Columba into Brittany Ceaulin and Cutha mov'd a Civill war against Ethelbert But Malmsbury and Huntingdon acknowledge Ethelbert King of Kent to have been the aggressour For it seems being vex'd to see the Dominions and power of Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons so much encreas'd for besides his own Territoryes immediatly subiect to him the other Saxon Princes in the East and South acknowledged a dependance so that Ceaulin assum'd the Title of Monark Hereupon Ethelbert a valiant Young Prince being mindfull of the glory of his Ancestours who first had establish'd a Kingdom in Brittany and had always enjoyd a preeminence above other Princes resolved to enlarge the bounds of his Empire and not to content himself with the only Province of Kent 2. In pursuance of which design he rais'd an Army and with it march'd out of his own confines into the Province of the Regni or Surrey where passing unwarily over a little River calld Vandalis he was rudely repuls'd by Ceaulin and again endeavouring to march forward the Armies mett at a Village calld Wibbandun now Wimbledon where he was with a great slaughter of his army compelld to fly back into Kent having lost in the combat his two Cheif Captains Oslaf and Knebban Near the place where the battell was fought remains still a Monument of it to wit a rampire rais'd in a round form as encompassing a Camp which is at this day calld Knebensbury or the Burg of Kneben 3. Ethelbert after this losse sought to strengthen himself by forrain aid for which purpose he treated a freindship and confederacy with the neigbouring powerfull Kingdom of the Franks to make which confederacy more lasting he desired to joyn it more strictly by mariage which accordingly was effected 4. Hitherto when we had occasion to mention that Kingdom we calld it Gaule which was its ancient Primitive name But afterward a Nation out of Germany calld Franks invading it and under King Pharamond possessing the greatest part of it changed the name of it from Gaule into France and so hereafter we shall call it The Successours of Pharamond for severall generations were Pagans till by the Apostolick zeale of Saint Remigius Bishop of Rhemes in the year of Grace four hundred ninety nine King Clodovéus was converted to the Christian Faith and with him the greatest part of his kingdom Which Faith ever after continued and encreased there 5. At this time that Kingdom was divided into four parts each of them severally governed by four Kings Sons of Clotharius and Grandchildren of Clodovéus Charibert the Eldest Son had the seat of his Kingdom at Paris Chilperic at Soissons Gunthram at Orleans and Sigebert at Rhemes Now a daughter of one of these did Ethelbert King of Kent marry but of which of them particularly is not mention'd in our Story Saint Beda indefinitly writes that she was daughter of a King of the Franks 6. The name of this Lady according to S. Beda Malmsburiensis c. was Berta But S. Gregory who liv'd in this age and had entercourse by letters with her more rightly calls her Aldiberga and adiudges great praise due to her in the conversion of the Saxons 7. The parents of this Lady made a difficulty to deliver a daughter professing the Christian Faith to the bed of a Pagan But Ethelbert engaging himself to allow her and her family an entire freedom publickly to professe her Religion and to exercise all the Sacred Rites belonging to it the mariage was concluded and the Lady sent into Brittany 8. She was attended by a prudent and devout Christian Bishop called Lethardus by Harpsfeild said to have been Bishop of Salvanort but he doubts there is an errour in the Copies where this unknown name is found This Bishop is in Capgrave stiled the Precursor of S. Augustin and one who opened the dore by which he brought in Christianity 9. There were then in Dorobernia the prime Citty of Kent since calld Canterbury severall Churches which had been built many ages before by Christians in the times of the Romans and which had not been utterly demolish'd by the Saxons Among which the Queen made choice of that which was dedicated to the honour of Saint Martin a holy Bishop in wonderfull veneration through all France For thus writes Saint Beda There was near to the Citty toward the East a Church anciently consecrated to the memory of S. Martin whilst the Romans inhabited Brittany In which Church the Queen who as hath been said was a Christian usually perform'd her devotions 10. What those Devotions were is thus more particularly express'd by the Authour of the life of the Holy Bishop Lethardus in Capgrave who writes thus In the most ancient Church of the Holy Bishop S. Martin situated near the Citty the Queen together with her Christian family did frequent the Sacraments of Masses and Prayers in the celebrating whereof the Blessed Bishop Lethardus was President or Cheif Prelat For the saying or singing of Masses were indeed the Solemn Devotions of the Church in those times as appears for as much as concerns France particularly the Native countrey of this Queen by the Councils of Orleans and Tours celebrated in these very times And this is acknowledged to have been the generall practise of this age by the Centuriators of Magdeburg who write thus The reader hereby may observe that the Solemnities of Masses did now fill all places And for as much as concerns Brittany we have already shewd that among the Northern Picts S. Columba knowing by revelation the death of S. Brendan in Ireland celebrated a Solemne Masse for his soule XIV CHAP. 1.2 King Ceaulins conquests and death 3. c. The Kingdom of the East Saxons Erected 1. THE two Saxon Kings in Kent and the Western parts did not prosecute their hatred against one another but esteemd it more for their advantage to enlarge their Dominions by invading the Provinces as yet in the possession of the Brittains In order whereto Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons who had hitherto employ'd his forces in the conquest of places bordring especially on the Sea sent his Brother Cutha or Cuthwolf with an army into the inland Provinces The Successe of which expedition is thus described by Florentius and which saith he was undertaken in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy one 2. Cuthulf the Brother of King Ceaulin fought with the Brittains in a place calld Bedanford or Bedford And having obtaind the Victory he took from them four Royal Citties to wit Linganburgh a place now unknown Egelesburgh now calld Aylsbury in Buckinghamshire Bensingtun or Benson in Oxfordshire and Egnesham where placed is uncertain After which victory he the same year departed this life 3. In the year five hundred seaventy five was erected the Kingdom of the East Angles in Norfoll Suffolk and Cambridgshire together with the Isle of Ely The name of the first King raigning there was Vffa from whom his
in his solitary retreat at Glastenbury as already hath been declared before the proper time because wee would not too distractedly sett down the Gests of that glorious Apostolicall Saint Concerning whom thus wee read in the antiquities of Glastenbury In these days after the death of Vorâ—igern Aurelius Ambrosius raigned â—ver the Brittains And the Saxons grew strong multiplying exceedingly Then it was that S. Patrick the Apostle of Ireland and first Abbot in the Isle Avallonia after he had sufficiently instructed the foresaid Brethren in Regular Disciplines and competently enrich'd that Monastery with possessions procured from Kings and Princes at last yeilded to nature in the thirty ninth year after his return to the said Island And was buried in the Old Church on the right hand of the Altar by direction of an Angell a great flame likewise in the sight of all breaking forth in the same place 7. The Irish Writers eagerly contend against this and other Brittish testimonies concerning S. Patrick's being buried in Brittany confidently affirming that his Body reposes in the Church of Downpatrick in Ireland Whose assertion likewise seems to be confirm'd by S. Bernard who in the life of S. Malachias a Holy Irish Bishop writes that S. Patricks body rests in the See of Armagh accompanied with those of S. Colombanus and S. Brigide But this controversy may be commodiously enough composed as many of the like nature have been by replying that some considerable Relicks of his Sacred Body have been requested by the Irish from the Brittains and deposited at Down Which Relicks have after by mistake been reputed his entire Body a world of examples of the like errour being exstant in Ecclesiasticall History XI CHAP. 1. Hengists victory 2.3 c. Ella a Saxon invades Sussex where he erects the Kingdom of the South-saxons 6.7 c. King Ambrosius marches Northward against Hengist His pious vow and Victory 10 11. c. Hengist a Prisoner sentenced to death by the cruell sentence of a Bishop 13. Hengists son Aesca succeeds in the Kingdom of Kent 1. AFter some years cessation or at least sleight incursions occasionally exercis'd between the Brittains and Saxons in the year four hundred seaventy three Hengist obtain'd an important Victory against the Brittains for thus we read in Ethelwerd a Noble Saxon Writer The space of eight years being compleat after the Battell at Wippedflet Hengist together with his son Esca took up arms against the Brittains once more whose army they discomfited and caried away immense spoyles This Victory is not expressly mention'd by any other Historians but may be conceiv'd to be in generall words intended by Gildas and S. Beda in this expression From that time sometimes the Brittains and sometimes their Enemies had the Victory till the year wherin the Mountain of Bath Mons Badonicus was beseig'd which was ten years after this combat 2. In the year of Christ four hundred seaventy seaven Hengist perceiving that with his present forces he could make no progres against so valiant a Captain as Ambrosius nor yet maintain the Provinces lately given him by Vortigern for his redemption sent for new and greater supplies out of Germany Whereupon a famous Saxon captain calld Ella with his three sons Cymen Pleting and Cissa attended with a numerous army and strong fleet took sea and by Hengists directions bended their course to the Southern shore of Sussex 3. The order and successe of this expedition is thus describ'd by Henry of Huntingdon The great Saxon Commander Elle with his Sons and navy furnish'd with a strong and well orderd army landed in Brittany at a place call'd Cymen-shore from the name of Ella's eldest Son And while the Saxons were landing from their ships the Brittains rais'd a loud crye at which a world of people repaired to them from the places adiacent And streight a combat began The Saxons men of high stature and courage receiv'd them politickly and the Brittains most imprudently sett upon their enemies for coming in loose companies one after another they were easily slain by the Saxons who kep'd themselves together in close bodies Thus the Brittains which still came in to ayd their countreymen were suddenly discouraged by the noyse they heard of the defeat of the former They were all therefore putt to flight as far as the next wood called Andredesbeige And the Saxons possess'd themselves of the coasts of Sussex lying toward the Sea every day by little and little enlarging their limits till the ninth year after their coming 4. In which ninth year whilst Ella and his sons boldly entred further into the countrey The Princes and Nobles of the Brittains mett in arms together at a place call'd Mercredeburn and fought against the Saxons The Victory was doubtfull for on both sides the Armies were much empaired and broken So that each of them retired back to their own quarters 5. Mathew of Westminster addes that Ella with his Sons were forced to forsake the feild So that perceiving that he had not strength enough to make good his present conquests much lesse to enlarge them he sent into Germany for new supplies till the coming of which he lay still upon the defensive But after their arrivall he courageously continued his progresse in gaining more territories till he establish'd a new Kingdom of the South-Saxons in those parts 6. Whilst King Ambrosius employ'd his forces to represse the Saxons in these Southern regions Hengist having well fortified his Kindom of Kent took a journey into the Northern Provinces where joyning himself with the Picts and Scots he took many Citties and towns before the Brittains could oppose him and for the security of his new Conquests he built many Castles and strong holds and wheresoever he came he demolish'd all Churches Of which King Ambrosius being informed he with great courage as in Gods cause march'd after him And saith Richard white whilst he passed on his journey beholding the towns layd wast the lamentable ruines of Churches and miseries of the poore people he could not refrain weeping Whereupon by Vow he promised Almighty God that if he would grant him the Victory over the impious Saxons he would restore and rebuild all the Churches destroyed 7. How his pious Vow was approved by God the successe demonstrates thus related by Mathew of Westminster In the year of Grace four hundred eighty seaven Aurelius Ambrosius having gathered a great Army of Brittains resolved to provoke the Saxons to a combat Marching therefore with his army to the North he found Hengist with his forces beyond Humber Who being inform'd of his approaching boldly went to meet him with an intention to sett upon his army unawares in a feild call'd Maisbely through which Ambrosius was to passe whom he hoped to find unprovided But the Brittish King had notice of his design which hindred him to march to the same feild At last the two Armies meeting in good military order
Abulci at Anderida no doubt placed in this Citty near the Sea to defend the Coasts from the Saxon Pirats But when the Romans who maintain'd these garrisons had quitted the Island the shores were left unguarded and so expos'd to the invasions of the Germans There now only remains a great forest call'd by the Saxons Andraedswald and by the Brittains Coid Andred which continues the name of Anderida anciently seated near it saith Camden 5. About this time King Ambrosius is said to have come to the Mount of Ambri near Caer-carec Now called Salisbury where Hengist had treacherously slaughtered so many Princes for whom he intended to raise a famous Monument There also he is sayd to have constituted two Metropolitans Saint Sampson at Yorck and Saint Dubricius at Caer-leon XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 A Victory of the Brittains at the Hill Badonicus Where that hill was seated 4.5.6 Prince Arthur was in this Battell he confides in the protection of our B. Lady 1. THE second year after the erection of this New Kingdom of the South-Saxons was illustrious for a great Victory obtain'd by the Brittains against the Saxons at the Hill call'd Badonicus Concerning which Saint Beda thus writes The Brittains conducted by their famous King Ambrosius take courage and provoking the Victorious Saxons to combat by the Divine favour obtaind a Victory over them After which sometimes the Brittains sometimes the Saxons gott the upper hand till the year forty four after their arrivall in Brittany in which the Saxons were beseig'd on the Mountain call'd Badonicus and a great slaughter made of them This passage Saint Beda transcribes out of our Brittish Historian Gildas who in the end of it addes these words This was the year of my Nativity 2. This Mountain is by Polydor Virgil interpreted to be Blackmore through which the River Tese Athesis runs between Yorkshire and the Bishoprick of Durham Where the Saxons were assembled expecting great supplies out of Germany But being encompass'd by the Brittains by whom also the Sea-coasts were strongly guarded the Saxons press'd with want of provisions were forced to come to a battell in which they were with great slaughter putt to flight 3. Henry of Huntingdon acknowledges ingenuously that he was utterly ignorant where this Mountain Badonicus was seated But Camden with very great probability makes the territory of the ancient Citty of Bath in Somersetshire the Scene of this battell and victory which Citty saith he is by Ptolomy call'd 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Hott Waters by Antoninus Aquae Solis Waters of the Sun by the Brittains Caër-Badon by Stephanus Badiza in Latin Bathonia and at this day by us Bathe This Citty about the forty fourth year after the coming of the Saxons was by them beseig'd But the Warlick Prince Arthur coming upon them they were forced to retire to the Mountain Badonicus where after a long and desperate fight they were overcom and great numbers of them slain This seems to be that Mountain which is now called Bannesâ—own at the foot whereof is seated a little village called Bathestone where to this day are seen rampires and trenches the Marks of a Camp 4. We are not yet so to ascribe this victory to Arthur as to exclude Ambrosius from his share to whoÌ„ S. Beda principally ascribes it Kinz Ambrosius was the Conductour in cheif of the Brittish Army under whom Arthur his Nephew being Son to his Brother Vther-pendragon was a Captain principall Officer For thus writes Malmsburâ—ensis of the present Brittish affaires King Vortimer being fatally taken away the strength of the Brittains withred away and their hopes were diminis'hd And they had assuredly falln to ruine had not Ambrosius succeeded who alone remaind of the Roman stock and after Vortigern was Monark of the Kingdom He by the assistance of the warlick Prince Arthur repress'd the haughty Saxons swelling with pride of their conquests 5. This is that Arthur saith the same Authour concerning whom the Brittains to this day report and write so many trifling fables A Prince surely worthy to be magnified by true History and not to be made the subject of idle dreamers since he alone by his admirable courage sustain'd his declining countrey and incited the minds of the Brittains broken with many calamities to resume new courage 6. One particular concerning this Prince is related by the same Historian and most pertinent to the design of our History In the seige of the Mountain Badonicus Prince Arthur considing in the protection of our Blessed Lady whose Image he carâ—ed sow'd in his arms putt to flight and slew no fewer then nine hundred Saxons And that it was his custom afterwards to make use of these Spirituall arms is confirmed by other ancient Writers For Henry of Huntingdon testifies that in a combat neer the Castle Guinnion the same Prince carâ—ed the image of the Blessed Mary Virgin-mother of our Lord on his shoulders and that whole day by the power of our Lord Iesus Christ and his holy Mother Mary the Saxons were putt to flight and great numbers of them perâ—sâ—nd Flortiegus likewise says that Prince Arthurs sheild in which was painted the Image of our Lady whom he often call'd to mind was named Fridwen Lastly the same Writer addes that in a certain battell Arthur drawing forth his sword Caliburn â—â—voked the name of the Blessed Virgin and with great violence peircing into the midst of the Enemies troops at one blow slew whomsoever he touch'd with it Neither did he give over till he had slain eight hundred and forty of his enemies with his sword alone XVIII CHAP. 1. The Apparition of S Michael on Mount Garganus 2 3 c. Of S Richard the first converted Saxon His voyage into Italy where he is made Bishop of Andria His Gests He was present at the Consecration of the Church built to S Michael 1. ABout this time there was a wonderfull Apparition of the glorious Archangel S. Michael on the Mountain Garganus in Calabria the Memory whereof is celebrated anniversarily by the Catholick Church on the eighth of May. The commemoration whereof challenges a place in this History because a Holy Bishâ—p born in Brittany was present at the consecration of a Church built by occasion of the said Apparition The name of this Saint was Richard Bishop of Andria a Citty of the same Region 2. His name shows him not to have been a Brittain though born in this Island For he was descended of Saxon parents having been the first of that Nation recorded in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments to have been gained to Christ not long after their entrance into Brittany before an open hostility broke forth between the Nations 3. Concerning him we read thus in the Ecclesiasticall Office of his Solemnity in the Church of Andria Richard by Nation an Englishman was born in that Island of illustrious parents in the year of Grace four hundred fifty five at
security it being on all sides compass'd with the Sea Whence appears the esteem that the Brittains had then of Rome which argues that between them there was an agreement in Religion 4. The Exploits of King Arthur after his Coronation are thus recorded by Florilegus At that time saith he the Saxons invited more of their Countreymen out of Germany And under the Conduct of Colgrin they subdued all that part reaches of Brittany which from Humber â—â— Marâ— Cantanensium to the Sea of Cathanes Whereof as soon as King Arthur was inform'd he march'd with an Army toward York which was then held by the Saxons Colgrin assoon as he heard of King Arthurs approach met him with a great multitude near the River Duglus in Lancashire and coming to a battell Colgrin was put to flight and was pursued by King Arthur to York Now Baldulph the Brother of Colgrin at the same time lay with some forces toward the Sea expecting the coming of the Saxons He intended to make an irruption by night upon King Arthurs Army But the King being admonish'd hereof by Spies sent Cador Duke of Cornwall with six hundred horse and three thousand foot to intercept the Saxons Who setting on them unexpectedly kill'd great numbers of them and compell'd the rest to fly 5. Whilst King Arthur diligently pursued the siege of York there arrived the next year in the Northern parts a famous German Captain call'd Cheldric with seaven hundred boats who landed in Albania The Brittains therefore were afraid to encounter such great multitudes Whereupon King Arthur was compelled to leave the Siege of York and retired with his army to London Where taking counsell of his freinds he sent messengers into Lesser brittany to King Hoel to inform him of the calamity of this Island Now Hoel was Nephew of King Arthur by his sister Therefore hearing of his Vncles danger he commanded a great Army to be gathered and with fifteen thousand men having a prosperous wind he landed safely in the haven of Hamon where with great honour and ioy he was receiv'd by King Arthur 6. With these new forces encourag'd he gaind the next year two famous victories against the Saxons The former saith Huntingdon near the River call'd Bassas The latter in the wood of Chelidon Both these battells were fought in Lincolnshire near to the cheiâ— Citty whereof Ninius places the wood call'd Cathcoit Calidon And Mathew of Westminster writing of this second victory saith that the Brittains made near Lincoln a great slaughter of the Saxons of whom no fewer then six thousand were slain And the remainders flying to the forrest of Caledon were pursued by King Arthur who commanded the trees to be hewd down and layd athwart to hinder their escape By which means the Saxons being enclosed and reduced to extreme famine begg'd leave to depart the Kingdom leaving all their spoyles behind them By this Exploit of King Arthur the Saxons were expell'd out of the middle Provinces of Brittany Whereas in the Western parts they grew more powerfull insomuch as the year following Cerdicius fram'd there an establish'd Kingdom 7. Those Historians who relate the Heroicall Gests of King Arthur to equall him with Hercules mention principally twelve great Battells fought and as many victories gaind by him upon the Saxons Of which these two last are accounted the sixth and seaventh It suffices as to my present design though I be not curiously exact in adhering to that computation and assigning the proper time and manner of each in order 8. Another Victory call'd by Huntingdon the eighth though the year be not mention'd was gaind against those barbarous Enemies neer the Castle call'd Guinnion In that battell King Arthur caried upon his shoulders the Image of the Blessed Virgin-Mother of God and all that day by the vertue and power of our Lord Iesus Christ and S. Mary his Mother the Saxons were compell'd to fly and perish'd with a great slaughter The succeeding exploits of this famous King shall breifly follow in their due place VII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Saints in Wales of S Daniel Bishop of Bangor 1. WHilst most of the Provinces of that part of Brittany afterward call'd England were thus miserably disquietted the Western parts since call'd Wales enjoyd great repose and were illustrated by far more glorious Exploits of great numbers of Saints who flourish'd there Such were S. Dubricius S. Sampson S. David S. Thelian S. Kined S. Paternus S. Daniel S. Iustinian c. Some of these have been already mention'd and more of their Gests will follow 2. As touching S. Daniel he is reported by Bishop Vsher from Bale to have instituted a Colledge or Monastery of the Apostolick order for the sacred Exercices of learned and pious men The place where this Colledge was founded was in Arvonia the countrey of the Venedati not far from the streit where men passe into the Isle of Anglesey out of Wales which Colledge he call'd the Port or Haven And the time of this new Erection was the year of our Lord five hundred and Sixteen In the same place not long after Malgo Conan built a Citty which for the beauty of its situation he called Bancor or Bangor where likewise was the seat of a Bishop in which this S. Daniel was the first who sate So that it is a mistake in B. Godwin affirming that before the times of the Normans there had been no Bishop there 3. This Citty of Bangor was a place distinct from the famous Monastery of that name though Malmsburiensis confounds them together True it is that in both places there was a Monastery But this was seated in the Province call'd Arvonia now Caernarvon upon the River Menai dividing it from Anglesey Wheras the other was in Flintshire Again this Monastery was first erected by S. Daniel wheras the other was extant even in the infancy of Christianity under King Lucius as hath been shewn In both of them there lived Monks called by Bale Apostolici ordinis viri men of the Order Apostolicall because in imitation of the Apostles they practis'd self-abnegation and a renouncing of temporall possessions 4. This Holy man Daniel saith Pits from Leland was joynd with S. Dubricius and David in confuting and condemning the Pelagian Heresy for which purpose he was present at the Synod of Brevi He dyed in the same year of Grace five hundred forty four in which the holy Bishop S. David dyed And he was buried in the Isle of Berdesey calld the Rome of Brittany for the multitude of Saints there liuing and buried in which regard saith B. Vsher it is still in the Welsh language calld Yr ugain mil Saint He is commemorated in our ancient Martyrologe on the tenth of December Who succeeded him in that Bishoprick it does not appeare VIII CHAP. 1. 2. c. Of S. Iustinian his Gests 1. THere were at this time two other Saints which though by birth strangers yet challenge a
having conquered the Norvegians placed his Nephew Loth in the throne and then with ioy returned into Brittany 5. Acts of Chevalry yet more prodigious have been in a seeming sober manner recounted especially by Geffrey of Monmouth which in a generall manner shall be here set down in the expression and with the Censure of Ranulphus of Chester As touching this King Arthur saith he among all Historians only thus extolled by Geffrey of Monmouth many doe wonder how any one can beleive those things to be true which are reported of him For if there were any probability that he conquered thirty Kingdoms if he subdued the King of the Franks if he slew Lucius the Emperours Governour in Italy how comes it to passe that all Historians Romans French Saxons should make no mention at all of such Heroicall Exploits of so great a Prince whereas they have related far lesse acts of persons much inferiour Geffrey tells us that his Arthur conquered Frollo King of the Franks whereas among the French Writers such a Name as Frollo cannot be found He says likewise that during the raign of the Emperour Leo King Arthur kild Lucius an Italian Generall of the Empire and yet according to all the Roman Historians there was no Lucius Governour in Italy Neither did King Arthur raign nor was so much as born in the time of Leo but of Iustinian the fifth Emperour after Leo. To conclude Greffrey says he much wonders that Gildas and S. Beda should make no mention of King Arthur in their Writings Whereas we may much rather wonder that this Geffrey should so highly extoll a man whose actions have scarce been mentioned by any ancient Historians of high esteem for their truth sincerity But perhaps this is the custom of every nation to exalt some one of their Princes with excessive praises as the Grecians have enormously magnified their Alexander the Romans their Octavian the English their Richard the French their Charles and in like manner the Brittains their Arthur This often happens saith Iosephus either for the beautifying of their Histories or the delighting their Readers or extolling their own blood 6. That there was such a King of the Brittains as Arthur and that he was a Prince of a most magnanimous and Heroical Spirit we are assured by Monuments of such unquestioâ—ned authority that Geffreys lyes cannot disparage them And had it not been that Almighty God had given up the Brittains to destruction no hand could have been more proper able to rescue them then King Arthurs and no doubt it was to his valour that we ought to ascribe the security of the remains of them amoÌ„g the Mountains of Wales But as for his conquering so many kingdoms and driving the Saxons out of his own these are inventions so impudently false that in the very same years to which these Victories are assigned our unquestioned Histories inform us that the Saxons made some notable progresse in their conquests and some new kingdom of theirs became established 7. It may notwithstanding be allowd to Malbranque since he will needs entitle King Arthur to the subduing his Morini that being weary of contending in vain with the Saxons and a surcease of arms being agreed between them King Arthur to avoyd idlenes might transport some forces over Sea into that Province of France and there settle in the Principality his kinsmaÌ„ Leodegarius bestowing on him the Strong Citty of Bouloign Bononia with the territory adjoyning with this condition that he and his Successours should hold it with acknowledgment and dependance of the Blessed Virgin to whom we have seen before that King Arthur bore so particular devotion All which saith that Authour is extracted out of the ancient Archives of that Citty 8. Thus much may be iudged expedient to be said concerning King Arthur of whom nothing will remain more to be related for the space of many years till we come to treat of his death The intercurring time being to be supplyed by a few passages touching Ecclesiasticall affaires occurring in Brittany XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 The Kingdoms of the East-angles and East-Saxons erected 4 The Isle of wight conquered whence the name 1. ABout the year of Grace five hundred twenty seaven two new Kingdoms were erected in Brittany without any disturbance from King Arthur The seat of them was in the Eastern parts of the Island The Province of the Iceâ—â— containing Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgshire was possessed by the Angli and made up the Kingdom of the East-angles The Province of the Trinobantes containing Essex Middlesex were possessed by a Tribe of the Saxons and made up the Kingdom of the East-Saxons But whether of these two kingdoms began first is uncertain in our History because the names of their first Kings are for the unconsiderablenes of their actions not left recorded 2. Mathew of Westminster fixes their beginning in the same year five hundred twenty sixe when saith he there came out of Germany certain Pagans who seysed on the Eastern parts of Brittany namely that Region which is called the Kingdom of the East-Angles And some of the same Germans invading the Middle Provinces of the Island fought many battles against the Brittains But because their Leaders were many and not subordinate to one their names are forgotten The same year the Kingdom of the East-Saxons also took its Origiâ—nal in these days called Essex the first King whereof as is beleived was Erkenwin the Son of Offa. 3. This Writer does not acquaint us with the name of the first King of the East-Angles But that defect is supplied by Ranulphus of Chester though he assign the Original of that Kingdom much sooner For thus he writes In the year of Grace four hundred ninety 〈◊〉 the Kingdom of the East-Angles began under Vffa from whom all the succeeding Kings were anciently called Vffings which since we call Ficans or Fikeys Such is the uncertainty about the beginning of these two Kingdoms to discourse of which concerns not our design 4. The year following the Isle of Wight was invaded by King Cerdic and his Son Kinric as hath been sayd But almost three years passed before they could quite subdue it For in the year five hundred and thirty saith Huntingdon Certic and his Son with a numerous army fought with the Brittains in Witland or the Isle of Wight and having overcome them took possession of the Island In which battell they made a wonderfull slaughter of them at Whitgaresberg in the thirteenth year of their Raign This Island called in Latin Vâ—cta they gave four years after to their Nephews â—â—uffa and Witgar The Brittains call this Island Guith which saith Nennius signifies a divorce or renting asunder because is is divided from Brittany by so narrow a sea intervening that is seems to have been once ioynd with it The Saxons from the Brittish word called it Witland or Vitland XVIII CHAP. 1.2 A Synod assembled in Wales by Saint
the Holy Bishop David the glory of Brittany the Father of his countrey is this day dead he has escaped out of the prison of his body and is flown to heaven Beleive me I my self have seen a multitude of Angels conducting him in to the joy of his Lord and our Lord himself at the entrance of Paradice hath crownd him with glory and honour Know also that Brittany which is depriv'd of so great a light will a long time mourn the absence of so powerfull a Patron He it was who oppos'd himself to the sword of our Lord which was half drawn out for the destruction of that nation in revenge of their sins and impenitence Now will God deliver up Brittany to strange Nations which know him not and Pagans shall empty the Island of its inhabitants Christian Religion shall be utterly dissipated in it till the time prefix'd by God be ended But after that it shall through the mercies of our Lord be restor'd to its former state yea to a far better and happier How true this Prophecy of S. Kentigern was the following Story will demonstrate 7 S. David was buried in his own Church of Menevia which saith Geffrey of Monmouth he had loved above all other Monasteries of his Diocese because S. Patrick who had prophecied of his Nativity had been the founder of it He adds that it was by the command of Malgo King of the Venedotae that he was there buried And that after five hundred years he was solemnly canoniz'd by Pope Calixtus the second of that name The Church in which he was buried was dedicated to S. Andrew but in succeeding times took S. David for the Patron by whose name it and the whole Diocese was call'd S. Davids 8. The Memory of his Sanctity was so precious that within a few years after his death the visiting of his Church was a great devotion of those times S. Oudoceus Successour of S. Theliau in the Bishoprick of Landaff after a Pilgrimage to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostâ—es at Rome made another to the Church of S. David And afterward when any one had a desire to goe in devotion to Rome and was hindred either by the difficulties or dangers of the iourney he might equall the merit of such a pilgrimage by twice visiting the Church of S. Davids as appears by a Dâ—stick common in those times expressing so much Such was either the pious credulity of that age or perhaps that compensation was allow'd by Popes 9. The Successour of S. David in the Bishoprick of Menevia was called Kinoc or Cenac who was translated thither from the See of S. Patern But his and many of his Successours Gests have been buried in obscurity for the Name of Saint David did so fill the Church of Menevia for severall ages that the mention of his successours has been omitted XXI CHAP. 1.2.3 Death of King Otta and K. Cerdic 1. BEcause we would not discontinue the Gests of the famous Bishop S. David we have pursued them severall years beyond the date and season whereto we are arrived in the Generall History of the Ecclesiasticall state of Brittany Which disorder hereafter also oft to be committed especially in the lives of particular Saints we expect will find pardon because therby a greater disorder will be avoyded of delivering their actions peece-meale and by shreds to the Readers prejudice We will therefore return to the place from which we made this diversion 2. In the year of Grace five hundred thirty two Otta King of Kent dyed leaving his Son Irmeric Successour in his Kingdom who was illustrious for nothing more then in that he was Father to the glorious and happy King Ethelhert the first Christian King among the Saxons 3. Two years after dyed also Cerdic King of the West-Saxons in the sixteenth year of his Raign to whom succeeded his Son Kenric in all his Dominions except the Isle of Wight which he left to his Sisters Son Witgar whom he dearly lov'd both for propinquity of blood and military skill XXII CHAP. 1.2 c Of S. Iohn a Brittish Saint in France 4.5 c. Of S. Mochia a Brittish Saint in Ireland 1. IN our ancient English Martyrologe the death of a Holy Brittish Preist is assignâ—d to the year five hundred thirty â—eaven His name was Iohn and his fame was more celebrated in forrain Nations then his own The great commotions of Brittany and barbarous cruelty of the Saxons compelled great numbers to seek means of serving God abroad which they could not find at home Among whom this Holy Preist Iohn was one who retir'd himselfe into France and thoâ—gâ— he spent his liâ—e iâ— solitude and prayer in the Province of Tours yet it pâ—eas'd God by a miracle after his death to 〈◊〉 known his Sanctity Which Miracle I shâ—â—ld scarce have mention'd in this History were it not that I find it related by a famous Bâ—shop S. Gregory oâ— Tours in whose Provâ—nce thiâ— Holy Preist liv'd and who might himself have been an eye-witnes oâ— it The relation given by him is as followeth 2. Not far from this Church of Caâ—on rests the sacred Holy of a certain Preist named Iohn He was by Nation a Bâ—ittain and living here with great devotion and piety our Lord was pleas'd by 〈◊〉 miraculously to restore health to many He the better to attend to divine love avoyded the â—ight of men confining himself to a little Cell â—nd Oratory over against the Church of Caâ—on â—here 〈◊〉 a little Orchard cultivated by himself he had planted a few lawrel-trees which now are â—o encreased that the boughs of them being drawn â—ogether arch-â—ise doe afford a very pleasing â—hade Vnder those laurels his custom was to sit reading or writing as he thought fit After his death among the said trees whose wide-stretch'd branches made a very commodious shade there was one which through age was quite withered Then he to whom the care of the place was committed dâ—â—g'd up the roots of the said dry tree and of the body of it hewed out a seat or bench upon which when he was weary or would seriously meditate on busines he was used to sitt After he had made such use of the said seat the space of two years or mâ—re a thought of remorse came into his heart I beleive by divine Inspiration which forced him to say Alas Sinner that I am â—hy doe I for mine own convenience make use of a seat fram'd of the tree which so holy a Preist planted with his oâ—n hand Having said this he presently took a â—â—ade and digging a deâ—p hole in the ground presently he putt the seat into it after he had cutt off the â—eet which supported it and then cover'd it with earth Now behold a great wonder The very next spring this dry bench thus buried as hath been said sprouted forth into green branches as the other treese did which prosper'd so well that at this day there are proceeded
mett on the fourth day before the Nones of May at which Vigilius refused to be present not esteeming it Canonicall by reason of the absence of the Western Bishops who were most interessed in the affaire 7. However after twenty dayes respite obtain'd Vigilius sent a Writing to the Emperour which he calld a Constitutum wherin he at large gave his iudgment of â—he Tria Capitula telling him that as touching the blasphemies of Theodorus he did abhorre them but in imitation of the Council of Ephesus wold spare his name Again that it would be superfluous to cast any infamy on the Writings of Theodoret against S. Cyrill since S. Cyrill himselfe and the Councill of Chalcedon had requir'd no other satisfaction from him but only to pronounce Anathema against Nestorius which he did And as touching the Epistle of Ibas no discussion should be made of it after the Council of Chalcedon 8. This Constitutum the Emperour contrary to his promise reserv'd to himself but withall acquainting the Synod with Vigilius his mind touching the Tria Capitula which he had oftimes both by words and writing express'd the Synod proceeded to a condemnation of them withall complaining that the Pope would not afford his presence among them 9. After this Definition of the Bishops in the Council the Pope being in extreme anguish because he saw how the Western Bishops would be offended and that this scandal would be the greater by reason that the Emperour had not sent his Constitutum to the Council utterly refus'd his consent and approbation of their Definition For which refusall he was by the Emperour sent into banishment with seuerall other Bishops 10. His banishment did not continue long for six months after the Synods Definition Vigilius sent a Decretal Epistle to Eutychius the Successour of Menas in which he condemn'd the Tria Capitula and profess'd Communion with all those who embracing the Four Councils of the Church had condemn'd the same meaning hereby the last Council which he would not name This Decree of Vigilius was by the Grecians referd among the Acts of the Council by vertue wherof it became acknowleged a lawfull Oecumenicall Council 11. This end being given to this unnecessary Controversy all the Western Churches excepting only the Bishops of Istria Venice and Liguria consented to it But these Churches being under the dominion of the Longobardi broke into an open Schism which continued till the time of S. Gregory the Great And besides them we doe not find any other Churches unsatisfied excepting Ireland only to the Bishops whereof S. Gregory in the year before S. Kentigerns iourney to Rome wrote an Epistle in answer to one of theirs which had charged the Roman See for injuring the Council of Chalcedon by condemning the Tria Capitula But S. Gregory informed them that this Controversy did not at all touch the Faith of the Church but only the persons of two or three Bishops That the authority of the Council of Chalcedon was entire both with those who oppugn'd and those who defended the Tria Capitula and therefore none could have just cause to make a rent in the Church upon so trifling a quarrel Which answer of the Holy Pope it seems gave satisfaction to the Irish Bishops for we read following Epistles from him to them as to unanimous Brethren instructing them touching Rites in Baptism and whether it was to be administred to such as return'd from the Nestorian Heresy c. 12. The state of this Controversy hath been thus largely sett down because at this very time it was hottly agitated when S. Kentigern went to Rome and probably was a principall motive of his journey Which is the more likely because an Irish Bishop called Albanus went thither at the same time likewise And though the Brittish Churches are no where mention'd as partaking with those who were divided from the Roman See yet it might well become the zeale of so holy a Bishop as S. Kentigern to inform himself truly of the state of the present controversy that so he might prevent a future breach V. CHAP. 1. S. Kentigerns death 2. The manner of it 3 His preparation thereto 4. Of his Miracles 1. SAint Kentigern eight years after this his voyage to Rome by a mature and happy death rested from his labours to witt in the year of our Lord six hundred and one being then fourscore and five years old according to the true computation of Bishop Vsher though others mislead by Capgrave add a hundred years more to his age 2. The manner of his death is thus related by Iohn of Tinmouth The man of God Saint Kentigern being worn away with age had his nerves so dissolved that he was forced to sustain his iawes by tying a linnen ruban about his head which came under his Chin to the end he might be enabled with lesse difficulty to pronounce his words This dissolution of his sinews may be ascrib'd to a promise a little before his death made him by an Angell Who told him Since thy whole life in this world has been a continuall Martyrdom it hath pleas'd our Lord to grant thee a milder and easier end of thy life then other men ordinarily find 3. And as touching his preparation to his death it thus follows in the same Authour At length calling together his Disciples he earnestly exhorted them to a continuance in observing the duties of their holy Religion to mutuall charity peace hospitality and diligence in reading and Prayer Moreover he gave and bequeath'd to them earnest and efficacious precepts firmly to obey the Decrees of the Holy Fathers and Constitutions of the Holy Roman Church After which Exhortation given he departed to our Lord on the Ides of Ianuary in the sixtieth year after he was first consecrated Bishop 4. After his death the same of his Sanctity was every where spread by a world of miracles the particulars may be read in Capgrave to whom the Reader is refer'd Concerning him thus writes Iohannes Major S. Kentigern was contemporary and a singular freind of S. Columba He was illustrious for many miracles and his body reposes at Glasgu to whose honour a Church was erected in that Citty second to none in Scotland for costly ornaments and rich endowments of Canonries His Memory is celebrated in our English Martyrologe on the thirteenth of Ianuary VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The Kingdom of the Northumbers erected 7. K. Conan dyes and Vortiper succeeds 8. After whom Malgo Conan raigns 9.10 Battells between the Brittains and Saxons 1. COnstantin the kinsman and Successour of King Arthur being dead or removed Aurelius Conanus his Nephew a young man of extraordinary worth and well deserving the Crown saith Westmonasteriensis succeeded him his only fault was that he was a lover of Civill contentions He cast into prison his Vncle to whom the Crown in right belonged and murdred two of his Sons who stood in his way to the kingdom
point of his sharp stile against one named Câ—neglas by interpretation Yellow Lyon whom he accuses of all sorts of crimes impiety againâ—â— God and savage cruelty to his subjects repudiating his lawfull wife and violating her Sister who after her widdow-hood had vowd chastity to God and lastly by many injuries afflicting holy men and Preâ—â—â— which ceased not to offer up to God their sight and prayers for him Whom he exhorts to change his life that he might reap benefit by the Prayers of those who had power to bind in heaven whan they had bound in this world and to loose likewise such as were penitent 4. Now by a view of the impieties of all these last Princes of Brittany the Reades will observe the justice of Gods severity against so wicked a Nation from which he took the Spirituall Kingdom of Christ and bestowd it on a people which few years after brought fruits worthy of it And again out of this dunghill of vices some pearles may be gathered for here we find the Wise Gildas commending a perpetuall vow of Chastity made not only by Virgins but Widows also the infringing of which vow he bitterly inveighs against And again he acknowledges in Gods Preists a power of retaining and absolving sinners not by way of declaration but authority and iurisdiction 5. In the year five hundred fifty nine dyed Ida King of the Northumbrians to whom succeeded his Son Alla whose Empire extended both over the Deiri and Bernicians This is that King Alla to whose name Pope Gregory alluded when he said prophetically that in the Province of King Alla there should be sung Alleluia But we must observe that though he had the authority paramount over all the Kingdom of the Northumbrians yet there were in some of the Provinces Brittish Princes with dependance on him which called themselves Kings So we mentioned lately Mâ—â—ken King of the Cumbrians For these Northern Saxons having obtaind their dominion not by absolute conquest but in many Provinces by Treaty they left the Princes there still invested with their former authority yet with dependance and deference to them VIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Theodoric a Brittish Prince retires into solitude And comes out to fight with the Saxons In which fight he is mortally wounded 6.7 c. His Son Monric censured by a Synod at Landaff 1. THis Age afforded us more then one Example both of the vigour of Episcopall Authority and zeale exercised by a Holy Bishop Synodically and likewise of submission to the said Spirituall Authority by Princes otherwise of little devotion on the contrary staind with many vices and crimes But before we relate these particulars we will first declare who this Bishop and Princes were 2. The Bishops name was S. Oudoceus the Son of Anaumeda Sister to S. Theliau and Budic a Prince in Lesser Brittany S. Oudoceus from his infancy was addicted to piety He was assidileus in fasting watching and prayer for an everlasting reward In devotion he visited the Monument of S. Peter at Rome and at his return he went to the place of S. David and from thence he diverted to the Church of S. Theliau taking with him certain Relicks which during his Pilgrimages he had obtaind Afterward he succeded Saint Theliau the next Bishop of Landaff after Saint Dubricius and was an heyr not only of his dignity but of his vertue doctrin and miracles He is commemorated on the sixth day before the Nones of Iuly 4. Next as touching the Prince his name was Mouric Son of Theodoric Prince of Glamorganshire in the Province of the Silures who being weary of worldly vanities undertook a Monasticall Profession and served Almighty God in solitude having transferr'd his Pricipality on his son Mouric Into which his Son was no sooner entred but the Saxons broke into his countrey and began to wast it Whereupon the inhabitants had recourse to their former Prince Theodoric whom they even compelled to quitt his desart and to be their Generall in the war He full of Divine courage encountred the infidell Enemies whom he putt to flight at Tintern nere the River Vaga But having received a dangerous wound in the combat he returned homeward and perceiving that it would prove mortall he gave charge to his Son Mouric that in what place soever he should end his life he should there build a Church to God and a Sepulcher for himself After this proceeding in his journey he had not passed above five miles but at a place where the Rivers Vaga and Severn meet he gave up his Spirit 5. There did his Son Mouric erect a Church in which he layd his Fathers body whom posterity venerated as a Saint calling the place from his name Merthir-Tendric that is The place of the Martyr-Theodoric At this day it is more contractedly called Merthirn In the same place saith B. Godwin is seated the house and possessions of the Bishops of Landaff adding That Mouric first of his own accord gave to that Church a farm called Mochros lying on the banks of the River Vaga together with Portheassegg and the Church of Gurvid And afterward for expâ—â—â—ion of a murder committed by him on a person called Cynetu contrary to a league by oath contracted between them he added other possessions as Ringranauc Nantana and Kansulvim with other lands besides He had two Sons Arthruis and Frior and by Arthruis or Athruis he had a grandchild called Morcant 6. This is that Prince Mouric this the crime against which the Holy Bishop Oudoceus exercised his spirituall authority the order and manner we read expressly declared in the Acts of a Synod of Landaff lately rescued from darknes and worms by our diligent Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman the tenour whereof is as followeth The Synod of Landaff assembled by Oudoceus third Bishop of that Church about the year of Grace five hundred and sixty in which Mouric King of Glamorgan for his perfidious murdring of Cynetu was excommunicated c. 7. King Mouric and Cynetu mett together at Landaff and in the presence of Oudocâ—us Bishop swore before the Relicks of Saints lying before them that they would observe a firm peace between them Some space after this solemn Oath thus made King Mouric by treachery slew Cynetu Whereupon Bishop Oudoceus called together all Ecclesiasticks from the mouth of Taratyrin-Guy to Tyvi together with three Abbots Consen Abbot of the valley of Carban Cargen Abbot of Ildute and Sulgen Abbot of Docquinni and in a full Synod excoÌ„municated King Mouric for the murder by him committed and for perjury in transgressing the Covenant made in his presence and on the Altar of S. Peter the Apostle and of S. Dubricius and S. Theliau moreover inclining the Crosses toward the ground he interdicted the countrey of Mouric and so dismissed the King The Christian Communion also cursed the King with his progeny the whole Synod confirming it and saying Let his days be few his children
Successours or as some write all the subjects were called Vffings Some place the beginning of this Kingdom before that of the West-Saxons but no where can we find their names recorded the reason perhaps being because before Vffa's time they were Kings only by courtesy and with dependance on greater Princes as those of Kent c. as indeed in following ages they were again the Beneficiarij sometimes of the Mercian Kings and sometimes of those of Kent 4. Two years after the beginning of Vffa's raign was fought a Battle fatall to the Brittains by which they were expelld out of almost all the fertile plaine regions of the Island and driven to the Mountains of Cambria Geffrey of Montmouth to make his countrey-mens calamity more illustrious tells us that a certain King calld Gormand came with an army of one hundred sixty six thousand African soldiers and ioynd with the Saxons against King Careticus and his Brittains and drove them beyond the Severn into Wales 5. But Ethelwerd Malmsbury c. more soberly inform us that whereas the Brittains had hitherto defended themselves against the West-Saxons by the firm walls of their Citties of Glocester Cirencester and Bathe this year Ceaulin after an overthrow given them in battell expugn'd those three strong Citties and forc'd them to retire to mountains and woods This battell saith Camden was fought at a place calld Deorham after which the Citty of Bath was given up to the Saxons In which battell three Christian Kings of the Brittains were slaine whose names were Commagil Condidan and Faringmagil So that afterward Ceaulin and his Son Cuthwin were so terrible to the Brittains that all places hastned to render themselves to their power Thus we read in Henry of Huntingdom 6. The Brittains notwithstanding after seaven years rest again attempted another combat with the Saxons at a place calld Fedhanlea saith the same Authour where on both sides they fought with horrible fury In somuch as Cuthwin the Son of Ceaulin being oppressâ—d with multitudes was slain and the army of the Angli putt to flight But King Ceaulin having again repair'd his army the soldiers wherof bound themselves by an oath that they would not fly at last in a battell vanquish'd the conquering Brittains and pursuing them took many Provinces and innumerable spoyles B. Vsher saith that this Battell was fought iuxta Moram lapideam at Sâ—â—an-more in West-morland But that place being a part of the territories of Alla King of the Deiri and Northumbrians no probable cause can be assign'd to draw the King of the West-Saxons so far from his own Dominions unlesse perhaps to give assistance to Alla. XV. CHAP. 1.2 The Mercian Principality erected by Crida 3.4 c. Theonus Arch-bishop of London and Thadioc of York with most of the Brittains quitt England and fly into Wales c. carying Relicks c. with them 1. WHereas our Historians say that by the last battles the conquered Brittains lost many Citties and Regions we may iudge that Mathew of Westminster had some reason to affirm that in the year of Grace five hundred eighty five the Kingdom of the Mercians took beginning under their first King Croeda or Crida Notwithstanding it may more properly be said that the foundations of that Kingdom were now layd which took not its iust form till ten years after 2. This Crida reckond himself the tenth in descent from Woden the Idol Deity of the Saxons And wheras the other Saxon Princes possess'd themselves of the extreme parts of the Island towards the Cambrians Picts and the Ocean Crida peirc'd into the bowells of Brittany by little and little possessing himself of all the Provinces which were towards the North confined with the Rivers Humber and Mersey on the South with Thames on the East with the Severn and Deva and on the East with the German Ocean 3. The Brittains themselves by a voluntary cession made Crida's way very easy to his new erected throne in which he as yet sate contented with the inferiour Title of Governour or Duke For the Saxons being now dispersed through all the parts and Provinces of Brittany and every day gaining more strength became intolerably burdensom to the poor Brittains and being Infidels publish'd Lawes extremely preiudiciall to Christian Religion profess'd by them Whereupon by agreement between the Clergy and other Brittish Inhabitants hitherto mixt with the Saxons they resolved to quitt the Countrey and to retire some of them flying to the mountains of Cambria others into Cornwall and great numbers beyond Sea into Lesser Brittany and other Christian Regions 4. Then it was saith Mathew of Westminster to wit in the year of our Lord five hundred eighty six that the Arch-prelats Theonus Bishop of London and Thadioc of York seing all the Churches which had been subiect to them now destroyd to the ground they attended with many Ecclesiasticks who had escap'd danger from the Saxons fled into Cambria and caried with them the sacred Relicks of Saints out of fear least by an irruption of the Barbarous Saxons the Sacred Bones of so many and so great Saints should otherwise be blotted out of the memory of men Many likewise passing over into Armorick Brittany left the two Provinces of Loegria and Northumbria utterly depriv'd of Christian Congregations The Bodies also of some Saints after they had reverently hid them in Monuments they cast great heaps of earth over them least they should be obnoxious to the contumelious scorn of the Infidels For the Kings of the Angli and Saxons as they were very powerfull in arms so they were most violent Pagans who thirsted after nothing more then defacing of the name of Christ and subverting his Religious Worship Insomuch as when they had subdued the countrey if any Church remaind untouch'd they took occasion thereby to bring greater confusion and contempt on the Name of Christ by turning it into a Temple of their profane Idoll-Gods and with their impious Sacrifices polluting the Holy Altars of the true God 5. Concerning this Theonus Arch-bishop of London he was formerly Bishop of Glocester and from thence translated to London in the year five hundred fifty three saith B. Godwin And the year of Grace five hundred eighty Six taking his whole Clergy with him he is sayd to have fled to his own countrey men in Wales together with Thadioc Arch-bishop of York And those who afterward in the time of the Saxons sate at London were simple Bishops the Metropoliticall dignity being transferd to Dorobernia or Canterbury as shall be declared Neither after the departure of Thadioc doe we read of any other Arch-bishop of York till by the conversion of Edwin son of Alla King of the Northumbrians S. Paulinus was there consecrated Arch-bishop 6. By this Secession and flight of the Brittish Clergy and other inhabitants there remaind the miserable relicks of the Brittaâ—ns saith Mathew of Westminster onely in three Provinces to wit in
deliverd from the ire of God de ira Dei eruti and call'd to partake his Mercy His last Question was How the King of that Nation was call'd And he was told that his name was Alle whereupon in allusion to that name he sayd Alleluia must be sung in those parts to the prayse of God the Creatour of all things 6. Afeer this discourse ended he went to Pelagius Bishop of the Roman and Apostolick See For as yet himself was not chosen Pope and humbly entreated him to send into Brittany some Ministers of Gods word to convert that Nation to Christ Adding That himself was ready to be employd with Gods assistance in such a work in case his Holines thought fit But his offer could not be taken for though the Pope would have granted his desire yet the Romans would not permit his absence so far from the Citty Notwithstanding a while after when himself was exalted to the Popedom he brought to perfection the work so long and so earnestly desir'd by him sending indeed other persons to preach the Gospell there but himselfe by his counsels exhortations and prayers contributing very much to make their preaching fruitfull and effectuall These things according to what our Ancestours have deliver'd we thought proper and fit to be inserted in our Ecclesiasticall History XVII CHAP. 1.2 S. Columban comes out of Ireland into Brittany and thence goes into France 3. Of S. Phara a Holy Abbesse to whom many Brittish Virgins repaire 1. BVT Alla King of the Deiri saith Malmsburiensis though by the selling of those children he gave occasion of bringing Christianity among the Angli yet was not so happy to hear any thing of it himself For the Divine Election regarded hiâ— Son Which Son was not his immediate Successour Edelric who the next year upon the death of his Father Alla possess'd his throne But Edwin a Prince who after many vicissitudes oâ— fortune came first to the Crown of the Northumbrians afterward to the Faith of Christ and lastly to the glory of Martyrdom as shall be shewd As for Ethelric his raign was short for it lasted onely five years and afforded nothing memorable 2. In the first year of King Ethelrics raign S. Columban after he had spent severall years in the Monastery of Benchor in Ireland came over into Brittany being mov'd with a desire of seing strange countreys saith Haraeus out of Ionas who largely wrote that Saints life The Venerable Abbot Comogel did much bewayle his departure but being unable to resist the Divine Will he dismiss'd him so that he with twelve Companions inflamed with the same desire took ship and came into Brittany from whence he afterward pass'd into France When he undertook this journey he was no more then twenty years of age In France he was very courteously receiv'd by King Sigebert or rather his Son Childebert who gave him the choice of any place for his abode These devout men therefore entring into a desart call'd Vosegus the Vauge found there a certain place encompass'd with old walls and watred with warm springs but time had ruind all the buildings The name of it was Luxovium 3. Whilst S. Columban lived in Austrasia a Province of France he was Spirituall Master and instructour to the Holy Virgin Phara reckon'd by the Centuriators of Magdeburg among the Brittish Nunnes Others say she was Neice to S. Columban himself From whomsoever she was descended certain it is that the sweet odour of her vertues and sanctity was so largely spread that many devout Virgins and some of them of Princely families out of Brittany repair'd to her to learn piety under her government in France as shall in due place be shewd XVIII CHAP. 1.2.3 War betwen the Scots and Picts 4. The South-Saxon King subject to the West-Saxons 5. S. Gregory consecrated Pope 1. IN the year five hundred and ninety a war was began in the Northern parts of Brittany between the Scotts and Picts which drew the whole Island into great factions In those parts Aidan or Edan son of the King of the Scotts then enioyd the principality who had been crownd King by S. Columba in the Isle Iona or Hy saith Adamannus 2. The cause of these commotions was the same which had formerly rais'd so long and furious wars between the Saxons and the Brittains For the Scots out of Ireland at first were invited by the Picts to assist them against the Brittains as the Saxons were by the Brittains against the Picts and Scots and these Irish Scots imitating the Saxons at first stayd in those parts upon courtesy but afterward grew insolent and new Aids from their own countrey dayly flocking to them they fix'd their habitation and not long after a Kingdom there Which being once establish'd their next attempt was to drive the Picts out of their own Provinces which at last they effected far more entirely then the Saxons had against the Brittains for the Scotts utterly rooted out of the world the very name and Nation of the Picts 3. It was for this Empire of the Northern parts of Brittany that Edan Prince of the Scotts now contended and the whole successe of the war though waged at a great distance from the Isle of Iona where S. Columba then was yet was divinely reveal'd to him For thus doe we read in his Life S. Columba being in the Isle of Iona on a certain day called his brethren together and kneeling down sayd Let us now pray fervently for this people and their King Aidan for this very hower the battell against their enemies begins A little while after he rose up and looking towards heaven sayd Now are the barbarous enemies put to flight and the victory is given to Aidan though dearly purchas'd for of his army there are slain three hundred and three This needs not seem incredible for many examples occurr in Ecclesiasticall story declaring how God has oft been pleas'd to reveale unto his servants events hapning in places far removed 4. The same year dyed Cissa King of the South-Saxons saith Mathew of Westminster and his Kingdom was devolved on Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons Yet so as that it was administred by his son Edelwalc who enioyd also the Title of King yet as Beneficiary to Ceaulin 5 But that which most illustrated this year was the advancement of S. Gregory to the Popedom who immediatly after the death of Pope Pelagius was with the wonderfull applause of all degrees and orders in Rome placed in S. Peters Chair to the great benefit of the whole Church but more especially to the incomparable felicity of our Island For his admirable Gests among which the most illustrious was the Conversion of the Angli and Saxons he was deservedly call'd S. Gregory the Great and the Apostle of England as our Martyrologes declare XIX CHAP. 1.2 Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons driven out of his Kingdom dyes 3 Ethelbert King of Kent becomes Supreme among the Saxons 1.
THE year following Brittany afforded a memorable example of the instability of worldly greatnes and power in the person of the hitherto prosperous King of the West-Saxons Ceaulin who after all his conquests was at last overcome in fight and expell'd his kingdom and life also Which is in this manner related by Malmsburiensis Ceaulin saith he in his last days was banish'd from his kingdom exhibiting to his Enemies a miserable spectacle of himself For such was the generall hatred born to him both by the Brittains and Saxons that they all unanimously conspir'd to destroy him Armies therefore being gathred on both sides a battle was fought at Wodensdike in the one and thirtieth year of his raign where his forces were utterly defeated after which he was compell'd to forsake his kingdom and a little after he dyed 2. The place where this battle was fought is in Wiltshire where a great fosse divides the Province in the middle saith Camden from East to West call'd by the inhabitants Wansdike and fabulously reported to have been made by the Devil upon a Wednesday for it takes its name from Woden or Mercury the Saxon Idol which gave the appellation to Wednesday The cause of the raising of that rampire seems to have been for a separation of the Kingdoms of the Mercians and West-Saxons And neer thereto is seated a Village call'd Wodensbury where Ceaulin fighting against the Brittains and Saxons was utterly broken 3. After the death of Ceaulin his Brothers son Cealric possess'd the Kingdom of the West-Saxons but being much inferiour in courage to his Predecessour he did not inherit that extent of power which Ceaulin had exercised over the other Saxon Princes Which opportunity was not omitted by Ethelbert King of Kent next in power to Ceaulin who without much hazard obtained that preeminence By which meanes a freer way was opened to communicate Christian Truthes to severall Provinces of the Kingdom after they had been once entertained by Ethelbert which hapned little above three years after the death of Ceaulin XX. CHAP. i. 2 c. The Irish Churches reduced from Schism by S. Gregory 1. SAint Gregory in the third year after he was Pope by his authority and wisedom restored the Churches of Ireland to Catholick Vnity from which they had been separated upon occasion of the quarrell about the Tria Capitula of which we treated before His Epistle to them concerning that subject is extant which that it had its full effect to their satisfaction may be proved by many arguments For presently after this time there is mention of severall of their Bishops and devout persons which undertook Pilgrimages to Rome to visit the Holy places and to expresse their duty to the supreme Bishop 2. Moreover another Epistle of the same Holy Pope is extant also in answer to certain doubts and questions which they had proposed to him touching the Rites and manner of Baptism what Form of Profession was to be administred to such as returned to the Church from the Nestorian Heresy c. But since those matters doe not concern the Ecclesiasticall affaires of Brittany the Reader if he be inquisitive may inform himself concerning S. Gregories resolutions in those cases from S. Gregory himselfe in his Works every where to be mett with 3. Onely we shall in this place observe that the Churches of Brittany were at this time free from any stain of Schism or Errours in Doctrines Yea probable it is that by them the Churches of Ireland were denounced to the See Apostolick as culpable It was about the year five hundred sixty six saith Baronius that they engaged themselves in the said Schism and now after twenty six years through Gods goodnes and by the endeavours of his servant S. Gregory they were restored XXI CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of severall Saxon Princes 4.5 The Death of the devout Queen Ingoberga Mother to Queen Bertha 1. IN the year of Grace five hundred ninety three Edelric King of the Northumbers dyed and his Son Ethelfrid succeeded him sirnamed the Cruel concerning whom Malmsburiensis gives this Character Thus being possessed of his Kingdom he began first vigorously to defend his own dominions then unjustly to invade the bounds of others and every where to seek occasions of exalting his glory Many combats were undertaken by him providently and executed gallantly for neither was he restraind by slouth when war was necessary neither in the exercising it did his courage impell him to temerity 2. About the same time Titillus King of the Eastangles being dead his Son Redwald possessed his throne who by some Writers is accounted the first founder of that Kingdom By the perswasion of the Holy King and Martyr S. Edwyn he was induced to give his name to Christ in Baptism But these and many other things concerning him which fill the Saxon Annalls hapned severall years after this time and shall in their due place be declared 3. This year was fruitfull in the deaths of our Saxon Princes for Crida King or Duke of the Mercians now likewise ended his life to whom succeeded his Son Wibba or Wippa not memorable in story for any thing so much as leaving behind him his illustrious children Penda Kenwalch and Sexburga of whom hereafter 4. About the year five hundred ninety four the pious and vertuous Queen Ingoberga received the reward of her patience by a holy and happy death She had been the wife of Charibert one of the Kings of the Franks and after she had born him a daughter was unworthily repudiated by him to make way for a Concubine called Meroflenda Her memory challenges a place in our History in as much as most probably she was Mother to Bertha or Aldiberga the Christian Lady above twenty years since maried to Ethelbert King of Kent whose piety and endeavours had a great influence in disposing her Husbands mind to embrace the Christian Faith very shortly to be proposed to him by S. Augustin the Monk 5. As touching the said Queen Ingoberga we receive a character of her vertues and an account of her happy death from a worthy French Bishop an eyewitnes of both to wit Gregory Bishop of Tours whose relation is as followeth In the fourteenth year of King Childebert Ingoberga Widow of Charibert departed this life A Lady she was of great sincerity and devotion diligent in watching prayers and Alms-giving She I suppose by direction of the Divine Providence sent messengers to mee desiring my counsel and assistance about her Last Will and disposing of matters which she intended for the good and remedy of her soule For which purpose she requested my personall presence that after advice between us her intentions might be committed to writing I could not refuse to come to her and at my entrance I mett with a Religious man who received mee courteously and presently called for a Notary Then we advised together after which she bequeathed some legacies and
Offrings to the Church of Tours and of Saint Martins and some to the Church of Mans. This was the substance of her Will and a few months after spent with sicknes she departed this life by orders left in writing having given freedom to many of her servants At her death she was as I conjecture seaventy years old By the vertues devotion and charity of this good Queen we may collect that Aldiburga her daughter at least unquestionably her neer kinswoman brought the like into Brittany XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. The Saxon Heptarchy or Seaven Kingdoms of the Saxons in Brittany with their respective limits and Princes at this time when S. Augustin came to convert our Nation 1. THE next thing that occurrs in our Ecclesiasticall Records touching Brittany is the rising of the Sun of righteousnes upon it by the Light whereof the darknes of Idolatry and Pagan superstition was dispelled and a new seed of pious Princes zealous Bishops immaculate Virgins devout Monks and multitudes of all sorts far excelling in all Christian vertues and Graces the late Brittish inhabitants sprung up and flourished to the admiration of all other Christian Churches insomuch as that from this time Brittany began to deserve the Title afterwards annexed to it of being called The Isle of Saints 2. But before I relate how and by what degrees the foundations of so great a Happines were layd it will be expedient to give a generall prospect at one view of the present state of Brittany how the Provinces were divided into severall Saxon-Goverments and what Princes ruled in each 3. It is agreed generally among our Writers that the Day-star of Christianity at least bâ—gan to shine in Brittany in the year of Grace five hundred ninety six for then the Apostolick Messengers from Rome received their Mission from the most worthy Successour of Saint Peter S. Gregory the Great in the seaventh year of his Pontificate and begun their iourney towards our Island though they did not arrive here till the year following 4. Now at that time the Saxon Heptarchy was established in Brittany for all the Provinces of it excluding the Northern Kingdoms of the Scotts and Picts with the Western parts called Cambria or Wales possessed by the Brittains and likewise Cornwall not yet wholly subdued by the Saxons were entirely under the dominion of the Angli and Saxons and having been by degrees conquered by severall Princes and Captains out of Germany which were independent of one another each one challenged his conquest and governed the Provinces subdued by him as his own lawfull right possessions though some of them proving lesse powerfull and confind within narrower limits then others in a short time were forced to demand protection and consequently acknowledge some dependance on their more powerfull neighbours 5. The Kings so governing each his respective portion were in number Seaven Their Names and Provinces were as followeth in order according to the antiquity of each Kingdom 6. First Ethelbert was then in the thirty sixth year of his Raign over the Kingdom of Kent He was Son of Irmeric Son of Otha Son of Eska Son of Hengist who founded that Kingdom in the year of Grace four hundred fifty seaven His Kingdom containd the County of Kent as it is at this day bounded without any considerable difference 7. Next over the Southsaxons which Kingdom comprised Sussex and Surrey raignd Edilwalch the Son of Cissa the Son of Ella who established that Kingdom in the year four hundred ninety one Then was the seaventh year of Edilwalch's raign 8. Thirdly the Kingdom of the West-Saxons was now the fifth year possessed by Celrick Brothers Son to Ceaulin Son of Kenric Son of Cerdic founder of that Kingdom in the year of our Lord five hundred and nineteen Within whose Dominions were comprehended Hantshire Berkshire Wiltshire Somerset Dorsetshire Devonshire and part of Cornwal 9. Next over the East-Saxons Sebert then was in the first year of his Raign He was Son of Sledda Son of Erkenwin who in the year of Grace five hundred twenty seaven founded that Kingdom containing Essex Middlesex and so much of Hartfordshire as is under the Bishop of Londons Iurisdiction whose Diocese is adequate to this Kingdom 10. After this was the Kingdom of the Northumbers to which belonged whatsoever lyeth between Humber and Edenborough-Frith It was sometimes subdivided into two Kingdoms of Bernicia and Deira Bernicia contain'd Northumberland with the South of Scotland to Edenborough and Deira consisted of part of Lancashire with the entire counties of York Durham Westmorland and Cumberland The whole Kingdom at this time was governed by Ethelfrid in the fourth year of his Raign Who was Son of Edelric Son of Alla Son of Ida who founded that Kingdom in the year of our Lord five hundred forty seaven 11. After this was the Kingdom of the East-Angles containing Norfolk Suffolk Cambridgshire with the Isle of Ely and some part of Bedfordshire At that time Redwald had been four years King thereof who was Son of Titillus Son of Vffa esteem'd the first King and founder of it in the year of Grace five hundred seaventy five 12. The last though largest of the Saxon Heptarchy was the Kingdom of the Mercians so call'd because being seated in the middle of the Island it was the Marches or Limits on which the other Kingdoms did border It comprehended the whole Counties of Lincoln Northampton RutlaÌ„d Huntingdoâ— Buckingham Oxford Worcester Warwick Darby Nottingham Leicester Stafford Chester Glocester Part of Lancashire Herefordshire Shropshire and Bedfordshire At this time when S. Augustin the Monk was sent by Pope Gregory to the Conversion of the Saxons the King or at least Cheif Governour of Mercia was Wibba son of Crida who layd the foundations of it in the year of our Lord five hundred eighty five 13. These were the Kings raigning in Brittany when Almighty God from heaven visited it by sending Apostolicall men to teach the blind Inhabitants the wayes to glory and Happines And these were the limits of their respective kingdoms Which limits notwithstanding were in continuall motion varying according to the successe good or bad of the Princes invading as oft they did the bounds of their Neighbours And among these seaven Kings commonly one was most puissant overruling the rest who stiled himself King of the English Nation Which supereminence Ethelbert King of Kent at this time enjoyd to whom the Word of life was first offred and by him thankfully accepted as shall consequently be declared 14. Now since in the poursuit of our History we are to give an Account of occurrents relating to another new Government and Church in Brittany being little concerned hereafter in the affaires of the Brittains themselves We will therefore in the following Books denote the Succession of times not by the Brittish but Saxon Kings in whose raigns they shall happen respectively And though at this time in the Saxon Heptarchy the Kingdom of Kent was both the most powerfull
take a view of the effects which these Letters and admonitions produced in the persons to whom they were directed King Ethelbert and Saint Augustin King Ethelbert therefore casts down all Idols and commands the Temples accustomed to profane and impious Sacrifices to be changed into places of pure Worship and Piety And S. Augustin assisted by fresh labourers purges those profane Temples and instead of Idols erects the Sacred Crosse the Hieroglyphick of our Faith 2. More particularly King Ethelbert to whom S. Gregory had proposed Constantin for a pattern with a munificence like Constantins gave his Palace and whole Royal Citty of Canterbury to S. Augustin saith Camden and built for himself a Palace at Reculver Regulbium Which place Saith Parker was situated near the Sea Where likewise he founded a Monastery the last Abbot whereof was called Wenred Nothing now remains of this place by reason the Sea breaking in has cover'd it Onely the tops of towers other ruins of the Monastery are marks to Seamen that they may avoyd the dangerous flats there 3. Together with the Royal Citty King Ethelbert conferred likewise on S. Augustin and his Successours many Regall Priviledges Iura Regalia Among which one was a right of coyning Money with his own Stamp For to this effect Selden thus Writes The ancient Right of the Arch-bishops of Canterbury is signified by an Old Coyn one side whereof is signed with the name Plegmuud Arch-bishop and the other with the name of Eâ—cmund the Coyner The Prototype is preserved in the Treasure of the family of Cotton where I my self saw a peice of silver having imprinted on it the name image of Celnoth Arch-bishop And it seems the right of coyning money generally esteemed a Regal Priviledge did belong to the Arch-bishop as Lord of that Citty in those times 4. This Right remained to that See till the times of King Ethelstan about the year of Grace nine hundred twenty four who then abrogated it in the opinion of Selden publish'd a Law that not any coyn should passe but such as was stamped with the Kings Image Notwithstanding it was not quite abrogated for among the same Kings Laws this is one Let there be seaven Minters or Coyners at Canterbury Of which four shall belong to the King two to the Arch-bishop and one to the Abbot So that this prerogative remained many ages entire to the Arch-bishops though the measure and valew of the money coynd was restrain'd by King Athelstan who commanded the same coyn for price and quantity to have passage through his dominions and that none out of Citties should be permitted to stamp it Neither can it appear from any authentick Record but that this Priviledge continued till the time of the Norman Conquest 5. To the same See of Canterbury also by vertue of S. Gregories Rescript did belong an Vniversall Iurisdiction over the whole Island Forthough in a Synod shortly following the Brittish Bishops made their opposition and contradiction to this Priviledge for which reason S. Augustin forbore to presse it Yet the same was afterward admitted not only by all the Churches of the Saxons but of Brittany in the largest sence yea of the Brittanies in the plurall number Britanniarum comprehending in the language of ancient Authours Polybius hist. l. 3. and Ptolomy Georg. l. 2. both old Scotland which is Ireland and Albany which is Modern Scotland For on the See of Canterbury did both those Nations depend in Ecclesiasticall matters 6. Thus Queen Matildis call'd S. Anselm the Arch-bishop of the prime See and Primar of the Northern Islands call'd Orcades And before S. Anselms time the custom was for the Irish Bishops to receive Consecration from the Arch-bishops of Canterbury as evidently appears from S. Lanfrancs letter to Gothric King of Ireland extant in Baronius as likewise from the letter of Murchertac another Irish King and Dofnald a Bishop to S. Anselm Arch-bishop of Canterbury in which they request him to institute a Bishop at Waterfoxd by vertue of the power of Primacy over them which was invested in him and of the authority of Legat of the Apostolick See which he exercised This is testified by Eadmerus the Monk an eye-witnes of that transaction 7. Next as touching Scotland in the modern acception though anciently it was subject to the Arch-bishop of York by a Decree of Pope Eleutherius sent by Fugatius and Damianus Yet now S. Gregory derogated from that Decree and either having regard to S. Augustins sanctity or the eminent Empire of Ethelbert who was in some sort Monarch of the whole Island he publish'd a New Decree that all Churches of the Brittanies should be subject to the See of Canterbury And this is manifest in the Controversy between Alexander King of the Scotts and the foresaid Eadmer who at the request of that King was appointed Bishop of S. Andrews in Scotland by Radulphus Arch-bishop of Canterbury whom the King would have to receive Consecration from the Arch-bishop of York but he refused informing him that the authority of the See of Canterbury did of old extend over all Brittany and therefore that he would require Consecration from the said Arch-bishop But the King not being satisfied Eadmer chose rather to relinquish his new Bishoprick then prejudice the Prerogative of the Prime See of Brittany XV. CHAP. i. 2 The King of the Northumbers overcomes the King of the Scotts 1. THE year following which was the six hundred and third of our Lords Incarnation Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers overcame Edan King of the Scotts This Ethelfrid saith Beda was a most potent King and wonderfully thirsty after glory He had wasted the Brittains more then any of the Saxon Princes and had made many of their Provinces tributary Whereupon Edan King of the Scots inhabiting Brittany being mov'd by the great progresse of his Victories came against him with a mighty and well appointed army but was overcome and forced to fly back with few attendants For in a place called Degsasten or The Stone Degsa celebrated by that battell his whole army in a manner was destroyed Yet in the same combat Theobald Brother of Ethelfrid with that part of the army lead by him was slain And from that time till the dayes of S. Beda himself never durst any King of the Scotts enter Brittany against the English Nation 2. The said King Aidan as Fordon the Scottish Chronicler testifies after that discomfiture did so afflict himself with greif that two years after he dyed at Kentyre After whose death Kennet Ker son of Conal seysed on the Crown but within lesse then a years space dying Eugenius Buydwel Son of Aeidan succeeded in the Kingdom Which King Eugenius saith he infested the Regions of the Saxons and sometimes of the Picts with furious irruptions But in this clause he manifestly contradicts S. Beda forecited who likewise elsewhere expressly affirms That the Scotts inhabiting Brittany contented themselves with
cause of many troubles in ages following insomuch as the See Apostolick was oft appeald unto to decide the Controversy raised between the two Churches which contended earnestly whether of them were possessours of his Relicks The summ of which controversy though hapning in a far remote age yet pertinent to the present subject I will here deliver that I may shew the esteem which the Monuments of our Holy Ancestours deserve at our hands 12. S Birinus as hath been said instituted in his Church of Dorchester a Colledge of Canons Regulars which lived in a Community under a certain Rule Which Colledge in processe of time was seised upon by other Canons called Seculars who dividing the revenews among themselves each of them lived and enioyd separatly his portion But in the Raign of King Steven by the procurement of Alexander Bishop of the Diocese the Regulars were restored These men bearing a great respect and devotion to theiâ— Prime Patron and Founder whose Body they were perswaded still remained among them by Letters demanded leave of the Pope to place his Relicks more decently and to adorn his Monument Hereupon the Pope Honoâ—ius the third wrote to Steven Langton then Arch-bishop of Canterbury and Cardinal to examine all things well and accordingly proceed in satisfying the said Canons The Arch-bishop committed the affair to the diligence and prudence of the Arch-Deacon 13. Then broke out the pious contention between the Monks of Winchester and Canons of Dorchester Those of Winchester placed the summ of their cause in the testimony of Saint Beda But they of Dorchester produced severall witnesses and among the rest a certain Canon who deposed up on Oath that a former Canon called William in his hearing oft protested that by Vision in sleep a certain man appearing to him had commanded him to search such a sepulcher in the Church of Dorchester before the Altar of the Holy Crosse and that there he should find the Body of S. Birinus Whereupon search having been made by the Abbots permission and in his presence together with the Canons they found a Bishops Body entire with two stoles and other Episcopall ornaments of a red colourd silk together with a Crosse of metall upon his breast and a Chalice a little below it 14. Moreover in further confirmation they added proofs of severall miracles as of a certain young man deaf and dumb cured there who affirm'd that he was commanded in a vision to repair to that And being cured at the Sepulcher of S. Birinus he spoke in the English tongue Whereupon one of the Canons said in a ieasting manner He who taught thee to speak was no Courtier otherwise he would have taught thee a better language And three days after he spoke perfectly both in French and English Other Miracles also were alledged as of a blind man receiving sight a leper cleansed and two dead persons restored to life c. 15. As to the testimony alledged from S. Beda the Abbot answerd That Historians doe not relate all things from their own sight but oft by hear-say Therefore S. Beda might have been misinform'd and for a proof that he was so the Abbot acknowledged that the Body of a certain Bishop called Bertinus the tenth from S. Birinus had been translated to Winchester Which body had been buried in a corner of the Church near the dore a place unfitt for the Prime Patron of the See He added that after the Invention of Saint Birinus his Body a certain Anchoret a holy man named Mathew living at Haliwell near Oxford heard a certain voyce saying to him Birinus under the pavement Bertinus behind the dore He concluded that since many Miracles were wrought at Dorchester and not any at Winchester this was a certain proof that the Sacred Body had not been translated 16. Notwithstanding all which allegations yet would not the Arch-deacon presume to pronounce sentence in favour of the Canons but sent a particular relation of all the Acts to the Pope Who in a Second Letter expressed so much deference to the single authority of S. Beda that he would not determine the Controversy but gave order for another Search to be made in the Church of Winchester and an enquiry whether any like Miracles had been wrought there by the same Saints Intercession demanded by devout persons c. But what proceedings were further made in the matter and whether the Controversy were decided does not appear in any of our Authours Probably permission was given to both Churches to shew honour to the Saint since it was likely and very ordinary in such Translations to divide the Relicks V. CHAP. 1.2 c. Sigebert after his exile King of the East-Angles 5.6 c. He sends for Felix to convert his Kingdom who is made Bishop of the East-Angles His Piety c. 10. Quichelm King of the West Saxons baptized and dyes 1. THE year of our Lord six hundred thirty six as it was mournfull to the Eastern Church for then did the Saracens possesse themselves of the Holy Citty Hierusalem So was it ioyfull happy to the Kingdom of the East-Angles in Brittany who were then again converted to the Christian Faith and held it more constantly then they had done in the days of King Redwald or his Son Erpenwald For now Sigebert deservedly sirnamed Pious raigned there to whom that Kingdom was beholding for learning and the Province for the Christian Faith Who after a Monasticall profession was assumed to the Royall Purple and that purple adorned with Martyrdom 2. This Sigebert was not as Pits supposes a Son of King Redwald but only a half Brother to Erpenwald by the Mother as William of Malmsbury testifies And being very gracious among the Subjects for his vertues in the Raign of Redwald was commanded as heretofore Edwin had been to depart the Court least his eminent probity and endowments should prove preiudiciall to Erpenwald heyr to the Crown 3. Sigebert being thus through envy expelled the Court left the Prrvince and Island also and sayld into France where civility learning and Religion flourished He had not yet given up his name to Christ but he was naturally of so good a disposition that any thing that was good would easily make an impression in his mind To qualify the anguish and tediousnes of his banishment he gave himself to the study of human learning and by inquisition into Naturall causes he was lead to the knowledge of the First supreme Cause 4. His most frequent conversation was with learned men among which the most eminent were Desiderius Bishop of Cahors as appears saith Pits by mutuall Letters between them still extant in the Monastery of Saint Gall among the Swizzers and Felix a Burgundian Preist who afterward became the Apostle of his Countrey the East-Angles By discourse with these learned and pious men he quickly perceived the vanity of Idols and Pagan Rites how unproffitable and noxious to mens soules were the Gods worshipd by
man of excellent disposition and well deserving the Title of King was by his Father sett over that part of the Kingdom He went to Oswi King of the Northumbers to desire his daughter Alâ—fleda in mariage but could not obtain his request except himself and Subjects would receive the Faith of Christ and Baptism Whereupon he having given eare to the preaching of Truth the promise of a heavenly Kingdom the hope of a glorious resurrection and future immortality professed his resâ—lution to be a Christian though the Virgin should be denyed him He was hereto perswaded most effectually by a Son of King Oswi named Alchfrid his kinsman and freind who had also maried his Sister a daughter of King Penda called Kineburga He therefore together with all his freinds and attendants and their servants was baptised by the Bishop Finan in a village belonging to the King called The Village at the Wall Ad murum And having received four Preists men who for their learning and piety of life were esteemd fitt to teach and baptise his Nation he returned home with great ioy The names of these Preists were Cedda and Adda and Betti and Diuma of whom the last was by Nation a Scott the rest were English Now Adda was the Brother of Vetaâ— a famous Preist and Abbot of the Monastery called At the Goats-head Ad Capreae caput 4. These coming into the Province with the foresaid Prince diligently preached the Gospel and were willingly hearkned to by the people so that very many both of the Nobles and of inferiour degree dayly renounced Idolatry and were washed with Baptism the Fountain of Faith Neither did King Penda though an Idolater forbid it yea moreover he gave free leave to the preaching of the Gospel in his own Kingdom of the Mercians so that all who had a mind might heare it He likewise hated and scornd such as having been imbued with the Faith of Christ did not bring forth fruits suitable thereto saying That those wretches deserved contempt who neglected to obey their God in whom they beleived These things began about two years before the death of the said King Penda 5. The same year the Christian Faith was also restored among the East-Saxons who had formerly rejected it when the Holy Bishop Mellitus was expelled from thence It was saith Saint Beda by the instance of King Oswi that they now received it For Sigebert King of that Nation who raignd there after a former Sigebert sirnamed The little being a great freind to King Oswi frequently came to visit him in his Kingdom of the Northumbers who was wont to exhort him to consider that those could not be Gods which were made by mens hands c. Such exhortations being frequently and in a brotherly manner inculcated at last had their effect for Sigebert by the counsell of his own freinds who were likewise perswaded of the vanity of Idolatry was baptised with them by the Bishop Finan in the Royal village seated twelve miles from the Eastern Sea near the Wall which the Romans built athwart Brittany 6. Sigebert therefore become a Cittizen of the Kingdom of heaven returned to the seat of his Temporal Kingdom having requested King Oswi to give him some Teachers who might convert his Nation to the Faith of Christ and cleanse their soules in the saving Font of Baptism Oswi therefore sending to the Kingdom of the Midland-English recalled the man of God Cedde and adioyning to him another Preist sent them to preach the word to the East-Saxons These two going from place to place gathered a numerous Church to our Lord 7. This holy Preist Cedde was born at London in the same Province but had his education in the Monastery of Lindesfarn among the Scotts by whose recommendation he was first sent to preach among the Midland-English and now to the East-Saxons Where after he had spent about three years he returnd to the Church of Lindesfarn saith the same Saint Beda to speak with Finan the Bishop Who being informed by him how the work of the Gospel had prospered under him consecrated him Bishop of the East-Saxons having calld to him two other Bishops to assist in the ordination Cedde having thus received the Episcopal Degree returnd into his Province and prosecuting his employment with greater authority he erected Churches in several places and ordaind Preists and Deacons to assist him in preaching the word and administring Baptism Especially in the Citty by the Saxons calld Ithancestir a Citty in the Romans time nam'd Othona but now swallowd by the Sea it was seated on the bank of the River Pente He did the like in another Citty calld Tilaburg now Tilbury neer the River Thames In both these places he gathered communities of devout servants of our Lord whom he instructed in the Discipline of a Regular life as far as their rude minds were capable 8. Of this Holy Bishop Cedde we shall hereafter treat further as like wise of his three Brethren in Sanctity as well as blood Ceadda or Chadd Celin and Cimbert The seat of S. Cedds Bishoprick among the East Saxons was not Tilbury as Camden imagins but London the Metropolis of the Kingdom 9. The same year wherein began the Conversion of the East Saxons Honorius Archbishop of Canterbury ended his life the last day of September after he had administred that See the space of six and twenty years and was buried with his Fathers in the Monastery of S. Peter and S. Paul That See saith S. Beda was vacant eighteen monthes after which time Deus-dedit descended of the Nation of the West-Saxons was elected Arch-bishop and ordaind by Ithamar Bishop of Rochester on the seaventh day before the Calends of Aprill he governd that Church nine years four months and two days XVIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Wilfrid his Descent education c. 4.5 c. At twenty years of age he goes to Rome c. 8. He lives with Dalfin Bishop of Lyons who was murdred 1. IN this same year of Grace six hundred fifty three S. Wilfrid began to appeare in the world being now twenty years old and to give evident signs of those many graces which afterward eminently shone in him We shall oft be obliged in the pursuit of this History to meÌ„tion his Gests In this place therefore we will from S. Beda relate his descent manner of life during his child hood and till at the age of twenty years he undertook a Iourney to Rome to inform himself in certain Ecclesiasticall and Religious Observances which he could not approve in Brittany 2. He was born in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred thirty fower of a Noble English family when Eadbald raignd in Kent and Oswald over the Northumbers Being a child of a towardly disposition and innocent manners he behaved himself in all things with that modesty and circumspection that he was beloved and respected by those who were more aged as if he had been of ripe
there is not express'd by the Writers of his life Yet our Martyrologe relates on the sixth of Iune that he rested in our Lord with great Sanctity about the year of Christ four hundred and three and the visions and wonders preceding his death are thus related by those who have written his life 8. An Angel of our Lord from heaven appear'd to him with a pleasant countenance saying O worthy soldier of God may the joy of our Lord always encrease in thee and his peace continually remain with thee Be ready prepar'd for e're long God will call thee out of this world and thou shalt meet thy heavenly King with a palm of Victory This celestiall Messenger of God stay'd with him a good space and fill'd his soule with a spirituall sweetnes known only to God A second time another Angell appear'd unto him and sayd I am Michael the Archangel sent to thee from our Lord by whose command I am to acquaint thee with what shall shortly befall Behold I declare unto thee the hour of thy departure for after ten dayes thou shalt ioyfully issue out of thy prison of flesh and escape out of the dungeon of this world With inestimable gladnes thou shalt meet thy heavenly King into whose presence we will beare thee and he will receive thee with glory enrolling thee among the Cittizens and Courtiers of his kingdom 9. It is said that his Mother and sisters were present and assisting at his death being invited thither by the fame of his miracles And after his departure it seems they caried his body back with them into Brittany But afterward when the Pagan Saxons demolish'd the Christian Sepulchers in our Island it was transported again into Flanders for thus we read in his life 10. The Holy man dyed the eighth day before the Ides of Iune and his Body was buried in the Isle of Plet or Plecit where it remained many years illustrious by many miracles But barbarous people afterwards invading the Countrey forced the Brittains to fly into forrain regions at which time the Brethren of the foresaid Monastery took up the sacred Body and carried it with them over the Sea which divides Brittany from Gaule And travelling with this sacred pledge at last they arrived at his own Monastery where they repos'd it Where because it was not entertained with due honour a certain Noble Marques call'd Arnulphus appointed by God to be the instrument of the safety of many men removed it to the Monastery of Blandinium in Gaunt together with the precious Relicks of the famous Confessour Bertulpus Which Translation was made on the third day before the Nones of December when Clotharius raigned in France On which day yearly to this time the sacred Body is caried in a solemne Procession And what miracles were wrought severall times during such Processions Cap-grave relates III. CHAP. 1. Constans quiets Gaule and comes into Brittany 2 3. A Synod at Sardica where Brittish Bishops come 4. Gests of the Synod 5.6 c. Of Appeales to Rome c. 12.13 c. S. Athanasius restor'd and again banish'd 15.16 Constans his death 1. IN the yeare three hundred forty two as Paulus Diaconus writes great commotions began in the Roman Empire For the Nation of the Franks setling themselves in Gaule used all hostility against the Romans But this trouble was quickly appeas'd by the Emperour Constans who coming out of Illyricum â—ought with and subdued them After which he pass'd over into Brittany which usually follow'd the motions of Gaule This appears from Iulius Firmicus who in a Book dedicated to the same Emperour recounts this journey performed during the tempestuous season of Winter telling him that the Brittains at the unlook'd for sight of him were affrighted into obedience 2. Four yearts after this upon occasion of great combustions especially in the Eastern Empire the two Emperours ioyn'd to call a Council intended to be Oecumenicall For the Eastern Bishops of the faction of Eusebius Bishop of Nicomedia Cheif-Pillar of the Arians had condemned S. Athanasius in two Synods at Tyre and Antioch On the contrary Iulius Bishop of Rome in a Synod of Italian Bishops received him into his Communion notwithstanding the intercession of the Orientals who sent to Rome their Decree of the condemnation of S. Athanasius Wherupon a Schism between the Eastern and Western Churches being likely to break forth to prevent it the Orthodox Emperour Constans earnestly solicited his brother Constantius ro joyn with him in calling a Generall Councill therby to preserve inviolate the heritage of their Fathers piety by which he had establish'd the Empire destroyed Tyrants and reduced to his obedience many barbarous Nations 3. Hereupon a Synod was assembled the year following at Sardica in Illyrium to which there came out of the Western Empire about three hundred Bishops and out of the East onely seaventy sixe Now among the Western Bishops some there were who came out of Brittany as S. Athanasius in whose cause especially the Synod met expressly affirms naming one of them to wit Restitutus Bishop of London who twenty years before had been at the Councill of Nicea to establish the Faith of the Consubstantiality of the Son of God In which regard to treat more particularly of this Synods affairs appertains to our present History for therby will appeare the conformity of the Brittish Churches in those dayes to the Faith and Discipline of the Catholick Church 4. For as much therfore as concerns the Acts of this Synod the principall was a confirmation of Faith establish'd in the Council of Nicéa Next the declaring the innocence of S. Athanasius Marcellus Asclepas and other Orthodox Bishops persecuted and chased from their Sees by the Arian faction together with the deposition and excommunication of their adversaries Then succeeded a condemnation of those Eastern Bishops which deserted the Synod and made a Schismaticall Assembly at Philippopolis neer Sardica where they likewise publish'd Decrees and Canons in contradiction to the lawfull Synod 5. Then touching matters of Disciplin establish'd in this holy Synod the most considerable was the confirming by an expresse Canon the lawfullnes of Appeales that is Petitions for Revisions of Episcopall causes From all other Churches both Eastern and Western to the See Apostolick of Rome The form of which Canon is as followeth 6. Osius Bishop said This must likewise necessarily be added That it may not be lawfull for Bishops to passe out of their own Province into another Province in which there are Bishops unlesse peradventure they be invited by their Brethren least they should seem to shut the dore of Charity But if it happen that in any Province a Bishop have a contention against his Brother Bishop one of the two may call out of another Province a Bishop to judge the cause But if any Bishop shall be judged and condemned in any cause yet thinks his cause to be good In this case to
Lady conceiving a furious jealousy against her with the help of her Mayd murdred her and hid her body in the stable into which the Lords horses at his return would by no means enter And hereby was discovered his Ladies crime The Nunnes of Saint Belian honour the Body of S. Honoria translated thither above three hundred years since 7. In Spain likewise at Pobletum in Catalonia rests the Body of S. Columbina And at Dertosa are venerated the Relicks of S. Candida Moreover as Mendoza testifies in all the Religious Houses of the Iesuits through all Portugall some parts of the Bodies of these Virgin-Martyrs are reverently repos'd and the Feast of S. Vrsula and her companions is after a particular manner solemnis'd over all that Kingdome Lastly a Father of the same Society named F. Gomez caried with him into the East Indies a Sacred Head of one of these Virgins by whose intercession the ship and passengers were freed from an otherwise unavoydable danger 8. We will conclude this Narration with a passage of the learned Thomas Bozius who treating of the Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and her companions writes thus How great a measure of Christian fortitude hath been implanted in the hearts of the women of that Northern Island since the time that S. Eleutherius Bishop of Rome sent into Brittany S. Fugatius and S. Damianus Romans may be evidently seen from this one example For from all antiquity of the Church through the whole world cannot be produced an Example equalling the vertue and courage of these Holy Virgin-Martyrs THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY UNDER BRITTISH KINGS THE TENTH BOOK I. CHAPTER 1 2. c. Of the Saxons Angli and Iutes 6 7. Their naturall disposition and employments 8.9 Their Religion Deities c. 10.11 Their Chastity 1. THE Narration of the Gests and glorious Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and the eleven thousand Brittish Virgins hath obliged us to transgresse a little the order of time in this History For by that occasion we have inserted some particular occurrents touching the actions and cruelty of the Saxons in Brittany whereas their first entrance into it and the occasion thereof hath not yet been declared Which therefore now are to be related in their order 2. But in preparation hereto enquiry is to be made who these Saxons were whence they came and with what Associats how they were qualified both in regard of their naturall disposition and also their Civill policy and Religion In consequence whereto we will consider the present miserable condition of Brittany and the speciall crimes generally raigning in it which according to the judgment of prudent men then alive provoked Almighty God to root out the inhabitants and in their room to place a strange barbarous and inhuman people 3. There came into Brittany saith S. Beda great numbers of three the most robustious and couragious Nations of Germany to wit the Saxons English Angli and Iutes At the first the Saxons were most numerous For though in following ages Brittany took the name of England Anglia from the Angli so that the appellation of Saxons was quite obliterated Yet after their first invasion and possession of the Island it receiv'd a new name from the Saxons and to distinguish it from its originall countrey of Saxony it was call'd Transmarina Saxonia Saxony beyond sea as appears in the Epistles of S. Bonifacius the Apostle of Germany and else where 4. The Saxons were a Nation derived from the Saca a powerfull people in Asia which disburthening themselves by sending our colonies abroad a great part of them settled themselves on the Coasts of Germany toward the Northern Sea from the Rhene as far as the Citty Donia now call'd Denmarc saith Ethelwerd an ancient and Trincely Writer Grand-child to Ethelwolf a Saxon King in the year nine hundred and fifty So that their Territory comprehended anciently besides the now Dutchy of Saxony the countrey of Holsatia and some other adjoyning Provinces 4. The Angli saith the same Authour came out of a Region call'd Anglia situated between the Saxons and the Iutes Giotos Their Capitall Citty in the Saxon tongue is call'd Sleswic and by the Danes Hattby Therefore Brittany is now call'd England from these Conquerours and from thence came their first Captains Hengist and Horsa So that the ancient precise seat of these our Progenitours the Angli is a small Province in Denmark at this time also call'd Angel 5. The Iutes call'd by Ethelwerd Giots whence soever they receiv'd their appellation were anciently seated on the Northern coast of the Cimbrian Chersonesus called by the Danes to this day Iutland They were probably derived from the Gutti placed by Ptolomy in Scandia and their seat is still call'd Gothland Yet these are not to beesteem'd the same Goths or Getes which with their victories anciently measured all Europe for their habitation was neer the Euxin Sea beyond the River Ister or Danubius as the Roman Historians doe unanimously affirm Now in what speciall Provinces of Brittany these Iutae seated themselves it does not by any marks appear for we doe not find any mention of any Principality of the Iutes in this Island as we doe of the Saxons and Angli So that perhaps they were mingled up and down as accessaries to the other two Though in the opinion of some they were Iutes which possessed themselves of the Kingdom of the South-Saxons and the Isle of Wight 6. As touching the disposition of these three Nations which are all comprehended under the Title of Saxons especially by Extern Writers we have already declared from Zosimus and others that they were esteemed the most valiant of the most robustious bodies and most agile of all the Germans terrible for their sudden and violent incursions c. Therefore Witichindus the Monk treating of them saith That the Franks wondred to see such men of tall stature of invincible courage of new habits wearing their long haire spread over their shoulders and arms but especially they admir'd the undauntednes of their courage They were cloath'd in short coates and arm'd with long lances and their posture was to lean upon their sheilds having great daggers behind upon their reins Moreover so impatient they were of any scorn or dishonour that when Symmachus being Consul at Rome had prepared great numbers of them to fight as Gladiatours for the entertainment and delight of the people the night before they were to be produced into the Theater twenty nine of them without any ropes strangled themselves 7. Their principal exercise and skill was in Piracy by sea for which purpose they contented themselves with small flat boates Myâ—parones so agile and manageble that they did so torment the coasts of Gaule Spain and Brittany that the Romans were oblig'd to appoint for their guards in opportune places all along those shores soldiers and Officers which they entitled Comites littoris Saxonici per Britanniam Galliam c. Counts of
Romans and after the Romans we know no nation better then your selves to whom we may have recourse Therefore our desire is to harbour our selves under the wings of your courage And if by your assistance we can only be freed from the rage of our ancient Enemies we will be ready to submit our selves to any service you shall impose on us 5. It may be this Historian in favour of his own countrey hath here putt into the Brittish Ambassadours mouthes a more humble Oration then they ever pronounced for they were sent to hire the Saxons by promising a large stipend not by submitting their countrey to them However the successe of this Treaty he thus declares The Saxon Senate saith he gave this short answer to the Brittains demands Be assured O Brittains that we Saxons will be faithfull freinds to you ready always to assist you in all your necessities and to doe you all freindly kindnes With which answer the Ambassadours were much reioyced and presently returned to make their countreymen more ioyfull with so desir'd a message 6. This Message was sent and return'd in the year of our Lord four hundred forty eight and in complyance with it the year following an army of Saxons under their Cheif Conductours Hengist and Horsa landed in Brittany Whose coming our Historian Gildas in his angry stile thus celebrates recording withall a Prophecy concerning it among the Saxons Then saith he a drove of whelpes rushing out of the barbarous Lyonnesses den came hither in three ships with full sayles and an ominous course encouraged by a Prophecy certainly beleiv'd by them that for the space of three hundred years they should possesse the countrey toward which they directed the prow's of their ships and that half of that time they should often times lay it waste They first fastned their terrible nayles by order of the unhappy Tyrant Vortigern on the Eastern part of the Island with a pretence indeed to defend the countrey but with an intention really to subdue it 7. From whence soever this Prophecy came there seems to be in it some shadow of truth For three hundred years the Saxons possess'd the Island under the Title of Saxony-beyond-Sea but afterward the Nation of the Angli gave their own name to it And again after one hundred and fifty years the half of that time by the coming of S. Augustin the Monk they became Christians and being more civilis'd began to surcease their rude and barbarous behaviour 8. And wheras the said Authour addes that the Saxons aborded in the Eastern part of the Island he intends thereby the Isle of Thanet in Kent where Hengist and Horsa first took land and where more happily after about one hundred and fifty yeares Divine Truth by the ministery of S. Augustin first visited this Island The place of their landing saith Ethelwerd was anciently call'd Hipwines-fleâ—t And was afterward nam'd Wipped-fleet from Wipped a Saxon-commander there slain 9. The good service which the Saxons after their first arrivall perform'd to King Vortigern is thus declared by Mathew of Westminster In the year of Grace four hundred and fifty saith he the Scotts together with the Picts invaded Brittany out of the Northern parts with a mighty army wasting the Provinces through which they pass'd Which being told to Vortigern he gather'd his soldiers together and march'd beyond the River of Humber When they came to a battell there was little need that the Brittains should fight for the Saxons then present combatted with such courage that the Enemies heretofore accustomed to Victory immediatly turn'd their backs and fled Vortigern therefore having by their valour obtain'd the Victory encreas'd his liberality to them and gave to Hengist their captain great possessions in Lindsey a region of Lincolnshire sufficient to maintain him and his soldiers 10. Huntingdom writes that this battell was fought at Stanford in the Southern parts of Lincolnshire for so far the Picts and Scotts had march'd without opposition adding that they fought with darts and lances but the Saxons with battell-axes and long swords the weight and force of which weapons they being not able to bear sought to save themselves by flight 11. As touching the land given by Vortigern to Hengist in the same province where the battell was fought Our Annals saith Camden relate it otherwise for they declare that Hengist the Saxon having subdued the Picts besides large possessions conferr'd on him in other places requested Vortigern to bestow on him in that Province so much ground as he could encompasse with an oxes hide Which having obtained he cutt it into thâ—ngs extremely thinn with which he encompass'd a great Territory in the midst of which he built a Castle which by the name For it is call'd Thong-Castle perpetuates the memory hereof and as Carthage remained many ages a witnes of Dido's fraud who by the same sleight obtain'd the seat where she built that Citty So does this Castle still putt us is mind of the simplicity of the Brittains and cunning of the Saxons IV. CHAP. 1.2 Hengist sends for more forces and his daughter 3 c. King Vortigern's unlawfull mariage with her He gives Kent to the Saxons 7. The Saxons joyn with the Picts 8. c The Brittains desert Vortigern and set up his Son Vortimer 1. BVT the ambition of Hengist was not satisfied with such a gift his intention was to be master of the whole Island without obligation to any In order to the effecting of which intention being a subtile man saith Mathew of Westminster he presuming on the Kings freindship and easines thus address'd himself to him My Lord the King you see how your enemies disquiet you on all sides If you please therefore we will send into our Countrey with order to encrease our numbers with new recruits The King approving his design commanded him to doe so without delay that so he might be freed from the fear of his enemies Hereupon Hâ—ngist sending Messengers into Germany they shortly return'd bringing with them eighteen ships loaden with soldiers 2. It had been happy for Brittany if Hengist had been strengthned by the accession of New soldiers only But they brought with them a fair Lady the daughter of Hengist whose beauty and flatteries so inveigled King Vortigern that to please her he betrayd both his faith and Kingdom too 3. Malmsburiensis thus breifly relates this story We have receiv'd from our ancestors saith he that at this second voyage of the Saxons they conducted into Brittany a Virgin the daughter of Hengist called Rowena for beauty a miracle of Nature admir'd by all that lookd on her Hengist commands a magnificent feast to be provided for the entertainment of his soldiers newly arrived to which the King was invited He gave order likewise to his daughter to perform the Office of Cup-bearer to the King on purpose that he might feed his eyes with her beauty Which design
had the effect which Hengist desired and expected For the King naturally a slave to beauty was presently wounded with the gracefullnes of the maids looks and elegancy of her gestures nourishing in his mind a hope to enjoy her So that without any delay he demanded her of her Father for his wife Hengist though inwardly more willing to bestow her then the King was to receive her yet made show of an unwillingnes alledging that such a mariage was too mean for so great a Prince But at last after much importunity he condescended and for a reward or dowry to his daughter he receiv'd in gift the whole Province of Kent And this was suitable to the practise of the German Nation observ'd by Tacitus among whom saith he it is the custome for the Husband to give a portion and dowry to purchase his wife and not the wife to the husband 4. Other Historians adde that this Feast and mariage was celebrated at Thong-castle in Lincolnshire and that the Virgin was instructed by heâ— Father to drink a health to Vortigern after the German manner However certain it is that besides the infinite dammage to the Island by alienating so considerable a member as Kent and so opportune to the Saxons for powring in new forces this mariage was in a high degree criminall both because the King had already a lawfull wife living and likewise for that being a Christian he joyn'd himself to a Pagan Idolatresse 5. Presently after this unhappy mariage to consummate which the King repudiated his former wife hapned the sending over-sea of S. Vrsula and her glorious Companions in Virginity and Martyrdome whose Heroicall constancy related in the precedent Book was sufficient to obliterate the stain which the Kings lusts and injustice had cast upon the Nation 6. Hengist having thus prostituted his daughter to the King who in recompence prostituted his countrey to Hengist the Saxon began to entertain thoughts of ambition more vast then before and knowing that generally the Nation of Brittany highly disapproved their Kings mariage for which and other vices his subjects much diminished their affections and duty to him he began to contemn them and sought occasions of quarrells with them 7. The Archdeacon of Huntington thus describes the first breach between the Saxons and Brittains Hengist saith he and his army seeking an occasion of war against the Brittains ordain'd by God as a punishment of their crimes boldly required of his Son in law King Vortigern to supply them more plentifully with provisions threatning that otherwise they would renounce the league between them and lay wast the whole Island Which threatnings were presently attended with dismall effects For the Saxons entring into a new league with the Picts gathered an innumerable army which without any resistance spoyled the whole countrey Thus a flame kindled by the hands of those Pagans consuming the Brittains took a just revenge of the crimes of that Nation which crimes were the lesse pardonable because the people which committed them professed themselves to be the people of the true God This flame raged like that which the Chaldeans kindled about Ierusalem which utterly consumed all the walls and buildings of that Citty 8. It was no wonder that the Saxons met not with any resistance from the Brittains because by occasion of the Kings late mariage with an infidell Lady his divorce from his lawfull Queen and delivering up so considerable a part of his Kingdom to strangers high discontents arose among his subjects against him Whereupon by common consent persons were deputed to goe to him and beseech him to take pitty of his countrey now ready to sink into ruine Or if he had no care of his Kingdom and subjects yet that he should not neglect the Church of God and his Faith in danger to be destroy'd by â—eathen Miscreants Which if it should arrive by his fault and that the Diabolicall worship of Idols should prevayle against Gods true Religion so horrid a crime would be punish'd both by his own and his peoples eternall misery 9. But such remonstrances as these having made little or no impression in the mind of this sensuall King The Bishops and other Clergy afterward repeated with more earnestnes the like admonitions to him Which likewise producing no effect King Vortigern was deserted generally by his subjects and the Nobility by unanimous consent rais'd into the throne his Son Vortimer saith Florilegus 10. There is not any of our Ancient Historians affirm that Vortigern was deposed but only deserted by his subjects a Prince given up to his pleasures and therefore incapable to resist the ambitious designs of Hengist against whom they were resolved to joyn all their forces for the expelling him out of the Kingdom Therefore Malmsburiensis relates this change in a more moderate stile saying Vortimer was an earnest incentour of the war against the Saxons whose ambition and boldnes he was resolv'd to endure no longer And for this reason most of the Brittains follow'd him And from hence we may take notice of the seditious and truly Calvinisticall spirit of a late Historian Bishop Parker who thus expresses this passage of the Story That expostulation and complaint which with great vehemence the Brittains uâ—'d to their King Vortigern for his mariage with the daughter of Hengist a Pagan was a great argument of their perfect Faith in Christ. For which act of his the Nobles were so incens'd that having depriv'd Vortigern of his Regall authority they created his son Vortimer King 11. But in what manner soever this change was effected it can not be doubted but that it wrought great partialities and divisions in the kingdom For Vortigern having the space of sixteen years enjoy'd the quiet possession of it could not want many adherents who would disapprove the exalting of his Son without his consent So that the Saxons received great advantage by such disorders which much facilitated the progresse of their ambitious designs V. CHAP. 1.2 c Vortimer fights doubtfully with the Saxons in which battell Horsa c. are killed 7. c. Death of Vortimer his vertues c. 10. A Battell between the Brittains and Saxons in which the Brittains are overcome 1. VOrtimer being thus exalted either to an association with his Father in the Throne or to the Office of Generall of the Brittish forces hastned to give a proof of the wisedom of his countrey men in their Election of him For as Malmsburiensis writes judging it unfit and dangerous any longer to dissemble the taking notice of the ambitious designs of the Saxons and how by craft they had almost ruin'd the Kingdom he bent his mind earnestly how to drive them out of the Nation vehemently urging his Father to attempt the same By his instigation therefore an army was raised c. This saith he hapned in the seaventh year after the first entrance of the Saxons into Brittany 2. Great preparations there were
on both sides and at last they came to a battell which was fought saith Ethelwerd in the feild of Egelestirpe now call'd Alesford a town in Kent wash'd by the River Medway On the Brittains side were three Cheif Captains who lead each a third part of the Army Ambrosius Aurelianus lead the first division Vortimer the second and Catigern a younger Brother of Vortimer lead the third The Saxon army was conducted by the two Brethren Hengist and Horsa 3. The order and successe of this battell is thus describ'd by Huntingdon In the seaventh year after the arrivall of the Saxons in Brittany a Battell was fought at Alestrew At the beginning whereof Horsa set upon the army of Catigern with such Vigour that it was dispers'd like dust before the wind and Catigern the Kings son was slain But his Brother Vortimer a Prince of admirable courage falling in sidewayes into Horsa's squadrons routed them and kill'd Horsa the most valorous of the Saxons the remainder of his forces fled to Hengist who then was fighting with invincible courage against Ambrosius By this means the whole Weight of the combat lay upon Hengist who being assalted and brought into great straits by the accession of Vortimers forces after he had a good while sustain'd the impression of the whole Brittish army was at last overcome and compell'd to fly which he had never done before Yet this victory cost the Brittains very deare for great numbers of them were slain 4. With this account given by Huntingdon agrees likewise Mathew of Westminster Yet Wigorniensis expressly affirms that Hengist after the death of his Brother Horsa obtained the Victory And with him Ethelwerd seems to agree 5. Horsa's body was buried in a place not much distant from that of the battell which to this day continues a Monument of his Memory being from him called Hâ—rsted As for Catigern the Son of Vertigern his body is suppos'd to have been buried at Aylsford by the Saxons call'd Eglesford by Henry of Huntingdom Ellestre and by the Brittains Saissenaeg-haibail because the Saxons were over come there To testify which victory there still remain four great stones standing upright over which others are crossewise layd after the manner of Stone-heng in Wiltshire which from Catigern are vulgarly and imperfectly call'd Keith-coty-house Thus writes Camden 6. Horsa being dead the Saxons exalted Hengist to the Title of King of Kent saith Mathew of Westminster And the same year he is reported to have fought three battells against the Brittains But being unable to resist the valour of Vortimer he was forced to retire himself into the Isle of Thanet where likewise he was dayly assalted by the Brittish ships At last the Saxons leaving their wives and children in that Island returned into Germany to call in new and greater forces 7. The year after Hengists return into Germany dyed the glorious King Vortimer in the fourth yeare after he was assumed to a participation of the regall authority Some Writers affirm that he dyed a naturall death by a disease Others say he dyed by poyson administred to him by the fraud of his late Mother-in-law Rowena to which effect thus writes Sigebert with whom agree Geffrey of Monmouth Mathew Westminster Richard White c. The Devill envying the goodnes of Vortimer suggested to the mind of his Step-mother to cause poyson to be given him by one of his servants Which he having drunk and perceiving that death approach'd he divided his treasures among his soldiers earnestly exhorting them to fight courageously for their countrey Moreover he commanded a Pyramid of brasse to be made and placed in the Haven where the Saxons usually landed Vpon which Pyramid his body was to be layd to the end that the Enemies seeing the Monument of so great and valorous a Prince might be frighted back into their own countrey 8. But it is more probable that it was only his statue which he intended should be so placed on the Pyramid For being a Christian Prince he was no doubt buried after the Christian manner with decent solemnity Moreover the same Sigebert acknowledges that he was buried in the Citty of the Trinobantes now called London And with him saith Henry Huntingdon was buried the flower and glory of the Brittish Nation 9. Besides Vortimers courage he is celebrated by ancient Writers for his Piety and other Vertues Chamber a Writer formerly cited by Richard White affirms that in his war against the Saxons be bore in his Ensign the Image of our Lord Iesus Christ to which devotion of his we may impute his Victories In like manner a few years after the famous King Arthur yet more prosperously bore against the same Enemies the Image of our Blessed Lady Sigebert likewise testifies of the same King Vortimer that he restored the Churches destroyed by the Saxons and possessions wrested by them from his Subjects 10. The same year after Vortimers death Hengist return'd out of Germany with greater forces and took a firmer possession of his Kingdom of Kent and for the better establishment of his family therein he joyn'd in his regall power his son Aescae To oppose him therin the Brittains invaded the countrey with a great army the successe of which invasion is thus related by Henry of Huntingdon Hengist and his son Aesca having received auxiliary forces from their own countrey and being more confident of victory by reason of the death of the Young Prince Vortimer prepar'd themselves for war at Creganford The Brittains army consisted of four great Bodies conducted by four valiant Captains But when the conflict was begun they found themselves too weak for the Saxons whose numbers were much more encreas'd then formerly For those that came last were chosen robustious soldiers who with their swords and battle-axes did horribly cleave asunder the bodies of the Brittains Yet did they not give ground till they saw their four Captains slain But after that they were so incredibly terrified that they fled from the feild of battell as far as London and from that time never had the courage to bring an army into Kent again So that Hengist and his son Aesca quietly enjoy'd that Kingdom having their Palace fixed at Canterbury Thus began this new Kingdom of Kent in the eighth year after the coming of the Saxons into Brittany VI. CHAP. 1.2 Hengist persecutes Christians 3 4 c. The Martyrdom of Voadinus Arch-bishop of London 1. IT is not probable that when Vortimer was rais'd to the throne of Brittany this was done by the deposition of his Father Vortigern for we find that when Vortimer was dead his Father afterward continued King for some years and for a while gave proofs of his courage in endeavouring to represse the ambition and violence of his Father in-law Hengist though afterward he returnd to his former slouthfull licentious manner of living 2. Now during the warrs between the Brittains and Saxons in the third year of Vortimers
which time S. Leo the first governed the Church and Marcian the Roman Empire when Ateila infested Italy He is here improperly call'd an Englishman for though the Angli were at that time in Brittany and probably S. Richard was descended of a family of that particular Nation yet many yeares pass'd before the Island received from them the appellation of England 4. The said Office further prosecutes the Narration of the piety and innocence expressed by this Saint even in his tender years how a verse he was from wantonnes and luxury incident to that age wholly giving himself to reading of Holy Scripture conversing with men of learning and vertue c. insomuch as he gained not only fervent love from his parents but veneration from his companions and strangers 5 But because the following wars and especially the Idolatrous Rites of his countreymen the Saxons furious enemies of the Religion to which our Lord had call'd him were a hindrance to his free progress in piety there we further read how he was miraculously invited to forsake his countrey and to depart ino Italy For thus it follows in the said Office Whilst the Blessed S. Richard was assiduously intent on his devotions and prayers to God there appear'd to him in sleep the glorious Apostle S. Peter commanding him in the name of Almighty God to take a journey into Apulia and there to preach the word of God to the Andrians That he should not apprehend the length of the way or the threatnings of Infidels because our Lord would be present to assist him Having said this the Apostle vanish'd And S. Richard being awak'd from sleep immediatly rose and casting himself before a Crucifix gave humble thanks to God and S. Peter for this Visitation The day following he forsook his Brethren who were persons of power and eminence and taking leave of his dearest freinds began his journey notwithstanding their importunity to detain him Being arrived at Rome he address'd himself to the Holy Pape Gelasius and declar'd what commands had been in a Vision impos'd on him by the Holy Apostle thereupon beseeching him that with his permission and blessing he might goe to Andria there to fullfull the Ministery enjoyn'd him Gelasius hearing this did greatly rejoyce and observing the venerable aspect of S. Richard together with his gravity ordained him Bishop of the Church of Andria and commanded him that whither soever he went he should preach the Gospell of Christ and this done kissing the holy man he gave him his beneâ—iction 6. Through the whole course of his journey S. Richard accordingly preach'd the word of God and by many miracles and cures wrought on the sick converted many to the Faith and worship of the true God till at length he arrived at Andria There before the gate of the Citty he saw a blind man and a woman bowd and contracted together both which begg'd an Alms of him Whereupon he began to expound to them the Word of God c. and perceiving the blind man to be devoutly attentive to his speeches he said to him If thou wilt beleive in Iesus Christ and be baptis'd thou shalt receive thy sight Who answer'd I believe in Iesus Christ whom thou preachest and I beg that I may be baptis'd Assoon as this was said the Holy man with his hands making the sign of the Crosse upon the blind mans eyes he immediatly recover'd his sight and casting away the staves which had help'd him in walking he gave due thanks to God and to S. Richard by whom he had been enlightned As for the woman when she saw this miracle she likewise was converted and S. Richard seeing her Faith took her by the hand whereupon she presently rose up streight and walking cryed with a loud voyce There is onely one most high God who by his good servant hath made mee whole At these clamours of the woman the greatest part of the Citty met together and attending to the Holy Bisphops preaching were in a short time converted God working many other Miracles by him and having broken down all their Idols were baptis'd by him 7. Not long after this there follow'd the foresayd Apparition of S. Michael to the people of Sipontâ— who commanded them to erect a Chappell there to his name This they signified to their Bishop Laurentius and he to Pope Gelasius desiring his advice what was to be done His answer was that such being the will of the Blessed Archangel a Church should forthwith be built And that this should be executed by the Holy Bishops Laurentius of Siponto Sabinus of Carnusium Pelagius of Salapia Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria 8. Then follows a Narration how the two Holy Bishops Roger of Cannae and Richard of Andria performed their journey to Siponto on foot with dayly fasting toylsome labour and incommodity from the burning heat of the Sun Which incommodity on their prayers was miraculously remedied by the flying of a mighty Eagle over their heads which shadow'd them during all their journey to Siponto At their arrivall they executed what had been enjoyn'd them as we read in the publick Office of the Church To conclude no more doe we find recorded of this Holy Bishop but his holy and happy death commemorated in our Martyrologe on the Ninth of April XIX CHAP. 1.2.3 The coming of Cerdic the Saxon founder of the West-Saxon Kingdom 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred ninety four a third Noble German call'd Cerdic arriv'd in Brittany For having heard how by the valour of the Saxons two Kingdoms had been there erected he resolv'd to pretend likewise for a share in the spoiles being a man of high spirits and noble descent as having proceeded from the stock of Woden one of the German Gods 2. His coming is thus describ'd by Henry of Huntingdon In the forty seaventh year after the first coming of the Angli Cerdic and his Son Cenric attended with five ships arriv'd in Brittany and landed at a place afterward call'd Cerdic-shore The same day great multituds of the Brittains meeting fought with them The Saxons having ranged their forces in order stood immoveable before their ships The Brittains boldly set on them and then retired but were not pursued by the enemy who resolved not to quit their place Thus was continued the fight the Brittains sometimes charging and then retreating till the nights darknes sever'd them After which the Brittains having experience of the feiâ—cenes of these new-come strangers departed so that neither side could boast of a Victory Yet this advantage the Saxons had that they took possession of their enemies shore and by little and little enlarg'd their conquests along the Sea coasts 3. Their landing was in the Province of the Iâ—eus comprehending Suffolk and Norfolk yet there they setled not But marching through the Island they came into the Western parts where in time they erected the New powerfull Kingdom of the West-Saxons XX. CHAP. 1.2
in his practise fullfilld the Instructions which he mett with in reading Now it fell out that his Master Paulens with extreme pains falling on his eyes lost the use of them Hereupon calling his Disciples together he desired that one after another they would look upon his eyes and say a prayer or benediction on them When they had done this and that he receiv'd no ease or remedy David said thus to him Father I pray you doe not command mee to look you in the face for ten years are pass'd since I studied the Scripture with you and in all that time I never had the boldnes to look you in the face Paulens admiring his humility said since it is so it will suffise if by touching my eyes thou pronounce a benediction on them Presently therefore assoon as he touched them sight was restored to them XIV CHAP. 1.2 The Westsaxon Kingdom founded 3.4 Priviledges given to Cornwall c. 5.6 A second combat at Monâ— Badonicus 7. c. Fables of King Arthurs conquests 1. THE same year in which the Synod of Brevi was celebrated Cerdic began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons that is saith Huntingdom in the seaventy first year after the first coming of the Saxons and in the raign of the Emperour Iustin the Elder of that name With him agrees Ethelwerd Malmsbury and others And Thomas Rudburn in his greater Chronicle addes that he was crowned with Pagan Ceremonies at Winchester in the place which once had been the Church of the true God but which those barbarous heathens had changed into a Temple of Dagon having slain all the Monks who served God there 2. The raising of this New Kingdom sufficiently disproves the Fables of Geffrey of Monmouth who reports great and frequent Victories of King Arthur in these dayes Whereas Huntingdon expresly declares that this year a terrible battell was fought between Cerdic and the Brittains and that on both sides the Captains fought magnanimously till even but then the Saxons gott the victory which would have been more bloody to the Brittains had not the darknes hindred the pursuit After this the fame of Cerdic and his son Kinric was largely spread through the whole land For from that day began the Kingdom of the West-Saxons which remains to our times having swallowd all the other Principalities And Ranulpâ—us of Chester relates how after many battells fought betweem King Arthur and Cerdic wherin sometimes one some times the other had the better at last King Arthur grew weary and contenting himself with an oath of fidelity received from Cerdic he gave to him the Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset 3. But Thomas Rudburn taking no notice of any Oath of Fidelity declares that King Arthur growing weary of renewing war against Cerdic entred into league with him by which Cerdic obliged himself to the inhabitants of Cornwal to permitt them paying an annual tribute to enjoy the exercise of Christian Religion And that such a speciall indulgence was allowd to that Province appears by the great numbers of Saints which in these and the following times flourished there whereas scarce any were to be found in other parts of Brittany subject to the Saxons Now the ground of this Priviledge afforded particularly to them of Cornwal no doubt was because great multitudes of Brittains flying from the Saxons into those most distant and more defensible parts as likewise into Wales rendred them more capable to resist new Masters who therefore were forced to give them better conditions 4. Notwithstanding we are not to suppose that the two Provinces of Hampshire and Somerset mentioned by Ranulphus and Cornwall by Rudburn were all the Provinces which made up the new Kingdom of the West-Saxons for besides them Cerdic had subdued the Danmonij in Devonshire the Durotriges in Dorsetshire the Atrebatij in Barkshire and the Belgae in Wiltshire And to these shortly after was added the Isle of Wight which he bestowd on his late arriv'd kinsmen Stuffa and Whitgar who saith Camden utterly destroy'd the Brittish inhabitants there at Whitgarn-burg from Whitgar so call'd but now more contractedly Caresburg 5. Whilst Cerdic was busy establishing his new Kingdom fresh enemies to the Brittains arriv'd For as Mathew of Westminster relates in the year five hundred and twenty the Saxon Captains Colgrin Baldulf and Cheldric lately subdued by King Arthur at York and forced to abiure the Island repented themselves of the Covenants made and returning took land at Totenes from whence passing through Cerdic's dominion they came to the Citty of Bath which they besieged The fame whereof coming to King Arthur he caused the hostages left by them to be hanged And gathering a might army came to raise the siege Where the armies being ioyned he calling on the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary whose Image he wâ—re over his armour he slew great numbers of them and among the rest Colgrin and his Brother Baldulph Which Cheldric seing fled and by the Kings command was purâ—â—ed by Cador Duke of Cornwal who rested not â—ill he overtook them in the Isle of Thane where â—e slew Cheldric and â—orced the rest to yeild 6. Though some particulars in this Nâ—râ—ation may deserve to be excepted against is the place which is sayd to have been the Citty oâ— Bath neer which is the Mountain called Badonicus where Arthur before he was King is sayd to have defeated the Saxons long before the time mentioned by this Historian Besides Bath being a part of Cerdics new Kingdom how come the new arrived Saxons to besiege it Notwithstanding it may probably be answered that there might have been and comparing our Writers it is likely there were two battles fought by Arthur at this Mount Badonicus And again the Citty of Bath being seated in the utmost extremity Westward of Cerdic's Pricipality it might perhaps at this time have been in the possession of the Brittains 7. As touching King Arthurs invoking our blessed Lady's assistance in the fight it was a devotion generally practis'd by the Church in this age For two year before this there having been assembled two Councils in the East one at Ierusalem and another at Constantinople the Synod of Ierusalem thus wrote to the Bishops of the other Council O most holy Bishops we beseech you to pray with us to our Lord for these same things for the necessities of all Gods Preists ought to be common Make your supplications likewise together with us to the most holy and glorious Virgin Mary Mother of God that she would intercede for the peace of the holy Churches and for the victory and long life of our most pious and most Excellent Emperour The like practise we find elsewhere of which many Examples may be given 8. The year following King Arthur was called into the Northern parts to assist Prince Howel who three years before was come out of Lesser Brittany to his aid and was now besieged by the 〈◊〉 and Scots in the Citty
Which ambition and cruelty was probably a cause inducing some of our Historians to charge him with the murder of Constantin his predecessour 2. Gildas gives a Character of him much lesse favourable then Mathew of Westminster for he accuses him of many parricides adulteries fornications inflaming his countrey with civill wars and other crimes for which without repentance he denounces to him a short raign and after it eternall miseries And accordingly it fell out for though Mathew of Westminster allows him thirty years rule Yet it more suits with Chronology to assign only four to his raign 3. In the third year whereof whilst the Brittish Provinces consum'd themselves with civill contentions a new and powerfull kingdom of the Saxons was establish'd in the Northern parts calld the Kingdome of the Northumbers the manner and degrees by which they arrived to such power is describ'd by Malmsburiensis to this effect 4. Hengist at the beginning of his raign in the kingdom of Kent sent into those Northern parts his Brother Otha with his Son Ebusa men of great courage experience and Nobility For they derived their descent from Woden one of the German Deities Which Woden had three Sons Weldege Withlege and Beldege From the eldest son descended the Kings of Kent from the second the Kings of the Mercians and from the third the Kings of the West-saxons and Northumbers whos 's first King Ida reckoned himself the tenth from Woden 5. Now Otha and Ebusa the first Saxons which brought an army into those Northern parts fought many battles with the Brittish inhabitants and having conquered those who resisted them received the rest into their protection suffring them to live in a quiet subiection They and their successours also notwithstanding contented themselves many years with the title of Governours or Dukes acknowledging a dependance and submission to the Kings of Kent But in the year ninety nine after their first arrivall they assum'd the Title and Dignity of Kings Of which the first was calld Ida whether attaining that supereminence by election or invasion is not manifest in story 6. Other Writers affirm that the whole Regâ—â— possess'd by these Northumbers was divided into two parts Of which that which was more Northern extending it self from the Bay of Edenborough to the Picts-wall was inhabited by the Bernicians and the other reaâ—â—ing from the Picts-wall to the River of 〈◊〉 was held by the Deiri So that the whole kingdom of the Northumbers anciently containd the Provinces of the Picts Laudon Northâ—â—berland Cumberland Westmorland 〈◊〉 York and Lancaster This will appear by the lives of severall Saints said to have liv'd in the kingdom of the Northumbrians The same Authours add that the said Division of the Kingdom was made by Ida who leaving his Son to govern the Deiri himself fix'd his habitation among the Bernicians beyond the Picts-wall 7. Aurelius Conanus dying in the fourth year of his Raign Vortipor Prince of the Demetae succeeded him who is by Gildas stild a Tyrant who in his old age ascended the throne by civill discords being a wicked son of a good Prince defild by many parâ—icids and adulteries who having rid himself of his lawfull wife wallowed in last with her impudent daughter Whereupon he exhorts him by a timely repentance to avert Gods iudgments from him 8. His raign likewise lasting onely four years the throne was invaded by Malgo Conanus or Maglocuus a Prince no lesse vitious then his Predecessours For in the same Gildas his description he is said to have murdred his Vncle Prince of Venedotia calld Catwallain together with the greatest part of his Nobility This is the same Maglocunus who afforded to S. Kentigern a place for a Church and Monastery And afterward being tormented with remorse for his parricides he relinquish'd the world and retired into a Monastery where he under took a Monasticall Profession But the sparks of ambition thus coverd broke forth again into a flame so that quitting his solitude he return'd to all his former crimes and became an Insular Dragon depressing other Tyrants and by strengthning himself with their power becoming a far greater Tyrant himself 9. In the second year of his Raign a great battell was fought between the Brittains and Kenric King of the West Saxons The place of the Combat was neer Sorbâ—odunum calld afterward Salisbury In which combat after much blood shed the Brittains were at last overcome and forc'd to fly 10. And four years after the Brittains thirsting to avenge them selves of their former defect gathered together all their best forces against whom Kenric with his son Ceaulin marched The armies mett in the province of the Dobuni Oxfordshire at Berambury now Bambury The Brittains divided their Army into Nine Bodyes three of which they placed in the front three in the midst and three in the rear The Saxons though inferiour in numbers yet much â—â—ceeded them in stature and strength and they fought all in one Body The combat was bloody continuing till night and it was doubtfull which side had the better After this many other battells pass'd between them but for the most part the victory fell to the West Saxons VII CHAP. 1. Bridius King of the Picts 2. King Malgo-Conan dyes and Careticus succeeds 3. Severall Petty Brittish Princes 4. Alla King of the Northumbers 1. WHilst the Brittains and Saxons contended in the West the Picts in the North beyond the Frith of Edenborough made Bridius their King who was Nephew to Loth their former King being his Brothers son But whereas Hector Boëtius says that he raign'd in the Province of London that is inconsistent with what was formerly related touching the limits of the Kingdom of the Northumbrians In the Ninth year of this King Bridius S. Columba came of Ireland into Brittany as shall be shewn And this being constantly affirm'd by all our ancient Historians to have hapned in the five hundred sixty and fifth year of Grace B. Vsher without cause questions the placing the beginning of King Bridius his raign in the year five hundred fifty seaven 2. In the year following dyed the Tyrant Maglocunus after whom Caretum took upon him to sustain the state of Brittany every day more and more and more falling to ruine But in vain for besides that God had fix'd a period to it this Prince was no better then his Predecessours being like them stain'd with all vices But determinatly to seâ—t down either when he began his raign or when he ended it is extremely difficult considering the small light which our Records afford of those times And as for the severall Princes whose shamefull Characters are given us by Gildas it is hard to say whether they were Monarks of the Brittains On the contrary by his manner of writing most of them seâ—m to have liv'd in severall Provinces and there raign'd at the same time 3. Besides the fore named Prince the same Gildas directs the
the Isle of Man contains little more then three-hundred 4. Many proofs may be produced to demonstrate that these Islands anciently belonged to the Iurisdiction of the Brittains for S. Beda expressly calls them Brittish Isles but had been a long time injuriously possessed by the Scotts taking advantage from the weaknes of the Brittains at their first invasion by the Saxons Hence it was that the Bishop of Sodore in the Isle of Man or lesser Menavia was subject to the Iurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of York XII CHAP. 1. 2. Death of the Apostats East Saxon Kings 3. 4 Also of S. Mellitus Arch bishop of Canterbury to whom S. Iustus succeeds 5.6 Epistles of P. Boniface confirming the Priviledges of the See of Canterbury 1. THE year of Grace six hundred twenty three is by Florileguâ— marked with the death of Sexred and Siward Kings of the East-Saxons who were slain by Kinegils King of the West-Saxons and his Son Quicelm And this saith he came to pâ—sse by the iust judgment of God because after the death of their Father King Sebert they return'd to the worship of Idols having expelled S. Mellitus Bishop of London out of their Dominions Their whole army was utterly destroyd that not one escaped home to carry the news 2. There succeeded in the Kingdom of the East-Saxons Sigebert sirnamed The little son of Siward saith William of Malmsbury from whence may be collected that the third Brother Sigebert the Son of Sebert was dead before For to this Sigebert the Little of whom small mention is made there succeeded another Sigebert Nephew to King Sebert by his Brother Sigebald As for Sigebert who begun his raign this year he had a Brother truly deserving the sirname of Great celebrated in all our Martyrologes for a Saint Of whom more hereafter 3. The year following S. Mellitus the lately made Arch-bishop of Canterbury dyed having seen the miserable end of those ingratefull Kings of the East Saxons who had banished him from his See of London and was buried saith S. Beda in the Church of S. Peter His Memory is celebrated on the four and twenâ—ieth of April both in the Roman and Englih Martyrologe as likewise that of S. Beda Vsuardus and Ado. 4. His Successour in the said See was Saint Iustus Bishop of Rochester who only of all the Romans remained in the Island adorned with a Miter Which moved King Eadbald to acquaint Pope Boniface with the penury of persons sufficient for so high a function Saint Iustus likewise informed the same Pope of the vertues and zeale of the King and how great hopes appeared of a great accesse to the Church if more labourers were sent to cultivate our Lords Vineyard 5. These particulars appear in the answer sent by Pope Boniface to Iustus recited by Saint Beda Wherein he expresses his great ioy to heare the good effects of his labours and zeale which King Eadbald had declared to him and exhorts him to persevere to communicate the Gospell both to Kent and other Provinces He likewise informs him that he had sent him a Pall to be made use of only in celebrating the Divine Mysteries giving him moreover a power to ordain Bishops in all places commodious c. 6. Another Epistle from the same Pope to Saint Iustus or rather a wrong Copy of the same is transcribed by William of Malmsbury wherein the Pope confirms the Priviledges conferred by Saint Gregory on the See of Canterbury constituted the Metropolitan and Primatiall See of the whole Nation immediatly under the protection of the See Apostolick Yet this Copy was by Saint Lanfranc sent to Pope Alexander to justify the Priviledges of the See of Canterbury as the same Authour declares Yea even Bishop Parker transcribes it entirely into his Antiquities and on this Letter grounds the dignity and supereminence of his See For other arguments he has none but such as are derived from Popes to whom notwithstanding he can allow no other titles but proud superstitious impious Prelats and such as had no lawfull Iurisdiction over Brittany Thus manifestly mentita est iniquitas sibi Such self-contradictions necessarily attending injustice and disorderly passion 7. Vpon the receit of these Letters and the Pall Saint Iustus consecrated Romanus Bishop of Rochester who for some time assisted him in propagating the Christian Faith But shortly after being obliged upon occasion of some emergent businesses not for the obtaining Consecration as the Cenâ—uriators fancy to goe to Rome he was drownd at Sea by the way and the See of Rochester became once more vacant XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Redwald K. of the East angles dyes And Edwin elected his Successour but gives it to Redwalds Son 3.4 c. Edwin Monark of the English demands the Sister of the King of Kent to wife and on certain conditions obtains her 1. THE same year Redwald the party-Christian and party-heathen King of the of the East-angles dyed and though he left behind him a son Erpenwald who was bred up to the expectation of the Crown yet were the affections and esteem of that people to Edwin King of the Northumbers so great that neglecting their late Kings Son they unanimously chose Edwin for their King having had long experience of his vertues during his exile in that Court and also incited with the fame of his Conquests 2. Notwithstanding Edwin gave to Erpenwald the Title and Ensigns of Kingly authority contenting himself with an authority paramount over that Kingdom as he enioyd the same over all the rest excepting only the Kingdom of Kent So that among his other Titles he now inserted that of Monark of the English Nation For after King Ethelberts death that Title descended not upon Eadbald his Son but on Redwald King of the East-Angles For saith Saint Beda the first who enioyd this Empire was Elli King of tho South saxons the second Celin or Ceaulin King of the West-Saxons the third Edilbert King of Kent the fourth Redualt King of the East-Angles who also during the life of Edilbert was Prince of that Nation And the fifth was Edwin King of the Northumbers who with greater power then any before governd all the inhabitants of Brittany whether Saxons or Brittains except Kent only He had also lately subdued to his Empire the two Brittish Islands calld Menavia seated between Brittany and Ireland 3. There remained nothing of the forementioned Divine Oracle given to Edwin unaccomplish'd that concernd his felicity in this life Of a poore afflicted and persecuted Exile he was exalted to the Throne of the Northumbers to that Kingdom he had added severall Regions and Islands lately subdued likewise another Kingdom of the East-Angles which offred it self to him and lastly a Supereminent Monarchicall Power over all the Brittains and Saxons excepting Kent Yet that was still wanting which alone could indeed make him happy the knowledge and love of the true God 4. In order therefore to a
consonantly to Saint Beda writes Florilegus In the year of Grace six hundred twenty eight the Arch-bishop Paulinus converted to the Faith of Christ the Province of Lindissa which lyes on the South-coast of the River Humber And the first baptised by him was Blecca governour of the Prime Citty thereof Lindocollina with all his family In which Citty he likewise built a Church Which Church saith Saint Beda was of stone of exquisite work the Roof whereof either by negligence or hostile violence is cast down but the walls are yet standing and every year in that place miraculous cures are wrought to the great benefit of those who in devotion visit it 2. The same Saint Beda also testifies that the Pious King Edwin accompanied Saint Paulinus in this devout labour and was present when he baptised a very great multitude in the River Trent Concerning the Faith of the inhabitants of this Province belonging to the kingdom of the Mercians saith he I was told by a certain Abbot and Preist calld Deda of the Monastery of Peurtanei a man of great integrity that an ancient man had assured him that he himself was one of those who had been baptised by Saint Paulinus at Mid-day King Edwin being present and that a great multitude were also baptised with him in the River Trent neer a Citty calld in the English tongue Tiovulsingacestir The same man was likewise wâ—nt to describe the shape of the said Holy Bishop that he was a man of a tall stature but some what bowing that he had black hayre a lean face a nose somewhat rising that he was very slender and with his aspect begetting both veneration and terrour in the beholders He had likâ—Wise attending him a Deacon calld Iames Who was a man very illustrious in Christ and his Church who lived to our very times 3. We read likewise in Camden that in the Province of Nottingham at the same time a Church was built and consecrated to the Blessed Virgin at a town calld Southwell the which Church as the fame goes Was erected by Paulinus first Arch-bishop of York when he baptised the inhabitants of this countrey in the River Trent He coniectures likewise very probably that this Southwel was the same Citty of the Mercians which Saint Beda calls Tiovulfingacestir 4. The same year dyed S. Iustus Archbishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See three entire years He was a Bishop saith Harps-feild of such integrity that the Name of Iustus may seem to have been given him rather to honour his vertues then as belonging to his family Which vertues were acknowledged to be in him and wonderfully cherished by Pope Boniface the fourth rather fifth who likewise by his Letters exhorted him to consummate to the end his so excellent course of piety He ended this mortall life the fourth day before the Ides of November and was buried in the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul near to Saint Augustin 5. His Successour in the Archbishoprick was Honorius who indeed deserved all Honour for his piety and zeale in preaching the Gospell When he was to be ordaind he came to Saint Paulinus who mett him in the Citty of Lincoln where he was consecrated the fifth Prelat of that See after Saint Augustin saith Saint Beda Hereby it appears that Saint Paulinus either had before this received his Pall or at least a power of ordaining the Prime Arch-bishop in case of vacancy without the assistance of any other Bishops Which Priviledge considering the penury of Bishops at this time was by Pope Honorius shortly after conferred on each of those two Sees in these terms That when either of the Arch-bishops should leave this world and return to his Creator the surviver might ordain another in his place This appears in the Letters of the said Pope to King Edwin and Saint Paulinus written five years after this Notwithstanding this Ordination of Honorius to the Arch-bishoprick seems to have been conferred on him not the same year that Saint Iustus dyed but the year following during which time probably such Faculties were sent from Rome XVII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Penda the cruell King of the Mercians His war against the West-Saxons 1. AFter such hopefull beginnings of the Gospell in the kingdom of the Mercians the progresse therof was interrupted by the violence of Penda King of those Provinces a Prince of an ambitious turbulent and cruel nature and one who professedly bore an irreconcileable enmity to Christian Religion He is by some Authours esteemd the first King of the Mercians For Cridae descended in the tenth degree from Woden the Idol-deity of the Saxons about the year of Grace five hundred eighty five invading the midland Provinces of this Island layd the first foundations of that Kingdom To him succedeed his Son Wibba who by fire and sword enlarged the bounds thereof After him raigned Ceorl whose daughter Quenburga was the first wife of King Edwin and he dying Penda a Son likewise of Wibba inherited the Crown and more then all his Predecessours rendred the Name and power of the Mercians formidable to all their Neighbours The former Princes are said to have contented themselves whith the Title of Dukes and Penda to have assumed that of King 2. He was according to William of Malmsbury fifty years old when he ascended the Throne which was in the year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred twenty six a Prince illustrious for his descent active and vigilant in war and who by frequent excursions into his Neighbours Provinces had nourished and much encreased his boldnes But withal he was even fanatically zealous in his Pagan superstition and impiety Therefore as soon as he was possessed of the Kingdom being impatient of rest and not regarding how great a crime an uniust war was he infested the neighbouring Citties disturbed the bounds of his confining Saxon Princes and filld all the Provinces about him with tumult and terrour 3. In the third year of his raign in which hapned the Conversion of Blecca Governour of Lincoln he broke into open war against Kinegils and Quicelm Kings of the West-Saxons and beleaguerd the Citty of Cirencester belonging to them To raise which siege they gathred a great army and came to battell Which was fought a whole day together with extreme fury each army having abjured flight so that only want of light sever'd them The next morning both sides being much weakned by the intercession of persons of more moderation they entred into conditions of peace and retired 4. Cirencester where this battel was fought is the same ancient Citty which Ptolomy calls Corinium Antoninus Cornovium and the Brittains Caâ—r-Cori It is seated in the Province of the Dobuni Glocestershire at the River Corin now call'd Churn The ruines of the ancient walls containing a circuit of two miles shew it to have been a large Citty It belonged to the West-Saxons for we read how Penda King of
had maried Emma daughter of Theodobert King of Austrasia by whom he had two sons Ermenred and Ercombert and one daughter calld Eanswitha His eldest son Ermenred dyed before his Father leaving behind him a most holy offspring two sons Ethelred and Ethelbert both crownd with Martyrdom and two daughters Domnena or Ermenberga and Ermengita 3. But among all these the most eminent for sanctity was S. Eanswitha daughter of King Eadbald whose Memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe and who dyed this same year with her Father From her infancy she renounced secular pomps being desirous to serve God in solitude But her Father had an intention to marry her to one of the Princes of the Northumbers to which mariage she with as much constancy as might becom a tender Virgin oppos'd her self and by her discreet reasons obtaind of her Father that she might ever be a Virgin consecrated to her heavenly Spouse Whose heavenly conversation that she might more freely enioy her Father gave her a town in Kent calld Folkston adioyning to the Sea Where she built a Monastery very acceptable to God as did appear by a wonderfull accident which may be read in her Life in Capgrave 4. Her Example moved great numbers of devout Virgins in Kent to imitate her and to be companions with her in her spirituall Employment One principall Act of her Devotion was dayly to give thanks to God for the Late immortall blessing by him conferred on the English in her Grandfathers dayes in discovering to them the heavenly light of his Gospell 5. These Sacred Virgins found only one incommodity in this their happy retirement which was a penury of sweet water For the Monastery being seated on the top of the high rocks the water necessary for their dayly uses was with great labour to be brought from a spring a good way distant The Holy Virgin was sensible of this inconvenience and after she had by prayer solicited our Lord she went to the fountain more then a mile remote from the Monastery and striking the Water with a Staffe commanded it to follow her The deaf Element heard and obeyd the Sacred Virgins voyce and against the inclination of Nature followed her steps till overcoming all the difficulties of the passage it mounted up to the Monastery where it abundantly served all their uses One particular more encreas'd the admiration of the event For this little rivolet in the way being to passe through a poole flowed notwithstanding pure and free from all mixture 6. After severall years innocently and chastly spent in the Office of Abbesse she was at last seysed with a languishing infirmity during which the flame of her love to her Eternall Spouse encreased and at last on the last of August she was called to his embraces though in our Martyrologe her Memory is celebrated the twelfth of September Her Body was deposed in the sayd Monastery where it was held in great veneration till the Sea breaking in forced them to remove it to the Church of the adjoyning Town Folkston consecrated to S. Peter but which now is called by the name of S. Eanswitha 7. The Monastery is in ancient Writings called the Monastery of Black Nunnes no doubt from the colour of the habits worn by S. Eanswitha and her companions Which argues that she received her Veyle either from the Arch-bishop Honorius or some of the Roman Monks of the Order of Saint Benedict 8. As for her Brother Ercombert now King of Kent he began his raign more prosperously then his Father Eadbald had done being illustrious for his devotion to God and piety to his countrey For whereas his Grandfather and Father had professed Christian Religion without forbidding Idolatry and destroying Idols he esteemed it misbecoming his Kingly devotion to suffer those Marks of impiety to remain which his Predecessours had only condemned in their private judgment Therefore all the Chappell 's of the Heathen Gods he cast down to the ground that not any footstep of former superstition might remain to posterity This he did by the suggestions of his most vertuous and pious Queen Saint Sexburga daughter to Anna King of the East-Angles 9. Moreover saith S. Beda he by Royal authority commanded the Fast of forty days in Lent to be strictly observed Which Law least it should be exposed to contempt he ordained condign punishments against all transgressours And thus he taught his Nation too much addicted to gluttony to accustome themselves to sobriety and temperance But from hence Sir Henry Spelman unduly collects that the Fast of Lent was not hitherto observed by the English On the Contrary the observation of Lent is as ancient as Christianity it self We celebrate the Fast of forty days saith S. Hierom according to the Tradition of the Apostles once a year in a season congruous to us And S. Basile speaking of his own age long before this saith Now this holy Fast is more perfectly observed since the commendation of it is taught through the whole world For there is neither Island nor continent neither Citty nor Nation how remote soever to which the ordinance of observing Lent is not arrived That therefore which before was established by an Ecclesiasticall Law King Ercombert by his Royal authority commanded to be observed by his Subjects and those who would pretermitt it out of their feeble love to vertue he terrified with a denunciation of temporall punishments 10. But how sacred and unviolable the Observation of the Quadragesimal Fast was not only in Kent but through the whole Saxon-Heptarchy in the following age is manifest from the ancient English-Saxon Laws which the same Sir Henry Spelman has published in the Saxon character among which this is the thirty seaventh Chapter viz The time of Lent ought to be kept with very strict observance so that during that whole time except on Sundays which are exempted from abstinence fasting must not be dissolved For those dayes are the Tenth of our whole year which therefore we must passe with great devotion and Sanctity In them therefore no occasion must be taken to dissolve our fast which in other times may be permitted for charities sake But this is by no means allowd in the time of Lent At other times fasting is left in each mans will and choice But not to fast in Lent is to transgresse the Precept of God Fasting at other times obtains a reward of abstinence But in this whosoever does not fast except sick persons and children procures to himself a deserved punishment for our Lord hath by Moyses by Elias and by his own example consecrated those days to a Sacred Fast. IX CHAP. 1.2 King Sigebert and King Egric slain by King Penda 3. Anna King of the East Angles His holy Offspring 1. THE year of Grace six hundred forty two was mournfull to Brittany being staind with the Blood of two most pious Kings Sigebert and Oswald Four years before this Sigebert
having surrendred the Kingdom to his Cousen Egric was retired into a Monastery Now Egric during his short raign had oft been vexed with the incursions of Penda King of the MerciaÌ„s but this year he invaded his countrey with a powerfull army which he was not able to resist In this danger by common advice it was decreed to call King Sigebert out of his solitude For which purpose Messengers were sent to solicite him to prefer the common care of the Kingdom before his privat Devotions He earnestly opposed a good while this proposal but at last saith Saint Beda even against his will they drew him from his Monastery to the Army for they hoped that the presence of so Noble and Valiant a Prince would encourage the fainting soldiers ready for fear to disband Notwithstanding Sigebert mindfull of his present profession though he was encompassed with a Royal army would not act the part of a soldier nor carry in his hand any other thing besides a rodd 2 Thus unarmed and with an intention to act the part of a General onely with his counsell and prayers he proceeded to the Battell Which was violently begun by Penda in which Sigebert being prepared to receive not give wounds took no care to defend his own life So that he became an easy Victime to the Enemies cruelty King Egric likewise was slain with him and for a perishing Crown received one that was immortall How precious the death of Sigebert was fighting for Religion and his countrey posterity shewd by giving him the title of a Martyr for with that dignity he is commemorated in our Martyrologe on the seaven and twentieth of September but in the Gallican on the seaventh of August 3. The innocent blood of Sigebert and Egric watering this Eastern feild made it fruitfully budd with flowers of many royal vertues in his Successour which was Anna the Son of Eni of the Royal family a Prince of admirable Vertue and Father of a most glorious Offspring saith S. Beda Now Eni was Son of Titullus and brother of Redwald so that Anna's succession being legal was unquestioned by all Never any Saxon King was blessed with such a progeny His son Erconwald afterward Bishop of London was for his Sanctity illustrious to the whole Church His daughters were Queen Etheldreda twice a wife yet always a most chast Virgin Sexburga also a Queen Ethelburga a most holy Virgin and Abbesse of Barking Edilburga a Virgin likewise and Abbesse of Brigue And lastly Withburga a chast Virgin All which are inscribed in our Martyrologe with the Title of Saints concerning each of which we shall hereafter treat in due place With so many glorious Stars did this one good King Anna adorn the palace of our Heavenly King X. CHAP. 1.2 c. King Oswalds Mercy and Piety 5.6 His desire to dye for his people 7.8 His battell against Penda and death 1. KING Oswald yet remained alive expecting the like end of his race But before we conduct him to his death it will be expedient after the old Roman fashion to adorn and crown the Sacrifice before its immolation by declaring some of those many vertues which he shewd both in living and dying We sayd some thing before of his Piety to God and munificence in his service These sublime vertues were accomâ—panied with others regarding Gods poorest servants whose wants and incommodities he would not only supply when they were in his view but he would often be inquisitive to find out objects of his mercy and liberality He never sent away from him any poore man empty-handed but performed exactly that precept of our Lord Give to every one who asks thee Yea his liberality was so boundlesse that he almost empoverished himself by supplying the indigence of the poore 2. One Noble Example of this vertue is recorded by S. Beda and generally all our Historians which was this On a certain Feast of our Lords Resurrection the Holy Bishop Aidan and King Oswald dined together when one of the Kings servants coming in told him that at the gate there stood a great multitude of beggars in great necessity King Oswald glad of an occasion to exercise his Charity stretched forth his hand and took up a silver dish full of meat which he commanded the servant to distribute among those poore not the meat only but the dish which for that purpose was to be broken in peices S. Aidan was much affected with so commendable an expression of piety in the King and taking that hand which had given the Plate said Let this hand never be consumed which has so liberally distributed the Gifts of God This propheticall benediction God heard and approved with a great Miracle For after the Kings death when all the rest of his body was dissolved into dust that hand remaind entire both in the flesh and sinews for many ages as shall be proved by many witnesses 3. How acceptable these vertues were to Almighty God he shewd by heaping on him even great temporal prosperity For sayes Saint Beda King Oswald together with the Nation governd by him was blessed not only with a sure hope of a heavenly Kingdom unknown to his Ancestours but moreover by Gods speciall assistance who made both heaven and earth he encreased his Dominion by the accesse of more Provinces then any of his Progenitours had enioyd For he not only united the Kingdoms of the Deiri and Bernicians but had a supereminent power over the four Nations and Provinces of Brittany which were divided into four tongues of the Brittains Picts Scotts and English 4. Yet did not the cares of so largean Empire withdraw his mind from a frequent conversation with God On the contrary the same Authour writes that whilst he managed the government of so many Provinces his cheif solicitude and labours were how to obtain a celestiall Kingdom The generall same gives that his frequent practise was to persist in his prayers from Morning Lawds to brâ—ad day and that by reason of his almost continuall custom of Praying and praising God wheresoever he was sitting he would hold his hands on his knees with his face looking up to heaven and lastly that he ended his life in the midst of his Prayers For being compassed on all sides with enemies and weapons when he saw himself upon the point to be slain he prayed for the soules of his soldiers And hence arose the Now common Proverb God have mercy on their soules sayd King Oswald when he was falling dead to the Earth This expression of piety we English Catholicks to this day owe to this good King for though the generall practise or the whole Church in all ages was to implore the Divine mercy for those who dyed in her Communion yet this speciall form of expressing our Charity by saying God have mercy â—n their soules came from this most pious King who in his last danger as it were forgetting himself became an intercessour for
1. BY the death of Penda King of the Mercians that Kingdom â—ogether with that of the East-Angles whose Kings he had slain became an accession to the Dominions of the Victorious Oswi King of the Northumbers Notwithstanding in the year of Grace six hundred fifty six he permitted Peoda the Son of Penda on whom he had bestowd his daughter Alefleda to raign over the Southern Mercians and likewise Edelwald the Brother of Ethelhere to govern the East-Angles 2. By this indulgence of King Oswi the Christian Faith became spread through severall Provinces For he built many Churches and Monasteries in the Kingdom of the Mercians among which the principall was that which was founded in an Island called the Isle of the Hart in which as a testimony of gratitude to God for his Victory he enclosed his daughter So that within the space of two years the Mercians following his example were converted to the Faith and baptised 3. And for a firmer establishment of Christianity among them he erected an Episcopall See common to the Mercians and Midland Angli in the Citty of Lichfeâ—ld saith Bishop Godwin Though more probable it is that as yet there was no certain place affixed for the Bishops residence For severall years after this we read how Wuifer King of the Mercians offred Lichfeild to S. Wilfrid that he might there either build a Monastery or erect an Episcopall See The first Bishop of the Mercians was Diuma a Scottish Preist of whom we have already made mention 4. This is testified by S Beda in this passage When Oswi the most Christian King of the Northumbers having slain King Penda took possession of his Kingdom Diuma one of the four forementioned Preists was ordainen Bishop both of the Midland Angli and Mercians by Fâ—nan Bishop of Lindisfarn For by reason of the Scarcenes of Preists they were compelled to sett one Bishop over two Nations Now Diuma having in a short time converted great multitudes dyed To whom in the year of Grace six hundred fifty eight succeeded Cellach who was likewise a Scotch-man Who after he had a few years governed that Province voluntarily relinquished his Bishoprick and returned to his Native countrey the Island of Hu or Hy. 5. At this time Ithamar who had succeeded S. Paulinus in the Episcopall See of Rochester dyed He was not inferiour to his Predecessours in Sanctity and learning saith Harpsfeild who adds That many years after his death by reason of frequent Miracles wrought by his intercession his Body was translated to a more honourable place Which translation was made on the fourth day before the Ides of Ianuary on which day his Anniversary Solemnity is celebrated in the Church of Rochester In our Martyrologe his Commemoration is made on the Tenth of Iune which was the day of his death And his Successour was Damian descended of the South-Saxons saith S. Beda 6. This year Merevald a Prince among the Mercians built a Monastery for Religious Virgins at a Town called Lemster in the Province of Hereford He is said to have been the Son of Penda and Brother of Peoda and of his Successour Wolfer Kings of the Mercians But he is more illustrious by his Holy Offspring his son Merefin and his daughters Milburga Mildreda and Milgitha born to him by his Wife S. Ermenburga â— King Peoda likewise the Son of Penda first King of the Mercians this same year for propagating Christian Religion layd the foundation of the Mâ—nastery of Medeshampsted in the Region of the Girvians or Northamptonshire But having been the next year slain by the treason of his Wife Alcfleda the naturall daughter of Oswi King of the Northumbers he could not perfect it Thus writes Camden from Robert Swapham an ancient Authour And Ingulphus adds That he left his fervour and devotion to his Brother Wulfer his Successour in that Kingdom and to Saxulph a man of great power there who finished the said Monastery eight years after The place anciently called Medeshampsted afterward took the name of Peterborough illustrious in regard of this Monastery II. CHAP. 1.2.3 The Brittains overthrown by the King of the West-Saxons 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty eight the Brittains received a great overthrow from Kenewalch King of the West-Saxons which is thus described by Huntingdon Cenwald so he calls him King of the West-Saxons in the seaventeenth year of his raign fought against the Brittains at Pennum For they knowing that he had been overcome by the stouâ— King Penda and almost driven out of his kingdom imagined that he was unable to sustain the burden of a battell Whereupon having gathered a numerous army they with great pride invaded his Dominions At the beginning of the fight the Brittains feircely setting on the Saxons made them give ground But the Saxons with great courage and constancy resisting them for they preferred death before flying at last so wearied the Brittains that their forces melted away like snow so that they turned their backs to the pursuers and fled from Pennum as far as Pedredan The wound which the Progeny of Brutus received this day was incurable 2. The place where this battell was sought was an obscure Village in Somersetshire at this day called Pen but anciently famous for this Victory over the Brittains and another which in after ages King Edmond Ironside gaind there against the Danes From thence the Brittains fled to the River Pedreâ— now called Parret where was seated the town called by the Saxons Pedridan but now Pederton and it was sometimes the Royal Seat of Ina King of the West-Saxons 3. After this combat and Victory the Saxons became so terrible to the Brittains that they never afterward descended from their mountains to encounter them Besides this their State became divided among severall petty Princes each of which sought to secure and enlarge his own territory so that they never combind in any generall design against the Saxons or English III. CHAP. 1.2 Wolfer King of the Mercians His wife S. Erminilda Trumhere Bishop of the Mercians 1. KING Peoda as hath been declared having been slain by the treachery of his Wife in the time of the Paschall Solemnity that Kingdom of the Southern Mercians returned to the Dominion of King Oswi But three years after the Princes of the Nation of the Mercians rebelled against him their names were Immin Eaba and Eadbert These exalted to the throne Wulfer the Son of Penda then a young man whom they had preserved and kept conceald among them And so with their new King they ioyfully persevered in Profession of Christianity 2. The wife of this King Wulfer was S. Erminilda Whose parents were Ercombert King of Kent and S. Sexburga By their pious instructions she became so zealous in promoting the Christian faith that by her perswasions kindnes and holy example that perverse and rude Nation of the Mercians was brought
place to manifest the sincere veracity of so learned and pious an Authour wee will from his penn declare upon how well grounded an authority he built the whole frame of his History as likewise what diligent search he made for true information in all things as well such as hapned in former ages as during his own age in the other regions and kingdoms of Brittany and forrain countreyes And lastly wee will conclude with a particular Narration of Saint Beda's own life and happy death 2. As touching the first thus he writes At this present time to witt in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty one the Bishops governing the severall Episcopall Sees of Brittany are these following The Province of Kent is administred by Tatwine Arch-bishop oâ— Canterbury and Aldulf Bishop of Rochester That of the East-Saxons by Inguald Bishop of London The East Angles by Eadbert or Aldbert Bishop of Dumwich and Hadulac Bishop of Helmham The Province of the West-Saxons by Daniel Bishop of Winchester and Forthere Bishop of Shirborn In the kingdom of the Mercians Alduin is Bishop of Lichfeild Walstod Bishop of Hereford and the region beyond the Severn Wilfrid Bishop of Worcester and Cymbert or Kinebert Bishop of the Lindisfari or Lincoln as for the Isle of Wight it was annexed to the See of Winchester The Province of the South-Saxons of late has been vacant and therefore has recourse to the Bishop of the West-Saxons that is Winchester for such necessities as require Episcopall Ministery And all these together with other Southern Provinces though governed immediatly by particular Kings yet both they and their Kings also from the South Sea as far as the Humber Northwards are subject to Edilbald King of the Mercians Lastly the large Province of the Northumbers of which Ceolulf is now King is administred by four Bishops the Church of York by Wilfrid the younger that of Lindeâ—â—arn by Edilwald Hagustald or Hexham by Acca and Candida Casa or Witehern by Pectheâ—m This last Episcopall See has been lately erected by reason that the number of Christians there has been greatly multiplied and Pecthelm was consecrated the first Bishop thereof Thus are the severall Episcopall Churches of Brittany administred 3. As touching the severall Nations inhabiting it that of the Picts is ioynd in league with the English and to their great ioy with the Vniversall Church in the Orthodox Faith Communion and peace The Scotts inhabiting the Northern parts of Brittany are quiet and make no attempts or fraudulent designs against the English The Brittains although for the most part out of a Nationall hatred they have an iâ—â—econcileable aversion from the English and likewise doe erroneously and impiously oppose the Catholick Church in the Paschall Observance yet in neither of these regards can they attain their purpose and prevaile both divine and human power resisting their designs For though a great part of that Nation be independent on any other yet in some places they are subject to the Empire of the English And again the times at present being peaceable very many of them in the Northern parts called Cumbers both Nobles and of inferiour condition doe more frequently receive the Monasticall Tonsure in English Monasteries and consecrate their children to the same Profession then exercise themselves in arms and warlike exploits And what good issue may come from hence the succeeding age will see 4. Such at present is the state of all Brittany in this year which is the two hundred eighty fifth since the coming of the English into this Island and the seaven hundred and one and thirtieth after our Lords Incarnation I will conclude with this prayer That the earth may all ways reioyce in the kingdom of our God and many Islands with ioy confesse to the memory of his Holines the constancy of Brittany in his Faith Thus does S. Beda conclude his History XXIII CHAP. i 2. c. The names and qualities of such persons from whom S. Beda received information in his History 1. IN the next place for a proof of his veracity in his History wee will produce his Epistle to the illustrious and learned King Ceolulf then raigning over the Northumbers to whom S. Beda presented the same desiring not so much his protection as iudgment and censure of it In which Epistle to the end he might approve his care and diligence to inform himself in the truth he produces the names and characters of the principall persons from whom he received information and assistance persons of such abilities piety and esteem that no man can reasonably suspect in them either want of knowledge or of sincerity Thus therefore he writes 2. The principall Authour and assistant in this work saith he was Albinus the most reverend Abbot of Canterbury a man of eminent learning in all kinds of litterature having been educated therein by those two most venerable and learned men Theodore Arch-bishop of the said Church of happy memory and Hadrian Abbot This worthy Abbot Albinus was pleased to communicate to mee partly in writing and partly by the Religious Preist of the Church of London Nothelm whom he sent to acquaint mee with all particular occurrents worthy memory which had after diligent enquiry come to his knowledge either in the Province of Kent or adiacent Regions concerning the Gests of the Disciples of the Blessed Pope S. Gregory or whatsoever he could find in ancient Record or receive from the Tradition of Ancestours The said Nothelm likewise afterward going to Rome by permission of Pope Gregory searching the Archives of that Church found and copied out certain Letters both of the said Pope and some of his Predecessours touching the affaires of Brittany which at his return by the advice of the most Reverend Abbot Albin he brought to mee to be inserted in this History 3. In the which those things which are related from the beginning thereof to the times in which the English Nation receiued the Christian Faith wee collected principally out of such Writings as we could here and there meet with Then from that time to the present age all the Gests performed in the Province of Kent by the Disciples of S. Gregory and their Successours and under what Kings they were performed all these came to my knowledge by the industry of the foresaid Abbot Albin and the relation of Nothelm sent by him The same persons likewise informed mee in severall things touching the Conversion of the West and East-Saxons the East-Angles and Northumbers by the preaching of what Bishops and in the raign of what Kings those Provinces received the Christian Faith In a word it was principally by the advice and perswasion of the same Albinus that I had the courage to sett upon this work 4. Besides these the most Reverend Bishop of the West Saxons Daniel who is yet alive gave mee an account in writing of many things regarding the Ecclesiasticall History of that Province and that of the South-Saxons confining
Superstitions and quite changed from that which Saint Germanus profess'd as Protestants affirm who therefore magnify Saint Germanus for the purity of his Faith and as much derogate from S. Augustin 3. Touching therefore Saint Germanus his Religion particularly in the Points now most controverted and wherein Saint Augustin is charged to have been faulty we cannot more certainly nor more ingenuously determine it then by seeking information from a person of eminent learning in Antiquity a Protestant or however without question no Roman Catholick to witt M. Selden Who in a Treatise by him call'd Analecta Anglo-Britannica has inserted one Chapter exactly pertinent to our present purpose The Title of which Chapter is Touching the practises of Ecclesiasticall Discipline wherewith Germanus and Lâ—pus Bishops imbued the Brittains Which Enquiry he consequently satisfies in the following Chapter in the manner following 4. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre and Lupus Bishop of Troyes in Gaule came into Brittany to restore Christian Religion deprav'd by the Heresy of Pelagius and Errours of Pagans Their doctrines and documents taught by them as the fame is which also Giraldus Cambrensis testifies to have continued to his dayes were as followeth 1. Of every loaf of Bread set before them one corner they gave to the poore 3. They sate three together at dinner in memory of the Blessed Trinity 4. If any one mett in the way a Religious Monk or Clergy-man or any one in a Religious habit he would presently lay aside his weapons and with a low inclination of his head demand his Benediction 5. Generally all the people doe earnestly demand Episcopall Confirmation and Inunction with Holy Chrism by which the Holy Ghost is conferr'd 6. They some times bestow the Tithe of all their Substance cattle and Sheep namely either when they marry or undertake some long Pilgrimage or by the Churches Order submitt to some extraordinary Pennance for their sins This they call the great Tithe and two parts of it they bestow on the Church where they received Baptisme the third they give to the Bishop of the Diocese 7. Beyond all other externall labours of Mortification they are most devoted to Pilgrimages undertaken to Rome to visit the Monuments of the Apostles 8 Beyond any other Nation they expresse a devout reverence to Churches and Church-men likewise to Relicks of Saints to portable Bells Sacred Books and the Holy Crosse. And this devotion hath been rewarded with greater peace they any other Churches enjoyd 9. For entire security is observed in regard of Beasts feeding not only in Church yards but much beyond them through all bounds inclosed with ditches which Bishops design for observation of peace and indemnity And greater Churches to which antiquity always afforded greater reverence have power to grant and enjoyn the observation of such peace and security for cattle whilst at morn they goe and at Even return from their pastures This peace and security is observ'd so inviolably that if any one should incurr the mortall indignation of his Prince and afterward seeke refuge in a Church he may enjoy the fruit of this Peace both for his person and goods And indeed from such large immunities far beyond the ancient Canons which in such cases allow safety only to a mans life and body occasion of great abuses have been taken for by reason of such impunity many doe audaciously practise hostility and from such plâ—ces of Reâ—uge doe horribly infest the whole countrey about and even the Prince himself 5. There is scarce any one of these Christian practises but was taught by S. Augustin also and yet Protestant Writers condemne S Augustin for them and absolve S. Germanus yea magnify him and glory in an opinion that they are conformable to his Doctrin and Discipline They allow to Saint Germanus the glorious Title of Apostle of the Brittains who taught them no new Doctrins of Christianity but only confirmed them in what they had beleived before And the same Title they with contempt refuse to S. Augustin who withdrew the barbarous Pagan Saxons from their Idolatry and Infidelity and instilled first into their minds the true knowledge and worship of God Faith in the Redeemer of the world and Veneration to the Holy Crosse the Sign of our Redemtion Such partiality the Spirit of Schism does naturally produce 6. Our Ancestours in testimony of their gratitude to the Veneraâ—le Bishop S. Germanus and the high esteem of his Sanctity approved by many Miracles not long after his death built Chappell 's and Churches to his honour Particularly concerning one of these Camden thus writes In Cornwall neer the River Liver there is a village named from Saint German to which during the Danish tumults the Episcopall see of that Province was transferr'd out of feare it being a place more remote and secure There a Church had been erected and consecrated to the honour of S. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre who extirpated the Pelagian Heresy that began to rise anew among the Brittains In Yorkshire likewise a famous Monastery was consecrated to him as the same Authour thus testifies The River Ouse does water Selby a town well peopled there King William the First founded a Church in memory of S. Germanus who happily wounded to death the many-headed Hydra of Pelagianism which was oft quelld and oft revived again The Abbot of this Monastery and of S. Marâ—es at York were the only two Northern Abbots which had Seats in Parliament 7. Among the Silures in Northwales the Memory of S. Germanus is much celebrated for from him a part of Radnorshire is called Guarthenion For as our ancient Historian Nennius relates Vortimer the Son of Vortigern in satisfaction for injuries done by his Father to Saint Germanus dedicated that part of the countrey to him where he had been wrongd In memory of which it took the name of Guartheny which in the Brittish language signifies a calumny justly retorted Besides these many other Monuments testifying the like veneration to the same Apostolick Bishop might be produced but these are sufficient And this last Example proves this Devotion of the Brittains to him to have begun presently after his death XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. Vortigern chosen King of all Brittany His Character c. 1. HItherto since the time that the Romans had relinquish'd all care and protection of Brittany the severall Provinces of the Island had been governed by petty Princes independent on one another But in the year four hundred thirty and eight by reason of the frequent inroads of their cruell Enemies the Picts and Scotts by a common agreement of the severall Provinces a Generall Captain of the whole Nation was chosen after the example of their Ancestors in the days of Iulius Cesar and the Kingdom established in his line 2. Which choice unhappily fell on Vortigern a man born for the destruction of his countrey for he it is that by his slouthfull vices first weakned it and afterward calling in to
his aid the barbarous warlick Saxons prostituted it to their rapines and tyranny This Character we read of him in Malmsburiensis At that time Vortigern was King of Brittany a man voyd both of courage and counsell yea addicted wholly to carnall pleasure and the slave of almost all vices particularly of avarice pride and luxury He as we read in the Gests of the Brittains solicited and with the hope of making her a Queen deflourd his own daughter and of her gott a Son Who notwithstanding his incestous birth was by a miracle of Divine Grace a Saint his name being S. Faustus 3. His wife was a Lady equall to him in blood but most unlike in disposition By her he had three Sons Vortimer Catigern and Pascentius Whilst she lived he governed his Principality with moderation but after her death he loosed the rains to all vices For which having been reproved by S. Germanus and upon his impenitence in a Synod excommunicated he revenged himself by inflicting the fore mentioned iniuries and calumnies upon the Holy Bishop But in the end was severely punish'd by fire from heaven 4. Before his Election to the Vniversall Government of Brittany he was Prince of the Danmonij or as others write Consul of the Gevisses inhabitants of the South-western parts about Cornwall or South-wales Which Principality it seems he had governed well enough to be esteemd not unworthy to be preferr'd above his formerly fellow Princes though indeed that age the men of which Gildas calls atramentum aetatis the inke of their age afforded it seems so little choice that a Prince not absolutly vicious deserved reputation However this unworthy King is recorded a restorer of the Citty of Oxford We will awhile suspend a relation of the Gests of this unhappy King to the end we may interpose some affairs touching the Churches of Brittany at this time occurring XIV CHAP. 1.2 c S. Dubricius ordained Bishop of Landaff by S. Germanus The place of his Birth c. 1. AMong the actions beneficiall to Brittany done by Saint Germanus the election and consecration of Saint Dubricius to the Bishoprick of Landaff was deservedly reckoned This Dubricius say the Centuriatours of Magdeburg sirnamed Gainius Vagiensis from the place where he was born was peradventure the Son of a Monk by Euedila a Noble Virgin and grew afterward famous among tâ—e English Thus write they without all authority from antiquity desirous to faign one Example at least to be a president for their Master Luthers incest 2. But from more authentick Testimonieâ— it appears that Saint Dubricius was by nation a Brittain born in the Province of the Dimeta or West Wales he was sirnamed Gainius from the River which runs by the place where he was born His Fathers name is not mentioned among Authours his Mother was Euedila a woman of a clear fame for her vertues Thus write Bale Picts Powel and the Authour of his life in Capgrave 3. It is there moreover related how being a child care was taken to imbue his mind with litterature And having attained a few years more he made such proficiency in learning that not the ignorant only but such also as had acquired a good degree in knowledge repaired to him to encrease their skill among whom were Saint Theliaus Saint Sampson Saint Aidanus and others In the soile of his Nativity neer the River Vaga from whence he was called Vagiensis he chose a fitt seat for his own and his Disciples studies and there he spent many years in the charitable employment of communicating his learning to others Afterward having by command of an Angel built a Church there he preached and taught the people wholesom Christian Doctrin Moreover by imposing his hands he often cured many infirmities insomuch as those which came to him sad and unsound returned joyfull and in health And therefore he was qualified fitt to be advanced by S. Germanus to the Degree of a Bishop 4. The period of his life is uncertain Yet certain it is that he lived to a very old age for many years after this he was transferr'd by Aurelius Ambrosius then raigning to the Arch-Bishoprick of Caër-Leon in the Province of Monmouth So that he will once more occurre in our History As for his Disciples Saint Theliaus Saint Iâ—tutus c. eminent Saints and Doctours which therefore could not likewise escape the calumnious pens of the Lutheran Centuriators we shall treat of them in the following age 5. But here we must not omitt what a learned French writer Andrew Saussay in his French Martyrologe relates of another famous Disciple of Saint Germanus named Saint Briocus a Brittain who was afterward Bishop in Armorica or lesser Brittany so illustrious for his Sanctity that the See of his Bishoprick is to this day from his name called S. Brieu a suffragan Bishoprick to Tours 6. Saint Briocus saith he was by countrey an Englishman he should have said a Brittain of the Province of Corticia descended of a Noble Stock He was by Saint Germanus of Auxeâ—â—e preaching the Orthodoxe Faith there brought out of Brittany into Gaule and here by him instructed happily in the Discipline of Piety After he had enriched his mind with saving Doctrins he returned into his Native countrey and there informed his parents in the true Faith which he likewise preached with great successe in the countrey about After this being desirous to employ our Lords Talent yet more copiously he came over into Armorica where having shed the beams of Evangelicall Light on the minds of his kinsman Conanus Count of Triguâ—er Trecorensem he afterward cleansed him with the Laver of Baptism Then assembling severall devout persons aspiring to the perfection of a Religious life he built a Monastery and there by the liberality of the said Count he layd the foundations of an Episcopall See and being consecrated Bishop by the Archbishop of Tours Metropolitan of that countrey he with an admirable splendour of vertue ad piety governed the said Diocese the space of thirty years Afterward making a journey to Angiers to furnish himself with Ecclesiasticall ornaments he there breathed forth his spotlesse soule From thence his Body was caried back and with great honour buried in the Church which himself had built where frequent miracles were wrought at his Relicks Thus as he gave his name to the Monastery Town and Mother-Church of that Diocese so he likewise afforded continuall protection to them 7. Certain Irish Historians would challenge S. Briocus to their countrey as having been born in the Territory of Cork But his having been a Disciple of Saint Germanus who had nothing to doe with Ireland proves him a Brittain And whereas Bishop Vther conjectures that the Master of Saint Briocus might have been another Saint Germanus Bishop of Paris who lived in the following age His living with Conanus and relation of kinred to him demonstrate him both a Brittain and more ancient then the
c. Pascentius a Son of K. Vortigern comes with forces into Brittany And contrives the murder of K. A. Ambrosius But is slain by K. Vther 6. Vther overcomes the Saxons 1. THE Brittains though they had seen their Island thus dismembred and on all sides oppress'd by barbarous enemies yet sustained a greater dammage by civill dissensions rais'd by a Son of the late King Vortigern call'd Pascentius who in the end treacherously depriv'd them of their Noble King Ambrosius 2. This Pascentius after the death of his Father Vortigern seing the minds of the Brittains out of hatred to his Father inclin'd to Ambrosius fled into Germany where he remained severall years endeavouring to gather forces sufficient to place himself in the throne of his Ancestors At length in the year four hundred ninety six he came saith Florilegus with a powerfull and well furnish'd Army and landed in the Northern parts of the Island intending to revenge his own and his fathers injuries upon Ambrosius Who upon news hereof gathered likewise an Army and march'd speedily to meet him Shortly they came to a battell in which Pascentius was overcom and forc'd to fly 3. His refuge was into the countrey of the Scotts where again recruiting his army he return'd to try his fortune once more against the Brittains But hearing that Ambrosius lay sick in the Citty of Winchester he thought it best to work his revenge by treason rather then open force Therefore by gifts and promises he hired a certain Saxon call'd Eopa to fain himself a Physicion and a Brittain and by that means to attempt the murder Who under this feigned shew and with a pretence of great piety and affection to the King being admitted mingled poyson in a potion administred to him of which Ambrosius presently dyed in the one and thirtieth year of his raign 4. But Pascentius did not long enjoy the fruit of his Treason For Vther-pendragon the Brother of Ambrosius who during his Sicknes was Generall of the Brittish forces marching against Pascentius in a battell slew him and all his Captains that came along with him over whom he obtain'd a signall Victory 5. The year following saith Florilegus Vther the Brother of the late King Ambrosius came with hast to Winchester and calling an Assembly of the people and Clergy of the Kingdom took on him the Crown of Brittany which is said to have been set on his head by the Holy Bishop Dubritius And calling to mind how the year before a Comet had appear'd of a wonderfull magnitude darting forth onely one beam at the end whereof was seen a globe of fire shaped like a dragon out of whose mouth proceeded two beames one reaching to Gaule and the other shooting towards Ireland which ended in seaven lesser beames For this reason he commanded two Dragons to be made of gold like to that which had appear'd One of them he gave in oblation to the Church of Winchester the other he caried with him placing it in every combat in his Ensign And from that time he was call'd in the Brittish language Vther-pendragon And hence it is that to this day our Kings in their warlick expeditions cary the like Ensign 6. But Vther had no sooner put on his crown but he was forc'd to exchange it for a Head-peice for as the same Authour relates Eska the Successour of Hengist and his Son Octa attended with a mighty army of Saxons invaded the Northern Provinces of Brittany and destroyd all the Munitions between Albany and York At last when they attempted the seige of a Citty call'd Alcluid Vther-pendragon came upon them with all the strength of the countrey and entred battell against them The Saxons manfully resisted and in the end compell'd the Brittains to fly as far as to a mountain calld Danet which they seis'd upon as a place of refuge being so dismay'd that they scarce knew what they did But at last they resolv'd upon a prudent exploit which was to sett courageously upon the enemies by night This design they executed prosperously For the Saxons being thus unexpectedly invaded scarce rendred any combat at all but were utterly routed and Octa and Eska were taken prisoners whom the King caried with him to London where he caus'd them to be kept safe 7. That which follows in Florilegus touching King Vthers love to Igerna wife to Gorlo Duke of Cornwall on whom he is sayd to have begott Arthur with many other Fables repugnant to all order of time are not worth the exscribing In the narration of the Gests of Arthur wee shall follow William of Malmsbury a far more authentick Guide then Geffrey of Monmouth By him we are informed that Arthur at this time was of a full ripe age and by his assistance King Ambrosius had repress'd the Saxons XXI CHAP. 1.2 c Of S. Gunléus a Brittish Prince and Hermite and of his Son S. Cadoc and his Tutour S. Tathai 9. Of S. Dogmael and S. Bernach Brittish Saints 10. Of S. Finguar an Irish Saint in Cornwall 1. THE year of Grace five hundred is in our Ecclesiasticall monuments mark'd with the death of S. Cadoc not the Martyr sirnamed Sophias but the holy Abbot Son of Gunlaeus Prince of the Southern Brittains and of Gladus or Gundalus a daughter of Braghan who gave the name to the Province of Brecknock of whom we have already treated 2. His Father Gunleus by divine vocation growing weary of the world built a Church saith Capgrave where he began to live in great abstinence and purity of conversation His cloathing was sack-cloath his dyet barley bread mingled with ashes and his drink water He usually rose at midnight and to abate carnall desires cast himself into cold water He received nothing from any but sustained himself with the Labour of his hands 3. This retirement of his Father begun during the child-hood of S. Cadoc who when he came to years of understanding chose rather to imitate his Fathers devotion then enjoying his Principality to be expos'd to the tentations and vicissitudes of the world 4. He had for his Master and directour in the way of Piety a learned and holy man famous in that age called Tathai who liv'd a solitary life in all austerity among the mountains in Southwales till he was invited by Caradoc Prince of that Province to live coenobitically and to institure young men in learning and piety at a Citty calld Venta Silurum in the Province of Monmouth Which Region saith Camden from that Citty Venta was by the Brittains calld Guent And as wee read in the life of Tathai a Brittish Saint it was as an Academy dedicated to the studies of litterature over which was President the said Tathai invited from his solitude to that employment by King Caradoc the Son of Inirius This Office Tathai executed with great commendation and there built a Church 5. Vnder so worthy a Master S. Cadoc made wonderfull progresse in vertue and piety and