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
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
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
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
c. And the Romans take their last leave of Brittany 1. WHilst Brittany was thus infested with suggestions of Hereticks the Scotts Picts and Norvegians saith Florilegus miserably vex'd it with their incursions In which necessity as Gildas writes the Brittains sent messengers to Rome with humble and earnest Petitions for assistance vowing their eternall subjection to the Roman Empire in case their cruell enemies might be repell'd 2. In complyance with which request saith the same Authour a Legion was sent into the Island sufficiently furnish'd with arms which had not been partaker of the former defeat given to the Romans This army coming to a conflict with those barbarous Nations slew great multitudes of them and drove all the rest out of the borders so freeing the poore Brittains from horrible vexations and imminent slavery 3. Who the Roman Generall was under whose conduct this Victory was obtained is not mention'd in story Probable it is that it was Chrysanthus the Son of Marcianus who afterward was chosen Bishop of Constantinople For concerning him Socrates thus writes In the raign of the Great Theodosius this Chrysanthus was by him design'd Prefect of Italy Afterward he was constituted the Emperours Vice-gerent in Brittany in the administration whereof he attained great commendation 4. Who ever was the Generall he together with his Legion was presently sent for back But before their departure saith Gildas they gave order to the Brittains once more to raise a wall between the two Seas Glotta and Bodotria to restrain the Enemies and be a defence to the Brittains But this wall being made by a rude multitude destitute of a Governour and framed for the most part of turfes availed little or nothing at all The bounds of this wall S. Beda thus describes It began toward the West about two miles distance from a Monastery call'd Aebercurnig in a place nam'd in the Picts language Penvahel but in English Penveltun and going Eastward it ended neer the Citty Acluith Now from the Name in the Pictish tongue Penvahel a Brittish word M. Camden iudiciously infers that the Picts were a Brittish Northern Nation for in Welsh at this day Pengual signifies the Head of a Rampire caput valli 5. So useles was this ill-built wall that it was scarce finished but the Scotts and Picts again broke in for according to Gildas his relation Assoon as the Legion with great triumph and joy was gone homeward those former Enemies like ravennous wolves Ambrones lupi enraged with excessive hunger on all sides encompassing the sheepfold in the absence of the shepheard so they with â—ares and full-blown sayles invaded the Island broke into the borders and layd wast all things in their way mowing down and treading underfoot the Brittains like ripe corn 6. Hereupon the afflicted Brittains again sent Messengers after a most deplorable manner with rent garments and their heads covered with dust to implore aide from the Romans endeavouring like fearfull chickens to shrow'd themselves under their Mothers wings They earnestly begg'd them to prevent the utter miserable ruin of their countrey and that the Roman name might not be rendred contemptible to forraign Nations 7. This wofull Petition was address'd to the famous Roman Generall Aetius Prefect of Gaule under whom Brittany was also subiect He therefore mov'd to pitty with so tragicall a relation sent forces under the conduct of Gallio a Cittizen of Ravenna who once more vanquish'd the Enemies But having done this he declar'd to them the Emperours pleasure That for the future Brittany must rely on its own strength and not expect any assistance at all from Rome which at so great a distance and amid'st so many distractions could not attend to so remote a Province He advis'd them therfore to exercise themselves in military affairs to build fortifications in places convenient especially towards the Sea to strengthen their Citties with walls c. And having thus counselled and encouraged the Brittains the Romans took their last leave of them never returning more Yet before they went they once more joyn'd with the Brittains to repair the Wall which they made far more strong then formerly contributing thereto both publick and private charges THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY UNDER BRITTISH KINGS II. PART THE NINTH BOOK I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. Kingdoms of the Picts and Scotts established in Brittany 1. THE Romans having taken their farewell of this Island it is from that Epocha that we may reckon the institution of two Kingdoms here the Picts and the Scotts For though heretofore there hath been mention made of severall Princes and Kings of each Nation yet they seem to have been Kings rather by election and in the nature of Generall 's for present expeditions then as enjoying an establish'd Principality 2. For as much as concerns the Picts though they always had their habitation in the Northern parts of Brittany yet they were oft forced to change and contract their Seats But now enjoying peace and security by the Romans absence they became establish'd in their ancient Territory Which Territory they in a few years enlarged making an irruption through the Wall of separation and possessing themselves of the Province more Southerly 3. And as for the Scotts they being hitherto as auxiliaries of the Picts mingled among them in all their invasions and oâ—t compell'd by the Romans to return to their habitation in Ireland and other Northern Regions Yet now they fix'd their habitation in the Northern coasts of Brittany under Fergusius their King 4. Of these two Nations and Kingdoms the principall in this age was that oâ— the Picts And if we enquire into their peculiar Seats the Picts seem to have possess'd the Provinces about Edinborough confining to the Wall which therefore was anciently call'd the Picts-wall And the Scots inhabited the Northern and Western Provinces lying nearest to Ireland from whence they came But in the following age they turn'd their arms against the Picts whose numbers and power they by degrees diminished and at last utterly destroy'd their kingdom and name and gave to the whole countrey the new appellation of Scotland II. CHAP. 1. Death of Honorius to whom succeeds Valentinian the third 2 c. A three fold Mission by Pope Celestin into Brittany and Ireland 6 7 S. Patricks Divine vocation 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred twenty three the Emperour Honorius dyed in whose place succeeded Valentinian the third of that name Son of Constantius who had been created Caesar and immediatly before his death Augustus In the Eastern Empire there raign'd the younger Theodosius 2. The same year dyed also Pope Bonifacius and after him was chosen Pope Celestinus to whom our Islands of Brittany and Ireland have an eternall obligation for by him they were either preserved from errour or converted to the Christian Faith By him S. Palladins was sent to the Scotts who freed them from their barbarous Idolatry By him S. Patrick
and 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
though a Pagan may seem to allude where speaking to Constantin he says But why should we flatteringly commend thy Fathers private affection to thee Thy Succession in the Empire was the Decree of all the Gods first prescribed by their authority and afterwards confirm'd by mature counsell of men At that time thou wast call'd to be a saving guardian of the Empire by celestiall signs and divine suffrages 5. This affliction of Constantius for the absence and dangerous condition of his beloved Son did not long continue for God was pleased in an extraordinary manner to restore him to him before his death This is thus express'd by Eusebius Those Princes saith he which then govern'd the Empire with envy and fear look'd upon Constantin observing him to be a generous valiant tall young man of a noble and erected mind Whereupon they watchfully sought an opportunity to doe some notable mischeif to him This the young man perceiving for by a Divine instinct their private designs against him were severall times discovered he at last sought to secure himself by flight therin imitating well the example of the great Prophet Moyses Now Almighty God graciously disposed all things for his safety and advancement wisely ordaining that he should opportunely be present to succeed his dying Father 6. Aurelius Victor adds an Act of Constantins full of prudence and subtilty by which he secured his flight from all danger of pursuers to elude whom he through all his long iourney from Rome to Brittany gave command that all the publick Post-horses should be killd by which means saith the Oratour he arriv'd in Brittany with so prosperous a voyage that he seem'd to have been brought thither not riding by the ordinary Post but mounted and flying in a heavenly Chariot 7. Now with what ioy and affection he was received by his Father Eusebius thus describes Assoon as Constantius saw his Son beyond his expectation arriv'd he leaping from his bed with a tender affection embrac'd him saying that now his min'd was freed from the only trouble remaining in it which was his Sons absence for which he offred his Prayers and thanksgiving to God with great devotion Now he esteem'd death almost as wellcom to him as immortality Presently after this he disposed of his family and all worldly affaires in good order and placing himself in the midst of his Sons and daughters which like a Quire encompass'd him lying in his royall Palace and bed he bequeathed the inheritance of the Empire according to the common Law of Nature to that Son which in age went before the rest and so departed out of this life 8. When Constantius was dead his funeralls were celebrated by his Son with all pompe and solemnity infinite numbers of people assisting and with ioyfull acclamations and sweet harmony of Hymns celebrating his happines saith the same Eusebius Moreover that he was according to the Roman Heathenish manner consecrated and refer'd among their Gods ancient coyns doe testify in which he is inscribed with the Title of Divus or a person Deified and on the other side is represented a Temple and two Eagles over which are the words Happy Memory all which are manifest signs of Consecration as it is describ'd by Herodian 9. He was buried in the Citty of York For saith Camden men of good credit have reported to us that when the houses of Monks there were in the memory of our Fathers demolish'd there was found a lamp burning in a little vaulted Chappell in which the Tradition was that Constantius had been buried For Lazius a learned writer relates that the Ancients had the art to maintain a flame burning for many ages by the means of gold dissolved into a kind of liquid oyle So that Mathew of Westminster is mistaken when he reports that at Caer-custenith neer Snoudon hills was found the body of the glorious Emperour Constantius Father of the Noble Emperour Constantin and by the Kings command removed and honourably placed in the Church of Caërnarvon That body questionles belonged to some other of the same name for all Historians agree that this Constantius dyed and was buried at York THE SEAVENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAP. 1.2 Constantin succeeds his Father 3. c. At first refuses the Title of Emperour 1. CONSTANTIVS dying left behind him severall children of both sexes for besides his eldest son Constantin born to him by Helena he had by Theodora daughter in Law to the Emperour Maximianus Herculius three Sons Constantius the Father of Gallus and Iulian Dalmatius and Annibalius to whom some adde a second Constantin and two daughters Constantia maried to Licinius and Eutropia 2. Notwithstanding Constantius at his death passing by all these his sons though born to him by a Wife of the Imperiall family and then present with him he left the Empire to his eldest son Constantin only Which is an undoubted argument that he acknowledged him for his legitimate Son Whence it is that Eusebius writes that Constantius at his death did by the common Law of Nature leave the inheritance of the Empire to that Son who in age went before the rest and that this disposall was ratified by the suffrages and acclamations of the Army 3. Notwithstanding Constantin not so much out of moderation as prudent caution contented himself with the Title of Caesar refusing that of Augustus or Emperour in so much saith the Panegyrist as when the soldiers with great affection and ardour would have cast on him the Imperiall Purple he sett spurs to his horse and fled from them 4. There may be supposed more then one Motive to induce Constantin to this modest refusall For Diocletian and Maximianus though they had relinqush'd the administration of the Empire were yet alive and by their counsells and authority had a great influence on the state by whom Galerius Maximinus and Severus were chosen Caesars and Successours who had the possession of the Eastern Empire and Italy Therfore Constantin being young and at so great a distance from the Imperiall Citty had reason to think it dangerous without their consent to assume the Supreme Authority Wherfore his first attempt was to gain the affection and consent of Maximianus Herculeus from whom his Father Constantius had received the Purple robe and who having then a daughter mariageable called Fausta Constantin demanded her for his wife presuming the Empire should be her dowry 5. That such was the mind and intention of Constantin a Panegyrist of that time hath well express'd Such was thy prudent moderation saith he O Constantin that whereas thy Father had bequeathed the Empire to thee thou thoughtst fitt to content thy self with the Title of Caesar expecting till the same Maximianus who had before declared thy Father Emperour should doe the same to thee for thou esteemedst it more glorious by thy vertues to deserve the Empire as a reward then to enioy it as an inheritance
living in Citties together with all trades should rest on the Venerable day of our Lord. But as for those Pagans who lived in the Countrey free license was given them to employ themselves in cultivating the grounds Because it often happens that no other day is more commodious for plowing or digging the Vines Care therfore ought to be taken that an opportunity of a common good granted by divine Providence should not be lost 7. Yea so admirable was Constantins piety that he thought fitt to prescribe a Form of Prayer to be recited on all Sundays both by Christians in Citties and Pagans in Villages and specially by Soldiers in these words Wee acknowledge thee the only God wee professe thee our Soveraign King Wee invoke thee our Helper By thee wee obtain Victories by thee wee have vanquished our Enemies Wee acknowledge that from thee wee have obtained present felicity and hope wee shall obtain future also Wee are all of us thy Suppliants Wee beseech to preserve many years safe and victorious Constantin our Emperour together with his pious children 8. Yea moreover as Sozomen relates in honour of our Saviours Crosse and Passion he ordained a vacancy of judgments and Trades likewise on Fridayes and that some time should be spent then in Prayers and supplications to God 9. Lastly he not only by his own magnificence enriched the Church but by a Law opened as it were the purses of all men to endow it For he gave a generall licence to all persons without exceptions to bequeath what proportion of their goods they thought fit to the most holy Congregation of the Catholick Church 10. Yet one action this time Constantin did by which he stained the purity of his Faith Being at Sardica he was inform'd from Rome that his Palace had been struck with lightning Which was an ominous sign to the Pagan Romans and according to their ancient Laws to be averted by many superstitious lustrations and purgations Wherupon in condescendence to their request he gave order to the Magistrats to consult the Sooth sayers what was portended therby onely he commanded them to abstain from domesticall Sacrifices 11. But this unlawfull condescendence of the Emperour wrought an effect to the prejudice of Christians which he did not expect For upon this occasion the Heathen Roman Magistrats at the instigation of the Aruspices or Soothsayers would compell the Christians to ioyn in the publick expiatory Sacrifices But they refusing to doe it chose rather to leave the Citty Which doubtlesse was the cause of the voluntary Exile of the Holy Pope Silvester 12. Hereupon Constantin being informed of this was forced to publish a Severe Law commanding That if any one should endeavour to compell any Ecclesiasticall persons or any other professing the most holy Law of the Catholick Sect to celebrate the Rites of Heathenish lustrations if he were a mean person he should be publickly beaten with clubs if otherwise he should have a greivous fine imposed on him XIII HAP 1.2 Constantin baptised at Rome and the occasion of it Errour of Eusebius 6.7 c. His Great acts of Piety after his Baptism 1. HItherto Constantin had deferd his Baptism according to the Custome of many in that Age who being taught that that Holy Sacrament is a certain purgation of all Sins and gives to the persons an immediate and undoubted right to heaven frequently delayed the receiving it till their declining age or when death was ready to seise on them But in this year many sad misfortunes proceeding from heynous sins enforced Constantin now to have recourse to that saving remedy 2. True it is that Eusebius and other Greek Authours mislead by him affirm that he was not baptised till near his death and then received that Sacrament from the Sacrilegious hands of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomediae a principall pillar of the Arian Heresy Thus wrote the other Eusebius Bishop of Caesarea of the same faction to please Constantius his Son seduced by them But the constant Tradition of the Western Church confirm'd by many proofs as the authentick Acts of Artemius c. doth positively inform us that this year being the three hundred twenty fourth after the Incarnation of our Saviour Constantin received Baptism at Rome by the hands of Pope Silvester upon this occasion 3. The younger Licinius his Sisters Son was falsely accused to him of a design to rebell against him wherupon Constantin commanded him to be slain Immediatly after this he putt to death his own eldest Son Crispus born to him by Minervina a young Prince already famous for many Victories and adorned with many vertues and principally with chastity The crime layd to his charge was an attempt to violate his Mother in Law Fausta Constantins wife In conclusion it being too late discovered that this accusation was falsely invented by Fausta because the young man would not yeild to her lust Constantin caused his wife to be stifled in a hot bath 4. After these calamities and crimes as we read in the Acts of Pope Silvester and find asserted by Pope Hadrian and the Fathers of the Second General Council of Nicaea c. Almighty God struck Constantin with a Leprosy who being anxious to find a remedy he was inform'd by the Soothsayers that the only way to restore him was by a bath of infants blood Which detestable Medecin being abhorr'd by Constantin God was pleas'd by a Vision in Sleep wherin the Apostles S. Peter and Paul appear'd to him to instruct him that the only certain Remedy would be to receive Baptism at the hands of the Holy Pope Silvester Which was accordingly with great solemnity perform'd 5. Hereof an evident and Visible proof to this day is the magnificent Chappell built by Constantin himself in the same place where he was baptised in which according to the description eight hundred years agoe taken by Anastasius Bibliothecarius out of a most ancient Manuscript there was a font Baptisterium built of Porphyry and covered within and without with three thousand pound weight of pure silver and over it hung a Phiale weighing fifty pounds of pure gold in which yearly two hundred pounds of Balsom did burn On the brink of the Font was placed a Lamb of pure gold which powred forth water and weighed thirty pounds At the right hand of the Lamb stood the Statue of our Saviour of pure Silver weighing one hundred and seaventy pounds And â—n the left hand was placed S. Iohn Baptist of silver weighing one hundred pounds holding a scroll wherin was written Behold the Lamb of God Behold him whâ— takes away the sins of the world c. 6. After his Baptism the Emperour according to the Churches Custom being for seaven days cloath'd in White consecrated every day with some signall act of Piety In the first he published as a Law that Christ is the true Lord who cleansed him from his Leprosy and whom he commanded to be adored through the whole
necessary or expedient for humane life Now this one particular is worthy of eternall memory that immediatly before his last day he recited a funerall Oration in the place accustomed wherin by a continued discourse he spoke of the immortality of soules of the rewards which God had prepared for those who lived piously in this world and on the contrary of the miserable end of those who lead ungodly lives Which discourses pronounced with gravity and constancy aâ—d so affect some of his domesticall servants that one of them a Pagan Idolater who pretended to wisedom being ask'd What his opinion was of the Emperours Oration answered though with some unwillingnes that the things spoken by him seem'd to him to be true and particularly that he could not but highly commend his discourse against a multitude of Gods Such entertainments as those the pious Emperour had among his familiar freinds a little before his death by which he seem'd to make the way to a better life more easy and eaven 5. Eutropius relates that there appeared in heaven at that time a Comet of an unusuall biggnes portending his death After which he fell into some distemper which encreasing forced him to make use of hott bathes in the Citty From whence saith Eusebius he was removed to his Mothers Citty Helenopolis in Bithynia where for a long time continuing in the Church consecrated to the Holy Martyr S. Lucianus he offred his Prayers and publick vowes to God 6. The same Authour in another place pretends that Constantin was at this time baptis'd by the Arian Bishop of Nicomedia neer that Citty But the generall Tradition of the Western Church refutes him as hath been shew'd Therfore what was done by Constantin was not receiving Baptism but Pennance which the same Eusebius relating it calls an imitation of saving Baptism For thus he writes when the consideration of his last day came into Constantins mind he iudging this an opportune time for him to be cleansed of his sins which as a mortall man he had committed and beleiving that by the efficacy of Divine Mysteries and an imitation of the saving laver of Baptism his soule would be purged he I say considering these things fell humbly on his knees in the Church of Martyrs at Helenopolis and there confessing his sins he offred himself a suppliant to God for the pardon of them And then it was that he first became worthy to receive absolution by imposition of hands and prayer 7. In the last place touching his death the same Authour thus prosecutes his Narration Assoon as all holy Mysteries were perform'd he was cloathed with Kingly robes shining brighter then light and was layd in a bed of a most pure whitenesse for his Imperiall Purple he rejected and would never make use of it afterward Then with a clear distinct voyce he prayd and gave thanks to God adding words to this purpose Now I am assured of happines and immortall life now I am made partaker of Divine light Withall he with detestation bewayld the state of miserable Pagans whom be affirm'd most unhappy in that they were deprived of such divine blessings 8. And when the Centurions and other Superiour Officers were admitted and deplored with mournfull voyces their unhappines in the losse of such an Emperour wishing him a longer life To these he answered that now he had attain'd true life indeed and that himself only understood his own happines for which reason his desire was to hasten his departure to God After this he disposed his will in which he gave honourable pensions to such Romans as inhabited the Royall Citty new built by him As for his Empire he left it as a Patrimony to his children Thus dyed Constantin during the solemnity of Pentecost 9. As for the Vniversall mourning the clamours of the people the tearing of garments and prostration of bodies on the ground practised by the Soldiers to testify their inconsolable sorrow for so great a losse together with the glorious solemnization of his funeralls at which was only of all his Sons Constantius present all these things may be read at large in the same Authour This one passage in him must not be omitted where he writes thus Great multitudes of people together with the Preists did not cease with teares and much groaning to powre forth Prayers unto God for the soule of the Emperour wherin they performed an Office very acceptable and desired by the pious Prince himself And likewise God therby shew'd his singular goodnes to his servant both in that after his death his Empire descended to his own dear children and that himself obtain'd repose in the place so affected by him wherin the Memory of the Apostles was ioyâ—tly celebrated 10. That the Church did not doubt of the happines and glory of this pious Emperour after his death the Martyrologes of the Greek the Gallican and Brittish Churches are assured testimonies in which on the one and twentieth of May his Memory is anniversarily solemnised And particularly in Brittany Temples were built and dedicated to his honour One of which still remaines in the Province of the Ordovices or Northwales call'd at this day by his name which was erected by the Brittains when they Were driven by the Saxons into those quarters THE EIGHTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAP. 1.2 Constantin divides the Empire among his three Sons 3. Brittany under Constantin the younger 4. His kindnes to S. Athanasius 5. He is slain by his Brothers soldiers 1. THE Emperour Constantin at his death divided the Roman Empire among his three Sons so as that his eldest Son Constantin enioy'd for his portion the Provinces of Gaule Spain Brittany and all other conquer'd countreyes on this side the Alpes Constantius the Second Son being only present at his Fathers death took possession of the Eastern Regions together with Egypt and the youngest son Constans had the government of Italy and Africk 2. Now the Gests of these and severall succeeding Emperours we will leave to such Historians as have written of the generall affaires of the Church and Empire For having confin'd our selves to matters which concern the Ecclesiasticall state of Brittany our purpose is to treat no further of such Emperours then as they are necessary for Chronology or shall concern our own countrey 3. As touching therfore the Second Constantin within whose Iurisdiction Brittany was comprised his Raign was short not lasting entirely four years And all that we can record of him is that he was constant in the Profession of the Catholick Faith establish'd in the Great Council of Nicaea wherin he was imitated likewise by his Youngest Brother Constans So that by these two Emperours means all the Western Churches were secured from the infection of Heresy which miserably defaced the Eastern parts by reason that Constantius raigning there suffred himself to be perverted by Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia and other Arian Hereticks 4. Now an illustrious proof
sublime a name they might better resist the Enemy But the unconstant soldiers finding his incapacity as suddenly depos'd him and in his place chose Gratianus born in the same Island 2. But within four monthes they slew likewise Gratianus for his insupportable cruelty Which being divulg'd in the countreys abroad their old Enemies out of Ireland return'd and being attended by the Scots Norvegians and Daci they march'd crosse the Island from sea to sea wasting all with fire and sword 3. In this extremity the Brittish Army proclam'd Emperour a Soldier called Constantin not for any merit of his courage saith S. Beda but only for the hope they fancied in his name as if the present ruins could not be repair'd but by another Constantin 4. Concerning this mans Election Geffrey of Monmouth follow'd by Florilegus and others frames this story How Wichelin commonly call'd Guithelin Arch Bishop of London seeing the calamity of Brittany and weaknes of the Romans pass'd over Sea into lesser Brittany formerly call'd Armorica where Aldroenus raign'd the fourth from Conanus whom Maximus had first constituted King there To him the Bishop made his humble petition that he would out of commiseration to the countrey from which himself was descended undertake the Government of it The King refused this offer as to himself but was content that his Brother Constantin should accept that Title whom he furnished with Soldiers and a Navy sent them into Brittany When presently the Brittains generally flock'd to him out of their caverns and lurking places and vnder his conduct marching against the Enemies obtain'd an illustrious Victory This being done they sett the Crown on his head at Chichester and gave him to wife a Noble Roman Lady who had been brought up by the same Bishop Guithelin By her he had three Sons the Eldest was Constans whom he made a Monk at Winchester in the Church of S. Amphibalus The other two were Aurelius Ambrosius and Vterpendragon whom he committed to the education of the same Archbishop 5. But these are fictions either invented or credulously embraced by Geffrey of Monmouth a man whose end in writing a history was not to propagate Truth but to exalt his own nation For first it is certain that when Constantin was proclam'd Emperour in Brittany the Arch-Bishop of London was not Wichelin but Fastidius Priscus who dyed about the year four hundred and twenty whose Successour was Voadinus and after him Guithelin in the year four hundred fifty six 6. Again that this Constantin was so far from being Brother of a King that his originall was base and unknown we have the testimony of the most ancient and authentick Historians S. Beda sayes he was chosen Ex infimâ militiâ out of the lowest rank in the Army and this not for any merit but meerly a fortunat presage of his name The place where he was chosen Emperour was Caër-Segont neer Caër-narvon afterward call'd Caer-custenith perhaps from this Constantins election there Being chosen he directed Messengers to the Emperour Honorius to excuse himself as being by violence compell'd by the soldiers to accept that Title thus writeth Zosimus which alone destroys Geffreys fable 7. The same year Constantin pass'd over into Gaule where gathering an army he subdued all the regions on this side the Cottian Alpes dividing Gaule from Italy and then saith the same Zosimus he accounted his possession of the Empire secure He likewise drew out of his Monasticall Solitude his Son Constans whom he created Caesar This is testified by Orosius and Marcellinus Comes 8. The seat of his Empire he placed at Arles he constituted firm guards upon the River Rhine to hinder the excursions of the Germans and utterly broke the forces of the Vandalls Sueves and Alans which had wasted all the Provinces between the river Seine and the Rhine 9. Afterward he sent his Son Constans into Spain who by many successfull combats subdued the countrey And whereas two Noble Brethren Didymus and Verenianus having collected an army of Spaniards faithfull to the Roman Empire had seised on the streit passages through the Pyrenean mountains Constans courageously broke through them Which having done he committed the care of defending those passages to forraign Soldiers to the great displeasure of the Spaniards who thereupon entred into league with the Vandals and Gothes against him For these good successes Constans by his Father was pronounced Emperour to whom he repaired leaving Gerontius in his place Generall in Spain 10. But the year following he was sent back into Spain attended by Iustus a famous Captain Whereat saith Zosimus Gerontius was so offended that he procured the barbarous Soldiers in Gaule to revolt so that Constantin having sent a considerable part of his army into Spain and not being able to represse them severall Provinces both in Gaule and Brittany forsook their dependence on Rome casting out the Roman Magistrats and governed themselves by their own will and laws Notwithstanding the same Authour afterward insinuats that the Emperour Honorius himself freed the Brittains from their dependence writing letters to them wherin he exhorted them to provide for themselves 11. Gerontius not content with this assumed to himself the Title of Emperour and investing with the same purple Maximus whom he left in Spain he with an army marched against Constantin whom he beseiged in Arles But an Army from Honorius under the conduct of Constantius a Roman approaching Gerontius his soldiers forsook him and the Spaniards remaining out of contempt of him attempted to kill him and encompassing the house into which he retired they sett it on fire So that Gerontius having first killd his wife at last killd himself also This is Sozomens relation 12. As for Constantin he was again beseiged at Arles by the Roman General Constantius and being inform'd that Ebodicus whom he had sent into Germany to collect aid from the Franks and Alemanni was intercepted in his return he devested himself of his Imperiall Purple and flying for refuge into a Church was there consecrated a Preist Whereupon the Soldiers in the Town having pardon offred them opened the gates Constantin with his Son Iulian was sent into Italy but by the way was slain 13. The year before Constantins unhappy death was deplorable to the whole world by the destruction of Rome overcome and sack'd by Alaricus King of the Goths Then not only the immense wealth of the Citty for so many years heap'd together but the ornaments of Churches became the prey of barbarous Soldiers who were astonish'd to see the munificent vessells with which Constantin the Great had enrich'd them XXVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Melorus a young Brittish Prinie 1. OVR Martyrologe the same year wherin the Vsurper Constantin was slain commemorats a more happy death call'd a Martyrdom of a young Brittish Prince whose name was Melorus or Meliorus Of whom mention is made in the Monuments of Cornwall
out of her hiding place and last of them all receiv'd the crown of Martyrdom 11. Such a Sacrifice as this had never before nor hath been since offred to Almighty God by his Church We read of a S. Agnes a S. Catherine a S. Lucia and a few other miraculous Examples of courage and chastity in tender Virgins but they were single persons neither is it unusuall with God to shew the power of his Grace in some particular favourits of his to exalt the Faith and confound Vnbeleivers There have likewise been recorded illustrious Examples of multitudes of men which have freely without resistance suffred Martyrdom as the Thebaean Legion c. But such courage in men especially soldiers who dayly look death in the face is not to be esteemed very extraordinary Whereas here we find a far more numerous Army consisting of young timerous tender Virgins to whom ordinarily the sight of an Enemies look is insupportable offring themselves freely to innumerable swords Among them all not one single soule is found which yeilds to their flatteries or fury and but one which delays her suffring the space onely of a single night after which she as it were animated with the united Spirits of all her Companions next day solicites the united fury of innumerable Enemies against her self alone and gloriously triumphing over the rage of men and Hell too is ioyfully receiv'd among her blessed CoÌ„panions XXIII CHAP. 1 2.3 c. The Names of these Holy Virgins Their Sacred Relicks dispersed all the world over Names of Churches where they are Venerated 1. THE fame of this Tragedy in which was display'd the extremity of savage cruelty in men and miraculous courage in Virgins was no sooner spread abroad in the world but that all countreys and Churches became suitours to be enrich'd with a portion of their sacred Relicks which have been spread through Germany Gaule Italy Brittany yea Asia Africk and of late India it self So exactly was fullfill'd the Canticle of S. Vrsula and her Associats mention'd by Gildas Thou O God hast given us as sheep to be devoured and hast disperst us among the Nations 2. Not above ten years after this glorious Martyrdom that is about the year of Grace four hundred sixty three saith Hermannus Fleien one of the Canons of Colen Solinus nam'd by others Aquilinus Arch-Bishop of that Citty as we find in our ancient Records out of reverence to the Memory of these holy Virgins enclosed with walls the sacred place of their Martyrdom in which was erected a Church consecrated to their cheif Captain S. Vrsula which remains to this day by the accesse of which place the Citty of Colen was so much enlarg'd He also took out of the ground as carefully as he could their sacred bones which he reverently again buried in chests hewn out of stone 3. Neither did Brittany long delay to testify her veneration to these her blessed countrey-women A witnes whereof is a well known Town call'd Maidenhead For thus writes Camden The Thames saith he winds back to a little town formerly call'd Southlington but afterward Maidenhead from the Superstitious reverence there given to the head of I know not what holy Virgin one of the eleaven thousand Brittish Martyrs which under the conduct of S. Vrsula returning from Rome into their countrey were martyrd by Attila call'd the Scourge of God near Colen in Germany Thus he censures the piety of a world of devout Emperours Kings Princes Bishops and Doctours of Gods Church in all ages 4. A volume might be written if we should â—eap up all testimonies which a world of Churches have given of their veneration to these Holy Martyrs Therefore we will only here sett down a Catalogue of such of their Names as have escaped oblivion And thereto adjoyn the Churches where many of them are venerated in regard their Holy Relicks repose there 5. S. Vrsula for orders sake divided that innocent Army into certain Squadrons First then she gave a generall authority over all under her to these Virgins S. Cordula S. Eleutheria S. Florentia and S. Pinnosa Next she assign'd the care inspection of a thousand to each of these following S. Benedicta S. Benigna S. Carpophora S. Celindes S. Clementia S. Columba S. Lata S. Lucia S. Odilia S. Sapientia and S. Sybylla After which these particular Virgins names are recorded Saint Agnes S. Antonina S. Areaphila S. Babcaria S. Baldina S. Candida S. Caraduméa S. Christina S. Columbina S. Corona S Cunera Saint Deodata S. Flora S. Florina S. Florentina S. Grata S. Honorata S. Honoria S. Hostia S. Languida S. Margarita S. Margaria S. Oliva S. Panpheta S. Panefrides S. Pavia S. Paulina S. Pharanina S. Pisona S. Sambaria S. Sancta S. Semibaria S. Terentia S. Valeria 6. The Body of S. Vrsula her self is still preserv'd at Colen but her Head was translated to Paris where the illustrious Colledge of Sorbon acknowledges her their Patronesse At S. Denys in France there is a commemoration of Panefredis Secunda Semibaria Florina and Valeria companions of S. Vrsula whose relicks repose there At Huy in Germany is celebrated the Translation of S. Odilia famous for frequent miâ—acles In Flanders the Monastery of Marcian possesses some part of the Body of S. Cordula The Monastery of Good Hope belonging to the Premonstratenses enjoy the Relicks of S. Terentia S. Marguarita S. Baldina S. Samburia and S. Margaria translated thither when Reinaldus was Arch-Bishop of Colen The Monastery of S. Martin in Tornâ—y glories in the Bodies of S. Honorata Florina and some part of the Relicks of S. Vrsula The Monastery of S. Amand in Pabula preserves the Bodies of three of these Virgins whose names are unknown At Andain in Arduenna repose the Bodies of S. Grata S. Hostia and S. Areaphila A Hospital in Tornay possesses S. Languida At Arras the Bodyes of S. Beata and S. Sancta are said to repose in the Cathedrall Church Four of these Holy Virgins are celebrated at the Monastery of S. Bertin in S. Aumar At the Church of S. Salvius the Relicks of S. Pavia and S. Caradumea are venerated The Norbertins at Vicoine possesse the Bodies of S. Corona S. Pharanina S. Babcaria S. Margarita another S. Margarita S. Benedicta S. Cordula S. Sambaria S. Deodata S. Panpheta and S. Christina The Canons of Tungres venerate the Heads of S. Pinnosa and S. Oliva The Nunnes of Mays venerate the Relicks of S. Paulina S. Florentina and eight other Holy Virgins companions of S. Vrsula In the town of Rhenen in the Diocese of Vtrecht is celebrated the memory of S. Cunera which holy Virgin in our Martyrologe is said to have been withdrawn from the slaughter by a certain noble Matron in whose house she was awhile conceal'd but being discover'd had her neck broken But the Belgick Writers say that she in compassion was by a certain Noble man privately taken from the rest and conveyed to his house Where his
on both sides and at last they came to a battell which was fought saith Ethelwerd in the feild of Egelestirpe now call'd Alesford a town in Kent wash'd by the River Medway On the Brittains side were three Cheif Captains who lead each a third part of the Army Ambrosius Aurelianus lead the first division Vortimer the second and Catigern a younger Brother of Vortimer lead the third The Saxon army was conducted by the two Brethren Hengist and Horsa 3. The order and successe of this battell is thus describ'd by Huntingdon In the seaventh year after the arrivall of the Saxons in Brittany a Battell was fought at Alestrew At the beginning whereof Horsa set upon the army of Catigern with such Vigour that it was dispers'd like dust before the wind and Catigern the Kings son was slain But his Brother Vortimer a Prince of admirable courage falling in sidewayes into Horsa's squadrons routed them and kill'd Horsa the most valorous of the Saxons the remainder of his forces fled to Hengist who then was fighting with invincible courage against Ambrosius By this means the whole Weight of the combat lay upon Hengist who being assalted and brought into great straits by the accession of Vortimers forces after he had a good while sustain'd the impression of the whole Brittish army was at last overcome and compell'd to fly which he had never done before Yet this victory cost the Brittains very deare for great numbers of them were slain 4. With this account given by Huntingdon agrees likewise Mathew of Westminster Yet Wigorniensis expressly affirms that Hengist after the death of his Brother Horsa obtained the Victory And with him Ethelwerd seems to agree 5. Horsa's body was buried in a place not much distant from that of the battell which to this day continues a Monument of his Memory being from him called Hâ—rsted As for Catigern the Son of Vertigern his body is suppos'd to have been buried at Aylsford by the Saxons call'd Eglesford by Henry of Huntingdom Ellestre and by the Brittains Saissenaeg-haibail because the Saxons were over come there To testify which victory there still remain four great stones standing upright over which others are crossewise layd after the manner of Stone-heng in Wiltshire which from Catigern are vulgarly and imperfectly call'd Keith-coty-house Thus writes Camden 6. Horsa being dead the Saxons exalted Hengist to the Title of King of Kent saith Mathew of Westminster And the same year he is reported to have fought three battells against the Brittains But being unable to resist the valour of Vortimer he was forced to retire himself into the Isle of Thanet where likewise he was dayly assalted by the Brittish ships At last the Saxons leaving their wives and children in that Island returned into Germany to call in new and greater forces 7. The year after Hengists return into Germany dyed the glorious King Vortimer in the fourth yeare after he was assumed to a participation of the regall authority Some Writers affirm that he dyed a naturall death by a disease Others say he dyed by poyson administred to him by the fraud of his late Mother-in-law Rowena to which effect thus writes Sigebert with whom agree Geffrey of Monmouth Mathew Westminster Richard White c. The Devill envying the goodnes of Vortimer suggested to the mind of his Step-mother to cause poyson to be given him by one of his servants Which he having drunk and perceiving that death approach'd he divided his treasures among his soldiers earnestly exhorting them to fight courageously for their countrey Moreover he commanded a Pyramid of brasse to be made and placed in the Haven where the Saxons usually landed Vpon which Pyramid his body was to be layd to the end that the Enemies seeing the Monument of so great and valorous a Prince might be frighted back into their own countrey 8. But it is more probable that it was only his statue which he intended should be so placed on the Pyramid For being a Christian Prince he was no doubt buried after the Christian manner with decent solemnity Moreover the same Sigebert acknowledges that he was buried in the Citty of the Trinobantes now called London And with him saith Henry Huntingdon was buried the flower and glory of the Brittish Nation 9. Besides Vortimers courage he is celebrated by ancient Writers for his Piety and other Vertues Chamber a Writer formerly cited by Richard White affirms that in his war against the Saxons be bore in his Ensign the Image of our Lord Iesus Christ to which devotion of his we may impute his Victories In like manner a few years after the famous King Arthur yet more prosperously bore against the same Enemies the Image of our Blessed Lady Sigebert likewise testifies of the same King Vortimer that he restored the Churches destroyed by the Saxons and possessions wrested by them from his Subjects 10. The same year after Vortimers death Hengist return'd out of Germany with greater forces and took a firmer possession of his Kingdom of Kent and for the better establishment of his family therein he joyn'd in his regall power his son Aescae To oppose him therin the Brittains invaded the countrey with a great army the successe of which invasion is thus related by Henry of Huntingdon Hengist and his son Aesca having received auxiliary forces from their own countrey and being more confident of victory by reason of the death of the Young Prince Vortimer prepar'd themselves for war at Creganford The Brittains army consisted of four great Bodies conducted by four valiant Captains But when the conflict was begun they found themselves too weak for the Saxons whose numbers were much more encreas'd then formerly For those that came last were chosen robustious soldiers who with their swords and battle-axes did horribly cleave asunder the bodies of the Brittains Yet did they not give ground till they saw their four Captains slain But after that they were so incredibly terrified that they fled from the feild of battell as far as London and from that time never had the courage to bring an army into Kent again So that Hengist and his son Aesca quietly enjoy'd that Kingdom having their Palace fixed at Canterbury Thus began this new Kingdom of Kent in the eighth year after the coming of the Saxons into Brittany VI. CHAP. 1.2 Hengist persecutes Christians 3 4 c. The Martyrdom of Voadinus Arch-bishop of London 1. IT is not probable that when Vortimer was rais'd to the throne of Brittany this was done by the deposition of his Father Vortigern for we find that when Vortimer was dead his Father afterward continued King for some years and for a while gave proofs of his courage in endeavouring to represse the ambition and violence of his Father in-law Hengist though afterward he returnd to his former slouthfull licentious manner of living 2. Now during the warrs between the Brittains and Saxons in the third year of Vortimers
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
a Feast four hundred and sixty Noble Brittains a son of one of the said Neblemen named Aben with much adoe escaping retired himself into a wood on 〈◊〉 mountain nor far distant from Oxford Southward where he lived a long time among wild beasts sustained only with hearbes and rootes and wanting water he by hiâ— Prayers obtained a spring remaining to this day And the people of the countrey observing his Sanctity frequently visited him for instruction in Christian Piety But he thirsting after solitude privately went into Ireland where he happily ended his dayes The mountain was from him called Abendun on which was built a Cell and a Chappell consecrated to the blessed Virgin Mary 3. In such state the place continued till this time in which a Monastery was built there by the liberality of the forementioned Cissa a Prince of the West-Saxons under whose dominion was Wiltshire and a great part of Barkshire And the occasion of that foundation was this Cissa had a Nephew called Heane a man of great piety who having heard from a certain Preacher a sermon on those words of our Saviour That it is easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a Needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of heaven presently conceived a contempt of earthly riches and a resolution to aspire only to heavenly Beatitude Thereupon coming to his Vncle Cissa he begged of him a place for erecting a Monastâ—â—y Which he willingly gave him making choice of this Mountain called Abendun 4. There therefore Heane began to build but with very ill successe For whatsoever wâ—s raised in the day fell down in the night and this hapned successively very oft At which Heane being much troubled there came to him a certain Hermite who lived in a Wood called Comenor and told him saying Father Heane this last night I saw certain men with carts carying away the stones and timber from thiâ— place And I sayd to them You doe very ill in taking away these materialls provided for the honour of God and our Blessed Lady But they answerd mee We know that very well Therefore to morrow goe and tell Heane the Abbot that it is not Gods will he should proceed in this building But let him goe to a town called Sevekesham there he shall find the place marked where he shall build Heane went thither with the Hermite and they found there near the Thames a large square Trench made as on purpose to lay the Foundation 5. There therefore the Monastery was built and the name of Sevekesham changed into Abendon The Habits of the Monks were black but they wore no stamines They had noods lined with Catts skins They lived separated in Cells and to each Cell belonged an Oratory but on Sundayes and Feasts they mett in the Church at Masse and dined together And then they used Silken Cowles They abstained from flesh except in great sicknes c. For the endowment oâ— this Monastery Cissa gave many Lordships and Heane the greatest part of his inheritâ—nce 6. Heane had also a Sister named Cylla or Cyssa who with the consent or her Vncle Cissa employed all her possessions in erecting a Monastery of Religious Virgins at a place called Heâ—nestow seated near the River Thames so called because there a Chappell had been built to the Honour of S. Helen There a Congregation being assembled of many devout Virgins she became their Abbesse And having obtained or rather probably found in the old Chappell a small portion of one of the Nayles of our Lords Crosse she caused it to be inserted â—nto a large Crosse of Iron with command that when she was dead it should be layd on her breast and buried with her And out of Reverence thereto she made her Moâ—astery to be consecrated to the honour oâ— the Holy Crosse and of S. Helena Concerning this Crosse called the Black Crossâ— how it was afterwards found by S. Ethelwold held in great Veneration we shall declare further in due place This Monastery was afterward translated to Witteham and warres following the Religious Virgins were dispersed and what became of them is not known for they never returned thither XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Egfrid King of the Northumbers His Victory over Wulfere King of the Mercians 5. His Liberality to the Monastery of Rippon 6 7. Two Miracles wrought by Saint Wilfrid 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred seaventy one Egfrid succeeded his Father King Oswi in the Kingdom oâ— the Northumbers for though his Brother Alefrid King of the Deiri was elder yet he being then on some occasion absent in Ireland Egfrid was admitted to the Throne into the society whereof he piously received his Brother Elsuin 2. He was in the beginning of his raign disquietted on both sides on the North by the incursions of the Picts and on the south by the Mercians but by his valour and good conduct assisted also by the Prayers of Saint Wilfrid to whom he was most munificent he not only secured his Province from danger but triumphed gloriously over his Enemies 3. As touching the Picts William of Malmsbury relates how upon the death of King Oswi a Warlick Prince they despising the unsetled state of his Son Egfrid made furious incursions into his kingdom but the young King together with his Generall Berney mett them and with a very small army defeated an innumerable multitude of Picts insomuch as heaps of their dead bodies lying on the groand made that which formerly was a plain become a hilly countrey and the Rivers bâ— multitudes of carkeises were inâ—ercepted in their course 4. And presently after Wulfere King of the Mercians lead an army against the Northumbers enraged with the memory of his Father Penda who had been slain by them He came therefore with a confidence at least to recover the former dammage if nâ—t to acquire a New Kingdom But his fortune was unprosperous as his Fathers had been onely whereas King Penda had lost his life in the Battail his Son Wolfer was compelled to a shamefull flight which he survived but a few dayes and part of his Provinces became subject to the King of the Northumbers to witt the greatest part of Lincolnshire 5. King Egfrid expressed his thankfullnes to God for these victories by liberall endowments of his Church Particularly his bounty was extended to the Church and Monastery of Rippon founded by S. Wilfrid on which he bestowed large possessions saith William of Malmsbury And when the said Holy Bishop was to consecrate that Church he invited both King Egfrid and his Brother King Elswin to the Ceremony where they were entertained magnificently three days and highly exalted for their piety and munificence Which externall pompe and gladnes was encreased by a wonderfull miracle which God wrought by S. Wilfrid in restoring a dead child to life The manner whereof because from thence we may observe the agreement between the Brittish and Saxon Churches in Faith and Ecclesiasticall Discipline
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
Egwin Bishop of that Diocese to take into their care and protection the said Monastery and in case any Tyrants or oppressours should invade the rights or possessions of it to smite them with the rodd of Excommunication 10. S. Egwin being returned with these Charters and Letters the Arch-bishop accordingly assembled a Synod at a place named Aln-cester so called by reason of its situation on the banks of the River Alne it being a place commodious for the present purpose by reason of its vicinity to Evesham from which it was distant about seaven miles it was also a remarkable place because there was a Palace of the Kings of the Mercians And it is observed in the Life of Saint Egwin that this was the place where he ordinarily preached and exhorted the people 11. The onely busines in this Synod of Alne was the reading and confirming the â—ayd Charters and Priviledges Which being â—one the said Arch-bishop sent Saint Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York who was there present â—o Evesham to consecrate the place VII CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of S. Wilfrid with his preparation thereto 8.9 c. S. Acca succeeds him in the See of Hagulstad 1. THIS was the last publick action that we read performed by S. Wilfrid For now were finished the four years according to a promise of the Holy Archangel S. Michael added to his life after his great sicknes in France The which sicknes returning presently after this Synod he prepared himself for his last hower The manner of which preparation is thus described by William of Malmsbury 2. S. Wilfrid saith he having for the space of four years enioyd an undisturbed tranquillity according to the promise of the Archangel Michael was again assaulted with the same infirmity which formerly had seised on him at Meaux Meldis in France and now it was so violent that it suddenly deprived him both of his senses and speech Whereupon his Disciples who assisted him made their prayers unto God that he might at least recover his speech to the end he might dispose his affairs then not well settled After which Prayer his speech was immediatly restored to him and a few days after he recovered likewise so much strength that he was enabled to visit all the Monasteries and other places depending on him Thus being by his frequent sicknesses admonished that death approached he took care to accomplish those good designs in the administration of which he formerly had not been sufficiently diligent 3. He ordained Abbots and Superiours over all his Monasteries and as touching his Treasures he divided them into four parts Of which one portion and that was the greatest he bequeathed to the Roman Church by whose authority he had been exempted from all injuries and restored to his honours And this part he intended himself to present notwithstanding his great age if he had not been prevented by death A second part he gave to the poor A third he delegated to the Superiours of his Monasteries to the end that therby they might be enabled to purchase the freindship and favour of Great men consequently secure themselves from the violence of their adversaries The fourth part he bestowed on those who had been his attendants and companions in his travells and who as yet had not received possessions for their Sustenance 4. Having performed these things he took leave of his Disciples at Rippon whom he especially loved and in other parts of the Northumbers and took a iourney to a conference with Ceolred King of the Mercians to which he was invited namely to the forementioned Synod and consecration of the Monastery of Evesham And being there he provided carefully for the security peace of his Monasteries in that Region which through the indulgence of Princes he had founded in great number 5. After he had made a progresse through them all and procured great advantages to them in which care he spent a year and a half immediatly after he was by a renewing of his infirmity again admonished of his approaching death This hapned to him when he was in the Isle Inundule or as Saint Beda calls it the Province of Vndule a region in Northamptonshire at this day called Oundale corruply saith Camden for Avondale or the Vale of Avon Perceiving then that his last hower was come he made a short exhortation to his Disciples and children for his weaknes would not permit him to speak much and having bestowed on them his Benediction he for ought appeard without any pain at all finished his life whilst the Monks there present reciting the Psalier were come to those words of the Psalm Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created c. He dyed on the fourth day before the Ides of October saith S. Beda and in the seaventy sixth year of his age having been Bishop the space of forty six years 6. He was a man who for iustice sake had been exposed to many dangers and who in the places to which he was banished did not spend the time unproffitably but was very diligent in erecting Monasteries and founding Bishopricks He was naturally qualified so as easily to ingratiate himself with Stranger Princes in whose countreys he lived an exile and on the other side by reason of his inflexible love to iustice he was exposed to the hatred of his Naturall Princes No man ever lest so many Monasteries behind him which he distributed to many Successours From the Monastery of Oundalo where he dyed and over which he had appointed a certain Abbott called Cudbald his Body was caried to Rippon where it was buried with great honour These wonders attended his death 7. In the hour of his expiration there was heard a sweet melody of birds and clapping of their wings as if they were flying up to heaven but not one bird could be seen And the same thing hapning severall times during the solemne Procession when his body was transported certain devout and prudent persons then present interpreted it to be an assembly of Angells which according as had been promised him were come to conduct his soule to heaven For as hath been already declared out of Saint Beda the Archangell Michael appearing to him in France said to him these words I doe assure thee that for the present thou shalt recover from this sicknes But be prepared for after four years I will visit thee again His Body was buried in the Church of the Blessed Apostle Saint Peter in Inrhypum Rippon neer the Altar toward the south and on his Tomb was inscribed an Epitaph recorded by the same Saint Beda and importing how he had founded the same Church and richly adorned it how he had erected there a rich Crosse of silver how he had left there the four Gospells written in Letters of gold enclosed likewise in a golden case How he had â—educed his countrey to the Catholick observation of Easter How he had founded great numbers of Monasteries instructing them in the ancient Rules of
Divine Verities as far as they had â—carnâ— them they in succession of times should be instructed by the English Nation in those things which they had not so well learnt and be brought to a perfect form of living As on the contrary the Brittains who refused to make known to the English that knowledge of Christianity which they had when as afterward the English became by other means perfectly instructed in the Rule of Christian Faith and Discipline they remain in their old errour and irregular practises neither admitting the ancient Catholick Tonsure on their heads and observing the Christian solemnities contrary to the Orders and practise of the Catholick Church 4. Now these Monks of Hy by the instruction of Saint Egbert received the Catholick Rite when Dunchad was their Abbot about fourscore years after they had sent Aidan their Prelat to preach to the English Nation This Dunchad was the tenth Abbot of Hy after Saint Colomba and the Annals of Vlster observe that he admitted the Roman Rites of Easter in the year of Grace seaven hundred and sixteen on the fourth day before the Calends of September being Saturday and that he dyed the year following 5. As touchinh S. Egbert S. Beda addes that he remained thirteen years in the sayd Island which by a new Grace of Ecclesiasticall Communion and peace he had consecrated to Christ. Concerning his happy death we shall speak in due place THE TWO AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. The Gests of the Holy Abbot S. Ceolfrid He resigns his Office and in travelling toward Rome dyes at Langres in France 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred and seaventeen is illustrated by the deaths of two glorious English Saints the great S Swibert Apostle of the Germans and Saint Ceolfrid the worthy Successour of S. Benedict Bâ—scop in the government of the Monasteries of Saint Peter and S. Paul at Wiremouth and Girwy in the Kingdom of the Northumbers 2. Treating above of the occurrents of the year of our Lord six hundred eighty three we then out of a History of Saint Beda lately published concerning the Abbots of those two Convents related the memorable Gests and happy deaths of Easterwin Sigfrid and S. Benedict Biscop who had been Abbots of the same before this S. Ceolfrid to whom S. Benedict at his death recommended the care of them both and by whom Saint Beda himself received his education in learning and piety Now therefore it will be requisite to pursue his Narration concerning this his devout carefull Master and Benefactour Which is as follows 3. S. Ceolfrid saith he was a man industrious in all things sharp of witt diligent in busines ripe in iudgment and fervent in his zeale for promoting Religion He as hath been already declared by the assistance of S. Benedict Biscop in the space of seaven years founded perfected and governed the Monastery of S. Paul the Apostle and afterward became Abbot both of that and the other Monastery also of S Peter which considering their mutuall charity and propinquity were to be esteemed as one Monastery In which Office he continued twenty eight years carefully and prâ—dently accomplishing the worthy design begun by his Predecessour S. Benedict For he added severall new built Oratories encreased the number of Sacred Vessels and Vestments for the Altars and Church and also much enlarged the Libraries of both the Monasteries formerly well furnished by his Predecessour Particularly he added three Pandects of a New Translation to a former one of an old of which one he took with him in his last voyage to Rome leaving the others to each Monastery one he gave likewise a large Book of Cosmography of an admirable work which S. Benedict had bought at Rome 4. Moreover he purchased of the devout and learned King Aldfrid a peice of land of eight families near the River Fresca for a possession to the Monastery of S. Paul which land had been taxed by S. Benedict but he dyed before he could accoÌ„plish the purchase But afterward in the raign of King Osred Saint Ceolfrid made an exchange of this land for other land of twenty families near a town called Sambuâ—e from which it tooke its name because it lay nearer and more conveniently to the Monastery for the effecting of which exchange he added a considerable Summ of money And having done this he sent certain Monks to Rome who obtained of Sergius Pope of happy memory a Priviledge for the security of the Monastery as S. Benedict before had received from Pope Agathon and this latter likewise as the former was confirmed in a Synod by the subscription of the Magnificent King Aldfrid and the Bishops there present In his time also a certain servant of Christ learned in Scriptures and secular knowledge called Witmer undertaking a Monasticall Profession in the Monastery of S. Peter which he afterwards governed gave for a perpetuall possession to the same Monastery a peice of land of ten families which had been given him by King Aldfrid 5. But S. Ceolfrid after a long and exact practise of Regular Observance instructions for which he had received partly from his Father Saint Benedict and partly himself had collected from the ancient Fathers after an incomparably skillful exercise of Prayer and Psalmody never omitted by him after a wonderfull fervour showed by him in correcting the disobedient and irregular as likewise an equall mildnes in comforting and strengthning the infirm after a sparingnes in eating and drinking not usuall in governours as likewise a coursenes and vilenesse in cloathing at last seeing himself full of dayes and by reason thereof incapable of continuing the due Office of a Spirituall Superiour in teaching and giving good example to his Monks having seriously and a long space meditated on these things at last it seemed to him most expedient to give order to his Monks that according to the Priviledge given them and according to the Rule of the Holy Abbot Saint Benedict they should chuse to themselves an Abbot as himself had been chosen young by his Predecessour then going to visit the Sepulchers of the Apostles that by this means himself night have the opportunity before his death to attend to his own soule in solitude and exemption from secular cares and they under the conduct of a younger Abbot more perfectly observe the instituts of a Regular life 6. Now having made this proposall though all the Monks at first opposed themselves with sighs tears and prostrations yet at last he obtained his desire And so earnest he was to begin his iourney that the third day after he had discovered his purpose secretly to his Brethren he began it towards Rome For he was afraid least he should be prevented by death before he could come thither as in effect it fell out and indeed he was desirous to avoyd the importunity of his freinds men of quality in the world who he knew would interpose delayes and lastly
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