he gather'd into a Flock the remainder of those who had been Converted by St. Joseph of Arimathaea and his Companions consirming them in the same Faith. This St. Marcellus was afterwards ordain'd Bishop of Tongres and Triers these two Cities being govern'd at that time by one Bishop In the Annals of which Church we read That Lucius King of Britain was made a Christian and Baptiz'd by this Marcellus a Teacher of the Inhabitants of Triers Yet there are more Authentick Testimonies demonstrating That he was Baptiz'd by Fugatius and Damianus sent by Pope Eleutherius This Holy Bishop Marcellus was the first Britain who suffer'd Martyrdom out of this Island as St. Alban was the first who suffer'd within it his Sufferings were in a great Persecution rais'd by Marcus Aurelius the Successor of Antoninus Together with Marcellus there came from Rome another Illustrious Saint of Noble Birth and Plentiful Fortunes which yet he relinquish'd that with the more freedom he might Preach Christ Crucify'd This Timotheus was the Son of Pudens a Roman Senator and of his Wife suppos'd to be the famous Claudia the British Lady forespoken of He was also Brother of Novatus as also of S. Pudentiana and Praxedes whose memories are Anniversarily celebrated by the Catholick Church His coming hither is a considerable proof that his Mother was a Britain It may be collected out of the Ecclesiastical Offices that Pudentiana a Virgin with her Sister Praxedes the Daughters of Pudens practising the Duties of Christian Religion with admirable Piety Sold her Patrimony and distributed to the Poor the Money thence arising giving her self wholly to Fasting and Prayer by her Zeal and endeavours her whole Family consisting of 96. persons was Converted to the Faith and Baptiz'd by Pope Pius And the publick Sacrifices being forbidden by Antoninus the Holy Pope Celebrated the Divine Mysteries with other Christians in the House of Pudentiana who afforded those Holy Persons all necessary Sustenance and being thus imploy'd in such Offices of Piety she dy'd the 14th of the Calends of June in the year of our Lord 161. and was bury'd in the Coemetery of Priscilla in the Salarian way Her Brother Novatus dy'd the year following concerning whose Death there is a Letter yet extant from Pastor a Holy Priest from Rome to Timotheus then imploy'd in his Apostolick Office in Britain signifying unto him That the venerable Virgin Praxedes was in great affliction for the death of her Sister Pudentiana Pope Pius and many Honourable Christians came to comfort her and amongst the rest her Brother Novatus who about two months after he departed from his Sister Praxedes fell sick and was forthwith visited by the Holy Pope and Praxedes as also by other godly persons to his great Comfort That Novatus in the presence of those persons declar'd his Will and bequeath'd all his Estate to Timotheus and Praxedes and shortly after departed in the Lord. And by this Letter Pastor desir'd To know of Timotheus how he would have the Estate of his Brother Novatus dispos'd to the end that what the said Timotheus directed might be observ'd therein To which Letter Timotheus is said to give this Pious Answer Persum'd with Christian Charity wherein after a Salutation savouring of the Holy simplicity of that Age and desire to be recommended to the Memory and Intercession of the Holy Apostles the Prelate of the Apostolick See and all Saints he signifies his desire That what ever share was given to him by his Brother Novatus should be at the dispose of his Holy Sister Praxedes and the Holy Priest Pastor to whom he return'd his Answer Which was after shown to Pope Pius who gave thanks to the Father Almighty and after at the request of Praxedes Dedicated a Church in the Baths of Novatus at Rome in the Bricklayers-street where the Holy Pope also constituted a Roman Title and consecrated a Font for Baptism Those Titles were for the most part signify'd by Crosses and were first in the nature of particular Parishes by Pope Evaristus assign'd to the cure of particular Priests The Bathes which are here nam'd from Novatus have elsewere their denomination from Timotheus and were scituated upon the mountain called Viminal And in Truth the Christians privately resorted to this place for the celebration of their Divine Mysteries before any Church was Solemnly Consecrated there as may be found in the Acts of Justin the Philosopher who calls it the Timothean Bath The same year that Novatus dy'd the Emperour Antoninus ended his Life after him succeeded Marcus Aurelius and Lucius Verus joyntly governing the Empire with equal Authority In the second year of these Emperours dy'd the Holy Virgin Praxedes the particulars of whose death are recorded by Pastor in this manner Two years and 18 days after this Church was Dedicated there was a great Persecution rais'd against Christians to enforce them to Worship Idols and many were Crown'd with Martyrdom Now the Holy Virgin Praxedes fervent in the Holy Ghost secretly conceal'd many good Christians in the said Title or Church whose bodies she strengthen'd with Food and their minds with Exhortations proceeding from Gods spirit Insomuch as notice was given to Aurelius that Christian Assemblies were made in her House he then sent his Officers thither who laid hold on Symitrius a Priest and 22 persons more all which the Cruel Emperour commanded to be put to Death in the same Title without any Examination their Bodies Praxedes took by night and bury'd in the Coemetery of Priscilla but soon after afflicted for the suffering of the Saints with many Groans she Pray'd that she might pass out of this Life her Prayers found access unto our Lord Jesus for in the 44th day after the Martyrdom of the fore-mention'd Saints she went unto the Lord and Pastor the Priest bury'd her Body in her Fathers Coemetery of Priscilla upon the Salarian-way This Persecution was begun at the Instigation of Heathen Philosophers especially of the beastly Cynicks particularly of Crescence that infamous Wretch mention'd with indignation by Justin Martyr Thus much is deliver'd concerning the Holy Children of Pudens the Roman Senator in the Acts of whom our Nation had an Interest partly in regard their Mother was a British Lady and that Timotheus was their Brother who exercis'd his Apostolick Office in this Island and no doubt had a great influence in disposing the mind of King Lucius towards the Christian Faith of Timotheus little more is written saving that after the Death of his Sister Praxedes he return'd to Rome where he became a Prey to those Sensual Philosophers and ended his Life by Martyrdom with his worthy Companion Marcus as appears by an Epistle of Pope Pius wherein amongst other things he declares S. Timotheus and Marcus to have ended their Lives by a Happy Conflict And he concludes his Letter to the Bishop unto whom it was directed thus Take care dear Brother that thou follow these Saints in imitating their zeal and freeing thy self from the Chains
the place where the sick Saint lay was preserv'd for the flames as if afraid to touch him flew quite over his lodging though on each side of it they rag'd with violence but left it untouch'd The multitude seeing this rejoyc'd and were well pleas'd that their Labours and Endeavours had been over-master'd by Divine Power Whilst this Holy man lay there he was watch'd and attended by a numberless multitude some seeking Health for their Souls some for there Bodies The wonderful Miracles which our Lord wrought by his Servant were so many they can scarce be re-counted he being infirm himself gave Health and Strength to others neither would he suffer any remedy to be apply'd to his Infirmity but on a certain night he saw a person standing before him in White Garments who stretching forth his Hand seem'd to raise him up from his Couch commanding him to stand firmly after which his pain pass'd away and his strength was so restor'd that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey At this time the Picts and Saxons with joynt Forces made War upon the Britains who were therefore drawn together in a Body but being distrustful of their Ability to resist such Powerful Enemies they humbly implore the assistance of these Godly Bishops which they chearfully promis'd and hastening into the British Army so encreas'd the Courage and Resolution of the Britains as if a new Army had been joyn'd unto them so as our Lord himself by the Ministery of these his Captains seem'd to be General of the Army It was now the Holy time of Lent which the presence of these Holy Bishops caus'd to be observ'd with the greater Devotion and their daily Preaching invited many to partake of the Sacrament of Baptism A Church was thereupon prepar'd against the Solemnity of Easter and though the place was no other then open Fields yet it was ordered as if it had been in a City The Army went in Procession moisten'd with the waters of Baptism and being inslam'd with the fervour of Holy Faith they contemn'd the Guard of outward Weapons and expected a more sure Protection from Heaven This Posture of the British Army came to the Enemies knowledge who not doubting of Victory against Unarm'd People with great chearfulness hast'ned to set upon them The Britains had notice of their march and as soon as the Solemn Feast of our Lords Resurrection was past the greater part of the Army being newly Baptiz'd betook themselves to theirs Arms and prepar'd for Battle St. German being their General he made choice of a Band of Light Arm'd men and takes a view of the Country round about observing also a Valley compass'd with Mountains directly in the Enemies way he leads part of the Army into that Valley The fierce Enemies approaching and being discover'd by those who lay in Ambush St. German their Leader gave order to all his Soldiers That with loud clamour they should repeat the words by him pronounc'd And immediately while the Enemies thought to fall on presuming they had not been discover'd the Holy Bishop three times cry'd out aloud Allelujah whereupon the rest of the Army with one voice Thundred out likewise Allelujah the noise whereof was Terrible multiply'd and increas'd by the Eccho from the Mountains round about The sound alone of this Sacred Word suffic'd to terrify the Enemies Army which fell a trembling as if not the Rocks only but Heaven it self had fallen on their Heads insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight in all haste casting away their Weapons and glad to escape with their Naked Bodies Great numbers of them in their Head-long flight were swallow'd up by a River through which a little before they had march'd with confidence and leasure enough The main body of the British Army without striking one stroak was a chearful Spectator of the Vengeance of Almighty God to whom only they gave the Glory of the Victory The Holy Bishops indeed Triumph'd to see the Enemies defeated without Blood-shed they Triumph'd for a Victory obtain'd not by Arms but Faith only And having thus every way settled this Rich Island in Security both from the Pelagians and Saxons they prepar'd themselves for their return to the great Grief of the whole Nation The place of this unbloody Battle is said to be a Town call'd Mold in Flintshire where is a Field call'd from St. German in the British Tongue Maesgarmon there is also the little River Alen which runs hard by wherein probably the Picts and Saxons were drown'd besides the place being near the Sea it lay fit to set on board the Saxon Armies St. Gregory the great in expounding the words of Job makes mention of this Allelujah resounded thus by the Britains The Blessings conferr'd on this Island were in some degree recompens'd by their safe and prosperous return which they are said to have ascrib'd to the Intercession of our Tutelar Saint and Protomartyr Alban Their absence from home and residence here in Britain was little more than the space of a year in which time many wonderful things were wrought by them during the time that St. Germanus remain'd in Britain St. Patrick then 68 years of Age inseparably adher'd to him having learn'd from him many instructions in Christian Doctrine and Discipline and receiv'd many examples of Virtue and Piety for imitation By him likewise he was encourag'd to undertake the Conversion of the Irish Nation but with all admonish'd To expect a Commission from the See of Rome to execute that Apostolick Office. For which purpose he accompanied St. Germanus to Gaul from whence the next year he went to Rome being desirous to have his Journey into Ireland confirm'd by Authority from Pope Caelestinus St. Patrick took with him a Priest nam'd Sergetius a Devout Servant of our Lord as a Companion in his Travels when he came to Rome he committed himself to the Praebends of the Roman Church to be the more perfectly instructed in their Institutes He repair'd also to the Holy Pope Caelestinus and humbly casting himself at his feet besought him To employ his care for the Conversion of the Pagan Irish Nation The Petition was very acceptable to the Pope who chang'd this Holy mans Name from Magonius to Patricius as Prophecying That he should be the Father of many Souls His Name thus chang'd he was promoted to Episcopal Dignity and then directed to his Voyage into Ireland St. Patrick himself in one of his Epistles transcrib'd out of a Copy in the Abby of Glastonbury which Epistle is mention'd here before makes all this clear Together with the Episcopal degree the Pope bestow'd on St. Patrick 12 years Indulgence He was accompanied in his Legation with 20 Eminent Persons for his assistance one of which was Sergetius before mention'd He diverted in his return to his Instructor St. Germanus from whose Liberality he receiv'd Chalices Priestly Vestments and store of Books with many other things proper for his Ministery
Monk held a Councel in a place from thence call'd Augustine's Oak and as Antiently Theophilus Assembled a Synod in the Cause of Athanasius in a place call'd Ad Quercum at the Oak Now whereas in this Synod were Assembled many great Saints and Holy Bishops the Lights of the British Churches as St. Dubritius St. Daniel St. David St. Telian and St. Paulin of whom some mention hath been made already it will not be amiss here to subjoyn a summary of their respective Gests least if they should be set down particularly there would be such intermixture as might perhaps confound the Readers memory especially considering the wonderful length of time which most of them liv'd Concerning St. Daniel enough hath been said We shall here begin with St. Dubritius who was born in the Province of the Demetae or West-wales Sir-nam'd he was Guainius from the River Guain near which he was born his Fathers Name is not mention'd but his Mother was call'd Euedyla a Woman of wonderful Virtue and Piety during his Childhood he was committed to the care of Teachers to be instructed in Learning suitable to that Age In his riper years he made such Progress in Science that very many not only among the Ignorant but the more skilful also repair'd to him for Instructions Amongst which were St. Thelian St Sampson St. Aidan and others He made choice of a place near the River Vaga proper to receive the great number of Scholars which came to him and there directed their Studies In the same place having built a Church by the direction of an Angel he there taught the People and by imposing his Hands Cur'd frequently the Sick of divers Infirmities so that they which came to him Feeble and full of Anguish return'd Joyful and in Perfect Health He was taken from his Imployment of Teaching by St. German in his second Voyage to Britain and with the consent of King Mauricus and all the Clergy Consecrated Bishop of Llandaff as hath been said in the year of Grace 436. by which account since he out-liv'd the said Synod of Brevi it is plain the length of his Life was wonderful for at that time he had been a Bishop more then 80 years In the year 492. Aurelius Ambrosius coming to the Mountains of Ambri near to Caer Carec now Salisbury where the British Princes Trayterously Murder'd by Hengist lay appointed Pastors to two Metropolitan Churches granting York to the Illustrious St. Sampson and Caerleon to Dubritius the latter vacant by the Death of Threminius Geoffry of Monmouth adds That he was Primate of Britain and Legate of the Apostolick See Which Dignity it seems was annexed to that Church by St. German from the Authority which in his Mission hither he receiv'd from Rome In the year 516 He Solemnly Crown'd King Arthur after which being very Aged as hath been said he relinquish'd his See and retir'd into the Isle of Berdsey to prepare for his Death from which repose notwithstanding his Zeal to the Catholick Faith drew him to the Synod of Brevy St. David being his Successor as aforesaid Three years after full of Sanctity and Age he gave up his Soul into the Hands of his Creatour in the said Isle of Berdsey where among a multitude of Saints he chose his place of Burial and there his Sacred Body repos'd until the year of Grace 1120. at which time it was translated from thence with great Honour by Vrbanus Bishop of Landaff and bury'd in the Cathedral Church on the North-side of the Altar of our Blessed Lady At which time the whole Country of Glamorgan was afflicted with a great Drougth no Rain having there fallen for many Weeks but when these Holy Relicks were translated great store of Rain sell to the comfort of the Inhabitants One of the most Illustrious Disciples of St. Dubritius was St. Thelian descended of a Noble British Family what-ever the Centuriatours of Magdeburg have malignantly wrote of him From his Infancy he was addicted to Devotion Prayer and contempt of Secular Pleasures and being come to his riper Age he was for his Wisdom and Piety Sir-nam'd Helias because with his Doctrine he Enlightn'd the Hearts of the Faithful as the Sun doth the World. He was instructed in the Holy Scriptures by St. Dubritius 'till he was enabled to clear the most difficult places therein Then having heard the fame of a certain wise man call'd Paulinus he went to him to confer with him of the most abstruse Misteries of Gods Word by this means he contracted Friendship with St. David a man of great Perfection in Sanctity insomuch as their Hearts were so firmly knit together by Charity and the Grace of Gods Holy Spirit that in all things they had but one Will When St. Dubritius was translated from Landaff to the Metropolitan Church of Caerleon St. Thalian succeeded him in Landaff wherein he sate many years For it is said he dy'd not until the coming of St. Augustine into Britain by whom his Successor St. Oudoceus was Consecrated When a certain Infection call'd the Yellow Plague infested Britain raging against Men and Beasts by Divine Admonition he departed into a far Country accompany'd with many Disciples where he abode 'till by the same Authority he was re-call'd Neither did he cease day or night by daily Prayer and Fasting to Pacifie Gods Wrath and then gathering together all his Devout Companions return'd and all his Life after exercis'd Supreme Jurisdiction over all the Churches in the Western Britain He dy'd at last being replenish'd with all Virtues in a good Old Age. Many Miracles are recorded to be done by him both before and after his Death One of them only which Bishop Godwin thought not fit to pass over is this After he was dead the Inhabitants of three several places contended earnestly which of them should enjoy his Body Those of Penualum where his Ancestors had been Buried those of Lantelio vaur where he dy'd and those of Landaff among whom he had been Bishop When therefore no agreement could be made amongst them there appear'd presently three Bodies so like to one another that three Eggs resemble not more perfectly Whereupon each of those People took one of them and so ended the Controversy But by frequent Miracles at his Tomb in Landaff it appear'd that the Inhabitants thereof possess'd the true Body Now whereas mention is made of Paulinus said to be Instructer to Thelian and who sent for St. David to the Synod of Brevi His true Name seems to be Paulens of whom we find it thus written That St. David as soon as he was promoted to Priesthood went to Paulens a Disciple of St. German and that in a certain Island he led a Holy Life acceptable to God and that St. David liv'd with him many years and follow'd his Instructions Paulens at last by extream pains in his Eyes lost the use of them Whereupon calling his Disciples together he desir'd that one after another they would look upon
numbers of Devout men to embrace a Caenobitical Life Of this Bishop Nennion we read in the Life of St. Finanus That he having been in his Childhood instructed by St. Coleman was afterward recommended to the care of Nennion when he came into Ireland and return'd with Nennion into Scotland and there Learn'd of him the Rules of a Monastical Life at his See call'd the great Monastery Finanus there also studied the Holy Scriptures and by invoking the Name of Christ is said to have wrought many Miracles And having been thus instructed by Nennion he took a Journey to the See Apostolick there to supply his defects in saving knowledge seven years he continu'd at Rome daily advancing in Sacred Science and then ascended to the degree of Priesthood This Nennion in probability was one of those who interceded with King Arthur and about the same time that St. Finanus liv'd under his Discipline I shall pass by the Death of Guenevera King Arthur's Wife and his second Marriage with great Solemnities at the sametime with the Prodigious Victories ascrib'd to him by some of our Writers in Forreign parts and proceed to other transactions more probable occurring in his time In the year 527. two new Kingdoms were Erected in Britain without any disturbance from King Arthur in the Eastern Provinces of Norfolk Suffolk and Cambridgeshire the Kingdom of the East-Angles was Establish'd and in Midlesex and Essex the Kingdom of the East-Saxons Which of these Kingdoms were first Erected is uncertain but both without doubt much about the same time The first King of the East-Saxons is believ'd to be Erkenwin the Son of Offa and the Kingdom of the East-Angles is thought to begin under Vffa from whom the succeeding Kings were Antiently call'd Vffings The year following the Isle of Wight by the Britains call'd Guith which signifies a divorce or renting asunder and by the Saxons Witland was Conquer'd by King Cerdic and given to his Nephews Stuffa and Whitgar But while Cerdic busied himself about the Invasion of the Isle of Wight St. David Bishop of Menevia Assembled a Provincial Synod call'd the Synod of Victory wherein all the Clergy of Wales or Cambria met together and confirm'd the former Decrees of the Synod of Brevy and added new ones for the Churches benefit from which two Synods all the Churches of Cambria receiv'd their Ecclesiastical Orders which also were confirm'd by the Authority of the Roman Church These Decrees were committed to Writing with his own hand and reserv'd in his own Church the Copies thereof being communicated to other Churches in that Province all which with many other Treasures of that Noble Library furnish'd by him have been lost partly by Age and Negligence but principally by the Incursions of Pirats who from the Isles of Orkney every Summer us'd to waste the Sea-Coasts of Cambria This loss indeed is to be deplor'd since by those Records we might have perfectly understood the state of the British Churches However we are assur'd that those Churches were regulated according to the Roman and practic'd the same both in Doctrine and Discipline and consequently that St. Augustine sent after to Convert the Saxons brought no Novelties with him since St. Gregory who sent him was exalted to St. Peter's Chair not above 60 years after this Synod It is written in the Life of St. Kined That when St. David had publish'd his Edicts for assembling this Vniversal Councel of Cambria he humbly invited St. Kined to it who excus'd his not coming in regard that for his sins he was become distorted and crooked in his Body and was besides unable to undertake such a Journey Whereupon it is said that St. Kined by the Prayers of St. David was restor'd to Heath and straightness and by his own Prayers reduc'd again to his Infirmity and Crookedness Whether this were so or no certain it is that this St. Kined fill'd Britain with the fame of his Sanctity He liv'd a Solitary Anachoretical Life in the Province now call'd Glamorganshire probably in the same place where yet remains a Chappel call'd St. Keneth's Chappel left as a Monument of his Sanctity as Cambden witnesses The Celebrating this Synod is the last publick Action we find recorded of St. David He would not accept of Metropolitical Jurisdiction but upon condition that he might transfer the See from Caerleon to Menevia a place of Remoteness and Solitude and in the Neighbourhood of many Saints and Religious Persons in the Islands and Territory adjoyning and therefore most acceptable to him Which Translation was approv'd by King Arthur and the Synod not then dissolv'd This Menevia is seated in the Province of the Dimetae now Pembrokeshire adjoyning to the most remote Province of Britain where the Soyl is Stony and Barren neither Cloathed with Wood nor interlac'd with Rivers nor adorn'd with Meadows but expos'd to the Sun and Windes yet with this Penury the Antient Saints and Bishops were best contented accounting the remoteness from Worldly Tumults and noise to recompense sufficiently all such Incommodities This Menevia or as the Britains call'd it Menew was in memory of this Holy Bishop nam'd by the Converted Saxons David Minster and by the Britains Twy Davy that is David's House and at this day St. Davids The Bishop whereof was for many Ages the Metropolitan of Cambria but at length became subject to Canterbury Notwithstanding the Inhabitants of Wales since the Norman Conquest commenc'd a Suit against the Arch-bishop of Canterbury for their former Right and Independance but the Cause was judg'd against them The Pastoral care and Zeal of St. David in maintaining the Catholick Faith against Heresies especially against Pelagianism and Ecclesiastical Discipline against Vices and Disorders was signally approv'd and manifested in the Synod of Victory Assembled by him ten years after his Consecration Neither was this his Pastoral care confin'd to his own Province but extended it self abroad also even to Ireland from whence he was often visited and consulted by Devout men In those days it was a frequent custom amongst the Irish-men to go in Pilgrimage and their Devotion was to visit the Monuments of the Apostles in Rome Amongst the rest one Barro an Abbot in the Province of Cork went thither and in his return pass'd by Menevia where he staid for the accommodation of a Ship and Wind. And indeed it was the practice of Devout Irish-men either in their going or returning to seek the Conversation of the Holy Bishop David whose Name like a precious fragrant Oyntment was spread all abroad It appears by Bishop Vsher's Catalogue that Irish Saints were to be sorted into several Orders according to the times wherein they liv'd The first Order Was of such as liv'd either Contemporaries with St. Patrick or presently after him The second Order Contain'd such Saints as liv'd about this Age such as were St. Finanus call'd by the Irish Fin and by the Britains Gain or Win St. Brendon c. It is said the Saints of
Writings of Theodoret against St. Cyril since St. Cyril himself and the Councel of Chalcedon had requir'd no other satisfaction from him but only to pronounce Anathema against Nestorius which he did And as for the Epistle of Ibas no discussion should be made of it after the Council of Chalcedon This Constitutum the Emperor contrary to his Promise reserv'd to himself but withall acquainted the Synod with Vigilius his mind concerning the Tria Capitula which he had often-times both by words and writing express'd the Synod proceeded to a condemnation of them complaining withal That the Pope would not afford his presence to them After this definition of the Bishops in the Council the Pope being in extream Anguish because he saw how the Western Bishops would be offended and that the Scandal would be the greater because the Emperor had not sent his Constitutum to the Council utterly refus'd his Consent or Approbation of their Definition for which refusal he was by the Emperour sent into Banishment with other Bishops His Banishment continu'd not long for six months after the Synods Definition Vigilius sent a Decretal Epistle to Entychius Successor to Menas in which he condemn'd the Tria Capitula and profess'd Communion with all those who embracing the four Councils of the Church had condemn'd the same meaning thereby the last Council which he would not Name This Decree of Vigilius was by the Graecians referr'd among the Acts of the Council by virtue whereof it became a Lawful Oecumenical Council This end being given to this unnecessary Controversy all the Western Churches excepting only the Bishops of Istria Venice and Liguria consented to it But these Churches being under the Dominion of the Longobardi broke into an open Schism which continu'd till the time of St. Gregory the Great Besides them we find no other Church unsatisfy'd except Ireland only To the Bishop whereof St. Gregory a year before St. Kentigern's Journey to Rome wrote an Epistle in Answer to one of theirs who had charg'd the Roman See with injuring the Councel of Chalcedon by condemning the Tria Capitula But St. Gregory inform'd them That this Controversy did not at all touch the Faith of the Church but the Persons only of two or three Bishops That the Authority of the Council of Chalcedon was entire both with those who oppugned and those who defended the Tria Capitula and therefore none could have just cause to make a rent in the Church upon so trifling a quarrel This answer of the Pope's seems to give satisfaction to the Irish for several Epistles afterwards past from him to them as unanimous Brethren instructing them touching the Rites in Baptism and whether it were to be administred to those who return'd from the Nestorian Heresie c. This Controversy was hotly agitated when St. Kentigern went to Rome and perhaps it might be a considerable motive of his Journey especially in regard an Irish Bishop call'd Albanus went thither at the same time And although the British Churches are no where taxed for partaking with those who were divided from the Roman See yet it might well become the Zeal of so Holy a Bishop as St. Kentigern to inform himself truly of the state of such a Controversy as hath been therefore the more at large set down The man of God St. Kentigern after his return from Rome being worn away with Age for he was 85 years old had his Nerves so dissolv'd that he was forc'd to sustain his Jaws by tying a linnen Ribbon about his Head which came under his Chin that with the less trouble he might pronounce his Words This dissolution of his Nerves was promis'd him a little before his Death to the end that since his whole Life had been a continual Martyrdom by the good pleasure of our Lord his Death might be milder and easier then that of other men ordinarily At length calling together his Disciples he earnestly exhorted them To continue their observance of the Duties of their Holy Religion their mutual Charity Peace Hospitality their diligence in Reading and Prayer He bequeath'd to them earnest and efficacious Precepts firmly to obey the Decrees of the Holy Fathers and constitutions of the Holy Roman Church After which exhortation he departed to our Lord. The Fame of his Sanctity soon after his Death was every where spread by a World of Miracles as many Authors relate Constantine before-mention'd being dead or remov'd Aurelius Conanus his Nephew a Young man of extraordinary worth and well deserving the Crown as some report succeeded him His only fault was that he was given to Civil Contentions He cast into Prison his Uncle to whom the Crown of Right belong'd and Murder'd two of his Sons who stood in his way to the Kingdom which Ambition and Cruelty perhaps occasion'd some of our Historians to charge him with the Murder of Constantine his Predecessor Gildas also accuses him of many horrid Crimes for which he denounces to him a short reign and endless miseries Matthew of Westminster allows him 30 years rule but true Chronology not above four in the third whereof while the British Provinces consum'd themselves in Civil Contentions a new and Powerful Kingdom of the Saxons was establish'd in the Northern parts call'd the Kingdom of Northumbers in this manner Hengist in the beginning of his reign in Kent sent his Brother Otha into those Northern parts with his Son Ebusa men of great Courage Experience and Nobility as deriving their Descent from Woden who had three Sons Weldege Withlege and Beldege from the Eldest descended the Kings of Kent from the Second the Kings of the Mercians and from the Third the Kings of the West-Saxons and Northumbers whose first King Ida reckon'd himself the Tenth from Woden Now Otha and Ebussa the first Saxons which brought an Army into those Northern parts fought many Battles with the Inhabitants and having Conquer'd those which resisted them took the rest into their Protection notwithstanding they and their Successors for many years contented themselves with the Titles of Governours or Dukes acknowledging a Submission unto and Dependance upon the Kings of Kent but in the 99th year after their first arrival they assum'd the Title and Dignity of Kings the first of which was call'd Ida others affirm that the Region of Northumbers was divided into two parts That which was more Northern extending it self from the Bay of Edinburgh to the Picts Wall inhabited by the Bernicians the other reaching from the Picts Wall to the River Humber was held by the Deiri so that the whole Kingdom of the Northumbers Antiently contain'd the Provinces of the Picts Laudon Northumberland Cumberland Westmorland Durham York and Lancaster This may appear by the Lives of several Saints said to have liv'd in the Kingdom of the Northumbrians This Division is said to have been made by Ida who leaving his Son to govern the Deiri fix'd his own habitation among the Bernicians Aurelius Conanus dying in the fourth year of his
reign Vortipor Prince of the Dimetae succeeded him By Gildas he is Styl'd A Tyrant who in his Old Age ascended the Throne by Civil Discords being a wicked Son of a good Prince defil'd by many Parricides and Adulteries who thinking to rid himself of his Lawful Wife wallow'd in Lust with her Impudent Daughter and thereupon he exhorts him by a timely Repentance to avert Gods Judgements His reign likewise lasting only four years his Throne was Invaded by Malgo Conanus or Maglocunus a Prince no less Vicious than his Predecessor for he is said to have Murder'd his Uncle Prince of Venedocia call'd Catwallain with the greatest part of his Nobility This is the same Maglocunus who afforded to St. Kentigern a place for a Church and Monastery and after being tormented with a remorse for his Parricides he relinquish'd the World and retir'd into a Monastery where he undertook a Monastical Profession But the Sparks of Ambition thus cover'd broke forth again into a flame so that quitting his Solitude he return'd to all his former Crimes and became an Insular Dragon depressing other Tyrants and by strengthning himself with their Power became the greatest Tyrant In the second year of his reign a great Battle was Fought between the Britains and Kenric King of the West-Saxons near Sorbiodunum or Salisbury in which Combat after much Blood-shed the Britains were at last forc'd to fly Four years after the Britains Thirsting to avenge themselves of this Defeat gather'd together all their best Forces against whom Cenric with his Son Ceaulin March'd The Armies met in the Province of the Dobuni or Oxfordshire at Banbury The Britains divided their Armies into nine Bodies three of which they placed in the Front three in the midst and three in the Reer The Saxons though inferior in numbers yet exceeded them in Stature and Length and Fought all in one Body The Combat was Bloody continuing till night doubtful it was which had the better After which many Battles past between them wherein for the most part the Victory fell to the West-Saxons while the Britains and Saxons contended in the West the Picts beyond the Frith of Edinburgh made Bridius their King who was Nephew to Loth their former King. In the ninth year of Bridius St. Columba came out of Ireland into Britain being the year of Grace 565. The year following dy'd the Tyrant Maglocunus after whom Careticus took upon him to sustain the State of Britain every day more and more falling to ruine but with ill success for besides that God had fix'd a Period to that State this Prince prov'd no better than his Predecessors but like them stain'd with all Vices Gildas seems to give a shameful Character to several Princes by his manner of writing most of them seem to have reign'd in several Provinces at the same time For besides this Bridius he directs the point of his sharp Style against one nam'd Lunegasla by interpretation the Yellow Lyon whom he accuses of all sorts of Crimes Impiety against God and Savage Cruelty to his Subjects repudiating his Lawful Wife and violating his Sister who after Widdowhood had vow'd Chastity to God and by many injuries afflicting Holy men and Priests who ceas'd not to offer up their Sighs and Prayers for him Gildas therefore exhorts him To change his Life that he might reap the benefit of their Prayers who had Power to bind in Heaven what they had bound in this World and to loose such as were Penitent Now by the Impieties of these Princes the Reader may observe the Justice of Gods severity against so wicked a Nation from which he took the Spiritual Kingdom of Christ and bestow'd it upon a People which brought forth better fruits Yet out of this Dung-hill of Vices some Pearls were to be gather'd for here we find the Wise Gildas commending a perpetual vow of Chastity made not only by Virgins but by Widdows also the infringing of which Vow he bitterly inveighs against and acknowledgeth in Gods Priests a Power of retaining and absolving Sinners not by way of Declaration only but of Authority and Jurisdiction also In the year 559. dy'd Ida King of the Northumbrians to whom succeeded his Son Alla whose Empire extended both over the Deiri and Bernicians yet were there in some of those Provinces British Princes who call'd themselves Kings though in Dependance on him Such as Morken King of the Cumbrians which Dependant Princes had upon Treaty a promissive Authority in their peculiar Provinces This Age affords an example of the Zeal and Authority of a Holy Bishop exercis'd Synodically and of a Princes Devout submission to this Authority The Bishops name was St. Oudoceus Son of Anaumeda Sister of St. Thelian and Budit a Prince of Little Britain This Saint Oudoceus from his Infancy was addicted to Piety assiduous in Fasting Watching and Prayer for an everlasting reward In Devotion he Visited the Monuments of St. Peter at Rome and at his return he went to the place of St. David and from thence he diverted to the Church of St. Thelian taking with him certain Relicks which during his Pilgrimages he had obtain'd Afterward he succeeded St. Thelian in the Bishoprick of Landaff imitating him in his Doctrine Virtue and Miracles As for the Prince submitting to the Authority of this Holy man his Name was Mouric Son of Theodoric Prince of Glamorganshire who being weary of Worldly Vanities undertook a Monastical Profession and served Almighty God in Solitude having transferr'd his Principality on his Son Mouric into which he was no sooner enter'd but the Saxons broke into his Country and began to waste it Whereupon the Inhabitants repair'd to their former Prince Theoderic whom they even compell'd to quit his Desart and to be their General in the War He full of Divine Courage encounter'd the Infidel Enemies whom he put to flight at Tintern near the River Vaga But having receiv'd a Mortal Wound in the Combat he return'd homeward and 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 Sepulchre for himself And so not having pass'd five Miles at a place where Vaga and Severn met he gave up his Spirit There did his Son Mouric Erect a Church wherein he laid his Fathers Body whom Posterity Venerated as a Saint calling the place from his Name Merther Tendric at this day more contractedly Merthern In the same place is seated saith Bishop Godwin the House and Possessions of the Bishop of Landaff Adding That Mouric first of his own accord gave to that Church a Farm call'd Mochros lying on the Banks of the River Vaga together with the Porthasseg and the Church of Gurvid And after for the expiation of a Murder committed by him on a person call'd Cynetu contrary to a League by Oath contracted between them he added other Possessions He had two Sons Arthruis and Frior and by Arthruis a Grand-child call'd Morcant This is
on her Hengist commands a Magnificent Feast to be provided for the Entertainment of his newly arriv'd Soldiers to which the King is Invited He appoints his Daughter to perform the Office of Cup-bearer to the King that he might surfeit his Eyes with her Beauty The design took effect for the King being a Slave to Beauty was presently wounded with the Gracefulness of the Maids looks and the Elegancy of her Gestures nourishing in his mind a hope to enjoy her Without delay he demands her for his Wife The Crafty Father pretends such a Marriage would be too mean for so great a Prince but with great importunity yields his unwilling willing consent to reward which and for a Dowry to his Daughter the King gives him the whole Province of Kent some writers say This Feast and Marriage were Celebrated at Thong-Castle where Rowena was instructed by her Father to Drink a Health to Vortigern after the German manner However certain it is that besides the infinite Damage to the Kingdom by Alienating so considerable a Member as Kent so convenient for the harbouring of new Forces this Marriage was in a high degree Pernicious because the King had another Wife and for that being a Christian he had joyn'd himself to a Pagan Idolatress Presently after this unhappy Marriage the Voyage and Martyrdom of St. Vrsula and her Companions happ'ned whose Heroical Constancy might help to wipe out that stain which the Lust of this King had cast upon the Nation Hengist having thus Prostituted his Daughter to the King who Prostituted his Country to Hengist the Saxons began to swell with ambitious Thoughts and knowing the Nation generaily dis-approv'd the Kings Marriage and cooled in Affection and Duty to him began to pick quarrels with him and contemn'd him for his Vices They therefore sought occasions of War against the Britains whom God had ordain'd to be punish'd for their Crimes so that Hengist boldly requir'd of his Son-in-Law the King a more Plentiful supply of Provisions otherwise he would renounce the League between them and lay waste the whole Island which Threats were presently attended with dismall Effects For the Saxons entring a League with the Picts gather'd an innumerable Army which without resistance spoil'd the whole Country Thus a flame kindled by the hands of these Pagans prov'd a just revenge of the Crimes of this Nation which Crimes were the less Pardonable because committed by those who profess'd themselves the People of the True God No wonder was it that the Saxons met with so little resistance seeing the Kings Marriage with an Infidel Lady his Divorce from his Lawful Queen and the delivering up so considerable a part of his Kingdom to Strangers had rais'd high Discontents against him among his Subjects However by common consent they besought him to take Pity on his Country ready to Perish at least not to neglect his Faith and the Church of God in danger to be destroy'd by Heathen Miscreants which if it should happen by his default and that the Diabolical Worship of Idols should prevail against Gods true Religion it would be punish'd by his own and his Peoples Eternal Misery The Bishops and Clergy repeated these Admonitions to him but all in vain wherefore Vortigern became deserted of all his Subjects and the Nobility by unanimous consent rais'd into his Throne his Son Vortimer No writers affirm that Vortigern was Depos'd but Deserted by his Subjects as a Prince given up to his Pleasures and therefore incapable to resist the Ambitious Designs of Hengist against whom the whole Nation was resolv'd to joyn all their Forces to expel him out of the Kingdom Vortimer was an earnest Incendiary of the War against these Saxons being resolv'd to endure their Boldness and Ambition no longer And for this reason most of the Britains follow'd him not that the Nobles depriv'd Vortigern of his Royal Authority or Created Vortimer King as a late Calvinistical Writer insinuates However this Change could not but work Divisions in the Kingdom for Vortigern for the space of sixteen years having had possession of the Kingdom could not want some Adherents to take his part so as those Divisions could not but give too great advantage to the Progress of the Ambitious Saxons Vortimer being thus exalted either as Associate with his Father in the Throne or as General of the British Forces hasten'd to give proof of his Country-mens good advice in their Election of him and taking notice of the Craft and Ambition of the Saxons study'd how to drive them out of the Nation vehemently urging his Father to attempt it so that an Army was soon rais'd this happ'ned the seventh year after their first entrance Great preparations were made on both sides at last they came to a Battle which was fought in the Fields of Eglestirpe now call'd Alesford a Town in Kent wash'd by the River Medway On the Britains side were three chief Captains who led each a third part of the Army Ambrosius Aurelianus led the first Division Vortimer the second and Catigern a younger Brother of Vortimer led the third The Saxon Army was Conducted by Hengist and Horsa In the beginning of the Battle Horsa set upon the Army of Catigern with such Vigour that it was disperss'd like Dust before the Wind and Catigern the Kings Son was slain but his Brother Vortimer a Prince of admirable Courage falling side-ways into Horsa's Squadrons routed them and kill'd Horsa the most Valorous of the Saxons the remainder of his Forces fled to Hengist who then was Fighting with Invincible Courage against Ambrosius so as the whole weight of the Combate lay upon Hengist who being Assaulted and brought into great straits by the Accession of Vortimer's Forces after he had a good while sustain'd the impression of the whole British Army was at last overcome and compell'd to fly which he had never done before Yet this Victory cost the Britains dear for great numbers of them were slain nay some Authors affirm That Hengist obtain'd the Victory The Body of Horsa was Buried at a place not far from the Battle in memory of him call'd Horstead Catigern's Body is suppos'd to have been Buried at Aylsford by the Saxons call'd Eglesford by the Britains Saisseneag-Haibail because the Saxons were there overcome To testifie which Victory there still remain four great Stones standing upright after the manner of Stonehenge in Wiltshire which from Catigern are vulgarly and imperfectly call'd Keith-cotyhouse Horsa thus dead the Saxons exalted Hengist to the Title of the King of Kent The same year he is reported to have Fought three Battles against the Britains but being unable to resist the Valour of Vortimer he was forc'd to retire into the Isle of Thanet where he was daily Assaulted with British Ships At last the Saxons leaving their Wives and Children in Thanet return'd to Germany to call in greater Forces The year after dy'd the Glorious King Vortimer the fourth year after he was assum'd to the Participation of
the Regal Authority Some Writers affirm He dy'd a Natural Death others say He dy'd by Poison administred to him by his Mother-in-Law Rowena into whose mind the Devil suggested to cause a Servant of his to give him Poison which he having drunk and perceiving the approach of Death he divided his Treasures among his Soldiers earnestly exhorting them to Fight Couragiously for their Country Moreover He commanded a Pyramid of Brass to be made and plac'd in the Haven where the Saxons usually landed upon which Pyramid his Body should be laid that the Enemies seeing the Body of so Valorous a Prince might be frighted back into their own Country More probable it is that he intended his Statue should be plac'd on the Pyramid for being a Christian Prince he was Decently and Solemnly Buried after the Christian manner And it is said He was Buried in the City of the Trinobantes now London and with him was Buried the Crown and Glory of the British Nation Beside his Courage he is said to be Eminent in other Virtues especially Piety and some say In his War against the Saxons he bore in his Ensign the Image of our Lord Jesus Christ To which Devotion of his we may impute his Victories or at least to his Pious and Charitable care in restoring the Churches destroy'd by the Saxons The year after Vortimer's death Hengist return'd out of Germany with greater Forces and took a firmer possession of his Kentish Kingdom and for the better Establishment of his Family therein joyn'd his Son Aesca with him in the Regal Power To oppose them the Britains invade his Country with a great Army consisting of four great Bodies Conducted by four Valiant Captains but when the Conflict was begun at Creganford the Britains found themselves too weak for the Saxons which were new Recruited with great numbers of chosen Robustious Soldiers who with their Swords and Battle-Axes cleft asunder the Bodies of the Britains Yet did they not give ground till their four Captains were slain but afterwards were so terrified that they fled as far as London and never after had the Courage to bring an Army into Kent again so that Hengist and his Son quietly enjoy'd that Kingdom fixing their Palace at Canterbury Thus began this new Kingdom of Kent in the eighth year after the Arrival of the Saxons in Britain It is not probable that this exalting of Vortimer was any Deposal of his Father for Vortimer being Dead his Father continu'd King and for a while gave proof of his Courage in repressing the Ambition and Violence of Hengist though after he return'd to his former Licentious Slothfulness Now during these Wars Hengist is recorded to have exercis'd extream Cruelty in all places where his Armies came and especially in Kent against Priests and Holy Virgins great numbers of which he caus'd to be Massacred Demolishing Churches and Profaning Altars Among the Victims of his Barbarous Cruelty the memory of Voadinus Arch-Bishop of London only remains in our English Martyrology who being a man of great Sanctity reprov'd Vortigern for repudiating his Lawful Wife and Marrying an Infidel which so inflam'd Hengist with rage that he commanded the Holy Bishop with many other Priests and Religious men to be slain Gildas declares That great numbers of Bishops and Priests were Massacred by this Saxon King And St. Bede relates more particularly the Rapines Cruelties and Devastations of this Impious King wherewith he miserably fill'd the whole Island The year of Grace 461. is noted with an Act of most Perfidious Cruelty perpetrated by this Barbarous Prince His Ambition was not satisfied with the Kingdom of Kent so as he resolv'd to enlarge his bounds in Britain by any means and finding that by exercise of War the British Courage increas'd he therefore turn'd his Thoughts to invent some Stratagem for the compassing his Designes He insinuates himself into the minds of Vortigern and his Nobility as if he were desirous of Peace and Amity with them which if they would grant he would turn his Arms against the Picts and Scots and drive them out of the Island quickly did he obtain belief from the easy Nature of Vortigern whereupon a meeting is appointed between the Britains and Saxons with this caution that each King should be attended with 300 only and those un-arm'd and at this meeting they were to treat of the Conditions of Peace The place appointed for this Fatal Assembly was a Plain near Sorbiodunum or Old Salisbury a City seated in the Province of the Belgae wherein remains a Monument of a Dire Tragedy for both sides being met a great Feast was prepar'd for the Britains at which the Articles of Agreement were to be ratified by mutual Promises and Oaths Towards the end of this Feast when they were dissolv'd in Wine Hengist on a suddain call'd aloud To Arms which was the Watch-word agreed among the Saxons who immediately drew out short Swords conceal'd under their Cloathes and quickly slew their Un-arm'd Guests the Britains Howbeit which is remarkable Eldol the Valiant Consul or Governour of Glocester snatching up a stake by Chance lying near with it slew seventy of the Treacherous Saxons A Monument of this Barbarous Tragedy not long after rais'd by the Britains continues to this day and is Vulgarly call'd Stone-henge Upon Salisbury-Plain where in a space of ground compass'd with a Ditch are placed as in a three-fold Crown Stones of an incredible vastness some of them 28 foot in hight and 7 in breadth over many of which other great Stones are plac'd a-cross Cambden believes That this Monument was rais'd in memory of this Treachery by Ambrosius Aurelianus or his Brother Vterpendragon by the help and Art of Merlin the famous Magician though others deliver that it was a Magnificent Sepulcher rais'd for Ambrosius himself slain near this place from whom the Town of Ambresbury-not far distant took its Name In this Slaughter the Saxons took Vortigern Prisoner and the year following bound him with Chains threatning Death unless he would deliver up 38 of his Cities and Strong-holds Vortigern to save his Life quickly yielded to their demands which being confirm'd by Oath they gave him his Liberty And first they seiz'd upon the City of London then York and Lincoln and then Winchester All which adjoyning Provinces they wasted killing the Inhabitants They Levell'd with the ground all Churches and Buildings belonging to Ecclesiastical Persons kill'd the Priests near the Altars burn'd all Books of Holy Scripture and heap'd Earth on the Sepulchres of Martyrs Religious men to escape their fury were sain to fly into Desarts Woods and Rocks carrying with them the Relicks of Saints And as for Vortigern seeing this horrible destruction he retir'd into the North part of Wales and there inclos'd himself in a Town call'd Genorium Now the three Provinces with which Vortigern redeem'd his Life are with more probability express'd by Malmsburiensis in this manner Of old saith he the Eastern and Southern Saxons with the
that Prince Mouric and this the Crime against which Bishop Oudoceus exercis'd his Spiritual Authority as appears by the Acts of a Synod of Landaff lately rescu'd from Darkness and Worms by our diligent Antiquary Sir Henry Spelman where is declar'd by that Synod assembled by St. Oudoceus third Bishop of Landaff That in the year of Grace 560. Mouric King of Glamorgan for his Perfidious Murdering of Cynetu was Excommunicated King Mauric and Cynetu met together at Landaff and in the presence of St. Oudoceus Swore before the Relicks of Saints there before them that they would observe a firm Peace between them some space after this Solemn Oath King Mauric by Treachery slew Cynetu Whereupon Bishop Oudoceus call'd together all Ecclesiasticks from the mouth of Taratyrenguy to Tivy together with three Abbots Cousen Abbot of the Valley of Garben Cargen Abbot of Ildute and Sulgen Abbot of Docquini and in a full Synod did Excommunicate King Mouric for the Murder by him committed and for Perjury in transgressing the Covenant made in his presence and on the Altar of St. Peter the Apostle and of St. Dubritius and St. Thelian moreover inclining the Crosses toward the ground he interdicted the Countries of Mauric and so dismiss'd the King The Christian Communion also Curs'd the King with his Progeny the whole Synod confirming it saying Let his days be few his Children Orphans and his Wife a Widdow The King remaining with his whole Region the space of two years and more thus Excommunicated After being sensible of the Perdition of his own Soul and the damnation of his whole Kingdom he could no longer sustain so dreadful an Excommunication but humbly beg'd Pardon at Landaff of Bishop Oudoceus who therefore in the presence of three Abbots impos'd on him the yoak of Pennance proportionable to the quality and hainousness of his Crimes the King all the while humbly inclining his Head and shedding Tears abundantly His Pennance was to satisfie God By Fasting Prayers and Alms King Mauric undertook the yoak of Pennance and for the Redemption of his own Soul and the Soul of Cynetu he gave to the Church of Landaff and the Bishops thereof four Villages with their entire liberty free from all service forever with Common through his Country for the Inhabitants of those Villages in all Fields Woods Pastures and Waters These four Villages contain 24 Modii of Land The first is call'd Kirgracnauc the second Nantavo the third a Village beyond Kadava where Cynetu was slain the fourth a Village beyond Nadava call'd Gudberdh This was the form of the first Synod of Landaff out of which we may collect much of the Religion and Discipline of that Age The same Bishop Oudoceus for very like causes Assembled two Synods more extant in Sir Henry Spelman the occasions whereof and proceedings wherein here briefly follow King Morcant and his Vncle Frioc in the presence of St. Oudoceus and the three fore-nam'd Abbots at the Poduim or Church of St. Ildutus took their Oaths at the Holy Altar on which were placed the Relicks of Saints That they would observe Peace and Amity together without any guile adding That if either of them should Kill or commit Treachery against the other he should not redeem his Crime by Money or Lands but should be oblig'd to quit his Kingdom and spend his whole Life in Forreign Pilgrimages A good while after which Covenant made Morcant by the instigation of the Devil slew his Vncle but soon after came to the Holy Bishop Oudoceus and humbly crav'd Pardon for his Homicide and Perjury The Bishop thereupon Assembled a Synod at the Monastery of the Vale of Carban to which came all the Clergy and King Morcant also with the principal persons of Glamorganshire The Synod unwilling to be depriv'd of their Natural Lord gave judgement that the King should redeem his Pilgrimage with Alms Prayers and Fasting which Pennance the King laying his Hands on the four Gospels and Relicks of Saints undertook to perform promising withall that ever after he would in all things mercifully execute Justice The Pennance finish'd and the King restor'd to Christian Communion he presently proclaim'd the Churches of Catoc Ildut and Docunni free from all Regal Service Thus was the second Synod The third was Assembled many years after upon this occasion A certain British Prince nam'd Guidnerth in a Contention for the Principality slew his Brother Mercheen for which he was Excommunicated by St. Oudoceus in a full Synod in testimony of which Excommunication the Crosses were taken down and the Cimbals were turn'd thus he remain'd excluded from Christian Communion for the space of three years at the end of which demanding Pardon he was sent into the lesser Britain to St. Sampson Arch-Bishop of Dole from him to receive judgement and suitable Pennance This was done partly because of the great Amity between these Bishops but chiefly because the same Language being spoken in both Countries he would the more freely discover his fault and require Indulgence for the same This Voyage was undertaken by Guidnerth who having obtain'd Absolution he return'd with Letters Seal'd by St. Sampson before the year was ended but because he had not according to his Injunction remain'd a whole year in Exile the Bishop would not take off his Excommunication presently after St. Oudoceus dy'd to whom Berthguin succeeded in the Bishoprick of Landaff To him King Morcant and Guidnerth made an carnest request to take off the said Excommunication and to raise again from the Earth the Crosses and Cimbals with the Holy Relicks Whereupon after a promise made by Guidnerth to make satisfaction for his Crime by Fasting Prayers and Alms he was at last with great Devotion and many Tears shed Absolv'd by the Bishop After which Guidnerth to testifie his Gratitude gave to the Church of Landaff these Lands Lanu Catigual and Tye with all the Woods and Sea-coasts c. Bishop Godwin affirms this third Synod to be Celebrated by another Bishop of Landaff and that Guidnerth the Fratricide gave Lancadwallader now call'd Bishton or Bishopston to the Church of Landaff Which Mannor he saith is the only Mannor that is left to that See. The Author of the Life of St. Oudoceus relates That he quitted his Pastoral Cure and built a Monastery near the River Weye and there Assembling a great multitude of Brethren spent the remainder of his Life which lasted many years in wonderful Abstinence and Sanctity So as it may seem this third Synod was not held in his days We often have had occasion to draw Testimonies from our famous Historian Gildas Sir-named Badonicus and Sapiens call'd also the Younger Gildas to distinguish him from Gildas Albanius before-mention'd Now because we are come beyond the times of those Princes who have been painted out by him in their foul colours it will be necessary to say what may be found of this our Younger Gildas By his own Testimony he was born in the same year when the great Battle was