Confessors

ON THE HOLY CONFESSORS

RAGNOBERTUS THE BISHOP AND ZENO THE DEACON,

AT BAYEUX IN NORMANDY.

7TH CENTURY

Regnobertus the Bishop, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

Zeno the Deacon, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

BHL Number: 7060, 7064

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

[1] Bayeux or Bajocum, an Episcopal city is in lower Normandy, to which the surrounding region is commonly called le Bessin, the people formerly Bajocasses or Biducasses were called. This among others a Bishop had St. Ragnobertus, in others Ragnebertus, Regnobertus and

Renobertus; The Acts of the twin Translation whose and St. Zeno his Deacon's bodies, how in the IX century of the Christian era, after a triple of those Saints' apparition, from Bayeux carried off, and to a certain church of St. Victor translated a certain Hervaeus, described in a grave nor barbarous style about the year 868 someone, who present was at least at the second translation, from the said St. Victor's church to the new of St. Salvator about the year 851, and at no. 9 narrates a miracle of an energumen freed as by himself seen. This history we give from a MS. of Belfortius, collated with two very ancient Codices of St. Vincent of Vergy in Burgundy (whither for fear of the Normans was translated at last the body of St. Ragnobertus, if not also of Zeno) and of Auxerre by Peter Francis Chifflet communicated. by an eyewitness described: It is not explained in that history, inasmuch as in a matter then known, where in places was that St. Victor's church: but considering the journey's reckoning, by which from Bayeux to Nogerolas near Lisieux on the first day, but on the third was come to the proper estate of that same Hervaeus, by the indication also of the neighboring as to us it seems places, now Belleville and Froberville called, we think to be signified the church of St. Victor in the Pays de Caux, midway between Rouen and Dieppe on the way, four on each side French leagues distant, which Clerical at that time was, but in the XI century almost the middle, by a noble certain Cleric was given to the monks of St. Audoenus with the title of a Priory, and in the year 1074 erected into an Abbey, to this very century enduring.

[2] He was present at the Synod of Reims under Sonnatius, about the year of Christ 630, a legend under the name of St. Lupus fabricated Ragnebertus of Bayeux: that he is that very of whom we treat St. Ragnobertus no one I believe would doubt, unless in several MSS. were extant two little books, from a most fabulous certain of his legend and the history of the translations conflated, of which the prior of that legend the author thus feigns to preface, I Lupus, although unworthy of the Church of Bayeux the third from St. Exuperius, the second from B. Ragnobertus Bishop, the life of St. Exuperius or the acts of B. Ragnobertus my master, who me a Deacon ordained, briefly have treated: and although wisely I could not, some part however, which unworthy with my eyes I saw and with my ears I heard, to expound I have not neglected. The latter little book is finished with such of the author, equally falsely pretended, by the same perhaps who interpolated the acts of the Translation; clause, in the two MSS. above-cited and that which Acherius inserted in volume 12 of the spicilegium: I Joseph, a sinner Priest, and of all the servants of Christ the last, formerly however of the Aquitanians' King the Chancellor, now of the illustrious King Louis of liberal letters although undeserving the preceptor, and of the same sacred Palace's Chancellors' ministry having discharged; formerly in the studies of letters at Tours under the erudition of Amalricus of Tours Archbishop instructed with Paul of Rouen Archbishop … (of whom I Joseph a sinner Priest, when to this writing provoked my pen I applied, both these aforesaid Bishops in one same month from the present lacked life) not as I ought these things to write I took care, since neither suitable of the charm of eloquence I was, but with rusticity's foolishness by error suffused. Whence prostrate at all the faithful's feet lying, humbly I ask that at my words you be not indignant.

[3] and who Louis III of the Franks K. Preceptor and Chancellor he lied himself, The kingdom of Aquitaine had held Pippin the of Louis the Pious son second, up to the year 838, leaving a successor son also Pippin, whom his uncle Charles the Bald of kingdom and liberty deprived in the year 852, when his son Louis the Stammerer the year of his age was passing the 9th; that very moreover kingdom of Aquitaine he gave to another son of his Charles, and this dying in the year 855 to the aforesaid son Louis, years now born 23, the same kingdom transferred: and finally in the year 877 deceased, had him of the Frankish monarchy the heir: to this indeed succeeded his sons Louis and Carloman in the year 879: of whom the prior a year and a half only reigned, years at the least born 16 when he died in the year 881. Therefore of this when he wrote himself the preceptor by feigning this pretended Joseph, he seems himself the author to make of the Translation aforesaid. But it betrays the imposture the diversity of style, by which that Translation truly is described, and by which this insipid patch and some others to the same adjoined; on the contrary indeed with those things which to St. Lupus are imputed of the same patches the phrase so agrees, that we are compelled of one writer the offspring to recognize. from inept patches sufficiently it is recognized, The inept also ingenium of him betrays in so foreign a place inserted the mention, of Amalricus and Paul Archbishops, as if in the same month dead; which that true to be under such a testimony might be believed (for died both in the year 854 or 5) the sense however whole disturbs a parenthesis, nothing to the matter making. But how unworthy it would have been to a man of such kind, under St. Lupus's name either to feign anything, or by others fabricated to receive as probable?

[4] We have that very B. Lupus's Acts, November 25 to be given (would that entire!) from MSS. of the Charterhouse of Coblenz and of Cologne with this beginning: B. Ruffinianus, That legend moreover is to the truer Acts of St. Lupus contrary, the third from B. Exuperius Bishop of Bayeux, St. Lupus of the Bayeux city's territory sprung, whom baptized to liberal studies he had given over, when to the order of the Diaconate he was promoting; a certain one with him of ordination Levitical the grace receiving, by name Stephen, with a lofty voice began to proclaim, saying; Lord Ruffinianus, this whom you consecrate a Deacon, your know to be the successor. To blessed therefore Ruffinianus from this light withdrawn, of the whole people and Clergy the will that with Pontifical honor B. Lupus to be most worthy asserts: among whom to Silvester of Rouen the Archbishop by night an old man certain appeared, saying; The man illustrious Lupus, whom for Himself God has chosen, without delay to God's flock Pastor constitute. Hence to us certainly can it be established about St. Lupus's age; since the Chronicle of Rouen, who in the 5th century flourished, at the beginning of the XIII century written and by Philip Labbe edited, Silvester's Episcopate refers to the year 334, and that all receive and confirms the series of Prelates of Rouen, while between Silvester and Germanus, who in the year 361 at the Council of Tours was present, alone Malsonus is named. To the same make, which from St. Amandus's monastery we have received lessons, together with St. Lupus's relics thither brought, thus beginning: There was therefore, in the time in which Aegidius a Roman King reigned in the Gauls, a man of admirable sanctity Lupus. But Aegidius, of the Roman militia Leader, the Franks Childeric the son of Merovaeus put to flight received in the year 458, nor before 463 their exile recalled; so that with the aforenoted Silvester's age, to whom of the See years 8 or 13 are assigned, most well agrees the time, in which Lupus already a Bishop to have flourished is said. Who when he is called the third from St. Exuperius, in the order of the Bishops of Bayeux the third. so that he himself St. Exuperius is understood the first, the second Ruffinianus, the third Lupus, is had of the Bayeux Episcopate the beginning to the fourth century's end referable; when also of Avranches, of Coutances, of Lisieux, and of Séez in the same region the Churches their first Bishops seem to have received, and that of Rouen older into a Metropolitan erected. A greater certainly of the individual antiquity no one builds up, nor the names of any one who earlier sat are brought forth.

[5] But how well these things among themselves agree, so much to them are adverse the figments, [and meanwhile is feigned in the 2nd century ordained, St. Ragnobertus's successor,] under the name of the aforesaid Lupus proposed; in which it is said, St. Exuperius, St. Clement the Pope's disciple, by him with others (who however better perhaps to Decius the Emperor's times by Gregory of Tours are referred) into the Gauls sent came to Bayeux, and there among the first converted by him and baptized Ragnobertus, advanced through all the sacred Orders' grades up to the Priesthood, together with Zeno, on whom the Archdeaconate office he enjoined. Ragnobertus indeed upon the dead Exuperius's body on a mountain built a church, then by St. Saturninus Bishop of Toulouse divinely admonished consecrated Bishop of Bayeux in the Brivensis village, whither him the Angel into Saturninus's meeting had directed: whence returned, on the mountain Phas, one mile from the city, where the people the Gospel to receive refused, built an oratory of St. John, and understood those obstinate ones not by him, but by his disciple Lupus to be converted: then a small in the city church by St. Exuperius built destroying, a greater basilica he raised, and another in the name of St. Stephen; to which a long after time a part of his own things by testament of charters he confirmed; and finally by God's command his disciple Lupus he ordained a Deacon, and him commended to the people, to be to it after him a spiritual father, and on the third from then day he died on the 17th of the Kalends of June, years of the Episcopate 90, of life 120 numbering, buried in the Basilica of St. Exuperius.

[6] St. Ruffinianus St. Exuperius's successor excluded Who does not see, St. Ruffinianus by this pact to be excluded from the number of the Bishops of Bayeux, but to holy Ragnobertus hardly three hundred years of the Episcopate would suffice, that ordained by St. Clement's disciple, he should have ordained a Deacon St. Lupus, after him immediately to succeed? By the use besides of those first centuries, in which had lived and written Lupus, by no means was it, Priests to call others than Bishops; here however thus also are called Presbyters; and indeed into this grade ordained to Zeno is said enjoined the Archdeaconate Office, which in antiquity to Deacons alone belonged. Add that the name of Ragnobertus or Renobertus Frankish is, nor probably before the Franks' into Gaul coming in the V century in Gaul heard. So that a wonder it is the Frankish writers, who of the Episcopates Catalogues wove, without hesitation to have received this order, by which to themselves succeeded Exuperius, Renobertus, Ruffinianus, Lupus; and by the Sammarthani of error to be argued those, and with Ragnobertus doubled without cause: who truly in the 7th century lived. who St. Renobertus from Ragnobertus, Sonnatius of Reims's coeval, do not distinguish. So firm namely prejudices make writings, under a great author's name a great showing forth authority, until more accurately they be examined: which by us to be done if grievous to some is, let them know far more grievous to learned men it is ecclesiastical history to receive entangled with knots insoluble, as long as from those masked writers is not drawn off the mask, by some centuries' patience relying and the favor of cities and peoples, their and their churches' beginnings as ancient as possible to be said rejoicing and to be believed desiring.

[7] His miracles unknown, Miracles both living and dead to have wrought St. Ragnobertus, by whose merit burial in a church and a cult public he obtained, I do not at all doubt: but nothing of them to writing to have been handed down also I think. Wherefore, that still as a Doorkeeper he is said seven energumens to have freed from unclean spirits, invoked His name who them from Mary Magdalen to go out commanded; and from the Brivensis village returning consecrated Bishop, a staff sent to have healed a paralytic; and at his first into the city of Bayeux entrance, a of blood flux laboring woman and many sick and energumens, that I do not of great esteem to be made. Nor of more would I make the eulogy, which Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology in these words

wove in, At Bayeux St. Renobertus the Bishop and Confessor, who St. Exuperius's received from the sacred laver son, heir also for the gifts of outstanding sanctity of the Pontificate to be merited; and by the divine gift's execution of many the minds to piously acting inflamed, finally with a life religiously led's insignia noble, after many works of piety rested in the Lord: this indeed of every holy Bishop can be said. the translation into Burgundy on the 24th, not the 14th of Oct. is venerated, More proper is what he adds: his sacred spoils in St. Exuperius's temple laid, afterward the Danes rushing into Neustria, to Oringeium, in Besançon of the Sequani the Metropolis's borders, translated, the day October 14 by that translation notable there rendered. But neither these things without error are: for what Oringeium he calls, Quingeium it is, and for the 14th day to be noted it had been the 24th.

[8] The same no whit more accurate in the Supplement to the 2nd day of September, thus writes: At Bayeux the translation of St. Renobertus Bishop and Confessor, the prior to the church of St. Victor not September 2. and also of Zeno his minister: whose bodies, on a mountain laid and divinely revealed, Walfugus the Bishop from the earth dug up to the church of St. Victor conveyed, and with fitting apparatus replaced to be venerated. Far from Bayeux was the church of St. Victor, into which were brought those sacred bones, but December 28 it happened. on the third after they had been re-dug day the 5th of the Kalends of January, as is gathered from the Acts: the latter indeed Translation, from the church of St. Victor to the new of St. Salvator, to be celebrated is said, and indeed in MSS. some Martyrologies is noted on the 8th of the Kalends of April: and to this with Freculfus of Lisieux, and Ansegaudus of Avranches, the other in St. Salvator's March 28, Baltfridus of Bayeux his presence and work lent: but Walfugus a Bishop no of the Gallican Episcopates diptychs have known. Greven in his to Usuard additions, and from this in the Germanic Martyrology Canisius, on April 23 refer the memory of Renobertus Bishop of Bayeux, who in life and miracles famous, the birthday perhaps April 23, 40 years in the Episcopate completed, rested in the Lord. Thus perhaps it was found in some old to a Norman of a certain church or that very of Bayeux's use written and augmented Usuard's copy. But why not here the true Natal was? but this day May 16 assumed by the Bayeux people was, and by the fabulist now confuted as the day, from an old outside sepulcher to the Cathedral of Bayeux, or of some within the same Cathedral elevation; when in the same of Greven and Molanus additions is read in the first place, on that very day to be done the commemoration of B. Renobertus, Bishop and Confessor, a man of great sanctity.

THE TRANSLATION OF THE BODIES

At Bayeux to the churches of St. Victor and St. Salvator By a coeval Author from MSS.

Regnobertus the Bishop, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

Zeno the Deacon, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

BHL Number: 7063

BY A COEVAL AUTHOR FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

The prior Translation, by the Saints thrice appearing to Hervaeus commanded, and by the same made.

[1] In the year of the Lord's Incarnation eight-hundredth forty-seventh, in the Indiction tenth, the Lord by Sergius the Pope presiding, ^a Balfridus ^b the Church of Bayeux ruling, appeared with St. Zeno the Archdeacon the most blessed Ragnobertus to a certain venerable man, The Saint himself and Zeno to be translated commanding appears to Hervaeus, by name Hervaeus, and with bland him in a vision addresses words saying: Arise man of God, go to the city of Bayeux, and ascend the place which is called the Mount-of-the-Church, where formerly were buried the Bishops of the city: you will find there a basilica, in honor of God and Exuperius, the first of that city's Bishop, built, but now of its ornaments stripped, forsaken and solitary, and in which no is performed divine office, whence also of its fall the ruin it shows. In it of the blessed Confessors Ragnobertus the Pontiff, and of his minister Zeno the bodies uncared-for rest, without any of dignity or honor reverence. And therefore I command in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that thence them with the highest religion dug up to be led you cause to the proper of your honor places; and a keeper of them at all time made, provide for them to be buried places with such splendors worthy, in which honorably to remain they may. Which said, soon they vanished. He moreover rising, the reduced vision which he had seen to memory, consternated in mind, the admirable shuddered at sight, believing himself by a phantasmatic illusion deluded: and therefore to no one he indicated, but utterly to oblivion delivered. Considering namely with many crimes' weights himself subjected, and again with the sending of a fever, and in the age's businesses involved, in no way himself he believed of visions heavenly to enjoy; nor to dare the Saints' bodies from sepulchers to lift, or to the proper places to carry off. But a certain space of time being passed, again the same man venerable was present; and the same Hervaeus, on his left side lying, on the right side struck; rebuking him harshly, that he had omitted the command of the vision, which to him the Lord through His servants had deigned to reveal. Who thus seized, for three afterward months with a fever's torment was vexed. This moreover second vision, on the eighth of the Kalends of July to him was shown: which he nevertheless, as the prior, utterly on account of his fragility's consideration incredulously dismissed.

[2] At the coming moreover of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ most solemn night, after the cocks' crowing came to the aforesaid Hervaeus two men, of whom one clothed in Episcopal garments seemed; the planets moreover, which from above they used, with a saffron gleamed aspect: with which also in his very body's translation we saw him wrapped, and even today in the sepulcher with that very body to remain we confirm ^c. [But St. Zeno, who with the Blessed was present Ragnobertus, covered with garments most white of a Deacon seemed, which in the translation of his body nowhere appeared.] Was indeed the same venerable one, terrible in aspect, lofty in stature, and a third time the extreme things threatening, with adorned of the head's hair, with hoariness resplendent, with a ruddy face and a modest whiteness suffused. Who before him standing, with terrible him words addresses, saying: I am Ragnobertus with Zeno my companion: a third time to you sent we are by the command of God almighty, who shows to you through us the secret of His mercy. But you disobedient and contumacious, in no way to obey you wished; and because these things which to you we announced making little of, not only to oblivion you have delivered, but nor do you attend even that to you from heaven of secrets the hidden things are revealed, despising of our legation the command in your mind to ponder; behold it will be completed upon you, what the Lord by the Prophet's voice speaks saying; Who would not the blessing, it will be far from him, and he will put on the curse like a garment. Ps. 108, 18 Know moreover, that from this day, unless of the precepts the commands to perform you will have striven, for which disobedient for so great a time you have been, with languor very much you will be consumed, and such of your body's plague the detriment, that besides holy Job, no of men to life returning so great of his body's pains will have paid: and through this you will be chastised, lest any more by divine persuasions admonished thus incredible of gifts heavenly secrets you should judge: but if still even with a most elated of contumacy mind to defer you try, and God almighty's commands to fulfill you refuse; with the disease elephantine touched, with leprosy also in your whole body struck, with the gore of ulcers through the minutest of the body's bounds gushing, thus you will be struck, that hardly any of friends of the putrid body to bear is able the scars: and with such having undergone a funeral, in hell buried you will be. That these things moreover in mind you may ponder, whether of acting to you by the Lord is granted power, or as you have received efficaciously to fulfill you can, fifteen days' space to you is granted. Act now man of God, remember my discourse, and the brought to you from heaven vision in mind ponder: and because two to you offered seem, which rather are of your health the remedies to be performed do not neglect to determine; since by divine judgment either pains of the present life you will receive, or future ones eternally you will pay.

[3] He terrified These said from the man's sight they departed. But suddenly terrified, awaking, from the bed in which he lay he rose, and what he had seen with the mind's reason with terror he penetrated: and to the church, to which in the evening he had come for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ to be celebrated, he flew: and the in God's praises of the festive night office performed, also the daytime of the most sacred day's ministry by hearing he discharged. Therefore on the same of the Nativity of the Lord day to that same city terrified he proceeded; desiring to Balfridus of the city of Bayeux the Bishop to make open the revealed things. But when him there not he had found, as quickly as possible ^d to Lindis the city he returned: and there Freculfus of that same city's venerable Bishop found, all things which he had seen, he indicated. Freculfus Bishop of Lisieux being consulted, The Prelate moreover these things hearing to these to be performed him to corroborate was zealous, saying: If what you assert, to you truly was announced, act, man of God, as quickly as possible, that you may perform what to you by the Lord is enjoined: the Lord indeed, who to you these things commanded to be revealed, will be in your company your, and Him you will have a most strong of your work helper; and He will direct His peace's Angel with you, who you may guard, and through the way of salvation your steps to walk may make, that according to the Lord's command all things to busy yourself about you may. But if by a phantasy's illusion a certain in the manner of dreamers you are taken, and this you have tried rash to do; without doubt of the present life's peril, and of your soul and your things' loss you will incur, and pains you will suffer eternal.

[4] Thus instructed by the most Religious Prelate Freculfus's counsel Hervaeus, taken with himself two venerable Presbyters, Guinemarus namely and Harduinus, in haste to Bayeux the city, and two Priests being received, where the Saints' rested bodies, proceeded: yet secretly that same city, on account of the Britons' ambushes, who at that time that same land had occupied and with much slaughter the region oppressed, he entered. Entered moreover Hervaeus that same city's church, the Lord's help besought. The evening drawing on the day, when the sign to the Compline's office sounded, he entered with the Priests the church, in which were the Saints' bodies of the Confessors: and they began to dig the sepulcher of the Blessed Bishop Ragnobertus: the sacred bodies he re-digs and thence devoutly with the divine gift's protection, with joy great filled, gathered the aforesaid Priests the bones of B. Ragnobertus the Pontiff: and lifting from the sepulcher with all of devotion's reverence, bound them with a pall and in a new vessel placed them. and Zeno's body he lifts After these things to Zeno's, his formerly disciple's, sepulcher they came: to which their hands laying, they took him from the tomb, in which he lay, and in another vessel enclosed. The day at length dawning, the Saints' bodies with hymns and divine praises carrying, from the city they went out: there was moreover on that day about all the region so dense of air a fog, that hardly each other to see they could, which to the way's aid very much profited. On the same day Balfridus, that very city's Bishop, of a nefarious crime had been before the glorious King Charles accused: and on account of that, because to a holy synod by him gathered he had flown, was absent from the city, and in the synod the office, from which deposed ^e he had been, recovered, and even with gifts adorned very many returned.

[5] Meanwhile proceeding the aforesaid men with the Saints'

bodies, evening being made they turn aside to rest, in a villa which is called ^f Nogerolas; and there on that night resting, and first to Nogerolas, thence into the basilica of St. Victorius he carries. in divine praises the night through-vigil they led. But morning being made lifting on their shoulders the Saints' bodies, the journey, which the Lord admonishing they had begun, to take they began. Came moreover to meet them a very great throng of people, and on every side religious Priests of God: and while on the second day they proceeded now with much throng, it happened that they came into a place, where certain wicked men a man by night had killed: and while for burial his body was given for an alms, began Hervaeus to announce to the people, that for his soul God's mercy they should implore. It happened that also a blind woman there came from birth, by name [g] Hedewigga, and the light, which always she had lacked, received, and there the Lord pitying before the Saints' obsequies health merited: Blindness is healed which on the fifth ^h of the Ides of January was done. To grow moreover their lights (although they are wont at that time the days with too much rains to abound) never they ceased: but continually and inextinguishable they remained. Lifting moreover their bodies from the place where they had stopped, they came into the Basilica, in honor of B. ⁱ Victor dedicated, which on the proper of the mother namely of that very Hervaeus is built: a withered hand, and there they deposited them upon the altar. The dawn indeed of the day rising, while the Saints' fame in the region grew frequent, came a certain man a hand having withered, which for no use was apt, which also to his mouth in no way he could lead, and was healed. On the eighth at length day a certain woman, Savenildis by name, to the Saints' sepulchers with four-day fevers vexed flew, and from which she was held by the infirmity cured was. Many indeed with fevers seized, from the neighboring on every side regions to the aforesaid Saints' bodies with their devotion's vows coming, withered limbs and various diseases. of their petition's effect merited, and unharmed to their own returned. With various moreover infirmities, and various languors tormented, their vows bringing they came, and the Lord aiding in the same place were cured [k].

ANNOTATA.

if however the vision befell about the year 847's beginning, it could the same still living have befallen. The MSS. of Vergy and of Auxerre note the year 846: but this with the indiction 10 does not agree, except from the month of September: and then between the first vision and the second, on the 8th of the Kal. of July made, could precisely a half year have flowed; just as it flowed from the second to the third made on the 8th of the Kal. of January. The same MSS. more licentiously interpolated, thus have. In the year 7 reigning King Charles (it is this year, from June to be begun, to each of the said years 846 and 847 common) the son namely of Louis the Emperor, Sergius the Roman Church governing the Apostolate's honor, in which time was captured the church of B. Peter the Prince of the Apostles: which last absolutely false is, I know not whence taken: for nothing such in Sergius II, of whom here we treat, Anastasius.

be believed done in the Council of Paris of the year 846 according to Sirmond: in which similarly suspended was Ebbo of Reims. Others in the year 847 it done establish, whom follows Labbe in the new Councils' edition.

league's space distant from Lisieux, but from Bayeux by full ten leagues, so that very much to have hastened it behoves the bearers, who so great a journey within one day with the holy bodies completed.

g. Otherwise Bedenigga.

the third from the carrying of the Saints' bodies day be understood, just as above the second, and soon below the eighth in the very place of resting, built now sepulchers and the bodies within placed.

k. There followed a long digression about the miracles and deeds of the Saints with fruit to be read; which plainly to be intruded it appears. It is enough that it can be read in Acherius.

CHAPTER II.

Another apparition of St. Ragnobertus and the body's translation to the church of St. Salvator. Various miracles.

[6] About the same time a blind man certain of the Le Mans city was, by name Hildegarius, who through the slumber of night was admonished, A blind man is illuminated, that he should proceed to the Saints' bodies, for his light's recovery. Who soon by the hands of a certain servant supported, to their monuments led, by the Lord's grace, the light's office, which long he had lacked, whole made, received. Nor that to be passed over is, that a paralytic certain woman, by name Gisildis, for years five with body loosed lay, a paralytic woman is healed, nor any member to its act's office to have could: who when by the hands of her maidservant brought, before the Saints' bodies prostrate rested. To whom the most blessed Ragnobertus the Pontiff, and Zeno his Companion appeared in an excess of mind, and said to her: Arise, go to Hervaeus, and say to him, that he build a church in honor of holy Salvator, in a clean and uncontaminated place, since in no way wishes God, that in this place we rest. ^a The aforesaid therefore woman, by whose admonition, when the admonitions she heard, answered; What am I, that when these things I shall have announced believed I ought to be? in no way about this am I to be believed. To whom B. Ragnobertus the Confessor, said: Do as to you I command, and I will make in you of credulity a sign, through which altogether to your sayings will be believed. Arise in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and be from this by which you are held infirmity loosed.

[7] She moreover from her bed whole rising, announced to Hervaeus what she had seen and heard, to the church of St. Salvator, and what commanded to her had been. These things the man religious Hervaeus hearing, began in mind to ponder, in what place and whence, and with what expenses a church in honor of holy Salvator he should found. He found indeed a place the Lord admonishing to this most worthy, and with his own expenses, not as he wished, but as he could, a church in honor of God and our Lord Jesus Christ he founded: and from his poverty's abundance with summits he raised, and with various species adorned, and the whole work God aiding to the perfect even brought through. And now had come of that same church's dedication's time, and of the blessed bodies the day of translation, where were present venerable and by merits illustrious Prelates, namely Freculphus of Lisieux the Bishop, March 23 they are carried, and also Baltfridus of Bayeux the Prelate [and of Avranches the Church Ansegaudus ^b the Pontiff] who called by Hervaeus, on the tenth of the Kalends of April with their parishes came, and to the divine Numen's praises to be celebrated admonished, and with them of the whole night the vigils with fitting offices solemnly consummated. The dawn therefore of the day rising, they clothe themselves with garments sacred with a multitude of Priests the Pontiffs, for translating the Saints' bodies: and a place most clean where they should deposit them, they prepared, whither of the whole province the people and the whole order Clerical to the festal day had flowed together. And when all awaited of so great a solemnity the gladness; the aforesaid Prelates B. Victor's church, where the Saints' bodies were, entered. Lifting moreover their bodies, with hymns and divine praises to the newly built house they carried: in which to God almighty three altars built were, of which in the middle a place for the Saints' bodies to be buried apt seemed: and there in the right wall the Blessed Confessor and Bishop Ragnobertus is buried, St. Zeno at the left in the earth is laid, and there even to the present day they are venerated.

[8] Before by the aforesaid Prelates there they were carried, through the sanctification's grace the house within and without is consecrated, 3 altars by as many Bishops being consecrated, and there three altars are consecrated, of which the first Freculphus of Lisieux the Bishop in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ blessed: the middle moreover Baltfridus of the Church of Bayeux the Prelate in honor of St. Ragnobertus founded. The third indeed the Prelate of Avranches Ansegaudus in honor of the holy Mother Virgin Mary and St. John the Baptist constituted. These thus completed are buried the Saints' bodies: each one in its place proper with praises and to God worthy honors arranging: there is joy of the whole fatherland, and of those exulting resound the praises and even today perpetual remains the gladness. How great of Monks was present the order! Of Canons how very great a throng! Namely from the neighboring provinces there had flowed together all the multitude of the people, no rain hindering. and even until to burial they were delivered with hymns and praises specially exulting, they accompany with hymns and canticles or with whatever exultations. But what of joy on that day was done, to be kept silent in no way it seems. Rain for the whole that region like rivers had watered, but in the place, where the people for the festivity to be celebrated had assembled, nothing at all rained. In a wondrous manner, to those from elsewhere coming the shower had harmed; there indeed to those the feast keeping by no means it had hindered. And so the Priests, the Saints' bodies without the rains' impulse burying, to their own with joy returned were.

[9] Moreover what almighty God, on the same of the translation of the Saints and the church's dedication day, There are healed mute persons, through His servants' merits to work deigned, for future times to many's progress to memory is to be commended. A mute certain woman, Hildeburgis by name, from birth, on that day spoke. Because indeed of the new translation; of the new church's consecration the day had shone, with a new the Lord of miracles sign it to illustrate willed. Another indeed we saw on the same day a miracle, which is to be recounted. an energumen woman, A certain woman, Bertruda by name, who by a demon was vexed, there on the same day was freed. a blind woman, Moreover a blind woman, at the Saints' bodies' places, where before the translation they had rested, sitting, of mercy the Lord's asking gifts, on the very festivity's day illuminated was. By these therefore three of the Lord's signs the day that is discerned illustrated: and since three within are built altars, of three miracles there were effected the signs: indeed is celebrated this festivity [c] on the 8th of the Kalends of April. A certain Hermericus by name, blind from the very mother's womb coming, sight, a blind man, which always he had lacked, there received, and to the former merited to be reformed health: and so of his light the received brightness, rejoicing to his own returned. But when

filled with joy, by the way by which he had come praising God returning, he met a certain Priest on a horse sitting, by name [d] Gulsuidus, and he said to him: Whence come you, and whither go you? Are you not that one, who lately the light lost with a guide through the levels of ways walked? To whom he: I am, who never the sight of heaven, except today, to see merited; but always by others' hands, the ways through which a journey I had I proceeded. To which the Priest: By whose to you it seems merit this to have been done, that the lost light you received? Who answered: Of the holy Confessors Ragnobertus and Zeno by the merit freed I am. Then the Priest mocking, with a rod, to whom not believing with a broken leg he is punished. which in his hand he carried, his leg striking, said: Thus indeed acted, as you boast, the Lord through these His servants a miracle; just as I now will break my leg. And while he struck, this saying, his leg; straightway the blow a pain follows, and to the ground from the horse falling, with a broken leg he appeared. By which token is made manifest both the blind man to have been freed by the Saints' merits, and on account of the incredulity of the Priest, the leg to have been broken. There came moreover the discourse into all that region that, and nowhere was a place, where the name of the Lord was not found, and the Saints' names and merits with veneration were remembered.

[10] There was moreover from ^e Baliola the villa a certain woman sprung, who a flux of blood suffered for much time. She to the Saints' bodies her vows brought coming, very many sick are cured, and from this freed was there of infirmity, and health received to her own returned. But because proceed very many of signs miracles, which the Lord through His servants wrought, and who also to this them place to be brought commanded, and many follow in the same place done, worthy we have judged from very many a few to insert. For who to enumerate is able how many sick daily there, the Lord granting, from various languors are cured? No sick man is, who there for his sickness's cause coming, there does not merit to be heard and cured. Wherefore hither and thither with various vexed infirmities coming, our Lord Jesus Christ being propitious, to be healed they merit. Whence manifestly it is gathered, that while exteriorly visibly they are healed, interiorly through almighty God's piety from many of sins' bonds they are loosed, are relieved the offenses, are washed away the crimes, and various of sins' kinds, the holy Spirit's grace illustrating, are healed. With various languishing, to the same holy place for health's grace flowing together, a blind man and his blind daughter, came also a certain blind man from the villa aforesaid Baliola, by name Odricus: and while to the Blessed Confessors' bodies he came, prayer made, his light's brightness to receive merited: and who blind had been coming, seeing with joy filled returned. His also daughter, the brightness of her light lacking, which formerly to have she could not, on the day of their festivity, the Lord pitying, to have merited: and like her father, the received of her brightness sight, thence exultantly to her own returned. Came besides a certain lame woman, Regnoara by name, by others' hands carried to the place of curation, and another lame woman. and there of her weak members received health, and by her own steps without another's suffrage, the Lord governing, to her own returned.

ANNOTATA.

Baltfridus of Bayeux and Heirardus of Lisieux of the Churches the Bishops was present at the Council of Soissons 2, in the year 853. Dead therefore then was Freculfus, in the year 852 still subscribed to the privilege of the monastery of St. Remigius in the Synod of Sens. What if from the Quierzy in Picardy assembly returning the aforesaid Prelates in the year 849; and through the Rouen diocese, there where a new church was building Hervaeus, passing; by the same were invited to a translation the next year to be made, when some new assembly them into those parts called? The words here [] enclosed have the MSS. 2 above-cited; and to be added it appears from soon to be related the enumeration of consecrated by the individual Bishops altars.

c. Thus on the day March 25 is referred the memory of St. Ragnobertus in some MSS. and in Ferrarius, but as on such a day at Vergy in Burgundy received, which hence is refuted.

d. Otherwise Gulfuidus.

CHAPTER III.

The remaining miracles of the Saints.

[11] That also to insert it pleased, which the Blessed Confessor to Hervaeus disobedient to his admonitions foretold. For in the third of his vision's order, Hervaeus with various diseases is tormented, by rebuking he foretold, him many adverse things to suffer, because to his admonitions he had not believed, and the commands of the Lord incredulous he had not fulfilled, but to oblivion all things he had delivered, and the Saints' precepts he had not attended: and therefore is fulfilled the discourse of the Saints, although late. There came indeed upon Hervaeus a plague to tell intolerable, a tribulation of heart, of all the members a dissolution, so much that through eighteen months continuous of heart and of body there followed a pain: and now almost of flesh failing, so that hardly, unless the Lord sustaining, to live in so great a body's weakness one is able, and for a little the torments to tolerate, which to tell neither can be, nor even believed. Finally refreshment neither by day, but nor by night of the body he felt: food and drink only water was: who neither to the other side to turn could, nor a hand to his mouth to lead: and so by such consumed torments, through the aforesaid for a very long time was vexed. But when now the time of the mercy of the Lord was imminent, that from so great a pain in whatever manner he might receive a suffrage, he remembers the before-granted to himself license by our Lord Jesus Christ the Saints' merits to be conferred. To the Saints' therefore sepulcher he was brought: and there the Lord favoring, of health the help merited and of his unharmedness's health. Finally his wife, there is healed his feverish wife, Milesendis by name, a woman of good religion, by fevers vexed three-day, the holy place going to, is cured and from her vexation healed. Demoniacs very many there brought, through their merits daily are cured. From of teeth moreover the pains, and other sick, to holy Zeno's sepulcher very many coming, and vows paying are freed: with whatever various tormented of torments pains, before the Blessed Confessors' tombs pardon asking, of souls and bodies the healings to receive merit.

[12] But indeed to write it is not a shame what about the incautious of rapines presumption to a certain wretch happened, and how great of miseries slaughters him followed were, and with what of his death's torment his life miserably he lost, a worthy of vengeance his punishment incurring. There was a certain wretch, the cruelty of rapines in the manner of beasts exercising, one of the tyrants from the companions of a certain most unhappy Martinus; having stolen sheaves of corn and against St. Ragnobertus a blasphemer, who according to his custom's will the holy place impudently entering, sheaves of corn whatever binding with a band, began to take and from the same holy place proudly to snatch. Whom when a certain of the servants of God, Gotardus by name, from his cell going out, thus acting saw; with bland him words he addresses, saying: Why, Brother, the holy place so irreverently have you entered? and why a heap of ears, of which this place's Brothers to live ought, with you do you strive to carry off? He indeed to heap up of his malice the vow, full of an unclean spirit, said: Even if Ragnobertus of ears were a sheaf, indeed to my horse him to be eaten I would have given. These things hearing Brother Gotardus, to his little cell hastily returned: and the door closed, the Lord's mercy to implore began, and the Saints' merits to remember. Then the aforesaid man with the corn's sheaves ^a to the villa, Promerendum [b] by name, proceeded: where while a certain house he entered, to his horse the sheaves to be eaten he gave, and to the man whose house it was, indicated in what place the sheaves he had found, and how by force he had taken them, and what words with the servant of God he had spoken: To whom the man said, Against your soul, wretch, to have done let it repent you: go, return to the holy place, and carry back what presumptuously hither you have brought, and by penance led humble yourself in the sight of God and His Saints, into fury rapt and blaspheming he dies, lest there come upon you the fury of God, and indignation, and consumed by a demon you perish. But he answering said, by no means, by my health, thus I will do; but if the same Saint a sheaf were, indeed to my horse to be eaten I would give. He therefore speaking, fell the horse and was dead. Then seized by a demon the wretch, put his fingers into his eye, and that plucked out, said: Receive St. Ragnobertus the eye from me taken for your sheaves. Similarly also tearing out the other, he said: Receive also this in of my cruelty the misery for your sheaves: he returned moreover to his tongue, and with teeth his own cut from his mouth with his hand he drew it out. And so of three joys of his own body by the law taken away, of three sheaves the vengeance he paid. At last miserably of his head the hairs by tearing dead he was. [c]

[13] To be added besides it seems still a miracle, in a certain wicked man done, who for his presumption's execrable deeds a worthy of vengeance obtained merit. the doors broken, having stolen 3 measures of grain, For a servant a certain of the brother of Hervaeus, whose name was Modingus, and the name of the Lord of his Crelion, goaded by the devil, approached boldly to a certain house with corn full, of theft's cause: and because the door's key he found not, with his foot thrice or four times he struck, and into three parts the door of the house he broke. Thence of three measures [d] a sack full by fraud he carried off. To which work on the third day of punishment the vengeance death followed: cut into 3 parts he perishes: for his body into three parts was divided, and because the door of the house into three parts he divided, three also of grain measures by stealth he carried, of three parts by the cutting his body cut off was, and so with such a death worthy his life he ended.

[14] Charles the Bald from a pain of teeth freed Charles at last the King of France, of Aquitaine, of Neustria most glorious, with a pain of teeth touched, vows to the Blessed Confessors' sepulcher sent, and at once remedies obtained, whose most noble spouse Ermentrudis [e] the venerable Queen for of her munificence's and piety's merit, asked of the aforesaid King the munificence, that something proper to bestow he would deign