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

1.2. Of S. Kebius taught by S. Hilary.

3.4. Made Bishop of Anglesey &c.

5.6. Goes into Ireland: baptizes S. Albeus &c. and returns.

1. ANother illustrious proof of the purity of the Faith of the Brittish Church was S. Kebius,* 1.2 sirnamd Cor••nius, Son of Salomon Duke of Cornwal: who is reported to have undertaken a iourney into Gaule to S. Hilary newly return'd from Exile, to be more perfectly instructed by him in the Ca∣tholick Faith: Which iourney Pitseus says was occasion'd by the unhappy springing upp of the Arian Heresy in Brittany.

2. Capgrave in the Life of S. Kebius says, that he abode severall years with S. Hilary,* 1.3 improving himself in learning and Sanctity: whereto God gave testimony by conferring on him the Grace of Miracles, so that he gave sight to the blind, cleansed the Leprous, and healed those who were dumb, sick of the palsey and possess'd with Devills.

3. The same Authour, together with our other Historians Leland, Pitsaeus, Spelman &c. affirm that after some years the Holy man was admonish'd by an Angell to return into his own countrey whereupon being cōsecrated a Bishop by S. Hilary, he placed his See in the Isle of Anglesey (or Mona:) and by his holy example and sound Doctrin instructed the Venedotae and Monudes, northern people of Wales. It is said likewise that being arriv'd in Brittany, he was requested to come and undertake the Principality of Cornwall: but utterly refused to accept any worldly au∣thority or power.

4. After these things, saith Capgrave, Kebius with ten of his Disciples,* 1.4 who were Monks, descen∣ded into the meadow of King Ethelic, pitching his

tent there. Whereupon the King sent to enquire who they were that durst presume to enter into his meadow. The Messenger returning told him that they were Monks. Wherupon the King presently arose with all his family, intending to cast those Monks out of his countrey: but in the way he fell from his horse which dyed, and the King with all his followers were struck with blindnes. Then did the King prostrate himself on his face before S. Kebius, devoting himself entirely to God and his servant Kebius: and immediatly by the holy mans prayer they were all healed. After this the King gave to the man of God two Churches: who having given the King his benediction retired to Menevia (afterward calld S. Davids:) from whence he sailed over into Ireland, where having built a Church in a certain Island, he remained there four years.

* 1.55. Very probable it is that this S. Kebius was the fame Brittish Preist who baptis'd the Irish S. Albeus: For in the Life of that Saint recorded by Bishop Vsher we read this passage; Lachanus gave the Holy Child to certain Brit∣tains, who brought him upp with great cure, giving him the Name of Albeus, because he was found alive under a rock, and the Grace of God was with him. After these things there came thither a certain Brittish Preist, sent by the See Apostolick into Ireland, many years before S. Patrick, to sow the Faith of Christ there. But the Irishmen being Pagans, would not receive him, nor beleive his Doctrin, except a very few. He came then to the Inhabitants of Mun∣ster, where he found the Holy child Albeus praying in the open aire with his eyes rais'd up to heaven, that the true Faith might be reveal'd to him, and saying, My desire is to know the Creatour of all things, and to beleive in him who made heaven and earth and all creatures in them: For I know that the Elements were not made without a skillfull Workman, neither could any man produce these things. When the holy child had thus prayd, the said Preist who over∣heard him, saluted him and according to his hearts desire instructed him in all things: which having done he baptis'd him, continuing the same name of Albeus to him.

6. Besides S. Albeus, the Ecclesiasticall Mo∣numents of Ireland record severall other per∣sons converted and baptis'd by the same Holy Brittish Preist, as Meclarus and Kiaxanus, persons eminent in Sanctity, and illustrious for the number of their Disciples: All which moreover were exalted to Episcopall dignity before S. Patricks arrivall there. Which they esteeme no disparagement to his Apostleship, which began in the year four hundred and thirty.

7. After some years abode in Ireland, the Holy Bishop Kebius returned to his See in Anglesey, where he dyed in the year of Grace three hundred and seaventy. The place of his buriall seems to have been among the Ordovices, in Denbighshire. For in the Story of S. Winefred written by Robert Abbot of Shrewsbury we read that the Holy Virgin was buried neer to the Sepulchers of Chebaeus and Senanus at a place call'd Gwethern (Witheria∣cum) in the western part of Denbigh-shire. Which S. Chebaus, was no doubt the same with this our S. Kebius, An illustrious Mo∣nument of whose Memory is still remaning in Anglesey, where, saith Camden, the Holy Pro∣montory looking towards Ireland,* 1.6 Vulgarly call'd Holy-head, is by the Natives nam'd Caër-Gubi, from Kebius à Holy man and Disciple of S. Hilary Bishop of Poictiers. Neither is S. Hilary himself forgotten there, his memory being preser∣ved by another Promontory call'd Hilary-point.

Notes

• * 1.1

  VIII. CH.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 361.
• * 1.3

  ••apgrav. in Kebio.
• * 1.4

  Ap. Capgrav. ibid.
• * 1.5

  In vit. S. Albei ap. Vsserium in Primord. 81.
• * 1.6

  Camden. Monâ insol••