Domitianus

ON SAINT DOMITIANUS

BISHOP OF MAASTRICHT ON THE MEUSE.

ABOUT THE YEAR DLX.

Domitianus, Bishop of Maastricht on the Meuse (S.)

G. H.

[1] Maastricht is an illustrious city on the river Meuse flowing between, once with an Episcopal See ennobled, as at the Life of S. Servatius on the day XIII of May we more at length explain. sacred cultus May 7, After this and other Saints the tenth ruled the same See S. Domitianus, there from this mortal to immortal life translated on these Nones of May, which sacred to S. Domitianus the people of Maastricht celebrate in the ecclesiastical Office, in the ancient Breviaries, the people of Tongres and Liège with their diocese, as the ancient Breviaries of these churches, which we have various, attest: and because the city of Louvain once obeyed the Bishops of Liège, also S. Domitianus's office is prescribed in a certain MS. Breviary of the church of S. Peter. But the chief festivity of the same Saint is held in the city of Huy, situated between Liège and Namur, where he is held the first Patron on account of the body brought thither. with a solemn festivity among the people of Huy, For there is instituted with the sacred body through the city a public procession, at which are present the Governor, the Consuls with the rest of the Magistracy, likewise the citizens distributed by their cohorts: and it is honored by very many religious Orders, and very many pilgrims with bare feet, and clad in linen, carrying burning tapers: and so the said day, all servile work being prohibited, is performed.

[2] On the same VII of May the sacred memory of S. Domitianus is recalled in the ancient MS. Martyrologies of Liège of the Cathedral church of S. Lambert and of the monastery of S. Laurence, and the sacred calendars. and the MS. Florarium of the Saints. Likewise in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck printed in the year MCCCCXL, and the additions of Greven and Molanus to Usuard, which followed Canisius, Galesinius, Ghinius, Ferrarius, Saussay, and again Molanus in the Natales of the Saints of Belgium, and Miraeus in the Belgian Calendars. Other days on account of the elevation and translation of the sacred Body to S. Domitianus are dedicated, likewise June 15 both VIII of June in the MS. Florarium, where is added the year MCLXXII, both XV of June, on which Molanus in the second edition of the additions to Usuard referred him, and below in the first Acts is said to be celebrated at Huy. With the rest moreover of the Bishops of Maastricht is made his Commemoration on VI of February in the church of Maastricht, and February 6. where in the Treasury of Relics is kept some finger of his, and he is wont in the Litanies with other Saints to be invoked, and this on his feast was recited as the Prayer: prayers, O God, who us by the urgency of B. Domitianus Your Confessor to the recognition of Your holy name didst deign to call, grant propitious, that of whom we venerate the solemnity, we may feel his patronage. But in other Breviaries this is prescribed to be read: May the pious prayer of Your holy Pontiff Domitianus commend us, we beseech, O Lord, to Your mercy: whose precious confession is today celebrated in Your sight. And these things concerning his ecclesiastical cultus suffice.

[3] His Life we give a double one, the former from the monasteries of Rouge-Cloître near Brussels, A double Life and of Corsendonck near Turnhout, both of Regular Canons, which also exists among the people of Huy, from which the Prologue omitted by others we prefix. The latter Life we found of him in the monastery of Liège of S. Laurence of the Benedictine Order, and we collated it with those things which by Aegidius of Liège, monk of Val-d'Or, were written, and by John Chapeauville in the Deeds of the Pontiffs of Tongres, Maastricht and Liège in volume 1 and 2 published: and a history of miracles, to which we subjoin some miracles from the codex of Huy, by Carolus Werpaeus of the Society of Jesus submitted to us. But all these were written after the translation of the sacred body made in the year MCLXXXIII, that is more than seven hundred years after the year DLX, about which it is handed down that S. Domitianus died.

LIFE

From three MS. codices.

Domitianus, Bishop of Maastricht on the Meuse (S.)

BHL Number: 2254, 2255

FROM MSS.

[1] For the confirming of the truth of the Catholic faith, in diverse nations of the lands, Prologue under diverse times, diverse worshippers of the divine religion and illustrious Doctors the providence and supernal piety chose: of whom of glorious memory B. Domitianus, the people and fatherland of Maastricht received as Pontiff and Shepherd, the holy church of Huy as Patron, illustrious for merits. Of so great a Father therefore of the memory, worthy of the immense proclamation of praise, let the devout assembly of the faithful applaud Christ; which by his deserving patronage, desires with the Saints to enjoy the everlasting kingdom. For worthily the praise and memory of this holy man by men is frequented on earth, who gleaming with the signs of miracles, received by Angels, with Christ glories in the heavens. But to the glory and praise of the King of all, and to the knowledge of posterity and the consolation of the faithful, concerning the authority of this writing. of the same our venerable Patron the life, virtues and merits, according to what from the relation of truthful witnesses we have heard, and in the sacred volumes of the scriptures described we have found, God cooperating and the word of truth by heavenly grace confirming, as we are able and have strength, into legends, lessons, letters to insert we desire.

[2] Blessed Domitianus, in the parts of Gaul from illustrious parents sprung, when in works of mercy he abounded, the fame of his sanctity with swift wings flying through all things took possession of all. At that time it happened, that the venerable Eucharius Bishop of the church of Maastricht being dead, S. Domitianus, now in knowledge, virtue, created Bishop and also in sanctity most celebrated, in the same See by the election of the people and the Prince was substituted Bishop: who nevertheless from too great humility so great an honor to undertake did not consent, until the Lord His own will upon this divinely revealed to him. Made therefore Bishop it is not easy to say, with how great solicitude he governed the people committed to him, by preachings, alms also and the buildings of churches insisting, and the Pagans (of whom an abundance still in his parish was) converting. But with so great virtue and glory of miracles and at the same time admirable doctrine he shone, that there was not found one like him in all the provinces of Gaul. But at a certain time, [in famine the whole province had been oppressed; and the people of the poor were too much wasted with want; the holy Bishop seeing, from too great dryness of the air, as if there were no hope for the inhabitants of a future harvest; the rich, he stirs the rich to alms, who from fear of barrenness had ceased from the bestowal of alms, he admonished and commanded to be admonished, that out of respect of divine love the poor of Christ they should refresh from their own grain; promising to all, that in the harvest next following of grain and fruits there would be abundance. And the people obeyed the Pontiff, and the Pontiff entreated the Lord: foretelling an abundant harvest: but the Lord at the prayers of His servant from heaven giving His kindness, the dry province with the waters of rains more largely moistened; and the earth bringing forth its fruit, refreshed the inhabitants and dwellers of that fatherland with an abundant harvest.

[3] In those days when the Arian heresy had greatly in the province of Orleans prevailed, and concerning this the Magnates and Bishops of diverse cities and lands at Orleans for a general Council had convened, and the heretics swelling with the pompous pride of eloquence argued against the faith; in the Synod of Orleans he confutes the heretics: the Catholics praying and divine revelation suggesting, B. Domitianus the most eloquent of all, in knowledge also and argumentation most perfect, by all the fellow-Bishops to resist the heretics first and alone chosen, and divinely by Christ admonished, all that multitude of heretics by the testimonies of sacred Scripture convinced and confounded, so that there was no adversary who him with grim countenance regarded, or resisted his words; but several of them led by penitence, fallen before his feet asked pardon: but the rest of the heretics, in their

malice persevering, from the fellowship and assembly of the faithful expelling, he caused to be relegated by the Princes into exile. But in going to the aforesaid Council, and in returning, and there abiding the blessed Pontiff Domitianus, wherever he turned aside, announcing the faith of Christ with miracles shone. he takes care that churches and hospitals be erected: But returning to his own parish, churches in those places where they were not he caused to be constructed, and the constructed he consecrated: hospitals also in the cities, for gathering and sustaining the poor, he procured to be made, and to all the oppressed and needy the remedy of salvation and the benefit of piety more largely bestowed.

[4] But it happened that in the land of Huy many men from a certain fountain infected by the putrefaction of a certain huge and fetid dragon suffered various and most grievous sicknesses, he is said to have freed the people of Huy from the infestation of a dragon: and beasts and cattle drinking from the same suddenly died: whence the inhabitants of that land, inviting the holy Father of the fatherland to the same place, supplicated, that them and their cattle he should snatch from so miserable with the aforesaid men came to the place, and prayer being made commanded powerfully the dragon itself, that departing from that place it should nevermore against man or creature of God, necessary to the use of men, have power of harming, and that the water putrefied by the dragon's stench should no more lose the use of giving drink. At this command of the holy man immediately the dragon from the fountain into the abyss descending, nowhere appeared; and the water, the fountain being dried up, to the surface of the earth not ascending, obediently shut itself under the earth. and to have produced a fountain: But the blessed Prelate taking his Pastoral staff, fixed it in the solid ground: and immediately by heavenly grace produced from the earth a new fountain drinkable and water healthful, conferring on the sick and on various pains the remedies of health. After these things he began the church of B. Mary of Huy more often to frequent, in vigils and in the solemnities of Masses there insisting, where also the sick coming from diverse regions to him he restored to health, he restored the sick to health. and the dead from death to life, and the lost to salvation from destruction recalled. At length there was revealed to the holy Prelate Domitianus, at the tomb of S. Servatius, the near dissolution of his body from this life, who the thresholds of the Saints in circuit visiting, to the tomb of B. Servatius came, where the Clerics of his church and the rest of the faithful being called together, and to them a sermon making, and peace and communion to all bestowing, all that for him they should beseech God he admonished; and remaining in the church he begged the Lord, that before his departure He would deign him with His sweetness to console. called in Christ, But the prayer being made, an immense light from the supernal throne of heaven upon him sent forth shone, with which the whole basilica gleaming, a marvelous light to the keepers of the church showed: in which light the holy man saw the Lord Jesus Christ, in the midst of the Angels standing, and in paternal Majesty calling him to Himself and saying: Well done, good and faithful servant, because over few you have been faithful, over many I will set you, enter into the joy of your Lord. But afterward that heavenly light little by little vanished; and the glorious Prelate, on May 7 he migrates to heaven: by the Lord's vision consoled, in exultation remained; and at length there within the hands of the religious Priests on the Nones of May to the heavens migrated. There were present at his passing the choirs of hymn-singing Angels, who his soul with joy and praises to the reward and fountain of joy bore. But from the fragrance of the sacred body, health came to the sick very great.

[5] But there convened to the obsequies of the holy man of the whole province the Clergy: and the body of the most holy one, giving a most sweet odor, with an innumerable throng of both The body buried at Huy sexes of men, from Maastricht into the church of B. Mary of the town of Huy they bear to be buried. At whose tomb so great miracles followed, that in the time of Charlemagne, it is elevated June 15 by command of the same Emperor sent Willigisus the Prelate of Cologne, the holy body dug from the earth, and still breathing a most sweet odor, from the earth raised on the XVII of the Kalends of July. After these things in the year of the Lord MCLXXII the Roman Empire being ruled by Augustus Frederick, the first Emperor of this name, Radulphus the LXII Bishop of the Church of Liège, counting from B. Maternus the first Pontiff of the people of Tongres, again transported the body of S. Domitianus into a new bier, with silver and gold adorned, on the VI of the Ides of June. again June 7. But only the first translation, which was done by Willigisus of Cologne the Archbishop, is celebrated at Huy f.

ANNOTATIONS.

ANOTHER LIFE

From a MS. codex of Liège of the monastery of S. Laurence.

Domitianus, Bishop of Maastricht on the Meuse (S.)

BHL Number: 2253

FROM A MS.

CHAPTER I.

Birth, education, and life passed in the Episcopate.

[1] The twentieth presided over the Church of Maastricht as Bishop, the most holy Father, B. Domitianus, Born in an honorable place, a man through all things to be praised. He in the parts of Gaul from honest and according to the glory of earthly dignity high and illustrious parents was procreated. But when this happy little infant in the sacred font of baptism in Christ was to be baptized, by a divine presage of things to come, as a future lord of vices, and a citizen of the house of the Lord perpetually with the Angels to reign, he received the name Domitianus. But regenerated in Christ, by the care and diligence of his parents most honestly was nourished, since by them most fervently he was cherished, and most tenderly was loved. But while from the nurse's milk he was separated, the boy beginning to be of good disposition, to the sacred thresholds of the church with his parents sometimes coming, with hands extended, with knees bent supplicating, to the Lord poured forth prayers, that to the eternal mansions he might be able to attain. But his parents this seeing, he is imbued with piety and doctrine: and such devotion in the little one as a miracle admiring, the boy to chief Doctors and perfected in divine instructions is handed over, in literary studies and the sanctions of Christian devotion to be imbued. Teachable therefore the youth, the supernal clemency providing for him, twin, namely human and divine, shone forth taught in knowledge. The delights therefore of the present life being put behind, the same youth admirable, in faith devout, in conversation to God and men amiable, passing the night in prayers, sedulous remaining in vigils, macerated his body with fastings: but by the illustrious virtue of his name in himself taming the vices of the world, and the flesh utterly to serve the spirit he compelled, and in every exercise of virtues praiseworthy shone forth. And although a youth he was in age, having a heart devout and aged, nothing in deed did he do vain or puerile; but in the flower of adolescence he was fragrant with the odor of virtues. But the venerable servant of God desiring the wantonness of the world and glory to flee, to the precepts of the Evangelical institution he was eager to adhere: and the holy Fathers' benignly following footsteps, he hastened without intermission to the holy offices of the Saints to proceed, that with Christ he might be able in the heavenly things to glory in eternal glory.

[2] In God's work therefore serving, in the blessings of sweetness he was prevented; and the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to the unlearned and unbelieving he preached, by preaching he converts the Pagans: most diligently, the chosen preacher. The glorious therefore contender of the Lord Domitianus, knowing in his days many nations in the provinces of the Gauls, and especially in the Aquitanian regions, still serving the rites of the Pagans b, and from the worship of the Christian Religion and the path of the Catholic faith straying; with the breastplate of faith armed, and as well against spiritual wickednesses, as against the persecutions of malignant men, with the helmet of salvation becomingly fortified; cities and castles going around, the seeds of the Lord's word with the germ of blessings everywhere faithfully sowed, and by the proof of deific truth men, in darkness and in the shadow of death sitting, to the recognition of true Deity converted. And so wherever and however much he could the name of the Lord Jesus Christ he exalted, and the same in Christ's name unclean spirits from possessed bodies put to flight: to the deaf hearing, to the blind sight, to the lame walking, to the mute speech he restored; and to all the infirm, to him coming and the grace of piety asking, the remedy of salvation he furnished. Of orphans, widows, and all the oppressed the pious consoler, against malignant spirits and against the pressures of all persecutions a strong warrior he was. But whom he converted to God, from all sin he purged; and them with the foods of flesh and spirit refreshed. Alacritous indeed he was in exhortation, sweet and eloquent in speech, simple and chaste in operation, perfect and truthful in promise, beloved by God and men, of the whole nation and fatherland he was the salvation and ornament.

[3] When with these therefore the servant of God Domitianus excelled in virtues, the fame of his sanctity buried under the earth did not lie hidden, but with swift wings flying through all things took possession of all: who in what manner he was raised to the citadel of the Pontificate, the acts of the Synod of Orleans show. But it befell the city of Servatius, the Prelate of the church of Maastricht of venerable memory Eucharius being dead, desired as Bishop of Maastricht, to be stripped of the governance of a Shepherd. Then a day being appointed to the Princes of the land, both the Magnates and the Clergy and the people of the aforesaid city in the church of B. Servatius being congregated, to treat of the substitution of a Bishop, Blessed Domitianus, in the Provinces of the lands in knowledge and virtue famous and in sanctity most celebrated, the grace of the Holy Spirit preordaining, by the concordant election of the Clergy and the Princes as Shepherd is chosen, and by the unanimous will of both sex and age of the people to the summit of the Prelacy is demanded. The Christian religion therefore flourishing, in the time of Childebert and Theodebert the King, he is read to have been present at the Synod of Orleans. from the words both of himself and of his fellow-Priests can be gathered, which were said in the Synod of Orleans. For what he taught with his mouth, he skillfully fulfilled in deed, lest perchance preaching to others, in the Synod of Orleans he is confirmed. he should be made reprobate: whom because the Pontiffs of diverse Provinces prudently knew, from ecclesiastical affairs him in no way to be absent they bore. d There was present in this sacred Assembly the Clergy and Senate of Maastricht, asking of the King and all the princes that to them Domitianus be given as Shepherd. And when he had long refused, at length overcome by the prayers of the bystanders he poured forth prayers to the highest Shepherd of souls, that if it were acceptable to God

and pleasing, and for his own and the faithful's salvation availed, the Lord from heaven by His grace His good pleasure to him divinely should reveal. But the beloved of the Lord, by an indication shown him from the supernal, is admonished to take up the yoke of the Lord light and sweet, and the Lord's sheep from the bites of wolves to the pastures of the heavenly life to recall.

[4] Comforted therefore by the Lord, to the election made of the faithful he gave his assent; and the governance of the holy Church, to the praise and salvation of the people, humbly and devoutly he undertook. Chosen therefore by the Clergy and people, by the judgment of the Bishops who had convened and of all the Princes and of the King Childebert himself, the estates, castles and the benefices which were of the church and city of Tongres, after its destruction by several plundered, to Maastricht to his See it was granted to be transferred, in which Synod also through him the Lord showed many signs. It is said that, while he disputed against the heretics, who had there convened, the earth in the manner of a cushion rising, prepared for him a seat. The heretics contradicting and resisting the words of the faith, when against the Catholic faith something of falsity they said, B. Domitianus full of the Holy Spirit, raised his hand against those heretics, and immediately they were blinded by divine power. But returned to his Fatherland, with many good things he enriched his church. He of the city of Tongres ruined beginning to loathe the deformity, the sepulchre of B. Servatius at Maastricht began to frequent. For by divine operating power, however great an abundance of snows had fallen, he dwells at Maastricht at the sepulcher of S. Servatius. the tomb of B. Servatius, as says Gregory of Tours the Bishop, the snow did not touch. You would see round about all things covered with snows, and yet the Saint's tomb not touched by snows. There worked also other miracles Christ, that there might be proved in the sight of God the precious merits of that holy man. On account of this both the devotion of the faithful, and the zeal of the frequenting people, a wooden and small one over the holy members put together an oratory: but because for so great a man it was not worthy, by the wind it was snatched away or to the ground of itself fell down.

[5] The Synod of Clermont f also is increased by his presence, and is strengthened by the wisdom of his honey-flowing speech: he is present at the Synod of Clermont. In which he was a gem, because the Doctor adorned it. And when to his sheep the Saint furnished pastures, by the words of doctrine he gave a form also of goodness, by the examples of works drawing back from the jaws of wolves. But whatever the Pontiffs decreed conniving, Domitianus it was who sowed the words of life, broke the schisms, and retained the true faith. The city of Clermont felt the pious dogmas of the Father, into whose Synod he came and sat being called, opposing to heresy the Canons of doing rightly. For on each day unless by a heavy trouble of infirmity weakened, the mysteries of the Lord's Passion he celebrated; devoted to the Passion of Christ, and to his own the word of life, the Lord Jesus Christ, unceasingly and sweetly he announced; and in the divine praises, day and night in prayers insisting, indefatigably he remained. The praise the same of men and the glory of the world he fled: of every good to him divinely bestowed, to the Creator of all things thanksgivings with the due reward of praise he rendered. There was not found in virtue or grace one like him, in all the Provinces of Gaul. and works of mercy. Whoever to him by infirmity vexed or by sin enveloped on account of the gift of grace came, by divine medicament healed and from every stain of sins cleansed, the salvation of body and soul received. Benign therefore and merciful to all asking grace of him he was, and to none the divine salvation's benefit denied.

[6] in a public famine. At a certain time therefore, when with a strong famine the whole province had been oppressed, and the people of the poor were too much wasted with want of victual, the Shepherd of the flock oft-said, hearing from the greatest dryness of the air that there was little hope to the inhabitants of the land of a future harvest, the people around more attentively admonished and commanded to be admonished with all diligence, that for divine love of the Creator, the poor and needy from their own they should deign to refresh with sustenance; promising to all, that in the following harvest next by God's grace of grain and fruits there would be sufficiently abundance, by which the whole people gladdened, he foretells a copious harvest would receive copious foods. These things therefore by the holy Pontiff of God being premised, his people obeying his commands, with their goods to them by God bestowed, victual and sustenance more fully and diligently in the name of the Deity bestowed on the poor and needy, trusting in the goodness of the Creator of all and the trustworthiness of their Prelate, the most pious Confessor of Christ. But the holy Pontiff with all devotion poured forth prayers from his inmost heart to the Lord, who created all things and feeds them out of nothing, and five thousand men out of five barley loaves, and two fishes satisfied most abundantly in the desert; that He Himself with His wonted piety the dryness of the earth for begetting fruits with a desired and useful rain would more quickly irrigate from on high: that His people believing the promise, returning thanks to God, might rejoice in the fruit of grain and the food of bodies. But the merciful Lord, the will of those fearing Him doing, and their supplication hearing, at the prayers of His beloved servant from heaven giving His kindness, the destructive dryness, with the abundant waters of rains liquefied; and the earth bringing forth its fruit, the inhabitants and dwellers of the fatherland with an abundant harvest refreshed. But the people with their Shepherd immense thanks to God returned, and more than before it was wont to the needy victual and the necessaries of life distributed.

[7] he takes care that churches and hospitals be constructed: Churches in those places where they were not he caused to be constructed, the constructed to the praise of God and the salvation of the faithful he consecrated. Hospitals in the cities for gathering the poor and sustaining them he demanded to be made: and to all the oppressed and needy the remedy of salvation and the benefit of piety more largely bestowed. The powerful and rich, lest they should oppress the poor, he reproved: a lover of peace, between the discordant peace and concord he reformed. And so this most holy man of the Lord Domitianus according to the Evangelical attestation, the light of the world is called: while men sitting in the darkness of perfidy, he led back by doctrines and virtues to the light of the knowledge of the living God. Salt also of the earth he is proved to be, who irrational nations from the reason of truth, seasoned with the salt of wisdom, made tasteable to God by the perfection of the Lord's savor. A laborer also and Disciple of the Evangelical institution, while daily in the vineyard of the Father of the family sustaining labor, he led to God a people of acquisition.

[8] And so it happened that in the bounds of the province of Huy, in the days of the holy man, many from the fountain infected by the putrefaction of a huge and fetid dragon, the men dwelling round about suffered various and most grievous sicknesses, and cattle and beasts drinking from the same suddenly died. Whence the inhabitants of that land, the holy father of the fatherland and doctor inviting to the same place, with humble devotion intimately supplicated, that, the divine goodness granting, men and cattle he should snatch and save from so miserable a damnation. But the most clement Prelate, he is said to have freed the people of Huy from the infestation of the Dragon, grieving exceedingly for the misery of the people of Huy, the loss of the animals and the pain, coming to the place, made the men through penitence to be cleansed from sins, and for their deliverance prayers to pour forth to the divine Majesty. Which done he commanded by divine power the Saint to the dragon, that departing from the place thenceforth never against man or creature of God, necessary to the life or use of men, should have power of harming, and that the water putrefied by the dragon's stench should lose the use of yielding a drinking-cup. At this immediately command of the holy man the dragon, from the fountain into the abyss descending, nowhere appeared: and the water, the fountain being designated, to the surface of the earth not ascending, from the confluence of its use obedient under the earth retained itself.

[9] But the blessed Prelate, knowing that fresh water there for the people to drink would be acceptable, to have produced a fountain. taking his pastoral staff with prayer fixed it in the solid ground: and immediately by heavenly grace produced from the earth a drinkable fountain, and water healthful to the sick, and to various pains conferring remedies of health. This done the people of that confine to the Creator of all things paid thanksgivings, and to their holy Shepherd reverence and honor bestowing, in all things well-pleasing to him more fully obeyed. Hence the Saint of the Lord, for the veneration of the glorious Virgin Mary mother of the Lord and for the salvation of the inhabitants the built church of Huy frequently visited, and in the offices of Masses and prayers, the melodies of psalms and the nocturnal vigils insisting, a victim acceptable to God upon the Lord's table immolated. Thence the people of that province him, still in the flesh alive, began to venerate as their Lord and most pious Shepherd of souls: whom after his passing, the supernal grace bestowing, they merited forever to have as the guardian of the people and Patron of the fatherland.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Pious death. Burial among the people of Huy: miracles.

[10] When therefore it pleased the Most High, B. Domitianus from the present world to lead forth, and to the joy of the blessedness of the Saints to join, the Holy Spirit the Paraclete suggesting, there was revealed to him the near dissolution of his body from this life. Who the thresholds of the Saints in circuit devoutly visiting, by assiduous prayers and the urgings of alms entreated, that by a good consummation received by the college of the holy Angels, the reward with the just he might merit to enjoy everlastingly. At the tomb of S. Servatius But to the tomb of the holy and most pious Confessor of Christ coming, Servatius, he implored that by his intervention the grace and aid of the Most High be present to him, when from the prison-house of this present life he should be stripped and of the world. Therefore the Brothers of his church being called together and the devout Priests of his diocese, fortified with the sacred viaticum, and the rest of the faithful of Christ in the church convening, confession being made, the salvific Sacraments of our redemption celebrating, most devoutly with the vivifying bread of Christ and the salvific blood fortified, peace and communion he gave to all, and himself to the prayers of all commended, humbly from them help asking to the Lord, now about to depart from this world.

[11] After these things to all he spoke words salutary of honey-flowing preaching: admonishing them to persevere

in perfect faith and the exercise of good action. Beloved brothers, he said, and sons, hear the precepts of the Most High, and do not have part with the ministers of the devil, and saved you will be in the day of wrath of the strict judgment. Labor therefore with your own hands, and like the Saints willingly succor the poor, that you may be rich with Christ in the heavenly kingdoms. With these and other discourses all by him being instructed, he disposes concerning his burial: the devout sheep he committed to the grace of his Redeemer; and enjoined them that his body in the church of Huy of the blessed Virgin Mary, as to him the Lord had ordained, to ecclesiastical burial they should hand over. But the most holy Confessor, remaining in the church, invoked the Father in mind, that Him to console before his departure He would deign with His sweetness: who is always near to all invoking Him in truth.

[12] But this prayer being made, an immense light from the supernal throne of heaven upon him sent forth shone; with which the whole basilica gleaming, a marvelous light, faith and copious grace to the faithful showed. In the light therefore left, this from heaven bestowed, the pious Father with great exultation lifting his eyes to the supernal things, saw the most pious King of the Saints Jesus Christ the Redeemer of all, sitting in the midst of the Angels in Paternal Majesty, calling him to Himself with mercy, saying to him these words of consolation; Well done, good and faithful servant, because over few you have been faithful, over many I will set you, he is visited by Christ enter into the joy of your Lord; and receive what eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, nor into the heart of man shall ascend, which God has prepared for everyone perpetually loving Him. Blessed are you and well shall it be for you, because with the Saints you shall rejoice, and with the Angels forever in unfading glory you shall exult. Blessed shall be they, who through you have believed in my name, blessed they who to you devoted bestowed the honor of homage. Come, blessed of my Father, and receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. These things being said the heavenly light little by little vanished, and the glorious Prelate gladdened by the Lord's vision in exultation remained. But he lived in all the time of his life in the fear of God and reverence of virtues, serving his Maker in sanctity and justice without complaint. The good fight at length he fought, the faith inviolably keeping, the course he consummated, and so by a happy consummation among the hands of religious Priests, on the Nones of May from this unstable life, on May 7 by Angels he is led into heaven in the heavenly things with the Saints to live, to the Lord migrated. From death therefore to life, from sorrow to joy, from the world he came to glory. There were present at his passing the choirs of hymn-singing Angels, who his soul with praises bore to the reward of joy.

[13] But the Archpriests, the same Father's most dear sons, frequenting and guarding the body of the most blessed Prelate, bestowed on him the due honor, with prayers and Psalms of the office of obsequies: and so the most holy body, an odor to all the bystanders giving most sweet, by the religious Priests, with the devout Assembly of citizens and an innumerable throng of both sexes of men, into the church of B. Mary of the town of Huy is borne, to be committed to the tomb. But the Nobles and Magnates of the province perceiving, he is buried at Huy, the burial of so great a Father in a church so venerable would be prepared; out of honor of reverence flying together from everywhere with exceeding devotion, of their Shepherd and Confessor of God the obsequies they hastened unanimously to be present at. And when this body of the holy Father in the venerable bier lay, clad in the vestments of the Prelacy, the head adorned having a miter, the hand with the Pastoral staff surrounded, of all the comers the nostrils a most sweet odor was infused. But many with devotion kindled, the sanctity of the most holy Father recognizing, from his vestments little particles for relics cut, others tore, some the nails of his hands or feet while they could clipped, some indeed the tips of the hairs of his head cut off, and all these for themselves as venerable relics reserved. The solemnities therefore of Masses being celebrated, with prayers and psalms of the burial office fitting, the sacred body in a new sepulchre, of precious stone hewn, is placed most devoutly, by the ministry of the faithful Priests: and so with great reverence is laid up in a sacred place, for so great a Priest most worthy.

[14] The sepulchre therefore being closed after the office of burial, health of bodies, and of souls conferred on the faithful people, to whom there was full faith and good intention. Hearing therefore the sanctity of the holy man, with various pains oppressed from far off as from neighboring hamlets the sick, visited the tomb of the sacred body, grace and salvation of souls and bodies obtaining. But coming the blind to the veneration of the sacred body, he shines with miracles: by divine grace bestowing of the eyes' light were restored: the deaf hearing from the Saint's merit received, the mute the use of tongue and voice received glad to their own returned: the lame and contracted in the nerves of the members, with faith invoking the Saint, the office of walking bestowed on them from heaven they walked, and from all weighed down with pains of diverse infirmities the worst pestilences and all sicknesses were driven away. Certain envious ones also, because miracles by the holy Father Domitianus to be done they did not believe, and his marks of virtues to depreciate wished, with too great terror suddenly struck, S. Domitianus with devotion praised, and compelled the merits of the Saint everywhere powerfully preached. Let every Church rejoice together with that of Huy for the glory granted, for powerfully this the divine grace illustrates. O Domitianus, sweet solace of the languishing, by your merits, which contain the deposits of your dissolution, which like the sun shall shine in the glory of the resurrection, there place us the Judge's sheep at his right hand.

[15] He died a about the year of the Lord five hundred sixtieth. This Pontiff also was of the highest goodness, in alms prompt, in judgments just, in all honesty of manners most excellent, loved by all, despising none; but all in good will embracing, all loving, he himself also was loved by all. And to use the words of Sigebert the monk of Gembloux, an excellent historiographer, There shone, he says, under Justinian the great Emperor, Cassiodorus the Senator afterward a monk, Arator the Poet, Priscian the Grammarian, Victor of Capua who writing Paschal cycles refuted the errors of Victorius, he is praised by Sigebert. Gregory of Langres, Nicetus of Trier, and Blessed Domitianus of Maastricht the Bishop b: and in Gaul a tree c, which is called the elder, brought forth grapes. Of this most holy man's sepulchre, although it was in the church, where or in what place it was placed, is by no means known by the inhabitants: one thing thence for a truth we can say, that the church many times suffered the ruin of tribulations, namely of the Winidi and of the Normans and of the Hungarians and of other persecutions, which so often that place and the whole parish of Liège by devastating oppressed: and so it could be, that the sepulchre of B. Domitianus by them was altogether destroyed: or perhaps it was in some place, where a wall of the walls was to be drawn down; and so it is unknown to all d.

[16] But in our times six young men in the waters drowned, 6 drowned revive: within a few years on diverse festivities of the same were raised up. Of whom some under grinding mills passed through, and for half a day in summer time in the water lay: others for the space of nearly two hours, others for three, the sick are healed, others from the first time of summer until vespers in the water lay: of whom afterward we saw one. The blind, lame, deaf, mute, paralytics, phrenetics and demoniacs, of whom on account of the multitude we know not the number, captives are freed, on diverse festivities of his receive soundness even unto the present day. Many also in diverse places in prison custody detained, by the prayers and merits of B. Domitianus the chains being broken were freed: of whom some here in the midst to bring forth we have taken care, the miracles. A certain man at Teumacum e in chains placed, B. Domitianus with tears began to call upon, that by his merits intervening he might be absolved, because on account of his too great poverty, no hope was there for him of redeeming himself, to whom the most pious Confessor on the following night in sleep appeared saying: I am Domitianus: rise and put your hand to the chains, and draw out your foot: do not doubt, because the chains yielding of their own accord you will be freed. Beware also, lest when you have been freed, you return through the wood which is next to Halois, but by the lower way return under the grove, and by none will you be taken. But awakened from sleep he put his hand to the chains, and wonderful to say immediately he was freed, and God's mercy and the Blessed Pontiff's intervention to his liberation attributing, according to his vow the iron chains he brought to B. Domitianus.

[17] A certain merchant, making memory of the Blessed Pontiff and himself to his prayers commending, things taken by theft are restored, fell among robbers, by whom he was despoiled; but God's helping grace, never his pack to break could they: but neither the bread, which over the little chest of B. Domitianus he had touched, for three days fasting eat could they: and so themselves to have offended recognizing, his own things to him they restored. A certain youth beside the wheel of a certain mill slipped into the water: and immediately B. Domitianus's aid in his heart he besought, because with words he could not. Who from the first hour until the ninth hour in the water remaining, at length was found: and when he was esteemed dead by all, at length he began to breathe again: whom by the blessed Pontiff's merits and intercessions raised up we do not doubt. There are also several other miracles, which on account of the weariness of readers here omitting, from the history our hand let us draw back.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER III.

Translation of S. Domitianus and miracles thereafter wrought.

[18] In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord one thousand one hundred and seventy-third, the Roman Empire being ruled being governed c by Radulphus the Pontiff, the Canons of S. Mary of Huy, approaching the face of the said Pontiff, supplicated, the body is elevated in the year 1173 that B. Domitianus into a silver little chest, which for him already long had been fabricated, he should place: because very much to them dishonorable it seemed, that, since with God he was in merits exalted, with men in a humble place he should be held. The Bishop assented, and d on the seventeenth of the Kalends of July that he would do this he promised. All things therefore duly ordered, on the said day the Bishop to the church came; prayer being made, the little chest he opened; and the holy pearl, which within lay hidden, to all openly it was permitted to see; and soon by the Pontiff himself in the silver casket it was laid up honorably. Which being completed, the Priests clad in white, on their own shoulders the most holy body from the earth raised, and outside the church bore, the Clerics chanting and following with the citizens and women who in their hands carried tapers: for to all there was one devotion, equal was the exultation, in their neighbor's visitation.

[19] But after his most holy body was laid up in the church, the Bishop celebrated Mass: a blind woman is healed, and amid the very holy mysteries there was not lacking the intercession of S. Domitianus. For a certain woman having an only daughter, who for nine months elapsed had never seen the light of heaven, before the body of the blessed Pontiff stood, and in this manner him called upon: O Domitianus, Confessor of the Lord precious, to my daughter restore the light: her to your service I will hand over all the days of her life. I know truly and most certainly I know, that whatever you shall ask of the Lord you will obtain. What more? the woman Domitianus called upon, and Domitianus by his prayers to the girl restored the light. The bystanders being astonished, she went before exulting, taking the way, and a guide of the way no longer requiring. With swift course the Priests who were present brought the girl to the Bishop, and that God had visited His people through the merits of B. Domitianus they intimated. Who returned thanks to God, and that "Te Deum Laudamus" by all should be sung commanded.

[20] These things being completed there was present at hand the visitation of B. Domitianus. a paralytic woman, For a certain woman, who already for six years by paralysis had been held, and under the little chest sat, of the keepers flowers asked, and received, the nerves touched, and soon hither and thither walked. Another woman also having a spirit of infirmity, a bent woman, who was bent for very many years, and her right hand to raise could not, to the holy bier approached with tears, and her hand over the little chest stretched, and from the sickness with which she labored freed was. While these and similar things were done, fame than which nothing swifter through individuals running about, of the said confessor the miracles e divulged. There was stirred up the whole city, and to so wondrous a spectacle there ran every sex and age, and all the sick by various pains detained, both on pallets and in vehicles were brought. a paralytic woman, Among whom another woman, who from paralysis was curved for nine years, because by herself she could not by others was brought. A wondrous thing, for soon as the little chest of B. Domitianus she touched, she was made erect and to herself restored. And when of this matter and of the aforesaid the fame grew abroad, to derogate from the Saint, and at those approaching the church to scoff. Soon in a wondrous manner divinely seized he began to rage, a demoniac yapping. and his body's members and strength being failing on the ground to wallow. At length himself to have offended professing, and from the Priest absolution asking, his mouth and breast striking, from the vexation he was absolved.

[21] In the time of Radulphus, the thirty-third Bishop of Liège, after f the burning of the church of S. Lambert, which happened in the year of the Lord one thousand one hundred eighty-fifth, the body brought to Liège in the year 1185 when for the restoring of the same B. Lambert's church from everywhere convened from the whole Episcopate processions to offer; it happened that B. Domitianus's bier there with all the concourse of the people from Huy to be brought: they felt and understood those who were present g how the bier of B. Lambert and the bier of B. Domitianus mutually with a certain sonorous noise saluted each other. When therefore very many of both sexes, of those who from Huy had come, their offering had completed, and to return more quickly with their Saint hastened; the bier of B. Domitianus could not be moved, until all who with him had come their oblation had made. After this his oblation being completed, and the oblation being made it was brought back, the people of Huy thinking there their Saint to wish to remain, with tears and groans the prayer being completed, again applying their hand to the Saint's bier, him most easily lifted, and with praises and gladness most swiftly returned.

[22] But it happened when they began to ascend the public mountain which is joined to the city of Liège, before to the monastery of the Regular Canons of S. Aegidius, which in the same mountain is contained, they came; blind, having heard of B. Domitianus's arrival ran, and the bier with both hands held. Whom when the bystanders wished to remove, a blind woman is illumined. she swore that she would not depart, until she received light. Forthwith by the merit of B. Domitianus the light she received, and so glad to her own returned. And so the people of Huy B. Domitianus with great joy carried back to their own. But this miracle was done in the village of S. Christopher, as to us related two religious men of the Cistercian Order, who there were present; and we know that their testimony is true.

ANNOTATIONS.

e MSS. "multiplied."

OTHER MIRACLES

From a MS. of Huy.

Domitianus, Bishop of Maastricht on the Meuse (S.)

BHL Number: 2256

FROM A MS.

[1] For illustrating B. Domitianus's merits, what Miracles the Lord through him worked, Prologue from the day of the Translation until now, in few words to dispatch we have determined. 1 Cor. 14, 22 But miracles, as the Apostle says, for a sign are given not to the faithful but to the unbelieving, and have diverse effects in diverse persons. For as the same Apostle says, whom God predestined, these also He called: But He calls some by scourges: whence through Solomon * it is said, the Lord scourges every son whom He receives. Rom. 8, 30 Therefore He struck Paul himself, that He might heal, He cast down that He might raise, He blinded that He might illumine. 12 Hebr. 6 Others by the illumination of the spirit He calls, others by miracles: but whereby the predestined profit, the reprobate are blinded. For that which to the sons of Israel in the time of Moses was for a remedy, to Pharaoh and the Egyptians befell for a punishment: he with his people was drowned in the sea, the sons of Israel from servitude freed. And so, as we believe and hope, by the Blessed Bishop Domitianus's merits the faithful and devout will profit, but the reprobate and detractors will waste away. Now therefore for the edification of the good, what Miracles God through him works, as we ourselves partly have seen, partly from others, who saw, have received, let us compendiously dispatch.

[2] a A certain woman, who with a dissolution of her members labored, Three crippled women and other sick are healed and on her feet at that time to stand could not, by night as if in an ecstasy placed saw the Body of B. Domitianus to approach, and she said to her: Rise, and stretch forth your hand to those beseeching. Nor much time intervened, in which she was freed, but not until eight days were passed was credit given to her. It happened also that a certain woman, who had never walked, received her gait, and to the altar of the blessed Mother of God, without the help of anyone proceeded, and thanks to God and His Mother thence with B. Domitianus rendered. Then also it happened that a certain little girl, who for two years curved to the earth, could not be raised, fully freed was. It happened also that those who the use of speaking had never had, by the intercession of the blessed Pontiff received it. Two also who with the falling sickness labored, were freed. Two dropsical persons were cured.

[3] likewise four others sick for a longer space A certain man also of Nivelles, having heard the miracles of B. Domitianus, with his mouth professing unto salvation, with his heart believing unto justice, promised himself to go to the thresholds of the Blessed, if to him his gait should be restored. And immediately he received what he desired. A certain man of b Bordines, who for two years and three months had lain in bed, a vow being made of coming to the thresholds of B. Mary, immediately received his health. Two women, who the use of their hands by paralysis had lost, nor their fingers could extend, in one and the same hour recovered. A woman also of Rupes, c a castle of the Count of Namur, who for six years had lain in bed, nor could on her feet stand, her former health received. Another woman, who with a similar sickness labored, vowed to B. Domitianus a single cow, which had been untamed, nor could be led: and she received health, and the cow running before its drivers went before, as if no driver it needed.

[4] A certain soldier of d Ouce, a vow being made of coming to the oratory of B. Domitianus, and as many others began to try, whether to proceed he could: and little by little his strength being resumed as far as Huy he came: but because the due thanksgivings he did not render, again as before he sickened, until by divine inspiring clemency, at the invocation of B. Domitianus he perfectly recovered. In the same village a certain little child, who had never walked, his soles being consolidated, received health. A woman also a certain, who whatever in food and drink she took, immediately vomited up, by the help of the blessed Confessor was cured. A little boy, who the use of seeing for two months in one eye had lost, to the body of the blessed Pontiff his mother leading came, fell asleep, awakened received his sight.

[5] likewise the mute, blind, deaf and lame Three signs were wrought in one girl: she received her sight; she who before had been mute, spoke; the powers of walking she received. A certain Lay-brother of e Mount Cornelius, who had lost his hearing, while to the thresholds of B. Domitianus he hastened, still on the way placed, what he desired, received f. A certain man of little had eaten, made a vow of coming to the body of the blessed Pontiff, if in any measure he should recover: soon the health which he desired, he received. Another of h Visé, the court of the Bishop, who for nine years with a sickness had labored, in a moment was cured. A certain woman of i Falais the use of her members, which she had lost, received. Similarly a certain little boy of k Anicin received the powers of walking. A certain man of Nelin, who with a very great sickness labored, and to himself and to his Lord was useless, was freed, whence also by his Lord Godfrey of l Han he was lawfully handed over, on the feast of B. Domitianus about to give a denarius. On the same condition a certain young man to B. Domitianus by the same Lord was handed over, who was mute.

[6] A certain woman, who with a fistula labored so greatly that the physicians despaired, again others laboring with diseases, and to put their hand refused, from the aforesaid sickness in a moment recovered. A certain man leading oxen to pasture, breathed on by a slight breeze, immediately fell to the ground, and by alien hands to his home brought back (for he was thought mad) for three days nothing at all ate. At length to the aforesaid Pontiff fleeing, and pardon beseeching, the desired benefit he obtained. A certain girl, who one side had lost, almost and of the same part the eye, from blindness and the pain of the side equally was freed. A certain man of the household of Lord Henry de Lacia, by a whirlwind shaken, the powers of his body lost: but by the intercession of the aforesaid Pontiff health received. A certain man also of m Floreffe, who his hand to open could not, and in one foot weak was, in a moment was rendered unhurt. A woman for seven years and more in bed had lain, having heard the great deeds of B. Domitianus little by little recovered; and before leaning on alien hands, to her former health was restored. A woman of Vilier, who could neither rise nor proceed, the blessed Pontiff's little chest being seen, perfectly recovered.

[7] and finally several others are helped, But because to dwell on individual things is tedious, succinctly let us bring forth the rest. A certain woman her little son would not let communicate in the water, which from the relics of the Saints had flowed down for the sick; when to the repressing of her elation the boy began to sicken: which the mother seeing recognized her fault, herself to have offended professing, and so for her son health obtained. Another certain little child, half-dead being brought, immediately recovered. A certain woman, who for three years the powers of walking had lost, admonished in sleep to come to the body of the blessed Pontiff, giving credit, was cured. Similarly a certain man of Hotton n from a long sickness was healed, and from that time began to the poor to minister o.

ANNOTATIONS.

* nay, the Apostle

ON S. MAURELIUS BISHOP, MARTYR,

PATRON OF FERRARA IN ITALY.

7TH CENTURY.

Maurelius, Bishop and Martyr, Patron of Ferrara in Italy (S.)

By the author D. P.

CHAPTER I.

The origin of the See of Vicus Habentia and its translation to the church of S. George of Ferrara.

The city of Ferrara (concerning whose origin many say many things, nor without fables) before it stood in that place, where even today most ample it is seen, namely on the Northern bank of the lesser Po (the Po of Volano they commonly call it) once either wholly or in its greater part on the other bank of the said river stood, Before the institution of the Bishopric of Ferrara where even today is named the parish of S. George, which is found called Ferrarola in the XIII century; when namely the buildings and churches for the greater part being translated together with the name of Ferrara, the village which remained diminutively thus began to be called, as it were little Ferrara, which also old Ferrara could have been called. Here certainly at first was constituted the Episcopal See, which when and how it was done, since it makes not a little to this place, and the matter is most intricate, it pleases through the ancient vestiges of obsolete antiquity to investigate by conjecturing; not so much that my own opinion on that matter I myself should affirm, as that I may admonish the learned men of those parts to seek further, which being found there may be paved a way for avoiding the rough places, by the diligence of preceding writers not yet leveled. That the Ravenna church under Valentinian the Emperor was augmented with the Archiepiscopal dignity is by almost all held for indubitable; but that the privilege of the said Emperor brought forth thereon, as in Ferdinandus Ughellus it stands volume 2 column 331, by Baronius and others with reason of supposition is suspected: that in many ways it was interpolated, and indeed most ineptly, no one will doubt, who has any knowledge of antiquity.

[2] The See existing at Vicus Habentia Much more solidly that seems proved from S. Peter Chrysologus sermon 175 concerning Marcellinus Bishop of Vicus Haventia and S. Mary and the virgin's childbirth, of which this is the beginning. Of all things indeed the beginnings are hard, but harder are the beginnings of one giving birth. The holy Church of Ravenna, that it might first give birth, made a way, endured anguishes, felt pains: and this it did, Brothers, that the order of the divine childbirth in the whole track of truth it might guard. But when he had shown the order of the divine childbirth to have been such, that, the edict of Caesar going forth, in Bethlehem as if on the way of the Virgin Christ should be born: by S. Peter Chrysologus the 1st Archbishop of the people of Ravenna By the edict, he says, of the Pagan Caesar the Lord about to obey came to meet, and by the decree of B. Peter, by the decree of the Christian Prince (which concerning the institution of the Archbishopric, not without the contradiction of certain ones received, I should think is to be understood) does some servant still resist? But, Chrysologus continues, because neither prosperous things with adverse, nor with joys are sad things to be mingled, these being omitted of today's offspring let us pursue the gladness. Let him only have, the born one, who first was born, the reverence of the firstborn, let him hold also the honor. Marcellinus today of the home-born childbirth wholly seized and acquired the affection. There stand round the sons, the kinsmen are present, the whole kindred runs together, the whole family exults, the very inner parts of the house dance and rejoice; because to see with their eyes, to receive with their hands today for the first time the parent's childbirth and offspring they merited. From these clearly it appears I judge, that as Marcellinus was the first, whom the church of Ravenna, by Archiepiscopal right thenceforward of several subject Churches the mother through Episcopal ordinations to be, as Bishop from itself begot; so the first was S. Peter Chrysologus and no other, who by Pontifical and Imperial decree that power received. it receives Bishop Marcellinus about the year 450. But he received it under S. Leo the Great the Pontiff and Valentinian the Emperor about the year of the Lord CCCCL; who before from Leo's predecessor S. Sixtus III the simple title of Bishop and power had received.

[3] Marcellinus's successors all in obscurity lie hidden; of none of them a subscription in the Councils held in the fifth and sixth century or even the seventh appearing, unless he who in the Lateran under Pope Martin in the year DCXLIX is noted as John Bishop of Vicus Sabinae, should be read Vicus Habenae, which seems to be the opinion of Rubeus book 4 of the History of the people of Ravenna. But this is the more verisimilar, there John seems to have sat in the year 649, wrongly called of Vicus Sabinae: that of the Vicus Sabinensis Bishopric nowhere is any vestige to be found: but those who in the age of S. Peter Chrysologus were called of Vicus Haventia, could have been called of Vicus Habenae with the voice somewhat softened. However it be, not long after the aforesaid Lateran Council remained the See of Vicus Habentia: but to that which I have called old Ferrara, to posterity Ferrarola, it was translated. The author of the Translation that he was Pope Vitalian the people of Ferrara will have, after whom the See translated to Ferrara, who in the year DCLVII began to sit. The cause I suspect to have been of Maurus the Archbishop of Ravenna, propped by the power of the Imperial Exarch joined to himself, a defection from the obedience of the Roman See, to such insolence advanced, that being cited to plead his cause at Rome, he himself the Roman Pontiff presumed to cite to his own tribunal to be judged: and he remained in that obstinacy until death, so that of the throne thus also of the fault he found a successor in the year DCLXXII Reparatus: who when he had quickly come to his senses, from Vitalian's successor Adeodatus by no other law obtained pardon and grace, than that the name of Maurus he should expunge from the diptychs. Meanwhile it seems to have happened that the Bishop of Vicus Habenae or of Vicus Habentia, abhorring the pride of his Archbishop, betook himself to Rome; and that from the sworn enemy of ecclesiastical unity he might withdraw farther, asked and received the faculty of translating his See to Ferrara. But Ferrara he chose therefore, and that either for avoiding the tyranny of Maurus of Ravenna, because pertaining to the diocese of Vicus Habentia, but by the Lombards possessed, it was outside the power of the Exarch of Ravenna. But this lest it be thought said gratuitously, let the reader consider that already from the time of S. Gregory the Pope, the kingdom of the Lombards so widely in Italy extended, that all this, except

Rome and Ravenna, with the places pertaining to them, from the Alpine mountains as far as Reggio of Calabria, obeyed them: as says Baronius at the year 591 number 41.

[4] The truth of this matter appears from the bounds of the County of Perugia, through those at that time instituted, as far as Horta extended, which itself, although placed across the Tiber, and only 24 Roman miles distant from Rome, that the Lombards possessed we know from Paul the Deacon book 4 chapter 7. Nothing therefore wonderful we say, when we assert, that Ferrara, distant from Ravenna at least 40 Roman miles, on the bank of the Po against the Imperialists held and fortified by them was, nay then was the head of the whole County against the Exarchs of Ravenna. But as the same Lombards all things even up to the very Roman walls had infested by their incursions, with the extreme desolation of most of the places around; so also Vicus Habentia can be believed by the same to have been depopulated. Wherefore if to any one the cause of the See to be translated less pleases laid upon the rebellion of Maurus the Archbishop; he will be able from the Lombards themselves, for the greater part then Christians, to take the cause, or the Lombards its possessors so wishing thinking, that they themselves judged it just, that the Bishop of the County of Ferrara constituted by them, not elsewhere than at Ferrara should reside: and so it came to pass that Vitalian the Pope, they so wishing, Marinus, by him constituted Bishop, ordained, about to have his See at Ferrara. To this from the same nation succeeded Oldradus, by some very ill placed back to the times of S. Sylvester the Pope, by others believed the first under the same Vitalian Bishop of Ferrara, and S. Maurelius's, for whose cause these things are examined, predecessor.

[5] notwithstanding the bull of foundation, certainly supposititious. Concerning Marinus certainly whether he was ever Bishop of Ferrara, by no sufficiently solid authority is proved. For that concerning the institution of the Bishopric of Ferrara there stands a document volume 2 of Ughellus column 546, he himself indicates it seems supposititious to many, and for such seems to hold it. Enough surely it is even the beginning to read, that you may so think: it therefore receive. By command of Vitellianus, the servant of the servants of God, and Constantine the Emperor of the Romans Augustus, there went forth a Roman edict, that it should be described, in what manner after the destruction of our church of Vicunveria, which was of the right of B. Peter the Apostle, by the petitions and prayers of the Clerics and laics within our Duchy of Ferrara, in that namely Massa-Babylonia, which is called Ferrara, which of the patrimony of our holy Roman church is and of B. Peter, in that same Massa another we founded and it augmented and built a church, to the honor of God almighty and the Martyr S. George, and into a Bishopric we consecrated, to the right and dominion of the H. R. C. and of B. Peter; and in its dominion and power or care and governance we constituted and subjugated: and in it a certain Bishop from the Romans, Marinus namely, and from noble stock born, by the authority of B. Peter and ours, with the Cardinals namely and Bishops of our Roman city, in that holy church of Ferrara, to the Episcopal effect we chose, invested and consecrated &c. Blind is he who does not see almost as many indications of imposture as words, and that this whole figment was concocted after the patrimony of S. Peter, as they call it, was constituted, and so several centuries after the kingdom of the Lombards was extinguished through Aemilia and Flaminia: superfluous therefore it would be to weigh the individual things.

[6] But it was translated to the old church of S. George. But whatever it be concerning the time in which was founded the church of S. George (for it can be that that appellation either more ancient or more recent much is) it seems to have been given to it, after thither was brought the arm of S. George, which now in the new cathedral is kept, which to SS. George and Maurelius sacred is. There are indeed those who those Relics in the XII century beginning first to have been brought believe, by Robert Count of Flanders: but this will be shown below to be erroneous: but that more anciently there was S. George's patronage (of which not easily another beginning you would assign) the diploma of the Emperor Henry proves in Ughellus volume 2 column 564; which in the year MXIV signed, its rights and liberties confirms to the Canons of the Holy church of Ferrara, in honor of S. George constructed; to which then pertained all that land, which between two rivers as far as the Comacchio fields, or more truly marshes extended, is called the Polesine of S. George. A similar confirmation made afterward in the year MLXVIII by Pope Alexander II through a Bull which stands column 568, inscribed to Everardus the Archpriest, the Roman Archdeacon, and the rest of the Canons of the holy church of Ferrara: and there is named among others the church of S. Stephen in the Borgo of Ferrara (where you see called Borgo what now itself is the city) moreover also the half of the tithing of the parish of S. George in the Bishopric, and the half of all things which for the souls of the faithful departed to the same church are left &c.

[7] but in the year 1135 to the new Cathedral, The See afterward through Bishop Landulfus being translated, about the year MCXXXV, there were translated also at least in part the Canons, with the same rights; as is proved through the Bulls of Adrian IV, in the year MCLVII, and of Alexander III, in the year MCLXXIX in the same words the same half of things and of tithing expressing. The other half seems to have pertained to the Bishop: yet so that to the Curate Presbyter and the Canons there to be left, for the care of the parish and the ministry of the church, book 2 chapter 22 n. 1 alleges a privilege, which in the year MCXLI on the day XI of May, Griffus the Bishop, Landulfus's immediate successor, for his own soul's and his predecessors' and successors' in the Bishopric of Ferrara salvation writes, to Hugo the Priest and John the subdeacon of the Transpadane church of S. George Subdeacons, in which the See of the Bishopric of Ferrara once flourished.

[8] Meanwhile there had arisen and excellently begun to be propagated the institute of the Lateran Regular Canons, then the Lateran Regulars being introduced into the same which into the said church of S. George being received, Gravendinus the Elect of Ferrara, Ugucio the Provost, and other Canons of Ferrara, irrevocably handed over to Bruno, Canon of S. George of Ferrarola present, and in the name of the church and Canonry of the aforesaid S. George of Ferrarola receiving, the whole and entire tithing which to the sacristy of the Cathedral of Ferrara pertained, or had pertained, or ought to have been given of the possessions placed in the Parish of the aforesaid church of S. George of beyond the Po. Done in the year MCCXXXVII, and afterward by Innocent IV confirmed it was on the Nones of July in the year of the Pontificate X of Christ MCCLIII rescribing to the Prior and Convent of S. George of Ferrarola of the order of S. Augustine of Ferrara in Ughellus column 576. Thence, says Pennottus, that there stood in the same church Regular Canons show the letters of Pope Benedict XII to the Abbot of S. Peter in Caelum-Aureum of Pavia and to the Prior of the same church of S. George of Ferrarola directed in the year MCCCXXXIX. But also of the year MCCCLXII the Canons of the monasteries of S. James of Cella-Volana, and of S. Laurence in Caesarea near Ravenna mutually united, of a head being destitute, into their Prior Canonically elected Antonius Canon of S. George of Ferrarola of the same Order of S. Augustine, whose election confirmed Innocent VI, by his letters given at Avignon in the year X of his Pontificate.

[9] Afterward when the said church was to a certain Petrus Deacon Cardinal of the title of S. Angelus commended and after his death to a certain Jordan Bishop of Albano, and finally in the year 1411 to the Olivetan monks. the Regular Canons it altogether deserted: which John Pope of this name XXIII, at the urging of Nicholas Marquis of Ferrara, to the Olivetan Monks united, by his letters given at Bologna in the month of September in the year MCCCCXI: who when they had taken care to restore the church, it was in the year MDLXXIX on the day XVIII of November by Filiasius Roverella Archbishop of Ravenna solemnly consecrated, as from the instrument of John Aemilianus to have known he writes Marcus Antonius Guarini, in the Historical compendium of the Ferrara history, about the year MDCXXI published, after years XXIV after Don Michael-Angelus the Olivetan in Italian had published the life of S. Maurelius Bishop Martyr, Protector and Defender of the city of Ferrara, in the form of a dialogue between a Monk and a Pilgrim, as a mirror of Christian humility. But this is that Saint of whose Life both MS. and in type printed, Ferrarius pronounces in his General Catalogue, that it much needs censure: wherefore also we judged it necessary the whole origin and fortune of the oft-named church to recount, that there may be understood, what things concerning this Saint are offered, to be explained from the enormous figments with which they are implicated.

CHAPTER II.

The most recent finding of S. Maurelius in the church of S. George, his translation, cultus, miracles.

[10] That from things more known and more certain to other more obscure little by little we may ascend, come let us draw the beginning from the last finding and translation of the sacred body, which thus describes Michael Angelus page 53. In the year MCCCCXIX, In the year 1419 after a great flooding of the river when in the Chair of S. Peter Martin Pope III presided, but the Roman Empire Sigismund, the Lordship of the city of Ferrara Nicholas III Marquis of Este held, of finding and translating the holy bodies of Maurelius and Albert this occasion offered itself. There lay these gems nay treasures, in a certain sepulchre within a crypt or paradise (for so in many places it is called) in the manner of a chapel formed, under the tribune of the greater altar. And that place was indeed at first quite apt for prayer: but since it was low and subterranean, in the process of time wholly damp, dark, and desolate it had ceased to be frequented, and had almost come into oblivion; either on account of the frequent wars which had supervened or other chances, or on account of the scanty devotion of these times. However it was, God opening the cataracts of heaven poured so much of waters on the lands, that the rivers having gone out their banks not only the valleys were inundated, but the tops of the trees also were almost covered. In such a necessity recourse was had by the people of Ferrara to God and their S. Maurelius, whose relics in the damp crypt were in peril by whose intercessions and merits the waters were little by little diminished. Then our monks, who not so long before the place had obtained, considering that the holy Relics were held in the aforesaid cave, neglected commonly and unhonored; and with reason fearing, lest wholly into dust at length they should go, by the waters thereupon poured in repeatedly to be consumed; determined that they should be carried thence and in the church itself placed on high, where outside the peril of such a kind thenceforward they could be: which yet to undertake they did not presume except with the consent of the most Illustrious Lord Marquis and the most Reverend Petrus Bojardus then Bishop of Ferrara.

[11] On May 7 a serene day first then a rainy one, Both praised the pious counsel: and by their sentence was chosen the day VII of May, to S. Maurelius himself sacred, for the matter to be performed; being invited to it the Religious and all the secular Clergy, that with congruous apparatus processionally to be present they would. But on the very day rising, such as it was fitting to rise on such and so glad a festivity, our most Reverend

Pontifically clad, with the Clergy and the Religious all convened into the Cathedral church: who, when from the church they had orderly gone out, lest the too great multitude which gradually had flowed together, and greater than the square could hold, the festivity itself should make mournful, with the certain destruction of not a few certainly to be trampled; God provided, the face of heaven being suddenly changed, and of winds, that everyone was compelled, the empty square being left and the ways leading to it, himself elsewhere to betake. (which was an effect of Providence) The most Illustrious Marquis with his Barons and Knights, and also the Bishop with the Patriarch of Robert, and many Religious and a good part of the people, hastily returned into the church; and there stood, until the rain ceasing the pomp could be ordered anew. It numbered about four thousand men: whence you may gather, how great it would have been, and how difficultly to be advanced, unless heaven itself had made innumerable others yield place.

[12] This therefore, amid the chants of the sacred hymns, coming outside the gate of the city, to meet it came forth our Fathers: and at the same time all, whom to be present it was fitting, marked with the names of S. Maurelius and B. Albert with the highest reverence entered into the crypt: and opening the sepulchre they found in it two leaden caskets, one ell long, of which that placed on the right with this title above was inscribed, here is the body of saint maurelius bishop of ferrara and martyr; the other with the following words was distinguished, here is the body or bones of blessed albert bishop of ferrara and confessor. Then all on their knees prostrate adored the sacred relics, and the due ceremonies being performed severally lifted up each casket, with a great voice singing, Behold a great Priest, they are carried to the altar. who in his days pleased God and was found just. So they bore them to the greater altar, before which the sacred office of Mass most solemnly was celebrated by the most Reverend Lord Bishop. But from that time the waters ceased, nor thence the region inundated until the present day, although from time to time it has happened that the river swells with copious waves, and a great destruction threatens. But I recall to have happened in my times, that in such a dread the sacred hand of S. Maurelius was carried out to the bridge: and the marked waters with great roaring ran back to the sea, and freed the people from the present dread. But I return to the series of the proposed narration.

[13] The rumor of the aforesaid finding divulged everywhere in a short time stirred up so great a multitude of men, thence to the sacristy desiring to adore, to see, to touch; that the monks considering the danger, lest by no means equal to sustaining the multitude, they could not sufficiently keep from the sacred treasure the piously rapacious hands; they shut it up in a certain archive within the sacristy, until among the common people, that the holy bodies elsewhere to carry away the Fathers were endeavoring, little was lacking but that, an onset being made, they would break the door of the sacristy. Wherefore care was taken quickly, that a wooden altar in the manner of a greater chest should be fabricated, and finally in the chapel of the B. V. which to be opened above should be placed in the middle of the temple, in the chapel, which then under the name of the Divine Virgin was reckoned; and there they enclosed the aforesaid caskets, first to all the people openly shown; all vying with each other bowing their head, lifting hands and arms to heaven, striking their breast, with a great voice crying out, Succor us, Have mercy on us. But thence so many miracles were done, that for expounding them I do not suffice. Yet to be silent I cannot of a thing wholly new and admirable. In the same place whence the sacred relics had first been drawn out, A Fountain springing up in the prior place, springs up there began a fountain of water most beautiful, and most savory, and also most healthful to those who for the cure of various infirmities thither descend, it either as a drink drawn about to take, or in a bath or aspersion received about to pour on their bodies: of whose vast number I will recount a few, named by name.

[14] A certain woman of a very honest family, by name Seregaita, already for two years bearing useless through the contraction of the nerves her hands, and them, a prayer being premised, there washing, suddenly received them sound. Another, to several it furnishes health by drink or aspersion. Lucia called, the handmaid of the very Illustrious Lord Ugotion de Contrariis, a ten-year pain of one arm hardly bearing, in that she could not use it, the remedy long desired in the same bath found. A certain Jacobus Bolognese painter, the same water to his mouth applying, was freed from a malady loathsome and ungrateful, which the necessary taking of food itself difficult to him and odious rendered. The little son of Bon-Joannes de Levezolis bore a foot ulcerous and twisted, for which no remedy did the physicians find: but the mother of the boy, having heard the popular devotion about the aforesaid water, thither ran: and first herself suffused with hot tears, asked help for her son; then with the salutary liquid she washed the foot, and sound suddenly wondered at it. Another youth, John by name, son of Paul de Montagnana, of one of his eyes through a certain infirmity deprived, by the same aspersion the lost light recovered. The same benefit thence brought back a Paduan girl, by name Florina, who for three years of both eyes had lacked the light. For as many years a broken arm had borne a woman of the territory of Bologna, called Bartholomaea, and wholly bruised with blows received from a ferocious husband: and another from the village of Sermine, who with elephantiasis labored, similarly bore an arm for a long time infirm and ulcerous: but each from the said infirmities was healed by the use of that water.

[15] These things being reported as far as page 60 by Michael-Angelus, I think there should be added, what the same before page 26 had written, for proving the virtue of the Maurelian presence for the defense of that place, which by the treasure of his body he wished enriched: the words of the author rendered into Latin are these. The bell-tower of the church is believed to have been preserved by him I recall from our elders to have heard, and also in a certain old parchment to have read, how under Leo Pope X, on account of certain warlike fears, there was cut on each side the bell-tower of our church, at that corner which looks toward the gardens; and there being placed for sustaining the mass machines, which, the necessity pressing, being set on fire, the props in that part failing, would make it fall down to the ground. But surnamed the Elder, for distinction from his synonymous junior, a man of great integrity and a most fervent lover of S. Maurelius (whose body and altar and chapel taking care by office, there not only days, but nights sometimes in prayer to pass he was wont) by divine, as is credible, inspiration moved, went to the Duke, namely Alfonso the first; and said, that God by the prayers of S. Maurelius was to be conciliated, and would preserve sufficiently that place. Credit the words found: the machines being removed the walls were restored, as even now to the eye is discerned: and until today that tower stands unhurt. as also a bell useful against tempests. They say also the same Elders, that when from several towers were taken the greater bronze bells (I believe for making thereof warlike engines) and also to our greatest bell it had come, that the aforesaid good old man cried out; Let go, let go that one: for it cannot be useful to you, because it is the bell of S. Maurelius. The workmen nonetheless proceeded to execute their commands, and it to the castle dragged; where when all the other similar bells, with the second or third stroke of the hammer were broken to pieces; this one of ours, even eight and ten times struck, remained whole. By which miracle admonished the Prefects of the works forbade it any longer to be touched; and adorned with flowers and crowned, as with triumphal pomp, carried back the victorious one. Whence so great reverence toward it the dwellers began to be affected, that as often as a dangerous tempest heaven threatens, hither vying they run, to ring the bell of S. Maurelius, by whose sound to be dissipated the storms they altogether trust, and the matter itself demonstrates.

[16] each body is now in its own chapel. Thus Michael Angelus, who when he wrote S. Maurelius's life, his body was deposited, within a bronze monument; and the body of B. Bernard similarly rested under the altar of another chapel. The matter more distinctly explaining Marcus Antonius Guarini teaches, that that monument is seen to the right of the greater altar and within it is enclosed a silver little chest. But the body of B. Bernard he says is to the left of the same altar within a sepulchre, of white marble elegantly sculptured and overlaid with gold. Then the chapel of S. Maurelius wholly he says is most elegantly storied with the Saint's deeds and miracles, by John Baptist Benvenuti surnamed Hortulanus. Whence also from the aforenoted place of Michael Angelus it is understood, that on each side of the greater altar is the proper chapel of each, and in this his monument. It is credible that then when restored, as above we have said, the church was in the year MCCCCLXXIX, in that manner which we have designated was ordered the altar and chapels and monuments; they then at least one century later in such a manner and so sumptuously to have been adorned: from which time also, in the said bronze monument from the inner part are read these words inscribed, The venerable bones of Divus Maurelius Martyr and Bishop, whose divinity the frequent debtor of vows testifies daily: but on the posterior these, The Olivetan Fathers, with their own money and that of the pious, placed them. But there displeased, nor undeservedly, the title of Divinity, in a sense plainly other than the common people take used; wherefore to expunge it by some one of the Roman Pontiffs the monks were bidden, as from Marcus-Antonius is gathered; it seemed then to the Holy See, that this could be dissembled; since the monks not inconveniently that word explained, and perhaps from its change some scandal among the common people they feared. Adds the same Author, that John Fontana Bishop of Ferrara, from the year MDXC until MDCXI, was wont yearly on the day VII of May, to the Saint's festivity there to be celebrated, to proceed with most solemn pomp, all the nobility on horses accompanying.

[17] A Life most recently published Thus far almost the press had proceeded, and this very leaf was now under the hand of the typesetters; when from P. Heraclius Cristanelli, of our College of Ferrara now Minister, already otherwise concerning this work when was to be given B. Ursulina of Parma's Life well deserving, whose diligence in transcribing the more ancient Acts of S. Maurelius a frustrating event had been, the carrier being despoiled or shaken down (as these calamitous times of war bring) we receive new letters, an indication of that loss bearing, and for some solace the life of S. Maurelius, in the new style of Francius Benedettus in Italian expressed, to which the title, The King of Mesopotamia and the sacred Pastor of Ferrara, in this very city at the Marestus's printed in the year MDCLXVII. For although as to substance only by the embellishment of exquisite diction it differs from the others; yet the author having endeavored concerning the more recent miracles to add whatever he could by investigating attain, by their fewness the hope of receiving more from us took away. To this Life, after the dedicatory, inscribed to Marquis Franciscus Estensis Tassonus, of the people of Ferrara with Alexander VII the Orator, this Prayer concerning him is prefixed: O God, who B. Maurelius Your Pontiff, the enemy being vanquished by the palm of martyrdom, to the glory of supernal contemplation didst make to come; grant we beseech, that we who seek the grace of Your protection, by his pious interceding merits of our petition

may obtain the salutary effect. Whether for the private only devotion of the people of Ferrara to be fostered this composed Prayer is, or also into the public use of the ecclesiastical Office brought, we know not, nor now is there leisure to examine. But to the graces above reported the later ones at the end of his little work descending the same author, these he recounts.

[18] In the year MDCXXX, of the whole city and especially of his own residence the protector that he was the Saint showed. in which is narrated a pestilence extinguished, There had breathed upon to the sound, those being set apart outside the popular concourse assigned for a Lazaretto was the monastery of S. George. And already to that matter the prefects appointed, the space of the most ample monastic refectory being occupied, that it still more spacious and of a greater crowd capable they might render, commanded to be broken through the wall, on which Balthasar the King's last supper was carved with the elegant chisel of Thomas Lauretus the Sicilian, commonly called the Neapolitan. But to those applying their hand to the work, so constantly themselves opposed those who still there resided the Religious, by indignation, by lamenting, the wrath of the Saints threatening; that to desist from the counsel they thought: and it was believed by S. Maurelius interceding to have been done, that, quickly extinguished what first to be kindled had begun, the pestilence, not only ceased the danger of the deliberated ruin; but also the place itself remained immune from the filth, for which it was destined for the public health. Similarly in the year MDCXXXIX, when the King of rivers Eridanus, the flooding of the Po restrained. with angry brow against the city inveighing, destruction to it under its waves threatened; on this side the Clergy of the city with the arm of S. Maurelius, on that with the hand of the same the people of the Georgian suburb the monks, to the swelling floods opposed themselves, by turns supplicating: and by that office it is thought to have been done, that the waters, an outlet being opened elsewhere, toward the town called Zocca, through the woods and valleys poured themselves out, snatching away with them the danger they were carrying. Finally in the year MDCLIX, when Laurentius Fiaschi, the Steward of the said monastery, in the neighboring place, which is called Decima, for threshing to be done hired workers and beasts had, suddenly the heaven grew bristly, with rain-bearing clouds on every side heavy. Therefore the most Reverend Abbot then ruling, the rain prohibited from the place of threshing. D. Hyacinthus Bonacossa, that the work should be deferred persuaded, on account of the present danger of damage; otherwise to follow. Against him the Steward, with great confidence in the Saint impelled, bade the beginning to be made of the threshing, vowing a sacrifice of Mass to be offered upon that altar, under which the sacred bones of D. Maurelius rest. And behold, the clouds being burst which the turbid conception longer to bear could not, so much indeed round about was poured of waters, that the public ways into torrents converted soon seemed: yet the very place, in which it was threshed, not even lightly indeed did they sprinkle, with the greatest admiration of all those, to whom the notice of the miracle so manifestly came.

CHAPTER III.

The apocryphal and fabulous Legend concerning the Life and first translation of S. Maurelius.

[19] That Blessed Albert Bishop of Ferrara, of whom mention has already been made and a fuller is to be made on his birthday the day XIV of August, After the bones of S. Maurelius and B. Bernard translated in the 13th century, died in the year MCCLXXIV, and as writes Ughellus column 581 was buried in S. George's temple against the sepulchre of S. Maurelius the Martyr, as in his testament he had provided, instituting as its executor the Prior of the place D. Augustinus the Lateran: but when miracles some also at his invocation were celebrated, it appears from the aforesaid that the body was elevated from the earth in some of the years following, in the same perhaps XIII in which he died century: when it seemed good to the Prior and Brothers from the old sepulchre to elevate the bones of S. Maurelius; and both to be laid up in a new and common tomb, to take care to have made twin chests of the same form of lead, with the same style inscribed. Now little by little to more ancient things about to proceed, we ask by what reason to Ferrara were brought and in S. George's temple laid up S. Maurelius's sacred pledges.

[20] The written Latin Life of S. Maurelius, which we desire The Olivetan Fathers had, by the testimony of Michael-Angelus page 44, the Life of the Saint written in Latin; which we believe after the institute of the Regular Canons into the church of S. George being introduced, by some Canon of the Lateran Congregation first composed; and which, as the first fountain of all thence written and published, we have endeavored to obtain, various to that effect letters to the Fathers of our College of Ferrara directed; who in their part indeed were not wanting: but the transcribed exemplar perished on the way. In this it was said that some holy Emperor the sacred body had brought; but who he was was kept silent. Perhaps also there is kept silent, whence and when it was brought. And concerning the time indeed hitherto it is controverted among the people of Ferrara, as also concerning the author of the aforenoted translation. But concerning the place Michael-Angelus says in various Chronicles of that city to be read, The body is said to have been brought from Edessa by some Emperor, that the author of the venerable gift, being in the city Edessa in Mesopotamia on a certain night by S. Maurilius appearing was admonished, from the city, which shortly was to be subjected to the infidels, his body to translate into Italy; the part being indicated and the right side of the temple, at whose wall under the sign of a little cross it was to be found. Which being dug up, and thence carried away, when it itself to Rome to bear he had proposed who the revelation made before had been; the Adriatic gulf he should bend his navigation, and the mouth of the Po of Volano entering, the pious deposit to Ferrara should carry into S. George the Martyr's temple, then indeed from the city's walls excluded, once however its Episcopal See.

[21] He pursues then the same Michael-Angelus to narrate the miracles, accompanying or following the said translation, in this tenor: At the very arrival of the sacred body, a certain boy, John by name, not without miracles followed at Ferrara: from the crowded and self-pressing throng from the bridge into the Po had fallen, and now not of the life only but of the burial of their son despaired the parents, when for two whole days the body sought by the fishermen did not appear. At length to S. Maurelius's intercession recourse being made, it was seen above the water, cold and livid wholly: but carried before the sacred altar to grow red and to move it began; and the boy, as if raised up from sleep, to those asking what had happened to him, answered, that in the very moment in which he fell there had appeared to him his head, and had promised that after two days safe he should be restored to his parents. It is read also that a certain Priest, called Bartholomew, and dwelling in the town of Voghiera, with a troublesome arthritis for whole seven years afflicted his hands and feet he grieved, of the use of both deprived: who admonished in sleep, that to the sacred relics of S. Maurelius to be healed he should commit himself, thither he caused himself to be carried; and in a moment of time, the knots of his hands and feet being loosed, and the nerves to their state being restored, healed himself feeling, the sacrificial vestments he asked for; nor before departed, than the Mass in thanksgiving being completed, the grace made to him before the congregation he had announced. It is read also that a certain noble woman of Bologna, Margaret by name, betrothed to a man, from the girdle downward paralytic made from a heavy disease; when to the church of S. George of Ferrara a great concourse of peoples there was, on account of the frequent miracles, fame reported; thither by her mother she was carried: and when together both before the altar prayed, the sick woman recovered her health; and therefore the most consoled mother, various there gifts left.

[22] But Edessa never had Pagans from the time of the Apostles To these miracles more readily would anyone give credit, than to the translation received from the aforecited chronicles. For as to what pertains to Edessa, where S. Maurelius from a Pagan father and King of Mesopotamia born, and then by a brother similarly Pagan slain, and secretly buried is feigned (of which matter below) gloried that city, by the testimony of William of Tyre book 4 chapter 2, that in that which from the beginning and from the times of the Apostles it had received under King Abagarus the sincerity of faith persevering,… and alone among all the cities of that region inviolate by the infidels, who the cities round about had already long occupied the provinces, neither had been subjugated, nor of another profession anyone had borne as an inhabitant. But when in the year MXCVII the fame of Count Baldwin (this was the brother of Godfrey of Bouillon) with the army of the Christians as far as the Euphrates having advanced thither was brought; and to him with their Regulus, but it was taken by the Turks before the translation is said to have been made, a Greek man, the citizens had handed themselves over, that they might shake off the yoke of the Saracens (who dwelling outside in the neighboring cities and confining garrisons, so great troubles brought upon them, that to go out of the city it was not permitted, nor their affairs outside to manage; although tributes and taxes yearly they paid, and their vineyards and fields with almost continual exactions compelled they redeemed) the city remained under the empire of the Latins until the year MCXLII, when Sanguinus King of the Turks holding Assyria, it ill-guarded besieged and stormed, the citizens to the slaughter being destroyed. But until that time no King, much less of the Western Emperors, had the sea crossed for the cause of the sacred war: only of Constantinople John Comnenus, in the year MCXXXI into Cilicia penetrated, but the Euphrates he never crossed, that it could be believed he had seen Edessa.

[23] But the Chronicles of the people of Ferrara, by Michael-Angelus alleged page 42, ascribed to the year 1106, and to Henry the third agree, that the translation was made in the year MCVI; at which time indeed the Roman Empire held Henry of that name the third, King of Germany the fourth; but neither he nor another of that name crossed the sea for the help of the holy land. Wherefore neither to Ferrara to have translated the body of S. Maurelius could he: and in vain do the people of Ferrara wrangle about Henry, whether the third or fourth or fifth should owe so great weaves concerning the Emperor Conrad, the nephew of Henry V, or S. Louis King of France, who long after the lost Edessa thither crossed. or Robert of Flanders. But what he suggests concerning Robert Count of Flanders, of the first conquerors of the Holy land one, who S. George's arm, of which the people of Ferrara glory, brought, and to the Countess Matilda gave, that he this body similarly could have brought, has not much more of verisimilitude. For nor anywhere in William of Tyre, the deeds done by Robert sufficiently accurately pursuing, is any vestige of him across the Euphrates extant: and he himself in the year MCV returning into Flanders, neither the Adriatic sea to have sailed is known, or Italy at all to have touched, nor to the Countess Matilda could have given the aforesaid arm, which by him to the monastery of Anchin in Flanders to have been delivered is established; so that if any part of it by Robert's gift had Matilda, she must have received it through intermediaries, by some other occasion from Palestine or Flanders to her by the aforesaid Count directed.

[24] A Synopsis of the no less fabulous Life, But as the history of the said translation is clothed with circumstances of persons and places, having no affinity with verisimilitude; so much more absurd are those by which the Life is implicated and obscured: of which this would be the compendium. Maurelius, at Edessa in Mesopotamia, his father Theobald King of that province

in the XVIII year of his age the kingdom communicated to him by his father began to rule: and then for the first time his brothers born to him, Hippolytus and Rivallus, with the same religion with himself imbued. But after eight years of governance, weary of the world, to his father and brothers he bade farewell; and by the fame of Theophilus Bishop of Smyrna allured, to him he betook himself, at which time that city was troubled by Severinus the heresiarch, denying the divinity of Christ. And so Maurelius ordained by himself a Presbyter to Rome to be sent Theophilus decrees: and he having entered the journey, Severinus the heresiarch by a sudden thunderbolt is extinguished, lest by his entrance he should pollute the cathedral temple. Maurelius, this message being heard, while to Smyrna he bids the sails to be turned back, by a tempest compelled as far as Ostia, to Rome moreover proceeded, while thither, Oldradus Bishop of Ferrara being dead, another from John Pope IV about to ask were present the legates of the people of Ferrara, in the year DCXXXVI. But the Pope by a heavenly admonished oracle, Bishop Maurelius for the same to be consecrated willed: who at his first into the city of Ferrara entrance, a girl blind from birth illumined. But after eight years he was recognized by the people of Edessa, him everywhere seeking, because, Theobald being dead, Rivallus had killed his elder brother, and the whole kingdom back to idolatry was dragging; and them to restore matters following, by his perfidious brother and impatient of reproof, the loss also of the kingdom fearing, cast into prison and tortured, and at last (lest a tumult should arise among the people) secretly was beheaded; and by the Christians who survived buried he lay hidden until the time of his translation into Italy.

[25] This is the sum of the more prolix fable. Where first, against the perpetual tradition of the people of Edessa, Kings in their city Pagan you see; as by some indications is shown. and indeed not with Syriac or Greek or at least Latin names, but Lombard, Theobald and Rivallus. Then I note the Bishops of Ferrara to be said under John IV, at least thirty years before, than the people of Ferrara themselves believe the Bishopric among them constituted, inasmuch as they make its author Pope Vitalian; to say nothing of the age of John Pope IV himself, since with the year DCXXXVI ill composed, who not before the year DCXLI Pontiff is known to have been ordained. What further of Severinus, among the people of Smyrna a heresiarch, and the orthodox Bishop of the same Theophilus shall I say? Truly nothing else, than that more faithful monuments are needed, that they may be believed to have existed in the nature of things, than is the Life by so many titles to be rejected. But what heresy he is pretended to have taught, that either Arian or Photinian would have been, long known and condemned both. Known is in ecclesiastical history that Severus, of Antioch, under Anastasius the heretical Emperor, an adversary of the Chalcedonian Synod for the Eutychian impiety, with certain proper errors mingled: who about the year DXIII very many troubles in the East stirred up, and whose followers even into Asia Minor and the city of Smyrna could have penetrated. He had condemned them together with their associates the Acephali and Eutychians Pope Vigilius, in the year DXLII, gnashing in vain their patroness the consort of Justinian the Emperor, as S. Gregory book 2 Ep. 36 teaches us. In the year also DCXXII Paul, of the Princes of the Severian sect one, in Armenia by the Emperor Heraclius confuted, to read it is in Baronius. To this similar someone in the same century could also to the Bishop of Smyrna have made trouble: but, as I said, nothing except uncertain conjectures can upon

CHAPTER IV.

Concerning the fatherland, Episcopate, martyrdom, translation of S. Maurelius more verisimilar conjectures.

[26] Such since is the Legend of S. Maurelius, at least the Italian one (for the Latin, as I said, to see not yet has it befallen us, it is verisimilar however that the Italian from the same is taken) and since Michael-Angelus page 42 acknowledges in the Archive of the Church of Ferrara not to be found ancient concerning the Bishops of that city monuments; and them to be believed all to have perished by a fire, which the old Bishopric before the translation made under Landulfus consumed; concerning S. Maurelius more certain things to those seeking, what at length certain can be hoped? What if Roman by nation Certain, I confess, altogether nothing. If however in this defect it please to follow conjectures, to me a double one occurs, of truth at least the verisimilitude having: let the Reader choose one or the other, or suggest a better. First therefore to me it falls to suspect, that S. Maurelius, not from Mesopotamia brought, but from the Roman Clergy a Presbyter, under John Pope IV was sent as legate to Smyrna, to Theophilus the Bishop, concerning the Severian heresy among them spreading to complain: thence returning to Rome, about that time in which at Vicus Habentia in the year DCXLII. But when Maurus, and in the year 642 made Bishop of Vicus Habentia the Archbishop of the people of Ravenna, in the year DCXLVIII created, to the Roman See obedience denied, and that withdrawal Vitalian the Pope was pursuing; it could be that the zealous for Roman union Maurelius, advised and persuaded farther from Ravenna to be translated the See of Vicus Habentia. [on account of the Ravenna schism and the translated See was he slain in the year 670?] The said therefore Bishop of Ferrara, in the very attempt of the See to be translated was slain by the emissaries of the people of Ravenna, and by that it came to pass that the one substituted in the See of Ferrara Oldradus as the first Bishop of Ferrara some named, and that wishing to hold others and yet to the Bishops of Ferrara to number Maurilius, this one to him they said to have succeeded: but others to both even Marinus prefixed by the supposititious instrument of Vitalian persuaded; until there came Marcus Antonius Guarini, who Oldradus and Maurelius from the people of Ferrara taken away to the people of Vicus Habentia would leave. But if thus the body of the slain Maurelius was in some church about the streamlet Idissa buried, and about the I. dissa buried? this name gave occasion of Edessa in Mesopotamia to be devised. Then by S. Henry the Emperor, there perhaps having his passage, after at Rome he had been crowned in the year MXIV; it was brought to the church of S. George of Ferrara.

[27] or rather Lombard by nation This first to me occurred a conjecture; which if it less please (because the Legend of him of whom we treat the Saint not so much corrects in a few some circumstances, as wholly almost its substance, as if gratuitously devised, changes) behold for you another, to the Legend itself more closely adhering. It is established from Paul the Deacon, that the Duchy or County of Perugia, already from the beginning of this century the whole comprehending Umbria, as also the Duchy of Spoleto under the Lombards was with the rest as far as the Alps Italy. It is established also, that the same Lombards not all at the same time to the Christian faith were brought over, as soon as it their King Agilulphus embraced; after his however conversion, benignly treating the Christians dwelling among them, and to them both their churches and their Bishops permitted. What therefore forbids among the Dukes or Counts of this nation, to have been some Theobald, his father Theobald a pagan, born in Umbria, set in charge of one of the cities; who a pagan although himself, not with difficulty yet bore, both his subjects most of them to be made Christians, and his sons also in the same religion to grow up? But of these the elder Maurelius, until the XXIV year of age with his father remaining, the cares of governance sustained; seeing then his family established with two brothers of excellent disposition, Hippolytus and Rivallus, to the world to bid farewell and for religion's cause into the holy land to set out willed; whence returning and at Smyrna having put in, to the Bishop of that city (Theophilus perhaps called) adhered, and in sacred things under him instructed and in letters, on his return from the holy land he stayed at Smyrna, and the order of Presbyter being deemed worthy, to him not useless service against the Severian heretics he gave: but after some years about to return to his fatherland, when to some port of the Lombard dominion on the Etruscan shore his navigation he directed, by a tempest compelled to Ostia, not unwillingly there he disembarked. The Apostolic thresholds about to venerate, when over the Roman church John, not IV, but V presided, in the year DCLXXXVI ordained, and by John 5 ordained Bishop and for one only year Pontiff: by whom in a manner almost similar to the people of Ferrara asking a Bishop he himself was given, in which before two hundred and more years to the people of Ravenna designated by Sixtus III was S. Peter Chrysologus; and that Church for eight years he ruled, already of mature age a man, and about the year DCXXX born.

[28] His fatherland if you seek, not difficultly in the Perugian, which above I named, County you will find; provided you turn your mind to Interamna, by Latin name the same which by Greek would be called Mesopotamia: but the Greek before the Latin to use preferring some smatterer, others rashly following across the sea and across the Euphrates to carry away advised Maurelius's birth; and to his brother Rivallus to Interamna having set out, and there Theobald a King in a royal city Edessa to feign: whom it had been better as Duke or Count in Italy to leave. But he departed from the living, when the people of Ferrara Maurelius now Bishop ruled: after whose death succeeding in the paternal dominion the elder brother, when the younger Rivallus had expelled from life, and to ancestral impieties returned to all good men an offence and grief was; Maurelius was begged, that his fatherland his presence he would indulge, the younger brother, to whom once of his own accord he had yielded, about to bridle the insolence: which when he had assented, and to Interamna had come in the year DCXCIV, first courteously received by Rivallus, then by the same impatient of admonition secretly taken out of the way; there for justice slain? by the faithful of that place buried he was, where some one of the Henries returning from Rome, the body the Saint revealing it found, and translated to Ferrara. Him I that S. Henry was not only therefore the more willingly shall say, because a holy Emperor calls him the Legend, and the year MXIV assigns Rossius, in which he crowned at Rome was; but also because thus between the said translation and the time of the Legend by the Regulars written, would intervene the Saint's life and passion, but also of the Translation itself of Ferrara were burned up.

[29] But, you will say, Marcus Antonius Guarini, in the compendium of the History of Ferrara about the year 1621 in Italian, and from it in Latin Ferdinandus Ughellus in the year 1647 in the Bishops of Ferrara, Marinus's successors thus number: Andreas in the year DCLXXVIII, Justinus DCLXXX, John DCCLXXII, whom with Privileges and graces honored Adrian the first and Leo the third the Supreme Pontiffs DCCXCVIII; Andreas DCCCXXIV, who sat at the Council of Mantua, but in these no place for Oldradus, none for Maurelius.

[30] I read all these; and of the Synod indeed of Mantua, in the year DCCCXXVIII by command of Pope Eugenius convoked, where he had been after a See established there for the Bishops for the controversies of the Churches of Grado and Aquileia, for many years ventilated, to be terminated before the Pontifical Legates Benedict the Bishop and Leo the Deacon Librarian, makes mention Hippolytus Donesmundi: whom in the Bishops of Mantua transcribed Ughellus, but in those of Aquileia that very thing correcting, in that Eugenius died sooner, bids to be written the year DCCCXXII. Adrian's and Leo's privileges I would that Marcus Antonius had brought into the midst: but the more certainly their truth the people of Ferrara shall have proved, which I wish; the more evidently they will make mutilated to be the catalogue of the Bishops, in which from the death of Vitalian

the Pope, until the beginning of Adrian, that is for whole hundred years, besides Marinus only two are named Bishops: of the first ones one. but the years which to them are assigned DCLXXVIII and DCLXXX, by no documents are established, so that they can from mere conjecture ascribed by some smatterer seem. But let us grant them to be rightly noted; there succeeded therefore to Marinus about the year DCCLXX instituted Andreas, to Andreas Justinus, to him Oldradus, to Oldradus Maurelius, all within XXIV years dead; and there is left a gap of LXXVIII years until John: which space perhaps could fill Andreas and Justinus, if after Oldradus and Maurelius they were affirmed to have sat in the VIII century of Christ; and that still more conveniently they would do, if Oldradus be conceived not the predecessor but the successor of Maurelius.

ON S. CERENICUS OR SERENICUS

DEACON IN THE DIOCESE OF SÉES IN NORMANDY.

ABOUT THE END OF THE 7TH CENTURY

Cerenicus or Serenicus, Deacon, in the diocese of Sées in Normandy (S.)

By the author G. H.

[1] Sées, an Episcopal city of lower Normandy, celebrates this VII of May in its whole diocese the feast of S. Cerenicus or Serenicus with the ecclesiastical office of nine, as they call it, Lessons, and him the people of Sées in the Litanies among the Confessors, Sacred cultus May 7. after SS. Sylvester and Gregory, in the third place invoke, then others twenty subjoin, Martin, Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome, &c. The same inscribed in his Gallican Martyrology Saussay in these words: In the territory of Sées of S. Cerenicus Abbot and Confessor, who in the time of Mileardus Bishop of Sées the sacred soldiery to Christ gathered, and built a monastery: in which with a religious assembly with much purity and devotion serving the Lord, the course of his life blessedly being completed, by a holy end he rested. John Bondonettus in the History of the Bishops of Le Mans, in his to the Life of S. Domnolus the Bishop Notes, Churches dedicated to him. asserts that very many churches to the honor and memory of S. Cerenicus were consecrated, among which there was eminent that, which to him was dedicated, and a parish from him named, which in Geographical Maps is called S. Celerin: where at the confluence of the Sarthouse into the Sarthe below Alençon, upon a lofty and precipitous rock he built. Also in the ancient Calendar of the Breviary of Le Mans he is set forth.

[2] Ordericus Vitalis book 3 of his Ecclesiastical History page 464 asserts that Lord Goisfredus de Meduana, the castle of S. Cerenicus, to William the Baron son of Gerojus, the castle of S. Serenicus upon the Sarthe erected, in the time of William the second Duke of Normandy, who afterward King of England was. There passed then the castle of S. Serenicus to Robert the brother of the said William the Baron, who it with the surrounding province long held: and to him William the Duke gave Adelaide his cousin in marriage, and great rivalries having arisen between the Normans and the people of Anjou, the castle of S. Serenicus against William the Duke he held, and there in the year of the same Duke XXV besieged and died. Thus there Ordericus, who book 8 page 674 at length concerning that Castle, and its occasion, of the sanctity of Cerenicus treats. Robert therefore the said Robert's son in the year MLXXXVIII from Robert II Duke of Normandy this castle by right requires, which his father his whole life by hereditary right possessed, held, and there died. Then Robert the Duke to those demanding these things easily assented, and to Robert Geroius the castle of S. Serenicus restored. But he for nearly XXXVI years afterward held it, with walls and ramparts fortified, with walls and ramparts and houses fortified it, and dying to William and Robert his sons left it.

[3] To the inhabitants of this town quiet and peace nearly always was lacking: and the neighboring people of Le Mans or the Normans press on. A rocky mountain the winding of the Sarthe river from three parts encircles: in which S. Cerenicus, the venerable Confessor, in the time of Milehardus the Pontiff of Sées dwelt. There for monks warring, and the course of his life blessedly being completed, on the Nones of May happily to the Lord migrated. Finally Charles the Simple reigning, The body thence translated into the Castle of Theodoric. when Hasting the Dane with body by the faithful into the Castle of Theodoric was translated, and the monks being dispersed the monastery destroyed. But in succeeding time of the inhabitants there was made of thieves established, where under the rule of S. Cerenicus the despisers of the world modestly conversed, and in the monastic order the yoke of the Lord to the end bore. there had been under him 140 monks, A hundred and forty, as is reported, under the aforesaid Archimandrite cultivators there in the vineyard of the Lord of Sabaoth labored, whose stone sepulchres openly to those coming within the basilica and around it as a testimony are, of what merit and reverence men there rest. The wicked therefore inhabitants many misfortunes deservedly suffered, and with slaughters and burnings and manifold pressures and overthrows frequently were afflicted. Thus there.

[4] Meanwhile the arm of S. Cerenicus either there had remained, or rather was brought back. the arm carried to Sées. For by the testimony of the same Ordericus page 706 the monks of Sées in the year MXCIV the arm of S. Cerenicus from the church took, and into S. Martin's monastery reverently carried. For the rest part of his body in the Castle of Theodoric, upon the Materna river is kept, and by the Gauls with celebrated devotion reverently is honored. All these things Ordericus Vitalis, of Saint-Évroult in the same Normandy a monk, who his history to the year MCXLI, in which he lived, brought down. There exists even now among the people of Sées the monastery of S. Martin very ancient, about the year MLX reformed, before the arm of S. Cerenicus thither was brought. But the Castle of Theodoric, commonly Château-Thierry, is an opulent town above Meaux, on the Marne river in upper Champagne, whither once the body of S. Cerenicus brought even now still to be hands down Bandonnetus, above reported. Saussay asserts his feast with great solemnity to be celebrated in the castle of Theodoric on the IV of May, and his body there in the conventual church of that citadel to be venerated. He is therefore here altogether other than he, whose body in Armorica at the Parish of Guicsezni is believed to have rested, as was said on VI of March: for although the Bretons using z for r the same is Sezni, which to others perhaps would be Serni, and that for Serenicus they had used, no part however of the Life persuades either that there died this Saint, or after his death thither was translated which once we suspected: it remains however still verisimilar that to the people of Guicsezni there was no other cause of believing that their Patron was a Bishop of Sées, than because his name they confused with this Abbot of Sées.

[5] The time in which S. Cerenicus in his among the people of Sées monastery dwelt, is assigned that, whether he lived in the 6th century in which Milehardus the Church of Sées as Bishop ruled, which to several seems to have been about the fiftieth, or sixtieth above the five-hundredth year. But as predecessor Milehardus is said to have had Passivus, who was present at the Councils of Orleans the second, third, fourth and fifth, so that this one seems to have lived almost until the year DL. But the successor by the same authors is named Leudebaudus, who at the second Council of Tours subscribed in the year DLXVII. So concerning Milehardus think John Chenu, Claudius Robertus, and the Sammarthani in their concerning the Bishopric of Sées Catalogues. These were preceded by Aegidius Bry Lord de la Clergerie an Advocate in the Senate of Paris, who with the History of the Counts of Perche and of the Counts and Dukes of Alençon published in the year MDCXX the Catalogue of the Bishops of Sées. John Bondonnetus, in the Lives of the Bishops of Le Mans, asserts in the Life of SS. Innocentius and Domnolus, that Milehardus succeeded Passivus, and under him came S. Cerenicus, and to him assents Carolus le Cointe in the Annals of the Franks at the year 557 him without reason to the Benedictine tables to be ascribed, which with Bondonnetus had done Menardus. But concerning the time of the Life otherwise to be thought we judge.

[6] John Mabillon, in the Acts of the Saints of the Order of S. Benedict, S. Cerenicus a whole century younger makes, and him writes to have departed from life about the year DCLXIX, and the Life of S. Serenicus which we subjoin, The Life whence here published. he brings forth from he says by an anonymous author before the IX century. The same Life, but somewhat contracted, we have described from a MS. codex of Beelfortium, excerpted from an ancient MS. of the Church dedicated to his name at Aunay in the diocese of Bayeux, where there is a monastery of the Cistercian Order. At Paris in the year MDCLXII at the Fathers Fullienses, among the papers of R. P. John a S. Martino, who in the said year had departed from life, we found with the same exordium the said Life of S. Cerenicus from the same MS. of the church at Aunay transcribed: another besides from the proper Office, sent by R. D. Jacobus Bourdon Rector of the church of S. Cerenicus to the said John of S. Serenedus the brother, to him transmitted, from an old book MS. of the Parochial church called of Salvia, in the desert of the diocese of Le Mans, of the Deanery of Brunolonium, according to the exemplar fortified by a Notary's attestation: whose former part contains nearly the same things with the Life of S. Cerenicus the brother. Some Life of the same S. Cerenicus, from another MS. of the church of S. Maurice of Angers, had and in the Notes alleges Mabillon. But there is venerated S. Serenedus on XXI of July.

[7] The note of the times, in which these brothers came into the Gauls, is indicated in Balthildis the Queen, of whose life the Sanctity and at her sepulchre wrought miracles are intimated. She was the wife of Clovis II the King, The arrival into the Gauls under S. Balthildis the Queen, son of Dagobert the first, and he being dead with her son Clothaire III for some time reigned. Her various Acts we illustrated at the day XXVI of January, and in these a husband to her is assigned Clothaire the King most Christian, for whom Mabillon Clovis wishes to be substituted. The Life into Lessons distributed from the proper office in these words begins: About the year six hundred and forty-six, in the time in which Clothaire the second and his mother of blessed memory Bathildis over the Gauls and Franks presided, and Clothaire 3 her son: the holy brothers german Cerenicus and Cerenedus entering Gaul &c. But there reigned that Clothaire from the year DCLVI until the year DCLXX, as elsewhere we demonstrate.

[8] Meanwhile in Mabillon n. 16 it is read. The temple which S. Cerenicus began to construct, The time of Bishop Milehardus from MSS. Mileharius afterward zealously completed: where Mileharius seems to be he, who in Ordericus is called Milehardus, and therefore not would have lived in the sixth century of Christ, as wrote the above cited Bry, Chenu, Robertus, the Sammarthani, Bandonnetus, and le Cointe, who all before the year MDCXX their writings published. We have at one time used a MS. membrane codex of Christina Queen of Sweden, marked with the number 322, in which after the Chronicles of Eusebius, Jerome, Prosper and Sigebert, were catalogues of the Archbishops of Rouen, and the subject to it Bishops of Avranches, Coutances, Bayeux, Évreux, and Sées, and what pertains here, these are numbered the first Bishops of Sées, Sigisboldus, S.

Latunius, S. Landricus, Hylus, Hubertus, S. Aunobertus, S. Lotharius, Milebardus, S. Hildebrandus, S. Ravenerus, S. Frogenius, S. Godegrandus, Rodobertus, Hugo, Benedictus, Regenfridus &c. Passivus being omitted, whom Demochares ineptly after Godegrannus rejected, and retained the former ones in the same order, in which them from a MS. codex we have reported: and so after Aunobertus are read Lotharius and Mileardus. There is venerated S. Aunobertus on XVI of May, and he was present at the Council of Rouen under S. Ansbertus in the year DCXCII as at the Life of this one we said on IX of February chapter VI, and so Mileardus, in others Milehardus, Milehardus, Milebardus, would have lived in the following century, when the temple by S. Serenicus begun to be built, after his death zealously he completed. But if this one came into the Gauls in the time of Clothaire III with S. Bathildis the mother reigning, and in mature age died, he could have attained the end of the seventh century, or the year of Christ seven-hundredth, and thus all things accurately cohere.

[9] That the above cited Bondonnectus and le Cointe a great friendship to have been between SS. Leonard Abbot of Vandopera and Cerenicus write, the friendship with S. Leonard of Vandopera rejected. neither in this one's Life, nor also in the Life of S. Leonard, to be given on XV of October, is it read: but in this there are many things concerning S. Domnolus, who at his dying was present: which below at XVI of May before this one's Life we report, whence we know, more than a hundred years before S. Serenicus's times, to have lived the said S. Leonard.

LIFE

From various MSS. and the edition of Mabillon

Cerenicus or Serenicus, Deacon, in the diocese of Sées in Normandy (S.)

BHL Number: 7590

CHAPTER I.

Studies in his fatherland. The journey to Rome, then into Gaul up to the final retreat.

[1] Serenicus and Serenedus of Spoleto are imbued with letters There were two strenuous men, as far as to the world's dignity pertains, by the splendor of generosity, of illustrious parents, sprung from the city of Spoleto: which of that province the head and metropolis is held, so that from it round about the province takes its derived name: of whom one Serenicus, the other was called Serenedus. These therefore from the first birth of their time, as soon as in tenderest age a sagacious sense began to grow, inasmuch as from a noble lineage produced, by their parents to sacred letters to be imbued to preceptors were committed. By whom, the keen genius urging, and the spirit inwardly the hearts teaching, within a small space of time, with wondrous celerity in divine letters and the norm of the Christian Religion and the Apostolic faith's doctrine they were wonderfully imbued.

[2] But as in the succeeding spaces of times the soft age grew, devoting himself to the reading of the Fathers. and, the skill of letters abounding, were they content with the document of their former Masters, but by their own fervent study, through the open fields of the Scriptures more widely wandering, the writings of the holy Orthodox Fathers at the same time and their examples by skillful searching they were eager to scrutinize: and they made for themselves, in the manner of the flower-bearing bee, from the little works of diverse Fathers, as from diverse little flowers of leaves, honey-flowing combs, which daily salubriously eating, and others refreshing, the ardor of their mind with the sweetness of the heavenly fatherland they satisfied.

[3] Moreover after to the manly years it was come, and with a perspicacious habit, what once with attentive ear they had perceived, clearer than light they began to know; piously living, of leaving their parents thinking. He cooperating, who to His disciples says; Ask, and you will receive; what in the exercise of the Scriptures they had found, with ardent endeavor to fulfill they strove: and with the whole effort of mind to those things which they had perceived giving heed, strenuously and solicitously to Christ's service to bind themselves they were eager. And when daily gradually from virtue they advanced into virtue, and in fulfilling the divine admonitions with indefatigable constancy of mind persisted, and themselves always to higher precepts little by little with skillful vigilance transferred, and the ear of the heart sedulously to the divine commands accommodated; B. Serenicus heard (whose age more adult, and in sense, like the elder, was more excellent) the Evangelical trumpet to sound, "If anyone loves father or mother above me, he is not worthy of me." Mat. 10.37. And that: "Everyone who shall have left father, or mother, or brothers, or sisters, or fields for my name, shall receive a hundredfold, and life eternal shall possess." Id. 19.29. This therefore the blessed man precept, not on dry or thorny earth receiving, nor with a deaf ear hearing, but with a best heart and an open ear the seeds of the Divine word embracing, what by hearing he learned, the opportunity being found in deed he fulfilled. Finally while he with himself this in mind revolved, his brother, whom rather by a spiritual than carnal brotherhood in all things a faithful companion he had taken, with a salutary exhortation he began to address, that in deed they should fulfill what in the Gospel the Lord teaching they had found. And how this they could fulfill not knowing, to the wonted defenses running together, that is the zeals of prayers, the Lord with all efforts they entreated, that what thence to Himself pleasing would be, to them mercifully to disclose He would deign.

[4] They seek Rome. And since in human acts, in which to the religion divine to war seems, frequently the heavenly will is gone against; therefore what with equal vow they had conceived, whether it were salutary, by prayers to be elucidated they besought. Indeed prayers to God being poured forth, at length an Angel revealing divinely through a dream they are admonished, that, their own house being left and the paternal fields, and their province forgotten, Rome they should seek: in which at the altars of Peter the Prince of the Apostles for a time about to serve, there in sacred prayers and the watches of vigils and the rest of acts worthy of heavenly conversation so long about to serve, until, what to them was again to be done, the divine disposition had indicated. Indeed this revelation being found very alacritous made, especially that to their petition the supernal grace had given assent, the admonitions which through the dream they had seen, sooner being awakened to fulfill they busied themselves. For the city in which they had been at leisure being spurned, and the care of parents and kinsmen postponed, stealthily fleeing the fields of their parents, with swift path running to Rome going, Peter's thresholds to visit they strove. To which when it was come, by the Supreme Pontiff and the whole congregation of Christ to them grace bearing honorably they were received, where for some years in fastings and prayers and the observations of vigils intent, through the narrow way, which to the heavens leads, walking, and examples of patience and humility, of chastity and sobriety furnishing, with the greatest veneration by very many were held so much, a that after a few days elapsed the Roman Pope on account of the grace of sanctity the seventh Cardinal blessed Serenicus a Deacon ordained. they are ordained Deacons

[5] impatient of honors they desert Rome by an Angelic admonition. Meanwhile the holy man the glory of so great an honor, on account of the merit of his life by very many to him bestowed, ill bore. For indeed the pit of elation to fall into fearing, the pomps of the world with all the zeal of his mind to flee he endeavored: and since already long the fragile glory of the world with a strong mind to tread down he had deliberated, greatly to beware he began, lest into this which he had spurned again he should slip: namely, lest under the appearance of religion, this one the love should bind of mundane glorying. Indeed he knew, as a sagacious man, having the simplicity of the dove, nor lacking the astuteness of the serpent, what had been the cunning devices of the crafty enemy: who not only by certain through the open business of the world tempts, but also through the very habit of sanctity the strong hearts of the faithful is eager to overturn. Wherefore with his brother concerning this often mutual he began to have colloquies, exhorting that over these the Divine clemency they should seek, and the narrow, which they had professed, by no means desert the way. Among these things an Angel of the Lord to the said man in sleep appeared, and addressing the same said: Serenicus, what is it that you do? the effect of your will accomplish, for which your father and mother, and your paternal fields you left. Not here the Lord longer commands you to tarry, but elsewhere to hasten He indicates. For since for His love your dear kinsmen you have left, not you here near the same it behooves to remain, but into the Western much farther to withdraw parts, where of them wholly forgetful, in divine contemplation more freely the edge of your mind you may be able to suspend. What therefore you have begun, it is necessary that as a strong athlete to the end of victory you bring through. For not to him beginning, but to him persevering the rewards are promised. Which revelation the soldier of Christ finding, and his brother addressing, the Divine commands intimates.

[6] No delay, the Divine admonitions they perform, and the city in which they had dwelt, they go to Gaul: under swift haste they leave, to the places to them divinely prepared most swiftly hastening. But the Roman walls leaving, and Italy's places far from the city placed traversing, at length with huge labor, Italy's bound being passed through, by a dug path, the Alps' snowy hills they began to touch: which by a difficult passage being crossed, at last the Gauls' fruitful with much sweat sought borders they entered. A lustrum also whole in the city they tarried, in which way, as above is reported, by an Angelic vision in sleep admonished, the city going out, Gaul's bounds they penetrated. But several with the zeal of prayer Gaul's cities they traversed, the Saints' sepulchres visiting: not this doing by the impulse of a wandering mind, or by the gyrovague command of levity, but by the love of Christ, and the Angelic revelation's leading call: namely they who as much as for the name of Christ farther departed from their own soil, so much merited nearer to be made to heaven.

[7] They seek Le Mans: Of many therefore traversing the Saints' places, Christ leading before, they came to the diocese of Le Mans, to the village which is called b Salica: which village was of place situation salubrious, and of soil's opulence fertile, on a mountain's top placed, and for this by travelers far conspicuous. Therefore there coming, for some time together they tarried. But when the Lord from a twin lamp twin places disposed to illuminate, and also two provinces to adorn; B. Serenicus so fertile a soil repudiating, namely the frequency of men to flee, and a solitary worthy of heavenly contemplation desiring to lead his brother with amiable speech addressing, and a blessing with tears pouring, In the heavenly fatherland us, he said, may we merit with unfailing sight to behold.

[8] Therefore taking with him a certain little boy, by name Flavardus, c the diocese of Exmes he went to. Serenedus therefore remained at Salica, Serenicus withdraws into the district of Exmes. with the highest love the place embracing, as it to him by the Lord destined: where through long courses of time with many he shone virtues, as in his own Deeds fully is read, until the course of time being completed his body to the earth he rendered, and his spirit with very many adorned virtues to heaven he bore. The man indeed venerable Serenicus, Christ leading the way, with Flavardus his disciple, whom from the sacred Baptism's (as is reported) wave he had raised, the diocese of Exmes seeking, came to a certain place upon the Sarthe river, which on every part of itself by the sinuous course of the river is surrounded, and of diverse here and there projecting rocks' crags is roughened, and except from one only side, the difficulties of the mountains hindering, almost is inaccessible. At that time therefore over the Gauls and Franks reigned a most Christian man Clothaire, and in the religion of Divine worship very strenuous. To his d marriage-bed clung a most worthy consort of blessed memory Balthildis, whom toward the Divine love an equal ardor of vow had kindled, and of excellent sanctity the love to high things had suspended: whose sepulchre by the faithful with worthy celebration is frequented, and by whose merits manifold healings to the infirm Christ bestowing are given.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

The rest of his life passed in retreat. Death, miracles.

[9] Tarrying under a tree, And when the blessed man to the said place had come, descending to the roots of the mountain, under the shrub of a certain tree he tarried. But the tree itself by a small interval was distant from the river: a fountain from heaven he merits: and understanding the place to himself divinely destined, great to the omnipotent Lord with the said disciple praises he rendered, who those hoping in Him never deserts, and those of His mercy presuming in vain not spurns. But in his manner the Course of that hour which then was, they completed the day: which being completed, and a blessing being given, rising from prayer, he saw on the right part under a certain rock's steep, of a distilling fountain to flow forth the streams, which fountain there never before had flowed, but by his merits given hitherto with perpetual course is borne into the channel, and apt for the thirsty gives a draught. Which God's servant beholding, his eyes and hand to heaven raising, said: Thanks to You I give, Lord Jesus, who of Your servants are not forgetful, and of those in Your mercy trusting with gratuitous piety do not cease to have mercy: who also are mindful of me, and through diverse places walking guarded me, and Your Angel hitherto going before furnished, who me from all things at Your command snatched, and to the place by Your choice for me disposed by an unoffending path led a. Finally the place from which the fountain had flowed down, and that to which the blessed man to pass had disposed, the river with a huge course divided, which at the same time of waters by collected runnings, with a huge alluvion the channels of the banks had filled, wherefore to travelers it denied fords; for also at all time with so great a whirlpool's there depth it is spread out, and on account of the height of the waters most of all to those on foot was held unfordable.

[10] Meanwhile the river to cross desiring, with too great austerity's he glowed with ardor, the river's waters by the sign of the Cross he divides: namely how that which in mind he had conceived, by executing to accomplish he could: for neither any ship before his eyes was, nor other means of crossing the river anywhere appeared. The mind's edge therefore to the heavens raising, and prayer's prayers pouring forth, the sign of the Cross to the waters he gave, and the river's channel into the right and the left divided: and so by the Cross's defense conveyed the river he crossed, and to the place desired the Lord leading he came. Tell I ask, did you, O sensible river, when the Jordanic in you you renewed miracles, the Ark of the Testament and the Israelitic innumerable multitude to have come perceive? Or also Elisha with Elijah's mantle your whirlpools dividing, and his lord and master's seeking footsteps on the shore did you see? Truly than these something greater you perceived, while through the standard of the life-giving Cross into sea a pathless impassable journey passable you furnished.

[11] the book left in the waters to be recovered he foretells But Flavardus his disciple, by such a kind of novelty struck, while in his Master's footsteps stupefied he persists, the book which he bore, as of himself unmindful, into the water to fall permitted. Which deed afterward recognizing, vehemently he was afraid; and forthwith at his Master looking, by his face's redness his mind's anguish he indicated. Whom the Father beholding with an easy redness suffused, immediately of that mind understood the grief, and of so great a pain examining the causes, said: What grief, O son, the wonted in your body has changed countenance? and what trouble urges your mind inwardly? But he continuously at his feet falling, with a timid heart and a sobbing voice, with huge grief answered: Father, that book, which with me I bore, by a certain chance unwitting in the river I left. Then he with a placid face the grieving disciple beholding, said: All, O son, of mind put away grief, and solicitous for this matter put away pains: that book for which you are sad under Christ's custody placed, to us in its time will be presented safe. For nine years by the density of rocks walled in the flowings of the waters it lay hid, and afterward to the holy man unhurt was rendered.

[12] A cell being built draws many to him: Then in the same place, to which first from the river he came out, a certain little cell he erected, in which first as under a small hut he began to lodge until, fame flying, the rumor of him round about to grow, and as much from near, as from afar of the faithful a throng began to him to flow together. For although so much to lie hid he had wished, yet he could not: inasmuch as it was necessary, that the darkness of others into light he should transfer. But several religious and strenuous men seeing, vying to him to run together, and of their goods with flagrant love whatever best things to bring began. But to all these to him flowing together, both the fragile world's whatever little gifts he could and the heavenly doctrine's documents he gave, skillfully precaving, lest anyone coming to him without spiritual edification to his own return. For sedulously with himself that he revolved, which the Lord with holy preachings says: You are the light of the world; and that: You are the salt of the earth. Matth. 5. Wherefore with all zeal he busied himself, lest anyone with sinners' darkness enveloped, without truth's light from him ever should depart obscure; or anyone in Ecclesiastical doctrine unlearned, without wisdom's seasoning return unsalted; and to each one, as he saw the ability, the heavenly gifts of the flowing one most willingly bestowed. But many his admonitions following, earthly patrimonies spurned: and treading for Christ's name the perishing world's delights, by his admonitions adhering with a celibate life were content.

[13] Meanwhile many courses of years being elapsed, while a certain woman for washing clothes' cause had hastened to the river, the lost codex he recovers: looking inward, the book, of which above we made mention, harmlessly among the waves to lie beheld: which with the highest joy she seized, and with swift celerity to the man of God brought. He at length the book seeing, great to omnipotent God thanks rendered, that it through so many years' spaces, among the waves' dangers, from all injury guarded. For the same book unrolled, so from all the waters' injury was found safe, as if not in the waves, but in chests it had remained enclosed. Finally the codex itself even now in his Basilica is kept: and what this letter narrates as done, it itself to all beholding it by evident showing affirms.

[14] to prayer and sacred reading he devotes himself: After these things to lift the man of the Lord his mind to higher things, and step by step the virtues' arguments to ascend began: and since now of his own he was certain, for others' salvation with assiduous prayers the Lord he entreated. Indeed his highest zeal had been, as often as from prayer or the exhortation of souls he was free, of the holy Scriptures to search the depths, and of the old and new the agreement of the Testament to inspect, and with subtle contemplation to scrutinize, how in the new truly done it is established, what in that under the figures' obscurities closed lay hid, and according to that of the Psalmographer, in the law meditating day and night, indefatigably either in prayers' zeal, or in the Scriptures' exercise he tarried. Psal. I.

[15] sedulous in the Divine offices, But in prayer's zeal so great a fervor had kindled him, that besides the peculiar supplication the Roman or Gallican, and also of the holy Fathers Benedict or Columban c the Course at the single hours to the Lord he chanted. For congruous to him it had seemed, that of these the offices to Christ he should pay, of whom the acts of virtues already long in his mind's citadel he had placed: that whom by arduous imitation he had been eager to follow, in the solemnities of offices he might endeavor to imitate. For because by humility's grace the Priestly grade to undertake he refused, that very thing which he had received the Diaconate's office daily solicitous to the Lord he exhibited. For on the single days at the sacred altars and the Priest ministering standing by, the oblations to the Lord with a chaste breast and a devout mind to offer he was eager.

[16] a temple he constructs: Finally the gifts of the faithful conferred on him and by his disciples' suffrages supported, in B. Martin the Bishop's honor a noble he began to construct temple, which d Mileharius Bishop of Sées, by him partly constructed, afterward zealously completed. Among the rest of the virtues' marks the good of patience his with no mediocre fortitude had strengthened mind, injuries he tolerates patiently; so that to none on account of contumely's spite of revenge he should render the like: and if perchance anyone to him any adverse things had inflicted, this one not as an enemy with hatreds he pursued, but as a most dear brother with a gentle mind's affection he venerated. But if anyone of things lost to him by the faithful bestowed any damage indicating had announced, immediately with a tranquil breast that of blessed Job sentence in his mind he revolved: The Lord, saying, gave, the Lord has taken away, as it has pleased the Lord, so it is done: be the name of the Lord blessed. Job I. Indeed his mind always to heavenly things intent, earthly things with love to possess could not: wherefore these losing, from the citadel of his contemplation by any pain struck by no means fell. But if anyone by anger's quarrel struck to him came, his exhortation being heard with concordant peace to their own they returned.

[17] to all munificent, Charity's offices also, even in transitory things, to all coming to him so liberally he exhibited, that whatever he could have, in guests' uses he expended, so that none from him to depart without some little gift he permitted. Nor was there to him in the receiving of guests' exception of persons discretion, zealously precaving, what manner this James reproves the Apostle: but all with equal embracing affection, the divine in these rather than the human attended honor. Besides in charity wealthy, in abstinence strenuous, in tribulation strong, in sinners merciful, in speeches cautious, in vigils attentive, in body's cleanness most chaste, in food and drink's reception sober, and in bodily beauty's appearance was comely. he shines with miracles: Many also to various languors addicted, and with bodily wasting pressed, by prayers' suffrages he rendered unhurt; and fevers'

of diverse kinds from these the burning being driven away, the same to their own rejoicing he sent back to their huts.

[18] touched by a disease he dies And when through many spaces of time in such labors he had grown, and now perfect in them and of mature age had been; and when also so great his labors the Divine grace to remunerate decreed; troubled by a bodily trouble, his death to those who with him were of his disciples, accordingly mournful and weeping, indicated: whom that they should do well with sacred admonitions exhorting, in peace leaving, then with Christ's mystery fortified, May 7 on the Nones of May, by Angelic borne troops ascended to the stars. But he was buried in the same church of B. Martin which he himself had founded, which now in his honor also, that is of B. Serenicus, dedicated stands: where under the altar hitherto is discerned his burial's venerable memory, and there are made over the infirm by his merits remedies of healings. For the same is a venerable and to be feared place, in which are seen often Divine revelations and prodigies, and against its evildoers of vengeances frequent miracles.

[19] For after the blessed man's departure, many also of times being elapsed courses, when f Charles King of the Franks, surrounded by a multitude of soldiers, the parts sought of the West, he came to a certain castle, which is situated in the district of Le Mans, not far from the aforesaid Saint's monastery. The violators of his Monastery by bees are punished, And when the soldiers' expedition all round about devastated the whole neighborhood, also this Saint's monastery they depopulated by violence: for several of them the sacred breaking into shrine, many there unlawful things did, not fearing the Divine vengeance's punishment, nor S. Serenicus's weighing merits, whom with so great a gift the Divine already had exalted grace. But when the supernal disposition their wantonness had decreed to lay low; and the holy man's merit, whose place so irreverently by the perfidious was trodden, far and wide to divulge; the bees which were round about, against the same sacrilegious raging rushed, that both to these utterly the help of flight they took away, and from the mountain's brow through the rocks' steeps into the channel's depths they precipitated. For such there then was a ruin, that of those falling through the diverse points of the rocks they cut asunder their bodies, and the deep river's whirlpool in the bottom the convulsed rolled corpses. But if anyone, the receiver by any chance escaping, had been able to evade the flint's dangers, forthwith by the huge river's wave absorbed he was devoured: indeed so great from these then thither is reported to have rushed a throng, that many times after, as the inhabitants say, the waters decreasing, in the river's wave were seen bones, when now many times had passed, and these corpses through diverse spaces of places the overflowing carried the wave. These therefore by such a kind of whirlpool being punished, so great of the same army none thenceforward any presumed to inflict contumely on these things, which to the holy man's rights to pertain seemed.

[20] But after these things a year's course being elapsed, came Serenicus's solemnity. likewise the irreligious. And when in the wonted manner to this the popular multitude flowed together, and several with religion's fear the holy place were eager to venerate; there were present among the rest, as tares among the wheat, two rebellious men, in manners ill-composed, and by levity unstable, who the place's religion postponed, before its Basilica's doors the herbs of the court their horses to feed let loose. Who forthwith by an unwonted fury agitated, although with an iron fetter they were bound, from the high mountain's top through the rocks' downslopes sliding, into the deep of the river were precipitated, and by the merits of B. Serenicus to the other bank's edge came unhurt. Which miracle the multitude which was present beholding of the common people, in its Saint's merits the power began to praise of Christ. Therefore also we for this reason this deed believe, that both those who wantonly had acted from such an attempt thenceforward might come to their senses, and more highly in sacred places the Divine power might fear: and those who were present, S. Serenicus's beholding merits, the same place more religiously by venerating might honor, and in His Saints everywhere God working more profusely might praise. For indeed after these things in the same place how many through the same Saint's merits demoniacs, the blind, deaf, lame, and by various languors afflicted were cured, is not g to memory committed nor in letters set down: for by their own use even the very miracles to those beholding them had become cheap. But these things only for compendium's grace from many a few let it suffice to have touched, and, as it is commanded, what written we have found, to the readers' memory by a faithful narration to have presented h.

ANNOTATIONS

ON S. JOHN OF BEVERLEY

ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.

IN THE YEAR DCCXXI

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

By the author G.H.

[1] Beverley, a town ample and very frequented to Camden, is situated in the part Eastern of the Duchy of York, commonly East-Riding, not far from the river Hull, which some leagues thence into the estuary of the river Humber glides away. That dominion is by Bede called Deirwaud, that is the Forest of the Deiri. There S. John, of whom we here treat, The monastery of Beverley constructed found a parish church, to S. John the Evangelist sacred. The situation of this place and the dominion being acquired, the aforesaid holy church into that is the choir of the church, there he constructed, the Prior of the church of S. John having a place in the nave of the church. He built to the South of the aforesaid church an oratory of S. Martin, where afterward he placed nuns. He associated to these monasteries seven Presbyters and as many Clerics in the nave of the church of S. John. He acquired for his monasteries the manor of Ridings. From that time he constructed the church of S. Nicholas on the ground of his dominion. All which from the Collectanea of Leland are indicated in volume one of the Monasticum Anglicanum page 170, where there are represented sculpted of that very monastery of Beverley the structure, and the western face of the conventual church. the death of S. John. Hither betook himself S. John, when weighed by old age, he had abdicated the Archbishopric of York; and at length on this VII of May in the year of Christ DCCXXI his holy soul to Christ delivered, illustrious for miracles in life and after death.

[2] Concerning the virtues and deeds of S. John in several places treats the venerable Bede, The Life written after Bede chiefly book 5 of the Ecclesiastical History of the nation of the Angles chapter 2 and the following. But afterward his deeds into one volume collected Folcardus, the prayer and urging of Aldredus Archbishop of York: as the title prefixed to these Acts indicates. He seems to have written these, when S. Edward the Confessor King ruled England, dead in the year MLVI: by whose consort Editha the Queen, on account of the commendation of Aldredus the Archbishop, himself helped in his monastery's desolation he commemorates in the Preface to this Life, which we give from a MS. Anglican to us at Saint-Malo submitted by the Reverend Lord Leander Prichartus, it is given from a MS. Anglican. a Benedictine monk. In the cited Monasticum Anglicanum page 169 it is indicated that Folchardus of Canterbury wrote the Life of D. John Archbishop of York, yet not is said Folchardus Archbishop of Canterbury, as the said words interprets John Mabillon, and corrects, and him asserts a monk of Saint-Bertin at the beginning of the XI century in England to have dwelt. But Folcardus this of Saint-Bertin, than the other of Canterbury somewhat younger seems to have been, called into England by William the King, and set over the monastery of Thorney, which he for nearly XVI years (without benediction, the Abbot's place supplying) to have ruled testifies Ordericus Vitalis book 11 of the Ecclesiastical history at the year 1108 which beginning is of the XII, not indeed of the XI century. Subjoins Mabillon some Life of S. John, from a MS. Legend of the monastery of S. Gildas de Nemore received, opining it was written by Folcardus the monk of Saint-Bertin. But it is only some compendium, from the greater Life, which we give, excerpted. Another, but more contracted, we have in an ancient parchment, by Henry of Huntingdon in the XII century written. Another Life of his, in the year MDXVI printed exists in the Anglican Legend of John Capgrave. Which all being omitted, Miracles of 4 authors. we subjoin illustrious Miracles, by four diverse authors and nearly eyewitnesses written, and by the praised Leander Prichartus submitted. Of these the first is called Willelmus Kecellus, and first touches the times of William the Conqueror the King, so that he seems toward the end of the XI century or the beginning of the following to have written: of the following authors the names are not indicated. Who of these the next miracles wrote, makes mention of Stephen the King, in the year MCXXXVI the royal crown having obtained, and of the last times of Thurstan the Archbishop, who in the year MCXL is said to have died. But the third author indicates miracles within five years wrought. The fourth makes mention of the general interdict, to which England under King John was subjected, and seems under Henry III the last miracles to have adjoined.

[3] There exists among the ten Writers of the Anglican History, at London in the year MDCLII printed, the Chronicle of Thomas Stubs or Stubeus the Dominican, in the XIV century written concerning the Acts of the Pontiffs of York, in which column 1691 and the following are contained the Acts of S. John the Archbishop, and toward the end these things are read: He withdrew into his monastery, which at Beverley he had founded, and there of miracles illustrious for glory, on the Nones of May happily his life ended. He was buried there in the church, from that time until now always with glorious it does not cease to be published virtues. Then in Alfricus the Archbishop, who ruled the said church from the year MXXIII until the year MLI, these things he writes: This one a casket, with gold and silver and precious stones with incomparable work, The body by Alfricus the Archbishop translated. at Beverley to be fabricated caused; and elevated from the wooden sepulchre, with wonderful workmanship carved, the precious body of the glorious Father S. John the Archbishop, with huge Clergy's and people's exultation, many Relics being added, in it most honorably placed. He also from

for the church of S. John land at Milletune and at Holm, and five oxgangs at Fredichthorp, with money and men on it. Thus there. October 25 of the year 1044, But an oxgang of land is as much as one ox tills. But this translation happened on October XXV in the year MXLIV: and that with solemn cultus the said day, as also this birthday, was celebrated, is established from the relation of miracles: and in the second Author n. 13 it is said a woman, for seven years contracted, on one of his solemnities, which the Translation of the holy body is named, the writer with others chanting, was healed. Another again Translation in the year MCCCVII made is handed down in the Monasticum Anglicanum.

[4] Edward Maihew treats of the prior Translation at the said day XXV of October, on account of a victory October 25 in the year 1415 obtained and that worthy of memory he inserts: In the year of Christ MCCCCXV the most invincible King Henry, of that name the fifth, on that very day, to his Translation sacred, namely on the VIII of the Kalends of November, that is XXV of October, that celebrated victory, in the place which Agincourt is called, against the Gauls obtained: which to this most holy Pontiff ascribing, into England returned, both of the deposition or birthday, and of the translation his feasts through the whole province of Canterbury (for in that of York, as it seems, before they were celebrated) solemnly to be celebrated he took care. There exists indeed in the Provincial Constitutions of England, under the title On Feasts, of Henry Chichele Archbishop of Canterbury in the Provincial Synod, which in the year of Christ MCCCCXVI was held, concerning this matter But a little below these words are had: Of our Brothers and the Clergy in the present Council present by the wills and assent, and nonetheless at our most Christian Prince and King's (Henry the fifth) special urging, of the most holy Confessor and Pontiff John of Beverley the memory everywhere through our province with votive and devout affections we have determined to be exalted. We establish therefore &c. He established, as we reported, concerning his two feasts to be celebrated. But on the latter part of this decree, which to his Translation's feast pertains, in this manner writes the most learned man Guillermus Linwede, on that day (XXV of the month of December) which then fell on a Friday, was the battle of Agincourt in Picardy in the year MCCCCXV, on account of whose victorious outcome the said King Henry the Fifth procured through the Church of England thus to be ordained, as here is had: and so not only this feast can be numbered among the solemn feasts, but also the sudden &c. Thus he. Let the reader therefore see not only in the preceding centuries, but in these also last, the most blessed Bishop John of Beverley to the Kings of England in wars to have been present. Thus far Edward Maihew.

[5] In a very ancient Missal, in the monastery of Jumièges kept, and about the year one thousand written, The ancient memory in the sacred Calendars. there is prescribed at the day VII of May the feast of S. John Bishop in Beverley. We have an ancient Martyrology in England written, in which on these Nones of May, in the first place is placed the deposition of S. Leothardus Bishop of Canterbury deceased, and soon are subjoined these: And the birthday of S. John Archbishop of York. In the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck in the year MCCCCXC printed these things are had: At Beverley the birthday of S. John Bishop and Confessor of York. There follow these the author of the MS. Florarium, Greven, Molanus, Canisius, Galesinius, with the present Martyrology Roman, likewise with the Anglican and various monastic, of which various refer his Translation to the day XXV of October. In the Breviary according to the use of the church of Sarum in the year MCCCCXCIX printed, at this VII of May there is prescribed in the Calendar, as the chief feasts are wont, in red character the feast of S. John of Beverley, with the ruling of the choir, where the proposed Lessons contain a compendium of his life, and there is added this prayer: O God who the present day of B. John, Your Confessor and Pontiff, by his migration didst consecrate; give to Your Church worthily of his solemnity to rejoice, that with Your mercy by his examples we may be aided and by his merits. In the Breviary of Salisbury in the year MDLVII printed there is prescribed also at the day XXV of October the sacred memory of his solemnity. In certain MS. Calendars some notice of him at the day XVII of January, and XXVIII of April is had, as then among the Passed-over we observed.

[6] These things being deduced we receive the History and Antiquities of the university of Oxford in the year MDCLXXIV at Oxford printed, the author, as from the Preface we gather, Antonius Wood, and from these page XI contained, where of the Schools of Oxford, in the very times of the Britons and Saxons, namely before King Alfred flourishing, the vindications are treated, these things we describe: First therefore, he says, with Saint John of Beverley I will begin, about the year DCCXX, the day departing; whom in the liberal Arts among the people of Oxford to have given attention, ancient writings not a few have handed down: also by painted indications of windows, His Mastership in the Arts among the people of Oxford: copious light in this matter shedding. For a writer, who flourished in the year MCCCLXXIII in the same Beverley man's Life (whose beginning, "The more ancient of the Britons alone &c.") at Harpham among the peoples of Deira born, but his springing years at the monastery of S. Hilda in studies to have placed states: and the first of the Angles with the Doctor's or Master's grade to have been adorned. But there was, says he, his Doctor Theodore peak &c. Which also Leland from an anonymous Author reported concerning Beverley, and the said Saint of that place, in a work threefold divided, writing: whom I indeed a certain Gulielmus Asketellus to have been judge, who, Edward II reigning, the same to himself material took, and published books likewise tripartite: many things, as I opine, from the Deiran and other beyond the Humber libraries instructed: of which region the monks, when England the Danes everywhere overran, their Histories and Antiquities from various continual disasters with the highest industry rescued. To this are added of the Sacristan of Beverley, by the aforesaid also Asketellus mentioned, the words, that Saint John of Beverley first in the Arts a Master among the people of Oxford was, mentioning. Which excellently also are confirmed by the same Beverley man's image, in the left side of the library of Salisbury, a window once the sixth adorning, nay I know not whether there even now appearing, with this inscription: The holy Doctor John of Beverley was the first Master of the liberal Arts in Oxford… I could also bring forth other testimonies, those things which concerning the Beverley man adduced are to strengthen quite suitable… But me elsewhere snatches the succinct brevity of the destined work. Thus there: and page 12 toward the end he defines, that at Oxford in these years the general what they call studies flourished, or an Academy with Professors of Arts and sciences, and of grades some distinctions furnished, was, when Saint John of Beverley the Master's grade there obtained.

[7] The same author book 2 of the History and Antiquities of the University of Oxford page 61, treating of the Writers before the Academy recreated by Alfred, in the first place places S. John of Beverley; and concerning him writes to be added, that when in the middle of the church of Beverley collegiate part, Some Relics in the church of Beverley found. the earth for a little woman to be buried digging the sacristan on XIV of September in the year MDCLXIV, a brick crypt he uncovered, and in it caskets two he found: of which one ashes contained, in the other indeed human bones were enclosed, moreover with these words on one of them inscribed: In the year from the Incarnation of the Lord one thousand one hundred eighty-eighth was burned this church in the month of September, in the following night after the feast of S. Matthew the Apostle: and in the year one thousand one hundred ninety-seventh, on the eighth of the Ides of March, was made an inquisition of the Relics of B. John in this place: and were found these bones in the eastern part of the sepulchre, and here laid up: and dust mixed with cement there was found and laid up.

LIFE

By the author Folcardus monk of Canterbury

From a MS. Anglican by Leander Prichartus transmitted.

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

BHL Number: 4339, 4340

FROM MSS.

PROLOGUE.

[1] To the burning and shining lamp in a dark place, to the Archbishop of the Angles a Aldredus, the least of his devoted ones the Brother Folcardus greeting with faithful service. To the Archbishop desiring he obeys, In the precept of your servitude, my most reverend Father and Lord, it is necessary to my littleness to be mindful, not only of old friendships and frequent benefit, but also (which than these of more) of your authority, by which among men you are Christ of God. For with so great a prerogative of heavenly graces supported, you have the weight of precept: whence also more grievously also threatens the judgment of one resisting. And although these things should persuade my pusillanimity to obey your command; very much succors the memory of that mercy, which to us you did by this faithful commendation.

[2] For when the troubled of my fluctuating b Monastery sea, and groaning almost all the dearest pledges of the monastery, by his commendation through the Queen aided in his monastery's desolation. because he, who the shepherd's and physician's place had occupied, in the languishing little sheep not the pressure of fault, but the old loss of familiar hatred pursued; and when with the collected all his mind's forces the associate sheep from the rushing (alas the grief) too familiar wolf he did not endeavor to protect, but wrongly the secular power being procured us driven out from the monastic ship into the waves of the sea cast; and now the waves rushing in turn and enveloping, when destruction only threatened, nor any hope of emerging was; this at length as the star of the sea with pious splendor shone, and her shipwrecked one into the harbor received of her compassion, and with the pains of wounds still gaping and recent compassionate, by maternal conduct to you as to a sagacious physician sent to be cured and consoled for the time, following namely a faithful-to-God woman the example of that chosen Samaritan, who to the wounded, by robbers and by the Priest and Levite neglected, having mercy approached, the wounded one with wine washed, with oil cherished, with piety bound up, to the innkeeper under a promise of reward to be cured committed. And that so great to have been, who these things did, whose probities of none ever however eloquent rhetor the eloquent loquacity will unfold: whom therefore divinely joined to the royal side we believe, that by so great of her vigilant industry's skill profit may be provided of the present kingdom.

[3] But that the things above left I may repeat; by the consolation and remedy of you, my most loving Father, are closed indeed my wounds, but from near of certain envious ones secretly lying-in-wait I dread the darts. But much I breathe again under the power of my patroness, nay also under your commendation's established protection; nor through God's grace is to be feared that with you guardian or ruler us any, however threatening and lying-in-wait, may overwhelm storm. For always, the Lord's preceding grace, I will hope under the shadow of your wings, until pass the iniquity of all the snares. But these things thus far. But to the weight of your command let be turned my speech, which from its consequence this necessarily in few will foretaste, with what increases of divine service the Holy Church of York of your Prelacy in the time its former rusticity has shaken off; and in God's praises, in rude novelty by your doctrines admonished, becomingly has grown up. This divinely to your crown

I would say increased, he praises him for the reformed Clergy, that the Clergy hitherto by the secular wonted dress undistinguished, now in the nuptial garment celebrates the praises of God, and in ankle-length tunics the assembly of the Synod celebrates; and likewise the too much neglected in alms and the offerings of the poor work it exercises of mercy, and that the memory of the faithful departed with assiduous commendation to them you have inculcated. Which I say, not that a snare of adulation on you I may cast, but rather (if it is to be said by me) that to such things I may kindle: which assuredly necessarily you to God owe you recognize from the undertaken office of prelacy, with the imposed dignity of honor.

[4] In this also a worthy successor of the preceding Saints of your See the Prelates you show yourself, and by his command after the Responsories the Life to be written he undertakes. since their acts and life to celebrate and to letters to commend sedulous you are eager. Whence also it happened, that the Responsories of the most holy John you commanding being composed according to the measure of my littleness, you commanded to his life to be begun the style to turn: which work certainly the more it is recognized difficult and arduous, the more it has been known. In the name therefore of the Lord do you the oarage subdue, the sails spread, our course to God commit. He His grace to your prayers accommodating, the bank reaching, happily the sand we shall tread of the shore, secure nor solicitous of the tumultuating sea's dogs, who the more keenly in barking they raise their crests, the more feeble them nature betrays d.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER I.

Studies, sermons. The Bishopric of Hexham. The Archbishopric of York. Miracles.

[5] The eternal compassion of the co-suffering God, to the world succoring lost, After Christ's coming through His incarnate Son, the old judgment of human damnation dissolved: that as through transgressing Adam we were sons of death and hell; so through Christ Jesus, the only-begotten of God and the Virgin, we might be restored sons of life into the inheritance of the heavenly kingdom. Through Him co-reigning with Him in the heavens, and with men cohabiting on earth, the divine mystery of His disposition He unsealed; in how great namely mercy to save God had decreed the sons of men, when for their vivifying unto death He delivered His only Son. For the injury received of the inflicted contumely, this on His despisers He used law of mercy, that where the fault superabounded, there of His compassions more largely should redound the examples. the faith promulgated through the world His disciples therefore being confirmed, our doctors, through the dogmas of the divine precepts; almost now the whole world, from His denomination, under the Christian He entitled name; and there penetrated their words the bounds and corners of the lands, whence also the faith came to the knowledge of all tongues. later in Britain, For as by the faithful tradition of the Fathers handed down it is, long ago the bounds being illumined by faith of all Gaul, later was brought the word of God to this island of Britain. Which following the example of that Evangelical younger son who first resisting the commanding father, but afterward by penitence led more keenly persisted in cultivating the fruits of his Father's vineyard; the more it began the more devoutly in the undertaken religion to profit, the more it saw itself to the faith of Christ more tardily to have come.

[6] where among the Saints shone John, There began now hence Christ's propitious goodness in the thistles sweet figs to procreate, in the bramble comely grapes to multiply, and the new nation's stock with the offspring of holy sons to make fecund. Therefore among the rest, to rude Britain divinely then bestowed luminaries, for dispelling the darkness of old errors more clearly by God kindled, shone this blessed boy John, as the morning star: who from the very name's beginning in Christ's grace initiated, a glorious soldier of God to the end in Christ's warfare persisted. He withdrew first his hand from the ferule a of Theodore the Archbishop of Kent, under S. Theodore by whose doctrines and care he was instructed: from the highest Doctor the highest he ascended peak of philosophy. By the grace of this excellence summoned in the monastery of Whitby for some days he is detained by b Elfleda the Abbess. with S. Elfleda he dwells, But the clement God so great from the bushel's hiding-place set on a candlestick, that to all entering it might shine in His house.

[7] he excels in preaching Going out therefore thence, by fraternal admonished charity, to the still rude peoples of the Angles the word of God he began to evangelize. But divinely abundantly endowed with the largess, an eloquent rhetor he was in words' worthy outpouring: he furnished also a holy life competent favor to his assiduous preaching, since from the path of the heard instruction nowhere he turned aside the exhibited example in himself of conversation. and by sanctity of life: There accompanied moreover the power of God the power of his word, and there were healed through him whatever infirm, that also in this faithful servant of His the promise might be firmed of Christ, Signs, He says, which I do also you will do, and greater than these you will do. Joan. 14,12 But with so great enriched grace of Divinity, the received talent of his Lord with various usury he multiplies, that into the joy of his Lord glad he might enter by a glad calling.

[8] For with an abundant copy of letters imbued, in teaching his disciples with skillful he insisted vigilance; among his disciples he instructed S. Bede: among whom Bede, who among the Doctors of the Church illustrious is held, with dear affection according to his capacity's vigor he embraced; whom following an industrious little recruit, by so great a pedagogue abundantly imbued, both in expounding the Gospels, and in historical matters digesting great shone; and the times' and Computus's reckonings most subtle being described, the inborn of the British nation's dullness he purged, and of his writings' dignity by the acquired authority of the Roman See ennobled; and what than these is greater, the innocence of his life being preserved, God faithfully he was eager to the end to please: that with the holy he might be holy, and with his elect Master the most holy John in the election of Christ's discipleship he might remain. With succeeding time also, and to the Priesthood promoted: whom from the first orders of the sacred grades to God he had bound, with the Priesthood's dignity this Bede, with certain others of his instruction men, worthy of God helpers he promoted; that the more tenaciously to Christ their vine they might adhere, the more closely embraced its branches they were. But because of these some the memory of the rest of the life, from the necessity of fitting things, was to be inserted, let us return now to the received narration's deeds to unfold c.

[9] The renowned King of the Angles d Aldfrid reigning, departing from human things of happy life e Eata the Bishop, all by their votes demanding, ordained Bishop of Hexham, but most of all by God's nod working, this beloved of God in his succeeded Bishopric: and anointed in Christ of the Lord, he augmented the works of piety and faith, competent assuredly to so great an order and divine dignity, which although all to narrate we cannot for the number of them, at least to some to be explained let us gird ourselves, to the honor and glory of the Lord, which assuredly to truthful handed down witnesses we have recognized, and chiefly from f Blessed Brithtunus: who first his Deacon was, and afterward by his gift and consecration to a monastery by him from the foundation constructed, which Beverley is called, Abbot he ruled most worthy.

[10] in the church of S. Michael the Quadragesima he passes. He had dedicated the same beloved of God Prelate a church in honor of Blessed Michael the Archangel, in river of the Tyne g. Here frequently, and most of all in the Quadragesimal time, because from popular concourse the place more remote was, in fastings and prayers and the bestowals of alms intent the holy John remained; where when at a certain time he had commanded to be brought in; there came among them a certain man of miserable form. For both mute he was from birth, and so h foul with the lurid filth of his head, that the whole circle of his head being preoccupied by ringworm, to a scabby mute he gives speech instead of hairs it bristled with rare and shaggy as of swine's bristles: whom the holy Bishop well knew, because to his alms among other poor him frequently he had seen. At length therefore the beloved of God soul such a face of misery more deeply piercing, more clemently touched; and a hand being put, as he was most benign, by the chin the poor man he grasped, i blessed, and in God's name that he should speak commanded. The Bishop precedes certain letters and words saying; he who was mute, the tongue's office being loosed, follows the same out of the Bishop's mouth speaking. and health At length after the words little by little he enters the prayer's sentences, as the Prelate's sanctity required. There is put to flight also from him all that horrid contagion of his head, and he is clothed with the ornament of curling hairs crisp and black; and so the rest of the poor being consoled with simple sustenance, he through S. John's merits returns enriched with manifold of God's compassions' copy k.

[11] he becomes Archbishop of York. After these things therefore B. Wilfrid the Bishop, who for a long time from his Bishopric had been ejected, from the Roman Council and from the Lord Pope Agatho an Epistle having received into his fatherland returned, and the Bishopric of the church of Hexham with a Synodal Council received, and Saint John in the city of York the Bishopric received, and for thirty-three years nobly held it.

[12] At another time also, when a journey was making the Saint of God, he came to the village which l Yatadini is called, where then was a Monastery of the handmaids of Christ, over whom presided Hereburgis called the Abbess, with her daughters in Christ greatly rejoicing. Reports therefore forthwith the pious Mother with grief, complaining to the holy Prelate, m that a certain fellow-sister with a great sickness of body was pressed, an arm on account of a vein cut at the Moon swelling nor any hope of her life was had. She begs suppliantly that her he would deign to visit: and says herself in God's piety and his merits much to trust, that to her better it would turn out from the imposition of his hand. The blessed Pontiff requires the cause of the disease, and learns from the Abbess that she at the fourth moon had let blood; and the body's state being troubled, her arm miserably had swelled. He protests this being found to have been done imprudently, and recalls himself from B. Theodore the Archbishop his master to have heard, when a boy he was and his disciple, most dangerous to be at the fourth moon the diminution of blood, and that it does not behoove such cures to exercise in the tenderer age of the growing moon, or recently bursting forth of the flowing sea's rheum. Overcome at length by the tears and prayers of the grieving Abbess and the fellow-sisters, by the sign of the Cross he heals: the sick woman's chamber he enters:

and the too great swelling of the arm being seen, the sign he opposes of the Cross, and offers to God more intensely the incense of pure prayer, and having consoled the lying one goes out from the house. But while the languishing woman remains efficacious the blessing, and all that with the departing Bishop departs swelling. Scarcely had the Saint sat down to food, and Capuburgis (for so she was called) to his Deacon Brithtunus, her sends a messenger, asking that to her he would furnish his colloquy. The Bishop's blessing being asked when he went, her now sound to meet he has, and learns the remedy of the cure to have come to her through the prayer of the Pontiff. After these things she lived sound for a long time, with a glad relation frequenting the cure to her by the blessed Prelate bestowed.

[13] Invited also this God-chosen Pontiff to dedicate a church n of the village, which southern Burton is called, and a church being dedicated at Barton, of his office not an unstrenuous executor, came and dedicated: and all things being completed as is the custom, to his own to return he wished. But he, whose village it was, who had invited him, with most humble prayers with his own insists that his house to enter, and from his service John said, more to befit a Bishop to a monastery to return, and to God in His poor to serve, than through the houses of the rich to feast; promises being made under this favor of alms several, and most of all by B. Brithtunus the same promising persuaded, assent at length he gave to those asking.

[14] But the mistress of the family the wife of him who had invited him, by a grievous bodily indisposition was held, a bedridden woman with blessed water so that for more than three weeks lying in bed she was in peril. Which being found the man of God, the true physician of souls and bodies, of the waters for dedicating the church consecrated commanded her to be given to drink; and where the disease's pain more keenly urged, with the same water to be sprinkled. Which being done all the disease suddenly is put to flight, and she into a new vigor of health is repaired. The woman rises forthwith, prepares herself with her adornment, and entering asks the blessing, and to the feasters glad shows service, and so great health to her bestowed to all made known, that to the pious Prelate and to those sitting with him in drink a faithful cupbearer serving, not once that she should rest withdrew. See I pray in Blessed John here fulfilled, what Christ promised to His own: The works which I do also you will do. He our Lord found, the fevers drove away, and her to minister to Him commanded. Both one and similar do a work; but there without a servant the Lord; here indeed through the Lord and with the Lord the faithful and prudent servant.

[15] Glorifies likewise the Lord in a similar work John His servant, when through a certain rich man, work new. in another dedication a dying man. There was to this rich man a certain of his own, very dear to him and useful: who from an incumbent disease to this had come, that beside him lying in the bed and what would befit a funeral in the presence of the languishing one at hand were. He is invited again that man of God our physician, who to grievous pressures with antidotes might meet more strong: and the funeral apparatus being seen as is the custom, the great orator wholly within is borne to the heavenly things, and the asked things he obtained. To the precept soon turned, quickly him to be healed and to rise he commanded, and soon withdrew. He the disease being put to flight restored to life, a little while stuck astonished, whether it were the same himself. The flesh to life repaired began to require vital things; he sends to the dining Lord, and asks, that something to him he would send to drink. All exult, that he asks to drink, of whose a little before they were solicitous for the funeral. Holds out forthwith the renowned Prelate a cup of wine, and bids the thirsting thirst from it to refresh. Which being drunk he the received garments is clothed, to the feasters enters, and because now long he had not eaten to hunger himself he confesses, and food asks. To rejoice solemnly you would see all the guests for the associate restored to life, to venerate the holy man of God to the world with so great glorified sanctity, praising the Lord without doubt, who such things in His John works with propitious favor.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Other miracles before and after his death. The time of his See and death.

[16] The Lord magnified him in the sight of Kings, and in the assembly of Princes showed his glory and merit. After a Synod By a royal edict convene the Primates of the kingdom: there convenes also with others this man of God. There was present also himself a Osred the King, a man of religion and faith: and by the common treaty of the faithful ordinances there they constitute of many useful things. For both injuries there are corrected, the laws of God are sanctioned, the equity of peace is firmed, the things of churches and monasteries by the King's defense are corroborated. Which happily being established, The King Osred he receives at a banquet. the Lord Archbishop, by God's grace and in name and office John, the King with his own to his table invites: who gratefully obeys, as was fitting, and accompanied by his Nobles reclining at the nod sat down of the Pontiff, and uses with the carnal feasts the heavenly admonitions. Which all abundantly being refreshed, hear I pray with intent hearts, hear also here the Lord's operation, see also here the assertion Evangelical: The works which I do also you will do. Fill, says S. John to his cupbearers, fill three water-pots, one with wine, another with mead, the third with beer.

[17] Which being filled up to the top, John, who also is the grace of God, there three water-pots by him blessed the hand extended blessed and to be poured commanded. The cupbearers draw the growing of the water-pots' streams with fecund cups, and through the glad guests by pouring they return more frequently: they draw inexhaustibly, and nothing in the water-pots appears so often to have drawn; for always they redound up to the top. they remain inexhaustible. The drinkers themselves are astonished at the renewed nectar, and what they drink they wonder to grow, both with pleasing sweetness and with wonderful heavenly overflowing. In this drink's growing strength recall the nuptials in Cana of Galilee: for there the ruler-of-the-feast the wine to be good pronounces. But in the overflowing of the three water-pots, remember the Lord's banquet, in which five thousand men and more He satisfied, and consider in your hearts, what through His John works His Lord. It is read there that, the sign of wine being seen, there believed in Jesus His disciples: here also King Osred and his Princes experienced, this sign being seen, to be in their John the grace of God: and having venerated the man of God, he calls to himself his cupbearer, Brithdredus by name; and glad with royal gladness; Excellently, he says, you have profited in your service: for both with the best drink and wonderful by your Lord we have been refreshed abundantly, and with the sanctity of the Saint gladdened which we have seen, to depart now we have with his grace.

[18] Hear, I pray, still the Lord in an example of His glorifying His John, and exhibiting the Metropolis York, there appearing above the praying one a dove's likeness namely of his Archbishopric the See, him it had happened to tarry, he embraced greatly the Basilica of Saint Michael the Archangel, and there the watches he celebrated of his wonted work: for contiguous it was to his dwelling. Whence it happened at a certain time that, he secretly there performing those his prayers, visibly to be discerned itself in the likeness of a shining dove to him offered the majesty of the Holy Spirit, with flaming splendor gleaming, above the head of the praying Bishop his See's glory to place deigning. O God eternal and most benign, of how clean a heart proceeded those prayers, which the Holy Spirit's presence obtained:

that same, I say, the same, which on Jesus the Son of God baptized appeared in Jordan! How pleasing they ascended into the sight of Divinity, by faithful also conveyed messengers, which so great a report the effect of power! There irradiates therefore through every opening and window of the basilica that immense brightness of the enclosed majesty, as if the ether being left the sun thither had migrated, and its splendor in that place's narrowness had enclosed. And that the matter's truth with worthy we may pursue novelty of praises, and the place wonderfully illustrated truly there was enclosed the sun of justice God, in His John enclosed, illumining him with the grace of the Holy Spirit, nor him by any error permitting to be darkened.

[19] All seeing this are astonished, as at a thing unusual, and wonder what those luminaries could be, whence so many rays of light with so great would shine splendor and with so great would gleam brightness. There approached at length b Sigga his Deacon, and the bolt being loosed opens the door, the Deacon curiously observing is punished and shares the glory of the vision. He sees the holy Pontiff, with eyes intent on heaven and hands raised, in the sight of God pouring forth like water his soul, and on his head a dove above the snow white. Of whose seen shining splendor the Deacon as if scorched, his face contracted into wrinkles, with all his skin the punishments received of the rashness inflicted. The Saint of God felt the Deacon a sharer of the vision: and although irritated, the habit yet he did not put off of his gentle intention. Called therefore to himself by the touch he cleanses of his right hand, and the face being composed into its former beauty he beseeches, protests, adjures, that as long as he himself in this life lived that vision to anyone of mortals he should not disclose. You have heard the Lord Jesus, after the glory of His divinity shown on the mountain to Peter, James and John, to them descending commanding silence, until the Son of man by His resurrection should tread down death, and life to the dead repair. You see also here John an imitator of his Lord, and being healed he is bidden to keep the matter silent. the witness of his divine glorification as if for a reward to hire, with prayers to bind, that the seen things he should keep silent, until this mortal he should put off and of blessed immortality the glory he should put on. To be doubted therefore not is it, but that this Saint of God was of great purity in the sight of God in the heavens, who of so great brightness possessed was made before men on earth.

[20] He had also another witness of the signs, which through him propitious worked the Divinity; c Herebaldus namely of the monastery of Tynemouth, who his disciple from a boy and in doctrine was imbued, Herebaldus the disciple and a companion remaining inseparable. He testified often, himself well also through himself to have found, this S. John truly to be of a most holy life; who among other to many infirm furnished benefits, him from death led back, and to sudden soundness restored. He said once it happened that, feasting with his own this dear man of God came into the pleasant spaces of a more level road, with whose pleasant levelness delighted the youths, by military custom beg this their Lord, that it be permitted them their horses in the same to test on the unoffending plain of the field. Which when first the man of God for levity counting, refused; at length to those petitioning insistently, Do, he said, at your pleasure: but let Herebaldus remain with me. Which he hearing with youthful began to be saddened levity, because the recently given by the Bishop horse, on which he sat, he wished to test.

[21] At length therefore when with loose reins all the field with those running about resounded; from a slipping horse cast on a rock Herebaldus, as if unwilling and as if the incited horse to restrain he could not, the Bishop crying out flies off, and the swift hoofed creature with looser reins to a course he incites. To testify was wont the same Herebaldus, himself then to have heard from the Bishop behind his back crying: Ill, he says, you do departing from me, and in this manner you will know it. Scarcely ended the threatening of the holy man the horse slips of Herebaldus: and cast Herebaldus upon a huge rock, by the ruin fell with a precipitous fall, his head is broken, in the interiors is rent, and weak in hand and thumb is rendered. Troubled all thither run together, the horses being left to the ground they leap: but he who is dashed more seems without sense than to be sensible, more is thought to die than to live. There is stretched over the dying man a tent, and on his account through the spacious plain of each is frequented the shading. They grieve all to have run, but they knew not what concerning the course had provided God Himself.

[22] But the Saint of God concerning the ruin grieves specially of the beloved disciple, and the dying man by the Saint is healed: and the sacks being composed in the tent for his disobedient one to be propitiated with prayers and tears it behooves. And very early to the weakened dear one he enters: first he is prayed, and then with sweet affection by name is addressed Herebaldus. And in a wonderful manner, when from the preceding day's seventh hour until that morning as if lifeless he had lain, by the Saint of God called, as if from a heavy sleep awakened, his eyes he opens, and on the man of God fixes them. Asks the pious Doctor whether he recognizes the one speaking to him, and soon answers the sick man with a tearful voice: You are, he says, John the Bishop my most beloved Lord. And he, Think you, he says, from the present peril with life to be able to escape. I know and believe, says he, if through your prayers this to me God shall grant. What more? Lays the Prelate of God his hands on the broken head, the consecrated waters on the weakened body sprinkles; God invoking bowed down on him breathes, then with the Cross signs, and sudden remedy God furnishes. This often the same he himself related afterward living for a long time: and of riper age, he was made a most vigilant Abbot in that place, where the sea flows in the Tina river; whence also Tynemouth the same is called.

[23] Related also that venerable of life Abbot, of whom above we made mention, that at a certain time this Saint of God John the monastery of Beverley approached, two causes demanding it; namely that the flock of God there dwelling in the service of God he should admonish of its salvation, and that in the administration of temporal substance nothing to them should be lacking, whereby less to divine things they should attend. There to all manifest gave the prompt largess of God, of how great integrity by the proclamation with himself was this his great servant. the wine kept for him returning from the bath, He had prepared the same venerable Abbot a bath for the now wearied from imminent old age Prelate. In which after longer protracted in his manner of psalmodies and prayers celebrations having bathed, asks the Abbot that he the cellar would enter, and what God there in the uses of His servants had furnished, to bless he would deign. Which to the Abbot's wish being fulfilled the weary old man sat down; whom the Abbot humbly consults, whether after the bath a little of wine to taste he would. But he with a placid face says to him it pleases, if to his hand it could to him come. There had brought the day before a certain merchant from the city to the same Abbot a flagon of wine: which glad receiving, in the cellar to be put down he had commanded for the use of the same most holy man.

[24] There is summoned Brithredus the cupbearer, and bidden that the wine he should pour to the Bishop in a glass phial. the broken flagon stands with it unspilled Who while hasty obeys the one commanding, more hastily acting from affection of service, more incautiously left hanging on the wall the aforesaid flagon of wine: which from on high falling down through the middle is broken, so that into two parts it was divided. But because he, for whom that drink was kept, God Himself that drink in the divided parts of the vessel preserved. For here and there separated part from part stood, and the wine in itself as if congealed liquor or solid crystal contained. By whose falling sound moved the same cupbearer Brithredus runs in, and finds what there had been done divinely. But because of this matter the relation ungrateful he knew to him by whose merits it was done, a certain Brother summoned, Plechelmus by name, he leads in to the vision of the matter unusual and wonderful, that he might have testimony in the time of the relation. They take up therefore it in another vessel, thanks giving to God, who such things works in S. John the pleasing vessel of His inhabitation.

[25] Many indeed and other signs through the same the Lord worked. For as many as his garment with faith touched, of all their infirmities the swift to them health to have come rejoiced d. But when on a certain day to the Saint John the Bishop unction it should receive, a certain young man dead among others with the holy Chrism's unction he anointed, and so from death to life led back. Similarly also a demon from a certain man he expelled; the insane also and infirm always he healed, wherever he found them; but also of tempests he had power through the Holy Spirit's vigor.

[26] Nor wonder if gracious with the Lord and men this chosen of God John was, John is praised by his master S. Theodore inasmuch as he by a master and doctor most illustrious and among Theologians most eloquent sufficiently was taught, Theodore namely the Archbishop of Canterbury, of whom Saint Bede reports in the Ecclesiastical history of the Angles: There was, he says, in the time of Cedda the Bishop at Rome at Tarsus in Cilicia, a man both in secular and divine literature in Greek, and in Latin, and in Hebrew sufficiently instructed, upright in manners, and in age venerable, who ordained by Pope Vitalian to Britain was sent, and came to his church of Canterbury, in the second year after he was consecrated. This Theodore also into his discipline received very many from the British region, among whom a certain he had of great sanctity disciple, by name John, whom afterward we saw Archbishop of the metropolitan church of B. Peter of York in the time of Aldfrid the king ordained, whom the Lord Jesus Christ so much loved, that to him in a dove's likeness the Holy Spirit, the divine things celebrating, He transmitted. But there was Theodore in the Archbishopric of Canterbury for twenty and one years, three months, twenty and six days, and so migrated to Christ. But John also many with the Diaconate's order and the Priesthood's honor sanctified, and by the sanctity of his disciples. of whose college a Saint was Bede, who many of the Apostolic faith wrote useful things. The same also John had a certain of great sanctity Deacon, by name Brithianus, whom in his monastery, which Beverley is called, Abbot of a holy life he constituted. But the same John the Bishop all coming to him to the way of truth converted, and for the flock to him committed and all the people Christian continually and without intermission prayed.

[27] But there remained in the Episcopate this athlete of Christ John e thirty-three years, eight months, and thirteen days, Leaving the Episcopate, at Beverley he died in the year 721 and afterward when now the Bishopric on account of greater old age to go around he could not, to his Priest he committed of York, and he himself with the counsel of S. Brithunus his Abbot Beverley sought g, and there long in God's service persisting, on the Nones of May his life happily ended: and so to the heavenly kingdoms ascending, he was buried in the porch of S. John the Evangelist, in his monastery, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord seven hundred twenty-first. In the same

place where he was buried, by his merits the infirm are healed, demons are put to flight, the blind are illumined, to the deaf the ears are unsealed, to the mute words are restored, to the lame footsteps are bestowed, all kinds of pains are put to flight, and by his intervention our crimes are blotted out, and the heavenly joys are granted, He furnishing it, to whom all things minister h.

[28] The Lord and our Saviour Jesus Christ many miracles through His beloved John worked. A feverish demoniac is healed Of which the first is this: it happened at a certain time, that a certain man oppressed by the burning of fevers to his holy sepulchre came, and his sense being alienated, while there long he was rolled, at length the malign spirit from him was put to flight. Who also to entire health through S. John's merits restored, his staff being taken up, to his own house proceeded: and him afterward never the same infirmities invaded.

[29] At a certain time afterward Abbot Brithunus invited the Abbot i of Swine on the anniversary day of S. John to Beverley, and a Priest by S. John ordained having with him thither a certain Presbyter, by name Druchwald, who also with so great infirmity was held, that scarcely thither to go he could. Likewise afterward when the Abbot of Swine home to return proposed, at his request Brithunus the Abbot the same infirm Presbyter, until unhurt he should be made, in custody received, and most of all on account of the invocation of S. John's name and love. With whom also himself the Abbot of Swine a certain his Deacon, who was called Adde, that he might be cared for more attentively, had left: to whom indeed Abbot Brithunus Wlverd the Presbyter had added, that he to the infirm Presbyter all things by procuring for him necessary should minister. But then he who was infirm the Priest begged the same Brithunus the Abbot, that his body if he should die there in that cemetery to be buried he would permit: because the Saint Bishop himself, he said, him before to the Priestly grade had promoted. Which after he had obtained, to him the Presbyter himself thanks with suppliant prayer and devout paid.

[30] But on the following night so greatly was he aggravated by the infirmity, held by a most grievous disease, that it alive by no means he was thought to be able to pass. But morning being made the Abbot himself came to him, saying to him: I believe quickly better you will be in the future, if you were carried to the monastery, in which are many relics of the holy Martyrs. This same also he said himself to believe: and testifying continuously, after the third hour he was carried into the same monastery, to God Himself also thanks rendering, because into it alive he merited to enter. And when more intently before the altar of S. John the Evangelist he had prayed, thence to the sepulchre himself proceeded, with suppliant prayer him beseeching, that to him in his infirmity toward his physician he would deign to give aid. And often the grace of obtaining commemorated, which toward God he had, thence proceeding the monastery of S. Martin, which in itself contained many also of the holy Martyrs relics, he entered. By whose therefore impression when the sign of the Holy Cross to his forehead was made, and he returned to the tomb of the holy Confessor, continuously from that infirmity by which he was held was cured: and afterward sound and unhurt home returning, this very miracle, which in himself had been done, with huge gladness often and much was wont to relate.

[31] a contracted nun. At a certain time also it happened that a certain Nun of Esech, whose hands contracted were, and all her members by indisposition were held, to the holy Confessor's tomb came, and of her whole languor without delay the cure there received, through the intercession of the same holy Confessor. Health therefore being received, she to many men on the same day on which she was cured by pouring ministered: and in that afterward health for many lived years. And these things through the intercession of this holy Confessor were done, to the praise and honor of our Creator Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns God through all ages of ages.

ANNOTATIONS.

OTHER MIRACLES

By the author Willelmus Kecellus, Cleric of Beverley. From the same MS.

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

BHL Number: 4341

By Will. Kecellus From a MS.

PROEM.

[1] To his Lords and friends, with Christ set in charge and Master Jesus, Ethal and Thur, Willelmus, of B. John's Clerics the least, greeting, with all good will's affection. From a long time certain of B. John's miracles, which present I saw, or by truthful ones recognized confirmed by witnesses, to memory I had desired to commend; from my inmost desiring of so great and so blessed a Father the marks of miracles round about to be divulged, lest under a bushel covered they should lie hid, The miracles he writes, or by the slipperiness of times in every way unknown they should pass. But fearing lest of presumption I should be accused, if before wiser ones to a wise man's office any kind of composer I should approach, from the long-desired I drew back my hands from the office. For there are very many, who with reproof's dart the deeds of the simple pierce, the contumely of detractors being set aside, and with venomous detraction's envy wasting away, of others' laudably done things to derogate contend: to refute anyone's life curious enough; but yet to their own correction slothful, to blasphemy's contumely prompt another's words with no praise about to follow: into whose counsel let not come my soul, and in their assembly let not be my glory. Although indeed of rhetorical peroration the words I have not, with which so great a Father's deeds with a Ciceronian worthy style I may commemorate; led by obligation and charity hence by due servitude's obligation bound to service, hence of mutual love's service to give wishing to the command; to your benignity's dispositions suppliant I obey. For I judge of your charity's sweetness to this little work most to profit me; since less learned, by the sole instinct of love to writing you compel, and to the burden to be undertaken my feebleness you discern, by your in a measure to be sustained prudence, and skillful to be perfected eloquence.

[2] But lest I seem, if I should not obey, your of love's affection to offend; the mercy preceding Divine, and the most blessed John's, of whom the discourse will be, the following grace, by the enjoined bond of charity, willing I submit my neck. In the manner therefore of those navigating the sails stretching, by humble supported oarage, near the calmed shores I will furrow; lest into the deep bursting forth the little ship, by the stormy sea's waves be overthrown, and the incautious Charybdis be absorbed by the whirlpool, which more safely will be conveyed on the calmed shore's margin. Lest therefore of my humility's devotion be lacking the support, and trusting in S. John's patronage. the excellent Father John and clement our Patron, his work with his patronage may corroborate, and the mind of the writer with equal rule may govern; and lest through devious wandering from the track of truth it stray, himself by teaching let him be present at the labor's exordium, himself by ruling, of his praise the proclamations let him grant with a happy ending. If anything indeed of my words in the series unpolished, or with a rude prepared style, your skill should perceive; let the unaccustomedness of writing and the body's languor, with not the least of mind, with which I am grievously affected, excuse the trouble; which the sooner to be smoothed I hope by the bountiful man of God's clemency, if the sick one's mind according to its power has labored in his to be propagated praise and exultation's glory. Thus far the Prologue, where Ethal and Thur seem with halved only names in the beginning to be written, entire perhaps to be written Ethalredus and Thurstinus.

CHAPTER I.

Invaders punished. Rain obtained. A blind man is illumined. A monstrous madman healed. One to be hanged a penitent freed.

[3] After the kingdom of the Angles by William the Duke of the Normans, a soldier indeed most strenuous and an excellent man, willing or permitting God's disposition, by war was subjugated, the b King being vanquished, and of the whole kingdom almost the Primates being overcome and slain; William the Conqueror having gained England the victory being gained, the said Prince of England obtained the rudders: and not much after an interval of time being elapsed by Aldredus of good memory, the venerable Archbishop of the Metropolis of York, he received. Hence with vigilant care and of military exercise's zeal, with which he was endowed, after the warlike tumult's savagery for the peace to be reformed in labors he sweated, that the King being restored and the Primates to him pacified, there might be pacified also the kingdom, and of the whole fatherland the people by the restored bond of peace under one Prince's might be subjugated empire. But the envious of the venomous serpent instigating wickedness, which of peace to be destroyed, and concord's to its favorers strength from the beginning the cunning ministered craftiness, the people of the Northern Province: (since from the North shall be opened all evil) with barbarous nation's frenzied fierceness, The resisting Northumbrians having attacked, to the new Prince's dispositions refused to be bound; from the unhappy custom of the Chief men, of tumult rather than of peace, of discord more willingly than of concord, desiring practiced in slaughters to insist. Grieved the discreet Prince's gentleness over the indiscreet people's animosity, and whom to peace's unity by no tenderness he could subject, by hostile devastation he decreed to exterminate, lest by that part's contagion be contaminated the kingdom's whole integrity.

[4] A not least multitude therefore being congregated of people, the King moved into grievous wrath, York he storms: to York he came, and it by the violent of warriors' boldness stormed, and from the foundation devastated d by fire's savagery, not without a great slaughter of the citizens, by whom the illustrious city's opulence was ruled. Then his vow being fulfilled, the place, but not his purpose changing; through the adjacent he passed Provinces, and by a Royal edict to the fierce army he commanded, that the camps, villages, and hamlets with every inhabitant of theirs, with iron, flame, and all round about to be devastated and burned he permits

and famine they should pursue; nor before from the begun task should desist, until now of the vanquished people the remnant by hostile extermination should be destroyed, and from the face of the whole region, of them thenceforward should be blotted out the memory, who first the Royal institutes should make light of. By this tempest's raging storm, from man even to beast, perished whoever was found from the city of York unto the Eastern sea's confines, except those who to the church of B. John of Beverley, as to an asylum, had fled. For of the preceding Kings' times, most of all e of Adelstan King of the Angles the excellent, by bountiful liberty, for peace's protection aforesaid, celebrated was held the church; whence also by the inhabitants it was frequented more often, and was honored more attentively.

[5] to Beverley to be plundered the soldiers approach, And when, fame divulging, among the enemies it was published that of the desolate people the multitude there of peace had thence tents were held) certain ones by blind cupidity struck, and to the insatiable rapacity's solicitudes accustomed, Beverley sought, desiring of the unarmed people the spoils with savage cruelty to plunder: and entering the village, when no one of their wickedness resisting they found, within by avarice, without by arms' might raging, to the enclosures of the cemetery, whither the terrified people's multitude more safely had flowed together, with nefarious daring they proceed. Among whom the Chief was f Turstinus (so was called his name) who while desiring to spoil he rushed upon a wretched man, the more quickly to peace's defenses tending; but of Turstinus the leader the sword being drawn with which he was girded, through the middle of the astonished people upon the fugitive raging he pursues. But because the one fleeing outside the church to hinder by no means he could, he gave not honor to God; but the now by God's compassion escaping one within the doors of the church even he follows.

[6] There is suddenly of the trembling people a running, with a cry of B. John their wonted protector the aid unanimously imploring. Nor delay: of His poor having mercy God's pitying was moved, and on the peace's violator God's avenging followed the vengeance. For he who a little before with ferocity's furies gnashed, by the horse on which he sat astonished he shuddered; his face turned behind his back is amended: and his face now deformed behind his back turned, with hands and feet twisted back, as a monster shapeless, of all who were present at himself wondering the faces he turned. The people therefore gladsome into manifold burst forth praises; and in their blessed Priest John's virtues, the Saviour's omnipotence, with unanimous voice they magnified. But astonished the soldiers, who together had come, through the holy Bishop wrought God's great deeds seeing, the arms with which they were clad being cast away, and the savagery of their mind being mitigated, who before to plundering rushed, to the man of God's suffrages to be obtained are converted: then with the highest haste to the army returning, of their error the crime to the King's solicitude they lay open. The virtue of the holy Confessor being known the King not mediocrely was saddened over the misfortune of his beloved soldier: and fearing lest of his aforesaid similar ones into a similar should slip offense, what had offended the imprudent military boldness, by Royal he provided to pacify prudence.

[7] Therefore the wiser of the church aforementioned men being summoned to himself, and the King the ancient privileges confirms the marks of sanctity of the chosen Priest of God diligently to him narrating he learned; and how the church of Beverley, in the times of the noble Kings, with excellence's and liberty's honors had been exalted, solicitously he investigated: and lest of the preceding Fathers' munificence unequal he should be; whatever by the princes' liberality or of any chief men's pious devotion to the aforesaid had been to the church conferred, by the Royal Majesty's nod he corroborated, and by the authority of his seal confirmed. Besides with bountiful hand the aforementioned with gifts he adorned the church, and g with possessions amplified: that the blessed Confessor's suffraging merits, and new ones he adjoins: of his faults might follow the pardon, and after times' courses the celebrated of his donation might be held the memory. Moreover lest of his fierce army in the city, as is wont, the firm of peace's constancy be dissolved; far thence to be pitched the tents commanded the prudent Prince's providence. But the legates admiring so great a man's benignity and discourses' humility, with joy returned; and the offered to God benefits, which by the King received and confirmed, the Clergy's and people's hearts confirmed: and of whom lately the empire's they dreaded power; now suppliant for his prosperity the Saviour's they implored clemency. There was made meanwhile for the aforesaid soldier's excess of the supplicating household frequent prayer; whom now half-dead by the salubrious of correction's scourge chastised, when often before the sepulchre of the man of God they brought, the divine propitiation's regarded compassion; and the languor being driven away through the merits of the Holy Pontiff, not after many days to his former he is restored soundness. and Turstinus to his former is restored health. Who, soundness being recovered, returned to his own, not was forgetful but that he should return and give glory to God; and while he should breathe the vital airs, a gift, as of his head's tribute, to his liberator John, of the benefit mindful received, every year solicitously he should pay.

[8] Let your charity attend, and with pious devotion's affection perceive, of how excellent merit was with God this Saint: who not only of any oppressed by mind's and body's trouble, with his wonted dispels mercy; but even the air's incommodities are prospered by his intercession's grace. At a certain time namely the sins of the sons of men exacting, of the intemperate sun the ardor so great the earth's surface parched, and so great a dryness of the air threatened; that of fruits and crops the appearances almost all were frustrated, and through the whole spring time's space by no of rains' effusion the earth by the long sun's ardor burned was made fecund: In a great dryness of the earth whence utterly the humors failing with chinks of cracks round about gaping, of those passing the way it impeded; and the languishing herbs the pastures to the cattle failed. And when the people, all consolation being removed, by God's threatening wrath's weariness languished, nor any of the urging misfortune's remedy awaited; certain religious men, of the church of York Canons, by the common devotion of the Brothers to obtain B. John's often proved suffrages to Beverley came; that by his merits the urging being driven away calamity, the mournful of all's complaint into common might be turned joy. at the urging of the Canons of York And since the holy Pontiff's solemn day was at hand, with affection suppliant they ask, and by asking benignly praise, that the blessed man's body around the church, although on such that, the doubled of so great solemnity's joy aiding, the people's might be augmented devotion. There pleased all the pious of the men's solicitude; in the annual feast the body of S. John is carried about; and in common they embrace their wishes, of the calamitous time's perils about to profit. All things therefore being prepared as the day's dignity required, the blessed body's burden on pious undergoing shoulders, the Clergy with gladsome voice, the people with the highest devotion, both with not the least heart's contrition, proceed. So great indeed serenity in the air shone, that no at all of clouds' vestiges through the whole heaven's compass appeared.

[9] Now a little they had proceeded, when suddenly a tiny cloud, by rain-bearing winds driven, was seen: which growing, and its bosom into the wide extending, with wonderful haste the preceding obscured serenity, and the sun's irradiating darkened face. Wonder all, who were present, at the sudden time's change; nor hesitating, but that it was a change of the Most High's right hand, the height of heaven with tearful they touch cries, and the highest Judge's wrath the holy Pontiff's by aid with assiduous they avert prayers. When now the church's Eastern parts they had passed; and a suddenly seen cloud an abundant rain gave. wonderful to say, so great was made of rain an inundation, that before they returned, the ornaments with which festively the Clergy was adorned, and of all the passers-by the garments with bountiful dripped showers: no however of deterioration's sign in the ecclesiastical appeared garments: nor ceased God's hand from the salubrious rains' dripping, nor the Saint from his wonted sustaining patronage, until of the thirsting earth's dryness with abundant waters should redound. O unutterable of Divine consolation's propitiation! O admirable and pious of the holy Priest with God impetration! and there followed the fertility of crops. who while to the highest Priest the supplicating people's prayers' incense offers, the air's austerity is put to flight, and the revived of crops' unhoped-for returns fertility; and the elements' intemperance being modified, of bodies' and minds' followed the desired prosperity. In this worthily to be remembered miracle's perpetration the blessed Pontiff, another reputed Elijah, who in the ancient Fathers' times, of inspiration Divine prophecy propitious, with God by prayers obtained, that, the eliminated of long time's dryness, in which the people lay, heaven rain, and the earth of fruits the fertility should bestow: which prodigy, for its greatness most celebrated, the universal preaches Church. But this Israelite, under the times of grace, with God's grace full, the Lord's flock's sheep by a not unlike vexed disease, by a like healed of prayer's antidote: whose pious petition heaven through heaven's Ruler obeyed in rain, the earth indeed obeyed in fruitful repayment.

[10] There grew daily of the man of God's miracles' fame celebrated, by which his round about was venerated memory: whence not only the neighboring, but also from the remote lands' parts very many, of body's and soul's remedies asking, to his assiduously flowed church. Among whom a certain little boy of seven years was brought from the district of Hexham, A boy of seven years blind from birth, who from birth blind the light should receive. The parents however of the blind boy, with a certain sweet familiarity the Saint of the Lord John confidently embraced, whom by many relating they had known, how from the same district ringworm, he had healed, while of Hexham he presided, as the Angles' relates h History. This with pious devotion's affection each parent, with not the least multitude of people, to Beverley coming; before the sepulchre, in which the blessed man's body before buried had been, their blind boy, in great mind's contrition, not without tears' effusion, they set; that from his mother's bosom torn away, from the fountain of mercy Christ of soundness should draw the remedy. the parents at the sepulchre praying he is illumined And when the blind boy by weeping cried out, and by crying his arms to his mother, that he might be taken up, extended; and the mother for her son's salvation her soul, as water, before God and John suppliant poured out; the blind boy with tearful wailing words is prostrated, and then in the admiration of all the mourning little eyes with serene are clothed light; and so over the son shining the grace of God omnipotent, the maternal mercifully are fulfilled vows, the eliminated utterly with which she was held for her son sadness.

[11] There is suddenly a concourse of men, and not the least of the wondering people a surrounding crown, all wondering at John through this like to Christ. at the unaccustomed to them they are astonished great deeds, and God the Saviour's unanimously praise, through the beloved to them Pontiff wrought, of so great virtue's marks. Was astonished the boy at all things, the new received light: wondered the people, for the unusual work's greatness: rejoiced the mother with joy inestimable, for her beloved son's divinely obtained salvation: all with common devotion God the universe's Creator marvelous proclaimed in their blessed Confessor John. You have heard, the Evangelical truth testifying, what from the age had not been heard, a man namely from birth blind by the Lord to have been illumined. Hear in our time also a man prudent, an imitator of his Lord, through the Lord, similarly, it appears, him on earth a faithful of the word of God dispenser to have shone, and the Lord's precepts faithfully to have obeyed, and of vices a persecutor and of perpetual life a Doctor to have been; since after death, his merits suffraging, members by lethal sleep buried with vital enjoy air, to the weak health desired is restored, the sad with consolation's remedy are relieved, the unfailing of eternal life's rewards through him

from the Lord are obtained, of whose ineffably joyful which he had desired he enjoys the presence with the elect, in the heavenly residing rejoicing banquet, with festive and interminable enriched joy, for his own about to obtain whatever he shall ask of the King, whom worthily he served, eternal.

[12] It happened also, not of much time's interval being passed, that a certain man from Scotland sprung, Guillo by name, for recovering his health's sake to the aforesaid man's church came. He for some days before the Saint's solemnity, in which the people also each year to come was wont, the divine compassion's grace awaiting, to very many for laughter, to all for a spectacle was held. A young man monstrous in body and foolish in mind, But he was in the inner man, as the outer declared, of all prudence devoid; in puerile indeed, not a boy in all things, intent on games; so that of an insensate head a man by men he was esteemed, to none however except to himself hurtful. But the shapeless body bore for itself becoming members, a head foul and great, a slender neck, thighs, legs, feet like a boy's prodigiously twisted back, and of their office wholly lacking; an unhappy namely and unfruitful of body's burden, which never to use, always to a load from the first time to him had been: and since poor he was and a foreigner, more willingly by the inhabitants of life were given the necessaries, than if he were a native; they desiring and with pious prayer God beseeching, that that horrible deformity being driven away, through the merits of His Saint, of the wretched the members to human beauty might be made conformable. But the solemnity's day coming, in a more secret part passed the night that lost wretch, lest by the people's innumerable multitude, which in the wonted manner had flowed together, the weak one should be oppressed.

[13] amid various torments suddenly he is healed, And when the Clergy in nocturnal jubilations insisted, began the shapeless one with anxious to be vexed torments, and with furious to cry out voices. There ran therefore part of the Clergy, the choir's modulations which they intended being left; and now of the bursting-in people not without labor they pacified the urgency, until of the creature now having mercy God they might see and praise the mercy and glory. But while the wretched man, of so great vexation impatient, here and there as a madman was rolled; and by the bystanders insistently for him with groans prayers to God were poured; is extended, and of the members the joint dissolved is consolidated: power unhoped-for succeeds, the straightened to the body members are made conformable, and there is made of the dying one a sound, of the senseless a wise, of the vile and and so a space of a short time being elapsed, of body's and mind's congruous he obtained health: and since to many he was known, while he was weak, the fame of his salvation most celebrated far was diffused. Whence very many, who for prayer's cause to the oft-said Saint of God's came church; this one to see, and his colloquy to enjoy desired; with admiration beholding the young man now comely, whom often they had seen weak and senseless. O Your pious mercy, God! who strike and heal, for awakening men's sloth. wound and mercifully heal; who the form of human complexion most beautiful, the faults of our mortality exacting, into deformity to slip permit; then by Your inscrutable dispensation, to our heart's compunction and manners' betterment, with the wonderful of Your virtue's greatness, into the former beauty's nature lead back; that of our mind's hardness may be unclosed, and rather through these of human reformation miracles we may be converted to You, Lord, whom in all Your creatures so pious we behold, and yet from the iniquities, which have gone over our heads, by no means come to our senses. You desire our life's perfection, and it by living ill we confound: You call, and we hear not: You cry out, and the ears of understanding we stop: You admonish, and we contemn: You teach, and we despise: You command, and not we obey: at the door of our heart piously You knock, and we open not: You thunder, and by no means we are terrified: You threaten, and we make light of it: with paternal You have mercy affection, and of Your compassions which from the age are unmindful, with this transient and utterly about to perish time's solicitudes we are occupied, not enough considering that one thing is necessary.

[14] It is worth the while, when of the inner man's joyful recreation also the outer's of manners most salubrious is joined reformation, the unutterable of Divine magnificence's works sedulously to contemplate; and of His compassions and mercies, which from the age are, assiduously to be mindful: which most under the times of grace God's Son far and wide deigned to work, A man from a boy flagitious to the praise and glory of His name and of His Saints' exaltation and honor, who for the talent to them entrusted faithfully multiplied, of their Lord happily enjoy the joy, in the heavenly of citizens supernal fellowship. A certain man, from his adolescence, or from when good's and evil's discretion he could have, forgetful of God his Creator, and the way of justice and truth's path being deserted, to the devil and his service, by stealing, robbing, and many other things which to recount would be very long perpetrating, with all mind's intention to adhere he was eager. Who at length in the service of his debtor, namely the Devil, by whom human fragility never sufficiently safe stands, taken and bound was: and since manifest it is that he from boyhood a son of iniquity is, cry out all who were present, this very son of iniquity by just judgment ought the cross's torments to sustain. and therefore to be hanged, There is constituted also the time of the penalty, namely the morrow; and the nearer the punishment's time was, the more the guilty of the misdeed by chains and fetters was constricted more sharply: and, lest the penalty for himself prepared in any way he could escape, he was given to those in custody, whom before he delighted to spoil.

[15] But God, whose medicine never fails, whose aid to those asking just things is not denied, from whose mercy no one except the unfaithful is excluded, suffered not His image by the human race's plotter to be condemned. For in the middle of the night's silence, after the guards' sleep had relaxed their joints, of that blindness for a little while were opened the eyes; and he began with tears from God to implore protection. And remembering the holy Confessor John, the penitent invokes S. John, in whose parish the penalty of his crime, namely the cross, on the morrow he was to pay; with upraised on high face (for the chains restrained his twin palms) he said: Healer of the languishing John, if a true servant of Christ you are, if true are the things which of the greatness of your virtue I have heard; to me most wretched, although late repenting, succor, and from the confine of this so unhoped-for death by your intercession snatch me: and I thenceforward to the Devil and his service not only renounce, but also of evils abstinence you aiding I promise. No delay in the midst, the chains of the arms all are dissolved; and since the hands faithful ministers are of the members of the whole body, and the chains of their own accord being loosed he escapes: to be believed it is that these therefore by God first were dissolved, that the rest of the members which follow might be dissolved through them. But seeing the man, the invoked name of God and His Saint John, his hands, which behind his back had been bound, and his whole body from the chains absolved to be; with great admiration he rose, and through the midst of the surrounding enemies departed. Who going out to the temple of God's servant (which thence not less than by twelve miles was distant) through the dark shadows the way directed; and so the day shining to the desired church he came. Soon entering, before the sepulchre of the man of God casting his fetters and chains, giving thanks, he narrated to the church's servitors, and to all others to hear desiring, how from the confine of death, he suffraging, he had been freed. Who while for some days with the Canons of the church he tarried, and in penitence his life he leads by the intervention of the beloved of God John, from a robber pacific, and from a wolf was made a lamb. And since the sins exacting the cross's penalty unwilling he had to sustain; for his sins the Cross i of God, the sign namely of penitence, he bears by spontaneous will.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Apoplexy cured. The flesh's lust extinguished. To a mute speech restored. The shipwrecked aided.

[14] But when the holy Pontiff's wonderful of praises proclamations through the surrounding were divulged provinces, a certain Irishman, in tongue eloquent and fluent, by that fame moved, from his region to Beverley to come disposed. He for through the whole body by a grievous apoplexy touched, so was infirm, An Irishman in his whole body apoplectic, that himself anywhere to move he could not, unless of those ministering he were aided by the support. All things therefore being prepared, which to the languishing one's weakness and the journey's length befitted; in a vehicle is placed the man; and by the carrying and drawing hands not without great difficulty to Beverley even was led. At his arrival of the holy Ascension of the Lord the day solemn was at hand, which by the inhabitants more festively was kept; since on that day the Relics of the Saint, after the performed of so great solemnity's consonant of procession office, at the entrance of the church to be sustained honorably were wont, until the Clergy and people with humble devotion had passed. And when this was done, the aforesaid sick man, on his wonted of sustaining vehicle among others brought, near the Relics placed invoking the Saint: apart near the Relics of the holy Confessor himself to be placed commanded, that, when the greatest which had flowed together throng had passed, for obtaining soundness' sake the wretched one might pass. And since of artificial words' composition corporeally living he saw, with manifold and sufficiently fluent eloquences, from his inmost however poured forth, that of him He would have mercy beseeching, to address he began; and now himself a foreigner from remote of the world's parts coming, now the journey's harshness and too great length, now his body's incommodity he set forth; confidently not without tears asking, lest of his hope the greatness should be frustrated, but of so great his sickness's by him intervening the remedy he might obtain.

[15] His words' affluence of the bystanders to itself turned the faces, who to his salvation's impetration by piety affected with sweetness unanimously were converted.

After these things, the people's not least multitude coming on, the aforesaid sick man himself under the bier in the vehicle commanded to be carried, that last he should pass: whom as the shadow of the little chest, in which the holy body was carried, overshadowed; and by the shadow of the casket he is healed. he began little by little to convalesce, the throng of men standing around, and with admiration beholding. Nor delay, a certain man the now convalescing sick man's hand grasped, with a light leading him through the middle of the church and Choir, with people and Clergy filled, to the altar they led, rejoicing not mediocrely. Wonders the man, his body in itself vile, and by languor's long-continuance prostrated, suddenly by his feet's unwonted governance to be sustained and ruled: and since from the unhoped he convalesced, and the hope of salvation now despaired obtained, God in the works of His beloved John he blessed, and such as he could to both in the restitution of unhoped-for soundness thanks he gave. We have heard, Brothers, Luke the Evangelist in the Acts of the Apostles relating, how through the blessed Prince of the Apostles Peter at Jerusalem to a man lame from his mother's womb divinely was restored health, which miracle in the face of the universal Church for its greatness celebrated is preached. We have seen also we, about the now aging world's times, a man, not only of feet support lacking, but of his whole body's soundness almost destitute, at the entrance of the gates of the church, the wonted God's preceding mercy, through the successor of the Apostles to him beloved John, from the famous notice of the miracle, not only in the York province, but also celebrated is held in the Irishmen's fatherland.

[16] The Saint and worthy of chief veneration Confessor this John, not only of the outer man's of any weakness's incommodities, and of various sicknesses' kinds, by divine dispelled support; but even of certain ones the minds, by diabolic machination's illusions oppressed and utterly desolated, the malicious demon's craftiness being driven away, of pious consolation's remedies a lover of piety bestowed. Of many therefore one let us bring forth into the midst, by the aforesaid Pontiff's help wonderfully from demoniac perversion's acts freed; and what from his mouth's report often we have received, to the praise of God Omnipotent and His Saint, to memory to bring back let us busy ourselves. A certain scholar in the same time's interval Beverley sought, desiring there, since that place of Clerics abounded in copy, of scholastic discipline the study to rule, who with unanimous devotion by the Prelates of the same Church was received. He because in literary excelled discipline, A scholar of Beverley dear to all, and because by manners' honesty was ennobled, pleased soon all his conversation, since humble and benign: pleased his art's skill, since with sweet and solicitous exercise and joyful severity seasoned. He ruled therefore the schools' frequency outwardly, and the Choir's care concordantly moderated inwardly, in each not a sluggish provider, but an excellent official. But what among men is pleasing to God of all the Saviour, which displeases not of the human race's nefarious plotter? or what of virtue has human excellence's dignity, which with venomous heart the demon's virulent and cunning craftiness does not envy?

[17] The aforesaid therefore Doctor's manners' pious solicitude fraudulently snares the enemy stretched out, and the incautious one in his wonted manner, not to deceive sluggish, ensnared. by the ardor of lust kindled, For cast that young man his eyes on a certain beautiful virgin's face, soon also her he began with youthful love to covet: grew daily the ill begun suggestion, and to the will manifold strength ministering, of the lust to be fulfilled the crime the heart of the man wickedly enticed, if faculty and strength to the desire should suffice. Hence fear and shame, hence of raging and unwonted love's wantonness now inwardly of the sickening one reached the heart. He hid now the wretched made man of blind fury the lust, which the more hidden the more to harming pernicious. There began forthwith the rigor of scholastic discipline to soften, and the fervor of literal study to grow tepid; you would think the man with not the least infirmity to languish, whose pallor and foul leanness the youthful had dishonored face. and thereby wasting, What he should do, or what most of so great a misfortune solace would be, utterly he knew not; since now of his own self not in possession, of the imminent penalty or death's peril on each side he dreaded: for either to the spirit of fornication, by whose furies he was agitated inwardly, he should obey, and be made like the horse and mule, which have not understanding; or fornication fleeing, which of all uncleanness's suggester to whomsoever to God flying a deadly stumbling-block, of bodily detriment the penalty, or rather of irrevocable life's end lamentable, by no means he would escape.

[18] Suffered not of the Divine propitiation's merciful mercy the inner man, to the image of his own self impressed, by diabolic fraud circumvented and atrociously wounded, further to be wearied, lest utterly he should be destroyed. By divine therefore admonished instinct, inwardly and outwardly not mediocrely sickening, to seek the physician's suffrage, as to help he fled, the most Blessed namely John; who by divine power powerful, very many of whatsoever infirmities' incommodities beset, at length fleeing to S. John, from their sicknesses, he present and administering, powerfully had snatched: and that more conveniently the man of God he might beseech, and from him, by the medium of salubrious prayer the antidote to so great a sickness congruous he might obtain, after the performed of the Matins office psalmody, in his wonted manner the Clergy departing, in the choir alone he remained, that there more secretly to Omnipotent God, through His servant, himself by diabolic suggestion circumvented, and even to his soul by the demon's fraud he might show wounded. He cast himself forthwith before the altar, and with laments of heart and torments most frequent with which he could anxious lying; as water to the merciful God he poured forth his soul, that the man of God's to whom he had fled mediating mercy, of his guilt and languor he might obtain the relief. So great was of intimate prayer's length, and so great of tears from the fountain of his heart abundantly flowing abundance, that amid praying and groaning to afflictions indulging and to sighs, wholly in them he failed.

[19] amid prayers and tears he is healed. There were moved of paternal piety the bowels by the holy contrition of the repenting and pardon asking son, and the piously knocking sick man's wounds the true of souls and bodies Physician with the oil of mercy to refresh delayed not. Therefore the prayers being finished and sobs tearful, when from prayer he had risen, wonderful to say! both the languors and of demoniac deception's, with which he was oppressed, the snares being dissolved, no delay in the midst, the divine he felt aid, and of all the trouble long endured the pious and efficacious relief. For driven away of each man's with which he was held sadness, a spiritual and gladsome followed cheering: the heat also of the deadly heart, by merciful medicine's salubrious dew suffused, utterly are consumed. Convalesced the sick man, from heaven the received remedy, of the most Holy John's wonted aiding grace: rejoices and exults the man, to his former now restored health, who a little before dying, all of recovering each salvation's hope had lost. There cooled soon the pestilent heat, by the spirit of fornication and uncleanness about the vitals kindled; and the cleansed through compunction's tears of the heart dwelling, as from a heavy sleep of the languishing one revives the mind, by Divine visitation's light irradiated, and by the salubrious of the holy Spirit's invocation anointed. Wondered those who were present at so sudden a betterment's remedy; not knowing that in his tribulation God he had invoked, who him in the contrition of his humbled heart from His holy temple had heard, and the snares of death preoccupied through the marvelous Pontiff's merits powerfully had snatched.

[20] At the same indeed time a certain merchant, in the York remaining city, had to the father dear, since, in the very of pubescent age's time, the life and manners of the boy not the least of future probity set forth indication. He was of sufficiently capable genius, an excellent boy, and of teachableness (as far as his age most tender permitted) notable; whence of literary exercise's not a sluggish little boy the way he had begun, and from day to day to paternal pleasantness's and gladness's solace he profited. But what of this world's prosperity's commodity, which in some not follows of calamity's adversity? or what of so great pleasantness's serenity, which in this life's sea at least to the end obscures not the bitter of the troubled mind's darkness? The aforesaid indeed boy to each parent inestimably lamentable cause it happened; that little by little of his tongue he was deprived of the office and in the end mute was made. made mute, Grieved therefore, and even to the soul was saddened, over the unhoped-for of the beloved son's affliction, of paternal love's affection; and the swifter the son's calamity, the more the father's mind to consoling readier. Seeks round about the paternal solicitude, if anything to the mute would profit son: but nothing profits. after medicines applied in vain Labors the physicians' intention, diverse they prepare of medicaments mixtures; but without any of the sick one's remedy or cure. Not for could human hand or care profit, nor of skilled any of those healing knew the science to the mute to restore, what Divine dispensation for to be reformed and wonderfully healed had reserved to His ineffable and admirable virtue. A time's space being elapsed, began for a little the paternal pain to be soothed for the life to him restored of the boy; but to the full by no means could he be consoled of the long and incurable silence of his beloved son. Frustrated therefore all of medicines' cures of the sons of men, it pleased the pious father's solicitude the Divine for his son to him dear unfailingly to implore aid.

[21] by his father to Beverley he is led, And since innumerable miracles' marks at Beverley through Blessed John wrought by many's testification of indications he had known; not delayed the father, nor long deferred, what by many's exhortation he had proposed; nay as soon as possible confidently, not without pious mind's devotion, with his sweet accompanied son, to the beloved of God John the journey took. But when together with many who to the festivity round about had flowed together, in the church together had passed the night the father and son, and for the son's cure to the universe's Creator God, before the beloved to himself John, of piety prayers the father poured forth; he began before those sitting by, as he was wont with his son to converse, since the boy, although the tongue's governance destitute, of those addressing the words with open noticed hearing, and in what he could willing to his Father obeyed the command. But while the father attended, that with hand's indication in his wonted manner the son to the father should nod; and by signs, because by words he could not, the heart's secrets should unclose; in the admiration of many the boy to the father for signs soon his wonted brought forth words, speech he receives. and there are loosed long closed of the tongue the barriers; there are restored by the wonted God's mercy of the tongue long-since lost the helms, through the holy Pontiff's suffrages. There was astonished forthwith the father's mind, and beyond what can be believed wondering, wholly into tears, not of pain, but of joy; not of sorrow, but of exultation, was melted. Could not be satisfied the father in the long desired words' affluence, and desired his son to hear speaking, whom for The father's faith and firm mind's devotion intervened, that the son might speak: the unhoped-for of the son so sudden cure the continual and inconsolable mind's languor from the paternal utterly drove away mind. There ran, who was present, not a small people: they wonder with admiration worthy of God through His Saint wrought great deeds. The Clergy also, the done what had been, miracle seen; with hymn-sounding resounds praises. These things therefore wonderfully done, when to the city rejoicing the father, the son's soundness obtained returning,

and how the matter had been done was, through the adjacent was divulged province; all giving thanks to God, congratulated him; since the Divine propitiation had magnified His mercy with him. And as often as the order of the matter to those desiring to hear related the son, to him divinely restored, of which long he had been destitute, the speech, doubled was the father's gladness.

[22] Certain of the city of York merchants, each year once for devotion's cause Blessed John's church were wont to visit; since among the diverse and sufficiently perilous of the world and most of all of the sea dangers, his name being invoked, an efficacious and pious often they felt solace. All things therefore being prepared which to navigation pertain, The merchants of York by a tempest tossed, a great part of the citizens of the aforesaid city a ship with diverse loaded merchandise board, and the wind blowing favorably, the wonted way of the sea they take, to Scotland even hastening. But as human prosperity, so also the air's serenity many times like a shadow passes, and nothing of mundane things long endures, nor in the same state remains. The air's soon commodity, with which glad the sailors the calmed seas furrowed, began to grow heavy: then clouds rain-bearing the serene of heaven's obscure face, of the raging wind of the whirlwind the extended rends sails: a great of the sea's disturbance a terrible follows tempest: fierce of the waves' by blasts incited masses, the fragile ship's sides here and there servilely shake: now the sails now almost rent hanging seem to touch the clouds; now the sea's depths the keel they feared to touch: the shaken mast together also and the sails by the raging waves' impulsions are cast down; the only hope of those in peril was in the steersman: but the tempest's urging storm being broken the rudders, and the ship of oarage and other equipment wholly destitute, to many is exposed of the surging sea's waves. There is suddenly a lamentable pain, hence fear and mind's failing, hence mourning and a grievous lamentation; everywhere evil, everywhere sorrow; nothing remains except death's image. Resist the pitiable sailors according to their power the raging waves; but the tempests' whirlwinds prevailing overcome they fail, and with death's fear wasting away, and no of salvation or solace hope having, to the often proved blessed Confessor's aids unanimously they are converted. Crying out therefore, with groaning the air they fill with cries: their voices and weary hands to the stars they raise, and Blessed John's name in necessities and perils, and not only for themselves, but also for very many they implore the vow many times redoubling.

[23] Delayed not the pious of mercies the father and of all consolation God, S. John being invoked they obtain a calm. to the oppressed and in so great tribulation laboring the hand of mercy to stretch forth. He chose therefore of the highest Father's clemency to those of His mercy presuming, and in Himself with all heart hoping, rather to have mercy than to be angry: and whom long He suffered by calamity to be worn, by paternal dispensation's remedy He willed to console. For the calmed horrible of winds' commotion, and the waves' fury being pacified, the air's forthwith followed temperateness; and the face of heaven, before by rain-bearing obscured clouds, now by the sun's illustrated rays, serene shone forth. Congratulated themselves beyond what can be believed the sailors at so sudden and unhoped-for of the Most High's right hand's change, not knowing utterly how the wonted God's preceding clemency through His holy Bishop John's suffrages they had escaped of pitiable death the punishments. And that the manner of the mercy and liberation under silence shall not be hidden.

[24] Of the sailors one, the tempest's raging storm, of the boiling sea's wonderful motions too greatly hardly bearing, prostrate in the midst, after one of the sailors had seen in an ecstasy and as in an ecstasy placed, of his own self not in possession, dying had fallen. He, the sea's and air's disturbance ceasing, as from addresses: Do not doubt, he says, Brothers and fellow-companions of mine, of the now passed tribulation's straits, through God's grace, us in the present now to be freed. Not for as most often is wont, by fortuitous chance happened, so prosperous and joyful after so many labors of the whirlwind and sea pacification; but of God having mercy is it, which you behold over the affliction of His sons mercy clement and benign compassion. For when a little before with body's senses alienated as dead I was falling; seemed to me of terrible a throng to be present demons, who to the subversion and destruction of the ship to which they had come, impiously hastening, horribly intended. There follows forthwith of venerable stature a person of a man, the demons from the ship to be expelled by the Saint: with shining gleaming garments in habit, in countenance a Pontiff's: who with a pastoral staff which he held, the bold to the destruction of the men standing by throng of malign interrupted spirits: and it through the ship's middle pursuing, commanded to depart, and from our wholly drove away fellowship. But that of my words the truth by some indication of certitude may be proved; and the anchor with a new little rope to be bound, you will find the anchor by a recent little rope supported, which the aforesaid Father brought, the broken a little before by the tempests' fury with which the anchor was sustained ropes.

[25] The vision's series being heard the sailors are astonished; and beyond what can be believed wondering, to the words faith to give they disdain, until of the most evident manifestation's truth the admirable man's vision should confirm, and the matter itself all from the bystanders' hearts of doubt's cloud should eliminate. Which being known, they raise soon continual to the stars praises, and to all the Saviour God now manifest and their liberator John they cease not to pay thanks manifold. The ship's equipment being prepared again the sails they stretch, and to the begun journey himself each succinctly prepares; and so lightly breathing the breezes, prosperously whither they had intended sailing, Scotland's shore they reach: then of their merchandise the business being performed their navigation hastening, their sails they turn to their fatherland: and to themselves now serving at their wish the watery furrowing waves, with a happy course of the long desired harbor in a short while glide down to the shores. Not much after, the delay being removed, to Beverley even hastening, of prayers the vows to God and His Saint John with holy devotion's affection they pay. which little rope afterward to Beverley they carry. The Brothers of the church at length being summoned, what among navigating had happened, how the suffraging blessed Pontiff's prayers and merits from shipwreck's perils and dire death's jaws by the wonted Saviour's clemency freed they had been, in order in the common audience they bring forth: and the little rope, which with them to so great a miracle's manifestation they had brought, to the Clergy and people not mediocrely admiring they show. Are astonished those who were present at the unheard-of of so great an event's novelty, wondering that, the raging of the sea's whirlwinds, of the anchor the very great mass by so subtle could be sustained a little rope. Considering indeed God in His creatures wonderful, to the incomprehensible His omnipotence, and the marvelous of His holy Pontiff John's power unanimously to be praised and extolled they are converted: who alone of the earth's and sea's powers commands and is lord, the motion of its waves mitigates, and wonderfully restrains: to whom always be praise, honor, dominion, peace perpetual, and all glory, through the infinite ages of ages. Amen.

OTHER MIRACLES

By an author for the most part an eyewitness.

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

BHL Number: 4342

By an Eyewitness From a MS.

PROEM.

[1] Although many miracles are reported done at Beverley, through the merits of S. John the Confessor there resting, The miracles described by Kecellus I wonder that so strenuous Clerics by no means to letters committed, what either they saw, or from the faithful seen to be related heard, except William, who also Kecellus was called, who certain of the miracles of the aforesaid Confessor reported, the more eminent namely and to him more known, although few of the great copy which there are done. Inasmuch as a man sagacious and of industrious genius, he preferred fewer most certainly known to describe, than by others' relation anything rashly to define. For after the Normans' into England arrival, some miracles, by the fellow-provincials most evidently known, to the future generation and his successors to pious he was eager to deliver memory. But I, unlike him and far inferior, yet from boyhood both in scholarly and in divine letters instructed, round about searching; nowhere I find of this Saint the miracles in writing denoted, although they are to us innumerable; except those which the aforesaid William described, and either negligently are passed over, or if written, nothing remains known. the author adds things seen by himself, or from men worthy of credit received. But to me there is or from faithful men related most certainly have learned, to a little paper by memory to commend. And by no means all to express I will strive; since so many and so great are reported, that if anyone the heard severally miracles equally and seen in writing wished to pursue, an enormous volume he would seem to compose. But I this avoiding, as an open wood entering, from many trees a few little branches plucking, so from many wonderfully done a few I weave again, that our posterity may know that also in our times S. John of miracles' glory greatly flourished. And although from the relation of many memory firm is had; yet to writings committed more they firm and sharpen the memory. But that notable deed of King Adelstan, to our work I wish to append, as from our Parents and from the fellow-provincial elders by truthful relation I have learned: because nowhere that written I have found. This also with the highest endeavor I implore, that no one think me from love of him or for the grace of praise to be captured anything to have feigned; but what true, by very many still existing known, with a simple style to digest.

CHAPTER I.

Victory granted to King Adelstan. To the mute speech given. Captives freed.

[2] The renowned King a Adelstan reigning, a man Catholic, who the monarchy of all England held, b the Scots' King with his own the river being crossed, which divides the Angles' Kingdom from Scotland, began to depopulate villages, men to exterminate, fields to plunder; and, that the truth I may confess, the whole region into extermination he endeavored to bring in the Northern part of England. Adelstan the King about to resist the Scots Which fame flying when the aforesaid Adelstan had learned; an army being congregated he determined as soon as possible with an armed band him to meet: and the things needful for the journey being provided his proposed he took up journey. And when into the Province of Lincoln he had come, certain rejoicing ones, both poor and middling, to him c met were. He indeed asking them, what was the cause of so great joy, he learns the miracles wrought at Beverley or whence they came; they answered, that from Beverley they came, where the holy Confessor John certain of them, with various oppressed infirmities, by God's grace sound had made; and this was the cause of so great gladness. And thence proceeding, again others in troops coming met he had: he inquired, whence they came; they indeed answered that from Beverley, where certain of them mute or lame, blind or deaf, by the wonderful God's power, the holy Confessor of God had healed.

[3] And when the King this venerable Confessor, in so great veneration held, through God so great to work to have been able learned, counsel being had with his own, he said himself ought such a Patron to approach, that to himself in the present business he should succor: and he sent his army through the Western region toward York, that him there they should await. He indeed the river Humber being crossed came to Beverley; and falling down in prayer in the church before the altar, in the presence of the Relics of the venerable Confessor, with devout mind more at length prayed: who coming there implores aid, and rising then from prayer, before the bystanders both Clerics and laics

and listening, such a prayer he began, saying: O glorious Confessor John, who with so many virtues shine, as fame reports; I pray you, that to me to succor you would deign through your intercession in the present business, that the enemies' infestation pernicious you patronizing I may be able to overcome. And continuously drawing d his little knife from its sheath, he placed it upon the altar, saying: Behold my pledge before you I place, which you aiding with life as companion returning I will receive; yet so that your church I will honor, and with revenues will augment, if by God's nod and your suffrage the enemies to vanquish I shall be able. and a banner being taken up But the keepers of the church who were present, suggested to him, that some sign thence with him as a monument he should carry away: and he caused a certain banner to himself from the same church to be carried before, and signing himself to his army he returned. And when the Scots had heard the Angles' army to be coming, not did they dare them in their borders to await, nor in a field battle to them to resist: but they crossed the river, which is called of the Scots the ford, the Scots beyond the river returned that within their own bounds more safely themselves in war for resisting they might prepare. But the King with all the army of the Angles when to the river he had come, learned the Scots to have crossed; and commanded his upon the bank of the river their tents to be pitched, and there a little to rest.

[4] On the following night, all resting with their King, such a vision to the same King appeared, the rest sleeping and altogether ignorant. by S. John admonished, For it seemed to him that a certain man in Pontifical habit clad before him stood, and to him said: Adelstan King, cause your men on the morrow to be prepared, that they cross river that to war against the Scots. And when asked the King, who he was, who such things spoke: answered he who stood by, that he himself was John, by whose prayers he had sought himself to be protected, when at Beverley in his church he prayed. Forthwith immediately he added: Do not fear with the army to cross armed; for you will vanquish them: this for to you to announce I came. Morning therefore being made took care the King his men the vision to lay open, he attacks and of victory to certify. Who rejoicing, were animated to the contest, crossed the river, and the Scots they found with their King prepared to resist: and a grievous battle being joined not only many of the Scots fell, but also their King fled away to the whole Kingdom's confusion. Which seen the King of the Angles glad made, thanks gave to God and the venerable Confessor, namely John his intercessor, and the whole kingdom continuously to his subjugated empire, going around and traversing all the neighboring of that land provinces. and on the conquered tribute he imposes: He convoked then the Princes and Provosts of the Cities, enjoining on them tributes, which to him and his successors, namely the Angles' Kings, by due they should pay: the islands also adjacent and neighboring to himself to serve he compelled; and so long in those parts he tarried, that already three years were ending.

[5] And now returning through the maritime places near Dunbar, and seeing the crags to project, he stood, and such sighing words brought forth, saying: if God by the intervening B. John to me some sign evident to make would promise; that as well succeeding as present might be able to recognize Scotland to the Angles' Kingdom by right to be subjugated, inasmuch as vanquished by Adelstan the King, and to him and his successors tributes at all time to pay; not undeservedly thanks to him devoutly I would give. And drawing his sword from its sheath, f he struck upon the flint, which at that same hour so penetrable, the flint with his sword he cleaves: by God's power working, was to the sword, as if a stone butter were or soft gravel: as a stone at the stroke of the sword so is hollowed, that the measure of an ell to its length could be fitted; and until the present day an evident sign is open, that the Scots by the English were vanquished and subjugated, by such a monument evidently to all coming demonstrating. Which sign seen divinely, how great thanksgivings, how many of praises proclamations the King with his own to God and the Saint John raised, not is of our estimation to be able to declare.

[6] Then with great rejoicing into England returning, not unmindful of the benefit from heaven to him conferred, to Beverley returned, forthwith Beverley he approached: and in the presence of the Relics humbly himself prostrated, giving thanks to God and the Saint John his Patron, by whose merits so great benefits to him furnished had been. And offering his arms and other gifts, peace there for a mile round about to be held he constitutes: he instituted the peace of S. John by all to be held, which to infringe by no reason at no time to anyone of dignity or person be permitted; and he caused and a boundary he constituted at a very great thorn-bush, which beyond Melescrost situated, on the way which tends to York: in which place this a stone cross placed is discerned, that whoever this peace in anything or toward anyone to violate should presume, eight pounds of silver to the church of the aforesaid Confessor for amends should pay: who indeed within the three stone crosses, wonderfully sculptured and at the entrance of Beverley then by the same King erected, this peace shall have violated, twenty-four pounds should pay: and who within the cemetery of his church shall have broken the peace; seventy-two pounds for satisfaction to give should be compelled: but who within the body of the later church by rash daring the peace to violate shall have presumed, the tripled pounds of silver aforesaid for amends to pay should be judged: and who within the arches above the entrance of the chancel placed with malign daring the most Holy Confessor's peace shall have violated, without amends of earthly possession or money should be judged (as one who such a wickedness and so profane in the presence of the Relics of so venerable a Confessor has dared to commit) and to God's mercy alone and judgment to be committed, should be judged, just as an enormous languor immense cure needs.

for the serving Clerics' sustenance; that more liberally and quietly God and S. John they might serve. And indeed the husbandmen of that province the Hestcrasda, that is, what was exacted for the fodder of the horses of the King, in single years were wont to the King's Prefects to render; namely of each plow, that is, to the coulter and ploughshare, four trusses of their crops; and such a revenue among the Royal taxes was computed, and was exacted from that region, which is closed on one side by the river Derwent, and the other by the Humber river, on the third side by the sea Northern or Eastern. This indeed province anciently Deira was called. The whole now described revenue to S. John and that church's serving ones in perpetual alms, free and from all exaction quit, he conferred and gave, and by a Royal duly performed, he returned with his own to the King's cities, testifying often the holy Confessor John the chief Patron of the English kingdom.

[8] At the time in which the Prelacy of York ruled science; the Archbishop celebrating at his first arrival at Beverley, at the first Mass which in the church of Saint John the Confessor on a certain solemn day he celebrated, it happened that a certain young man of the Court of the same Pontiff was present, who mute and deaf from his birth had been. And when the Angelic hymn, namely Gloria in excelsis, a mute and deaf from birth is healed: was begun; soon the mute from afar with the laics standing, words brought forth, and who never before to speak had been able, now as well in English as in French to speak began, all who stood by being astonished and piously admiring. Which immediately was announced to the Archbishop at the altar, who pursuing the divine office, until the Gospel was read through, and continuously from the Presbytery descending, came to the entrance of the chancel, that the people he might admonish; and of the wrought miracle in such manner began, saying: Consider sons, how to us a pious Patron is, how efficacious toward God in impetration; who such a miracle, God willing, to us shows.

[9] And when the discourse was prolonged with vital admonition, there proceeded a certain Englishman into the midst, on which occasion is admonished freely the Archbishop that he favor the place: noble by stock, eloquent in speech, and in the midst of the assembly the Archbishop with such address met: O Lord, do not think us to wonder, as at new prodigies, at this miracle wrought; but know us through ourselves and each year by signs and prodigies of this kind wonderful to be recreated wont through B. John: nay rather you yourself the saint to venerate and to praise ought, who that one with you hither led from so great incommodities freed: and since to you this was furnished through the blessed Confessor John; see, that you not rashly presume ever toward his own, who for the grace of his veneration and love, and also of peace and security's cause to his wings have fled, and of dwelling a place here have received. Thus this Pontiff indeed could be admonished; but the admonitions to pursue he disdained: for as is reported, too austere he was; and therefore as well by the Clerics as by the laics little was loved, as in the end appeared and at his funeral obsequies. But the aforesaid young man, by the compassion of God and the merits of the holy Confessor cured, never thence afterward would withdraw; but remained not far from the monastery, near the lake flowing outside the cemetery, in the baker's office living and sustaining himself. and he who had been mute there remains known to the author. Him indeed aged, having a wife and children, even I a boy scholar saw, and very well knew, and heard frequently speaking, both expressly and readily as the rest of men; and he was wont to the younger ones sitting with him or standing by to relate, how to himself from birth deaf and mute the Lord through B. John hearing and speech furnished: and he lived until the last i Turtinus the Archbishop's times, blessing God and Saint John.

[10] There is a certain village distant from Beverley about two miles, which Walkington is called: a mute of five years receives speech, of which one part to the refectory of S. John depends, the other indeed to S. Cuthbert by hereditary right pertains. But in that which to S. John pertains, was a certain peasant simple, lawfully a wife having obtained, from whom children he procreated; among whom a certain little boy to him was born, elegant indeed in form; but by incommodity despicable. For when age required, that little words to utter he ought; by no means could a word any obtain: but to perpetual silence condemned now this his parents declared; because neither at two years, nor at three to speak anything he could, nay also not at four. But his parents by inestimable sadness affected, what they should do altogether not knowing, and remembering how great wonders the Lord to show deigns at Beverley through the merits of S. John: led with them the boy to the church of the said Confessor, devoutly supplicating; that the Saint there invoked by God's compassion their grief greatest to moderate would deign. And often returning home with the boy, because far thence in dwelling they were distant; yet on the festive days of the church solemn thither him often led back, to obtain wishing of the grief very great consolation. At length the pious Confessor the parents' vows fulfilled, to the boy speech bestowing to the praise and glory of God; who the heart contrite

and humbled does not spurn. Whence the parents much rejoicing, exulting to their own returned, who before by grief affected thence had withdrawn. And known was made this miracle to all dwelling at Walkington and the neighboring little villages; how a boy of five years, from birth mute, speech through B. John received: nay also to many at Beverley dwelling known it stands. But this youth, and almost k a man, I myself saw very often; and I knew his mother, and also his brothers: and he was wont to me these things to narrate, to the writer very well known. and to others often with him sitting or standing: for afterward in civil arts instructed at Beverley he remained, praising God in the benefits to him conferred through B. John his Patron.

[11] At that time in which l Stephen the Angles' kingdom held, Stephen the King ruling many misfortunes and calamities England oppressed: and whether these happened on account of the perjury, by which the Magnates and almost all the kingdom's Counts and Nobles, and the highest Pontiffs guilty were held; or on account of the chastisement of vices and the pride of riches, in which of that time's men too much they excelled, to many still remains unknown. Even then peace from the land had withdrawn, that scarcely anyone peace and faith promised to his neighbor to keep would: nay also of foreigners through all England's bounds so great a multitude had grown, that the natives and the land's husbandmen to what they wished compel they could. Made the Primates of the land castles for themselves to be constructed, soldiers to be gathered, archers to be hired; that the pious the impious might compress, despoil, and in the manner of kites with insatiable rapacity to their demoniac castles, namely their towns, of the neighboring others the food and monies attract and heap up. A Cleric shut up in prison at Cottingham, At that time it had happened, that Robert de Stuteville, a man strenuous and in military virtue most approved, a certain Cleric, namely the son of a certain citizen of Lincoln had taken, and him into custody had sent in a town, which Cottingham was called, and is distant from Beverley about three miles. But the aforesaid Cleric there with chains worn, by the guards most diligently was guarded: invoking the divine aid, and S. John's protection, by which himself from the imperious custody immune they might free.

[12] And when often with threats they affected him, who in power were set, and to his parents sent word, that with torments him various they would torture, unless more hastily him at their pleasure they should redeem; by S. John appearing the Confessor glorious John the contumacy of the wicked spurning, the innocent's life approving, the Cleric heard beseeching, and him at length freed. On a certain night resting very many of the same town, sleep compelling, it seemed to the Cleric resting, and somewhat of sleep foretasting, that a certain man, as if he were a Pontiff, to him stood by and commanded, that he should arise and depart. And when the Cleric answered, himself by no means this to be able to do, inasmuch as by iron rings through both shins constricted, and in a prison firmly barred enclosed; the other shin's chain being loosed led out the Pontiff him now awakened admonished, lest he should tremble; but himself loosed he should behold: and noticed the Cleric one of the rings from his shin to have been broken: and he bound that with the other shin with cloths interposed, that more readily God favoring he could proceed: and commanded the Priest of God that as soon as possible him he should follow, all fear postponed, and to his monastery of Beverley himself by freeing should flee. Act. 12. And in a wonderful manner, as of Peter the Apostle we read, whom an Angel led out of prison there the door of the prison to them passable was, and the rest of the bars unsealed, the guards by sleep depressed, the Angel preceding; so also here, B. John preceding and the way demonstrating, his captive by leading out, all things to his wish came to pass. through pathless ways For having gone out the custody, then the palace, afterward the immensities of ramparts and the spacious lakes crossing they went by faith more than by way proceeding; and it seemed to the captive, that, he resting, it was stretched out to difficult passages. After these things they crossed through a grove the Pontiff pointing out beforehand the way, sometimes a wagon preceding. At length through the marshy places walking, just as the situation of the place has it, hastening toward Beverley, the soles of his feet, and the inner skin by sharp heels m and thorn-bushes pricking so were pierced, as if by iron points too much they were pricked.

[13] to Beverley he comes, But now twilight pressing he drew near to the monastery, and beheld a cottage, which he entered, that himself he might warm; the cold indeed too great him had compressed, that scarcely to proceed he could. Refreshed indeed by the fire and the body's heat being recovered, immediately the monastery he approached, the day now growing light, and the opened doors of the Basilica of the aforesaid Confessor he found; the guards of the church now awaking, and asking who he was, or for what cause thither he had fled. And immediately he laid open to them the order of the matter, and how B. John him from prison had led out, and in the church the other shin's chain falling and free to his monastery to flee had bidden. Then also the ring, which remained, from his shin fell, they beholding and much congratulating at such an event, and it was shown to all the people and Clergy of the wrought miracle, who all into the praise of God burst forth, and a hymn chanted to the Lord, who does wonders great through His servant John, often glorified by miracles. his fetters being offered for some time there he remains. Continuously the Cleric who a captive had been, now through the blessed Confessor freed, offered the iron rings at the altar: which were suspended there, and many iron circles, and also fetters are suspended, namely on each side of the sepulchre of the man of God John. The Sacristan of the same church at that time was Alveredus of good memory, an old man in Ecclesiastical instruction sagacious: he having pity on the calamity of that Cleric, seeing the soles of his feet too much to have been worn and swollen, applied the fomentations of medicine, and socks n to him to be given commanded, lest by the upper shoe his feet should be hurt; which he used, as long as in the church he remained, until by the industry of the Clergy he was restored to his own. These things to me related, who also him saw, and these things from him related with an oath before many present frequently heard.

[14] Similarly in the aforesaid castle a certain Cleric, Sampson by name, in custody had been placed. It was suggested to Lord Robert by the guards, what concerning him should be done: Another Cleric there a captive, he indeed commanded them to send word to the parents of that Cleric, that unless him they should redeem, the teeth from his head would be torn out, or some of his member from his body cut off to them without doubt would be sent. The young man thence much fearful, upon this the divine he implored aid, and also S. John's patronage. But John who is the refuge of the wretched through the English bounds, the prayers of the humble beseeching heard, and him from the hands of the wicked mercifully freed. and by S. John from his chains loosed going out, For on a certain night appeared to him the venerable Confessor John, the Pontifical bearing habit, commanding that he should rise, and to his monastery at Beverley as quickly as possible should flee. To whom immediately the Cleric answered, himself by no means this to be able to do; inasmuch as by iron chains with another in custody firmly constricted. And he: Do not fear; for now loosed you are. He indeed noticing the iron circle from the foot of the man with whom he had been constricted to have fallen, and himself from him loosed to be; bound up the ring (for the other to himself adhered) and making himself ready to proceed, and his fellow-captive being left by sleep depressed, he went out continuously, proceeding and leaping forth, God willing, until outside the castle he had come.

[15] And now the day breaking the watchmen of the same town the day were singing before, him hearing and fleeing away. Immediately the guards found the captive to be lacking, they cried out together, everywhere that the Cleric from custody had escaped: and it was commanded them, that on horses as quickly as possible him they should pursue, and round about should seek, by what means him to find they could. He indeed, the venerable Confessor suffraging and his conductor; who by no means permitted him again to be delivered to the hand of the impious, from whose power now him he had freed, solicitous took his journey. by the pursuers he is not recognized And now about the first hour he had drawn near to Beverley, when a certain soldier on a horse flying overtook him, by no means recognizing him, although he himself was who was sought: and asked him, if such a Cleric anywhere preceding or fleeing away he saw: who answered himself by no means to have seen. O thing wonderful and worthy of praise! and we can this compare to the Sodomites, who Lot's house that they might break, the doors of the house sought? but struck them the Lord with blindness, that going around the house and groping, the door to find they could not: not undeservedly, that they who inwardly had been blinded for wickedness to perpetrate, light outwardly should lose. So also these by God's compassion blinded their malice, lest the captive they should recognize, against whom unjustly they machinated evils. And when the captive saw the pursuers to draw near, he turned aside elsewhere; crossing the rampart of the lake encircling the village: and so he came to the cemetery, where he found the enemies opposed to him, watching if anywhere him they could behold, that they might seize him, if outside the cemetery he were found. But at the very entrance of the cemetery placed the enemies so passed by he, that not even then by them was he recognized, recognizing as the day before the adversaries. Who when to the church he came; the peace of S. John invoking, he was received, that all thither fleeing of piety and peace's bosom may be cherished. and at the altar his chains he offers, And he offered at the altar his iron chains, giving thanks to his liberator, John: but also the Clergy and people into the praise of God continuously burst forth, with lofty voice rejoicing together at the glory of God and S. John's merit. There were suspended his chains with the rest of the captives' chains and fetters, who many times freed to the present Saint's flee peace. What more? a more prolix time would me detain, if the single of captives through the merits of S. John liberations to annotate I wished; either whom I saw, or of whom to me related, who also themselves them saw, and in a like manner freed most certainly knew. For how many from the Castle of Driffield, as also several others. and from the other fortifications or custodies captives, through the merits and also through the invocation of S. John, led out are reported, it is wearisome to narrate.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Health conferred on the contracted, the mute, a blind man, a madman, other sick. The peril of shipwreck removed.

[16] A girl contracted, on hands and knees crawling is healed. At a certain time it happened, that a certain girl in her members contracted, and with bent hams by the contraction of the nerves, to Beverley was brought: she because by no means on her feet to walk could, by crawling on hands and knees, as she could, herself moved. On a certain day when home I returned, asked me my parents, if I recognized the girl in her members contracted, wont from door to door to beg. To whom when I answered me her by no means to have recognized, they wondered that she was not by me recognized, since very well she was recognized by very many of each sex: and they said her to themselves well known and familiar, to themselves often wont to converse, and her incommodities humbly to narrate. And when I asked, what had been done concerning her; they answered, that on a certain day when they returned from the monastery, they saw the aforesaid girl standing, and washing herself in the lake flowing outside the cemetery. And when they hesitated, whether it were she, who before had been contracted; they asked her the truth of the matter. Who answered, herself to have been that girl, who before in her members contracted had been, and from door to door to beg for some time, as several had seen, was wont. She asserted herself erect and sound made by God's grace and S. John's merits, that rightly to walk sufficiently she could. Then they raised up their head, blessing God and the Saint John praising, through whom to us so many miracles are declared.

[17] It happened at a certain time, that a certain penitent came to Beverley for prayer's sake, who from the parts of Gaul coming, S. Andrew in Scotland had approached: and thence in returning S. John's suffrage to implore disposed. The iron circle of the penitent of its own accord broken falls, And when in the church of the same to pray more intently devout he fell down, in the Northern part before the Cross, a very great iron is broken, with which he had been bound about his loins, so that certain ones somewhat in the church remote the sound of the iron breaking heard: and immediately those who heard, were present, seeing the iron circle as a circle broken, and from him fallen. And when he was asked who he was; he would not the man anything to speak: but to a Priest himself to wish this to reveal he asserted. It was done so, and he showed to the Priest first, then to the Chapter who he was; and for what cause with iron bound he had been, thus saying: I indeed much offended; for by anger moved and by fraternal hatred, a certain brother with a sword I struck. But my Bishop, to whom it pertains concerning crimes to judge and misdeeds to punish, met me and penitence on me enjoined, commanded me with the same iron to be bound, with which my brother I had struck, to the bare flesh firmly to my loins adhering and by pilgrimage the Saints' suffrages, as a wanderer and fugitive, groaning to seek out: and now one year is performed to me in penitence, when this iron is broken from my body, by God's compassion and the merits of the Saint in the present resting church. Then all who were present, this hearing, with too great joy gladdened, unanimously blessed God, who with so many signs and so great miracles glorifies His Saint John; and a hymn immediately they sang together, rejoicing in vows in confession; and they wrote to the Bishop, of whose diocese this penitent had been, how he was loosed from the bond of iron in the church of S. John of Beverley, by divine grace and the merits of the same Confessor. Him I myself also saw; the writer being present, and then indeed I was indeed in the same church, when the iron circle was broken from his body: and it seemed to me of great simplicity that man to have been.

[18] A certain peasant was in the province a of Norwich, by a great languor depressed, A peasant of Norwich most of all in one shin, so that by no means rightly to walk, but limping, and with a staff himself sustaining the way scarcely to take he could. And when the Saints' places frequently for prayer's sake he had visited; by no means through any of them was he restored to health. Nor wonder. For provided God him through some of the Saints, in the more remote of England's bounds set, from his infirmity to be cured; mystically declaring, with how great virtue he excelled, who what the rest to do could not, without delay to bestow this one was proved. S. John being invoked from his shin's languor he is freed. For had heard this infirm man, fame flying, how great wonders works God through B. John the Confessor, at Beverley resting: and he began to invoke his name, groaning and imploring, that his infirmity to succor he would deign; that from so long a sickness by his intercession freed he could be. And when for some time he persisted in such supplication, the languor began to decrease, and to its former health entirely his shin was restored. Who, his strength being resumed, and of his members' office perfectly possessed, immediately proposed S. John to approach to wish: and a candle to be prepared for himself he caused, to the manner and quantity of his shin with the very foot: and the journey toward Beverley as quickly as possible he took up.

[19] And when to the church of the aforesaid Confessor he had come, to prayer himself he prostrated, prayers he poured forth, and for the health to himself conferred to God and the Saint John thanks the greatest rendered, who offering a candle, before the writer related the miracle, and offered the candle with him brought of wonderful size, with light kindled, in the presence of the Relics of the man of God upon the altar; relating to all the Clergy and people, how through the invocation of the name of the venerable Confessor John, in his province set, sound he had been made. And all who were present these things hearing, glorified God, who with so many virtues His Patron John far and wide declares; and a hymn of jubilation to God the Clerics resounded, as is the custom of that church in the impetration of some evident miracle. This man also I myself saw, and heard these same things to narrate, as also many others: and we saw him for a long time afterward in single years once in the year thither with his offerings, nay also and of others who through him thither had transmitted, to come; and grateful in offices and gifts, as well his own as others', sedulous to exhibit service: other sick healed. and by his example many fellow-provincials, seeing virtue so efficacious in the aforesaid Confessor to flourish, his name being invoked and his aid in their infirmities frequently were cured; and that man, the bearer of their offerings and intercessor, to the Saint of God through single years hastening, they constituted.

[20] A certain man was in a village, which Bylebi is called, having a son to himself very dear, who by puerile still age was held, and too much to puerile games given, roaming alone with some girl, in his wonted manner through the bushes more remotely to play was wont. A boy by a diabolic illusion mute for half a year, Who when frequently he was corrected by his parents, lest so remotely from human company he should play; stealthily he went out on a certain day, thinking himself to find a girl through the bushes walking, as it seemed to him: and thence glad made he ran after her, that her he might seize; but he could not much wearied by much going around. Through the noon delay there seemed to him very many kindled lamps through the trees, by a phantasmal namely fire, as afterward appeared. For much her pursuing the boy that he might hold her, he could not; but by a demoniac figment long deluded, at length vanished what a girl seemed, nor was, but a wicked spirit: and the boy remained mute. But returned home by no means could any word utter, who before sufficiently eloquent sadness affected, what counsel they could have, know not: for remedy none, except divine or of the Saints of God, to themselves to succor could most certainly they know.

[21] And now nearly through the space of half a year so remained the boy mute. When his parents remember the wonders, which at Beverley are done through the merits of Saint John, whom the chief refuge they have of the English bounds the inhabitants. They led him to his monastery, and there besought S. John's protection, with humble deprecation, and also with a heart contrite: that just as to many infirm, and of many's incommodities most often through his merits he succors; at the sepulchre of S. John he appearing speech he receives, so also of this boy the incommodity to heal he would deign. And when to refreshment they had withdrawn and the boy alone there had remained, he fell asleep for a little while; and always it seemed to him through sleep, that his hand pressed; then it by the chin and throat letting go much harshly compressed, so that awoke the boy: and he saw also somewhat him withdrawing. Then the father coming, found his son now to be able to speak, whom mute before he had bewailed much anxiously: and much with his own rejoicing, thanks to God and the holy Confessor the greatest he rendered: and all who this heard, glorified God and His Saint, so often glorified by miracles. The father indeed the boy caused in letters to be instructed, and him there to remain commanded: and we saw him, and heard expressly to speak, as well in English as in French, much afterward in time: as he indicated to the writer. and he was wont to me and several others this to narrate, commemorating the benefits to himself by S. John conferred: and he was afterward an acquirer of alms for the Hospital house of Beverley, and his name was Willelmus, by surname b Pater-noster.

[22] An old woman for 7 years contracted, A certain old woman was at Beverley in her members contracted, with bent hams, with nerves contracted, bent down; and for seven years and more, not except on knees or hands set under, herself to move anywhere could; and this not except in summer time, for in winter the muddy ways an impediment were: but the good women of the neighborhood by charity's office alms to her to send, or with themselves to refresh were wont. And when she reconsidered how great benefits works God toward the infirm, or such incommodities suffering; she reproached herself, that so long she deferred to approach the holy Confessor, for her health to be recovered's sake; and on one of his solemnities, on the feast of the Translation brought to Beverley which the Translation of the body of the Saint is named, she begged one handmaid, that her to the monastery of the Confessor of God she should carry; but she refused, unless for a wage she were hired. Which was done: and gave to her the woman her head-pillow for a wage, that her to the monastery she should carry. And when into the church she had been brought, she wept, prayed with hands spread, suppliantly invoked the holy Bishop's protection, that from so long-lasting an infirmity at least then she might be freed: she is raised up onto her feet, and the whole night wailing or to prayer giving herself, at length when the Clerics the nocturnal solemnity, as is becoming, sang; there are relaxed the nerves, the shins are extended, and erect the woman stood upon her feet, all wondering who

were present, or of her had heard. And because unaccustomed now for a long time she had been with her own feet to walk, chanting and her contemplating, to enter, and before the Presbytery of the altar herself to prostrate, thanks to give to God and her Patron John. Inquire the Clerics, who she was; and if the matter's truth so was, as she had related: and there were present very many both men and women, and the miracle solemnly is published: who her before had known; and they attested themselves her to have seen for years very many contracted in her members' joint, and on knees or hands to crawl wont. And it was shown to the Clergy and people, in that solemnity gathered, of this miracle so suddenly wrought: for late she had been brought; and in the same night after the cock's crow cured and erected she was. Then the Clerics together with the laics a hymn to God sang, with voice's confession and heart's exultation, who so often His Saint John glorifies by miracles.

[23] It happened in the Quadragesimal time following, that a certain woman in c Lindsey province had been given to a man; a blind woman recovers her sight but within a small time's space she was blinded: whence her parents much were saddened, that suddenly of light she was deprived. She indeed with hope of receiving sight resumed, said herself to wish to approach Beverley, and from Saint John to ask the light to her taken away to be restored. And brought she was by her father thither on the very Lord's day of mid-Quadragesima. And when to prayer more intently for some time they gave themselves, and the glorious Confessor's suffrage they sought; the light, which she had lost, immediately the woman on that very day, before Mass solemnly to be celebrated was begun, about the third hour recovered, many men then being present and this beholding, inasmuch as a solemn day. Which immediately was declared to the Clergy and people, who unanimously praised God, in His Saint John so often glorified by miracles. And I was then indeed in the church when the woman received her sight.

[24] There is healed one seized by a demoniac frenzy, A certain man had been in the Bishopric of Lincoln, of the province which Kesteven is called, who S. Andrew to approach proposed. But before the river Humber he crossed, mad made he cast away his garments and money similarly. To Beverley as quickly as possible by his insanity led he ran: and when into the church he came, with clamorous voices on the very solemnity of the deposition of S. John, which on the Nones of May is celebrated, all who were present he stirred up: and those, who the divine office celebrated by manifold vociferation very often he impeded; nor could by threats and blows be restrained, so that you could understand a demoniac frenzy in him to be exercised, not of rustic simplicity the sense. For sometimes cries from the captive's mouth are raised, sometimes rhythmic words are brought forth: that not of a simple man's nature, but a diabolic madness to be made known you would know. What more? Through seven days with such insanity he was agitated: the eighth at length night by sleep he is compressed, by quiet refreshed. But in the morning rose the man sound, as if never by madness or insanity vexed, his former simplicity recovered. Rejoice all who were present or this had heard, praising God in the wonders, which by the merits of His holy Confessor John He does. He indeed now sound made, returned where his garment and money he had left: and the omitted he resumed journey toward S. Andrew in Scotland, known to the writer. and we saw him thence returned in the health received long to flourish, and frequently the church of the said Confessor, for his health's recovery, worthily to revisit.

[25] A certain peasant was besides in Lindsey, who with so great a swelling through almost all his members beset was, for 3 months lying-down from a swelling of his whole body, that for twelve weeks from the pallet, on which he lay, by himself to rise he could not. For his head, eyes, face, hands, feet, and members even shameful so a swelling immoderate had occupied; that more a shapeless monster, than a human form he was beheld. And when no hope of health to be recovered of him was, it was counseled to him by the wise women some of the Saints' suffrage by lot to seek, if in some way God through some of them to him to succor would deign: and fell the lot evidently, which to B. John was assigned; and to him immediately a vow of prayer and of oblation was destined with groans of inmost affection. Convalesced immediately the wretched man, the swelling decreasing daily: and within the same week he came to Beverley, to the holy Confessor giving thanks, his oblation bringing, his vows paying: and he related to me in the church himself so to have been cured, as now is said, the loose skin still appearing from the swelling preceding: and he blessed God, and also the holy Confessor John, and to his own then returned.

[26] A certain girl was at Beverley, who to me by consanguinity's nearness very much joined had been, a kinswoman of the writer laboring with a swelling of the arm, to whom there was a mind into pilgrimage to go, namely to S. James and to S. Peter for prayer's sake. And when she returned through the parts of Gaul her vow now performed, began her right arm so greatly to swell and with too great pain to be wearied, that with a band the arm to her neck was suspended, and neither by night to rest, nor by day herself to refresh easily she could, the importunity of the languor still pressing. And when very many about such medicines and counsels: but nothing profited. And when long she was troubled by such a sickness, it was said to her by certain ones herself easily to be cured not to be able, because a gout fistula in her arm to grow up they esteemed; and therefore necessary and useful to her to be they said, her native soil as quickly as possible to seek; if perhaps from the air's temperateness, in which in her adolescence she had been nourished and grew up, cured she could be. And so it was done, and she returned into England, the continuous pain of her swollen arm with her bearing. And now scarcely to proceed a little she could: the appetite also of eating, the excess of pain urging, almost now wholly she lost. She sought the Saints' also places for cure's sake, nothing profiting: by the excess of her languor now overcome, and of her body's strength destitute, further to proceed she could not; in a village, which is situated between London and d S. Edmund's, by languor wearied on a pallet to lie down by necessity she was compelled. And when alone she sat, her misery bewailing, of her fatherland and parents remembering, she remembers at length what S. John the Confessor at Beverley resting to the languishing and weak exhibits. With sighs frequent she invokes his clemency, that relief of so great to return home herself to wish she affirmed. And when to such supplication for some time she gave herself, although in a more remote province set, she obtained what she asked. For she who for seven weeks with so great pain was vexed; continuously relief felt, and health perfectly obtained, the way opening of returning home: and she related to me afterward at home how she was cured, by the invocation of the name of the aforesaid Confessor.

[27] She related similarly these same things to me of a certain girl, namely her companion, her companion vexed with a swelling of foot and shin. who with her likewise had gone to e S. Andrew in Scotland; but thence returning had swelled her shin with the foot, with too great pain oppressed. And when through some days the languor grew heavy, with sharp she began pain to be wearied, that by no means to proceed herself to be able she said; and wearied she sat down, complaining much that she knew not how to Beverley to return, by weakness and pain intolerable vexed. Reproached indeed her much her companion, that she would not in the village nearest by such a sickness depressed a little to rest; if perhaps the pain a little should desist, and the swelling to decrease could. And when for some time on hills, from any village remote, together both by sadness depressed had sat down, there came a certain traveler by a burden too great wearied, sitting near them, much complaining how to Beverley to return they could. To whom he by encouraging said, saying: Of strong mind be; for now to Beverley you are near, and the church of the venerable Confessor now to descry you can. They indeed raising themselves to see, that they might see of his Basilica the tower, prostrated themselves in prayer together with the traveler to them associated, asking that to the sick sister the holy Confessor John felt the sick one relief of the pain and swelling; so that the journey continuously she took up with her companions, perfectly health having obtained. On the morrow but to Beverley even she came, and sound thenceforward at all time she remained: and I knew her both before and after, in simplicity modest, in chastity notable.

[28] A certain little village there is, distant from Beverley about fifteen miles, by the name Cotum, for three years blind and his wife mad. in which a certain man somewhat rich, but for hospitality and good fame strenuous was held. And because are wont mostly to the just and modest misfortunes many times to happen; Solomon attesting who says: There are just, to whom many things come, as if the impious' deeds they had done; similarly also to this man, of whom we have spoken before, an incommodity greatest happened; namely of his eyes the blinding: and also his wife so was infatuated, that not soundly to be wise by very many she was judged. Eccl 9, 11 And when for three years with so miserable a calamity both were compressed; through a vision appeared to the man the venerable Confessor John, saying, that to Beverley they should come, and in his church with vigils and prayers should insist. Which when devoutly they fulfilled both, sight immediately is restored to the man, the woman in mind sound returned to her own, and through all things [sound made were], blessing God, and S. John at all time praising, for the benefits to them conferred.

[29] Setting out for Jerusalem, At a certain time it happened, that a certain ship, in Apulia with diverse nations' men loaded, whom to Jerusalem to carry it ought, now by winds adverse to be wearied, and backward to return often to be compelled seemed. And when frequently with so sinister blasts they were impeded, it invokes many times the suffrages of the Saints of diverse regions, and vows vowing that a prosperous course to take they could, skillfully repairing the equipment of the ship, the sails suspending, artfully all things composing, that the trans-marine fords more safely to traverse they could. But them navigating a wind contrary arose, S. John being invoked, and the ship almost imperiled by the waves on a huge crag almost dashed; and when peril to themselves to threaten of a sudden they discerned, fearful and groaning, and in mind consternated, what they should do utterly ignorant: at length one rising in the midst, who an Englishman had been by nation, testifying England one Saint chief Patron and of the same nation the greatest solace to contain, namely the venerable Confessor John at Beverley resting; whom if with faith devout suppliantly they should invoke, and a vow to him should make, aid to themselves to come as quickly as possible they would feel. Similarly also the rest, who from England there were present, attested, that the Saint now named to many by misery depressed frequently benefits had furnished. And immediately the first an oblation brought forth, the rest similarly offering and invoking S. John for aid; that, he protecting, the imminent peril to escape they could.

[30] A wonderful thing! as is reported of sailors, once in the sea's peril S. Nicholas invoking, that immediately the tempest ceased; so also in the present deed it happened. they are freed from shipwreck, For the wind and the strait continuously are pacified, and to a prosperous harbor they are brought. For which cause much gladdened, with the highest devotion the Saint of God with praise they pursued most worthy: and they obtained

from the collected money as an oblation a silken cloth beautiful, and they transmitted to the venerable Confessor, their namely Liberator, through the aforesaid one of the same Saint's herald most grateful. And related to us the same man returned, and a silken cloth to the Relics they transmit. of whom we have already spoken before; and the silken cloth, us beholding, before the Relics of S. John to his praise brought he offered, all praising God in His holy John, so often glorified by miracles. It is not of our faculty or purpose severally to narrate, how often in the sea Northern or f Sicilian freed are reported men from the perils of death, through the invocation of the name of the said Confessor. For now of the page the boundary we place, nor longer my mind helps such deeds to weave again: because it wearies my soul of my life. The Author's epilogue For I see the impious to prevail against the pious, the wicked to depress the just: the elated flourish; the humble to contempt are held: and now according to the Prophecy once uttered, men the truth do not speak, and truth in the street is laid low. Likewise, Solomon says: I saw the impious so secure, as if of the just' works they had done; and through this it appears the end of the age not much to be distant. Isa. 59:12, Eccl. 8:14, Matt. 24:12 For according to the Gospel's truth, now abounds iniquity, and of many charity grows cold. We indeed of this Saint the miracles and proclamations in part now having executed according to our measure spontaneous, we ask, that by his merits and intervention freed from the present age wicked, pardon we may obtain of sins, and life may attain eternal, our Lord Jesus Christ furnishing it, who lives and reigns through all ages of ages. Amen.

ANNOTATIONS.

f MS. "Cichico."

OTHER MIRACLES

By a third author, also in several places an eyewitness.

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

BHL Number: 4343

By an Eyewitness From a MS.

[1] The multitude of signs, which through the blessed Confessor John are worked, compels me to memory to deliver; what either from faithful men I have learned, or I myself saw: lest of sloth's vice I be accused, if under silence I hide it. A certain woman to Beverley had come, There is cured a paralytic woman. a hand having withered with the arm hanging down and dead, namely by paralysis dissolved: who of the arm's office wholly destitute, with prayers continual insisted, that the venerable Confessor John the arm to her should restore. To whose misery God succored, and through the merits of the aforesaid Confessor the desired bestowed effect: and she was seen by all who were present her hand to raise, her arm to move, with joy inestimable to be filled, for the conferred to her arm's health.

[2] There was also a certain other woman, whose upper arm folded and the hand adhering to the shoulder, contracted as if from birth had grown together. She B. John approached, with petitions knocking, with heart's contrition groaning, that to be loosed from so monstrous a binding she might merit. But God, who the heart contrite and humbled does not spurn, her wonderfully and piously cured: and she began her hand continuously to extend, and her fingers severally to separate, and lightly altogether to move, as another arm of hers: by which thing she much rejoicing, and many others, praised God in His holy Confessor wonderful.

[3] A certain similarly woman mad made, of Hemingbrough, with ropes constricted, a frenzied woman to Beverley even led by her own had been: who if on anyone her hand to lay she could, she tore, she lacerated, unless quickly from her hands he were torn away: but sometimes by insanity led foolishly she spoke: but sometimes groaning the divine she invoked aid and S. John's protection. What more? There by days and nights, with wretched wearied beatings and wailings she persisted. She consulted also, both she and her son, the Priests of the church that for her they would pray, and bless. Answered also I among others, that they should persevere in seeking the Divine compassion: and it was prayed for her both by the Clergy and by the people her miseries condoling. At length sound in mind made, she praised and blessed God, with all who were present, who so great benefits for the merits of His Saint to those asking furnishes: and she who with ropes bound led had been, now from every bond loosed withdrew to her own.

[4] He related to me besides Willelmus, Keeper of the venerable Cross, a bent boy himself to have seen a boy nearly seven years old so bent, that himself to raise upward by no means he could. And when on the Nativity of S. John the Baptist thither by his parents he had been led he began by night in the church himself to roll hither and thither. And when for some time he was tormented broken was there of his back the spine many hearing, as a dry wood by force is broken: and raised himself the boy upon his feet divinely cured; and with raised face walking, he offered a lamp kindled before the Cross. Whence both the parents and the bystanders glorified God and the Saint John, by whose merits so great benefits to men are furnished.

[5] There was also a certain woman at Beverley, of young age, for some years blind to whom a huge misfortune had happened, namely blindness of the eyes through many years. Her needy long we beheld, and through the village led by her little little girl: and many compassionated her, on account of her youthful age and the calamity which her had oppressed. She frequented this often the monastery, praying and imploring from God and the Saint John, that on her they would have mercy, and her miseries succor. At length she was heard, and recovered the sight of her eyes by compassion divine and the merits of the most holy Confessor, and a long afterward time living, by her own labor sweating, and for herself life's necessaries acquiring, and for the health to her conferred to God and the Saint John thanks giving manifold.

[6] Besides it happened in a certain village, which northern Burton is called, It is narrated that his church with heavenly light was illustrated, that a work new was completed in a church's fabric, which also was dedicated in honor of S. John the Archbishop, in whose also possession it was founded. And as is the custom, that the anniversary day each year be performed solemn; it happened on a certain solemnity of this kind, the nocturnal praises and hymns being completed, the Clergy and people from the church to depart; and the door was barred, the youths and girls or boys playing and jesting and dances leading through the cemetery's green plain. When suddenly a light from heaven sent forth appeared upon the same basilica, in the manner of the sun shining, from heaven's height, as a column gleaming; so that round about the province was illuminated, and the little villages far and wide could be discerned, and other very many things: and so great a heat from that heavenly light came forth, that those who were present near with too great heat were affected, as by a summer day. From which thing it is given to understand, the venerable Confessor John of the heavenly city truly to be a citizen, whose house to him by men designated with so great heavenly brightness is illustrated.

[7] For prayer to be completed a candle from heaven offered, A certain also Presbyter, Ingulfus by name, to God's service much devout, after the nocturnal synaxis wont psalms secretly to chant the other Clerics resting; on a certain night when at such an hour of psalmody more secretly he insisted before the holy Cross, and the lamp now failed for the psalter which in his hands was held; he grieved much himself not to be able the wonted work to complete the light failing. And when on prayer he was bent, a certain hand to his hand a candle sufficient inserted. And when he looked back, who the lamp to his hand had placed, he saw a certain one in white clad cloak toward the choir to tend: and he thought, that he himself S. John this was, or some of the saints whose Relics there are contained. Nor wonder: for we find in the saints' writings, the Just' souls those places frequently to visit, where the Relics of them are preserved; and also Angelic spirits the sacred places' inhabitants more frequently to patronize.

[8] the bells by night of their own accord sounding, Related also to us a certain Canon of the church of S. John; that on a certain night solemn, he sleeping in his bed, were heard the bells of the church by him, as if ringing for the nocturnal synaxis: and rising, he tended to the church the signs still ringing, and he found the doors open: he entered immediately, esteeming the Clerics to be present the divine office about to celebrate. And when no one he had found he entered into the choir: the doors open and closed: none to have been present he found: he proceeded a little: the guards of the church sleeping he found. Him wondering much at such an event; he descended into the lower part of the church, and stood before the altar of S. Martin, and afterward sat down there, long pondering and shuddering at such an event. After a little space of time closed themselves hastily all the doors of the church, equally no one present or pushing, which before passable had been. On the following day he narrated what had happened, and with what horror depressed he had been. These things being heard similarly related by name, a procession of Saints with the Mother of God made. that on the same night he saw a Procession festive around the monastery to proceed of Clerics, Priests, Bishops others very many, and a Queen crowned venerably together to walk: and when thrice they had encircled the church, they disappeared. Whence it is gathered the saints' souls the sacred places to visit, in which their Relics are contained. But the Queen so honorably conducted than we can more truly may we deem, except her of whom through the Prophet the Lord says: There stood the Queen at the right hand in golden raiment surrounded with variety, namely the Holy Mother of God the Virgin, who the Queen of heaven truly is named, and when she will, and with whom, the saints' places often with her presence illustrates? Psal. 44:10 Unless to some doubtful it seem the monastery of Beverley namely the Confessor John and Blessed Brithunus the Abbot.

[9] It is not to be wondered, the holy Confessor John many commodities to have furnished to men: The plague of animals removed a vow being made. for even to mute animals commodities of health frequently he furnishes. Often indeed it happens, that a plague of mortality the animals and cattle seizes; but the inhabitants of the provinces lying around relief are wont to obtain, when they vow to S. John of their herd some animal by such a plague depressed for the liberation of the rest; and they are wont continuously to convalesce, and the plague thence to flee away, the men their vows at Beverley to their Patron the holy Confessor John paying. These things to us are wont to attest, who both these have experienced, and have known such vows to many to have profited.

THE LAST MIRACLES

In the 13th century in the same codex described.

Ioannes Beverlacensis, Archbishop of York, in England (S.)

BHL Number: 4344

FROM A MS.

CHAPTER I.

A dead man raised, a contracted man cured, the blind illumined.

[1] When for faith's corroboration and Christian Religion's increase, frequent among the faithful by the Omnipotent God are done miracles; it is to be feared, lest of ingratitude they be accused and of negligence, who those have passed over by keeping silent under the secret of silence, which to the Creator's praise and to the faithful's utility, in

the open merit and require to be preached. Psal. 39:11 Miracles to God's glory and the Saint's honor to be brought forth. Confesses indeed the Psalmist himself not to have hidden God's justice in his heart, not to have concealed His mercy and truth from the great council. From which plainly it is gathered, that not to be hidden is the divine mercy, not to be kept silent the works of divine compassion, but to the praise and honor of His name devoutly to be published. When therefore the Lord by the frequent of miracles showing both Himself glorifies, and His holy Confessor John to magnify ceases not; some of those to bring forth into the midst it pleases, and to the page committed to the memory to transfuse of posterity. For to the narration of all things which divinely were done, within the space of five years, I confess the unskillfulness of my speech by no means to suffice. To be animated indeed I hope to the divine worship, and to the holy Confessor more earnestly to be venerated, those who to hear the through him done miracles, an open turn their hearing, and a diligent apply understanding. Yet in the present narration neither a speech let them expect accurate, nor pompous of words' trappings, with which to be obscured refuses of naked truth the friendly simplicity. For it is not in such kind of speech, either at vain glory, or at temporal to gape emolument; according to that which is read in Leviticus: Who shall have given of his seed to the idol Moloch, by death he shall die, and shall stone him all the people of the land. Lev. 20:2 But this thus far.

[2] It happened, that at a certain summer time, within the enclosures of the Burial-ground a of the church of B. John on the Northern part, by masked men (as is wont) both by words and act there was made thither a copious of each sex multitude, In a representation of the Lord's resurrection, by various brought vows, of delight namely or of admiration for the cause, or by holy purpose of devotion to be excited. But when, on account of the dense of the common people standing crown, to several, and especially in stature little, the desired by no means lay open access; there entered very many into the church; that either they might pray, or the pictures inspect, or by some kind of recreation and solace for this day weariness avoid. Having entered therefore the church's thresholds; certain youths, by fortuitous chance a door one ascends to the upper of the walls. a boy with others the vaulting of the temple ascends, Thither running with puerile levity, step by step moreover the mural ascended of the basilica vaultings, with that I think intention, that through the high windows of the little towers, or if any of the glass windows there were openings, more freely of the persons both the dress and gestures they might behold, and of the same the dialogues by an easier hearing might perceive; Zacchaeus in this imitating, who when he was in stature little, that he might see Jesus, a tree ascended a sycamore. But behold it was intimated to the sacristans c, what was done by the youths: who namely fearing lest the boys' indiscretion, by desire of seeing the persons, by whose office the aforesaid was transacted representation, the glass windows should perforate, or in some way deteriorate, them they pursued with swift course; and them of rashness convicted, with grievous slaps slapped compelled to return.

[3] But a certain of the boys, the punishment of his companions beheld, into the pursuers' hands fearing to fall, to the upper withdrew parts, where as far as he should come by a most rapid course beyond the great cross, at that time placed in the altar of B. Martin's confine. There indeed standing and downward looking, on a certain squared stone his foot he placed incautiously: from on high having slipped lifeless he lay, which from the wall loosed and fallen down, not without a great crash upon the stone fell pavement; and, notwithstanding its hardness, into infinite parts was broken small. The youth indeed of his support destitute, by a horrible stupor struck, to the ground fell, and there for a certain moment of time lifeless lay and to a dead man most like. There stood around very many gravely sighing, at such a fall miserably groaning, their pains by tears' abundance protesting. His parents wailed, tore their hairs, their cry and howl with frequent interrupted sobs: not knowing, that in a short while by divine dispensation sadness into joy, weeping into laughter was to be converted. For not suffering God the church, in His and the Confessor's honor dedicated, as if by slaughter human to be polluted; but wishing it of greater in future authority to be held, wishing also testimony to bear to truth, to that which meanwhile was made of His Resurrection representation; and unhurt he rose, in all who were present the sight the youth, who dead was believed, He raised unhurt, so that not any in his whole body could be perceived hurt. It came to pass therefore, that those who on account of the people's multitude outside the church the representation could not be present at; more wonderful saw a Resurrection's indication within the body of the church and not only of Resurrection, but of the Lord's Passion. For by the falling of the stone, without a hand making it fall from the wall, plainly was indicated without admixture of man from the Virgin the Lord's Incarnation: by the fall of each, namely both of the stone and of the boy, was signified the Passion of the same man and God. Yet the stone by falling broken a type bore of the ram slain, the youth indeed a type of Isaac remaining unhurt. Whence of whose Passion according to humanity a sign was the ruin, of his also Resurrection according to Divinity a sign was the raising miraculous.

[4] There was at Beverley a youth of twelve years, of a woman poor little the son, who by a grievous though curable incumbent disease, long had lain in the bed of languor: to whom in process of time vanishing, had succeeded another more grievous and incurable. a youth for three years in all his members contracted. For by a chronic languor so he had been emptied out, that to his bones adhered the skin the flesh being consumed: so much exhausted and attenuated by leanness, that scarcely a human he had form: the skin was wrinkled into folds: of a leech in the manner sucking incumbent the languor, the bones' had sucked out marrows: and were his shins and little legs by slenderness d [?] for the uses of walking unfit utterly and useless: the nerves binding the shins and thighs through the emptying were so contracted, that not could the hams be opened; the shins from the [?], the feet from the buttocks by extension could not be separated: and were his feet distorted, as if they were of the curvatures of an iron hook. If ever necessity he had in his mother's [?] to change place; with hands and knees as with feet four he leaned, in the manner of quadrupeds. Was wont the poor little mother, her womb-child compassionating and his condoling misery, him on her shoulders placed, on festive especially days, to S. John's church to carry, him beside the tomb placing, until him the office being completed she would carry back: for it remained that only the divine he should await help, since now had grown strong this plague through three years.

[5] Casting away therefore utterly the hope of human cure, she trusted in the Lord, not in man; not doubting but that He who the four-days-dead raised, could also the three-years contracted erect. When now on the day of the deposition of the blessed Confessor him to the church as was the custom she had carried and placed at the tomb, on the feast of S. John he is healed. the divine more earnestly she invoked clemency, that to her son He would deign to confer a remedy: the Confessor she supplicated most devoutly, that for her son's soundness he would intercede. Prayed the mother for her son: for himself prayed also the son with tears suffused abundant. Heard but them the Father of mercies and God of all consolation in His invocation, who is near to all invoking Him in truth: not could to them be lacking the Lord helper, for whom intervenes so great an intercessor. Wishing therefore the Lord of the urging solemnity's day, by the showing of a miracle more memorably solemn, and in future more solemnly to be held memorable; all standing by who to the Matins hours had convened, the disease with which had labored the youth wonderfully He put to flight, and him raised unhurt. The nerves being relaxed extended are the shins, rectified are the bends of the hams: to his feet, which distorted had been, of walking is repaired the office. Erect therefore and on his feet leaning, his face he lifted to heaven, which a little before to the ground he had held fixed: into a form he was restored human, who before in his motion a form had represented bestial: in his however raising's beginning of a neighboring pyramid he used g a support: in the manner of a boy, on a little wagon h leaning and the ground almost marking with his chin. walking through the temple, Adhering to the tomb, he walked from the side; and it in a circuit going around, his strength tested, distrusting still his strength on account of the long of walking unaccustomedness. His strength at length tried, confidence being taken, from the tomb himself he removed, and by the only natural of feet aided support, before and behind, to the right and to the left walked.

[6] When finally with hymn-singing the bells being rung, to the altar he was led by the Clergy; another added the Lord of virtue's indication to the aforesaid miracle. For when with bent he had fallen knees before the altar, praising the Lord in the multitude of His virtue; nor had what he might offer to the Lord, who mercy had done with him; behold, He who had given that he could walk, gave also what he could offer to himself. The laudable of offering custom by His confirmed authority; although according to the Psalmist, above a calf young, horns producing and hoofs, pleases the Lord praise with a canticle and magnification with praise. Psal. 68:32 and a coin on the ground found he offers. For a coin at the same hour lying he beheld opposite upon a carpet, on the step highest before the altar unrolled and extended; which with hand extended received rising he offered at the altar. The divine things being celebrated home returned the mother with her son rejoicing, and cheerfully him having in the return as a precursor; whom a little before sad and mourning, to the church she had carried on her shoulders sitting.

[7] A year revolved, when there urged the same day of solemnity, suspended, as was fitting, work any servile, On the feast of S. John to digging giving himself by hand to be transacted lay, busied the Clergy in the church, with all which it could diligence, God or the Saint with due offices to venerate. But there was a digger a certain in the village of Beverley, of mind irreverent and foolish; who nonetheless the urging solemnity's day to a work of digging presumed to insist. He from a certain pit his dug clay; either by cupidity of a little gain when not he needed enticed, or perhaps by straitness of family substance induced: when yet to beg than to sin at that time it had been more honest. It befitted therefore, that of one the punishment from frenzied the people might be restrained boldness. It behooved, that by manifest indications might be laid open the virtue of the holy Confessor. It came to pass therefore, that in the very effort of the work was present vengeance as much of presumption rash, as of presumptuous temerity. Closed indeed themselves of his eyes the eyelids, the eyelids being closed he becomes blind: and so to each other clung as if with glue stuck together, that unless the hairs' prominence the extremities and the place of conjunction had indicated, rather continuous to have been they would have seemed than contiguous. By a sudden chance stupefied, the pit being cast away his hand he applied, that the lashes he might divide; but more easily the parts he would have broken continuous, than the eyelids he would have disjoined closed. What more? he who himself now grieved of his eyes' light destitute. It behooved therefore that him he should have as guardian and advocate, whom before he had offended by contempt: it remained

that he who had inflicted the punishment, to the supplicant should furnish aid; and who the penalty had brought for correction, care should bring for His virtue's showing. He was led therefore to the holy Confessor's church, the penitent eight days passes in the church, the left hand placed on the conductor's shoulder, the right going under multiplied were his infirmities, and afterward he hastened: showing himself to the Priests, what he had publicly committed, publicly he confessed: and enjoined on him such as was fitting penitence, there for eight days continual he watched with the bitterness of fastings, and the unconquered did not relax spirit from prayer. Obstructed was the passage and way of his tears: but what through his eyes to go out not could; through the pores of the adjacent parts in the manner of sweat burst forth.

[8] The now eight days being run there appeared to him in sleep by night a certain man, of reverend altogether countenance, in stature tall, in age mature, in habit Pontifical clad: who him by the right hand grasped and raised, with a step walking pompous, around the compass led of the church, leading him out to the door, which the North looks toward; to whom the Saint, the eyes with sweat anointing, and the procession being finished, to the place where him he had grasped, gently leading back. A hand then applied to the armpit i; with the sweat, which in those parts to evaporate is wont, on account of the nearness of the heart and the heat's abundance, his eyes he anointed; and him to fall asleep commanding, vanished. Which being done, when now awakened from sleep he had wakened; his eyes, which a little before by the eyelids' obstruction had been obstructed, he opened; and his sight to have recovered rejoicing, the bystanders all God and the Saint together with him praising in His works, what to him in sleep had happened in order he revealed. Behold here is fulfilled, what promised the Lord to His disciples: Spitting on the ground the Lord made clay, with which He anointed the eyes of the blind man born; and sight not previously had wonderfully conferred. Joan. 9:6 the sight he restored. But the holy Confessor, his Master's following example, and by him abundantly taught; with sweat the eyes of that blinded man anointed, and the sight previously had miraculously restored. But the blind man born illumined by the Lord in nothing had sinned; nay nor his parents, on account of which he should be born blind; but that there might be manifested the glory of God in him: this blind man, by the Confessor's mystery illumined, the penalty to himself inflicted had merited by offending, to whom, when of his sin sufficiently he had repented, the snatched sight divinely being restored, relaxed was the penalty; that the Lord might be glorified, and the Confessor's might be recognized power.

[9] There was a certain man in the parts k of Ely, for a long time of the sight's benefit destitute. A man blind for a long time, to Beverley tending, He ceased not the Saints' approaching thresholds the whole to perambulate region, his sight to himself confiding divinely to be restored through some of their intervention. Having wandered therefore through the diverse bounds of the region, when his vow not yet he had obtained; it was inspired to him divinely that he should approach Beverley, there B. John's patronage he should ask. No or a brief intervened delay, and his journey he took up with all which he could haste, with a small content viaticum, leaning on a staff going before, and to him guidance furnishing a certain youth. There was to him hope firm, trust constant, no doubt suspended, that He who admonished to seek, l His to him virtue by bestowing would be glorified; who to inspire willed the needy one, that His protection he should ask. by the youth the way's conductor, by diabolic suggestion deceived, This he understood the purpose's constancy, this he saw the human race's enemy the confidence: he saw, I say, and he envied: he envied namely the servant, who before the ruin envied, and the Lord, when his seat to place he disposed in the North, that he might be like the Most High; he envied also the father first-formed, when him by seducing he ejected from paradise. He strove therefore the poor wretch's envious to impede the progress, lest there be glorified the Saint to him invidious, through that which in him to be future he knew miracle. By his ancient he proceeded craftiness, no to himself seeing of new to be devised more in this case to be suitable. For of old in a serpentine likeness the taste of the forbidden apple first he persuaded to Eve, whom he knew fragile: Adam not daring to attack, whom he saw more robust; in the woman he pre-attempted a guile, through whom there might lie open to him access to the man. Similarly also here, the blind man's constancy seen, personally he did not dare to rise up, that from the begun he should desist journey; but his conductor's fragility noted, him he invaded, through him the begun journey to impede he proposed.

[10] He suggested therefore to him of evil thoughts the intender, not the in-sender; that when time and place he should see opportune, from him secretly he should withdraw, that his garments, and also his furtively he should carry off viaticum. Which also was done. by night of his things he is despoiled: For when the blind man himself on a certain night; by labor wearied and by the long fatigued journey, by a heavy sleep was pressed, rose his conductor nay his seducer, and went off the little bundles being collected, carrying off with the viaticum whatever of any he found value. Which when he had wakened being found, in the manner he grieved human: but by hope's help his pain so he tempered, that from his purpose, by desperation overcome, by no means he sprang back. For he knew that not fit to God's kingdom is, who his hand putting to the plough looks back; that not worthy of the palm is, to whom odious is the fight the palm's precursor. Having sought therefore in some way another conductor, by another aided thither he comes. and to him who had withdrawn substituted, his journey he continued begun, until to the place he came desired. Approaching the church of the Saint, there his body he macerated with fastings, from his eyes pouring forth tears in the manner of water from a fountain's bottom springing up. The ears of divine clemency of devout prayers the knocking he beat with insistence; that the sight, of which he was himself destitute, to him mercifully He would restore: the blessed Confessor to supplicate he ceased not; that by his intercession to himself from the Lord salvation to obtain he might busy himself. He had heard then from the Apostle, that much avails the assiduous of the just deprecation: to prayer he had learned to be annexed mercy, according to that of the Psalmist. Jac. 5:16, Psal. 65:19 Blessed is God who has not removed my prayer and His mercy from me. When therefore on a certain night, with tears' wave suffused most frequent, with knees' bending and prayers' continuation he lay wearied; demanding rest the animal faculties' weakness, a little while he began to fall asleep. There appeared but to him in sleep clad, and by the Saint appearing he is illumined. which approaching to him, as with a feather of a goose, in honey purest dipped, his eyes anointed: and soon withdrawing, and him of receiving soundness certifying, to rest commanded. Not much after waking he who blind had been, imminent dawn, with raised head, through the glass windows the light's dawn he saw to glow; and his sight perspicacious himself felt to have recovered through the holy Confessor's benefit, whose insistently he had asked aid. Praising therefore and blessing the Lord, a lamp kindled under a bushel he put not; but upon a candlestick, in the hearing of the Clergy and all the people, what to him had happened, in order he caused to be expounded. And while a time's delay he had made, in the church God and the Confessor of his soundness praising received, at length with thanksgiving he returned to his own.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER II.

Beverley from invaders defended: the tomb with heavenly light illustrated: the ministers from a ruin protected.

[11] The universal a interdict ceasing, to which for a long time lay subject the Anglican region, it came to pass, that between the King and the kingdom's Magnates a grievous and unappeasable b arose dissension. For the Magnates for the greater part from the Royal exacted Majesty liberties certain and privileges, War between the King and the Nobles raging to themselves (as they asserted) due from the ancient and approved kingdom's custom. They perseveringly to their insisted exaction: but them to hear the Royal it pleased not Majesty. Of a reasonable therefore petition, as to them it seemed, many times an unreasonable having suffered repulse, a new counsel they determined to be thought. Convening therefore unanimously they conspired, that they should attack the King, whom to their exaction so often it was established to have shown rebellious: from the fidelity however, which to the King under oath they had rendered, themselves in his presence first they would absolve, before against him arms by warring they should bear. When therefore the said conspiracy to the King's had become known hearing, with his own he deliberated household, by what industry he could their forces resist. At length to the malign of his familiars acquiescing counsel, messengers into parts he destined trans-marine, who thence to him strenuous in aid should bring warriors. Convened therefore from everywhere at his command foreigners and malefactors, the more spiritedly, the more them he promised with ample stipends to be given, and with royal to be enriched gifts. These tyranny unarmed certain and feeble English fearing, neither party some and also other men strenuous a middle way choosing, that neither to the Royal party, nor to the party should adhere adverse; hence to the castles' protections, hence to the retreat of whatsoever hiding-places, hence to the monasteries' and religious places' protections, their homes and fields being left, with their wives and children, with their themselves they transferred family: they made light of the loss of all their possession their own, provided that bodily punishments and exquisite torments, which to others they had learned to be inflicted, in any way they could avoid. But because the village of Beverley privileged they had known from ancient days, they fled thither from the adjacent parts very many, in God trusting the protection and the holy Confessor's.

[12] There came thither together with others the soldiers of a certain Magnate neighboring, to the Beverley asylum they flee: namely a Count, to him being unwilling against the Barons to adhere, and the Royal party with him to foster; and there they tarried under God's and the Saint's protection. The Count over this indignant, and his soldiers' there ill bearing reception; to the Canons, Bailiffs and Burgesses commonly gave in command, that the enemies and seducers, whom (as he asserted) with themselves they had received, all delay being omitted from the village driven out they should exclude, nor them longer there a receptacle to have permit. To these moreover commands terrible he added threats, from whom his soldiers reclaiming the Count constantly asseverating, that unless they obeyed his commands, them with a strong hand he would invade; and the village whole into ash and embers reduce.

But although from these threatening things might rush upon the constant men a trembling and dread; they nonetheless who the commands had received, in the divine trusting help, and of their Patron the holy one, what often experienced they had been, certain of the patronage, the more remained intrepid, that the command which they had received, by no they knew of reason firmament to be fortified. A counsel being entered they gave to him in responses, that neither their men, nor any others whatsoever, who thither as to an asylum should flee, from the village, as neither from the body of the church, would they seduce: lest by that very thing their privileges they might merit to lose, if to themselves from ancient days indulged to abuse they should presume liberty. Which heard, the Count with no small fury kindled, of gain greedy, and in the wolfish manner to plunder prepared, and also of satellites as well horse as foot with an armed multitude surrounded, his camp forthwith moved; and the village of Beverley whose inhabitants to himself rebellious he had known, to overthrow he proposed.

[13] the place armed he attacks, But when he had heard that from the Eastern part, on account of the breaking of the bridge of the Hull river, by no means free he would have access; from the Northern part into the village he destined to rush, where no opposed obstacle. Not lay open to him access from the East, and deservedly: since in the Saint's domestics to storm he strove the East from on high. To the North he turned aside, being from his father the devil, who his seat to place disposed in the North: whence also it was prophesied, evil to be prepared for all the inhabitants of the land. And when not far from the village, by a space namely of eight miles, with his he lodged army, the morrow growing light dawn it about to invade; the lover of humility the Lord, who by His own virtue the necks treads of the proud and the lofty, to the imminent peril a swift opposed remedy. Jer. 1:14 but by a burned foot he is impeded. For when after supper the Count and his fellow-soldiers in their wonted manner sported, and torches kindled at one another cast; there fell unexpectedly a certain little torch upon the foot of the Count: which to the foot adhering, by no means thence to be shaken off, by no means thence by hastening ministers with so great speed could be removed, but that it him so left cauterized, that scarcely it to the ground he could affix: thence on the morrow about to mount his horse, scarcely could he touch c the stirrup's little ring. Terrified therefore by the omen sad and the auspice unhappy, by prudent men's counsel from his proposed he desisted presumption: of the penalty more by fear, than of virtue recalled by love. Behold here a miracle quite to it like, which happened, the airs breathing the holy Confessor. For now this one, presuming to rush upon the peculiar people of the Saint, burned was in his foot: then was burned his Deacon in his face, rashly himself thrusting that a partaker he might be of his vision, while to him appeared praying the Holy Spirit in a dove's likeness.

[14] There was at the same time a man another, Another of the magnates great and powerful, than whom none in the kingdom greater, none in the whole region's compass more powerful. There approached to him, his power being known and tyranny, as was said, certain of mind malign the indemnity of Beverley ill bearing, and from their successes growing lean with envy gnawing: to whom their losses would seem lighter, if either to all, or at least to the neighbors they were common; would seem to them their hurt milder and more tolerable, if to others a like were inflicted or graver. These, I say, themselves offering to that powerful man's sight, constantly asseverated, the people of Beverley before others to the Royal Majesty to be rebellious; against the people of Beverley incited by the envious, of the King and kingdom, of their liberties and privileges by the holding, hostile to be traitors: in which matter's argument they alleged, that in the village of Beverley continual was of the King's enemies the reception; there were laid up of the same the treasures inextricable; that others, injuries, contumelies, and damages very many having suffered, they alone rendered indemnified. But that more efficacious might be their instigation, they protested under oath, that if he in person thither would approach, or at least his fellow-soldiers and servants in of money, gold and silver abundance, by which aided the universality of his enemies trembling he would render and confused. The same to him intimated also his familiars, with insatiable desire at gain and lucre gaping: to the same instigated the aforesaid, not yet by sufficient penalty corrected; through another to execute wishing and to perfect, what through himself nor he dared to fulfill.

[15] To these frequent and repeated persuasions acquiescing the Magnate aforesaid, who their extermination within eight days had sworn; conceived in his mind and protested in the open, that the people of Beverley's sedition he would not leave further unpunished, and that by a punishment to them to be inflicted of others he would coerce the boldness. The of punishing also manner he left not undetermined, the bitterness of the punishment to be inflicted under silence he suffered not to be hidden: for by oath he confirmed, that in his own person them he would attack; that nothing with them to be found could of money, which to them he would leave; that the combustible houses he would deliver to fire, the stone buildings with manifold he would demolish engine; some to captivity to be consigned to the prison-house he would deliver of a prison dark; that he would not leave a stone in that church's fabric, in that to his enemies doors it had furnished open. Of his threats the series with an end he concluded terrible saying, that before eight days' running Beverley to such he would deliver extermination and so great desolation, that the place deserted being seen in the future it would be said by those passing, this was the village of Beverley. Hearing these things the people of Beverley, troubled were, moved were, trembling seized them. What therefore was and how clamorous of the pusillanimous the lamentation, how great on account of the vowed of the threatener's tyranny of the female sex the dread, how copious among the women of tears the effusion, it is not of our faculty to unfold.

[16] they in God and the Saint trusting, But the men and the more mature in age manfully themselves bearing, and a saner using counsel, under countenance's constancy strove, as was fitting, the fear prudently to dissemble; lest by that very thing their enemies cheerful they should render and joyful, if them they should find shamefully by fear confused. Certain it was not so this to have emanated threat from a man, but that it should lack effect; not to be impossible the threatener to change his purpose, who of the number of things was changeable. Known it was that Jonah by the Lord sent had prophesied to the Ninevites, within forty days to be Nineveh overthrown; when yet a competent they had done penitence, the pious Creator's indignation being remitted, it was not overthrown. If therefore the Lord withdrew the hand of vengeance conditionally threatened, when those who had offended He had seen penitent; how much more those He would not suffer to perish, whom in that wherein they are troubled part wholly He knew innocent. They trusted themselves with the same ease of this powerful man's malice to escape, with which from the aforesaid Count's assault freed themselves they had known by God's virtue, and of their patronizing Confessor's work. They meditated therefore each within himself, If the Lord is my salvation, whom shall I fear? If the Lord is protector of my life, of whom shall I tremble? They cried therefore to the Lord, and saved were made: in God they hoped, and were not confounded. For within the space's brevity, within a small time's straitness, by a swift death he is extinguished. which the said Magnate to the people of Beverley's subversion by rash had prefixed daring, it happened, by a sudden seized sickness, by a sudden miserably he expired destruction; by the just judgment of God fell himself, who them had thought to destroy; his day closed last, who to others had threatened extermination. So great therefore grace and so great favor to the people of Beverley in His and the holy Confessor's merits deigned the Lord to bestow, that in all so dire a persecution's time by no incursion they were troubled hostile, by which it was certain almost all the cities of England to be troubled; almost none was found, who him to injure dared, or if there were one who this attempted, vengeance grievous swift was not lacking.

[17] It is not, as I judge, under silence to be passed over in those days happened miracle. For when the time urged Quadragesimal, it was found first by certain of the church's ministers in the twilight late, from the very mausoleum of immense brightness to radiate it sustaining superimposed, upon the stone of the pyramid were founded lower. There seemed but the light bursting forth, through the columns ascending, first to gleam; then itself into the wide diffusing, with wonderful splendor the whole space, by the two stones of the columns the support intercepted, to illustrate. They called to themselves others of this matter the finders; The Light at the tomb to appear seen by many and often, that they might be of the same vision partakers, who also to bear might be able the testimony of truth, when congruous was present the time of revelation. The same light, which had seen the first, saw also they themselves: nor was the light apparent momentary; but as for an hour one continued. Could not, nor but ought matter this so miraculous to be kept silent: so great deserved the lamp to be put upon a candlestick, not under a bushel hidden. It came to pass therefore that it was published, by the relation and testification of those who were present of the church's ministers, of whom from the subsequent things true it was established to have been the testimony. There convened for the hour, at which the light before had appeared, to the church very many, with ocular faith desiring the matter's truth to experience. It was given but to several's, nay almost all's who were present, devotion, on single days, through two weeks' space or more, the light in the manner aforesaid shining to behold. which certain only obscurely see, There were however several, who although with others, the light itself manifestly beholding, the sight's edge to the tomb turned; to its virtue however, as if their eyes lest they should see darkened, to penetrate they could not: to whom credible it is, faith sincere and inward to have been lacking devotion, and on account of this into their eyes outward so great to have rushed darkness. Not passed therefore to see the coruscation of light their sight, some intervening spiritual and invisible obstacle; just as it is read, that an opposed cloud not passes prayer: just as also it is read in the Gospel, that the eyes of the disciples going into Emmaus, when there appeared to them the Lord on the way, were held lest him they should recognize: because namely such Himself He showed to them in body, as with them He was held in mind.

[18] There were others, to whom although it was given the light itself evidently to behold, an erroneous however they labored and were deluded by opinion. For they esteemed the light said, it to a reverberation they attribute, by the reverberation of a light of a certain wax-candle, before the bier unfailingly burning in and smooth there to irradiate; and according to the flame of the same candle's scintillation, the sight to the stone through the columns to ascend. To this therefore to be taken away of error's scruple, to this to be removed ambiguity, that indubitably it might be established the light of the tomb from the candle's light by no means to have taken origin, to be closed and with a bolt to be barred were bidden the doors two, one of the choir and the other of the pulpit, which between the tomb were and the candle, through whose middle could be seen the air middle to have been changed, and of light to the tomb to have been made the reverberation. The two doors being closed therefore, as it had been bidden, and barred, but these to be deceived by a more certain proof appeared. nonetheless in one even loosed

more evidently it was seen at the tomb the light to coruscate most refulgent: since a greater namely supervening luminary a lesser to obscure is wont, and to it to bring diminution. By an open therefore appeared indication, from that true light, which illumines every man coming into this world, origin to have had the light, which there had appeared. It glorified but deservedly this light Blessed John; to whom in mortality placed not was vain to rise before the light: upon whom still surviving was marked the light of the countenance Lord's, that is the light of grace, by which to be reformed the image of God in man to His likeness made upon the higher faculty of the soul was impressed, that is on reason: who also a lamp by the Lord was illumined; when the office he bore of Preacher; in whom was light, that is knowledge, which shines in man as in an earthen vessel; whence says the Apostle: We have this treasure in earthen vessels. 2 Cor. 4:7

[19] There was at the same time, in the middle of the cross of that basilica, a lofty certain d tower built, of admirable beauty and immense; While to the old tower a new top inconsiderately is added, so that in it boasted itself the virtue and subtlety of the mason's art. It had been proceeded so far in that tower's fabric, that completed was the stone work; this only of the whole remained for the completion, that there should be superimposed The artificers who presided over the work, not so much as it would behoove circumspect; not so much prudent, as in their art subtle; more were vigilant for the beauty, than for the strength; more for delight, than for the commodity of stability. Who when columns four they erected cardinal, as of the whole to be superimposed mass the props; them subtly, although not firmly, they inserted into the work old, in the manner of those who a cloth new sew to an old one. Whence it came to pass, and the ruin foretold of the columns' cracks, that neither bases, nor shafts of the columns of that they made firmness, that to sustain they would suffice the mass immense of so admirable and so great difficulty: of which the weakness although in the process of the work sufficiently could be perceived through the gaps and cracks of the parts, through certain marble columns' fissure into the length from the base even to the architrave; from the work begun however by no means they judged by continuation to be desisted: when yet certain it is, prepared to be for ruin that building, which upon of stones an ampler they superimposed heap, the more they accelerated the tower's downfall: the more immense were made the shafts' and bases' cracks, the more they presumed them to load.

[20] At length it came to pass, that, by fear of the imminent ruin, as well of the Clergy as of the people desisted a great part from the entrance of the church. persevering in the Office the Clergy The Priests nonetheless and the Levites, and others who from the office enjoined on them to the choir to be frequented were bound; at the hours appointed and due thither convened, that to the divine they might give services. They trusted, that He would not permit them to be overwhelmed, or by death sudden in any way to be preoccupied; whom with all their forces, with pure mind, with inward devotion they busied themselves to serve. They distrusted not of the Confessor holy's aid, whose Relics in that, present it was, were contained enclosed little place. He laid open but, what followed event, that of His Confessor the compassionate is the Lord. the nocturn earlier by one hour he begins. For when about the month's of October beginning at midnight to be risen it was for confessing to the Lord, and the nocturnal office of the custom to be celebrated in the choir; a certain of the Priests, who to God, as I think, disposing lying in his bed, part of the night passed beyond the manner wonted had passed sleepless; by the long-continuance of lying, and of sleeping also impotence wearied rising, also went to the sacristans; whom he found sleeping, from sleep he roused, and them that they should ring he induced; when there remained still about one hour's space, that to them a sign of rising and of ringing he should furnish horoscope. When therefore congregated to the church the Clergy the nocturnal was chanted synaxis, fell not far from those chanting of stones a part great from the tower: of which the crash being heard all namely with great were fear struck. With the highest therefore haste they transferred themselves from their stalls, and by the double of stones' fall admonished, and the begun they continued office, standing at either side of the altar. Not much after was heard another crash than the former greater, of stones very many again from the tower falling; as if a sent before light certain and simple admonition that they should withdraw, there followed an edict peremptory, to which contumaciously to those tarrying was threatened punishment.

[21] The choir being left therefore a place safer, more from the tower distant, they judged to be approached, and passing under the hanging ruin they descended into the church's little ship: where standing at the side of the fonts, to the end even they brought through the begun Office. Scarcely the Office being completed to their homes, although sufficiently neighboring to the church, they had come; and behold the whole tower to the foundation collapsed, it is withdrawn from the ruin soon following, the parts adjacent with it drawing to the fall, horrible. To note one may in this event how admirable was the grace of the Saviour, of how great was efficacy the virtue of the holy Confessor. The Lord disposing namely, His parts the Saint interposing, to the tower about to fall was provided that time of ruin, in which to the lay throng harm none could be brought. To the ministers of the church was made an admirable dispensation, both that beyond the manner the wonted hour of rising they would prevent, and the bipartite of stones' fall, a herald's office bearing, them had persuaded, that elsewhere themselves they should transfer. It was indulged also to those, who within the enclosures of the church lay, the sacristans, when that they should remove their bedding, transfer their coverlets; to them no should be brought hurt corporal. It had been come therefore still, that the Eastern part of the little ship of that church into a choir it behooved to be accommodated, [and the bier to the tomb being brought back miraculously of the light is laid open the mystery.] but the altar above the tomb to be erected, and the bier beyond the middle of the tomb directly to be placed. Which when done it was, with a sufficiently efficacious conjecture it was perceived, that the light at the tomb is to be said to have laid open, and to have portended that which to be future was the event: that namely the body of the holy Confessor to that place was to be brought back, from which it had been before translated. Through this therefore holy Confessor's merits, the course of the present life's stadium being run, to us be granted the prize about to remain, by Him who lives and reigns God through infinite ages of ages. Amen. f

ANNOTATIONS.