* 1.1X. CHAP.
1. Maximinus the Emperour slain by his Army: His Successours.
2. Of Pope Fabianus: and his preten∣ded Bull to confirm the Priviledges of Cambridge.
3. Peace of Gods Church: and many Churches built.
4. An Ancient Monument touching the Emperour Gordianus and his Wife.
1. MAximinus having raign'd not full four years, was slain by his own soldiers at Aquileia, to whom succeeded Maximus and Balbinus chosen by the Roman Senat to oppose Maximinus: who after a few months were likewise slain by the Soldiers: and in their place they advanced to the Em∣pire Gordianus the grandchild of a former Gordianus who in a sedition against Maximi∣nus had been proclamed Emperour in Africk, and approved by the Senat and people of Rome: but presently after was deprived both of his Empire and life.
2. During the Raign of Maximinus, as like∣wise of the Younger Gordianus,* 1.2 the Holy Pope Fabianus sate in the Chair of S. Peter, being the Successour of Pontianus. There is produced by Caius the Advocat of the Vni∣versity of Cambridge a Bull of Pope Honorius dated the six hundred twenty fourth year of our Lord, in which this Pope Fabianus is sayd to have approv'd and confirm'd the sayd Vniversity. In case the said Bull be au∣thentick, it shall not here be inquired what Proofs those who obtain'd it from Pope Hono∣rius could alledge for their pretending to such a Confirmation by S. Fabianus. This is however certain, that this Holy Pope was not only watchfull over the affairs of the whole Church, but a favourer of learning and learned men.* 1.3 To him did the famous Origen give account in an Epistle of the orthodoxe soundnes of his doctrin, as Eusebius testifies.
3. At this time the Christian Church enioyed great tranquillity,* 1.4 saith Baronius: Of which occasion many Bishops making good use, not only propa∣gated the Faith,* 1.5 but likewise illustrated it by building many Churches. This is affirm'd by S. Gregory Nyssen, who says that in those days many Churches, and Altars were erected every where. And particularly the holy Pope Fabianus commanded Churches to be built over the vaults where the bodies of the holy Martyrs had been buried: which Churches were much frequented by the devotion of Christians. No wonder then if in Brittany, as yet free from all persecu∣tion, there be so many testimonies of Chur∣ches, Altars and Sacrifices. Neither can it be doubted but that among others Obinus Bi∣shop of London, as likewise Conanus his next Successour about these times, were carefull to imitate the zeale of other Bishops.
4. We will not here omitt the taking notice of a Monument or Inscription found among the Brigantes,* 1.6 being a Votive Table, For the safety of M. Antonius Gordianus the Son of Publius, the invincible Emperour, and of Sabina Furia Tranquilla his Wife, and their whole sacred Family: Which Table was erected by the Emperours Wing of horse, for their courage call'd Gordia: the Prefect wherof was Aemilius Crispinus a Gentleman of Rome, born at Tuidrus (or Thisdrus) in the Province of Africa: under the command of Nonnius Philippus the Empe∣rours Lieutenant, Propretor (of Brittany,) At∣ticus and Pratextatus being Consuls.* 1.7
5. In which Table we learn two particu∣lars, no where else to be found, The first is, That Nonnius Philippus, was at this time Go∣vernour of Brittany: And the other, That the Daughter of Misitheus whom the Em∣perour married, was called Sabin•• Furia Tran∣quilla, though Paulus Diaconus calls her Tranquillina.