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.

The Council of Savonieres.

IN June, the same year 859, the Bishops of both Kingdoms met at Savonieres, near Toul, where * 1.1 they made up a Peace and Agreement between the Kings. In it also they Regulated several other Affairs. Tortoldus Deacon of Sens, who had taken upon him to exercise the Episcopal Fun∣ctions at Baycux, was left to the Judgment of Wenilo, Arch-bishop of Sens, and three other Bishops. They ordained, that the Sub-deacon Anscharius, who had possessed himself of the Church of Lan∣gres, should make Oath, that he would not attempt the like for the future. King Charles accused Wenilo, Arch-bishop of Sens, as the cause of his Rebellion; and it was order'd, that his Process should be made according to the Canons. Atto, Bishop of Verdun was summoned, because his Ordination was accused as faulty. They also charged the Bishops of Bretany not to withdraw themselves from the Jurisdiction of the Arch-bishop of Tours, their Metropolitan. They admo∣nished them not to communicate with persons under Excommunication; and to exhort their Prince Solomon, to be faithful to King Charles. They also allow the persons Excommunicated till the next Council, to amend and reform themselves; and, if they did not do it, they would pronounce a solemn Anathema upon them at the next General Council. This Synod earnestly entreats the King, and Ralph, Arch-bishop of Bourges, to maintain the privileges of the Abbey of S. Benedict, which that Arch-bishop had possessed himself of, upon condition, that if the Abbot

were found negligent, or irregular, by the King's Commissioners, he should be deposed, and ano∣ther put in his place. They set in order several other private Affairs, of which there is no men∣tion in the Canons, and ordered Prayers. This Synod was very numerous: At it were Eight Metropolitans, and most of the Bishops of the Twelve Provinces of France. We have, besides the Thirteen Canons, or Articles, already mention'd, Three Letters, one to Wenilo, Arch-bishop of Sens, and two others to the Bretons, with a Remonstrance, containing an Accusation of that Arch-bishop, brought against him by Charles the Bald.

They read also in this Council the Six Constitutions of Valence about Grace; and Ten other Canons made Fifteen days before, by some Bishops met at Langres. We will not repeat what we have said about the Constitutions of the Council of Valence, and how Hincmarus opposed the Reception of them; but we will give the substance of the other Ten Canons.

The First imports, that they would petition their Kings to call Synods every year in every Pro∣vince, and every second year a General-Council in their Palaces.

The Second ordains, that the Bishops should be ordained according to the Canonical Laws; that is to say, by the Judgment of the Metropolitan, and Neighbouring Bishops; and such per∣sons should be chosen, as are of good life, and known probity.

The Third commands, that Bishops visit Religious Houses, and take care, that all things be managed and disposed in good order.

The Fourth enjoyns them to set up Schools, or Teach the Holy Scripture, and good Learn∣ing.

The Fifth requires them to repair their Churches.

The Sixth orders, that every Congregation should have an Head of their Profession.

The Seventh declares, that the alienated Revenues of the Church shall pay their Ninth and Tenth parts, and that for the future nothing shall be taken from the Church.

The Eighth enjoyns, that the Revenues of Hospitals shall be employed according to the in∣tent of the Founders.

The Ninth declares, that they will cause Justice to be done to the Poor by the Civil Judges.

The Tenth contains their Resolve to punish Ravishers and Adulterers.

Notes

• * 1.1

  The Council of Savoni∣eres.