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
we declared to have been of English parentage and kinsman of Oswin King of the Northumbers that he had his education from the Scotts was a Monk and afterward Abbot of the Monastery of Gethlin and last of all consecrated Bishop of the Mercians 5 But a greater difficulty remains How King Wulfere should deserve the Elogy here given him of piety and zeale for the propagation of the Orthodox Faith beyond the limits of his own Kingdom Yea besides this in other Authours we find him employd in building of Monasteries and Churches And William of Malmsbury gives him this generall Character that at his first Assumption to the throne to the end he might not deceive the expectation of his Subiects he spared no diligence study or labour to shew himself a good Prince who sought the proffit and felicity of his Kingdom Moreover that by his favour and countenance he earnesty advanced the Christian Faith then even gasping for life as being but a little before newly brought in by his Brother Whereas severall other Authours particularly such as have written our Saints lives paint him forth for a most horrible persecutour insomuch as seaven years after this Conversion of the South-Saxons by his incitation he is sayd to have putt to death his two sons Vlfald and Ruffin because by the preaching of S. Ceadda then Bishop of Lichfeild they embraced the Christian Faith 6. How can those things consist together Perhaps some will imagine that the praises given this King proceeded from flattery in the first Authours by whom those which followed were seduced Yet we shall find that those very Historians who so much celebrate his praises have not conceald his vices Thus the last mentioned Authour after the passage even now cited thus tempers the commendations given him Notwithstanding in these and whatsoever other vertues were in him were corrupted and depressed by the infamous crime of Simony of which he was the first King of England that was guilty selling for money the Sacred Bishoprick of London to a certain ambitious man called Wina He moreover adioyns the Off-spring of King Wulfere Kinred and Wereburga without any mention of the two Martyrs Vlfald and Ruffin So that in this Kings Story there is an obscure Mist which we may conceive to proceed from our Ancient Writers of Saints Lives who having a Story for the substance of it true to relate deliver it undigestedly without any choice of names times and other circumstances In order therefore to the clearing of this obscurity we will first breifly sett down the Summ of the Story of those two Martyrs and consequently endeavour to correct the circumstantiall faults of the relatours 7. Vlfald and Ruffin were Brethren sons of Wulfere King of the Mercians and Hermenilda who was daughter of Earcombert King of Kent and his wife S. Sexburga Wulfere their Father was an Infidell But Herminilda a devout Christian Lady of great Sanctity She during the tender age of these her children was diligent to imbue their minds with Christian Principles of piety and when they were come to riper â—ears she sought out a Master for them but with great secrecy least her Husband who was horribly averse from Christianity should know it She had recourse therefore to Ceadda Bishop of Lichfeild who instructed them more perfectly and regenerated them to Christ by the Water of Baptism These young Princes oft went forth â—pon pretence of hunting and either by their Mothers perswasion or their own inclination took that opportunity to Visit the Holy Bishop But being at last deprehended by their Father he agitated with the furies of his false Gods would compell them to renounce their Religion which they constantly refusing to doe he caused them both to be slain in the Sacred place of Prayer Their Holy Mother having understood the cruell death and Martyrdom of her children was desirous to give them an honourable buriall for which purpose she according to the Roman custom gathered a mighty heap of Stones for their Monument The place of their Sepulcher by its name still testifies the same for it is to this day called Stone a place which upon this occasion is grown to a populous Town Now when the death of these Holy Martyrs Vlfald and Ruffin was made known to the people and the cause likewise for which they dyed they began to be held in great honour and a Church with a Monastery was built consecrated to S. Vlfald yet so as that his Brother also became partaker of his honour By this means the place came to be frequented Neither was their Father King Wulfere more slow then others in honouring them For the guilt of the parricide committed by him wounding his conscience he in an humble manner went to Saint Ceadda and with great greif acknowledging his crime embraced the Christian Faith and with the Sacred Waters of Baptism expiated all his offences 8. This account doe our ancient Records give of the Martyrdom of these two Princes the substance whereof cannot reasonably be questioned considering the lasting monument yet remaining and that their names are extant among the Saints in our Martyrologe on the four and twenâ—tieth of Iuly But that they should have been instructed by S. Ceadda then Bishop of Lichfeild and slain in the year of Grace six hundred sixty eight by their Father then a Pagan this contradicts all our most authentick Histories in which long before that time King Wulfere is celebrated for his Faith and Piety Therefore it will be necessary to affirm that they were instructed by some Bishop of the Mercians before their Father began his raign during the time that their cruell Grand Father Penda lived who earnestly laboured to extinguish the Christian name and effectually caused the death of many Christian Kings 9. Therefore the Narration given by Camden deserves our acceptation who more distinctly and simply recounts the story in this manner To Peada King of the Mercians succeeded his Brother Wolfer who having been most averse from Christian Religion with barbarous inhumanity slew his Sons Wolfald and Ruffin because they had given up their names to Christ. But a few years after himself also embraced the Christian Faith and to the end he might by some pious work expiate that his impiety he finished a Monastery begun by his Brother XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. Of S. Winoc 1. SOme refer to this year the retiring of S. Winoc into the Monastery of Saint Bertin Thus writes Iperius in his Chronicle About the year of Grace six hundred sixty one S. Winoc Son of Iudicael King of the Brittains and brother of S. Iudocus of whom we have alreaâ—dy treated despising the world became a Monk in the Monastery of Sithiu under Saint Bertin together with his three brethren Kadanoc Ingenoc and Modoc S. Bertin then was Abbot over one hundred and fifty Monks among whom Saint Winoc shone like the Morning Starr 2. Marcellinus in his life of S. Suibert affirms that S
he taught every where things belonging to Christian Faith and Truth Presently after his consecration being struck with the contagion then raigning in that Province saith Huntingdon he dyed and was buried at a place called Womalet But in S. Beda it is called Peynalech who adds that it was a Monastery 5. Moreover as S. Beda testifies when the Scottish Monks living in Lindesfarn departed thence with their Bishop Colman those which remaind received for their Superiour with the authority of Abbot the most Reverend gentle and mild man Eata who before was Abbot in the Monastery called Mailros This Translation was made as the report is upon the request of Bishop Colman at his departure to King Oswi Because the same Eata was one of the twelve children which Saint Aidan in the time of his Bishoprick had received from the English Nation to instruct them in the Doctrine of Christ. The said request of Bishop Colman was easily granted by King Oswi because he loved him very much for his gravity and prudence This is the same Eata who a while after was ordained Bishop of the same Church of Lindesfarn 6. Presently after the death of the Venerable Bishop Tuda there followed great commotions and debates in the Church of the Northumbers by reason of severall pretenders to the administration of the same Church as shall shortly be declared more at large XXIII CHAP. 1.2 The Plague in Ireland 3.4 c. The Gests of S. Egbert a Saxon Preist He reduces the Scotts to Catholick conformity his death 1. THere are severall other Saints commemorated in our Martyrologe whose death is assigned to this year as the two Royall Martyrs Ethelâ—ed and Ethelbert Sons of Wulfere King of the Mercians of whom we have already treated demonstrating that their Martyrdom could not fall so late Likewise two Royall Virgins S. Mildreda and Saint Milburga Neices of the same King by his Brother Merevald of whom we shall treat more commodiously hereafter 2. Following therefore the progresse of this Pestilence it will lead us into Ireland were we shall find matter proper for our present Subiect and related by S. Beda in the manner following The same killing infection faith he with equall destruction raged in Ireland Now there were at that time in the same Island many persons both of noble extraction and meaner state who in the times of Finan and Colman Bishops leaving their native countrey retired thither some to gain instruction and others to attend to their Spirituall Exercises and Mortification Severall of them therefore undertook a Monasticall Profession and not a few going from Cell to Cell where learned Masters inhabited addicted themselves to Reading and Study All these were freely and with a good will entertained by the Scotts who afforded them upon free cost both dayly nourishment books to read and instruction likewise 3. Among these there were two Noble young men of vertuous and towardly disposition Their names were Edelhum and Egbert The former of these was Brother of Edilhum or Ethelwin a man of great Sanctity who likewise the year following went into Ireland to enrich his mind with learning and being well instructed returned into his Native countrey Brittany where he was ordained Bishop of Lindisse or Lindesfare and worthy governed that Church many years of whom we shall treat more at large hereafter 4. The said two young men being in a Monastery which the Scotts or Irish call Rathmesige where all their companions were either taken out of the world by the infection or dispersed in other places they likewise both of them were struck with the same disease and greivously affected And of these two Egbert as a certain grave and sincere Preist who professed that he heard it from Egbert himself assured mee beleiving that he should not escape went one morning out of the Infirmary into a retired place where â—itting alone he began seriously to call to mind his former actions and feeling great compunction by the memory of his past sins he bedewd his face with teares and from the depth of his soule prayed to Almighty God not to take him out of the world till he had more perfectly performed Pennance for his past negligences and faults committed in his child hood and youth and till he had more plentifully exercised himself in good works He made a Vow likewise that he would live all his days a stranger and never return into Brittany where he was born likewise that besides the Solemn Canonicall Office he would every day recite the whole Psalter in memory of the Divine praises and also every week passe one whole day and night in fasting except he should be hindred by some bodily infirmity 5. Having concluded his weeping prayer and Vows he returned to his Cell where finding his companion asleep he likewise layd himself on his bed and falling into a slumber he was presently awaked by his companion who looking earnestly upon him said O Brother Egbert what have you done I hoped we should both together have gone to heaven But know that the things thou so earnestly prayed for are granted thee For he had learnt by a Vision both the subiect of Egberts prayers and that God would perform his desires In a word the following night Edelhum died 6. But Egbert in a short time shaking off the pains of his disease recovered and lived many years after He received the degree and Order of Preisthood which he adorned by many good actions suitable to that Profession and according to his desire being full of vertue and piety he a little while since to witt in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred twenty nine being fourscore and ten years old went to everlasting ioyes 7. He lead a life with all perfection of Humility meeknes continence simplicity and iustice Insomuch as both by the example of his life by his assiduity in teaching zeale in correcting and liberality in giving what he had received from rich men he was very beneficiall both to his own countreymen and also to the Scotts and Picts among whom he lived 8. He added likewise to his forementioned Vows this Of never tasting any thing in Lent but once a day and then also onely bread and a small measure of thin milk Which milk his custom was to putt the day before in a glasse and when the night was past to take off the cream and drink the rest with a small portion of Bread The like measure of abstinence he was wâ—nt likewise to observe forty days before our Lords Nativity and as many after Pentecost 9. This is that S. Egbert who was the first and cheif mover of the glorious design of twelve Apostolicall English Preists to convert certain German Nations our Primitive Ancestors to the Christian Faith which they undertook and in a great measure performed These were S. Suâ—bert S. Willebrord S. Boniface and the rest of their illustrious companions S. Egbert was desirous to have ioynd in their labours and dangers but
return Again at this time Saint Erconwald and not Waldhere was Bishop of London to whom Waldhere succeeded four years after this and then might probably subscribe Lastly Putta here named Bishop of Rochester had resigned his See severall years before this and at this time lived under Sexulf Bishop among the Mercians So that either we must affirm that he conserved the Prerogative of his Title notwithstanding his Resignation or that it was another Bishop of the same name and perhaps the same who is said by Bishop Godwin to have been the first Bishop of Hereford 8. Besides the Bishops of Brittany there was present in the said Synod of Hatfeild the forementioned Iohn Arch-chantour of B. Peters and Abbot of the Monastery of S. Martin saith S. Beda and he likewise confirmed the Decrees of Catholick Faith When he came into Brittany he brought with him the Synodicall Acts of a Council not long before this celebrated at Rome by Pope Martin and one hundred and five Bishops against those who taught that there was only one Will and operation in Christ A Copy of which Synodicall Acts he caused to be transcribed and left in the Monastery of the Venerable Abbot Benedict Biscop and caried back with him towards Rome a Transcript of the Decrees of the Synod of Hatfeild 9. Among other benefits which the Churches in Brittany received from this Venerable Roman Abbot Iohn this is reckoned by the same Authour that he taught the Monks of the foresaid Monastery of Giruy governed by S. Benedict the Roman Order and Rite of singing leaving them likewise Rules for the same He also committed to writing the Order of celebrating all Feasts through the year all which were till S. Bedes compiling his History observed in that Monastery and transcribed by many other adiacent Convents And very many Religious men from almost all the Monasteries of the Province who had any skill in singing flocked to him to better their skill 10. The same Holy Abbot returning towards Rome a little while after he had passed the Sea was surprised by an infirmity of which he dyed And his body was by his freinds caried to Tours and there honourably buried This was done out of love and respect to S. Martin in as much as he had been Abbot of a Monastery dedicated to the same Saint at Rome And in his way from Rome to Brittany passing by Tours he had been with great kindnes entertained in the Church of S. Martin there and earnestly requested by the Monks to take the same place in his way at his return Moreover he had from thence received assistants in his iourney and labours Now though he dyed in his return notwithstanding the Exemplar of the Catholick Orthodox Faith of the English Church was caried to Rome and ioyfully read by the Pope and all others there VII CHAP. 1.2 c. King Egfrid despises the Popes Decrees for the restitution of Saint Wilfrid 4.5 c. S Wilfrid emprisoned and miraculously defended by God 9.10 c. Queen Ermenburga punished by Divine power 1. SAint Wilfrid having been thus absolved at Rome returned the year following into Brittany where he found greater tempests attending him then he had left at Sea for the Letters from Rome testiâ—ying his innocence were so far from qualifying the fury of King Egfrid against him that they rather more incensed it The progresse of his succeeding suffrings is thus related by William of Malmsbury 2. S. Wilfrid saith he in his return having by Gods protection escaped all dangers by the way came safe to his own countrey Where with much difficulty having obtained accesse to the presence of King Egfrid he presented to him Pope Agathons Letters Sealed These Letters the King attended by the Bishops of his own faction enemies to S Wilfrid commanded to be read After which he was so far from shewing any Reverence to the See Apostolick that he delivered him up to a certain Officer of his a man of well known cruelty to be cast into an obscure Prison having first despoyled him of all things and dispersed his attendants into severall places For he gave credit lightly to those who affirmed that those Decrees were obtained by bribes at Rome where they said money could procure any thing 3. Hence wee may collect that King Egfrid did not move any controversy or doubt of the Popes Lawfull authority to determine this controversy which was sufficiently acknowledged by the Bishops Adversary S. Theodore who made no protestation against his Appeale but sent a Religious man to charge S. Wilfrid at Rome But this pretence King Egfrid gave of his disobedience to the Pope's and Roman Synods Sentence that it was unduly procured or that the true state of the CoÌ„troversy had not been aright represented at Rome or some other like excuse which is never wanting to those who are resolved not to submitt to justice and authority 4. The same Authour thus further proceeds in his Narration The Holy Prelat saith he with a spirit unmoved and an unaltered countenance suffred this violence and with holy admonitions exhorted his freinds whose suffrings he compassionâ—ted to expect a happy end of these calamities from the Divine goodnes As for the Officer to whom he had been committed though he was to all others of a barbarous and savage comportment yet to him he shewd himself gentle and mild neither did he afflict him with any torment or other vexation but only this that he shutt him up in darknes for he durst no. altogether neglect or resist the Kings orders But Divine Iustice would not permitt this holy Prelat who was the Light of Brittany to be unworthily oppressed with darknes For a Light from heaven darted into the obscurity of the prison supplied the Suns absence creating a bright day there from whence the worlds light had been excluded and the beames of this heavenly light shining through the chinks of the prison terrified the Keepers and compelled them to fly and acquaint their Master with the wonder He was much astonished at the hearing of it but such was his fear of King Egfrid that he durst not expresse any further kindnes to his prisoner 5. But a terrible disease suddenly hapning to his wife forced him to overcome his fear for a most greivous impostume after terrible torments at last burst in her body the wound wherof was so wide and gaping that the sight thereof horribly affrighted her husband and presently after shâ— was tormented by the Devill possessing her by which she became bloodles dumb and a cold stiffnes seised on all her members as if she had been dying Vpon which the husband in great hast running to the Holy Bishop and casting himself at his feet with earnest prayers obtained pardon from him In so much as without any delay he went and making his prayers over her and casting Holy Water into her gaping throat her disease and torments presently ceased and perfect health returned 6. King Egfrid was
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
younger S. Germanus XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Patrick comes out of Ireland into Brittany thence goes to Rome c 4 c. At his return he retires to Glastenbury His Chart Relicks of Saint Steven c. 1. IN the year of Grace four hundred thirty nine Saint Patrick having with wonderfull advantage laboured in our Lords vineyeard in Ireland the space of eight years returned into Brittany where saith Malmsburiensis he abode thirty years in the Isle Avallonia or Glastenbury leading a most holy life Notwithstanding whether at that time he visited Glastenbury is uncertain Probably the motive of his leaving Ireland might be to take a journey to Rome and there give an account of his Apostleship â—or this is affirm'd by severall Authours as Capgrave Bishop-Vsher c. 2. Iocelinus adds that before his voyage he fixed his Episcopall chair in the Citty of Armagh resolving in his mind that the same should be the Prime Metropolis and Mistresse of the whole Island And to the end that this design might have an effect irrevocable he determin'd to repair to the See Apostolick and thence obtain authentick Priviledges to ratify this his purpose An Angel from our Lord approv'd his intention of undertaking that â—ourney c. Whereupon having ordain'd Bishops Preists and other Ecclesiasticall Ministers whom he placed in opportune residences he gave them his benediction and took leave of them 3 That in his way either to or from Rome he retir'd into a Monastery to enjoy for some time the peace of contemplation is affirm'd by our Historians and that Glastenbury was the place chosen by him in which afterward also he repos'd himself there happily ending his dayes And herein he imitated the holy practise of former Saints as Saint Fugatius and Damianus who after labouring in their Apostolicall Office retir'd from worldly conversation and spent their last days in conversation with God alone 4. What were the speciall exercises of S. Patrick in his retirement is related by ancient Writers viz. attending to Prayer Fasting and purity of Life instituting rules for a Monasticall Profession in Glastenbury where he found Religious men the Successours of S. Ioseph of Arimathea and S. Fugatius and S. Diruvianus These S. Patrick reduced from an Eremiticall to a Coenobiticall course of life gving them instituts which himself had receiv'd from his glorious Vnckle S. Martin of Tours who long since had cloathed him with the Monasticall habit Which Habit saith Iocelin was a White Cowle of the naturall-colour of the wooll over his other garments by which was denoted purity and innocence And this fashion was imitated by the Iâ—ih Monks as likewise the Monks of Brittany before Saint Augustins coming who to distinguish himself from them assum'd a Black Cowle whence the New Monks his Successours were usually stiled Nigri Monachi Black Monks 5. In Glastenbury it was where S. Patrick wrote that famous Chart the whole tenour whereof hath been already produced in the second Book of this History upon occasion of declaring the foundation of that most famous Monastery In which Chart the Holy Bishop particularly describes the Isle then called Ynswitrin where was an ancient Chappell consecrated to the honour of the most blessed Virgin And how there he found twelve Hermites Successours of the Disciples of S. Phaganus and Diruvianus by whom he was elected their Head There also he declares his happy invention of a Writing composed by the foresaid Apostolicall men Phaganus and Diruvianus in which was contain'd that they had receiv'd from Pope Eleutherius ten years of Indulgence and that by a revelation from our Lord they had built a Church to the honour of S. Michael the Archangel How likewise by a Vision it was signified to him that he was to honour the same Blessed Archangell in the same place for a testimony of the certainty of which Vision his left arm withered and was not restored till he had acquainted the rest of his Brethren with what he had seen This Chart S. Patrick left with two devout Irish Monks Arnulphus Ogmar his companions which resolved to remain attending on the said Chappell In conclusion the Holy Bishop relates how he conferr'd an Indulgence of a hundred dayes on those who by cutting down wood cleared a passage for the devout Visitants of the Chappell consecrated by our Lord himself to the honour of his most Blessed Mother 6. At his return from Rome S. Patrick brought with him some Relicks of the Holy Apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul and likewise of Saint Stephen the Blessed Deacon and Martyr together with a linnen cloath on which was sprinkled of the Blood of our Saviour Iesus-Christ which holy Relicks were reserved there behind the Altar of Saint Patrick This is the narration of the Authour of S. Patricks life in Capgrave 7. That which is here deliver'd particularly concerning the Relicks of S. Stephen the Martyr seems confirmed by what Baronius out of Ancient Writers reports how this same year Eudocia wife of the Emperour Theodosius brought from Ierusalem the said Relicks which were layd up in the Church of S. Laurence the Martyr and there piously venerated by devout Christians 8. Iocelinus who expressly affirms that it was in S. Patricks return from Rome that he visited Brittany further declares that during his abode in this his Native countrey he founded many Monasteries filling them with Religious men who willingly submitted themselves to the observation of that form of a Religious life which was prescribed by him That he foretold with the tongue and Spirit of Prophecy many unfortunate and many prosperous things which in future times should befall Brittany And moreover that he foresaw and foretold the Sanctity of S. David then enclos'd in his Mothers womb who was born in the year of Christ four-hundred sixty two whereby is confirm'd what in the Antiquities of Glastenbury is asserted concerning S. Patricks long abode in Brittany after his converting Ireland XVI CHAP. 1.2 Of Bachiarius Disciple to S. Patrick His Pilgrimage His Epistle to an incestuous Preist c. 1. AMong the Brittish Disciples of Saint Patrick the memory of Saint Bachiarius whom some affirm to be the same with Saint Maccaeus or Mocthaeus is celebrated He was saith Pits by Nation a Brittain and Disciple of Saint Patrick He addicted himself to the study of litterature at Caër-leon He was an excellent Poet and skillful Mathematician for his younger years he entirely employd in such studies Gennadius in his Catalogue gives him the Character of a man excellently versed in Christian Philosophy Adding withall that for conserving his integrity and Chastity he forsook his countrey and undertook a long Pilgrimage 2. We were inform'd above from Girardus Cambrensis that the Brittains instructed by S. Germanus accounted Pilgrimages especially to Rome among the works of Piety And many motives S. Bachiarius might have to absent himself from his countrey besides that mention'd by Gennadius For it could not