* 1.1XXVI. CHAP.
1.2. &c. The Martyrdom of S. Melorus a young Brittish Prinie.
* 1.21. OVR Martyrologe the same year wherin the Vsurper Constantin was slain commemorats a more happy death, call'd a Martyrdom of a young Brittish Prince, whose name was Melorus (or Meliorus.) Of whom mention is made in the Monuments of Cornwall:* 1.3 from whence Capgrave hath ex∣tracted the following Narration.
2. In the primitive times of Christianity, the Apostles Doctrin being dispers'd through all the regions of the world, Brittany was likewise converted from Paganism to Christianity: and of that Nation many beleiving in our Lord, and in their lives conforming themselves to the Apostles precepts, shined gloriously by many miracles. Of which number we are confident∣ly assured that Blessed Melorus was. He was descended from a Noble family of the Brittains: for his Father, call'd Melianus, enjoyd the Dukedom of Cornwall. In the seaventh year of whose Rule an Assembly of the nobility being mets to consult about the generall affairs of the Province, Rinaldus brother to the Duke coming with force upon him slew him, and invaded the Dukedom.
3. Now Melianus had then a young Son, a child of seaven years old, named Melorus. Him also after his Fathers death his Tyrannous Vncle sought to kill, fearing least being come to mans estate, he should deprive him of the Principality. With this deliberation he brought the child with him into Cornwall: Where at the same time was assembled a Synod of Bishops: Who all interceded for the life of the child: so that the Tyrant contented himself with cutting off his right hand and left foot: in place whereof there was framed for the child a hand of silver, and a foot of brasse. After this Melorus was edu∣cated in a certain Monastery of Cornwall till he was fourteen years old, spending his time in the reading Holy Scripture, every day growing in innocence, vertue and piety.
4. But then Rinoldus by many gifts and pro∣mises of large possessions tempted, and obtain'd from Cerialtanus, to whose care the child was committed, an assurance of his death: Which he impiously accomplished by cutting off his head, which he sent to Rinoldus, challenging his pro∣mis'd reward. The person employ'd for carrying the Martyrs head was a Son of Cerialtanus, who by a just iudgment of God fell from the Castle wall with the head in his hands, and broke his neck.
5. After this the Holy childs Nurse came to the house where the Body lay: and there she saw a Vision of Heavenly Angells, and lights gloriously shining. And having buried the Body in a decent place, the day following they saw it laid above ground. Three severall times they buried it, and still the same accident arri∣ved. By common advice therefore they laid the Sacred Body upon a Cart, to which were tyed two young Bulls never used to the Yoke: These they permitted to goe at liberty without any leader, whither Gods Providence should direct them. The Bulls then on a sudden becoming tame, caried it to a certain place, where being arrived they stood still. But the company attending the Cart, not liking the place, which they thought unfitt for his buriall, employ'd their hands, arms and shoulders against the wheeles, to force them to roule forward. But they found the Cart by divine vertue so fixed, that by no strength or art it could be moved. After diverse attempts made to no purpose, at last giving thanks to God they buried the Sacred Body with great solemnity in the same place. There many devout people repairing, and imploring the Martyrs help and intercession in their afflictions and in∣firmities, frequently with ioy obtain'd their desi∣red remedy.
6. The Head of the Martyr was caried to the Tyrant Rinoldus, which he having touch'd, died miserably three days after. After whose death the Bishops and Clergy caried the Head, and buried it together with his Body. Severall dayes after this certain Preachers, not of Brittish blood took the Coffer wherin the Sacred Relicks repos'd which they caried in Procession through many places, and at last according as they were enjoyn'd, they arriv'd at Ambrisburg, where they layd the Holy Relicks upon an Altar. Thus find we related the Gests of S. Melorus in Capgrave.
7. Now Ambrisburg is a well known town among the Belgae (in Wiltshire) in the Territory of Winchester: so call'd from Ambrose the Son of Constantinus, the late mention'd Vsurper of the Empire, concer∣ning whom we shall hereafter treat. M Camden adds out of an ancient Book,* 1.4 cal∣led Eulogium, that there was erected a Mo∣nastery of three hundred Monks, which after∣ward was pillaged by a certain barbarous Tyrant call'd Gurmundus. Moreover that at Ambris∣burg S. Melorus and his Sacred Relicks were in a speciall manner venerated,* 1.5 Bishop Vsher affirms, saying, The solemnity of the celebra∣ting the Relicks of S. Melorus by the inhabitants of Ambrisburg obscured in time the memory of Ambrius or Ambrosius.