countrey wasting killing not only beasts as oxen and sheep but Preists Deacons and Quires of Religious men and women They came to the Church of Lindisfarn where they miserably spoyled all the countrey about they trode under foot the most sacred things they demolished Altars and caryed away all the treasures and ornaments of the Church severall of the Monks they killed some they took for slaves and most of them after shamefull usage they drove out naked and exposed to starving by cold and hunger some likewise they drownd in the Sea 6. Alcuin having been informed of the desolation of his countrey for by many proofs in his Writings it appears that he was born in the Province of the Northumbers wrote many bewayling sad letters to his freinds there to condole with theÌ„ in their miseries One he wrote to the Monks of the Monasteries of Wiremouth and Girwy in which he seriously exhorted them to sanctity of life and to tread in the steps of their Predecessour Saint Beda c. Anoâ—her to the same effect he sent to his Brethren in the Church of York in which he called himself a Son of that Church And a third to Higbald Bishop of Lindesfarn and the whole Congregation there whom he stiles the Câ—ildren of Saint Cuthbert and tells them that he iustfull feared the same misery would befall the whole Island since Saint Cuthbert and so many Saints reposing there did not defend his own Church He concluded that assoon as King Charles should return with victory over his enemies he would goe to him and take care of redeeming the Northumbrian children which the Danish Pagans had sold into France and of other their necessities recommended to him 7. Moreover in a Letter to Offa King of the Mercians he signified that he was prepared to cary himself the presents of King Charles sent to him and thence to goe into his Native Province of the Northumbers But on better consideration he thought it more convenient to abide still in France and there to serve his countrey by doing all good offices since he knew not what benefit he could bring to a place where none could remain in any security where the Holy Altars are demolished by Pagans Monasteries polluted by adulteries and the whole land stained with the blood of their Princes 8. What those presents were will appear in an Epistle which King Charles sent to King Offa as likewise in Hoveden who writes thus The magnanimous King Charles with a potent army had lately subdued the Nation of the Hunns their countrey he wasted putt to flight their King and destroyed his army From thence he brought home fifteen carts so loadned with gold silver and precious vestments of silk that four oxen could scarce draw each of them All which spoyles the same King in thankfullnes to God for his victory commanded to be distributed among the Churches and poore not only in his own kingdom but at Rome also and in Brittany c. X. CHAP. 1.2 Displeasure of Charles the Great against the English which is afterward composed 3 A Scottish Preist banished for eating flesh in Lent 4.5 Pope Adrian dyes and Leo the third succeeds 6.7.8 A Synod at Verulam wherein the Priviledges of the Monastery of S. Alban are confirmed 9 Successions of Bishops 1. KING Offa was now returned from his pilgrimage to Rome Some years before his going thither King Charles had taken some displeasure against him the occasion whereof seems to have proceeded from English Merchants which defrauded the French of their customs In somuch as a breach had like to have been made between the two Kings So forward it was that King Charles forbad trading between the two Nations neither was it safe for English men to passe through France in devotion to Rome But King Offa who by his invasions and usurpations had made almost all the Kings in Brittany his enemies much apprehended the displeasure of so powerfull a King as Charles and therefore by many Embassages and Presents endeavoured a reconciliation with him which at length with much solicitation he obtained After which followd not only frequent entercourse or Letters between them but many other expressions of kindnes 2. There is extant a Letter of King Charles to Ethilhard Archbishop of Canterbury and Ceolulf a Bishop of the Mercians in which he informed them that a certain man a Subiect of King Offa who had incurred his displeasure had fled into France with his whole family to seek protection and security there Now this mans family being desirous to return home after the Maisters death whose name was Vmrinstan desired King Charles his Letters of Recommendation which he most willingly granted them desiring these two Bishops to intercede in their behalf with King Offa and in case they could not qualify his displeasure he desired them to send them back to him 3. Two Letters did King Charles this year write to King Offa in the one informing him that a certain Preist by nation a Scott had made some abode in the Diocese of Colen where he had been accused of eating flesh in Lent But because the accusers Proofs were not absolutly convincing therefore the Bishops in those parts would not pronounce sentence against him Notwithstanding they thought not fitt he should stay any longer among them by reason of the scandall given by such an Offence and least others should by his example learn to neglect that holy Fast. So they thought best he should be sent into his own countrey to be iudged by his own Bishops To facilitate his iourney therefore King Charles desired King Offa to take care for his safe conveyance into Scotland from whence he first came where he hoped that the Ecclesiasticall Canons were well observed 4. In a second Letter he signified to him that free leave should be given to all English pilgrims to passe through France to Rome but if any upon a pretence of devotion shall bring prohibited merchandise into France or defraud the Kings customes there that should not be suffred He further told him that he had sent sacred Vestments to severall Churches in Brittany desiring that in consideration thereof there should be made Prayers for Pope Hadrian then newly dead for though he did not doubt but his soule was in rest yet he desired this to testify his cordial affection to his most dear freind The same day that Pope Hadrian dyed there was chosen his Successour Pope Leo the third of that name The suddennes of his election and the unanimous consent of his Electours argued an eminent esteem of his sanctity and abilities He was chosen both to doe and suffer many things By him the Empire was restored to the Western parts 6. A little before Pope Hdrian dyed King Offa being safe returned from Rome according to his order assembled a Synod at Verulam near which place he had built the famous Monastery of Saint Alban What was acted in that Synod is breifly
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
whole Nation 12. This wonderfull Victory is beleiv'd to have been obtain'd neer a town call'd Mold in Flintshire for there is a large feild which still retaines the name of S. Germanus being call'd in the Brittish language Maes-garmâ—n There also runs the River Alen in which probably the Picts and Saxons were many of them drown'd And besides this the place being situated neer the Sea lay fittly for the abord of the Enemies Navy and armies This Victory likewise seems to be celebrated by S. Gregory the Great who expounding those words of Iob Cardines quoque mariâ— operiet He covereth the bottom or roots of the Sea makes mention of Alleluiah sung by the Brittains and the great vertue thereby obtain'd over the Ocean and all their Enemies S. Beda indeed applies this passage to the times of S. Augustin and conversion of the Saxons Whereas that Book was written before Saint Augustins arrivall in Brittany and therefore more properly belongs to the present story 13. The great blessings confer'd by these Venerable Bishops on our Island were in some degree recompenc'd by the prosperous voyage which at their return they acknowledg'd from the intercession of the Tutelary Saint of Brittany the glorious Martyr S. Albanus For so writes the fore mentioned Authour Constantius saying Their own merits and the intercession of the Martyr S. Albanus obtain'd for them a calm voyage by Sea so that their prosperous ship rendred them safe to the desires of their freinds at home From whom they had been absent little more then the space of a year during which short time so many wonderfull things were wrought by them never to be forgotten nor without great veneration mention'd by us This was S. Germanus his first voyage into Brittany Within six years he will be obliged to return once more and make a longer aboad here VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Patrick a Disciple of S. Germanus receives his Mission from P. Celestinus 7.8 His companions in his Mission 9.10 Irish Magicians give warning of his coming 11. c. Of the Staff of Iesus 1. DVring the time that S. Germanus remain'd in Brittany S. Patrick being then sixty eight years old inseparably adhered to him from him he learnt many instructions in Christian Doctrin Disciplin receiv'd many examples of vertue and piety for his imitation By him likewise he was encourag'd to undertake the Conversion of the Irish Nation but withall admonish'd to expect from the Apostolick see of Rome a commission and authority to execute that Apostolicall Office 2. For which purpose he accompanied S. Germanus into Gaule from whence the year following he went to Rome being desirous saith Iocelinus to have his actions and iourney into Ireland confirm'd by the authority of Pope Celestinus He had appointed by Saint Germanus for his companion to Rome to be a comfort in his travell and a witnes of his holy conversation a certain Preist named Sergecius a devout servant of our Lord. When he was arriv'd at Rome he committed himself to the Prebends of the Roman Church to be more perfectly instructed in their instituts 3. Afterwards he repair'd to the Holy Pope Celestinus and humbly casting himself at his feet earnestly besought him to employ his care for the conversion of the Pagan Irish Nation Which Petition of his being very acceptable to the Holy Pope he a while after sent for him and changing his name from Magonius to Patricius as prophecying that he should be a spirituall Father of many soules he promoted him to the Episcopall dignity and so directed him to his voyage into Ireland Thus writes Stanihurst in the Life of our Saint Other Authours affirm that he was ordain'd Bishop by S. Amator or by an Archbishop called Mathew But all generally agree that he receiv'd his Mission only from Pope Celestinus 4. And hereof S. Patrick himself is a most authentick witnes as may appear in an Epistle which he wrote of his Legation which begins thus In the name of our Lord Iesus Christ. I Patricius a poor humble servant of our Lord in the four hundred and thirtieth year of his Incarnation was sent Legat by the most holy Pope Celestinus into Ireland the inhabitants whereof by the Divine Grace I converted to the Faith of Christ c. 5. This Epistle is extant in Capgrave and also in the fifth Tome of the Great Bibliotheque of the Fathers Where is added this Observation of the learned Gerardus Vossius This Epistle of the Legation of S. Patricius we found some years since among the Manuscript Collections of Marianus Victorius of pious memory Bishop of Reate who receiv'd it transcrib'd faithfully out of a most ancient Copy of Glastenbury Abbey at the time when he attended Cardinal Poole sent by the Pope Legat into England So that the authority of it seems not fitt to be rejected The whole tenour of this Epistle has been already produc'd in the fifth Chapter of the second Book of this History upon occasion of treating concerning the first foundation of the Abbey of Glastenbury by S Ioseph of Arimathea and his disciples 6. In the same Epistle S. Patrick also testifies that together with the Episcopall Degree S. Celestinus bestowd on him twelve years of Indulgence His words are I found in Writings of a later date that S. Phaganus and Diruvianus obtain'd from the Holy Pope Eleutherius who sent them ten years of Indulgence And I brother Patricius received of Pope Celestin of happy memory twelve years Hence it is that Florilegus saith That S. Patrick took his iourney to Ireland enrich'd with spirituall treasures 7. He was accompanied in his Legation saith Iocelinus with twenty persons eminent for their wisedom and holy conversation Which were assigned to him for his assistance by Pope Celestinus In his iourney he diverted to S. Germanus his instructour from whose liberality he received chalices Preistly vestments and store of Books together with many other things proper for Ecclesiasticall Ministery 8. One of his principall companions was the same Sergetius or Segetius who by S. Germanus his order had attended him in his iourney to Rome being a pious and vertuous Preist There are mention'd in Ecclesiasticall monuments two whose names were Auxilius and Isserninus nam'd by some Servinus their names are found subscrib'd in a Synod assembled afterward by S. Patrick in Ireland Others there were of inferiour Ecclesiasticall Orders saith Bishop Vsher who under S. Patrick ministred to our Lord. 9 Warning of S. Patricks coming into Ireland was given severall years before by the Magicians and Pagan Prophets there as we read in his Life extant in Capgrave For they said A man will come hither with his wood whose Table shall be placed on the Eastern side of his house and some persons standing behind together with others from the Table will sing and the Congregation will answer them saying Amen When this man comes he
one onely person among you shall in his Name give an assault he alone by Gods power shall putt them to flight Be courageous therfore Not a man of you shall fall in this combat 4. Assoon as he had spoken this which his army hearing beleiv'd as an assurance given them from God himself a few of his soldiers the same moment with wonderfull courage rush'd upon their Enemies not at all expecting them for the Holy mans words had utterly taken from their minds all apprehension of death And at the same time an Angel of God armd like a soldier and in the shape of a man of an incredibly high stature appeard in the Kings Camp His aspect was so terrible that the soldiers hearts utterly faild them and instead of resisting their enemies they rush'd one upon another in their hast to fly away and such a confusion there was of horses and charrets that for hast they killd one another Thus a handfull of men without the losse of any one defeated a great army taking many prisoners 5. This wonderfull victory being obtain'd they return'd to the Man of God who addressing his speech to a youth named Scandalan then attending on him with a propheticall voyce thus said to him My son this day will procure for mee a tedious pilgrimage in a strange countrey where I must live absent from my kinred and freinds many years But say nothing of what I tell thee till the event shew the truth of my words 6. After this S. Columba went to S. Finian a Bishop to receive condign Pennance from him because of so much blood shed in the foresaid war and with him there went an Angel of God who shone with wonderfull brightnes but was visible to none except the Holy man Finian calld also Find barr When therfore Saint Columba demanded Pennance of the Holy Bishop his answer was Thou must be obliged by thy preaching and example to bring as many soules to heaven as by occasion of this war have sunk into Hell After which sentence S. Columba with great ioy said Thou hast pronounced a iust and equall iudgment upon mee 7. But the Holy mans troubles did not end thus for by occasion of this war and bloodshed Saint Columba in a Synod of Bishops was censur'd to abstain from the Communion though many among them dissented from this sentence upon whiâ—h great contentions and disputes arose among the Clergy which occasiond Saint Columba his letter to Saint Gildas requesting him to endeavour the composing those differences XII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Columba's coming into Brittany He fixes his habitation in the Isle called Hye 6.7 c. He Converts the Picts Monasteries built by him 9. c. His twelve companions One of them was Constantin late King of Brittany 11. c. His agreement with Saint Kentigern c. 14.15 His death and place of buriall 1. SAint Columba wearied with these Ecclesiasticall contentions resolved to quitt his Native countrey but not permitting himself to be a chuser of his place of Exile he consulted by a messenger the Holy man Brendan Abbot of Birre to whom God had given the Spirit of Counsel and Discretion Who after he had lifted up his eyes and heart to heaven commanded to digg under the feet of the Messenger where was found a stone on which was engraven only the letter I whereupon he bade the Messenger to tell his Master that he must goe to an Island called I or Hy where he should find employment for his zeale and be the cause of bringing many soules to heaven Thus writes Adamannus in his life quoted by B. Vsher. 2. But Hector Boëtius assigns another more probable reason of his going into that Countrey saying The fame of the great devotion and piety of Conal King of the Picts draw the Holy man Columba out of Ireland into Brittany attended with a multitude of his disciples where he became the Father and directour of many Monasteries 3. As for the Island called Hy it is erroneously written by Dempster Hydestinatus and from him by Baronius likewise The ground of which mistake was the wrong reading of this passage in S. Beda Monachus erat Episcopus Aidan uâ—pote de Insula quae vocatur Hy destinatus where the two last words which ought to be severed are by him read as conjoynd into one This Island was afterward called Iona falsly by some Exscribers of Adamannus written Iova 4. In the ordinary Copies of S. Beda in stead of S. Columba we find written S. Columbanus Whence many Writers being deceived doe confound this Saint with that S. Columbanus who founded the Monasteries of Luxueil Luxoviense in France and Gobio in Italy who was likewise an Irishman and a Father of many Monks Whereas they are indeed distinguished both by their names gests and ages wherein they lived As for the present S. Columba the Brittains usually called him S. Columkill for the great number of Monasteries or Cells of Monks which he built in Brittany 5. The Authour of his Life in Capgrave besides a large Character of his vertues piety austerities c. solemnly repeated allmost in all Modern Stories of Saints further relates how he was many years before prophecied of for saith he A certain Disciple of S. Patrick a Brittain named Maccaeus foretold of him saying In latter times shall be born one called Columba who shall illustrate the age wherein he shall live and his name shall be spread through all the Provinces of the Isles of the Ocean for he shal be acceptable to God and highly favoured by him He shall descend from Noble parents and in the forty fifth year of his age shall passe out of Ireland Scotiâ into Brittany where he will live a stranger and exiled person for Christ. 6. As touching his coming into Brittany and his Gests here we receive this account from S. Beda In the five hundred sixty fifth year of our Lords Incarnation when Iustinus the Successour of Iustinian governed the Roman Empire there came out of Ireland a certain Preist and Abbot in habit and profession a Monk called Columba with an intention to preach the Word of God to the Northern Picts who are separated from the Southern Regions by vast and horrible Mountains For as for the Picts dwelling on the South of those Mountains they had many years before renounced their Idolatry and embraced the Christian Faith as their Tradition is by the preaching of Nynias a most Reverend and holy Bishop born in Brittany who had been regularly instructed in the Mysteries of Divine Truth at Rome The Seat of whose Bishoprick dignified with a Church dedicated to S. Martin where the said holy Bishop with many other Saints doth rest is now in the possession of the Angli The said place pertaining to the Province of the Bernicians is ordinarily called Candida casa White House because he built there a Church of hewn stone a way of building not practised by the Brittains 7. Now
down to rest and was falln asleep there appeared to him the most Blessed Prince of the Apostles who after many sharp stripes inflicted on him askd him with an Apostolick Severity Why he would forsake the flock with which he had entrusted him And to what Pastours care he would committ the sheep of Christ now encompassed with so many wolves Hast thou forgott said he the example I have given thee who for the good of those Lambs which our Lord in testimony of his love recommended to mee suffred from Infidels and enemies of Christ bonds stripes prisons torments and in conclusion death it self even the death of the Crosse for which I am now crownd with him 9. The servant of Christ Laurence being encouraged with these stripes and exhortations of the Blessed Apostle as soon as morning appeared went to the King and laying aside his vestment shewd him how greivously his body had been torn with whipps The King wondring at it demanded who durst be so presumptuous to treat so worthy a person so cruelly But when he was informed that the Bishop had for his Salvation and eternall happines suffred so sharp torments he was struck with great feare 10. We will awhile interrupt the prosecution of S. Beda's Narration of the happy effect of this Miracle in the Kings conversion to attend the iudgment given hereof by some Modern Protestants especially the Centuriators of Magdebury whose censure is this These things were prettily feigned by Laurence to astonish a Pagan King for none but superstitious fooles will beleive that he was in earnest scourged by Peter Saint Beda then it seems was misinformed S. Laurence was a cheating lyar and all posterity superstitiously credulous yea God himself who prospered this invention with the Kings Conversion and the restitution of the Christian Faith in these mens iudgment stood in need of a lye to perfect his own work Certain it is that above eight hundred years since Alcuinus a man of admirable learning made use of this argument of S. Laurence his being chastised by S. Peter to encourage a then Arch-bishop of Canterbury chased from his See And the same example was afterward applied by Osbern a Monk and Precentor of Canterbury to S. Anselm declining the burden of the same Church But what proofs have those Censurers to disprove Saint Beda's Narration None at all but their bare assertion That these lying Miracles were contrived to support an Opinion that Saints have power to hurt those with whom they are displeased So that it seems in their opinion the reall scourging of a man is an act exceeding Gods Omnipotence VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Edwin Prince of the Northumbers banished His dangers 7.8 He is comforted by an Angell 9 10. His Enemy Ethelfrid slain 1. WE must a little longer delay the relation of the happy effects which the visible marks of S. Laurence his stripes wrought in the mind of the Pagan King Eadbalous which effects began to be publickly seen the year following to insert another illustrious Example of Gods Goodnes to our Nation in exalting to the Throne of the Northumbers a Prince called Edwin by the destruction of that cruel King Etheâ—frâ—d the murderer of so many hundred innocent Monks of Bangor Which Edwin not long after embracing the Christian Faith raised up a glorious Church in those rude and barbarous Provinces which were indeed the first towards whom S. Gregory intended to expresse his Charity upon the sight of a few beautiâ—ull young slaves from hence exposed to sale in the Market at Rome 2. This Edwin was the Son of Alla King of the Deiri or Northumbers to whose name S. Gregory alluded saying that Alleluia's should ere long be sung in his Kingdom Now Alla dying in the year of Grace five hundred eighty nine and leaving his only Son Edwin but three years old the throne due to him was usurped by Ethelfrid sirnamed the Cruel or Savage 3. Edwin living in this Tyrants Court grew up an example of all vertues and endowments which rendred him agreable to all but formidable to Ethelfrid Who yet though he haâ—ed him as one who both had right to the Kingdom and deserved it yet he durst not lay snares for his life fearing in case such designs should want successe least considering the generall compassion and love born to Edwin a party should declare in his behalf and endanger his Crown Therefore imputing to him some feign'd crimes he sent him into Exile hoping that by poverty want of freinds and discontent he would quickly shorten his own life 4. Before his banishment he had maried Quenburga the daughter of Ceorl King of the Mercians who accompanied him in his exile and brought him two sons Offrid and Edfrid after which she dyed before his restitution And Edwin fearing the Tyrants trains was forced to disguise himself and shift from place to place in the habit of a peasant Till at last going into the Kingdom of the East-Angles he committed himself to the faith of Redwald King there in whose Court he lived with great splendour being acceptable both to the King and all others for his rare endowments for he divided his time between reading and Martiall Exercises and in both he so far advanced himself that his fame was spread through the whole Island 5. In the mean time Ethelfrid sought his destruction by all the ways he could imagine sending spyes every where to discover him and assassins to murder him But at last hearing that he was so kindly entertained among the East-angles he resolved either with treasure to buy or with an army to procure his death He sent therefore an Embassadour to Redwald by whom at first he offred great summs of money to purchase the delivering up of Edwin But those offers being rejected he next threatned open war upon refusall This threatning terrified Redwald in somuch as chusing rather to expose the single life of a stranger then hazzard the destruction of his kingdom he yeilded to the solicitations of Ethelfrid promising either to deliver him up or to take order for the shortning his life 6. These Treaties between the two Kings were not caried so secretly but Edwin had notice of them and by the change of King Redwalds countenance and gestures began to suspect his own danger Which suspicion was changed into assurance by an advice given him by a freind of Redwalds resolution Which freind advised him to secure himself by flight offring himself his companion and guide therin But Edwins answer was That having had so many years experience of Redwalds fidelity and generosity he would not be the first to shâ—w a suspicion of so base a crime in a King and that if he must perish he would chuse to doe it rather by the hand of a freind then of a declared Enemy With this resolution he dismissed his freind This discourse betwen them for the greater privacy passed in a solitary place and in the evening when it began to
such a fault but moreover encreased his Merit since it hapned to him for iustice sake and for his zeale to obserâ—e the Precepts of our Lord. Thus writes S. Beda and the same iudgment is given also by William of Malmsbury 7. The Successour to this good King Sigebert was Suidelm the son of Sexbald who was baptised by the same Holy Bishop Cedd in the Province of the East-angles in a village belonging to the King called Rendelesham or the mansion of Rendilus And Edelwald King of the East-angles the Brother of Anna formerly King was his God father who received him ascending out of the Sacred Font. His raign continued only three years XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Province of the West-Saxons divided into two Dioceses Dorchester and winchester For which the Holy Bishop Agilbert retires into France 1. IN the same year of our Lord six hundred sixty and one which was the eighteenth of the raign of Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons the said King perfected the Structure of the Church of Winchester begun by his Father Kinegils and not only ratified his Fathers donation thereto but moreover added the Mannours of Dornton Altesford and Wordyam thus writes B. Godwin 2 And at the same time the Church of the West-Saxons by the industry of Agilbert Bishop of the same Province was so mightily encreased that the King thought good to divide that Province into two Dioceses One other Motive hereto the King had because Agilbert being a stranger could not but very imperfectly speak the Saxon tongue For saith Saint Beda At last the King who understood no other but his Native language being weary to heare the Bishops barbarous pronunciation of the Saxon tongue or his expressing himself in French which the King understood not brought into the Province another Bishop of his own tongue named Wini who was ordained in France Thus he divided the Province into two Dioceses and to Wini he gave for his Episcopall See the Citty Venta called by the Saxons Wintancestir or Winchester Herewith the Holy Bishop Agilbert being greivously offended because the King had done this without his advice returned into France where he received the Bishoprick of Paris and died there an old man and full of dayes 3. Andrew Saussay in his Martyrologe assigns another cause of Bishop Agilberts indignation and departure for saith he the King being corrupted with money gave a portion of that Bishoprick to Wina Which abominable Simony Agilbert having an Excoration quitted his Episcopall Seat and returned presently into his native countrey retiring himself to Paris as a secure harbour But herein he much wrongs the memory of King Kenewalch who is not taxed by any of our Historians for that Crime Indeed it was justly imputed to Wina who by such an execrable negotiation purchased the Bishoprick not of Winchester but of London for so S. Beda testifies saying Not many years after the departure of Agilbert out of Brittany Wini was thrust out of his Bishoprick of Winchester by Kenewalch and retiring to the King of the Mercians named Wulfere bought with money of him the See of London where he remained Bishop till his death 4. As for the Holy Bishop Agilbert after his relinquishing of his See at Dorchester he did not presently goe into France but as Huntingdon relates he retired to Alfrid the son of Oswi King of the Northumbers who was his freind And three years after this we read that he was present at a Synod or solemne Conference touching the Celebration of Easter and the Preistly Tonsure of which we shall treat shortly where he declared himself for the Roman Observation against the Scotts XIV CHAP. 1.2 c. The South Saxons last converted And their King Edilwalch baptised 8 9. c. The Martyrdom of Vlfald and Rufin sons of King Wulfere 1. THE same year was illustrious in the Conversion of the South-Saxons That was one of the first Saxon-Principalities settled in Brittany by Ella then the most potent of all the Kings and it was the last which admitted the Christian Faith The manner how that Kingdom came to be converted is thus described by Henry of Huntingdon Kenwald or Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons in the twentieth year of his raign fought against Wulfere King of Mercia the Son of Penda a Prince who inheâ—â—ed both his Fathers courage and successe in Martiall affaires in which battell the King of the West-Saxons was defeated and compelled to fly Whereupon Wulfere entred his countrey in a hostile manner insomuch as penetrating to the utmost confines of it he invaded and conquered the Isle of Wight In which expedition by Wulfers industry and zeale Adelwold or as S. Beda calls him Edilwalch King of Sussex was converted first of all to the Faith Vpon whom at his Baptism Wulfere being his God father bestowed as a sign of adoption the Isle of With or Wight and withall for the conversion of the said Island he sent thither a Preist named Epa to preach the Gospell But his preaching as yet had not any good successe 2. It is no easy matter to find out who the person was that baptised this King The Historiall Books of S. Swithun of Winchester in Speed of S. Hilda relate how Athelwold was the first King of Sussex who was converted to the Faith of Christ and baptised in Mercia by S. Birinus a Monk and Apostle of the Gevisses in the presence and by the suggestion of Wolfere King of the Mercians But this cannot consist with the truth of Story and Chronology because S. Bâ—rinus was dead long before Wulfere was King of the Mercians Others ascribe his Baptism to S. Wilfrid Bishop of York But these Writers place his Baptism too late as the former did too early for S. Wilfrid was not yet Bishop And though they would ground their asserâ—tion on the authority of S. Beda yet S. Beda plainly disproves them affirming that this King was baptised before S. Wilfrid came into his Province 3. His words are these S. Wilfrid turning out of his way into the Province of the South-Saxons and finding the people as yet addicted to Pagan Idolatry preached to them the word of Faith and baptised many Now the King of that Nation Edilwalch not long before had been baptised in the Province of the Mercians in the presence and by the perswasion of King Wulfere By whom as he came out of the Font he was received and for a mark of adoption had bestowed on him the Isle of Wight and the Province of the Meanvari belonging formerly to the West-Saxons but lately conquered by Wulfere Which little Province seems to be a small Territory in Hampshire containing three Hundreds East-mean West-mean and Means-borough which preserve still the Marks of the old name in S. Beda Meanvari 4. Therefore in all probability King Edilwalch was by the Sacred Waters of Baptism admitted into the number of Christians by Trumhere Bishop of the Mercians whom before
in number destroyed an innumerable multitude of Picts insomuch as the feilds were covered and rivers choaked up with their carkeyses This hapned in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy one 4. Now King Egfrid who notwithstanding his uniust rage against S. Wilfrid was yet zealous enough to protect and enlarge the Church admonished S. Theodore Arch-bishop oâ— Canterbury to whom the generall care of the Ecclesiasticall state of Brittany was committed that the said Nation though professed ChristiaÌ„s was distitute of a common Pastour to administer to them spirituall nourishment Here upon S. Theodore ordained Trumwin Bishop whom in the year of Grace six hundred eighty one he sent into the Province of the Picts at that time subiect to the Empire of the English saith S. Beda 5. It does not appear in any ancient Records whether any peculiar place was assigned him for his Episcopall See Most likely it is that he had no fixed habitation for in a Synod a little while after his consecration at which he was present he subscribed in this form I Trumwine Bishop of the Picts have subscribed hereto 6. This good Bishop though he continued alive till the year of Grace seaven hundred yet administred that Bishoprick but a short while For four years after this the Nation of the Picts rebelled against King Egfrid and coming to a battell obtained a great victory against him and slew him After which Victory they entirely freed themselves from the dominion of the English whom they drove out of their countrey killing all those which fell into their hands Now among those which by flight escaped their fury saith S. Beda one was the most reverend man of God Trumwine who lately had received the Office and dignity of Bishop among them He together with all the Religious persons and others living in the Monastery of Abercurwig newly founded by him departed out of that countrey His escape was the lesse difficult because the said Monastery was seated near the limits of both the Nations of the English and Picts Assoon as he was come into a place of security he sent away the Monks attending him commending theÌ„ to severall Abbots his freinds As for himselfe he chose for his mansion the famous Monastery of streanshalck where there was a Congregation both of men and woemen consecrated to God There attended with a few of his Brethren he spent many years in a strict Monasticall Conversation to the benefit not only of himself but many others At that time the Royal Virgin Elfleda was Abbesse of the said Monastery together with her Mother Eanfleda And by the coming of the Holy Bishop thither the said devout Abbesse received much comfort and assistance in the regulating her Religious subjects 7. This Holy Abbesse Elfleda or Edelfleda was the daughter of Oswi formerly King of the Northumbers and consecrated by him to God in the year of Grace six hundred fifty five when she was but a year old so fullfilling a vow which he made to God when he was to fight a battell against Penda the cruell King of the Mercians She had all her life been educated in piety by the Holy Abbesse Hilda and after her death succeeded in the government of the Monastery of Streanshalck Among her Subjects and Disciples none deserved better to have her memory recorded then her Mother Eanfleda who after the death of her husband Oswi retired into the same Monastery willingly submitting her self to be instructed in Monastick Observance and governed by her own daughter Concerning whom occasion will be given to speak further XI CHAP. 1.2.3 Two Monasteries of S Peter and S. Paul built by King Egbert among the Northumbers 4.5 c The Gests of S. Benedict Bisâ—op of S. Ceolfrid and S. Easterwin Abbots there 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred eighty two Pope Agathon dyed after which the See remained vacant the space of nineteen months for what cause it is uncertain His name is read recorded among the Saints for his zealous and prudent administration of Gods Church and many acts of Vertue and piety 2. The same year saith Florentius Egfrid King of the Northumbers for the redemption of his soule gave again to the Holy Abbot Benedict sirnamed Biscop a possession of forty families Vpon which land the said Abbot built another Monastery in a place called Giruum which he dedicated to S Paul the Apostle as the other had been to Saint Peter and sent thither two and twenty Monks appointing over them Abbot Ceolfrid who was in all things his ready and courageous assistant 3. It wil be convenient and seasonable in this place to treat somewhat largely of the foundation of the two Monasteries of S. Peter and S. Paul by the liberality of King Egfrid and care of S. Benedict Biscop Likewise of the Abbots governing them and other occurrents related by Saint â—â—da who was a Monk in one of them in the first age of their foundation and besides severall particulars regarding them sprinckled in his generall Ecclesiasticall History has compiled a Treatise expressly on this Subject which has been lately rescued from the dust and darknes and published by the learned Antiquary Sir Iames Ware 4. In which Treatise we read how S. Benedict Biscop born of a Noble family and a household servant of Oswi King of the Northumbers from whom he received a possessioÌ„ of land competent to his degree notwithstanding at the age of five and twenty years despised worldly preferments and aspiring only to celestiall honours forsook his countrey and kinred for Christ and travelled to Rome out of a devotion to visit religiously venerate the Monuments of the Blessed Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul At the same time Alcfrid son of the said King Oswi moved with the same devotion accompanied him in that voyage but was recalled by his Father Yet this hindred not S. Benedict from proceeding in his iourney which he dispatched with great diligence and arrived at Rome in the dayes of Pope Vitalian 5. The short time of his abode there which was not many months he employed in perfecting himself in the knowledge of Divine things of which he had tasted some sweetnes before After that he departed to the famous Island Lerin where he adioyned himself to a Congregation of Monks received the Ecclesiasticall Tonsure and with great diligence observed Monasticall Disciplin to which he obliged himself by Vow After he had spent two years in the Exercises of Mortification and Devotion the zealous affection which he bore to Saint Peter incited him to return to Rome sanctified with his Body Which voyage he performed by Sea in a Merchants ship 6. This his return to Rome hapned at the time when Egbert King of Kent as hath been declared desirous to have an Arch-bishop of Canterbury acquainted with the Saxon tongue who might without an Interpreter imbue his Subjects with Divine Mysteries sent thither a devout and learned Saxon Preist elected to
due punishment For the very next year the same King leading forth his army to wast the Province of the Pâ—â—sts was slain by them 2. Among others who fearfully apprehended Gods revenge upon this unjust cruelty of King Egfrid was his devout Sister Edelfleda who lately succeeded the Holy Abbesse Saint Hilda in the government of the Monastery of Streneshalâ— Therefore in great solicitude she consulted with S. Cuthbert then a Monk and famous for the gift of Prophecy concerning her Brother and whether the imprecations of the Irish nation ahainst him would not proove too successfull And from him she understood that the King her Brother should not out-live the following year The particular narration of these things is thus compiled by Saint Beda 3. On a certain time saith he the most Venerable Virgin and Mother of our Lords Virgins Elfleda or Edilfleda sent to the man of God Cuthbert adjuring him in the name of God that she might have the happines to see him and to speak with him about matters of necessary importance He therefore accompanied with some of his Brethren took ship and came to an Island which receives its name from a River called Coqued before whose entrance into the Sea it was situated For the foresaid Abbesse had desired him to meet her there When they were come together she proposed many questions to him whereto he gave her satisfactory answers And upon a sudden in the midst of their discourse she cast her self prostrate at his feet and adjured him by the terrible name of the Almighty and of his Angells to tell her plainly how long a time the life and raign of her Brother was to last For said she I am assured that if you will you can tell mee this by the Spirit of Prophecy which God has given you But he astonished at this adjuration yet unwilling to give her a plain discovery of the secret thus answered her It is a strange thing that you being a prudent woman and skillfull in the Scriptures will call the time of mans life long whereas the Psalmist sayes Our years are like a spiders webb and Salomon admonishes us If a man live many years and has spent in mirth all his life he ought to be mindfull of the time of darknes and the many dayes following which when they shall come all that is passed will appear to be vanity How much more truly may this be applied to him who has but one year more to live 4. When the devout Abbesse heard this answer she fell a weeping bitterly bewayled this ominous presage But at last wiping her eyes she again with a woman-like boldnes adiured him by the Majesty of God to tell her who should succeed him in the Kingdom for said she you know he has no children and I have never a brother besides him The Holy man continuing silent awhile at last said Doe not say that you want Brethren for you shall see one to succeed him whom you will affect with as tender and sisterly a love as you now doe Egfrid himself She replied I beseech you tell mee in what countrey he now lives He answered Doe you see this Vast Sea abounding with Islands It is an easy thing for God out of some one of them to provide a man whom he may sett over this Kingdom By this she understood that he spoke of Alfrid who was reputed to be her Fathers naturall Son and at that time lived as a banished man in one of those Scottish Islands where he addicted himself to the study of learning After many discourses he said to her I command you in the name of our Lord and Saviour that you reveale to none before my death what you have heard from mee After this he returned to his solitary Island and Monastery 5 Before this year was ended King Egfrid whose disafâ—ection to S. Wilfrid still continued was so far from any intention to recall him to his See of York that when there was a vacancy in any of his Bishopricks by the death of any who possessed his place he would take care that some other should be substituted in their room as he did this year in which S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury at the said Kings request assembled a Synod of Bishops at a place called Twiford in Northumberland in which the famous Saint Cuthbert was notwithstanding his earnest resistance elected and the year following consecrated Bishop of Lindesâ—arn But of this we will treat more largely when we come to the Gests of the said glorious Bishop We will now declare the successe of his Prophecy touching the approaching death of King Egfrid XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 King Egfrid slain by the Picts 4.5 Different censures of him 6. Bishop Trâ—mwin driven out of Pictslands 1. THE year after the forementioned invasion of Ireland saith S. Beda King Egfrid would himself conduct an army to spoyle and wast the Province of the Picts though his freinds and especially S. Cuthbert lately ordaind a Bishop earnestly dissâ—aded him Being entred the Province with his army the enemies conterfeâ—â—ing fear fled from him whom he pursuing was lead into streits of inaccessible mountains and there with the greatest part of his forces slain on the thirteenth day befoâ—e the Calends of Iune in the fortieth year of his age and fifteenth of his raign Now as I said his freinds earnestly opposed his undertaking this warr But as the year before he would not hearken to the most Reverend Father Egbert who dissâ—aded him from invading Ireland Scotiam from whence he had received no injury So now by Gods just iudgment for punishment of that crime he was hindred from hearkning to those who desired to with-hold him from his destruction 2. Whilst King Egfrid was fighting against the Picts S. Cuthbert anxious about the successe went to Lugubalia or Carlile to comfort his Queen Ermenburga and there God revealed to him the death of the King and defeat of his army The particulars are thus related by S. Beda Whilst King Egfrid saith he rashly adventured the invasion of the Picts and with horrible cruelty wasted their countrey the man of God Cuthbert knowing that the time drew near which he had foretold his Sister that the King should live but one year longer he went to the Citty Lugubalia corruptly named by the inhabitants Luel to speak with the Queen who there expected the event of this warr in a Monastery of her Sister The day after as the Cittizens were honourably leading him to see the walls of the Citty and a fountain in the same of a wonderfull structure according to the Roman manner the Holy Bishop on a suddain as he was leaning on his staff became troubled in mind and with a sad countenance cast his eyes on the ground and presently raising himself up again and looking to heaven he said not very loud Now is the combat decided A Preist-standing by who understood his meaning suddenly and indiscreetly said to him How doe
perfection voluntarily surrendred the Church of Lindesfarn which he committed to the governance of Eadbert mentioned before upon occasion of the death of S. Cuthbert who was ordained Bishop of that Diocese At this time the English-Saxon Churches flourished wonderfully when the Princes and others following their example sought not their own interests but those of Iesus Christ. This wee shall shorty make good by relating the actions of severall of our Kings and Apostolicall men who filled France Germany and even Italy it self with the seeds of Gods Word and the fame of their Sanctity 3. The year following in which King Cedwalla dyed at Rome S. Aldelm who as hath been said was his companion in that iourney became a Petitioner to Pope Sergius and obtaind of him in the behalf of his Monastery of Malmsbury a Priviledge of exemption from Episcopall Iurisdiction and a power to the Monks of electing their own Abbot according to the Rule of S. Benedict Of this Priviledge saith William a Monk of the same Monastery the same S. Aldelm obtained a confirmation from Ina King of the West-Saxons and Ethelred of the Mercians 4. Among other Acts of S. Aldelm at Rome there is reckoned by a certain Authour of no great credit saith Baronius his freeing Pope Sorgius from a scandalous imputation and calumny imposed on him of being the Father of a bastard then incestuously born Which calumny S. Aldelm is said to have dissipated by commanding the infant then but nine dayes old expressely to acquitt the Pope of that crime This fable the Centuriatours of Magdeburg having mett with they according to their accustomd impudence doe thus pervert There was great familiarity between Aldelm and Pope Sergius to whom a Son having been born by adultery at Rome he had not the boldnes to declare the truth ingenuously What ever the truth was certain it is that these Writers have most disingenuously adulterated it XIII CHAP. 1.2 The death of Saint Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury His Disciples 3. The death of S. Eanfleda 4.5 Likewise of S. Hersewida 1. THE next year after the death of King Cedwalla at Rome that is the six hundred and ninetieth after our Lords Incarnation saith S. Beda Arch-bishop Theodore of blessed memory being an old man and full of dayes for he was then in the eighty eighth year of his age happily dyed That his life should be continued to this number of years he had been advertised by Revelation in a dream as he oft told his freinds He administred the See of Canterbury the space of two and twenty years and was buried in the Church of S. Peter where the Bodies of all the Arch-bishops were enterred Concerning him and all his Predecessours in that See likewise it it may be truly and properly said Their Bodies doe rest in peace and their names live from generation to generation For to summ up all in a word the English Churches received more spirituall advancement during his government then they had done in any age before 2. A great ornament to S. Theodore were his Disciples whom he left behind him for the perpetuating his name Among which the most eminent were those who are named by Bishop Parker in his Antiquities where speaking of S. Theodore he saith Besides his other vertues he was in great perfection learned and after his death he did as it were live in his Disciples which were many and illustrious Among which the more notable were these Saint Beda Iohn of Beverley Albin the Venerable Abbot of the Monastery of S. Augustin in Canterbury and Thobias Bishop of Rochester who was as skillfull and ready in the Latin and Greek as his own native language S. Beda ingenuously acknowledges that Albin assisted him much in the collecting his History and for the tongues makes him equall to Thobias Of all these Disciples of S. Theodore wee shall speak particularly hereafter 3. The same year dyed also S. Eanfleda the daughter of Edwin King of the Northumbers She was the first person baptized in that Province After her Fathers death she returned with her mother into Kent and in processe of time was married to Oswi King of the Northumbers who by her admonition built the Monastery of Gethlin now called Gilling not far from Richmond in expiation for the death of Oswin slain by Oswi After the death of her husband she retired into the Monastery of Streneshalch or Whitby in which her daughter S. Elfleda had spent many years in great devotion and after the death of S. Hilda was made Abbesse of it There S. Eanfleda received the Religious habit and veyle and submitted herself to the instructions and command of her own daughter She was buried in the Church of Saint Peter belonging to the said Monastery where formerly her husband King Oswi and afterward her daughter S. Elfleda were also enterred Her name is commemorated in our Martyrologe among the Saints on the fifth of December 4. To the same year is likewise assigned the happy death of S. Hereswida the daughter of Hereric Nephew to the glorious King S. Edwin She was married to Ethelhere King of the East-Angles to whom she bore three Sons all which were consequently Kings Aldulph Eflwold and Beorna After her husbands death she retired from Court and being desirous to passe to a more strict and private life she left her countrey and in the famous Monastery of Cala or Chelles in France she undertook the Profession of a Religious life So great was her devotion and piety that both in France and Brittany many were inflamed to imitate her example And among the rest her Sister S. Hilda had an intention to follow her into France but was perswaded not to deprive her own countrey the Kingdom of the Northumbers of the luster of her vertues In the mean time S. Hereswida having spent many years in the delicious exercises of Contemplation this year received the Crown so long expected by her 5. In the Gallican Martyrologe we read this testimony of her In the Monastery of Cale seated in the territory of Paris this day being the twentieth of September is celebrated the memory of S. Hereswida She being a Queen in England out of love to Christ forsook her Scepter and kingdom and betook her self to the said famous Monastery where after she had afforded admirable examples of Piety humility and Regular Observance professed by her she was consummated with a blessed end and obtained the reward of a heavenly crown Her glorious gests Saint Beda who was a great admirer of her hath celebrated with condigne praises XIV CHAP. 1.2.3 Saint Wilfrid again expelled his Diocese 4 5. c. He retires among the Mercians where he succeeds to Sexulf in administring the See of Leicester and ordains Bishops 7 8. Bosil Bishop of Worcester dying Ostfor succeeds 1 SAint Wilfrid had now five years enioyd with quietnes and with great piety administred his Province of the
Northumbers when this calm was disturbed with new â—torms S. Beda dispatches this Tragedy in a â—ew words saying After five years he was accused once more and by the said King Alfrid and very many Bishops expelled from his See not mentioning the heads of his accusation 2. But William of Malmsbury insinuats that the ground of their charge against him was the same with the former to witt that he had united the Iurisdiction and revenews of two Bishopricks which S. Theodore had formerly separated namely York and Hagulstad Adding that considering the vast exâ—ent of the Province it was fitt to erect a third at Rippon 3. The freindship saith he between King Alfrid and S. Wilfrid stood a good while unshaken till about five years after his return the poysonnous counsells harboured in the breasts of certain malignant persons at last broke forth By these mens suggestions King Alfrids mind being prevented withdrew some of the possessions belonging to the Monastery of Rippon having a design to constitute a new Bishoprick there For he alledged that these Decrees of the late Arch-bishop Theodore which he made not in the beginning or end of the Controversy but in the time intervening were 〈◊〉 continue in force 4. S. Wilfrid resenting this iniustice and violence left the Province of the Northumbers and retired to his freind Ethelred King of the Mercians with whom he continued a long time After whose departure King Alfrid restored the See of York to Bosa who formerly had the possession of it and Iohn sirnamed of Beverley he constituted Bishop of Hagulstad or Hexham who this same year at the request of the Abbot Ceolfrid promoted to the Order of Deacon S. Beda now entred into the twentieth year of his age 5. Before S. Wilfrid entred into the Kingdom of the Mercians Putta who ten years before had been ordained Bishop of Hereford dying there succeeded him in the same See Tirtellus this year according to the Calender published by Sir Henry Savill So that not any Church being vacant in that Kingdom S. Wilfrid lived a private retired life but in high esteem and favour with King Ethelred who had a great desire to fixe him in the government and Episcopall administration of some Province there 6. Which good design of his was effected the year following by the death of Sexulf Bishop of Lichfeild who in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight as hath been declared was constituted Bishop of that Diocese upon the deposition of Winfrid This Sexulf was a very holy man and highly honoured and beloved through his whole Province in so much as after his death he was numbred among the Saints 7. To him by Kings Ethelreds appointment succeeded S. Wilfrid Notwithstanding some Writers affirm that after the death of Sexulf his Diocese was divided into two Sees the one at Lichfeild and the other at Leicester and that S. Wilfrid was constituted Bishop of Leicester and that Headda Bishop of Winchester adioyned the other to his Diocese However these matters were ordered certain it is that S Wilfrid exercised the Office not only of a Bishop but a Metropolitan also ordaining Bishops there Thus this very year in the Diocese of Worcester Wicciorum Bosiâ— who twelve years before was there consecrated Bishop being now broken with age and labours at the request of King Ethelred S Wilfrid ordained Bishop there a man of eminent piety and worth named Ostfor 8. Concerning this Ostfor S. Beda gives this account Ostfor saith he after that in both the Monasteries of the Holy Abbesse Hilda he had employd his time diligently in the study of the Divine Scriptures at length aspiring to greater perfection he went into Kent to the Arch-bishop Theodore of blessed memory where having spent some time in sacred Lections he resolved to goe further as far as to Rome for in that age it was an argument of great vertue and piety to undertake that iourney In processe of time returning from thence into Brittany he diverted into the Province of the Wiccians or Worcestershire the Governour whereof was a person called Osriâ— There he remained a long time preaching the Word of God and in his conversation affording an example of all vertues and piety to those that saw or heard him At this time the Bishop of thaâ— Province named Boselus was so oppressed with infirmity of body that he could not himself discharge his Episcopall Office Therefore by the iudgment and consent of all the foresaid holy man Ostfor was elected Bishop in his place and by comman of King Edilred Wilfrid of happy memory whâ— then administred Episcopall iurisdiction amonâ— the Midland-English or Mercians ordained him Bishop because the Arch-bishop Theodore was then dead and not any as yet ordaind to succeed him XV. CHAP. 1. 2. c. Of King Ina's Lawes especially such as regard the Church 4 c. The Welsh whence so called c. 6 7 Preists whether then maried 8. The Saxons c. tender of shedding blood 1. THE same year Inas King of the West-Saxons being desirous to compose and settle his kingdom in good order by rooting out such ill customes as had crepp'd in among the people called an Assembly of his Bishops and Nobility at which great numbers of other inferiour Ecclesiasticall and Secular persons were present also and by common advice enacted those famous Lawes called King Ina's Lawes which continued in force many ages even till the coming and Conquest of the Normans and of which William of Malmsbury saith a mirrour of their purity remained to his time These were seaventy five in number and are extant in Sir Henry Spelmans collection of Councils to which the curious Reader may have recourse I will onely select a few of them such as regard Ecclesiasticall affaires and therefore are pertinent to this History 2. In the first place saith King Inas wee command that Gods Ministers be carefull to observe the Canonicall order of living And our Will is that these Lawes and Ordinances be observed by the people 2. Let each infant be baptized within thirty dayes after he is born If this be not done let the person in fault be fined in thirty shillings solidis But if it happen that the infant dye before he is baptized let the faulty persons forfeyt their whole estate 3. If a servant a slave shall doe any servile work on our Lords day by his Masters command let him be free and his Master fined in thirty shillings But if the servant without command of his Master doe any such work let him be whipped or redeem that penalty with money If a free man work on that day not commanded by his Master let him either be made a slave or pay sixty shillings And if a Preist offend in this kind let his penalty be doubled 4. Let the Firsts-fruits of seeds be payed on the solemnity of S. Martin And whosoever shall not then pay them Let him be fined in forty shillings and
selected therefore and assembled out of diverse Monasteries twelve Apostolicall men firmly established in the Faith to preach Catholick Doctrine to the Germans 3. Now the names of those zealous Missioners were these Willebrord Swibert Acca Wigbert Willibald Winnibald Lebwin two Brethren called Ewald Werenfrid and my self the meanest of all called Marcellin who am the Writer of this History as likewise of the Gests of S. Willebrord All these forenamed were Preists and to them was adioyned the holy Deacon Adelbert Son of the King of the Deirs or Yorkshire who for the love of Christ quitted his Royall Patrimony and refused not a voluntary banishment in the company of the foresaid holy Preists having been elected thereto by S. Egbert 4. And because these Holy Doctours born in England were descended from Progenitours who were Frisons and Saxons by that means they were enabled to preach the Gospell of Christ in the German tongue Some of these were afterward crownd with Martyrdom others persisted to their death in laborious preaching among Barbarous Nations and some were substituted Bishops in Episcopall Sees when they were vacant 5. When all necessaries therefore were prepared the foresaid Twelve Apostolicall Missioners after they had taken leave of their freinds and kinred and received the holy Prelats benediction took ship and by Gods blessing having a prosperous wind they made a quick voyage and landed safely at Wiltemberg or Vtrect Traiectum in the year six hundred and ninety after our Lords Incarnation which was the third year of the Pontificat of Pope Sergius Iustinian then being Emperour and the most glorious King Alfrid then raigning over the Northumbers a Prince zealously affectionat in observing the Laws of Holy Church 5. Cornelius Kempius in his Treatise concerning the Writers of Friseland affirms that those Twelve Apostles were elected out of the whole English-Saxon Nation being the most eminent for learning and piety that could be found But most of them were furnished out of the Kingdom of the Northumbers which certainly was the Native soyle of S. Egbert as likewise of Saint Willebrord S. Swibert and S. Adelbert III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The rudiments of S. Swibert 1. THese were the names of the Twelve English Missioners and glorious Apostles of the German Nation whose memorieâ— remain in benediction in many Provinces of that vast Continent and are moreover celebrated in most of the Martyrologes of the Western Church It would be a blameable ingratitude to neglect the recording whatsoever particular actions or occurrents pertaining to any of them have hitherto escaped the injury of time Since therefore our Ecclesiasticall Monuments have delivered to us very little concerning any of them before they laboured in this Mission except of Saint Willebrord and Saint Swibert wee must of force content our selves with an account of the birth descent and Gests of these two glorious Prelats 2. Of these S. Swibert was the elder whose Life and actions have been recorded by his companion in the Mission S. Marcellin as likewise by Saint Ludger Bishop of Munster From both whose relations Haraeus thus breifly recounts his descent and wonderfull birth In the year of Grace six hundred forty seaven the blessed child Swibert was born in the Kingdom of the Northumbers His parents were Sigebert Count of Nortingraâ— and the pious Countesse Bertha who before she brought him forth was favoured with a Divine Vision and heavenly light 3. Assoon as he was come to the fifteenth year of his age preferring a Religious before a secular life he was gratiously received into the Monastery of Berdeney In which having spent nine years in great continence and mortification having by the grace of compunction his mind elevated to celestiall â—hings employing himself withall in Sacred Lections and Monasticall Disciplines and thereto adioyning rigorous Fasts Prayers and unwearied watchings he was advanced to the dignity of Preisley Order Thus breifly writes the said Authour 4. But as touching the wonderfull prodigy attending his birth by which was portended his future Apostolicall employment it is thus more particularly related by S. Marcellinus S. Ludger The pious and Noble countesse Bertha frequently meditating with inward ioy how that the children of severall Princes adorned with the luster of many vertues had made the people partakers of the fruits of their piety to the great happines and peace of the whole kingdom she became inflamed with an incredible desire of enioying the like favour and thereupon with dayly prayers she solicited our Lord to bestow upon her a Son whom she promised to consecrate to his service 5. Not long after it hapned on a certain night when she was falln into a quiet sleep she seemed to behold in the firmament a star of a wonderfull magnitude and luster from â—he â—ast side of which proceeded two beams of admiâ—able brightnes one of which regarded Germany and the other France At last after she had with great wonder contemplated this star it seemed to her that it fell from heaven into her bed At which being extremely affrighted she shreekd out aloud with the noyse awaked her husband Sigebert who trembling all over at this unusuall clamour of his wife with great solicitude demanded of her the cause of her fear which she plainly declared to him The next morning they sent for Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn to whom they discovered the manner and order of the Vision At the relating of which he by a celestiall Light illustrating his mind gave them a confident hope of a child which by the luster of his learning and piety should enlighten the soules of many with the beams of Divine Truth 6. The event proved him to be a true interpreter of the Vision for the child whose coming into the world was attended with so prodigious a sign from his very infancy gave proofs of most sublime vertues And being arrived at the fifteenth year of his age out of a care least worldly tentations and alurements should draw him among the dangerous rocks of vice and errour he took refuge in the secure port of Religion And after he had spent nine years in the dayly contemplation of divine things he attained the Degree of Preist-hood Which he administred the space of seaven years with so great sanctity that he drew severall Kings and Princes into a great admiration of him Such were the rudiments of S. Swiberts sanctity concerning whose admirable actions and miracles we shall frequently be obliged to treat hereafter VI. CHAP. 1.2 Of S. Wilgis the Father of S. Willebrord 3. 4. c. The Nativity and rudimenâ—s of S. Willebrord 1. ELeaven years after the birth of S. Swibert S. Willebrord by divine Providence designed his companion in the Apostolick Office was born whose Nativity likewise was attended by the like celestiall prodigies His life has been written by S. Marcellin and also by our learned Alcuin in the preface where of he thus describes the quality and piety of his Parents 2. In the
him into prison intending the day following to putt him secretly to death for being under the dominion of the French who were Christians they durst not kill him openly 4. As for Werenfrid and my self Marcellin we followed him to the prison weeping Which the Holy Preist Swibert observing with a chearfull countenance he comforted us and exhorted us to stand constantly for the Faith of Christ and not to fear death for his cause 5. Now the following night towards morning as Saint Swibert was praying and we weepâ—ing an Angell of our Lord appeard to him in the prison with great splendour and said to him Servant of the true God fear not for our Lord is with thee Having said this in the presence of the Keepers who stood amazed he sett him at liberty commanding him to preach Christ constantly every where to the Pagans After this the Angell ascended to heaven and the Holy man came and kneeling down devoutly related to us what had hapned whereupon we with great fervour gave thanks to God for this Angelicall Visitation and consolation 6. The Pagans and specially the Idoll-Preists the next day hearing that he had been thus delivered began to perceive the impotency of their Idols and extolled the power of Christ. As for the Holy man he with great courage preached the Gospell to them to their great astonishment and converted many of them to Christ and no man had the boldnes to lay hands on him 7. Assoon as he had performed his Ministery there he returned with us to Vtrecht where he declared to our Brethren all things which had hapned to him at Duerstat at the hearing whereof they wept for ioy and unanimously blessed God for his goodnes After which he departed into severall villages and towns in Friseland Holland and Teisterband publickly and constantly preaching the Gospell oâ— Christ to all and though thereby he suffred in many places great persecutions from the Pagans which he endured with patience and ioy yet being always sustained by Divine assistance he brought great multitudes to the knowledge and obedience of Christ. 8. Toward the end of the same year being attended by Werenfrid and my selfe he went into the Eastern coast of the Principality of Holland where there was a town a mile distant from Vtrecht toward the South called Haganstein At which time there hapned a famous solemnity of the Pagans whereto were assembled great multituds of them to perform detestable sacrifices incense and Rites to their false Gods The Holy man then went boldly into the midst among them crying aloud O yee men if you have any reason left in you draw near and hearken to mee I am a Messenger sent to you from the most high God c. And with a long Oration recorded by Marcellinus an car-wittnes he declared to them the Truth of Christs Doctrine and vanity of their Idoll-worship Moreover his preaching was confirmed by a following miracle for he restored sight to a man well known to them all whose name was Giselbert and who had been born blind After which succeeded a notable conversion of many Pagans of the blind mans acquaintance who were witnesses of the Miracle 9 Now the Brethren seing so manifest an assistance of God thought fitt to chuse amongst them all two persons to be ordained Bishopâ— to witt Swibert and Willebrord The former they sent into England to S. Wilfrid Bishop of the Mercians by whom he was consecrated Bishop this same year As for Saint Willebrord he was sent to Rome where he was by Pope Sergius ordained Arch-bishop of Vtrecht and the whole Province of Friseland as shall be declared What speciall Diocese was allotted to Saint Swibert does not appear yet in a particular manner he is named the Apostle of Teisterband Westphalia and the Boructuarians as the companion of his labours Marcellin hath informed us And the reason why he was directed into Brittany to Saint Wilfrid for his ordination and not to the Arch-bishop Brithwald seems to be because as hath been declared a Legatin Power had been conferred by the Pope on the Arch-bishop of the Northumberâ— which Power was not taken from him by his unjust exile Or else because these Holy Missioners being come out of that Kingdom acknowledged a particular relation to and dependance on S. Wilfrid IX CHAP. 1.2 The Gests of Saint Swibert being a Bishop 3.4 c. His miraculous raising to Life a person who had been drowned and the Successe of that Miracle 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred ninety six S. Willebrord was consecrated Arch-bishop of Vtrecht hy Pope Sergius but returned not to his Province and companions till the year following In the mean time Saint Swibert having dispatched a shorter voyage into Brittany came back this year and gloririously biâ—â—â—â—arged â—arged his Episcopall function God assisting his labours with the Gift of most stupendious Miracles faithfully related by the companion of his Travells S. Marcellinus as followeth 2. The most holy Prelat Swibert having been exalted to the Pontificall Dignity and consecrated by S. Wilfrid after he had saluted his kindred freinds he together with his attendants and companions returned to the Work of the Gospell and arrived at Wiltenburg or Vtrecht some what more then a year before S. Willebrord was come back from Rome He was received by the Brethren and New Converts with great honour and ioy He adorned his Episcopall Degree with all the vertues becoming it living afterward in yet greater perfection of Humility Meeknes Simplicity and piety The Work of preaching the Gospell he constantly fullfilld travelling through the Villages and towns not on horseback but as the Apostles were wont to doe on foot Thus he passed through all the quarters of Friseland Holland and especially the County of Teisterband converting great multitudes to the Faith of Christ and diligently extirpating Idolatry Thus by his assiduous preaching and exhortations he reduced in a manner the whole County of Teisterband to the beleif of the Gospell and there in many places he built new Churches and elsewhere consecrated Idoll-Temples to Christian Churches Thus in Zanduic near Tâ—el a Church was erected to the honour of the Holy Martyr S. Vincent another in Arkel to the honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God and a third in Hornaer to the honour of S. Denys Areopagite with many others 3. Now how in the Dedication of one of those Churches he raised to life a young man who had been drownd is at large described by the same devout and most faithfull Writer whose relation though diffused will very well deserve a place in this our History 4. The Divine Providence did so order saith he that whilst on the eighth day before the Calends of October this same year Saint Swibert was dedicating a Church in Malsen a Village seated neer the River Lighen in the Country of Teisterband a certain young man named Splinter of Adingyn Son of a person cheif in authority at Duerstat being out
all civility respect and kindnes entertain him Thus they did in former ages with S. Athanasius S. Epiphanius S Hierom S. Peter of Alexandria and many others 3 Now when S. Boniface was ready to depart the Pope very liberally bestowed on him many gifts and whatsoever Relicks of Saints he desired He sent likewise by him severall Letters to the Bishops Princes and Abbots of Germany requiring their assistance to S. Boniface in the great charge committed to him of converting soules as likewise their presence to whatsoever Synods he should assemble and their Obedience to his orders and Decrees made according to the Rule prescribed by the See Apostolick which had authorized him to his Apostolick Office and constituted him the supreme Prelat of Germany 4. With these Letters S. Boniface departed from Rome and came to Ticinum or Pavia where he abode some time with Luitprand King of the Lombards Thence he proceeded towards Germany and being arrived near the River Danubius he made some stay there expecting a Synod of Bishops which he by the Popes order had called And from thence he wrote Letters to certain speciall freinds Goppin Eoban Tacwin and Wyx Religious Abbots as likewise to all their Monks and severall Religious Virgins in which he gave them a particular account of this his iourney and the successe of it 5. The year following being invited by Vtilo Duke of the Bavarians he visited his countrey staying there many dayes and preaching the word of God with great fruit There he found many false Christians who wasted the Churches and seduced the people Some of these falsely pretended themselves to be Bishops and others usurped the Office of Pâ—eists Many likewise with fictions and pernicious lyes wrought great mischief among the ignorant A further course of whose malice he found not any meanes more effectually to prevent then by dividing the Province of Bavaria into four Dioceses which with the consent of Duke Vtilo he performed the Government of which he committed to persons of eminent vertue whom he ordained Bishops 6. Of these the first was Iohn whose Episcopall See was placed at Salisburg The second was Erimbert who governed the Church of Frislingen the third was Hunibald who was consecrated Bishop of Ratisbon the Metropolis of Bavaria And Winilus who before had been ordained Bishsp by the Pope of the whole countrey had the Church of Patary assigned to him 7. Having done this he wrote to the Pope giving him an account of all things and desiring his confirmation and ratification for perpetuity Therein imitating his Predecessours For so did Fugatius and Damianus in the Brittish Church so did S Patrick in Ireland and so did S. Augustin among the English-Saxons demand from the See Apostolick a confirmation of their Ordonnances 8. We have still extant the Popes answer hereto containing an approbation of what he had done Likewise an iniunction to asâ—semble a Synod of all Germany and in his place to preside over it And because the necessities of those Churches would not allow him repose in any one place he renewed his Apostolick Authority to erect Bishopricks wheresoever he should iudge expedient IX CHAP. 1. Cuthred succeeds King Ethelard in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons 2. Nothelm Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying Cuthbert succeeds 3.4 The Death of the Holy Bishop Saint Acca 5 6. c. The Martyrdom of Saint Iuthwara a Brittish Virgin of her Sister S Sidwella 10.11 c. The Gests of the Holy Virgin S. Fridâ—svida 17.18 Death of S Ethelburga Abbesse formerly Queen of the West-Saxons 19 The Death of Saint Arnulf a Hermite 1. IN the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred and forty Cuthred began his raign over the West-Saxons whose Predecessour Ethelard by some called his Brother by others his kinsman dyed the year before This King saith Huntingdon was much afflicted by the proud King of the Mercians Ethelbald who sometimes made open war against him and sometimes raised sedition in his countrey In all which Fortune shewed her self very various between them sometimes the one and some times the other gaining advantage And now and then being weary they would make peace which seldom lasted any considerable time the one or the other presently renewing the warr 2. The same year there was exalted to the Archiepiscopall See of Canterbury being vacant by the death of Nothelm Cuthbert who four years before had been consecrated Bishop of Hereford He was descended from an illustrious Saxon family and as Nobly he administred his Office He was no sooner established in his Seat but Aldulf Bishop of Rochester dying he consecrated his Successour in that See a Preist called Dun. 3. At this time the Holy Bishop Acca formerly a great freind to S. Beda and encouâ—ager in his studies and Writing ended his â—ite of whom mention hath been severall times made before A breif relation of his Gests we will here adioyn from Miraeus who recites his name among the Saints on the last day of November though in our Martyrologe his commemoration be on the nineteenth of February Concerning him Miraeus thus writes Acca a Bishop is named the third among the Apostolick Preists which under the conâ—uct of S. Willebrord departed out of England and arrived at Vtrecht in the year of our Lord six hundred and ninety to procure the consecrat on of S. Swibert he was there detained and not long after ordained Bishop of Hagustald not Lindesfarn as Miraeus mistaking writes 4. How Saint-like his life was Almighty God shewd by many miracles after his death as Hoveden testifies saying The same year Acca Bishop of Venerable memory was received into the happy region of the living after he had administred the Church of Hagustald twenty four years His body was buried with great honour in the Eastern part of that Church And above three hundred years after his death by occasion of a Revelation made to a certain Preâ—st his Sacred Relicks were translated and putt into a shrine Where to this day he is held in great veneration And for a demonstration of his Sanctity his â—hasuble Albe and Maniple which had been buried with his Sacred Body to this day doe not only preserve their colour but primitive firmnes likewise 5. In our Martyrologe on the three and twentieth of December this year is commemorated the Martyrdom of a devout Brittish Virgin called Iuthwara The Circumstances of her death and Martyrdom and a breif abridgment of her life we find in Capgrave The Holy Virgin S. Iuthwara saith the Authour there was born of Noble parents and from her childhood being prevented by a plentifull Grace of Gods holy Spiriâ— she was diligent to serve our Lord in all good works She living in her Fathers house after the death of her Mother with all innocence became amiable to all and made a progresse in vertues as she did in years Whensoever any Pilgrims came to her Fathers house as frequently they did she with great
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
into the Church where having received the Body of our Lord he gave up his spirit to him looking towards the Altar His Memory is celebrated on the twenty fifth of August 5. As touching his Successour Albericus he was by birth an Englishman and is named in the Gallican Martyrologe with this elogy On the one and twentieth of August is celebrated at Vtrecht the deposiâ—ion of S Albertâ— Biâ—hop of the same Citty anâ— Confessour He was born in Brittany in the Diocese of York from whence he came into Germany to preach the Gospell and for his excellent endoâ—ments in piety and eminent learning he was made Canon of the Church of Vtrecht Afterward when S. Gregory through weaknes and old age was disabled to administer the same See S. Alberic was appointed a diâ—â—enser of the whole Diocese to govern both the Clergy and people and S. Gregory himself by inspiration of the Holy Ghost foretold that he should â—ucceeâ—â—im in the Bishoprick Therefore after the Holy Bishop was freed from the chains of his flesh S. Aâ—â—eric was according to the desires of all exalted to his Epiâ—â—copall throne After which not contentinâ— himself with the solicitudes of his particular Diocese and Province he extended his care to the adiacent regions and sent S. Ludger who was afterward Bishop of Munster into the countrey of the Frisons there to spread the Gospell aâ—d root out Idolatrous superstitions At lâ—nâ—th after he had governed the Church of Vtrecht many years with admirable Sanctity this blessed servant of God who was wholly celestiall forsook the earth to which his heart never had been fixed and departed to his heavenly countrey He was honourablâ— buâ—ied near to his holy Predecessour accompany 〈◊〉 him 〈◊〉 in his Tomb and reward whom he has always fâ—llowed in order and merit XX. CHAP. 1.2 Succession of Bishops in England 3.4 c. The unhappy death of Kenulphus King of the West Saxons 6. Brithric succeeds him 7. Of Rictritha a Holy Queen and Abbesse 1. AT the same time in Brittany the Episcopall See of London being vacant by the voluntary resignation of Kenwalch as it is sayd it was supplied by Eanbald or Eadberch And after the death of Edbert Bishop of Leicester Vnwona was ordaind in his place 2. The year next following the two Bishops of the East-Angles dye again together and to Eadred Bishop of Dumwich succeeded Alphun to Hunfert Bishop of Helmham Bibba And within two years both these agree to dye together and to leave their Sees to new Bishops 3. This was the last year of the Raign of Kenulf King of the West-Saxons a Prince who had given many examples of vertue and piety but yet ended his life unhappily The length of his raign and circumstances of his death are thus declared by William of Malmsbury Kenulf says he was a Prince illustrious both for his vertues and warlick exploits In one only battell which in the four and twentieth year of his raign he fought against Offa King of the Mercians he was overcome And after that he was afflicted with many calamities and in conclusion came to a dishonourable and unhappy end For after he had governed the kingdom of the West-Saxons the space of one and thirty years neither cowardly nor immodestly at last whether it was out of a proud confidence that none durst resist him or out of a provident care of the security of his Successour he commanded Kineard the Brother of the Tyrant Sigebert whom he saw to encrease dayly in power and wealth to depart his kingdom Kineard iudging it best to yeild to the tempest went away with a shew of willingnes But presently after by private meetings and unsinuations he assembled a body of men given to all manner of villany with which he watched an opportunity against the King And having been informed that he was for his recreation and lustfull pleasure retired with a small retinue into a certain countrey dwelling he came suddenly upon him with some light armed soldiers and encompassed the house where the King was securely attending to his unlawfull luxury Who perceiving the danger he was in advised with his servants what he should doe At first he barricadoed the dores hoping either by fair speches to winn or by threatnings to terrify the soldiers without But finding neither way to succeed in a furious rage he suddenly leaps forth upon Kineard and wanted very little of killing him But being compassed by the multitude and thinking it inglorious to fly after he had well avenged himself by the death of many of the Traytours he was slain And those few servants with attended him scorning to yeild and earnest to avenge their Lord were killd likewise 4. Presently the fame of so execrable a Tragedy was spread abroad and came to the knowledge of certain Noble men not far distant with the Kings Guards Among whom Osric who was most eminent both for age and prudence encouraged the rest not to suffer the death of their Prince to passe unrevenged to their perpetuall infamy Whereupon they all drew their swords and rushed upon the trayterous murderers Kineard at first endeavoured to iustify his cause to promise great matters and to challenge kinred But when all this proffited nothing then he inflam'd the minds of his companions and fellow soldiers to resist boldly A good while the combat was doubtfull one side fighting for their lives and the other for glory At last victory having a good space hovered uncertainly turned her self to the iuster cause So that wretched Traytour after a courageous but vain resistance left his life having enioyed the successe of his treachery a very short time The Kings body was caried to Winchester where it was buried in a Monastery in those times very magnificent but in this age almost desolate 5. Other Historians mention the name of the village where King Kenulf was thus unfortunatly slain Thus Florentius writes It hapned saith he that Kenulf at that time went to a certain village which in the English tongue is called Meretum for a certain wanton womans sake c. This village is in the Province of Surrey and is now called Merton of old saith Camden famous for the fatall end of the West-Saxons 6. There remaind in that Kingdom two Princes of the Royall family which might pretend to the succession Brithric and Egbert Brithric was preferred perhaps for his mild and modest disposition For he was a man more studious of peace then war he was skilfull in reconciling freinds when dissenting forraign Princes he civilly courted and was indulgent to his own servants yet so as not to prejudice the vigour of his government 7. As for Egbert he was to attend sixteen years before the scepter would fall to his lott Which having once gott he managed it gloriously for he it was who dissolved all the petty governments and reduced the whole kingdome into a Monarchy as it has ever since continued and moreover obliged all