Synodall Letters c. The Subscriptions c. 8.9 10. Iohn a Roman Abbot present there His vertues In his return he dyes in France 1. WHilst these things were agitated at Rome the Roman Abbot Iohn Arch-Cantour or the Church there of S. Peter being now in Brittany and commissioned to explore the Faith of the English Churches and give an account thereof to the See Apostolick diligently executed his commission By his suggestion no doubt it was that this same year as Saint Beda testifies the Holy Arch-bishop Theodore being informed that the Faith of the Church of Constantinople was much disturbed by the Heresy of Eutyches and desirous to preserve the English Churches committed to his care free from that contagion he assembled a Synod of Venerable Bishops and very many learned men in which he diligently inquired what the Beleif of each person was after which enquiry he found amongst them an unanimous agreement in the Orthodoxe Catholick Faith 1. This Synod saith he was held in a place called Heatfeild But there being severall places in Brittany of the same name he leaves it uncertain in what Province it was Most probable it is that it was the same which at this day is called Bishops-hatfeild in Hertfordshire so called rather from this Synod there held then as Camden would because it belongs to the iurisdiction of the Bishop of Ely 3. The Synodall Letters dictated by S. Theodore Archrbishop of Canterbury who presided therein were according to the same S. Beda of the tenour following In the name of our Lord and Saviour Iesus Christ In the tenth year of the Raign of our most Religious Lord Egfrid King of the Northumbers on the fifteenth day before the Calends of October and the eighth Indiction and in the sixth year of the raign of Edilred King of the Mercians in the seaventeenth year of the raign of Adulfus King of the East-angles and in the seaventh year of the Raign of Lothair King of Kent Theodore by the Grace of God Arch-bishop of the Isle of Brittany and Citty of Canterbury presiding and the rest of the Bishops of the Isle of Brittany sitting with him the most Holy Gospells being honourably placed among them in a town according to the Saxon tongue named Hedtfeild Wee there after common advice have unanimously declared the true and Orthodox Faith according as our Lord Iesus Christ incarnate delivered to his Disciples who saw him and heard his words and as is contained in the Symbol of the Holy Fathers and generally all Saints Vniversall Synods and particular Orthodox Churches have delivered Wee following these faithfull Guides according to their doctrine divinely inspired doe unanimously beleive and professe according to the Holy Fathers in truth and propriety of speech confessing the Father Son and Holy Ghost the Trinity consubstantiall in Vnity and Vnity in Trinity that is One God in three Subsistences or Persons Consubstantiall of equall glory and honour 4. And after many other speeches added to the like effect which pertain to the Confession of the Orthodox Faith this Holy Synod hath to its common Letters added this Profession Wee receive the five Holy Vniversall Synods of the Blessed Fathers that is of the three hundred and eighteen Bishops assembled at Nicaea against the impious Heretick Arius and his Dogmes and of the hundred and fifty Bishops assembled at Constantinople against the madnes of Macedonius and Eudoxius and their Errours and of the two hundred Bishops mett at Ephesas against the impious Nestorius and his dogmes and of the six hundred and thirty Bishops assembled at Chalcedon against Eutyches and Nestorius and their Dogmes and again they were assembled in the fifth Council at Constantinople in the time of Iustinian the younger against Theodorus Theodoret and the Epistles of Ibas and their dogmes against Cyrill Likewise in the Synod held at Rome in the time of Blessed Pope Martin in the eighth Indiction and ninth year of the Religious Emperour Constantin Wee receive all these and glorify our Lord Iesus Christ as the said Holy Fathers glorified him neither adding any thing nor diminishing from their Decisions Wee with heart and tongue anathematize those whom they have anathematized and we receive those whom they have received glorifying God the Father without beginning and his Only begotten before all ages and the Holy Spirit unexpressibly proceeding from the Father and the Son as the forementioned Holy Apostles Prophets and Doctours have taught And hereto we all subscribe who together with the Arch-bishop Theodore have declared the Catholick Faith 5. Such was the tenour of the Synodall Letters of this Council at Hatfeild but the names of the Bishops subscribing for brevities sake were omitted by S. Beda Yet in the forementioned Saxon Manuscript produced by Sir H. Spelman and translated into Latin we read that the Apostolick Breif touching the Priviledges of the Monastery of Medeshamsted or Peterborough was read publickly in the said Synod and approved there Witnesses whereof by the Authour cited are there mentioned 6. Moreover King Ethelred in the foresaid Synod said I doe immoveably ratify and confirm whatsoever gifts my Brethren Penda and Welfere and my Sisters Kyneburgh and Kineswith have given and by will conferred on S. Peter and this Abbot And my will is that in the Anniversary dayes of their deposition they be commemorated for the good of their soules and mine And this day I my self give to S. Peter and his Church of Medeshamsted the lands here under named with their appurtenances to wit Bredune Hreâ—pingas Cedenac c. These lands I give to S. Peter with the same liberty as I my self now possesse them forbidding my Successours in any thing to prejudice this my Gift And if any shall doe contrary hereto the Anathema of the Pope and all other Bishops fall upon him Of these things all here present are Witnesses I Ethelred doe confirm these things with the sign of the Crosse of Christ. †I Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury am Witnes of this Writing of Meleshamsted and I excommunicate all who so ever shall violate any thing of it and give my benediction to all who observe it ✚ I Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York am witnes and confirm the same with an Anathema †I Saxulf formerly Abbot and now Bishop doe in mine own name and of all my Successours inflict an Anathema against all infringers of this †I Ostritha Queen to King Ethelred confirm this ✚ I Adrian legat decree the same †I Putta Bishop of Rochester have written this †I Waldhere Bishop of London doe ratify this †I Cuthbalâ— Abbot doe so confirm it that whosoever shall violate it may he bear the malediction of all Bishops and of Christians in the world Amen 7. If this Writing be indeed authentick we are to suppose that all the subscriptions were not made at once but successively for certain it is that S Wilfrid was absent during the Session of this Council and therefore subscribed it after this
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
casa 3. Here the Reader may observe that this Bishop was by the confession of these Lutheran Protestants famous for his Sanctity and miracles and withall one who dayly studied the Holy Scriptures Yet he was very devout in giving respect and Veneration to Gods Saints to whose honour he likewise built Churches S. Martin dyed not above thirty years before S. Ninianus ended his life and yet we find a Church built by S. Ninianus and dedicated to S. Martin Yet the same Protestants make sharp invectives against the Roman Church for imitating these Saints magnified by themselves 4. The Example of S. Ninianus was imitated by the Brittish Church neer the same age for when S. Augustin the Monk came into Brittany to convert the Saxons he found saith S. Beda in the Citty of Canterbury a Church dedicated to the honour of S. Martin which had been anciently built in the times when the Romans inhabited this Island 5. S. Ninianus before he dyed divided the Provinces of the Picts into Parishes he ordained Preists there and consecrated Bishops This he did by the authority of the Roman Bishop from whom as hath been related he received his Mâ—ssion 6. As touching the Miracles which God wrought by his servant S. Ninianus although my intention be to be spating in relating such things yet since the foremention'd Lutheran Writers acknowledge this Saint to have been famous for them it may be expedient in this place to record one as followeth 7. In the Region of the Picts saith the Authour of S. Ninianus life there was a certain Prince named Tudwal a proud high-spirited man who contemning the admonitions of this man of God and derogating from his doctrin and life resisted him openly On a certain day having been more then ordinarily troublesome and rude to him God the Supreme heavenly Iudge would not suffer any longer the iniuries offred to his holy Servant to passe unrevenged but strook this proud man with an intolerable pain in his head by the violence of which those lofty eyes of his became utterly blind So that he which had before impugn'd the Light of Divine Truth deservedly lost the light of this world But upon beâ—ter consideration he sent a message to the holy Bishop humbly beseeching him in imitation of our Lords benignity to return to him good for ill and love for hatred The Venerable Bishop hereupon first sharply reprov'd the Prince and then touching him imprinted on his eyes the sign of the Crosse when immediatly his pains ceased his blindnes was dissipated and afterward the Prince highly honoured the Holy Bishop and readily granted whatsoever he ask'd of him 8. As touching the place of his Buriall and Episcopall See call'd Candida casa and by the Saxons Wit-hern Malmsburiensis thus writes of it Candida casa is the name of a place in the confines of England and Scotland where is the sepulcher of the Blessed Confessour Ninias by nation a Brittain who there first preached the Gospel of Christ. That name was given to the place by occasion of a Church which the holy Bishop there built of hew'n stone which to the rude Brittains seemd a wonder This Holy man Ninias is celebrated by Antiquity for his many miracles 9. There is extant in Bishop Vshers Brittish Antiquities an Epistle of our Learned Countreyman Alcuinus not printed among his works wherin he testifies the great fame of the Sanctity and Miracles of this Blessed Bishop It is directed to the Religious Preists then living at Candida Casa And Paschasius Radbertus recounst a Miracle in the same age wherin Alcuinus who attended on the Emperour Charles the Great liv'd which miracle hapned to a devout Preist celebrating Masse at the Saints monument There was a certain Religious Preist saith he nam'd Plegils who frequently solemnis'd Masse at the Body of S. Ninias Bishop and Confessour Who living a vertuous and holy life began frequently to beseech our Lord that he would please to shew visibly to him the nature and verity of the Body and Blood of Christ in the most Blessed Sacrament This Prayer he made not from want of Faith in the truth of the Mystery but meerly out of an affection of devotion and piety Consequently the Authour declares how to his great consolation our Lord appeard to him in the Sacrament in the form of a young child XII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Germanus his second coming into Brittany 6.7.8 He Ordains Bishops here Of Landaff 10.11 He instituts the Vniversity of Oxford 1. THree years after the death of S. Ninianus S. Germanus Bishop of Auxerre was once more invited into Brittany to perfect the good work which he had formerly begun in rooting out the Pelagian Heresy there spreading it self again The relation we must borrow from the same Authour the learned Preist Constantius to whom Baronius gives this Character that he was a Writer of those times of most perfect integrity and sincerity in all things 2. In the mean time says he a Message from Brittany comes declaring that the perversity of the Pelagian Heresy by the impious diligence of a few Authours began to enlarge it self there Hereupon once more the prayers of all are again address'd to S. Germanus that he would maintain the cause of Divine Grace which by his diligence formerly prevayl'd The Holy Bishop made no delay to comply with their petition for his delight was to labour and even spend his strength in the service of Christ. The Devills envy began now to languish as the Holy mans vertues encreas'd neither durst he so much as tempt him whom by experience he knew to be a freind of God 3. There was adjoyn'd to him for his companion Severus Bishop of Triers a person of consummate Sanctity who had long preach'd the word of God to the Nations of Germania Prima In his way he pass'd by Paris where he is received with great joy and acclamations of the people as the presence of so eminent a Saint well deserved 4. In the mean time infernall Spirits flying through the whole Island foretold the return of Saint Germanus being forc'd to doe so against their wills Insomuch as that one nam'd Elaphius a principall person of the countrey without any notice given of the Holy Bishops journey came in hast to meet them He brought with him his Son upon whom from the flower of his youth a lamentable infirmity had seis'd For all his members were withred and the hamm of his leggs so drawn together that by reason of the drynes of his thigh he could not sett his foot to ground Elaphius was attended by almost the whole province which assembled together though no advice had been given them of the Holy Bishops coming By whom assoon as they mett together an Episcopall Benediction was confer'd on the people and the words of Truth preach'd to them S. Germanus perceives that the generality of the people persever'd constant in the doctrin which he had left
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
the Monastery of Coldingham a Virgin of eminent Sanctity received the eternall Reward of her Piety She was daughter of Ethelfrid King of the Northumbers and consecrated to God in perpetuall Virginity by Finan formerly Bishop of Lindesfarn This was done saith the Authour of her life in an age when persons of high birth esteemed their Nobility to consist principally in the humble service of our Lord and that those were most highly exalted who with greatest submission undertook the Crosse of Christ. At that time innumerable Congregations both of men and woemen were sprinkled through the whole Island severally embracing the spirituall warfare of our Lord. Yea somewhere in the same place persons of both Sexes men and Virgins under the government of one spirituall Father or one Spirituall Mother armed with the sword of the Spirit did exercise the combats of Chastity against the Powers of darknes enemies thereto The Institut and practise of these was imitated by S. Ebba who for the love she bore to the Son of God even in the flower of her youth contemned whatsoever was great or desireable in the world She preferred the service of our Lord before secular Nobâ—lity spirituall Poverty before riches and voluntary objection before honours For though descended from Royall parents yet by Faith she overcame the world by vertues beauty and by spirituall Graces her own Sexe 2. At the beginning of her Conversion she by the assistance of her Brother King Oswi built a Monastery near the banks of the River Derwent in the Bishoprick of Durham where now is situated a small Village called Ebbchester so named saith Camden from the Virgin Ebba born of the family of the ancient Kings of the Northumbers who about the year of our Lord six hundred and thirty was so illustrious for her sanctity that by the Roman Church she was Canonized among Saints and very many Churches in this Island were dedicated to her name which are vulgarly called S. Tabbs This Monastery flourish'd till the time of the Danes whose fury as many others did it selt 3. S. Ebba did not long continue in her own Monastery before she was invited to the government of the Monastery of Coldingham seated in a place called by Saint Beda the Citty of Colud There saith the Authour of her life she had the charge of a Congregation of men and woemen which had Cells though divided yet contigiâ—ous to one another who all united in one holy Profession with great ioy and comfort lived under her direction for by an admirable prudence she shewd her self to the Virgins a carefull Mother by the power and efficacy of her admonitions and to the men as it were a Father by her constancy of mind That famous Virgin S. Ethelreda or Ediltrudis as hath been said was a Disciple of this holy Abbesse Ebba submitting her self to the rudiments of so great a Mistresse but afterwards became the glory of the Monastery of consecrated Virgins at Ely And the Blessed Bishop Cuthbert though from his infancy he avoyded the conversation of woemen like the pestilence yet he frequently came to discourse with S. Ebba and would some-times for instruction of the devout Virgins her subjects make some dayes abode in that Monastery 4. At last as we read in her life this holy Virgin Ebba full of all vertues and good works departed this life to her heavenly spouse on the eighth day before the Calends of September in the six hundred eighty and third year of our Lords Incarnation which was four years before the death of the said Holy Bishop S. Cuthbert And her body was with great honour buried in her own Monastery Her memory is worthily celebrated among the Saints in our English Martyrologe on the five and twentieth of August where her death is consigned to about the year of Grace six hundred eighty four XV. CHAP. 1.2 c. The burning of the Monastery of Coldingham and the cause of it foretold by an Angell 1. IT will not be impertinent in this place to adioyn to the Gests of the Holy Abbesse Ebba the relation of a wonderfull calamity which through Gods just judgment befell her Monastery a few years after her death and a warning whereof she herself had in her life-time The cause of which calamity was the relaxation of Discipline in the said Monastery proceeding from the vitious disposition of human Nature not restrained by the vigilance and severity of Superiours The whole matter is at large sett down by S. Beda in the tenour following 2. In those dayes saith he the Monastery of Virgins in the Citty of Colud or Coldingham through a faulty negligence was consumed with flames Which misfortune notwithstanding was indeed to be ascribed to the malice and wickednes of those which inhabited there especially Superiours as all that knew it did observe The divine Piety was not wanting to admonish before-hand those upon whom this judgment was to come to the end that correcting their faults they might like the Ninitives by fasting teares prayers avert from them the wrath of God For there lived in the same Monastery a man of the Scottish Nation whose name was Adamannus who lead a very devout life in continence and prayers insomuch as he never used to take any sustenance but on Sundays and Thursdayes and oftimes spent whose nights in Prayer 3. This so rigorous a mortification was first practised by him out of necessity for the correction of his former wickednes and licentiousnes but in processe of time necessity was turned into custom For in his youth he had committed some very great crime for which afterwards soberly considering he had a most horrible remorse and fearfull expectation of divine judgment Therefore going to a Preist who he hoped might shew him the way of salvation he simply confessed his guilt beseeching him to advise him how he might escape the Divine Vengeance The Preist having heard his Confession said thus to him A great wound requires a great cure Therefore according to thy utmost ability persist constantly in fasting reciting of Psalms and Prayers that thus preventing the face of our Lord in confession thou maâ—sâ— find mercy from him The young man overwhelmed with sorrow and infinitly desirous to be freed from the bonds of his sins thus replyed I am young in years and vigorous 〈◊〉 body so that whatsoever you shall impose upoâ— mee so I may in the end be saved I will chearfully suffer and perform though you should command mee to spend every night wholly in prayers standing all the while and passe the whole week entirely in fasting The Preist told him It is too much to endure a whole week without sustenance it will be sufficient therefore if you continue your Fast for two or three days together Doe this therefore for some time till I see you next and then I will tell you more particularly what you are to doe and how long your pennance is to last Having said
he was ordained the Second Arch-bishop of Vtrecht And having spent sixteen years in preaching the Gospell through Friseland he together with his associats was crowned with Martyrdom In like manner S. Wirâ— a Bishop of the Deiri or rather of Iren that is Ireland and S. Plechelm Bishop of the Church by S. Beda called Candida casa Saint Orger a Deacon with other glorious Preists and Preachers But of these later Missioners wee shall speak more largely in due place for they are mentioned in this place by Marcellâ—â—us onely occasionally 7. Hereto he adds a Summary Narration of the various successes and ends of the Prime Missionners thus proceeding S. Acca returning in England with S. Swibert was by S. Wilfrid consecrated Bishop of Hagulstad and after many years spent in great purity and Holines there rested in our Lord. S. Wigbert as hath been declared was crownd with Martyrdom in Fosteland Saint Willâ—bald going into the Eastern part of France was made Bishop of Eystat S. Winnibald his Brother was ordained Abbot of Heyndelam the Sister of these two Holy men was the devout Virgin Walburgis Lebvin after he was consecrated Bishop was crownd with Martyrdom near Gaunt The two Brethren of the Name Ewald having preached Christ in Nabia and thence going up into Saxony ended their lives with a glorious Martyrdom Saint Werenfrid a Preist and worthy Preacher was sent towards Batua and piously governed the new-converted flock of Christ in Eâ—st and Westerwâ—irt being both in his life death illustrious through many Miracles at Westerwâ—irt happily rendred his Spirit to God on the Ides of September and was miraculously buried at Elst. S. Adelbert a Deacon son of Edilbald King of the Deiri who was Son of S. Oswald King and Martyr having built a Church at Egmond in Holland after the Conversion of many Pagans and glorious consummation of a most holy life happily rested in Christ on the seaventh day before the Calends of Iuly and was buried in Egmond where by his intercession many Miracles are wrought to this day He was an illustrious Confessour and first Arch-deacon of the Church of Vtrecht Thus writes Marcellinus touching his Brethren and devout companions and concerning himself adds these words 8. And I Marcellinus an unproffitable Preist was sent by the foresaid Holy Bishops to the Region beyond the River Isel and at the present have the care over Aldenseel Trent Tuvent Coverdy and Daventry in which places through Gods Providence and blessing I have by preaching gained to our Lord in a manner all the people having purged them from their Superstitious Idolatry As for Saint Willebrord he remained in his Diocese of Vtrecht and with great fervour preached the Gospell of Christ to all the people there about But the rest were dispersed here and there to preach the Word of God and after the Conversion of a world of Pagans happily rested in our Lord. XIV CHAP. 1.2.3 Lawes of King Withred 4. Ostritha Queen of the Mercians murdred 1. THE same year in Brittany there was assembled a Synod also by Withred King of Kent and Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury at Berghansted where many wholesome Laws and Constitutions called The Iudgments of King Withred were enacted for the regulating both the Church and Civill state of that Kingdom 2. Of which Laws the first was That publick Prayers should be made for the King And the following regard severall Heads as the preserving the Peace of the State and Church The punishment of Adultery in severall conditions of men Against irregular Tonsure Forbidding working or travelling on our Lords day and the even before it Against offring any thing to the Devill and giving flesh to ones servant on a Fast-day Concerning the severall ways by which severall conditions of men were to purge themselves the King and Bishops by a simple affirmation without Oathes Preists and Abbots in this Form I speak the truth in Christ I lye not So likewise Deacons Inferiour Clerks with four compurgators laying one hand on the Altar and the other extended to the Oath a stranger without compurgators laying his hand on the Altar So likewise a Thane or Noble man of the King a simple countrey-man with four compurgators and bowing down his head towards the Altar That if any one depending on the Bishop be accused the hearing of the cause belongs to Ecclesiasticall Iurisdiction c. That no compensation shall be made by one who kills a Theife c. And that if a stranger shall privily wander through the countrey and neither crye aloud nor sound with his horn he is to be taken for a theif and either to be killed or banished 3. These Iudgments of King Withred are extant among the Collection of Brittish Councills compiled by Sir Henry Spelman and translated by him into Latin out of Ancient Saxon Manuscript called The Text of Rochester Textus Roffensis to whom the Reader is referred 4. About this time a barbarous Act was committed by the Mercians against their Queen Ostritha or Ostgida Sixteen years before this she had been given by her Brother Egfrid King of the Northumbers a wife to Ethelred King of the Mercians as it were in compensation for the death of his Brother Elwin and to establish a peace between the two Kingdoms And this year saith Huntingdon the Mercians called South-humbers committed a base Villany for they inhumanly murdred Ostrida their Queen Wife to King Edelred and Sister to King Egfrid S. Beda particularly charges the Nobility of those Mercians with that foul crime namely the inhabitants of Lincoln or of Nottingham shire What was the Motive or provocation to this inhuman act does not appear in History XV. CHAP. 1.2 Edfrid succeeds to Eadbert in the See of Lindesfarn 3.4 c. Death of Adamannus the Holy Abbot of Hy he could not perswade his Monks to the Catholick Observance of Easter 6. The Northumbers defeated by the Picts 1. THE year of Grace six hundred ninety eight was the eleaventh after the death of S. Cuthbert in which the Monks in whose Church his sacred Body reposed having hitherto privatly performed veneration to his memory seing the frequent Miracles wrought at his Sepulcher thought fitt to translate his Relicks to some more honourable place and expecting to have found nothing but dry bones they saw his Body as entire yea and his garments as fresh as when they were first layd in the ground Which being certified to his Successour Saint Eadbert he caused New Vestments to be putt upon him and the Body to be raised above the pavement pronouncing withall happines to any to whom God would grant the priviledge to be layd by him Which Priviledge himself obtained this same year for rendring his devout soule to our Lord on the day before the Nones of May his Body was enterred under the Body of S. Cuthbert saith Bishop Godwin And his memory is celebrated not only in the English but Roman Martyrologe also on the sameday