The history of the Church of Great Britain from the birth of Our Saviour, untill the year of Our Lord, 1667 : with an exact succession of the bishops, and the memorable acts of many of them : together with an addition of all the English cardinals, and the several orders of English monks, friars, and nuns, in former ages.

CENT. VII.

ABout the year 601. Pope Gregory I. sent two Archbishops Palls into England, the one for London, the other for York: The former of these Cities had been honoured with an Archbishop's See some hundred years since King Lucius; but at the Instance of Augustine, and by a new order of the foresaid Gregory, this Pall sent to London, was removed thence to Canterbury (whereof Augustine was made Archbishop) and there fixed and confirmed. Canterbury was the place wherein Christiani∣ty was first received by the Saxons, and is therefore honoured to per∣petuate the memory thereof; and London must hereafter be contented with the plain-seat of a Bishop.

Then Augustine by the aid of Ethelbert King of Kent, called a Coun∣cil of Saxon and British Bishops to meet in the confines of the Mercians and West Saxons, in the borders of Wo••••••ster and Hereford-shires, under an Oak, knowing that the Pagan Britains performed their superstition under an Oak, in some imitation, and yet a correction of their Idola∣try,

as Sir Henry Spelman sheweth. But this Synod proved ineffectual; the British Bishops, and many very Learned Men (far differing from Romish Priests) rejected his Traditions which he brought from Rome, and would not admit thereof, detested his Pride, renounced his Authori∣ty, and would not accept of him for their Archbishop, as he desired to be; and for the space of an hundred years at least, refused to commu∣nicate with those that had received the same. And then the Bishops and Churches of Scotland joyned with the Britains against those new obser∣vations which the same Augustine brought from Rome. At that time there were 1200. Monks at the Monastery of Bangor in Wales (not Popish Monks; and idle Belly-gods, but) all living with the labour of their hands, and bestowing the time of rest from their labours in Prayer and Meditation on the Scriptures. Over that Church, at Austin's coming, was Dinochus a Learned Man, who, when Austin required the British Bishops to be subject to his Romish Authority, convinced them by diverse Arguments, that they did not owe him any such subjection; whereat Augustine being highly offended, is said to have spoken these words, Quod si pacem cum fratribus accipere nollent, bellum ab hostibus forent accepturi: & si Nationi Anglorum noluissent viam vitae praedicare, per horum manus ultionem essent mortis passuri: that if they would not accept of peace with their Brethren, they should receive War from their Enemies; and seeing they would not joyn with him in Preaching the way of life to the Saxons, they should feel the force of their Enemies Sword: And some Writers say, that he stirred up Ethelfred King of Northumberland against them, who, with an Army of Infidels, cruelly and unmercifully slew them, who came forth to him in their shirts to entreat for mercy, fifty onely escaping.

But their innocent blood went not long unrevenged, for we read, how three British Princes, viz. Blederick Duke of Cornwall, Margaduc Duke of South Wales, and Cadwan Duke of North Wales, gave Battel to the Northumberlanders, as they were invading Wales, and not onely dangerously wounded the foresaid. Ethelfred their King, but also dis∣comfited his Army, and slew ten thousand and sixty of his Souldiers; forcing him at last to Articles of composition, that he should confine himself within his own Countrey, North of Trent, and leave all Wales to be entirely and peaceably enjoyed by the Britains, the true owners thereof.

Here we are to take our farewell of the British Church, for some hun∣dreds of years, wanting instructions concerning the remarkable par∣ticulars thereof, saith Dr. Fuller in his Church History of Britain.

Let us now return to our Augustine, who all this while was very in∣dustrious, and no less successful in converting the Saxons to the Christi∣an Faith, insomuch that a certain Author reporteth, how in the River Swale near Richmond in York-shire, Augustine in one day Baptized above

ten thousand: but Bede makes no mention at all hereof, and ascribeth this numerous baptizing to Paulinus Bishop of York many years after. In that age nothing was used with Baptism, but Baptism, the word and the water made the Sacrament. At Corn in Dorset-shire Austin destroy∣ed the Idol of Heale, or Aesculapius, which the Saxons formerly adored.

Sebert King of Essex (Nephew to Ethelbert King of Kent by Ricula his sister) embraced the Faith, with all his Kingdome, by the Ministry of Mellitus, whom Augustine ordained Bishop of London: making also one Justus a Roman Bishop of Rochester.

Augustine died, and was buried in the Northern part of the new Church in Canterbury, dedicated to Peter and Paul. Bede saith this inscrip∣tion was written upon his Monument. Here resteth Lord Augustine, the first Archbishop of Canterbury, who being in times past sent hither by blessed Gregory Bishop of the Roman City, and supported by God with the working of Miracles, brought King Ethelbert and his Country from the Worshiping of Idols to the faith of Christ, and the daies of his Office being finished in peace, he died the seventh of the Calends of June, the same King reigning. But in this Epitaph one thing is wanting, and that mainly ma∣terial, namely the year that he did.

After the death of Augustine, Laurentius a Roman succeeded him, whom Augustine in his life-time ordained in that place. King Ethelbert, having reigned fifty Six, and been a Christian one and twenty years, died, and was buried nigh to Queen Bertha (who died a little before him) in the Porch of St. Martins Church in Canterbury; which fabrick with some other Churches, by him were beautifully built and bounti∣fully endowed.

After the death of Ethelbert Anno 616. Eadbald, his son and the sons of Sebert King of the East-Saxons, succeeding them, refused to be baptized, or imbrace the Christian faith, professed and set up Idolatry, expelled their Bishops, driving them out of this land into France, til at last King Eadbald being converted to Christianity by Laurentius Arch∣bishop of Canterbury, presently began to take care of the affaires of the Church, and at the desire of Laurentius, Justus and Mellitus, re∣turned again into England. Rochester readily received their Bishop, but London refused to entertain good Mellitus, who led a private life in Lon∣don, til that after the death of Laurentius, he succeeded him in the Church of Canterbury. Five years sate Mellitus in Canterbury, after whose death Justus Bishop of Rochester succeeded him, and had his Pall solemnly sent him by Pope Boniface.

Ethelfred being slain by the Britains, Edwin succeedeth him, and was setled in the general government of the Saxons; who by the per∣swasion of Paulinus embraced and professed the Christian Religion, de∣stroyed the Temples, Altars and Images of their Idol-Gods, and was, with

all his Nobles and much people, baptized in the City of York, by Pau∣linus Anno 627.

About this time Pope Boniface V. directed diverse Epistles to England, wherein were many passages fighting against Christ's satisfaction.

A few years after the conversion of the East Angles was advanced by King Sigebert, and after the death of Earpwald, his successor in the Kingdome. Bede give's him this character, that he became vir Christia∣nissimus & Doctissimus, being assisted by the preaching of Felix, a Monk of Burgundy, he converted his Subjects to Christianity. This Felix was made the first Bishop of Dunwich in Suffolk, a place formerly furnish∣ed with fifty and two Churches, and hath scarce two now remaining, the rest being swallowed up by the Sea. This Sigebert is generally re∣puted the founder of the University of Cambridge.

Edwin fell out with Cadwallan, King of the Britains, and slew many thousand Christian Britains in battle, putting him and the rest to flight. Anno 633. After the victory Edwin led his Army through the Provin∣c•• of Britain, burning their Cities, and wasting their Colonies, and brought those Provinces under his subjection, chasing Cadwallan into Ireland. But Cadwallan returning from thence with ten thousand men, assisted by Penda King of Mercia, wasted the Countrey of King Edwin. Both these Kings at last met in a field called Heath-field, where Edwin was slaine, and his whole Army overthrown: Cadwallan slew both the Sons of King Edwin, and for a whole year ••••stroyed the Provinces of the Northumbrians. After the death of Edwin, his whole Kingdome ••el ap∣sed to Paganism; and Paulinus, Arch-Bishop of York, taking with him Queen Ethelburga sister to Eadbald King of Kent, returned into Kent, and there became Bishop of Rochester.

After the death of King Edwin, his Kingdome of Northumberland was divided into two parts, both petty Kingdomes. Osrich, Cousin-German of King Edwin, was King of Deira; and Eanfrith the eldest son of Ethelfred, was King of Bernicia. They were both Christians, but be∣came Apostates, and were slain by Cadwallan in the first year.

Oswald, the second son of Ethelfred, succeeded unto them, and over∣threw Cadwallan. Bishop Aidan converted Oswald, which King disdained not to preach, and expound to his Subjects and Nobles in the English tongue, that which Aidan preached to the Saxons in the Scottish tongue. By the Ministry of Aidan (the first Bishop of Linsfarn) was the King∣dome of Northumberland recovered from Paganism. Aidan parted all that was given him, by the King or Potent men, among the poor: and ceased not to go from town to town, and from house to house, not on hors-back, but on foot, always catechizing, whether he met with rich or poor: if they were Pagans, he instructed them; if they were Christians he confirmed them in the faith; and exhorted unto the works of Pie••y and Charity, especially to read the Scriptures diligent∣ly;

he died Anno 651. From Northumberland the word of God was spread among many others of the Saxon Kingdomes.

The Scotch, that professed no subjection to the Church of Rome, were they that sent preachers to the conversion of these Countries, and or∣dained Bishops to govern them, as Aidan forementioned, Finan, and Colman: for the East Saxons Cedd, and for the Mercians Diuma: for the paucity of Priests (saith Beda) constrained one Bishop to be appointed over two people. Finan converted the Kingdomes of the East Saxons, and Mercia. Pope Honorius sent Birinus unto the West-Saxons, who by his preaching converteth many, and among the rest Kyngils, the West-Sax∣on King, whom he Baptized. Oswald, King of Northumberland was present at that time, and was first God-father, then father in law to King Kyngils, to whom he gave his Daughter to Wife.

Dorchester, an old City in Oxford-shire, was made the seate of Biri∣nus his Bishoprick. Sussex, and the Isle of Wight also were convert∣ed. About this time Honorius, Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, divided England (so much thereof as was Christian) into Parishes. Anno 64••. the first lent began in those parts of England, which obeyed the Roman celebration of Easter.

Oswald, King of Northumberland, fighting at Maserfield (since Oswas∣trey in Shrop-shire) against Penda the Pagan Prince of Mercia, was overthrown, slain, and his Bodie most barbarously abused and chopped in pieces. Oswy his younge•• brother recovered his Kingdome after one year; and buried his head in the Church-yard of Lyndesar.

Sigebert was perswaded by his Monks to enter into a Cloister: his end was lamentable: for when he had given over his Kingdome to his Cou∣sin Egrick, the forenamed Penda entred his Kingdome with an Army: his subjects forced him to go into the field, where both he and Egrick were slain. Others say, he was murdered by two Villains.

Penda, Prince of Mercia, having married Alfreda, Daughter of Os∣wy, King of Northumberland, renounced Paganism, embraced Christiani∣ty, and propogated it in his Dominions. Indeed, Penda his father, that persecutor of piety, was yet alive (and survived two years after) per∣sisting an Heathen till death, but mollified to permit a toleration of Christianity in his Subjects.

From Colmkil (as a most famous Seminary of learning) at that time, sprang forth those, who not onely did resist the beginnings of Anti-Chri∣stian pride at home, and in our neighbour-Country, but they sowed the seed of the Gospel in other Nations. Such was that famous Rumold, who was called Mechlinensis Apostolus. Gallus brought Helvetia from Paganism, as Pappas witnesseth, built sundry Monasteries there. Ca∣lumban, a man of excellent holiness and learning, lived sometime in Ban∣gor, and thence went into Burgundy, where he began the Monasterie Lux∣ovien, and taught the Monks, of his own Country especially, to live by

the works of their own hands. Also because he rebuked Theodorick for his leacherous life, he was forced to flie, and visited sundry parts of Ger∣many: thence he went into Italy, and began another Abby on the Ap∣pennine Hills beside Bobium in Tuscany. Levin also tur nd many to the faith about Ghent and Esca.

Furseus, and his brother Fullan, with two Presbyters, Gobban and Di∣cul, obtained land from Sigebert King of Essex, and built the Abby of Cnobsherburg: and passing into France, he began the Abby at Latiniac, where he died. Diuma was ordained first Bishop of Mercia, where he converted many to the Faith, in the reign of the Christian Penda: and for his rare gifts the Bishoprick of Middlesex was committed to his charge, unto whom succeeded Cella a Scot. Also Florentius went to Argentine, or Strausburg, and was the first Bishop thereof: he opened the first School in Alsatia about the year 669. Kilian, the first Bishop of Wortsburg, did first instruct the people of East-France, in the Christian Faith. Anno. 668. Colonat a Priest, and Thomas a Deacon, followed him in all his Travels. Burcard succeeded, to whom King Pippin gave a Dukedome: and from thence among all the Bishops of Germany, one∣ly the Bishop of Wortsburg carieth a Sword and Priests Gown in his badge. Unto these Scots John Pappas joyneth some Britans, as Willibrod Reformer of Frisia; and two brethren Evaldi, the one Sirnamed the Black, the other the White. John Pappas saith they converted the West-phalians to the Christian Faith, and suffered Martyrdome near Bremen. John Bale sheweth their Death.

Pope Agatho sent John (the Arch-chaunter of St. Peters in Rome) into England, to compose the difference betwixt Honoricus and Wilfrid the two Archbishops, and withal to deliver them the Acts of Pope Mar∣tin the first, and to teach them to sing the Liturgy according to the custom of Rome — Benedictus Biscopius, a Nobleman of England, went to Rome in the service of the Church; and brought many Books into the Monasteries of Tinmouth, and Wirmouth. The first Glass in this Island is said to be his gift.

Mark what Beda saith of the custom in those dayes: Then they never came into a Church, but onely for hearing the Word, and Prayer [no word of the Mass] the King would come with five or six, and he stayed till the Prayer was ended. All the care of these Doctors was to serve God, not the World; to feed Souls, not their own Bodies: wherefore in those dayes wheresoever a Clerk or Monk did come, he was received as a Servant of God: If he were seen journeying, they were glad to be signed with his Hand, or blessed with his Mouth, and they gave good heed unto the words of his Exhortation. And on the Lord's day they came in Flocks to the Church or Monasteries, not to refresh their Bodies [nor to hear Masses] but to hear the Word; and if any Priest entred into a Village, incontinently all the People would assemble, being de∣sirous

to hear the Word of Life: for neither did the Priests go into Vil∣lages upon any other occasion, except to Preach, or visit the Sick, or to feed Souls. At that time the Clergy and Monks in England had liberty to Marry.

Then Theodorus, who succeeded Deus-dedit, Bishop of Canterbury, brought many Books thither, erecting a well-furnished Library, and teaching his Clergy how to make use thereof. He rigorously pressed Conformity to Rome, in the observation of Easter; and to that purpose a Council was called at Hartford; here Easter was setled according to the Romish Rite. In this Synod nine other Articles were concluded of, as Stapleton hath thus Translated them out of Bede.

• I. That no Bishop should have ought to do in another's Diocess, but be contented with the charge of the people committed unto him.
• II. That no Bishop should any-wise trouble such Monasteries as were Consecrated, and given to God, nor violently take from them ought was theirs.
• III. That Monks should not go from one Monastery to another, un∣less by the leave of their own Abbot; but should continue in the obe∣dience which they promised at the time of their conversion, and entrance into Religion.
• IV. That none of the Clergy, forsaking his own Bishop, should run up and down where he lists; nor when he came any whither, should be received without Letters of Commendation from his Diocesan, &c.
• V. That such Bishops and Clerks as are strangers, be content with such Hospitality as is given them, and that it be lawful for none of them to execute any Office of a Priest, without the permission of the Bishop in whose Diocess they are known to be.
• VI. It hath seemed good to us all, that a Synod and Convocation should be Assembled once a year, on the first day of August, at the place called Clofeshooh.
• VII. That no Bishop should ambitiously prefer himself above another, but should all acknowledge the time and order of their consecra∣tion.
• VIII. That the number of the Bishops should be encreased, the number of Christian folk daily waxing greater.
• IX. That no man commit Advoutry, nor Fornication; that no man forsake his own Wife, but for onely Fornication, as the holy Gospel teacheth. And if any Man put away his Wife, being lawfully mar∣ried unto him, if he will be a right Christian Man, let him be joyned to none other; but let him so continue, still sole, or else be reconciled again to his own Wife.

This Synod Stapleton calleth, the first of the English Nation, that is, whose Canons are completely extant.

Theodorus Archbishop of Canterbury envyed Wilfrid Bishop of York, and endeavoured, that the Diocess of York might be divided; whereat Wilfrid being offended, goes to Rome, and in his passage thither, by a Tempest he is cast on the Shoar of Freezland in Belgia, where the In∣habitants (as yet Pagans) were by his Preaching converted to Christi∣anity. Returning into England, he returned not unto York, but stayed in the Pagan Kingdom of the South Saxons, who also by God's blessing on his endeavours were perswaded to embrace the Christian Faith. These South Saxons (of all the seven Kingdomes) were the last that were converted to Christ, and yet their Countrey was next in situation unto Kent, where the Gospel was first planted. Indeed Edilwalck their King was a little before Christened by the perswasion of Wolpher King of Mercia (who was his God-father, and at his Baptizing gave him for a gift the Isle of Wight, & Provinciam Meanvarorum in Gente occidenta∣lium Saxonum) but his Countrey still remained in Paganism. And al∣though Dicul a Scot, with six others, had a small Monastery at Bosenham in Sussex, yet they were more careful of their own safety, than of their Neighbours conversion. Wilfrid builded an Abbey in Selsey in Sussex, he taught the South Saxons the craft of fishing.

Cedda the Bishop of West Saxons died, and his Deacon Wenfrede was his successor: Soon after this time died Wina Bishop of London, after whom was Bishop Erkenwald, who founded the Monasteries of Chertsey in Surrey, and Barking in Essex. But that of Chertsey was thrown down by the Danes, and re-edified by Edgar King of England.

Then Theodorus kept a Synod or Council of Bishops at Hatfield, by authority of which Council he divided the Province of Mercia, that Sexwolphus then ruled alone, into five Bishopricks; that is, one to Che∣ster, the second to Worcester, the third to Lichfield, the fourth to Cedema in Lindsey, and the fifth to Dorchester.

Cadwallader, the last King of Wales, wearied out with Wars, Famine and Pestilence, left his own Land, and with some small treasure fled to Alan, King of Little Britain: He was the last King of the stock of Britains. After he had reigned three years he went to Rome, and there died, and was buried in the Church of St. Peter, with this Epitaph up∣on his Tomb.

Culmen opus sobolem pollentia regna triumphos, Eximias proceros moenia castra lares, Quae{que} patrum virtus, & quae congesserat ipse, Cadwald armipotens, linquit amore Dei.

The which verses are thus Englished by Fabian.

Abounding riches, kinred, triumph assured, Plenteous wealth, with clothes richly dyght, Houses, Castles, and Towns strongly mured, And other honours which by his Parents Might, And his own, this Martial vertuous Knight, Cadwald the strong, descended of Knight's blood For Christ's love renounced all his good.

About the year 692. Ina King of the West Saxons, set forth his Sax∣on Laws, translated into English by Mr. Lambert; he enacted many Laws, viz. De regula vivendi Ministrorum Dei; de Infantibus baptizandis; de censu Ecclesiae, &c.

Anno 694. a great Council was held at Becanceld by Withred King of Kent, and Bertuald Archbishop of Britain, wherein many things were concluded in favour of the Church. Five Kentish Abbesses, namely Mil∣dred, Ethelred, Aete, Wilnolde, and Hereswide, were not onely present, but subscribed their names and crosses to the Constitutions concluded therein. And we may observe, that their subscriptions are placed, not onely before and above all Presbyters, but also above Botred a Bishop present in this Council. There was likewise a Council held at Bergham∣steed by Withred King of Kent: Then Bishop Wilfrid was removed to York again, where he continued not long, and being thence expelled again, he was for a time made Bishop of Leicester.

Notes

• Sir H. Spelm. in Conciliis. Geoffry of Monmouth, calling the Britains the Lord's flock, saith, Grex Domini rectum ordinem tene∣bat. Galf. Monum. lib. 11 c. 12.
• Nicol. Trivet.
• Bed. Eccl. Hist. li••. 2. ca. 3.
• Usher's Reli∣gion of the antient Irish. p. 115.
• Petry. Church hist. Cent. 7.
• Ephr. Pagit. Religion of the antient Bri∣tains.
• Fabian. Chro∣nic. part. 5.
• Pappas in hi∣stor. convers. Gent.
• Platina in Bo∣nifacio quarto.
• Lib. 4. c. 5.
• Fabian's Chr. part. 5.