all manner of debauchnes being at last compunct and contrite for all went his wayes to Rome and there making a generall Confession of his whole life had for his penaÌ„ce to weare on his bare flesh a breast plate of steele tyed on with fiue chaynes of iron with a sheet of paper written therein wherein his more enormous crymes were conteyned signed with the seale of his Holynes and in this habit to go visit the holy places of Christendome vntill such tyme as through diuine power the bands should be vndone the writing be wholy cancelled This man obeyed with great promptnes and after he had beene at Hierusalem and other famous Monuments of Saints he came at last vnto Alba-regalâ—… there putting himself in prayer at the shrine of the holy King StepheÌ„ he determined not to arise from thence vntill he had perfectly obteyned the grace And now he had perseuered from one to nine a clock at night when sleepe through wearynes oppressed him and immediately the glorious King appeared vnto him saying Get vp friend and go thy wayes to the Chapell hard by of my sonne Emericus who through especiall priuiledge of incorrupt virginity shall obtayne thee vndoubtedly pardon of thy so great crymes he being one of the number of those who haue neuer defiled their garments but accompany the Lambe wheresoeuer he goes and who stand singing before the Throne of God that new song Which said he vanisheth the Penitent without delay passing to the Monument of Blessed Emericus had no sooner begun to frame new prayers but that in a moment his hard knots fell loose of theÌ„selues the seale broke open discouered the paper to be blank At the noyse of the cheynes falling off the Keepers of the Church others at that tyme entring to do their deuotions came running to him and some of them vnderstanding particularly by relation and the rest with their owne eyes what had happened neuer ceased to magnify God the giuer of all good and merueilous in his Saints To whome be all honour power and benediction for all eternity Amen S. EDVVARD KING THE ARGVMENT AN Orphan left and in minority Heau'en was my Guardian this did mee protect To this I did assigne my custody My raging â—…es heerby suppress't and checkt Yielding to 〈◊〉 did grant me liberty To serue my deare Aduancer and reflect On this false world which promising content Doth only yield vs matter to repent As those that in the Eternall Essence see What ere falls out what euer was before Veyl'd vnder bread Deare Lord I viewd in thee The machinations of the Prince that bore A Rauen bath'd in Martiall Gules to bee Dissolu'd I stretcht mine Empire past the shore That Albion bounds my force did Ireland tame That thought my standards fatall where they came Treasures so much I slighted that I viewd Vnmoued thereat my treasures borne away The â—…ately Fane at Thorney rays'd hath shewd My end Heau'ns glory Still it doth display A mynd with true Magnificence endâ—…'de Heerby I gaind what neuer shall decay And with a Ring espous'd me to the skie Where my Raygne done I raygne Eternally THE LIFE OF S. EDVVARD KING OF ENGLAND Written by Alred Abbot of Ridall of the Order of Cisterce S. Edward is chosen King in his Mothers wombe Ethelrede the Father dying Edmund succeeds Canutus rages Emma flies with her two yonger Sonnes into Normandy with the great towardlines of S. Edward IT pleased Gâ—… the Blessed Edward through especiall pâ—…ogatiue should be chosen King before his aâ—…pearing to the world for that at the instance of his Father Ethelred King of England a Parliament being called as wel for other publique affayres as to declare sweare to a new Prince howbeyt already there were two soÌ„nes of his of strong constitution Edmond and Alfred yet the Nobility Clergy being but little satisfyed with eyther of them with a wonderous inclination concurred to yeild homage vnto an vncertaine yssue as yet enclosed in the Mothers wombe which being born 〈◊〉 little after was called by the name of Edward True it is that Eâ—…red dying in those dayes and most cruell tempests threatning the Iland on euery side with consent of the Barons not to leaue thingâ—… altogether without a head the said Edmond tooke the rule vpon him Nor was it long but that a terrible inundation of the Barbarous Danes came rushing into England vnder the Tyrant Canutus Who beginning to put all things to fire and sword the Queene Mother whose name was Emma a Norman by natioÌ„ was conuayed for greater security with her yonger sonnes into her Fathers Country Heere the child Edward began betymes to giue forth very euident signes of the mature piety he was like to atteyne in tyme. Iâ—… reguard that hauing in scorne all childish sports he attended still among other tokens of a Christian mind to visit now this now that holy Conuent and to linck streight amityes with the most famous Seruants of God In the meane tyme in England the â—…ury of the Enemy grew day by day more cruell then other nor was now to be seen at last or heard any other then slaughters rapins bitter plaints and terrible outcrys The Temples burned the sacred habitations ruined the Guardians and Pastours oâ—… soules for feare of the worst punishments hid themselues in the most craggy and desert places Among which was Britwald Bishop of Winchester a man of great prayer and of a notable spirit Who praying one day with many teares for the health of the Kingdome and powring forth his afflicted hart with sighs and laments before the diuine presence after much wearynes of mind and body fell finally asleepe Where behold the Prince of the Apostles appeared to him from an eminent place with S. Edward before him a youth very gracious in countenance and adorned with a scepter diadem and royall manâ—…le who after he had with solemne vnction consecrated him with his owne hands gaue him many good documents withall full of verity and life and in particular exhorted him to keepe virginity reuealing to him besisides for how many yeares he should hold the dominion Now Britwald being sorely astonished at such a vision at soone as he returned agayne to himselfe tooke hart beseeched S. 〈◊〉 to vouchsafe to manifest to him some things of the estate of that miserable CouÌ„try of the end of the troubles which afflicted the same To which demaund the Apostle answered with a seren countenaÌ„ce Kingdomes O Bishop are of God he is the Lord and Maister of all he at his pleasure alters and changes gouernments for the sinnes of nations doth ofteÌ„ exalt the Hypocrit The diuine Maiesty is grieuously offended with thy people and therfore they are falleÌ„ into the hands of their most capitall aduersaryes but yet neuerthelesse God shall not be vnmindfull of his wonted mercy nor stretch forth his iust vengeance for euer vpon them because many yeares shall not passe after thy death but
religious liberty but all was in vayne while the Pope esteemed him more worthy of a higher degree And a litle after conducted him with him to the Councell of Bari where S. Anselme by word of mouth conformable to the doctrine he had written already left the Greekish pride and perfidiousnes much abased confounded not without the vniuersall approbation of the Fathers most cleere confirmation of the Catholique Fayth From thence he returned to Rome with the Pope who calling another Councell in that Citty vpon the ensuing Feasts of Easter S. Anselme was there also illustrated not a litle the sayd assembly with his presence and authority where with the consent of all the Prelates and particular consolation of S. Anselme was thundred forth the sentence of Excommunication as well agaynst the Laity that presumed to giue the Inuestitures of Bishoprikes as agaynst the Ecclesiastiques themselues and others who receiued them at their hands or durst consecrate any persons by such wayes intruded into those dignities The Councell being ended S. Anselme hauing obtayned good leaue departed for Lyons with resolution to remaine there with the Archbishop Hugo his most intimate friend hauing now quite lost all hope of euer returning into England agayne whiles K. William liued Newes commeth to S. Anselme how K. William was sl◅yne King Henry had succeeded He returnes welcome into England where after some troubles passed ouer he dyes blessedly in his Sea of Cāterbury Chap. 17. SAint Anselme being arriued now at Lyons while he attended to his wonted exercises of vertue and assisting the Archbishop that Diocesse behold two Monks from England with tydings that K. William vpon the second of August being a hunting was shot through the hart with an arrow and had presently giuen vp the ghost Whereat S. Anselme was very sory most bitterly lamenting affirmed he would willingly haue giuen vp his owne life to haue deliuered his King from so sudden and dreadfull an end And a litle after arriued diuers Posts to S. Anselme with letters from K. Henry his Successour and the Nobility of England both Ecclesiasticall and Secular intreating him to returne backe againe with all possible diligence for that the whole Kingdome expected him with exceeding desire and that all publique businesses were differred and put off vntill his comming Whereupon S. Anselme without delay tooke his iourney towards Normandy and crossing the Seas the first thing he did he declared to the new King in plaine termes what had lately been determined in the sacred Coūcel of Rome in the matter of inuestitures of Bishops Whereat K. Henry being greatly troubled made instance to S. Anselme that for reuocation of such a decree he would returne agayne vnto the Pope called Paschalis being newly elected in place of Vrban thē deceased to which request S. Anselme made answere playnly that it was not to be sued for or possibly procured by any meanes yet notwithstanding K Henry vrging him that at least for his satisfactiō he would leade with him another Embassadour thither whome for that purpose he determined to send to his Holynes S. Anselme obeyed and being receiued by the Pope and the whole Court with great honour his companion the Kings Embassadour after he had laboured in vayne for that which his Lord pretended returned into England without effect and S. Anselme remained in France for that he heard K. Henry was exceedingly displeased for the ill successe of his affayres in the Court of Rome and had impioussy seized vpon the Archbishoprike of Canterbury despoiled S. Anselme of all his goods Howbeit after a while the same K. Henry being touched with the feare of God and true pennance restored S. Anselme into the possession of the sayd Church and very honorably receiued him againe into peace grace Which conuersion of his how gratefull it was to the diuine M◅iesty did soone appeare by a glorious victory which he got agaynst his Brother Duke Robert with other personages who had reuolted from him through which victory K. Henry did remaine absolute Lord of Normandy And in signe of gratitude caused a Parlament to be called at London in which to the extraordinary consolation of S. Anselme there present and of all good men he renounced the custome of his Predecessours concerning the Inuestiture of Churches leauing the free disposition therof to the Pope and his Delegats shewing him selfe heerin particularly to be a true and obedient child of the holy Apostolique Sea Now S. Anselme waxing dayly more and more grieued with old age and diuers infirmityes especially of the stomacke came to such weakenes as that not being able to celebrate Masse made himselfe to he carryed euery day to the Church to heare the same and in short tyme the malady increased so much as it cleerely appeared there was litle hope of his life His benediction then was required by the Bishop of Rochester for all that were present as also for the King and Queene themselues with their children and the whole Kingdome besides and he hauing giuen it with much deuotion most sweetly bowed downe his head and one of his familiars taking the Text of the Ghospell began to recite the Passion of our Lord and comming to those wordes Vos estis qui permansistis mecum in tentationibus meis ego dispono vobis sicut disposuit mihi Pater meus regnum vt edatis bibatis super mensam meam in regno meo the good Archbishop began to fetch his breath more thicke then ordinary Whereupon the standers by being aware of the approach of his last houre after the due rites and Sacraments applyed taking him in their armes they layd him downe according to the manner of those tymes vpon a Cilice and Ashes where he rendred his blessed soule to the Creatour vpon Wednesday in Holy weeke in the morning being the 21. day of Aprill in the yeare 1109. or as others would haue it 1080. and the 13. of his Bishopricke and the 76. of his age Being afterwards sockt and reuested with his Pontificall ornaments he was decently layd forth in the Church and buryed with most solemne Exequies and with the sorrow that behoued for the losse of such and so great a Prelate Many other and great miracles besides those that we haue touched are recounted of him the which notwithstanding altogether with me make him not so venerable worthy of eternall prayse as two only Qualities which he had among others in an excellent degree to wit his Discretion and Assability with all Most noble vertues without doubt and such as we haue sayd that he aboue all other gifts should be adorned withall who desires to haue open and manifest to him the Soules and consciences of his subiects and would seeke by due meanes to lead them to some good point of Perfection and Sanctity FINIS S. OTHO THE ARGVMENT THE Altar deckt with Purple did display The fire that came from heauen which vnder lay As in its mansion
one to attend vpon him This miserable wretch turning himselfe to S. Malachy with a lamentable voyce and full of teares sayd Ay me Father you go now your wayes and know in how great and how many afflictions you leaue me and yet can you help it if you please and though I for my sinnes haue and do deserue all euill yet alas what fault haue these poore Brothers done to whome for my sake is not permitted an houre of rest with this plaint the hart of the Blessed Bishop was as it were now spilt asunder When he deerly imbracing the sick man made the signe of the Crosse on his breast saying Rest secure yet and be confident that you shall not fall into the like fit agayne till my returne That malady the poore man had susteyned for six yeares togeather But now at the only speach of S. Malachy he was recouered in such sort as he neuer fell more thereinto being in a moment deliuered from so grieuous bitter a payne and the assistants themselues from a long and yrksome a custody After which as S. Malachy was taking ship came two of his most inward friends to him for to craue a notable boone at his hands and he demanding what their request was we will not tell you sayd they till you promise vs first to comfort vs he promised so to do then they replyed We will sayd they that you faithfully promise vs another thing which is to make your returne to Ireland agayne very safe and sound the very same did all the others beseech him Whereupon the seruant of Christ retiring a litle as he was wont within himselfe and being sorry first for hauing so engaged his word not knowing how to discharge himselfe being â—…ing on the one syde to come out of debt and sory on the other 〈◊〉 leaue Clareuallis But after the same at last resolued with himselfe to comply with that which pressed him most that is not to fayle in his promise remitting the rest to the diuine pleasure Then though with an euill will he answered yea and his disciples being comforted not a litle heerwith he caused them to hoyse vp sayle But in the midst of the Sea he was driuen backe agayne vpon the cost of Ireland by a sudden contrary wind Where he landed and passed the night in a Church of his acknowledging and thanking the diuine goodnes for that without the preiudice of any he had by that meanes acquit him from all wherein he was bound to his Monkes And in the morning being afresh embarqued he landed very happily on the same day in the Kingdome of Scotland after two dayes more arriued at Verdestagnus where leauing certayne subiects for a Cistercian Abbay which he had founded there he pursued his iourney and being honorably receiued by King Dauid in the confines there staying in that place for some dayes not without a great deale of fruite he passed into England In Gisburne in England S. Malachy cures a woman of a Canker And after arriues at Clareuallis where he fals mortally sick Chap. 26. SAINT Malachy at his entrance into the kingdome of England lodged in the Canonry of Gisburne where he contracted a very streight friendship with those Priests there of singular fame Moreouer in that place a woman was presented to him very much deformed and eaten with a horrible Canker He blessed a little water therewith sprinkled the soares so efficaciously as the paines therof sudenly ceasing the next day they could hardly be seene Departing from thence he went to the Sea side where he met withan vnlookt for impediment caused through certayne differeÌ„ces risen at that tyme betweene the Apostolique Sea and the King of England about iurisdiction which were then growne so hoat as he through aboundaÌ„t iealousy permitted no Prelate to go forth of the Iland and for the same respect was the Bishop Malachy likewise reteyned for some tyme. Who on the one syde though he were sory to be delayed in that sort from his businesses yet was he not aware on the other syde that this very delay seemed to fauour his vowes designes Because if he had presently gon into Fraunce he had been feigne leauing Clareuallis and passing the Alps with diligence to haue measured the greater part of Italy the Pope Eugenius being already gone forth of France approached to Rome Where as now by this delay through a sea-passage his iourney by diuine prouidence came to be disposed in that manner as he arriued at Clareuallis euen at the point himselfe desired Where being receiued by vs as an Angell descended from Paradise what a light seemed to shine vpon this our habitation and what a solemne Feast was it for vs al and I my selfe now trembling and weake as I was being reuiued with the newes ran full of exultation and iubiley to his holy kisses and imbraces and he reciprocally shewed himselfe to vs as he was wont very pleasant and affable and wonderfully gratefull to euery one Now by this tyme were some foure or fiue dayes of our common gladnes passed ouer when behold on the Feast of the glorious S. Luke the Euangelist after he had with extraordinary deuotion celebrated Masse in publique he was taken with a feuer Wherupon falling downe on his bed he fell sick and all our ioy was turned â—…o sadnes though somewhat moderated the while in that the feuer as yet was not very violent nor rigid So as recouering hope you might haue seene what running there was vp and downe in the howse some to prouide medicins some to apply someÌ„tations some to bring him meate some to exhort and intreate him to eate euery one striuing to serue such a Ghest and accompting themselues most happy that could haue most accesse to that holy blessed man WheÌ„ S. Malachy beholding theÌ„ with a benigne countenance All these paynes would he say are too much for you to take but yet for your sakes I refuse them not and willingly do what you coÌ„maund me He knew right well his latest hower approched and to his companions who would seeme to comfort him with saying there appeared in him no mortall signe It is conuenient would he answere by all meanes that Malachy this yeare depart this life The day approches now which I as you very well know haue alwayes wished to be the last of my short dayes I know well in whome I trust and now that I haue part of my intent I am certaine and secure in like sort that my desire shal be graunted in the rest He that brought me through his clemency to this place I desired so much will not deny me the tyme nor terme and for as much as concernes this weary body of myne I will heere repose it for the soule he shall prouide for it who giues saluation to such as put their trust in him Nor haue I any small confidence in the same dya wherin by the lyuing is purchased so great a help to the dead And now
to be no prouision left for the day following In which cases the Dispensiers the Cellarians and other the Ministers of the Monastery running with all anxiety vnto the holy Abbot he would answere them with a graue serene countenance that if they would but haue confidence in the diuine Goodnes he would not suffer them to want any necessaryes nor were they deceiued awhit of his promise Because euen in that very instant or shortly after you mig◅t haue seen to come from England where many of the possessions of their Conuent lay some ship well freighted with all manner of prouision or els some extraordinary almes to arriue from some deuout person or otherwise some wealthy m◅n to come and enter into Religion amongst them wherby in time what manner of wāt soeuer or disorder in this kind might be easily remedyed And forasmuch as the forsayd possessions in England for the better manage of good gouernment required somtymes the visits and presence of the Abbot himselfe S. Anselme was fayne now and then to go ◅hither being thereunto moue◅ moreouer with desire to go and visit his deere and most venerable Father and Mayster S. Lanfranke who for his most excellent vertues from the Abbot of Cadom was assu◅pted to the Archbishoprike of Canterbury Comming then to England he was receiued with much ioy and honour not only in the sayd Citty of Canterbury but in all other places wheresoeuer he passed And he alwayes according to custome shewed himselfe most sweet and affable to all accommodating himselfe to the genius and fashions of euery one so much as he would many tymes say that he who in euery thing wherein God may not seeme to be offended endeauours to consent to the will of another comes to merit exceedingly with the diuine Goodnes that as he accordes with others in the present life so with him in the future may God and all created things seeme likewise to accord But he that dispising the neighbours contentment will attend but his owne gust only shal deserue often with the iust Iudge that euen as in this world he would not seeme to conforme himselfe to the will of any so in the other shall no man accommodate himselfe to his Since euen it is sayd by our Sauiour himselfe that euery one shall receyue according to the measure he hath proportioned to others The blessed S. Anselme now being moued with such like reasons as we haue sayd did shun by all meanes to be troublesome grieuous to any howbeyt now and then he was constrayned therefore to remit somwhat of the monasticall seuerity discipline that he vsed otherwise reputing it to redound to the greater glory and seruice of God to condescend rather a litle now and then with holy equity to such Soules as he was to help then by standing too much vpon rigour to estrange and alienate them from his speach and conuersation Whence it followed through the great affection that all seemed to beare him they came at last with a very good will to receiue very holesome and spirituall aduertisements from him Which in truth haue neuer yet beene put in print nor alwayes giuen in the same manner but proportionable to the qualityes and estate of the hearers To the Monkes aboue all things he would giue to vnderstand they should not seeme to neglect the least faults and trangressions of the Institute And was wont to confirme the same with a similitude of a Viuary or Fish-trough because that euen as when the holes or chinks are not kept well stopt within them the water by and litle goes running forth the fish doth euen perish the while So in religious houses when there is no heed taken of lighter faults by litle and litle is spirit togeather with obseruance lost He taught the Clearkes how they were to maintayne the profession which euen by name they made of hauing God only for inheritance portion lot and aduised them to stand allwayes vpon their guard least through negligence or tepidity insteed of possessing God they come to inherite the Deuill To the maryed in like sort he would giue aduertisements very full of prudence and sanctity And in this doctrine of his the diuine man proceeded not after the manner of the Maisters and deep Deuines of the world who beleiue they cannot seeme to maintayne their degree and dignity if they do not still propose very high and sublime conceipts and not so easy to be apprehended of the vulgar But S. Anselme quite contrary to such by reducing the highest points to the capacity of the meaner vnderstandings and vnfolding the obscure and intricate passages and declaring them by images and materiall examples being a thing very proper to true and absolute Wisedome indeed and confirming them moreouer with potent and manifest reasons would seeme efficatiously to engrosse them in the breast and heart so as euery one heard him with great cheerefullnes and recurred to him in their doubts with the greatest confidence that might be Nor was there in England a personage at that tyme of importāce that held it not a great misfortune to haue had no occasion to heare honour and serue such a man Yea euen King William himselfe who had conquered that Nation by force of armes and was commonly held to be fierce and cruell shewed himselfe to S. Anselme so human and benigne as they were all astonished at him K. William the Conquerour being dead his Sonne William Rufus succedes And Lanfrancke the Arch-Bishop deceasing S. Anselme is chosen in his place Chap. 13. FRom this tyme forwards S. Anselme was much conuersant in England and according to the occurrences that happened he made frequent iourneys thither And among other tymes that he went into those parts one was after the death of the said King William to whom his Sonne succeeded of the same name being a person very ill enclined and who from a King became a Tyrant and among other iniquityes of his against all Iustice he doubted not to pollute his impions hands with the oppression of the Clergy and Religious with the vsurpation of the goods of the Church Whereupon it seemed good to the Earle of Chester and to other principall Lords of the kingdome to giue him a Christian admonishment by the meanes of one of so great authority as S. Anselme was and with that occasion to comfort themselues with his presence and discourses whom they wished to be the Phisitian and Gouernour of their soules S. Anselme then being so earnestly inuited and intreated by this Man and many others with the greatest instance that might be passed ouer agayne vnto Canterbury where a litle before was deceased S. Lanfrank the Arch-Bishop and where the Clergy and people were in great care and desire to supply the vacancy of that Seate with the election of some worthy and sufficient Prelate So as now at the appearing of S. Anselme began to arise a generall whisper in the whole Citty that a new Arch-Bishop was come
already and how they ought not to thinke of any other then of him Which the humble Seruant of Christ perceiuing immediately departed from thence nor could he be induced by the prayers or intreaties of any so much as to celebrate there on the Feast thē approching of the Natiuity of the most blessed Virgin From hence according to the necessity of the Churches and the request of the Peeres he refused not to go to the Court where met with much reuerence by all the Barons the King himselfe likewise with cheerfull countenance came to receiue him euen to the gate of the Pallace and after most deere kisses and louing imbraces taking him by the right hand he conducted him into a roome thereby Where sitting downe and some words of courtesy passing betweene them S. Anselme shewed his desire to haue priuate audience with him so as the standers by went immediatly forth when he without touching awhit the matters appertayning to his Monastery for which it was thought he had principally come to Court with Christian liberty be gan to discouer to the King the sinister fame that went of him nor stuck he to specify vnto him many particulars that he might the more easily come to amend them The discourse being ended he went his wayes to seeke out the Earle of Chester was enforced to remayne there for some dayes In the meane while the King fell grieuously sicke fearing death was put in mynd by his followers assoone as possible to prouide for the principall Church of the Kingdome being then without a Pastour which was that of the aforesaid Canterbury And now this counsayle seeming good to the King he nominated the Abbot Anselm and no other for the same administration The which declaration was with admirable applause receyued of all The Abbot only at the newes thereof was strooke euen dead as it were but then gathering his forces to him agayne he endeauours by all meanes possible to resist but not being able to preuayle agaynst the deliberate consent of the King and of the whole Clergy and people he was snatched vp and carryed into the Cathedrall Church and placed in the Throne with much solémnity From thence he was straight conducted to Winchester and lodged in the suburbs of the Citty there where while he remaynes in the company of Gondolfus Bishop of Rochester and of a certayne principall Monke by name Baldwin behold one night was a great fire enkindled in the neighbour-houses which with fury went consuming whatsoeuer it met with in the way It now approched to the house very neere vnto S. Anselmes Iune when some familiar friends of the Hostesse or Mistres of the house seeing so litle remedy agaynst the fire began to carry away from thence the houshold-stuffe into some safer place But the woman being full of fayth forbad the same very confidently affirming there was no such cause of feare while she had the Archbishop S. Anselme in her house At which so generous words of hers Baldwin being moued intreated the holy Father not to deny his succour to the deuout Matron but he with accustomed modesty humility answered what should I helpe her wherein I pray Go you but forth then the other replyed and make the signe of the holy Crosse agaynst the fire and who knowes whether the diuine Clemency may not happily extinguish it by that meanes When S. Anselme replyed agayne What say you by my meanes You know not what you say And yet neuertheles for feare of the imminent danger he went forth with the others and in the sight of those furious flames was constrayned by the Bishop of Rochester and Baldwin to oppose the holsome signe of the Crosse there to A strange thing he had no sooner lifted vp his hand but as likewise it is read of S. Martin that flaming and impetuous floud of fire retiring into it selfe made a stop in its course and the flames being extinguished on a sudden left the buildings halfe burnt so farre as it had gone S. Anselme endeauours to put off the charge imposed vpon him but in vayne He after falls in disgrace with the King and is banished the Court. With a miracle that happened Chap. 14. AFter all these things S. Anselme did seeke very dexterously to put off from his shoulders that new burthen of the Archbishoprique and to that end had differred till then the acceptation thereof and his full consent thereunto But so great were the motiues and coniurations made of persons of ech quality togeather with the scruple of Obedience thereunto added which was imposed vpon him heertofore by the Archbishop of Roan as that in fine a cōsent was violently extorted from him And so was the blessed Man with great ioy and solemnity consecrated by all the Bishops of England in the Metropolis of Canterbury This consecration of his was celebrated vpon the 4. of December on the feast of the glorious S. Barbara when loe the Natiuity of our Sauiour comming shortly after S. Anselme went his wayes to the King to giue him the accustomed salutation of the good New yeare of whome he was first well intreated but afterwards partly out of malice and the meere instability of the Kings owne disposition and partly by the worke and instigation of wicked Courtiers and flatterers the state of masters was quite changed and the Kings mynd began with a sudden mutation to shew it selfe much aliened from the Archbishop while to the foresayd occasions was likewise added another of no small moment which was that K. William hoping for some great present from him at his first entrance found himselfe to be quite deceiued of his expectation since S. Anselme was not willing at all to aggrieue his subiects with any exactions loanes to satisfy the disordinate appetites of the King So that perceyuing him now to be angry with him he departed from Court and retyred himselfe to a certayne Village of his called Bregge to finish and dedicate there a Church for that parish which by the death of S. Lanfranke his Predecessour was yet imperfect In which ceremony succeeded a notable accident which was that a certayne Clerke but ill disposed comming from London vnder shew of assisting at the sacred office had thrust himsele into that troupe where casting his eye on the vessell of holy Oyle but ill lookt to as it seemed he began to lay his sacrilegious hāds theron and so with silence went secretly his wayes towards his home agayne He was now gone a pretty way as he thought when cōtrary to his opinion he found himselfe still in the same assembly in the selfe same place from whence he had fled whereat wondering not a litle he puts himselfe on the way againe behold with in a while finds himselfe still in the Church of Bregge and so went turning his backe to it agayne and agayne vntill such tyme as the people being aware of those erring and wandering steps of his cast their eyes on the Clerke
most secure that the Great God would both assiste him in so long a iourney and conserue his subiects in the peace and abundance which of his benignity he had graunted to them of late To this sense did S. Edward speake and scarcely had he finished but all those Counsellors and heads of the Prouinces began to complayne with a lowd voyce at such a resolution as not being fit the land should so be abandoned of its guide and the subiects exposed to the slaughters and outrages of the Enemyes who were ready at al occasions that should be offered them to returne againe into the Iland in armes His vow was laudable but yet coūterpoysed with too grieuous and manifest perils In this sort contended they a good while and after many answeres replyes to and fro he finally tooke resolution to remit all to his Holynes being at that tyme Pope Leo the Ninth of that name who being fully informed by expresse men and letters at large wrote back to the King in this forme Leo Bishop the Seruant of the Seruants of God to his deerely beloued Sonne Edward King of the English Health and Apostolical benediction Knowing thy good desires worthy of prayse and most acceptable to God we do yeild due thanks for the same to him through whose meanes Kings and Princes do rule and gouerne execute iustice but forasmuch as God in euery place is neere to those that call vpon his name in truth and equity and the holy Apostles are vnited with their head with one and the selfe same spirit and that he equally attends to pious prayers And that besides being euident the Kingdome of England would come to be in great daungers if thou shouldst leaue the same that with the bridle of thy power restreynest the seditious motions of the people We by the authority committed to vs from God his holy Apostles do absolue thee from the band of that vow for which thou fearest to offend the diuine Maiesty and likewise in vertue of that power which was graunted to vs by our Lord in the person of the blessed Peter when he said Quaecumque solueris super terram erunt soluta in caelis we do first absolue ◅ee as well from this band as from all other negligences and defaults whatsoeuer incurred in thy whole life then in vertue of holy Obedience and by title of penance we do commaund thee thou distribute the money assigned to this Pilgrimage to the poore and to erect besides a Monastery of Religious vnto the honour of the Prince of the Apostles yet leauing still to thy discretion eyther to teare it from the first foundations or to repayre or augmēt some other in ill plight and ruined already through iniury of tymes or other accidents furthermore that thou endow the same with rents sufficient to maynteine a good number of the Seruants of God to the end that while they there attend to prayse the diuine Maiesty the glory may redound to the Saints and pardon and indulgence to thee Besides we do will and declare whatsoeuer so conferred applyed eyther by thee or any others to be firme and stable and to be alwayes the habitation of the Monks and not to be subiect to any secular person whosoeuer except the King Moreouer we confime with most ample authority what priuiledges may seeme good to thee to be graunted so as truly they may be to the honour of God And for conclusion we do curse him with eternal maledictiō whosoeuer shall once seeme to haue the boldnes to violate or break the same This Briefe of the Pope though otherwise true and authenticall inough was notwithstanding by the diuine will confirmed with an admirable euent as followeth S. Peter appeares to an Hermit and bids him in his name to aduise S. Edward not to doubt of the Popes Briefe The ioy of the King heereat and what followed therupon Chap. 5. THere liued in those countryes a holy Hermit who hauing beene now for many yeares voluntarily shut vp in a deepe Caue with desire of Contemplation came at last to receiue the crowne of Iustice. To this man on a night S. Peter appeared and said to him K. Edward through anxiety which he feeles for a certaine vow that he made in the banishment from his Country for the care which he hath for the quiet of the Kingdome and necessityes of his Subiects hath taken resolution to seeke the pleasure of the Pope of Rome Let him know then that of myne authority he is dispensed of the same obligation with condition to found a Monastery to my honour and therefore he shall make no doubt of the Apostolicall Brief but shall endeuour to dispose himselfe without delay to performe what he commaunds him to do for that end Because the whole order proceeds from me being his ancient Protectour and perpetuall Aduocate And to the end he may see the better to resolue vpō the execution therof let him know that in the west side of London are yet to be seen the ruines of a most noble Temple and Conuent of the Monkes of S. Benet which heertofore hath beene fauoured with my presence illustrated with miracles and consecrated moreouer with my proper hands This place is called Thorney which for the sinnes of the Inhabitants there now for many yeares being giuen ouer into the hands of barbarous people of very opulent and famous is now become most poore and despicable This would I haue the King take in hand to renew adorne and endow with sacred pictures stately buildings and rich possessions that well may they say thereof Heere truly is the howse of God and the Gate of heauen Heere will I set vp a ladder by which the Angels may ascend to cary vp the supplications of Mortals and I will not fayle according to the dispositiō of ech one to open him the gates of heauen But do thou for the present put downe in writing what heere thou hast heard and vnderstood of me and without delay send the scroule to the King that so he may rest both the more secure of the dispensation and more prompt to obedience and stable in my deuotion Which sayd the Apostle vanished and the Hermits relation came into the hands of the King euen iust at the howre when the Apostolique Brief was deliuered and read Of which concurrence so together it cannot easily be expressed how glad S. Edward was thereat and how greatly astonished were all the standers by From hence he did wholy apply himself to the execution of the precept and the first thing he did was to distribute to the poore that whole summe of mony which was prepared for the voyage of Rome and then after hauing taken very diligent information of the place of Thorney he came to vnderstand how in the tyme of Ethelbert who reigned in the Country of Kent and was conuerted to the Fayth by meanes of the blessed Augustin being sent into those parts by Gregory the great to
preach the Ghospell his Nephew Sebert who ruled the Easterne part of England at that tyme was likewise baptized by the same Seruant of Christ in signe of his true piety built a Church in honour of S. Paul within the walls of his principall Citty by name London gaue good rents to Mellitus for that purpose newly created Bishop Then after without the walls to the West-ward he built and richly endowed another with a sumptuous Monastery in honour of the Prince of the Apostles Now being to make the Dedication of the Temple the night before the same Apostle S. Peter appeared to a Fisherman of the Riuer of Thames which passeth along that Monastery vpon the banks therof on the other side in the habit of a Pilgrime who promising the Fisherman a good reward made him to waft him ouer and passing out of the barke in sight of the Fisherman went directly into the Church and behold on a sudden a splendour so bright and glorious as banishing all darknes made of an obscure night a goodly day There was then present with the Apostle a multitude of the Blessed who by turns went in and out and melody was heard from Heauen while odours of vnspeakeable sweetnes were spread vp and downe The Consecration being finished the Great Fisher of Men returned agayne to the Fisher of Fish and finding him amazed astonished at that vnquoth diuine light entring agayne into his boate with him sayd to him Hast thou not something to eate and he replying The hire you promised so contented me at first and then those heauenly rayes did so quite bereaue mee of my senses as I had no thought at all of taking any fish Go to then sayd S. Peter cast thy net into the water And so he did without resistance when in a moment he tooke a huge multitude of fishes and all of one sort saue one of an vnmeasurable Greatnes which being drawne to the shore the Apostle sayd Thou shalt make a present to the Bishop Mellitus of this heere which exceeds so much the other in worth bignes The rest do thou keep to thy selfe for thy hyre know that as long as thou liuest thou shalt also haue store of them likewise thy Successours for a long time after so that you all take heed not to fish vpon Sundayes I am Peter that speakes so vnto thee and who in company of other Citizens of Heauen haue dedicated this Church as Titular to me and with this ceremony haue been pleased to supply the Episcopall rite therein Do thou tell then Melli◅ what thou hast seen and heard and for his more security heereof do thou shew him the signes which are left in the walls Whence he shall not need to reiterate the same any more but there only to celebrate a Solemne Masse and preaching to the people giue them plainly to vnderstand that I shall often visit that place and there be fauourable to the vowes and praiers of the faithfull to open them the gates of Heauen and to euery one heere beneath who shall lead a sober pious and iust life At the end of these words the Saint was seene no more When the morning being come and the Bishop now in going in procession to dedicate the Church the Fisherman went to meete him with that great fish and declared to him faythfully what was recommended to him Mellitus stood wonderfully in suspence heerat and opening the Church finds the flore to be all markt with the Greek and Latin Alphabet and the walls in twelue seuerall places to be anoynted with holy oyle and as many ends of wax tapers set vpon twelue Crosses and all these things as fresh as they seemed to haue been but now finished At which sight the good Bishop with all the multitude beginnes to blesse and thanke the diuine Goodnes without end Nor fayled the prophecy of its effect likewise in the promise made to the Fisherman forasmuch as he and all his posterity had euer after a lucky fishing in signe of gratitude for it they were volūtarily wont to giue the Monastery the tithes therof till at last one of them who would needs craftily haue subtracted the wonted tribute came to be depriued of the benefit vntill such tyme as being humbly confessed and penitent for it he had made restitution thereof and promised not to fall any more into that fault S. Edward sends to Pope Nicolas to confirme the Grants of his Predessour which was accorded He cures a Cripple and the Kings euill with diuers other Cures besides SAint Edward hauing had certayne notice of such a tradition by diuers wayes without more ado was enflamed to the restauration and reedification of the ancient Thorney and for the obteining to that end the confirmation of the priuiledges and spirituall graces already affoarded by the Sea Apostolique he sent againe certaine men of purpose to Rome with an Epistle to the new Pope in this tenour To Nicolas chiefe Father of the vniuersall Church I Edward throgh the grace of God King of the English do present all due subiection and obedience Let vs glorify God who hath care of his elect and who in place of a good Predecessour hath substituted in his place a very excellēt Successor Wherupon we do thinke it meete to come to your Holynes as to a solid rocke to refine and examine ech action of ours how good soeuer it may otherwise seeme to be that betweene vs in our Lord may still be receyued a due acknowledgement and sweet accord togeather by meanes whereof it may not be grieuous vnto you to renew and amplify at our instance the graunts and fauours which your sayd Predeceslour heertofore hath affoarded vnto vs especially in dispensing with the vow by me formerly made of my comming to Rome being changed not without the full remission of my sinnes into the building of a Monastery of Religious vnto the honour of God and the blessed Peter his Apostle as I also for my part will notfayle to confirme augment the good customes of annuall contributions which are made to the sayd S. Peter in these my Prouinces of which Collections with other appendices I do send your Holines a present to vouchsafe to pray for me and for the peace and tranquillity of my Kingdome and to ordayne that continuall and solemne memory be had of all this Nation before the Aultar where the sacred Bodyes of the two most glorious Princes of the Earth be kept The Pope very easily assented to his suites so iust he confirmed the dispensation ratifyed the priuiledges exempted those Monks from the iurisdiction of the Ordinary and recommended to the King not only the protection of the said place but euen likewise the defence and good direction of the Churches of the Iland So that all things were done in name of the Roman Bishop with the assēbly and counsayle of the Abbots Bishops In this manner an end was put to the busynes of the Pilgrimage the