The church-history of Brittany from the beginning of Christianity to the Norman conquest under Roman governours, Brittish kings, the English-Saxon heptarchy, the English-Saxon (and Danish) monarchy ... : from all which is evidently demonstrated that the present Roman Catholick religion hath from the beginning, without interruption or change been professed in this our island, &c. / by R.F., S. Cressy of the Holy Order of S. Benedict.

VIII. CHAP.* 1.1

i. &c. Of Chrathlintus a Christian King of the Caledonian Brittains taught by S. Amphibalus. Sacred Rites of those days. And who this S. Amphibalus was?

1. IN these times when Maximinus began his raign,* 1.2 Christian Religion flourish'd in Brittany, both in the Southern parts under the Romans dominion, and among the Ca∣ledonians also, where raigned Chrathlintus a Christian Prince successour of Donaldus. This Chrath••int••s is sayd to have been directed in matters of Religion by Amphibalus, who is suppos'd to have return'd from Rome about this time, and become a Teacher of the Caledonians.

2. Now what Sacred Rites he taught them is thus declared by Hector Boethius, King Chrathlintus, saith he,* 1.3 adorned the Sacred Temple built by the Holy Bishop Amphibalus

(in the Isle of Man) with very Noble gifts, as Chalices, Patens, Candlesticks and such like sa∣cred Vessells, all made of silver and gold: like∣wise with an Altar enclos'd with Copper and brasse. He assigned moreover for the mainte∣nance of the said Church revenews out of the lands adioyning therto. That was the first Church among the Scots consecrated according to Chri∣stian Rites,* 1.4 and wherin the Prime Bishop and Ecclesiasticall Prelate had his See. The same Authour hereto adds, That this Church was called Sadorensis (or rather as at this day, So∣dorensis:) the reason of which name, as hath be∣fal••n to many other things and places, is by the great antiquity conceal'd from posterity. Some Writers imagine that it was called Sodorensis, because it was by Amphibalus dedicated to our Saviour, called in Greek (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) Soter.

3. This Narration, for as much as con∣cerns Amphibalus, if this be the Brittish Martyr Amphibalus, seems to be of doubt∣full credit: since he could scarce be so time∣ly a Bishop: For almost fifty years must yet passe before we introduce him ascending the Episcopall throne, & offring himselfe a Cham∣pion and Sacrifice for the Christian Faith.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VIII. CH.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 237.
• * 1.3

  H. Boeth. ••. l. 6.
• * 1.4

  Idem. ibid.