3 This
heresiarch
was born about the
year 280, at Alexandria, and he died A.
year 280, at Alexandria, and he died A.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v8
i.
Also, some other writings are said to have been pro-
;
cap. 11 111. , pp. 36 to 41.
Pope St. Pius I. was Sovereign Pontiff that year, having sat in the chair of St. Peter
7 Cf
Regalt.
£y
c „-T'- tt gee
• r
5
rum hb.
1
4- a
1
» lib
•
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
1^
Popular Encyclopaedia,
fr 4
TJ^A ^
i
St. Elutherius only began his term of presi-
dencyA. D. WandhediedAD. 192 See
% 93 In HomiHa vi> in Lucam> Also ill
vi>> in Ezechchial.
94 See Dean H^Hart MillWs
57
h* C}}rono °gy 1S at however, as
Sir Hams Nicolas
Chronology
of His-
<«
History of Latin Christianity," vol. ii. ,
tor 20
. . .
'-
*rnv
Editio Homm&
I' P* 9' Tt
Book iv. , iii. , 226. chap, p.
ss The;e is ^ Jjust ^
for stati the
conversion of Lucius to be a mere j end as Dean Milman d
,5^ Venerable Bede>s -Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang&lorum," lib. i. ,
.
- "}* 1S said his original name in the old
British or Celtic Language was Lies after- wards Latmized Lucius, whether by the Romans among whom he lived or by sub- sequent writers, is not known. Gildas alludes to him, and quotes the following lines of an old British poet. They are thus rendered :-
"
orto
Antiquities
.
.
Inde patd Coylo succedit Lucius, ,
65.
. ,v
;
AngSloruin
.
i<} cap
.
iv pp> 40 4I<
»
See the ^^ or
9x
Conversations Lexicon," vol. ii. , 680. p
92 In his treatis c
jv &See'
.
Q 4I
Bishop' Stillingfleet's
of the British Churches," chap, ii. , pp. 60
to
pious request. ^
«
45*
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
have stated,*8 that Bran, the supposed grandfather of Caractacus, who flourished in the time of the Roman Emperor Claudius, had been a preacher of Christ among the Britons, but this account is manifestly fabulous.
Few particulars can be gleaned from the works of ancient writers regard- ing the subsequent history of the British Church. However, the Emperor
00
and having issued an Imperial Edict of persecution against the Christians, his subordinate in the station of Caesar, although abhorring the cruel policy
of enforcing apostacy from the Christian religion through the fear of torments, yet durst not refuse publication of that mandate, or prevent the inferior magistrates from indulging their private hatred against the enemies
Diocletian, having committed the government of Britain to Constantius,
of their 100
gods. Meanwhile,
101 he created
tion reached Britain, also, where many persons, with the constancy of martyrs, died in the confession of their faith. 102 Among these, the most celebrated was St. Alban,1Q3 the proto-martyr of Britain, a convert from paganism, owing to the holy example set before him, by a cleric, whom he had concealed in his house, and who was endeavouring thus to escape from the rage of persecution. Near the city of Verulam, called Uverlamacestir or Uverlingacestir in the time of Venerable Bede, St. Alban's martyrdom
10* on the 20th of in after times, several cures were June. There,
the
by army,
Maximian,
colleague
took
place wrought through
his intercession. 10*
Likewise,
Aaron Io6 and 10? who Julius,
when Diocletian had been elected
Emperor
in the Empire. Then Diocletian in the East and Maximian in the West carried on the Tenth General Persecution since the reign of Nero against the Christians. That was more continuous and bloody than all others pre- ceding it, having lasted for ten years, with the burning of churches, the slaughter of martyrs, and the outlawing of innocent persons. This persecu-
were citizens of Carleon, the former name for Chester, suffered for the Faith.
Many other persons of both sexes, after enduring sundry torments, yielded
their souls and bodies to earn the eternal reward. 108 The period of this persecution lias been referred to a. d. 305.
On the 25th of July, a. d. 306, Constantius died in Britain, leaving a son named Caius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Claudius Constantine, born
°»
See Triad 35.
99 He was surnamed Chlorus, owing to the
paleness of his complexion. He was born
about A. D. 250. He served with distinc-
tion under Aurelian, Probus and Diocletian.
In the year 291, he was made Caesar, and
appointed to rule the Gauls, Spain and martyrdom, the Rev. Jeremy Collier writes : Britain. He was obliged to repudiate his " As for St. Alban's miracles, being at- wife Helena, and to marry the daughter tested by authors of such antiquity and
of Maximian, the colleague of Diocletian. His rule in Britain was prudent and equi-
table. See " The English Cyclopaedia," Biography, vol. ii. , col. 367.
service regularly performed in his palace. "Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain," See Vita Constantini, cap. xxxiii. How- vol. i. , book i. , cent, iv. , p. 52.
106
ever, Pagi, in his commentaries on the His festival occurs on the 1st of July.
,0°
was a Christian, and had the Christian the Bible is to believe too little. "
According to Eusebius, Constantius
'•" ,0 Annates of Baronius, has shown the in-
7 His feast also is kept on the 1st of
correctness of such a statement, at A. D. 303.
101 This happened a. d. 286.
103 "
July.
108 See Venerable Bede's " Historia
See Venerable Bede's Hibtoria Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. vii. , pp. 44 to 53.
surnamed Herculius, his
cap. vn. , pp. 44,45,
103 The feast of this holy Martyr is kept
on the 22nd, and also on the 25th ofJune. 104 It was called, by the Saxons, Holm
Hurst, which signifies "a woody place. "
105 In relating the particulars of his
credit, I do not see why they should be
questioned. That miracles were wrought in the Church at this time of day is clear from the writings of the ancients. To suppose there are no miracles but those —in
August 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
of his first Helena,
a. d. 2 io9 Retained in the Court of Diocletian 74.
wife,
as a hostage when young, he was educated with the greatest care, After
Diocletian and Maximian had retired from the Government of the Roman Empire, Constantine fled to his father in Britain to escape the machinations of Galerius. On the death of his father, the soldiers in Britain elected him Emperor ; but, he prudently referred the nomination to Galerius, who would only acknowledge his rank as Csesar, while he was appointed governor of the provinces that had been so long administered by his father. He repelled the Frankish invasion of Gaul. Meanwhile, Maxentius, the son of Maximi- nian, raised a revolt in Rome to depose Galerius, and Maximinian re-assumed thetitleofEmperor. ThelatterproposedhisdaughterFaustaasawifefor Constantine, whom he met in Gaul. Afterwards, Constantine was acknow- ledgedasEmperoroftheWest. However,othercomplicationsarose,which caused no less than six Emperors and Caesars to contend for supremacy in the Roman Empire ; namely, Maximianus, Maxentius, Galerius, Constantine, MaximinusandLicinius. Atlength,GaleriusacknowledgedbothConstantine and Maximin as Emperors equal to himself. Maxentius contrived, however, to keep possession of Rome. Maximianus endeavoured to depose his son- in-law, Constantine, but he failed, was seized, and put to death. In the year 311, Galerius published an edict to stop the persecution of the Christians. " Soon afterwards, he died at Sardica, in Dacia. "1
Meanwhile, Maxentius, who governed Italy, was making preparations to attack the other Emperors, when in 312, Constantine moved with an army from Gaul to oppose him. Having defeated several bodies of the troops belonging to
miserably
Maxentius, and taken many Italian cities, Constantine approached Rome,
and then he had the remarkable vision of a cross in the heavens, with a
Greek inscription, which animated him in the coming battle. This took
place on the day following, the 29th of October. The troops of Maxentius under his personal command were drawn up on the right bank of
the Tiber, and a battle was fought, in which he was signally defeated. He was drowned, with many other fugitives, in seeking to escape over that river.
Afterwards, Constantine entered Rome in triumph. He was acknowledged Emperor by the Senate. In the year 313, Licinius came to Rome. Having married Constansia, the sister of Constantine, both he and Licinius were proclaimed Consuls. In July of that same year, the old Emperor Diocletian died at Salona.
Soon after his great victory at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine publicly declared himself a Christian ; and at Milan a. d. 313, in the joint names of Licinius and himself was issued a public edict of full and unlimited toleration for the exercise of the Christian as well as the Pagan worship. Moreover, the churches and property which had been confiscated, owing to the perse- cuting edicts of previous Roman Emperors, were restored, with compensation to theimperialtreasury; whentheyhadbeenalienated,thegrantswereresumed; when they had been purchased, the possessors were offered an indemnity, for their enforced and immediate surrender, from the State. The prefects were
*°9 It seems curious that by Venerable Emperors, Galerius, Constantine, and Lici-
:
Bede it is stated " Hie Constantinum filium nius. Maximinus II. who was in Asia is
ex concubina Helena creatum imperatorem not mentioned in it.
Galliarum reliquit : scribit autem Eutropius, IU See Rev. Dean Henry Hart Milman's quod Constantinus in Britannia creat—us " History of Latin Christianity, from the
Birth of Christ to the Abolition of
" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," in the Roman Empire," vol. ii. , book ii. ,
lib. i„ cap. viii. , pp. 54, 55. chap, ix. , pp. 227, 228. "°Thisdocumentbearsthenameofthree II2 See*'TheHistoryofChristianityfrom
imperator, patri in regnum successit. "
Paganism
460
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
112
to see such restitution carried into effect without chicanery and without delay. This toleration was all sufficient to ensure the triumph of Christianity, and the
gradual decline of paganism.
No sooner had the Church been secured in its religious liberties, than
internal commotions began to excite controversies on many subjects of dogma. The Gnostic and the Manichean sects, although professing to be
disciples of Christianity, yet maintained their own separate constitutions, priesthood and ceremonial. Donatus, a Numidian bishop, raised dissensions in the Church of Africa. Meanwhile, irreconcilable differences had occurred between Licinius, who favoured Paganism in the East, and Constantine, whose laws and practice were so favourable to the Christians. Open war was at length proclaimed between them. After the battle of Hadrianople, a. d. 323, and the naval victory of Crispus, the death of Licinius followed, thus reuniting the whole Roman world under the sceptre of Constantine. About
lx 11 this time, also, the errors of Arius, 3 who denied the Divinity of Christ, *
had spread largely throughout the Christian world, 115 and especially they had infected churches in the northern countries of Europe, and had reached even
116
to those of the islands.
A heresy which disturbed even more the orthodoxy of Britain was that
of 11 ? an dialectician and scholar. He was also Pelagius, accomplished
sustained by Celestius, a Scot, and by a disciple named Agricola. The
Roman Pontiff, or the bishops of Gaul—perhaps both—commissioned St.
Germanus of 118 and St. of to over into Britain, Auxerre, Lupus"? Troyes, pass
a. d. 429, and to support there by their zeal and learning the interests of
Catholicity. A Synod was convened at Verulam, when the supporters of the Church and of Pelagianism assembled, and where a public discussion
took place. The result was a triumphant victory for the orthodox prelates ;
while the people, applauding their eloquence and arguments, zealously resolved to receive their teaching and to observe their direction. 120 Another remark-
able Synod had been convened at Brevi, a. d. 519, in Cardiganshire, Wales, 121
where St. David appeared, and refuted the heresy of Pelagius, before a
vast multitude of chieftains and 122 The prelates, clergy, kings, people.
Gallic missionaries returned to their dioceses after that successful mission ;
but, no sooner had they departed, than the exploded opinions were preached with renewed activity. In consequence of this, the Bishop of Auxerre was obliged to return and to resume his functions, with St. Severus,123 bishop of Treves,in446. Theirlabourswerethencrownedwithcompletesuccess.
the Birth of Christ to the Abolition of
Paganism in the Roman Empire," by Dean Henry Hart Milman, U. D. , vol. ii. , book iii. , chap, i. , p. 291.
1.
3 This heresiarch was born about the
year 280, at Alexandria, and he died A. D.
336.
1. 4 The Council of Nice, assembled June
19th. A. D. 325, at which 318 bishops were present, with a great number of priests, deacons and acolytes. There was con- demned the heresy of Arius.
"s See Tillemont's " Memoirs pour servir a l'Histoire Ecclesiastique," tome vi.
1,4 Such is the statement of Venerable
Bede, and it may probably be inferred, that he meant the British islands. See u Historia
"7 He was born in Britain, about A. D. 330, and as a monk had spent several years
n Rome,
"8 His feast occurs on the 31st of July. "9 On the 7th and 29th ofJuly his festival
is celebrated.
,2° See Matthoei "Chronica Parisiensis,
«• See Le Comte de Montalembert," Les Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. x. ,
viii. , pp. 54, 55. chap, i. , p. 18.
Majora," vol. i. , pp. 185, 186. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A.
m His feast occurs on the 1st of March,
"2 See the Third Volume of this work, March 1st, Art. i. Life of St. David, Arch- bishop of Menevia, and Chief Patron of Wales, chap. v.
"3 His feast occurs on the 15th of October.
August 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 461
However, Pelagianism received its final stroke in the Synod held in 519. 124 Its errors then began to disappear, and soon they were completely eradicated from Britain. I2s
The Saxon invasion of Britain dates from a much earlier period than
I2
took place after the middle of the fifth century, 9 and are usually referred to
that time, when Marcian^ and Valentinian had succeeded to the Roman
has been 126 In the third generally supposed.
I27 the Saxons
its coasts,128 and it is even probable, that about such period, they began to form settlements in the Island. However, their more formidable descents
in vain
incursions of the Picts and Scots, who ravaged and plundered their country ;
then the Saxon sea-rovers, Hengist and Horsa, were invited by Wyrtgeorn
or Vortigern, king of the Britons, to support him against the invaders. Those
chiefs landed on the shore, at a place called Ypwines fleet, in three long
T2
ships or chiules. 3 However, the Saxons proved treacherous to him, after a
lapse of six years, and became ambitious to secure themselves in a state of independence. ^ Atfirstsuccessful,theBritonsatlength,underAmbrosius Aurelian,assembledtoopposethem. Intheyear455,abattlewasfought
Empire. Having
appealed
aid,
against Wyrtgeorn, at a place called ^Egelsthrep, now Aylesford. There 1
Horsa was slain, and the Saxons were defeated. **
Afterwards, Hengist
succeeded to the command, with JEsc, his son. The following year, both
fought against the Britons, at a place called Crecganford, now Crayford ;
and there four thousand men were slain. Then, the Britons forsook Kent, and fled to London in great terror. Over that province, the Saxons after- wards established complete dominion. In the year 466, another signal victory was obtained over the Welsh, by Hengist and his son ^Esc, near Wippedes fleets There twelve British aldormen or chiefs were slain ; while one of their Saxon thanes, named Wipped, was killed. Again, in 473, they fought another battle against the Welsh, and took countless booty ; while the conquered host, as we are told, fled from the Angles as from fire. 1 * 6
This series of successes was soon known to the adventurous Saxons, and
125 See Matthsei Parisiensis, "Chronica
Majora," vol. i. , p. 189. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A.
126 See John Mitchell Kemble, "The Sax-
ons in England," vol. i. , book i. , pp. I to 34.
127 Ptolemy, the Geographer, even speaks of them in the second century.
Mordred are mythical persons, whose very existence may be questioned, and whose adventures must be cl—assed with those of HerculesandRomulus. " Macaulay's"His- tory of England," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 6.
I3° He immediately succeeded Theodosius
the Younger, who died July 28th, A. n. 450.
128 to Flavius According
a
I31 In the of the twenty-third
Eutropius, Latin historian, who flourished about a. d.
reign
"
360. See Breviarium Historise Romanae,"
lib. ix. , cap. 13.
123 The first British writer who has
furnished an account of the Saxon invasion
is Gildas, who flourished about one hundred
Theodosius the Younger, a. d. 446.
years after it, yet he does not enter upon able Bede. Seeifo'd, cap. xv. , pp. 70, 71.
details in his History. Next to him comes
I33 The genealogy of Hengist and Horsa
is set forth in the " Historia " of Anglicana
Bartholomew de Cotton, Monk of Norwich, edited by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. ,
Venerable Bede, who relates a few only
par- ticularsof the invasion; but thiswriterhas fur- nished the basis for all subsequent accounts. However, the popular story of the conflicts between the Britoas and Saxons is chiefly
lib. ii. , pp. I, 2.
I34 See Henry of Huntingdon,
<4
Historian
derived from Geoffry of Monmouth, who Anglorum,"editedbyThomasArnold,M. A. ,
was born in 1 152, and whose history is little belterthanaromance. Toosweepingand pyrrhonic, however, is the statement of an
lib. ii. , sect. 2, 3, pp. 39 to 41. I3SSupposedtobeEbbsfleet.
I35 See the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," edited by Benjamin Thorpe, vol. ii. , pp. 11 to 13.
" Horsa,^Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and
eminent modern historian :
Hengist and
century,
ravaged
to the Romans for
1*1 to the repel
of See the letter to yEtius, in his third consulate, in
"
Venerable Bede's
Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , pp. 66, 67.
I32 This event is placed at A. D. by Vener-
Historia Ecclesiastiea
462 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
encouraged other adventurers to seek the country of the Britons. In the year
477, M\\z, with his three sons, Cymen, Wlencing, and Cissa, having three
1
ships, landed at a place named Cymenesora. *? There many Britons were
x
slain, and some sought refuge in the wood called Andredesleige. 3* In 485,
vElle fought against the Welsh, near the bank of Markredes burne. In
488, 2Esc succeeded to the Kentish throne, and for twenty-four years he
was king over that people. In 490, ^Elle and Cissa besieged Andredes-
x
ceaster, 39 and slaughtered all the Britons found in it. However, about this
time, the latter had an accomplished leader, named Ambrosius Aurelian, who obtained a signal victory over the Saxons at Bannesdown, near Bath, where
they lost a great many men. 1* In 495, two aldormen, Cerdic and Cynric,
his son, with five ships, landed at a place called Cerdices ora, or Charford.
On that same day, they fought against the Welsh,1*1 who had collected to
oppose them. From Cerdic the kings of the West Saxons afterwards
derived their descent. 1*3 In 501, a chief named Port, with his two sons in
two ships, came to Britain, and landed at Portsmouth. There likewise a
British noble was slain, and the Britons were routed after a severe engage-
1
ment. *^ In 508, Cerdic and Cynric were opposed by a British king, named
1
Natanleod. ** He, with five thousand men, perished in that battle. 145 After-
wards the land was called Natanlea, from him, and it extended to Cerdices ford or Charford. In 514, the West Saxons came to Britain in three ships, and landed at Cerdices ford. Stuf and 1 * 6 the Britons
and put them to flight. However, under the leadership of the renowned
King Arthur, in 516, the Britons obtained a great victory over their enemies
T
at Badon. 47 In 519, Cerdic and Cynric assumed to reign over the West
Saxons, and that same year they fought against the Britons at Cerdic's ford.
Afterwards, their dynasty was established among the West Saxons. In 527,
Cerdic and Cynric fought against the Britons at a place called Cerdices
18
leag. * Many were slain on both sides. Several adventurers came over
from
that same and East and Mercia. 1* In
Germany
T s° Cerdic and
year
occupied Anglia
534, Cerdic,
Majora," vol. i. , pp. 230, 231.
146 Matthew of Paris states, that they were
nephews of Cardie.
147 This " Bellum Badonis," is placed at
that date in the "Annates Cambrise," edited by Rev. John Williams ab Ithel, M. A. , p. 4.
,48 According to the Anglo-Saxon Chro- nicle, Henry of Huntingdon calls it Certices- ford.
I4' See Henry of Huntingdon, "Historiue Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 17, p. 48.
1S°
According
Chronicle. •$• Called Withgaresberi by Matthew of
,<a
Cynric Wihtgarasburh,
137 Supposed to be Shoreham.
138 See Henry of Huntingdon, " Historiae
Anglorum,'' lib. ii. , sect. 8, p. 44.
139 This city or fort was on the edge of the
great forest Anderida, which overspread a large portion of Hampshire and Sussex. By William Camden it has been- placed at
took
of the Island of and slew Wight,
53o,
many
the West Saxons, after a reign of eighteen years died, and Cynric, his son, succeeded. x5a He reigned for twenty-seven winters. They gave all the Island of Wight to their two nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar. In 537 followed
men at
possession
151 or Carisbrook. In
first of king
Newenden, in the marshy grounds of Kent, "
See Britannia," vol. i. , p. 258.
140 Gildas tells us, this battle was fought
the year in which he was horn, and forty-
four before he wrote his years
to the Chro- Anglo-Saxon
141
history.
According to the Anglo-Saxon nicle.
See Matthoei Parisiensis, "Chronica Paris, who places this event at A. D. 528.
Majora," vol. i. , p. 226.
143 See Henry of Huntingdon, " Historian
Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 12, p. 46.
144 According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
"
I52 See Henry of Huntingdon's Historic
Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 20, p. 50.
,53 Thus noted in "Annales Cambria?
;
cap. 11 111. , pp. 36 to 41.
Pope St. Pius I. was Sovereign Pontiff that year, having sat in the chair of St. Peter
7 Cf
Regalt.
£y
c „-T'- tt gee
• r
5
rum hb.
1
4- a
1
» lib
•
Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglo-
1^
Popular Encyclopaedia,
fr 4
TJ^A ^
i
St. Elutherius only began his term of presi-
dencyA. D. WandhediedAD. 192 See
% 93 In HomiHa vi> in Lucam> Also ill
vi>> in Ezechchial.
94 See Dean H^Hart MillWs
57
h* C}}rono °gy 1S at however, as
Sir Hams Nicolas
Chronology
of His-
<«
History of Latin Christianity," vol. ii. ,
tor 20
. . .
'-
*rnv
Editio Homm&
I' P* 9' Tt
Book iv. , iii. , 226. chap, p.
ss The;e is ^ Jjust ^
for stati the
conversion of Lucius to be a mere j end as Dean Milman d
,5^ Venerable Bede>s -Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Ang&lorum," lib. i. ,
.
- "}* 1S said his original name in the old
British or Celtic Language was Lies after- wards Latmized Lucius, whether by the Romans among whom he lived or by sub- sequent writers, is not known. Gildas alludes to him, and quotes the following lines of an old British poet. They are thus rendered :-
"
orto
Antiquities
.
.
Inde patd Coylo succedit Lucius, ,
65.
. ,v
;
AngSloruin
.
i<} cap
.
iv pp> 40 4I<
»
See the ^^ or
9x
Conversations Lexicon," vol. ii. , 680. p
92 In his treatis c
jv &See'
.
Q 4I
Bishop' Stillingfleet's
of the British Churches," chap, ii. , pp. 60
to
pious request. ^
«
45*
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
have stated,*8 that Bran, the supposed grandfather of Caractacus, who flourished in the time of the Roman Emperor Claudius, had been a preacher of Christ among the Britons, but this account is manifestly fabulous.
Few particulars can be gleaned from the works of ancient writers regard- ing the subsequent history of the British Church. However, the Emperor
00
and having issued an Imperial Edict of persecution against the Christians, his subordinate in the station of Caesar, although abhorring the cruel policy
of enforcing apostacy from the Christian religion through the fear of torments, yet durst not refuse publication of that mandate, or prevent the inferior magistrates from indulging their private hatred against the enemies
Diocletian, having committed the government of Britain to Constantius,
of their 100
gods. Meanwhile,
101 he created
tion reached Britain, also, where many persons, with the constancy of martyrs, died in the confession of their faith. 102 Among these, the most celebrated was St. Alban,1Q3 the proto-martyr of Britain, a convert from paganism, owing to the holy example set before him, by a cleric, whom he had concealed in his house, and who was endeavouring thus to escape from the rage of persecution. Near the city of Verulam, called Uverlamacestir or Uverlingacestir in the time of Venerable Bede, St. Alban's martyrdom
10* on the 20th of in after times, several cures were June. There,
the
by army,
Maximian,
colleague
took
place wrought through
his intercession. 10*
Likewise,
Aaron Io6 and 10? who Julius,
when Diocletian had been elected
Emperor
in the Empire. Then Diocletian in the East and Maximian in the West carried on the Tenth General Persecution since the reign of Nero against the Christians. That was more continuous and bloody than all others pre- ceding it, having lasted for ten years, with the burning of churches, the slaughter of martyrs, and the outlawing of innocent persons. This persecu-
were citizens of Carleon, the former name for Chester, suffered for the Faith.
Many other persons of both sexes, after enduring sundry torments, yielded
their souls and bodies to earn the eternal reward. 108 The period of this persecution lias been referred to a. d. 305.
On the 25th of July, a. d. 306, Constantius died in Britain, leaving a son named Caius Flavius Valerius Aurelius Claudius Constantine, born
°»
See Triad 35.
99 He was surnamed Chlorus, owing to the
paleness of his complexion. He was born
about A. D. 250. He served with distinc-
tion under Aurelian, Probus and Diocletian.
In the year 291, he was made Caesar, and
appointed to rule the Gauls, Spain and martyrdom, the Rev. Jeremy Collier writes : Britain. He was obliged to repudiate his " As for St. Alban's miracles, being at- wife Helena, and to marry the daughter tested by authors of such antiquity and
of Maximian, the colleague of Diocletian. His rule in Britain was prudent and equi-
table. See " The English Cyclopaedia," Biography, vol. ii. , col. 367.
service regularly performed in his palace. "Ecclesiastical History of Great Britain," See Vita Constantini, cap. xxxiii. How- vol. i. , book i. , cent, iv. , p. 52.
106
ever, Pagi, in his commentaries on the His festival occurs on the 1st of July.
,0°
was a Christian, and had the Christian the Bible is to believe too little. "
According to Eusebius, Constantius
'•" ,0 Annates of Baronius, has shown the in-
7 His feast also is kept on the 1st of
correctness of such a statement, at A. D. 303.
101 This happened a. d. 286.
103 "
July.
108 See Venerable Bede's " Historia
See Venerable Bede's Hibtoria Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. vii. , pp. 44 to 53.
surnamed Herculius, his
cap. vn. , pp. 44,45,
103 The feast of this holy Martyr is kept
on the 22nd, and also on the 25th ofJune. 104 It was called, by the Saxons, Holm
Hurst, which signifies "a woody place. "
105 In relating the particulars of his
credit, I do not see why they should be
questioned. That miracles were wrought in the Church at this time of day is clear from the writings of the ancients. To suppose there are no miracles but those —in
August 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 459
of his first Helena,
a. d. 2 io9 Retained in the Court of Diocletian 74.
wife,
as a hostage when young, he was educated with the greatest care, After
Diocletian and Maximian had retired from the Government of the Roman Empire, Constantine fled to his father in Britain to escape the machinations of Galerius. On the death of his father, the soldiers in Britain elected him Emperor ; but, he prudently referred the nomination to Galerius, who would only acknowledge his rank as Csesar, while he was appointed governor of the provinces that had been so long administered by his father. He repelled the Frankish invasion of Gaul. Meanwhile, Maxentius, the son of Maximi- nian, raised a revolt in Rome to depose Galerius, and Maximinian re-assumed thetitleofEmperor. ThelatterproposedhisdaughterFaustaasawifefor Constantine, whom he met in Gaul. Afterwards, Constantine was acknow- ledgedasEmperoroftheWest. However,othercomplicationsarose,which caused no less than six Emperors and Caesars to contend for supremacy in the Roman Empire ; namely, Maximianus, Maxentius, Galerius, Constantine, MaximinusandLicinius. Atlength,GaleriusacknowledgedbothConstantine and Maximin as Emperors equal to himself. Maxentius contrived, however, to keep possession of Rome. Maximianus endeavoured to depose his son- in-law, Constantine, but he failed, was seized, and put to death. In the year 311, Galerius published an edict to stop the persecution of the Christians. " Soon afterwards, he died at Sardica, in Dacia. "1
Meanwhile, Maxentius, who governed Italy, was making preparations to attack the other Emperors, when in 312, Constantine moved with an army from Gaul to oppose him. Having defeated several bodies of the troops belonging to
miserably
Maxentius, and taken many Italian cities, Constantine approached Rome,
and then he had the remarkable vision of a cross in the heavens, with a
Greek inscription, which animated him in the coming battle. This took
place on the day following, the 29th of October. The troops of Maxentius under his personal command were drawn up on the right bank of
the Tiber, and a battle was fought, in which he was signally defeated. He was drowned, with many other fugitives, in seeking to escape over that river.
Afterwards, Constantine entered Rome in triumph. He was acknowledged Emperor by the Senate. In the year 313, Licinius came to Rome. Having married Constansia, the sister of Constantine, both he and Licinius were proclaimed Consuls. In July of that same year, the old Emperor Diocletian died at Salona.
Soon after his great victory at the Milvian Bridge, Constantine publicly declared himself a Christian ; and at Milan a. d. 313, in the joint names of Licinius and himself was issued a public edict of full and unlimited toleration for the exercise of the Christian as well as the Pagan worship. Moreover, the churches and property which had been confiscated, owing to the perse- cuting edicts of previous Roman Emperors, were restored, with compensation to theimperialtreasury; whentheyhadbeenalienated,thegrantswereresumed; when they had been purchased, the possessors were offered an indemnity, for their enforced and immediate surrender, from the State. The prefects were
*°9 It seems curious that by Venerable Emperors, Galerius, Constantine, and Lici-
:
Bede it is stated " Hie Constantinum filium nius. Maximinus II. who was in Asia is
ex concubina Helena creatum imperatorem not mentioned in it.
Galliarum reliquit : scribit autem Eutropius, IU See Rev. Dean Henry Hart Milman's quod Constantinus in Britannia creat—us " History of Latin Christianity, from the
Birth of Christ to the Abolition of
" Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," in the Roman Empire," vol. ii. , book ii. ,
lib. i„ cap. viii. , pp. 54, 55. chap, ix. , pp. 227, 228. "°Thisdocumentbearsthenameofthree II2 See*'TheHistoryofChristianityfrom
imperator, patri in regnum successit. "
Paganism
460
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
112
to see such restitution carried into effect without chicanery and without delay. This toleration was all sufficient to ensure the triumph of Christianity, and the
gradual decline of paganism.
No sooner had the Church been secured in its religious liberties, than
internal commotions began to excite controversies on many subjects of dogma. The Gnostic and the Manichean sects, although professing to be
disciples of Christianity, yet maintained their own separate constitutions, priesthood and ceremonial. Donatus, a Numidian bishop, raised dissensions in the Church of Africa. Meanwhile, irreconcilable differences had occurred between Licinius, who favoured Paganism in the East, and Constantine, whose laws and practice were so favourable to the Christians. Open war was at length proclaimed between them. After the battle of Hadrianople, a. d. 323, and the naval victory of Crispus, the death of Licinius followed, thus reuniting the whole Roman world under the sceptre of Constantine. About
lx 11 this time, also, the errors of Arius, 3 who denied the Divinity of Christ, *
had spread largely throughout the Christian world, 115 and especially they had infected churches in the northern countries of Europe, and had reached even
116
to those of the islands.
A heresy which disturbed even more the orthodoxy of Britain was that
of 11 ? an dialectician and scholar. He was also Pelagius, accomplished
sustained by Celestius, a Scot, and by a disciple named Agricola. The
Roman Pontiff, or the bishops of Gaul—perhaps both—commissioned St.
Germanus of 118 and St. of to over into Britain, Auxerre, Lupus"? Troyes, pass
a. d. 429, and to support there by their zeal and learning the interests of
Catholicity. A Synod was convened at Verulam, when the supporters of the Church and of Pelagianism assembled, and where a public discussion
took place. The result was a triumphant victory for the orthodox prelates ;
while the people, applauding their eloquence and arguments, zealously resolved to receive their teaching and to observe their direction. 120 Another remark-
able Synod had been convened at Brevi, a. d. 519, in Cardiganshire, Wales, 121
where St. David appeared, and refuted the heresy of Pelagius, before a
vast multitude of chieftains and 122 The prelates, clergy, kings, people.
Gallic missionaries returned to their dioceses after that successful mission ;
but, no sooner had they departed, than the exploded opinions were preached with renewed activity. In consequence of this, the Bishop of Auxerre was obliged to return and to resume his functions, with St. Severus,123 bishop of Treves,in446. Theirlabourswerethencrownedwithcompletesuccess.
the Birth of Christ to the Abolition of
Paganism in the Roman Empire," by Dean Henry Hart Milman, U. D. , vol. ii. , book iii. , chap, i. , p. 291.
1.
3 This heresiarch was born about the
year 280, at Alexandria, and he died A. D.
336.
1. 4 The Council of Nice, assembled June
19th. A. D. 325, at which 318 bishops were present, with a great number of priests, deacons and acolytes. There was con- demned the heresy of Arius.
"s See Tillemont's " Memoirs pour servir a l'Histoire Ecclesiastique," tome vi.
1,4 Such is the statement of Venerable
Bede, and it may probably be inferred, that he meant the British islands. See u Historia
"7 He was born in Britain, about A. D. 330, and as a monk had spent several years
n Rome,
"8 His feast occurs on the 31st of July. "9 On the 7th and 29th ofJuly his festival
is celebrated.
,2° See Matthoei "Chronica Parisiensis,
«• See Le Comte de Montalembert," Les Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. Moines d'Occident," tome iii. , liv. x. ,
viii. , pp. 54, 55. chap, i. , p. 18.
Majora," vol. i. , pp. 185, 186. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A.
m His feast occurs on the 1st of March,
"2 See the Third Volume of this work, March 1st, Art. i. Life of St. David, Arch- bishop of Menevia, and Chief Patron of Wales, chap. v.
"3 His feast occurs on the 15th of October.
August 31. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 461
However, Pelagianism received its final stroke in the Synod held in 519. 124 Its errors then began to disappear, and soon they were completely eradicated from Britain. I2s
The Saxon invasion of Britain dates from a much earlier period than
I2
took place after the middle of the fifth century, 9 and are usually referred to
that time, when Marcian^ and Valentinian had succeeded to the Roman
has been 126 In the third generally supposed.
I27 the Saxons
its coasts,128 and it is even probable, that about such period, they began to form settlements in the Island. However, their more formidable descents
in vain
incursions of the Picts and Scots, who ravaged and plundered their country ;
then the Saxon sea-rovers, Hengist and Horsa, were invited by Wyrtgeorn
or Vortigern, king of the Britons, to support him against the invaders. Those
chiefs landed on the shore, at a place called Ypwines fleet, in three long
T2
ships or chiules. 3 However, the Saxons proved treacherous to him, after a
lapse of six years, and became ambitious to secure themselves in a state of independence. ^ Atfirstsuccessful,theBritonsatlength,underAmbrosius Aurelian,assembledtoopposethem. Intheyear455,abattlewasfought
Empire. Having
appealed
aid,
against Wyrtgeorn, at a place called ^Egelsthrep, now Aylesford. There 1
Horsa was slain, and the Saxons were defeated. **
Afterwards, Hengist
succeeded to the command, with JEsc, his son. The following year, both
fought against the Britons, at a place called Crecganford, now Crayford ;
and there four thousand men were slain. Then, the Britons forsook Kent, and fled to London in great terror. Over that province, the Saxons after- wards established complete dominion. In the year 466, another signal victory was obtained over the Welsh, by Hengist and his son ^Esc, near Wippedes fleets There twelve British aldormen or chiefs were slain ; while one of their Saxon thanes, named Wipped, was killed. Again, in 473, they fought another battle against the Welsh, and took countless booty ; while the conquered host, as we are told, fled from the Angles as from fire. 1 * 6
This series of successes was soon known to the adventurous Saxons, and
125 See Matthsei Parisiensis, "Chronica
Majora," vol. i. , p. 189. Edition of Henry Richards Luard, M. A.
126 See John Mitchell Kemble, "The Sax-
ons in England," vol. i. , book i. , pp. I to 34.
127 Ptolemy, the Geographer, even speaks of them in the second century.
Mordred are mythical persons, whose very existence may be questioned, and whose adventures must be cl—assed with those of HerculesandRomulus. " Macaulay's"His- tory of England," vol. i. , chap, i. , p. 6.
I3° He immediately succeeded Theodosius
the Younger, who died July 28th, A. n. 450.
128 to Flavius According
a
I31 In the of the twenty-third
Eutropius, Latin historian, who flourished about a. d.
reign
"
360. See Breviarium Historise Romanae,"
lib. ix. , cap. 13.
123 The first British writer who has
furnished an account of the Saxon invasion
is Gildas, who flourished about one hundred
Theodosius the Younger, a. d. 446.
years after it, yet he does not enter upon able Bede. Seeifo'd, cap. xv. , pp. 70, 71.
details in his History. Next to him comes
I33 The genealogy of Hengist and Horsa
is set forth in the " Historia " of Anglicana
Bartholomew de Cotton, Monk of Norwich, edited by Henry Richards Luard, M. A. ,
Venerable Bede, who relates a few only
par- ticularsof the invasion; but thiswriterhas fur- nished the basis for all subsequent accounts. However, the popular story of the conflicts between the Britoas and Saxons is chiefly
lib. ii. , pp. I, 2.
I34 See Henry of Huntingdon,
<4
Historian
derived from Geoffry of Monmouth, who Anglorum,"editedbyThomasArnold,M. A. ,
was born in 1 152, and whose history is little belterthanaromance. Toosweepingand pyrrhonic, however, is the statement of an
lib. ii. , sect. 2, 3, pp. 39 to 41. I3SSupposedtobeEbbsfleet.
I35 See the "Anglo-Saxon Chronicle," edited by Benjamin Thorpe, vol. ii. , pp. 11 to 13.
" Horsa,^Vortigern and Rowena, Arthur and
eminent modern historian :
Hengist and
century,
ravaged
to the Romans for
1*1 to the repel
of See the letter to yEtius, in his third consulate, in
"
Venerable Bede's
Gentis Anglorum," lib. i. , cap. xiii. , pp. 66, 67.
I32 This event is placed at A. D. by Vener-
Historia Ecclesiastiea
462 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [August 31.
encouraged other adventurers to seek the country of the Britons. In the year
477, M\\z, with his three sons, Cymen, Wlencing, and Cissa, having three
1
ships, landed at a place named Cymenesora. *? There many Britons were
x
slain, and some sought refuge in the wood called Andredesleige. 3* In 485,
vElle fought against the Welsh, near the bank of Markredes burne. In
488, 2Esc succeeded to the Kentish throne, and for twenty-four years he
was king over that people. In 490, ^Elle and Cissa besieged Andredes-
x
ceaster, 39 and slaughtered all the Britons found in it. However, about this
time, the latter had an accomplished leader, named Ambrosius Aurelian, who obtained a signal victory over the Saxons at Bannesdown, near Bath, where
they lost a great many men. 1* In 495, two aldormen, Cerdic and Cynric,
his son, with five ships, landed at a place called Cerdices ora, or Charford.
On that same day, they fought against the Welsh,1*1 who had collected to
oppose them. From Cerdic the kings of the West Saxons afterwards
derived their descent. 1*3 In 501, a chief named Port, with his two sons in
two ships, came to Britain, and landed at Portsmouth. There likewise a
British noble was slain, and the Britons were routed after a severe engage-
1
ment. *^ In 508, Cerdic and Cynric were opposed by a British king, named
1
Natanleod. ** He, with five thousand men, perished in that battle. 145 After-
wards the land was called Natanlea, from him, and it extended to Cerdices ford or Charford. In 514, the West Saxons came to Britain in three ships, and landed at Cerdices ford. Stuf and 1 * 6 the Britons
and put them to flight. However, under the leadership of the renowned
King Arthur, in 516, the Britons obtained a great victory over their enemies
T
at Badon. 47 In 519, Cerdic and Cynric assumed to reign over the West
Saxons, and that same year they fought against the Britons at Cerdic's ford.
Afterwards, their dynasty was established among the West Saxons. In 527,
Cerdic and Cynric fought against the Britons at a place called Cerdices
18
leag. * Many were slain on both sides. Several adventurers came over
from
that same and East and Mercia. 1* In
Germany
T s° Cerdic and
year
occupied Anglia
534, Cerdic,
Majora," vol. i. , pp. 230, 231.
146 Matthew of Paris states, that they were
nephews of Cardie.
147 This " Bellum Badonis," is placed at
that date in the "Annates Cambrise," edited by Rev. John Williams ab Ithel, M. A. , p. 4.
,48 According to the Anglo-Saxon Chro- nicle, Henry of Huntingdon calls it Certices- ford.
I4' See Henry of Huntingdon, "Historiue Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 17, p. 48.
1S°
According
Chronicle. •$• Called Withgaresberi by Matthew of
,<a
Cynric Wihtgarasburh,
137 Supposed to be Shoreham.
138 See Henry of Huntingdon, " Historiae
Anglorum,'' lib. ii. , sect. 8, p. 44.
139 This city or fort was on the edge of the
great forest Anderida, which overspread a large portion of Hampshire and Sussex. By William Camden it has been- placed at
took
of the Island of and slew Wight,
53o,
many
the West Saxons, after a reign of eighteen years died, and Cynric, his son, succeeded. x5a He reigned for twenty-seven winters. They gave all the Island of Wight to their two nephews, Stuf and Wihtgar. In 537 followed
men at
possession
151 or Carisbrook. In
first of king
Newenden, in the marshy grounds of Kent, "
See Britannia," vol. i. , p. 258.
140 Gildas tells us, this battle was fought
the year in which he was horn, and forty-
four before he wrote his years
to the Chro- Anglo-Saxon
141
history.
According to the Anglo-Saxon nicle.
See Matthoei Parisiensis, "Chronica Paris, who places this event at A. D. 528.
Majora," vol. i. , p. 226.
143 See Henry of Huntingdon, " Historian
Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 12, p. 46.
144 According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle.
"
I52 See Henry of Huntingdon's Historic
Anglorum," lib. ii. , sect. 20, p. 50.
,53 Thus noted in "Annales Cambria?
