39 The Count is said to have left there a curious work of art, which he directed to be
preserved
carefully, in the church at Wasor.
O'Hanlon - Lives of the Irish Saints - v4
, pp.
59 to 61.
»"
'1 his is s'ated, ill the Chronicon Wal-
ciodiprensi-. "
' Under the year 944, Mabillon com-
mences bis account of Wasor and its founda- tiun. See "Annales Oniinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472.
' See his Life, already given, at the 21st
" Lives of
iii. ,
.
" confinio. " Ferrarius Catalogus
Sanctorum,'' 30 Aprilis, p. 173.
"° This is a hamlet, in a commanding
situaiion, on the left bank ol the Meuse, in theDepaitmentofArdennes. SeeFullarton's "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iv. , p. 461.
Generalis
5S8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Resting on the authority of the Bollandists, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan will not admit Forannan to have been the founder of VVasor ; but, he acknowledges, thatsomewriterswereofacontraryopinion. " ThereCountEilbert"had commenced the erection, in 944,'5 of tlie monastery church at Wasor, or Wassor ;'• and, as was usual, in all such cases, a village soon sprung up around thereligiousinstitute. Besidestheforegoing,CountEilbertbuiltachurclithere, andthiswasdedicatedtoSt. Patrick. 's Thelocaldenominationwascorrupted from the Latin, Vallis-decora, to Valciodorus,'* in order to suit the Celtic as wellastheBelgicidiom. '7 UndertheprotectionofCountEilbert,themonas-
seemed to be —for tlie habitation of Irish monks. tery specially designed
H—is religious consort Hcrswindis
dis had seconded all the efforts of her husband, to promote the erection of monasteries, convents andchurclies. '^ Eilbert, through his bravery, activity. and skill in war, had become a very powerful chieftain, in this part of the country; and, it is said, to atone for his youthful excesses, he had been a sincere con- vert, desiring to spend his latter years in works of goodness. After the death of Herswindis, these were mostly undertaken. As she left no children to him, the familiars of Eilbert urged him to marry once more, so tliat there might be hope of an heir for his large possessions. He took their advice, and he mar- ried the widow of a nobleman, by whom she had two sons, namely Godefrid and Arnulf. These became greatly attached to their step-father, who loved them, as if they had been his own children. They were most assiduous in ministeringtohiswants; for,whenafflictedwithsomemaladyofthefeet,and which prevented him from standing upright, the Count was assisted by them, each offering his shoulder on either side as a support. This they did, also, before the Emperor Otho 's and his Court. The monarch praised them for
" Among others is Colgan, who promised to prove, at 30th of April, that Forannan had preceded Maccallin. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibeniipe," xxi. Januarii. De R. Malcallanno, Abbate, p. 152. Again, at i'cbruaiii ii. , De S. Columbano Abbate, Gandavi sepulto, p. 238.
were monks there, from the natives of the country, so that the former might have a dis- tinctive settlement at Wasor.
" The name is sometimes written Walsi- dorum or Valsidorum. Father Papebroke considers, however, that the real origin of this name must be referred to the Teutonic.
' " Ab ipsis enim Scotis secundum idioma
linguie suae et nostrse ipsum nomen aliter non
the
"
Clironicon Valciodorense. " It is sup-
" This noljleman's genealogy is given, in
posed, by Papebroke, to have been an inter- polation, and to contain anaciironisms and romance, the pioduct of some writer or writers, differing from the original com- piler.
potuit aptari, sed sicut dictum est, ipsum Valciodorum, silicet quasi vallem decoram nominaverunt secundum projirielatem utrius-
—" '^ This year said to have been the ninth
of the reign of Otho I. , afterwards Emperor of Germany—the foundations of the church were laid, and in the course ol three years, the whole building was completed, in a very elegant style of woikmanship. According to the corrected chronology of Marianus Scottiis, the Emperor Otho I. died, A. u.
She departed this life, it seems probable, before the arrival of . St. Forannan in Bel-
gium. . She had a special regard for the monastery of Si. Michael at Tlier. asche, where she appears to have been interred. See
"
Mabillon's Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. \li. x. , p. 473.
'' This was probably theEmperor Oiho II. ,
who had been elected of in King Germany
961, who married Theophania, niece tojohn Zimisces, Emperor of the East, in 972, and who was crowned Emperor of Germany, in 967. See Dr. Bisset Hawkins' "Germany; the Sjiirit of her History, Literature, Social Condition and Economy," &c. , chap, i. ,
" Non Maii," and he was buried at
973.
Mcgedeburc, now Magdeburgh. See"Chro- nicon," in Monvmenta Gei maniae Ilistorica,"
toraus v. , p. 555.
'* It is sometimes written Walsor.
"
sometimes called Herensindisor Ilersin-
'5 Accordmg to ihe
this church. It is supposed, by Papebroke, sect, i. , p. II. The Emperor Otho II. died
Chronicon Walcio- dorense," a cemetery for the monks lay near
that this dedication wasat the ill^t. l^ce of the first Abbot, . St. Maccilan, who lived in the
monastery of St. Michael, at Thierasche, and who desired to detach his Countrymen, who
•'
que linguK. "
—" Chronicon Valciodorense," "
inD'Archery's Spicelegium,'tomusvii.
Annales Sancti Maximi Trevircnsis," p. 7, in "Monvmenta Germanise Ilistorica," tomus vi. , edited by
in 984, accoiding to the Georgivs Ileinricvs Pertz.
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 559
such dutiful conduct, and on learning their good quahties from the Count, he
urged the latter suitably to reward them, as he had no cliildren of his own.
Accordingly, Eilbert bestowed on them the castle and town of Florennes,'°
reserving carefully all rights and privileges connected with the monastery, at Wasor. The Abbot, Prefect, and Monks of that place, had the favour of
residing in the castle at Florennes, and of receiving legal recognizance, and
protection, from future proprietors. Other privileges, not less curious than characteristic of the period, are recounted. " That constitution and decree
were affirmed and assented to, by Godefrid and Arnulf, on oath ; while the Emperor and his palatine Princes ratified them, by royal ordinance and will. Still, Eilbert did not neglect to build seven castles. He resided in one of them, near Fiorina, or Florennes. ^^ There, revolving in mind the propriety of making atonement for some evil deeds, and which those c—astles even sug-
he as a — to erect monasteries also gested, resolved, counterpoise, observing
-all future time.
One more religious house remained to be built, and this was resolved on as
a compensation for the destruction of a church at Rheims,^' while the Count in- tended it for dedication to the holy Motherof God. That nobleman lived in a remote situation, at Prireriis,5° or Priezeriis,3' which was compassed around
the mystic number of seven in the work of reparation. One
of these had been erected at Tirascia,'3 or Therasche,'* under tlie patronage of St. Michael the Archangel fs another was intended for nuns, at a place called Bucceleuni, or I'ocileis,'* now Bussily, and it was dedicated to St. Peter, while over this presided a mitred Abbess ; anotlier basilica was erected, at a place known as Humblieres,'7 and this was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary ; wiiile he built three other monasteries, all of these having been endowed, in a most substantial manner, from Count Filbert's patrimony. '^ On these, too, he conferred various privileges. Wishing their rule to be that of St. Benedict, he also desired, that 4ioly superiors and subjects should dwell in them, for
" This is now the capital of a Canton, in the Province of Naniur, lielgium, having an ancient castle, and it is on the right bank of the Yves. See "Gazetteer of the World,"
vol. v. , pp. 376, 377.
" See "Acta Sanctorum," lomus iii. , Ap-
rilis XXX. Alia . Acta S. Forannani, cap. iii. , num. 19, 20, 21, pp. 820, 821.
liacum, and state that the founders were Elbert and Gertrude, " Veiomanduorum
Comites," under Bartholomew, Bishop of Laon, who issued in its favour a charter of
confirmation, ad. M13. However, Pape- broke suspects the genuineness of this cliar- ter, as no such noble personages are to be found noted, in the histories of the Veroman-
" Here a Benedictine Monastery was dui, or people of Picardy.
founded, about the year loio, under the in- vocation of St. John the Baptist, and in the
'' This was built, under the very walls of
Augusta Viromanduorum, now St. Qiiintin,
in Picardy. However, Papebroke suspects,
that not Eilbert, but Albert, Count of St.
Quintin, w. is the founder, and he adds.
" idem forte sentiendum de sequentibus quod
tribus innominatis monasteriis, hoc scilicet
eodcm tempore, sed ab aliis fuisse condita
vel restaurata. "
'* "
See Mabillon's Annalcs Ordinis S.
Beuedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect, xlix. , p. 473.
"» This city has a special importance in the Christian history of France, and it contains
a magnificent cathedral, in the ogival style, designed by Robert de Courcy, in 1212. The church of St. Remy is even more ancient, See EUsee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographic
Universelle," tome ii. , pp, 705 to 709.
^ So it is written, in the " Chronicon
diocese of Liege. See tomus iii. , col. 974.
"
Gallia Christiana,"
" It lay within the Province of Picardy.
See Bavdrand's " Novum Lexicon
Geogra-
phicum," tomus ii. , p. 271.
" Over this, St. Maccallin was placed as
first Abbot, during the rule of Rodolph II. , Bishop of Laon.
'5 See an account of this place, in the Life, of St. Maccallin, or . Vlalcallan, Abbot of St. Michael's monastery of Therasche, at the 2lst of January, and also in the Life of St. Cadroe, or Hadroe, Abbot of Wa^or, at the 6th of . March. This monastery was subject to the See of I. aon, and it was intended for monks, belonging to tt. e Order of St. Bene- diet.
'^ The brothers Sammarthan call it Busi-
56o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
with woods. Near it was a flourishing town and a church ; while, a fortifica- tion had been erected there, for the protection of the iniial)itants. 3» There, also, the Count collected a great number of workmen, and he gave orders, that the woods should be cleared, that the grounds should be improved, and that materials, both of stone and wood, should be fashioned, for that new erection, which was to arise near his own family mansion. No part of the River Meuse is more beautiful, than at Waulsor ; for there, limestone crags rise abruptly from the water. Their ledges in spring are gardens of crimson pinks, blue viper-bugloss, and ox-eye daisies. At intervals, the crags fall back, and their woods feather down to the water's edge. A glen leading u[) to pre- cipices opens immediately opposite to Waulsor. A rill, at the bottom, waters soft and rich meadows. There is to be found the " Vallisdecora" of the Irish hermits, who settled at this spot. '^
When Cadroe had removed to Metz,34 in 954, or 955, he left an Abbot over Wasor, but his name is not known. He is said to have permitted a relaxa- tionofdiscipline. Accordingly,Forannanwasdestinedtobecomethefourth abbot there, and under his rule, religious observances were fully established. '' The fame of Forannan's virtues and sanctity had already preceded him. On his approach to Count Filbert's territories, this nobleman went forth to meet him. Having learned the purpose of his travels, and about that vision whereby he had been directed, Filbert joyfully assured the holy bishop, that the descrip- tion of his future settlement, as given by the . "^ngel, presented all the actual features of that country around Wasor. Accordingly, the Count and his people receivedthemessengerofGod,withdistinguishedmarksofhonour. Hewas conducted to Filbert's castle, where, with his companions, Forannan abode for a short period. Anxious to promote the interests of religion in his dominions, the Count brought Forannan to the presence of the King. 3* Then, resigning the Abbey and its investiture, he had both conferred on the honoured stranger, by. a royal edict,37 and also, by a decree of the Palatine chie's. The foundation of Wasor was thenceforth ])laced under regal and im- perial protection, while Count Filbert was constituted patron,3* liaving the privilege of investiture. Certain prerogatives and revenues were conferred, to render the foundation permanent, as likewise more conducive to effect its objects.
39 The Count is said to have left there a curious work of art, which he directed to be preserved carefully, in the church at Wasor. <° To the office of
Walsiodorense," as published by the Bollan- disls.
3' Pnpehroke states, it was thus noticed in
a more recent Manu-cript.
3* 'Ihe "Chronicon Walsiodorense" adds:
was surnamed the Great, and he was
crowned Emperor liy Pope John II. , in 962, or 963. See Edward A. Freeman's
" ufque
in
prsesens tempus
monstrant vesti-
chap. vi. sect, i. , pp. 147, 148.
^7 Xo the year 946 is assigned this ratifica.
tion. SeeL'AbbeMigne's '•Dictionnairedes Abbayeset Monasieres,'' &c. , col. 827.
gia. "
S3 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
Lives of the Saints," \ol. iv. , April 30, p. 376.
38
Xhis office he exercised, for twenty-three
3"' Ti. is ancient city, strongly fonified, is at the junction of the Moselle and Seille rivers, and it is the seat of a bishop. See J.
years. •
39 The Chronicon Walsiodorense states :
"
Ipse vero Comes quae eidem Abbatioe ab R. M'Cnlloch's Dictionary Geographical, eodem confercbantnr ibidem replicavit, et
"
Stiitistical, and Historical of the v:irious
Countiies, Places, and principal Natural
Objects in the World," vol. iii. , pp. 330,
331.
35 See Rev. Dr. I. anigan's" Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect. iv. , p. 404.
3' Doubtless the Emperor Ollio I. , also called King of Rome and of Germany. He
desiynatis nonnginta quinqne terrce mansi- bus, culturis decern et novem, et pra'is plu- rimis, et villis decern cum mngnis reditibus et ecclesiis earum, ct cum ingenii familia et ea qua; ]iropter difficultatem compuiandi (quonidm alias pleniter annumeiata contine- tur) reftrre distulimus, ostendit, et omnia sub regalibus testamentis assignavit. "
<" It is designated as a "lieryllus," or
"
Historical Geography of Europe," vol. i. ,
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 561
Abbot Forannan had been advanced, in 969, according to the Chronicle of Wasor, which monastery he is said to have entered that very same year. *' About this time Deodericus,*" a man distinguislied for his pohte manners,
andintegrityofcharacter,wasBishopofMetz. HewasarelativeofEilbert, and he chanced, on the occasion of a visit, to make alhision to the rehgious estabhshment at Wasor. This pious man learned from the Count those circum- stances, connected with the arrival of the holy stranger. From a description given, tlie Bishop expressed a strong desire to see Forannan, and he requested the Count should conduct him to the palace, on the occurrence of his next visit. An interview between tlie prelates took place, shortly afterwards ; and, on their first approach, a contest which proceeded from true humility arose, as each prelate sought the other's blessing, without presuming to impart his own first. The double honour of Forannan, both as Bishop and Abbot, furnished an argument, to which the Irish Saint at length yielded ; and, the Bishop of Metz received his blessing, with the sign of the cross, by which it was accom- panied. Withmutualsentimentsofattachmentandofreligiousfeeling,they entered upon many useful conferences. Besides, both applied themselves to sacred studies and prayer, while they lived under the same roof, on that and on future occasions.
The expediency of uniting Hasteria village to the monastery of Wasor was discussed, during one of those conferences, and this design was mutually approved. The church of the former place, situated convenient to that of VVasor, had been founded by Adalbero,«3 or Adelberone, Bishop of Metz, and had been confirmed by his bequest to St. Glodescinda's monastery,*-* andtothefemalecommunity,overwhichshewasformerlyAbbess. *^ This project was revealed to Eilbert, who, on account of the confirmation already
made to the nuns, disapproved ot a design, which he supposed inconsistent with the principles of strict justice, and with the testamentary dispositions made in their favour. But, his objections were removed, when the Bisliop assured him, that measures should be adopted, to satisfy the nuns for the relin-
quishment of their convent and its possessions, by conferring on them a suit- ableequivalentinexchange. ApetitionwaspresentedtotheKing,andto this effect. Having deliberated some time with his council, on learning the united wishes of Forannan, Deodericus and Eilbert, and understanding their
beryl, a precious stone, having a faint green colour like sea-water. On it was the repre- sentation of Susanna's accusation before the wicked judges, as related by the Prophet Caniel (cii. ip. xiii. ).
"If this d. ite be correct, it seems probable, that the order of n. nrrative is misplaced, in
Saints," tome ix. xxVjour de Juillet, pp. 3«. 32-
*5 SeeMabillon's "^AnnalesOrdinisS. Bene- dict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599. *" The " Chronicon Valciodorense," thus " Sed ne aliqua Valciodorensis Ecclesia molioiie alicujus hominis vexaretur
obprutectionem,advocantiametdefcnsionem
Valciodorensis Ecdcsiae, doiium See Mabillon's Annales Ordiiiis S. Bene- superius memoratum conditione retinuit
the
"
Clironicum V. ilcicxlorense. "
** He is someiimes called Thcodericus.
praedicta
"
dicti. 'tomusiii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599. *^ This prelate was elected in 928, and he held the bishopric for a long time. He re-
supradicta, et hoc ordine diffmiio concessit, quateiius Mettensis Ecclesia Vakioiorensi recto tramite incedens, ab omni Ecclcsiastico
stored the convent of St. Glodescinde, and jure illi justitiam facint, et ne rccederet ab
transferred her remains with great solemniiy.
"
See, on this subject, the
tomus iii. , Apniis xxx. Alia Acta S. Foran- nani, cap. ii. , n. (h), p. 820.
** The feast of this holy virgin and abbess, also called Glossinde or Glossinne, was cele- brated on the 25th of July. She flourished in
the sixth and seventh centuries. See notices
eadem justitia cum ea enormiter, sanxit ut si ab eadem Metensi Ecclesia vel ejus Epis-
copo scrupulus alicujus controversia; ex eadem Hasteria Valciodoreusi Ecclesia oeori-
retur, ad pristinum Valciodorensis Ecclesia reverteretur gradum, et de manu regis proe- dicti iierum sumeret donum. Istius ijjitur emancipationis utilitas, et utriusque rei deli- beratio, ex dono Valciodorensis Abbatiae ex
of her, in
"
Les Petits BoUandistes Viet des
Acta Sanctorum,"
continues
:
MX
562
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30,
representations as to the manner, in which the abbey should derive benefit from the arrangement, he assented to their request. Hence, the church of Hasteria was annexed to the abbey of Wasor, and both were conditionally subjected to the protection of imperial authority, and to the jurisdiction of the Bisliop of Metz. 'I'he decree regarding this transfer is dated, in the year 969, and it was promulgated, in the thirty-fourth year of the Emperor Otho I. , and during the thirteenth Indiction. **
Then certain nuns, living according to rules established by the holy Abbess Goldescinda, had a community, under the direction of a superior named Voda. " She appears to have been called a Deaconess. *' Dis- posing of what was their own proi)erty, those religious prepared to leave their home at Hasteria. The nuns removed to the habitation assigned them ; and four priests, belonging to the'order of St. Benedict, to which saint the abbey of Wasor had been dedicated, were sent to take charge of Hasteria church. With the unanimous consent of all the parties concerned, it was agreed, that this decree should obtain the approval of Benedict Vn. ,« who thenfilledSt. Peter'schair. s" Accordingly,Forannan,withsomeofhiscom- panions, was deputed to proceed to Rome, in order to open this matter before theSovereignPontiff,thathissanctionmightbeobtained. Thecauseforhis journey and his character being known, on his arrival at Rome, Forannan was received with marked respect and honour, by the Pope and by Princes of the Church there assembled. On his first interview with Benedict, the Pon- tiff received an account of the episcopal honour, to which he had been advanced in Ireland, the heavenly admonition he received to abandon his country, and the remarkable fulfilment of providential designs, in jjlacing him over the Benedictine community at Wasor. But, on learning particulars con- nected with the transfer of Hasteria, and making diligent inquiry regarding the propriety of such proceedings, the Pope was pleased to confirm them, by a special decree. The city of Hasteria, with all its appurtenances, was col- lated to tlie Monastery of Wasor, and fortified with a pontifical, as with the imperial, sanction ; the immunities of this latter city were guaranteed, against the encroachments of any person whatever, whetlier laic or cleric, king or bishop. Should any encroachments be attempted, the punishment decreed against off"enders was that of perpetual excommunication, reserved for removal only by the Roman Pontiflf, after full restitution and condign satisfac- tion. The privileges of an archbishop were confirmed to Forannan, pastoral
care and rule within his Abbey, together with a perpetual protection of the Apostolic See, promised to his place. Tliis decree was transferred to Forannan
on his departure, to be held in safe keeping, as a precious legacy. With assurances of love and of esteem on the part of the Pope and of all his Roman acquaintances, Forannan took his leave of the City of Peter,5' and directed his course northwards, beyond the boundaries of Italy.
Regia manu abstracto, et ex villa Has- teriensi cum omnibus rebus instantibus ac succendentiljus, ac omnibus
*' See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. ,
p. 599.
^< He reigned as Pope, from A. D. 975 to
suis Valciodorensi Ccenobiosub- jugata decreto Curiarum Principum sub re- galibus tcstamentis auctorisata lejjitur, et Domini Deoderici, et Birati Forannani, Co- Eilberti, et capitalium virorum de
appeiiditiis
"
mitisque
curia testimonio confirmatur. "
5"
rilis xxx. Alia Acta S. Forannani, cap. ii. ,
—
at A. D. 969, tomus vii.
so "
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's Lives of
the Saints," vol. iv. , April 30, p. 377.
See "Acta Sanctorum, "tomus
"
Sammatthan for this statement. 819.
I! )'Acliery's
iii. ,
Ap-
Spicilegiuni,"
<' Father Fapebroke quotes the brothers sect. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, pp. 818,
983. See Sir Harris Nicolas'
of History," p. 208.
Chronology
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 563
CHAPTER III.
ST. FORANNAN AND HIS MONKS SPEND SOME TIME IN THE MONASTERY OF GORZE— THE saint's rule OVER WASOR—TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS OF ST. ELOQUIUS—
COUNT EILBERTS PRIVILEGES AND CHARTERS IN FAVOUR OF WASOR—
OF LIVING AND HAPPV DEATH, AT WHICH ST. FORANNAN ATTENDED—DEATH OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS MEMORIALS AND MIRACLES—CONCLUSION.
•
On liis return home, the Bishop of Metz, whose subject Forannan had now become, counselled him to make a retreat with his companions in the Abbey of Gorze," in the territory of Messiu, and which was then governed by the Holy
AbbotJohn. Nodoubt,theirobjectwastobetrainedintheRuleofSt. Benedict, which had been there established. ' Here, with the most admirable humility, St. Forannan submitted himself to those lessons of perfection taught him ; and, he returned, to assume the government over his own Abbey of Wasor. According to some accounts, this happened about 970. While Forannan niled over that establishment, he seemed never to tire, in adorning the place ; and, he had received willing aid from Count Filbert, in all his efforts to pro- mote religion. At this time, the possession of the relics and shrine of some
saint formed an object of eager desire, among the religious of newly-founded monasteries. Wasor was yet without such a treasure, although profiting more
perhaps by the examples and government of its living saint. After tlie insti- tution of well directed applications, however, it was discovered, that the relics
of St. Eloquius,3 who accompanied St. Fursey from Ireland to France, could be obtained from the Monastery of Lagny, which he had founded. His tomb had been broken open, during the incursions of the Danes, and the treasures of the clmrch in wliich it lay had been carried off; but, in consideration of the honours about to be revived, in a translation of the body, it was granted to Wasor, by Rodoardas, then Bishop of Laudun. The relics were brought in great pomp by the Bishop and by the faitiiful of his diocese ; the Count and Countess being in attendance to the church of St. Michael the Arch- angel, which was founded by these devout persons. The day for the deposi; tion of the remains of St. Eloquius, in the abbey church of Wasor, is cele- brated on the III. of the Nones of December, or on its eleventh day. « Many illustrious miracles were wrought, during the removal of the remains to their new shrine. St. Forannan conducted the arrangement of the religious ser- vices, and on the day of deposition, a consecration of Wasor church took place. Its great altar was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, to the Blessed
anil to the Twelve — Virgin, Apostles
on one
a small altar was dedicated
side,
to St. John the Evangelist whilst on the other, a corresponding altar was
CHAPTER III. —' This
in Lorraine. It lay about seven miles S. W. from Metz. . See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 654.
»"
'1 his is s'ated, ill the Chronicon Wal-
ciodiprensi-. "
' Under the year 944, Mabillon com-
mences bis account of Wasor and its founda- tiun. See "Annales Oniinis S. Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. Ixvii. , p. 472.
' See his Life, already given, at the 21st
" Lives of
iii. ,
.
" confinio. " Ferrarius Catalogus
Sanctorum,'' 30 Aprilis, p. 173.
"° This is a hamlet, in a commanding
situaiion, on the left bank ol the Meuse, in theDepaitmentofArdennes. SeeFullarton's "Gazetteer of the World," vol. iv. , p. 461.
Generalis
5S8 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
Resting on the authority of the Bollandists, the Rev. Dr. Lanigan will not admit Forannan to have been the founder of VVasor ; but, he acknowledges, thatsomewriterswereofacontraryopinion. " ThereCountEilbert"had commenced the erection, in 944,'5 of tlie monastery church at Wasor, or Wassor ;'• and, as was usual, in all such cases, a village soon sprung up around thereligiousinstitute. Besidestheforegoing,CountEilbertbuiltachurclithere, andthiswasdedicatedtoSt. Patrick. 's Thelocaldenominationwascorrupted from the Latin, Vallis-decora, to Valciodorus,'* in order to suit the Celtic as wellastheBelgicidiom. '7 UndertheprotectionofCountEilbert,themonas-
seemed to be —for tlie habitation of Irish monks. tery specially designed
H—is religious consort Hcrswindis
dis had seconded all the efforts of her husband, to promote the erection of monasteries, convents andchurclies. '^ Eilbert, through his bravery, activity. and skill in war, had become a very powerful chieftain, in this part of the country; and, it is said, to atone for his youthful excesses, he had been a sincere con- vert, desiring to spend his latter years in works of goodness. After the death of Herswindis, these were mostly undertaken. As she left no children to him, the familiars of Eilbert urged him to marry once more, so tliat there might be hope of an heir for his large possessions. He took their advice, and he mar- ried the widow of a nobleman, by whom she had two sons, namely Godefrid and Arnulf. These became greatly attached to their step-father, who loved them, as if they had been his own children. They were most assiduous in ministeringtohiswants; for,whenafflictedwithsomemaladyofthefeet,and which prevented him from standing upright, the Count was assisted by them, each offering his shoulder on either side as a support. This they did, also, before the Emperor Otho 's and his Court. The monarch praised them for
" Among others is Colgan, who promised to prove, at 30th of April, that Forannan had preceded Maccallin. See "Acta Sanctorum Hibeniipe," xxi. Januarii. De R. Malcallanno, Abbate, p. 152. Again, at i'cbruaiii ii. , De S. Columbano Abbate, Gandavi sepulto, p. 238.
were monks there, from the natives of the country, so that the former might have a dis- tinctive settlement at Wasor.
" The name is sometimes written Walsi- dorum or Valsidorum. Father Papebroke considers, however, that the real origin of this name must be referred to the Teutonic.
' " Ab ipsis enim Scotis secundum idioma
linguie suae et nostrse ipsum nomen aliter non
the
"
Clironicon Valciodorense. " It is sup-
" This noljleman's genealogy is given, in
posed, by Papebroke, to have been an inter- polation, and to contain anaciironisms and romance, the pioduct of some writer or writers, differing from the original com- piler.
potuit aptari, sed sicut dictum est, ipsum Valciodorum, silicet quasi vallem decoram nominaverunt secundum projirielatem utrius-
—" '^ This year said to have been the ninth
of the reign of Otho I. , afterwards Emperor of Germany—the foundations of the church were laid, and in the course ol three years, the whole building was completed, in a very elegant style of woikmanship. According to the corrected chronology of Marianus Scottiis, the Emperor Otho I. died, A. u.
She departed this life, it seems probable, before the arrival of . St. Forannan in Bel-
gium. . She had a special regard for the monastery of Si. Michael at Tlier. asche, where she appears to have been interred. See
"
Mabillon's Annales Ordinis S. Benedict! ,"
tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect. \li. x. , p. 473.
'' This was probably theEmperor Oiho II. ,
who had been elected of in King Germany
961, who married Theophania, niece tojohn Zimisces, Emperor of the East, in 972, and who was crowned Emperor of Germany, in 967. See Dr. Bisset Hawkins' "Germany; the Sjiirit of her History, Literature, Social Condition and Economy," &c. , chap, i. ,
" Non Maii," and he was buried at
973.
Mcgedeburc, now Magdeburgh. See"Chro- nicon," in Monvmenta Gei maniae Ilistorica,"
toraus v. , p. 555.
'* It is sometimes written Walsor.
"
sometimes called Herensindisor Ilersin-
'5 Accordmg to ihe
this church. It is supposed, by Papebroke, sect, i. , p. II. The Emperor Otho II. died
Chronicon Walcio- dorense," a cemetery for the monks lay near
that this dedication wasat the ill^t. l^ce of the first Abbot, . St. Maccilan, who lived in the
monastery of St. Michael, at Thierasche, and who desired to detach his Countrymen, who
•'
que linguK. "
—" Chronicon Valciodorense," "
inD'Archery's Spicelegium,'tomusvii.
Annales Sancti Maximi Trevircnsis," p. 7, in "Monvmenta Germanise Ilistorica," tomus vi. , edited by
in 984, accoiding to the Georgivs Ileinricvs Pertz.
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS, 559
such dutiful conduct, and on learning their good quahties from the Count, he
urged the latter suitably to reward them, as he had no cliildren of his own.
Accordingly, Eilbert bestowed on them the castle and town of Florennes,'°
reserving carefully all rights and privileges connected with the monastery, at Wasor. The Abbot, Prefect, and Monks of that place, had the favour of
residing in the castle at Florennes, and of receiving legal recognizance, and
protection, from future proprietors. Other privileges, not less curious than characteristic of the period, are recounted. " That constitution and decree
were affirmed and assented to, by Godefrid and Arnulf, on oath ; while the Emperor and his palatine Princes ratified them, by royal ordinance and will. Still, Eilbert did not neglect to build seven castles. He resided in one of them, near Fiorina, or Florennes. ^^ There, revolving in mind the propriety of making atonement for some evil deeds, and which those c—astles even sug-
he as a — to erect monasteries also gested, resolved, counterpoise, observing
-all future time.
One more religious house remained to be built, and this was resolved on as
a compensation for the destruction of a church at Rheims,^' while the Count in- tended it for dedication to the holy Motherof God. That nobleman lived in a remote situation, at Prireriis,5° or Priezeriis,3' which was compassed around
the mystic number of seven in the work of reparation. One
of these had been erected at Tirascia,'3 or Therasche,'* under tlie patronage of St. Michael the Archangel fs another was intended for nuns, at a place called Bucceleuni, or I'ocileis,'* now Bussily, and it was dedicated to St. Peter, while over this presided a mitred Abbess ; anotlier basilica was erected, at a place known as Humblieres,'7 and this was dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary ; wiiile he built three other monasteries, all of these having been endowed, in a most substantial manner, from Count Filbert's patrimony. '^ On these, too, he conferred various privileges. Wishing their rule to be that of St. Benedict, he also desired, that 4ioly superiors and subjects should dwell in them, for
" This is now the capital of a Canton, in the Province of Naniur, lielgium, having an ancient castle, and it is on the right bank of the Yves. See "Gazetteer of the World,"
vol. v. , pp. 376, 377.
" See "Acta Sanctorum," lomus iii. , Ap-
rilis XXX. Alia . Acta S. Forannani, cap. iii. , num. 19, 20, 21, pp. 820, 821.
liacum, and state that the founders were Elbert and Gertrude, " Veiomanduorum
Comites," under Bartholomew, Bishop of Laon, who issued in its favour a charter of
confirmation, ad. M13. However, Pape- broke suspects the genuineness of this cliar- ter, as no such noble personages are to be found noted, in the histories of the Veroman-
" Here a Benedictine Monastery was dui, or people of Picardy.
founded, about the year loio, under the in- vocation of St. John the Baptist, and in the
'' This was built, under the very walls of
Augusta Viromanduorum, now St. Qiiintin,
in Picardy. However, Papebroke suspects,
that not Eilbert, but Albert, Count of St.
Quintin, w. is the founder, and he adds.
" idem forte sentiendum de sequentibus quod
tribus innominatis monasteriis, hoc scilicet
eodcm tempore, sed ab aliis fuisse condita
vel restaurata. "
'* "
See Mabillon's Annalcs Ordinis S.
Beuedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xliv. , sect, xlix. , p. 473.
"» This city has a special importance in the Christian history of France, and it contains
a magnificent cathedral, in the ogival style, designed by Robert de Courcy, in 1212. The church of St. Remy is even more ancient, See EUsee Reclus' "Nouvelle Geographic
Universelle," tome ii. , pp, 705 to 709.
^ So it is written, in the " Chronicon
diocese of Liege. See tomus iii. , col. 974.
"
Gallia Christiana,"
" It lay within the Province of Picardy.
See Bavdrand's " Novum Lexicon
Geogra-
phicum," tomus ii. , p. 271.
" Over this, St. Maccallin was placed as
first Abbot, during the rule of Rodolph II. , Bishop of Laon.
'5 See an account of this place, in the Life, of St. Maccallin, or . Vlalcallan, Abbot of St. Michael's monastery of Therasche, at the 2lst of January, and also in the Life of St. Cadroe, or Hadroe, Abbot of Wa^or, at the 6th of . March. This monastery was subject to the See of I. aon, and it was intended for monks, belonging to tt. e Order of St. Bene- diet.
'^ The brothers Sammarthan call it Busi-
56o LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30.
with woods. Near it was a flourishing town and a church ; while, a fortifica- tion had been erected there, for the protection of the iniial)itants. 3» There, also, the Count collected a great number of workmen, and he gave orders, that the woods should be cleared, that the grounds should be improved, and that materials, both of stone and wood, should be fashioned, for that new erection, which was to arise near his own family mansion. No part of the River Meuse is more beautiful, than at Waulsor ; for there, limestone crags rise abruptly from the water. Their ledges in spring are gardens of crimson pinks, blue viper-bugloss, and ox-eye daisies. At intervals, the crags fall back, and their woods feather down to the water's edge. A glen leading u[) to pre- cipices opens immediately opposite to Waulsor. A rill, at the bottom, waters soft and rich meadows. There is to be found the " Vallisdecora" of the Irish hermits, who settled at this spot. '^
When Cadroe had removed to Metz,34 in 954, or 955, he left an Abbot over Wasor, but his name is not known. He is said to have permitted a relaxa- tionofdiscipline. Accordingly,Forannanwasdestinedtobecomethefourth abbot there, and under his rule, religious observances were fully established. '' The fame of Forannan's virtues and sanctity had already preceded him. On his approach to Count Filbert's territories, this nobleman went forth to meet him. Having learned the purpose of his travels, and about that vision whereby he had been directed, Filbert joyfully assured the holy bishop, that the descrip- tion of his future settlement, as given by the . "^ngel, presented all the actual features of that country around Wasor. Accordingly, the Count and his people receivedthemessengerofGod,withdistinguishedmarksofhonour. Hewas conducted to Filbert's castle, where, with his companions, Forannan abode for a short period. Anxious to promote the interests of religion in his dominions, the Count brought Forannan to the presence of the King. 3* Then, resigning the Abbey and its investiture, he had both conferred on the honoured stranger, by. a royal edict,37 and also, by a decree of the Palatine chie's. The foundation of Wasor was thenceforth ])laced under regal and im- perial protection, while Count Filbert was constituted patron,3* liaving the privilege of investiture. Certain prerogatives and revenues were conferred, to render the foundation permanent, as likewise more conducive to effect its objects.
39 The Count is said to have left there a curious work of art, which he directed to be preserved carefully, in the church at Wasor. <° To the office of
Walsiodorense," as published by the Bollan- disls.
3' Pnpehroke states, it was thus noticed in
a more recent Manu-cript.
3* 'Ihe "Chronicon Walsiodorense" adds:
was surnamed the Great, and he was
crowned Emperor liy Pope John II. , in 962, or 963. See Edward A. Freeman's
" ufque
in
prsesens tempus
monstrant vesti-
chap. vi. sect, i. , pp. 147, 148.
^7 Xo the year 946 is assigned this ratifica.
tion. SeeL'AbbeMigne's '•Dictionnairedes Abbayeset Monasieres,'' &c. , col. 827.
gia. "
S3 See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's
"
Lives of the Saints," \ol. iv. , April 30, p. 376.
38
Xhis office he exercised, for twenty-three
3"' Ti. is ancient city, strongly fonified, is at the junction of the Moselle and Seille rivers, and it is the seat of a bishop. See J.
years. •
39 The Chronicon Walsiodorense states :
"
Ipse vero Comes quae eidem Abbatioe ab R. M'Cnlloch's Dictionary Geographical, eodem confercbantnr ibidem replicavit, et
"
Stiitistical, and Historical of the v:irious
Countiies, Places, and principal Natural
Objects in the World," vol. iii. , pp. 330,
331.
35 See Rev. Dr. I. anigan's" Ecclesiastical
History of Ireland," vol. iii. , chap, xxiii. , sect. iv. , p. 404.
3' Doubtless the Emperor Ollio I. , also called King of Rome and of Germany. He
desiynatis nonnginta quinqne terrce mansi- bus, culturis decern et novem, et pra'is plu- rimis, et villis decern cum mngnis reditibus et ecclesiis earum, ct cum ingenii familia et ea qua; ]iropter difficultatem compuiandi (quonidm alias pleniter annumeiata contine- tur) reftrre distulimus, ostendit, et omnia sub regalibus testamentis assignavit. "
<" It is designated as a "lieryllus," or
"
Historical Geography of Europe," vol. i. ,
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 561
Abbot Forannan had been advanced, in 969, according to the Chronicle of Wasor, which monastery he is said to have entered that very same year. *' About this time Deodericus,*" a man distinguislied for his pohte manners,
andintegrityofcharacter,wasBishopofMetz. HewasarelativeofEilbert, and he chanced, on the occasion of a visit, to make alhision to the rehgious estabhshment at Wasor. This pious man learned from the Count those circum- stances, connected with the arrival of the holy stranger. From a description given, tlie Bishop expressed a strong desire to see Forannan, and he requested the Count should conduct him to the palace, on the occurrence of his next visit. An interview between tlie prelates took place, shortly afterwards ; and, on their first approach, a contest which proceeded from true humility arose, as each prelate sought the other's blessing, without presuming to impart his own first. The double honour of Forannan, both as Bishop and Abbot, furnished an argument, to which the Irish Saint at length yielded ; and, the Bishop of Metz received his blessing, with the sign of the cross, by which it was accom- panied. Withmutualsentimentsofattachmentandofreligiousfeeling,they entered upon many useful conferences. Besides, both applied themselves to sacred studies and prayer, while they lived under the same roof, on that and on future occasions.
The expediency of uniting Hasteria village to the monastery of Wasor was discussed, during one of those conferences, and this design was mutually approved. The church of the former place, situated convenient to that of VVasor, had been founded by Adalbero,«3 or Adelberone, Bishop of Metz, and had been confirmed by his bequest to St. Glodescinda's monastery,*-* andtothefemalecommunity,overwhichshewasformerlyAbbess. *^ This project was revealed to Eilbert, who, on account of the confirmation already
made to the nuns, disapproved ot a design, which he supposed inconsistent with the principles of strict justice, and with the testamentary dispositions made in their favour. But, his objections were removed, when the Bisliop assured him, that measures should be adopted, to satisfy the nuns for the relin-
quishment of their convent and its possessions, by conferring on them a suit- ableequivalentinexchange. ApetitionwaspresentedtotheKing,andto this effect. Having deliberated some time with his council, on learning the united wishes of Forannan, Deodericus and Eilbert, and understanding their
beryl, a precious stone, having a faint green colour like sea-water. On it was the repre- sentation of Susanna's accusation before the wicked judges, as related by the Prophet Caniel (cii. ip. xiii. ).
"If this d. ite be correct, it seems probable, that the order of n. nrrative is misplaced, in
Saints," tome ix. xxVjour de Juillet, pp. 3«. 32-
*5 SeeMabillon's "^AnnalesOrdinisS. Bene- dict! ," tomus iii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599. *" The " Chronicon Valciodorense," thus " Sed ne aliqua Valciodorensis Ecclesia molioiie alicujus hominis vexaretur
obprutectionem,advocantiametdefcnsionem
Valciodorensis Ecdcsiae, doiium See Mabillon's Annales Ordiiiis S. Bene- superius memoratum conditione retinuit
the
"
Clironicum V. ilcicxlorense. "
** He is someiimes called Thcodericus.
praedicta
"
dicti. 'tomusiii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. , p. 599. *^ This prelate was elected in 928, and he held the bishopric for a long time. He re-
supradicta, et hoc ordine diffmiio concessit, quateiius Mettensis Ecclesia Vakioiorensi recto tramite incedens, ab omni Ecclcsiastico
stored the convent of St. Glodescinde, and jure illi justitiam facint, et ne rccederet ab
transferred her remains with great solemniiy.
"
See, on this subject, the
tomus iii. , Apniis xxx. Alia Acta S. Foran- nani, cap. ii. , n. (h), p. 820.
** The feast of this holy virgin and abbess, also called Glossinde or Glossinne, was cele- brated on the 25th of July. She flourished in
the sixth and seventh centuries. See notices
eadem justitia cum ea enormiter, sanxit ut si ab eadem Metensi Ecclesia vel ejus Epis-
copo scrupulus alicujus controversia; ex eadem Hasteria Valciodoreusi Ecclesia oeori-
retur, ad pristinum Valciodorensis Ecclesia reverteretur gradum, et de manu regis proe- dicti iierum sumeret donum. Istius ijjitur emancipationis utilitas, et utriusque rei deli- beratio, ex dono Valciodorensis Abbatiae ex
of her, in
"
Les Petits BoUandistes Viet des
Acta Sanctorum,"
continues
:
MX
562
LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [April 30,
representations as to the manner, in which the abbey should derive benefit from the arrangement, he assented to their request. Hence, the church of Hasteria was annexed to the abbey of Wasor, and both were conditionally subjected to the protection of imperial authority, and to the jurisdiction of the Bisliop of Metz. 'I'he decree regarding this transfer is dated, in the year 969, and it was promulgated, in the thirty-fourth year of the Emperor Otho I. , and during the thirteenth Indiction. **
Then certain nuns, living according to rules established by the holy Abbess Goldescinda, had a community, under the direction of a superior named Voda. " She appears to have been called a Deaconess. *' Dis- posing of what was their own proi)erty, those religious prepared to leave their home at Hasteria. The nuns removed to the habitation assigned them ; and four priests, belonging to the'order of St. Benedict, to which saint the abbey of Wasor had been dedicated, were sent to take charge of Hasteria church. With the unanimous consent of all the parties concerned, it was agreed, that this decree should obtain the approval of Benedict Vn. ,« who thenfilledSt. Peter'schair. s" Accordingly,Forannan,withsomeofhiscom- panions, was deputed to proceed to Rome, in order to open this matter before theSovereignPontiff,thathissanctionmightbeobtained. Thecauseforhis journey and his character being known, on his arrival at Rome, Forannan was received with marked respect and honour, by the Pope and by Princes of the Church there assembled. On his first interview with Benedict, the Pon- tiff received an account of the episcopal honour, to which he had been advanced in Ireland, the heavenly admonition he received to abandon his country, and the remarkable fulfilment of providential designs, in jjlacing him over the Benedictine community at Wasor. But, on learning particulars con- nected with the transfer of Hasteria, and making diligent inquiry regarding the propriety of such proceedings, the Pope was pleased to confirm them, by a special decree. The city of Hasteria, with all its appurtenances, was col- lated to tlie Monastery of Wasor, and fortified with a pontifical, as with the imperial, sanction ; the immunities of this latter city were guaranteed, against the encroachments of any person whatever, whetlier laic or cleric, king or bishop. Should any encroachments be attempted, the punishment decreed against off"enders was that of perpetual excommunication, reserved for removal only by the Roman Pontiflf, after full restitution and condign satisfac- tion. The privileges of an archbishop were confirmed to Forannan, pastoral
care and rule within his Abbey, together with a perpetual protection of the Apostolic See, promised to his place. Tliis decree was transferred to Forannan
on his departure, to be held in safe keeping, as a precious legacy. With assurances of love and of esteem on the part of the Pope and of all his Roman acquaintances, Forannan took his leave of the City of Peter,5' and directed his course northwards, beyond the boundaries of Italy.
Regia manu abstracto, et ex villa Has- teriensi cum omnibus rebus instantibus ac succendentiljus, ac omnibus
*' See Mabillon's " Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus iii. , lib. xlvii. , sect, xl. ,
p. 599.
^< He reigned as Pope, from A. D. 975 to
suis Valciodorensi Ccenobiosub- jugata decreto Curiarum Principum sub re- galibus tcstamentis auctorisata lejjitur, et Domini Deoderici, et Birati Forannani, Co- Eilberti, et capitalium virorum de
appeiiditiis
"
mitisque
curia testimonio confirmatur. "
5"
rilis xxx. Alia Acta S. Forannani, cap. ii. ,
—
at A. D. 969, tomus vii.
so "
See Rev. S. Baring-Gould's Lives of
the Saints," vol. iv. , April 30, p. 377.
See "Acta Sanctorum, "tomus
"
Sammatthan for this statement. 819.
I! )'Acliery's
iii. ,
Ap-
Spicilegiuni,"
<' Father Fapebroke quotes the brothers sect. 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, pp. 818,
983. See Sir Harris Nicolas'
of History," p. 208.
Chronology
April 30. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 563
CHAPTER III.
ST. FORANNAN AND HIS MONKS SPEND SOME TIME IN THE MONASTERY OF GORZE— THE saint's rule OVER WASOR—TRANSLATION OF THE RELICS OF ST. ELOQUIUS—
COUNT EILBERTS PRIVILEGES AND CHARTERS IN FAVOUR OF WASOR—
OF LIVING AND HAPPV DEATH, AT WHICH ST. FORANNAN ATTENDED—DEATH OF ST. FORANNAN—HIS MEMORIALS AND MIRACLES—CONCLUSION.
•
On liis return home, the Bishop of Metz, whose subject Forannan had now become, counselled him to make a retreat with his companions in the Abbey of Gorze," in the territory of Messiu, and which was then governed by the Holy
AbbotJohn. Nodoubt,theirobjectwastobetrainedintheRuleofSt. Benedict, which had been there established. ' Here, with the most admirable humility, St. Forannan submitted himself to those lessons of perfection taught him ; and, he returned, to assume the government over his own Abbey of Wasor. According to some accounts, this happened about 970. While Forannan niled over that establishment, he seemed never to tire, in adorning the place ; and, he had received willing aid from Count Filbert, in all his efforts to pro- mote religion. At this time, the possession of the relics and shrine of some
saint formed an object of eager desire, among the religious of newly-founded monasteries. Wasor was yet without such a treasure, although profiting more
perhaps by the examples and government of its living saint. After tlie insti- tution of well directed applications, however, it was discovered, that the relics
of St. Eloquius,3 who accompanied St. Fursey from Ireland to France, could be obtained from the Monastery of Lagny, which he had founded. His tomb had been broken open, during the incursions of the Danes, and the treasures of the clmrch in wliich it lay had been carried off; but, in consideration of the honours about to be revived, in a translation of the body, it was granted to Wasor, by Rodoardas, then Bishop of Laudun. The relics were brought in great pomp by the Bishop and by the faitiiful of his diocese ; the Count and Countess being in attendance to the church of St. Michael the Arch- angel, which was founded by these devout persons. The day for the deposi; tion of the remains of St. Eloquius, in the abbey church of Wasor, is cele- brated on the III. of the Nones of December, or on its eleventh day. « Many illustrious miracles were wrought, during the removal of the remains to their new shrine. St. Forannan conducted the arrangement of the religious ser- vices, and on the day of deposition, a consecration of Wasor church took place. Its great altar was dedicated to the Most Holy Trinity, to the Blessed
anil to the Twelve — Virgin, Apostles
on one
a small altar was dedicated
side,
to St. John the Evangelist whilst on the other, a corresponding altar was
CHAPTER III. —' This
in Lorraine. It lay about seven miles S. W. from Metz. . See "Gazetteer of the World," vol. vi. , p. 654.
