Wernher Boy

ON ST. WERNHER BOY

SLAIN AT WESEL BY THE JEWS, DEPOSITED AT BACHARACH, ON THE RHINE IN THE DIOCESE OF TRIER,

IN THE YEAR 1287

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BY D. P.

Immense in all ages has been the hatred of the Jews against Christ and Christians, who daily curse them, and atrociously persecute them, secretly carry off their boys and cruelly slaughter them; Many boys slain by the Jews, especially in those days, in which either they themselves keep their Pasch, or the Catholic Church is accustomed piously to venerate the passion and death of Christ the Savior. Thus Saint Simon the boy at Trent, and Saint Johannettus the boy in the Cologne diocese, impiously slain by the Jews, are set forth in this our work on March 24; likewise Saint William the boy, at Norwich in England; and Saint Richard, at Paris slain by the same Jews, are related on March 25: where also we treat of other boys slain by similar rage of the perfidious people. In the same manner slain by those most cruel ones Rudolph the boy, and Saint Wernher at Wesel in the diocese of Trier. is venerated on April 17; and Saint Wernher the boy, of whom we here treat, was slaughtered at Wesel, a town of the Trier diocese, situated on the left bank of the Rhine, between Bacharach (where the body of the slain was deposited) and the town of Saint Goar, in the old Itineraries written Vosavia, by the inhabitants called Wesel, by the other Germans Ober-Wesel, which sounds upper Wesel, so that from the other Wesel, in the Duchy of Cleves, situated on the right or German bank of the same Rhine, near the confluence of the river Lippe or Lupia, it may be distinguished.

[2] The Acts of the martyrdom, written not long after his death, are extant, but in contracted form, in the old Legend of the Saints, printed at Cologne and Louvain in the year 1483 and 1485. are given from MS. the old Acts of martyrdom The same afterwards by Laurentius Surius from a MS. codex were described, and published with changed wording on this April 19. We give them whole in the primitive style, from an ancient codex written on parchment, once of the College of Paderborn of the Society of Jesus, now by exchange of other books made of our Professed House of Antwerp, and in it of our Museum, in which we prepare the lives of Saints for the press. and an Epitome: Inserted also are found, and almost word for word, in the Lessons of the new History or Office: from which we shall give a supplement to the old life in the Notes.

[3] then from the Process for canonization Moreover nothing has helped us more to illustrate the glory of the holy boy, than the distinguished parchment Codex of our Trier College, most faithfully transcribed under the faith of seven Notaries in the year 1429, by the effort of Winand Pastor of Bacharach, most zealously working to promote the cult of Blessed Wernher and to obtain his solemn canonization: the fulfilling of whose vow the more recent Legend would persuade, written at Besançon after the year 1548 (where it is said that Wernher, or as it is there written Vernerius, was enrolled by Martin V Supreme Pontiff in the catalogue of the Blessed) if even the least foundation of such assertion appeared in any older author. But then that ought to have been done in the last year of Martin, which was after the death of the Saint, not the 120th year, as that Legend says, but the 144th. We shall give from it the history of the finger carried to Besançon, on whose occasion he was there taken as Patron of the Vinedressers, is given, before the last finding a Sodality under his name being erected: and wishing to gratify this, Fr. Eusebius the Capuchin rendered the aforesaid Legend into French, and published it in the year 1621. But before we treat of the carrying away of the relics to foreign parts, we shall bring to light many illustrious documents, received from the said Trier codex: but we shall conclude the whole matter with the narration of the finding again of the body in the year 1621, while the Hero of immortal memory among the Belgians, Ambrosius Spinola, was carrying around the arms of the Catholic King through the Palatinate of the Rhine. The title of the Ms. made the author of that narration Fr. Thomas Sailly of the Society of Jesus, the Superior of ours then ministering in the camps. Certainly by him and his companion, a synopsis of the older, the matter being done so was also the subscribed account.

[4] Further, the Trier Codex, of which I have spoken, is nothing other than a Process, juridically formed, by the authority of the Apostolic Legate, Jordan Cardinal Orsini; in the year 1428, of the aforesaid Pope Martin in the 11th year; in which verbatim are inserted all the monuments of Saint Wernher, down to that year from the time of his very passion, consigned by public or private letters; from which in this place after the History of his passion and its Epitome now indicated, we shall give first a Synopsis of ninety miracles, performed within the first two months from the martyrdom: and a history of the more recent miracles, then the Narration of the body detected in the year 1426, and placed in a new casket: which most solemn action was followed by several evident miracles, attested by eleven public Instruments: which instruments we give almost whole, and we call the History of more recent miracles. And at last gathering together the beginning and end of the Process, interrupted by the production both of those things which I have already mentioned, and of other documents which are omitted for brevity's sake and are only indicated in the Notes; we come to the examination of two hundred and eleven Witnesses, with the depositions of 211 witnesses which by most prolix development fills nearly half of the codex. We however, as we have done in Saint Francis of Paola and others, have arranged their depositions in such order, that nothing may be hidden relating to the history, and tedium be avoided, which would come to the reader from a rude and undigested mass; nor however should anything of necessary authority be lacking, since all things are set forth in the very words of the Witnesses, with the name, condition, age and reason of knowledge of each added. Testimonies of the Annals about his passion and miracles,

[5] These things being so set forth, what is the point of seeking the testimony of the matter from the writers of Annals? We shall however give from the Ms. acts of Bohemund Archbishop of Trier an illustrious compendium of that Passion: about which also treat Henry Stero, an Altaich monk in Bavaria, in his Annals edited by Marquard Freher in vol. 1 of German writers, then living when the matter was done; and Siffrid Presbyter, contemporary of Stero, bk. 2 of his Epitome among the writers edited by John Pistorius; and Trithemius in the Hirsau Chronicle. Most accurate among them is Siffrid in the year 1287, In this year, he says, the happy youth Wernher was tortured by the Jews, and slain on Good Friday, on the shore of the river Rhine, in the city of Wesel, and buried in the town of Bacharach: whose sanctity miracles there attest. Trithemius in the same year, in the fifth year of Abbot Craffto, The Jews secretly seizing a certain Christian boy, originating from the village of Womraid, carry him with themselves to the town of Wesel on the Rhine, and piercing him with needles and knives for the receiving of his blood, on the 13th day before the Kalends of May, after long martyrdom cruelly slay him. He erred however in that he believed him to have been secretly seized and brought to Wesel, who of his own accord came thither and had hired out his work to the Jews for wages: the rest more truly, when he says: whose little body buried in the town of Bacharach up to the present day, that is, to the year about 1500, is shown in a certain chapel incorrupt, and is venerated by the inhabitants of the place as a Martyr, and is said to have shone with many signs. Stero expressed the same fame of miracles for his time in almost similar words, but erred when he ascribed Pacherat to the diocese of Würzburg; and more so when he marked the year 1288.

[6] slain in the year 1287, For the year of the martyrdom most certain, and not to be called into doubt, is 1287, in which Easter was celebrated on the 6th day of April: and consequently (which is much to be noted) the feast of the Ascension fell on May 15, and the feast of Pentecost on May 25 of the same: which days and very many others, with their Sundays and Ferias, are most accurately marked in the Synopsis of the miracles, which were soon after his death performed, beginning from the Vigil of the Apostles Philip and James that is from the last day of April, when we believe the body with solemn pomp near Bacharach in the church of Saint Cunibert was deposited. But to one reading the History of the Passion it appears, that between the day of the slaying and the day of the aforesaid deposition not many days flowed; so that we cannot doubt, that what is said at the end of the same History, April 19; and (as all other writers, both coeval and later, whether in their Annals or in the Fasti of the Saints have noted) Saint Wernher suffered on the 13th day before the Kalends of May. But the difficulty is how this consists with what is said in the same Acts, that the same Saint Wernher, when in the Supper of the Lord he had received the body of Christ, was captured by the Jews; and that thence deduced as consequent, after 140 years, Winand Pastor of Bacharach inserted into the new history or Office composed by him, that Werner died on the very day of Christ's death or burial. Miraeus, otherwise an accurate writer, perceiving no difficulty here, wrote in the Belgian and Burgundian Fasti, that the Jews in the year 1287 on Good Friday, which was then April 19, at Upper Wesel tore with pincers and knife the youth Werner. But the difficulty is in this, that in the said year Easter had been celebrated by Christians on the 6th day of April, and thus the Supper of the Lord on the 3rd of the same month. [since he had been in the hands of the Jews almost from the beginning of the month,]

[7] I observe therefore that the Jewish Pasch, which in the said year 1286 had been celebrated on March 25, the 3rd Feria, according to the resolution of the Rabbis of Amsterdam consulted on this matter, had been past when into their bloody hands came innocent Wernher; and so they had no cause why they should not defer the intended slaying to some other time convenient to themselves. But that they deferred it at least for fourteen days, the Scultetus advised by the report of a maidservant, and approaching the house in which Wernher was detained, makes it credible to me: who although soothed by money he left the youth in the hands of his tormentors, vainly imploring that at his command he be released: yet I do not believe he would have done this, if supervening upon the cruel butchery he had caught the Jews in so monstrous a crime, from whom he could have extorted whatever sum of money he wished, on account of the manifestly designed though not consummated crime; and could have bound Werner himself by the fear of a graver evil to be silent about the injury inflicted on him. Nor would this be a great error, if the beginning and end of the passion they have joined who knew the series of the deed, not from the confession itself of the Jews, but from scarcely distinguished indications: but this I think to have been the series of it. First, they tried to extort the same from Wernher returning from having received Communion (which whether he did on the very day of the Supper of the Lord or on another within the Paschal time, I think from a relation so little accurate cannot be sufficiently established) by hanging him by the head for some while: but when this did not succeed, the youth was kept for other counsels to be taken afterwards: which when they had come to the knowledge of a Christian maidservant, justly fearing lest worse things would follow the first, she went to the Scultetus and informed him how in the household a certain Christian had been kept

and was even now being held, probably to be slain: awaiting the safety of carrying out the crime. but the Jews have forestalled the entry of the Scultetus to themselves, by lying about some other cause of detention, and so bringing it about that he himself, not fair enough, heard the defense of the foreign and poor youth, refuting the pretended reasons; and to his adversaries, excusing the danger of tumults if he were publicly taken out by the Scultetus, and promising to take him out secretly, gave consent, no further solicitous. But then the Jews waited some days, if perchance meanwhile he should be sought by relatives or acquaintances: and when they saw nothing moved by anyone, and believed it safe to dare anything, they met again to torture him on April 17, and on that and the following sixth feria held him in torments, under which at last he breathed out his blessed spirit on the 19th. And then indeed they did nothing about the cadaver, lest they should violate their own sacrosanct Sabbath, but on the following Sunday carried it out and hid it among brambles; where indicated to the neighbors by prodigious lights of several nights, and at Bacharach exposed in the prefect's hall, until it was deposited in the chapel of Saint Cunibert: for all which those ten days suffice, which remained until the end of the month, whence is taken the beginning of the miracles to be narrated.

[8] And let these things be said sufficiently about the year and day of the martyrdom: as for the aforementioned Process, from which we digressed, the whole of it looks chiefly to this, The Image painted as of a Saint among the Saints. that it may be most evidently proved that the cult of Saint Wernher, as of a certain and undoubted Martyr, was perpetual and most celebrated: and therefore among other arguments of such cult, it is appended by the Notaries concluding the Process, that his image is seen painted in the churches with palm, crown, and diadem, as symbols of sanctity, virginity and martyrdom, and indeed among other Saints. Therefore also on the front of the Trier Codex is seen a not inelegant painting, where between Saints Andrew the Apostle and Cunibert the Archbishop Saint Wernher stands in the middle, in a red penula, bound with a precious girdle, crowned with a wreath set with gems, and his head surrounded with a circle common to all Saints; in his right hand bearing a palm and a little knife, the instrument of his slaying; with his left leaning upon a wooden trough, of oval figure, as the instrument of seeking his livelihood (for he is related to have been led under the pretext of removing earth to the Jewish underground chamber), and on the same he places a pruning-iron, fixed on a longer handle, which is seen leaning against the said little trough; such as also brought into his tomb, was afterwards found with the body itself. Likewise in the middle of the codex, where the Office of the Mass composed for Saint Wernher is set forth with musical notation, with the Introit of one Martyr in Paschal time, "Thou hast protected me, O God," on the head of the palmar letter P, from which that Mass begins, he himself in the same scheme sits, resting his right with the little knife and palm upon his knee, holding with his left that pruning-knife of his, with the iron erected upward, broad enough and triangular; and the little trough lies on the right side, upon a flowery meadow, surrounded by rough rocks, as if the painter had wished to express some bank of the Rhine.

HISTORY OF THE PASSION

From the Ms. of the Antwerp Society of Jesus.

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BHL Number: 8860

FROM MSS.

PROLOGUE I.

[1] He is called Wernherus, according to what sounds in Teutonic a, The etymology and mystical reason of the name: Driver-away or b Forewarned, because he drove three enemies from himself, and by his life teaches them to be driven away, namely the vanity of the world, the envy of the devil, and the desires of the flesh. First he drove from himself the vanity of the world, by virtuous simplicity, and by the operation of his hands; second the suggestions of the devil, by innocence of life, third the desires of the flesh, by virginal purity: or because he drove from himself infidelity, by integrity of faith and true confession of the Christian religion; the ambitious vanity of this world, by contempt of self and bitter passion; carnal delights, by the integrity of virginal continence.

[2] A triple prerogative, And on account of these three he merited a triple prerogative, namely of Martyrs, Virgins, and Confessors. The first he merited by the most bitter palm of martyrdom, Of Martyrdom, not indeed suddenly like many Martyrs, because for three days the pious and Catholic boy continued his martyrdom, a martyrdom indeed new, stupendous, and singular. For first that illustrious Martyr suffered in the place of Christ: because while the Jews could not have the true body of Christ itself, they burst out against the mystical body itself. Secondly in him Christ suffered: for the Jews seeing that they could not extort the true body of Christ from him, yet afflicted that venerable Sacrament, to which they intended to inflict injury, with the insults of tortures in that boy. Thirdly in Christ he suffered, because through that venerable Sacrament was that blessed boy incorporated into Christ, abiding in Christ, and Christ with him. Fourthly the Martyr of Christ suffered with Christ, because at the same time, and on the same day, in which that mystery is observed by the Church c; or because really by his passion the servant followed his Lord. Fifthly for Christ, because since the perfidious cannot persecute Christ reigning in the heavens, they persecute for him the Christian his worshipper. Sixthly for Christ, because as Christ suffered, that a Christian might be made and saved, so the Christian suffers for Christ, that the Christian faith may be exalted, and God glorified. Blessed therefore is he who suffers persecution for Christ. You have the cause of the passion. Let even now the unwise and foolish tongue be silent, to which the works of God have no savor, deprived of the most sweet savor of wisdom, of virginity, and bereft of the most serene light of faith. But the second he merited by virginal purity. The third prerogative he merited by the true confession of the faith and of the Christian religion, both because he bowed down to the Judge coming with a voice of exultation, as if he said; of confession. Love justice, you that judge the earth. Wisdom 1, 1 Which when the impious and iniquitous Judge dissembled, he declared both to the Judge and to the Jews the mercy of God, that he might soften them, that they might be converted, saying: If you will not help me, may the merciful God and his beloved Mother help me. In which however he especially struck the perfidy of the Jews, while he made known to them the glorious Virgin Mother of God beloved, and this wonderfully with a voice of exultation. Who is of so hard heart, who hears these things, and perceives them in his heart, is not pricked in heart, does not burn in spirit with compunction, nor compassionates so innocent and pious a boy? His body indeed was being most bitterly tormented, and his spirit exulted in the Lord. This is the true patience of the Saints, to rejoice in tribulation; to be kind to their persecutors, and to pray for them, after the example of the Lord, who said: Father forgive them, for they know not what they do.

ANNOTATIONS.

any appearance of a passive participle. It was the style of that time,

that the writers should begin the Legends of Saints from the etymology of the name, looking in it

not so much to the true origin (which mostly they could not be ignorant

was very different) but some allusion or similarity

to fitting words for setting up the laudation which they had preconceived in mind, as here appears to have been done.

c What follows

is lacking in the Legend printed at Cologne: nor indeed is this whole

Prologue of great importance: which appears to be of another author altogether, and afterwards

added, the matter taken from the following and genuine Prologue of the first author:

which however was omitted by Surius and in the old Legend.

PROLOGUE II.

[3] Treating of the natal day of Wernher the holy boy, who suffered in the place of Christ, The Acts of SS are usefully recalled: dearest ones, although the blessed life of the Saints remains flowery with an unfading crown eternally with God omnipotent, and the book of blessed life retains their names, inscribed, most pleasantly excluded from any oblivion, yet we consider nothing to oppose the Christian religion, if we revolve their merits more frequently in mind, and commemorate their deeds for us, and make known by writings to posterity, by whose help and prayers we hope to be enrolled in heavenly places. For in his Saints glorious God Jesus Christ, and in his majesty wonderful (whose ineffable height of providence, enclosed by no limits, not comprehended by any bounds: who by the censure of right judgment disposes heavenly and earthly things equally) even if he magnifies all his ministers, adorns them with highest honors, and makes them most blessed possessors of heavenly beatitude; yet those, that he may render worthy things to the worthy, he raises with more powerful and higher marks of dignities, and follows with more ample retribution of rewards, whom he knows to be more worthy, and whom the greater excellence of merits commends. Thence for our salvation it arises, that the very things about the life and natal day of the most blessed boy Wernher, which we have learned, read through, and diligently handled by the most certain relation of the elders, and by his Legend, and especially of this Martyr, and also Office, as if tripartite, composed with words and most sweet melody redolent in past time, we ought not slothfully to pass over. For it is just and fitting, to commend with pious remembrances of Christian believers him, in whom Christ, and with whom Christ, and for whom Christ suffered; and by whose patience we are exemplarily instructed for eternal life.

NARRATION.

[4] Chosen therefore by Christ Wernher Martyr and Virgin, about fourteen years old, from the village of a Wammenrait, within a day's journey from b Bacharach, where he rests, he was a native, of simple rustic stock, but most noble in the cult of Christ, by religion a Christian, and faithful to Christ; Saint Wernher a rustic boy, a simple, humble, pious and timorous boy, and adorned with virginal purity, and nourishing himself by rustic labors: who as far as his strength permitted, sought his bread in labor and sweat, from this and as much as he could to the poor piously gave out. And so this boy is read to be happy, as c it is set forth, to have been simple and timorous, and to have had a death consonant with these for him; fleeing his stepfather but both persecuting his stepfather. Whence the pious boy, declining the persecution of his stepfather, and wandering on dry land, is said to have labored strongly by hunger and thirst, and after receiving charitable bread from e shepherds, elicits a fountain with his staff: also strongly thirsting, by the fixing of his staff in the ground, for the quenching of thirst, to have ministered the benefit of a most plentiful fountain in the name of Christ, both to himself and to those so ardently thirsting.

[5] After this coming to the imperial town of Trier's Wesel, At Wesel he hires himself out to the Jews, he sought in it the labor which he was seeking,

he found. Him therefore the perfidious Jews, dwelling in the same town, craftily lead to labor; to which he renders himself ready: and so for carrying earth the boy they led into a deep dungeon. But the Paschal solemnity being at hand, his hostess, with whom he was lodging, said to the boy: Certainly, Wernher, beware of the perfidious Jews: because the day of the Passion is at hand. Without doubt they will eat you. The boy answered in the dove-like simplicity of perfection a little word, and expressive of true hope in Christ; This, he said, I commit to God. Therefore when the most sacred day of the Lord's Supper came, the boy truly Catholic and devoted to Christ, sacramental Confession having first been made, was most devoutly communicated by his Priest with the Body of Christ. And on the same day by the perfidious Jews craftily he was lured f into their house to do some work. And thus on the day of the Passion, on which every Christian, compassionating the bitter death of Christ, humbles himself; this boy the perfidious Jews sought for themselves as fit for their crime. [tortured in vain that he might restore through the mouth the Eucharist received that day,] Whence without delay they show their fury. For first taking hold of the boy, they blocked his voice, by a leaden ball pressed into his mouth, lest he should cry out. Then they bound or suspended him to a wooden g statue, prepared for this, by the feet upward and head downward, that they might have the true body of Christ, which the blessed boy had received on the same day.

[6] But their effort being frustrated, they gave themselves entirely to martyring the mystical body itself, and to taking away his life and blood; and thus with scourges they inflicted various and deep wounds on his body. Taking a knife also, he is emptied of blood: which up to this day is kept with him, they cut his veins through every part of the body; and also with pincers, for a most bitter pain also, they pressed out the blood from the veins in the feet, hands, neck and head, so that there appeared no soundness in him. Thus the perfidious Jews kept that holy boy hanging for three days on that wooden statue until h he ceased to bleed, often turning the body, now the head upward, now downward.

[7] In this house the Jews had a Christian maidservant, who secretly saw this martyrdom; who touched with inward grief of heart, summoned the Judge, i the Scultetus of the people of Wesel at that time, and led him to the place of the contest, He invokes God and the Mother of God: not without great stupefaction of the Jews. They however with gifts and a salary, very much softened the Judge, that he might turn aside his sense, and decline his eyes from seeing heaven, nor remember just judgments. And when the boy had beheld the Judge, with a voice of exultation he bowed down for his temporal deliverance. But the Judge, having taken the reward of iniquity from the Jews, denied help to the boy placed in torments. Then that blessed boy answered him denying: If you will not help me, may the merciful God, and his beloved Mother, help me.

[8] the body, which could not be carried farther away, And so with the holy boy abandoned by the Scultetus, and slain by the Jews, soon when the day had departed, and blind night had brought itself on, they took the body of the holy Martyr, reddened with his blood: and ascending the walls secretly, that the deed might be revealed to no one, they hastened into the water, and entered the prepared ships, to go to Mainz. But God, to whom all things are open, destroyed the counsel of their craftiness, since they themselves with all their strength, in this length of night, could not convey this treasure beyond one k mile. When the sun rose their false heart greatly trembled, and great care surrounded them all, how they should hide that illustrious Martyr. For they could find no art, it is cast among brambles: how to submerge that body in the waters: but in a valley near Bacharach a little small crypt appeared, hedged with thorns and brambles, where now the cloister of Saint Wilhelm l Order, called Wyndesbach, is situated; there they cast the body of the holy Martyr, and soon departed from there.

[9] illumined by heavenly light, But the Son of God would not long have this hidden, immediately showing his miracles. For to all the watchmen round about the camps, a brightness of lights shone at the time of the nights; which they, not without the stupefaction of admiration, declared. Hence the body soon found, and still reddened with its own blood, and the bread of heaven giving forth odor: it is found, is carried thence, by the custom m of the slain, to the judicial hall of the town of Bacharach: and the order of the truth of the thing being discovered, and all marveling at the odor of wonderful sweetness exhaling from his body, and at the brightness which by night declared his blessedness, with most devout affection and worthy, it was carried to the chapel of Saint Cunibert n, situated on the hill of the mountain near the parish, it is buried honorably, as a Martyr's. and there he was buried in the earth, wrapped in his own blood, having on his head a golden wreath or fillet, as a sign of his virginity, beneath a silken cushion filled with violets; and on his head a veil of silk doubled, in sign of his innocence and sanctity; and also beneath him the pruning-knife, the instrument of his former labor.

[10] He was also, in the manner of the Saints, above ground for the palm, in a most solid oak tomb, with a very small cedar box, venerably enclosed, and bolted with very strong bolts. From then when he is deposited in this place with glorious ceremonies, and immediately there flow different multitudes of peoples of both sexes, The manner of the slaying is narrated by an eyewitness, for the stupendous spectacle of so new a matter. For whose sake also the maidservant of the Jews, a woman of the Christian religion, who had seen the things which are written about this holy boy, and with compassion heard; opens the manner in order, and the series of the deed, according to the sentence of truth, Nothing hidden that shall not be revealed, nor covered that shall not be known. Luke 12, 2 And she said that the boy had hung three days, and with a ball of lead thrown into his mouth had been deprived of the sound of crying out, hung on a rack, in the manner we have said, scourged, cut, with his blood gathered in a certain urn, with the highest patience, and the blessing of God, had returned his spirit to God: that she herself also at the beginning of the torments had run to the Scultetus of the town, and had intimated to him that spectacle so miserable, and had led him to the presence of so lamentable a vision.

[11] These things having been done, soon o great and stupendous miracles happen; the blind see, the deaf hear, the lame walk, miracles follow. the mute speak, the withered, paralytic, one-eyed, and any deficient and unwell are cured. What more? The dead rise again, and up to the present the clemency of God works manifold miracles for Christians through his Martyr. And the holy boy Wernher suffered in the year of the Lord 1287, on the 13th day before the Kalends of May. p

ANNOTATIONS.

on the very day of the Lord's Supper, Confession having first been made and the Body of the Lord most devoutly received,

in this order for Christ by martyrdom he was crowned, at

the upper Wesel town: and soon (all the things which are here set down being omitted)

it comes to exaggerating the crime of the Jews more emphatically: which here

is narrated in a simpler style.

e Eusebius

the Capuchin, in the French Life published at Besançon, for shepherds names vinedressers:

who in the Latin, which he followed, are generically called farmers.

custom obtains even today; except that the bodies are left in the place where

found, until they are inspected by the magistrate: by whose authority, then, if

they remain long unknown, they are transferred to the curia, to be seen by the people,

until they become known who and whence they are.

These

things being thus set forth, add for a closure the sixth Lesson from the new history,

of the chapel most beautifully built for the Saint, which to the old narration, after

these words "the dead rise again," is thus subjoined: Saint Wernher shines with miracles: as from the writings around the tomb itself of the Saint, and his chest, is clear; by antiquity

exceeding all the memory of the living. Whence the things just recited, by the force

of legitimate prescription, even of a hundred years, with good faith, having no small

authority, are without doubt to be believed: especially in these our new

times, the greatest and stupendous miracles furnishing suffrage.

At the sight of these things the not torpid people of the faithful offers to the Lord's

tabernacle and everyone willing in the law, the gold and

silver that they have.

Hence the odor of good fame, long and wide penetrating kingdoms, Hungarians,

Slavs, and the other nations of diverse languages, remotely and

distantly placed, although foreigners, leads to the services of so serene a Martyr.

Without delay: in the proper endowment of the Pastoral Church of Bacharach, on

the little hill of the chapel of Saint Cunibert, all things and each necessity being fitted out,

with due foundations upon solid ground there is begun, after the manner

of three round solia, an ingenious and very costly and

most beautiful Basilica; not without the most just providence of God, a basilica begun to be constructed.

up to our present time, not yet finished; but as if to the vault in two choirs most subtly

erected; where that holy body, as if incorrupt, visibly rests; as may well fit,

"Thou hast turned my mourning

into joy for me, thou hast cut my sackcloth, and hast compassed me with

gladness; because my flesh resting in hope, my portion is in the land of

the living." Ps. 29, 12 The causes

unknown to us, why so wonderful a work of our Martyr's church up to

us has not been finished in work, the infallible depth of riches

of the wisdom of God (which foreknew from eternity all and each of the causes of things) could not be ignorant of. But the cause can also be known to us: it is interrupted, because

there was a certain Archbishop, to whom at that time that territory was subject by way of pledge: who when he saw the flowing together of men, like torrents of waters, gathering with gifts; miserably seduced by the eye of cupidity, the treasure brought into Christ's treasury, in the manner of Nebuchadnezzar despoiling the uncompleted temple, this treasure of Christ by force he received, and carried away into the treasures of his god. Hence ample alms and

an open hand could be closed up, lest flowing equally with him who retained it, it be frustrated of due

end. Could also the daily diminution of miracles, and the indignation of the people against the Archbishop have furnished no small fuel. Yet another more probable cause seems to be. Perhaps God, not at that time, but in our time decreed that the work begun should be completed, that through new miracles surpassing the old, he might show his Martyr more radiant; that later it might be more augustly dedicated, and that not for that one alone, but for himself Triune and One, his most sweet Mother, both Johns, and all the elect, and for him, he willed and wills that noble Basilica to be completed and consecrated; not by any whomsoever, but, in the order of the Temple of Solomon, by only those to whom the Omnipotent himself by mellifluous grace has granted this: whence around the epitaph and mausoleum of the holy Martyr it is thus written,

A Trefoil, bearing the species of the image of the nurturing Trinity

This temple, is dedicated to the Lord Three and One, as is read around the epitaph.

And to thee Christ-bearer, to Christ, to either John,

With the citizens above, that panton (that is, from all evils) he may spare us may he wish.

This shall do the Prince, (namely Christ) to whom a sword double-edged is borne, that is, carried,

And of whom doubt thou not at all but that reigns without end in deed.

May he grant it to us, rescued from the general mass of damnation, by the fruit of the most blessed Virgin Mary ever virgin, eternally blessed above all. Amen. Thus far the sixth Lesson of the new office; at whose end we have interpolated the verses inserted about the dedication of the trefoil, or three-choired temple (the Greeks would say trikogchion); the verses, I say, badly turned, that they might more easily be understood, with proper words added. The Besançon Legend, treating of the begun building of the same temple, adds these words: whose altar, which is nearest to the shrine of the Martyr, Bishop Hermann, who then was bestowing the Suffrage of the Pontificate, substituted to the Archbishop of Trier by Apostolic authority, consecrated according to the custom of the Church, and dedicated it to the honor of the first Patrons.

EPITOME.

From the Ms. Acts of Bohemund Archbishop of Trier.

[11] a In the year of the Lord 1287, while Lord b Bohemund was still in the Roman Curia, a certain Christian and beggar boy, Of Blessed Wernher slain by the Jews. named Wernher, while at Wesel, a village of the Trier diocese, he was carrying out earth in a basket from the cellar of a certain Jew; at a certain hour, while a convenient opportunity presented itself, having entered into council, the perfidious Jews, enemies of the Christian name, rushed upon him. Who afflicting the innocent boy with various blows, were tearing him limb from limb, and at length slew him with a cruel death, and hid the body lifeless and bloodless farther from the village in thickets and brambles. the body is found: But God preserving the body of his Martyr intact from beasts and birds; it was found by a certain peasant, who was plowing the earth near there.

[12] And neighbors being summoned to this spectacle, a murmur arose among the people, that the impious Jews had perpetrated this crime. a slaughter of them occurs: As also a certain Christian maidservant serving the Jews testified; who asserted that she had seen it through a crack in the wall. For which cause the men of that land, placed far or near, filled with fury, miserably burned against the wretched Jews, strangling some, burning others with their wives and little ones, submerging others, and slaying very many with the sword. he is honored with a chapel and miracles. Only those who could take refuge in the camps and fortifications of Nobles were safe from this pestilence. c And the venerable body of the Martyr was translated to Bacharach, and immediately there in honor of God and his Martyr a chapel is built with costly work: whose precious death in his sight the Lord is piously believed to have declared by many miracles. To whose tomb, in hope of pardon, crowds of pilgrims from near and distant regions run in throngs. Verses on his death.

In the year one thousand, twice hundred, and eighty

and seven, with Christ born to us of the Virgin,

the boy Wernher was slain; afterwards seen. d

ANNOTATIONS.

a The Annals

of Trier Ms., our Heribert Rosweyde took care to transcribe from an old codex. Masenius in the Additions to Brower, makes their author

Ordolph the Secretary, who by command of Baldwin of Luxemburg, elected in 1307, gathered them. Alexander Wilthemius, calls it the Chronicle of Cono of Falkenstein (he was instituted in the year 1358),

in the letter cited in ch. 1 no. 32 of the preliminary Apology: but these perhaps respect the first part of the work alone,

for the whole collection seems to have various authors: of whom the first arranged the writing by

books and chapters down to Eberhard elected in the year 1047, or to Engelbert elected in the year 1078.

After him, without any notable distinction of writing, except that

the distinction of chapters is omitted, the same matter was continued most amply by

Henry, Procurator of the monastery of Saint Matthias of Trier: who, treating of

an appeal against Henry the Elect of Trier, made in the year 1262 for his Abbot Theodoric, thus speaks.

"When we were withdrawing from the place where the said appeal had been made, certain

satellites of the said Elect, Master John ... beat, and both him

and me the said Henry the Procurator, wished to take": who concluded this whole work with the death of the same Henry, occurring in the year 1286. There follow then out of order

Chapters, in which are contained all the things which the venerable Archbishop of Trier

John, in his times, the divine

clemency favoring, acquired for the Church of Trier. Out of order I say: for John sat from the year 1190 to the year 1213, yet these chapters, from their manner of proceeding, seem to be of the same Henry the Procurator. Afterwards begin the Deeds of the Lord Bohemund, Archbishop of Trier, elected

after the death of Henry; to these is prefaced an ample invective against rivals,

in the manner of a prologue; and the election and consecration of Bohemund being narrated,

there follows a long digression, in which the author undertakes in luminous style under

wondrous brevity to touch upon why the Holy Trier Church should obtain

primacy over the Gauls and Germans; and why in the deeds of the ancients,

Treves is called "second Rome," by whom it was founded, whence the nation

of the Treveri had its origin, and how it was washed from the filth of paganism

and received the seeds of life; finally, how many Pontiffs

the Trier Church have ruled, from the time of Saint Eucharius to the times of Lord Bohemund. [To the Codex of Trier affairs, continued up to the year 1286, were added the acts of Bohemund] The name of the author

has not yet been found: yet he it is, who into his own treatise inserted

the Epitome, for whose cause we have touched on these things. Bohemund was succeeded by Diethmar

of Nassau, from the year 1300 to the 7th year of the 14th century, Archbishop of Trier: of whose acts no one took care to write. There follow three books,

under a wonderful preface and a more wonderful syllabus of Chapters so

digested that the first words of each chapter, by their initial

letters, construct this name, BALDEWINUS DE LUZCELLINBURCH ARCHBISHOP OF TREVERI. Then another author and in another style undertook to describe the Deeds of Lord Cono; and the same, with a new preface, continuing the work, added the Deeds of Lord Wernher. After all these follows the History of the aforementioned Henry the Archbishop, in the manner of a Chronicle deducted from the year 1248 to 1288. And finally, in our copy, without any title are placed various diplomas, of Baldewin and Cono, with various supplement. beginning from the Privilege of Leo III, for

the Horreean monastery, which is feigned to have been obtained from Saint Modoald himself,

and so consequently other documents, omitted in the Annals first by the

transcriber, and successively to be added up to Chapter 38 of book 2,

in place of which is placed the Privilege of Pope Victor II, given in his 3rd year, which is of Christ 1056. Now whether Ordolph or Cono can be accounted the author of the first part, which I indicated at the beginning, let those see who assert it, alleging

words which are read in the said first part. Either or both may have gathered into

one volume whatever they found written about Trier affairs by

various. But neither can be called the author of the whole collection,

nor can it conveniently come under the name of Annals or Chronicle:

and therefore in the title I preferred to allege "Acts of Bohemund." These things I have drawn out more here for a fuller notice of that codex, because neither Brower in the

Proparasceve of the Annals, nor Masenius in the Additamenta took the trouble

to explain them.

having died on April 26, 1286, the opinions of the Canons disagreeing, three were

elected: of whom one, Sirckius, for the sake of peace withdrew his right; Egbert

and Bohemund conducted their case at Rome, but Egbert died at Rome, the Apostolic See even then being vacant, as the Life of Bohemund has it; doubtless after the death of Honorius III occurring on

April 3, 1287. But then with the Cardinals consenting that the Canons should enter upon new

suffrages, the same who before had adhered to Egbert elected Gerard

of Eppenstein; against Bohemund, whom others were striving to retain:

and both of them having elected rushing again to Rome, the cause and business being debated before Lord Pope Nicholas IV newly created, on one side and the other, the matter hung reserved to the judgment of the Lord Pope; who

at length considering the peril of the Trier church, from so long

and delivered the pallium to him on Low Sunday, although before to Gerard, whose similar case

had been agitated there, he had delivered the Church of Mainz on

the second Sunday of Lent. To which if you add, that Pope Nicholas (who is said to have carefully examined the case of both in the aforesaid Life of Bohemund)

was created only in 1288 on February 22, and the second Sunday of Lent

in that year, in which Easter was celebrated on March 28, fell on February

21; you will wonder that Brower in the things of Trier, and Serrarius in

the things of Mainz could so hallucinate, that they did not see that the confirmation of both

Archbishops was made in the year, not 1288, but 1289;

which also is confirmed from the Annals of the Dominicans of Colmar;

who ascribe the death of Henry of Mainz in 1288 on the 14th day before the Kalends of

April. These things moreover had to be noted, that it might be understood that we are speaking here of

the time of Bohemund's first journey to Rome; and that the scruple might be removed which about the year of the death inflicted on Wernher could arise to anyone from this

source.

Brother Alrad, Prior of the Strasbourg Brothers, related. In Alsace

it was said, that the Jews had complained to King Rudolph, that the Christians

had shamefully slain more than 40 Jews without cause. The Christians however

had complained of the Jews, that they had slain a servant and a Christian on Good

Friday in a cellar,

secretly and unknown to Christians. The Jews to King

Rudolph, that he might do them justice concerning those of Wesel and Boppard,

and free them from the peril of death, and to free their Rabbi, that is,

the supreme Master, to whom the school of the Jews had been committed and to whom

they seemed to render divine honors, whom the King had captured, from

the captivity of prison, promised twenty thousand marks. The King heard the

petition of the Jews, restored the captive Jew to liberty, condemned those

of Wesel and Boppard in two thousand marks, and freed them from the peril of death.

Moreover the King had the Lord Archbishop of Mainz solemnly preach, that the Christians

had inflicted the greatest injury on the Jews, and that the good Wernher, who was commonly said

to have been slain by the Jews, who was venerated as divine by certain simple

Christians, ought to be burned with fire, and the ash of his body

to be scattered in the wind, and dissipated to nothing. In this

preaching of the Lord Archbishop more than five hundred Jews sat in arms, that if anyone Christian should wish to say anything to the contrary, and in the year 1288 on account of a similar crime they are again afflicted, they themselves with their swords might slay him. Whether these things are held by sufficiently faithful relation, I do not judge: only I add, that although on God's part the vengeance against the perfidious and cruel people was just;

yet unjust was it on the part of the

mob, armed by no legitimate authority against the guilty as well as the innocent. Be that as it may, that protection, of whatever sort, did not avail to putting away, but to

confirming the malice of the Jews: wherefore again in the following year,

namely 1289, "A strong outcry of nearly all the Suevian nobles prevailed against the Jews … And because

they had recognized that the perfidious had impiously slaughtered the boy of a certain noble and powerful man, as if

in contempt of the Christian name; the Suevians rose up,

and choosing as prince and leader a certain nobleman called Ruisfleis,

and a very great army being gathered, fiercely invaded the Jews,

sparing none; with standards and warlike ensigns raised,

passing through various lands violently, breaking through cities, fortifications and

camps, in which they had known Jews to be powerfully; and

thus through various places they slew many thousands of Jews." So the author of the Deeds of Bohemund aforesaid, not long after the slaying of Saint Wernher narrated. at about the same time they also suffered persecution elsewhere: It would be long

to recount all the disasters which on account of such crimes that unhappy and

obstinate nation bore; and to touch only briefly the nearer to the times

of Saint Wernher, it is clear from the Hirsau Chronicle of Trithemius, that in the year

1282 the citizens of Mainz, a sedition having been made against the Jews, slew many,

and cast the rest out of the city despoiled of all goods, and soon

the Jews, in Munich a city of the diocese of Freising, had slain a certain

Christian boy for a similar cause: for which the people of the same

city, not awaiting judgment or sentence, all the Jews of that

city, fleeing into one house, they burned with fire placed beneath. Finally in

the year 1349 in nearly all the Northern provinces, with no distinction of sex or

age the same Jews were most inhumanly slaughtered, so that the Roman

Pontiff Clement VI himself had to take care by an issued constitution,

lest innocents be afflicted with injury, as from older writers Spondanus relates for that year in n. 1.

d The

common song of Saint Wernher's passion, which is found in the Mss. of the Koblenz Carthusian monastery

and of our Trier College, anciently rendered into Latin

by Winand Pastor of Bacharach, it did not seem good to give here, because

it was taken word for word from the first narration which we set forth; but what things

concerning the finding of the body and honor are more expressly had there, it is better

to read in the Process and in the Besançon Acts.

MIRACLES XC.

performed within two months from his death.

From a Tablet triple-fold hung at the tomb.

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BHL Number: 8862

[13] a In the year of the Lord 1287, In the year 1287 are healed on April 30, on the Vigil of the Apostles

Philip and James, namely on the day of b Blessed Quirinus Martyr

these miracles were done at Bacharach, through the mercy of God,

and through the merits of his Mother the Virgin Mary, and of all c his Saints. On the very vigil

received his sight. Likewise on the same day a certain merchant

of good life and good fame, contracted. contracted in the arm,

was cured. On the morrow of the Apostles Philip and James, which is d the sixth feria, May 2 three contracted. a scholar of Wesel, contracted

in the arm and foot, was restored to health. Likewise

on the same day, a boy of Tittelbach, contracted in the arm,

was restored to health. On that day, a certain woman of

Wesel, called Heydentrut, who for six years in the bed of sickness

lay contracted, was cured. On Saturday, namely

on the Finding of the Holy Cross, May 3 blind, a certain woman of

Erbach, for many years blind, received her sight. On that

day, Henry of Welmmeche contracted in the legs,

was cured. 4 contracted. On the same day, Stacia, widow of Lord Otto

of Schonenberg, contracted in the legs, was healed.

On that day a certain girl of Liebenshuysen, contracted

in the legs, was healed. On that day, a girl of Wesel,

contracted in the legs; May 4 blind, was cured. On the following Sunday,

on which is sung e Cantate Domino, a girl of lower

Heymbach, blind, was illumined. On the same day, someone

from Langhenscheit, 3 contracted. contracted in the legs, was cured.

On that day, someone from Wesel, contracted in the legs,

was healed. On the same day, a certain boy from Wilmechen,

contracted in the legs, was healed.

[14] May 5 7 contracted, On the following second feria, Henry of Germersheim;

contracted in the legs, was healed. On that day,

Theodric of Palentina, contracted in the legs, was healed.

On that day Henry of Comeda, contracted

in the legs, was cured. On that day, Elizabeth of Rudensheim,

contracted in the arm, was healed. On the same day, a woman

certain of Buly, contracted in the arm, was healed.

On that day, Gertrude of Bodenbach, contracted in the arm,

was healed. May 6 contracted, On the same day, John of Leythert, contracted

in the legs, was healed. On the following third feria, which is

the feast of John before the Latin Gate, Ysendrut of Seitehelt,

contracted in the arm, a blind woman, was healed. On that day, Elizabeth of

Mainz, blind, was illumined. On the same day, Rudewinus

of Werlen, submerged. submerged in the Rhine, and given up

for his life, from the deep escaped alive. On the following

fourth feria, May 7 3 contracted. Clementia of f Saint Goar, contracted

in the legs, was cured. On that day, Theodric of

Bickenbach, contracted in the legs, was cured. On the same

day, Methildis of Pingwea, contracted in the legs,

was healed. N… was contracted in the legs

and in the arms, May 8 contracted. who for many days lying

in the bed of sickness, was cured. On the fifth feria

before Servatius, May 9 a possessed woman contracted, Ermetrudis of Navray, contracted

in the legs, was healed. On that day, Aleydis of Kesteln,

possessed by demons, namely Flamma and Exkin, was freed.

deaf and mute, On the same day N… of Markenscheit,

contracted in the arm, was cured. On that day, John

of Mastereshusen, contracted. deaf and mute, was cured.

On that day, Gerhard of Badenachen, contracted in

the legs, May 10 a blind woman. was healed.

[15] On Saturday before the Sunday g Vocem jucunditatis,

Sophia of Confluence, wife of Conrad the

Rector, May 11 a contracted woman, blind, was illumined. On the Sunday on which

is sung Vocem jucunditatis, Elizabeth of Arwiler,

contracted in the arm, was healed. On that

day Conrad of Boppard, blind in one eye, a blind man, 3 contracted women,

was illumined. On the same day, Gertrude

of Buckenheim, contracted in the legs, was healed.

On that day, Patze of Confluence, contracted

in the arm, was cured. On the same day, Kunnegundis

of Buthen, contracted in the arm, was cured. a blind man.

On that day, Henry of Redershagen, blind in

one eye, was illumined. On the following second feria, May 12 4 contracted. On the following second feria,

Wernher of lower Ingelheim, contracted

in the legs, was healed. On that day, Hildegund

of Mainz, contracted in the leg, was healed.

On the same day, Beatrice of Boppard, contracted

in the legs, was cured. On that day, Alheidis

of Leychert, contracted in the arm, was cured.

On the following third feria, Gerlac of Titerbach, May 13 2 contracted.

contracted in the hand, was healed. On the same day,

Otto of Trier, contracted in the legs, was

healed. On the fourth feria, namely on the vigil of the Ascension,

Getza of Wilren, contracted in the leg,

was healed. On the same day, Demud of Spanheim,

contracted in the legs, was healed. On that day Henry

of Aspenheit, contracted in the legs, was

healed. On the same day, Aleydis of Wilrenbach,

contracted in the hands and in the legs, was cured.

On the fifth feria on the very day of the Ascension of the Lord,

Christian of Spanheim, May 15 3 contracted. contracted in the hand and

in the leg, was healed. On that day, Elizabeth of

Lostein, contracted in the legs, was healed. On the same

day, Heddewigis of Spanheim, contracted

in the legs, was cured. May 16 blind,

[16] h On the sixth feria, namely on the morrow of the Ascension,

Elizabeth of Luxemburg, blind for many

days, was illumined. On the same day, contracted. Reynendrudis

of Brotheim, contracted in the legs, May 17 contracted. was cured.

On Saturday after the Ascension of the Lord,

Jutta of Mainz, contracted in the legs, was cured.

On that day, Otto of Kederchem, May 18 deaf, contracted, contracted

in the leg, was cured. On the Sunday after

the Ascension of the Lord, Aleydis of Eltbil, deaf,

was cured. On that day, Beatrice of Winckel,

contracted in the arm, was cured. On the same day,

Conrad of Crucemnachen, blind in one eye, blind.

received his sight. On the following second feria, May 19 contracted, namely

after the Ascension, Maria of Thurun in

Burgundy, contracted in the arm, was cured.

On the following third feria, Alheidis of Pingwea, deaf, May 20 deaf contracted,

was cured. On the same day, Gerhard of Sofernheit,

contracted in the arm, was cured. May 21 mute. On

the Octave of the Ascension of the Lord, Alweidis of Loufheim,

mute, was cured. May 23 contracted On the sixth feria after the Octave

of the Ascension of the Lord, Henry of Rockenhusen,

contracted in the arm, was cured. On that day Gunter

of Nederen-Hamerstein, May 25 contracted, submerged for many years

blind, was illumined. On the day of Pentecost,

Catharina of Strasbourg, contracted in the leg, was healed.

On that day, Hertliebus of Nassau,

submerged in the river i which is called Lahn, and altogether

despaired of his life, escaped alive. blind May 26 humpbacked and contracted, blind, On the same

day, Wernher of Pingwea, blind in one eye,

was healed. On the following second feria Agnes of

Andernach, humpbacked and contracted in the leg, was healed.

On that day, Benigna of Schonenberg,

blind, was illumined. On the same day, Beatrice of Quobery, contracted, a deaf and blind man another blind man:

contracted in the legs, was cured. On that day,

Henry of Offenbach, deaf and blind in an eye,

was cured. On the same day, May 27 mute and contracted. Conrad of Maubach

at Waldekech, blind in one eye, was illumined.

On the following third feria, Conrad of

Confluence, mute and contracted in the arm, May 28 2 contracted,

was healed. On the following fourth feria, Hazecha daughter

of Frederic of Stone, contracted from infancy

in the legs, was cured. On that day, Hadewigis of Steyngouwen

at Stoltzenberg, contracted in the legs

for many days, a blind man, was healed. On the same day, Conrad of

Breubach, blind in one eye, was healed: on the following

fifth feria, May 29 blind and contracted, Beatrice of Oppenheim, blind and contracted

in the legs, was cured. On that day, Catharine of

Mainz, daughter of Ludwig the weaver, submerged, was cured.

submerged, May 30 deaf and mute, blind. May 31 4 contracted. On the following sixth feria, Bertha of Babenberch, deaf

and mute, was healed. On the same day, Margaret of Worms,

for ten years blind, was illumined. On the following

Saturday, Hertwicus of Laudinsborch, contracted

in his hands from birth, was healed. On that day,

John of Semheit, contracted in the legs, was healed.

On the same day, Jacob of Loffbach, contracted

in the legs, was healed. On that day, Peter of

Enghersha, June 1 dropsical, contracted in the legs, was cured.

On Sunday, namely after the Octave of Pentecost,

Gerhard of Mainz, dropsical, was healed.

June 2 a blind woman, a deaf and mute man, On the following second feria, namely of Marcellinus

and Peter, Odilia of Winescheim, blind in one eye,

received her sight. On the same day, Tielmann of Sturburch,

deaf and mute, was cured. On the following third feria,

Alheidis of Mainz, June 3 a blind woman, blind, was illumined.

ANNOTATIONS.

this title in the Ms. of Trier, from which we here give it. But of what age the individual

tablets are, below in the Bacharach Process it is deduced in n. 5.

his name is not here expressed, because he had not been long dead, and was not yet

permitted by any Ecclesiastical authority that under his name they

be published: and thus modestly above in the Life n. 10, are said to be performed

miracles, without expressing his name to whom they should be attributed.

(from whom the neighboring town of Upper Wesel on the Rhine is called)

is venerated on July 6. The remaining places indicated and mostly neighboring we omit

to investigate and explain, since they are to be seen everywhere in geographical maps

available.

FINDING OF THE BODY

And its translation into a new casket.

From the Ms. of Trier.

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BHL Number: 8863

FROM MSS.

[17] a In the name of the Lord, the Mediator of God and men,

Jesus Christ our Redeemer. Amen.

Winand of Stega, Doctor of Decrees, Pastor

of Bacharach, to all and each of the faithful in Christ,

present and future, hearers of these presents,

inspectors, or others in whatever way

gazing with the eye of the heart, greeting in him, without whom

there is no salvation. b Long indeed up to the present diverse

faithful of Christ, having the zeal of God, at diverse

times, and with diverse and various introductions, With various people asking, our

ears, as follows, have impelled. Some

indeed with truth as aid were complaining, both lest the body of Wernher by contact with the earth should putrefy, that the exterior

oak chest, the mausoleum of Blessed Wernher,

resting in the chapel of Saint Cunibert of Bacharach,

had sunk so far to contact with the earth (which however

before appeared to be placed above the earth as if by an ell)

so that by contact with the same earth it was credibly

presumed to be rotted: whence the body

of so blessed a man, although in age young, could easily be torn limb from limb;

especially at this time of the pilgrimage

of the most blessed Mary ever Virgin at Aachen,

especially by Slavs and Hungarians, having

zeal of such a body from ancient time up to the

present. Others asserting to these that the same

youth, also that it might be known the whole had not been taken away the witness of Christ, like the innocents

of Christ, namely most holy in morals, was not enclosed in that

chest. Thirdly, others opining that the same

youth, most happy in the attestation of miracles,

had been placed there: but that his arm and right hand

had been or were translated to Windsbach. That therefore

the ambiguities and dangers of all and each of these might be removed; or in part;

it was humbly besought of us by our parishioners

of both sexes, the more powerful, and having more zeal for divine worship

than the rest, that the same oak chest, secured only with one simple

lock, certain persons being present, whose

service for the sake of their offices was relevant; and also

public Notaries and Advocates and other sworn of the Most Serene

Prince and our Lord, Lord Ludwig Count

Palatine of the Rhine, Archdapifer of the Holy Roman Empire,

and most illustrious Duke of Bavaria, zealous for this

Blessed Wernher, and chief promoter of

his structure, and also witnesses worthy of faith, without violence

we should paternally deign to unseal; so that truth being discovered,

any superstition being removed, true

faith, placed on the mountain of truth, should stand in the hearts

of our Parishioners infallibly unshaken.

[18] We therefore Winand, Doctor and Pastor aforesaid,

being unable to deaden our ear with deafness stopped up to such just petitions, Pastor of Bacharach, lest to the peril more perilous

things be added, favorably consenting to their pious prayers and reasonable

ones; and lest anything should be able to be sinisterly suspected,

having taken with us providently and with deliberate mind,

the honorable Lords Hermann Bere, our senior Chaplain; John

of Laudenburg, Notary of c the Toll-house of the aforesaid

people of Bacharach; John Prume, Co-notary of the same

Toll-house and master of the work of Saint Wernher often touched; before honored men

Stephen Prume, senior Advocate; and Hermann

Doirenremher, junior Advocate although of old age,

John Seliche and two public notaries, and public Notaries,

subscribed as worthy of faith in this matter, mature and authentic

persons, as fellow-witnesses and public Notaries,

the same chest, mausoleum, or tomb, we opened,

and in it we found another cedar tomb, he had the tomb opened

similar in all respects to the tombs, in which the poor

are wont to be buried, gnawed by little worms with infection;

but sewn or coated with a waxen cloth, also by age here and there pierced,

except on top. But on top

the tomb itself had neither covering nor cloth;

but clay earth, placed beyond the middle of the tomb

as if compacted: the right arm is found, through which the right

arm, from the shoulders to the middle, d showed itself

protruding out: and two other reed-like bones of the same

anterior part of the arm, although they had fallen upon the earth itself;

yet seemed to us once to have been extended and articulated

to the hand wrapped round with silver,

which is seen upon the oak tomb; whose hand,

below the lip of the same tomb, a flesh or sinewy

joining is still palpable.

[19] the head, At these things when we began from the northern part

gently to cast out the earth of the interior tomb, we found

the head of the same Christ's Athlete of so pious remembrance,

bound with a scarlet fillet, otherwise

and more commonly with a wreath of red silk, on which appeared

silvered gilt roses, corals, and pearls. There was

also the same head surrounded by a silken sudary, on

which at first sight most ancient traces of blood

appeared. That venerable head also was tenaciously

joined to the blessed body, the body lying on the back lying supine: and the same

head had beneath it a pillow of black silk,

filled with odorous violets, to which most aptly suits

the time of his passion; nay, which is a matter of spiritual joy,

from beneath these we were finding the pruning-knife of the same

excellent boy, with which seeking the sustenance of life he was dissolving

the vice of the vine-branch. After this the earth being gently lifted,

with the intestines removed the whole body appeared, the head,

and chin, and each of the teeth in its order of primeval

nature duly constituted. There appeared however the arm and left hand

of the same body lying on its back, with the other members

firmly and sinewy and as if fleshly joined to the same body,

bound up and ungulate, and the leg, and right foot

most whole: likewise the left leg, whose foot

the flesh and bones were coming apart; whence we took a small

bone thin enough, extending to the length of a finger or a little

more. most whole, Likewise we found the same venerable one

in the tomb, as has been said, with truth as witness,

most whole, and sewn with waxed linen,

which linen however was worn to worthlessness by its most ancient

age. Besides we found, two woods

pierced to the length of arms, with 2 pieces of wood and a reed, showing the testimony of such noble

disposition and of his passion (as we presume)

and one reed, as

we presume, rose-like, of one year, extending to the length

of the body itself, and perhaps

representing the palm of his martyrdom; gnawed

however, and nearly dust. Whence we placed the same

with the ashen earth in another chest,

in which we enclosed the earth, or ash, found and

extracted in the inner tomb of the body.

[20] All which things and each, as has been said,

without any superstition or introduction of any new thing, it is replaced in the same tomb, humbly and with simple heart

performed; the body itself, cleansed from dust and other defilements,

in its tomb, although by age as if consumed, and

the sudary, cushion, and silken wreath, and also

linen, as it lay, we left lying immovably; placing upon

the face and body of so noble a worker of miracles a white silk

and another clean cloth, lest by new dusts the body

be defiled, whose soul we piously trust

reigns with Christ. The same, under safer locks

not the interior tomb, which before we had not

found closed, but the exterior oak one

we strengthened with safer locks. Its key also

to the common treasury (of whose keys diverse

ones are entrusted to diverse of ours) we providently

enclosed: placed above the earth. and the oak chest itself above

the earth, as it seems, lest by its contact it should putrefy,

we ordered to be raised; and to the ineffable testimony of the aforementioned things

with our seals, and the inscription

of the Notaries and witnesses, we applied the strength of firmness.

Whence it is not to be doubted, that that Saint

is not elsewhere, or any part of him (excepting a piece

of the left foot quite small) than in his first

sarcophagus, nor his hand and arm

anywhere than there to be venerated e. In most evident testimony

of all which things and each,

we have commanded our two subscribed scribes

and public Notaries, that together with the strengthening of our

Bacharach church's greater seal and our own; an authentic instrument is drawn up

and of all the seals of the above and below-written witnesses,

concerning these they should draw up a public instrument.

These things were done in the year of the Lord 1426,

on Thursday, in the year 1426, July 11, the 11th

of the month of July, f from the ninth hour up to the hour of Vespers,

in the fourth indiction, of the Pontificate of the most holy in

Christ Father, and our Lord, Lord Martin by divine

providence Pope the fifth, in his ninth year, present

there the venerable and discreet men above

mentioned, the Lords Hermann Bere,

senior Chaplain; John of Laudenburg, scribe of the toll-house,

otherwise Notary; John Prume, and his

companion; Stephen and Hermann the Advocates, and also

John Selig, fellow-witnesses and instigators,

with their seals, together with ours the aforementioned seals

attesting.

[21] by a public Notary, And I Thomas Cube of Bacharach, Cleric

of the Trier diocese, public Notary by Imperial

authority, because to all and each of the aforesaid I was

present, and I thus handled them, and saw and heard the opening of the mausoleum,

the finding of Blessed Wernher, and the fortifying with safer

locks, the enclosing of keys, together

with the aforementioned witnesses, thus as has been said, to be done,

I saw and heard: therefore this present public instrument

I have drawn up thence, published, and together with the seals

of all above-mentioned, by the command of the aforesaid

Lord my Pastor I have signed; also with my usual and customary

sign and name, I have subscribed; and out of superabundance

I have appended my seal, in evident sign

and testimony of all and each of the above-mentioned

specially called and asked for this.

[21] with another subscribing, And I John Kese of Bacharach, Cleric

of the Trier diocese, public Notary by Imperial

authority, because to all and each of the aforesaid I was

present, and I thus handled them, and the opening of the mausoleum,

the finding of Blessed Wernher, and the fortifying with safer locks,

the enclosing of the keys, together with

the aforementioned witnesses thus as has been said, I saw and heard,

therefore this present public instrument by

the command of the aforesaid Lord my Pastor thence I have drawn up,

published; and through the aforesaid Lord Thomas,

public Notary, faithfully by his own hand

by the command of my same Lord Pastor I have subscribed,

and with my usual and customary sign and name together

with the appending of the seals of all and each

of the above-written I have signed, specially for this called,

asked, and required in faith and testimony of all

and each of the above-mentioned g.

ANNOTATIONS.

"Process of the finding and of the new placement of Blessed Wernher with note. If

the Pastor of Bacharach purifies himself in the name, not for ostentation of his

person does he do it: but that it may evidently be known, that by himself alone he has done nothing, but

with others deputed by the Prince. Nor let it move anyone that Blessed Wernher here

is named Saint, Blessed, or Good: since thus many still mortal have been

named by the Fathers; especially since here he is thus named under the best form

of his felicity, without temerity: since also Lord Cardinal immediately below in his letters

names him Saint Wernher.

"It is to be looked around with the eye of the heart, what we compose with pen. In this year of the Lord

1426, after the feast of Easter, among the good and grave there arose a divided

opinion."

reposited in silver above

the oaken epitaph was seen, which now in the precious fleshy ministry

(with one finger fifty years ago, as is said, stolen by Hungarians zealous

worshipers of Blessed Wernher, only excepted) is shown to Christ's

faithful."

In

the History of the same finding aforementioned followed a certain summary

of miracles performed thereafter, which here we annex in these words.

LESSON IV., LESSON V., LESSON VI.

Although that most blessed boy, immediately having attained the victory of his passion,

performed very many stupendous miracles, contained under the Gospel truth, on

the blind, lame, withered, deaf and dead; and after these, through the lapse

of times, as if silently many similar ones (as in Lord John Humzerich,

venerable Presbyter paralytic for twelve years, it became clear) the

Omnipotent however and wonderful in his Saints God, in these times after

his new Reposition, more numerously, more generously, more pleasantly, and

more gloriously through his most beloved Soldier flashes with miracles, the more

from the desire of service, Very many miracles are performed,

and of the structure of his basilica we burn more eagerly in industry.

Whence within the space of the next half emerging year, a certain grand

old man of Lorch, frantic, for thirty years suffering,

he healed. Dropsical from Mannebach, male and female, already almost

placed on the exhalation of their spirit, he cured most quickly. A four-year

lame man on both sides of the body he restored to health: and to a woman of Heymbach

he imparted this same benefit. A blind and deaf daughter with her blind mother

of Diepach he healed: nor any boy, not submerged in sin, feeble

or infirm did he dismiss without the benefit of health. Moreover the daughter of the Scultetus

ancient of Bacharach, from the falling sickness by the grace of Christ he freed. Crebisz,

of Georius, master of the fabric of Saint Wernher, placed in his death-struggle, he restored

to pristine health. A tailor residing in Diepach, long suffering in his leg,

he gladdened with health: and a certain rich merchant, of

Neumagen in Pinguia, perilously wounded in the roundness of his shin with a nail,

he enriched with very quick health. Most generous is what follows,

the relief. A certain noble fearing to name himself here, A mocker of the Saint is freed from the peril of submersion

once held that most blessed Holy Boy in derision: who by his

enemies driven into the Moselle, and by the flood from his horse into the abyss

with his arms weighing him down torn and submerged, invoked the holy Boy;

the Boy was present, and extended to him a helping hand,

leading him out to the port of safety. And what is sweeter, the horse

follows its master: mounted upon whom he carried him to the desired dwelling with his enemies

deluded: who with a wax image of three florins visited the Saint humbly,

without expression of his name.

More generous and a most sweet consolation of parents, 2 dead are raised:

although of the poor. Two boys, on different days and in different places,

namely at Perscheit and at Bupach, dead and by glacial

cold lifeless, invoked by the parents, he restored to life. And these

are a few written out of many, as is evident by many public instruments,

by the seals of many worthy of faith, and by the testimony of truthful

men, and by other writings, placed around the epitaph of that Saint.

Behold after this now most recently came a certain shepherd, named John,

offerings, named Nicholas: whom, by Baptism and his faith,

he asserted, had just recently been sick unto death, and long

placed in ecstasy; a dying boy is healed:

he and his mother also had entirely despaired of the ten-year-old

boy's life: whence to them placed in lamentation running up women,

compassionating them persuaded, that they should vow their son with a quarter of a pound of wax to Saint

Wernher; so that him whom they considered dead, by the grace of God with the Saint's

prayers they might see again alive:

which also happened, and immediately the youth yawned, and within

two hours was restored to the most whole health, whom such we many saw.

LESSON VII.

By the grace of devotion if anyone should wish to see further things about these, let him see his

as it were tripartite Legend with sweet-sounding Responsories and

Antiphons, after his now new Reposition, a blasphemer is punished,

not without admiration found in the old letters, with the note that

at the time of the now written miracle, most recently, a certain servant of a certain

tailor, called Loschin, at Trisz on the Moselle opposite Cardonis

(as the noble and truthful man John of Senen and others most

known to us have related) uttered blasphemous words against Saint Wernher; soon

seized by fury, after a few days, closed the day of his life frantic.

Further a certain Bavarian youth of Strabingin, a dying boy is cured and a blind one,

at Germersheim submerged in the Rhine, by the vow of bystanders after three hours to

life he recalled. Moreover another youth, blinded by a wondrous

blast of wind, a vow being made, on the eighth night more wondrously he illumined…

LESSON VIII.

In the time of this year in which the Most Reverend aforesaid Father and Lord, Jordan of Orsini, Indulgences are granted Bishop of Albano,

Cardinal etc. in the Bacharach endowment, with his Bishops, Doctors

and household resided, and saw the Saint with his own, honored him with prayers

and gifts, ordered by looking him to be placed in a clean tomb;

and granted by himself, his Coepiscopos of the household, and the Archbishop

of Besançon, two hundred twenty days of Indulgences, namely in the year of the Lord

1426, on the morrow of the Assumption, then flowed in new, as

has been written, miracles, in praise of the highest majesty…

LESSON IX.

What, beyond all that has been said of water, appear in the varied, diverse, very many votive offerings are offered:

distinct and manifold offerings of those healed. For it is true and most known, that

besides notable gold and silver and copper in pots excessively

weighty, in this half present year, there has been offered in wax by the hand

of the faithful so much, that notwithstanding the fixed light of one or more candles, more

than three thousand wax pieces hang around his sarcophagus, growing

beyond the fire's consumption daily…

The Bacharach people decree In the Trier Codex, there follows first a testimonial letter, how the above and below-written reposition by no temerity,

but by the Lord Cardinal Legate de latere, and consequently by Apostolic

authority was performed; and by the same authority for the time the

Relics of Blessed Wernher be shown. It is all written in German, in the name

of Henry Wolf of Spanheim, Burggrave of Bacharach: of Altmann

Bettendorffer, Esquire; Nicholas Germersheim, Cube; and John of

Laudenburg, Scribes of the Bacharach toll-house; Stephen Prume and John

Prume his son: Hermann Dornkemher, Stephen Bruningh and Henry

Busze brothers: Ewald Kremher and Ghelmann Lorze, John Seliche

and Emeric Hunne, citizens of Bacharach; attesting, that Lord

Legate, with two bishops assisting him, gave Indulgences,

about which presently; and ordered the body to be transferred into a new casket in the presence of Lord John Schallerman, Judge of the Roman Curia and Pontifical Chaplain; Lord Angelus de Prato-Joannis, from the ordination of the Lord Legate and Lord Paulus de Capollanis, Doctors of Both Laws; and mandated

that the Lord Pastor and the aforesaid, and his and their successors,

should open the exterior chest of Saint Wernher, four times in each

year, as long as the fabric of the chapel shall last; and afterwards once or twice

in the year: so that the interior chest remain closed and covered with citrus glass

coverings, and not be moved by a lay hand; and again be closed, after

it has been sufficiently done for the people wishing to see:

and that the aforesaid, with the consent of the Legate, chose for that ceremony of opening the chest, on which days the body ought to be shown to the people, four feasts, namely

of Saint Bartholomew the Apostle; of Stephen the Martyr, immediately after Christmas;

of the Dedication of Bacharach on the following day, that is on the second Feria

after the Sunday Quasi modo, and the solemnity of SS. Peter and Paul

the Apostles. Concerning which was made this public instrument,

and secured with their seals, in the year 1426; on the day after the Assumption of Blessed

Mary: which day, by the rite of consecrating herbs, through the Rhine and

Moselle provinces even now used, they name the Consecration

of herbs. This Instrument however was made at Saint Wernher's before

witnesses, reverend Priests, Lord James Mantel and Lord John

Beseher, Vicars in Bacharach, John Himpurg schoolmaster, John

Kannegeiszer and John Moir citizens of Bacharach, called for this.

There follow II Indulgences of 180 days, which Lord Jordan the Cardinal and Legate de latere, summary of the Bulls of Card. Orsini, and of two Bishops and his Bishops, Jacobus

of Urbino, and Bernard of Cavaillon, these indeed each forty days,

the former one hundred, gave; each one strengthening the diploma with his seals, at Speyer, in the year from the Nativity of the Lord 1426, the fourth Indiction, but on Wednesday the tenth of the month of July, etc.

III How the altar of Saint Gabriel was consecrated in

honor of the Annunciation, and of Saints Vincent, Apollinaris,

and Etherius spouse of Saint Ursula, of Blessed Wernher and of other Saints,

whose Relics were reposed in the same altar by the aforementioned, Legate

and Bishop of Cavaillon, consecrating the altar itself before the Legate, in the year 1426, on Monday, the fifth of the month of August, on which was the feast of Our Lady of the Snows: on which day the same willed,

the dedication of the same altar to be and shall be on every future years,

on the already mentioned feast of the Snows, and also on the very day of the Annunciation of the most blessed

Christ-bearer; and they granted on the feasts of the Assumption,

Purification, Annunciation of Blessed Mary, Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ and the

Octave of the same, of the Epiphany and its Octave, of Palms, of Easter and through

its Octave, of the Ascension, of Pentecost, of the Body of Christ and of the Octaves

of the same, of the Trinity, of John the Baptist, of Michael the Archangel, of All

the Apostles singly, of the four Evangelists and of the four

Doctors, of Laurence and of SS. Mary Magdalene, Margaret, Catherine, and

on the feast of All Saints, the Legate one hundred, Bernard forty, and James Bishop of Urbino also forty days of Indulgences;

and the aforesaid Indulgences, on the aforesaid feasts, to the church

of Saint Peter of Bacharach, and also to the chapel of Saint Anne of Stega its daughter,

they prorogued; by a public instrument drawn up concerning the matter, in the year and day as above, by Thomas Cube, as elsewhere, Notary.

IV Indulgences of the Archbishop of Besançon of forty days, of Theobald Archbishop of Besançon. first indeed to the aforementioned chapel of Saint Wernher, on the days above and of both holy Crosses, granted and prorogued to the chapel of Saint Anne and also of Blessed Wernher (certainly some other from the principal one in Bacharach) at Bacharach on the day of Saint Michael the Archangel: but on the morrow, at Bacharach, in the year of the Lord 1426, on the very day of Saint Jerome, amplified manifoldly, by the tenor which follows.

V Theobald of Rubeus-mons, by the grace of God Archbishop of Besançon,

to all Christ's faithful, with the knowledge of the undersigned, greeting in him who

is the true salvation of all Christ's faithful. The Relics of the most blessed witness of Christ,

the Martyr Wernher, yesterday placed whole, with the devotion with which

we could, by seeing them with ours; praising in the Lord his sanctity from the merit of his life

and the manifold aggregation of signs and miracles (about which by testimony worthy of faith, as appears, we have been sufficiently advised);

Indulgences possible to us of his chapel to be built, in honor of God

and of the aforesaid Saint, and also the humble prayers of Lord Winand of Stega,

Doctor of Decrees, Pastor of Bacharach, our dearest friend in Christ,

we bestowed, on certain festivities of the year, which also to

other chapels we prorogued. But now the mother church of Saint Peter

of Bacharach, at the instance also of the same Lord Doctor, before others

desiring to honor; the same forty days of Indulgences, on all

the days written in the said prior letters, and also on any other

days on which it treats of Apostles, Martyrs, Confessors, or Virgins

and Widows, and also through all Lent and the Lord's Advent, and

the individual days of the Four Seasons, to the church of Saint Peter aforesaid, and also

to Blessed Mary the Virgin in lower Heymbach, and to Saint Peter in the castle

of Stega, chapels subject to the aforesaid church of Bacharach,

by the force of the present we mercifully prorogue. This Theobald however survived three more years. He died at Rome in the year 1429, September 16.

VII Henry by divine mercy of the title of Saint Eusebius Presbyter Cardinal

of the sacrosanct Roman Church, commonly called of England (since from the blood of the Kings of England he was assumed by Martin V in the year 1426) through all Germany and the kingdoms of Hungary and Bohemia Legate of the Apostolic See, considering, that

the fabric of the chapel in the town of Bacharach...praiseworthily begun and

now elaborated more than halfway (as Altmann Bettendorsser, master of the same

fabric, by his petition has shown) is so costly, that for its

completion the aids of Christ's faithful are very much

opportune; to all who through the feasts often above named and their Octaves

shall have devoutly visited the aforesaid chapel, and to the fabric and

completion of this kind have extended helping hands, on each

of the festivities and celebration days one hundred, and of the Octaves and on the six

days of the festivities of Pentecost immediately following, forty

days from the penances enjoined mercifully he relaxes; by letters perpetually to be valid, given

at Heidelberg, in the Worms diocese, on the 3rd day before the Nones of January, in the 11th year of the Pontificate

of the most holy in Christ Father and Lord Lord Martin Pope V: which was the year of Christ 1428.

HISTORY OF THE MIRACLES.

By public authority described, in the year 1426 and the two following.

From the MS. of the Trier College.

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BHL Number: 0000

FROM MSS.

INSTRUMENT I.

[1] In the year 1426 In the name of the Lord, Amen. By this present

public instrument let it be evidently manifest to all,

that in the year from the Nativity of the same 1426, the fourth indiction,

of the Pontificate of the most holy in Christ Father and Lord

our Lord Martin by divine providence Pope the fifth,

in his ninth year, on the first day of the month of August, at the hour

of Vespers or thereabouts, in the cemetery of the church of Saint Peter

parish of Bacharach, Trier diocese,

in the presence of the venerable and circumspect man, with the Pastor of Bacharach, 5 Presbyters, and 4 others, Lord

Winand of Stega, Doctor of Decrees, Pastor

of Bacharach, and also the honorable Lords,

Hermann Bere, Hermann Corbache, of the aforesaid

Lord Pastor Chaplains; Arnold

Kornhere, John Kelnhere, James Mantel Presbyters

of the Bacharach Church aforesaid; Stephen

Prume, John Gerkin, Stephen Bruning,

John Seliche, for sealing the subscribed; and of the undersigned witnesses

called and asked for this, and of me the undersigned public Notary also

legitimately required for this, there personally appeared the honest

man Gerlac Gingke of Breytscheid of the Trier

diocese aforesaid: Gerlac Gingke under oath testifies, who for the clear investigation

of the bare truth, solemnly sworn by the aforesaid Lord Pastor,

that by the faith received in Baptism,

and under the obtestation of divine judgment and perpetual

damnation and eternal salvation; he should tell himself and all

bystanders the bare and clear truth, of what matter of things had happened around him a little before;

with deliberate and rejoicing mind answering, he broke

into this voice: I once, by God's permission touched

by the falling sickness, falling to the ground, thrust one foot into

the fire: not using the sense of touch, I did not perceive the heat of the fire;

[that three years ago touched by the falling sickness, and fallen into the fire, and in the foot injured.] and so I was so injured in the same foot by

the heat of the fire, that by myself alone, for almost three years, and without

supports I could never walk a step: and in the middle of these years, by no medicament

through anyone I could be healed, rather I had in some manner despaired

of ever being healed. But on these

days, when I heard other men of both sexes visiting the tomb

of Blessed Wernher, by the divine hand helping,

by the intercession of the same Blessed Wernher the martyr,

to have been cured of various languors; I also vowed,

that I would visit the aforesaid tomb, and would offer a gift.

A small interval of space having passed, I rose with

supports; and brought to the tomb was healed. and with the aid of conductors most grievously

I ascended to the tomb: invoking the prayers of all those standing around the tomb, that I might merit to find grace,

and there by myself and them prayers to God

being poured forth; at once I was better in my foot: and leaving my supports,

without being conducted, alone from the mountain step by step

descending I bought wax for the oblation: and again

alone ascending, in praise of God Omnipotent

and in honor of Blessed Wernher, before his tomb according to my

promise I offered. These things were done in the year, month, hour,

etc. as above; present master John

Loley Rector of the scholars of Bacharach, 13 persons attesting the truth. Paul

Kempen, Peter Cranenmeyster, Conrad Eleszeszer,

Peter Gruszer, John Sureszig, John Ginglre,

Peter Gingk, Gutta and Catharine Reyensteynes,

Nesa Scrits, Agnes Rachen, and Agnes Kempen, townsmen

of Bacharach, witnesses called to the aforesaid,

equally also asked.

[2] Item, in the year of the Indiction, and of the Pontificate as

above, on the third day of the month of August, before the same Pastor

and the rest, appeared a discreet man, Master

Georgius, now having his domicile in Heidelberg,

stonemason of the Most Illustrious Prince Lord Ludwig Count

Palatine of the Rhine, sworn as above,

said, his son Wentzlaus, then standing by, in

the left foot had been burdened with such great languor, 2 laboring with an incurable pain of foot, is cured: that

he himself thought that foot burned with the fire of hell;

and all physicians and surgeons refused to treat him.

At length with various treatments tried,

he vowed the boy to Blessed Wernher at his tomb, to offer a waxen foot weighing one pound;

at once he was better, and was healed. Also appeared

Jeckel Emer, 3 he wins a lawsuit. of the day of Easter; relating that he had been suspended in the pendency of a lawsuit,

for the space of one year, and hindered; so that, although from just causes he knew himself to proceed,

yet he could not in any way triumph: he

vowed a vow to Blessed Wernher, and on the next juridical day he

obtained what he intended and triumphed. a woman in labor is freed, Also Catharine

Petri Ythers, of Bacharach, twice pregnant, only

abortive could bear; but a third time placed in the distress of childbirth, she vowed a vow to Saint Wernher; and so she brought forth a boy alive, who, Baptized, passed into heaven.

[3] Also on the eighth day of the month of August, near the forum,

near the house of John Selig, at the hour of None or thereabouts, appeared Conrad Emicher of Comede, 5 Contracted in both hands is healed:

hands: he vowed a vow to Blessed Wernher,

and offered two waxen hands, and was healed, present

several of the above-written and honest men, Henry

Fuedersacke of Stega, and John Buysze; Lords

Henry Mannedache Vicar of Bacharach,

Henry Richehre, John Auspurg Clerics, of the Bamberg

and Mainz diocese, witnesses

called and asked equally to the aforesaid. And I Thomas

Cube of Bacharach, Cleric of the Trier diocese, with the Notary juridically recording everything.

public Notary by Imperial authority, because to the oath, admonition and

examination of the aforesaid persons, and to all the others and each, together with the aforementioned

witnesses, while thus, as has been said, I was present,

and thus saw it done, and heard: therefore this

present public instrument, sealed with the seals of very many

persons above written, thence I drew up, wrote, subscribed, and reduced into this public

form, published, with my usual and customary sign and name,

together with the appending of the seals

of the greater Church of Bacharach, of the Lord Pastor and

of the above-written persons I consigned, in faith and

strength of all the aforesaid, for this called

and required.

INSTRUMENT II.

[4] In the name of the Lord… let it be manifest to all Christ's faithful

of the ages, that… on the twenty-fourth day

of the month of August… at the hour of None or thereabouts, in

the hall of the dwelling of the venerable and circumspect man,

Lord Winand of Stega, Doctor of Decrees…

appeared honest matrons, Elizabeth Wernheri,

and Catharine her daughter, wife of Jacob Ortim, of

Perscheit, of the Trier diocese; bringing forth there

the legitimate boy of the already touched Catharine, 1 A dead boy is raised. of the age of one

year and six weeks, named Jacob;

asserting, that he had been miraculously raised from the dead by the prayers of Blessed Wernher.

But the Lord Pastor himself, as a prudent and law-practiced man, unwilling

to believe every spirit, quoting the writing, Try the spirits,

whence for the clear investigation of the bare truth

of this deed, solemnly swore the same honest women, worthy of faith

and known to the whole territory, that

by the faith received in Baptism, and by testimony

of divine judgment and perpetual damnation and eternal

salvation, they should tell him and all bystanders

the clear, bare, and most manifest truth,

what of the deed had happened concerning this little boy. 1 John 4, 1 Who

most deliberately answered, that the same little boy,

named Jacob, already fifteen days past,

with a certain languor growing heavy, was weighed down by the greatest

infirmity, and at length overcome by death,

and truly dead, with all joints loosed from life,

truly lacking life, cooled; and the soul separated,

the cadaver, for an hour and more, for making burial,

had been set apart. When these things stood,

the sad woman herself, Catharine named as above,

having no refuge, except of Omnipotent God

and his most blessed Martyr Saint Wernher; that

body, nay rather by faith as if a boy animated in body,

she vowed to the tomb of the same Saint Wernher,

with a fourth part of a pound of wax, as a poor little one,

not knowing what more to do, firmly believing by his

prayers he would revive. At which vow made, at

the lamentation of the mother the son revived, as both she with the mother

testified: and of all the neighbors, not a rumor, nor

mere fame, but pure truth was publishing this, and publishes it at

present. We saw the boy sound before us; the mother,

the grandmother, and other witnesses testifying that he had been dead.

[5] At this on the same day, and hour, and place. Elsa, her

daughter, wife of John Fredeman of Nedern on the day of Easter

appeared: and by similar beseeching and by the testimony of worthy

men they established the truth, that both had been deaf; two deaf are healed, one also blind, the other paralytic.

and Elsa the mother blind, and Elsa the daughter paralytic:

and at the vow of visiting Saint Wernher, in the

noonday light they proved themselves from every infirmity

of deafness, blindness, and paralytic disease most perfectly

healed; and rendered their vow with half a pound of wax.

These things were done in the presence of the prelibated Lord our

Pastor, and honorable men, Lords Hermann

Bere, Henry Salhert Chaplains, James

Mantel, John Trutman Vicars of the Church of Bacharach;

and also John of Laudenburg Notary

of the Toll-house of the Lord Duke, John Selig, and Emmerich

Hunne, John Tzingk Bell-ringer, Henry

Kynne townsmen of Bacharach witnesses called

to the aforesaid by the aforesaid Lord Pastor,

and otherwise deputed and legitimately required for these. And I

Thomas Cube, etc. as above, which having been once here noted,

let be supplied in mind, also after the other Instruments which follow;

as also the words at the beginning signed with points,

to be sought from the first Instrument. But note in the following

it is always written "Epilenticus" for "Epilepticus."

INSTRUMENT III.

[6] In the name of the Lord… Let it be manifest that… on the twenty-ninth

day of the month of August… on the mountain of Saint

Wernher, before the chapel of Saint Cunibert… appeared,

first, Peter Scholteisz, and Catharine his wife,

of Mannebach, at the request of the aforesaid Lord

Pastor, a dropsical incurable woman is healed, most seriously and conjuratively made, under

good faith and by the force of the Christian religion, acknowledged,

that the same Catharine for three years and more

had been dropsical, and not able by any medicament

to be healed: she vowed a vow to Saint Wernher, about to visit his tomb

with three pounds of wax; and that same night

she was brought to the last examination of life: but falling asleep

she rested; and in the morning awakening, she felt herself

to be well. Whence asked by her husband, who almost altogether

despaired of her, she joyfully answered. I am well;

but I feel myself sprinkled with water on all sides. And a recent

opening was found above the navel, whence from the body

at one time three quarters of water and more; and at another

time also now, which was the third feria after the feast of Blessed

Mary Magdalene, sleeping quietly, on another night,

they said a great abundance of water flowed out. We saw her

before us as above well, and honorable

men Lords Hermann Bere Chaplain senior,

John Kese junior, Stephen Prume, Engelman

Lotze, John Busze, Henry Krunge,

John Bruning, John Prume, John Selig, John

Tzingk, James Master of the hospital, Peter

Truden, and many other persons of both sexes worthy of faith,

witnesses called and asked to these. Also on the same

day, hour, and place, as above, while these things were being done,

by chance came upon Ermetrud, wife of Peter Scultetus

of Bupache, of the Trier diocese, with other honest

men, and under faith and Baptism by her Redeemer

she professed; that her son, a boy of four

years, yesterday, that is on the vigil of the beheading

of Blessed John the Baptist, by the kick of a horse was struck

in the heart, with so strong a blow, that even the wood of the whip

was dissipated into two parts, and the heart broken,

and the boy killed, and a dead boy is raised, dead and cold as stone,

for two hours. Which having passed, the mother invoked Blessed

Wernher; and after this with great lamentation in Blessed Virgin

and Blessed Wernher's aid firmly trusted:

and the boy lifeless for two hours, returned to life

unharmed. This miracle done yesterday, today by the fame

of truth is brought forth, present witnesses as above,

witnesses.

[7] Moreover on the same day, hour, place, as above,

appeared John Criebesz cobbler, townsman of Bacharach,

relating that he had been contracted in his right arm

for a year and a half: 1 contracted at the tomb

of Blessed Wernher with the vow rendered, he was healed; present witnesses

as above. Further the honorable men

Lords Hermann Bere, Hermann Corbache,

Henry Salhart, Chaplains of the aforesaid Lord Pastor;

related that in the name of the church of Bacharach, in the presence of many

honest women of Rudisheim, they had received a most

manifest sign and testimony from John

Snabel, tailor of Aschaffenburg; 2 a sick man with incurable disease, that he from an incurable

wound (for the healing of which he would most gladly have given thirty florins)

by the payment of his vow and the intercession of

Blessed Wernher, received the fullest health. By a similar

confession Geruse, born of Heymbach, contracted in both

legs, 3 a contracted woman, at the tomb of Blessed Wernher

confessed herself to have been healed. At length, on the same day, the noble

boy Otto, son of Otto Feyszt of Schonenburg,

having a mortal breast, * passed out strangury;

Wernher he was freed. Also on the same day Catharine,

formerly from the infirmities of deafness and blindness, 4 a deaf and blind woman, by the intercession

of Blessed Wernher freed, offered her boy (so destitute

of health that it was not thought he would be himself,

but another) at the tomb of Blessed Wernher with a certain amount of wax: 5 a very sick boy,

at once he was freed, present witnesses many

above with others subscribed, and Lord James Schieszer

Vicar of the church of Bacharach, John * Cantarifusoris,

and John Serratoris, also witnesses

called to these.

[8] And finally on the penultimate day of August, since a rumor had come before,

fame and truth about the offspring of Wolf, once

Scultetus of Bacharach, namely, that the same boy was an epileptic,

and had fallen very many times: and therefore

had been vowed two separate times to Blessed Valentine at

Kedriche of the Mainz diocese, nor had the desired

effect of the vow followed: and a vow had been sent

forth to Blessed Wernher for the same epileptic, and immediately

he was healed; the prelibated Lord Pastor and Community, 6 an epileptic

most ardently desiring to explore the truth of this matter,

although faith had been made to them most sufficiently;

nevertheless they sent their special familiars and

subjects Hermann Corbache the Chaplain, John

Trutman Vicar, John Loley Master

of the scholars of the Bacharach church, and me the Notary

public subscribed to both parents of the aforesaid

epileptic, to most faithfully explore the business. And although

the fullest faith about this miracle had been made to the aforesaid Lord

Pastor; yet he desired to find

someone who would give thanks to God; although

there was no male who would do it. For entering the house,

the most honest woman Catharine began to narrate all in

order, asserting that her offspring at Kedriche

had fallen very many times; and that that vow had not

helped him, but Saint Wernher's. And while she for the praise of God was

narrating, there came upon us a man named * Lupus, as if

Nabal of Carmel, and dismissed us all dishonorably;

and did not give thanks to God for this benefit, present

two Presbyters, the master of the scholars, and me

the Notary above-written. In testimony of all these things

the present instrument to the honor of God, of the most glorious

Christ-bearer, of all Saints, and of Blessed

Wernher, by the command and request of the aforesaid Lord

Pastor, has been drawn up, and with the seals of the Bacharach

church, the greater and of the same Pastor and of the honorable

men and Lords, in place of the witnesses above-written,

sealed, for the greater strength of the Christian

faith, and of God's miracles.

[9] We were in the year 1660 on the 14th day of August in the aforesaid

Kedrich or Kidrich, On the pilgrimage to Saint Valentine at Kedrich. an altogether distinguished and ample town,

while from Mainz we ran over to the Erbach monastery;

and we saw from the alms, flowing together by the celebrated pilgrimage to Saint Valentine,

stones; and the relics of Saint Valentine himself honored in a large silver

herm, to be compared with the more distinguished which it is permitted to see elsewhere,

and not so long ago established from

the spoils of the deceased Pastor; who, having protested that he would make his testament in due time

so that the goods he was to leave would not come into the hands

of Archiepiscopal Harpies, merited that it be

declared invalid, and all things far otherwise than he had decided himself were

expended. But the feast of Saint Valentine was celebrated on the 14th of

February, where we have treated of various holy Valentines.

ANNOTATIONS.

* perhaps "bled."

* otherwise Kannengeisser

* German "Wolf"

INSTRUMENT IV.

[10] In the name of the Lord… on the first day of the month of September,

on the very day of Blessed Giles Confessor within

the solemnities of the divine Masses, in the vestibule of the Parish

church of Saint Peter of Bacharach… of his own motion,

to the praise of the Omnipotent, of his Mother, of the Holy

Church and of Blessed Wernher Martyr; Hansman

John of Cuba, townsman in Loirche, sixty

years old, a frenetic is freed, of honest conversation and grave morals,

as could appear at first sight, and enjoying full

liberty, publicly professed, how he for thirty

next continuous years and more, had suffered a vehement

pain of the head, so that he thought he would become frenetic;

so that he could not sleep, nor could he eat or drink:

but hearing the fame of the miracles

of Blessed Wernher, he vowed himself with a quarter of a pound of wax to the body

of the aforesaid Saint Wernher, completed his vow;

and thence already received the full health of that defect.

Upon which things thus recognized the prelibated Lord our

Pastor, together with the confessing one, requested me

the public Notary, that thereupon I draw up for the memory of the present

and future ages a public

instrument, of the greater Church of Bacharach, and also

of the aforesaid Lord Pastor, of Lord Arnold

Kurnherz, John Kelnherz, Henry Salhart, John

Anthony Vicars, strengthened with their seals, in the presence

of the venerable and discreet men already sealing;

and also John Kese junior the vicar, and John

Loley Licentiate in arts, Rector of the schools,

witnesses required to the aforesaid.

[11] Also on the same day, the high Mass completed in the Bacharach

choir, before the prelibated our Lord Pastor,

Lord Hermann Bere, and Henry Salhart

the Chaplains, before me and the subscribed witnesses, there

offered himself in the midst Peter Steynbecher, townsman of

Mannebache, forty years old or thereabouts: and being asked

by the Lord Pastor, and another most grievously swollen through the whole body. how he had been so most grievously

swollen through the whole body, and now most clearly

healed; he by his faith answered: That from a certain

flask he had drunk, from which had gone forth a great multitude

of venomous flies, commonly called worms of the ears

invaders; and thence he had been swollen

through the whole body with the greatest swelling, so that it was most known

to all dwelling in Mannebach. But also there

had been a certain dropsical woman, named Catharine

Scolteszen, just recently through the intercession of Saint Wernher

wholesomely freed. Which heard, when he had already

almost burst from greatest pain, he vowed himself to Saint

Wernher, every year with a fourth part of a pound

of wax to visit and immediately he had been healed. Upon which

the oft-mentioned Lord ordered by me to be made this public

instrument: and decreed together with the others here written

the Presbyters of his greater Church of Bacharach,

of Lords Hermann Bere, Henry Salhart, and

Stephen Meyster townsman of Bacharach to be sealed with their seals,

present, Lord John Kese junior,

John Schobenrauche Cellarer, John Auspurg

of Meysenheym Chamberlain and John Tzingk

Bell-ringer of the aforesaid Lord Pastor, witnesses

introduced for these, and the deeds to the mandate of the Most Reverend

in Christ Father and Lord, Lord Jordan de

Ursinis Bishop of Albano, of the sacrosanct Roman

Church Cardinal, and of the same supreme Penitentiary

and Legate de latere through all Germany in the cause of the faith.

INSTRUMENT V.

[12] In the name of the Lord… on the first day of September in

the dowry house of the Parish church of Bacharach…

personally and of his own motion appeared a man of great

discretion, Gerhard of Neumagen, by his

Baptism recognizing, that when next,

for the sake of his merchandise, at Pinguia of the Mainz

diocese he wished to enter a ship, Wounded in the shin he is cured: in the shin of his left knee

he had received an incurable wound, because of a vehement fall

upon a certain nail; and so going down by the ship,

seeking the parts of his nation, he passed by Bacharach:

and at length by certain of those sitting with him he was admonished,

that he should make a vow to Blessed Wernher with a certain

gift of wax to the praise of God, that by the intercession of Blessed Wernher

he might be healed. But he in good faith deeming this

not vain, soon made the vow; to Neumagen farther,

whence he was born, for thirty miles in the ship he descended,

and was immediately healed. Not much later he came with

his oblation about to complete his vow, paid it; and

praising God's omnipotence set forth the event in the presence

of me the public and of the subscribed witnesses, namely

of the honorable men Lord Hermann Bere, Hermann

Corbache the Chaplains, Arnold Korner the Vicar,

Master John Luley Rector of the schools, John

Schoberauche Cellarer, John Meysenheymere Chamberlain

of Lord Pastor of the Parish church of Bacharach.

[13] Also in the year of the Pontificate of the same, the fifth Indiction,

on the eighth day of the month of October, in the middle of the courtyard of the dowry house

of Bacharach personally established, the honest

man John Reuber, of Gauwelscheym of the Mainz

diocese, together with his wife, mother, brother and sister

of the same, brought forward in public a certain his

boy of three years or so, whom they asserted

to have lost, nor to know the trace of his whereabouts: whence they made

he not be harmed by beasts, or carried off by malevolent ones. a little boy lost in marshy places is found-

The loss however having been prolonged for a natural day and

more, on the second day the little boy himself, fixed

in a marshy and reedy place, they found sound and unharmed:

yet the presumption was that an adult man would be devoured

by wild beasts and animals sooner than a tender boy would be

preserved from harm for twenty-six hours. This confession

was made in the presence of Lords Hermann Corbache

the Chaplain, John Kelnherz the Vicar, Henry Richehere,

John Auspurg, John Scobenrauche familiars

of the Lord Pastor of the Bacharach church,

Clerics of the Mainz, Trier, and Bamberg

dioceses. Also on the same day, in the same courtyard of the dowry,

at the hour of Vespers, appeared John Hun, of Ockenheym,

of the sacred Mainz diocese, an incurable leg is healed. and recognized that he

had had an incurable leg infected with a deadly infection,

so that all hope of medicine had departed for three years:

at length he vowed a vow to Saint Wernher, and received full healing.

This confession under the faith of Christianity

he made in the place as above, where also present were

the venerable and circumspect man Lord Winand

of Stega Doctor of Decrees, Pastor of the Bacharach

Parish church; and also the noble military man

Gerhard Knebel of Katzenelenbogen, Altmann

Bettendorffer Councillor of Bacharach, and John

of Laudenburg Notary of the Bacharach Toll-house:

at whose instance, and also of the principal expounder,

the same Lord Winand the Pastor ordered this instrument

thence to be made, and with the seal of the greater church

of Bacharach together with his own seal, of Altmann Bettendorffer

and of John the Notary of the Toll-house aforesaid

to be strengthened. And I Thomas Cube as above.

INSTRUMENT VI.

[14] In the name of the Lord, Amen. In the year of the Lord 1427, In the year 1427 the fifth Indiction,

on the fourth day of the month of April at Bacharach,

near the tomb of Saint Wernher, a blind man is illumined, at the hour of Prime or

thereabouts… John Furster of Altzeya, fifty

years old and more, recognized and by his faith said,

that it was known to all of his city, that he

had been blind for eight next years; and a vow having been sent forth,

by the intercession of Blessed Wernher, he had recently been illumined:

and he saw inclusively up to the present. This confession

was made in the presence of Hermann the Advocate, John

Selig, Henry Cloysze, John Moyr, Peter

Mauweler, Nicholas Mauweler, Swaven Henne, and

Junge Henne townsmen of Bacharach, and many

other men of both sexes. Also on the same day and hour

and place John of Bilchin brought forth his wife

Ursula, whom by his faith he asserted, long to have been frenetic;

and by the intercession of Blessed Wernher, a frenetic woman is restored to a sound mind, a vow being sent forth,

was restored to complete health. Done in the presence of Lords

Hermann Bere Jacob Mantel Presbyters, John

Prume, Henry Cloysze, and many others called

to the aforesaid. Upon which the present public instrument was drawn up,

together with the seals of the Chaplains,

Jacob Mantel the Presbyter, John Prume,

Hermann the Advocate, and John Seliche the townsmen

of Bacharach strengthened. And I John

Kese as above.

INSTRUMENT VII.

[15] In the name of the Lord… on the ninth day of the month of June,

at the hour of Masses or thereabouts… the honest woman Hebel

Stercken, of Ludenrait, of the Trier diocese, near

the tomb of Saint Wernher at Bacharach, she sixty

years old and more, leading personally by the hand

her niece, A girl dead from a horse's kick revives: named Agnes; and by her Christianity,

recognizing set forth; that in this last

month elapsed, she the expounder giving hay with her own horse,

in one day, the aforesaid niece of five years

or a little less, without the grandmother knowing, with a small piece of wood

struck the horse on its hind feet: whence the horse

kicking with its hind feet struck the girl

to death, markedly in the breast; whence she, the child lying

lamentably wrapped in a mantle and truly dead,

cold, called the neighbors: and

having taken counsel, and poured forth prayers, the same child

with oblations to Saint Wernher she vowed. The girl

immediately revived, called Agnes: and she presented her to Blessed Wernher,

and today lives well. This confession was

made in the presence of honorable men Lord Jacob

Mantel, John Provisoris, Vicars of Bacharach;

Hermann Mannebache Advocate there, John

Prume Notary of the Bacharach Toll-house, Engelman

Lotze Scultetus, John Busze Sheriff, and Master

John Monetarius, and many other witnesses

called and required for these.

[16] Also on the same day and place, at the ninth hour or thereabouts,

Frantze Sutor of Mainz, erysipelas is cured: fifty years old,

with a similar oath of his faith professed; that

this year before the feast of Palms he had been kindled with the fire

of hell, that is of Blessed Anthony: and pouring forth tears to

God, through the intercession of Blessed Wernher, he had been most quickly healed.

This profession was made in the presence of John

Provisoris Presbyter and Vicar of Bacharach,

John Selig, Lippen Henne, Auwen Henne, Falkensteyn,

and many other witnesses required for these.

Also at the same hour established in the same place, a gouty man is healed: John

son of John Smet, of Mainz, eighteen years old,

and spontaneously confessed having been examined by his faith

of Christianity, that he had been paralytic or gouty,

entirely deprived of the use of his feet; and by the prayers

of Blessed Wernher he had been freed, present witnesses already

above. Also at the same hour, Wernher Rabender, many are freed from hostile incursion. of

Heydensheym, forty years old and more; similarly

under his faith recognized, that this year hostile robbers

having been gathered from his village, and they coming

to the village for its burning; and the expounder's and other

rustics neighboring him for their capture; he with

others, prayers being poured to God, through the intercession of Blessed

Wernher, to whom they had sent forth the vow of visiting, suffered no

evil from the enemies; present witnesses as above

this recognition was made, and with the seals of the witnesses here signed

strengthened, namely, of Jacob Mantel, John

Provisoris, Hermann Mannebache, John Prume,

and John Seliche. And I John Kese as above.

INSTRUMENT VIII.

[a7] In the name of the Lord… on the third day of September

… at the hour of Vespers or thereabouts, in the cemetery

of the church of Bacharach, in the presence of a multitude of Clergy

and people and of the subscribed witnesses, personally

established Albert of Straubingen, a layman, of the Regensburg

diocese, familiar of John Heydensdorffer,

Chamberlain of the Most Reverend in Christ Father and Lord,

Lord Conrad Archbishop of Mainz, not drawn by guile

nor compelled by force; but most freely and spontaneously,

no one impelling him, Submerged in the Rhine under the faith of Christianity and the salvation

of his soul setting forth recognized, and said;

how he a few days ago, by chance from

and there, according to the assertion of those then present for half

an hour more, had been surrounded by the waves: that

more than dead, and lifeless, at length he had been drawn out,

and brought to the fire, had no life: at length

the Toll-keeper there vowed him with a pound of wax to Saint

Wernher; he is restored to life: he also the expounder with the vow

made had immediately escaped the whirlpool of the waters, and been restored

to pristine health. Whence to the Omnipotent

God, the Blessed Virgin, and Saint Wernher rendering due

thanksgivings, he had come with his vow, and humbly

paid it; beseeching that so great

miracles. Whence the venerable and circumspect

man Winand of Stega… then together with the subscribed

witnesses present, commanded me the public Notary

subscribed, that upon these things I draw up a public

instrument of the things done as above in the presence of

honorable men Lord Hermann Ber Pastor

in Dolghescheym, Lord Henry Salhart Vicar

in Lumberschem, Chaplains, Altmann Bettendorffer

Chamberlain of the Lord Duke, John Nynt,

Eberhard Hebestryt, Jacob Aurifabri, and several

other witnesses asked and required.

[18] Also in the same year, as above, on the vigil of Francis

established Styna of Leydeneck near Kestel,

brought forth a youth, her own son, as she said,

fifteen years old, named Nicholas, who although

simple and rustic, as also his mother, yet by his

Baptism recognized, that in the past week, namely on the fourth feria, a blind man is illumined, being

in the field for working with horses, a certain air flying to his eyes

rendered him blind, until

the third feria of the present week. And then

the same Styna, with her husband called Korbers Henne,

vowed their son with a quarter of a pound of wax to Saint

Wernher: and on the same night the boy clearly

received his sight; and on that day the mother with her son paid the vow.

These things were recognized in the presence of the prelibated Lord

Pastor, and honorable Lords Henry

of Luternbache Chaplain, and John Besyher Vicars

of the Church of Bacharach, Master John

and others of both sexes, called and required.

For the greater firmness of whom the aforesaid Lord

Pastor ordered by me to be made this instrument, and

the seal of the Greater Church of Bacharach, and of the Chaplains

of the same church, of the Noble man Altmann Bettendorffer,

of Lord John Besyher, of Master John

Muntzmeyster, and of John Selich to be attached.

And I John Auspurg of Meysenheym Cleric

of Mainz, as above.

ANNOTATIONS.

he whose office in the said workshop is to determine the value of whatever

gold or silver is offered to be stamped, greater or less, for

greater or lesser purity of the same.

INSTRUMENT IX.

[19] In the name of the Lord, Amen. In the year of the Lord

1428, the sixth Indiction, on the first day of the month of February,

at the hour of Prime or thereabouts, In the year 1428 a dead boy is raised near the tomb at Bacharach

… Reyntze Ritter, and Catharine his

wife, of Nedernberg, of the Trier diocese, presented

their son, and by the faith mutually

sworn said, that he had been dead for the space of three hours;

and a vow being sent forth by them, by the intercession

of Saint Wernher, the boy revived. Done in the presence of

Lord John Provisoris Presbyter, Peter

Dyme junior, and Nicholas Mauweler, and many

other men of both sexes. Also in the same

year on the feast of Saint Luke, Hermann of Wyszely,

of the Trier diocese, carter of the venerable Lord

Winand Pastor of Bacharach, under faith

recognized, that his Lord in the Paschal week

of the present year had been called to the Official

of Confluence; and on the sixth feria after Easter they had entered

upon the road of return to home, and the

expounder himself had been sitting on his Lord's white horse: and

when they had come near a certain a vortex of a great

abyss of the Rhine, below the Toll-house of Saint Goar;

the horse, another is freed from the peril of submersion. stupefied by a certain wooden trunk, with

its rider precipitately cast itself into the abyss, and

the vortex of the water led him around in the most violent river,

now below, now above. And when there was

no hope of life, he collected himself, and vowed to Saint

Wernher: and after the fourth submersion

and great turning around, by the intercession of Blessed Wernher

and by the grace of the Omnipotent, he was freed. He said

his Lord, with his Chamberlain John

Hackenberg, had been present as horsemen, and had seen:

he too the expounder, all the garments with which

he had been clothed, with his sword and greaves, carried

to Saint Wernher's; and for the praise of God and his deliverance

there left them. The aforesaid Lord

Winand the Pastor, and John Hachenberg also recognized

that they had seen all these things and had been present;

but of the emission of the vow they said they had no information;

but stupefied they called upon God and the Blessed

Virgin for the deliverance of him placed in the greatest peril.

For the testimony of which Lord

Winand ordered the greater seal of the church and his own

to be appended to the present: and for the stronger faith of others,

with the seal of Lord John Provisoris, here inscribed to be strengthened.

And I John Kese of Bacharach as above

ANNOTATIONS.

INSTRUMENT X.

[20] In the name of the Lord… on the second day of the month

of April… at the hour of Vespers or thereabouts, Getza

Gehers of Weschoffen, near Worms, presented

her son, named Matthias, of one year

and more, sound and elegant; whom she asserted, conjured

by the Crucified, A boy dead for three days revives. yesterday for three whole

days had been dead, and she herself had cried out so much,

that the greater bell in Westoffen had been rung:

and all the people being gathered, she had called out

with all faith humbly to Saint Wernher, that

he would give back to her the infant alive: promising herself not

to eat, until she should present the infant with a living oblation

to Saint Wernher. Which being repeated

more often, the boy revived; and she with the boy

took up the journey, and fulfilled the vow with the infant.

This recognition was made at the request of Lord

Winand, present Lord Theodric

of Gouda, Master in Arts, and Rector

of the schools of Bacharach, John Carnificis,

companions in divine things of the church of Bacharach; John

Dunner, John Kese, and Henry Doirenkemher,

Presbyters altarists of the same church;

John and Stephen Bruning, townsmen

of Bacharach, witnesses called

and required to the aforesaid. Also on the twelfth day of the month of April,

Rucker of Lymburg with Ele Linwedy

his mother, of the Trier diocese, a blind man is illumined before the witnesses

subscribed, said, that the same Rucker

was healed. In the presence of Lord John Fudersack,

John Dunner, and John Prume,

townsmen.

[21] and another: Also on the thirteenth day of the month of May, Gorge

Oswalt of Hilsbache, on the occasion of a certain miracle,

under the faith of Baptism said, before the witnesses

subscribed, that he had been blind for ten

and eight weeks: he vowed a vow to Saint Wernher,

and received his sight. In the presence of Lord

John Dunner, Lord Henry Chaplain

of the Lord Pastor, Henry Richere, Vicars

of the same church. Also on the seventeenth day of the month

of May Lord Dean, named John

Buweman of Saulhem, of the church of Saint Paul of Worms

diocese, from the plague contracted lame, he is healed: recognized and said before

the witnesses subscribed, that he had had the pestilence,

and had been made lame, so that he could not

walk: he vowed a vow to Saint Wernher, and

was healed. In the presence of Lord John Dunner,

and Henry Mannebache, Vicars of the church

of Bacharach; John Selig, John Pistoris

laymen. Also on the twenty-seventh day of the month of October,

John Botz of Lotstad, situated between Speyer

and Lauda, expounded, that Lady Nesa of

Meckenheym, widow of a knight, had a daughter,

Nopurg, who had been possessed to such a degree, a possessed woman is freed, that

she was breaking iron chains with which she was bound, and injuring

men. At length by the counsel of a certain Presbyter

of the Speyer diocese, the mother vowed her daughter to Saint Wernher,

with three and a half pounds of wax: and

the vow being sent forth, the virgin was freed; and the noble

woman paying her vow, sent the expounder

hither with the wax, which he really offered

in the name of the aforesaid virgin: and she expounded

these things to the Lords subscribed through her Baptism.

This recognition was made at the table of Lord

Pastor of Bacharach, in the presence of venerable

men Lord Winand Pastor

already touched, Master John Pastor in Hoffen-Margaretæ

of the Cologne diocese, Henry Salhart

Vicar in Lumberscheym, Theodric Trutzburg,

Chaplains of the aforesaid Lord Pastor. Upon which

the aforetouched Lord Pastor commanded an instrument to be made,

and sealed as it seems. All these things were done

in the dowry house of Bacharach… And I John

Auspurg of Meysenheym etc. as above.

INSTRUMENT XI.

[22] In the name of the Lord… on the thirteenth day of the month

of November, at the ninth hour or thereabouts, at Bacharach

… John Pletze of Hernscheyn, near Worms,

by his Christianity recognized, Immobile from pains of belly and nearby parts is healed. that

for four weeks he had suffered pain of the belly and

the genital region, so that he could not move himself:

he vowed a vow to Saint Wernher with half a pound

of wax, and immediately was freed: and in each year with

of which the aforesaid Lord Pastor ordered

to be made this public instrument, and attached the greater seal

of the church of Bacharach, and his own, in the presence of

honorable and discreet men, Master John

the Chaplain, Hermann of Gieszin, Jacob

Mantel, John Kese junior the Presbyters, Master

John of Louvain the scribe, Henry Richel the Vicars

of Bacharach, witnesses worthy of faith called

and asked to the aforesaid. And I John Kese

as above.

[22] To these Notarial instruments, let there be added the attestation of a noble man,

concerning a miracle done on himself, related in the Trier codex,

near the end in these words: "I John Hoffman,

of Heidelberg of the Worms diocese, under oath

given to my natural Lord the Duke of the Bavarians, likewise an infected leg,

recognize that for three and more

months I had a leg around the shin infected. And

hearing the fame of Saint Wernher I personally vowed myself

to his burial with gifts: and immediately healed,

on this subscribed day, I personally paid my vow at Bacharach

and a longstanding languor, as I could. Nay to this my brother

Peter Hoffman, of Heidelberg, for a long time languid in his whole

body, the vow having been sent forth was

healed; and firmly and as quickly as he will be able, will redeem the vow.

In testimony of which I have supplicated the Lord Pastor

of Bacharach, before his four domestic familiars,

that he strengthen these letters with the seal of his church.

Given at Bacharach in the year of the Lord 1429,

on the Vigil of the Epiphany of the Lord."

BACHARACH PROCESS,

On the life, martyrdom and miracles of Blessed Wernher.

From the Trier MS. Codex.

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

BHL Number: 0000

FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction to the cause, and instruments for proving the prescription of the ancient cult.

[1] All the ancient monuments relating to the History of the passion

or of the miracles of Saint Wernher and written,

before Lord Winand Pastor of Bacharach took

care to form a public and full process of the whole cause, The Monuments hitherto given, for they were in the process, we have produced thus far; with few exceptions that we have

not thought to give whole, and these are the Lessons, Responsories,

Hymns of Saint Wernher composed then for his various Office,

when no one doubted of a soon-to-follow Canonization:

but the procuring of this, because of the cause to be indicated below,

being suspended to a longer time, those were never introduced into public

use, nor received by the Church: and so we have considered it enough

to taste them among the Annotations. There have also been produced various

Presuls' authentic Indulgences, which also it seemed

worth while not to propose extended at length,

but it is enough, if what is historical in them be shown in the Notes

to be given below. It now remains, that what in the Trier

codex is principal, and for the occasion of which those earlier

things are found described, be placed before the eyes. The Process,

I say, of Bacharach, with which begins and in which ends the most

beautiful book, with this Rubric, holding the place of a title and

conceived in these words: "Of the reverential counsel, nay more truly

of the command of the most reverend in Christ Father and

Lord, a Lord Jordan de Ursinis, by divine providence

Bishop of the Albani, of the sacrosanct Roman

Church Cardinal, and of the same supreme Penitentiary; formed from the will of the Apostolic Legate

not without mature mastication of the Reverend

Fathers and Lords, two Bishops and

Professors in sacred Theology; and also of four other

venerable, although of diverse faculties,

Doctors, of the household of the already written Lord Cardinal

existing, and with the same at Bacharach for some

time quiescent in the pastoral curia; for the reverence

and also for the information of the Apostolic See

and its supreme Pontiff, and of the most reverend in

Christ Fathers and Lords Cardinals of the same,

and also of the Most Reverend in Christ Father

and Lord Archbishop of Trier, and of his Holy

See; the things which are written below with most

diligent and exact diligence, as it seems, with truth as companion, are

gathered into one. Principally to the glory of the Most Holy

Trinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ, of the Christ-bearer ever

Virgin, and to the honor of both Johns, and of all

the elect of the heavenly curia, patrons of the Chapel of Blessed

Wernher: and following also by the command of the illustrious

Prince and Lord b Lord Ludwig Count Palatine

of the Rhine, and of the Count Palatine Archdapifer of the sacrosanct Roman Empire

and most illustrious Duke of Bavaria, chief zealot of Blessed

Wernher and of the instruction of his most noble chapel. c

[2] under Pope Martin V To the Most Holy in Christ Father and Lord Lord

Martin, by the providence of God Omnipotent of the sacrosanct

Roman and universal Church supreme Pontiff;

and to his Coworkers, the most reverend Fathers

and Lords already touched of the inviolate Church most worthy

Cardinals in the Lord; and also to the most venerable in

the Mediator of God and men, Father and Lord D.

Otto most illustrious Archbishop of Trier,

with the kisses of hands offered and of the feet of the supreme Pontiff

blessed; and Otto Archbishop of Trier. and to all and each in Christ

Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, Prelates

and Clerics, especially in universities whatsoever

ruling, and having the grace of the Apostolic See,

to the most illustrious Kings, most resplendent Dukes,

Marquises, Counts, Nobles, Knights,

Militaries, Officials of whatsoever kind, Communities,

Cities, Citizens, townspeople and rustics,

and the rest of Christ's faithful of both sexes,

of whatever preeminence they may be, of state, sex, or

condition; to attain in Christ and their own merits

happily life without end to come, and to the present

to be given indubitable faith. Namely that in the year from the Nativity

of our Lord Jesus Christ 1428, the sixth Indiction, in the year 1428 September 26 of the Pontificate

of the most holy in Christ Father and our Lord

Lord Martin by divine providence Pope the fifth

in his eleventh year, on Sunday, the twenty-sixth of the month

of September, at the hour of Prime or thereabouts, in the plain

of the enclosure of the greater chapel, commonly called Saint Wernher's,

before the principal choir, in the presence of the circumspect

man Lord Winand of Stega Doctor of Decrees

Pastor of the people of Bacharach, and of me and the subscribed

public Notaries, and of venerable witnesses,

and a great multitude of men specially

called for this, and by d a secular beadle cited

to be present, personally established, men of great circumspection,

the young Lord Henry Wolff of

Spanheim, of military rank, Burggrave and Vice-Dominus

of the territory of the people of Bacharach, of the glorious and most noble

Prince and Lord Lord Ludwig Archdapifer of the Holy Roman

Empire, Count Palatine of the Rhine,

and Duke of the most powerful Bavarians; and also Lord

John of Laudenburg, Notary of the Toll-house,

also of the aforesaid most illustrious Prince; with mature

declarations having been made with certain

articulated points, positively surrounding

the present matter; which points by written histories,

by the faith of instruments, by public voice and fame labored to be fully

proved; they brought forth in public various and diverse

things there.

[3] in which process, to prove the martyrdom, First in an oratorical word, as also (as they say)

so that it might become known to all those then present and

to the neighboring public by fame, by the relation of our elders, by public miracles,

by writings, by fortifications and by seals, openly, publicly and

notarially they pleaded; how the venerable in Christ

boy or youth, Saint Wernher, so called by

all, held, and reputed; of old about

the year of the Lord 1287, on the very day of the Supper having been communicated and

fortified with the true body of Christ, by the perfidious Jews,

whose sect and wickedness he was ignorant of, had been craftily

drawn to one of their houses somehow;

and there for three days suspended on a wooden statue, and at length

cut with a knife, cruelly slain; and this in Upper Wesel

of the Trier diocese, in this very

place, where now is the hospital of the Holy Spirit: in whose

Chapel and Choir his wooden statue, and this

very knife of his cutting is venerated by Christ's faithful.

And the same boy dear to God, by the perfidious

Jews' concurring and practicing money, had been frustrated

of his deliverance, at least temporal; although the maidservant of the Jews

had then indicated the crime to the Scultetus of the people of Wesel.

And the same blessed boy secretly by the

Jews in a crafty manner above Bacharach, in a deserted

place, the sanctity of Blessed Wernher, where now is the monastery of Saint Wilhelm,

was hidden (as the fame of the elders publicly up to the present

proclaims) under thorns and brambles, and at length wrapped in

to Christ's worshippers, and again carried to the Bacharach

judicial hall; and there

again by lights to the Christian throngs, as a boy

dear to God and a Martyr, was pointed out, and thence by solemn

procession with the Clergy and people through a notable,

wide, and pleasant ascent into the small

and ancient chapel of Blessed Cunibert religiously was placed,

not as Princes, Prelates, Nobles, citizens,

or rustics are wont to be buried below the earth tumulated;

but wrapped in wax, with a golden fillet, adorned with golden

roses, as sign of his virginity, with a silken

cushion full of violets, and the pruning-knife, instrument of his labor,

in a small cedar box surrounded;

within a strong oak tomb, well defended

and barred and fortified with the strongest ironwork;

was, in the manner of Saints and God's elect, most religiously

enclosed for rest.

[4] And that he had since done very many great signs,

so many and so great, and the public cult, that not only neighboring peoples, but also

natives of very much distant places had visited their holy

Boy, with very great gifts and monies;

so that soon the old altar, consecrated in honor of SS.

Cunibert and Andrew, being destroyed,

and the greater part of that little chapel; a new altar,

with a new building of that most precious chapel,

in the sixth year after his passion, was erected, and in honor

of the same SS. Cunibert and Andrew by a certain

Hermann venerable Father and Bishop

of the Samii was solemnly reconsecrated,

and with various indulgences, both then of Lord Peter Archbishop

of Mainz, and of very many of Trier

and other twelve Archbishops,

was enriched; and thence a new and great Chapel with

three notable choirs, as today is seen,

on most firm stone, with twenty long, wide, and triple-pillared

and quadruple windows, with ample and high

stones precious squared and cut, and brought

from parts well remote, was with a sum of many florins,

by the effort of Christ's faithful, fervently

established; and where abounded the abundance of florins

to be had, in much more superabounded the sum of offered

florins and monies exceedingly great.

And thence by the growing avarice of a certain Archbishop,

then occupying the land of Bacharach in the name of pledge,

the greatest sum of money was

violently taken from the building, and with a worthy

vengeance of that holy boy, nay rather of Omnipotent God

and of his Mother, near Bacharach in the Rhine

(where now the venerable image of the Blessed ever Mary

Virgin, carved between the solemn doors of that Chapel,

not without miracle terribly looks down) was

with the robbers indignantly submerged. And thence

the canonization of that holy boy, and the completion of so

pleasing a building has been hindered up to our

times; yet that the same Saint Wernher

here and there and slowly at diverse times and years has done diverse

miracles. And at length, to stop the mouths

of those speaking ill, the holy boy himself, three years ago,

to the light of the sun, by the reopening of the greater tomb, anew was

exposed; not without testimony worthy of faith and

by the command of the aforesaid Lord Prince Ludwig: and the recent uncovering of the body,

and at length, when there came the most reverend in Christ

Father and Lord Lord Jordan Bishop of Albano,

Supreme Penitentiary of the Holy Roman Church and

Legate de latere, with two Bishops, and six Doctors

of diverse faculties, that most holy body was shown,

flashing with recent and new and

daily miracles. Moreover this Body was seen,

by the same Lord Cardinal placed in

oak tomb was to be replaced, and strengthened with locks

and strong bars, as today this day teaches: and the holy miracles,

which God through him did, he ordered

to be written in public instruments.

[5] But that all and each of the aforesaid, or any of them,

should not slip entirely from human memory through the mutability of men, various instruments exhibited:

but be preserved unshaken for the rest in the hearts

of men, that God might be glorified in this,

that the Mother of God, both Johns, and all

the Elect of God patrons of that Chapel, with their

holy boy co-patron, might be worthily venerated, and

the Roman and also Trier Church, and their

Pastors be more easily to the worthy Canonization of this

Saint by the testimonies, fame, writings, and

monuments subscribed more clearly informed, and be inclined. First

by the proof of the points inscribed below concerning the

ancient deeds and their fame, they had produced three

tablets, for the memory of all men around the venerable

Epitaph of the same Saint Wernher suspended;

of which one, more than a hundred years old,

of large e text, contains the first ninety miracles of that

Saint Wernher. Which tablet had

also of good textual letter, solemnly

written: and because in the chest of Saint Wernher, among

his other monuments it is reposited, appeared

so ancient; and is a beautiful tablet, agreeing

with the aforesaid in all respects, of textual letter and more recent.

But the second was older than the first, containing

the days of indulgences. The third appeared to be about fifty

or sixty years old, in rhythm and in

vernacular, covering the total martyrdom of the Saint himself. Second,

principally they produced a very ancient

hours, not simple, nay rather

quadruple or quintuple, with notes and various

melodies. In the cover of which history from within,

in very ancient textual letter, was contained the fact

of the deed done and the cause of the martyrdom with the passion: and

this letter was distinguished into Lessons. Next immediately after

they produced letters of indulgences, one

of formerly h Bohemund Archbishop of Trier:

another i of Peter Archbishop of Mainz and consent

of the same letter of Lord Peter: and another of Lord k

Baldwin Archbishop of Trier. Also a letter

of Bishop l Hermann of Samii, reconsecrator

of the altar of Saint Cunibert after the passion of Saint

Wernher.

ANNOTATIONS.

1426 for the love of our Lord Jesus Christ set out across the sea to the Holy Land,

and with great devotion visited the sepulcher of our Savior in Jerusalem.

But returning from the parts beyond the sea,

the beard, which he had nurtured on the Holy pilgrimage, he did not

allow to be shaved any further; but it, as long as he lived, in memory of his pilgrimage,

he kept inviolably: and for this reason henceforth by the common people he was called DUKE WITH BEARD.

Thus Trithemius. But Jerome Henninges, lest

he seem to approve the sacred pilgrimages undertaken by our elders, in

the genealogy of the Counts Palatine of the Rhine vol. 4, writes that he fought in Palestine. But note that in the Ms. for Palatine, always "Palentinus" is had, which it suffices to have noted once; and Trevirenses is written Treverenses.

to invite, they prefer to derive: for it is the office of the Bedellus, to call to public

Acts, to assign to those summoned their place according to each one's rank.

f To this

history (which is nothing else than a complex of verses, Antiphons,

Lessons, Responsories, Hymns and Collects constituting their own Office)

this Rubric is prefixed: "There follows the first History;

word for word extracted, from the primitive old history of Saint Wernher,

about the new reposition of the Saint himself, not without wonder

wonderfully found: containing in itself many and diverse

histories of that Martyr, composed Pindarically, heroically, in prose and in music

and noted, yet formally flowing into the same end, that

at their source itself and in these two historical outpourings, namely of narrow and loose

discourse, of diverse sweet-sounding harmony (for besides the Lessons and Collects

everything else is written under musical notation)

most limpidly, not by detractors but by those inflamed with the love of Christ,

may be looked upon for the glory of the Christ-bearer and the Omnipotent."

in the context of the Trier Codex, written 140 years after the date of these letters,

perhaps not most correctly named. To recognize

the truth, a Bull of similar Indulgences in the same year II of Nicholas IV, of Christ 1289 given

to the Carmelites of Siena will serve, which Ughelli cites in Italia Sacra as

subscribed by certain Italian Bishops here named, namely

of Parenzo and of Amelia. But here are named: Peter of Arborea, Joannicius of Mokita, elsewhere John of Mockyta, and Theoctistus of Adranozola, by the grace of God Archbishops. The first

in Sardinia, where the Archiepiscopal city of Arborea, today called Oristagno:

the two others seem only to have been Titular; but the titles transcribed so

corruptly, that by no probable conjecture can I recognize them. The rest

are, Boniface of Parenzo in Istria of the Venetian dominion under the Patriarchate of Aquileia, Conrad of Toul in

Lotharingia, named by Sammarthanus, but who name his successor

Probus from the year 1287 onwards, with no document alleged;

perhaps to be corrected by one number, so that the year should have been written Christ 1289

and the last of this Conrad and the first of Probus: Peronus of Larmis, of a See unknown to us, and perhaps Titular and wrongly written: Maurus of Amelia, or, as the ancients spoke, "Amerinus," in the year 1286 under Honorius 4 created, by the testimony of Ughelli: William of Calles, or rather of Calli, by the same Honorius instituted in the year 1285; according to the aforesaid Ughelli. Waldebrunus of Avellon, perhaps of Avellino in Campania, and in Latin name Benedict in Ughelli, in the year 1288 promoted: Romanus of Croh, or of Croia in Albania, Titular. Philip of Fiesole, from the Minor Order assumed in the year 1282: and Hesricus, nay Henry of Trent, in this very year at Rome dead, by the testimony of Ughelli; by the same grace Bishops. All these, desiring that the aforesaid chapel

be frequented with fitting honors, to all truly penitent and

confessed who shall have come to the said Chapel for the cause of visitation on

the feasts of the Nativity, Epiphany, Resurrection and Ascension and

Pentecost: on the individual feasts of the glorious Virgin Mary, of the Holy Cross,

of Saint Michael the Archangel, of John the Baptist, of each of the Apostles, of SS.

Stephen and Laurence the Martyrs, Nicholas and Martin the Pontiffs,

SS. Catherine, Margaret and Agnes the Virgins, Saint Mary

Magdalene, of all the Saints and of the Souls, on the day of the Patron and

the Dedication of the Chapel itself, or on the anniversaries of the day itself, and through

the Octaves of all the aforesaid feasts; or who to the fabric, luminaries,

ornaments or other necessaries of the same chapel shall extend helping

hands; or laboring in extremis shall have bequeathed anything of their means

to the said chapel; single forty days from

the penances enjoined on each (provided the consent of the Diocesan shall have been added)

they relax. At Rome on the Ides of April, in the year of the Lord 1279

(nay 1289 as presently below) in the second year of the Pontificate of Lord Pope Nicholas IV.

From

which you may gather that in that age there was in the Curia a certain Congregation

gathered from the then present Bishops, from whom such graces were accustomed

to be sought: which we believe here to have been sought.

k A double

diploma of this Prelate is extant in the Trier Ms.; one

confirmatory of the Indulgence granted by Peter of Mainz; the other on a tablet,

hung by our elders near the tomb, whose writing without washing

could not be read because of age, and begins

"We by divine mercy Bohemund and Baldwin, of the Trier Church

Archbishops, Archchancellors of the Holy Empire through Gaul; Peter

Archbishop of the Mainz see, Archchancellor of the Holy Empire through Germany

; Peter of Arborea, etc." aforementioned and thus concluded:

"We Bohemund and Baldwin, the above-mentioned Archbishops, publicly profess,

as in our patent letters appears more clearly than light, besides

the Indulgences which we added to the Indulgences of the Venerable Fathers and

Lords, Archbishops and Bishops, that we approved the same

and confirmed them by ordinary authority. We Bohemund the Archbishop

above-mentioned approve and confirm the Indulgences current under

our time, in the year of the Lord 1289, on the 4th day before the Kalends of October. We

indeed Baldwin, the Archbishop aforesaid, confirm all the aforesaid

Indulgences and approve them. Given at Trier in the year of the Lord 1324,

in the eighth year of the Pontificate of Pope John XXII." There follows in the Rubric: "This letter was in the hand of a running nobleman: but at the end, in

great and thick textual letter, these words were written: The sum

of the aforescribed Indulgences is this 1400 days"; how many days so far, by calculating the grants of each, we have not found.

to all truly penitent and confessed, who to the chapel of Saint Cunibert

at Bacharach, in which the body of the good Wernher rests, on the day

of the Patrons, namely of Blessed Cunibert and of Blessed Andrew the Apostle, and on

the anniversary of the dedication of the altar itself, which, he says, "by the license of the venerable Father Lord Bohemund

Archbishop of Trier we there consecrated," until the octaves of the same

anniversary for the cause of devotion they shall have come, or to the fabric of the said

chapel, either in life or in extremis, pious alms they shall have

bestowed; forty days with one karena, from the penances enjoined,

mercifully we relax. Given in the year of the Lord

1293, on the vigil of Bartholomew. And this letter in the Ms. of Trier,

for the order of time, is placed after the letter of the twelve Bishops and the confirmatory of Bohemund.

CHAPTER II.

Points brought forward for legitimate proof.

[6] I return to the context of the Process already tasted, interrupted by the more prolix Annotations, which is such:

Likewise they produced another a history, not so

ancient, extracted from the previous letters and histories;

and concerning his new reposition. It is assumed to be proved, And to prove

that history, they immediately produced many and

diverse b instruments, here successively inscribed. Of which

points c and of all the others already touched

the tenor, word for word, follows successively,

and is such:

[7] that the rustic boy Wernher, First, that about the year of the Lord

1273 or thereabouts, Saint Wernher, of rustic Christian stock a faithful of Christ,

and reborn in Christ, from the village of Wammeraydt,

had been a native: so was and is public voice and

fame, by our elders, letters and histories handed down to us

his life, had done some miracles (namely by the sign of the Cross

endurance of his passion. elicited a fountain by a miracle. And that that passion had been celebrated

after the year of the Lord 1287, three days f before

Easter. Likewise that the same Holy boy Wernher,

on the very day of the Supper, was by the Priest g communicated

with the body of Christ: and after having received Communion, and on the same day by the perfidious Jews in

Wesel, of the Trier diocese, craftily, for doing

some work, into their house was lured.

[8] Likewise, that the same venerable boy-youth

had been by the same Jews hung on a h statue

downward, by the Jews hung for three days, that the Jews might have the true body of Christ i.

Which effort being frustrated, they gave themselves entirely to martyring

the mystical body itself, and to taking away

his life and blood. Likewise that the same perfidious

Jews held that holy boy three days

hanging on the wooden statue, his blood through every

part of the body thirstily cutting, today witnesses

the statue in the place of his passion, and the knife, sudary, with abundant blood extracted,

and waxen linen, bloodied, at Bacharach

in the place of his burial. Likewise that in the middle time

of his passion, through the Christian maidservant k

of the Jews, the holy boy's passion had been revealed, and

brought to Eberhard, then Scultetus of Wesel.

Likewise that the same Eberhard l the Scultetus came

to the place of the contest, and was bowed to by Saint Wernher with a voice

of exultation for his liberation, he was abandoned by the Scultetus, namely

temporal. Likewise that the same Scultetus Eberhard,

having taken the reward of iniquity from the Jews, denied aid to the

boy in torments, and that the holy

boy answered him denying: "If you will not help me,

may the merciful God, and his beloved Mother,

help me." Likewise that concerning all

and each of the aforesaid there is public voice, and fame of history, and diverse

songs.

[9] and the body of the slain cast among brambles, Likewise that the boy being left to the will of the Jews by the Scultetus,

and at length killed; he had been by

the Jews in whatever way to the place where now the cloister m

at Windesbach is, between brambles and thorns hidden,

because of the approach of day; and there by miraculous

lights he had been revealed. Likewise that from then he had been carried

to the house of judgment of the people of Bacharach, and by similar

lights again as a Saint revealed.

Likewise that thence he had been to the ancient and

small chapel of Saint Cunibert, but revealed by heavenly light in the hill of the mountain near the Parish

situated, venerably brought. Likewise

that there he was placed in waxen cloth and wrapped in his own

blood, carried to the chapel of Saint Cunibert, having on his head a golden wreath or

fillet as sign of his n virginity, beneath a cushion

of silk full of violets, and on his head a veil o

of silk multiplied, as signs of his innocence and sanctity;

and also beneath him the pruning-knife, instrument

of his former labor. And that he had been placed

in the manner of the Saints above the earth for the palm;

in a most solid oak tomb, with a very small

cedar box, venerably enclosed; and sealed

with the strongest locks, and in the manner of Saints enclosed in a cedar tomb, and this glorious tomb

had been fortified round about with the safest iron work with

and this is by the experience of the now living witnesses true,

public and manifest.

[10] and in a new chapel, Likewise that after the aforesaid first

deposition, immediately the small chapel of Saint Cunibert, with

the ancient altar, for the greater part had been destroyed: and

and squared stones, with a new altar and three

notable and costly choirs, had been erected:

and this is to the eye truly notorious. Likewise

that that altar, situated in the right choir, yet

less principal of that church, placed in the right choir, precisely before the glorious

tomb of the Saint, had been by a certain Hermann

Bishop, for the time Suffragan of the Archbishop of Trier, the altar consecrated, newly reconsecrated

in honor of the first Patrons: and that this

is clear to one looking today at the letter p of the same Bishop.

Likewise that to that chapel by many Archbishops

and Bishops at that time certain

Indulgences had been given, and honored with indulgences, and the same for the completion of that

new chapel by various Archbishops of Trier,

their own Indulgences also being added, confirmed

q. Likewise that from then Saint Wernher, within

the space of a short time, where he shines with miracles. had done ninety wondrous

miracles, building up the Church of God.

[11] Likewise that after these things the new chapel had been

up to the roof of the two choirs with great expense

fabricated: as today is clearly to the eye openly and notoriously.

Likewise that notwithstanding this, That the robbers of the sacred money were submerged in the Rhine, the money of alms

had superabounded in greatest abundance: whence

spirit, that money by force took: and the money

with the robbers, near Bacharach, in the abyss

of the Rhine was submerged. Likewise that at the time of that

submersion, s the stone image of the Blessed Virgin Mary,

nobly carved in the porch of that church, the statue of the Mother of God turned after them. which at that

time was lovingly looking at her little Son in her arms, as

the Patroness of that principal chapel; grievously offended,

by turning from the image of Christ, vindictively

looked after the robbers; not as a Virgin placable,

but as an angry woman and terrible judge:

and that this still appears to each one to the eye

today looking at that image. and thus was hindered the Canonization: Likewise that this

withdrawal of monies had hindered the just

Canonization of that Saint t, and also the completion of that church,

through 120 years and

more up to our times. Likewise that after these things

here and there that Saint had done various and diverse miracles.

And that this is clear by many iron manacles and fetters u,

and among other miracles, waxen images x and likenesses

and pugilists' y defenses, and other marks, from ancient

times up to the present in the chapel itself

variously suspended. Likewise that twenty years ago

the same Saint Wernher in a certain religious z Presbyter,

of life and morals praiseworthy, contracted in both

hands, the Presbyter's hands having been healed when contracted: had done a most evident miracle, today

most known to many men by sight and presence.

[12] Likewise that not yet four years having elapsed,

that holy body entire, the hand placed in the

golden ministry excepted, at length that the Body was publicly shown, as has been said, in the same

place placed, the tomb being reopened of the locks and bars,

had been shown to the sight of men; and with the marks of his sanctity,

virginity, and martyrdom had been found

openly, publicly and notoriously. Likewise that that body,

by the command of the Most Reverend Father and Lord,

Lord Jordan Bishop of the Albani, placed in a new tomb, Supreme Penitentiary

of the sacrosanct Roman Church, Cardinal

and Legate de latere, had been placed in a new and clean little tomb,

into the original oak place venerably,

with very many witnesses worthy of faith added,

had been most safely re-enclosed. Likewise that that

body, from seventy years above and below, visited by 30 thousand pilgrims, up to

more than three hundred thousand, nay innumerable

men of inhabitants of diverse kingdoms

and of foreign peoples, has been venerably visited, and

with gifts manifoldly honored. Likewise

that from these alms that aa church is now faithfully

being built, and all the money without any deduction

of any man, even of the proper Pastor,

is being converted into the structure of that church, and the temple built. for the praise of God,

of his beloved Mother, of both Johns, and of all the elect

of that church's Patrons, and to the honor of Blessed

Wernher, and this is clear notoriously,

by witnesses and sight, publicly and manifestly. Likewise that

among these things that Saint today shines and daily

flashes with incomparably greater and more numerous

and more manifold miracles, than

he had done at the time of his passion; and that concerning these each

and all is public voice, fame and truth,

as is clear from the diverse and various instruments drawn up thereupon.

ANNOTATIONS.

new History, similarly as the old (of which we have treated in the previous chapter) has

musical notes written above, for those parts which are commonly thus

noted in choral books. In this at Vespers the Collect is placed

the same as in the old office, "God who in memory of the Passion

of your only-begotten Son, have sustained Blessed Wernher wonderfully to suffer from impious Jews;

mercifully grant, that we sinners, who venerate the merits of his martyrdom

on earth, from you Lord God omnipotent, with glory and

honor may merit to be crowned in heaven." The Lessons of the first and second

Nocturn, which had been in the old Office as a sort of encomiastic sermon;

now are the very text of the old Passion (with few words

changed or added) with the prologue we gave omitted and added

that particle concerning the church, which above in letter we exhibited at the end of the Annotations to the primeval Life itself. The Gospel, "I am the true vine," from

John; and the three Lessons on it, from Augustine, are retained as

they were in the old Office; according to the common of one Martyr in the Paschal

time. Antiphons, Chapters, Hymns, Responsories, are all new,

and more suitable than before, and instructed with musical notes also new.

The Collect at Lauds in the old office was thus prescribed, "Lord God omnipotent, with the Collects,

wonderful in your majesty existing, who your servant Wernher

poor little one, from the misery of the falling age you rescued, and through the innocence

of his passion have extolled him with glorious miracles; grant we pray, that all, who

call upon you through his martyrdom, in their necessities of soul and

body, may obtain the benefits of your kindness." But in the new

Office, through Lauds and Hours, the same Collect as in first Vespers is

prescribed; but in the second this new one is set before, "Omnipotent

most pious and merciful God, who no age from the adoption of sons

excludest, and who to Blessed Wernher, not yet three lustra old, with the food of Angels

satiated, at the time of your triumph by the impious Jews for you slain, have given

wonderfully to triumph: grant we pray, that we who celebrate his natal day,

may merit to be made partakers of your most glorious resurrection." and the Mass, Then follows the office of the Mass, which in the old History is not described, but the reader is bidden to seek it entirely in the new: by which

it happens, that whether anything has been changed, we cannot discern. In this,

the Collect is the very one, which above was prescribed at second Vespers: the Gradual,

and the Sequence long enough nor constructed in equal meter, contain

the history of the passion. The Secret prayer is this: "Offering gifts to you on the solemnity

of Blessed Wernher your Martyr, we beseech,

most clement Lord, that as him, suffering in your place and for you,

martyrdom made glorious; so may his intercession in word and

deed make us acceptable to you." Post-communion: "Refreshed with heavenly

food we beseech, most mild Lord God, that as your blessed boy

Martyr Saint Wernher, fortified with the same food and drink, overcame the Jewish rage

with his most bitter death; so also we by the same holy refreshment,

the world, the devil, and the flesh, by your most powerful grace may be able to overcome." Finally there follows of the finding and new reposition of Saint Wernher and nine Lessons, and through the Octave. with Responsories through the week, with this beginning: "It is to be looked around with the eye of the heart, what we compose with pen. In this year

of the Lord 1426 after the feast of Easter, among the good and grave there arose a divided opinion." The substance

of the narration and most of the words are taken from the public instrument

drawn up thereupon, and above produced in n. 17: and at the end

of it among the Annotations letter e we gave from these Lessons, IV, V, VI, and parts of Lessons VII, VIII and IX, containing a compendium of the miracles performed a little after.

p Of this letter we made mention in the previous chapter at letter l.

q Concerning each there we have already treated.

r Unless

Witnesses 32, 111, 119, 162 named Baldwin, we would not believe that such

avarice could creep upon so praised a Prelate, and founder of many

monasteries, as is described in his Acts and in Sammarthanus. It was rather the fault of ministers, abusing the name of their Lord;

who however for repairing the damage had confirmed the Indulgences,

extending helping hands to the fabric. Witness 13

places it in doubt whether under him, or under his predecessor, the crime was committed;

Diether of Nassau was this one, nearer to such suspicion, because,

thrust upon the people of Trier by the Pope, with them he carried out perpetual lawsuits;

and also entangled himself in war against the people of Confluence, and at length

was summoned to plead his cause at Rome and died, without doubt needing much money.

s For seeing this Witnesses variously appeal, especially 5, 10, 45, 119, 135, 171, 185.

t The same and others bring forward this cause of the hindered work of both.

u Of these made mention especially Witness 1 and 12.

x Concerning the great quantity of wax, brought to the tomb, testify by name, Witness 76, 141 and 185.

y Of these no one speaks, nor does conjecture fully reach what they are.

z Very many eyewitnesses came to this miracle namely 1, 2, 15, 41, 111, 115, 127, 131, 155, 156, 159, 170, 181, 196, 199.

aa How

faithfully alms have been expended on this matter is testified to especially by the Clerics

of Bacharach: and the church itself even now is called the temple of Saint

Wernher, as is clear from the delineation of the town of Bacharach, in

the Topography of the Palatinate of the Rhine, in the year 1645 published in German by Matthias

Merian.

CHAPTER III.

Entry into the reception of Witnesses, and the full response of the first Witness.

[13] All the monuments, above produced or named;

making for the proof of the said points,

prolixly described in the Trier Codex; Witnesses to be heard there comes the reception

of Witnesses with their oaths: who were

Bacharach or Stega inhabitants, in the year 1428

heard, on the 28th day of September and thereafter, up to ninety-

six: then eleven of Cube, in the very Cube town heard, on October 4 of the same year. Admitted also and examined

were the principal Matrons and widows of the Bacharach parish,

to the number of 38; then notable virgins,

devout, serving God in chastity, 34.

After the examination of these follows the process concerning the Clergy,

and the response of the Clergy through 24 witnesses: whom follows

the Prior of Windesbach with his five Religious: and at length

the Pastor of Bacharach himself, in all 211

witnesses: who how they were brought and examined each one, the following

Notarial deduction and the response of the first witness will make

clear. But there were seven Notaries who received the responses,

and added their subscription at the end and notarial signs

to the concluding Process; and they continue the same process,

begun with the first two Chapters, and interrupted with the production

of so many letters and writings and lecture and explanation,

in this manner. Likewise on the same day hour and

place as above; namely on September 25, at the hour of Prime

or thereabouts, in the plain of the enclosure of the greater chapel;

[14] The aforesaid letters before the then assembled

Clergy and the cited people, Notaries are deputed, all and each with

tablets, at the request of the aforesaid Burggrave and

Notary (nay rather by the mandatory order of the aforementioned

illustrious Prince Lord Duke) through the above-touched

venerable Lord Winand, Pastor and

Doctor, word for word having been read through for the Clergy, and

vulgarized for the people; the aforesaid young Lord Henry

of Spanheim, Burggrave, taking the promissory

oath from the then principal Councillors, Sheriffs

and the people subscribed, that through us the public Notaries,

diligently, according to the points subscribed, examined,

they should say the bare, true and sincere truth,

whatever should be certain to them or could be certain, from knowledge,

sight or hearing, concerning the fame and truth and other circumstances

surrounding this deed, having no one

before their eyes but God and their own

salvation.

[15] He also enjoined us, all the Notaries

subscribed, that the same witnesses approved, not excommunicated,

nor entangled in any infamous crime,

with all diligence, who are ordered to hear also matrons and virgins as pertained to our

office, we should not put off examining,

Also, that having taken the oaths of the principal matrons

and widows of the Bacharach Parish, in a similar

manner we should do: thirdly that the notable virgins,

devout and serving God in chastity and sworn,

concerning the aforesaid points what they felt, we should receive: then the Clergy and monks:

and at length the Clerics of the Bacharach Church similarly

sworn, with the Prior and brothers of the Cloister at

Windsbach of the Order of Saint Wilhelm, also subject to

the Pastor of Bacharach, in the presence of the same Pastor,

we should subject to diligent examination: and finally the Pastor

himself, by the oath given to the Lord Duke,

whose Councillor he is, more diligently concerning the aforesaid

(as one principally concerned) of notorious

fame and other circumstances we should ask: and finally their own opinion themselves to declare, lastly

also what we Notaries felt in these matters,

we should put in our inscriptions, regarding no one,

both we and others, in each of the aforesaid,

except only God, the salvation of souls and

the sincerity of the Catholic faith. All which things,

as has been said, maturely and distinctly done, and

also inquiry made through the same young Lord

Henry, or interrogation of the Clerics of the Bacharach Church,

as is placed below at the beginning

before the examination of the first witness among the Clerics, namely

John Fudersack, from that place there was withdrawal.

[16] The first testifies September 28 in the year 1428 First, in the year already written, on Tuesday,

the twenty-eighth of the same month, Stephen Prume,

senior Advocate, Sheriff of the holy Synod

of Bacharach, eighty years old or thereabouts, sworn,

received, admitted and examined, asked,

said, that it was known to him only, through all his memory

and of his parents, for 100 years

and above and below, for 100 years the Saint has been so called, and cultivated, that Saint Wernher had been so called,

and as such venerated, not only by the inhabitants,

but by the most distant peoples, namely by Hungarians

and Slavs. Also, through all the times of his

life, he saw him indifferently cultivated by foreigners and inhabitants:

a chapel constructed nay that this new Chapel was fabricated in his

name; and the ancient altar of the Chapel of Saint

Cunibert, although it had been destroyed, and with the new

work reconsecrated in honor of the same holy

Cunibert; yet he says, if Blessed Wernher did not there

rest, this structure would never have been thought of.

Nay by himself almost innumerable,

before 20, 30, 40, 50,

60 and more notably years, he saw

diverse peoples arriving, and suppliantly invoking his

name.

[17] Nay not only from his new Reposition,

at which with others he was present; he is believed to be a Martyr, but, as has been said,

before and also after, most firmly also he believes, that he

is a holy Martyr of Christ, as his Legend

sings: which truth, every doubt set aside, he believes

to be surrounded with the brightness of light. For he said, that from

his parents, and a Virgin Clerics and laymen, he had heard, that that

holy boy had been a virgin, and with the marks of virginity

in his own blood wrapped, and in that

precious mausoleum, on all sides ironed, above the earth

(so that the space of a foot is between the earth and

the tomb) manifestly to the eye, placed. And from

the outcome of the matter this has been found most true,

that he was present, with the Notaries, witnesses and other

better men of the town of Bacharach, sent by the Lord

Duke Ludwig, Elector of the Empire; and therefore the body had remained incorrupt: and with

the Pastor and Clerics there present, together with them,

he had found the Saint wrapped in a bloody linen cloth,

with a hair-ornament, which in these parts is

unless she be known to be a virgin, and otherwise so

he had been found, that there is no ambiguity about his

sanctity; but only this he believes to be of interest, that

(as his vulgar and most famous Legend nourishes)

after his martyrdom one Archbishop

of Trier, that the treasure was taken away by theft and perished seeing so great a building being fabricated in his name,

led by avarice, despoiled it of very great

money, which also below Bacharach

had been submerged: whence perhaps his Canonization had been

hindered, as he has heard.

[18] miracles done: That he has also very often read, that he had done

innumerable most glorious miracles, as is clear in the tablets

written down thereupon, most ancient, combined in good textual

letter; in many ironworks, fetters

and manacles, to him before many times solemnly

by captives, freed by his benefit, suppliantly

offered. Further he said, that twenty years ago, a certain

very religious Presbyter of Bacharach, called

Lord John Hunczerich, very ardent for

reading Masses, had had his hands withered in both,

so that his celebration had been entirely frustrated:

and he said, that that Presbyter, a contracted Presbyter led by him to the tomb and healed; weeping and wailing

with great sobbing and a multitude of men of Bacharach

had ascended to the blessed Boy's tomb.

Nay he says, that he himself and a certain formerly Lord

Henry Bere Presbyter, led the same Presbyter

Lord John Hunczerich between their arms

to the tomb, and by common prayer

of that Priest and of the people being made, soon he was

restored to pristine health: publicly there vowing himself further

to be a Chaplain of Saint Wernher, and him every

day to visit: and that from then the same Presbyter, for

twenty years and more, every day, as he firmly thinks,

has ascended to Saint Wernher, and has celebrated Masses in his chapel

once, twice, thrice in the week. And

asked whence he knew this, he says, that most often he has

seen this; since he himself is accustomed every day personally to invoke and

visit the holy Boy himself.

[19] it is wicked to doubt concerning the miracles done: To these things he said, that he has seen many other more miracles,

of which many are instrumented: where he

himself also is required as a witness: he refers himself to those, and to

his history, which he believes indubitable; and for wicked

he would believe or alienation of mind, if anyone thought the contrary,

at least knowing the deed done as he does: and

he believes so also by all the parishioners of the Bacharach church

it is firmly believed. Nay further asked about the sanctity,

he said that he is of such great sanctity, that even

most distant peoples, Hungarians, Slavs, etc. draw

from his fountain placed near his chapel, which they carry

with them, and returned say, that the same

fountain in its first taste and sweetness so remains.

[20] he is venerated as a Saint also by leading men: The witness himself was asked (since he was a lettered person,

and knew that the Saint was not solemnly canonized

by the church) why he cultivated him as a Saint;

he answered that he was not wiser, higher, or even

similar to the Cardinals, Bishops, Doctors

in Theology and Canon Law, in laws and

medicine, Dukes, Counts and Countesses, Nobles

and Presbyters, of all of whose kind by his

eye he has seen very many, honoring Saint Wernher himself

suppliantly with gifts and devout prayers

venerably, with gold and silver, jewels

of wax both great and weighty, even 130

and more and less, images. Asked,

who those were; he says, that a certain Cardinal Legate

de Latere, with six Doctors, of whom

two were Bishops. Asked whence he knew these things, he answered,

that at Saint Wernher's in the pastoral house for

three weeks they had rested, and had given Indulgences to the structure

, and had ordered the holy Boy himself cleanly

to be placed; yet so that he should not be moved from the place:

Archbishop also of Besançon had been one

after those: and that the Count Palatine, with his son and

wife, also more frequently honor the Saint, with magnificent

gifts in wax, and a great sum of Florins:

also the Count of Katzenelnbogen with his wife

reverently visit him each year: likewise

the Countess of Nassau, today residing at Wiesbaden;

and that similar things are wont to be done by Prelates Doctors

and peoples: wherefore he has no doubt, that Saint Wernher

is most worthy of canonization:

and that whatever he here has set forth, the greater part of the Town

of Bacharach believes to be true.

[21] and explains his own condition: Asked about his own life; he denies being excommunicated,

says he is rich enough in fiefs and patrimonial goods;

he denies being corrupted; hopes for no gift, but eternal life;

he says every fiction, neither any, nor

anything to be; but simply true, as he has deposed: he knows

letters: he is a synodal Sheriff: and for many years

was Advocate of the city; and master of the fabric of the Parish

church of Bacharach.

CHAPTER V.

Depositions of the sworn witnesses concerning the stock, martyrdom, revelation and chapel of Saint Wernher.

[22] The Witnesses affirm, But to describe the whole and individual responses of the Witnesses

would be a labor not only long but

also fastidious; and to readers little agreeable: therefore

the reason which in the processes for Saint Francis of Paula and others

similar we have begun to keep, here also we shall maintain;

and in the witnesses' own words we shall relate all things, which before

we have found less fully and less clearly said. And first

as regards the origin of his birth, Witness LXXXIII Peter

Scholteisz of Mannebach, born at Wammerayt, fifty years old,

said that he had heard from his grandmother, who also had known

Saint Wernher, that he had been born on one side

from the village called Constanza, near Wammerayt, on

another line from Wammerayt, of the Trier diocese. Witness

XLVII John Crebisz, townsman of Bacharach

65 years old, added that he and Saint Wernher,

born of rustic stock, had had common kinsmen.

Witness CXIX Catharine Stumps eighty

years old, on account of old age, lest she die received,

answered, that it was certain to her, as her husband's mother

had related to her, who was called Byel Cruls, that the mother of Saint

Wernher had had so great consanguinity with

the townsmen of Stega, of rustic stock that the witness herself speaking and

the kinsmen of their sons divided the utensils;

and thence had come one bronze pot to John

Smalcz at Stega, which was of the mother of Saint Wernher. And

John Smalcz himself 53 years old, Witness LXXIX, by affinity,

as is known, connected with Saint Wernher, said he had

the said pot... descended down to him through ancestors;

but he declared that Saint Wernher had been a Christian

from Christians; whose posterity still survives well Christian: and this Elizabeth wife of John

Busz Synodal Sheriff and of the Judgment of Bacharach,

an honest matron, 60 years old or so, Witness CXL,

affirmed, with her rustic kindred testifying and

kinsmen still surviving: some of whom perhaps descended

from the very brother of the Saint, concerning whom Witness X John

Carst of Mannebach, senior 80 years old and

more, says that his grandmother, widowed for forty years,

of 100 years, at her death said to him, that several times to the uterine

brother of Blessed Wernher she had given alms after

the passion of Saint Wernher. And John Provisoris,

33 years old, Witness CLXXXIII, said that Saint Wernher has

descendants and kinsmen many, namely John

Becker and Smalcz townsmen of Stega, and

others at Wammerayt and at Wesel. Finally Witness I

John Bintreiff cooper, townsman of Bacharach,

says that he in the house of the niece of Saint Wernher, in the village of Wammerayt,

whence he was born, had once been, and had

conversed with her.

[23] Gutta Schieszers, widow of formerly John

Gerckens, that he had lived by rustic labor, 65 years old or thereabouts, Witness CXVII,

confesses that she had heard from a certain John called Schuring,

townsman of Stega, that he had seen the blessed boy

Wernher from the countryside, and as such a simple rustic

boy, carrying manure to the vineyards of a certain Stega noble,

called Breytscheit senior, and

that he had been a virtuous boy. This however is observed;

after the holy boy from Wammerayt with his parents

expelled came into Urber near Wesel, as deposes

Catherine Hunczerichi, a virgin of withdrawn life

51 years old and more, having been most well-mannered Witness CLV. But Witness IX Henry

Calart of Stega, 70 years old, asked whether he held him

as a Saint and what was the cause of his knowledge, answered,

that his wife Hilla had confessed, that she had served

another woman, saying that she had been a servant of the house,

in which the boy himself also had stayed: and that to all

addressing him so cheerful he showed himself,

and in all works and affairs so swift and

agile showed himself, and with all virtues so

adorned, of morals composed, in acts so virtuous,

that to her similar she thought she had never seen.

Further concerning the one miracle of the holy boy before his passion

there are four Witnesses, among whom Nesa Strytsacks,

Witness CXXVI, a widow 70 years old or so, and that he had produced a fountain by a miracle, said to herself

it was certain, that she had heard truly, and that she believes,

that today this is more fully known to a certain townsman of Mannebach,

that the blessed boy Wernher himself,

before his passion, came to certain rustics, desiring

bread: and that those rustic shepherds, through lack of

of their intolerable thirst: and that then

the boy, pitying the misery of both parties, with the sign of the Cross

fortified the dry and too-dry earth, and thence

that on the road between Bacharach and Saint Wendelin,

as she heard from many: and today many drink of that

fountain, and it is called the fountain of Saint Wernher.

[24] That the miracles of the living ought not to be sought, Further, John Provisoris aforesaid, one of the Bacharach

Clergy, interrogated about the miracles done by the Saint in life;

fittingly answered, that he believes not in Martyrs

"pandi," that is, "made manifest" (for thus often in this codex

is used the word "passus," as a participle from the verb "pando")

not so strictly is inquiry to be made about miracles

in life, as in Confessors, as in Felix and Adauctus

and the four Crowned. Likewise that his endurance

in the passion he believes a great miracle, instilled in him by God

for the strengthening of the Holy Church.

But the series of this passion many, as they had heard, narrated:

of whom Elizabeth Weselers 70 years old,

Witness CXX, in so manifest a Martyr, says she herself had heard from a certain townsman

of Stega, called Orit Keyser, who was the grandfather of Lord

Winand, who is now Pastor of Bacharach; and from

many others who lived at the time of the Martyrdom of Saint Wernher.

Also Getza, widow of formerly John Mals, 80

years old, sound of mind and body, Witness CXXVII, recounted

the history of his martyrdom. Asked whence she knew it,

she says from her grandfather called Sifrid Amborn, who at the time

of that Saint lived, saw, heard. Similarly

Nesa, daughter of John Morelene senior, 56 years old

and more, a virgin, in her father's house, although bereft of her mother,

leading a virginal life, Witness CLXIX, to the questions

asked her answered, that from her ancestors, namely

her father, who also from his very old parents

had heard, she had learned. Nay also John Otto, townsman

in Cube and Sheriff, 80 years old and more,

Witness XCVIII; John Sneplok, 70 years old and more,

Sheriff of Cube, Witness XCIX; John Lottringer,

Sheriff of Cube, 70 years old, Witness C; John

Fridages, Sheriff of Cube, 60 years old or more,

Witness CI, when they were interrogated, each of these four

most elegantly knew the cause of the martyrdom and the martyrdom

with all its circumstances, and they recited

each separately, as is contained in the old and more ancient

diverse histories of Blessed Wernher.

[25] And the testimonies of most of these concerning the series of the passion

are so in general noted: and most known to all: many others speaking as of

the statue, the information of the maidservant, the perfidy of the Scultetus, the carrying away of the slain

body, its hiding and revelation; which from

the history itself will be better sought. Here I note that Sophia Witness

CLXVIII, about whom more below n. 56, said that the vision

of candles, shining at Windspach at the body, first appeared

to the watchmen in the castle of Furstenberg: and that James

Smidt 56 years old, originating from Bacharach and there

also dwelling, Witness XXIII declares, how

at Wesel the house of the Jew was changed into the hospital of the Holy Spirit;

and immediately preceding Witness XXII Nicholas

Arnoldi of Wesel, 80 years old and more, dwelling

in Bacharach, whence the house of the Jews at Wesel converted into a Hospital, says that he had been for more than twenty years in

the hospital of that house, where that Saint

was martyred; and that the statue stands there in the choir enclosed with boards

because by infinite visitors with small pieces it has been much

diminished: who also for the sake of the statue and of Saint Wernher,

there everywhere offered great moneys, and venerated

the statue on account of the Saint. And these two points about

the veneration of the Wesel house and statue, many others

confirmed by their suffrage; and namely Witnesses XX, XXIX,

XXXII, XXXIX, XLI, XLII, L, CXII, CLXII and

CCV. But specifically Witness XIII John Brunigh,

townsman of Bacharach, 52 years old, answered, that especially

by Hungarians and Slavs is the statue honored, and the beam to which the boy was bound is held in honor. which by

foreigners by small pieces in the middle had been much

diminished; and lest it be totally carried away, it had been enclosed among

boards. Further John Crebisz above-mentioned,

when he had narrated how the Scultetus brought to the boy's

agony by the maidservant had answered the one asking help, "I cannot

help you, since money for you has been given me notably

plentiful"; soon adds, that that same Scultetus

Eberhard from then vanished within a short

time, so that his bones and flesh were never

known. Asked however about the cause

of knowledge, he said, that he had so heard from his mother and grandmother, who

lived in this time.

[26] John Biene, 100 years old or so,

first being asked about his old age whence he is so

ancient, said from this, that he remembers Bacharach

around the mountains to have been little walled: also he remembers

the time of war between the people of Trier and the Ducals, in

which he had been … of which time the length is written

in the great precious Breviary of the Bacharach church.

By the name of Ducals are understood the subjects of the Elector Palatine

Duke of Bavaria: but in the Trier Annals of Brower

I find nothing, whence the time of this war could be defined,

which therefore I leave to those studious of Trier affairs better

to investigate, and proceed to the deposition of this so

aged Witness XVIII, who, as is added, is a Butcher

in his right mind, and still today working at Stega,

and further interrogated, says that the history of Saint Wernher

and his martyrdom he heard from his parents, a dispute having arisen about the body.

and that two most illustrious miracles happened immediately

after the death: one namely, when Saint Wernher

had been by the Jews from the Wesel Scultetus Eberhard

somewhat bought; that is, abandoned to their will,

and the Jews themselves wished to lead him secretly to Mainz;

with daylight betraying them, he had been

placed among brambles above Bacharach on this side of the Rhine,

where now is the cloister of Blessed William, then recently

erected after the death of Saint Wernher; and when he should be brought

to Bacharach, there had been contention between the people of Bacharach

and the people of Wesel about the body: and it was

freely exposed on the Rhine. Which although flows from

Bacharach to Wesel, that it applied across the Rhine to Bacharach, when it came

to Bacharach, freely descending by the force of the water;

against the course of the water it placed itself on the Bacharach shore:

and he says this was most famous, at the time

of his youth, known to all.

[27] The same narrating Witness XLIII Nicholas Smidt

of Stega 65 years old and notably more, says

he had heard from a certain Wernher, called Vaszbender,

townsman of Bacharach then a centenarian,

as he said, that he had seen Saint Wernher

in this manner at Wesel to have suffered, etc. and at length

when a controversy arose between the people of Wesel and Bacharach,

he was placed in the middle of the great river

Rhine, that where he would he might descend: and when

from opposite he came to Bacharach, notwithstanding the immense

force of the Rhine; he transversely to the Bacharach

shore went. Likewise that he had seen him

placed in the house of judgment, and with candles manifest. Nay

he said Wernher had said, and there honored with various signs, that with his own eyes

he had seen doves around the funeral feeding on grains; and

that the body itself not without many miracles in the chapel

of Saint Cunibert was deposited; when more often it was

tried to place him elsewhere in vain.

And this last is more fully by the aforementioned Henry

Callarti, Witness IX, confirmed: who added to the other things said

by him, that, when in the house of judgment placed

the body stood, he was intending to place it in another place

than that in which now it rests: but yet by God's

will and mystery disposing this, neither in

the church or hospital, nor in other places did it wish to remain:

and into whatever place the building

of the mausoleum was brought, always on the mountain,

on which it now rests, in the morning it was found.

Concerning candles or lights, by which "passum," that is,

"manifested," the sacred body had been, both here and several other Witnesses

assert, specially to be heard is Lisa

Seckelers, a virgin 75 years old, who says she had heard

from her own father, that her grandfather one morning

among brambles found Saint Wernher, by the

Jews slain: and that his sanctity first

by candles, both there and in the Sheriff's hall

of Bacharach was revealed, especially by three

virgins or beguines, before morning visiting

the church. Namely at Bacharach: for at

Windspach the candles were first seen by the watchmen of Furstenberg, as

said above.

[28] Another miracle narrated by the above-mentioned Witness XVIII

I defer to a more convenient place; and to have indicated his mother, and for it I substitute

another, more immediately following, which Margaret relates,

Witness CXVIII, wife of Ewald the merchant,

fifty years old and more; adding to other things said by her;

that she had truly heard, that at the time

when the slain one had been brought to Bacharach to judgment,

two women bereft of their sons came,

and asked that he indicate which was his mother:

who then had extended his dead hand to his mother. For

the celebrity of the new Martyr had induced that other one, to say

she was his mother, at whose aspect she could hope for copious

aids in bearing her poverty; contending against her, who truly

was the mother. Perhaps also this was the cause why the right

hand had been separate from the body, adorned with silver, and placed

above the box, as is said in the History of the invention in n. 19

, and below in n. 64.

[29] From then so great a multitude and evidence of miracles

began to overflow, soon from the copious offerings a temple began to be built, such throngs of pilgrims from everywhere

to run together, such copious offerings to be gathered (which

most of the Witnesses severally exaggerate, to confirm

that Wernher, as a Saint, had always and most fundamentally been

held) that that distinguished basilica could be built: which

why it was not altogether completed, is expressly imputed by many

to the Bishop, who tried to claim for himself the money collected there.

Brower refers this to the year 1338, in which

the people of Wesel and Boppard were to be chastised by Baldwin the Bishop,

because by private authority taking up arms

they had set about to kill Jews, and seize their goods:

and he suspects that the people of Bacharach are not to be separated from this cause,

who had placed the treasure taken away in this tumult from the Hebrews in the temple of Blessed Wernher, in

the temple of Blessed Wernher, out of hatred of the people and by the memory of the ancient deed

; and thence by Baldwin's order it had been justly taken away as punishment to the treasury. But

such a suspicion lacks foundation; rather for the Bishop's excuse I would say,

that he himself, compassionating the Jews and too credulous of their

complaints, was indeed persuaded that Jewish spoils had been offered

to Blessed Wernher; but God by the submersion of the plundering ship

had made clear how false was such persuasion.

The aforementioned Catherine Stumps, octogenarian,

asserted that there were three vessels filled with diverse coins.

[30] But that because of this crime that stone image of the Blessed

Virgin, which in the doorway of that most noble chapel

is magisterially constructed, the robbers, the statue of the B. V. fiercely turned after them and before had a direct

aspect before itself or delectably the infant

was accustomed to look upon: as an angry woman begrudging her

prey, and avenging the injury done to her, as the principal

Patroness; had turned an angry and terrible countenance,

turned away from her own Boy, toward the robbers into

the Rhine, so formidably, that immediately all the robbers

were submerged with the spoil; and still

the image is seen to stand with an angry and averted face; openly

and notoriously to appear, submerged, said Irmetrudis, Witness CLXXI,

daughter of Rupen, formerly Sheriff of Bacharach of Diepach,

55 years old, a virgin, dwelling in her own house:

and the same many witnesses more briefly affirmed. Witness CLXII says, below

Bacharach immediately the ship submerged; CLII

near Bacharach. Most significantly Witness XLV, John

Trutman of Stega, 54 years old, asserts, that the countenance

of the image had turned itself in that way which was between the tower

of the bank and the tower of the robbers, where now the wall is from tower

to tower: and there was submerged the money with all

in the ship. Moreover Witness XLII, John Herden,

75 years old and more, with only one pilgrim saved: from Hensch-huysen within

the limits of the church of Bacharach… that a poor

pilgrim, wishing to sail for the sake of God, unaware

of the wickedness, only escaped: and asked about the cause

of his knowledge, he says, that he had so heard from his parents and

ancestors, not for fame only, but for the truest

truth, which the same Witness IX above-cited affirms.

[31] all other money Further, as detestable as was the cupidity of those seizing the sacred

money, so praiseworthy was the abstinence of the Pastor

and others, taking nothing from it for their own right, but

expending all on the fabric, as various expressly confirm,

and most significantly Witness XCVI, Altmann Bettendorff,

of military rank, of the Regensburg diocese, one of the twelve

military Councillors of the Bacharach council,

and superior Chamberlain of the illustrious Lord Duke Ludwig

Count Palatine of the Rhine; who says, that he saw

more than twenty thousand men personally visiting Blessed

Wernher, to be expended only on the fabric, and venerating with gifts and moneys:

which all are without deduction

converted, for the honor of God and of faith into the fabric of that

church, and for the augmentation of divine worship: nor even the present

Pastor takes anything of his canonical portion.

Asked whence he knows, he says that he together with two others

is Master of the fabric, but has nothing thence of present aid,

but hopes for the future. Similarly his

companion in office Witness III John Prume, son of the first

Witness; forty years old, Co-notary of the Lord

Duke in the Bacharach Toll-house, rich enough;…

asked how much emolument thence he has, he says,

absolutely nothing; but he has labor, and hopes for life

eternal. Nay he said that all the money is converted to the structure,

nor does the Pastor receive a single obol

of it. not even the Pastor receiving his canonical portion: Nay Witness CCI Adam, Rector of the scholars of Bacharach

Master in arts, affirms, that the erection

of the structure is without doubt a notable damage

to his Lord Pastor and his own: because (as the immediately

following Witness Theoderic of Isennach adds, Chaplain

in the dowry of the Bacharach church, 35 years old

or thereabouts) the poor, who might perhaps aid him in confessions and offerings,

for the sake of the Indulgences give to

the structure, and Witness CCIX Heinrich Salhart,

senior Chaplain of the Lord Pastor of Bacharach,

agrees with the preceding Witnesses saying, that he

well feels the damage in his purse.

[32] Of wax, offered in memory of the benefits received,

so great an abundance flowed, more than 5000 waxen offerings offered within two years, that John Donner, Witness

CLXXXV, Altarist of Stega in the chapel of Saint Anne within

the limits of the Bacharach church, and custodian together with

his mother and family of the chapel of Saint Wernher, says, that

such waxen signs made more than five thousand

pieces in the past biennium etc.: of which

four thousand or so, in the past month, in the house

of the speaking Witness; nay more truly of Saint Wernher, were

resolved into ten masses: of which one through three men

not without labor had to be suspended in the

chapel: over and above this, with a thousand pieces dismissed around the epitaph

as a sign of the miracles

of that Saint; notwithstanding that a continual waxen candle,

over the body of the Saint, to the honor of God shines. Which

the same affirming Hebela, mother of the aforesaid Lord John of

Cube, custodian with son and family by the Lord

Duke deputed, to guard the epitaph of that

Saint Wernher, 70 years old and notably more,

Witness CXLI, said, those images thus resolved within the space

of one month, that is in the past month, to ten or eleven

hundredweights of pounds had extended, to the weight of more than 1000 pounds, of which each

piece portended a singular miracle. But

also Witness LXXVI, John Lipp, townsman of Bacharach

40 years old and more, sustaining himself by labor and

craft, with the same John and Hebela cooperating in the casting of the wax,

by the command of the Lord Duke Ludwig and of the Pastor

of Bacharach, attests, that one of the ten

great masses aforementioned he himself as a third could scarcely

suspend; and he had cast besides these from those and other

pieces of diverse human parts, of men

and brute animals, hanging around the Saint's mausoleum

several other masses. As to the fetters

and manacles Witness XII John Selig, and a great force of manacles and fetters. forty

years old or thereabouts, a lettered man, and who in Bacharach

has dwelt more than twenty years, having his wife there,

and master of the buildings of the Archbishop of Cologne

in Bacharach, said he had heard from Lord Henry

Beren Presbyter, that all the ironwork

of the windows of the two choirs of that chapel, which

are many and very great, are made from the fetters

and manacles of iron, offered to that Saint by those freed

from chains, by the help of God and of him.

CHAPTER V.

Depositions of the same concerning the cult of Saint Wernher.

[33] They testify that men of every kind from all sides come to visit the tomb, The multitude of those coming to the tomb of the Saint the

Witnesses very many exaggerated: and most significantly

Witness IV, Emmerich of Waldek, son of formerly Emmerich

of military rank, 70 years old, said, that through all

the time of his remembrance, before and after up to the present,

Wernher had been honored as a Saint, and is honored

by inhabitants and foreigners, nobles and commoners;

and that he saw Prelates, Cardinals, Archbishops,

Bishops, Doctors, Princes, Counts and Nobles

coming to that Saint from diverse kingdoms, such as

England, Germany, Tuscany, Lombardy, Hungary,

Slavonia and Burgundy. But Witness CXI Gutta Schelarts

70 years old, wife of John Brungins, townsman

of Bacharach, says, and to draw water from the neighboring fountain that she saw foreign peoples even

with bent knees going around the chapel: nay the fountain

near the chapel, as holy and freeing from infirmities,

by the Hungarians and Slavs often into flasks to be taken,

which also is not subject to stench. More expressly Witness

XII John Selig aforecited testifies, that when the fountain, that

is the water of that fountain, had been carried to their most remote

places, after seven years it happened that they returned:

and that that fountain he heard to be declared most clear and

without any infection most sweet. Asked whence he knows this, he says, the fountain

stands near the chapel, and those men from seven years to

seven years are accustomed to the Blessed Virgin of Aachen

to go over, and leave gifts in the treasury.

[34] I pass to another kind of honor, customarily accorded to the sacred sepulcher through

public procession of the Clergy and people, of which,

besides others, Witness LXXII, Bertolf called Becker, townsman

of Bacharach, 60 years old or thereabouts, says

he venerates that Saint Wernher, that the Body of Christ is carried there in procession, with all the inhabitants of his parish,

as a Saint; and venerates him as such

with gifts and honors and prayers; and thus he always

has done, with his wife and daughters and all his neighbors, following

at the time the Body of Christ, up to the altar

of Saint Cunibert near his tomb: and that this

he has done up to the present, and hopes to do until

the end of his life, that that Saint Wernher intercede

for her, because he is powerful on account of his distinguished merits, which

in very many miracles appear and to the eye can

be seen. Catharine Scheiden, widow of Bacharach 70

years old, devout and very honest, Witness CXXX affirmed,

that the Body of Christ, forty years ago and

even fifty, processionally near the tomb

had been carried. But Elizabeth, wife of Peter Humerecht,

townswoman in Bacharach 60 years old or less,

says this to be done on certain festivities of the year.

[35] But it is concerning this custom very notable,

what Witness CLXIII said; which once when omitted Catherine of Ebren, of the Trier

diocese, virgin and Recluse in the Recluse of Blessed Mary

the Virgin in Heymbach of the Bacharach church;

who now had been there for thirteen years, in abstinence

and chastity with the other fellow-virgins leading a common

life, with hands with the others enclosed seeking

their living, using sometimes also with the others the piety of alms,

without dishonest public mendicity,

30 years old and a little more. She said however to herself

it was certain, that twenty years ago particularly, in winter,

on account of too intense cold, the body of Christ was not

carried to Saint Wernher contrary to the ancient custom,

which is kept today: the stones of the pavement were moved, and for this (as at

the time she heard from many) there was great confusion and commotion

of many squared stones around the venerable

tomb of that Saint, which then was and is

above the earth beyond the space of a foot erected,

surrounded by ironwork all round, and probably

on every side of it, below, above and on the sides…

Asked about the cause of her knowledge, she says that before her conversion

she had dwelt with the Cellarer of the Lord Duke in Bacharach,

and had seen the commotion of the stones.

[36] A similar thing had also happened ten years ago: for

Nesa Strytzacks, and the same thing had occurred often otherwise, septuagenarian, Witness CCXXVI already

cited, 33 years ago, when the preceding was not yet

born, saw flat stones around the tomb

suddenly turned into disorder, or (as Catherine

Stumps octogenarian Witness CXIX speaks) that the stones

all around from flat turned into crags,

or (as Metza Mulners says, virgin 60 years old,

townswoman of Bacharach, Witness CLXXII) that

from flat they had raised themselves into rough 30

years ago. But Ela Stuben, sexagenarian, Witness CLXII,

the squared stones to have turned into great inequality,

not once, but often she saw: and asked

what she esteems to be figured by this; she says at the time men

and she commonly said, that this prodigy signified

the canonization. Of the same opinion the

preceding Witness confesses himself to have been, and also Witness CXVIII. Simply however

the commotion of stones seen by her witnesses the following

Witness; and Odilia, wife of Oirkins 70 years old,

Witness CXXI; around the Nativity of the Lord, and Elizabeth Goldgins, equally septuagenarian,

Witness CXXIII. The same commotion miraculously

done 30 years ago, the tomb and chapel being at rest,

around the nativity of the Lord, witnesses by ocular

faith John Tzing bellringer of the Bacharach church

56 years old, cleric married, who had been bell-ringer

of the same church for 36 years, Witness

CXCIX and adds, that all day the bell was rung

for the evidence of the miracle.

[37] Otherwise, 33 years ago, Elizabeth Lauwers,

virgin 55 years old, Witness CLII, was present and

with her own eyes saw, that the Saint himself on the day of the Circumcision

with the whole tomb, above the earth openly

and elevated placed, had moved, and on the day of the circumcision also the tomb and there a most sweet

odor had emanated. Similarly Witness LV Bartholomew

Rosenbecher 60 years old, townsman of Bacharach,

dwelling near the Pastor, before others says, at the time

of his adolescence once around the feast of the Circumcision

there was the greatest movement around the tomb

of that Saint, so that the squared stones of the chapel very

unequally raised themselves, although the chapel itself with the glorious

tomb is placed on a hill of most firm rock.

And Witness CLVIII Agnes Kempen, virgin of withdrawn

life, 50 years old, deposed, that she had heard from three

persons, guarding the burial of that Saint ten

and twenty years ago there as bell-ringers,

that often with great ecstasy and stupefaction there had been a commotion

of that burial placed high above the earth;

and a notable dissolution into

inequality of the squared stones, before plainly placed;

so that as if precipitously

they had placed themselves. Similarly, Elizabeth daughter of formerly

John Gercken, virgin 30 years old, Witness CXLIX, with a fragrance of most sweet odor:

says she had often heard from a certain honest man called

Heinz Gorgel, custodian of that chapel and of the Saint

that the Saint himself had often exultingly moved himself, and

there had been the greatest sweetness of odor, and that this portended

nothing else but his canonization. To this assented

Ella, wife of John Rudissemmers, 70 years old,

Witness CXV: who asked where she had seen it, says that as a scholar

on the mountain of Saint Wernher, together with other virgins,

she had learned letters. But concerning only the odor often perceived,

Witness CLXII Ela Struben of Mannebach, 60

years old and notably more, magistra of the Recluse in

Heymbach in the boundaries of the limits of the Bacharach church,

herself a virgin leading a virginal holy life with the other

virgins to God, asked about the singular reasons

(because the Witness herself with the other virgins bound to her

are believed to be of most holy life) for which she holds

Wernher as a Saint, simply and sincerely answered,

that 27 years ago and more, she herself had suppliantly

adored the holy boy, and that immediately

from the tomb so most sweet and desirable an odor had come forth,

beyond what can be expressed.

[38] The canonization which either that motion of stones or of the tomb,

placed otherwise on most solid rock (as the aforementioned

Witness CXV asserts), is judged to have portended, yet not to be venerated by the Clergy in the ecclesiastical Office, was that magnificent

elevation of the body above described; and made by the authority of the Legate

Apostolic: for beyond that it has not gone. Therefore Tielmann

Rudiger, Plebanus at Mannebach, 35

years old, obedientiary of the Pastor of Bacharach;

Witness CXCV, when he had said that Saint Wernher by all

his ancestors and other innumerable men,

great and small, of all conditions and states,

through all the times of his memory, was and has been

cultivated and venerated as a Martyr of Christ, openly,

publicly and notoriously; and that he himself and his fellow-Vicars and

the Plebani, subject to the Pastor of Bacharach, were able

to venerate the same Saint to the utmost; he excused however

that they do not do this in public offices; out of reverence

for the Apostolic See, from which they knew this faculty was to be

obtained. But Witness CLXXXIII, namely John Provisoris

above-cited, asked, whether he had venerated Wernher

as a Saint, says, that although his ancestors

and all the other peoples, whom he has known, venerate him

as such; yet he and the other Presbyters do not venerate

him manifestly: and this he believes proceeds from the fact, that

the Pastors of Bacharach have always been lettered men,

courtiers, and mostly Doctors, who did not do this:

therefore he and his fellows do not do it.

[39] although the same holds his sanctity as certain, Equally well the same Witness does not doubt, that he is

had been present at the opening of his tomb, and had seen

him wrapped in his own blood and linen, with

the hair-ornament of his virginity, with a silken cushion full of violets,

and a silken sudary on his head bloodied:

and he believes it hard if anything is opposed to his

sanctity, which in heaven he has, and from earth for 140

years up to the present he has possessed.

Nay he believes that around Bacharach round about

there are twenty thousand Saints canonized, who have not

done so many illustrious miracles: as is clear in many

of the ten thousand Virgins, and innumerable Martyrs

at Trier, who on one day at Bacharach are celebrated,

and yet do not shine with such most evident

miracles, as this Saint Wernher. Similarly Peter

Tedefusz, 80 years old or thereabouts, Vicar at Diepach

and subject of the Pastor of Bacharach, Witness

CLXXXVIII, said that it would be dangerous in the Church of God to wish to question

the sanctity of so distinguished a miracle-worker,

whom they had already cultivated for 140

years, and he thinks it cannot be disputed without scandal, every sex, condition and age of men

and states, publicly and notoriously, this being known

both to the Roman church and the Trier: especially since

the signs of his sanctity are most true, by voice, fame, knowledge,

scriptures and letter, with infinite signs

and miracles following. But John Trutman, Witness CLXXXIX,

40 years old, placed under the obedience of the Pastor of Bacharach,

agrees with the preceding fellow-witness, adding,

"Would that the Lord Apostolic and the other Cardinals had seen him

the Saint thus honored, as the supreme

Penitentiary three years ago saw; and had perfectly

seen, what we daily see; with worthy

honors they would canonize that Saint."

[40] That his Office is had written down: It is clear meanwhile, what I noted elsewhere, that the Clergy of

Bacharach abstained in divine Offices from making public commemoration

of the Saint; and indeed that the Histories, related in this Process,

were never used in church: but had only been maturely

composed and described also with musical notation, that they might be

at hand whenever the Apostolic See should approve.

They were nonetheless carried through the hands of men: for Witness

XCVII, and first among the Cube people, Heinrich Cellarer

of the Lord Duke, 70 years old (who although he was

an alien, native of a place distant enough, had been however in these

parts for the space of 40 years and more sub-cantor

of Bacharach) said, that with the responsories, which Saint

Wernher has as his own very many, poor scholars

even today acquire bread; namely by either writing them out

or singing them street by street.

[41] The popular and most received veneration

of this Saint also declared Witness LXXXI, William Knebel

of Katzenelenbogen, that in his honor many are called Wernhers; son of formerly Otto

Knebel Knight, Burggrave in the castle of Stega of the Ducal

principal called Stailberg… adding to other

arguments, that his grandfather formerly Lord Wernher Knebel,

in honor of that Saint had received this name Wernher:

and that in a similar manner he had had an uncle,

Canon of the Mainz church, for the glory

of this Wernher, called Wernher: and had had

also a cousin called Wernher, and

his own brother, now deceased, for the honor of the most blessed

Wernher and protection so named.

Similar things asserted Elizabeth, Witness CXLIII wife of the aforesaid

William Knebel; and immediately preceding her another

Elizabeth, formerly wife of Young Lord Wernher Knebel,

likewise in the castle of Stailberg the Burggrave, a noble widow,

devout to God; this one however added that it is no wonder

that that Saint Wernher is venerated, shining with so many and so great

miracles; that newborns are offered to him since Our Lord Jesus Christ in him

himself was slain mystically, and he for Christ. Since

therefore the first infants and nurslings are venerated, why

not this one, who had not only the sensibility of his martyrdom

but also the intelligence and greatest endurance.

Finally Gutta Schieszers says she had brought to Saint Wernher

all her offspring, immediately after coming from

childbirth, with candles and offerings. Nor is there any doubt

that the piety of very many women in childbirth was the same, although it is not confirmed by more

testimonies in this process.

[42] the aforesaid place of burial is held in veneration, Finally to confirm the sanctity of Blessed Wernher,

or rather to declare the most certain opinion of the faithful about it,

many Witnesses add, that up to the present has been and

had been honored, with infinite gifts, ceremonies

and prayers, not only in the place of burial,

but also of the statue of the passion at Wesel, and of the hiding

among brambles in the castle of Windspach, as depose

Witness XIII aforenamed, and Witness XXIX John Kesel

of Stega, Advocate of Bacharach, and among the twelve

citizen Councillors of the same town one of the same council,

which is composed of 24 persons from

12 nobles and 12 citizens. Also Wernher

Keyser, townsman of Bregens 50 years old, Witness XXXII; also the place of the passion at Wesel;

John Ulenhuser of Stega, 80 years old or so,

Witness XXXIX; Peter Hobrost 65 years old, Witness XLI,

and others. But speaking by name of his Wesel John

Mews of Wesel, Cleric of the Trier Diocese,

public Notary by Imperial authority, fourth among

those who witnessed the Trier Codex (which we use) to agree

with two other exemplars, then equally described;

"In the chapel of the Holy Spirit," he says, "near us vaulted

above and below, where the statue of his passion

is venerably placed at the right of the altar, is a certain

precious and most ancient tablet, outwardly and inwardly

for the instruction of the unlettered sumptuously painted, on

which placed upon the altar among the other Saints, two and

two placed not without the shining of gold, near

to Saint Martin, surrounded with a diadem, sociably

is placed with the others: and below is the place of his horrible

passion in the great cellar."

[43] and the place of hiding at Windspach. Of the Windspach foundation, before all

deserves to be heard Witness CCV, namely Philip Bruning, Prior of the cloister

or house at Windspach, otherwise the house of Saint Wernher,

46 years old, who sworn, received, admitted and

examined, the points having been read to him and understood, says,

that it is in no way to be doubted, that Blessed Wernher was

and today is a Saint, and as such by the Christian people

reputed. Asked the reason, he answered, that it is notorious

that he has within one mile three most known

oratories, one at Wesel, which is of the Holy Spirit,

in which is venerated the statue of his passion; second,

which is the principal, in the place of his burial at Bacharach;

and third in the place of his cloister, where he

performs the office of Prior. Asked whence he knows this: he answered

simply: "If Saint Wernher, in a sack wrapped with his own blood,

had not been there hidden among thorns and brambles,

never would that cloister have been erected there:

which cloister today through all the lower province

is called the house of Saint Wernher." And about this

he has read and seen a very old book, in the house of his Order, where there is a monastery of the Order of St. William

in the town of Duren of the Cologne diocese, contained.

[44] Asked about a further cause, he answered, that

their house at Windspach, which, as has been said, founded and endowed by the Palatine Princes,

is titled to Saint Wernher, took its origin from the martyrdom

of Saint Wernher, as has already been touched: and in the second

year after his martyrdom, namely in the year 1288,

on the 13th day before the Kalends of March, a certain then illustrious

Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria, temporal

Lord of that place, had given them the briar-covered area,

that they might erect there a cloister. And he added that from then

in the year of the Lord 1292, on the 8th day before the Kalends of October,

made a donation to that house: and a certain

Rudolf son of this Ludwig, in the year of the Lord

1293, on the Nones of December, made a third donation:

and from then certain Lords, Rudolf and Ludwig,

sons of Ludwig Count Palatine etc, a fourth

donation made of the parish church at Snarbach,

and this in the year of the Lord 1305, on the third feria, in

the Paschal week. Likewise all these donations even

formerly Pope Nicholas the fourth so made, by Apostolic

authority confirmed, as all these things by the Papal

bull and greater seals of those Princes, together

with letters drawn up thereupon, which in his examination

he produced in public, clearly appear to the eye.

[45] Asked why he swore, since he is Religious;

and subject to the Pastor of Bacharach. he answered, that the venerable Pastor of Bacharach

for the time, from ancient and prescribed custom,

and ancient ordination of the Princes founders

of that cloister and of the Provincials of the Order,

has jurisdiction over them, so that they are bound to answer

to those complaining before him. Hence it came about that here

he answered and thus it came to him and his that

they are bound to obey the Pastor of Bacharach, within

whose limits they subsist, saving however the substantials

of their profession: and these things were ordained, lest they be compelled

to answer to laymen in forbidden secular judgment, but rather

before the Pastor of the place. Thence he concluded, from which

Saint Wernher had been martyred in the year 1287,

that it is clear that these things had happened afterwards: and thus he had heard

also from his father, a very ancient man, who was

Sheriff of both seats of Bacharach; and he believes

that his grandfather had remembered the martyrdom of Saint Wernher.

CHAPTER VI.

Depositions of the Witnesses concerning the miracles of Saint Wernher.

[46] They affirm his sanctity most attested by miracles, These things being so, John Donner Altarist

of Stega of Saint Anne Witness CLXXXV, wonders, that

by miracles, in number, efficacy and manifold

excellence, has not long been canonized: and says that

he saw many most evident miracles done, consigned to public

instruments; and others so manifold great

and small, experienced and believed, that waxen signs of them

they made more than 5000 pieces in the past

biennium. Nay so great is the evidence of his sanctity,

says Witness XXIV, John Weseler of Stega,

70 years old or so, that he firmly believes, if anyone

stubbornly said the contrary, he should be burned as a heretic:

that it cannot be brought into question without grave scandal. and Witness L. John Bintreiff, concerning his

sanctity as about a doubt asked, on account of his most distinguished

signs, was so horrified, that he said: "He

who would not believe that Wernher himself is a Saint, ought

to be burned or submerged." Moreover James Ortrud,

one of the 12 Councillors among the citizens of the council

of Bacharach, Witness LXXIV, says it would be scandalous,

if anyone should detract from the so longstanding possession of sanctity of Saint Wernher,

which possession limits all memory

of men. Whence there is no doubt, he says,

that a great error would be made, if against God and his holy

Martyr anything sinister were attempted, who

for so longest a time, 140 years

and more, by natives and foreigners and most distant

peoples has been venerated, and is venerated today, as a holy

Martyr, openly, publicly and notoriously, with the concurrence

of so various signs and miracles. And Witness LXXVIII Hora

Swab of Stega, says that this would be nothing else than

to introduce Hussitism into a new sect, against

paternal law, in scandal of the republic. Similar things said

John Stump, townsman of Stega, Witness LXXX

and others.

[47] The principal miracles we have exhibited consigned to public instruments:

that the health restored to the contracted Presbyter is most known; but concerning what, as most known to the common people,

is only found expressed in the points proposed for examination,

namely concerning health given to a certain Presbyter, contracted in both hands,

twenty years ago, we named very many Witnesses

in the Annotations at letter Z; and that his name had been John

Hunczerich says, before all others expressing the same name,

Witness 1, who himself carried him between his arms together with another

Priest to the tomb, and afterwards long saw him

well. To whom attesting after other eyewitnesses Gutta

Schelarts, Witness CXI elsewhere already mentioned, says that she

had seen the contracted hands placed upon the tomb of Saint

Wernher, and the Presbyter himself sobbing

and praying and much people weeping together, and

herself had wept; and Catharine Hunczerichs, probably a kinswoman

of the one who had been cured, Witness CLV, says

it is simply true and so done, that she personally had served him

for 22 years. Also Witness

XV Peter Dym, 52 years old Sheriff of both

seats of Bacharach, said that he knows this miracle

to be most true, because he had seen it, and his uncle was

the said Presbyter.

[48] Now moreover other particular miracles, or graces

imputed to the merits of Saint Wernher, it is pleasing consequently to weave together, life preserved when already anointed,

from the mouth of the witnesses themselves, in the order in which they have been deposed and written.

Witness VII John Busz, Sheriff of the Synod

and of the secular judgment of Bacharach, 50 years old…, admiratively

answered, why should he not be venerated as a Saint,

when the witness himself in the past year, having been anointed,

placed in the extreme article of life, when all despaired

of his life, nor could any remedy of medicine

be applied; and he could scarcely give himself to so much,

that he might promise himself with gifts with tongue and heart to Saint

Wernher: which when he did, immediately and at once

he was better, and presented himself to Saint Wernher,

and offered him for his structure so much of his better

wine, that today, if he still had it, twenty

florins would pay for it: adding, what fiction could

be here, when he himself did these things in sincerity of faith, and

from the help principally of Christ, of his mother and of that

Saint, he received immediate healing from the point of death:

of which matter also witnesses are all his neighbors and

at the time present to him.

[49] Witness IX Heinrich Calart, asked whether

he held Wernher as a Saint and what was the cause of his knowledge, cured pains of the teeth,

answered from a sign done in this very week

in him; for when he had felt himself burdened with a vehement pain of the teeth,

he vowed a vow to Saint Wernher; brought an offering

of wax formed in the manner of a tooth; and

immediately was healed. Witness XI John Kremer, long-blinded eyes, townsman

of Bacharach, 50 years old or so, relates that he

by chance had come to the house of a certain townsman of Bacharach,

in which he found a certain visitor from the Mainz diocese;

who explained that he had been a smith, and for eighteen

years had been blind in both eyes:

until at the instigation and admonition of his Plebanus he

vowed a vow to Saint Wernher, and came with an offering,

and offering before his mausoleum and suppliantly pouring

out his prayer, he received his sight. Witness XVII Peter Diecz of

Stega, 72 years old, added to other things said by him, the falling sickness, that

his own daughter Margaret had had the falling sickness; and

at the invocation of Saint Wernher, a gift being offered, had been

most clemently freed, and is well at present. And to this

attests the brother of the same girl, John Diecz of Stega,

Witness XXX.

[50] Witness XX John called Stayl, 55 years old

added to other things said by him, that in the present year his son

Peter, 18 years old, pestilent pustules, had had pestilential

mortal pustules eighteen in one

leg; and had made a vow to Saint Wernher with two

pounds of wax, and graciously was immediately healed. the contraction of both hands, Witness

XLVI John Wich, of Nauwen within the limits of Bacharach,

35 years old, said, it was certain to him,

that his own wife had been contracted in both hands

for five quarters of a year and more; and with a vow sent forth to

Saint Wernher and paid, immediately had been healed: and this

is notoriously certain to all, or for the greater part, of the parishioners

of the Bacharach church. Also he said, a mortal wound, that from a quarrel

he had wounded one familiar of Stephen Pistoris, townsman of Bacharach,

with one mortal wound, so that

the man had been anointed and there was despair of his life: but the witness

speaking made a devout vow to Saint Wernher, and

immediately he, almost dead, was better, and

today lives well. John Crebisz of Bacharach,

Witness XLVII, healed, contracted in the arm, added a good miracle to other things said by him.

He himself had been contracted in the arm, so that he could not extend his hand

to his mouth for a long time: at length

he vowed himself to Saint Wernher, and immediately was freed, and

today is so, by his help.

[51] Witness LVI, John Rudishemmer of Bacharach,

says the articles of sanctity are true and in himself

had been proved: sick in the leg, for he himself in the past year, as

he said, had a leg so pestiferous, that he would willingly have

had it cut off. What more? Amid torments

he made a vow to Saint Wernher with a wax leg, which

he bought for one florin: and with great labor was

brought to Saint Wernher by his own mother, called Paulina,

and by his wife called Ella, and by two legitimate carnal

sons today surviving: with difficulty

but prayers being extended and the offering suspended,

well himself walking he departed, in the presence of his mother and

wife fellow-witnesses and of the sons and very many men:

and today he is equally well and sound. His wife,

Ella, Witness CXV, confirms her husband's sayings, because she was present and

saw: similarly also the mother, Witness CXXVIII, namely Paulina

Ortruds of Stega, 80 years old and more, dwelling in

Bacharach with her son a widow; whose husband of

the number of citizen Councillors of the Bacharach council.

[52] Witness LXV Engelman Locz, of Lorch of the Mainz

diocese, 55 years old or so, Scultetus

of the Judgment of Bacharach, three times ailing, said that that Saint successively

from three infirmities freed the witness himself, by his prayers

poured out to Christ, most clemently. Witness

LXVI Nicholas of Germersheim of the Speyer diocese, another sick person

Notary of the Lord Duke in the toll-house at Cube, 50 years

old, says, that although he is born remotely from the burial

of this Saint, yet the same Saint a hundred

years ago clemently cured one of his town. Witness

LXXV John Kannengeisser, grievously fallen, 66 years old and

more, says that in a certain greatest bodily fall within

three years, by the prayers of that Saint he had been freed. Witness

LXXXIII Peter Scholteisz of Mannebach, asked

about the cause why he holds Wernher as a Saint, answered

it was a sufficient cause, dying woman because his wife Catharine

in her fourth year sick and placed in the last moment of life,

had promised herself to go to Saint Wernher, and

the same night had been healed, and today lives well, and

had lived for two years after the vow: as in the instrument

drawn up thereupon, and sealed with ten seals,

clearly he said it is contained. But this instrument is, among

those produced above, the third.

[53] Witness LXXXIX Gerhard Fulckwin, townsman

in Diepach, two dropsical women, Sheriff of both Seats, adds

that he saw most manifest miracles done by Saint Wernher

in two dropsical persons at Mannebach, of

which are sealed instruments, to which he refers.

Catharine Kempen, townswoman of Bacharach 60

years old, Witness CVIII, saw here and there many years ago,

also at the time of her youth, several signs

done by Saint Wernher: a blind and contracted woman, among which she saw two most evidently

with her own eyes, one being done in the healing of Lord John

Hunczerich, another being done in the wife of a certain townsman

of Bacharach called Gauwer, who had been blind and contracted

in the legs, and brought to Saint Wernher, and

immediately was healed: and at the time in both signs

the bell of Saint Wernher was rung. Elizabeth Herdens

widow of Bacharach, 60 years old, Witness CX

adds, that she had just come down from Frankfurt, that

then a certain honest man had come down with her

with his gifts to the holy boy Wernher, two in danger of life,

saying he had been freed by his prayers from the peril of death.

She also added that in the already raging

pestilence, a certain notable citizen of Mainz, suddenly deprived

of all the persons of his house, his wife, sons and daughters,

male and female servants; he himself,

lest he die, had vowed himself to Saint Wernher, and received

health, and had come down with her with gifts.

[54] one afflicted with the plague, Witness CXVI Mechtildis townswoman of Bacharach,

56 years old, says, that she herself had a mortal and worst

ulcer in her neck and in her groin,

and had humbly implored that Saint Wernher,

and with oblations promised had been heard, and entirely

healed: whence to the holy boy she offered a ring of pure

gold. Catherine Keyensteyn, virgin 70

years old, of withdrawn life, serving God in chastity,

Witness CL says, that she had seen one Presbyter of

Speyer about his tomb with an offering; and two others, and from a most evil

plague of itching with a fetid swelling had been freed:

who also related to her that another man placed in the greatest

infirmity depressed, he had induced to make a vow

to Saint Wernher, which done he had been freed. Elizabeth

Lauwers, virgin fifty years old, Witness

CLII, said, that near the past year Nesa

virgin of withdrawn life, daughter of Ewald townsman of Bacharach, a knee incurably swollen,

had had one leg as it appeared with three

knees and a desperate disease: who had vowed herself to

Saint Wernher in sincerity of faith, and immediately was freed:

and the disease was old of two years,

so that hope of all physicians had been taken away. And the same

Nesa, daughter of Ewald the merchant, virgin 27 years old

and more, withdrawn in the paternal house, in chastity

serving God, Witness CLIII, said, that she is that one, of

whom mention has already been made concerning the leg: and that she had had that

desperate leg, had made a vow, completed it,

and immediately had been freed. And Witness CLIV Elizabeth,

sister of the said Nesa, virgin 20 years old, with her sister

in the paternal house serving God, professed on oath

the miracle done in her sister to be true.

And the Witness CLVIII soon to be cited answered, that she knows this

to be most true, because she saw it.

[55] Catharine, daughter of Henry Ycks, virgin leading a virginal

life in the paternal house, one laboring with the plague, 25

years old, Witness CLVII, says that she recently had seen a certain

man, as she more likely believes, of Cologne,

of great circumspection, who said that by the prayers of Saint

Wernher he had been cured of the mortal plague, and therefore had cast

two good Rhine florins into the treasury,

which above the mausoleum at the feet of the same

Saint, with many closures and ironwork, is

bound. Witness CLVIII, Agnes Kempen, virgin

of withdrawn life, fifty years old, answered, a dead boy,

that she had seen another miracle around the first showing

of the body of Saint Wernher, of a certain boy

already dead, of another man, honest however, and suddenly

healed: who also on account of the greatest pressure

of various people, could not ascend to the place and the mountain

of burial. Catharine Kyesels, sister

of the Advocate of Bacharach, virgin of withdrawn life

52 years old, Witness CLIX said, a boy of her younger brother, another scabby,

namely of Emerich, four years ago next

at the invocation of Saint Wernher from hereditary

scab of the head and greatest pus had been freed.

[56] a dying woman, Witness CLXVIII, Sophia of lower Heymbach,

of the Mainz diocese, virgin 70 years old

or so, who in the hospital in Heymbach

of the same Mainz diocese for 38 years

and more served God, and ministered to the

poor sick, at length received but not sworn, because she was of another

diocese and had no superior; but through her

baptism to the honor of God, of Blessed Mary,

and of the holy Christian faith, about the pure truth

to be told, solicitously being interrogated upon the points …

added, that a biennium ago she had fallen into

the infirmity of death, so that she had no hope

of living further: nevertheless she vowed to Saint Wernher

an image of three pounds of wax, which made and seen

she had been filled with such joy, that she escaped that infirmity

, and that image through Hebela the Virgin

fellow-witness sent to Blessed Wernher. The same a little

before had affirmed the aforesaid Hebela of Bacharach, Witness

CLXVI, Virgin Recluse in the recluse of Blessed Mary the Virgin

in Heymbach, with other fellow-virgins virginal

life leading, fifty years old; and Witness

CLXIII in n. 35. aforecited, Hebela's companion, Catharine of

Ebren, who equally had ministered to Sophia.

[57] Lisa Seckelers virgin similarly n. 27. aforecited,

Witness CLXX, another paralytic, says that she herself had been by the intercession of Saint Wernher;

freed from paralysis. Then Witness

CLXXI Irmetrudis virgin, of whom n. 30 mention has been made,

says, that once she had been dragged to the judgment of Bacharach,

and accosted by some: and because she was inexperienced,

by those harangues of men terrified

she scarcely came to the church, weak in the legs and there so much was

weakened in the legs that she could not move:

she vowed to Saint Wernher that that cemetery of the church

she would not leave, unless first she would visit him in his church, which is contiguous

to the parish, and was healed. Finally

Nicholas Smidt 65 years old Witness XLIII, elsewhere

also named, markedly said, that in many things Saint

Wernher he had devoutly invoked, and nothing had been denied him.

[58] various blasphemers punished Such were the benefits which divine goodness in favor of his Martyr

granted to men: let us now see how

in contrast his honor against blasphemers similar justice

has avenged. Witness XI John Kremer, townsman of Bacharach,

fifty years old or so, among other things

said, that he had been a satellite and a rapacious man also

sometime, and had heard many blasphemies against

Saint Wernher, who afterwards, their malice repaid upon

their necks, firstly a certain swineherd, wailing had begged pardon. Also the centenarian

whose deposition was delivered in n. 26, Witness

XVIII, named John Biene, said, that 50 years ago

against Saint Wernher. Which hearing a certain smith,

inflamed with zeal for the Saint, threw at him with a hammer,

so that he fell half-dead to the ground, and lying thus, at

the invocation of Saint Wernher arose well, amended

the blasphemy, and led the pigs where he would.

[59] Witness LXXXII John Senheim; of military rank,

fifty years old, dwelling above the Moselle

navigable river, a tailor's servant, having many goods within the limits

of the Bacharach church, not sworn but of his own motion,

and by zeal, as he said, of God, under the faith of baptism

recognized and said, that in one village above the Moselle,

against the holy boy Wernher: and

immediately he had been seized by fury for eight days continuously,

so that in fury he closed his last day. This

he saw with his eyes and knew him, and believes also his saying

to have been commended in public Instruments.

This noble man of very good life is presumed, for although

he has a noble wife, yet he reads the Canonical Hours,

as a Presbyter: this we three subscribed Notaries

have experienced by experience. Finally

Nesa Pedefusz, two gamblers. Witness CLX, virgin leading a life

in chastity, 55 years old, asked about the sanctity

of Wernher the boy, says that a certain Pastor

of the Bacharach church, called John Rummel,

of military rank, noble of birth and morals, was in

and coming from Milan, between Pinguia

and Bacharach, a certain satellite gambler cursed Saint

Wernher: and suddenly a storm arising

the Rhine so frothed, that there was no hope of life for the sailors:

the aforesaid Lord John Rummel

vowed a vow to Saint Wernher, and the storm ceased,

and she seeing he paid the vow. Likewise that another

gambler at Bacharach blasphemed the holy boy;

but within three days his sides and also entrails

up to his lung were consumed: and today

he has grandsons at Bacharach.

CHAPTER VII.

Catalog of the remaining Witnesses not expressed hitherto.

[60] Up to now we have gathered the words of those, who are known to have deposed

something singular for the honor of the Holy boy:

others only in general confirmed the truth of the Martyrdom, the certitude of sanctity,

the perpetuity of cult and the frequency of miracles

by testifying, whom however lest the memory due

to their religion perish, we have thought it fitting to place their names

under the view, in the order in which they testified,

Witness V Paul Cemp 65 years old.

VI Gerard Knebel of Katzenelenbogen, son of formerly

Theoderic the Knight, 70 years old or thereabouts.

VIII Peter Durman, 100 years old or thereabouts.

XIV Stephen Brunig, brother of Witness XIII, 50 years

old or thereabouts,

XVI Emmerich of Spangenborg. Of the Mainz

diocese, cooper, 62 years old and more, dwelling

in Bacharach for long times.

XIX John Moer senior, otherwise Morlene, 85

years old and more, almost coeval with Witness XVIII and was

with him in the conflict above touched in n. 26.

XXI John Scheleweck, 65 years old.

XXV Emmerich Haltabe of Stega, 70 years old.

XXVI James Seckeler of Stega, senior, 74

years old or thereabouts.

XXVII Peter Kune of Stega, 64 years old and

more.

XXVIII Henry Fudersach, of military rank, dwelling

in Stega, fifty years old and more, one

among the twelve nobles of the Bacharach council.

XXXI Henry Elias of Stega, 70 years old, and

more, very rich.

XXXIII John Elias, 30 years old of Stega,

Sheriff of Bacharach.

XXXIV John Salcziger, called Port, of Stega,

forty years old and more.

XXXV Nadis Swab, townsman of Stega, rich,

fifty years old or thereabouts.

XXXVI Henry Keyser of Stega, 60 years old

and more.

XXXVII Hans Hardube, townsman of Stega, 60

years old and more, suitably rich.

XXXVIII Nicholas Ickus of Stega, 50 years old and

more.

XL Peter Herbord townsman of Stega, 80

years old and more.

XLVIII John Heynczman of Nauwen 80

years old or thereabouts.

XLIX James Seckeler, townsman of Bacharach,

son of the ancient Scultetus there, 60 years old and

more.

LI John Duchscherer, townsman of Bacharach.

LII John Cutting, townsman of Bacharach,

and familiar in the toll-house of the illustrious Prince Ludwig

Count Palatine of the Rhine Duke of Bavaria etc, 80

years old or thereabouts.

LIII Cumanus Lupoldi townsman of Bacharach,

sub-provisor of the toll-house of the Lord Duke, 60

years old or thereabouts.

LIV Smicz Henselin, of Strasbourg, townsman

of Bacharach, and principal provisor of the aforesaid

Lord Duke in the Bacharach toll-house, fifty

years old or less.

LVII John Moer, townsman of Bacharach;

60 years old or less.

LVIII William Folcz, 60 years old or less,

townsman of Bacharach,

LIX Crismannus Trutz, townsman of Stega,

50 years old.

LX Henry Surwin, 50 years old and more, townsman

of Bacharach.

LXI John Pyl, of Altavilla of the Mainz

diocese, townsman in Nurayt, within the limits of the Bacharach

church for 36 years dwelling: a rustic

laborer.

LXII John of Crucenach, of the Mainz diocese,

50 years old, townsman of Bacharach.

LXIII John Sonnenschyn, townsman in the village

Windespag within the limits of the Bacharach church, agrees

with the next witness; further being asked, rustically

answered, that he did not care for much beyond the vessels of his labor.

LXIV Peter Widerait, townsman of Bacharach,

now chosen by the Lord Duke as a Councillor

among the twelve citizen councillors of the Bacharach council.

LXVII John of Schonenburg, 40 years old,

Burggrave of the Palatinate castle in the middle of the Rhine, between

Cube and Bacharach.

LXVIII Peter Sluch, familiar in the Cube toll-house

of the Lord Duke, 30 years old and more.

LXIX John de Boel, Cellarer of the Lord Duke

in Bacharach, there married, 64 years old and more.

LXX Ingebrant of Pinguia, of the Mainz diocese

native, 50 years old and more, townsman of Bacharach,

having enough in goods.

LXXI Peter Dym, Sheriff both of the holy Synod

and of the Judgment of Bacharach,

LXXIII Henry Fudersack, Military, Squire,

one of the twelve noble Councillors of the Bacharach council.

LXXIV James Ortrud, one of the twelve Councillors

among the citizens of the Bacharach council,

LXXVII James Goltsmit, 40 years old and more,

townsman of Bacharach.

LXXXIV Ewald, townsman of Bacharach, with

the richer of the place, 60 years old.

LXXXV John Cellarer of the Lord Duke in the castle

of Furstenberg, 60 years old.

LXXXVI Henry Busz, townsman of Bacharach.

LXXXVII John Munczenhemmer, Advocate in

Diepach and Sheriff of the holy Synod of Bacharach.

LXXXVIII Nicholas Norrysz, townsman of Diepach

and Sheriff of both Seats of Bacharach,

both spiritual and secular.

XC Bombsz of Leyhen, Military of Diepach.

XCI Goecz of Mannebach, called Geweldiger,

Councillor one among the twelve civil councillors of Bacharach,

70 years old.

XCII Gerard Henselin of Diepach, Sheriff

of Bacharach, 60 years old.

XCIII Peter Gysel, septuagenarian, townsman

in Mannebach.

XCIV Peter Strack; one of the more prominent and richer

of Mannebach.

XCV Arnold Dieczman, Military 60 years old,

Sheriff of the holy Synod and among the nobles one of the twelve

Councillors of Bacharach.

CII Hans Zymmerman, Master of the fabric of the Cube

town.

CIII Nicholas Smidt, townsman of Cube, 60

years old,

CIV Peter Nesen, townsman of Cube 70 years old.

CV Peter Schyrmer, 70 years old, townsman

of Cube.

CVI Antony Plecz, townsman and Councillor in Cube,

CVII John Dorenkemmer of Mannebach, one

of the twelve Councillors citizens of the Bacharach council.

CIX Catharine Waimpsch, widow of Bacharach,

46 years old or thereabouts.

CXII Margaret Kesen, widow of Bacharach 57

years old.

CXIII Margaret Moers, wife of John Moers,

54 years old or more.

CXIV Elizabeth Roictgins, widow of Bacharach,

70 years old or thereabouts.

CXXII Catharine Trutmans 66 years old or thereabouts.

CXXIV Elizabeth wife of Monachus, layman of Stega,

70 years old.

CXXV Catharine Hunnen, 65 years old.

CXXIX Sophia of Military rank wife of the noble man Henry

Fudersack of Stega, 40 years old or thereabouts, born of

Hactsteyn of the Mainz diocese.

CXXXI Odilia, widow of Bacharach, born of Heymbach,

50 years old and more.

CXXXII Elisabeth wife of Altmann Bettendorff,

supreme Chamberlain of the Lord Duke, etc. among the nobles

twelve Councillors of the Bacharach council, of one,

sufficiently aged.

CXXXIII Elisabeth, wife of John de Boel, Cellarer

of the Lord Duke, townsman of Bacharach, 60 years old

and more.

CXXXIV Agnes, wife of Bertolf called Becker, 60 years

old and more.

CXXXVI Christina, lawful wife of the principal Notary

of the Lord Duke and of his Bacharach toll-house, 40

years old, honest and devout.

CXXXVII Elisabeth, wife of formerly John Dudenhorn,

Chamberlain of Lord Rupert of blessed memory King of the Romans,

and Councillor of the town of Bacharach, now

widow of 45 years old, praiseworthy matron and living

off her own.

CXXXVIII Catharina, wife of John Prum, 60 years old

or thereabouts, suitably rich, and honest matron

devout.

CXXXIX Catharina, wife of John Selig, 30 years old

and more.

CXL Elisabeth, wife of John Busz, Synodal Sheriff

and of the Judgment of Bacharach, honest matron,

60 years old or thereabouts.

CXLIV Agnes, wife of Antony Plecz, 16 years old

and more, born of Stega, daughter of the brother of the Lord Pastor

of Bacharach.

CXLV Margaret Glesers, a woman dedicated to God and devout,

who already has bequeathed her own to divine things after death,

and is septuagenarian.

CXLVI Agnes Gysels, 60 years old, wife of Peter

Gysels, townswoman in Mannebach.

CXLVII Agnes Rathen, virgin in possession, 40

years old or more.

CXLVIII Agnes Wernheri, virgin 50 years old.

CLI Catharina called in Zendehuse, virgin 80

years old.

CLVI Ida, daughter of Madis Smids, virgin 60 years

old and more.

CLXI Gertrudis Dorffmans, virgin of withdrawn life,

60 years old.

CLXV Margareta of Mannebach, virgin in the recluse

of the mountain of Blessed Mary in Heymbach within the limits of the Bacharach

church, leading a common life with other

fellow-sisters, 24 years old.

CLXVII Catharina of lower Heymbach, 34

years old or more.

CLXXIII Gertrudis, daughter of Stephen Prume, older

Advocate, with her father established in decrepit age,

virgin serving God.

CLXXIV Gecza Stegs, virgin 50 years old and more,

of Stega, standing with her own mother of decrepit

age.

CLXXV Agnes Folmans of Stega, virgin 40 years old

or thereabouts.

CLXXVI Amelia, daughter of formerly the young Lord Wernher

Knebel, admitted without oath, because a nun.

CLXXVII Lady Elisabeth, Sister of the already said

nun.

CLXXVIII Lady Carisma, sister of the two Witnesses just

written, virgin standing with her mother, Witness

CXLIII: and because these witnesses did not exceed thirty

years, singly each point was not asked from them.

CLXXIX Margarita Kelners, virgin 80 years old

devout and almsgiver.

CLXXX Barbara Schonweders of Mannebach,

virgin 46 years old or thereabouts.

CHAPTER VIII.

The process of Orators about the Clergy; its responses.

[61] Likewise in the year, day and place as above at the beginning.

In the presence of me and of other public subscribed Notaries,

and of the venerable witnesses, From the part of the Count Palatine. and

of a great multitude of men specially

called to this and cited by the beadle

personally established, men of great circumspection

Henry Wolf military, Burggrave and Vice-Dominus

of the glorious and illustrious Prince and Lord

Lord Ludwig of the Holy Roman Empire Archdapifer,

Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria most illustrious,

of the district of the Bacharach parish, and also

John of Laudenborg, Notary of the Bacharach toll-house,

and of the said illustrious Prince, and in the name

of the same, in the presence of the venerable and circumspect

man, the Bacharach Clergy interrogated Lord Winand of Stega, Doctor of Decrees

and Pastor of Bacharach, interrogated, asked

more diligently, and inquired from the subscribed discreet

men and Lords, namely John Fudersack of SS.

Peter and Paul, John Kiese senior, John Donner

of Saint Nicholas Bishop of the Chapel of Saint Anne of Stega,

and also from John Kelver of Saint John, John

Trutman of Saint Barbara, Henry Dorenkemmer

of Blessed Mary, John Kiese junior of Saint Nicholas,

James Mantel of Saint Michael, John Besieher

of Saint Catharine, James Schieszer of Saint Margaret,

Vicars of the altars of the Bacharach Church, which of

them was the immediate superior and Judge. Who

unanimously and with consonant voice answered; to whose obedience he is subject

that from ancient and prescribed custom, and from

the fortification of various ancient instruments, and

also from the Royal namely of divine memory Lord Rupert

King of the Romans most illustrious ever Augustus provident

ordination, with the consent of the Clergy, nay more truly by new

approval or collaudation, their superior

and collator of all their benefices of the district

of the Bacharach Church ordinary, for now was

the prelibated Lord Winand Pastor of the Bacharach

Church, and answering that of the Lord Pastor, as his predecessors had been up to

the present, from such a time, of which the beginning is not

in the memory of men: and that the same Lord

Winand has to command them, to mandate, to inhibit, and

to discuss their causes, not only of them, but also of the Prior and

Convent of Windspach within the limits of the Bacharach church,

not only among them, but

also between them and the Laity; joined to him, when the cause

concerns the Laity, the Burggrave of Bacharach,

as these are more fully contained in instruments and Royal letters,

and from custom inviolably have been obtained

up to the present. Which also we three Notaries

here subscribed on our own behalf also recognize,

because altarists and subjects of the above-touched Lord Pastor,

also by the Burggrave himself interrogated.

[62] By which response, as has been said, made,

the same Henry Burggrave with John the Notary,

in the place and stead of the above-written Lord Duke Ludwig,

required the above-said Pastor, by whom he is compelled to swear under the faith

and oath often-written given to the Lord Duke, that

he, concerning the aforesaid points, of his Vicars, and

singly from each, to this, as is the custom, by the bell-ringer

having been called together, should receive promises and oaths,

concerning the truth to be told and falsity to be avoided. Which

the Lord Winand, the protest having been made

that he would not do these things in prejudice of his diocesan,

nor would he intend to do so in any way; but only as

an obedient son of his natural Lord he would do these things, to

the glory of God Omnipotent and to the investigation of sincere truth;

received from each of the aforesaid Vicars promises

and oaths of clearly telling the truth, of telling the truth to be given, how much

to them and what was certain about the things to be inquired by them and by

any of them. The points, however, by the Burggrave and

Notary assigned to them are these. First what they know

concerning the life, martyrdom, death, reposition of Saint Wernher,

concerning the structure of the new Chapel of the same Saint Wernher,

and concerning the old miracles, and the writing down of the same,

and concerning the new miracles also daily shining

by the same; and the other circumstances, pertaining to the investigation

of this deed.

[63] The first testifies And first Lord John Fudersack Witness

CLXXXI, sworn, received, admitted and examined, sixty

years old, not excommunicated, or entangled in

any infamous crime, sufficiently abounding in temporals, nothing

hoping of gain or emolument, but only God and his

glory holding before hand; first said, that

it was not only public voice and fame; but as

sincere truth from his parents, and also from all people,

clerics and laymen, from the life of Saint Wernher up

to him, and to his times spread abroad, that the blessed

boy himself Saint Wernher, from Wanmerayt, a village of the Trier

diocese of rustic stock had been born, a boy

simple and pious: and that on the very day of the Lord's Supper

at Wesel he was communicated, the birth of Saint Wernher and by the impious Jews

cruelly martyred, they seeking in him the body of Christ:

but that when they could not have it,

they turned their savagery upon the mystical body of Christ,

namely the holy boy, and suspended him

on a statue, which today at Wesel

of the Trier diocese, in the chapel of the Holy Spirit, the martyrdom

is held by all in no small reverence: and there

they slew the same holy boy, as these things in

the old Legend of the same Saint, at the time in the presence

of all produced, on the first and last parchment leaves,

and in the Antiphons, and very many Responsories; in old

letters with sweet harmony on paper written

is more fully contained, to which he also refers.

[64] Asked, why he is named Saint Wernher, and

whence he knows him to be a Saint; answered, called a Saint that he does not

know except from the relation of his ancestors, since he did not see these things;

but most firmly believes him a Saint, since as such

by all the inhabitants, clerics and laymen, through all

the times of the life of the speaking witness himself, he has been held,

kept and so named. candles lighted, And even always before forty

years he had seen candles placed by upright men

upon his tomb; for the tomb

and the most precious structure of the new chapel around

the chapel of Saint Cunibert are the greatest indications of his sanctity.

Asked, whence this: he answered, for this and from that,

because in the oak chest, between most secure ironwork

above ground, the body is elevated, so that even a dog could run between the tomb and the ground,

that most venerable body had been

venerably placed: and his right hand silvered

had been cautiously placed above the tomb, which

today is shown in a golden ministering vessel. The honor of this Deposition

he does not believe was done for any Prince.

Also asked, a chapel constructed, whence from his new chapel

he believes truer sanctity; he says it luminously

appears from this, because the chapel itself after his martyrdom most preciously

had been begun, and for its structure perhaps

the altar of the smaller chapel, namely of Saint Cunibert, had been

destroyed, and newly, as appears to the eye,

with a new structure erected, and by the Reverend

Father Lord Hermann Bishop of Samii,

then Vicar in Pontificals of Lord Sifrid Archbishop

of Cologne, Indulgences given. newly consecrated;

also by the express command of the Archbishop

of Trier, accustomed Indulgences being applied to

the same structure to be made, as in the letter of the aforesaid

Lord Bishop consecrating is contained; to

which he refers.

[65] Asked whether he knows other causes of the sanctity

of the same Saint Wernher, he answered that yes. The first is,

because formerly Lord Peter Archbishop of Mainz,

about thirty years after the passion of the same

Saint Wernher, for that chapel so erected and

for its completion, had bestowed forty

days of Indulgences, at least with the consent of the

Ordinary. And that these Indulgences the Ordinary

for the time, namely Baldwin Archbishop

of Trier, strengthened by his letters. Likewise from another, because

for the structure of the new chapel of the same, namely a biennium

or so after the Martyrdom of the same Saint, two

Archbishops and ten Bishops, as he more truly believes,

for the completion of the same work, extended their mellifluous

Indulgences; which also the Reverend,

Father Bohemund, formerly Archbishop of Trier

confirmed, as in the sealed letters of all

the aforesaid Archbishops and Bishops,

today contained at Saint Wernher's, most clearly

is contained, miracles done, to the tenor of which he refers. Asked,

whether he knows any other causes of the sanctity of the same

blessed boy, he says, that near the epitaph

of Saint Wernher hangs, of very ancient, large, and

textual letter, of more than 100 years as he believes,

years ago; in which, as he believes, 90

most florid miracles are diligently and carefully written;

and that of that tablet there is a copy in the chest

of Saint Wernher, written in similar letter, with the tablet

in tenor agreeing, and as he believes in age,

although it appears newer, perhaps because of its being enclosed.

Likewise he says there always had hung, and today

hangs an ancient tablet, containing his life, miracles

and sanctity in the vernacular. Also

that today the silvered knife is shown, with

which the boy himself was slain.

[66] Asked, a Presbyter seen by him contracted, and healed: whether he knows other miracles: he answered,

that he had seen Lord John Hunczerich,

contracted in both hands, most bitterly

weeping because he could not read Masses,

brought to Saint Wernher, by Stephen Prume

senior Advocate today surviving, and

Lord Henry Beren, and Lord Bertold

Presbyters with a multitude of Clergy and people;

soon an offering and prayer being made restored to complete

health, and afterwards every day had ascended to the same

Saint Wernher, who had preserved him sound

for many years, in which with Masses and other Divine things

he faithfully served God and Saint Wernher; also that

altar before the tomb of Saint Wernher up to the end

of his life he officiated. And he also related of very many miracles,

through the next three years done, votive offerings hung. which are

many and very great, so that he could not retain them in mind;

and so various, that of various wax pieces, signs of miracles,

there are more than ten hundredweights,

nay more than fifteen conglomerated;

and a perpetual candle shines there, and most copiously around

the mausoleum of that Saint are waxen pieces, and also

fetters and manacles of iron most strong: nay so

vulgar is his sanctity and possession of sanctity, so

that it would be right to say, that this transcends every

prescription, even of a hundred years. it is wicked if his sanctity be doubted. Nay firmly

he believes, if anyone within the limits of the Bacharach church

were to hold Blessed Wernher not to be a Saint,

it would generate in Clergy and people the greatest scandal;

and perhaps such a sedition, that he would be overwhelmed with stones,

on account of the so manifold and various most distinguished miracles of the blessed

boy, which are clear in many

public instruments, to which he refers. Being conducted,

surrounded, suborned, or otherwise in any way

instructed or compelled he entirely denies; but

that he is doing these things or has deposed simply to the glory of God

and for the exaltation of the holy faith; that the holy Apostolic,

and also Trier See, might concerning the aforesaid

more fully be able to be informed.

[67] The other witnesses from the Clergy, To this deposition agree the responses of the other

of the Clergy, of whom already previously named by us

are Witness CLXXXIII, V, VIII, IX and CXCV and CXCIX;

then CCI, III, IV, V; the rest by these names in order gave

testimony, namely

CLXXXII John Kelner, notably over 50

years old.

CLXXXIV John Kiese junior, 27 years old,

Altarist of the Bacharach church.

CLXXXVI James Mantel, 36 years old, Altarist

of the chapel of Saint Michael under the structure of Saint

Wernher.

CLXXXVII James Schieszer, Altarist of the Bacharach

church, 35 years old or less.

CXC James Sliechtingh, 40 years old, Presbyter

Altarist of the church in Diepach, placed under the Pastor's

obedience.

CXCI Nicholas Ennelin, 50 years old, in Mannebach

Beneficiary, subject of the Pastor of Bacharach.

CXCII Conrad, Altarist of Saint Catherine in Diepach,

of the obedience of the Pastor of Bacharach.

CXCIII Henry Dorenkemmer, Altarist of the Bacharach

church, 26 years old.

CXCIV Gemperlin, Rector of the chapel of Blessed Mary the Virgin

in the mountain of Heymbach, obedientiary of the Pastor

of Bacharach, does not believe he exceeds 45 years.

CXCVI John Margborg, Plebanus in Diepach,

subject of the Pastor of Bacharach, 50 years old or thereabouts.

CXCVII Henry Richhere, Altarist of Bacharach,

40 years old.

CXCVIII John Auspurg of Meysenheym, Altarist

of Saint Jodocus, under the obedience of the Pastor of Bacharach,

30 years old.

CC John Schonweder, of Mannebach,

Presbyter within the limits of the Bacharach church, 40 years

old.

CCIII John Chaplain in Bacharach, Master

in Arts, familiar of the Lord Pastor, 40

years old or thereabouts.

CCVI Peter Pistoris of Diepach, Cellarer of the house

at Windspach or of Saint Wernher 36 years old, and the Brethren from Windspach,

by the mandate of his Prior sworn.

CCVII Tilmann Finkeler, Brother Priest

of the same house 36 years old and more.

CCVIII Jacob Caldarificis of Diepach, Brother

of the same house, 26 years old and more.

CCIX John Falendail, Brother of the same house,

22 years old or thereabouts.

CCX Nicholas Angeli of Kaiserslautern, of the Speyer

Diocese, Brother of the same house, 50 years old

and more.

[68] Finally Witness CCXI, Lord Winand of

Stega Doctor of Decrees Pastor of Bacharach, not

sworn (since a superior to him at present he said he did not

see), but by the consideration of another, The Pastor alleges the old Acts. namely of the Lord Duke,

by the Consular oath, which to the same, as

his true natural Lord and in temporals Superior,

he had given: being asked about each of the points, which

he excellently knows; answered that he himself believes those

to be infallibly true. Thus pious truth holds itself as regards very

many Saints, the tomb unmoved in an earthquake, of whose literal canonization

there is no record. For he himself said he had more often read through

many ancient histories of the martyrdom of this Saint,

and he refers himself to those. And 50 years ago

he saw an earthquake about the tomb of this Saint,

the Saint unmoved, although the tomb is above the earth, and

the ground is most solid rock, laid with squared stones,

which however had been disturbed into disorder. Also

he himself at the doubt and instance of Magnates with

others, sought the Saint in the tomb; and found him in his

blood, as the history above sings, and

many public instruments. miracles written in the Process. Also many miracles

are certain to him, instrumentally written in this Process,

to which he referred himself.

[69] Being asked, whether he himself venerates him as a Saint: he says

that he with his subjects does not publicly venerate him,

on account of the precept of the Apostolic See (and he speaks

of his Clerics), but in private has honored and

honors him, and believes him a Saint, on account of

Christ sought in him, suffered in him, and himself

having suffered for Christ. Nay he himself saw him honored

by more than 300 thousand men, he saw him honored by 300 thousand men, in the space

of 50 years, by Cardinals, Archbishops,

Doctors of all faculties,

Princes, Counts, Nobles, and what is more

by every condition and sex of men. Asked,

what emolument he has from it; he said this is

his emolument, that from ancient custom is accustomed

to have 60 or 100 florins in offerings

of Masses from his subjects and the school; now scarcely

does he have 30 florins, because they offer there for the sake of the Indulgences.

Asked, what from what is offered there he takes in place of the Canonical

portion; he answered, absolutely

nothing, for two reasons. The first is of avarice, because

he would be noted by all the neighbors, he intends to promote the cult and also by the Prince,

without whose favor and protection he cannot hold his state there.

The second cause and stronger, if he

wished to have the Canonical portion, immediately the structure

of that most noble work would be postponed; and thus

the Pastor himself would be frustrated of his end, which is, that that

Saint, shining with so many and so great most distinguished miracles,

be canonized; the high Altar of that most Noble

chapel, in honor of the Trinity, of the Blessed Mary

the Virgin and of the Saints of both Johns, and of that

Blessed Wernher be endowed; and every day one Mass with

music most early in the morning of the most blessed Christ-bearer be celebrated;

so that from this endowment and others already mentioned

the Pastor himself may take the highest end without end.

CHAPTER IX.

Attestation of the Wesel magistrate, and of the Convent of Wilhelmites: and the Notarial faith of the Processes transcribed.

[70] Finally to the confirming of the Bacharach Process there were added

two public instruments; the first under this

title, The Community of Wesel testifies. "Recognition of the Community of the formerly Imperial

town of Upper Wesel," of this tenor;

"We the Scultetus, Sheriffs, Masters of citizens, and Councillors

of the Town and Community of Wesel, of the Trier

Diocese, as true faithful of Christ and

under the faith of the same, under the tenor of the presents publicly

recognize, that by public and notorious

voice and fame, openly from our ancestors,

from a time of which the memory now of living men

is not, up to us brought, openly heard

and in writings made manifest, of blessed memory

Wernher the youth from the village of Wammerayt

had taken his origin, in our city slain, and in the painful week by the unfaithful

Jews, in our aforesaid city, in a certain

cellar near the chapel of the Holy Spirit miserably

had suffered and been killed: and he then

had been led up to Windspach above Bacharach,

and there hidden and again made manifest,

and at Bacharach (where he now lies) honorably buried

had been; held as a Martyr by his own and others: and under his name a noble chapel

was begun there. And the same Wernher had been from then,

by many of our ancestors and neighbors round about;

as by Hungarians, Slavs etc. as a Saint and Martyr of Christ

held and venerated; and so is venerated at

present by innumerable men, not only in

Bacharach where he rests, but also in diverse parts of the world

as common experience teaches; nay

also in our town aforesaid the statue of his torment by

various peoples is honored, in so great honor, that

cut into pieces, many thousands of its pieces to

diverse kingdoms with veneration have been carried; and

the statue itself so much diminished, that we, lest it be

entirely carried away, have fortified it with boards,

that it can no longer be cut. In evident and true

testimony of which matter, we have directed the secret seal of the city

of our aforesaid to be appended to the presents,

in the year of the Lord 1428, on the day of Blessed Catherine

Virgin and Martyr.

[71] Of the later instrument (for the sign of John Hoffman

concerning the miracle done in him, which was here inserted, we gave

after the History of miracles) the title was this: "Recognition

of the house of Windspach otherwise Furstentayl"; tenor

indeed as follows: "We Philip, Prior and whole Convent

of the monastery of a Furstentayl, near Bacharach

of the Trier Diocese, otherwise of Saint Wernher, Prior and Convent of Saint William at Windspach. according to the lower

province's naming, of the Order of Saint

Wilhelm, for the memory of future ones under the truth

of our profession, as to us from the relation of old ones,

fame, public truth, and letters very

many, through authentic and sealed, by which also

we are established, came; by the tenor of the presents

we recognize, that Blessed Wernher at Bacharach in

the little hill in the ancient chapel of Saint Cunibert, surrounded

by a new most precious chapel resting, not

much distance from our monastery, up to here through

continuous 100 years and notably more, venerably

by all inhabitants and innumerable foreigners as

and the highest, in three places, namely in

our monastery, in Bacharach, and at Wesel,

the place of his most glorious palm, of the Trier Diocese venerably

has been venerated, cultivated, and as such by all

held: as in Wesel, from the ancient Imperial

city, by the letters and seals of the same city, and

by the statue of the same passion in the chapel of the Holy Spirit, and

his body at Bacharach, and his body's hiding

with us at the time of his passion, notoriously and publicly

attest. Nay, what is more, our monastery

from his passion and sanctity took the exordium of its naming,

as is clear by the various letters of the most distinguished Princes of the Rhine,

Electors of the Roman Empire. For in the second year

following his martyrdom, for his honor, we were founded,

and by many Princes, out of reverence of the same

Martyr we are established, which cannot be disputed, and at length by Nicholas

the fourth confirmed. Nay firmly we believe,

that great scandal, sedition and

schism would be generated in the Church of God, if a man shining with signs

of such distinguished sanctity, were placed in certain

doubt: who suffered for Christ, and Christ

in him sustained so much, that almost the whole Church of Christ,

even with the longest prescription cultivated him as a Saint

and held him openly, publicly and notoriously. Nor do we believe

that miracles, done in life, must be ruminated

in Martyrs, for Christ, for justice or the liberty

of the Church suffered, as in Confessors; since

in these the humble endurance of the passion suffices, as is clear

to those inspecting the Legends of Martyrs. Whence concluding

we believe and piously profess, that most pious

boy Saint Wernher, for Apostolic canonization,

on account of his sanctity and most distinguished miracles,

to be most worthy: and if otherwise were done (always

saving the determination of the Apostolic See) we would fear

scandal to come in the Church of God. Whence

the seals of our administration, priorate and convent

are appended, in the year of the Lord 1429, on the

14th day of the month of February.

[72] Thus far the most distinguished Codex, written in textual

letter of firm constitution; the public Notaries Imperial by authority Thomas Cube subscribe, there follow their own

and with running hand of each of the Notaries written

subscriptions of the same, worthy to be related whole, because each

contains a special motive: only in place of the notarial sign

we shall substitute ✠, and thus they read. ✠ "And I Thomas

Cube of Bacharach, Cleric of the Trier diocese,

public Notary by Imperial authority, because to the aforesaid,

to the solemn perorationing, to the gathering of Clergy and people,

to the successive production

of instruments, monuments, and

other authentic letters many and

of other testimonial letters and histories

successive production, and almost of all the witnesses

examination I was present; and all these things, or

the greatest part of them, with the other Co-notaries,

or the greater part of them, and many worthy witnesses,

as has been prescribed, I saw and heard done, and the relation

of many most distinguished signs of that

most holy blessed boy I took down in notes; and

him almost by every kind of men, both

sexes, and every condition, and various peoples as

and therefore, with the appending of authentic seals,

namely of the Bacharach Church and of the valleys

of the Rhine, which they use in most arduous causes, with certain

collation made of all the monuments here inserted,

and by another faithfully written out, and duly

and diligently collated; with these codices,

most diligently from folio to folio b concatenated, I have

subscribed, in faith and most evident testimony

of all and each of the aforesaid, in the praise

of Omnipotent God, his Mother, of the whole heavenly Curia,

and for the most salutary increment of the Church of Christ the Redeemer

."

[73] John Ausburg, ✠ "And I John Auspurg of Meisenheim,

Cleric of the Mainz Diocese, public Imperial

authority Notary. Because to all and each of the aforesaid

according to the manner and form which the next

above-written Co-notary touches, together with the other

Notaries and witnesses I was present, and saw and heard

them so done, the most circumspect collation

of all I made and the most true, with the original

agreeing in whatever letters, histories and depositions:

therefore this most correct codex fortified with seals,

and in all things agreeing with the originals

by another faithfully written I have subscribed, and with my sign

and name I have signed (for the glory of Omnipotent

God, his Mother, of both Churches of Christ,

and for the veneration of the most blessed Wernher) in faith and

testimony of all the aforesaid."

[74] John Trutman, ✠ "And I John Trutman of Stega, Cleric

of the Trier diocese, public Imperial authority

Notary, because to the peroration, to the production

of diverse letters, to the collation of many miracles in the original,

and to very many other things as a witness

I was present; and the same Saint Wernher by Most Reverend

Fathers Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops,

Prelates, Princes, Counts, and their

wives, Nobles, and men of all conditions

and sexes, in the number of many thousands,

solemnly as a Saint religiously to be cultivated and venerated

I saw and heard; if the contrary were introduced,

I believe scandal in the Church of God would be generated; therefore

this codex, written elsewhere, yet well collated,

composed, and strengthened with seals,

I have subscribed, for the glory of God, legitimately required."

[75] John Arbis, ✠ "And I John Arbis of Wesel, Cleric

of the Trier diocese, public Imperial authority

Notary. Because of the aforewritten strengthening documents,

of the production of letters and writing, and of the exemplification,

and of all the things above touched of the most faithful

concordance's finding with the originals, together

with the other Co-notaries and witnesses I was present,

and in this sealed little book transcribed I have found;

and that same blessed Martyr and Virgin Saint

Wernher, not only at Bacharach where he rests;

but also among us at Wesel, where the statue of his

passion is venerably placed, in the chapel of the Holy

Spirit being honored, and him as a Saint being cultivated by

innumerable men, and as such being cultivated,

held, and by all venerated I saw and heard…

collated, and agreeing with the originals, elsewhere

written, with the other Co-notaries I have subscribed,

and with my usual and customary sign and name I have signed,

in faith and evident testimony of all the aforesaid,

legitimately required."

[76] Peter Fabiani, ✠ "And I Peter Fabiani of Henzberg, of the Meissen

diocese, public by the sacred Imperial authority

Notary; because to the aforesaid of the Venerable of the Most Illustrious

Prince Lord Ludwig Count Palatine

of the Rhine of the orators done, performed, produced

examinations, and many and wondrous miracles,

and productions of many witnesses and depositions

I was present; and the holy Wernher

by innumerable men, nay innumerable,

as a Saint being cultivated I saw and heard; nay today most solemnly

he is cultivated by the permission d of the Apostolic See, and by his own

merits; so that to assert the contrary would be scandalous

in the Church of God would produce scandal; and he himself frequently

among the canonized Saints of the Church as

at Bacharach and in many other places with palm and diadem;

to these also this instrumented little book

I saw best collated, and to the originals

in tenor agreeing; therefore I have subscribed myself, with my name

and sign duly applied, for the testimony of the aforesaid

and faith legitimately required."

[77] Tilmann Rudigeri, ✠ "And I Tilmann Rudigeri of Bacharach,

Cleric of the Trier diocese, public Imperial

authority Notary; because Saint Wernher

among the Saints shining with diadem and palm depicted

manifoldly I have found; to the preparation of the aforesaid chained little book

in very many passes with other

Notaries I was present; and it agreeing with the originals

I saw, all the Witnesses or almost, here received,

with the tributes of testimonies efficacious and truthful

I knew and saw; therefore this codex most diligently examined

and founded on truth (also urging conscience,

since to doubt about the sanctity of so most distinguished

scandalous) I have subscribed, and with my name and sign

signed, with the appending of two seals, legitimately

required."

[78] ✠ "And I John Kese of Bacharach, Cleric

of the Trier diocese, public Imperial authority

Notary, John Kese, because of the venerable aforewritten

orators' e harangue, to the proposition, to the calling together

of Clergy and people, to the production of letters, to the reception

of oaths, to the exhibition of witnesses, to the showing

of histories, to the giving of oaths, and

to almost all the witnesses' examination together with the other

Co-notaries publicly I was present, and saw and heard them

so done; therefore this codex, although written elsewhere

faithfully, yet by us commonly more faithfully

collated, and from folio to folio with certain

figures of letters f and senses concatenated and duplicated,

at the request of the aforesaid Orators

I have subscribed, and with the seals of the Bacharach church

and of the Community of the same fortified, with my usual

and customary sign and name, for the praise of Christ,

his Mother, and for the increase of the church concerning

so many most lofty miracles, I have signed and published;

(especially since Saint Wernher in possession of his

sanctity for 100 years and more has been; and among

the Saints, by the writing of the laity, is manifoldly

depicted as a Saint in diverse places, with diadem

and palm; and to assert the contrary would introduce scandal)

in faith and testimony of all the aforesaid."

[79] "And we Winand of Stega, Doctor of Decrees,

Pastor of the church of Bacharach of the Trier diocese, and with these Winand of Stega the Pastor,

and the whole Council of the same Town and of the valleys

of the Rhine, which consists of twelve Nobles

and as many civil persons; because it is most clearly

established to us, that all the above-written are most true, and

that all and each of these before us, or before some

not few of us, have been done, and as the Notaries

have written done, concluded, and perfected, and in

three h in all things agreeing codices faithfully written,

collated, subscribed; and with similar fidelity redacted;

and since it is established to us with brightest knowledge that the holy

boy himself, according to the series of his histories,

suffered for Christ, and Christ in him; and him

in possession of such sanctity beyond the memory

of all men now living, among the best

and gravest, continuously nay from the day of his burial,

peacefully, for the space of 140 years

up to the present, to have been and to be; that same

happy Martyr by every rank, condition, kind

and sex of infinite men in diverse places,

namely at Wesel the place of his martyrdom, at Windspach

of his hiding; and at Bacharach of his magnificent

burial, we have seen as a holy Martyr of Christ

to be cultivated and devoutly venerated, and in the writing of laity among

Saints diadem-like to be depicted; and many and wondrous

upon his invocation daily to be done most distinguished

signs and stupendous miracles, every trepidation

concerning his sanctity entirely absorbing; so much

that if so serene sanctity were turned into doubt,

in the Church of Christ, in many kingdoms and provinces,

for the exaltation of the faith and the increase of the sacrosanct

Roman and Apostolic Church, at the request

of the above-written venerable orators

Henry Wolff of Spanheim, Burggrave,

&c. and John Protonotary of the Bacharach

toll-house, in the name of our Lord Most Illustrious

Prince Lord Ludwig, Count Palatine

of the Rhine, of the sacrosanct Roman Empire Archdapifer,

and most illustrious Duke of Bavaria; we have

with the subscription of seven Notaries, both of the church

of Bacharach and of the aforesaid Council's great

seals, with certain knowledge to these to be co-appended,

for the faith of present and future, seeking nothing

but the reward of eternal goods. Amen. Given

and concluded, and sealed in the year of the Lord

1429, on the day of the

Lord's Annunciation, i which was of the passion both of Christ

and of his Martyr Wernher."

ANNOTATIONS.

such a name, although given by the founders, yet could never be brought into use,

with the earlier name and the veneration of Saint Wernher prevailing,

as is clear from the aforesaid.

b Concatenation

consists in this, that at the inner edge of the folios to be concatenated, at one,

two or more places, certain capital letters are so written, that

part of the letter is found in the edge of one folio, the other in the edge of the next folio immediately

to be joined; and nothing can be removed or

added, without fraud appearing when the parts are torn apart, whether one looks at the forms

of the letters, or at the sense to be gathered from those letters: which

sense in this codex is born thus, the letters being gathered in order,

"TO THE PRAISE OF JESUS CHRIST, THE REVERENCE OF JOHN AND OF ALL CHRIST'S ELECT

AND OF BLESSED WERNHER, THIS WORK WINAND, DOCTOR OF DECREES, HAS BUILT." There are

however almost as many folios as there are here letters, for few have two; but

the last two, that the intended sense may be completed, are concatenated with seven

letters.

d Not

indeed by that solemn, which is called Canonization: but by another of a lower

order, declared through the Apostolic Nuncio, after diligent examination of the ancient

cult.

g In the same

manner also below speaks the Pastor, that it may be understood this was not done

by the authority of the Clergy, so far abstaining from public cult, yet permitting to the people

to render whatever honors of Saints to Blessed Wernher,

h Of these

without doubt one is this Trier Codex, perhaps destined for the Archbishop himself,

of the remaining two one sent to Rome, the other retained at Bacharach

is credible. And this seems to be the Protocol of which below

there is mention in n. 8.

i Since

in this year Easter fell on March 27, and so Good Friday (on which

Christ suffered and Wernher is everywhere said to have been slain) on the

25th day of the said month, which is the same as the Sunday of the Annunciation.

TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS

Wernher boy, slain at Wesel, deposited at Bacharach, on the Rhine in the diocese of Trier (St.)

FROM MSS.

§ I. A finger of Saint Wernher carried to Besançon.

[1] John James Chiffletius, in his Vesontio

part 2 ch. 85, thus writes: "In the year 1548

John Chuppin, Canon of Saint Mary Magdalene

of Besançon, carried the index finger of the right hand

of Saint Vernerius, a most distinguished Martyr among the people of Trier,

with a part of his sudary, from the town of Baccarac

of the Trier diocese to the church of Saint Mary

Magdalene, by the license of John Elect of Trier

and of Frederick Count Palatine." Then the Besançon

vine-dressers, a great part of the people, with good auspices

chose Saint Vernerius as their Patron, and under his

name and patronage a pious sodality was erected in

the aforesaid church of Saint Magdalene. The ecclesiastical office

is taken from the Common of a Martyr, the Lessons proper to the history of Saint

Wernher himself, which in the Legendary of the aforesaid church

are noted, to be read on the Kalends of January. I believe

because this day as more convenient to itself the Sodality chose.

[2] To the composition of the Lessons, as appears from the transcript,

sent to us by the aforeapparently praised Chiflet, new lessons are composed at Besançon, the matter was furnished

by notice received at Trier or Bacharach: which the author so

followed, that in the very substance of the history he nowhere strayed from

the truth, in certain minor circumstances he hallucinated: first indeed in place of the name of Saint Cunibert,

of whose chapel the body of Wernher was brought into,

the Patron, substituting the name of Saint Lambert, by an easy alteration of the first

strokes: then that approval of the cult

which in the year 1427 was made through the Apostolic Legate,

taking for absolute Canonization done by Pope Martin;

since the protest of the witnesses, affirming

that on account of so many arguments brought forth in the process worthy to be

Wernher who should be canonized, precisely excludes it. not without errors, But when it is said, "in the year

one hundred and twentieth after the holy Martyr

Vernerius (thus the name is written by the Burgundians) was killed by the Jews,

was by Martin the Supreme Pontiff in the Catalog of Saints

numbered"; the error is doubled, for because for

140 (which space of time between the aforesaid approval and the martyrdom of Wernher flowed) the author seems

to have read 120.

[3] I say error, because although by the diligence of the Pastor

of Bacharach, as great as we have seen above, he intended full canonization;

and Martin the Pontiff yet lived one year after the

codex of monuments written and signed by the Notaries:

to be corrected by more certain monuments, yet it ought not to be believed that the matter was accomplished, of which

no trace is found among the people of Bacharach and of Trier.

With a similar error it is said in the same Lessons that

"each with such great liberality contributed his means to the building

of the temple, that when the work was completed and magnificently

constructed, a great sum of money was left over; which however

Winand the pastor and others above ascribed the cause of the unfinished

work to the shameful rapacity of the Archbishop.

Nor is it more credible, in such great silence of the people of Bacharach

relating this matter, that what is said, that money

with the robbers submerged in the river Rhine at Bacharach

town at length arrived, that is returned to where

it had been taken: for this would have been a great

augmentation of the miracle, nor would it have less tenaciously clung to the memory of the inhabitants;

than other far lesser circumstances of vengeance

exacted on the sacrilegious robbers, and recalled by the witnesses.

[4] Having omitted therefore the Burgundian lessons, inasmuch as from

them we can learn nothing, which we have not more certainly in the

Col. 735C aforesaid monuments explained; let us give here their last part,

meanwhile from them it is clear which is about the Translation of the finger, and is expressed in these

words: "This therefore most holy Martyr

Vernerius, with innumerable miracles and prodigies to

these times has gloriously shone forth; that certainly

among the principal things is thought to be held, the cult of the saint even under the Lutherans: that in that

province, where he is cultivated, although laboring with the Lutheran plague,

yet never has it ceased, that his patronage

by public and private vows religiously is sought.

For no darkness of heretics, no

arts of Satan, no perfidy of depraved men

could drive off so great a light. But at the time when Charles

the Fifth, the most invincible Caesar, having successfully waged the German war,

was composing the motions of that province with singular

piety, and was meditating with every effort

of his mind, that the wound, which through the madness of heretics

the Church had received, might at length be healed;

at that very time a certain good and

pious man, whose index finger with a particle of his sudary, kindled with the desire of propagating the divine glory,

which in the Saints is made more illustrious, took care that a particle

of the holy relics of the Martyr Vernerius be given

to the Church, which at Besançon to Blessed Magdalene is

sacred: who as much as by grace or authority

he could avail, with the suffrage of most ample men being added,

conferred to this, that from those, in whose power

was the right of imparting what he desired, he might obtain it.

By the grant therefore of the Legate of the holy Apostolic See,

and also by the authority of the Archbishop of Trier,

Frederick Count Palatine and Archdapifer of the Sacred Roman Empire

and Prince Elector liberally

indulged, that from the body of the Martyr Vernerius the right

index finger be taken out, and a particle of the sudary, stained

with the blood of the same Martyr, be given by the citizens

of Bacharach of the Trier diocese.

[5] Joyful therefore with so distinguished a gift the pious man,

rejoicing, with as great speed as he could,

that finger with a particle of the sudary officially and honorably

transmitted thither, it is reverently received at Besançon. a written document being added and symbols

and testimonies of the same Archbishop, Prince

and citizens. Which most distinguished gift of that

Church the Canons and the whole Clergy with highest religion

and alacrity received; and held nothing more important,

than that not only by the townsmen and citizens

of Besançon, but also by the whole province of the Sequani,

the memory of that most holy Martyr Vernerius should be cultivated:

and that this might proceed by legitimate authority,

they supplicated the Most Reverend Father Lord for the time Administrator

of the Besançon Church, that by

the tally of his authority he would decree testified and approved,

that nothing in that matter was feigned, or through fraud

thought out, and is exposed to public veneration. but to be sincere and true relics

of the same Martyr. Who for his faith and religion

established and pronounced, that no one henceforth should doubt about

that matter. But that occasion might be given to the faithful

with greater devotion to honor God in his Saints,

and to beseech the patronage of this most blessed Martyr,

from the inexhaustible treasury of the Church Indulgences

of forty days by ordinary power

are conferred upon those, who in the same church of Blessed Magdalene,

venerate with cult, alms and services the relics

of the same holy Martyr. May God therefore

who is the Father of mercies and the God of all consolation,

this city, which now adorned with many

Saints' monuments, most recently enriched with the relics

of this most holy Martyr Vernerius is,

fecundate with his blessing, and grant, that

the same Holy Martyr so we cultivate by invoking,

that we may always receive his aid by praying, through

Christ Jesus our Savior."

§ II The body of Saint Wernher removed from Bacharach, passes into the power of Marquis Spinola.

[6] The whole series of the history noted in the title we give

from the authentic copy of that relation, which

by his own hand wrote out Fr. Thomas Saillius, Superior

of the Mission in the Catholic Camps under the Most Excellent

Lord Marquis Spinola waging war in the Palatinate,

author of the whole matter and principal actor: take it as it is.

After the Most Excellent Lord Ambrosius

Spinola, Marquis de Sesto, Marquis Spinola having occupied Bacharach, Counsellor of state

of the Catholic Majesty, and Captain General in

the Palatinate, for the obedience of Imperial Majesty,

had reduced the little town, named Baccharach, with its castle, situated on

the Rhine, on the 3rd day of October, with several

other towns; he understood that there were reposited

certain Relics of a youth, whose name was

Wernher, who was the last (as men worthy of faith assert)

Martyr of Germany. This one, since there on account of

the Lutheran heresy first, then Calvinian

introduced lay uncultivated, who in highest esteem and

honor once was held by the Orthodox, and by the same

at the time of persecution there had been deposited,

the Marquis spared no effort, that that body,

and sacred pledge, from the obscure place be dug out. Which

so that it might be done more easily and safely, he inquires about the body of Saint Wernher, in so great perfidy of our

enemies, and of the haters of the Catholic faith,

his Excellency resolved to the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend

Lord Apostolic Nuncio, residing at Cologne,

and to ask him by letters, that he call the Canons

of Saint Andrew to himself, and from them learn, as

the Provisors of that Church of Bacharach,

what they knew concerning that Saint. Who most kindly

on the 12th of February of this year 1621 gave letters to his Excellency

in place of a reply, praising his effort,

that he so maturely and prudently in dubious matters

proceeded, with the relation of the Canons of Saint Andrew received, knowing the frauds of some, who in place

of true Relics sell false or less certain ones, more often;

sending at the same time b the relation, which from the said

Canons he had obtained, with certain other testimonies

drawn from elsewhere.

[7] and from Mainz of one from the Society of Jesus, Fr. Martin Scheffer, by the order of the Rector of the College

of Mainz. Fr. Balthasar Hagger, to the same

Fr. Thomas Saillius in reply concerning the same Relics

had already before written on December 14 in the year 1620.

"As regards the holy relics of Saint Wernher, this

I have from the mouth of the Rector, that two of ours were

at Bacharach, who say that the inhabitants all say, that

of that holy Martyr they have relics, in that church

still closed up, which they think was built in honor

of that Saint: and the place is shown, where it

rests, although some affirm that it is kept above

the vault of the church. Which all things the Governor

very well understood." c

[8] A commission given to Captain Tourlandt, By these testimonies confirmed the Most Excellent

Lord Marquis, committed to Lord James Tourlandt,

Captain of infantry, who is now Lieutenant

of the Most Illustrious Lord Prince of Chimay, that with secrecy kept,

in that ruinous and closed church for many years

(of which mention above) to which by one hundred steps from

the cemetery of the parish church one ascends, he should inquire for

the body of the Saint, with the license of the Governor. Who when

he had ordered some faithful soldiers, that under the pretext of finding

some hidden treasures of money, they should dig through

the whole pavement, and search the vaults themselves,

if by chance anything there lurked; he found nothing.

But doubling the labors, striking the walls all around with an iron

hammer, he detected, opposite the place where

once the altar had been erected on the left side, something

to be hollow: and from the resonating hum he gathered that something

there was hidden. Wherefore immediately he caused the squared

stone to be taken out from the wall: it is found, which removed, a head

appeared resting on a silken pillow,

filled with well-smelling herbs, whose odor still breathes

sweetly; as can be seen now, after in another box, with greater decency

by Fr. Thomas it was placed; although on account of age, and

the humidity of the flesh it was perforated, and somewhat torn.

[9] Which when it had been seen by that Captain, who with highest

zeal was seeking the holy youth; he caused immediately

the locker to be resealed, and the cracks made to be stopped with lime,

until to the Marquis what had been done should be signified.

He having communicated the matter with the said Father, Frs. Saillius and Medardus are sent there desired that

as soon as possible he himself should set out for Bacharach, letters of credence being given to the Governor

of this place himself, as if about to treat some other

matters. Said, done.

He indeed on the eighth day of March, with his carriage, and having taken

as companion Fr. Cornelius Medardus, willingly this journey

undertook, together with the Captain otherwise named, who the whole

matter previously had explored. About the tenth evening

when men are wont to sleep deeply, with the Governor of the place and others by night they approach: there joined them

Lord Balthazar de Baucen, Governor of the place, a knight,

that they might go to the place of burial. There were present also Peter

Lichtermoet, Designator of lodgings, whom they call

Fourier, and another Quartermaster called Peter

Mander, honored men and Catholic soldiers; who with iron

instruments applied opened the locker, they separate the head from the body, Which

done the said Fathers, with lights kindled, with due

reverence the sacred entire Head before all from the rest of

the body separated, and in a small chest brought for this

decently placed, with the very pillow on which it had lain,

full of lavender, and certain other herbs:

then they took out all the other bones up to the smallest

extremities of the feet and hands. they gather all the bones. From the very skull's

teeth and of other bones quantity, it is easy

to see, that it was not a man, but a boy or youth,

who there by the ancient Catholics (when on account of persecutions

perhaps there was need for speed, lest so great a treasure

by iconoclasts be either burned or cast away) was deposited,

with the wooden sarcophagi and ornaments left,

of which above has been said. For also in our time

forty years ago many bodies of Saints had been despoiled

of their ornaments; and in secret places

hidden, with few knowing: which now again the storm being calmed

in Belgium have been restored to pristine honor,

God being merciful.

[10] But certain rather rare and most worthy of observation things

were seen in this burial. First that in the wall itself, The tomb was of squared stone,

from living and squared stones, and these most hard, fitted

and cut the sepulcher had been, by the force of iron and hammers,

not longer nor wider than to take a body of a youth.

Second, that after the head, living lime added to the body, and with it the stones smeared: the rest

part of the body, (which perhaps was still whole)

had been suffused with living lime. Third, there appeared traces of the

fingers, which were fitting that body in the lime,

and smearing the stone all around with the same lime, so that the rougher

wall from blows should appear more level and more honest,

as happens when in rocks little niches are cut.

Fourth, there stood out a little window, once fabricated, which was

now covered with lime and obstructed with cut stones through which

that holy body could have been seen, and the little window stopped up: and from outside

cultivated by pilgrims approaching, who their little gifts,

of coins, flowers, and waxen offerings were accustomed once

to offer. Fifth that still was found a coin of ancient

money of Frankfurt silver: there were found, a coin, perhaps

more had been hidden in the ruins of the sepulcher, which

the first soldiers, who opened the sepulcher, perhaps found

and out of devotion or otherwise stole them. Also one leaf

of a palm, also some quantity of wax at his feet

melted. For these are the gifts of the poor. Above

the head and the rest of the body it is likely that some cloth

had been extended, as appears from certain little pieces

adjoined. Sixth, a palm leaf, parts of wax, and of flesh. there were found many little particles

of flesh, which perhaps the lime did not touch, nor consume.

[11] Seventh, that above the place of the exterior wall,

where the body was lying hid, there had been painted some box, in the

manner of a temple or chapel, before which many

pilgrims of both sexes kneel, holding rosaries in their hands, on the wall was a painting of the chapel, of kneeling pilgrims, and as if venerating the said painted chapel.

A little above was a painted image, representing a Priest,

who in the ancient manner, clothed with chasuble and stole,

was seen, with raised hands with the host, at a painted altar

saying Mass; behind whose back there were seen

pilgrims variously painted, some with bent knees, and of a celebrating priest, some

standing, praying. In the painting, with a certain little title

were some words expressed, one of these was so corrupt,

that it could not be read: others were of this kind: 1437,

on the 6th feria after the Nativity of the Lord here poured out and reconditioned.

while some Priest was celebrating, either

on the sacred Host, or in the pouring of the Chalice, as can be seen

in many towns of Flanders and elsewhere. There was found above

the breast of Saint Wernher a certain Relic, wrapped in a silken

small cloth, and tied with a thread. What this is cannot

be known. Those images are sketched in the following figure.

[12] Col. 737B the martyrdom painted in a window, Eighth, it is to be noted that on the left side of the altar (which

is destroyed by the heretics) in a most beautiful and ancient

window there was expressed the martyrdom of Saint Wernher. Ninth,

in the very principal door of the church, artfully and from most hard

wood made, there was expressed a small statue of that Saint with

by the servants of mason-fabricators is wont to be carried to the fabrics

or walls to be built. a statue on the door of the church. The tradition is, that the good youth

by similar works or diggings had sought

his living. a stone canal leading water from a fountain, Tenth, there still remained a stone canal

which from the neighboring fountain once grew so high,

that through it water flowed through the whole church into the other

part night and day: but now depressed, and

through hidden underground places pours itself forth, it is not known where.

With this water many sick were once wont to be healed; and who

now wish to use it, draw it with buckets and it is most clear

and of unusual taste. Eleventh, also notable

is this, that a certain man of sixty years, John

Lymbor, by art a glassmaker and citizen of Bacharach, before

Fr. Thomas Saillius and Cornelius Medardus of the Society

of Jesus the Priests, had testified; that from his parents he had

heard, that Hungarians at that time had come, and from the Palatine

Frederick the One-Eyed, Father of Count Casimir,

had sought at least one finger of this Wernher, Hungarians accustomed to carry that water. and had suffered

refusal: and that he in his time had seen this church

whole and visited by Hungarian pilgrims and them

water from that fountain had drawn; and since there was no hope of having

relics, at least flasks with salutary waters they had filled,

to relieve various languors in their

fatherland frequent. He testified also that in the same

church he had heard sermons, and letters, where to school

had been converted, had learned.

[13] Twelfth, moreover worthy of note, that a certain

pious Priest, Lord Andrew Stronck, Canon

of Worms in Blessed Virgin, a Priest of thirty-two

years: a column expressing the martyrdom is at Wesel. who at this evil time

an exile from his Church, among Catholic soldiers at Bacharach

acts as Chaplain under Lord Balthasar Bancen the Knight,

who here, I say, a citizen of upper Wesel asserts;

that he had heard from the elders of that town, in which he was born,

that that Wernher affected with martyrdom at Wesel,

and there stands a column in a certain hospital, with

an inscription expressing the kind of martyrdom. He asserted then,

that the elders of that little town hold as certain, that

when the body of the martyr was being buried, it did not remain in

the earth; but that God permitted, that outside the earth it cast itself;

and when it was placed in a carriage and dragged by two oxen,

those without a leader there fixed their feet, where now it was brought

and buried; nor could they be moved from the place,

until the body of the Saint was deposited. And the

people of Wesel themselves to this day assert, that not with them,

but at Bacharach he rests. Which in fact they proved.

For they are wont every year in the Rogation days

with various crosses (as was once the custom) and processionally

to Bacharach to that church to go. The procession of the people of Wesel to Bacharach A certain

old man still living, and for three years

lying in bed, says that in his boyhood he had observed this custom.

But he who now at Wesel acts as Prætor, is said

to be of the family of him, who when he had heard Wernher

crying for help, when he was being oppressed by the Jews,

was unwilling to help, corrupted by money received from the perfidious:

who could not die, until he should manifest the secret.

He who now is Prætor has been lying sick for three years,

hoping he will obtain health, if he could visit the holy

body. There is extant a certain protocol

at Wesel, in which wonderful miracles are had, which at

this body were performed.

[14] Fr. Thomas Saillius also received most ancient letters,

written 200 years ago on parchment

or membrane, in the German tongue, containing rare

miracles, miracles translated from German. which to him on the 9th of March sent Lord Ludwig

Custia, Governor now of the little town e of Kanbiacum,

opposite as it were to Baccharach across the Rhine, to

whom Fr. Saillius had sent a man, that if he had anything

pertaining to this Martyr he should send it; which he did. The original

of the said letters is sent with the same relics:

but these the Father caused to be translated into the Latin tongue

and added here.

[15] Copy of the letters containing the miracles

of Saint Wernher, translated from the German tongue into Latin. "The miracles

below described occurred from the day

of SS. Peter and Paul in the year 1426, from the day June 29 1416, by the power of God Omnipotent,

at the invocation of Saint Wernher, whose truth by f information,

by instruments, by witnesses heard upon

these things, was confirmed.

I First a certain boy of one year, born of Catharine

of Perscheit, had been dead for a whole hour,

and to life at the invocation of this Saint Wernher returned. g

II Also Elizabeth Porren was deaf and blind, and

her son Elizabeta h dropsical and blind, each

recovered health and sight.

III Also John Snabel i born at Aschaffenburg, was

affected with incurable wounds, from which he was freed,

and acquired health.

IV Also Catharine k Scholteisz of Mambach, who

for a year and a half had been dropsical, and very swollen,

or inflated in body, was healed.

V Also the son of the Scultetus l or Prætor of Buxbach,

four years old, struck by the kick of a fierce horse,

died and revived.

VI Also Henry Kricht, dislocated in the arms and laboring

from them for more than a year, was restored to pristine health.

VII A certain nobleman, Godfrey of Schoenenburch,

laboring with anguish of heart, was freed.

VIII The son of Jacob Ortwin of Mambach, entirely phthisic,

was better.

IX Gerlac Irmele m of Breitscheyt when he had one

foot burned, and kindled by fire, and for

three years could not be cured, by invoking Saint Wernher

obtained health.

X Wenceslaus, son of Master Gregory d'Albanil

of Heidelberg, when in one foot with intolerable

pain he was tormented, and of desperate health,

recovered at the invocation of the Saint.

XI Also Catharine n wife of Master Peter the Surgeon,

when twice she had borne two dead sons, the third time having recourse

to Saint Wernher, and offering some little gifts,

afterwards bore one living offspring.

XII Peter of Condexens, was freed from his various

diseases,

XIII A hostess, who dwelt at Mainz in the house which

had the sign of the golden sheep, for one year had lain sick,

her members dislocated, namely her arms, recovered.

XIV A certain noble Knight, who had offered a great statue

made of wax, when enemies were pursuing him, and

the Knight was compelled to enter the river Moselle, invoked

Saint Wernher, and to the bank of the river swam safe.

XV John Biersten of Walhausen, when he was blind for two years,

having made a pilgrimage to Saint Wernher, on the

journey itself recovered his sight.

XVI Ursula wife of John o of Birchem made foolish, and

without the use of judgment, returned to herself made well.

XVII John Furster of Altzey, for the space of eight years

blind, saw excellently.

XVIII The wife of Hebel Stercken of Ludenrait, had

years: struck by the kick of some horse, thence

died, and recovered life.

XIX Francis the Cobbler of Mainz, burned with infernal fire,

which some call the fire of Saint Anthony,

at length was freed.

XX The son of Henry Bunder of Mainz, twelve years old,

with both feet so twisted, that he could not walk,

nor stand on his feet; recovered his health,

so that he could walk uprightly.

XXI The wife of a certain Appel of Mainz, brought her son

of four and a half years; who with both

shins was so bruised, that neither could he stand, nor sit:

then he was mute. And when she had called Wernher into her aid,

entirely restored and made whole he was.

XXII Also Peter the Tailor of Wilstain, and his wife named

Margaret, on the feast q of Saint Kilian brought their daughter Kunigunda

of five years, who had been mute for nine

days, to the Saint, and began to speak.

XXIII Lawrence Ryt, and his wife Catharine of Widerborch,

brought to the Saint their son John,

of the age of seven years, r who for three hours had been dead,

again returned to life.

XXIV Conrad Budeter of Mainz, by chance had killed

of life used it,

XXV Anna s of Leideneck around Cestelem brought one of her

sons, named Nicholas, fifteen years old,

who for three days had been blind, and obtained his sight.

XXVI Albert of Straubing, who in the Rhine near Gerinsheim

had been submerged, and for an hour had been under the waters,

lived again, as soon as he had invoked Saint Wernher.

XXVII Frederick of Walkalgesheim and Gutilda his wife

brought their daughter called Margaret, who for more

than five hours had been dead; as soon as they came to Saint

Wernher, she received life again.

XXVIII Also John Bechman of Wisenburch, for many

years fifteen suffered infirmities, who on

the day of Saint Matthew had come there; where he called upon Saint Wernher

for help, and obtained health."

[16] From these miracles and other signs before alleged probably

it can be believed, that this body which the Most Excellent

Lord Marquis with such devotion from that cave

wished to be brought out, is of Saint Wernher, to whose prayers and

merits we humbly commend ourselves, and from him help,

in this most just war we can hope. But that

this fatherland not be entirely deprived of its Patron, some

smaller bones set apart were carried, with the license of the said

Marquis, some bones deposited at Mainz. to be sent to Mainz to the college of the Society of Jesus;

that if in any case at any time the Catholic religion

be restored, the Bacharach Church may have some

monument of its Martyr. That these things were so found asserts

the aforesaid Fr. Thomas Saillius and Fr. Cornelius Medardus, Frs. Saillius and Medardus subscribe.

who in all things were eyewitnesses; and to this

writing they subscribed with their own hand, at Cruzenack, on the

12th day of March 1621. This relation was approved and signed

by the Reverend Fathers Thomas Saillius and Cornelius Medardus

Priests of the Society of Jesus eyewitnesses. Which

to be true I attest I the undersigned, who also

have copied this relation extracted from the original. F. Medardus

Robillartz, Religious Priest unworthy of the order

of Saint Benedict.

ANNOTATIONS.

a This

was Antonius Albergatus, cousin of Ludovicus Ludovisius Cardinal

Vice-chancellor, uncle of Cardinal Nicholas Ludovisius,

given the Vigiliense Bishopric in Apulia under the Archbishop of Trani in the year

1609, and afterwards, especially in the time of Gregory XV, Apostolic Nuncio at Cologne.

d Since

the delineation sent to us showed a blank roll, I preferred to leave it blank

in the image, than from conjecture to insert letters perhaps in a different place

and form than actually they are: meanwhile from the very remaining words, and

from the subject of the painting just described, you may conjecture, the word in the roll

abolished to have been "the blood of Christ," or another of similar

signification: and the corporal and towel stained with it to have been enclosed

with the body of Saint Wernher: and these would have been the pieces of the cloth already

indicated.

f Wondrous

it is that this information was not, if it was extant in writing, adduced in

the Process: for although some miracles are here indicated, of which there are

Instruments, yet here are sometimes added circumstances there

lacking; and the greater part of the things here reported, not even in the Process

by the Witnesses is set forth. Thomas Saillius having returned to Belgium, at Brussels

departed life on March 8, 1623, whose illustrious virtues are related in

the Library of the Writers of the Society of Jesus with Philip Alegambe,

and in the Image of the first

century of the same Society published by the Flemish-Belgian Province in the year 1640,

especially book 6. That by this man the body of Saint Wernher had been placed in a small chest decently and transferred to Brussels writes Aubertus Miraeus in the Belgian and Burgundian Fasti published at Brussels in 1622.

k Ibidem n. 7.

l Ibidem n. 6.

n Ibidem n. 2.

p See Instrument VII concerning Agnes and the following Francis.

q Saint Kilian Bishop and Martyr is venerated on July 8.

r From this miracle Instrument IX begins.

s Instrument VIII n. 18 calls her Anna, and precedes the miracle which here follows.

§ III. The Relics of the Saint in Belgium and Italy.

[17] A tooth is given to the Professed House of St. I. of Antwerp Cornelius Medardus, of whom above mention has been made,

as present to the aforerelated finding and attesting its

truth, did not so idly stand by that sacred action,

that he did not indulge something of his own peculiar devotion toward the Saint

and receive as a reward of the labor performed some little particles of the venerable body,

one of which he left to our House of Antwerp

under this handwriting. "I the undersigned,

Priest of the Society of Jesus, after the most excellent

Lord Marquis Spinola, being in the Palatinate with the royal

army, had given charge to the Reverend Father Thomas

Sayllius and to me, of seeking the body of Saint Wernher,

among the other parts of the Relics, which

for the sake of devotion I kept for myself, also this tooth

I received, which I willingly gave as a gift to the Reverend Father Jacob Tirinus,

Provost of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus at Antwerp,

on June 29 in the year 1621. In which

faith these things I have subscribed and subsigned with my own hand.

At Brussels, on July 14 of the aforenoted year."

[18] But to where the other particles came, which Cornelius says he kept

for the sake of devotion, with the approval of the Bishop. thus far we do not know: he himself

in the year 1623 on the 16th day of February dying at Antwerp

flew to the rewards of his Apostolic labors: we

keep the tooth given by him in the rich furniture of sacred

Relics, within magnificent reliquaries, if there are any anywhere,

stored away; of which one white one wrought with distinguished

work, with other relics of Holy Martyrs not Pontiffs

contains it. Of the same tooth an express notice we have found

in the approval and enumeration of our Relics,

at the request of the Reverend Father John de Tollenare Provost of the said house,

signed by the Most Reverend Bishop of Antwerp

John Malder, to the Novitiate of Mechelen, a knee-bone in the year 1625, October 30. In the same

our house even now dwells the Jubilarian old man Reverend Father James

Libenius who remembers, that when he himself about the same time,

when the tooth was given to us, at Mechelen a novice of the Society dwelt,

thither came Fr. Thomas Sayllius, and the treasury of sacred

Relics, for exciting the piety of the Novices,

copiously instructed with pledges of very many Saints,

augmented with a certain little bone of Saint Wernher; which there even now

is kept in a peculiar pyx, and is a knee-bone (physicians call

the kneecap), testifies the Rector of that College and Novitiate

Reverend Father Louis de Camargo, required by letters,

but nothing about this matter is found written.

[19] Ambrosius Spinola having died at the siege of Casale

of Saint Evasius whither he had been called by the Catholic King, From the remaining body to be carried to Italy his son and

heir of the goods ordered to be carried to Italy whatever of paternal

right had remained in Belgium: and by that occasion it happened, that the small chest,

which contained the body of Saint Wernher, at Lille,

man Lord John Paul Guidoboni Pessini,

Counsellor of Royal Majesty and Master

of Accounts in his supreme Chamber of Flanders

most worthy, and also Treasurer of the Most Illustrious

Marquis Ambrosius Spinola while he lived: at whose

John Paul's request Louis Fardeau, Protonotary

of the Apostolic See and of the Collegiate church of Saint

Mary of the city of Lens, a small rib taken from Lille, of the Arras diocese in

the County of Artois, Canon, by his own handwriting

given at Brussels on December 16 of the year 1633 attests,

that he had extracted a small rib, which the aforesaid Lord

Pessini for the cause of devotion and piety took for himself,

from the body of Saint Wernher the Martyr: which indeed

body was extracted from the little town of Bacherac, situated on

the Rhine, from the chapel of Saint Cunibert, which is on

of the Most Illustrious and Most Reverend Lord Apostolic Nuncio,

and from the due license of the Canons of Saint

Andrew residing at Cologne, as Provisors

of the Bacharach church, and to the Most Illustrious and Most Excellent

Marquis Spinola given, while

he was in the expedition of the lower Palatinate. An authentic

copy of this attestation (in which also by name

is alleged the writing of Fathers Sailly and Medardus, as

executors and witnesses of the found and translated body) is kept

at Lille with the Discalced Carmelites, to whom at length

the aforesaid little rib came with a notarial instrument which from

the original French into Latin I add, and it is such.

[20] given to the Carmelite Convent of that city "Before me the notary and the subscribed witnesses

appeared Lady Maria Francisca Roberti,

wife of Lord John Philip l'Entailleur, Squire,

Lord of Warde and of Haute-porte: who for

the greater glory of God and of Saint Wernher declared,

that she had one bone, taken from the glorious body

of the said Saint Wernher: which bone she already previously gave

to the Reverend Father Peter Thomas of Saint Louis, Carmelite

Discalced, in the Douai residence at present dwelling,

to the end that with every possible reason he should take care

to promote the honor of so venerable and certain a Relic.

But now being asked the aforesaid Lady

to strengthen the faith to be had concerning it, she declares that

the said Relic, given to the aforesaid Fr. Peter Thomas, and

twice sealed with the seal of her formerly husband, and wrapped in a band

of rose color, had been received from the body

of Saint Wernher, before Lady Maria Robillart, with the Notarial attestation of the event

her mother, then in second nuptials joined with Lord

John Paul Pessini, Counsellor of the King and of the Chamber

of accounts at Lille Master: and that when the said

holy body was at Lille in his house, to public

veneration exposed, before it was sent to Italy

to the Marquis Spinola, son of him who had been General

Leader of the Royal arms in Belgium:

to whom when, the Palatinate being subdued, a huge sum

of money was offered, he indeed refused it; but

in its place, on account of the great which toward Saint Wernher

he had devotion, he asked and obtained his

body; which with great caution and certainty

to these parts had been brought, is proved by authentic

attestations, to the said Peter Thomas given into his hands together

with the Relic… Done at Brussels on the 20th

of March 1644, before the Reverend Father Julian of Saint Peter

Discalced Carmelite of the Brussels Residence, and

Lord Philip de Monstreuil Standard-bearer, witnesses

called and asked for this, and me the Royal Notary

John Sdroogen."

[21] and with the approval of the Vicariate of Tournai, These and other documents seen, the Vicars General

of the Bishopric of Tournai, the See being vacant, by letters given in the year

1647 on the 7th day of February attested, that having inspected

and examined a certain little bone, of the length

of about half a finger, extracted from the body of Saint Wernher

Martyr in Germany, with two seals

depending from byssus of rose color… to Fr. Peter

Thomas of Saint Louis given, and by the same

Father to the Convent of the Lille town to be given, they had found

the said little bone to be true relics of the said holy Martyr,

and as such they had recognized and approved them.

All which also to us were proved, with the submitted

authentic copies of the aforesaid attestations, by the kindness

of the Reverend Father Peter of the Mother of God; who moreover in his letter testifies,

that there had been given to him by the Procurator of the Convent of Tournai

found in the shrine of a certain Fr. Felix, who had it from the said

Fr. Peter Thomas: of which Relic of the truth of which so much

more certainly it is established for him, as more expressly in the history

of the finding is said, that "there were found many particles

of flesh, which perhaps the lime did not touch nor consume,"

as is had in n. 10.

[22] In the year 1644 an attestation of the ancient cult is sent to Genoa The rest of the body having been carried to Italy, when concerning it

exposing to public veneration the Lord Marquis son of Ambrosius was thinking,

wrote to Bolland in the year 1644 some one of our Fathers

of Genoa, in the name of the aforesaid Marquis, that he should take pains,

that through the Ordinary of the place it should be established that the body of Saint Wernher

was held in honor as a Martyr, and that this it was

which to Marquis Spinola carried Fr. Saillius and Fr.

Medardus. Bolland luminously did what was demanded:

for from those monuments which were then at hand printed or written

by hand, he gathered a Commentary on the martyrdom

and cult of Saint Wernher, which to us even now has been of no

small help; and made it so that it seemed least necessary,

in such great light of public writings, to require the testimony

of the Ordinary: then he illustrated the relation written by the said Fathers

with his annotations; and that to that relation the weight of other witnesses

might be added, if any weight could be added further,

he wrote to the Rector of our College of Mainz Joachim

Hamman, who interrogating various men, at last from

the Rector's letters of August 6 of the said year do not express)

obtained an attestation written in these words: "I remember

very well, when before the Swedish tumults I was living at Cruzenach in

the Lower Palatinate under Spanish rule,

often from the same Regiment, and the aforesaid removal of the body and from the very

Confessor of the Most Illustrious Marquis Spinola the Reverend Father

Hermann Hugo of pious memory, to have heard, that the Holy

Boy and Martyr Wernher had rested at Bacharach in

the Basilica built in honor of the same Martyr,

up to the very occupation of the same town by Marquis

Spinola by order and command of the Catholic King.

The town having been occupied the Marquis so great a treasure,

withdrawn from the calumnies of Calvinists, to the King of the Spains

thus assenting, into the Spains themselves

it was then said to have been sent. I myself saw not much later at Bacharach,

his stone tomb, in the wall of the aforesaid Basilica,

on the left side of the high altar, enclosed, opened and

empty: nay from the inhabitants themselves, although most fierce

followers of Calvin, the same things, which I have narrated, I often heard."

[23] it was thought now to be deposited at Roxani, These things sent to Italy nothing has been written to us thereafter,

by which we might be taught, whether in any and which church

the sacred pledge was deposited. Therefore since this April

was now at hand, I gave letters to Genoa to the Reverend Father John

Stephen Fliscus, a diligent helper of our work in the parts

of Liguria, that among the Proceres of the Spinola family

inquiry being held, before all things he should try to learn the place

of that sacred deposit, then also the rest of the things he should try to obtain: who

at length to the questions thus answered. The Most Excellent Marquis

Paul Spinula-Doria, head of the family led by Ambrosius

Marquis, is far from here for the Catholic

Majesty of the King of Spain with the Most August

Caesar Leopold Legate at Vienna: it was not

permitted to meet him, and through him to obtain the required

documents; meanwhile from a certain of his household

I received the following. That Saint Wernher, carried

to Italy, and for some time kept at home within private

houses, finally in a magnificently constructed church, at Roxani

(which is a town of the Dertosan diocese and a fief

of the same Marquis) had been placed within

have been placed, each enclosed in its own gilded receptacles:

but that the care of that church is held by the Franciscans,

surnamed from the Observance, and a frequent people

venerating those sacred relics.

[24] whence requested and promised documents With this notice obtained to the Marquis himself I gave letters, that the monuments of ancestral piety be drawn out and transmitted

ordered to Antwerp: who immediately in these words answered:

"Having received the letter of Your Paternity, full indeed both

of religion toward the Saints, and of benevolence toward me and my

grandfather, I held each both sweetest and most pleasing:

and I wrote immediately to the Guardian of Roxani,

that in the chapel dedicated to sacred Relics, which

is in the very famous temple and monastery erected from the foundations by the same

grandfather, he should search for the holy deposit;

and about it more distinctly inform me,

and about other things which in the same relics have been found, so that

all these things I may take care to transmit to Antwerp. Meanwhile by this

your singular benignity toward me and by the sanctity of your most praiseworthy

undertaking, by which the history of Saint Wernher

you have undertaken to write, or have already written and publicly prepare,

most highly bound, I pray for perennity to the work.

At Vienna on March 9, 1683." Now prone to me

I hoped the rest, and believed myself to hold them in my hands;

when there came from the Guardian an answer, that having inspected the catalog

of Relics, which his convent keeps, they could not yet be obtained, no mention

of Saint Wernher there was found, or a body in any of the sacred

receptacles. With new letters therefore was called upon the Most Excellent

Marquis; but he had nothing certain to answer;

with letters again written, which I also append,

that it may appear that no part of human diligence has been

omitted by us. The words of the letter in the same year on the

30th day of November given from Vienna are these.

[25] on account of the absence of the Marquis, "I grievously lament, that, during my still continuing absence

from home nothing certain can be brought forward about

the body of Saint Wernher. Indeed very likely

I suspect, that my Grandfather consigned that sacred

body, to some other of his predilect temples.

either to the monastery of Saint Leonard of Genoa, in which were educated

his daughters, or also to his son Cardinal

of Compostela and then of Seville Archbishop. But

as has been said, I have nothing certain: nor can my archive

of the household be so easily searched and unrolled

in my absence, which I being present would most willingly do.

I therefore give thanks to Your Paternity, for the highest

benevolence, which you have professed, toward me and my grandfather:

and I lament that I am detained here by circumstances

of the times, so that I cannot render it efficacious

in a matter of such piety, otherwise most desiring to submit them. from which moreover an immortal name

would arise for our family in a work so distinguished,

to which the virtue of most holy men and the pen of the most learned

rightly promises perennity." Thus he, more than our merits,

and for that end here brought in, that if it should happen

that most excellent man, absent from his fatherland for the sake of the public

good, or otherwise hindered from executing his excellent will when

he shall return, cannot satisfy our wishes; some one of his sons

or grandsons, having read these letters which are indicators of the paternal will,

strive to fulfill the same, for the future supplement of the work. Meanwhile

inquiry was made with the nuns of Saint Leonard, and the reply given

that not even there is known anything about Saint Wernher. Into

Spain for such an uncertain matter to have recourse it did not please.

ON BLESSED CONRAD MILIANUS OF THE ORDER OF MINORS AT ASCOLI IN PICENUM.

IN THE YEAR 1289

Conrad Milianus, of the Order of Minors, at Ascoli in Picenum (B.)

D. P.

[1] Weaving the catalog of the Blessed of the Seraphic Order

Francis Gonzaga, in part I of his work

p. 93, and numbering them in alphabetical order

and arriving at the letter C,

says: The cult of the body "Blessed Conrad distinguished by miracles

lies at Ascoli." Which with the same words indeed the author of the Franciscan Martyrology

in the 2nd edition in the year 1623 thus expressed:

"At Ascoli in Picenum of Blessed Conrad Confessor,

celebrated for life and wondrous signs." In the annotations he adds that Luke

Wadding, in the Additions to Vol. 2 of the Annals,

edited after Vol. 4 n. 33, from the Process for his canonization

compiled, has reduced his life, family and deeds into

rests in the church of Saint Francis of the Conventuals

under the Altar of the Resurrection with this inscription: "Here lies

the body of Blessed Corrado of the family of the Milianians of Ascoli, and the day of death.

of the Order of Minor Conventuals of Saint Francis,

Theologian and Doctor of Paris, and also sworn companion

of Pope Nicholas IV. He died in the year of the Lord

1289, on the 19th day of April." Having learned this, and likewise

that his feast on the said 19th day of April is celebrated with great

frequency and veneration of the people, and that his image

is painted above the chest with rays, and before it a lamp burns

continually; we thought nothing more to be taken care of by us,

than that we should obtain the aforesaid Process, by which

it ought to be evident with how great a foundation the title of Blessed

and the veneration was attributed to Blessed Conrad.

[2] The style of the aforenarrated epitaph, savors of every

kind of novelty (for who has called Minor Conventuals or Doctors

of Paris from a somewhat older age?); yet it itself

proves sufficiently his present cult: A Process for canonizing him was made, which since

it is from immemorial time according to the prescript of Urban VIII,

no doubt can be raised about the right of the title, by which he is called

Blessed. Yet to confirm it greatly the said Process could have helped,

and at the same time would have removed the necessity of seeking scattered through various

authors with lesser faith, what under

oath could be held collected there. Therefore for obtaining the same

we gave letters to the Elders of the city of Ascoli

(with whom we had understood to be the original itself, of which

only a compendium and indeed in Italian Wadding had had),

and a reply from the same was humanely given on March 21 in the year

1671, in these words. "Your most pleasing letters received from

the Very Reverend Father Diego Calcaneo Rector of this College

brought to us, and asked by the Elders of Ascoli, in our Council of One Hundred and

Peace by the Secretary read through, moved the minds

of all the Senators to resolve, that two deputies

specially chosen for this, namely Lord Francis de la Torre

and Lord Octavius Novellus, with all their effort should incumbent,

to collecting the more distinguished deeds of Blessed Corrado Milianus,

our most worthy fellow-countryman, of whose glorious

death the sweet memory is recalled on April 19."

[3] and by no means found. That no labor was spared by those, who to the above-written

had been deputed, a most distinguished man from the same

family as the Blessed, Joseph Miliani,

uterine brother of Francis de la Torre, one of the Deputies, made us certain: but he indicated that every labor

had been in vain, because the Ascoli archive

had once been burned, with the distinguished loss of many

ancient writings. The same suspecting to Rome

the aforesaid processes to have been carried, and either in the Vatican Library

or in the archive of the Congregation of Rites to be preserved; or

at least to be held in copies in the Episcopal archive; he solicited whatever friends

he could and exercised them in searching for them there:

but this diligence too thus far has lacked the desired effect. Meanwhile from

his letter of January 23 in the year 1672 we have learned the following. "The body rests

in a chapel elegant of plastic and gilded work, the annual celebration of the feast.

adorned with the proper expenses of the family,

within two chests, of which the outer is of marble, the inner

of cypress; and lying intact and entire, wonderfully

sends forth a pleasing odor at any time. Many

days before his feast the bells are rung; on the feast itself,

both in the first and second Vespers, before the Most Illustrious

Elders of the city, fitting Psalms and hymns

are modulately sung; after which at his

altar in the morning hours frequent Sacrifices are offered

to God, by Priests flowing together to honor the memory of the Blessed

Confessor: from whose

hands very many citizens of both sexes are refreshed with the sacred

meal, until with solemn rite a votive Mass is celebrated?

Many other moreover of joy and devotion

public signs are shown on this day by the citizens, which it would be long to relate one by one.

[4] Further, since the public Acts which we mentioned are lacking, we shall give here a compendium of his Life from Waddingus's abbreviator and most worthy successor Francis Harold, at the year 1289 no. 14. Thus it runs: "In this same year died at Ascoli Blessed Conrad of Ascoli; born in the same city in the year 1234 on 18 September, As a youth he presages Nicholas IV's Pontificate. of noble parents Francis Miliani and Agnes Marcelli of the Saladini. From his very infancy on fast days he would suck the breasts only once, and growing a boy he pursued other modes of abstinence, and adorned with other virtues and the discipline of the humaner literature, while still an adolescent endowed with the prophetic spirit, as often as he met Jerome, a rustic boy, he adored him on bended knees: because, as he affirmed, he beheld the keys of the kingdom of the heavens in the boy's hands. For this was Jerome of Ascoli, and joined to him in friendship, who afterwards as Pope Nicholas IV ruled the Church, and then in boyhood, having struck a pact of perpetual friendship, walked with Conrad: whence the two, unanimously running to the works of the virtues, gave their names together to the Minorites, professed together, studied together, and together with the laurel of the Doctorate, which they humbly declined, admonished by an Angel not to struggle against it, were endowed.

[5] "Afterwards, having set out for Rome, while with equal course they applied themselves to Theological lectures and preachings of the word of God, and dispatched on a legation to Gaul Jerome was taken up to the offices of the Order: but Conrad, always suspecting that he was not suitable for the care of souls, having obtained from Jerome, now made Minister General, license to cross over into Africa, through many labors and hardships, he bears fruit in Africa: through various regions of Libya, six thousand four hundred and seventy-eight men, and besides these whole families, by his preaching and many miracles he converted to the faith of Christ; suffering therefore many snares and blows from demons. But lest, while he preaches to others, he himself should become a reprobate, content with the very fewest things, covered with a cheap little cloak, The austerity of his life he walked with feet bare to the ground. Distributing all the days of the week into various fasts, mostly living on bread and water only, he was wholly intent upon meditating on the passion of Christ the Savior. By which exercises and many other virtue he merited to free many souls from the pains of purgatory; to see often Christ crowned with thorns and afflicted with other sorrows; to enjoy the frequent colloquy of the Angels, in the name of the most holy Trinity, which he intensely cultivated, to illumine the blind, to raise the lame, to heal paralytics, to put demons to flight, and finally to raise two dead men in Africa.

[6] "Thence by Pontifical authority called into Europe, his death undergone at Ascoli, that with his brother Jerome he might treat of peace at Paris between the Kings, by his aid and prayers it was brought about that Jerome happily performed his legation. Therefore endowed with the Cardinalitial dignity, he led Conrad back with him to the city, and after two years sent him back to Paris publicly to lecture on sacred Theology. At length in the year 1289 by Jerome made Pontiff, he was again called to the City, that he might be adopted among the Cardinals, but passing through Ascoli, he died there most holily, on the 19th day of the month of April. For three days with a flexible and sweet-smelling body, unburied on account of the devotion of the gathering people, he shone with many miracles. Which hearing, Pope Nicholas wrote that he should be placed in an honorable tomb. In which, while his translation to another place was being made in the year 1371, his body was found whole: which still works frequent miracles, and grants benefits to those invoking him."

[7] Jerome was elected to the governance of the whole Order in the year of Christ 1274, and set out for Gaul in the 77th year of the same century, and returning thence, the Pontifical seat being vacant through the death of John XXI, was created Cardinal by his successor Nicholas III: from which the whole chronology pertaining to Conrad receives light. This Conrad is moreover to be distinguished from another of the same name and Order, then Provincial of Germany, who was sent by Rudolph King of the Romans as Procurator and Nuntius, in the first year of Nicholas III, to perform those things which had formerly been promised by the same King to Gregory X: concerning which matters tables are extant in Raynaldus's Annals Eccles. tom. 4. The Life of Blessed Conrad is said to have been written by Brothers Benedict of Poggio of Canosa and Dionysius of Saint Hemerus, his companions: which perhaps the aforesaid Process attested. Would that it still survived and might sometime be sent to us! Meanwhile we have received that one which in the year 1664 was printed at Macerata in Italian, composed by Francis Antony Migliani, son of the aforesaid Francis: and it was indeed worthy that those who shared the same blood with Conrad and the name drawn from Milliani, a distinguished and ancient castle, should labor more solicitously in promoting his honor. other things published in Italian, From this (which is almost wholly taken from Waddingus, Harold, and a certain epitome pertaining to the convent itself) we have learned the cause of the aforementioned translation to be, that the Convent itself was transferred from a suburban place within the city, a new and sumptuous church being built there, not far from the church of Saint Mary, said to be among the vineyards. There beside the door, by which one enters to the sacristy, the ark was deposited within the wall; but afterwards placed beneath the altar of the said chapel; when also, and not before, I think the marble ark with the aforenoted inscription was made.

[8] This author did not specify any of the ancient miracles produced after his death, being destitute of old documents: he only mentions certain favors, attributed by those who experienced them to the intercession of this Blessed; namely, witness of certain favors attributed to him, a noble man of Ascoli, having professed to himself and to others often, that afflicted with incurable gout in his youth, the physicians despairing of human aids, he had recourse to the divine aids to be invoked through this servant of God; beseeching that at least this trouble of his might be converted into another less difficult disease; and by so limited a prayer he had obtained a likewise limited favor, the peccant humor bursting out like water through the fingers of his feet on some days in spring and autumn, without any sense of trouble. Another, arising from the Saladini family (which was maternal to Blessed Conrad) and anointed with oil from the lamp burning before the tomb, to have expelled from himself that arthritic evil. A woman sick with gouty and sciatic pains, so that she could not even turn herself to the other side, immediately upon invoking Conrad, to have arisen from her bed, and walked wherever she wished expeditiously. Another, with a dying little son, to the amazement of all the bystanders, to have recovered life and health for him as soon as she poured forth prayers. A third, made a sharer of her vow by which she desired male offspring. Finally, above all things this author appends, that in the year 1628 at first Vespers, whence the feast of Blessed Mary of the Angels or Portiuncula the Friars Minor began in the month of August, the effigy of Blessed Conrad, deposited above the ark, was seen to flow with a miraculous sweat, which then endured the following day, prognostic of the violation in the second Vespers of the temple by a bloody fight of citizens: in which a certain one more devoted to the Blessed, when vehemently wounded he was held for dead, not only preserved his life, as he believed, by the benefit of his Patron, but also quickly recovered from his wound.

[9] In the first edition of the Franciscan Martyrology of the year 1638 this Blessed is referred to 5 July: not because any of those Writers whom the author alleges handed down such a day of death or cult; the name rashly referred to 5 June, but because, in the silence of all, he believed himself free, by that authority which he assumed for himself, to accept whatever day pleased him. Which because he is known to have done in very many others, of whom he was ignorant of the day, which nevertheless afterwards became known from elsewhere; therefore we can believe nothing to him even when treating of such persons, whose cult is otherwise sufficiently certain and sufficiently public, until we know more certainly from the place itself or from some witness of better faith, whether in reality such a day befits them. And let this be said for the sake of those among whom there is some public veneration of some Minorite Blessed; that, if they wish him to be inserted in this work, they may know that we are to be informed; nor let them think it sufficient that we can read his name in that Martyrology; otherwise let them understand him to be among the Pretermitted to be rejected.