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.

XXVII. CHAP.* 1.1

1. The Brittains invade the West-Saxons: and are repelled.

2.3. &c. King Cuthred dying, Sigebert a Tyrant succeeds: and raigns but one year.

1. THE year next following the terrible battell between the Mercians and West-Saxons in Brittany,* 1.2 the Brittains, think∣ing this a fitt season for them to enlarge their Dominion, when the West-Saxons, though conquerours, had much dimi∣nished their forces to gett a bloody victory, with a great Army made an impression into the Western parts: But their successe was not according to their expectation: for as Huntingdon relates,* 1.3 Cuthred in the four∣teenth year of his raign fought against the Brit∣tains, who, not being able to resist him who had lately conquered King Ethelbald, pre∣sently began to fly, and for their folly and cowardice deservedly suffred a great slaughter, without any dommage done to the West-Sa∣xons.

2. This was the last exploit of this Noble King:* 1.4 for as the same Historian writes, the great and renowned King Cuthred after so great prosperities and victories, the next year by the cruelty of death was taken out of this world, lea∣ving a successour unworthy to fill his Throne. This his Successour was his kinsman Sigebert, who held the Crown a very short time. For swelling with pride because of his Predecessours victories, he became insolent and intolerable to his own subiects, whom he treated ill all manner of ways, and for his particular proffit depra∣ved all his Lawes. Hereupon a principall man among his Nobles called Cumbra, was enduced by the generall complaints of the people to intimate their greivances to their New King: Which he faithfully performed, earnestly beseeching him to make his govern∣ment easier to his subiects, and quitting his former inhumanity to shew himself amiable both to God and men. But these exhortations were so far from producing a good effect, that he commanded Cumbra should cruelly and uniustly be putt to death: yea and encrea∣sed the insupportable fiercenes of his Ty∣ranny.

3. This behaviour of his did so in∣flame with rage the minds of the West-Saxons,* 1.5 that within the space of one year they deprived him both of his king∣dom and life. The manner whereof the same Writer thus proceeds to declare. Sigebert being incorrigible both in his pride and other vices, the Nobility and common

people assembling themselves together, with prudent deliberation and unanimous consent drove him out of his Kingdom, and chose for their King an excellent young man of the Royall family called Kinewolf. As for Si∣gebert after he was thus expelled by his Sub∣iects, and fearing yet greater punishment for his former demerits, he in great fear hidd himself in a vast forest called Andreads∣wald: where a certain Swineheard of Cumbra, (who had been so unworthily slain by him) finding him, he revenged on him the uniust death of his Lord. Thus ended his unhappy life King Sigebert,* 1.6 a man, saith William of Malms∣bury, horribly cruell to his subiects and contemptibly cowardly to his Neighbours.

4. Yet among the vices and impieties of Sigebert, one good action of his is recorded, which was his charitable li∣berality to the ancient Monastery of Gla∣stonbury. For in an Appendix to the life of Saint Patrick and in the Antiquities of the same Monastery wee read,* 1.7 how the Danes at this time cruelly wasting the Nor∣thumbers, a certain Abbot called Ticca who lived in those parts, fled the countrey, and coming among the West-Saxons, there he retired himself into the Monastery of Gla∣stonbury. Where after he had for some time lived with much edification, he was chosen Abbot this year. A powerfull mean whereby he gaind the love and favour of the Monks, was his enriching that place with many precious Relicks which he brought with him out of the Northern parts, as the Sacred Bodies of Saint Adrian Bishop, Saint Ceolfrid, Saint Benedict Biscop, Saint Efterwin and Saint Sigfrid Ab∣bots of Wiremouth and Girwy, of Saint Beda Preist, of Saint Ebba, Saint Bega and Saint Hil∣da Abbesses, of Saint Boisil, and Saint Idan Brother to Saint Fursey, of Saint Vltan Bishop, and Oyle from the Tombe of Saint Nicholas, some Relicks likewise of S. German Bishop of Auxerre.

5. To this Abbot Ticca (or Tictan) and to the Monks of Glastenbury did King Sige∣bert for the valew of fifty peices of Gold bestow two and twenty Hydes of land in Pohelf. The Same Abbot likewise at the fame price bought of this King six hydes of land remaining there in the Western part.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 755.

  XXVII. C
• * 1.2

  A. D. 753.
• * 1.3

  Huntingd. l. 4.
• * 1.4

  A. D. 754 Id. ib.
• * 1.5

  A. D. 755.
• * 1.6

  Malmsb. de Reg. l. 1. c. 2.
• * 1.7

  App. ad Vit. S. Patric. Antiquit. Glaston.