The estate of the Church with the discourse of times, from the apostles vntill this present: also of the liues of all the emperours, popes of Rome, and Turkes: as also of the Kings of Fraunce, England, Scotland, Spaine, Portugall, Denmarke, &c. With all the memorable accidents of their times. Translated out of French into English by Simon Patrike, Gentleman.

The encrease of the kingdome of France.

From the yeare of saluation 514. hitherto, the kingdome of France was diuided into certaine kingdomes, because the kings of France had many heires. One kingdome was called Au∣strasia,* 1.1 & comprehended Lorraine and Brabant: and that which is betweene Rhene and Mense, from Culloine to the Countrie of Alsasia. The other called Neutria,* 1.2 which comprehends the Re∣gions which are betwixt Mense and Loire: and Paris was the chiefe Towne thereof. The third was called the kingdome of the Soisons.* 1.3 In this diuision of Gaul, the kingdome of Arles tooke also his beginning, which had vnder it Sauoy, the Coun∣trey of the Switzes, Zepingen, Haspurge, and Dauphine, but at this time those particular kingdomes returned into a Monar∣chie. Car.

* 1.4Dagobert the 11. King of France, possessed first Austrasia, after he ioyned vnto it the kingdome of Burgoine, and finally was made Lord almost of all France: and the name of France was then vniuersall for all those kingdomes. When Dagobert dwelt in Austrasia, his Pallace was in Alsatze. And he builded a Castle at Rufach called Eisenburge: he also builded many Mo∣nasteries

of S. Benet, wherevnto he gaue great reuenewes, and chiefly to that of Wittenburge, within 8. leagues of Strasbourge [ 623] on the side of Rhene: An other at Surbourge, two leagues from Wittenburge. Item an other at Haselach, hard by Strasburge in the West mountain. He also brought the church of Strasburge to a Bishoppricke, and enriched it with great reuenewes.

Heereby note that France was then augmented when the Ro∣mane Empire in the East diminished: So the Lord giueth vi∣cissitude, courses and chaunges to the things of this world.

The Histories of France say that the bodies of S. Denis, S. Rhut, and S. Pleutherius, were found at this time by the meanes of an Hart, hunted by Dagobert.

It is no great maruell if the Kings of France be giuen to super∣stitions, seeing sauadge Beasts teach them, where holie bodies are.

Honorius Pope, born in Campania, ruled in Rome 13. yeares. [ 623. or 624.] He caused the Tēple of S. Peter to be adorned withal precious things, & enriched it with goodly Tables, couering them rich∣ly. He ordeined processions on the Saterday with Letanies.

Pyrrhus Patriarche of Constantinople, a Monothelite here∣tike, was sent into exile into the Country of Affrike. The Em∣perour Heraclius was seduced by him:* 1.5 and so gaue himselfe to beleeue diuinations and enchauntments: and tooke his Niece to wife, his brothers daughter, making a lawe that it should be so lawfull for all persons.

Yet euen in this time was the Church greatly diuided by the Artian Sect:* 1.6 In such sort that almost each Towne had two Bishops, the one an Arrian, the other a Catholike: and during those dissipations came Mahomet in the Easterne parts.

Mahomet an Arrabian, of a Marchant became a false Pro∣phet, and finally a Captaine of Theeues and Robbers: with a Monke called Sergius, who was an Arrian & Nestorian, & with one Iohn of Antioch an hereticke, and a Necromantian Iewe, he

compiled the Alcoran, vnto which the Sarrasins and Turkes shewe obedience.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Austrasia.
• * 1.2

  Neutria.
• * 1.3

  Soisons.
• * 1.4

  Gaul beganne to be called France.
• * 1.5

  Heraclius seduced.
• * 1.6

  The Artians yet.