No More Learning

" Histoire
109 See St. Benedict's the Utrecht Life, by
Ecclesiastique, priest, cap. i. , sect. 6, 7. Also, the Third sect, xxxv. , p. 180.
sect. i.
This country extended between the
Catalogus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum," fol. li. , b,
saint,
148 LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
CHAPTER II.
STATE OF FRISIA AT THIS PERIOD—WINFRID LEAVES ENGLAND FOR THAT MISSION— HE RETURNS UNSUCCESSFUL—GOES TO HIS MONASTERY—DECLINES TO BECOME ITS ABBOT—HE OBTAINS COMMENDATORY LETTERS FROM DANIEL BISHOP OF WINCHESTER—BONIFACE PROCEEDS TO FRANCE, AND THENCE HE TRAVELS TO ROME—FAVOURABLY RECEIVED BY POPE ST. GREGORY II. —OBTAINS FROM HIM A COMMISSION TO PREACH THE GOSPEL IN GERMANY—ST. GREGORY OF UTRECHT HIS DISCIPLE—WINFRID'S MISSION AMONG THE THURINGIANS—HE TRAVELS INTO FRISIA AND HESSE—AGAIN HE VISITS ROME, WHERE HE IS CONSECRATED BISHOP AND NAMED BONIFACE—HIS RETURN TO GERMANY—IN HESSE HE CUTS DOWN THE TREE OF JUPITER.
That time, however, proved unfavourable for Winfrid's enterprise, although the Faith had made some progress in the Low Countries. The French mission- aries had already established churches and congregations in several parts.
St. 1 of was towardsthe Amongthese, Eligius, Bishop Noyon, distinguished,
2
middle of the seventh century. Later on, St. Wulfran resigned his dignity of
Archbishop of Sens, in the year 695, when he proceeded to Friesland. There
horriblesuperstitionsprevailed. Amongothers,thepagansofthatcountrywere accustomed to sacrifice human victims to propitiate demons, while they were barbarous to a degree in their habits and usages. Frisia 3 had been subjected by the French, under Pepin of Heristal, 4 during the dynasty of the Merovin- gians. 5 Towards the year 678, St. Wilfrid commenced a mission among the Frisons, favoured by their King Algise ; he baptized numbers of their chiefs
and thousands of the 6
many people. However,
of these We have already
the
the vast continued to remain addicted to idolatry and paganism. ?
proportion
that St.
8 had desired to leave in
Ireland, person, preach
seen,
Gospel, among the barbarous people of Northern Europe ; but, he was diverted from this purpose, owing to a vision he had, that the field was
destined for other reapers. Yet, one of his companions, named Wicbert,' had gone to Frisia, where for two years, he preached the Gospel of Christ
among the pagans. However, Radbod was then King of Frisia, and when Wigbert reached his territories about a. d. 688, he was opposed by that ruler, and he was obliged to seek Ireland again, without having achieved much suc- cess. St. 10 St.
Swibert,
Egbert
Afterwards, Willibrord,
11 and their ven- companions,
Chapter 11 — • He is venerated, on the
1st of December. See an account of his life
and missionary career, in Les Petits Bollan- versations Lexicon," &c, vol. iii. , Art.
" Vies des
2
His career and labours are related to the end of his life, A. D. 720. See ibid. , tome iii. , pp.
to
542 546.
distes,
to
15.
Saints,"
tome xiv. ,
pp. 4
France, p. 250.
6 See lAbbe "Historie Ec- Fleury's
clesiastique," tome ix. , liv. xl. , sect, iv. ,
P- »5-
7 The Vita III. S. Bonefacii has it
" maxima diis et dcemonibus cascato parte
His feast occurs at the 20th of March.
3 The extent of Frisia is set forth in the
accurate translation from German into nesciebat. "
French of Mon. l'Abbe G. Beeteme's
"
Sainte Ursule et ses onze mille Vieiges
ou l'Europe occidentale au Milieu du ve Sie-
cle Monographic historique et critique," par
J. H. Kessel Dr. en Theologie. See the
map, Europe Occidentale au milieu du
ve Siecle, in the Appendix. Its geographi- Volume of this work, Art. ii.
13
cal conditions had undergone no material They are said to have landed at the
changes to the time of St. Boniface. mouth of the Rhine, and to have travelled 4 Also called Pepin the Big, Duke of thence to Utrecht, a town built by the
France, and Mayor over the king's palace. 5 See " The Popular Encyclopedia or Con-
corde — et seternre felicitatis viam serviebat,
Sect.
8 See his Life, at the 24th of April, in the
Fourth Volume of this work, Art. i.
9 His festival occurs at the 13th ofAugust,
when notices of him will be found.
10 See his Life, at the 7th of November. " See his Life, at the 1st of March, Third
2, p. 482.
to
June 5-]" LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 149
tured upon a similar enterprise ;" and, although they encountered much
opposition, notwithstanding they were enabled to erect the standard of Faith
among that uncivilized and pagan people. About the year 696, St. Wille-
brordwasconsecratedBishopofUtrecht. ^ Thenewly-plantedChurchof
Christ had been severely persecuted by the tyrant, Radbod, who had formerly
heard the instructions of St. Wulfran, and who had even come to the baptismal
font to receive when he a 1 '* He then baptism, opposed capriciousobjection.
withdrew, with apparently doubts about the course adopted, but continuing
to favour the idolatrous — of his for the remainder of his — usages country, days.
However, Pepin of Heristel who virtually ruled France about this time
had conquered a considerable part of Frieseland, and he compelled Radbod to pay him tribute ; while the southern part of that territory remained subject totheFranks. 16 Radboddrovethereligiousfromtheirmonasteries,helevelled their churches and houses; while, he erected pagan temples and shrines to re- placethem. '7 ThisfierceDynastwascompelled,however,toconfinehisabso- luteruletothenorthernterritoryofFrisia. Still,hedidnotwhollypreventSt. Willibrord from preaching to his subjects ; and, what is even more strange, he sometimes heard himself that Christian missionary's discourses.
Pepin of Heristel had departed this life in December, a. d. 714, and some time before, Winfrid had arrived to preach the Gospel in Frisia. The death of Pepin was deemed to afford a favourable opportunity for the revolt of Radbod, and accordingly, he began hostilities, with a view to recover his former domina-
18
and the son of Pepin Heristel, at this period swayed the destinies of France, where his power was acknowledged. He had also carried his victorious army towards
the Rhine, conquering the Frisons. Afterwards, with fire and sword, he en- tered the country of the Saxons. '9 In the year 716, a fierce war was waged by Charles Martel against Radbod,20 who was a determined persecutor of the Christians. Some advantages King Radbad had lately obtained over Charles Martel, who, as Maire of the Palace, virtually governed the kingdom of France. TheaffairsoftheChristianswereinaverybadcondition,owingto those reverses. St. Boniface proceeded to Utrecht, the capital of Frisia, whereheseemstohaveawaitedthecomingofRadbodforsomedays. Mean- while, he was carefully observing the state of affairs in that distracted pro- vince, and weighing in his mind the chances for future progress of the Gos- pel. There, St. Willibrord had established his See, having received the royal castle of Viltaburg as a gift from Pepin. He built the Church of our Saviour, andrestored that of St. Martin, which afterwards became the cathedral. 21 This place grew to be a handsome city, surrounded by an earthen mound. The approaches to Utrecht are very beautiful. 22 It is situated on a branch
Romans at a passage over that river, whence l6 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. it derived the name Trajectum, afterwards Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, i. , p.
tion. Charles or Karl Martell, a youthful prince of Germanic race,
called Trecht, and lastly Utrecht, from 41.
"
Outrecht or the Old Passage. It was also denominated Ultrajectum, or Passage at the Town Vulta. It was thus distinguished from the ancient town of Maestricht or
Passage
over the Maese.
13 The author of our saint's Third Life tells
us, that it was anciently called Wiltemburch. See sect. 2.
I7 See l'Abbe Fleury's
Histoire Ecclesi-
14 See the account of this "
incident,
in
phie Generale," tome ix. , col. 815.
20 See Du *' Historise Francorum Chesne,
Scriptores, tomus ii. , Annales Francici Bre-
ves, p. 3.
21 Both of these were served by colleges of
Canons.
Histoire Ecclesiastique/'tomeix. ,
Fleury's
liv. xli. , sect, xxxy. , pp. 180, 181.
* 5 See GEuvres Completes de Bossuet, tome c, Abregede l'Histoire de France, col. 1 181.
astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxv. , p. 180.
l8 See Ranke's " of the Leopold History
Reformation in Germany," translated by Sarah Austin, vol. i. , Introduction, p. 5.
I9 See Le Dr. Hoefer's
"
Nouvelle Biogra-
I5
i5° LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
of the old Rhine. 23 At present, Utrecht is the capital of a province, bearing the same name, in the kingdom of Holland. The streets are of tolerable width, and intersected by canals below their level. At Utrecht, Winfrid opened his commission to the king ; but, the zealous missionary met with little success, in representations made by him. However, he converted many
people to the Christian faith. 2*
to the permission preach Gospel
Notwithstanding, Radbod had refused him
in Frisia. 25 this it is 26 During time, possible,
Winfrid wrote his Epistle to the Abbess Eadburga, which is still preserved. Part of the summer and autumn had passed, before he resolved on leaving a country, which then was not ripe for the harvest. Taking with him
Utrecht on Le Vieux Canal.
the companions of his voyage, he sought the most convenient port, and thence they sailed over to England. To their monastery of Nuscelle, the faithful
2? Here
Abbot and the monks, in whose good offices and works they were soon en-
gaged. However, Winbercht had reached to a great age, and the infirmities
consequent on it brought him to an extremity, which indicated approaching dissolution. None felt more sorrowful than Boniface among the brethren. At length, the holy Abbot rendered his spirit to the Lord, and the monks pain- fullymournedthelossoftheirsuperior. Soonafterwards, uponthedeathofWin-
servant of Christ then
proceeded.
they
were
joyfully
received the by
22 This was the impression produced on
the writer, during a tour there in July, or
25 See Michaud's "Biogrnphie Universelle Ancienne et Moderne," new edition, par une Societe de Gens de Lettres et de Savants,
August, 1863.
23 The accompanying illustration of tome v. , Art. Boniface (saint), p. 4.
Utrecht, drawn by William F. Wakeman on
the wood, has been engraved by Mrs. Millard.
24 This is stated, in the Second Life of St. Boniface, cap. i. , sect. 7.
26 See Mabillon's ' ' Annales Ordinis S. Be- nedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, ii. , p. 42.
37 See l'Abbe
Fleury's
" Histoire Ecclesi-
astique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect, xxxv. , p. 180.
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 151
thebrethren choseWinfridtobecometheirAbbot s unanimously f but,
he
had an angelic vision, which urged upon him this course.
3° Having procured, 12
through the interest of St. Daniel,3 Bishop of Winchester^ that another should be named Abbot in his place ;33 Boniface, obtained commendatory letters from the same Prelate to Pope St. Gregory II. 34 With his license and benediction, our saint hoped for permission, to preach the Faith of Christ among the Germans. Accordingly, a holy man named Stephen was appointed as Abbot; and Boniface, taking leave of the brethren, again set out for London, where a vessel was procured, and in it he embarked. With favouring gales, he sailed over to Cuent, or Canicum,35 now known as Canche. This was near the town denominated Stapulas, now Estaples. For a time did Winfrid here remain, until lie had collected a great number of companions, who pro- ceeded with him to visit as pilgrims several churches, dedicated to saints.
He feared dangers to be encountered, by crossing the Alps in that winter season, as also the ferocity of the Lombards, who might be disposed to molest them. He ^and his companions set out for Rome, however, under the guidance of Divine Providence, and protected by the intercession of the saints, in the autumn 36 of the year 718. 37 All arrived there safely. They went then to the Church of St. Peter, to return thanks for the prosperous issue of their journey. Votive offerings were likewise presented, and according to custom, a circuit of all the Roman Churches was made 3? After a few days thus spent in Rome, Winfrid sought an interview with the Sovereign Pontiff GregoryII. ,39ofblessedmemory. Tohimwasexplainedthosemotivesand objects, that urged the pilgrim to undertake his journey. He was there
honourably received by the Pope. Before he approved this call, to preach the Gospel among the pagans, Gregory asked, if Winfrid had letters of recom-
mendation from his bishop. Immediately, Winfrid removing his cloak pro- duced the case, in which these letters had been enclosed, and he then pre- sented them to his Holiness. The testimonial,40 which seems to have been of a formal character, and the commendatory letters 4I were read,42 when the
bert,
remonstrated on this account, and denied his ability to discharge satisfactorily the duties of such an office. He had reasons to urge for his non-compliance. This position he declined, chiefly as being called to labour in the conversion of infidels. 2 $ The winter had now passed over, but it chilled not the resolve of the holy Priest, to seek once more the scenes of his self-imposed mission. He
28 "
See Mabillon's Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, i. , p.
vince of the Morini.
36 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S.
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, xxvi. ,
p. 52.
42.
29 See l'Abbe
Fleury's
" Histoire Ecclesi-
"
37 See Michaud's Universelle
tome
30 According to the writer of the Second
December 1 oth.
32 An admirable "History, Civil and
33 Three letters of St. Boniface to this Bishop Daniel are extant.
astique," 181.
ix. ,
liv.
xli. ,
sect,
xxxv. , p.
Biographie
Ancienne et Moderne," &c, new edition,
Life of St. Boniface, i. , sect. cap.
tome v. , Art. Boniface (saint), p, 5.
38 to the Second Life of St. According
Boniface, cap. i. , sect. 7.
39 He presided over the Church from A. D.
715 to 731. See Sir Harris Nicolas'
" Chronology of History," p. 211.
4° This letter was sealed, as being of a
7.
31 He presided as bishop from A. D. 705 to A. D. 723. His festival has been assigned to
Ecclesiastical, and Survey of the Antiquities
of Winchester," has been written by Rev.
John Milner, D. D. It was issued in Two the light. Volumes 4L0, Winchester, A. D. 1798.
Histoire 34 His festival occurs, at the 1 3th of Feb- Ecclesiastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect,
ruary. He felt a great desire for the con- version of Germany.
35 Also called Quancia, a river, in the pro-
xxxv. , p. 182.
^ The Encyclical Letter is the third in
order, among the preserved letters of St.
private character, and it has not yet seen
4l These generally recommendatory letters to all Christians were unsealed, as we are
"
informed, in l'Abbe Fleury's
T5^ LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. [June 5.
Pope had made a signal for our saint to retire. Having duly weighed the matter, without hesitation the Pope approved of Winfrid's intention, and manifested great delight, that in him he had found a suitable missioner, to bear the Gospel message among unenlightened nations. But, that season was not suitable for a journey to the North of Europe, and besides, it was necessary to consider well the preliminaries for so great an undertaking.
Gregory II. , at last gave Winfrid his important mission, for the conversion
of Germany. However, before he was allowed to depart from Rome, the Pope held daily colloquies with him,43 and they discussed all those plans, which could best be devised to ensure success. The winter months had now passed, and the month of Nisan or April had advanced near to Jair or May, before the parting benediction from the Pope was asked and obtained. Apostolic letters,4* settingforthhispowers,werefurnished,andtheseauthorizedhimto
preach the Gospel everywhere throughout Germany. Taking with him many relics from Rome, and accompanied by his band of fellow-workers, Winfrid returned to Lombardy, where Liodebrand,45 or Luitprand, then reigned. There, the apostolic man courteously presented gifts to that ruler, and by himwasreceivedwithdistinction. Hewasrequested,towaitforatimeandto rest, before he should venture to cross the rough and precipitous gorges of the Alps, which led into Bavaria and other provinces of Germany.
His first labours, according to a mandate he had received from the Sovereign
Pontiff,wereamongtheThuringians. 46 TheGospelhadbeenalreadypreached intheircountry,owingtothezealofpreviousholymissionaries. Winfridad- dressed the chiefs and leaders of the people, who had fallen from their former
religious practices, thus endeavouring to correct the error of their ways. He placed holy ministers among the Alemani, the Norici, and the Thuringians. Especially, certain Priests he found there, were reprehended by him, and it is to be hoped, they were reclaimed from their disorders and vices. 4? Afterwards, the holy man travelled into France, with those who had made the pilgrimage, and who now desired to revisit their own country. Wherever he went, Win- frid desired to erect churches, altars, and monasteries, so that the true wor-
shipofGodmightservetodisplaceGentilesuperstitionsandidolatry. 48 He now received intelligence regarding the death *9 of King Radbod, who had ruled in Friseland. This event occurred a. d. 719. 5° For an opportunity to resume his labours there, his mind was strongly inclined. The conquest of
Frisia, by Karl Martell, was the preparatory signal for spreading the sacred
51
word, chiefly through instrumentality
the — of our saint.
taking boat he —sailed along the great river which we may suppose to have
been the Rhine
Boniface.
43 See Mabillon's
Accordingly, until he entered the territory of the Frisons. The perse-
"
52
Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, xxvii. , p. 53.
48 See Second Life of St. Boniface, cap. i. , sect. 8.
49 The Abbess Bugga or Eadburga, vene- rated on the 28th of July, congratulates St. Boniface on this occasion, because a great obstacle to spreading the Gospel had been removed. See Epist. Bonifacii, 33.
Annales Ordinis S. Benedicti," tomus ii. , lib. xx. , sect, xxvi. ,
p. 52.
44 These were dated on the Ides of May,
imperante Augusto Leone, anno tertio Im-
"
perii, Indictione 2," which coincides with
A. D. 719.
45 His reign dates from A. D. 712 to A. D.
743.
46 The author of the Second Life of St.
so See l'Abbe" Eleury's
"
Histoire Eccle-
Boniface tells us, that the Germans, at this
time, were accustomed to worship in their
groves and in their temples, sprites and Reformation in Germany," translated by hobgoblins, as also Fauns and Satyrs, Sarah Austin, vol. i. Introduction, pp. Dryads and Nymphs of the woods. See 5, 6.
cap. i. , sect. 8. * The author of St. Boniface's Second
47 See Mabillon's "Annales Ordinis S. Life remarks of them, "qui fere, quemadmo-
siastique," tome ix. , liv. xli. , sect. xxxv. ,
p. 181.
** See Leopold Ranke's
"
History of the
June 5. ] LIVES OF THE IRISH SAINTS. 153
cution of Radbod had now ceased, and mindful of his commission, Winfrid
begantoannouncethetruthsofChristianitytothepagans. Thesupremacy of Charles Martel had again been established among the Frisons, and this warlike monarch wished earnestly, that the Christian religion should be foundedthereonawideandsecurebasis. ThezealousWinfridsoonreduced to the obedience of reason, many who were addicted to superstition conjunction with the holy Archbishop Willibrord," and several labourers in this portion of the Lord's vineyard, Winfrid converted a great number of un- believers to the true Faith. For three years—a. d. 720 to 722—he laboured in that difficult mission with great zeal.
Having well proved this efficient missioner, St. Willibrord, then Bishop of
Utrecht, and the Apostle of that country, being now very old, earnestly desired to resign his Bishopric to Winfrid, and to consecrate him as a successor. With this object in view, he asked for a conference, and then endeavoured by force of argument, to persuade the holy man, that he should assume such an office. However, Winfrid objected, that he was compara-
tively young and inexperienced for so great a charge, while the customary usage required fifty years to have elapsed, before a bishop should be conse- crated. 54 Again, St. Willibrord urged how readily a dispensation from the
practice might be obtained, while the circumstances of the place and oppor- tunity should induce him to give his assent. More than once was this matter a subject for pious contention between them. 55 Notwithstanding all that could be said, the man of God would not accept of this dignity ; for, he chose rather to labour in Germany, and when his persistence seemed driven to a last effort, he revealed to Willibrord, that Pope Gregory II. had actually desired him to preach the Gospel among the parts of that vast country, where Christianity had not as yet been sufficiently extended, and where barbarism still prevailed. 56 Furthermore, he pleaded, that considering himself to be bound in obedience to the apostolic mandate, he could not comply with the request preferred, unless the Holy See should countermand the commission he had received. Winfrid concluded by praying, that he had a strong inclination to accept Germany as his proper field, and that he should be permitted to de- part for it. Then, Willibrord consented, and giving him a blessing, Winfrid left that part of the country and went to Germany. 5? The saint had already brought numbers of persons to an orderly and to a regular conversation. God was pleased to bless his preaching with great success, in the district of Frisia.
Hisfirst stage ofjourneywastoaplaceinUpperHesse,calledAmoeneburg,58 or Amelburg,59 where twin brothers named Detdic6o and Dierolf61 were chiefs. Thesehadbeenaddictedtoidolatrouspractices,whichstillprevailed there, and which were not wholly abandoned with the introduction of Chris-
dum et pisces morantur in aquis, quibus ita undique concluduntur, ut raro ad exteras regiones accessum habeant, nisi navibus sub- vehantur. "—Cap. i. , sect. 9.
53 His feast is celebrated, on the 7th of November.
54 Treating about St. Boniface, Edward Maiheu observes, that in England, accord- ing to canonical usage to be ordained a Priest required the attainment of thirty years, while fifty were necessary for the con- secration of a Bishop.
r
55 see << \ita iii. S. Bonifacii, sect, 2, p.
p.