The history of the worthies of England who for parts and learning have been eminent in the several counties : together with an historical narrative of the native commodities and rarities in each county / endeavoured by Thomas Fuller.

Saints.

EALPHAGE born of good parentage, had his education during his youth in Glocester∣shire, then he became a Monk at Glastenbury. But, that place not sufficiently suiting the se∣verity of his solitary soul, removing thence he built himself a Hut at Bath, which smal Cel in process of time (the longest line proceedeth from a little point at first) proved the beautiful Priory in that place. Hence by Dunstan he was preferred Bishop of Winchester continuing therein twenty two years; And at last became Bishop of Canterbury.

It happeneth that the cruel Danes seizing on that City put it under Decimation. Start not, loyal reader, at the word, if in the late Tyranny of the times thou thy self hast been* 1.1 against all right and reason Decimated in thy Purse, as now the poor Citizens of Canterbury were in their Persons. For the Danes, under pretence of Tribute detained,

Saved the tenth part of the Citizens alive amounting unto eight hundred and four

Destroyed the other nine parts, no fewer than seven thousand two hundred & thirty six.

As for Arch-Bishop Alphage, they demanded of him a greater summe, than he could pay or procure, whose wealth consisted chie•…•…y in his Piety, no currant Coin with the Pagan Danes; So that after seven moneths imprisonment they barbarously mur∣thered him near Greenwich about the year 1013.

His Corps was first buried in Saint Pauls, and then removed by the command of King Canutus to Canterbury. Impudent Monks have almost as much wronged his me∣mory, as the Danes did his Person, farcing his life with such abominable lies, that there∣by the very truth therein is rendred suspected.

AGELNOTH Son to Count Agelmar, was a * 1.2 Calendred Saint in this County being Elected Archbishop of Canterbury from being Dean over the Canons in that Convent.

This is the first time I find the Dignity of Decanus or Dean in England so called from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Ten, having (it seemeth at the first) Inspection just over that Number, though since* 1.3 an Heteroclite in England, as, either over fewer, but Six in Norwich, Bristol, &c. or many more in other Cathedrals.

He was so pious in his Life, that he was commonly called the GOOD. And here one may justly wonder, God having two Grand Epithets OPTIMUS and MAXIMUS most give the former the go-by, and strive onely for the latter, to be the Greatest, though Greatnesse without Goodnesse is both Destructive to him that hath it, and Dan∣gerous to all others about him.

Going to Rome to get his Pall from the Pope, by him he was courteously entertained, and deserved his welcome, who gave him (saith my * 1.4 Author) for the Arm of Saint Augustine Bishop of Hippo) one hundred Talents of Silver, and one Talent of Gold, citing Bishop Godwin for his author; But indeed that Bishop though reporting the hundred Ta∣lents of Silver, mentioneth not at all that of Gold.

Perchance Mr. Weaver had lately read (still obversing his fancy) how * 1.5 Pharaoh K. of Egypt having taken away King Jehoahash, condemned the land in An Hundred Talents of Silver, and A Talent of Gold; and to me it is a double wonder; First, that this Arch∣bishop would give; Secondly, that he could give, living in a harraged Land, (wherein so much Misery and little Money) so vast a sum.

However this mindeth me of a passage in Saint Augustine speaking of the Reliques of the deceased, Si tamen Martyrum, if so they be of Martyrs; and let me chuse the words of this Father on this Father, Si tamen Augustini, If this were the arm of Saint Augustine and not of some other Ordinary (not to say Infamous) person.

Well, were one as good a Mathematician, as He, who collected the Stature of Her∣cules from the length of his Foot, it were easie to proportion the Price of Saint Augu∣stines whole body, from this valuation of his arme. And now having so dearly bought it, let him dispose thereof as he pleaseth, and let no man grudge if he gave it to Coven∣try rather than Canterbury.

He expended much in repairing (or rather renewing) of his Cathedral of Canterbury lately destroyed by the Danes, assisted therein by the bounty of King Canutus, who at the instance and by the advice of this Prelate, did many worthy works. Our Agelnoth, after he had set 17. years in his See, died October 29. in the year 1038.

Notes

• * 1.1

  * Godwin in his Catalogue of Archbishops of Ca•…•…terbury.
• * 1.2

  Weaver Fun. Sermon. p. 301.
• * 1.3

  * Cowel's In∣terp. in the word Dean.
• * 1.4

  VVeaver ut prius.
• * 1.5

  2 Chr. 36. 3.