Landoaldus the Archpriest

ON SAINTS LANDOALDUS THE ARCHPRIEST, AMANTIUS THE DEACON, ADRIAN THE MARTYR, JULIAN, VINCIANA, AND ADELTRUDIS, AT WINTERSHOVEN AND GHENT IN BELGIUM.

SEVENTH CENTURY.

Preliminary Commentary.

Landoaldus, Archpriest, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint). Amantius, Deacon, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint). Adrian, Martyr, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint). Julian, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint). Vinciana, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint). Adeltrudis, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (Saint).

[1] The deposition of Saint Landoaldus is celebrated on March 19 with an Ecclesiastical Office among the people of Ghent and in various ancient Martyrologies; of these, the Trier manuscript of Saint Martin and the Utrecht manuscript of Saint Mary add only the title of Confessor. Greven in the Supplement to Usuard calls him a Priest, Sacred cult of Saint Landoaldus, and the Tournai manuscript of Saint Martin calls him Archpriest. Longer encomia from the Acts are found in the Brussels manuscript of Saint Gudula and the manuscript Florarium of the Saints. Galesin joins a companion to him with these words: "At the port of Ghent, of Saint Landoaldus the Priest and Amantius the Deacon." Of the same, the following is read in today's Roman Martyrology: "At Ghent, of Saints Landoaldus, a Roman Priest, and Amantius, of Amantius, who, sent by Pope Saint Martin to preach the Gospel, were after death made illustrious by many miracles." Saussay has a long eulogy of the same in his Gallican Martyrology. Molanus in his Additions to Usuard joins several companions with these words: "At the port of Ghent, the deposition of Saint Landoaldus, Confessor and Archpriest. He nourished Blessed Lambert the Bishop in his boyhood and instructed him in sacred letters. Likewise the birthday of his holy companions, Amantius the Deacon, Adrian the Internuncio, and the rest, who rest with him at Ghent in the church of Saint Bavo." of Adrian the Martyr, Canisius in his German Martyrology celebrates Saint Landoaldus with his companions but with their names suppressed; but Baldwin Willot names these companions: Saints Amantius, Adrian the Martyr, and the holy Virgins Vinciana, his sister, and Adeltrudis. of Vinciana, Adeltrudis, and Julian, To these Molanus in his Birthdays of the Belgian Saints adds Saint Julian, and appends the eulogy of each mainly from the Acts. He adds that Saint Landoaldus, because he was Archpriest of the Roman Church, is painted as a Cardinal -- just as Saint Jerome the Presbyter customarily is, according to popular judgment. That Saint Adrian is honored among the Martyrs of Christ and painted with a rural staff and letters in his hands, as a messenger. He furthermore notes that Saint Adeltrudis is asserted by some to be a daughter of Saint Bavo, Was Adeltrudis a daughter of Saint Bavo? whom Abbot Theodoric, in his Life to be examined on the first of October, says was raised to the heights of the highest perfection. Of her, the following is found in the manuscript Florarium on February 25: "The birthday of Saint Angletrudis the Virgin, daughter of Saint Bavo the Confessor." In the metrical Life of Saint Bavo she is called Agletrudis. But Saint Vinciana, the sister of Saint Landoaldus, also has a special cult on September 11; just as Saint Landrada the Virgin, whose sacred bones were translated to Ghent at the same time, is honored on July 8. Her Acts will be published then.

[2] The celebrated Translation on December 1. The same Molanus in his Additions to Usuard treats of these Saints on the first of December with these words: "In the village of Wintershoven, the translation of Landoaldus the Confessor and his companions, which was performed by Saint Florebertus, Bishop of Liege." Canisius also mentions it in his Martyrology, but without naming the companions; March 5, the rest is read below in the Life, number 7, where at number 12 a certain Translation made on the third of the Nones of March of Saints Landrada, Adrian the Martyr, and Julian is mentioned, which Saussay inscribed in his Gallican Martyrology. But the most celebrated of all elevations is celebrated on June 13, and June 13. on which day the Tournai manuscript Martyrology of Saint Martin records: "At the castle of Ghent, the elevation of the body of Saint Landoaldus the Confessor"; Molanus adds "and of his companions," namely (as expressed in Canisius) Amantius, Adrian, Vinciana, and Landrada. On which day also among the people of Ghent this elevation or translation is celebrated with an Ecclesiastical Office.

[3] The Acts of these Saints were contained in an ancient booklet, but one which is said to have been consumed by fire through the carelessness of its guardians during the incursion of the Hungarians around the year 954, as stated below at number 9 in the Life and history of the Translation, The first Acts perished: which Bishop Notger of Liege composed, or at least published, at the request of the Abbot and monks of Ghent. For, as is read in the Chronicle of Ghent at the year 981, "the miracles of Saint Landoaldus and his companions, truthfully published by order of the Lord Notger, the distinguished Pontiff, were collected and others written by Hariger at Notger's command: by the Lord Hariger, his teacher and one skilled in the art of music, were described briefly indeed but with sufficient discretion and in a lucid style, and were confirmed by the authority of the Bishop himself and strengthened by the impression of his seal, and were faithfully sent to Abbot Womar of the Ghent monastery and to all." Which is more precisely explained below in the History of the Translation by a monk of Ghent at number 14:

namely, that in a full Synod the miracles of these Saints were proved before the Bishop, and at his command collected, and by the Lord Heynger, as we said above, described, etc. This Heynger, who is called above Herigerus and by others Harigerus, seems to be the one who inscribed the prooemium to the Deeds of the Bishops of Tongeren, Maastricht, and Liege, which he published under the name of the same Bishop Notger, to Werinfrid, Abbot of Stavelot; as those are read in an old manuscript preserved at Liege at Saint Martin's, and it is added that he collected not only the times and deeds of Saint Remacle but also of the other Bishops of that See, which could be scraped together from anywhere. Miraeus also, in his Scholia on Sigebert of Gembloux's On Ecclesiastical Writers, chapter 137, asserts that the same Harigerus wrote the Life of Saint Landoaldus and his translation in two books, not Bishop Notger, to whom Molanus ascribes them. Harigerus died as Abbot of Lobbes in the year 1007.

[4] We separate from the second book the Appendix, as we note there, because it was excerpted from the History of the Translation which we give from a Ghent monk as author. The History of the Translation is given from manuscripts. We found that history in a very ancient Ghent manuscript and another manuscript of the monastery of Corsendonck near the town of Turnhout in Brabant. We have the earlier history appended to the said Ghent manuscript with this heading: "The annotation of Notger, Prelate of the holy Church of Maastricht, on the Translation of the holy Confessor Landoaldus the Archpriest and his companions." But that this history or Life of Saint Landoaldus by Notger, or rather by Harigerus, was written first, is clear from number 11 of the later history, where miracles are omitted because they had been accurately narrated in the earlier account. Various abridgements. In the manuscript codex of Rouge-Cloitre, only the first two chapters with the Appendix were present, as we note there. We also have sufficiently copious manuscript abridgements of all these from the codices of Corsendonck, Rouge-Cloitre, and a certain third one whose name was not affixed. Other abridgements have also been printed by Zacharias Lippeloo, Francis Haraeus, and Bartholomew Fisen in Latin; in Dutch by Heribert Rosweyde, in French by Jacques Doublet, William Gazet, and others. But above all others, the one customarily recited in the Ecclesiastical Office among the people of Ghent would be praiseworthy, were it not for some errors interspersed.

[5] The chronological marks of the period in which they flourished we discussed on February 6, in the Life of Saint Amandus, The arrival of these Saints in Belgium in the year 651, especially section 12, page 833, where we demonstrated that Saint Amandus undertook his third journey to Rome in the year 650 to Pope Saint Martin, when in the Acts below he is said to have gone to Rome a second time; then, returning the following year, having obtained privileges in January, he brought back as companions Saints Landoaldus, Amantius, Vinciana, Adeltrudis, and seven others. Bartholomew Fisen places these events in the year 634. But at that time, Saint Martin, who sent them, did not yet preside over the Church, having been created only in the year 647. After the abridgement of the Life contained in the Corsendonck and Rouge-Cloitre manuscripts, a "Notation of the years of the Lord of the death, Translation, and Elevation of these Saints" is added, and in the first place the following is read: "The deposition of Saint Landoaldus, Vice-Prelate, Archpriest and Cardinal of the holy Roman Church, buried at the aforesaid village of Wintershoven, in the year of the Lord 646." Which, excerpted from there, is recited in the Readings of the Ecclesiastical Office among the people of Ghent. But in that year he was still living at Rome, and Saint Lambert, whom he instructed as a boy, is not yet believed to have been born; the elevation of relics in the year 735, indeed, Childeric had not yet been born, from whom as King he afterward received daily necessary provisions, which we believe to have happened around the year 670. How long he lived afterward in the small monastery or church of Wintershoven built by himself is not clear. From the prescribed notation we more readily accept the following: "The Elevation of Saints Landoaldus, Vinciana, Amantius, Adrian, and other Saints by Saint Florebertus, Bishop of Maastricht, in the church of Blessed Peter at Wintershoven, solemnized on the first of December in the year 735." Saint Florebertus held his see from the year 727 to the year 746 and is honored on April 26. That the arrival of the holy Relics at the city of Ghent and the monastery of Saint Bavo the translation to Ghent in the year 980. occurred in the year 980 on March 25, and that their elevation there took place in the year 982 on June 13, is certainly established from the Acts of the Translation.

LIFE

Written by Harigerus at the Command of Bishop Notger of Liege.

From various manuscripts and Surius.

BHL Number: 4700, 4701, 4702, 4703, 4705, 4706, 4709, 4710

BY HARIGERUS THE ABBOT.

PROLOGUE.

Notger, whom, though unworthy, they proclaim Bishop of the servant of Saint Mary and Saint Lambert, to Womar, venerable Father in Christ, and to the Brothers of Ghent and all the faithful everywhere situated, The ancient Acts perished: who will read these things with an unbiased eye: perpetuity of the heavenly life. You have not hesitated, most reverend Fathers, to request -- indeed to exhort -- the little faculty of our small ability, that from the wonders which must be proclaimed to all ages and nations, and which in our days, though we are unworthy, have been manifested to us and moreover bestowed upon you, revealed in the translation of Saint Landoaldus the Archpriest and his companions -- since, having been taken from our diocese, they have, by God's preordination, yielded to your jurisdiction -- we should, as far as fame has been able to carry them to us, satisfy the petition of all, or rather of yourselves. A just petition indeed and a worthy exhortation, which, according to a certain wise man, is joined both with the honor of the present undertaking and the utility of the future age. For if the deeds of those had not been lost through the negligence of our predecessors, they would still suffice for us today. But "what we have heard and known, and our Fathers have told us" -- those things, namely, which our memory still retains -- we commit to writing at your request, lest we too be condemned by the posterity that follows. Being placed in doubt on these matters, because among you the art of arts is known and believed to be the episcopal office, silence weighed upon our suspended mind, and that poetic line, "Carry not logs to the forest," striking our soul, introduced a measure of diffidence. But because "the soul that never escapes itself is at fault," the torpor of diffidence yielded, your demand prevailed -- except that haste, which according to Socrates makes a favor more welcome, compelled us to hasten more than the matter required. For it had been said before us: "The strength that inexperience denies, charity supplies," and "the beginning alone is needed; the matter will work out the rest." We have therefore undertaken the task, lest we seem to flee from your authority. Whence these substituted. For authority is given to one who presumes, when he believes that the one he asks can accomplish what is asked; and conversely, for one who knows how to obey, the glory is equal with the one who commands. But if any future detractor should not fear to file these things with a biased eye and should presume to poison them with dark hatred and venomous biting, for his satisfaction we call Jesus and his holy Angels and the future judgment to witness that we have placed here little else than what we either heard from the Priest Sarabert (swearing this solemnly, and as he himself reported, strongly adjured by you and by the merits of these Saints) or found faithfully recorded in the writing delivered to us by you -- except only those things which, drawn from our bishopric, seemed to be suitably prefixed to this document in chronological order. Farewell. Given on the thirteenth before the Calends of July, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 980, the eighth Indiction, in the reign of the Lord Otto, in the eighth year after the death of his father, in the ninth year of our episcopate.

BOOK I.

The Deeds, Translations, and Miracles of Saint Landoaldus and His Companions, Performed at Wintershoven.

CHAPTER I.

Apostolic Men Under the Franks in Belgium. The Arrival of Saint Landoaldus and His Companions.

[1] The ^akingdom of the Franks, indefatigable from its beginning, seemed to flourish above all its neighboring kingdoms especially when it deigned to bow its neck to the yoke of the ^bLord's faith, Under the ancient Frankish kingdom. and wished henceforth to adore what it had burned, and to burn what it had formerly adored. The holy Church of God received its greatest increase and firm standing under it when King Clothar, the ^cfourth by just succession from this point, was singularly ruling the monarchy of three kingdoms, and was in his fortieth year, which the Emperor Heraclius, who brought back the holy Cross, was in his fourteenth. This king suffered no scepter of any surrounding ruler to challenge his own; but whatever Gaul and Germany contained of kings and peoples, he strove to restrain with his reins. He had set his illustrious son Dagobert over the Austrasians and had joined the kingdom of Germany to his domain. In their most happy time, the title of Christianity so abounded everywhere that scarcely any church is found even today on this side of the borders, rare or none, that does not display the patronage of some Saint of that time. But to pass over innumerable others in the meanwhile, the holy men ^fEligius and Audoen were beginning to toil in Palatine cares; Blessed ^gArnulph with Romaric were already then participating in royal councils; and Saint Amandus was illuminating Aquitaine with the auspices of his birth. Among many Saints was Saint Amandus, While he was still a boy, he left his homeland and parents and sought the island of Oye, situated to the west of the Ocean Sea. There he was received by the spiritual Brothers with great joy; and because he had learned the sacred letters, he burned daily with greater desire in the service of God. After this, older in age but more fervent in the intention of his soul, he sought the tomb of Saint Martin at Tours, and there prayed for the assistance of his intercession, that he might beseech the Lord to grant him the grace of pursuing the course of pilgrimage for his whole life. He rose from prayer, had the hair of his head cut off, obtained the honor of the clerical state, and surpassed all in the clergy in every grace, though still as a pilgrim. He then went to Bourges, lived most holily with Blessed Austregisilus and his Archdeacon Saint Sulpicius, and devoted himself to the strictest life in a cell built by himself for fifteen years.

[2] An Apostolic Bishop for the conversion of the Gentiles: Then, having returned also to Rome and warned by Blessed Peter in a vision to return to Gaul for the sake of preaching, at last compelled by the King and the priests, he was ordained a Bishop for preaching, as was the custom at that time. For since the error of the Pagans still prevailed all around, it was necessary for both such religious Princes and the Lord's Priests to send others

to ordain others to announce the word of the Lord and to baptize and confirm the people. That this may not seem doubtful to anyone, ⁱToxandria is a witness, freed many years later by Blessed ^kLambert from the root of idol worship. Brabant also, entangled by many errors of the pagans, was in part corrected by his successor, ^lSaint Hubert. Almost all of Germany, too, was newly not only converted but also illuminated and enriched with new bishoprics and churches. Of these, we know that some persisted in preaching until death, others were afterward substituted for vacant bishoprics or abbacies, and others established new bishoprics for new churches.^m Blessed Amandus indeed strenuously fulfilled the office he had assumed and announced the word of the Lord to those situated round about (reaching even beyond Gascony, that is, Vasconia, and the Danube), until, seeing that his own strength was insufficient for so arduous a task, he resolved to go to Rome a second time.

[3] Pope Martin was then administering the universal Roman Pontificate. [From Pope Saint Martin he obtains as helpers Saints Landoaldus, Amantius, Vinciana, and Adeltrudis,] To him Blessed Amandus revealed his desire, on account of which he had come, and ⁿasked that reinforcements be sent to him for carrying out this work. Several helpers, whose names have been lost, were assigned to him, among whom were Saint Landoaldus the Archpriest and Amantius the Deacon; they were also accompanied by the holy women Vinciana and Adeltrudis, with seven other men and women. About the same time, Blessed ^oJohn, happily governing the Pontificate of Tongeren and Maastricht, died. King Dagobert, who had auspiciously succeeded to power upon the death of his father, summoned Blessed Amandus and had him preside over the See of Maastricht. For three years he went about the villages and towns, announcing the word of life; but seeing that he was accomplishing nothing, and grieving that priests and Levites moreover insulted him, he afterward departed to other places. It is then unknown for how long an interval of time the people of Maastricht were without pastoral blessing until Blessed Remacle, except that by report reaching even to us, we have learned that Blessed Landoaldus remained there and for nine years administered the duties of a bishop.

[4] What easily brings us to assent to this opinion is that the same Blessed Landoaldus, our special patron, is reported to have nourished namely Saint Lambert from earliest boyhood. On account of this, the illustrious man Aper, father of the same boy, granted him the estate named Wintershoven, [Saint Landoaldus is believed to have instructed Saint Lambert, and to have drawn forth a spring by the sign of the Cross,] situated upon the river Archa, in perpetual right, for dwelling and for building a church; and he arranged for the same boy to remain with him, to be imbued with divine teachings. When workmen were there intent upon the building and disdained the water as turbid from the marshes, Blessed Landoaldus, with the boy Lambert, having invoked the name of Christ, with the extension of the Cross and the impression of his staff, caused a most limpid spring to bubble up for the use of all -- which bears witness to the truth even today.

[5] At another time also, when fire was needed and seemed to be lacking, the boy was called by the holy man and ordered to bring fire. The boy began to resist the command and openly confessed why he had not immediately satisfied the one giving orders: "You see, Lord," he said, Saint Lambert obediently brings fire with his garment unharmed, "that there is no vessel at hand by which fire can be conveniently brought, and how do you order it to be brought? My spirit is indeed ready to obey you, but the very lack of a vessel compels me to seem to oppose your wishes." But the pious Father, when he perceived the hesitant boy's state of mind, said: "Is it pleasing, son, that a delay be made to a father's command, when fire can be quite conveniently brought in the garment with which you are covered?" Moved by this rebuke, and moreover compelled by the example of obedience, the boy complied with the Father's command and, going a little way forward, hastened to find fire. When at last he found it and saw that nothing was at hand to carry it more conveniently, he opened his lap to burning coals, unhesitatingly placed them inside, and thus carried them to the Father with his garment unharmed. Then the holy man did not hesitate to consider more deeply within himself the novelty of the miracle and to compare the merit of the blessed boy even with the virtues of the perfect: in which the burning element either feared to display its nature or was utterly compelled to conceal it. And when the fresh miracle reached the ears of the people, the boy was extolled by all, and the deed divinely performed was ascribed both to the merit of the obedient one and to the command of the one who ordered. Thus from the sanctity of both, the same virtue is believed to have been accomplished. Christ also worked many other miracles there through their merits.

p. Dagobert had already died on January 19, 644, three years before Saint Martin was created Pope. Saint Amandus was Bishop of Maastricht during the reign of Saint Sigebert among the Austrasians.

q. One error being posited, several follow. Saint Remacle immediately succeeded Saint Amandus, as is clearly demonstrated in his Life.

r. The instruction of Saint Lambert. The earlier writers of the Life of Saint Lambert, Godescalcus and Bishop Stephen of Liege, do not mention this instruction; but the things reported as said were later affirmed for certain by Canon Nicolas and the monk Reinerus in his Life. We said in the Life of Saint Amandus, page 833, near the end, that Saint Lambert does not seem to have been born before the year 650 and was consecrated Bishop in the year 677, and that Saint Landoaldus could have been numbered among the wise men by whom Godescalcus and Stephen report that Saint Lambert was educated in sacred letters.

s. Wintershoven. Wintershoven, in the Salic Law enacted there, is also read as Windohaim or Widohaim; it is still a village between the cities of Tongeren and Hasselt, somewhat distant from the river. Nicolas, Reinerus, and Aegidius describe the following without mention of a river.

CHAPTER II

Various Translations Made at Wintershoven.

[6] Stirred by the fame of these things, King Childeric, who then had his seat at Maastricht, Saint Landoaldus is supported by King Childeric: moved by compunction, sent him the necessary provisions daily. But on a certain occasion, a man named Adrian, the same blessed man's messenger to the King, being believed to be carrying excessive weights of gold and silver, was intercepted by robbers and achieved martyrdom in the middle of the road, at a place called Villari. Blessed Landoaldus, completing the course of his present life, after Saint Adrian was killed having obtained rest in a good old age, put off the man and received the prize of the everlasting crown, buried in the church which he himself had built and dedicated in honor of Blessed Peter on the first of December. He died, moreover, on the fourteenth before the Calends of April. He dies, But also the companions of his pilgrimage, named above, summoned from this light in their own times as it pleased Christ, his companions afterward buried near him. were entombed around him in the same church. Only the Blessed Amantius, blessed in name and merit, was content to be buried in the same coffin with him because, as report has it, he was his son in baptism.

[7] The bodies are translated by Saint Florebertus: Then, after many years had elapsed, Saint Florebertus, governing the Bishopric of Maastricht or Liege in the third place after Saint Lambert, having heard of the multitude of miracles there and equally prompted by the responses of visions, translated them from there with worthy reverence and ordered their tombs to be adorned as far as his means allowed. This translation was performed on the first of December, the same day on which we said above that the dedication of the church was commemorated. The honor, cult, and reverence toward the bodies of the Saints continued until the fierce nation of the Northmen, not content with their own territories, disturbed nearly all of Gaul; and for fear of their eruption, lest the tombs of the Saints be violated, they were committed to the earth by the faithful. Present at this reburial was a certain Frangerus, a man most aged in our time, who for nine years before the infestation of the Pagans had been the steward and bailiff of that same estate. On account of the Norman incursion they are committed to the earth. Hildebrand the Priest also, whom Sarabert, likewise a Priest, the most faithful reporter of this information, had buried with his own hand a few years before, related that he had heard these things from the same Frangerus, with many attesting, and had likewise seen a booklet about their life (which, because he mentions it was written in an archaic hand and nearly soaked by the dripping of wax, we know that its reader was very rare); but the things we have briefly touched upon so far, he said he had gleaned from there, and that very recently, in the incursion of the Hungarians, through the carelessness of the guardians, the same booklet had been destroyed by fire along with other things. But enough of this.

[8] After the Norman repulsion, a certain man named Tietboldus first received from the Count of Flanders, The sepulcher of the Saints was for some time neglected, who held the Abbey of the holy Confessor of Christ Bavo, the place mentioned above where the bodies of the Saints were deposited, by right of benefice; after him, Adelgandus. These men, thinking more of the things of the world than of the things of the Lord, thought it of little account that any remnant of reverent worship of the Saints should remain as an honor; wherefore it gradually began to be held in contempt. But when Aper, near to our own time, obtained the place itself by precarious right with his sons, the fear of God itself being now set aside, the church was not only emptied of the honor due to the Saint, but of its own every ornament. Wanboldus afterward succeeded to the lordship of the same estate, where he also received

the place of burial; for whose interment his son

^hLambert was afterward touched with devotion of heart,

so that he should cultivate this place, and at the same time was roused by the admonition of the miracles

that were being performed there.

For when the Lord was then claiming the estate for Himself,

and the neighbors were at variance, certain enmities having preceded,

the household of that estate, taking refuge in the church, cast their cloth and other garments divine punishment afflicting the guilty: upon the tombs of the Saints; the Priest Sarabert, on the contrary, threw them off from there.

But when these were carried back again by the household to the same place,

and the Priest was frightened from resisting them further, night

came on, and the household arranged themselves around the place to sleep.

In the morning, awakened, they beheld unexpectedly and without

any injury to themselves that the cloth and what they had deposited had been burned.

[9] There is, moreover, a phylactery, which is truly said

to have been the personal possession of Saint Landoaldus, [those who perjure themselves upon the phylactery of Saint Landoaldus are punished,] upon which whoever presumes to commit perjury

does not depart unpunished. The household of more than twelve

men and women was bound by an oath upon that phylactery,

belonging to the brothers Witger and Lambert,

that they would not flee: which oath, counting it void, and moreover

stealing the treasure hidden in the same church belonging to their lords

by breaking in and carrying it off, they fled; but in the morning, sought round about

by pursuers in vain, they were found upon their return

sleeping under a tree near the church,

with the treasure safe. A certain other man, truly accused of a certain

crime, perjured himself upon the same phylactery; and that very

night the wretch was burned to death along with his house and only son.

Other miracles also happened to occur there, which I now

forbear to relate.

[10] Wherefore the same Lantso humbly approached

our venerable predecessor, the bodies of the Saints are elevated, namely Lord ⁱEuraclus,

entreating that the bodies of the Saints be translated either by him personally or by his

vicars, and that they be elevated from the place where

they had been deposited before the Norman infestation.

By repeating this petition frequently, he at last

obtained his request; and the Archdeacon Bono, with two

Archpriests, namely faithful men, Thietbold

and Whodo, and also with others from the monasteries

of Saint Trudo, ^kBilsen, and Tongeren, came thither,

and with a solemn litany they raised them from the tombs in which

they had lain in excessive neglect. They found,

moreover, several caskets; but there was one in which Saint Landoaldus

the Archpriest and his Deacon Amantius were covered

together. There was also a stone at their heads,

inscribed with their names. Other caskets contained

Saints Adeltrudis and Vinciana, which was indicated by a certain

small silver cross they are washed while a little bird circles the bier, found upon the breast of Saint Vinciana.

These having been both laid aside and brought back, while the bodies of the Saints

were being washed with wine and water together, a certain little bird

flew in through the window onto the bier of the Saints, and at the same time

importunately dived several times upon those who were present at this office,

and at other times flying down into the pit

from which the bodies of the Saints had been raised, it struck all those standing by

and watching with wonder and at the same time

with awe. For it was of a color of diverse beauty,

but one never seen before; and its cry was indeed of a sweet-flowing voice,

but one never before heard. Although it could have been seized by those standing by,

no one presumed to molest it. As if with certain

flutterings of joy and a whistling of its voice, flying

hither and thither, and again alighting on the bier of the Saints,

it did not cease from its course until all things were completed

with the proper rites.

[11] On the same day, a certain blind woman from the village of Hasbina,

which was in the vicinity, a blind woman receives sight: when the report spread that the bodies of the Saints

were being brought forth, hastened thither quickly with a candle.

Then waiting for two days, and ceaselessly beseeching the patronage of the Saints,

on the third day she departed seeing clearly.

[12] In the following year, therefore, the wife of the aforementioned Lantso,

named Sigeburgis, Sigeburgis, dropsical, was so afflicted with the disease of dropsy,

and her legs with her feet had so swollen, that

for nearly an entire year she had not entered even the church unless

she was conveyed in a sedan chair, nor had she shared the bed of her husband

or a banquet, had loathed all food,

and abhorred all drink except water. She,

half-awake in the dead of a certain night, was seized by a sudden vision

and admonished in these words: "Since

you have raised our Lords and Ladies from the earth, why

do you allow us, their faithful, to lie hidden in the mud? I

indeed am Landrada, admonished in a vision about the elevation of three bodies of the Saints, Adrian the Martyr and Julian

also are of our company." She revealed this vision

to her husband, and asked that either the Bishop or the authority

of the Bishop be summoned for their elevation.

He had spent so much on provisions in the past year during the elevation of the others

that it seemed to him excessively arduous to undertake this again by his own hand.

After some days, when the same vision appeared

again, she was rebuked by the same nun as before, according to the likeness,

for her negligence, and confounded for her contempt. "And you," she said, "who have spent so much and so many things

on physicians, and have not deserved to be cured: if you would raise us

from the mud, you would already have deserved to be healed." "And where," the woman said,

"shall we find you?" "Your sedan chair, by which you are carried to the church,"

she said, "irreverently presses down upon our graves; and the chest

placed behind is exceedingly burdensome to us. And if

you object that you do not have the Bishop or his vicars at hand,

you have at least the Priest Sarabert nearby,

and other faithful men to accomplish this." In the morning,

therefore, as she was deliberating what must be done about these matters, there appeared

a certain maid from her women's quarters, reporting that she had been admonished by the same vision

through these same signs; she was then living

in the village of Guodenghoue. But Sigeburgis,

her mistress, to whom these things were shown -- from whose

sworn and attesting mouth we have gathered these accounts --

still lives; she lives, I say, and in the present light, healthy and

unharmed, enjoys life; a noble person, from an ample house;

those who faithfully seek the matter she does not allow to remain hidden. With all

haste she sent to summon the Priests she arranges for the elevation, who might carry out

these things; meanwhile she herself, unable to rest in her quest for the recovery of her

health, had herself carried to the church,

and meanwhile gradually dug up the earth from the place indicated.

And they had scarcely dug half a foot of earth when behold, the coffins of the Saints

appeared almost at the very surface.

The Priests also arrived, whoever had been summoned,

and when the tombs of the Saints were uncovered, they found their names

expressed on small labels. And while they fulfilled as best they could whatever was fitting

for the translation, the said matron herself,

who was attending the work most attentively, suddenly turned around

and saw that streams of poison and foul pus, to the measure of a sextarius,

had run out from her legs. Marveling at this

and rendered more joyful at the recovery of her health, she returned home

on foot, prepared a lavish banquet for guests and household,

sat among them herself, neither loathing any food

nor now abhorring any draft of wine or other beverage.

Moreover, the report of many, both before us and at the present time, holds that this blessed woman, and is instantly healed, while serving as Prefect over the

nuns stationed at Bilsen, plucked the sweetest fruits

of heavenly contemplation, and trained the most holy virgin

of illustrious nobility, ^lAmelberga, in holy

morals and pursuits. This translation was performed on the fifth of the Nones of March.^m

b. There exist

diplomas of Childeric signed at Maastricht, where he seems to have frequently been. His seat

and that of the other Austrasian Kings was chiefly the city of Metz.

by the Norman incursion, when the Abbot Elias died at Laon in the year

895 and was buried there in the church of Saint Vincent. Saint Gerard, Abbot of Brogne, afterward

gathered the monks and rebuilt the monastery around the year 940.

in Chapeaville, chapter 47, treats of him and calls him Eraclius, or, as other manuscripts have it, Eueracus and Euraclus. He held office from the year 959 to the year 970. In the Ecclesiastical Office of the people of Ghent, it is said that he wrote the life and translation of Landoaldus in a proper book, which we do not read elsewhere.

CHAPTER III

Miracles Performed at Wintershoven.

[13] That miracle also in the memorable glorification of the Saints

we think should by no means be passed over in silence,

which is equally magnificent by the stupendous novelty of itself. [Lantso, desiring to carry away portions of the relics with the authority of the Bishop,]

For when the aforesaid illustrious Lantso had come into possession of the basilica and

estate of the most sacred repose of the aforementioned Saints

by succession after several owners, being well aware within himself,

by the determined course of reason (for the terms of the charter

had fixed the limit of possession upon him), that the offspring of his stock

who would succeed him would be deprived of the aforesaid

estate, he resolved to look out prudently for himself, with the intention

that, being deprived of the rural estate, he might at least not be

cheated of the solace of the Saints' relics. For, seeking the magnificence of the Bishop

of the same diocese, he revealed to him the secret

of his great devotion. Forthwith, distinguished by his blessing

and strengthened by his authority, he approached the repository

of precious treasures, selecting from the sacred

bodies such portions as he judged fit. But behold,

in the very chief joy of the Paschal feast, with the necks of the bearers bowed,

they undertook the costly labor

of the journey, and hastening, arrived even at the doors of the sacred building.

But -- marvelous to tell -- utterly unable

to cross even those doors, fixed unexpectedly

by sudden steps, they stood fast; and though striving with every effort, having labored long

in vain, at last they understood that they were restrained by divine power;

and thus unwillingly yielded to the difficulty of their shame.

But the illustrious Lantso was by no means deterred from his purpose. his servants, rendered immobile, are repeatedly impeded:

Rather, continuing that day and the following night

with generous distributions of alms and frequent

importunities of prayers, on the following day he was again frustrated

as before; nay, during all the remaining days of the entire week,

the same attempts were daily followed by a similar

repulsion at the threshold. Therefore, since this had not succeeded,

on the eighth day likewise at dawn, he did not hesitate to undertake

another approach. For although he had by no means profited

from so many prayers previously poured forth, then, accumulating

heartfelt vows with every effort of virtue, and promising

the most abundant services, he assigned to the very basilica of their repose

the ninth part of his produce, since

the tenth was known to belong to another church. having assigned a portion of his inheritance to the church, he obtains his vow: And to that place

where he was striving to bestow the fruit of his devotion,

he bestowed, along with other generous offerings, no small

possession from his inheritance. And thus at last, by the intercession of the Saints,

he merited the kind regard of a merciful God,

and, having obtained his vow and gained his desired hope, he made light of

the losses of his former difficulty, having obtained by the magnificent

mercy of the Lord the gains of his desire.

[14] A cripple is healed. Subenmenha is the name of an estate, from which a certain man,

Manimius by name, crippled in every strength of his sinews,

could not raise his hand to his mouth for the sake of taking food, nor proceed even to the necessities of nature unless carried by another. He was indeed conveyed in a cart to the patronage of the Saints; but when they bestowed upon him the fullest health, he returned home on foot and well. In the village of Leuua, held in benefice from the Bishop of Liege by a certain leading man named Hubert, there was a woman called Geyla, but filled with a legion of demons, which afterward became evident; for when she was led by her kinsmen through the various monasteries of the men of God, namely those of Saints Gervasius, Lambert, Trudo, and Gertrudis, and could nowhere be cured, she was brought there in desperation; for the Saints, about to be newly glorified, awaited from the enemy a fuller triumph of praise. She, having been placed in a tub overflowing with blessed water from the font, a demoniac is freed: immediately began to call out terribly the name of Blessed Landoaldus, and to emit from her mouth a great swarm of flies; and in the middle of Paschal week, she merited to be cleansed.

[15] Another woman, a handmaid of Saint Bavo, a blind woman sees, who had until then been dwelling at Andresburg, was punished with the loss of her eyesight for having neglected the census over many years. Already succumbing to blindness for the fourth year, she promised amendment for the future, brought a candle to the luminaries of the Saints, restored the neglected census, and departed immediately healed and with her sight restored. There is also another village called Zubleua; there a certain woman suffered from the disease of dropsy for a period of six years. She saw in a nocturnal vision that she was being led thither with an offering and was returning with her health recovered. Upon waking, she immediately carried this out, a dropsical woman is restored: ordering herself to be conveyed thither in that cart; and after she recovered her health, having been handed over by her lord Hildrad to the jurisdiction of the Saints, she then departed.

[16] A certain man named Hildico, utterly dissolute in all his conduct, repeatedly clearing the woodland belonging to the church, was finally rebuked one day in the name of the Saints to at least desist; a sacrilegious man is punished by a horrible death: but when he moreover vilified his admonishers along with the Saints with base words, going forth the following day to do the same, the proud fellow immediately climbed a beech tree with his axe, and straightway, falling headlong, he dashed his fluid throat, which had breathed blasphemy, and thus ended his wretched life with a fitting death. The Priest Sarabert had lost a horse, which was stolen by thieves one night under cover of darkness; discovering this in the morning, he ran to the well-known refuge, and hastened to make a candle. When he brought it to the Saints and poured forth the vows of his prayers, he found his horse returned and standing at the doors.

[17] Thus, the copious miracles which the Lord has deigned to work through their merits, the stolen horse returns, we, shuddering at the tenacity of sluggish silence, to gird ourselves, have recorded things indeed memorable, though with a somewhat extended prolixity. But in the present time there are still very many further deeds accomplished among us, which, commending them likewise to be confirmed by our authority, you have asked to be briefly inserted into this document. We, however, consulting the relief of readers or the affection of hearers, and lest the magnificent benefits of the great Lord be compressed into too narrow a space, Epilogue of the first book, have judged that this discourse should be closed at this end, with the following matters deferred, so that, with our energies meanwhile refreshed through silence, what remains, since it is recognized as requiring its own volume, may be more conveniently and more conspicuously prefaced with another beginning.

BOOK II

The Translation of the Relics to Ghent.

[1] As we are about to relate the wondrous works of the Lord Almighty, by which He has deigned to reveal His beloved Confessor of His name, Blessed Landoaldus, and his companions, magnificently in our own times, Wintershoven having been restored to the monks of Ghent, we think it worthy and not superfluous to set forth first the memorable joy of the translation of these same Saints, through which both some of their miracles shone forth, and your place or region merited to be happily distinguished by the presence of their favor. Therefore, when the course of days had been completed, and as the inscrutable determination of mortal life so required, the aforesaid illustrious Lantso, namely the designated possessor of the aforementioned estate, paid the common debt of all the living, and left the succession of his offspring without the inheritance of that possession. But by the moderating clemency of the Imperial Serenity (which, by a laudable vow of devotion, led its naturally benevolent mind to look out generously for the interests of the servants of God), the same estate, without any obstacle of opposition, was consigned and yielded to the authority of your power, namely of the Prelates of the saintly, pre-elected soldier of Christ, the illustrious Confessor Bavo.

[2] Therefore, since the wise man always acts wisely, surveying with sagacious diligence what had been restored to your jurisdiction, the sacred relics are transferred to Ghent: you understood by a loftier counsel that the honorable deposit far outweighed the estate itself in every way, and that the casket of so precious a treasure should not be concealed by so small a measure in that place. Upon which matter, after long deliberation of mutual conference weighed among you, and moreover with the concurrence of Archprelates and Bishops and prudent men, you decreed that the relics of the Saints' remains be transferred to your more eminent place. But during the journey, while the fulfillment of that holy devotion was at last being celebrated, and the most precious relics of the Saints were being transferred over no small distance of the road, it happened, as was fitting, that very many of the neighboring people were seized by the report of so fortunate an opinion.

[3] Among a certain number of the hearers, therefore, a certain sick woman learned of these things, who, weighed down by the burden of her illness, was kept to her bed, a sick woman suddenly recovers: so that for many days she had not risen from it except when carried. But with this welcome joy of the rumor she had heard, she was at once raised to good hope, and was faithfully made more confident of recovering her lost health through the assistance of the Saints. Whence, without delay, through her devoted spouse at her side, she begged that a small gift of a candle be quickly presented to the merits and presence of the Saints. He consented faithfully, and hastened to undertake and fulfill the holy service of faith. But behold -- wondrous to tell -- the sick wife left behind experienced the sudden aid of the Saints. Immediately she sent men to recall her husband, who had been sent ahead, from his approach to the Saints, since she herself was soon to follow and seek the presence of the Saints and offer in person what she had been sending. But since the narrowness of place or time prevented any delay of the Saints' departure, the bearer of the little gift humbly presented himself in the presence of the Saints' mercy, and before them, to the knowledge of all who were present, he testified and proclaimed the works of piety displayed in his wife, to the praise and glory of the Almighty Lord.

[4] Furthermore, since the convenience of the journey so demanded, a ship was hired with its crew to serve the pleasant conveyance of the Saints. a hired rower rashly withdraws himself, But behold, one of those assigned to the oars, to whom a certain misfortune had occurred not far off, spurred by the loss of his domestic affairs and wearied by the labor he had undertaken, the wretched man presumed to steal himself away from so holy a service before the appointed expense of the journey was completed. But because the biers of the Saints were not to be despised, nor subordinated to private advantage, he perceived this without tedious delay. For, having voluntarily and inexcusably torn himself away from the ministry of God's elect, he not only failed to profit from his planned advantage, but rather suffered a fitting rebuke against his will. Thus departing, he traversed no great distances of road, nor reached the desired spaces; he is deprived of the vigor of his limbs, but, alienated from the integrity of his mind and also deprived of the former vigor of his limbs, barely stumbling with his steps upon the hedge of the nearest vicinity that presented itself more quickly to him, he collapsed there, and there was struck down in a stupor. Moreover, spending the remaining portion of that day and the entire course of the following night paying the due punishment, he lay there stunned. Worn down, therefore, for some time by so great a scourge of correction, repentant, he is healed and returns to his duty: and at last, by the pious intercession of the Saints whom he had despised, visited by the kind regard of a merciful God, he himself understood to his very marrow the offense of his guilt. Therefore, as soon as a tardy though genuine repentance penetrated the windowed chamber of his mind, vigor revived in his body likewise lulled to rest; and, setting aside the biting cares of his former intention, burning now eagerly with the sole desire for the service of the Saints he had formerly neglected, he retraced with hurried steps the distances he had traversed in reverse, so that at last, rejoicing, he might present himself in their presence. Indeed, the chastisement of his recent scourging and the conversion of his true penitence had rendered his steps swift; nor did he rest until, having obtained the desired object of his vow, he gloriously achieved in person the merits of the Saints, and before them and a great multitude testified to the chastisement and mercy he had experienced in himself.

[5] On that very day, that is, two blind women receive their sight, the eighth before the Calends of April, on which they entered the aforesaid monastery with those same relics, a certain woman named ^aLenekin came ahead and received the sight she had long lost, on the Ides of April, that is, ^bTuesday of Paschal week. A certain blind girl from the village of Ostholta arrived, named Teudsmudis; waiting while the Brethren celebrated the Vesper synaxis, she returned seeing clearly, and no longer seeking a guide for the road.

[6] In the same village there was also another girl, so debilitated within the years of infancy that for a year she could neither walk on her feet three paralytics are healed, nor even rise from her bed. Her mother, stirred by the aforesaid miracles, in the early morning took her up in her arms out of doors and made a vow to the Saints for her recovery, namely that she would come with her child, and likewise bring with her a devout offering. When she had fulfilled this, the girl, gradually raising herself to her feet, stood, grew strong, began to walk, and went away. In the same place there was also another woman, called Leuuich, likewise weakened in all bodily strength; and when she had almost despaired of life, upon hearing the report of the miracles that were happening there, she vowed a candle to the luminaries of the Saints. As soon as she sent it thither, she merited immediately to have the strength of her entire body restored. ^dWechtre is the name of a village; there was a woman there called Riberta, afflicted by various ailments and deprived of nearly every function of her limbs; she devoutly approached their memorial, resolved to linger for some days, and departed having obtained her health.

[7] A blind man and hunchback is made well. Moreover, a certain woman came on the thirteenth before the Calends of May to intercede for her son. Her son had been left at home, named Adelger, deprived not only of the light of his eyes, but also hunchbacked all over from the rheumatic motion of his head and body. His mother prayed for his recovery and made a vow; out of fear for her son, whom she had left in a desperate state, she returned more quickly; when she arrived home, she found her son seeing and joyfully received him, rejoicing in certain good health. After this, on the seventeenth day before the Calends of June, a blind woman is healed, a handmaid arrived, called Egerin, who had suffered whiteness or blearedness in her eyes for many years; having obtained health through the merits of the Saints, she returned to her home rejoicing and exulting without a guide.

[8] Then, on the fifth before the Calends of June, a woman from the village of Rothen, a poor woman called Adalmudis, then another: having become blind from excessive infirmity, and hearing the fame of the Saints, desired to reach their patronage; but while she could barely crawl with her swollen legs, and was neglected by her own people on account of their poverty and not led thither, and was wasting away excessively from this despair, when night came on she gave herself to sleep, and recognized Saint Landoaldus and Vinciana standing beside her in most splendid attire with lighted candles; awakening, she perceived that the restoration of her entire body was at hand, and learned that the pain of all her infirmity had departed; on the next day, now certain of the restoration of her sight, not doubting of her remaining health, she attempted on her own, with many other admirers, to visit the threshold of the Saints, and did not cease to render thanks as best she could. On the next day, that is, the fourth before the Calends of June, a certain woman, Frethunara, also blind, then a third: was approaching the threshold of the Saints for the sake of prayer, seeking to obtain her health; but on

the very road she had not yet arrived there, and behold, having received her former health, she went on her way rejoicing.

[9] Then at last, on the holy day of Pentecost, which

is the ^fsecond before the Calends of June, a certain Theodoric, contracted in the sinews

of his entire body for many years,

in the presence of many truthful witnesses, a cripple, then again a blind woman, obtained complete

health. Then on the third of the Nones

of July, on Thursday of that same week, a blind

woman from the district of ^gBrabant, having invoked the Saints

for their aid, and having prepared a candle to be brought to them as best she could,

without delay she also received the light of her eyes.

From the same district there was also another woman, who,

afflicted by an excessive pain of the kidneys, for the space of nearly one year

was unable to rise for any service, as she herself avowed.

When she learned that the relics of the Saints had been brought thither, one afflicted with kidney pain, and knew that marvelous things were being wrought through them there,

she vowed a candle for the recovery of her health; she prayed

that they might have pity on her in so great a pain; immediately restored

to her former health, devoutly offering the candle to the Saints,

she also brought forth a belt, and for the health she had obtained

she rendered immense thanks to God through the merits of the Saints.

c. Surius reads Schult.

it is clear from what follows, where Thursday is joined with the 3rd of the Nones of June, and

by a new error July was printed, when the writing had been completed on the 13th before the Calends of July.

APPENDIX

A Repeated Translation of the Relics to Ghent.

[10] It is believed useful, for arousing the sluggish minds,

to bring forth the hidden miracles of the Saints for a new

hearing; miracles excite devotion, whose proven virtue is sufficient to set ablaze

the course of a hastening soul toward the heavenly realms.

For who, upon hearing the praises of Blessed Landoaldus,

does not immediately fly with a better mind to God, unless one whom

neither hope nor will stirs toward the heavenly Jerusalem?

His merits are well known, and most celebrated by so many miracles, which,

since the East cannot contain them on account of their greatness, are extended

even to the farthest West. For besides those things which

he did while still living, who does not marvel that at his tomb

as many miracles are performed as there are sick who come? These,

although most well known to all, are held to be more celebrated

at Wintershoven, where, divulged among the rest,

the signs are proven by the witness of sight.

[11] Since therefore the deaf and lame, and those of every kind of

infirmity, round about acknowledged the merits of the Saint, the Ghent monks, stirred by the miracles,

it was considered unfitting that the relics of the Saint should be kept

in a humble church, venerated with still rare honor, and that the divine

office should be performed by a small assembly of Priests.

All these things so stirred the souls of the Brethren in the Ghent monastery

that they believed it would be a matter of peril to themselves

that relics long neglected should still be venerated with rare honor.

[12] Therefore, having summoned Abbot Womarus, they unanimously

beg him to consider what should be done, Wintershoven having been received back from Otto II, and they would easily have prevailed upon him to transfer the relics,

had not certain impediments obstructed the sound undertaking. For a certain Cleric

of Otto the Younger, who ruled the Franks as Emperor,

presumed to claim the aforesaid estate of Saint Bavo for his own jurisdiction,

and when asked to relinquish it, preferred to keep it as his own.

The Emperor, when admonished to oppose this injustice,

freely consented, being all the more devout because he had recently been received

into the fraternity of the Brethren, and shared also in their prayers.

Thus, with the Cleric's presumption overruled,

Saint Bavo recovered his property. Then the Emperor, when entreated to lend his support

for the transfer of the relics, first deigned to bestow upon the place

the privilege of his name in honor of Saint Bavo,

and then began to burn with equal devotion to carry out the desires of the Brethren. and authority to transfer the relics. Thus, having received that same privilege,

and moreover with authority given by Pope John, a considerable number

of the Brethren set out all the way to Wintershoven,

and what needed to be done was weighed by the judgment of the more prudent.

[13] In that same expedition there was a certain Priest,

than whom no one present knew the matter better, they consult the Priest Sarabert, Sarabert

by name, all the more experienced in the miracles of the Saints there

inasmuch as he venerated them more attentively. They sent a

messenger requesting him to be present, asking that the Saints be made known to them, and that he reveal

the very many signs of which he knew. Sarabert

replied: "The signs divinely performed here are considered so great

that they exceed the belief of those who hear them, except

that a sound faith believes nothing impossible with God.

For to corroborate the series of miracles, there are at hand certain

proofs: the crutches of the infirm, the little boards of those who crawl.

But since you have come to learn of the relics that are in our keeping,

behold, there are three caskets in public view: what you desire

to hear from me, rather weigh for yourselves by the witness of your own sight. they ascertain the situation of the relics:

If, however, it pleases you to bring forward what I have learned from my predecessors,

know that in that casket

which rises higher, the entire body of Blessed Landoaldus the Archpriest

together with Blessed Amantius his Deacon

is enclosed. In the second, adjoining it, is contained

his sister, Blessed Vinciana the Virgin, from earliest youth

most pure, who, spurning the blandishments of the world,

followed the footsteps of her beloved brother from Rome to this very place.

That casket somewhat more remote contains Saint

Landrada, who, joined to her immortal spouse,

having completed the course of her life, received

the crown of her virginity."

[14] When he had finished his words, the Brethren burned with even greater

desire to approach the caskets, to open them carefully, they examine them: and to know by their own sight what he had narrated. And approaching,

they found the epitaph of the most worthy Confessor,

carefully inscribed on most precious marble at his head;

which, however, they could not read through in its entirety,

on account of the fire of the Pagans made long ago,

by which it appeared to have been partially broken.

Therefore, they gathered the life of Blessed Landoaldus in a brief epitaph,

and discovered the other virgins beloved of God

by their proper names. Then, judging that counsel was

needed, they called in the aforesaid Priest and others

suited to this work, they carry them out with solemn pomp, and deliberated by their prudence how the Saints

might most honorably be transferred.

When counsel was given, and preparations made for transferring

the relics, the people of the surrounding area hastened together, put their shoulders

beneath them, and with cheerful countenances, though very many were groaning,

they bore the Saints to the vicinity of a certain small field.

At which place, while the ancient miracles of these Saints were being recalled to memory,

this was considered by most people to be the more celebrated event,

which the very place itself now urges us to unfold as it occurred.

And so I shall dispatch the event in a few words.

[15] There were certain men of crazed mind, laying waste all the surrounding

region with fire and sword, uncertain in their course, from that place whence they could not formerly be carried away by marauders, greedy for slaughter, barely restraining their treachery from human blood,

who, having plundered several buildings of the citizens,

since they spared neither churches nor saints, also carried these Saints away from the aforesaid place

to take them with themselves. And when, having progressed further,

they arrived at this place, with stiffening step

and their entire bodies immobile, they could proceed no further;

whereupon, seeing that no effect yielded to their illicit enterprise,

they cursed themselves, rebuked their unjust undertaking, and unwillingly restored the Saints

to the place; then, having humbly entreated the Saints,

they hastened to depart, to head elsewhere as quickly as possible,

lest their limbs be drawn in punishment for their deed,

and their eyes be condemned to darkness. When the people now recalled

these events of old to memory, vain resistance of the local inhabitants,

it seemed good to them to invoke the Saints on account of a similar event,

to see whether they would deign to reveal by some sign

whether they preferred to be carried back rather than transferred.

With faces cast down to the earth, some began to beat their breasts, others to shed tears;

very many, however, for whom it was more grievous to be bereaved

of the presence of the Saints, began to groan more deeply. When the prayer

was finished, therefore, the Brethren, who wanted a swift journey, rebuked

the delay in proceeding, and commanded the relics to be taken up and

carried forth. They put their shoulders beneath them again, and

since in carrying the Saints no labor yielded to the burden, they are easily borne forth: it was proclaimed by all,

and soundly believed by all of them, that the Saints wished

to be transferred.

[16] And when they were already some distance from the monastery of Saint Trudo

(for there they had chosen their first lodging),

the first of the Brethren, they are honored with various gifts along the way: who had gone ahead further for practical reasons,

came to meet them, and a very great concourse of old and young

brought diverse gifts to the Saints. Some,

who lacked a supply of metal or ornaments of precious clothing,

offered candles or provisions fastened to their sides;

others, who had none even of these, gave themselves

in contrition of heart. Those who appeared wealthier

sent from that which they had in abundance,

none the less equaling those who, although they gave little,

nevertheless retained nothing for themselves. Meanwhile

it seemed necessary to linger in that same small field,

both on account of the gifts of those arriving, and because the occasion demanded

that the word of God be preached to the people. And when

the names and pious merits of the Saints reached the hearing

of those present, they shine with miracles, all who had sick persons,

not hesitating about their salvation, brought them. You might have seen

the crippled raised up, the blind illuminated, the deaf receiving

their hearing, and various sick persons obtaining their health.

And lest these remarkable miracles should seem to be lost

to the posterity of those who would follow, they erected in that place

a wooden cross, to transmit the memory of the Saints

to future generations.

[17] Now it happened that one boy, who was running about with the others around

the holy place, a sacrilegious boy, tormented by a demon, is healed, seduced by greed,

stole and carried off the candles and other things which the faithful had contributed

with great devotion. For this reason, without

delay he was miserably possessed by the ancient enemy, and

utterly deprived of sound mind. Thereupon the parents of the same

boy, doing penance with excessive weeping, and

approaching the place with the boy, and restoring the stolen goods,

obtained through the merits of the Saints the most perfect

health. But I commit these things to be more fully described by those

who have also merited to receive portions of the relics, and

in the border of whose small field those and many other miracles,

with the Lord's help, were performed.

[18] When, therefore, these things were accomplished, and they were hastening to convey the relics they had received

to the monastery of Saint Trudo, they are received in the monastery of Saint Trudo:

not only a crowd, but also a robed procession of monks,

with candles and ornaments of that kind, rushed to meet them,

to receive them honorably, and then hastened to bring them within the monastery

with the greatest devotion.

When the crowds gathered on the following day, a few things about

the Saints were narrated for the edification of those present; and when

a benediction had been given both to the people and a portion of the relics

to the church itself, they set out for the village which

they call Andesbrucken. There they visited a certain matron

named Sigeburgis, who had long held the place of those same Saints

in precarious tenure, and they conferred much with her

both about the Saints and about their mutual advantage. Then

she said: "What I have experienced in my own person concerning these Saints,

I shall briefly try to unfold, a fever incurred through irreverence is removed: if indeed you have the mind

to attend to brief matters. For in the former elevation

of Saint Landoaldus, when I had shown myself less than willing,

I was seized by fevers and lay ill for some days, and as the disease

grew worse day by day, I feared the offense of the Saint rather

than the danger of death. Having been made more cautious by that misfortune during the elevation of Blessed Landrada, I rendered myself entirely devoted to that Virgin, and by her merits interceding, I recovered the health which I had deservedly lost.

[19] She had scarcely finished these words when behold, a certain soldier of that matron hastened from the bank of the river Thila to address the Brethren thus: a cup-bearer, cast out, is restored upon offering a candle, "I come forward as a fitting witness to the praise of these Saints, and I cannot be silent about their benefits toward me as long as I live. For when by a certain unfortunate turn of events I had incurred the wrath of my lord Lantso and his wife Sigeburgis, I did not know what to do or which way to turn. And when in my anxiety I had come to the point of deliberating whether to flee from the very fatherland itself, I went one day to the Priest Sarabert, tossed by the excessive solicitude of this kind of care, and endeavored both to consult with him about what I, now in despair, should do, and to make once more a complaint of my miseries. He, not hesitating at all, bade me have confidence, and urged me to prepare the price of one candle, that this might be brought to Saint Landoaldus. Immediately I carefully complied with this counsel, he obtains his former position, and most devoutly carried out what he had commanded. A wondrous thing then occurred, and one greatly beneficial to me; for when I approached the blessed memorial of Saint Landoaldus, and faithfully asked him to be my intercessor in my distresses, behold, my aforesaid lord Lantso, coming after me, himself unexpectedly entered the basilica to pray. I began at once to grow pale at the sight of him and to tremble exceedingly, lest, upon seeing me, he should immediately inflict death. But far otherwise than I had supposed, with Saint Landoaldus intervening, it turned out; for he spoke nothing at all of ill to me, but commanded me to perform my ministry as before; for I had formerly been his cup-bearer. So from that day until now I have remained secure from my former distress. By such signs, therefore, and miracles similar to these shown through him, it is certain to me that he is numbered among the Blessed."

[20] the bier of Saint Landrada draws back out of reverence for Saint Landoaldus: When he had spoken these things, the Brethren departed, laden among other things with immense gain, and thus entering the ship, with great prosperity and the Lord's power leading the way, they set forth from there with great joy. After this, while the sailors were diligently navigating, when they had rested and stopped in one place, it happened that the bier in which Saint Landrada was contained gave a leap in the sight of all, and removed itself from Saint Landoaldus, marvelously rendering to so great a Priest the reverence and fitting honor.

[21] other miracles performed. That miracle, indeed, which was performed not long afterward on the same journey concerning a certain sailor, and likewise that which happened concerning the man who, through the merits of the Saints, received back his lost heart and mind through their mercy, it is not necessary to recount more fully in this place, since it has been diligently described elsewhere. When these miracles had thus been accomplished, as we have simply related for the sake of those who do not know, on the most sacred day of the Annunciation and Incarnation of the Lord, they arrived, God willing, at the monastery of Saint Bavo, which is most rightly called the Ghent monastery. And when all the faithful from every direction were streaming together to the blessed relics with exceeding exultation, the relics are received in the monastery of Saint Bavo, a certain woman, led by the hands of others, was immediately illuminated through their merits. The most devout Brethren, indeed, were deservedly filled with great joy above all others at the arrival of the Saints, and accordingly, vested in the solemn manner, with the entire ecclesiastical adornment and an infinite throng of peoples streaming together from every direction, coming from afar singing psalms to meet them, they joyfully received those most holy relics upon their shoulders and brought them into the basilica with great exultation, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord nine hundred and eighty, to whom is honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

b. The following

were connected in the Rouge-Cloitre manuscript with chapter 2 of the first book, with

chapter 3 of the same book and chapter 1 of this book omitted according to our division.

What is contained in this chapter appears to have been afterward

appended, with altered phrasing drawn from the Ghent manuscript, which we subjoin, where the remaining matters are explained.

HISTORY OF THE TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS TO GHENT,

and the Elevation of the Same.

By a contemporary Ghent monk,

From the Ghent and Corsendoncano manuscripts.

Landoaldus Archpriest, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

Amantius Deacon, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

Adrian Martyr, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

Julian, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

Vinciana, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

Adeltrudis, at Wintershoven and Ghent in Belgium (S.)

BHL Number: 4707, 4708

FROM THE MANUSCRIPTS.

CHAPTER I.

Translation of the Relics from Wintershoven to Ghent.

[1] ^aIn the perpetual reign of our Lord

Jesus Christ, Wintershoven having been restored to the monks of Ghent by the Emperor Otto, and governing all

the ages, namely in the year

of His most sacred Incarnation

nine hundred and eighty, Indiction

VIII, and also in the times of the lord Otto

the Younger, most illustrious Emperor: when he had with the most benign spirit

restored to our place many things formerly taken away by faithless men,

and had accordingly eagerly obtained for the fraternity of the monastery of the citadel

of Ghent the property called ^bWintershoven,

which a certain Palatine Cleric of his,

though a wicked one, ^chad seized without his knowledge;

without any delay, after he had learned of it, he restored it by his powerful

command. Then, when we Brethren unanimously had learned about the relics

of Saint Landoaldus the Archpriest and his companions,

we began to entreat with constant prayers the Lord

Abbot, who was then Provost and a most solicitous

steward of our place, that he should not long defer

to strive to transfer the bodies of the aforementioned Saints, who until then

had been placed in that location in neglect and without the due service of Priests,

to our place with the honor due to them. And when, after

very many entreaties, we had obtained this with God's favor, those sent who might carry away the bodies of the Saints from there:

our brothers were sent from the Lord Abbot Womarus

with the Lord Provost, namely the Lord Dean

Trudgaudus, to the aforesaid place, and two other

brothers Robert and Folioldus, with the authority of the Lord

Apostolic ^dJohn of worthy memory, and likewise with the privilege

of the Lord Emperor Otto the Younger, who at that

time was seen to have obtained the fellowship of our fraternity.

And when they arrived at the place to which they had been heading,

they began to deliberate carefully with one another how

to carry out cautiously and prudently the holy undertaking which

had been entrusted to them by all the Brethren.

Then they also began diligently to seek and more carefully

to investigate what they might be able to find there concerning the true relics.

They found there three caskets properly placed

on high, and the bodies of the Saints elevated and most carefully

sealed by Bishops and Priests.

[2] Then, after prayer, approaching and opening one of the

caskets with the seals broken, they found

the most sacred remains of Blessed Landoaldus the Archpriest, they discover the chests of Saints Landoaldus, Amantius,

together with Blessed Amantius his Deacon. At his head

was the epitaph of the most worthy Confessor, carefully inscribed

on most precious marble; which, however, they could not

read through in its entirety on account of the fire

of the Pagans made long ago, by which it appeared to have been

partially broken. Then, opening another in the same manner,

they found the nourishing sister of Saint Landoaldus, named

Vinciana; and likewise opening a third

urn placed below, this also contained the sacred Landrada.

Meanwhile, having examined these with diligent scrutiny, they conferred

among themselves at great length, Vinciana, Landrada: as to what

would be better for them to do concerning these. But since they did not yet

fully know the merits of the Saints, and for this reason

were agitated by biting cares, one of our Brethren,

who had the greatest eagerness to carry forth the heavenly treasure,

urging them on, they sent for the most faithful

Priest Sarabert, so that they might avail themselves of prudent

counsel in all things, as was fitting. they consult the Priest Sarabert: When he had come

hastily and reported the glorious merits and many miracles

of the Saints, as he knew them best,

they were kindled with equal souls in holy desire

to transfer the most precious bodies of the Saints.

[3] Therefore, having swiftly prepared what seemed necessary for this work, the bodies are placed upon biers and carried away: and having taken up what belonged to the Saints that was outstanding in holiness, and with the relics of the Saints placed upon biers, they set forth from that place with a few men of the same village. And when they had arrived not far off, namely at the boundary of the lordship of the same estate, with the immense weeping and grief of those men who were dwelling there, they set down the sacred burden, and could not proceed any further in any direction. Indeed, they proclaimed with tearful voices: the relics are sent back to the inhabitants of Wintershoven, "O Blessed Landoaldus, holy Priest of the Lord God, show now also, we beseech you, your power; for when formerly faithless men sought to carry you elsewhere, they halted in this very place, and could by no means proceed any further." And when they were causing delays in the journey by these and other manifold objections, the Lord Dean, at last moved by these lamentations, prudently separated them, commanding with forceful and repeated orders that the deposited burden be lifted and carried on its way. Then, with the Lord's clemency attending, they began from that point to travel with wondrous speed, they carry them toward the monastery of Saint Trudo: and to hasten to the monastery of Saint Trudo; for there they had chosen to have their first lodging.

[4] And behold, our remaining Brethren, who had set out not far away on a practical errand, quickly came to meet them, and a most beautiful little band was formed with the Saints of God. on account of the concourse of a multitude of people, When the neighbors on this side and that had learned of this by spreading report, men and women, old and young, rich and poor, rushed from every direction to meet them with candles and diverse offerings. And when all had drawn near, they threw themselves down with faces to the ground, bowing their heads in greeting to the Saints; then after these came others and still others, and innumerable companies of the faithful people. Therefore our Brethren were made deservedly and vehemently joyful, who saw so great a people hastening with incredible devotion to meet the Saints. Whence also one of our number proclaimed with exceeding exultation of heart: "O," he said, "happy are you, Lord, they exult for joy: fortunate and now worthy of eternal life, because you conceived so great a good, and because, by God's will, you merited to accomplish this concerning the Saints." But what tears, by God's inspiration, burst forth on all sides, or how much spiritual joy came to our people, even the most eloquent could not explain in words. For what King, however powerful, has ever merited anywhere so great a reverence and a glory magnificent in the praise of the Lord?

[5] But when they were approaching the above-mentioned monastery, the caskets were separated somewhat, the biers are set down: in which the relics of the precious Saints were being conveyed. But this also, as was afterward most evidently clear, was done by divine

will; for those who at that time happened to be carrying the bodies of the Saints out of devotion testified that they had never sustained any weight in carrying any burden. Wherefore, marveling at the virtue of the Saints, in that same place, with garments spread out, at God's command, they set down their burden. where at a Cross erected there, many miracles occur: But now some things must be said about that same place. For devout men dwelling round about set up a Cross there in memory of the Saints, and, continually invoking the Saints for their needs, gave themselves to prayer. And with the Lord's clemency assenting, heavenly miracles were not lacking there either. For many, approaching in faith, were freed from various infirmities there by Christ's favor; and candles were also divinely lit, and blind persons likewise illuminated. Whence also the peoples dwelling round about brought candles and other diverse offerings to the same Cross out of reverence for the Saints.

[6] Now it happened on a certain day that one boy who was running about with the others around the holy place, and a sacrilegious boy, tormented by a demon, is healed: seduced by greed, stole and carried off the candles and other things which the faithful had contributed with great devotion. For this reason, without delay he was miserably possessed by the ancient enemy and utterly deprived of sound mind. Thereupon the parents of the same boy, doing penance with excessive weeping, and approaching the place with the boy, and restoring the stolen goods, he merited to receive there the most perfect health through the merits of the Saints. But I commit these things to be more fully described by those who also merited to receive portions of the relics, and in the border of whose small field those and many other miracles, with the Lord's help, were performed.

[7] When therefore the biers were rejoined and the precious relics taken up from there with a very great multitude, they were swiftly approaching their first lodging and the ^emonastery of Saint Trudo, as I said above. The monks of Saint Trudo come to meet them, they receive the biers: When the Brethren of that same monastery learned of this, they went out unanimously to meet the Saints with lighted candles, with texts of the Gospels, with Crosses and with every fitting honor, and when an antiphon concerning the Saints was intoned by the Precentor, they placed them in a distinguished location within the monastery with the greatest veneration. Then how much charity and what kindness the Brethren showed to our people, and what bodily necessities they bestowed with cheerful heart, benevolent toward the Ghent monks: no one could worthily narrate in words. For the charity of God, which surpasses all understanding, was most fully poured out by the Holy Spirit in their hearts. But when morning came, and a multitude of the people was again gathered in the church, and moreover a most-desired blessing of relics was given in the sacred place, with the Lord prospering their journey, they set forth on the way of salvation.

[8] When therefore the Saints of God, as they had arranged with God's will, were being conveyed on a prosperous course from the aforesaid lodging toward what lay ahead, they arrived briskly at the village which is called ^fAndelbrucken. There at that time the noble matron ^gSigeburgis happened to be staying on her own estate, who had long held the place of those same Saints in precarious tenure. When the Lord Abbot, who was then Provost, and who, as we have mentioned, had been sent for the bodies of the Saints, learned of this, taking with him some of the Brethren, he went to speak with the aforesaid matron, leaving the Lord Trudgandus, who was then our vigorous Dean, with the sacred relics. But the venerable matron, upon seeing the Brethren and hearing the reasons for their journey, was greatly rejoiced in the Lord on account of the Saints. an illness incurred through irreverence is removed: And when she had related many great things about the Saints in conversation, she also added this one last thing as fearful for herself, saying that she had most certainly incurred a very great infirmity of the longest duration under her husband for no other reason than that in the earlier elevation of Saint Landoaldus the Archpriest she had had no willingness whatsoever; yet she had been miraculously healed in the elevation of Saint Landrada.

[9] While they were lingering there somewhat amid these words, there came also a certain soldier of that matron, and proceeding thence he stood upon the bank of the river ^hThila, where the most holy relics, which were hastening toward other places, were close by. And he, drawing long sighs from the depths, thereupon spoke thus with tears welling up: "O how little," he said, "do you realize what you have received, or what it is that you possess, and of how great a price and heavenly treasure the talent is that you strive to carry away from these borders. Furthermore, I say to you boldly, and I declare the truth to you" (he was speaking to the Dean): "that unless it had perhaps been possible for you to carry with you the most precious body of the Apostle Saint Peter himself, who by right holds the Principate among the Saints at the Lord's command, you could by no means have greater relics than what you now have, by God's favor, in the ship." When the said Lord Dean had heard these things with gratitude, he was rendered most joyful, and inquired how he might know this by any proof. And the soldier most firmly professed what he knew of the miracle of Saint Landoaldus in himself, saying: "I, the cup-bearer cast out, my sins demanding it, once most grievously incurred the offense of my lord Landso and of his lady Sigeburgis, who is well and nearby, to such a degree that I dared not present myself before their sight at all. What then should I do, which way should I turn, I did not know. For I could acquire the intercession of no man, however rich, who might restore me to my former favor. upon offering a candle, he obtains his former ministry, And when in my anxiety I had already come to the point of deliberating whether to flee from the very fatherland itself, one day I endeavored to approach the Priest Sarabert, tossed by excessive solicitude of this kind of care, both to consult with him about what I, now in despair, should do, and to make once more a complaint of my miseries. He, not hesitating at all, bade me have confidence, and urged me to prepare the price of one candle, that this might be brought to Saint Landoaldus. Then I was willing to obey this counsel with swift compliance, and most devoutly carried out what he had commanded. A wondrous thing then occurred, and one greatly beneficial to me. For immediately when I approached the blessed memorial of Saint Landoaldus and faithfully asked him to be my intercessor for my distresses, behold, my aforesaid lord Landzo, coming after me, himself unexpectedly entered the same basilica to pray. I began indeed at once to grow pale at the sight of him and to tremble exceedingly, lest he should suddenly inflict death upon me when he saw me. But far otherwise than I had supposed, with Saint Landoaldus interceding for me, it turned out. For he spoke nothing at all of ill to me, but commanded me to perform my ministry as before; for I had formerly been his cup-bearer. So from that day until now, in the reconciliation of his Saint, I have remained secure from my former distress. By such signs, therefore, and miracles similar to these shown through him, it is certain to me that he is to be numbered among the first of the Saints."

[10] When these things were spoken by him, behold, the Lord Provost with his Brethren was departing, honored with ⁱimmense gain; and thus entering the ship with great prosperity, the bier of Saint Landrada draws back out of reverence for Saint Landoaldus, with the Lord's power leading the way, they set forth from there also with great joy. After this, on a certain day while the sailors were navigating briskly, when they had rested and stopped in one place, it happened that, when the biers of the Saints, which had been properly placed in the ship close together by the Brethren, the bier in which Saint Landrada was contained gave a leap in the sight of all, and entirely removed itself from Saint Landoaldus, marvelously rendering to so great a Priest the reverence and fitting honor.

[11] That miracle, indeed, which was performed not long afterward on the same journey concerning a certain sailor, and likewise that which befell ^kthe man other miracles performed, who mourned his lost heart and mind or sense through the merits of the Saints, but was afterward mercifully restored to health, it is not necessary to recount more fully in this place, since they have been described more diligently elsewhere. When these miracles had thus been duly accomplished, as we have simply related for the sake of those who do not know, on the most sacred day of the Annunciation and Incarnation of the Lord, they arrived, God willing, at our monastery, which is most rightly called the monastery of the citadel of Ghent.

In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and our Savior, here begins the arrival of Saint Landoaldus the Archpriest and his companions at the citadel of Ghent, which is celebrated on the eighth before the Calends of April.

CHAPTER II

The Deposition of the Relics and the Solemn Elevation Afterward Performed.

[12] When all the faithful from every direction were streaming together to the blessed relics with exceeding exultation, after a woman was healed,

a certain woman, led by the hands of others, was immediately

healed through the merits of the Saints. The most devout Brethren, indeed,

were deservedly filled with great joy above all others at the arrival of the Saints,

and accordingly all, vested in the solemn manner in white robes, the biers are carried into the monastery with solemn pomp, with thuribles of incense and

the bright light of four silver candelabra,

moreover with Crosses and sacred Gospels,

coming from afar with an infinite throng of peoples streaming together from every direction,

singing psalms to meet them,

joyfully received those most holy relics upon their shoulders

and brought them into the basilica with great exultation,

celebrating the solemn day no little in a double manner.

These, therefore, dearest Brethren, are the solemnities of this day,

these the great joys of today's festival, on which we have merited

to receive, by the Lord's bounty, such and so great

Patrons and fitting intercessors for our offenses.

And although we have briefly and simply

touched upon these things for the sake of those who were not then present,

we wish also to repeat the rest with the same simplicity,

the things that were done concerning the Saints, as God shall grant,

in part; lest so great a thing, worthy of all memory,

be utterly consigned to oblivion. Nor let anyone

reprove us with annoyance, saying that we speak of these events by chance;

for to tell the truth is not to whisper by way of slander.

[13] in vain certain people scoff. Therefore, at so great a joy, now briefly touched upon in compendium,

bestowed by God, certain malicious persons, and if it be permitted

to say so, envious ones, then bearing it ill, stood not far away

at that time in more elevated places, with oblique

gaze beholding so great a people exulting most devoutly in the reception of the Saints, they proclaimed with the faithless Jews that indignant saying from the Gospel: "Behold," they said, "the whole world has already begun to go after them." John 12:19

Then they caused a swift rumor to fly through their gossipmongers, as if not the relics of the Saints but the bones of wicked dead men had been vainly brought to us; certain ones even, filled with a yet worse madness, judged that the bodies of the Saints should be tested by fire in a furnace. O most faithless of mortals, you who had vomited forth these insults in derogation of the Saints: perceive at last, though late, that there is no counsel, no human wisdom against God. Did not many of the Saints arrive at the starry kingdoms after being consumed by fire? Have you not heard, most foolish one, infected with envy, that the body of Saint John the Baptist, although it was burned by the Pagans out of envy and scattered through the fields, nevertheless, as the Truth itself attests, "among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist"? Or will his body therefore not be most holy, because this is reported to have been done to it? It is clear indeed that, if the means were at hand, you would have wished to do these very same things to our Saints in the manner of the Pagans. O blind deceit that sees nothing, to which the brightness of the eternal sun is always injurious; but we give thanks to the Lord God of all, because the more studiously you wished to tear away the devotion of the most faithful people from the Saints, the more in every way you amplified their honor. Therefore, for your reproaches we return to you no reproaches at all. For, as it is written, the Lord has done whatsoever He has willed. Psalm 113:3 But we also, for the sake of peace, have wished to make no one public, have named no one here expressly; it suffices that the instigator of so great a perversity should blush, though late. For if he is angry, he will himself confess that he was the author of the malice; since we may perhaps have held such sentiments about some other stranger. For the Lord has decreed to glorify His Saints, and who shall be able to weaken His will?

[14] Therefore, most salutarily, with God willing and the Lord Abbot commanding, it was decided the relics are placed in the crypt that the relics of the aforesaid Saints should be placed apart in a modest location, where an altar gleams beneath the honor of Saint Mary, in the crypt, until they might be able to know more certainly what they might afterward do with them. Meanwhile, our Lord, not unmindful of His Saints, began to glorify the relics, recently deposited and without due honor, with many miracles, and to make manifest to all that these were not false, as the malicious asserted, but true relics of the Saints. they shine with many miracles: For the blind there received, with the Lord's assent, their sight, the lame their walking, the maimed their restoration, and those oppressed by various ailments the most perfect recovery of heavenly medicine. Then the most Christian people, whether situated near or far, hearing and seeing these things, came with candles and various offerings from every direction, and continually presented their vows to God before those relics. Say therefore, whoever you are, envious one; say, if you can, impious one, what has it profited you to have wished to act against the counsel of God? Behold, the glory of our Saints remains without end in Christ. Look at the followers of Christ, how joyfully they run to the renowned patronage of the Saints.

[15] But the Lord Abbot, seeing such great benefits, rendered thanks to Almighty God; some are sent to the Bishop of Liege, and not long after, at the Lord's inspiration, for the precaution of the future, and, what is truer, for the greater glory of the Saints, he took care to send our aforementioned senior members to the venerable Bishop of the Church of Liege, with a humble entreaty requesting that he investigate through his Clergy whatever was worthy concerning the relics of the translated Saints, and report to them the truth about all these things in writing, which, with the Lord granting, was immediately accomplished. For the Priests and Clergy streaming together from every direction, questioned in a full Synod, the earlier miracles are collected in a Synod, recounted before their Bishop with one voice how many miracles they had heard and seen performed concerning our Saints. At the command, therefore, of that same distinguished Bishop, the miracles which they had divulged were collected there, and through the Lord Heriger, a scholar and one skilled in the art of music, were described briefly indeed, but quite eloquently and in lucid discourse, and moreover were confirmed by the authority of the Bishop himself, additionally sealed with the impression of his seal, and faithfully sent to the Lord Abbot and all the Brethren of Ghent.

[16] Furthermore, the rivals of our prosperity briefly mentioned above, which, like the other acts, are confirmed by the Archbishop of Reims, whose once-broken forces of their malice by no means failed, what they could not accomplish at close quarters in the derogation of the Saints, they attempted to carry out with the Archbishop of the Church of Reims. But, so that the Lord might be able to glorify His Saints in these parts as well, prudent elders, skilled in speech, were sent from our monastery all the way there, who brought with them in writing an irrefragable authority and the testimony of very many Priests concerning the miracles recently performed through the patronage of the Saints, and moreover also destroyed by words the false opinion about the Saints before the Supreme Pontiff. Indeed, the venerable Archbishop, having seen these testimonies and heard them in his most full Synod, yielded to the truth together with seven other Bishops, and confirmed the writings that had been brought with his own authority and that of the other Bishops and many Priests, and the elevation of the relics is granted: and publicly praised before all his Synodal members that they should be most worthily raised up within the Holy of Holies. For behold, here by the grace of the Lord the machinations of the rivals fell, and our Saints, with God's favor, remained glorious against the wish of the envious.

[17] Then our envoys, gloriously made victors against the malevolent venom of blasphemy through the patronage of those same Saints, and more swiftly seizing their journey thence, approached a young man of fine character, recently adorned with the Pontifical mitre, Lindulph, Bishop of the city of Noyon; and with humble prayers they asked that he proceed as quickly as possible to the noble monastery of Ghent, Lindulph, Bishop of Noyon, invited, in order that he might by his own authority and in person raise the sacred relics from the obscure place in which they had been put, and, as was fitting, elevate them to a more exalted position within the chancel. To these prayers he most willingly gave his assent, and moreover designated to them the day when he would most certainly come to us. We have indeed briefly and simply touched upon this thing gloriously accomplished concerning the Saints, which we have judged to be most beneficial for our newer and dear foreign brethren, advancing toward better things, lest they utterly consign worthy events to oblivion, but rather adorn their memory by more devoutly paying service to them. For all things which the enemy of the human race was preparing against the Saints for their destruction, our Bishop always, on the contrary, turned to their more eminent adornment, for which let there be to him thanksgiving, praise, and exultation without end. For at the command of the Lord Abbot, that he might place them in precious caskets made for the purpose, although in inferior material, out of the great devotion which we had toward the Saints, craftsmen had most fittingly prepared three new caskets, covered with pure gold and silver, from the offerings of the most Christian people who were streaming together; and all the Brethren were rejoicing, and awaiting the desired day on which we mentioned that he was to come and he had promised to come to us.

What more? For he came not long after, as he had predicted, with a most beautiful retinue of his Clergy and Priests, and not far from the sacred oratory itself, he arrives: he received his lodging in quarters prepared for him with care. But now, with the merits of the Blessed ones interceding, it behooves us, as best we can, even with a rustic pen, to set forth the most sacred elevation of the Saints performed in such a manner on the following day.

[18] After the pre-dawn hour, therefore, rest was shaken from drowsy limbs, and leaving behind our sluggish beds, we ran unanimously to the sacred building; and immediately we saluted with prostrate prayers the Supreme and Sincere One, at daybreak, without whom no one merits light from light. While the dawn still paused under the saffron mantle of the bright sun, the Brethren resounded songs to Christ in triumph, and it is a joy to praise eternally the One who is ever mighty. When these hymns had been duly arranged, the aurora of the morning brightness immediately departed, the moistening shadows were dispelled, and the meadows on all sides dripped with dew; and now golden-haired Phoebus unveiled the world with his most brilliant rays, and the day of so great a celebration shone upon the earth, a day to be most reverently celebrated and observed by us forever. Then the Priests of our order, attentive and purified by sacred petitions, immolated an unblemished lamb to God in honor of the Saints, thus beating upon the pious ears of the Lord with prayers, lest perchance, on the contrary, malignant deceit should be able by murmuring to diminish so great a glory to come for the Saints and for us. But neither in vain nor fruitlessly, by taking precaution, did they accomplish this with the Lord's assent. For at that very time of daylight, when the Bishop of the Lord who had arrived was already preparing himself to proceed, behold, again the serpent, debilitated in creeping, appeared, though with his scaly neck battered, the obstacles of the malevolent are rejected, doubly striving at last to raise his thrice-dashed head and secretly to pour forth the venom of his wickedness against the Saints of God. But this the Priest of God, with the Lord revealing it, prudently perceived by taking precaution, and at the same time cautiously avoided the lethal draught offered by the faithless, spurned it and mocked it with derision, and crushed it by treading it underfoot. Finally, he removed the detractors and whisperers far from himself, and most certainly announced that our prayers would be fulfilled on that day; and he proclaimed himself prepared and most devoted to the service of such great Saints from this time forward and forever with all his people.

[19] Then, with our Priors having swiftly prepared with the greatest exultation whatever seemed suitable for this work, the Bishop arrived after Prime with Abbots, Clerics, and most devout monks, to the ashes and bones of the pious Father Landoaldus the Archpriest and his companions. Here you might have seen almost innumerable people rushing to behold, he raises the relics with solemn pomp: whom the fame and the name of the illustrious Patron had stirred. The crowds filled the places; and then, first to the urn of the Archpriest with Litanies, as was fitting, most reverently, and then to those of the others, the Bishop, having gone ahead, adorned with the Pontifical mitre, spoke over the distinguished remains, then took them out from the basin in which they were held, and placed them in caskets of silver, covered with burnished gold. Now candles shone brightly, set upon silver candelabra, and an immense fragrance, sweet as of aromatics, filled the nostrils of those standing round about; while around the sacred bodies there resounded the murmur of heavenly song. At the end, when this office was sent forth in due order, the doors of the crypt were opened, and the band of monks, yielding, amid a great accompanying tumult of peoples, pressed to rush through the remaining passages. For the Priests and Levites, at the nod of their Bishop, took up three caskets, which the people of Ghent carried outside the building and under the open sky in their arms, in praises of God and hymns; and as they proceeded, the heavens echoed with tuneful roars, and the voices of the singers flew along the neighboring shores. And when, barely breaking free from the crowd, they sought the gates in a set formation and long order, the Bishop stood ahead waiting at the doors; where, when the prayer was finished, he intoned on high a Responsory, most fittingly composed in praise of the Saints. When this was completed, again in the very choir, adorned with painted tapestries, the Angelic hymn was sung in a lofty voice.

[20] Meanwhile, those who were carrying the sacred treasure divinely gathered and granted already held the place prepared by the Lord, higher than the altars themselves and supported on their shoulders. he places them above the altar.

To these the Bishop, drawing near with worthy reverence, lifted it out with his own hands while the people watched with the Clergy, and placed it upon the prepared altars. Then, when this service was also completed, he himself, standing before the altar with devout mind, began the melody of an Antiphon of the most blessed Confessors. This was immediately followed by the emotion of the Clergy, singing in the highest voices with the exultation of all: the musical song, that is, "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel," and the entire canticle of Zachary. O what a pious spectacle! Twice and thrice blessed! To see, namely, with such great devotion of the faithful, the Lord, who is wonderful in His Saints, being praised, and the recent glorious work of the Lord. Then a roar goes forth to heaven and the cry of proclamations strikes the golden stars; and no less the crowd is mingled with groaning amid the abundance of joy, and with tears welling up they filled their bosoms from the gladness of their hearts. Truly, a pious joy arises for the inhabitants of the earth. He celebrates Mass. Then a Mass is most solemnly chanted by the Bishop in honor of the Saints. After this, the same Priest, resplendent in a golden cloak, ascended the ambo with slow steps and related the lofty miracles of virtues, by which the plagues of the limbs fell away, and upon countless sick persons health flowed, immense and unforeseen. He announces the miracles: And finally he ordained that this entire day, most joyful for all the inhabitants of this land, be observed as honorable and festive by all in future years. Furthermore, the Pontifical blessing is bestowed upon the place, and thus, when all things were rightly performed, the entire people is commended to God and to perpetual peace. He institutes the feast.

[20] June 13. This most sacred translation was performed, most pleasing to God and to men and most grateful in all things to the holy Angels, on the Ides of June by ^fLindulph, most venerable man, Bishop of the city of Noyon, with the inexpressible spiritual joy of many Clerics and monks, and also with an infinite assembly of the faithful peoples, in the year of the Incarnate Word nine hundred and eighty-two, year 982, Indiction ten, and also the third year since the arrival to us of our most glorious Saints. Behold, the consoler of the poor and the hope of the needy, the supreme and life-giving Lord of all, how He glorifies His holy and precious Landoaldus with his blessed companions, who a little before had been so humiliated by the insults of detractors. Truly wonderful and a hundredfold praiseworthy is God in His Saints, freely bestowed upon us though unworthy, who, against the wish of the most wicked and the will of the envious, has deigned so beautifully and nobly, namely by miracles and all other most worthy services, to lead the relics worthy of God to their rest even bodily. Therefore, dearest Brethren, celebrate this day joyfully in the praise of the Lord and of the Saints, a day full of every fitting veneration, perfect, so that together with you and with us they may acquire the fellowship of the citizens above. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, who with God the Father and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, God, three and one, both now and for ever and ever. Amen.

son of Godfrey, Count of the Ardennes, was created Archbishop in the year 968,

died 989, having two years before anointed Hugh Capet as King of the Franks.