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.

XXI. CHAP.* 1.1

1.2. A Noble Charter confirming the Pri∣viledges of the Church, by Ethelbald King of the Mercians.

3.4. &c. A famous Miracle in Germany by the Intercessi••n of S. Swibert.

1. IN the year of Grace seaven hundred forty nine Ethelbald King of the Mercians touched with a remorse for his Sins,* 1.2 made worthy satisfaction to the Church for his forme•• Sacriledges, by publishing a Noble Charter to confirm its immunity. Which Charter may be read in Sir H. Spelman, thus inscribed by him:* 1.3 The Priviledge of Ethel∣bald King of the Mercians, granted to Monaste∣ries and Churches. In which being mindfull of the reprehension given him by S. Boniface in an Epistle fore mentioned, and repenting his former Life, he made all the Monasteries and Churches of his kingdom free from all taxes, labours, bur∣dens, gifts, &c. And at the end of it is signi∣fied, that the said Charter was signed by seve∣rall Bishops and Noblemen in the three and thirtieth year of the said Kings raign, at a fa∣mous place called Godmundsleech: Which place is at this day called Godmunchester, and it is seated in the Province of the Icens (or Hun∣tingdon shire.)

2 At the same time dyed Ethelwold King of the East-Angles, called by some Elfwald, by others Ethelred: to whom succeeded his his son Ethelbert, or as some Writers: name him, Albert: who was born to him by his Queē Leosruna. Concerning whose admirable ver∣tues & Sanctity wee shall treat at large when wee come to his Mariage and death, or more truly his Martyrdom immediatly attending it.

3. Here wee ought not to omitt an illu∣strious testimony which God was pleased this year in Germany to give to the Sanctity of our glorious Saint and Apostle of the Ger∣mans Saint Swibert. It is faithfully related in an Epistle sent by Saint Ludger Bishop of Munster to Rixfrid Bishop of Maestricht, in which Epistle a large description is made of the affairs of the Authours own tim•• tou∣ching the Apostasy of the Frisons. But that which concerns the glory of S•• Swibert, is there thus related:

4. It hapned in the year of our Lord seaven hundred forty nine that the illustrious Prince Pipin after a glorious Victory obtained against the Saxons and Westphalians,* 1.4 hastned his return to Colen with his wearied Army. But the Westpha∣lians, though utterly routed by the triumphant sword of this Noble Prince, had such indigna∣tion to be under the dominion of Christians, that without delay they gathered a new powerfull Ar∣my, and marching by paths unhaunted and

more compendious they gott before the Princes army near to the town of Werda,* 1.5 where they cunningly layd ambuscades with a resolution furiously to rush upon him in his march.

5. When this came to the Knowledge of Pipin by the relation of his Scouts, he was some thing troubled by reason his Army was much dimi∣nished, and had in it many wounded unservice∣able men: Notwithstanding calling to mind the many great Miracles which by the intercession of Saint Swibert, whose body lay there at Werda, had been performed, and having a firm confi∣dence in God, he lighted from his horse, and prostrating himself on the ground, he with great devotion implored the help and Patronage of that most holy Bishop, withall vowing to God and Saint Swibert, that if by his intercession and merits he might obtain a Victory over the Pa∣gans, and bring his Christian Army safe home, he would in a solemn Procession attended by all his Nobles with great devotion make a Pilgri∣mage to his shrine at Werda.

6. This Prayer was no sooner made, but im∣mediatly a wonderfull light shone over the Chri∣stian Army, which not only dazeled, but quite blinded the Pagans, insomuch as in a ter∣rible fright least the God of the Christians should from heaven consume them, they dispatched away to Prince Pipin two of their cheifest Princes to beg peace▪ and make profession of subiection to him: Who withall constantly related to him what they had seen, and how much they were amazed at it.

7. Assoon as the Prince heard this, being assu∣red that so great a delivery came by the interces∣sion of S. Swibert, with great ioy he adored and gave thanks to God: and having received from the Pagans hostages for performance of conditions, he attended by his whole army entred in an humble manner into Werda: and there both himself and his Nobles putting off their shooes he visited the Shrine of S. Swibert, and there offred Royall Gifts to Almighty God and S. Swibert, for that without any effusion of blood he had gott the upper hand of his perfidious enemies. And from that time he chose S. Swibert for his speciall Patron and Prote∣ctour. Niether did his piety rest there, but a few years after this he treated solemnly with the Pope for his Canonization.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 749.

  XXI. CH
• * 1.2

  A. D. 749.
• * 1.3

  Spelm. de Concil.
• * 1.4

  Ap. Sur. in Append. a••d vit. S Svv••b. Mars. i
• * 1.5

  A. D. 750.