A new history of ecclesiastical writers containing an account of the authors of the several books of the Old and New Testament, of the lives and writings of the primitive fathers, an abridgement and catalogue of their works ... also a compendious history of the councils, with chronological tables of the whole / written in French by Lewis Ellies du Pin.

CHAP. IV. (Book 4)

The History of the Churches of Germany.

THE Emperor Arnulphus the last of the Branch of the Carlian Stock, who obtain'd Germany for * 1.1 his Inheritance, dying in the year 899. left but one lawful Son nam'd Lewis, who being only eight years old, was committed to the Care of Otho Duke of Saxony, who married his Sister; and of Hatto Archbishop of Mayence: Soon after he became Heir of Lorrain, of which Zuentibold his Bastard Brother was in possession. But he was not able to subdue Italy, nor to cause himself to be crown'd Emperor; neither did he live long, but dyed between eighteen and twenty years old, A. C. 911. leaving only two Daughters, named Placidia and Mathildis. The first was married to Conrade Duke of Franconia, and the other to Henry the Fowler, Duke of Saxony, and Son of Duke Otho. The Estates of the Realm designing to confer the Crown upon that Otho, he desired to be excus'd by reason of his old Age, and advis'd them to chuse Conrade Duke of Franconia, but his Son

Henry Duke of Saxony, whose Moderation was not so great, claim'd a Right to part of the King∣dom, as having married one of the Heiresses, revolted against Conrade, wag'd War with him, and gain'd the Battle▪ however this Advantage prov'd ineffectual, and Conrade always remain'd in possession of the Throne, till his death; which happen'd in the year 918. When he left Henry Duke of Saxony his Heir, and order'd the Lords to wait upon him with the Crown and the Royal Orna∣ments. They perform'd his last Will, and acknowledg'd Henry Duke of Saxony, surnam'd the F••w∣ler, as King of Germany. This val••ant and prudent Prince kept in awe Arnulphus Duke of Bava∣ria; defeated the Hungarians who ravag'd Germany; overcame the Vandals; subdu'd Bohemia; and after having reign'd Seventeen years, dyed A. C. 936. The Lords substituted in his place his eldest▪ Son Otho, afterwards surnam'd the Great; against whom his Brother Henry made War, but was defeated, and mortally wounded in a Fight. The Dukes Gilbert and Everard, who were Au∣thors of this Revolt, perish'd in another Engagement near Andernac, and left Otho in the quiet possession of his Dominions, which he enlarg'd considerably; and joyn'd to them the Kingdom of Italy, with the Imperial Dignity, which passed to his Son Otho, and to his Grandson of the same Name, as it has been already related.

Under these Emperors, who were no less Religious than Valiant, the Churches of Germany were in a flourishing Condition, by the means of a great number of Reverend Bishops, the Writings of several Authors, and the propagation of the Gospel among the Northern People. This is what we shall proceed to shew in giving an Account of such Persons illustrious for their Learning and Sancti∣ty, as Germany has produc'd in this Century.

S. ULRIC Bishop of Augsburgh.

WE shall begin with S. Ulric Bishop of Augsburgh. He was descended from an Ancient Fami∣ly in Germany, the Son of Hugpaut and Thetpirga; He began to study in the Monastery of S. * 1.2 Gal, and was taken from thence to be put under the Tuition of Adalberon Bishop of Augsburgh, in the year 909. He made a Journey to Rome, and during his residence there Adalberon died, and left Hiltin his Successor, after whose death Ulric was nominated Bishop of Augsburgh by King Henry, A. C. 924. He was highly esteem'd by that Prince, and the Emperor Otho had a particular respect for him. This Prelate, in like manner, made two other Journeys to Rome; one about the year 956. and the other near the end of his Life. He dyed A. C. 973. in the 83d year of his Age, after having governed the Church of Augsburgh during Fifty years.

His Life, which was written by an Author of those times named Gerard, who was Contemporary with him, contains many remarkable Passages. It is there related, that besides the Divine Office, which he sung every day with his Canons in the Choir of his Church; He was wont to recite in particular the Offices of the Blessed Vitgin, of the Holy Cross, and of All the Saints, with the ••n∣••ite Psalter; and that he was accustom'd to say one, two, or three Masses accordingly, as the time would permit: That in Lent, after having said Matins at Night, he continu'd his Prayers till the hour that the Bell rung to the Vigils for the dead, which he sung with the Choir, and afterwards the * 1.3 Prime; That he continued in the Church at Prayers till the Canons return'd with the Cross to cele∣brate Mass, at which he assisted, and kissed the Hand of the Priest that officiated: That after Mass he sung † 1.4 Tierce with the Canons, and that he remain'd in the Church till the Sexte; when he visited the Altars, and kneel'd before them, singing a Miserere and a De Profundis: That then he return'd to his Camber, to wash his Face, and to prepare for saying Mass: That when it was said, and Vespers after it, he was wont to visit the poor of the Hospital, to wash the Feet of Twelve a∣mongst them; and to give every one a penny: That at his departure from thence, he sat down at Table; that after having eat, he said ••is Compline, and retir'd: That he spent all the days of Lent after this manner▪ till that of the Indulgence, commonly call'd Palm-Sunday: That on that day, he went early in the Morning to the Church of S. Afer, where he sung a Trinity-Mass, and made a Benediction of the Palm-Tree Branches, which he carried about in Procession, accompanied with the Clergy and People, with the Gospel, the Cross, the Banners, and an Image representing our Sa∣viour sitting on an Ass, as far as Mount Perleich, where he was met by the Choir of Canons▪ and part of the People, who cover'd the way with Palm-Tree Branches or Garments: That he made an Exhortation to them upon our Saviour's Passion, and that they return'd together to sing Ma••s in the Cathedral Church: That during the three following days, he held a Synodical Assembly: That on Holy Thursday he celebrated Divine Service, Consecrated the Holy Chrysm and other Oyls, and di∣stributed them among his Clergy: That afterward he went, according to his usual Custom, to visit the Hospital, from whence he return'd to the Church; Clothed twelve poor Men in the Ve••••ry, and wash'd their feet: That on Good-Friday he assisted at the whole Office; That after having Admini∣stred the Holy Sacrament to the People as on the preceding day, he laid up the rest of the Eucha∣rist, in order to bury it, according to the Custom of those times; and that at Night he eat Bread and drank Beer, without sitting down at Table; That on Holy Saturday, after the Nocturnal Office,

the Repetition of the Psalter, the Singing of the Three Litanies, the Blessing of the Tapers, and the Reading of the Lessons, he went in Procession to S. John's Church, where he baptiz'd three Infants, and then return'd to Celebrate Mass, to Administer the Holy Sacrament to the People, and to say Vespers: That afterwards he distributed Victuals to a great many Persons: That on Easter-Day, af∣ter the Prime Office, he usually went to S. Ambrose's Church, where he celebrated the Trinity Mass, and return'd from thence in Procession, carrying the Image of our Saviour with the Gospel; the lighted Tapers and the Incense to S. John Baptist's Church, where he Sung Tierce, and from thence to the Cathedral, where he sung Mass and administred the Sacrament to all the Assistants: Afterward he gave Provisions to the Canons of his Cathedral, and to the Clergy of S. Afra's Church distributing to them Lambs Flesh and pieces of Bacon, which had been blessed at Mass, and gave them a very splendid Entertainment. It is also observable, that he was wont to visit his Diocess eve∣ry Four years; to instruct the People; to administer the Sacrament of Confirmation, and to reform his Clergy.

I shall take no notice of a great number of Miracles that are related in this Life of S. Ulric, nor of those that were written by G••beard his fourth Successor, and by Berno Abbot of S. Afer: but I cannot omit the History of Adalbero Nephew to this Reverend Bishop. He had caus'd him to be carefully educated, gave him an Abbey, design'd him for his Successor, and made use of his Service in the management of all his Affairs, as well at Court, as in his own Diocess. To gain him grea∣ter Authority, he intreated the Emperor, in the last Journey he made to Rome, to vouchsafe to entrust him with the sole Administration of the Affairs of his Diocess, and to nominate him for his Succes∣sor. Adalbero upon his return from Augsburgh, not only caus'd an Oath of Fidelity to be taken to him, by the Clergy and People of the City, but also presum'd to use the Crosier Staff. This Attempt gave offence to the Bishops of Germany, insomuch, that in a Council held at Ingelheim in the year 972. in the presence of the Emperor Otho, and of his Son, to which S. Ulric and Adalbero were summon'd; a Process was drawn up against the latter, for presuming to bear the Marks of the E∣piscopal Dignity, and upon that account they proceded so far, as to declare him uncapable of suc∣ceeding his Uncle in the Bishoprick of Augsburgh. Whereupon the good old Man, not being able sufficiently to explain the Case, by reason of his great Age, sent word by one of his Clerks, that he design'd to retire, and embrace the Monastick Life, according to the Rule of S. Benedict, whose habit he had assum'd. The Bishops of the Council having made a Remonstrance, That he ought not thus to leave his Bishoprick, and that this Example would be of very dangerous Consequence, ob∣lig'd him to return to the Government of his Church; promising him at the same time, that after his death no other Bishop should succeed in the Diocess of Augsburgh, but Adalbero; of whom they ex∣acted an Oath, that he knew not that it was unlawful, or that it was an Heretical Practice, to as∣sume the Ensigns of the Episcopal Dignity, and to Exercise the Authority of a Bishop without due Ordination.

This Promise signified nothing with respect to Adalbero, because he died suddenly in a short time after, even before his Uncle; who had for his Successor Henry the Son of Count Burchard, who caus'd himself to be chosen by force. The latter dy'd as he had liv'd, that is to say, rather like a Soldier than a Bishop; for in his time he raised a Rebellion against his Sovereign Prince, and was kill'd in a Battel fought against the Saracens in the year 983. After his death, the Emperor Otho the Second, was desirous to confer that Bishoprick upon Werenharius, whom S. Ulric had design'd for his Successor; but upon his refusal of it, Eutychus Count of Altorf was elected. Luitolphus, who succeeded in the year 988. made a Journey to Rome to procure of Pope John the XV. the Canoni∣zation of S. Ulric, which he obtain'd in a Council at Rome, upon the reading of the Life and Mira∣cles of that Saint, who edified the Church rather by his Life and Conversation, than by his Wri∣tings; for few are attributed to him, and those too are very dubious. We have already observed that some make him the Author of a Discourse, concerning the Ecclesiastical Functions ascrib'd to Pope Leo the Fourth, and inserted in the Synodical Letter of Ratherius, which seems to be really so; because he returns an Answer to certain Questions which the Writer of his Life says he propos'd to his Clergy, during the time of his Visitation.

The same Author cites a Sermon of S. Ulric upon the Eight Mortal Sins, and the Eight Beatitudes. But it is probable that he compos'd it out of the ordinary Discourses that he had heard from the Mouth of that Saint: In the preceding Century was likewise publish'd in Germany, a Letter bearing the Name of S. Ulric, and directed to Pope Nicolas; in which he adviseth that Pope, for putting an end to the Irregularities of the Clergy, to permit them to marry: Mention is made of this Letter, in an Addition of Barthoul Priest of Constantz, to the Chronicon of Hermannus Contractus; and its af∣firm'd to be mention'd by Aeneas Sylvius in his Treatise of the Manners of the Germans; where he says, That S. Ulric reprov'd the Pope for keeping Concubines. But this Letter is apparently Suppo∣sititious, by reason that in S. Ulric's time there was no Pope nam'd Nicolas, neither did S. Ulric Bishop of Augsbourgh live in the time of those Popes who bore that Name. The Authority of the Chroni∣con is of little moment, and Aenaeas Sylvius does not distinctly make mention of that Letter; but only says, that S. Ulric reprov'd the Pope, upon account of his Concubines; which may agree with John the XII. Besides that, this Passage is not found in some Manuscripts of Sylvius's History, nor in the Roman Edition. But altho' it were true, that this Author alludes to that counterfeit Letter, it would only prove that it was already forged in his time; and that it is more ancient than the Coun∣cils of Basil and Constantz, which, as I presume, cannot be call'd in question.

ADALBERO Bishop of Augsburgh.

ADalbero the Predecessor of S. Ulric is Author of the Life of S. Hariolphus the first Abbot of El∣wangen, * 1.5

The two ADALBERTS, who were Saints.

THE two Saints nam'd Adalbert not only illuminated Germany with the Light of their Doctrine, but also propagated that of the Gospel amongst the Barbarous Nations: The former, after * 1.6 having preach'd it to the People, who inhabit along the Coasts of the Baltick Sea, and having taken much pains in Converting the Sclavonians, was ordain'd the first Archbishop of Magdeburg in the year 968, and dyed in 981. The second, who was Bishop of Prague, in like manner preach'd the Gospel to the Bohemians, Polanders, and Hungarians. The later left his Bishoprick, by reason of the excessive Enormities of the People of Bohemia, and departing to Rome, there embrac'd the Mona∣stick Life in the Convent of S. Boniface. After having spent five years there, he return'd to Bohe∣mia, and pass'd from thence into Hungary; from whence he return'd the second time to Rome, and presided five years more in the same Monastery. He was also remov'd again by the Solicitation of the Archbishop of Mentz, who oblig'd Pope Gregory the Fifth to send him back. Boleslaus King of Bohemia having forbidden him to enter his Dominions, he went into Prussia, and from thence into Li∣thuania, where having suffer'd much in propagating the Christian Faith, he at last receiv'd the Crown of Martyrdom.

BRUNO Archbishop of Cologn.

BRuno. Archbishop of Cologn, the Son of the Emperor Henry the Fowler, and Brother of Otho the * 1.7 Great, is none of the least Ornaments of the Church of Germany, both with respect to his pro∣found Learning and singular Piety. We are inform'd by a Writer of that time, that he had acqui∣red a perfect Knowledge of the Greek and Latin Tongues; that he had perus'd all the Ancient Au∣thors; that he had a very fine Library; and that he took a particular Care of his Diocess and Cler∣gy; retrenching all their superfluous Habits, and obliging them to a constant attendance on the Du∣ties of their Functions, as also instructing them by frequent Conferences, reiterated Exhortati∣ons, and his own Example. Sixtus Senensis says, that he compos'd a Commentary on the Penta∣teuch, the Manuscript of which is kept in the Library of the Dominicans at Boulogn. It's also re∣ported that he wrote the Lives of certain Saints. He was chosen Archbishop of Cologn in the year 953. and dy'd in 965.

ROGER Monk of S. Pantaleon.

THE Life of this great Archbishop was written by Roger a Monk of S. Pantaleon at Cologn, who * 1.8 dedicated it to Fol••mar his Successor in the year 970. It is referr'd by Surius to Octob. 12. and is written very elegantly with respect to the stile of those times. We also may reckon up a great num∣ber of German Prelates illustrious for their Learning and Piety, among whom are Henry Archbishop of Trier, Wolfang Bishop of Ratisbon, Sigismond of Halberstadt, and many others whom we shall not now mention. We shall therefore proceed to give a particular Account of those who have left us any considerable Writings.

RATHBOLDUS Bishop of Utrecht.

RAthboldus or Ratholdus a German by Nation, descended from the Princes of Friesland, apply'd * 1.9 himself to study under Nanno or Manno, in the Court of Charles the Bald, and of his Son Lewis, where those Princes caus'd the Liberal Sciences to be taught publickly. He was chosen Bishop of Utrecht in the year 899. Trithemius says, that he was well vers'd in the Knowledge of the Holy Scriptures, and that he was no Novice in Humane Literature; that he was of a quick Apprehensi∣on, and much esteem'd for his Eloquence, leading a very Circumspect Life and Conversation; that he govern'd the Church of Utrecht during Seventeen years, and wrote several Tracts; among o∣thers, a Treatise of the Commendation of S. Martin; another of that of S. Boniface; The Life of S. Amalberga; a Book of Homilies and Sermons; certain florid Discourses on S. Willebrord; an Office of the Translation of S. Martin; with divers Hymns in Honour of the Saints; and lastly that he dy'd in the year 917. or rather in 918. Another Writer nam'd William of Hedin, attributes to him certain Poetical Pieces, and a Compendious Chronicon. Surius likewise ascribes to him an Eclogue concerning S. Lebuin. Father Mabillon has publish'd a Discourse of the same Author on the Life of S. Amalberga, and another on that of S. Willebrord.

HILDEBERT Archbishop of Mentz.

HIldebert Brother to the Emperor Conrade, the Thirteenth Archbishop of Mentz, Crown'd Otho * 1.10 the Great in the year 938. Bur afterward's having combin'd with Richard Bishop of Stratsburg, to soment the Division between Otho and his Brother Henry, he was banish'd to Hamburg, Some make him the Author of the Lives of certain Saints.

WILLIAM Archbishop of Mentz.

WIlliam the Fifteenth Archbishop of Mentz, Prince of Saxony, and the Son of Otho the Great, * 1.11 was chosen Archbishop in the year 954. and dy'd in 968. He compos'd a Chronicon of the Archbishops his Predecessors.

BONNO Abbot of Corbey in Saxony.

BOnno or Bavo Abbot of Corbey in Saxony, flourish'd under Arnulphus and Lewis the Fourth, Kings * 1.12 of Germany. He wrote a Treatise of the memorable Actions of his time, mention'd in the History of Adam of Bremen, who cites a Passage of it concerning a Miracle of S. Rembert. We have at present no other knowledge of that Work.

WALTRAMNUS Bishop of Stratsburg.

WAltramnus or Waldramnus Bishop of Stratsburg, who assisted at the Council of Triburia in the * 1.13 year 895. and did not dye till 905. is the Author of certain Poetical Pieces which are inserted in the second Tome of Canisius's Antiquities.

SOLOMON Bishop of Constance.

SOlomon Bishop of Constance liv'd almost at the same time, for he entred upon the Episcopal Fun∣ction * 1.14 in the year 981. and dy'd in 919. He likewise compos'd certain Poems dedicated to Bishop Dado, which are in the first Tome of the same Antiquities by Canisius. He had been Monk of S. Gal and Chaplain to King Lewis.

UTHO Bishop of Stratsburg.

REutharius Bishop of Stratsburg had for his Successor in the year 950. Utho Nephew to Henry * 1.15 the Second Duke of Schwaben. This Utho wrote the Lives of S. Arb••gastus, and S. Amarid and dy'd in 975. leaving Echembaldus his Successor.

NOTGER the Stammerer.

THere were several Notgers in the Tenth Century, but the first and most famous was of the Car∣lian * 1.16 Race, and Surnam'd the Stammerer, by reason of the impediment in his Speech. He en∣ter'd very young into the Monastery of S. Gal, he studied under Marcellus and Iso, with Bat∣pertus and Tutilo. These three Monks studying together, promoting Learning in that Abbey, where they had frequent Conferences one with another, applying themselves more especially to the study of the Liberal Arts and Sciences, and to that of Musick in particular: But their chief Employment was the making of Proses. Notger compos'd many, and translated the Psalter into High-Dutch for the use of King Arnulphus: He wrote the Life of S. Gal in Verse, as also a Treatise of the Letters of the Alphabet, that are us'd in Musick and some other Works of the like nature; but the princi∣pal of them is his Martyrologia, publish'd by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the sixth Tome of his Antiquities. The same Canisius has set forth some of the Proses and Hymns of this Author, with a Fragment of the Life of S. Gal, in the Fifth Tome of the same Work, in which is also found the Treatise of Musick before mention'd. Besides these Works, Goldastus attributes to Notger the Stammerer the two Books of the History of Charl••magn, that are dedicated to Charles the Bald, and written by a name∣less Monk of S. Gal. And indeed he seems to discover himself in the 26th Chapter of the Second Book, where he declares that he is subject to Stammering, and wants Teeth. The same Au∣thor observes, that he has seen a Manuscript of the Life of S. Gal, written by way of Dialogue, which bears the Name of Notger. To him likewise is attributed the Life of S. Landoald referr'd by Surius to March 19. That of S. Remaclus Bishop of Utrecht, referr'd by the same Historian, to Sept. 3. and two Books of the Miracles of that Saint: But it's not certain that these Works are his; neither do they appear to be of the same stile. Notger spent the greatest part of his Life in the Ninth Century, and dy'd in the Month of April, A. C. 912. His Martyrology was compos'd in the end of the Ninth Century, or in the beginning of the Tenth.

The second Notger liv'd in the Tenth Century, and was not made Abbot of S. Gal till the year 973. he dy'd in 981. but there are not any of his Pieces now extant.

The third Notger was chosen Bishop of Leige in the year 972. Neither has he left any Works, un∣less we attribute to him the above-mention'd Lives of the Saints.

WITICHINDUS Monk of S. Corbey in Westphalia.

WItichindus, Winduchindus, or Windichinus a Monk of Corbey a Monastery in Westphalia, of the * 1.17 Order of S. Benedict, flourish'd under Otho I. and II. He wrote three Books of the History of the Saxons, in which are comprehended the Actions of Henry and Otho the First, and which ends at

the death of the latter, that is to say, in the year 973. They are dedicated to Queen Mathildis, Daughter of the Emperor Otho, and were printed at Basil A. D. 1532. at Francfort in 1577. A∣mong the German Historians printed in 1580. and at the end of a particular Edition by Meibonius at Francfort in 1621. Sigebert says also, that he wrote in Verse a Relation of S. Thecla's Passion, and the Life of S. Paul the first Hermit. These Works are lost; altho' in the last Edition by Mei∣bonius, there are certain Verses which are attributed to this Monk.

ROSWIDA a Nun.

ROswida a Nun of the Monastery of Gandersheim, famous for her Quality, Learning and Piety, * 1.18 flourish'd under the Emperor Otho II. by whose Order she compos'd in Heroick Verse a Pane∣gerick upon the Actions of Otho the First. She likewise wrote in Verse the Passion of S. Dennis Bi∣shop and Martyr, and that of S. Pelagius who suffer'd Martyrdom in Spain; and some other Poems in Commendation of the Virgin Mary and S. Anne; as also on S. Gandolphus and some other Saints. To her likewise is attributed the Life of S. Wilblod Bishop of Eichstadt, and that of S. Unnebald the first Abbot of Heildesheim, related by Surius, Canisius and Father Mabillon. This Nun wrote in a finer stile then most part of the Authors of her time, and was well vers'd in the Knowledge of the Greek and Latin Tongues: Her Poem of the Life of Otho, was printed with Witichind's Works at Francfort in 1621. and in the Collection of the German Writers by Ruberus; and her Poetical Pie∣ces were printed together at Nuremburg in 1501. by Conradus Celta.

REGINALDUS Bishop of Eichstadt.

REginaldus, who in the year 975. succeeded Starband kill'd by the Hungarians at Augsburgh, in the * 1.19 Bishoprick of Eichstadt, pass'd in his time for a very Learned Man, as having attain'd to a con∣siderable Knowledge in the Greek, Latin, and Hebrew Tongues, and more especially in the Art of Musick. He wrote the Lives of S. Wilbald and Unnebald, with those of S. Nicolas and S. Blasius. He was Bishop for the space of Twenty four years.

Another German Bishop of the same time, has given us the Life of S. Hunegonda referr'd by Surius * 1.20 to Aug. 25. and a Nameless Writer made a Narrative of the Translation of S. Epiphanius Bishop of Pavia into Saxony.

THIERRY Archbishop of Triers.

THierry Provost of the Church of Mentz, and afterwards Archbishop of Trier, wrote sometime * 1.21 before the preceding Authors (for he dy'd in the year 970.) the Life of S. Lutruda, referr'd by Surius to Sept. 22.

OTHLO Bishop of Metz.

OThlo Monk of Fulda wrote the Life of S. Pyrmin, who is suppos'd to have been Bishop of Meaux, * 1.22 or rather Metz. This Life is dedicated to Liudolphus Archbishop of Trier, and was publish'd by Brouverus, who caus'd it to be printed A. D. 1616. at Mentz, with other Lives of the Illustrious Personages of Germany. Liudolphus was made Archbishop of Trier in 999. and dy'd in 1008. There∣fore Othlo compos'd his Work in the Ninth Century, or in the beginning of the Tenth. Canisius

and Serrarius likewise attribute to him the Life of S. Boniface. But Brouverus observes, that it is of a different stile.

UFFING or UFFO Monk of Werthin.

AT the same time Uffing, or rather Uffo of Friesland, Monk of Werthin, wrote the Life of S. Lud∣ger * 1.23 Bishop of Munster, which was printed at Cologn the last Century, with a Poem of the same Author; some attribute to him the Life of S. Ida referr'd by Surius to Sept. 4. Suffri∣dus says that he likewise left the Life of S. Lucius King of England, which he affirms to be extant in Manuscript.

We have the Acts only of very few Councils of Germany in the Tenth Century, altho' we have * 1.24 just grounds to suppose that many more were held. The first, of which, any Monument is remaining is a Council held at Coblentz in the year 922. by the order of Charles King of France, and Henry King of Germany. It was compos'd of Eight Prelates, viz. Herman Archbishop of Mentz, Heriger Arch-Bishop of Cologn, and six other German Bishops, and made Eight Canons, of which only the First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth remain in our Possession. The first forbids Marriage between Re∣lations to the Sixth Generation. The Fifth prohibits Laymen, who have Chappels, from receiving the Tythes of them with their own hands on purpose to put them to profane uses, and ordains that the Priests shall receive and use them to the advantage of the Churches, and for the maintenance of Ho∣spitals and poor People. The Sixth brings the Monks under Subjection to the Jurisdiction and Go∣vernment of the Bishop. The Seventh condemns a Person who sells a Christian for a Slave, as guil∣ty of Murder. The Eighth forbids those who give any Goods or Revenues to a particular Church, to take away the Tythes due upon account of such Revenues, to the Church to which they belong'd before.

The Canons of a Council held at Erfurdt in the year 932. in like manner are still extant, with a * 1.25 Preface which shews that it was conven'd by the Order of King Henry the First, in the Fourteenth year of his Reign, and that it was compos'd of the Archbishop of Trier and Twelve Bishops. The First of these Canons imports, that the Festivals of the Twelve Apostles shall be solemniz'd, and that the Fast of the Vigils shall be observ'd according to the ancient Constitutions. The Second, that no Pleas shall be held in the Courts of Judicature on Sundays, Holy-days, or Fasting-days: It is al∣so added, that King Henry prohibited the Judges to Cite any Person before them in the Week pre∣ceding the Festival of Christmas, that of S. John Baptist, and during the whole time of Lent, till the Eighth day after Easter. In the Third it is forbidden to deliver a Summons or Warrant to those Persons who are going to Church, or are there already, that they may not be disturb'd in their De∣votions. The fourth imports, that if a Priest be suspected of any Crime, and accused before his Bi∣shop, he shall be thrice admonish'd to acknowledge his Fault, and shall undergo condign Pu∣nishment, if he be found Guilty, unless he prove his Innocence by clearing himself by his own Oath, or by that of his Colleagues. The Fifth forbids private Persons to impose Fasts without the Con∣sent of the Bishop or his Vicar, because many do it to carry on Superstitious Divinations, or for o∣ther sinister ends, rather than out of a Principle of Devotion.

We have already made mention of the Council of Ingelbeim held in the year 948. in treating of the Contests of Artaldus for obtaining the Archbishoprick of Rheims, in regard that it was chiefly as∣sembled upon that account.

In the year 952. the Emperor Otho the First held at Augsburgh an Assembly of the Bishops of Ger∣many, * 1.26 France and Italy; where the Archbishop of Mentz presided, and publish'd Eleven Canons, which were approv'd by the other Prelates.

The First ordains that the Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons that marry, shall be depos'd accord∣ing to Chap. 25. of the Council of Carthage. The Second is against Clergy-men, who keep Dogs and Birds for Hunting, and are addicted to that Exercise; they are to be suspended from their Fun∣ctions as long as they persist in such Practices. The Third ordains that Bishops, Priests and Dea∣cons, who spend their time in playing at Games of Chance, shall incur the Penalty of being De∣pos'd, unless they renounce such sort of Games. The Fourth is against those Clergy-men who keep suspicious Women in their Houses. The Fifth prohibits Monks from going our of their Cloisters, with∣out the permission of their Abbot. The Sixth enjoyns Bishops to take care of the Monasteries of their Respective Diocesses, and speedily to Reform the Disorders that are committed in them. The Seventh and Eighth forbid them to hinder Clergy-men and Canonesses from embracing the Mona∣stical Life. The Ninth prohibits Lay-men from turning out of the Churches those Persons to whom the the Bishops have committed Care of them. The Tenth attributes to the Bishop the right of taking Cog∣nizance of the distribution of Tythes. And the Eleventh imports, that not only the Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Subdeacons shall lead a single Life, but also that the other Clergy shall be oblig'd to live Continently when they come to years of Maturity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Revo∣lutions of the Empire of Germa∣ny in the Tenth Cen∣tury.
• * 1.2

  S. Ulric Bishop of Augs∣burgh.
• * 1.3

  The first of the Ro∣man Cano∣nical Hours.
• † 1.4

  Two o∣ther of the Canonical Hours.
• * 1.5

  Adalbero Bishop of Augs∣burgh.
• * 1.6

  Two Adel∣berts Saints.
• * 1.7

  Bruno Archbishop of Cologn.
• * 1.8

  Roger Monk of S. Pantaleon.
• * 1.9

  Rathbol∣dus Bishop of Utrecht.
• * 1.10

  Hildebert Archbishop of Mentz.
• * 1.11

  William Archbishop of Mentz.
• * 1.12

  Bonno Ab∣bot of Cor∣bey in Saxony.
• * 1.13

  Waltram∣nus Bishop of Strats∣burg.
• * 1.14

  Solomon Bishop of Constance.
• * 1.15

  Utho Bi∣shop of Stratsburg.
• * 1.16

  Notger the Stamme∣rer.
• * 1.17

  Witichin∣dus Monk of Corbey in West∣phalia.
• * 1.18

  Roswida a Nun.
• * 1.19

  Reginal∣dus Bishop of Eich∣stadt.
• * 1.20

  A German Bishop. A nameless Author.
• * 1.21

  Thierry Archbishop of Triers.
• * 1.22

  Othlo Bi∣shop of Metz.
• * 1.23

  Uffing or Uffo Monk of Wer∣thin.
• * 1.24

  A Council at Cob∣lentz in the year 922.
• * 1.25

  A Council at Erfurdt A. C. 932.
• * 1.26

  A Council at Augs∣burgh A. C. 952.