* 1.1XV. CHAP.
1.2. A third Synod assembled by S. Boni∣face at M••nts.
3 4 &c In which Ge••vilio Bishop of Mentz is deposed ••o•• Homicide, &c.
6 S Boni••ace A••ch bishop of Mentz: and Primat of Germany.
* 1.21. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred ••orty five, S Boniface according to the admonition given him by Pope Zacharias, and the command of Duke Caroloman assembled his third Councill at Mentz in Germany:* 1.3 at which were present (according to the account given by himself to Herefr••d an English Prelat) eight Bishops,* 1.4 all of the English Nation: But of them those only Names remain which Miraeus hath recorded saying, At the Synod of Ments convoked by S. Boniface were present Abel, Burchard, Willebald, Werbet and Wera (per∣haps Wetta, or Wittan.)
2. The Decrees of this Synod touching Ec∣clesiasticall Disciplin containd in the fore∣mentioned thirty seaven Heads, sent by Saint Boniface to Pope Zacharias, and by him with some correcti••ns approved, are not now extant. But other affairs of great cōsequence agitated and determined,* 1.5 are mentioned in the Life of S. Boniface in Surius: Where we read that in the said Synod not only many Ec∣clesiasticks infected with Heresy were excommu∣nicated; but severall Bishops also infamous for horrible crimes were depofed. The prime Au∣thours of all Errours in Germany were the two Arch-hereticks Aldebert and Clement: Whose cause was remitted to Rome, and there with all circumspection iudged, as shall be largely declared.
3. Of Bishops sayd to be deposed in this Synod, the name and speciall demerit of one only is now recorded, and that was Gervilio Bishop of Men••z where the Councill was held.* 1.6 The cause of his Deposition (according to the said Authour) was this: At that time the Thuringians implored the ••ssi••••ance of ••aro∣loman against the Saxons which wasted their countrey. He presently sent an Army, and with it Gerold Bishop of Mentz, who was Father of Gervilio. Gerold in the combat among many others was slain. And his son who at that time was a Lay man attending at Court, to asswage his greif for his Fathers death, was taken into the Clergy, and made Bishop of Mentz in his Fathers place.
4 Not long after Caroloman gathered another Army, which himself lead into Germany, and took Gervilio with him. Whilst this Army lay encamped on both the sides of the River Visurgis (Weser) Gervilio commanded his servant to goe privatly into the enemies camp, and there dili∣gently enquire who it was that slew his Father. This he did, and finding the man not far off, he desired him to come and speak with his Master. He came, and assoon as Gervilio had notice of it, he me••t him on horse back in the midst of the River: Where as they were discoursing toge••her, Gervilio taking out a Sword which he caried pri∣vily, run the man through, who presently falling into the river, there dyed. Vpon this a mighty clamour was made, and the two Armies began a feirce combat: in which the Saxons were over∣come, and Caroloman after the victory retired home. Now this fact of Gervilio, was by none at that time imputed to him as Homicide. He re∣turned therefore to Mentz, where, as before, he administred the Office of Bishop.
5. But among other crimes with which he was char••ed in the present Synode, this was one. And the Holy P••elat Saint Boniface pu∣blickly declared, That no man could exercise lawfully the function ••f a Bishop, who had been polluted with the slaughter o•• any one. And be∣sides this, he obiected to him that he himself had seen him with Hawks and Hounds pu∣blickly recreate himself: which was ab••o∣lutely forbidden to Bishops by the Canons▪ Ger∣vilio having heard his accusation, and per∣ceiving that he could not resist both secu∣lar and Ecclesiasticall authority armed against him, re••erred himself to the iudgment of the Synod, and was deposed.
6. After whose deposition Saint Boniface (who hitherto had been an Arch bishop at large, without any particular Title or See) was by Caroloman and his Brother Pipin ap∣pointed Prelat o•• the Church of Mentz: And that his dignity might be more eminent, the same Princes determined to exalt the See of Mentz, which at this time was subiect to another, to be the Metropolitan Church of all Germany: which likewise by a Message sent to the Pope, they obtained and effected.