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.

XVI. CHAP.* 1.1

1.2. &c. Pope Leo the third in∣humanely tormented by two Assas∣sins, who pluckd out his eyes and tongue, &c.

3 4. His sight and speech miraculously re∣stored.

5.6. &c. Charles the Great testifies this in Letters to S. Alcuin.

1. THERE is one Clause in the foresaid Letter of Pope Leo to Kenulf, which argues that the said Kings Letter was written two years after this time, as implying a knowledge of a great calamity which be∣fell this good Pope: though some of our ancient Historians refer it to this year. The said clause is conceived in these words: In one of your Epistles,* 1.2 said the Pope, we doe find a pro••estation of your Maiesty, that such is your respect to our Apostolick function, that if you had been present with mee at Rome, you would willingly and affectionatly have layd down your own life for us.

2. Now the calamity hapning to the Pope was this:* 1.3 Though for his vertues and piety he was by the unanimous consent of the Roman Clergy and people chosen Pope the same day in which his Predecessour dyed: yet some there were which bore excessive malice and envy towards him, the princi∣pall of which were two Nephews of the former Pope, named Paschal and Campulus. It does not appear upon what provoca∣tion these two wicked persons should conceive displeasure against the Pope: but their rancour and fury was so implacable that on a certain day when the Pope was publickly celebrating the great Litany, they delivered him to certain troops of sol∣diers layd in ambush near the Monastery of Saint Steven, who barbarously seising on him cast him on the ground, and there inhumanly plucked out his eyes, cutt out his tongue, and so left him blind and dumb upon the pavement. Yea moreover those two inhuman wretches not content with this, drew him from that place into the Church it self before the Altar of Saint Steven, where they again tore out whatsoever remaind of his eyes and tongue, and tearing all his flesh with whipps, they left him there wal∣lowing in his own blood. But afterwards fearing least some good men should take him from thence, they sent some of their party, who caried him to the Monastery of Saint Gerasime, where they shutt him up in close prison.

3. But God who patiently suffred the ma∣lice of these barbarous men thus far, in a moment destroyed all their wicked designs: For Pope Leo, presently after he was conveyed to the said Monastery, perfectly recovered both his sight and speech. Which mira∣culous mercy being made known to his freinds, and particularly to Albin his Chamberlain, they came by night, and by force took him out of the Cloyster, and transported him to the Church of Saint Peter, where generally all the Romans gave praise to God for this wonderfull deliverance of his Servant. But the Con∣spiratours not being able to execute their malice any further against the Pope, went to vomite their rage upon the house of Albin, which they lacked and utterly demolished.

4. The fame of this prodigious Miracle was in a short time spread through all Christendom. And Winegise Duke of Spo∣leto, accompanied by the Embassadours of King Charles, came to Rome, and from thence conveyed the Pope to Spoleto. From whence afterward he went into France to King Charles, by whom he was with all honour and kindnes received: and during all his voyage the high wayes were filled with devout people, which with great ioy and devotion congratulated with him for the goodnes which God had so won∣derfully shewed to him, and to the whole Church in his regard.

5 King Charles assoon as he was informed of this barbarous cruelty executed on this good Pope, wrote a Letter to Saint Alcuin, demanding his advice what became him to doe in such a coniuncture.* 1.4 To whom Saint Alcuin answerd, that it was his duty as being supreme Governour of Gods people, an avenger of crimes, a comforter of the afflicted and an exalter of such as are good, to punish severely those examples of extreme impiety com∣mitted at Rome, where formerly piety did most flourish, but where of late wicked men through the blindnes of their hearts pluck out the eyes of their own head, &c. And accordingly King Charles shortly after conducted Pope Leo to Rome, where the crimes falsly impu∣ted to him by his enemies were cleared: but what became of the two forementioned Assassins, we doe not read.

6. Another Epistle likewise King Charles wrote to the same Saint Alcuin, in which he declared to him the miraculous recovery of the same Pope,* 1.5 to whom God by his Divine operation had restored his sight and speech: To which Saint Alcuin answerd that it was the duty and obligation of all good Chri∣stians to reioyce in such Clemency of the Di∣vine Protection, and to praise the name of our God, who never forsakes such as putt their trust sincerely in him. And whereas the said King had invited him to quitt for some time the smoaky lodgings of his Monastery at Tours to accompany him in his voyage to the golden palaces at Rome:* 1.6 Saint Alcuin excused himself, saying, that the sight of swords and armour would doe more harm to his eyes then the smoaky chambers at Tours: and that he should more serve his Maiesty by dayly praying for him in his Monastery, then attending him in his ••edious iourney, too burdensom to his weak infirm body.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A. D. 797.

  XVI. CH.
• * 1.2

  Id. ib.
• * 1.3

  Anastas Bi∣bloth. Baron. ad A. D. 7••9. Hantingd. f. 344.
• * 1.4

  Alcuin. ep. 11.
• * 1.5

  Id. Ep.
• * 1.6

  A. D. 798.