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.

• MARGARET
• ALICE

RICH were born at Abbington* 1.1 in this County, and were successively Prioresses of Catesby in Northampton-shire. They were Sisters to St. Edmund, whose life ensueth, and are placed before him by the Courtesie of England, which alloweth the weaker Sex the upper hand. So great the Reputation of their Holiness, that

The former	Dying Anno	1257.
The latter	1270.

Both were honoured* 1.2 for Saints, and many Miracles reported by crafty, were be∣lieved by Credulous people, done at their shrine by their Reliques.

St. EDMUND Son to Edward Rich and Mabel his Wife, was born at* 1.3 Abbington in Bark-shire, and bred in Oxford. Some will have Edmunds-Hall in that University built by his means, but others (more probably) nam'd in his Memory. He became Canon of Salisbury, and from thence, by the joynt-consent of Pope, King and Monkes, (three cords seldom twisted in the sa ne Cable) advanc'd Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, where he sate almost ten years till he willingly deserted it; partly, because offended at the power of the Popes Legate, making him no more then a meer Cypher, signifying

onely in conjunction (when concurring with his pleasure;) partly, because vexed at his polling and peeling of the English people, so grievous, he could not endure, so ge∣neral, he could not avoid to behold it. For these reasons he left the Land, went (or, shall I say, fled?) into France, where he sighed out the remainder of his Life, most at Pontiniack, but some at Soyssons where he dyed Anno 1240.

Pope Innocent the fourth Canonized him six years after his death, whereat many much wondred, that he should so much honour one, a professed foe to Papal Extor∣tions.* 1.4 Some conceived he did it se defendendo, and for a ne noceat, that he might not be tormented with his Ghost. But what hurt were it, if all the Enemies of his Holiness were Sainted, on condition they took death in their way thereunto? Sure it is that Lewis King of France, a year after translated his Corps, and, three years after that, be∣stowed a most sumptuous Shrine of Gold, Silver, and Chrystal upon it; and the 16. of November is the Festival appointed for his Memorial.* 1.5

Notes

• * 1.1

  The English Martyrology in the 15. and 24. of Aug.
• * 1.2

  Ma•…•…h. Paris in hist. Majori. ad an. D. 1217. and deincep•…•….
• * 1.3

  Antiq. Brit. pag. 165.
• * 1.4

  Veritus, ne min•…•…s i•…•…sius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Roma∣nam sedem ob tot acceptas in∣jurias vindica∣rent.
• * 1.5

  M. Parker Antiq. Brit. pag. 173.