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.

* 1.1I. CHAPTER.

1.2. An Anniversary Commemoration of the Martyrdom of S. Boniface, &c. or∣dained by a Synod in England.

3.4. &c. Letters out of Brittany to Saint Lullus Successour of S. Boniface.

* 1.21. A Year was scarce passed after the Martyrdom of Saint Boniface and his devout Companions, when the English-Saxon Church in Brittany by a common Decree ordained an Anniversary Commemoration of them. For assoon as Cuthbert Arch-bishop of Canterbury heard of their said Martyrdom he assembled a Synod of the Bishops and Abbots of his Pro∣vince: in whose Names he wrote a Synodicall Letter to Lullus the Successour of S. Boniface in the Archiepiscopall See of Mentz▪ which to this day remains among the Epistles of E. Boniface:

* 1.32. In which Epistle he acquaints him:

1. With their sincere affection to him and his fellow-bishops in those barbarous new-converted Regions: how ioyfull they all were of their prosperity, and how great a part they took in any calamity befalling them. 2. He adds that it was a great subject of ioy to them that their Nation of Brittany should have the Happines to send forth so many illustrious Preachers and Apostles, en∣dued with such Spirituall courage as not to fear to encounter with Nations so feirce in their superstition; and with such spirituall Wisedom and knowledge as to perswade and induce them to forsake their ancient Idola∣try. 3. He tells him that in this their General Synod they had unanimously decreed to ce∣lebrate with an annuall Feast the fifth day of Iune, in commemoration of the glorious Martyrdom of Saint Boniface and his compa∣nions, whom they chose, together with Saint Gregory and Saint Augustin, as their speciall Patron, and Intercessour with our Lord. 4. He desires that the same Charity and propinqui∣ty may continue between both their Chur∣ches, which was begun in the life time of S. Boniface, and that mutuall Prayers, and celebration of Masses on both sides may dayly be made for one another, both living and dead. 5. He admonishes him, that whereas in many places of late the State of Religion began to shake by the rising of New-Sects,

whilst unconstant and sensuall men deser∣ting and contemning the Decrees of An∣cient Fathers and Ecclesiasticall Laws,* 1.4 invent and according to their own inventions pu∣blish new Doctrines, prejudiciall to soules: therefore he and his Churches together with them ought to begg the intercessions of the Holy Apostles and Martyrs of Christ, that he would give them grace to continue con∣stant in the Orthodox Faith, and Vnity of the Church. A good pattern and example of which constancy ought to be the late Fa∣mous Doctour and Martyr of our Lord S. Boni∣face, who willingly suffred all incommo∣dities and dangers for the Faith: and who being now admitted as an houshold servant into the presence of God, as he will be a powerfull Defender of those who follow his example, so on the contrary he will be a ter∣rible accuser before the Supreme Iudge of all such as shall forsake that Rule and Commu∣nion with the Roman and Apostolick Church, which he allways followed.

* 1.5••. Other Letters likewise out of Brittany were written ••t this time to the same Holy Archbishop Lullus: one from his kinsman Kineara Bishop of Winchester, who two years before this succeeded in the place of Hum∣frid: In which he desires him that the same Communion of Prayers and charitable Offices may continue between then which had in∣tervened between Saint Boniface and S. Daniel and Humfrid his Predecessours.* 1.6 A second from Milret Bishop of Worcester, signifying how a little before he had passed over into Germany to enioy the conversation o•• S. Boniface, and presently after his return heard the news of his de••th: for which though at first he wa•• sad, yet the consideration of the great glory which he now enioyes, and what a glorious Patron and Pillar to all of his countrey he is now becom, his sorrow was quickly turned into ioy and thanks giving. He further exhorts him that the same mutuall Charity which S. Boniface had conciliated between them, may still continue, and that he would afford him his instructions, and Prayers, promising all Obedience to his commands, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  I. CHAP.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 756.
• * 1.3

  Ap. Bonifac. Ep. 70.
• * 1.4

  A. D. 755.
• * 1.5

  Ap. Bonif. Ep. 74.
• * 1.6

  Ib. Ep. 78.