Wlphlagius the Presbyter

ON SAINT WLPHLAGIUS THE PRESBYTER, PASTOR OF RUE,

IN PONTHIEU, A REGION OF GAUL.

VII CENT.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.

Wlphlagius, Presbyter and Pastor of Rue, Hermit in Ponthieu of Gaul (S.)

BY THE AUTHORS G. H. & D. P.

§. I. The Saint's Fatherland, and pious education and life in marriage; the office of Pastor undertaken, and laid down for the cause of penitence.

[1] Rua, or Rugua, a town of Ponthieu, in Gaul, not far from the British Ocean, between the Somme and Authie rivers, is celebrated both for the veneration of the Holy Spirit, and for the cult of S. Wulphlagius the Presbyter, commonly S. Wlfly, Memorial in the Ms. Martyrology of Centulum. formerly Pastor there of the Church of the Holy Spirit, which now to S. Wulphlagius himself is dedicated: because he as Patron of the said Church there to this day is honored on June 7. About him in the old Ms. Martyrology of Centulum or of the monastery of S. Riquier in the same Ponthieu, distant from Rua about five French leagues, are read these things: "In the pagus of Ponthieu of Saint Wulphlagius the Presbyter and Pastor." The whole pagus of Ponthieu is in the diocese of Amiens. Hence Andrew Saussay, in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrology, thus begins the eulogy of this Saint.

[2] "In the tract of Amiens of S. Wulphagius, Presbyter and Confessor, who Pontivan by birth, from his earliest age, since he was inclined to sacred things, Saussay's eulogy, took care to be inscribed in the Clerical matricula: thence however, because perhaps he feared the wild motions of adolescence, bound himself in legitimate matrimony: in which when he lived justly and soberly, and exhibited manners composed to all piety, of the small town of Rue, with the Priest dead, elected and assumed as Pastor, for some time, worthy of much praise, on account of the excellently administered office, shone. But with the envious enemy of the human race instigating, into the same with his wife, whom he already had for a sister, he returned, with much offense of his flock. But with the Lord aspiring, soon bent to penitence, in expiation of the delict, with all left, to Jerusalem, with a vow of adoring the sacred footsteps of the Redeemer, he set out. Thence by supernal leading seeking his fatherland again, he withdrew into a solitude near his parish: where living in admirable abstinence, several years he spent, fixed on heaven more than on the ground. And finally, with many labors endured, bright in virtues and miracles, he rested in peace." Thus far Saussay: whose statements we confirm by the authority of other Writers. These are chiefly Ignatius Joseph of Jesus Mary, Discalced Carmelite, in the Ecclesiastical History of the city of Abbeville, which is reckoned the head of all Ponthieu; James Malbrancq, in the History of the Morini, to which it extends; and Simon Martin, of the Order of Minims, in the Flowers of Solitude lib. 3 on this day June 7.

[3] And first we note that most celebrated was formerly the pilgrimage to the said town of Rue, on account of the singular veneration of the Holy Spirit, and in the year 1411 Isabella of Portugal, Rua town famous for the veneration of the Holy Spirit: in the company of Philip Duke of Burgundy and Count of Ponthieu her bridegroom, came there: that she founded a perpetual Mass, and offered grand gifts, declare the titles and old inventories of the said Church. The same Church with great devotion in the year 1474 visited the Queen of France, wife of King Louis XI. Indeed the King himself offered a sum of four thousand golden scudi, and forty pounds Tours, for the almsgiving of the Chapel of the Holy Spirit; the charter of which donation, made in the year 1480, Ignatius the Carmelite inserted in his History of Abbeville cap. 81, adding that from that time the said Rua began to be called the Shrine of the Holy Spirit, as also Philip Briet of Abbeville calls it in his Parallels of Geography lib. 7 cap. 3. Indeed this seems to have been the beginning of the most devoted affection of the Kings of the French toward the Holy Spirit, augmented to the point that finally Henry III King of France and Poland, in 1577 instituted the most celebrated Order of the Holy Spirit, of which very many eulogies exist. Says also the said Ignatius the Carmelite, it is believed, that the principal Church of the town of Rua was once consecrated to the Holy Spirit from that very time when there S. Wulphlagius held the Pastoral care; but came to it the title of S. Wulphlagius, when he was inscribed in the Catalog of Saints, because he was born in the said town.

[4] S. Wlphlagius piously brought up in studies, There (as, with the ancient writer of the Life cited, Malbrancq says lib. 3 cap. 10) "having gotten Catholic parents, a good nature, happy talent, he was handed over to be imbued with the good arts: and he drank them to the full, so that growing up in the flower of early youth, he proved sufficiently how great fruits he would produce in the autumn of age. He was acceptable to all in few things, because of his ease in learning, and that from his most pleasing harmony and beauty of body proceeding. Which observed, it seemed to his parents, from the more human letters to transfer him to the more sacred: since from his tender age in the rudiments of the Christian faith they cultivating him, had observed in him I know not what motions of a capable mind. And truly, in perceiving the divine Pages, a splendor pervaded his mind; which breaking forth into scholastic exercises, with the opinion of the wiser urging, inserted him into the Order of Clerics; with the people's also commendation, predicating his virtues; enrolled among the Clerics, so that in that state, which consisted of the four minor Orders, and at that age was conferred even on the married, performing minor functions of the Church, he might profit very much the Church of Rue. So with Wulphlagius then aspiring to greater things not at all, that he might run with safer foot a way not altogether Ecclesiastical, also married, and that the exceptional beauty of his body might be held within the bounds of modesty, in the manner of Clerics tonsured and clothed in black ankle-length robe, he began to perform the ministries of the temple, with much praise and acclamation of the people. He had got a wife similar in manners: and were both," says the writer, he begets three daughters: "walking without complaint, soberly, justly and piously: whence from that matrimony came three daughters, heirs of paternal beauty and piety: who being more devoted to the cult of the temple than to the world of women, gained for the parent yet greater grace of the people; so that with the Pastor of Rue now dead, he becomes Pastor of Rue; the eyes of all were cast on Wulphlagius, and openly all boasted, that there was none who with greater fruit could lean upon the Pastoral function. But the marital burden forbids: which yet nevertheless not preventing, he embraced the Pastoral function, and was initiated into Sacred things: but so as to abstain altogether from marital affairs henceforth.

[5] But afterwards no slight offense was to the tender populace that marital society, On account of access to his wife especially in a man endowed with such gifts, and previously held in such esteem of men. The author of the Life does not bring forth, that any admonition came from the Bishop or the Ecclesiastical Superior: indeed he narrates that he himself became his own corrector, when, struck in mind from heaven, he considers how much it had displeased the Heavens, that more than once to the dread Sacrifice of the altar he had approached, after he had loosed the reins to the marriage, and indeed as Prefect of souls in a city of middle Ponthieu. Wherefore he conceived in his soul such pain, that with what penalties to wipe away the fault, he was greatly tormented: proclaiming himself accused before the Divine Majesty everywhere: and on the next sacred day, while according to custom he spoke from the pulpit to the people, he did not hesitate to exaggerate the magnitude of his crime; publicly penitent, and to profess himself altogether unworthy of that most holy Pastor's function; because his own sheep, redeemed by the most precious blood of Christ,

he had corrupted by his worst example. What therefore for remedy? Not if he should exact so many penalties from himself, as there were hearers turned to his eyes, would he satisfy the Divine Numen: yet penitence must be done, and hope to be had, since so often the merciful and compassionate Lord makes hope; who, however much of life He had given remaining, may be certain that each day with new afflictions and new tortures he would pass.

[6] Therefore day and night turning over his crimes, the journey of Jerusalem to be made occurred to him: which he undertakes, he goes on pilgrimage to Jerusalem. armed with pouch and staff, beginning long tracts of road with greater starvation than viaticum: and as often as strength and vigor failed, or he was badly treated by strangers, so often he blamed his unhealthy delights. Not without huge molestations and perils he touched that sacred land; relying on this sole pleasure, that at least he had endured something, by which the most sacred footsteps of Christ he might not so much dread to enter with his feet. Each one with quite bitter tears he watered, and with other various penalties, referring some appearance of the penalties of Christ, he strove to undertake them: especially on the Mountain of Golgotha he expressed most tender affections, and used all his strength, that where the Savior of the human race wiped away the crimes of all, the marital crime also might be expiated. Here kindled with fuller hope, he labors to retrace his road to his fatherland, with no less corporal affliction than before: for it seemed to the man, abundant in sharpness of judgment, better, the depraved example which his subjects had drunk in, to repair, and with long penitence to redeem the flowing pleasure.

§. II. Eremitic life of S. Wulphlagius, and the exemplary chastity of his daughters.

[7] Returned he abdicates all things; In the defect of the older Life, already several times cited by Malbrancq, I am compelled to follow the more verbose context from the same in this way. As Wulphlagius returned to Rugua, he is scarcely recognized by his own, on account of his entangled and shaggy hair, and a face emaciated by leanness. He is invited by all to resume the function of Pastor: since his wife with three daughters leads a segregated life. He can in no way be persuaded: indeed he proclaims himself most unworthy of that function, but most worthy of perennial chains and shadows. He has decided and fixed in his mind to lead an anchoretic life, when however he has first taken counsel for the salvation of his daughters. These he calls to himself, not bearing to bear the sight of their mother; and earnestly prays, that to their parent, for utterly abolishing his guilts, they would extend a helping hand: with so many and so great tears he insists, that they all consent to every sentence of the paternal will. First by a most salubrious example preceding them, he abdicates himself from all things, from the paternal house, from the paternal estates, from the rich Priesthood of the Pastor of Rue; withdrawing himself even from the most friendly company and converse of noble men. For he is certain, he assumes an eremitic life. to inhabit that shore of Ponthieu, which whether by woods impeded, or at least far removed from the noise of the common people and pathless will be esteemed. While he seeks this out, that one offered itself, very suitable for the sought solitude, but lacking the necessary supports of life: whence familiars and religious men point out to him another place, distant from there a full league, endowed with a most pleasant fountain. But because it was somewhat accessible by Wulphlagius it is in no way admitted, he greatly preferring the former, and as it were receiving from the Divine hand. And when too great difficulty of water was sometime objected; "Indeed," he says, "very opportune material of washing away sins is supplied by this hard labor … And so devoting himself to the place, he made a rough cell; and entered it, he erects a rough cell. day and night to give work to divine commentations."

[8] That cell was distant four miles from Rugua: and although no way led there, yet to the new Anchorite there was much coming. But when he began with harsh admonitions to turn newcomers from a more vicious life, and acutely to inveigh against the manners of the wicked, in a short time he was left free to his solitude. rejoicing he understands his daughters bound by a vow of chastity; Most pleasing however to him came the message, by which it was reported, that his three daughters by their paternal example had laid aside all the world of women, had altogether sent a divorce to earthly delights, indeed had taken a vow of perennial chastity. At which heard leaping forth, he poured himself into tears, and gave thanks to the Divine Triad, which had deigned to destine three daughters of a most wretched parent to His service: whence deservedly he augured that it would be, that by the virginal candor of his daughters (for they had thus far led a most pure life), the paternal sins, ruddy as scarlet, like snow would be whitened. And so as often as he heard anything about the pious exercises of his daughters, so often he renewed his own, performed greater acts, pursued more rigid; lest by innocent little souls, in the way of more emended life, the bad parent should be conquered: so that already the given offense was abundantly repaired; and everywhere it was predicated, that one sin had borne four Saints. For the distinguished triple of girls, as distinguishedly began, so most holily finished, far and wide through the Morini and Ponthieu, spreading the good odor of their sanctity: and when of the parent's innate disposition and gifts of mind they had drunk in not a little, so they pleased these virgins of their sex, that some had got followers of their institute.

[9] Daily Wulphlagius's fame grew, frequent vigils, from afar he seeks water common bread taken only after long starvation, prayers drawn out into the depth of night, very rare meeting with mortals, and speech only about things pertaining to the other life, were producing great esteem; especially indeed that daily labor, by which to a fountain a mile distant with much sweat he ran out, was to the dwellers a wonder; indeed also to veneration was that most limpid fountain, from which the neighborhood augured to draw something holy. Back and forth amid drawing water he made for himself a path, which from the hermitage to the fountain led most directly: before that with grassy thornbushes and thistles impeded, from the received step of the servant of God, produced nothing further, but stood in its plane, here and there with a beautiful and green margin enclosed: the path covered by no herbs: nor only as long as Wulphlagius traversed it, but also for ages after his life. For it was never seen to be covered with any herbs or shrubs, nor to bring forth any seed or nettle, nor

[10] Now the good Pastor by the long institute of a rigid life, and proceeding in some way of divine charity from that deep hermitage of torches, after long penitences, had obtained such fame, that not only from Ponthieu and the Morini more celebrated men flew, but also Transmarines were held by desire of seeing him. Now, I say, the good Pastor was preparing his soul, with so many voluntary punishments, as by long martyrdom tortured, given for his sheep, to whom to have been an offense even now he repented. And when the enemy of the human race over this matter greatly molested the Anchorite, again he offered himself as a victim to the Divine Majesty, prepared to suffer more, he dies. greater than before, if so He should vow, to be immolated: whence a most salubrious example to the Pastors around was given, of performing the pastoral function with due purity: since one crime of marital impurity was not yet fully and plainly judged, after so many years passed in most bitter tortures, expiated by Wulphlagius.

§. III. Time of death. Translation of the body to the Foreste monastery, and thence to Montreuil.

[11] It remained, that on the pious death of S. Wulphlagius Malbrancq should say something; but he seems to have got a Life mutilated at the end, In the place called Raginarisclusa the Saint is buried, not able to do so; whence a more vehement desire arose to us to obtain the old context from somewhere, at least for the Supplement of this month. Meanwhile from Malbrancq I add, that all that tract, which embraced both the fountain and the man's cell, by the writer of the Life is named the territory of Raginarisclusa; where, he says, "I think Ragnachariss clusa should rather be read, for S. Gregory of Tours calls the grandfather of S. Richarius, formerly dynast of all that tract, Ragnacharius." Just as the father of the same S. Richarius Alcharius, the city Centula, named from a hundred towers, is believed by Malbrancq to have founded against Chlodoveus King of the Franks and fortified (which I fear lest it be fabulous), so the same conjectures, that this Ragnacharius fortified the aforesaid tract with waters or rampart, with a mound or with forests, and thence is called Ragnacharius's sluice; which use gradually softened, and made Raginaris-sclusa, commonly Renier l'ecluse; and so it is read in the French Register of Benefices of the Bishopric of Amiens. But not easily would anyone show, that a region or field, however closed, is called Sclusa. That name is Teutonic indeed, taken from Schluyssen, to close; never however is it taken otherwise than for a sluice fabricated for letting out and letting in waters: and such a one could have brought to some fortress, built at it, the name of its builder, whether he was called Ragnacharius or Raginarius; which name was afterwards communicated to the whole tract of land pertaining to such a fortress.

[12] However it be, that small region has a Parish-priest appointed by the Bishop, under King Dagobert I. from that very time when there S. Wulphlagius, there (as Ignatius the Carmelite and Simon Martin think) died, certainly was buried, began to grow famous in miracles. But they think he died in the time of Dagobert I King of the Franks, before S. Richarius, his spiritual Father, died, which the said Ignatius proves in this way. When S. Richarius on April 26, as Alcuin in his Life published by us writes, had given up his spirit, was placed in the tomb by his disciple Sigobardus where he had commanded; namely in the Foreste monastery, which still exists under its own Abbot, but on account of a slender revenue there are few Monks: where he lay for the space of 5 months and 12 days, that is from the 6th Kalends of May to the 7th Ides of October, as in other Acts is read. Then, says Ignatius, when the Centulan Monks wished to translate the Body of S. Richarius their Founder to their own monastery, thence the body is translated to the Foreste monastery: Sigobardus opposed, unless in his place to the Foreste monastery should first be transferred the body of S. Wulphlagius, buried at Raginarisclusa, a place pertaining to the Centulan monastery; and therefore, as Simon Martin says, afterwards called the Hermitage of S. Richarius. Ocialdus, Centulan Abbot, successor of S. Richarius, conceded this. He with his Monks approached the tomb of S. Wulphlagius: they lifted the body, and with solemn procession and lights kindled, amid canticles and divine praises, brought to the church of S. Mary in the Foreste monastery; and thence they bore the body of S. Richarius, and to his own Centulan monastery carried. Thus Ignatius from the Archive, he says, of Rue, and thence proves that S. Wulphlagius one or two years before S. Richarius migrated from this mortal life. Nor do these words of the older Life oppose: "The place in which the Saint served the Lord, is situated in the territory of the village of Rugua, which from antiquity lies under the monastery of B. Richarius the Confessor"; where the word "from antiquity," with respect to the time at which that Life after several centuries was written, must be received: nor therefore with Malbrancq, to the times of Charles Martel or King Pepin, must the Saint's death be deferred. That this Translation of the Body was made to the Foreste monastery on the Kalends of October, indicates the said Malbrancq lib. 6 cap. 32, on which day is inscribed in the Centulan Ms. Martyrology the festivity of S. Wulphlagius the Presbyter

and Confessor in the pagus of Ponthieu, and "natalis" (birthday) is again called, in place of translation: and then, with this solemnity celebrated for eight days, on the 9th day of October, was made the Translation of S. Richarius, from the hermitage to the place of the monastery founded by him, as we have reported from the same Martyrology on the 26th of April, his natal day.

[13] The sacred body of S. Wulphlagius remained in the said Foresto monastery for several centuries, bright with many miracles; afterwards Monasteriolum or Montreuil, a fortified town near the mouth of the Canche river, thence to Montreuil: it was brought, which on account of the incursion of the Normans was done, asserts Malbrancq. But Ignatius the Carmelite attributes that translation to Arnulf Count of Flanders, who after the death of his brother Adolph, dead in 933, obtained Boulogne and neighboring dominions; and afterwards, with the royal castle of Montreuil captured, subjected the Ponthieu province to his own dominion, and there transferred S. Richarius and S. Walaric, and ordered them to be kept in the castle of Montreuil, as is read at greater length on April 26, at the History of the Relation of S. Richarius, by us published page 457; and on the Kalends of April, at the Acts of S. Walaric and his Relation, no. 2. At which time also the body of S. Wulphlagius is judged to have been brought to Montreuil, the said Ignatius thinks, and there to have remained, deposited in the Abbey church of S. Salvius of the Benedictine Order, where several bodies of Saints with great veneration are kept. Afterwards, says Malbrancq, "not only the dwellers of Rue, of Boulogne, the Morini, did the veneration of S. Wulphlagius draw to Montreuil; but also the Montreuilians themselves, recreated and enticed by his benefits, among Tutelaries

§. IV. Relics with the Churches of Rue and Amiens, not without the sense of the Montreuilians, communicated.

[14] There had grown meanwhile among the dwellers of Rue toward their former Pastor, With the dwellers of Rue asking for a Relic, Wulphlagius, such devotion, that they had two Parochial churches dedicated to his name; nor did they seem able to fulfill it, or sufficiently worthily venerate him, unless they should receive from Montreuil the Body, or at least some of his Relics. So with the Clergy and People of Rue petitioning, Francis le Fevre de Caumartin, Bishop of Amiens, induced his mind, that visiting Montreuil for his Episcopal function, he should give effect to what they so justly seemed to demand. How ill received this matter was by the Montreuilians' minds, and how great peril it brought to the Bishop, and with what outcome it was more happily terminated, I prefer from the public Acts, described and printed in French, to render in Latin, than to use the epitome of another. The first act in the Assembly of the Gallican Clergy in 1635 on the 8th day of August, at Paris, with the Coadjutor of the Archbishop of Tours presiding celebrated, is thus described in the Process which they call verbal of that Congregation.

[15] While the Acts in the previous assembly were being recited by Lord de la Meschiniere, the Lord Archbishop of Bordeaux arrived, The Bishop of Amiens, who was to give it to them 1634, and took his place. But the Lord Bishop of Amiens petitioned, to be heard on a certain fact, in which the honor and authority of the Church had been vehemently wounded. With faculty of speaking made to him, he deduced in detail the injury inflicted on him in the church of Montreuil, in the year 1634, on the 7th day of June; where when he was pursuing the visitation, and according to the form of law had provided for the supplication offered to him by the inhabitants of the parish of Rue, for impetrating some part of the Relics of S. Wulphlagius, whose body they had formerly deposited in the monastery of S. Salvius near the aforesaid Montreuil; with the Monks assenting, he had separated thence some parts, to be given to the aforesaid Rue Parishioners. But the inhabitants of Montreuil itself, on the pretext of devotion which toward the aforesaid Saint they professed themselves moved, and of whose Relics to be deprived they would in no way bear; vehemently excited, with bells rung and arms snatched, tumultuously rushed into the church, is unworthily violated by the Montreuilians; and before the Mayor and Scabini, with an attack made on the Bishop, coming from the Sacrament of Confirmation, to be conferred on more than two thousand men; himself, as he was clothed with rochet, mozzetta, and stole, without any respect for dignity, they cast to the ground; and with many blows beat, both inside and outside the church: so that with difficulty he escaped the hand of the raging vulgar, with the help of the lord of S. Mauritius and Lord Michon Sergeant-major of the place, who had run to bring aid.

[16] So escaping through the night himself, he complained to the King of the violence committed against him: who having obtained for them pardon of the offense from the King, who soon sent a Commissioner there, to take information of the aforesaid. He finding all consonant with truth, brought certain of the citizens to judgment: but he himself on June 25 declared the authors of the sedition excommunicated, and put the town with the suburb under Interdict: which yet one month afterwards he suspended, at the instance of two citizens, in the name of the whole town made to him, until the first day of this current year. With that term tending to its end, and with the Interdict suspended, accomplishing nothing, two other citizens similarly petitioned, that the sentence remain suspended for another semester; which also he granted, assigning to them June 14 of the present. But this day also approaching, when he saw nothing moved by the Montreuilians, to attest the penitence of the committed crime, he commits the matter to the Assembly of the Clergy: and any satisfaction to be rendered to the Church, he continued nonetheless, even unasked, the suspension up to August 15. But with them remaining in their pertinacity that they would not acknowledge the fault, he supplicates the Congregation, to suggest and provide what is to be done; for repairing the injury done against the Church and his person, committing all his right to the same.

[17] The Congregation shuddered at so enormous a crime, and with the prudence and gentleness of the Bishop of Amiens praised, shown in the whole process, examined maturely and moroseously the state of the whole cause, and remitted it to be defined the next day. Then indeed the same complaint was resumed; and with all circumstances diligently weighed, the crime of the said citizens of Montreuil, committed against the said Lord Bishop, in the habit of his dignity and in the function of his office, was judged to contain an enormous sacrilege, and a contempt of religion in no way tolerable. Wherefore for taking care of the reparation of the crime, and recalling that people to duty, with them then penitent. the Congregation itself took the matter into its bosom; and asked the aforesaid Bishop, that he do or decree nothing further except with the cognition of the whole assembly; since now no longer was his own matter being treated, but the common cause of the whole Clergy; enjoining the Promoters, that whatever occasions demanded, they should refer to themselves the state of that business, that without delay it could be provided for. With these premised followed on September 20 from the Bishop of Amiens a sentence, removing the Interdict, of the following tenor.

[18] "Francis, by the mercy of God Bishop of Amiens, to all who shall see these letters, greeting and benediction. We make known, that, on account of excesses committed against our person and many Ecclesiastics assisting us, in the town of Montreuil of our diocese, while we were there in visitation, and were ministering the Sacrament of Confirmation; the King, moved by his customary piety, and impelled by zeal of justice, ordered informations to be taken, and proceed to definitive judgment, against those who from informations taken by his Officials, should be found guilty; but at our most humble prayers we remitted the penalty of those who had been condemned. Interdict declared June 25, But although we wished to take care, lest for the reparation of the injury committed against us and the Church, anyone should incur loss of life or limbs, or any blood be shed; yet we have tried in all ways, that we might convert them to acknowledgment of the offense; and so we cautioned lest temporal penalty

[19] But afterwards, touched by commiseration of many good men, publicly entreated who, although they most gravely judged the crime of others, yet remained with the same deprived of participation of the Sacraments, and for many other grave causes; we granted various suspensions of the interdict; until at length presented themselves to us Master Antonius de l'Umbres, Lieutenant general and Mayor of Montreuil; and Master Francis Hurtrel, Royal Advocate and Procurator there; from the force of the procuration enjoined on them by the Mayor, Scabini, and others representing the People of Montreuil; and they exposed to us the extreme grief by which the whole people was affected on account of the excesses and atrocious injuries inflicted on our person and other assisting Ecclesiastics; by those offering whatever satisfaction, and that they were led by great penitence on account of the offense given to God and the Church. Wherefore considering into what calamity they had fallen, deprived of the Sacraments and placed outside the communion of the Church, unless with great clemency we used we had at times suspended the effect of our sentence; and desiring from the same to be absolved, and to satisfy God and the Church; first indeed they gave us thanks, for the pardon obtained for the accused with the King; then humbly asked us, that to the suppliants we impart pardon and absolution, to whatever penitence to be enjoined by us prepared; even to consign the reliquary chest of S. Wulphlagius to our judgment and will: adding also, that, although hostile incursions around Montreuil rendered going out dangerous and the roads infested; yet all the people was prepared to present themselves to us, to undertake whatever penitence we wished, when we should demand it from them.

[20] Therefore confident of the mercy of God, who does not wish the death of a sinner, with the assembly of the Clergy consenting, but that he be converted and live; considering besides that no other fruit was intended by the censures enjoined by us, than the conversion of the guilty; and that to this they had been divinely led, according to the report of the said Lords de Lumbres and Hurtrel, deputies of the same town; we consulted on this matter the Lord Prelates and other deputies of the Ecclesiastical Order, in the general assembly of the Gallican Clergy; to whom we had committed all our and the Church's right. These indeed, with the circumstances of the present war attended, through which to grave inconveniences and dangers the people would have to be exposed, if it were compelled to congruent satisfaction; gave thanks and assented, benignly relaxes, that we should use extraordinary indulgence. So with their consent and mandate, purely and simply we removed the Interdict, placed and fulminated by us upon the town and suburbs of Montreuil: with that done we have permitted and permit that the sacrosanct Mass, the canonical Hours, and other divine Offices be said and celebrated there; and also that the Sacraments of the Church be administered to the inhabitants of the aforesaid town, both sick and well; and that the bodies of those who shall have died in the communion of holy Church, be placed in blessed earth; and all ecclesiastical functions be exercised, as before the aforesaid Interdict.

[21] and from the Saint's chest orders Relics to be taken, But as to the chest of S. Wulphlagius, we have ordered and order, that it be opened by Master Nicholas le Fevre, Presbyter Chaplain of the Amiens Church, our Almoner, who thence will take the aforesaid portions of S. Wulphagius prescribed by us to him; which from the place in which they rest he will transfer to the church of S. Mary of Montreuil, accompanying the Mayor and Scabini of the town and the private accused: but afterwards will the aforesaid Relics be transferred, partly to the parochial church of Rue, partly to our church of Amiens, that there decently and reverently they may be preserved; to be honored elsewhere at the expense of the accused: and for this end will be founded in our aforesaid church a solemn Mass, to be celebrated annually on the feast of S. Wulphlagius on the 7th day of June; under which and the whole of that day, before the aforesaid Relics will burn a candle of white wax. Which foundation of Mass and candle that it may be able to be perennial, the said Mayor and Scabini of Montreuil will constitute a fund of 140 pounds, in annual revenue to be expended for that thing, besides the fines to which the accused were condemned for the same cause. But that the memory of the satisfaction made to God and the Church may be preserved, the aforesaid Mayor and Scabini will take care to be placed in the Church of Amiens, in the place which to them shall be assigned, a marble tablet, on which shall be sculpted the letters of abolition granted by his Majesty at our intercession and in favor of the condemned. Finally for the publication and execution of this sentence, we have deputed and depute the aforesaid Master Nicholas de Fevre, to whom we have given power of doing whatever shall be suitable for the effect of the aforesaid. Given at Paris &c."

[22] But how the matter was conducted at Montreuil, declares the following Instrument: on which account the Commissioner of the assembled Clergy, "On the 28th day of September 1635. We Victor Bouthillier, Royal Counselor, Coadjutor with future succession of the Archbishopric of Tours, in virtue of mandate emanated from his Majesty, and of commission of the Lord Archbishops, Bishops, and other Deputies of the Gallican Clergy, gathered at Paris by license of the King, to receive the submission and satisfaction due to the Church, on account of the excesses committed at Montreuil, against the person of the most illustrious and most reverend Lord Bishop of Amiens; we betook ourselves to the aforesaid town: where both according to the letters of deputation of Lords de Lumbres Lieutenant general and Mayor, and Hurtrel Advocate and Procurator of the said town, comes to Montreuil; signed July 23 last, when consequent on the supplication presented to us, in the name of the community and inhabitants of the aforesaid town, again the aforesaid Deputies of theirs presented themselves; and verbally required us to proceed to the removal of the interdict, fulminated against the aforesaid town by the aforesaid Lord Bishop of Amiens; promising integrally to submit themselves to all things which should be enjoined to them, for the satisfaction of the Church according to the sentence of the aforesaid Bishop.

[23] and with him present, the Delegate of the Bishop After this thus done, we transferred ourselves to the Abbey of S. Salvius, where Master Nicholas le Fevre, Almoner of the aforesaid Lord Bishop, deputed for the execution of the aforesaid sentence, was present, clothed with the sacred Stole; that through him should be proceeded to the opening of the chest of S. Wulflagius, and thence be taken out the portions ordered in the aforesaid sentence. To which end immediately was opened the door of the sacristy, before us and Lord Gabriel de Bauvau Bishop of Nantes, and an infinite people. Into which Sacristy entering the aforesaid Lord le Fevre, proceeded to the opening of the aforesaid chest, and with it opened the aforesaid Mayor and Scabini approached, with all reverence and submission offering him the whole chest, to be carried off or otherwise had at the good pleasure of the Lord Bishop. from the chest offered to him takes two portions; But Lord le Fevre responded, that the Lord Bishop was content with those portions which before he had wished to extract; namely the jaw of the Saint, to be transferred to the parochial church of Rue; and two other small tibial bones, for the Cathedral church.

[24] When therefore Lord le Fevre had put on the cope; in the best order the pomp began to proceed, led by the Body of the town and chief citizens: among whom were personally known several of those whom Lord de Minomenil Royal Counselor, Master of suppliant libels of the Royal house, and Commissioner deputed by his Majesty, had condemned; who all by gesture and habit displayed such penitence for the things committed, that they even shed tears, and struck the ears of those standing around with groans. In this order they came to the church of S. Mary, the place designated for executing the sentence; where the aforesaid Lord le Fevre placed the Relics themselves on the major altar, and consequently to the Antiphons, chanted while proceeding, sang the Prayer of S. Wulflagius: which finished, before he pronounced absolution from the Interdict, Lord le Fevre intoned the Hymn Veni Creator, with the Clergy and all the people continuing, with great devotion exhibited: the same Lord added the Prayer of the Holy Spirit, and ascended the highest step of the altar, and thence with clear voice pronounced the sentence of absolution. Then indeed we, taking up speech, represented to them the gravity of the offense, and how little proportionate to it was the measure of the penalty exacted; exaggerating accordingly their obligation toward the Bishop of Amiens, who treated them as a father his children; after the absolution of the people, takes away and exhorting them to beware of falling into another like offense: which words were received with the people's acclamation, attesting a grief mixed with joy, and a grateful affection toward the clemency of their Pastor: and finally the aforesaid Lord le Fevre took the Relics, as he had in mandates, to be carried off. Of which things all we have formed this present verbal process, and signed with our hand, with the Secretary read to it by us countersigning, in the presence of Master Natalis Gantois, Canon and great Archdeacon and Vicar general of the diocese of Boulogne; Master Francis Tombes, also Canon of Boulogne and Prior of Rumelliac; James du Bois, Esquire Lord of Monmoreau and Knight of the Order of our Lady of Mount Carmel, and others."

[25] The Relics thus extracted were afterwards brought, with solemn procession, The Jaw for the Rue Church, to the parochial church of S. Mary of Arnistallum in the middle of the city of Montreuil, and placed on the altar. Then indeed, after the Hymn Veni Creator sung, with the Prayer of the Holy Spirit, was made the public relaxation of the Interdict. At this action were present Victor Bouthillier, Coadjutor and successor of the Archbishop of Tours; Gabriel Bauvan, Bishop of Nantes; Prior and Religious of the monastery of S. Salvius, and very many other Ecclesiastics. Moreover the sacred Relics extracted with highest joy were received, and 2 little Bones for the Amiens Church. both by those of Rue meeting outside the town, and especially by those of Amiens, who received them with a general procession of the whole Clergy and of all Religious Orders of the whole city, bringing in their meeting the case of the sacred body of S. Domitius Presbyter and Canon of Amiens.

* Sept vingts