ON THE BLESSED INQUISITOR MARTYRS,
WILLIAM ARNALDI, BERNARD DE RUPEFORTI, AND GARCIA DE AUREA, OF THE ORDER OF PREACHERS OF ST. DOMINIC; STEPHEN OF NARBONNE, AND RAYMOND CARBONIUS; OF THE ORDER OF MINORS OF ST. FRANCIS; THE PRIOR OF AVIGNONET, A MONK OF LA CLUSE; RAYMOND THE SCRIBE, CANON AND ARCHDEACON; BERNARD, HIS CLERIC; PETER ARNALDI, NOTARY; FORTANERIUS AND ADEMARUS, CLERICS, MESSENGERS, AT AVIGNONET IN UPPER OCCITANIA.
A.D. MCCXLII
Collection from Stephen de Salanaco, an old Chronicle of Toulouse, Peter Marsilius, and other contemporary writers.
William, of the Order of Preachers, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Bernard, of the Order of Preachers, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Garcia, of the Order of Preachers, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Stephen, of the Order of Minors, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Raymond, of the Order of Minors, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) N. Prior of Avignonet, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Raymond, Archdeacon, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Bernard, his Cleric, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Peter Arnaldi, Notary, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Fortanerius, Cleric, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.) Ademarus, Cleric, Martyr at Avignonet in Upper Occitania (B.)
BY THE AUTHOR G. H.
Occitania commonly Languedoc is a famous and most noted province of Gaul: in which on account of the Albigensian heresy that arose, we have shown that the office of the most holy Inquisition took its beginning, Against the Albigensians Inquisitors of the faith were instituted. on March V at the Acts of Bl. Peter de Castro-novo, of the Cistercian Order Apostolic Legate, and first Inquisitor of the faith, and by blood shed in that function a glorious Martyr: to whom among other cooperators were joined Diego, Bishop of Osma; and St. Dominic, in such a function made Founder of the Order of Preachers. The Priests of this Order, with other men of other Orders, kindled with zeal of the faith, exercised themselves in that ministry, and with their blood confirmed the faith which they preached; as several, who lived at that time, by their writings have testified. Among these is Stephen Salanacus of the Order of Preachers, a man at that time held famous for the opinion of doctrine, and most observant of the regular life: who in the treatise on the Four things, with which God marked the Order of Preachers, of these Athletes narrates this.
[2] Since the Order of Preachers was by Bl. Dominic against heresies and errors specially instituted at Toulouse, Among these of the Order of Preachers about the year 1234 the Brothers of those parts for many years in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakedness, and in many tribulations strove against those and against the tyrants, who defended the heretics. Then by Pope Gregory the Ninth of blessed memory the Inquisition against the said heretics and their abettors was committed to the Brothers throughout the Province about the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred thirty-four, on the tenth Kalends of May, in the eighth year of his Pontificate: on account of which the Brothers exposed themselves to many perils. For at Toulouse, after many threats of the Prince and his men, it was prohibited by public edict, that no one should have any commerce with the Brothers, nor sell anything to them, nor give. Secondly at all the gates of the house of the Brothers were placed guards, lest any victuals be brought to them, nor even water from the river Garonne common might anyone bring within. The Inquisitor too Brother William Arnaldi they expelled from the city. But of certain things badly done I think it better for the honor of the citizens to be silent. And when all the Brothers having confessed, offered themselves ready for martyrdom for the faith and obedience of the Roman Church, and now with much desire expected it, by the precept of the Prince they were all compelled to go out of the city. They went therefore rejoicing from the sight of the council, worthy for the faith of Christ to suffer contumely. Processionally moreover two by two, not fearing the animosity of the malignant, who had prohibited them to go in such a manner, going out with a loud voice, "I believe in one God," then, "Hail Queen," most devoutly they chanted. Bl. William Arnaldi, with others first driven out, This was done in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred thirty-five on the Nones of November, or the following day, namely the eighth Ides of November. For the same cause of the faith at Narbonne the house of the Brothers was broken into, and the holy books torn by the impious. In many other places too the Brothers were captured and despoiled, nor without a multitude of armed men did the Inquisitors dare to proceed.
[3] In the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred forty-two, then in the year 1242 on 29 May slain, on the fourth Kalends of June, on the night of the Lord's Ascension, at Avignonet in the diocese of Toulouse, in the house and chamber of Raymond Count of Toulouse, Brother William Arnaldi, of the Order of Friars Preachers of Montpellier, a man discreet and learned in Canon Law, devout and most gentle, given as Inquisitor of heretics, by the authority of the Lord Pope, by the iniquitous Believers of the heretics, for the defense of the faith, was cruelly slain by the sword. With him two other Brothers of our Order of Friars Preachers, namely Brother Bernard de Rupeforti and Brother Garcia de Aurea of the diocese of Comminges. Likewise two Brothers of the Order of Minors, namely Brother Stephen, and Brother Raymond Carbonius; and the Prior of Avignonet of that place, a Monk of La Cluse; and two companions and Raymond the Scribe, Canon of the See of Toulouse and Archdeacon of Lézat in the same Church of Toulouse; and Peter Arnaldi, Notary of the Inquisition; and Bernard, Cleric of the Archdeacon; and two Clerics, their messengers, namely Fortanerius and Ademarus. then two Minors and 6 others of the Clergy, Yet the aforesaid Inquisitor Brother William was principally sought. All these the Believers of the heretics slew, for the faith of Christ and the obedience of the Roman Church, singing "We praise Thee, O God," by the command of the Bailiff of Raymond Count of Toulouse, who had led them thither into the Count's Chamber.
[4] Thus far Stephen Salanacus, and from him Thomas Malvenda in the Annals of the Preachers, at the related year MCCXLII. William Catel, Royal Councilor in the Parliament of Toulouse, and that by the command of the Bailiff, in the History of the Counts of Toulouse, book 2, page 361, from a very old MS. Chronicle kept at Toulouse among the Fathers Preachers, relates the same, which already concerning the martyrdom of these Athletes have been related: where Brother Stephen of the Order of Minors is said, the Colleague of the said Inquisitor William, and Raymond Archdeacon of Lézat above, of Lézat; where also they are said to have been slain by the command of the Bajulus, and better above of the Balivus, by which word is indicated a Prætor or Provost of justice. There flourished at the same time Gerard de Frachet, of the Order of Friars Preachers and Provincial of the Province from the year MCCLI to the year MCCLIX; who by command of Humbert the General wrote the Lives of the Brothers of the Order of Preachers, which we have in a very old MS. codex: where in part five chapter one begins, from the words at number 2 already related, but some things here and there omitted, and others in this manner added:
[5] At length in the year of the Lord one thousand two hundred forty-two, on the night of the Lord's Ascension, there suffered in the castle of Avignonet in the diocese of Toulouse the Brothers of the Order of Preachers, by the Lord Pope given as Inquisitors, namely William and Bernard de Rupeforte, and Garcia de Auria; and of the Order of Friars Minor Stephen and Raymond Carboni, and others who were with them, namely Raymond Archdeacon of Toulouse, and the Prior of Avignonet a Monk of La Cluse, with three others serving them, by the heretics for the faith of Christ and the obedience of the Roman Church slain; singing "We praise Thee, O God." But on the night in which they suffered, a certain woman of the same diocese, but in another castle, laboring in childbirth, cried out: Behold I see the heavens opened, and a ladder thence let down to the earth, and much blood poured out on this earth. And when she regarded the brightness of the ladder, and wondered at the redness of those ascending by it; then the heavens were seen opened she brought forth her child, forgetful of her pain. The same opening saw the shepherds, watching in the same region. Likewise the illustrious King of Aragon James, when on the same night he kept watch on the frontier of the Saracens, saw a great light descending from heaven, and said to his Knights: Know that this night God works something great. In Malvenda at this year Peter Marsilius an old author, book 3 of the History of King James, chapter 58, affirms this vision of immense light, glided down from heaven, presented to James King of Aragon, when he held girt with a siege, infested by the Moors, the city Setabis, also to James King of Aragon, commonly called Xativa, where at length he narrates this whole history of the Martyrs. But let us proceed with the Lives of the Brothers. Likewise in our convent of Barcelona many Brothers the same night the heaven to be opened, and thence a light to descend, traversing the whole air, saw.
[6] A certain Frank, staying at Carcassonne, having heard the death of the Brothers devoted himself to them: by their intercession health was conferred on various and straightway from a grave disease, by which for two years he had been held, he fully recovered. The daughter of the Marshal of Mirepoix devoted herself to the said Martyrs, and straightway from a most grave infirmity was freed. Likewise a certain William of Murellum (which is a castle near Toulouse commonly called Muret) vexed with a grave fever, coming to the sepulchre of the Martyrs of Christ, was straightway healed. And this for several was done at their sepulchres.
[7] Likewise Arvandus Rufus de Sibers, a Believer of the heretics, having heard of the death of Raymond the Archdeacon, by whom he for the cause of the faith had been frequently vexed, said the same things many hearing: I will go to Avignonet, and see, if Raymond the Scribe, another blasphemer punished. a talkative rustic, has been able to die. Who coming and seeing the holy Archdeacon rolled in his own blood, struck him with his foot saying: Lie, talkative rustic: speak now if you can: and straightway with an incurable wound in that same shin he was struck.
[8] A little before their passion, to a certain religious Brother in the convent of Bordeaux it seemed, Seen depicted beneath the foot of the Crucified, that three Brothers beneath the foot of the Crucified, slain by many armed men, were seen depicted. And when he wondered, to me then there existing he narrated the vision. Likewise in the house of Prouille it happened a certain Sister, by name Blanche, in the jaw to be gravely sick, so much that she could neither take food nor speak. But on the night of St. Vincent the Martyr, when certain Sisters watched about her, they said to her, whether she wished to have the cloths of Brother William, slain at Avignonet for the faith of Christ, to touch the place of the infirmity. the jaw by the touch of the Martyr's cloth healed. To which, as she could, she assented, that she wished it. These being brought, with great reverence and devotion she received, and set them upon the jaw: and straightway she spoke, saying: I am cured by the merits of Brother William, the Martyr of Christ.
[9] Bl. Raymond foresaw the crowns of the Martyrs. Likewise the aforesaid Brother Raymond Carbonius, saw in dreams a golden crown, glittering with nine gems, above the house, in which they suffered, from heaven let down with an immense light, some days before
their passion. Who wondering said: Alas! how wretched are the men of that land, who seeing us for the faith of Christ in which we stand thus crowned, are not converted to the Catholic faith. And when he had awaked, to the Prior of Prouille and several other companions he narrated the whole in order. Which when the said Brother William had heard, also that they were sprinkled with the blood of Christ, he said: Know that shortly for the faith of Christ Jesus we shall be slain. A certain Brother of the convent of Bordeaux, set in prayer, saw, as he afterward related, the Lord hanging on the cross, and the blood from His right side flowing copiously, and moreover the Blessed Virgin receiving it in a golden chalice. Three Brothers too he saw, whom the Blessed Virgin with the blood, which she had received, sprinkled: which when he saw, and vehemently desired to be sprinkled, the vision disappeared. But not long after he heard those same Brothers, whom in an imaginary vision he had seen sprinkled, for the faith of Christ slain by the heretics.
[10] The day before the Brothers were slain by the impious, namely on the Vigil of the Ascension, there came to the Prior, namely Brother Columbus, a certain devout woman, and said: Lord, this morning, when the Brothers were saying Mass, I slept a little in the church: and it seemed to me, that the Crucified, who stands in the midst of the church, laid down His right arm, and dropped blood. Which when I stupefied regarded, the Crucified called me, and said: Go, and tell the place of burial divinely designated the Prior, that he set Relics for me in such a place. On the morrow therefore, when the bodies of the Brothers were brought; it pleased the Bishop, the Prior, and the Brothers, that in the place shown by the woman, which also was more fitting, which place was situated in the church of the Brothers and at the right of the Crucified, they should be buried.
[11] But since at that time the Roman Church lacked a Pastor, concerning their slaying a letter of the Cardinals, the See being vacant, this kind of crime being heard, there wrote to the Provincial Prior and the Brothers of the Province all the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church in this manner. You know, dearest Sons, how your Order, for the defense of the faith, the plantation of morals, the consolation and edification of the faithful, for extirpating heresies and the briers and thorns of other vices, was instituted by the most Holy Father Dominic in the parts of Toulouse. And lest the infidels could inflict any stain on your sanctity, renouncing possessions and the other worldly things, you subjected your necks spontaneously to the yoke of voluntary poverty; and to the law and to the testimony more and more turning your minds, you obtained from the Lord to be given you tongues from heaven instructed. But certain ones after the manner of the frenzied, raging against their spiritual physicians, what we have understood with grief, exercised a horrible monstrosity against the servants of God the Inquisitors, by whom called Martyrs, and their companions and ministers: to whom they could not so much profit by serving, as by persecuting they profited. For by this, as we believe, they were made Martyrs of Jesus Christ, there concurring not only the cause of death, but also the time of death, and the kind, and the manner, and all the circumstances.
[12] Thus the said Cardinals to the Provincial Prior of the Province, among whose near Successors was Gerard de Frachet, who above, number 8, understood the vision concerning the imminent martyrdom, and described it ten or twelve years elapsed from it. The arena Avignonet. But the Apostolic See was vacant from the day XII of November of the past year MCCXLI, in which there had departed from life Celestine IV, to whom succeeded in the year MCCXLIII Innocent IV, elected on the day XXIV of June. But the arena of the martyrdom, Avignonet, called as it were little Avignon, was a castle then in the diocese of Toulouse, now, after the Bishopric of St. Papoul was erected in the year MCCCXVII, attributed to this diocese, the first letter being truncated commonly called Vignonet, near the castle of Montferrand, and not far distant from the Castle of St. Felix.
[13] testimonies concerning the atrocious slaughter William of Puylaurens, in the Chronicle of the Albigensians carried down to the year MCCLXX, chapter 45, of these Martyrs writes this: In the year of the Lord MCCXLII Brother William Arnaldi and Brother Stephen his colleague, of the Order of Preachers and Minors Inquisitors, and their companion Brothers, and the Archdeacon of Lézat, and the Prior of Avignonet, there pursuing against the heretics the business of the faith, in the hall of that Count, on the night of the Lord's Ascension, by the enemies of God and of the faith were atrociously slain. Bernard Gui, who flourished in the same XIII century, made Bishop of Lodève, in the Commentary on the affairs of the Order of Preachers, The Lord, he says, glorified by miracles, His Martyrs then with miracles, and would have glorified them more; but the incredulity of those, among whom and by whom they suffered, as is probably believed, hindered it.
[14] Sebastian de Olmeda also in Master John the Teuton, in whose time they suffered, adds this: The burial Whose martyrdom the same night with signs from heaven the Lord did not cease to clarify, lights and crosses being shown over them in the air. Their bodies, exposed even to the birds, the convent of Toulouse took care to lay within the enclosure of its temple. The testimonies of these two we have transcribed from Malvenda. The above-praised Catel asserts, that the bodies of these Religious of the Order of St. Dominic at this time are kept in a tomb of stone or marble, enclosed in the wall of the church of the Preachers above the altar of the chapel on the right side, opposite the chapel in which is deposited the body of St. Thomas Aquinas, in the chapel now called of St. Hyacinth. Dominic Maria Marchese adds in the sacred Diary of the Dominicans, printed at Naples in the year MDCLXXII, that when a certain sacristan, curious more than religious, for the cause of opening the tomb placed high from the ground, had bidden a mason to ascend there with ladders applied; at the first blow which he gave with the hammer, the iron beaten back returned upon the striker. Above the altar, Who terrified when he had descended, and had asked pardon of his rash presumption, the pain arising from the repelled blow vanished. Of these treat St. Antoninus, part 3 of the History, title 23, chapter 10, §4; Leander Alberti, on the illustrious Men of the Order of Preachers, book 2, page 56; Abraham Bzovius, in the Annals at the year 1242, number 5, and everywhere the historical Writers of the Order of Preachers.
[15] Nor were the Writers of the Order of Minors wanting to themselves in reckoning their Martyrs, of whom Bartholomew de Albizis of Pisa, book 1 of the Conformities, fruit 8, part 2, treating of the place of Toulouse writes this: Bl. Stephen from an Abbot of the Order of Minors. In the place of Toulouse lies Brother Stephen; who when before he was a great Abbot, the Abbey being dismissed was made a Friar Minor. He when he was Inquisitor in the parts of Toulouse, slain by the heretics, deserved to be crowned with the crown of martyrdom. There too lies Brother Raymond his companion, who also crowned with martyrdom with the same, is buried near. There followed everywhere others and with them Arthur in the Franciscan Martyrology and Wadding at this year, number 3, where the same, which above we have related, are narrated. The same in the Index of Martyrs published with the Writers, this at the name of Stephen of Narbonne writes of both: He made here Inquisitor of the holy faith together with Raymond Carbonerius. By the heretics captured, stripped, with melted lead and boiling pitch and resin poured over, and half-burnt, the palm of martyrdom they obtained on the day XXIX of May. Inscription of the burial of Bl. Stephen Which moreover that they could have been done we do not deny, but that they were done not even Wadding himself asserts in the Annals, which are cited, or even in volume 7 in the Additions to the first Volume, where from Catel in the place above indicated he describes their burial, namely in a chapel below the nave of the church, a tomb being set for each separately, above an altar resting on marble columns. On the first these words are sculptured in golden letters, in this manner. Here lies the Blessed Martyr Stephen, slain by the swords of the Albigensians for Christ: whose Relics the Reverend Father a Messana recognized in the year MDCIX, Bl. Raymond his companion, on October XXIX. But on the second these words. Here lies the Blessed Martyr Raymond, slain by the swords of the Albigensians for Christ in the year MCCXLII, whose Relics the Reverend Father a Messana recognized in the year MDCIX, on October XXVI. But of Bl. Raymond the Scribe, and Bernard his Cleric, the Burial in the Church of St. Stephen with this inscription adorned is read in Catel, On the IV Kalends of June died R. the Scribe, Priest and Canon of this place, Bl. Raymond the Archdeacon, and Bl. Bernard: and Archdeacon of Villelongue, who was slain with the Inquisitors of the heretics at Avignonet, in the year of the Lord MCCXLII, and with Bernard his Cleric, who is buried with him.
[16] The above-indicated Stephen, because before he had been an Abbot, is referred to by Ménard, book 2 of Observations at March XV: by Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology at March XIII, but afterward with the other Martyrs he is mentioned in the Supplement at the day XXX of May, in place of this XXIX, which then fell on the day of the Ascension, on which by lunar cycle VIII, solar XIX, and Dominical letter E, Easter had been celebrated on the day XX of April. Had Marchese examined this, he would not have said the night of the Ascension, on which all suffered, in the year MCCXLII fell on May XVIII; they are wrongly referred to 18 May. nor to that day would he have referred their memory in his Diary. He perhaps found them somewhere referred to the XXVIII, as dead on the Vigil of the Ascension, and that by a cipher more obscurely expressed, and so from 28 made 18.
Annotations* otherwise Reginald * of La Cluse * otherwise Arnaldus