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.

XXV. CHAP.* 1.1

1.2. &c. S. Wilfrid in a Synod in Brittany restored to his Rights: The testimony of the Holy Royall Virgin Elfleda, &c. in his behalf.

1. WEE are now approching towards an end of the long continued troubles of this illustrious Bishop Saint Wilfrid. Whose restitution though it found some delay and opposition after the death of King Alfrid, yet by a Synod shortly after assembled in the Province of the Northumbers, it was fully ef∣fected The manner and progresse whereof is thus declared by the same Authour:

2. When King Alfrid was dead, a certain Noble man named Edulf,* 1.2 who had a design to usurp the Kingdom, vomited likewise forth his malicious fury against Saint Wilfrid, as if he had been by oath engaged in the frenzy of King Al∣frid. For when the Holy Bishop, calling to mind that the same Edulf had professed freindship for∣merly to him, thought it expedient to goe to him, the senceles man fell into such a passion, that he commanded him presently to depart his King∣dom, and gave order that all his goods should be confiscated, and himself cast out thence. But two months after, the Tyrant loft both his Kingdom and life: and the Nobility restored to the Throne Osred the Son of Alfrid.

3 Now among the Nobles of that Kingdom the highest both in authority and fidelity was one named Berthfrid. Him did Brithwald Arch-bi∣shop of Canterbury admonish to cause a Synod to be assembled in that Kingdom for determining the cause of Saint Wilfrid: whereto he consented. And in the said Synod, to the end that contro∣versy might have a peaceable end, it was ordered, according to the precepts contained in the Popes Letters, that a choice should be offred to the Bi∣shops who were parties against Saint Wilfrid, that either they should resign to him his Episcopall See, or repair presently to Rome, there to iustify the cause of their refusall: And whosoever would not accept of this choice, should be excommuni∣cated.

4. S. Beda notes the particular place where this Synod me••t,* 1.3 saying it was near the River Nid, which gives a name to the Province of Nidds-dale, now belonging to the Kingdom of Scotland, but anciently within the Domi∣nion of the Northumbers. At this Synod were present Arch-bishop Brithwald with S. Wilfrid, likewise Bosa Bishop of York, and Iohn of Ha∣gulstad. There came thither also the Royall Vir∣gin and Abbesse of Streneshalck Elfleda Sister to King Alfrid, whose testimony was of great moment for ending the controversy. For thus writes William of Malmsbury:

5. Whilst the cause of S. Wilfrid was agitating in the Synod,* 1.4 and the Bishops according to their former manner contradicted his pretentions, the

Holy Virgin Elfleda Sister to the late King Al∣frid, and Abbesse of Streneshalck after S. Hilda putt an end to the busines, Saying, Let these te∣dious discourses little to the purpose cease: Here doe I produce the last Will of my Brother, at the making whereof my self was present, by which he declares that if God restored him his health he would without delay observe and execute the commands of the See Apostolick: or if death kin∣dred him, he would oblige his heyr and successour thereto.

6. After the Holy Virgin had spoke thus, Berth∣frid immediatly added these words,

My sentence is that we ought to obey the Popes commands, es∣pecially considering that our obligation thereto •••• strengthned by our late Kings will, and the solemn promise also which we our selves made in our ne∣cessity: for when after his death we were besieged in the Citty of Bedda-burgh, and that the enemies inclosing us used their utmost endeavour to break into the Town, in this extremity and danger we made a Vow to God, that if we might escape, we would fullfill the commands of the See Apostolick. We had scarce ended this Vow, but presently the whole Province submitted it self to us, and every one strove who should prevent the other in run∣ning to our assistance. The Royall youth Osred was acknowledged King, the Enemy was defeated and the usurping Tyrant slain. To conclude it is our young Kings will also that the Venerable Bi∣shop Wilfrid be restored.

Now Berthfrid had no sooner spoke thus, but immediatly all clouds of dissension were dissipated, and a lightsome calmnes of peace succeeded. All the Bishops hast∣ned to embrace one another, and passed the re∣mainder of their lives in amity and concord.

7 The result of the Synod was, That Saint Wilfrid should be re-instated in all the digni∣ties and possessions formerly belonging to him. Notwithstanding Bosa, who had been Bishop of York, dying presently after this Synod, S. Wilfrid permitted Iohn to remove to York, and himself being now very old, con∣tented himself with the See of Hagulstad (or Hexham) and his own Monasteries.

8. Thus at last ended all the troubles of this Holy Bishop Wilfrid: Which were the more heavy to him, in that all his persecutours were persons of vertuous holy lives. The consideration whereof gave occasion to the Historian to make this complaint:* 1.5 It is hence manifest how great the misery is wherein human Nature is involved, inasmuch as those men and woemen whose sanctity is much celebrated by Antiquity, such were Theodore, Brithwald, Iohn, Bosa and likewise the Holy Abbesse Hilda, they all with utmost violence persecuted S. Wilfrid, a Bishop most highly favoured by Almighty God. Particularly as touching Bosa he is stiled by S. Beda, a most holy Prelat and beloved by God: and his Name is commemorated among Gods Saints in our Martyrologe on the ninth of March:* 1.6 though his death, hapning this year, is assigned to the year of Grace seaven hundred.

Notes

• * 1.1

  XXV. CH.
• * 1.2

  Malmsb de Reg. l. 3.
• * 1.3

  Bed. l. 5 c. 20.
• * 1.4

  Malmsb. ib.
• * 1.5

  Id. ib.
• * 1.6

  Bed. l. 5. c. 31. Marty. Ang. 9. Mart.