Gildardus

ON SAINT GILDARDUS,

BISHOP OF ROUEN IN GAUL.

AFTER A.D. 508.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.

On his and S. Medard's different age, and the authors of a fabulous Synchronism, and the joining of the bodies at Soissons.

Gildardus, Bishop of Rouen, in Gaul (S.)

BY G. H. AND D. P.

Two flourished, in the sixth century of Christ, Bishops in Gaul, of whom three things are narrated, which together joined, immediately affect the mind of the hearer with such pleasant admiration, that they scarcely allow him to consider, whether they are likely enough. Marvelous Synchronism of S. Gildardus and Medardus, They are Gildardus, Bishop of Rouen, commonly called S. Godard; and S. Medard, Bishop, first of Vermandois, then with the See translated of Noyon, and afterwards together also of Tournai. The first in the Corbeian copy of the older Hieronymian Martyrology, is so found added after the other Saints written there at the beginning, In the city of Rouen, the deposition of S. Gildart, Bishop and Confessor. Usuard, when he had treated of S. Medard, subjoined these about him. On the same day, of S. Gildardus Bishop of Rouen. Marvelous however it is, that twins, of the same parents, on the same day born, on the same day also together ordained Bishops, and finally on the same day of the same year are said to have been called from this life to eternal rewards. Hadrian Valesius however, in no way moved by the more recent assent of many, is convicted of falsity, in book 8 of his Frankish Affairs page 485, says it is to be noted, that those err, who say that Medard Bishop of Noyon, and Gildardus Bishop of Rouen, were twin brothers, and on one and the same day as born, so made Priests, and dead. We have certain MS. Acts of S. Gildardus, taken from the collection of Nicholas Belfortius: whose author in the Prologue confesses, that the Life of him by the negligence of the ancients hitherto had lain hidden. Hence seems to have been assumed the license and any kind of audacity of asserting concerning him. The very names, ending in -ardus, favored the invention of new ones: but in this manner, Bernardus, Gerardus, Gothardus, Nithardus, Adelardus, and very many other Saints of this kind could be reckoned brothers, provided they lived in the same century.

[2] We, having left these things altogether unworthy, to be inserted in this work; now indeed treat briefly of S. Gildardus, to define his age and prove his cult; from the silence of the Acts of S. Medard. soon below to give of S. Medard, what men, conspicuous for learning and sanctity, wrote in the said sixth century, namely Venantius Fortunatus and Gregory Bishop of Tours; of whom the first composed the Life both in loose and in strict speech; the other added double testimony; but each entirely without any mention of S. Gildardus. We subjoin to those another Life, written by Radbod Bishop of Noyon and Tournai in the eleventh century of Christ, and from this also perpetual silence about S. Gildardus we gather, that then there had not yet been invented that marvelous synchronism, indicated above; of which neither did the Monks of Soissons make mention, either in the Life of the same Saint published by Boscus, and in MSS. more largely extended, or in the first Sermon there in Boscus. Moreover Decrees thought up under the names of Hormisdas, John III, and Gregory the Great as Supreme Pontiffs, and rejected by learned men, do not proceed hither. Finally these Saints were not joined by ancient Martyrologies, or any other monuments of S. Medard to be found below; by which I believe Molanus to have been moved, to silently pass over the matter, doubtless found in some MSS.

[3] This being supposed, namely that from the Life of S. Medard nothing about S. Gildardus can be hoped for; we inquire what about him the ancient Writers suggest. Let the beginning be made from the I Council of Orleans, which we judge to have been held in the year 508 or at the beginning of the next. Subscribed to this is found Gildaredus, Bishop of the metropolitan Church of Rouen, and he is S. Gildardus, of whom we treat, and was in the said year Bishop, and perhaps consecrated some time before, or even long dead before S. Medard was ordained: for this happened in the year 530, He subscribed to the I Council of Orleans below in his Life we prove. Secondly the memory of S. Gildardus is celebrated in the Life of S. Laudus or Lautonis, Bishop of Coutances, which we copied at Rouen from a MS. Legendary of the monastery of the Regular Canons, to be given on the 21st day of September, where the following is read: For at that time (under King Childebert) an excellent Bishop and great in merits, namely Blessed Gildardus, ruled as Pontiff over the holy Church of the city of Rouen, by whose gift of blessing he ought to be elevated in the Pontifical apex. Then the same mentioned Priest of Christ and at the same time Pontiff, was summoned to the court of the aforesaid King, that he might strengthen him in the Pontifical order with his blessing. Hearing which, the aforesaid Bishop, and seeing his youthful age (for he was twelve years old) gazing in mind upon the greatness of his merits, indeed determined to promote him to the sacred Grades; but to promote him to the apex of the Episcopate, judged him unworthy and too rude. And while he was burning with anxiety of this matter, and had given himself to sleep; and consecrated S. Laudus Bishop of Coutances. there was present to him an Angel, very shining with brightness, and addressed him with such words. Gildardus, he said, blessed Pastor, Vessel of election and Rector of the Church, do not exist further anxious about the merits of this one, since God has set him over the people of the city of Coutances. Wherefore do not be slow to mark him with your blessing: since many benefits through his merits he is about to show

[4] From the said is somehow defined the time of his See and death. Orderic Vitalis, in book 5 of Ecclesiastical History page 559, writes of him thus:

Gildardus shone, a holy and kind Pastor, Bountiful and constant, also blazing with the light of the word.

He shone for 15 years, in the time of Popes Felix, Gelasius, Anastasius and Symmachus, under Zeno, and consecrated B. Laudus Bishop of Coutances.

Then the same Orderic asserts the successor of Gildardus, Flavius, still presided in the time of Symmachus. This one ended life on July 19 in the year 514, so that by his calculation Gildardus had already departed life before. But that he had touched the times of Pope Felix III, dead in the year 492, his Episcopate would necessarily extend beyond 15 years. But we acknowledge that Orderic's calculation in that antiquity is not so accurate, that we dare to trust him much: since he, much younger, brought his History down to the year 1141, at which time the conviction fully flourished, confirmed by the prescription of two or more centuries, of the brotherhood and synchronism of each Saint, The synchronism in the 9th century was believed certain: from which it was established that Medard sat for 15 years, and accordingly it was believed consequent, that Gildardus also sat for as many. The synchronism sufficiently falls from what has been said: the brotherhood or at least Fraternity cannot equally effectively be shown false (for what hinders one brother from being twenty years older than the other or even thirty, and even more, if they had been born of a different mother) yet that opinion could more readily be believed, to have had no other foundation, than that they were between themselves both paternal cousins or maternal cousins, or even one nephew of the other through a brother or sister. Meanwhile the aforesaid opinion does not seem to be older than the 8th or even 9th century; then certainly hence was taken occasion, of joining the body of the former with the body of the later, in the manner that follows.

[5] The body of S. Gildardus had been once deposited at Rouen in a suburban church dedicated to the Mother of God the Virgin, when the body from Rouen but to which afterwards the name from him was given; nor do we doubt, that the cause of changing the appellation was the manifold miracles, accomplished there by his merits and intercession. That Church is, now enclosed in the city and parochial, still sacred to S. Gildardus: although his Relics have been translated thence to the Soissons Abbey of S. Medard, was brought to Soissons, where under semi-double rite on the 17th of June the arrival of the body is celebrated. Odo Abbot of the same Monastery gave an arm taken from there to Nicholas of Normandy, Abbot of Rouen of S. Audoenus, who died in the year 1092. We received the monument of the first translation from an old MS. of the church of S. Audoenus by which is celebrated the Translation of S. Romanus Archbishop of Rouen, the history divided into eight Lessons; but the first two Lessons being deficient with the beginning of the third; so however that from the period, although headless, it appears, that Louis the Pious (who in the year 825 had received from Rome, and placed in the Soissons church of S. Medard the Relics of S. Sebastian; and then, when this was too narrow for catching the crowds of pilgrims, the old one being destroyed, had taken care for a larger new one to be built from the foundations; and the translation

of the body of S. Medard, which is consequent, had most magnificently celebrated) it appears, by the order of Louis the Pious after the year 825, I say, that the Emperor Louis was asked by the Abbot of S. Medard (who was Hilduin his Chancellor, and the same Abbot of S. Denis) and also by the Provost Rodoinus, to order the body of S. Gildardus to be brought from Rouen; lest namely (and here begins the headless period) burial divide from each other their bodies, whom the bosom of the heavenly court at the moment of one hour had received in heavenly glory.

[6] Then thus proceeds the narration itself. Therefore with all delay removed, the Emperor by the counsel of his Primates, the head however left to the people of Rouen, for the body of S. Gildardus quickly directs suitable messengers to Rouen. Which being learned the citizens of the same city, struck with grave grief, and conspired to resist, first indeed by arms in flocks try to oppose, and to this edict violently strive to resist; but at length seized by sounder counsel, they yield to Imperial power; obstinately however they ask that some portion of their Pastor be given to them, for his eternal memorial. The legates therefore, daring nothing of the members to diminish, leave the Head of B. Gildardus there (perhaps already before separated from the body, and as is wont placed in a proper reliquary for public uses) and by mutual exchange the Head of B. Romanus, with the body of S. Remigius, Archbishops of the same See, carry to their own place. The Monks of B. Medard together with the people festively proceeding to meet them, with great dancing receive the bodies of the Saints, and honorably lay them up in their church. Some Relic also is preserved in the Cathedral church of Arras. S. Romanus is venerated, by occasion of whom we learn these things, on the 23rd day of October; when the remaining five Lessons will be given, in which is nothing of S. Gildardus: But Saint Remigius or Remedius, son of Charles Martel, was again about the year 1090 carried back to Rouen, on the 19th of January, when we treated of him.

[7] and an arm was carried back to them afterwards. There is extant in the aforesaid monastery of S. Audoenus a Sermon on the festivity of the Saints, whose Relics in the present church of S. Audoenus rest, distributed into Lessons, and indicated to us from a most ancient codex there by Peter Francis Chifflet, with this beginning, To venerate the glory of the Saints, dearest, by frequent solemnities we are invited by divine benefits. In the 4th Lesson however it is so had: B. Gildardus Bishop of Rouen, whose two arms of the sacred body redolent as incense among us, may apply to us by pious obtaining of defense the shield, against the assaults of all enemies. Two perhaps bones of one arm, were preserved enclosed in two silver arms: for one only together with the body of S. Remigius and other relics of Saints was brought to Soissons, at the asking of Walter and the granting of Odo as Abbots, writes the author of the History of S. Audoen book 2 chapter 25. We understand also, that at Arras in the Cathedral church some Relic of S. Gildardus is shown.

[8] Now I observe, from the occasion of the now joined bodies of SS. Gildardus and Medard, that from this 9th and following centuries began to be composed, many things in praise of both, The fable from this prevailed more, for which the marvelous Synchronism of these same, as of full brothers, was the foundation, upon which the rest might be built; with Wandelbert of Prüm leading in his metrical Ephemeris, who flourished in the middle of the said century, and on the 6th Ides of June so sang.

Whom lineage joined, and pious merit, and altar, Gildardus the sixth (ides) and likewise Medard honor.

There soon followed other and other compositions in prose and verse, and among others a Sermon on both, which is second among three published after the life of S. Medard, in the Floriacensian Library by Boscus; where (that I may excerpt something thence) the following is had on page 147: Blessed Medard and Gildardus one indeed birth poured forth into the world: made the argument of various compositions, but to those to whom one nativity gave the beginning, the same freedom applauded in sanctity and magnificence. And with various things interposed, Both at one hour true Bishops of God, both one and the same day created excellent Pontiffs, and set various lights of the world etc. Then on page 178, The contest of their course being finished, equally from the muddy whirlpool of the world, equally from the prison-house of the flesh torn away, and equally consoled with the eternal reward of their labor … Together they paid the deadly debt of death, and together arrived at the eternal kingdom;

[9] In the MS. Life which we have from the Belfortian Collection, several things are added not to be admitted; in the first place, that B. Remigius baptized King Clovis, with S. Medard, then Bishop of the Vermandensians, receiving him from the sacred font. and entirely apocryphal Lives: Clovis was baptized in the year 496, and S. Medard only consecrated Priest in the year 530. About the death of S. Gildardus, the following is had there: At length the elect Bishop of God, worn out with age, when he had served as soldier in the Episcopate for the space of fifteen years, nor ever ceased from the work of God, with illness growing stronger began to be sharply wearied. And when he had consoled the people of the city, grieving over the future absence of their Pastor; committing all to God almighty, and performing whatever things are of God, and also devoutly receiving the sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord, among the hands of disciples he gave up the spirit, and passed to the fellowship of Angels, in whose colloquies he had often deserved to enjoy on earth. He is said however at the same hour and the same moment to have given up his soul, in which also the venerable Medard his full brother is known to have died: and so they equally migrated, just as on one and the same day they had entered into this life, and been elevated to the honor of the Pontificate.

[10] These things there, from which eulogies extracted in various MSS. are read in this manner: inserted also in some Martyrologies, The deposition of S. Gildardus Bishop of Rouen, brother of S. Medard, whom they report, born on one day, and on the same day ordained Bishops, similarly also on one day withdrawn from this light. Others followed, who afterwards published Martyrologies, Maurolycus, Felicius, Canisius, and Galesinius: but this latter in his usual manner, from naked conjecture, added that both were present at the first Council of Orleans, not turning his mind to the subscriptions of the Bishops, among whom Sofronius, Bishop of the Vermandensian Church, to whom subrogated in the Catalogues of Bishops is found Aldmerus, and afterwards Medard. But, as we have indicated above, even Poems served to popularize the same opinion. There is extant in a MS. of the Trier monastery of S. Maximinus a Hymn on the holy Confessors, In a MS. Hymn, Medard and Gildardus, published by Gifardus the monk, at the asking of Lanfred a monk of S. Medard, which Hymn we could give entire: but lest we attribute so much to these fables, let one stanza suffice, which thus sounds:

The same day brought forth twins by birth, And raised them to the height of the Episcopate. And for virtue equally laureled You solemnly declared the natal day.

[11] in a certain song In the above-mentioned Orderic Vitalis concerning these the notable Audoenus thus versified:

These are Gildardus and Medardus twin brothers. One day saw them born from the womb, and consecrated Clothed in white, and loosed from this flesh.

This entire Poem Laurentius Surius published, but he wrongly ascribed it to the most blessed Audoenus Archbishop of Rouen: for whoever that notable Audoenus was, he ought to be reckoned four hundred and more years younger than the Saint. and Antiphons. Similar is an Antiphon adjoined by Surius, as if it had as author S. Gregory of Tours: but also this was constructed five hundred years after the death of the latter, in this sense: Hail great Bishops in the whole world, twins by birth, equals in sanctity, consecrated together, crowned equally, joined you dedicated the feast day by merits, S. Medard, with renowned Gildardus, always bring help to the people asking. Thus there. We equally desire the patronage of both, the rest we cannot prove hitherto; willingly however we shall correct the things already said, when we shall be better instructed. Thus I promise on these Kalends of December on which I now write, in the year 1678.

* al. Socratos