not stirring any way from the place where he stood 8. But when at last the hower was come in which he was to surrender to God his victorious spirit lifting up his eyes to heaven he saw our Lord Iesus standing at the right hand of the Father and heard an harmonious coÌ„cert of Angells in heaven amongst whom he saw his beloved Disciple S. Albanus whom he presently invoked to his help saying O Holy Albanus pray to our Lord that he would send his good Angell to meet and protect mee that the accursed fiend and his associats may not binder my passage into life Immediatly after which Prayer there appeared two Angells gloriously shining with celestiall splendour which came to him And a voyce from heaven was heard saying Verily I say unto thee thou shalt presently be in Paradise with thy Disciple 9. When the Pagans heard this celestiall voyce they stood amazed But the holy Angells took with them the Blessed mans soule shining with a brightnes white as snow and with hymnes and praises carried it into heaven In the mean time the Pagans ceased not to overwhelm with stones the livelesse body bound as it was with cords But afterwards a certain Christian privily took away the Body and with a diligent care buried it This is the summ of the Life and Martyrdom of S. Amphibalus recorded by an ancient Briâ—tish Authour who saith Harpsfeild lived before the time of S. Beda XXIII CHAP. 1.2 S. Amphibalus martyrd or buried at Rudburn near Verolam his Sepulcher miraculously discovered by S. Albanus 3. His Body translated to S Albons 4 The day of his Translation 5. His Tomb venerated for miracles c. 1. IN the foregoing relation there is no particular mention either of the precise time or place where S. Amphibalus was martyrd But touching the place Harpsfeild saith that the Holy man of God was putt to death in a village call'd Rudburn distant from Verolam three miles where as Thomas Rudburn relates there were reserved to his time two great knives with which he was killd Which Thomas liv'd about the year one thousand four hundred and eighty And indeed in the same village there seem to remain to this day some marks of his Martyrdom for in the way between Rudburn and Verolam there is shown a certain Tree of late enclosd within walls where it is beleiod was fixd the post to which the holy Martyr was tyed and where his bowells were forn out 2. Or rather probably there was the place of his buriall which was perform'd with such secrecy as hath been said that till the year of Grace one thousand one hundred seaventy and eight the sacred Body could never be discovered But in that yeare saith Mathew of Westminster the Blessed Martyr S. Albanus was seen visibly to goe out of the Church dedicated to him and to come to a certain man inhabiting in the town of S. Albons to whom he said Follow mee Who seeing him shining gloriously like the Sun was affraid yet in obedience followd him Northward and the high way shone with his brightnes As they walked the man said to the Holy man Sir who are you Who answered I am Albanus the first Martyr of Brittany and I now lead thee to the Sepulcher of S. Amphibalus by whose preaching I was converted to our Lord and became a Martyr that his bones may be discovered and reverently removed to a more decent place Thus they talked together familiarly like two freinds and in the end he shewd him the place which the man diligently observed setting certain stones in order there to be a mark for the finding it againe Thus writes that Authour and the same is related more diffusedly by Mathew Paris 3. Then it was that the Sacred Body was translated to the Church of S. Albans where 〈◊〉 â—any Miracles were wrought by his intercession that the year following Lewis King of France who came into England in devotion to visit the Shrine of S. Thomas of Canterbury was desirous to continue his voyage likewise to S. Albans but was disswaded by his Nobles accompanying him as the same Authour reports 4. As touching the time time of this Holy Martyrs death though the year be well-enough known to witt the two hundred eighty seaventh year of our Lord yet for the day it is not particularly design'd in any History or Monument For wheras in the English Martyrologe his passion is celebrated on the twenty-fifth of Iune three days after that of S. Albanus yet surely then was commemorated not his death but the Translation of his sacred ashes to Verolam where they were repos'd in the Church of S. Albanus built by King Offa. This day it is which Harpsfeild meant when he wrote thus Verolam never saw any day more joyfull and beneficiall A Martyr meets a Martyr the scholler meets his Master the Host meets his Guest and one Cittizen of heaven meets another Albanus now openly and honourably entertains that guest at his return whom before he had secretly dismis'd least he should fall into his Enemies hands He now leads him into a magnificent Temple to whom before he could give no security in a cottage These things happned in the year one thousand one hundred seaventy eight on the five and twentieth day of Iune 5. But though the Brittains had been formerly ignorant of the place where S. Amphibalus his Body lay yet that was no hindrance to their Veneration of him from the beginning For as may be gathered out of a forecited passage of Gildas within ten years after his Martyrdom a Church was erected to his honour And in the year of our Lord three hundred and nine another Church at Winchester was consecrated to S. Amphibalus which the Saxons afterward rebuilding dedicated to S. Peter XIX CHAP. 1. Severall companions with S. Amphibalus in his Martyrdom whose names are not known 2.3.4 Martyrdon of S. Iulius and S. Aaron at Caer-leon 5 6 Churches built to their memory long before the Saxons entrance 7. S Stephanus and S. Socrates Brittish Martyrs 1. BEsides S. Albanus and S. Amphibalus Brittany at this time was glorified with severall other Martyrs Capgrave writes that when S. Amphibalus his Body was found there were discovered likewise with it two other Bodies of Martyrs A namelesse Authour quoted by Bishop Vâ—her reckons three to which Mathew Paris adds five more so that saith he Blessed Amphibalus was reckoned the tenth And Thomas Rudburn as also the breif History of the Church of Winchester affirm that the bodies of S. Amphibalus and eight of his companions were discovered Which in all probability were the Relicks of these Martyrs which together with him suffred for the profession of the Christian Faith their names are only known in heaven 2. But that part of Brittany from whence S. Amphibalus drew his originall hath more carefully preserved the Memory of their fellow cittizens and Martyrs which suffred there Among whom the
or regard of age or affinity mercilesly without any resistance putt to the sword all their thousand countreymen for the Faith of Christ neighbours murdring neighbours freinds freinds and kinsmen kinsmen As for the holy man Amphibalus who was reserved to a more cruell death being compass'd aboue with the livelesse bodies of these holy Martyrs he with ioy commended their happy soules to God 9. As touching the place where so cruell and inhuman a butchery was made it is not agreed by Historians some affirm it to have been among the Silures in the Province of Monmouth and hereto the Authour of Amphibalus his life seems to accord but others more probably say that these holy Martyrs suffred among the Cornavij in Warwick shire where their persecutours overtook them in their way towards Wales at Lichfeild which Citty seems to have taken its name from this slaughter of so many Martyrs for as Iohn Rosse of warwick interprets the word it signifies the feild of dead bodies which are also to this day the Arms of the Citty XVII CHAP. 1.2 S. Amphibalus lead prisoner towards Verolam in the way miraculously cures a sick person 3. He is barbarously tormented his gutts wrapp'd about a stake 4. During his torments he enveighs against Idolatry 5. His Executioner is converted 6. A voyce from heaven testifies S. Amphibalus his Sanctity He dyes and his Body is privatly buried 1. AFter the offring made of so many immaculate Victimes to God S. Amphibalus saith Mathew of westminster became the sole object against whom these bloody Executioners powrd forth all their rage for binding his arms with sharp and streit cords they so drove him with naked feet before their horses toward the Citty of Verolam who the nearer he approached to his beloved Disciple S. Albanus the lesse was he sensible of the roughnes of the wayes and toyle of the iourney Moreover in the way Amphibalus fast bound as he was had yet the vertue to unloose a sick person from the bonds of his infirmity 2. This miracle is thus related in the life of S. Amphibalus In the way as they pass'd a certain infirm person began to crye out O servant of the High God help mee that by thy intercession I may be freed from this my greivous infirmity for I beleive that by calling on the name of Christ over mee thou maist speedily restore my health Whereupon immediatly in the sight of them all the sick person arose chearfull and perfectly recoered This miracle finds credit generally among all except Iohn Foxe who says there was no cause which might move almighty God to shew his power As if there were neither infidells to be converted nor beleivers to be confirm'd nor such malicious Sectaries as himself to be preiudged 3. But to proceed in the suffrings of this glorious Martyr as they are related in his Acts to have been inflicted on him at the end of his long iourney when he was entred into the confines belonging to the Citty of Verolam There the foresaid Inhabitants of Verolam barbarously stripp'd him of his garments and fastning a stake into the ground they with a sword ripp'd up his belly and tying the end of his gutts about the stake with cruell whipping thy forced him to walk about it so inwrapping it with his bowells And not content thus they with knives and lances tore the rest of his body as if he had been a mark sett on purpose to exercise their weapons upon All this while the man of God stood with a cheerfull countenance as if he had suffred nothing being every moment more constant though there was not left any part of his body in which there were not imprinted marks of his Martyrdom insomuch as it seemd a prodigious thing that after so many tortures and sorts of death he could have any life remaining in him 4. The same moment diverse who were there present and saw the constancy of the holy Martyr renounced their Idolls and submitted themselves to the Faith of Christ beseeching the Blessed man to pray to God for them that they might partake eternall Happines for the obtaining of which they were ready to lay down their lives Which when it was known the Cheif Magistrate calling the Officers gave them command to kill all those who had cast off the worship and reverence of Heathen Gods and embraced the Doctrine of the Christian Preacher Immediatly they executed this horrible Edict and putt to death a thousand persons whilst Blessed Amphibalus look'd on and commended their soules to our Lord. 5. Then one of the by-standers ruder then the rest thus spake to the man of God O pâ—ttilesse wretch way hast thou deceived these simple people with thy frudulent speeches withdrawing them from the worship of the Gods By thy cunning perswasions we have utterly lost our parents and freinds Notwithstanding though hereby thou hast above measure incensed both Gods and men yet even now at last by thy repentance thou maist recover their pardon and favour And this will be a proof and sign of thy repentance if thou wilt renounce the impious Sect which hitherto thou hast followed and begin to adore the omnipotent Gods which perhaps out of ignorance thou hast offended If thou wilt doe this then the same all-powerfull Gods will restore again to life those whom thou hast murdred 6. To whom the Holy man thus answered O Infidell whilst thou endeavourest with thy false praises to exâ—â—ll thy Gods be assured that thou hast offended the true God by thy speeches For it is Iesus Christ my Lord who alone has the power to raise and give life to the dead As for those whom yee worship as Gods and think them to be powerfull in heaven they doe now suffer most horrible torments in hell And partakers in the fellowship of those torments shall be all injust persons adulterers slanderers and such as by their reprobate actions whilst they liv'd here rendred themselves like to Devills And for thy part O Pagan and all who like thee worship Idolls except you quickly renounce your heathenish Superstition and convert your selves to the Faith of Christ you shall all incurr the same punishments in hell Doe not despair for the mercy of God is great Breake off your evill wayes and make hast to be partakers of the Grace of Baptism By Baptism all sins are forgiven Heaven is opened to men who therby become as it were new creatures having devested themselves of their old wicked inclinations For those who before Baptism by their sinns were Children of the Devill become afterward Sons of God Run therfore for refuge to this Grace that you may escape everlasting torments 7. When the impious Pagans heard these speeches they were kindled with rage and with all their forces laboured to deprive him of life But the holy Martyr though he was on all sides bruised with a great multitude of stones which were thrown at him yet he remain'd immoveable in prayer
the Holy Bishop David the glory of Brittany the Father of his countrey is this day dead he has escaped out of the prison of his body and is flown to heaven Beleive me I my self have seen a multitude of Angels conducting him in to the joy of his Lord and our Lord himself at the entrance of Paradice hath crownd him with glory and honour Know also that Brittany which is depriv'd of so great a light will a long time mourn the absence of so powerfull a Patron He it was who oppos'd himself to the sword of our Lord which was half drawn out for the destruction of that nation in revenge of their sins and impenitence Now will God deliver up Brittany to strange Nations which know him not and Pagans shall empty the Island of its inhabitants Christian Religion shall be utterly dissipated in it till the time prefix'd by God be ended But after that it shall through the mercies of our Lord be restor'd to its former state yea to a far better and happier How true this Prophecy of S. Kentigern was the following Story will demonstrate 7 S. David was buried in his own Church of Menevia which saith Geffrey of Monmouth he had loved above all other Monasteries of his Diocese because S. Patrick who had prophecied of his Nativity had been the founder of it He adds that it was by the command of Malgo King of the Venedotae that he was there buried And that after five hundred years he was solemnly canoniz'd by Pope Calixtus the second of that name The Church in which he was buried was dedicated to S. Andrew but in succeeding times took S. David for the Patron by whose name it and the whole Diocese was call'd S. Davids 8. The Memory of his Sanctity was so precious that within a few years after his death the visiting of his Church was a great devotion of those times S. Oudoceus Successour of S. Theliau in the Bishoprick of Landaff after a Pilgrimage to visit the Monuments of the Holy Apostâ—es at Rome made another to the Church of S. David And afterward when any one had a desire to goe in devotion to Rome and was hindred either by the difficulties or dangers of the iourney he might equall the merit of such a pilgrimage by twice visiting the Church of S. Davids as appears by a Dâ—stick common in those times expressing so much Such was either the pious credulity of that age or perhaps that compensation was allow'd by Popes 9. The Successour of S. David in the Bishoprick of Menevia was called Kinoc or Cenac who was translated thither from the See of S. Patern But his and many of his Successours Gests have been buried in obscurity for the Name of Saint David did so fill the Church of Menevia for severall ages that the mention of his successours has been omitted XXI CHAP. 1.2.3 Death of King Otta and K. Cerdic 1. BEcause we would not discontinue the Gests of the famous Bishop S. David we have pursued them severall years beyond the date and season whereto we are arrived in the Generall History of the Ecclesiasticall state of Brittany Which disorder hereafter also oft to be committed especially in the lives of particular Saints we expect will find pardon because therby a greater disorder will be avoyded of delivering their actions peece-meale and by shreds to the Readers prejudice We will therefore return to the place from which we made this diversion 2. In the year of Grace five hundred thirty two Otta King of Kent dyed leaving his Son Irmeric Successour in his Kingdom who was illustrious for nothing more then in that he was Father to the glorious and happy King Ethelhert the first Christian King among the Saxons 3. Two years after dyed also Cerdic King of the West-Saxons in the sixteenth year of his Raign to whom succeeded his Son Kenric in all his Dominions except the Isle of Wight which he left to his Sisters Son Witgar whom he dearly lov'd both for propinquity of blood and military skill XXII CHAP. 1.2 c Of S. Iohn a Brittish Saint in France 4.5 c. Of S. Mochia a Brittish Saint in Ireland 1. IN our ancient English Martyrologe the death of a Holy Brittish Preist is assignâ—d to the year five hundred thirty â—eaven His name was Iohn and his fame was more celebrated in forrain Nations then his own The great commotions of Brittany and barbarous cruelty of the Saxons compelled great numbers to seek means of serving God abroad which they could not find at home Among whom this Holy Preist Iohn was one who retir'd himselfe into France and thoâ—gâ— he spent his liâ—e iâ— solitude and prayer in the Province of Tours yet it pâ—eas'd God by a miracle after his death to 〈◊〉 known his Sanctity Which Miracle I shâ—â—ld scarce have mention'd in this History were it not that I find it related by a famous Bâ—shop S. Gregory oâ— Tours in whose Provâ—nce thiâ— Holy Preist liv'd and who might himself have been an eye-witnes oâ— it The relation given by him is as followeth 2. Not far from this Church of Caâ—on rests the sacred Holy of a certain Preist named Iohn He was by Nation a Bâ—ittain and living here with great devotion and piety our Lord was pleas'd by 〈◊〉 miraculously to restore health to many He the better to attend to divine love avoyded the â—ight of men confining himself to a little Cell â—nd Oratory over against the Church of Caâ—on â—here 〈◊〉 a little Orchard cultivated by himself he had planted a few lawrel-trees which now are â—o encreased that the boughs of them being drawn â—ogether arch-â—ise doe afford a very pleasing â—hade Vnder those laurels his custom was to sit reading or writing as he thought fit After his death among the said trees whose wide-stretch'd branches made a very commodious shade there was one which through age was quite withered Then he to whom the care of the place was committed dâ—â—g'd up the roots of the said dry tree and of the body of it hewed out a seat or bench upon which when he was weary or would seriously meditate on busines he was used to sitt After he had made such use of the said seat the space of two years or mâ—re a thought of remorse came into his heart I beleive by divine Inspiration which forced him to say Alas Sinner that I am â—hy doe I for mine own convenience make use of a seat fram'd of the tree which so holy a Preist planted with his oâ—n hand Having said this he presently took a â—â—ade and digging a deâ—p hole in the ground presently he putt the seat into it after he had cutt off the â—eet which supported it and then cover'd it with earth Now behold a great wonder The very next spring this dry bench thus buried as hath been said sprouted forth into green branches as the other treese did which prosper'd so well that at this day there are proceeded
Monastery But afterwards when a Church more magnificent was there built it was translated thither and deposed at the right hand of the Altar with veneration due to so holy a Prelat 3. How great the merit of this Blessed Bishop was saith the same S. Beda God was pleased to shew by severall Miracles It will suffise to relate onely two of them in this place A certain Preist named Vtta a man highly esteemed even by Princes for his gravity and integrity was sent into Kent to conduct from thence Eanfleda the daughter of King Edwin to be wife to King Osâ—in This Preist went thither by land but intended to return by Sea with the Virgin Before hâ—â— iourney he went to the Holy Bishop Aidan desiring his prayers for a safe iourney to himself and company The Bishop gave him his benediction and withall delivered to him some Oyle which had been sanctified saying I know that when you shall be at Sea a contrary wind and tempest will come on you but remember that when you are in danger you cast this Oyle into the Sea aend thâ— tempest will pâ—esently cease and your return will be prosperous All which particulars succeeded in order exactly as the Holy Bishop had foretold Thus the Man of God both foretold the Tempest by the Spirit of Prophecy and by the power of the same spirit though corporally absent he calmed the Tempest when it was risen The account of this Miracle I received not from a relatour of doubtfull credit but a Preist of our Church of great integrity called Cynimund who protested that it was told him by Vtta himself the Preist to whom and by whom it befell 4. The Second Miracle was that when King Penda entred with an Army into those parts and was determined to sett on fire the Royal Citty which took its name from Queen Ebba for which purpose he encompassed it with heaps of wood and other combustible matter to which fire was applied S. Aidan being then retired into his Isle of Farne about two miles distant from that Citty and seeing the fire smoke ascending up-wards he lifted up his eyes full of tears to heaven and said Behold o Lord how great mischeif Penda does to thy people Assoon as he had said those words the wind immediatly turned the flames upon those who had kindled them So that the enemies forbore to impugn the Citty which they saw was defended from heaven 5. Now though S Aidan and his White Monks did erroneously swerve from the generall practise of the Church in the Observation of Easter yet saith Baronius far be it from us to reckon among the Quartodeciman Hereticks such a man who by an Apostolick Spirit and power converted that Nation to the Faith How their practise differed from that of those Hereticks we have already declared out of S. Beda His Memory is celebrated in the Roman Martyrologe on the one and thirtieth of August where this elogium is given of him In England on the said day is the commemoration of S. Aidan Bishop of Lindesfarn whose soule S. Cuthbert then a keeper of sheep seing caried up to heaven he left his sheep and became a Monk XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Cuthbert a child sees Saint Aidans soule caried into heaven whereupon he quitts the world and retires into the Monastery of Mailros 1. THAT which the Roman Martyrologe wraps up in a few words touching the occasion of S. Cuthberts undertaking a Monasticall Profession S. Beda more at large sets down in his Book of the Life of that Saint which for the reverence due both to him and S. Aidan we will hâ—â—e transcribe And shall hereafter have â—â—equent occasion to write more of his Sanctity the rudiments whereof now began 2. When the Divine Grace which governs the lives of Gods servants was pleased that the devout young man Cuthbert by undergoing a more austere Profession should obtain a higher reward of Glory he was then employed in the guard of sheep committed to his care in the remote mountains One night it hapned that whilst he was watching in prayer his companions then being asleep he saw on a sudden a light from heaven so bright that it dispelled all the darknes and therein he saw great multitudes of Angels descending to the earth and presently after return to heaven carying with them a soule of a marvellous brightnes This sight caused great compunction in the devout youth and an earnest desire to undertake a spiritual Life that thereby he might be partaker of eternall felicity among Gods Saints And presently giving thanks and praises to God for this favour he also wakened his companions inciting them with brotherly exhortations to ioyn with him in praising God Alas poor wretches said he we are wholly given up to sleep and idlenes and are unworthy to see the light of Christs ServaÌ„ts who are always watchfull in his Praises Behold I whilst I was even now praying saw the great wonders of God the Gate of Heaven was opened and the soule of some holy person was conducted by Angels into the glory of heavenly Mansions where it will for ever blessedly behold our Lord whilst we remain negligent in this darknes below Surely this was either a Holy Bishop or some other perfect Christian whom I saw with such resplendent brightnes and such Quires of Angels caried up to heaven These words of S. Cuthbert did not a little inflame the hearts of the other Shephards to praise God 3. The next day he was informed that S. Aidan Bishop of the Church of Lindesfarn a man of admirable piety dyed that very houre in which he had seen his soule mounting to heaven Whereupon he presently resigned up the sheep which he had fed to their owner and resolved without delay to goe to a Monastery 4. S. Cuthbert now meditating seriously on his entrance into a new and more stricks life the Divine Grace was present to him confirming his mind in that good purpose and moreover by manifest signs shewed that to those who seek the Kingdom of God and his righteousnes all things necessary for bodily subsistence shall be administred For on a certain day as he was iourneying alone about the third hower he turned aside into a certain village which he saw a good distance from him and entred into the house of a certain Matron being desirous to repose there awhile and to gett food not for himself but his horse The woman received him kindly and earnestly desired that she might make some thing ready for his refection But the devout young man refused telling her that he could not eat because it was a day of Fast. For it was indeed Friday on which most faithfull Christians out of reverence to our Lords Passion doe prolong their fasting till three of the clock after noon She notwithstanding being devoutly addicted to hospitality persisted in her desire and told him that all the rest of his iourney he would find neither village nor
camp and there diligently enquire who it was that slew his Father This he did and finding the man not far off he desired him to come and speak with his Master He came and assoon as Gervilio had notice of it he meâ—t him on horse back in the midst of the River Where as they were discoursing togeâ—her Gervilio taking out a Sword which he caried privily run the man through who presently falling into the river there dyed Vpon this a mighty clamour was made and the two Armies began a feirce combat in which the Saxons were overcome and Caroloman after the victory retired home Now this fact of Gervilio was by none at that time imputed to him as Homicide He returned therefore to Mentz where as before he administred the Office of Bishop 5. But among other crimes with which he was charâ—ed in the present Synode this was one And the Holy Pâ—elat Saint Boniface publickly declared That no man could exercise lawfully the function â—f a Bishop who had been polluted with the slaughter oâ— any one And besides this he obiected to him that he himself had seen him with Hawks and Hounds publickly recreate himself which was abâ—olutely forbidden to Bishops by the Canons Gervilio having heard his accusation and perceiving that he could not resist both secular and Ecclesiasticall authority armed against him reâ—erred himself to the iudgment of the Synod and was deposed 6. After whose deposition Saint Boniface who hitherto had been an Arch bishop at large without any particular Title or See was by Caroloman and his Brother Pipin appointed Prelat oâ— the Church of Mentz And that his dignity might be more eminent the same Princes determined to exalt the See of Mentz which at this time was subiect to another to be the Metropolitan Church of all Germany which likewise by a Message sent to the Pope they obtained and effected XVI CHAP. 1.2 c. The Heresies of Adalbert a French man and Clement a Scotâ— condemned by Pope Zacharias in a Synod 11. Colen made an Archbishoprick but subordinate to Mentz 1. THE cause of Gervelio being thus determined the Fathers of the Synod consulted concerning the two Arch-hereticks Aldebert and Clement Whose Errours though they then condemned yet they thought meet to send them to the Apostolick See that their condemnation might be more solemn They decreed likewise to send with them the forementioned Preist Deneard to act the part of an Accuser in the name of the Synod before the Pope To him likewise they gave Letters and the Acts of the Synod to be presented and confirmed by him 2. Being arrived there Pope Zacharias called together according to the custom a Synod of Bishops before whom Deneard appearing presented the Epistle of S. Boniface in which he informed the Pope that since the time that he had conferred on him a Iurisdiction over all the Churches of France at their own request he had suffred many injuries and persecutions from false and adulterous Preists and other Ecclesiasticks But that his greatest trouble proceeded from the said two blasphemous Hereticks Adelbert who was a French-man and Clement a Scott Who though they differed in their Errours yet were equall in the enormity of their crimes For whose regard he had incurred the enmity and maledictions of the French who greivously complaind against him because he had taken from them their great Apostle Adelbert their Patron and intercessour with God a man who was a worker of wonderfull Miracles He desired therefore the Pope to shutt them up in close prison after he had given them up to Satan that none might be poysond by their abominable Heresies 3. Now we will here more fully declare the Errours blasphemies and crimes charged upon Adelbert and further demonstrated by Deneard who presented certain Writings to the Synod containing the Life Acts of that Arch-heretick together with an Epistle of our Lord Iesus which he said fell from heaven into the Citty of Ierusalem and was found by the Archangel Michael in the Gate of Ephraim and copied out by a Preist called Icoras and by him sent to another Preist in Germany called Thalassius c. and at last by the hands of an Angell was brought to the Sepulcher of Saint Peter at Rome where twelve persons belonging to the Pope finding is kept that days Vigill with fasâ—ing and prayers c. 4. As for the other Book it was read and it began thus In the name of our Lord Iâ—su Christ here beginneth the life of the Holy and Blessed Bishop Adelbert born by the Election of God He was begotten of simple parents and crownd by the Grace of God For whilst he was yet in his Mothers womb she saw in a vision as it were a Calf issuing out of her right side Which Calf designed that Grace which he received from an Angell before he was brought forth c. 5. Besides these the same Deneard presented likewise a Prayer composed by Adelbert â—n which after supplications made to God the Father he addressed himself to the Angells saying I beseech conjure and humbly entreat you c. Angell Vriel Raguel Tubuel Michael Adinis Tubuas Sabaouc Simichel c. 6. When these Writings were read before the Synod by Gregory the Notary Regionary and Nomenclator all the Bishops concluded that the man was madd and that those were names of Devills not of Angells except only S. Michael since Divine authority delivers to us only the Names of three Angells Michael Gabriel Raphael Therefore they condemned them all to be burnt Notwithstanding the Pope thought fitt they should be layd up in his Archives with a perpetuall mark in memory of their condemnation and reprobation 7. Besides these Writings it was layd to the charge and proved against the same Adelbert that from his childhood he was an Hypocrite saying that an Angell of our Lord in human shape haâ— from the utmost ends of the world brought him Relicks he knew not of whom but such aâ— were of wonderfull Sanctity by vertue of which he could doe all things whatsoever he asked of Goâ— Hereby he insinuated himself into the minds oâ— silly women and ignorant peazants who affirmeâ— him to be a man of Apostolick Sanctity That he had hâ—â—ed unlearned Bishops to ordain him contrary to the Canons and that hereby his heart sâ—relled with such Pride that he esteemed himself equall to the Apostles of Christ. Insomuch as being appointed to consecrate a Church to the honour of the Apostles and Martyrs he consecrated it to hâ—â— own honour â—or rather defiled it That he would likewise reprehend those who desired to visit the Shrines of the Apostles and to hinder them he built Oratories and sett up Crosses in the feilds or near Springs or where soever he thought good commanding the people there to make their Prayers to him Insomuch as multudes of seduced people despâ—sing their own Bishops and Churches gathered meetings in such places saying The meâ—rits of S. Adelbert will help us Besides
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
and lifting up his eyes with prayer to God the river became presently drye and the water gaue free way to the passengers Thus S. Beda 5. The manner how this Miracle was wrought is more expressly declared in the foresaid authentick Acts of S. Albanus from whence S. Beda borrowed his Narration For there it is said that when he was come to the river side he fell on his knees and prayed saying O Lord Iesus Christ from whose most holy side I my self in a vision saw both water and blood to flow I beseech thee that thou wouldst cause these waters to be diminished and the floods to return back to the end that this people may without any danger or inconvenience be present at my Suffring O wonder full he had us sooner bowd his knees but the channell was immediatly dry The tears flowing from Saint Albanus his eyes left no water in the river The power of his Prayer emptied the torrent and cleared a passage for the people between the floods on both sides 6. Then the Officer who conducted Saint Albanus to his death by the merits of the holy Martyr obtaind his own eternall happines For when he saw these miracles he threw away his sword and casting himself at the holy mans feet begg'd pardon of him Which when the people saw they laid hold on the man beat out his teeth tore his sacred mouth and in a manner broke all his bones 7. S. Beda thus relates this passage The soldier saith he fell down at S. Albanus his feet instantly desiring that himself might rather be slain with or for the Martyr whom he had been commanded to putt to death Now whilst he of a persecutour was chang'd into a companion of the true Faith and the sword lying on the ground the other officers were at a stand what they should doe the most venerable Confessour ascended the hill together with the multitudes 8. The Acts further declare as likewise S. Beda that when the people being come to the top of the hill were tormented with extremity of thirst S. Albanus kneeling down thus prayed to God O God who didst create man of the clay of the earth suffer not I beseech thee any of thy creatures to receive any harm by my occasion After which words there presently broke forth a fountain before his feet which with a rapide course flowed down the hill so that the people being refreshd with those waters escaped all danger by their thirst 9. In the mean time another Executioner was chosen from among the people into whose hands the sword was delivered who to his own great unhappines discharged that impious office For saith Mathew of Westminster while the holy Martyr kneeling offred his prayers to God and frequently with great fervour kiss'd the Crucifix which he held in his hands the Executioner drawing his sword cutt of his head and immediatly by a wonderfull miracle Almighty God by the losse of the Executioners eyes gave testimony to the Martyrs innocence For as S. Beda relates he who stretch'd forth his impious hand to cutt the pious Martyrs neck was not permitted to insult over him being dead for together with the blessed Martyrs head the Executioners eyes also fell to the ground This Miracle is confirmed not only by the forecited Acts but many other Authours of forraign Nations and particularly by Hiericus a French man who seaven hundred years since wrote the life of S. Germanus XIII CHAP. 1.2 The Martyrdome of the Converted Soldier his name c. 3. The glorious assumption of S. Albanus his soule into heaven 1. SAint Albanus had a companion in his death the Soldier who was design'd to be his executioner Concerning whom S. Beda thus writes There was beheaded with him likewise the foresaid Soldier who being moved by a divine instinct refused to kill the Holy Confessour of our Lord. Concerning whom this may without all doubt be affirmed that though he was not outwardly cleansed with the water of Baptism yet being washed in the Laver of his own blood he became worthy to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven 2. The Acts of S. Alban doe affor'd us a more exact relation both of this Soldiers name and occasion of his Martydom Where we read how the said Soldier by name Heraclius who as hah been declared was left half dead by the people afterward creeping on his hands and feet as he could followed them up the Mountain To whom one of the Iudges then present said in scorn Go to now addresse thy prayers to thy Patron Albanus even now executed that he would restore soundnes to thy bruised bones and limbs Run make hast ioyn his head to his body and no doubt thou wilt not fayle to obtain perfect health why doest thou stay bury the dead carkeise and thou maist be assured that whilst it is in thy hands it will bestow an entire cure on thee The Soldier answered I doe most firmly beleive that this Blessed Saint Albanus by his merits can restore unto mee my perfect health for that which you speak in derision may in earnest be fullfill'd in mee And having say'd this he embraced the head and adioyning it to the body he became immediatly as sound as before When the Infidells saw this they were filld with envy and malice and said what shall we doe Sure no sword can kill this man We have broken all his bones and yet now his former strength is restor'd him Then laying hold on him they bound him fast with chaines and tore his body with severall sorts of tortures and in the end with a sword cutt off his head 3. Now how acceptable to Almighty God the Martyrdom of this glorious S. Albanus was was presently after declared from heaven in a wonderfull manner for thus we read in his Acts Behold the night immediatly following his suffring a pillar of light was seen to raise it self from the sepulcher of S. Albanus up to heaven by which Angells descended and ascended spending the whole night in Hymns and praises of God frequently also repeating these words The illustrious Albanus is now a glorious Martyr of Christ. And hereto the ancient Christian Poet Venantius Fortunatus had regard when in a Poem of his among other Saints celebrating the memory of S. Albanus and his companion suffring in Brittany he says that Quires of Angells from heaven did with songs wellcom them at their entrance into glory and the glorified Saints enrich'd with the Crosse and blood of Christ did make hast to ioyn in Hymnes to God for them XIV CHAP. 1.2.3 Of the Authour of the ancient Acts of S. Albanus 4.5 His Relation confirmed by the testimony of Gildas 6.7 Iohn Fox his unfaithfullnes 1. HAving thus with as much fidelity and exactnes as we could given an account of the Gests of our first most glorious Brittish Martyr S. Albanus in which we have principally follow'd the Authour of his life being a precious
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
meant to take along with him in which were yet extant marks of the Martyrs death palenes of his Persecutour These things being thus perform'd an innumerable multitude was that day converted to our Lord. 7. What became of this Boxe with the new Relicks of S. Albanus in it after S. Germanus his death the same Authour will acquaint us saying The holy Bishop being dead his inheritance was afterward divided The Emperour first took his portion and after him next the Bishops The like contention followd about dividing his poverty which usually befalls after the death of rich men when every one strives to get some thing and all cannot be satisfied The Empresse Galla Placidia Mother of Valentinian being heyre only of his Benediction had for her share his little Boxe of Sacred Relicks 8. The occurrents hapning after this disputation and miracle are thus further described by the same Writer At their return from this meeting the treacherous Enemy of mankind preparing snares for the Holy Bishop by a casuall fall S. Germanus putt his foot out of joynt This affliction the Devill procur'd being ignorant that after the example of Blessed Iob his merits would be advanced by his suffrings Now during the time that by this infirmity he was constraind to abide in a certain lodging it hapned that a fire took in some houses not far off which being covered with straw and sedges were quickly devour'd by it so that the fire driven forward by wind quickly approach'd to his lodging Whereupon a great concourse of people came to the Venerable Bishop in a great fright intending to take him in their armes and cary him out of danger But he reprehended them and utterly refused to remove having a firm Faith that no harm should happen to him The multitude then despairing of his safety endeavour'd all they could to stopp the progres of the flames But Almighty God the more to shew his Power and his servants Faith so ordained that whatsoever the people endeavoured to preserve was consum'd and that place only where the sick person lay was preserved For the flames as if afraid to touch the Holy Bishops lodging flew quite over it though they raged violently on both sides of it So that among the rolling flames the house wherin he lay was only untouch'd The multitude seing this miracle exulted rejoycing that their labours and endeavours had been conquered by divine power 9 Whilst he lay there a numberlesse multitude continually attended and watch'd at the dore of this holy poor man some seeking health for their soules and some for their bodies The wonderfull vertues and miracles which our Lord wrougth by his servant can scarce be related they were so many He being infirm himself gave strenght and health to others Neither would he permit any one to apply any remedy to his infirmity But on a certain night he saw standing before him a certain person in white garments who stretching forth his hand seemd to raise him up from his couch commanding him to stand firmly After which all his pain pass'd away and his strength was so restor'd that the day following he confidently undertook to pursue his journey 10. After this followd a generall benefitt to the whole Brittish Nation procur'd by this holy Bishops merits and prayer which the same Authour thus relates In the mean time the Saxons and the Picts with joynt forces made warr upon the Brittains who therefore were drawn together into a body But being distrustfull of their ability to resist such powerfull enemies they humbly implor'd the assistance of these Holy Bishops which they chearfully promis'd and hastning their journey to the Brittish camp they so encreased the courage and resolution of the Brittains as if a new Army had been joyn'd to them Thus our Lord himself by the ministery of these his Captains seemd to be General of the Army Then was the holy time of Lent which the presence of these Venerable Bishops caused to be observed with greater devotion Insomuch as by their dayly preaching great multitudes flockd to receive Baptisme for the greatest part of the army desired to be partaker of that blessed Sacrament Hereupon a Church was prepared against the solemnity of Easter and though the place was open feilds yet it was ordered as if it had been in a Citty Thus the Army went in Procession moistned with the water of Baptism and being inflamed with the fervour of holy Faith they contemned the guard of outward weapons expecting more sure protection from heaven This order and posture of the Brittish army was come to the Enemies knowledge who not doubting a Victory against unarm'd people with great chearfullnes hastned to sett upon them The Brittains in the mean time were acquainted with their march and assoon as the Solemne Feast of our Lords Resurrection was past the greater part of the Army being newly baptis'd took to their arms and prepar'd themselves for a battell S. Germanus himself being their Generall He maks choice of a band of light arm'd soldiers and takes a view of the countrey round about and observing a valley compass'd with mountains lying directly in the Enemies way he there places a new army of a part of which himself would be Captain Now the feirce Enemies approach'd and were discover'd by such as had been placed in ambush Then on a sudden S. Germanus their Leader gave order to all his soldiers that with loud clamours they should repeat the words pronounc'd by him and immediatly while the Enemies thought to fall on presuming that they had not been discovered the Holy Bishops three times cryed out aloud ALLELVIAH whereupon the whole Army with one voice thundred out likewise ALLELVIAH which noyse was terribly multiplied and encreas'd by the Eccho's from the mountains round about 11. The sound alone of this sacred word suffised to terrify the Enemies Army which fell a trembling as if not the rocks only but heaven it self had falln on their heads insomuch as they all betook themselves to a general flight vex'd that their leggs could not cary them away fast enough They run all wayes every where they cast away their arms glad to escape with their naked bodies Great numbers of them in their headlong flight were swallow'd up by a river through which a little before they had march'd with confidence and leasure enough All this while the Brittish Army without striking a stroke was spectatour of the vengeance which Heaven tooke on their Enemies Afterward they gather the spoyles and prey expos'd to them with great devotion acknowledging the Victory due only to God The Holy Bishops then triumph indeed to see the Enemies defeated without blood-shed they triumph for a Victory gaind not by arms but Faith alone And thus having every wayes setled this rich Island in security both from their spirituall and carnall Enemies after so glorious a Victory over the Pelagians and Saxons they prepared themselves for their return to the great greif of the
will destroy our Gods subvert our Temples destroy Princes which resist him and his Doctrin shall remain and prevaile here for ever 10. With such words as these saith Probus the Magicians incens'd both the Prince and all the people to hate the Blessed Bishop S. Patricius For two or three years they compos'd a certain Rhythme which according to the obscure idiome of their rude language imported thus much A head of art and skill with his crook-headed staff will come From that hower every house shall be bored through at the top He will chant an abomination from his Table at the fore part of the house and his whole family will answer So be it So be it This in our tongue and sence means thus much The Master of all wisedom will come with his sign of the Crosse by which the hearts of all men will feele compunction And from the Altar of the holy Mysteries he will convert soules unto Christ and all the Christian people will answer Amen When these things come to passe then our Pagan kingdom shall fall And all this was afterwards really fullfilld 11. Hereby appears that the peice of wood which those Magicians foretold should be brought by S. Patrick is interpreted by Probus to be a woodden Crosse Whereas others affirm that by it is signified a certain wonderfull Staff which S Patrick before his iourney receiv'd from a Holy Hermite and which was call'd The staff of Iesus The strange story how this Staff was first receiv'd and what wonders it afterwards wrought I wlil here sett down from Iocelinus the Authour of S. Patricks life yet without interposing my credit for the truth of it 12. S. Patrick saith he by Divine revelation pass'd over to a certain Solitary Hermit living in an Island of the Tyrrhen Sea whose name was Iustus which he made good by his actions being a man a a holy life great fame and much merit After devout salutations and good discourse the same man of God gave to S. Patrick a staff which he seriously affirmed had been bestow'd on him immediatly by the hand of our Lord Iesus himself who had appear'd to him 13. Now there were in the same Island at some distance other men also who liv'd solitary lives Of which some seem'd very fresh and youthfull and others were decrepit old men S. Patrick after some conversation with them was informed that those very old men were children to those who appeared so youthfull At which being astonish'd and enquiring the occasion of so great a miracle they thus aquainted him saying We from our childhood by Divine Grace have been much addicted to works of Mercy so that our dores were always open to all travellors which demanded meaâ— or lodging On a certain night it hapned that a stranger having a staff in his hand was entertain'd by us whom we used with all the courtesy we could On the morning after he gave us his benediction and said I am Iesus Christ My members you have hitherto oft ministred to and this night entertain'd mee in my own person After this he gave the staff which he had in his hand to a man of God our Father both spiritually and carnally commanding him to keep it till in succeeding times a certain stranger named Patrick should come to visit him and to him he should give it Having said this he presently ascended into heaven And from that day we have remain'd in the same state of Youthfull comelines and vigour to this hower Whereas our â—hildren who then were little infants are now as you see become decrepite old men 14. Now what fortune soever so stupendious a story may fin'd in the minds of the Readers certain it is that a staff beleiv'd to have belongd to S. Patrick and nam'd the staff of Iesus was for many ages in great veneration among the Irish. For thus S. Bernard in the life of S. Malachias an Irish Bishop written by him relates Nigellus saith he seing that he must be compell'd to fly took with him some precious ornaments of the See of Armagh namely a copy of the Holy Gospells which had formerly been S. Patricks and a staff cover'd with gold and adorn'd with precious stones which they call the staff of Iesus because as the report is our Lord himself held and form'd it with his own hands This was of high Esteem and veneration in that Nation and well known by the people whose reverence to it was so great that whosoever was seen to have it in his hands they foolishly shew'd the same respect and veneration to him as if he had been their Bishop And Giraldus Cambrensis in his Topography of Ireland writes also thus In the Vulgar opinion with this staff S. Patrick cast out of the Island all venemous beasts Of which staff the Originall is as uncertain as the vertue most certain VII CHAP. 1. When S. Patrick entred Ireland 2.3.4 His first Converts SAint Patrick seems to have entred into Ireland in the year four hundred thirty two as Bishop Vsher computes The inhabitants of the countrey saith Stanihurst having advice of his landing flock'd to him from all parts For though some among them attempted to drive the Holy Bishop from their coasts yet the greater part of the common people came joyfully to him as if he had been of their own Nation For in S. Patrick there were many qualities which invited them to expresse great good-will and familiarity towards him He was a comely personage very civill in conversation and though extremely grave yet without morosity Besides this he spoke the Irish language perfectly and from his youth had inform'd himselfe concerning their naturall dispositions by which means he became presently as one of them But God himself was the principall cause of conciliating their affections to him by whose speciall Grace in a short time great multitudes yeilded their assent and obedience to Christian doctrines preach'd by him S. Patrick therfore as became a good Shephear'd with great care watch'd over his new flock by dayly admonitions informing the new-converted Christians in all duties of Piety convincing the Errours of the Pagans and confounding the Magicians which oppos'd him 2. Especiall notice is taken in Ecclesiasticall Monuments of the conversion of one Irish man whose name was Dicon through whose land S. Patrick passing gaind him to our Lord after a wonderfull manner and from a wolf chang'd him into a Lamb. Of him Probus thus writes Dicon coming suddenly with weapons intended to kill S. Patrick and his companions But assoon as he saw the Holy Bishops face he felt compunction in his heart For our Lord immediatly turn'd his thoughts insomuch as he lead him meekly to his house Where the holy Bishop rested some time preaching to him the Faith of Christ So that this man first of all the Island beleived with all his family 3. Notwithstanding another ancient Authour cited by Bishop Vsher recites the conversion of one call'd
Columba came into Brittany in the ninth year of the raign of Bridius the Son of Meilochon the most powerfull King of the Picts and by his preaching and example converted that Nation to the Faith of Christ. So that for a reward he received the Island of Hy or Iona for the possession of a Monastery The Isle is but small being according to the estimation of the Angli only of five families And his Successours doe hold it to this day where himself was likewise buried being seaventy years old after he had spent about thirty two years from his entrance into Brittany 8. This Holy man before his coming into Brittany had founded a Noble Monastery in Ireland named in that tongue Dear-mach or the feild of Oakes for the abundance of those trees growing there And from these two Monasteries of Hy and Dear-mach many others were propagated in Ireland and Brittany by his Disciples Among all which notwithstanding the Monastery of Hy in which his sacred Body rests doth hold the preeminence and cheif authority Now the said Island is usually governed by an Abbot who is a Preist To whose Iurisdiction the whole Province and even Bishops themselves by a custom no where else practis'd ought to be subiect according to the example of their first Teacher S. Columba who was only a Preist and Monk and not a Bishop Of whose Life and Sayings many strange things are extant in writing compild by his Disciples But what a kind of man soever he was of this we are assur'd that he left behind him Successours famous for their great continence Divine Love and Regular institution Thus writes S. Beda 9. Hector Boetius hath moreover collected from ancient Records the names of S. Columba's twelve Companions in his Voyage and labours calld by Adamannus his Commilitones fellow soldiers There came saith he into Albion with S. Columba twelve men eminently imbued with the Doctrin of Christ but more adorn'd with sanctity Their Names were Baathenus and Cominus who after S. Columba's death were Superiours over Monasteries and no mean ornaments of the Christian Church among the Scotts Also Cibthacus and Ethernan nephews to S. Columba by his Brother and both of them Preists Moreover Domitius Rutius and Fethâ—â— men illustrious for their descent but more for their piety Lastly Scandalaus Eglodeus Totaneus Motefer and Gallan These men when S. Columba pass'd from Ireland â—â—to Brittainy fixing their habitations in the Isle Iona afterward travelled through the Regions of the Scots and Picts and by their labours in teaching disputing and writing imbued both those nations with vertuous manners and true Religion 10. One companion more the Scottish Historians add to S. Columba to wiâ— S. Constantin formerly King of the Brittains who repenting of his crimes sharply censur'd by Gildas became a Monk Concerning whom Iohn Fordâ—n quoted by B. Vsher thus writes ConteÌ„porary to S. Columba was S. Constantin King of Cornwal who leaving his earthly kingdome became soldier to the Heavenly King and with Saint Columba went into Scotland where he preached the Faith to the Scots and Picts He built a Monastery in Govane near the River Cluid which he govern'd as Abbot He converted to the Faith the whole Province of Kentire where he likewise dyed a Martyr and was buried in his Monastery of Govane 11. Hector Boetius names the King of the Picts who bestowd the Isle of Hy or Iona on the Irish Monks Comgall or Conval who saith he was King of Dalrieda and so eminent for his Piety that the fame therof drew S. Columba out of Ireland 12. At the same time not far from S. Columba liv'd S. Kentigern lately returnd to his Bishoprick of Glasco and who no doubt was an efficacious assistant to him in his Apostolicall Office Of the solemne meeting of these two Saints with their Disciples we have already spoken in the Gests of Saint Kentigern 13. That in all Points there was a perfect agreement in Faith not only between S. Kentigern and S. Columba but also between the Disciples of S. Columba and S. Augustin is evident from S. Beda c. Onely in one Rite or Ceremony they differed which was the time of observing Easter Vpon which unconsiderable difference notwithstanding some Modern Protestants doe ground an opinion that the Brittish Churches did receive not only their Sacred Rites but Faith also from the Eastern Churches and not from Rome But how great this mistake is hath in some part already and shall more clearly be demonstrated when we shall treat of the Controversy agitated between S. Augustin the Monk who urged a conformity to the Roman observance and the Brittish Bishops zealous to continue the Errour taught them by the Picts and Scots who had first received it from S. Columba whereas he fell into it not out of any love to Novelty or refractary contention but meerly ignorance of the Paschall Computation 14. Adamannus followd herein by B. Vsher placing the arrivall of S. Columba in Brittany two years sooner then generally our other Historians doe they consequently assign thirty four to have been spent by him here When therfore thirty of those years were past the Holy man out of an impatient desire to be freed from the burthen of mortality earnestly prayd to God to end his pilgrimage After which prayers oft repeated he saw in a vision certain Angels approaching to him as to conduct his soule to heaven Which sight imprinted such ioy in his countenance that his Disciples observ'd it But that ioy presently vanish'd and in its place succeeded great sadnes For he saw those Angels recalld who told him that upon the Petitions of the Pictish Churches c. God haâ— added four years more to his life Thus writes the Authour of his life in Capgrave 15. At last in the year of Grace five hundred ninety seaven the year in which S. Augustin came into Brittany this Holy man dyed most happily and his Sacred Body was buried in his Monastery of Hy from whence notwithstanding it was translated at least a great portion of it into Ireland and repos'd in the Church of Doun-patrick The memory of which translation is celebrated in the Ecclesiasticall Office long ago printed at Paris and in the same Church of Doun according to the testimony of Ranulfus of Chester an Inscription on his Monument signified That in that one Tomb three Saints S. Patrick S. Brigide and S. Columba did repose XIII CHAP. 1.2 King Ethelbert invades the other Saxon Kings by whom he is worsted 3.4 c. His Mariage with Bertha or Aldiberga a Daughter of France who is permitted a free exercise of Christian Religion 9.10 Saying Masse was the generall Devotion of the Church 1. HItherto the Saxon Princes had employ'd their forces onely to the destruction of the Brittains but now finding no resistance from them turnd their arms against one another For saith Ethelwerd three years being expir'd after the coming of S.
thy fury from this Citty and this thy Holy house Alleluia Thus the Holy Crosse once more took possession of the place from which it had been banished and thus the oraculous speech pronounced by S. Gregory began to be accomplished that Alleluia should be sung in that Pagan countrey 11. Let us now observe how these Holy Missioners employed their time Of this the same S. Beda will inform us That assoon as they were entred into the Mansion which the King had given them they began to imitate the Apostolick life of the Primitive Church by attending to assiduous prayers watching and fasting by preaching the word of life to all they could by despising all worldly things as if they belonged not to them by receiving from their Disciples only such things as were meerly necessary for their subsistence by practising themselves according to the preceps which they taught others and lastly by having minds prepar'd to suffer any adversities even death it self for that Truth which they preached Insomuch as not a few beholding the simplicity of their innocent lives and admiring the sweetnes of their celestiall doctrine beleived and were baptis'd 12. The same Authour further declares that the Church of S. Martin deputed for the Queens devotions as hath been said was the first publick place where they met together sung prayd celebrated Masses preach'd and baptis'd till after the Kings conversion they received a great liberty to preach and build Churches every where 13. Here we may see what manner of entring these our Apostles had among us and how they turn'd our Ancestours from Idols to serve the living and true God Neither was their Gospell in speech only but in power and in the Holy Ghost and a plenitude of his Gifts and miracles as shall be shewd The Preachers are Monks they are sent by the authority of the Bishop of Rome they carry the banner of the Holy Crosse and the Image of our Saviour before them they celebrate Masses they work miracles For all which they are honour'd their memory is precious through all Gods Church almost a thousand years together But now one Apostat Monk can perswade a great part of Christians that it was not Christ which these men preach'd One Calvinisticall Bishop dares call these men Apostles to the English not of the Christian Faith or Word of God but of Roman ceremonies and Rites who taught them to become not Christians but Romanists and Papists To such blasphemous accusations as these no answer ought to be given Quia meliùs eas committo fidelium gemitibus quà m sermonibus meis V. CHAP. 1.2 Many Converted 3.4 S. Augustin goes to Arles to be ordained Bishop and why 1. BY the life and preaching of these Holy men no small number of Converts were gathered to the Church which were baptis'd on the day of Pentecost in the forementioned Church of S. Martin But shortly after far greater multitudes follow'd their Example Whether King Ethelbert was one of those then baptis'd does not expressly appear in any of our ancient Records 2. That which S. Beda relates touching him in particular is thus express'd Among others King Ethelbert was much delighted with the purity of these Saints lives and with the comfortable sweetnes of their promises the truth and certainty whereof they confirmed with many evident miracles So that in the end he also beleived and was baptised After which very many others dayly began to flock together that they might heare the word of God by which they were perswaded to relinquish their Gentile Superstitions and to unite themselves to the holy Church of Christ. Which the King perceiving he much congratulated their Faith and Conversion and embraced them with more ardent Charity as being fellow cittizens with him of the Kingdom of Heaven but yet he compelled none to the profession of Christianity For he had learnt from the Teachers and Authours of his salvation that the service of Christ must be voluntary and not by compulsion 3 Saint Augustin seeing a Harvest so plentifull and ripe according to the instructions formerly given him by Saint Gregory went back into France there to be ordained Bishop because besides the power of administring Baptisme the other Sacrament of Confirmation was requisite by which these tender plants might be strengthned in the Faith Which Sacrament could not be administred but by the hand and power of a Bishop This is testified by the same Saint Beda saying In the mean while the man of God Augustin went to Arles in France where by the Arch-bishop of that Citty Etherius or rather Virgilius he was Consecrated Arch-bishop of the Nation of the Angli according as he had received commands from Saint Gregory This was performed the sixteenth day before the Calends of December saith Sir H. Spelman 4. It may be demanded why Saint Augustin should receive his Episcopal consecration from the Bishop of Arles the furthest distant from him in France and not rather from the Prelat of Lyons or some other nearer to Brittany The reason hereof doubtles was because such a Prerogative belonged to the Church of Arles which Saint Gregory who was most observant of Ecclesiasticall rights would by no means infringe This prerogative that See challenged and enjoyed because that was the first Church in those parts which had received a Bishop S. Trophimus ordained by the Apostle S. Peter himself as appears by an Epistle of the Bishops of that Province to S. Leo in which they iustify their rights and priviledges of Ordination against the pretentions of their neighbour Church of Vienna 5. It was a great prejudice to the New Saxon Church that the year before S. Augustins coming into Brittany the Holy Bishop Saint Asaph Successour to S. Kentigern in the Bishoprick of Elwy in wales should dye as likewise S. Columba the same year that Saint Augustin arrived For doubtles the authority and piety of two such eminent Saints would have prevented the contestations petulancy of the Brittish Bishop which followed VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. Saint Augustin consecrates an Idol-Temple near Canterbury into a Church dedicated to S. Pancraece 6. A prodigy caused by the Devill there against S. Augustin 7.8 He builds a Church and Monastery to Saint Peter and Saint Paul near the Citty 9. And another in the Citty to our Saviour 10. He places a Suffragan Bishop in the Church of S. Martin 1. SAint Augustin having been consecrated by Virgilius Arch-bishop of Arles returned into Brittany in the year of Grace five hundred ninety eight where he was received by King Ethelbert with greater reverence then before who assigned to him an Episcopal See in the same Citty which he afterward enriched with great possessions as S. Beda testifies 2. This New Episcopall Church was not that of S. Martin where the Queen was formerly wont to pray But it was a Temple anciently frequented by the King whilst he was a Pagan and was situated in the
to these his Fellow-Missioners And to testify his tender affection to our Nation which he shewd by a gratefull resentment of benefits conferd by Siagrius on the Pastours of it he in requitall honoured this Bishop with an Archiepiscopall Pall giving him withall the next place to his Metropolitan the Arch-bishop of Lyons ordaining that the rest of the Suffragan Bishops should take place according to the priority of their Ordination S. Gregory further enioynd the said Bishop to assemble a Synod for the rectifying of abuses c. 4. A third Letter the same Holy Pope wrote to Clotharius King of the Franks wherein having magnified him for his care in promoting the Churches good he recommended to his favour and charity these devout travellers assuring him of a great reward from God for his Charity But withall he takes notice that in that Kingdom Holy Orders and Offices were dispenced not according to the merits of persons but gifts Whereupon he seriously enioyns him to take order that the abominable vice of Simony may be totally repress'd by a Synod of Bishops c. 5. He directed a fourth Letter to Brunichildis Queen of the Franks in which after humble thanks given her for her favour and assistance formerly afforded to S. Augustin and acknowledged by him and the Monks his companions He tells her that the fame of her Christian Charity caused generally admiration in others but not in him who by frequent experiments before had seen proofs of her piety He signifies likewise how the Faith of Christ prospered in Brittany being confirmed by many Miracles So that she might promise her self a great portion in the reward of so heavenly a work as the Conversion of that Nation And in conclusion he recommends the Monks accompanying Laurentius a Preist and Mellitus an Abbot to her benignity and assistance 6. These Letters were distributed by these devout Monks in their way towards Brittany Where being arrived they presented from S. Gregory one Letter to Ethelbert or Aldibert King of Kent Wherin congratulating with him for the great mercy extended to him by Almighty God in his conversion He seriously exhorts him by the example of the Emperour Constantin to demolish Idols and Pagan temples and zealously to promote the Gospel among his subiects both by exhortations and examples of purity of life assuring him that besides the glory he will therby gain above all his Ancestours he will find great security of mind in the terrible examination before the Tribunal of God for the more zealous he shall be to blott out the sins of his Subiects by contributing to their faith and Sanctification the more easy account will he render of his own sins After this he seriously exhorts him willingly to heare devoutly to practise and studiously to keep in mind the good advices and counsells which shal be given him by his Bishop Augustin a man learned in Monasticall Institution and replenish'd with the knowledge of the Holy Scriptures for if he hear his Bishop God will not fayl to hear his Bishop praying for him and his kingdom Moreover the Holy Pope forewarning him of the great changes and calamities which our Saviour hath foretold shall happen before the end of the world exhorts him not to be troubled or shaken if such things should come to passe in his kingdom but to make that good use which our Lord expects from us by giving us these Signs of his coming which is to expresse our solicitudes cheifly about our soules by preparing them with pious actions to meet our Lord chearfully In conclusion he signifies to him that he had sent him some few small presents which yet no doubt will not be under valewd by him since they come from the benediction of S. Peter 7. What these Gifts were which S. Gregory sent to King Ethelbert though not particularly express'd in this letter it will be no great difficulty to guesse at it we peruse some other Epistles of his to Princes and Bishops in which we may find them expressly nominated Thus in a Letter to Recaredus King of Spain he thus writes I have sent you a small Key from the most Sacred Body of the Apostle S. Peter in which is enclosed part of the iron taken from his chains Which you may esteem as a benediction sent you from himself that the same iron which bound his neck to the suffring Martyrdom may loose yours from all your Sins I have likewise committed to this bearer to be presented to you a Crosse in which is concluded part of the wood of our Lords own Crosse and likewise some hairs of S. Iohn Baptist by whose intercession you may receive comfort from our Lord whose Forerunner he was In other Letters of his we find him sending Relicks of Saints to his freinds Thus he pleasur'd Maximianus Bishop of Arabia who thought it worth so long a voyage to send an Abbot Candidus as far as Rome to obtain some such Reliks 8. Another Letter also he directed to the pious Queen Aldiberga whose goodnes express'd to S. Augustin together with her diligence and zeale in furthering the Conversion of her Husband and his Subiects he much celebrates for which he compares her to S. Helena Mother of Constantin the Emperour and tells her that the fame of her piety and the blessed effects of it was spread not only as far as Rome but Constantinople also where it was arriv'd to the Emperours hearing Consequently he exhorts her to perseverance in labouring for the Conversion of her Subjects whereby she would assuredly purchase eternall rewards XII CHAP. 1.2.3 Saint Gregâ—ries Advice to Saint Augustin touching the Miracles wrought by him 4 3 c. His Answer to all the Questions propâ—sed by him 9.10.11 Within what Degrees of Consanguinity Mariage is forbidden 12 13 S. Gregory censured by Catholiks for his Indulgence herein to the English His defence of himself 15. c. Authority given to S. Augustin over Brittish Bishops 17 i8 c. London why no Metropolitan See 1. TO S. Augustin himself S. Gregory sent besides a long Letter in Answer to severall Questions proposed by him In his Letter he first expresses the incomparable ioy which the News of his happy iourney and the blessed Effects of his Employment had caused not only in himself but all Rome likewise Next taking notice of the Miracles which in confirmation of the Faith God had wrought by him he uses this Expression Notwithstanding in that celestiall Gift there is some thing which together with great ioy ought to cause likewise great feare For I know Almighty God by thy charity hath shewn great Miracles among a Nation chosen by him So that it is necessary that considering so great a Gift of heaven whilst thou reioycest at it thou shouldst feare and whilst thou fearest thou shouldst rejoyce The argument of thy ioy must be to see the English Nation by thy Outward Miracles drawn to a participation of inward Grace And of thy
Bishop of Caer-leon is sayd to have the principall care of the Welsh Provinces Since by all Histories it is evident that very many years before this the Metropoliticall Iurisdiction had been transferd from that Church to Menevia And moreover neither at the time when this Synod was held nor many years before was there any Bishop at all at Caer-leon 5. But all these discourses either about the Popes or Saint Augustins authority over the Brittains pretended to have pass'd in this Synod are meer fictions invented first by Bale an Apostat and the Centuriatours without any warrant from our Ancient Histories It is true Saint Gregory had invested Saint Augustin with such authority over the Brittains but that he wisely dissembled it at this meeting and onely required a conformity from the Brittish Bishops in the celebration of Easter and administration of Baptism with a request that they would ioyn with him in spreading the Gospell is manifest from Saint Beda from whom alone we can securely be informed of the passages of this present Synod And whose Narration shall here entirely be sett down 6. Augustin saith he began with a brotherly admonition to perswade them to entertain Catholick peace and Vnity with him and for our Lords honour to undertake the common labour of preaching the Gospell to the Pagans He told them likewise that they did not observe the day of EasterÌ„ in its due time but reckoned the Sunday from the fourteenth day of the Moon to the one and twentieth Which Computation is containd in a Circle of eighty four years And many other things beside they did contrary to the Vnity of the Church This was the Substance of Saint Augustins discourse to the Brittains in the first Session of this Synod Here is not a word of the Primacy of the Roman See or the submission of Brittany to it and much lesse to him But what effect these Christian exhortations had on the minds of the Brittains the same holy Writer thus further declares 7. When the Brittains saith he after a long disputation would not be moved to give their assent neither by the exhortations nor increpations of Augustin and his companions but would needs preferre their own Traditions before the consent of all Christian Churches in the world The Holy Father Augustin brought the tedious and laborious Dispute to this conclusion saying Let us beseech our Lord who makes brethren of one mind in the house of his Father that he would vouchsafe by celestiall â—igns to make known unto us which of these Traditions is to be followd and which is the right path leading to his Kingdom Let some sick person be here produced among us and he by whose Prayers he shall be cured Let that mans faith and practise be beleived acceptable to God and to be â—ollowd by men 8. This proposition being at last with much adoe and great unwillingnes accepted by the adverse party a certain English man who was blind was brought before them and was first offred to the Brittish Bishops but by their endeavours and ministery found no cure or help At length Augustin compelled hereto by iust necessity kneeld down and address'd his Prayer to God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ that he would vouchsafe to restore sight to that blind man and by a corporall illumination of one to kindle the Light of spirituall Grace in the hearts of many beleivers Having said this immediatly the blind man received sight and Augustin was proclam'd by all a true Preacher of celestiall Light Then at last the Brittains confess'd that they now perceived that the way of iustice â—â—ught by Augustin was the true way but without the consent of their countreymen they could not renounâ—e their ancient customes Therfore they requested that a second Synod might be assembled at which greater numbers might meet 9. This is the simple and true Narration of the Gests of this first Session the summ of which is likewise deliverd by Henry of Huntington And here we see the way taught by Saint Augustin confirm'd by a divine Miracle and consequently whatsoever the Brittains taught in contradiction to that way reprov'd from heaven So that it is against God himself that they fight who calumniate the faith deliver'd to the Saxons by him Be it granted therefore to our Protestant Writers that in this Synod Saint Augustin requir'd obedience to the Roman See from the Brittains and to himself sent from thence they must then be compelld to ioyn with the Brittains in acknowledging that the way of iustice taught by him was the true way 10. The principall if not as Huntington implies the only point about which such earnest contestations pass'd in this Synod was the celebration of Easter or the Paschall solemnity This Feast as observed by the Iews was to be celebrated exactly on the fourteenth day of the first Moon after the Vernal Equinox on what day of the week soever it fell and it was instituted in memory of the deliverance of the Iews by means of sprinkling the blood of the Paschall lamb on the posts of their dores in the night wherein the first born of every family among the Egyptians was slain by an Angell Now that Sacrifice of the Paschal Lamb only typifying the offring of Christ our true Pasch the Christian Church from the Apostles times in memory of Christs deliverance from death after he had offred himself instituted this Christian Pasch almost at the same time with the Iewes But to distinguish it from the shadow of a Iewish observation they ordain'd that it should be solemnised only on a Sunday yet not that on which the fourteenth day of the Moon fell but the Sunday following and therefore counted always from the fifteenth day to the two and twentieth excluding the the day of the Iewish Pasch. 11. The Errour therefore of the Brittains consisted not as generally Protestant Writers conceive in conforming to the Asiatick manner of the Quarto-decimani who kept their Easter always the same day with the Iewes whether it were Sunday or not But they made their computation from the fourteenth of the Moon to the one and twentieth as Saint Beda properly expresses their errour by which means it came to passe that if the fourteenth of the Moon proved to be a Sunday the Iews and Brittains once in seaven years would observe their Paschall Solemnity together which was contrary to the universall practise of the Church and utterly forbidden by the first Generall Councill of Nicéa This difference is observed by Bishop Vsher alone of all Protestants who therefore never charges the Brittains with the Asiatick Errour XIX CHAP. 1. 2. The Second Session of the Synod 3.4 c. The Brittish Bishops consult an Anchoret His answer and the Successe 6. What S. Augustin required of them Not subjection 7.8 The Brittains erroneous about Baptism and how 9. Saint Augustins Prophecy against them 1. SVCH having been the Successe of the first Session of this Synod
and B. Godwin cast on the memory of our glorious Apostle Saint Augustin to whom they impute this horrible Massacre as if by his instigation that Pagan King had by this cruelty revenged their refusall to submitt to his Metropoliticall authority Whereas by the ioynt testimony of our Historians and the expresse words of Saint Beda Saint Augustin was dead long before to wit five years at least 8. But they reply that those words of Saint Beda quamvis ipso iam multo antè tempore ad caelestia regna sublato that is though Saint Augustin himself a good while before this was translated to Heaven included in a Parenthesis were added by Papists to salve Saint Augustins honour and are not found in the Saxon Translation of Saint Beda made by King Alfred True it is that in the Latin and Saxon Edition publish'd by Abraham Whelock in the year 1643 those words appear not in the Saxon Copy But the publisher though a Protestant ingenuously confesses that not only in all Impressions of Saint Beda's History some of which saw the light before any Protestants were but in all ancient Manuscripts extant in the Libraries of Cambridge that Clause of S. Beda was extāt and never included in a Parenthesis but only distinguish'd by Comma's 7. Surely if we will iudge of Saint Augustin by the Spirit of his Father and Master Saint Gregory we would not suspect him of so horribly murdrous a disposition For Saint Gregory though Rome and all Italy had been many years infested and wasted by the Lombards yet was so fearfull of being in any measure accessory to blood that he durst not concur to the death of any one of their Princes though he was assured therby to free the whole countrey from their Tyranny And S. Augustin himself as hath been shewed taught King Ethelbert a quite contrary Lesson That in the cause of Religion no violence or compulsion ought to be used 8. If any credit may be given to Ancient and till this age never questiond Tradition Saint Augustin was a man of eminent piety of admirable zeale for the rooting out Pagan Idolatry and planting the Gospell in this Island And even Protestants themselves acknowledge that Almighty God gave testimony to his Teaching by many great miracles If he had been guilty of some defects Christian Charity requires us either not to mention them or to let a thousand great obligations we have to his Memory preponderate them But upon meer ungrounded suspicions disproved by the current of Story to charge with crimes execrable to Heathens a person in the iudgment of the whole Church for almost a thousand years now raigning with Christ in glory is certainly a presumption of which God with whom the death of his Saints is precious will one day require a severe account 9. Yet of late this poysonnous humour of calumniating Gods Saints is become the principall Character of the New reformed Gospell I will adde one example more of a calumniatour at least parallel to these witt Mr William Prinn alate stigmatized Presbyterian who in his not long since publish'd Censure of Arch-bishop Whitgift charges Saint Anselm that he induced Sir Walter Tirrel to murder King William Rufus Now by the consent of all our Historians Tirrel himself was no murderer for it was by the unhappy casuall glancing of an arrow that the King was slain However it hapned yet certain it is that at that time Saint Anselm was an exild person in France and whereas at that Kings burial many Noble men mett but few mourned for his death yet saith a late Protestant Historian of all mourners Anselm express'd most cordial sorrow at the news That blasphemous tongue therefore must expect that such envenomed darts as these shott against heaven it self will if he repent not one day descend upon his own head and the wounds made by them never be cured But alas what Repentance can be expected in such a person who is inveteratus dierum malorum when wee see in his decrepite age his rancorous tongue against innocent Catholicks yet more violently sett on fire of hell so far as to solicite a generall Massacre of them by publishing himself and tempting others to damne their soules also by publishing through the whole kingdom that in the last fatall calamity by fire hapning to London they were the onely incendiaries This he did though himself at the same time confessed that not the least proof could be produced against them But said he it concerns us that this report should be beleived Complaints of this most execrable attentat were made and severall Oathes to confirm this were offred But in vain However surely there is a reward for the innocent oppress'd And what soever Mr Prinn may think doubtles there is a God who iudges the world Let him therefore remember what the Spirit of God sayes Quid detu◠tibi aut quid apponatur tibi ad linguam dolosam Sagittae potentis acutae cum carbonibus desolatoriis that is What must be given to thee and what must be assigned to thee for thy portion O deceitfull Tongue Sharp darts cast by an Almighty arme with devouring coales of juniper 10. With as good reason therfore S. Augustin may be accused of the slaughter of these Brittishs Monks as S. Columban a Holy Irish Monk in France might be charged with the most horrible death of Queen Bronichild hapning at this very time for he also by the Spirit of Prophecy forewarn'd her of it And so far may we esteem the ancient Prophets guilty of the calamities befalling many Princes and Stares which by Divine Inspiration they foretold 11. To all this wee may adde that there was no such freindly correspondence between the Kings of Kent and the Northumbers as that this latter should be employed by the former as an instrument of his unworthy revenge On the contrary wee read that Ethelfrid bore so mortall a hatred to all Christians that he denounced to the Kings of Kent and Essex that he would be no lesse an enemy to them because they had forsaken the Institutes of their Fathers then he was to the Brittains and Scotts And to conclude according to the plain Narration of S. Beda the Pagan King Ethelfrid came with no design against the Brittish Monks but their slaughter was caused by occasion of his seing them on a hill together and being told that they were assembled there to pray to God against him So that the Pagan Authour himself of the slaughter absolves both King Ethelbert and S. Augustin unjustly condemned by partiall and ungratefull Christians V. CHAP. 1. Kinegils the West Saxon King overcomes the Brittains 2. 3 The death of Sebert King of the East-Saxons His Successours 1. IN the year of Christ six hundred and fourteen Kinegilsus King of the West-Saxons after he had raigned three years assumed his Son others say his Brother Quicelmus a companion in his Throne And presently after they both fought a battell
against the Brittains at Beandune Bindon in Dorsetshire But at the first onsett the Brittains affrighted with their large swords and long bucklers were quickly putt to flight without any considerable losse on the Saxons side who upon a survay found the bodies of two thousand and six hundred Brittains slaine These large swords called by Huntingdon Secures and by Witechind large knives were in the Saxon tongue called Saxa from whence that Nation is sayd to have received its name 2. The year following according to Walsinghams account dyed the vertuous and devout Sebert King of the Trinobantes or East-Saxons and with great and general mourning was buried in the Church of Westminster built by himself which in succeeding times was magnificently enlarged and adorned and made the common Sepulcher of our Kings 3. How acceptable to God was the Sanctity and merits of this good King appeared by a lasting Miracle For in the days of King Edward the first of the Norman Race the Monks of Westmâ—nster having a resolution to translate his Body from the Old Church to the New assoon as with great devotion they had opened his Sepulcher they found his right hand to the middle of his arm entire in flesh skin nayles and bones compacted This was seaven hundred years after he had been there buried Thus writeth Walsingham In his place succeeded his three sons Sered Seward and Sigebert ioynd equally in the Government but much degenerating from their fathers piety VI. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of King Ethelbert and of the Holy Bishop Lethard 4.5 The Sanctity of King Ethelbert acknowledged 6. 7. His Children 1. PResently after if it was indeed after dyed also Ethelbert glorious in piety and merits the first Protectour of the rising Christian Church of the Saxons His death befell in the fifty sixth year of his raign and the one and twentieth after he had embraced the Christian Faith He was the third King of the English Nation whose Empire extended over all the Provinces Southward from the River Humber saith S. Beda adding that he was the first of those who went to heaven By which clause is implyed that he dyed before King Sebert However certain it is that a very small space of time intervend between both their deaths He was buried in the porch of Saint Martin within the Church of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul where likewise the Body of his devout Queen Bertha or Aldiberga was layd And his memory is consecrated both in ours and the Roman Martyrologe on the sixth of the Calends of March. 2. King Ethelbert had also another blessed companion in the place of his Sepulture to wit S. Lethard the Holy B. of Senliâ— who came with Queen Aldiberga out of France into Brittany Concerning whom William of Malmsbury thus writes An ancient Authour called Gosselin celebrates the miracles of Saint Lethard who accompanied Queen Bertha into this Island particularly his readines to afford rain in times of drouth when his intercession is demanded a pleasant example whereof was shewd about the same Writers time For there having been a terrible fiery drouth about the height of Sommer the Sacred Body of the Saint was solemnly carried in Procession with Litanies But no rain succeeding thereupon the Cantor at his return with the Body with some indignation addressed his speech to the Holy Bishop saying Doest thou not see how great the tribulation of the whole countrey is by reason of this drouth and yet thou art negligent in succouring us These words of a seeming reproof were no sooner uttred but presently there fell such abundance of rain that the most greedy desires were satisfied 3. The vertues of King Ethelbert are comprised by the Authour of his Life in these words This blessed King though his power extended as far as Humber yet in his conversation he shewd himself as perfectly one of Christ beggars as if he had possessed nothing It was a blessed sight to see this glorious King humbly serving the poore to see him who terrified Kings to stand in fear of Gods Preists and to shew an humble respect to the meanest Ministers of the Church How brightly he shone in repressing vice exalting vertue fulfilling the Divine precepts and in all works of piety is so much more clearly to be read in Gods heavenly Book as human Writers have been negligent in expressing c. Antiquity and the favourable authority of former Saints is an irreproachable Witnes of his Sanctity since from the beginning his Solemnity has been celebrated by Gods Saints 4. Among which Saints devoted to this Holy Kings memory S. Dunstan was one who in a certain night watching in devotion at the sepulchers of this King of S. Augustin and other Holy Bishops his Successours heard on a sudden voyces of certain persons singing this Antiphone of the Ecclesiasticall Office Gaudent in coelis animae Sanctorum qui c. The soules of thâ—se Saints who have followed our Lords steps doe now reioyce in heaven c. Whereat being astonish'd he approach'd to the dore and looking through the clefts for it was lock'd he saw the whole Oratory shining with a wonderfull light and a quire of persons in white robes melodiously and ioyfully singing that Antiphone Such honour is due to holy Kings and Prelats c. This we read related by Osbern an ancient Compiler of the Life of Saint Dunstan In which Narration though Saint Ethelbert be not named yet without question he reposing there was principally intended 5. In proof of his acknowledged sanctity c. there were in S. Augustins Church set up dayly five cierges continually burning to wit before the Tomb of S. Augustin of S. Mâ—â—red of S. Adrian Abbot before the great Altar before the Monument of King Ethelbert and of S. Lethard Bishop and a sixth in the Grott before the Image of the Blessed Virgin Mary where S. Dunstan was honourd with many visions of her as the Authour of S. Augustins liâ—e testifies And Polydor Virgil affirms that even to his days the Sacred body of King Ethelbert was illustrious by many Miracles 6. He left behind only two children by his Queen Adilburga Eadbald to whom he resign'd the Title of King after he had earnestly admonish'd him to be carefull in preserving and promoting the Christian Faith which admonition how he complyed with shall be shewd hereafter And Edelburga who was afterward married to Edwin King of the Northumbers and of whose Conversion she was a principall instrument To these two a third is added by Camden Speed and other Modern Writers namely the Holy Virgin Edburga who among Saxon Virgins was the first which undertook the Profession of a devout Nunne This holy Virgin saith the Authour of her life after she had received Sacred Baptisme gave praises to God day and night fervently begging of him the grace to be esteem'd worthy to enioy the spirituall rewards of her onely Bride-groom Iesus
having surrendred the Kingdom to his Cousen Egric was retired into a Monastery Now Egric during his short raign had oft been vexed with the incursions of Penda King of the MerciaÌ„s but this year he invaded his countrey with a powerfull army which he was not able to resist In this danger by common advice it was decreed to call King Sigebert out of his solitude For which purpose Messengers were sent to solicite him to prefer the common care of the Kingdom before his privat Devotions He earnestly opposed a good while this proposal but at last saith Saint Beda even against his will they drew him from his Monastery to the Army for they hoped that the presence of so Noble and Valiant a Prince would encourage the fainting soldiers ready for fear to disband Notwithstanding Sigebert mindfull of his present profession though he was encompassed with a Royal army would not act the part of a soldier nor carry in his hand any other thing besides a rodd 2 Thus unarmed and with an intention to act the part of a General onely with his counsell and prayers he proceeded to the Battell Which was violently begun by Penda in which Sigebert being prepared to receive not give wounds took no care to defend his own life So that he became an easy Victime to the Enemies cruelty King Egric likewise was slain with him and for a perishing Crown received one that was immortall How precious the death of Sigebert was fighting for Religion and his countrey posterity shewd by giving him the title of a Martyr for with that dignity he is commemorated in our Martyrologe on the seaven and twentieth of September but in the Gallican on the seaventh of August 3. The innocent blood of Sigebert and Egric watering this Eastern feild made it fruitfully budd with flowers of many royal vertues in his Successour which was Anna the Son of Eni of the Royal family a Prince of admirable Vertue and Father of a most glorious Offspring saith S. Beda Now Eni was Son of Titullus and brother of Redwald so that Anna's succession being legal was unquestioned by all Never any Saxon King was blessed with such a progeny His son Erconwald afterward Bishop of London was for his Sanctity illustrious to the whole Church His daughters were Queen Etheldreda twice a wife yet always a most chast Virgin Sexburga also a Queen Ethelburga a most holy Virgin and Abbesse of Barking Edilburga a Virgin likewise and Abbesse of Brigue And lastly Withburga a chast Virgin All which are inscribed in our Martyrologe with the Title of Saints concerning each of which we shall hereafter treat in due place With so many glorious Stars did this one good King Anna adorn the palace of our Heavenly King X. CHAP. 1.2 c. King Oswalds Mercy and Piety 5.6 His desire to dye for his people 7.8 His battell against Penda and death 1. KING Oswald yet remained alive expecting the like end of his race But before we conduct him to his death it will be expedient after the old Roman fashion to adorn and crown the Sacrifice before its immolation by declaring some of those many vertues which he shewd both in living and dying We sayd some thing before of his Piety to God and munificence in his service These sublime vertues were accomâ—panied with others regarding Gods poorest servants whose wants and incommodities he would not only supply when they were in his view but he would often be inquisitive to find out objects of his mercy and liberality He never sent away from him any poore man empty-handed but performed exactly that precept of our Lord Give to every one who asks thee Yea his liberality was so boundlesse that he almost empoverished himself by supplying the indigence of the poore 2. One Noble Example of this vertue is recorded by S. Beda and generally all our Historians which was this On a certain Feast of our Lords Resurrection the Holy Bishop Aidan and King Oswald dined together when one of the Kings servants coming in told him that at the gate there stood a great multitude of beggars in great necessity King Oswald glad of an occasion to exercise his Charity stretched forth his hand and took up a silver dish full of meat which he commanded the servant to distribute among those poore not the meat only but the dish which for that purpose was to be broken in peices S. Aidan was much affected with so commendable an expression of piety in the King and taking that hand which had given the Plate said Let this hand never be consumed which has so liberally distributed the Gifts of God This propheticall benediction God heard and approved with a great Miracle For after the Kings death when all the rest of his body was dissolved into dust that hand remaind entire both in the flesh and sinews for many ages as shall be proved by many witnesses 3. How acceptable these vertues were to Almighty God he shewd by heaping on him even great temporal prosperity For sayes Saint Beda King Oswald together with the Nation governd by him was blessed not only with a sure hope of a heavenly Kingdom unknown to his Ancestours but moreover by Gods speciall assistance who made both heaven and earth he encreased his Dominion by the accesse of more Provinces then any of his Progenitours had enioyd For he not only united the Kingdoms of the Deiri and Bernicians but had a supereminent power over the four Nations and Provinces of Brittany which were divided into four tongues of the Brittains Picts Scotts and English 4. Yet did not the cares of so largean Empire withdraw his mind from a frequent conversation with God On the contrary the same Authour writes that whilst he managed the government of so many Provinces his cheif solicitude and labours were how to obtain a celestiall Kingdom The generall same gives that his frequent practise was to persist in his prayers from Morning Lawds to brâ—ad day and that by reason of his almost continuall custom of Praying and praising God wheresoever he was sitting he would hold his hands on his knees with his face looking up to heaven and lastly that he ended his life in the midst of his Prayers For being compassed on all sides with enemies and weapons when he saw himself upon the point to be slain he prayed for the soules of his soldiers And hence arose the Now common Proverb God have mercy on their soules sayd King Oswald when he was falling dead to the Earth This expression of piety we English Catholicks to this day owe to this good King for though the generall practise or the whole Church in all ages was to implore the Divine mercy for those who dyed in her Communion yet this speciall form of expressing our Charity by saying God have mercy â—n their soules came from this most pious King who in his last danger as it were forgetting himself became an intercessour for
11. Her death was answerable to her life before which a wonderfull vision was shewd to her for before the Altar of the Blessed Virgin a Ladder was erected up to heaven Angels descended to comfort her She commanded her Sisters to conceale this Vision and awhile after signing her self confidently with the sign of the Crosse and lifting up her eyes hands to heaven she breathed forth her pure spirit and those who were present saw her freind the holy Bishop Genesius among troops of Angels coming to meet her on the third day before the Calends of February Her memory is celebrated the same day in the Gallican Martyrologe Her Sacred Body was afterward diligently sought and translated to a more honourable place in the time of S Lewis the Commemoration whereof is solemnised on the eight and twentieth of March. XX CHAP. 1. Anna King of the East-Angles slain by K. Penda 2.3 c The Mercian Tyrant Penda miraculously slain by K. Oswi who consecrates his daughter to God 1. IN the year of Grace six hundred fifty four saith Mathew of westminster Penda King of the Mercians a man who breathed nothing but fury and war and loved to tread in ways staind with blood invaded the Religious King of the East-Angli Anna and in a moment destroyd him and his army To him his Brother Aethelherus succeeded in the Kingdom With King Anna was slain his eldest son Firminâ—â— and both their bodies were buryed at a Town called Blithborow in Suffolk seated on the River Blith Which town saith Camden deserves to be mentioned for no other thing but that there was the Sepulcher of Anna a Christian King of the East-Angli slain in battle by Penda the Mercian King But afterward their bodies were translated to S. Edmunds-bury in the same Province 2. But the year following this bloody King Penda who seems to have been raised up for the destruction of good Kings received at last the reward of his cruelty by the hands of Oswi King of the Northumbers The particular Narration we receive from S. Beda In those times saith he King Oswi having received intolerable vexations from Penda King of the Mercians who formerly slew his Brother King Oswald at last was forced to promise him incredibly rich gifts to obtain a peace for a cessation of the ruines of his Provinces But the perfidious King Penda would accept of no conditions being determined to exterminate his whole Nation Whereupon King Oswi had his recourse to the Divine Protection only to deliver him from the barbarous impiety of his enemy Wherefore he obliged himself by vow saying since this Pagan King refuses our gifts let us offer them to our Lord God who will graciously accept tâ—em He vowed therefore that in case he gott the victory he would consecrate his daughter to serve our Lord in perpetuall Virginity and withall bestow twelve possessions of farms for building and endowing Monasteries After which vow he marched with a very small army to combat him 3. Such a wonderfull inequalâ—ty there was between the two Armies that the Pagans had a thirty fold greater army then the Christian King Oswi for they had thirty Legions conducted by as many Generalls against whom notwithstanding Oswi with his Son Alcfrid trusting only in Christ their conductour with very small forces adventured to combat King Oswi his Son Egfrid was not present there for he was then kept as an hostage by King Penda's wife And Edilwald son of King Oswald who ought to have assisted him was on the Enemies side being one of Penda's Captains to fight agaâ—nst his Vncle and countrey Though true it is that in the time of battell he withdrew himself into a safe place there expecting the event Yea we read in the History of the Brittains that Alcfrid also the Son of King Oswi rebelling against his Father was ioynd with King Penda 4. Yet notwithstanding all these disadvantages as soon as the combat began the thirty Pagan Generalls of King Penda were putt to flight and slain and almost all their auxiliaries Among which was also Edilhere Brother and Successour of Anna late King of the East-angles who was the authour of the war he together with the forces attending him was likewise slain And because the battell was fought near the River Iuwet which by reason of great raines had overflowed its banks the waters consumed more in the flight then swords had in the combat 5. This wonderfull victory was gaind in the thirteenth year of King Oswi his raign and on the seaventeenth day before the Calends of December in the region of Loidis now called Leeds io Yorkshire were above thirty years before King Edwin had overcome the Brittains The River which in S. Beda is called Iuwet Mathew of Westminster more properly calls Winwed adding that thence the Proverb came That in the River Winwed were revenged the slaughters of five Kings Anna Sigebirt Egric Oswald and Edwin And near the place is yet extant a village either from this or King Edwins victory called Winfeild 6. This victory brought incredible proffit to both the Nations for the Northumbers were secured from the hostile incursions of their Enemies and the Nations both of the Mercians and other confining Provinces became converted to the Christian Faith assoon as their perfidious Head was cutt off For immediatly after the most Christian King Oswi took possession of Penda's kingdom by whose order the Holy Preist Diuma was ordaind by Finan Bishop both of the Mercians and Midland-Angli for by reason of the scarcity of Preists one Prelate was obliged to govern two Nations And now also the Conversion of the East-Saxons under their King Sigebert of which we treated before was perfected 7. King Oswi having thus by divine assistance gaind so miraculous a victory forgot not his Vow But saith the same S. Beda according to his promise made to our Lord and in thanks-giving for his victory he gave his daughter Elsleda scarce then a year old to be consecrated in perpetual Virginity to our Lord and moreover twelve possessions of lands for the maintaining Religious persons to pray dayly for the perpetual peace of his Nation Of which each possession was ten families The foresaid daughter of King Oswi therefore entred into the Monastery calld Heortsig or the Island of the Hart which was governed by the Holy Abbesse Hilda And two years after having obtaind a possession of ten families in a place calld Streneshalch she there built a Monastery in which the foresaid Kings daughter first learnt and afterwards taught Regular observance till having spent three-score years in our Lords service the happy Virgin hastned to the embraces of her heavenly Bridegroom XXI CHAP. i. 2 c. The Gests and happy death of the Holy Abbesse S. Hilda 1. AS for S. Hilda mentiond by S. Beda she was the daughter of Hereric Grand child of King Edwin by his son Egfrid
mutuall charity and Humility After which she happily departed to our Lord on the third day before the Ideâ— of Iuly and was both durâ—ng her life and after her death powerfull in Miracles 5. Her Body was with great honour enterred in the said Monastery of Menstrey where it reposed near four hundred years illustrious by the Veneration of pious Christians and the glory of frequent Miracles From thence about the year of Grace one thousand and thirty it was translated to Canterbury Alstan being Abbot there as shall be declared Concerning which Translation William of Malmsbury thus writes In following time the Sacred Body of Saint Mildred was translated to the Monastery of Saint Augustin in Canterbury where it is with great devotion venerated by the Monks and for the fame of her piety and sweetnes answerable to her Name honoured by all And although all the corners of the said Monastery are full of Saint Bodies eminent for their Sanctity and Merits insomuch as any one of them might suffise to give a luster to the whole Kingdom yet the Relicks of none are with more affectionate honour venerated then hers She is present to all that love her and ready to hear and fullfill the requests of every one c. At London likewise there remains to this day a Church dedicated to her honour 6. Moreover her Memory is celebrated in the Belgick Provinces For as Aubert Miraeus testifies part of her Relicks was transported to Daventry and reposed there in the Cathedral Church Mention is also made of the same Relicks in the Gallican Martyrologe on the thirteenth of Iuly in these words At Daventry in Belgium is the Veneration of the Relicks of S. Mildreda an English Virgin consecrated to God in the Monastery of Chelles in the Territory of Paris which are reposed in the Cathedral Church of S. Lebuin together with the Bodies of the same Saint Lebuin and also of S. Marcellinus Her departure out of the world have given luster to this day Saint Mildreda was conveniently associated to these two Saints Lebuin and Marcellinus for her agreement with them both in her faith and countrey For they were English-Saxons likewise who together with Saint Willebrord preached the Faith to the inhabitants of Friseland and Geldres of whom we shal treat hereafter 7. The determinate year of the death of these two Holy Virgins Saint Milburga and Saint Mildreda is uncertain Certain only it is that it is wrongfully ascribed by some Writers to the year of Grace six hundred sixty four For since the same Authours affirm that they were consecrated by Saint Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury who came not into Brittany till after that year it is evident that in their computation there is an Antichronism 8. We may therefore more commodiously ascribe it to this year of our Lords Incarnation six hundred seaventy six In which year on the six and twentieth of February our Martyrologe commemorates the Deposition of their youngest Sister Saint Milgitha or Saint Milwida Concerning whom a very shhort account is given by our ancient Authours For of her wee read only that she entred into the Monastery of Estrey built by the Penitent King Egbert in Kent where she so well imitated the Sanctity of her Sisters that she likewise deserved a place in the Catalogue of our Saints 6. From these we must not separate a young Brother of theirs called Mereâ—in Concerning whom Mathew of Westminster and Florentius testify this only that he was a child of eminent Sanctity XX. CHAP. 1. 2. c. The death and Miracles of Saint Ethelburga daughter of Anna King of the East angles 5. 6 Of S. Thoritgitha 7. Of S. Hildelida 1. TO the same year is referred likewise the death of Saint Ethelburga daughter to Anna the pious King of the East-angles and Sister to Saint Erconwald She was as hath been said Abbesse of the Monastery of Berking founded by her Brother 2. Concerning her death hapning the fifth day before the Ides of October thus writes Saint Beda When Edilburga the proâ—â— Mother of that devoâ—â— Congregation was to be taken out of the world a wonderfull vision appeared to one of the Religious Sisters named Theorethid who had lived many years in the Monastery serving our â—ord with all humility and sincerity and had been an assistant to the Holy Abbesse in promoting the observance of Regular Disciplin her charge being to instruct and correct the younger Sisters Moreover to the end that her spirituall strength might be perfected by infirmity as the Apostle saith she was suddenly assaulted by a most sharp disease and for the space of nine years greivously tormented with it This hapned to her by the mercifull Providence of her Saviour to the end that by this furnace of divine tribulation whatsoever defects or impurities through ignorance or negligence had insinuated themselves into her soule might be cleansed away and consumed 3. Now on a certain night towards the dawn of the morning this Religious Virgin upon some occasion going out of her chamber saw manifestly as it were a human body more bright then the Sun enwrapped in linnen which being transported out of the Dormitory of the Religious Virgins was caried up to heaven And whilst she observed diligently by what force the said body should be raised upwards she saw that it was so lifted up by certain ropes more resplendent then gold by which it was drawn higher and higher till at last the heavens opening it was received in after which she could see it no longer 4. Considering this Vision she did not at all doubt but that it imported that some one of that devout Congregation should shortly dye whose soule by good works formerly done should as by certains cords be raised up to heaven And indeed so it fell out For a few days after Saint Edilburga the devout Mother of the said Congregation was freed from the prison of her body who had lead her life in such perfection that none who knew her could doubt but when she left this world the entrance into her heavenly countrey would be opened to her 5. S. Ethelburga was buried in the same Monastery and after her death likewise was not wanting to procure comforts and blessings to her Religious Sisters For as the same S. Beda relates There was in the same Monastery a Devout Virgin of Noble descent but more ennobled by her Piety called Thorithgida who for many years had been so utterly deprived of the use of her limbs that she could not stirr any one of them She being informed that the Body of the Venerable Abbesse was caried to the Church where it was exposed some time before the buriall desired she might be transported thither and placed leaning toward it in the posture of one that prayes This being done she addressed her petition to her as if she had been alive beseeching her to obtain from her mercifull Creatour that she might at length be freed from her
world that he had seen many things some extremely horrible and others wonderfully pleasant and ravishing which are concealed from the rest of mankind 5. Now the account which he gave of his Visions was on this manner A certain person brightly shining in his face and vestments conducted mee and wee walked together silent as it seemed to mee towards the place where the Sun rises in high Summer Thus walking together wee came to a place where there was on our left hand a valley of a vast depth and breadth and the length of it seemed infinite One side of this valley was terrible with its burning flames and the other no lesse intolerable for the bitternes of the cold blasts hayle and snow driving through it And both these places were full of mens soules which seemed to be â—orcibly tossed from one side to the other For those which were in the fire not being able to endure its scorching leaped into the horrible cold and not â—inding ease there they leaped back into the unquencheable flames Having observed an infinite number of deformed soules thus tormented with an interchangeable viâ—â—issitude of tortures without any respite of ease I began to think that this place surely was Hell of whose intolerable torments I had oft heard Preachers speak But my â—onductour who went before mee answered these my thoughts saying Doe not entertain such an imagination for this is not Hell as thou thinkest 6 But when he saw mee affrighted with so â—orrible a spectacle he conduâ—â—ed mee leasurely somewhat further where I saw all places round about mee become obscure and at length filled with utter darknes Into which when wee were entred the darknes was so thick that I could see nothing but the shape and vestment of my Conductour And as wee went on further in this shady darknes on a sudden there appeared before us frequent globes of hideous flames ascending out of a deep pitt and again falling down into it 7. When I was come thither presently my Guide vanished out of sight leaving mee done in the midst of this darknes and horrid spectacle But when the said globes of fire without any intermission mounted up and again fell down I perceived that they were full of human soules which like sparks of fire caried up by the smoke were sometimes cast upward and then drawn back by the vapours of fire Moreover an unexpressibly noysom stink belched out by those vapours filled all the dark spaces round about As I was thus standing still in a terrible fright being uncertain what to doe whither to goe and what would be the end of all this I heard behind my back a most horrible noyse as of persons wailing in unutterable misery and also at the same time I heard others loudly and scornfully laughing as the rude vulgar people are wont to doe when they insult over their captive enemies When this Noise came nearer to mee I perceived a troop of wicked Spirits haling into the midst of that darknes the soules of men which wofully cryed out whilst the others burst forth into laughters And among these soules I could distinctly see that one was shaved like an Ecclesiasticall person another was a lay-man and a third was a woman These unhappy soules thus haled along by those spitefully malicious Spirits at length were plunged into the midst of that burning pitt Into which after they were descended a good way I could no longer distinctly hear the wayling of men and laughing of Devills but only had in mine eares remaining a confused promiscuous sound 8. In the mean time certain obscure Spirits ascended out of that fire-vomiting pitt which approached mee on all sides and with flaming eyes and stinking fire issuing out of their mouths and nostrills vexed mee greivously Moreover with fierie pincers which they held in their hands they threatned to catch mee but for all that though they frighted mee they had not the boldnes to touch mee Being thus on all sides encompassed with darknes and enemies I turned mine eyes every way to see if there were any one to deliver mee At last there appeared by the way which I had passed some thing that shone like a stars which encreasing and approaching nearer and nearer assoon as it came to mee all those hatefull Spirits which had endeavoured with their fiery pincers to lay hold on mee were dispersed and fled 9. Now he whose coming drove away these Spirits was the same who at first had been my Conductour Who presently after turning his steps more southerly toward the East ledd mee out of that darknes into a clear and lightsome aire In which after we had walked awhile I saw before us a mighty wall of the length and height whereof every way I could see no end I began then to marwell to what purpose we should goe to that wall in which I could discover neither dore window nor any other passage But being come to it presently I know not by what means we found our selves on the top of it And there appeared to mee a most large pleasant feild so replenished with all sorts of odoriferous flowers that the sweet fragrancy of them immediatly took away all the former stench of the dark fiery furnace And so great was the light there on all sides that it far exceeded the brightnes of midday Moreover there were in that feild innumerable assemblies of men in pure white garments all reioycing and singing Now as he ledd mee among these happy Quires I began to think that this might be the Kingdom of Heaven which I had oft heard preached of But he again answered to any thought No this is not Heaven as thou supposest 10. And as wee passed on in our progresse I saw before mine eyes a far greater and more pleasant Light then wee had seen before and in that Light I heard a most sweet Melody of persons ioyfully singing and so wonderfull a fragrancy of a most sweet odour issued from thence that the former sweetnes which before seemed excessive to mee now I very meanly esteemed As likewise the former light compared with this appeared almost obscure Now when I was in a hopefull expectation that wee should enter into this Blessed place my Guide made a stopp and presently turning his steps he lead mee back again the way that wee had come 11. And when in our return wee were come to the ioyfull mansions of those inhabitants cloathed in white garments he said to mee Duest thou know what all these things are which thou hast seen I answered No. He replied That valley which thou sawest so terrible by the scorching flames and horrible frosts is the place in which those soules are to be tryed and afflicted which having delayed to confesse and amend their sins at the very point of death retire for safety to Repentance and so depart out of the body These because even in the last moment of their lives they confessed and were contrite for their sins they shall all at least
in the day of Iudgment come to the Kingdom of heaven And many of them before that day are eased and delivered by the Prayers Fasting and Alms of the living and especially by the celebrating the most Holy Sacrifice Moreover that flame-vomiting and stinking pitt which thou sawest is the very Mouth of Hell into which whosoever once falls he shall never come out of it for all eternity 12. As for this pleasant flowry feild here before thine eyes in which thou seest such multitudes of youth making mercy and cloathed with white raiment this is the place which is the Receptacle of such soules which have continued to their death in the exercise of vertue but yet their Works have not been of such Perfection as to deserve their present admission in the Kingdom of Heaven Yet all these in the day of Iudgment shall arrive unto the Vision of our Lord and the Ioyes of his heavenly Kingdom But as for those who in their Words Works and Thoughts have attained to Perfection such assoon as they have left the Body shall enter into that Blessed Kingdom To the confines of which Kingdom that Place pertains where thou sawest so glorious a Light and heardst so sweet Harmony and wast refreshed with so admirably sweet-smelling Odours 13. Thou therefore having seen all these things must presently return to thy Body and again as formerly live among men If then hereafter thou wilt be diligent to examine all thine actions and to observe uprightnes and simplicity in thy conversation and speeches thou also after death shalt receive a mansion among these ioyfull troops of happy Spirits For I having departed for a time from thee did it to this end that I might see what would in the end become of thee When he had spoken thus to mee I had a horrible aversion from returning to my Body being extremely delighted with the sweetnes and beauty of that place which I saw and the happy society of the persons living in it Notwithstanding I had not the boldnes to make any such request to my Guide And whilst I was busy in these thoughts I know not how I presently perceived that I was again alive among men 14. These and other particulars did the Man of God usually recount concerning his Vision and these he related not to negligent slouthfull Christians but such only as being either affrighted with the meditation on future Torments or delighted with the Hope of eternall Ioyes were in a disposition to receive proffit by his words 15. At a small distance from his Cell there lived a certain Monk whose Name was Genigills who was also exalted to the Degree of Preist-hood which he adorned with many vertues He is alive at this day leading a solitary life in Ireland and sustaining his decrepit age with bread and cold water onely This Monk often visited that devout man and asking him many particulars touching his Vision received perfect information from him 16. The same Holy man related likewise his Visions to King Alfrâ—d a Prince adorned with all sorts of learning who with great willingnes and attention hearkned to his Narration nd at this Princes entreaty he was entertained in the foresaid Monastery there receiving the Monasticall Tonsure And when the King had occasion to make his progresse into those parts he very oft visited him out of a desire to heare the same things again At that time the Abbot of the Monastery was Aedilwald then a Preist of a conversation very Religious and modest who now worthily possesses the Cathedrall Church of Lindesfarn Now the Holy man had assigned unto him in the said Monastery a very retired place where he might with all freedom attend to the service of his Creatour and Prayer 17. And his privat Mansion being seated on the bank of the River his custome was frequently for mortifying his Body to plunge himself into the same sometimes to the loyns and sometimes to the neck where he continued singing Psalms and praying as long as he could possibly endure And when he came out he never putt off his wett and cold garments for change but suffred them to drye and receive warmth from his Body And when in the Winter time crusts of ice which himself oft broke to have place wherein to plunge himself came about him and some who saw it said to him It is a wonder Brother Drithelm for that was his name how you are able to endure such bitter cold He would answer simply for he was of a simple mild nature I have seen far colder places then this And when they said How is it possible you can sustain such strange austerities His answer was I have seen much greater austerities then these Thus to the day of his death he lived and out of a servent desire of celestiall Happines tamed his weak aged body with Fastings and other Mortifications and by his exhortations and pious conversation became an instrument of the salvation of many 18. This is Saint Beda's Narration which as appeareth he received from witnesses of unquestioned credit Notwithstanding weighing the circumstances of the Vision wee may probably conclude that the Holy man was mistaken in thinking that he had been really dead For this seems to have been a Vision imparted by Gods direction to his soule while he was in a deep and death-like Traunce both for his own good and the good of others So that wee are not to conceive that there are extant any where such Valleys pitts and Walls as are mentioned in this Story but that God thought fitt by representing to his imagination such objects to signify thereby the great variety of States in which soules according to their severall dispositions shall after death be placed Some Happy which Happines notwithstanding is greater or lesser according to the degrees of perfection to which they had ascended in their life-time And some painfull but with far greater variety the Torments of impenitent soules being inexpressible and endles whereas such soules as have lived sinfull lives but yet have had the Grace of Repentance before their deaths shall suffer most bitter anguish yet such as by the devotion of their freinds and mercy of God may be asswaged and shall certainly have an end The intolerablenes of which Anguish peircing the inmost Spirits of men is represented here by scorching flames and bitter Frosts the greatest tortures our bodies are capable of yet far short of the internall Agonies of imperfect separated soules which are altogether pure Sensation XI CHAP. 1.2 c. Queen Kyneburga becomes a Nunne 4. The Monastery of Dormund 6.7 S. Kineswitha Sister to Q. Kyneburga 8 Of S Tibba a Virgin 9.10 Of another S. Kyneburga and her Son S. Rumwold 1. ABout this time Kyneburga wife to Alfrid King of the Northumbers by permission of her Husband forsook the world and entred into a Monastery That which hastned the execution of this good design might probably be the famed report of this Vision of Drithelm Certain it is
Swibert should be sought out and humbly entreated to visit the said unhappy person 4. This being accordingly done Saint Swibert moved with great compassion and Charity went to the house attended by his Preists and other Disciples and being yet in the way thither the Devill presently caused the possessed person to fome and gnash his teeth and to cry out in a far more horrible manner then before at which all that were present were much greived and astonished But assoon as Saint Swibert approached the house the clamours ceased the Demoniack lay still in his bed as if he had been asleep 5. Assoon as the Holy Bishop saw him lying in this posture he commanded all us who attended him to betake our selves devoutly to our Prayers And he himself likewise with fervent zeale besought almighty God that he would vouchsafe to free the Demoniack from the Devills power to the end that his Holy Name might be glorified and those Infidels converted to the Faith Having thus prayed we all rose up and he signed the Demoniack with the sign of the Saving Crosse saying In the Name of our Lord Iesus Christ I command thee O unclean Spirit that thou depart from this Creature of God that he may acknowledge his true Creatour and Saviour Immediatly hereupon the Wicked Spirit departing with a noysom stink began to crye out aloud O thou servant of the Great God thou shalt not abide long in this Province for as thou hast driven mee from this my habitation so will make thee to be driven out of this countrey 6. As for Ethelhere who was thus freed from the Devills power he presently arose in the sight of all and casting himself at the Holy Bishops feet he begged pardon for the injuries he had done him and earnestly besought him that he might be baptized in the Name of Iesus Christ in whose Name he had been delivered In like manner many Pagans and two Idoll Preists there present cast themselves at S. Swiberts feet desiring to be instructed in the Mystery of the Christian Faith Whom the Saint raised up and taught them how the Eternall Wisedom descended from Heaven to Earth that by his Blessed Death and Blood shed on the Altar of the Crosse he might restore life to mankind dead in sins Thus he continued three whole weeks instructing and confirming them in the Faith and yet baptised only two and forty of them besides woemen and children or both sexes 7. Two years he spent among them constantly preaching the faith whereby he converted great numbers which with their own hands broke their Idols and built Churches in which the Holy Bishop constituted Preists and Deacons to assist him Many likewise having been informed of the Miracles done by him came to see and hear him of whom he converted and baptized not a few He gained the affection and veneration of all cheifly by the tendernes of his love which he shewd to the poor and afflicted whom he meekly visited in their necessities and infirmities and these not only Christians whom he confirmed in their Faith but Pagans also who by his charitable assistance were withdrawn from their Superstitions and Idolatry Notwithstanding how aâ—ter two years the Devill by Gods permission made good his threatning that he would shortly expell him out of that Province shall hereafter be declared III. CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of S. Adelbert and of S. â—erenfrid Apostolick Missioners in Germany 4.5 S Decumanus a Holy Hermite murdred A miracle after his death 1. TO this year is assigned in our Martyrologe the death of S. Adelbert who as hath been declared was one of the twelve English Apostolick Missionners into Germany Concerning whom in the Gallican Martyrologe on the five and twentieth of Iune we read this Testimony 2. At Egmond in Holland is the same day celebrated the Memory of S. Adelbert Confessour and Deacon Who being descended from the Royall stock of the Kings of the Deiri in Brittany for he was the Son of Edilbald son of S. Oswald King and Martyr and by S. Willebrord constituted Arch-deacon in the Provinces of the Batavi and Frisons did notably promote the Christian Faith For he was made choice of among the most excellent Disciples of that Holy Prelat and sent into the utmost confines of that Diocese to preach the word of life to that pagan people in Knemaria where he gathered a plentifull harvest to our Lord. And after he had confirmed his New plantation in the Faith he was called by Almighty God to receive his eternall reward After his death he received Divine Testimonies of his celestiall Happines For at Egmond where he was buried in his own Oratory he became illustrious by such Miracle â—as afforded great security and protection to the inhabitants and invited a wonderâ—full concourse of strangers to perform veneration to him and to begg his intercession 3. This same year likewise another associate in the same Mission S. Werenfrid a Preist received an eternall reward for his labours His memory is also celebrated in the same Martyrologe on the fourteenth of August with this Elogy At Elst in Gelderland is this day commemorated the Deposition of S. Werenfrid an illustrious fellow-worker with Divine Grace He was associated with S. Willebrord in the busines of Piety and heaped up the gain of many soules to our Lord. Thus loaden with such precious spoiles he was received into Glory His body reposes honourably in a Collegiat Church consecrated to his honour and name in the foresaid town seated on the Rhene between Nimegen and the Sand. He is by others said to have dyed at a Town called Westervert and afterwards to have been buried at Elst And that he sowed the precious seed of the Gospel at Medemblick Durâ—stad Elst and other towns in Batavian 4. The year following wee find commemorated in our Martyrologe the Martyrdom of S. Decumanus born of Noble parents in the South-Western parts of Wales who forsaking his countrey the more freely to give himself to Mortification and devotion passed the river Severn upon a hurdle of rodds and retired himself into a mountainous vast solitude covered with shrubbs briars where he spent his life in the repose of Contemplation till in the end he was slain by a murderer 5. The place so described by the Authour of his life in Capgrave is seated in the County of Somerset where a Castle in after times called Dorostorum now Dunstor was built by the family of the Mohuns To this Castle saith Camden are adiacent two Villages consecrated to two Saints The one is called Caranton from a Brittish Saint Carantac and the other Decombes from S. Decumanus who out of Southwales arrived here renouncing all wordly vanity and by a murderer was peirced through with a sword For which saith he he obtained in the esteem of the ignorant common people divine honour Thus writes this Authour skillfull indeed in places but ignorant in the Faith of his Ancestours who
Egwin Bishop of that Diocese to take into their care and protection the said Monastery and in case any Tyrants or oppressours should invade the rights or possessions of it to smite them with the rodd of Excommunication 10. S. Egwin being returned with these Charters and Letters the Arch-bishop accordingly assembled a Synod at a place named Aln-cester so called by reason of its situation on the banks of the River Alne it being a place commodious for the present purpose by reason of its vicinity to Evesham from which it was distant about seaven miles it was also a remarkable place because there was a Palace of the Kings of the Mercians And it is observed in the Life of Saint Egwin that this was the place where he ordinarily preached and exhorted the people 11. The onely busines in this Synod of Alne was the reading and confirming the â—ayd Charters and Priviledges Which being â—one the said Arch-bishop sent Saint Wilfrid Arch-bishop of York who was there present â—o Evesham to consecrate the place VII CHAP. 1.2 c. The death of S. Wilfrid with his preparation thereto 8.9 c. S. Acca succeeds him in the See of Hagulstad 1. THIS was the last publick action that we read performed by S. Wilfrid For now were finished the four years according to a promise of the Holy Archangel S. Michael added to his life after his great sicknes in France The which sicknes returning presently after this Synod he prepared himself for his last hower The manner of which preparation is thus described by William of Malmsbury 2. S. Wilfrid saith he having for the space of four years enioyd an undisturbed tranquillity according to the promise of the Archangel Michael was again assaulted with the same infirmity which formerly had seised on him at Meaux Meldis in France and now it was so violent that it suddenly deprived him both of his senses and speech Whereupon his Disciples who assisted him made their prayers unto God that he might at least recover his speech to the end he might dispose his affairs then not well settled After which Prayer his speech was immediatly restored to him and a few days after he recovered likewise so much strength that he was enabled to visit all the Monasteries and other places depending on him Thus being by his frequent sicknesses admonished that death approached he took care to accomplish those good designs in the administration of which he formerly had not been sufficiently diligent 3. He ordained Abbots and Superiours over all his Monasteries and as touching his Treasures he divided them into four parts Of which one portion and that was the greatest he bequeathed to the Roman Church by whose authority he had been exempted from all injuries and restored to his honours And this part he intended himself to present notwithstanding his great age if he had not been prevented by death A second part he gave to the poor A third he delegated to the Superiours of his Monasteries to the end that therby they might be enabled to purchase the freindship and favour of Great men consequently secure themselves from the violence of their adversaries The fourth part he bestowed on those who had been his attendants and companions in his travells and who as yet had not received possessions for their Sustenance 4. Having performed these things he took leave of his Disciples at Rippon whom he especially loved and in other parts of the Northumbers and took a iourney to a conference with Ceolred King of the Mercians to which he was invited namely to the forementioned Synod and consecration of the Monastery of Evesham And being there he provided carefully for the security peace of his Monasteries in that Region which through the indulgence of Princes he had founded in great number 5. After he had made a progresse through them all and procured great advantages to them in which care he spent a year and a half immediatly after he was by a renewing of his infirmity again admonished of his approaching death This hapned to him when he was in the Isle Inundule or as Saint Beda calls it the Province of Vndule a region in Northamptonshire at this day called Oundale corruply saith Camden for Avondale or the Vale of Avon Perceiving then that his last hower was come he made a short exhortation to his Disciples and children for his weaknes would not permit him to speak much and having bestowed on them his Benediction he for ought appeard without any pain at all finished his life whilst the Monks there present reciting the Psalier were come to those words of the Psalm Send forth thy Spirit and they shall be created c. He dyed on the fourth day before the Ides of October saith S. Beda and in the seaventy sixth year of his age having been Bishop the space of forty six years 6. He was a man who for iustice sake had been exposed to many dangers and who in the places to which he was banished did not spend the time unproffitably but was very diligent in erecting Monasteries and founding Bishopricks He was naturally qualified so as easily to ingratiate himself with Stranger Princes in whose countreys he lived an exile and on the other side by reason of his inflexible love to iustice he was exposed to the hatred of his Naturall Princes No man ever lest so many Monasteries behind him which he distributed to many Successours From the Monastery of Oundalo where he dyed and over which he had appointed a certain Abbott called Cudbald his Body was caried to Rippon where it was buried with great honour These wonders attended his death 7. In the hour of his expiration there was heard a sweet melody of birds and clapping of their wings as if they were flying up to heaven but not one bird could be seen And the same thing hapning severall times during the solemne Procession when his body was transported certain devout and prudent persons then present interpreted it to be an assembly of Angells which according as had been promised him were come to conduct his soule to heaven For as hath been already declared out of Saint Beda the Archangell Michael appearing to him in France said to him these words I doe assure thee that for the present thou shalt recover from this sicknes But be prepared for after four years I will visit thee again His Body was buried in the Church of the Blessed Apostle Saint Peter in Inrhypum Rippon neer the Altar toward the south and on his Tomb was inscribed an Epitaph recorded by the same Saint Beda and importing how he had founded the same Church and richly adorned it how he had erected there a rich Crosse of silver how he had left there the four Gospells written in Letters of gold enclosed likewise in a golden case How he had â—educed his countrey to the Catholick observation of Easter How he had founded great numbers of Monasteries instructing them in the ancient Rules of
esteem Saints Yet neither their Sanctity nor learning could secure their Lives from the present sanguinary Laws now in force 7. Some Writers affirm that S. Aldelm was a Scott but his name meerly Saxon does disprove them which signifies an ancient Helmet And generally our Historians acknowledge him to have been of the English-Saxon progeny Capgrave B. Godwin and others affirm that he was Brothers son to King Ina. Brian Twine says he was son to King Ina himself And William of Malmsbury that he was from â—is ancient Progenitours nearly allied in blood to King Ethelstan 8. There succeeded him in the Episcopall See of Shirborn a devout Preist named Forther who by the testâ—mony of Saint Beda his contemporaney is described to have been a man well versed in the study of Divine Scriptures Little more is extant concerning him in our Ecclesiasticall Monuments Onely Bishop Godwin relates of him that almost thirty years after this he attended a Queen of the West-Saxons in her pilgrimage to Rome 9. Probably this is the same person to whom Brithwald at this time Archbishop of Canterbury wrote an Epistle extant among those of Saint Boniface the Apostle of Germany with this Inscription To the most Reverend and most Holy our Fellow-Bishop Fortherey Berthwald a Servant of the Servants of our Lord sendeth health in our Lord. The Epistle it self because it gives some Light to the practise of that age wee will here adioyn as followeth 10. Since the request which in your presence I made to the Venerable Abbot Beorwald took no effect which was that he would sett at liberty a young captive mayd whose kinred dwell near to this Citty being importuned by them I thought fitt to direct once more these Letters to you by a Brother of the same mayd whose name is Eppa Hereby therefore I doe earnestly entreat you that you would by all means obtain from the foresaid Abbot that he would from this bearers hands accept three hundred shillings solidos for the ransome of the sayd young mayd and consign her into his hands to be brought hither to the end she may spend the rest of her age in ioyfull freedome among her freinds This affaire if you will bring to good effect you will not fayle to receive a good reward from God and many thanks from mee Besides this I conceive that our Brother Beorwald receiving this money will be no looser I ought to have made my first request that you would be mindfull of mee in your dayly Prayers Our Lord Iesus Christ preserve your Reverence in health many years 11. The slavery of this young mayd mentioned here denotes the ancient custome of the Saxons continued a long time after by the Normans of buying slaves and annexing them to certain Mannors or Lands which were therefore called Villains which without a ransome could not be restored to freedome 12. As for Beorwald mentioned in this Letter he was probably Abbot of Glastonbury who succeded Hemgisle in the year of Grace seaven hundred and five as the Antiquities of that Monastery declare And he it was who wrote the life of the Holy Bishop Egwin and not as some mistakingly affirm Brithwald Arch-bishop of Canterbury who sate above four and twenty years in that See before S. Egwin died IX CHAP. 1.2 c. The Martyrdom of S. Indractus an Irish Prince his murder miraculously discovered 1. ABout this time hapned the Martyrdom of a son of a certain Irish King who returning from a Pilgrimage to Rome by Brittany in his way from Glastonbury towards Ireland was together with seaven of his companions barbarously murdred by robbers His name was Indractus and his Memory is celebrated in our Martyrologe on the fifth of February 2. Concerning him thus writes the Authour of his life in Capgrave After that Saint Patrick had converted the Irish Nation to the Faith of Christ by many signs and wonders he passed over the Sea thence into Brittany and at Glastonbury he happily ended his days in a good old age For this cause many devout persons of Ireland have accustomed in devotion to visit the sayd Monastery Now there was in Ireland the son of a certain King his name was Indractus a young man well imbued with learning adorned with vertues and favoured both by God and man This young Prince aspiring only to heavenly ioyes for a more secure obtaining them resolved to despise yea to fly from all the snares of Princely palaces and delicacies Taking therefore with him nine companions together with his Sister named Dominica our Martyrologe calls her Drusa he in devotion undertook a pilgrimage to Rome Having therefore a prosperous passage by Sea he arrived at a Haven in Brittany named Tamerunt And there this devout assembly built an Oratory and spent a long space of time in the service of God and mortification At length leaving his Sister there he with his other Companions pursued their pilgrimage to Rome As for the frequent Miracles wrought by the Holy man in Brittany or in his iourney I omitt them the curious Reader may have recourse for them to the Authour who thus prosecutes his Story 3. Returning after some time from Rome into Brittany he had a resolution to goe to Glastonbury and there at the Monument of Saint Patrick to pour forth his Prayers to God Now at that time Inas King of the West-Saxons held his Court neer that place in a town called Pedret in the villages round about which many of his Servants and attendants were dispersed Among whom there was a certain son of iniquity named Hona This man curiously observing Indractus and his companions in their way from Glastonbury that their baggs and purses were well stuffed with money Whereupon the Minister of Satan with his complices following them overtook them at a Village named Shapwick and violently breaking into the house while they were sleeping there murdred them all Which having done they took their Sacred Bodies and cast them into a deep pitt to the end no man might find them 4. Now it fortuned that King Inas whose abode was near that place on a certain night being afflicted with great pain in his bowells to assâ—age the same went abroad into the open aire and looking towards heaven he saw a pillar as it were of fire issuing out of the place in which the sacred bodies were hidden the splendour of which was always in his eyes which way soever he turned them The same spectacle offred it self to him three nights consequently whereupon taking some of his Courtiers with him he went to the place and having found the bodies of the holy Martyrs he took care that they should be buried at Glastonbury with great honour The Body of S. Indractus was placed on the left side of the Altar opposite to the Monument of S. Patrick and his companions under the pavement round about As for the Murderers they having the impudence to be present at the buriall were visibly seysed
invâ—cation of the Blessed Trinity yea without any baptism at all a man might becom a good Catholick Christian only by the imposition of the hands of a Bishop 7. Now to prevent any further contagion by such guilefull seditious Ministers the Pope advised S. Boniface to collâ—ct a Synod and there not only depose them but likewise shutt them up in Monasteries there to doe Pennance to the end of their lives For which purpose he should require the assistance of the Noble Dukes and Potentats of France And particularly as touching that naughty Scottish Preist Nequissimum virum Sampson he required him not to content himself with only deposing him but that he should also excommunicate and expell him out of the Church XXI CHAP. 1.2 A Noble Charter confirming the Priviledges of the Church by Ethelbald King of the Mercians 3.4 c. A famous Miracle in Germany by the Intercessiâ—n of S. Swibert 1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred forty nine Ethelbald King of the Mercians touched with a remorse for his Sins made worthy satisfaction to the Church for his formeâ— Sacriledges by publishing a Noble Charter to confirm its immunity Which Charter may be read in Sir H. Spelman thus inscribed by him The Priviledge of Ethelbald King of the Mercians granted to Monasteries and Churches In which being mindfull of the reprehension given him by S. Boniface in an Epistle fore mentioned and repenting his former Life he made all the Monasteries and Churches of his kingdom free from all taxes labours burdens gifts c. And at the end of it is signified that the said Charter was signed by severall Bishops and Noblemen in the three and thirtieth year of the said Kings raign at a famous place called Godmundsleech Which place is at this day called Godmunchester and it is seated in the Province of the Icens or Huntingdon shire 2 At the same time dyed Ethelwold King of the East-Angles called by some Elfwald by others Ethelred to whom succeeded his his son Ethelbert or as some Writers name him Albert who was born to him by his QueeÌ„ Leosruna Concerning whose admirable vertues Sanctity wee shall treat at large when wee come to his Mariage and death or more truly his Martyrdom immediatly attending it 3. Here wee ought not to omitt an illustrious testimony which God was pleased this year in Germany to give to the Sanctity of our glorious Saint and Apostle of the Germans Saint Swibert It is faithfully related in an Epistle sent by Saint Ludger Bishop of Munster to Rixfrid Bishop of Maestricht in which Epistle a large description is made of the affairs of the Authours own timâ— touching the Apostasy of the Frisons But that which concerns the glory of Sâ— Swibert is there thus related 4. It hapned in the year of our Lord seaven hundred forty nine that the illustrious Prince Pipin after a glorious Victory obtained against the Saxons and Westphalians hastned his return to Colen with his wearied Army But the Westphalians though utterly routed by the triumphant sword of this Noble Prince had such indignation to be under the dominion of Christians that without delay they gathered a new powerfull Army and marching by paths unhaunted and more compendious they gott before the Princes army near to the town of Werda where they cunningly layd ambuscades with a resolution furiously to rush upon him in his march 5. When this came to the Knowledge of Pipin by the relation of his Scouts he was some thing troubled by reason his Army was much diminished and had in it many wounded unserviceable men Notwithstanding calling to mind the many great Miracles which by the intercession of Saint Swibert whose body lay there at Werda had been performed and having a firm confidence in God he lighted from his horse and prostrating himself on the ground he with great devotion implored the help and Patronage of that most holy Bishop withall vowing to God and Saint Swibert that if by his intercession and merits he might obtain a Victory over the Pagans and bring his Christian Army safe home he would in a solemn Procession attended by all his Nobles with great devotion make a Pilgrimage to his shrine at Werda 6. This Prayer was no sooner made but immediatly a wonderfull light shone over the Christian Army which not only dazeled but quite blinded the Pagans insomuch as in a terrible fright least the God of the Christians should from heaven consume them they dispatched away to Prince Pipin two of their cheifest Princes to beg peace and make profession of subiection to him Who withall constantly related to him what they had seen and how much they were amazed at it 7. Assoon as the Prince heard this being assured that so great a delivery came by the intercession of S. Swibert with great ioy he adored and gave thanks to God and having received from the Pagans hostages for performance of conditions he attended by his whole army entred in an humble manner into Werda and there both himself and his Nobles putting off their shooes he visited the Shrine of S. Swibert and there offred Royall Gifts to Almighty God and S. Swibert for that without any effusion of blood he had gott the upper hand of his perfidious enemies And from that time he chose S. Swibert for his speciall Patron and Protectour Niether did his piety rest there but a few years after this he treated solemnly with the Pope for his Canonization XXII CHAP. 1.2 c. Of. S. Richard an English King the Father of S. Winebald c. He dyes at Lucca 5. The death of S. Tecla an English woman and Abbâ—sse in Germany 8. Of S. German an English Missioner in Germany and Martyr 1. THE year of Grace seaven hundred and fiâ—ty is consigned by severall Writers to the death of an English King called Richard memorable to posterity for his Sanctity A breif of whose life is represented in an Epitaph to this day extant in a Church of the Citty of Lucca in Italy where he dyed and was enterred the tenour whereof is as followeth 2. The sister of King Offo was Mother to S. Richard This King S. Richard was King of England a voluntary exile from his countrey a despiser of the world a contemner of himself He was Father to the two holy Brethren S. Willebald and S. Winibald and of their Sister S. Walburgis a Religious Virgin He made an exchange of an earthly kingdom for an heavenly He quitted a Kings Crown for a life-eternall He putt off his Royall Purple to take a mean habit he forsook a Royall throne and visited the shrines of the Saints He layd by his Scepter and took a Pilgrims staffe He left his daughter S. Walburga in his kingdom and went into a forrain countrey with his Sons Them also he left with S. Boniface the glorious Martyr theâ— Arch-bishop of Mentz a man of wonderfull sanctity and born in his own kingdom England Thâ— same
supposed Epistle This is undoubted that about this time a great scandall was given to the Western Churches upon occasion of the Doctrine touching Veneration of Sacred Images asserted a little before this time in the Seaventh Generall Councill assembled at Nicea In which Councill three hundred and fifty Eastern Bishops restored the Sacred use and Veneration of Images which had been with horrible cruelty impugned by severall preceding Emperours In the Decrees concerning which they taught the very same Doctrine and practise which King Charles and the French Church as likewise King Offa and the English-Saxon Bishops conformably to Pope Hadrian both beleived and practised Notwithstanding which two years after this in a Councill assembled by command of King Charles at Frankfort the said Council of Nicéa was sharply and bitterly condemned 8. It may seem strange that the Eastern and Western Churches should so well agree and so sharply disagree at the same time and upon the same Point But the wondeâ— will cease when it shall evidently appear that it was upon a most malicious and false misinformation that King Charles and his Bishops entertaind a prejudice against the Eastern Church being told that they maintained a doctrine which they expressly disclamed 9. To the end this may be demonstrated we will produce from the Western Council or Frankfort what iudgment they made of the Councill of Nicéa which upon misinformation is there called the Councill of Constantinople There was brought into the Synod to be publickly debated a Question concerning a late Synod of the Greeks which was held at Constantinople touching the adoration of Images in which was found written this clause That an Anathema should be denounced against all such as would not exhibite the same service or adoration to the Images of Saints as they doe to the Divine Trinity Such an adoration and service our Holy Fathers have with contempt renounced to Images and unanimously condemned it 10. This was indeed a iust and necessary condemnation of so blasphemous a Doctrine and no doubt both Alcuin and the English Bishops would not refuse to ioyn in the like condemnation But the Doctrin so worthily condemned is so far from being approved or asserted in the Councill of the Greeks at Nicéa that in the very Decision concerning the Veneration of Images they doe expressly renounce it as will appeare by their Decree here following 11. We insisting on the Doctrin of the Holy Fathers observing likewise the Tradition of the Catholick Church Doe define that venerable and Sacred Images commodiously framed in colours marble or any other matter according to the manner and form of the Venerable and like-giving Crosse are with all diligence and care to be dedicated in Churches in Sacred Vessells and Vestments in walls and tables in private houses and publick wayes and especially the Image of our Lord God and Saviour Iesus Christ next of the Divine Virgin-Mother of the glorious Angells and Saints To the end that by an inspection of such images all that look upon them may be brought to the remembrance and desire of the principall obiects represented by them and exhibite reverence and respectfull adoration to them yet by no means any true Divine Worship 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which according to our Faith is only due to the Divine Nature We therefore intend such a veneration as we shew when we reverently burn incense or light candles to the Type of the venerable and life-giving Crosse to the Holy Gospells and other oblations as hath been and iâ— the custom received from our predecessours 12. Whence appears how innocent the Bishops of that Synod were of the impiety condemned by the Western Bishops at Francfort So that we may conclude that this false information was given them from the Hereticks Iconoclasts condemned by the same Councill And theâ—efore the same Sir Henry Spelman writes truly and ingenuously saying I doe confesse that I doe not find that prodigious sentence concerning deifying of Images in the Exemplar of the Nicene Synod which is published by Binius VI. CHAP. i. 2 c. The Body of Saint Alban the Proto-martyr of Brittany miraculously discovered to King Offa who causes it to be translated and builds a magnificent Church and Monastery to his honour 1. THE year following Offa King of the Mercians residing then at the Citty of Bath was in sleep admonished by a Divine Oracle to take up out of the earth the Sacred Body of Saint Alban and place it more honourably in a shrine He therefore sending for Humbert Arch-bishop of the Mercians declared unto him his vision Then the said Arch-bishop attended by Ceoâ—ulf and Vnwona his two Suffragan Bishops with an innumerable multitude of both sexes mett the King at Verulam upon a day appointed There did the said King behold a Light from heaven darting its beams over the place where the Holy Martyr had been buried by which sign seen of them all they became assured of the truth of the former vision Then were all the people commanded to purify themselves by fasting almes and prayers and the Bishops adorned with their Sacerdotall Vestments begged the assistance of the Blessed Martyr For the place since the coming of S. Germanus and Lupus two French Bishops into Brittany to root out the Pelagian Heresy about three hundred forty four years before this had been quite defaced by the Pagan Saxons English and Iutes who conquered the countrey and destroyed all sacred places and among the rest the Church which after the death of the Holy Martyr had been magnificently built to his honour by the Brittains as Beda testifieth 2. The said Bishops therefore after fasting and prayers opening the ground found the Blessed Martyrs body in a woodden Coffin together with the Sacred Relicks of the Apostles and Martyrs which Saint Germanus had placed there This Invention drew teares of ioy and devotion from the eyes of all the Clergy and people present and the Bishops with great reverence and fear took out of the ground that precious Treasure which had been a long time hid and with a solemne Procession with Hymns and Canticles they transported it to a certain Church which had anciently been built to the honour of the said Holy Martyr without the gates of the Citty Verulam where in a shrine curiously wrought of gold and silver and adorned with pretious stones they deposed it 3. In the same place to this day divine miracles are frequently wrought for in the sight of many hearing is restored to the deafe walking to the lame sight to the blind and death both of mind and body to all who with confidence in the Divine mercy through the intercession of his Saint implore it These things were acted in the five hundred and seaventh year after the suffring of the Holy Martyr the three hundred forty fourth year after the coming of the English into Brittany the first Indiction and the first day of August 4 King Offa not content with preparing
due punishment For the very next year the same King leading forth his army to wast the Province of the Pâ—â—sts was slain by them 2. Among others who fearfully apprehended Gods revenge upon this unjust cruelty of King Egfrid was his devout Sister Edelfleda who lately succeeded the Holy Abbesse Saint Hilda in the government of the Monastery of Streneshalâ— Therefore in great solicitude she consulted with S. Cuthbert then a Monk and famous for the gift of Prophecy concerning her Brother and whether the imprecations of the Irish nation ahainst him would not proove too successfull And from him she understood that the King her Brother should not out-live the following year The particular narration of these things is thus compiled by Saint Beda 3. On a certain time saith he the most Venerable Virgin and Mother of our Lords Virgins Elfleda or Edilfleda sent to the man of God Cuthbert adjuring him in the name of God that she might have the happines to see him and to speak with him about matters of necessary importance He therefore accompanied with some of his Brethren took ship and came to an Island which receives its name from a River called Coqued before whose entrance into the Sea it was situated For the foresaid Abbesse had desired him to meet her there When they were come together she proposed many questions to him whereto he gave her satisfactory answers And upon a sudden in the midst of their discourse she cast her self prostrate at his feet and adjured him by the terrible name of the Almighty and of his Angells to tell her plainly how long a time the life and raign of her Brother was to last For said she I am assured that if you will you can tell mee this by the Spirit of Prophecy which God has given you But he astonished at this adjuration yet unwilling to give her a plain discovery of the secret thus answered her It is a strange thing that you being a prudent woman and skillfull in the Scriptures will call the time of mans life long whereas the Psalmist sayes Our years are like a spiders webb and Salomon admonishes us If a man live many years and has spent in mirth all his life he ought to be mindfull of the time of darknes and the many dayes following which when they shall come all that is passed will appear to be vanity How much more truly may this be applied to him who has but one year more to live 4. When the devout Abbesse heard this answer she fell a weeping bitterly bewayled this ominous presage But at last wiping her eyes she again with a woman-like boldnes adiured him by the Majesty of God to tell her who should succeed him in the Kingdom for said she you know he has no children and I have never a brother besides him The Holy man continuing silent awhile at last said Doe not say that you want Brethren for you shall see one to succeed him whom you will affect with as tender and sisterly a love as you now doe Egfrid himself She replied I beseech you tell mee in what countrey he now lives He answered Doe you see this Vast Sea abounding with Islands It is an easy thing for God out of some one of them to provide a man whom he may sett over this Kingdom By this she understood that he spoke of Alfrid who was reputed to be her Fathers naturall Son and at that time lived as a banished man in one of those Scottish Islands where he addicted himself to the study of learning After many discourses he said to her I command you in the name of our Lord and Saviour that you reveale to none before my death what you have heard from mee After this he returned to his solitary Island and Monastery 5 Before this year was ended King Egfrid whose disafâ—ection to S. Wilfrid still continued was so far from any intention to recall him to his See of York that when there was a vacancy in any of his Bishopricks by the death of any who possessed his place he would take care that some other should be substituted in their room as he did this year in which S. Theodore Arch-bishop of Canterbury at the said Kings request assembled a Synod of Bishops at a place called Twiford in Northumberland in which the famous Saint Cuthbert was notwithstanding his earnest resistance elected and the year following consecrated Bishop of Lindesâ—arn But of this we will treat more largely when we come to the Gests of the said glorious Bishop We will now declare the successe of his Prophecy touching the approaching death of King Egfrid XVII CHAP. 1.2.3 King Egfrid slain by the Picts 4.5 Different censures of him 6. Bishop Trâ—mwin driven out of Pictslands 1. THE year after the forementioned invasion of Ireland saith S. Beda King Egfrid would himself conduct an army to spoyle and wast the Province of the Picts though his freinds and especially S. Cuthbert lately ordaind a Bishop earnestly dissâ—aded him Being entred the Province with his army the enemies conterfeâ—â—ing fear fled from him whom he pursuing was lead into streits of inaccessible mountains and there with the greatest part of his forces slain on the thirteenth day befoâ—e the Calends of Iune in the fortieth year of his age and fifteenth of his raign Now as I said his freinds earnestly opposed his undertaking this warr But as the year before he would not hearken to the most Reverend Father Egbert who dissâ—aded him from invading Ireland Scotiam from whence he had received no injury So now by Gods just iudgment for punishment of that crime he was hindred from hearkning to those who desired to with-hold him from his destruction 2. Whilst King Egfrid was fighting against the Picts S. Cuthbert anxious about the successe went to Lugubalia or Carlile to comfort his Queen Ermenburga and there God revealed to him the death of the King and defeat of his army The particulars are thus related by S. Beda Whilst King Egfrid saith he rashly adventured the invasion of the Picts and with horrible cruelty wasted their countrey the man of God Cuthbert knowing that the time drew near which he had foretold his Sister that the King should live but one year longer he went to the Citty Lugubalia corruptly named by the inhabitants Luel to speak with the Queen who there expected the event of this warr in a Monastery of her Sister The day after as the Cittizens were honourably leading him to see the walls of the Citty and a fountain in the same of a wonderfull structure according to the Roman manner the Holy Bishop on a suddain as he was leaning on his staff became troubled in mind and with a sad countenance cast his eyes on the ground and presently raising himself up again and looking to heaven he said not very loud Now is the combat decided A Preist-standing by who understood his meaning suddenly and indiscreetly said to him How doe
you know this But he unwilling to publish that which he had received by revelation said Doe you not see how suddenly and strangely the weather is changed and grown tempestuous But who can find out the iudgments of God 3. After this he immediatly went to the Queen and speaking with her secretly it was then Saturday Be sure said he that on Munday morning betimes you take coach for on Sunday you must not travell and make hast into the Royall Citty for fear the King be killed And because to morrow I am entreated to consecrate a Church in a Monastery near at hand assoon as the dedication is dispatched I will make all hast after you Thus writes S. Beda and a little after he addes The day following one who had fled out of the battell arrived who plainly enough declared the secret predictions of the man of God and by computation it was found that the same moment the King was killed in which it had been revealed to the Holy Bishop whilst he stood by the forementioned fountain 4. Thus unhappily dyed this famous King Egfrid and has left to posterity an argument of much dispute whether he be to be numbred among good or evill Kings William of Malmsbury after a curious debate and examination of his particular acts abstains notwithstanding from a resolute Sentence whom we will imitate Certain it is that he had a great zeale in defending and propagating the Catholick Faith that he was wonderfully munificent towards Churches and Monasteries that he bore great reverence to holy men as to S. Cuthbert c. But on the other side what excuse can we find for his obstinat and irreconcileable hatred to S. Wilfrid or his cruelty against the innocent Irish c. We will therefore leave him to the Iudgement of Him who cannot iudge unjustly 5. Some Writers affirme that he was slain by Bride or Birde his cousin germain King of the Picts However certain it is that by his death the Kingdom of the Northumbers suffred an irreparable losse for by the testimony of Saint Beda from that time the hopes and strength of the English began to decay for both the Picts recovered all their lands of which the English had been possessed and the Scotts likewise living in Brittany and some part of the Brittains regained their liberty which they enioy to this time forty six years after that battell By which last clause and computation it appears that S Beda wrote his History in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty and one 6. The Picts puffed up with Victory drove all the English out of their countrey and among others their worthy Bishop Trumwin who as hath been said betook himself to Streneshalâ— the Monastery of Saint Elfleda where he lived a great comfort and assistant to her in the government of her Monastery XVIII CHAP. 1.2 To Lothere King of Kent succeeds Edric 3.4 5. Kentuin King of the West-Saxons dying Cedwalla succeeds him 6 Cadwaâ—lader last King of the Brittains 1. THIS year was fatall to severall of our Saxon Kings in Brittany for besides Egfria King of the Northumbers slain by the Picts Lothere King of Kent was also slain by his Nephew Edric This Lothere was brother to the former King Egbert after whom he seised upon the Kingdom to the prejudice of his Nephews as hath been declared of which he kept the possession twelve years though with much trouble and danger For Edric the elder of his Nephews and lawfull heir of the Crown after he was come to years sought to gain his right by force insomuch as many battells were fought between them with various successe At last Edric assisted with an army of the South-Saxons fought with his Vsurping Vncle in which battell Lothere was sore wounded of which wounds he shortly after dyed He is said to have left behind him a son named Richard eminent for sanctity of whom we shall treat hereafter 2. Concerning these two Brothers Egbert and Lothere successively Kings of Kent our ancient Ecclesiasticall Writers doe observe saith William of Malmsbury that for their cruelty they both came to an untimely end in as much as Egbert slew or at least connived at the murder of his uncles children Ethelred and Etheâ—â—bert who were Canonized Martyrs and Lotherâ— derided the honour done to their memory Truâ— it is Egbert afterward bewayld the fact anâ— in testimony of his sorrow gave part of the Isle of Thanet to their Mother for the endowment of a Monastery 3. Besides these this year also dyed Kentwin King of the West-Saxons after a raign of nine years His memory is celebrated for his great victories against the Brittainâ— whom he invaded with great forces and without much difficulty drove them to the Sea wasting their countrey and inhabitants with fire and sword 4. His piety and munificence to the famous and ancient Monastery of Glastonbury is recorded in the Antiquities of the same where we read that Kentwin granted to the said Monastery a liberty from all service six hides of land and a priviledge that the Monks of the same place might have the power of electing and constituting to themselves an Abbot according to the Rule of S. Benedict He gave moreover near the wood called Cantodun the Mannour of West-munkaton three and twenty hides and in Caric twenty hides of land for a supplement of Regular Observance in the same Monastery And when he had raigned nine years he departed to our Lord. His Body reposes in the Church-yard under a Pyramid of an ancient and noble structure Some Writers are of opinion that before his death he layd aside his Crown in the said Monastery spending his last dayes as his Successours did in solitude and devotion 5. To Kentwin succeeded Cedwalla in the Kingdom of the West-Saxons to Lothere Edric in Kent and to Egfrid Alfrid among the Northumbers according to the Prophecy of S. Cuthbert to his Sister the Holy Abbesse and Virgin Saint Elfleda Of which severall Princes more hereafter 6 To this same year likewise is consigned the beginning of the raign of Cadwallader Son of Cadwallon and last King of the Brâ—ttains in Wales For after his death hapning twelve years from this time the Brittains lost all shew of Monarchy THE NINETEENTH BOOK OF THE CHVRCH-HISTORY OF BRITTANY I. CHAPTER 1.2 Of Boysil the Holy Priour of Mailros 3.4 c. The Gests and vertues of S. Cuthbert before he was Bishop 1. THE same year that the foresaid Kings dyed the famous and glorious S. Cuthbert having the year before with great repugnance been drawn out of his beloved Solitude was consecrated Bishop of Lindesfarn The admirable way by which Almighty God drew him from keeping sheep to a spirituall life of contemplation by representing to him in a Vision the assumption into heaven of S. Aidaeus soule Bishop of Lindesfarn and how thereupon he betook himself to the Monastery of Mailrâ—s seated beyond the River of Tweed in the Province