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* 1.1IX. CHAP.
1.2. &c Severall Welsh Synods, and the occasions of them.
6. S. Oudoceus his death.
1. THE Complaint of Gildas touching the Princes living in his time was ve∣ry just, that Brittany had Kings, but those Kings were bloody Tyrants, often times swearing, and as oft forswearing; ready enough to make vows and promises, but presently breaking those promises, sanguinary, proud, parricids, &c. For besides the fore-cited Synod, the same Bishop Oudoceus was obliged upon the very like causes to collect two more, which are extant also in Sir H. Spelman: Which, to avoyd te∣diousnes, shall not here be set down at length, being both of them parallel to the former. It will suffise therefore breifly and summarily to sett down the occasions of collecting thē, & the proceedings in them.
* 1.22. The occasion of the former of them was this:
King Morcant and his Vnkle Frioc in the presence of S. Oudoceus Bishop and the three forenamed Abbots at the (podium) Church of S. Ildutus took their oaths at the Holy Altar on which were placed the Relicks of Saints, that they would observe peace and amity together without any guile: adding this convention, That if either of them should kill or commit treachery against the other, he should not redeem his crime by money or lands, but should be obliged to quit his kingdom, and spend his whole life in pilgrimage in forrain countreys. A good while after which Covenant made, King Morcant by the Devils instigation slew his Vncle. After which crime commit∣ted, he came to the Holy Bishop Oudocéus to Landaff, humbly desiring pardon of those his two crimes of Homicide and perjury. The Bishop thereupon assembled a Synod at the Monastery of the Vale of Carban whereto came all the Clergy and forenam'd Abbots: as likewise King Morcant attended with the principall persons of Morcannuc (or Glamor∣ganshire.)
3. The Synod being assembled and consul∣ting on this affaire, gave their judgment that to avoyd the depriving the land of the pro∣tection of its naturall Lord, the King should be permitted to redeem a pilgrimage, by fasting, prayers and Almes. Which Pen∣nance the King laying his hand on the four Gospells and the Relicks of Saints undertook to perform, promising moreover that for ever after he would in all things mercifully execute justice. Which Pennance being fi∣nish'd accordingly, and Christian Communion restor'd to him, he proclam'd the Churches of Catoc, Ildut and Docunni free from all Regall service discharging likewise the Church of S. Ildutus of a bagg of Honey, and an iron-caldron which formerly were to be presented to the King.
4. The Third Synod, which for affinity of the matter shall be adjoyn'd here,* 1.3 though it was celebrated probably many yerrs after, was assembled on this occasion: A certain Brittish Prince named Guidnerth in a conten∣tion for the Principality slew his Brothe Merchien:* 1.4
For which he was excommuni∣cated by S. Oudoceus in a full Synod: in testi∣mony of which Excommunication the Crosses were taken down and layd on the ground, and the Cimbals were turned. Thus he re∣main'd excluded from Christian Communion the space of three years. At the end of which demanding pardon, he was sent into Lesser Brittany to S. Sampson, Arch-bishop of Dole, from him to receive iudgment and suitable pennance. This was done, partly because of the great amity between those Bishops, but cheifly because the same language being spoken in both countreyes he could more freely discover his fault, and require indul∣gence from the said Arch-bishop. This voyage was undertaken by Guidnerth: who having obtain'd absolution he return'd with Letters sealed by S. Sampson before the year was en∣ded. But because he had not according to the injunction given him, remain'd a whole year in Exile, the Bishop would not take off his Excommunication. Presently after S. Oudo∣ceus dyed, to whom Berthgiun succeeded in the Bishoprick of Landaff. To him King Mor∣cant and Guednerth made an earnest request to take off the Excommunication from Gued∣nerth, and to raise again from the earth the Crosses and Cimbals with the Holy Relicks. Whereupon after a promise made by him to make satisfaction for his crime by fasting, prayers and alms, he was at last with great devotion, and many tears shed by him ab∣solv'd by the Bishop. After which the said Guednerth to testify his gratitude gave to the Church of Landaff these Lands, Lann, Cat∣gual and Tye, with all the woods, Sea-coasts, and liberties, &c. Witnesses whereof were these Clarks, &c.
5. B. Godwin affirms that this third Synod was celebrated not by S. Oudoceus but by a Bishop of Landaff call'd Grecielus the seaventh from S. Oudocéus,* 1.5 to whom Berthguin succeeded: and that the fratricide Guidnerth to shew his grati∣tude gave to the foresaid Bishop and his Succes∣sors, of his free liberality Lancadwallader, now call'd Bishton or Bishopston: which, saith he, is the only Mannour now left to that See.
6. As touching S. Oudocéus, the Authour of his life in Capgrave relates that he quitted his Pastorall Cure,* 1.6 and built a Monastery nere the River Weye (Vaga,) where assembling a great mul∣titude of Brethren he spent the remainder of his life, which lasted many years, in wonderfull absti∣nence and Sanctity. Whereby it is manifest that the foresaid third Synod was not cele∣brated in his days: since it is scarce possible that he being the third Bishop of that see, should live till the fourteenth, which was Berthguin. He is celebrated in our Martyro∣loge on the sixth day before Nones of Iuly.