with the Frisons and Saxons, whom he had subdued, the
Saracens
began to invade France.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v6
3
Benedicti," toraus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xv. ,
p. 93.
32 Venerated on the 29th of June.
33 He departed this life, A. D. 747, and he
is venerated as a saint, on the 13th of
August.
lib. v.
36 See l'Abbe " Histoire Eccle- Fleury's
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xx. , p. 256.
» According to Matthew of Westminster,
he was consecrated a. d. 735, and he received
34 In Hesse, also called Amcenaburg. the Pallium in the following year. See
See Jules Zeller's
"
Histoire d'Allemagne,"
"FloresHistoriarum," p. 270.
38 She is supposed to have been one so
named, who ruled over the nunnery of Win- burn, in Wessex.
39 It is numbered 44, in the Serarius col-
tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii. , sect, hi. , p.
394.
35 He was the son of Theodon, and his
reign was from a. d. 730 to 739, accord-
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163 a return from Boniface. There is also extant a letter 4t of Sigebald, King of
42 that he offers Wessex, stating,
at Mass for our who seems saint,
upprayers
to have engaged his various correspondents to render him such a service. 4^
Another letter from Aelbualde, King of the East Angles, manifests the same communion of prayer. It states, that the king writes in his own name, and in that of all the monasteries in the kingdom. Ethelbert, King of Kent,4* mentions the Abbess Bugga, who sends him a silver vessel and some other presents ; while, he asks in return for two falcons, since none so good as those in Germany could be found in his own kingdom. 4s In the year 736, Saints Willibrord and Boniface consecrated as Abbesses two holy virgins, Harlindis and Reinula, for Belgic Gaul, where they founded a convent of the Benedic- tine Order, at a place called Eika, between Meastrich and Ruremonde. 46
The City of Rome.
As he advanced in years, so did the labours of Boniface increase. He had already built several churches in Hesse and Thuringia, while he provided them with zealous pastors. He now earnestly wished to hold a conference with the reigning Sovereign Pontiff, and accordingly, he made a third journey to Rome,4? accompanied by a band of disciples, in the year 738. He was most
lection of Epistoloe Bonifacianae. 733. See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. 40 The See of this Anglo-Saxon bishop Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xix. ,
does not seem to be known.
41 This in numbered 49, in the collection
of Epistolse Bonifacianas.
p. 95.
44 He reigned over this kingdom from A. D.
749 to 759, the year of his death. See John
" of Great Britaine," book Speed's History
vii. , chap. 5, pp. 298, 299.
42 This state
became one of the
gradually
most powerful of the old provinces, incor-
rectly called the Saxon Heptarchy. See
4 " Histoire Eccle- SSee l'Abbe Fleury's
Edward A. Freeman's "
man Conquest of England," vol. i. , chap, ii. ,
sect, i. , pp. 22, 23, and sect, ii. , pp. 33 to 35-
43 Both of these Epistles were written in
tome ix. , liv. , xlii. , sect, xx. , pp.
History
of the Nor-
siastique,"
258, 259.
46 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xxxv. , p. 102.
1 64 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [Jun e 5 .
benignantly received by Pope Gregory III. , while the Romans and strangers in the Eternal City held him in great veneration. Not alone the Franks, the Bavarians, and the Saxons from Britain, flocked to hear his preaching, but
also the inhabitants of other provinces.
While here, too, he engaged some
priests
spent
greater part
year,
to serve his German mission. *8 He
the
of a
in Rome ; and he visited various churches, containing relics of the saints. At this time, Boniface was about sixty years of age. He wrote an account of his journey and of his interview with the Pope, intimating that he should be delayed in Rome, until an approaching council had been held. 40 However, he resolved on taking leave of the Pope, in 739, for the scenes of his former and future labours. 50 He received in and sacred relics.
gifts parting, especially
Then, travelling through Italy, Boniface entered the walls otTurin city, where dwelt Liodbrand, King of the Lombards. Now, worn with advancing age and great labours, he there took a little rest. He was the bearer of three different letters ; one of these recommended him to all bishops and abbots, who were exhorted to furnish him with labourers for his mission. The second of these letters was addressed to the newly-converted people of Germany, who were implored to be docile to the instructions of Boniface, and to receive favourably
those bishops and priests he should ordain, through faculties granted him by
the Pope. In this letter are mentioned the Thuringians, the Hessians, and other
barbarous people, who lived eastwards from the Rhine. Those who had been
baptized are warned against the damnation they should incur, by transgress-
ing the Canons of the Church ; or by resorting to pagan superstitions, such as sacrifices to the dead, or to woods, or to fountains. He forbids divinations
or sorceries, enchantments or auguries, as also various other malpractices of those rude nations. The third letter was addressed to the Bishops of Bavaria
and of Germany, viz. , Virgnon of Ausburg, Luidon of Spire, Rudolt or Rudolf of Constance, Vivilon of Lorch or of Passau, and Adda or Heddon ol
Strasburg. The Pope exhorts these bishops, to receive Boniface courteously, and to profit by his instructions ; to reject all heretics and false bishops, no matter from what quarter they might come—especially Bretons—and to deliver their people from the remains of pagan superstitions. They were recommended to hold a council at Augsburg, near the Danube, or in what- everplacebestsuitedtheinclinationsofBoniface. 51 DepartingfromTurin,he went among the people of Bohemia,52 where Duke Odilo or Utilo had suc- ceeded Hubert, about the year 739. Here, Boniface preached the word of God with great fruit, for several days. He had many perverse and irregular ecclesiastics and disorders to overcome; while one of his most painful duties was to chase several seducers of the people, who falsely represented themselves
as bishops and priests. Through divers pretexts, these had perverted a great number among the faithful, and had scandalized them, owing to the laxity of their morals. With consent of Duke Odilon, he divided that nation subject to him, into four dioceses. Boniface now settled the churches of Bavaria upon a solid basis. He corrected various abuses and errors. He also established three new Bishoprics, in that kingdom : one at Saltzbourg," over which he placedBishopJohn,5'* oneatFrisingen,overwhichwasBishopErembrecht,55
4? The accompanying illustration of Rome was drawn on the wood from an approved
5° See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , p. 94.
Sl See 1 Abbe " Histoire Eccle- Fleury's
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxi. , pp. 159, 160.
William F. and it was Wakeman,
view, by
engiaved by Mrs. Millard.
48 Among these may be noted his own re- latives, the brothers Willibald and Wuni- bald.
49 This is marked 27, in the collection Epistolse Bonifacianse.
s2 See "A Dictionary of Christian Biogra- phy," by Dr. William Smith and Henry Wace, vol. i. , p. 325.
——
S3 This See also called Juravia had
June 5 . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 165
intend to bear, for their souls. "
6 over which Goibald S7 or Garibald
and one at
bishopric before established was at Passau,58 over which Vivilo 5^ was con- stituted bishop.
These matters being happily disposed, and canonical rule having been
enforced in Bohemia, Boniface then eargerly sought the churches of his
own particular region, and there he wisely provided for the welfare of his spiritual children. Writing an account of what he had done in Bavaria to
the Pope, the Sovereign Pontiff soon replied, by felicitating Boniface on what
had been effected. This letter is dated the of 60 If Boni- 29th October, 739. .
face had doubts, regarding the ordination of certain bishops and priests there, he was recommended to ordain them anew, supposing them to be Catholics
and of good morals. The Pope urges on those, who had been validly baptized, thedutyofreceivingtheSacramentofConfirmation. Acertainbishop,called
Vivil, consecrated by the Pope, was to be corrected, if necessary, by Boniface. He is exhorted, likewise, to continue his vast labours, and to open the ways of God in those regions, where Catholics were scarce, and to seek those rough places, widely scattered, where the Faith of Christ had as yet not been suffi-
ciently preached. A hundred thousand people had been baptized, already, and were brought under the rule of Christ, through his labours, aided by the zeal of Charles, Prince of the Franks. That Boniface himself should preside over that council to be held near the Danube,61 was specially approved by the Pope. Byhisletters,Gregorydeclared,thathecouldnotsufficientlyreturn thanks to the Divine Majesty, for that blessing he had given to the seed of His word, so happily sown by Boniface. The Bavarian Synod, convoked by
the holy Archbishop in 740, contributed materially to strengthen ecclesiasti-
Ratisbon,s
ruled; while,
a fourth
cal 62 As the harvest of his labours was so organization.
the
man desired to send other labourers into the vineyard, so that the fold of Christ should not want shepherds. With consent of King Charles,63 St. Willibald, who was a man of most exemplary life, he made Bishop of Eich-
6* about the
He ordained his
worthy disciple,
St.
stad,
to become Bishop of Wurtzbourg, in Franconia f5 and, then bestowing on him a pastoral staff, he gave these instructions: "I entreat you, by the com- mon Lord of all, as you have undertaken so great a burden, that you give equal attention to your flock, and as much as I have hitherto borne, and
year 741.
66
Besides the wars6? which Charles Martel had been obliged to wage
6o
given—in the Third Volume of this work— Leon's reign, and in the Eighth Indiction.
been founded by St. Rupert, whose Life is
In the twenty-third year of the Emperor
at the 27th of March, Art. ii.
5 * He is set down as the seventh bishop of
Saltzburg, and he is said to have been vene- rated, at the 9th of May.
6l
Supposed to have been at Ratisbon.
See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church History," vol. ii. , Period Corbinian, appointed by Pope St. Gregory 2, Epoch i. , Part i. , chap, i. , p. 86. English
55 He was brother and successor to St.
II. , and whose feast is held, on the 8th of
September.
56 Also called Regime Civitas and Regens-
translation.
63 See Pertz's " Monumenta Germanise
Historica," tomus v. Bernold in his "Chro- "
nicon hasthedate746,atp. 417.
64InSt.
burg.
57AlsocalledGaibald. After
the
Ludger's
"VitaS. Pas- Gregorii,
giving
names of ten bishops, Wiguleus Hundius toris Ultrajectini," it is designated Epis-
places him as the first, who commenced the ordinary succession of bishops at Ratis-
bon
58 This is said to have been erected, by de-
sire of Odilo or Utilo.
59 At first, he was bishop of Laureacensis, which city was destroyed.
copatum quod nuncupatur in Hehstedi, in parte proxima nobis Baguariorum. "
«S About the year 741. ! f
66 See Supplement to the Life of St. Boni-
face, by Willibald, chap, ii. , num. 5.
67 See an account of these, in Henri Martin's " Histoire de France," tcme ii. ,
.
great,
Apostolic
Burchard,
See "A Dictionary of Christian Biography,"
vol. i. , p. 325.
02
"
1 66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 5.
with the Frisons and Saxons, whom he had subdued, the Saracens began to invade France. 68 They ascended the mouth of the Rhine and took
Austrasia,?
Pepin, buttohimwasdemisedasmall
8°or
appanage.
81 The
69 After a little
it was
and
were
Avignon, Marseilles, and many other cities, in the south of France. Abderame, who commanded the invading host, traversed Poitou, and marched against Tours,whenCharlesadvancedtomeethim. Asanguinaryengagementen- sued, in which the Saracen leader was killed. 70 Luitprand, King of the Lombards, also marched with his whole army to assist the Franks, so that the Saracens were obliged to relinquish all their southern conquests, and to
time,
but, returning two years subsequently, they got possession of Aries,
Avignon.
retaken,
they
repulsed ;
retreat from that country.
The signal victory of Charles Martel over the
from the Mahometan
When St. Willibrord had been Bishop of Utrecht for fifty vears, he passed out of this life, in the monastery of Epternac, which he had founded, and at a vene- rable old age. The year of his death has been variedly computed at 739,7* 740,73 741^ and 745. 74 This was a matter that caused great sorrow to Boniface, who tenderly loved his former co-labourer in the vineyard. Dadan was appointed to succeed, in the See of Utrecht—. No great interval elapsed, whe—n
in brief succession Pope Gregory III. 75 succeeded by Pope Zachary
and Charles Martel,77 Maire of the French Palace, had been called out of life. The latter left three sons, viz. : Prince Carloman, who was appointed King of
Saracens saved and France,
1
8 Prince
who was set over Neustria,70 and another son
probably Europe,
yoke. ?
Grifon,
Prince Carloman, recognised as Maire of Austrasia, was obliged to wage war with the Dukes of Bavaria and of Saxony, soon after his elevation to the thrcne. His brother Pepin was united with him in policy, and always acted
Grippo,
in concert, to repress their enemies.
was most anxious to second the "zeal of Boniface, in his efforts to spread the
Gospel, though
these
regions.
8* NosoonerdidSt. Boniface
learn,
that
Zachary
82
Successful in his campaign, Carloman
had been elevated to the Chair of St. Peter, than he wrote a letter of respect
andofsubmissiontothenewly-appointedSovereignPontiff. Inthiswashein-
formed, about the establishment of Wurtzburg, as the head See for Franconia,
orEastern of for andofErfortfor 8* He
France, Bouraburg Hesse, Thuringia,
liv. xi. ,pp. 179to186,andpp. 207,208. ChurchlastedtoA,D. 752. SeeSirHarris' 68 "
See an account of this invasion in Pere G. Daniel's " Histoire de France," tome i. , Thieri III. , pp. 472 to 477.
Nicholas Chronology of History," p. 211. "His death occurred on the 22nd of
his age. See L. —P. Anquetil's "Histoire Francorum Scriptores Coaetanei," &c, de France," Premiere Race dite des Mero-
69 See Andrea du Chesne's " Historic
tomus i. , Fredegarii Scholastici Chronicum, sect, cix. , p. 771.
7°SeeBossuet's"CEuvresCompletes,"tome x. Abregede l'Histoirede France, col. 1 185.
vingiens, sect, vi. , p. 56.
71 See Gibbon's "
chap, xlix. , p. 154, Smith's edition.
79 This division included, also, and Provence.
of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. vi. ,.
Burgundy
72 According to Pagi, in his
"
CriticaHis-
^ According to M. Capefigue, he was the son of a second wife, named Sonnichilde.
History
torico-Chronologica," tomus hi. , sect, xi. ,
" 8l
See "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap, v. , p. 88. ItwasformedfromportionsofNeustria, of Burgundy, and of Provence. See Henri Martin's •' Histoire de France," tome ii. ,
rable Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. v. , cap. xii.
" He died on the 10th of November, A. D.
741.
76 He was created Pope on the 19th of
November, a. d. 741, and his rule over the
pp. 237,238,onBaronius' AnnalesEcclesi- astici. "
73 According to Mabillon.
M According to Smith's edition ofVene-
" te"
October, A. D. 741, in the fifty-third year of
? 8
Suabia, and France beyond the Rhine or Thuringia.
This division included Allemannie or
liv. xi. , p. 216.
Portraits des Rois de France," p.
See
41. A Paris, 8vo, no date.
83 See Michaud, "
Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," &o, tome v. , Art.
Boniface (saint), p. 5.
"
** See Histoire Literaire de la France,"
Biographie
religious
7°
Jt-NE 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
prayed the Pope to confirm by decree the erection of these various Sees, and to assign their proper limits as dioceses. He declares, that Prince Carloman
urged him,to convoke a council, in that country subject to himself ; and he promised to aid in the re-establishment of canonical discipline, which had been deplorably infringed, through the action of several abandoned clerics andavariciouslaics. Hecomplainsregardingthedisuseofsynods,inthatpart of the Lord's vineyard ; and to revive a salutary practice, he desires to have in his possession the Pope's letters and the Canons. He consults the Holy Father on various points of discipline, which he reduces to five principal articles, and he also specifies some small presents transmitted to him. Zachary replied, that he approved of the three new Sees established; but, he signified to Boniface, that the Canons did not allow of bishoprics to be set up in small places. He also decreed, that following out the desire of Prince Carloman, a council might be convened, as it was a great means for discovering what sort of prelates the bishops were, and the chief opportunity afforded to know the priesthood. The Pope recommended, likewise, that in the council to be held, bishops, priests or deacons, guilty of immorality, or who had shed the blood of Christians or of pagans, or who had in any other way acted contrary to the Canons, should be deprived of ecclesiastical faculties. Meantime, the the Pope wrote to the three newly-appointed bishops, confirming their autho- rity. That Epistle to St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburg, is yet extant, and it forbids any but the Sovereign Pontiff's vicar to consecrate bishops. He wrote a letter, also, to Prince Carloman, but this has not been recovered.
By the authority of Pope Zachary, and with the assistance of the Princes Carloman and Pipin, St. Boniface held divers synods, to establish church discip- line. He reformed various abuses, as well in Germany, as in France. Over this latter kingdom, his influence likewise extended ; for, he was allowed to frame laws and institutes, which providedfor the establishment of morality among the clergy and laity. Prince Carloman issued an invitation, dated April 21st, a. d. 742, for the bishops of Germany to assemble in council. The place where it
8
was held is not known. s However, the following bishops of his kingdom
responded to that invitation, viz. : St. Boniface Archbishop, as also the
86 8? 88 8^ Dadan9° and J bishops Burchard, Reginfrid, Vitta, Willibald, Eddan,9
with their priests. They were asked for counsel, as to how God's holy laws could best be established, and ecclesiastical discipline be enforced ; while measures were to be taken, so that the people should not be led astray, as in times past, through the artifices of false priests. At this council, Canons were framed, to preserve morality among the clergy and laity, while various ques- tions of discipline were discussed and regulated. Boniface wrote an account of what took place at the council to the Pope, when Zachary in turn addressed all the Francs, in approval of what had been there decreed ; and, he promised, if they should observe all that their illustrious bishop urged on them, the pagan people must yield to them in this life, and that after victories here,
2
Much about the same time, a. d. 743, Cuthbert, Archbishop of Canterbury, sentlettersandpresentstoBoniface,throughadeacon,namedCunebert. Inre- turn,oursaintgaveanaccountofwhathadbeendecreedinthecouncil. 93 He
8? of Eichstadt. Bishop
5° of Utrecht. Bishop
they should have hereafter a happy and an endless reward. 9
tome
85 See "A
iv. , p. 94. Dictionary
of Christian
phy," by Dr. William Smith and Henry
Wace, vol. i. , p. 325.
9 See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
86
Bishop of Wurtzburg. Bishop of Cologne.
of
Bishop Buraburg.
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxxiv. ,
8 88
?
pp. 281 to 284.
« This is marked
Biogra-
s1 He was Bishop of Strasburg. 2
105,
in the Serarius
1 6 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[Junes.
adds, likewise, that resolving to guard the Catholic Faith to the end of their lives, as also union and submission to the Roman Church, the metropolitans had asked for the Pallium from the Holy See. This declaration forwarded to Rome was graciously received by the Pope and by the clergy. It had been decreed, that these Canons should be read each year in a council, and that the metropolitans should watch over the other bishops, so that they might care for the people's salvation. They were also to assemble the priests and abbots of their diocese, to recommend the observance of those decrees ; while they were to report each one to the council whatever abuse they found it difficult to correct, as Boniface himself was obliged to do, for the whole province, in virtueofhisoathtothePope. HeencouragesCuthbert,zealouslytoacquit himself of his religious obligations, as afflictions had come upon the Church, and to be ready if necessary to die in defence of its interests. He alludes to
sad abuses prevailing, in consequence of the great number of religious women, travelling as pilgrims from England to Rome, and he complains of the crimes or scandals which resulted in the cities of Lombardy and France, as a conse- quence. ^ Boniface also alludes to certain vanities of dress and luxurious ornaments, which began to appear in the monasteries ; while the violence of
kings and rulers had invaded the rights and possessions of religious, and required from all pastors vigilance and reclamation, in bringing them to a sense of their duty. 95
It is stated, that Pope Gregory III. had permitted Boniface to appoint a certain priest as his successor. Afterwards, the brother of this priest had killed an uncle of the Frankish Duke. According to the barbarous laws prevailing, all the relatives of the slain were permitted to take a like ven- geance on the murderer. Regarding this matter, our saint took care to consult Pope Zachary, who replied, that so long as Boniface lived, a bishop could not be chosen to fill his place, and that such a procedure should be contrary to all just rules. The Pope counsels him during his lifetime, to pray for a worthy successor, while at the hour of his approaching death, he might desig- nate in the presence of all the man chosen by him to succeed, so that he might visit Rome to be consecrated. However, the Pope remarks, that this favour, which should not be granted to any other bishop, was accorded to his extraordinary merits. A layman possessing great authority presented himself before Boniface, and he stated, that he had obtained from Pope Gregory permission to marry the widow of his uncle, who was besides related to him in the third degree of kindred, while even before her marriage, she had made a vow of chastity, and had taken the veil. Complaining to the
" In
of such excuse, to scandalize our ministry. " The Pope replies to this, in the following words : "God forbid we could believe our predecessor ever granted such a permission, since nothing comes from the Holy See, but what is con- formable to the sacred Canons. " With regard to certain superstitions, which were practised on the ist day of January, even near the Church of St. Peter, at Rome,theSovereignPontiffdeclares,thattheyshouldberegardedasdetestable, in the eyes of all Christians; that Pope Gregory his predecessor had condemned
such a mar- riage should be regarded as an abominable incest, but those ignorant and gross people, Germans, Bavarians and Franks, if they find any of these things we forbid practised at Rome, they state it is lawful, and they take advantage
Pope,
in reference to this
case,
Boniface
says,
my country,
collection Epistoloe Bonifacianx.
* St. Boniface had been consulted on the
menacing attitude of the Saracens against the Romans had been removed,
"
matter of undertaking a pilgrimage to Rorfie,
by the Abbess Bugga. However, he re- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxxv. , commends her to wait, at least until the pp. 2S4 to 2S6.
9S See l'Abbe Fleury's
Histoire Eccle-
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 169
theminadecree,ofwhichacopyhadbeensenttohimj andthat,whenit was sought to renew them on the day of his inauguration, he had also vigorously suppressed them. Boniface complained of certain immoral bishops
and priests among the Franks, who had been in Rome, and who reported, that the Pope had permitted them to exercise ecclesiastical functions, a matter which he could not suppose possible, as the Canons of the Church con- demned them. In this opinion, he was strengthened by Zachary, who desires himtoapplythecanonicallawsfortheircorrection; ashehadlearned,that the Apostolic See always traditionally observed the Church laws, and the maxims of the Fathers. If any new difficulties should arise, St. Boniface was encouraged to report these, and the Pope promised, he should endeavour to resolve them. He is recommended, to be courageous and to labour for God's sake, as a great reward awaited him, that prayers should be offered by the Pope for his success, that St. Peter should co-operate with him, while Boniface himself was dear to the heart of Zachary, who each day desired to seehim. Thisletterwaswritten,onthe1stofApril,a. d. 743. 96
In conformity with the first Canon of that German council, Prince Carloman —ther to meet at his of or Liftina —now Lestines in
St. Boniface there presided, with a
called ano
Heinault in either the year 743 or 745.
Accordingly,
3rd day
on the
of
a. d. 100 it assembled at Soissons. 101 744,
palace Liptina
bishop namedGeorge, and John Sacellaire, both of these representing the Pope.
Fourcanonsonlywereenactedinthiscouncil. Thefirstoftheseconfirmsthe
former council, the decrees of which, the bishops, counts and governors pro-
mised to observe ; all the clergy receiving the ancient canons, the
abbots and monks preserving the rule of St. Benedict. The second
canon had reference to ecclesiastical goods, and it modified certain
directions given, regarding the restoration which laics were bound to
make. s8 The third canon prohibits adulterous, incestuous and illicit
marriages,andanysaleofChristianslavestothepagans.
Benedicti," toraus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xv. ,
p. 93.
32 Venerated on the 29th of June.
33 He departed this life, A. D. 747, and he
is venerated as a saint, on the 13th of
August.
lib. v.
36 See l'Abbe " Histoire Eccle- Fleury's
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xx. , p. 256.
» According to Matthew of Westminster,
he was consecrated a. d. 735, and he received
34 In Hesse, also called Amcenaburg. the Pallium in the following year. See
See Jules Zeller's
"
Histoire d'Allemagne,"
"FloresHistoriarum," p. 270.
38 She is supposed to have been one so
named, who ruled over the nunnery of Win- burn, in Wessex.
39 It is numbered 44, in the Serarius col-
tome i. , liv. iii. , chap, vii. , sect, hi. , p.
394.
35 He was the son of Theodon, and his
reign was from a. d. 730 to 739, accord-
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 163 a return from Boniface. There is also extant a letter 4t of Sigebald, King of
42 that he offers Wessex, stating,
at Mass for our who seems saint,
upprayers
to have engaged his various correspondents to render him such a service. 4^
Another letter from Aelbualde, King of the East Angles, manifests the same communion of prayer. It states, that the king writes in his own name, and in that of all the monasteries in the kingdom. Ethelbert, King of Kent,4* mentions the Abbess Bugga, who sends him a silver vessel and some other presents ; while, he asks in return for two falcons, since none so good as those in Germany could be found in his own kingdom. 4s In the year 736, Saints Willibrord and Boniface consecrated as Abbesses two holy virgins, Harlindis and Reinula, for Belgic Gaul, where they founded a convent of the Benedic- tine Order, at a place called Eika, between Meastrich and Ruremonde. 46
The City of Rome.
As he advanced in years, so did the labours of Boniface increase. He had already built several churches in Hesse and Thuringia, while he provided them with zealous pastors. He now earnestly wished to hold a conference with the reigning Sovereign Pontiff, and accordingly, he made a third journey to Rome,4? accompanied by a band of disciples, in the year 738. He was most
lection of Epistoloe Bonifacianae. 733. See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S. 40 The See of this Anglo-Saxon bishop Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xix. ,
does not seem to be known.
41 This in numbered 49, in the collection
of Epistolse Bonifacianas.
p. 95.
44 He reigned over this kingdom from A. D.
749 to 759, the year of his death. See John
" of Great Britaine," book Speed's History
vii. , chap. 5, pp. 298, 299.
42 This state
became one of the
gradually
most powerful of the old provinces, incor-
rectly called the Saxon Heptarchy. See
4 " Histoire Eccle- SSee l'Abbe Fleury's
Edward A. Freeman's "
man Conquest of England," vol. i. , chap, ii. ,
sect, i. , pp. 22, 23, and sect, ii. , pp. 33 to 35-
43 Both of these Epistles were written in
tome ix. , liv. , xlii. , sect, xx. , pp.
History
of the Nor-
siastique,"
258, 259.
46 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xxi. , sect, xxxv. , p. 102.
1 64 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [Jun e 5 .
benignantly received by Pope Gregory III. , while the Romans and strangers in the Eternal City held him in great veneration. Not alone the Franks, the Bavarians, and the Saxons from Britain, flocked to hear his preaching, but
also the inhabitants of other provinces.
While here, too, he engaged some
priests
spent
greater part
year,
to serve his German mission. *8 He
the
of a
in Rome ; and he visited various churches, containing relics of the saints. At this time, Boniface was about sixty years of age. He wrote an account of his journey and of his interview with the Pope, intimating that he should be delayed in Rome, until an approaching council had been held. 40 However, he resolved on taking leave of the Pope, in 739, for the scenes of his former and future labours. 50 He received in and sacred relics.
gifts parting, especially
Then, travelling through Italy, Boniface entered the walls otTurin city, where dwelt Liodbrand, King of the Lombards. Now, worn with advancing age and great labours, he there took a little rest. He was the bearer of three different letters ; one of these recommended him to all bishops and abbots, who were exhorted to furnish him with labourers for his mission. The second of these letters was addressed to the newly-converted people of Germany, who were implored to be docile to the instructions of Boniface, and to receive favourably
those bishops and priests he should ordain, through faculties granted him by
the Pope. In this letter are mentioned the Thuringians, the Hessians, and other
barbarous people, who lived eastwards from the Rhine. Those who had been
baptized are warned against the damnation they should incur, by transgress-
ing the Canons of the Church ; or by resorting to pagan superstitions, such as sacrifices to the dead, or to woods, or to fountains. He forbids divinations
or sorceries, enchantments or auguries, as also various other malpractices of those rude nations. The third letter was addressed to the Bishops of Bavaria
and of Germany, viz. , Virgnon of Ausburg, Luidon of Spire, Rudolt or Rudolf of Constance, Vivilon of Lorch or of Passau, and Adda or Heddon ol
Strasburg. The Pope exhorts these bishops, to receive Boniface courteously, and to profit by his instructions ; to reject all heretics and false bishops, no matter from what quarter they might come—especially Bretons—and to deliver their people from the remains of pagan superstitions. They were recommended to hold a council at Augsburg, near the Danube, or in what- everplacebestsuitedtheinclinationsofBoniface. 51 DepartingfromTurin,he went among the people of Bohemia,52 where Duke Odilo or Utilo had suc- ceeded Hubert, about the year 739. Here, Boniface preached the word of God with great fruit, for several days. He had many perverse and irregular ecclesiastics and disorders to overcome; while one of his most painful duties was to chase several seducers of the people, who falsely represented themselves
as bishops and priests. Through divers pretexts, these had perverted a great number among the faithful, and had scandalized them, owing to the laxity of their morals. With consent of Duke Odilon, he divided that nation subject to him, into four dioceses. Boniface now settled the churches of Bavaria upon a solid basis. He corrected various abuses and errors. He also established three new Bishoprics, in that kingdom : one at Saltzbourg," over which he placedBishopJohn,5'* oneatFrisingen,overwhichwasBishopErembrecht,55
4? The accompanying illustration of Rome was drawn on the wood from an approved
5° See " Histoire Literaire de la France,"
tome iv. , p. 94.
Sl See 1 Abbe " Histoire Eccle- Fleury's
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxi. , pp. 159, 160.
William F. and it was Wakeman,
view, by
engiaved by Mrs. Millard.
48 Among these may be noted his own re- latives, the brothers Willibald and Wuni- bald.
49 This is marked 27, in the collection Epistolse Bonifacianse.
s2 See "A Dictionary of Christian Biogra- phy," by Dr. William Smith and Henry Wace, vol. i. , p. 325.
——
S3 This See also called Juravia had
June 5 . ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 165
intend to bear, for their souls. "
6 over which Goibald S7 or Garibald
and one at
bishopric before established was at Passau,58 over which Vivilo 5^ was con- stituted bishop.
These matters being happily disposed, and canonical rule having been
enforced in Bohemia, Boniface then eargerly sought the churches of his
own particular region, and there he wisely provided for the welfare of his spiritual children. Writing an account of what he had done in Bavaria to
the Pope, the Sovereign Pontiff soon replied, by felicitating Boniface on what
had been effected. This letter is dated the of 60 If Boni- 29th October, 739. .
face had doubts, regarding the ordination of certain bishops and priests there, he was recommended to ordain them anew, supposing them to be Catholics
and of good morals. The Pope urges on those, who had been validly baptized, thedutyofreceivingtheSacramentofConfirmation. Acertainbishop,called
Vivil, consecrated by the Pope, was to be corrected, if necessary, by Boniface. He is exhorted, likewise, to continue his vast labours, and to open the ways of God in those regions, where Catholics were scarce, and to seek those rough places, widely scattered, where the Faith of Christ had as yet not been suffi-
ciently preached. A hundred thousand people had been baptized, already, and were brought under the rule of Christ, through his labours, aided by the zeal of Charles, Prince of the Franks. That Boniface himself should preside over that council to be held near the Danube,61 was specially approved by the Pope. Byhisletters,Gregorydeclared,thathecouldnotsufficientlyreturn thanks to the Divine Majesty, for that blessing he had given to the seed of His word, so happily sown by Boniface. The Bavarian Synod, convoked by
the holy Archbishop in 740, contributed materially to strengthen ecclesiasti-
Ratisbon,s
ruled; while,
a fourth
cal 62 As the harvest of his labours was so organization.
the
man desired to send other labourers into the vineyard, so that the fold of Christ should not want shepherds. With consent of King Charles,63 St. Willibald, who was a man of most exemplary life, he made Bishop of Eich-
6* about the
He ordained his
worthy disciple,
St.
stad,
to become Bishop of Wurtzbourg, in Franconia f5 and, then bestowing on him a pastoral staff, he gave these instructions: "I entreat you, by the com- mon Lord of all, as you have undertaken so great a burden, that you give equal attention to your flock, and as much as I have hitherto borne, and
year 741.
66
Besides the wars6? which Charles Martel had been obliged to wage
6o
given—in the Third Volume of this work— Leon's reign, and in the Eighth Indiction.
been founded by St. Rupert, whose Life is
In the twenty-third year of the Emperor
at the 27th of March, Art. ii.
5 * He is set down as the seventh bishop of
Saltzburg, and he is said to have been vene- rated, at the 9th of May.
6l
Supposed to have been at Ratisbon.
See Rev. John Alzog's "Manual of Universal Church History," vol. ii. , Period Corbinian, appointed by Pope St. Gregory 2, Epoch i. , Part i. , chap, i. , p. 86. English
55 He was brother and successor to St.
II. , and whose feast is held, on the 8th of
September.
56 Also called Regime Civitas and Regens-
translation.
63 See Pertz's " Monumenta Germanise
Historica," tomus v. Bernold in his "Chro- "
nicon hasthedate746,atp. 417.
64InSt.
burg.
57AlsocalledGaibald. After
the
Ludger's
"VitaS. Pas- Gregorii,
giving
names of ten bishops, Wiguleus Hundius toris Ultrajectini," it is designated Epis-
places him as the first, who commenced the ordinary succession of bishops at Ratis-
bon
58 This is said to have been erected, by de-
sire of Odilo or Utilo.
59 At first, he was bishop of Laureacensis, which city was destroyed.
copatum quod nuncupatur in Hehstedi, in parte proxima nobis Baguariorum. "
«S About the year 741. ! f
66 See Supplement to the Life of St. Boni-
face, by Willibald, chap, ii. , num. 5.
67 See an account of these, in Henri Martin's " Histoire de France," tcme ii. ,
.
great,
Apostolic
Burchard,
See "A Dictionary of Christian Biography,"
vol. i. , p. 325.
02
"
1 66 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[June 5.
with the Frisons and Saxons, whom he had subdued, the Saracens began to invade France. 68 They ascended the mouth of the Rhine and took
Austrasia,?
Pepin, buttohimwasdemisedasmall
8°or
appanage.
81 The
69 After a little
it was
and
were
Avignon, Marseilles, and many other cities, in the south of France. Abderame, who commanded the invading host, traversed Poitou, and marched against Tours,whenCharlesadvancedtomeethim. Asanguinaryengagementen- sued, in which the Saracen leader was killed. 70 Luitprand, King of the Lombards, also marched with his whole army to assist the Franks, so that the Saracens were obliged to relinquish all their southern conquests, and to
time,
but, returning two years subsequently, they got possession of Aries,
Avignon.
retaken,
they
repulsed ;
retreat from that country.
The signal victory of Charles Martel over the
from the Mahometan
When St. Willibrord had been Bishop of Utrecht for fifty vears, he passed out of this life, in the monastery of Epternac, which he had founded, and at a vene- rable old age. The year of his death has been variedly computed at 739,7* 740,73 741^ and 745. 74 This was a matter that caused great sorrow to Boniface, who tenderly loved his former co-labourer in the vineyard. Dadan was appointed to succeed, in the See of Utrecht—. No great interval elapsed, whe—n
in brief succession Pope Gregory III. 75 succeeded by Pope Zachary
and Charles Martel,77 Maire of the French Palace, had been called out of life. The latter left three sons, viz. : Prince Carloman, who was appointed King of
Saracens saved and France,
1
8 Prince
who was set over Neustria,70 and another son
probably Europe,
yoke. ?
Grifon,
Prince Carloman, recognised as Maire of Austrasia, was obliged to wage war with the Dukes of Bavaria and of Saxony, soon after his elevation to the thrcne. His brother Pepin was united with him in policy, and always acted
Grippo,
in concert, to repress their enemies.
was most anxious to second the "zeal of Boniface, in his efforts to spread the
Gospel, though
these
regions.
8* NosoonerdidSt. Boniface
learn,
that
Zachary
82
Successful in his campaign, Carloman
had been elevated to the Chair of St. Peter, than he wrote a letter of respect
andofsubmissiontothenewly-appointedSovereignPontiff. Inthiswashein-
formed, about the establishment of Wurtzburg, as the head See for Franconia,
orEastern of for andofErfortfor 8* He
France, Bouraburg Hesse, Thuringia,
liv. xi. ,pp. 179to186,andpp. 207,208. ChurchlastedtoA,D. 752. SeeSirHarris' 68 "
See an account of this invasion in Pere G. Daniel's " Histoire de France," tome i. , Thieri III. , pp. 472 to 477.
Nicholas Chronology of History," p. 211. "His death occurred on the 22nd of
his age. See L. —P. Anquetil's "Histoire Francorum Scriptores Coaetanei," &c, de France," Premiere Race dite des Mero-
69 See Andrea du Chesne's " Historic
tomus i. , Fredegarii Scholastici Chronicum, sect, cix. , p. 771.
7°SeeBossuet's"CEuvresCompletes,"tome x. Abregede l'Histoirede France, col. 1 185.
vingiens, sect, vi. , p. 56.
71 See Gibbon's "
chap, xlix. , p. 154, Smith's edition.
79 This division included, also, and Provence.
of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire," vol. vi. ,.
Burgundy
72 According to Pagi, in his
"
CriticaHis-
^ According to M. Capefigue, he was the son of a second wife, named Sonnichilde.
History
torico-Chronologica," tomus hi. , sect, xi. ,
" 8l
See "Charlemagne," tome i. , chap, v. , p. 88. ItwasformedfromportionsofNeustria, of Burgundy, and of Provence. See Henri Martin's •' Histoire de France," tome ii. ,
rable Bede's Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis
Anglorum," lib. v. , cap. xii.
" He died on the 10th of November, A. D.
741.
76 He was created Pope on the 19th of
November, a. d. 741, and his rule over the
pp. 237,238,onBaronius' AnnalesEcclesi- astici. "
73 According to Mabillon.
M According to Smith's edition ofVene-
" te"
October, A. D. 741, in the fifty-third year of
? 8
Suabia, and France beyond the Rhine or Thuringia.
This division included Allemannie or
liv. xi. , p. 216.
Portraits des Rois de France," p.
See
41. A Paris, 8vo, no date.
83 See Michaud, "
Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," &o, tome v. , Art.
Boniface (saint), p. 5.
"
** See Histoire Literaire de la France,"
Biographie
religious
7°
Jt-NE 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 167
prayed the Pope to confirm by decree the erection of these various Sees, and to assign their proper limits as dioceses. He declares, that Prince Carloman
urged him,to convoke a council, in that country subject to himself ; and he promised to aid in the re-establishment of canonical discipline, which had been deplorably infringed, through the action of several abandoned clerics andavariciouslaics. Hecomplainsregardingthedisuseofsynods,inthatpart of the Lord's vineyard ; and to revive a salutary practice, he desires to have in his possession the Pope's letters and the Canons. He consults the Holy Father on various points of discipline, which he reduces to five principal articles, and he also specifies some small presents transmitted to him. Zachary replied, that he approved of the three new Sees established; but, he signified to Boniface, that the Canons did not allow of bishoprics to be set up in small places. He also decreed, that following out the desire of Prince Carloman, a council might be convened, as it was a great means for discovering what sort of prelates the bishops were, and the chief opportunity afforded to know the priesthood. The Pope recommended, likewise, that in the council to be held, bishops, priests or deacons, guilty of immorality, or who had shed the blood of Christians or of pagans, or who had in any other way acted contrary to the Canons, should be deprived of ecclesiastical faculties. Meantime, the the Pope wrote to the three newly-appointed bishops, confirming their autho- rity. That Epistle to St. Burchard, Bishop of Wurtzburg, is yet extant, and it forbids any but the Sovereign Pontiff's vicar to consecrate bishops. He wrote a letter, also, to Prince Carloman, but this has not been recovered.
By the authority of Pope Zachary, and with the assistance of the Princes Carloman and Pipin, St. Boniface held divers synods, to establish church discip- line. He reformed various abuses, as well in Germany, as in France. Over this latter kingdom, his influence likewise extended ; for, he was allowed to frame laws and institutes, which providedfor the establishment of morality among the clergy and laity. Prince Carloman issued an invitation, dated April 21st, a. d. 742, for the bishops of Germany to assemble in council. The place where it
8
was held is not known. s However, the following bishops of his kingdom
responded to that invitation, viz. : St. Boniface Archbishop, as also the
86 8? 88 8^ Dadan9° and J bishops Burchard, Reginfrid, Vitta, Willibald, Eddan,9
with their priests. They were asked for counsel, as to how God's holy laws could best be established, and ecclesiastical discipline be enforced ; while measures were to be taken, so that the people should not be led astray, as in times past, through the artifices of false priests. At this council, Canons were framed, to preserve morality among the clergy and laity, while various ques- tions of discipline were discussed and regulated. Boniface wrote an account of what took place at the council to the Pope, when Zachary in turn addressed all the Francs, in approval of what had been there decreed ; and, he promised, if they should observe all that their illustrious bishop urged on them, the pagan people must yield to them in this life, and that after victories here,
2
Much about the same time, a. d. 743, Cuthbert, Archbishop of Canterbury, sentlettersandpresentstoBoniface,throughadeacon,namedCunebert. Inre- turn,oursaintgaveanaccountofwhathadbeendecreedinthecouncil. 93 He
8? of Eichstadt. Bishop
5° of Utrecht. Bishop
they should have hereafter a happy and an endless reward. 9
tome
85 See "A
iv. , p. 94. Dictionary
of Christian
phy," by Dr. William Smith and Henry
Wace, vol. i. , p. 325.
9 See l'Abbe Fleury's "Histoire Eccle-
86
Bishop of Wurtzburg. Bishop of Cologne.
of
Bishop Buraburg.
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxxiv. ,
8 88
?
pp. 281 to 284.
« This is marked
Biogra-
s1 He was Bishop of Strasburg. 2
105,
in the Serarius
1 6 8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS.
[Junes.
adds, likewise, that resolving to guard the Catholic Faith to the end of their lives, as also union and submission to the Roman Church, the metropolitans had asked for the Pallium from the Holy See. This declaration forwarded to Rome was graciously received by the Pope and by the clergy. It had been decreed, that these Canons should be read each year in a council, and that the metropolitans should watch over the other bishops, so that they might care for the people's salvation. They were also to assemble the priests and abbots of their diocese, to recommend the observance of those decrees ; while they were to report each one to the council whatever abuse they found it difficult to correct, as Boniface himself was obliged to do, for the whole province, in virtueofhisoathtothePope. HeencouragesCuthbert,zealouslytoacquit himself of his religious obligations, as afflictions had come upon the Church, and to be ready if necessary to die in defence of its interests. He alludes to
sad abuses prevailing, in consequence of the great number of religious women, travelling as pilgrims from England to Rome, and he complains of the crimes or scandals which resulted in the cities of Lombardy and France, as a conse- quence. ^ Boniface also alludes to certain vanities of dress and luxurious ornaments, which began to appear in the monasteries ; while the violence of
kings and rulers had invaded the rights and possessions of religious, and required from all pastors vigilance and reclamation, in bringing them to a sense of their duty. 95
It is stated, that Pope Gregory III. had permitted Boniface to appoint a certain priest as his successor. Afterwards, the brother of this priest had killed an uncle of the Frankish Duke. According to the barbarous laws prevailing, all the relatives of the slain were permitted to take a like ven- geance on the murderer. Regarding this matter, our saint took care to consult Pope Zachary, who replied, that so long as Boniface lived, a bishop could not be chosen to fill his place, and that such a procedure should be contrary to all just rules. The Pope counsels him during his lifetime, to pray for a worthy successor, while at the hour of his approaching death, he might desig- nate in the presence of all the man chosen by him to succeed, so that he might visit Rome to be consecrated. However, the Pope remarks, that this favour, which should not be granted to any other bishop, was accorded to his extraordinary merits. A layman possessing great authority presented himself before Boniface, and he stated, that he had obtained from Pope Gregory permission to marry the widow of his uncle, who was besides related to him in the third degree of kindred, while even before her marriage, she had made a vow of chastity, and had taken the veil. Complaining to the
" In
of such excuse, to scandalize our ministry. " The Pope replies to this, in the following words : "God forbid we could believe our predecessor ever granted such a permission, since nothing comes from the Holy See, but what is con- formable to the sacred Canons. " With regard to certain superstitions, which were practised on the ist day of January, even near the Church of St. Peter, at Rome,theSovereignPontiffdeclares,thattheyshouldberegardedasdetestable, in the eyes of all Christians; that Pope Gregory his predecessor had condemned
such a mar- riage should be regarded as an abominable incest, but those ignorant and gross people, Germans, Bavarians and Franks, if they find any of these things we forbid practised at Rome, they state it is lawful, and they take advantage
Pope,
in reference to this
case,
Boniface
says,
my country,
collection Epistoloe Bonifacianx.
* St. Boniface had been consulted on the
menacing attitude of the Saracens against the Romans had been removed,
"
matter of undertaking a pilgrimage to Rorfie,
by the Abbess Bugga. However, he re- siastique," tome ix. , liv. xlii. , sect, xxxv. , commends her to wait, at least until the pp. 2S4 to 2S6.
9S See l'Abbe Fleury's
Histoire Eccle-
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 169
theminadecree,ofwhichacopyhadbeensenttohimj andthat,whenit was sought to renew them on the day of his inauguration, he had also vigorously suppressed them. Boniface complained of certain immoral bishops
and priests among the Franks, who had been in Rome, and who reported, that the Pope had permitted them to exercise ecclesiastical functions, a matter which he could not suppose possible, as the Canons of the Church con- demned them. In this opinion, he was strengthened by Zachary, who desires himtoapplythecanonicallawsfortheircorrection; ashehadlearned,that the Apostolic See always traditionally observed the Church laws, and the maxims of the Fathers. If any new difficulties should arise, St. Boniface was encouraged to report these, and the Pope promised, he should endeavour to resolve them. He is recommended, to be courageous and to labour for God's sake, as a great reward awaited him, that prayers should be offered by the Pope for his success, that St. Peter should co-operate with him, while Boniface himself was dear to the heart of Zachary, who each day desired to seehim. Thisletterwaswritten,onthe1stofApril,a. d. 743. 96
In conformity with the first Canon of that German council, Prince Carloman —ther to meet at his of or Liftina —now Lestines in
St. Boniface there presided, with a
called ano
Heinault in either the year 743 or 745.
Accordingly,
3rd day
on the
of
a. d. 100 it assembled at Soissons. 101 744,
palace Liptina
bishop namedGeorge, and John Sacellaire, both of these representing the Pope.
Fourcanonsonlywereenactedinthiscouncil. Thefirstoftheseconfirmsthe
former council, the decrees of which, the bishops, counts and governors pro-
mised to observe ; all the clergy receiving the ancient canons, the
abbots and monks preserving the rule of St. Benedict. The second
canon had reference to ecclesiastical goods, and it modified certain
directions given, regarding the restoration which laics were bound to
make. s8 The third canon prohibits adulterous, incestuous and illicit
marriages,andanysaleofChristianslavestothepagans.
