ON ST. BERTHA, WIDOW AND NUN, AT BLANGY IN ARTOIS.
ABOUT THE YEAR 725.
A PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY.
Her cult, age, badly digested Acts, the vicissitudes of the monastery, miracles and translation.
Bertha, Widow and Nun, at Blangy in Artois (S.)
BY THE AUTHOR J. B. S.
Blangy (commonly Blangi), a village or municipality among the ancient Morini, situated in the borders of present-day Artois, near Hesdin, a not ignoble town, well enough known by the wars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, Foundress of the monastery of Blangy, lies to the right of the river Ternoise (le Ternois), which about three leagues thence discharges itself into the Canche (le Canche). Hear the brief description of Arnold Wion. "It is," he says, "a most pleasant place in Artois, not far from the fortress of new Hesdin; yet for the most part destroyed in the time of the wars of St. Quentin in the Vermandois." To this place all its splendor was added by the Saint of whom we here treat, and who even today is celebrated there with solemn cult on the IV of July, Bertha the abbess, by building a temple and monastery for Nuns, in which she herself, widowed of her husband, with her holy daughters Gertrude and Deotila, and a numerous choir of other virgins, most piously spent her life, at last a recluse, and, both living and dead, illustrated by many miracles. The Sammarthani wandered much astray, when they here made Bertha the daughter of Charlemagne an abbess, and would have the monastery founded in the year 721. The celebrated convent bore the adverse vicissitudes of iniquitous times, overthrown by the barbarism of the Normans, the sacred body being translated thence, afterward indeed brought back, but religious men of the Order of St. Benedict being meanwhile substituted in the place of the Nuns.
[2] Here this illustrious holy widow Bertha attained the glory of sanctity, so called, as they will have it, from brightness fulgor, she is known only in the more recent Martyrologies, not indeed in the ancient or classical Martyrologies, but among the Usuardine supplements from the codex of Anchin marked in these words: "In the district of Thérouanne, the deposition of St. Bertha a noble matron." It is also in the additions of the Adonian codex of the Morini: "On the same day in the territory of Thérouanne, at the village of Blangy, the birthday of St. Bertha." More distinctly in the later editions of Molanus: "At Blangy, the deposition of St. Bertha, most pious abbess, who there finished her life in peace, shining even today in the same place with many signs of virtues." Longer are the elogia which from the Acts are related in the Little Index and in the Natales. Menard writes: "At Blangy, the feast of St. Bertha, first abbess and foundress of the same monastery." Similar to which you may read in Dorgan, Wion, and most copiously in Bucelin. Not to collect more recent Martyrologists saying the same thing, let Saussay stand for all with this his elogium: "On the same day at Blangy in Artois, the passing of St. Bertha, foundress and abbess of the same monastery, who, first married to Sigefrid Count of Ponthieu, and fruitful with illustrious and pious offspring, after his death spurning the world, devoted herself wholly to the service of her heavenly Spouse, and, that monastery being constructed on her own estate, enclosing herself, that she might enjoy true liberty (which is in the divine service), gathered as companions of her pious zeal some free-born virgins and noble matrons. To whom, showing the path of heaven by every splendor of religion and holiness, at last, after a full victory over the trodden world, and the copious sheaves of justice and piety gathered, she attained the joys of that blessed eternity for which she had long existed; and shone in her tomb with many marks of glory."
[3] though honored with ancient cult. Concerning the religious cult exhibited to the sacred body immediately after the Saint's death, the Acts do not permit doubt, in this part at least worthy of faith, written by an anonymous author of the tenth or eleventh century, which below we shall weigh a little more accurately. Thus it concludes the life: "There were also seen three men, of unusual splendor, most white in dress, standing around her and saying: Let thy soul be directed into the paradise of exultation, and let the lifting up of our hands lead thee into the sight of the holy angels. And so the aforesaid holy Bishops, the death of the most holy abbess being learned, came together unanimously, rendering manifold praises to God, who rewards with a happy retribution those serving him. And so they buried the most blessed body, saying: Intercede for us to God, thou crowned one, that we may deserve to be joined to thee forever. Amen." The same is proved by the solicitous guardianship of the sacred deposit, its translation, for fear of the Normans, even into Germany, then its search, and at last its finding by the clerics Alboin and Ebroin, by whom it was carried back to Blangy, and decently placed upon the sacrosanct altar of the holy Mother of God. "But after the space of one year, by the nod of him from whom all good things proceed, it was shown by the Prelate of Thérouanne, the clerics, and all the people, with hymns and praises, very many weeping for joy." Add more proofs of this matter from the aforesaid Acts, besides the continued miracles pertaining to the perpetual veneration of the Saint. These things indeed are settled enough; but who may rightly define the Saint's age, hitherto no one has been found.
[4] The whole chronological series of her life our Jacob Malbrancq in the history of the Morini, volume 1, in various chapters, with effort not sufficiently happy, so arranged that he establishes St. Bertha to have been born in the year 644, to arrange the Saint's age chronologically, joined in marriage in 661, thinks Sigefrid her husband died in the year 678; which are diametrically opposed to the Acts, in which she is said to have been 20 years old when she married; and to have completed another 20 years in matrimony. Malbrancq judges, moreover, that about four years after, namely in 682, that most solemn consecration of the church of Blangy was instituted; if indeed all things could be reconciled with the persons and time, Le Cointe sharply fighting against Malbrancq at the year 690, in which he laboriously contends that the church of Blangy was dedicated, whatever the Acts most expressly note, that in that year 682 St. Bertha began to build the monastery, connecting the consecration of the temple continuously, as if they meant to say that all things flowed together into the same year. I indeed know that the chronological marks of the Anonymous writer do not cohere well enough, but I do not see why Le Cointe should think a year so expressly stated must be forsaken. Malbrancq proceeds to weave the rest by his own thread, having advanced so far as to protract, against the undoubted faith of the Acts, the Saint's life to seventy-nine years, they most openly asserting in number 25 that she was only sixty-nine years old when she was called to the crown of her merits.
[5] It is truly to be grieved that the Acts have come down to us digested only most wretchedly, from Acts very unskillfully digested, as Bolland long ago observed, treating of St. Silvinus on the XVII of February, number 22, thus thinking of the author: "He seems to have been a good man, but ignorant of antiquity and especially of chronology. Since therefore he had read that several bishops and abbots came together to that dedication, or thought that, according to the custom of the Church and the dignity of St. Bertha, they ought to have come, he reckoned up some of the more celebrated, whom he supposed to have lived about those times." These he says on account of the peculiar confusion of times and persons in the consecration of the church of Blangy. A little more sharply Mabillon reproaches the anonymous writer, in the third century of the Benedictines, part 1, from page 451, thus pronouncing of the whole work: "His lucubration on the life of the same Saint we pass over, because it mingles not a few doubtful matters,
certain inept ones, and some fabulous ones. Doubtful are the things which he commemorates about the race of St. Bertha; inept, the things which he relates about hyssop sought by a miracle for the dedication of the church of Blangy; false, the things which he writes about most of the authors of that dedication. For Eligius, Amandus, Faro, Autbertus, Leodegarius, bishops; Walericus and Richarius, abbots; had already long before departed from the living." To omit the rest which Bolland noted in the place cited, number 21, and most fully Le Cointe at the said year 690, through fourteen whole numbers. Another hypercritic roundly enunciates that the author is of bad faith and very ignorant; that the life itself is involved in dense darkness, full of falsities and ineptitudes.
[6] It is too common a fate of the legends after the Norman incursions, in vain Malbrancq, Le Cointe, and others attempted it: compiled from popular traditions by unlearned men, as has been deplored six hundred times in this our work. These things, moreover, are said to this end, that everyone may understand how difficult it is, if not altogether impossible, from collections of this kind—shall I say, or from centos badly stitched together—to weave any right or chronological order of the life, so that consequently Malbrancq can be pardoned, if, to save one chronotactic mark, badly, I suppose, described by the anonymous author, he had to contract, precipitate, or extend others. I, to confess candidly, after good hours spent in such fog, have found nothing where it may be safe to fix one's foot entire. Le Cointe, at the year 685, thus begins to arrange St. Bertha's age and course of life, that he will have her born in the year 650; married in 670; bereaved of her husband, not after twenty, as the anonymous author so clearly writes, but after ten years, and so in the year 680; to have begun the monastery in 685; to have procured the consecration in the year 690; to have abdicated in the year 695; and finally to have died in the year 729; adducing Locrius, the most express epoch of the Saint's age being forsaken, as we said just now also against Malbrancq. A middle way in some manner, I know not whether safer, a more recent French Legendist entered upon, recalling her birth to the year 646, her marriage to 666, the foundation of the monastery to 686, her reclusion to 696, her death to 725.
[7] In this uncertainty of matters and inextricable labyrinth, I shall rashly define nothing by my own judgment; nevertheless the life itself, such as it is, is given. let the reader prefer that which shall have pleased him more, if anything, however, can please enough one who loves the truth. Malbrancq's opinion I dare not at all defend: Le Cointe repudiates, by I know not what right, some chronological marks expressed in the Acts, vindicating others favorable to himself, in which he could equally, or perhaps more, be deceived, an unskilled combiner of matters and times. The third, giving no reason for his opinion, partly from Mabillon, partly by his own mere pleasure, digested and contracted the history. I acknowledge indeed that that whole legend of St. Bertha is the writing of a good man, and one ignorant of antiquity and especially of chronology, as Bolland said. I agree also with Mabillon that doubtful, inept, and false things occur, and, as the same continues, that other faults are not lacking; "by the consideration of which we are led," he says, "not to exhibit that whole writing, but only those things which recede less from probability." However the most learned man may have judged, it does not seem so far to be despised that it must be excluded from this work, more than so many other Legends, which are rarely found immune from vices of that kind, especially chronological. The beginning was published by Du Chesne, volume 1 of the French Writers, page 665: the whole, but cut into various parts, Le Cointe related; why therefore should it not be brought forth whole and continuous, that the learned readers may of themselves form a judgment of it.
[8] The convent being destroyed, it is restored for the use of men. Of St. Bertha's monastery Mabillon thus noted, page 453: "It obeyed nuns up to the storm of the Normans; by whom the monastery being reduced to ashes, the nuns were put to flight, who with the relics of their patroness betook themselves into Germany, to a monastery called Herasten, received in hospitality by Rotrude, abbess of the place." That is Herasten or Erstein, a celebrated convent of Benedictine virgins, built by Irmingard, wife of Louis Augustus, a little above the city of Strasbourg, which others call Argentoratum. Thence to Blangy the body of St. Bertha is read to have been carried back in the following history of the translation and miracles, which it is well to divide into four parts, for as many authors. The first chiefly contains the translation made to Herasten. The second, the restoration of the monastery of Blangy by the noble and pious woman Hersende; by whose aid the convent [was] restored; Benedictine monks, Baldwin the Bearded being Count of the Flemings, were introduced in the year 1032; to whom the estates were restored by the Counts of Ponthieu, in whose domain they lie, by Hugh in the year 1186, likewise by another Hugh of Chastillon in the year 1306. The third part contains the finding of the body of St. Bertha and certain miracles wrought in the eleventh century. The fourth comprises other miracles done in the thirteenth century. Mabillon adds that he owes the knowledge of all these to the most reverend D. Jean Joseph de Calonne, abbot of Blangy, by whose benefit he received them from the parchments of Blangy.
[9] There exists also with us in a twin manuscript codex that whole history of the miracles, The four-part history of the translation and miracles: translation, finding, and report, collated with another manuscript of Marchiennes, and so joined with the Acts themselves, as if all were of the same author, whence Bolland above had gathered that the Life itself was written by an anonymous author of the eleventh century, namely from the miracle related in part 3, number 20, which the author testifies he saw with his eyes; whereas Mabillon thinks he lived at the beginning of the tenth century. For the rest, that it is not the work of one man which is contained in those four parts, the same rightly observed, thus discoursing of the first only, I suppose: "There is nothing to hinder our giving the history of the translation less entire; for the author, because he narrates matters less remote from his own age, approaches nearer to the truth." This I think must be judged with better right of the others, whose writers seem to have witnessed the matters themselves, or at least to have been near to them. And we therefore shall divide that book into four different chapters, under the titles placed by Mabillon, although some are lacking in our manuscripts. A few gaps we shall supply from the same, many other things being restored, which he himself thought must be cut away, especially in part 3, from number 22 about the woman of Blangy: likewise in part 4, numbers 29, 30, 31, and 32, in which are contained various miracles, passed over by Mabillon, I know not for what cause. And let these things said about the histories of the translation and miracles suffice.
[10] Yet, lest I suffer anything to be desired for a fuller knowledge of the convent of Blangy and its vicissitudes, the last report of the relics at Saint-Omer, and the present-day cult. I shall here subjoin the last admonition of Mabillon, comprising matters pertaining more nearly to our age. "I received also from the same monastery a catalogue of the abbots of Blangy, and a historical narration concerning the carrying of St. Bertha's body to Saint-Omer, into the refuge, as they call it, of the monastery of Saint-Jean in the Mount, made in the year 1555, while the war between Charles V and Francis I King of the Franks was blazing; (either the author of the carrying erred, or Mabillon slipped in memory, for then Henry II was reigning in his ninth year;) and concerning the carrying back of the same body to Blangy, where it is hitherto preserved with the relics of the holy daughters of Bertha, Gertrude and Deotila, besides the jaw of St. Bertha and another of Gertrude or Deotila, granted to the monks of the aforesaid convent of Saint-Jean." St. Bertha is venerated with a double feast every year in her monastery, namely on the day of her deposition, the IV of July, and of her translation, the XI of October. Whether this festivity pertains to the first or to the second translation is not indicated, nor have we found it expressed elsewhere. Among our papers there exists a letter of Matthias, Abbot of Blangy, given the VIII of November 1631, by which he testifies that the bodies of SS. Bertha and her daughters survive there entire, with white and black veils, somewhat worn, preserved together in a new casket. By a later letter, given the X of April 1632, he distinctly explains that the aforesaid bodies are confused, and that nothing is distinguished separately, except the head of St. Bertha, which he says was blackened, from the burning of the Normans, who plundered whatever was precious and the casket itself. But that color must have come from elsewhere, since the bodies seem to have been carried off before the barbarians consumed the convent with flames. He writes likewise that the feast of St. Bertha is celebrated on this IV of July with an octave, and by the same rite the translation on the XI of October. Of the daughters, moreover, he records that they are inscribed in the ancient Martyrology of the monastery on the XIV of July, yet in such a way that no solemnity is held for them. Now we shall give the Acts themselves, such as they are, from our more entire codex, illustrated with due notes: the history of the miracles and translation, moreover, from that same codex, collated with the often-mentioned edition of Mabillon.
LIFE
From the manuscript codex of the convent of Blangy.
Bertha, Widow and Nun, at Blangy in Artois (S.)
BHL Number: 1266
FROM MANUSCRIPTS
PROLOGUE.
The examples of the Saints [are incitements to virtue.] The Divine Clemency, ever pitying the human race, and more often irradiating [it] by the visitation of its elect, as by most splendid luminaries, illumined with the light of faith the world, darkened on every side by the foul fog of error: that, every argument of excuse being removed, we may be able to return from the dark ditches [*] of vices, and, the form of Jesus Christ shining before us, to walk by the true way without offense: and may deserve to be enriched with the retribution of an inestimable reward. For the admirable examples of the Saints, by those who were able to be present, or to learn by a true hearing, are to be handed down as an example to posterity by a true report. For long before the coming of Christ, Moses, by the voice of the Lord giving a command to the Israelite people, we learn, that parents should insinuate to their sons the great deeds which God did among them, the Scripture saying: "Teach your sons, that they may hold the law of God in memory and chant it with the mouth." Truth itself also, which is Christ: "Go," he says, "teach all nations." And in one place: "Freely," he says, "you have received, freely give." Which we also, though ignorant of the good arts, desiring to imitate; presume, the Lord granting, and the merits of them favoring, to undertake the genealogy, or life, or even the miracles, and the translation of the body of the holy and most blessed blessed Abbess, and of her holy daughters.
Annotation* perhaps "ditches" scrobibus!
CHAPTER I.
On St. Bertha's parents, education, marriage, children, and widowhood, up to the dedication of the monastery of Blangy.
St. Bertha born in an illustrious place, In the times therefore of Clovis, King of the Franks, there was a certain illustrious man, eminent in prudence, excelling many in goodness, by name Rigobert: who on account of his prudence and exceeding sagacity deserved to be constituted a palatine count by the King, and to be held by all with fitting veneration. The most illustrious queen Baltildis also, sprung from the transmarine parts of Anglo-Saxony, [her] most noble niece, by name Ursana b, the same aforesaid King joined in matrimony to the venerable Rigobert, and bestowed on him the greatest benefit. And they were together walking, according to the precept of the Lord, in all his commandments and justifications without negligence.
[3] Devoted to the works of almsgiving, ever studying justice; piously educated by her parents, more often appeasing God by the insistence of prayers, they humbly implored his piety, that he would deign to grant them of his
bounty offspring, to profit both themselves and many in time to come, and to propagate their most noble stock. And there was born to them a daughter, on whom they imposed the name Bertha, which is interpreted "bright" c or "splendid"; that even by the name itself might be insinuated the splendor of her good life, and the future merit of one to be loved by God from her very cradle. She was reared by her mother as an only daughter, and taught with all diligence applied, an exceedingly comely little girl. In the disciplines also of the sacred Scriptures, containing the knowledge of the best manner of life, when the teachable years were reached, she was subtly imbued. For transcending her age by the best morals, assiduously studying probity, more often insisting on prayer, most frequently serving in fasts, she clung indeed in body to earthly things, but in mind drew near to heavenly things. She was very beautiful in body: but much more beautiful in mind and faith.
[4] But after blessed Bertha reached her eighteenth year, sought by many, her fame grew widely far and wide in Gaul, so that she was thought comparable to no girl of such age. Then Sigefrid, kinsman of King Clovis, a most vigorous man, her fame being learned, taking with him troops of his soldiers, and thronged with a company of many of the nobles of Gaul, first imploring the patronage of God, that he would deign to be his helper in the matter premeditated, went to the aforesaid Count Rigobert, earnestly entreating his goodness, that he would not deny him his beloved daughter Bertha to be betrothed by lawful right: and promised that he would obey as an adopted son in all things: he promised also that he would faithfully give the whole lawful order of dowry, as the law of the Franks contains: moreover that he would voluntarily bestow whatever the affairs of the kinsmen, according to the custom of life, should require.
[5] And so the venerable Rigobert, moved by the nod of God, she is joined to Sigefrid: gave assent in all things in which he was entreated, and appointed a day on which the illustrious Sigefrid should obtain his daughter as his betrothed by lawful order. But she was at that time betrothed to an earthly prince, having already long before been married in mind to the heavenly [one]. But after not many courses of days, according to the agreement of both, the Count Sigefrid, having received his most beautiful betrothed, thronged with an honorable retinue, as he was not only illustrious in race, but also very rich in resources, all things being duly ordered, led her into his house. And the most blessed Bertha was twenty years old when she was joined in matrimony. But the parents of each being dead, blessed Bertha, of spontaneous will, divided her property with Angla d her sister, begotten of another mother. Who also, being very devoted to God with mature morals, left to many in time to come an example of her goodness.
[6] And the elect of God, Bertha, was together with her lord for twenty years e, clinging to her worldly lord with chaste embraces, but, as afterward appeared at his end, in which, after receiving five daughters, being bereaved, more from the marital debt than from carnal intention. And there were born of her five daughters; the first Gertrude, the second was called Deotila, the third Emma, the fourth Gesa: the fifth was named Gesta: all comely, showing the pattern of their most pious mother by good works. But the course of his life being completed, the lord Sigefrid died, happily migrating to the Lord: and was honorably buried beside the church in his village of Blangy. Then indeed the most blessed Bertha, committing all her hope to God, betook herself to the service of Almighty God; she laid aside her most precious apparel, and did not cease to veil herself with the sacred veil of the nun's habit. Here despoiling herself of gem and silk, that before the sight of the divine majesty she might be clothed with the bare fleece of the lamb, to have that same highest and unfailing good of blessed perennity forever with the hymn-singing choirs of the angels, and continually to beseech the mercy of the Lord for the errors of many.
[7] she undertakes to found a church and monastery. Therefore, divinely admonished, after the departure of holy Sigefrid, she began with a sagacious mind to consider how in her possession she might construct a church f, in honor of Jesus Christ our Lord, and of his most blessed and ever-virgin Mother Mary: which she zealously endeavored to fulfill by work all the sooner. Then first she began to construct one church, and to gather there some congregation of nuns to the praise of God: which, for some showing of its merit, before it was finished, fell utterly to the ground. Then in another place she did not delay to repair another with all haste: and brought it to completion, except for the office of consecration. Then, coming to a certain village of her own, by name Chirei g, which seems to be distant thirty miles from her monastery, to a certain familiar friend of hers by name Rotrude h (who was known to be the wife of the brother of her lord Sigefrid), that she might have with her some conversation about the aforesaid church, it happened, while they were speaking of this among themselves, that with a very great crash the aforesaid church fell, and the sound of it reached the ears of her heart.
[8] But the first attempts not succeeding, But she, weighed down in heart by the sound, trembling in her whole body, quaked: whom the most blessed Rotrude at once with solicitous mind inquired of, saying: "What is it, Lady, that your body is shaken with so great a fear?" She answering, said: "A huge sound so reached the ears of my heart, as if I stood nearer, where my church had fallen i." When they had put a certain end to their conversation, and each ought to return to her own place, a messenger came with most swift course to the most pious Bertha, most certainly announcing to her the collapse of her monastery. Then she, recognizing what had before been divinely revealed to her, the ruin of the aforesaid monastery; they rendered thankful actions between themselves to the Lord. Then blessed Rotrude with wise counsel began to console the most pious Bertha, saying: "I hope, sister, that the Lord has chosen another place, fit for building himself an oratory: and therefore we ought vigilantly to beseech his mercy by prayers and fasts, that he by his gratuitous clemency may deign to show that place, where he shall have wished a monastery to be constructed, suitable for his service."
[9] the place designated for the convent she learns from heaven; Then the most pious Bertha asked blessed Rotrude, that she in her monastery, by eager entreaty and earnest fasts, should demand the Lord's piety about the stability of her church. A three-day fast being agreed upon, they implored the Lord's mercy, that he would deign to show them in her own possession a place fit for constructing a monastery, congruous with the divine offices, and opportune for those serving God. But on the third night, which was dawning into the day of the completed fast, it was revealed to a certain artificer of blessed Bertha; and by an angelic nod were designated the foundations of a basilica, formed in the manner of a cross, in the most pleasant place of the town of Blangy beside the river called Ternoise, [and] of a monastery most fit for various habitations. But the holy and most pious Bertha, made most joyful by the angelic vision, rejoicing came to the shown place; and thus finding beside the aforesaid river four stones placed in the manner of a cross, and, as if with a staff, foundations designated in the same manner: masons for the walls being immediately arranged, very many workmen being joined, she most vigorously pressed on the building of the monastery.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER II.
On the consecration at Blangy, the persecution of Ruodgar, the unhappy marriage of Emma, and the most happy death of the Saint.
[10] In the year 682, many Bishops coming together, In the year therefore of the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ six hundred and eighty-two, but in the second year of Pope Agatho, and in the twelfth year of Theodoric King of the Franks, namely son of Clovis and queen Baltildis, at Blangy the most pious Bertha began to build a monastery a, in the district of the Morini, in her own possession, which, granting it to the Lord, was with the highest honor brought to the end. All things also being arranged which custom demanded for the adornment and order of the monastery, the most pious Bertha convoked together the venerable Bishops to dedicate the aforesaid oratory, St. Ansbert Archbishop of Rouen b; the venerable Ravengarius, in whose parish the aforesaid convent is situated, Bishop of Thérouanne; St. Amandus, Bishop of Tongres; St. Walericus also, and St. Germanus of the city of Paris; St. Silvinus a foreign Bishop, coming from Toulouse; St. Leodegarius, Bishop and future martyr; St. Richarius also and St. Eligius; St. Faro also of the city of Meaux; and St. Autbert Bishop of Cambrai.
[11] hyssop, which was lacking, All these, like most firm columns, being at one time within the holy Church, came together to the most pious Bertha, desiring to favor her devotion. But Ravengarius the bishop, in whose diocese it was done, asked whether all things necessary for the dedication were present: and it was answered by the most pious Bertha that all were present. Then he: "Bring," he said, "hyssop c, that it may be prepared for the necessary use." And she: "Hitherto," she said, "we knew not, Father, whether any need of that were joined to this work." And he: "Without hyssop," he says, "in no way does any one of us, against the constitution handed down to us by the Fathers, presume to dedicate any church, lest the order of our ministry seem to go against or oppose the canonical constitutions: and by this be judged to be blameworthy."
[12] Therefore the most blessed Bertha, struck with excessive sorrow, began to be distressed by her prayers that, at the assembly of such and so great men, the dedication of the basilica should be longer delayed. Sorrowfully therefore entering the oratory, and prostrating herself with her whole body on the ground, she intently besought the tried protection of the Lord and the suffrages of the Saints, saying: "The tribulations of my heart are enlarged, deliver me from my necessities, O Lord," and the rest suitable to this deprecation. But while blessed Bertha had spent some little delay in the church, Ravengarius the bishop a little
moved with anger, together with the other Bishops, the business being unaccomplished, disposed to return.
[13] miraculously obtained, But meanwhile, while blessed Bertha lay prostrate in prayer, there came one of the maidservants, who served her more familiarly than the rest, rubbing the pavement with her foot, and by certain signs, as far as she dared, striving to rouse her Lady from prayer. But the most pious Bertha, raising herself a little from prayer, inquired what she wished. And she: "Behold," she said, "my Lady; a man lately arriving sits at the gate, carrying hyssop for sale." Then she, from the inmost of her heart rendering praises and thanks to God, said: "These are the gifts of God, not of man." There came thither another messenger, who struck her with a graver sorrow, reporting that the venerable Bishops, at Ravengarius' instigation, had departed. But she: "Powerful is God," she said, "in whom I trust, to bring them back by the same way." And a messenger being most swiftly sent after them, she intimated to them the wonderful gift of God. Which they hearing, returned with all haste, doing penance, because without her consent, the dedication not yet performed, they had departed. But blessed Bertha, addressing them, said: "O provident Pastors and excellent rulers of the ecclesiastical flocks, why did you wish to terrify one of the little sheep of Christ, left alone, by so sudden an absence?" To whom they say: "Do not complain of us, Lady, for by the providence of God it was done, that thence you may be much more gloriously magnified."
[14] But by the inspiration of God, the clergy and much people being gathered together, [let there be the dedication of the temple, and she herself with her two daughters is veiled.] they dedicated that temple with the greatest gladness and veneration, in honor of the Mother of God Mary, on the fifth Ides of January. But after the dedication was performed, blessed Bertha asked the aforesaid venerable Bishops to consecrate and impose veils, both on herself and also on her daughters, and to devote them continually to the divine ministries. The most pious Bertha was therefore veiled with a grey-green veil, together with her two most noble and God-devoted daughters, namely the venerable Gertrude, and Deotila beloved of God. For Gesta, a gem of the heavenly stock, and Gesa also, a most worthy pearl of God, in white garments d rendered their most precious souls to the Lord: but the aforesaid two, converted with one ardor, most piously imitating the example of good conversation with the best purpose, zealously contended against the hidden treacheries of the devil, and stood firm valiantly, to be crowned by the Lord forever. But Emma, bearing in lay habit the age of a good disposition, was dearly nurtured with all diligence among her other sisters. For the holy and most pious Bertha commended herself with humble devotion to the service of God and the patronages of all the Saints; together with her most noble and God-most-dear daughters, namely Gertrude and Deotila. Whatever also of possession or patrimony she was seen to have, she most firmly, under the testification of very many, handed over to the most pleasant monastery of Blangy, to be devoted to the divine service: and there to be possessed forever by those serving God.
[15] But the envy of the devil, nowhere able to prevail openly, Ruodgar demanding Gertrude for his wife, by virulent persuasion enticed a certain one of the King's chief men, by name Ruodgar e, swollen with pride, inflated with the joy of transitory prosperity, who, taking his journey to Blangy, intently entreated the most pious Bertha, that her daughter Gertrude might be granted to him in marriage. And so the most blessed Bertha, when she perceived the words of the entreater, is reported to have answered: "That in no way could it be that she who seemed assigned to the right of the heavenly Spouse should be joined to the union of any earthly one." But he most tenaciously persevered in malice, affirming by oath that he would not go out of the convent, unless the aforesaid Gertrude were presented to his sight.
[16] she is valiantly rejected by St. Bertha, And so the blessed and venerable Bertha, taking with her her two God-consecrated daughters Gertrude and Deotila, and the whole congregation of nuns, entering the church, set them at the right horn of the altar, all the doors of the basilica being thrown open, and all the nuns being occupied with the singing of psalmody and divine praises, ordered Ruodgar, rebel against God, to be brought in, to whom she also said: "Behold the handmaid and bride of Christ is present, veiled by the venerable bishops, and most firmly given over to that altar at which she stands. If you have the daring to take her from the Lord, take her. For we, being of the female condition, cannot resist you with a manly hand. But our patron and defender is God, he it is who does not forsake those trusting in him with their whole heart." And so Ruodgar, seized with fear, going out of the church all the sooner, mounting his horse, withdrew, filled with anger, hurling many insults, cruelly threatening that he would work very many adversities. Approaching the King with such fury, as a deceitful accuser, he accused the most pious Bertha, ascribing to her infidelity to the King and the kingdom. "There is," he said, "a certain woman, dwelling beside the sea, craftily plotting treacheries against your kingdom with the transmarine peoples: whom it behooves to be presented to the royal examination to be discussed." But the King, too credulous of words colored with lies, commanded the handmaid of God to be presented to the palace with all haste.
[17] whom he maliciously before the king, But the holy and venerable Bertha, secure of God's clemency, with great honor began her journey to hear the King. And so Ruodgar, coming to meet her, when he beheld her going with fitting reverence, not unmindful of his former hatred, threw her from her horse, and made her mount a most vile horse without any adornment, and thus proceed to the palace. But it happened that Radulph f, a man of good memory, met them on the same journey. Who, when he beheld the venerable abbess Bertha proceeding so dishonorably, was vehemently astonished, and upbraided the most impious Ruodgar (as he deserved), saying: "O Ruodgar," he said, "most iniquitous and most wicked; how could your envy and hatred bring you to this, that you should presume to lead a woman sprung from most noble birth, and a most devoted handmaid of God, with such disgrace." And so Radulph, aroused, descending from his horse, took her from Ruodgar with great force: and lifting her onto his own horse, honorably led her to the palace.
[18] but in vain he accuses her, But it happened, at the first entrance of the blessed abbess Bertha, that Ruodgar, again coming to meet her, while he looked against her with envious glances, suddenly his eyes burst forth from his head, God repaying him fitting punishment. It was therefore divulged in the King's court, and was held celebrated among all, that so sudden a vengeance came upon the enemy of God. King Theodoric also, changed in mind toward the handmaid of God, bursting forth into veneration of her, humbly begged pardon of her, saying that it had been persuaded to him by lying words, that he had presumed to disturb her in such a manner. And he commanded the elect of God, Bertha, to return secure with his favor, about to have no inconvenience from him ever thereafter, and bestowed on her gifts, which he willed to be forever, that never from her power should the bann or frida g be demanded.
[19] But the most blessed Bertha, returning eagerly to her own places, She, returned, builds more temples, increased in good works. For she began to build most seemly cloisters of the monastery. She constructed indeed one church, outside the gate, in honor of St. Audomarus Omer the confessor, where the priests or clerics of that convent might perform the divine office. Another also she built in honor of St. Vedastus; a third she constructed in honor of blessed Martin confessor and pontiff. Likewise she built seven others h on her estates, all which she asked to be dedicated in honor of St. Martin. Then the most pious Bertha, on account of the bitterness and injury which the most wicked Ruodgar strove to inflict on her concerning her most beloved daughter blessed Gertrude, did not wish that Gertrude, who was older in age than Deotila, to be made abbess: lest, being much known to men, she should be seen further: but the venerable Deotila, advanced to reverend morals, was constituted and consecrated abbess; and she vigorously ruled the government of that place, together with her pious and most holy mother, for twenty-nine years.
[20] And so the most pious Bertha, desiring utterly to leave the present world and to be free for God alone in sacred prayers, and her daughter Deotila being substituted, she becomes a recluse. ordered a cell to be prepared for herself in the right part of the basilica. Which being prepared, she again convoked the aforesaid venerable Bishops, who, coming together into one, dedicated that cell and honorably brought her in, commending her to the watchful guardianship of the angels. But the cell had a window adjoining the altar of the holy cross, whither daily came the venerable abbess Deotila together with her sister blessed Gertrude, or also the whole congregation of nuns, sixty in number, and, having received from the most blessed Bertha spiritual foods, and from the founts of the divine scriptures, they went away refreshed.
[21] Waraclin i therefore, king of the Anglo-Saxons, desiring to visit the thresholds of St. Peter, sought Rome. The younger daughter Emma suffers many things from Waraclin, Who, on his return thence to his homeland, enriched King Theodoric with magnificent gifts, and zealously strove to entreat his excellency, that he would grant him Emma, namely the daughter of the most blessed Bertha, his kinswoman, in marriage, which also he obtained. For royal messengers being sent together with the aforesaid Waraclin, he ordered Emma, daughter of Sigefrid of blessed memory, to be given to him for the spousal chamber. And so, his most noble wife being received, he returned joyful to his own. But there was among the aforesaid maidservants of the king a certain enchantress, by name Theida, who by her enchantment turned her lord from the right marriage: so that he loved her more: and cursed the Lady Emma as hateful: which was done by the incantations of sorceries. For the Lady Emma was more often scourged with harsh beatings; but the maidservant was loved by the king.
[22] But after some time had elapsed, the most pious Bertha sent a certain scout, whom a shrewd scout, a man of exceeding sagacity and industry, who, crossing over to the transmarine parts, should by diligent examination inquire how it fared with her daughter. Who, performing his journey in the habit of a pilgrim, came to the court of the king: and found the Lady Emma standing before the doors, not comporting herself as the excellence of her nobility required, but, by the impiety of her averted husband, her royal dignity—alas for the grief!—cast off, against the wish of her mind, performing certain rather vile and dishonorable things. And so, approaching nearer: "Hail," he said, "my Lady Emma." But she, beholding him, said: "For what do you, O man, so boldly, hostile, burst into the king's palace?" But he answered: "The cause of my poverty and want requires, Lady Queen, that I recount to your highness some few words, if you deign to listen." But the Lady Emma understood that he was of her region; and withdrawing a little, gave him place to recite his message.
[23] And he: "Your mother," he said, "holy Bertha the recluse, sent me to you, reports to the holy mother. to inquire how it is with your dominion: do not wish to conceal it from my littleness: but in whatever manner the matter stands with you, tell [it]; that I may report to your mother." But she, sighing from the inmost of her heart, and shedding tears abundantly, said: "A shorter hour compels a shorter account to be told. But do you, provident narrator of my welfare, most intently beseech the clemency of my lady and most pious mother, that she by no means deign to deny me, though unworthy, that Alard
and Gunduin, with others of his faithful, should hasten even to me, who should not delay to lead me hence to a mutual sight of her: that I, who through long times lie oppressed by unjust calumnies, seeing her welfare, may deserve to breathe a little." But the messenger nimbly fulfilled what he had been commanded.
[24] Brought back by the messengers, she dies on the way, But messengers were directed with all haste by the most pious Bertha to the transmarine parts of Anglo-Saxony. And leave being asked of the King and obtained, the Lady Emma, to visit her pious mother, boarded a ship. And so, while they sailed through the deep of the sea; being seized with fever, she was gravely ill. The bodily distress also increasing, before they reached the shore, she died, and a swift messenger being sent, it was intimated to the most holy Bertha. Who, when she learned that her beloved daughter had died by so mournful a death, ordered a bier to be prepared, and all things necessary for such use: and the whole congregation of nuns, an assembly of clerics being joined, all the household also following, to carry the little body of her venerable daughter even to the place called Great Meadow. For thither going out from her cell, she commanded the bier to be uncovered, a great crowd of people standing around. Which when it was done, with raised voice she said: "O most beloved daughter, now my eyes behold you: but alas! for grief! your eyes cannot behold me." A very wonderful thing; all who stood by looking on, her eyes were opened, and she beheld her mother looking upon her. Then, very many founts of tears being poured out for such compassion, the singing of psalmody also being most abundantly completed according to custom, she was led to the place of the tomb and buried in the basilica of the convent of Blangy. But after the completion of the exequies, the most blessed Bertha, swiftly returning to her cell, advanced from virtue to virtue, that she might deserve to see God in the heavenly Jerusalem.
[25] The most pious death of the Saint and her celebrated burial. And so when blessed Bertha was sixty-nine years old, she felt the dissolution of her body to be at hand. Then she saw an angel of God carrying the sign of the cross, and deserved to hear the voices of those singing psalms in heaven, and the most blessed one wished to imitate the song of those singing, and to insinuate the melody to others; nor was she able any longer to retain in memory, save this only: "Come, elect one, come, elect one." And when she had heard this, she migrated happily, and a choir of angels received her with the troops of the faithful. There were also seen three men k of unusual splendor, most white in dress, standing around her and saying: "Let thy soul be directed into the paradise of exultation: and let the lifting up of our hands lead thee into the sight of the holy angels." And so the aforesaid holy Bishops l, the death of the most holy abbess being learned, came together unanimously, rendering manifold praises to God: who rewards with a happy retribution those serving him. And so they buried the most blessed body, saying: "Intercede for us to God, thou crowned one, that we may deserve to be joined to thee forever. Amen." The most holy soul of the most blessed Bertha was therefore loosed from the enclosures of the body on the fourth Nones of July; and placed in the ornament of the diadem of the heavenly King, with whom she reigns and rejoices forever and ever. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
THE BOOK ON THE MIRACLES AND TRANSLATION OF THE SAME
From the manuscript codices of the monastery of Blangy, collated with the edition of Mabillon.
Bertha, Widow and Nun, at Blangy in Artois (S.)
BHL Number: 1267, 1268, 1269, 1270
FROM MANUSCRIPTS
PART ONE.
A fratricide bound with iron, In the times of the Emperor Charles, brother of the kings Lothair and Louis, it happened that a certain noble man in Gaul, by name Solomon, of the village called Dusgemella, the diabolical fraud instigating, quarreled with his own brother about his inheritance, and killed him with a sword. Which when it was so done, by divine compassion, compunct in heart, he began, as he deserved, to do the greatest penance for the crime committed; and coming to the Bishop, in whose diocese he was, he begged pardon of him for his very great crime, and, bathed with many tears, asked his clemency that he be bound with the same iron with which he had killed his brother. Then the bishop, who was called Boniface, giving his assent to his will, himself, as he asked, bound his arms and belly a with that same iron, and, worthy labors of penance being imposed, permitted him to depart from him. Then the aforesaid Solomon, having received his penance, visiting many places of Saints for the absolution of his sin, went nine times to the thresholds of St. Peter. But when he came thither the ninth time, and the Lord now wished to be propitiated to his offenses; lying before the door of St. Peter on a Lord's day, after the praise of matins, before it grew clearly light, St. Peter appeared to him in a dream, thus arrayed as if he ought to proceed to Mass, and pronouncing to him that the Lord had received the tears of his prayer and penance; and that his sins were forgiven him: and bade him go in haste into Gaul to the monastery of St. Bertha, the most pious abbess, situated in the district of the Morini, which is called Blangy, and that there he was to be absolved from his chains by her merits. Then he, awakened, and not doubting of the certain vision, rendering magnificent thanks to God, immediately the iron with which his left arm was bound fell to the ground.
[2] in the church of St. Bertha he is freed. But he, ignorant of the said monastery and of blessed Bertha, asks to have the name of the place and the name of the district, and of the most pious abbess, described to him; and with great agility began to make for that same place. And when he had arrived at the thresholds of that monastery to beg pardon, a certain venerable bishop, by name Lantogisus, was celebrating Mass there, on the festivity of the Lord's day. But after the Deacon began the beginning of the holy Gospel, the aforesaid Solomon lifted his hand to sign himself: and immediately the iron which was on his right arm, with most swift flight like an arrow, leaped even to the tomb of St. Bertha. Then all who stood within the church began to marvel at the sound of that iron; because the same man stood unknown to all. But the Gospel being read, the bishop solicitously inquired the order of that miracle. At length, the sacred mystery being performed, as he was arrayed for Mass, proceeding out of the basilica, he found the man absolved from all bonds of iron: and inquiring the cause of it, his hand being grasped, led him into the church: and he [and] all the clerics and nuns who were present sang "Te Deum Laudamus."
[3] At the same time also, the Norman people laying waste Gaul, the bodies of Wandregisilus and Ansbert being there, and many places of Saints falling into desolation, it happened that certain monks b, on account of those pagans, fled from their monastery, and carried away St. Ansbert and St. Wandregisilus. Coming therefore to the monastery of St. Bertha, where the venerable Hersendis c was seen to preside as abbess, they were received by her with all the humanity of charity, and there for twenty years were lodged. Meanwhile in one year, at the festivity of the most blessed Bertha, it happened that many sick, blind, weak, lame, and demoniacs came together there: and there obtained the grace of health through the merits of blessed Bertha. Among whom was a certain dumb man, dumb for this reason, because he had scourged his mother on a Lord's night. And then in the same festivity, before the nocturnal praise, with the other sick in the church before the tomb of blessed Bertha, to beg pardon and health, he passed the night. He saw therefore suddenly St. Wandregisilus and St. Ansbert the archbishop proceeding to the altar of St. Mary, their hands clasped together, and together bowing themselves at the altar and making prayer. But raising themselves from prayer, they saw the most blessed Bertha coming to meet them, and as it were coming out of her tomb, and greeting one another, her hands being grasped, they led her to the right horn of the altar, and sitting down together, seemed as it were to converse among themselves. Then that same dumb man, who had seen these things, immediately rose, and began to beat his mouth and breast. Then those who were present, seeing what the dumb man did, and not knowing that he had seen a vision, said that he was raving, and some attempted to flee from excessive fear.
[4] Then blessed Wandregisilus and St. Ansbert with the most pious Bertha, walking to the step where that dumb man sat, the use of his tongue is restored to the dumb man. blessed Bertha asked Wandregisilus that he should first impose his hand on the dumb man, but blessed Wandregisilus asked St. Ansbert that he should do this first, because he was an archbishop. But both of them said to St. Bertha: "Yours is the power, and this place and man being in your power, would rejoice to obtain health by your merits." Then blessed Wandregisilus imposed his hands upon the head of the dumb man: but St. Ansbert held his right arm: and the most pious Bertha, pressing his jaw with her hand, immediately that dumb man fell to the ground,
and blood flowed from his mouth and nostrils, and thus he was made whole. And moreover, delivering himself to that same place as its own servant—for before he was free-born—he persevered there in service for many years.
[5] Then afterward, the Normans rushing upon Gaul on every side, The Saint's body carried into Germany, and destroying very many monasteries, and laying waste the whole region; it happened six years before they came to devastate the aforesaid monastery of the most blessed Bertha and gave it to the fire, that she herself often appeared in dreams to many, both clerics and nuns and other religious laymen, and intimated to them by certain sure admonitions that she ought to be carried thence: and to come into the possession of the venerable and God-most-devoted abbess Rotrude d. Which the event of the matter afterward proved to happen thus.
[6] Then afterward the aforementioned pagans, coming even to that same place, and plundering all the resources of the monastery; at last burned with fire that whole monastery, as we have noted before. But scarcely did those nuns with the clerics and servants who had remained there, snatching up the most blessed Bertha herself, and her two daughters, that is holy Gesta e and Gesa, escape with great labor. Which labors and those signs, which were then very many wrought, it would be long to enumerate one by one; but some things which were done on the very journey we judge should not be kept silent. When therefore those nuns with the clerics had carried away the bodies of the holy women; and were making their journey upward beside the shore of the Rhine, they came even to the monastery of St. Gennarius January: where a certain demoniac woman was made whole and sound through the merits of St. Bertha. And thence they came to the city of Mainz: she heals a demoniac and a paralytic where a certain paralytic, lacking all motion of his feet, recovered health by the merits of St. Bertha.
[7] At the time of the Council of Tribur, It happened also at the same time that the King of the Franks, by name Arnulph, was celebrating his council in the place which is called Tribur f: to which came the venerable abbess, by name Rotrude, with the other princes of the kingdom. And when the King had finished his conversation with the aforesaid abbess, and while he wished to return to his own places; there came a certain unknown man, announcing to her the greatest joys, and indicating that certain nuns with other accompanying clerics were coming to Mainz from Gaul, on account of fear of the Normans, and were carrying with them St. Bertha and her two most blessed daughters, Gesta Gertrude and Gesa. But she, occupied by I know not what reason, did not sufficiently understand what that man indicated to her. But she, the business being performed, inquired where was the man who indicated to her so good a message. But all answering that they did not know that same man, nor knew whither he went: deposited in the convent of Herasten, the most prudent Rotrude, divinely forewarned, sent in haste three of her princes, most sagacious men, to go to the city of Mainz: that they might investigate the truth of the unknown matter. But after she most certainly learned all things to be true, as had been indicated to her: she ordered the bodies of the aforesaid holy women to be carried, with the clerics and nuns, into her monastery, which is called Herasten. Which, the Lord aiding her will, was performed.
[8] When therefore the nuns and clerics were carrying the holy bodies from Mainz to Worms, into the monastery of St. Cyriacus: there a certain gardener, who had already for thirty years been a paralytic, where also on the very journey, many miracles [were wrought.] when they lifted the bier of blessed Bertha, that they might perform their journey, was by her merits restored to his former health. Thence indeed they came to the city of Speyer: where two demoniacs were freed by the merits of the Saint. And when they came to the city of Strasbourg, many sick, lame, and blind, whom it would be long to enumerate one by one, were by the merits of St. Bertha healed of their infirmities on the very journey. Then indeed, arriving even to the desired place, and to the aforesaid monastery of Herasten, the Lord leading, they were received by the most devoted and God-consecrated abbess Rotrude, with great veneration and greatest gladness: and immediately, constructing a monastery g in honor of St. Bertha, and arranging there the service of God, she placed the nuns well.
[9] Very many miracles also are there wrought by the merits of the aforesaid holy women: A demoniac and several others healed. of which we know [how] to narrate some. One demoniac was there made whole: who fell into madness for this reason, because he most often wished to plunder the possessions of St. Bertha. But another, bound with iron, coming to the thresholds of that basilica, was absolved from his bonds. A third indeed was a paralytic, who was healed at one foot at the thresholds of blessed Peter of the city of Rome: at the other, at the church of St. Bertha. Then indeed very many paralytics and lame were healed. Many other signs therefore and innumerable benefits by the merits of the most holy Bertha and her daughters there flourish continually: our Lord Jesus Christ granting, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns God through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.
ANNOTATIONS.
* Gertrude and Deotila
* January
* Gertrude and Deotila.
* Worms
* Strasbourg
PART TWO.
By the admonition of St. Bertha In the times of the most glorious King of the Franks Robert, son of Hugh the Great, Arnulph the count ruling the monarchy of the county of Thérouanne under Baldwin the Marquis; there was a certain woman in the village which is called Blangy, to whom the most blessed Bertha appeared in a vision for this reason: because by her expenses and worthy labors of good works the aforesaid place had been again constructed after the desolation of the Normans: and she with burning mind desired that all things granted there by herself and by other faithful worshippers of Christ, for the retribution of eternal life, after they had been unjustly seized by the invaders, be restored in the below-written place. And she called her and said to her: "Hersendis, hear." Who, unexpectedly stupefied, answering said: "Who are you, who speak with me, Lady?" And she said: "Bertha I am called by my proper name. For I have come to command you, to obey my admonitions, and to augment this by your merits: namely to all who possess all the estates of this place, that you go to them; and study to intimate to them these things as said by me. Confirm therefore your conversation by my firm assertion, saying to them: Know that you yourselves shall not remain with the honor of this world, nor enjoy the pleasantness of contemplative prosperity; unless you restore all things to the aforesaid place, to the honor of the most blessed Mary and of St. Bertha her handmaid. To the abbot also of that basilica do not delay to make plain, that the little cell of my bed, in which I lay for many years, he restore with fitting devotion and swift restitution."
[11] But she, refusing this legation, said: "O most holy Lady, lest I seem reprobate to men, I pray you, do not command me to bear this." But to her—inwardly recogitating with continual meditation of the interior mind, and hesitating in her inmost heart, to make plain to all the powerful possessors—again in a vision the most blessed Bertha, conversing, said: "Why have you so negligently neglected my admonitions? Lest therefore detriment of your body be inflicted on you, study to teach them my words with a swift step." But she, still persevering in doubt of a tottering and slipping soul: and lest, by the inhabitants of that place, or by the invaders of the aforesaid matter, hearing these things, she should be called verbose or garrulous, still more readily keeping silence; a third time the blessed Bertha addressed her, saying: "I have asked," she said, "you to obey my counsels in every way. But since with all negligence you have refused all my admonitions, and have wished utterly to deprive yourself of the fruit of reward, detriment of your body, as I foretold, shall be repaid to you, by reason of merits." Wherefore the prudent handmaid of God, taking her right hand, said: "For this reason, and by the punishment of the matron Hersendis, that against the persuader, the enemy of the human race, this hand may fortify, protect, and defend you with the sign of the holy cross; may it be kept unharmed from the present torment." But taking her left hand, and applying the thumb with her other fingers to her palm, she said: "You shall lack the aid of this hand, and thus bear it convulsed, until I, coming, raise it, and restore it to its former health.
[12] But on the solemnity of the Nativity of the most blessed Mother of God Mary, you shall feel the supernal power of Christ to be present to you, and, at my prayer, your withered hand to receive health." But at the dawning of the day of the past night, the aforesaid woman, taken with the weakness of her hand, rising from her bed, ran quickly to the monastery: and there prostrating herself before the altar of the most blessed Mother of God Mary, and of St. Bertha, handmaid of God, pouring out a fount of tears abundantly, begged pardon for her negligence. But when the abbot of the monastery and other clerics had come around, she, raising herself from prayer and rolling at their feet, narrated to them all things; showing at the same time with her words the miracles, as she had been bidden. To Arnulph the count also and to others, [her]
who were stealing away the privileges of the monastery, she from that day by no means feared to make these things known.
[13] But hearing these things, the noble count Arnulph, and revolving in mind the love and fear of God; The estates are restored to the church of Blangy. going to the place with his wife and sons, and the miracle being seen, begging pardon from Almighty God, and from his most holy Mother, and those serving his most blessed handmaid Bertha; restored in that place the greatest part of the benefices. Therefore, the solemnity of the Nativity of the most blessed Mother Mary being at hand, a great crowd of peoples came together there from every side: and there the honorable clergy unanimously persisted in the praises of God. On that very night also, when these things were being done, and all the people were assisting at the matin praises, she herself, expecting the things promised to be about to come to her through the merits of the most blessed Bertha, sat in the midst. But it happened, when all the lessons were read through, and all the people of noble men and women stood around for the spectacle of the future miracle: as the hour approached in which the whole choir of singers ought to praise God, and confess the Lord; her sinews stiffening with a vehement sound, her withered hand was restored to its former health. But the peoples together with the clerics, seeing the power of Almighty God, shown through the merits of his most blessed handmaid; all with one voice, with great eagerness, glorified God, saying: "We praise Thee, O God, we confess Thee, O Lord." For it was fitting that she, through whose holy admonitions the woman had sustained the detriments of her flesh; through her flourishing merits should rejoice to have the remedy promised back to her: he granting it, to whom is the kingdom and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
PART THREE
Here begin the miracles of blessed Bertha the Abbess, and at the same time about her finding.
The tongue of human flesh ought not to be silent about the things which the Lord most often deigns to work to the praise and glory of his name, and the honor of his Saints. Wherefore, he granting who opens the mouth of the dumb and makes the tongues of infants eloquent, we shall narrate in this our little work of the church certain miracles, which the divine piety deigned to show by the merits of St. Bertha.
[15] In the time therefore of Henry, King of the Franks, there was a certain place, From Germany which was called Blangy; which in ancient times was held very rich and noble, where the handmaid of God, Bertha, constructed a monastery in honor of the Mother of God; and gathered together no small crowd of nuns, and enriched the monastery with great honors, where also afterward she, the friend of God, honorably buried in body rested. But when much time had elapsed, the pagans rushing within the borders of Gaul: many of the servants of God, taking up the bodies of the Saints, fled to safe places. But those pagans burned with fire in their tombs the bodies of certain Saints; afflicting with dire torments the faithful whom they found there. Terrified therefore by such fear, the nuns of the convent of Blangy took to themselves the most holy body of the handmaid of God Bertha with the best ornaments. Fleeing indeed, they carried it away to the place which is called Alsace: and there it lay for very many years. But many sick were there healed of their pains by her merits. On that account therefore the monastery of Blangy, which she had wonderfully constructed, came into destruction.
[16] But the venerable friend of God, not wishing utterly to abandon the place which she had built, and which she had much loved while she lived in the body; obtained, as I think, from God, that her body should be sought by certain clerics, remaining at Blangy: which also was done. The body is brought back to Blangy. It was therefore sought by clerics, one of whom was called Alboin, the other Ebroin, and found, and, God granting, carried back to Blangy, and decently placed upon the sacrosanct altar of the holy Mother of God. But after the space of one year, by the nod of him from whom all good things proceed, it was shown by the Prelate [*] of the church of Thérouanne, the clerics and all the people, with hymns and praises, very many weeping for joy. Where he, of whose wisdom there is no number, and who alone does great wonders, and does mercy to all fleeing to him, wrought such a miracle.
[17] A notable miracle in a blind woman receiving sight. For there was a certain girl, who, pressed by the burden of a certain infirmity, had lost the light of her eyes. She, when she had learned that the Prelate was coming to show the body of St. Bertha to the people, came with the rest to such solemnities of joy, trusting in the mercy of God and in the merits of his handmaid, that she could restore to her the light long withdrawn. But God, who said to the Canaanite woman, "Be it done to thee as thou wilt"; regarding the faith of this girl, restored to her the light by the merits of St. Bertha. For, as has been said, she coming with her mother and the other women with the devotion of the festivity; and the monks celebrating the solemnities of the vigils; she lay prostrate in body before the altar of the holy handmaid of God, beseeching mercy, that she would deign to succor her. But matins being completed, the monks, wearied by the long space of the night in the service of God, as is the custom of human frailty; seeking a little rest, placed themselves on their little beds: she remaining in the church until the day should dawn. But when the first light of day appeared, she of whom the report is made, raising her eyes to the altar, as if exploring what her mother and the other women who were with her were doing: began gradually, as if growing, to see before her the light of day. And calling her mother, she said with a tearful voice: "My sweetest, now the day dawns." And she: "How," she said, "daughter, do you know?" But she, sighing from the inmost of her heart, said: "Let us give thanks to God, because I have deserved to see the long-desired light by the merits of my benefactress, the most blessed Bertha." To whom the mother: "Why," she said, "daughter, do you speak thus, boasting? If you recognize the benefit of God done toward you, it behooves you rather to keep silence than to speak, until all the people recognize what has happened to you by the merits of this Saint."
[18] But while they were thus conversing, without a leader the daughter came before the altar, and with bowed head, as if asking leave, began to go to the lodging. But the mother, running up and seizing her hand, wished to lead her, as she was accustomed; but she, altogether rejecting her guidance, said to her mother: "Why, my mother, do you try thus to lead me, to whom the Lord by his goodness and by the merits of his Saint has now granted to see the light of heaven?" When these things were thus said, they came to the lodging, awaiting the coming of the Prelate, that he might show to the people the glorious body of the most blessed Bertha. But at the coming of the third hour of the day, the Prelate having gone out with the crowd of monks, and no small multitude of people of both sexes, carrying on their shoulders the most holy body, the monks singing psalms and the peoples rejoicing, they ascended to the brow of a certain mountain, that so desirable a treasure might be seen by all. But the sermon to the people being completed, the Prelate himself showed to the people the head of the most blessed Bertha; which many, beholding, began to weep for joy. But the aforesaid girl, beholding it, began to see more clearly all things of this world. But the Prelate's blessing being received, the people returned to their own, each one with great exultation.
[19] But the often-mentioned girl, compelled by her mother, for the space of fifteen days concealed the benefit granted to her by God. But gradually, others narrating, and others hearing, so glorious a miracle came forth into public. Which Gaufrid the monk, servant of St. Bertha, and the other brethren of the convent hearing, rendered immense thanks to God from the heart. And convoking all the people of that place, they narrated so glorious a miracle. But all, lifting up their voices with their hands to heaven, in common blessed the Lord. And the monks rang the bells, and sang the hymn, "We praise Thee, O God." The men with the women likewise praised God: and very many of them, rendering thanks to God and to his holy handmaid, wept for excessive joy. And in all things was God blessed, who alone does great wonders, and is near to all who invoke him in truth: who in perfect Trinity lives and is glorified, God through all ages of ages. Amen.
[20] To this also we have thought fit to adjoin another miracle worthy to be told for the praise of the handmaid of God, which we saw with our eyes, Another in a paralytic healed. and know to have been so done from heaven by her merits. There is a certain castle, situated within the borders of Flanders on the top of a certain mountain, distant nearly eight miles from the castle of Saint-Pol, by name Hosdegh. Coming thither, the aforesaid monk found a certain cleric so dissolved by paralysis, that he lacked the use of both feet, and scarcely, others sustaining him with their hands, was carried from house to church, and again from church to house. When therefore he had seen the monk, he began to ask who he might be. But those who stood by indicated to him who and whence he was. But he, asking him to come to him, said: "Lord father, if you know any medicine for this my infirmity, whether in herbs, or in kinds of spices, tell [it]: that, instructed by your teaching, and likewise supported by your aid, I may be able to be snatched from so great a pain, by which I am tortured." The monk therefore, hearing these things, said to him: "Certainly, brother, the nature of this infirmity by which you are pressed is such; that whoever has been struck by it, as you are perceived to be, can either scarcely, or in no way, be cured by physicians. But if you desire to obtain the health of your soul and body, entreat from your friends or kinsmen, that you be carried as soon as possible to the tomb of the holy handmaid of God, Bertha. And if you believe with your whole heart that she can heal you by her merits, I trust in the goodness of God and of his Saint, that whatever you ask, you shall obtain." But he, hearing these things, filled with joy, and now secure of the goodness of God and the merits of St. Bertha, entreated his friends, that they would succor him as soon as possible, and carry him to the tomb of St. Bertha. Which also was done.
[21] But at his coming, the aforesaid brother ordered that he should be placed on a little bed before the doors of the church, and that food should be ministered to him there. He lay therefore there for fifteen days, awaiting the goodness of the handmaid of God, believing altogether that he could be helped by her merits. But he who, regarding the faith of the Centurion, healed his servant, though absent in body, yet present in deity; attending to the faith of this sick man, that his handmaid could succor him, if she would; so healed him from all infirmity, that leaping from his little bed, in the manner of a stag, he readily gave certain new leaps, from the entrance of the church even to the tomb of the holy handmaid of God; praising God, and rendering thanks to St. Bertha, by whose merits he knew himself restored to health. But the monks of that place hearing this, with high-sounding voices praised the Almighty for such benefits, granted to that place by the merits of St. Bertha. But the people hearing these things blessed the Lord, who ever lives, governs, and rules all things throughout the world, who is blessed forever and ever. Amen.
[22] Likewise in the injured eye of a woman of Blangy. Nor must another benefit bestowed on a certain woman be passed over. At the same time also there was a certain smith, dwelling at Blangy.
He, one day angry with his wife, struck her with a staff upon the right eye: whence, the blood running around the eye, the pupil was covered: and thus the woman was deprived of the use of sight. But it happened after these things, the courses of very many months being revolved, that her husband sent her to buy bread for him to eat. She went, and, finding no bread, was returning, wishing to announce [it] to her husband. Who, while she was returning, found a certain obstacle in the way, altogether unknown to her: because it was placed on that very side on which she had incurred blindness. And stumbling with her foot, she fell to the ground, and the dryness of the soil injured her very much. But raising herself, and crying out that she was wretched; she thus addressed St. Bertha: "O St. Bertha, friend of God, ever filled with mercy, you often bestow mercy on those coming to you from far distant parts: and to me most unworthy, who enter your temple, and seek your protection, you will not restore the lost light of one eye."
[23] And when she said these things weeping, she came to her house and thus, sitting in a chair, with the whole affection of her heart entreated the aid of the kindly handmaid of God, Bertha. But while she did these things, without delay there was present to her a man adorned with venerable gray hair: and as if cutting with a knife the dimness of her eye, he restored to her the withdrawn light. But she, recognizing the mercy of the Savior done toward her, by the merits of St. Bertha, rose most swiftly and, calling her husband, intimated what had happened to her. But her husband, when he learned it to be so, as she asserted, rendered thanks to Almighty God and to his holy handmaid, with what voice he could: and both coming to the church, announced to the monk so great a benefit granted to them by God, by the merits of St. Bertha. But the brethren of the convent hearing this, entering the monastery, ringing the bells, sang "We praise Thee, O God": and all the people of that town, running up, blessed the Lord, who thus glorifies his Saints: and does the will of those who fear him, and hears their prayer, and makes them safe, who lives and reigns God forever and ever. Amen.
[24] At another time also there was a certain youth, who, having open eyes, With the veil of St. Bertha placed [on him, another sees clearly] saw nothing at all. Who coming one day, his aunt leading him, to the tomb of St. Bertha, entreated her aid. But his prayer being completed; raising himself, he asked to be led to the monk who was called Gaufrid, that he might deign to touch his eyes with the head-veil of the handmaid of God Bertha. And he was led through the middle of the church to the monk, and found him with Roger the count and his wife Bertha, sitting upon the foundation of the church which was then being built. But when the wife of the illustrious Prince Roger had seen him, she asked what he wished. And he: "My Lady," he said, "I seek the Lord Gaufrid, that he may restore to me the light of my eyes." But she, smiling, said: "Is not he a sinner too, as also other men?" And he: "Lady," he said, "if he touch my eyes with the head-veil of St. Bertha, I trust in the goodness of God, that she by her holy merits, the darkness being expelled, will make me see the light of heaven."
[25] Which the most noble count Roger hearing, moved with mercy, told the said monk that he should not deny him that which he asked with faith. But the aforesaid brother answering said to the youth: "Go, and return tomorrow at the first hour of the day, that what you ask, God granting, you may be able to receive." Who, fulfilling the command, went to the lodging: and on the following day, returning, came before the altar of the holy Mother of God. Then the keeper of the church, taking the sacrosanct veil, touched [him] according to his faith: and immediately, blindness being put to flight, he began to behold the monks standing before him. But when he saw one of them touching with his hand the hanging rope of the bell; he began to inquire why he did this, or why he thus drew the rope by touching. To whom he answered: "Do you see me, O youth?" And he said: "I render thanks to the most holy handmaid of God, Bertha, because by her intercession God has granted me to see the light of heaven." Which the monks hearing, rendered thanks to Almighty God, and with high-sounding voice praised him, who is rich toward all who invoke him; and who opens the door of his mercy to those who knock, and to those returning to him, after their faults, also mercifully grants pardon, who lives and reigns, threefold in unity, and one God in Trinity, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.
Annotation* Drogo
PART FOUR.
The contracted fingers of a woman are extended; Since, as the Psalmist says: "God is wonderful in his Saints": we have decreed to excerpt a few miracles out of many which God, through his Blessed handmaid, deigned to work to his own praise, and to describe in what place or time they were done, for the memory of those present, for the knowledge of those to come. In the year therefore from the incarnation of the Lord 1139, on the fourth Nones of July, on which day blessed Bertha is known to have migrated clean from the world, a certain woman of the village which is called Cupella, desirous of work, unaware of her misfortune, began to draw the thread into the reel traolium a from the spindle: but prevented by the judgment of God, she felt the sinews of her arm draw back, and her fingers fix themselves so strongly to her hand, that she could neither shake off the reel, nor in any way extend her fingers. But she, conscious of her guilt, trembling and wailing, came to Blangy, and entering the church, cast herself down before the bier of St. Bertha, having confessed before all that she had grievously sinned, with great groaning and tears began to implore the mercy of God and the aid of blessed Bertha. What more? Night coming on, before matins, the mercy of God was present; it regarded the wretched woman; it loosed her sinews; it released her fingers; it wholly healed the sick woman. Who, feeling herself healed, immediately called the keepers of the church, cried out that she was whole; showed her hand: laid the reel upon the bier of St. Bertha. But morning being come, the abbot of Blangy, the lord Gissebert, and the abbot of St. Vulmar, the lord Baldwin, and all the monks came together into the church, and ringing the bells, sang praises to God with tears. Which being heard, very many of both sexes and ages ran together, saw the miracle, blessed God and St. Bertha his handmaid.
[27] A trembling girl is healed. At the same time also, while the bier of blessed Bertha was being carried to the village which is called Anelusium, a certain girl, seven years of age, struck with a grievous ailment, trembling in her whole body; having her mouth turned backward even to the ear, carried by her parents, is placed under the bier of St. Bertha, and there falling asleep; is restored whole both to herself and to her parents: promising that all the time of her life she would be the handmaid of God and of St. Bertha, and would serve her.
[28] The punishment of irreverence Through the same time also, while those who carried the bier came into the village which is called Alteia; the young men of the place, playing in the square, began to mock our men. To whom our men said: "To your own ill you do this: because you shall not bear unpunished that you mock the servants of Bertha." These things being said, they deposited the bier in a certain leafy little house, made there of the branches of trees. A wonderful thing! On the morrow the fire consumed the greatest part of that village, and even the houses on either side adjoining that leafy house, in which the bier had been placed, nor presumed to touch the leafy house. Which the inhabitants of that place seeing, blessed God and blessed Bertha his handmaid, and thereafter began to hold that place in the greatest honor.
[29] At a certain time a certain woman, contracted in all her members, The members of a contracted woman are restored entire; was carried by her parents to Blangy, to the church of the Mother of God Mary and St. Bertha. And while the solemnities of the Masses were being performed there, the woman felt the mercy of God to be present to her: and gradually began to raise herself; and step by step sought the altar; blessing God and blessed Bertha, who restored to her her former health. Which all who were present, seeing, began to magnify God, and to bless blessed Bertha his handmaid: and ringing the bells, sang praises to the Lord.
[30] While these things were thus being done, a certain man in a certain house of that same village lay captured and in fetters in an underground cave. Liberty to a captive. And the sound of the bells being heard, and the noise of voices praising God and St. Bertha his handmaid, with tears, that she would have mercy on him, he began to implore. What more? By a ladder he began gradually to ascend; the door of the cave, laden with many logs, God aiding, he opened with his head and shoulders: and, what is wonderful to say, all seeing and none able to hinder him, he entered the church: blessing God and blessed Bertha: and manifested to all what had been done in him. Again the bells are rung, praises are sung to the Lord: who by the merits of his Saint deigns to work such miracles.
[31] At a certain time the bier of blessed Bertha was passing through the village which is called Basiacus; A contracted boy, and there was a certain man there, Baldwin by name, who had a contracted son. Whom taking, he placed under the bier, and prayed God and St. Bertha that she would restore him to him. And without delay: the mercy of God was present, the boy is restored to himself and to his parents, is made a servant of blessed Bertha, and afterward is received as a monk in the church.
[32] A certain boy, deaf and dumb, came to Great Meadow, and two others, deaf and dumb, are cured. drank of the fount of blessed Bertha, washed his head; fell asleep there before the altar. But morning being come, when he awoke, and was returning to Blangy with many others, the divine power restored him to health: opened his mouth: gave back his hearing. Who immediately coming to the church of St. Bertha, promised that he would be her servant forever. These things being heard, the bells are rung, praises are rendered to God by all the monks with great joy. Likewise another youth, a Fleming by nation, came to the same place, drank of the water, washed his head, and, who had come deaf and dumb, received the use of his tongue and the hearing which he had lost. Who immediately coming to the church of the most blessed Bertha, granted himself to be her servant forever.
[33] Wine for the Mass given from heaven. One day, when a priest, about to sing Mass, was now revested, and the sacristan ought to have brought wine for singing the Mass; he sought the wine-vessel, and finding no wine in the vessel, was frightened; called the master; intimated what had happened. But the master coming, asked where the wine-vessel was. And hearing that in the cupboard there was a vessel empty of wine, he hastened thither; and found the vessel, before empty, full of wine. Which seeing, he was at first astonished, and disposed to conceal the matter within himself: but afterward manifested the matter, as it had been done, to the brethren.
[34] The voice of a dumb woman restored. It happened in the time of the lord Richard the abbot, that a certain woman, for three days lacking the use of her tongue by the cunning of demons, striving to speak as it were for the space of one hour, wailed miserably before the altar of St. Bertha: and when all who stood by tearfully cried out to St. Bertha for her; immediately she who had been dumb, blessing God and St. Bertha, received her speech. [Thus far Mabillon; in our
manuscripts these things follow.] But when it was inquired of her by us how this had happened to her; "When," she said, "the day before yesterday I was alone in my house at the evening synaxis Vespers: immediately a multitude of demons rushed in. Among whom especially one, of wonderful size, horrible in aspect, rushing in with force and opening my mouth with his hands, breathed upon [it] three times. But I, being able to say nothing at all, but fortifying myself with the sign of the holy cross, lost my speech."