Page 645
Of the Iselanders Religion.
IN the yeere of Christ 1398. Woldemarus, the second of that name gouerned the Danish King∣dome, whereunto Norway was added, whose posteritie held it, vntill Ericus Duke of Pome∣rania, and Christopher Banar. Vnto this Waldemarus all the Arctoian Colonies obeyed, so that now, vnder that Woldemarus, the Iselanders were first instructed in the Christian Religion, when before they had worshipped strange Gods. And when almost all Christian people, in that la∣mentable darkenesse and title of a Church, as it were by Witchcraft deceiued, were detayned in most deepe bonds of superstition; it could not bee but they, who were furthest remoued from the [ 10] societie of Learned men, and dwelling vnder an vnciuill and barbarous Climate, should fall into most foule Idolatrie, when sometimes (as hereafter shall bee declared) they had Deuils to serue them, as familiar as domesticall seruants. But after Luther began to bee knowne,* 1.1 Christianus the King of Denmarke procured purer Doctrine to himselfe, and purged the Churches in the King∣dome of Denmarke, Norway, and all the Ilands subiect vnto him; sending Ministers into Iseland, to sow the seede of the Gospell there. Hee sent a Printer also out of Denmarke, to set forth the Bible, the common places of Philip Melancthon, the Workes of Vrbanus Regius and others, in the vulgar Tongue, to the Pastors who were ignorant of the Latine, as at that time al∣most all of them were. And also sent for fit and apt young men out of Iseland, whom hee maintayned in the Haff••ian Vniuersitie at his owne costs, and gaue them charge ouer Churches [ 30] and Schooles.
King Woldemare, as soone as they should professe Christian Religion in Iseland, ordayned them two Bishops, one in Scalholden in the East part, and another in Hollen in the West,* 1.2 whose Suc∣cessours at this day retayne nothing but a shadow, and a bare Title, for they haue no other reue∣nues but Butter and Fish. But when that reformation (whereof I spake) was made by King Christian in the Churches of Iseland, one of the Bishops in Scalholden, conspiring with the peo∣ple, reiects the Doctrine of the Gospell, and making a rebellion they kill the Kings Lieutenant. The yeere following, which was 1535. the King sent a Noble man of the Order of Knight∣hood, one Paul Hitfelt (whom I saw an old man in Denmarke) furnished with a Fleet, Souldiers, and Munition into the Iland. The seditious being slaine, hee renueth the reformation of the [ 30] Doctrine of the Gospell, and returneth into Denmarke, leauing a certayne Noble man to take charge of the Church and Iland.
The greatest man in Iseland at that time was one Tadde Bonde. Hee, after the Kings Armie was departed,* 1.3 conspiring with the principall men (whom by his Authoritie hee drew to take his part) reuolted from his Allegiance, and perswaded the rest of the Ilanders to follow. They meete together in a place called Waloe, and conspiring to rebell, and cast off the Kings subiection,* 1.4 they impart their counsels together, and Tadde had his poss••ssions not in one place, and many re∣tayners, and for these causes hee thought they could not easily bee suppressed. The Bishop who dwelt in the East, had a speciall care to acquaint the Kings Lieutenant with all that was done (for the Lieutenant was absent in the West part of that Iland) and the Bishop hated Tadde a long [ 40] time. For in that first Rebellion, hee had falsly accused him to the Lieutenant as guiltie, and au∣thor of the Rebellion. This accusation onely brought great and extreame calamitie vpon him.
The Lieutenant being certified what was done, hee perswadeth by fit instruments, some of the Complices of the faction, to continue in their Allegiance, propounding rewards and punish∣ments. Then many of them when they saw the greatnesse of the danger, leauing him, came hum∣bly to the Lieutenant, and begge pardon, and obtayne it. Tadde therefore is adiudged an Ene∣mie, both of the King and of his Countrey, they promise therefore by an Oath and giuing of their Faith, that they will pursue him.
Then hee, through feare of the danger, with a few of his Domestickes which hee had gathe∣red together, kept himselfe at the foote of Hekelueld, but being circumuented they were all [ 50] slaine, and hee taken. They that tooke him, brought him to the Bishop, to commit him to Pri∣son, but hee refused to receiue him. Therefore they draw him to another certaine man▪ of those who had the chiefe place in Iustice, neither would hee receiue him, fearing the hatred of the people. There was at that time there a certayne Iselander, Ionas by name, a man of courage. I know (sayth hee) to whom I will commit him, that will diligently keepe him, and foorthwith hee slew him and buryed him. And so the Sedition was appeased. And from that time vntill this day, the Word of God is taught amongst Barbarous men, after the manner of the Confession of Augusta.