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Saint Germans.
About the yeare of the worlds redemption,* 1.1 429. when as the Pelagian heresie budded forth afresh in this Island, and so polluted the British Chur∣ches, as that to auerre and maintaine the truth, they sent for German, Bi∣shop of Auxerre, the place of his birth (a man of moche noble lygnage, taught and enformed wel in the Artes liberalle, lerned in the scyence of the Decretees droytes and lawe,* 1.2 saith his Legend) and Lupus Bishop of Troies out of France: who by refuting this heresie, gained vnto themselues a re∣uerent account among the Britains. but chiefly German, who hath at this day thorowout all this Island many Churches dedicated to his memorie. Now, vnderstand, that neere to the walls of the old Citie Verulam, was, as then, a plot of consecrated ground, wherein the bodies of such as had professed Christianitie, and suffered martyrdome vnder the persecution of the Romane Emperours,* 1.3 were interred. In which the said German openly (out of the pulpit) preached Gods word to the people; where afterwards the beleeuing Christians built this Chappell, and dedicated it to his ho∣nour; for that by his doctrine, and other good meanes, hee had conuerted many thousands to the true profession of Christian Religion. This German commanded the Sepulchre of Saint Alban to be opened, and therein be∣stowed certaine reliques of Saints, that those whom one heauen had recei∣ued, should also be in one Sepulchre together lodged.* 1.4 Thus much (saith Camden) I note by the way, that ye may obserue and consider the fashions of that age. This Chappell, or rather the ruines of it, are remaining at this day, and put to a prophane and beastly vse.