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.

* 1.1IV. CHAP.

1.2. &c. The Gests and blessed death of Saint Willehade, first Bishop of Bre∣men.

* 1.21. AS for Saint Willehade he likewise came out of Brittany presently after Saint Boniface his Martyrdom, and arrived at a place called Dockum, where the said Holy Martyr received his Crown. There he remaind a good space, not deterred by the so late cruelty of the barbarous Pa∣gans from boldly preaching the Gospell: and God so blessed his labours that many were converted and baptized by him. From thence passing over the River Lavinca he went to a place called Huchmark, where en∣deavouring likewise to withdraw those bar∣barous people from their Idolatry, they in a great rage cryed out, that such a profane se∣ducer ought to be killed. And when they were ready to putt this in execution, cer∣tain men among them more moderate, told them that they ought to make a tryall, according to the ancient custom of their countrey, by casting of Lotts whether his death would be acceptable to their Gods or no: And being hereto perswaded, through Gods Providence he escaped: so that they gave him free permission to goe out of their countrey.

2. Leaving them therefore he went to a place called Drente, where by his prea∣ching many were converted and bapti∣zed. But when his Disciples moved with zeale began to destroy the Heathen Temples,* 1.3 the barbarous people became incensed, and had a resolution to kill them. Saint Willehade was sore bruised with clubbes, and one among them ran upon him with his sword purposing to cutt off his head. Lifting up therefore his sword, he with all his force smote him on the neck. Now the Holy man had at that time a case full of Relicks tyed about his neck. The sword then curt a sunder the string only, and did not at all enter into the flesh. The Pagans therefore astonished at this Miracle, let both him and his Disciples depart with∣out any further harm done them.

3. Now the Victorious King of France Charles having heard report of this Holy man's sanctity and zeale, encouraged him much to be constant in preaching the Gospell. He went therefore into a Terri∣tory called Wigmode, where he converted many, and built Churches: Yea the grea∣test part of the Frisons inhabiting there∣about promised they would embrace the Christian Faith. But not long after Witte∣kind Duke of the Saxons rebelled against King Charles, and raising an army began a great persecution against the Christians. The holy man therefore after he had es∣caped an imminent danger went to Rome: Where being much comforted and encou∣raged by Pope Adrian, he returned back into Franconia.

4. Moreover at the command of the same King the man of God went again into Wigmode, where he openly and bold¦ly preached the Faith, and repaired the Churches which the Pagans had demoli∣shed. And God did so prosper his la∣bours that the Frisons once more embra∣ced the Faith which they had renounced: Yea Duke Wittekind himself, the Authour of all the mischeif, submitting himself to King Charles, was perswaded to receive Baptism.

5. The said King seeing so many Chri∣stians converted, thought good that a New Episcopall See should be erected: for which purpose he made choice of a place called Bremen in the countrey of Wigmode: there he caused a Church to be built: and with the advice of Lullo, he sent to Pope A∣drian to demand that this Holy man Wil∣lehade should be consecrated Bishop of Bremen: which was accordingly perfor∣med.* 1.4 There is in the Annalls of Baronius extant the Charter of King Charles for the erection and endowment of this Episco∣pall See, in which after thanks given to God for his many victories over the Sax∣ons, he declares the limits of this new Diocese, what possessions and Tithes were annexed to it, as likewise to a Monastery adioyning, all which were committed to the care of the Holy servant of God,

Willehade. Which Charter was dated in the year of our Lords Incarnation seaven hundred eighty eight:

* 1.56. In this function Saint Willehade be∣haved himself with wonderfull piety, and encreased his diligence in the practise and progresse in all vertues. And fal∣ling into an infirmity of body, he was commanded by Pope Adrian to eat fish: for formerly out of a rigorous absti∣nence he forbore the use of them. Scarce any day passed in which he did not with great contrition of heart celebrate Masse, and besides that, he would some dayes recite the whole Psalter twice or thrice. Thus the blessed man did wonderfully adorn his Doctrine, and by his own example confirm that which with his tongue he preached to others.

7. At length after he had severall times with great zeale visited his Diocese, he came to a certain place called Blecken∣see, now Plexem: Where so violent a fea∣vour took him, that his Disciples despai∣red of his recovery. And one of them being more familiarly conversant with him, could not forbear to testify his greif by teares and complaints, saying, Holy Father, doe not so soon forsake your tender flock, least when you are gone, the wolves seise upon it. The Blessed man, answered him, My son, doe not you desire to detain mee from the sight of my Saviour: These my sheep he gave mee, and to him I commend them of whose goodnes the whole earth is full. Thus piously affected, and always intent upon God was this Blessed servant of his to the hower of his death, which befell on the sixth day before the Ides of No∣vember. To his funeralls all the people on all sides made hast, and with hymnes and praises to God caried the Sacred Body of their most dear Father and Teacher to the Church of Bremen, which himself had built, and dedicated to the Apostle Saint Peter. He sate in the same See onely two years, three months and twenty six dayes: having been a laborious Preacher since the death of S. Boniface the space of thirty five years.

Notes

• * 1.1

  IV. CHAP.
• * 1.2

  Ap. Sur. •• Novemb.
• * 1.3

  A. D. 791.
• * 1.4

  Baron. ad A. D. 783.
• * 1.5

  Ap. Sur 8. Novemb.