and made 8. The religion of K. Edgar Kings to row him in a boate he setting at the sterne guiding it The RomaÌ„ religioÌ„ of this renowned K. is manifest For Fox l. cit Ingulph pag. 885. saith He was a great Patron of Monkish religion builded as some say as many Monasteries as there be sondays in the yeare or as Edner reporteth 48. pag. 156. Edgar was seduced by Dunstan who was drowned in all superstition and did seuen yeares penance at Dunstans apointment And pag. 161. and 169. reciteth an oration in King Edgar which also is in Stow pag. 111. wherin the King speaketh thus to the Clergy It belongeth to me to rule the lay people It belongeth to me to prouide necessarie things to the Ministers of the Church to the flock of Monkes Behould how he distinguisheth betwene gouerning lay people and prouiding for clergie Item he complaineth there that Priests crownes are not broade nor lay people and prouiding for clergie Item he complaineth there That Priests crownes are not broade nor their rownding conuenient and that they came not deuoutly to Masse CoÌ„staÌ„tins svvord in the Kings hand S. Peters in the Bishops hands and saith to the Bishops I haue Constantins sworde and yee haue Peters sword in your hands let vs ioine right hands let vs cuple svvord to svvord that the Leapers may be cast out of the Temple Touching which oration Fox noteth the religious zeale and deuotion of Kings and the blind saith he ignorance and superstition of that time in both estates Ecclesiasticall and ciuil in esteeming Christs religion cheefly to consist in giuing to Churches and maintaining of Monkery wherin it appeareth saith he how ignorant that time was of the true doctrin of Christs faith K. Edgars time knevv not the ProtestaÌ„ts Doctrin And putteth this note in the margent The doctrin of iustification vnknowne Bale Cent. 2. cap. 34. saith Edgarus c. Edgar earnestly seruing the desires of Monkes And by the inchantments of Dunstan Ethelwald and Oswald being made an Image of the Beast did speake onely as they gaue him breath all things then were ruled at their beck Ingul pag. 883. setteth downe his Charter of Peterborowh wherin he calleth S. Peter Superum Ianitorem The porter of heauen and saith he apointeth there a market for diuers good purposes both of temporall and spiritual profits that Gods ministers may be holpen more neare at hand and that the Christian people meeting there amidst worldly affaires may demand Gods help Note whiles by demanding S. Peters protection and by hearing the misterie of Masse according to the faith of eche one the faultes of diuers sinnes may therin be redeemed And again Hanc regiferam libertatem c we haue procured this royal libertie according to the primitiue institution therof to be strenghned from the See of the Apostolicke Roman Church by the author him selfe of this writing most reuerend Ethelwald And to this Charter subscribe two Archbishops three Bishops many Abbots Dukes and nobles And Malmsb. l. cit citeth an other Charter of that king granted to Glassenburie which he requested to be confirmed by Pope Iohn 12. which Pope confirmed it saying that he tooke the Monasterie in protectione Romanae Ecclesiae beatorum Apostolorum Petri Pauli In protection of the Roman Church and the blessed Apostles Saint Peter and Paule In this kings tyme liued Saint Merwin saith Florent Saints in this King his tyme. An. 967. whome he made Abbesse of Rumsey and confirmed that Monasterie saith Stow pag. 113. in the presence of all the Nobilitie Also Saint Editha his own daughter who from her infancy was brought vp in a Monasterie and would not refuse that lyfe to enioy the crowne after her brother King Edwards death Also S. Elsted a nonne whose life and miracles yow may read in Capgraue S. Edward Martyr XXV 14. I In the yeare 975. began S. Edward the Martyr saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 9â— sonne to King Edgar The vertues of K. Edvvard martyr and reigned three yeares who did saith he follow the steps of his Eathers religion and yeelde both eare minde to good Councell Inguâ—ph pag. 889. saith he was a simple and most holy yong man following much his Father in maners Cooper An. 975 and Sâ—ow pag 113. say he was in all kinde of honest vertues comparable to his Father Edgar began his souerainty with much modestie and mildnes worthely fauored of all Fox Acts. pag. 159 Authors describe him to be a vertuous and noble Prince much pittifull bountifull to the poore And Caius de Antiq. Cantab Miracles pag. 294. saith he is worthilie tearmed a martyr Cooper An 977. saith after his death God shewed for him many miracles which also testify Malmsb. l. cit Westmon Anno. 979. and others wherby the Reader make perceaue what account he may make of Fox who l. cit calleth them tales His religion His Roman religion is manifest partly by what hath bene said of his Father partly because Fox saith l. cit He was by Dunstans meanes elected and consecrated Which also testify Malmsb. l. cit Florent Anno 975. And because as Fox the same Authors testity he stoode with Saint Dunâ—â—an against Priests Wiues Saints In this Kings time liued three great Saints S. Dunstan S. Ethelwald S. Oswald of whome we will speake in the time of the next King when they died King Egelred XXVI 15. IN the yeare 979. saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 10. succeeded King Egelred sonne to King Edgar and reigned 37. yeares Who as say Florent An. 978. Qualities of K. Egelred Houed p. 427. and Cooper An. 978. was Moribus elegans pulcher vultu decorus aspectu excellently manered of fayer faâ—e and gratious countenance His Roman religion is manifest by what hath bene sayd of hiâ— Father His religion Secondly because his mother built two Monasteries one at Amsbury an other at Whorwel and became a Nonne Cambd. in Brit. pag. 177. 221. 228. and as Malmsb. l. cit saith Corpus silicio c. She wrapt her-bodie in haire cloth In the night layd on the grownd without pillow she toke her sleepe c. Thirdly because in his time liued these notorious Papists S. Dunstan S. Ethelwald and S. Oswald Fourthly because he confirmed the Charter of Euisham Monasterie libertatis priuilegium c. And the priuiledg of the liberty confirming signed it with the signe of the Crosse Cambd. in Brit. pag. 327. Fiftly because he receaued the Legat of Pope Iohn 15. and by him made peace with the Duke of NormaÌ„die Miracles Malmsb. l. cit In this time was S. Edward King and martyrs body found incorrupt An. 979. Houed pag. 407. Then also liued S. Dunstan of whome some thing hath bene sayd in the Archbishops Saints S. Ethelwald Bishop of Winchester who saith Godwin in his life was a great Patron of Monks and no lesse enemy to married Priestes And S. Oswald Archb. of York whome
giuen saith Florent Anno. 855. Vniuersali Papae Apostolico To the Vniuersall Apostolicke Pope The same hath Fox lib. 3. p. 136. Fourthly he gaue saith Fox to holy Church and religious men the tenth of his goods and Lands in VVest-Saxons with liberty and fredom from all seruice and ciuil charge And Fox setteth downe his Charter in these wordes Ego Ethelwolphus c. The faith of King Ethelvvolph and his Nobleâ— I Ethelwolph King of the VVest Saxons with the coÌ„sent of my Prelats Nobles will grant an hereditarie portion of my land to be foreuer possessed by God the blessed S. Marie and all the Saints of God Behould how the King by the aduise of his Bishops and Nobles giueth Land to God and his Saints and to what purpose himselfe declareth in these words following For the redemption of our soules Good deeds for remission of sinnes for the remission of our sinnes Which intention as yow heard before out of Abbots Fox is contrary to the Protestants Gospell And therfore Fox vpoÌ„ these words saith Note the blind ignorance and erroneous teaching in these dayes and addeth that they were led with pernicious doctrine to set remission of sinnes and remedie of soules in this donation and such other deedes of their deuotion And further the King saith VVestmon An â—54 as Malmsb. testifieth lib. 2. cap. 2. Placuit Episcopis cum c. It hath pleased the Bishops with the Abbots and the seruants of God to apoint that all our brethren and sisters in euery Church shall sing on wensday in euery weeke fifty psalmes K. Ethelvvolph requireth Masses for him aliue and dead and euery Priest two Masses one for King Ethelwolph another for his Dukes coÌ„senting to this gift for their reward remissioÌ„ of their trespasses And for the K. liuing let them say Oremus Deus qui iustificas c. For the Duke also liuing also PraeteÌ„de Domine c But after their death for the K. alone for the Dukes deceassed iointly together this be so firmly ordained throughout al the daies of Christianitie euen as their libertie is established so loÌ„g as faith increaseth in the English Nation This Charter of Donation was written in the yeare of our Lords Incarn 844. Indict 4. the fift day of Nouemb. in the Citie of VVinchester in the Church of S. Peter before the head Altar And this they did for the honor of S. Michael the Archangell also for the blessed Marie Q. the glorious mother of God of S. Peter the Prince of the Apostles and in like maÌ„ner of our most holy Father Pope Greg. and of all Saints In this Chapter I note how K. Ethelvvolph coÌ„manded not in spiritual matters not the King but Bish apoint Priests to pray say Masses for him and that S. Peter is called Prince of the Apostles the other points of Papistry therin are more euideÌ„t than that I neede to point to them All England Papist in K Ethelvvolhps time And yet as Ingulph saith p. 862. to this chapter subscribed all the Archb. Bishops of England K. Bardred King Edmund after martyr and Princes of a part of EnglaÌ„d vnder King Ethelwolph Abbots Abbesses Dukes Countes and nobles of the whole LaÌ„d innumerable multitude of other people By which we may see the vniuersall faith of our Contry of that time And in a Charter of King Berthulphus in Ingulph p. 861. The King praieth God Quatenus pro intercessione Guthlaci c That through the intercessioÌ„ of S. Guthlack and all the Saints he would forgiue me all my people our sinnes Pardon of sinnes asked by intercession of Saints In this Kings time An. 850. S. WolstaÌ„ nephew to two KK was vniustly murdered and afterward honored by God with miracles FloreÌ„t Chronic. Saints Also S. Ieron an English Priest martyred in Holand An. 849. Bale Cent. 13. cap 75. In this K. time also liued one Offa K. of Eastengland who leauing his Kingdome and trauailing to the holy land in ould Saxonie from whence our Nation came into England elected S. Edmund for his heire and sent him into EnglaÌ„d Capgraue in vit Edmundi Florent An. 855. Houed pag. 415. Stow pag. 76. King Ethelbald XV. 3. THe 15. K. was Ethelbald eldâ—st sonne to K. Ethelwolph who began his reign An. 857. and reigned fiue yeares He was at first dissolut and naught as yow may see in Malmsb. lib. 2 cap. 3. But peracta poenitentia saith Westmon Anno. 859. Hauing done pennance all the time he liued after he gouerned the Kingdom with peace and iustice Wherfore Hunting lib. 5. pag. 348. calleth him optimae indolis aeuenem a youth of very great towardnes saith that all England bewailed his death King Ethelbert XVI 4. THe 16. king was Ethelbert brother to the former begaÌ„ his raigne An. 862. as Malmsb. hath in Fastis and held the gouerment fiue yeares He was saith Ingulph pag. 863. Valour of K. Ethelbert Validissimus adolescens A most valiant yong man and an inuincible triumpher ouer the Danes he stoutly for fiue yeares space gouerned the Kingdome Malmsb. 2. Reg. cap. 3. saith he ruled strenuè dulciterque Manfully and sweetly Houed pag. 405. saith pacifice amabiliter peaceably and gently In this Kings time died S. Swithin Anno 862. Florent Westmon in Chron. Saints As for the Roman religion of these two Princes His Rom. Religion that appeareth both by what hath bene said of their Father and what shal be said of their two brothers King Ethelred XVII 5. THe 17. king was Ethelred 3. sonne to king Ethelwolfe Who began his reign saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 3. Anno 867. and reigned 5. yeares as his brothers did Fortitude and pietie of K Ethelred Of him and his brethren Malmsb. saith They bouldly and stoutly entred battel for their Country and addeth that this king besides ordinary skirmishes fought 9. picht Battels in one yeare against the Danes nine battells in one yeare was oftener Conqueror And that he slewe one king of them 9. Earlers and innumerable people which also testify Ethelwerd lib. 4. cap. 12. Hunting lib. 5. Cambd. in Brit. saith He was Princeps longe optimus Couper Anno 863. satih he was among his subiects mild gentle pleasant against his aduersaries seuere fierce and hardie Of this Fox lib. 3. pag. 141. telleth that being to ioine batell with the Danes Miracle in confirmation of Masse his brother Alfred gaue the onset while the King saith Fox was at seruice and meditations and albeit word were brought him that his brother had the worst yet would he not saith Fox stir one foote before the seruice was fully coÌ„plet And addeth that through the grace of God and their godly manhood the King coÌ„ming from his seruice recouered the victory slew as Ethelwerd who as himself saith desceÌ„ded of that K. lib. 4. c. 2. saith one King Marueilous victorie fiue
began saith Fox Acts pag. 201. appellations from Councells to the Pope by Henrie Bishopp of Winchester brother to the King In this Kings time Anno 1137. saith Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. began in England the Monkes called Robertins of Robert their beginner But Capgraue in the life of Robert saith these Monks were Cistertians Monks enter into Englâ—nd In this time saith Bale ibidem entred into England the Moncks called Praemonstratenses Anno 1145. And Anno 1147. began the Gilbertin Monks and Nonnes founded by S. Gilbert Lord of Sempringham Cambd. Brit. p. 475. Neubrig l. 1. c. 16. Capgraue in Gilberto And this time Nicolas Breackspear an English Monke and Cardinall afterward Pope conuerted Norway sayth Bale l. cit ad Papismum to Papistrie And so manifestly were the times vnder King Stephen Papisticall as Bale cent 2. c. 74. speaking of them saith here we vnderstand that there was great want of the pure doctrine of Christ Iesus And cap. 73. saith it was a most corrupt age In this Kings time died also Saint William Archbishop of York Kinsman to King Stephan a man saith Godwin in his life very noble by birth but much more noble in vertue and good maners Saints Miracles many miracles writeth he are said to be vvrought at his Tombe King Henrie II. XXXVII 6. IN the yeare of our Lord 1155. King Henrie second grandchild by the Empresse Maude to Henri 1. succeded and reigned 33. yeares The vvorthines of King Henrie 2. He was saith Fox Acts pag. 234. Eloquent learned manly and bould in chiualrie The like hath Cooper Anno. 1155. and Stow pag. 216. Cambd. pag. 247. hath much of his praise out of Catholick writers of that time Vnder him saith Fox Acts pag. 224. the Dominion of England extended so far as hath not bene seene before VVhom Histories record to haue possessed vnder his rule First Scotland to whome VVilliam King of Scots with his Lords temporall and spirituall did homage both for them and their successors the seale wherof remaineth in the Kings Tresurie as also Ireland England Normandie Guiens Aquitan vnto the mountains of Pirenei He was offered also to be King of Ierusalem by the Patriarch and Maister of the Hospitall Now let vs see what was the religion of this potent King His Rom. Religion and of England when her Dominion was the largest that euer it was First Fox Acts pag. 234. telleth how this King heard Masse Secondly Stow pag. 232. telleth how he built the Nonrie of Font Euerard the Priorie of Stoneley of S. Martin in Douer and of Basing weck To which Cambd. in Brit. pag. 488. addeth Newsted in Nottingham shier and pag. 321. Circester in Glostershier Carthusiian Monks come into England Thirdly he brought Carthusians into England and built them a house at Withan Godwin in vit Hugonis Lincoln Houed saith this was An. 1186. Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. saith it was 1180. And after Carthusians saith he came in Kinghts of Rhodes and of the Temple And Cambd. Brit. pag. 728. saith the Carmelits were brought in at this time Fourthly saith Stow pag. 216. he was directed cheefely by Thomas Becket in all things Fiftly saith the same Stow pag. 218. He obtained of Pope Adrian 4. both to haue Dominion of the Irish people Bal. Cent. 2 p. 180. and also to instruct them in the â—udiments of faith And the Pope in the letters of the grant calleth him a Catholick Prince Sixtly he Lewis King of France going on foote performing the office of lackeis and houlding the bridel of his horse on the right and lefâ— side Baron tom 12. conducted Pope AlexaÌ„der with great pompe through the Cittie Taciac vnto the riuer of Loir Robert Monten Genebre in Chron. Bale Cent. 2 c. 94. Neubrigen l. 2. c. 14. Thom. Cant. in Ep. ad Henr. 2. Seuenthly Houed p 502. setteth doune the letter of Gilbert Bishop of London to the Pope in which the Bishop writeth that the K. neuer auerted his minde from the Pope nor euer ment it but would loue him as a Father and reuerence the Church of Rome as his mother and had assisted the Pope in all his necessities with all his hart and strength And pag. 550. relateth a letter of Cardinals who writ of the King how obedient he shewed him selfe to the Church of which said they in this our short relation it is not needfull to relate Eightly Fox pag. 227. Cooper An. 1072. and others write that he agreed with the Pope that he should not hinder appeales to Rome and that nether the King nor his sonne should departe from Pope Alexander so long as he should count him or his sonne for Catholicks Bale Cent. 3. cap. 4. saith He permitted Appeals to the Pope and willingly submitted him selfe and his Kingdom to the Popes pleasure And English men came into greater subiection of Antichrist than euer at any tyme before Ninthly he persecuted certain German Hereticks whome Bale Cent. 2. cap 95. calleth Christians and others whome Bale cap. 97. calleth preachers of Gods word And Houed pag. 1573. reporteth that he and the King of France purposed to goe in person against the Albigenses whome Protestants commenly acount brethrem of their Church Finally his death was thus Cùm eger esset saith Houed pag. 654. VVhen he was sick vnto deathe he caused him self to be caried into the Church before the Altar and there he deuoutly receaued the communion of the body blood of our Lord confessing his sinnes And being absolued by the Bishop and Clergie he died And the times of this King were so manifestly Roman Catholick See more of this K. Rom. relig in Baron tom 12. as Fox Acts pag. 224. saith This age was all blinded and corrupted with superstition And yet pag. 225. affordeth it then the name of a Christian Realme that had the word of God And p. 227. noteth the blind and lamentable superstition and ignorance of these dayes Bale Cent. 3. cap. 14. cryeth out that sub Honorio 2. vnder Honorius 2. The life of man was corrupted vpon earth by Antichristian Traditions Saints In this Kings time liued the holy Eremit S. Gudrig Vir saith Cambd. Brit. p. 668. antiqua Christiana simplicitate totus Deo deuotus A man of ancient Christianlie simplicitie wholly deuoted to God Whose holines is described by diuers Capgraue Houed Miracles Anno. 1169. VVestmon Anno. 1171. Neubrigen lib. 2. c. 20. and 28. In his time also liued and died glorious S. Thomas of Canterb. of whose miracles Fox Acts pag. 225. saith he hath seene a booke to the number of 270. of curing all diseases belonging to man or Woman amongst which he nameth one most subiect as he thought by reason of the matter to laughter But who considereth that all the membres of our body were alike created of God may as wel be restored by him again when they are lost and weigheth the testimony which Fox bringeth him self
necessary to the sustenance of their life and liuing in all points according to the doctrine which they set forth Itē King Ethelbert was persuaded by the good example of S. Austin his company and by miracles shewed to be baptized Hereto I might add what diuers Protestants haue written of the great holines of some of S. Austins company who succeeded him in the Archbishoprik of Canterbury But for that we shall haue more conuenient place hereafter Now let vs see what the malice and hatred of some Ministers against Saint Austins doctrine hath caused them to obiect against his person CHAP. VI. Certain slanders imposed vpon Saint Austin disprooued CIcero in his Oration for Roscius saith that as fier falling into water is straight put out so a slander put vpon an innocent man is quickly extinguished Which I doubt not will prooue true in the calumniations obiected against S. Austin The first wherof is cruelty say they in exhorting Ethelfrid a Heathen King of the North against the British Monkes of whome he slew at once aboue 1200. But this is an impudent slander deuised first for any thing that I can finde by Bale who centur 1. capit 70. Bale slandereth S. Austin vpon reports fearfully broached it and therfor referreth it to reports saying Vt ferunt as some reporte But afterward Cent. 13. cap. 1. he confidently auoucheth it After him tooke vp that slander Iuell Defens Apolog. part 5. Abbots in his Answer to Do. Bishop p. 198. Sutclif Subuers c. 3. 7. and others That S. Austin vvas no cause of the death of the British Mōks This false slander is many wayes refuted First because it is auouched without all testimonies of antiquity Bale as I say hauing no one to name before referreth him selfe to vncertain reports if he be not both Author and reporter too Abbots citeth Iuell Sutclif alleageth Thomas Grey a nameles Chronicle which he calleth ould as if they should haue said ask my fellow if I be a theefe Secondly because the Britons albeit enemyes to Saint Austin blamed not him but others for this slaughter as is euident in Galfrid lib. 4. cap. 4. Thirdly because the slanderers of Saint Austin disagree in their tale more than the accusers of Susanna and therfor if Daniel might be iudge these would be condemned as well as they were For some say S. Austin excited King Ethelfrid to this murder others say not Saint Austin but K. Ethelbert his scoller Some say that Ethelfrid made this slaughter others that K. Ethelbert as Grey cited by Sutclif So they agree nether in the Author nor Actor of this matter Fourthly because as Beda testifieth lib. 2. c. 2. Saint Austin was long before that slaughter taken out of this life to the Kingdom of heauen and no way caused it but rather forwarned the Britons therof by prophecie But it came to passe saith Beda by the secret working of Gods iudgement vpon that vnfaithfull and naughty people And the same testifie our best Historiographers both Catholicks and Protestants Namely Malmesbury lib. 3. Reg. pag. 325 Hunting lib. 3. Florent an 603. Westmon an 603. Sigebert an 602. 615. Stow Chron. pag. 66. Godwin in the life of Saint Austin Fox Acts pagina 119. where he writeth that Saint Austin forspoke the destruction and by report of others was dead before it hapned 2. To this Sutclif cap. 7. cit answereth Sutclif feigneth corruption in S. Beda that those words of Saint Beda touching Saint Austins death before the slaughter are added by some forger First because after this war Saint Austin ordained Iustus and Mellitus Bishops as Beda saith he reporteth Secondly because they are not in the Saxon Translation of Beda made by King Alfred Thirdly because the Chronicle of Peterbrough and Flores Histor testifye that Saint Austin dyed three yeares after this execution Confuted But this surmise of forgerie in Saint Beda his Latin History is altogeather incredible both because all Latin copies in which language Saint Beda wrote haue the sayd words and impossible it is that ether one forger should corrupt all the copies in Christendome or that in all Christēdome men would agoe to corrupt Beda in that place and in no other And also because till Sutclif no man suspected any such forgerie Finally because as it shall appeare anon by true Chronologie of tyme Saint Austin was indeed dead befor the slaughter And no little presumption therof it is that the Britons who layd the blame therof on King Ethelbert Saint Austins scoller would soner haue layd the blame therof on Saint Austin himselfe who threatfully saith Saint Beda prophecied it if he had bene aliue as King Ethelbert was when it chauced But little will he maruell to hear Sutclife to suspect Saint Beda as corrupted who considereth how many and how vndoubted bookes of Fathers in his Challeng he had reiected as ether forged or corrupted Vsuall vvith Sutclif to say Authors are forged as Saint Athanas de vita Antonij Saint Hierom de vita Pauli Hilarionis S. Gregories Dialogues Saint Ambrose de Viduis many others Which kinde of shift at it is most vsuall with Sutclif so in the eye of any wise man it is most desperat As for his proofes the first is a manifest vntruth Sutc. belieth S. Beda For Saint Beda reporteth not that S. Austin ordained Bishops after the said slaughter of the British Monkes but onely talketh of the slaughter before he speaketh of the ordination The cause wherof was because hauing tould of Saint Austins prophecie of the Britons destruction which prophecie was before he ordained Bishops to shew that it was a true prophecie addeth that after it hapened as S. Austin had fortould and how long after he soone after declareth to wit long after S. Austins death Sutclifs second proofe I greatly suspect to be a forgerie of his owne But how so euer that be ther is nether reasō that he should vrge nor that we should beleeue one translation before all originalls Originals to be beleeued before trāslations many before one For who would not think that that trāslation were defectiue in that place rather than that all Originalls had more than they should As for the Chronicle of Peterbrough and Flores Histor wee might take iust exception against them as hauing past through the corrupt fingering of diuers Protestants but who are they to oppose against so many cited before to the contrary especially seeing that Flores Histor cleareth Saint Austin from this slaughter and attribueth it to Prophecie And besides his Chronologie as Godwin in the Bishops of York pag. 442. a Protestant confesseth is very vncertain VVhē the British Monks vvere slaine in this point is very false For as Sigebert in Chron. and Bale him self Cent. 1. cap. 74. reporteth out of Masseus the slaughter was done an 615. At what tyme as all writers agree S. Laurence was Archbishop and Saint Austin dead VVhen S. Austin died
wife to king Egelreld Began his reign An. 1040. ruled two years He shewed faith Malm. l. 2. c. 12. exceeding great pitty of minde towardes his brother S. Edmund the Confessor Rom. religion of K. Hardi Canute His Roman religion appeareth both by his Father because as testifyeth Registrum BurineÌ„se Dedit S. Edmundo libertatem King S. Edward Confessor XXXI Vertues of K. Edvvard CoÌ„fessor 20. IN the yeare 1042. Edward Confessor sonne to the forsaid king Egelred began his reign and reigned 24. yeares He was saith Malmsb. lib. 2. cap. 13. deuout vnto God and therfore directed by him whilst he reigned all thing at home and abroad were quiet and calme He slew by his Captaines Machetat king of Scotts and put another in his place brought wales into the forme of a Prouince vnder England Illud celeberime fertur c. That is most famously reported that he neuer toucht any womans chastitie And Florent An. 1066. calleth him Decus Anglorum The honor of Englishmen But who will see more of his vertues may read his life written by a most ancient and graue Author in Surio Tom. 1. This only I will not omit that to him did God first giue the vertue of curing the kings euil and the crampe from whome all our Princes since haue receaued it Fox lib. 3. pag. 164. and Cooper An. 1043. say that he was a man of gentle and soft spirit The like Cambd. in Brit. p. 330. Bal. Cent. 2. cap. 12. Stovv pag. 121. neuer delt with his wife fleshlie guided the Kingdom with much wisdome and iustice from vvhome issued as out of a fountain much godlinesse pitty liberalitie tovvards the poore gentlenes and iustice tovvards all men and in all honest life he gaue a a vertuous example to his people Bal. supra And pag. 16. calleth him vertuous and blessâ—d King Cooper pag. 1065. addeth That he purged the ould lavves and piked out of them certain vvhich vvere most profitable for the Commons To these high praises Stow Chron. 122. adioyneth that God greatly glorifyed him in his life by wonderfull signes The religion of K. Edvvard Confes. and cured the kings euil Now let vs see what the religion of this great and holy king was First he vowed to God that if he got the crowne he would go to Rome on Pilgrimage Westmon An. 1049. Ealred in vita Edwardi Secondly when his people would not suffer him to leaue the Land for fear of the Danes inuasion he demanded dispensation and obtained it of Pope Nicholas 2. Nichol. in ep ad Edwardum Ealred in vita Thirdly sent two Abbots to a Concell held at Rhemes by Pope Leo Florent and Houed Anno. 1050. Fourthly he built the Monastery of Westminster principally for the loue saith Camb. in Brit. pag. 376. of the cheefe Apostle whome he honored with a speciall peculier affection Fiftly whiles he was at Masse God reuealed vnto him the drowning of the K. of Denmarke which intended to inuade England Houed An. 1066. Ealred in vit Sixtly Pope Nicol. writing to him thanketh God that King Edward had loue to S. Peter and with vs he consented in all the Apostolicall Decrees and therin absolued him from his vow Westminster from all Episcopall iurisdiction and saith that to him and his successors we commit the aduousion and tuition of all the Churches of England that in any place yow may determine by the Counsell of the Bishops and Abbots what things be iust and right Whervpon Bale l. cit saith That sub Nicolao 2. facti sunt Anglorum Reges c. vnder Pope Nicolas 2. the Kings of EnglaÌ„d were made the Popes Vicars SeueÌ„tly writing to the Pope He professeth the Popes supremacie In which as ProtestaÌ„ts say the essence of a Papist coÌ„sisteth in these plain words To the cheefe Father of the vniuersall Church Nicolas Edward by the grace of God K. of England due obedieÌ„ce Ealred in vit And in his lawes in Fox pag. 166. appointed that a King shall sweare vpon the Euangelists and blessed reliques of Saints that he will maintain the holy Church with all integrity And so manifest it is that this K. our Country in his time were Roman Catholicks as Syr Edward Cook the Kings Attorney in F. Garnets Arainment which since is printed openlie called the time of Edward Confessor Henrie 1. Edward 1. Richard 2. Henrie 4 and â— the verie midnight of Poperie That times of England most florishing vvhich Protest confesse to haue bene Papistical which were in truth the most florishing times that euer England saw For what King haue we in vertue comparable to King Edward Confessor in wisdome to King Henrie the first in valour and victories to King Edward the first the Conqueror of Scotland and Henrie 4. of England and Henrie the fift Conqueror of France King Herold XXXII 21. THe 32. and last King of the Saxons was King Herold who tooke the crown An. 1066. and held it not one yeare Valour of K. Herold He was saith Cooper An. 1066. valiant and hardie Florent An. 1066. saith he was left successor by Saint Edward and chosen of all the nobles of England and crowned of Aldred Archb. of yorke began to put down vniust lawes to set vp iust to become a Patron of Monasteries to honor and reuerence Bishops Abbots Monks and Clerkes to shew him selfe pious humble and affable to hate malefactors and to labour by sea and Land for defence of his Countrie he ouerthrew the king of Norway in a great battel but was sone after himselfe slayne and England coÌ„quered in a ruefull battel in Sussex by William Duke of Normandy and after king of England His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is manifest both by what hath bene said of king Edward and because as Cambd. hath in Brit pag. 384. VValtham Monasterie he founded in the honor of the holie Crosse where he made his vowes for victorie against the Normans Westmon An. 1066. saith orauit ante crucem He prayed before the Crosse Thus yow see the Roman Catholicke religion deduced not only fom all our Christian kings for the 200. yeares vnto the Monarchie but also from the monarchie all the Saxons time vnto the conquest therof by the Normans for the space of 266. yeares in which time two of the said Kings haue bene Saints to wit Saint Edward martyr and Saint Edward Confessor Three haue gon on Pilgrimage to Rome namely king Ethelwolph king Alfred the great and king Canut To whome we may ad king Burdred and king Edward Confessor who would haue gon Two kings daughters Saints namely S. Edburga daughter to king Edward and S. Editha daughter to king Edgar And if we will know why God permitted our Contry to be subdued of strangers It was saith Malmsb. lib. 3. in Guilielmo 1. because the studies of learning and religion had decayed Not a fewe yeares before the Normans coming the Clergie could scarce stamer out
see in Malmsb. 1. Pont. pag. 217. 219. it argueth not that he thought he might do so lawfully any more than that he might be as Fox termeth him pag. 1092. a piller and rauiner rather of Church goods or as Godwin in the life of S. Anselme termeth him the most Sacrilegious Simonest that euer reigned in England In so much as Hunting and Paris say An. 1100. when he dyed he had in his hands one Archbishoprick two Bishopricks 12. Abbeies as Stow saith pag. 183. said he would haue all the spirituall liuings in the whole Realme And Malmsb. lib. 4. addeth that he encoraged the Iewes to dispute with the Christians swearing that if they ouercame he would be of their religion Other horrible Villanies of his report Hunt Paris l. cit and others more which declare that he little cared to break Gods or the Churches lawes but conuince no more but that he was an ill Christian and an ill Catholick for life Saints in K. Rufus time In this Kings tyme dyed S. Wulstan Bishop of Worceter whome Godwin calleth Saint and confesseth that men had a great esteeme of him for his streitnes of life and opinion of holines And of other Authors of that tyme he is much commended Marian Cistertian order 〈◊〉 founded by an English man Florent Chron. Malmsb. 1. Pont. And his life is to be seene in Surius Tom. 1. In this Kings time also S. Stephan Harding an Englishman founded the order of Cistertian or white Monks as Bale Cent. 2. cap. 63. Fox Acts pag. 185. Malmsb. lib. 4. Reg. pag. 127. and others write Malmsb. termeth him The cheefe Author of the whole fact and especiall ornament of our dayes In this kings time died also the forsaid Saint Osmund Bishop of Salsburie the Author of that manner of saying masse Breuiarie and administring Sacraments which is called the vse of Sarum King Henrie I. XXXV 4. THe 35. Christian king was Henrie 1. yongest sonne to William Conqueror and borne in England began his Reign An. 1100. and reigned 35. yeares For his knowledg saith Fox lib. 4. p. 191. and science in the 7. liberall sciences he was Sirnamed Beuclerck Valour and qualities of K. Henrie 1. Cooper and Stow An. 1101. say he was a noble valiant Prince mightie of body of comly visage plesant sweete countenance excellent in vvit eloquence had good hap in battel The like write Catholicks of him As for his religion it is euident to be Roman Catholicke His Rom. Religion Fiâ—st because his Archb. was S. Anselm to whose piety he ascribed his conquest of Normandie Ediner in vit Anselm Secondly because he built a Church at Dunstable and by the authority of Eugenius 3. Pope saith Cambd. in Brit. p. 350. placed there Canons regulers Paris p. 98 and VValsing p. 38. name foure Monasteries which hâ— built Thirdly because as Stow saith p 204. Atholph Prior of S. Oswald was his Confessor Fourthly he yeelded vp the Inuestiture of Bishops Fox 194. Malmsb. 5. Reg p. 152. Florent VVestmon An. 1107. Houed 1108. Fiftly saith Paris p. 96. Houed An. 113â— Malmsb. lib. hist nouel lib. 1. Pope Innocent the second was most honorably entertained of him and by his help was admitted through all France Sixtlie Fox p. 192. setteth downe this letter of his to Pope Pascall To the venerable Father Pascall cheefe Bishop Henry by the grace of God K. health I greatly reioice with you at your promotion the See of the Roman Church requesting that the freindship which was betwixt my Father your Predecessors may also continew betwexne vs firme sure And at the same time saith Fox pag. 193. he sent another letter to the said Pope crauing of him his pal for Gerard Archb. of Yorke the forme wherof here followeth K. Henrie 1. Professeth the P. to be vniuersal P. To his reuerend and beloued Father Pascall Vniuersall Pope Henry by the grace of God king of England endeth thus I pray our Lord long preserue your Apostleship Ibid. Fox writeth that this kings Embasador said to the Pope that England of a long continuance had euer bene a prouince peculier to the Church of Rome and paid duely vnto the same yearely tribute Finally in this kings time the Cistertian Monsts entred into England Fox Acts p. 185. Cistertian monks enter into England Bale Centur. 2. c. 63. And in his last sicknes as the Archb. of Roan writeth to Pope Innocent in Malmsb. hist Nouel l. 1. Manner of King Henries death he confessed his sinnes was absolued and receaued the body and blood of our Lord with great deuotion lastly at his own request was aneyled And the Kings Attorney in the arainment of F. Garnet calleth this Kings time the very midnight of Popery S. Cutberts bodie found incorrupt In this Kings time say Florent Houed An. 1104. was the Shrine of S. Cutbert opened by Raph Abbot after Archb. of Canterb. found incorrupt in the presence of Prince AlexaÌ„der after K. of Scotland many more Saints See Saint Anselmes miracles in malb 1. Pont. p 216. 229. In his time died S. Anselm before spokeÌ„ of Thomas Archb. of York who when the phisitians tould him that he must ether vse the company of a woman or die he made choise of death Archb. Thom. vvould rather die than vse the companie of a vvoman For which Godwin in his life accounteth him a martyr though a little before he had said that Saint Oswald in debarring Priests from marriage had set forth the droctrine of Diuels King Stephan XXXVI 5. THe 36. Christian king of England was Stephan grandchild by a daughter vnto the Conqueror Valour of King Stephen He was crowned An. 1135. and reigned 19. yeares He vvas saith Malmsb. lib. 1. Hist Nouel Diligent and stout in war of an immoderat mind prompt to enterprise any hard thing to his enemies inexorable affable to all men Westmon An. 154. A notable souldier and in courage excelling The like hath Hunt l. 8. Cooper Anno 1136. And Stow p. 206. saith he was a noble man and passing hardie of passing comlie fauour and personage in all princelie vertues he excelled as in Martiall policie affabilitie gentlenes and bountifull liberalitie towards all His Rom. Religion His Roman religion is cleare First because his brother Henry Bishop of Winchester was in his time Legat to the Pope Hunting l. 8. Malmsbur hist Nouell Secondly because Stow saith pag. 215. He founded the Abbeis of Coxall in Essex of Furnis in Lankashier of Feuersham in kent Fox pag. 201. Cambd pag 682. 388. a Nonry at Carew an other at Higham Thirdly because being to giue battel on Candlemas day he heard Masse saith Hunting lib. 8. and the candle which he offered broke and the Pix in which the body of Christ was put fell downe vpon the Altar which were taken for aboadments of the losse of the batell Fourthly because in this Kings time