* 1.1XXII. CHAP.
1.2. &c. The State of Brittany at this time in which Saint Beda ended his History.
1. SINCE it was in this year of Grace sea∣ven hundred thirty one that Saint Beda concluded his History, and as some Authours affirm, his Life also: wee will here, as he has done, give a breif prospect in generall of the state of Brittany at this time, as well touching the Church as State. In the next place to ma∣nifest the sincere veracity of so learned and pious an Authour, wee will, from his penn, declare upon how well grounded an autho∣rity he built the whole frame of his History, as likewise what diligent search he made for true information in all things, as well such as hapned in former ages, as during his own age in the other regions and kingdoms of Brittany and forrain countreyes: And last∣ly wee will conclude with a particular Nar∣ration of Saint Beda's own life and happy death.
* 1.22. As touching the first thus he writes: At this present time (to witt, in the year of Grace seaven hundred thirty one) the Bishops gover∣ning the severall Episcopall Sees of Brittany are these following. The Province of Kent is admini∣stred by Tatwine Arch-bishop (o•• Canterbury) and Aldulf (Bishop of Rochester) That of the East-Saxons by Inguald (Bishop of Lon∣don.) The East Angles by Eadbert (or Ald∣bert Bishop of Dumwich) and Hadulac (Bi∣shop of Helmham.) The Province of the West-Saxons by Daniel (Bishop of Winchester) and Forthere (Bishop of Shirborn.) In the king∣dom of the Mercians Alduin is Bishop (of Lich∣feild,) Walstod Bishop (of Hereford and the region beyond the Severn. Wilfrid Bishop of Worcester, and Cymbert (or Kinebert) Bishop of the Lindisfari (or Lincoln:) as for the Isle of Wight, it was annexed to the See of Winchester. The Province of the South-Saxons of late has been va∣cant, and therefore has recourse to the Bishop of the West-Saxons (that is Winchester) for such necessities as require Episcopall Ministery. And all these together with other Southern Provinces, though governed immediatly by particular Kings, yet both they and their Kings also from the South Sea as far as the Humber Northwards are subject to Edilbald King of the Mercians. Lastly the large Province of the Northumbers, of which Ceolulf is now King, is administred by four Bishops: the Church of York by Wilfrid (the younger) that of Linde••••arn by Edilwald: Hagustald (or Hexham) by Acca: and Candida Casa (or Witehern) by Pecthe••m. This last Episcopall See has been lately erected, by reason that the number of Christians there has been greatly multiplied, and Pecthelm was consecrated the first Bishop thereof. Thus are the severall Episcopall Churches of Brittany administred.
3. As touching the severall Nations inha∣biting it,* 1.3 that of the Picts is ioynd in league with the English: and to their great ioy with the Vni∣versall Church in the Orthodox Faith, Commu∣nion and peace. The Scotts inhabiting the Nor∣thern parts of Brittany are quiet, and make no attempts or fraudulent designs against the En∣glish.* 1.4 The Brittains although for the most part out of a Nationall hatred they have an i••••econ∣cileable aversion from the English, and likewise doe erroneously and impiously oppose the Catho∣lick Church in the Paschall Observance: yet in neither of these regards can they attain their purpose and prevaile, both divine and human power resisting their designs. For though a great part of that Nation be independent on any other, yet in some places they are subject to the Empire of the English: And again the times at present being peaceable very many of them in the Nor∣thern parts (called Cumbers) both Nobles and of inferiour condition doe more frequently receive the Monasticall Tonsure in English Monasteries, and consecrate their children to the same Profes∣sion, then exercise themselves in arms and war∣like exploits. And what good issue may come from hence the succeeding age will see.
4. Such at present is the state of all Brittany in this year, which is the two hundred eighty fifth since the coming of the English into this Island, and the seaven hundred and one and thirtieth after our Lords Incarnation. I will conclude with this prayer: That the earth may all ways reioyce in the kingdom of our God, and many Islands with ioy confesse to the memory of his Holines the con∣stancy of Brittany in his Faith. Thus does S. Beda conclude his History.