ON SAINT THEOBALD,
ARCHBISHOP OF VIENNE IN GAUL.
X CENTURY.
A Collection of more recent Eulogies with the varying day of cult among the moderns.
Theobald, Archbishop of Vienne in Gaul (St.)
G. H.
When we in the year of Christ 1662 were returning from Rome through the Gauls into Belgium, we approached the city of Vienne, about to inquire concerning various Saints, of whom we knew that an exceptional cult and veneration was had there. And first we described from the ancient Calendar of the Viennese Missal or Breviary various notice of Saints, Sacred cult: and on this XXI of May mention of St. Theobald the Bishop of nine Lessons. We obtained also some Breviary of the Cathedral church, struck at Vienne in the year 1522, in which these things are prescribed: Of St. Theobald, Bishop of Vienne and Confessor. Let it be done as in the common of one Confessor according to the time. Prayer. Grant we beseech. Moreover we found a Martyrology of the holy Church of Vienne, from which we excerpted those things which were proper to the Viennese. Having gone forth from Vienne, after other cities visited, we came to Dijon; and there by the gift of Pierre-François Chifflet we obtained another Martyrology, to which was prefixed the title: Eulogy from the Martyrology of Vienne: The Order and series of the Saints of the holy and ancient Church of Vienne, the Metropolis of the Allobroges in Gaul, as they are digested in the Martyrology.
[2] In these two Martyrologies therefore that eulogy is contained in almost the same words: On the twelfth of the Kalends of June. At Vienne the deposition of St. Theobald the Confessor, fifty-eighth Archbishop of Vienne, who by the holy Apostolic See, of the holy Archbishops of Vienne the last among the Saints was enrolled. He in the greater church, after its restoration, made by him about the year nine hundred fifty-four, full of miracles rests. For whose veneration the most devout people of Vienne built four chapels in the sacred greater basilica: of which the chief (where his body rests) in our time was decorated and illustrated by our most devout Archbishop Jérôme de Villars then sitting. In which, by his entreaty, Pope Gregory the fifteenth most firm Indulgences, for the refreshment of the souls existing in purgatory, on perpetual and single Mondays, and also through the Octaves of All Saints piously bestowed, the sacred sacrifice of the Mass mediating. These things in the said Martyrologies: which almost the same has John le Lievre in the History of the antiquity and holiness of the city of Vienne, in French in the year 1625 struck there, where he more amply describes the splendor of the Church constructed by the Saint, and the Indulgences granted by him to those conferring alms for perfecting this fabric.
[3] another from Saussay on July 1, André du Saussay in the Supplement of the Gallican Martyrology on the Kalends of July writes these things: At Vienne of the Allobroges of St. Theobald the Bishop and Confessor, who under St. Leo Pope IX and Henry the first King of the Franks governed that Church; and having performed with all study the office of a good Pastor, the flock being augmented, with a copious offspring of grace, full himself of works of justice, by the command of the supreme Pastor called away, went on to the merited reward. These things Saussay, whose eulogy is common to all holy Bishops. That he would have him to have lived under St. Leo Pope IX, with an error about the time of his life, we do not straightway approve. We gave the illustrious Acts of this Pontiff on April XIX, and said that in the month of February of the year 1049 he was elected and crowned at Rome, and in the year 1054 departed this life. But the successor of St. Theobald was Burchard; at whose petition Rudolph King of the Burgundians granted a privilege to the Church of St. Maurice, signed in the year 1013, published by the said John Le Lievre. The same Burchard presided over the Council of Anse in the year 1025, and that he in the year 1026 with an exceptional opinion of holiness died on August XIX the Sammarthani hand down, to whose See the said le Lievre attributes thirty years. Which if they should subsist, to St. Theobald would have succeeded Burchard in the year 996. But that about the year 954 the Bishop Burchard already mentioned flourished has been said. But that Saussay referred St. Theobald the Archbishop to the Kalends of July, he seems to have done for want of notice concerning him; and because on that day he had referred St. Theobald the hermit, he was the great-uncle of the grandmother of St. Theobald the hermit. to this one he joined him: whom however he adds to have died the day before that day or on June XXX, on which day we will give his Acts. The nativity of this one, says the Author of the Life of this hermit, by St. Theobald the Bishop of Vienne, without doubt by the relation of his truthful familiars, and what is firmer, by the assertion of the mother of the same blessed man, we have found foretold. For that Prelate was the great-uncle of the grandmother of St. Theobald, and from him obtained the name of an equivocal name. Who when at some time he had a conversation with the mother of Lady Willa, the genitrix of this Blessed one, among other things he says: O generous parent, rejoice and be glad, because from thee will come forth a mother, who is to bring forth a son of great merit: who will be preeminent over all the men of our affinity, and before God and men will be called and will be great. These things in the said Life.
[4] memory July 1. Ferrarius also in the general Catalogue on the Kalends of July, At Vienne in Gaul, says, of St. Theobald the Bishop. On which day also in the Calendar of Genebrard is read the memory of Theobald Bishop of Vienne, in the year 1050 under Henry II, and Nauclerus and Sigebert are cited. But Sigebert treats of St. Theobald the hermit; and Nauclerus in the said year is silent concerning any Theobald, whether elsewhere he has anything it does not please to search out. On the same Kalends of July in various Churches is celebrated the feast of St. Theobald the Hermit, who on account of this St. Theobald the Bishop, in the Martyrology of Cologne and Lübeck of the year 1490, is also held a Bishop; and in the Churches of Luxembourg, Lindenen, and Tienen also with a miter, pastoral staff, and cope is painted, as is indicated at the Acts of the same St. Theobald the Hermit June XXX.
ON THE VENERABLE COUNTS PALATINE ERENFRID OR EZO AND MATHILDA AND THEIR DAUGHTER B. RICHEZA QUEEN OF POLAND.
FOUNDERS OF THE MONASTERY OF BRAUWEILER NEAR COLOGNE.
IN THE YEARS 1025, 1035, 1063.
OUR PREFACE.
Why formerly written conjointly and now together are given the Acts of all? What do the more recent say of B. Richeza?
Erenfrid or Ezo, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Mathilda, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Richeza, or Ricza, Queen of Poland, their daughter, of Cologne Agrippina (B.)
D. P.
About to illustrate the Acts of Blessed Wolphelm, third Abbot in Braunwiller or Bruno's-villa (which for the sake of euphony is mostly named Brauweiler), on April XXII our Henschenius, concerning the foundation of that most noble monastery treated in few words: here we will explain the matter from the beginning, as a certain monk of his, G., wrote it for the same B. Wolphelm, before the year 1090, the witness in his books on the magnitude of Cologne Agrippina being Aegidius Gelenius, The Acts written before the year 1090, who often used the same history, which we received from Father John Gamans from a Brauweiler manuscript, embracing the lives of the Venerable founders. Venerable I say, although Gelenius and others sometimes call them Blessed: so however that under that title we give them a place among the Blessed, when the miracles wrought at the sepulchre show, that it was formerly frequented by the elders with a religious and public cult of the Blessed, although the last translation of the bodies, without the title of beatitude, but not without miracles. made in the year 1667, does not seem to have exceeded the limits of a civil cult, such as sons owe to well-deserving parents, for the sake of gratitude and observance. To her parents we add Ricza or Richeza their daughter, on account of the Cloten estate given to the monastery honored by the monks with the title of Co-foundress; and indeed with the express eulogy of Blessed, since we have found her dignified even with the appellation of Saint, although on March XIX and XX we placed her among the Things Passed Over, since we could establish nothing certain with us either concerning the cult or concerning the day of her death.
[2] But although all died on different days; Richeza namely, Why all are referred together on this day, on which Ezo alone died. once the wife of Mieszko and mother of Casimir Kings of Poland, on March XXI; but the Mother Mathilda, sister, daughter, granddaughter of three Otto Emperors, on November IV: yet we join all on this XXI of May, on which their husband and father Erenfrid, by a later and more famous name called Ezo, is asserted by the author of the Epitaph to have died. For we cannot doubt, with Gelenius in the Life of B. Richeza at the end, whether it is the day of death or of translation: because when it is read that Erembert himself
--- Under the twice-six Kalends of Gemini they sent miserably, On which He cherishes him in that home, who is God and man;
when, I say, this is read, no other House can be understood, to which he was sent on May XXI, than the House celestial, in which Christ cherishes the souls of the pious. The cause also of joining the same is this, that the Acts conjointly interwoven into the Brauweiler History (which I have mentioned), deserved to be given entire under one view. The same Acts in later centuries, The same Acts later interpolated when now once and again the bodies of the blessed spouses had been translated, another Brauweiler monk polished and interpolated: which context from the same John Gamans we also received, just as he had caused it to be transcribed word for word from the archive of the Monastery, and had illustrated it with a marginal synopsis by his own hand, Father Andrew Schnorrenberg, Professed of Brauweiler, and there present when the venerable bones were last translated, as in its own place we will indicate, about also to take several useful Annotations from the aforesaid Interpolator.
[3] To the second, which I have said, manuscript the same our Father Gamans had prefixed this title. The Divine Palatines, Blessed Ezzo and Blessed Mathilda daughter of the Emperor Otto II, and adapted to a greater collection with the Acts Spouses, Counts of the Rhenish Palatinate: and the attendant of the Counts of the Rhine, Blessed Eberhard of Staleck: as also Blessed Ludwig Count of Arenstein, and Erckanbert Chamberlain of Worms, Founders of Corumeda of the Cistercians, of Gommersheim of the Premonstratensians, of Frankenthal of the Regulars, having professed the Order of each, by life and miracles, at Brauweiler, Erbach, Arenstein, Frankenthal, of the Benedictines, Cistercians, BB. Eberhard, Ludwig, Erkanbert, Premonstratensians, Regulars, of the monasteries of the dioceses of Cologne, Mainz, Trier, Worms, illustrated by ancient faith and manuscripts; likewise about to illustrate the Palatinate, through the churches, monasteries, families of the Mainz Archdiocese on this side of the Rhine. The prolix title sufficiently shows that this would have been an excellent collection, on whose threshold was placed, The Life of B. Erenfrid Count Palatine, of B. Mechtild his wife and of his offspring, from that, which I have said, archive described word for word. But to the good Father Gamans happened what is commonly said, having embraced too many things to grasp nothing: for through his whole life with indefatigable study and labor heaping together all things, which seemed about to be of help for illustrating the sacred and profane antiquity through Germany, and never establishing with himself enough what he wished to do; and now having before his eyes a German Monasteriology, now the Mainz Archdiocese with the Suffragans, now something else I know not what; he came at length to extreme age, about to have himself no fruit of the long and laborious investigation, or to give it to his Province wearied by long expectation, outside our work, for the instructing of which rather than for constructing any proper work of his own, Divine providence seems to have chosen a most diligent and most sagacious investigator. Let us therefore give to the best-deserving as we can in our work a life, who not content with his former offices, lately also sent here three great bundles of monuments pertaining to the Saints as for a testament, and among them these Acts of the Brauweiler Founders.
[4] Those whom in the aforesaid title he himself calls the said Founders (for beyond the title his conception did not proceed) of these we partly have the Lives and miracles, partly we still require. We have those of Eberhard and Ludwig, this one on September XXIV, that one to be given on November XXX: but we require the Life of the last of all, Erckanbert, the Life of this last we still require. which we once saw with Gamans written in German meter, to be given on December XXIII, on which we learn he died from a Latin epitaph. For to give to this one also his place in our work the more earnestly is fitting; because the same fortune, which under Frederick III the Palatine heretic surrounded with an ample and most fortified city both the monasteries of Frankenthal; there extinguished the cult of the Catholic religion and of the Saints, and so the memory of B. Erckanbert; would that it had not also overturned the sepulchre, and dissipated the sacred bones of the founder, who first there acted as Provost; for the other monastery which he had constructed under the name of lesser Frankenthal for Virgins, appointing as Prioress his wife Richlind, who by common consent together with her husband had devoted herself and all hers to divine services; as Matthew Merian indicates in his topography of the Palatinate, who ascribes that foundation to the year 1119, although Trithemius marks the year 1135, and names the first Provost Bertolf. Admonished of that our desire Gamans, with grief replied, that all which concerning B. Erkanbert with him we had seen (among which were twelve of his miracles, perhaps nowhere else to be found, and the authentic instrument of the Frankenthal foundation) being ill lent to curious friends, had perished among their hands; that he hoped however that through a Priest friendly to him, a domestic of the Lord Dalberg Satrap of Hochstein, he would recover some, and learn besides the rest which we require. Which it has helped here to have noted, that, if perhaps that hope deceive, another whoever can may come to the aid, of those desiring to preserve the memory of a man, well deserving of the Catholic cause in the Palatinate.
[5] What of Richeza Gelenius Aegidius Gelenius, Canon at St. Andrew's of Cologne, in his work on the admirable sacred and civil magnitude of Cologne Agrippina, both book 3, which embraces the Sacrarium, that is the foundations, Relics, monuments; and book 4, which contains the sacred and pious Fasti digested to the form of a Martyrology; often mentions the aforenamed Brauweiler Founders, now calling them Venerable, now Blessed. But thirty-three years before he published that work, that is in the year 1612, he had published in a special treatise the History and Vindications of B. Richeza, Countess Palatine of the Rhine, Queen of the Polands, with a twofold genealogy of the same and of the most ancient Counts Palatine of the Rhine, and of other Princes and Nobles of Europe, who from her and her sixty-four blessed posterity in the descending line proceed, all from old manuscript monuments and diplomas after six hundred years brought into light from the archives. and Theodore Rhay. Theodore Rhay of our Society, among the illustrious Souls of Jülich, Cleves etc. on March XXI, wove a long eulogy of B. Richeza from Gelenius, and from the same enumerates those sixty-four Divines in Alphabetical order: whom then in a Genealogical scheme he represents, fitting the name of Actius Ariovistus, I know not whence received, nor easily to be freed from the suspicion of fabulousness, to him, whom commonly he says was named Ezo Erenfrid. I, all these things being passed over, equally as the disputation concerning the etymology of the name of Richeza or Ricza and the Gentile arms, only from Gelenius will add an Appendix of testimonies concerning the Beatitude of Richeza.
ActsErenfrid or Ezo, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Mathilda, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Richeza, or Ricza, Queen of Poland, their daughter, of Cologne Agrippina (B.)
BHL Number: 2816
BY THE AUTHOR G. FROM MANUSCRIPTS
PROLOGUE
Concerning the origin of the place and monastery of Brauweiler.
[1] It is worth the trouble, as it has been handed down to us by the elders, to commemorate, whence the same sacred place was already formerly named Brunwilre, and how there by a true investigation of things it was found, that there was in the same place a sacred memorial of St. Medard a. There was in the days of Hermann b the Count Palatine, the father, namely of the memorable Herenfrid (who, like Abraham the Patriarch, his name being changed, was called Ezo), a certain man in the village, which is called Manestede c, Bruno a peasant, seeking a sow in the wood, having a copious flock in his possession. By chance it happened, that on a certain day a pregnant sow from the wood, to whose pastures he was driving it, with the rest of the herd of swine had not returned home, because for casting forth its young it had chosen for itself more secret places of the grove. He therefore thinking nothing else, than what had happened; taking with him a two-edged axe, the brambles being cut and removed, as if making a way, more secretly than he was wont, enters the grove; and behold he beholds a little house, of wood constructed curiously enough, and on the sides studiously defended from the inrush of rains. He explores therefore the entrance, enters the roof not without wonder at the novelty; he beholds an altar (as in a church) in the accustomed manner, and his domestic sow at the same time meeting him from the base of the altar with ten heads of pigs, joyful he received. After this the upper stone being removed, he casts out from the trench of the altar the venerable Relics of St. Medard and of other Saints of God, with a chart composed into a bundle; and carrying them with him he shows them to the Provost of the monastery of Inden d, who by custom was wont often to come into those parts. he finds a chapel, and under the altar the relics of St. Medard: Who, the chart being inspected, and the admirable novelty of the matter being known (for he was a kinsman of the Count Palatine, and to him on account of
this familiar and known) hastens swiftly to him, and what he had inspected, in the order of the good event, joyfully announces the welfare to him. He, gladly hearing the unhoped-for messenger of joyful omen, brought from Soissons: called more quickly the same peasant, whose name was Brun, reverently received the chart with the Relics inquired after and exhibited, and learns this cause subscribed to be in it.
[2] The founder and author of this sacred little house, Bruno by name, having a brother by name Berecho, by another certain Bruno a powerful and noble man, not far from here in a wood, which from its magnitude is called Vela e, dwelt in a most secure fortification constructed. Which a tyrant, Heymo by name, invading by a sudden incursion, the same's brother Berecho being slain with almost all the rest, made this one with a few preserving life by the protection of flight, an exile from his own borders, and compelled him to go into France. Who, coming to the city of Soissons, and declaring before all having an affection of piety the woeful history of his calamity, asked and obtained the Relics of St. Medard for establishing a church in his honor: whose undoubted merit and patronage for vanquishing the enemy he hoped would be present to him. According to his vow all things prosper for him, that pious protector of his welfare favoring: a little church is founded and dedicated. But who was the author of this dedication; remains uncertain even until now; because by the avidity of the peasant, who chiefly hoped that what he had found was money, the fragile seal of wax was broken, and so the person and name of the author was hidden. Nevertheless the aforesaid, as it is reported f the Headless, hitherto avoided by many through fear of danger, afterward attacked by the aforesaid Bruno is slain: and although his fortification, the enemy being triumphed over, is destroyed, the same place however until today is called Heymenburg. These things were soon made known to the Metropolitan Bishop Warin g, which had already been known to the Count Palatine: the altar is repaired: the place restored is called Brauweiler, the church renewed with walls built of stone is dedicated by the same Archpontiff, and to that sacred place, the names of the old church and of the ancient author and of the new finder of the same agreeing together, the name Brunwilre is fitted. h
[3] The founder of the monastery of St. Nicholas i in Brauweiler was the most renowned Lord Herenfrid, the Count Palatine, who afterward was named Ezo, with his most glorious wife Mathilda, daughter of the most powerful Otto the Great, born of Saxony. But that Herenfrid was first, but Ezo afterward called, and by this name is held more notable, and a monastery there is founded. he was imbued with the grace of the preceding fathers: in whom by names always changed greater virtue and merit was divinely implanted. Whose memory of the sacred place dedicated to God and frequent with the illustration of miracles when we had taken care to commit to letters, and through them to posterity, it pleased us first to insert into them, what was the institution of life of the man from boyhood, how great in military virtue the strenuous perfection of action, and how perfect at the last in the Christian religion was his devotion. For with these and a very few other things, commemorated in this same codex, the order of signs receives a fitting place, so that having the foundation of the truth of the history, the spiritual and excelling edifice may set forth more broadly the ornament of its own splendor.
ANNOTATIONS.
CHAPTER I,
Ezo's adolescence, his marriage with Mathilda, ten children from her.
[4] Ezo, whose life is here written on account of its usefulness, Many when they read or hear the deeds of strong men, are kindled to their imitation; but if they have inspected the life and morals of the Religious, namely of men devoted to God, much more wholesomely in these are they instructed, what to do, what to avoid, with what discretion of mind they ought to weigh all things. For as the matter stands, most of the deeds of those trusting only in their own strength perish with life; because while they construct their house, which is the work of their fortitude, upon the sand of slipping human praise, they destroy themselves (so to speak) at the impulse of a wretched and mortal fall. But these made portions in God, considering the course of their own nature, namely that the life of man, who is a vapor appearing for a little, will at last be exterminated; deliberate to profit there, where for mortals they become eternal: and therefore in these endeavors of profiting, that I may speak in the very words of the Lord, they build their house upon the rock, which neither the delusions of the winds, that is of demons; nor the inundations of the waves, namely of wicked men, may overthrow. For even if they have done anything strongly serving the commonwealth or domestic care; they refer this not to their own, but to His virtue and praise, to whom they sing that of David: My fortitude and my praise is the Lord, and He is become to me for salvation.
[5] There was therefore of a most renowned race Ezo the Count Palatine; who both by his own action of virtues, and also by the pious and God-devoted religion of his most glorious wife Mathilda, venerable and ever to be proclaimed, left manifest indications of his deeds, in which let it be ambiguous to none, nobly educated in the court that he attained the fellowship of so great men, of whom a little has been foretasted. In short of all the Princes of Gaul, since he was in elegance of body most comely, in industry of mind most prudent, in magnanimity of soul most strong, in disposing affairs both private and public most discreet, governing most strenuously the apex of the royal Palace by the right of paternal blood, he so profited in honor, that he always made his own glory of more worth than the comeliness he had received. For that, beginning the primordia of things higher, in the likeness of a river running down from a fount, we may derive even to a certain limit of the narration; soon when he first grew up, he gave himself to be corrupted by no sports of puerile ineptitude; but that he might be as strong in body, as he was in virtue of mind: even if for the nobility, with which he had been supremely endowed, he shone with the golden brightness of garments, yet more by riding, hunting, and any military motion of the body trampling slothful idleness, he was delighted with the strength of arms and their brightness; so far that he was a terror to enemies, and a love to friends. There is no exercise of virtue, which through envy the vice of cowardice does not execrate. he profits to the highest brightness. And indeed cowardice shows itself an enemy to virtue through the emulation of spite; and yet struck by fear of it it wastes away. Since all virtue raising itself to lofty things, in its own increases unfailingly; and therefore this memorable man, the higher it lifted itself with him, the more famous by report it raised him above all the Princes of the Roman Kingdom. Nor is it wonderful, if than many powerful men of his time, although excellently abounding in riches, he could be more powerful and more excellent, who without doubt is fortunate more brightly than all by the generosity of a wife and the honor of children. For what genius, what tongue, what eloquence will unfold so great a glory of the Romans, as grew by land and sea in the times of the Otto Augusti? Of whom the aforesaid Mathilda, namely a most renowned woman, had the first for grandfather, the second for father, the third for brother.
[6] But what successes, the supernal clemency disposing, that most illustrious Man obtained, for conducting to himself the venerable matrimony of the same so excellent woman, hence let the exordium be taken, than which no more joyful eulogy can be heard at least in this series. For the Empress c, in disposing the affairs of Gaul and Germany ever intent on the counsel of the most prudent man the Lord Ezo, Playing with Otto III, and conquering him thrice, of whose help she never to these things to be becomingly accomplished was free, in the Palace of Aachen meanwhile tarries with her son: who, among the rest of the indications of the admirable sagacity in him, shone forth skilled enough in constructing or dissolving the winding scheme of the dice d, so that he believed there would be no one, who in this art should prevail against him. On a certain day therefore he challenges the Lord Count Palatine, that he sit with him at the board of dice opposite, and dispose the order, and likewise advance the jocose trick of the contest. But this condition is proposed on both sides, that to whichever through three continuous times the victory should come, he should possess the best things of the other, even which he wished. Together therefore they sit, they contend in play, the Lord Ezo, the help of the holy Trinity being invoked, comes forth thrice victor. Then, although he despaired to obtain, what without doubt the divinity inspiring he had long desired, he demands his sister to be given to him by him as a wife. He perceiving that the game had proceeded to serious matters, he obtains his sister Mathilda, and likewise treating from the counsel of those who had been present that this matter had come by the nod of God; that it was not of royal honor, if he should become false to his promise; that he also with the grandfather, with the father, lastly with himself had been able to do very much, confirms the faith of the proposed condition by the imposition of hand in hand: so that according to the Apostle he should keep a chaste marriage and an immaculate bed with his sister. The Count Palatine, his troops being collected, hastens to Asnide, calls the venerable girl by the King's edict to his presence: the brother commanding, the mother willing, he announces that she will be his spouse. But her aunt g obstinately resists; but whether terrified by his power, or by the royal majesty she yields. Mathilda
is betrothed after the manner of espousals with a ring: in the Brunwilre estate of the Count Palatine the nuptials are prepared, and both being completed by the Priests of Christ with the blessings of the Patriarchs, to the same place there is hastening, not so swiftly as joyfully. For the joy, and he takes her to wife: which then was kept after the manner of the secular, protested that there would be the union of Christ and the Church in a spiritual conversation; according to that of the Apostle, that not first what is spiritual, but what is animal, then what is spiritual: and in another place, for constructing the celestial bridal-chamber of the bridegroom and the bride, of Christ and the Church, drawing from the old Testament the example of a man and a woman; For this, he says, a man shall leave father and mother, cleaving to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh, This is a great Sacrament, but I say in Christ and in the Church. 1 Cor. 5, Eph. 5, 31
[7] who consecrates to God the Brunwilre given to her, Moreover when the aforesaid place was come to, it is reported that the memorable Ezo received a little branch of a tree wrapped in a sod of the same land, and with it handed over the same Brunwilre estate and several other things of his own right to the same his venerable spouse as a dowry. Where soon she, having suffered no little delay of retraction, but having entered the little church of St. Medard, which had anciently been constructed there, to Christ God our Savior and likewise to His Saints, both those by whose Relics His presence was there, and also those whom she had specially vowed to honor, granted by a solemn delivery the same her dowry: and the same little branch, in testimony of the good deed, remained pleasant with a long grace of greenness. The festive arrangement of the nuptial preparation meanwhile is procured, the careful arranging of a more splendid garment surrounds the togaed Nobles; food refreshes the poor, clothing consoles them: and the more generosity exceeding itself assists individuals, the more praiseworthy by all it is proclaimed. Among all therefore a huge joy arose, and bears to her husband ten children. because by the most happy issue of that marriage it was divinely provided that many afterward should rejoice and be glad. For the lawful time of human procreation being completed, there were born to them three sons, Hermann, Otto, Ludolph h: seven daughters, Richza, Adelheit, Ida, Mathild, Theophanu, Heyleweig, Sophia: to whom such and so great glory divine grace conferred, that their memory both with God and with men is immortal there is doubt to none. For the very number (for seven and three are ten) since for this, that it concludes the sum of all the others below it, it is most perfect, and from the decalogue of the law the same is most sacred, is an indication, that their venerable parents not only in the love of God and neighbor were sanctified; but also, as much as secular care had not impeded them, in all observance of the commandments of God were perfect. In another manner also the very VII and III, which constitute X, express in themselves the fullness of great sacraments, whether on account of the time of the present life, which is rolled in seven days; or on account of the sevenfold grace of the Holy Spirit, which by Prophetic reading is sevenfoldly distinguished; or also on account of the most holy Trinity, by which we are imbued unto faith: for both, constituted in this life, and aided by the same grace of the Holy Spirit, demonstrated their faith to have lived in them by good works clearer than light, not only to those seeing them, but also to all the faithful to be after them.
[8] Ludolph, the elder-born, because he was in mind most keen, and in body most robust, Of the firstborn Ludolph and altogether most apt to military virtue, besides the glories and riches of his parents, attained a County or Prefecture; namely that, the article of a warlike crisis pressing in, he should be the Standard-bearer of the legion of the Archbishop of Cologne, that is the Primipilarius. He, taking as wife the daughter of Otto Count of Zutphen i by name Mathilda, begot from her two sons in all things most similar to himself, namely Henry and Cuno; of whom the one after his death merited his County, but the other the Duchy of Bavaria; but both departed from life without succession of stock. unhappy posterity, But of Cuno's death this was the cause, that the daughter of the Emperor Henry being despised, whom he ought to have taken as wife, and on account of this driven from the honor of his Duchy, but soon joined in friendship to the Hungarians. For by their help he was contriving not only to assail him with war, but also to deprive him of the kingdom if he could. Which so great a crime he attempted in vain; for by poison, which his cook by the sending of the Emperor, for a compact of money, had mixed into his dinner, he was extinguished: to whom the Emperor not only gave no money; but also as a great gift, granted that he should not presume henceforth to see him. But the Duke was there entombed: but by the Archbishop of Cologne Anno after some years translated to Cologne, and in the Church of St. Mary ad Gradus was buried. Further Adelheit k in the monastery of Nivelles, Theophanu l in Asnide, Heyleweig in Neuss, Mathilt in Dietkirchen and Vilich, Ida in the monastery of St. Mary of Cologne, to the 6 daughters Abbacies conferred. Sophia likewise in the monastery of St. Mary of Mainz and Gandersheim were set over the nun women in place of rule. Of whom almost individually, both for the conversation of celestial life, and for the love of Christ, the sanctification of body and Spirit held in themselves, as if living in the flesh, in their own places, for the operation also of virtues are frequented with the highest honor. Of whom Theophanu, conducting herself in morals like a man, the monastery of Asnide with all its offices, now partly collapsed by age, raising from the very foundations with a new work, wonderfully amplified: whence also there her memory will always be in benediction n.
ANNOTATIONS.
This excellent work, adorned with gems and gold, Mathilda vowed to Theophano, which well she discharged, The good Abbess Mathild, these golden gifts Giving to the King of Kings: which the matter demands, forever That the Spirit of Otto may rest on the celestial shores. Lady Mathild ordered me to be made.
But she was still living in the year 1003, when St. Henry confirmed to her the immunities and privileges of the church of Essen, as Bucelin himself writes. But the wife of Ezo seems to have been joined to her husband about the year 986: certainly before the year 990, in which his mother Theophano died, by the testimony of Dithmar.
at length a peace was entered upon on this compact, that Henry should cede to Erenfrid the Island of St. Suitbert, Duisburg and Saalfeld: then by the intervention of Henry he joined Richeza the daughter of the Palatine to Mieszko the Pole. But these are mere figments; for Dithmar, prosecuting the beginnings of Henry almost day by day, sufficiently shows, that he was crowned King June 7 in the very year 1002 in which Otto III had died, nor does he mention anyone, who opposed himself to him entering upon the kingdom, except Hermann Duke of Alemannia and Alsace. But Lambert of Hersfeld says nothing else in the year 1003, than these few words: Many Princes fall away from the King, but after a little corrected are received into favor. But concerning Theodoric slain and captured not even a word Dithmar and others.
CHAPTER II.
The foundation of the monastery, the death of both founders and miracles.
[9] After this the most glorious hero, by an equal vow of his most noble wife, The Counts returning from Rome treats in what place he may construct an Oratory, fitting habitations for the Servants of God keeping the divine watches. The purpose of which vow, divinely implanted in him, that it may find ratified counsel, both setting out to Rome seek the presence of the most holy man the Roman Pontiff John a: the things committed, which whether occupied by domestic cares, or liable to the public affairs of the Kingdom they had in no way been able to avoid, they open by confession. To whom the same Pope after absolution, with Relics, with the most precious Relics of the Saints of God, gives a little cross b of gold for consummating in them the Apostolic blessing: at the same time enjoining them by his authority, that, as they had vowed to God, in their own inheritance, they should institute a College of Monks: whose both more strict conversation of life, and the constant prayer poured forth day and night to God, could confer on them a full remedy also of the celestial life.
[10] But to them returned to their fatherland, how much reverence, how much honor and glory was everywhere bestowed on them coming, they are in doubt about the place for founding the monastery: lastly with how joyful minds of their people, and with how festive meetings they were received, it is better that it be estimated by silent opinion, than that it be uttered in what words you could not according to the measure of estimation. Therefore he sedulously explores, in what place of those, which were of his own possession, he may fulfill his vow pleasing to God in founding a monastery of holy religion. Especially judging Duisburg c, or the Island d of St. Suitbert, to be most apt for this, whether on account of the streams of the Rhine, or on account of certain pleasant delights of the greatest amenity, in those very places. For well to his desire would the laying of the foundations at Duisburg come, if his wife of a more tenacious mind had not opposed him, preferring Brunwilre before all places, on account of a certain vision of celestial glory revealed to her. For she had a solemn custom, for choosing which Brunwilre, Mathilda is taught through a vision: never to make a journey near that place, without, withdrawing from the way into the little church of St. Medard, insisting longer than usual on prayer or psalmody. Whence it happened that on a certain day, glowing both with the labor of the journey and the heat of the sun, the prayers of her accustomed devotion being completed in the little house of the sacred enclosure, for the sake of refreshing herself, under the shade of a Sycamore tree, which the Germans call Mulbom e, which stood opposite, she lay upon a bed of the pleasant sod, and dozing a little took some sleep. When behold (as it seemed to her) heaven being opened above, a globe of light, brighter than the very sun, descended upon the same place pleasing to God; suffusing it with so great brightness, that it made all the region lying round about pleasant and gleaming in great wonder at it. This vision being known to the venerable Hero, and soon all ambiguity being put aside, he revolved one and the same thing together with her in mind: namely that in no place could a habitation of the divine dwelling be more advisedly founded, than in the same: which the instance of paternal labor had long since, the grove most dense with trees, with thistles and brambles being radically extirpated, instead of the beasts, whose secure lairs had before been there, made habitable for human inhabitants; and monks are brought there by St. Poppo and by the vision of his most religious wife he knew it to have been marked for this by celestial indications. And since through himself, how this was to be begun, he less discerned; he sought the counsel and solace of the Abbot Poppo f, with whom at this time chiefly the monastic religion with regular discretion flourished, namely Father of the Monasteries of the Holy Confessors of Christ Maximin and Remaclus, through the allegation of the Archpontiff the Lord Piligrin g. Who, as he was always ready to obey pious prayers, sent to him seven Brethren religious in life, at the same time approved in doctrine and action, to be instructed for this work, not otherwise than as they had learned from him. The year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand twenty-fourth was now hence at hand, and the Emperor Henry having died at Bamberg his Bishopric, h Conrad held the Empire. When to them, the paternal and fraternal blessing being received, they came to the aforesaid place they enter upon possession in the year 1025, April 14. on the XVIII Kalends of May, both the day of the week and the third hour of the day, that they might announce in Sion the name of the Lord, in gathering peoples into one that they might serve the Lord: to whom He in His own name should say to them gathered, make your ways and your endeavors good, and I will dwell with you in this place forever. Therefore all things, for whose sake they had come there, they vyingly hasten. The foundations of the Monastery, not however in that place, where the little church abovesaid was, but to its Northern part i… about by paces farther from it are placed: for this cause especially, that the body of a certain dead infant, while it had been buried in the earth there, by the soil of the mound so often being dug out had been deprived of quiet.
[11] While therefore founding the Monastery in a more remote place, they are anxious for the burial of the dead; Mathilda exercised in pious works, amid the very joyful beginnings of the holy work, by the sad death of the very most notable worker of virtues Mathilda, and Matron most devoted to God, they were troubled. Who indeed as long as she was strong with a sound and uninjured body, besides the solicitous and most intent work of secret prayer and of alms; besides this also that in the servants of God the Monks with Martha she received Jesus into her house of Brunwilre rejoicing, about whose ministry there was frequent; nor less besides this, that with Mary sedulously intent on the sacred readings, as on the words of the Lord Himself, she daily chanted the whole Psalter; passed the Sabbath of no week, on which only it was lawful to use the bath k, without, some one of the throng of the needy, brought more secretly to her, herself perfusing with hot waters, washing away the filth, combing the hair l, and clothed with garments either new, or not much old, permitting him consoled to depart. By which thing it happened also, and famous for the illumination of the blind, that the washing of her hands most clean from works of this kind being made in water, some predoomed by blindness brought to their sick orbs the remedy of seeing, who believed with undoubting faith that her merits could do this. To the testimonies of which virtues a certain Adelburg had lasted even to our times, now aged, who was wont to relate to us; that since she had been blind from infancy, coming to the little age of adolescence, in that manner which we have foretold she merited to see the long-desired glory of light. The same grace of health in the castle of Tonaburg m, a certain blind woman before the holy Cross, namely (as can undoubtingly be believed) the medicinal right hand of the crucified Lord Himself aiding, obtained from her: on account of which the same holy Cross for the greater veneration of itself, was through itself honorably translated to Brunwilre. What more? bringing in all care to all she ministered in her faith virtue, knowledge, abstinence, patience, piety, brotherly love and charity; that by good works making her vocation sure, she might prepare for herself an entrance into the eternal kingdom of the glory of Christ Jesus.
[12] Now was at hand the year, next after that which we have commemorated above, in Aicheze she is seized by sickness and dies in the year 1025: namely of the Incarnation of the Lord one thousand twenty-fifth, when Hezelin the Count n, for the sake of kinship, nay of veneration to be bestowed and of munificence, honors with all the obsequiousness he can her summoned to Aicheze o to his banquet. Whom no less, as it is right to believe, Christ meanwhile disposes to gladden, called to the celestial banquet, in joy perennially with His countenance, and likewise to honor with the fellowship of the holy women, Sarah [p], Sephora and Elizabeth, in the same lodging. For the joy of the banquet being completed, soon at first she is seized by a slight little fever; whose annoyance daily growing more keenly heavier, on the seventh day at last after that day, on which she lay sick, the Viaticum of salvation being received, she left her people mourning and weeping; because from this vale of tears she passed to her lodging-companions, rejoicing without end in the true life of perpetual beatitude. Whose passing being quickly known in the palace of Aachen (for there then the Count Palatine was, occupied with the conference of the Magnates of all Lotharingia) those being taken with him (of whom some grieved, groaned, and lamented that they had lost a Lady, she is buried in Brauweiler. some that they had lost the ornament and glory of the Empire) more swiftly he came to the venerable lifeless pledge of the body of his consort. To whom putting their necks under the bier, others of the sacred Order singing psalms, others bearing before lamps and candles, she is carried to the little town of Brunwilre; and is placed under a tent stretched above within the middle of the monastic enclosure. The whole throng of the people of Cologne, about to render the last office to her funeral, with their Venerable Archbishop Piligrin assembled there: and for three days and nights continuous, at her exequies, which the grief and loss of so great a woman demanded, with psalms and vigils they completed the Sacraments of the Masses. Until at last on the fourth day by the Archbishop, within the very tent, with an Epitaph an altar in honor of St. Mary was consecrated, before which her body was venerably buried, and an epitaph over her of this kind was written.
Otto was grandfather, Otto father to her, and Otto brother, Under whom powerful Rome subdued all that is harmful. She the builder of this roof, a woman the leader of the deed, Mathild thence takes a more noble race. The Archer fixed her, under the fourth light, Transferred her to life, placed in the citadel of light. To whom what we owe, because we cannot fulfill, Bring Thou the solace, Christ Redeemer, Amen.
[13] But there had lain sick in the same aforesaid village of Aicheze, in which she too, and the same annoyance of fever, a certain Soldier of hers, by name Harnic: who indeed died the day following after her, but before her was the first to obtain the rest of burial, still before the doors of the rude building. Nevertheless the venerable Hero pressed on the begun work with so great study, that in the fifth year the same monastery being perfected, its dedication the aforesaid Prelate consummated on the VI Ides of November; Ello being consecrated Abbot about the year 1030, and according to custom the estates, which by the permission of his children the pious founder and author of the sacred place had assigned to the chief Confessors of Christ, namely to Saint Nicholas and Medard, and which left to his children, he had hoped would afterward by them be free without posterity of heirs, he confirmed ratified forever by his ban. These things so, not otherwise than the Abbot
Poppo the Most Reverend wished, being accomplished; he himself, occupied with the care of other monasteries, provided for the same place a proper Abbot chosen by his Brethren, religious in morals, but in word and work divine and human through all things notable and approved, by name Ello [s]: to whom indeed the Evangelical stewardship was committed by the Lord Ezo himself, Ezo with the monks lives as a monk. and so for performing the care of the received rule, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand thirtieth he was ordained by the blessing of the aforesaid Archprelate. Of this Abbot therefore and of those Brethren, except the lesser who were being instructed for the form of their discipline, there were… [t] their religious conversation and most fervent devotion in all manner in divine worships he so embraced and loved, that conversing under a silken garment and a golden belt, by morals himself rather than by habit he was thought to be a Monk.
[14] he effectively corrects a soldier murmuring against them, Whence also it happened that on a certain occasion he was offended by the rather forward speaking-against of a certain Soldier of his, who willingly disparaged the Monks. On the following night therefore, which was solemn, when the signal sounds to complete the divine praises, he commands the same, what before he was not wont, a lamp being lit to precede him following with a light to the church; and there, until it was performed, to remain. He does what is commanded: and when it came to this, that the Lord's prayer was said under silence, thinking all things were finished, he wished, the lamp being lit, as he had come, to depart; but, without the nod of him commanding, he did not dare to withdraw anywhere: for he was straitened, remaining alone in his shirt, by the excessive cold of the most icy night. He did so a second time and a third likewise; whose straits for his correction the pious and prudent Hero dissimulating that he knew, nowhere turned aside; but always intent on the solemn hymns, until [v] the whole was chanted, and on his (as he was wont) prayers very pleasing to God, fixed in the same place he remained. So that man corrected by an artful rather than harsh invective of the one rebuking, began assiduously and vehemently to urge his Lord, to leave nothing remaining to himself, to give himself and all his at the same time to the servants of God the Monks: testifying that those alone even by his own judgment, although ignorant of Evangelical doctrine, were they who ought to receive him here failing into the eternal tabernacles.
[15] Neither is this to be passed over, that from the virtue of his faith a miracle was wrought; he multiplies the seed-sowing. for the works which I do, says the Lord, he who believes in me, he also shall do: from whose words neither sex, no condition or profession, and (that I may say it with the peace of virgins and widows) not even any married person can be excluded. John 14, 12 For it happened, that his bailiff, Rudolph by name, in the field of the same Brunwilre estate sowed only a little seed of wheat; but at the time of harvest very little indeed of wheat, but the whole seed-sowing turned into rye, and into execrable cockle, that very thing, by his command to be laid up in the granaries, with sickle put forth he reaped; which threshed from its chaff by his men, the same furrows being plowed, he again committed. It happened therefore as he commanded: and in whose name all things to one believing prosper, in the harvest of the following year, not rye or cockle, but the seed-sowing of the purest wheat he received. This not only by the sure narration of that Rudolph himself, but of all the old inhabitants of that region was related to us.
[16] Nor is it wonderful if before the end of his life he was not in himself alien from the virtue of faith, who as a youth had seen the miracles of St. Udalric, who, still flourishing with the first down of youthful age, frequently was gladdened with the familiar sweetness of the miracles of St. Udalric the Bishop, because he was his kinsman. With the Saint, says the Psalmist, thou shalt be holy, and with the elect thou shalt be elect. Ps. 17, 28 For it happened on a certain occasion that the blessed man, the Nativity of Christ being at hand, made the journey to the Court of Otto the Great the Emperor, with the rest of the assembly of Bishops, in the very harshness of winter, where it was necessary to go through a certain wood. But to him, as it is wont to happen, riding, a little branch of a tree set against him brought an impediment of the journey; which plucked off with the right hand, ever frequent with the sacred murmur of Psalms and prayers, he carried with him on the way; which soon by the warmth of his holy hand, as if quickened by the summer fervor of the sun, with buds swelling and leaves expanded green flourished. Which when, the excellent youth journeying with him more familiarly, he himself astounded beheld, wishing, to lie hidden what happened, he cast away the little branch; which he himself forthwith leaping from the horse gathered up. But that he might excite to him no vain favor of the vulgar from the virtue of the miracle, from the holy Pontiff he received a mandate; which he also all the time, as long as he lived, observed; and always the lovable pledge, pleasant and desirable with conspicuous greenness, kept more secretly with him [x]. For afterward chiefly for the sake of this miracle, Hermann the Archbishop, the son of the same Venerable Father, in the holy Church of Cologne instituted to solemnize [y] the feasts of the holy Confessor of Christ.
[17] But that we may bend the pen to his more mature acts: after the death of his most religious wife, in about the 80th year of his age he dies. when now the tenth year [z] was at hand, surrounded with the greatest retinue of his people (as always), having set out to his province [a] Salavelt, and tarried there a longer time and fell sick, having almost 80 years of his age, died with an end fitting to his faith, hope and operation, and was truly joined in spirit to the Blessed who die in the Lord, in that life in which no one dies. But his body carried to the place beloved by him, which, like the true Patriarch Abraham, he had bought for burial not from the natives of the land, but from Christ and His Saints with his own things given; and by the Archbishop abovesaid, near the body of his consort most devoted to God Mathilda was buried [b]: and this Epitaph over him was written.
May He grant the name of Erenfrid to be written above the heavens, For whose name stands this house built. To which deed his most renowned wife drew him led, And bent him, and she died: she left, and he followed under. Of whose fruitful loins the pledges had been given, He withdrew from his children, what he might give here to the Monks. Whom under the twice-six Kalends of Gemini they sent miserably, On which He cherishes him in that home, who is God and Man. May 21
ANNOTATIONS.
p. Sephora, the wife of Moses, numbered among the Saints, I have not yet read elsewhere.
q. The Brauweiler Epitaphs for the names of the months name the Signs of the Zodiac, which in each month the sun enters. So here is indicated November 4, designated by Sagittarius. The Interpolator, by what argument I know not, notes the XII Kalends of December: it is wonderful, that neither on that nor another day is she herself placed in the Fasti of Gelenius.
r. Here the Interpolator places three miracles wrought at the sepulchre of Mathilda with the clause etc.
s. Bucelin says Ello was designated Abbot in the year 1028, and inaugurated two years after, which seems received hence.
t. Here again is wanting the number of Brethren: nor does the interpolator, here shorter than usual, supply the defect, as neither above at letter i, so that he seems to have found neither in the original, probably omitted by the fault of the transcriber.
v. The Interpolator reads to the whole: but it is not displeasing "to the vigil," taken for Lauds, which close the Matins or Office of the Vigils divided through three Nocturns. But the Lord's prayer after the Psalms of each of the Nocturns being chanted is recited secretly, before the Lessons of each Nocturn: which I wished noted to those alone, who, lacking the sacred Orders, are ignorant of the rites of the divine Office.
x. The same describing Gelenius, Syntagma 15 §4 prefaces these things: An excellent monument of antiquity is in the garden, namely of Brauweiler, a mulberry tree still green, planted formerly by Erenfrid the Count Palatine, in memory of St. Udalric Bishop of Augsburg, from a dry little branch, growing green in the hands of the Saint.
y. This institution also in the Agrippinian Fasti on July 4 Gelenius notes, and a double Office is prescribed by the older Cologne Breviaries, one of which we have, struck in the year 1498.
z. Therefore in the year 1035.
a*. Salavelt, today Saalfeld, a noble town on the river Saale, with an attached district or territory in Thuringia, distant from Cologne to the East at least 80 horary leagues.
b*. The interpolator adds, namely in the little church of the blessed Virgin, which was formerly in the orchard, where afterward a pond was made. Then both bodies were translated to the middle of the choir, and in a stone tomb raised more decently and more honorably laid up. To these words in the margin these are added. These two bodies, as to all the bones and both heads, wholly incorrupt and entire, from the raised sepulchre, placed in the middle of the choir, by the present Most Reverend Abbot Philip, in the presence of the whole Convent, were most decently raised, and to the side of the Epistle on the level of the high altar, on account of the new structure of the choir, into a sepulchre likewise raised
honorably translated, in the year 1667, August 16. So I testify, then present, the writer of these things, Father Andrew Schnorrenberg. Gelenius in the Fasti on June 20 notes the Translation of Erenfrid the Palatine from Salavelt to Brauweiler.
EMBOLISM
Concerning the miracles of both venerable spouses.
He who interwove with these Acts the passage concerning the origin of the appellation of Brunwilre, related above by us in place of a Prologue, the same author as it seems, consequently added these things concerning the miracles. In the year 1044 a paralytic is cured, But it is established that the venerable Father Ezo, the chief renovator of that sacred place, and also Mathilda his most religious wife, even after death were renowned for virtues: which is the more credible, by how much the discourse digested far above is in testimony, that both, still living in the flesh, did not lack these. For also the miracles of the same virtues, which frequently are wrought there, if they are to be ascribed to the merits of the Blessed Fathers Nicholas and Medard; these however are not alien to those, by whose authorship their names there live for ages. Therefore in the same village there was a certain newcomer, by name Lynmarus, deputed to the office of a fuller, having a daughter of seven years, to whom from the very beginning of her birth, a contraction of the knees had denied the walking of the feet. Now was at hand the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand forty-fourth: the festal day also of the Lord's Ascension had shone, when behold he carried her with him to the place of rest of both (for they had still been laid together); whom soon, when still for her in her cure faithful prayer was being revolved, the divine virtue raised onto her feet, and before all who were present, wondering, restored her sound.
when the bodies had not yet been placed in different coffins: From this first miracle which happened on May XXXI, because Easter had been celebrated on April XXII, we can understand, that into the same tomb in which Mathilda had been buried the body of her husband was brought; but afterward, the miracles becoming frequent at it, when the blessed spouses seemed worthy of ampler honor, the bodies being raised from the earth were separately placed in different tombs, and so were when these things were written, and remained while that little church in the orchard stood, which the Interpolator alleged above mentions. But when the same were to be translated thence to the Choir of the greater church, those perhaps remained distinguished by wooden chests, but were brought into one stone tomb, in which also lately they were found. This being prenoted, which seems to be no slight indication of a more religious cult, I add that Father Andrew Schnorrenberg at the above-written miracle and another, related by the Interpolator immediately after the narrated burial of Mathilda, as if they pertain to her alone, thus notes in the margin: Here in the same old manuscript book follow the miracles, which after death B. Mathilda wrought. Of these the one nearest to the preceding, seems to have happened after the separation of the bodies made in the first translation: for thus it is related by the Interpolator. There was a certain one Gunzelinus by name (to whom in like manner, as above concerning the girl was related, the first day gave the beginnings of life with the ruin of the limbs) who, like that one whom Blessed Peter is read in the Acts of the Apostles to have cured, in the year 1052, was daily placed at the gate of the monastery by the hands of porters, that at the thresholds of the Saints he might either lament the misery of his weakness, or ask alms of those entering. In the year therefore of the Lord's Incarnation 1052, on the morning hour of the Lord's Resurrection, by the aid of the porters, who, with the rest of the people of Christian devotion, were present at the divine service, placed in the crypt next to the choir, he sees (as he himself afterward related) a matron, clad in elaborate garments, two men preceding gleaming with Pontifical dignity, enter the choir, and command him by the nod of the countenance, that he follow. Who wondering at the vision, knows not whether he was sooner cured: for from the nod of her commanding a powerful medicine leaping forth, brought forth steps, which his birth did not confer on him. The third day from this of the Lord's Resurrection, taking a not small bread, placed upon the sepulchre of the holy memory of the Lady Mathilda, and eagerly eating, he afforded a great miracle to all praising God; because, after the manner of infants, he could never before use solid food. That Easter, by the Cycle of the moon VIII, of the sun XXV, with Dominical letters E D fell on April XIX: but the Pontiffs who accompanied the Matron appearing in the vision, we can think were the holy Cunibert and Heribert, Archbishops of Cologne; this one illustrated by us March XVI, that one to be commemorated November XII.
the rest of the miracles are wanting. Persuaded that more miracles followed in the same manuscript, to the same Reverend Father Schnorrenberg, now a Licentiate of sacred Theology, I gave letters; who sent only the same two under this title, There follows concerning this that our Foundress herself can, on account of the merits of her life, be esteemed Holy, and her patronage be implored in secret prayers: but this after the Author had amply proved, the Gloss also being alleged in the third of the sixth of the Decretals (of which Gloss the writer John the German died at Freiburg in the year 1313) Lest anyone, he says, be held in suspense by a greater wavering concerning the holiness of this exceptional worker of virtues, that she also after the death of the flesh coruscated with miracles, I wish to escape no one: of which some, written by our predecessors in an old booklet, I have judged worthy here to annex; namely, Of the girl who was from her tender age contracted, and at length through the merits of the most venerable Lady Mathilda was healed: and Of the lame man, healed through the merits of the same most venerable Lady. If that old booklet is not other than these Acts which we now give, in vain do we require more miracles, since they were not written: but if there is or was at some time another, and it now has perished, the loss which cannot be repaired must be patiently borne.
CHAPTER III.
Concerning Hermann the Archbishop, Otto Duke of Swabia, and Richeza Queen of Poland, the sons and daughter of the Founders.
[18] Ludolph alone of his sons, three years before his passing, Otto succeeds his Father Ezo: in the very town of Brauweiler (whose advocacy he first after his father had, leaving it to his son Cuno) died, and there was buried: near whom also Henry his son is placed a. Otto therefore his son b, who was comely in aspect, tall in stature, pleasant in address, was substituted heir worthy of the paternal goods and honor. And not much after also his brother Hermann, Hermann, Piligrin the Archbishop Piligrin the Archbishop passing over c, Conrad still reigning, attained the Archpontificate of holy Cologne by the grace of God, and the election of the whole Clergy, and the favor of all the people.
[19] At the same time Richeza the Queen, a divorce being made between her and the King her husband, Richeza deserting her adulterous husband, through the hatred and instigation of a certain concubine of his, when she had already borne to him Chatimer d, whose generous posterity remains nobly notable in riches and power until today, her garment being changed, a few helping her secretly making flight, inasmuch as wearied of his intolerable haughtiness and at the same time the barbarous rites of the Slavs, came to the Emperor Conrad in Saxony: by whom both she herself was venerably received, and he no less was magnificently honored with her glorious gifts. For she received from her the insignia of two Crowns e, her own and her husband the King's: and granted her the same glory, a fitting return being plainly rendered to herself, she offers the crowns of Poland to the Emperor Conrad, whose all came from his gift, whatever, beyond its own limit, the Roman Empire drew to itself of her magnificence in time. For an expedition being soon accomplished over the Poles, and Mieszko being triumphed over under tribute with the whole nation of the Slavs, the trophy of victory he obtained also under a double crown. But he in a short time having functioned and so died, and to Henry his son the sum of affairs was granted to manage. Who when he had begun to reign, the envy of Godfrey f the Duke and of Baldwin g the Count having arisen against him, for stirring up a tumult most pernicious to very many mortals, suffered indeed many adversities: for whose son Henry Otto the Palatine is present, which although with difficulty, yet the abovesaid Archprelate Hermann and his brother Otto the Count Palatine, whom above all he ever had companions of his labor and glory, contending most laboriously with him, and at the same time aiding him most gloriously in all things, he overcame all things. For that to the Emperor not only the faith, but also the virtue of the Count Palatine was to be supremely sought by him, that matter chiefly persuaded, which both then was recent, and carried great praise of the man everywhere.
[20] There was in the forest h of the Slavs (which, on account of the shady density of the grove, according to their tongue, is called i Lovia, and which on account of the vast solitude of immense breadth and length nourishes an infinite multitude of bears) a certain bear, famous on account of a monstrous bear by natural rage fiercer and more cruel than the rest, and even than the very enormous mass of body greater (beyond what can be believed) and more monstrous. Of this so great was the rage, that not only the hunting of stags and the snatching of fawns, and the trampling of other little beasts, to mitigate the empty gluttony of his belly, did not suffice: nay even under the clear light of day, with savage daring, fearful of the encounter of no hunters, drawing his horrid jaws with gnashings, into the regions open in the vicinity from his lair powerfully emerged, and the strong bodies of beasts of burden and the mighty bodies of oxen, whether joined to a cart, or yoked to a plow, invaded, suffocated, devoured. The whole nation therefore was compelled by such an execrable devastator of their goods, nay of their life, either, if they should prevail, all together pursuing him in whatever way to drive him from their borders or to slay him; or, if they could not do that, to seek under another sky quiet habitations convenient for their uses. Their affairs being afflicted by the rabid plague, at length, in Slavia near Saalfeld, though a late remedy, they explore that this alone would be, if they could by humble entreaty bend the Lord the Count Palatine to this, that he oppose himself to the common enemy, about to obtain victory without doubt by the Lord's right hand and by his own virtue; for it had especially devastated his own province of Salavelt. What they had implored more quickly they obtain in deed: a horse being mounted, and a hunting hound accompanying k, which is a kind of dogs with curved manes shaggy and most strong, he undertakes the hunt: and the rest of the hunters with harsh-sounding trumpets being stationed about the thicker places of the forest, the monstrous beast, about to explore what was being done about it, goes forth; and seeing only him near at hand, a horrid enough gnashing being uttered l, and at the same time his arms raised on high, with threatening soles attacks him; whose first onset soon, the hound with a grave bite lacerating his ear, is impeded. For as the nature of injury is impatient, while turned toward him with his sole with rough claws he strives to avenge himself, the same being cut off forthwith, the hunting-spear catching him in the middle of the occiput, he is dashed to the ground. His flesh being prepared after this, as was fitting, for food, a joyful banquet was set up; but his hide was proved to have had the space of fifteen feet in length. There are
those who say, that not in the time of more advanced, but of more recent age, he had performed these wrestlings worthy of a theatrical spectacle of single combat; which is the nearer to praise, by how much it is established, that tender age has not its strength for doing any such thing.
[21] But the Emperor, wishing to extol the man with the glory of a greater dignity, who being made Duke of Swabia the Island of St. Suitbert and Duisburg being received from him, for the sake of munificence commits to him the Duchy of the Swabians (Henry m the son of his uncle being substituted to the office of the Palatinate) which delivered, the favorable affection of almost all mortals being held toward him, governing gloriously, in the third (alas!) year of the same Duchy on the VII Ides of September, by an untimely death in the Castle of Conabs n closed his last day. At that season the Emperor about to conduct an expedition over the Flemish, celebrated the feast of St. Mary at o Xanten: where his brother Hermann the Archprelate making to the people an exhortation suitable to the impending danger, he dies prematurely, and admonishing all, that they implore with him from the supernal clemency that for arranging the peace of the Kingdom a son [p] be given to the Emperor, the death of his brother being known through a messenger, with a tearful voice made an end of his address, and incited all troubled to laments. But the solemnities of the Masses being completed, according to the frequent petition of all and of the Emperor himself, who not even for a moment could lack his solace, he was detained, and the Bishop of Toul Bruno, who from the virtue of mind or of faith called Leo [q], was afterward made Roman Pope, was sent to entomb his brother at Brunwilre. and is buried by Bruno Bishop of Toul, Who coming devoutly, to fulfill what he had been either commanded or requested (for that man was by the very stature of body and countenance terrible at once and lovable, in word also and work wonderfully notable for the edification of the body of Christ) all things, which the ecclesiastical usage sanctioned for sorrowful exequies, for his rest reverently and competently fulfilled: and so buried him venerably near the bones of his parents [r].
[22] On which day his sister Richza the Queen so lamented him, his sister Richza taking the sacred veil: that she herself nearly died. All her adornment, little crescents and necklaces, and necklaces and earrings, and gems and fillets, all either woven of gold or wholly golden, to be converted into divine worship she places upon the chief altar; and the sacred veil being received from the holy Pontiff she covers her head, and disposes that her burial shall be near her brother: and demands the faith of her people upon this, that they faithfully fulfill that very thing surviving her. For which thing the Abbot Ello, trusting in her very great help, relying on whose resources the Abbot Ello destroyed the old monastery from the foundation, and another to be more ambitiously constructed with stronger foundations, beginning with a new work, left it unfinished. Already before the little church of St. Medard being destroyed, its altar removed, he wished to translate without injury within the enclosure of the former monastery; but he could not, for it was wholly broken. And because the sacred place, in which it before was, he builds a new monastery, was contaminated by a certain uncleanness; by a divine scourge, namely the putrefaction of one leg, he was gravely touched: but otherwise, except this cause, in all things acting happily and prosperously, from this light [s] he was taken away, and by his successor Tegeno, who had long before been ordained, was honorably buried.
[22] What Hermann the Archbishop obtained from Leo for it But what the Pious Hermann the Archbishop provided of piety or rather of protection for the same place, if anyone desires to know, let him read the epistle of the Apostolic Pope Leo, and let him be aghast at those acting against it, commending neither divine nor human laws to the cultivation of justice, but contemning them, and let him weep for the miseries of our time, with all his bowels turned to God. But the copy of this is this, Leo Bishop servant of the servants of God to Hermann Venerable Archbishop of the holy Church of Cologne, and through him to his successors canonically entering there in perpetuity. It is fitting to the Apostolic governance to afford the assent of piety to those prevailing with pious religion, that it may both profit us unto eternal beatitude, and the churches unto perpetual defense. Because thy messenger coming to Rome, most dear Son, solicited us with the excess of his prayers, he obtains to be confirmed for himself. that by a page of Apostolic defense we should confirm the Abbey of thy Church situated in Brunwilre, as the precept [t] of our most dear son the Emperor Henry seems to contain. Inclined therefore to thy just prayers we confirm and corroborate to thy Church the aforesaid monastery by our Apostolic authority, that it have and possess, with all its integrity, both what it has now and whatever it can acquire in future according to the definition, by which it was defined before the presence of our son the Most Serene Emperor, establishing by Apostolic censure, that no Emperor, King, Archbishop, Duke, Marquis, Count, Viscount, or any exactor of whatsoever power dare to molest or infringe; but as by thee it is constituted, let it remain. But if anyone shall attempt to come against this defending page, pierced by the dart of our anathema let him never merit to rise again to life; but he who shall keep it immaculate, let him have our blessing heaped up. For Henry the Emperor, as this chart testifies, according to the vow of the aforesaid Pontiff, had already by his authority and privilege confirmed the same place. Where the distance of the former and our [x] age being known, it is easily discerned, into how perilous times we have come, when from its own state, pleasing to God and convenient to men, all things are changed. Matt. 12, 24 For as the truth says: because iniquity has abounded, the charity of many will grow cold.
[23] Also in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand fifty-sixth the Pious Archprelate Hermann [y] having died, there succeeded him in the Bishopric the Venerable Man Anno: who although he had been an approved cultivator of holy religion, yet sometimes more tenacious of his own judgment than of the cultivation of justice, expended nothing of piety or affection on the same place. Which perceiving Richeza the Queen, counsel of the prudent being held with her, judged it ratified, to placate the Pontiff with benefits: and coming to him in the Island of St. Suitbert, tarrying with the Emperor, to St. Peter she gave Saalfeld and Coburg [z]: but to St. Nicholas Cloten, through the hand of the Guardian [a] Henry the Count Palatine, by a pleasing to her usufruct for life, under a solemn delivery. Where soon the Archprelate by the same vow of mind and the same opinion, by which to St. Peter and to himself Saalfeld and Coburg; Cloten, to St. Nicholas and the Abbot Tegeno, (as the Emperor himself who was present said this to be done justly) under his dire ban, the invaders of the same things being condemned under a terrible anathema, confirmed to be possessed perpetually. Upon which also matter of pious action a chart of the Privilege [b] of the Queen herself was written; which for the refutation of the impious, to whom justice is a penalty, until this day for those wishing to read it, has been preserved with the cultivators of the sacred place.
[24] But in the year after this one thousand sixty-first, and consecrates this completed in the year 1061. when now the monastery in Brunwilre was finished, the same Most Reverend Archprelate Anno, about to fulfill what was of his office, with Egilbert [c] Bishop of Minden coming there, and under the veneration of the holy Confessors of Christ and likewise of the Pontiffs Nicholas and Medard, consummated the Dedication of the same monastery on the III Kalends of November: and just as he was infulated with the Priestly garments (Jesus I call to witness) Cloten specially, and the rest of the estates conferred on that sacred place generally, by his ban a second time confirmed. There was constructed also another monastery from the expenses of the same most glorious woman and Queen through Adalbero [d] Bishop of Würzburg, and he buries the dead Richeza at Cologne. in the place where the sacred Martyrdom of St. Kilian and his Companions is extant: inasmuch as whose Bishopric from her numerous clientele of families, with all things which pertain to the town of [e] Salz, was augmented by a wholly royal munificence [f]. But not much after, namely in the year of the Lord's Incarnation One thousand sixty-third on the XII Kalends of April, at Saalfeld she herself died [g]. But her body by a religious and to so great a woman fitting apparatus of exequies carried to Cologne, and the Archpontiff insisting, there in the church of St. Mary, which is ad Gradus, was buried. And from this occasion, against divine right and justice, except a census of five pounds, the sacred place of Brunwilre, not only of the body of its co-foundress, but also of Cloten was deprived [h].
ANNOTATIONS.
even Bulgaria formerly to have spread themselves, by a long tract of lands among the nations, where Germany is crossed, on both sides Teutonic, from whom in Moravia and Bohemia the Slavic tongue still perseveres; but so, that just as into the dominion of the Germans, so also into the language by little and little all migrated, who from Hamburg even to the borders of Bohemia dwelt by the banks of the Elbe and the Saale.
p. These vows were at length fulfilled in the year 1051, in which the son born to the Emperor on the 3rd Ides of November the Hersfeld writer writes.
q. St. Leo IX, whose Acts we illustrated April 19, was made Pontiff in the year 1049. The Interpolator adds: But his spoils were then translated to the church, and near the side of the altar of St. John the Baptist placed in a raised sepulchre. Such an Epitaph was hung on the sepulchre:
While the Virgin star ends the seven Ides, It admonishes, coming here that he read these things groaning. Alas! the flower of the Ottos of magnificent Kings falls, To whom the imperial honor in the world yielded. The flower of these same bore the name Otto by name, To whom Mathild was mother, to whom Ezo was father: The Duke of the Swabians, dying becomes the lament of them: But from death, God, repair this one better.
Father Andrew Schnorrenberg admonishes, that that formerly altar of St. John the Baptist, is now of the Blessed Virgin.
s. That in the year 1050, on May 22 Ello died Bucelin writes: but that his successor Tegeno presided until January 5 of the year 1063.
t. That precept or Privilege is read in Gelenius in the Life of B. Richeza page 27, and seems made at the same time with another preceding, directly regarding the monastery itself, concerning Cloten and other goods in the Moselle tract; but this is signed given in the year 1051, X Kalends of August.
x. These things regard not only the times of Hildulph the Archbishop, on account of the Cloten allod, claimed back by St. Wolfelm, exceedingly troublesome to the monastery; as is read in chapter 3 of the life; but also of his successors: for not until Wolfhelm died was the matter fully composed.
y. Hermann died February 11, when he is inscribed in the Fasti of Gelenius; and his image, as of a Saint, equally as of his sister Richeza, is seen in the church of St. Mary ad Gradus at Cologne.
z. The acceptance of this donation made in the year 1056 is extant in Gelenius page 34. But Coburg is a town notable for the title of a Duchy in Franconia, almost midway in the journey between Saalfeld and Bamberg: further from this place it is understood, by what right the Archbishop of Cologne in the year 1071, the Canons being expelled from Saalfeld, substituted monks brought from Cologne, those being passed over whom he could have from neighboring Franconia, as Lambert of Hersfeld complains.
a*. Mundibordis, by others Advocate, a secular Patron for defending the rights of churches.
b*. This chart Gelenius exhibits in the Life aforecited page 25.
c*. The manuscript Catalogue of the Bishops of Minden names this one, seventeenth in order, Engelbert, with which agrees Cratepolius on the Bishops.
d*. Adelbero, according to Demochares, sat from the year 1045 to 1090, successor of St. Bruno of whom we treated May 17.
e*. Salz in the County of Henneberg, distant about 20 leagues from Würzburg toward the North.
f*. The Interpolator adds, The most venerable Queen also caused to be constructed a chapel in the village of Cloten, for her own convenience, that when she made a stay there, she might cause Masses to be celebrated at her nod without the tumult of the people, which she might most devoutly hear: which chapel, as in the most ancient letters it is had, is called the Recluse-house of the Ladies, therefore because when there Mass was celebrated, she with her attendants and the rest of the household being inside ordered the chapel to be closed, lest she could be disturbed by any tumult.
The same adds in the words immediately preceding:
At length B. Richeza, after she had given to St. Peter and his Metropolitan house at Cologne, before Anno II the Archbishop, Saalfeld, Coburg, and Orla (of which last place nothing elsewhere) with all appurtenances; but all the rest concerning her, and her body with all furniture and movables, had bequeathed to St. Nicholas at Brauweiler, and had led a most holy life like a Nun; the debt of death she herself also paid in the year 1063, the XII Kalends of April. Whose body with the treasures, otherwise than she herself had disposed, nay than St. Anno sworn had promised, the same Archbishop ordered violently to be detained, and in his newly constructed monastery ad Gradus of St. Mary at Cologne to be buried, her remaining riches being converted to the endowment of the monastery of Siegburg and of the aforesaid Cologne St. Mary ad Gradus, without doubt induced to this through the counsels of evil persuaders. So he. There is extant in Gelenius the testament of Richeza herself confirming these same things, which therefore here I have thought should be appended.
In the name of the holy and individual Trinity. As the religious and pious solicitude of parents always with a certain affection ought to provide for beloved sons, The Testament of B. Richeza. not only in temporal things for the present, but also concerning things to remain in the future; so the devout succession of sons ought not only to keep unbroken the reasonable and God-pleasing institutions of the parents, but, after the manner of faithful servants, the talent entrusted to them by the Lord being doubled through works of mercy and ever profiting to better things, faithfully to expect the reward of eternal retribution, Hence it is that I Richeza, once Queen of Poland, after the death of my Father the Lord Erenfrid the most illustrious Count Palatine, and of my Mother most devoted to God Mathilda, to the monastery of Brauweiler, first founded by them, wishing in regard of the paternal donation to exhibit due reverence; the possessions pertaining to the very estate of Brauweiler, with villages, fields, manses, slaves, woods, meadows, pastures, mills, mill-works, waters and water-courses, things sought and to be acquired, constituted within that boundary; Cloten also upon the Moselle, with its appendages Mesenich and Rile, with the integrity of all (as my father had legitimately and peacefully possessed them by the right of property, and long since living and uninjured for the remedy of his soul and of my deceased mother, had freely delivered to the aforesaid monastery with the consent of his sons; as in the Privilege of the Lord Piligrin the venerable Archbishop of Cologne is contained) these, I say, consigned to God and St. Nicholas, according to the constitution of my father, not only I have taken care to keep ratified and unbroken, but also from my patrimony still surviving to me making Christ heir, for the everlasting memory of my parents and brothers, buried in the bosom of the same church, and of myself, to the Lord Nicholas Patron of the aforesaid monastery I have added 21 arpents in Cloten by a perpetual delivery, and have provided for myself in the same place after my death a place of rest and burial designating it. But if anyone shall presume to infringe this page of my constitution or by rash daring to violate it, let him incur the wrath of God Omnipotent and of Blessed Peter the Prince of the Apostles, of Saint Nicholas and of all the Saints, and unless he timely repent, by the authority of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit let him lie under perpetual anathema. But lest anyone could derogate from this my free delivery in its simple truth, in future against the machinations of the perfidious we have taken care to fortify and corroborate the present writing by the impression of my seal, with suitable witnesses, who saw and heard these things, subscribed below. Henry the Count Palatine, Ruotger the advocate, Gerhard the Count, Goswin, Storckero, Sicco the Count, Ruotpert the Chaplain, Embrico, Eppo, Winbold, Ansfrid, Henno. Given the VII Ides of September, in the year from the Incarnation of the Lord one thousand 51, the IV Indiction, Henry the Third Emperor of the Romans Augustus reigning. There are in this testament some things, which make me doubt of its sincerity; but to dwell more laboriously on exploring them there is no leisure. But that St. Anno sworn promised to fulfill this, is nowhere read: only is brought forward the aforecited acceptance of the estates of Saalfeld and Coburg, with this beginning.
In the name of the holy and individual Trinity. Anno the second, The acceptance of the estates given by her to the Church of Cologne. by divine mercy bestowing Archbishop of the Church of Cologne. Considering I, what the Lord did for me who is powerful, I became anxious, for this that I could scarcely find what I should render to the Lord for all things which He rendered to me. To me glowing with these cares the divine piety opened a way, going by which I had hoped I could attain where I had desired; namely that by enlarging the Church, committed to me by the gift of God, to those who preceded me, men through almost the whole world conspicuous both for holiness, and for patrimony, and for the brightness of their race (that I may say it with their peace) me more studiously working, made equal to them, to say I should not fear. Hence the occasion being given we agreed with the Lady Richeza the Queen concerning certain estates, namely Saalfeld and Coburg, that consenting to a precarial grant of these, she should deliver them to St. Peter at Cologne. Which when at the first approach it answered little to our wish, it was the will of God that not long after time, what we sought should have a prosperous and happy outcome. Whence we wish it to be known to all, both future and present, the faithful of the Lord God and of St. Peter, how a certain Starcthare, a freeborn man and a Count, the Soldier of the Queen herself, by the precept and petition of his Lady, the castle of Saalfeld, with all and singular pertaining to this, lands and woods, forests and fisheries, meadows, pastures, and households, and whatever she was seen to have by very property, except the servants,
delivered to St. Peter at Cologne for the use of the Archbishop, Christian the Advocate, to be possessed by perpetual right: namely on this tenor, that the usufruct of that estate the Lady Richeza hold until the end of her life; on this reason also and most firm interdict, that never any of the Archbishops by exchange, or by giving to anyone in benefice, make Saalfeld or what pertains to it alien from its dominion, unless perhaps as much as we with the counsel of the same Queen, for our soul and that of herself and her parents, shall have appointed to be distributed from it through the monasteries of Cologne. But also the tithe of garments, or of cloths of whatsoever kind, and also of coverlets, of honey and of wax, for the use of the Monks in Brunwilre the Queen disposed. We also for the devotion of the most Christian Queen, seeking indeed not much from us, yet as much as she herself had proposed we granted into her precarial grant; namely delivering to her these villages of our demesne, until the end of her life, to be possessed with all profit, Gedtebach, Brikenheim, Wictolo, Moffendorff, Muoterssheim, Blassheim, Zuovero: in addition each year a hundred marks of silver from our Chamber. Which all were done on this tenor, that if anyone whether King, or Bishop, or I myself, or any of my successors of all these shall attempt to diminish anything for her, or in any way to change, unless she herself asking; let him incur the hatred of God and of St. Peter, and let her be powerful, to receive Saalfeld and all things appertaining to her, and to use them as her own… In the year from the Incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ 1057, The year and day of her death. the X Indiction, the VII Kalends of July this delivery was made at Saalfeld, according to the law and rite of that nation: which words seem to us clearly enough to indicate, that the nation in that place was diverse from the Teutonic, and (as we said above) still Slavic. The same last words, in which the year of Christ with the number of the Indiction best agrees (although to Gelenius by I know not what error it seemed otherwise) convict of falsity the authors or corrupters of the title, on the leaden plate placed at the head of the deceased, through whom it was brought about, that on it it seems to be thus read. In the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand 57, the second of the Ides of April, Richeza the Queen, by Anno the second, the venerable Archbishop of this See and founder of the present church, with a huge frequency of all the Clergy and people, was honorably buried, and by the Pontiff himself brought in, two most splendid estates being conferred on St. Peter. On the ninth of the Kalends of April she died. Gelenius confesses, that the mark of the fatal day almost escapes the eyes: why not also the year similarly escaping someone may wrongly have renewed and for 63 put 57? Certainly she who in the month of June of this year, displayed yet no indications of a death soon to come, as appears from the above-placed instrument of Anno, could not have been numbered among the dead three months earlier: and to Acts written in the same century rather is faith to be given, than to that leaden plate, in some later translation of the body either first appended or rashly renewed. Yet lest anyone think this done gratuitously by me, I will exhibit below the crown set around the head of the Queen herself which is distinguished with those arms of Provinces, of which at least some no one skilled in Armorial matters would say to be older by three or four centuries; it is consequent, that the crown itself was composed long after her death, namely then, when the sepulchre itself was renewed and polished, and from a wooden chest decaying with age, into another in which the bones now lie they were translated: when the leaden plate placed under the head, if any had been before, could for the greater part have been eaten away, and not without error restored.
h*. There followed a prolix deduction of those things, which for the recovery of that right were done by B. Wolfhelm, and in Gelenius can in part be read: but the entire we have from the originals, and preserve for the very Life of the holy Abbot in the Supplement of April on the day 22. There indeed Anno is argued as if he had acted against right and justice: yet it is permitted to excuse his intention: but the very fact he was about to retract, as in the aforesaid Life is had number 16, had he not been prevented and died by an untimely death. To whom when after death, as says Caesarius of Heisterbach book 8 chapter 69 many detracted, saying that he had been a dismemberer of churches and a blinder of his citizens, the Lord God in his translation, of how great holiness he was, showed by very many signs.
APPENDIX
Of testimonies concerning the Beatitude of Richeza from the Vindications of Aegidius Gelenius.
Erenfrid or Ezo, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Mathilda, Count Palatine of the Rhine, Founder of Brauweiler near Cologne (B.) Richeza, or Ricza, Queen of Poland, their daughter, of Cologne Agrippina (B.)
[25] Let not few testimonies and monuments concerning the holiness of B. Richeza add a colophon to the work, The Life of St. Wolphelm, received from our elders. Conrad first the Monk of Brauweiler in the Life of B. Wolfhelm, which he wrote about the year 1094, thus speaks; The Lady Richeza, whose parents built the monastery of Brauweiler from the foundations, being an emulator of their faith and devotion, made the churches of God heirs of her earthly possessions, that she herself might merit to be made a partaker and heir of the heavenly kingdom. Then the martyrology of Usuard, from the addition of John Molanus, the XIII Kalends of April on the day XX of March, of the same says, At Cologne ad Gradus the death of Rixa the Queen, niece of St. Anno the Bishop, whose, not canonized, body lies open on the great feasts. With which conspires also Peter Cratepolius, of the order of St. Francis of the Conventual Minors in the Catalogue of the Saints of Germany with the Letters R. S., Rixa, saying, the Queen… kinswoman of St. Anno Bishop of Cologne, and other authors: rests at St. Mary ad Gradus. Concerning whose Canonization it is not established. Yet this is to be observed, that Cratepolius slips somewhat here, when in the Catalogue of Saints he hands down, that she was Queen of Hungary; and worse he hallucinates in the Annals, where he treats of the death of St. Anno. Likewise in Hermann III, the successor of St. Anno, he would have her to have been the wife of Lothair Augustus, and the sister of Hermann III, although she was the sister of Hermann II, and before Hermann III in the time of B. Anno died. Finally things similar to the former are handed down, in the Agrippinian Sacrarium folio 75 with these words. In the seventh collegiate church, ad Gradus of B. M. V. before the choir, in a raised mausoleum, lies buried the Lady Rixa the Queen… niece of St. Anno Bishop of Cologne, a matron beloved by God and men, whose, not canonized, body lies open on the great feasts. Philip Ferrarius of Alessandria, of the Order of the Servants of B. M. V. in the new Catalogue of Saints who are not had in the Roman martyrology, hands down these things: The XIII Kalends of April at Cologne Agrippina of B. Rixa the Queen.
[26] To the former testimonies, it pleases to subjoin some monuments adduced by our elders, from which we may gather, her sepulchre expressing herself and her brother with rays, what estimation our very elders left to posterity concerning the holiness of B. Richeza. The chief place among them all the Mausoleum holds, in which her sacred spoils are laid up by B. Anno the Archbishop, in the middle of the church of B. M. V. ad Gradus at Cologne built. That square one elaborated from Drachenfels stone, rises four feet in height from the ground, and seven feet long, and two broad, is surrounded with iron gratings. At the four corners as many bronze candelabra stand out. But the intercolumniations of the sides twelve Apostles crown, expressed by the hand of a painter. On the eastern frontispiece B. Richeza our Queen of the Poles, and her brother Hermann the pious Archbishop of Cologne, surrounded with divine rays, are beheld; and finally on the last and back face, toward the west, the Angelic salutation to the Mother of God is expressed. The sarcophagus itself is closed with two covers, one of iron, the other of oak, of each however with the mouth perforated, The bones inspected in the year 1633. for receiving the alms of pious men. On the solemn feasts formerly the wooden cover was removed, and it is this, which the authors above cited said, that the body lies open on the great feasts. And although today it is not shown, yet I in the year of Christ 1633, when for the knowledge of old history I more curiously surveyed the sacred monuments of Cologne, obtained that the sepulchre of B. Richeza Queen of Poland, on April XII, in the church of B. M. V. ad Gradus, in the presence of the Most Reverend D. Otto Gereon, Archbishop of Cyrene, Dean of the church, and John Newman and John Richarts the Canons, be opened, that it might be lawful for me more accurately to scrutinize the sacred bones. I found them therefore dispersed without order, and wrapped in cotton. They were covered with a silken pall, as also with fine linen was clothed the wooden tomb, enclosed in the marble Mausoleum. A crown set around the head. The head, bound with a golden net, lay upon a pillow; under which lay hidden a leaden plate, on which was sculpted, what I related above the epitaph. The head finally was adorned with a precious diadem, fastened with six clasps, in which with much art indeed, which I here exhibit, arms are represented.
[27] Another monument of B. Richeza, in the same Basilica ad Gradus, A monument near the sepulchre. not far from her tomb, painted on a column, represents the former arms in ancient work, among which two images encircled with a small relief, of which one of a Bishop, the other of B. Richeza: the head of each rays shine around: the copes, which we call pluvials, are joined to the breast-pieces with squares. And indeed the breast-piece of our Saint, as also the book, which she shows with her hand, besides the half eagle, exhibits the Lion of the Counts Palatine, with this inscription Richeza the Queen. But that the image of the Bishop represents Hermann the Pious Archbishop of Cologne, the brother german of B. Richeza, none I doubt; since in the middle of his breast-piece, the arms of the Diocese of Cologne, namely a black Cross, together with a little Lion is contained, as also below the feet a Lion is expressed.
[28] Thus far Gelenius, forgetful, Concerning the age of the Crown and the monument of what here was chiefly required, to add his own judgment concerning the age, both of the monument and of the crown, represented by him from bronze. For although men skilled in genealogical and heraldic matters, from those things which Gelenius himself, often and gravely erring concerning them, wrote in the Annals of the Ubii, judge that he had little knowledge of such things, although everywhere he displays the highest; yet I would not presume that he was so ignorant, that he could think, either that Crown to have been entombed with the blessed Queen from the beginning, or the Monument to have been placed by the authority of Reinald of Dassel, from the year 1159 to 1167 Archbishop of Cologne, only for this that under the same appear the arms of the Dassel race, namely deer's horns in a field full of little globes. For not yet (which even those most slightly versed in such matters know) in those centuries in which Richeza died and Reinald sat, had the laws of Heralds emerged; nor was the use of arms so frequent, a man most skilled in such things being consulted since not even the Princes themselves yet had fixed and settled devices. There can be read concerning these various treatises, which on the origins of shields, the use of arms, the distinctions of bricks, and on the whole heraldic or shield matter, in eight volumes published the oracle of our age in that argument Father Claude François Menestrier: to whom when I had referred my opinion, he deigned to write back in these words.
[29] No other example I remember to have seen of a Crown, to which were affixed shields of this kind, he judges them not made before the 14th or 15th century. adorned with arms. I have seen somewhere the Diadem of a certain Queen of Castile, distinguished with mural pinnacles: I have seen roses, lilies, the sharpened stakes of palisades; shields nowhere. But as much as from the very form of the arms it is permitted to argue, of the XIV or even XV century I judge to be the work both that Crown and the rest of the ornaments of the cenotaph. I recognize the Lilies, or rather the Irises, of the Kings of the Franks; the Bordures, the little Knots and the Belt of the Angevins and Bourbons; the Bands and the Border of the Burgundians; the Lion of the Kings of Scotland, surrounded by a double border flourishing with lilies; the Lion of the Counts of Namur, with a baldric Band; other Lions, since I cannot distinguish by colors and metals, I suspect to be either of the Counts of Flanders, or of Hesse, Meissen, or Thuringia, which indeed in three or four shields appear single; but those which double, of the Brunswickers; those which triple of the Kings of the English or the Dukes of Swabia can be, nor a greater series indicated by it: such as also the Truchsess retain. Eighteen shields, running around the diademed images of Hermann and Richeza, do not express the series of the ancestors of either, but the gentile arms of Princes living in the XIV century. The double Eagle of the Empire scarcely appeared before three hundred years; for in older monuments it is of one head only. The three Lilies of the Kings of the Franks first by Charles VI were defined in that number, since before they were indefinite. The three Lion shields subjected to the two-headed Eagle, I should think to be of England, the Palatinate and Flanders;
but under the three Lilies, the arms of France, Scotland, and the Bourbons. The right order represents the Brunswickers, the Saxons, the Brandenburgers, the Savoyards of Gallic blood: the left order, the old Burgundians of the Royal Gallic blood subjected to the Bourbons, the Angevins moderators of the Neapolitan kingdom, and the Namurians; lastly the Palatines of Scheyern and the Bavarians, descended from Otto of Wittelsbach, the author of the Bavarian and Palatine race. Placed at last, as in the place of an appendix, the device of the Dassel race, probably indicates the author of the work from that race: and it should be inquired in the monuments of the College of St. Mary ad Gradus, whether and when anyone of that family was there Provost, Dean, or Canon in the XIV or XV century, to whom the work can be attributed. In the little shields before the breast of Hermann and Richeza, in place of the broad-stripe or clasp, fastening either edge of the pallium, the Palatine Lion I recognize indeed, but I do not remember before the XIV century to have seen clasps adorned with devices of this kind; but on the pallia of women not even afterward, except rarely: for those have for the most part an oblong cloak, distinguished on one side with the halved arms of the husbands, on the other with the paternal: which because perhaps on the chlamys of Richeza it could not be distinctly enough expressed, it seemed good to him to place a composed shield at her feet; just as to Hermann the Bishop at the feet is placed his Lion. The same lies before the breast on the Cross, the device of the Archbishopric of Cologne: but note, that this also is an indication of novelty. For to place shields upon shields, before two hundred or three hundred years at most, first prevailed.
[30] So he, from whose learned pen we now receive a Philosophy of images, explained with most curious work: but for our matter these things suffice, namely for proving, that the tomb of B. Richeza was renewed by a more recent memory; and so it ought to make no one solicitous, the leaden plate; inasmuch as under her head either then first placed, but only some relation to the Princes of the 14th century, or that it might again be read renewed, as it pleased, by conjecture: and so excused will remain the chronographic errors, indicated above by me in Annotation g, as those which so long after the death of Richeza could easily creep upon an author, not having at hand the more certain Acts of Brauweiler. But what he intended by those little shields, either to be inwoven into the crown, or to be drawn around the image, who will certainly divine? It is most probable, that he wished to indicate, that Richeza touched in consanguinity all the chief Princes of Europe, whose those are the arms. But how easy it was for Gelenius to show this in those who born through these last two centuries, not so easily demonstrable. by means of Zimburgis of Masovia can ascend even to Richeza; so it is difficult to do concerning those born before, for conciliating faith to that opinion, which the author of the Crown and Monument seems to have conceived in mind, and the heraldist to have explained with shields, used according to the usage of his age. As concerns the Dassel race, it gave to the people of Cologne the Archbishop Reinald in the year 1164; nor can we doubt but that from that time thence Cologne had several illustrious persons of either sex, famous for Ecclesiastical benefices and public offices: yet in the XV century or thereabouts, in which these things should have been done, no one in the church of St. Mary ad Gradus by that name is known to have presided as Provost or Dean; for those who in the books of that church and other monuments are often named, are named without a gentile surname, as after a diligent inquiry made by the Canons our Father John Vietor asserted to me, whose work for searching out these things I used in vain, gladly about to use a light brought from elsewhere, if anyone can give it.
[31] A third monument in the same basilica I found set up to our Saint in the windows of the Choir, The image among the saints. where between two Tutelaries of that College, namely between SS. Anno and Agilolph Archbishops of Cologne, in the middle is placed Richeza, with this inscription: Saint Richeza. Similar things it is permitted to find in other temples also, and especially at Brauweiler and Cloten on the Moselle, and in other places, to which formerly B. Richeza heaped up her goods. But that in the Cloten pictures three swords are expressed under the feet of B. Richeza, is done to signify the use of the sword in three territories granted by her.