ON S. RADULPH OR RODULPH
ARCHBISHOP OF BOURGES IN GAUL.
A. DCCCLXVI.
HISTORICAL SYLLOGE.
On his cultus, lineage, pious foundations and other things done in his Presulate.
Radulphus, Archbishop of Bourges, in Gaul (S.)
BY G. H.
Among the Illustrious Archbishops of the city of Bourges, which is the Metropolis of first Aquitaine, flourished in the ninth century of Christ S. Radulphus, or Rodulphus, Sacred cultus 21 June, commonly S. Roils: whose festivity in the Breviary of Bourges, by the authority of Roland Hebertus the Archbishop printed in year MDCXXV, is prescribed to be celebrated on this XXI June, as also in the Feasts proper to the diocese of Bourges. We found at Rome in the library of Duke Altempsus a notable Ms. Martyrology, in which among other Saints were inscribed those who in Aquitaine and England had lived; and on this XXI June were these words: At Bourges of S. Rodulph, Bishop and Confessor. The same with the title of Saint honor Demochares, Chenu, Charles Robert and Sammarthani in the Catalogues of the Archbishops of Bourges who last conclude his elogium with these words: His feast day is celebrated with double Office (or better with office of three Lessons with Claudius Robert from the said Breviary) in the Church of S. Ursinus on the day June XXI or VII Kalends of July: as if the day XXI June fell on VII Kalends of July, and not on the day XI Kalends of July, on which day he is said to have died ch. 47 of the Bourges Patriarchate, composed in the preceding century by a Monk of Sansulpitium, in the suburb of the city of Bourges of the Benedictine Order: who in the encomium of his deeds makes no mention of his monastic life in the Benedictine Order: which however does Trithemius book 3 on Illustrious Men of the Order of S. Benedict ch. 215 in these words: among the Benedictines on day 25, Radulphus, Archbishop of Bourges, from Abbot of S. Medardus of Soissons, a holy man and in divine Scriptures well learned, with great virtues famous shone forth. He flourished in the year of the Lord DCCCXLIII: whose feast is held VII Kalends of July. Again Trithemius, book 4 ch. 85 under the name of Arnulphus writes these about the same: Arnulphus, Abbot of S. Medardus of Soissons Archbishop of Bourges, a man noble according to the dignity of the world, but according to faith and religion much more noble, flashed with innumerable signs and virtues. He flourished about the years of the Lord DCCCXL. But the day VII Kalends of July falls on XXV June, on which day following Trithemius the same have been referred by Wion, Dorganius, Menardus, Bucelinus who with phrase changed also refers to this XXI June. The Sammarthani, in the Notice of the Abbots of S. Medardus, then establish him the tenth Abbot, successor of Hilduinus, in year DCCCXLII III Kalends of November dead. But these things do not consist, because already in the month of March of the year DCCCXLI S. Radulphus was Archbishop is established through a charter from the tables of the Abbey of S. Sulpitius and Belli-locus by the Sammarthani themselves related, which here therefore it pleases to append.
[2] I in God's name Rodulphus, Bishop of the first See, through this testament, the Lord Savior of all as heir to me from certain things of my property I elect; which are in the region Caturcinus in the Vicaria Casiliacensis; namely Sarraziacum with the Church of S. Genesius the Martyr: oblation of goods for the monastery to be constructed and also in another place, in the region of Limoges in the Vicaria Asnacensis, our Dominicarian house, situated upon the river Sardoira, whose name is Veterinae, with the mansi pertaining to it, and slaves of either sex there dwelling &c. And all things which my mother Aygua through the chartula of testament granted to me, I offer to the Lord and hand over to Silvius the Abbot; on this condition only, that the same Silvius together with me at Veterinae, of monks living under the Rule of S. Benedict, in honor of God our Savior and the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Apostles, may construct a cenobium, that there in proper recollection of the name of my father Rodulphus continual oblation may be made &c. Rodulphus Bishop of the first See subscribed this chartula of testament. Sign of Aygua, Sign of Landricus. Given in the month of March, in the first year of King Charles. These things there with the notice of the father and mother and the founded monastery from hereditary goods. But with Louis the Pious dead, XX June year DCCCXL, in the division of kingdoms between brothers, in year 841 by him already made Archbishop. Charles the Bald obtained Western France, and now then was Archbishop S. Radulphus, successor of S. Aygulphus; whose Acts we gave XXII May, and we said he died about the year DCCCXXXVIII: whom also Wion, Menardus, Bucelinus ascribe to their Benedictine Order, which we would have wished to find with older Writers. The Sammarthani in the elogium of S. Radulph assert he was before Abbot of Fleury; and among these Abbots, also they establish him tenth in year DCCCXLI. What if already Archbishop, he is said to have been Commendatary Abbot, such as the Sammarthani say after him in the monastery of S. Medardus were for one hundred and twenty years and more? We expect a clearer resolution of these difficulties from Mabillon, when he comes to this ninth century.
[3] The said Sammarthani assert S. Rodulphus, born of ancient and noble lineage, son of Rodulphus Count of Turenne and Cadurcum from Aygua, Lineage from the noble stock of Turenne. of Gotofredus and Robertus Counts of Turenne and of John Abbot of Belli-locus was the brother. But that that John was Abbot, is not sufficiently established from the Catalogue of that monastery: indeed with Justellus, in the ancient family of Turenne from the old Genealogy of the Counts of Cadurci in the Ms. Chartulary of the monastery of Belli-locus, is added another brother Landricus, and Sister Immena consecrated to God; and is added a donation of the parents to S. Rodulphus himself then a Cleric, and to Sister Immena made in year DCCCXX under this formula. I Rodulphus the Count, and my wife Ayga, cede to our most beloved son Rodulphus, whom to the Order of Clericate we hand to God and Bertrannus a religious man in place of S. Peter, our villa or court not yielded Bellomontem, which is in the region of Limoges, in the Vicaria Asnacensis &c. We cede also to that same son and to our daughter Immena, whom we hand to God, a Church of our right in honor of S. Projectus constructed, Clericate in year 820. in the region Caturcinus, in the place which is called Blanguris; and another villa which is called Anisiacus. We grant also in another place our court, which is called Stivale, with a church in veneration of B. Paul the Apostle built in the region of Limoges: and in another place we cede our villa not yielded and a Church, in honor of S. Genesius the Martyr dedicated; Sarasiacum, in the region Caturcinus &c. This cession was made in the month of November, in the X year reigning Louis our most Strenuous Augustus: sign of Rodulphus the Count; sign. Ayganae: who made this cession and caused it to be confirmed. sign. Petronius the Chancellor. These things there: from which the piety and power of the parents is known. Indeed also Aygua the mother, with the consent of Rodulphus the Archbishop and of the other four sons, for the soul of Rodulphus the Count, in the first year of his death, donated a mansum to the Church of S. Genesius. Even Immena herself consecrated to God sold or handed over some of her possessions to Rodulphus her brother, who expended all of them on pious matters.
[4] The above-mentioned Monk of Sansulpitium, in the elogium of S. Radulph; It must not be passed over, he says, Monasteries constructed, the Doverense translated to Virzio, that the holy man built a noble temple under the name of Doverensian, and added to it with equal dignity a monastery. About this monastery, translated to the Castle Virzio, the tables of the Metropolitan Church of Bourges teach with the Sammarthani about Virgio the Abbey, where these things are read: In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord nine hundred third the Doverense Church (which constructed once by King Charles and Rodulphus the Archbishop was seen) by the infestation of wicked men devastated… in the little Cell of the Castle Virizio situated is placed… Theobaldus the Count this same place, because safer, than the Doroverense seemed, into an Abbey by his precept confirmed. Virzio is a town at the confluence of the Arar and Carus, about XVI M. P. distant from Bourges. But also in the territory of Limoges (adds the same Monk of Sansulpitium) the cenobium of Belli-locus by peculiar expense he built, and with great revenues of estates amply endowed, and Belli-locus. as through his testament clearly appears. That exhibits Justellus with this beginning. In the name of God Rodulphus Bishop of the Church of Bourges, I cede to the monastery of new work, which recently Velinus, now indeed by us is called Bellus-locus; which in honor of the Prince of the Apostles Peter, in the foundation of my right constructing I constitute things of my property &c. Given in the month of March, in the IV year of Charles the most glorious King, therefore of Christ DCCCXLIV. Another fuller donation is by the Sammarthani to the monastery of Belli-locus printed, and is concluded with these words: This testament made in the XVI year reigning King Charles, therefore in year DCCCLV or following. Furthermore Bellus-locus is in the Diocese of Limoges, upon the river Dordogne.
[5] S. Rodulphus was present at various Councils; and first the Meldensian in year DCCCXLV, then that which in year DCCCLIX was held in the suburb of Toul villa Saponarias, in which he was elected Judge with Remigius Archbishop of Lyons, for the cause of Wenilonis Archbishop of Sens, against whom in the same Synod a booklet of proclamation had brought forth King Charles. Then in the following year DCCCLX, Deeds in Councils, from the second Tullensian Council held at Tusiacum, Hincmarus by order of the Synod sent an epistle to this Rodulphus of Bourges, and Frotarius of Bordeaux, in which the cause of the nuptials of Stephanus and the daughter of Count Regimundus they committed to them to define. The same to Pope Nicholas letters sent, and a resolution of seven matters of controversy to himself he demanded; to whom the Pope responded by epistle XXXIX with Sirmondus, or XIX with Labbeus in the Appendix, and these things under the beginning has: With the letters of your beatitude received, filled with the gift of humility, and crowned with the flowers of all virtues, we render manifold cultivations of thanks to the Author of all goods, and your from many times past toward the Apostolic see recognized devotion we very much praise; and that in this salutary proposal you persevere, your fraternity more urgently we exhort. And under the end: What in another epistle of our Apostolate we intimate to your Beatitude,
only by your skill with vigilant care should be followed, and with chief study performed. and with Pope Nicholas I: For around us and around the see of B. Peter, there is no other sign of your devotion which you promise, except the obedience and consummation of our decrees and definitions, who although unworthy, by the abundance however of the grace of Christ are his very Vicar. Another is subjoined with Sirmondus another epistle of the same Pope Nicholas, to the same Rodulphus of Bourges, and his Co-bishops, by which he writes about Theutgandus and Guntarius condemned from the Apostolic see, and admonishes that from their communion entirely I should abstain, as there can be read.
[6] Dadinus Altaserra, in book 4 of Aquitanian Affairs ch. 4, first, he says, Pope Nicholas Rodulphus the Bourges Archbishop as primate recognized, title of Primate and Patriarch: and with the titles of Patriarch he honored in an epistle, which is read in the decrees of Gratian and Ivo. By that canon Conquestus 9 qu. 3 and that book 4 epist. 12. But these were taken from the first already cited epistle, where ch. 2 these things are read: Our brother Sigebodus Archbishop of Narbonne has complained to our Apostolate, that you compel his Clerics against his will to come to your judgment, and concerning things pertaining to his Church without consulting him, as if by right of your Patriarchate you dispose; when this neither antiquity, to which the holy Fathers sanctioned reverence, has; and the authority of the holy Canons entirely interdicts; unless perhaps for causes, which with themselves cannot be terminated, to you as to their Patriarch they appeal by appeals; or, if their Bishop has died, the things of the Church to your judgment they wish to dispense. For Primates or Patriarchs to have no privilege beyond other Bishops, except as much as the sacred Canons grant, and ancient custom anciently conferred on them, we define.
[7] Some of S. Radulph's internal virtues the monk of Sansulpitium touches on, which it pleases for imitation to append. Forty-seventh, he says, presided S. Radulphus, a man indeed of flesh origin very noble, but of soul more strenuous in virtue, and of grace of merits chief and most notable: in whom certainly so perspicuous was goodness, his exquisite virtues, so radiant was faith, the foundation of all justice; that to doubt would be impious, that with the largesse of all graces the Holy Spirit dwelt delightfully in the little sacrarium of his breast; While present life (as is sung in the hymn) animated the limbs of his Body. Besides his virtues, with praise and glory generally divulged, the same to all rendered him admirable, dear and most desired. Indeed, what must be ingenuously confessed, the sweet-smelling fame him not only desirable, but with the vows of all wonderfully to be cultivated made. Finally his highest care was of letters, but especially divine, nothing not weighed and approved receiving: in which the marrow of senses occupied him more, than the foam of words. But if to the manner of instruction and correction of subjects, erudition, which he held, one comes; the docile and advancing indeed he did not cease with the salutary documents of divine Scriptures, to the greater insistence and labor of acquiring virtue to provoke and sinners, incorrigible, and contumacious by more harshly rebuking he stimulated, and their vices with grave thunder of words terribly thundered forth. Furthermore who can extol with competent encomium his pious works of mercy? Who indeed mindful of the human condition through all things, was wont before to look at the causes of the needy, pupils, and widows than persons; to anticipate him, works of mercy: who was not able to come to him on foot; since he himself often was moved no less by the modesty of absent poor, than by the complaint of present ones. And hence it was that he often wiped their tears, whose eyes he did not see. Such indeed was the vigilance toward the poor of this glorious Pontiff, to whom the whole intention, end, reward, glory of his actions was Christ.
[8] There flourished at the same time in the territory of Bourges S. James the Hermit, whose Acts shall have to be given XIX November, on which he has ecclesiastical cultus in the diocese of Bourges. death 21 June year 866, In these are read these things, excerpted from the Monk of Sansulpitium: Meanwhile the man of the Lord James, among so many illustrious exercises of good works, illuminated by divine grace, predicted by prophetic spirit the death of the most preeminent Pontiff Rodulphus. He (adds the said Monk) by his innate prudence, and also nobility of soul, in his time the people entrusted to him most excellently ruling, burial in the church of S. Ursinus. worthily Father of the fatherland by all the Leaders of the Aquitanian nation could be called. Untimely here perhaps stripping off the man, almost inevitable destruction brought to his province. He died however XI Kalends of July, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation eight hundred sixty-six, as Ado of Vienne is the author (already then in the XVII year Archbishop of Vienne) But his most holy body was worthily handed to burial, in the basilica of Divine Ursinus, the first Archbishop of the city of Bourges, where with great veneration of the devout people he is venerated. Ferrari referred the same XXV June citing the Martyrology of Canisius, in which mention of him is not had. But on XXVI June he is inscribed in the Ms. Florarium and among the Additions of Grevenus, adding that by others he is referred XXV June.
D. P.
[9] Thus far Henschen at the same time perhaps, in which at Paris was preparing for the press the second part of the fourth Benedictine century the most erudite John Mabillon, After these things written by Henschen but not before year MDCLXXX brought to light, that very year namely in which struck with lethal paralysis the Master, did not indeed die, but departed from his study to the infirmary; nor do I know whether with him still breathing to Antwerp that tome came; certainly it was never inspected even with a slight eye by him, then otherwise occupied as I have explained in the Treatise on his Life before the last Tome of May. Meanwhile in that tome of Benedictine Acts appears the historical Elogium of S. Rodulph, very diligently collected, and to bring much light and confirmation to Henschen's Commentary: which although I could so have used, the Commentary of John Mabillon came forth, that from each one new should be conflated; I judged however that I owed this honor to the Master, that what he himself diligently collected, unaltered the reader should receive, nor should anything depart from Mabillon's praise which he merited instructed with a more abundant supply of ancient originals. It will appear however from the collation of both Commentaries how those Erudite men intent on the sole truth and not daring to believe Trithemius anything conspired in the same opinions, worthy here to be recopied. to make suspect the Saint's monastic profession or rather to deny it, attributing nothing to anyone's favor: with which spirit would that all of their own each order the opinions received from antecessors both they themselves weigh and allow them to be weighed by others. I shall give however this second Commentary as it lies, changing nothing even in the marginal Additions themselves so that better those who perhaps have never seen that notable work may know the method there observed.
ELOGIUM HISTORICUM OF THE SAME S. RODULF.
By John Mabillon the Benedictine.
Radulphus, Archbishop of Bourges, in Gaul (S.)
BY MABILLON.
[1] Not undeservedly among the Saints of our Order to be referred seems to me Rodulfus, Archbishop of the Bourges Church: who, if a Monk he was not, certainly an Abbot was, and of exquisite affection toward saint Benedict, under whose Rule he built four monasteries, three of men, the fourth of Virgins: of which two in honor of the most holy Father he wished to be consecrated. For me therefore it is a religious duty, in these Acts to pass over so great a man, although his name in the published indices of our Saints does not have a place. I shall use especially the Chartulary of the Bellilocense Monastery, which transmitted his monuments of piety to posterity.
[2] Rodulfus, by others Radulfus, was born of a father of the same name, Count of the Cadurci, and a mother Aiga. Lineage of Rodulf His lineage from the Bellilocense chartulary is thus described with Justellus, in the Probations of the Forinensian History page 6 Rodulfus, Count of the Cadurci. Domna Aigua, his wife. Their sons Rodulfus Count, Godafridus Count, Rotbertus, Landricus; Immena, their daughter, was Abbess of saint Genesius at Sarrasiacus. That Godafredus Count, son of Rodulfus Count, had as wife lady Gerberga, and two sons, Godafredus and Rodulfus. The death of Rodulfus the Count and the place of burial later I shall refer num. 15.
[3] Rodulfus and Aiga took care to enroll their son from a tender age in the order of Clerics in year DCCCXXIII, as appears from their letters, of which these are the words. I in God's name Rodulfus the Count, and my wife Aiga, Clericate cede to our most beloved son Rodulfus, whom to the order of Clericate we hand to God and Bertranno a religious man in place of saint Peter, our villa or court not yielded Bellomontem or Catinairo, which is in the region of Limoges Vicaria Asnacensis, outside the consortium of the Brothers, that very court with all its appurtenances, vineyards, lands, cultivated, uncultivated, meadows, pastures, woods, adjacencies, and near the river Dordogne, &c. to you our son we hand over, to have and possess. We cede also to that same son and to our daughter Emenana, whom to God in the habit of Consecrated women we hand, for the fear and love of God, that the souls which fight for Christ, through our intervention may receive the remedy of their sins, a church of our right, in honor of saint Projectus constructed in the region Caturcinus, in the place which is named Blauguris, &c. The cession was made in the month of November, reigning Louis our most serene Augustus. In these letters that is worth observing, that Rodulf's parents, wishing to promote their son into the number of Clerics, for a title assign estates to him: about which matter exists in the aforesaid book another charter of a certain Ratbodus, granting some revenues to Rodulf the Abbot and to the Monks of the Bellilocense Cenobium, both for the cause of piety, and for the Clericate of a certain consanguine of his by name Gumbertus, indeed on this reason, that the aforesaid Gumbertus might hold these named things until the Abbot and Monks of the aforesaid place or the Church granted him another honor, that according to the office of his Clericate he might be able to live. From which it is understood, that Clerics under the title (as they call it) of patrimony in the ninth century were already admitted. Furthermore who was that Bertrannus, under whose discipline Rodulfus was made a Cleric, is unknown to me.
[4] This Rodulfus is said to have been Abbot of various Monasteries, namely of saint Medardus at Soissons, by which name to the Mainz Council he is said to have subscribed in year DCCCXLVIII with Trithemius in the Hirsau Chronicle, Abbatial dignity. although now he was a Bishop: of Fleury, as Sirmondus proves in the Notes to the Capitula of Charles the Bald for the Tullensian Synod at Saponariae; [See Trithem. on illustrious men of the Order of S. B. book 3 ch. 211, and book 4 ch. 81.] of Solemniacum, as some think; and of Veterinensis, of which later. Indeed in a certain charter of the Bellilocensian codex is read a sale, made by Bosone and his spouse Talasia, to the venerable Abbot Rodulf, in the first year in which lord Lotharius the most excellent Emperor assumed the Empire: which about our Rodulf is to be understood, is established from the letters of the donation itself, in that codex following. And indeed the Abbey of Fleury he retained as Archbishop: which so moved the Fathers of the aforesaid Tullensian Synod, that he demanded
humbly the general Synod, prostrating itself to the ground before King Charles and Archbishop Rodulfus, beseeching and adjuring through the cross and blood of Christ, that the privilege of the Monastery of saint Benedict, Archbishopric. which with the aforesaid King assenting he had confirmed, and which the same Rodulfus had subscribed, who the aforesaid Abbey was irregularly retaining, ratified and inviolate they should be eager to keep: namely, that the Monks be permitted to have a regular Abbot. Whether however Rodulfus was Abbot of Soissons, you inquire in vain beyond Trithemius. An Office indeed is made of him in the Cenobium of S. Medardus, but a few years ago introduced on Trithemius's authority. Certainly in the proper Breviary of that Abbey, which in the prior century was published in print, the memory of S. Rodulfus does not appear. Finally Trithemius's authority in this matter does not obtain with the erudite; since in counting the Fathers of the Mainz Synod, he publishes almost as many errors as names, as I have shown at the Elogium of Rabanus num. 28 and the Mainz Synod in year DCCCXLVIII. Radulfus he says subscribed, Abbot of S. Medardus, afterwards made Bourges Archbishop, whom eight years before to this See is established to have presided.
[5] He indeed Archbishop created, in year DCCCXL the Veterinensian Cenobium began to found, with letters given, Foundation of the Veterinensian Monastery. in which these are read. I in God's name Rodulfus, Bishop of the first see, with solicitous mind treating, how from fallen and transitory things, expenses of virtues I might be able to offer; by whose steps from all contagion of earthly dust stripped, the hall of the supernal city I may deserve to enter; the Lord Savior of all through this testament I elect for myself as heir from certain things of my property, which are in the region Caturcinus, in the vicaria Casiliacensis; namely Saraciacus with the church of saint Genesius the Martyr, and also in another place in the region of Limoges, in the vicaria Asnacensis, our dominicarian house upon the river Sordaria situated, whose name is Veterinae, with mansi pertaining to it; in these places only, houses, buildings, homes, vineyards, woods, fields, meadows, pastures, waters, and watercourses, mills, slaves of either sex dwelling there, however much in the aforesaid places our possession is seen to be; and all things which my mother Aigua through the chartula of testament granted to me, all and entirely from this present day, with cheerful mind and prompt will, to the Lord Savior of all devoutly I offer, and hand over to Silvius the Abbot; on this condition only, that the same Silvius together with me at Veterinae, of Monks living under the Rule of saint Benedict, in honor of God our Savior, and veneration of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul and all the Apostles, of saint Lawrence, Sebastian, Dionysius, Mauricius and all Martyrs, of Hilary, Martin, Martialis, Eligius, Austrigisilus, Sulpicius, Benedict, and all the Confessors may construct a Cenobium: that there under true religion living, for the remission of my sins and the perception of eternal life as reward, and for the name of pious recollection of my father Rodulfus, continual oblation may be made; for our parents also, both for past, and present and future errors, and also for the state of the Catholic and universal Church with assiduous prayers may strive to implore divine mercy. Indeed also to this testament it pleased to insert, that as long as I and the aforesaid Silvius shall live, by our disposition and common government there serving God they shall consist, &c. Given in the month of March, in the first year of King Charles. Done at Condatus villa. The Veterrinensian Monastery is now extinct, reduced to a village commonly called Vegennes, one league near Belliloci: of which village the Rector depends on the nomination of the Bellilocensian Monks. Sordaria, what is called a river, is a little stream, in the vernacular la Sordoire.
[6] In the Virzionensian Chronicle, which Philip Labbeus published in tome 2 of the new Library, is placed in year DCCC XLIII the beginning of the Abbey of Dovero, Doverensis of which these things are read in the Patriarchate of Bourges there published ch. 47. Finally it must not be passed over, that the same holy man, (Radulfus) as in old memorials we have found written, built a noble temple under the name of Doverensian, and to it with equal dignity added a Monastery. The letters which about this condition Rodulfus composed, I have not been able to recover: but only those by which Charles the Bald held it ratified. So however they hold. In the name of the holy and undivided Trinity, Charles, Of Charles the Bald letters on this matter. by grace of God King. If to just and reasonable petitions of God's servants we accommodate benign assent, we exercise the customary duty of Royal dignity, and also with eternal beatitude we do not doubt that the same is repaid to us. Wherefore let the skill of all the faithful of God's holy Church and of ours, present namely and future, come to know, that Rodulfus, venerable Archbishop of the church of Bourges, has made known to our Serenity, how to a certain little Monastery of his mentioned Church, by name Dovero, for the stipends of Monks there serving God, certain things of the same Bishopric, to the same Monks and to their Abbot, by name Aimericus, he had bestowed; that those consisting there without any indigence might be able to serve the Lord; that is the villa Granicae, with its appurtenances; and the villa Vidiliacum, with its entirety; and the wood of Villa-Canologio, whose name is Malavilla; and in the place, which is called Mons, two mansi; and from the villa Brienniacus near Marologio, one mansus; and from the villa Mariacus, fifteen mansi, with a church there constructed; and the village of saint George with two chapels, having six mansi, with three mills, and areas situated in the city of Bourges; and in the villa Miseriacus, one mansus; and in the villa Livo, one mansus; in the villa of the Goths, one mansus; and at those Bordas, one mansus; similarly also the villa by name Drosgada, with all the colonists consisting there; and things in the villa Baniolus, bought from a certain man, by name Sulpicius. Whence the same Pontiff asked the clemency of our Highness, that to the aforesaid his Abbot Aimericus, and to the Monks consisting under him, the precept of our authority over this his largesse we would deign to make: that those Monks and their successors might perpetually be able to hold the mentioned things, without anyone's disturbance or diminution; and the same Monks, with all their things and slaves, in paternal way under the protection of our defense, with the protection of immunity we would deign to receive. Whose petition, for love of God and reverence of the place itself, we have gladly assented, and this our authority for them have ordered to be made: for which we establish and confirm, that the aforesaid Monks the above-written things, with all entirety, by the venerable Pontiff Rodulfus or his predecessors to their stipends assigned, may perpetually hold and possess, with the molestation of all disturbance removed: at the same time also, on account of divine love and the quiet of the Monks living there, we have received them, with all their things, which at the present time they are known to have, and which thereafter divine piety shall have wished to augment, under the fullest defense and protection of our immunity; on this condition only, that the successors of the said Bishop, who are to have the same cell after him under the care of his regimen, shall have no license of diminishing anything of the above-mentioned things: namely with all entirety, under pretext of their proper Bishop, they may quietly possess them, and in their uses with perpetual right consist, with the domination of iniquitous occasion removed. Meanwhile commanding we order, that no public judge, nor anyone from judicial power, nor any of our faithful, into the churches or places or fields, or other possessions of the aforesaid little cell, which in modern time justly and reasonably they are seen to possess, in any regions and territories, or what afterwards in the right of that holy place divine piety shall wish to be augmented, for hearing causes, or exacting fines, or making lodgings or prepared things, for removing sureties; nor men of that little cell, both freemen, and slaves, who upon the earth are seen to reside, for distraining; nor any returns, or illicit occasions for seeking, at any time should ever dare to enter, or those things which above are mentioned, entirely to exact presume; and whatever from the things of the aforesaid cell can be exacted or acquired, we grant that perennially, to the stipends of the Monks there serving God and the food of the poor, it advance in increment. And when indeed by divine vocation the abovesaid Abbot or his successors shall migrate from this light, as long as those Monks among themselves shall be able to find such, who that same congregation according to the Rule of saint Benedict can rule, through this our authority and consent of their own Bishop, they may have license of electing Abbots: that those servants of God, who there are seen to serve God, for us, spouse, and our offspring, and the stability of the whole kingdom granted to us by God, may be delighted to entreat the mercy of the Lord more attentively. And that this authority, in our and future times, with the Lord protecting, may remain inviolate, with our own hand below it we have confirmed, and with the impression of our ring we have ordered it to be marked. Sign of Karolus the most glorious King. Jonas the Deacon wrote.
[7] In the Ms. codex, from which the above letters our Claudius Stephanotius dug out, no chronological note is appended: Centulfus's donation for the same place but that they were given in year DCCCXLIII from the aforesaid is understood. A little after, that is in year DCCCLIII, Centulfus, a most powerful man, to the sacrosanct basilica of S. Peter of the Doverensian Monastery, which is constructed in honor of the Prince of the Apostles Peter, and of the unspotted virgin Mary, where also the bodies of the holy Confessor Optatus and Martyr Felicitas rest, where also Asinarius the Abbot is recognized to preside, Confirmation of Louis the Stammerer. hands over his things situated in the region Santoniacus, in two vicarias, Brasdunense and Chrispense, with letters given in the month of February, reigning King Charles in the thirteenth year. Both donations, namely both that which Rodulfus to the same place for the construction of the Cenobium had made, and that of Centulfus, confirmed Louis the Stammerer, Translation of the Doverensian Cenobium to Virzio. at the request of Asinarius the Abbot. Finally when the Doverensian Abbey, by the infestation of perverse men, was nearly reduced to nothing; certain Canons of the Bourges church it in a safer place, that is in the castle of Virzio nearby, restored, with Count Theobald favoring, as the following instrument teaches.
In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord nine hundred third, the Doverensian church, which was constructed once by King Charles and Archbishop Rodulfus, by the infestation of wicked men devastated, would have stood nearly reduced to nothing; unless by the instinct of the mercy of the Omnipotent, the clemency of certain Canons of saint Stephen had succored it. Which how it was done, and what fruit thence accrued to the Bourges church, for the utility of the future we have been eager to note. For Girbertus, Dean of the church of saint Stephen; and Gaufredus, the Precentor; and John, the Provost, seeing the abovesaid place thus reduced into desolation; took up the Monks and their Abbot Raimundus; and presuming on the friendship of Count Theobald, into a little cell, situated in the little castle Virsio, they placed them; and to them from the things of saint Stephen things necessary, for raising up that very place, that there without penury they might serve the Lord, abundantly they offered. Afterwards however the aforesaid Canons going to the Count, and at Chartres finding him, related to him in order what had been done: and for the mercy attributed to God's servants by him praised, this same place, because safer than the Doverensian seemed, to the abovesaid Monks and their followers in an Abbey by his precept he confirmed, and under the protection and defense of the Canons of saint Stephen, with a great gift received from them, perpetually the same Monastery he constituted: and, that this might be ratified, he ordered a chartula to be made, and his name to be noted in it. Lawful witnesses also he ordered to be inscribed from his part, Gualterus, Guido, Gedeon, Frodgerus. From the Canons Girbertus, Gaufredus, John, Vaudradus, Arnulfus. Done in the month of November on Thursday, on the festivity of saint Clement, in the fourth year of Rodulfus the King, with Domnus Gerontius Archbishop of the Bourges assisting and helping. Gajanus Canon of saint Stephen wrote. Sign of Theobaud the Count.
related in order: and for the mercy attributed to the servants of God by him praised, this same place, because safer than the Doverensian seemed, to the abovesaid Monks and their followers in an Abbey by his precept he confirmed, and under the protection and defense of the Canons of saint Stephen, with a great gift received from them, perpetually the same Monastery he constituted: and, that this might be ratified, he ordered a chartula to be made, and his name to be noted in it. Lawful witnesses also he ordered to be inscribed from his part, Gualterus, Guido, Gedeon, Frodgerus. From the Canons Girbertus, Gaufredus, John, Vaudradus, Arnulfus. Done in the month of November on Thursday, on the festivity of saint Clement, in the fourth year of Rodulfus the King, with Domnus Gerontius Archbishop of the Bourges assisting and helping. Gajanus Canon of saint Stephen wrote. Sign of Theobaud the Count.
[8] State of Dover. Hence we learn the fortune of the Doverensian Monastery, which is now reduced to a simple (as they call it) Priory, whose site is between Virzio and Meneton . About the translation of that Cenobium to Virzio treats the Virzionensian Chronicle, published by Labbeus tome 2 of the new Bibliotheca, in these words. In year DCCCC III the same Doverensian Abbey was translated to Virzio with Abbot Raimundus. There still stands now the Virzionensian Monastery among the Bourges, at the confluence of the Avaricus river into the Carus * river recently aggregated to the Congregation of S. Maurus, as also the Bellilocensian, about which now must be treated.
[9] The foundations of this Cenobium were laid in year DCCC XLVI by Rodulfus, in his paternal estate at the river Dordogne, Construction of the Bellilocensian Cenobium. which separates the Limoges from the Cadurci. The place before was commonly called Vellinus, to which Rodulfus gave the name Belloloco: where he placed a colony of Monks, over whom was placed Gairulfus or Garulfus first Abbot, from the Solemniacensian Monastery summoned. All these things we gather from the testament or letters of Rodulfus, written in this manner.
I in Christ's name Rodulfus, Bishop of the church, with solicitous mind treating, how from fallen and earthly things I may be able to construct a tower, by whose ascent stripped from all contagion of mortal dust, and immune from the manifold filth of sin, the hall of the supernal city I may deserve to enter; the Lord and Savior of all and the bestower of all goodness, through this written testament, as our heir from the things of our property we elect, which are in the region of Limoges, in the vicaria Asnacensis, upon the river Dordogne, which place recently by rustics Vellinus, by us however Bellus-locus is named; with houses, homes, buildings, meadows, fields, vineyards, woods, pastures, waters and watercourses, mills, movable and immovable, paths, adjacencies, exits and returns, however much in the abovesaid place our possession is seen to be, from purchase or in any way acquired, or whatever to the aforesaid place looks or seems to look, all and entirely from this present day, with cheerful mind and prompt will to God Savior of all devoutly I offer; and in the place of Christ, to Chunibertus Abbot of the Solemniacensian Monastery, and also to Godo the Monk, Frannarius, Bernardus, Gairulfus, Flotgisus, Rigaldus, Rainulfus, Silvius, Rainerius, Girbertus, Umbertus, Abraham, I hand over. On this condition only, that the aforesaid Chunibertus the Abbot or the said Monks in the same place a Cenobium of Monks, under the Rule of saint Benedict living, in honor of the most blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, may construct: that there under religion living, for the errors of our King and of our parents, and also for the state of the catholic and universal Church, with assiduous prayers may strive to implore divine clemency. We give also to the abovesaid place our court not yielded, which is called Bellus-mons; with the church, which is consecrated in honor of blessed Stephen in the villa Staliacus, and mansi which are in Membriacus, with fisheries, &c. and in another place in the aforesaid region and in the aforesaid vicaria, another our court, which is called at saint Genesius with that very church, &c. and in another place, in the region of Limoges and the territory of Torinum, another our court and church which is called Stivalis, &c. and in another place, in the region of Limoges in the vicaria Asnacensis our church with its adjacencies and appurtenances and all things pertaining to it, and whatever there we are seen to have, which is called Nonars. Similarly in another place, in the region of Limoges and the territory of Torinum, our mansus, which from Bobinus with a price given I procured in the villa Terniacus, with all things pertaining to it. All things above named, with the aforesaid churches and villas and their appurtenances, to the aforesaid Abbot or to the aforenamed Monks, and also to their successors, I hand over and transfer, for their uses or stipends, in future generations, without any man's contradiction, with most firm freedom. We wish also, as opportunity and possibility of the same place shall , daily works of mercy to be exhibited to the poor needy and pilgrims, for the relief of our sins. It pleased also to this testament to be inserted, that neither to my, nor to the of my parents, nor to the fasces of royal magnitude, nor of any earthly dignity they shall be subject: but whomever the aforesaid Monks from themselves as Abbot or Pastor, and director of their own, according to the good pleasure of God and the Rule of saint Benedict, shall have wished to elect, both shall enjoy in all the right of electing, without the arts of any power or disturbance. For the infestation however of the most evil and wicked men, we ask royal protection; that supported by its solace, and relieved by the help of protection, with happier soul for the exaltation of royal dignity, and the salvation of all Catholics, with suppliant vows they may be able to stand by divine clemency. I ask also and with bent knee humbly, all Kings, Bishops, Abbots, Counts, Vicars and all administrators of the republic, and in common all the Faithful of God's holy Church I demand, and through the undivided and inseparable Majesty of the Trinity I urgently beg, and by begging adjure; that according to the time, ability, and place, if any enemy of God shall have attempted to infringe this our devotion of study, or by diabolic instinct, with malign cupidity to violate; assistance, inflamed with the ardor of divine zeal, and with the fire of charity and true fraternity kindled, they may not disdain to bring: Kings, according to the power of their virtue strongly compressing them; Bishops indeed, according to the sanctity of their power from the assembly of the Faithful and from the Church of God separating, and binding with the bond of anathema; the other Faithful, either by coercing for the power of their ministry, or also with words according to ability supplying solace. I however, of all servants of God a slender servant, although unworthy, however bound by the Episcopal infula, him filled with all iniquity and in all things contradicting the will of God, who this gift of our smallness, which spontaneously and most devoutly to God I offer, to destroy, or to his or others' any uses to turn back, except in the stipends of the Monks, there serving God under the Rule of saint Benedict, shall have attempted; not by the audacity of inflation or presumption, but by the authority of the ministry committed to me by God, from every assembly of the Faithful to be a stranger I judge, and by canonical institution I anathematize. If anyone however against this testament, which I for the love of God omnipotent and the veneration of the most blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter have sanctioned to be made, either the dignity of royal power, or of any royal Nobles the sublimity, or also the cunning of my heirs or descendants shall attempt to come against, or cunningly attempt to infringe; let his deceits and frauds be entirely void, and let him know most certainly that he incurs the wrath of omnipotent God; and from the Church, with the proper blood of Christ purchased, sequestered, and from the communion of Christians let him become a stranger. And moreover that worthy of temporal punishment expiated, with the fisc compelling let him be compelled to pay one hundred pounds of gold and fifty pounds of silver, and his petition obtain no effect: but the present testament, for the remedy of my soul and of my parents instituted, at all times remain inviolate with the stipulation supported. And that it may more truly be believed, and more diligently conserved, and by all more firmly guarded, with my own hand I have signed below; and to the hands of good men, of Canons, or of faithful laity to be confirmed I have handed over. Stodilus, Bishop of the Limoges church I subscribed. Launus, Bishop and Abba, to this testament I subscribed. † Rodulfus Bishop S. Godefredus S. Landricus S. Immo S. with Raimundus the Count S. Agine S. Teutarius S. Idoneus the Priest S. Arnulfus as if unworthy Priest S. Bertaldus S. Godifredus S. Sign of Daconus. S. Adalradus. S. Aspasius. S. Bernardus. S. Vildraus . S. David. S. Fulcon. S. Ildoardus. S. Rodulfi. S. Abonus. S. Adraldus. S. Baraldus. S. Bertrandus. † Abba S. Alamarius Abba S. Abbo Abba S. Samuel S. Agarius Priest S. Garnarius Priest S. Ingilbertus useless Levite S. Daniel Deacon S. Admondus Cleric. Berengarius Cleric. Elias. Garulfus Monk. Donation given in the month of November, in the VI year reigning King Charles the most serene, XV Indict.
[10] Who in the foregoing letters is expressed as Garulfus, a Solemniacensian Monk, he afterwards presided over Belloloco as first Abbot, as we shall later say. Abbo the Abbot seems to be he, Garulfus and Abbo the Abbots. who second over the Limoges Cenobium of saint Martialis after Monks brought was placed; although the year with Ademarus the Monk on the Abbots of the Monastery of saint Martialis does not entirely correspond. For when he establishes the introduction of Monks in year DCCCXLVIII, as first Abbot for three years he has Dodo or others Odo, to whom is said substituted Abbo for eleven years: in whose fifth year, he says, Charles the Bald at Limoges was anointed King by Radulfus Archbishop of Bourges, and Stodilus Bishop of Limoges, and other many Archbishops and Bishops of France and Aquitaine and Italy and Burgundy. Then he subjoins: This year the Cenobium Bellolocum was founded and consecrated by Rodulfus the Archbishop: unless if this is to be referred to the year DCCCXLVIII, in which in the basilica of saint Martialis Monks were placed. And over the Cenobium of Masciacus of the Bourges diocese then presided Abbo the Abbot, who in year DCCCXLVII was ordained, as is established from the Masciacensian Chronicle with Labbeus in the new Bibliotheca tome 2.
[11] The Bellilocensian church was dedicated in honor of saint Peter and saint Felicitas, as everywhere is read in the aforesaid Chartulary: there are added the holy Dionysius, Rusticus, Eleutherius, Pancratius, Crispinus, Crispinianus, Hilarius, Martin, Benedict, Eligius, and Tillonus, in a certain charter of Dautbertus the Priest, given in the VII year of King Charles: to whom also are joined the names of the Saints Primus, Patrons of the Bellilocensian church. Felicianus, and Aemilius; of whom, as also of saint Felicitas, the Relics there are said to rest, both in certain letters of the Chartulary, and with Gaufredus Prior of Vosium, and Bernardus Guido on the Saints of the diocese of Limoges.
[12] This place with many estates and revenues Rodulfus enriched; whom also followed Frotarius his successor, donations. Stodilus Bishop of Limoges, and very many others: which donations confirmed Charles, Pippin, Carlomannus, and Odo the Kings. Notable is the charter of Frotarius, granting the villa Orbaciacum in the valley Exandonensis, with this pact, that every year to the Brothers refection should be exhibited after his funeral on the day of his deposition: and that annually to the custodian of the church ten modii of wine should be granted,
whence the Sacrifice may be offered daily to the Lord. Worthy of note also is the charter of Geraldus and Adalgarius the Abbots, by which between themselves they compromise, that in certain places subject to them slave Vicars, that is Judges, should be imposed: whom therefore slaves they elect, that they may faithfully exact service for their lords: on this condition, that none of them and none of their descendants should become a Soldier, nor any should bear shield or sword, nor any arms, except only a lance and one spur: they should not have garments split in front and behind, but only closed: whom they exempt from taxes, and from each mansus of their vicaria four denarii, and one hen, and the third part of all pleas and of investitures they grant.
[13] As regards the first Abbots of Belliloco, Gerulfus or Gairulfus presided from the beginning to the eighth year of King Odo, Abbots that is to year DCCCXCI: although now in the fourth year of the same King he had taken as coadjutor Rainulfus, who afterwards succeeded him in solidum. Many such examples of coadjutors I find in the same Chartulary: for Guerno, fifth Abbot of Belliloci, with Geraldus; Geraldus then with Bernardus; Gerardus with Adalgisus the two Abbots are named in some charters. Garulfus subscribed the privilege of the Carilocensian Monastery in year DCCCLXXVI in the Pontigonensian Council, where wrongly Carnulfus is written in the published with Severtius, and in the new edition of the Councils at the end of tome 9. Garulfus was succeeded by Rainulfus, or Ranulfus, in year (as I judge) of King Odo ninth; Ranulfus by Rodulfus, who in year of Charles surnamed the Simple ninth is first noted, last in the first year of King Rodulfus: in whose King's fifth year is signed John; then Guerno in Lothair's XIII year, afterwards with companion Geraldus; Geraldus then with Bernardus, then with Adalgisus or Adalgarius reigning Lothair; Boso in King Louis's third year; Bernardus in the twelfth. Others to the investigation of others I permit. In the Limoges Council of year MXXXI the Bellilocensian Monks complained, that a secular Abbot dominated them: to which evil the Fathers brought remedy.
[14] B. Ramerus the Provost. From the same Monastery proceeded the blessed Ramerus * the Provost, in whose honor a certain Remigius grants the villa Arnolz in the time of Abbot Guerno, namely for this cause, because that Ramerus, says Remigius, showed great virtue to all who were present. For an adolescent who was brought to the tomb contracted, by his intercession, with great ease, to the altar of saint Peter by running came: and that great miracle was shown on the festivity of saint Martialis. About Belloloco enough.
[15] The fourth Cenobium, founded by Rodulfus, is of saint Genesius, in favor of Benedictine Virgins, constructed in the region Caturcinus, near the castle Cosiliacum, where Rodulfus the Count of good memory took care that his body be buried, in the place which is called Sarasiac, in the church which is called of saint Genesius. To which Cenobium Aigua, the wife of Rodulfus the Count, with her sons Rodulfus the Archbishop, Godafredus the Count, Rotbertus, Landricus consenting, and Immenana her beloved daughter, devoted to God and an Abbess, grants certain estates for the soul of Rodulfus the Count for his holy Sacrifice to be offered. The cession was made in the month of February, in the year of the death of the aforesaid Rodulfus of good memory; and in the third year, in which Domnus Lotharius the propitious King assumed the Empire.
[16] To Rodulfus of Bourges, concerning matters of the Reims church lying in the region of Limoges, Hincmarus wrote on the testimony of Frodoardus in book 3 chapter 21. Of which Hincmarus another epistle on the nuptials of Stephanus and the daughter of Count Regimundus, inscribed to Rodulfus and Frotarius of Bordeaux, exists in tome 3 of the Councils of Gaul. To the consultations of the same Rodulfus, responds Pope Nicholas I's epistle 39, often praised in Gratian's decree. Likewise to him and his Co-bishops Nicholas himself wrote epistle 40, about Thetgaudus and Guntarius condemned from the Apostolic See, that from their communion they should abstain. Rodulfus furthermore composed fifteen Capitula, on ecclesiastical matters, in favor of the Priests and Clerics of his diocese, by V. Cl. Stephen Baluzius soon to be published. He was also present at various Councils, namely Meldensis in year DCCCXLV, Tullensis at Saponariae in year DCCCLIX, Tusiacensis in the following year. To these the privilege of S. Dionysius, in the Pistensian Synod of year DCCCLXII; and two years after, the privilege of the Autisiodorense Monastery of S. Germanus, in another Pistensian Synod, he subscribed.
[17] These are those things which about the deeds of Rodulfus the Archbishop I could observe: Rodulfus's sanctity and death, whom Eustorgius Bishop of Limoges, in the middle of the tenth century, calls his master of holy memory, in letters granted to Geraldus the Abbot. Indeed if the holy man sinned in any way, that he held certain Abbeys as Bishop; not only did he pour back the revenues thence proceeding for the profit of the Monks, but also estates and his goods he conferred with a liberal hand for the building of Monasteries of the same Order. Rodulfus died in the year of Christ eight hundred sixty-sixth, on the testimony of Ado, XI Kal. of July, buried in the basilica of saint Ursinus at Bourges, where with great veneration he is venerated, as is read in the Bourges Patriarchate. James the most pious Hermit, of whom above, predicted the death of holy Rodulfus: by whose providence so the Bourges were governed, that by all the Father of the fatherland he was called.
ANNOTATED.
* Devre
* Vierzon
* Meneton
* l'Avron
* le Cher
* f erit or feret
* supply dominio
* otherwise Eldraus
* l. IX
* whether Rainerus