Salvius

ON SS. SALVIUS, BISHOP, AND SUPERIUS HIS DISCIPLE,

MARTYRS NEAR VALENCIENNES IN BELGIUM.

CENT. VIII.

PREFATORY COMMENTARY.

Salvius, Bishop, Martyr near Valenciennes in Belgium (S.)

Superius his disciple, Martyr near Valenciennes in Belgium (S.)

BY G. H.

§. I. Three wrongly confounded are to be distinguished. Threefold Acts.

John Molanus, among his Additions to Usuard of the second and third edition, observes that the history of S. Salvius and his companion exists in manuscript both in an ancient style and in a more recent one. The Acts are given from 7 Mss., hitherto unpublished We have it in the ancient style and give it from seven distinguished Mss. codices, namely from the Aroaisian, of the Canons Regular in Artois; the Audomaropolitan, of the Cathedral Church; the Vallis-Lucentis, of the diocese of Sens of the Cistercian Order, given to us at Dijon by Peter Francis Chifflet of the Society of Jesus; and another sent by Louis Nicquet, Librarian of the Soissons Celestines; then finally from our three Mss., by a contemporary author, one of which is estimable for the antiquity of its characters. The Author is contemporary, as one who, at num. 14, testifies that Winegarius, who had killed these two Martyrs, was seen by him, until the day of his death, serving in the pasturing of the flocks in the service of S. Salvius the Bishop: and that he saw and heard also the miracles wrought there: Where, says he, in our presence very many merited to receive their former health. He could therefore, from the account of those who had slain the Saints, learn all things accurately, and, as he asserts toward the end, write skilfully.

[2] We have other Acts adorned in a more recent style, by Philip, Prior, then Abbot of Bonne-Espérance, of the Premonstratensian Order in Hainaut, who inscribed them to Hugh, the venerable Prior of the Church of S. Salvius, the other twofold are omitted whom Henry d'Outreman, in part 3 of the History of Valenciennes, chap. 2, asserts to have died about the year MCXLVI. These Acts are among the works of Philip, printed at Douai in the year MDCXX, which Rosweyde collated with a Ms. codex of the monastery of S. Foillan of the Premonstratensian Order in Hainaut, and with another Ms. of the Benedictine Priory of S. Salvius; in which a different Prologue is prefixed, and some things, chiefly at number 8, are inserted from the prior Acts. The third Acts we have from a likewise ancient Ms. codex of Trier, of the monastery of S. Maximin, which seem to have been written before the times of Philip of Bonne-Espérance; and they too might even be published, and indeed in the second place, were it not that it would seem grievous to most to read sometimes the twofold, not to say threefold Acts of the same Saint, collected in one work. Wherefore it does not please us to increase the bulk of the work with these, differing in style alone.

[3] some do not distinguish him But because in the aforesaid Acts the Episcopal See of S. Salvius is not expressed, posterity began to fuse into one several holy Bishops of the same name. And first, he who received the Life composed by Philip of Bonne-Espérance, and, having cast aside his Prologue, substituted another in the Ms. of the Priory of S. Salvius; calling him in it the excellent Prelate of the people of Amiens, from the one of Amiens and his companion Superius. The Life of the one of Amiens was given by Bolland on the XI of January, following Galesinius and Maurolyco, to whom he added others not much less ancient. But these all together did not deserve to be put after the authority of the church of Montreuil itself, where the body is; and of Amiens, over which he presided; the first of which on the very day of his death, the XXVIII of October, honors him as Patron; the other, on account rather of the feast of the Apostles, on the following day; especially since on the XI of January nothing anywhere is done concerning him. But that he should be confounded with the one who is honored at Valenciennes, this also may have given occasion, as Claudius Castellanus, Canon of Paris, noted to us, that near Montreuil in Ponthieu there is a village called Valencendres, with a name not much differing from Valenciennes. In the XIII and XIV century, the Blessed Vincent of Beauvais, in book 24 of the Historical Mirror, chap. 23, S. Antoninus, part 2, title 4, chap. 4, and Peter de Natalibus, book 2 of the Catalogue, chap. 65, fused three holy Bishops named Salvius into one; which was also done in the Prologue prefixed to the first Acts, as in the above-cited Ms. of Vallis-Lucentis, and also in the Utrecht Ms. of S. Salvator, which thus begins: Blessed Salvius, in the times of Chilperic, King of the Franks, presided in the See of the city of Amiens, and was strong in many virtues. And then by all those it is asserted that Chilperic fell into Sabellianism, and the one of Albi. and was corrected by Salvius the Bishop, whom however Gregory of Tours, book 5 of the History, chap. 45, calls Bishop of Albi, dead about the year DLXXXV, on the X of September, on which day he is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology. The Life of S. Salvius, Bishop of Amiens, we gave, as I said, on the XI of January, and of S. Honoratus his predecessor on the XVI of May, whom we judge to have passed to Christ about the year DC, and that to him then succeeded Salvius under Chlothar II: at which time also Theoderic was King of the Burgundians.

[4] Far therefore from these Bishops stands S. Salvius the Bishop, who came to Valenciennes in the VIII century of Christ, He lived at Valenciennes under Charles Martel but it is doubted whether under Charles Martel, or rather under Charlemagne; which controversy is chiefly to be resolved from the prior Acts. These seem to favor rather Charles Martel, who properly was Duke of the Franks. And thus the contemporary Author, at num. 12, It was revealed, says he, by an Angelic vision to the most glorious Duke of the Franks Charles, that he should send his Messengers to the fiscal estate of Valenciennes. To whom the Angel said a second time: I asked thee, who art Duke and Prince of the army of the Lord … The Duke, being awakened, summoned and convoked. Then at num. 13: The same most glorious Charles, Duke of the Franks, sent most noble men from his household servants … and the Messengers and household servants of the Duke questioned Genardus. The things hitherto related are not to be transferred to Charlemagne, while his father Pepin was yet living, indeed crowned King together with him, and afterward, on his death, his successor: but they pertain to Charles Martel the Duke, who also appointed Kings; namely Chlothar, and, he soon dying, Teotricus, or Theoderic, in the year DCCXX, of which Chlothar or Theoderic the author may be understood, where he writes that the household servants of the King said: and Theoderic, King of the Franks. By the safety of our Lord Charles, with diverse punishments and torments will we afflict thee: and soon at num. 14, The Magistrates of the King seized Genardus with his son Winegardus and Winegarius the slave … and brought them before the sight of the King, and said to him: These, O King, are most wicked men… The King, beholding them, said … Why have ye so wished to overturn our kingdom, which God gave us to rule? … But they … did not dare to look upon the face of the King, and soon, no word interposed, as though, the King being another, the Duke diligently observed, inquiring how the deed had been done… But they narrated to him all things… Then the most glorious Duke of the Franks Charles commanded the lictors … The lictors of the King fulfilled all things. … And at num. 15: The King ordered all the Bishops and Priests to be convoked … And the holy bodies were translated: and then the history is concluded with the customary formula, even through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

[5] But the things which follow, we shall freely grant to have been afterward wrought under Charlemagne, Under Charlemagne the church of S. Salvius is endowed. and thus they are related at num. 16. But the most glorious Charles, King of the Franks, bestowed on the holy Martyr Salvius the third part of the fiscal estate. And at num. 17: Charles commanded a great field to be prepared, when the sisters pleaded before the King concerning their brother: and finally at num. 18 is narrated the penitence of Genardus, Winegardus and Winegarius even unto the day of their death, and this the author writes that he himself saw; and so the history of S. Salvius would have been written in the time of Charlemagne, while yet King in the eighth century of Christ. This distinction being admitted, the later writers are to be explained, who attribute all to one: and thus Balderic, book 2 of the Chronicle of Cambrai, chap. 31, assigns all to Charles Martel, while Sigebert on the contrary, in the Chronicle at the year DCCCC, refers the finding of the bodies, made in the third year after the Martyrdom, to Charlemagne, then Emperor. But George Colvenerius, in his Notes on Balderic, asserts that no less faith seems to be due to him, who is older than Sigebert, than to Sigebert himself in this matter, until the contrary be established. Meanwhile Le Mire, Bucelin and others everywhere have followed Sigebert. And these things concerning the Acts and the time of the martyrdom, the finding of the body, and the endowment of the church of S. Salvius, said, suffice.

§. II. The Episcopal See uncertain, the age, the cult.

[6] The See is not expressed among the ancients; It remains to inquire of what place or city this S. Salvius is to be called Bishop, since nothing at all of that matter is indicated in the threefold Acts related above. In the Martyrology of Florus, as we supposed before the second volume of March, in the Mss. of Arras, Tournai and Liessies these things are found at this XXVI of June: On the same day, at Valenciennes, the passion of S. Salvius, Bishop and Martyr, and there is added in the one of Tournai, Who, for the name of Christ leaving his own, and going to the Gauls, obtained the palm of Martyrdom, where by "his own" are understood the Arverni in Aquitaine, distinguished from the rest of the Gauls. Next to Florus, Wandelbert, Abbot of Prüm, appended to him this Verse, in Molanus, omitted in Achery, Salvius too, the holy one, then visited the shores of the Scheldt. The copies of Usuard and Ado, of which we have very many both manuscript and printed, by some he is noted as of Angoulême, make no mention of S. Salvius, except the Paris Ms. of Usuard of S. Germain, in which toward the end these things are read: At the harbor of Valenciennes, S. Salvius, Bishop of the city of Angoulême. But it might be doubted whether these things ought not to be rejected among the additions, just as we rejected on the XIII of January the things added to the Acts and translation of S. Viventius on Mount Versiacus, in the year DCCCCXXIV, performed under Manasses, Lord or Count of Vergiacum. For they are absent from many copies, which may seem more sincere, written far from Belgium, as the Pulsanense in Apulia, the Nistadiense in Denmark, a certain other in Alsace, one in England, and indeed the Albergense, written in Belgium, with another similar, all of which are with us, besides others seen elsewhere.

[7] Meanwhile in the Centula Ms., or that of S. Richarius, these things are read: In the territory of Cambrai, at the town of Valenciennes, the passion of S. Salvius, Bishop of Angoulême and Martyr. In our Brussels Ms. of S. Gudula, and in this several Mss. Martyrologies agree, with a longer elogium thus: At the harbor of Valenciennes, S. Salvius, Bishop of the city of Angoulême, who, coming from Aquitaine to Valenciennes for the fisc, is slain with a nail by Winegardus, son of Genardus, the Procurator of the fisc. But Charlemagne the King (better had he been named Charles the Duke), being admonished thrice by an Angel to seek him, by chance found his slayer who was sought: upon whom and his father he himself gravely avenged so great a crime. So also "Bishop of the city of Angoulême"

he is held in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck, printed in the year 1490, and in Molanus in the first edition of the Additions to Usuard: but the same in the second and third edition, Angoulême being omitted, asserts that he came from the city of Abbia, but what this is, he does not explain: we know no Abbia; perhaps it is Albia or Albiga, where we said that S. Salvius, but another, was Bishop under King Chilperic. Meanwhile, in the Little Index of the Saints, he calls him Bishop of Angoulême, and finally in both editions of the Births of the Saints of Belgium, he calls him Bishop of the city of Angoulême. Baronius, relying for the most part on the authority of Molanus, thus inscribed in the Roman Martyrology: At Valenciennes, the passion of SS. Salvius, Bishop of Angoulême, and Superius, Martyrs: and concerning the latter he annotates these things: Of him Molanus in the Little Index of the Saints of Belgium says this: S. Superius is joined with S. Salvius, with whom he fell a Martyr at Valenciennes. But Molanus moreover adds: Because his name was unknown, he was said to be called Superius, because in the finding he was found to lie above (superius). But that name is inserted by the Author but the name is lacking among the Bishops of Angoulême, who interpolated the Life written by Philip of Bonne-Espérance. Aubert Le Mire, in the Belgian and Burgundian Annals, published in the year MDCXXII, abstains from designating the Episcopal See, just as with all the ancient writers of the life did Balderic and Sigebert. The same we also judge ought to be done: because the name of Salvius is not found in the Catalogues of the Bishops of Angoulême, both printed and Ms., such a one however we had in a Ms. codex of the Queen of Sweden, written about the year MCL, in which Hugh, the thirty-seventh Bishop there, presided.

[8] Moreover, the illustrious memory of this S. Salvius, of whom we treat, is found in Eginhard, in the History of the translation of SS. Marcellinus and Peter, illustrated by us at the second day of June, in which at num. 68 you could read thus. Now we must come to those virtues the monastery of Salvius praised by Eginhard which were done in these places, to which, at the request of religious men, and by my bestowal, the venerable Relics of those same Martyrs came, and in which hitherto they are honored with great reverence. Which first of all George, Priest and Rector of the monastery of S. Salvius the Martyr, which is situated in the district of Favoniart, in the village called Valenciennes, on the bank of the river Scheldt, in the year 827; received, by my giving, and through a certain Deacon sent them to the said monastery from the palace of Aachen; and that (as is said at num. 69) in the fourteenth year of the Empire of Louis Augustus, therefore in the year of Christ DCCCXXVI. We judge that monastery to have been of Clerics, instituted under Charlemagne, to whom he assigned the third part of the revenues of the fisc, and that they lived according to some similar Rule, such as S. Godegrand, Bishop of Metz, prescribed for Clerics, published in the first volume of Achery's Spicilegium, where in the Preface the reader is admonished that the Fathers of the Council of Aachen, held under the said Louis the Pious, esteemed this Rule of Godegrand so highly, that whatever conduced to canonically forming the morals of Clerics, whether of Clerics according to the Rule of S. Godegrand they transferred into their own decrees, though with the name suppressed. S. Godegrand died in the year DCCLXVI, on the VI of March, on which day we illustrated his Acts. Balderic, book 2, chap. 31, calls it the canonical monastery of S. Salvius, Bishop and Martyr. But afterward, in the year MCIII, that Cluniac Monks were introduced, is established from the Privilege of Manasses, Archbishop of Reims, related in the Cluniac Library, column 535. And at column 1713 these things are read: now of the Cluniac Order from the year 1103. The Priory of S. Salvius of Valenciennes, of the diocese of Cambrai, where there ought to be with the Prior twenty-eight Monks; and there ought to be celebrated daily two Masses with chant, and a third without chant. General almsgiving ought to be made there thrice in the week. The Catalogue of all the Priors and the names of various benefactors d'Outreman published, part 2 of the History of Valenciennes, chap. 2.

[9] Relics, Arnold Rayssius, in the Hierogazophylacium, asserts that in the already indicated Priory the bodies of SS. Salvius the Bishop and Superius his companion are still possessed: and moreover that in the monastery of Liessies is preserved a vertebra of the back of S. Salvius the Bishop, and a bone of S. Superius; likewise that in the Cathedral Church of Arras is a bone of S. Salvius the Martyr: which also seems to be of S. Salvius. To him is dedicated a church in the citadel of Limburg near Sittard, in the Duchy of Jülich: from the books of which church the following things were once sent hither by John Kritzrat of the Society of Jesus, A church in the territory of Jülich. once a disciple of John Bolland, and while he lived most devoted to our studies. O Christ, may we who keep the solemnities of Thy illustrious Martyr Salvius be helped ever by Thy grace, that by continually cleaving to his example we may please by purity of morals and of life. This man is endowed with the shining glory of Martyrdom, the chief of the church of the town of Limburg. While, O Christ, he proceeds to consecrate a basilica raised to Thy Mother, Wingardus, pale, envying his good deeds, slew him, and with an axe ending his life in the prison, with his disciple he was buried in the stable of brute beasts. Forthwith the lights of heaven reveal the immense and precious bodies of the innocent. Thou hast made them fellow-citizens of Thy Saints, O Jesus, placing them in the fruition of the heavens, where now in most bright light they rejoice with glad solace. We pray that Salvius may commend us to Thee by his earnest prayers. That therefore through our Patron we may obtain the gift of life, let our choir be glad on his feast day, chanting in the Church the joyful Alleluia.

[10] With new hymns let it be increased, the praise which lies hidden, let it not be concealed, let the whole world give thanks, Hymn at Lauds. for so holy a Prelate, through whom continually, frequently and assiduously, miracles are wondrously wrought, chiefly for those who seek. If with the whole heart it is sought, nothing is lost, it is acquired; and what was taken away is found again, hope and faith mediating. Let firm faith be granted, to him imploring what he prays, from the Most High, through whom it is given, while he prays without ceasing. That he might increase his merit, he left the wealth of the rich, he sought the reward of heaven by earnest prayer. To God the Father be glory, may there be in our memory praise and the grace of virtues through infinite ages. Amen. Prayer. Be propitious, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to us Thy servants, through the glorious merits of S. Salvius, Thy Martyr and Pontiff, who rests in the present Church, that by his pious intercession she may ever be protected from all adversities. Through our Lord. Another proper Prayer is at Lauds; but it has nothing singular, as also the proper Antiphons, Versicles, Responsories, except that they play upon the words Salvius, Salvus (Saved), Salvans (Saving), Salvare (To save). If it be a question of some part of the body, and that not great, I should easily believe that some one part was carried thither. But if of the whole or the greater part, I should scarcely doubt that a Martyr of similar name was brought from Rome or elsewhere, to whom the Acts of the comer from Valenciennes are applied, as to a nearer place.

THE LIFE

By a contemporary author, hitherto unpublished,

From seven Mss. codices.

Salvius, Bishop, Martyr near Valenciennes in Belgium (S.)

Superius his disciple, Martyr near Valenciennes in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 7472

A. BY A CONTEMPORARY, FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

Pilgrimage, sermons, captivity, martyrdom.

[1] Christ a giving, and the universal Church daily growing in the Lord in faith, the end of the world's term drawing near, the Fatherly throng of the people, which is grafted into the Christian law, knocking upon the pious ears of the Lord, almighty God propitiously bestowed a shepherd and a defender, to feed and to teach His sheep: that He might free them from the rending of the tortuous serpent, The writer's Prologue. who unceasingly rages, wishing to seize and tear them. But Christ our Lord ceases not, by the shield of His protection, to fortify with the sign of faith the hearts of each of the believers, who is our true deliverer from the hands of all enemies. Finally Zacharias the Prophet thus says, Being delivered, let us serve the Lord, with justice and holiness. Luke 1. 14. The King of kings therefore, manifesting through His holy Doctors to all nations the joys of the heavenly kingdom, wills that we all be one fold, that He Himself, the pious and good Shepherd, may become to us all, with the triumph of victory.

[2] Therefore, the Lord and our Savior Jesus Christ reigning forever, in the time of the most glorious Duke of the Franks b Charles, there came a certain man of venerable life, Salvius c the Bishop, in the parts of the Hainaut fisc, S. Salvius comes to Valenciennes, which is called Valenciennes; and he began there to preach and to teach in divine sermons the fruit of penitence, and, as a good athlete of Christ, the kingdom of God to the people. Now the holy man was comely in aspect, strong in the virtue and magnificence of God; and his face shone with an exceeding brightness of splendor. Meanwhile, as he was going out from the aforesaid fisc, lifting up his eyes, he saw from afar a Basilica, dedicated in honor of the Blessed Martin, the magnificent Prelate, in a certain d place; and looking up with tears into heaven he said to his disciple: I see, said he, my son, the trophy of glory and the sign of salvation, the patronage established of the blessed Bishop Martin, the eminent Confessor: thence he goes to the basilica of S. Martin: of whom, as we have heard and now know, our Lord Jesus Christ has deigned to confer so great grace upon him, that by his obtaining, the blind merited to receive their sight, the lame their step, and the lepers their cleanness, and those who were held bound by diverse kinds of diseases, their former health. Moreover even the dead, when for the vow of suppliants he knocked upon the ears of the Lord, rose again. Let us, said he, my son, go with faith to his patronage, perchance through his intercession we shall find a place where the exalted Son of God may deign to receive us into His fold.

[3] Then the Blessed Salvius the Bishop went with quick step to the aforesaid basilica of the Blessed Martin, and there sought lodging for himself together with his disciple. Then, the solemn Office of the Masses being performed, he came to refreshment. And when the twilight of night had come on, he exhorts the people, he entered the basilica again, and passed the whole night with psalms and hymns and spiritual canticles blessing God. And so, the day now dawning, S. Salvius began to clothe himself in his vestments. Therefore, the people coming, the fame of S. Salvius the Bishop having been heard, they desired to hear from his mouth the honey-flowing preaching of Christ. And the preaching being made, S. he celebrates Mass, Salvius at the third hour entered the sacristy, then clothed himself with the Dalmatic and the sacred vestments: and proceeding from the sacristy, he began to celebrate the solemnities of the Masses. And the Canon being completed, the Priest convoked the people, that they should humble themselves for the blessing: and the people being blessed, the Collect followed. Meanwhile, all things being completed, as is the custom, a certain man coming, who had charge of the affairs of the aforesaid fisc, by name Genardus, under his Lord Abbo, began to ask of the holy Bishop, that he should take refreshment of the body with him for the love of the charity of Christ. But he, hearing the name of the charity of Christ the Lord, did not refuse. Now that most sacred day was that f of the Lord's Resurrection. And as they were refreshing themselves, there was present the son of the aforesaid man, by name Winegardus. Now S. Salvius had an Ecclesiastical golden vessel, he dines with Genardus the father of Winegardus, vestments adorned with gold and gems, and also a golden girdle, woven with sparkling gems and pearls. For he bore all these

things, the holy man, in the presence of all. And this he did, because he desired with an eager soul, for the love of Christ, to come to the palm of martyrdom g. But Winegardus, the son of Genardus, seeing the blessed man bearing all these things with him, led by covetousness, and touched inwardly by cupidity, began to consider in what direction the man of God wished to pursue his journey.

[4] Finally S. Salvius, the blessing being given to the people, rose from the refreshment, with all his apparatus, together with his disciple, and began to make his way. And so, going around the places and towns, he came to a certain little stream, h Buntio by name, which led between the trackless sides of a mountain to a monastery, he tends toward Condatum: whose name is Condatum. (Now the aforesaid monastery was dedicated in honor of the holy Mother of God Mary.) And the stream being crossed, he came to the road which led to the Monastery. Meanwhile, as S. Salvius was making his way, there met him i the aforesaid man Winegardus, full of guile and surrounded with all deceit, with his companions, and he questioned the man of God, saying: In what direction, O holy man, dost thou desire to pursue thy journey? S. Salvius said: We have cause to come, if the Lord permit, life being our companion, to the monastery which is not far from this town, dedicated in honor of the holy Mother of God Mary. Then Winegardus said to him: I have, said he, interrupted by Winegardus, in my domain a church built, that it may be dedicated in honor of God. Canst thou come to it, O holy man, and consecrate it? S. Salvius said: Thou art mad, O man; we must obey God rather than men. Then S. Salvius began more expressly to make his way with hastened step, knowing, by the revelation of the Holy Spirit, the things which were to come upon him. Then Winegardus said: Thou sayest to me that I am mad? S. Salvius said: See, my son, I have already told thee, that we must obey God rather than men: for it is fitting that we first visit the places of the Saints, that we may merit to have all those as intercessors, so far as we may merit to attain with them the blessedness of the heavenly kingdom. Then Winegardus secretly commanded his servants that they should seize S. Salvius together with his disciple, and violently take from him all things that were his. And the golden vessel having been taken from the holy man, that is, the chalice and the paten, he is despoiled: he straightway ordered to be fashioned for himself out of these a saddle, such as is wont to be placed upon a horse for riding, that for his noble dignity he might place it upon his horse, because he was a very insolent and frivolous man: but the rest of the ecclesiastical ministry and the wondrous vestments which the holy man bore with him, and was wont to put on for the solemnities of the Masses, all he sent to k his house.

[5] And it came to pass, when the holy Bishop was being led into custody, that Winegardus with great speed set out to his father. he is shut in prison, And his father questioned him, and said: What is it with thee, my son, that thou hast come to me with such great speed? Are all things prosperous around thee, or not? Then Winegardus laid open to him all the truth of the matter, and narrated all that he had done toward the man of God. And his father said to him: What is this that thou hast done? Why hast thou so grievously provoked the servant of God, Genardus his father disapproving, who taught us the way of truth and salvation? What is it that thou hast wished to do, that thou shouldest deliver him into prison? Or who was thy counselor, that thou shouldest do so great an evil against the man of God? who gave thee this counsel? Perhaps therefore we are not pressed by the weight of our own sins, and for that cause thou hast stirred up the sins of our forefathers against us, that they may remain upon us even unto the third and fourth generation. Behold, his blood is upon us, and upon all our progeny. His son answered him: What shall I do, father? Shall I let him go free, or shall I keep him a prisoner? Give me counsel what I shall do with him henceforth. His father answered him, and said: Concerning the slaying of this man, thy counsel does not please me, but in every way displeases me. One thing I tell thee: If thou let him go, there will be no solace of life for thee; but if thou kill him, thou wilt be guilty as a homicide.

[6] Then Winegardus, leaving his father, having taken counsel with his companions, proceeded to his house, Ordered to be slain by the keeper of the prison, and ordered all l the royal gates of his house to be barred, so that no one could come in to him. And so, summoning one of his servants, Winegarius by name, who was keeper of the prison, he commanded him that he should go in to the Blessed Salvius, and kill him and his disciple together. But Winegarius, the keeper of the prison, the door being opened, turned himself toward the man of God, and went down to him. And at length, going forward, he came to that place where the holy one of God was tarrying, intent upon prayer. But when that servant saw the Blessed Salvius standing with steadfast soul in the contest, struck with dread, he began greatly to fear within the secret places of his heart: and he said to the man of God: I am exceedingly constrained, O holy man. The holy Bishop answered him: Are things prosperous with thee, O son? The keeper of the prison answered: I see thee as it were an Angel of God. Who am I, unhappy one, that, sent by my lord, I should perpetrate the crime of so great a wickedness? Can I conceal from thee, O man of God, the secret of my lord Winegardus, which he commanded me this night to accomplish upon thee? Hear me, holy man, acquiesce in my counsels, that thou mayest be able to escape from this prison together with thy disciple, and I likewise with you: for my lord, commanding, has commanded me, and strongly urges me, that this night, before the twilight of light comes, I should kill you. S. Salvius said: O son, the most wise Solomon m uttered a sentence to us, saying: For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh: he does not believe that this was commanded him; but I, as I think, thou speakest all these things falsely of thyself. For thy lord did not command thee to do these things which thou speakest: for he neither thinks nor speaks a guileful word, but only what is right; how much more that he should have commanded thee to perpetrate this wickedness?

[7] To these things the keeper of the prison answered with tears: I call to witness the God of heaven and earth, O man of God, that of these words which thou hast heard from me, he refuses to flee: thou canst find no word at all false. Likewise he added: But now hear me, elect of God, and do what I have exhorted, that by the Lord's aid thou mayest be able to escape. For me, an unworthy and useless servant, ye shall have ever ready in your company even to take off and clean the shoes of your feet. S. Salvius said: My son, we ought not to flee the rewards of Christ, but rather to embrace them with inviolable faith. The keeper of the prison said: O holy Father, I know that thou hast a crown prepared by Christ, but I groan from the evil of my conscience; and for so great a wickedness, which my lord commanded me to do upon thee, I know not further what to do. Therefore my spirit burns and trembles with exceeding terror, because this house, by the divine will, as it seems to me, is so shaken, that neither stone upon stone, nor wood upon wood, can stand for one moment of time. And again he said to him: For my lord has imposed upon me a grievous yoke of servitude: for if I ever passed by one of his least commandments, straightway his indignation raged, and blazed up against me thy servant, and he struck terror with threats of torments, and often afflicted me with stripes: how much more from this crime of great guilt, which is commanded me by him, if I do not perform it? And, if I, unhappy one, fulfil his command, I fear lest the wrath of God come divinely upon me; and the earth, opening its mouth, swallow me alive, he encourages the keeper, before the time of penitence, and I go down even to the lower regions. Nevertheless, if I do not this, I shall not escape the hands of my lord. S. Salvius said: Be not saddened by this, my son, neither be troubled, but be of strong soul. For if thy lord has commanded thee some command, with willing soul thou oughtest to obey his command: remembering the Apostolic saying, where he says: Servants, be subject to your masters, in all fear of the Lord, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. n The keeper of the prison said to him: I have already told thee, servant of the most high God, that if thou wishest to go out, I will go out with thee: but if thou wilt not go out, I cannot change, so as not to obey the words of my lord: I will pierce thee through with the sword, and thy disciple. 1 Peter 2. Nevertheless be the King of heaven and His Angels my witnesses, that I do nothing of these things of my own will; but because my lord threatens to constrain my body with the most grievous kinds of punishments.

[8] by whom, reproached through Winegardus, But while he was saying these things, Winegardus sent, and ordered him to come to him, most surely believing that all the things which he had commanded concerning the holy man had been accomplished. Who, when he had stood before his face, he said to him: Hast thou completed all that I commanded thee, or not? Why hast thou made such delay? But the servant, answering, said to his lord: Would that it might please our liberator and redeemer Christ, the Son of God, that the eyes of my lord's heart might be opened, and he might see how great a familiarity the Lord shows toward the man of God. Then his lord, filled with fury, said to him: What hast thou done, wicked servant, through all this night? The keeper of the prison answered: I beseech thee, my lord, be not angry with me thy servant, until thou hear a word from my mouth. His lord said to him: Say what thou art to say: and opening his mouth, he narrated to him all the great deeds which he had seen in the prison concerning the man of God, saying: Thou sentest me, said he, my lord, that I should do this decree of thy command: I thy servant, opening the door of the prison, straightway at the very entrance a great trembling and intolerable fear rushed upon me: and when I had come before the face of the man of God, immediately I was confounded in mind, and terrified I fell prone to the ground before his feet, and I thought he would open his mouth, and absorb and swallow me. Then Winegardus, moved with fury, mocking him, secretly said to his friends: In truth I have found that this man, a companion in crime being joined to him, according to the manner of unfaithful servants, fulfils his office; and like a fox, which is a very timid animal, is struck with dread, when it runs upon a band of hunting dogs; so also this wicked servant, struck with dread, hides himself, fearing to die: and calling secretly one of his companions, he said: I ask thee, that thou go out with him, and go to that magician, whence he brings me his

sentences and utters vain words, because his heart greatly dreads in him, and be a solace to him: perhaps he will receive from thee strength, that he may stretch out his hand upon him, and kill him, and thus then he will complete my command. Again adding, he said to that same servant of his: Commanding I command thee, that thou see not my face, until thou complete all that I commanded thee. By the safety of my father, unless thou complete those things which I commanded thee concerning that magician and his minister, I will afflict thee with diverse punishments.

[9] They therefore, going out, came together to the place of the prison, where the man of God, shut up, was held bound with chains. And the prison being opened, they entered into it, and came even to the place where S. Salvius, intrepid, awaited the crown of Martyrdom. But when they saw him, they began to hesitate. But his disciple, for the cause of nature, had by chance separated himself from him. intrepid unto death, he is slain with his disciple, S. Salvius was sitting upon a rustic stool, which by the rustics is called a three-legged one (tripod); and seeing him, he who had been sent with that same servant for the cause of solace, said to the servant: Why dost thou delay? Why dost thou not fulfil the command of thy lord? Then, the axe being seized, greatly trembling, he did not dare to strike him. The Blessed Salvius said to him: Why dost thou hesitate, my son? Do what thy lord commanded thee, and he offered his bare neck to the smiter. But he, fearing his lord, struck, and slew him. Now the disciple of the Blessed Salvius was set apart on the other side in a corner of the prison house. As soon as he heard the blow of the striking sword, he understood that the Master was slain, and he cried out with a great voice, saying: Forsake me not, holy Father; the executioners therefore came to his disciple, and slew him. So S. Salvius and his Disciple were martyred together with him under Winegardus; 26 June. on the sixth of the Kalends of July, with neck submitted they delivered their bodies to the strikers, and offered their holy souls as a holocaust to the Creator Lord. Therefore they were crowned, and received diadems from the hand of the Lord. The holy ones of God are therefore sprung from the Arvernian territory of the region of Aquitaine, but came as devout men into Frankland. And in the district of Hainaut they were crowned with martyrdom, and now reign with Christ Jesus, the Son co-eternal with the Father, together with the Holy Spirit, through all ages of ages. Amen. o

ANNOTATED BY G. H. AND D. P.

CHAPTER II.

Miracles at the bodies, then raised and translated by a heavenly admonition.

In those days it was announced to Winegardus that the Blessed Salvius together with his disciple had consummated their Martyrdom, The bodies buried among the herds in the stable and he ordered his servants to carry away secretly the holy bodies to the herd of his cattle, and commanded that they be covered with earth there in the midst of a pit, before the twilight of light should come. And his servants did as had been commanded them by their lord, and first cast the Master into the cave, then placed the disciple upon the breast of the Saint in the form of a cross a, deeming that what had been done concerning the holy men could never be known or made manifest by anyone. But the holy ones of God followed the words of the Lord and Savior, saying in the Gospel: He who wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. He who follows Me walks not in darkness, but shall have the light of life. Luke 9. 23, John 8. 12. And it came to pass, after the holy bodies were secretly buried in the aforesaid herd, that the cows according to their custom tarried in the same. Now there was in the aforesaid herd a bull of wondrous size, who guarded and watched the herd daily with his drove. they are guarded by a bull, That bull therefore always provided for that place, from the day on which the holy members had been hidden there, both by day and by night, so much that not even one of the heifers dared at all to touch or approach the holy place. For, as has been said, and are preserved from defilement. if any of them wished to go to that place, the bull resisted them with turned heels and with blows of his horns, and made the whole multitude of the heifers of either sex stand round about, that they might not be able to defile that same holy place. For the same bull provided carefully in all things for the holy place, that no stain, neither stirred up by the wind, nor from any dung, could darken it. And if it happened that any filth fell there by chance, laboring through the whole night he had no rest, until he had made the holy place clean with his feet.

[11] And so, time having rolled on after the courses of three years, by the suffrages of the holy Man's merits, Christ the Lord our God The lights appear, began to open the secret which lay hidden obscure in the herd. Now there was a certain old woman in the village of Brevitica, by name Rasuvera, who about her house through the quiet of night was very careful. And on a certain night it happened that in the silence of the dead of night she was going round her house, as she had been wont more often to do. She looked across at the often-mentioned herd, where S. Salvius and his disciple lay buried in hiding: and she saw not far off in the aforesaid herd the brightness of a great light, and she ran to her door, to prove what it might be. And that same old woman knew that it was the power of God, and looking forth she diligently observed the place which the bull guarded. And she saw upon his horns two burning lamps clinging, shining with so great a splendor, that throughout the whole herd there was no place where she could not see all things clearly as at midday. and the lamps between the horns of the bull, Then immediately, the neighbors and citizens being convoked, and also her household, she begged all that they would come together to the same place to consider diligently the vision which she had seen; and that they might be able, the Lord favoring, to find out what thing had been done. And seeing the glory of so great a splendor, marveling greatly, they said: Truly this is an Angelic vision. And the first night being passed, again they all gathered themselves, and saw as they had seen before. Lastly, counsel being taken, they all began to declare this mystery which they had seen to the most sacred Priests of God, and to beseech that they would ask the mercy of the Lord, that the King of heavenly glory would deign to reveal that mystery, that they might be able to know what it was.

[12] At that same time also it was revealed by an Angelic vision to the most glorious Duke of the Franks b Charles, that he should send his Messengers to the fiscal estate of Valenciennes; and there cause most diligent search to be made, where the servant of God Salvius, together with his disciple, was resting. By Charles the Duke, thrice admonished by an Angelic vision, And the night being passed, the Prince, being awakened, began to revolve within the secret places of his heart what this vision might have been. But on the second night he was again admonished, in the sleep of night, that he should order search to be made, what had become of the servant of God Salvius. But on the third night, repeated, the Angel of the Lord came to him after cockcrow; and striking his side, he said: Once and a second time I asked thee, who art Duke and Prince of the army of the Lord, that thou shouldest cause search to be made, and with all diligence to investigate, where the servant of God Salvius the Bishop was resting. Why hast thou not obeyed my voice? Hasten swiftly and make all speed, taking with thee thy Nobles and household servants into counsel, and diligently investigate concerning the aforesaid servant of God Salvius and his disciple. Beware lest thou neglect the command of the Lord thy God, for those men are made the friends and Martyrs of God the most high. And so the Duke, being awakened, summoned and convoked all the Princes, Satraps and Nobles, and Magistrates and Dukes, and also all his household servants, who governed under him his kingdom and empire, and laid open to them in order what had been revealed to him over the three days: for he had understood, by the revelation of the Angel of the Lord, that this decree was from God: and he commanded them that they should diligently inquire concerning the death and martyrdom of S. Salvius the Martyr and his disciple, and that they should send with the greatest diligence into all places, villages, towns, and fiscs, or throughout all his kingdom.

[13] And so first the same most glorious Charles, Duke of the Franks, sent most noble men from his household servants to the fisc which is called Valenciennes. the most noble men sent to Valenciennes, These with the highest zeal with all their strength began strongly to investigate concerning the most impious slaying of the man of God, and his disciple. And convoking the Vicars, Tribunes and Centurions, Judges and Deans of the King, there was gathered to them no small multitude of the people. They therefore began to question each one through their bands, and diligently to investigate,

until the lot came to the house of Genardus: and they set him in the midst of them, and carefully observed him, questioning and inquiring of those matters concerning which they had been sent to inquire about the holy man; that if any knowledge of him had been ascertained, because he himself was Procurator of the affairs of that fisc, and of the village of Brevitica, where the bodies of the Saints lay hidden. And it was found, Genardus being examined, by his own confession, how the holy men had assembled there, and had received lodging for themselves in that same place, and how on the day of the Lord's resurrection at the hour of refreshment they had reclined at table with him. And the Messengers and household servants of the Duke questioned him, and said: What became of that man, after he rose from the refreshment? Genardus answered: He took up his journey, thenceforth I know not what became of him. The household servants of the King said to him: By the safety of our Lord Charles, with diverse punishments and torments will we afflict thee, unless thou tell the truth.

[14] Then the Magistrates of the King seized Genardus together with his son Winegardus, and also Winegarius his servant, with his son and his servant they bring him to the King, who had most wickedly laid hands upon the holy men of God; and brought them before the sight c of the King, and said to him: These, O King, are most wicked men, who have iniquitously dared to stretch out their hands upon the holy men of God. And the King, beholding them, said to them: Hear me, O iniquitous and most impious men: why have ye so wished to overturn our kingdom, which almighty God gave us to rule, that ye should make to extinguish the name of Christ from the midst of us? Why have ye slain the holy men, whom almighty God had sent to save us and our kingdom? But they, struck with trembling, became dumb, and with eyes fixed upon the ground, did not dare to look upon the face of the King. But the Duke diligently observed, inquiring of them how the deed had been done concerning the holy ones of God. whose eyes are torn out by the command of Duke Charles. But they narrated to him all things, as it had been done. Then the most glorious Duke of the Franks Charles, moved with fury, commanded the lictors, saying: Go, take them, and cut off the privy parts of Genardus and Winegardus, and tear out their eyes. But of Winegarius their servant tear out only the eyes: for it is a crime that anyone, whether free or servant, should act against the command of his lord, and escape unpunished. The lictors of the King fulfilled all things, as had been commanded them.

[15] And the King ordered all the Bishops and Priests of the Lord who were there present to be convoked, The holy bodies raised, that with great reverence they should translate the holy bodies from that place to another place. And on that day the Priests and the whole Ecclesiastical Order made a solemn dedication to the Lord God of hosts, in honor of the Blessed Salvius the Bishop, they cannot be translated to the church of S. Vedast, with great joy, praising God and blessing the Lord. The holy bodies were translated on that day, and they perfumed them with spices, clothing them with linen cloths and honorable vestments, and placed them in a new wagon d; and oxen being yoked, they wished to turn them toward the basilica of S. Vedast the Confessor. But with so great a weight did the Holy Spirit fix the wagon, that many yokes of oxen could not move it from that place. Seeing that they could in no wise move the vehicle with the holy bodies from that place, all the people unanimously began to lay hands upon it, wishing again to carry it to the basilica of S. Pharaildis with great apparatus, but they could in no wise do so. or of S. Pharaildis: Then the chief Pontiffs and all the Priests of the Lord said: O men, Brethren and Fathers, it does not seem to us that these Blessed ones have a will to rest in these places. Let them go; perhaps the Lord will reveal where it behooves them to rest. For ye now see that many yokes of oxen and the multitude of the people, with hands laid on, could do nothing. Take away therefore this multitude, and leave only two oxen with the vehicle; and where it shall be the will of God, perhaps they will carry the patron thither. The people therefore did but they are easily carried to the church of S. Martin. as the Priests of the Lord said. And the multitude being removed, and only two oxen left, soon there was so great a swiftness in their going, that scarcely could the throng of the people in any wise overtake them running at top speed, until they came to the fisc of Valenciennes, before the basilica of S. Martin, where that Saint while living was wont more frequently to come for the cause of prayer, awaiting there the people coming after them. Finally, the peoples coming together, the Priests of the Lord reverently took down the holy bodies from the wagon, understanding that it was the will of the Lord that they should be laid up in that same basilica. They therefore buried S. Salvius in that most sacred temple f, filled with great joy: giving thanks on high to almighty God, glorifying His Saint together with his disciple, g on the sixth of the Kalends of July, with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ, who with the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns God h through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATED BY D. P.

CHAPTER III.

Benefits bestowed under Charlemagne. The perjurer is punished. The penitence of the slayers.

[16] But the most glorious a Charles, King of the Franks, bestowed on the holy Martyr Salvius the third part of all the resources of that fisc b, This is endowed by Charles: which also remains there even unto the present day.

[17] For at that time Charles commanded a great Field c to be prepared, as was the custom of the Franks. And the Nobles and Magistrates and all the people came, and all pitched camp round about, where d the Duke resided. And all being gathered, there was present among them one of the Dukes, whom the King greatly loved. And his sisters began to cry out against him before the King, saying: A certain Duke denying his sisters the inheritance owed them, O most pious and most glorious King, our governor and consoler, who after God dost govern the kingdom and empire of the Franks, deign to have mercy on us thy two handmaids, orphans, that thou mayest order our brother to render the part of our inheritance, which he unjustly retains after him. And he summoned him, moved with mercy upon them: and diligently inquired of him, whether he unjustly possessed their portion, or not. And he said to him: Hear, my son, and acquiesce in my counsels, and render to thy sisters the inheritance owed them; and I will make thee greatly honored out of our fiscs and villages. Now that man was greatly beloved of the King, and he was unwilling to acquiesce in his counsel, but began more and more to contradict, that never in his life would he render anything to them out of that same portion, which he was seen to possess. To these things the King answered: Thou sayest that thou owest them no portion; and these testify that thou unjustly retainest their inheritance after thee, this does not seem to me to be right. Nevertheless, behold, we have here a new-found Patron, whom God has deigned to manifest to us. If thou wishest to possess their inheritance, go and give an oath upon his holy sepulcher: perhaps then the Lord God will manifest, a false oath being made at the sepulcher of the Saint, by his intercession, whether it be just for thee to possess, or whether the suit ought to be rendered to them. Then that unhappy man, with great joy acquiescing in his words, came to the sacred sepulcher of the Saint: and casting his hands upon it, with great audacity he swore, saying: By this holy place, and the Blessed Salvius the Bishop, whatsoever these my sisters demand against me concerning their portion, I owe them nothing in any wise out of this matter. And the oath being performed, straightway he burst in the middle, and all his bowels were rent asunder, and through the secret nature of his belly the excrements broke forth, and from his eyes and ears and mouth blood went out, and falling to the ground he became as one dead. And straightway his household and friends carried him from that place: nor could he speak any more, he is punished by sudden death, but after a space of about two or three hours he ended his life. e And there was great fear among the people: and after these things no man dared any more falsely to swear any frail oath in that same most sacred place.

[18] Therefore Genardus, the father of Winegardus, delivered all his money and possession by the order of a testament to the Blessed Salvius; Repenting, Genardus delivers his goods to S. Salvius, and his bodily eyes being lost, but spiritual eyes received, he abode all the days of his life in his house. And so Winegardus, coming to his brother Isembardus, said to him: What shall I do, brother? For I acknowledge how I blazed against S. Salvius the Bishop in the impious crime of cruelty. But I beseech thee, that thou give me counsel what I ought to do, that I may merit to obtain from this, the Lord having mercy, indulgence of my sins. Now his brother had not consented to the slaying which his brother had wrought upon the Blessed Salvius: Winegardus, after prayers poured out to him and he said to him: It is good, my brother, that thou make haste as quickly as possible to that same holy place in which the Saint himself rests: perhaps by his intercession thou wilt receive indulgence from the Lord. Then Winegardus with great fear and trembling, before the first hour of the day, came to the door of the basilica of S. Salvius, and his whole body being prostrate on the ground, he began to pray. in the monastery of S. Amand mourns his whole life: But when he had wished to persist very long in prayer, the whole basilica was shaken, and an intolerable fear and trembling seized him; and turning back in flight, he came to the f monastery of S. Amand the Confessor, and there remained mourning and doing penance all the days of his life. But his servant Winegarius, with great reverence weeping and wailing, ran to the basilica of S. Salvius: and with a great cry standing before the sepulcher of S. Salvius the Bishop, he cried out, saying: Have mercy on me, most holy man of God: for thou knowest thyself, that for the fear of my lord I perpetrated a nefarious crime upon thee. Winegarius at the sepulcher receiving the sight of one eye, Therefore with suppliant heart and humble

spirit, I beseech, that thou deign to forgive this so great a wickedness to me thy servant. And when he had said these things, straightway he prostrated his whole body humbly before the sepulcher of S. Salvius, with great groaning and roaring, beating his breast with his hands: and so great a flood of tears flowed to him, that he made wet the whole pavement which was before he guards the flocks of S. Salvius. the holy sepulcher. And when he had long lain prostrate on the ground, amid bitter tears, he received the sight of one eye. And we saw him even unto the day of his death serving in the pasturing of the flocks in the service of S. Salvius the Bishop g.

[19] Many indeed and other miracles, which are long to relate one by one, Other miracles are wrought. concerning the holy man we saw and heard. The blind received sight, the weak and the lame, and very many who were seen to be held by diverse kinds of diseases, in our presence merited to receive their former health; and now, Christ glorifying His Saint, they receive it. We therefore, The writer's peroration. Brethren, who with the highest love of heart have taken care to write the deeds or life of S. Salvius, beseech the most learned readers, and all Priests serving God, who read the life of this same holy Martyr, that ye disdain not to pour forth a prayer for us to the Lord; so that, this same holy Martyr of God interceding, our soul may be loosed from the bonds of sins: for as far as we were able to labor, we have taken care to write his life and deeds with great zeal and skill. For let us magnify unanimously, dearest Brethren, all of us, the almighty God, who is the Father in the Son, and the Son in the Father, with the Holy Spirit, in three persons one God, threefold in unity, and one in Trinity; and let us give Him praises on high, who is ever wonderful in His Saints, who raises up the contrite, and restores the fallen in true confession: who makes whole the broken, and to us sinners turned to Him in penitence, mercifully forgives sins; and joins clemently all who believe in Him, borne hence to the joys of paradise, to the hosts of His Angels and Saints. To Him be honor, praise and jubilation, virtue and power without end, perennially, through infinite ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATED BY D. P.