Eric

ON SAINT ERIC

KING OF SWEDEN, MARTYR.

A.D. MCLI.

HISTORICAL COMMENTARY.

On the Acts written by Israel Canon of Uppsala, & the manifold cult: Eric, King of Sweden (St.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

[1] In the three Arctic kingdoms, which under the one name of Scandia or Scandinavia for the greatest part became known to the ancients, flourished three Kings, in piety & sanctity illustrious, & the same with shed blood empurpled, & therefore among posterity as Martyrs in the highest veneration held. Of these the King of the Danes was S. Canute, of the Norwegians S. Olaf, & of the Swedes, of whom here we treat, S. Eric. Which first about this Saint was written the history of his life & death, The Acts of S. Eric are given from MSS. of the translation & of the miracles, below num. 6 indicated, hitherto lies hidden. For it are given the Acts by Israel, an illustrious man & colleague of the Chapter of the Cathedral Church of Uppsala, with great judgment & sincerity written: where first from the alleged history the Author proposes in succinct discourse the life & happy consummation of S. Eric, then he describes the miracles, which either he himself saw, or from others, to whom they had been conferred as a benefit, relating he heard; likewise those which were by the Bishop, Chapter, & the writer himself legitimately examined. Acts of this kind we found in a notable MS. codex of Christina Queen of Sweden in folio, & in the Latin tongue, & in the vulgar idiom of the Swedes written, & these here we give in our manner distinguished & illustrated.

[2] John Vastovius in the Northern Vine, or the Vine of the Saints who illustrated great Scandinavia with deeds, Compendia of the Acts from the Uppsala Breviary, published some Life of S. Eric, by himself from the Breviary of Uppsala taken: where also very many miracles, which through him God worked, are subjoined: which could of those, which below are brought forward, be esteemed titles. Another compendium of the Life, into three Lessons to be recited at Matins divided, is contained in the Proper Offices of the Patron Saints of the kingdom of Sweden, by Apostolic authority approved. Here also are prescribed three proper Hymns, at Vespers, Proper Offices, Matins & Lauds to be recited, with some Antiphons & Responsories, whose material from the Acts themselves is taken, & in them everywhere is called S. Eric, King & Patron of Sweden, & precious Martyr of Christ; as everywhere all, who by a violent death & shed blood to eternal glory passed, as Martyrs by Ecclesiastical custom are reputed. We have also an ancient Missal of the Northern kingdoms, nearly two hundred years ago printed, in which the feast of S. Eric with solemn cult is celebrated. The Introit is. & an ancient Missal. Let us all rejoice in the Lord. The Epistle. Blessed is the man, who is found without spot. The Gospel, If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself. Before this is read & miracles. In the same Mass also are three proper Orations, of which the first is of this kind: O God, who to blessed Eric the King & Martyr the palm of victory, with a proper oration, & the crown of life, & the glory of the heavenly kingdom hast conferred: make us we beseech by his merits & intercession all things adverse to us to conquer, & the crown of glory in the heavens felicitously to obtain. And all these things are referred to his birthday, this XVIII of May, on which day also is noted the memory of S. Eric King of Sweden & Martyr in the Martyrology today's Roman, & in another at Lübeck & Cologne in the year 1490 printed, likewise in Greven, Molanus, Canisius, Gelenius, & Galesinius, who calls him Henry. the translation 24 January. But the feast of the Translation is celebrated under a double rite on the day XXIV of January, & is mentioned by the said Greven & Canisius, & also in the MS. Florarium of the Saints. Besides there is prescribed twice a Mass for the state of the kingdom, one XXI June of the Most Holy Trinity, the other VI January of S. Eric.

[3] About the same one at length treats John Magnus book 19 of the History of the Goths & Swedes chapter 1 & the five following ones, Michael O. Wexionius in the Epitome of the description of Sweden & Gothia, printed at Åbo in the year MDCL, other signs of veneration from Michael O. Wexionius in which book 1 chapter 4 among the more celebrated fountains is reckoned the fountain of S. Eric at Uppsala, & book 3 chapter 4 on the Runic Staff, three Ears are said to indicate the feast of S. Eric the King XVIII May, & book 5 chapter 9 is indicated in memory of King S. Eric on the day after the feast, namely XIX May, a court to be celebrated. Likewise book 7 chapter 1 is delivered that at Stockholm distinguished is the head of S. Eric, with a most precious golden crown distinguished, & chapter 2 at Uppsala the distinguished chapel of S. Eric. In the temple a tablet of the altar most artificially gilded the history of S. Eric represents, whose body here rests. Finally book 9 chapter 10 this elogium he brings forward: Eric surnamed the Holy, not born of a King, but on account of virtue with the royal nuptials of Christina daughter of the younger Inge & with a diadem adorned, soon the Finns being conquered sparing, the name of Christ through S. Henry caused to be preached: then his fatherland with laws he adorns, of exactions most sparing, & of life most innocent, by the Grand General, son of Henry King of Denmark, secretly with an army to Uppsala creeping up, is slaughtered: but the people forthwith avenges, & the Danes not far from Uppsala are slain: hence the name to the temple & church Danmarck. These things there, which the same things thence in the Geography of Sweden of John Blaeu page 58 are read, below in the Acts are explained.

[4] Finally John Loccenius in the History of Swedish affairs, to Christina the Queen dedicated, & John Loccenius. & at Stockholm by the Royal printer in the year MDCLIII printed, under the beginning of book 21 the deeds of S. Eric done in life, & his death describes: which all below it will be enough thence hither to bring over, as afterwards to his honor done thus are described. When the Princes of the faction plundered the wealth of Eric, & now affected the way to the royal throne, just vengeance excited the Helsings & the rest of the faithful citizens to arms against the regicides. In the first encounter Scateler & his son in that hill, where now the temple of Danmarck, neighboring Uppsala, situated is, slain are slaughtered, & the deserved penalties of the royal blood shed they pay. From the spoils of the Danes the said temple is believed to have been built, & indeed by the author the Duke of the Northlanders, His chapel. whose name was Fale Bure. King Eric first obtained a tomb in a chapel named from his name, which overhung the royal gardens, & some ruins of it still survive. Afterwards his bones from here into the shrine of old Uppsala, where then was the Archbishop's seat, a double translation were translated. But after the Prelate's See had migrated back hither, after nearly by Nicholas Prelate of Uppsala they were brought over. There in a silver coffer, with a marble cippus by iron gratings enclosed, the mausoleum, at the high altar, an immense crown & a tablet skillfully sculptured & painted being hung up, with an adumbration of the things done by Eric, they were laid up. To the memory of the eximious King also this honor by posterity was held, that into the order of the Saints he was referred:

so that with his image bearing three crowns, an image, the old insignia of the Swedish kingdom, the public coin & the royal Seal from of old long in view it was, so that as the insignia of the city of Stockholm Eric's face with comely hair was. But also the anniversary fairs, & the Erician holidays from him named, in the month of May, with an honorific commemoration of his life in the Church, fairs to be celebrated the custom obtained. Which even now by the people of Uppsala to the grateful recollection of the King is given. For the honor of right deeds with pious posterity does not grow old, nor with the author dies away. These things Loccenius. But about the Translation below under the end of the Appendix to the Miracles these things thus not otherwise are reported: In the year one thousand two hundred seventy third was translated B. Eric from old Uppsala to the new metropolitan Church, in the presence of the Lords Waldemar the King & Fulco the Archbishop. Charles a Manderscheit, a Priest of the Society of Jesus, was in Sweden with Lord Antonio Pimentel of the King Catholic with the aforesaid Queen Legate, & thence to us wrote in the year MDCLIII, that in the Church of Uppsala even now is preserved the sacred body of S. Eric the King, & that he his sacred head & other bones piously venerated & kissed had; & this holy King, an oath under his name before the heresy was introduced, always by the Swedes in great honor to have been held. An argument that to be, that the Kings to be crowned, when the solemn oath they rendered to the estates, into these words were wont to swear. May God propitious be to me in body & soul, & the Virgin Mary & S. Eric, & all the Saints & Relics of the Saints, which with my hands I touch. The subjects also were wont in turn to the new King to render an oath, S. Mary & S. Eric being invoked. It was lawful finally for the Kings I know not what extraordinary subsidies from the subjects to ask, & subsidies wont to be sought. as often as to the body of S. Eric to be venerated they set out. Would that that Saint from heaven intercede for the subjects, who together with the ancestral religion of this so great Saint the cult rejected.

THE ACTS

By the Author Israel Canon of Uppsala.

From a very old MS. Codex of the Queen.

Eric, King of Sweden (St.)

BHL Number: 2594, 2595

BY ISRAEL FROM A MS.

CHAPTER I.

The deeds of S. Eric in life, & miracles in the very bloody death.

[1] Of the glorious Martyr of Christ, & most illustrious once King of the Swedes Blessed Eric the origin, life, & happy consummation let the present succinct discourse run through: for he was as much of royal lineage, as of the noble of the Nobles of Sweden sprung. He, the kingdom being vacant, Elevated to the King of Sweden, on account of the clemency innate to him & the goodness of life conspicuous beloved, by the Princes of the land & all the people into King unanimously is elected, & on the throne of the kingdom at Uppsala honorifically elevated. In the Royal summit therefore set, conferred power, as of the assumed solicitude into three orders he distinguished, adorning & filling his days until the consummation of life through an illustrious martyrdom. For having imitated the holy Kings of the old testament's examples, first to the building of churches, & the reparation & amplification of divine worship, then to the rule of the people & the promulgation of the laws of justice, last to the conquering of the enemies of the faith & of the kingdom turning himself wholly, The Cathedral Church of Uppsala he completes: he put his hand to strong things. For the Uppsala church by the ancient Kings, namely his progenitors, founded, & somewhat built, first & before the rest undertaking, & ministers of divine worship therein placing; with a work very great & laborious solicitously he strove to consummate: then his kingdom going around & the people visiting the whole, on the Royal way walking; nor to the right declining his right to each one assigning by favor or price, nor to the left turning by fear or hatred; by the straight path, which leads to the fatherland, inflexibly he walked. And thus peace among the discordant making, the oppressed by the more powerful freeing, those walking rightly in the way of God directing, the impious from the land exterminating, with an equal balance in the scale of justice to each one his right he distributed & divided. But when by all his people on account of these & things like these gracious he was held, & unanimously all the third part of the satisfaction of delinquents, which according to the custom of the land to the Fisc of the Republic legally pertains, to him they wished to assign, to those offering it is said to have given this response: To me let my own things suffice; to you let yours be safe: because perhaps these your posterity in future times will need. O just Prince, & in eminence rarely found, who content with his own, the faculties of inferiors did not greedily covet!

[2] But because it is just, that he who others by office rules & judges, himself first should judge, the flesh to the spirit subjecting, addicted to mortification & prayer, & the spirit to the Lord directing, according to that, I chastise my body, & into servitude reduce; therefore our holy King assiduous in prayers, frequent in vigils, frequent in fastings, in the calamity of the afflicted compassionate, in alms to the poor liberal, his flesh with a continual haircloth wore, with which also as with the breastplate of justice in the time of his passion he was clothed: which also until today with his precious blood dipped in the Uppsala church is reserved. 1 Cor. 9, 27 But how toward the familiar enemy, & toward her who sleeps in the bosom of man, he conducted himself, from this clearly appears; that since on account of fastings & other sacred times from the bed of the Queen he often had abstained; he himself that in himself the incentives of the flesh sprouting he might repress, frequently & even in winter time in a tub of cold water secretly bathing, the hot with the cold curing, his animal motions himself stronger in mind repressed. But last of all, as above we said, the church being built, the kingdom ordered, to the enemies of the faith & the foes of his people turning his hand, an army being gathered & taken with him from the Uppsala church d Blessed Henry the Bishop, toward the Finns an expedition he directs, The Finns by arms subduing, & them, the faith of Christ first being offered & peace exhibited, resisting & rebellious, in vengeance of Christian blood, with a strong hand he attacks, & the conquered in war the victor laid low. And when so great a victory obtained in prayer he had prostrated himself, & with tears, as always of a most pious heart he was, prayed to the Lord; questioned by one of his familiars why he wept, since about the victory over the enemies of Christ rather it should be rejoiced, thus he is said to have answered: I rejoice indeed & glorify the Lord for the victory given us: he grieves that many perished without baptism. but vehemently I grieve, that so many of their souls today perished, who if the Sacraments of the faith they had received, to salvation would have been perpetual reserved. Having imitated in this the friend of God & of men most meek Moses, who with zeal kindled, the idolaters being prostrated avenged the injuries of the Lord; & with compassion affected, for the sin of the same people the Lord besought. The people of the land therefore who remained being convoked, peace being given, the faith of Christ being preached, very many being baptized, churches being founded, & there being placed the one, whom above we said, B. Henry the Bishop (who afterwards there with martyrdom was crowned) & there Priests being instituted, & the rest which to the religion of Christian worship pertain ordered, to Sweden with a glorious victory he returned.

[3] In the running therefore of the tenth year of the reign of our illustrious King, Surrounded by enemies, that the just man tribulation might prove, & the grain pressed might fructify more abundantly; the ancient enemy a certain one, e Magnus by name, of the King of the Danes son, to him an adversary stirred up: who from the inheritance of the land, which forbids foreigners to reign, to himself wrongly claimed. Whence also a certain Prince of the kingdom, & other satellites of iniquity to himself associating (who corrupted by gifts, & by promises allured into the death of the most illustrious King unanimously conspired) & an army secretly gathered, the King himself, ignorant & nothing adverse suspecting, at Eastern g Aros with a strong hand they attack. There was at hand on that day the feast of the Lord's Ascension, in which the same after the Lord through the palm of martyrdom was felicitously to ascend. And when on that day in the church of the holy Trinity h on the mount, which is called the Lord's, where now the Metropolitan is founded church, at the solemnities of Masses he was present, by a certain one of his men to him is announced, after Mass, the enemies near the city to be present, & that it would be advisable to them with an armed hand forthwith to meet: to whom he is said thus to have answered: Allow me, he said, in peace to the completion of so great a solemnity to hear the mysteries: for I hope in the Lord, that what of His service remains, elsewhere solemnly we shall hear. And these things said to God commending himself, & the impressed on himself first the sign of the Cross from the church going out, he armed himself & his men; with the same, although few, manfully meeting the enemies. Whom they with war receive, & against the King himself before the rest a battle-line directing, Christ the Lord's one to the ground being prostrated wounds to wounds they redouble: he is slain. & upon him now half-dead more raging, & mockeries exercising, his reverend head irreverently they cut off. And thus he from war to peace a victor passing, his earthly kingdom into the heavenly felicitously exchanged.

that in the place where his blood first was shed, of his martyrdom remains. The enemies therefore withdrawing, & the holy body in the place of the slaying left: a few of the royal ministers who had remained, it into a certain house nearby of a poor little widow carried. There was dwelling in the same place when the body of the Martyr she had touched, & her fingers in the holy blood dipped to her eyes had brought back; at once the gloom being wiped away her pristine light she received, praising God in His Saint. The rest of his life, & the translation of the holy body, & the miracles which the Lord worked through His Saint, & until the present does not cease mercifully to work, which here are omitted for brevity's sake, elsewhere are written. But B. Eric suffered in the year of the Lord's Incarnation k one thousand one hundred sixtieth, the fifteenth Kalends of June, Pope Alexander the third presiding over the Roman church, our Lord Jesus Christ reigning, to whom is all honor & glory forever and ever. Amen.

NOTES.

son of the predecessor, by the royal Danish affinity connected, more inclined. Eric being admitted to the kingdom composed the disturbed state of the republic: minds estranged by discord, the evil root being extirpated, into grace & concord he restored. There makes mention also of the said Charles assumed by the Goths Magnus. He afterwards succeeded S. Eric, & him Canute the son of S. Eric.

CHAPTER II.

Illustrious Miracles wrought. Eight either dead or held for dead, resuscitated. The mute, blind, women in childbirth, & other sick aided.

[5] A certain rustic in a Attundaland, Olaf by name, in the parish of Husaby; in the village which is called Maby, A madman who had himself wounded himself to death, a man through all of good testimony & honest conversation, by the hidden judgment of God into so great alienation of mind fell, that, lest to himself or to others he should harm, diligently by his own people he was guarded. Who on a certain day from the hands of those guarding incautiously having slipped, while to the wood alone he fled, & by his people was pursued, by an excessive instinct of fury himself with his own little knife attacked, & around his vitals everywhere himself with five lethal wounds most cruelly wounded. Coming up however his son with others, & seeing this horrible & miserable in his father spectacle, what he should do he asked of his friends, And when in counsel he had received, a vow for his father he made, & B. Eric's suffrages suppliantly implored. the son making a vow, Nor delay, & behold the eye of the Lord's mercy upon the wretch: for to him lifeless & as if dead lying, clothed, having a crown on his head, & a scepter in his hand bearing; who the wounds of his wounds with the thumb of his right hand touching, with the impressed sign of the Cross signed, & said: Son, confide in the Lord, & be mindful of the vow which those present for you send forth: & the Saint appearing he is healed. & when sound you have been made, you shall visit me. At these words that wounded & despaired one his lost sense soon recovered. His own Priest being called the sacrament of Confession he sought & received, & in a short time of all wounds being cured of either man perfect & entire he obtained health. This same miracle the said Olaf on the feast of B. Laurence in the solemn station, before the shrine of B. Eric, publicly testified.

[6] A certain Brother of the Order of Friars Minor, Rodger by name, b a Goth by nation, a Priest in order, A Friar Minor contracted, a most grievous infirmity incurred, so that his legs & feet being altogether enfeebled almost contracted, himself from the bed in which he lay by no means to move able, by the Brothers within & without on a pallet he was carried. And when not only by the molestation of his infirmity he was burdened, but also a tedium & burden to his Brothers having compassion on him he esteemed himself to be, for the hope of his soundness frequent to the Lord & to His Saints prayers he poured forth. It happened however in the days of the Rogations, that the body of B. Eric, as is the custom, from the Uppsala church to Aros with a public procession solemnly was carried. But hearing the said infirm Brother the voices of the singing Clerics, he asked of the Brothers what this was: & having understood that the shrine of B. Eric through the house of the Brothers was passing, with the whole devotion of mind to the glorious Martyr's patronage he turned himself, while the Saint in Procession is carried, supplicating for his soundness & a vow to himself making, that if him the Lord through the merits of His Saint should free from infirmity, in special devotion he would have his Martyr. And behold suddenly the hands of divine mercy upon him: & feeling himself from the pain alleviated, as still distrusting himself: but recognizing himself altogether freed, making a vow he is raised up. the staff being utterly cast away erect & sound he stood, & walked, going in & going out with his Brothers, magnifying & praising God, & giving thanks to the glorious King & Martyr. This miracle diligently was examined & proven, in the presence of Fr. Nicholas, Minister of the Friars Minor c of Dacia; Fr. Thomas, Custodian of the Friars Minor of Sweden & Guardian of the house of Aros, & several others. The often-said also Brother at Aros in the solemn station, on the Nativity of the blessed Virgin, this same miracle divulged.

[7] A certain Priest Vicar of Lord Raguwastus of Nerthatunum, d Nigimundus by name, on the day holy of Pasch the use of voice losing, A mute Priest, tongueless was made: & when thus for some time he persevered, he feared vehemently, that altogether perpetually mute he would become. And behold there was at hand the solemn birthday of B. Eric. But the said Raguwastus the Priest, having heard again anew the fame of his miracles, devoutly & constantly persuaded his Vicar, that the mercy of the Lord through the merits of B. Eric he should invoke; adding that, because it was the birthday of the Martyr, the Mass, if at least to read he could, to the honor of him he should celebrate. And when this he distrusted himself to perform, inasmuch as of him neither voice nor speech was heard, confiding however in the help of the Martyr, at the instance of his Lord with the sacred garments he clothed himself: he receives the speech he had vowed to use. & while before the altar, as is the custom, the confession he was saying, suddenly was rendered to him the voice, so that by those standing around it could be heard. And when he that grace from the Lord to himself made felt, who before neither Mass to read nor to speak could, into the praise of God bursting forth, the Mass with a clear voice in the glory of the Martyr he chanted. Thus God, who always is admirable in His Saints & glorious, the ancient signs renews, who once opened the mouth of Zachary the Prophet of the Lord. A certain rustic, Andrew by name, of the parish of Waxal, of the village Aristo, while many being present they were collecting stones for the need of the ecclesiastical ground, A demoniac is freed. by the hidden judgment of God suddenly into fury is turned, & horrible clamors emitting by his people is seized, & as a demoniac is bound: & a vow for him being made to B. Eric he is carried to the church; & at once from the demon freed by the merits of the glorious Martyr, to his pristine soundness he was restored. This very miracle, on the day of B. Eric, all who were present, & the virtue of the miracle had seen, the same thing attesting publicly testified.

[8] A certain adolescent, Andrew by name, of the household of Lord Ingewald of Soland, by divine judgment into so great alienation of mind fell, & another from a well half-alive extracted. that when to the kitchen water he ought to draw, himself into the precipice of the well giving by diabolical instinct he strove marvelously to suffocate. But the servants running up him lifeless extracting, into the house carried: who for the space of two days & one night, without all motion & sense, as dead thus lay. Coming however to him his aforesaid Lord, & seeing this in the youth a miserable spectacle; a vow for him to B. Eric making, the divine mercy & the glorious Martyr's help for the wretch mercifully implored. And behold suddenly he motion & sense recovered, & revived: his Lord making a vow for him, his eyes he opened, the Sacrament of Confession he sought & received; from the demon at the same time & sickness perfectly forthwith freed. And when by us, who this miracle, as we could, more diligently examined, he was questioned, what in that two days, in which as dead he lay, was done about him; he said, himself surrounded by a multitude of black birds, which as in the species of crows strove the same horribly to suffocate. This miracle the often-said adolescent, with those who present were, & what was done had seen, in the presence of a multitude of Clerics, religious, & laymen publicly testified.

[9] A certain boy of seven years, Laurence by name, of Logor, while in the field he was playing with other boys, by a sudden infirmity seized, lifeless into the house of his father is carried: the boy lifeless for three days is restored to himself, where for three days without motion & sense lying, of the same (who on account of business then was not present, home returning) by natural affection moved over his son, to the Friars Minor of Stockholm runs, & from them received in counsel, that himself with all devotion to the merits & suffrages of B. Eric he should turn, which also he did. And behold suddenly the vow being sent forth the son to those present sound & unharmed was rendered, of the glorious Martyr by the merits & his power, who the only son rendered to his mother. A certain girl of Helsingia, who quite enormously contracted, enormously contracted, not to walk, but to crawl scarcely could miserably, on account of the devotion of her parents & the merits of B. Eric, was raised up & healed: whom all the multitude sound & unharmed on the feast of B. Laurence saw proceeding. A girl, whom her mother dead bore, a stillborn fetus, life he rendered: & the mother at the same time from death's peril freed; which girl many afterwards we saw sound & unharmed. A certain Brother of the Order of Minors, Custodian in Sweden, a man of proven religion & known to many, grievously sick, of all members so great incurred sickness & so grievous, that himself from the bed, in which he lay, by no means could move: at the invocation of S. Eric the glorious Martyr from that most grievous

suffering he was freed suddenly, just as he himself before all on the day of B. Eric, while he was preaching, publicly testified.

[10] To a certain young girl, who as if already dead to be wrapped after the manner of the faithful had been laid on the pavement, at the invocation of her parents B. Eric crying out, two dead women, life pristine rendered the clemency of the Savior. And this miracle by her parents was publicly divulged. A certain matron of proven life, for whose soul according to the custom of the Church the bells had been rung, & the parish Priest to bless the funeral had been called (just as he himself & others, who present had been, to us related) to pristine life rendered Jesus Christ, by the merits of B. Eric King & Martyr glorious. A certain man grievously by demons vexed, a paralytic, & in all the half of his body with so grievous paralysis so struck, that with no offices of members in that part he could use, on account of the merits of B. Eric & the vows of those standing by, the Lord from the aforesaid suffering mercifully freed: just as he himself, & those, who at this miracle stood by, before us firmly testified. A certain one also drowned recently, & into the house of a certain one dead carried, & a drowned one, by the merits of the Martyr glorious to pristine life rendered the clemency of the Creator.

[11] Villages also & houses from grievous perils of fires, just as the possessors of them to us testified, the Lord freed by the merits of His Saint. As about the village of Ekaby evidently appears. a fire is calmed, In the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred third, when Brother Peter of the Order of Preachers Prior of the province of Dacia, just as he himself to several Brothers related, from Skeninge, the Provincial Chapter being celebrated there, intending the lake e Wariter to cross, & to Skara to set out, when he was at f Alvastra the monastery of the Order of Cistercians, & a tempest, near the bank of the said lake on account of the too great tempest the aforesaid there to make a stay was compelled. But the patronage being invoked of B. Eric, against the hope of all suddenly ceased the tempest by the suffrage of B. Eric, by the virtue of Him who commands the winds & the sea: & soon with the greatest tranquility he crossed that water, which already then to the monks & the rest others impossible seemed.

[12] In the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred fifth, the lady Ragaborgh, wife of Lord Fulko in Fanorium, g in childbirth of her life imperiled, vowed that from Floritasundh she would go on foot to Uppsala; to two women in childbirth life is preserved, & in honor of S. Eric a talent of wax she would offer, if from the peril of childbirth & the crisis of death she should be freed. Who soon offspring brought forth. But the offspring dead seemed to those present, nor any sign of life in the little body brought forth for hours many appeared. About which the mother vehemently grieving, from the virtue & help of the Martyr, which in herself she had felt, for the lifeless fetus B. Eric's help suppliantly invoked, that to her abortive one by his intervention vital God might infuse spirit, that the grace of baptism at least it might obtain, a special vow making for this grace to be impetrated. And behold suddenly in the little body, which seemed lifeless, began the vital spirit to appear: & the offspring baptism obtained, & Birgitta called for many years unharmed lived: & the mother for herself & the offspring the vows made fulfilled. These things to me Brother Israel related the lady Ragaborgh aforesaid.

[13] A certain matron, while in childbirth she was imperiled, & of her life despaired; the matrons assisting her, a vow made to S. Eric, & the same one is rendered the dead fetuses, that the Lord through his merits to the dying one might preserve life, & the laboring one free from childbirth. Which done the woman bore altogether dead thus lay, seeing those who were present women the mother revive, from the virtue of the miracle a greater in the Lord confidence assuming, by the affection of piety moved, again a vow vowed to the Lord, that He who the mother from the peril of death freed, to the daughter for so much life might give, that the grace of baptism it might obtain. Which done forthwith is present the virtue of the Lord: & He who into the face of the First-formed breathed the breath of life; into the little body of the girl dead & recently born a spirit vivifying mercifully breathed. vows to the Saint being made for their baptism. But seeing already the said matrons who were present, the vital spirit gradually through the members of the girl growing up, & her who truly dead was truly now living; the peril of death fearing, according to the form of the Church they baptized the same, the name of Helena imposing on her: whom after three months sound & unharmed we saw all, who were witnesses of the miracle. But this miracle was proven & examined at Aros, in the church of the Friars Minor, in the presence of the Minister & Custodian & Abbess of Schogh, the Archdeacon & Provost, & Lord Jacobus, & several others Clerics & laymen attesting. These things I received from two matrons worthy of faith & honest, who this miracle saw, & to this through all were present.

[14] A certain woman in the parish of Hakastum, in the village which is called Helgister, An energumen biting off her own tongue, by the hidden judgment of God into so great alienation of mind fell, that even her tongue with her own teeth biting she tore apart, & herself with her own hands attacking often wished to kill. Whom her people binding by hands & feet, also to her mouth, lest to herself or to others she should harm, a piece interposed in her jaws of wood they put, lest (as has been said) to herself or to others she should harm, & her tongue with a horrible bite she should cut off. The Parish Priest therefore from devotion being called, counsel about this calamity humbly they ask & require. He indeed, like a discreet man, to memory recalling, that that glorious Martyr of the Lord over this suffering to be cured a special from the Lord grace obtains, just as of many demoniacs the healings more clearly attest, that B. Eric's specially in these the help should be required said. Nor delay the Saint is invoked, the vow being made she falls asleep, vows are made to him: & suddenly the hands of the Lord's mercy upon her. For the woman who from the vehemence of pain & the vexation of the unclean spirit before sleep to take could not, for a little the eyelids being closed fell asleep: & again the eyes being opened those standing around with a certain lighter look she beheld, so that it could be weighed from that her suddenly from the demon to be freed; for those coming before with so horrible look she terrified, that no doubt it was that a demon dwelt in her. But those standing around, astonished on account of so sudden a novelty of the miracle, nor yet dared to loose her hands, which before while she suffered scarcely eight men could hold: but coming to her the aforesaid Priest, says to her: Daughter, if freed you are from your infirmity, give thanks to God the most high, she proves herself freed, who you through the merits of B. Eric freed; & this of your liberation to us will be a sign, if now your eyes to the heavens you will lift: for not yet did they dare to loose her hands nor her feet, nor the wood interposed between her jaws to extract, lest to herself or to others cruelly she should harm. Forthwith she at the command of the Priest her eyes to heaven directs, the sign of her liberation by the indications by which she could tearfully manifested. Her people then loosed her hands. That Priest again, that more evidently he might experience the certitude of the miracle, again said to her: Joined hands with eyes to the heavens lift, again giving thanks: which also she suddenly the command fulfilled, & through the window of the house looking, to her Liberator her eyes directed. A third time then loosing her feet, the wood from her jaws they extracted. A wondrous thing, stupendous, worthy of a miracle, & to the memory of posterity to be commended! For looking into her mouth, she exhibits a sound tongue, her tongue, which before by the bites of teeth torn & consumed & with blood flowing they had seen, drawing out; so sound & unharmed & clean they find, that not of any wound or injury in it a sign or trace utterly remained. And thus that woman, the use of reason fully recovered, to pristine was rendered through all health, & finally she recovers speech. except that mute she remained for nearly half that in her more the Lord wished to glorify His Saint. For at hand & dawning the day of the passion of the Martyr glorious, that woman with all her family to God & His Saint with the whole heart converted, begged, that just as the use of reason & her tongue to her healed He had furnished, also the faculty of speaking mercifully to render He would deign. And behold suddenly, the bond of her tongue being loosed, she spoke rightly, blessing God, giving thanks to Him, who her from so many & so great pains freed, through the merits & invocation of the Martyr glorious. That miracle publicly was divulged in the Synod of the Uppsala church.

[15] A certain little boy, Siguattus by name, in the parish of Willaberghum, of the village Gryllaby, having sickened, at last to extremities was brought. two dead are resuscitated And when by his kinsman the Priest of the said parish & by his people between hands he was lifted; & nothing in him of vital heat, motion, or sense a sign utterly remained; a vow for him being made, by the merits of B. Eric revived his spirit, & to pristine was rendered health. A certain man in Aros, in the house of Lord Windichinus the Merchant, by a grievous infirmity seized, to death even so far was brought, that now tongueless made, the eyes closed without sense & motion for a day he lay lifeless. And when by those standing around dead he was thought, & sent it had been for his heirs, that of his funeral the exequies & inheritance be ordered; the host aforesaid a vow for him sent forth to the Martyr glorious. And when morning now made they entered to him, they see living, whom as dead they had left, erect in the bed sitting, & addressing them, & giving thanks to God, who him from death's gates clemently snatched through the merits of the Martyr glorious. This miracle the said merchant, & those who were present, in the Uppsala church before the Clergy & people publicly testified. A certain man dwelling in the parish of Waxald, a mute & insane one is cured, at the same time & suddenly mute & insane made, so that from fury his own wife grievously wounding he wished to kill; by his people is seized & bound, & thus to the church of the Martyr is carried: & when there for some time he had lain, by the merits of the Saint his sense entire he received; but he remained mute. And when he persevered praying, & groans & confused voices frequently emitted; at last on the night of B. John the Baptist, while the Te Deum at the matutinal office was being sung, us standing by & hearing, by the prayers of the Martyr being rendered to him the office of the tongue, he spoke expeditely & rightly. This miracle on the following day the aforesaid man in the public station divulged: & of this all which was present, witness is the church.

[16] A certain woman in Dalum born, Liva by name, while of servile work something on the Lord's day, the solemnity being contemned, often she did; blind until the 20th year in penalty of sin suddenly the light of her eyes she lost. Who when

several places of the Saints by pilgrimage she had visited that her sight she might recover; the miracles of B. Eric being heard, she came at last to the Uppsala church: & there for some time staying & nothing profiting, when she had withdrawn, admonished in dreams again she returned. There was at hand then the feast of B. Laurence, who of the aforesaid is patron of the church, & the year of the bereavement of that poor little one the twentieth was rolling. And when amid the sacred vigils before the holy body afflicted greatly weeping in prayer she passed the night, & on the following day while in the solemn procession, as is the custom, in the carrying of the chest she is illuminated: the chest of the Martyr around the church reverently was carried; at the doors of the church before that shrine with tearful voices the mercy of God & the Martyr's help prostrate she begged. And behold suddenly opened were her eyes, breaking forth from the same first a little blood: & she cried out that she saw all things clearly in the circuit, & first & chiefly the bier of the Saint. Hence all the multitude, which then was present, & blind before had seen, & now illuminated, over so great & so openly done a miracle glorified the Lord & His Martyr. But we together with our Chapter, & other religious men & discreet Clerics, with all the discretion & solicitude going before we could diligently examined this miracle, & of the deed done a testimony of the truth we bear.

[17] In the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred seventy seventh, this miracle wrought the divine Omnipotence, by the merits of B. Eric & His Martyr to His glory, are healed, one incurably languishing, this year on the day of Pasch about the first hour in the Uppsala church, namely that a certain scholar of Helsingia, who from the feast of B. Martin until Pasch as if incurable had languished; when the said infirm one, by the counsel of his domestic, within the door of the Uppsala church had been carried, to pristine he restored health. To a woman of the parish of Giristom, who mute had been for two years, through the merits of His Martyr speech rendered the grace of the Savior. Henning of Ekby five days of his life, without words & speech, lay despaired: he saw in a vision B. Laurence clothed in a h tabard of gray color, coming to him, & saying: You shall be healed. And at once the infirm one, all hearing, burst forth into words, likewise S. Laurence being invoked one dying, & afterwards in a short time recovered, & for the recovered health offered one horse. Catherine of the parish of Iristum had a foot & part of the leg i shriveled, so that only the skin without the flesh of the leg was on it: & by this molestation for three years laboring, unable she was to work: & a weak leg. who for health to be recovered recovered. And the foot with the leg of wax made on the feast of B. Laurence personally offered.

NOTES.

CHAPTER III.

Very many sick of madness, fever, pains of heads, eyes, & other members freed, even a King wasting away. Likewise fires removed.

[18] The noble man Lord Magnus, of John Angel the son, when to Uppsala on the feast of the Nativity of S. Mary to come he was disposing, A man of the first rank from Stockholm having set out, by an excessive infirmity of body suddenly seized, in his court of Nelleco is prostrated. For three days alienation of mind suffering, he could speak what he wished: but for three other days immediately following, the use of reason full he had, but anything at all to speak he could not: after madness mute & refusing food but for the whole of the aforesaid six days' time, no food at all or drink he took. And when as if no hope of his escape seemed, & about the necessaries for the funeral & exequies it was treated, Brother Israel the son of his sister, & Lord Haquinus the Priest of the same, by the vow of the domestics & Kanutus his chamberlain, vowed, that to Uppsala from Flortasundh they would go with bare feet, if the Lord to the infirm one (of whose life it was despaired) health to confer would deign, that some words he could speak, & order for the salvation of his soul what to himself it pleased. After a little the infirm one somewhat slumbered; & sooner awakening on the sixth day of so great sickness, about the vesper hour a little of some liquor infused into his mouth he swallowed, & speech at once thus he recovered, that by those standing by it could be understood. On the morrow however, that is on the day of the Sabbath, to the Mass of the blessed Virgin into his chapel to be led himself he caused: & then more words to bring forth he could; he convalesces, but what he wished to say, totally to express he could not. On the following Lord's day he crossed even to Ullatunir: & thence on the day of the moon namely on the exaltation of the holy Cross to Uppsala on pilgrimage he set out; the aforesaid Brother Israel, Lord Haquinus, & Kanutus fulfilling the vow which they had made. But Lord Magnus himself, & barefoot to S. Eric he comes. near the brick house of the Friars Minor from the ship disembarked, at a great space from the Cathedral church distant: & he who scarcely for a little space by others' hands to be able to be led was thought, by himself with bare feet, accompanied by twenty servants & more, similarly walking, to the relics of B. Eric came: & there more fully the use of speaking he recovered, & a precious offered a baldachin to the Martyr glorious. The aforesaid miracle in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety third happened.

[19] Lord Martin, Presbyter of the church of Loristum, narrated, that a certain parishioner of his, Olaf by name, a most grievous from the feast of Pasch until the feast of the blessed Olaf & Eric to visit, the Presbyter is healed of pain of head if through their intervention the Lord to him the desired might grant health. On the night therefore of B. Olaf, when a little he slumbered, appeared to him a venerable certain person, saying to him: Behold sound you have been made, therefore to S. Eric to come, & one solidus of white money which you have, to offer you ought. Awaking he, well cured himself at once felt, & his vow in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety fourth on the feast of B. Laurence devout fulfilled. Of the aforesaid also Lord Martin the ox falling to the ground, suddenly dead was thought, & his dying ox is preserved: & no in it appeared sign of life, except that one of its eyes a little palpitated. But when the servants with knives the feet of the lying one seized, as a body lifeless about to flay, that for the uses of men more as if slain, & not as if of itself dead it might be had apt; the possessor it to B. Eric, if death it escaped, promised. Cease a little the servants from the flaying, & the ox to move itself strongly began, & after a little fully convalescing to B. Eric on the feast of B. Laurence was offered.

[20] A certain man in the parish of Walom into so great alienation of mind fell, that with his own hand his throat to himself horribly he cut across. likewise the throat being cut one dying, His neighbors & kinsmen, at a case so wonderful & miserable stupefied, the Venerable memory Lord c Fulko Archbishop of Uppsala, who in the neighborhood was, approached, consulting & inquiring what about the body of the wretch they ought to do, whom already dead they reputed. But he, who of a pious always heart was, & over the afflicted pious bearing bowels, asked if in him still that so, although feebly, namely who breathed through the place of the wound; he admonished them, that a vow for him they should make to B. Eric, that by his merits to him, who in the last was set in spirit, the Archbishop vowing a Mass of S. Eric the divine compassion's abundance might succor. He also his oratory soon entering, for the wretch humbly prayers poured to God, a vow vowing, that if the aforesaid man the peril of perdition escaped, he himself to the honor of God & of the said Martyr a Mass solemnly would chant. Which done the said man his sense recovered the integrity, & perfect of his body health having obtained in a short time, on the following feast of B. Eric sound appeared; a sign of the evident miracle in himself bearing, since on his throat to the praise & glory of our Lord, & to the extolling of the proclamation of the Martyr glorious.

[21] In the same year in Jarimtaland a certain boy of four or five about years, while bare with feet in the summer time he was walking, are healed an ulceration of the leg, a certain thorn his leg about the ankle of the foot entered. And when from this the leg miserably swelled, & more miserably putrefied, so much that the flesh falling away the nerves & nearly bare bones remained, & to the boy already of death hung the destruction, nor of medicine to him remedies succored; his mother sending forth a vow that the thresholds of B. Eric at Uppsala she would visit, the boy from the peril of death was freed, & restored to most entire health: who the vow fulfilling, to Uppsala came on the following Supper of the Lord, bearing with her one leg of silver, to the perpetual memory of the miracle perpetrated. These two miracles were published on the feast of the same Martyr glorious B. Eric in the Uppsala church, in the presence of the illustrious King of the Swedes d Magnus, & the lady Queen his wife, & a great of nobles & people multitude of sex both, in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred seventy seventh. On the same also day came a certain man worthy of faith, a swelling of feet, to Uppsala bearing with him two signs of feet of wax made, who himself from a swelling of feet miserable,

at the invocation of B. Eric, asserted himself freed. Israel the son of Erlendus, while the schools of Linköping he frequented, of quartan fevers for three years & a half labored. a quartan fever. But when for the sake of visiting his parents from Ostgotia he had returned into Sweden, Fulko his uncle of good memory, then Archdeacon, & afterwards Archbishop of Uppsala, of the veneration & honor of B. Eric a zealot chief, commanded him, that for health to be recovered the body of B. Eric, which then in old Uppsala rested, he should visit, & there in honor of the holy Martyr one candle he should offer. He delivered also to him an Antiphon with a Versicle & Collect, which of the glorious Martyr frequently to recite he ought. He therefore, who by a long & grave sickness nearly had failed, the commands fulfilled, & full a few afterward elapsed days obtained health.

[22] Of the most glorious King of the Swedes & Goths Magnus the son e Berger, Berger the King a boy in peril of life, an illustrious King, by a grave & long languor had failed so much, that the flesh consumed his skin withered, & his tender members scarcely among themselves cohered together, & no in him vigor of strength remained. And when thus for a year by moments nearly single to the setting he seemed to tend, it happened that him on a certain night suddenly a most grievous gout vehemently invaded, & so much vexed, that his guards, of his life utterly despaired, thought him again dead. But his tutor Lord Charles Thidhische, then first among the guards of the Royal body, the human remedies to so great a peril to succor able distrusting, by the tutor's vow he convalesces, to the divine he turned himself help; & instantly invoking SS. Olaf & Eric Kings & Martyrs & B. Nicholas the Confessor the patronages, for the liberation & safety of the King a vow he vowed whether the offering of the vow to S. Olaf, or to S. Eric, or to B. Nicholas should be rendered, at once the lot of B. Eric three times fell. His therefore help he began specially more instantly to invoke: & behold forthwith was made the hand of the Lord upon the infirm one, & soon sensibly ceased the molestation of the gout, & in a short time the whole languor from the royal withdrew body, & he beyond hope quickly full obtained health. The aforesaid therefore Lord Charles, & two other Knights, as also that one from pain of eyes. the made for the Lord King vow fulfilling, in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety second on the feast of B. Eric, with the solemn offering of the Lord King, from Stockholm went on foot to Uppsala, & in the public station over the aforesaid benefit of the glorious Martyr of Christ they bore testimony to the truth. The often-said therefore Lord Charles from a grave sickness, & a long pain of eyes, which to him nearly altogether blindness had induced, through B. Eric was cured, & freed fully: just as he himself in the aforesaid station before all testified.

[23] A certain noble & devout Lady Helgha, wife of Lord Roric Birgersson, when twice, just as to a certain religious she related, the conceived fetus she had aborted, help is given to one fearing abortion, & pregnant again a third time the same to befall her too much feared; B. Eric heartily she invoked, promising that if through his merits the Lord her conception alive to be born would grant, she to B. Eric one gold piece would offer. In the time therefore opportune giving, her vow joyfully she fulfilled. When of an immense fire the voracious flame the wood next to the church of Gutturum, in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety fourth about Pentecost was wasting; & a strong wind the fire to the houses of the Priest, a fire is extinguished. which scarcely at a stone's throw from the said wood were distant, to approach made; Lord Nicholas, who then of that church was Rector, invoked the help of B. Eric, that the houses of the church from the fire's peril he would free. And behold soon a contrary wind came, & the flames from the houses of the Priest repelled; & the court, just as the aforesaid Lord Nicholas at Uppsala in the Synod narrated, from that fire unharmed remained. When also the greatest part of the court of Lord Lidhinnardus of Noroby near Uppsala had been burned, B. Eric being invoked a great part of the said court, just as relates the lady Margaret wife of Lord Lidhinnardus, miraculously was from the fire's peril freed.

[24] In the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety ninth, Andrew of Sel for twelve weeks lying had languished: who a vow being made to B. Eric, Are cured grievous languors, at once when he convalesced, to the thresholds of the blessed Martyr with an offering without delay came. In the same year Saxo Castellan of Stockholm, vowed a candle of a talent of wax, & from a grave infirmity freed, the vow fulfilled. In the same year Sederius, of the parish of Vaxal, pain of eyes, from a grave of eyes pain asserted himself by the blessed Martyr's merits freed. Olaf of the parish of Hugddungi about himself relates assertively, that when he was a boy of seven years, a year & a half alienation of mind he suffered. madness of 18 months. And when his father & kinsmen thereupon greatly were burdened & grieved; the father for his infirm son B. Eric's help attentively implored, promising, that the aforesaid Olaf his son, if from so miserable a suffering he were freed, in single years would offer to B. Eric in the time of his life one solidus. Who soon health full obtained, & in single years single solidi putting aside, until the price of one cow he had collected; one thousand three hundredth on the feast of B. Laurence to B. Eric offered, & similarly himself to do for the remaining time of his life thereafter affirmed.

[25] When a strong famine for several years Sweden had devastated, the rustics the parishes Barling, Spiccaby, & Akirby inhabiting, in this unanimously most excellently agreed; a famine of several years, that for temperateness of air from the Lord to be impetrated on three sixth ferias to their single churches devoutly they would come, & that to B. Eric they would offer one ear of corn of silver gilded, if through his intervention the Lord, according to the need of the fields, serenity & rain might grant opportune. The desired effect soon they obtained of their vow: & what they had promised, alacritously they rendered. Related Lord Ragualdus Puke, that when his wife Lady Catherine, for twelve weeks grievously had languished, & by so long a languor thus to extremities had been brought, that to her now the thumbs were bound, & no seemed hope of her escape, he himself for the life & safety of her to B. Eric vowed a pilgrimage, & one baldachin. Soon she unexpectedly convalesced fully: & he to B. Eric the promised offered baldachin. A certain Priest by name Martin, Orningus by nation, Rector of the church of Egboharade of the Synod of Uppsala, in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred ninety third to his church wishing to return, while he was making the journey, the horse falling he fell down; & so grievously his head to the root of a certain tree dashed, a wound of the head, that the cap, which he had on his head, was broken: at last from the ground he rose, & by a certain Priest into hospitality was received, where from the preceding fall his sense he lost; & in mind alienated lying for eight days, no at all food he took. & madness thence contracted, But his host, of the painful fall of him greatly condoling & compassionating, & of death fearing, a vow made for him, that if through B. Eric him the Lord mercifully should heal, he, who so grievously suffered, of one talent of wax a likeness of his head would make to be made; & from the place, where then he lay, to Uppsala on foot going, his offering personally would present. This done forthwith the suffering one sound rose, & with his host the same evening at the common table ate, & the vow for himself made willingly fulfilled. He & his host, who for him the vow had made, equally this miracle divulged, & with an oath of the deed done testimony rendered.

[26] In the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred sixth, about the feast of B. Olaf, Benedict, a six-year-old little boy, son of Olaf Dansca & Ingegerd, a pestilent swelling; in the parish of Wendilwilla Ekeby, after many sicknesses & diverse convalescences, suddenly about the genitals & even to the navel was swollen, & the swollen skin was blackened like a coal: & nothing to the infirm one to remain, except now the exhalation of spirit, seemed. Under this calamity went the mother to the church on the Lord's day, on which was the eve of B. Olaf, not able at home on account of the vehemence of pain to stay, nor her son then only one wishing to behold dying; whom from the house withdrawing, never alive she thought herself again to see again. Her in the church Lord John the Presbyter of old Uppsala coming, mournful & with tears suffused & uncombed in garments noticing, of so great sadness the cause he asked, & learned from the same: of which woman the misery was heaped up, that under one whole year's revolution before four sons & two daughters she had lost. Consoling therefore the weeping woman the aforesaid Presbyter, counseled, that in B. Eric confidence she should put, the boy dying at the mother's vow, & him for the safety of her son she should invoke, & to him She therefore according to the Presbyter's counsel vowed for her son, that the thresholds of B. Eric, where is the sepulcher of the Martyr at old Uppsala, in single years she would visit, & cause to be said one Mass in honor of him, & the office having been fully heard to her own she returned. To whom the little boy, whom she as if dying had left, outside met in the court. But she at the sudden change as one inspired similar vehemently was astounded, & him in sense alienated thought; into the lodging she brought him back, & of so sudden a convalescence the manner more diligently inquired. But lifting familiarly the garments of the infirm one, & the places before swollen now without swelling she beheld, & the skin contracted & wrinkled lying over the injured places. And when said the mother to her son, What with you has been done, son? answered he: Just now under your absence supervened to me a sweet slumber, & in it a certain man in white to me appeared, & me palpated; & at once with the swelling the pain me left. the Saint appearing to him through sleep: But although the boy, namely of six years, of the man to him in white appearing more to relate knew not; yet piously it is believed it was B. Eric, who under the moment of the little one's convalescence by the mother had been invoked more devoutly, that to her son he might be for safety. But the mother with inestimable filled joy, fearing for the infirm one of a relapse, for a few days him she kept, & the skin contracted & black, within three days, without of any medicament & unguent the application, into the natural color & smoothness beyond hope returned. On the feast therefore of B. Laurence then next, the woman with bare feet with her son unharmed came to the sepulcher of B. Eric, & a Mass for the safety of her son to her rendered solemnly to be said caused. All the aforesaid premised the aforesaid Ingegerd to us, Nicholas Archbishop of Uppsala & many being present, faithfully set forth in the year of the Lord

one thousand three hundred tenth, on the day of the Consecration of the church of Vendil, in whose church's parish this miracle was perpetrated.

[27] Relates Lord John the Presbyter of old Uppsala, that the wife of a certain miller in his parish from a grave languor through the invocation of B. Eric was cured, a grave languor, about the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred sixth or seventh. When Torstanus the smith at Farryngor a wagon laden with hay from the meadow to his own would lead; his son a little boy, namely his third year of age passing, to meet his father running, a boy crushed by a cart incautiously slipped down beside the cart. When the father the cart was driving, utterly ignorant about the boy, he heard of the cart passed, & him miserably crushed. The father at the single sound of the little one, while the first wheel over him passed, was stupefied: & what it was, which he had heard ignorant, suddenly the horses drawing the cart to stand he made. Looking back, behind the wagon of hay, the crushed little body he saw, in which no sign of life appeared, in his bosom he put, & into his own house nearby carried. O good Jesus! what then could be the paternal heart in the miserable case of his little son thus extinguished? There comes meanwhile to his mind, & among these straits he began to invoke B. Eric King & Martyr's help, whom he had heard in succoring the wretched prompt equally & prepared. And when against hope a vow he had made for the boy to the holy Martyr, who extinguished seemed & crushed in members, behold suddenly he revived, & unharmed in his whole body afterward for a long time lived. Done was this miracle in the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred eighth. This to me Brother Israel & several worthy of faith others the father of the boy faithfully narrated.

[28] In the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred tenth, on the eve of B. Eric, when Lord f Nicholas the Archbishop after Compline from the church had returned into his chamber, suddenly by a fever is seized, the Archbishop pressed by a fever once on the bed is prostrated, all that night by the force of fevers most vehemently is vexed even near sunrise, & he thought himself never from Uppsala to withdraw. But when he distrusted himself on the day of B. Eric from the bed to rise to be able, he invoked the help of B. Eric, vowing, that if by his merits he were relieved only so much that he could on that day the solemnities of Masses to perform, for the rest the Martyr's memory in his Matin & Vesper hours always he would have. And behold soon by slumber seized, to sweat much he began, & within the third hour thus health & strength beyond hope forthwith he recovered, that on that day Mass solemnly he celebrated, & other things which his office required he could perform competently: & for that time altogether left him the fever. This he himself before many personally on the day of B. Eric in the solemn station, to God's & the Martyr's glory, narrated. When also in the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred eleventh set at his manor Akir, & again: from Uppsala on the feast of the said Martyr himself to absent he was disposing, by a vehement infirmity suddenly seized, with all celerity to the said feast he hastened, & soon the infirmity escaped. Relates Lord John the Presbyter of old Uppsala, that a certain one of Philin passing to Uppsala suddenly swelled too much, & by gout grievously vexed, a podagra cured, so much that of his life it was despaired. But carried to Olaf in Fulredhum, a vow for him being made to B. Eric, soon he convalesced.

[29] When a great fire a granary, which was a house large & to other lodgings neighboring, in the court of Lady Margaret in Wixstadum, the relict of Lord Roridh, fires repressed was burning, & the flame was spreading vehemently; Lady Margaret, fearing that the whole court would be devastated by the fire, invoked the patronage of B. Eric, vowing herself to the Martyr one mark of pure gold about to offer, if by his merits the Lord to so great a peril as if by a certain hidden force, to the other part was turned; nor the houses contiguous injured in anything the fire, nor devastated. Happened this benefit of the Saint in the year of the Lord one thousand three hundred tenth, on the fifth feria before the feast of B. Eric, which the said Lady Margaret to God's & the Martyr's glory on the feast of B. Eric before several worthy of faith faithfully narrated. In the same year on the night of B. Eric the court of Oridgerus in the village Ladhum, of the parish of Knyffta, which was situated in the middle of the village, when the courts of others on each part were burning, at the invocation of the Martyr the fire altogether did not touch, nor in anything injured. This before Lord the Archbishop & several to us related Lord Edmund, Rector of the church of Odimshargha.

[30] In the same year on the fifth feria next before the feast of B. Eric, a certain noble girl by name Christina, daughter of Lord Harald Arilgh, by a grave infirmity in Halkqui labored, so that for ten days no at all she had taken food. When therefore of death the crisis greatly she feared, she caused to be called to her Fr. Israel Prior of Sigtuna her cousin, who then with Lord Nicholas the Archbishop in Fundhboharradhe was: A sick Woman whom to her coming she asked, that on the morrow he would return, & her Confession would hear, & to her the Sacraments ecclesiastical would minister, & her would make a testament. Who returning to the lying one on the morrow morning, when to her he wished to approach: behold he saw the handmaid ministers of the girl groaning, & weeping, & saying: After from her you withdrew yesterday at the ninth hour, she nothing has spoken except a few words as if out of her senses in the night. He approached therefore to the place, exploring if some words to bring forth she could. There approached also the maidservants, touching & moving her, & requiring if anything to speak she was able, at least any word. But she strongly moved, neither her eyes opened, nor a word any brought forth. All therefore who were present, not only of the life of the sick one despaired; but also that neither the Sacraments to receive, nor could make a testament. Withdrawing therefore into the court Brother Israel, vehemently grieving that she without the Sacraments & testament seemed about to migrate from the body, about to die without the Sacraments was afflicted in mind, that her he had not confessed, & that to her the Sacraments he had not ministered, & the testament made on the preceding day. He wished therefore soon the said of the blessed Virgin Mass to withdraw, & convoking to himself Lady Raguildis, wife of Lord Benedict Boson, the aunt of the sick one, & Lord Styrgerus the parish there Presbyter, & Lord Jacobus the Priest, he informed them how the funeral should be wrapped, & how & where it should be entombed, & how the funerals should be done, & the rest of this kind to the business opportune. There was present someone, who suggested: Let a vow be made for her to B. Eric, that if better she has, by the vow of her people, she on foot would make a pilgrimage to the thresholds of the Saint, & offer a baldachin. Consent Lady Raguildis & Brother Israel: & when he wished to go to celebrate Mass, came a hasty servant calling the often-said Brother to the one despaired of life before. And then he amazed at the unhoped-for benefit, with joy approached to her. Says she with a clear voice: Now better I have, & food I desire, & I hope in a short time fully to convalesce. But he said: First Confession make, & the Lord's Body receive, she suddenly convalesces: & thus take food. For the said Brother feared, lest suddenly growing strong again the disease should extinguish her; because sometimes are wont food to ask or receive forthwith those dying. He said also: Now a Mass of S. Eric I will celebrate, & thus your Confession I will hear, & other things, which to the salvation of your soul pertain, we will do. The Mass therefore being celebrated, & heard her Confession, & ministered to her the sacred Communion, & the testament made, she took food, & under a wonderful celerity fully convalesced & perfectly. formerly also from a quartan freed. She also said herself by a vow to B. Eric made from a quartan, by which for a year & a half she had labored, the glorious Martyr's patronage before to have been freed.

NOTES.

APPENDIX

Two miracles afterward wrought & by a more recent hand inscribed.

Eric, King of Sweden (St.)

BHL Number: 2597, 2598

[31] In the year of the Lord one thousand four hundred third, on the translation of S. Eric, a certain Rowan Andrissem of the parish of Wikungaker, of the village Barkasartir, Speech given to the mute. before the Dean & certain Canons of Uppsala, his son of ten years presented; which son he said to have been altogether mute until the sixth year of his age: for whom a vow he made to S. Eric, that with his son & an offering he would visit S. Eric: & soon was broken the bond of long silence, & the boy within a quarter of the year perfect use of speaking according to his age's possibility received. In the year of the Lord one thousand four hundred eleventh, on the eve of S. Eric, a certain Hanes Walterssem of the parish of Fasta, who for a year & a half speech & hearing after a most grievous infirmity had lost, speech & hearing recovered in the meadow of Moraaring, making a pilgrimage to the thresholds of B. Eric; & it was then the seventh day after the vow of pilgrimage sent forth.

THE SEQUENCE

From a very old Missal.

Eric, King of Sweden (St.)

Let us give thanks with sweet prose, The glorious praise of Eric Let it come forth into the midst.

From a generous root Is transplanted a verdant rose To the royal throne.

The affairs of the kingdom being ordered,

The Saint goes with armed men To the lands of the infidels.

Of those dead in their sins With a wondrous motion of piety He weeps the slaughter of the enemies.

Just in judgment, Frequent in fasting, His limbs he wore down With a rough haircloth: A fervid devotion His mind inflamed.

Depraved men conspiring, And into the death machinating Of the King unanimously, Stir up an unforeseen war: The King slain Paradise Enters felicitously.

From the dead recalled To the mother alive he renders the daughter, And heals the woman in childbirth: To one with five wounds wounded, Now of life despaired, He gives prosperous health.

Happy he by whose grace The demons are put to flight, The blinded see, The contracted is raised up, And the drowned is rendered To full health.

A vow's promise being made He renders voice to the Priest, And to the infant a leg: At once between the Brothers' hands The Friar Minor rises sound, After a long misery.

Sense he renders to the woman, Who scarcely to be seized or held Could be for fury. O how they prove the Saint of God, And confirm the faith of the matter So great marvels!

Therefore to the marvelous King Praise with a joyful song Let it be frequented: Whose enjoying Uppsala By the salutary presence Let it be gladdened.

Thou, King of the Swedes, Eric, Great Martyr & friend Of God, by sedulous prayer Amend us venerating thee, And recommend us to Him, Who reigns forever.