other Bishops were subiecte 283. 4. Diuers Archbishops of London numbered 591. 3. Archflamens antiquity 275. 5. Archflamens were called Priests amongst the Gentils 276. 6. Archflamens were the same that PoÌ„tifices Maximi ib. Archflamens and Flamens in Britaine ruled not onely in spirituall but also in temporall affaires 217. 7. All Archflamens and Flamens in Britaine conuerted together with their Cities 270. 5. Archflamens and Flamens for the most part made Bishops after theiâ— Conuersion 217. 7. S. Aristobulus ordained Bishop 92. 1. S. Aristobulus consecrated by diuers Authors before S. Paul 94. 3. S. Aristobulus his death in Britaine by Martyrdome 171. 3. King Arthur descended from Heluius nephew to S. Ioseph of Arimathia 124. 1. Aruiragus King of Britaine 2. 2. 23. 7 Aruiragus put away his wife Voada Sister of Cataracus King of the Scots 132. 3. Aruiragus married Genuesse Claudius his supposed daughter 2. 2. 132. 3. Aruiragus leaues his kingdome to his sonne Marius 2. 2. 132. 3. Aruiragus write a booke in defence of plurality of wiues 132. 2. Aruiragus worshipped the Emperor Claudius as God 132. 2. Aruiragus dedicated a Temple vnto Claudius ib. Aruiragus granted Priuiledges to S. Ioseph of Arimathia 108. 1. 128. 2 Aruiragus was not a Christian conuerted by S. Ioseph 131. 1. c. Aruiragus small beneuolence towardes Christians 132. 2. Aruiragus liberality towards the Pagan Gods ib. Aruiragus in some sense may largely be termed a Christian 134. 7. Aruiragus buried in the Church he builded to Claudius 132. 3. Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornewayle King of Britaine 373. 2. Asclepiodotus slew the RomaÌ„s Captaine Lucius Gallus 375. 4. Asclepiodotus deposed Alectus sent hether against Carausius 373. 2. Asclepiodotus excused by some from any furthering of the Persecution of Dioclesian 451. 2. Asclepiodotus slaine by Coel. 451. 2. Asclepiodotus a Perturber of the Romans 452. 4. Asclepiodotus his death gratefull to the Romans 452. 4. The lenght of Asclepiodotus reigne 376. 5. or 373. 5. S. Athanasius recalled from exile 548. 1. S. Athanasius proued innocent by the Councell of Sardice ib. S. Attila Abbot next to S. Columban in his Monastery of Luxouium 332. 9. Aualonia so called from Aualla in the Brittish toÌ„gue signifying fruits 329. 4. S. Augulus Archbishop of London 94. 4. S. Augulus probably the first Archbishop of London 179. 7. S. Augulus probably sent into Britaine by S. Clement Pope 180. 8. S. Augulus Martyred though not in the Persecution of DioclesiaÌ„ 179. 7. S. Augustine our Apostle of EnglaÌ„d with his Associats was of no other but the old Apostolike Order and Rule that was vsed in S. Gregories Monastery 331. 7. S. Augustins Disciples ioyned in our auncient Brittish Order 332. 9. S. Augustine placed himselfe at Canterbury 210. 4. S. Augustine ordaâ—ned onely tow Bishops ib. S. Augustine did not preuaile so farre as to conuert halfe the Brittish Nation 210. 4. Augustus the Emperour established peace through the whole world 1. 1. Augustus consulteth with Sibilla Tiburtina about being made a God 3. 1. Sibyllas answere 4. 1. Augustus his strange Vision ib. Augustus erected an Altar with this inscription Haec Ara est primogeniti Dei 4. 2. Augustus great esteeme of the Sibils bookes 4. 3. Augustus would not be called Lord and why 5. 3. Augustus answere which he receaued from Pithius Apollo 6. 6. Auitus the second Bishop of Tungers 198. 5. Aulus Plancius the Emperor Claudius his Lieutenante in Britaine conuerted 88. 2. Aurelian the Emperour raiseth the 9. Persecution 391 1. Aurelius Ambrosius renewed the decaied Monasteries of Britaine 601. 6. Aurelius Ambrosius celebrateth the Feast of Pentecost with great solemnitie 601. 7. Aurelius Ambrosius buried in a regall manner ib. Aurelius vid. Marcus Auxentius Bishop of Millan an Arrian 559. 5. B. BAngor a famous Monastery 620. 8. Bangor Monasteries great number of Monkes ib. Bangor Monasteries Monkes deuided into 7. companies vnder 7. Priors 603. 8. The miraculous Banner of Constantine hauing the signe of the Crosse in it 487. 3. S. Barnabas S. Aristobulus brother preached in Italy only by directioÌ„ of S. Peter 63. 1. S. Barnabas sent from the East to Rome to diuulge the comming of Christ 19. 1. Bassianus Seuerus his sonne chosen both King of Britaine and Emperour 370. 2. Bassianus slew his halfe brother Geta chosen by some Romans for Emperour 370. 2. Bassianus brought vp by a Christian Nurse ib. Bassianus accustomed either to weep or turne his face when any Christians were put to death ib. Bassianus innocent of Christian bloude 371. 2. Bassianus causeth innumerable Roman Pagans to be killed ib. Bassianus slaine where and by whome 372. 3. Bassianus married the Sister of the holy Christian Lady Mummea 372. 3. Bassianus left a sonne named Heliogabalus 372. 3. S. Beatus a Britan Apostle of the Heluetians 63. 1. S. Beatus consecrated Preist by Pope Linus ib. S. Benedicte Biscop the first Abbot at Canterbury after those of S. Augustins Mission 333. 9. S. Benedicte went hence to the Monastery of Lirinum thence to Rome and liued among the Roman Monkes ib. S. Benedicte was a Monke of our auncient Brittish Order ib. S. Bernac a holy Abbot 604. 10. S. Bernac renowned at Rome for killing a pestiferous serpent ib. S. Bernac flead from Rome to auoid human applause ib. A Bishop imports as much as an ouerseere or cheife Commander 98. 9. Bishops consecrated with annointing with holy oyle 103. 2. The same Vnction a Sacrament 105. 5. Vsed by the Apostles ib. In this externall ceremony the grace of the Sacrament giuen 104. 3. This Vnction the generall vse both of the Greeke and Latin Church in the first vnspotted dayes of Christianity 105. 4. 190. 5. Bishops function acknowleged by Protestants to be a diuine ordinance 91. 1. Bishops superiority and authority exercised in ordering of Bishops and Ecclesiasticall Ministers by Protestants confession grounded in the word of God 93. 1. No trew Bishops or Preists among Protestants 106. 5. One Bishop in the primitiue Church vsed to preach in diuers Countries 178. 7. All Bishops may appeale to the See Apostolike 344. 2. Bishops not to be iudged 383. 11. or 393. 11. The Bishops of Scotland alwayes trewly consecrated as the Roman vse was 358. 4. Bishops Sees founded in France by S. Peter which are for the most part Archbishops Sees at this time 67. 5. The places and names of diuers auncient Bishoprikes 288. 5. Bishops Sees vnder the Archbishop of London in King Lucius time 292. 9. Bishops Sees vnder Yorke 292. 9. Bishops Sees vnder the Archbishop of Cambria 293. 11. or 263 11. Bishops of Britaine present at the first Nicen Councell 545. 7. Diuers Bishops of Britaine fiue at the lest present at the generall Councell of Sardice 548. 2. The Bishops gathered at the CouÌ„cell of Ariminum refused to be maintained by the Emperor Constantius 551. 1. Bishops of Britaine present at the Councell of Ariminum 551. 1. The Bishops of Britaine sincere faith testified by S. Hilarius 555. 6. The same
Iul. Capitolin in Macrino Matth. Westm an 214. Flor. Wigorn. Chron. an 226. Marian. aetat 6. in Macrin Mart. Polon in Macrino Henr. Hunt Hist l. 1. Dio in Macrino Eusebius l. 6. c. 15. Henr. Hūt Hist l. 1. Matth. West An. 215. Martin Polon alij Marian. aetat 6. in Heliogabalo Florent Wigor Chron. an 229. 207. that name succeded in the See Apostolike of Rome And Bassianus being as before murthered Macrinus a Mauritanian or Moriscan by Nation with his sonne Diadumenus or by some Diadumenianus obtained the Empire but they were both slayne by their owne souldiers rebelling against them when they had bene Emperours but one yeare and two moneths After whome Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Heliogabalus or Elagabalus sonne of Bassianus Caracalla before spoken of was chosen Emperour by the Armie his Mother was named Soemiades or Semiamira the daughter of Mesa Sister to Iulia the Empresse the second wife of Seuerus and this Soemiades or Semiamides was Sister to that most renowned Christian Lady Mamea Mother to Alexander the Emperour Henry of Huntington and Florigerus asscribe 4. compleate yeares to the Empire of Heliogabalus adeptus imperium tenuit 4. annis Martinus alloweth him not fully so longe a Regiment Yet Marianus saith with Roman writers that he was Emperour 4. yeares and 8. Moneths Marcus Aurelius Heliogabalus Antonini Caracallae filius regnauit annis quatuor mēsibus 8. iuxta Historiam Romanam Florentius Wigorniensis hath the same words both for that continuance of his Empire and Authoritie of the Roman History affirming it that he was true and immediate next King of Britaine not onely during the time of his Empire but in that space also when Macrinus and his sonne Diadumenus were Emperours euen from the death of Antoninus Bassianus Caracalla his Father the vndoubted King of Britaine both by his Fathers and Mothers Title For allthough Martinus saith that Seuerinus sonne of Bassianus was Emperour with his Father Antonius Caracalla imperauit annis Martin Polon Supput An. 212. in Anton. Caracalla in Macrino Marc. Anton. alij Septem Seuerinus filius eius yet seeing this Authour who so writeth consenteth with all others that Macrinus immediately succeeded to Bassianus Caracalla and Heliogabalus to Macrinus he must needs to iustifie that his testimonie of Seuerinus being Emperour with Bassianus his Father say that this Seuerinus died with his Father or before or was the same sonne of Bassianus which others doe call Heliogabalus Marcus Antoninus and other names which Heliogabalus is stiled by in Histories 2. While these things were acted with the Romans the state of Britaine was also vnquiet and allthough Heliogabalus and his brother Seuerinus also if Bassianus had any such sonne was next true King of Britaine yet neither of them enioyed it For by all writers one named Carausius was King of Britaine not onely next after Bassianus but by diuers Authours some time also while he liued giuing an ouerthrowe either to Bassianus the Emperour or Matth. Westm an 286. rather some Lieutenant or generall of his of the same or like name heare in Britaine and so made himselfe King of Britaine After whome by our Brittish Historie and Ponticus Virunnius Asclepiodotus Duke of Cornwayle was made King deposing Alectus sent hither against Carausius with three Legions Galfr. Monum Hist lib. 5. cap. 4. Pont. Virun l. 5. Matth. Westm An. 292. 293. 294 Harding Cron. c. 56. 57. Galfrid Mon. l. 5. Pontic Virun l. 5. Hard. Chron. cap. 59. Matth. Westm 302. Catal. Reg. Brit. alij Matth. Westm Ann. 286. Will. Harris Descript of Brit. Hollinsh Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 23. and as Matthew of Westminster and Harding write was King three yeares vntill Asclepiodotus deposed him Next to Asclepiodotus was King Coel Father to the most renowned Empresse S. Helena married to Cōstantius Emperour and Mother to Greate Constantine their sonne our most glorious King and Emperour after which time our History will not be so obscure and confused as now it is For as in the Succession of these I haue remembred there is question so concerning the time of their gouernement and their conuersation also whether it was Christian or otherwise it is not free from difficultie Antiquaries agree that Carausius was next King to Bassianus Therefore when Matthew of Westminster and some others would not haue Carausius to be King vntill about the 286. yeare of Christ it must needs be an error either in them their Scribes or Printers for it is euident before and all the Roman Writers proue that Bassianus was dead many yeares and diuers Emperours had succeeded longe before this time and Matthew of Westminster himselfe saith that Bassianus making warre against the Parthians was circumuented slaine of his Enemyes betweene Edessa and Carras in the yeare of Christ 213. Anno gratiae 213. Bassianus Imperator contra Parthos bellum mouens Matth. Westm An. 213. Otto Frising Chron. l. 3. c. 29. Floren. Wigorn. an 204. 226. Marian. aetat 6. an 218. in Caracallo inter Edessam Carras ab hostibus circumuentes occisus est which was aboue 70. yeares before he bringeth Carausius to attempt any thing for the Crowne of Britaine Florentius Wigorniēsis followeth the like accompt and setteth downe the very place of his death there to be Osdroena And Marianus affirmeth the same with the Roman Histories saying it was in the yeare of Christ 218. And both our old Brittish History and Ponticus Virunnius who giue the greatest light in this matter say plainely that Carausius liued in Bassianus time Bassianus regno potitur Eo tempore fuit in Britannia Inuenis quidam Galfrid Mon. Hist Reg. l. 5. c. 3. Pont. Virun l. 5. nomine Carausius And add further that Carausius ioyning with the Picts which Fulgenius had got together against Seuerus Father to Bassianus fought with his Army and ouerthrowing it was made King of Britaine Prodiderant Bassianum Picti quos dux Fulgenius matris suae frater in Britanniam conduxerant Nam dum ei auxiliari debuissent promissis donarijs Carausij corrupti in ipso praelio diuerterunt se a Bassiano in commilitones eius irruerunt Vnde stupefacti caeteri Galfr. Pontic supr cum ignorarent qui socij qui hostis ocius dilabuntur Victoria cessit Carausio Qui vt triumphum habuit regnique gubernaculum suscepit dedit Pictis locum mansionis in Albania vbi cum Britonibus mixti per sequens aeum manserunt And these Picts and Scots must needs be those of which the Scottish Historians write when they say Bassianus made peace with them and the Britans which followed Fulgenius and so went from hence to Rome Icto cum Scotis Pictis Hector Boeth Scotor Hist l. 6. fol. 88. 89. Galfr. Virun sup faedere dataque pace Fulgentio ijs qui cum eo coniurauerant Britonibus Romam cum patris vrnâ contendit And whereas the Brittish History and Virunnius say
THE ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE OF GREAT BRITAINE DEDVCED BY AGES OR CENTENARIES FROM THE NATIVITIE OF OVR SAVIOVR VNTO the happie Conuersion of the Saxons in the seuenth hundred yeare whereby is manifestly declared a continuall Succession of the true Catholike Religion which at this day is professed taught in and by the Roman Church WRITTEN BY RICHARD BROVGHTON THE FIRST TOME CONTAINING THE FOWER HVNDRED FIRST YEARES TO WHICH ARE ANNECTED FOR THE GREATER BENEfite of the Reader ample Indexes after the Preface both of the Authors out of which this Historie hath bâ—ne colâ—ecâ—ed and of the Chapters and at the end of this Tome a copious Index of the Speciall and particular matters contained in these fower hundred of yeares Remember the old dayes thinke vpon euery generation aske thy Father and he will declare to thee thy elders and they will tell thee Deut. 32. v. 7. DO FLAMMA ESSE SVVM FLAMMA DAT ESSE MEVM AT DOWAY By the Widowe of MARKE WYON at the signe of 〈…〉 M. DC XXXIII TO THE MOST ILLVSTRIOVS RIGHT HONOVRABLE AND VERTVOVS LADIES THE LADIE CATHERINE DVTCHESSE AND DOVVAGER OF BVCKINGHAM SOLE DAVGHTER AND HEIRE TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE FRANCIS LATE EARLE OF RVTLAND AND THE LADIE CECILIE COVNTESSE AND DOWAGER OF RVTLAND DEEM it not I beseech you MOST ILLVSTRIOVS NOBLE LADIES any the leaste disparagement to your NOBILITIES or blemish to your VERTVES that your humble seruant and Secretarie hath presumed to ioyne you within the narrowe straites and precincts of one and that so short an Epistle whom both terrene Dignities and heauenly Blessings haue so happily vnited in one most Noble STOCKE and LINAGE He is not ignorant that the SPLENDOR of a DVTCHESSE cannot commonly be paraleld by the DIGNITIE and TITLE of a COVNTESSE yet when he coÌ„sidereth the RENOWNE of a COVNTESSE descended from most antient and Noble Families Daughter to the Noble and by Name and Discent most antient S. Iohn Tufton of Tufton and before shee was wife to her moste Noble Father wife to the noble heyr of the greate and antient L. Hungerford should any whitt eclipse shadowe or obscure the RADIANT BEAMES of a DVTCHESSE but rather by adding Splendor to Splendor make both more GLORIOVS and RESPLENDENT Moreouer he apprehendeth a mutuall and long AFFECTION euen from the yonge yeares of the one betwixt MOTHER and DAVGHTER as also the vnited hearts of WIFE and DAVGHTER both embracing the most Noble Earle of Rutland of famous Memorie the one with the LOVE of a WIFE towards her HVSBAND the other with the AFFECTION of a DAVGHTER to her deare FATHER Whose LOVE to requite he with his owne hands stiled your GRACE his DEARE DAVGHTER and your HONOVR his DEARE WIFE of whome he further gaue his most ample Testimonie and in these words I WILL SAYE THAT THERE WAS NEVER MAN HAD A MORE LOVING AND VERTVOVS WIFE THEN SHE HATH BEENE TO MEE And as your LOVE hath beene GREAT to this most honourable Earle who was Discreet in his words Prudent and iust in all his Actions Charitable to the Poore Affable to all Faithfull to his Countrie Gratious to his Soueraigne Constant in his Faith and Religion most beloued and honoured of all and then whome noe Noble man of England was more affected or more Generally honoured in his life or more Bewayled and lamented after his death So your VERTVES doe shine in this world with a most resplendent LIGHT and are the DIAMONDS and PEARLES which adorne the RING of your Auncient NOBILITIE And these his and your Heroicall VERTVES being grounded on the ROCK of a true FAITH as they haue made the Earle so they will make you CONSTANT SVPPORTERS of holy CATHOLIKE RELIGION These being fixed to the ANCHOR of HOPE as they haue guided him so will they direct you to the quiet HAVEN of eternall FELICITIE Yea it is verily to be hoped that he by these VERTVES is there alreadie arriued whilst the one of you like a PHAROS and the other like the CYNOSVRE with the FLAMES of CHARITIE doe giue LIGHT vnto others in this time of DARKNES Wherefore MOST VERTVOVS LADIES to whome after the most Noble Earle to whome this WORKE was first designed and for whome before his death it was sett on the PRESSE can I more worthilie dedicate these CENTVRIES OF OVR ECCLESIASTICALL HISTORIE then to these in whome the Noble Earle still in renowme SVRVIVES If you esteeme NOBILITIE ioyned with SANCTITIE behold here LVCIVS HELENA and CONSTANTINE three great SAINCTS three great PRINCES and all great PROMOTORS and ESTABLISHERS of the RELIGION which you imbrace If you take pleasure to see the DAMASKE ROSES of MARTYRDOME here is an ALBAN our PROTOMARTYR here is an AMPHIBALVS with many more all stout and valiant CHAMPIONS Who haue sealed the TRVETH of our FAITH with there dearest BLOOD They all were once PILGRIMS in this VALE of TEARES as you both now are but now they are glorious COVRTIOVRS in the Triumphant HIERARCHIE If you followe theire STEPS and imitate theire VERTVES and CONSTANCIE in FAITH you may haue great CONFIDENCE to be Partakers of the like GLORIE and in the meane time your NAMES being prefixed before their HEROICALL ACTIONS may impetrate theire PATRONAGE in all your corporall and Spirituall NECESSITIES and I shall pray to THEM and to all the SAINCTS and by THEM to the SAINCTE of SAINCTS to bestowe on you here all TEMPORALL and in HEAVEN all ETERNALL FELICITIE MADAMS YOVR GRACES AND YOVR HONOVRS Most humble and deuoted Seruant R. B. THE PREFACE TO THE READER AMONG all Writers things written or to be written whatsoeuer none haue bene or can be in any time or place or by any person more vsefull or necessary then such as haue truely written bene or shall be written of the true office and dutie of all men of all Estates and conditions to God and his higâ—est ruling Powers this being the cheifest end of all men in this world to doe and performe sucâ— dutie This is the end of all good Lawes and Lawemakers Histories and Historians diuine and humane to giue and leaue direction both in present and to Posteritie to all men how to liue in dutie to heaueÌ„ly and terrene Authoritie And to take the worde Historie Historia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the most true and proper sence meanind and etymology 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spectare vel cognoscere to beholde or knowe what they write The holy Prophets Apostles Euangelists and other holy Writers of holy Scriptures beholding and most certainely knowing of God by diuine reuelation what they committed to writing are most properly and truely the best Historians and their Writings most properly best and truest Histories and next to them the true Narration or History of their Traditions and holy doctrine and teachings which were most true and certaine taken from the most auncient and approued Antiquities Antiquaries and Registers ef those things where they were performed And in times and places of Controuersies Contentions Questions about Religion noe
S. Ioseph al. Matth. Parker Antiquit. Brit. pag. 3. Io. Leland in assert Arthurij Godwin Conuers of Brit. pag. 10. outside of King Aruiragus Country as William of Malmesbury diuers Antiquities of Glastenbury Capgraue and others write and by the first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury and his Authours in Regionis suae finibus in the very end of his Dominion a place vnfit to conuert the whole Country or great parts thereof which Apostolike men Conuerters of kingdomes haue euer endeauoured and aymed at when they first setled themselues in any Countrye to conuert it to Christ THE XXVII CHAPTER THAT S. IOSEPH DID NOT ACTVALLY conuert to the Christian Religion eyther King Aruiragus Coillus or Marius 1. MVCH lesse can I be of their opinion that seeme to hold that S. Ioseph conuerted King Aruiragus Marius or Coillus to the faith of Christ A late writer speaking of King Aruiragus saith Quidam Historici testantur ipse omnium Regum Britannorum Io. Pitseus Rel. histor to 1. aetat 1. in Aruirago primus fidem Christi cum Sacramentis Christianis Christianus factus suscepit some Historians witnesse that of all Brittish Kings he was the first that being made a Christian receaued the faith of Christ with the Christian Sacraments An other thus plainely writeth of S. Ioseph He conuerted to the Christian Author of the Engl. Martyrol 27. Iulij in S. Ioseph of Aramathia faith Marius and Coillus sonne and Nephew to King Aruiragus The first doth not affirme that either S. Ioseph did Conuert Aruiragus or that he was at all conuerted to the faith of Christ but onely saith some Historians doe affirme that he was a Christian And Ihon Harding is Authour that he both was a Chistian and conuerted by S. Ioseph and plainely alledgeth Nennius King Aruiragus was not a ChristiaÌ„ conuerted by S. Ioseph or any other Ihon. Harding Chronic. c. 47. f. 41. Authoritie of this opinion thus he writeth Ioseph conuerted this King Aruiragus By his preaching to knowe the lawe diuine And baptized him as written hath Nenius The Chronicler in Britain tonguefull fine And to Christs lawe made him incline And gaue him then a shilde of siluer white A croise endlong and ouerthwart full perfecte Thus writeth this Authour but without warrant for any thing I can finde for whereas he citeth Nennius to haue written thus in the Brittish languadge it is euident by all Antiquities that Nennius which wrote in that tongue was Io. Bal. l. descrip Brit. cent 1. in Nennio Helio Io. Pitseus l. de Illustrib Britan. Scriptorib aetate 1. in Nennio Selden Illustr of Polialbion p. 128 long before the birth of Aruiragus or S. Ioseph and dead 50. yeares before the Natiuitie of Christ and was Brother to King Ludd and Cassibelam and was named Nennius Helius And so he could not write any such thing The other Nennius called Banchorensis as all Authours agree wrote onely in Latine and consequently could not write so in the Brittish tongue as that Authour thinketh and our best Protestant Antiquaries affirme they finde no such thing in any copie of Nennius Codices ij quos consuluisse me Nennij antiquos contigit huiusce rei parum sunt memores and for Catholiks I haue seene diuers affirme the same Neyther is King Aruiragus or S. Ioseph named by him Neyther doth any Antiquary of sound Iudgment so teach from any for Nennius or otherwise 2. And if we had no other Arguments or euidence then that I haue remembred before of the Desart and desolate place allmost vnaccessible vnto as M. S. de vita S. Gyldae per Caradoc both printed and Manuscript Histories tell vs propter munitiones Arundineti fluminis paludis so compassed and inuironed with Reeds Riuer and fennes which was allowed to S. Ioseph and his Christian company and a poore Oratory builded by themselues of such base Alder wands as that fenny wildernesse afforded giueth sufficient testimony how farre this King was from being a Christian that had nothing but such abiect and outcaste things to allowe to Christ and his seruants When for the maintenance of the Pagan Idolatrie which he professed both as the Brittish History Matthew of Westminster Galfrid Monum Hist Brit. l. 4. cap. 15. 16. Matth. Westm an 44. 73. Pont. Virun Hist Brit. l. 4. Ponticus Virunnius and others as well Protestants as Catholiks are witnesses he was Authour of stately and sumptuous buildings and so farre from diminishing any honour that was then giuen to the false Pagan Gods of the Idolatrous Britons that he added more vnto them namely worshipped the wicked Emperour Claudius whose Bastard Daughter he had taken as wife as God dedicated a costely Temple vnto him soone after his death yet after this his acquaintance with S. Ioseph for as I finde in an olde Manuscript Historie and others doe not dissent the Citie of Glocester then Cair M. S. Histor Antiq. an 66. Glou the Citie of Glaudius was builded by King Aruiragus in the yeare of Christ 66. Which was after the donation of priuiledge by Aruiragus to S. Ioseph 2. ot 3. yeares And it must needs be longer before the Idolatrous Matth. Westm an D. 73. Galfr. Monumeten Hist Reg. Briton l. 4. cap. 16. Pontic Virun Britan. Hist l. 4. King Aruiragus liued and died a Pagan Temple erected by him to the honour of Claudius was founded and finished 3. And to demonstrate that he both liued and died a Pagan this King Aruiragus was by his owne Order buried in that Pagan Temple in the yeare of Christ 73. Tenne yeares after S. Iosephs coming hither Aruiragus vt dies suos expleuit sepultus est Claudiocestriae in quodam Templo quod in honore Claudij dedicauerat construxerat And Ponticus Virunnius further addeth that he did euery moneth offer Sacrifice in that Temple after the Pagans manner so much he loued him singulis mensibus sacrificabat tantum eum amore prosequebatur And it is further euident by many Antiquities that Aruiragus did many publike Acts besides this which Christian Religion cannot permit as that after he had bene long time married to Voada Sister of Cataracus King of the Scots and had diuers children by her he disinherited the children put away and Compabellus Cornelius Hybern Verem apud Hect. Boeth l. 3. Hist Galfr. Hist l. 4. cap. 14. Pontic Virun l. 4. Matth. Westm Antiq. 44. Stowe Hist in Aruiragus Bal. l. Script Brit. cent 1. in Aruiragus Ioh. Pitseus de Vâ—r. illustr aetat â— in Aruiâ—ago Guâ—â—el Malm. l. de Antiquit. Glaston M. S. Capgrau in Catalog M. S. Ioseph ab Aram. Antiquit. Glaston apud eundem imprisoned the mother Marryed Genuesse the supposed Bastard Daughter of Claudius and kept her the other yet liuing and left the kingdome to Marius her sonne And was so farre from repenting this Barbarous Act contrary to Christian Religion that being chalenged for that Impietie he wrote a Booke in defence of
forreyne Christian and heathen to incline vs to thinke that the Scots were not long after this time so seated in any number in this greate Iland with such Power or commande that they could giue the denomination of Scotland to any greate part thereof or assume the name of a King vnto them called Scotorum Rex the King of the Scots but they still remayned in the out litle Ilands Hebrides Monâ— Orchads Iona and others We finde in an Oration of Iosephus the Iew to his Countrymen in the time of Titus speaking Iosephus orat ad Iudaeos apud Egesippum l. 5. cap. 15. Fascicul Temp. Anno D. 74. Humf. Lhoid in Breuiar Britan. of the Roman Emperours Power at that time Tremit hos Scotia quae terris nihil debet that our Scots then liued not in any greate part of Land but at Sea and in litle Ilands neare vnto Britaine Walterus Rollewink Authour of Fasciculus Temporum writeth that the Brittish Scots did begin heare but in the yeare of Christ 74. Scotagens oritur ex Pictis Hiberis in Albania propè Angliam circa Annum Domini 74. Which is manifest also by Matthew of Westminster and others writing that the Picts coming hither about that time and finding none but Britans heare desired to match with them in marriadge which the Britans refusing the Picts went to the Sots of Ireland in the yeare of Christ 76. and had wiues from thence And the Scots thus came first into Britaine Picti vxores non habentes filias cognatas Britonum petierunt ab eis Matth Westm Anno gratiae 76. 77. Bed l. 1. Hist Eccles cap. 1. At illi vt passi fuerunt repulsam transfretauerunt in HiberniaÌ„ exilla Patria mulieres reducentes pueros susceperant ex Pictis Hibernensibus Scoti originem habuerunt quasi ex diuersis Nationibus compacti Scot etenim illud dicitur quod ex diuersis rebus in vnum aceruum congregatur Our English Protestant Historians Hollinsh Hist of Engl. l. 4. c. 15. Stowe and Howes Hist Romans in Marius Humfry Lhoyd in Breui Brit. cap. in descript Scotiae thus relate this matter King Marius hauing conquered the Picts that came into Britaine granted licence to them that remained that they might inhabite in the North part of Scotland called Catnesse being as then a Country in manner desolate wirhout habitation whereupon they withdrew thither and setled themselues in those parts And because the Britans disdained to grant vnto them their daughters in marriadge they sent vnto the Scots into Ireland requiring to haue wiues of their Nation The Scots agreed to their request with this condition that where there wanted lawfull Issue of the Kings Linage to succeede in the kindome of the Picts then should they name one of the womans side to be their King Thus the Picts next after the Romans were the first of any strangers that came into this land to inhabite as most writers affirme allthough the Scottish Chronicles auouch the Picts to be Inhabiters heare before the Incarnation of Christ But the Victory which Marius obtained against their King Roderike chanced in the yeare after the Incarnation 87. neither was there any Writer of name that made mention either of Scots or Picts before Vespasianus his time about the yeare of the Incarnation 72. Henry of Huntington Henric. hunting Hist l. 1. following as he saith Auncient Authours haec sunt quae à scriptis veterum traduntur setting downe the comming of the Picts into Britaine and their marrying with the Irish setteth downe the comming of the Scots out of Ireland hither long after that time procedente tempore venerunt Scotti ab Hibernia Harding Cron. fol. 42. cap. 50. in Britanniam Harding citing Mewinus the old Brittish Writer for Authour affirmeth that the first Scots that came to Britaine came in the 75. yeare of Christ Giraldus Cambrensis maketh the first inhabiting of the Scots in Britaine to haue bene in the time of greate Nell Nelli magni King of Ireland who was Father to King Laegirius in whose dayes S. Patrike preached Girald Cambr. Topograph Hibern cap. 16. in that Country which was not by any accompt before the yeare of Christ 418. praedicto Nello Hiberniae Monarchiam obtinente sex filios Muredi Regis Vltoniae in classe non modica Boreales Britanniae partes occupasse Vnde gens ab ijs propagatâ— specisicato vocabulo Scotica vocata vsque in hodiernum diem Angulum illum inhabitant Where he confidently deliuereth that the name of Scots and Scotland in Britaine began heare at this time 2. And allthough the Scottish Histories contend that the Scots in Britaine had gathered a greate Armie of men and women as their vse and neede was against Maximus which they had gathered ouâ— of Ireland the out Ilands and such Scots as were then come into Britaine yâ—t being ouerthrowne in battaile they were so farre vnable after to make resistance euen by their owne Chroniclers that to vse their owne words A Proclamation comming forth from Maximus that all such as were naturall Scottish men should by a certaine day auoide out of those Countryes that they possessed in Britaine vpon paine of loosing life and goods and to deliuer vp their houses and lands vnto such Brittans and Picts as were appointed by the Romans for to enioy the same The Scots perceauing themselues not Boeth Scotor Hist l. 7. Hollinshed Hist of Scotland in Eugen an 352. Georg. Buchan Rerum Scot. lib. 4. in Reg. 39. able to make any resistance obayed this commandement some of them passing ouer into Ireland some into the Westerne Iles and some of them got ouer also into Norway and Denmarke and many got entertainemen amongst the Roman souldiers and went ouer with them into France And so there was neither man woman nor child of the Scottish Race left in Britaine their Preists also and Religious men were banished and fled into the I le of Iona. This was in the yeare of Christ 352. Boethius saith this was about the 379. yeare of Christ and the Hect. Boeth in Catal. Scotor Reg. in Eugen. 1. Fergusio 2. l. 6. Histor Hollinsh Hist of Scotland in Fethelmacus Scots had no King after this vntill the 422. yeare of Christs Incarnation Scoti inde quatuor quadraginta annis sine Rege ad Annum virginei partus quadringentesimum vigesimum secundum fuere And they confesse that Eugenius which was thus ouerthrowne by Maximus was but an Ilander of Mona Eugenius è Mona Insula and from thence made King of the Scots Paulus Orosius scholler to S. Augustine the Doctor liuing long after this time confineth the Scots to Ireland and the Iles Meuainae in his dayes Hibernia proprior Britanniae a Scotorum gentibus colitur Huic etiam Meuania Insula proxima est ipsa spatio non parua solo commoda aeque a Scotorum gentibus habitatur S. Bede also both by Paulus Orosius
praedicante laudata est ad quos perfidia habere non possit accessum And there plainely saith that Heresies and Scismes haue onely had originall because men would not obay Gods Preist nor allow onely one Cheife Preist and Iudge the Vicar of Christ in his Church And calleth the Iudgment of this Preist Christ Vicar the Pope of Rome the Iudgment of God not to be disobayed of any and from such disobedience Scismes and Heesies doe spring Neque aliundè haereses obortae sunt aut nata scismata quam inde quod Sacerdoti Dei non obtemperatur nec vnus in Ecclesiâ ad tempus Sacerdos ad tempus Iudex vice Christi cogitatur Cui si secundum ministeria diuina obtemperaret Fraternitas vniuersa nemo aduersum Sacerdotum Collegium quicquam moueret Nemo post diuinum Iudicium post populi suffragium post Coepiscoporum consensum Iudicem se iam non Episcopi sed Dei faceret nemo dissidio vnitatis Christi Ecclesiam scinderet nemo sibi placens ac tumens seorsim foris Haeresim nouam conderet nisi ita est aliquis Sacriligae temeritatis ac perditae mentis vt putet sine Dei Iudicio fieri sacerdotem 12. Now that these holy Popes stoode vpon the same supreame priuiledge for the Church of Rome being the common doctrine and practise of them all as Protestants confesse we neede not to stand vpon these in particular yet these Protestants doe assure vs first that Pope Cornelius maintayned Appeales to Rome Cornelius Epistolâ 2. facit mentionem Appellationis ad Apostolicam Magdeb. cent 3. c. 7. col 181. Rob. Barnes l. de Vit. Pontif. Rom. in Cornelio Sedem And made a generall Decree to free Preists from swearing except in matter of faith And condēned the Africā Bishops Decree about Rebaptizatiō Pope Lucius as they confesse maketh the Church of Rome the Mother of Churches and affirmed that the Popes of Rome neuer erred and contended that they cannot erre prouing it by that place where Christ said to S. Peter I haue asked for thee that thy faith may not fayle Lucius Romanam Ecclesiam Matrem Magdeb. Cent. 3. col 183. c. 7. Ecclesiarum facit Apostolicos Pontifices nunquam errasse asserit ne quidem errare posse contendit ex eo loco quod Christus Petro dixerit rogaui pro te ne fides tua deficeret And Pope Stephen made a generall Decree as these men affirme for the whole Church about receauing penitent Heretikes how they were to be receaued Stephani Papae Romani sententia rescriptum hoc Magdeb. cent 3. c. 8. col 190. Robert Barnes l. de Vit. Pont. Rom. in Stephano Io. Bal. l. 1. Act. Rom. Pontif. in Stephano fuit Si à quacumque haeresi ad Ecclesiam veniant nihil innouetur nisi quod traditum est vt manus illis imponatur in paenitentiam And generally for all Preists in all places that they should not vse at Masse any other then sacred vestments Ne Sacerdos aliâ veste quam sacrâ in sacris vteretur statuit By this holy Pope which our Protestants confesse was an holy Saint and Martyr and receaued a Crowne of Iustice thereby after he had conuerted many Gentils to Christ Cum multos Gentilium ad Christi fidem conuertisset capite mulctatus fit victima S. Sixtus Pope and Martyr Deo accept à Iustitiae coronâ 13. The like they testifie of all his Successours in this Age. S. Sixtus the Ambr. l. 1. Oshc c. 41. Prudent in Hymno de S. Laurent Magd. cent 3. cap. 10. in Sixto cap. 12. in Laurent col 297 298. next was Christi discipulus è terreno coelestis aeconomus factus Christiani gregis decus atque imitandum exemplar and preached the true word of God salutare Dei verbum populo proponens And yet this doctrine of this holy Pope by all Antiquities and these Protestants themselues was sacrificing preisthood Sacrifice of Masse Deacons assisting at the Altar Christ really present there and offered in Sacrifice with Lights vpon the Altar Hic primus è septem viris qui stant ad Aram proximi Hunc esse vestris orgijs moremque artem proditum est hanc Disciplinam foederis libent vt auro Antistites Argenteis scyphis ferunt fumare sacrum sanguinem auroque nocturnis sacris adstare fixos cereos And this was so common and publikly receaued and knowne that the Pagans themselues were not ignorant of it S. Dionisius Pope and Martyr Bal. l. 1. de Act. Rom. Pontif. in Dionys Robert Barnes in Vit. Pont. in eodem 14. Of S. Dionysius the next Pope these Protestants say he was famous for preaching the true faith and dilating of Christs Church and conuerted many and among others the daughter and wife of the Emperour Decius Cyrilla and Triphonia and dyed an holy Martyr Yet they also acknowledge he was a Monke and Eremite before he was Pope He diuided Parishes and Dioceses assigning their limits and made other generall Lawes for the whole Church concerning Heretikes and others to be accused and conuented 15. S. Faelix which was his next Successor was also as these men confesse S. Foelix Pope and Martyr an absolute vertuous man and renowned for he preached the word of God and died a glorious Martyr Yet they also say he was a Massing Pope and Bal. l. 1. de Act. Pontif. supr in Foelice Rob. Barnes in eod tooke order that none but consecrated Preists should say Masse he ordained that Masses should yearely be saide in honour of Martyrs on their Anniuersary dayes and no where but in sacred places 16. They say of Eutichianus the next Pope that he was vir Deo deditissimus à doctrinâ virtutihus Ecclesiae commendatus diuini verbi praedicatione salutem S. Eutichianus Pope and Martyr multis attulit populis A man most deuoted to God renowned for learning Bal. l. 1. Act. Ro. Pontif. in Eucichiano Barn in eod and vertue and by preaching the word of God brought saluation to many people and died a Martyr Yet as they acknowledge he tooke order for sacred Vesturs of Cleargy men so honored he Martyrs that with his owne hands he buried 300. and made generall Lawes for the whole Church 17. Of S. Caius the next and by common opinion the last of this Age they S. Caius Pope and Martyr say he was kinsman of Dioclesian the persecuting Emperour yet a most worthie Ruler of the house of God in the Roman Church and died a Martyr Bal. Barnes supr in Caio praepositus domus Dei in Ecclesià Romanâ probatissimus And yet he exempted Clergy men from lay Iudges and as S. Euaristus had done before gaue order that none should be a Bishop which had not before bene Ostiarius Lector Exorcista Acolythus c. 18. If our Protestants will haue S. Marcellinus to haue bene Pope in the S. Marcellinus Pope and
olde Greeke Writer sayth they were Arrian Heretiks Pagans which denyed Constantine to be legitmate and that they lyed therin Ariani Pagani calumniantur vti spurium Magnū Constantinum quin ipsi mentiuntur Egbertus saith she was Queene and Mother of Constantine Berengosus an eye witnesse of the most things writing of her saith first she was a Queene Helena Regina and so the lawfull wife of Constantius for the Concubine of the greatest King or Emperour that euer was is not thereby a Queene in such sence as these Authours name her Queene to Rule and gouerne Augusta cum filio conregnabat Nor can the lawfull true wiues of Kings be termed Queens by such worthie Authours except they were Queens by Title of Inheritance or such like as our Antiquaries write of Queene Helen that she was daughter and Heire to her Father King S. Helen her sumptuous Pallace Coel. Which this worthie Authour doth also though a stranger to vs confirme when he proueth she was of a most Noble Parentage and by experimentall Idem Berengosus l. 3. c. 2. sup Arguments because he had seene the old buildings of her stately Pallace continuing in his time the pauement whereof was Marble and Toochstone the most Regall Pallace in all those parts the walles were guilded with gold Her chamber was so sumptuous that the like was not in the world and to free her from all slaunders the chamber of her heart and soule was farre more pure and in all things she was obedient to the will of God and yet externally pleasing her husband Constantius although more pleasing to God then to her husband Nobilitatem eius apud Treuiros aedificiorum suorum adhuc antiqua testatur gentilitas vbi pauimentum domus illius varijs Marmoribus Pario quondam lapide stratum benè declarat quantum ibi prae aliis videretur habere Primatum Praeterea vero ipsa planities parietum fuluo auro velut Hiacinthino textu depicta bene testabatur insignia nobilitatis eius inuictae Insuper etiam Praediorum eius copiae Ecclesijs Dei olim collatae bene declarant quam nobilissima generis polleret Antiquitate sed cubile ipsius aureis setis instructum insignitum nobilitatem quodāmodo in ea quasi Romanorum testabatur Quiritum maximè cum ab ortu solis vsque ad vltimam Thyle cubili huic simile non posset inueniri Quia cubiculum cordis sui cubicularius ille nulla vnquam inquinauit pollutione de quo scriptum est in Cubili suo astitit omni viae non bonae Quoniam intrinsecus tantis ac talibus decorata fuit virtutibus idcirco per omnia in omnibus diuinis placebat obtutibus quia vero specie suâ pulchritudine forinsecus erat ornata ideo viro suo Constantio amabilis videbatur grata quoniam internae pietatis aeternae pulchritudinis ita instructa est norma vt Deo placeret in animâ Constantio in formâ secundum enim opinionem vulgi veritatem rei officiosa erat in obsequio viri sed officiosior ad obsequium Dei quoniam amor Constantij Dei ita in corde illius duplici ratione fuit distinctus vt Constantio exterius Deo subderetur interius 5. Thus we see how farre this most blessed and Noble Queene and Empresse was in all times from being base either by birth or conuersation such sanctity of life could neuer agree with that fowle name by which some haue so wrongefully termed her such Parentage Pallaces and Reuenewes able to entertaine the greatest Princes according to their state and dignitie must denominate their Noble Owners with better termes and attributes then Hostesse Inkeeper Stabularia Except we will expound them in so lardge a sence that we shall so stile Abraham and Loth that lodged the Angels those that entertained Christ all Receauers of Kings Princes and Emperours and all harbourers and exercisers of Hospitalitie for so both S. Helen and King Coel entertained Constantius the one an Husband the other a sonne in Lawe as Princes vse It seemeth this Palace and lands in and about Treuers to haue discended to S. Helen by her Mother or some Ancestor of that Country for both Beringosus saith S. Helen was brought vp at Treuers Helena Treuiro-Indigena ciuitatis And Ottho Frisingensis saith she was by some of her Ancestors Berengos supr l. 2. c. 1. Ottho Frisingen Chron. l. 4. c. 45. come from thence Helena ex Pago Treuirorum oriunda And Treuers being at that time the most renowned place of those Countries for Nobilitie Learning and Christian Relegion and she the onely child of her Father King Coel and to succeed him in the kingdome of Britaine he sent her thither to haue the most Noble education and there it was probably where she first came to be acquainted with Constantius then liuing in those parts And this made the Attonement betweene Constantius for the Romans and king Coel to be so soone and peaceably effected without any effusion of blood as our Antiquities testifie whereof it will be a difficult thing to giue any other reason in any morall iudgment 6. This Marriadge betweene Constantius and S. Helena daughter of King Coel is proued by many other forraine Historians so hath the auncient Bishop Iacob Genuen in S. Helena Trithem l. de Orig. Francorum Io. Naucler Chron. generat 6. p. 565. Hist Manuscr Gallic Antiq. c. 29. Iacobus Genuensis and Trithemius So plainely writeth Nauclerus Constantius Caesar in Britanniam missus Insulam Romanis pacauit eamque post interitum Coelis ductâ illius filiâ Helenâ vxore solus administrauit A very old Frēch Manuscript hath thus Constans came into Britaine and after the death of King Coelreigned ouer Britaine and tooke Helen daughter of Coel to wife This Helen was a woman of greate vertue and passing in Beuty all the Maydes of the Prouince of Britaine and there was not found any other so learned in Instruments of Musike and the 7. liberall Arts. For her Father Coel had no other child which might gouerne the Realme after him and therefore procured that she was so learned that she might Reigne after him Bouchet saith Cohel Duke of Cohelcester slew Asclepiodotus in Bouchet Annals de Aquitaine l. 1. c. 5. Nicholas Giles Annal. de France f. 8. p. 2. Zonaras Annal. Tom. 2. in Diocletiano Constante Zonar sup in Constantino Magno Battaile and was made King of Britaine Constantius married his daughter Helena and had Constantine by her An other French Historian saith Helena Mother of Constantine the Greate was daughter of Coel King of the Britans And whereas some would haue Zonaras to be a mouer of this question it is most cleare that Zonaras plainely saith S. Helen was the first and true wife of Constantius Constantine his eldest Sonne and so declared his lawfull Heire Successour Filio natu maiore Magno videlicet Constantino ex priore coniuge Imperij
Successore declarato And saith futher that Constantine was the Sonne of Constantius by blessed Helena Eum ex beatâ Helenâ procreauit Pater Which could not be truely said if she had not bene his lawfull wife for otherwise she had rather deserued the name of cursed theÌ„ blessed Helen And he confirmeth this truth not onely by terrestriall but heauenly testimonie shewing that when Constantius Zonar supr in Constante was sick an Angel appeared vnto him commanding him to leaue the Empire to Constantine Fertur Constanti aegrotanti Angelus astitisse qui iuberet vt Constantino relinqueret Imperium Which is also testified in this manner by Pompon Laet. Rom. Hist compend in ConstaÌ„tino Magno Pomponius Laetus Eum Pater Caesarem fecerat caelesti nuntio admonitus quum aegrotaret vt primum Constantinum successorem faceret qui esset ab tyrannis Romanum Imperium liberaturus militibus Dei opem laturus Constantius the Father had made Constantine his Sonne Caesar being thereto admonished by an heauenly messadge when he was sicke who was to deliuer the Roman Empire from Tyrants and help the souldiars of Christ And although Baronius and his Epitomer Spondanus citing this Angelicall vision and admonition from Zonaras and seeme to thinke that Eusebius did not remember it mirum haec praeterijsse Eusebium Baron Tom. 2. An. 306. Spondanus ibid. Yet if the Translator and Notator of Eusebius deceaueth vs not euen by his testimony Constantine was made Emperour by the Counsaile of God diuino consilio Constantinus Imperium consecutus est And Eusebius himselfe expressely Iacob Grynaeus in c. 18. l. 1. Euseb l. 1. de Vit. CoÌ„st supr saith God the Authour of all things and Gouernour of the whole world did by his owne will choose Constantine Prince and Emperour Constantinum Principem Imperatorem Deus omnium Author totius mundi gubernator suo solum arbitrio delegit Therefore we may not call that holy marriadge into question which so many human testimonies and God himselfe hath thus approued to be lawfull And so it is confirmed by other forreyne Authours The old Inscription of the Church of S. Gereon at Cullen founded by her proueth her to Petr. Merssaeus in Catal. Archiepisc Colonien be a Queene and so an example to Kings Regibus exemplum sacroque Chrismate plena Condidit hoc templum Sancti Gereonis Helena And by the same Authour she is called Empresse also pia Helend Augusta Petr. Merss Catal Archiep. Treuer Anton. Sabelic Ennead lib. 8. Ennead 7. Walter Rollew Fascul temp Ann. 234. Io. Baptis Egnat in Constantino Magno Gonstant Manass in Annal. apud Camden in Rom. in Britannia in Constant Baron Spond An. Christi 306. And her Pallace mentioned Sabellicus also maketh her the true wife of Constantius The like hath Walterus Rollewinke saying Queene Helen was Mother of Constantine and then an holy woman Helena Regina Mater Constantini sanctae admirandae deuotionis ciuilitatis Ioannes Baptista Egnatius saith that Constantine was borne of Helena wife of Constantius Rerum Constantinus potitur ex Helena Constantij vxore susceptus And Constantinus Manasses as our Protestant Antiquaries confesse long before Nicephorus time proueth S. Helen to haue bene the true wife of Constantius and separated from him for a time onely for feare of the Emperour The same haue Baronius Spondanus and other late forreyne Writers expressely calling the other assertion figmentum a forgery and vnworthie of confutation Teaching it is euident that she was a Brittish Lady eandem fuisse Britanniam constat And they relye vpon our Britan and English Antiquaries as most fitt Relators of so memorable a matter of their owne Queene and Country directly testifying she was the daughter and Heire of King Coel the vndoubted and true lawfull wife of Constantius and named Stabularia Inholdresse by the friends of Theodora the Concubine of Constantius putt to him against his will When she was so honorable by birth that her Father King Coel receaued Constantius in all Regall manner So farre she was from being an Inholdresse or daughter of such a man Eandem stabulariam fuisse à nonnullis assertum S. Ambrosius tradit Sed eo planè nomine vulgo dicta quod hospitis apud quem diuertit Constantius Ambros orat in funere Theodos in Britanniâ filia fuisset At qualis hospitis qui Ducem totius exercitus domi exciperet Quamobrem qui antiquas res Britannicas sunt prosecuti quod compertum habuerunt ex antiquis Annalibus Helenam tradunt fuisse filiam vnius ex Britanniae Regulis Coel nomine apud quem hospitatus Constantius quam pulcherimam nouit eius filiam accepit in coniugem How they haue freed her from the imputation of the name of Concubine by some Writers layed vpon her by misapplying a Roman Pagan Edict they haue witnessed before and thus further cleare it Inde manasse videtur illa opinio quod Helena fuerit Constantij Concubina L. Praefectus D. de Ritib nupt L. eos qui. D. eo quia non creditae sunt nuptiae quas Ciuis Romanus cum peregrinâ contraxisset atque amplius quod Romanorum legibus cautum esset vt si aliquis Praefectus vxorem duceret in eà Prouinciâ in qua officium gerebat Matrimonium non esset quod ratio Potentatus eiusmodi nuptias prohiberet Verum cum ijsdom legibus iustae efficerentur nuptiae si post depositum officium in eadem voluntate perseueraret constat Helenam verè fuisse Constantij coniugem ac Matrimonium ratum quod ille sic eam duxit vt cum à prouincià discessit ac MagistratuÌ„ deposuisset nunquaÌ„ illam dimiserit vsque ad nuptias Theodorae That opinion that Helen was the Concubine of Constantius seemeth to haue proceeded from thence that it was not esteemed with some Pagans Marriadge which a Citizen of Rome had contracted with a stranger and the rather because it was prouided by the Lawes of the Romans that if any Prefect should marry a wife in that Prouince where he bore office it should not be Matrimony because the reason of Principalitie did forbid such Marriadges But when by the very same Lawes the Marriadges were made lawfull if after the Office giueÌ„ ouer or ended the Husbanâ— perseuered in the same will It is euident that HeleÌ„ was the true wife of ConstaÌ„tius and the marriadge betweene them lawfull Because Constantius so marryed her that when he went out of that Prouince and left his Office he neuer dismissed Helen vntill he was compelled by the Emperour to take Theodora Thus these Roman Writers haue cleared this our gloriâ—us Brittish Queene and Empresse from that imputation which some by pretext of such Pagan Edict of the Romans haue layed vpon her vniustly 7. To which I adde that both that Lawe and the reason thereof was froÌ„ the beginning voide in the case of Constantius Helena And they were truely Husband and wife not
onely by the Lawe of God but by the Heathen Romans themselues First because when Constantius marryed S. Helen he was not admitted Prefect heare but after Secondly S. Helen a Britan enioying by old compositions betweene the Romans and Britans the Roman Priuiledges was not by their Lawe a stranger Thirdly if she had so bene yet being also next Heire to the Crowne of Britaine and this marriadge betweene her and Constantius agreed vpon and publikly confirmed by both Romans and Britans and their Lawes no exception could be made against them by any Lawe Fourthly Constantius claiming the kingdome of Britaine by his wiues Title she neither was nor could be a subiect to him in that respect and so the pretended reason of that Pagan Edict ratio Potentatus Soueraintie had no place in this case Fiftly this reason did disable all Roman Kings Emperours and Prefects to marry for by marriadge their wiues were as others vnder their Principalitie and so the Lawe in itselfe voide by the grounde thereof Sixtly this Lawe onely concerned Pagans but both Constantius and Helena were now Christians as hereafter in conscience and Iudgment And so must needs interprett that Pagan Constitution to be both against the Lawe of God Nations and farre from hindering the vndoubted lawfulnes of their true and most necessarie desired and allowed marriadge both by the King Nobles and Lawiers of Britaine and the Emperour and Senate of Rome whose grant and consent was a full euacuation or Dispensation of that their Lawe in their owne proceedings to preuent and appease the greate contentions and bloody wars betweene the Romans and Britans at that time by no other means to be qualified but by this marriadge and vnion 8. If from forreyne Antiquities we will come home to the Historians of this Nation most likely to knowe and write the truth of this their most honorable Country woman they will putt vs out of doubt that she was the daughter of our King Coel and the true wife of Constantius King Coel and he so couenanting that Coel should continue the kingdome during his life and Constantius marrying his daughter and Heire Helen should with her succeed him therein Constantius duxit filiam Coel cui nomen erat Helena Pulchritudo eius Prouinciales puellas superabat nec vspiam reperie batur altera quae in Music Hist Brit. l. 5. c. 6. Pontic Virun l. 5. Hist Matth. Westm an 302. Old Eng. Hist part 3. f. 34. Henr. Hunting Hist l. 1. Necham apud Camden in Essex in Colcester Io. Capgr Catal. in S. Helena Annal Manuscript antiq plurim is instrumentis siue in Liberalibus Artibus doctior illà censeretur Caruerat Pater alterâ sobole quae Regni solio potiretur Vnde eam ita docere laborauerat vt Regnum post Patris obitum faciliùs tractare quiret So writeth the old Authour of our Brittish History Ponticus Virunnius Matthew of Westminster our old English Historie Henry of Huntingt on writing before Galfridus translated the Brittish Historie Necham Capgraue with very many old Manuscript Histories which I haue seene And they all agree she was the daughter and Heire of King Coel of Britaine that she was solemnely marryed to Constantius vpon publikly agreed Articles and Hostages giuen one eyther side datis obsidebus betweene the Romans and Britans That she was by her Husband an Empresse by her Father a Queene Helena sanctissima faemina ex marito Imperatrix ex patre Regina Coelis Regis Britanniae vnica fuit filia And in auntient Insciptions so generally stiled In antiquis Inscriptionibus pijssima venerabilis Augusta passim nominatur This is the old tradition of the Towne of Colchester bearing to this day for the Armes thereof in memory Camden Necham supr Manuscr antiq pr. Britannia quae nunc Anglia Henric. Hunting Archidiac l. 1. Hist Andre de Chesne Hist l. 4. Michael Drayton Polyolbion Songe 9. Seld. Illustrat p. 144. Io. Selden Analect c. 7. p. 50. 51. of her and her finding the holy Crosse a Grosse knotty betweene 4. Crownes Ciues Helenam Constantini magni matreÌ„ suam alumnam esse asserunt ex Coelo Rege natam in memoriam Crucis ab illa repertae crucem nodo sam inter quatuor Coronas interpositam publico in Clipeo gerunt And she both made the old wall of Colchester and London and paued the greate way in Merioneth-shire called in that languadge of the Britans Sarn Helen the highe way of Helen to this day 9. This is the common opinion of our Protestant Antiquaries Bale Gosceline Leland the Theather Writers Hackluit Hollinshed Harrison Camden Selden and others too many to be recompted therefore I will onely cite the two last as of cheife name and latest time among them The one speaking of the Persecution of Dioclesian heare saith that this kingdome brought forth a Prince Constantine the Greate of Brittish blood the greatest honour of this Iland borne in true Marriadge betweene Constantius Chlorus and Helen daughter of King Caelus and citeth a Panegyrist liuing and writing in that time for an vndoubted warrant hereof Terra ista nostra Principem cui nihil prius erat quam Christianam fouere Religionem Britannico sanguine natum summum Insulae duces tunc tâ—mporis nutriuit atque in Imperium euexit Constantinum nempe illum quem ex Helena Coeli Reguli qui Asclepiodotum regno spoliauerat filia primis nuptijs ducta Constantius Chlorus Caesar duÌ„ Britannijs agebat susceperat De re illa Christiana maximè meruit de Britannica de quo Britannia patria O fortunata nunc omnibus beatior inquit Anonymus Panagyrestis terris Britannia quae Constantinum Caesarem prima vidisti And in an other Booke and place Panegyric Constantino dictus Io. Selden Illustr vpon PolyolbioÌ„ p. 129. 130. speaking of this renowned woman he saith She was wife to Constantius or Constans Chlorus the Emperour and Mother to Constantine the Greate daughter to Coile King of Britaine where Constantine was by her brought forth Do not obiect Nicephorus Callistus that erroneously affirmes him borne in Drepanum of Bithynia or Iu lius Firmius that sayes at Tarsus vpon which testimonie not vncorrupted a Lips de Roman Magnitud l. 4. c. 11. NimiuÌ„ lapsus greate Critique he meaneth Lipsius hath violently offered to depriue vs. both of him and his Mother affirming her a Bithynian nor take aduantage of Cedrenus that will haue Dacia her birth soyle But ouer Histories and with them the Latine Ecclesiastique relation in passadges of her inuention of the Crosse and such like allowed also by Cardinall Baronius make her thus a Brittish woman And for greate Constantius birth in this land you shall haue Authoritie against which I wonder how Lipsius durst oppose his conceipt In an old Panegyrist speaking to Constantine liberauit ille he meanes his Father BritaÌ„nias seruitute tu etiaÌ„ nobiles illic oriuÌ„do fecisti He freed Britaine of bondage thow
enoblest it with thy birth And an other ô fortunata nunc omnibus beatior terris Britannia quae Constantinum Caesarem vidisti O happy Britaine that first of all sawest Constantine Of this Helen her Religion finding the Crosse good deeds in walling London and Colchester which in honour of her they say beares a Crosse betweene foure Crownes and for the Inuention she is yet celebrated in holy Roode-day in May and of this Constantine her Sonne a mightie and Religous Emperour that in this ayre receaued his first light and life our Britons vaunt not vniustly as in that spoken to King Arthur Rob. Cloestren Now it worth iended that Sibile the sage biuore That there ssold of Britaine thre men be ybore That ssold winne the aumpire of Rome of tweye yed it is As of Bely and Constantine and thow art the thredde ywis Which very words were publikly iustified also by Hoelus King of litle Britaine Hist Brit. l. 9. ca. 17. Galfr. Mon. Hist Bri. l. 9. c. 16. Old Engl. Manuscr Hist c. 52. Caxtō Hist part 5. f. 50. Harding Chron. c. 80. f. 74. Camden Romans in Britaine pag. 74. edit ann 1610. and it is registred both in our olde Brittish and Saxon Histories both Manuscripts and others that Constantine sonne of S. Helen was Ancestor to King Arthur and others of this kingdome Which must needs be by his Mother S. Helen a Britan and of the Regall Race of this kingdome for by Constantius his Father a stranger heare Constantine could not be Ancestor to our Kings of Britaine The other cheifest Protestant Antiquary writeth in this manner euen in his last Edition Constantius what time he serued in Britaine vnder Aurelian tooke to wife the daughter of Caelus or Caelius a Brittish Prince on whome he begatt that Noble Constantine the Greate in Britaine For so together with that greate Historiographer Baronius the common opinion of all other Writers with one consent beareth witnesse vnlesse it be one or two Greeke Authours of late time and those dissenting one from the other and a right learned man grounding vpon a corrupt place of Iulius Firmicus This is that Helen which in antike Inscription is called venerabilis pijssima Augusta and for Christian pietie for cleāsing Hierusalē of Idols for building a goodly Church in the place where our Lord suffered and for finding the sauing Crosse of Christ is so highly commended of Ecclesiasticall writers And yet both Iewes and Gentils termed her by way of ignominy and reproach Stabularia because she a most godly Princesse sought out the Cribbe or Manger wherin Christ was borne and in the place where stood that Hostelry founded a Church Heareupon S. Ambrose they say that this Lady was first an Inholder or Hostesse c. Capgraue Manuscr antiq in Vit. S. Helenae Capgr in ead Annal. Aquitan apud Bouchet l. 1. cap. 5. and the old Manuscript of S. Helens life affirme the like saying the Iewes in hatred of her in doing so many holy Christian deeds derogatory to their profession and building so glorious a Church ouer the holy Cribbe where Christ was borne raised that slaunder Impijssimi Iudaei cum tanta bona ab Imperatrice in eo rum opprobrium facta cernerent ipsam inter se ex inuidià stabulariam vocauerunt eo quod supra stabulum tam vilem locum eis admodum exosum tam nobilem Ecclesiam aedificauit The Annalls of Aquitane where her children lyued and say she discend from our King S. Lucius shall be cited in the next Chapter The error of them which deferre her marriadge vntill Constantius comming hither after Asclepiodotus death is palbable For by that accompt as of Matthew Westminster Constantine was but an Infant 5. yeares olde when after Constantius his Fathers death he was both King of Britaine and Emperour For he setteth downe their marriadge in the yeare of Christ 302. and in the yeare 307. saith he was declared Emperour Anno gratiae 307. Constantinus Matth. Westm an 302. 307. Harding Chron. ca. 62. Constantij Helenae filius in Britannia ex Rege Imperator creatus And others by that mistaking make him litle older But they are to be vnderstood of the reconciliation of Constantius to S. Helen after the death of Theodora not his first taking her to wife being allmost 30. yeares before in the time of Aurelianus Emperour for after he had married S. Helen in Britaine at that time and had ruled this kingdome no short space he went againe from hence to Rome and returned hither the second time as is manifest before when be dyed heare Which many more Authours both Manuscripts and Manuscr antiq in Vit. S. Helenae Io. Capgr Catal. in eadem others confirme in this manner Cum illam S. Helenam in Thori societatem accepisset Constantius generauit ex ea filium quem appellauit Constantinum Ipse vero Constantius cum regno Britanniae aliquandiu potiretur Romam reuersus And then they bring him hither the second time and lyuing heare diuers yeares and dying at Yorke as others haue done before Britanniam rediens post annos Manusc Cap. supr Pomponius Laetus compend Rom. Hist in Constantio Chloro vndecim apud Eboracum morti subiacuit regnum filio Constantino reliquit Leauing the kingdome to his eldest sonne Constantine And this is euident by the time of Constantine his Age and Reigne before remembred out of the most auncient Histories of this matter and such as no man willing to retaine the name of an Antiquary may deny I add to this that Constantine at his Fathers death was a marryed man then marryed vnto Fausta daughter of Maximianus Herculius the Tyrant and by him made Augustus and yet Panegyric 1. in nuptijs Constantini Faustae Baron Annal. an 307. was marryed to an other wife before as the Authours of that time are witnesses and had Priscus his eldest sonne by this former wife named Mineruina Of which all Histories both Christian and Pagan are plentifull THE XII CHAPTER OF THE OTHER THREE CHILDREN OF CONstantius and S. Helen and particulary of two of them S. Lucius and S. Emerita renowned and glorious Martyrs for holy Christian Religion among forreine Pagans S. Lucius an holy Bishop preaching it to them in Germany 1. HAVING thus euidently cleared the Historie for the birth and Education of these two greate Glories of the world the Mother and sonne in Britaine I ame to speake some thing of other children this happy Empresse S. Helē had in this Nation by her husband Cōstantius for allthought the greatnes of that greate Emperour Cōstantine doth in the Histories of that time drawe all mens pens and eyes to describe and beholde his splendor and renowne and in some sort eclipse the honour of diuers others renowned in those dayes yet we finde in auncient memorable Antiquities that S. Helen had other children besides Constantine whereof some were in their lyues renowned in S.
Reliques 588. 3. Heirgustus builded a Church to S. Andrew ib. S. Helena borne of noble Parents in Britaine 392. 2. S. Helena the sole heire and daughter to King Coel. ib. S. Helena was not borne in Bithinia 392. 3. S. Helena but younge when she married Constantius 377. 6. S. Helena the lawfull wife of Constantius 392. 3. From whence it came that she was called Concubine 393. 1. 397. 6 S. Helens sumptuous pallace 395. 4. S. Helenas lands about Treuers probably descended to her by her Mother 395. 5. S. Helenas Sanctitie of life 395. 4. S. Helenas beauty learning and other qualities 398. 8. Whence first called Stabularia 400. 9. S. Helena in some sort may be called and Inholdresse 397. 6. S. Helena the Mother of 4. Children 401. 1. S. Helena alwaies a Christian 406. 1. c. S. Helenas guifts to the City of Treuers 407. 2 S. Helena not baptized by S. Syluester 408. 3. S. Helena compelled to depart from Constantius 414. 2. S. Helena perswades Constantine to persecute the Iewes 478. 1. S. Helena neuer a Iew or corrupted by such 478. 2. S. Helena departed not out of Britaine with her sonne Constantine 478. 2. c. S. Helena present at Rome at the Roman Councell consented to it 480. 4. S. Helena visiteth the holy lande 513. 1. S. Helenas great labours in finding out the holy Crosse 515. 8. c. The time she found the Crosse 463. 2. S. Helena sent part of the Crosse and the Nailes to her sonne 519. 20. S. Helena builded a new City called Hierusalem 521. 1. S. Helena buildeth a sumptuous Church at our Sauiours sepulcher 521. 1. S. Helena waites on two Nunnes in Hierusalem 522. 5. S. Helena founded a Religeous house of Nunnes 527. 23. S. Helena builded a Tēple where she found the holy Crosse 522. 7. S. Helena founded diuerse other Churches 522. 7. sequent S. Helena turned the Potters fielde into a buriall place for strangers 525. 19. S. Helenas happy death 527. 23. The yeare of the same 527. 26. Two Cities builded in her name 527. 25. S. Helenas body carried from Rome to Constantinople 528. 24. The day of her festiuity 528. 25. Heliogabalus Bassianus sonne chosen Emperour 372. 3. Heliogabalus name and linadge ib. Heliogabalus trew heire to Britaine but neuer enioyed it 373. 2. Heluius S. Ioseph of Aramathias nephew 124. 1. Heluius came in S. Iosephs company into Britaine ib. Hengistus his murders 600. 4. Hengistus destroies Monasteries ib. Heraclius a Souldiar conuerted and how 440. 3. 442. 1. Heraclius his desire of Martyrdome 442. 1. Heraclius beaten and cruelly brused 443. 2. Heraclius cured by touching S. Albans head ib. Heraclius buried S. Alban ib. Heraclius martyred ib. Hermes the cheife Prefect of Rome conuerted by S. Alexander Pope 197. 3. Herod declared by the Senat King of the Iewes 5. 5. Herod builded Cesarea in honour of Augustus ib. Hiberia a Country so called in Armenia 28. 5. A Hierarchy acknowledged by Protestants in the Church 93. 1. c. The Hierarchy of Archbishops Bishops c. setled in Britaine by the Popes Authority 272. 1. c. The Hierarchy of the Church of Britaine deriued from S. Aristobulus 93. 2. The Hierarchy instituted by S. Peter in Britaine did continue without interruption vntill Queene Elizabeths Protestant Persecution 41. 1. S. Higinius Successor in the Papacy to Sainct Telesphorus 208. 2. S. Higinius his Religeon by English Protestants testimony in thinges now questioned by them ib. S. Higinius carefull of the conuersion of England 209. 3. S. Higinius sent a letter to King Lucius to further his conuersion 211. 5. S. Higinius Martyred 219. 1. Hildebertus the learned Tutor of Coelius Sedulius probably Archbishop of Yorke 590. 1. or 560. 1. Historians deputed vnto the Emperours reigne the yeare werein he died 201. 1. Historians mistooke in setting donne the time of King Lucius conuersion 220. 3. Historians often mistaking the name of Pope Eleutherius 221. 3. Hugh Earle of Shrewsbury dieth a miserable death and why 567. 5. I. S. Iames the Apostle preached not in Ireland 25. 1. S. Iames preached in Spaine 26. 2. S. Iames preched only to the Iewes in Spaine 27. 5. S. Iames cōuerted according to some but 9. persons in Spaine 26. 2. Idolaters sacrificed in Groues and woodes 241. 1. All Idols fell to the Ground at the entry of our Sauiour into Egipte 6. 7. S. Ioseph of Aramathia inclosed by the Iewes in a close Prison 136. 1. S. Ioseph watched by the high Preists themselues ib. S. Ioseph Miraculously deliuered from them 136. 2. S. Ioseph came into Britaine and when 22. 6. 106. 1. S. Ioseph the first foūder of a Monasticall life in Britaine 110. 4. S. Ioseph the most auncient of any Regular Abbot in the schoole of Christ 331. 8. S. Iosephs comming made doubtfull by some others wholy denie it ib. S. Ioseph was not sent hither out of France by S. Philip the Apostle 111. 1. S. Ioseph with S. Philip amongst the Gaules of Asia 120. 7. S. Ioseph came from parts not farre distant from where S. Philip preached ib. S. Ioseph landed about the North part of Britaine 121. 7. S. Ioseph probably directed into Britaine by S. Peter 121. 9. S. Ioseph was present at the Assumption of our Lady ib. All S. Iosephs Associats vowed chastitie vntill their arriuall in Britaine 124. 1. Diuers of S. Iosephs companions Noble personadges and some of our Brittish kings descended from them ib. S. Ioseph imprisoned in Venodocia 125. 2. 127. 1. S. Ioseph sett at libertie by a Noble man whome he conuerted to the faith 125. 2. S. Ioseph extreamly persecuted by the Iewes 126. 2. S. Ioseph with his associats preached litle 128. 2. S. Ioseph and his companions at the first gaue themselues to a Monasticall and eremiticall life 128. 2. c. S. Ioseph admonished by an Angle builded a Church to our Lady 109. 2. 128. 2. 129. 3. 136. 2. S. Ioseph releiued in his necessities by our B. Lady 329. 4. S. Ioseph did not actually conuert to the faith of Christ either King Aruiragus Coillus or Marius 131. 1. S. Ioseph how named an Apostle 135. 1. S. Ioseps praiers and duties to our B. Lady 136. 2. S. Ioseph makes Crosses and other pictures 138. 5 S. Ioseph brought hither reuerenced Relickes ib. S. Ioseph his death 170. 3. S. Ioseph buried and where ib. S. Ioseph his sonne a Bishop in Britaine 97. 9. S. Iosephs sonne consecrated Bishop by S. Peter or his Disciples ib. King Iosinas ouerthrew Idolatry 10. 3. Iouinian created Emperour 570. 1. Iouinian refused to be Emperor ouer Infidels ib. Iouinian made choise rather to leaue the warre then sacrifice to Idols ib. Iouinian allwaies a constant Catholike 571. 3. Iouinians short raigne 371. 2. Ireland named Ierna 28. 7. Irelands other names ib. Ireland by Britaine not conuerted in Constantins time 503. 6. c. In Ireland no Christian to be named before S. Patritius his time 26. 2. The