— 45—The
exterior
but
54
she is said to have been a niece of St.
54
she is said to have been a niece of St.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
Jerome, of St.
Augustine
andofSt.
Gregory.
18 He
maintained,
thatitwas fora permissible
Christian to espose the widow of his deceased brother, thus introducing Judaism
into the Church. He had declared, likewise, that when Jesus Christ descended
into hell, he delivered damned souls, even those of unbelievers and idolaters.
Manyothererrorsheheld,touchingthedoctrineofpredestination. Heopenly
declared, that he could continue as a bishop, having grievously sinned against
morality and public decency. At this Synod of Soissons were condemned
theerrorsofClement. Accordingly,inalettertoPopeZachary,containing
those several charges, Boniface requested him to entreat of King Carloman,
to have Adalbert and Clement apprehended and cast into prison, so that no
person should either speak to or communicate with them. Accompanied
by the proofs of his charge, a priest named Dencard was instructed to convey
that letter to Rome. He brought another, likewise, for Gemmulus, arch-
deacon of the Roman Church, and a friend of St. Boniface. The archdeacon
reported the contents of the letter and documents to the Pope, and urged
him to convoke a to the of Boniface. 1 ^ With council, contrary expectations
full approval of the Princes Karoloman and Pippin, Adalbert and Clement
were excommunicated St. by
the " to Apostolic precept,
Boniface, following
deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may
be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. " 20
In the year 745, and on the 31st of October, Pope Zachary had written to our
saint, after the death of Ragenfred, Bishop of Cologne, and suggesting, that it might be converted into a Metropolitan Seat, to which he should be raised, as that city afforded ready access to those nations, where he had preached the Gospel. A commission was given him, at the same time, to seek restitution of ecclesias- tical property, now that the Saracens, Saxons, and Frisians, had been subdued by. the Franks. The Pope signifies, also, he had written to the Princes of that
people, to urge on them the necessity of curbing the extravagance, pecula- tion and other crimes of wicked men, who had presumed to encroach on church rights. It does not seem to be established, that Boniface became Archbishop of Cologne, even for a short time, as soon afterwards, circum- stances
transpired, to. 'change
named had been tion, Agilulf,
to the vacant See of —and he promoted Cologne,
whathadbeen 21 Amanofnobleextrac- proposed.
was
supposed to have been originally founded by Drusus and the Romans 22 constituted a Metropolitan See, for the first Roman province of Germany ;
afterwards, it had been subjected to Cologne, which became the Metropolitan
Seat for the two Germanies. In turn, Worms was created a Metropolitan
See,forthesetwoprovinces,andMayencewasmadeasuffraganSeetoit. In
the time of Karoloman and of his brother Pippin, a bishop, named Geroldus,
or 23 ruled over the See of When the Saxons had dis- Ghewileib, Mayence.
conspicuous
for his
piety
and merits. In
early times, Mayence
a —
city was
turbed the peace of Thuringia, and when its people were obliged to appeal
for ai—d against their foes, Geroldus was required—according
usage tofurnishacontingentformilitaryservice,andwiththis,heappeared in the field, about a. d. 743. 24 During the heat of conflict, the Saxons rushed
19 See 1'Abbe
" Histoire Ecclesi-
tome
Fleury's
France," 2*
ii. ,
xi. , pp. 224, 225.
astique,"tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect. xlix. ,p. 309.
20 "
1 Corinthians, v. 5.
31 See Mabillon's " Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, vi. , p. 128.
"
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. ,
p. 171.
23
See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
liv.
Such is the date given for this war, in
Annalibus Francorum. "
2* S—erarius has this Distich, in reference to
him
"Ense Geroldus obit Prsesul, dum de-
micat ense :
Perplacet ergo chorum, non adiisse
forum. "
:
to established
i74 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [June5.
in great force upon him, and Geroldus was slain. 2^ After death, he left a son, called Gewelib, 26 or Gervilio, who undertook to rule in his place, over the Church of Mayence. He is said to have lived a moral life, yet was he obliged, also, to take military service, and march against the Saxons. 2? Under the leadershipofKaroloman,botharmiesmetonthebanksoftheWeser. 28 Here Gewelib learned, that the murderer of his father was on the opposite side. He then invited that man, to enter the river, and to hold a conference with him. Thisofferwasaccepted,when,upbraidinghimwiththeformercrime, Gewelib rushed upon that man with a drawn sword, and he fell dead in the water. This treacherous action roused the Saxons to commence the conflict immediately,buttheywereconqueredbyKaroloman. Soonafterwards,St. BonifaceenteredthecityofMayence. Therehewasmadeacquainted,with whathadhappened. Hethenappealedtotheking,andtootherbishops, about those scandals that had been permitted to prevail.
Before the middle of the eighth century, the fame of this wonderful shepherd of Christ's flock was spread over Christendom. 2 ^ A synod was held at Mentz, in the year 745, or 746, and over this St. Boniface was called upon to preside,
byPopeZachary,inqualityofLegate3°oftheApostolicandRomanSee. 31 At this were assembled Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Clerics of every grade, called together by Karoloman. Influenced by the example of Boniface, the German Bishops had bound themselves by an express vow, that they would remain unto their life's end subject to the Roman Church, to St. Peter, and to his successors. 32 In this council, many salutary laws were framed, for the extir- pation of prevailing errors and disorders, as also for the promotion of religion anddiscipline,amongecclesiasticsandlaics. GervilioorGevilieb,recognised as bishop of Mayence, had been deposed from the episcopate, not alone because of irregularities permitted at the time of his promotion, but also on accountofthehomicidehehadcommitted. Thiswaschargedhomeagainst him, at the council, by Boniface, who added, that he had witnessed the frivolous habits of Gevileib's life, by amusing himself with birds and dogs,33 while the duties of his station should claim a bishop's chief care. When the sentence was pronounced, at first, Gewelib threatened an appeal to Rome; but, finding the authority of the council had also the support of the secular arm, he submitted. 34 This Gewelib made the best atonement he could, for past irregularities. Being admonished by St. Boniface, he consented to lead a regular life. As an earnest of this intention, Geweleib bestowed his pater- nalpropertyonthechurchofSt. Martin. 35 Hereceivedasabenefice,how- ever, the village and church—noticed as Caput-montis—at Spanesheim. He
resigned
the See and
of
parish Mayence,
into the hands of 6 from whom him,3
3° In his "Menologium Scotorum," Thomas
adiisse forum. "
36 He is called Gawielibis,
by
Othlo, and
Dempster's Legati. "
words are " a latere Apostolici
Gerulio, by Serarius.
37 This expedition is assigned to A. D. 745,
in " Annalibus Francorum. "
28 Such is the interpretation put on the word Wisuralia, in the Supplement to Willi- bald's Life of St. Boniface, by the Bollan- dist editor. It is probably intended for Visurgis, which rising in Franconia flows
through Saxony, receiving many other rivers on its course to the ocean.
*9 Thus do we find in the " Chronicon "
3I This Papal Epistle xi. , among those col- lected, is addressed to the different Bishops of Gaul and Germany,
33 See Leopold Ranke's " Ecclesiastical and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
33 Thisis statedbyOthlo.
3* See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
of Marianus Scotus, at A. D. 743 :
Sanctus
Bonifatius— clarus Moguntinus Archiepiscopus
3S This church seems to have been at Mayence.
3° We may interpret this person to have been King Karoloman.
habetur. " Pertz's"MonumentaGermanise
Historica," tomus v. , p. 547. Waitz's edi- tion.
"
siastique," pp. 305, 306.
ilii. ,
tome ix. , liv.
sect, xlviii. ,
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1 7 i
he received them. The circumstances of that time had thus brought May- ence into greater prominence. The deposition of Gevilieb likewise, had directed attention to Boniface. By the election of the clergy and people, he
wascalledtopresideoverthatSee. HewasappointedArchbishopofMayence, by Pope Zachary, in the year 747, according to John of Trittenheim, 3 ? and this date agrees pretty fairly with the computation of the Benedictines. 38 After- wards, Gewileib lived in great retirement, at his own house, where he exercised hospitality; nor did he assist at any synod nor conference in public, save to
appear occasionally at the washing of feet on Holy Thursday. His devotions in the church were quietly conducted. Thus, he lived for fourteen years,
after his resignation ofthe bishopric. 3?
Nor did Boniface persuade the Germans alone, to acts of obe-
dience and reverence, towards the Holy See. The Bishops of Gaul
had hitherto maintained a certain independence of Rome, which it
became the influence of Boniface to counteract. 4° In the year 751,
the day before the Nones of November, Pope Zachary confirmed the
election of our saint, in accordance with the Frankish request preferred
to him. '*1 or Mentz was created an five Mayence Archiepiscopal See, having
suffragan Sees subject to it, these representing all the German nations. Boniface was also ranked as the Primate of all Germany. His jurisdiction
was extended, it is said, over thirteen bishoprics, viz. , Strasburg, Spire,
Worms, Cologne, Liege, Utrecht, Ausbourg, Wirtzburg, Buraburg, afterwards transferred to Paderborn, Erfort, Eichstat,—Constance and Coire/2
ThecityofMainz—astheGermanswriteit isdelightfullysituated,atthecon- fluence of the Rivers Rhine and Maine. It has been considered always an im- portantmilitaryposition,andit isregarded,asoneofthestrongesttownsinGer-
48 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, iv. , pp. 127, 128.
49 See Leopold Ranke's "Ecclesiastical and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 17.
5° His feast occurs, at the 26th of Octo- ber.
SI Such is the account given in the Supple- ment to the Life of St. Boniface, by Willi- bald, chap, ii. , num. 4.
s* Her feast occurs, at the 28th of Septem- ber. She presided over a convent at Bis- chofiheim, on the River Tauber, a town in the district of Baden, about 16 miles south- west of Wurzburg.
53 Also called Hadeloga, and she is vene* rated at the 15th of October. Her nunnery was near the River Maine, at a place called Chizzingim, or Kitzinga.
37 He states, that this appointment was "
received from Pope Gregory. See Catalo-
gus ScriptorumEcclesiasticorum," fol. Ii. , b. 38 See "Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , viii. Siecle, p. 94.
39 Such is the account given, in the Supple-
ment to Willibald's Life of St. Boniface,
cap. i. . sect. 1, 2, p. 473.
40 See Leopold Ranke's "Ecclesiastical
and Political History ofthe Popes of Rome,"
translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
41 See Labbe's and Cossart's "Sacrosancta
Concilia," tomus vi. , Epistolaxiii. , col. 1527. 42 See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, lii. , p. 314.
43 See James Bell's "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c, vol. i. , part ii. , chap, xv. , p. 373.
44 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geogra- phie Universelle," tome hi. , liv. hi. , chap, iii. ,
sect, iii. , p. 593.
— 45—The exterior but
54
she is said to have been a niece of St. Boni-
the
tion of this choir is presented, in the affixed
face. She heim.
over a
presided nunneryat Heiden-
illustration, taken from a local photograph ; the view has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman. The engraving is by
Mrs. Millard. 4"
5S See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 342.
s 6 This is classed 19, amonglhe collected Epistles of St. Boniiace, and it is placed
only
upper por-
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des under the year indicated, by Mabillon, in Saints," tome vi. , ve Jour de Juin, p. 462. "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. ,
47 He is called " Scotus genere," by lib. xii. , sect, xvii. , p. 135.
Mabillon, and his feast occurs, on the 5th of 57 These bishops were eight in number, J u ty- and among them are named Wera, Burchar-
She is venerated at the 1st of May, and
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
many. Thecathedraloccupiesacentralplaceinthecity,butgoodexteriorviews of it can hardly be obtained, owing to narrow streets and passages blocking
the approaches. The building itself is of majestic and extensive proportions,-^ standing on the remains of a more ancient church of the tenth century. The general features of the present structure—completed about the year 1340—are
Choir of Maintz Cathedral.
people in the future. To this end, wise statutes were promulgated. On some occasions, as Boniface presided at Synods, he availed himself of such oppor- tunities to bring this western portion of the Frankish Church into religious obedience. In that Synodat Soissons, a. d. 744, he had sought the Pallium from Pope Zachary, for three Gallic Archbishops, Grimon of Rouen, Abel,*? of Rheims, and Harbert of Sens. In reply, the Pope observes, that Boniface had only sought one Pallium for Grimon, the others named having been passed over, owing probably to a change of circumstances. *8 The submissiveness of the ecclesiastical authority, which had characterized the Anglo-Saxons, ex- tended itself likewise over the whole Frankish empire, w Bonilace had charge
dus, Warberthus, Abel and Willibald. They some years after, he also came to an unhappy had shortly before assembled together, end. "—Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
in a Synod—the place where it was held being unknown.
s8 At a. d. 716, there is an account of the
Sancta," part i. , p. 343.
60
This is numbered Epistola viii. in a collection of his Epistles.
61 See a account of in very complete him,
Capefigue's "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap,
'
death of both, in "The Saxon edited by Rev. J. Ingram, p. 62.
««
59
Ethelbald, we know not ; certain it is, that
What effect this letter had upon King
vi. , pp. 91 to 116. 63 "
Chronicle,"
Byzantine in style. ** The cathedral of May- ence has within many
and narrow arches of Norman style, on
either side of the nave and side aisles. Theseare terminated,
by a fine choir, ex- tending behind the high altar. *s The aisles are filled with the tombs of former bishops and persons of great distinction. Several altars are within the cathedral.
Already St. Boni- face had converted in Germany a hundred thousand souls. 46 The love and service of Christ were thus greatly promoted, and Boniface desired to advance, not only the spiritual interests of his own subjects, but even to provide for the wants of its
high shaped
Eginhard's Vita Caroli Iinperatoris
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177
of the eastern Franks, of the Bavarians, of the Saxons, and of the Sclaves ; so that, like a good shepherd of souls, he resolved to select for them the best guides. Age had now told on the holy man, and knowing that he should provide a pastoral magistracy for his extensive jurisdiction, whether during his lifetime, or after his death; he seriously turned his attention to this matter, so that he might select duly qualified bishops. Boniface consecrated St. Witta,5° an Irishman, and appointed him to be Bishop of Buriburg or Bura- burg, near Paderborn, in Westphalia. Beyond the Weser, and towards the east of it, at that time, there was only one missionary, named Winfrid, son to Wart, a relation of our saint, on the father's side, and whose mother belonged to a Thuringian family. 51 Wherefore, also, Boniface had sent for some conse- crated virgins, from the famous monastery of Winburn, in England, to train up hisfemaleconverts,inreligiousdiscipline. This,St. Lioba,52St. Tecla,"and St. Walburgh,54 happily effected. 55 About the year 747,56 St. Boniface, with his fellow-Bishops,57 wrote a letter yet extant, to Ethelbald, King of the Mer- cians. In this, the king was praised for his generosity, for his love for order, peace and justice, in the state ; but, he was charitably admonished, regarding the irregularities of his life ; and that, while abstaining from lawful marriage, he was defiled with unlawful lusts ; not sparing even virgins consecrated to God. He threatens Divine judgments, while he cites pagan laws, to restrain the monarch. His bad example was followed by too many of the Mercian nobles, tothegreatdishonourofGod,andcausingagreatdestructionofsouls. The English nation had a bad repute, as a consequence, in France and Italy. Wherefore, the letter earnestly exhorts him to repentance and amendment, lest otherwise the justice of God might overtake him unrepenting, as it had done his predecessor, King Ceolred, as also, Osred,58 King of the Northumbrians ; as both were hurried away by a violent death in the midst of their sins. 5 ? In a letter ^ written to Ecbert, Archbishop of York, Boniface sent to England for the works of Venerable Bede, whom he calls the Lamp of the Church, while he thanks that prelate for other books, which had been forwarded to him. Heentreatsthearchbishop,toreadoverandtocorrect,whateverhe finds defective, in his Epistle to Ethelbald.
Meantime, Prince Carloman having retired from the world, a. d. 747, to the monastery of Monte Casino, Pepin his brother was chosen by the nobles as King of France. 61 At this time, he had a son named Charles, destined in atter time to be known as 62 and to become a honour
Charlemagne, great
to that country. Notwithstanding Childeric III. having been nominal king, and that the nobles had a natural regard for this scion of the house of
Clovis; yet,hisfoolishnessbecamesoapparent,thatPepin,whosecourage in war and whose wisdom as an administrator were highly esteemed, was desired by the people as their real ruler. He proposed, that they should con- sult Pope Zachary, as to whether their oath of fealty was binding or not, under the existing circumstances. The Pontiff replied, by counselling them to abandon their fatuous king, and to elect him who exercised royal func- tions, with the power so manifestly proved to discharge them. Wherefore, Pepin was unanimously accepted as king, and with his election closed the the Merovingian rule. The commencement of the second race of kings,
63 was then established. The circumstances of dethroning Childeric, and of Pepin's election, are so variously related by
was the earliest written biography of this re- liv. i. , col. 1 186.
nowned Monarch, and that on which nearly 6A This is stated, and with great appear-
all succeeding Lives of him have been ance of truth, byEckhard, in his "Commen-
the
designated Carlovingian,
based.
63
See Bossuet's "(Euvres Completes," tome x. , Abrege de l'Histoire de France,
taria de Rebus Franciae Orientalis et Episco-
patus Wirceburgensis,"tomus ii. Wirceburgi, 1729.
M
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
different writers, that the true history is very obscure. However, it seems, that St. Boniface had no share in this revolution, nor was he even pleased withit. 6* Likehisbrother,PepinwasanxioustoservetheChurch,andto enforce her decrees within his sovereignty. This knowledge having reached Pope Zachary, he resolved on paying a special mark of his regard, by a decree, that elevation to the sovereignty of France, should be signalized by a func- tionofaverypublicandsolemncharacter. ^ AtanationalAssemblycon- vokedatSoissons,a. d. 752,PepinhadbeenelectedKingofFrance. 66 How- ever, having various and powerful enemies to contend against, his great valour was equal to the opposition he had to encounter, while his judgment as a statesman afforded better resources and assured his success.
In the year 751, Boniface had sent the priest Lullus, with a letter to Pope ZacharydescribingFulda,andhisownactioninreferencetoit. Heintended this as a place—with the Sovereign Pontiffs permission—which should become his home, when retiring from the world in his old age. He also declared, he
6
wished to repose there after his death. ? In return, Zachary wrote to him, accord-
ing the usual privileges of a monastery to Fulda ; while, in another letter, the
Pope exempted it from the jurisdiction of every other bishop, save him who governed the Universal Church. 68 This Pope did not long survive, for he died on the 14th of March, a. d. 752; when the Roman people elected as his successor one Stephen, who was brought to the Lateran palace, but having
61
departed this life three days afterwards, ? without being duly constituted
Sovereign Pontiff, he is not usually classed among the Popes. However, Stephen II. 70 succeeded, in the same year, and his government of the Church continuedtoa. d. 757. 7I WhenBonifacehadbeenrecognisedasArchbishop, his fame for sanctity and learning soon spread abroad. As Primate of all Ger-
many, and as Papal Legate for Gaul and Germany, by direction of the Sovereign Pontiff, Boniface consecrated Pepin le Bref, King of the Franks, in 751 or 752. 7* This was the three hundred and thirty-second year, after the establishment of
the French monarchy. The ceremony was performed at Soissons," with great rejoicing,severalnoblesandbishopsassisting. AlthoughopposedbyGrifon and Astolphe, King of the Lombards, as also by the revolted Saxons, Pepin's authority was soon respected, and his power was recognised. Marching against the latter foes, he vanquished them, and they were compelled to pay him an annual tribute in horses. ? * Grifon was killed, in 752," or 753 ? 6 among the Alps, which he desired to cross over, on his way to join Astolfe, King of the Lombards. The latter had marched against Rome, and this city, being invested by his army, was summoned to acknowledge him as
's At A. D. 750, in the "Chronicon" of toire Ecclesiastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. ,
Marianus Scotus, we read " de- sect, lvii. ,
: Pipinus creto Zacharise aBonifatioMoguntinoArchie- piscopo unguitur (sic) in imperatorem, et deinde ob id —secundus habetur
p. 323.
^ According to Anastasius.
7° By some writers he is called Stephen III.
post Papam
episcopus Moguntinus. " Pertz's "Monu-
See Sir Harris Nicolas'
"
of
menta Germanise Historica," tomus v. , p. 547. Waitz's edition.
** u
See Guizot's Essais sur l'Histoire de
France," Troisieme Essai, p. 78.
*i See Epistles of St. Boniface, Epist.
xii. Also, the account of Browerus, regarding the foundation of this monastery, in " Fvl- densivm Antiqvitatvm," lib. i. , cap. i. toiv. ,
pp. I to 19.
68 No priest could then celebrate Mass
without the express permission of the abbot. This is the first example of such anexemp- tion, known to the Abbe Fleury. See "His-
History," p. 211.
7'
"
See Berti's
Ecclesiastic* Historiae Breviarium," Seculum viii. , cap. i. , p. 189.
7*See "Histoire Literaire de la France," tome iv. , viii. Siecle, p. 94.
" See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome vi. , v* Jour de Juin, p. 462.
" See Bossuet's CEuvres Completes," tome x. , Abrege de l'Histoire de France," liv. ii. , col. 1 187.
« See " Chronicon" Mariani Scotti,
Waitz's edition. Pertz's " Monumenta Ger-
mania: Historica," tomus v. , p. 547.
6
* See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
Chronology
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 179
lawful sovereign. However, Pope Stephen II. , failing to mollify the rapacity of this opponent, travelled onwards to France in 753,77 and had recourse for protection to his friend, King Pepin, who remained master of the situation. He soon crossed the Alps, and compelled the Lombard king, after a weak
CHAPTER V.
DECISION OF POPE ZACHARY REGARDING THE FORM OF BAPTISM—LITERARY COMPOSI- TIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ST. BONIFACE—HIS RELATIONS WITH THE SEE OF UTRECHT—HE DEPARTS AGAIN FROM MAYENCE FOR FRISIA—HIS MARTYRDOM AND THAT OF HIS COMPANIONS THERE—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS TO FULDA— MIRACLES, MEMORIALS, RELICS AND CALENDAR CELEBRATIONS, REFERRING TO THE HOLY ARCHBISHOP—CONCLUSION.
Under the direction of Boniface, several indefatigable bishops and priests
to sue for an
ever, again took arms, and once more invested Rome. But, a second expedi- tion of Pepin was not less fortunate than the first ; Rome was again saved, while Astolphus was taught lessons of justice and sincerity, through the scourge of a foreign monarch. ? ?
resistance,
ignominious peace. ?
laboured,
in
spreading
the —seed
Gospel throughout Germany.
Among
them
1
of Carinthia and Sidonius.
Augustine
andofSt.
Gregory.
18 He
maintained,
thatitwas fora permissible
Christian to espose the widow of his deceased brother, thus introducing Judaism
into the Church. He had declared, likewise, that when Jesus Christ descended
into hell, he delivered damned souls, even those of unbelievers and idolaters.
Manyothererrorsheheld,touchingthedoctrineofpredestination. Heopenly
declared, that he could continue as a bishop, having grievously sinned against
morality and public decency. At this Synod of Soissons were condemned
theerrorsofClement. Accordingly,inalettertoPopeZachary,containing
those several charges, Boniface requested him to entreat of King Carloman,
to have Adalbert and Clement apprehended and cast into prison, so that no
person should either speak to or communicate with them. Accompanied
by the proofs of his charge, a priest named Dencard was instructed to convey
that letter to Rome. He brought another, likewise, for Gemmulus, arch-
deacon of the Roman Church, and a friend of St. Boniface. The archdeacon
reported the contents of the letter and documents to the Pope, and urged
him to convoke a to the of Boniface. 1 ^ With council, contrary expectations
full approval of the Princes Karoloman and Pippin, Adalbert and Clement
were excommunicated St. by
the " to Apostolic precept,
Boniface, following
deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may
be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. " 20
In the year 745, and on the 31st of October, Pope Zachary had written to our
saint, after the death of Ragenfred, Bishop of Cologne, and suggesting, that it might be converted into a Metropolitan Seat, to which he should be raised, as that city afforded ready access to those nations, where he had preached the Gospel. A commission was given him, at the same time, to seek restitution of ecclesias- tical property, now that the Saracens, Saxons, and Frisians, had been subdued by. the Franks. The Pope signifies, also, he had written to the Princes of that
people, to urge on them the necessity of curbing the extravagance, pecula- tion and other crimes of wicked men, who had presumed to encroach on church rights. It does not seem to be established, that Boniface became Archbishop of Cologne, even for a short time, as soon afterwards, circum- stances
transpired, to. 'change
named had been tion, Agilulf,
to the vacant See of —and he promoted Cologne,
whathadbeen 21 Amanofnobleextrac- proposed.
was
supposed to have been originally founded by Drusus and the Romans 22 constituted a Metropolitan See, for the first Roman province of Germany ;
afterwards, it had been subjected to Cologne, which became the Metropolitan
Seat for the two Germanies. In turn, Worms was created a Metropolitan
See,forthesetwoprovinces,andMayencewasmadeasuffraganSeetoit. In
the time of Karoloman and of his brother Pippin, a bishop, named Geroldus,
or 23 ruled over the See of When the Saxons had dis- Ghewileib, Mayence.
conspicuous
for his
piety
and merits. In
early times, Mayence
a —
city was
turbed the peace of Thuringia, and when its people were obliged to appeal
for ai—d against their foes, Geroldus was required—according
usage tofurnishacontingentformilitaryservice,andwiththis,heappeared in the field, about a. d. 743. 24 During the heat of conflict, the Saxons rushed
19 See 1'Abbe
" Histoire Ecclesi-
tome
Fleury's
France," 2*
ii. ,
xi. , pp. 224, 225.
astique,"tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect. xlix. ,p. 309.
20 "
1 Corinthians, v. 5.
31 See Mabillon's " Annates Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, vi. , p. 128.
"
See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. ix. ,
p. 171.
23
See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
liv.
Such is the date given for this war, in
Annalibus Francorum. "
2* S—erarius has this Distich, in reference to
him
"Ense Geroldus obit Prsesul, dum de-
micat ense :
Perplacet ergo chorum, non adiisse
forum. "
:
to established
i74 LIVESOFTHEIRISHSAINTS. [June5.
in great force upon him, and Geroldus was slain. 2^ After death, he left a son, called Gewelib, 26 or Gervilio, who undertook to rule in his place, over the Church of Mayence. He is said to have lived a moral life, yet was he obliged, also, to take military service, and march against the Saxons. 2? Under the leadershipofKaroloman,botharmiesmetonthebanksoftheWeser. 28 Here Gewelib learned, that the murderer of his father was on the opposite side. He then invited that man, to enter the river, and to hold a conference with him. Thisofferwasaccepted,when,upbraidinghimwiththeformercrime, Gewelib rushed upon that man with a drawn sword, and he fell dead in the water. This treacherous action roused the Saxons to commence the conflict immediately,buttheywereconqueredbyKaroloman. Soonafterwards,St. BonifaceenteredthecityofMayence. Therehewasmadeacquainted,with whathadhappened. Hethenappealedtotheking,andtootherbishops, about those scandals that had been permitted to prevail.
Before the middle of the eighth century, the fame of this wonderful shepherd of Christ's flock was spread over Christendom. 2 ^ A synod was held at Mentz, in the year 745, or 746, and over this St. Boniface was called upon to preside,
byPopeZachary,inqualityofLegate3°oftheApostolicandRomanSee. 31 At this were assembled Bishops, Priests, Deacons and Clerics of every grade, called together by Karoloman. Influenced by the example of Boniface, the German Bishops had bound themselves by an express vow, that they would remain unto their life's end subject to the Roman Church, to St. Peter, and to his successors. 32 In this council, many salutary laws were framed, for the extir- pation of prevailing errors and disorders, as also for the promotion of religion anddiscipline,amongecclesiasticsandlaics. GervilioorGevilieb,recognised as bishop of Mayence, had been deposed from the episcopate, not alone because of irregularities permitted at the time of his promotion, but also on accountofthehomicidehehadcommitted. Thiswaschargedhomeagainst him, at the council, by Boniface, who added, that he had witnessed the frivolous habits of Gevileib's life, by amusing himself with birds and dogs,33 while the duties of his station should claim a bishop's chief care. When the sentence was pronounced, at first, Gewelib threatened an appeal to Rome; but, finding the authority of the council had also the support of the secular arm, he submitted. 34 This Gewelib made the best atonement he could, for past irregularities. Being admonished by St. Boniface, he consented to lead a regular life. As an earnest of this intention, Geweleib bestowed his pater- nalpropertyonthechurchofSt. Martin. 35 Hereceivedasabenefice,how- ever, the village and church—noticed as Caput-montis—at Spanesheim. He
resigned
the See and
of
parish Mayence,
into the hands of 6 from whom him,3
3° In his "Menologium Scotorum," Thomas
adiisse forum. "
36 He is called Gawielibis,
by
Othlo, and
Dempster's Legati. "
words are " a latere Apostolici
Gerulio, by Serarius.
37 This expedition is assigned to A. D. 745,
in " Annalibus Francorum. "
28 Such is the interpretation put on the word Wisuralia, in the Supplement to Willi- bald's Life of St. Boniface, by the Bollan- dist editor. It is probably intended for Visurgis, which rising in Franconia flows
through Saxony, receiving many other rivers on its course to the ocean.
*9 Thus do we find in the " Chronicon "
3I This Papal Epistle xi. , among those col- lected, is addressed to the different Bishops of Gaul and Germany,
33 See Leopold Ranke's " Ecclesiastical and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
33 Thisis statedbyOthlo.
3* See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
of Marianus Scotus, at A. D. 743 :
Sanctus
Bonifatius— clarus Moguntinus Archiepiscopus
3S This church seems to have been at Mayence.
3° We may interpret this person to have been King Karoloman.
habetur. " Pertz's"MonumentaGermanise
Historica," tomus v. , p. 547. Waitz's edi- tion.
"
siastique," pp. 305, 306.
ilii. ,
tome ix. , liv.
sect, xlviii. ,
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 1 7 i
he received them. The circumstances of that time had thus brought May- ence into greater prominence. The deposition of Gevilieb likewise, had directed attention to Boniface. By the election of the clergy and people, he
wascalledtopresideoverthatSee. HewasappointedArchbishopofMayence, by Pope Zachary, in the year 747, according to John of Trittenheim, 3 ? and this date agrees pretty fairly with the computation of the Benedictines. 38 After- wards, Gewileib lived in great retirement, at his own house, where he exercised hospitality; nor did he assist at any synod nor conference in public, save to
appear occasionally at the washing of feet on Holy Thursday. His devotions in the church were quietly conducted. Thus, he lived for fourteen years,
after his resignation ofthe bishopric. 3?
Nor did Boniface persuade the Germans alone, to acts of obe-
dience and reverence, towards the Holy See. The Bishops of Gaul
had hitherto maintained a certain independence of Rome, which it
became the influence of Boniface to counteract. 4° In the year 751,
the day before the Nones of November, Pope Zachary confirmed the
election of our saint, in accordance with the Frankish request preferred
to him. '*1 or Mentz was created an five Mayence Archiepiscopal See, having
suffragan Sees subject to it, these representing all the German nations. Boniface was also ranked as the Primate of all Germany. His jurisdiction
was extended, it is said, over thirteen bishoprics, viz. , Strasburg, Spire,
Worms, Cologne, Liege, Utrecht, Ausbourg, Wirtzburg, Buraburg, afterwards transferred to Paderborn, Erfort, Eichstat,—Constance and Coire/2
ThecityofMainz—astheGermanswriteit isdelightfullysituated,atthecon- fluence of the Rivers Rhine and Maine. It has been considered always an im- portantmilitaryposition,andit isregarded,asoneofthestrongesttownsinGer-
48 See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxii. , sect, iv. , pp. 127, 128.
49 See Leopold Ranke's "Ecclesiastical and Political History of the Popes of Rome," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 17.
5° His feast occurs, at the 26th of Octo- ber.
SI Such is the account given in the Supple- ment to the Life of St. Boniface, by Willi- bald, chap, ii. , num. 4.
s* Her feast occurs, at the 28th of Septem- ber. She presided over a convent at Bis- chofiheim, on the River Tauber, a town in the district of Baden, about 16 miles south- west of Wurzburg.
53 Also called Hadeloga, and she is vene* rated at the 15th of October. Her nunnery was near the River Maine, at a place called Chizzingim, or Kitzinga.
37 He states, that this appointment was "
received from Pope Gregory. See Catalo-
gus ScriptorumEcclesiasticorum," fol. Ii. , b. 38 See "Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , viii. Siecle, p. 94.
39 Such is the account given, in the Supple-
ment to Willibald's Life of St. Boniface,
cap. i. . sect. 1, 2, p. 473.
40 See Leopold Ranke's "Ecclesiastical
and Political History ofthe Popes of Rome,"
translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 16.
41 See Labbe's and Cossart's "Sacrosancta
Concilia," tomus vi. , Epistolaxiii. , col. 1527. 42 See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, lii. , p. 314.
43 See James Bell's "System of Geography, Popular and Scientific," &c, vol. i. , part ii. , chap, xv. , p. 373.
44 See Elisee Reclus' " Nouvelle Geogra- phie Universelle," tome hi. , liv. hi. , chap, iii. ,
sect, iii. , p. 593.
— 45—The exterior but
54
she is said to have been a niece of St. Boni-
the
tion of this choir is presented, in the affixed
face. She heim.
over a
presided nunneryat Heiden-
illustration, taken from a local photograph ; the view has been drawn on the wood, by William F. Wakeman. The engraving is by
Mrs. Millard. 4"
5S See Bishop Challenor's "Britannia Sancta," part i. , p. 342.
s 6 This is classed 19, amonglhe collected Epistles of St. Boniiace, and it is placed
only
upper por-
See Les Petits Bollandistes, Vies des under the year indicated, by Mabillon, in Saints," tome vi. , ve Jour de Juin, p. 462. "Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. ,
47 He is called " Scotus genere," by lib. xii. , sect, xvii. , p. 135.
Mabillon, and his feast occurs, on the 5th of 57 These bishops were eight in number, J u ty- and among them are named Wera, Burchar-
She is venerated at the 1st of May, and
176 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
many. Thecathedraloccupiesacentralplaceinthecity,butgoodexteriorviews of it can hardly be obtained, owing to narrow streets and passages blocking
the approaches. The building itself is of majestic and extensive proportions,-^ standing on the remains of a more ancient church of the tenth century. The general features of the present structure—completed about the year 1340—are
Choir of Maintz Cathedral.
people in the future. To this end, wise statutes were promulgated. On some occasions, as Boniface presided at Synods, he availed himself of such oppor- tunities to bring this western portion of the Frankish Church into religious obedience. In that Synodat Soissons, a. d. 744, he had sought the Pallium from Pope Zachary, for three Gallic Archbishops, Grimon of Rouen, Abel,*? of Rheims, and Harbert of Sens. In reply, the Pope observes, that Boniface had only sought one Pallium for Grimon, the others named having been passed over, owing probably to a change of circumstances. *8 The submissiveness of the ecclesiastical authority, which had characterized the Anglo-Saxons, ex- tended itself likewise over the whole Frankish empire, w Bonilace had charge
dus, Warberthus, Abel and Willibald. They some years after, he also came to an unhappy had shortly before assembled together, end. "—Bishop Challoner's "Britannia
in a Synod—the place where it was held being unknown.
s8 At a. d. 716, there is an account of the
Sancta," part i. , p. 343.
60
This is numbered Epistola viii. in a collection of his Epistles.
61 See a account of in very complete him,
Capefigue's "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap,
'
death of both, in "The Saxon edited by Rev. J. Ingram, p. 62.
««
59
Ethelbald, we know not ; certain it is, that
What effect this letter had upon King
vi. , pp. 91 to 116. 63 "
Chronicle,"
Byzantine in style. ** The cathedral of May- ence has within many
and narrow arches of Norman style, on
either side of the nave and side aisles. Theseare terminated,
by a fine choir, ex- tending behind the high altar. *s The aisles are filled with the tombs of former bishops and persons of great distinction. Several altars are within the cathedral.
Already St. Boni- face had converted in Germany a hundred thousand souls. 46 The love and service of Christ were thus greatly promoted, and Boniface desired to advance, not only the spiritual interests of his own subjects, but even to provide for the wants of its
high shaped
Eginhard's Vita Caroli Iinperatoris
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 177
of the eastern Franks, of the Bavarians, of the Saxons, and of the Sclaves ; so that, like a good shepherd of souls, he resolved to select for them the best guides. Age had now told on the holy man, and knowing that he should provide a pastoral magistracy for his extensive jurisdiction, whether during his lifetime, or after his death; he seriously turned his attention to this matter, so that he might select duly qualified bishops. Boniface consecrated St. Witta,5° an Irishman, and appointed him to be Bishop of Buriburg or Bura- burg, near Paderborn, in Westphalia. Beyond the Weser, and towards the east of it, at that time, there was only one missionary, named Winfrid, son to Wart, a relation of our saint, on the father's side, and whose mother belonged to a Thuringian family. 51 Wherefore, also, Boniface had sent for some conse- crated virgins, from the famous monastery of Winburn, in England, to train up hisfemaleconverts,inreligiousdiscipline. This,St. Lioba,52St. Tecla,"and St. Walburgh,54 happily effected. 55 About the year 747,56 St. Boniface, with his fellow-Bishops,57 wrote a letter yet extant, to Ethelbald, King of the Mer- cians. In this, the king was praised for his generosity, for his love for order, peace and justice, in the state ; but, he was charitably admonished, regarding the irregularities of his life ; and that, while abstaining from lawful marriage, he was defiled with unlawful lusts ; not sparing even virgins consecrated to God. He threatens Divine judgments, while he cites pagan laws, to restrain the monarch. His bad example was followed by too many of the Mercian nobles, tothegreatdishonourofGod,andcausingagreatdestructionofsouls. The English nation had a bad repute, as a consequence, in France and Italy. Wherefore, the letter earnestly exhorts him to repentance and amendment, lest otherwise the justice of God might overtake him unrepenting, as it had done his predecessor, King Ceolred, as also, Osred,58 King of the Northumbrians ; as both were hurried away by a violent death in the midst of their sins. 5 ? In a letter ^ written to Ecbert, Archbishop of York, Boniface sent to England for the works of Venerable Bede, whom he calls the Lamp of the Church, while he thanks that prelate for other books, which had been forwarded to him. Heentreatsthearchbishop,toreadoverandtocorrect,whateverhe finds defective, in his Epistle to Ethelbald.
Meantime, Prince Carloman having retired from the world, a. d. 747, to the monastery of Monte Casino, Pepin his brother was chosen by the nobles as King of France. 61 At this time, he had a son named Charles, destined in atter time to be known as 62 and to become a honour
Charlemagne, great
to that country. Notwithstanding Childeric III. having been nominal king, and that the nobles had a natural regard for this scion of the house of
Clovis; yet,hisfoolishnessbecamesoapparent,thatPepin,whosecourage in war and whose wisdom as an administrator were highly esteemed, was desired by the people as their real ruler. He proposed, that they should con- sult Pope Zachary, as to whether their oath of fealty was binding or not, under the existing circumstances. The Pontiff replied, by counselling them to abandon their fatuous king, and to elect him who exercised royal func- tions, with the power so manifestly proved to discharge them. Wherefore, Pepin was unanimously accepted as king, and with his election closed the the Merovingian rule. The commencement of the second race of kings,
63 was then established. The circumstances of dethroning Childeric, and of Pepin's election, are so variously related by
was the earliest written biography of this re- liv. i. , col. 1 186.
nowned Monarch, and that on which nearly 6A This is stated, and with great appear-
all succeeding Lives of him have been ance of truth, byEckhard, in his "Commen-
the
designated Carlovingian,
based.
63
See Bossuet's "(Euvres Completes," tome x. , Abrege de l'Histoire de France,
taria de Rebus Franciae Orientalis et Episco-
patus Wirceburgensis,"tomus ii. Wirceburgi, 1729.
M
178 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
different writers, that the true history is very obscure. However, it seems, that St. Boniface had no share in this revolution, nor was he even pleased withit. 6* Likehisbrother,PepinwasanxioustoservetheChurch,andto enforce her decrees within his sovereignty. This knowledge having reached Pope Zachary, he resolved on paying a special mark of his regard, by a decree, that elevation to the sovereignty of France, should be signalized by a func- tionofaverypublicandsolemncharacter. ^ AtanationalAssemblycon- vokedatSoissons,a. d. 752,PepinhadbeenelectedKingofFrance. 66 How- ever, having various and powerful enemies to contend against, his great valour was equal to the opposition he had to encounter, while his judgment as a statesman afforded better resources and assured his success.
In the year 751, Boniface had sent the priest Lullus, with a letter to Pope ZacharydescribingFulda,andhisownactioninreferencetoit. Heintended this as a place—with the Sovereign Pontiffs permission—which should become his home, when retiring from the world in his old age. He also declared, he
6
wished to repose there after his death. ? In return, Zachary wrote to him, accord-
ing the usual privileges of a monastery to Fulda ; while, in another letter, the
Pope exempted it from the jurisdiction of every other bishop, save him who governed the Universal Church. 68 This Pope did not long survive, for he died on the 14th of March, a. d. 752; when the Roman people elected as his successor one Stephen, who was brought to the Lateran palace, but having
61
departed this life three days afterwards, ? without being duly constituted
Sovereign Pontiff, he is not usually classed among the Popes. However, Stephen II. 70 succeeded, in the same year, and his government of the Church continuedtoa. d. 757. 7I WhenBonifacehadbeenrecognisedasArchbishop, his fame for sanctity and learning soon spread abroad. As Primate of all Ger-
many, and as Papal Legate for Gaul and Germany, by direction of the Sovereign Pontiff, Boniface consecrated Pepin le Bref, King of the Franks, in 751 or 752. 7* This was the three hundred and thirty-second year, after the establishment of
the French monarchy. The ceremony was performed at Soissons," with great rejoicing,severalnoblesandbishopsassisting. AlthoughopposedbyGrifon and Astolphe, King of the Lombards, as also by the revolted Saxons, Pepin's authority was soon respected, and his power was recognised. Marching against the latter foes, he vanquished them, and they were compelled to pay him an annual tribute in horses. ? * Grifon was killed, in 752," or 753 ? 6 among the Alps, which he desired to cross over, on his way to join Astolfe, King of the Lombards. The latter had marched against Rome, and this city, being invested by his army, was summoned to acknowledge him as
's At A. D. 750, in the "Chronicon" of toire Ecclesiastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. ,
Marianus Scotus, we read " de- sect, lvii. ,
: Pipinus creto Zacharise aBonifatioMoguntinoArchie- piscopo unguitur (sic) in imperatorem, et deinde ob id —secundus habetur
p. 323.
^ According to Anastasius.
7° By some writers he is called Stephen III.
post Papam
episcopus Moguntinus. " Pertz's "Monu-
See Sir Harris Nicolas'
"
of
menta Germanise Historica," tomus v. , p. 547. Waitz's edition.
** u
See Guizot's Essais sur l'Histoire de
France," Troisieme Essai, p. 78.
*i See Epistles of St. Boniface, Epist.
xii. Also, the account of Browerus, regarding the foundation of this monastery, in " Fvl- densivm Antiqvitatvm," lib. i. , cap. i. toiv. ,
pp. I to 19.
68 No priest could then celebrate Mass
without the express permission of the abbot. This is the first example of such anexemp- tion, known to the Abbe Fleury. See "His-
History," p. 211.
7'
"
See Berti's
Ecclesiastic* Historiae Breviarium," Seculum viii. , cap. i. , p. 189.
7*See "Histoire Literaire de la France," tome iv. , viii. Siecle, p. 94.
" See Les Petits Bollandistes, " Vies des Saints," tome vi. , v* Jour de Juin, p. 462.
" See Bossuet's CEuvres Completes," tome x. , Abrege de l'Histoire de France," liv. ii. , col. 1 187.
« See " Chronicon" Mariani Scotti,
Waitz's edition. Pertz's " Monumenta Ger-
mania: Historica," tomus v. , p. 547.
6
* See Henri Martin's "Histoire de
Chronology
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 179
lawful sovereign. However, Pope Stephen II. , failing to mollify the rapacity of this opponent, travelled onwards to France in 753,77 and had recourse for protection to his friend, King Pepin, who remained master of the situation. He soon crossed the Alps, and compelled the Lombard king, after a weak
CHAPTER V.
DECISION OF POPE ZACHARY REGARDING THE FORM OF BAPTISM—LITERARY COMPOSI- TIONS AND CORRESPONDENCE OF ST. BONIFACE—HIS RELATIONS WITH THE SEE OF UTRECHT—HE DEPARTS AGAIN FROM MAYENCE FOR FRISIA—HIS MARTYRDOM AND THAT OF HIS COMPANIONS THERE—TRANSLATION OF HIS RELICS TO FULDA— MIRACLES, MEMORIALS, RELICS AND CALENDAR CELEBRATIONS, REFERRING TO THE HOLY ARCHBISHOP—CONCLUSION.
Under the direction of Boniface, several indefatigable bishops and priests
to sue for an
ever, again took arms, and once more invested Rome. But, a second expedi- tion of Pepin was not less fortunate than the first ; Rome was again saved, while Astolphus was taught lessons of justice and sincerity, through the scourge of a foreign monarch. ? ?
resistance,
ignominious peace. ?
laboured,
in
spreading
the —seed
Gospel throughout Germany.
Among
them
1
of Carinthia and Sidonius.
