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.

* 1.1XIV. CHAP.

1.2. &c. War between King Oswi and King Oswin.

4.5 King Oswin to spare his Subjects blood, dispers••d his army: Is murdred.

6 His great Humility

7.8 &c. The Translation of his Relicks, &c.

* 1.21. THE two Kings of the Northumbers, Oswi King of the Bernician••, and Oswin King of the Deiri, hitherto lived in good correspondence, having passed nine years in their raign: But in the year of Grace six hun∣dred fifty one, by the practises of wicked Sycophants, this amity was disturbed, and the mind of Oswi incensed against his kins∣man Oswin. Oswi a long time reverencing the Sanctity of Oswin, by a principle of Christianity had kept himself free from am∣bition and discord, but at last by suggestions of impious Parasites, a quarrel was raised about the confines of each kingdom, which not being decided by Messages and treaties, a declared war broke forth this year.

2. Oswi the feircer of the two, and greedy of prey, had gathered a very potent army: But Oswin with inconsiderable forces came rather to deprecate a combat, then to em∣ploy force, more carefull to prevent the shedding of Civill Christian blood, then to provide for his own safety. Therefore, saith Saint Beda,* 1.3 perceiving that he was unable to stand in fight against the numerous army of his Enemy, he judged it best not to proceed at that time in the war, but to reserve himself for a bet∣ter season. He therefore sent his army home, telling them, that he would not expose them to slaughter by an Enemy much stron∣ger then himself: that the controversy should be decided with his single personal danger: and in case he miscarried, he ad∣vised them for their own safety to submitt to Oswi. Thus he dismissed his soldiers, in a place called Wilfares-Dun (or the Hill of Wilfar) situated ten miles westward from a Town called Cataract.

3 Thus being left attended by one onely soldier, named Tonder, ••e retired to a Town called Gilmy or Gelingam near Richmond in Yorkshire, which he had lately bestowed on a Count called Hudwald, whom he much fa∣voured. There he supposed he might lye hid securely, and that Oswi contenting himself with usurping his kingdom, would not pursue his life: or however, that Hudwald so obliged by him, would afford him a safe Sanctuary.

4. But experience shewd that he every way deceived himself: For Oswi knowing that he could not securely enioy the King∣dom as long as a Prince so beloved and reve∣renced by his subjects, was alive, sent the Steward of his house Ethelwin to search out and kill the King. Ethelwin too too diligent makes enquiry through the whole Province for Oswin, urging all men by Promises, rewards and terrible threatnings to discover him. Hunwald either allured with gain, or affrighted with danger treacherously betraid his King and Benefactour. Assoon as Oswin saw himself discovered, and the place en∣compassed with soldiers, he desired Ethelwin to content himself with his death alone, and to spare his companion Tunder, since his life only was sought by Oswi. But the cruel executioner presently slew them both for indeed the faithfull soldier refused to survive his King. This murder was commit∣ted on the thirteenth day before the Ca••ends of September.

5. The death of this pious King was greatly bewayld by all:* 1.4 for from his child hood, saith Mathew of Westminster, he was a devout Professour of Christian Religion: He was tall in stature, valiant, civill, prudent, liberall: he was as his table sober, in his bed modest, affable to all, and between the poor and rich he caried him∣self so, that the poor regarded him as their equall, and the rich as their Master. Whence it came to passe, that for the civility of his Royal mind all sought accesse to him and tenderly lov'd him, even out of forrain Provinces. The like chara∣cter S. Beda gives of him.

6. But among all his vertues the same Authour most commends his Humility, a worthy example whereof he thus relates: He had bestowd on the Holy Bishop Aidan a horse,* 1.5 on which, though ordinarily he went afoot, sometimes he passed the rivers, or upon necessity rode a iourney. Awhile after as the Bishop was travelling, a poor man mett him and begged an almes: The Bishop presently lighting down, commanded the horse to be given him, with all his sumptuous furniture: for he was very merci∣full to the poor; and a Father to such as were in misery.

This being related to the King, he said to the Bishop as they were ready to sitt down to table, My Lord Bishop, what meant you to give so generous a horse to a beggar, which I gave you for your own use? We had horses of lesse valew, or some other gifts which would have suffised him. The Bishop presently answerd him, Why says your Ma••esty so? Is a colt in more esteem with you, then the Son of God? A••ter these speeches had passed between them, they entred into the dining room: and the Bishop sate in his place: but the King being newly come from hunting, stood with his servants warming himself at the fire.

And there calling to mind the Bishops words to him, he putt off his sword, and in hast went and cast himself at the Bishops feet, beseeching him to

pardon him, for, said he,

I will never speak or cen∣sure you for what you give to Gods children of my goods, be it never so much.

The Bishop seing this, was deeply struck with it, and rising, took the King up, assuring him that he was very well sa∣tisfied, upon condition he would be chearfull and sitt down to meat. Now whilst the King at the Bishops request expressed much ioy, the Bishop on the other side began to be very sad, insomuch as he could not contain himself from weeping. Which being observed by his Preist, he asked him in his own countrey-language, which neither the King nor his servants understood, why he wept?

The Bishops answer was, I am assured that this good King will not live long: for till this hower I never saw an humble King: whence I conclude that he will shortly be snatched out of this life.

And indeed it was not long after, that the Kings death made good the Holy Bishops Prophecy.

* 1.6 7. The place where he was slain, was in the English tongue called Ingethling, where his body was ignobly buried. It was after∣ward called Gilling, not far distant from Rich∣mond: and there saith Saint Beda, and the Authour of his life. Queen Eanfled wife of King Oswi and Kings Oswins kinswoman, having obtaind permission from her husband built a Mo∣nastery for the expiation of his death, in which dayly Prayers were to be offred to God for the re∣demption of both the Kings soules, of him who had been slain, and him by whose command he was slain. Of which Monastery she appointed Abbot a certain devout man named Trumhere, by nation an Englishman, but instructed and ordaind by the Scotts, who was also kinsman to the King. This holy man was afterward made Bishop of the Southern Mercians under their King Wulsere, where he converted great multitudes to Christ

8. This Monastery and Church by the fu∣rious incursion of the Danes was so totally destroyd▪* 1.7 that the memory of King Oswin was abolished. But about the year of Christ one thousand sixty five, by a vision in sleep a certain Monk of the Church of Tinmouth was admonished to inform the Bishop where the Holy Kings body lay: which being taken up, afforded a most sweet odour, and was there with great veneration deposed in the Church of Tinmouth. A second Translation followed in the year of Grace eleaven hun∣dred and ten:* 1.8 when his Sacred Relicks were removed to a New Church in the same town, dedicated to our Blessed Lady.

* 1.99. After which time mens devotion to this Holy King and Martyr much encreased, the twentieth day of August being assigned for his Festivall.

And Thomas Walsingham Historiographer to King Richard the second relates how by a strange prodigy, the ne∣glect of that Feast was punished: For, saith he, two Marriners at New-castle on the Tyne, on that day being busy at work in hewing a peice of Timber for their ship, at every stroke with their axe, great quantity of blood issued. And when one of them per∣sisted notwithstanding in his work, and turned the timber,* 1.10 still the blood on all sides flowd abundantly out of it. This Mi∣racle, says he, was seen by very many, and ve∣rified in an assembly of Ecclesiasticks appoin∣ted ••o examine it: and the peice of Timber all staind with blood, was caried into the Church of Tinmouth where the Saints Body reposed.

Notes

• * 1.1

  XIV. CH.
• * 1.2

  A. D. 651. Malm••bar de Reg. l. 1. c. 3.
• * 1.3

  Bed. l. 3 c. 14.
• * 1.4

  Westmonast. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.5

  Bed. l. 3 c. 14.
• * 1.6

  Bed. ibid. ap. apgrav. •••• S. Osvvins.
• * 1.7

  Heved. ad A. D. 1065.
• * 1.8

  Math. Paris. ••. A. D. 1110
• * 1.9

  Martyr. Aug. 20. Aug Wal∣singh. in Rich. 2. A. D. 1384.
• * 1.10

  Id. in Hy∣pod••ugm. Ne••str. A. D. 1384.