a secular Which having discovered to his Father for his Mother was then dead he willingly approved his vertuous and heavenly desires advising him to pursue his good beginnings 3. He went therefore to the Isle of Lindesfarn where he committed himself to the direction and government of the Monks and was carefull to learn and practise such duties of Chastity and piety as belonged to that Profession And being of a sharp witt he quickly learnt the Psalms and other Books before he had yet received the Tonsure but in the vertues of Humility and Obedience he excelled those who had long before received it For which he was deservedly loved and reverenced both by his equals and seniours 4. It seems that whilst he lived in that Monastery he had not engaged himself in a Monasticall Profession for it follows in the same Authour Having spent some years in the said Monastery in Gods service he being of a peircing iudgment observed is young as he was that the way of vertue and piety taught by the Scots was not perfect therefore he resolved in his mind to undertake a iourney to Rome there to see what Ecclesiastical and Monasticall Rites were observed at the See Apostolick This his intention he having discovered to his Brethren they commended his purpose perswading him effectually to accomplish it 5. Thereupon without delay he went to Queen Eanfleda the Wife of King Oswâ— and daughter of Edwin by Ethelburga Sister of Eadbald King of Kent to whom he was well known for by her counsel and assistance he had been recommended to the foresaid Monastery To her therefore he made known his desire to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostles She was much pleased with the good purpose of the young man and sent him to her Kinsman Earcombert King of Kent desiring him to assist him honourably in his iourney to Rome At that time the Arch-bishop there was Honorius one of the Disciples of Blessed Pope Gregory a man profoundly skillfull in Ecclesiasticall affairs 6. During the short time of his abode in Kent where he began studiously to inform himself in the things he cheifly desird there arrived another young man calld Bishop whose Sirname was Benedict born of Noble English parents who also had a desire to goe to Rome To his company therefore the King associated Wilfrid commanding him to take him along with him When they were come to Lyons Wilfrid was there detaind by Dalfâ—n Bishop of that Citty so that Benedict dispatched the rest of the iourney alone For that pious Prelat was much delighted with Wilfrids prudence in speech comelines of countenance alacrity in behaviour and maturity of iudgment insomuch as he supplyed both him and his companions as long as they stayd with him with all things plentifully and moreover offred him if he pleased to accept it a good part of the countrey to be governed by him and his Neice a virgin to be his wife so that he would account of him as his adopted son But he rendring him most humble thanks for the extraordinary goodnes shewed to him being a stranger told him that he had resolved upon a quite different state of life and that for that reason having left his countrey he had undertaken a iourney to Rome The Bishop having heard this dismissed him to his iourney furnishing him with a guide and all things necessary thereto but withall earnestly desired him in his return to his countrey to visit him once more 7. Being arrived at Rome he with wonderfull diligence applied himself to his Devotions and to the study of Ecclesiasticall matters as he had purposed and had the happines to attain to the freindship of a very holy man called Bonifacius who was Arch-deacon and one of the Popes Counsellors By his direction he learnt the four Gospells by heart likewise the true Method of the Paschall Computation and many other things pertaining to Ecclesiasticall Discipline which in his own countrey none could have taught him 8. After he had spent some monthes happily in these studies he returned back to the Bishop Dalfin in France with whom he remaind three years receiving the Ecclesiasticall Tâ—nsure of him and was so tenderly loved by him that he had a design to make him his heyr But this design was interrupted by the cruell death of the good Bishop and Wilfrid reserved to a Bishoprick at home For the Queen Brunichildâ— sending soldiers coÌ„manded the Bishop to be slain whom Wilfrid his clark attended to the place where he was beheaded desiring to dye with him though the Bishop earnestly desired him to leave him But the Executioners knowing him to be a stranger born in Brittany spared him and would not kill him with his Bishop XIX CHAP. 1. Saint Bathildis excused from the murder of Dalfin Bishop of Lyons 2. Ebroin Maire of the Palace guilty of it 3. Saint Bathildis her Piety she founded two Monasteries and retired into one 4. c. She came out of Brittany of a Saxon race 1. THVS writes S Beda But whereas in most of the printed Copies the death of this holy Bishop is imputed to Queen Brunichilda it is certain that cannot consist with Chronology for though she was infamous for the murders of severall Princes and Bishops as Desiderius Bishop of Vienna c. yet about forty years before this time she had received her condign punishment for her cruelties Therefore in the ancient Manuscripts and one ancient printed Copy we more correctly read in stead of Brunichildis Baldhildiâ— or Bathildis who was indeed at this time Queen of France But withall a Queen of such admirable piety and Sanctity that it is a wonder how S. Beda and severall of our Historians following him could be so misinformed as to brand her memory with a crime of so high a nature who in the story of her life is said to have been obedient to her Husband King Clodoveus the second as her Lord to have behaved her self to the Princes as a Mother and to Bishops as a daughter 2. To rectify this mistake therefore we are to observe from Sigebert and the French History that in this age the Kings of France had suffred their whole Regall Power to remain in the hands of their cheif Officer called Maâ—r of the Palace so that the Kings lived idlely and voluptuously within dores only on the first of May they came abroad in ceremony to salute and be saâ—uted to receive and bestow Gifts c. only enjoying the Name of Kings Now at this time the Mair of the Palace was Ebroinus a man of horrible cruelty and injustice and who was indeed Authour of this sacrilegious murther though in appearance done by the Royal authority in whose name the command issued The King of France at present was Lothaire a child and therefore no wonder if Bathildis the Queen his Mother who either knew not or
could not hinder the fury of Ebroinus was in common fame charged with the crime though according to the Gallican Martyrologe she was at this time retired into a Monastery 3. The said Martyrologe therefore will give us a true information of this Fact where on the twenty eighth of October in the commemoration of this Holy Bishop we find this passage Clodoveus being some years before dead and his Widow S. Bathildis retired into her Monastery at Cala Ebroin Maire of the Palace a most cruel man and extremely disaffected to Ecclesiasticall persons began to rage every where with sacrileges rapines and murders of innocent persons No wonder therefore if S. Ennemund Bishop sirnamed Dalfin incurred his hatred because out of an affection of piety and iustice he was earnest with the King to ease the people of their pressures Therefore after that the Brother of the Holy Bishop who was Prefect of Lyons had been slain at Orleans upon a false accusation as if he had an intention to rebell Ebroin presently after with the like violence persecuted S. Ennemund Who being informed that accusations were falsely charged on him before the King perceiving the machinations of his cruel adversary at first departed from Lyons But presently after taking courage and placing his whole trust in God he returned thither again where whilst he was diligent in his devotions and pious works he was seised upon by the Emissaries of Ebroin and to the generall extreme greif of the Citty caried away with shew that he was to be lead to the Kings presence but by the way near Chaillon in Burgundy he was murdred by night whilst he prayd God to pardon his enemies and so for a reward of his iustice charity and patience he received a never fading crown of Glory 4. This Narration doth evidently absolve the good Queen Bathildis Whose memory ought to be in a speciall manner precious to us since she descended from a Saxon family in Brittany which she left unwillingly For as the Authour of her life in Surius and Haraeus who lived in the same age recounts She was stolln out of Brittany by Pirats and by them sold to Erchinoald a famous Prince in France then Maire of the Kings palace In whose service she behaved herself so decently for she descended from Noble Saxon Ancestors that the said Erchinoald's Lady being dead he intended to have taken her to wife But the Holy Virgin withdrew her self from his sight till he had maried another This her Modesty made her so acceptable to King Clodovaeus the second of that name son of Dagobert that as we read in the Appendix to Gregory Bishop of Tours he made her though a stranger his Queen for her prudence and comlines and had by her three Sons Cloathair Childeric and Theodoric 5. After Clodovaeus his death she awhile governed the Kingdom with her children and then with great difficulty obtaind permission of the Nobility to retire her self into a Monastery built by her self in a place called Cala in the Territory of Paris over which she had placed Abbesse a Holy Virgin called Bertilia sent for by her out of the Monastery of Iâ—dro To this Monastery of Cala therefore she retired where she lived a great example of Piety and vertue Now at that time there being in Brittany few Monasteries of Religious Virgins saith Saint Beda many Noble men sent their daughters out of Brittany into France to be instructed there and espoused to their Heavenly Bridegroom especially in the Monasteries of Brige Cale now called Chelles and Andilege 6. She built likewise in the Territory of Amiens at a place called Corbey a Monastery for Religious Monks which she magnificently enriched with possessions and all things necessary for their subsistence Over which Monks she placed Abbot a venerable person called Theofred whom she had for that purpose desired to be sent out of the Monastery of Luxueil Luxovium Which Abbot was afterward a Bishop 7 Neither was her piety confined to France onely For she honourd with many precious Gifts the Churches of the Holy Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul at Rome out of the great love and devotion she had to them Likewise great liberality she extended to the poor and to persons professing a Reclused solitary life in the same Citty 8. Thus in all conditions both as a simple Virgin a Queen and a Religious Nunne she sparkled with all divine Graces Particularly during her Regency by her zeale the Simoniacal Heresy which then defiled the Church of God was quite driven out of the Kingdom And for a further proof of her innocency touching the death of S. Ennemund or Dalfin Bishop of Lyons there is mention in her life of another Bishop called Sigebrand who by the practise of Ebroin against her will without conviction or examination was slain coÌ„trary to Law and iustice 9. Her piety to Holy Bishops particularly to S. Eligius the famous Bishop of Noyon is celebrated by S. Audoâ—n Bishop of Rouen who lived at the same time and wrote his life For he relates with what affection and devotion this Holy Queen with her children and Nobles hastned to take care for his honourable enterment Her desire was it should be conveyed to her Monastery of Cala but by no force it could be removed Whereupon overcome with a violent greif she uncovered his face which she bedewed with showrs of tears At last turning her self to her Nobles she said We now see it is not his will that his body should be removed from his own Citty let us therefore permitt his own flock to enioy it Which words she had no sooner uttered but the Body and Coffin became easily moveable so that two persons alone were able without difficulty to carry it Thus having venerated the Sacred Body she retired weary and hungry for she had continued a Fast of three days with Prayers and tears thereby to know Gods will for disposing the Body 10. The same Holy Writer further declares the same Queens devotion to S. Eligius after his death and how in a vision by night he commanded a certain Courtier to reprove her for wearing iewells and costly apparrell during her Widdow-hood Which she did not out of Pride but because she thought it fitting to be done whilst she took care of administring the Kingdom during her sons minority This command thrice repeated not having been executed by the said Courtier he was pâ—nished with a violent feaver During which having been visited by the Queen he declared it to her and immediatly the feaver quitted him Whereupon the Queen layd aside her Iewells and Ornaments a great part of which she distributed to the Poor and with the richest of them she made a most beautifull sumptuous Crosse which she deposed at the head of S. Eligius or S. Eloy Which devotion of hers was imitated by the Nobles so zealously that in a short time his Church was enriched with incredible riches Offrings
19. Now in that Island there had anciently been a Church built by King Ethelbert at Saint Augustins request which not long before this time had been destroyed by the cruell Tyrant Penda who had also slain or chased away the Preists attending it This Church the Holy Virgin restored in a more ample form and consecrated it as it had been formerly to the Honour of the most blessed Virgin Mother of our Lord. Thereto likewise she by the assistance of her Brother King Adulf adioyned a Monastery of devout Virgins which with great fervour flocked to her over whom she was constituted Abbesse And concerning her manner of life there wee thus read in S. Beda It is reported saith he that from her first entrance into the Monastery she never used any linnen vestments and very seldom any warm bathes except before the solemne Feasts of Easter Pentecost and Epiphany and then she would be the last to wash her self after she had ministred to all the other Virgins She rarely eat any thing more then once a day unlesse on the great Solemnities or when any infirmity forced her to doe otherwise From the time of Midnight Mattins till break of day she remaind in the Church intent on her Prayers Some affirm that by the Spirit of Prophecy she foretold both the Pestilence of which she her self dyed and likewise in the presence of her whole Convent she signified the number of those who were to be taken out of the world 21. The sweet odour of her piety and vertues drew many Virgins and Widows some of Royall descent to follow her For her Sister Sexburga Queen of Kent after the death of her husband Ercombert to whom she bore two sons Egbert and Lothair who succeeded in the Kingdom became a Nunne under the Government of S. Etheldred to whom likewise she succeeded in the care of the Monastery Moreover the daughter of the same Sexburga calld Erminilda Queen of the Mercians when her husband Wulfer was dead retired to the same Convent bringing with her her only daughter S. Wereburga of whom more hereafter 22. Besides the Monastery of Religious Virgins S. Ethelreda built likewise or rather restord in a place neer adioyning a Convent for Monks over whom she as Abbesse retaind Iurisdiction In both which Cloysters there were no fewer then a hundred devout persons continually attending on the service of God V. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Ethelreds Body found incorrupt 7 Taudrey-lace 8.9 c. Apparitions and Miracles wrought by the Holy Virgin 1. SEaven years the Blessed Virgin Ethelreda governd her Monastery of Ely exhibiting her self a glorious example of Piety and all vertues after which in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy nine our Lord calld her out of this world to receive her reward on the eighth day before the Calends of Iuly and according to her own command she was buried among her own Religious Virgins in the same coffin of wood wherin she lay when she gave up her Spirit and her Sister Sexburga who had been the Wife of Earcombert King of Kent succeeded her in the Office of Abbesse 2. The wonderfull testimonies which God was pleased to afford in approbation of the Sanctity and purity of this Holy Widow twice a wife and always a Virgin are commemorated by S. Beda who himself might have been a witnes of them He was three and twenty years old when those things hapned and wrote them forty years after The relation by him given thus follows 3. Sixteen years after the Blessed Virgin Saint Ethelreda was buried her Sister Sexburga Abbesse thought fitt to take up her bones and putting them into a New Coffin to translate them into a Church dedicated to her honour She commanded therefore certain of the Monks to search out a Stone commodious for that purpose Now the region of Ely being all encompassed with rivers and marishes afforded no such stones of a convenient largenes They therefore taking boat went to a certain Citty not far distant which lay desolate calld in the English tongue Grandacister where presently neer the walls of the Citty they found a Coffin of white Marble elegantly made and fittly coverd with a stone of the same Perceiving hereby that God had prospered their iourney they with great ioy and thankfullnes brought the Coffin to the Monastery 4. Now when her Sepulcher was opened and the sacred body of this Holy Virgin and Spouse of our Lord discovered it was found â—s free from any corruption as if she had been buried the same day This the foresaid Bishop Wilfrid and many other eye-witnesses have testified But a more certain Witnes hereof was her Physician calld Cinfrid who assisted her at her death and was likewise present when her body was taken up He frequently made relation how in her sicknes she had a great swelling under the hollow of her arme Whereupon he was advised to make an incision in the said swelling that the noxious humour might flow out Which I having done saith he for two days after she found her self at more ease insomuch as many thought she would recover But the third day after her paines returning she was suddenly taken out of the world and made a happy exchange of paines and death for life and perpetuall health 5. And many years after when her bones were taken out of her Sepulcher a Pavilion was sett up about which the whole congregation of Religious men and Virgins stood singing Psalmes In the mean time the Abbesse attended with a few of the Nunnes where busy within the Pavilion taking up the body and on a sudden we heard the Abbesse from within cry out with a distinct voyce Glory be to the name of our Lord And presently after they opened the dore of the Pavilion and calld mee in where I saw the Sacred Body of the Holy Virgin taken out of her Sepulcher and placed in the Coffin where it lay as if she had been asleep After which taking the cover from her face they shewd mee the wound of the incision which I had made perfectly cured insomuch as instead of a wide gaping wound which was in her body when she was buried now only some small signs of a scarr appeared and those likewise were so fresh that they seemd as if they had been closed that very day 6. The Religious Virgins also reported that when by reason of the foresaid swelling she was tormenâ—ed with extreme pains in her neck and side of her face she took great contentment in her infirmity and was want to say I know of a certainty that I am iustly paind in my neck because when I was a young maid I wore about my neck weighty chains of iewells Therefore God in his mercy has thus punished mee that the fiery heat and rednes of the swelling in my neck may satisfy â—or my former pride and levity 7. Harpsfeild from this passage in S. Beda well collects that the custom in England for women
we declared to have been of English parentage and kinsman of Oswin King of the Northumbers that he had his education from the Scotts was a Monk and afterward Abbot of the Monastery of Gethlin and last of all consecrated Bishop of the Mercians 5 But a greater difficulty remains How King Wulfere should deserve the Elogy here given him of piety and zeale for the propagation of the Orthodox Faith beyond the limits of his own Kingdom Yea besides this in other Authours we find him employd in building of Monasteries and Churches And William of Malmsbury gives him this generall Character that at his first Assumption to the throne to the end he might not deceive the expectation of his Subiects he spared no diligence study or labour to shew himself a good Prince who sought the proffit and felicity of his Kingdom Moreover that by his favour and countenance he earnesty advanced the Christian Faith then even gasping for life as being but a little before newly brought in by his Brother Whereas severall other Authours particularly such as have written our Saints lives paint him forth for a most horrible persecutour insomuch as seaven years after this Conversion of the South-Saxons by his incitation he is sayd to have putt to death his two sons Vlfald and Ruffin because by the preaching of S. Ceadda then Bishop of Lichfeild they embraced the Christian Faith 6. How can those things consist together Perhaps some will imagine that the praises given this King proceeded from flattery in the first Authours by whom those which followed were seduced Yet we shall find that those very Historians who so much celebrate his praises have not conceald his vices Thus the last mentioned Authour after the passage even now cited thus tempers the commendations given him Notwithstanding in these and whatsoever other vertues were in him were corrupted and depressed by the infamous crime of Simony of which he was the first King of England that was guilty selling for money the Sacred Bishoprick of London to a certain ambitious man called Wina He moreover adioyns the Off-spring of King Wulfere Kinred and Wereburga without any mention of the two Martyrs Vlfald and Ruffin So that in this Kings Story there is an obscure Mist which we may conceive to proceed from our Ancient Writers of Saints Lives who having a Story for the substance of it true to relate deliver it undigestedly without any choice of names times and other circumstances In order therefore to the clearing of this obscurity we will first breifly sett down the Summ of the Story of those two Martyrs and consequently endeavour to correct the circumstantiall faults of the relatours 7. Vlfald and Ruffin were Brethren sons of Wulfere King of the Mercians and Hermenilda who was daughter of Earcombert King of Kent and his wife S. Sexburga Wulfere their Father was an Infidell But Herminilda a devout Christian Lady of great Sanctity She during the tender age of these her children was diligent to imbue their minds with Christian Principles of piety and when they were come to riper â—ears she sought out a Master for them but with great secrecy least her Husband who was horribly averse from Christianity should know it She had recourse therefore to Ceadda Bishop of Lichfeild who instructed them more perfectly and regenerated them to Christ by the Water of Baptism These young Princes oft went forth â—pon pretence of hunting and either by their Mothers perswasion or their own inclination took that opportunity to Visit the Holy Bishop But being at last deprehended by their Father he agitated with the furies of his false Gods would compell them to renounce their Religion which they constantly refusing to doe he caused them both to be slain in the Sacred place of Prayer Their Holy Mother having understood the cruell death and Martyrdom of her children was desirous to give them an honourable buriall for which purpose she according to the Roman custom gathered a mighty heap of Stones for their Monument The place of their Sepulcher by its name still testifies the same for it is to this day called Stone a place which upon this occasion is grown to a populous Town Now when the death of these Holy Martyrs Vlfald and Ruffin was made known to the people and the cause likewise for which they dyed they began to be held in great honour and a Church with a Monastery was built consecrated to S. Vlfald yet so as that his Brother also became partaker of his honour By this means the place came to be frequented Neither was their Father King Wulfere more slow then others in honouring them For the guilt of the parricide committed by him wounding his conscience he in an humble manner went to Saint Ceadda and with great greif acknowledging his crime embraced the Christian Faith and with the Sacred Waters of Baptism expiated all his offences 8. This account doe our ancient Records give of the Martyrdom of these two Princes the substance whereof cannot reasonably be questioned considering the lasting monument yet remaining and that their names are extant among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the four and twenâ—tieth of Iuly But that they should have been instructed by S. Ceadda then Bishop of Lichfeild and slain in the year of Grace six hundred sixty eight by their Father then a Pagan this contradicts all our most authentick Histories in which long before that time King Wulfere is celebrated for his Faith and Piety Therefore it will be necessary to affirm that they were instructed by some Bishop of the Mercians before their Father began his raign during the time that their cruell Grand Father Penda lived who earnestly laboured to extinguish the Christian name and effectually caused the death of many Christian Kings 9. Therefore the Narration given by Camden deserves our acceptation who more distinctly and simply recounts the story in this manner To Peada King of the Mercians succeeded his Brother Wolfer who having been most averse from Christian Religion with barbarous inhumanity slew his Sons Wolfald and Ruffin because they had given up their names to Christ. But a few years after himself also embraced the Christian Faith and to the end he might by some pious work expiate that his impiety he finished a Monastery begun by his Brother XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Winoc 1. SOme refer to this year the retiring of S. Winoc into the Monastery of Saint Bertin Thus writes Iperius in his Chronicle About the year of Grace six hundred sixty one S. Winoc Son of Iudicael King of the Brittains and brother of S. Iudocus of whom we have alreaâ—dy treated despising the world became a Monk in the Monastery of Sithiu under Saint Bertin together with his three brethren Kadanoc Ingenoc and Modoc S. Bertin then was Abbot over one hundred and fifty Monks among whom Saint Winoc shone like the Morning Starr 2. Marcellinus in his life of S. Suibert affirms that S
Iudoc and S. Winoc Anchorets and Preachers were sons of a King of England But the Saxon Annalls exact enough in recounting their Kings names mention no such King as Iudicail Most probable therefore it is that they were children of some Brittish Prince of this age For many examples we have of Brittains which for devotion passed over into Little Brittany or Belgick France but scarce any of the Saxons 3. Saint Winoc having spent severall years in great fervour under the government of Saint Bertin was commanded to sett his Light of piety on a Candlestick to enlighten others by his Doctrine and example This he admirably performed in severall places At last being sent to a Town of Heremare then called Wormholt but now Womholt he there layd the foundation of a Monastery where to his death serving God with great purity he was by him glorified by many Miracles He his supposed saith Iperius to have dyed in the same Monastery about the year of Grace seven hundred and seaventeen where he was likewise buried His Memory is in benediction For in the year nine hundred and twenty the same place was fortified and became a pleasant Town which to this day takes its name from S. Winoc being seated in the confines of France and Flanders 4. Some doubt whether that passage in Gregory Bishop of Tours be to be understood of this S. Winoc where he says At that time Vinoc a Brittain a man of admirable abstinence came out of Brittany to Tours having a desire to goe to Ierusalem He wore no other Vestment but one made of Sheep-skins without wooll And because he seemd to us a man of great piety to the end we might detain him amongst us more easily we honoured him with the dignity of Preist-hood If this be the same person we must conclude that Iperius places him much too late For Baronius refers that Narration of Gregory of Tours to the year of our Lord five hundred and eighty XVI CHAP. 1 2. c. The Gests of Saint Wilfrid continued 4.5 c. Controversy touching the Observation of Easter 1. IN recounting the rudiments of Saint Wilfrids piety we have already declared how in his younger years undertaking a iourney of devotion to Rome in his passage through France he was with great benignity received and for some time detaind by the Holy Bishop Ennemond or Dalfinus Bishop of Lyons likewise how in his return from Rome he again visited him and remaind with him to his death and Martyrdom by the cruelty and injustice of Ebroinus Maire of the Palace to Clodovaeus Second of that name King of France 2. Now according to the best Chronology it was in the year six hundred sixty two that the said Holy Bishop was martyrd after which Saint Wilfrid having nothing to detain him longer in France returned into his own Native Countrey of Brittany Where being arrived the fame of his vertues and abilities was quickly spread abroad whereupon saith William of Malmsbury Alfrid the son of Oswi and by his permission King of the Province of the Deiri or Yorkshire sent for him and with great kindnes received him taking great pleasure to hear him discourse of the occurrenâ—s of his iourney and dangers the Elegance of France the Roman pompe as likewise of the Lawes and Orders of Ecclesiasticall Discipline Many dayes he continued in this Kings Court and for his vertuous conversation industry preaching profound learning and copiousnes of elocution he was admitted into a near freindship with him Now this Alfrid was natural son of King Oswi born to him of a Concubine and when Edilwald the same Kings legitimate Son was dead whom he had made King of the Deiri Alfrid succeeded him in the same Kingdom 3. What followed after this is thus related by Saint Beda Wilfrâ—d saith he being returned to Brittany was ioynd in freindship with King Aldfrid who had been taught to love and obey the Catholick Rules of the Church Wherefore finding Wilfrid to be a perfect Catholick he shortly gave him a possession of ten families in a place called Stanford And not long â—fter he added a Monastery of thirty families in a place called Inrhypum now Rippon in Yorkshire Which place he had â—ormerly bestowed for building a Monastery on certain Monks who conformed to the Scottish discipline But because they having the choice given them would rather quitt the place then conform to the Catholick customes of the Roman and Apostolick Church in the celebration of Easter and other Canonicall Rites the King conferred upon Wilfrid the said Monastery perceiving that he was imbued with better disciplines and manners At which time by command of the said King he was in the same Monastery ordained Preist by Agilbert who had been Bishop of the Gevissi among the West Saxons For the King was very desirous that a man of so great erudition and piety as Wilfrid and one admitted to so near a freindship should be made a Preist and Doctour 4. S. Wilfrids fame was presently after much enlarged by occasion of a great Controversy then renewd and with greater heat then ever agitated between him and the Scotts cheifly about the Celebration of Easter In which Controversy not only the Monks and Ecclesiastick persons were engaged but great partialities and divisions were by occasion of it caused among the Laicks and even in the Princes Courts where some celebrated the Solemnity of our Lords Resurrection on one Sunday and some on another so that when one Company reioyced another were in Pennance and fasting The order how this Question was agitated is thus accuratly described by Saint Beda 5. In those days saith he a Notable Question was raised touching the celebration of Easter For all those who were come into those Northern parts either out of Kent or from France resolutly affirmed that the Scotts observed the Feast of our Lords Resurrection contrary to the custom of the Vniversall Church There was among them one named Roman a zealous defender of the true Observance he was by Nation a Scott but had been taught the Rule of Ecclesiasticall Truth in France and Italy This man in former time had had many conflicts with Finanus Bishop of Lindesfarn and many persons were reduced by him to the right way and many were incited by him to a more diligent inquisition of the Truth Yet he could never perswade Finanus to yeild on the contrary being a man of a rude feirce nature the more he was reprehended the more sullen he grew insomuch as he declared himself a professed Enemy of the Truth 6. Besides this Roman Iacob the forementioned Deacon of the late Venerable Arch-bishop S. Paulinus observed Easter after the true Catholick way together with all those whom he could instruct and perswade thereto The like did the Queen Eanfleda with all that attended her out of Kent from whence she brought a Preist named also Roman a man zealous for the Catholick Observance And hence it oft fell
he taught every where things belonging to Christian Faith and Truth Presently after his consecration being struck with the contagion then raigning in that Province saith Huntingdon he dyed and was buried at a place called Womalet But in S. Beda it is called Peynalech who adds that it was a Monastery 5. Moreover as S. Beda testifies when the Scottish Monks living in Lindesfarn departed thence with their Bishop Colman those which remaind received for their Superiour with the authority of Abbot the most Reverend gentle and mild man Eata who before was Abbot in the Monastery called Mailros This Translation was made as the report is upon the request of Bishop Colman at his departure to King Oswi Because the same Eata was one of the twelve children which Saint Aidan in the time of his Bishoprick had received from the English Nation to instruct them in the Doctrine of Christ. The said request of Bishop Colman was easily granted by King Oswi because he loved him very much for his gravity and prudence This is the same Eata who a while after was ordained Bishop of the same Church of Lindesfarn 6. Presently after the death of the Venerable Bishop Tuda there followed great commotions and debates in the Church of the Northumbers by reason of severall pretenders to the administration of the same Church as shall shortly be declared more at large XXIII CHAP. 1.2 The Plague in Ireland 3.4 c. The Gests of S. Egbert a Saxon Preist He reduces the Scotts to Catholick conformity his death 1. THere are severall other Saints commemorated in our Martyrologe whose death is assigned to this year as the two Royall Martyrs Ethelâ—ed and Ethelbert Sons of Wulfere King of the Mercians of whom we have already treated demonstrating that their Martyrdom could not fall so late Likewise two Royall Virgins S. Mildreda and Saint Milburga Neices of the same King by his Brother Merevald of whom we shall treat more commodiously hereafter 2. Following therefore the progresse of this Pestilence it will lead us into Ireland were we shall find matter proper for our present Subiect and related by S. Beda in the manner following The same killing infection faith he with equall destruction raged in Ireland Now there were at that time in the same Island many persons both of noble extraction and meaner state who in the times of Finan and Colman Bishops leaving their native countrey retired thither some to gain instruction and others to attend to their Spirituall Exercises and Mortification Severall of them therefore undertook a Monasticall Profession and not a few going from Cell to Cell where learned Masters inhabited addicted themselves to Reading and Study All these were freely and with a good will entertained by the Scotts who afforded them upon free cost both dayly nourishment books to read and instruction likewise 3. Among these there were two Noble young men of vertuous and towardly disposition Their names were Edelhum and Egbert The former of these was Brother of Edilhum or Ethelwin a man of great Sanctity who likewise the year following went into Ireland to enrich his mind with learning and being well instructed returned into his Native countrey Brittany where he was ordained Bishop of Lindisse or Lindesfare and worthy governed that Church many years of whom we shall treat more at large hereafter 4. The said two young men being in a Monastery which the Scotts or Irish call Rathmesige where all their companions were either taken out of the world by the infection or dispersed in other places they likewise both of them were struck with the same disease and greivously affected And of these two Egbert as a certain grave and sincere Preist who professed that he heard it from Egbert himself assured mee beleiving that he should not escape went one morning out of the Infirmary into a retired place where â—itting alone he began seriously to call to mind his former actions and feeling great compunction by the memory of his past sins he bedewd his face with teares and from the depth of his soule prayed to Almighty God not to take him out of the world till he had more perfectly performed Pennance for his past negligences and faults committed in his child hood and youth and till he had more plentifully exercised himself in good works He made a Vow likewise that he would live all his days a stranger and never return into Brittany where he was born likewise that besides the Solemn Canonicall Office he would every day recite the whole Psalter in memory of the Divine praises and also every week passe one whole day and night in fasting except he should be hindred by some bodily infirmity 5. Having concluded his weeping prayer and Vows he returned to his Cell where finding his companion asleep he likewise layd himself on his bed and falling into a slumber he was presently awaked by his companion who looking earnestly upon him said O Brother Egbert what have you done I hoped we should both together have gone to heaven But know that the things thou so earnestly prayed for are granted thee For he had learnt by a Vision both the subiect of Egberts prayers and that God would perform his desires In a word the following night Edelhum died 6. But Egbert in a short time shaking off the pains of his disease recovered and lived many years after He received the degree and Order of Preisthood which he adorned by many good actions suitable to that Profession and according to his desire being full of vertue and piety he a little while since to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred twenty nine being fourscore and ten years old went to everlasting ioyes 7. He lead a life with all perfection of Humility meeknes continence simplicity and iustice Insomuch as both by the example of his life by his assiduity in teaching zeale in correcting and liberality in giving what he had received from rich men he was very beneficiall both to his own countreymen and also to the Scotts and Picts among whom he lived 8. He added likewise to his forementioned Vows this Of never tasting any thing in Lent but once a day and then also onely bread and a small measure of thin milk Which milk his custom was to putt the day before in a glasse and when the night was past to take off the cream and drink the rest with a small portion of Bread The like measure of abstinence he was wâ—nt likewise to observe forty days before our Lords Nativity and as many after Pentecost 9. This is that S. Egbert who was the first and cheif mover of the glorious design of twelve Apostolicall English Preists to convert certain German Nations our Primitive Ancestors to the Christian Faith which they undertook and in a great measure performed These were S. Suâ—bert S. Willebrord S. Boniface and the rest of their illustrious companions S. Egbert was desirous to have ioynd in their labours and dangers but
the world whom he buried honourably in the Church dignified with the Sacred Bodies of the Prime Apostles 7. He further tells him that he had delivered to the present Messengers as tokens of his Fatherly respect certain Relicks of the Blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul and of the Holy Martyrs Saint Laurence S. Iohn and Paul Saint Gregory and Saint Pancratius which they were commanded to present to him Adding withall that he had sent a Crosse in which was a golden key containing of the filings of the chains of the same Prime Apostles which were to be presented to the Queen his spirituall daughter the fame of whose piety caused great ioy in the whole Roman Church 8. Then he concludes his letter with exhortations to proceed in his zeale of reducing the whole Island to an uniformity of Catholick Faith and Practise which he doubted not but would be effected if to his diligence he would adde his Prayers to our Lord to give a successe to his endeavours Withall assuring him that his own continuall Prayers should not be wanting for Gods assistance in all pious works in this life and an eternall kingdome with Christ in the world to come 9. The Queen here generally mentioned though not named was Eanfleda the daughter of S. Edwin King of the Northumbers and Ethelburga daughter of Ethelbert the first Christian King of Kent She was the first who received Baptism in that Kingdom by the Ministry of S. Paulinus and after her Fathers death was forced to retire with her Mother into Kent but at last was sent back to become the Wife of this King Oswi 10. It may seem strange why this letter concerning the Election of an Arch-bishop of Canterbury should be addressed to Oswi King of the Northumbers without any mention of Egbert King of Kent But the difficulty will cease if we consider that though in Brittany there was a Heptarchy of Kings yet among them one for the most part had a generall superintendence over the rest being in a sort the Monark of the whole Island so that without his advice and concurrence no matters of moment or generall concern might passe such as was the constituting an Arch-bishop with authority to ordain Bishops in other Provinces and regulate their actions Now such a Monark at this time was Oswi King of the Northumbers the most potent of all the Saxon Princes 11. Almost three years passed before an Arch-bishop was sent in the place of Wigard who dyed at Rome Therefore it will be convenient to intermitt awhile the prosecution of this subject that we may insert other Ecclesiasticall affairs regarding the Saxon Churches in Brittany which intervened II. CHAP. 1.2.3 Saint Wilfrid constituted Bishop of York by King Alcfrid And Saint Ceadda by King Oswi 1. KING Oswi whose care we have seen in providing for the Widowed State of the See of Canterbury was not wanting at the same time in supplying the Vacancy of the Churches of the Northumbers by the death of Tuda last Bishop of Lindesfarn Now the Kingdom of the Northumbers consisting of two Provinces one more Northerly called the Province of the Bernicians containing all beyond the River Tine to the Frith of Edinborough and the other the Province of York and Lancaster called the Province of the Deiri The Former was governed immediatly by King Oswi himself and the Latter by his Son Alcfrid subordinatly to him 2. King Alcfrid being likewise solicitous for a Spirituall Pastour to govern his Churches sent his freind and Instructour S. Wilfrid into France to Agilbert who as hath been said was lately departed out of Brittany into his Native countrey France where presently after his coming upon the death of Importunus Bishop of Paris he was substituted Bishop of the same See To whom as to the most resplendent Starr of all France when Saint Wilfrid newly elected Bishop of York came out of England to receive Episcopall Consecration he was by him solemnly ordained eleaven other Bishops assisting These are the words of the French Martyrologe Huntingdon adds That S. Wilfrid was consecrated in the village called Compendium or Compiegne 3. Whilst these matters were transacting in France King Oswi either prevented by the suggestions of those whom S. Wilfrid had maisterd in the late disputation or impatient at his delay in France without expecting longer sent the Holy Abbot Ceadda into the Western Province to be consecrated Bishop of York by Wina who as yet did not administer the See of London Thus the Church of York had two Bishops at the same time and moreover Ceadda administred the Vacant See of Lindesfarn Which Controversie between two Bishops both of them eminent for Sanctity how it was managed between them and how upon occasion thereof great benefit accrewd to other nations by enlarging the Churches bounds shall be shewd hereafter in the proper Season III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of Saint Clarus a Hermite and of his Companion Saint Cyriâ—us 1. OVR English Martyrologe refers to the year of Grace six hundred sixty six the Martyrdom of an English Hermit called Saint Clare Whose Gests are more expressly and largely related in the Gallican Martyrologe where on the fourth day of November the following Narration is inserted 2. This day is celebrated the Memory of Saint Clare an Ermit and Martyr by birth an Englishman of a very Noble descent and illustrious for his outward comelines and inward naturall endowments but principally for his singular piety and rare Chastity Being come to years of maturity he was by his parents affianced to a Noble and beautifull Virgin But when the time wherin the Mariage was to be solemnised approached the devout young man out of a desire to preserve his Virginall purity privily withdrew himself from his parents house and out of Brittany passed over to Neustria in France and arrived at a town called Cherbourg Casaris-burgum 3. There he retired himself to a certain Wood confining to that place where assuming to himself two others who were desirous to imitate his pious conversation he began to serve our Lord in all purity of body and mind being wholly abstracted from secular cares and attending entirely to celestiall But by the Devills envy he was exposed to many persecutions so that unable to abide there longer he repaired to a Holy man called Odobert Abbot of a Monastery called Madvin by whom he was kindly entertaind and from him learnt and practised a more strict Rule of Monasticall Discipline 4. But when the fame of his eminent Vertue occasioned a concourse of great multitudes of both sexes to the said Monastery He fearing lest by his frequent conversing with such throngs of visitants his Chastity or Humility which he earnestly desired to preserve might be endangered he obtaind premission from Odobert to retire to another Monastery seated neer the River Epta And there being exempted from all other care he entirely addicted himself to the Spirituall employments of Prayer and Preaching for
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
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
in the same place where the Holy Virgin suffred Martyrdom a clear fountain broke forth which cured severall kinds of diseases Now her parents having heard of her death earnestly desired as some recompence for their losse to enioy the comfort of burying with them her heaules body Which being brought to them they enterreâ— it it a coffin of lead in the Church of Aylesbury where many Miracles were wrought by her intercession At length her Sacred Relicks â— a Divine Vision were translated thence back again to the Church of Chic which Maurice Bishop of London reposed in a precious coffer â— at whicâ— time the Bishop of Rochester then present was cured of a greivous infirmity 5. Her memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the seaventh of October where also is mention how the said holy Virgin Maâ—tyr took up her head after it was separated from her Body Which the Authour of her Life in Capgrave thus more expressly relates Assoon as her head was off the body presently rose up and taking up the head in the hands by the conduct of Angells walked firmly the straight way to the Church of the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul about a quarter of a mile distant from the place of her suffring and when it was come there it knocked at the dore with the bloody hands as desiring it might be opened and theron left marks of blood Having done this it fell there down to the ground 6. The Sanctity of Ositha called by William of Malmsbury Osgitha has quite extinguished the name anciently belonging to the Village where she lived For thus writes Camden In the place where the River Coln enters into the Sea is seated the little Town called S. Osith's the ancient Name wherof was Chic which Name this Royal Virgin Ositha has abolished Who living there in great Sanctity and devotion was slain by Danish Pirats and therefore acknowledged by our Ancestors a Saint and Martyr XVI CHAP. 1. 2. King Kenewalch dying leaves the Kingdom to his wife Sexburga 3. S. Egelwin Brother to King Kenewalch 4 5. Sexburga retiring into a Monastery Escuin succeeds in the Kingdom with Kentuin Their liberality to the Monastery of Malmsbury as likewise of Leutherius Bishop 6. 7. Warr between Escuin and Wolfer King of the Mercians 8. The death of Wolfere 1. IN the year of Christ six hundred seaventy four hapned the death of Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons after a raign of thirty and one years Who leaving no issue behind him he bequeathed the administration of the Kingdom to his wise Sexburga saith 〈◊〉 liam of Malmsbury And adds withall That she wanted not spirit and courage to exercise so great a charge insomuch as she gathered new forces and kept the old in their duty She governed her Subiects with clemency and kept her enemies in awe with threats In a word she behaved her self in all things so worthily that no man could discerne any difference in her government from that it was in her husbandâ— time but only that she was a woman Notwithstanding her Rule was but short for before she had fully spent a year death-surprised her in the midst of her magnanimous designs 2. This Character given her by William of Malmsbury is more proper receiveable then that which Mathew of Westminster writes That the Nobility of that Kingdom disdaining to be subiect to a womans government expelled her out of the Province Other Historians say That out of a desire of entring into a more holy and strict life she voluntarily quitted the Royalty and for devotions sake entred into a Monastery But they doe wrongfully ascribe to her the founding of a Monastery in the Isle of Shepey where she is sayd to have taken the Habit of Religion and afterward to have succeded S. Edrifride in the Abbey of Ely For these things belong to another Sexburga daughter of Anna King of the East-angles of whom wee treated before 3. Though K Kenwalch had no sons yet he had a Brother eminent for Sanctity named Egelwin concerning whom William of Malmsbury thus writes The Monks of Adeling exalt to the skies the praises of their Patron S. Egelwin the effects of whose Sanctity they perceive by many benefits which they receive by his intercession The constaÌ„t fame is that he was Brother of K. Kenewalch that he was more illustrious for his Sanctity then emineÌ„cy of descent He was all his life afflicted with sicknes yet that hindred not at all his service and deâ—otion to God He ended his life most happily and after his death readily assisted the necessities of all that reclamed his help and intercession 4. After Sexburga's death saith S. Beda two Princes of that nation took on them the government and held it divided between them the space of about ten years These were Escuin and Kentwin both of them of the Royal family Kentwin was Brother Huntingdon says he was son to King Kenwalch and Escuin was descended in the fourth degree from Cerduic Some Writers affirm that they did not ioyntly raign But that Escuin first managed the government and after two years dying left it to Kentwin who raigned after him nine years 5. They were both of them Catholick devout Princes as appears by the magnificent Structure of the Monastery of Malmsbury built this year at their charges by the procurement of S. Aldelm who had now been nine years a Monk and four years Abbot of the same It was at first as hath beeÌ„ said poorly built by a certain Scott named Maydulf by profession a Monk and by erudition a Philosopher from whom the place took its name But till this time the revenues of it were so scant that the Monks had great difficulty to provide themselves necessary sustenance saith William a Monk of the same place But now that by the suggestion of S. Aldelm those two Princes endowd it with possessions and adornd it with buildings the affairs and reputation of that Monastery encreased wonderfully from all quarters Religious men flocked thither to S. Aldelm some of them desiring from him instructions in a devout Life others in the knowledge of learning 5. Moreover Leutherius Bishop of the West-Saxons contributed his care to the establishing of this Monastery as appears by a Charter of his extant in William of Malmsbury in which upon the Petition of the Abbot of this Diocese he grants the said place to the Monks there living to be entirely possessed by them Which argues that heretofore they enioyd it only by courtesy This Charter is dated the eighth day before the Calends of September in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy five at a place neer the River Bladon Where saith Camden in ancient times Dumwalio Malmutius King of the Brittains built a handsom town and called it Caer-Bladon which having been destroyed in the Saxon warrs they built out of the rubbish of it a Castle which in their
this time given to the Monks of Glastonbury of electing their own Abbott argues that in former ages the constituting of Abbots belonged not to the Monks but to the Bishop or the Prince from whose power and Iurisdiction the Monks could not exempt themselves without their free devesting themselves of it which we see here done by King Kentwin and Bishop Hedda concerning whom we shall speak more hereafter 7. As for King Kentuin the Memory of his Munificence to the Monastery of Glastonbury was there gratefully conserved for this Elogy we read of him in the great Table of that Monastery In the same place reposes the body of King Câ—â—twin under a stone-Pyramid in the Church-yard of the Monks He was the first of the English Kings which granted to the Isle of Glastonbury an Exemption from all Regal Service as the Brittish Kings before him had of old time confirmed 8. To this time is referred the erecting or rather restoring of the prime Church in the Isle of Ely which was first consecrated to the honour of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles but afterward entitled to S. Ediltrudis or Ethelreda Concerning which Church we read this testimony of B. Godwin Ethelbert saith he King of Kent by the advice of S. Augustin had seaventy years before this time built a Church in that place to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and seaven Which Church through neglect for want of reparation falling to ruine was rebuilt in a more magnificent manner in the year six hundred seaventy seaven by S. Ediltrudis This she did by the counsel of Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York but her Brother Aldulfus or Alnufus King of the East-Angles furnished the Charges of the work This Aldulfus was the Successour of Edilwald in that Kingdom and if according to Speed he was the Son of Ethelherd Brother of Anna he was not Brother but cousin german to S. Ediltrudis XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. Kent miserably wasted Putta Bishop of Rochester quitts his See in whose place Quichelm succeeds 1. AT this time there was a great desolation in the Churches and kingdom of Kent wherby the labours of Saint Theodore were much encreased Which desolation was caused by a furious invasion of that kingdom the year before by Edilred King of the Mercians What the provocation or motive of this warr was is not mentioned by ancient Writers but the effects of it were terrible 2. S. Beda thus breifly describes it In the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy six Edilred King of the Mercians brought a furious army into Kent and layd the whole countrey wast yea without all regard of Piety or the fear of God profaned and demolished also Churches and Monasteries Particularly the Gâ—tty Rhofi or Rochester was utterly consumed in â—hat common calamity Of that Citty Putta was â—heâ— Bishop though absent at the time of its destruction Lothair was now King of Kent who fearing the violence and courage of Edâ—red saith Huntingdon made no resistance at all but auoyded his fight So that Edilred passed freely through the whole Province destroyed the Citty of Rochester and carted back with him innumerable Spoyles 3. As for Putta Bishop of Rochester being a man that loved quietnes and solitude he according to Saint Beda's relation seing his Church utterly spoyled and wasted retired to Sexulphus Bishop of the Mercians from whom having received the possession of a Church and a small peice of ground adioyning he there ended his life in peace He did not at all employ his solicitude about the restoring of his Bishoprick being one whose industry was little exercised in worldly affaires Therefore he contented himself in serving God after a poor manner in the foresaid Church and some times when he was entreated he would goe to other places for the instruction of Ecclesiasticall persons in the Roman manner of singing the Church service 4. The See of Rochester being thus deprived of a Pastour the Arch-bishop Theodore in the place of Putta consecrated Quithelm Bishop of that Citty and when he also shortly after quitted his Bishoprick by reason of its extreme poverty the said Arch-bishop substituted in his room another Bishop called Gebmund XXIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Vina the Simoniacall Bishop of London 3 4. c. S. Erconwald succeeds in that See 1 DVring this confusion in Kent the Kingdom of the adioyning East-Saxons enioyd a profound peace under the government of Sebb and Sigher two pious Kings Particularly King Sebb employed all his care in advancing Piety among his Subjects in promoting the affaires of the Church and in encouraging devout persons to renounce thâ— world and consecrate themselves to God in a Monasticall Profession To which state of life himself also earnestly aspired being desirous to abandon his Regall authority and to change his purple for a poor Religious Habit but was hindred by the obstinacy of his Queen who refused to consent to a separation and to imitate her husbands piety and without her complyance the Ecclesiasticall Canon rendred him incapable of executing his pious design Many years he spent in perswading her to her own and his happines and at lost by devout importunity expugned her resistance as shall shortly be shewed 2. In the mean time a great part of his solicitude was employed in settling a worthy Prelut in London the Metropolis of his Kingdom We have declared before how Wina the Sacrilegious Bishop of the West-Saxons having for his crimes been expelled out of that Province with a summ of money Simoniacally procured from Vulfere King of the Mercians to be violently introduced into that See in the year of Grace six hundred sixty six which he for the space of nine years unworthily administred After whose death King Sebb expressed a zealous care to repair the prejudice and harm done to that Province by so impious a Prelat For which purpose he earnestly sought out a Successour as eminent for piety and integrity as the other was for his crimes 3. At that time there lived not any one in that Kingdom in so high esteem of all men for vertue and Religion as Erconwald He was as hath been declared the Son of Anna King of the East-angles not of Offa as Capgrave and from him Harpsfeild mistakes and from his tender years conceived a distast and contempt of secular designs and pleasures Insomuch as he relinquished his Native Province and retired among the East-Saxons where he employed his plentifull patrimony in works of piety We have already declared how he founded two Monasteries in that Kingdom one for himself at Chertsey in Surrey near the River Thames and another for his Sister Edilburga in Essex in a village called Barking 4 This in all regards so eminent an Abbot Erconwald was made choice of by King Sebbe to administer the vacant See of London to which he was consecrated by Saint Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury according to this relation of Saint Beda
from S. Beda 5. The same year likewise dyed S. Ermenburga Mother of the glorious Virgin S. Milburga S. Mildreda and S. Milgitha as likewise of the Saint-like child Merefin Concerning whom Harpsfeild thus writes Ermenburga though she had for her husband Mervald son of Penda King of the Mercians who was yet alive yet so inflamed a desire she had to a solitary Religious life that she never ceased her importunity till she had procured her husbands consent Having thus obtained her wish she returned into Kent to her Brother Egbert to whom she discovered her pious purpose desiring his assistance for the execution of it Whereupon he built for her at Estrey a town of Kent a Monastery consecrated to the young Princes Martyrs Saint Ethelbert and S. Ethelbritht There she passed the remainder of her life with seaventy other Virgins consecrated to God in wonderfull Sanctity Her name is recited among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the nineteenth of November 4. At this time Saint Theodore encreased the Number of Bishopricks erecting the Sees of Worcester and Hereford Of the former he consecrated Boselus and of the other Putta Bishop concerning whom as likewise his Successours for many years little more being recorded but their Names because we iudge it not expedient to make frequent breaches in this History only to insert Names wee will here breifly give a Catalogue of those which sate at Hereford for the Bishops of Worcester have left considerable monuments of their Gests and vertues 5. To Putta therefore Bishop of Hereford after he had administred that Province eleaven years succeeded Tirtell Whose Successour after twelve years was Torther who continued in that Bishoprick fifteen years and either deserting it voluntarily or by death the next was Walstod in the year of Grace seaven hundred and eighteen To whom after seaventeen years succeeded Cuthbert Now concerning Walstod the only thing memorable in him was that he began the fabrick of a Crosse very costly and magnificent but dyed before he could finish it which care he left to his Successour who engraved in it certain Latin verses importing the same which are recorded by Bishop Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of that Diocese whereto I referr the curious Reader IX CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Wilfrid is forced to leave the West Saxons And converts the South-Saxons 8. He teaches the people a remedy against the famine 9. He erects an Episcopall See and Monastery at Shepey 11. Of Eappa the Abbot there 1. SAint Wilfrid being thus banished his Native soyl saith William of Malmsbury took his iourney towards the Kingdom of the West-Saxons where he was kindly entertaind by a certain Noble man called Berethwald But within a few dayes he was forced to quiâ—t that Refuge For Ethelred King of the Mercians whose subiect that Noble man was being likewise his Brothers Son with threatning commanded him that he should not retain the Bishop so much as one day longer This was done in compliance with Egfrid King of the Northumbers whose Sister Osdritha to comfort them for the losse of their Brother Elwin was given in mariage to the said King Ethelred by whom a peace was concluded between the New husband and Brother S. Wilfrid therefore during this short abode with Berethwald having built there a small Monastery was forced to leave the Monks and to fly for refuge to the Pagan South-Saxons since he could find no security among Christians 2. The King of these South-Saxons was named Edilwalch who having been informed of the causes of this holy Bishops banishment â—ith great readines and affection offred him his assistance resolutly and firmly engaging himself that no entreaties of his enemies should induce him to betray him nor any offers of money to expell him the countrey S. Wilfrid therefore being thus confident of his protection began to preach the Christian Faith first to the King and Queen and afterward to the inhabitants of that Province Neither were his perswasions unsuccessfull for in a very short time the King was baptized by him by whose example almost all his subiects were animated to embrace the Christian Faith Thus writes William of Malmsbury 3 But as touching the baptizing of King Edilwalch we have already related from S. Beda that he was baptized twenty years before this by the perswasion of Wolfere late King of the Mercians although indeed very few of his Subiects could then be induced to imitate him who yet now by the preaching of S. Wilfrid were perswaded to cast off their Pagan Idolatry The manner of this Conversion is thus declared by S. Beda 4. The Holy Bishop Wilfrid saith he having been driven from his See by Egfrid King of the Northumbers was forced to wander through many Provinces he went to Rome and after returned into Brittany And although by reason of â—he hostile enmity of the said King he could not be admitted to his Diocese yet none could hinder him from his Ministery of preaching the Faith For having been forced for refuge to turn aside into the Province of the South-Saxons lying between the Kingdoms of Kent and the West-Saxons and containing land for about seaven thousand families which Province at that time was wholly addicted to heathenish Superstitions he preached there the Christian Faith and having converted many he administred to them the Sacrament of Baptism 5. As for the King of that Nation Edilwalch he had some years before been baptized in the presence and by the suggestion of Wolfhere King of the Mercians by whom at his coming out of the Font he was received as his Son and in sign of such adoption he bestowed on him two Provinces to wit the Isle of Wight and the little Province of the Meanvari 6. But the whole Province of the South-Saxons remained ignorant of God and his holy Faith Now there was there a certain Scotâ—ish Monk his Name was Dicul who had built a very small Monastery in a place called Bosanham compassed with the Sea and woods where lived five or six Monks who served our Lord living in an humble and poore manner But not any of the inhabitants of that countrey gave any ear to their preaching and much lesse emulated their profession 7. But when the Holy Bishop Wilfrid preached the Gospell among them he not only delivered them from eternall damnation but likewise from a present temporall calamity ready to destroy them For the space of three years before his coming into that Province no rain at all had falln by means of which a most greivous famine â—ame among the people destroying great numbers of them For the report is that many times forty or fifty men together half consumed with hunger would goe to some precipice hanging over the Sea and holding their hands together cast themselves down into the water or upon the â—ocks But on the very day in which that Nation received Baptism there sell a seasonable and plentifull rain by which the earth flourished again
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
the Monastery of Coldingham a Virgin of eminent Sanctity received the eternall Reward of her Piety She was daughter of Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers and consecrated to God in perpetuall Virginity by Finan formerly Bishop of Lindesfarn This was done saith the Authour of her life in an age when persons of high birth esteemed their Nobility to consist principally in the humble service of our Lord and that those were most highly exalted who with greatest submission undertook the Crosse of Christ. At that time innumerable Congregations both of men and woemen were sprinkled through the whole Island severally embracing the spirituall warfare of our Lord. Yea somewhere in the same place persons of both Sexes men and Virgins under the government of one spirituall Father or one Spirituall Mother armed with the sword of the Spirit did exercise the combats of Chastity against the Powers of darknes enemies thereto The Institut and practise of these was imitated by S. Ebba who for the love she bore to the Son of God even in the flower of her youth contemned whatsoever was great or desireable in the world She preferred the service of our Lord before secular Nobâ—lity spirituall Poverty before riches and voluntary objection before honours For though descended from Royall parents yet by Faith she overcame the world by vertues beauty and by spirituall Graces her own Sexe 2. At the beginning of her Conversion she by the assistance of her Brother King Oswi built a Monastery near the banks of the River Derwent in the Bishoprick of Durham where now is situated a small Village called Ebbchester so named saith Camden from the Virgin Ebba born of the family of the ancient Kings of the Northumbers who about the year of our Lord six hundred and thirty was so illustrious for her sanctity that by the Roman Church she was Canonized among Saints and very many Churches in this Island were dedicated to her name which are vulgarly called S. Tabbs This Monastery flourish'd till the time of the Danes whose fury as many others did it selt 3. S. Ebba did not long continue in her own Monastery before she was invited to the government of the Monastery of Coldingham seated in a place called by Saint Beda the Citty of Colud There saith the Authour of her life she had the charge of a Congregation of men and woemen which had Cells though divided yet contigiâ—ous to one another who all united in one holy Profession with great ioy and comfort lived under her direction for by an admirable prudence she shewd her self to the Virgins a carefull Mother by the power and efficacy of her admonitions and to the men as it were a Father by her constancy of mind That famous Virgin S. Ethelreda or Ediltrudis as hath been said was a Disciple of this holy Abbesse Ebba submitting her self to the rudiments of so great a Mistresse but afterwards became the glory of the Monastery of consecrated Virgins at Ely And the Blessed Bishop Cuthbert though from his infancy he avoyded the conversation of woemen like the pestilence yet he frequently came to discourse with S. Ebba and would some-times for instruction of the devout Virgins her subjects make some dayes abode in that Monastery 4. At last as we read in her life this holy Virgin Ebba full of all vertues and good works departed this life to her heavenly spouse on the eighth day before the Calends of September in the six hundred eighty and third year of our Lords Incarnation which was four years before the death of the said Holy Bishop S. Cuthbert And her body was with great honour buried in her own Monastery Her memory is worthily celebrated among the Saints in our English Martyrologe on the five and twentieth of August where her death is consigned to about the year of Grace six hundred eighty four XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. The burning of the Monastery of Coldingham and the cause of it foretold by an Angell 1. IT will not be impertinent in this place to adioyn to the Gests of the Holy Abbesse Ebba the relation of a wonderfull calamity which through Gods just judgment befell her Monastery a few years after her death and a warning whereof she herself had in her life-time The cause of which calamity was the relaxation of Discipline in the said Monastery proceeding from the vitious disposition of human Nature not restrained by the vigilance and severity of Superiours The whole matter is at large sett down by S. Beda in the tenour following 2. In those dayes saith he the Monastery of Virgins in the Citty of Colud or Coldingham through a faulty negligence was consumed with flames Which misfortune notwithstanding was indeed to be ascribed to the malice and wickednes of those which inhabited there especially Superiours as all that knew it did observe The divine Piety was not wanting to admonish before-hand those upon whom this judgment was to come to the end that correcting their faults they might like the Ninitives by fasting teares prayers avert from them the wrath of God For there lived in the same Monastery a man of the Scottish Nation whose name was Adamannus who lead a very devout life in continence and prayers insomuch as he never used to take any sustenance but on Sundays and Thursdayes and oftimes spent whose nights in Prayer 3. This so rigorous a mortification was first practised by him out of necessity for the correction of his former wickednes and licentiousnes but in processe of time necessity was turned into custom For in his youth he had committed some very great crime for which afterwards soberly considering he had a most horrible remorse and fearfull expectation of divine judgment Therefore going to a Preist who he hoped might shew him the way of salvation he simply confessed his guilt beseeching him to advise him how he might escape the Divine Vengeance The Preist having heard his Confession said thus to him A great wound requires a great cure Therefore according to thy utmost ability persist constantly in fasting reciting of Psalms and Prayers that thus preventing the face of our Lord in confession thou maâ—sâ— find mercy from him The young man overwhelmed with sorrow and infinitly desirous to be freed from the bonds of his sins thus replyed I am young in years and vigorous 〈◊〉 body so that whatsoever you shall impose upoâ— mee so I may in the end be saved I will chearfully suffer and perform though you should command mee to spend every night wholly in prayers standing all the while and passe the whole week entirely in fasting The Preist told him It is too much to endure a whole week without sustenance it will be sufficient therefore if you continue your Fast for two or three days together Doe this therefore for some time till I see you next and then I will tell you more particularly what you are to doe and how long your pennance is to last Having said
due punishment For the very next year the same King leading forth his army to wast the Province of the Pâ—â—sts was slain by them 2. Among others who fearfully apprehended Gods revenge upon this unjust cruelty of King Egfrid was his devout Sister Edelfleda who lately succeeded the Holy Abbesse Saint Hilda in the government of the Monastery of Streneshalâ— Therefore in great solicitude she consulted with S. Cuthbert then a Monk and famous for the gift of Prophecy concerning her Brother and whether the imprecations of the Irish nation ahainst him would not proove too successfull And from him she understood that the King her Brother should not out-live the following year The particular narration of these things is thus compiled by Saint Beda 3. On a certain time saith he the most Venerable Virgin and Mother of our Lords Virgins Elfleda or Edilfleda sent to the man of God Cuthbert adjuring him in the name of God that she might have the happines to see him and to speak with him about matters of necessary importance He therefore accompanied with some of his Brethren took ship and came to an Island which receives its name from a River called Coqued before whose entrance into the Sea it was situated For the foresaid Abbesse had desired him to meet her there When they were come together she proposed many questions to him whereto he gave her satisfactory answers And upon a sudden in the midst of their discourse she cast her self prostrate at his feet and adjured him by the terrible name of the Almighty and of his Angells to tell her plainly how long a time the life and raign of her Brother was to last For said she I am assured that if you will you can tell mee this by the Spirit of Prophecy which God has given you But he astonished at this adjuration yet unwilling to give her a plain discovery of the secret thus answered her It is a strange thing that you being a prudent woman and skillfull in the Scriptures will call the time of mans life long whereas the Psalmist sayes Our years are like a spiders webb and Salomon admonishes us If a man live many years and has spent in mirth all his life he ought to be mindfull of the time of darknes and the many dayes following which when they shall come all that is passed will appear to be vanity How much more truly may this be applied to him who has but one year more to live 4. When the devout Abbesse heard this answer she fell a weeping bitterly bewayled this ominous presage But at last wiping her eyes she again with a woman-like boldnes adiured him by the Majesty of God to tell her who should succeed him in the Kingdom for said she you know he has no children and I have never a brother besides him The Holy man continuing silent awhile at last said Doe not say that you want Brethren for you shall see one to succeed him whom you will affect with as tender and sisterly a love as you now doe Egfrid himself She replied I beseech you tell mee in what countrey he now lives He answered Doe you see this Vast Sea abounding with Islands It is an easy thing for God out of some one of them to provide a man whom he may sett over this Kingdom By this she understood that he spoke of Alfrid who was reputed to be her Fathers naturall Son and at that time lived as a banished man in one of those Scottish Islands where he addicted himself to the study of learning After many discourses he said to her I command you in the name of our Lord and Saviour that you reveale to none before my death what you have heard from mee After this he returned to his solitary Island and Monastery 5 Before this year was ended King Egfrid whose disafâ—ection to S. Wilfrid still continued was so far from any intention to recall him to his See of York that when there was a vacancy in any of his Bishopricks by the death of any who possessed his place he would take care that some other should be substituted in their room as he did this year in which S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury at the said Kings request assembled a Synod of Bishops at a place called Twiford in Northumberland in which the famous Saint Cuthbert was notwithstanding his earnest resistance elected and the year following consecrated Bishop of Lindesâ—arn But of this we will treat more largely when we come to the Gests of the said glorious Bishop We will now declare the successe of his Prophecy touching the approaching death of King Egfrid XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 King Egfrid slain by the Picts 4.5 Different censures of him 6. Bishop Trâ—mwin driven out of Pictslands 1. THE year after the forementioned invasion of Ireland saith S. Beda King Egfrid would himself conduct an army to spoyle and wast the Province of the Picts though his freinds and especially S. Cuthbert lately ordaind a Bishop earnestly dissâ—aded him Being entred the Province with his army the enemies conterfeâ—â—ing fear fled from him whom he pursuing was lead into streits of inaccessible mountains and there with the greatest part of his forces slain on the thirteenth day befoâ—e the Calends of Iune in the fortieth year of his age and fifteenth of his raign Now as I said his freinds earnestly opposed his undertaking this warr But as the year before he would not hearken to the most Reverend Father Egbert who dissâ—aded him from invading Ireland Scotiam from whence he had received no injury So now by Gods just iudgment for punishment of that crime he was hindred from hearkning to those who desired to with-hold him from his destruction 2. Whilst King Egfrid was fighting against the Picts S. Cuthbert anxious about the successe went to Lugubalia or Carlile to comfort his Queen Ermenburga and there God revealed to him the death of the King and defeat of his army The particulars are thus related by S. Beda Whilst King Egfrid saith he rashly adventured the invasion of the Picts and with horrible cruelty wasted their countrey the man of God Cuthbert knowing that the time drew near which he had foretold his Sister that the King should live but one year longer he went to the Citty Lugubalia corruptly named by the inhabitants Luel to speak with the Queen who there expected the event of this warr in a Monastery of her Sister The day after as the Cittizens were honourably leading him to see the walls of the Citty and a fountain in the same of a wonderfull structure according to the Roman manner the Holy Bishop on a suddain as he was leaning on his staff became troubled in mind and with a sad countenance cast his eyes on the ground and presently raising himself up again and looking to heaven he said not very loud Now is the combat decided A Preist-standing by who understood his meaning suddenly and indiscreetly said to him How doe
of Tâ—fidale then part of the dominion of the Northumbers of which Eata was then Abbot and Boyfil Priour by whom he received the Monasticall tonsure and was admitted into the Society of the Monks there all this we have particularly related among the Acts of the year of Grace six hundred fifty one 2. Nineteen years after that when the holy man Boyfil dyed S Cuthbert succeeded him in the government of the said Monastery in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred and seaventy Concerning the said Holy Abbot Boysil S. Cuthbert as S. Beda relates was wont to give this Character I have known very many who have much excelled mee biâ—h in purity of mind and the eminent grace of Prâ—phecying Among whom was the Venerable servant of Christ never without honour to be mentioned by mee the Abbot Boysil who many years since being then an old man admitted and educated mee in the Monastery of Mailros being then very young He during the time that I was under his discipline foretold mee all things that should befall mee and the event confirmed the truth of all his predictions There remains of all the particulars foretold by him onely one thing unaccomplished which I wish may never come to passe This saith S. Beda he spâ—ke because the said Holy servant of God had signified to him that he should be called to the charge and dignity of a Bishop from which he had a great aversion out of the love he bore to a retired contemplative life and humility 3. During the fifteen years of his government of the said Monastery the odour of S. Cuâ—hberts vertues and graces dispersed it self far beyond the bounds of his Solitude insomuch as many resorted to him to receive comfort in their afflictions or light in their doubts and apprehensions An example whereof we have already given in the Holy Abbesse Elfleda to whom he foretold the death of her Brother Egfrid King of the Northumbers If we would be informed of the manner of his life we shall onely need to read the most perfect precepts of a Monasticall conversation and conceive them to be exemplified in his His whole employment was to perfectionate his own soule and the soules of those committed to his charge by Solitude both externall and internall by continuall silence except when Devotion to God or Charity to his neighbour opened his lips by zeale and authority of a Governour ioynd with the humility of a Monk by an uninterrupted attendance to God in spirit even in the midst of externall businesses by an Angelicall purity of heart by rigorous Mortifications of the flesh fastings Watchings c. And as for the wonderfull Graces communicated by Almighty God unto him by which he was enabled to penetrate into the thoughts of such as conversed with him to foretell future events miraculously to cure the diseased yea and to raise the dead with these things though testified by great authority I doe unwillingly enlarge this History the Reader may have recourse to the compilers of his Life among whom the principall is S. Beda to be informed 4. Omitting therefore a particular account oâ— his privat life it will be sufficient to relate his Gests during his last three years two of which he spent in administring the Episcopall Office and in the last returned to his solitude That he might have been exalted to the dignity of a Bishop long before appears by a passage in the forementioned conversation between him and the Holy royall Abbesse S. Elfleda in which after he had signified to her the death of King Egfrid to succeed the year following she sayd to him according to the relation of S. Beda O how variously are the hearts of mortall men divided in their intentions and desires Some doe much reioyce having obtained riches for which they sought Others who love riches are yet always in want As for you you reiect the pomp and honour of the world though it be offred you Though you may arrive to the dignity of a Bishop which is the highest degree in Gods Church yet you preferr the enclosure of this wildernes before it Hereto the holy man answerd I doe know my self to be unworthy of that sublime degree Yet I cannot avoyd the judgment of God our Supreme Governour Whose pleasure if it be that I must undergoe so burdensome a charge yet I beleive he will free mee from it in a short time and within the space of no more then two years will restoâ—e mee to my accustomed solitude and rest 5. Now how his resistance against that honour was combatted at last vanquished and how his prophecy concerning the short time of his administring that charge and how he was permitted to prepare himself for heaven by retiring to a conversation with God only we will from the same Authour consequently declare II. CHAP. 1.2 c. In a Synod Saint Cuthbert is elected and with great difficulty perswaded to be consecrated Bishop 6.7 c. The great munificence of King Egfrid to him 1. WE have already declared how Egfrid King of the Northumbers the year before his death being constant in his disaffection to S. Wilfrid obtained of S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury to make a supply of vacant Sees in his kingdom by ordaining new Bishops without any regard to S. Wilfrid to whom the administration of the whole Province belonged For this purpose S. Theodore assembled a Synod saith S Beda near the River Alne Alaunum at which the said King was present in a place called Twiford which signifies a double ford Which Synod was no small one for besides S. Theodore who was President Seaven other Bishops are said to have mett there onely four of whose names we can reckon to witt Trumwin Bishop lately of the Picts Bâ—sa Eata and Tumbert who was deposed in whose place succeeded S. Cuthbert For as touâ—hing Saint Ceadda and S. Ced whose presence by some Writers is affirmed the generall consent of History contradicts it since S. Ced Bishop of London was dead twenty years before this and S. Ceadda of Lichfeild twelve 2. In this Synod which we may wonder how it came to be omitted by Sir Henry Spelman Tumbert Bishop of Hagulstad or Hexham for what demerit is not expressed in any ancient Authour was deprived of his See and by an unanimous consent S. Cuthbert was elected in his place But it was no easy matter to obtain his own consent to this Election For saith S. Beda though many letters were sent and severall Messengers directed to him from the Synod he could not be removed out of his solitude At length the foresaid King Egfrid attended by the holy Bishop Trumwin and very many other Religious persons sailed to the Island where he was retired Whither being come they kneeled before him they adiured him in the name of our Lord they besought him with teares and persevered so long in their humble request till at last they vanquished his resistance and
drew him full of tears likewise out of his most sweet retirement to the Synod Where being arrived though he again renewd his resistance yet at last he was overcome by the united wills of all the Bishops and compelled to submitt his neck to the burden of the Episcopall Office 4. But though he was then elected and had consented to his Election yet he was not consecrated till the year following at the great solemnity of Easter The See to which he was ordained was not that of Hagulstadt now vacant by the deposition of Tumbert but Lindesfarn administred by Eata For Eata who at first had been consecrated Bishop both of Lindesfarn and Hagulstad in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight when that Province was shortly after divided he surrendred the See of Hagulstad to Tumbert reserving Lindesfarn to himself and now perceiving that S. Cuthbert rather desired Lindesfarn in which Diocese his beloved desart was seated the humbly devout Bishop Eata willingly surrendred it to him and again resumed Hagulstad Thus writes the Authour of S. Cuthberts life in Capgrave 5. This Synod in which S Cuthbert was Elected Bishop continued a part of two years for he was elected towards Winter and not ordained till the Easter following at whose ordination all the Bishops were present And before the dissolution of the Synod King Egfrid gave many munificent gifts to his new Prelat which were confirmed by the subscription of the King and all the Bishops 6. In his Life preserved by Capgrave we read That King Egfrid gave to him in York all the land from the Wall of S. Peters to the great Westgate and from thence to the Citty-wall toward the South He gave him likewise a village called Creike three miles in circuit that it might be a mansion for him in his iourney to and from York There Saint Cuthbert founded a Monastery constituting an Abbot named Gave The said place called Creike is seated in the forest of Gautres in Calaterio nemore in some parts abounding with wood and elsewhere a morish plain It stands a little Northward from York in the way towards Durham thus writes Camden 7. Besids this the King added another and greater Gift for he bestowd on him the Citty Luel or Caer-leil and fifteen miles about it where the holy Bishop founded a Monastery for consecrated Virgins ordaining an Abbesse over them He appointed Schooles for learning also in the same Citty Concerning this Donation the same Camden thus writes in his Description of Cumberland Egfrid gave to S. Cuthbert the Citty Lugubalia in this form I have given the Citty which is called Lugubalia and the land about it for the space of fifteen miles This name of Lugubalia or Luguvallia was given to that citty by reason of its proximity to the famous rampire or Vallum raised by the Romans to exclude the barbarous Nations beyond it commonly called The Picts Wall 8. Neither did King Egfrids munificence rest here for thus it follows in Capgrave After that S. Cuthbert had raised a child from death in a village called Exenford King Egfrid gave to him the land called Carthmel and all the Brittains inhabiting there c. Afterward Egfrid gave to the man of God Mailros that is to say Meuros and Carram and all the Appurtinances It is said that in that rich Treasury of Brittish Antiquities the Library of Sir Iohn Cotton there is extant a Charter of these Donations of King Egfrrid subscribed by Trumwin Bishop of the Picts and other English Bishops out of which Bishop Vsher quotes certain passages And the Munificence of King Egfrid was imitated by severall Princes his Successours who wonderfully enlarged their liberality to his Church and See afterward transferred to Durham called the Patrimony of S. Cuthbert Of which more hereafter 9. But as for S. Cuthbert himself he was nothing the richer for these possessions he practised the poverty of a Monk in the sublime state of a Bishop and as S. Beda reports in his life he adorned with works of piety the Episcopall degree undertaken by him therin imitating the Apostles of our Lord and with his wholesom admonitions invited to eternall happines the flock committed to his charge And the thing which gave the greatest efficacy to his exhortations was that himself in his own practise afforded an example for others to imitate For he was in a supreme degree fervent in divine Charity modest in the vertue of patience studiously intent to Prayer and affable to all who came to him for comfort Yea he esteemed the contributing his charitable assistance to his infirm brethren equivalent to Prayer because he who said Thou shalt love the Lord thy God said also Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self His abstinence was admirable he through the grace of compunction had his mind always elevated to heavenly things To conclude Whensoever he offred to God the most holy Sacrifice he addressed his prayers to him not with a loud voyce but with teares flowing from the depth of his heart This may suffise touching S. Cuthbert for the present wee shall add more when we come to treat of his death III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of Saint Eata Bishop of Hagulstad with his death 6. S. Iohn of Beverley succeeds him 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred eighty six the holy Bishop Eata after the administring the Sees of Lindesfarn and afterward of Hagulstad the space of seaven years dyed with such opinion of Sanctity that in our English Martyrologe his memory is celebrated among the Saints on the twenty sixth of October 2. Concerning his education from his infancy wee read thus in the Authour of his Life who follows S. Beda The Holy Bishop Aidan saith he undertook to instruct in the Religion of Christ twelve young children of the English Nation Of these Eata was one being a child of a very good disposition and a meek humble heart By the admonitions and good examples of his pious Teacher to whom he gave diligent attendance he became notable in all vertues so that finding grace both with God and man he became a Monk and according to the Profession of that state he sedulously gave himself to Watchings fasting and other good Exercises day and night For he was a man eminent for the vertue of patience brightly adorned with chastity affable and pleasing to all and as Venerable Beda testifies of him he was beyond all others adorned with the Grace of Meeknes and holy simplicity Afterward the was made Abbot of the Monastery of Mailros or Meuros in the execution of which charge he exhibited to his Brethren yet greater examples of humility and charity then formerly insomuch as they tenderly loved him not as an awfull Master but an indulgent Father He was held in such veneration among the rich and powerfull men of that age that even Kings themselves reverenced him as a Father and with devout minds conferred on
him large possessions for the building of Monasteries Whose intentions he diligently executed erecting severall Churches and Monasteries in commodious places and assembling many Disciples studious of piety and learning among whom the most eminent were Boysil Priour of the Monastery of Mailros and S. Cuthbert afterward Bishop of Lindesfarn who were men of admirable sanctity and withall eminently endued with the Spirit of Prophecy 4. After the disputation and conflict touching the Observation of Easter which was held in the Monastery of the Holy Abbesse S. Hilda Bishop Colman by descent a Scott obtaind of King Oswi that the Venerable Monk Eata should as Abbot govern the Church of Lindesfarn For the Scots bore a great affection to Eata insomuch as he was one of the twelve English children which had received their education from Bishop Aidan Eata therefore having undertaken the care of the Church of Lindesfarn brought with him thither S. Cuthbert whom after the death of Boysil he had made Priour of the Monastery of Mailros and constituted him Priour of the Convent in Lindesfarn And when afterward the dissention grew hott between King Egfrid and the holy Bishop Wilfrid by means of which he was expelled his Bishoprick Bosa was in his place substituted Bishop of York in the Kingdom of the Deiri and the Holy Abbot Eata was ordained Bishop in the Province of the Bernicians having his Episcopal See partly at Hagulstad that is Extoldesham now Hexham where at this time there are Canons Regulars and partly in the Church of Lindesfarn or Holy Island They were consecrated Bishops by Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury 5. Thus writes the Authour of the Life of S. Eata whereto he adioyns the Narration how the Province of Lindesfarn being divided S. Eata was confined to that of Lindesfarn and another placed at Hagulstad and after the Election of S. Cuthbert he resigned to him the See of Lindesfarn and removed to Hagulstad then vacant by the deposition of Tumbert And in conclusion he relates the manner of his death after he had with great zeale and piety administred his Episcopal Office saying When our mercifull Lord thought good to crown the labours of this holy Bishop with an eternall reward he was struck with a greivous disease of the bowells called a Dyssentery the torments whereof encreasing dayly he was purged therby like gold in a fiery fornace and at last all the drosse of sinfull imperfections being spent and consumed he dyed most happily so entring the gate of heaven there to abide for ever He was buried toward the South end of the Church of Hagulstad and a little Chappell of stone was built over his Tomb. From which place his body was afterward translated but by whom is uncertain and with due honour placed in a Shrine within the Church 6. His Successour in the said Bishoprick of Hagulstad was the famous Bishop Iohn de Beverlaco of Beverley so called from a well-known Town of that name in Yorkshire where he or his family lived This holy man as we learn from the Authour of his Life in Capgrave was born in England and being very young was for his instruction committed to Saint Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury who educated him in all innocence of manners and vertue and taught him the knowledge and prudence of Holy Scriptures And after he had been well imbued with other learning likewise his custome was to travell through severall provinces sowing among the ignorant people the word of God But after that the Venerable Bishop Eata by Gods disposition had ended the course of human life he with the consent of King Alfrid received the Episcopall honour Concerning this Holy Bishop more will be said in the Sequele of this History VI. CHAP. 1.2 The Tyranny and death of Edric King of Kent 2.3 c. Of Cedwalla King of the west Saxons at first a Pagan His Brother Mol is burnt 7.8 He conquers the Isle of wight which receives the Christian Faith 9. Cedwalla's munificence to S. Wilfrid 1. WE must awhile surcease this Narration touching the Ecclesiasticall affairs among the Northumbers that we may attend to the great combustions and changeâ— in the Southern parts of this Island This was the first year of the Raign of Edric King oâ— Kent after the death of his usurping Vncle Lothere His government was Tyrannous and therefore unquiet For as William of Malmsbury observeth he did boast but a short time in the Successe of his Tyranny for within two years he was deprived both of his kingdom and life leaving his countrey exposed to be torn in peices by its enemies 1 But Cedwalla the Successour of Kentwin in the kingdom of the West-Saxons though at the first no Christian raigned fair more gloriously and concluded both his raign and life more happily He was saith the same Authour a Noble branch of a Royal Stock being the great grandchild of Ceaulin by his brother-Cuda He was a young man of immoderate ambition who would let passe no occasion of exercising his courage His restles disposition had procured against him the anger of the greatest part of the Nobility of that kingdom by a faction and conspiracy of whom he was driven into banishment In resentment of this iniury he drew out of the kingdom in a manner the whole strength of it for the warlick youth there either out of pitty of his misfortune or affection to his courage resorted to him in his exile Edilwalch King of the South-Saxons was the first against whom he vented his fury insomuch as coming to a battell his whole army was defeated and himself slain But after that Victory obtained Cedwalla was driven out of that Province by Bertun and Ethelhun two South-Saxon Generalls who after that possessed themselves of the Kingdom 3. About this time Kentwin dying Cedwalla by consent of the inhabitants was made King of the West-Saxons Who immediatly with new forces invaded once more the Kingdom of the South-Saxons which he subdued and held in great slavery moreover killing Beorthun the Prince or Generall of the forces of that Nation 4. And not content with this acquest he and his Brother Mul wasied also the Kingdom of Kent but in the end was driven out with losse This hapned indeed the year following but since the whole Raign of Cedwalla containd onely two years or little more in which short time the hand of God wrought wonderfull changes upon him converting him from a furious Pagan to an humble devout Christian from a Lyon to a Lamb We will here make no breaches in his Story but deliver it all at once 5. Concerning his invasion of Kent William of Malmsbury thus describes it Presently after Cedwalla accompanied by his Brother Mollo breathing forth a furious hatred against the inhabitants of Kent with all the forces he could make made an invasion into that Province which he thought might easily be subdued by reason of a long peace it had enioyed and at this time was also
was changed from Cedwalla to Peter the cause of which change is thus related by S. Beda At the time of his Baptism the foresaid Pope imposed on him the name of Peter to the end he might bear the Name of the Prince of Apostles out of a pious love to whom he had undertaken so long a iourney to visit the Monument of his most sacred Body 9. After the celebration of his Baptism he was according to the most ancient Ecclesiasticall custom cloathed with a White Vestment or Stole signifying the immaculate purity of those who had duly received that holy Sacrament The Stole was to be worn eight dayes but before those dayes were ended he was seised on by a mortall infirmity of which he dyed most happily to the great greif of the whole Citty 10. Pope Sergius bewayling the losse of so glorious and pious a Son to testify his affection and esteem of him celebrated his funeralls with great solemnity and moreover by his order his body was entombed in the Church of S. Peter and an Epitaph both in verse and prose inscribed on his monument saith S. Beda to the end the memory of his devotion might remain to future ages and that those who either did read or hear it might by his example be inflamed to the love and Zeale of Religion The Epitaph in verse is at large copied out by the same Authour containing a Summary of what hath been already related touching this glorious King To which was adioynd this Inscription in prose Here lyes buried Cedwalla otherwise named Peter King of the Saxons the twelfth day before the Calends of May in the second Indiction who lived about the space of thirty years and dyed in the fourth year of the Pontificat of Pope Sergius 11. It deâ—erves not our care to disprove the assertion of the fabulous Writer Geffrey of Monmouth who confounds this Cedwalla a Saxon King with Cadwallader the last King of the Brittains to whom he ascribes the heroicall Gests of Cedwalla so burying that Kingdom with honour Whereas it is evident from S. Beda William of Malmsbury Henry of Huntingdon Florentius of Worcester and the expresse tenour of the forementioned Epitaph that Cedwalla who dyed at Rome was King of the West-Saxons or Gevissi Which Nation was so called from the name of the Grand father of the first King Cerdic Geuvis the father of Elesa the Father of Cerdic saith Asser. Neither are there three Kings called â—edwalla mentioned by S. Beda as Baronius by mistake affirms but only two one who was a Brittish Prince who in the year of Grace six hundred thirty three slew the pious King of the Northumbers Edwin and this Saxon King Cedwalla of whom we now treat 12. A place is assigned to him in our Martyrologe among the Saints where on the twentieth of Aprill his deposition is commemorated with this Elogy that he was baptised at Rome by Pope Sergius and dyed in his white baptismall robe in the year of Christ six hundred eighty nine His whole raign not having coÌ„tinued full three years we have here to the relation of his Gests added that also of his happy death because we would not interrupt our narration concerning him though in the progresse of our Story we are not yet arrived to the year in which he dyed We will therefore return to relate occurrents hapning in the Saxon Churches in the mean time between King Cedwalla's raign and death Among which the most memorable are those which concern the last actions of our glorious S. Cuthbert VII CHAP. 1.2 S. Cuthbert gives the Religious Veyle to Queen Ermenburga 3.4 c. He obtains for a Holy Hermite Herebert that they should dye at the same time 8 He cures miraculously a sick Lady with Holy Water 1. WITH what unwillingnes S. Cuthbert was drawn out of his solitude to be exalted to the Episcopall Throne and with what perfection he afterward discharged his Episcopall function hath been already declared It remains that we relate how the conclusion of his Life was suitable to the beginning and progresse of it 2. Yet one action of piety more performed by him whilst he was Bishop we will not omitt which was the consecrating to almighty God the Queen Ermenburga whose heart it seems Gods holy Spirit had touched with compunction for all the mischeifs done by her to the Holy Arch-bishop Wilfrid This particular is thus related by S. Beda Not long after the death of King Egfrid the Servant of God S. Cuthbert being thereto requested came to the Citty Luguballia or Carlile there to ordain Preists and also to give his benediction to the Queen Ermenburga by conferring on her the Religious habite of Holy conversation 3. At the same time he was admonished from heaven concerning his approaching death which he discovered to a devout Hermit to whom he bore a particular affection and who had been accustomed once a year to repair to him for spirituall comfort and instruction The circumstances of their last conversation the same devout Authour setts down in the manner following 4. There was saith he a certain Venerable Preist named Herebert who for many years before had been ioynd in spirituall freindship to the Holy Bishop This man lead a solitary life in a little Island situated in the vast lake out of which the River Derwent flows and his custome was every year to visit the man of God to receive from him documents of piety and salvation He being informed that S. Cuthbert was to make some stay in the fore-said Citty came to him as his manner had been with a desire to be more inflamed in heavenly desires by his wholesome exhortations 5. They being thus mett together and interchangeably communicating to one another draughts of celestiall wisedome among other discourses S. Cuthbert said to him Be mindfull Brother Herebert to propose now to mee whatsoever doubts you desire to be resolved in for after we are parted we shall never see one the other in this life For I am assured that the time of my dissolution approaches and that I shall very shortly putt off this my mortall Tabernacle The devout Hermite having heard these words cast himself at his feet and with many â—eates and grones said I beseech you by our Lord that you will not forsake nor forgett your old companion but make your petition to the Divine mercy that as we have joyntly served our Lord together on earth we may likewise together passe out of this world to see his Glory For you know that I have always been diligent to conform my life to your admonitions and likewise according to your will to correct what soever faults I have any time committed through ignorance or frailty 6. Hereupon the Holy Bishop betook himself to prayer and being inwardly taught in Spirit that his petitions were granted by our Lord he said to him Arise dear Brother weep no longer but rather reioyce for the Divine Clemency
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
perfection voluntarily surrendred the Church of Lindesfarn which he committed to the governance of Eadbert mentioned before upon occasion of the death of S. Cuthbert who was ordained Bishop of that Diocese At this time the English-Saxon Churches flourished wonderfully when the Princes and others following their example sought not their own interests but those of Iesus Christ. This wee shall shorty make good by relating the actions of severall of our Kings and Apostolicall men who filled France Germany and even Italy it self with the seeds of Gods Word and the fame of their Sanctity 3. The year following in which King Cedwalla dyed at Rome S. Aldelm who as hath been said was his companion in that iourney became a Petitioner to Pope Sergius and obtaind of him in the behalf of his Monastery of Malmsbury a Priviledge of exemption from Episcopall Iurisdiction and a power to the Monks of electing their own Abbot according to the Rule of S. Benedict Of this Priviledge saith William a Monk of the same Monastery the same S. Aldelm obtained a confirmation from Ina King of the West-Saxons and Ethelred of the Mercians 4. Among other Acts of S. Aldelm at Rome there is reckoned by a certain Authour of no great credit saith Baronius his freeing Pope Sorgius from a scandalous imputation and calumny imposed on him of being the Father of a bastard then incestuously born Which calumny S. Aldelm is said to have dissipated by commanding the infant then but nine dayes old expressely to acquitt the Pope of that crime This fable the Centuriatours of Magdeburg having mett with they according to their accustomd impudence doe thus pervert There was great familiarity between Aldelm and Pope Sergius to whom a Son having been born by adultery at Rome he had not the boldnes to declare the truth ingenuously What ever the truth was certain it is that these Writers have most disingenuously adulterated it XIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Saint Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury His Disciples 3. The death of S. Eanfleda 4.5 Likewise of S. Hersewida 1. THE next year after the death of King Cedwalla at Rome that is the six hundred and ninetieth after our Lords Incarnation saith S. Beda Arch-bishop Theodore of blessed memory being an old man and full of dayes for he was then in the eighty eighth year of his age happily dyed That his life should be continued to this number of years he had been advertised by Revelation in a dream as he oft told his freinds He administred the See of Canterbury the space of two and twenty years and was buried in the Church of S. Peter where the Bodies of all the Arch-bishops were enterred Concerning him and all his Predecessours in that See likewise it it may be truly and properly said Their Bodies doe rest in peace and their names live from generation to generation For to summ up all in a word the English Churches received more spirituall advancement during his government then they had done in any age before 2. A great ornament to S. Theodore were his Disciples whom he left behind him for the perpetuating his name Among which the most eminent were those who are named by Bishop Parker in his Antiquities where speaking of S. Theodore he saith Besides his other vertues he was in great perfection learned and after his death he did as it were live in his Disciples which were many and illustrious Among which the more notable were these Saint Beda Iohn of Beverley Albin the Venerable Abbot of the Monastery of S. Augustin in Canterbury and Thobias Bishop of Rochester who was as skillfull and ready in the Latin and Greek as his own native language S. Beda ingenuously acknowledges that Albin assisted him much in the collecting his History and for the tongues makes him equall to Thobias Of all these Disciples of S. Theodore wee shall speak particularly hereafter 3. The same year dyed also S. Eanfleda the daughter of Edwin King of the Northumbers She was the first person baptized in that Province After her Fathers death she returned with her mother into Kent and in processe of time was married to Oswi King of the Northumbers who by her admonition built the Monastery of Gethlin now called Gilling not far from Richmond in expiation for the death of Oswin slain by Oswi After the death of her husband she retired into the Monastery of Streneshalch or Whitby in which her daughter S. Elfleda had spent many years in great devotion and after the death of S. Hilda was made Abbesse of it There S. Eanfleda received the Religious habit and veyle and submitted herself to the instructions and command of her own daughter She was buried in the Church of Saint Peter belonging to the said Monastery where formerly her husband King Oswi and afterward her daughter S. Elfleda were also enterred Her name is commemorated in our Martyrologe among the Saints on the fifth of December 4. To the same year is likewise assigned the happy death of S. Hereswida the daughter of Hereric Nephew to the glorious King S. Edwin She was married to Ethelhere King of the East-Angles to whom she bore three Sons all which were consequently Kings Aldulph Eflwold and Beorna After her husbands death she retired from Court and being desirous to passe to a more strict and private life she left her countrey and in the famous Monastery of Cala or Chelles in France she undertook the Profession of a Religious life So great was her devotion and piety that both in France and Brittany many were inflamed to imitate her example And among the rest her Sister S. Hilda had an intention to follow her into France but was perswaded not to deprive her own countrey the Kingdom of the Northumbers of the luster of her vertues In the mean time S. Hereswida having spent many years in the delicious exercises of Contemplation this year received the Crown so long expected by her 5. In the Gallican Martyrologe we read this testimony of her In the Monastery of Cale seated in the territory of Paris this day being the twentieth of September is celebrated the memory of S. Hereswida She being a Queen in England out of love to Christ forsook her Scepter and kingdom and betook her self to the said famous Monastery where after she had afforded admirable examples of Piety humility and Regular Observance professed by her she was consummated with a blessed end and obtained the reward of a heavenly crown Her glorious gests Saint Beda who was a great admirer of her hath celebrated with condigne praises XIV CHAP. 1.2.3 Saint Wilfrid again expelled his Diocese 4 5. c. He retires among the Mercians where he succeeds to Sexulf in administring the See of Leicester and ordains Bishops 7 8. Bosil Bishop of Worcester dying Ostfor succeeds 1 SAint Wilfrid had now five years enioyd with quietnes and with great piety administred his Province of the
Northumbers when this calm was disturbed with new â—torms S. Beda dispatches this Tragedy in a â—ew words saying After five years he was accused once more and by the said King Alfrid and very many Bishops expelled from his See not mentioning the heads of his accusation 2. But William of Malmsbury insinuats that the ground of their charge against him was the same with the former to witt that he had united the Iurisdiction and revenews of two Bishopricks which S. Theodore had formerly separated namely York and Hagulstad Adding that considering the vast exâ—ent of the Province it was fitt to erect a third at Rippon 3. The freindship saith he between King Alfrid and S. Wilfrid stood a good while unshaken till about five years after his return the poysonnous counsells harboured in the breasts of certain malignant persons at last broke forth By these mens suggestions King Alfrids mind being prevented withdrew some of the possessions belonging to the Monastery of Rippon having a design to constitute a new Bishoprick there For he alledged that these Decrees of the late Arch-bishop Theodore which he made not in the beginning or end of the Controversy but in the time intervening were 〈◊〉 continue in force 4. S. Wilfrid resenting this iniustice and violence left the Province of the Northumbers and retired to his freind Ethelred King of the Mercians with whom he continued a long time After whose departure King Alfrid restored the See of York to Bosa who formerly had the possession of it and Iohn sirnamed of Beverley he constituted Bishop of Hagulstad or Hexham who this same year at the request of the Abbot Ceolfrid promoted to the Order of Deacon S. Beda now entred into the twentieth year of his age 5. Before S. Wilfrid entred into the Kingdom of the Mercians Putta who ten years before had been ordained Bishop of Hereford dying there succeeded him in the same See Tirtellus this year according to the Calender published by Sir Henry Savill So that not any Church being vacant in that Kingdom S. Wilfrid lived a private retired life but in high esteem and favour with King Ethelred who had a great desire to fixe him in the government and Episcopall administration of some Province there 6. Which good design of his was effected the year following by the death of Sexulf Bishop of Lichfeild who in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight as hath been declared was constituted Bishop of that Diocese upon the deposition of Winfrid This Sexulf was a very holy man and highly honoured and beloved through his whole Province in so much as after his death he was numbred among the Saints 7. To him by Kings Ethelreds appointment succeeded S. Wilfrid Notwithstanding some Writers affirm that after the death of Sexulf his Diocese was divided into two Sees the one at Lichfeild and the other at Leicester and that S. Wilfrid was constituted Bishop of Leicester and that Headda Bishop of Winchester adioyned the other to his Diocese However these matters were ordered certain it is that S Wilfrid exercised the Office not only of a Bishop but a Metropolitan also ordaining Bishops there Thus this very year in the Diocese of Worcester Wicciorum Bosiâ— who twelve years before was there consecrated Bishop being now broken with age and labours at the request of King Ethelred S Wilfrid ordained Bishop there a man of eminent piety and worth named Ostfor 8. Concerning this Ostfor S. Beda gives this account Ostfor saith he after that in both the Monasteries of the Holy Abbesse Hilda he had employd his time diligently in the study of the Divine Scriptures at length aspiring to greater perfection he went into Kent to the Arch-bishop Theodore of blessed memory where having spent some time in sacred Lections he resolved to goe further as far as to Rome for in that age it was an argument of great vertue and piety to undertake that iourney In processe of time returning from thence into Brittany he diverted into the Province of the Wiccians or Worcestershire the Governour whereof was a person called Osriâ— There he remained a long time preaching the Word of God and in his conversation affording an example of all vertues and piety to those that saw or heard him At this time the Bishop of thaâ— Province named Boselus was so oppressed with infirmity of body that he could not himself discharge his Episcopall Office Therefore by the iudgment and consent of all the foresaid holy man Ostfor was elected Bishop in his place and by comman of King Edilred Wilfrid of happy memory whâ— then administred Episcopall iurisdiction amonâ— the Midland-English or Mercians ordained him Bishop because the Arch-bishop Theodore was then dead and not any as yet ordaind to succeed him XV. CHAP. 1. 2. c. Of King Ina's Lawes especially such as regard the Church 4 c. The Welsh whence so called c. 6 7 Preists whether then maried 8. The Saxons c. tender of shedding blood 1. THE same year Inas King of the West-Saxons being desirous to compose and settle his kingdom in good order by rooting out such ill customes as had crepp'd in among the people called an Assembly of his Bishops and Nobility at which great numbers of other inferiour Ecclesiasticall and Secular persons were present also and by common advice enacted those famous Lawes called King Ina's Lawes which continued in force many ages even till the coming and Conquest of the Normans and of which William of Malmsbury saith a mirrour of their purity remained to his time These were seaventy five in number and are extant in Sir Henry Spelmans collection of Councils to which the curious Reader may have recourse I will onely select a few of them such as regard Ecclesiasticall affaires and therefore are pertinent to this History 2. In the first place saith King Inas wee command that Gods Ministers be carefull to observe the Canonicall order of living And our Will is that these Lawes and Ordinances be observed by the people 2. Let each infant be baptized within thirty dayes after he is born If this be not done let the person in fault be fined in thirty shillings solidis But if it happen that the infant dye before he is baptized let the faulty persons forfeyt their whole estate 3. If a servant a slave shall doe any servile work on our Lords day by his Masters command let him be free and his Master fined in thirty shillings But if the servant without command of his Master doe any such work let him be whipped or redeem that penalty with money If a free man work on that day not commanded by his Master let him either be made a slave or pay sixty shillings And if a Preist offend in this kind let his penalty be doubled 4. Let the Firsts-fruits of seeds be payed on the solemnity of S. Martin And whosoever shall not then pay them Let him be fined in forty shillings and
of curiosity desirous to see the manner of Christian Worship and particularly the Actions of S. Swibert of whom he had heard wonderfull things though as yet he remained in his ignorance and infidelity he attended by three servants took boat about seaven a clock in the morning willing to see the Ceremonies of the Dedication of the Church at Malsen which was but a small mile distant from Duerstat Now as the boat was sayling in the midst of the River Rhene or Leck the young man sate on the side of it leaning on his sword and sportfully passing the time but on a sudden by reason of the moistnes and slipperines of the boat his feet sliding he fell backwards into the River and notwithstanding all the endeavours of his servants to save him was swallowd by the deep gulfe and drowned Whereupon the servants filled the shores on both sides of the river with their clamours and not daring to return to his parents they ran away This misfortune caused an incredible sorrow not only to his parents and kindred but all the inhabitants neer adioyning 5. At last about noon the same day his body was taken up in a Nett by fishermen and with great lamentation caried to the house of his parents and though his ioynts were become stiff and inflexible yet by the advice of the Pagan Preists he was putt into a warm bed and so caried into their Idoll-Temple of Mars For they had heard that the Christians having caried severall persons who had been drowned into their Churches they were by the Sacrifices and prayers of the Bishops restored to life The Father therefore of this young man called Gunther a Noble Soldier and Lord of Adengyn made hast with his family and freinds to the Temple of Mars where he offred an abominable Sacrifice killing many beasts of severall sorts to their great God Mars hoping thereby to have his onely Son restored to life But after they had with mournfull hearts continued in their Sacrifices and Prayers two howers and found no help the afflicted Father despaired of his Sons recovery neither indeed had they ever heard that their false God had had the power to doe such things 6. Now the same day there were present severall Christians who being desirous to see the successe of these Sacrifices and Prayers followd the Funerall to the Porch of the Temple These seeing the inexpressible greif of Gunther and his freinds and reioycing at such a proof of the impotency of Heathen Gâ—ds they called Gunther aside and to the end that Christ might be magnified they advised him with all speed to send for S. Swibert the Christian Bishop from Malsen to whom his Sons intention had been to goe assuring him that upon condition himself would renounce his Idols and beleive in Christ the Bishop by our Lords Power would raise his Son to life 7. Gunther having heard this and calling to mind how the same Saint Swibert in that very Citty had been freed by an Angell out of Prison and how in Hagenstein he had in the Name of Iesus restored sight to one born blind was encouraged by these Christians speeches and without delay taking with him some freinds of the better sort he went presently to Malsen Where being come to the presence of Saint Swibert he immediatly leaped from his horse and casting himself at the Holy Bishops feet and kissing his hands he with many tears and sighs declared to him the manner of his Sons unfortunate death beseeching him that he would vouchsafe to goe with him to Duerstat and by the power of the glorious Name of Iesus the Omnipotent God restore his Son to life promising that himself with his whole family and kindred would beleive and be baptised 8. Saint Swibert with great courtesy and respect raised him up speaking comfortable words to him but notwithstanding he had great compassion of his greif and lamentations yet he piously excused himself fearing to tempt God in a matter of so great importance Gunther therefore again embracing his feet with great importunity beseeched him for the love of Iesus Christ the living God to goe along with him Thus at last being overcome with his pittifull cryes and principall with the prayers of Werenfrid and my self together with other New-Converts he attended by us entred a Charret prepared for him and with great speed came to Duerstat after Complin about six of the Clock Now there was a great multitude of people assembled on the banks of the Rhene or Leck expecting the arrivall of Saint Swibert at which Profane Idoll-Preists were much greived 9. Assoon then as we had passed over the River Leck as he was in the way toward the place where the dead body lay being attended by his Disciples and also a great troop of Pagans the Lady Mechtildis the Mother of Splinter who had been drownd mett him almost distracted with greif and casting her selfe at his feet in the open street she with a loud voyce cryed O servant of the living God help mee and restore my Son in the Name of thy God and I will beleive in him with my whole family for our Gods are unable to raise him up S. Swibert took up the Lady and comforting her sighed within himself a little 10. Now the Body of Splinter who had been drownd was again caried from the Temple of Mars into his fathers house When the Holy Bishop then was come before it he desired that the Pagan Preists would please to be present with him that they might see the power of our Lord Iesus Christ the Omnipotent God In the mean time he commanded us to attend devoutly to our prayers and to implore the Divine Mercy for restoring life to the dead man and himself likewise prayed Whilst the whole multitude therefore wept and when some of the Idoll-Preists at the request of the Lord Gunther stood by trembling S. Swibert kneeling down and weeping abundantly with a loud voyce cryed unto our Lord saying O Lord Iesus Christ who art our Refuge incline thine eare unto our prayers that thy glory may be revealed to these men and thy holy Name be glorified by these Vnbeleivers That they may know that our Faith is not vain and that besides thee there is no other God whose Mercy is endlesse and whose gifts are â—â—measurable For the glory of thy Name restore life to this thy servant who has been deluded by the fraud of the Devill that they may know that all Idolls which they worship for Gods are images filled with Devills and that seeing the Power of thy Mercy they may beleive in thee and beleiving may be saved 11. Having thus said he rose from Prayer having a great confidence in Christ and said O Lord Iesus Christ the comforter of the sorrowfull who hast sayd Whosoever beleives in mee the works that I doe he also shall doe and greater then these he shall doe O most mercifull Lord God who at the tears of the two holy Sisters Mary Magdalen and
Martha didst restore to life Lazarus having been four days dead vouchsafe for shewing the power of thy Divinity to raise to life this dead person 12. Then taking the hand of him who had been drownd he said In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ who was crucified God omnipotent I command thee to rise live and confesse thy Creatour Immediatly after this he who was dead opened his eyes and sighing arose as from a deep sleep and embracing the feet of the holy Bishop he cryed out with many groanings There is no God in heaven and earth but the Lord Iesus Christ who was crucified and whom this his holy servant Swibert preaches who by his mercifull goodnes at his prayers has raised mee from death and Hell O how glorious is this mans life who by his Prayers has driven away death from anothers body and by the trust he has in Christ ha's robbed hell of its prey Surely death can have no power where the holy man Swibert interposes his prayer 13. Immediatly upon this all that were present and had heard these words and seen the wonderfull and strange Miracle exalted with condigne praises the goodnes of God through Iesus Christ our Lord who had vouchsafed to make his holy Servant Swibert illustrious by so glorious a Miracle Whereupon casting themselves at the feet of the H. Bishop they professed their readines to beleive in Christ and desire to be baptized in his name And amoÌ„g these some were Pagan Preists who despised and renounced the vain worship of their Idols 14 Lastly the parents kinred of the Young man with infinite ioy gave thanks to God and his Saint embracing him with great devotion and affectionatly kissing him and his Disciples Saint Swibert also himself with the other Christians prostrated themselves on the ground blessing God who had done great things among his people There was moreover in the street so great a clamour or Pagans who had a desire to see the young man who had been restored to life that S. Swibert was compelled after he was cloathed to lead him forth by the hand with great devotion to the glory of God that he might be seen by all Whom assoon as they saw alive and walking they cryed out Of a truth the God of the Christians is a great God who by his servant has wrought such admirable things There was therefore an universall ioy among them all who saw these wonders and the name of our Lord Iesus Christ was glorified 15. At the same time Splinter who had been restored to life was baptized together with his parents kinred and others to the number of one hundred twenty six besides many children of both sexes 16 The day following when an infinite multitude of Pagans were assembled together Saint Swibert after he had premised a Prayer to the Holy Ghost that he would open their hearts to despise Idols and embrace the Faith in which Prayer his Disciples ioynd with him he preached to them at large declaring to them the Transgression of our First Parent Adam the Incarnation of the Son of God and how all those shall be eternally damned who contemning the true God worship Idols and boast in graven Images And the efficacy of his Preaching was such that a great part of the Citty was converted to the Faith of Christ. 17. Now that Citty though by Profession Pagan was subject to the Dominion of the Christian Princes the King of France and his Generall Duke Pipin and the Regions confining Brabant Flanders and Part of Holland had already embraced the Faith So that the Pagans of Duerstat freely conversing with Christians had frequently heard mention made of Christ. 18. S. Swibert remained many dayes in the same Citty with great vigilance and assurance preaching Christ to the Pagans and confirming the Neophytes Insomuch as not only the ordinary Sort of Pagans but likewise many Idoll-Preists seeing the wonderfull Miracle and heavenly Grace shining in the Holy Bishop cast off their Infidelity and Idolatrous Profession and with great devotion received Baptism of him Thus does Marcellin relate the Gests of his Master S. Swibert till the return of Saint Willebrord Of which Gests himself had been an eye-witnes X. CHAP. 1.2 c The Wonderfull story in S Beda of a man revived and recounting his Visions 1. IT will be pertinent and I conceive not unpleasing to the devout Catholick Reader that here should be adioyned another Story related at large by S. Beda in which we shall read how about the same time in Brittany another dead person for the instruction of the living was restored to life Which Story though by some Protestant Writer it be derided because the Churches Doctrin touching Purgatory is confirmed by it Yet since no arguments can be produced by them to disproove it besides their voluntary ungrounded asseveration that they will not beleive it I will not be sparing of the labour to sett it down as it is found in S. Beda's History 2. In these times saith he a Miracle very memorable which might be compared to the Wonders of old hapned in Brittany For to the end that negligent Christians then alive might be raised up from the death of their soules a certain man who had been a good while dead was restored to the life of his Body and related many Notable things which he had seen This man was an honest House-keeper who with his family lived a religious life in a Region of the Northumbers caâ—led Incuningum Who having been struck with a disease the same growing more and more violent upon him it brought him to extremity so that on a certain day towards evening he dyed But the day following early he came to life again and suddenly raising himself up in his bed all those who mourn fully watched the Body were terribly affâ—ighted and ran away Only his Wife whose love to him was excessive though she trembled at the sight stayd still by him 3. The man seing his Wiâ—e bid her be oâ— comfort Fear not said he for I am truly restored to life from death which had seised on mee and permission is give mee to live awhile longer among men But my conversation hereafter must he quite otherwise then formerly it has been Having said this he presently rose and went to an Oratory of that Village where he remained a good while in Prayer Afterward having divided his whole substance into three portions one portion he gave to his Wâ—fe a second to his children and the third he distributed to the poor 4. Not long after having thus freed himself from all worldly cares he went to the Monastery of Mailros which for the greatest part is encompassed with the River Tweed There having received Tonsure he entred into a secret mansion assigned him by the Abbot where he continued to the day of his death in such contrition and mortification both of mind and body that though his tongue were silent the manner of his life did sufficiently tell the
to Vtrecht and presently after upon the ruined foundation of the ancient Church of Saint Thomas near the Castle they erected a Church in which they placed Canonicall Preists who lived in Community Which Church they dedicated to the honour of S. Martin Bishop of Tours There S. Willebrord Arch-bishop of the Frisons established his Cathedrall See and together with S. Swibert and the rest of the Brethren with their own hands consecrated it with its primitive benediction having translated into it the Sacred Body of S. Cunera Virgin and Martyr being one of the companions of S. Vrsula 2. In processe of time when Radbode King of the Frisons was dead free permission was given to Christians to preach the Gospell every where through Friseland Wherefore the foresaid Holy Prelats with the Preists and other Ecclesiasticks passing through the coasts of Holland and Friseland instructed the rude people in the Documents of the Gospell teaching them to renounce their profane Idolatry they baptized the Cathecumens they confirmed the Neophyts they dispensed Sacred Orders and with great constancy and devotion published the Gospell of Peace through all villages ordaining Preists and Deacons every where to assist them in the Ministery of Baptism especially in the great Town of Duerstat where after two years preaching they brought the whole people to embrace the Faith of Christ and by the assistance of the forementioned Noble man Gunther and his freinds they changed the Temples of Idolls into fifty two Christian Churches 3. Neither did they content themselves with preaching the Word of life in Friseland and Thuringia or Hervingia but as far as Denmark they brought to the Orthodox Faith great multitudes having purified them from their barbarous and Idolatious customs Thus these Holy Prelats and Preachers having with great fervour published for the space of severall years the Doctrine of Christ in severall Provinces they returned with great ioy to Vtrecht to their Brethren and fellow-laboures declaring to them how great things God had done by them And though the Holy Bishop S. Swibert was first advanced to Episcopall Dignity yet S. Willebrord in place and honour went before him and is esteemed the first Arch-bishop of Vtrecht inasmuch as he was by Pope Sergius ordained specially the Archbishop of the Frisons and by the Apostolick See sent in Mission to the same people 4. Conformably hereto writes Albinus Flaccus who likewise touching S. Willebrords preaching to the Danes addes this relation When the Holy Arch-bishop says he perceiv'd that he could not with any fruit or successe endeavour the Conversion of Radbode King of the Frisons he turned his steps and course of preaching to the Savage Danes At that time as the report is there raigned a Prince called Ongend a man of a disposition more cruell then any wild beast and whose heart was more impenetrable then a rock Yet this man by Gods operation treated with great honour this Preacher of Truth Who finding the said barbarous Prince obdurate in his perverse manners and wholly given up to Idolatry so that he had no hopes at all to work any good change in him He took with him thirty young children of that countrey returned with them to the Provinces subiect to the French But being desirous to prevent the cunning malice of the Devill he in the iourney having catechized the said children washed them in the Font of life for fear least by some accident in so long a voyage by Sea or the incursions oâ— the barbarous people through which he passed he might endanger their eternall state 5. Now this Devout Apostle pursuing his voyage came to a certain Island in the confines of the Frisons and Danes called by the inhabitants Fositesland from a certain profane Deity of theirs named Fosite to whom many Temples were there erected This place was held by them in such wonderfull veneration that no man durst presume to touch any beast feeding there or any other thing consecrated to the said Idoll nor so much as draw any water from a spring flowing there except in sign of veneration he observed an exact silence Into this Island the man of God being cast by tempest was forced to stay there some dayes expecting a seasonable time to putt to Sea But the Holy Bishop making small account of the foolish superstition of that place or of the feirce disposition of King Radbode who was wont to putt to a cruell death all those that violated such ceremonies he himself with the solemne invocation of the Blessed Trinity baptised three men newly converted and moreover gave order to his companions to kill certain beasts feeding there for their nourishment This the Pagans beholding verily beleived that such a sacriledge would be punished either with madnes or some sudden death But perceiving no harm to come to them in a great rage they went and told the King what had been done by the Christians Who being enflamed with excessive fury against the Holy Bishop seised upon him and intending to revenge the iniury done to his false Gods he according to the ancient custom of that Nation every day cast lotts three times upon him and his companions and yet never did that Lott which condemned to death fall upon the Bishop or his Disciples onely one Christian of the company was designed to death by the lott and so ended his life by Martyrdom Now this custom of casting lotts in such cases is verified to have been very ancient among the Germans by the testimony of Caesar in his commentaries 6. The same Authour moreover testifies how after the return of Clement or Willebrord a Synod was assembled at Vtrecht by appointment whereof other Missioners and Preachers were sent into the circumiacent Provinces And by occasion of the mentioning this ordinance of the Synod he makes a collection of the names and most memorable Gests of those devout Missioners which either formerly or in this present Synod or afterward were sent to labour in our Lords vineyard saying Then the foresaid Holy Prelats together with the excellent Preists and Preachers which came out of Brittany with them to Vtrecht observing that through Gods blessing much people was converted from Infidelity to the Faith of Christ they in the Synod assembled in this lately sprung Church of Vtrecht decreed that other zealous Preachers should after the manner of the Apostles and Disciples of our Lord be sent through the confining barbarous Nations to preach unto them the Faith of Christ. Now there were in the said Primitive Church of Vtrecht at that time the foresaid Apostolicall Prelats Canonicall Preists and worthy Preachers which together with the two Holy Brethren whose names were Ewald following S. Swibert constantly preached Christ to the Gentiles Afterward likewise were ioyned to them S. Winfrid a Preist who after he had lived thirteen years a Canon in the Church of Vtrecht was consecrated Arch-bishop of Mentz and called by a new name Boniface from whence returning after the death of S. Willebrord
and far more labour in her high condition afford examples of vertue and piety to all her Subjects Which she performed in a most admirable manner being as the Authour of her Life describes her a most reverenced Mistresse to the Great ones and a kind Patronesse to the poor The former observed her as a Princesse and the lâ—tter as a Mother Those venerated her Majesty these admired her humility To the Nobles she was awfull and to meaner persons she seemed equall To all she was amiable and to all venerable rarely seen in throngs but frequent in Churches 8. Four and twenty years she raigned with her husband King Ercombert but he dying in the year of Grace six hundred sixty four and thereby she being left free to her self would be a Queen no longer but after she had seen the Commonweale settled saith Harpsfeild like a bird which had been a long time enclosed in a Cage she gladly escaped out of it and devesting her self of all her Royall Ornaments and marks of worldly pomp and pride she betook her self to the Society of Sacred Virgins in the Citty of Ely governed then by her Sister the most glorious Virgin Ediltrâ—dis or Ethelreda Fifteen years she lived under her disciplin being therefore more assiduous in devotion and more rigorous in mortifications because she came later then the rest to that School of Piety 9. In the end she buried her Blessed Sister and by the Vnanimous votes of her companions the Religious Virgins was chosen Abbesse in her place as hath been already declared in the Gests of the year of Grace six hundred seaventy nine In which charge being to afford documents and examples of all vertues to others she was more vigilant over herself more circumspect in her actions and more fervent in her prayers to God as being to give an account to him for so many soules besides her own 10. Having spent sixteen years more with all Perfection in this Office at last being mindfull of her dear Sister the constant opinion of whose Sanctity had taken deep root in all minds she thought fitt to take up her ashes and translate them to a more honourable place But how instead of empty ashes she found her Sisters body as entire as fresh and sweet as if she had rested in sleep wee have already declared To conclude after she had with admirable constancy and fervour performed the course appointed her by God she was this year called to receive a heavenly crown so that the day before the Nones of Iuly she followed her Sister to heaven leaving a command that her Body should be enterred together with her Sisters 11. From so holy a roote there sprung two most fragrant and beautifull flowers her daughters S. Eartongatha and S. Erminilda Of the former we have treated already As for S. Erminilda she was as hath been said maried to Wulfere King of the Mercians whose mind she inclined to all piety After her Husbands death she with her daughter S. Werburga as her Mother formerly had done consecrated her self to our Lord in the same Monastery of Ely where entring into the Royall path of Humility she behaved her self more submissly then the rest as her desire was more earnest to approach nearer to our Lord. This was so gratefull to all that her Mother Sexburga being dead she by the unanimous suffrages of her Religious Sisters was elected to succeed in her office of Abbesse of that famous Monastery 12. The year of S. Erminilda's death is not recorded But her Deposition is commemorated in our Martyrologe on the Ides of February 13. The summ of what concerns these three Holy Princesses and Religious Abbesses is thus breifly sett down by William of Malmsbury The most happy Lady Edildrida says he first founded the Monastery of Religious Virgins at Ely After her her Sister Sexburga who had been wife of Ercombert King of Kent and Mother of the most Holy Virgin Ercongetta lived to her old age in the same place under the Religious profession and Title of Abbesse And there succeeded her in the government of the same Abbey her other Daughter Erminilda who had been wife of Wulfere King of the Mercians and Mother of the holy Virgin Wereburga These three in continued successions were Abbesses there 14. This only is to be added in this place That this holy Queen and Abbesse Sexburga is different from another Queen of the same name wife to Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons who after his death in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy four governed the same Kingdom But either willingly or forced thereto by a faction of the Nobility which refused to be ruled by a woman retired to a quiet Religious life as hath before been declared XVIII CHAP. 1. The death of Saint Trumwin Bishop of the Picts 2. Also of S. Baruâ— a Hermite 3. c. And of S. Hildelida Abbesse 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred is recorded the death of S. Trumwin B. of the Picts who in the revolt of that Nation from the Northumbers was driven from theÌ„ce retired to the Monastery of Religious Virgins at Streneshalck where he lived fifteen years with some few companions in Monasticall rigour both to the good of his own soule and the benefit of many other and was with due honour buried there in the Church of S. Peter Many centuries of years after his Sacred Body was found and translated to a more honourable place together with the Bodies of severall other Saints reposing there Concerning which William of Malmsbury thus writes At Streneshalck now called Whitby in the Quâ—re of the Church belonging tâ— Religious Virgins which is famous for the Monuments of Holy Bishops and glorious Kings the industry of certain devout men hath as it were restored to life the slumbring ashes of severall persons For not long since there were found and translated to a more eminent place the Bodies of many Saints particularly of S. Trumwin Bishop of the Picts c. His name is commemorated among Saints in our Martyrologe on the tenth of February 2. The same year likewise is assigned to the death of S. Baruck a Hermite whose meâ—mory is celebrated in the Province of the Silures and region of Glamorgan He lyes buried in the Isle of Barry which took its name from him Concerning which we read this testimony in Camden The most outward Isle there is called Barry from Baruck a Holy man there buried Who as he gave his Name to the Island so did the Island give a Sirname to the Lords of it For the Noble family of the Viscounts of Barry in Ireland received their originall from thence In our Martyrologe this Holy Heremit Baruck is said to have sprung from the Noble Blood of the Brittains and that entring into a solitary strict course of life he at this time attained to a life immortall 3. We will conclude this year which concludes the seaventh Century of our History
Camden calls the village of Alfrid the most learned King of the Northumbers wherein his Monument is exâ—ant XXV CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Wilfrid in a Synod in Brittany restored to his Rights The testimony of the Holy Royall Virgin Elfleda c. in his behalf 1. WEE are now approching towards an end of the long continued troubles of this illustrious Bishop Saint Wilfrid Whose restitution though it found some delay and opposition after the death of King Alfrid yet by a Synod shortly after assembled in the Province of the Northumbers it was fully effected The manner and progresse whereof is thus declared by the same Authour 2. When King Alfrid was dead a certain Noble man named Edulf who had a design to usurp the Kingdom vomited likewise forth his malicious fury against Saint Wilfrid as if he had been by oath engaged in the frenzy of King Alfrid For when the Holy Bishop calling to mind that the same Edulf had professed freindship formerly to him thought it expedient to goe to him the senceles man fell into such a passion that he commanded him presently to depart his Kingdom and gave order that all his goods should be confiscated and himself cast out thence But two months after the Tyrant loft both his Kingdom and life and the Nobility restored to the Throne Osred the Son of Alfrid 3 Now among the Nobles of that Kingdom the highest both in authority and fidelity was one named Berthfrid Him did Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury admonish to cause a Synod to be assembled in that Kingdom for determining the cause of Saint Wilfrid whereto he consented And in the said Synod to the end that controversy might have a peaceable end it was ordered according to the precepts contained in the Popes Letters that a choice should be offred to the Bishops who were parties against Saint Wilfrid that either they should resign to him his Episcopall See or repair presently to Rome there to iustify the cause of their refusall And whosoever would not accept of this choice should be excommunicated 4. S. Beda notes the particular place where this Synod meâ—t saying it was near the River Nid which gives a name to the Province of Nidds-dale now belonging to the Kingdom of Scotland but anciently within the Dominion of the Northumbers At this Synod were present Arch-bishop Brithwald with S. Wilfrid likewise Bosa Bishop of York and Iohn of Hagulstad There came thither also the Royall Virgin and Abbesse of Streneshalck Elfleda Sister to King Alfrid whose testimony was of great moment for ending the controversy For thus writes William of Malmsbury 5. Whilst the cause of S. Wilfrid was agitating in the Synod and the Bishops according to their former manner contradicted his pretentions the Holy Virgin Elfleda Sister to the late King Alfrid and Abbesse of Streneshalck after S. Hilda putt an end to the busines Saying Let these tedious discourses little to the purpose cease Here doe I produce the last Will of my Brother at the making whereof my self was present by which he declares that if God restored him his health he would without delay observe and execute the commands of the See Apostolick or if death kindred him he would oblige his heyr and successour thereto 6. After the Holy Virgin had spoke thus Berthfrid immediatly added these words My sentence is that we ought to obey the Popes commands especially considering that our obligation thereto â—â— strengthned by our late Kings will and the solemn promise also which we our selves made in our necessity for when after his death we were besieged in the Citty of Bedda-burgh and that the enemies inclosing us used their utmost endeavour to break into the Town in this extremity and danger we made a Vow to God that if we might escape we would fullfill the commands of the See Apostolick We had scarce ended this Vow but presently the whole Province submitted it self to us and every one strove who should prevent the other in running to our assistance The Royall youth Osred was acknowledged King the Enemy was defeated and the usurping Tyrant slain To conclude it is our young Kings will also that the Venerable Bishop Wilfrid be restored Now Berthfrid had no sooner spoke thus but immediatly all clouds of dissension were dissipated and a lightsome calmnes of peace succeeded All the Bishops hastned to embrace one another and passed the remainder of their lives in amity and concord 7 The result of the Synod was That Saint Wilfrid should be re-instated in all the dignities and possessions formerly belonging to him Notwithstanding Bosa who had been Bishop of York dying presently after this Synod S. Wilfrid permitted Iohn to remove to York and himself being now very old contented himself with the See of Hagulstad or Hexham and his own Monasteries 8. Thus at last ended all the troubles of this Holy Bishop Wilfrid Which were the more heavy to him in that all his persecutours were persons of vertuous holy lives The consideration whereof gave occasion to the Historian to make this complaint It is hence manifest how great the misery is wherein human Nature is involved inasmuch as those men and woemen whose sanctity is much celebrated by Antiquity such were Theodore Brithwald Iohn Bosa and likewise the Holy Abbesse Hilda they all with utmost violence persecuted S. Wilfrid a Bishop most highly favoured by Almighty God Particularly as touching Bosa he is stiled by S. Beda a most holy Prelat and beloved by God and his Name is commemorated among Gods Saints in our Martyrologe on the ninth of March though his death hapning this year is assigned to the year of Grace seaven hundred THE ONE AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. S. Hedda Bishop of the West-Saxons dying his Sâ—e is divided into two Winchester of which Saint Daniel is made Bishop and Shirborn of which S. Aldelm 1. THE same year in which debates were so happily ended in the Northern part of Brittany Hedda Bishop of Winchester dyeâ— concerning whom thus writes S. Beda In the beginning of the Raign of Osred King of the Northumbers Heddi Bishop of the West-Saxons departed this world to eternall felicity For he was a good and iust man and was enabled to discharge his Episcopall function in governing and teaching rather by the light proceeding from Charity and the love of vertue deeply imprinted in his heart then by reading of Books In a word the most Reverend Prelat Pechthelm who then was a Deacon and Monk in the Monastery of S. Aldelm his successour was wont to relate how in the place where the holy Bishop Heddi was buried many miracles were wrought by his merits and intercession and that the inhabitants of that Province were accustomed to take dust from thence which they putt into water and either therewith sprinckled or gave it to drink to such as were sick either men or beasts and thereby conferred health on them
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
the Holy Fathers And lastly how during the space of forty five years in which he exercised the Episcopall charge he having been exposed to many dangers both at home and abroad at last attained to his eternall happy rest in our Lord. His Memory is celebrated among the Saints by the Church on the twelfth of October the day on which he dyed How his Sacred Relicks were translated from Rippon to Canterbury two hundred and thirty years after his death we shall in due place declare 8. His Successour in the See of Hagulstad or Hexham saith Saint Beda was Acca formerly one of his Preists a man of admirable magnificence for having founded a Church to the honour of Saint Andrew the Apostle he richly adorned it and having gathered many Relicks of the Apostles and Martyrs he raised therein severall Altars in which he placed the said Relicks Moreover he built in the same a most Noble Library furnished with a vast number of volumes He provided also for his Church all manner of holy vessels Lamps and other ornaments And for a more solemne performance of the Divine Office he sent for out of Kent a famous Cantour named Maban who had learnt Ecclesiasticall modulation of the Successours of Saint Gregory there Him he detained the space of twelve years to instruct his Monks both in such Song as they either had never learnt or by disuse had forgotten 9. The devout Bishop Acca also himself was very skilfull in Church-song and moreover learned in Holy Scriptures untainted in his Confession of the Catholick Faith and perfectly versed in Ecclesiasticall Discipline For from his infancy he had been brought up among the Clergy of the Holy Bishop Bosa Bishop of York And afterward aspiring to Religious Perfection he adioynd himself to Saint Wilfrid in whose attendance he continued to his death Whith him also he went to Rome where he learnt many things pertaining to Ecclesiasticall institution which he could not have learnt at home 10. Wee find in Saint Beda that Saint Acca before his exaltation to the Episcopall degree had been an Abbot for under that title there is an Epistle directed to him declaring how by his instinct and order Saint Beda had written his Treatise called Hexameron touching the Creation of the world And how after he was made Bishop he wrote oftimes to the same Saint Beda and exhorted him to write his Commentaries on Saint Luke c. shall be declared hereafter VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Death of S. Aldelm Bishop of Shirborn 5.6 c. Elogies given to him even by Protestants 8.9 c. Forther succeeds him To whom an Epistle from Arch-bishop Brithwald 1 THE same year in which Saint Wilfrid dyed our Island lost another Star likewise of the first magnitude the Holy and most learned Bishop Saint Aldelm Bishop of Shirborn concerning whom frequent mention hath been already made 2. As touching his death thus writes the Auâ—hour of his life in Capgrave S. Aldelm in a good old age full of vertues and Sanctity departed to our Lord on the eighth day before the Calends of Iune in the seaven hundred and ninth year after our Lords Incarnation and the fifth year after he had been promoted to the Episcopall charge and the thirty fourth after his being instituted Abbot He was buried in his Monastery of Meldun or Malmsbury with great honour 3. His death was by divine revelation foreknown to Saint Egwin who in a certain Treatise thus writes Two years after the foundation of the Monastery of Evesham the Holy Bishop Aldelm departed to our Lord whith being made known to mee by revelation I called together she Religious Brethren to whom I declared the decease of that Venerable Father and presently after with great speed I took my iourney to the place where his Sacred Body reposed above fifty miles distant from his Monastery of Malmsbury Whither I conducted the same and there buried it very honourably Moreover I gave command that in every place in which the said Body dayly rested during the Procession there should be erected Sacred Crosses All which Crosses doe remain to this day neither hath any one of them felt any injury by time One of the said Crosses is yet to be seen in the Cloister of that Monastery 4. Two hundred and forty years after his death to witt in the year of Grace nine hundred forty nine saith the foresaid Authour his Sacred Body was taken up out of his Tomb and placed with great honour in a Shrine His Memory is yeaâ—ly celebrated by the Church on the Anniversary day of his death which was the twenty fifth of May. 5. This glorious Bishop is never mentioned by any of our ancient Historians without high praises Yea even our late Protestant Writers are very large in his commendations Bale though ordinarily rude and uncivill towards Catholicks yet of S. Aldelm he testifies that he was so diligently studious in all learning Divine and Humane that he far exceeded all the Ecclesiasticall Writers of his time And that both in verse and prose he was wonderfully learned both for Latin and Greek for his witt sharp and for his stile elegant He happily departed to our Lord in the year of his Incarnation seaven hundred and nine Camden likewise thus writes of him He is truly worthy that his Memory should for ever flourish not only in regard of his Sanctity but learning also He was the first of the English Nation who wrote in the purity of the Latin tongue and the first who taught the English to compose both verse and prose as well in the Greek as Latin stile This Aldelm after he was dead was reclamed by the Great King Athelstan as his Tutelar Saint The like Elogies doe Bishop Godwin D. Iames and the Centuriators of Magdeburg make of him 6. Yet after all this there is scarce one Point in which they condemne the Roman Church as an Errour iustifying their Separation from it but was held by him And particularly touching the Supreme Vniversall authority of the Pope in the heretofore mentioned Epistle of his to Gerontius King of Cornwall he in the name of the whole English Synod writes That S. Peter merited by a happy and peculiar Priviledge to receive from our Lord the Monarchicall Power of loosing sins both in heaven and Earth Moreover That the foundation of the Church and bullwark of Faith was placed principally on Christ consequently on Peâ—eâ— c. And that Christ who is Truth it self did thus establish on Peter the Priviledge over the Church Thou art Peter and on this Rock I will build my Church Yea Flacius Illyricus writes that S. Aldelm maintained That the Confession of the true Faith wholesome Doctrine and a life otherwise unreprocheable would nothing proffit him who lived in separation from the Vnity of the Catholick Roman Church This is the Faith taught then in the English Church and the Teachers of this Faith the Protestants now
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
Marish plain From whence they could not in lesse then three dayes space return to the Town But being thither arrived they found the King dead without Baptism and related to the Blessed Bishop how strangely they had been deluded by the Devill 8. As for the Frison he presently professed his beleif in Christ and was baptised his Name was Ingamar and afterward attended the Bishop to our Monastery of Fontanell But the unhappy King was not permitted to be undeceived because he did not pertain to Christs flock And this Miracle was spread through the countrey whereupon a great multitude was converted to our Lord. Now the death of the foresaid miserable King Radbode hapned in the year of our Saviour seaven hundred and nineteen which was the seaventh of the illustrious Prince Charles Martel VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Severall Epistles of Saint Boniface 1. BVT to leave this not impertinent digression and return to S. Boniface He says Baronâ—us though he was by Apostolick delegation empowred to preach the Word of God independently yet even in this he shewd the marks of Apostleship in asmuch as embracing Christian humility he thought fist to exercise the apprentiship of his Apostolick Office under another For during the space of three years he adioynd himself a Coadiutour to S. Willebrord named by the Pope Clement in the conversion of the Frisons And being earnestly pressed by him to accept of his Arch-bishoprick of Vtrecht he constantly refused and begging licence departed from him to work alone in that heavenly Office 2. And moreover distrusting his own forces he humbly begged the Prayers of others for the Divine assistance in so sublime a work Among his Epistles there is still extant one to the same effect directed to Leodbata a kinswoman of his to Bedda Chunigildis and other Religious Virgins to continue their earnest Prayers to Almighty God that he might be delivered from many pressures which he suffred from importune and wicked men and that he might not be discouraged from defending Christs Faith and Church from many Hereticks Schismatiks and Hypocrites which used all their endeavours to make a prey of the new converted Lambs with their Mothers and did more encomber him then the professed enemies of our Faith the Pagan Idolaters 3. There is likewise found another Epistle to him from a Holy Virgin named Buggan an Abbesse then in Brittany of a Royall family as is witnessed in other Letters of a following date written to him by Hildebert King of Kent This devout Virgin he had found at Rome when he repaired thither to Pope Gregory and being returned into Brittany she in an Epistle congratulated with him the sublime Office imposed on him by that Holy Pope as likewise a vision which he had received from God who revealed to him the great successe of his preaching and moreover had cast down before him that great Enemy of his Holy Faith King Radbode Moreover she informed him that whereas he had desired her to send him the Passions of Martyrs she could not as then procure them but would use all her endeavours for his satisfaction Consequently she begged of him to send her certain Collections out of Holy Scriptures for her consolation as he had promised her and that he would offer to God the Sacrifices of his Holy Masses for the soule of a dear kinsman of hers lately dead In conclusion she told him that by the same messenger she had sent him for his present supply fifty shillings Solidos and a Pall for the Altar the smallnes of which presents she excused by her poverty and earnestly begged his Prayers in which she had great confidence 4. Another Epistle himself also about this time wrote to Tatwin and Wigbert Preists and to Bernard Hiedde Hunfrith and Stirme Monks of the Monastery of Nutscelle from whence he came earnestly exhorting them to conserve the Regular Discipline taught them by their late Venerable Father Wigbert He ordained likewise that they should observe the directions of the other Wigbert Preist and Mengingord Deacon touching the howers and order of the Ecclesiasticall Office That Hiedde should be the Superiour over the servants and Hunfrid his assistant that Stirme should be in the Kitchin and Bernard have care of building lastly that in all things they should be obedient to Tatwin their Abbot Now this Tatwin Abbot was a person of great esteem for after the death of Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury he was chosen to succeed in that See Notwithstanding Bishop Parker affirms that Tatwin the Successour of Brithwald was taken out of a Monastery called Brinton and S. Beda calls it Bruidum which whether it was the same or a distinct Monastery from Nutscelle in the Province of the Mercians it is hard to determine IX CHAP. 1.2 c. Severall Bishops ordained c. 6. The Gests of Saint Pega sister to Saint Guthlac 1. BVT we must for some time leave Saint Boniface busy in his Apostolick Office in Germany and return into Brittany where according to our Ecclesiasticall Monuments Eadbert who eight years before had been consecrated Bishop of the South-Saxons by the Arch-bishop Brithwald dying there succeeded in his place Eolla Who governed that See a very short time for Saint Beda ending his History in the year seaven hundred thirty one there expressly affirms that the said Church of the South-Saxons having remained some years without a Bishop was obliged to have recourse to the Bishop of the West-Saxons for the performing of such rights as required an Episcopall iurisdiction 2. And the year following the See of Dumwich in the Kingdom of the East Angles becoming voyd by the death of Astwolf or Aesculf there succeeded in it Aldbert And likewise the other Episcopall See of Helmham being vacant by the death of Norbert Hadulac succeeded him which two Bishops are by the same S. Beda affirmed to be alive at the end of his History 3. The same year also Aedgar Bishop of the Lindesfart now called Lincoln dying his successour was Kinebert a man learned in the Ecclesiasticall History and from whom S. Beda professes that he received help in the writing of his Concerning all these Bishops little more besides their Names has been transmitted to posterity 4. In the Kingdom also of the East-Saxons at this time dyed King Beorna who left the throne to be possessed by Alfwald for so we shall find that he calls himself in Letters written by him to S. Boniface of which hereafter 5. But the person whose death gave the greatest loster to this year was Pega Sister to S. Guthlac mentioned before for so we read in our Martyrologe on the third of Iune And hereto agrees our Historian Ingulphus Abbot of Croyland who describing the state of that Island made famous by the Sanctity of Saint Guthlac records the names of severall holy Hermites which imitated the said Saint in a solitary life of Contemplation among the rest he makes expresse mention of
English as should come to the Citty and in which if any of them hapned to dye here they might be buried Thus writes the same Authour who in another place declares that Burrhed last King of the Mercians going in pilgrimage to Rome and there dying was after a Royall manner buried in the Church of the Blessed Virgin adioyning to the Schoole of the English 5 It is not easy to determin in what region of this Citty the said Schoole and Church were placed Severall of our Historians agree that it was the same which is to this day called the Hospitall of the English or the Hospitall of S. Thomas thus write Polydor Harpsfeild Parker c But other Authours mentioning the frequent conflagrations of it particularly Anastasiuâ— Biâ—bliothecarius in his description thereof about the year of Grace eight hundred twenty three shews that it was seated in the Suburbs near to the Church of S. Peter in that place which is now called the Borgo and anciently Saxia because a Colony of Saxons was sent thither by Charles the great 6. King Inas having thus provided for securing a perpetuall succession and propagation of the Faith among his countreymen presently retired himself to a quiet repose in contemplation He therefore in the expression oâ— William of Malmsbury cutt off his hair and cloathing himself with a vile plebeian habit spent the short remainder of his age in a secret retirement And how acceptable this last sacrifice of himself was to Almighty God he was pleased to shew by many miracles saith the same Authour Now that by this plebeian habit was meant a Monasticall one the generall consent of our Historians doe confirm For the cloathing of Religious persons at the beginning was the same with that of the ordinary meaner sort of people but fashions altering among secular persons and Religious men not changing hence it comes that they have a distinct peculiar habit nothing at all resembling the generall fashion of other men in the world 7. His life was not prolonged at Rome For in our Martyrologe he is recorded to have dyed this same year and his memory is celebrated among Saints on the seaventh of February Which does not well agree together For his arrivall at Rome and the orders taken for such buildings could not be effected so early in the year Yet that he did not passe through the following year may be collected from hence that being dead his Sacred Body was buried with great honour in the entrance of S. Peters Church by reason that the Church founded by him to the honour of the Blessed Virgin was not quite finished XX. CHAP. 1.2 Death of S. Willeic and of S. Engelmund a Martyr 3.4 Oswold rebells against King Ethelard and is expelled 5 6 c. Death of S Egbert 8.9 Osric King of the Northumbers dying the pious King Ceolulf succeeds 1. TO this same year is consigned the happy death of the Holy Preist and Disciple of S. Swibert S. Willeic of whom some what hath been sayd before Concerning him thus writes Miraeus in his Belgick Calendar S. Willeic was an assistant of the holy Bishop S. Swibert in the preaching of the Gospell and became a Canon of the Church of Vtrecht lately erected After S. Swiberts death he governed the Monastery of Werda the space of ten years with great commendasion and esteem He dyed this year and his Memory is celebrated among the Saints on the second of March 2. About the same time also dyed yet more happily because his life was sacrifised by Martyrdom the glorious Saint and câ—panion of S. Willebrord S. Engelmund who according to the same Authour imbueâ— with Evangelicall Doctrin the â—acavians and Kenemarians But in the Supplement to the Gallican Martyrologe a larger Elogy is â—iven oâ— him in this manner At Welsa in Holland on this one and twentieth day of Iune is celebrated the happy death of S. Engelmund Preist and Martyr He by Nation an Englishman was companion of S. Willebrord by command of Pope Sergius was ioynd in commission with him in his Apostolick Office in preaching converting of soules and working miracles among the Pâ—isons He was also Abbot and directour of many Religious persons which he assembled together to praise our Lord. At length being zealously vrgent to withdraw the Savage Nation of the Prisons from their horrible Superstitions and barbarous manners he for so great Charity incurred their hatred and furâ—ous persecution with which he was at last oppressed So crowning his Apostolick Office with a glorious Martyrdom 3. The year following the Kingdom and Churches of the West-Saxons were much disquieted by the restles ambition of a young Prince of the Royall family called Oswold who it seems in indignation that King Ina in resigning the Crown preferred his kinsman Ethelward or Adelhard before him thought by force to give it himself Concerning this tumult and the successe of it unhappy to the aggressour thus writes Henry of Huntingdon Adelhard King of the West-Saxons before the first year of his raign was expired fought a batel against Oswold a young man of the Royall stock who attempted to obtain the kingdom for himself But the young man not being able to bring equall forces into the feild having for some time born the burden of a furious combat at last being overpowred was forced to fly and quite abandon the kingdom By which means King Ethelward was firmly established therein 4. This worthy King to shew himself a deserving Successour of King Ina presently after extended his Royall magnificence to houses of piety and Religion particularly to the famous Monastery of Glastonbury the memory whereof the Antiquities of that place doe thus commend to posterity When Câ—ngisle was Abbot in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred twenty nine Ethelard King and Successour of Ina bestowed for a stable possession to the Religious family serving our Lord in the Monastery of Glastonbury sixty hâ—des of land in Pohonholâ— and twelve hydes in Thoric His Queen likewise named Fridogitha gave Brunant How this devout Queen nine years after this quitted her Royall state and undertook a pilgrimage to Rome where she consecrated herself to God wee shall shew hereafter 5. This year likewise dyed the most holy Abbot Egbert of whom frequent mention has been made This is he who in the year of Grace six hundred sixty four being mortally sick of the Pestilence was wonderfully restored to health and forsaking his Native countrey Brittany went into Ireland in the year six hundred and ninety where for his admirable piety he was in â—igh estimation and being desirous to expose himself to all incommodities and dangers for spreading the Faith in forrain countreys waâ— by Almighty God who designed him for another employment hindred Notwithstanding by his exhortations the glorious Saint Willebrord Sutbert and their companions undertook that most famous Apostolick Mission into Germany This likewise was he who thirteen years
to us Be diligent in learning for I know not how long I may last nor whether my Creatour will very shortly take mee from you Such speeches made us beleive that he foresaw when he should dye The night following he passed without any sleep at all and spent it wholly in praying and praysing God The morning following very early he bid us to be very attentive and diligent to make an end of writing the Lesson we had begun So that we continued in receiving his Dictats till nine of the clock After which hower we went in solemâ—e Procession with Relicks of the Saints as the Office of that day required One of us his Disciples in the mean time stayd with him and told him saying There remains still one Chapter of the Treatise which you did dictate to us But I fear it will be too great trouble for you to speak No said he Take your pen presently and Write and he did accordingly 7. About three of the Clock after noon he called mee to him and said I have in a little boxe some precious things there is Pepper incense and Oraria which some interpret Handkercheifs others Stoles and some likewise Chaplets for numbring of Prayers which say they therefore from him took the name of Beades Run presently and fetch them and desire the Preists of our Monastery to come hither that I may distribute among them some such small Gifs as God bestowd on mee This I performed with much trembling And when the Preists were come he earnestly requested every one of them not to faile to pray and say Masses diligently for him Which they also heartily promised him But they burst out into bitter weeping when he told them he beleived they should never see his face again in this world But again it was a ioy to them when he said It is now time if such be the pleasure of God my Creatour that I should be delivered out of this flesh and goe to him who when I was not framd mee of nothing I have lived a long time and my mercifull Iudge has well ordered my life The time of my freedom is at hand for my soule desires to see Christ my King in his glory In such like speeches to our great comfort and edification he spent ioyfully that which was his last day till even 8. The foresaid young Disciple of his whose name was Wilberck sayd once again to him Dear Master There remains yet one sentence unwritten But he answerd Well well all is finished Thou hast said right Come and turn my head for I much desire to sitt and look to my Oratoâ—y and pray to my heavenly Father Thus being layd upon a hayr-cloath spread on the floor as he was singing these words Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost c. he happily breathed forth his soule And we may assuredly beleive that considering his laborious constancy in praising God his soule was by Angells caried to eternall ioyes 9. Now all which heard his speeches and were witnesses of the manner of the death of this our good Father Beda doe professe that they never saw any one end his life with so great tranquillity of mind and devotion For as you have heard as long as his soule continued in his body he never ceased to praise God and with arms stretchd forth to give thanks to him Now you must know that besides what I have written there remain many other particulars which for want of skill in expressing I am forced to omitt Yet I have a purpose through Gods help to relate more amply severall other things which I saw and heard from him This account did this Disciple give of his holy Masters death After which as we read in the Authour of his Life in Capgrave there followd in the room where he dyed a sweet fragrancy so wonderfully odoriferous that all the persons present thought themselves in Paradise for no Perfumes or precious balsam came near the sweetnes of it 10. And hereto William of Malmsbury adds which was omitted by the said Disciple That the whole congregation of the Monks being assembled he received Extreme-Vnction and communicated the Body of our Lord for his Viaticum to strengthen him in his last combat against his spirituall enemies and moreover that having kissed them every one he earnestly desired to be remembred in their Prayers c. 11. He dyed on the seaventh day before the Calends of Iune which was the twenty sixth of May But because that day was also the Feast of our great Apostle S. Augustin therefore the Church thought fitt to commemorate S. Beda the day following and so we find both in the Roman and English Martyrologes He was buried in his own Monastery in which from his infancy he had lived about threescore years But the fame of his Sanctity afterward encreasing his Bones together with the Sacred Body of Saint Cuthbert Bishop of Lindesfarn were translated to Durham and there reposed together 12. Assoon as his Death was known abroad severall Letters came from forrain countreys to desire some of his Treatises and Books Two Epistles there are still extant from S. Boniface and from S. Lullus Successour to him and to S. Willebrord to the same purpose And particularly S. Lullus writing to Cuthbert who had been his Disciple three and forty years and was afterward Abbot of the same Monastery tells him that he had sent a Vesture all of silk to enwrap the Relicks of his beloved Master To which the Answers of the same Cuthbert also are still extant 13. I doe not know by what warrant from Ancient Monuments the devout Writer by some stiled the Chancellour of the Blessed Virgin B. Alanus de Rupe affirms that Saint Beda was the first who began in England the Exercise of particular Devotions and reciting of Chaplets to the honour of that glorious Queen of Virgins for so weer find the Oraria distributed by S. Beda to his Brethren interpreted And that from Brittany such Devotion was propagated into France and other forrain countreys 14. I will conclude this Narration with the large Testimonies given to S. Beda's learning and Piety even by Enemies to that Religion which he taught Thus then writes Camden of him Beda among all our Writers is a lover of Truth And again Our Beda the singular glory of England for his piety and erudition gott the Title Venerabilis He gave up himself as he testifies to the Meditation of Holy Scriptures and wrote a very great number of Volumes in an age turmoyld with huge waves of barbarism Thus likewise Whitaker Beda did excell in many vertues and singular learning To the same purpose Foxe Beda was a man worthy of eternall memory the whole Western Church of that age gave him the palm and preeminence for learning and understanding of Scripture Very many more like testimonies may be added but I will content my self with that of the carnall Apostat Bale
his solemnity we many conclude that both these were added by S. Beda's Disciples after his death 8. Not long after S. Boniface visited the confining Regions of Bavaria the Prince whereof was called Hugbert To whom the Holy Bishop with great zeale preached the Faith of Christ. There likewise with much fervour and authority he condemned and cast out of the Church a certain pestilent Heretick called Ermewolf What his Heresy was it does not appear probably it died with the Authour II. CHAP. 1.2 The Primacy of the Sea of Canterbury again established by the Pope 3.4 Bishops conâ—ecrated by Arch-bishop Tatwin after he had received the Archiepiscopall Pall. 5.6 Sedition among the Northumbers c. 1. WE read in B. Parkers Brittish Antiquities that in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty two being the second after the consecration of Tatwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury a controversy arose between that See and the See of York about Primacy Vpon which occasion Tatwin went to Rome where he obtained the Pall from Pope Gregory and likewise a confirmation of his Primacy After which he made great hast to return into Brittany 2. There is indeed extant in William of Malmsbury an Epistle of Pope Gregory addressed to all the English Bishops in which he exhorts them to Vnity and constancy in Faith and Charity and withall signifies that he had given the Archiepiscopall Pall with the venerable use of the Dalmatick to Tatwin Successour to S. Augustin in his chair of Canterbury and that after a diligent search in the Sacred Archives for the Priviledges and rights of Iurisdiction belonging to that See from the time of the said S. Augustin he had confirmed the same commanding all the Churches of Brittany with their respective Bishops to yeild due obedience to all the Canonicall precepts of the said Tatwin whom he appointed Primat and withall conferred on him authority in his stead to visit all Churches in that Region Moreover that the Church of Canterbury being the first offspring of Christianity and Mother of all other Churches there he took it into his speciall protection threatning severely to vindicate all contempts and disobediences to it on any person whatsoever 3. To this effect did Pope Gregory write but without any mention or reflection on the See of York or any competition of any other in the Primacy Besides this the present Bishop of York Wilfrid second of that name was a man of great modesty and aversion from contention Whereas indeed his Successour of a Princely family and high Spirits did not long after not only restore his See oâ— York to the Archiepiscopall dignity which at first S. Paulinus the Apostle of that Province enioyd but challenged an equality with the Arch-bishop of Canterbury as shall be declared And this perhaps gave occasion of mistake and a confusion of times to B. Parker and likewise B. Godwin 4. Arch-bishop Tatwin having thus received the Pall and being returned into Brittany the year following consecrated two Bishops For Kinebert Bishop of the Lindesfari or Lincoln being dead he substituted in his place Alwâ— whom wee find present in a Synod assembled fourteen years after this Likewise the Episcopall See of the South-Saxons by the death of Eolla being vacant he consecrated for his Successour Sigga or Sigfrid 5. The same year there were great tumults in the Kingdom of the Northumbers by a faction the Head whereof is now unknown But so violent was the Sedition that both King Ceolulf and the Holy Bishop Acca were forced to submitt to the impetuousnes of it King Ceolulf was made prisoner and Shaved as a Monk Notwithstanding presently after in consideration of his integrity vertue and prudence he was restored to his Throne 6 But as for the Holy Bishop Acca the persecution against him continued longer For during the space of three years he remaind banished from his See Yea saith William of Malmsbury it is uncertain whether ever he returned to it or no. However that after his death he was with great honour buried there and became famous to posterity by his frequent Miracles shall be shewed hereafter III. CHAP. 1.2.3 Ethelbald the Mercian King invades his neighbours 4.5 Tatâ—in Arch bishop of Canterbury dying Nothelm succeeds And Egbert succeeds in the See of York 6 7 8. S. Boniface proposes a Scrupulous doubt to Nothelm c. The Râ—solution of it 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty four Ethelbald Kiâ—g of the Mercians who as hath been sayd was wonderfully called by God to the Kingdom became very powerfull and not content with the limits of his own kingdom invaded the Provinces of his Neighbours All the Regions from the South-Saxons as far as Humber Northward though governed by petty Kings yet those Provinces with their Kings were subject to his Dominion saith Florentius Yet all these to a mind so vast as his were narrow bounds Therefore making an impression into the Western parts he besieged the Castle of Sâ—merton and no assistance coming to the souldiers there inclosed he brought it into his own power By which means he became possessour of a great part of Somersetshire which takes its name from that place 2. And not content with this he marched with his Army Northward and force prevayling over iustice he in a hostile manner entred the Kingdome of the Northumbers where finding none to resist him he enriched himself and his army with spoyles as much as he thought good then withdrew his forces homewards Thus writes Huntingdon The Abridger of S. Beda's History referrs this invasion to the year seaven hundred and forty but the generall consent of other Writers disproves him 3. But this prosperity which Gods goodnes gave him he abused and plunged himself into many enormous crimes as shall be shewed Notwithstanding the Divine Grace did not utterly forsake him For at last he repented his ingratitude to God amended his errours and with a mixture of vertues and vices ended his life by the treason of his Subjects 4. The same year as Hoveden testifies the Moon for the space of an hour early in the morning on the thirtieth day of Ianuary became of a deep blood-red colour and from thence turned black after which its naturall brightnes was restored This prodigy it seems in his opinion foreshewed the death of Tatwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury for he immediatly addes an account of his death thereto hapning the twenty ninth of Iuly following and in the fourth year after his Consecration He was a man saith S. Beda highly eminent for his Religion and prudence He succeeded Brithwald his equall in learning and piety who was Successour to S. Theodore 5. The year following gave to the two Principall Sees of Brittany Canterbury and York vacant by the death of their Pastours two worthy persons to succeed in the exercise of the Episcopall function to Canterbury Nothelm and to York Egbert As touching the former Nothelm was born
certain Preist besides whom there was none other to administer Baptism and celebrate Masse in a large territory inhabited by Christians indeed yet such as were tainted with errours considering that the said Preist who long agoe had falln into the sin of fornication afterward not only was absolved after Pennance but also restored to his degree and Office contrary to the expresse Canons of the Church Now the Question is Whether it be better or at least a lesse ill that such a Preist should perform the Office of the Altar contrary to the Canons or in case he be deprived a multitude of Infants should dye without Baptism and the rest of the people without Sacraments since that people can not be furnished with another more chast Preist Which is indeed no Question at all 5. Egbert having obtaind his Archiepiscopall Pall this same year supplied two Episcopall Sees which were vacant For to Plecthelm Bishop of Candida Casa he substituted Fridwald And the Holy Bishop Acca having been unjustly expelled his Church of Hagustald and there being no probability of his restitution least our Lords flock should remain longer without a Pastour he consecrated thereto Fridbere Who notwithstanding in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments is not esteemed Bishop till the death of Acca which followed five years after VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. A Summe of the Gests of S. Willebrord and his death 6.7 c. Severall Bishops consecrated by Nothelm Arch-bishop of Canterbury 9. Queen Frithogitha's pilgrimage to Rome 1. THE year following the most famous Apostle of the Frisons the erectour and first Arch-bishop of Vtrecht Saint Willebrord received the eternall reward of all his labours Wee have often mentioned him before and will here only add a breif Summ of his Life and Gests out of the Gallican Martyrologe 2. On the seaventh of November at Epternac in the Territory of Triers is celebrated the Commemoration of Saint Willebrord Bishop and Confessour Apostle of the Frisons He was by Nation an English-Saxon and being endowed with many Divine Graces he with nine Companions were by Saint Egbert directed into Lower Germany From Brittany therefore he passed over into Friseland and began the Apprentissage of his Apostolick Office at Vtrecht but was desired by Pipin to goe further into the countrey of the Frisons At the Castle of Vtrecht near an Ancient ruind Church of Saint Thomas he built an Oratory to the honour of the Holy Crosse. Pope Sergius being before admonished by an Angelicall vision solemnly ordained him Arch-bishop in the Church of Saint Peter at the request of Duke Pipin and withall strengthning him with Apostolick authority to preach and dilate the Gospell to the end he might with a more prosperous omen undertake that labour he gave him the Sirname of Clement to whom after the two Princes of the Apostles the Care of Religion in its infancy was committed 3. From Rome he returned into Friseland and at Vtrecht upon Rhene placed his Episcopall See building there a Church which he consecrated to Saint Martin He baptized with the Water of regeneration Pipin the Son of Charles Martel He spread the Gospell largely in Friseland baptizing Catechumens confirming Neophytes celebrating holy Orders and almost in every village building Churches over which he constituted Pastours 4. Whilst he was busily employed in these sacred works there came to him Saint Boniface who in processe of time became his Successour in his Bishoprick and Apostleship of the Frisons Who staying with him about two years assisted him with courage and diligence in procuring the salvation of many At last after many labours incommodities and travells undertaken by him for many years in planting the Church and saving of soules he rendred his holy and happy Spirit to his Creatour at Epternac after he had for the space of forty years with a piety and vertue truly Apostolick governed the Church founded by himself 5. His Sacred Body was buried in a Monastery of that Town which formerly he had erected where it did â—hine with so many illustrious Miracles that both the Monastery and Church were afterwards called by his Name Concerning his Successours Eoban Boniface and Gregory we shall treat in due place His Life was written both in verse and Prose by his Countrey man Saint Alcuin an eloquent Witnesse of his Sanctity 6. The same year Nothelm Arch-bishop of Canterbury having received his Archiepiscopall Pall from Rome consecrated severall Bishops For the See of Hereford being vacant by the death of Walstâ—d he substituted in his place Cuthbert Who four years after succeeded Nothelm himself being translated to the See of Canterbury But before that he finished a very costly Crosse begun by his Predecessour and moreover built a sumptuous Tomb in which he placed the Bodies of the three preceding Bishops Tirtil Torthere and Walstâ—d to which he adioyned three more a certain Nobleman called Milfrid with his Lady called Quenburga and Osrith the Son of Oselin as appears by the verses inscribed on it recorded by B. Godwin in his Catalogue of the Bishops of Hereford 7. The Church of the East-Angles likewise being deprived of her two Pastours Eadbert Bishop of Dumwich and Hadulac Bishop of Helmham The said Arch-bishop gave for successour to the former Cuthwin called by Hoveden Heordwald and to the other Ethelfrid Concerning whom nothing remains to posterity but their names 8. The next year Alduin Bishop of Lichfeild dying two Bishops were consecrated in his place Witta in Lichfeild and Totta or Torthelm in Leycester In this Citty of Leycester which saith William of Malmsbury is very ancient and situated in the midland countrey of England called Legecestria from the River Leger passing by it Saint Wilfrid as hath been declared after his expulsion out of the Kingdom of the Northumbers made his abode and exercised Iurisdiction there After whose departure the Kingdom of the Mercians had but one Bishop till this year in which for the Vastnes of the Province two Bishops were ordained And Leycester continued an Episcopall See till the time of King Edgar when Leovâ—n Bishop of the Lindesfari or Lincoln united Leycester to his See 9. Moreover in the place of Forthere Bishop of Shirburn Herwald was consecrated The cause whereof was not the death of Farther but as Florentius testifies because be attending Frithogitha Queen of the West-Saxons undertook a Pilgrimage to Rome And it was not fitt that the Church should want a Pastour This is the same Frithogitha Wife to King Ethelard who eight years before this was so munificent a Benefactrice to the Monastery of Canterbury And now the flame of Divine Charity encreasing in her soule she abandoned all her splendid possessions and gave her self entirely to God And in those days at wee read in Mathew of Westminster many Kings and Bishops Noble men and â—gnoble Clergy-men and Secular yea women also did the like VII CHAP. 1.2 c Ceolulf King of the Northumbers becomes a Monk His Muneficence to the Church
of Saint Cuthbert 1. THE same year Brittany saw a spectacle which all other Christian countreys esteemed prodigious but was become no wonder in our Island and this was a potent King in his ripe age and the midst of his prosperity to renounce all wordly glory advantages and contentment and to prefer before all these a poor Cell a course habit sparing and simple dyet and submission to the meanest of his Subiects This was Ceolulf King of the Northumbers to whom S. Beda had dedicated his History of Brittany not so much that he might by his eminent quality be a protectour of it or of the Authour as by his learning and iudgement to be a correctour And it is not to be doubted but that so many examples which he found there of persons contemning hating and flying from all worldly tentations and pleasures had a strong influence on his mind to inflame it with the love of heavenly and only true happines 2. A little before he thus offred himself a Holocaust to our Lord he had bestowd liberally many possessions on the Monastery of Lindesfarn where the famous S. Cuthbert learnt and practised the rudiments of his Sanctiâ—y whose life and glorious actâ—ons he had read in S. Beda's writings Hoveden among the munificent gifts of this King to S. Cuthbert reckons these pâ—aces Vdecester Wittingham Edulfingham and Cewlingham But the Religious King esteemed this liberality not considâ—rable unlesse he gave himself likewise to him by embracing a penitenciall Life in his Monasteâ—y which this year being the ninth of his raign he performâ—d 3 This space of nine years spent in vanity saith Huntingdon seemed to him a whole age for he was in great anguish of mind that so great a part of his Life should be lost in the vain cares and encombrances of the world He resolved therefore to consecrate the remainder of his years to spirituall Wisedom and to the eternall advantage of his own soul. Therefore proposing to himself out of the History of S. Beda six potent Kings for his imitation he resolved to follow their examples These were Ethelred King of the Mercians and Kenred his Successour Likewise Cedwalla King of the West-Saxons and Ina his Successour Sigebert King of the East Angels who became a Monk and was afterwards slain by the Tyrant Penda And Sebbi King of the East Saxons who embracing a Religious Profession by Dâ—vine revelation foresaw the wishd-for day of his death he saw it and was glad These did not consume their Substance with harlots like the Prodigal son but went on their way with sorrow sowing their seed that they might return with ioy and present their â—heaves to our Lord. King Ceolulf therefore added a seaventh Hebdomadam to the number of perfect Kings and receiving a Monasticall habit in exchange of the Temporall Crown which he left God sett upon his Head a glorious Crown of one entire precious stone 4. The Monastery into which he retired was thâ—t of Lindesfarn the Monks whereof were the Disciples of S. Aidan whom long before this King Oswald had sent for thither out of Scotland and they following his example practised far more rigourous austerities then were usually seen else where For not only all the Râ—ligious men and women too of that institut continued fasting every Wednesday and Friday till Vespers were accomplished but also wholly abstained from wine and all strong drink contenting themselves with Water mingled with a little milk But whether it was that experience shewd them that English Complexions not so robustious as those of the Scotts could not support this great austerity or whether likewise it was out of condescendance to the delicacy and infirm temper of King Ceolulf at his entrance an indulgence was given to the Monks and they were permitted for their drink to use a moderate proportion of Wine or Ale 5. Now besides his former liberalities to that Monastery King Ceolulf at the time of his Monasticall Tensure gave the Mannor of Warkworth So writes Camden out of our Ancient Monuments Warkworth saith he with all its dependences was a possession of the Church of Lindesfarn by the gift of King Ceolulf For this mansion at his renouncing the world he bestowd on the said Church in which beinâ— made a Monk he aspired to a heavenly kingdom 6. Our Martyrologe in which his memoâ—â— is celebrated among the Saints on the fifth of Ianuary refers his death to this saâ—â— year But certain it is that his life was proâ—longâ—d there the space of twenty thrâ—â— years So that we are to interpret thaâ— thiâ— year he dyed to the world Now how happily he concealed himself in that solitude from the world and how charged he was with merits and graces when he left it this is sufficiently testified saith William of Malmsbury by the honour he received in being buried close to S. Cuthbert and by many Divine Miracles wrought there by his intercession His Relicks were afterward translated to Northam saith Hoveden where they likewise became illustrious by Miracles being placed in a Church there built by Egred Bishop of Lindesfarn about seaventy years after this Kings death and dedicated to the honour of Saint Peter Saint Cuthbert and S. Ceolulf 7. This Holy King resigned his Kingdom to his Nephew Eadbert or Egbert a Successour likewise of his vertue and piety for saith William of Malmsbury he governed it the space of twenty years with great prudence and iustice He had likewise a Brother of his own name Arch-bishop of York who by his own wisedom and his Brothers power restored his See to its primitive dignity But of these two illustrious persons more hereafter VIII CHAP. 1.2 Saint Boniface his iourney to Rome 5.6 c. He by Apostolick authority erects severall Bishopricks in Germany 1. THE Gests of S. Boniface which are the principall busines of the greatest part of this Age almost yearly furnishing our History doe call us into Germany from thence to attend his iourney to Rome which he again undertook in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty eight The occusion of his iourney as we read in the Authour of his Life the account whereof is collected from that of his Disciple S. Willebald was partly to visit Pope Gregory third of that Name as likewise to commend himself to the Prayers of the Holy Apostles and other Saints reposing there and also to obtain from the said Pope as appears by his Letters a resolution of certain difficulties touching the care of soules committed to his charge 2. He went therefore to Rome attended by a great troop of French men Bavarians and Brittaine Where being arrived he was kindly received by the Pope The people of Rome likewise had him in such veneration that they flocked in great multitudes to his preaching and endeavoured to detain him a long time among them For of old it had been their custom when any man of note or sanctity came to Rome they would with
all civility respect and kindnes entertain him Thus they did in former ages with S. Athanasius S. Epiphanius S Hierom S. Peter of Alexandria and many others 3 Now when S. Boniface was ready to depart the Pope very liberally bestowed on him many gifts and whatsoever Relicks of Saints he desired He sent likewise by him severall Letters to the Bishops Princes and Abbots of Germany requiring their assistance to S. Boniface in the great charge committed to him of converting soules as likewise their presence to whatsoever Synods he should assemble and their Obedience to his orders and Decrees made according to the Rule prescribed by the See Apostolick which had authorized him to his Apostolick Office and constituted him the supreme Prelat of Germany 4. With these Letters S. Boniface departed from Rome and came to Ticinum or Pavia where he abode some time with Luitprand King of the Lombards Thence he proceeded towards Germany and being arrived near the River Danubius he made some stay there expecting a Synod of Bishops which he by the Popes order had called And from thence he wrote Letters to certain speciall freinds Goppin Eoban Tacwin and Wyx Religious Abbots as likewise to all their Monks and severall Religious Virgins in which he gave them a particular account of this his iourney and the successe of it 5. The year following being invited by Vtilo Duke of the Bavarians he visited his countrey staying there many dayes and preaching the word of God with great fruit There he found many false Christians who wasted the Churches and seduced the people Some of these falsely pretended themselves to be Bishops and others usurped the Office of Pâ—eists Many likewise with fictions and pernicious lyes wrought great mischief among the ignorant A further course of whose malice he found not any meanes more effectually to prevent then by dividing the Province of Bavaria into four Dioceses which with the consent of Duke Vtilo he performed the Government of which he committed to persons of eminent vertue whom he ordained Bishops 6. Of these the first was Iohn whose Episcopall See was placed at Salisburg The second was Erimbert who governed the Church of Frislingen the third was Hunibald who was consecrated Bishop of Ratisbon the Metropolis of Bavaria And Winilus who before had been ordained Bishsp by the Pope of the whole countrey had the Church of Patary assigned to him 7. Having done this he wrote to the Pope giving him an account of all things and desiring his confirmation and ratification for perpetuity Therein imitating his Predecessours For so did Fugatius and Damianus in the Brittish Church so did S Patrick in Ireland and so did S. Augustin among the English-Saxons demand from the See Apostolick a confirmation of their Ordonnances 8. We have still extant the Popes answer hereto containing an approbation of what he had done Likewise an iniunction to asâ—semble a Synod of all Germany and in his place to preside over it And because the necessities of those Churches would not allow him repose in any one place he renewed his Apostolick Authority to erect Bishopricks wheresoever he should iudge expedient IX CHAP. 1. Cuthred succeeds King Ethelard in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons 2. Nothelm Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Cuthbert succeeds 3.4 The Death of the Holy Bishop Saint Acca 5 6. c. The Martyrdom of Saint Iuthwara a Brittish Virgin of her Sister S Sidwella 10.11 c. The Gests of the Holy Virgin S. Fridâ—svida 17.18 Death of S Ethelburga Abbesse formerly Queen of the West-Saxons 19 The Death of Saint Arnulf a Hermite 1. IN the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred and forty Cuthred began his raign over the West-Saxons whose Predecessour Ethelard by some called his Brother by others his kinsman dyed the year before This King saith Huntingdon was much afflicted by the proud King of the Mercians Ethelbald who sometimes made open war against him and sometimes raised sedition in his countrey In all which Fortune shewed her self very various between them sometimes the one and some times the other gaining advantage And now and then being weary they would make peace which seldom lasted any considerable time the one or the other presently renewing the warr 2. The same year there was exalted to the Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury being vacant by the death of Nothelm Cuthbert who four years before had been consecrated Bishop of Hereford He was descended from an illustrious Saxon family and as Nobly he administred his Office He was no sooner established in his Seat but Aldulf Bishop of Rochester dying he consecrated his Successour in that See a Preist called Dun. 3. At this time the Holy Bishop Acca formerly a great freind to S. Beda and encouâ—ager in his studies and Writing ended his â—ite of whom mention hath been severall times made before A breif relation of his Gests we will here adioyn from Miraeus who recites his name among the Saints on the last day of November though in our Martyrologe his commemoration be on the nineteenth of February Concerning him Miraeus thus writes Acca a Bishop is named the third among the Apostolick Preists which under the conâ—uct of S. Willebrord departed out of England and arrived at Vtrecht in the year of our Lord six hundred and ninety to procure the consecrat on of S. Swibert he was there detained and not long after ordained Bishop of Hagustald not Lindesfarn as Miraeus mistaking writes 4. How Saint-like his life was Almighty God shewd by many miracles after his death as Hoveden testifies saying The same year Acca Bishop of Venerable memory was received into the happy region of the living after he had administred the Church of Hagustald twenty four years His body was buried with great honour in the Eastern part of that Church And above three hundred years after his death by occasion of a Revelation made to a certain Preâ—st his Sacred Relicks were translated and putt into a shrine Where to this day he is held in great veneration And for a demonstration of his Sanctity his â—hasuble Albe and Maniple which had been buried with his Sacred Body to this day doe not only preserve their colour but primitive firmnes likewise 5. In our Martyrologe on the three and twentieth of December this year is commemorated the Martyrdom of a devout Brittish Virgin called Iuthwara The Circumstances of her death and Martyrdom and a breif abridgment of her life we find in Capgrave The Holy Virgin S. Iuthwara saith the Authour there was born of Noble parents and from her childhood being prevented by a plentifull Grace of Gods holy Spiriâ— she was diligent to serve our Lord in all good works She living in her Fathers house after the death of her Mother with all innocence became amiable to all and made a progresse in vertues as she did in years Whensoever any Pilgrims came to her Fathers house as frequently they did she with great
Prince and to every Prefect one Preist to hear Confessions and enioyn Pennances 4. Likewise wee have interdicted the same persons to hunt with doggs or to keep hawks 5. Moreover wee have decreed according to Holy Canons that all Preists in their Parishes be subiect to their proper Bishops and every Lent give him an account of their Ministery of the order observed by them in Baptism celebrating of Masse reciting Prayer and Cathechising And that whensoever the Bishop according to the Canons shall make his Vâ—â—itation for administring Confirmation to the people every Preist be ready to receive and entertain him at the charges of the people to be confirmed As also that every Maundy Thursday they receive new â—hrism of the Bishop â— receiving likewise from him a testimony of their chastity unblameable Life and soundnes of Faith 6. Wee have also ordained according to the circumspection enâ—â—ynd by the Canons that no stranger-Bishops or Preists from whence soever they come shall be admitted to the Ecclesiastical Ministery before they have received an Approbation from the Synod 7. Likewise we have decreed that every Bishop shew great solicitude to withdraw the people of God from all Heathenish Superstâ—tions all Sacrifices over the dead all Soâ—â—ileges Divinations Phylacteries Auguries and Incantations exercised after a Pagan manner by some foolish Christians near their Churches under the name of Holy Martyrs and confessours so provoking the wrath of God and his Saints Particularly wee require them to forbid earnestly those Sacrilegious Fires called Meefres And for the rooting out of all such Pagan Superstitions wee command our Magistrates Graphiones every where to give their assistance to the Bishops 8. Also wee have ordained that whatsoever Ecclesiasticall person or Religious woman shall after this Synod fall into the crime of fornication shall be putt in prison and doe pennance in bread and water And if he be a Preist he shall be scourged and remain a Prisoner two years If an inferiour Clark or Monk be guilty of the same sin he shall be whipped thrice and continue in prison a year there to doe Pennance 9 Wee have decreed moreover that no Preists or Deacon shall we are Cassacks like Lay-men but Ecclesiasticall robes casulis as becomes the servants of God And that not any of them permitt a woman to live in his house 10. Lastly that all Monks and Religious Virgins be carefull to order their Lives as becomes their Profession according to the Rule of S. BENEDICT 4. When this Synod was concluded Saint Boniface transmitted to Rome a Coppy of its Decrees to be approved by the See Apostolick Which being perused by the Pope he likewise called a Synod in which the said Decrees were read and confirmed Of all which Pope Zacharias gave information in an Epistle directed to all Bishops Preists Deacons Abbots and likewise to all Dukes Counts and all Gods servants in the Dominions of the French Particularly enioyning all due respect and obedience to their Arch-bishop Boniface This he did because many of the French Clergy looked with envious eyes upon him as being an extern and a Religious man for which reason his preeminent Legantin Authority was displeasing to them 5. Of all this S. Boniface likewise gave an account in an Epistle to Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury who the year before had written and sent some presents to him In which Epistle he gave him a breif of the foresaid Decrees Adding this moreover That in that Synodall Meeting all the Bishops present made a Confession of the Catholick Faith and protested their resolution to their deaths to preserve Vnity and subiection to the Roman Church and that they would be obedient to Saint Peter and his Vicar That every year they would assemble a Synod That all Metropolitans would demand from the See Apostolick Archiepiscopall Palls and that in all things their desire was to be Canonically obedient to the Precepts of S. Peter that so they might be reckond in the number of the Sheep commended to him To this Confession sayd he we all consented and subscribed directing it to the Body of S. Peter Prince of the Apostles Which the Pope and Roman Clergy received gratefully 6. Therto he adds many grave Instructions and Advices beseeming an Apostolick Prelat As That all Bishops should denounce to their Metropolitan such abuses as they could not amend in their Dioceses and in like manner the Metropolitan to the Pope for so doing thay shall free their own soules from the guilt of the blood of such as perish Moreover he signified to him that most of the servants of God with him were much scandalized and displeased upon occasion of a great stain and ignominy cast on the English Church and Nation which he adiures him to wipe away by a solemn prohibition made in a Synod of the Clergy and Nobility to hinder that frequency of their womens going and coming back from Rome considering that few of them returned uncorrupted A proof whereof is that there were few Citties in Lombardy or France in which there wâ—re not Harlots of the English Nation He advised him likewise severely to reprehend and if they amended not to excommunicate both alive and dead any of their Princes and Great men who sacrilegiously invaded Monasteries possessing their revenews and governing the Monks as if themselves were Abbots And lastly with his utmost endeavours to hinder the intolerable superstition and excesse of cloathing raigning in Brittany where their vestments were as they thought adorned but indeed defiled with embroidery of Purple and silk Which vanity sayd he is a sign of the coming of Antichrist and an occasion of bringing luxury and uncleannes even into Monasteries 7. It is probable that admonitions so severe and earnest from a person of so great authority as S. Boniface being the Popes Legat in so great a kingdom might be the occasion of celebrating a Synod in Brittany at Cloveshove in which a remedy was found against sacrilegious invasions of Church-revenews and Priviledges For after diligent search the formerly mentioned Law and Priviledge made by Withred the pious King of Kent was found and recited in this Synod whereupon Ethelbald King of the Mercians by a New-Law confirmed the same in his Kingdom also Notwithstanding as shall be declared King Ethelbald himselâ— became a transgressour of his own Law for which he was sharply reprehended by S. Boniface and repenting his iniustice made satisfaction for it XII CHAP. 1.2 c. Another Synod at Liptin In which Adalbeâ—t and Clement Hereticks are censured and emprisoned 5.6 S. Boniface imputes Simony to the Pope who cleares himself 7. Iurisdiction over all France given to S. Boniface 1. THE year following S. Boniface celebrated another Synod at a place called Liptin not far from Cambray whither Caroloman who kept his Court there called him In which Synod besides a Confirmation of the Decrees of the former it was ordained that a Petition should be made to the Pope
the year of Grace seaven hundred and seaventeen and dyed in the year seaven hundred forty three XIV CHAP. 1.2 S Boniface falsely calumniated to Duke Pipin 3.4 c. His Letter to the Pope and Ansâ—er 6. Aâ—stedius his malicious mistake 1. IN the mean time Saint Boniface his patience is exercised for his good for he found adversaryes not only in the Court of Duke Pipin a proper seat for envy and malignity but at home also among his companions in the work of the Gospell As for the former sort he easily made voyd all their designs against him with a Letter written to the Duke and his domesticall accusers he overcame by his meeknes 2. Who these were what they layd to his charge we find in a Letter written to him by the Pope the tenour whereof is this Virgilius and Sidonius Religious men living in the Province of the Bavarians have lately visitted us with their Letters in which they have intimated that your Revered Fraternity enioynd them to rebaptize certain Christians At the reading of this we were much troubled and should extremely wonder if it should be true Among other examples they produced this of a certain Preist in the same Province who being ignorant of the Latin tongue he pronounced it wrong in baptizing saying Baptizo â—e in nomine Patria Filia Spiritua Sancta And for this it iâ— sayd your Reverend Fraternity thought fit that Baptisme should be reiterated But holy Brother if he who baptizes introduces no errour oâ— heresy but through ignorance only failes in pronunciation we can by no means allow that sucâ— Baptism should be repeated For as your Holy Fraâ—ternity well knows who soever is baptized even by Hereticks in the name of the Father of the son and of the Holy Ghost must by no means be rebaptized but only be purified by imposition of hands If the matter therefore stand as hatâ— been related to us Holy Brother abstain hereafter from such iniunctions and be carefull to observe what the Holy Fathers teach 3. Vpon the receit of this Letter S. Boniface presently without reply acquiesced Anâ— the same year dispatched to Rome his Preist Eoban with Letters to the Pope in which hâ— suggested many things very necessary for the Churches of France contained in twenty seaven heads of great advantage to Ecclesiasticall Discâ—pline 4. Hereto Pope Zacharias immediatly answerd adioyning to every one of the said Points his own iudgment Withall he inâ—formed him that the most excellent Prince Pâ—pin had sent likewise to him a Religious Preist named Audobaâ— with other Points of the like nature concernâ—ng the Rights of Bishops Preists c. also touching unlawfull Mariages inquiring what was to be observed therein according the Rites of the Church the Dâ—ctrine of Holy Fathers and Canons of Councils And many other things he had proposed relating to the good of soules To all which likewise he had returned an Answer Consequently he enioyned S Boniface to assemble a Synod and therein to discover to the Bishops his said Determinatiâ—ns 5. He gave him moreover order that the forementioned contumacious and Sacrilegious Hereticks Aldebert Godelâ—ace and Clement should be made to appear before the said Synod that their cause might again be accurately examined And in case they were found wholly to swerve from the way oâ— Truth and iustice and being convinced would not retract their errours and amend their faults that then the Princes assistance being desired they should be proceeded against with all severity according to the Canons of the Church But if they should persist in Pride and protest that they were innocent then his will was that they should be sent to Rome and with them two or three Preists approved for their piety and prudence to be their accusers and there the cause should be with all care examined by the See Apostolick and judgment given on them according to their merits 6. Before we declare how S. Boniface observed what was enioynd him by the Pope in calling a Councill and therein convincing again the said Hereticks and doing other matters for the Churches good all which was done the year following it will be expedient in the mean time to admonish the Reader of a mistake made by Alstedius a Calvinisticall Chronologist who affirms that this year a Synod was assembled in Brittany against the Sodomiticall impurity of the English Clergy Whereas no Synod was called there this year and in that which was assembled two years after though many disorders are censured in it yet this is not named among them XV. CHAP. 1.2 A third Synod assembled by S. Boniface at Mâ—nts 3 4 c In which Geâ—vilio Bishop of Mentz is deposed â—oâ— Homicide c. 6 S Boniâ—ace Aâ—ch bishop of Mentz and Primat of Germany 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred â—orty five S Boniface according to the admonition given him by Pope Zacharias and the command of Duke Caroloman assembled his third Councill at Mentz in Germany at which were present according to the account given by himself to Herefrâ—d an English Prelat eight Bishops all of the English Nation But of them those only Names remain which Miraeus hath recorded saying At the Synod of Ments convoked by S. Boniface were present Abel Burchard Willebald Werbet and Wera perhaps Wetta or Wittan 2. The Decrees of this Synod touching Ecclesiasticall Disciplin containd in the forementioned thirty seaven Heads sent by Saint Boniface to Pope Zacharias and by him with some correctiâ—ns approved are not now extant But other affairs of great coÌ„sequence agitated and determined are mentioned in the Life of S. Boniface in Surius Where we read that in the said Synod not only many Ecclesiasticks infected with Heresy were excommunicated but severall Bishops also infamous for horrible crimes were depofed The prime Authours of all Errours in Germany were the two Arch-hereticks Aldebert and Clement Whose cause was remitted to Rome and there with all circumspection iudged as shall be largely declared 3. Of Bishops sayd to be deposed in this Synod the name and speciall demerit of one only is now recorded and that was Gervilio Bishop of Menâ—z where the Councill was held The cause of his Deposition according to the said Authour was this At that time the Thuringians implored the â—ssiâ—â—ance of â—aroloman against the Saxons which wasted their countrey He presently sent an Army and with it Gerold Bishop of Mentz who was Father of Gervilio Gerold in the combat among many others was slain And his son who at that time was a Lay man attending at Court to asswage his greif for his Fathers death was taken into the Clergy and made Bishop of Mentz in his Fathers place 4 Not long after Caroloman gathered another Army which himself lead into Germany and took Gervilio with him Whilst this Army lay encamped on both the sides of the River Visurgis Weser Gervilio commanded his servant to goe privatly into the enemies
no bounds to their rapin and crâ—â—lty to Ecclesiasticks and Monks depriving them of their subsistence and bringing them into servitude They therefore earnestly beâ—ought him to consider that among all the Saxon Kings since the Conveâ—sion of that Island not any had been guilty â—f such Sacrilegious cruelty and unbounded lusts except only two Osred King of the Northumbers and Ceolred his predecessour in the Kingdom of the Mercianâ— And how horrible their deaths were he could not be ignorant particularly of this latter whom the Devill visibly hurried away to hell in the midst of his iollity and banquetting 5. Therefore with humble and Fatherly prayers they besought him not to despise their counsell but freely and speedily to amend those greivous offences against God considering how short this present life is how momentany the delectation of the filthy flesh and how ignominious it is for a Prince after a short life to leave behind him a perpetuall example of sin to posterity c. 6. This Letter being written they did not send immediatly to King Ethelbald but prudently considering that reproofs or counsels which arrive unseasonably to persons of high estate seldom produce any good effects but rather harden them the more Therefore they inclosed it in another directed to a certain Prest named Heresfrid to whom the King would more willinâ—ly hearken then any other and who likewise out of fear to God would not fear boldly to admonish the King Him therefore they desired to present it to King Ethelbald when he saw a fitting opportunity 7. At the same time likewise Saint Boniface wrote another Epistle to Egbert the learned Arch-bishop of York in which he acquainted him that having received command from the Apostolick See that in what Nation soever he saw or understood that errours were sowed among the people oâ— the Ecclesiasticall Rules depraved by ill practises and customes that he with the Popes own authority should endeavour to invite and reduce into the right any Transgressours who soever they were In obedience to which command he together with eight other Bishops of the English Nation assembled in a Synod at Mentz had sent an humble admonitory Letter to Ethelbald King of the Mercians which they had given order should be first sheweâ— to him that he might correct in it any thing which he did not approve and add thereto what in prudence he should think meet Withall desiring him that if in his Province of the Northumbers any such poysonnous root of wickednes was springing he should speedily pluck it up He requested him likewise to senâ— him some Treatises of Beda who of late brightly shone with divine Light and Grace in that Province Telling him also that among other small presents he had sent him the Copies of certain Epistles of Saint Gregory which he beleived had never before â—ome into Brittany and if he pleased would afterwards send him more Because he had at his being at Rome copied out of the Popes Archives a multitude of such Writings Beâ—sides all this he with much seriousnes entreats him that he would be his Counsellour and helper in inquiring and finding out the Ecclesiasticall Rules of the Iudgments of God c. 8 What was the successe of the foresaid Letter of Saint Boniface to King Ethelbald it is not known saith Baronius But not any Historian hath declared that by these admonitions he any thâ—ng amended his life However certain it is that two years after this he should have said twelve he ended his life very unhappily For thus wee read in the Epitome of the English History In the year of our Redeemer seaven hundred fifty seaven Edilbald King of the Mercians was by night miserably murdred by his Guards Thus writes Baronius Notwithstanding though none of our Historians expressly mention the amendment of this King yet wee shall shew probable grounds of it byâ— declaring his ioyning with Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury in restoring the priviledges of the Church and Ecclesiasticall Discipline c. and we may reasonably iudge that this Epistlâ— had a great influence into such a good change XVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Boniface by the Donation of Caroleman builds the famous Monastery of Falda in Germany 4.5.6 Successions of Bishops in England c. 1. SAint Boniface having established for himself and his successours a fixed Metropolitan See at Mentz in Germany was desirous to find for himself a place of quiet retirement in which he might unbend his mind and recollect it from Pastorall solicitudes and conversation whensoever his affairs would permitt For which purpose a certain Seat in the Solitude of Buâ—honia near the River Fulda seemd to him very convenient and agreable that there interrupting a while the tumultuous businesses of Martha he mâ—ght at fitt seasons embrace the best part and employment of Mary to sit at our Lords feeâ— and in quiet contemplation attend to what our Lord would say unto his soule 2. But because a Seat to agreable belonged to the right iurisdiction of others he was compelled to have recourse to Caroloman by Petition to have that place charitably bestowed on him Which petition of his was not in vain For as Baronius from the Authour of S. Boniface his Life declares Caroloman having read this Petition was much pleased with it and having called together all his Nobles he made known to them the Holy Bishops request and with their consent in their presence he made a surâ—endry of the place to him saying Whatsoever therein belongs to mee from this hower I transferr it to God insomuch as all the land which on all sides lyes about it for the space of three miles is to be assigned to his service Having made this Assignment he sent Messengers to all the Nobles in the Territory of Grapheld earnestly desiring them that whosoever had any interest in any part of the land situated within the foresaid limits they would freely bestow it upon God to be the Seat of a Monastery which S. Boniface had a desire to build This Request of the Prince being made known to those Noble men they unanimously and with all devotion gave up all their right to God to S. Boniface and the Venerable Abbot Sturmis And to the end the said Assignment and Delivery might remain firm to posterity Caroloman who was the principall Beâ—efactour commanded a Charter to be made in good form to which he putt his Seale 3. Thus in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred forty six the famous Monastery of Fulda saith Miraeus by the free donation of Caroloman and Pipin Princes and sons of Duke Charles Martel was erected or at least the foundations of it were layd In which assoon as it was perfected Sturmius having congregated a certain number of Monks was constituted Abbot This Noble Monastery prooved in after times a source of innumerable blessings to the whole countrey of Germany 4. The same year in Brittany Inguald Bishop of London
dying there succeeded him Egwolf known only by his name to posterity and by his subscription to a Synod the year following assembled by Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury 5 In the Kingdom likewise of the East-Angles both the Bishopricks of Dumwich and Helmham being vacant by the deaths of Cuthwin and Ethelfrid there was substituted in their rooms one only Bishop to administer both the Sees His name was Herdulf who subscribed likewise to the same synod as Bishop of Dumwich and Helmham Yet true it is that this does not agree with the order of Bishops of those Sees found in William of Malmsbury who assigns two Bishops succeeding at this time in the foresaid Sees namely Lamfert and Albrith But concerning these two we shall treat and of their succession many years after this 6 At this time also the Kingdom of the East-Saxons was deprived of their King Selâ—ed by a violent death after he had raigned twenty eight years All that wee can find concerning it is this short account given by Henry of Huntingdon King Selâ—ed saith he this year was taken out of this Life for ancient Writers affirm that he was slain at this time but how or by whom he was slain they say nothing at all XIX CHAP. 1.2 c. A third Synod at Clovesho in Kent for reforming abuses and the Decrees of it 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred forty seaven brought much good and spirituall proffit to the English-Saxon Churches in Brittany by the happy reformation of Ecclesiasticall Disciplin made in a famous Synod a third time assembled at Clovesho by Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury Which place seated in Kent is at this time called Cliffe by reason of a high mountain or cliffe anciently named Clivas and a smâ—ll territory interiacent between the Rivers Thames and Medway called 〈◊〉 from which two names arose the word Clivetho or Clovesho 2. The cause of assembling this Synod was the miserable decay of piety and Order through the whole Kingdom suggested to Arch-bishop Cuâ—hbert by Saint Boniface in an Epistle sent him five years before as hath been declared For rectifyng which disorders the Arch-bishop seriously treated with Ethelbald King of the Mercians to whom the Kings of Kent were subiect and tributary desiring that himself would assist in Reformation of the Church by a Synod to which he would please to afford his own presence This being obtained the Synod was called in which twelve Bishop were present all of them contained within the Province of Canterbury for of the other Province of York not one appeard And besides them King Ethelbald with his Princes and Nobles was assistant 3. The Acts and Decrees of this Synod have out of a very ancient Manuscript in Saxon letters been faithfully extracted by Sir H Spelman In the Preface where of is expressed the generall design and motive of the present Meeting to have been that with good advice order might be taken for restoring Vnity in the Church concord among one another and Reformation of the State of Religion After which Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury presiding in it caused to be read two Writings of Pope Zacharias translated into English in which were contained Prescriptions for reforming abuses regarding persons of all degrees and conditions with terrible denunciations against the disobedient The reading of which caused great thoughtfullnes in the minds of the Bishops who began mutually to exhort one another by rectifying of their own lives to afford good example to the rest of the Clergy and Seculars of the kingdome and that they should sett before their eyes the Homilies of the Holy Pope S. Gregory and Canonicall Decrees of the Fathers as a fitt Rule by which they might reform themselves 4. Then followd severall speciall Canons one and thirty in number written in an abstruse stile which argues the Antiquity of them The Reader may at large peruse them in Sir H. Spelmans first volume of our ancient Saxons Councils It will suffise in this place breifly to sett down the sence of each in order as followeth 5. It was ordaind therefore 1. That Bishops should be carefull to shew themselves by the sanctity of their lives good examples to others and to exercise their Pastoral Offices according to the Canons of the Church 2. That they should preserve the Vnity of Peace among one another 3. That every year they should visit their Dioces 4. That they should take care that Abbots and Abbesses govern their Monasteries Regularly 5. That since at this time Monasteries by the avarice and Tyranny of Great men were miserably oppressed and depraved yet Bishops should at least take care that the poor Monks should not want the Ministery of a Preist for the necessity of their soules 6. That no Monks should be exalted to Preisthood till after due tryall of their vertue and capacity 7. That Bishops take order that in Monasteries there should be Schooles for the trayning up the young Religious in the love of Sacred knowledge to the end they might become afterwards proffitable to the Church 8. That Preists should always be mindfull of their Office and vocation to attend to the Altar in celebrating Masses to Reading Prayer c. 9. That they should be diligent in preaching and baptizing according to the lawfull Rites of the Church 10. That they should be studious to understand aright the Creed Pater noster and the Holy Mysterious words in the celebration of Masse and that they should interpret them to the people and explain them in the English tongue 11. That they should all agree in the manner and order of baptizing Teaching c. 12. That they should sing in the Church with modesty and if they were unskillfull they should content themselves with reading 13. That they should celebrate the Office of the Church uniformly and in like manner solemnize the Feasts of the Church 14. That our Lords day should be celebrated by all and that the people should be obliged to repaire to Church c. 15. That seaven Canonicall Howers should be observed uniformly both in Churches and Monasteries 16 That Litanies and Râ—gations should be performed by all the people uniformly according to the Rite of the Roman Church on the seaventeenth before the Calends of May and three dayes before our Lords Ascension with celebration of Masses and Fasting till three in the after noon without admixing vanities playes running of horses feast c. 17 That the Feasts of S. Gregory Pope and of S. Augustin sent by him the Apostle of the Kingdom should be solemnly celebrated 18 That the Times of Fasting in the fourth sea venth and tenth month according to the Roman Rite be neglected by none and that the people be admonished before those times come 19. That Religious men and woemen observe their Regular Instituts modestly and abstain from vanity in apparrell 20. That Bishops take care that Monasteries especially oâ— women be places of silence and devotion and that the entrance into them of
the Gospell to the Brabanters and Frisons Which Office having performed in an Apostolick manner he received an Apostolick reward which was a Crown of Martyrdom this year Rosâ—eydâ—s a learned Iesuit mentions him in the Calendar on the second of May. Whether this were a person distinct from him who was Brother to S. Ediltrudis is uncertain Concerning whom William of Malmsbury makes mention saying In the Church of S. Edmundsbury these lye the Bodies of two Saints German and Botulf whose Gests I cannot find in the Antiquities of that Church nor any where else Only this I find of them that the former was Brother to Saint Etheldritha and the second a Bishop XXIII CHAP. 1.2 Edilhun a Valiane Consul rebells against the King of the West Saxons and is subdued 3.4 The King of the Northumbers persecutes a holy Bishop 1. THE same year there were commotions both in the Western and Northern Provinces of our Island For in the West-Saxons Kingdom as Huntingdon relates Cuthred in the eleaventh year of his Raign fought a furious combat against Edelhun a Noble man Consulem of a most bold courage Who raising a sedition against his Lord and both their Armies meeting in the feild though Edilhun was far inferiour to the King in number of soldiers yet he maintaind the combat a long time with admirable courage for his single valour supplied the place of many bands of soldiers And when the victory was ready to declare it self for him an unfortunat wound peircing his body made the Kings iust cause to triumph over his perjury and infidelity 2. Edelhun with the blood issuing out of this wound expelled likewise Pride and contumacy out of his heart So that voluntarily submitting himself to his King and repenting his rebellious Treason he not only found pardon but was admitted into his Lords favour and freindship 3. But in the Kingdom of the Northumbeâ—s wee find a vertuous King persecuting a worthy Bishop and another innocent person and what the offence or provocation was not any of our Historians mention The Story is thus breifly touched by Mathew of Westminster and Hoveden Eadbert or Egbert King of the Northumbers took Renulphus Bishop of Lindesfarn Prisoner and lead him Captive into the Citty called Bebba where he was cast into chains in that state remained a long time Likewise he commanded the Church of S. Peter in Lindesfarn to be besieged The motive of which siege is further declared by the same Houeden saying Offo the son of Alfred an innocent young man was compelled for avoyding the fury of King Eadbert to seek sanctuary at the Relicks of the Holy Bishop S. Cuthbert where he remained till being almost starved to death by famin he was without armes taken out from thence As touching the Citty where the said Bishop was so straitly imprisoned and which in this Narration is called Bebba it is seated in the Province of Northumberland near the Isle of Farne and is at this day called Bamborow 4 Now though wee find expressed in no Historian the cause of the Kings displeasure against the said Bishop yet wee may perhaps probably collect it from other actions of the same King performed this year To which purpose the Authaur of the Epitome at the end of S. Beda's History relates how King Eadbert this same year by force annexed to his Dominions the territory of Cyel with other regions Now this Territory at this day called Keile or Coyle was possessed by the Scotts and was seated at the Frith of Cluid Glottae aestuarium where the Citty Alcuit and the Castle now called Dunbritton lyes Notwitstanding since the King of the Northumbers pretended to all the right which the Romans formerly enioyed in those parts which extended as far as the said Frith King Eadbert might think he had iust cause to recover it Now it is probable that the pious Bishop Renulf opposed the Kings ambition and avarice and so incurred his displeasure XXIV CHAP. 1.2 c. Pope Zacharias resolves severall Doubts of S. Boniface c. 1. THE following year nothing occurrs to furnish our History either in the Ecclesiasticall or Civill state of Brittany but only the death of two Bishops in the Kingdom of the Mâ—rcians of Witta Bishop of Lichfeâ—ld to whom succeeded Hemel And of Alwy Bishop of the Lindesfari whose place was supplied by Aldulf 2. But in Germany S. Boniface affords sufficient matter For he this year sent Lul or Lullo in a message to Pope Zacharias to desire of him a resolution of certain difficulties occurring in his Province and also a confirmation and Priviledges to his Archiepiscopall See of Mentz and his new founded Monastery of Fulda 3. As touching the Doubts proposed to the said Pope the Resolution of them is found in his Answer where he tells him 1. That he could not condemn him for refusing to communicate with the French Bishops who refused to keep the Promises made by them 2. That Christians ought to abstain from eating the flesh of Choughs Crows Storks and much more of wild horses 3. That the Roman Rite was upon Maundy Thursday after the making of Chrism to cause three Lamps to be lighted capacious enough to burn three days that upon Saturday the Vigil of Easter other Lamps to be lighted froÌ„ thence for the ceremony of blessing the Font. As for the making use of fires taken from burning glasses they had no such Tradition at Rome 4. Concerning such as had the falling-sicknes if it came from their birth they were not to be admitted into the Church for fear of infecting others But the same rigour was not to be used to such as had it afterwards those might be admitted to the Communion yet so as that they must come when all others had communicated 5. That there was no prohibition for Religious Virgins to wash one anothers feet as well as men 6. That it is more congruous not to admitt to Preisthood any till they be of good years and such as have a good testimony and that the age prescribed by Canons is thirty years Notwithstanding in case of want and necessity such may be taken as have passed five and twenty 7. As touching the Question how long men are to stay from eating Lard after the beast is skilld this was not found in Tradition yet his counsell was not to eat of it till it had been dryed well in smoke and then boyld Yet in case any desired to eat it unboyld let him at least abstain till after Easter 8. That concerning the revenews of the Church he need to make no scruple to require a shilling of every house solidum de casa and that would suffise 9. That in case any had been received into the Clergy who at their Ordination had conceald such Capitall sins as they had formerly been guilty of and such sins came afterward to be discovered such were to be deprived and condemned to Pennance 10. That in
Adrian Bishop Saint Ceolfrid Saint Benedict Biscop Saint Efterwin and Saint Sigfrid Abbots of Wiremouth and Girwy of Saint Beda Preist of Saint Ebba Saint Bega and Saint Hilda Abbesses of Saint Boisil and Saint Idan Brother to Saint Fursey of Saint Vltan Bishop and Oyle from the Tombe of Saint Nicholas some Relicks likewise of S. German Bishop of Auxerre 5. To this Abbot Ticca or Tictan and to the Monks of Glastenbury did King Sigebert for the valew of fifty peices of Gold bestow two and twenty Hydes of land in Pohelf The Same Abbot likewise at the fame price bought of this King six hydes of land remaining there in the Western part XXVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Boniface preparing his iourney to the Frisons become Apostates resigns his Arch bishoprick of Mentz to S. Lullus c. 1. NOthing illustrated this present year so much as the last labours and blessed Martyrdom of S. Boniface Thirty years had he now spent in cultivating our Lords vineyard employing all his strength and vigour both of mind and body in so laborious a work He had often petitioned the See Apostolick in vain to allow him in his old age to appoint a Successour in his See of Mentz that he might enioy a quiet repose in his Monastery of Fulda But of late hearing that the barbarous Nation of the Frisons had renounced the Christian Faith which had been so diligently taught them by S. Willibrord and his Disciples the zeale of Gods house did so burn in his heart that instead of seeking repose he resolved to renew his former labours and to expose himself to the extremest dangers among those ingratefull Frisons whilst he endeavoured to rebuild Gods Church there demolished 2. But before he would execute this New purpose he iudged necessary to provide for the Security and quietnes both of his Church of Mentz and Monastery of Fulda For the former he wrote a Letter to Pope Steven signifying to him his intention of endeavouring to replant the Faith among the Frisons and least by his absence his Church of Mentz should be deprived of a head and directour he begged his permission that he might resign it to his faithfull companion and assistant in his labours Lul or Lullo a man both for his learning piety and prudence most eminent among his Disciples 3. It seems it was the Divine Will that this Apostolick Bishop should conclude his life in the laborious exercise of his Charge For though his hitherto so ofteÌ„ renewd requests for this favour would never be granted him when the motive thereto was a quiet retirement Now assoon as he demanded it to the end he might more freely engage himself in new travells and dangers the Pope easily granted his request Whereupon he immediatly consecrated Lul Arch-bishop of Mentz whom also he enioyned to be diligent and faithfull in preaching to the people and doing all other Offices belonging to his charge of so many soules He required him likewise to finish the building of the Church which he had begun at Fulda and there to bury his body wheresoever it was Gods will he should dye Moreover to provide all things necessary for his iourney and particularly that in a chest of his Books he should enclose a Sheet to enwrapp his body after his death For by many tokens he signified that his death was approaching the apprehension whereof did not at all discourage him notwithstanding from this his dangerous iourney 4. Now this Lul say the Centuriators of Magdeburg was by nation an Englishman of a Citty called Maldubia brought up in learning and piety by the holy Abbot Eata and had for his Sirname Irtel as appears by an Epistle of Hereca to him He was one of the twelve Monks which Egbert Arch-bishop of York sent into the countrey of the Frisons From whence Saint Boniface as soon as he was delegated into Germany called him Who made no delay to attend him He planted severall Churches in Hassia Thuringia and Erford and instituted in Regular Discipline Monks in the Monastery of Fulda Notwithstanding in this Narration there is a mistake for Saint Lullo was not sent by Egbert but called out of England with many other devout Preists by Saint Boniface in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five as hath been declared 5. Now Saint Boniface having thus ordained Lullo by the consent of Pope Steven as likewise of King Pipin and the Nobility of the countrey he further wrote a Letter to a certain Preist called Fulrad who was Chaplain to King Pipin and had great power with him Him he earnestly desired to obtain from the King his Protection of this his Son and now fellow-fellow-Bishop as likewise of all the people committed to his charge that after his death they might not by the rage of confining Pagans be dispersed and loose the Faith they had embraced 6. In the next place for the security of his beloved Monastery of Fulda he had recourse to King Pipin for his protection of it that the Secular power might be ioynd to the Ecclesiasticall which he had formerly obtain'd of the See Apostolick And accordingly the devout King gave him a lage Charter ratifying all the Immunities and Priviledges which the Pope had formerly granted to the said Monastery A Copy of which Charter is still extant among the Epistles of Saint Boniface In which likewise the said King confirmed for ever the possession of all the lands with which his Brother Caroloman had endowd it 7. Such preparation being made S. Boniface was ready with an undaunted courage inspired by the Grace of Gods holy Spirit to begin his iourney when one obstacle more presented it self a removall whereof he was forced to begg of Pope Steven in a Letter which is the last that ever he wrote That Obstacle was a pretention which the Bishop of Colen made to the Church of Vâ—recht the principall See of the Countrey of the Frisons as belonging to his Province and consequently that S. Boniface had no right to enter into it In opposition hereto S. Boniface informed the Pope that though indeed anciently King Dagobert had bestowd the Castle of Vtrecht with a Church there demolished on the Bishoprick of Colen yet it was with a condition annexed that he should undertake the charge of preaching and converting the Nation of the Frisons which he had never done but that people remained Pagan till the coming of S. Willebrord and his companions sent thither and ordained Bishop by his Predecessour Pope Sergius who built there an Episcopall Church consecrating it to the honour of our Saviour And after his death Prince Caroloman had recommended the same See to himself desiring him to take it into his care and constitute a Bishop therin as he thought fitt Therefore he concluded that the said See did of no right belong to the Bishop of Colen but was immediatly subiect to the See Apostolick In conclusion he besought the Pope that search might be
made in the Archives at Rome for the writing and Commission given by Pope Sergius to Saint Willebrord by which might appear the insufficiency of the pretentions of the Bishop of Colen 8. The Answer hereto from Rome is not now extant but by the proceedings of S. Boniface it appears that the cause went on his side For he administred the affairs of the See of Vtrecht without any dependency on the Bishop of Colen 9. Being ready to begin his iourney he sent for the Religious Virgin S. Lioba one of those which he had invited out of England to establish Regular Discipline in Germany and exhorted her earnestly not to desert this countrey in which she was a stranger nor to faint in a vigorous pursuit of her holy employment but to perfect the good work begun by her He told her that bodily weaknes and infirmities were not considerable neither was an age esteemed by us long to be regarded if compared with eternall Rewards which shall crown all our good endeavours Having said this he commended her earnestly to Bishop Lullus and the Seniour Monks of the said Monastery admonishing them to shew all care and respect to her Telling them with all that it was his resolution that after both their deaths her bones should be layd near to his in the same grave that they may expect the day of Resurrâ—ction together since they had served our Lord with the same desire and affection When he had said this he bestowd on her his Monasticall Cowle once more admonishing her not to forsake that Land of her pilgrimage Thus all things being prepared for his iourney he went into Friseland These things are extracted out of the Life of S. Lioba written by Rodolphus at the request of Rabanus Maurus XXIX CHAP. 1.2 c. The last Gests and Martyrdom of S. Boniface and his Companions 11.12 c His Body translated from Vtrecht to Mentz and thence to Fulda 15.16 That S Boniface was an Englishman not a Scott 1. WEE are now come to the last and best passage of this glorious Saints life which was his willing offring of it to our Lord as a Sacrifice of sweet smelling Savour The manner of it wee will here sett down as wee find it extracted out of the Gests of S. Boniface by the illustrious Cardinall Baronius 2. After the holy Bishop had sett all things in order in Germany he attended by such persons as he had made choice of entred the boat and descending by the Channel of the Râ—ene arrived safe into the region of the Frisons Where from place to place he preached the word of God with great fervour and carefully built Churches And so great successe did God give to his labours that within a short time he assisted by Saint Eoban converted and baptized many thousands of men and women Now the said Eoban he ordained Bishop of Vtrecht to the end that in his old age he might have one to ease him by sustaining a great part of his burden There were present likewise and assistants to him severall Preists and Deacons Among the Preists the principall were Wintruge Walter and Aâ—alher and among the Deacons Strichald Hamunt and Boso Moreover there were certain Monks also Waccar Gunderhar Williker and Adolf which attended him All these unanimously laboured with him in preaching the Gospell and with him also attained the crown of Martyrdom 3. Now all these after they had passed through severall parts of that countrey and were come to the River Bortna in the confines of East Friseland S. Boniface having none with him but his own companions commanded their Tents should be pitched because there he intended to expect the coming of those who after Baptism were to receive Confirmation For the day appointed thereto was at hand 4. But when it was come and the Sun was mounted to its height all those which were expected by him with the same tendernes of attention that children are expected by their fathers were become utterly unworthy to receive the Grace of Gods Holy Spirit which that day was to have been conferred on them by the Sacrament of Confirmation For of freinds they were turned into enemies and of Neophytes into Sergeants and Executioners They came running then with great rustling of armour to the Tents of these defenceles Saints Which when the Servants saw they betook themselves likewise to their weapons endeavouring to defend the holy men against the rage of that furious multitude 5. But Saint Boniface when he heard the noise of this tumult in the first place he had recourse to his Spirituall Sanctuary and fortresse for he took the Sacred Relicks which in all his iourneys he caried with him and then calling to him all his Ecclesiasticks he went with theÌ„ out of the Tent and restraind the servants who were ready to resist saying to them My children abstain from fighting dâ—e not combat with your adversaries but rather render them good for evill Now the long wishd for day is come in which wee are from this miserable world invited to eternall ioys Why would you then debarre your selves from so great a grace and happines On the contrary be courageously chearfull in our Lord and with thankfull minds receive the inestimable gifts of Divine Grace now offred to you Put your trust in our Lord and he will deliver us out of all danger With such speeches as these he with-held his servants from setting upon their enemies 6. Then addressing himself in a fatherly manner to the Ecclesiasticks of each degree My most dear Brethren said he if the memory of my former admonitions be not utterly defaced out of your minds shew now that you have not forgotteÌ„ them Call to mind those words of our Saviour Fear not those who kill the body but can not hurt the soule Fixe the anchor of your Hope in God onely who after this momentany life will give you an eternall Crown among his heavenly Saints Doe not I beseech you in this point of time loose the everlasting rewards of Victorious soules Be not therefore either corrupted with the flatteries of these Pagans or terrified with their threatnings but courageously and manfully suffer this present danger of death for his love who for us suffred infinitly more that you may for ever reioyce with him in heaven 7. The holy Bishop had scarce ended this exhortation when the furious multitude armed with swords and all kinds of weapons rushed upon them and with bloody hands in a barbarous manner murdred them all Having done this they hastily ran into their Tents and took with them all their Books and coffers in which were enclosed the Sacred Relicks thinking they should find in them great treasures of Gold and silver Thence with hast they went to their Boats loaden with all the provisions of meat and wine of which they dranke with great ioy After this they fell into debate about dividing the treasure which they vainly hoped they had found And when after long and
the same name Of which no lesse then six are recorded in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments The first was S. Eadburga of Winchester commemorated on the fifteenth of Iune The second S. Eadburga the Elder of Kent the Third S. Eadburga of Peterborough the Fourth S. Eadburga of Glocester the Fifth S. Eadburga of Aylsbury And this sixth Saint Eadburga sirnamed Buggan of whom we now treat There will follow still another Saint Eadburga the daughter of King Edward the elder 6. It is hard to discover who were her parents Probably this may be the Buggan who was daughter to Kentwin King of the West-Saxons and who is mentioned by Alâ—uin in his Poems as a great Benefactrice to the Abbey of Glastenbury where she built an Altar dedicated to the twelve Apostles The same likewise who sent to S Guthlac a Coffin of lead in which his body was deposed To her S. Boniface being then a Preist wrote concerning the strange Visions of one who had been dead and was restored to life among which Visions one was touching the damnation of King Coenred And another in which he requested her to send him the â—pistles of S. Peter in golden Letters Her Mother Eangitha who was Abbesse of a Monastery in Kent in a Letter written to the same S. Boniface in the year of Grace seaven hundred twenty five gave him an account of the great persecutions which her self and her daughter suffred as likewise the poverty of their condition having neither Father Brother Son nor uncle to support her And she not long after dying her daughter Saint Eadburga or Buggan was constituted Abbesse in her place Once with the permission of S. Boniface her Spirituall Father she undertook a pilgrimage of devotion to Rome where also she found him who from thence returned to Germany and she to her Monastery in Brittany 7. Most of these particulars we have in passing touched already and little more is to be found of her but her death which was like her life precious in the sight of our Lord. In her last sicknes she seems to have been assisted by the new consecrated Bishop Bregwin of whom the Holy Virgin earnestâ—y requested his prayers for her after her death and that he would recommend the same request to S. Lullus the successour of S Boniface in the Archrepiscopâ—ll See of Mentz which he faithfully performed as appears by an Epistle of his to the same Lullus to the conclusion of which this Postscript is added We doe now celebrate the day of the deposition of the Religious servant of Christ Buggan which is the sixth before the Calends of Ianuary Before she dyed she desired me with great earnestnes that I would transmitt this to your holines Therefore as she hoped and beleived I beseech you be carefull to perform in consideration withall that her Spirituall Father and Patron in Christ was the Holy Bishop Boniface In our Martyrologe she enioys a place among the Saints on the eighteenth of Iuly if this be the same S. Eadburga who gave the name to a Village called Eadburton near Ailesbury VII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests and happy death of S. Liebwin an English Apostolick Missioner in Germany 14. Gregory Arch-bishop of Vtrecht dying Alberic succeeds him 1. WE formerly declared how among the twelve Apostolick Preâ—sts which in the year of Christ six hundred and ninety by the exhortations of S. Egbert passed over into Germany one was called Liebwin Besides whom there was a second of the same Name who with the same design followed about the time of S. Boniface his Martyrdom who after a zealous discharge of his Apostolick Office dyed with great sanctity in the year of Grace seaven hundred and sixty Whose Life was anciently written by a Monk of the Monastery of Marchien Elnonensis at the request of Baldric Arch-bishop of Vtrecht and much commended by Peter Arch-deacon of Cambray From whom we will here adioyn an account of his Gests 2. He was born of English Parents in Brittany whose names are not recorded but their piety was shewed by his good education in learning and vertue He was in his younger years adopted into an Ecclesiasticall condition having received the Clericall Tonsure Afterward in due time he was exalted to Preist-hood to the end he might communicate to others such graces and gifts as God had bestowed on him And considering the greater necessity which other forrain Nations particularly Germany had of the fruits oâ— his knowledge and zeale then his own countrey and invited thereto by that which would deterre a lesse courageous servant of God which was danger he left his kinred and freinds and passed over to Vtrecht anciently called Wittenburg 5. The time of his arrivall there was presently after the Martyrdom of S. Boniface and there finding a Venerable man the third Bishop of that place named Gregory who had been newly ordained there having been a Preist and disciple of S. Boniface he declared to him the occasion and design of his iourney Whereupon the Holy Bishop much reioycing in our Lord to see the operation of his Grace encouraged him to be constant and giving him for a Companion the Venerable Disciple of S. Willebrord Marcellin he directed them to a place designed by Almighty God near the Râ—ver Isel in the confines between the Saxons and French 4. Being come thither he lodged some space of time with a certain Widdow called Abachilda and there with touch charity and confidence preached the Gospell to the neighbouring Pagans many of which he induced to forsake their Idolatry and embrace the Christian Faith By the assistance of these new Converts he built a little Oratory at a place called Wilpa on the Western bank of the River Isel And not long after the multitude of Beleivers encreasing he built another greater Oratory on the East side of the same River together with a convenient habitation adioyning There the Man of God with great devotion and chearfullnes celebrated Masses and mortifyed himself with assiduous watching and Fasting and withall entertained with much chearfullnes all that came to him feeding their soules with the Word of Grace by which means he wan the affection of persons of higher condition living near that place 5. But the Dewill enraged to see the number of his adorers diminished suggested and communicated to his servants devoted to him a great proportion of his envy and malignity who first complayning afterward conspired to destroy the Man of God and to burn the Sacred House which they called a Scene of Magicall Superstitions And this they effected for rushing on him in great multitudes they sett fire to his Oratory and house But God would not permitt them to execute their malice upon him but preserved him unhurt for the salvation of many 6 The Holy man was so far from being disheartned by this that he attempted an exploit far more Heroâ—call The Nation of the Saxons had no King or generall Supreme Governour but consisting of three
of which were most horribly depraved and defiled with all manner of uncleannes These were so impatient of reformation that they endeavoured many wayes to destroy him who spared no labours to save them But God defended his servant from their malice 3. After many years spent and divided between the exercises of Martha and Mary sometimes attending in the solitude of his Monastery to Prayer and Contemplation as likewise to the establishing perfect Regular Observance and sometimes travelling abroad to win soules to Christ At last a greivous infirmity seized on him nowithstanding which he would needs undertake a iourney to visit his fellow Disciple Megingant then Bishop of Wizteburg with whom he staied only three dayes For returning homeward his infirmity encreasing he retired to a Monastery in the way dedicated to S Benedict Being there he sent to his Brother S. Willebald who was a Bishop and to other his freinds desiring them to visit and assist him in his last sicknes Who being come exhibited to him all requisit Offices of Christian Charity At last the Holy man perceiving his last hour to approach after many pious exhortations made to all that were present quietly yeilded up his soule to God 4. S. Ludger who wrote the life of S. Gregory the third Bishop of Vtrecht his Master affirms that S. Winnebald was very dear to him who by many Miracles after his death shewd how great the sanctity of his life had been His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of September but in the Gallican on the first of May Where mention is made of his Relicks translated to Furnes a town in Flanders 5. The other Disciple of S. Boniface was S. Sola an English-Saxon likewise who emulating the piety of his Master taught the Counsells of Christian Perfection to such as S. Boniface had converted to the Faith He accompanied S. Winnebald and S. Willebald in their pilgrimages to Rome And was afterward the first Abbot of a Monastery founded by himself in a place from him called Solenhoffen His Life is extant written above eight hundred years since by Ermenold a Deacon and Disciple of Rabanus Arch-bishop of Mentz Wherin wee read how he became a Father of a great congregation of devout Monks and after many blind lame dumb and deaf miraculously healed by him in the name of Iesus he at last full of all vertues in a good old age gave up his Spirit to God About a hundred years after his death Altimus Bishop of Eysâ—at obstained of Pope Gregory the fourth that his name shâ—uld be written among the Saints Molanus affirms that his Feast is celebrated on the third of December IX CHAP. 1. 2. c. A Rebellion among the Northumbers c. 4.5 Bregvin Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Iambert succeeds 6.7 c. Severall Episcopall Sees vacant supplied 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred hundred sixty one which was the third of the Raign of Ethelwald Mol King of the Northumbers a certain Nobleman of that kingdom named Oswin raised a rebellion against the said King and Armies on both sides being brought into the feild a terrible battell was fought at a place called Edwinscliff in which Oswin was slain 2. The year following the same King in the Citty of Cataract took to wife his Queen called Edilthrida As touching the Citty where this Mariage was celebrated Camden writes that at this day nothing remains of it great but its name being a very small village called Ca-Catarick and Catarick bridge The antiquity whereof is demonstrated by the large Roman way and old broken monuments there digged up 3. No more is found touching the forenamed Queen Edilthrida unlesse this be the same to whom an Epistle of Alcuin is found directed with this inscription To the devout servant of God formerly a Queen now a most beloved Religious Sister Aedilthrydis the humble Levite Alchuin wisheth health Which Epistle is full of pious exhortations and instructions suitable to the state professed by her and likewise of thankfullnes for her munificent liberality to him then living in France 4. The same year Bregwin Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had governed that Province only three years dyed Concerning whom this Elegy is found in Capgrave Bregwin was appointed by God as a Mirrour so brightly shining with all vertues that in his life every one might find what he ought to imitate At length in the third year of his Bishoprick being full of good works and examples of vertues he departed this life to eternall happines on the seaventh day before the Calends of September and was buried in the Church of S. Iohn adioyning to the Cathedrall Church But in our Martyrologe his Deposition is commemorated on the ninth day before the said Calends In B. Godwins Catalogue of Bishops wee read that the Monks of S. Augustin with armed men entred the Archiepiscopall Palace endeavouring by force to take away the dead Body of Bregwin and that their Abbot Lambrith or Iambert went to Rome to make complaint of the wrong done to that Monastery 5. But besides that none other of our Historians mention this the relation is probably disproved because the same Iambert was by the Citty Monks elected to succeed in the Archiepiscopall See who two years after either went to Rome or from Rome received the Archiepiscopall Pall. 6. The year following the Episcopall See of Candida Casa or Witern being vacant by the death of Frithwald Pectwin was immediatly ordained his successour As yet that Bishoprick pertained to the Iurisdiction of the English and was subordinat to the Metropolitan See of York and so it remaind saith William of Malmsbury all the time of Pectwin Ethelbrith and Beadulf the succeeding Bishops after whom no more can be found because the said Bishoprick quickly failed being seated in the utmost Northern coast of the English Territory and exposed to the violence of the Scotts and Picts 7. Assoon as Iambert Arch-bishop of Canterbury had received his Archiepiscopall Pall he consecrated four Bishops the same year One in Kent and three in the kingdom of the Mercians In Kent the See of Rochester being vacant by the death of Dunn there was substituted in his place Eardulâ— From whom together with a Kentish Prince of the same name there is among the Epistles of S. Boniface found one directed to tâ—e Holy Arch-bishop of Mentz Lullus to renew a charitable correspondence which had past between him and the others his Predecessours Withall as a testimony of such Charity he desired him in his holy Prayers and Sacrifices to be mindfull of three Religious Virgins lately dead in Kent their names were Irmigy Northry and Dulicha 8. There interven'd a great communication of affections and Christian Offices between Saint Lullus and our English Bishops yea Kings also For wee find an Epistle likewise sent to him from Kenulf King of the West-Saxons by a Messenger formerly directed
from Saint Lullus upon some affairs 9. In the Kingdom of the Mercians Sees now vacant were Lichfeild by the death of Hemel Lindissa by the death of Eadulf and Leicester by the death of Totta To the first was substituted Cuthfrid to the second Ceolulf and to the third Edbert But wheras Mathew of Westminster affirms that he cannot find the names of the Citties where the said Bishops sate It cannot be denyed but that anciently those Episcopall Sees were moveable yet in this age by the munificence of Kings they seem to have been fixed As that of Lichfeild where many Bishops had already successively remained Likewise the See of Leicester was established But as for Lindissa the See was ordinarily at Dorchester a Town saith William of Malmsbury in the Country of Oxford small and unfrequented But the Majesty of the Churches either of old or lately built was great In that See after Hedhead there sate Ethelwin Edgar Kinebert Alwi Ealdulf and Celnulf Yet true it is that these Bishops sometimes sate at Sidnacester a place the memory of which has faild X. CHAP. 1.2 The unhappy death of Ethelwald Mol King of the Northumbers 3.4 c. Also of Egbert Arch bishop of York at which Alcuin was present 10. A strange Charter of King Kenulf to the Church of Welles 11. Severall Episcopall Sees vacant and supplied 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred sixty five Ethelwald sirnamed Mul King of the Northumbers dyed after he had raigned six years though William of Malmsbury assigns to him eleaven years Hoveden relates certain terrible apparitions in the aire which hapned in the beginning of this year presaging the unhappy death of this King who on the twenty seaventh of October was slain by the treachery of Alred at a place called Wircanheate 2. The condition of these Kings in this age was very sad few of them dyed naturall deaths This Ethelwald gott the Kingdom by the murder of Osulf and by the like means lost it And the same fate will attend his successour Alred 3. The year following gave an end to the worthy actions of Egbert Arch-bishop of York after he had nobly administred that See the space of one and thirty years A person he was descended of Royall progeny and imbued with divine knowledge Of whose vertues and memorable actions we have treated already Our Historians doe vary in the account of the years in which he continued Bishop the ground of which uncertainty is because it does not appear whether the time be to be reckoned from the resignation or death of his Predecessour Wilfrid the younger 4. There was present and assistant at his death his famous Disciple Alcuin whom a little before he had made Deacon and who having hitherto all his life composed all his actions by his rule and order was desirous to receive his commands and instructions at his death also for the future disposing of his actions Thus wee read in the Life of the said Alcuin prefixed before his Works and taken out of an ancient Manuscript belonging to the Church of Rhemes whence we will here extract the following passage S. Albinus or Alcuinus proceeding from one vertue to another was consecrated Deacon on the day of the Purification of our Blessed Lady for before on the same Feast he had received the Clericall Tonsure And perceiving that his Blessed Father Egberts infirmity encreasing shewed that his death was at hand having hitherto done all things by his counsell he was earnest to enquire of him what his pleasure was he should doe and how he should dispose of him self after that death should separate them 6. Hereto the Holy Bishop returned this Answer suggested to him as the event showd by a supernaturall direction of God I would have you said he first goe to Rome and in your return to visit France For I know that there you will produce much good Our Lord shall be the Guide of your journey and will bring you back in safety Be diligent in impugning the late abominable Heresy which endeavours to assert that Christ is only an adoptive Son of God and be a constant defender of the Mystery of the Holy Trinity this Doctrine cease not clearly and solidely to preach After he had spoken thus he gave him his fatherly Benediction commending him to our Lords safe protection and presently after he with chearfullnes departed to our Lord on the sixth day before the Ides of November 7. He was buried in the Porch of the Church of York and near to him was also layd the Body of his Brother King Egbert or Eadbert who exchanged his Royall Purple for a poore Monasticall habit and dyed two years after him 8. The Arch-bishop left behind him severall Monuments of his learning to enrich the Noble Library which he made at York Among which are reckoned A Book of Penitentiall Canons likewise Collections out of the Canon Law of the Church and others mention'd by Sir H. Spelman To those we may add A Dialogue of Ecclesiasticall Institution lately printed with an Epistle of S. Beda to him and other Treatises by the care of Sir Iames Ware 9. His successour in the Archiepiscopall See of York was Aldebert otherwise called Coena To whom by this latter name remains an Epistle from Saint Lullus Bishop of Mentz with his Answer to it The subiect whereof is only the renewing of Ancient Freindship sending of presents and entreating of Prayers for dead freinds 10. There is extant a Charter of Kenulf King of the West-Saxons by which he this year gave to the Church of Wells and Colledge formerly built there by King Ina certain Lands there adiacent the bounds whereof he setts down These possessions he gave for the love of God for the expiation of his siâ—s and for sâ—me vexation to his enemies of the Cornish Nation These are the words of the Charter What he meant by this last Motive I leave to the Reader to iudge 11. This year dyed Frithebert Bishop of Hagustaldt whose Successour was Alâ—mund a Prelat of great piety and prudence And shortly after Cuthwin Bishop of Dumwhich dying his place was supplied by Aldbert Like as upon the death of Ethelfrid Bishop of Helmham there was substituted Lansert I know not by what fate these two Episcopall Sees of the East-Angles for the most part loose and get new Bishops at the same time at least so we are informed by the Ecclesiasticall Chronicles of that Church And the following year Edbrith who is reckoned the ninth among the London Bishops after he had governed that Church eight years dying left it vacant to his Successour Eadgar XI CHAP. 1. 2. c. The beginning of the Raign of the Charlemagne c 4 Of two learned English Virgins 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred sixty nine is notable through the whole Church for the beginning of the Raign of that most famous King and afterward Emperour Charles
Offa by this victory became famous and terrible William of Malmsbury adds that Alric King of Kent by this unhappy battell against the Mercians did cast a great clowd upon the glory of his times 8. It is probable that by such great successe enlargement of power which this victory gave to Offa the other Saxon Kings might be so terrified as to seek assistance from abroad especially from Charles the illustrious King of the French But sureâ—y there is small truth in the relation made by Mathew Paris how not only Alric King of Kent was slain in this battell but that thereupon five Kings of Brittany should in a pompous manner writte a common letter to the said Charles in which calling themselves the most powerfull Kings of Brittany they demanded his aid and strict society giving him the Title of Imperiall Maiesty and that he in his Letter to King Offa should stile himself the most potent of all Kings These seem to be groundles fictions borrowd by that Authour from some such fabulous Writers as began to abound in this age However certain it is that King Charles had not the Title of Emperour given him till many years after this time 9. And as groundlesse is another Story of the same Authour how after the conquest of Kent the same King Offa subdued all the other Saxon Kings and particularly Alred King of the Northumbers whom he compelled to fly into Wales And that thereupon some hostility began between Offa the French King Charles who is sayd to have written to Offa a threatning Letter containing imperious demands and that King Offa should answer What have I doe with Charles the beyond-Sea King Iâ— he offer any iniury to mee I will in hostile manner invade him and endeavour to make him tributary to my Crown These are triviall inventions which the said Hâ—storian borrowd from some obscure Writer who straind his witt to sound forth in an immodest indiscreet manner the praises of King Offa. 10. As for that clause which regards Alred King of the Northumbers it is true that this year in Easter-week his subiects compelled him to fly out of York and afterward out of his Kingdom as Huntingdon relates And Hoveden more expressly declares that King Alred by the unanimous consent of the Northumbers was deprived of all power and priviledge of a King and that he changed the Majesty of a Prince into the miserable condition of a banished person First he fled into the Citty Bebban attended with a very small train and afterward he had recourse to Cynotha King of the Picts This misfortune therefore was not brought upon King Alred by Offa as the foregoing fabulous narration pretends Neither did he fly into Wales but into the Province of the Picts 11. Alred being thus compelled to forsake his kingdom there was chosen in his place Ethelred son to the late King Edilwald Mul. But neither did Ethelred sitt quiet any long time in his throne but by another faction of his Subjects was expelled and the same misfortune hapned to severall succeeding Princes there by a fatall giddines then possessing the minds of that Northern Nation 12. This same year Kenulf King of the West-Saxons extended his liberality to the Church of Shirborn upon which as Camden from his Charter declares he bestowed a possession of one Mansion seated on the Westside of the River Lym not far from the place where it enters the Sea This land he gave to the end that salt might there he made for the necessity and manifold use of the said Church XIII CHAP. 1. The Monastery of Bathe founded by King Offa 2. Succession of English Bishops 3 4 c. The happy death of S. Walburga Virgin and Abbesse 1. THE following year Offa King of the Mercians founded a Monastery at Bathe This Monastery being afterward burnt and utterly ruined by the Danes was restored by King Edgar being delighted with the magnificent situation af the place and because there he first received the Crown of his Kingdom 2. The same year Eadulf Bishop of Rochester dyed and was succeeded by Diora to whom a certain Noble man in Kent named Egbert gave so much land as ten ploughs could labour besides certain woods To Milred likewise Bishop of Worcester was substituted Weremund And to Efna Bishop of Hereford Ceolmund 3. In the year of Grace seaven hundred seaventy six the Blessed Virgin Walburga made a happy change of a mortall life for an immortall We have a ready shewed that she was daughter to Richard by right a King and Sister to S Wintbald and S. Willibald and that together with them she went into Germany to S. Boniface She was constituted Abbesse of a Monastery at Heydenham the same town where her Brother S. Winnebald governed a Monastery of Religious men There she lived with wonderfull Perfection both by her words and example teaching her spirituall children to live the life of Angells 4. Her Life was written by Wolfhard a devout Preist who lived in the next Century and who recounts many wonderfull Miracles wrought by her intercession to whom I refer the devout Reader But one ought not to be omitted since it is related by an Authour that writes what hapned to himself This is Philip Bishop of Eystadt who also wrote her Life He relates how her Sacred Body was first buried in her own Monasteay of Heydenham and afteâ—ward translated at least a great part of it to Eystadt and reposed in a Monastery consecrated to her Name There saith he to this day which was five hundred years and more after her death there flows from her chast Relicks a precious Oyle of soveraign and universall vertue to cure all manner of diseases The wonderfull vertue whereof I my self had experience of For being cast down by a vehement disease of proof against all Art of Physick or naturall remedies I commanded some of that Sacred Oyle to be brought to me which with earnest Prayers to God and begging her intercession I drunk Which was no sooner done but to the admiration of all I presently recover'd my perfect health 5. Her Sanctity was so famed that many Churches ambitiously sought and obtaind some portion of her Relicks Thus in the Gallican Martyrologe on the fourth of August we find a commemoration of the receiving the Relicks of S. Walburga Virgin Abbesse which with great honour were brought out of Germany to Furnes in Flanders by Baldwin sirnamed Ferreus Count of the same countrey And in the same place saith Haraeus there was built a Monastery of the Order of S. Benedict to her honour wherein since hath been placed a Colledge of Canons 6. Again in the Gallican Martyrologe on the second of May there is at Anâ—werp said to be an anniversary celebration of the memory of this Holy Virgin from whose tomb doth flow an oyely liquour which restores health to very many who desire her assistance and intercession
A particular reason why her veneration is great in that Citty is given by Miraeus Because saith he it is a constant Tradition of that Church that this same holy Virgin in her way from England into Germany made some abode in Antwerp And to this day there is seen in the most ancient Church of that Citty a certain Grott in which she was wont to pray for which reason the same Church formerly called the Castle Church was afterward by our Ancestours dignifyed with the Title of S Walburgis And indeed before the receiving of the Roman Office there the same Church was accustomed to celebrate the memory of S. Walburgis as their peculiar Patronesse four times every year but since that time they keep her Feast but once 7. It is very probable that this Holy Virgiâ— was entertained for some time at Antwerp by the Disciples of S. Willebrord as being of the same Countrey For it appears by the Testament of the same Holy Bishop that he possessed to his death the Church built in the Castle of Antwerp near the River Scald together with a third part of the custom or tribute belonging to it as we have before declared 8. The same Authour adds that in the forementioned vault of that Church there is preserved a part of S. Walburga's â—awbone which saith he in the year of Christ sixteen hundred and fifteen was visited and reverently kissed by the pious Archdukes Albert and Isabella XIV CHAP. 1.2 Succession of Bishops 3. The Northumbers rebellious 4.5 King Offa's victory over the West-Saxons 1. PEctwin the Bishop of Witern or Candida casa dying in the year of Christ seaven hundred seaventy seaven after he had administred the same See seaven years there was substituted in his place Ethelbert who twelve years after was translated to the See of Hagustald 2. The year following in the place of Ethelmod Bishop of Shirborn Denefrit was ordained in the same See Of these two Bishops saith B. Godwin besides their names I can find nothing in our Ecclesiasticall monuments 3. The Northumbers still persist in their seditious tumults For Ethelred whom they had five years before this placed in the throne out of which they had eiected Alred they now also drive into exile or as some write detain iâ— prison and in his place substitute Alfwold The principall movers of this sedition were two great Northuusbrian Dukes concerning whom Mathew or Westminster thus writes Ethelwald and Herebert saith he who were Dukes in the kingdom of the Northumbers rebelled against their King and at a place called Kings-clive they slew Ealdulf who was Generall of King Ethelreds army and a while after the same Dukes in a great battell slew two other Generalls of the same King Kenulf and Eggen As for King Ethelred he was forced to fly out of the Kingdom in whose place they constituted Alfwold King a Prince of great piety and iustice who raigned ten years After which time Ethelred was again restored 4. In the Western parts likewise there arose great commotions For anciently the West-Saxon kingdoÌ„ had extended as far as Oxfordshire Where among other strong places a Castle had been built at a place anciently called Bensigetun now Benson But Offa king of the Mercians unwilling any longer to suffer his neighbour Prince to enioy such an advantage to incommodate his countrey raised an Army and besieged the said Castle To raise this siege Kenulf King of the West-Saxons approached with other forces So that they came to a battell In which Kenulf was defeated and compelled to fly By which means King Offa took and possessed the Castle This was the only misfortune which hitherto had befalln Kenulf who was a Prince renowned both for his vertues and warlick exploits But after this continuall calamities oppressed him till his death which was also very unhappy 5. Kenulf after this defeat endeavoured by the assistance of the Brittainâ— to repair his losses But Offa to prevent the entercourse between the West-Saxons and Brittains caused a mighty trench for the space of ninety miles between the Rivers Dee Deva and Wey Vaga to be made which though it was the occasion of many contentions yet in them all Offa had the advantage XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. Miraculous Iudgments of God against the Pagan blasphemers of Saint Swibert and Sacrilegious destroyers of his Church and Monastery at Werda 9.10 c The Writer of that Narration is Saint Ludger whose Holines together with the Doctrine of the Veneration of Saints is asserted 1. WHilst these troubles afflicted Brittany Almighty God in Germany fought for the defence of the Faith planted there by the English-Saxons miraculously punishing the Sacriledge committed by the Saxons and Westphalian Pagans against the Monastery or Werda built by his servant S. Swibert as we find written in an Epistle of S. Ludger Bishop of Munster written to Rixfrid Bishop of Vtrecht 2. Whilst the glorious King of the French Charles sirnamed the Great was fighting in the Southern parts of France against the Saracens then raigning in Spain the feirce and perfidious Saxons and Westphalians iudging this to be a fitt time to revenge themselves of the losses which they had formerly suffred from the Christians raised a mighty army with which they wasted all the countreys as far as the Rhene expressing their raâ—e principally against the Churches of God and sparing neither sexe nor age With this fury they came to Werda where was the Church of S. Swibert There they utterly destroyed and burnt to the ground both the Town and Church all the inhabitants and Preists they killed which had not escaped by flight and all the Sacred Books and ornaments they burnt Only the Sacred Body of S. Swibert was preserved from their fury though with all possible diligence they made search for it Yea many of those Saxons who were Christians had a desire to expresse their hatred against this Holy Bishop because many years before this by his intercession the French had gaind a memorable victory against them 3. In this detestable Army there was not any one so execrable in his malice and cruelty as a certain Officer called Ogell Osterbach of Paderborn This man was the principall instrument of the Devill in all mischeifs committed in which he took excessive pleasure And particularly he it was who with great labour and diligence heaped wood for burning the said Church which with much adoe at last by Gods permission he performed 4. After he had among many other abominable actions executed this being at dinner with his companions in a meadow adioyning to the same place he with great ioy and triumph recited to them what he had done particularly insulting upon S. Swibert the Protectour of the French and blaspheming God But behold in the middst of his laughter and ioy the heavy wrath of God came upon him so that he fell backward before them all upon the plain ground and broke his neck by this horrible
professed Hereticks such as Vigilantius and Iovinian ever opposed the Doctrines confirmed by such Stories XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. Severall Successions of English Bishops 4.5 c. The Gests and Death of S. Sturmis first Abbot of Fulda 1. THE year following severall Episcopall Sees were vacant in Brittany In the kingdom of the East-Angles Eglaf Bishop of Dumwiâ—h and Athelwolf of Helmham as it were by an ancient Law dying at the same time to the former was substituted Eadred and to the other Hunfert Again the See of Hagulstadt being vacant by the death of a Prelat of eminent vertue Alcmund Tilbert or Tilher or as some call him Gilbert was ordained in his place And Kenulf Bishop of Lindesfarn dying his Successour was Higbald Lastly in our ancient Catalogue of the Succession of Bishops we find that another Tilher was consecrated Bishop of Worcester in the place of Weremund who dyed this year 2. Not long after Albert or Aldebert sirnamed Coena Arch-bishop of York as Hoveden writes departed this life to our Lord but a little before he dyed Eanbald was ordained in his room Some affirm that this Eanbald was a Disciple of S. Alcuin But they are mistaken for it was not this but an other of the same name who sixteen years after this was his immediate Successour in the said Arch-bishoprick that was Alcuins Disciple 3. Moreover Kineard Bishop of Winchester at this time ended his life to whom succeeded Aethelard Abbot of Meldun or Malmsbury who was afterward assumed to the See of Canterbury And in the place of Bertun Bishop of Lichfeild was substituted Higebert 4. Wee shall not much transgresse the bounds of this History if wee commemorate the death of Sturmis the first Abbot of Fulda who by the Centuriators of Magdeburg is affirmed to have been an English-Saxon but more truly a German of the Province of Noricum as wee read in his Life written by Aegila the fourth Abbot of the same Monastery of Fulda He was in his childhood offred to S. Boniface who recommended him to the care of his devout Preist Wigbert Abbot of the Monastery of Fritzlar by whose inspection he was in his tender years brought up in piety and learning in so much as that being yet but a child he committed to his memory the whole Psalter and a great part of the Gospells and other Lessons of Holy Scripture 5. In due time he was ordained Preist and with great zeale preached the Gospell among the Pagans Almighty God confirming his Doctrine by frequent Miracles as casting out of Devills restoring many to health by imposition of his hands with prayer Many seduced Christians he recovered to the Orthodox Faith and many discords and dissentions he composed teaching all his hearers to practise meeknes humility longanimity and Charity 6. After three years thus piously employed he was by inspâ—ration moved to undertake a life of solitude austerity and contemplation Which having discovered to Saint Boniface he was by him appointed to find out in the Province called Bâ—chonia a convenient retired place for a Monastery to which quiet state S. Boniface himself had an intention in his old age to betake himself though he could never effect his desire After a long search at last his Disciple Sturmis found out the most proper and in all respects most convenient Seat of Fulda where as hath been declared S. Boniface by the munifiâ—ence of the Noble Princes Caroloman and Pipin built that famous Monastery 7. When it was built he committed the care and government of it to S. Sturmu to whom he gave instructions how he should direct such as were committed to his care adding likewise Precepts concerning obedience and Humility to be practised by the Monks conformable to the Rule of S. Benedict which he established among them Among other Instructions he told them that he could not find in any Writings of the ancient Institutours of Caenobiticall Profess on that Wine or Strong drink were becoming the Disciplin of a Monastery he therefore forbad the same to them But some years after in the raign of King Pipin this custom by the Decree of a Synod was altered in coÌ„sideration of the weaknes infirmities of many among them though some persisted in the ancient austerity to their deaths 8. But for a more perfect Instruction in Monasticall Disciplin S. Sturmis four years after he had been constituted Abbot with the consent of S. Boniface went to Rome where for a years space he perfectly informed himself in the Regular practises and Traditions of the Monasteries there and severall other parts of Italy And having made a collection of the best and most perfect returned homewards and first informing Saint Boniface of of all by his advice he established the practises of them in his Monastery of Fulda Hence it came to passe that many seeing the innocence and piety of those Religious men were induced to heap possessions on the said Monastery 9. After S. Boniface's Martyrdom the Holy Abbot Sturmis to whom S. Boniface had given order that his body should be buried at Fulda went into Friseland attended with a great multitude to fetch the Sacred Body which after earnest contention with S. Lullus Arch-bishop of Mentz at last he obtained and with a most solemn Procession brought to his Monastery By occasion of which the devotion of many to that holy place encreasing the Monastery became much enlarged and enriched 10. Not long after the Devill enviously looking on the prosperity of the said Monastery suggested to the minds of three malevolent Monks to accuse their Holy Abbot to King Pipin obiecting to him that he was an enemy to the King The Holy man did not expresse much earnestnes to refute this accusation saying only I have a witnes in heaven of the falsenes of this imputed crime Whereupon by the Kings command he was banished from thence with a few other Monks and retired to a Monastery called Vanediâ—h where he remained two years with all kindnes entertained by the Abbot As for the Monastery of Fulda the care or it was committed to Lullus who had conceived a bitter passion against the Holy Abbot Sturmis upon occasion of the contention about S. Boniface his body Lullus thereupon appointed over them a certain Monk called Marc whose government the Monks could by no means support insomuch as when they were ready unanimously to forsake the Monastery Lullus quietted them by permitting the choice of an Abbot to themselves This pleasing them they elected one of their brethâ—en a true servant of God named Freszold one who from his infancy had been brought up by S. Sturmis and was tenderly loved by him who accepted of the Orrice of Abbot onely out of a desire and intention to ioyn with his brethren in endeavouring to restore their good Spirituall Father Sturmis For which purpose they demanded the Prayers of all the neighbouring Monasteries 11. By vertue of which Prayers God moved the heart of King Pipin to call to mind
the infant vowing him to Gods service Which they had no sooner done but his health was immediatly restor'd to him 3. Two years after therefore they being mindfull of their Vow delivered him to a venerable person named Theodoret who according to their order presented him to a devout Abbot named Egbald who governed a Monastery called Waltheim He with the advice and consent of his brethren received him as a Member of their Religious Congregation where he was bred up in all modesty piety and humility and withall according to his capacity was instructed in all Sacred learning 4. When he was arrived at a mature age he by earnest prayers obtaind permission to accompany his Father and Brother in a pilgrimage of devotion which they undertook to Rome In their return their Father S. Richard dyed at the Citty of Lucca where also he was buried with great honour as hath been else where declared After whose death an earnest desire took him to prolong his pilgrimage as far as the Holy land there to visit and perform his devotions in all the places where the principall Mysteries of our Salvation were wrought And accordingly being accompanied by two devout persons only he returned back and taking ship at Câ—â—eta they sailed to Cyprus and from thence into Syria where arriving at a Citty called Emesa he with his coÌ„panions who were now seaven was taken prisoner and in danger to loose his life upon a suspicion that they were Spies Being thus made captives God disposed the heart of a certain old man who was a Saraâ—en to pitty them insomuch as he oft visited them and â—ent them dayly sufficient nourishment in their prison Not long after a Spanish merchant who had a Brother a servant of the Prince of that Ciâ—cy in great favour with him by his intercession obtaind the freedom of these Captives 5. From thence therefore they went into the Holy Land which they passed quite through scarce omitting any place that was memorable or recorded in Holy Scripture A particular account of all their proceedings with â—he names of each place in order may be read in the History of the said Religious Virgin who professes that she received the relation from S. Willibalds own mouth 6. When they were come to Gaza S. Willibald being present at Masse solemnly sung to the honour of S. Mathias the Apostle lost his sight and for the space of two months continued blind whereupon he returned to Ierusalem entring into the Church where the Holy Crosse was found his sight was again restored to him After this passing through severall citties and places of devotion they took ship again return'd into Italy arriving at Naples From whence S. Willebald with one companion travelled to the famous Monastery of S. Benedict calld Mount Cassin where they found very few Monks under the government of their Abbot called Petronax a man of great mildnes prudence There S. Willibald made his abode the space of ten years during which he was some times appointed Sacristan of the Church afterwards a Dean and lastly the Porter 7. In this place having perfectly instructed himself in all duties belonging to Regular Observance at last with permission of his Abbot he returned to Rome where he was with great kindnes received by Pope Gregory the third who took great delight in hearing him recount the marvellons variety of accidents which befell him in his long voyages And awhile after the said Pope told him that his kinsman S. Boniface had earnestly requested him to command him to quitt the Monastery of Mount Cassin and to send him into Germany to assist him there in preaching the Gospâ—ll To which command S. Willibald humbly submitted and accordingly leaving behind him his companion in the Monastery be began his voyage into Germany and at last arrived at a place called Linthruth where he found S. Boniface who not long after sent him to a place calld Eystat Which place had been given to S. Boniface by a devout person called Suitgar who accompanied S. Willebald thiâ—her The Region thereabout was in a manner wast scarce any house to be seen but a small Church dedicated to our Lady Now after these two devout persons hâ—d chosen a place convenient to be the Seat of a Monastery they went to S. Boniface to give him notice thereof who returned thither with them and there ordaind S. Willibald a Preist A year after this S. Boniface called him into Thuringia whither being come he went to Heidenheim where his Brother was Abbot of a Monastery by whom he was with very great ioy received after so many years of separation To the same place shortly after S. Boniface came with two other Bishops S. Burchard and S. Wizo By whom S. Willibald was consecrated also Bishop and sent back to Eystat which Saint Boniface bestow'd on him to be an Episcopall See giving it the preeminence next to the Metropolis of Mentz 8. There he built a Monastery instituting the Monks in the ObservaÌ„ces which he had learnt at Mount Cassin And there leading an Angelicall Life among men dividing his employment between a quiet repose of Contemplation in the Monastery and charitable solicitudes in governing his Diocese he at last full of merits and Graces this year rendred happily his soule into his mercifull Creatours hands and was honourably buried in his own Church where his Memory is in great veneration and his Sanctity testified by many Miracles which are registred by Philip his Successour in the same Bishoprick Two hundred and eight years after his death he was solemnly Canonized by Pope Leo the Seaventh And both in the Roman and English Martyrologe his Memory is celebrated on the seaventh of Iuly XVIII CHAP. 1. The death of S Werburga 2. Succession of English Bishops 3. 4 c. A great miracle of a Soldier recovered by the Intercession of S. Bruno 1. ABOVT the same time is recorded the death of S. Werburga she had formerly been wife to Ceolred King of the Mercians after whose death which hapned in the year of Christ seaven hundred and sixteen she complying with a divine inspiration entred a Monastery where like the good Widdow Saint Anna the Prophetesse shâ— never departed from our Lords Temple serving God night and day in abstinence and prayer the space of sixty five years partly as a simple Religious woman under Obedience and partly as Abbesse of the same Monastery with as much humility governing others as she had formerly obeyd 2. Then the See of Worcester being vacant by the death of Tilher it was supplied by the substitution of Adored in his place Ceâ—lmund likewise Bishop of Hereford dying there was ordained in the same his Successour named Vtell in the year of Grace seaven hundred eighty three 3. Little else occurring the same year in Brittany S. Ludger will inform us how wonderfully Almighty God glorified his servant Swibert in Germany so recommending the Faith which he had taught That year saith
into the Church where having received the Body of our Lord he gave up his spirit to him looking towards the Altar His Memory is celebrated on the twenty fifth of August 5. As touching his Successour Albericus he was by birth an Englishman and is named in the Gallican Martyrologe with this elogy On the one and twentieth of August is celebrated at Vtrecht the deposiâ—ion of S Albertâ— Biâ—hop of the same Citty anâ— Confessour He was born in Brittany in the Diocese of York from whence he came into Germany to preach the Gospell and for his excellent endoâ—ments in piety and eminent learning he was made Canon of the Church of Vtrecht Afterward when S. Gregory through weaknes and old age was disabled to administer the same See S. Alberic was appointed a diâ—â—enser of the whole Diocese to govern both the Clergy and people and S. Gregory himself by inspiration of the Holy Ghost foretold that he should â—ucceeâ—â—im in the Bishoprick Therefore after the Holy Bishop was freed from the chains of his flesh S. Aâ—â—eric was according to the desires of all exalted to his Epiâ—â—copall throne After which not contentinâ— himself with the solicitudes of his particular Diocese and Province he extended his care to the adiacent regions and sent S. Ludger who was afterward Bishop of Munster into the countrey of the Frisons there to spread the Gospell aâ—d root out Idolatrous superstitions At lâ—nâ—th after he had governed the Church of Vtrecht many years with admirable Sanctity this blessed servant of God who was wholly celestiall forsook the earth to which his heart never had been fixed and departed to his heavenly countrey He was honourablâ— buâ—ied near to his holy Predecessour accompany 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 in his Tomb and reward whom he has always fâ—llowed in order and merit XX. CHAP. 1.2 Succession of Bishops in England 3.4 c. The unhappy death of Kenulphus King of the West Saxons 6. Brithric succeeds him 7. Of Rictritha a Holy Queen and Abbesse 1. AT the same time in Brittany the Episcopall See of London being vacant by the voluntary resignation of Kenwalch as it is sayd it was supplied by Eanbald or Eadberch And after the death of Edbert Bishop of Leicester Vnwona was ordaind in his place 2. The year next following the two Bishops of the East-Angles dye again together and to Eadred Bishop of Dumwich succeeded Alphun to Hunfert Bishop of Helmham Bibba And within two years both these agree to dye together and to leave their Sees to new Bishops 3. This was the last year of the Raign of Kenulf King of the West-Saxons a Prince who had given many examples of vertue and piety but yet ended his life unhappily The length of his raign and circumstances of his death are thus declared by William of Malmsbury Kenulf says he was a Prince illustrious both for his vertues and warlick exploits In one only battell which in the four and twentieth year of his raign he fought against Offa King of the Mercians he was overcome And after that he was afflicted with many calamities and in conclusion came to a dishonourable and unhappy end For after he had governed the kingdom of the West-Saxons the space of one and thirty years neither cowardly nor immodestly at last whether it was out of a proud confidence that none durst resist him or out of a provident care of the security of his Successour he commanded Kineard the Brother of the Tyrant Sigebert whom he saw to encrease dayly in power and wealth to depart his kingdom Kineard iudging it best to yeild to the tempest went away with a shew of willingnes But presently after by private meetings and unsinuations he assembled a body of men given to all manner of villany with which he watched an opportunity against the King And having been informed that he was for his recreation and lustfull pleasure retired with a small retinue into a certain countrey dwelling he came suddenly upon him with some light armed soldiers and encompassed the house where the King was securely attending to his unlawfull luxury Who perceiving the danger he was in advised with his servants what he should doe At first he barricadoed the dores hoping either by fair speches to winn or by threatnings to terrify the soldiers without But finding neither way to succeed in a furious rage he suddenly leaps forth upon Kineard and wanted very little of killing him But being compassed by the multitude and thinking it inglorious to fly after he had well avenged himself by the death of many of the Traytours he was slain And those few servants with attended him scorning to yeild and earnest to avenge their Lord were killd likewise 4. Presently the fame of so execrable a Tragedy was spread abroad and came to the knowledge of certain Noble men not far distant with the Kings Guards Among whom Osric who was most eminent both for age and prudence encouraged the rest not to suffer the death of their Prince to passe unrevenged to their perpetuall infamy Whereupon they all drew their swords and rushed upon the trayterous murderers Kineard at first endeavoured to iustify his cause to promise great matters and to challenge kinred But when all this proffited nothing then he inflam'd the minds of his companions and fellow soldiers to resist boldly A good while the combat was doubtfull one side fighting for their lives and the other for glory At last victory having a good space hovered uncertainly turned her self to the iuster cause So that wretched Traytour after a courageous but vain resistance left his life having enioyed the successe of his treachery a very short time The Kings body was caried to Winchester where it was buried in a Monastery in those times very magnificent but in this age almost desolate 5. Other Historians mention the name of the village where King Kenulf was thus unfortunatly slain Thus Florentius writes It hapned saith he that Kenulf at that time went to a certain village which in the English tongue is called Meretum for a certain wanton womans sake c. This village is in the Province of Surrey and is now called Merton of old saith Camden famous for the fatall end of the West-Saxons 6. There remaind in that Kingdom two Princes of the Royall family which might pretend to the succession Brithric and Egbert Brithric was preferred perhaps for his mild and modest disposition For he was a man more studious of peace then war he was skilfull in reconciling freinds when dissenting forraign Princes he civilly courted and was indulgent to his own servants yet so as not to prejudice the vigour of his government 7. As for Egbert he was to attend sixteen years before the scepter would fall to his lott Which having once gott he managed it gloriously for he it was who dissolved all the petty governments and reduced the whole kingdome into a Monarchy as it has ever since continued and moreover obliged all
there arrived three ships of Daâ—es in Brittany who came only to â—obb and spoile Which the Governour of that Province where they landed knowing he went with too much negligence and security to meet them intending to apprehend them and lead them captives to the Kings Court This he did not well informing himself who and how many they were nor for what cause they were come Therefore unadvisedly falling in among them he was slain This was the first Englishman which the Danes slew but afterward many thousands suffred the like fate And these were the first Danish ships which aborded in England 3 The same year two new Bishops were according to custom together consecrated in the Kingdom of the East-Angles Tâ—dfred to the Church of Dumwich and Alherd to that of Helmham And about the same time Wulfhard succeeded to Vtel in the See of Hereford These were the first Bishops consecrated by the late ordained Metropolitan of Lichfeild 4. We read among the Antiquities of S. Denys in France compiled by a Monk of the same Monastery a certain Charter in which the Authour of it Berthwald a Duke in the Kingdom of the South-Saxons in Brittany relates how having falln into a disease iudged by Physicians incurable he had been informed that in France at the Monastery of Saint Dionysius S. Rusticus and Saint Eleutherius of which the Venerable Florad was Abbot many miraculous cures were wrought by the intercession of the said Saints Whereupon having demanded and obtained leave of King Charles he went thither And there after he had for the space of a very few dayes lyen sick he was restored to perfect health through Gods mercy obtained by the intercession of those Blessed Saints Therefore according to a Vow which he had made to God and the said Saints some Relicks of whom he brought back into Brittany he built a Church dedicated to their honour at a Mansion house of his seated in a village called Kâ—â—reseld upon the River Saford in a territory called Cutfesta in which lyeth the Citty of Chichester For the maintaining of the Monks belonging to the said Church he by the consent of his Brother Eadbald gave the same Village with all its dependencies and moreover the benefit of the two havens near adioyning Hastings and Pevensel with the Salâ—pits c. that they might pray for his soule This Charter was accepted by a Monk called Deodatus in the name of the said Saints Dionysius c. 5. This donation made by Duke Berthwald to the Monastery of S. Denys in France was confirmed by a Charter of King Offa dated the second year following In which Charter there is likewise a ratification of another Donation to the same Monastery by two Brethren Agonowaâ—a and Sigren oâ— certain lands seated in a haven caâ—led Lundonwic To which the said King likewise adds a gift of all the rents and customs due to himself out of the same Haven and land And this at the Petition of Maginarius Abbot of S. Denys who sent a Monk of his called Nadetharius to receive in his Abbots name this Charter from the Kings hands And Subscribers thereto are King Offa Higbert Arch-bishop of Lichfeild Kinidred the Queen Vnwona a Bishop and others 6. In the next Century likewise upon occasion of a complaint made by the Abbot of S. Denys to Ethelwolf Monarch of the English of iniuries done by a certain Officer of the King called Togred to the Tenants of that Monastery in Ridrefeld in the Havens Saltpits c. the said King renewed a confirmation of the foresaid Donation and Charter The like did also King Edgar upon such a complaint above a hundred years after that XXVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Gests of S. Lullo Arch-bishop of Mentz 6. The sudden and happy death of S. Witta Bishop and Abbot 7.8 c. The Blessed death of Saint Lullo 10. S. wille hade first Bishop of Bremen 1. IN the same year dyed S. Lul or Lullo the Successour of S. Boniface in the Archbishoprik of Mentz His parents were Noble for he was kinseman to Kineard Bishop of Winchester and as some write to S. Boniface He was educated in the Monastery of Malmsbury Maldubia When he was Deacon he went over into Germany with other Apostolick Preists in the year of Christ seaven hundred twenty five at the invitation of S. Boniface by whom he was ordained Preist and employed in the great charge of preaching to the Pagans in Hassia and Thuringia Afterward he was sent to Rome to procure the erection of the Church of Mentz into a Metropolitan See as likewise Priviledges to the Monastery of Fulda which he easily obtained 2. When S. Boniface undertook his last iourney into the countrey of the Frisons where he was martyrd he obtained permission to consecrate S. Lullo his Successour in the See of Mentz as hath been declared and withall recommended him to the protection and favour of King Pipin and other Princes and least they should forget this recommendation he wrote to a certain Preist named Fulrad Chaplain to King Pipin desiring him earnestly to take him into his care in which Epistle he gave S. Lullo this Character which shewd his esteem and particular affection to him I desire you saith he and in the name of God doe earnestly beseech you that you will so order matters that my Son and Fellow-bishop Lul may be constituted in a power to compose the affairs of the People and Churches and be made a Teacher of Preists And I confidently hope through Gods grace that the Preists will find in him a Master the Monks a Regular Doctour and the people a faithfull Preacher and Pastour 3. S. Lullo worthily made good this commendation given of him by his Master for assoon as he was gone he in person visited his Province teaching exhorting and correcting all abuses But shortly hearing of the Martyrdom of his dear Father he did not so wholly â—eild to greif for his losse but that he employd his thoughts how to honour his Memory And therefore calling his Clergy together he attended by a great multitude of Ecclesiasticks and Nobles also went to the place where the Holy Bishop had been martyred and with great solemnity singing of Psalms and lighted torches he brought the Sacred Body to Mentz where he earnestly desired it might be buried in the Archiepiscopall Church founded by him But herein he was strongly opposed by S. Sturmis Abbot of Fulda who bid him call to mind that the last words almost which he had spoken to S. Lullo himself were a command that his body should repose in his Monastery of Fulda Hereto S. Lullo was compelled to yeild but yet the love incomparable respect which He bore to the memory of his dear Master kindled in his heart such a passionate displeasure against S. Sturmis for depriving him of so beloved and so sacred a pledge that he scarce ever ceased afterward to doe him any dispâ—easure and even to persecute him
writes Hoveden And Mathew of Westminster adds as a prodigy of great wonder that on mens cloathes were seen the sign of the Crosse which he conceived to have been intended by God for a warning against the coming of the Danes which shortly followed 5. In the place of Alfwold there was substituted Osred son to King Alred who a little before raigned in the Kingdom of the Northumbers But this Osred enioyd but a short time the fruit of the treason committed against Alfwold For within a years space the Northumbers according to their naturall inconstancy grew weary of him So that he was circumvented by the treachery of his Nobles and deprived of his kingdom after which he had the Monasticall Tonsure in the Citty of York and yet not finding security there he was compelled to fly out of the Kingdom 6. After the deposall of Osred the Northumbers recalled out of banishment Ethelred the son of Ethelwold who was a second time exalted to the throne Among the Epistles of Alcuin there is extant one directed to this King Ethelred after his restitution as likewise to Osbald and Osbert two of his Principall Nobles in which he with great affection admonishes them to sett before their eyes the great calamities lately befailn that Kingdom by the iniustice rapines uncleannes of former Princes which vices if they did not avoyd they must expect the like iudgments Particularly he exhorts them to apprehend the scourge which lately afflicted the Church of S. Cuthbert a place enriched with the holy Relicks of many Saints but now miserably wasted by Pagans Before which Letter was sent it seems King Ethelred was slain as appears by the destroying the Church of Lindesfarn 7. The same year in which King Alfwold was slain Tither or as Hoveden stiles him S. Gilbert Bishop of Hagustald dying Ethelbert a little before consecrated Bishop of Wite-hern or Candida casa relinquishing that See was translated to the Church of Hagustald 8. To this Ethelbert newly Bishop of Hagustald and to the Congregation of Monks there serving God in the Monastery dedicated to S. Andrew there is â—ound an Epistle also of the same Alcuin in which after congratulation for his assumption to that Bishoprick he humbly recommends himself to his and all their Prayers and exhorts them to be carefull in the pious education of young Religious that they may be worthy successours of the honour which they had obtained in other Churches and likewise that they might be intercessours for them when they were dead For saith he the prayers of the living are proffitable to the dead to obtain for some the pardon of their sins and to others an encrease of their happines In the same Epistle likewise he magnifies the beauty and sumptuousnesse of that Church and Monastery at Hagustald built long before by S. Wilfrid Which according to the testimony of William of Malmsbury was so magnificent that in no countrey on this side of the Alpes could be found a Church which might deserve to be compared with it Insomuch as those which came from Rome seeing it imagined they saw the Roman ambition in Brittany And indeed it was from Rome that S. Wilfrid called the Architects and Masons which built it II. CHAP. 1.2 c. Succession of Bishops in England Ethelard an illustrious Arch-bishop of Canterbury 5. Two young Northumbrian Princes murdred 6. Osred after his deposall and Monasticall Tonâ—ure slain 6. Ethelred maries the daughter of Offa. 1. EThelbert having relinquished the Episcopall See of Candida casa it was supplied by Eadulph or Baldulj who was ordained in a place called Hearvahalah which may be interpreted a place of Lords About the same time likewise after the death of Higbert Bishop of Lichfeild and lately called Arch-bishop there succeeded in the same See Aldulf who was the only Arch-bishop of that See which received a Pall from Rome for not long after this See was reduced to its primitive state simply Episcopall Moreover Alubert Bishop of Selesey in the kingdom of the South-Saxons dying in his place was substituted Osa by some called Bosa 2. The Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury had been a good space vacant after the death of Iambert and in the year of Christ seaven hundred ninety one was supplied by the translation of Ethelard thither from the See of Winchester to which he had eleaven years before been ordained He was a man to be compared yea prefered above the most famous Prelats of this Island if we except the first Apostolick Doctours of it For he restored unto the primitive splendour the dignity and Priviledges of his Church which had been depressed by King Offa and in what esteem he was for his Sanctity will appear by the Epistle of Pope Leo to King Kenulphus of which hereafter 3. A little after his assumption to this supreme See Alcuin wrote a letter of congratulation to him in which he exhorted him to imitate the vertues of his glorious Predecessours the Doctours and lights of Brittany by whose prayers he should certainly be assisted if he would reclame their intercession with whose Sacred Bodies and Monuments he was compassed Which Epistle seems to have been an answer to one which this worthy Prelat wrote to him to demand his counsell and instructions as one perfectly versed in all sacred and Ecclesiasticall learning touching the discharge of his New sublime Office 4. To the See of Winchester from which this illustrious Bishop Ethelard had been taken was promoted Egbald who is reckond the tenth Prelat of that Church 5. At this time was performed an impious fact by King Ethelred lately restored to the Kingdom of the Northumbers For whereas two children of the pious King Alfwold fearing the cruelty of King Ethelred had fled for security to the Church of York as to an inviolable Sanctuary they were by deceitfull promises withdrawn from thence and miserably slain by the said King in a place called Wonwaldremere The names of those two Princes were Elf and Elfwin 6 The death of Osred presently after this following did not deserve to be so much lamented because though he had been violently deposed from his throne to which King Ethelred was restored yet having been in some sort engaged in the security of a Religious life of which he had received the Tonsure it was not so glorious for him to aspire to a Crown to which Ethelred had a right preferable to his However he was about this time privatly recalled from his banishment in a place called Enfania by certain Princes of the Northumbers discontented with King Ethelred who interposed their oathes to be loyall to him But afterward his own soldiers deserting him he was taken prisoner by King Ethelred and upon his command slain in a place called Dingburch or as others call it Cunburg His body was caried to the mouth of the River Tine and buried in the famous Monastery seated there 6. King Ethelred not
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
supposed Epistle This is undoubted that about this time a great scandall was given to the Western Churches upon occasion of the Doctrine touching Veneration of Sacred Images asserted a little before this time in the Seaventh Generall Councill assembled at Nicea In which Councill three hundred and fifty Eastern Bishops restored the Sacred use and Veneration of Images which had been with horrible cruelty impugned by severall preceding Emperours In the Decrees concerning which they taught the very same Doctrine and practise which King Charles and the French Church as likewise King Offa and the English-Saxon Bishops conformably to Pope Hadrian both beleived and practised Notwithstanding which two years after this in a Councill assembled by command of King Charles at Frankfort the said Council of Nicéa was sharply and bitterly condemned 8. It may seem strange that the Eastern and Western Churches should so well agree and so sharply disagree at the same time and upon the same Point But the wondeâ— will cease when it shall evidently appear that it was upon a most malicious and false misinformation that King Charles and his Bishops entertaind a prejudice against the Eastern Church being told that they maintained a doctrine which they expressly disclamed 9. To the end this may be demonstrated we will produce from the Western Council or Frankfort what iudgment they made of the Councill of Nicéa which upon misinformation is there called the Councill of Constantinople There was brought into the Synod to be publickly debated a Question concerning a late Synod of the Greeks which was held at Constantinople touching the adoration of Images in which was found written this clause That an Anathema should be denounced against all such as would not exhibite the same service or adoration to the Images of Saints as they doe to the Divine Trinity Such an adoration and service our Holy Fathers have with contempt renounced to Images and unanimously condemned it 10. This was indeed a iust and necessary condemnation of so blasphemous a Doctrine and no doubt both Alcuin and the English Bishops would not refuse to ioyn in the like condemnation But the Doctrin so worthily condemned is so far from being approved or asserted in the Councill of the Greeks at Nicéa that in the very Decision concerning the Veneration of Images they doe expressly renounce it as will appeare by their Decree here following 11. We insisting on the Doctrin of the Holy Fathers observing likewise the Tradition of the Catholick Church Doe define that venerable and Sacred Images commodiously framed in colours marble or any other matter according to the manner and form of the Venerable and like-giving Crosse are with all diligence and care to be dedicated in Churches in Sacred Vessells and Vestments in walls and tables in private houses and publick wayes and especially the Image of our Lord God and Saviour Iesus Christ next of the Divine Virgin-Mother of the glorious Angells and Saints To the end that by an inspection of such images all that look upon them may be brought to the remembrance and desire of the principall obiects represented by them and exhibite reverence and respectfull adoration to them yet by no means any true Divine Worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which according to our Faith is only due to the Divine Nature We therefore intend such a veneration as we shew when we reverently burn incense or light candles to the Type of the venerable and life-giving Crosse to the Holy Gospells and other oblations as hath been and iâ— the custom received from our predecessours 12. Whence appears how innocent the Bishops of that Synod were of the impiety condemned by the Western Bishops at Francfort So that we may conclude that this false information was given them from the Hereticks Iconoclasts condemned by the same Councill And theâ—efore the same Sir Henry Spelman writes truly and ingenuously saying I doe confesse that I doe not find that prodigious sentence concerning deifying of Images in the Exemplar of the Nicene Synod which is published by Binius VI. CHAP. i. 2 c. The Body of Saint Alban the Proto-martyr of Brittany miraculously discovered to King Offa who causes it to be translated and builds a magnificent Church and Monastery to his honour 1. THE year following Offa King of the Mercians residing then at the Citty of Bath was in sleep admonished by a Divine Oracle to take up out of the earth the Sacred Body of Saint Alban and place it more honourably in a shrine He therefore sending for Humbert Arch-bishop of the Mercians declared unto him his vision Then the said Arch-bishop attended by Ceoâ—ulf and Vnwona his two Suffragan Bishops with an innumerable multitude of both sexes mett the King at Verulam upon a day appointed There did the said King behold a Light from heaven darting its beams over the place where the Holy Martyr had been buried by which sign seen of them all they became assured of the truth of the former vision Then were all the people commanded to purify themselves by fasting almes and prayers and the Bishops adorned with their Sacerdotall Vestments begged the assistance of the Blessed Martyr For the place since the coming of S. Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops into Brittany to root out the Pelagian Heresy about three hundred forty four years before this had been quite defaced by the Pagan Saxons English and Iutes who conquered the countrey and destroyed all sacred places and among the rest the Church which after the death of the Holy Martyr had been magnificently built to his honour by the Brittains as Beda testifieth 2. The said Bishops therefore after fasting and prayers opening the ground found the Blessed Martyrs body in a woodden Coffin together with the Sacred Relicks of the Apostles and Martyrs which Saint Germanus had placed there This Invention drew teares of ioy and devotion from the eyes of all the Clergy and people present and the Bishops with great reverence and fear took out of the ground that precious Treasure which had been a long time hid and with a solemne Procession with Hymns and Canticles they transported it to a certain Church which had anciently been built to the honour of the said Holy Martyr without the gates of the Citty Verulam where in a shrine curiously wrought of gold and silver and adorned with pretious stones they deposed it 3. In the same place to this day divine miracles are frequently wrought for in the sight of many hearing is restored to the deafe walking to the lame sight to the blind and death both of mind and body to all who with confidence in the Divine mercy through the intercession of his Saint implore it These things were acted in the five hundred and seaventh year after the suffring of the Holy Martyr the three hundred forty fourth year after the coming of the English into Brittany the first Indiction and the first day of August 4 King Offa not content with preparing
Alban but likewise to conferre spirituall Priviledges exemptions on it To which request the Pope willingly condescended for he adopted that Monastery to be a Speciall Daughter of the Roman Church exempted from all Iurisdiction Episcopall and Archiepiscopall as immediatly subiect to the See Apostolick He granted likewise that the Territory belonging to that Monastery should be the only place in his Dominions free from the generall contribution of Peter-pence Yea moreover that the Monks of S. Alban should be the Collectours of the same Contribution through the whole Province of Hertford which having collected they should reserve it to their own use for keeping hospitality To these he added this generall Grace that he enioyned King Offa for the remission of his sins at his returning home to call a Synod of his Bishops and Nobles and whatsoever possessions or Priviledges he with their advice should bestow on the said Monastery he promised that he would himself confirm such his Charter by his own authority And lastly in testimony of his great esteem of King Offa's piety he gave this generall Priviledge to all the subiects of his Kingdom That no publick Penitent should be obliged in execution of his Pennance enioyned to goe out of the kingdom that is Whereas in severall cases of enormous crimes men were obliged to seek Absolution at Rome he gave a generall Indulgence that for all sins men might be absolved at home 5. Thus did King Offa omitt no expedient wherby to expiate his crime touching the murder of the blessed Martyr King Ethelbert He returned not into his kingdom till the year following In the mean time severall occurrents hapning in Brittany require a place here As for his impious Queen Quendreda shee enioyd but a very short time the fruits of her cruelty for in the space of three months after she suffred a miserable death but well beseeming her wicked life And her Son Egfrid a vertuous and pious Prince for whose advantage especially she executed that horrible murder he was taken away by an untimely death after a few months raign by which means the Mercian Crown was translated from the family of King Offa to the posterity of King Penda And lastly her Daughter Alfreda designed to be the Spouse of the Holy Martyr she had such a horrour of her parents crime that out of a generall distast of the world she retired herself to a solitary devout life among the fenns of Croyland where she spent many years in aspiring to the embraces of a yet more glorious Bridegroom Concerning her wee shall treat further when we arrive to the year of her death IX CHAP. 1. The decay of Kentish Kings 2.3 c. The Scandalous Rebellions and Treasons of the Northumbers iustly punished by God Their miseries bewayled by Alcuin 1. THE same year which King Offa spent at Rome in his Devotions and Charities Alric King of Kent who was Tributary to King Offa ended his life after a raign of thirty four years He was the third and last of King Withreds children who succeeded him in that kingdom not any of them leaving heyrs behind them And afâ—er them saith William of Malmsbury the Noble stock of the Kentish Kings withred away and their generous blood lost all its vigour and Spirits Then any one who had impudence enough who either by fraud could make himself rich and popular or by faction terrible aspired to Tyranny there and unworthily adorned his head with the Regall Diadem Such an one was Edilbert sirnamed Pren who after Alric invaded the Kentish throne and after he had the space of two years tyrannised in that kingdom he had the foolish boldnes to provoke the Mercians by whom he was taken prisoner and forced to submitt his hands to chains and his body to captivity 2. The same decay likewise at this time befell the kingdom of the Northumbers for this being the fifth year after King Ethelred had been recalled from banishment to govern that Kingdom he was also slain by his Subiects And his death gave an end to the Kingdom of the Northumbers and after thirty three years vacancy and want of a Lawfull King it was seised upon and possessed by Egbert King of the West-Saxons Yet in the mean time there are named some few petty Kings there during the time of the Danish incursions Thus we read in the Books of the Succession of Saxon Kings The first who after the death of Ethelred usurped the place and title of King was Oswald and he after a short shew upon the stage for twenty eight dayes was compelled by the Northumbrians to flye to the King of the Picts so leaving place for Ardulf But the memory of these and some other like Kings following hath been in a sort obliterated by the tempestuous rage of the Danes wasting those parts at this time and putting all things in confusion 3. A most iust punishment that was sent by God to plague that rebellious Province the inhabitants whereof had no regard to the Maiesty of their Princes but freely defiled their hands with their blood by which they became odious both to God and man Yea the infamous scandall of their rebellions passed into forrein countreyes likewise as appears by a letter of Alcuin who at this time lived in France into which he was invited by King Charles the Great to assist by his learning the Church now combatted by New Heresies That Letter was written by him to Offa King of the Mercians the tenour whereof is as followeth 4. Your Maiesty may please to know that King Charles does oftimes speak to mee of you with much affection and sincerity and you have in him a most faithfull freind And to expresse his kindnes he has given order that presents should be sent to your Maiesty and your Bishops as likewise to King Ethelred and the Episcopall Churches in his Dominions But alas alas These presents together with letters were no sooner delivered into the Messengers hands but certain men out of Scotland which passed through your Countrey brought us a most sad Message concerning the unhappy death of that King of the Northumbers by the infidelity of his own subiects Hereupon King Charles presently in great anger drew back his presents intended thither calling them a perfidious perverse and rebellious Nation which so often murdered their own Kings esteeming them therefore worse then Pagans And if I had not interceded for them he would not only before this have hindred them from any good but likewise have done them all the micheif which lay in his power 5. Notwithstanding though Alcuin by his intercession with King Charles could avert the effects of his displeasure against the treacherous Northumbers he could not suspend the indignation and severity of Gods iudgments upon them For the same year a navall army from the Northern coasts like sharp stinging hornets invaded the kingdom of the Northumbers and the barbarous soldiers like dire half-famished Wolves ran up and down the
countrey wasting killing not only beasts as oxen and sheep but Preists Deacons and Quires of Religious men and women They came to the Church of Lindisfarn where they miserably spoyled all the countrey about they trode under foot the most sacred things they demolished Altars and caryed away all the treasures and ornaments of the Church severall of the Monks they killed some they took for slaves and most of them after shamefull usage they drove out naked and exposed to starving by cold and hunger some likewise they drownd in the Sea 6. Alcuin having been informed of the desolation of his countrey for by many proofs in his Writings it appears that he was born in the Province of the Northumbers wrote many bewayling sad letters to his freinds there to condole with theÌ„ in their miseries One he wrote to the Monks of the Monasteries of Wiremouth and Girwy in which he seriously exhorted them to sanctity of life and to tread in the steps of their Predecessour Saint Beda c. Anoâ—her to the same effect he sent to his Brethren in the Church of York in which he called himself a Son of that Church And a third to Higbald Bishop of Lindesfarn and the whole Congregation there whom he stiles the Câ—ildren of Saint Cuthbert and tells them that he iustfull feared the same misery would befall the whole Island since Saint Cuthbert and so many Saints reposing there did not defend his own Church He concluded that assoon as King Charles should return with victory over his enemies he would goe to him and take care of redeeming the Northumbrian children which the Danish Pagans had sold into France and of other their necessities recommended to him 7. Moreover in a Letter to Offa King of the Mercians he signified that he was prepared to cary himself the presents of King Charles sent to him and thence to goe into his Native Province of the Northumbers But on better consideration he thought it more convenient to abide still in France and there to serve his countrey by doing all good offices since he knew not what benefit he could bring to a place where none could remain in any security where the Holy Altars are demolished by Pagans Monasteries polluted by adulteries and the whole land stained with the blood of their Princes 8. What those presents were will appear in an Epistle which King Charles sent to King Offa as likewise in Hoveden who writes thus The magnanimous King Charles with a potent army had lately subdued the Nation of the Hunns their countrey he wasted putt to flight their King and destroyed his army From thence he brought home fifteen carts so loadned with gold silver and precious vestments of silk that four oxen could scarce draw each of them All which spoyles the same King in thankfullnes to God for his victory commanded to be distributed among the Churches and poore not only in his own kingdom but at Rome also and in Brittany c. X. CHAP. 1.2 Displeasure of Charles the Great against the English which is afterward composed 3 A Scottish Preist banished for eating flesh in Lent 4.5 Pope Adrian dyes and Leo the third succeeds 6.7.8 A Synod at Verulam wherein the Priviledges of the Monastery of S. Alban are confirmed 9 Successions of Bishops 1. KING Offa was now returned from his pilgrimage to Rome Some years before his going thither King Charles had taken some displeasure against him the occasion whereof seems to have proceeded from English Merchants which defrauded the French of their customs In somuch as a breach had like to have been made between the two Kings So forward it was that King Charles forbad trading between the two Nations neither was it safe for English men to passe through France in devotion to Rome But King Offa who by his invasions and usurpations had made almost all the Kings in Brittany his enemies much apprehended the displeasure of so powerfull a King as Charles and therefore by many Embassages and Presents endeavoured a reconciliation with him which at length with much solicitation he obtained After which followd not only frequent entercourse or Letters between them but many other expressions of kindnes 2. There is extant a Letter of King Charles to Ethilhard Archbishop of Canterbury and Ceolulf a Bishop of the Mercians in which he informed them that a certain man a Subiect of King Offa who had incurred his displeasure had fled into France with his whole family to seek protection and security there Now this mans family being desirous to return home after the Maisters death whose name was Vmrinstan desired King Charles his Letters of Recommendation which he most willingly granted them desiring these two Bishops to intercede in their behalf with King Offa and in case they could not qualify his displeasure he desired them to send them back to him 3. Two Letters did King Charles this year write to King Offa in the one informing him that a certain Preist by nation a Scott had made some abode in the Diocese of Colen where he had been accused of eating flesh in Lent But because the accusers Proofs were not absolutly convincing therefore the Bishops in those parts would not pronounce sentence against him Notwithstanding they thought not fitt he should stay any longer among them by reason of the scandall given by such an Offence and least others should by his example learn to neglect that holy Fast. So they thought best he should be sent into his own countrey to be iudged by his own Bishops To facilitate his iourney therefore King Charles desired King Offa to take care for his safe conveyance into Scotland from whence he first came where he hoped that the Ecclesiasticall Canons were well observed 4. In a second Letter he signified to him that free leave should be given to all English pilgrims to passe through France to Rome but if any upon a pretence of devotion shall bring prohibited merchandise into France or defraud the Kings customes there that should not be suffred He further told him that he had sent sacred Vestments to severall Churches in Brittany desiring that in consideration thereof there should be made Prayers for Pope Hadrian then newly dead for though he did not doubt but his soule was in rest yet he desired this to testify his cordial affection to his most dear freind The same day that Pope Hadrian dyed there was chosen his Successour Pope Leo the third of that name The suddennes of his election and the unanimous consent of his Electours argued an eminent esteem of his sanctity and abilities He was chosen both to doe and suffer many things By him the Empire was restored to the Western parts 6. A little before Pope Hdrian dyed King Offa being safe returned from Rome according to his order assembled a Synod at Verulam near which place he had built the famous Monastery of Saint Alban What was acted in that Synod is breifly
in thankfullnes for his victory obtaind against the bloody King of the Mercians Penda XXII CHAP. 1.2 The Gests of S. Adulf and S. Botulph brethren 1. AT the same time with S. Hilda flourished S. Botulph and his Brother S. Adulph whom erroneously some Writers affirm to have been Scotts who are confuted by the whole contexture of their Lives For thus we read in their Gests recorded by Ioannes Anglicus in Capgrave Before Christian Religion was spread over Brittany the Venerable Fathers Botulph and Adulf born of a Noble family and of a German descent and more strictly linked by charity then blood being very young were initiated in spirituall and celestial exercises For being born of a Saxon stock which conquered Brittany by martiall courage they from their infancy were imbued in the Christian Faith But their parents being rude and unacquainted with the Documents of perfection sent their children five in number to their ancient countrey of Saxony there to learn the Discipline of a holy conversation 2. Thus by mistake writes that Authour for as yet Christianity was not entred into Saxony Therefore in stead of Saxony we are to understand Belgick France whither by S. Beda's testimony our Ancestors in those times usually sent their children to be in 〈◊〉 in more sublime Christian Philosophâ— The same Writer thus prosecutes hiâ— Narratio 3. With this intention the foresaid Fathers paâ—sing the Sea repaired to Monasteries of Holy Religious men desiring coÌ„munication with them to be instructed in the Document of a spirituall life There being imbued with Monastical Instituâ— and disciplines of a more austere life they received the Religious Habit and in a short time Gods Grace became enabled co be Teachers â— Perfection 4. The King therefore hearing the fame of S. Adulphus exalted him to the Government of the Church of Virect in Belgium Who in discharge of that sublime employment was very watchfuâ— and solicitous to prevent the snares and cunning designs of the Devill who like a ravening wâ—l sought the destruction of his flock He was sedulouâ— in works of mercy feeding the poor cloathing the naked correcting those which strayd and comforting the afflicted to the end he might himself obtain the effect of our Lords Promise Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy He was instant in fasting watching and prayers He prevented his preaching by his practise and in all things lead a saintlike life 5. In the Gallican Martyrologe he is adorned with this Elogy On the seaventeenth of Iune is celebrated the Memory of S. Adulph Bishop of Vâ—rect who was Brother of S. Botulph and out of Brittany passing with him into France for his eminent endowments and Sanctity of life was raised to that See wherein by his admirable vertues and learning he became a shining light to his flock and at last with a great affluence of merits ended his life or rather being translated by death he passed to a life immortall 6. As for his Venerable Brother S. Botulph by the testimony of the foresaid Authour being well exercised in vertue and holines he resolved to return into England Now there were in the same Monastery where he made his abode two Sisters of Ethelmund a Prince among the Southangles who had been sent thither to be instructed in Monasticall Disciplines They hearing that the Blessed man had a purpose to return to his countrey gave him commissions to be delivered to their Brother Having therefore passed the Sea S. Botulph was honourably received by the said Prince who having heard his Sisters petitions and accepted them granted to the Holy man a place for building a Monastery Now S Botulph did not desire that for his cause any one should be driven out of his hereditary possession but rather that some place unpossessed and uncultivated should be assigned him that there he might build a Church and congregate brethren to serve God by whose pious lives and prayers his Principality might be established in this world and an eternall kingdom prepared for him in the world to come This request the Prince willingly granted whereupon the Venerable Father chose a certain untilled place where none dwelt named Ikanho It was a Wildernes unfrequented by men but possessed by Devills whose phantasticall illusions were to be expelled thence and a Religious conversation of pious men to be introduced that where the Devills fallacies abounded there our Lords Divine Grace might superabound 7. Where this place called Ikanho was seated is now uncertain The Centuriators of Magdeburg from Leland and Bale place it not far from the Citty of Lincoln And indeed in that Province where the River Witham enters the Sea there is a Town called Boston but more truly Botulphs-town for saith Camden it being formerly by Beda called Icanhoe took a new name from Botulph a most holy Saxon. Likewise in Huntingdon-shire there is a town called Bottle-bridge for S. Botulphs-bridge So that it seems in one of these two places S. Botulph built his Monastery 8. The said Authour thus pursues his Narration When he had finished his Monastery like a good shepheard he gathered together his flock whom he diligently taught Apostolick Doctrines and Instituts of the Holy Fathers and whatsoever good Documents he had learnt abroad concerning Monasticall Disciplines those he instilled into the minds and practises of his Monks He was beloved by all for he was free from arrogance being humble mild and affable in all things He was illustrious likewise for many miracles and the gift of Prophecy For sometimes by Divine inspiration he foretold future things as expressly as if they had been passed When he was oppressed with any infirmity he with blessed Iob persisted in thanking God and all his discourse was of matters which might edify and advance the hearers Such was his conversation during his life and in such exercises he attained to a good old age 9. He dyed most happily the same year in which S. Hilda also dyed and was buried in the Monastery which he had built There his Sacred Relicks remained till the Danes invading this Island wasted all Holy places with fire and sword Then by the care of S. Ethelwold they were translated part to the Monastery of Ely and part to that of Thorney The Memory of S. Botulph was elsewhere also celebrated for at London there is a Church dedicated to his honour Hence we read this passage in Capgrave In the Book of the Church of S. Botulph near Aldersgate London there is mention how a part of the Body of S. Botulph was by King Edward of Happy memory conferred on the Church of S. Peter in Westminster His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May. THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. The Mercians Converted and an Episcopall See erected there 5 Ithamar Bishop of Rochester dyes and Damian succeeds 6. The Holy Offspring of Merovald a Prince of the Mercians
1. BY the death of Penda King of the Mercians that Kingdom â—ogether with that of the East-Angles whose Kings he had slain became an accession to the Dominions of the Victorious Oswi King of the Northumbers Notwithstanding in the year of Grace six hundred fifty six he permitted Peoda the Son of Penda on whom he had bestowd his daughter Alefleda to raign over the Southern Mercians and likewise Edelwald the Brother of Ethelhere to govern the East-Angles 2. By this indulgence of King Oswi the Christian Faith became spread through severall Provinces For he built many Churches and Monasteries in the Kingdom of the Mercians among which the principall was that which was founded in an Island called the Isle of the Hart in which as a testimony of gratitude to God for his Victory he enclosed his daughter So that within the space of two years the Mercians following his example were converted to the Faith and baptised 3. And for a firmer establishment of Christianity among them he erected an Episcopall See common to the Mercians and Midland Angli in the Citty of Lichfeâ—ld saith Bishop Godwin Though more probable it is that as yet there was no certain place affixed for the Bishops residence For severall years after this we read how Wuifer King of the Mercians offred Lichfeild to S. Wilfrid that he might there either build a Monastery or erect an Episcopall See The first Bishop of the Mercians was Diuma a Scottish Preist of whom we have already made mention 4. This is testified by S Beda in this passage When Oswi the most Christian King of the Northumbers having slain King Penda took possession of his Kingdom Diuma one of the four forementioned Preists was ordainen Bishop both of the Midland Angli and Mercians by Fâ—nan Bishop of Lindisfarn For by reason of the Scarcenes of Preists they were compelled to sett one Bishop over two Nations Now Diuma having in a short time converted great multitudes dyed To whom in the year of Grace six hundred fifty eight succeeded Cellach who was likewise a Scotch-man Who after he had a few years governed that Province voluntarily relinquished his Bishoprick and returned to his Native countrey the Island of Hu or Hy. 5. At this time Ithamar who had succeeded S. Paulinus in the Episcopall See of Rochester dyed He was not inferiour to his Predecessours in Sanctity and learning saith Harpsfeild who adds That many years after his death by reason of frequent Miracles wrought by his intercession his Body was translated to a more honourable place Which translation was made on the fourth day before the Ides of Ianuary on which day his Anniversary Solemnity is celebrated in the Church of Rochester In our Martyrologe his Commemoration is made on the Tenth of Iune which was the day of his death And his Successour was Damian descended of the South-Saxons saith S. Beda 6. This year Merevald a Prince among the Mercians built a Monastery for Religious Virgins at a Town called Lemster in the Province of Hereford He is said to have been the Son of Penda and Brother of Peoda and of his Successour Wolfer Kings of the Mercians But he is more illustrious by his Holy Offspring his son Merefin and his daughters Milburga Mildreda and Milgitha born to him by his Wife S. Ermenburga â— King Peoda likewise the Son of Penda first King of the Mercians this same year for propagating Christian Religion layd the foundation of the Mâ—nastery of Medeshampsted in the Region of the Girvians or Northamptonshire But having been the next year slain by the treason of his Wife Alcfleda the naturall daughter of Oswi King of the Northumbers he could not perfect it Thus writes Camden from Robert Swapham an ancient Authour And Ingulphus adds That he left his fervour and devotion to his Brother Wulfer his Successour in that Kingdom and to Saxulph a man of great power there who finished the said Monastery eight years after The place anciently called Medeshampsted afterward took the name of Peterborough illustrious in regard of this Monastery II. CHAP. 1.2.3 The Brittains overthrown by the King of the West-Saxons 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty eight the Brittains received a great overthrow from Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons which is thus described by Huntingdon Cenwald so he calls him King of the West-Saxons in the seaventeenth year of his raign fought against the Brittains at Pennum For they knowing that he had been overcome by the stouâ— King Penda and almost driven out of his kingdom imagined that he was unable to sustain the burden of a battell Whereupon having gathered a numerous army they with great pride invaded his Dominions At the beginning of the fight the Brittains feircely setting on the Saxons made them give ground But the Saxons with great courage and constancy resisting them for they preferred death before flying at last so wearied the Brittains that their forces melted away like snow so that they turned their backs to the pursuers and fled from Pennum as far as Pedredan The wound which the Progeny of Brutus received this day was incurable 2. The place where this battell was sought was an obscure Village in Somersetshire at this day called Pen but anciently famous for this Victory over the Brittains and another which in after ages King Edmond Ironside gaind there against the Danes From thence the Brittains fled to the River Pedreâ— now called Parret where was seated the town called by the Saxons Pedridan but now Pederton and it was sometimes the Royal Seat of Ina King of the West-Saxons 3. After this combat and Victory the Saxons became so terrible to the Brittains that they never afterward descended from their mountains to encounter them Besides this their State became divided among severall petty Princes each of which sought to secure and enlarge his own territory so that they never combind in any generall design against the Saxons or English III. CHAP. 1.2 Wolfer King of the Mercians His wife S. Erminilda Trumhere Bishop of the Mercians 1. KING Peoda as hath been declared having been slain by the treachery of his Wife in the time of the Paschall Solemnity that Kingdom of the Southern Mercians returned to the Dominion of King Oswi But three years after the Princes of the Nation of the Mercians rebelled against him their names were Immin Eaba and Eadbert These exalted to the throne Wulfer the Son of Penda then a young man whom they had preserved and kept conceald among them And so with their new King they ioyfully persevered in Profession of Christianity 2. The wife of this King Wulfer was S. Erminilda Whose parents were Ercombert King of Kent and S. Sexburga By their pious instructions she became so zealous in promoting the Christian faith that by her perswasions kindnes and holy example that perverse and rude Nation of the Mercians was brought
hundred and fourteen days besides the Canonicall howers he recited the whole Psalter twice a day and this when he was so sick that he could not tide on horse-back but was forced to be caried in a Litter every day except that on which he passed the Sea and three days before his death he sung Masse and offred the Saving Sacrifice to God 16 He dyed on the five and twentieth day of September in the year after our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred and sixteen upon a Friday after three of the clock in the after noon in the feilds of the foresaid Citty of Langres and was buried the day following in the Monastery of the three Twin-Martyrs about a mile distant from the Citty toward the south there being present no small army partly of English who attended him as likewise inhabitants of the Monastery and Citty adioyning all which with loud voyces sung Psalmes at his enterrment Thus far writes S. Beda 7. It seems his body did not remain at Langres for in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrologe on the six and twentieth of November we read celebrated the Translution of Saint Ceolfrid an English Abbot who at his return from his pilgrimage to Rome dyed at Langres in France and was buried in the Church of the three twinn Martyrs Afterward his countrey-men demanding his Sacred Body which had been glorified by many Miracles it was with great veneration caried back to his own Monastery The day of his deposition is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the five and twentieth of September II. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death Buriall and Miracles of S. Swibert 1. THE same year as hath been sayd Saint Swibert the glorious Apostle of the Germans and Frisons ended his mortality This was the third year after he had visited Prince Pipin and was returned to Werda saith Marcellin At last Almighty God who is himself the great reward of his faithfull servants and who by a temporall death of the flesh translates the living Stones of his Church from earth to his heavenly building was pleased to call the valiant Champion of his Faith Saint Swibert to receive his Crown in his eternall kingdom Therefore in the said year Saints Swibert replenished with all Divine Graces and inflamed with a cordiall desire to See God after he had celebrated the Divine Mysteries on the Feast of Saint Peters Chair in his Monastery a languishing sicknes took him so that he was forced to confine himself to his bed 2. And when he saw that his disease every moment grew more violent he called all his Brethren and Disciples togeâ—her to the number of twenty and in the first place admonished them to follow our Lords foot-steps and to be carefull to preserve peace and charity with one another and with all of the house-hold of Faith Likewise that with all care they should observe the Instituts of Regular Disciplin which he had taught them by Word and example Then he told them expressly that the day of his death was at hand whereupon they all began to weep bitterly But the Holy Bishop said to them My beloved Brethren doe not weep but rather reioyce in my behalf for now I shall receive the recompence of all my labours Extend your charity to mee at this time of my retiring out of the world and protect mee with your prayers After he had said this he much reioycing in our Lord exhorted them to a contempt of this present world and an earnest desire of heavenly rewards again putt them in mind by their watchings prayers and good works to prevent the hour of his death which was uncertain And having added other words to this effect and bestowed his Benediction on them by his command they went out to the Church with great sadnes 3. But he retained with him the Superiour of his Monastery Saint â—iâ—eic with whom he ioynd in most devout Prayer to God and meditation of Divine things And when the day of his departure and repose was come of which he had before been informed by an Angel causing his foresaid Brethren to be once more assembled he commanded that Masse should solemnly be celebrated in his presence Then arming himself with the Communion of our Lords Body and making the sign of the Crosse on all that stood about him he quietly slept in death and his blessed soule was caried by Quires of Angels to the eternall happy Society of the Saints And immediatly his face became of a shining brightnes his Cell likewise yeilded an odoriferous fragrancy which wonderfully refreshed all that were present Thus this most Holy Prelat Saint Swibert Bishop of Werda happily dyed in the sixty ninth year of his age on a friday being the first day of March on which day the Church every where celebrates his Memory 4. In the same hower that he dyed his soule with great glory and ioy appeared to Saint Willebrord his beloved companion Bishop of Vtrecht then in his way returning from Epternac to Verona requesting and admonishing him that he would be present at his Funeralls in Werda and commend his body to the Sepulcher This being declared to us by Saint Willebrord with much greif he presently took boat and made great hast to Werda There was then present with him his illustrious Spirituall daughter the Duchesse Plectrudis with certain Prelats who blessed God for the merits of his holy Confessour Saint Swibert All these the day following being Saturday as they were according to custom singing the Vigile of the Dead a young man was brought among them who had been made blind by lightning and with his clamours interrupting the Psalmody and calling to the Saint to have his sight restored assoon as he had touched the Coffin he immediatly recovered his sight to the astonishment of all Besides another who was raging mad being brought in and kissing the cover of the same Coffin was presently restored to his senses A third also who was possessed by the Devill by the same means was perfectly freed from the Wicked Spirit 5 At last on Sunday after all the solemnity of the funerals had been devoutly fullfilld the Sacred Body with hymns and Lauds was reverently committed to the ground by Saint Willebrord Arch-bishop of Vtrecht Saint Willeic a Preist the glorious Princesse Pâ—ectrudâ— Duchesse of the Austrasians and many others his Brethren and Disciples 6. And I Marcellin Preist who have written this History and had been formerly a Disciple and companion of the Holy Bishop S. Swibert I was also present at the Buriall with Saint Willebrord after which at the earnest request of my dear Brethren Willeic Gerard Theodoric and others we remained with them in the Monastery of Werda fifteen dayes for their consolation I will therefore here relate among many some few testimonies of Miracles which I saw with mine own eyes and many other with mee so that it not only deservedly may but ought to be beleived that the said Holy Bishop is great in
the sight of God and that his glory is wonderfull in heaven since he has made him so resplendent by miracles on earth For after his death he ceases not to cure the sick c Thus Writes the Holy Apostolick Preist Saint Marcellin adding moreover a Narration of severall stupendious Miracles of which himself was an eye witnes and which the devout Reader may find in his Life for I am unwilling to swell this History with such like Relationâ— III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Monastery of Theokesbury founded 7. The death of Saint Egwin Bishop of Worcester 1. TO the same year is by our Historians assigned the foundation of the Monastery of Tewksbury though in the Chronicles of that Monastery the Erection thereof is sayd to have been made two years sooner And there we find this account of it 2. In the raigns of the illustrious Kings of the Mercians Ethelred Kenred and Ethelbald there lived two Dukes in great estimation Oddo and Doddo men of high descent much regarded for their vertues but which most crowns their memory persons who with sincere devotion loved almighty God and sought his honour Which they made good by their charitable actions for they and their Progenitours magnificently built and endowed many Monasteries These foresaid Dukes about the year of Grace seaven hundred and fifteen gave order for the building a Monastery in their own Territory near the Severn seaven miles distant from Claudiocester or Glocester at place called Theokusbury from a certain Hermit named Theocus who anciently had lived there 3. This Monastery they built to the honour of God and the glorious Virgin Mary and conferred upon it a Village called Stanwey with all its dependances and some few possessions besides for the sustenâ—ation of Monks not many in number for at first there were but four or five which under the Obedience of a Priour served God according to the Rule of our Holy Father S. Benedict 4. Now after that these two Dukes were for their devout actions translated to heavenly ioyes as we firmly beleive their Bodies were buried in the Church of Persora Parshur in which Duke Doddo had taken the Habit of a Monk and which they had enriched with ample possessions 5. These foresaid Dukes had a certain Brother named Almaric whose body was buried at Derhurst in a little Chappell over against the Gate of the Priory there which Chappell had formerly been a Royall place There to this day is shewd his Sepulcher where in the wall over the dore is this Inscription This Royall Hall did Duke Doddo cause to be consecrated into a Church to the honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary for love which he bore to his Brother Almaric 6. Thus we read in the said Chronicle Where consequently is related how by reason of the great troubles and warrs hapning both in Mercia and other parts of the Kingdom till it was reduced to a Monarchy under King Althelslan the said Monastery was often spoyled and twice burnt But afterward reedified and annexed to the Abbey of Cranborn and in conclusion for the commodious and pleasant situation of the place it was it self erected into an Abbey and the Monastery of Cranborn depressed into a Priory and made subject to it The great Patron and enlarger of it was Robert the Son of Hamon in the beginning of the Norman times as William of Malmsbury testifies Who by mistake affirms that the Name of Theocksbury did seem to destine it to a Religious use being so called as if the Title were Theotocosbury or the Court of the Mother of God But Camden according to the forementioned Chronicle more genuinely derives the name from Theocus a devout Hermit formerly living there 7. To this year is assigned the death of Egwin Bishop of Worcester after he had administred that See the space of twenty four years To whom succeeded Wilfrid who governed the same seaven and twenty years Scarce any thing concerning either of them besides their names is recorded IV. CHAP. 1.2 Kenred King of the Northumbers dying Osric succeeds 3. The Piety of Ethelbald the Mercian King 1. THE year following Kenred King of the Northumbers after two years possession of the Throne to which he mounted by Treason and murder of Osred his Kinsman and predecessour dyed and in his place succeeded Osric his associate in the same crime 2. Concerning these Kings William of Malmsbury thus writes Kenred who raigned only two years and after him Osric eleaven have left this one mark upon their memories that shedding the blood of their Master how well soever deserving such an unhappy end they defiled the aire with their shamefull deaths Yet Osric before he came to that Crown seemd to have had more sence of piety for it is said that he built about the year seaven hundred a Monastery for Religious Virgins at Glocester 3. But in the Kingdom of the Mercians King Ethelbald saith Ingulphus having perfected his Monastery of Croyland employd his mind to promote Holy Church through his whole Kingdom granting immunities and Priviledges to other Monasteries also of Religious men and woemen For which purpose in the third year of his raign he pubâ—ished a generall Statut to that effect recorded there by the same Authour V. CHAP. i. 2 The Birth and first radiments of Saint Boniface Apostle of the Germans 1. THE great losse which the New-planted Churches of Germany sustained by the death of their glorious Apostle S. Swibert was quickly repaired with advantage For in the year seaven hundred and nineteen God provided for themâ— New Pastour no lesse diligent and powerfull both in word and deed and who after incredible pains and dangers with infinite fruit thence proceeding crownd all his labours with Martyrdom This was S. Winfrid which name was afterward changed into Boniface who the sayd year having received a Benediction and authority from Pope Gregory the Second of that name chearfully began his Apostolick Office in that countrey His Gests have been written by severall writers and particularly by S. Willebald a Bishop his Disciple with great care and sincerity likewise more largely by a certain Preist call'd Othlo and besides those a great Volume still extant of S. Boniface his Epistles will furnish us with sufficient materialls for this History many years consequently Here therefore we will begin a Narration hitherto deferred of his Birth and education till this great charge was imposed on him and consequently proceed in recounting his glorious actions and labours referring them to the severall times in which they were performed 2. He was born in the year of Grace six hundred and seaventy of an English Saxon family as appears evidently from his own Epistles The place illustrated by his Birth was Creden now called Kirton in Devonshire the names of his parents are not recorded He was by them with great care educated and even in his infancy he was so earnestly studious to enrich his mind with spirituall knowledge
at London in which Church he was Preist not Bishop as Parker mistakingly affirms Some thing hath already been spoken of him when wee related how S. Beda made use of his industry and assistance in composing his History 6. To this New Arch-bishop Nothelm presently after his consecration S. Boniface directed an Epistle in which after he had desired from him the same Christian affection Vnion of minds which heretofore he had with S. Brithwald his Predecessour he proposed to him a difficulty and scrupule which had much and long tormented him a resolution whereof he desired from him as he did from diverse others and particularly from Pecthelm Bishop of Candida Casa and also from an English Abbot called Duddo who had formerly been S. Boniface his own Schollar yet such was his humility that he disdaind not to consult him Now the Doubt or difficulty I will sett down in S. Boniface's own expression 7. I desire saith he to hear your counsell touching a sin committed by mee through ignorance in permitting mariage between two parties the Case stood thus A certain Man with my leave maried a woman a widdow to whose sâ—n he had formerly been God-father This the Romans say is so unlawfull that they ought to be divorced Yea moreover they affirm that anciently under the Christian Emperours â—uch a crime was punished with death or at least perpetuall banishment Now I beseech you to inform mee whether you can find either in the Decrees of the Ancient Catholick Fathers or Holy Scriptures that this is so great a sin For mine own part I can by no means comprehend how a carnall conjunction between persons in a Spirituall prâ—pinquity should be a heynous sin since in Sacred Baptism wee are all of us sons and daughters of Christ and his Church and Brothers and Sâ—sters to one another 8. The Resolution of this Doubt wee can not find since their Answers hereto are lost But Serrarius a learned Iesuit who published Saint Boniface's Epistles with Annotations after he had produced severall Decrees of Ancient Popes strictly forbidding such Mariages shews the Answer to this Doubt to be now very easy Adding withall That if in S. Boniface's time the Ancient Caâ—ins had been in the same number and order as now he would never have doubted of the Question However his diligence in seeking satisfaction is highly to be praised and his humility of mind to be imitated since he not only proposes his doubts to Bishops but even his own Disciples desiring to be taught by them now in his old age yea since he professes that he will not pertinaciously adhere to his own iudgment but obediently acquiesee in the Decrees of the Church and Holy Fathers How far now are our modern Sectaries from such a disposition of mind For Luther and Beza grounding themselves upon their private iudgment and proudly contemning and opposing all Antiquity and authority doe sett as nought all regard of Spirituall Alliance Such difference there is between the Spirits of a modest humble Catholick and an arrogant Heretick IV. CHAP. 1.2 c The Gests of S. Pecthelm 6.7.8 Of S. Wiro 9. And of S. Otger 1. AS touching S. Pecthelm Bishop of Candida Casa to whom S. Boniface directed one of his Epistles demanding his iudgment touching the forementiond doubt it is not easy to determin in what place that Epistle might find him Wee signified his Ordination to that See in the year seaven hundred twenty three and S. Beda in the eighth year after concluding his History affirms that he continued at that time Bishop there Yet the Writers of the Gallican and Belgick Antiquities consonantly aâ—â—â—rm that he left Britâ—tany and after the example of S. Boniface propagated the Christian Faith in those Countreys Of which there is an absolute silence among our English Historians Let us therefore enquire concerning his Gests of forrain Authours 2. In the Gallican Martyrologe upon the fifteenth day of Iuly wee read thus In the Mount of S. Peter otherwise called the Monastery of S. Odila neer Ruremâ—nd in Belgium â—s that day celebrated the deposition of S. Pecthelm Bishop of Candida Casa in Scotland that 〈◊〉 now for anciently it was within the Doâ—â—nioâ— of the English-Saxons and Confessour who being inflamed with a zeale to root out Heathenish Superstition to that time springing â—p in some parts of Belgium undertook a voyage into those countreys in the company of S. Wiro Bâ—â—hop and S. Otger a Deacon Where he was kindly entertaind by King Pipin and encouraged â—o so pious a work He brought very many to the Light of Evangelicall Truth and cast down severall profane Temples of fâ—lse Gods building many Churches to the honouâ— of the only true God The like testimony wee find in Miraeus his Belgick Calendar 5 Now the death of this Holy Bishop our Historian Florentius referrs to this present year Concerning which the sayd Martyrologe thus treats In the same Monastery S Pecthelm full of dayes and merits peaceably dyed And many Divine Miracles shining at his Sepulcher declared him a glorified Saint in heaven Whereupon veneration and honour due to Saints was attributed to him and his Holy Companions For â—heir Sacred Relicks were taken up and reposed under the Altar of the Cathedrall Church of Ruâ—emond and moreover an annuall Feast and Office celebrated in their honour not only through that whole Diocese but also at Oldensale in the Bishoprick of Daventer where his Head is preserved and with great veneration of the people honoured Hereunto Miraeus adds That this anâ—ient Inscription is found upon their Shrines Parts of the Relicks of S. Wiro S. Pecthelm and Saint Otger In the year of Grace one thousand five hundred seaventy one in which the rebellious Gueuses or Calvinists having overthrown the Table of the Altar but leaving the base untouched they were by a singular Providence of God defended from the fury of those Hereticks and twenty three years after when the same Altar was repaired they were there found and afterward honourably taken up as wee read in the Office of the Church of Ruremond 4 In this Narration there occurr difficulties of some weight For whereas it is sayd that Saint Pecthelm was kindly received by King Papin it will not be easy to determin among three Princes in this age all of the same name which was he who received our Saints Whether the first Pipin son to the elder Carloman or his Grandchild by his daughter Begga or the last who was Son to Charles Martel and was the only Pipin who was King But he not beginning his raign till the year seaven hundred fifty two he could not be King at S. Pecthelm's arrivall in France Therefore most probable it is that he was at this time only a young Duke but is stiled King because he became so afterward Notwithstanding after all this the Irish Historians confidently apply all this Story to their Pecthelm Bishop of Tuam and indeed their
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