ruine Those who escaped the slaughter he gave for captives to the Brittains who affectionatly ioynd with him But afterwards he thought it more secure to remove those barbarous strangers into Gaule where he dispers'd them into severall Provinces as Amiens Beauvais Troyes and Langres 7. After this Victory it is incredible with what universall ioy Constantius was receiv'd by the Brittains who for the space of almost nine years had been oppress'd by Tyrants suffring all manner of indignities in the violation of their wives and daughters the slavery of their sons and losse of all their subsistence and at last by this Victory were restored to the Roman Government now most acceptable to them under Constantius not only a Prince of great moderation and Clemency but allied to them by his mariage with Helena and affording them a Prince of their own blood 8. Which young Prince Constantin at this time accompanied Diocletian into Egypt where he gave egregious proofs of his excellent disposition For thus writes Paulus Diaconus of him There was with Diocletian in Egypt Constantin the Son of Constantius who being then a very young man shewd illustrious marks of his courage in battells and in his heart also favoured the Christians Whose progresse in all endowments of mind and body Diocletian with envy observed and foreseeing that he would prove the ruine of his Tyranny and a destroyer of his Pagan Errours he had a design by subtilty to take away his life But Almighty God beyond all expectation saved him from the others cruelty and restored him to his Father The Tyrant no doubt knew that he had been from his infancy nourish'd with Christian milk and could not but observe that he lookd on his cruelties against poore Christians with unwilling eyes therfore he detain'd him under strict guards intending probably greater mischief to him 9. It is not here to be omitted that this young Constantin at this time took to wife Minervina of whom he begott his eldest Son Crispus who was twelve years old when his Father married his second wife Fausta Zosimus according to his costum slanderously calls Minervina Constantius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 strumpet or concubine whereas both Eusebius and the Authour of the Panegyrick pronounc'd at his second mariage highly commend him for his chastity in that saith he imitating the continence of his Father he would not admitt into his unstained breast any wandring lusts nor so much as those pleasures which custom allows to youth but was a new miracle a young man uxorious Which encomium could not without extreme and most ridiculous impudence have been spoken at such a time in such an assembly if either Helena had been his Fathers Concubine or Minervina his own XXIV CHAP. 1.2 Persecution ceases in Brittany by Constantius his clemency contrary to the the assertion of Lesley and Hector Boethius 3. S. Nicholas a Brittish Bishop and Martyr 4. No Scots yet in Brittany 1. WHat a happy change the oppress'd Christians in Brittany found in their condition after this Victory of Constantius over the Tyrant Allectus is further declared from the testimony of our ancient Brittish Historian Gildas who says that nine years of persecution being ended they began to repair Churches demolish'd and to build new ones to the honour of Martyrs that they publickly celebrated divine Mysteries and solemne Festivities c. The which is confirmed by Eusebius who says That wheras there were fower persons ioynd in the government of the Roman world Constantius only having entred as it were into a covenant of freindship with God the supreme Governour was utterly averse from the practises of the other three For wheras they wasted the Churches of God and defil'd their Provinces with the blood of innocent Christians shed with utmost cruelty Constantius on the contrary was Authour of most perfect tranquillity to his subjects like an indulgent father allowing them a free pover of exercising the duties of the true Christian Religion without any molestation 2. Which Testimonies so ancient and authentick doe manifestly disprove the assertion of Lesley the Scottish Historian and Hector Boethius who uniustly impute cruelty against Christians to Constantius For thus Hector writes concerning him The fame of Constantius though otherwise a worthy Prince was much tainted with posterity because he imitating Diocletian endeavoured the ruine of Christian Religion Vpon which occasion great numbers of pious Brittish Christians flying the rage of persecutours came to the Scots and Picts The King Crathlintus receiv'd them with great kindnes permitting them to reside in the Isle of Man where having overthrown the Temples of Pagans and exterminated the profane Rites of the Druids which till this time had continued there he built for the reâ—ug'd Christians at his own cost a Church called by the name of our Saviour c. 3. The Scottish Writers likewise about this time to wit in the year of Grace two hundred ninety sixe doe place the Martyrdom of a famous Brittish Bishop call'd S. Nicholas and for his piety stil'd Culdeus or a worshipper of God Of whom Dempster thus writes S. Nicholas Culdeus one of the first Bishops of the Scottish Church during the rage of persecution rais'd by Maximianus in Brittany was crown'd with Martyrdom The holy Relicks of his Body cutt in peices were put into an Vrn of Stone and together with a venerable Crosse were buried in the earth Afterwards being digg'd up they were found with this Inscription Of S. Nicolas Bishop To whose honour in succeeding time King Alexander the third at the request of the Bishop of Glasco built a sumptuous Church at Pebles which whilst Catholick Religion flourished among us became illustrious for the grace of Miracles and was frequeÌ„ted with great concourse of devout Christians He suffred Martyrdom in the year two hundred ninety six and his Sacred body was found known by the inscription and together with the Crosse exalted on the seaventh of the Ides of May in the year of our Lord one thousand two hundred sixty two 4. These three Writers doe confidently mention the Scotts as inhabitants of those Nothern Provinces Where as not any ancient Authours doe as yet take Notice of their name Indeed Eumenius the forecited Panegyrist says that the Brittains in those times were molested with two people their Enemies the Picts and the Irish and he is the first Writer who calls the Caledonian Brittains by the name of Picts because their arms and leggs which were naked were usually painted with the figures of beasts by which may be collected that that Name was given them about the time of Constantius And as for the Irish who also were termed Scots though probably at this time many of them came over to assist the Picts or Caledonian Brittains yet that they took possession of any part of the Countrey or however that the Name of Scotts was given thus early to the whole countrey cannot out of any approved Authours be
Which ambition and cruelty was probably a cause inducing some of our Historians to charge him with the murder of Constantin his predecessour 2. Gildas gives a Character of him much lesse favourable then Mathew of Westminster for he accuses him of many parricides adulteries fornications inflaming his countrey with civill wars and other crimes for which without repentance he denounces to him a short raign and after it eternall miseries And accordingly it fell out for though Mathew of Westminster allows him thirty years rule Yet it more suits with Chronology to assign only four to his raign 3. In the third year whereof whilst the Brittish Provinces consum'd themselves with civill contentions a new and powerfull kingdom of the Saxons was establish'd in the Northern parts calld the Kingdome of the Northumbers the manner and degrees by which they arrived to such power is describ'd by Malmsburiensis to this effect 4. Hengist at the beginning of his raign in the kingdom of Kent sent into those Northern parts his Brother Otha with his Son Ebusa men of great courage experience and Nobility For they derived their descent from Woden one of the German Deities Which Woden had three Sons Weldege Withlege and Beldege From the eldest son descended the Kings of Kent from the second the Kings of the Mercians and from the third the Kings of the West-saxons and Northumbers whos 's first King Ida reckoned himself the tenth from Woden 5. Now Otha and Ebusa the first Saxons which brought an army into those Northern parts fought many battles with the Brittish inhabitants and having conquered those who resisted them received the rest into their protection suffring them to live in a quiet subiection They and their successours also notwithstanding contented themselves many years with the title of Governours or Dukes acknowledging a dependance and submission to the Kings of Kent But in the year ninety nine after their first arrivall they assum'd the Title and Dignity of Kings Of which the first was calld Ida whether attaining that supereminence by election or invasion is not manifest in story 6. Other Writers affirm that the whole Regâ—â— possess'd by these Northumbers was divided into two parts Of which that which was more Northern extending it self from the Bay of Edenborough to the Picts-wall was inhabited by the Bernicians and the other reaâ—â—ing from the Picts-wall to the River of 〈◊〉 was held by the Deiri So that the whole kingdom of the Northumbers anciently containd the Provinces of the Picts Laudon Northâ—â—berland Cumberland Westmorland 〈◊〉 York and Lancaster This will appear by the lives of severall Saints said to have liv'd in the kingdom of the Northumbrians The same Authours add that the said Division of the Kingdom was made by Ida who leaving his Son to govern the Deiri himself fix'd his habitation among the Bernicians beyond the Picts-wall 7. Aurelius Conanus dying in the fourth year of his Raign Vortipor Prince of the Demetae succeeded him who is by Gildas stild a Tyrant who in his old age ascended the throne by civill discords being a wicked son of a good Prince defild by many parâ—icids and adulteries who having rid himself of his lawfull wife wallowed in last with her impudent daughter Whereupon he exhorts him by a timely repentance to avert Gods iudgments from him 8. His raign likewise lasting onely four years the throne was invaded by Malgo Conanus or Maglocuus a Prince no lesse vitious then his Predecessours For in the same Gildas his description he is said to have murdred his Vncle Prince of Venedotia calld Catwallain together with the greatest part of his Nobility This is the same Maglocunus who afforded to S. Kentigern a place for a Church and Monastery And afterward being tormented with remorse for his parricides he relinquish'd the world and retired into a Monastery where he under took a Monasticall Profession But the sparks of ambition thus coverd broke forth again into a flame so that quitting his solitude he return'd to all his former crimes and became an Insular Dragon depressing other Tyrants and by strengthning himself with their power becoming a far greater Tyrant himself 9. In the second year of his Raign a great battell was fought between the Brittains and Kenric King of the West Saxons The place of the Combat was neer Sorbâ—odunum calld afterward Salisbury In which combat after much blood shed the Brittains were at last overcome and forc'd to fly 10. And four years after the Brittains thirsting to avenge them selves of their former defect gathered together all their best forces against whom Kenric with his son Ceaulin marched The armies mett in the province of the Dobuni Oxfordshire at Berambury now Bambury The Brittains divided their Army into Nine Bodyes three of which they placed in the front three in the midst and three in the rear The Saxons though inferiour in numbers yet much â—â—ceeded them in stature and strength and they fought all in one Body The combat was bloody continuing till night and it was doubtfull which side had the better After this many other battells pass'd between them but for the most part the victory fell to the West Saxons VII CHAP. 1. Bridius King of the Picts 2. King Malgo-Conan dyes and Careticus succeeds 3. Severall Petty Brittish Princes 4. Alla King of the Northumbers 1. WHilst the Brittains and Saxons contended in the West the Picts in the North beyond the Frith of Edenborough made Bridius their King who was Nephew to Loth their former King being his Brothers son But whereas Hector Boëtius says that he raign'd in the Province of London that is inconsistent with what was formerly related touching the limits of the Kingdom of the Northumbrians In the Ninth year of this King Bridius S. Columba came of Ireland into Brittany as shall be shewn And this being constantly affirm'd by all our ancient Historians to have hapned in the five hundred sixty and fifth year of Grace B. Vsher without cause questions the placing the beginning of King Bridius his raign in the year five hundred fifty seaven 2. In the year following dyed the Tyrant Maglocunus after whom Caretum took upon him to sustain the state of Brittany every day more and more and more falling to ruine But in vain for besides that God had fix'd a period to it this Prince was no better then his Predecessours being like them stain'd with all vices But determinatly to seâ—t down either when he began his raign or when he ended it is extremely difficult considering the small light which our Records afford of those times And as for the severall Princes whose shamefull Characters are given us by Gildas it is hard to say whether they were Monarks of the Brittains On the contrary by his manner of writing most of them seâ—m to have liv'd in severall Provinces and there raign'd at the same time 3. Besides the fore named Prince the same Gildas directs the
Now that which encreased the reverence to this holy King was because saith William of Malmsbury he gave the first-fruits of Sanctity to his Nation for before him I known not any of the English illustrious for miracles To conclude his Memory is celebrated both in the Roman and English Martyrologes on the fifth of August Some part of his Relicks are sayd to have been translated beyond sea into Flanders and reposed in the Monastery of Bergs S. Winok the Memory of which Translation is celebrated there on the twelfth day before the Calends of Iune XII CHAP. 1.2 Oswi and Oswin Kings of the Northumbers 3.4 c. K. Kenewalch succeeds Kinegils His Apostacy and Repentance 9. The Monastery of Malmsbury 1. AFter S. Oswald was translated to a heavenly kingdom saith Saint Beda his Brother Oswi a young wan of about thirty years succeeded him in his throne which with great labour he possessed eight and twenty years He was onely naturall brother to King Oswald for he was born to Ethelfrid by a Concubine At the beginning he was onely King of the Bernicians For saith the same Authour he made his consort in the Kingdom Oswin descended from the royal family being the son of Osric of whom we treated before a man of excellent piety and Religion who governd the Province of the Deiri seaven years enioying great affluence of all things and beloved by all 2. These two Princes for some years raign'd in great concord being united both in blood and Religion But afterward by giving â—are to flatterers and sycophants enmity arose between them which proceeded so far that war was declared the successe wherof we shall declare in due season 3. The same year that King Oswald dyed in the North Kinigils also ended his life in the West He had lately embraced the Faith by the preaching of S. Birinus An argument of his Piety was his demolishing the Pagan Temple at Winchester which had been polluted with the superstitions of Idols and in the place erecting a Church which notwithstanding being intercepted by death he could not finish the care wherof he left to his son To this Church he added a Monastery saith Harpsfeild the revenews wherof were so great as ancient Monuments record that the whole region at seaven miles distance about was assigned by Kinegils to its use The Church was dedicated to the honour of S. Peter 4. After a long and quiet raign for the space of one and thirty years he ended his life and left his Successour Kenwalch calld by others Kenwald his Son For Quechelm his eldest dyed before him Besides Kenwalch he left another son alive named Kentwin William of Malmsbury adds a third calld Egelwin a Holy man and patron of the Monastery of Adeling for treating of that Monastery he saith The Monks of that place are few in number and poore who notwithstanding doe at least reap comfort if not ioy from their poverty by reason it affords them solitude and quietnes They dâ—e highly exalt the praises of their Patron S. Egelwin of whose sanctity they have experience by many benefits The constant fame is that he was Brother to Kenwalch King of the West-Saxons and by his vertue yet more ennobled his blood for though he was continually chaind by a long infirmity yet that did not abate his diligence and fervour in the service of God At last he dyed happily and by his intercession is present to all who invoke his help 5. Kenwalch succeeded his Father Kinegils in his kingdom but not in his piety For saith S. Beda he refused to embrace or renounced â—he Faith and Sacraments of the heavenly Kingdom and not long after deservedly lost the power of his temporal Kingdom This Character also William of Malmsbury gives of him In the beginning of his raign he might be compard with the worst Princes but in the middle and conclusion with the best Some write that by occasion of a prosperous combat fought against the Brittains he grew insolent and trode underfoot all Laws both humane and Divine But most probably his unhappines arose from his unlawfull repudiating his Queen Sexburga Sister to Penda King oâ— the Mercians 6. This aâ—front encreased by his marrying another wife Penda deeply resenting saith S. Beda made war against him in the third year of his raign and deprived him of his Kingdom so that he was forced to seek refuge with Anna King of the East-angles with whom he lived in banishment three years and there came to the acknowledgment of the true Faith For King Anna was a pious Prince and happy in a holy Offspring Kinewalch his conversion came by the admonitions of this holy King and his Apostolick Bishop S. Felix by whom he was baptised 7. By this trienniall Disciplin the Pride of Kinewalch being depressed and his lawfull Queen Sexburga restored to his bed he regain'd his Kingdom and afforded to his Subiects a pleasing spectacle of his change The recovering his kingdom seems to have been effected rather by force then covenants for Huntingdon relats how he bestowd on his Kinsman Aedred who had assisted him three thousand villages neer Aescendun This Aedred is by William of Malmsbury calld Cuthred who was his Brother Quichelms son on whom he munificently bestowd almost the third part of his Kingdom 8. Kenewalch thus restored to his Kingdom and his reason also to secure his crown for the future addicted himself to piety He shewd great reverence to the holy Bishop Birinus and the Church begun by his Father he so diligently finished that the same Writer gives him the whole praise For says he he was so religious that he was the first of the Saxons who built a Church to God at Winchester which was so fair that though when it was made an Episcopall See it was more beautified by Workmanship yet the same structure remained 9. At this time was founded the famous Monastery of Malmsbury by Maidulf an Irishman with the assistance of King Kenelwalk It is seated in Wiltshire where in former time Dunwallo Mulmutius King of the Brittains had built a Town which he called Caër-bladon which having been burnt in the Saxon warrs out of its ruines was raised a Castle called by the Saxons in their tongue Ingleburn till Maidulf an Irish-Scott saith Camden a man eminent in learning and piety invited with the pleasant solitude of a wood growing under it lead there an Eremiticall Life Afterward he opened there a School for learning and consecrating himself together with his Schollars to a Monasticall Profession he built there a Monastery Hence from this Maidulf instead of Ingleburn it was called Maidulfs-bury and afterward more contractedly Malmsbury Some Historians call it Meldunum XIII CHAP. 1. Ithamar a Saxon Bishop of Rochester 2. Birth of S. Swibert 3. S. Foillan Brother of S. Fursey 4.5 Death of S. Birinus whose Successour was S. Agilbert 6. Death of Saint Felix Apostle
Kings R. West-Saxon Kingdoms p. 728 c. a l. 10 his vours to him R. his favours to him p. 719 c. a l. 1 return ment back R. returned back l. 8 sent for he R. he sent for p. 743 c. b l. 65 his age R. of his age p. 798 c. a l. 30 at a so that place R. at a place p. 830 c. a l. 5 his New R. his Nephew p. 836 c. a l. 16 acts piety R. acts of piety p. 861 c. b l. 40 as Dorchester R. at Dorchester l. 51 grates R. gates p. â—79 c. b l. 43 curied R. cured p. 902 c. a l. 34 of S. Dunstan R. of S. Cuthbert p. 907 c. b l. 62 no man determine R. no man can determine p. 935 c. a l. 23 slain King Edmund R. slain by King Edmund p. 940 c. b l. 20 Cromton R. Bromton p. 948 c. a l. a of whole R. of the Whole THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY VNDER ROMAN GOVERNOVRS I. PART I. CHAP. 1. A generall view of the Government and Religion of Brittany when first discovered 2. c. A proof of Gods mercy and Grace to our Nation 1. HAVING an intention through the Divine assistance to compile a plain orderly Narration of Church-affaires touching the infancy and growth of Christian Religion in this our Island of Brittany it will be expedient in preparation therto to give the Reader a prospect of the State both of its ancient Civill Government and Religion also or rather most horribly impious Superstitions and Ceremonies by a due consideration of both which we may clearly see and ought thankfully to acknowledge the wonderfully blessed effects of the Divine Providence and Grace towards this our Native Countrey more plentifully then to any other 2. For though the Civill State here was in those times iniuriously invaded and usurped by the Romans yet by Gods most wise holy and mercifull Direction the injuries and oppressions sustained by our Ancestours proved an occasion of their greatest Happines since by meanes of the correspondence and entercourse then intervening between this Island formerly unknown and the rest of the Roman Empire to which it became subject a passage was opened for a free admittance of the Divine Light of saving Christian Verities the victory of which over the Brittains Soules did abundantly recompence the servitude induced by the Romans over their Bodies and Estates 3. And moreover the Omnipotence of Divine Grace was illustriously commended by its triumphing over a far greater opposition raised against it by the Devil in this more then almost any other Nation For here especially was anciently erected the Shop and Schoole of most impious and inhumane Superstitions The abominable Art of Magicall and Diabolicall Divinations the most barbarous Mysteries of Sacrifising to the Devil with humane blood and in a word whatsoever impieties Hell could suggest were here invented and practised the Inhabitants of this Island by the miserable advantage of their solitude and separation from the rest of mankind being at more leasure to entertain and withall better enabled by Nature with Study to promote and encrease those execrable Rites For as Tacitus relates from Iulius Agricola's observation who had sufficient experience to make a judgment the Brittains were naturally endowed with quicker and sharper wits then their Neighbours the Gauls c. And it was cheifly in the inventing of impious Superstitions that they gained a wretched reputation and authority among the adjacent Nations who therefore sent their Youth into Brittany to be instructed in the Arts and delusions of Sathan as Caesar testifies Such advantageous enablements and withall such perswasive invitations had they to be more wicked and greater enemies of God and true Piety then any of their Neighbours 4. But within a few Ages we shall see Sathan like lightning fall from heaven We shall see this our Nation and Countrey become the Schoole of Holiness and Vertue the Nursery of Saints the Refuge of persecuted Christians and a fruitfull Mother of Apostles to plant our Holy Faith in most of our confining Regions This was a change of the right hand of the most High But before we can be spectatours of the manner how this wonderfull Change was made we are first to take a view of the ancient primitive State of this our Island by whom it was peopled and how governed both in affaires Civill and such as pertained to Religion II. CHAP. 1.2 The ancient Inhabitants of Brittany 3.4 c. Conquer'd by C. Iulius Caesar yet with great difficulty 5. His Motives for the invasion 6. A small part only subdued 1. IT is a great Proof against the ancient Philosophers and our Modern Atheisticall seeming-Christians that the world was not from eternity because all the parts and Regions of the Earth have been successively inhabited by Nations spreading themselves by little and little from the East where man was created Thus was this Island of Brittany first possess'd by colonies of the neighbouring Belgick Gaules c. as appeares by the names severally given by them to the places where they respectively settled themselves as the Atrebates Morini Belga and severall other situate especially on the Southern coasts which argues these to have been later Plantations though preceding the Age in which this our Countrey was first discovered to the civill part of the world 2. Now though the ancient inhabitants coming from severall quarters were divided in names and regions yet they were all joyn'd in one common Title of Brittains and one common language the same with that of the Gaules To fetch the name of Brittains from Brutus a supposed son of Silvius and great grandchild of Aeneas savours of the doting fancies of our old Bards and Druids more probable it is that they were call'd so from the ancient Gallick word Brith which signifies colour'd or painted for so Caesar describes them to have been in his dayes And for the same reason the Romans in following times called the Northern people of this Island that is such as had not been subdued by them and accustomed to their Civill Education and cloathing by the name of Picts because they retained their old fashion of colouring their Bodies as beleiving that made them appeare more agreable to one another and more terrible to their Enemies Or rather as Mr. Somner observes the name of Brittany seems to be derived from the old Brittish word Brydio which signifies to boyle with rage fitly applyed to all the Brittish Islands as being encompassed with a Sea esteemed by the Ancients almost unnaâ—igable by reason of the swelling furious waves with which it is most frequently agitated 3. The first that discovered this our Island to the remoter parts of the civilis'd world was Caius Iulius Caesar who toward the latter end of his ten years warr in Gaule transported his Legions hither more then once Two severall attempts he made in vain to conquer that part of the Island which he invaded but at the third by meanes of
never committed to Writing by which policy it became more venerable because more Mysterious to the Vulgar 7. It is certainly a great mistake in some learned Writers who affirme that the Druids did instruct the Ancient Brittains in the knowledge and worship of one onely God wheras Gildas the most ancient of our Brittish Historiographers relates that they had Portenta Diabolica penè numero Aegyptiaca vincentia Idols of a monstrous Diabolicall figure and those in so great a number that they almost exceeded the multitude even of the Aegyptian Deities whose Pictures remained to his dayes drawn with deformed faces within and without the walls of their decayed Citties 8. The principall among the Brittish Gods at least those which remain upon record were 1. Belinus by whom they meant Apollo oâ— the Sun 2. Diana that is the Moone And 3. Camulus the God of warre answering to Mars An inscription to whose honour we mention'd before From him Camalodunum or Maldon received its name 4. The name of Belinus seems derived from Baal or Bel the Deity soveraignly worshipped in Assyria and other Countreyes of the East and which signifies the Supreme Lord. Out of a speciall veneration to this Deity as anciently the Eastern Princes took their names as Belshazzar or Balthazar Ierubbaal Meribbaal and in other Countreyes Asdrubal Hannibal c. so in Brittany likewise Belenus or Belinus which we find a part of the names of King Cassibelin and Cynobelin 9. And as for Diana a particular proof of the great devotion born to her by our Ancestors appears by a Monument neare S. Pauls in London call'd in old Records Diana's Chamber where in the dayes of King Edward the first thousands of the heads of Oxen were digged up which men skill'd in Antiquity well understood to be proper Sacrifices to Diana whose great Temple was built thereabout 10. Besides these we find other Deities perhaps of an inferiour degree adored by the Brittains Thus an ancient Inscription meÌ„tions a certain unknown God called Belatucadruâ— worshipped in the Northern parts about Yorkshire and Cumberland The name seems to import this to be some Off-spring or of affinity to Belinus Moreover there is found another Goddesse call'd Andate whose speciall vertue and employment no man knows Some learned Writers are of opinion that this is the same with Adraste the Goddesse of Revenge in vaine invoked by Boudicea in her last battel against the Romans as Dio relates It is further probable that the Gallick Deities Hesus figured in the shape of a Dog like Anubis Taranis the God of Thunder answering to Iupiter and Teutates the Guide of travellers and inventer of Arts like Mercury were adored likewise in Brittany it being the fountain of Idolatrous Theology 11. After the conquest made by Claudius the Emperour of the Southern parts of this Island Caractacus by some Writers conceiv'd to be the same with Arâ—iragus in gratitude for his release from captivity and restitution to his throne introduced a new fashion'd Religion into his Kingdome consecrating an Altar to the Emperours worship with this Inscription The Altar of eternall Domination which he placed in a Temple at Camulodunum erected to this Mortall Deity whose Religious service was every Month solemnly performed by Preists called Augusâ—ales or Imperiall Priests peculiarly appointed thereto And indeed it cannot be denied but that Caractacus had far greater obligations to this his visible Deity then to any of his Ancient false Gods However this vainly pretended Propheticall Inscription proved unsuccesfull for in his next Successours dayes both the Temple and Religion were demolish'd by Queen Boudicea when she ruin'd the Colony where it stood 12. As touching the speciall Rites of the Ancient Brittish Superstition we find in Caesar that their Priests or Druids had the sole authority in ordring both the Publick and private Sacrifices yea moreover that they determined all both publick and private Controversies If any dispute hapned about possessions of Lands if any facinorous Act as murder or the like had been committed the Druids appointed the punishment as likewise rewards in case of any honourable exploit And their Decrees in all cases were so indispensably obliging that if any private person or community refused to submit to them the highest penalty could be inflicted was Excommunication or forbidding their presence at the Sacrifices Which Censure upon whomsoever it was denounced rendred them in the esteem of all men as impious and detestable wicked persons whose conversation and presence all would avoyd as thinking them contagious 13. Mention was made before of their superstitious veneration of Mistletoe growing on Oakes which they esteem to be a speciall gift of God The rite of gathering which is thus discribed by Pliny Having after diligent search found where the Misleto growes they prepare Sacrifices and Banquets and two white Bulls they bring under the Tree whose horns they there first bind with fillets of linnen Then the Druid or Priest cloathed with a pure white garment mounts the Oake and with a golden Sickle reaps the Misleto which is received into a white vestment And this being done they offer their Sacrifices with Songs as Ovid saith and Prayers that God would make his Gift prosperous to them For they ascribe great vertue to it imagining that by drinking it â—leep'd in water their barren cattle become fruitfull and that it is a remedy against all poysons 14. But these Rites argue only vanity and folly others they had which were barbarous and execrable For as Tacitus relates they made their Altars flow with the blood of Captives taken in the war yea for want of Captives they spar'd not their own brethren and consulted their Gods by searching into the entrails of men Which custome of theirs is thus described by Diodorus Siculus When the Druids saith he doe consult about matters of great importance they observe a wonderfull custome and for the horriblenes of it incredible which is this Having mortally wounded a man with a sword they divine future events by the manner of his fall by the tearing of his members and the flowing of his blood This skill they attain'd by long observation 15. These more then inhumane Diabolicall practises which ought to have rendred the Brittains an object of hatred to all mankind found neverthelesse not only excuse but approbation from other Nations Insomuch as our Barbarous Countrey-men were considered as persons of exemplary Devotion to their Gods yea as Masters and Doctours of sublime Mysteries skilfull in a hidden Theology so that their neighbours the Gaules Celtes c. repaired to Brittany as the Academy wherein a Religion was taught that had the vertue to save men by murder and honour God by destroying the perfectest of his creatures Yea even the Romans themselves though otherwise trayn'd up in a morall civility beyond other Nations yet out of a pestilent curiosity ingrafted in our corrupt nature became many of them Disciples of the
postquam Christum sepelivi Docui requievi That is After I had buried Christ I came to the Brittains Here I taught them and here I was buried 6. Notwithstanding his Relicks could not be discovered insomuch as some anciently doubted whether he was indeed buried at Glastonbury To cleare which doubt a certain devout Catholike in the days of King Edward the third presented a supplication to the King and obtain'd leave to search after it The Kings Patents for that purpose are still extent wherein it is sayd A Supplication hath been made to us by Iohn Blome of London that whereas as he affirms he hath received a command from Heaven diligently to seek till he could find the venerable Body of the Noble Counsellor Ioseph of Arimathea which reposes in Christ being buried within the limits of the Monastery of Glastonbury and which for the Saints honour and edification of many is to be discovered in these times And whereas also in ancient Records it is contained that his Body was there buried We in case it be so being desirous to bestow due honours to the Monument and Venerable Reliques of him who express'd so great piety and charity to our Redeemer dying that he took his Body from the Crosse and placed it in a new Monument which he had built for himselfe and hoping that by the revealing of his holy Relicks greater grace and favour shall be shewed by God to us and our whole Kingdome We thereforefore have given and granted permission as much as lyes in us to the sayd Iohn â—lome to digg wheresoever he shall find expedient within the precincts of the sayd Monastery in order to the searching out of the sayd pretious Relicks according to the iniunction and Revelation made to him Provided notwithstanding that he shall doe nothing which may damnify our Beloved in Christ the Abbot and Convent of the sayd Monastery or endanger ruine to the Church For which purpose he is to desire and obtain the permission and assent of the sayd Abbot and Convent for whatsoever he shall there doe Witnes the King at Westminster the eighth day of Iune 7. What effect this search had does not appeare by History Which is a sign and presumption strong enough that Iohn Blome mistook a dream for a Revelation His devotion and good will may deserve at least pardon if not commendation but Christian prudence required that he should have committed to the examination and judgment of Superiours or Spirituall persons his pretended Revelation before the publication of it and much more before he did presume to engage the King in the execution of his imaginations XIII CHAP. 1.2.3 S. Ioseph brought with him two vessels fill'd with the blood of our Saviour 4. The like reported of the Master of St. Iohns in Hierusalem 5 6. c. The truth thereof asserted by Bishop Grosthead 8.9 Why S. Ioseph would have those vessels buried with his body 1. THE same Monuments which inform us of the life death and buriall of S. Ioseph at Glastonbury a Tradition unquestion'd in all ages by Brittains Saxons Danes and Normans the same doe likewise testify that S. Ioseph brought with him into Brittany two silver vessels fill'd with the blood of our Saviour Iesus Christ as we read in Capgrave which most precious Vessels by his order were buried with him in his Tomb. Thus among others writes the Authour of Eulogium cited by B. Vsher. And the same in publick Tables hath been transmitted to posterity by the Monastery of Glastâ—nbury for a perpetuall memory of so rich a treasure 2. Severall proofes hereof were extant even to the dayes of Queen Elizabeth which the foresayd learned Bishop Vsher hath collected And among others he recounts this Adde hereunto saith he the narration of William Good a Iesuit who during the raign of King Henry the eighth was born and in his child-hood bred up at Glastonbury Who affirms that at Glastonbury there were extant in his time brasse-plates ingraven for perpetuating the memory of these things likewise Chappels Grottes Crosses Arms and the observation of the Festivall of S. Ioseph on the sixth of the Calends of August All these remain'd as long as the Monks enioy'd the most firm Charters of Kings but now they are all buried in the ruins of the place Yet never did any Monk know the certain place of the Sepulcher of this Saint They sayd that it was hid extreamly deep under ground or in some place of the Mountain neighbouring to the sharp-mountain call'd Hamden-hill And that in future times when the Body should be found the whole world would repair thither in devotion being invited with the multitude and greatnes of the miracles that should be wrought And among other things sayd he I remember that I saw in a Stone-crosse which in the raign of Queen Elizabeth was demolished a plate of brasse in which was written That in the thirtieth yeare after the Passion of our Lord Ioseph of Arimathea with eleaven or twelve companions came into Brittany and that permission was given them by King Arviragus to abide at Glaston then call'd Avallonia like simple solitary men And that he brought with him two silver Vessels of no great capacity in which were contain'd a portion of the blood and most sacred water which flow'd out of Christs side after he was dead And that a Crosse was erected there many years before to shew the length of the Chappel which the same S. Ioseph built of rods waâ—led to the honour of the most Holy Virgin the which length is measured by a line drawn from the middle of that Crosse unto the side of a Chappel afterwards built of squar'd stones And on the out-side of the wall of this Chappell erected to the honour of the most blessed Virgin were ingraven in a stone in most ancient Characters these two words IESUS MARIA These things are likewise confirm'd by the ancient Arms of the same Monastery which are a white Scutcheon upon which is erected straight downwards the stock of a Crosse green and knotted and from side to side are the arms of the Crosse of the same colour There are likewise sprinkled all over the field drops of blood and on both sides of the stock under the wings of the crosse are placed two viols gilded These were always call'd the Badges of St. Ioseph who is piously beleived to have dwelt and peradventure been buried there 3. Now that S. Ioseph together with Nicodemus did indeed out of respect and veneration gather the Blood of our Lord and that for diverse ages the same blood was piously worshipped by devout Christians both in the East and West ancient Histories and Martyrologies doe testify 4. And on this occasion we must not omit what is related by Matthew Paris in the one thousand two hundred forty and seaventh year of our Lord Then the Master of the Temple and Hospitall of S. Iohn of Ierusalem sent a certain portion of the blood of our Lord shed on
the Crosse for the salvation of the world in a certain most beautifull crystall-glasse by a Brother of the Temple well known The which present was confirm'd by the testimony of severall Persons to wit of the Patriark of Ierusalem of Archbishops Bishops Abbots and other Prelats together with Noblemen dwelling in the holy Land Thus writes that Historian and consequently declares at large with what honour and reverence King Henry the third together with the whole Clergy and Nobility entertain'd the sayd holy treasure 5. Moreover whereas doubts and scruples were by some spread among the people concerning the reality and truth of that blood Robert Grosthead Bishop of Lincoln the glory of that age and of our Kingdom for Piety and Learning gave full satisfaction to doubting minds by a narration of the Fact which that Historian himself being present heard and committed to writing to this effect Ioseph of Arimathea sayd the Bishop a noble Counsellor being one of the hearers of Iesus or rather a Disciple who bore speciall affection to him out of tender compassion was very solâ—icatonâ— how his most venerable body might be preserved from the rage and fury of the Iews For he was a most 〈…〉 of him as Nicodemus likewise was But these and other rich men had â—â—eraâ—d their affection to him for fear of the Iews least being accused they should loose their essaâ—s and incâ—rre the hatred of their â—â—â—â—treymen such a 〈◊〉 of â—â—â—â—itude does accompany riches 6. When Iesus therfore was crucified and dead Ioseph went boldly to Pilat which shews him to be a person of consideratioâ— and begd the body of Iesus which was granted him He then notwithstanding the murmuring of the Iews with all honour and reverence took down the most holy body from the Crosse which was all oâ—er in severall mannâ—â—s mangled and bloody And having a linnen Clâ—â—â—â— very fine hanging â—own behind 〈◊〉 neck over his shoulders least he might irreverently touch that most holy Body with his naked hands he carefully and devoutly wiped with it the sacred wound◠〈◊〉 yet 〈◊〉 and distilling Moreover making 〈◊〉 of the sayd 〈◊〉 instead of a sponge having drawn the nayles out of the wounds which were all dyed with blood he wiped and cleansed them as the Crosse it selfe 7. Now when the sayd Ioseph had carried the Body of Christ not far from Golgotha or Calvary where he had been crucified to the place where his sepulcher is now worshipped there he layd it in a New tomb where never any body had been layd which had been decently cut out of a rock and where himselfe intended to have been buried But before he buried it he washed the holy Body which at hath been sayd was many ways wounded and covered with blood and this first in regard of his bloody sweat of which we read His swear was like great drops of blood falling down to the ground Again by reason of his whipping for he was scourged most cruelly so as not only to leave marks in his body but to make the blood run down Besides this his Crown of thorns which the Iews violently press'd upon his head with a great number of pricks did not only â—â—ing his head and forehead but deeply wounded and severed it with blood Moreover the â—ayles made wide holes through his hands and feet And lastly the soldiers spear did not only wound but opened a wide passage into his side being thrust into it at least once if not severall times For these reasons the foresayd venerable Counsellor Ioseph carefully washed his body Besides that such was the custom of the Iews before their burialls as it is still when persons of any consideration are to be buried particularly Religious men He wash'd it therfore because it was moreover to be embalmed He wash'd it because he had an intention and religious design to appropriate the same blood to his own devout use and to reserve it as a treasure and most precious Medecine for his soul. And moreover he neglected not the water become red with a tincture of blood he would not cast it away but kepâ— it in a clean vessell But far more reverently did hee reserve the pure blood distilling from the wounds of his hands anâ— feet And above all he did with wonderfull reverence and holy feare receive into a most precious vessell the blood mixâ— with water which he carefully pressed out of his right side which he iudged to â—ssue from the vessells adioyning to his heart this he esteem'd a treasure unvaluable and in a speciall manner to be reserv'd for himself and his Successours Such was the discourse of that Venerable Prelat copied by the Historian his Auditour 8. It may perhaps seem a wonder why S. Ioseph would ordain that such a precious Treasure should be buried with his Body For surely naturall Reason and the practise of all Ages doth dictate to us that it is an argument of our affection and respect to a dead freind to be willing to reserve any thing of valew belonging to him to esteem it because of such a relation and for rendring him In a sort always-present to us especially when by speciall deserts we are obliged to be mindfull of him and without our own great danger cannot neglect to commemorate his benefits All which considerations and many more have place in this example So that to find fault with and condemne the primitive Devotion in paying a respect and Veneration to the Relicks of Saints and above all of this Saint of Saints is to renounce human reason yea to range one's selfe in the society of Evill Spirits which only abominated and durst not approach neare unto them But why then did S. Ioseph take order that such most precious adorable Relicks should be buried with him and hid from mankind 9. The true reasons hereof may be first because if in such times before Christianity had been establish'd in this Island they had been consign'd to any particular persons either a loosing of profanation of them could scarce have been avoyded Whereas a certainty that they were reserved in that place would be an occasion to stir up the Devotion of present and succeeding Christians to frequent it and reap benefit by the vertue of them And again S. Ioseph had no doubt the same design herein that the Emperour Constantin afterwards express'd as Eusebius informs us who with great care made a collection of the Relicks of the Apostles which he richly adorned and commanded they should be layd up in his Tombe to the end that being dead he might be made partaker of the prayers which there in honour of the Apostles should be offred to God XIV CHAP. 1. S. Phagan 〈…〉 to S. Ioseph 〈…〉 2. Such a succession 〈…〉 Lucius afterward the plate was 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 3. The memory of S. Ioseph renew'd there in after ages 1. WHen S. Ioseph was dead theâ—e succeded in the prefecture of that holy place S. Phagan who is sayd to have
other things and places is by the great antiquity conceal'd from posterity Some Writers imagine that it was called Sodorensis because it was by Amphibalus dedicated to our Saviour called in Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Soter 3. This Narration for as much as concerns Amphibalus if this be the Brittish Martyr Amphibalus seems to be of doubtfull credit since he could scarce be so timely a Bishop For almost fifty years must yet passe before we introduce him ascending the Episcopall throne offring himselfe a Champion and Sacrifice for the Christian Faith IX CHAP. 1. The Sixth Persecution rais'd by the Emperour Maximinus Martyrdom of Pope Pontianus 2. Of Cyriacus a Brittain falsly suppos'd to be the Successour of Pope Pontianus 3.4.5 The Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and the eleaven thousand Virgins falsly refer'd to this age Fictions concerning them 1. AT this time S. Pontianus Bishop of Rome governed the Church of God whose Predecessour was S. Vrban who succeeded S. Calistus Now the Tyrant Maximinus raising the sixth Persecution sharpned it especially against Bishops and Teachers of the Christian Flock By his command therfore S. Pontianus who by the Emperour Alexander had been banish'd into Sardinia was crown'd with Martyrdom being beaten to death with clubbs To him succeeded S. Anterus by NatioÌ„ a Grecian who the year following was likewise put to death by the same Tyrant 2. Hence it appears that those Writers are manifestly disprooved who after S. Pontianus place in the Chair of S. Peter a person unknown to Antiquity called Cyriacus The Patrons of this Errour are the Authour of the â—asciculus temporum Bergomensis Nauclerus c. Hereto some Modern Writers add that Cyriacus was by birth a Brittain and appointed by S. Pontianus going into banishment his Vicar at Rome to exercise there in his absence the Papall offices for which cause he was by some called Pope 3. A yet greater Errour is that by which certain Authours refer the Martyrdom of S. Vrsula and many thousand Virgins her companions to these times Concerning whose particular Gests things are reported beyond all bounds of probability or even possibility Hermanus Crombachius who has written a book of the Martyrdom of those Virgins pretends that S. Vrsula was the daughter of a certain Prince in Ireland a Christian called Dionethus or Dionothus and that all her companions came out of the same Countrey These holy Virgins saith he the Emperour Maximinus beseeging and winning by assault Colonia most barbarously murdred Wheras it is most certain both by Tradition and all ancient Monuments that before S. Patricks time the first Apostle of Ireland there was in that Island no Prince that was Christian and much lesse could it afford eleaven thousand Christian Virgins Which by what miracle they should in those times be brought to Colen no man can rationally imagin 4. A yet more absurd fancy is entertain'd by some others concerning these Virgins who affirm that they in devotion undertook a pilgrimage to Rome accompanied by severall Princes and in their retinue the foremention'd Cyriacus and returning by Colen were there martyred Indeed a proper time is found by these Writers for a Pilgrimage to be perform'd by such an Army of Virgins c. when the persecuting Tyrant Maximinus so cruelly raged against Christians Notwithstanding besid's pretended Revelations there is produced an eye-witnes of all this a certain companion of S. Vrsula call'd Vetena who it seems escaped the slaughter that she might acquaint posterity with the story of her Fellows The tale reported by her is as followeth When we were at Rome there were at that time two wicked Princes whose names were Maximinus and Africanus Yet Maximinus though then Consul with Africanus never was at Rome who seeing our great multituds and how many Romans associated themselves to us conceived great indignation against us fearing least by our means Christian Religion might encrease and gather strength Hereupon having by â—heir Spyes learnt out what way we intended to â—ourney they sent with great hast messengers to a certain kinsman of theirs called Iulius who was Prince of the Nation of the Hunns exhorting him to bring forth his Army to persecute and destroy us Who readily complying with their desire rush'd violently upon us when we were at Colen and there shed our blood 5. Such dreams as these the inventions of vain and idle witts which gain no beleif to themselves and disgrace Truth reported by others deserve not to be confuted but with indignation to be rejected and conteâ—â—'d And as for the true Story of S. Vrsula's Martyrdom with her companions we shall herafter in due time and place about the middle of the fifth Century give a sober and rationall account of it shewing that she was indeed the daughter of one Dionothus a petty Christian Prince not in Ireland but Cornwall and that those holy Virgins being destin'd for spouses to great multituds of Brittains not long before placed in Gallia Armorica from them named lesser Brittany they were on the Sea surpris'd by a Navy of Hunns and by them led captives up the Rhine to Câ—len where they received a glorious Martyrdom X. CHAP. 1. Maximinus the Emperour slain by his Army His Successours 2. Of Pope Fabianus and his pretended Bull to confirm the Priviledges of Cambridge 3. Peace of Gods Church and many Churches built 4. An Ancient Monument touching the Emperour Gordianus and his Wife 1. MAximinus having raign'd not full four years was slain by his own soldiers at Aquileia to whom succeeded Maximus and Balbinus chosen by the Roman Senat to oppose Maximinus who after a few months were likewise slain by the Soldiers and in their place they advanced to the Empire Gordianus the grandchild of a former Gordianus who in a sedition against Maximinus had been proclamed Emperour in Africk and approved by the Senat and people of Rome but presently after was deprived both of his Empire and life 2. During the Raign of Maximinus as likewise of the Younger Gordianus the Holy Pope Fabianus sate in the Chair of S. Peter being the Successour of Pontianus There is produced by Caius the Advocat of the Vniversity of Cambridge a Bull of Pope Honorius dated the six hundred twenty fourth year of our Lord in which this Pope Fabianus is sayd to have approv'd and confirm'd the sayd Vniversity In case the said Bull be authentick it shall not here be inquired what Proofs those who obtain'd it from Pope Honorius could alledge for their pretending to such a Confirmation by S. Fabianus This is however certain that this Holy Pope was not only watchfull over the affairs of the whole Church but a favourer of learning and learned men To him did the famous Origen give account in an Epistle of the orthodoxe soundnes of his doctrin as Eusebius testifies 3. At this time the Christian Church enioyed great tranquillity saith Baronius Of which occasion many Bishops making good use not
assistance of the Nobility about her and her Counsell he at last obtained Thus Hermannus Cromback relates the matter out of an ancient Manuscript belonging to the Monastery of S. Pantaleon in Colen who adds that this Translation befell in the year of Grace nine hundred eighty four 11. To conclude this subject and to demonstrate with what devotion our whole nation hath always celebrated the memory of this our first Brittish Martyr shall be here annex'd out of Thomas Walsingham a breif narration how the Controversy was ended betwen the two Monasteries of S. Alban and Ely both which earnestly and confidently pretended that S. Albanus his body repos'd among them 12. For King Edward the second celebrating Easter in the Monastery of Ely employed his authority to procure that the Tomb in which the Monks affirm'd that the Body of S. Albanus lay among them should be opened Which at last though with great reluctance of the Monks being perform'd there was nothing at all found in it but only a course hairy garment in the upper part whereof was seen sprinckled in severall places thick congeald blood as fresh as if it had been shed a few dayes before which garment was without all question the Caracalla which S. Albanus received from his Master Saint Amphibalus and wherin he suffred Martyrdom And by this discovery the Monks of S. Alban to their great ioy gained their cause 13. Neither let any one wonder that the same Veneration should be pay'd to a Martyrs Vestment sprinkled with his blood which would be given to his whole body for by many miracles God hath testified that this is acceptable to him A more authentick witnes hereof cannot be required then the Holy and learned Father S. Gregory Nazianzen whose words are these A little portion of dust a particle of bones a little haire part of the Vestment or the marks of the blood of a Martyr sprinckled ought to have as much veneration as the whole body Nay I have known where onely the name of a Martyr attributed to a place has produced the same vertue that the Martyrs whole body would have done O wonderfull the memory alone of Martyrs is sufficient in my opinion to conferr health XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The ancient Acts of S. Amphibalus 3. Great multituds present at the death of S. Albanus converted 4.5 S. Amphibalus venerates the Crosse. 6.7.8 A thousand Brittish Christians martyrd in the presence of S. Amphibalus 9. The place of their Martyrdome Lichfeild 1. THE first that follow'd S. Albanus by the way of Martyrdom to heaven was his Master Amphibalus who first shewd him the way thither Concerning whoÌ„ thus wee read in his Life extant likewise in Capgrave but written by a lesse ancient Authour as appears by the context of it for he mentions some Provinces by names which were not given them till some ages after these times as wallia Wales c. 2. When S. Amphibalus had by his preaching and exhortation through the operation of the Holy Ghost converted the glorious Martyr S. Albanus to the Fatih his Venerable Disciple earnestly perswaded him to depart that Citty of Verolam and withall gave him his own Soldiers garment richly woven with gold that so he might travell more safely from his enemies To whose request Amphibalus condescending began his flight early in the morning directing his iourney northward with an intention to preach the word of God to the Gentiles in Wales 3. After whose departure followd the Martyrdom of S. Albanus and when the multitudes which accompanied him to his death saw the pillar of light which from his tombe rais'd it self up to heaven and the Angells descending and asscending with praises to God all the night they were amazed at that unusuall ligâ—t which they ascribed to the miraculous power of God Whereupon one of theÌ„ seeing the rest astonishd thus spake to them It is manifest that it is Christ the Son of God who hath wrought these wonderfull things The Gods which we have hitherto worshipped are rather Monsters then Deities having no power nor Divinity in them so that we have spent our dayes in their worship without any proffit at all See how the nights darknes gives way to celestiall splendours See how the heavenly Cittizens come and goe celebrating the Sanctity of Albanus Let us therfore forsake our former Errours and be converted from lyes to truth from infidelity to Faith Let us goe and enquire out the man of God who as you know converted by his preaching Albanus to the Faith This man having with these and other like speeches exhorted the rest they all with one accord presently profess'd a detestation of their former Heathenish Errours and exalted the Faith of Christ. 4. Thus with great hast they directed their iouney into wales where the servant of God Amphibalus was suppos'd to remain To whom when they were come they found him preaching the word of life to the people of that Region and told him the cause of their coming withall presenting to him the Crosse which himself had before bestow'd on his Disciple Albanus and which was sprinckall over with fresh blood thereby exhibiting manifesâ—â—igns of the Blessed mans Martyrdom 5. As touching this Crosse thus Mathew of westminster writes The Crosse says he which the holy Martyr Albanus was wont almost continually to carry in his hands at his death being sprinckled with his blessed blood fell upon the grasse which a certain Christian privily took up and conceal'd it from the Pagans 6. The same Authour pursuing this Story adds That S. Amphibalus having heard and seen these things gave thanks to Almighty God and made a Sermon of Christian Religion to these his new Auditours who were in number about a thousand To whose doctrin they all immediatly profess'd their consent and beleif and therupon chearfully received from his sacred hands the Seale of Faith which is in Christ to witt his holy Baptism 7. In the mean time the conversion and departure of such great multitudes caused great trouble among the Pagan Cittizens of Verolam wherupon the Ministers of the persecution rais'd against Christians there resolved to pursue with all cruelty the holy man Amphibalus who had been the cause of so great a change and in order thereto they with armed forces march'd the same way which their companions had taken intending to find out this publick and profess'd Enemy of their Superstition In conclusion they easily found him who sought not to escape from them and they found him employed in his usuall office of preaching the word of God to his new Converts 8. Then according to the relation of the Acts of this holy Martyr rushing with violence upon him O seducing wretch said they how darest thou with thy fallacious inventions deceive this simple people and teach them to trample under â—â—â—t the Imperiall Lawes and contemne our Gods They said no more but mad with rage presently without any distinction
quelled their fury Then he admonished his Collegue and encourag'd all the rest So with one breath and clamour prayers were powr'd forth to our Lord. Immediatly the Divine vertue shewd it self present the infernall Enemies were dissipated a calm tranquillity ensued the winds are turn'd and become favourable to their voyage the waves serviceably drive on the ship so that in a short time having dispatch'd a vast space they safely arriv'd in a quiet and secure haven 11. This Oyle made use of by S. Germanus was not that Sacramentall oyle consecrated for the spirituall comfort of the Sick but ordinary Oyle which we frequently read to have been used by holy men upon the like occasions and by their benediction of it to have produc'd the like effects in severall exigences Of the former fort of Sacramentall Oyle S. Iames in his Epistle speaks and of this latter S. Mark in the sixth Chapter of his Gospell saith Baronius Severall examples of the like may be read in Sozomen as where S. Anthony by annointing a lame man with oyle cur'd him and another holy Monk call'd Benjamin by the like means cured severall diseases And Ruffinus testifies that in his presence and sight severall miracles were after the same manner wrought by religious Hermits V. CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Germanus his Disputation against the Pelagians and Miracle 10. c. A victory over the Scotts by his Prayers 1. THese two Holy men saith the same Constantius being landed a great mulâ—itude from severall quarters meâ—t to receive them of whose coming they had been informed by the predictions of wicked Spirits which were sore affrighted thereat For these being by the power of Preists cast out of those whom they had possess'd did openly declare the furiousnes of the tempest and the dangers which themselves had oppos'd to their voyage and how by the command and sanctity of those holy men they had been vanquish'd Afterwards these venerable Bishops with their fame preaching and miracles fill'd the whole Island of Brittany the greatest of all others And being ouerpress'd with the multitudes of those who resorted to them they preached Gods word not only in Churches but in lanes and high wayes whereby Catholicks were confirmed in their faith and those who had been deprav'd were reduced to the Church They were receiv'd as if they had been indeed Apostles considering the authority which their holines gave them the eminency of their learning and the wonderfull miracles wrought by them Divine Truth therefore being declared by persons so qualified generally the whole Island submitted to their doctrin The authours of the contrary perverse persuasion lurked in dark holes being as the wicked Spirits also were vexed to see the people freed from their snares But at last after long study and meditation they presum'd to enter into dispute with these Apostolick men 2. The place made choice of as most proper for this disputation was not London as Hector Boethius imagins but Verolam then a famous Citty neer S. Albans where the Body of the glorious Martyr Saint Alban repos'd Now what pass'd in that solemne conflict is thus related by Constantius 3. The Pelagians came pompously attended by their flattering disciples in glittring and costly raiment and they rather chose to run the hazard of a conflict then by their silence to confesse they had an ill cause Infinite numbers of people were assembled there with their wives and children The disputants stood on each side very unlike in their condition For on one side was placed divine authority on the other human presumption Here was Orthodox Faith there perfidious Errour Here Christ was acknowledg'd the authour there Pelagius At the first entrance the Holy Bishops gave free scope of disputing to the Pelagians who vainly spent the time and tired the auditory with empty verball discourses But after them the Venerable Bishops poured forth the torrents of their eloquence accompanied with Evangelicall and Apostolicall thunder They mingled with their own discourses texts of divine Scripture and their assertions were attended with testimonies of Gods word Thus vanity was convinc'd and perfidiousnes confuted insomuch as the Pelagians by their inhability to reply confessing their own guilt the people standing by as iudges could scarce contain their hands frrom violence to them and with clamours acknowledged the Victory 4. Immediatly after this a certain person of authority being a Tribune of the army coming with his wife into the midst of the Assembly leading in his hand his young daughter about ten years old which was blind Her he presented to the â—oly Bishops desiring their help for her cure But they bid him first to offer her to the Adversaries Who being deterr'd by an ill conscience joyn'd their entreaties with her parents prayers to the Venerable Prelats Whereupon perceiving the expectation of the people and their adversaries conviction they address'd themselves to God by a short prayer And then S. Germanus full of the Holy Ghost invok'd the Blessed Trinity and taking from his neck a little boxe full of Holy Relicks in the sight of the whole multitude he applied it to the eyes of the young maid which immediatly loosing their former darknes were filld with a new light from heaven At this so apparent miracle the parents exult and the people tremble And after this day all mens minds were so clearly purged from their former impious heresy that with thirsting desires they receiv'd the doctrin of these Holy Bishops 5. The truth of this narration is acknowledg'd by severall Protestant Writers as Archbishop Parker S. Henry Spellman and others who highly exalt the learning Sanctity and Orthodox Faith of these two Apostolick Bishops but withall they purposely conceale the miracle and manner how it was performed fearing to commend that in S. Germanus which they resolve to reprehend in the Holy Monk S. Augustin calling his devotion to Gods Saints superstitions and his bringing into Brittany holy Relicks triviall fopperies affirming him to have been a Teacher rather of superstition then Faith But let us proceed in the Narration of Constantius 6. Perverse Heresy being thus repress'd saith he and the Authours of it confuted so that all mens minds were illustrated with the purity of Faith the holy Bishops repair'd to the Sepulcher of the glorious Martyr Saint Alban with an intention to give thanks to Almighty God by his intercession There S. German having with him Relicks of all the Apostles and diverse Martyrs after Prayer made he commanded the Sacred Sepulcher to be opened because he would there lay up these precious Gifts For he thought it convenient that the same Repository should contain the members of many Saints out of diverse regions whom Heaven had receiv'd and crownd for the equality of their merits Having then with great reverence depos'd joynd together so many Sacred Relicks he digg'd up from the place where the Blessed Martyr S. Alban had shed his blood a masse of dry earth which he
administration of his Kingdom to a Nephew by his Sister and Son of Loth King of the Picts called Mordred Who taking advantage of his Vncles absence invaded the throne upon a pretence that King Arthur was a bastard as being born not in lawfull mariage And to this treason he added the crime of incest violently taking his Vncles wife Queen Guenhumara Moreover to strengthen him self he entred into a Confederacy with the King of the West-Saxons to whom he quietly yeilded severall Provinces 3. These infamous crimes being come to the ears of King Arthur he presently returned into Brittany inflamed with a rage and hatred unquencheable against his abominable kinsman Mordred was prepared to hinder his landing at which time a cruell batell was fought between them in which Angusâ—lus King of Albania and Walwan another Nephew of King Arthur were slain Notwithstanding at last with infinite difficulty he landed And renewing the fight he made a great slaughter of his enemies and compelled Mordred to fly to Winchester Whither he was with great fury pursued by King Arthur where in a second batell after much blood shed Mordred was again putt to flight which he directed towards Cornwal But King Arthur not ceasing to follow at last overtook him neer the River Camblan in which place the controversy between them was ended but fatally to them both 4. For Mordred having ranged his army in a desperat fury rushed among his enemies resolved rather to dye then once more to shew his back to them In this coÌ„bat which continued almost a whole day after horrible blood-shed on both sides King Arthur with the courage and fury of a lyon rushed into the troop where he knew Mordred was and making way with his sword at last with horrible slaughter dispersed his enemies There fell the Traytour Mordred and with him severall Saxon Commanders Cheldric Elaphius Egbrith and Bruning and many thousands with them 5. But this Victory cost King Arthur his life also For in the combat he received a mortall wound Whereupon he was conveyed into the Isle Avallonia now Glastonbury by the charity of a kinswoman of his a noble Matron called Morganis This gave the foolish Brittish Bards occasion to invent the story of a Faery Goddesse called Morganis which caried the Body of King Arthur by Magical skill into Avallonia with a promise that she would cure his wounds and that he should return with his former courage and strength to govern his Brittains And for this reason during many years yea ages his return was expected by them as foolshly as the coming of the Messias is by the Iewes 6. When Queen Guenhumara heard of the return of her husband and his war with his Nephew she fled in great hast to the Citty Caër-leon where she took the Habit of Religion among the Nunns in the Monastery of S. Iulius the Martyr 7. The true reason why King Arthur would be caried to the Monastery of Glastonbury doubtles was partly to prepare himself more perfectly for death in the company and by the assistance of the Holy Monks living there and likewise that after his death he might be buried among such a world of Saints as reposed there from the beginning of Christianity The like design we read of in Constantin for he ordaind his buriall in like manner to the end he might be partaker of the Suffrages of so many Saints of the prayers of such as in succeeding times should come to visit their Monuments 8. King Arthur before his death gave unto the said Monastery Brent-march and Poulden with other lands beside Which the Pagan Angli took away but afterward being converted to the Faith restored with advantage He appointed likewise for his Successour a kinsman of his called Constantin and having recommended himself to the Prayers of the Monks he dyed happily and after a Christian manner was buried with a Crosse. 9. His conveyance to Glastonbury was it seems by own order done with great secrecy and by the same order his death and place of burial was studiously coÌ„ceald The reason is given by Mathew of Westminster in these words The dying King was desirous to be hidden least his enemies should insult and his freinds be molested for so great a calamity And hence it is that since our Histories doe relate nothing of his death and buriall the Brittish Nation out of their great affection to him doe contend that he is still alive And on this occasion was invented the Prophecy fathered on Merlin the Magician that he should appear and raign once more Lastly Malmsburiensis affirms that in his time who dyed in the year of Grace one thousand one hundred forty two the Sepulcher of King Arthur could no where be found whereas the Monument of his Heroical Nephew Walwin Prince of a Territory called Walwerth had lately been found in the time of King William near the Sea-coast and that it was fourteen foot long 10. Notwithstanding a little while after in the raign of King Henry the Second by the pious industry of certain devout persons King Arthurs Monument was at last found and the expectation of his return utterly vanished among the Welsh Nation The manner how it was found together with the description of it we have in severall of our Historians as Mathew Paris and Giraldus Cambrensis who affirms that the Abbot who found it shewd him the Crosse which lay over King Arthurs body the characters whereof he curiously read c. 11. But the most authentick account hereof we may receive from the Great Table of Glastonbury framed on purpose to continue the memory of the said Invention a copy whereof is preserved by B. Vsher in this tenour In this Island Avallonia or rather this Tomb of Saints at Glastonbury doe rest King Arthur the flower of the Kings of Brittany and Guenhavera his Queen who after their decease were honourably buried near the old Church between two stone-Pyramids heretofore nobly engraven And in the same place have their bodyes rested for many ages to wit six hundred twenty eight years till the time of Henry de Soili who after the burning of the said Church was Abbot of the same place The which said Abbot after many admonitions by severall persons commanded men to digg between the said Piramids to try whether they could find the Kings body but before they began to digg the place was all encompassed with cortains They digged therefore exceeding deep and at last found a very great Biere of wood altogether shutt which with their instruments they opened and within it discovered the Kings body and a certain Crosse of Lead of which one whole side was filled with this Inscription Here lyes buried the famous King Arthur in the Island Avallonia Then they opened the Tomb of the Queen and the hayr 's of her head were spread over her body and seemd as if she had been lately buried but assoon as they touched them they fell all
many prayers entreated him to stay some time with him and as he had signified in his Message restore order to the Church in that Region because in a manner all the inhabitants had lost the Catholick Faith S. Gildas accordingly travelling through all the Provinces of Ireland restored Churches instructed the Clergy in the true Faith and worship of the holy Trinity cured those who had been poysond with Heresy and expelled all Teachers of Errour So that by his Zeale and diligence Truth began again to flourish in the countrey 10. After this the Holy man built many Monasteries in that Island and instructed the children of many of the Nobility in learning and piety And to win the greater number to the service of God he himself became a Monk and brought to the same Profession very many as well of the Nobility as meaner persons and orphans He compassionatly freed likewise from the tyrannicall slavery of Infidels many poore Christians c. 11. Thus this holy man became as it were a second Apostle to Ireland repairing the ruines of that Faith which Saint Patrick first preached among them Now whereas Adamannus says that the Epistle first sent him out of Ireland was brought by Faithfull men If we enquire who these Faithfull men were it will appear very probable that among them the Holy Abbot Komgall was one for the Writer of his life sayes that at this time namely in the seaventh year after the foundation of the Monastery of Beancher which saith B. Vsher was built in the year of Grace five hundred fifty five that holy man sayld into Brittany out of a desire to visit some holy men and to remain there some time where he built a Monastery in a certain village called Heth. 12. How long S. Gildas abode in Ireland is not manifest though for so great a work as he performed there a short time would not suffise But it is without question that he returned into Brittany where he also dyed in a good old age For thus writes Pits of him At last Gildas the glorious Confessour of Christ being ninety years old ended his life in great holines in the Monastery of Banchor where he was buried the fourth day before the Calends of February in the year of Grace five hundred eighty three when Maglocunus sustaind the Brittish Empire falling to ruine And on the same day is celebrated in our Martyrologe the memory also of the other Saint Gildas Albanius Now whereas it is said that Maglocunus was then King of Brittany that may possibly be true for the succession of the Brittish Princes during these tumultuous times for want of Writers is very uncertain 13. If we consider the great age in which he dyed that may reasonably be applied to him which B. Vsher would rather referr to the former S. Gildas namely that S. Brendan the Son of Finloga in the year of our Lord five hundred sixty two came into Brittany to visit the holy old man Gildas dwelling there who was famous for his great wisedom which passage is extracted out of an uncertain Authour of his Life For at that time Gildas was more then threescore and ten years old XI CHAP. 1. The Raign of King Ethelbert 2.3 c. Of S. Columba His Contention with King Dermitius whence followd a Civill Warr in which the King is miraculously overthrown 6. S. Columba pennanced by S. Finian a Bishop 7. And excommunicated by a Synod of Bishops 1. IN the year of Grace five hundred sixty one Irmeric King of Kent after he had raignd thirty years dyed leaving behind him a Son and a Daughter His Son and Successours name was Ethelbert his daughters Ricula This is that happy and famous Ethelbert who according to his Name was the glory and splendour of his Nation who had the first prerogative of receiving and propagating the Christian Faith among the Saxons Some disposition thereto was begun in his Fathers time who by Hector Boëtius his testimony who calls him Iurminric permitted in his Kingdom at least a privat exercise of Christian Religion But before it will be openly professed there by his Son thirty years of his raign must be spent as shall be shewd hereafter During which time many changes hapned to his state for he was frequently exercis'd in war wherein toward the beginning he sustained great losses which afterward he repair'd by many victories with which he much enlarged the limits of his dominions 2. In the third year of his raign the famous S. Columba by occasion of Civil wars and the iniurious dealing of the Bishops in Ireland was compell'd to quitt that Island and come into Brittany Thus does Adelmannus who wrote the life of that Saint relate the particulars Two years after the Civil war at Culedre bene when Dermitius son of Kerbail was Monark of Ireland and all businesses were determin'd before the Kings Tribunal it happned so that S. Columba was obliged to appear before him to challenge a certain free man who had been made a captive And when the cause being pleaded before the King an uniust sentence had been pronounced by him the Man of God rose up with great indignation and before all there pâ—esent said thus O uniust King Know that from this moment thou shalt never see my face within thy dominions till God the Iust Iudge shall have diminish'd thy Kingdom for thy iniustice For as thou hast despis'd mee here before thy Nobles by a Wrongfull iudgment so shall the Eternall God despise thee before thine enemies in the day of war Having said thus he presently took horse smiting him with his whip so as that great store of blood issued from him This being observ'd by the Kings Counsellors present they wondred at it and humbly entreated the King to comply with the Holy mans request for fear God should dissipate his Kingdom according to his threatning 3. But the King filld with fury would not understand that he might doe right but moreoveâ— swore that he would toke revenge on all the kinred of S. Columba and make them all slaves And according to this Oath he gathred a mighty army of three and twenty thousand horse foot and charrets and with it march'd to the confines of that countrey with a resolution utterly to extirpate the inhabitants When therefore the people of Conal heard of the Kings coming they likewise were assembled to the number of three thousand desirous to fight manfully in defence of their countrey being in so great danger and placing all their hope in God alone S. Columba rose very early and being full of Gods Spirit he encouraged them and with a loud voyce which sounded terribly through the whole army he said to them Fear nothing God himself shall fight for you as he did with Moyses against the Egyptians at the Red sea Not any of you shall suffer the least harm for our Lords wrath is inflam'd against this proud Kings army so that if but
for Oswin urging all men by Promises rewards and terrible threatnings to discover him Hunwald either allured with gain or affrighted with danger treacherously betraid his King and Benefactour Assoon as Oswin saw himself discovered and the place encompassed with soldiers he desired Ethelwin to content himself with his death alone and to spare his companion Tunder since his life only was sought by Oswi But the cruel executioner presently slew them both for indeed the faithfull soldier refused to survive his King This murder was committed on the thirteenth day before the Caâ—ends of September 5. The death of this pious King was greatly bewayld by all for from his child hood saith Mathew of Westminster he was a devout Professour of Christian Religion He was tall in stature valiant civill prudent liberall he was as his table sober in his bed modest affable to all and between the poor and rich he caried himself so that the poor regarded him as their equall and the rich as their Master Whence it came to passe that for the civility of his Royal mind all sought accesse to him and tenderly lov'd him even out of forrain Provinces The like character S. Beda gives of him 6. But among all his vertues the same Authour most commends his Humility a worthy example whereof he thus relates He had bestowd on the Holy Bishop Aidan a horse on which though ordinarily he went afoot sometimes he passed the rivers or upon necessity rode a iourney Awhile after as the Bishop was travelling a poor man mett him and begged an almes The Bishop presently lighting down commanded the horse to be given him with all his sumptuous furniture for he was very mercifull to the poor and a Father to such as were in misery This being related to the King he said to the Bishop as they were ready to sitt down to table My Lord Bishop what meant you to give so generous a horse to a beggar which I gave you for your own use We had horses of lesse valew or some other gifts which would have suffised him The Bishop presently answerd him Why says your Maâ—esty so Is a colt in more esteem with you then the Son of God Aâ—ter these speeches had passed between them they entred into the dining room and the Bishop sate in his place but the King being newly come from hunting stood with his servants warming himself at the fire And there calling to mind the Bishops words to him he putt off his sword and in hast went and cast himself at the Bishops feet beseeching him to pardon him for said he I will never speak or censure you for what you give to Gods children of my goods be it never so much The Bishop seing this was deeply struck with it and rising took the King up assuring him that he was very well satisfied upon condition he would be chearfull and sitt down to meat Now whilst the King at the Bishops request expressed much ioy the Bishop on the other side began to be very sad insomuch as he could not contain himself from weeping Which being observed by his Preist he asked him in his own countrey-language which neither the King nor his servants understood why he wept The Bishops answer was I am assured that this good King will not live long for till this hower I never saw an humble King whence I conclude that he will shortly be snatched out of this life And indeed it was not long after that the Kings death made good the Holy Bishops Prophecy 7. The place where he was slain was in the English tongue called Ingethling where his body was ignobly buried It was afterward called Gilling not far distant from Richmond and there saith Saint Beda and the Authour of his life Queen Eanfled wife of King Oswi and Kings Oswins kinswoman having obtaind permission from her husband built a Monastery for the expiation of his death in which dayly Prayers were to be offred to God for the redemption of both the Kings soules of him who had been slain and him by whose command he was slain Of which Monastery she appointed Abbot a certain devout man named Trumhere by nation an Englishman but instructed and ordaind by the Scotts who was also kinsman to the King This holy man was afterward made Bishop of the Southern Mercians under their King Wulsere where he converted great multitudes to Christ 8. This Monastery and Church by the furious incursion of the Danes was so totally destroyd that the memory of King Oswin was abolished But about the year of Christ one thousand sixty five by a vision in sleep a certain Monk of the Church of Tinmouth was admonished to inform the Bishop where the Holy Kings body lay which being taken up afforded a most sweet odour and was there with great veneration deposed in the Church of Tinmouth A second Translation followed in the year of Grace eleaven hundred and ten when his Sacred Relicks were removed to a New Church in the same town dedicated to our Blessed Lady 9. After which time mens devotion to this Holy King and Martyr much encreased the twentieth day of August being assigned for his Festivall And Thomas Walsingham Historiographer to King Richard the second relates how by a strange prodigy the neglect of that Feast was punished For saith he two Marriners at New-castle on the Tyne on that day being busy at work in hewing a peice of Timber for their ship at every stroke with their axe great quantity of blood issued And when one of them persisted notwithstanding in his work and turned the timber still the blood on all sides flowd abundantly out of it This Miracle says he was seen by very many and verified in an assembly of Ecclesiasticks appointed â—o examine it and the peice of Timber all staind with blood was caried into the Church of Tinmouth where the Saints Body reposed XV. CHAP. 1. 2. c. Death of Saint Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn His vertues c. 1. THE deplorable death of this Holy King Oswin was attended with that also of S. Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn for thus writes S. Beda On the twelfth day after the murder of the King dyed likewise the Holy Bishop who tenderly loved him to wit the day before the Calends of September 2. The place where this Holy Bishop dyed is described by the same Authour to be a countrey village belonging to the King where there was a Church and a lodging prepared for the Bishop to which he frequently retired to enjoy a better commodity for preaching For he had nothing in his own possession but a few small feilds about the said Church His lodging was a Tent pitched against the Western wall of the Church here leaning his head against the side of the Tent he gave up the ghost in the seaventeenth year after he had been Bishop His Body was caried to the Isle of Lindesfarn and buried in the Church-yard of the
in thankfullnes for his victory obtaind against the bloody King of the Mercians Penda XXII CHAP. 1.2 The Gests of S. Adulf and S. Botulph brethren 1. AT the same time with S. Hilda flourished S. Botulph and his Brother S. Adulph whom erroneously some Writers affirm to have been Scotts who are confuted by the whole contexture of their Lives For thus we read in their Gests recorded by Ioannes Anglicus in Capgrave Before Christian Religion was spread over Brittany the Venerable Fathers Botulph and Adulf born of a Noble family and of a German descent and more strictly linked by charity then blood being very young were initiated in spirituall and celestial exercises For being born of a Saxon stock which conquered Brittany by martiall courage they from their infancy were imbued in the Christian Faith But their parents being rude and unacquainted with the Documents of perfection sent their children five in number to their ancient countrey of Saxony there to learn the Discipline of a holy conversation 2. Thus by mistake writes that Authour for as yet Christianity was not entred into Saxony Therefore in stead of Saxony we are to understand Belgick France whither by S. Beda's testimony our Ancestors in those times usually sent their children to be in 〈◊〉 in more sublime Christian Philosophâ— The same Writer thus prosecutes hiâ— Narratio 3. With this intention the foresaid Fathers paâ—sing the Sea repaired to Monasteries of Holy Religious men desiring coÌ„munication with them to be instructed in the Document of a spirituall life There being imbued with Monastical Instituâ— and disciplines of a more austere life they received the Religious Habit and in a short time Gods Grace became enabled co be Teachers â— Perfection 4. The King therefore hearing the fame of S. Adulphus exalted him to the Government of the Church of Virect in Belgium Who in discharge of that sublime employment was very watchfuâ— and solicitous to prevent the snares and cunning designs of the Devill who like a ravening wâ—l sought the destruction of his flock He was sedulouâ— in works of mercy feeding the poor cloathing the naked correcting those which strayd and comforting the afflicted to the end he might himself obtain the effect of our Lords Promise Blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy He was instant in fasting watching and prayers He prevented his preaching by his practise and in all things lead a saintlike life 5. In the Gallican Martyrologe he is adorned with this Elogy On the seaventeenth of Iune is celebrated the Memory of S. Adulph Bishop of Vâ—rect who was Brother of S. Botulph and out of Brittany passing with him into France for his eminent endowments and Sanctity of life was raised to that See wherein by his admirable vertues and learning he became a shining light to his flock and at last with a great affluence of merits ended his life or rather being translated by death he passed to a life immortall 6. As for his Venerable Brother S. Botulph by the testimony of the foresaid Authour being well exercised in vertue and holines he resolved to return into England Now there were in the same Monastery where he made his abode two Sisters of Ethelmund a Prince among the Southangles who had been sent thither to be instructed in Monasticall Disciplines They hearing that the Blessed man had a purpose to return to his countrey gave him commissions to be delivered to their Brother Having therefore passed the Sea S. Botulph was honourably received by the said Prince who having heard his Sisters petitions and accepted them granted to the Holy man a place for building a Monastery Now S Botulph did not desire that for his cause any one should be driven out of his hereditary possession but rather that some place unpossessed and uncultivated should be assigned him that there he might build a Church and congregate brethren to serve God by whose pious lives and prayers his Principality might be established in this world and an eternall kingdom prepared for him in the world to come This request the Prince willingly granted whereupon the Venerable Father chose a certain untilled place where none dwelt named Ikanho It was a Wildernes unfrequented by men but possessed by Devills whose phantasticall illusions were to be expelled thence and a Religious conversation of pious men to be introduced that where the Devills fallacies abounded there our Lords Divine Grace might superabound 7. Where this place called Ikanho was seated is now uncertain The Centuriators of Magdeburg from Leland and Bale place it not far from the Citty of Lincoln And indeed in that Province where the River Witham enters the Sea there is a Town called Boston but more truly Botulphs-town for saith Camden it being formerly by Beda called Icanhoe took a new name from Botulph a most holy Saxon. Likewise in Huntingdon-shire there is a town called Bottle-bridge for S. Botulphs-bridge So that it seems in one of these two places S. Botulph built his Monastery 8. The said Authour thus pursues his Narration When he had finished his Monastery like a good shepheard he gathered together his flock whom he diligently taught Apostolick Doctrines and Instituts of the Holy Fathers and whatsoever good Documents he had learnt abroad concerning Monasticall Disciplines those he instilled into the minds and practises of his Monks He was beloved by all for he was free from arrogance being humble mild and affable in all things He was illustrious likewise for many miracles and the gift of Prophecy For sometimes by Divine inspiration he foretold future things as expressly as if they had been passed When he was oppressed with any infirmity he with blessed Iob persisted in thanking God and all his discourse was of matters which might edify and advance the hearers Such was his conversation during his life and in such exercises he attained to a good old age 9. He dyed most happily the same year in which S. Hilda also dyed and was buried in the Monastery which he had built There his Sacred Relicks remained till the Danes invading this Island wasted all Holy places with fire and sword Then by the care of S. Ethelwold they were translated part to the Monastery of Ely and part to that of Thorney The Memory of S. Botulph was elsewhere also celebrated for at London there is a Church dedicated to his honour Hence we read this passage in Capgrave In the Book of the Church of S. Botulph near Aldersgate London there is mention how a part of the Body of S. Botulph was by King Edward of Happy memory conferred on the Church of S. Peter in Westminster His memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the sixteenth of May. THE SIXTEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 c. The Mercians Converted and an Episcopall See erected there 5 Ithamar Bishop of Rochester dyes and Damian succeeds 6. The Holy Offspring of Merovald a Prince of the Mercians
filthy Idolatry the Devill to interrupt that good work or to be revenged on the worker kindled again in the minds of his Adversaries among the Northumbers that envy and malice which seemd to have been asswaged by his exile insomuch as they became enraged to hear that the Holy Bishop persecuted by them should be made an instrument of good to Srangers Hereupon by messages and gifts they solicited the Franks to procure the murder of the Apostolick Prelat 5. There lived still in greatest power among the Franks Ebroin Maire of the Kings Palace who as hath been declared had already embrued his hands in the blood of Dalphinus Bishop of Lyons and severall other Prelats of the French Church Him did the malicious Northumbers hire to this execrable murder Who immediatly by promises gifts and menaces solicited Adalgise King of the Frisons to be the Executioner But this barbarous half-pagan Prince did so utterly abhorr this unchristian proposall that he threw the Letters of Ebroin into the fire after he had read them in the hearing of Saint Wilfrid who was then feasted by him and whilst they were burning he added these words So may he be burned who for covetousnes of gold would dissolve the band of freindship once agreed upon 6. Thus by the watchfull Providence of God did the Holy Bishop escape the snares layd against his life and when the Spring had mitigated the feircenes of the aire and opened the wayes for travelling Saint Wilfrid renewed his iourney towards Rome and as William of Malmsbury relates passing through the Kingdom of the Franks inhabiting beyond the Rhene came to the King of that Nation called Dagobert Who entertained him with all kindnes and respect calling to mind how when he himself had formerly by a faction of his Nobles been driven out of his Kingdom into Ireland at his return this Holy Bishop had lodged him freindly and moreover furnished him with horses and attendants to his own countrey To expresse his gratitude therefore this King not only with extreme benignity received Saint Wilfrid but with most earnest prayers solicited him to accept the Bishoprick of Strasbourg and fixe his habitation in his countrey This kind offer the Holy Bishop thought not convenient then to accept but deferred his resolution till his return from Rome Whereupon he was though unwillingly dismissed by the King and being accompanied with his Bishop Deodatus prosecuted his iourney 7. Thus writes the said Historian But what he relates of Dagoberts expulsion into Ireland ought to be applied to Theodoric King of the Franks who lived at this time and being reiected by his Subjects might have been thus hospitably entertained by S. Wilfrid Whereas King Dagobert was dead severall years before this 8. Saint Wilfrid being thus dismissed with recommendations passing through Champaigne diverted out of the straight way to visit Berthaire Prince of that Province This Prince had from the Holy Bishops enemies been informed of the cause of his journey and moreover invited by promises to procure some mischeif to him Whereupon at his first coming he received him with an arrogant frowning countenance but assoon as he had been acquainted with a true relation of the cause his displeasure was mitigated insomuch as he did not only abstain from doing him any hurt but by his recommendation and assistance brought the controversy to a good end Withall professing that he was induced hereto by the humanity of the King of the Hunns in whose Court he had formerly lived during his banishment who though he was a Pagan yet could by no offers be corrupted to doe the least harm to him to whom he had once promised security 9. The like courtesy and Civility did Saint Wilfrid find from all Princes through whose Courts and Provinces he passed insomuch as at last he arrived safely at Rome where he found Pope Agathon busily employed in repressing the Heresy of the Monothelites who taught that our Saviour though subsisting in two Natures yet had but one Will. This Heresy had at that time greivously infected the Eastern Churches for the extirpation whereof and preventing the spreading of it in the West that Holy Pope had at this time assembled a Synod at Rome to which S. Wilfrid was invited where likewise his cause was determined But before we relate the successe thereof it will be expedient to declare how in his absence almighty God justified his innocence by inflicting a sharp judgment on his Enemies and persecutours at home III. CHAP. 1 2. c. Saint Wilfrids Prophecy fullfilled Winfrid Bishop of Lichfeild expelled 1. THAT Propheticall denunciation by which Saint Wilfrid being derided by the Courtiers of King Egfrid for his Appeale to Pope Agathon â—oretold them That their laughter should precisely within the space of a year be turned into greivous lamentation was exactly fulfilld the next yeare in which he remaind at Rome For not long after his departure Ethelred King of the Mercians Brother of Wolfere being desirous to avenge the iniuries of his brother sustained from King Egfrid who had overcome him in battell and possessed himself of the Province of the Lâ—ndesfars or Lincolnshire he denounced war against the said Egfrid Who swelling with pride for his former victory courageously mett him with an army not doubting of like successe against him 2. The two armies mett saith Saint Beda near the River Trent where coming to a decisive battell the Mercians utterly defeated the army of the Northumbers and among a multitude of others there was slain Eâ—win the Brother of Egfrid a young man â—bout eighteen years old tenderly loved both by the Northumbers and Mercians for his Sister named Ostrids was wife to King Etheâ—red And it hapned that on the very day a twelf-month after Saint Wilfrid had suffred the â—orementioned iniury the dead body of that hopefull young Prince was brought to York which caused a generall and long continued mourning both to the Citty and Province 3. If this battell was fought on the South side of Trent in Nottingham-shire where remains a village called Edwinstow it is most probable that place took its name rather from this Prince who by William of Malmsbury is called Edwin then from the Holy King and Martyr Saint Edwin who by Saint Beda's testimony was slain at a place called Heathfeild in Yorkshire 4. By this victory King Ethelred recovered that portion of his Kingdom called the Province of the Lindesfari which Egfrid had formerly won from his brother Wolfere But this one defeat not concluding the war to the continnance of which both these Kings made great preparations S. Theodore Archbishop of Canterbury trusting in the Divine assistance interposed himself between them and by many zealous exhortations pacified their minds so as that flame was quite extinguished insomuch as no other satisfaction was given to King Egfrid for the death of his Brother but only a summ of money And the peace concluded between the two Nations continued
and the feilds with a pleasant verdure brought forth fruits of all kinds in great plenty Thus abandoning their Idolatry the hearts and flesh of all the inhabitants exalted in the living God perceiving that he was indeed the only true God who in mercy had enriched them with goods of all kinds both for their soules and bodies 8 The same Authour in another place relates how Saint Wilfrid taught the people another remedy against the famine For says he the Sea and rivers in that countrey abounded with fish but the inhabitants had no skill at all in fishing except only for Eeles But by his command a great number of such Netts as were used for Eeles being gathered together they cast them into the Sea and by Gods providence took of severall sorts of fishes to the number of three hundred Which being divided into three parts one hundred was given to the poore anotheâ— to those which laboured and the third he reserved for the use of him and his attendants By such benefits as these he gott a cordiall affection of them all by which means they were the more easily induced to expect heavenly blessings promised them in his Sermons since by his assistance they had already obtained temporall 9 Great numbers therefore having been converted the next care was to appoint a Mansion for Saint Wilfrid and his companions This care was not wanting for as the same Authour says At that time King Edilwalch gave to the most Reverend Bishop a possession of eighty seaven families for the entertainment of himself and those who would not forsake him in his banishment The place was called Seolesea or the Island of Seales It was encompassed by the Sea on all sides except toward the West where the entrance into it is in breadth about a bow-shoot Assâ—on as the Holy Bishop had the possession of this place he founded there a Monasâ—ery placing therein for the most part â—uch as he had brought with him whom he instituted in a Regular conversation and this Monastery is to this day governed by such as have succeeded him For he remained in those parts the space of five years that is to the death of King Egfrid and worthily exercised his Episcopall Office both by word and deed And whereas the King together with the said land had bestowed on him all the goods and persons upon it he instructed them all in the Christian Faith and purified them with the Sacrament of Baptism among whom were men and mayd-serâ—ants two hundred and fifty all which were not only by baptism rescued from the slavery of the Devill but had likewise bestowed on them a freedom from human servitude 10. Severall Bishops anciently have had their Episcopall See in this Half-Island and were called Bishops of Selsey but none succeeded S. Wilfrid there till the year of Grace seaven hundred and eleaven Afterward about the year one thousand and seaventy the Episcopall See was translated thence to Cissancester now called Chichester where it remains to this day As for the ancient small Citty in which those Bishops resided there remains only the caâ—keyse of it which in high tides is quite covered with the Sea but at low water is open and conspicuous saith Camden 11. Over the Monks in this new founded Monastery S. Wilfrid appointed Abbot a devout Preist named Eappa of whom we have already treated And a little after hapned a terrible plague which swept away great numbers both of Religious persons there and in the countrey about By occasion of which the Monks appointed a solemn Fast three days together with prayers and Sacrifices for the asswaging of it And on the second day of the said Fasâ— hapned that Miracle which we mention'd â—â—fore at the Death of the Holy King Martyr S. Osâ—ald how a young child in the said Monastery lying alone sick of the infection whilst the Monks were at Prayers in the Church there appeared to him the Apostles S. Peter and S. Paul bidding him not to be afraid of death for the same day he should be caried by them into heaven but he was to expect till the Masses were finished after which he should receive the precious body and blood of our Lord for his Viaticum They commanded him likewise that he should call for the Preist and Abbot Eappa to whom he should declare that God had heard and accepted their prayers and excepting the young child himself not any one of the Monastery or possessions adioyning should dye of that sicknes And that this mercy to them was obtained by the intercession of the glorious King and Martyr Saint Oswald who the very same day had been slain by Infidels This the child declared accordingly to the Preist Eappa and the event confirmed the truth for he dyed the same day and not any one after him all that were sick recovered and the infection ceased X. CHAP. 1.2 Three Bishopricks among the Northumbers 3.4 c. Trumwin ordained Bishop of the Picts and afterward expelled 1. WEE will leave S. Wilfrid among the South-Saxons awhile busy in his Apostolick employment among his new Converts and return to take a view what passed in the mean time in the Northern parts of Brittany We have already declared how S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury partly in compliance with King Egfrids passion against S. Wilfrid and partly in conformity to a Canon of the Council of Hertford divided the single Diocese of the Northumbers into two that of York and another of the more Northern Provinces the Episcopall See whereof was placed indifferently at Lindesfarn and Hagulstad This was done in the year of Grace six hundred seaventy eight And two years after he again added a third Bishoprick in the same Province For wheras Eata had been consecrated Bishop both of Lindesfarn and Hagulstad he then divided that Diocese leaving that of Lindesfarn to Eata and ordaining Tumbert or Cumbert over that of Hagulstad now called Hexham 2. He instituted likewise at the same time a New Bishoprick among the Viccians or inhabitants of Worcester-shire consecrating Boselus their first Bishop For he who had been formerly designed thereto named Tatfrith a man of great courage and learning and of an excellent iudgment saith S Beda quote by B. Godwin had immaturely been snatchâ—â— away by death before he could be consecrated 3. At this time the Nation of the Pictâ— though they had embraced the Christia Faith many years before yet by reason oâ— the great vicissitudes hapning among them wanted a Bishop In the year six hundred forty two they were subdued by King Oswald and made tributary After the death of the next King Oswi and in the first year of the raign of Egfrid the same Picts saith William of Malmsbury contemning the infancy of this young King withdrew themselves from his obedience and boldly invaded his Kingdom under the conduct of a Noble man named Berney The young King courageously mett them and with an army much inferiour
divided by an intestin warr But he did not as he hoped find them unprepared nor destitute of courage to resist him For after many losses sustained in severall parts of the countrey they at last took courage and uniting their forces together came to a battell wherein they had the upper hand and constraind Cedwalla to fly As for his Brother Mollo or Mull he in his flight being compelled to retire into a certain Cottage the enemies fett it on fire so that he not daring to issue out was consumed by the flames Yet did not Cedwalla for all this desist from repairing his losses by frequent micheifs done to the inhabitants of Kent and a more full revenge he bequeathed to his Successour King â—naâ— as in due place shall be declared 6. B. Parker in his Antiquities assigns a strange cause wâ—y this Mollo was burnt by the Kentish soldiers saying Some affirm that the cause of the death of Mollo was because the Kentishmen perceived that he was very obstinat in defending Images concerning which a Controversy in that age was solemnly debated But it does no where appear that Mollo was a Christian. Certain it is his Brother Cedwalla was not baptised till after this when he had made a iourney to Rome in devotion for that purpose It was therefore in probability his obstinacy not to reliquish his Idols or Pagan worship that might because of his death And as for the pretended Question about Sacred Images it was not raised in the Church till about a hundred years after this and then it began in the East by certain factious Christians half-Iewes Neither doe we find any signs in our ancient Records that Brittany was disturbed with that debate If this Mollo therefore was a Christian it is well known what doctrine Saint Augustin and his Successours taught in Kent touching the Veneration of Images and that Saint Birinus Agilbert Hedda and Wilfrid taught the same among the West-Saxons 7. Cedwalla after he had for some time vented his fury against Kent turned his arms to the subdâ—ing the Isle of Wight adioyning to the Province of the south-Saxons already conquered by him And how great a blessing that Island obtained by his cruelty wee find thus related by Saint Beda After that Cedwalla saith he had the possession of the Kingdom of the Gevissi or West-Saxons he subdued the Isle of Wight the inhabitants whereof were to that time wholly addicted to Pagan Idolatry whom he endeavoured wholly to exterminate and to place in their rooms his own Subjects yea as the report is he obliged himself by vow though as yet he was no professed Christian nor baptized that if he gott the possession of the Island he would consecrate to our Lord the fourth part both of the land and spoyles And this Vow he effectually performed insomuch as he gave to Saint Wilfrid who not long before was arrived there out of the Northern parts the use of the said land and prey Now the measure of that Island according to the English estimation is so much as may maintain twelve hundred families So that the possession of three hundred families was given to the Bishop But he recommended the portion given him to one of his Clarks named Berwins who was his Sisters Son And withall gave him a Preist called Hildila to the end he might administer the Word of life and Baptism to all that would be saved 8. It is also probable that about this time the same Cedwalla gave to S. Wilfrid the Town called Paganham concerning which Selden makes mention of a certain clause in the said Kings Charter importing that a threefold freedom was granted to that place now given to the Church to witt a freedom from having a Castle built there and from contribution to mending the bridge and lastly from payments to the army if this be the right interpretation of the rude Latin phrase Absque trinoda necessitate totius Christiani populi id est areis munitione pontis emendatione exercitij congestime liberam perstrinxi Another Charter to the same holy Bishop is likewise extant to which is annexed this clause For a further confirmation hereof I Cedwalla have putt a turf of the said ground upon the holy Altâ—r of our Saviour and by reason of my ignorance in writing my name I have expressed and subscribed the sign of the holy Crosse. Now from hence is manifest that at the time of the invasion of the Isle of Wight Cedwalla was a Christian Cathecumen though he deferred his Baptism out of a desire to receive it at Rome V. CHAP. 1.2 Two young Princes Martyrs in the Isle of Wight 3. King Cedwalla his reverence to Saint Wilfrid 1. THE Isle of Wight was the last Province of Brittany which received the Christian Faith and that New Church was consecrated with the blood of two young Princely Martyrs the Brethren of Arvald or Arvand King of that Island The manner hereof is thus described by S. Beda 2. Wee must not passe over in silence saith he how two Royall children brethren to Arvald King of the Island were by a speciall Grace of God crownd with Martyrdom being made an Oblation of First fruits of such inhabitants of the said Island as were to be saved by Faith For when the Enemies army approached they fled privatly out of the Island into the adioyning Province of the Iutae or Hampshire Where being come to a place called Ad lapidem Stoneham they hoped to conceale themselves from the sight of the conquering King Cedwalla but they were betrayd and by his command appointed to be slain The report of this command being come to the hearing of a Certain Abbot and Preist named Cymbert who governed a Monastery not far distant from thence called Read-ford or the Ford of Reeds it is now called Redbridge he came to the K. who then lay privatly in those parts to be cured of his wound received in the late battell in the Isle of Wight and humbly requested of him that of those children must needs be killed he would at least permitt them to be instructed in the Christian Faith and baptized before their death The King yeilded to this request whereupon the good Abbot taught them the Mysteries of Christian Religion which they embracing he washed them from all their sins in the Laver of saving Baptism and therby gave them an assurance that they should enter into an eternall kingdom Thus the Executioner being come they ioyfully underwent a corporall death not doubting but that thereby their soules should be translated to a life of happines everlasting 3. Thus writes S. Beda the summ whereof is repeated by Camden in his description of Hampshire thereto adding this observation from the same Authour That after all other Provinces of Brittany had receiued the Faith of Christ the Isle of Wight in the last place of all embraced the same Notwithstanding by reason of the miserable Subiection thereof to a forrain Prince not any
place to succeed nothing but tumults rage and treasons His young son Osulf to whom he had surrendred the kingdom in the space of one year saith Hoveden held it and lost it For on the ninth day before the Calends of August the year after his Father had instituted him in it he was impiously slain by his own family His tender age and innocence rendring him obnoxious and exposed to treachery His Successour was his Vncle Edilwald sirnamed Mul or Mollo mentioned before who is sayd to have contributed to his Nephews murder And though he was a man of great courage and prudence yet he found there could be no security in power obtaind by crimes for not long after he likewise came to a tragicall end 2. But among the Mercians a far more prosperous fate attended the new King Offa who had driven the Tyrant Beorâ—red out of the kingdom and was by the unanimous consent of the people placed in his Throne which he held the space of thirty nine years His Royall descent is thus described by Huntingdon The most Noble Prince Offa saith he was the son of Wingferd the son of Eanulf the son of Osmod the son of Epus the son of Wippa the son of Creada the son of Kinewal the son of Knibba the son of Icel the son of Eomer the son of Agelthen the son of Offa the son of Weremond the son of Withald the son of Woden Mathew of Westminster stops not here in his Genealogy but goes on till he brings him up to Adam 3. As for Mathew a Monk of Saint Albans his fictions either contrived or beleived by him wee will neglect who out of a partiall affection to Offa the founder of his Monastery recounts how he being the only son of his Father was born blind and dumb for which cause he was at first called Pinered But afterward God miraculously restored his sight and gave liberty to his tongue moreover bestowing on him a beautifull wife happy children and great triumphs over his enemies In acknowledgment for which blessings he founded the said Monastery 4. As soon as King Offa was crownd and established in his Throne saith Mathew Paris peace and prosperity flourishd again among the Mercians the people were eased of their former pressures the Regal Blood was restored Laws for publick tranquillity were enacted and the Nobles formerly banished out of the Kingdom by Beornred were recalled 5. We shall have occasion very frequently to treat of the actions of this Noble King Therefore at present we will only adioyn the Character in generall given to him by William of Malmsbury King Offa saith he the great grand child of Penda was a man of mighty courage and magnanimity who resolutely undertook whatsoever design he once conceived in his mind and he raigned the space of nine and thirty years When I revolve in my mind his Gests in which there was great variety I am in great doubt whether I should recken him among the Good or evill Kings such an interchangeable vicissitude there was of vertues and vices in him who like another Proteus was always changing his form and features VI. CHAP. 1.2.3 Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury dying gave order that his body should be buried in the Archiepiscopall Church to the prejudice of Saint Augustins Monastery 4. Bregwin succeeds him 5.6 S. Eadburga Abbesse Six Saints of the same name 1. THE same year Cuthred Arch-bishop of Canterbury after he had administred that See seaventeen years dyed When he was ready to dye saith William of Malmsbury he commanded his servants to bury him privatly in his Archiepiscopall Church which was built within the walls of the Citty And because the Monks of S. Augustin whose Monastery was seated without the said Citty by an Ancient custom which they were stubboraly constant to observe did challenge as their vndoubted right that the Bodies of the Arch-bishops should be buried in their Church in so much as they would probably endeavour even by violence to take away with them his Body after he was dead therfore he enioynd his family as soon as he was dead to abstain from any noise in bewayling his death both in the Citty and Palace so that no notice of his death being given abroad there might be no concourse of people and by that means they might without disturbance bury him in the Archiepiscopall Church and not apprehend any danger that the Monks would take him out of the ground when they should perceive how they had been overreached by cunning 2. But B. Godwin relates that the Tradition was that the Body of Arch-bishop Cuthbert was not buried in the Archiepiscopall Church it self called Christ-Church but in another lesser Church seated near it and dedicated to S. Iohn which he had built on purpose for baptizing infants and which both himself and his successours vsed in their life time for a Consistory and for a place of buriall after they were dead Moreover that this Church in after ages having been consumed by fire together with the Cathedrall Church was never after rebuilt 3. The motive inducing the Arch-bishop to make this change was in the iudgment of Sir Henry Spelman a kind of indignation that his Cathedrall Church should be deprived of the honour of being a sepulcher of eminent persons and particularly of Arch-bishops who had performed all Episcopall duties in it Therefore in as much as till that time there had no buriall places been permitted within Citties he had recourse to the Pope for a dispensation from that obligation and to the King for a change of the place of buriall both for Arch-bishops and Kings Notwithstanding if the foregoing relation be true what need was there of that subtilty to circumvent the Augustinian Monks who doubtlesse would not have had the boldnes to contradict the Orders both of the Pope and King 4. The year following there was substituted to Cuthbert in the Archiepiscopall See Bregwin who was consecrated on the Feast of S. Michael the Archangel This Bregwin according as we read in the Antiquities of Brittany was born in old Saxony of noble parents After he had passed his childhood he betook himself to the study of sacred learning to which he had so great an affection that for advantaging himself in his studies he passed over into Brittany quite forsaking his native soile After some abode in Brittany he was for his modesty and vertue so much in generall esteem and favour that he had the priviledge of naturalization And he made so great progresse in sacred knowledge that he alone was esteemed worthy to be the successour to Cuthbert in the Archbishoprick After which he did so excell in all good works that not any in his time approached within many degrees to him 5. At that time the Holy Virgin and Abbesse Eadburga sirnamed Buggan also dyed It is no wonder there should be some confusion in Writers touching her and other Saints of
with a violence not beseeming his Profession Notwithstanding the Holy Martyrs bowell he placed in a Church at Mentz where they are held in great veneration 4. Moreover in a further expression of his love and regard to his blessed Masters memory he exhorted S. Willebald his Nephew to write the Holy Martyrs Life to the end that posterity might know honour and imitate the heavenly vertues which shone so brightly in him 5. Severall Monasteries he founded as that of Heresfeild in Hassia not far from Mentz which he endowd with ample revenews adorned it with many Relicks translating likewise thither from Fritzlar the Body of S. Wigbert for which a magnificent shrine was made by the contribution of King Charles the Great Another Monastery likewise he erected at a place called Bleidenstat about two miles from Mentz Which afterward by his Successour Bertold was changed into a Colledge of Canons Thither also he translated the Relicks of S. Ferruth from Kassel In a word his whole life was employed in nothing but the advancement of piety and vertue either in converting Pagans from Idolatry to the Christian Faith or in promoting devout Christians in the wayes of Perfection 6. When his last sicknes seised on him he sent for the Holy companion of his Apostolick Office S. Witta who had been consecrated by S. Boniface Bishop of Birburg and after that Town was destroyd was made Successour of S. Wigbert in the Monastery of Fritzlar Him being come he desired to say Masse after which he intended to direct him to his Monastery of Heresfeild The good Bishop after he had with great devotion prepared himself for celebrating that most dreadfull Sacrifice not then perceiving in himself any bodily infirmity at all went to the Holy Altar where he had no sooner performed that Divine Liturgy and communicated but immediatly he expired His Body Saint Lullo presently caused to be caried into a boat conveying it himself to Heresfeld where he buried it with great honour This Holy Bishop is by some German Writers called Albuinus according to the Saxon signification of his name Witta or White 7 Presently after S. Lullo himself followd him partaking together the eternall rewards of his labours on the sixteenth day of October His Body was there likewise in the same Monastery buried with all religious piety and solemnity And about threescore years after being taken up it was found with as fresh a colour as due proportion and softnes of all the members yea and covered with vestments as free from any decay as if it had been then newly buried 8. The said Monastery of Heresfeld having been ruined by the rebellious Lutherans it is not known whither that Sacred body was removed But his Head was caried to the Monastery of S. Godard the Abbot whereof Herman in the year of Christ sixteen hundred and three gave it to the Iesuits of Mentz to be placed there in their Colledge 9. Many Miracles are recorded as performed by him both in his life and after his death I will only mention one Is the year of Grace eight hundred forty seaven when his Body was taken up as the Monks there were removing a huge Stone which lay over it it fell from their hands upon the foot of one of their Brethren so crushing and breaking it that it quite lost the shape of a foot Whereupon the Religious Monks being much contristated had recourse to God in Prayer begging likewise the Saints intercession And the night immediatly following it was so perfectly restored that the said Brother assisted at the next Mattins not retaining any mark of the least bruise at all 10. A little before his death he by the appointment of Pope Adrian ordained S. Willehade Bishop of Bremen Which Citty was then newly erected into an Episcopall See by the same Pope and richly endowed by the munificence of Charles the Great Whose Charter describing the limits of the Territory whereof and likewise of the lands conferred on it is extant in Baronius As touching S Willehade the first Bishop thereof we shall deliver his Gests in the occurrents of the year of Christ seaven hundred ninety one in which he dyed THE FIVE AND TWENTIETH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1. 2. c. Alfwold the pious King of the Northumbers murdred to whom Osred succeeds and presently after Ethelred 7.8 Ethelred Bishop of Hagulstad the magnificence of that Church 1. NOTWITHSTANDING all the care which the Legats of Pope Adrian in the late Synod with the unanimous consent of the Bishops and Nobles had taken for the preventing seditions and rebellions in the Kingdom of the Northumbers yet such an unquiet tumultuous Spirit had taken so fixed a possession of the minds of that people that scarce any King could be permitted to sit upon that throne but by the murder of his Predecessour and the uniust usurper by his own destruction made way for his Successour Which restlesse turbulent disposition since it could not be cured by the Laws and authority of Gods Church God took the revenge into his own hands and sent the terrible Nation of the Danes first to lay wast that kingdom and afterwards to be a most tearfull scourge to the whole Island 2. In the year of Grace seaven hundred eighty nine Alfwolâ— the good pious King of the Northumbers after that he had with the great ioy of vertuous men governed that kingdom the space of eleaven years was by a tempestuous sedition of wicked men deprived of it and his life also The Head of the faction against him was Sâ—gga a Noble man of that Kingdom who gathering a troop of desperatly wicked men murdred this most innocent King in a place called Silcester near the Picts wall This was an ancient Station of the Romans where the Asturian Wing quartered to oppose the irruptions of the barbarous Picts and Caledonians and it was then called Cilurnam but is now much more celebrated for the death of this pious King In the place where he was slain a heavenly light was frequently seen saith Huntingdon 3. His Body was caried to the Cathedrall Church of Hagustald where it was with great honours and devotion buried which Church had been built to Gods honour and the memory of his Saints Saint Cuthbert and S. Oswald King and Martyr Of how great merit this innocent King was with God the miracles performed at his Tombe and elswere doe declare abundantly 4. Moreover the Divine iustice gave a yet greater testimony of his Sanctity by the terrible revenge with which God expiated this execrable murther which though committed by a few was punished with a common calamity For not only Sigga who defiled his hands with his blood the same year out of despair became his own executioner and murderer But likewise dire Prodigies terrified the whole Nation Horrible thunders and fiery dragons in the aire foretold a most greivous famine shortly ensuing and an unexpressible slaughter of men Thus
a sumptuous shrine for the honour of this glorious Martyr added also a most magnificent Monastery for obtaining of Priviledges for which by advice of the Bishops recourse was had to the Pope Concerning which Monastery Mathew of Westminster writes that as S. Alban was the Prime among the Brittish Martyrs and Saints so his Monastery excelled both in possessions and liberties all the other Monasteries of the Kingdom 5. To this day is preserved the Charter which King Offa made to this Monastery in which he mentions the foresaid miraculous discovery of the holy Martyrs body adding that since Honour given to God and pious devotion to his Saints is the stability of an earthly kingdom the prosperity of long life and will undoubtedly be rewarded with eternall happines therefore he gave such lands and possessions there named to the said Monastery freeing it likewise from all tributs and burdens Apponting withall over it as Abbot Willigoda a Preist to govern it according to the Rule of S. Benedict for ever Lastly requiring that dayly prayers should continually be offred there for the soules of himself and his freinds 6. At the same time the Abbot of Croyland called Patrick successour to the first Abbot thereof Kenulph seeing the devotion piety of King Offa to Gods Saints and his kind inclination to the Prayers of Religious men obtained froÌ„ him a Charter likewise by which he took into his Protection the said Monastery confirming all the possessions and Priviledges formerly given to the same freeing the Monks thereof from all secular burdens and impositions as he had newly done his brethren the Monks of S. Alban such is his expression VII CHAP. i. 2 c. The Gests and Martyrdom of S. Ethelbert King of the East-angles 1. COncerning this King Offa the Character given him by William of Malmsbury is very proper saying In one and the same man sometimes vices did palliate themselves with a shew of vertue and sometimes vertues did succeed vices that a man would be uncertain in what shape to represent such a changeable Proteus For the same year in which he shewd himself so pious toward the Holy Martyr S. Alban he shewd himself most impious in cruelly killing an innocent Prince and making him a Martyr 2. This Prince was Ethelbert the Son of Ethelred and Leofrana by whom he was carefully instituted in piety and all vertues He had now governed the Kingdom of the East-angles forty four years with such iustice and moderation that he was tenderly loved by all his subiects All which time he had never admitted any proposall of mariage but now yeilding to the importunity of his Mother and Nobles who earnestly desired to see a Successour he remitted to their iudgments to propose to him a fitt Consort 3. When they were therefore to consult about the person in the first place they generally turned their thoughts upon a Princesse among the South-Saxons whose name was Seledrida and her Fathers Egeon by whose death she was possessed of a very considerable Province besides other great riches Therefore they advised the King to make choice of her whose Treasures and territory would be a great strength and accession to his Kingdom But the King whose iudgment was directed by better Rules then humane policy and interests reiected the proposall because that Province which Egeon had left unto his daughter was procured by uniust and fraudulent means and therefore he could not expect a benediction from God upon the possession of it 4. Some few others therefore whose counsells were guided by Principles more sublime and not so worldly proposed to the King a daughter of the most potent King Offa whose name our Historians generally call Alfreda only by Ingulfus she is named Etheldrita a Virgin endowd withall Graces against whom no exception could be made Yea moreover such affinity contracted with her Father would be an absolute security to the Kingdom To this therefore King Ethelbert consented and thereupon Embassadours were dispatched to King Offa to demand of him this grace which he willingly granted so that conditions on both sides were readily agreed on 5. When the time appointed for the mariage drew near King Ethelbert thought fitt to goe to the Mercians thereby to shew more affection and respect in conducting his espoused Lady home But when he began his iourney there hapned to him many terrible prodigies portâ—nding a fatall successe Among which this was one When he mounted on horsback attended by a great multitude of his loving Subiects who earnestly prayed for his happines on a sudden besides a great earth-quake the Sun became wholly darkned insomuch as one could not discern another neither durst they remove by reason of the trembling of the earth All were astonished at this and falling prostrate on the ground earnestly besought God to avert his wrath from them But the King more devoutly then the rest humbly begged of God at least an internall Light by which he might discern whether that iourney and the occasion of it were acceptable to him and for the benefit of his own soule in token of which he besought him to cease the trembling of the earth no to restore the Suns Light Assoon as he had ended his Prayer all these prodigies immediatly ended Thereupon the King confidently prosecuted his iourney though his Mother terrified by such ominous signs earnestly endeavoured to disswade him 6. Assoon as he was entred into Mercia attended by a small guard God was pleased in a vision by night to signify to him his approaching death and the immense glory which should follow it For First it seemed to him that the roof of his Palace fell upon him and that his Mother seeing it let fall from her eyes teares of blood Afterward he saw a wonderfully great and most beautifull Tree which certain persons feircely endeavoured to hew down and out of the wounds made in it flowed a torrent of Blood eastward Then a pillar of Light from the South more bright then the Sun seemed to rise up and himself in the shape of a Bird having the extremities of his wings shining like gold had a great desire to embrace that glorious pillar so that mounting to the top of it he heard a most celestiall Harmony to which he with infinite pleasure attended till his sleep ending all vanished away 7. The next morning he recounted this Dream to his freinds at which their astonishment and fears were renewed with great encrease considering such fearfull signs as the falling down of a house his Mothers bloody teares a fair tree cutt down and blood issuing out of it Thereupon they attempted to perswade him to return and not to tempt God after so manifest a warning given him of danger But the King thinking it both dishonourable and unsafe to publish a suspicion of any treachery in so great a King as Offa and withall considering that though in his Vision there were many ominous signs yet the end seemed glorious and
a feirce battell was begun and much blood shed on both sides But at last Hengist perceiving his army to give ground and that the Brittains began to prevayle he presently fled to a town call'd Caêr-conan now Cuningbury But considering the weaknes of the town to resist he knew his only safety consisted in the swords and spears of his followers Ambrosius pursued him and by the way putt to the sword all the Saxons he found Thus having obtaind the Victory he with great zeale and devotion gave praise to the God of heaven 8. As for Hengist he fortified his camp as well as he could neer the said town But after a few days saith Camden he was forc'd to come to a battell before his camp which was fatall to him and his for the greatest part of his army was cutt in peices and himself being taken prisoner was beheaded by the Brittains 9. This battell saith Florilegus was fought on the banks of the River Don. And the manner how Hengist was taken prisoner was this The valiant Eldot Duke or Consul of Glocester Claudiocestriae had an earnest desire to cope with Hengist Therefore with the forces under his command furiously peircing through the Enemies squadrons he at last found him and laying hold on the fore part of his helmet with main force he drew him in among his own troops saying God at last hath fullfilld my desire It is he who hath given us the Victory Presently after this the Saxons fled every one his own way whom Ambrosius pursuing manfully slew Octa the Son of Hengist with the greatest numbers fled to York But Esca and not a few with him betook themselves to another Citty call'd Aclud After this Victory Ambrosius took the Citty Caër-conan which he entred triumphantly staying there onely three days 10. The same Author consequently relates the manner how Hengist was sentenced and executed after the fight After the saith he Ambrosius calling his Captains together commanded them to decreet what should becom of Hengist Whereupon Eldad Bishop of Glocester who was also Brother of Eldot impos'd silence on them all and gnashing his teeth for rage he thus said Though all here present had a desire to set him free I my self would cutt him in peices Why doe you delay O effeminat Brittains Did not Samuêl a Prophet having taken the King of Amalec prisoner in a battell cutt him in peices one limme after another saying As thou hast made many Mothers childles so will I make thy mother childles this day Doe you therefore deale in the same manner with this barbarous King who is another Agag and has depriv'd a world of Brittish Mothers of their children When he had thus sayd Eldad drew his sword and leading him out of the Citty cutt off his head sending his soule into hell 11. If this relation be true Eldad shew'd himself an unmercifull man and one who forgott the duty of a Christian Bishop who ought rather to have mitigated the rigour of other mens sentences then to pronounce so cruell a iudgment whilst others who were soldiers too held their peace He therefore little deserves the commendation given him by Pits for his piety and prudence which he â—ill express'd when gnashing his teeth for rage he extorted a Captive Kings death from an Assembly of soldiers The Book of Invective Orations for which the same Authour likewise reckons him among the ancient Brittish Writers probably proceeding from the same spirit deserved rather to be forgotten then recorded as in honour of our Ancestors 12. After this so signall a Victory Ambrosius mindfull of his Vow call'd together workmen Masons and Carpenters and took care to repaire the Houses of God which had been destroyed and placing in them Preists and other Clergy-men he reduc'd the Divine service to the pristine order And wheresoever he found any Idols or Temples of false Gods he defac'd them utterly out of the memory of men He was studious to observe iustice and peace especially to Ecclesiasticall persons and confer'd on them liberall revenews enjoyning them all to pray for the Kingdom and state of Gods Church 13. Hengist being thus dead his Son Aesca succeeded him in the Kingdom of Kent He is call'd Oisc by S. Beda who addes that from him the succeeding Kings of Kent were call'd Oiskings As for his other Son Otta in the former narration of Florilegus said to have fled to York nothing can be found of him among the Ancient Writers So that small credit is to be given to what Modern Historians relate concerning him that King Ambrosius bestow'd on him the Province of Galloway in Scotland since in those days that Province was not in the disposall of the Brittains XII CHAP. 1.2 S. Brigit comes out of Ireland into Brittany for Relicks and returns 1. THE same year in which Hengist was slain the Holy Virgin S. Brigit came out of Ireland into Brittany as we find recorded in the Antiquities of Glastonbury and her busines was to obtain some Relicks of her most dear and honour'd Patron S. Patrick for she had been his Disciple and a great admirer of his sanctity which she zealously imitated Being in Brittany she pass'd some years in a certain small Island near Glastonbury where there was an Oratory consecrated to the honour of S. Mary Magdalen The Island was called Bekery or the Little Island Afterward having left behind her scripp chain bell and other vestments of her own weaving which for the memory of her Sanctity are there expos'd she return'd into Ireland where not long after she rested in our Lord and was buried in the Citty of Down 2. This is that famous Virgin for her Sanctity and miracles venerated by Gods Church on the first day of February On which day we read in the Martyrologes of Rome S. Beda and Ado these words This day is celebrated the Memory of S. Brigid a Virgin who in testimony of her virginity having touch'd the Wood of an Altar it became presently green Her death is frequently assign'd by writers to the eighteenth year of the following Century But truër Chronology saith Bishop Vsher makes her to out live S. Patrick only thirty years XIII CHAP. 1.2 c. S. Sophias a Brittish Martyr and Bishop of Beneventum 1. IN our English Martyrologe on the four and twentieth of Ianuary there is a commemoration of a Brittish Saint and Martyr call'd S. Sophias whose death is assigned to the four hundred and ninetieth year of our Lord. 2. This S. Sophias was the Son of Guilleicus Prince of the Ordovices or Northwales He undertook a Monasticall Profession in a Monastery built by himself in the same Province It is written of him that he had such devotion to our Lords Passion that he made three pilgrimages to Ierusalem to visit the marks and footsteps of it He had likewise a great Veneration to Rome and those places which had been consecrated by the
blood and Martyrdom of the two Princes of the Apostles 3. At his being there S. Felix or his Predecessour S. Simplicius sate in the Apostles Chair By whom he was consecrated Bishop of Beneventum Which See he governed with prudence and Sanctity till at last he was slain by an impious Pagan whilst he was at the holy Altar celebrating the Mystery of our Redemption 4. This Saint Sophias was by another name call'd Cadocus being the same who gave advice to Saint Iltutus to forsake a secular life as hath been already declared And he is to be distinguish'd from another Saint Cadocus who was an Abbot concerning whom we shall treat in the year of Grace five hundred XIV CHAP. 1.2 c. Of Saint Keyna daugher of Braganus Prince of Brecknock and of her Brothers and sisters 4. c. The Gests of S. Keyna 1. NO lesse famous at the same time was the Holy Brittish Virgin Saint Keyna whose death in our Martyrologe is likewise placed in the same year four hundred and Ninety Illustrious she was for her Birth being the Daughter of Braganus Prince of that Province in Wales which from him was afterward called Brecknockshire but more illustrious for her zeale to preserve her Chastity for which reason she was call'd in the Brittish language Keynvayre that is Keyna the Virgin 2. This Prince Braganus or Brachanus the Father of Saint Keyna is said to have had twelve sons and twelve daughters by his Lady call'd Marcella daughter of Theodoric son of Tethphalt Prince of Garthmatrin the same region call'd afterward Brecnock Their first born Son was Saint Canoc of whom we shall speak ere long And their eldest daughter was Gladus who was mother of Cadocus by Saint Gunley a Holy King of the Southern Britons The second daughter was Melaria the Mother of the Holy Arch-Bishop Saint David Thus writes Capgrave neither doth he mention any other of their children besides S. Keyna 3. But in Giraldus Cambrensis another daughter is commemorated call'd Saint Almedha of whom more will be said presently And David Powel makes mention of a fifth named Tydvaâ—l who was the wife of â—ongen the Son of Cadel Prince of Powis-land and mother of Brochmaâ—l sirnamed Scithroc who slew Ethelfred King of the Northumbers 4. Concerning the Holy Virgin Saint Keyna we find this Narration in the Authour of her life extant in Capgrave She was of Royal blood being daughter of Braganus Prince of Brecknockshire When she came to ripe years many Noble persons sought her in mariage But she utterly refused that state having consecrated her virginity to our Lord by a perpetuall vow For which cause she was afterward by the Brittains called Keyn-wâ—ri that is Keyna the Virgin 5. At length she determined to forsake her countrey and find out some desart place where she might attend to Contemplation Therefore directing her journey beyond Severn and there meeting with certain wooddy places she made her request to the Prince of that countrey that she might be permitted to serve God in that solitude His answer was that he was very willing to grant her request but that the place did so swarm with serpents that neither men nor beasts could inhabite in it But she constantly replyed that her firm trust was in the name and assistance of Almighty God to drive all that poysonnous brood out of that region 6. Hereupon the place was granted to the Holy Virgin who presently prostrating her self in fervent prayer to God obtaind of him to change all the serpents and vipers there into stones And to this day the stones in that Region doe resemble the windings of Serpents through all the feilds and villages as if they had been framed so by the hand of the engraver 7. Our learned Camden in his diligent search after Antiquities seems to have visited this countrey being a part of Somersetshire though he is willing to disparage the miracle His words are On the western bank of Avon is seen the town of Cainsham Some are of opinion that it was named so from Keyna a most holy Brittish Virgin who according to the credulous perswasion of former ages is beleived to have turn'd serpents into stones because such like miracles of sporting nature are there sometimes found in the Quarries I my self saw a stone brought from thence representing a serpent rolled up into a spire The head of it stuck out in the outward surface and the end of the tayle terminated in the Center 8. But let us prosecute the life of this Holy Virgin Many years being spent by her in this solitary place and the fame of her Sanctity every where divulged and many Oratories built by her her Nephew Saint Cadoc performing a pilgrimage to the Mount of Saint Michaâ—l mett there with his blessed Aunt Saint Keyna at whose sight he was replenish'd with great ioy And being desirous to bring her back to her own countrey the inhabitants of that region would not permitt him But afterward by the admonition of an Angel the holy Mayd returned to the place of her Nativity Where on the topp of a hillock seated at the foot of a high mountain she made a little habitation for her self and by her prayers to God obtaind a spring there to flow out of the earth which by the merits of the Holy Virgin afforded health to divers infirmities 9. But when the time of her consummation approached one night she by the revelation of the holy Ghost saw in a vision as it were a fiery pillar the base whereof was fixed on her bed Now her bed was the pavement strow'd over with a few branches of trees And in this Vision two Angels appear'd to her One of which approaching respectfully to her seem'd to take off the sack cloath with which she was covered and instead thereof to putt on her a smock of fine linnen and over that a tunick of purple and last of all a mantell all woven with gold Which having done he thus sayd to her Prepare your self to come with us that we may lead you into your heavenly Fathers Kingdom Hereupon she wept with excesse of joy and endeavouring to follow the Angels she awak'd and found her body inflamed with a feaver so that she perceiv'd her end was near 10. Therefore sending for her Nephew Saint Cadocus she sayd to him This is the place above all others beloved by mee Here my memory shall be perpetuated This place I will often visit in spirit if it may be permitted mee And I am assured it shall be permitted mee because our Lord has granted mee this place as a certain inheritance The time will come when this place shall be inhabited by a sinfull people which notwithstanding I will violently root out of this seat My Tomb shall lye a long time unknown till the coming of other people whom by my prayers I shall bring hither them will I protect and defend and in this place shall the name of our Lord