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VICTORIA  UNIVERSITY 

Toronto  5,  Canada 


TEXTS   PEEPAEING.     GENERAL   NOTICES. 

The  following  Texts  are  preparing  for  the  Original  Series  of  the  Early  English  Text 
Society  :— 

Anglo-Saxon  and  Latin  Rule  of  St.  Benet,  ed.  Dr.  H.  Logeman. 

Anglo-Saxon  Glosses  to  Latin  Prayers  and  Hymns,  edited  by  Dr.  F.  Holthausen. 

An  Anglo-Saxon  Martyrology,  edited  from  the  4  MSS.  by  Dr.  G.  Herzfeld. 

Aelfric's  Metrical  Lives  of  Saints,  MS.  Cott.  Jul.  E  7,  Part  IV,  ed.  Prof.  Skeat,  Litt.D.,  LL.D. 

All  the  Anglo-Saxon  Homilies  not  accessible  in  English  editions,  including  those  of  the  Vercelli  MS.,  edited 
by  Prof.  Napier,  M.A.,  Ph.D. 

The  Exeter  Book  (A.-Sax.  Poems),  re-edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  I.  Gollancz,  B.A.  Cambr. 

A  Parallel-text  of  the  6  MSS.  of  the  Ancren  Eiwle,  ed.  Prof.  Dr.  E.  Kolbing. 

The  Sege  of  Jerusalem,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Dr.  F.  Kopka. 

Two  Fifteenth-Century  Cookery-Books,  edited  from  the  MSS.  by  Mr.  T.  Austin.    [At  Press. 

Early  English  Verse  Lives  of  Saints,  Standard  Collection,  from  the  Harl.  MS.,  ed.  Dr.  0.  Horstmann, 

Supplementary  Early  English  Lives  of  Saints,  ed.  Dr.  C.  Horstmann. 
The  Early  and  Later  Festialls,  ab.  1400  and  1440  A.D.,  ed.  Dr.  C.  Horstmann. 
Thomas  Robinson's  Life  and  Death  of  Mary  Magdalene,  ab.  1620  A.D.    [At  Press. 

Q.  Elizabeth's  Translations,  from  Boethius,  &c.,  edited  from  the  unique  MS.  by  Walford  D.  Selby.  [At  Press. 
Early  English  Deeds  and  Documents,  from  unique  MSS.,  ed.  Dr.  Lorenz  Morsbach. 
Merlin,  Part  IV.,  containing  Preface,  Index,  and  Glossary.    Edited  by  H.  B.  Wheatley. 
Beowulf,  a  critical  Text,  &c.,  ed.  Prof.  Zupitza,  Ph.D. 

Pilgrimage  of  the  Lyf  of  Manhode,  in  the  Northern  Dialect,  ed.  S.  J.  Herrtage,  B.A. 
Early  English  Homilies,  13th  century,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris. 

The  Rule  of  St.  Benet:  5  Texts,  Anglo-Saxon,  Early  English,  Caxton,  &c.,  ed.  Rev.  Dr.  R.  Morris. 
A  Chronicle  of  England  to  1327  A.D.,  in  Northern  verse  (42,000  lines),  ab.  1350  A.D.,  edited  from  the  unique 
Gottingen  MS.  by  M.  L.  Perrin,  B.A. 


1  March,  1888.  With  this,  go  out  four  Texts  :  the  two  of  the  Original  Series  for  1887, — 
1.  Dr.  Horstmann's  re-edition  of  Henry  Bradshaw's  Life  of  St.  Werburghe,  A.D.  1521  ;  2.  Dr. 
Horstmann's  edition  of  the  earliest  MS.  and  form  of  the  set  of  Saints'  Lives,  &c.,  containd 
in  the  Laud  MS. ;  3.  the  third  and  last  Text  for  the  Extra  Series,  1887,  The  Torrent  of  Portyn- 
gale,  re-edited  by  Dr.  E.  Adam  (with  Prof.  Kolbing's  help)  ;  4.  the  first  Text  of  the  Original 
Series  for  1888  :  Part  I,  the  text  and  translation  of  Dr.  Holthausen's  edition  of  an  early 
treatise  on  the  Vices  and  Virtues  from  the  Stowe  MS.  240,  ab.  1200  A.D.  The  other  Original- 
Series  Texts  for  1888  will  be  Mr.  Rhodes's  re-edition  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  Glosses  and  Latin 
text  of  Bede's  Liber  Scintillarum,  and  Mr.  Harsley's  edition  of  Eudwine's  early  12th  century 
Canterbury  Psalter,  as  to  which  see  below.  Both  these  texts  are  nearly  all  in  type. 

For  the  Extra  Series,  1888,  Bullein's  Dialogue  on  the  Feuer  Pestilence,  1567,  has  been  for  a 
long  while  all  in  type  and  revised  ;  and  it  will  go  out  as  soon  as  its  Editors,  Messrs.  A.  H. 
and  Mark  Bullen,  allow.  The  second  book  for  this  year  will  be  a  new  edition  of  the  first 
English  Anatomic  of  the  Body  of  Man,  by  Thomas  Vicary,  Serjeant  of  the  Surgeons,  and  Chief 
Surgeon  to  Henry  VIII,  Edward  VI,  Q.  Mary,  and  Q.  Elizabeth,  five  times  Master  of  the 
Barber-Surgeons'  Company,  and  Chief  Surgeon  to  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital  after  its  re- 
foundation in  1546-7  by  Henry  VIII.  and  the  City  of  London.  No  copy  of  the  first  edition  of 
this  little  book  in  1548  is  now  known  ;  and  therefore  the  unique  copy  of  it,  re-issued  by  the 
Surgeons  of  Bartholomew's  in  1577,  has  been  reprinted.  Diligent  efforts  have  been  made  to 
secure  all  accessible  details  of  Vicary 's  life  in  its  various  aspects  of — 1.  '  a  meane  practiser  at 
Maidstone';  2.  the  head  Court-Surgeon  for  over  forty  years;  3.  a  member  (1527-62)  and 
Master  of  the  Barber-Surgeons'  Company  ;  4.  the  re-organiser  of  the  recreated  Bartholomew's 
Hospital ;  and  5.  a  private  citizen.  But  though  fair  success  has  attended  the  searches  under 
sections  2  and  5,  little  has  been  attained  under  1  ;  while  for  3  and  4,  delay  is  still  needful. 


2  E,<-lm  Series  Books,  1888.     Anglo-Saxon  Psalters. 

Mr.  D'Arcy  Power  has,  by  the  kind  leave  of  Mr.  South's  widow,  lent  the  Society  Mr.  Sonth's 
full  extracts  from  the  earliest  Minute-Book  of  the  Barber-Surgeons'  Company  ;  but  the 
Governors  of  the  Company  have  refused  to  allow  the  printing  of  any  of  the  extracts,  inasmuch 
as  Mr.  Sidney  Young,  a  member  of  the  Company,  has  long  been  compiling  its  history  from  its 
records,  and  he  does  not  wish  any  of  these  printed  before  his  book  is  publisht,  which  will  be 
some  years  hence.  With  regard  to  Bartholomew's  Hospital,  Part  I  of  its  Records  is  now 
printing  by  two  Officers  of  the  Hospital ;  and  till  their  First  Part  is  out,  the  Society's  book 
cannot  be  completed.  This  will  therefore  be  issued  in  two  Parts,  of  which  the  first  (all  now 
in  type)  will  contain  all  Vicary's  work,  with  its  many  illustrative  Documents  from  the  Public 
Record  Office,  the  Guildhall  Records,  the  Museum  MSS.,  &c.,  while  in  Part  II  will  be  the 
Notes,  Indexes,  and  Forewords,  with  a  Life  of  Vicary.  Nearly  all  the  Forewords,  save  the 
Bartholomew's  section — the  old  Surgeon's  life  at  the  Hospital  in  1548-62 — are  in  type.  The 
New  Shakspere  Society  has  sold  the  Early  English  Text  Society  the  right  to  print  copies  .of 
its  plates  of  Edward  VFs  Coronation  Procession  through  the  City  of  London  in  1547,  and 
Norden's  Plan  of  London  in  1593  ;  and  other  illustrations  will  be  given.  The  Editors  are  the 
Director,  and  his  son  Mr.  Percy  Furnivall,  a  student  of  St.  Bartholomew's  Hospital.  It  is 
hoped  that  Part  I  of  the  book  will  be  ready  in  May. 

Mr.  Alexander  J.  Ellis  has  already  in  type  over  two  hundred  pages  of  Part  IV  of  his  great 
work  on  Early  English  Pronunciation,  dealing  with  our  modern  dialects.  This  will  be  issued 
by  the  Philological  and  Chaucer  Societies  jointly  with  the  Early  English  Text  Society  ;  but 
the  date  of  publication  must  depend  on  the  progress  of  the  very  intricate  and  laborious  work, 
and  the  funds  of  the  several  Societies.  The  Part  will  undoubtedly  be  finisht  this  year. 

Dr.  Aldis  Wright  many  years  ago  undertook  the  editing  of  the  MS.  Anglo-Saxon  Psalters 
for  the  Society.  As  a  preliminary,  he  copied  the  12th  century  (?ab.  1150  A.D.)  Trinity  MS. 
of  Eadwine's  Canterbury  Psalter,  which  has  transitional  forms  like  the  change  of  Anglo-Saxon 
c  to  ch  (wyrchende  for  A.  Sax.  wyrcende),  the  weakening  of  full  vowels  in  the  endings, 
senfullen  for  A.  Sax.  synfullan,  &c.  Dr.  Aldis  Wright  also  made  notes  of  all  the  other  Anglo- 
Saxon  Psalters  from  the  ninth  to  the  twelfth  century,  and  tentatively  classified  them  by  the 
Roman  and  Gallican  versions  which  they  respectively  gloss.  Meantime  Dr.  Hy.  Sweet  edited 
the  oldest  MS.,  the  Vespasian,  in  his  Oldest  English  Texts  for  the  Society.  The  next  step 
should  have  been  to  collate  six  or  eight  Psalms  from  all  the  MSS.,  and  see  whether  one  or 
(at  most)  two  texts,  with  collations,  would  not  have  sufficed  for  the  whole  body.  But  as 
Mr.  Harsley,  to  whom  Dr.  Aldis  Wright  kindly  handed  his  whole  material,  wanted  one  text 
printed  forthwith  for  his  Doctor's  Dissertation,  leave  was  given  for  the  late  Canterbury  Psa'ter 
to  go  to  press  ;  and  now  the  text  of  it  is  all  printed.  Dr.  Logeman  then  raised  the  question 
of  how  the  other  MSS.  should  be  treated  ;  and  he  was  authorised  to  prepare  a  Parallel- 
Text  edition  of  the  first  ten  Psalms  from  all  the  MSS.,  to  test  whether  the  best  way  of 
printing  them  would  be  in  one  group,  or  in  two — in  each  case  giving  parts  of  all  the  MSS.  on 
one  page — under  their  respective  Roman  and  Gallican  Latin  originals.  If  collation  proves 
that  all  the  MSS.  cannot  go  together  on  successive  pages,  there  will  be  two  Parallel-Texts, 
one  of  the  A. Sax.  MSS.  following  the  Roman  version,  and  the  other,  of  those  glossing  the 
Gallican  ;  but  every  effort  will  be  made  to  get  the  whole  into  one  Parallel-Text.  This  Text 
will  be  an  extravagance  ;  but  as  the  Society  has  not  yet  committed  one  in  Anglo-Saxon,  it 
will  indulge  in  one  now.  And  every  student  will  rejoice  at  having  the  whole  Psalter  material 
before  him  in  the  most  convenient  form.  Dr.  Logeman  and  Mr.  Harsley  will  be  joint  editors 
of  the  Parallel-Text.  The  Early  English  Psalters  are  all  independent  versions,  and  will 
follow  separately  in  due  course. 


Anglo-Saxon  Psalters.     More  Money  wanted.     Saints'  Lives.  3 

Through  the  good  offices  of  Prof.  Arber,  the  books  for  the  Early-English  Examinations  of 
the  University  of  London  will  be  chosen  from  the  Society's  publications,  the  Committee 
having  undertaken  to  supply  such  books  to  students  at  a  large  reduction  in  price.  The 
profits  from  these  sales  will  be  applied  to  the  Society's  Eeprints.  The  Ayeribite  of  Inwyt  is 
now  reprinting  under  the  supervision  of  its  Editor,  Dr.  Richard  Morris.  Members  are 
reminded  that  fresh  Subscribers  are  always  wanted,  and  that  the  Committee  can  at  any  time, 
on  short  notice,  send  to  press  an  additional  Thousand  Pounds'  worth  of  work. 

Our  Jubilee  Reprint  Fund,  for  which  Mr.  M.  T.  Culley  of  Coupland  Castle  has  sent  a 
Letter  of  Appeal  to  every  Member,  has  as  yet  receivd  but  little  support,  tho'  Mr.  Mortimer 
Harris  started  it  with  a  cheque  for  two  guineas.  Further  Donations  will  be  welcome.  They 
should  be  paid  to  the  Honorary  Secretary,  Mr.  W.  A.  Dalziel,  67  Victoria  Road,  Finsbury 
Park,  London,  N. 

The  Subscribers  to  the  Original  Series  must  be  prepared  for  the  issue  of  the  whole  of  the 
Early  English  Lives  of  Saints,  under  the  editorship  of  Dr.  Carl  Horstmann.  The  Society 
cannot  leave  out  any  of  them,  even  though  some  are  dull.  In  many  will  be  found  interesting 
incidental  details  of  our  forefathers'  social  state,  and  all  are  worthful  for  the  history  of  our 
language.  The  Lives  may  be  lookt  on  as  the  religious  romances  or  story-books  of  their 
period. 

The  Standard  Collection  of  Saints'  Lives  in  the  Corpus  and  Ashmole  MSS.,  the  Harleian 
MS.  2277,  &c.  will  repeat  the  Laud  set,  our  No.  87,  with  additions,  and  in  right  order.  The 
differences  between  the  foundation  MS.  (the  Laud)  and  its  followers  are  so  great,  that,  to 
prevent  quite  unwieldy  collations,  Dr.  Horstinann  decided  that  the  Laud  MS.  must  be  printed 
alone,  as  the  first  of  the  Series  of  Saints'  Lives.  The  Supplementary  Lives  from  the  Vernon 
and  other  MSS.  will  form  one  or  two  separate  volumes.  The  Glossary  to  the  whole  set,  the 
discussion  of  the  sources,  and  of  the  relation  of  the  MSS.  to  one  another,  &c.,  will  be  put 
in  a  final  volume. 

"When  the  Saints'  Lives  are  complete,  Trevisa's  englishing  of  Bartholomoeus  de  Propricta- 
tibus  Rerum,  the  mediaeval  Cyclopaedia  of  Science,  &c.,  will  be  the  Society's  next  big  under- 
taking. Dr.  Holthausen  has  kindly  said  that  he  will  probably  edit  it.  Before  it  goes  to 
press,  Prof.  Napier  of  Oxford  has  been  good  enough  to  promise  that  he  will  edit  for  the 
Society  all  the  unprinted  and  other  Anglo-Saxon  Homilies  which  are  not  included  in  Thorpe's 
edition  of  Aelfric's  prose,1  Dr.  Morris's  of  the  Blickling  Homilies,  and  Prof.  Skeat's  of 
Aelfric's  Metrical  Homilies.  Prof.  Kolbing  has  also  undertaken  for  the  Society  a  Parallel-Text 
of  all  the  six  MSS.  of  the  Ancren  Riwle,  one  of  the  most  important  foundation- documents  of 
Early  English. 

For  1889,  Dr.  Holthausen's  Part  II,  the  Introduction,  Notes,  and  Glossary  to  the  Stowe 
MS.  Vices  and  Virtues,  will  probably  be  ready  in  January.  "What  other  books  will  follow, 
must  depend  on  when  any  editor  of  one  of  the  many  works  in  preparation  for  the  Society  has 
a  Part  or  the  whole  of  it  ready  for  issue.  Lists  of  these  Works  are  on  the  last  page  of  the 
Cover  and  the  first  of  this  inside  quarter-sheet. 

In  case  more  texts  are  ready  at  any  time  than  can  be  paid  for  by  the  current  year's  income, 
they  will  be  dated  the  next  year,  and  issued  in  advance  to  such  Members  as  will  pay  advance 
subscriptions.  Last  year's  delay  in  getting  out  Texts  must  not  occur  again,  if  it  can  possibly 
be  avoided. 

1  Of  these,  Mr.  Harsley  is  preparing  a  new  edition,  with  collations  of  all  the  MSS.  Many  copies  of 
Thorpe's  book,  not  issued  by  the  Aclt'ric  Society,  are  still  in  stock. 

Of  the  Vercelli  Homilies,  the  Society  has  bought  the  copy  piade  by  Prof.  Q.  Lattanzi. 


4  Other  Societies.     Shakspere  Quarto  Facsimiles. 

OTHER   SOCIETIES. 

J7yclif,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  1882,  for  the  printing  of  all  Wyclif  s  Latin  MSS.  Hon. 
Sec.,  J.  H.  Standerwick,  General  Post  Office,  London,  E.G.  One  Guinea  a  year. 

Chaucer,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  1868,  to  print  all  the  best  Chaucer  MSS.,  &c.  Editor 
in  Chief,  F.  J.  Furnivall.  Hon.  Sec.,  W.  A.  Dalziel,  67,  Victoria  Road,  Finsbury  Park,  N". 
Subscription,  Two  Guineas  a  year. 

New  Shakspere,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  1873,  to  promote  the  intelligent  study  of 
SHAKSPERE,  and  to  print  his  "Works  in  their  original  Spelling,  with  illustrative  Treatises. 
President,  ROBERT  BROWNING.  Director,  F.  J.  FURNIVALL.  Hon.  Sec.,  K.  Grahame, 
65,  Chelsea  Gardens,  Chelsea  Bridge  Road,  London,  S.W.  Subscription,  One  Guinja 
a  year. 

Ballad,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  1868,  to  piint  all  Early  English  MS.  Ballads,  and 
reprint  the  Roxburghe,  Bagford,  arid  other  collections  of  printed  Ballads.  Editor  in 
Chief,  The  Rev.  J.  W.  Ebsworth,  M.A.,  F.S.A.  Hon.  Sec.,  W.  A.  Dalziel,  67,  Victoria 
Road,  London,  N.  One  Guinea  a  year. 

Shelley,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall  in  Dec.  1885,  to  promote  the  study  of  Shelley's  Works, 
reprint  his  original  editions,  and  procure  the  acting  of  his  Cenci.  Chairman  of  Committee, 
W.  M.  Rossetti.  Hon.  Sec.,  T.  J.  Wise,  127,  Devonshire  Road,  Holloway,  London,  1ST. 
Subscription,  One  Guinea  a  year. 

Browning,  founded  by  Dr.  Furnivall 'and  Miss  Hickey  in  1881,  for  the  study  and  discussion 
of  Robert  Browning's  Works,  print  Papers  on  them,  illustrations  of  them,  and  to  procure 
the  performance  of  the  poet's  plays.  President,  Dr.  Furnivall.  Hon.  Sec.,  W.  B.  Slater, 
249,  Camden  Road,  London,  N.  Subscription,  One  Guinea  a  year. 

Philological,  founded  in  1842,  to  investigate  the  Structure,  Affinities,  and  the  History  of 
Languages.  Hon.  Sec.,  F.  J.  Furnivall,  3,  St.  George's  Sq.,  Primrose  Hill,  London,  N.W. 
One  Guinea  entrance,  and  one  a  year.  Parts  I.,  II.,  and  III.  of  the  Society's  English 
Dictionary,  for  which  material  has  been  collecting  for  30  years,  have  lately  been  issued, 
edited  by  Dr.  J.  A.  H.  Murray,  and  publisht  by  the  Clarendon  Press,  Oxford.  Part  IV 
(nearly  ready)  will  complete  vol.  i.  (A-B),  and  start  vol.  ii.  (C-D).  Mr.  Henry  Bradley 
is  now  joint  Editor,  and  has  begun  vol.  iii  with  E. 

IVagner,  to  promote  the  study  of  his  Musical  and  other  works,  and  the  performance  of  his 
Operas  at  Bayreuth.  Hon.  Sec.  for  England,  B.  L.  Mosley,  55,  Tavistock  Square, 
London,  W.C.  Subscription,  Ten  Shillings  a  year. 


Shakspere  Quarto  Facsimiles,  issued  under  the  superintendence  of  Dr.  Furnivall,  10.9.  6d. 
each,  or  6s.  if  the  whole  series  of  forty-three  is  taken,  edited  by  F.  J.  Furnivall,  Prof. 
Dowden,  Mr.  P.  A.  Daniel,  Mr.  H.  A.  Evans,  Mr.  Arthur  Symons,  Mr.  T.  Tyler,  and 
other  Shakspere  scholars.  B.  Quaritch,  15,  Piccadilly,  London,  W.  (Thirty-five  Fac- 
similes have  been  published,  and  eight  more  will  be  ready  soon.  The  Series  will  be 
completed  in  1888.) 


of 


BERLIN :  ASHER  &  CO.,  5,  UNTER  DEN  LINDEN. 

NEW  YORK:  C.  SCTJBNER  &  CO.;   LEYPOLDT  &  HOLT. 

PHILADELPHIA :  J.  B.  LIPPINCOTT  &  CO. 


CIjc  fife  ai 


Jlaittt 


of  Cljcstcr, 

BY   HENRY   BRADSHAW. 


ENGLISHT  A.D.  1513,  PRINTED  BY  PYNSON  A.D.   1521 
AND  NOW  BE-EDITED 


BY 


GAEL   HORSTHANX. 


LONDON : 

PUBLISHED    FOR   THE   EARLY    ENGLISH    TEXT    SOCIETY 
BY  N.  TRUBNER  &  CO.,  57  &  59,  LUDGATE  HILL. 

1887. 


\\  \ 


b 


>mes, 


88. 


CLAY    AND  SONS,    CHAUCER   PRKSS,    BCNOAY. 


INTEODUCTION   TO   THE 

LYFE   OF   ST.  WERBURGE  BY  HENRY 
BRADS  HAW. 

THE  present  legend  is  extant  only  in  an  edition  by  Pynson 
(London),  1521  (described  in  Dibdin's  Typogr.  Antiq.  II. 
491),  of  which  five  copies  are  known  to  exist1 :  one  (the 
copy  described  by  Dibdin  as  Heber's)  in  the  British  Museum, 
two  in  the  Bodleian,  one  in  the  Minster  library  at  York,  and 
one  in  Mr.  Christie  Miller's  collection  (cf.  Hawkins).  It  was 
carefully  reprinted  (in  the  type  and  shape  of  Pynson's  ed., 
with  all  its  faults,  and  without  punctuation)  for  the  Chetham 
Society,  1848,  by  E.  Hawkins,  with  an  introduction.  Ex- 
tracts had  been  given  by  Dibdin,  and,  not  always  correctly, 
by  Warton  (Hist,  of  Enjl.  Poetry,  II.  371—380). 

In  Pynson's  edition  the  poem  is  preceded  by  a  prologue  in 
the  honour  of  St.  Werburge  by  J.  T.  (whose  name  neither 
Herbert  nor  Hawkins  were  able  to  make  out).  This  prologue 
in  an  acrostic  of  the  two  first  stanzas,  and  in  vv.  17,  23,  28, 
names  Henry  Bradsha,  "sometyme  monke  in  Chester,"  and 
servant  of  St.  Werburge,  as  the  author  of  the  English 
legend.  At  the  end  of  the  book  are  appended  three 
"balades"  by  different  authors,  the  first  of  which,  "A 
Balade  to  the  auctour,"  written  by  an  (official?)  examiner 
to  whom  the  book  was  sent  for  approbation  (cf.  p.  200, 
v.  8  ff),  mentions  that  its  author.  "  though  vncertayne  be 

1  It  was  mentioned  by  Maittaire  (who  in  1741  inserts  it  in  a  list  of 
books  not  before  noticed),  and  in  Ames's  Typogr.  Ant.  1749,  who  must 
have  had  a  copy  before  him.  However,  Heber,  Typog.  Ant.,  I.  270,  says, 
that  a  few  years  before  he  wrote,  the  very  existence  of  the  book  was  ques- 
tioned ;  and  Dr.  Foote  Gower,  in  his  Sketch  of  materials  for  the  history 
of  Chester,  1771,  also  doubts  its  existence  ;  cf.  Hawkins. 


yi  HY.  BRADSHAW'S    LIFE    AND    WORKS. 

his  name,"1  died  in  "the  present  yere  of  this  translation 
MDxm" — which  implies  that  the  legend  was  completed 
that  same  year  (1513),  shortly  before  the  author's  death; 
the  second  ballad,  written,  as  it  seems,  by  a  friend  of  the 
author,  perhaps  an  inmate  of  the  same  abbey,  shortly  after 
his  death,  calls  him  "Harry  Braddeshaa,  of  Chestre  abbay 
monke"  (v.  24),  and  laments  his  premature  death  (v.  27).  All 
these  "  balades  "  speak  .of  the  author  and  his  work  in  terms 
of  the  highest  praise,  and  testify  to  the  admiration  it  must 
have  inspired.  So,  then,  Henry  Bradsha(w)  is  the  author  of 
the  English  life  of  St.  Werburge. 

Of  this  poet  nothing  more  is  known  than  what  is  recorded 
by  Anthony  a  Wood,  who  says  (in  his  Athence  Oxonienses,  1691, 
ed.  Bliss,  1813,  I.  col.  18) — "he  was  born  in  the  auncient 
town  of  Westchester,  commonly  called  the  city  of  Chester ; 
and  being  much  addicted  to  religion  and  learning,  when  a 
youth,  was  received  among  the  Benedictine  monks  of  St. 
Werburge's  monastery  in  the  said  city.  Thence  at  riper  years 
he  was  sent  to  Gloucester  college  in  the  suburb  of  Oxon, 
where,  after  he  had  passed  his  course  in  theology  among  the 
novices  of  his  order,  he  returned  to  his  cell  at  St.  Werburge, 
and  in  his  elder  years  wrote  De  antiquitate  et  mafjnifi,ccntia 
urbis  ChestritE  chronicon,  &c.,  and  translated  from  Latin  into 
English  a  book  which  he  thus  entitled,  The  lyfe  of  the 
glorious  Virgin  St.  Werburge:  Also  many  miracles  that 
God  had  shewed  for  her,  London  1521,  4°.  He  died  in 
1513  (5  Henry  VIII.),  and  was  buried  in  his  monastery, 
leaving  then  behind  him  other  matters  to  posterity ;  but  the 
subject  of  which  they  treat,  I  know  not"  (cf.  Hawkins). 
The  date  of  his  death  (1513)  agrees  with  that  stated  in  the 

1  There  cannot  be  the  least  doubt  that  these  words  refer  to  the 
author  of  the  English  legend,  not  to  that  of  its  Latin  source,  as  Hawkins 
maintains.  It  seems  that  the  legend  had  been  sent  for  approbation  to 
the  authorities  without  the  author's  name,  or  with  his  Christian  name 
only,  he  being  a  monk.  The  mistake  was  caused  by  the  word  "  author," 
v.  6,  which  Hawkins  applies  to  the  composer  of  the  Latin  source  as 
Bradshaw  modestly  calls  himself  a  translator  only. 


HY.  BRADSHAW  S    CONTEMPORARIES    AND    WORKS.  vii 

"Balade  to  the  author."  He  died  just  upon  the  completion 
of  his  legend  (cf.  p.  200,  v.  20),  which  does  not  betray  any 
traces  of  old  age,  nay,  seems  to  have  been  written  in  his  full 
vigour.  This  fact,  and  the  expressions  used  in  the  second 
"balade"  (p.  201,  v.  27),  that  death  had  "  abbreged  the  lyfe 
of  this  good  clerke,"  seem  to  imply  that  he  died  not  very 
old.  His  premature  death  would  explain  why  a  poet  of  his 
talents  left  no  more  works  from  his  pen.  Besides,  he  calls 
"preignaunt  Barkley,  nowe  beyng  religious"  (who  died  in 
1552),  and  "  innentiue  Skelton,  poet  laureate"  (laureated 
before  1490,  died  in  1529),  his  contemporaries  (cf.  p.  199,  v. 
2024).  Assuming  him  to  have  reached  45 — 50  years,  the 
date  of  his  birth  may  be  fixed  about  1465.  Of  his  Latin 
work  quoted  by  Wood,  De  antiqmte  et  marjnificentia  urbis 
Chestrice  Chronicon,  nothing  is  known ;  it  was  no  doubt 
preparatory  to  his  Life  of  St.  Werlmrge,  and  the  substance  of 
it  was  embodied  in  the  legend.1  "Of  the  'other  matters  to 
posterity'  nothing  more  is  positively  known  to  us  than  to 
Wood ;  but  Mr.  Herbert  was  in  possession  of  a  poem,  The 
lyfe  of  St.  Radegunde,  also  printed  by  Pynson,  of  which  he 
says,  '  although  the  name  of  the  author  or  translator  of  this 
book  does  not  decidedly  appear  on  the  face  of  it,  yet  on  com- 
paring it  with  the  life  of  St.  Werburge,  it  may  readily  bo 
perceived  that  both  were  penned  by  the  same  person,  Henry 
Bradshaw,  but  hitherto  omitted  in  every  list  of  his  works ' ' 
—Typocjr.  Antiq.  p.  294  (Hawkins).  Of  this  Lyfe  of  St. 
Radegunde,  ed.  by  Pynson,  a  unique  copy  is  now  in  the 

1  Hawkins  thinks  it  not  improbable  that  some  fragments  dispersed 
in  various  MSS.  descriptive  of  Chester  may  have  been  extracted  from 
his  chronicle.  He  further  remarks  :  "Mr.  Cowper,  in  his  Summary  of 
the  Life  of  St.  Werburge,  quotes  more  than  once  the  Latin  life  of  this 
lady  by  Bradshaw,  and  these  extracts  he  derives  from  Leland's  Collec- 
tanea ;  but  where  this  collector  discovered  his  original  authority  does 
not  appear.  Mr.  Cowper  is  probably  mistaken  in  ascribing  the  work  to 
Bradshaw's  own  pen  ;  it  is  much  more  probable  that  the  extracts  aro 
derived  from  the  original  chronicle  or  passionary  which  Bradshaw 
translated  ;  for  he  himself  states  distinctly  that  his  poem  was  a  transla- 
tion from  a  Latin  history  preserved  in  his  monastery." 


Vlll  GENERAL   AND    LOCAL    LIVES    OF    SAINTS. 

possession  of  Mr.  Miller,  Biitwell.  I  have  in  vain  applied  to 
the  possessor  to  be  allowed  to  take  a  copy  of  it  for  the  pre- 
sent edition,  of  which  the  Li/fe  of  St.  Radegunde  was  to  form 
part,  so  making  up  the  works  of  Bradshaw.  As  I  have  not 
seen  that  book,  I  cannot  say  more  about  it  than  what  I 
have  quoted  from  Hawkins. 

The  Life  of  St.  Werburge  is  the  work  of  Bradshaw's  life, 
finished  only  shortly  before  his  death.  This  saint  was  called 
the  Patroness  of  Chester1  (II.  1741);  she  was  the  patroness 
of  Bradshaw's  abbey,  where  her  bones  rested.  Local  saints 
at  that  time  were  the  chief  glory  of  their  respective  places, 
their  " legend"  a  subject  of  the  deepest  local  interest;  to 
have  their  "legend'' in  Latin,  or  in  the  vernacular  tongue, 
was  the  chief  object  of  local  ambition.2  Most  of  the  Latin 
Vttce  are  due  to  this  local  interest.  The  original  Life  was 
often  subsequently  enlarged  by  the  history  of  the  translation, 
by  additions  and  appendices  containing  more  recent  local 
miracles.  English  literature  abounds  not  only  in  legend?, 
but  in  local  legends  in  prose  and  verse,  written  in  the  ab- 
sence of  a  Latin  life,  or  when  that  was  deemed  insufficient, 
as  being  intelligible  to  the  clergy  alone,  or  deficient  and 
inadequate  in  style.  Lydgate's  Edmund  and  Fremund,  and 
Albon  and  Amphabell,  were  the  standard  works  of  this  kind 
in  the  preceding  century.  There  were  others  which  com- 
bined the  legend  of  the  saint  with  the  history  of  the  town 
or  monastery  where  he  rested.3  So  Bradshaw  undertook  to 
write  the  life  of  his  local  saint,  a  task  for  which  he  was 
eminently  qualified,  both  by  inclination,  parts,  and  studies. 

1  When  the  author  calls  her  prioress  and  lady  of  Chester  Abbey 
(I.  99),  which  she  never  was,  he  can  only  mean  it  in  the  sense  that 
King   Ethelred   made  her  "lady  ruler  and   president"  over   all   the 
nunneries  in  his  kingdom  ;  or  perhaps  he  only  calls  her  so  because  she 
was  enshrined  there,  and  was  considered  its  patroness. 

2  Bradshaw  considers  it  as  a  sign  of  a  good  reign  when  "The  lyues 
of  sayntes  were  soth  in  eche  place,  And  written  in  legendes  for  our 
comfort  and  grace,"  II.  1155. 

3  So  St.  Editha,  sive  Chronicon  Viloduncnsc,  (ed.  by  me,  Heilbronn, 
1883). 


HY.  BRADSHAW'S    CHAEACTER.       HIS   ST.  WERBURGHE.         IX 

As  his  book  shows  him,  he  was  a  man  of  a  childlike, 
sweet  temper,  simple,  pious,  without  affectation,  warm- 
hearted, modest,  sincere,  a  friend  of  the  people,  to  whom 
he  dedicated  his  work  (II.  2016).  lie  had  a  natural  sense 
of  beauty,  an  innate  grace,  a  deep  moral  feeling.  He  was  of 
a  religious,  poetic,  and  antiquarian  cast.  His  life  was  spent 
in  the  narrow  walls  of  his  monastery,  in  the  stillness  of  his 
cell,  of  his  study,  far  from  the  tumult  of  the  great  world. 
He  was  not  ambitious,  but  unregardful  of  the  applause  of 
the  great.  His  interest  centred  in  his  native  place,  in  his 
abbey,  in  its  saint.  He  knew  Latin,  and  was  well  versed  in 
Latin  literature ;  he  knew  of  course  the  Bible ;  he  was  well 
acquainted  with  the  English  literature  of  his  time — with 
Chaucer,  Lydgate,  Barclay,  Skelton ; — but  his  chief  delight 
was  the  chronicles  and  histories  and  legends  of  old.  He  had 
written  in  Latin  a  chronicle  on  the  antiquities  and  magnifi- 
cence of  Chester,  and  was  Chester's  best  antiquary.  So  it 
was  that,  not  feeling  so  bold  as  "  to  descrybe  hye  hystoryes," 
and  scorning  to  write  "bawdy  balades,  to  excyte  lyght  hertes 
to  pleasure  and  vanyte"  (I.  91),  he,  to  avoid  idleness  and 
make  himself  useful,  undertook  "  to  wryte  a  legende  good 
and  true,  and  translate  a  lyfe  into  Englysshe,  I  meane  Blessed 
saynt  Werburge,  Protectrice  of  Chester  and  of  the  abbay" 
(I.  92  ff.). 

The  Life  of  St.  Werburge  is  a  legendary  epic  after  the 
fashion  introduced  by  Lydgate  ;  in  two  books,  with  the  appar- 
atus of  prologues  and  epilogues  (Lenvoye),  with  episodic  in- 
gredients— the  lives  of  the  immediate  relations  of  his  saint — 
with  frequent  descriptions,  in  the  modem  style  full  of  " aureate 
terms,"  in  the  stanza  used  by  Lydgate.  But  it  is  of  a  more 
comprehensive  plan  than  the  mere  legendary  epics  of  that 
poet,  containing  not  only  the  life  of  his  saint,  and  those  of 
her  relations,  St.  Audry,  St.  Sexburge,  and  St.  Ermenilde, 
but  connecting  it  with  the  history  of  the  city  of  Chester 
and  its  abbey,  and  grounding  the  whole  on  the  history 
of  England  and  Mercia.  It  is  the  result  of  careful  studies 


SKETCH    OF   THE    'LIFE    OF    ST.  WERBURGHE,'     BK.  I. 

of  local  history,  and  is  of  great  antiquarian  interest,  tho 
more  valuable  as  it  rests  on  authorities  partly  unknown  to  us. 
It  is  written  for  the  people,  not  for  the  great,  and  in  a  more 
popular  and  simple,  though  less  refined  style  than  Lydgate's, 
in  verses  rich  in  alliteration,  which  remind  us,  in  their  rhythm, 
of  the  old  alliterative  long-line  still  used  in  the  North ;  thus 
combining  an  artistic  and  popular  element.  It  is  not  a  mere 
translation,  nor  an  imitation,  but  shows  traces  of  an  original 
genius,  of  a  truly  epic  tone,  with  a  native  simplicity  of 
feeling  which  sometimes  reminds  the  reader  of  Homer. 
I  here  give  the  contents  of  the  poem.1 

BOOK  I. — In  a  prologue  the  author  treats  of  the  divers  dis- 
positions of  men2  and  of  his  own  motive  in  writing,  and  men- 
tions his  authorities.  He  then  begins  with  the  Anglo-Saxon 
invasion  and  the  Heptarchy,  and  gives  a  description  of  the 
kingdom  of  Mercia.  St.  Werburge  was  daughter  of  Wulfere, 
King  of  Mercia,  and  of  St.  Ermenilde,  daughter  of  King  Ercom- 
bert  of  Kent  (whose  mother  was  Emma  of  France),  and  of  St. 
Sexburge,  who  was  daughter  of  King  Anna  of  East  Anglia  by 
St.  Hereswith  of  Northumberland  (and  sister  to  St.  Audry) ;  so 
that  St.  Werburge  descended  from  the  four  chief  Saxon  kings 
(besides  that  of  France).  (The  poet  gives  a  complete  and  valu- 
able genealogy  of  all  these  royal  houses,  so  fertile  in  saints.)3 
Wulfere  was  second  son  to  Penda.  King  of  Mercia  (626 — 656), 
and  brother  to  Peada,  St.  Ethelred  (afterwards  king,  father  to 
King  Coelred),  St.  Merwald  (father  to  Sts.  Mildred,  Milburge, 
Milgide,  and  to  Mereuin,  by  his  wife  Domneva  of  Kent),  St. 
Marcell,  St.  Keneburge,  and  St.  Keneswyde.  He  succeeded  his 
elder  brother  Peada,  who  was  slain,  after  a  three  years'  reign, 
by  his  wife  Elflede ;  and  chiefly  resided  near  Stone,  in  Stafford 
shire.  He  had,  besides  St.  Werburge,  three  sons :  Sts.  Wulfade 
and  Euffin,  who  died  martyrs,  and  Kenred,  who  was  king  after- 
wards, and  died  at  Rome  in  the  odour  of  sanctity.  Wulfere  was 
a  valiant  and  politic  king,  but  of  a  fierce  temper.  Peada  had 

1  Cf.  Alban  Butler,  Lives  of  the  Fathers,  &c.,  London,  1833,  3  Febr., 
who  relies  on  Braishaw,  but  differs  in  the  circumstances  of  the  death  of 
"VVolfade  and  Kuffin.     Another  summary  of  the  life  of  St.  Werburge. 
with  an  historical  account  of  the  images  carved  on  her  shrine  (now  the 
episcopal  throne)  in  the  choir  of  the  Cathedral  of  Chester,  was  given 
by  W.  Cooper,  at  Chester,  1749. 

2  The  passage  reminds  of  Horace,  Od.  1.1. 

3  There  are  some  mistakes  in  the  printed  text :  v.  289,  read  Dom- 
neua  instead  of  Ermenberge  (cf.  448) ;  v.  397,  the  name  is  Domneva  in 
the  Vita.     The  four  holy  daughters  of  King  Ermenred  :  Ermenberge, 
Ermenburge,  Adeldryde  (r.  Domneva),  Ermengyde,  are  wanting  in  the 
Female  Saints,  but  extant  in  the  Vita  St.  JTerburgae. 


SKETCH    OF    THE    <  LIFE    OF    ST    WERBURGHE,'     BK.  I.          XI 

begun  to  plant  the  faith  in  Mercia ;  Wulfere  had  been  baptized 
by  the  bishops  Finanus  and  Jerumannus,  and  had  on  that  occa- 
sion, and  at  his  marriage,  vowed  to  destroy  all  idolatry  in  his 
kingdom ;  he  was  a  good  Christian  at  first  and  assisted  St. 
Cedda  (Chad),  whom  he  obtained  from  Archbishop  Theodoras  for 
the  bishopric  of  Lichfield  after  Jerumannus,  in  building  churches, 
but  he  afterwards  became  an  apostate.  Young  Werburge  was 
an  example  of  every  virtue,  full  of  humility,  meekness,  and 
piety,  sober  and  grave,  "still  and  womanly,"  and  no  wonder, 
she  being  of  so  good  a  stock.  For  her  beauty  and  singular 
qualities  she  was  desired  by  many ;  the  prince  of  the  West 
Saxons  wooed  her,  but  she,  "  abasshed  sore,"  answered  that  she 
had  chosen  the  Lord  Jesus  for  her  spouse.  A  mountain  'might 
sooner  be  moved  "than  she  forto  graunt  to  suche  worldly  plea- 
sure." The  wicked  Werebode,  chief  steward  at  her  father's 
court,  whom  he  had  perverted,  made  use  of  his  powerful  influ- 
ence with  the  king  to  obtain  his  assent  to  marry  her,  which  he 
granted  on  condition  he  could  gain  that  of  his  daughter.  But 
her  mother  Ermeuilde,  and  her  brothers,  Wulfade  and  Ruffin, 
severely  rebuke  Werebode's  temerity  in  making  such  a  proposal, 
he  being  such  a  "  carle."  Therefore  he  meditated  revenge.  Wul- 
fade, one  day  chasing  a  stag,  happened  to  get  to  the  oratory  of 
St.  Chad,  who  then  lived  in  the  wilderness.  By  him,  Wulfade  was 
instructed  in  the  faith,  and  baptized ;  so  was  his  brother  iiuffin. 
These  princes  frequently  resorting  to  St.  Chad,  were  espied  by 
Werebode ;  who  slandered  them  to  the  king,  their  father,  as 
having  forsaken  their  faith  and  as  plotting  his  murder.  The 
king,  to  find  out  the  truth,  took  Werebode  to  the  oratory,  but 
sent  him  there  before  him  to  warn  the  princes.  Werebode,  how- 
ever, finding  them  there,  and  neglecting  his  errand,  hastily 
returned  to  the  king,  and  incensed  him  so  against  them,  that  he, 
in  a  rage,  slew  his  own  sons.1  He  had  no  sooner  returned  to 
his  castle,  than  Werebode  was  seized  by  an  evil  spirit,  and  died 
miserably.  Whereupon  the  king  repented,  and,  by  the  advice 
of  his  queen,  went  to  St.  Chad — whose  vestments  he  saw  hang- 
ing on  a  sunbeam — and  did  penance,  and  became  a  good  Chris- 
tian again ;  he  destroyed  all  the  idols,  converted  their  temples 
into  churches,  and  founded  the  Abbey  of  Peterborough,  and  the 
Priory  of  Stone,  where  his  sons  were  buried.  Werburge,  con- 
sidering the  wretchedness  of  this  life,  asked  her  father's  consent 
to  enter  monastic  life  in  the  Abbey  of  Ely.  At  first  he  refused, 
and  advised  her  to  marry,  saying,  "  ryght  ioyfull  wolde  I  be 
To  kysse  a  chylde  of  thyiie,  hauynge  thy  lykenesse,  And  se  the 
also  coronate  as  a  myghty  pryncesse ;  "  2  but  she  persisted,  say- 
ing she  had  made  a  vow  of  chastity ;  and  pleaded  her  cause  so 

1  There  is  an  old  English  "local"  legend  in  verse  on  the  martyr- 
dom of  Wolfade  and  Ruffin  in  MS.  Cott.  Nero  CXI1  (ed.  in  Altengl. 
Legendcn,  Neue  Folge,  1881,  p.   308-314),  compiled  about  1450  by 
one  of  the  canons  of  Stone  prioiy,  who  quotes  as  his  authorities  "the 
Cronakle  "  and  a   "Table"  suspended  in  his  church.      It  differs  in 
many  particulars  from  the  account  given  by  Bradshaw. 

2  These  worJs  are,  to  me,  of  Homeric  simplicity. 


.  m 

Xll        SKETCH    OF    THE   '  LIFE    OF   ST.   WERBURGHE/    BK.  I. 

pathetically  and  with  so  many  tears,  that  at  last  her  father  granted 
her  request.  He  conducted  her  in  great  state,  with  the  peers  of 
his  realm  in  attendance,  to  Ely,  and  was  met  at  the  gate  of  the 
monastery  by  the  abbess  Audry,  with  all  her  convent  in  pro- 
cession, singing  holy  hymns.  Werburge  on  her  knees  begged 
for  admittance,  and  was  received  as  a  novice,  and  Te  Deurn  was 
sung.  The  poet  here  inserts  a  splendid  description  of  the  fes- 
tivities given  by  Wulfere  in  honour  of  the  spiritual  marriage 
of  his  daughter,  in  presence  of  her  uncles  and  aunts,  of  King 
Egbryct  of  Kent,  and  Aldulphe  of  Eastanglia ;  of  the  decorations 
of  the  hall,  hung  with  painted  tapestry  representing  Old  Testa- 
ment stories,  the  orders  of  Angels,  Mary,  the  apostles,  martyrs, 
confessors,  virgins,  and  the  stories  of  Hector,  Arthur,  &c. ;  of 
the  feast  and  the  songs  sung  during  the  banquet  by  minstrels. 
Having  been  professed  after  her  noviciate,  £t.  Werburge  lived  a 
holy  life  at  Ely,  in  prayer,  penance,  and  contemplation" ;  "her 
body  upon  erthe,  her  soule  in  heuen  lent."  0  ye  fair  ladies, 
richly  clad  and  "proud  as  a  peacock,"  take  example  by  this 
holy  virgin,  who,  being  a  king's  daughter,  has  exchanged  her 
coronet,  silk  and  velvet,  for  a  coarse  habit  and  a  life  in  penance ! 
— The  poet  then  inserts  the  lives  of  (1)  St.  Audry,  who,  having 
been  married  twice,  yet  remaining  chaste,  entered  Canwod 
abbey,  was  made  abbess  of  Ely — her  dowry — and  built  a  new 
monastery  there  in  673,  where  she  died  in  679,  23  June ;  (2)  of 
her  sister,  St.  Sexburge,  mother  to  Egbryct,  Lothary,  Erme- 
nylde,  and  Erkengode  ;  who,  after  her  husband's  death,  entered 
Sheppey  monastery  (in  Kent),  built  at  her  cost,  and  thence 
went  to  Ely,  where  she  became  second  abbess  after  St.  Audry, 
and  died  16  years  later,  6  July;  and  (3)  of  St.  Ermenilde,  Sex- 
burge's  daughter,  who,  after  the  death  of  Wulfere,  also  entered 
the  house  of  Ely  under  her  mother,  and  became  third  abbess 
of  it,  and  died  there  (13  Feb.).  The  poet  adds  two  miracles  done 
by  St.  Ermenilde  after  her  translation :  how  a  prisoner's  fetters 
were  broken,  and  how  a  schoolmaster  was  lamed  for  punishing 
his  pupils  on  the  Saint's  day,  but  restored  at  the  Saint's  shrine. 
Wulfere,  who  died  after  a  17  years'  reign,  and  was  buried  at 
Lichfield,  was  succeeded  by  his  brother  Ethelred,  his  son  Keured 
then  being  a  minor.  This  Ethelred  made  Werburge,  his  niece, 
principal  or  superintendent  of  all  nunneries  in  his  kingdom, 
and  she  left  Ely.  By  his  liberality  she  founded  the  houses  of 
Trentham  (in  Staffordshire),  of  Hanbury  (near  Tutbury,  in 
Staffordshire),  and  of  Wedon,  one  of  the  royal  manors  in 
(North)hamptonshire.  The  same  king  also  built  the  collegiate 
church  of  St.  John  in  the  suburbs  of  Chester,  and  gave  to  St. 
Egwyn  the  ground  for  the  great  Abbey  of  Evesham  upon  Avon. 
Having  reigned  29  years,  he,  by  the  advice  of  St.  Werburge, 
changed  his  life,  and  took  the  monastic  habit  in  Bardney  mon- 
astery in  Lincolnshire,  resigning  his  crown  to  his  nephew 
Kenred,  Werburge's  brother.  Kenred  was  a  pious  king,  anxious 
to  root  out  vice  and  strife.  He  gave  to  Egwyn  84  tenements 
and  lands  in  Worcestershire  for  the  maintenance  of  Evesham  ; 
and  going  to  Rome  on  pilgrimage,  with  Oifa  and  Egwyn,  ceded 
that  monastery  to  the  pope,  and  on  his  return  had  his  donation 
confirme4  ^Y  a  "seyn5>  (synod)  at  Alve.  After  a  reign  of  five 


SKETCH    OF    THE    '  LIFE    OF    ST.   WEHBURGHE/     BKS.  I,  II.       xlH 

years  lie  resigned  the  crown  to  Coelred,  his  uncle's  son ;  and 
going  to  Borne  in  708,  entered  the  Benedictine  Order.  Wer- 
burge,  consecrated  abbess  by  Bishop  Sexwulfus  of  Litchfield, 
governed  the  monasteries  in  her  care  by  word  and  example, 
being  "  a  mynyster  rather  than  a  inaystres,  a  handmayd  rather 
than  a  pryores,"  a  perfect  model  of  humility,  piety,  and  ab- 
stinence; she  would  rise  long  before  matins,  and  recite  the 
psalter  on  her  knees,  and  after  matins  remain  in  contemplation 
till  daybreak ;  she  never  took  more  than  one  repast  in  the  day. 
For  a  pastime,  she  caused  the  Legendary  or  Vitas  Patrum  to  be 
read  among  her  sisters,  &c.  She  mostly  resided  at  Wedon  and 
Trentham.  Her  holiness  was  confirmed  by  many  miracles.  Thus, 
once,  when  wild  geese  (gauntes)  wasted  the  lands  of  Wedon, 
she  had  them  penned  by  a  servant,  and  loosing  them  the  next 
morning,  restored  to  them  a  missing  companion,  which,  as  Wil- 
liam of  Malmesbury  says,  had  already  been  roasted.  When  her 
bailiff  cruelly  chastised  her  servant  Alnotus,  his  head  was  turned 
backward ;  but  he  was  restored  on  asking  forgiveness.  Twice 
she  was  miraculously  saved  from  being  oppressed,  the  last  time 
by  an  oak  tree  opening  to  conceal  her.  She  cured  many  sick 
people  who  visited  her.  When  her  end  drew  near,  she  foretold 
her  death,  visited  all  places  under  her  care,  and  gave  her  last 
orders ;  she  desired  her  body  to  be  buried  at  Hanbury.  In  her 
illness  she  thanked  God  for  His  visitation,  and  consoled  her 
sisters,  teaching  them  how  death  was  birth  to  another  life  and 
freedom.  On  her  last  day  she  humbly  received  the  sacrament 
in  presence  of  her  sisters,  exhorted  them  to  keep  their  order  in 
charity  and  obedience,  and  recommended  them  to  God.  She  died 
at  Trentham.  on  the  3rd  of  February,  angels  conveying  her  soul 
to  heaven.  Her  body  was  brought  to  the  church,  and  watched, 
amid  the  lamentations  of  the  sisters.  The  folk  of  Trentham,  wish- 
ing to  retain  it,  watched  it  with  strong  hand,  but  fell  asleep 
miraculously,  and  those  of  Hanbury  came  and  brought  it  to 
their  place,  as  she  had  desired.  The  "third  passionary"  at 
Chester  Abbey  speaks  of  many  miracles  done  at  Hanbury.  Such 
was  the  life  of  St.  Werburge,  "  a  princess,  a  virgin,  a  nun,  and 
a  president."  For  her  many  miracles,  her  body  was  raised  in 
708,  nine  years  after  her  death,  in  presence  of  Coelred,  his 
council,  and  many  bishops,  and  being  found  entire  and  sweet 
looking,  was  richly  clothed  and  enshrined  at  Hanbury,  21  June, 
where  her  body  remained  incorrupt  200  years,  till  the  Danish 
invasion. 

BOOK  II. — A  prologue  treats  of  the  use  of  literature,  and  of 
the  contents  of  the  second  book.  The  poet  then  narrates  the 
Danish  invasion,  which,  preceded  by  horrible  tokens,  was  a 
scourge  for  the  sins  of  men.  In  875,  when  the  Danish  fury 
swept  over  Mercia,  and  these  pirates  had  advanced  as  far  as 
Eepton  (in  Derbyshire),  within  five  miles  of  Hanbury,  and  ex- 
pelled King  Burdredus,  the  people  of  Hanbury,  for  fear  of  the 
Danes,  carried  the  shrine  of  St.  Werburge  to  Chester.  Here  it 
was  solemnly  received  by  the  clergy,  lords,  and  citizens  in  pro- 
cession, singing  To  Deum  and  welcoming  the  saint,  and  was  de- 
posited in  the  mother-church  of  Peter  and  Paul.  The  poet  here 
inserts  a  short  history  of  his  native  place — called  Caerleout  by 


XIV      SKETCH    OF    THE    'LIFE    OF    ST.    WJRBURGHE,'     BK.   II. 

the  Britons,  the  City  of  Legions  by  the  Eoinans,  afterwards 
Chester  "  quasi  castria,  being  built  like  a  comely  castle  " — of  its 
uncertain  foundation,  its  early  Christianity  (since  King  Lucius), 
which  had  been  kept  intact  ever  since,  the  meeting  of  St.  Augus- 
tine and  the  monks  of  Bangor,  the  expulsion  of  the  Britons  by 
King  Off  a.  King  Edward  senior,  Alfred's  son  and  successor, 
marrying  his  sister  Elflede  to  Ethelrede,  created  him  first  Duke 
of  Mercia  after  the  expulsion  of  its  kings.  This  Elflede,  holding 
St.  Werburge  in  special  veneration,  built  and  endowed  with 
secular  canonrics  a  stately  minster — afterwards  the  Cathedral 
— over  the  relics  of  St.  Werburge,  joining  it  to  the  old  church, 
which  was  new  dedicated  to  the  Trinity  and  St.  Oswald,1  and 
translating  the  church  of  Peter  and  Paul  to  the  centre  of  the 
city,  where  a  parish-church  was  built  in  their  honour.  Elflede, 
in  908,  rebuilt  and  enlarged  the  city  of  Chester,  then  nearly 
decayed,  walled  it  in,  and  fortified  it  with  a  strong  castle. 
After  the  death  of  her  husband  she  rebuilt  the  churches  and 
towns  of  Stafford,  Warwick,  Tamworth,  and  Shrewsbury,  and 
founded  the  great  Abbey  of  St.  Peter's  in  Gloucester,  whither  she 
translated  the  relics  of  St.  Oswald,  and  where  she  herself  was 
buried  in  919.  The  poet  then  relates  part  of  the  miracles  done 
since  St.  Werburge's  translation  to  Chester.  She  saved  that 
place  from  the  Welsh  king  Griffinus,  and  again  from  the 
Danes  and  Scots  under  kings  Harold  and  Maucolyn ;  she  thrice 
cured  a  lame  woman,  Eadgida ;  made  a  barren  woman,  Judith, 
conceive ;  helped  another  in  labour ;  restored  a  woman  struck 
blind  for  working  on  the  Sabbath ;  healed  six  blind  and  lame 
persons ;  delivered  a  man  hanged  unlawfully  from  the  gibbet ; 
saved  corn,  hoarded  up  in  her  park  at  Upton  during  a  raid, 
from  being  destroyed  by  the  enemy's  horses ;  cured  one  of  her 
canons,  Ulminus,  who  had  broken  his  leg.  Following  the  reigns 
of  the  next  kings,  Athestan,  Edmund,  &c.,  the  poet  dwells  on 
the  blessed  reign  of  Edgar,  "  the  floure  of  England,"  the  reformer 
of  the  Church ;  who,  at  Chester,  received  the  homage  of  eight 
kings,  and  rowed  with  them  up  the  Dee  to  the  church  of  St. 
John,  and  devoutly  visited  and  enriched  the  church  of  St.  Wer- 
burge. In  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Confessor,  Leofric  was  Duke 
of  Mercia  and  Earl  of  Chester,  who  with  his  pious  wife  Godith 
rebuilt  many  churches,  founded  the  monastery  of  Leonence,  near 
Hereford,  and  that  of  Coventry,  and  repaired  that  of  Evesham. 
At  Chester  he  rebuilt  St.  Werburge's  minster,  besides  repairing 

1  The  church  of  St.  Oswald  forms  the  south  transept  of  the  choir 
of  Chester  Cathedral.  It  was  set  apart  for  the  uses  of  the  inhabitants 
of  the  parish  within  which  the  monastery  was  placed.  "The  abbot 
and  convent  afterwards,  wishing  to  reattach  it  to  the  Cathedral,  built 
for  the  parishioners  a  small  chapel,  dedicated  to  St.  Nicholas,  on  the 
spot  where  the  theatre  now  stands  ;  but  they  do  not  appear  to  have 
been  contented  with  their  new  place  of  worship,  for  in  1488  a  com- 
position was  made  between  the  abbot  and  the  parishioners  of  St.  Oswald 
for  their  new  church.  They  accordingly  re-entered  into  the  south 
trans.-pt  (which  h.id  been  rebuilt  by  Abbot  Ripley),  and  have  ever  since 
used  it  as  their  parish  church." — See  Chester  Guide. 


SKETCH  OF  THE  'LIFE  OF  ST.  WEUBURGHE,'  BK.  II    XV 

the  church  of  St.  John.  William  the  Conqueror  gave  to  his  kins- 
man, Hugh  Lupus,  tho  earldom  of  Chester  with  the  sovereign 
dignity  of  a  palatinate,  on  condition  he  should  conquer  it. 
Having  been  three  times  becten,  he  at  last  took  the  city,  and 
divided  the  conquered  lands  of  the  county  among  his  followers. 
In  1093,  under  William.  Rufus,  Hugh  dismissed  the  canons 
regular  of  St.  Werburge,  and,  in  presence  of  St.  Anselm,  laid 
the  foundation  of  a  magnificent  abbey  in  honour  of  St.  Wer- 
burge, which  he  handed  over  to  Benedictine  monks,  brought 
over  from  Bee  in  Normandy ;  he  secured  it  by  strong  walls. 
Miracles  continued :  St.  Werburge  appeared  to  a  monk  of  her 
abbey,  Dan  Simon,  who  was  much  abused  by  his  fellows,  ex- 
horting him  to  bear  wrong  patiently.  Earl  Richard,  son  and 
heir  to  Hugh  Lupus,  on  a  pilgrimage  to  St.  Winifred's,  at  Holy- 
well,  was  miraculously  saved  from  being  intercepted  by  Welsh- 
men, the  Dee  giving  passage  to  a  force  sent  to  his  succour,  near 
Hilburgb.ee;  for  which  miracle  Richard's  constable,  William, 
the  son  of  Nigell,  gave  to  St.  Werburge  the  village  of  Newton, 
and  founded  the  abbey  of  Norton  on  the  Dee,  near  where  his 
army  forded  the  river — which  place  is  still  called  "The  con- 
stable sondes."  The  same  Richard  was  afterwards  perverted  by 
his  wife  Matilda,  niece  to  Henry  I.,  so  that  he  claimed  abbey- 
lands — the  manor  place  of  Salton — from  the  abbot,  and  intended 
to  have  transferred  that  abbey  to  another  order ;  when,  on  his 
return  from  Normandy,  he,  with  his  wife  and  company,  was 
shipwrecked  and  drowned  near  Barfleur ;  St.  Werburge  herself 
told  her  sacristan  of  their  fate.  In  1180  a  great  fire  broke  out 
at  Chester,  which  destroyed  the  minster  of  St.  Michael,  and 
threatened  to  consume  the  whole  city,  but  was  suddenly  extin- 
guished when  tho  shrine  of  St.  Werburge  was  carried  about  in 
procession.1 

Conclusion  (mostly  in  8-lined  stanzas). — (1)  All  these  mira- 
cles, and  many  more,  recorded  in  the  third  Passionary  at  Chester, 
but  which  it  would  be  tedious  to  relate,  magnify  this  holy 
virgin,  who  is  justly  called  by  the  people  Patroness  of  Chester, 
and  honoured  there  next  our  lady,  "  as  is  rehersed  at  masse  in 
her  sequens."  (2)  0  ye  lords,  citizens,  and  matrons  of  Chester, 
remember  the  privileges  granted  by  your  forefathers,  the  pro- 
tection given  by  St.  Werburge,  the  punishments  inflicted  on  the 
violators  of  her  abbey,  and  "to  the  monastery  be  never  vn- 

1  What  became  of  her  shrine  afterwards,  is  told  by  Butler :  The 
relics  being  scattered  in  the  reign  of  Henry  VI II.,  her  shrine  was  con- 
verted into  the  episcopal  throne  in  the  same  church,  and  remains  in 
that  condition  to  this  day.  This  monument  is  of  stone,  ten  feet  high, 
embellished  with  thirty  curious  antique  images  of  kings  of  Mercia  and 
other  princes,  ancestors  or  relations  of  this  saint.  See  Cooper's  remarks 
on  each. — On  the  dissolution  of  the  monasteries  by  Henry  VIII., 
Chester  was  erected  into  an  independent  bishopric,  and  St.  "Werburge's 
was  converted  into  a  cathedral  church,  which  it  has  ever  since  remained 
(dedicated  to  Christ  and  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary) ;  a  dean  and  six 
prebendaries  were  installed  ;  the  last  abbot  (Thomas  Clarke)  became 
the  first  dean. 


Xvi         BRADSIIAW'S    SOURCES    FOR    HIS    '  ST.  WERBURGHE.' 

kynde."  (3)  0  blessed  Werburge,  pray  for  thy  servant,  thy 
monastery,  "I  beseech  thee,  swete  patrones  !  "  (4,  L'envoye) 
Go  forth,  little  book,  which  art  written  not  for  clerks,  but  for 
the  merchant  men  and  rude  people ;  Jesus  be  thy  speed ! 

For  this  Life,  the  poet  has  most  conscientiously  collected 
all  the  materials  then  accessible.  He  himself  mentions  his 
authorities  in  general  (I.  127 — 133),  and  quotes  them  in 
special  at  their  respective  places.  They  are  partly  legends, 
partly  chronicles.  His  chief  source  he  calls  "  the  legend,"  "  the 
true  legend,"  "  the  true  Passionary,  A  boke  wherin  her  holy 
lyfe  wry  ten  is,  Whiche  boke  remayneth  in  Chester  monastery" 
(I.  694-6),  "the  thrid  Passionary "  (I.  3246;  II.  1691)- 
which,  therefore,  seems  to  have  formed  an  additional  volume 
to  an  older  Passionary  containing  the  lives  of  the  saints  of 
the  year.  This  book  being  now  lost,  it  becomes  difficult  to 
form  an  estimate  of  it.  The  life  contained  in  it  is  no  doubt 
identical  with  the  primitive  Vita  S.  Werburgce,  ascribed  to 
Goscelinus1  by  the  Bollandists  (Feb.  3),  but  augmented  by 
later  additions,  as  the  history  of  the  translation  to  Chester, 
and  the  miracles  done  at  Chester.  The  life  by  Goscelinus  is 
rather  scanty  in  facts,  containing  only  St.  Werburge's  descent 
from  four  kings  (including  that  of  France,  but  not  the  North- 
umbrian line),  her  holy  life  at  home,  and  at  Ely,  where  she 
is  joined  by  her  mother  Ermenilde,  both  contending  in 

1  This  is  the  same  Goscelinus  who,  after  "Will,  of  Malm.,  Reg. 
Angl.  4,  1,  innumeras  Sanctorum  Vitas  stilo  extulit  vel  informiter 
editas  comptius  emendavit,  post  Bedam  secundus  in  laudibus  Sanc- 
torum Anglise  enarrandis.  The  Bollandists  remark :  Floruit  is  c.  a. 
MC,  a  S.  Anselmo  Archiep.  Cantuar.  aliisque  ob  doctrinam  ac  pietatem 
singularem  in  Angliam  evocatus  e  Belgio,  ubi  ante  monachus  S.  Ber- 
tini  apud  Audomaropolim  varias  Sanctorum  vitas  illustrarat  easquo 
inter  etiam  stylo  cultiori  emendarat  Vitam  S.  Amelbergae  Virgiuis  .  . 
Earn  autem  Vitam  dum  hie  Cap.  6  suo  stylo  recusam  agnoscit,  et  huius 
se  auctorem  esse  prodit.  Utraque  praeterea  vita  eadem  ratione  suis  est 
capitibus  propriisque  titulis  distincta.  .  .  Vixit  Ramesise  non  procul  a 
monasterio  Eliensi.  .  .  Perhaps  he  wrote  the  life  of  St.  Werburge  on 
the  occasion  of  her  translation  to  Chester,  and  instigated  by  St. 
Anselm.  Hawkins,  mistaking  the  "balade  to  the  author"  (p.  200)  to 
have  been  written  by  Bradshaw  to  the  author  of  the  Latin  life,  doubts 
the  authorship  of  Goscelinus,  because  it  is  said  there  that  "uncertain 
was  the  author's  name." 


BRADSHAW  S  SOURCES  FOR  HIS  '  ST.  WERBURGHE.' 

humility;  her  being  appointed  lady  president  of  all  nunneries; 
two  miracles  related  difftiscclly  (wild  geese  penned,  a  bailiff 
punished  for  cruelty),  her  death,  burial,  and  first  translation.1 
How  much  richer  in  details  is  Bradshaw's  life  !  More  par- 
ticulars2 he  found  in  the  Vita  SS.  Wolf  kadi  et  Ruffim 
martyrum,  auctore  anonymo  (Act.  SS.  Bolland,  24  July, 
p.  570),  from  which  he  took  the  character  of  false  Werebode, 
his  marriage  project,  his  intrigue,  the  death  of  the  two  princes 
by  their  own  father.  Next  he  used  Lives  of  St.  Sexburge3 
(6  July),  of  St.  Etheldrede  or  Audry  of  Ely4  (23  June),  and 
that  of  St.  Ermenilde  (probably  by  the  same  Goscelinus), 
which  is  extant  only  in  an  abridged  text  in  Capgrave's  Nova 
Legenda  Anglice  (ed.  1516),  where  the  same  two  miracles 
recorded  by  our  poet  are  found.  Occasionally  he  quotes  the 
legend  of  St.  Egwyn,  I.  2408.  Into  the  narrative  of  the 
saint's  life,  so  combined  from  different  legends,  he  inserted 
such  additional  matter — descriptions  of  Mercia  and  Chester, 
notes  on  the  Heptarchy,  the  Danish  and  Norman  invasions, 
a  chronicle  of  English  kings,  anecdotes,  &c. — as  he  was 
pleased  to  extract  from  the  various  chronicles  which  he 
mentions,  from  Bede,  William  of  Malmesbury,  Girardus 
Cambrensis,  Alfred  of  Beverley,  Henry  of  Huntingdon  (from 
whom  he  quotes  several  passages  in  Latin  verse),  and  Eanulph 
Higden,  his  countryman  and  a  monk  of  his  own  abbey  (who 
died  in  St.  Werburge's  abbey  ab.  1363).5  For  the  second  book 

1  The  contents  of  this  life  were,  as  usual,  summarily  repealed  in 
the  sequence  sung  at  Mass,  which  B.  alludes  to  in  II.,  1689  ff.,  most 
likely  also  in  the  hymns,  &c.  of  the  Officium. 

2  I  cannot  find  from  where  he  took  the  Prince  of  West  Saxons,  who 
wooed  St.  "Werburge  ;  or  the  miracles  recorded  in  chap.  26  :  perhaps 
the    latter  \\ere  added  in  a  marginal  note  to  the   Passionary.     The 
miracles  done  at  Hanbury  (cf.  I.,  3245  ff.)  were,  it  seems,  not  specified, 
but  only  generally  mentioned  in  the  Passionary. 

3  The  Vita  is  lost ;  the  text  in  Capgrave  Nov.  Leg.  Angl.  contains 
only  a  short  encomium. 

4  Her  Life  in  Act.  SS.  Boll.  23  June  contains  a  detailed  genealogy. 

5  He  quotes  Bede,  I.  136  (Anglos,  invasion),  432  (Penda's  victories), 
507  (Wulfer  made  king),   1072  (St.   Chad),  1844  (St.  Sexburge  born 
at  Exning),  2472  (Kenred  forsaking  the  world),  II.  497  (St.  Augustin 

b 


Xviii     BRADSHAW'S    SOURCES    FOR    HIS    '  ST.  WERBURGIIE.' 

— Werburge's  translation  to  Chester,  and  miracles  done  there, 
with  a  history  of  Chester  and  its  abbey — his  chief  authority 
must  be  sought  in  the  3rd  Passionary,  or  rather  in  the 
additions  appended  to  the  Life ;  which  appendix  seems  also 
to  have  contained  the  changes  affecting  the  Abbey  of  Chester, 
as  the  miracles  are  classified  after  the  two  periods  of  the  abbey 
(miracles  done  in  the  time  of  canons  regular,  and  in  the  time 
of  Benedictine  monks).  The  history  of  the  translation  may 
have  been  added  soon  after  the  fact ;  the  miracles  go  as  far 
as  1180  (when  the  great  fire  raged  at  Chester),  and  seem  to 
have  been  added  soon  after  that  date  (if  not  simultaneously 
with  the  facts)  in  chronological  order.  When  the  poet 
speaks  of  many  more  miracles  recorded  in  the  3rd  Passionary, 
which  he  thinks  proper  to  omit,  for  they  "  wolde  require  a 
longe  tyme  and  space,  To  the  reders  tedious,  no  meruayle 
sothly"  (II.  1690),  these  miracles  perhaps  formed  another 
set,  added  later  or  registered  with  the  facts,  and  were  merely 
ordinary  cures,  such  as  he  had  mentioned  before.  As  to  the 
history  of  Chester  and  its  abbey,  we  must  not  forget  that 
Bradshaw  had  written  a  Latin  chronicle  on  the  antiquities  of 
Chester,  which  no  doubt  rested  partly  on  local  sources,1  and 
also  contained  a  history  of  Chester  Abbey ;  so  that  he  could 
rely  on  the  results  of  former  studies.2  That  he  used  local 

and  the  monks  of  Bangor)  ;  William  of  Malmesbury  :  I.  2189  (first 
abbesses  of  Ely),  2379  (K.  Ethelred  made  Abbot  of  Bardney),  2697  (the 
wanting  goose  roasted),  II.  1209  (Leofric  made  Earl  of  Chester)  ; 
Alfridus  :  II.  133  (beginning  of  the  Danish  invasion) ;  Giraldus  :  I. 
2318  (Ethelred  builds  the  collegiate  church  of  St.  John  at  Chester) ; 
Kanulph  Higden's  Policronicon  :  I.  177  (the  kingdom  of  Mercia),  3451 
(date  of  the  first  translation  of  St.  Werburge),  II.  379  and  386  (founda- 
tion of  Chester),  1213  (foundations  by  Leofric).  The  quotations  from 
Henricus  (Henry  of  Huntingdon),  II.  364,  666,  1205,  are  not  without 
some  errors  (cf.  ed.  Saville). 

1  There  were  several  official  books  kept  at  Chester :  1.  The  Red  Book, 
once  in  possession  of  the  abbey  of  St.  Werburge,  containing  the  evi- 
dences of  their  endowments,  copies  of  legal  proceedings  out  of  plea 
rolls :  it  is  now  carefully  preserved  in  the  archives  of  the  Dean  and 
Chapter;   2.  A  remarkable  MS.,  Annales  Cestrienses,  Chester  Annals, 
from  Christ  to  1255  (cf.  Chester  Guide). 

2  In  II.  561  he  gives  the  testimony  of  Archbishop  Antoninus  for  the 


GOSCELINUSS    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.   WERBURGHB.  XIX 

sources  is  evident  from  II.  597,  where  he  ivfers  to  a  table 
preserved  at  St.  John's  in  Chester,  with  the  history  of  its 
foundation.  Several  of  the  facts  given  by  our  poet  are  found 
elsewhere:  Eanulph  Higden  (Polic.  5,  18)  shortly  mentions 
the  translation  of  St.  Werburge  to  Chester,  and  the  institu- 
tion of  canons  secular ;  the  presence  at  Chester  of  King 
Edgar  with  eight  kings  is  recorded  by  Florence  of  Worcester, 
and  others ;  for  Leofric,  our  poet  quotes  William  of  Malmes- 
bury  (II.  1201) ;  for  his  foundations,  R.  Higden — the  same 
foundations  are  also  mentioned  in  Vita  S.  Edwardi  Conf. 
(5  January),  Cap.  7,  including  that  of  St.  Werburge's  abbey ; 
Hugh  Lupus  is  mentioned  by  William  of  Malmesbury,  Pont. 
Angl.  4  (and  Reg.  Anyl.  2,  13),  and  Higden.  But  many  of 
the  particulars  we  can  trace  to  Bradshaw  only,  who,  in  the 
absence  of  other  sources,  himself  remains  our  chief  authority. 
I  here  give  the  text  of  the  Vita  by  Goscelinus,  to  show 
how  greatly  its  scanty  materials  are  enriched  in  the  English 
legend. 

Vita  Auctore  Goscelino  monacho  ex  Ms.  Guilielmi  Cambdeni.1 
(Act  SS.  Bolland.  Febr.  3,  p.  391.) 

Cap.  I.  Genealogia  S.  Werelmrgae. 

Cap.  II.  Conversatio  in  Elio  monasteries 

Cap.  III.   Conversatio  matris  suae  in  eodem  monasterio. 

Cap.  IV.   Praeponitur  monasteriis  sanctirnonialium  Werburga  a  patruo 

suo  Rege  JKthelredo.     Idem  Eex  hums  sanctitatis  exemplo  fit  per- 

beatissimus  monachtis. 

Cap.  V.   Werbuvga  lit  mater  pia,  ita  fit  omnium  ministra  pro  magistra. 
Cap.  VI.  Volatilium  agmina  praecepto  captivat  et  relaxat. 
Cap.  VII.  Humilitas  ejus.     Caruificem  retotta  in  tergum  cervice  incre- 

pat,  et  supplicem  reformat. 
Cap.  VIII.  Transitus  ipsins  iii  Nonas  Februarii. 
Cap.  IX.   Corpus  ejus  Trieccngehamenses  custodientes  obdormiunt,  et 

Hamburgenses  divinittis  reseratis  foribus  auferunt. 
Cap.  X.  Post  novem  annos  elevata,  inventa  est  to  to  corpore  et  vestibus 

nt  vivens  vernantissima. 

Filia  Kegum,  et  sponsa  Christi  decentissima,  Virgo  Werburga 
in  Cestria  civitate  requiescit,  meritorum  signis  gloriosa.  Clara  est 
in  tota  Anglia,  et  pura  sanctitate,  et  regia  dignitate,  et  virtutum 
attestatione,  atque  Anglicarum  historiarum  celebritate.  A  primis 

first  gifts  to  St.  Werburge's ;  he  refers  here,  it  seems,  to  a  deed  pre- 
served in  the  abbey. 

1  A  somewhat  abridged  text  of  this  life  is  that  in  Capgrave,  Nova 
Leg.  Angliae,  1516. 

I   2 


XX  GO60HLINU8S    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.  WERBURGIIE. 

Anglorum  Regibtis  sublimiter  splendoscit ;  a  Rege  vero  Dorober- 
mae,  quod  est  Caiituariao,  potentissimo  Ae  helbrichto,  qui  primus 
Anglorum  Regum  per  Protodoctorem  suum  Augustinum  Ohristo 
sarrari  meruit,  imo  a  quntuor  regiiis  altum  ot  sanctum  genus  tra- 
hit:  quodhicsequentiordineexponi  dulce  videtur,quo  Dei  gemma 
carius  appretietur,  et  quasi  de  pvaeviis  sideribus  haec  matutina 
stella  clarius  spectetur.  JBthelbricbtue  igitur  ex  Berta  Regina 
filia  Regis  Francorum,  Eadbaldum  cum  JEthelburga  filia  pro- 
croavit,  quern  suae  pietatis  et  regni  optimum  haeredom  reliquit. 
JEthelburga  vero  Regina  post  proprii  Regis  Nordanhumbrorum 
^Edvini  interfectionem,  re  versa  ad  fratrem  Eadbaldum  in  villa 
Limminga  monasterium  aedificavit,  in  quo  cum  S.  2Eadburga 
requiescit.  Eadbaldus  quoque  ex  alterius  Regis  Francoruin  filia 
Emma  Eormredum  atque  Ergombertum  Principes  sanctamque 
Virginem  Answythara,  quae  apud  Folcanstam  deposita  vene- 
ratur,  propagavit.  Eormredo  aut'em  ex  inclyta  conjuge  Oslava 
nati  sunt  JEthelredus,  atque  .ZEthelbrichtus,  quos  innocenter 
jugulatos,  splendida  lucis  columna  de  coelo  prodidit  Christi 
martyres :  quatuor  quoque  sibi  filiae  sanctae,  Domneva,  JErmen- 
berga,  JErinenburga,  et  -ZErmengida,  velut  paradisiac!  fontis 
quadrifida  emicuere  flumina.  Fratri  vero  eius,  JErgomberto 
Regi,  Annae  Regis  filia  Ssexburga,  soror  perpetuae  Virginis 
-ffitbeldrethae,  rogaliter  conjuncta  peperit  ^Egbrichtum  ac  Lo- 
tharium  Reges,  caeloque  dignas  Eormbildam  atque  Eorken- 
godam  Reginas.  Eormbilda  Wlfero  Regi  Marciorum,  Pendae 
Regis  filio,  tradita,  splendidissimam  Werburgam,  cui  haec  par- 
entalis  purpura  infloratur,  generavit.  Beatissima  vero  matertera 
eius  Yirgo  Eorkengoda  amore  sacrae  religionis  peregriuata  trans 
mare  requiescit,  ubi  se  a  Domino  susceptam  tamquam  advenam 
suam  multis  virtutibus  ostendit.  At  beata  et  regia  Domneva  regio 
Wlferi  germane  Merwalae  conjugata,  ad  summae  Trinitatis  gra- 
tiam  triplicem  Yirginitatis  protulit  lauream,  sanctissimas  scilicet 
sorores  Mildburgam,  Mildrydam,  et  Mildgydam,  quae  distinctis 
monasteriorum  suorurn  lapidibus  irradiant  patriam.  Natus  est 
ei  et  Merevin  filius,  qui  ad  sanctos  innocentes  a  baptismate  raptus 
est  parvulus.  Almifluae  quoque  Werburgae  generositatem  ac 
sanctimoniam  proximo  exornant  sanctissimaeamitao  suae  Pendae 
Regis  filiae,  Kyneburga  et  Kynewida,  quae  cum  propinqua  sua 
beatissima  Tibba  Burgensem  superni  janitoris  Petri  illustrant 
ecclesiarn.  Suus  vero  genitor  praenorninatus  ac  patrui  Reges, 
id  est,  Peada,  ^Edelredus  ac  praedictus  Merwala  praedictarum. 
sororum  fratres,  Christianae  institutionis  non  solum  cultores, 
verum  etiam  primi  atque  inteiisissimi  fuere  propagatores :  et 
sicut  ^Edelbrictus  Doroberniae,  ita  Wlferus  in  Merciis  Christi- 
anitatem  primus  dilatavit.  Sic  itaque,  ut  praemisimus,  ex  quat- 
uor regnis,  et  antiquis  Regibus  rosa  Christi  Werburga  florescit : 
a  principe  susceptae  fidei  ^Edelbrichto  Cantuariorum,  a  Berta 
vel  Emma  Francorum,  ab  Anna  Rege,  et  avia  Sexburga  Orien- 
talium  Anglorum,  a  patre  vero  luculentissima  focta  Merciorum. 
Haec  vero  ad  gloriam  praedicandae  "Virginis  praetitulantur,  ut 
de  radice  sancta  ramum  sanctum  deceat  sanctitudo,  imo  de  con- 
tempta  regni  excellentia  maior  adscribatur  claritudo.  Restat 
nunc  ut  explicemus  sanctam  ipsius  conversationem,  et  probabi- 
lem  in  Domino  fiuem. 


GOSCELINUSS    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.   WERBURGIIE.  XXI 

Atonoro  ergo  aevi  flore,  cum  formae  pulchritudo  insigniter 
responderet  generositati  suae,  coepit  speciosa  facie  cum 
speciosissima  mente  ad  ilium,  qui  speciosus  est  forma  prae  filiis 
homiimm,  contendere :  cui.us  ut  inaestimabilem  dulcedinem 
praegustare  potuit,  protinus  in  eius  amorem  anhelo  pectore 
exarsit,  et,  ut  cervus  ad  fontes  aquarum,  virginalis  anima  eius 
in  ipso  sitivit:  adeo  dulcis  et  suayis  Spiritus  Domini  a  Patre 
dilectionis  procedens  illam  attraxit,  caelestes  concupiscentias  in 
eius  corde  accendit,  terrenas  exstinxit.  Ilia  amore  perpetuae 
virginitatis  ad  sponsum  aeternae  integritatis  convolavit,  procos 
et  ama-tores  regificos  angelica  pudicitia  repulit,  imo  Chhstus 
electam  sibi  inhabitans  omnibus  appetitoribus  eripuit.  Sanctis- 
sima  parens  noncessabat  assiduis  monitis  irrigarehortum  Domini, 
et  plantare  in  ea  iinmarcescibilia  germina  paradisi,  et  accendere 
lampadein  eius  oleo  et  flamma  caritatis  inextinguibili.  Ad  illam 
enini  vitam  flagrantissimam  prolem  exercebat,  quam  ipsa  adhuc 
sub  jugo  maritali  gemitibus  inenarrabilibus  suspirabat.  Verum 
altissima  Dei  providentia  benigne  dispensans  omnia,  matreni  earn 
in  regno  statuit  omnium  inopum,  omnium  necessitudinum  refu- 
gium,  simul  etiam  ut  piis  visceribus  pignus  Deo  gigneret  accep- 
tissimum  et  ampliorem  coronam  dilatorum  tandem  reciperet 
desideriorum.  Viluerant  divitiae  tarn  matri  quam  filiae  ;  pala- 
tium  habebant  pro  monasterio :  aurum,  gemmae,  vestes  auro 
textae,  et  quidquid  fert  pompatica  mundi  jactantia,  onerosa  sibi 
magis  erant  quam  gloriosa ;  et  si  forte  his  uti  ad  tempus  regia 
compelleret  dignitas  dolebant  se  potius  vanitati  subiectas  tani- 
quam  captivas. 

At  vero  virginalis  B.  Werburgae  libertas,  mox  ut  valuit,  haec 
vincula  exuit,  et  ad  Eligense  monasterium  cum  officio  sublimium 
pareutum  hostia  Dei  couimigravit :  ubi  primum  beata  et  inteme- 
rata  niatertora  sua  ^Etheldreda,  ac  deinde  soror  eiusdem  Virginis, 
sua  ut  praedictum  est,  avia,  principabatur  Sexburga.  Illico  ab- 
jicitur  cultus  terreni  nitoris,  induitur  habitus  sacrae  religionis, 
vestis  pulla  pro  ornamento  gloriae,  velum  capitis  humile  pro 
regni  assumitur  diademate.  Ita  praeclara  Virgo  certabat  fastum 
mundi  calcare ;  mente  et  conversatione,  velut  hie  peregrina,  ad 
supernam  patriam  tendere ;  tota  animi  summissione  humillimam 
Christ!  exhibere  ancillam,  quam  ipse  exaltare  dignaretur  in 
sponsam.  Omnes  monasterii  famulatus  anticipabat :  omnibus 
se  inferiorem  exhibebat:  erga  omnium  necessitates  vulneratae 
caritatis  viscera  impendebat. 

Jam  deo  amabilis  pater  eius  Wlferus,  multarum  ecclesiarum 
aedificator,  christianae  fidei  summus  aniator  ac  dilatator,  quippe 
qui  etiam  subjectos  Eeges,  datis  provinciis  in  mercedem,  ad  (Jhriyti 
cultum  attraxit,  septhno  decimo  imperil  sui  anno  de  temporali 
regno  ad  perenne  transivit.  Tune  beatissima  Eegina  Eormenhilda 
post  pios  fletus  triumphans  se  solutam  a  mundiali  catena,  diu 
desideratam  conversationem  arripuit,  et  cum  beata  filia  in  Eligensi 
monasterio  jugum  Domini  suave  subiit.  Hie  deinceps  tanta  yir- 
tutum  flagrantia  in  omni  sanctitate  et  religioiie  vixit  infutiga- 
bilis,  ut  et  Virginibus  exemplum  esset  castitatis  ac  totius  virtutis. 
Contendebant  alterutra  pietate  mater  et  filia,  quae  humilior,  quas 
possit  esse  subiectior ;  mater  sibi  praeferebat  eius  quarn  genuerat, 
virginitatem,  Virgo  matris  auctoritatem :  utrirnque  et  vincere 


GOSCELINUSS    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.   WERBURGHE. 

et  vinci  gaudebant.  Nunc  autem  in  eodem  coenobio  ad  sahiti- 
feram  ipsius  benignissimae  parentis  tumbam  conspicue  elucescit, 
quibus  clementiae  visceribus  se  in  cunctos  diffuderit,  duni  cor- 
poraliter  vixit ;  adeo  ut  experti  ipsius  beneficia  audeant  fideliter 
asserere,  quod  nullus  credulus  petitor  frustretur  eius  ope. 

Igitur  patruus  almae  Werbtirgae  Eex  JEthelredus,  qui  fratri 
Wlfero  successerat,  cum  sancta  mente  totius  sauctitatis  esset 
benignissimus,  videns  in  beata  nepte  divinam  prudentiam  ac 
sanctiraoniam  altius  resplendere,  qui  nimirum  virtutem  poterat 
ultra  germanitatem  diligere,  tradidit  ei  monasteriorum  Sancti- 
monialiuui,  quae  in  suo  regno  pollebant,  principatum.  Pulchre 
sane  superna  id  actum  est  providentia,  ut  sacrae  institutionis, 
cuius  perfecta  erat  discipula,  in  salutem  multorum  decentissima 
foret  magistra. 

Eex  vero  magis  ac  magis  coepit  imperii  taedere,  dum  se  repu- 
taret  inter  secularia  negotia  quasi  animal  accline  terrae,  illain 
vero  columbinis  pennis  meritorum  ad  caelum  volitare,  et  quid 
plura  ?  Non  quievit  aestus  spiritus  sui,  donee  vigesimo  nono 
regni  sui  anno  in  Bardeniensi  coenobio  de  Rege  efficeretur 
monachus,  qui  idem  jam  favore  superno  probatur  meritis 
venerandus. 

Dilectissima  autem  Deo  Werburga  erga  subjectos  ita  erat 
magistra,  ut  potius  yideretur  ministra  :  aequabat,  vel  magis 
subjiciebat  se  infimis :  malens,  si  liceret,  locum  extrernitatis 
quam  praelationis.  Fortabat  omnes  quasi  viscera  sua,  fovebat 
acsi  uterina  pignora,  erudiebat  exemplo  attentius  quam  im- 
perio.  Totani  possederat  dilectio  et  benignitas,  pax  et  hilaritas. 
Ad  indigentes  promptissima  illi  largitas  :  ad  afflictos  compatien- 
tissima  erat  pietas :  adversa  ridebat  patientia,  vincebat  nducia, 
calcabat  caelesti  laetitia :  ad  usum  vero  divinae  sapientiae  acci- 
piebat  prospera,  abstinentiam  pro  deliciis,  vigilias  pro  somno, 
labores  pro  voluptate,  lectiones  et  orationes  sacras  pro  epulis 
habebat :  corpore  in  terris,  animo  conversabatur  in  caelis. 
O  ed  jam  forsitan  lectorem  lassamus,  dum  miracula  suspendimus. 
JO  Majora  niiraculis  sunt  merita,  quibus  ipsa  fiunt  miracula: 
quia  possunt  esse  perfecta  merita  absque  signis,  signa  vero  nihil 
sunt  absque  meritis.  At  vero  multis  mirabilibus  eif  ulsisse  pro- 
batur dignissima  Virgo,  et  in  Eligensi  coenobio,  et  quocunque 
degebat  loco.  In  Weduna  autem  regio  patrimonio  suo,  quod  est 
in  Hamtuna  provincia,  jocundum  et  celeberrimum  a  generatione 
in  generationem.  hoc  eius  miraculum  asseritur  ab  ipsa  plebe 
tota. 

Cum  in  ipsius  Wedunae  mansione  moraretur  regia  Virgo, 
agros  eius  solito  infinita  aucarum  indomitarum,  quas  gantas 
vocant,  depopulabatur  multitudo.  Nuntiat  domesticus  ruricola 
lioc  damnuin  Doininae  suae.  Tune  ilia  magnanimi  fide  prae- 
cepit  illi,  ut  omiies  adduceret,  et  includeret,  more  scilicet  aiii- 
inalium  qui  depascuiit  alienas  segetes.  Vade,  inquit,  et  omnes 
hac  volucres  introduc  nuc.  Itabat  ille  altius  obstupescens,  an 
garriret,  an  delirarct  haec  jussio.  Quomodo  enim  suspectus 
advena  tot  volatilia  ire  gressibus  in  vincula  cogeret,  quibus  per 
caelum  evadere  liceret  ?  Quomodo,  inquit,  ad  priinum  accessum 
meum  in  aethera  fugientes  hue  convertam  ?  Tune  virgo  pro- 
posituin  urgens :  Vade,  ait,  quantocjrus,  et  ex  nostro 


GOSCELINUS  a    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.  WERBURGHE. 

omnes  adduc  in  custodiam  nostram.  Ille  timens  vel  super- 
vacuum  dictum  divae  praeceptricis  negligere,  post  omnes  vadit, 
dicensque  illis :  Ite,  ite  ad  Dominarn  nostram ;  omnes  ante  se, 
acsi  captiva  pecora,  agit.  Nulla  avis  de  tanto  coetu  pennam 
levavit  sed  quasi  implumes  pulli  vel  alis  excisae  pedetentim  se 
permovebant,  pedestri  incessu  summissis  collis  velut  pro  con- 
fusione  reatus  sui  adventabant:  sic  intra  curiam  judicis  suae 
trepidae  et  suppressae  quasi  damnatae  se  collegere,  ibique  retru- 
duntur  captivae,  vel  magis  servantur  indulgentiae. 

Noctem  illam  filia  lucis,  uti  consueverat,  in  hymnis  caeles- 
tibus  ac  precibus  perpetuat.  Mane  omnes  ad  venae  elatis  vocibus 
concrepant  ad  Dorninam,  quasi  veniam  et  emigrandi  poscentes 
licentiam.  At  ilia,  ut  erat  erga  omnem  Dei  creaturam  benign  - 
issima,  absolutas  jubet  dimitti,  interminans  ne  ultra  auderent  in 
liunc  locum  regredi.  Unam  autem  ex  eis  quidam  ministrorum 
exiens  furto  abstulerat,  et  occuluerat :  cumque  omnes  elatis  pen- 
nis  in  aera  se  sustulissent,  seseque  circumspiciendo  requisissent, 
damnum  contubernii  sui  una  absente  percensent.  Extemplo 
universus  exercitus  supra  domum  Yirginis  glomeratur,  ingenti 
strepitu  injuriam  collegii  sui  conqueritur;  caelum  undique 
diffusis  copiis  obtegitur,  ut  quasi  hac  voce  humana  judicium 
miseratricis  suae  implorare  viderentur :  Quare,  domina,  cum 
omnes  nos  relaxaverit  tua  dementia,  una  ex  nobis  tenetur 
captiva  ?  Et  potest  haec  iniquitas  latere  in  domo  sancta  tua,  et 
foeda  rapacitatis  valere  sub  tua  innocentia?  Egressa  ergo 
divina  Virgo  ad  murmur  tantae  plebis  et  querimoniam,  intel- 
lexit  caussam,  acsi  praefatis  verbis  auditarn.  Protinus  per- 
scrutatum  furtuin  reus  ipse  publicat  receptamque  yolucrem  suae 
genti  pia  conciliatrix  associat,  et  abire  simul  praedicta  conditione 
mandat.  Quibus  nimirum  sic  gestiebat,  dicebat  benigno  animo : 
Benedicite  volucres  caeli  domino.  Nee  mora ;  omnis  ilia  concio 
ita  avolavit,  ut  nulla  huius  generis  avicula  in  ipsa  terra  almae 
Werburgae,  ut  farnose  rneinoratur,  ultra  reperta  sit.  Bene 
ergo  illi  pecualis  creatura  parebat,  quae  omnium  Oreatori  tota 
devotione  jugiter  obtemperabat.  Tale  prorsus  miraculum  in 
Vita  beatissimae  Virginis  Amelbergae,  quam  nostro  stylo  recu- 
dimus,  legitur,  quatenus  in  eodem  opere  eadem  fides  utriusque, 
licet  diverse  tempore  et  loco  exstiterint,  comprobetur. 

Quantae  autem  numilitatis  fuerit,  quantae  etiam  apud  Deum 
sublimitatis,  in  eodem  loco  Wedunensi  aliis  confirmatur  indiciis. 
Erat  illi  armentarius,  vir  piae  conversations,  et  quantum  licuit 
sub  huinana  servitute  sanctae  vitae,  qui  et  suis  locis  fama 
meritorum  perpetuatur  ac  recolitur  festive,  Alnotus  nomine. 
Hunc  villicus  Dominae  cum  forte  laniaret  cruentissimo  verbere, 
et  ille  omnia  in  Dei  nomine  toleraret  mansuetissime,  alma 
Virginis  compassio  non  ferens  dolorem,  proruit  ad  pedes  in- 
dignos  lanistae,  clamans  cum  prece  et  increpatione :  Farce  pro 
Dei  aniore,  quare  excarnificas  houiinem  innocentem,  apud 
altissimum  Inspectorem  omnibus  nobis  (ut  credo)  acceptiorem  ? 
Cumque  ille  vel  prae  furore  vel  prae  superbia  tardius  flecteretur, 
continuo  dura  cervix  et  torva  facies  superna  indignatione  in 
terga  illi  reflectitur.  Sic  demum  quod  magis  debuerat,  ipse  ad 
pedes  Dominae  provolvitur,  et  veniam,  quam  insonti  negaverat, 
BUO  reatu  cum  lacryniis  deprecatur:  statimque  interveniente 


xxiv          GOSCELINUSS    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.  WERBURGHE. 

Virginis  dementia,  in  pristinum  statum  reparatur.  Vir  autem 
Domini  rneinoratus  jacet  ad  Stowam  una  legia  a  Buccabrive, 
quern  in  silva  anachoreticam  yitam  ducentem  latrunculi  mar- 
tyrizaverunt,  et  divina  signa  Deo  acceptabilem,  uti  celebratur, 
prodiderunt. 

~T)raeterea  hand  dubium  est,  amantissimam  Deo  Werburgam 
JL  quam  multis  aliis  signis  emicuisse,  et  caelesti  benencio 
diversos  aegros  ac  debiles  curasse.  Potuit  etiam  divina  inspira- 
tione  plura  praescire  ac  praedicere,  diemque  ultimum,  quern 
semper  prae  oculis  habebat  totaque  vigilantia  cum  flammanti 
lampade  eminus  observaverat,  jam  proximum  ignorare  nequi- 
bat.  Cum  ergo  omni  familiae  et  monasteriis  sibi  creditis  prae 
nimia  caritate  jugiter  optaret  adesse ;  et  econtra  nulli  tolerabile 
videretur  sua  dulci  praesentia  carere ;  elegit  tamen  divina 
praescientia  et  voluntate  Heamburgae  monasterio  requiescere 
corpore,  quae  omnibus  semper  repraesentaretur  mente.  Quam- 
obrem  praecepit  Heamburgensi  familiae,  ut  ubicumque  mi- 
graret  ex  hac  luce,  ipsi  incunctanter  venirent  corpusque  eius 
ad  suum  monasterium  transportarent. 

Venit  ergo  caelicolae  Yirgini  diu  desideratus  finis  terreno- 
rum  laborum  ac  dolorum,  et  ingressus  caelestium  aeternorum- 
que  gaudiorum:  nox  mortalitatis  recessit,  et  dies  aeternitatis 
illuxit :  tenebrae  transierunt,  et  lumen  verum  luxit,  ac  sol 
laetitiae  perennis  ortus  est  illi.  Gaudebat  beata  anima  quasi 
ad  epulas  invitata,  videlicet  de  exilio  ad  patriam,  de  carcere  ad 
regnum,  de  morte  ad  vitam,  de  captivitate  ad  triumphum,  de 
tyrannide  seculi  ad  ilium  quern  desiderabat  sponsum  sempiternae 
gloriae  transitura.  Deposita  itaque  in  coenobio  quod  Tricenge- 
ham  appellatur,  per  languorem  et  mortem  corporis  ad  immor- 
talia  solennia  ab  angelicis  choris  assumitur,  et  in  caelestem 
curiam  supernis  concentibus  triumphatur ;  cuius  depositio  tertio 
Nonas  Februarii  celebratur. 

Corpus  sacrum  in  ecclesiam  defertur,  et  in  medio  populi 
Tricengehamensium  obseratis  diligentissime  januis  custoditur, 
certantibus  nequidquam  omnibus,  ut  Heamburgenses  exclude- 
rentur,  et  per  suum  obsequium  vel  defensionem  praeceptum 
vatidicae  Virginis  vinceretur,  sacerque  thesaurus  in  eodem  loco 
perpetim  retineretur.  At  non  est  sapientia,  non  est  consilium 
contra  Deum.  Dum  enim  nocte  ipsa  attentius  vigilarent, 
subito  sopor  gravissimus  omnes  occupat.  Supervenit  illico 
copiosa  plebs  Heamburgensium  cum  Dei  ministris,  extemplo 
omnia  ostia  monasterii,  cadentibus  in  terram  seris  et  vectibus, 
reserantur  illis.  Irruunt  ergo,  ornni  custodum  turba  somno 
sepulta,  rapiunt  nullo  se  adversae  partis  movente  glebarn  Yir- 
ginis  et  auferunt,  secumque  cum  ingenti  laetitia  et  gratiarun 
actione  laudisona  ad  Heamburgense  monasterium  confusis  re- 
bellibus  deducunt. 

Quis  itaque  pensare  sufficiat,  quanta  solemnitate  ipsius  anima 
suscepta  sit  Deo,  cuius  corpus  ad  requiem  praeelectain  transferri 
tauto  dedit  prodigio  ?  In  hoc  ergo  sacro  loco  Dei  margarita 
cum  debita  reverentia  et  solemni  jubilo  tumulata,  plurimis  sig- 
norum  indiciis  se  probat  vivere  in  caelesti  regia  ;  sanitas  aegrotis, 
lumen  caecis,  auditus  surdis,  sernio  mutis  restituitur :  leprosi 
muudatione,  et  diversis  languoribus  oppressi  una  salute  per- 


GOSCELINUS  S    LATIN    LIFE    OF    ST.   WERBURGHE.  XXV 

cepta  gratulantur.  Tot  itaque  post  mortem  suam  vitae  reformat 
quae  tarn  sancte  vivebat. 

Post  haec  etiam  inenarrabilis  Domini  gratia  in  ipsa  carne 
virginal!  diutius  incorrupta  evidenter  ostendere  est  dignata, 
qualiter  sibi  placuerit  intemerata  ipsius  pudicitia  cum  mente 
qua  Deurn  videbat  mundissima.  Post  novem  siquidem  annos 
eius  sepulturae,  suggerentibus  Heamburgensibus,  placuit  Eegi 
Ceolredo,  qui  tune  regnabat  Merciis,  quatenus  sacrosancta  ipsius 
gleba  de  tumulo  elevaretur,  clamantibus  cunctis  indignum  esse 
ut  tauta  lux  multorum  sub  modio  terrae  absconderetur.  Ablato 
ergo  operculo  speluncae,  cum  putaretur  ab  omnibus  more 
human ae  conditionis  tota  caro  defluxisse  et  tautuui  nuda  ossa 
superesse ;  inventa  est  potius  Virgo  integerrima  quasi  in  dulci 
stratu  obdormire ;  vestes  nitidissirnae  et  sanae,  sicut  primitus 
induta  erat,  omnino  apparuere ;  facies  Candida,  et  genae  roseae, 
tamquam  in  primaevo  flore,  ainoto  reverenter  velamine,  sunt 
visae.  Attollitur  clamor  gratiarum  in  caelum,  tantaeque  gratiae 
admiratio  in  laudes  Domini  accendit  frequentem  populam. 
Assumitur  ergo  a  Sacerdotibus  solemniter  adornatis,  cum  sup- 
plicibus  votis  et  canoris  chorizantis  Ecclosiae  modulis.  Explo- 
rantibus  adhuc  diligent!  studio,  nulla  penitus  in  ea  laesio,  nulla 
reperta  est  corruptio.  Ita  demum  reconditur  in  theca  sibi  com- 
petenter  parata,  ubi  conspicue  fideles  populos  illustrat  praeclara 
lampade  sua. 

Duravit  diutius  sub  Angelica  custodia  liic  honor  illaesi 
corporis,  usque  ad  tempora  scilicet  Paganorum  et  diem  ma- 
lorum,  quando  justissima  Dei  dispensatione  haec  patria  An- 
glorum  tradita  est  gladiis  Grentilium.  Tune  demum  vitalis 
gleba  voluit  cedere  mortal!  legi,  atque  resolvi,  ne  impiis  manibus 
earn  contingerent  hostes,  miraculorum  Dei  increduli  et  bene- 
ficioruin  ingrati.  Potuit  plane  Dei  omnipotentia  et  in  die 
malorum  dilectam  suam  protegere,  sicut  servavit  plerosque 
Sanctos  huius  patriae  ab  iniqua  contagione,  qui  adhuc  usque 
jam  post  quadringentos  amplius  aniios  vernant  integro  et  in- 
corrupto  corpore,  et  poterunt  indubitanter  usque  in  fiuem  pro 
Divino  arbitrio  perdurare.  Verumenimvero  mirabilis  et  gloriosus 
Deus  in  Sanctis  suis,  mira  et  inaestimabili  providentia  alios  in 
majorein  gloriam  resurrectionis  ad  temp  us  resolvit,  alios  perpetua 
incorruptione  in  exemplum  promissionis  suae  custodit.  Tot 
nobilissimi  Martyres  et  summi  Sacerdotes  Domini  a  bestiis, 
vel  avibus,  vel  ignibus  sunt  consumpti.  Posuerunt,  inquit 
Psalmographus,  mortalia  servorum  tuorum,  Domine,  escas 
volatilibtis  caeli,  carnes  Sanctorum  tuorum  bestiis  terrae.  Quo 
inaior  fuit  ignominia,  eo  rnaior  erit  gloria.  Summus  Martyrum 
priniicerius  Stephanus,  duni  legitur  multa  signa  in  vita  fecisse, 
lion  ibi  tainen  legitur  niortuos  suscitasse.  Post  mortis  vero 
triumphum  omniumque  inembrorum  resolutionem,  plerosque 
mortuos  describitur  vitae  reddidisse,  ut  a  mortis  injuria  major 
nasceretur  vitae  potentia.  Magnae  itaque  gratiae  Dei  respectus 
erat  in  B.  Werburgae  corpore  solido,  sed  major  spes  aeternae 
renovationis  restat  in  jam  consumpto. — Celebremus  ergo  promp- 
tissima  devotione  sacratissimam  ipsius  festivitatem,  quia  omnis 
eius  celebritas  ad  Christi  Domini  pertinet  honorern,  qui  ita  earn 
condignis  meritis  fecit  celebrabilem  quam  nimirurn  nobis  pro  • 


XX vi  IIY.   BRADSHAW'S    ADDITIONS    TO    HIS    SOURCES. 

vidit  ante  se  Interventricern,  quatenus  per  dilectae  suae  venera- 
tionem,  suam  mereamur  propitiationem,  qui  non  habemus 
meritorum  executionem.  Tanto  quippe  benignius  illam  exaudiet 
orantem  pro  nobis,  quanto  accensiores  fuerimus  in  ipsius  Deo 
offereiidis  praeconiis.  Annuat  nobis  semper  memorandae  Wer- 
burgae  coronator,  quatenus  per  eius  sancta  suffragia  et  hie 
profutura  desideria  consequamur,  et  in  aeternum  beatae  vision  is 
ac  resurrectionis  suae  consortia  rnereamur.  Annuat,  inquam, 
ipse  Salvator,  qui  cum  Patre  et  Spiritu  sancto  in  ouinia  secula 
reguat  et  dominatur.  Amen. 

Comparing  Bradsliaw's  poem  with  the  Latin  Vita,  and 
the  ether  sources  used  by  him,  we  find  how  unjust  it  would 
be  to  call  him — as  he  modestly  calls  himself — a  mere  trans- 
lator. Indeed,  nothing  would  be  falser.  He  had  not  only 
to  gather  his  materials  from  the  most  distant  sources,  and  to 
arrange  all  this  mass  of  information,  all  these  legendary,  his- 
toric, anecdotic  ingredients,  but  he  added  largely  of  his 
own,  using  freely  his  invention  (save  in  facts)  for  poetic 
purposes.  His  own  are  not  only  the  prologues,  "  breue  re- 
hcrsalls,"  and  epilogues  (II.  Capp.  21 — 24),  but  the  many 
descriptive  parts,  as  the  splendid  description  of  the  feast  at 
St.  Werburge's  spiritual  marriage  (I.  Cap.  16),  that  of  the 
procession  which  brings  her  relics  into  Chester  (II.  267 — 350), 
that  of  the  great  fire  at  Chester  (II.  1598  ff.),  the  descrip- 
tions of  war,  battle  and  siege,  with  ordnance  and  "  artillarie  "  ; 
his  own,  the  fine  lyric  ingredients  which  mostly  remind  us 
of  popular  songs,  as  the  song  at  receiving  holy  communion 
("Well-come  my  lorde,  well-come  my  kynge,"  &c.,  I.  2963 — 
2990),  the  Lamentation  of  the  Sisters  at  Werburge's  death 
(I.  3137  ff.),  the  "Welcome"  to  St.  Werburge  at  the  bring- 
ing-in  of  her  relics  (II.  316  If.);  his  own,  neaily  all  the 
numerous  and  long  speeches  (wooings,  dialogues,  exhorta- 
tions, prayers,  farewells,  &c.),  the  apostrophe  to  the  ladies 
of  his  time  (I.  1779 — 1806),  the  reflections;  his  own,  all 
the  illustration,  the  examples  taken  from  sacred  and  profane 
history  and  from  nature,  the  quotations  from  the  Bible,  the 
proverbs,  the  metaphors,  &C.1 

1  Examples  taken  from  sacred  and  profane  history  are,  for  instance  : 
In  beaute  amysiblc,  she  was  cquall  to  Kachell,  Comparable  to  Sara  iu  fyniie 


HEXRY    13RABSIIAW  S    SIMILES.  XXVil 

lu  his  descriptions  lie  conforms  to  the  taste  of  his  time, 
which,  sinvce  Chaucer,  through  the  influence  of  Italian  poetry, 

fidelyte,  In  sadness  and  wysedom  lyke  to  Abygaell,  Replete  as  Delbora 
with  grace  of  prophecy,  Equyualent  to  Ruth  she  was  in  humyly  te,  In  pul- 
chrytude  Rebecca,  lyke  Hester  in  lolynesse,  Lyke  Judyth  in  vertue  and 
proued  holynesse,  I.  799 — 805  ;  similar  instances,  I.  2171-5,  2178— 
2184  ;  I.  1044  ff.  :  Lyke  as  Archy thofell ,  chefe  counselour  to  Absalon, 
Sundry  tymes  moeued  hym  vnto  varyaunce,  And  with  kynge  Ass- 
uerus  in  fauour  was  Amon,  Counseylynge  hym  euer  vnto  great  mys- 
chaunce :  In  lyke  cause  Werbode,  moeued  to  vengeiunce,  was  chefe 
counseler  to  Vulfer  the  kynge  ;  and  II.  1500 — 1513  :  It  is  red  in  scrip- 
ture howe  queue  Jesabell,  Ambicious  of  honour  agaynst  all  ryghtous- 
nes,  Peruerted  her  lorde  Achas,  kyng  of  Israeli,  To  sle  Nabath  for  his 
vineyard  doubtles  ;  Also  Athalia,  the  bible  sheweth  expresse,  Com- 
maunded  to  slee  the  kynges  children  all,  That  she  myght  regne  sole 
princesse  imperiall,  &c.  ;  I.  1093 — 1099  :  To  Noe  caine  comforte  after 
the  great  deluge  By  a  douue  bryngynge  a  braunche  of  Olyue,  To  the 
prophet  Hely  a  rauen  dyd  refuge,  Brought  hym  his  sustenaunce  and 
saued  hys  lyue  ;  Vnto  saynt  Eustach  full  memoratyue  Our  lorde  ap- 
pered  in  a  hartes  lykenes,  To  whome  he  obeyed  gladly  with  mekenes — 
Of  \v\iiche  examples  ^rynce  Yulfade  gladde  was  ;  I.  788:  The  nobles  .  .  . 
came  for  to  seke  her,  lyke  as  to  Solomon  Queue  Saba  approched  to  here 
of  his  wysedome  ;  II.  1468  :  Like  as  to  Moises  deuided  the  redde  see 
And  the  water  of  Jordan  obeyed  to  Josue,  Ryght  so  the  depe  riuer  of 
Dee  made  diuision  ;  I.  1345  ff.  From  profane  history  :  II.  1201,  This 
Edgare  was  nominate  in  cronicles  expresse  The  floure  of  Englande, 
regnyng  as  emperour,  Lyke- wise  as  Romulus  to  Remains  was  of  prowes, 
Cyrus  to  the  Persis,  to  the  Grekes  their  conquerour,  Great  Charles  to 
Frenchemen,  to  Troians  Hectour  ;  II.  1626  ff.  :  Alas,  great  heuynes  it 
was  to  beholde  The  cite  of  Troye  all  flamyng  as  fire,  More  pite  of  Rome 
cite  was  manyfolde,  Feruently  flagrant,  empeiryng  the  empire  :  As  to 
the  quantite  the  cite  of  Chestire  myght  be  assembled  this  tyme  in  like 
case  To  the  sayd  citees.  From  nature  :  I.  724-8,  Dothe  not  a  royall 
rose  from  a  brere  precede,  Passynge  the  stocke  with  pleasaunt  dylecta- 
cyon  ?  The  swete  ryuer  passeth  by  due  probacyon  His  heed  and  foun- 
tayne :  ryght  so  dothe  she  Transcende  her  parentes  with  great  benygnyte  ; 
cf.  610  ;  2003  :  As  the  ryuer  passeth  oftetymes  the  heed-fountayne,  The 
lytell  graffe  or  ympe  transcendeth  the  tree,  Lykewyse  theyr  chyldren 
encresed  certayne  In  mekenes,  &c.  ;  2949  If.  :  The  swete  byrde  closed 
in  a  cage  a  longe  season  Gladly  entendeth  to  fly  at  lyberte,  The  piysoner 
fctered  and  cast  in  depe  dongeon  Euer  supposes  to  be  rydde  frome  cap- 
tyuyte  :  The  soule  of  mankynde,  moost  dygne  of  dutye,  Naturally 
desyreth  .  .  .  to  be  delyuered  from  bodyly  pryson  ;  1K6  :  He  watched 
on  them  .  .  .  Lyke  as  a  hounde  folowynge  ...  or  a  dogge  dothe  a 
dere  by  sent  of  the  chas  ;  1233,  he  rored  and  yelled  lyke  a  wylde  bull ; 
1805,  prowd  as  a  pecocke  ;  1579,  stones  glyterynge  as  Phebus,  and  the 
beteu  golde  lyke  an  erthly  paradyse  (the  same  simile  3125,  3377) ;  1790, 
shynynge  lyke  angels  ;  3390,  more  white  than  the  lile  Mixt  with  roso 


XXV1U  CHARACTERISTICS    OF    BRAD8HAW  8    TOOf. 

and  the  then  growing  arts  of  painting  and  music,  had  turned 
to  picturesqueness  and  melody.  In  his  description  of  the 
feast,  the  hall  is  hung  with  painted  tapestry,  paintings  which 
represent  the  whole  celestial  hierarchy  in  the  order  then  used 
in  altar-pieces.  The  attitudes  in  which  he  produces  his  saint, 
her  way  of  address,  her  tone  of  feeling,  sometimes  remind  us 
of  the  Sancta-conversazi one-pictures  of  the  old  masters,  and 
breathe  the  devotion  which  inspired  a  Fra  Angelico  'da  Fie- 
sole.1  His  genuine  and  true  English  character  appears  more 
in  the  lyric  and  dialoguic  ingredients,  in  the  sense  of  humour 
which  sometimes  pervades  his  narrative,  as  in  the  miracle 
of  the  geese  (I.  2612  ff.),  in  the  invective  against  the  proud 
ladies  of  his  time  (I.  1779  ff.) ;  but  more  in  the  all-pervading 
truth  which  makes  him  cling  to  facts  rather  than  fictions,  and 
renders  his  performance  more  historical  than  legendary ;  in 
the  truth  of  his  feeling,  his  warm  heart,  his  earnestness,  his 
piety  and  devotion. 

Bradshaw's    powers   have    been   very   differently   rated  : 
Warton  speaks  slightingly  of  him,  Dibdiri  values  him  highly, 

colour;  1814,  Werburge  professed  to  her  rule  full  ryglit,  A  redolent 
floure  .  .  As  Lucyfer  shynynge,  a  clere  lampe  of  lyght.  He  compares 
(like  Lydgate)  the  virtues  of  his  saint  to  the  precious  stones  and  flowers 
(II.  313  ff.,  1906  ff.),  she  is  a  myrrour  of  mekenesa,  a  flower  of  chas- 
tyte,  a  well  of  clennes  (I.  2521,  3140).  He  uses  Venus  for  love  (I.  44, 
1884),  goddes  Cupyde  (890);  more  frequently  Phebus  for  sun  (I.  1191 ; 
brygliter  than  Phebus  in  his  meridian  spere  II.  1389,  shenyng  more  bryght 
than  radiant  phebus  in  the  triumphant  trone  I.  3330).  Quotations 
from  the  Bible:  I.  855-60,  1149-52,  1352-6,  2851-7,  3009-11,  3196-9  ; 
3485  ;  II.  8  ff.  Proverbs  :  Tho  man  prepose,  god  dysposeth  all ;  Who 
clymbeth  to  hye,  often  hath  a  fall,  I.  930-1  ;  Tho  mankynde  prepose 
his  mynde  to  fulfyll,  Yet  god  dysposeth  all  thynge  at  his  wyll,  3201-2  ; 
A  lad  to  wedde  a  lady  is  an  inconuenyent,  1015;  Good  manors  and 
conynge  maken  a  man,  II.  7  (cf.  Manners  maken  man,  Quoth  Wil'iam 
of  Wykeham);  I.  76,  2750.  On  the  whole  his  illustrations  are  not  very 
rich,  but  adapted  to  the  purpose,  and  in  the  character  of  his  time. 

1  It  must  also  be  remembered  that  the  shrine  of  St.  Werburge  at 
Chester  was  decorated  with  thirty  images  of  kings  of  Mercia  and  other 
princes,  ancestors  or  relations  of  our  saint  (from  which  he  took,  per- 
haps, the  Prince  of  West  Saxons  who  wooed  S.  W.).  Other  instances 
of  the  influence  of  painting  are  frequent  in  the  poetry  of  that  time,  as 
in  Capgrave's  Life,  of  St.  Katharine. 


WAUTOX    AND    HAWKINS    ON    HY.   BRADSHAW. 

Hawkins    takes   a   middle   course.1     In   my   estimation   he 
ranks    among    the   best   of    old   English   poets.     Not   only 

1  Warton,  for  instance,  remarks  :  "Henry  Bradshaw  has  rather  larger 
pretensions  to  poetical  fame  than  William  of  Nassington,  although 
scarcely  deserving  the  name  of  an  original  writer  in  any  aspect.  .  .  .  B. 
is  not  so  fond  of  relating  visions  and  miracles  as  his  argument  seems  to 
promise.  Although  concerned  with  three  saints,  he  deals  more  in 
plain  facts  than  in  the  fictions  of  religious  romance,  and  on  the  whole 
his  performance  is  rather  historical  than  legendary  ;  this  is  remarkable 
in  an  age  when  it  was  the  fashion  to  turn  history  into  legend.  .  .  .  But 
a  greater  degree  of  credulity  would  perhaps  have  afforded  him  a  better 
claim  to  the  character  of  a  poet,  and  at  least  we  should  have  conceived 
a  more  advantageous  opinion  of  his  imagination  had  he  been  less  frugal 
of  those  traditionary  fables  in  which  ignorance  and  superstition  had 
clothed  every  head  of  his  argument.  The  most  splendid  passage  of  the 
poem  is  the  description  of  the  feast  made  by  Wulfer  in  the  Hall  of  the 
Abbey  of  Ely.  ...  If  there  be  any  merit  of  imagination  or  invention 
to  which  the  poet  has  a  claim  in  this  description,  it  altogether  consists 
in  the  application  ;  the  circumstances  themselves  are  faithfully  coj  ied 
by  B.  from  what  his  own  age  actually  presented.  In  this  respect,  I 
mean  as  a  picture  of  ancient  life,  the  passage  is  interesting,  and  for  no 
other  reason.  The  versification  is  infinitely  inferior  to  Lydgate's  worst 
manner.  .  .  Bale,  a  violent  reformer,  observes  that  our  poet  was  a 
person  remarkably  pious  for  the  times  in  which  he  flourished.  This  is 
an  indirect  satire  on  the  monks  and  on  the  period  which  preceded  the 
Reformation.  I  believe  it  will  readily  be  granted  that  our  author  has 
more  piety  than  poetry.  His  prologue  contains  humble  professions  of 
his  inability  to  treat  lofty  subjects  and  to  p]ease  light  readers."  Dibdin 
says  :  "  It  is  presumed  that  his  name  will  stand  among  the  foremost  in 
the  list  of  the  poets  of  the  period  wherein  he  wrote.  His  descriptions 
are  oftentimes  happy  as  well  as  minute,  and  there  is  a  tone  of  moral 
purity  and  rational  piety  in  his  thoughts,  enriched  by  the  legendary 
lore  of  romance  that  renders  many  passages  of  his  poem  exceedingly 
interesting."  Hawkins:  "If  it  is  not  allowed  to  rank  B.,  according 
to  Dibdin's  estimate,  among  the  foremost  in  the  list  of  poets  of  his 
period,  it  is  unjust  to  place  him  in  so  low  a  rank  among  his  contem- 
poraries as  the  severity  of  Warton  seems  to  demand.  There  is  a  tone 
of  moral  principle  and  devotional  piety  so  unaffectedly  pervading  the 
whole  volume,  and  so  easily  and  naturally  introduced,  as  to  impress  the 
reader  with  the  conviction  that  they  had  an  habitual  influence  upon 
his  mind  and  heart,  and  exhibited  themselves  without  an  effort,  and 
almost  unconsciously  in  all  his  expressions.  There  is  much  strength 
and  apparent  sincerity  in  his  numerous  exhortations  to  piety  and  devo- 
tion. .  .  His  familiarity  with  the  Latin  language  has  been  already 
noticed,  and  the  reader  can  scarce^  have  failed  to  observe  his  intimate 
acquaintance  with  the  sacred  writings  ;  numerous  Scripture  personages 
are  adduced  as  models  and  examples  of  the  various  virtues  which  adorn 
the  Christian  character ;  and  the  language  of  Scripture  is  constantly 


XXX  THE    MERITS    OF    BRADSIIAW's    POEM. 

for  his  deep  learning,  Lis  truth  and  sincerity,  his  warm 
feeling,  his  piety,  and  the  purity  of  his  moral ;  not  only 
for  the  frequently  happy  and  vigorous  style  of  his  narrative, 
his  lyric  parts,  his  graphic  descriptions,  &c. ;  but  for  the 
combination  of  all  these  powers ;  and  because  his  poem  is  a 
most  successful  attempt  at  a  genuine  and  popular  epic,  rude 
as  its  form  may  still  be.  There  is  an  attempt  at  epic  style, 
at  epic  copiousness,  minuteness,  and  objectiveness,  at  epic 
humour,  which  shows  that  the  poet  not  only  studied  in  the 
school  of  Homer,1  but  had  a  natural  talent  for  that  kind  of 
poetry.  The  poem  is,  to  me,  full  of  single  charms,  full  of 
happy  traits  of  character  and  description  (cf.  f.  i.  I.  1301); 
everything  is  to  the  point  and  interesting,  nothing  dry,  tedious, 
and  diffuse  (as  in  Capgrave),  or  showy  and  ostentatious  (as 
in  Lydgate).  Even  in  his  descriptions  he  observes  the  law 

apparent  in  his  exhortations  and  descriptions.  Moral  maxims  and  pro- 
verbs, the  concentrated  wisdom  of  ages,  seem  to  have  been  familiar  to 
him,  and  may  be  detected  in  many  of  his  pages.  .  .  The  remark  of 
War  ton  is  probably  just,  that  had  he  had  a  greater  degree  of  credulity, 
he  would  have  had  a  greater  chance  of  being  poetical ;  credulity  indeed 
does  not  seem  to  be  his  failing,  for  though  he  records  many  miracles, 
...  it  is  quite  clear  that  he  omits  many  marvellous  tales  which  might 
have  been  supplied  by  the  original  work,  but  which  would  be  '  to  the 
readers  tedious,  no  mervayle,  sothly,'  and  to  which  he  was  not  himself 
quite  prepared  to  give  full  credit.  .  .  B.  had  evidently  less  faith  in 
the  miracles  of  his  monastery  than  had  been  enjoyed  by  his  prede- 
cessors ;  in  truth,  there  appears  to  be  occasionally  a  lurking  humour  in 
his  description  which  betrays  as  much  disbelief  in  his  own  narrative  as 
the  temper  of  the  times  and  the  still  lingering  credulity  of  his  contem- 
poraries would  permit  (?).  If  his  own  good  sense  and  the  growing  en- 
franchisement of  the  period  from  the  bondage  of  superstition  and  papal 
imposition  checked  in  him  any  tendency  to  imaginative  flights  and 
poetic  paroxysms,  it  will  not  be  denied  that  he  frequently  exhibits  con- 
siderable strength  of  expression  in  his  language,  and  great  powers  in  his 
vivid  and  graphic  descriptions.  A  goodly  specimen  of  railing  may  be 
found  in  the  rebuke  of  Werbode  for  his  presumption.  Many  of  the 
miraculous  cures  are  described  with  great  force,  and  it  will  be  difficult 
to  find  in  any  contemporary  author  so  lively,  picturesque,  and  humor- 
ous a  narrative  as  that  of  the  unhappy  Geese  of  Wcdon,  'who  went 
mekely  as  yf  they  had  reason  naturall,  unto  her  presence,'  &c." 

1  I  may  be  mistaken  in  assuming  that  he  read  Homer  ;  but  Homer's 
poems,  certainly,  were  known  at  his  time. 


CHARACTERISTICS    OF    BRADSIIAW's    STYLE    AND    VERSE.       XXXi 

of  epic  progression,  as  when  his  persons  move  in  procession 
one  after  another,  according  to  their  rank  (as  I.  1506  fr".,  II. 
274  ff.).  The  simplicity  of  feeling  and  expression  is  (I  think) 
sometimes  truly  Homeric  (so  I.  1415-23).  His  speeches  breathe 
a  sweetness  and  tenderness  and  delicacy  characteristic  of  the 
genuine  epic ;  even  the  formal  way  of  address  is  truly  epic. 
The  poet  is  full  of  his  subject,  of  his  hero ;  all  is  steeped  in 
that  admiration  and  devotion  which  are  the  true  sources  of 
epic  poetry.  The  details  are  executed  with  that  love  which 
springs  from  devotion.  Sometimes,  in  his  narrative,  we  even 
find  the  tone  of  hilarity  peculiar  to  Homer  (as  in  the 
miracle  of  the  geese).  These  qualities  cannot  but  excite  our 
admiration,  and  impress  the  reader  with  agreeable  feelings. 
There  is  even  an  attempt  at  epic  composition;  at  least  the 
inserted  lives  of  St.  Sexburge  and  St.  Audry  are,  I  think, 
intended  as  epieodes.  In  giving  at  large  the  genealogy  of  his 
saint,  he  does  exactly  what  Homer  did  before  him.  In  other 
respects  he  is  bound  by  the  course  of  his  narrative. 

The  poem  is  written  in  7-lined  stanzas  (rhyme  royal, 
introduced  by  Chaucer) ;  sometimes  a  Latin  verse  is  added  as 
an  8th  line  :  I.  2G96,  3110,  3118,  3413;  an  English  verse  is 
added  in  II.  526.  Once  the  two  last  verses  of  the  7-lined 
stanza  are  formed  by  Latin  leonine  verses :  II.  1337-8. 
The  concluding  chapters  (II.  Cap.  21 — 23)  are  composed  in 
8-lined  stanzas  (the  last  verse  forming  the  refrain),  Cap. 
21  with  same  rhymes  throughout  the  chapter.  The  same 
change  of.  stanzas  occurs  in  Lydgate,  the  8-lined  stanza  being 
considered  more  fit  for  magniloquent  passages,  prayers,  ad- 
monitions, &c.  The  Lenvoye  (Cap.  24)  is  again  written  in 
rhyme  royal  (as  in  Lydgate). — The  verses  seem  at  first  sight 
rather  rugged  and  imperfectly  built.  Hawkins  remarks : 
"He  had  clearly  not  a  musical  ear,  his  versification  is  not 
smooth  and  harmonious,  and  his  naturally  defective  apprecia- 
tion of  rhythmical  intonation  has  been  much  exaggerated  by 
the  awkward  and  difficult  arrangement  of  the  stanza  which 
he  has  adopted ;  with  an  easier  metre  his  lines  might  have 


XXXl'i  CHARACTER    OF    BRADSIIAW'S    VERSE. 

flowed  with  more  ease  and  grace."  Indeed,  the  rrgular  10- 
sy  liable  verses  of  Chaucer,  with  a  regular  change  of  toned 
and  toneless  syllables,  are  not  frequently  found.  But  he 
generally  retains  the  old  popular  long-line  (with  four  accents  in 
two  half-lines,  and  an  arbitrary  number  of  untoned  syllables) 
used  by  the  Anglo-Saxons,  revived  in  the  alliterative  long- 
line  of  the  14th  century,  and  still  employed  in  the  North  at 
his  time — verses  winch  have  a  sort  of  anapaestic  (or  dactylic) 
rhythm.1  This  principle  does  not,  however,  seem  to  be  strictly 
observed,  and  verses  of  the  regular  kind  seem  to  be  mixed  up 
with  the  long-lines.  In  choosing  the  popular  long-line  he 
also  retained  the  alliteration  used  with  the  long-line,  and 
still  popular  in  the  North ;  not,  as  a  rule,  in  each  verse,  but 
arbitrarily,  and  mostly  attached  to  certain  locutions  and 
phrases  (partly  of  old  date,  partly  new  formed).2  Some- 

1  Hawkins  remarks  :  "To  produce  anything  of  rhythmical  composi- 
tion, the  accent  must  be  laid  strongly  upon  the  very  last  syllable  of  the 
line,  even  in  cases  when,  according  to  the  modem  mode  of  pronuncia- 
tion, the  last  syllable  is  as  little  dwelt  upon  as  possib'e  ;  the  following 
illustrations  may  be  observed  :   gostly  remedy,  pnrte  trinite,  odour 
savour  hour,  body  clergy  verity,"  &c.     This  is  true,  and  more  so  in 
French  or  Latin  words,  where  the  accent  is  mostly  to  be  put  on  the  last 
syllable,  which  is  frequently  the  only  rhyming  one  ;  but  Hawkins  does 
not  understand  the  principle. 

2  Such  phrases  of  old  or  recent  date,  are,  for  instance  :  brute  becst, 
wylde  wood,  sharpe  swerd,  bare  bon,  harde  hert,  wretched  world,  dere 
derlyng,  dough ter  dere,  louely  lady,  crowned  kyng,  chefe  champyon, 
fa^e  fend,  poore  peple,  royall  rose,  royall  reme,  &c.  ;  mayn  and  myght, 
churches  and  chapeles,  wydowes  and  wyues,  rentes  and  ryches,  ryches 
and  royalte,  realme  and  royalte,  vncles  and  auntes,  prelatis  and  pr.nces, 
hawkyng  and  huntyng,  fayr  and  fre,  meke  and  mylde,  wanton  and 
wylde,  sadde  and  sobre,  secret  and  styll,  well  and  wysely,  to  haue 
and  holde,  call  and  cry,  sigh  and  sobbe,  wayle  and  wepe,  sing  and 
say,  mervayle  and  muse,  gouerne  and  guye,  conserue  and  saue,  &c.  ; 
lyke  a  lady,  feruent  as  fyre,  flamy ng  as  fyre,  clerer  than  cristall,  after 
cours  of  kynde,  a  lampe  of  lyght,  lanterne  of  lyght,  kyng  of  kynges,  on 
payne  of  punyshment,  in  parte  of  payne,  grace  of  god,  for  love  of  our 
lord,  a  well  with  water,  deth  with  his  darte,  most  of  myght,  knelyng 
on  kne,  dredfully  daryng,  syngyng  swetely,  regnyng  in  regaly,  reigne 
with  reuerence,  found  fals,  kept  in  clos,  soth  to  say,  to  try  out  the 
truthe,  to  take  in  a  trayne,  semyng  as  on  slepe,  sorowe  came  viisought, 
vertu  to  avaunce,  moeued  his  mynde,  &c.     Many  of  these  combinations 
are  certainly  new,  as  pry  nee  prepotent,  principal  1  protectour,  trusty 


BRADSHAW  S    DEFECTIVE    RYMES.  XXxiii 

times,  however,  and  mostly  in  descriptive  passages,  it  is  so 
frequent  that  it  occurs  more  than  thrice  in  the  same  line,  or 
extends  over  two  lines,  or  that  two  different  alliterations  are 
found  in  one  line.  So  the  same  popular  element  which 
appears  in  the  lyric  parts,  in  the  proverbs  quoted,  &c.,  also 
figures  in  the  metre  of  his  verses,  and  in  the  alliterations. — 
The  rhymes  are  frequently  defective :  there  are  several 
identical  rhymes  (tell  tell,  I.  1682  ;  out  out,  II.  1161 ;  playne 
playne,  I.  2608;  cost  (cost)  cost  (coast),  II.  1157),  or  where  the 
rhyming  syllable  is  identical  (Englande  lande,  forsake  sake, 
past-tyme  tyme,  Oswolde  wolde,  Kenrede  we  rede,  well-come 
come,  dyspleasure  pleasure,  olyue  lyue,  Eadfryde  Osfryde, 
Oxenforde  Herforde,  Werburge  Milburge ;  also  rhymes  like 
sadnesse  gentylnesse,  ydlenes  busines  mekenes,  example 
people,  resonable  impossyble,  dygnyte  beaute,  suerte  pros- 
perite,  mighty  twenty,  newly  ghostly,  reason  pryson,  &c., 
rhymes  which  are  very  frequent).  There  are  many  bad 

treasure,  charitable  chanoiis,  tortuous  tormeutour,  taynted  traytour, 
redolent  rose,  power  and  policy,  pleasant  and  profitable,  floure  of 
femynyte,  diamond  of  dignite,  saphire  of  siucerite,  sufficient  to  suffyse, 
dygne  of  duty,  submyttyng  vnder  snbjeccyon,  &c.  Sometimes  we  find 
two  alliterative  words  in  a  line  :  Stande  vp  "VVerbode,  kyng  Vulfer  than 
sayd  ;  It  is  well  knowen  thou  arte  comen  of  nought ;  Ledynge  the 
Israelites  to  the  lande  of  promyssyon,  &c.  ;  sometimes  more :  Tiie  maker 
of  mankynde  most  in  maieste  ;  Called  specyall  prymate  and  pryiicypall 
presydent ;  With  mynstrels  melody  and  myrthes  amonge  ;  Our  chyfe 
champyon  in  all  our  chyualry  ;  Thou  cruell  pagane  presumynge  at  thy 
pleasure  ;  he  lauded  full  lowly  our  lord  ;  The  people  were  prone  and 
punysshed  .therfore  ;  Manyfest  wyth  myracles  by  meryte  of  her  meke- 
nesse  ;  On  a  rocke  they  ranne  no  remedy  myght  fynde,  &c.  The  same 
alliteration  in  two  lines  :  Her  merytes  were  moche  more  commendable 
Than  were  her  myracles  manyfest  and  playne  (I.  2606),  The  messanger 
merueyled  and  mused  in  his  mynde  Of  this  straunge  message  stode  styll 
in  a  study  (2633),  Also  she  refused  her  fathers  realme  and  royalte  All 
ryches  rentes  pleasures  possessions  (1541).  Heaped  alliterations  in  two 
lines :  This  wycked  Weiebode  the  bedyll  of  Belyall,  The  minister  of 
myschef  &  sergeaunt  of  sathauas  (I.  1023-4).  In  French  words  the  al- 
literation lies  frequently  in  the  first  syllable  before  the  tone,  as  in  daily 
desirynge,  perceyuyng  him  penitent,  she  refused  her  realme,  her  pre- 
eminence caused  no  presumpcyon,  our  counsell  therto  consentynge  ;  or 
in  the  second-toned  syllable,  as  in  vertue  to  avaunce,  conserue  and  saue, 
aray  and  royalte  (cf.  fortune  unfrendly). 


XXXIV  LICENCES    OF    BRADSHAW's    RYMES. 

rhymes,  as  pylgrimage  barge,  express  rehers  I.  2206,  doubtles 
rehers  (r.  express?),  princes  rehers,  porte  harte,  solemnysed 
syde;1  especially  where  n  rhymes  with  m,  as  tyme  ruyne, 
exempt  obedient,  Rome  alone.2  Another  licence  (frequent  in 
the  older  popular  Midland  poetry)  is,  that  he  rhymes  only  the 
last  and  toneless  syllables,  so  even  in  endings,  as,  for  instance, 
gees  feldes,  T.  2619 ;  churches  richesse,  II.  360 ;  brethur  tresur, 
1. 2329 ;  parte  trinite,  3364;  is  byleuys,  1113;  resolued  shryned, 
II.  231 ;  descended  notyfyed,  I.  589 ;  possessed  greued,  2844  ; 
rehersed  dede,  or  in  heuyn  Ruffyn,  1225;  heuen  (r.  heuyn) 
nyen,  2319 ;  maydyn  dyscyplyne,  764 ;  lenton  religyon, 
martyr  (r.  marter)  father,  father  syster,  syster  doughter, 
bretherne  (r.  brether)  aulter,  2226 ;  maker  daunger,  foundere 
clere ;  or  in  cases  like  doubtles  folysshenes,  doubtles  quyetnes, 
lady  be,  body  satisfy,  Ely  heuy,  cruelly  dayly  worldly,  depely 
monastery,  evidently  merveillously,  consequently  oratory, 
euery  robry,  allmyghty  glory,  frosty  sagittari,  bull  irefull, 
knowlage  rage,  &c. ;  and  so  in  French  words  in  on,  nee,  er, 
our,  te,  ure,  ell,  ous,  y,  all,  &c.  (as  in  power  dyfferre,  mariner 
prisoner,  discrecion  consolacion,  greuans  pagans,  protectour 
benefactour,  artylere  vyctorye,  dygnyte  beaute  she,  solenmyte 
dirige,  batell  befell,  delycyous  plentuous  beauteous,  precious 
in  pontificalibus,  continuall  Paule,  &c.) ;  even  in  example 
people  ;3  also  in  Anna  Delbora,  I.  2813  ;  Adda  Duyna,  Peade 
thyrty,  Sledde  fre,  368  ;  Whitbye  lady,  Ely  desydery,  Deiram 
sam,  Egnicius  gracyous,  £c.4  Full  rhymes,  like  mother 
other,  lolynesse  holynesse,  I.  805 ;  Worcester  Dorchester,  are 

1  Complayne  (subst.)  certayne,  I.  2626,  is  a  sort  of  forced  rhyme. 

2  There  are  many  more  instances  of  this  kind  :  tyme  doctrine,  tyme 
Collatyne,    tyme  Jurwyne,   tyme    diuine,   baptyme    ruyne,   Salomon 
wysedom,  region  Rome,  alone  whom,  sone  kyngdome,  one  fredom,  dis- 
posicion  martyrdom,  religion  custom,  reason  wysedom,  barowne  rowme, 
rowme  euerichone,  renowne  come,  peticion  come.     Instances  of  the 
same  kind  frequently  occur  in  Midland  poetry. 

3  The  author  probably  wrote  exampull  pepull,  or  exampill  pepill 
(of.  fire  Chestire,  yere  Alexandere). 

4  In  all  these  cases  the  last  rhyming  syllable  has  of  course  the  tone, 
or  a  sort  of  undertone. 


LICENCES    OF    BRADSHAW  S    RYMES.  XXXV 

very  rare.  So  in  tliese  rhymes  again  the  poet  uses  the 
liberties  of  popular  poetry.  But  in  a  great  many  cases  the 
impurity  of  the  rhyme  is  not  due  to  the  poet,  but  to  the 
edition,  as  in  realme  (r.  reme)  Jerusalem,  I.  560  ;  paganes 
(r.  pagans)  penance,  parentes  (r.  parens)  conscyens,  mys- 
creauntes  ordynaunce  (cf.  pagans  Fraunce,  Romans  plesans), 
Ermenylde  reconcyled  begyled  (r.  reconcylde),  heuen  (r. 
heuyn)  nyen,  hande  (r.  honde)  sounde,  lande  (r.  londe) 
founde  (r.  fonde),  strang  (r.  strong)  among ;  in  many  cases  it 
is  made  good  by  restoring  the  dialectic  peculiarities  which 
the  original  presented  (especially  northern  forms),  as  in  eight 
right  (r.  reght),  destroy  (r.  destry)  edyfy,  I.  868 ;  bretherne 
(r.  brether)  aulter,  matyns  (r.  matens)  presens,  2545 ;  martyre 
(r.  martere)  were,  martyr  father,  eye  (r.  ye)  kne  (cf.  ee :  see 
Josue,  II.  1466),  herte  (r.  harte)  parte,  soule  (r.  saule)  Paule 
(cf.  Paule  all  specyall),  slayne  Finane,  abbesse  (r.  abbas) 
place ;  or  by  the  pronunciation,  as  in  Lyncolne  mansyon 
I.  565,  Johan  extorcyon.  It  is  clearly  proved  by  the  rhymes 
that  e  and  y  had  a  similar  pronunciation1  (in  Mary  fre 
chastite,  Synaye  see,  Caunterbury  countre,  Gregorye  natiuite, 
Elye  she  amyte,  Dee  partye,  Mersee  memorye,  thyrty  Peade, 
thyrte  fre  Sledde,  lady  be  pite,  party  humilite  kne,  glorye 
virginite,  victory  charite,  hystorye  auctorite,  myghtye  royalte, 
mysery  me,  euaugely  humilite,  tyrannye  tree,  &c. ;  cf.  truly 
tui) ;  wherefore  we  find  frequently  e  written  for  y  (as  in 
womanle  chastyte,  gladle  possibilite,  truele  me  chyualre, 
trule  he  vanyte,  solemle  humilite,  honorable  chastyte,  misere 
me  cite,  priore  liberte,  police  chyualre,  lile  see,  thyrte  fre; 
besides  richely  monastery,  truly  mysery,  Ely  heuy,  I  transited, 
&c.).  In  this  way  we  must  also  explain  rhymes  like  vpone 
adowne  (r.  adone),  I.  13Q2  ;  crowne  possessyon,  2360;  towne 
alone,  rowme  euerichone,  custorne  barowne  rowme,  renowne 

1  Compare  also  the  spelling  in  eche  and  yche,  queue  and  quiene, 
chefe  and  chyfe,  succide  ;  Bede,  however,  is  rhymed  with  Ethelred, 
clere  with  were.  2  had  not  yet  the  present  pronunciation,  as  is  proved 
by  rhymes  like  nyen  (r.  nyne)  heuen  (r.  heuyn),  I.  2318,  shiine  virgine, 
tyme  ruyue,  syde  Osfryde,  &c.  ;  nyne  rhymes  with  queue. 

C  2 


xxxvi     PYNSON'S  ALTERATIONS  OF  BRADSHAW'S  WORDS. 

religion  many-one ;  before  foure  honoure,  sore  sauyour,  more 
rigoure  (cf.  hour  auctour,  floure  coloure,  hour  restour  succour), 
"but  also  honour :  pleasur  tresour,  I.  821  (cf.  treasure  endure, 
pleasure  sure,  Arthure  endure  sure) ;  precious  in  pontifi- 
calibus.  Besides,  the  dialect  allowed  the  poet  to  use  a 
variety  of  forms,  as  certayne  playne,  certan  man  Dunstan, 
certen  men  women ;  batell  befell,  batayle  fayle,  catall  thrall ; 
merciens  consciens,  mercians  greuans;  centre  Canterbury, 
countray  Journay;  brether  aulter,  brethur  tresur,  I.  2329; 
hert  and  hart,  almyghty  and  almyght,  byfore  and  byforne,  &c. 
This  leads  us  to  consider  whether  Pynson  printed  the 
text  exactly  as  written  by  the  poet,  or  whether  he  altered  it 
in  some  respects.  His  edition  was  made  only  a  few  years 
after  the  poem,  and  it  is  very  readable,  if  we  except  some 
mistakes ;  so  that  we  may  trust  that  he  did  not  materially 
alter  the  readings.  There  is,  however,  as  little  doubt  that  he 
modified  the  dialect  of  the  original  by  introducing  the  forms 
used  in  the  London  press.  There  are  still  traces  left  which 
clearly  prove  that  the  dialect  was  marked  more  strongly  in 
the  original.  Chester  being  situated  on  the  confines  of  the 
Northern,  Western,  and  Midland  dialects,  we  may  expect  to 
find  peculiarities  of  all  these  dialects.  Indeed,  there  are 
traces  of  all  these  dialects,  or  at  least  may  be  gathered  from 
the  rhymes.1  Bradshaw  wrote  lond  hond  sond  (=  sand) 
rhyming  with  fonde  (=  found)  bonde  sonde  (=  sound), 
as  I.  23,518  (rhymes  like  hande  sounde,  I.  2275 ;  lande 
founde,  246 ;  Mercelande  founde,  londe  founde,  probably 
also  Merslande  hande,  Englande  vnderstande,  must  there- 
fore be  altered).  He  wrote  Paule  (rhyming  with  all, 
speciall),  saule  II.  588  (P  soule),  as  in  the  North;  abbas 
and  abbesse ;  knowlage  (I.  932) ;  slayne  and  slane  (:  Finane, 
I.  866),  certayne  certan  (northern)  and  certen  (midland) ; 

1  It  is  chiefly  owing  to  the  influence  of  various  dialects  that  the 
spelling  is  still  very  uncertain  ;  we  find  Oswold  and  Oswald,  trist  and 
trust,  perell  and  peril,  batell  and  batayle,  posturne  and  postrone,  com- 
pascd  and  compassed,  riall  and  royall,  orison  and  orayson,  &c. 


BRADSHAW  S    DIALECT-FORMS.  XXXVU 

he  uses  ee  (or  ye  —  eye),  he  I.  1004  (=  high),  distrye  (as 
in  the  North) ;   toyne  (=  tune).     Forms   like  wete  (:  fete) 

I.  2212,  smetyn,  marter  (:  father  were),  matens  (:  presens), 
gebet,  profet,  perell,  f ranches,  viset  were    frequent   in   the 
North   Midland ;    as    also  reght    (P  right   :   eight) ;    mycle, 
frequent  in  the  latter  half  of  the  poem,  is  the  northern  form, 
as  also  correcke;  whome  (=  home),  II.  1464,  is  a  spelling 
peculiar  to  some  parts  of  the  North  Midland.     In  endings 
we  find  u  in  brethur  Worcestur  (:  tresur),  I.  2329,  as  in  the 
West;  o  in  lenton  (:  deuocion),  comon  songon  lynon  yron 
Oxonford  (the  same  forms,  used  mostly  in  the  West,  are  how- 
ever frequent  in  Caxton  and  other  printers) ;  y  in  byleuys 
(:  is)  I.  1113,  heuyn  1225,  2318,  maydyn  764,  Chestire  (:  fire) 

II.  1630,  all  of  which  are  found  in  rhymes.    The  text  has  still 
frequent  plurals  in  is,  as  tearis,  hartis,  prestis,  princis,  actis, 
Persis,  &c.,  besides  in  -es,  which  is  sometimes  demanded  by 
the  rhyme  (as  in  churches  :  richesse,  feldes  gees  I.   2619), 
and  -s  in   citizens,    Romans,  pagans,  Merciens,   &c.   (all   in 
rhymes).     The  rhyme  mynisters  :  sterres  seems  to   demand 
mynisteres;  lerarchyses,  I.  1629,  or  lerarcheses,  has  to  be 
altered  in  lerarchyse  (northern  spelling);    childer,  I.  3277, 
brether  are  northern  forms.     The  second  person  of  the  pre- 
sent tense  ends  in  -s,  as  in  the  West  Midland  (cf.   thou 
knowes,  does,  base) ;   thou   shall,  was,  dyd,  suffered,  gaue, 
toke,  are  without  ending.     The  third  person  ends  in  -eth  and 
-es  (cf.  clothe  and  serues  in  the  same  line,  I.  952) ;  the  plural 
in  -en,  as.  in  the  Midland  (cf.  ben,  lyen,  shevven,  obseruen). 
The  infinitive  still  ends  sometimes  in  -en,  as  waken ;  more 
frequently  the  participle,  as  letten,  II.  1313,  bounden,  &c. 
Lent  (from  lenden  to  arrive,  reside)  I.  970,  1778,  is  a  Northern 
form.1     Bradshaw  still  uses  some  old  and  dialectic  words,  as 
layth  (lightning),  II.  12 ;  drowed,  II.  1856  (r.  haue  drowen, 
from  dreo^en,  to  suffer),  anentes,  bown,  shalmes  (I.  1689), 
seyn  (=  synod). 

1  Latin  verbs  in  ate,  st,  have  commonly  no  ending  in  the  preterite 
and  participle  (as  creat,  cruciat,  preparat,  coronate,  congregate,  arrest, 
electe  ;  but  extincted). 


XXXViii  BRADSIIAW'S    LONG    FOREIGN    WORDS. 

If  in  these  dialectic  forms,  as  well  as  in  his  metre  and  in 
the  use  of  alliterations,  he  shows  himself  to  be  a  friend  of  the 
people  and  of  the  popular,  he  is  more  modern  in  other 
respects.  He  imitates  Lydgate's  way  of  construction,  his 
asyndeta,  his  omission  of  the  auxiliary  '  to  be',  even  with  the 
participle,  his  frequent  use  of  the  participle,  his  absolute 
participles  (as  well  knowen  and  founde,  I.  543,  proued  2543, 
3200,  manyfest  and  playne  2606),  &c.;  though  he  is  more 
natural,  and  not  so  abstruse  and  difficult  as  Lydgate.  He 
is  still  more  modern  in  the  use  and  formation  of  words. 
Since  Chaucer  and  Lydgate  it  had  been  the  fashion  to  intro- 
duce long  and  sonorous  words  from  the  French  and  Latin 
for  the  sake  of  melodiousness  and  picturesqueness ;  the  ear 
delighted  in  the  sound  of  words  ending  in  aunce,  oun,  aunt, 
ous,  all,  able,  ate,  &c. ;  every  poet  tried  to  augment  the  stock 
of  these  '  aureate  terms.'  Our  poet  stands  not  behind  in  this 
respect.  He  uses  words  like  alienat,  ampliat,  appropryat, 
confederate,  congregate,  consecrate,  coronate,  creat,  cruciat, 
decorate,  eleuate,  endurate,  illumynate,  maculate,  metigate, 
nomynat,  conomynat,  prenomynat,  probate,  prostrate,  roborate, 
regenerate,  sacrat,  tumylate,  dylate,  retrograt ;  vnyt,  inhabyte, 
promyt,  electe,  extyncte  ;  edyfy  (=  build),  gloryfy,  magnyfy, 
multyply,  putryfy,  specyfy,  testyfy,  veryfy ;  enterprise,  psal- 
modise,  solempnyse ;  dyscus,  expulse ;  apperceyue,  reuolue ; 
sautynge,  flourynge,  pasturynge ;  corespondent,  equypolent, 
equypotent,  omnipotent,  prepotent,  redolent,  resplendent, 
sufficient,  remanent;  constaunt,  exuberaunt,  rutilant,  oppug- 
naunt,  abundaunt,  preignaunt,  vernaunt,  valeaunt ;  facundious, 
memorous,  tymerous,  dolorous,  melody  ous,  tedyous,  vyctory- 
ous;  celestiall,  corporall,  eternall  (besides  eterne),  contynuall, 
historyall,  imperial],  lynyall,  marcyall,  meinorall,  memorial!, 
monasticall,  pudicall,  sensuall,  supernaturall,  virginall,  vitall, 
fragyll;  commendable,  comparable,  incomparable,  deceuable, 
fauourable,  honorable,  mercyable,  odible ;  myssyue,  memora- 
tyue,  primatyue ;  barbarike,  polytike ;  alian,  cotidian  ;  dygne, 
condygne;  caduce,  transytory,  interyor,  interiously,  senyor, 


BHADSHAW  S    LONG    FOREIGN    WORDS.  XXXIX 

remedyless ;  sanctimoniall,  moiniall,  monyall  (and  moynes), 
coronall;  essentyals  (sensuals) ;  tuycyon,  fruycyon,  intrnsyon, 
extorcyon,  mynystracion,  nomynyon,  notycyon,  collusion,  sus- 
pection,  recidiuacion  ;  dyuydent,  inconvenyent,  encresement ; 
preheminence,  magnificence ;  audy  tour,  enhery tour,  instructour ; 
valeaunce,  purueaunce;  spousage,  parentage;  fortytude,  pul- 
chrytude ;  femynyte,  audacyte,  lascyuyte,  ambiguite,  penalite, 
senyorite,  sensualite,  amyte,  volupte ;  desydery,  lumynary, 
sagittari ;  pensyuenesse ;  musture,  verdure,  pasture,  moynes, 
spouses;  homycyde,  fysnamy,  lygne,  ayde,  decour,  vre,  cubycle, 
subbarb,  &c.  Many  of  these  words  and  formations  have  since 
disappeared  or  become  obsolete,  as  recidiuacion,  nomynyon, 
notycyon,  suspection,  volupte,  encresement,  desydery,  spouses, 
moiniall,  vre,1  decour,  cubycle,  lygne,  dygne,  condygne, 
caduce,  odible,  vyctoryall,  hystoryall,  memorall,  memorous, 
facundyous,  remanent,  interyously,  promyt,  psalmodise,  apper- 
ceyue,  sautynge ;  as  also  formations  like  enuired,  encronicled, 
depair  (=  impair),  dyspent,  reparel;  or  have  taken  a 
different  meaning,  as  tumylate,  edyfy,  recourse,  transcend  e 
(a  ryuer),  dyuydent.  Some  of  them  seem  to  have  been  intro- 
duced by  Bradshaw,  as  perhaps  caduce,  volupte,  nomynyon, 
more  certainly  cyrcumfulsed  (I.  2038).  Many  French  words 
have  still  the  French  spelling,  as  enhery  trice,  protectrice, 
mediatrice,  lygne,  lygnage,  promesse  and  promes,  baptyme, 
sautyng,  covent,  &c.2  French  adjectives  used  adverbially, 
frequently  omit  -ly,  as  playne,  sure,  certayn,  expresse,  con- 
tynuall,  specyall,  consequent,  &c. 

The  Glossarial  Index  to  the  text  was  added  by  Mr.  W. 
M.  Wood,  for  the  convenience  of  readers,  under  instructions 
from  the  Director  of  the  E.  E.  Text  Society. 

1  vre  seems  first  to  occur  in  Lydgate. 

2  In  French  words  also  we  frequently  find  double  forms,  as  promyt 
(promy ttnge)  and  promyse,  descrybe  and  descryue,  moynes  and  moiniall, 
memorall  memoriall  memorous,  interyour  interyously,  suspicion  and 
suspeotion,  regalyte  regaly  (I.  407)  realte,  lynage  and  lygnage,  discens 
and  dyscent,  &c. 


xl 


COEEECTIONS. 

p.  16,  v.  221,  put  ;  after  delectable. 

p.  19,  v.  308,  put  *  after  Offryde. 

p.  51,  v.  1274,  put  .  after  syght. 

p.  83,  v.  2228,  read  matrone  inst.  of  matrone. 

p.  166,  v.  1034,  read  Galway,  Scot. 

p.  184,  headline,  read  Barfleur 


^f  Here  begynneth  the  holy  lyfe  and  history  of 

saynt  werburge  /  very  frutefull  for  all  christen 

people  to  rede. 

(Engraving  of  St.  Werburg  on  title-page.) 

If  The  Prologe  of  .*/".  T.  in   the  honour  &  laude  of   saint  p.  2 
Werburge  /  and  to   the  prayse  of  y  translatour  of  the 
legende  folowynge. 

1 

H  onour  /  ioye  /  and  glorie  /  the  toynes  organicall,  1 

E  ndeles  myrthes  w*  melodies  !  /  prayse  ye  all  ye  princes, 
N  ourisshed  in  vertue  /  intact  /  as  pure  as  cristall, 
E,  elef e  to  all  synners !  /  o  Werburge,  lady  maistres ; 
I  n  grace  thou  passed  /  all  other,  and  in  goodnes,  5 

Whan  thou  was  present  in  this  mundayne  lyfe ; 

None  was  the  lyke  /  wydowe  /  mayde  /  ne  wyf e.  7 

2 

B  y  diuyne  grace  /  to  vs  a  ryche  present,  8 

R  eioyce  we  may  /  in  Werburge  one  and  all, 
A  gemme  of  vertue  /  a  virgin  resplendent, 
D  ilect  of  our  lorde  (in  ioye  and  blis  eternall 
S  urely  she  is  set)  to  intercede  and  call,  12 

H  er  mouth  nat  cessyng  /  for  them  to  call  and  cryo 
A  nd  in  her  trust  /  of  synne  to  haue  mercy.  1 4 

B 


2   THE  PRAISE  OF  HENRY  BRADSHA,  MONK  OF  CHESTER. 

3 

O  good  lady  maistres  /  declyne  thy  syght  a-fer  15 

And  graciously  beholde  /  thy  seruaunt  chast  and  pure, 
Henry  Bradsha  /  sometyme  monke  in  Chester, 
Whiche  only  for  thy  loue  /  toke  the  payne  and  laboure 
Thy  legende  to  translate —  /  he  dyd  his  busy  cure,  19 

Out  of  latine  /  in  Englisshe  rude  and x  vyle,          i  p.  ande  and 
Whiche  he  hath  amended  /  with  many  an  ornate  style.     2 1 

4 

Alas,  of  Chestre  /  ye  monkes  haue  lost  a  treasure,  22 

Henry  Bradsha  /  the  styrpe  of  eloquence  1 
Chestre,  thou  may  wayle  /  the  deth  of  this  floure  j 
So  may  the  cite^ens  /  alas  !  for  his  absence, 
So  may  many  other  /  for  lacke  of  his  sentence.  26 

0  swete  lady  "Werburge  /  an  holy  Abbasse  glorious, 
Remembre  Henry  Bradsha  /  thy  seruauwt  most  graciows.  28 

5 

In  hym  remayned  no  vice  ne  presumpcion,  29 

Enuy  and  wrath  /  from  hym  were  exyled, 
Slouth  ne  Yenus  in  hym  had  no  dominion, 
Auarice  and  glotony  /  he  vtterly  expelled ; 
No  vice  in  hym  regned  /  his  felowes  he  excelled.  33 

As  clene  as  cristall  /  he  bare  these  vertues  thre  : 
Chastite  /  obidience  /  and  wylfull  pouerte.  35 

6 

O  cruell  deth  /  whiche  art  the  perfite  ende  36 

Of  this  noble  clerke  /  and  euery  mortall  thyng, 
Agaynst  the  /  no  man  may  hym  def  ende  ; 
Thou  causest  wo  /  languor  /  and  anguissyng. 
And  who  on  this  /  wolde  haue  remembryng  40 

Howe  from  erth  /  to  erth  he  must  agayne, 
He  wolde  dispise  all  thynges  that  be  m.undayne.     Vale.    42 


Jp 
Jl 


The  Table  of  this  boke. 

lrst  the  prologue  of  the  translatour  of  this  litell 
treatyse    .   ....   ^   ..........          Cap.  i. 


A  description  of  the  realme  of  merciens,  of  the 
bowides  and  commodites  of  the  same  .....  Cap.  ii. 

A  description  of  the  geanologie  of  saynt  Werburge, 
and  howe  she  descended  of  .iiii.  kynges  of  this 
lande  /  and  of  the  riall  blodde  of  Fraunce  .  .  .  Cap.  iii. 

A  playn  description  of  the  actes  l  and  chiualry  of        *  P.  actz 
kyng  Penda,  grauwtfather  to  saynt  Werburge  /  and 
of  his  noble  and  vertuous  progenie  ...... 

Howe  after  the  deth  of  kyng  Penda  /  and  of  his 
prince  Peada  l  his  secowde  son  Wulfer,  father  of     *  p- 
saynt  Werburge,  was  elect  to  be  kyng  of  merciens        Cap.  v. 

A  lyttell  descripcyon  of  the  noble  maryage  bytwene 
kyng  Wulfer  and  saynt  Ermenilde,  the  kynges 
doughter  of  Kent  /  and  of  the  solempnite  done 
at  the  same  season  ..........  The  syxt  chapitre. 

A  breue  declaracion  of  the  holy  lyfe  and  conuersa- 
ciow  of  saynt  Werburge  /  vsed  in  her  tender 
youth  /  aboue  the  comon  cours  of  nature  .  .  .  Cap.  vii. 

Howe  this  yonge  virgin  saynt  Werburge  was  de- 
sired of  dukes  and  erles  in  mariage  /  and  of  the 
reasonable  answere  she  gaue  to  them  in  auoydyng 
suche  wordly  pleasures    ...   ........      Cap.  viii. 

u  2 


4  TIIE   LIFE   OF    ST'   WERBURGE. 

*[  Howe  the  false  Werebode  desyred  kynge  Wulfer  to 
haue  his  doughter  Werburge  in  mariage  /  and 
howe  he  graunted  thervnto Cap.  ix. 

^f  Howe  the  quene  saynt  Ermenilde  wolde  nat  consent 
ther-to  /  &  how  her  bretherne  saint  Wulfade  / 
and  Ruffin  were  agaynst  the  sayd  mariage  .  .  .  Cap.  x. 

IT  Howe  the  false  Werebode  complaynned  vpon  saynt 
Wulfade  &  Ruffyn  to  kyng  Wulfer  /  and  was  the 
cause  of  their  deth Cap.  xi. 

IF  Howe  kynge  Wulfer  was  conuerted  /  and  toke  great 
repentaunce  for  his  offence,  and  by  the  counsell  of 
saint  Ceade  was  a  deuout  man  /  and  a  good  bene- 
factour  to  holy  churche  /  and  founder  of  diuers 
places Cap.  xii. 

^[  Of  the  feruent  desire  &  singular  deuocion  saynt 
Werburge  had  to  be  religious  /  and  of  the  dayly 
supplicacions  she  made  to  her  father  for  the  same  Cap.  xiii. 

^]  Of  the  reasonable  &  meke  answere  saynt  Wer- 
burge gaue  to  her  father  /  whan  he  moued  her  to 
haue  ben  niaried  Cap.  xiiii. 

^|"  How  saint  Werburge  was  made  an  nowne  at  Ely 
after  her  desire  vnder  saint  Audri  lady  and 
abbasse Ca.  xv. 

IT  Of  the  great  solemnisacion  kyng  Wulfer  made  at 
J>e  gostly  mariage  of  saynt  Werburge,  his 
doughter,  at  Ely  /  to  all  his  louers  and  frendes  .  Cap.  xvi. 

^[  Of  the  holy  profession  and  gostly  conuersacion 
eaynt  Werburge  vsed  at  Ely  in  religion  vnder 
saint  Audri xvii. 

A  litell  treatise  of  the  lyfe  of  saynt  Audrie,  abbasse 
of  Ely  /  &  of  her  holy  conuersacion  &  great  de- 
uocion ;  which  Audrie  was  aunt  and  cosyn  to 
saynt  Werburge xviii. 

Tf  A  breue  rehersal  of  the  lyfe  of  saint  Sexburge, 
graufttmoder  to  saint  werburge  /  &  of  her 
comyng  to  Ely  to  her  syster  Audrie,  thabbasse, 
from  Shepay  monasterie c.  xix 


THE    TABLE    OF    THE   FIRST   BOOX.  5 

Tf  Howe  saint  Ermenilde  after  dethe  of  kynge  Wulfer 

was  made  a  nonne l  at  Ely  /  vnder  her  moder      1  P.  noune 
Sexburge  and  Werburge,1  her  doughter  1  P.  Werkurge  Cap.  xx. 

IF  Howe  kyng  Ethelrede,  seynge  the  holy  conuersackw 
of  Werburge,  his  nece  /  made  her  lady  and  pre- 
sident at  Wedon  /  Trentaw  /  &  Hambury.  Also 
by  her  example  and  counsel  made  hym  a  monke 
at  Bardeney  abbay c.  xxi. 

^1  The  holy  conuersacion  of  kyng  Kerared,  brother  to 
saynt  Werburge  /  &  howe  he  refused  his  crowne 
/  &  was  made  a  monke  at  Rome  /  &  there  de- 
ported a  holy  cowfessour xxii. 

IF  Of  the  gostly  deuociora  of  saynt  Werburge,  &  ver- 
tuows  gouernans  of  her  places  /  and  of  the  great 
humilite  she  vsed  to  her  systers  and  all  creatures  Ca.  xxiii. 

^[  How  at  Wedow   wilde    gyse  were  pynned  at  her 

cojnma/zdement  /  and  also  relesed  &  put  at  liberte    Ca.  xxiiii. 

^[  How  a  tyrande  without  pite  was  punysshed,  his 
face  set  backewarde  /  and  by  his  mekenes  was 
restaured  to  helth  and  prosperite  agayne  ....  Cap.  xxv. 

^f  How  deuers  princes  folowyng  sensualite,  ente7?dyng 
to  violate  this  virgine  by  power:  by  myracle 
were  put  to  confusion Cap.  xxvi. 

^[  How  saynt  Werburge  gaue  knowlege  to  her  systers 
of  her  departure  /  &  howe  she  ordred  in  vertue 
her  sayd  monasteries  after  her  departure  ....  Cap.  xxvii. 

Tf  Of  the  gostly  exortaciow  saint  Werburge  made  to 
her  systers  in  her  sekenes  /  and  howe  deuoutly 
she  receyued  the  sacramewtes  of  holy  churche 
afore  her  deth c.  xxviii. 

^[  Of  the  departure  of  saynt  Werburge  at  Trentam  vnto 
heuen  from  this  miserable  lyfe  /  &  what  lamen- 
tacion  her  systers  and  subiectes  made  for  her  deth  Ca.  xxix. 

^[  Howe  the  hawburgenses  toke  the  blessed  body  of 
Werburge  from  Trentara  by  myracle  &  brought  it 
to  Hawbury  /  and  of  the  buriall  of  this  virgin  / 
and  manyfolde  signes  shewed  of  god  by  her 
merites  /  the  space  of  .ix.  yere  afore  her  translacion  Cap.  xxx. 


6  THE   LIFE    OF    ST     WERBURGE. 

IT  A  litel  breue  treatise  of  her  hole  lyfe  /  and  how  for 
her  myracles  shewed  after  her  deth  /  the  couent 
of  Hamburi  purposed  to  trawslat  her  body  by 
helpe  of  kyng  Coelrede,  reignyng  in  mercelande  Ca.  xxxi. 

^1  The  solempne  translacion  of  this  glorious  yirgine 
saynt  Werburge.  and  of  the  great  myracles  done 
at  the  same  season  by  the  might  of  god  /  and 
merite  of  this  gracious  lady  .........  Cap.  xxxii. 

U  Howe  the  body  of  saynt  Werburge  continued  hole  / 
&  substantial  at  Hambury  after  J>"  trawslacion  by 
the  space  of  .00.  yeres  /  tyll  the  danes  were 
comon  to  this  lande  /  or  it  fell  &  resolued  was 
vnto  powder Cap.  xxxiii. 


1  Here  foloweth  the  lyfe  of  the  gloryous  virgyn 
saynt  werburge  /also  many  miracles  that 
god  hath  shewed  for  her.  /  &  fyrst  the  pro- 
loge  of  the  auctour. 

[Under  this  title  the  same  engraving  as  on  p.  1,  and  the  samo 
engraving  is  also  repeated  at  the  back  of  the  leaf.] 


[  BOOK  I.  ] 

1[  The  prologe  of  the  tramlatour  of  this  lytell  werJce,  y  ly}'e 
of  saynt  Werburge. 


MHaTi  Phebus  had  ronne  his  cours  in  sagittari  1 

And  Capricorne  entred,  a  sygne  retrograt, 
Amyddes  Decembre  /  Y  aJre  c°lde  &  frosty, 
And  pale  Lucyna  /  the  erthe  dyd  illumynat, 
I  rose  vp  shortly  /  fro  my  cubycle  preparat,  5 

Aboute  mydnyght  /  and  cast  in  myne  intent 
How  I  myght  spende  /  the  tyme  conuenyent.  7 

2 

I  called  vnto  mynde  /  the  great  vnstedfastnes  8 

Of  this  wretched  worlde —  /  not  by  cours  of  nature — 
How  there  be  brought  /  some  men  to  busynes, 
Oppressed  with  pouerte  /  langour  /  and  dyspleasure, 
Some  other  exalted  /  to  felycyte  and  pleasure.  12 

The  maker  of  mankynde  /  most  in  maieste, 
Ruleth  all  at  his  wyll  /  it  may  non  other  be.  14 

3 

Beholde  dyscretly  /  and  se  the  fyrmament,  15 

Consyder  the  sonne  /  and  the  mone  also, 
With  all  the  pianettes  /  and  sterres  resplendent, 
How  they  kepe  theyr  cours  /  bothe  to  and  fro, 
Euer  obedyent  /  theyr  creature  vnto  ;  1 9 

And  byrdes  besely  /  syngynge  euery  day, 
Pi-ay synge  theyr  prymate  all  that  they  may  ;  21 


10  PROLOGUE.      DIVERS   DISPOSITIONS   OF   FOLK. 

4 

The  .iiii.  elementes  /  in  lyke  condycyon,  22 

The  fyre  /  the  water  /  the  ayre  /  and  the  lonclo, 

Obseruen  theyr  duty  /  after  theyr  creacyon 

And  buxum  ben  /  and  euer  so  be  fonde. 

Thus  euery  creature  /  as  we  vnderstonde,  26 

Obeyeth  to  his  creature  /  with  humylyte — 

Except  dyssolute  man  /  folowyng  sensualyte ;  28 

5 

If  man  wyll  remembre  /  how  he  was  create  29 

To  the  lykenes  and  figure  /  of  god  almyghty, 
And  set  in  paradyse  /  a  place  moost  delycate, 
To  haue  the  fruycyon  /  of  eternall  glory  / 
If  not  synne  expulsed  hym  /  to  the  vale  of  mysery,         33 
But  that  he  wolde  enclyne  /  his  naturall  reason 
To  serue  his  maker  /  truely  at  due  season.  35 

6 

Dyuers  people  /  haue  dyuers  condicions  :  36 

Comynly  proued  /  it  is  euery  day : 
Some  set  to  vertu  /  and  good  disposycyons, 
In  penauwce  /  prayer  /  all  that  they  may, 
Some  in  contemplacyon  /  the  sothe  to  say,  40 

Some  in  abstynence  /  to  chastyce  the  body 
And  make  it  subget  /  to  the  soule  perfytely  ;  42 

7 

Some  other  reioyce  /  in  synne  and  ydelnes,  43 

Some  seruauntes  to  Yenus  /  both  day  and  nyght, 
Other  to  couetyse  /  and  worldly  besynes, 
Some  to  deceyue  /  by  subtylte  in  syght, 
Some  vnto  marchandyse  /  &  wynnynge  full  ryght,  47 

Some  ferefull  and  tymerous  /  without  audacyte, 
Some  sadde  and  sobre  /  and  of  great  grauyte ;  49 

8 

Many  haue  pleasure  to  speke  of  rybaudry,  50 

Some  of  fyghtynge  /  braulynge  /  and  actes  marcyall, 
Other  to  flater  /  and  paynt  the  company, 


PROLOGUE.       THE   AUTHORS    MOTIVE    IN    WRITING.          H 

Some  to  syt  bytwene  the  cuppe  and  the  wall, 

Some  to  blaspheme  /  and  dyssemble  withall,  54 

To  backbyte  and  sclaunder  /  by  malyce  and  enuy, 

Some  to  extorcyon  /  theft e  and  playne  robry.  56 

9 

Thus  after  fraylte  /  and  sundry  compleccyons  57 

Dyuers  men  dyuers  in  lyuynge  there  be, 
Dysposed  by  a  contrary  dysposycyon, 
Some  vnto  vertue  /  some  vnto  vanyte ; 
Many  maners  of  people  /  now  we  may  se  61 

Wauerynge  in  the  worlde  /  without  quyetnes, 
As  a  shyp  by  tempest  /  is  dryuen,  doubt-lea.  63 

10 

Whan  I  reuolued  /  with  due  circumstaunce  64 

The  dyuers  maners  /  and  mutabylyte 
Of  worldly  people  /  and  the  great  varyaunce, 
And  how  this  lyfe  /  is  of  no  suerte, 

Now  in  great  langour  /  now  in  prosperyte  ;  68 

yet  after  our  meryte  /  we  shalbe  sure 
To  be  rewarded  /  at  our  departure  :  70 

11 

Than  to  vertuous  labours  /  we  shulde  apply  71 

And  spende  not  our  tyme  /  all  in  ydlenes  ; 
For,  as  a  byrde  is  made  /  by  nature  to  fly, 
Ryght  so  we  shulde  vse  /  some  good  busynes 
To  our  soule-helthe  /  with  great  mekenes  ;  75 

For  tyme  euyl  spende  /  in  labours  vayne 
Is  harde  to  be  well  /  recouered  agayne.  77 

i  12 

But  now,  syth  I  am  /  a  relygyous  man,  78 

For  losynge  of  tyme  /  can  not  me  excuse, 
Therfore  I  purpose  /  to  do  as  I  can  : 
All  suche  ydlenes  /  whylom  to  refuse, 
"With  the  grace  of  god  /  the  tyme  for  to  vse  82 

Some  small  treatyse  /  to  wryte  breuely 
To  the  comyn  vulgares  /  theyr  mynde  to  satysfy.  84 


12       PROLOGUE.       I  WILL  WRITE  THE  LIFE  OF  ST'  WERBURGE. 

13 

To  descrybe  hye  hystoryes  /  I  dare  not  be  so  bolde,  85 

Syth  it  is  a  mater  /  for  clerkes  conuenyent, 

As  of  the  .vii.  aeges  /  and  of  our  parentes  olde, 

Or  of  the  .iiii.  empyres  /  whylom  moost  excellent ; 

Knowynge  my  lernynge  /  therto  insuffycyent.  89 

As  for  bawdy  balades  /  ye  shall  haue  none  of  me, 

To  excyte  lyght  hertes  /  to  pleasure  and  vanyte.  91 

14 

But  now  in  auoydynge  /  suche  great  folysshenes  C2 

I  purpose  to  wryte  /  a  legende  good  and  true 
And  translate  a  lyfe  /  into  Englysshe  doubtles ; 
I  meane  the  spouse  /  of  our  lorde  Ihesu, 
Blessed  saynt  Werburge  /  replete  with  vertue,  96 

A  noble  prynces  borne  /  &  vyrgyne  pure  and  gloryous, 
After  an  holy  monyall  /  and  an  abbesse  gracyous.  98 

15 

In  the  abbay  of  Chestre  /  she  is  shryned  rychely,  99 

Pryores  and  lady  /  of  that  holy  place, 
The  chyef  protectryce  /  of  the  sayd  monastery 
Longe  before  the  conquest  /  by  deuyne  grace  ; 
Protectryce  of  the  Cytee  /  she  is  and  euer  was,  103 

Called  specyall  prymate  /  and  pryncypall  presydent, 
There  rulynge  vnder  /  our  lorde  omnypotent.  105 

16 

And  yf  I  vn worthy  /  begynne  this  lytell  werke,  106 

I  praye  all  the  reders  /  mekely  of  pardon, 
To  correcke  and  amende  /  syth  I  am  no  clerke, 
Excuse  my  ignoraunce  /  and  take  the  entencyon. 
My  mynde  is  to  she  we  /  her  lyfe  and  deuocyon,  110 

That  euery  man  and  woman  /  ensample  maye  take 
At  this  pure  vyrgyn  /  synne  to  forsake.  112 

17 

And  syth  that  she  is  /  in  blysse  now  glory fyed,  113 

It  were  no  reason  /  her  name  be  had  in  scylence, 
But  to  the  people  /  her  name  be  magnyfyed, 


*A   DESCRYPCYON   OF   THE   REALME   OP    MERCYENS.'  13 

To  her  laude  and  prayse  /  honour  and  reuerence. 

Her  parentes  and  bretherne  /  J>e  floures  of  experyence,   117 

Haue  ben  kepte  in  close  /  secrete  many  a  day  : 

Wherfore  I  purpose  /  somwhat  of  them  to  say.  119 

18 

Fyrst  I  entende  /  to  make  playne  descrypcyon  120 

Of  her  fathers  kyngedome  /  the  realrne  of  Mercyens, 
How  longe  it  endured  /  vnder  his  tuycyon, 
Ynder  how  many  kynges  /  it  had  prehemynens ; 
Also  of  her  petygre  /  the  noble  excellence —  124 

For  so  many  sayntes  /  of  one  kynred,  certayne, 
Is  harde  to  be  founde  /  in  all  the  worlde  agayne.  126 

19 

Vnto  this  rude  werke  /  myne  auctours  these  shalbe  :      127 
Fyrst  the  true  legende  /  and  the  venerable  Bede, 
Mayster  Alfrydus  /  and  Wyllyam  Maluysburye, 
Gyrarde  /  Polycronycon  /  and  other  mo  in  deed. 
Now  gloryous  god  /  graunt  me  to  procede ;  131 

Blessed  vyrgyn  Werburge  /  my  holy  patronesse, 
Helpe  me  to  endyte  /  I  praye  the,  swete  maystresse.       133 

^T  A  descrypcyon  of  the  realme  of  Mercyens  /  of  londes  and 
commodytes  of  the  same. 

20 

^£He  yere  of  our  sauyoure  /  by  full  computfacyon  *         134 
Foure  hundred  /  nyne  &  f ourty  f rome  his  natiuite,  * p-  compu- 
As  venerable  Bede  /  maketh  declaracyon, 
Duke  Hengyst  came  to  this  lande  in  great  royalte 
With  Saxons  /  Angles  /  lutes  /  thre  people  myghtye ;      138 
Desyred  by  Vortyger  /  than  kynge  of  Brytons, 
Came  to  defende'[him]  /  fro  greuous  oppressyons.  140 

21 

Also  the  yeres  of  our  blessed  sauyoure  141 

Syxe  hundreth  foure  score  and  nyne  expresse 
The  Brytons  were  expulsed  /  so  sayth  mync  auctoure, 


14      THE   SEVEN   KINGDOMS   OF   THE   SAXONS   IN   ENGLAND. 

From  Englande  to  walles  /  with  great  wretchydnes. 

In  Englande  than  ruled  /  seuen  kynges,  doubtles,  145 

whose  names  we  purpose  /  to  shewe  with  lycens, 

But  pryncypally  /  of  the  kyngdome  of  Mercyens.          147 

22 

The  fyrst  realme  of  Saxons  /  began  in  Kent,  148 

The  yere  of  grace  /  f oure  hundreth  f yue  and  f yf ty ; 
Where  duke  Engystus  /  in  honour  excellent, 
With  septre  and  crowne  /  fyrst  reygned  royally. 
The  seconde  was  Southsex  /  sayth  the  hystory,  152 

Wher  Adla  and  Ella  /  reygned  full  ryght ; 
Whiche  realme  endured  /  but  short  tyme  in  myght.        154 

23 

The  thyrde  was  Westsaxons  /  famous  and  myghty,         155 
Where  fyrst  reygned  /  kynge  Cerdicus, 
The  yere  of  our  lorde  /  f  yue  hundreth  one  and  twenty ; 
Whiche  realme  by  processe  /  and  power  vyctoryous 
Subdued  all  other  /  to  hym,  full  memorous.  159 

The  pryncypall  Cytees  /  of  his  regalyte 
Were  in  olde  season  /  Wynchester  and  Salesburye.         161 

24 

The  fourth  was  Estsex  /  Where  duke  Erchenwyn  162 

Fyrst  reygned  kynge  /  hauynge  domynacyon, 
By  the  kynge  of  Merselande  /  brought  of te  to  ruyne ; 
The  chyef  Cytee  was  Colchester  /  of  his  domynyon. 
Also  of  eest-Englande  /  was  the  fyfth  kyngdome,  166 

Where  Yffa  crowned  /  had  fyrst  the  sufferaynte 
Of  Northfolke  and  Southfolke  /  knowen  in  certaynte.     168 

25 

The  syxthe  was  the  kyngdome  of  Merslande,  169 

Where  Cryda  was  crowned  /  fyrst  by  auctoryte, 
Hauynge  nyne  shyres  /  obedyent  to  his  hande, 
As  after  shall  appere  /  more  euydent  to  be. 
The  seuenth  was  Nbrthumberlande  /  vnder  Ida  &  Alle,    173 
Whylom  dyuyded  /  in  sondry  kyngdomes  twayne ;         [175 
The  chyfe  Cytee  was  yorke  /  wher  J>e  kynge  dyd  reygne. 


THE  BOUNDS  AND  LORDSHIPS  OF  THE  MERCIANS.    15 
26 

The  realme  of  Mercy  ens  /  by  olde  antyquyte,  176 

As  playnly  declareth  /  Polycronycon, 

Thre  hundreth  yeres  /  endured  in  auctoryte, 

Vnder  eyghtene  kynges  /  worthy  nomynyon, 

Greatest  of  gouernaunce  of  all  this  regyon ;  180 

Where  Yulfer  reygned  /  a  kynge  vyctoryous, 

Father  to  saynt  Werburge  /  vyrgyn  moost  gloryous.      182 

27 

The  bouwdes  and  lorshyppes  /  of  the  sayd  Mercyens,       183 
As  she  wen  dyuers  bokes  hystoryall, 
Were  large  and  myghty  /  and  of  great  prehemynens, 
Where  the  sayd  kynge  reygned  by  power  imperyall. 
This  realme  to  dy  scry  be  /  begyn  we  shall  187 

At  the  Cytee  of  Chester  /  and  the  water  of  Dee, 
Bytwene  Englande  and  wales  /  of  the  west  partye ;        189 

28 

And  so  transcendynge  /  vp  towarde  Shrewysbury  ICO 

By  the  water  of  Sabryne  /  vnto  Brystowe ; 
The  Eest-see  mesureth  /  the  Eest  parte,  truely ; 
The  water  of  Thamys  /  the  south  parte  doth  shewe, 
Flowynge  vnto  London  /  who-so  dothe  it  knowe  ;  194 

The  water  of  Humbre  /  was  on  the  north  syde, 
With  the  water  of  Mersee  /  theyr  landes  to  djuyde.       196 

29 

Of  the  foresayd  ryuer  /  and  water  of  Mersee  197 

The  kynge  of  Mercyens  /  taketh  his  name, 
As  moost  sure  dyuydent  /  to  be  had  in  memorye, 
Mesurynge  and  metynge  /  the  bondes  with  great  fame 
Of  Mersee  and  Northumberlande  /  kynges  of  the  same,  201 
Bitwene  chesshyr  &  lancashyr  theyr  kingdomes,  certayne, 
As  auncyent  Cronycles  descryben  it  full  playne.  203 

30 

The  sayd  myghty  kyngdome  /  of  Mercyens  dyd  holde     204 
Many  noble  Cytees  /  with  townes  and  burghes  royall, 
Whiche  Penda  optayned  /  enlarged  manyfolde ; 


16    THE  COUNTRY,  PRODUCTS,  AND  PEOPLE  OF  MERCIA. 

As  Chester  /  Stafford  /  Lytchefelde  /  Couewtre  memorall, 
Lyncolne  and  Huntyngdon  /  Northampton  withall,         208 
Leycester  and  Derby  /  Cambrydge  and  Oxonforde, 
Worchester  and  Brystowe  /  with  other  mo,  &  Herforde.  210 

31 

Many  royall  ryuers  /  were  conteyned  in  the  same,  211 

"With  sundry  kyndes  of  fysshes  /  sweto  and  delycyous — 
It  were  tedyous  to  shewe  /  of  them  the  dyuers  name 
In  ryuers  and  in  pooles  /  swymmynge  full  plentuous ; 
Also  forestes  /  parkes  /  chases  large  and  beauteous,        215 
And  all  beestes  of  venery  /  pleasaunt  for  a  kynge 
To  cours  at  lyberte  /  be  founde  there  pasturynge.  217 

32 

Also  this  royall  realme  /  holdeth,  as  we  fynde,  218 

Habundaunce  of  fruytes  /  plesaunt  and  profytable, 
Great  plente  of  comes  /  and  graynes  of  euery  kynde ; 
"With  hylles  /  valeys  /  pastures  /  comly  and  delectable 
The  soyle  and  glebe  /  is  set  plentuous  and  commendable.    222 
In  all  pleasaunt  propurtes  /  no  part  of  all  this  lande 
May  be  compared  /  to  this  foresayd  Merselande.  224 

33 

The  people  of  Mercyens  /  the  trouthe  yf  we  dare  saye,    225 
Lordes  /  barons  /  knyghtes  /  with  all  the  comunete, 
In  musture  and  in  batayle  /  euer  the  pryce  haue  they 
The  kynges  grace  to  serue  /  moost  valyauTit  in  artylere, 
In  all  actes  Marcyall  /  euer  hauynge  the  vyctorye,          229 
"With  herte  /  mynde  and  harneys  /  redy  day  and  nyght 
Theyr  enemyes  to  subdue  /  by  power,  mayne  &  myght.  231 

34 

If  they  be  well  ordred  /  vnder  a  sure  capytayne  232 

And  set  to  suche  busynesse  /  theyr  honour  to  auaunce, 
The  tryumph  they  optayne —  /  knowen  it  is  certayne 
In  Englawde  and  Scotlande  /  &  in  the  realme  of  Fraurcce  ; 
Fewe  of  them  haue  couwtred  /by  manhode  and  valeauTice  236 
Great  nombre  of  enemyes  /  with  knyghthode  &  polycy, 
"We  meane  them  moost  specyall  /  in  the  Weest -party.    238 


ST<  WERBURGE'S  DESCENT  FROM  FIVE  KINGS.  17 

35 

Many  other  commodytes  /  pleasures  and  proprytes         239 
This  sayd  realme  /  holdeth  of  olde  antyquyte, 
In  royal  tes  and  lordshyppes  /  landes  and  lybertes, 
Honourably  dylated  /  in  worshyp  and  polyce, 
Floury nge  in  wysedome  /  honours   /and  chyualre  :          243 
Yeryfyed  by  kynge  Offa  /  moost  myghty  and  excellent, 
Proued  in  his  actes  /  by  playne  experyment.  245 

36 

This  Offa  subdued  /  in  hystory  as  is  founde,  246 

The  kynge[s]  of  Westsaxons  /  Northumberlande  &  Kent, 
Droue  Brytons  to  wales  /  out  of  this  lande, 
And  made  a  depe  dytche  /  for  a  sure  dyuydent 
Bytwene  Englande  and  Wales  /  &  to  this  day  presente  250 
Is  called  dytche  Offa  /  so  that  no  Bryton 
On  payne  of  punysshement  /  shulde  entre  this  regyon.  252 

37 

Kynge  Offa  translated  /  as  sayth  Polycronycon,  253 

By  myghty  power  /  the  see  of  Canterbury 
Vnto  Lychefelde  chyrche  /  with  famous  oblacyon, 
For  euer  to  contynu  /  confyrmed  by  auctoryte ; 
Also  he  founded  /  saynt  Albans  monasterye ;  257 

Fyrst  of  deuocyon  /  to  Borne  gaue  Peter  pens. 
Thus  royall  somtyme  /  was  the  realme  of  Mercyens.        259 


A  descrypcyon  of  the  Geanalogy  of  saynt  Werburge,  and 
how  she  descended  of  foure  kynges  of  this  lande  J  &  of 
the  royall  blode  of  Fraunce. 

If  Regnum  Mere',  ex  pzxte  p&tris. 

38 

is  noble  prynces  /  the  doughter  of  Syon,  260 

The  floure  of  vertu  /  and  vyrgyn  gloryous, 

Blessed  saynt  Werburge  /  full  of  deuocyon, 

Descended  by  auncetry  /  and  tytle  famous 


18    HER   FATHER    IS    WULFER,    SON    OF    PENDA,    K.  OF   MERCIA. 

Of  foure  myghty  kynges  /  noble  and  vyctoryous,  264 

Reynynge  in  this  lande  /  by  true  successyon, 

As  her  lyfe  hystoryall  /  maketh  declaracyon.  266 

39 

The  yere  of  our  lorde  /  frome  the  natyuyte  267 

Fyue  hundreth  .xiiii.  and  also  .iiii.  score, 
Whan  Austyn  was  sende  /  frome  saynt  Gregorye 
To  conuert  this  regyon  /  vnto  our  sauyoure, 
The  noble  kynge  Cryda  /  than  reygned  with  honour e      271 
Vpon  the  mercy  ens  /  whiche  kynge  was  father 
Vnto  kynge  Wybba  /  and  Quadriburge,  his  syster.         273 

40 

This  "Wybba  gate  Penda  /  kynge  of  mercyens ;  274 

Whiche  Penda  subdued  /  fyue  kynges  of  this  regyon, 
Keygny[n]ge  thyrty  yere  /  in  worshyp  and  reuerens, 
Was  graunt father  to  Werburge  /  by  lynyall  successyon. 
By  his  quene  Kyneswith  /  had  a  noble  generacyon,         278 
Fyue  valeant  prynces  /  Peada,1  and  kynge  Wulfer  /  IP  penda 
Kynge  Ethelred  /  saint  Marceyl  /  saint  marwalde  m-fere ; 

41 

And  two  holy  doughters  /  blessed  and  vertuous  :  281 

Saynt  Keneburge  /  and  saynt  Keneswyde  the  vyrgyn — 
Whiche  ladyes  were  buryed  /  full  memorous 
At  peturborowe  abbay  /  and  now  there  lyen  in  shryne. 
The  sayd  kynge  Ethelrede  /  by  sufferaunce  deuyne          285 
Had  a  prynce  Cochede l  /  whiche  after  reygned  kynge, 
That  translated  Werburge  /  the  .x.  yere  of  her  buryenge.  287 

42  x  r-  Coelrede 

Saynt  Merwalde  specyfyed  /  vncle  to  saint  Werburge,    288 
By  his  quene    saint  Ermewberge,   a  princes   doughter  of 

kent, 

Gate  .iii.  holy  vyrgyns  /  saint  myldred,  &  saint  mylburge, 
Saynt  Mylgyde  the  thyrde  /  of  vertu  equypolent ; 
With  a  sone  Mereum  l  /  whiche  frome  the  holy  sacrament  292 
Of  baptym  was  taken  /by  myracle  expresse  l  r-  Mereuin 

To  the  blys  of  heuen  /  to  reygne  there  endelesse.  294 


HER  MOTHER  ERMENILDE  IS  DAUGHTER  OF  ST>  SEXBURGE.      19 
43 

The  seconde  sone  of  Penda  /  we  meane  kynge  Wulfere,  295 
A  noble  valyant  prynce  /  by  lynyall  dyscent 
Reygnynge  vpon  the  Mercyens  with  royalte  &  power, 
Maryed  saynt  Ermenylde  /  ]>e  kynges  doughter  of  kent ; 
Where[by]  throughe  the  grace  of  god  omnypotent  299 

He l  had  f ayre  yssue  /  saynt  Werburge  /  saynt  Kenrede, 
Saynt  wulfade  /  saynt  Ruffyn  /  in  story  as  we  rede.  1 


IT  Regnum  Northumbrorum  / 
ex  parte  matris. 

44 

The  secowde  realme  of  whom  saynt  Werburge  dyd  descende, 
Was  of  saynt  Edwyn  /  kynge  of  Northumberlande  ;      [302 
Whiche  maryed  Quadryburge  /  his  ryghtes  to  defende, 
Doughter  of  Cryda *  /  kynge  of  Merslande.  x  p-  Gr3T(1-a 

Bytwene  them  descended  /  as  we  vnderstande,  306 

Two  comly  prynces  /  the  fyrst  we  call  Eadfryde,1    i  r.  osftyde 
The  secorcde  sone,  in  batayle  slayne,  was  named  Oflryde.  308 

45 

Kyng  Eadfryde  gate  Hereryc,  y*  was  kynge  of  Deiram.  309 
This  Hereryc  by  Beorswyde,  his  quene  fayre  &  fre, 
Had  saynt  Hylde,  the  abbesse  /  saynt  Bede  sayth  ye  same, 
Lady,  also  foundresse  /  of  the  abbay  of  Whytbye. 
This  sayd  kynge  Hereryc  /  had  another  lady,  313 

The  quene  of  eest-Englarcde  /  saynt  Heryswith  she  hyght, 
Mother  to  saynt  Sexburge/&  thre  other  ladies  bryght.  315 

46 

This  holy  Sexburge  /  full  of  grace  and  goodnes,  316 

Was  maryed  to  Ercombert  /  a  noble  kynge  of  Kent. 
Bytwyx  them  descended  /  a  precyous  ryches : 
The  blessyd  Ermenylde  /  humble  and  pacyent ; 
Whiche  for  her  vertue  /  was  maryed  full  excellent          320 
To  Wulfer,  kynge  of  Merciens  /  with  great  solempnyte, 
And  mother  was  to  werburge  /  a  swete  floure  of  chastite.  322 

c  2 


20   SEXBURGE  IS  DAUGHTER  OF  K.  ANNA  OF  EASTANGLIA. 

T  Regnum  Estanglorum  / 
ex  parte  matris. 

47 

The  thyrde  noble  kyngedome  /  of  her  parentage  323 

"Was  the  realme  of  eest-England  /  whylom  in  great  degre. 
Tytylus,  kynge  of  the  same  /  vyctoryous  and  sage, 
Gate  Redwald  his  fyrst  sone  /  a  chrysten  prynce  was  he. 
This  Redwalde  had  .ii.  sones  /  floury nge  in  chyualrye  :  327 
The  fyrst  was  Kenuherus  /  a  noble  man  of  fame, 
The  seconde  Eorpwaldus  /  called  by  his  name.  329 

48 

This  foresayd  kynge  Tytylus  /  had  a  seconde  sone,          330 
Called  Egnicius  /  accepted  as  a  martyre. 
Whiche  sayd  Egnicius  /  by  lynyall  progressyon 
Had  .iii.  noble  prynces  /  that  worthy  euer  were  : 
The  fyrst  was  called  Ethel wod  /  y  seconde  Adelhere,     334 
The  thyrde  was  saynt  Anna  /  a  kynge  moost  vertuous 
In  batayle  slayne  vnryghtfully  /  now  a  martyr  gloryows.  336 

49 

This  forsayd  kynge  Anna  /  maryed,  as  we  rede,  337 

The  holy  prynces  Hereswith  /  for  loue  and  amyte. 
They  had  a  noble  yssue  /  to  encrease  theyr  mede : 
The  blessed  Sexburge  /  saynt  Audry  of  Elye,  [341 

Saynt  Ethelburge  the  thyrd —  /  in  Bryges  now  lyeth  she — 
Saynt  Withburge  the  .iiii.,  ye  martyr  saynt  lurwyne,  [343 
And  Aldulph,  after  kynge  /  whiche  regned  a  lorcge  tyme. 

50 

The  lady  saynt  Sexburge  /  eldest  of  them  all,  344 

A  gracyous  matrone  /  endurynge  all  her  lyfe, 
"Was  maryed  to  Ercombert  /  Jje  kynge  of  Kent  royall. 
They  brought  fourth  a  progeny  /  noble  to  dyscryue  : 
The  blessed  Ermenylde  /  vertuous  mayd  and  wyfe :         348 
Whiche  lady  was  mother  /  by  grace  of  god  almyght 
Vnto  blessed  Werburge  /  our  confort  and  our  lyght.       350 


THE  KINGS  OF  KENT  :    EKMENRYC,  ETHELBEYCT.  21 

IT  Eegnum  Cancie  et  Francie  /  ex  parte  matris. 

51 

The  .iiii.  myghti  kyngdome  /of  whom  this  royal  princes  351 
Saynt  Werburge  descended  /  was  the  realme  of  kent ; 
"Where  reygned  fyrst  Hengystus  /  by  vyctory  &  prowes, 
"Whiche  was  the  fourth  man  /  by  lygnage  euydent 
Procedynge  fro  "Woden  /  a  pry  nee  full  prepotent,  355 

Of  whom  our  progenytours  /  Angles  /  lutes  /  &  Saxons, 
Lynyally  succeded  /  kynges  of  dyuers  nacyons.  357 

52 

This  foresayd  prynce  Woden  /  as  dyuers  auctours  sayne, 
Was  the  .xv.  fro  Noe  /  by  naturall  progressyon,  [358 

Of  his  eldest  sone  Sem  /  descendynge  playne, 
In  saxons  tongue  Geaf  /  after  ryte  and  custome, 
Not  of  the  lygne  of  laphet  /  by  theyr  opynyon.  362 

Betourne  we  to  Hengyst  /  and  to  his  successoures 
And  speke  of  theyr  royalte  /  to  please  the  audytoures.    364 

53 

Ermenrycus,  kynge  of  kent  /  reygned  with  great  power  365 
The  yere  of  our  sauyoure  /  fyue  hundreth  fyue  &  thyrte, 
Ynto  whome  Engystus  was  great-graundfather. 
This  sayd  kynge  Ermenryc  /  had  yssue  fayre  and  fre : 
A  doughter  called  Bicula  /  which  niaried  was  to  sledde, 
Of  Estsex  and  Mydylsex  /gouernoure  and  kynge ;          [369 
Of  whom  a  myghty  kynred  /  by  proces  was  comynge.     371 

54 

This  Ermenryc  gate  Ethelbryct  full  vertuous,  372 

Whiche  kynge  reygned  in  kent  /  the  yere  of  our  sauyour 
Fyue  hundreth  fyue  &  fyfty  /  &  baptysed  was  gracyous 
By  blessyd  bysshop  Austyn  /  of  EnglaTide  called  doctour  ; 
He  was  fyrst  crysten  kynge  /  &  pryncypall  protectour    376 
Of  the  fayth  within  this  lande  /  and  founder  was  also 
Of  dyuers  holy  places  /  and  monasteryes  both-tow.  378 

55 

This  sayd  kynge  Ethelbryc  /  for  the  great  habundaurace  379 
Of  ryches  and  honour  /  was  maryed  solemply 


22   ETHELBRYCT'S  GRANDSON  ERCOMBERT  MARRIES  SEXBURGE. 

To  the  prynces  Berta  /  the  kynges  doughter  of  Fraimce. 
And  of  them  preceded  a  vertuous  progeny  :  [383 

Eadburg  &  Ethelburg  saintes —  /  whiche  Ethelburg,  truly, 
By  Edwyne,  kyng  of  North  /  had  .iiii.  priwces  honorable, 
And  .iii.  holy  doughters  /  gracyous  and  commendable.    385 

56 

Also  kynge  Ethelbryct  /  had  to  his  successoure  386 

Kynge  Eadbalde  /  in  Kent  reygnynge  a  longe  space ; 
He  maryed  lady  Emma  /  of  fraunce  the  chosen  floure, 
And  by  her  had  yssue  /  saynt  Enswyde  full  of  grace, 
Also  prynce  Ermenred,  his  seconde  sone  /  whiche  wace  390 
Maryed  to  quene  Oslaua  :  /  of  them  dyd  precede 
Two  holy  martyrs  /  Ethelbryct  and  Etheldrede.  392 

57 

This  prynce  Ermenred  /  had  .iiii.  ladyes  bryght,  393 

Lyke  the  .iiii.  floodes  of  Paradyse  /  shynynge  in  vertu : 
The  eldest  of  the  systers  /  saynt  Ermenberge  hyght, 
The  seconde  saynt  Ermenburge  /  the  spouses  of  Ihesu, 
The  thyrde  saynt  Adeldryde  /  all  vyces  dyd  subdu,          397 
The  .iiii.  saynt  Ermewgyde  /  sayth  theyr  lyues  hystoryall ; 
Thre  of  them  holy  vyrgyns  /  the  fourth  matrone  we  call. 

58  [399 

This  foresayd  Eadbalde  /  a  souerayne  myghty  kynge,     400 
By  Emma  of  Fraunce  /  had  to  his  enherytoure 
The  noble  kynge  Ercumbert  /  full  gracyous  in  lyuynge ; 
Whiche  maryed  Sexburge  /  with  worshyp  &  honoure, 
The  kynges  doughter  of  eest-England  specyfyed  afore.  404 
This  prynce  loued  vertue  /  prayer  and  deuocyon,  [406 

Commaurcdynge  all  his  realme  /  to  kepe  J>e  fast  of  Lenton. 

59 

Ercombert  .xxx.  yere  /  regnynge  in  his  regaly  407 

Had  a  noble  progeny  /  in  grace  and  all  goodnes  : 
His  prynce  hyght  Egbryct  /  his  seconde  sone  Lothary ; 
Whiche  prynce  reygned  but  ten  yere  /  kynge  expresse, 
Lothary  succeded  hym  /raynynge  .xii.  yeres  doubtlesse.  411 


KING  PENDA'S  REIGN  ;  HIS  ISSUE.  23 

Also  he  had  two  doughters  /  saynt  Ermenylde  J>e  quene, 
The  other  hyght  saynt  Erkengode  /  a  moynes  serene.     413 

60 

This  lady  Ermenylde  /  was  maryed  royally  414 

To  the  af oresayd  Vulf  er  /  kynge  of  Mercyens  j 
Bytwene  them  descended  /  full  gracyously 
A  noble  Margaryte  /  of  hye  magnyfycens, 
A  roose  of  Paradyse  /  full  of  prehemynens  :  418 

Moost  blessed  Werburge  /  the  gemme  of  holynes, 
Our  synguler  suffrage  /  and  sterre  of  our  clerenes.          420 

If  A  descrypcyon  of  the  actes  &  chyualry  of  kynge  Penda, 
graundfather  to  saynt  Werburge  /  &  of  his  noble  and 
vertuous  yssue  and  progenye.  Ca.  .iiii. 

61 
•TTHe  yere  of  grace  .vi.  C.  syxe  and  twenty  421 

The  foresayd  prynce  Penda  /  began  for  to  reygne, 
The  tenth  man  fro  Woden  /  a  prynce  in  Saxony ; 
Sone  and  heyre  to  Wybbe  /  sayth  myne  auctour  playne. 
Fyfty  yeres  of  aege  /  that  tyme  he  was,  certayne,  425 

Whan  he  was  fyrst  crowned  /  kynge  of  Mercyens ; 
Thyrty  yeres  he  reygned  /  with  great  reuerens.  427 

62 

Fyue  kynges  in  batayle  /  this  Penda  dyd  subdue :  428 

Saintes  Edwyn  &  Oswald  /  kinges  of  Northumberlawde, 
With  Sygebert  /  Egnycius  /  and  Anna  full  of  vertu, 
Thre  noble  kynges  /  regnynge  in  eest-Englande, 
With  helpe  of  Brytones  /  by  Bede  we  vnderstande  ;      432 
Dylated  his  regyon  /  with  worshyp  and  honoures, 
Moche  more  than  dyd  /  any  of  his  predecessoures.  434 

63 

He  maryed  Keneswith  /  a  lady  fayre  and  bryght,  435 

And  by  her  had  yssue  /  a  goodly  generacyon  : 
Peada  his  prynce  /  Vulfer  a  noble  knyght, 


24   MARRIAGES  OF  PENDA' S    CHILDREN.      MERCIA  CONVERTED. 

Saynt  Ethelred  /  and  Merwalde  full  of  deuocyon, 

Also  saynt  Mersellyn  /  of  holy  conuersacyon,  439 

Saynt  Keneburge  /  also  saynt  Keneswyde, 

Auntes  to  saynt  Werburge  /  vpon  the  fathers  syde.        441 

64 

Thre  of  his  chyldren  /  as  we  vnderstande,  442 

Prynce  Peada  /  Kyneburge  /  and  Ethelrede, 
He  maryed  with  Oswy  /  Kynge  of  North  urn  berlande, 
To  .iii.  of  his  yssue  /  for  loue  and  for  mede. 
Vulfer  and  Merwalde  /  the  story  sayth  in  dede,  446 

"Were  maryed  vnto  /  the  royall  blode  of  Kent  :     1  P.  Domueue 
To  Ermenylde  and  Domneue  1  /  two  ladyes  excellent.     448 

65 

Soone  after  by  grace  /  the  myddyll  parte  of  Mercy  ens  449 
Ynder  prynce  Peada  /  were  baptysed  euery-chone ; 
"Whiche  Peada  maryed  /  Elflede  with  reuerens, 
Doughter  vnto  Oswy  /  kynge  of  the  North  regyon. 
Penda  therto  graunted  /  without  contradyccyon,  453 

Ynder  a  fre  lycence  /  his  people  were  at  lyberte 
Within  all  his  regyon  /  baptysed  for  to  be.  455 

66 

Also  prynce  Alfryde  /  sone  to  kynge  Oswy,  456 

Maryed  saynt  Keneburge  /  syster  to  prynce  Peada. 
Whiche  sayd  Peada  /  brought  from  the  north  party 
Foure  holy  preestes  /  Ced  /  Beccy  /  and  Adda, 
To  preche  to  his  people  /  the  fourth  was  Duyna  ;  460 

Whiche  .iiii.  selden  seased  /  day  /  nyght  nor  tyme 
To  conuert  the  people  /  vnto  chrystes  doctryne.  462 

67 

Kynge  Penda  consented  /  as  afore  is  sayd,  463 

And  permytted  doctours  /  to  preche  in  euery  place 
Thrughout  his  realme  /  and  neuer  it  denayed, 
To  baptyse  his  subgectes  /  by  fayth  and  ghostly  grace ; 
He  ayded  them  with  socour  /  and  helpe  in  that  case       467 
That  wolde  be  conuerted  /  for  theyr  synguler  mede, 
As  sayth  myne  auctour  /  the  venerable  Bede.  469 


PENDA   IS    SLAIN   IN   BATTLE  ;     PEADA   BY   HIS   WIFE.          25 
68 

But  by  the  temptacyon  /  of  our  ghostly  enemy  470 

This  sayd  kynge  Penda  /  this  vyctoryous  knyght, 
Of  valyaunt  men  in  armure  raysed  a  great  company 
And  to  the  North  partyes  went  /  purposynge  to  fyght 
And  cruelly  to  slee  /  by  power  /  mayne  /  and  myght      474 
The  foresayd  kynge  Os wy  /  as  he  afore  had  slayne        [476 
Say[n]t  Oswalde,  his  brother  /  kynge  and  martyr  playne. 

69 

Shortly  was  forgoten  /  the  fauour  of  his  affynyte  477 

That  fully  was  co^tracte  /  bytwene  these  kynges  twayne 
loyned  at  the  maryages  /  of  theyr  chyldren  thre, 
Euer  to  haue  endured  /  in  loue  by  reason  playne. 
yet  Oswy  offered  Penda  /  many  ryche  gyftes,  certayne,  481 
To  auoyde  his  malyce  /  and  for  to  kepe  the  peas ; 
Whiche  Penda  refused  /  replete  with  wyckednes.  483 

70 

Bytwene  these  .ii.  kynges  /  was  a  strowge  myghty  batell,  484 
Not  ferre  f rome  yorke  /  ny  the  flood  of  Wynwed, 
In  the  regyon  of  Leedes  /  where  by  fortune  cruell 
Kynge  Penda  perysshed  /  &  carefully  was  leed, 
And  .xxx.  dukes  with  hym  /  were  slayne  and  lefte  deed.  488 
The  kynge  Oswy  offered  gladly  /  with  good  entent 
His  yonge  doughter  Edelfled  /  to  god  omnypotent.          490 

71 

He  set  her  for  doctryne  /  to  the  abbesse  saynt  Hylde,    491 
Lady  of  Strenyshalt —  /  now  called  Whytby — 
And  gaue  .xii.  possessyons  /  a  monastery  to  buylde — 
Whiche  place  is  from  yorke  /  myles  thyrty. 
He  gaue  great  landes  /  to  his  sone-in-lawe,  Peade.  495 

But  the  thyrde  yere  after  /  this  sayd  prynce  was  slayne 
By  treason  of  his  wyfe  Elflede  /  for  certayne.  497 


26         PENDA'S  2ND  SON,  WULFER,  is  ELECTED  KING. 

^  How  after  dethe  of  Penda  &  his  sone,  prynce  Peada,  Ms 
seconde  sone  Vulfer  /  father  to  saynt  Wcrburge,  was 
electe  to  be  kynge  of  all  the  Mercyens.  Ca.  v. 

72 
T^lFter  that  this  Penda  /  of  Mercyens  kynge,  498 

In  batayle  by  kynge  Oswy  /  cruelly  was  slayne, 
And  his  prynce  Peada  /  after  hym  thre  yeres  reygnynge 
"Was  put  vnto  deth  /  by  his  quene,  in  certayne, 
These  people  of  Mercyens  /  rebelled  sore  agayne  502 

The  foresayd  Oswy  /  kynge  of  Northumberlande, 
And  hym  refused  /  as  ye  shall  vnderstande.  504 

73 

All  the  sayd  Mercyens  /  by  a  generall  counsell  505 

Fortyfyed  themselfe  /  with  power,  myght  and  reason, 
And  crowned  prynce  Yulfer  /  as  Bede  doth  vs  tell, 
with  honour  /  worshyp  /  and  great  renowne, 
Whiche  prynce  to  kynge  Penda  /  was  the  seconde  sone ;  509 
This  prynce  was  preserued  /  afore-tyme  secretly 
And  saued  by  his  subiectes  /  frome  dethe  and  malady.  511 

74 

This  valyaunt  prynce  /  and  redoubted  knyght,  512 

Kynge  Yulfer  thus  crowned  /  with  great  prosperyte 
Ypon  the  Mercyens  regned  /  by  tytle  and  myght — 
"Whiche  realme  was  dyuyded  /  whylom  in  parfces  thre  :  [516 
Fyrst  in  the  West-marches  /  &  in  the  South  parte,  truely, 
The  thyrde  parte  was  nomynate  /  mydle-Englonde — 
Ouer  them  all  thre  /  he  reygned,  as  is  fonde.  518 

75 

This  sayd  kynge  Yulfer  /  in  honour  famous,  519 

"Was  deuoutely  baptysed  /  with  great  solempnyte 
By  two  holy  bysshops  /  the  blessed  Finanus 
And  bysshop  lerumannus  /  saythe  the  hystoryo ; 
The  kynge  made  a  vowe  /  of  hye  auctoryte  523 

All  temples  of  ydols  /  within  his  regyon 
To  destroy  and  chaunge  /  vnto  chrysten  relygyon.  525 


WULFEE'S  KEIGN.     BISHOPRICS  IN  MEECIA.  27 

76 

This  Yulfer  was  poly  tyke  /  replete  with  wysdom,  526 

Vyctoryous  in  batayle  /  proued  by  his  chyualry, 
His  enemyes  oppressed  /  by  manhode  and  reason, 
Subdued  his  aduersaryes  /  and  had  the  vyctory ; 
From  his  realme  expelled  /  all  cruell  tyranny,  5 CO 

Conquered  in  batayle  /  at  Ashdum  ryght  famous 
The  kynge  of  West-Saxons  /  called  Kenwalcus.  532 

77 

Also  he  subdued  /  vnto  his  Empyre  533 

The  Ilande  Yecta  /  called  the  yle  of  wyght : 
And  after  that  he  had  /  of  it  his  desyre, 
He  gaue  the  sayd  yle  /  by  tytle  full  ryght 
To  the  kynge  of  eest-Englande  /  to  enlarge  his  myglit,    537 
Ynder  that  condycyon  /  that  he  baptysed  wolde  be ; 
And  was  his  godfather  /  of  pure  charyte.  539 

78 

In  lykewyse  as  this  prouynce  /  of  Mercyens  540 

Whylorn  was  greatest  realme  /  within  Englande, 
Many  yeres  contynuynge  /  in  prehemyne^s, 
Kyght  so  the  spyrytualte —  /  well  knowen  and  found e 
How  fyue  bysshop-sees  /  within  this  sayd  Merselande  :  544 
As  at  Chester  /  at  Lychefelde  /  also  at  Worcester, 
The  fourth  at  Lyncolne  /  the  fyfth  at  Dorchester.  546 

79 

Forthermore  after  dethe  /  of  lerumannus,  547 

Bysshop  of  Lychfelde  /  Yulfer  the  sayd  kynge 
Desyred  the  archebysshop  /  and  prymate  Theodorus 
To  graunt  them  a  bysshop  /  of  holy  lyuynge, 
To  gouerne  the  people  /  by  spyrytuall  techynge,  551 

To  shewe  to  his  subiectes  /  the  ensample  of  vertu 
And  to  preche  and  teche  /  the  fayth  of  Chryst  Ihesu.    553 

80 

This  holy  archebyssop  /  and  prymate  Theodorus  554 

Desyred  saynt  Cedda  /  of  the  kynge  Oswy 
For  his  perfeccyon  /  and  lyuynge  vertuous, 


28     ST-  CEDDA  (CHAD)  BECOMES  BISHOP  OF  LITCHFIELD. 

To  be  remoeued  /  to  the  prouy[n]ce  of  Mercy. 

Kynge  Vulfer  was  gladde  /  of  his  comynge,  truly  :         558 

Ryght  so  were  all  /  the  people  of  his  realme, 

Thankynge  therfore  /  the  kynge  of  Jerusalem.  560 

81 

Kynge  Yulfer  graunted  /  to  saynt  Cedda  the  cowfessoure, 
Than  bysshop  of  Lychefelde  /  moche  possessyon  [561 

To  edyfy  chyrches  /  vnto  chrystes  honoure ; 
But  namely  he  gaue  a  certayne  mansyon 
In  the  prouynce  of  Lyndesy  /  ny  vnto  Lyncolne,  565 

Suffycyent  to  suffyse  /  and  well  for  to  content 
Fyfty  seruauntes  /  of  god,1  relygyous,  obedyent.  *  P.  good  567 

82 

This  noble  sayd  prynce  /  and  redoubted  souerayne,         568 
Flourynge  in  manheed  /  wysedome  and  polycy, 
Excelled  the  peres  /  of  this  realme,  certayne, 
In  person  /  fortytude  /  and  proued  chyualry ; 
Lyberall  to  his  seruauntes  /  gentyll  in  company,  572 

Gracyous  to  the  poore  /  and  a  sure  protectour, 
A  founder  of  chyrches  /  and  a  good  benefactour.  574 

IT  A  lytell  descrypcyon  of  the  noble  maryage  bytwene  Kynge 
Vulfer  &  saynt  Ermenylde,  ye  kynges  doughter  of  Kent 
I  &  of  the  solempnyte  done  at  y  same  season.  Ca.  vi. 

83 

meane  whyle  the  kynge  /  mynded  maryage,  575 

By  the  sufferaunce  of  our  lorde  god  omnypotent, 

Issue  to  encrease  /  acordynge  to  his  lygnage, 

After  hym  to  succede  /  kynge  and  presydent. 

He  mynded  moost  /  the  kynges  doughter  of  Kent,         579 

Prynces  Ermenylde  /  nomynate  she  was ; 

A  beautefull  creature  /  replete  with  great  grace.  581 

84 

Certaynly  her  father  /  was  called  Ercomberte,  582 

As  afore  is  specyfyed  /the  kynge  of  Kent, 

Her  mother  Sexburge  /  humble  in  her  herte ; 


WULFER  MARRIES  ERMENILDE,  DAUGHTER  OP  K.  ERCOMBERT.  29 

Of  whome  Ermenylde  /  a  lady  excellent, 
Lynyally  descended  /  by  tytle  full  auncyent ;  586 

Her  graundfather  Edbalde  /  kynge  Ethelbryctes  sone, 
The  fyrst  crysten  prynce  /  of  Saxons  nacyon.  588 

85 

Of  foure  myghty  kyngdomes  /  she  is  descended  :  589 

From  the  royall  blode  of  Fraunce  /  also  of  Kent 
Ypon  her  fathers  party  /  as  afore  is  notyf yed ; 
And  on  her  mothers  syde  /  by  lyne  auncyent 
Frome  the  eest-Englande  /  famous  and  excellent,  593 

Also  of  Northumberlande  /  flourynge  in  honour, 
Conuerted  and  baptysed  /  vnto  our  sauyour.  595 

86 

This  sayd  Ermenylde  /  this  floure  of  vertue,^  596 

Was  euer  dysposed  /  from  her  natyuyte 
Vnto  the  dyscyplyne  /  of  our  lorde  Ihesu ; 
Enspyred  with  his  grace  /  and  benygnyte, 
Kef  used  this  worlde  /  ryches  and  vanyte  ;  600 

He l  vsed  the  maners  /  of  sadde  dysposycyon,  i  r.  she 

Passynge  fragyll  youth  /  and  naturall  reason.  602 

87 

Suche  synguler  confort  /  of  vertuous  doctryne  603 

In  her  so  dyd  water  /  a  pure  perfyte  plante, 
Whiche  dayly  encreased  /  by  sufferaunce  deuyne, 
Merueylously  growynge  /  in  her  fresshe  and  varnaunt, 
With  dyuers  proprytes  /  of  grace  exuberaunt,  607 

As  sobrynes  /  dyscrecyon  /  and  mekenesse  vyrgynall, 
Obedyence  /  grauyte  /  and  wysedome  naturall.  609 

88 

Euery  tree  or  plante  /  is  proued  euydent  610 

Whyther  good  or  euyll  /  by  experyence  full  sure, 
By  the  budde  and  fruyte  /  and  pleasaunt  descent ; 
A  swete  tree  bryngeth  forth  /  by  cours  of  nature 
Swete  fruyte  and  delycyous  /  in  tast  and  verdure :          614 
Ryght  so  Ercombert  /  by  his  quene  moost  mylde 
Brought  gracyously  forth  /  the  swete  Ermenylde.  616 


30    Sr  ERMENILDE  FOLLOWS  HER  MOTHER'S  EXAMPLE. 

89 

She  folowed  her  father  /  in  worshyp  and  honoure,  617 

At  her  mother  Sexburge  /  she  toke  imytacyon 

To  lyue  in  clennes ;  /  presentynge  in  behauyour 

Her  father  in  power  /  her  mother  in  relygyon. 

Humble  in  herte  /  hauynge  compassyon,  621 

Pyteous  and  lyberall  /  where  was  necessyte, 

loyfull  to  obserue  /  the  dedes  of  chary te.  623 

90 

Forther  of  her  lyfe  /  to  make  declaracyon,  624 

As  the  true  legende  playnly  dothe  expresse, 
Consyder  the  hystory  /  with  good  inspeccyon 
Of  blessed  Sexburge  /  that  noble  pryncesse. 
The  sayd  conuersacyon  /  and  ghostly  swetenes^e  6 -S 

That  is  perceyued  /  in  her  holy  mother, 
The  same  perfeccyon  /  was  in  the  other.  630 

91 

Neuerthelesse  Ermenylde  /  escape  ne  myght  631 

"Worldely  honours  /  and  seculer  dygnyte, 
As  requyred  so  noble  a  state  of  ryght, 
Ryches  /  possessyon  /  namely  her  beaute. 
But  vnto  maryage  /  compelled  was  she  635 

Of  her  parentes  /  contrary  to  her  entent ; 
To  whome  she  was  founde  /  euer  obedyent.  637 

92 

This  noble  lady  /  by  deuyne  prouydens  638 

Elected  to  her  /  a  spouse  commendable, 
A  valyaunt  prynce  /  the  kynges  sone  of  Mercyens, 
Called  kynge  Yulfer  /  famous  and  honorable, 
Reygnynge  in  Mercelande  /  with  ioy  incomparable,         642 
Excellynge  many  other  /  prynces  of  this  regyon 
In  ryches  /  retynu  /  fortune  /  honour  /  and  wysdome.       644 

93 

At  this  maryage  /  was  moche  solempnyte.  645 

Her  father  Ercomberte  /  and  her  frendes  all, 
Tho  prynces  her  vncles  /  Egbryct  and  Lothary, 


MERCIA  AND  KENT  BECOME  ONE  KINGDOM.     WULFER's  ISSUE.    31 

The  kynge  of  eest-Englande  /  Aldulph  in  specyall, 

Dukes  /  erles  /  barons  /  and  knyghtes  in  generall :  649 

Whiche  sayd  company  /  were  redy  that  same  day 

To  worshyp  the  matrymony  /  in  theyr  beest  aray.  651 

94 

This  royall  maryage  /  was  solempnysed  652 

With  synguler  pleasures  /  ryches  and  royalte, 
Theyr  frendes,  cosyns  /  redy  on  euery  syde 
To  do  theyr  deuoyre  /  and  shewe  humanyte, 
Nothynge  wantynge  /  euery  thynge  was  plente,  656 

Of  delycate  metes  /  and  myghty  wynes  stronge, 
"With  mynstrels  /  melody  /  and  myrthes  amonge.  658 

95 

Whan  this  fayre  prynces  /  resplendent  in  vertue,  659 

Came  vnto  Mercelande  /  in  the  order  of  matrymony, 
Than  grace  with  good  gouernaunce  /  dyd  vyce  subdue, 
Yertue  was  maystres  /  chefe  ruler  and  lady ; 
The  fay  the  of  holy  chyrche  /  dyd  groweand  multyply,  663 
Relygyon  encresed  /  honour  and  prosperyte, 
In  euery  place  pacyence/  true  lone  and  charyte.  665 

96 

At  the  solempne  spousage  /  of  this  lady  bryght  666 

Kynge  Yulfer  promysed  /  on  his  fydelyte 
Errours  to  correcke  /  by  his  wysdome  and  myght, 
Clerely  to  expell  /  all  sectes  of  ydolatrye 
Frome  his  realme  /  and  fulfyll  by  his  auctoryte  670 

The  promyse  truely  made  /  at  the  fonte  of  baptyme : 
The  chyrche  to  conserue  /  and  saue  it  from  ruyne.  672 

97 

The  myghty  realme  of  Mercyens  /  also  of  Kent  673 

That  season  were  brought  /  bothe  vnto  vnyte, 
And  as  one  kyngedome  /  ruled  full  excellent, 
Theyr  subiectes  and  seruauntes  /  in  tranquyllyte. 
Kynge  Yulfer  by  his  quene  /  had  a  noble  progeny e  :       677 
Yulfade  and  Ruffyn  /  with  prynce  Kenrede, 
And  Werburge  /  of  whome  we  purpose  to  precede.         679 


32    THE  LEGEND  OF  ST'  WERBURGE,  AFTER  THE  c  PASSIONARY.' 

IT  A  Irene  declaracyon  of  the  holy  lyfe  and  conuersacyon  of 
saynt  Werburge  /  vsed  in  her  tender  youtJie  /  aboue  the 
comyn  cours  of  nature.  Ca.  vii. 

98 
'TTHis  blessed  lady  /  and  royall  prynces,  680 

Descendynge  of  noble  /  and  hye  parentage, 
Was  doughter  to  Vulfer  /  the  legende  dothe  rehers,1 
Kynge  of  Mercelande  /  and  of  famous  lynage,        i  r.  expres 
Her  mother  Ermenylde  /  ioyned  to  hym  in  maryage ;     684 
They  dwelled  somtyme  /  a  lytell  frome  Stone 
At  a  place  in  Staff orde-shyre  /  amyddes  his  regyon.        686 

99 

They  had  bytwene  them  /  other  chyldren  thre  :  687 

Vulfade  and  Ruffyn  /  martyrs  full  gloryous, 
Synt  Kenrede  his  prynce  /  of  greate  auctoryte, 
Tumylate  at  Rome  /  a  confessour  gracyous. 
The  lyues  of  these  thre  /  we  wyll  not  now  dyscus,  691 

But  speke  of  the  ghostly  /  and  meke  conuersacyon 
Of  blessed  Werburge  /  now  at  this  season.  693 

100 

For  as  declareth  /  the  true  Passyonary,  694 

A  boke  wherin  /  her  holy  lyfe  wryten  is — • 
Whiche  boke  remayneth  /  in  Chester  monastery — 
I  purpose  by  helpe  /  of  Ihesu,  kynge  of  blys, 
In  any1  wyse  to  reherse  /  any  sentence  amys,    ir.  nane?  698 
But  folowe  the  legende  /  and  true  hystory, 
After  an  humble  style  /  and  from  it  lytell  vary.  700 

101 

This  blessed  Werburge  /  from  her  natyuyte  701 

Folowynge  the  counseyll  /  of  her  noble  parentes, 
Dysposed  her- self e  /  euer  to  humylyte, 
Obedyent  to  them  /  with  all  reuerens, 

Loth  to  dysplease  /  or  make  any  offens  705 

Or  dysquyet  any  reasonable  creature — 
Thus  was  her  maner  /  in  youthe,  be  ye  sure.  707 


WERBURGE   AN    EXAMPLE  OF   EVERY   VIRTUE.  33 

102 

Sadde  and  demure  /  of  her  count enaunce,  708 

Stable  in  gesture  /  proued  in  euery  place,    = 

Sobre  of  her  wordes  /  all  vertu  to  auaunce, 

Humble  /  meke  /  and  mylde  /  replete  with  grace. 

Many  vertuous  maners  /  in  her  founde  there  was,  712 

And  dyuers  gyftes  naturall  /  to  her  appropryate, 

As  was  conuenyent  /  for  so  noble  a  state.  714 

103 

And  as  she  encreased  /  moore  and  more  in  age,  715 

A  newe  plant  of  goodnes  /  in  her  dayly  dyd  spryngo, 
Great  grace  and  vertue  /  were  set  in  her  ymage* 
"Wherof  her  father  /  had  moche  merueylynge  ; 
Her  mother  mused  /  of  this  ghostly  thynge' :  719 

To  beholde  so  yonge  /  and  tender  a  may 
From  vertu  to  vertu  /  to  precede  euery  day.  721 

104 

No  merueyll  it  is  /  who-so  taketh  hede  722 

In  naturall  thynges  /  the  dyuers  operacyon. 
Do  the  not  a  royall  rose/  from  a  brere  precede, 
Passynge  the  stocke  /  with  pleasaunt  dylectacyon  ? 
The  swete  ryuer  passeth  /  by  due  probacyon  726 

His  heed  and  fountayne  5  /  ryght  so  dothe  she 
Transcende  her  parentes  /  with  great  benygnyte*  728 

105 

And  tho  her  bre theme  /  delyted  for  to  here  729 

For  theyr  soule-helthe  /  ghostly  exortacyon, 
yet  she  them  passed/  manyfolde  more  clere 
In  loue  of  our  lorde  /  and  meke  conuersacyon. 
And  lyke  as  Phebus  /  in  his  heuenly  regyon  733 

Passed  1  other  stretes  /  shynynge  moost  pure,  *  r.  passeth 

So  dothe  this  vyrgyn  /  aboue  the  cours  of  nature.  735 

106 

Lordes  /  dukes  /  barons  /  within  the  kynges  hall  726 

Merueyled  on  her  maners  /  and  constaunte  sobrynes ; 
The  plente  of  wysedome  /  and  dyscrecyon  withall 


34      ST-  WERBURGE'S  HUMILITY,  PIETY,  CHASTITY,  &c. 

In  so  tender  age  /  they  neuer  knewe  expresse  ; 
Her  mynde  so  perfyte  /  auoydynge  all  ylnes  ;  740 

But  they  knewe  well  /  it  pretended  by  all  reasone 
Sycguler  grace  and  goodnes  /  to  her  comynge  soone,       742 

107 

Affyrmynge  on  this  wyse  /  yf  she  wolde  contynu  743 

With  suche  vertuous  maner  /  in  yeres  of  hye  dyscrecyon, 
That  she  sholde  do  honour  /  by  the  grace  of  Ihesu 
Vnto  all  her  kynrede  /  and  synguler  consolacyon, 
An  ensample  of  vertu  /  and  humylyacyoo,  747 

Theyr  conforte  /  theyr  tresure  /  and  sterre  full  bryght, 
And  chefe  lumynary  /  shynyoge  day  and  nyght.  749 

108 

Fyrst  in  the  mornynge  /  to  chyrche  she  wolde  go,  750 

Folowynge  her  mother  /  the  quene,  euery  day, 
With  her  boke  and  bedes  /  and  departe  not  them  fro, 
Here  all  deuyne  seruyce  /  and  her  deuocyons  say 
And  to  our  blessed  sauyour  /  mekely  on  knees  pray,       754 
Dayly  hym  desyrynge  /  for  his  endeles  grace  and  pyte 
To  kepe  her  frome  synne  /andpreserue  her  in  chastyte.  756 

109 

Where  youthe  is  dysposed  /  of  naturall  mocyon  757 

To  dysportes  and  pleasures  /  full  of  vanyte, 
This  mayde  was  euer  /  of  sadde  dysposycyon, 
Constaunt  and  dyscrete  /  styll  and  womanle, 
Gladde  in  her  soule  /  to  here  speke  of  chastyte,  761 

Clennes  and  sobrenes  /  and  ioyf ull  for  to  here 
Ghostly  exortacyons  /  to  her  herte  moost  dere.  763 

IT  How  this  yonge  vyrgyn  saynt  Werburge  was  desyred  of 
dukes  &  erles  in  mar y age  /  and  of  the  answer  e  she  gaue 
to  them  I  in  auoydynge  worldly  pleasures.  Ca.  viii. 

110 
7^1  S  tender  youthe  passed  /  this  blessed  maydyn  764 

Dayly  encreased  /  more  and  more  in  vertue, 
In  ghostly  scyence  /  and  vertuous  dyscyplyne, 


ST'    WERBURGE    IS    DESIRED    BY    MANY    MEN.  35 

Obseruynge  the  doctryne  /  of  our  lorde  Ihesu, 

Had  his  commaundymentes  /  in  her  herte  full  tru  j         7G8 

So  that  no  creature  /  more  perfyte  myght  be 

In  vertuous  gyftes  (by  grace)  than  she.  770 

111 

She  was  replete  /  with  gyftes  naturall :  771 

Her  vysage  moost  pleasaunt  /  fayre  and  amyable, 
Her  goodly  eyes  /  clerer  than  the  crystall, 
Her  countenaunce  comly  /  swete  and  commendable ; 
Her  herte  lyberall  /  her  gesture  fauourable.  773 

She,  lytell  consyderynge  /  these  gyftes  transytory, 
Set  her  felycyte  /  in  chryst  perpetually.  777 

112 

She  hadde  moche  worshyp  /  welthe  /  and  ryches,  778 

Vestures  /  honoures  /  reuerence  and  royalte  ; 
The  ryches  she  dysposed  /  with  great  mekenesse 
To  the  poore  people  /  with  great  charyte. 
But  her  sadnes  /  constaunce  /  and  humylyte,  782 

Vertue  /  gentylnes  /  so  pacyent  and  colde, 
Transcended  all  these  other  /  a  thousande  folda  784 

113 

The  vertuous  maners  /  and  excellent  fame  785 

Of  this  holy  vyrgyn  /  redoubted  so  ferre 
In  all  this  regyon  /  in  praysynge  her  name, 
That  the  nobles  of  this  lande  /  wolde  not  dyft'erre, 
But  with  ryche  apparell  /  and  myghty  power  789 

Came  for  to  seke  her —  /  lyke  as  to  Salomon 
Quene  Saba  approched  /  to  here  of  his  wysedome.  791 

114 

So  lyke-wyse  some  came  /  to  her  of  her  vertue,  792 

Some  of  her  sadnesse  /  and  prudent  dyscrecyon, 
Some  for  her  constaunce  /  so  stable  and  true, 
Some  of  her  chastyte  /  and  pregnaunt  reason, 
Some  for  her  beaute  /  and  famous  wysedome  ;  796 

And  some,  that  were  borne  /  of  kynges  lygnago, 
Desyred  yf  they  myght  /  haue  her  in  rnaryage.  798 

D  2 


THE    PRINCE   OP    WESTSAXONS    WOOS   ST<    WERBURGE. 


115 

In  beaute  amyable  /  she  was  equall  to  Rachel],  799 

Comparable  to  Sara  /  in  fyrme  fidelyte, 

In  sadnes  and  wysedom  /  lyke  to  Abygaell : 

Replete  as  Delbora  /  with  grace  of  prophecy, 

Equyualent  to  Ruth  /  she  was  in  humylyte,  803 

In  pulchrytude  Rebecca  /  lyke  Hester  in  lolynesse, 

Lyke  ludyth  in  vertue  /  and  proued  holynesse.  805 

116 

The  prynce  of  Westsaxons  /  a  pere  of  this  lande,  806 

Wyllynge  to  haue  her  by  way  of  maryage, 
"With  humble  reuerence  /  as  we  vnderstande, 
Sayd  to  her  these  wordes  /  wysely  and  sage : 
'  0  souerayne  lady  /  borne  of  hye  lynage,  810 

O  beautef ull  creature  /  and  imperyall  prynces, 
This  is  my  full  mynde  /  that  I  now  rehers.  812 

117 

*  From  my  fathers  realme  /  hyder  I  am  come  813 

Vnto  our l  presence  /  yf  ye  be  so  content,  i  r.  your 

With  worshyp  and  honour  /and  moche  renowns, 
In  all  honest  maner  /  aperynge  euydent ; 
My  mynde  is  on  you  set  /  with  loue  feruent,  817 

To  haue  you  in  maryage  /  all  other  to  forsake, 
If  it  be  your  pleasure  /  thus  me  for  to  take.  819 

118 

'  ye  shalbe  asured  /  a  quene  for  to  be,  820 

ye  shall  haue  ryches  /  worshyp  /  and  honour, 
Royall  ryche  appareyll  /  and  eke  the  sufferaynte, 
Precyous  stones  in  golde  /  worthy  a  kynges  tresour, 
Landes  /  rentes  /  and  lybertees  /  all  at  your  pleasur,      824 
Seruauntes  euery  houre  /  your  byddynge  for  to  do, 
With  ladyes  in  your  chambre  /  to  wayte  on  you  also.'    826 

119 

With  these  kynde  wordes  /  the  vyrgyn  abasshed  sore     827 
And  with  mylde  countenaunce  /  answered  hym  agayne 
The  playnes  of  her  mynde  /  to  rest  for  euermore, 


S*    WERBURGE    REFUSES    HIM,    TO    KEEP   HER   CHASTITY.     37 

Sayenge  :  '  o  noble  prynce  /  I  thanke  you  now,  certayne, 
For  youre  gentyll  offer  /  shewed  to  me  so  playne,  831 

ye  be  well  worthy  /  for  your  regalyte 
To  haue  a  better  maryage  /  an  hundreth  folde  than  me.  833 

120 

'  But  now  I  shewe  you  /  playnly  my  true  mynde :  834 

My  purpose  was  neuer  /  maryed  for  to  be ; 
A  lorde  I  haue  chosen  /  redemer  of  mankynde, 
Ihesu,  the  seconde  persone  in  trynyte, 
To  be  my  spouse  /  to  "Whome  my  vyrgynyte  838 

I  haue  depely  vowed  /  endurynge  all  my  lyfe, 
His  seruaunt  to  be  /  true  spouses  and  wyfe.  840 

121 

4  Therfore,  noble  prynce  /  hertfully  I  you  pray,  841 

Tempte  me  no  forther  /  after  suche  condycyon, 
"Whiche  am  so  stedfast  /  and  wyll  be  nyght  and  day 
Neuer  for  to  chaunge  /  nor  make  alteracyon. 
Take  ye  this  answere  /  for  a  sure  conclusyon :  845 

The  promyse  I  haue  made  /  and  vowe  of  chastyte 
Endurynge  my  lyfe  /  shall  neuer  broken  be/  847 

122 

Dyuers  other  astates  /  came  her  for  to  assayle,  848 

Made  instaunt  requestes  /  vnto  this  vyrgyn  fre : 
For  all  theyr  busynesse  /  they  myght  not  preuayle, 
So  constaunt,  fyrme  &  stable  /  in  herte  &  mynde  was  she : 
A  mountayne  or  hyll  /  soner,  leue  ye  me,  852 

Myght  be  remoeued  /  agaynst  the  course  of  nature 
Than  she  for  to  graunte  /  to  suche  worldly  pleasure.      854 

123 

She  well  consydered  /  the  texte  of  holy  scrypture  :          855 
'  Who  byleueth  her  chast  /for  the  loue  of  Ihesu, 
The  temple  of  god  /  they  be  clypped  sure 
And  shalbe  rewarded  /  for  that  noble  vertu 
An  hundreth  folde  (by  grace),  vyces  to  subdu,  859 

And  heuen  for  to  haue  /  at  theyr  departynge  ' — 
"Whiche  she  remembred  wysely  /  aboue  all  thynge.  861 


THE   FALSE   WERBODE  PERVERTS   KING   WULFER. 


How  Y  false  Werbode  desyred  kynge  Vulfer  to  haue 
Werburge,  his  doughter,  in  mar y age.  And  how  ye  kynge 
graunted  tJierto.  Ca.  ix. 

124 

S  afore  is  sayd  /  whan  Penda  the  kynge  862 

By  saynt  Oswy  kynge  /  at  Leedes  was  slayne 
And  Yulfer  his  sone  /  the  fourth  yere  folowynge 
Was  baptysed  and  crowned  /  By  bysshop  Fynane, 
A  solempne  voue  he  made  /  faythfull  and  certayne,        866 
All  temples  of  ydolles  /  in  his  realme  to  destroy 
And  chaunge  them  to  chyrches  /  and  newe  edyfy.  868 

125 

The  same  he  promysed  /  as  he  was  true  knyght  869 

Whan  that  he  maryed  /  blessed  Ermenylde, 
Dredynge  sore  the  iustyce  /  of  god  almyght 
For  his  fathers  demerytes  /  vnreconsyled 
On  hym  to  fall  sodeynly  /  and  so  be  begyled ;  873 

Promysynge  a-mendes  /  at  his  conuersyon 
Ynto  holy  chyrche  /  with  humble  deuocyon.  875 

126 

Wbiche  kynge  Yulfer  /  as  was  the  more  pyte,  876 

By  the  wycked  counseyll  /  of  a  fals  knyght 
Called  Werbode  /  ranne  soone  in  apostasy, 
For  a  lytell  whyle  /  wantynge  perfyte  lyght ; 
The  bryghtnes  of  the  day  /  was  tourned  to  nyght  880 

Whan  he  gaue  credence  /  that  creature  vnto, 
Prolongynge  the  actes  /  he  promysed  to  do.  882 

127 

Ynder  kynge  Yulfer  /  chefe  stewarde  of  his  hall  883 

Was  this  false  Werbode  /  ruler  of  euery  porte. 
Whome  the  lady  Yenus  /  brought  vnto  thrall, 
Persed  and  wounded  /  so  greuously  his  harte 
Enflammed  with  loue  /and  with  her  fyry  darte,  887 

Plonget  with  sorowe  /  syghynge  day  and  nyght : 
The  beaute  of  Werburge  /  moeued  so  his  syght.  889 


WERBODE  ASKS  WULFEB  FOR  HIS  DAUGHTER  WERBURGE.  39 

128 

The  blynde  goddes  Cupyde  /  vexed  so  sore  his  mynde     890 
With  interyor  loue  /  and  sensuall  desyre 
Of  worldely  affeccyon  /  that  reste  coude  he  none  fynde  ; 
His  spyryte  was  troubled  /  he  brenned  as  dothe  the  fyre. 
Ypon  this  holy  vyrgyn  /  his  loue  was  so  entyre,  894 

To  haue  her  in  maryage  /  was  all  his  intent, 
That  euery  houre  was  a  moneth  /  after  his  iudgement.    896 

129 

Prouyded  in  his  mynde  /  how  that  he  well  myght  897 

Enforce  hym  wysely  /  with  boldynesse  and  polycye 
To  shewe  his  full  entent  /  in  maner  good  and  ryght, 
No  dyspleasure  taken  /  vpon  his  lordes  partye : 
By  this  ymagynacyon  /  he  fell  vpon  his  knee  90] 

Afore  his  lorde  and  kynge  /  desyrynge  a  petycyon  : 
His  mynde  to  declare  /  with  fully  grace  of  pardon.          903 

130 

'  Excellent  prynce,'  he  sayd  /  '  and  moost  worthy  kynge,  904 
That  reygnes  now  within  the  realme  of  Englande, 
Flourynge  in  chyualry  /  in  honour  encreasynge, 
Transcendyege  other  prynces  /  of  this  forsayd  lande  ! 
My  full  intencyon  /  now  ye  shall  vnderstande,  908 

Requyrynge  your  grace  /  in  this  poore  cyrcumstaunce 
At  my  petycyon  /  to  take  no  greuaunce.  910 

131 

'  My  synguler  good  lorde  /  her  t fully  I  you  pray  911 

With  instaunte  request  /  and  humble  supplycacyon  : 
Graunte  me  your  doughter  Werburge  /  as  ye  maye, 
To  haue  her  in  maryage  /  auoydynge  all  treason. 
If  your  grace  deny  /  this  present  petycyon,  915 

Dethe  me  behoues  /  full  soone  and  hastely : 
My  loue  is  so  feruent  /  there  is  no  remedy/  917 

132 

« Stande  vp,  Werbode  '  /  kynge  Vulfer  than  sayd,  918 

'  Our  chyfe  champyon  /  in  all  our  chyualry  ! 
your  humble  desyre  /  shall  not  be  denayd 


40         WULFEE  CONSENTS,  BUT  ERMENILDE  IS  AGAINST  IT. 

Of  Werburge,  our  doughter  /  now  consent  wyll  we, 

If  ye  may  optayne  /  her  wyll  and  mynde,  truele,  922 

Her  mothers  also  /  vnder  that  condycyon 

We  graunt  her  to  you  /  at  your  meke  suggestyon.'         924 

133 

Of  this  gracyous  answere  /  a  gladde  man  he  was ;  925 

Reioysynge  in  his  herte  /  began  to  conspyre, 
Castynge  in  his  mynde  /  craftely  by  compas 
How  he  myght  optayne  /  to  the  hye  empyre 
And  reygne  after  Vulfer  /  at  his  owne  desyre.  929 

But,  '  tho  man  prepose  /  god  dysposed  all ' ; 
*  Who  clymbeth  to  hye  /  often  hath  a  fall.'  931 

IT  How  the  queue  saynt  Ermenylde  wolde  hot  consente  therto  / 
&  how  her  bretherne  saynt  Wulfade  and  Piuffyn  were 
agaynst  the  sayd  maryage.  Ca.  x. 

134 

|F  this  busynesse  /  whan  the  quene  had  knowlege,     932 

Namely  of  Werebode  /  the  greuous  presumpcyon, 
How  he  had  moeued  /  thrught  his  wycked  rage 
The  kynge  in  suche  causes 1  /  by  synguler  petycyon,  1  r.  cause 
And  how  the  kynge  consented  /  to  his  supplycacyon  :     936 
She  was  sore  greued  /  at  this  prowde  crafty  knyght, 
Called  hym  in  presence  /  and  say$  these  wordes  ryght :  938 

135 

/Thou  wycked  tyraunt  /  and  vnkynde  creature,  939 

Folowynge  thyne  appetyte  /  and  sensualyte, 
Thou  cruell  pagane  /  presumynge  at  thy  pleasure, 
Blynded  with  ygnoraunce  /  and  infydelyte, 
Who  gaue  the  lycence  /  and  suche  auctoryte  943 

Our  doughter  Werburge  /  to  desyre  of  the  kynge, 
Without  our  counseyll  /  therto  consentynge  ?  945 

136 

'  Consyder  ryght  well  /  thy  kynred  and  pedegre  :  946 

It  is  well  knowen  /  thou  arte  comen  of  nought, 
Nother  of  duke  /  erle  /  lorde  /  by  auncetre, 


HOW  ERMENTLDE  REPRIMANDS  WERBODE's  AUDACITY.    41 

But  of  vylayne  people  /  yf  it  be  well  sought ; 
Agaynst  our  honour  /  now  that  thou  hase  wrought,        950 
Whiche  consequently  /  shall  be  to  thy  payne — 
For  all  thy  labour  /  is  spende  in  vayne.  952 

137 

*  Thou  knowes  of  a  certayne  /  refused  she  hase  953 
Many  a  ryche  maryage  /  within  this  londe, 

A  thousande  tymes  better  /  than  euer  thou  wase, 
Is  now  orels  shalbe  /  by  any  maner  f onde. 
Our  doughter  to  the  /  shall  neuer  be  bonde,  957 

Nor  suche  a  caytyfe  /  shall  haue  no  powere 
With  kynges  blode  royall  /  to  approche  it  nere.  959 

138 

*  Ynder  my  souerayne  lorde  /  and  me  also  960 
An  offycer  thou  arte  /  and  of  great  royalte 

To  be  a  true  seruaunte.  /  now  thou  arte  our  foo, 
Tryed  /  proued  /  founde  fals  /  in  eche  degre. 
Thou  hase  well  deserued  /  to  be  hanged  on  a  tre  964 

For  thy  mysdede  /  thou  shall  soone  repent 
Thy  hye  presumpcyon  /  proude  and  dysobedyent.  966 

139 

*  As  for  our  doughter  /  a-nd  dere  derlynge,  967 
By  the  grace  of  god  /  and  our  aduysement 

Soone  shalbe  maryed  /  to  the  moost  myghty  kynge 

That  euer  was  borne  /  and  in  this  erth  lent, 

We  meane  our  sauyour  /  lorde  omnypotemt ;  £71 

Wherfore  thy  wretchydnes  /  wyll  vpon  the  lyght. 

Thou  taynted  tray  tour  /  out  of  our  syght  1'  973 

140 

With  that  saynt  Werburge  /  came  into  presenco,  974 

Afore  her  mother  /  and  all  the  company, 
Doynge  her  duty  /  with  all  due  reuerencfe]  ; 
Folowynge  her  doctryne  /  full  sapyently, 
With  lycence  optayned  /  spake  euydently,  978 

After  suche  maner  /  that  all  the  audyence 
Reioysed  to  here  /  her  lusty  eloquence.  980 


42    HOW  WERBURGE  AND  HER   BROTHERS  REBUKE  WERBODE. 

141 

*  0  souerayne  lady  /  and  kynges  doughter  dere,  981 
My  dere  mother  /  ouer  all  thynge  transytory, 

0  gracyous  prynces  /  and  quene  to  kynge  Vnlfere, 
To  your  ghostly  counseyll  /  do  me  euer  apply : 

As  I  haue  promysed  /  ryght  euydently  985 

To  the  kynge  of  kynges  /  and  lorde  celestyall, 

1  wyll  obserue  /  endurynge  this  lyfe  mortall.  987 

142 

*  And  thou  false  Werbode  /  folowynge  sensnalyto,  988 
I  meruayle  greatly  /  thy  hye  presumpcyon 

To  moeue  our  father  /  with  suche  audacyte, 

Kriowynge  my  mynde  /  set  on  relygyon. 

yet  for  thy  soule-helthe  /  accepte  this  lesson  :  992 

Aske  mercy  and  grace  /  of  my  spouse  eternall, 

Lest  vengeaunce  sodeynly  /  vpon  the  do  fall.'  994 

143 

Wherwith  her  bretherne  /  Yulfade  and  Huffy  n,  995 

Two  noble  prynces  /  manfull,  sadde  and  wyse  ; 
Sore  vexed  with  peyne  /  theyr  hertes  were  within 
At  this  false  stewarde  /  whiche  can  so  deuyse 
Agayne  theyr  honour  /  to  do  suche  preiudyse  999 

As  to  attempte  theyr  father  the  kynge 
In  so  great  a  mater  /  they  not  consentynge  :  1001 

144 

They  called  Werebode  /  afore  them  all,  1002 

Sayenge  :  '  thou  caytyfe  /  who  gaue  the  lycence 
To  moeue  this  cause  /  so  he  and  specyall 
Touchynge  a  lady  /  of  suche  prehemynence, 
A  kynges  doughter  /  of  moche  magnyfysence,  1006 

None  comparable  to  hym  /  in  all  this  regyon 
In  honour  /  royalte  /  power  /  and  dyscrecyon  ? '  1008 

145 

'And  as  our  mother  sayd  /  to  the  byforne,  1009 

Loke  well  thy  progeny  /  and  all  thy  lynage ; 
A  vyllayne  orels  wers  /  sothly  thou  was  borne, 


WERBODE  RESOLVES  TO  DESTROY  WULFADE  AND  RUFFIN.      43 

Now  our  dere  syster  /  wolde  haue  in  maryage, 

As  semynge  for  a  prynce  /  of  hye  parentage  ;  1013 

Than  for  suche  a  carle  /  by  a  prouerbe  aimcyent 

'A  lad  to  wedde  a  lady  /  is  an  inconuenyent.'  1015 

146 

*  Therfore  we  charge  the  /  vpon  greuous  peyne,  1016 

Moue  no  suche  mater  /  nor  speke  of  it  no  more ! 
For  yf  suche  mocyon  /  come  to  vs  agayne 
Of  hye  presumpcyon  /  as  is  done  afore, 
Thou  shalt  repent  /  the  cause  and  dede  full  sore.  1020 

Now  we  commaunde  the  /  no  forther  to  contryue, 
But  cease  of  suche  busynesse  /  in  peyne  of  thy  lyue.'    1022 


11  How  the  false  Werbode  complained  vpon  Vulfade  and 
Ruffyn 1  to  kynge  Vulfare  by  malyce  and  enuy  J  and  was 
tJie  cause  of  theyr  dethe.  Ca.  xi.  p.  Fussyn 

147 
'TTHis  wycked  Werebode  /  the  bedyll  of  Belyall,          1023 

The  minister  of  myschef  /  &  sergeaurct  of  sathanas, 
Consyderynge  he  was  /  despysed  of  them  all 
And  sore  rebuked  /  for  his  outragyous  trespas, 
He  brenned  in  enuy  /  as  a  man  without  grace,  1027 

Cast  in  his  mynde  /  how  he  myght  wroken  be 
Vpon  her  bretherne  /  by  some  subtylte.  1029 

148 

Euer  from  that  tyme  /  he  lay  in  wayte,  1030 

Sekynge  occasyons  /  on  them  to  complayne ; 
Dayly  ymagyned  /  with  subtyll  deceyte 
Them  to  subdue  /  and  cause  to  be  slayne, 
Attendynge  oportunyte  /  to  take  them  in  a  trayne,       1034 
By  the  false  entysement  /  of  his  rnayster  Belyall 
Piompte  to  all  myschefe  /  as  dyscyple  naturall.  1036 

149 

In  fauour  of  his  prynce  /  by  crafte  he  hym  brought     1037 
(As  now  is  in  custome)— with  false  flatery 


44    WULFADE,  HUNTING  A  STAG,  FINDS  ST'  CHAD'S  HERMITAGE. 

Some  please  theyr  mayster  /  and  that  is  ryght  nought ; 

So  dyd  this  Werebode  /  by  subtyll  polycy  : 

His  vengeable  mynde  /  was  hymselfe  to  magnyfy          1041 

And  vtterly  to  lose  /  these  prynces  twayne 

Or  destroye  hym-selfe  /  by  mysfortune  playne.  1043 

150 

Lyke  as  Archythofell  /  chefe  counselour  to  absalon,      1044 
Sundry  tymes  moeued  hym  /  vnto  varyaunce, 
And  with  kynge  Assuerus  /  in  fauour  was  Amon 
Counseylynge  hym  euer  /  vnto  great  myschaunce  : 
In  lyke  cause  Werbode  /  moeued  to  vengeaunce  1048 

Was  chefe  counselor  /  to  Vulfer  the  kynge;  [1050 

"Whiche  brought  hym-selfe  to  shame  /  and  euyll  endynge. 

151 

The  elder  prynce,  Yulfade  /  in  his  dysporte  1051 

Ysed  haukynge,  huntynge  /  for  a  past-tyme  ; 
But  vnto  huntynge  namely  /  was  his  resorte 
Euery  day  in  the  morowe  /  longe  afore  pryme. 
And  as  it  fortuned  /  vpon  a  tyme,  ]  055 

A  myghty  harte  reysed  was  /  coursed  a  longe  space ; 
Whome  Yulfade  pursued  /  with  pleasure  and  solace.      1057 

152 

This  harte  sore  strayned  /  ranne  for  his  socour,  1058 

As  all  deer  done  /  of  theyr  propryte, 
To  a  well  with  water  /  after  his  great  labour 
Hym  to  reconforte  /  and  the  more  fressher  be, 
Wherby  saynt  Cead  /  had  his  oratorye.  1062 

The  wylde  harte  there  lay  /  full  secrete  and  styll 
And  suffered  this  holy  man  /  to  do  all  his  wyll.  1064 

153 

This  blessed  bysshop,  moeued  with  pyte,  1065 

Couered  this  sayd  harte  /  with  bowes  and  leues  also, 
Put  a  small  corde  /  aboute  his  necke,  trule, 
And  after  commaunded  hym  spedly  to  go 
To  the  wylde  woodes  /  whens  he  came  fro,  1069 


STl    CHAD    INSTRUCTS    WULFADE    IN   THE   FAITH.  45 

His  pasture  to  seke.  /  for  saynt  Cead  knewe  truly 

It  was  a  sygne  folowynge  /  of  some  great  mysery.         1071 

154 

(As  Bede  wytnesseth)  this  holy  confessour  1072 

Was  bysshop  of  Lychef elde  /  and  Couentre ; 
Whiche  for  the  loue  of .  our  sauyour 
In  wyldernesse  dwelled  /  all  solytarye, 
Contented  with  fruytes  /  of  the  wylde  tree,  1076 

With  rootes  /  herbes  /  water  /  for  his  sustentacyon, 
Endurynge  penaunce  /  with  due  contemplacyon.  1078 

155 

This  venerable  pry  nee  /  ensuynge  this  great  harte        1079 
Approched  to  his  cell  /  with  great  dylygence, 
Tenderly  requyrynge  /  where  and  in  what  parte 
This  harte  escaped  /  s6  f erre  out  of  presence. 
This  holy  man  answered  /  with  all  reuerence  :  1083 

'  Beestes  /  byrdes  /  f owles  /  I  kepe  none  at  all, 
But  I  knowe  the  instructour  /  of  thy  helthe  eternall.     1085 

156 

1  By  this  brute  beest  /  thou  shall  perceyue  well  1086 

The  sacramentes  of  holy  chyrche  euerychone, 
To  encrese  thy  byleue  /  by  our  ghostly  counsell, 
And  so  to  be  baptysed  /  and  haue  remyssyon  : 
By  dyuers  brute  beestes  /  for  mannes  saluacyon  1090 

Our  lorde  hath  shewed  /  secretes  mystycall 
To  his  electe  persones  /  by  grace  supernall.  1092 

157 

'To  ISToe  came  conforte  /  after  the  great  deluge  1093 

By  a  douue  /  bryngynge  a  braunche  of  Olyue  \ 
To  the  prophet  Hely  /  a  rauen  dyd  refuge, 
Brought  hym  his  sustenaunce  /  and  saued  his  lyue ; 
Vnto  saynt  Eustach  /  full  memoratyue  1097 

Our  lorde  appered  /  in  a  hartes  lykenes, 
To  whome  he  obeyed  /  gladly  with  mekenes.'  1099 

158 
Of  whiche  examples  /  pry  nee  Yulfade  gladde  was,         1100 


46          WULFADE  AND  RUFFIN  ARE  BAPTIZED  BY  ST>    CHAD. 

Thankynge  god  and  saynt  Cead  /  that  he  thyder  come, 

And  sayd  :  '  holy  father  /  f ulfylled  with  grace, 

If  ye  can  supply  /  my  instaunte  petycyon 

That  the  sayd  harte  /  myght  retourne  hyder  soone        1104 

Whiche  is  now  in  wyldernesse  /  vnto  our  presence, 

Than  to  your  doctryne  /  I  wyll  gyue  fully  credence.'    1106 

159 

Saynt  Cead  vnto  prayer  /  deuoutely  went :  1107 

And  the  wylde  harte  /  frome  the  wood  came  hastely 
With  the  corde  in  his  necke  /  apperynge  euydent, 
And  in  theyr  presence  /  stode  full  ryght  soberly. 
1  My  sone,'  than  he  sayd  /  '  byleue  than  stedf astly.        1111 
Ynderstande  ye  may  /  all  thynge  possyble  is 
To  a  faythfull  persone  /  that  perfytely  byleuys.'  1113 

160 

Vulfade,  conforted  /  and  in  the  fayth  probate,  1 114 

Fell  downe  to  his  fete  /  with  humble  deuocyon, 
Desyrynge  baptym  /  to  be  regenerate 
Ynto  our  sauyour  /  for  his  soules  saluacyon. 
Saynt  Cead  blessed  /  the  well  that  season  1118 

And  baptysed  this  prynce  /  in  name  of  the  trynyte, 
Was  preest  and  godfather  /  for  want  of  companye.        1120 

161 

This  chrysten  prynce  /  taryed  with  hym  all  nyght         1121 
In  fastynge  /  prayer  /  and  medytacyon, 
And  was  refresshed  /  naturally  in  syght 
With  bodyly  and  ghostly  sustentacyon ; 
The  next  day  receyued  /  the  holy  communyon,  1125 

With  lycence  departed  /  to  his  father  agayne ; 
The  harte  to  the  forest  /  recoursed,  certayne.  1127 

162 

The  thyrde  day  after  /  his  brother  Ruffyn,  1128 

Folowynge  the  same  harte  /  by  deuyne  prouydence, 
Was  well  instructed  /  in  ghostly  doctryne, 
Baptysed  by  saynt  Cead  /  &  communed  with  reuerence, 
And,  as  it  fortuned  /  by  playne  experyence,  1132 


WERBODE  WATCHES  THE  BROTHERS.  47 

Of  all  the  proces  done  /  to  the  elder  brother 

All  thynge  dyd  happe  /  ryght  so  to  the  other.  1134 

163 

Afore  this  season  /  chrystes  fayth  moost  gracyous         1135 
Thrugh  this  lande  /  was  preched  in  eue[r]y  place 
By  bysshop  Fynane  /  and  lerumannus — 
"Whiche  leruman  of  eest-Englande  /  fyrst  byssop  was, 
And  with  saynt  Ermenylde  /  came  hyder  by  grace  ;      1139 
yet  fully  comierted  /  was  not  Mersee  regyon 
Clene  frome  ydolatry  /  vnto  this  season.  1141 

164 

These  forsayd  prynces  /  conuerted  newly  1142 

By  blessed  Cead  /  to  chrysten  relygyon, 
Dayly  to  hym  resorted  /  for  counseyll  ghostly, 
To  encreace  in  vertue  /  and  holy  perfeccyon ; 
"With  lycence  pretended  /  they  wolde  togyder  come       1146 
Vnto  his  oratory  /  from  the  kynges  hall, 
Vnder  colour  of  Huntynge  /  as  they  dyd  it  call.  1148 

165 

And  as  it  is  wryten  /  in  holy  scrypture  1149 

*  Who-so  is  a  sure  frende  /  loueth  stedfastly, 
And  who  is  enemy  /  putteth  dylygent  cure 
Myschefe  to  accomplysshe  /  moost  studyously  : ' 
The  false  Werebode,  suspectynge  /  euydently  1153 

The  newe  conuersyon  /  of  these  prynces  twayne, 
Prepared  hym  craftely  /  to  take  them  in  a  tray  no.         1155 

166 

He  watched  on  them  /  secretely  euery  day,  1156 

To  knowe  theyr  resorte  /  and  vnto  what  place, 
Lyke 1  as  a  hounde  f olowynge  /  these  prynces  to  bytray, 
Or  a  dogge  dothe  a  dere  /  by  sent  of  the  chas.  i  P.  Kyke 

"Whan  he  had  perceyued  /  how  all  thynge  was,  1160 

He  compased  in  mynde  /  by  false  inuencyon 
To  complayne  to  the  kynge  /  for  theyr  destruccyon.      1162 

167 
'  My  synguler  goode  lorde  /  and  moost  pryncypall,'       1163 


48  WERBODE   ACCUSES   THEM   TO   THE    KING. 

Sayd  this  Werebode  /  the  fals  traytour, 

*  Pleaseth  your  goodnes  /  and  grace  specyall 

To  my  supplycacyon  /  to  be  a  protect  our. 

ye  haue  two  prynces  /  myghty  in  honour,  1167 

"Whiche  are  my  lordes  /  and  euer  shalbe, 

If  they  wolde  be  true  /  to  your  soueraynte.  1169 

168 

'They  haue  refused —  /  the  more  pyte  is,  1170 

your  auncyent  lawes  /  and  sectes  euerychone, 
And  with  your  lycence  /  haue  done  yet  more  amys : 
For  now  they  be  subiecte  /  to  a  newe  relygyon, 
Ytterly  refusynge  /  your  decrees  and  olde  customo,       1174 
Folowynge  the  counseyll  /  and  mynde  of  a  senyor, 
Called  bysshop  Cead  /  theyr  specyall  auctor.  1176 

169 

'  your  stray te  commaundymentes  /  they  dayly  despyce,  1177 
And  purpose,  I  tell  you  /  in  secretenes, 
"Vnto  your  persone  /  to  do  moche  preiudyce, 
To  murther  or  poyson  you  /  shortly,  doubtles, 
And  so  for  to  reygno  /  and  gouerne  your  ryches,  1181 

Bytwene  them  twayne  /  to  dyuyde  your  lande, 
By  fals  conspyracy  /  as  ye  shall  vnderstande.'  1183 

170 

"With  these  false  tales  /  and  many  other  mo  1184 

The  kynge  was  moeued  /  to  malyce  and  yre, 
By  his  compleccyon  /  as  he  was  wont  to  do, 
More  cruell  than  a  beest  /  as  feruent  as  the  fyre ; 
Depely  affyrmynge  /  that  dethe  shulde  be  theyr  hyre,   1 188 
If  he  myght  take  them  /  in  any  place 
They  shulde  be  slayne  /  and  suffer  withouten  grace,      1190 

171 

In  the  morowe  after  /  whan  Phebus  began  to  clere,       1191 
The  kynge  toke  Werbode  /  with  hym  secretly, 
To  try  out  the  truthe  /  and  how  it  wolde  appere, 
Wheder  his  prynces  /  were  gone  to  the  oratory ; 
If  it  were  so  /  he  sende  hym  pryuely  1195 


K.   WULFER,    IN   A    RAGE,    SLAYS    HIS   OWN    SONS.  49 

To  gyue  them  knowlege  /  of  his  entent, 

For  to  remoeue  /  from  his  hasty  Judgment.  1197 

172 

The  father  had  pyte  /  vpon  his  chyldren  naturall,         1198 
Wolde  not  haue  slayne  them  /  the  sothe  to  say ; 
Wherfore  he  sende  /  the  seruaunt  of  Belyall 
To  conuay  them  fro  thens  /  some  other  way. 
The  kynge  knewe  hym-selfe  /  not  able  that  day  1202 

To  refrayne  his  yre  /  and  cruell  hasty nesse, 
Gyuen  to  hym  of  nature  /  in  suche  great  dystresse.      1204 

173 

This  wycked  Werebode  /  came  to  the  oratory  1205 

And  sawe  these  prynces  /  in  great  deuocyon ; 
Counceyled  his  message  /  by  malyce  and  enuy, 
Betourned  to  the  kynge  /  hastely  and  soone, 
Newly  complaynynge  /  by  fals  ymagynacyon  1209 

A  hundreth-folde  worse  /  than  at  the  fyrst  tyme, 
"With  new  addycyons  /  to  brynge  them  to  ruyne.  1211 

174 

And  whan  the  kynge  /  approched  nygh  the  cell,  1212 

Herynge  the  complayntes  /  of  this  fals  knyght, 
The  chyldren  perceyued  /  a  voyce  ryght  well, 
Cessed  of  theyr  prayers  /  and  came  forth  full  ryght. 
On  whome  whan  Yulfere  /  had  ones  a  syght,  1216 

He  was  sore  moeued  /  as  hote  as  the  fyre 
Agaynst  his  l  chyldren  /  that  loued  hym  entyre.  i  p.  hcr.  1218 

175 

But  by  the  malyce  /  and  wycked  temptacyon  1219 

Of  the  deuyll  /  mannes  olde  mortall  enemy, 
And  what  by  the  false  crafty  suggestyon 
Of  Wycked  Werebode  /  fulfylled  with  enuy, 
And  by  his  owne  hastynesse  /  and  cruell  fury,  1223 

These  prynces  were  slayne  /  Yulfade  and  Ruffyn — 
Now  gloryous  martyrs  /  reygnynge  in  heuyn.  1225 

176 
After  whan  kynge  Yulfer  /  approched  his  castell  1226 


50  SUDDEN  DEATH  OF  WEEBODE.   WULFEE's  REPENTANCE. 

And  vnneth  was  entred  /  into  his  hall, 
Incontynently  a  spyryte  /  the  false  fende  of  hell, 
Entred  fals  Werebode  /  afore l  the  people  all,  i  P.  after. 

Inwardly  hyni  vexed  /  with  peynes  contynuall,  1230 

That  his  armes  and  handes  /  he  dyd  horrybly  tere— 
"Which  e  sodayne  vengeaunce  /  all  the  courte  dyd  fere.  1232 

177 

He  rored  and  yelled  /  lyke  a  wylcle  bull,  1233 

Shewed  all  the  myschef e  /  malyce  and  enuy 
Done  agaynst  the  martyrs  /  with  a  mynde  yref  ull— 
So  sore  constrayned  /  with  peynes  greuously. 
The  deuyll  ceased  not  /  his  dolours  to  multyply  1237 

Tyll  his  fylthy  soule  /  compelled  sore  was 
Eor  to  expyre  /  for  his  hydeous  trespas.  1239 

TT  How  kynge  Vulfer  was  conuerted  &  toke  great  repentaunce 
for  his  offences.  And  by  the  couuseyll  of  saynt  Ceade 
was  a  deuoute  man  /  and  a  good  benefactour  to  holy 
chyrche  /  and  a  founder  of  dyuers  holy  places  rdyyyous. 

Ca.  xii. 

178 

Vulfer,  consyderynge  /  with  due  dyscrecyon     1240 
His  cruell  hastynes  /  and  f uryous  mynde, 
How  ferre  he  had  /  abused  his  reason, 
Agaynst  his  chyldren  /  by  nature  and  kynde  : 
He  sore  repented  /  in  hystory  as  we  fynde,  1244 

His  greuous  trespas  /  and  homycyde  vnnaturall, 
In  conscyence  greued  /  for  his  synnes  mortall ;  1246 

179 

Namely  lamentynge  /  in  soule  his  apostasy  1247 

After  his  baptyme  /  and  ghostly  conuersyon, 
And  for  the  departure  /  of  his  prynces  truly 
Contrary  to  ryght  /  kynde  and  all  reason, 
The  losse  of  his  fame  /  thrugh  this  regyon,  1251 

A  dethe  to  his  quene  /  and  his  louers  all, 
Greuous  to  his  kynnesmen  /  and  frendes  naturall.         1253 


WULFER  GOES  TO  ST-  CHAD  TO  DO  PENANCE.      MIRACLES.      51 

180 

All  these  consydered  /  with  due  cyrcumstaunce,  1254 

He  wayled  and  weped  /  sobbynge  fullsore, 
Plonged  in  sorowe  /  heuynes  /  and  greuaunce, 
Lamentynge  his  offence  /  a  thousande  tymes  therfore ; 
His  intollerable  peyne  /  encreased  more  and  more,         1258 
"VVofully  he  went  /  to  his  bed  by  and  by, 
Supposynge  some  dethe  /  withouten  any  remedy.  1260 

181 

Some  of  his  loners  /  beynge  there  present  1261 

Gaue  hym  theyr  counseyll  /  to  hunte  in  the  forest, 
Some  to  dysportes  /  and  pleasures  euydent, 
Some  vnto  melody  /  all  thoughtes  to  degest. 
But  Ermenylde,  his  quene  /  whiche  loued  hym  best,      1265 
Counseyled  hym  truly  /  to  take  contrycyon 
And  mendes  make  /  by  due  satysfaccyon.  1267 

182 

Of  this  ghostly  counseyll  /  the  kynge  was  very  glad,     1268 
And  in  the  morowe  after  /  prepared  besyly 
"With  mekenesse  to  seke  /  blessed  saynt  Cead. 
So  whan  the  kynge  came  /  to  his  oratory, 
The  bysshop  was  at  masse  /  and  ryght  consequently     1272 
Fro  heuen 1  descended  /  so  gloryous  a  lyght  i  p.  henen. 

That  of  the  mystery  /  Yulfer  had  no  syght,  1274 

183 

Whan  masse  was  ended  /  saynt  Cead  his  vestures  caste    1 275 
Ypon  the  sonne-beame  /  by  myracle  there  hangynge, 
Supposynge  on  a  forme  /  and  made  moche  haste 
To  mete  at  the  doore  /  mekely  the  sayd  kynge, 
Whiche  laye  there  prostrate  /  penaunce  desyrynge  ;      1279 
With  reuerence  hym  eleuate  /  and  gaue  an  exortacyon ; 
The  kynge  was  agreable  /  for  to  do  satysfaccyon.  1281 

184 

The  bysshop  hym  enioyned  /  in  parte  of  penaunce        1282 
To  destroye  all  ydolles  /  and  sectes  of  ydolatry 
In  all  his  realme  /  and  the  temples  of  paganes 

E  2 


52          sr   CHAD'S  VESTMENTS  HANG  ON  A  SUNBEAM. 

To  translate  to  the  honour  /  of  god  almyghty, 

"With  preestes  and  clerkes  /  to  pray  and  synge  deuoutly,  1286 

Also  peas  and  iustyce  /  to  be  kepte  oontynuall, 

"With  the  werkes  of  mercy  /  to  be  vsed  in  specyall,       1288 

185 

Forther  he  enioyned  hym  /  of  his  chary te  1289 

Monasteryes  to  make  /  of  great  perfeccyon, 
Endowed  with  landes  /  possessed  in  lyberte, 
Therin  for  to  set  /  men  of  relygyon, 

To  pray  to  our  lorde  /  for  his  saluacyon ;  1203 

"Whiche  Vulfer  promysed  /  to  fulfyll  gladle, 
As  soone  as  he  myght  /  by  possybylyte.  1295 

186 

Than  the  foresayd  kynge  /  and  the  holy  confessour       1296 
"Went  to  theyr  prayers  /  in  the  oratory. 
And  as  the  kynge  loked  vp  /  to  our  sauyour, 
The  sayd  sacrat  vestures  /  he  sawe  euydently 
Hangynge  on  the  sonne-beame  /  full  merueylously ;       1300 
His  gloues  /  his  gyrdell  /  the  kynge  had  vpon, 
"Whiche  shortly  to  grounde  /  failed  adowne.  1302 

187 

"Wherby  he  perceyued  /  the  great  holynesse  1303 

Of  blessed  saynt  Cead  /  and  interyor  deuocyon, 
Desyred  his  prayer  /  dayly  with  mekenesse 
To  almyghty  god  /  for  his  remyssyon  ; 

Frome  thens  departed  /  with  his  benedyccyon,  1307 

loyfull  in  his  soule  /  to-warde  his  place, 
Thankynge  god  mekely  /  of  his  great  grace.  1309 

188 

As  the  kynge  promysed  /  to  our  sauyour,  1310 

Shortly  he  auoyded  /  all  ydolatry, 
Brenned  theyr  ydolles  /  correcked  theyr  errotir, 
Translated  theyr  temples  /  vnto  god  almyghty, 
Founded  monasteryes  /  of  relygyon  many,  1314 

Of  men  and  women  /  gaue  them  possessyons, 
Landes  /  rentes  /  ryches  /  to  encrese  deuocyons.  1316 


WULFER   FOUNDS    PETERBOROUGH  ABBEY    &    STONE    PRIORY.    53 

189 

Namely  he  founded  /  a  ryche  monastery  1317 

For  dethe  of  the  prynces  /  in  satysfaccyon 

To  the  honour  of  god  /  and  saynt  Peter,  truly, 

Called  Peterborowe  abbay  /  in  all  this  regyon ; 

Endowed  it  with  rentes  /  lybertes  /  possessyon^  1321 

A  place  where  many  /  relygyous  persones  be, 

Seruynge  day  and  nyght  /  our  lorde  with  chary te.         1323 

190 

Also  there  was  founded  /  at  Stone  a  pry  ore  1324 

In  the  honour  of  god  /  and  the  martyrs  twayne, 
Possessed  with  landes  /  rentes  and  lyberte, 
Where  deuoute  chanons  /  ben  inhabyte,  certayne. 
Myracles  and  sygnes  /  haue  ben  shewed  there  playne       1328 
To  the  laude  and  prayse  /  of  god  omny potent 
And  of  these  holy  martyrs  /  patrones  there  present.       1330 

^[  Of  theferuent  desyre  &  great  deuocyon  y*  saynt  Werburge 
hadde  to  be  relygyous  I  &  of  Y  dayly  supplycacyous  she 
made  to  the  kynge,  her  father,  for  the  same.  Ca.  xiii. 

191 
S  this  myghty  prynces  /  encreased  in  age,  1331 

So  dayly  encresed  /  her  good  condycyons, 
That  greatly  enioyed  /  her  honorable  lynage 
Consyderynge  in  her  /  suche  vertuous  dysposycyons ; 
In  vygyls  /  prayers  /  and  ghostly  medytacyons  1335 

Set  all  her  mynde  /  power  /  myght  /  and  mayne, 
To  serue  our  sauyour  /  day  and  nyght,  certayne.  1337 

192 

She  well  consydered  /  with  due  dyscrecyon  1338 

Of  this  present  lyf e  /  the  great  wretchydnesse, 
How  dredef ull  it  is  /  full  of  varyacyon, 
Deceuable  /  peryllous  /  and  of  no  sykernesse ; 
The  tyme  vncertayiie  /  to  be  knowen,  doubtlesse  ;          1342 
For  here  is  no  cytee  /  nor  sure  dwellynge 1  place,      J  p-  djel* 
All  thynge  is  transytory  /  in  short  proces  and  space.     1344 


54  ST>   WERBURGE   ASKS   TO   ENTER   A   MONASTERY. 

193 

Wherfore  this  vyrgyn  /  gladde  and  benyuolent,  1345 

Folowynge  the  counseyll  /  of  blessed  Mathewe, 

Was  on  of  fyue  vyrgyns  /  euer  redy  present, 

Had  her  lampe  replete  /  with  oyle  full  of  vertue, 

Kedy  for  to  mete  /  her  spouse,  swete  Ihesu,  1349 

With  charytable  werkes  /  in  her  soule  contynuall — • 

Therfore  she  was  taken  /  to  his  blys  eternall.  1351 

194 

She  well  consydered  /  the  wordes  of  the  gospell  1352 

'  Who  refuses  pleasures  /  and  naturall  generacyon 
For  the  loue  of  Ihesu  /  rewarded  shalbe  well 
With  a  hundreth-folde  grace  /  here  for  theyr  guerdon, 
And  after  this  lyfe  /  haue  eterne  fruycyon '  :  1356 

Whiche  she  remembred  /  and  euer  fro  that  day 
On  her  father  wolde  call  /  and  mekely  to  hym  say :       1358 

195 

'Reuerent  myghty  prynce  /  and  lorde  honorable,  1359 

Moost  dere  byloued  father  /  my  synguler  helpe  &  socour, 
My  trust  /  tresure  /  and  solace  /  to  me  moost  amyable, 
Instauntly  I  beseche  you  /  for  loue  of  our  sauyoure 
And  of  his  mother  mary  /  of  vyrgyns  the  floure,  1363 

With  all  the  company  /  that  in  heuen  be, 
My  humble  petycyon  /  now  graunt  it  vnto  me.  1365 

196 

*  Well-byloued  father  /  this  is  my  fully  mynde,  1366 

My  instaunte  desyre  /  and  humble  supplycacyon  : 
By  the  grace  of  god  /  maker  of  all  mankynde, 
And  by  your  lysence  /  helpe  /  and  tuycyon 
I  purpose  to  enter  /  into  holy  relygyon  1370 

And  vtterly  refuse  /  all  pleasures  transytory, 
To  be  professed  /  at  the  house  of  Ely.'  1372 

197 

1 0  my  dere  doughter '  /  sayd  this  noble  kynge,  1373 

'  My  pleasure  /  solace  /  and  hope  of  my  gladnesse, 
Moost  dere  byloued  /  and  my  synguler  swete  derlynge, 


HER   FATHER   ADVISES    WERBURGE   TO    MARRY.  55 

I  well  consyder  /  your  vertue  and  sadnesse, 

your  instaunt  request  /  and  humble  gentylnesse,  1377 

And  of  your  desyre  /  inwardly -I  am  gladde ; 

But  yet  your  mocyon  /  makes  my  herte  full  sadde.        1379 

198 

'  All  my  ioye  and  conforte  /  now  resteth  in  the,  1380 

Syth  thy  dere  bretherne  /  from  vs  ben  agone ; 
Thou  arte  the  trusty  treasure  /  to  thy  mother  and  me, 
Our  synguler  solace  /  and  sure  consolacyon. 
Wherfore,  swete  derlynge  /  as  for  my  heyre  alone.         1384 
I  wolde  the  mary  /  and  a  quene  the  make, 
If  thou  wyll  consent  /  and  my  counseyll  take.  1386 

199 

'  Consyder  and  beholde  /  thrugh  all  this  lande,  1387 

Take  the  a  maryage  /  at  thyne  owne  pleasure, 
A  prynce  moost  valyaunt  /  moost  noble  to  be  f  ounde : 
And  of  helpe  and  ayde  /  I  shall  the  assure, 
With  ryches  /  royalte  /  welthe  /  and  tresure,  1391 

Clothes  of  golde  /  and  royall  ryche  apparell 
And  all  thynges  necessary  /  as  man  can  of  tell.  1393 

200 

*  Remembre  also  /  how  after  course  of  kynde  1394 

Aege  dothe  sore  greue  /  thy  moder  and  me  also. 
Therfore  naturall  lone  (swete  chylde)  dothe  me  bynde 
To  gyue  the  best  counseyll  /  what  thou  shall  do, 
To  honour  and  worshyp  /how  thou  may  come  to  :         1398 
Whiche  great  renowne  /  and  hye  astate,  certayne, 
To  se  the  a  quene  /  wyll  make  vs  yonge  agayne.  1400 

201 

'God  ordeyned  matrymony  /  fyrst  in  Paradyse  1401 

Bytwene  man  &  woman  /  whan  he  the  worlde  dyd  make, 
That  mankynde  myght  encrese  /  multyply,  and  ryse, 
Eche  persone  at  pleasure  /  a  spouse  for  them  to  take ; 
Now  ioyned  by  holy  chyrche  /  all  other  to  forsake,       1405 
The  chylde  of  the  father  /  to  take  his  dyscyplyne, 
And  after  that  to  teche  /  his  yssue  theyr  doctryne.       1407 


ST>  WERBURGE    STILL   WISHES    TO    ENTER   A    MONASTERY. 

202 

1  Also  man  and  beest  /  haue  dysposycyon  naturall         1408 
To  brynge  forth  theyr  lykenesse  /  by  generacyon ; 
But  man,  hauynge  reason  /  and  fre  wyll  with-all, 
As  la  we  requyreth  /  hath  his  procreacyon 
Vnder  true  matrymony  /  by  his  owne  eleccyon,  1412 

Orels  to  obserue  /  and  lyue  in  pure  vyrgynyte, 
For  the  greater  meryte  /  and  rewarde  of  glorye.  1414 

203 

*  And  yf  <all  maydens  /  shulde  kepe  theyr  chastyte       1415 
As  ye  now  do  /  how  shulde  the  worlde  encrese  1 
Swete  louely  creature  /  ryght  ioyf ull  wolde  I  be 
To  kysse  a  chylde  of  thyne  /  hauynge  thy  lykenesse, 
And  se  the  also  coronate  /  as  a  myghty  pryncesse !       1419 
Enclyne,  dere  derlynge/thy  mynde  to  myne  entent, 
And  all  these  sayd  honours  /  wyll  folowe  consequent.'    1421 

IT  Of  the  meke  answer  e  saynt  Werburge  gaue  to  her  father  whan 
she  was  moeued  to  mar y age.     Ca.  xiiii. 

204 
'TTHe  holi  mayd  /  whaw  she  knewe  her  fathers  mynde,   1422 

Her  soule  was  replete  /  with  woo  &  pensyuenesse, 
And  sore  began  to  wepe  /  after  cours  of  kynde — 
The  salte  teeres  dystylled  /  for  payne  and  heuynesse  [1426 
By  her  ruddy  chekes  shynynge  /  full  fayre,  doubtelesse, 
Pyteous  to  beholde.  /  but  whan  the  foresayd  mayde 
Ceased  of  her  sorowe  /  thus  to  hym  she  sayde  :  1428 

205 

'Moost  beest  byloued  father  /  nexte  to  god  almyght,    1429 
your  kynde  gentyll  mocyon  /  wolde  moeue  inwardely 
The  mynde  of  any  creature  /  to  folowe  you  ryght, 
Or  any  stony  stomake  /  to  relent  and  apply, 
And  resolue  eche  harde  herte  /  to  waylynge  dolefully,  1433 
Consyderynge  on  euery  parte  /  with  good  dyscrecyon 
To  accepte  or  refuse  /  this  harde  eleccyon.  1435 


DECLARES    SHE   HAS    MADE   A   VOW    OF    CHASTITY.          57 

206 

*  Father,  I  haue  ben  to  you  /  meke  and  obedyent          14S6 
Euer  syth  I  had  /  yeres  of  dyscrecyon, 

Gladde  to  obserue  /  your  hye  commaundyment 
With  loue  interyor  /  and  humble  intencyon — 
And  so  wyll  contynue  /  with  lowly  submyssyon,  1440 

In  this  present  lyfe  /  whyle  I  do  endure ; 
Of  my  loue  and  prayer  /  euer  ye  shalbe  sure.  1442 

207 

*  But,  moost  louely  father  /  I  pray  you  hert fully  1443 
Take  no  dysplesure  /  pardon  what  I  shall  say. 

My  soule  /  my  herte  /  and  mynde  /  is  set  stydfastly 

To  serue  my  lorde  god  /  nyght  and  also  day, 

Neuer  to  be  maryed  /  by  no  maner  of  way  :  1447 

For  sothly  I  haue  vowed  /  my  true  vyrgynyte 

Ynto  Ihesu  /  the  seconde  persone  in  trynyte.  1449 

i  208 

*  That  is  my  spouse  /  and  blessed  sauyour,  1450 
For  whose  loue  refused/  in  certaynte  haue  I 

All  worldely  pleasures  /  welth  /  ryches  and  honour, 
With  all  voyde  busynesse  /  and  cures  transytory ; 
My  loue  on  hym  is  sette  /  so  sure  and  feruently,  1454 

That  nothynge  shall  separate  /  my  hert  hym  fro, 
Sekenes  nor  helthe  /  pleasure  /  peyne  /  ne  wo.  1456 

209 

*  Also  my  full  entent  /  was  neuer  otherwyse  1457 
Than  to  be  handmayde  /  to  my  lorde  Ihesu 

And  of  my  soule  and  body  /  to  make  hym  sacryfyce, 

For  my  ghostly  welthe  /  all  vyces  to  subdue. 

He  is  my  dere  spouse  /  solace  /  helthe  moost  true,         1461 

On  hym  is  all  my  herte  /  and  hase  ben  set  alway, 

And  euer  shalbe  /  vnto  my  endynge  day.  1463 

210 

'In  this  wretched  worlde  /  we  can  not  longe  endure      1464 
And  of  this  present  lyfe  /  we  are  in  no  suerte ; 
As  we  haue  deserued  /  so  we  shalbe  sure 


58 


WULFER   GRANTS   WERBURGE's   REQUEST. 


After  this  pylgrymage  /  rewarded  for  to  be. 
For  mercy  and  grace  /  therfore  mekely  call  we  1468 

Whyle  we  haue  tyme  and  space —  /  for  than  it  is  to  late 
Whan  dethe  with  his  darte  /  sayth  to  vs  chekemate.     1470 

211 

'  Wherfore,  dere  father  /  I  shewe  you  now  agayne         1471 
All  my  hole  herte  /  desyre  and  entent, 
Whiche  euer  hath  ben  /  and  so  shalbe,  certayne, 
For  to  be  relygyous  /  chast  /  and  obedyent, 
Namely  at  Ely  /  for  theyr  vertue  excellent.  1475 

Father,  I  requyre  you  /  for  chrystes  loue  and  charyte, 
My  meke  supplycacyon  /  now  graunte  it  vnto  me.'        1477 

212 

The  kynge  well  consydered  /  his  doughters  desyre,        1478 
Her  constaunte  true  mynde  /  and  pure  deuocyon : 
Graunted  her  petycyon  /  with  synguler  loue  entyre, 
Trustynge  by  her  prayer  /  and  dayly  supplycacyon 
Ynto  heuen-blysse  /  the  rather  for  to  come.  1482 

Her  mother  Ermenylde  /  was  gladde  of  this  tydynge 
And  lauded  full  lowly  /  our  lorde  and  heuen  kynge.      1484 

1T  How  saynt  Werburge  was  made  a  moynes  after  her  desyre 
at  the  monastery  of  Ely  vnder  saynt  Audry  /  lady  and 
dbbesse.  Ca.  xv. 

213 

the  kynge  remembred  /  with  due  cyrcuwstaunce 
The  excellent  vertue  /  sadnes  /  and  grauyte         [1485 
Of  his  dere  doughter  /  and  the  perfyte  constaunce, 
Her  humble  petycyon  /  and  pure  vyrgynyte  ; 
He  thanked  our  lorde  /  with  great  humylyte  1489 

Of  his  infynyte  grace  /  that  so  royall  a  floure 
Frome  hym  descended  /  to  his  prayse  and  honoure.        1491 

214 

He  sende  messages  /  in  all  goodly  hast  1492 

With  letters  myssyue  /  thrugh  his  regyon, 
Commaundynge  his  subiectes  /  they  shulde  full  fast 


WULFER    BRINGS    WERBURGE   TO    ELY   MONASTERY.  59 

By  a  day  assygned  /  be  redy  eueryclione 

In  theyr  best  maner  /  with  hym  for  to  gone  1496 

To  brynge  his  doughter  /  to  the  hous  of  Ely, 

There  to  be  relygyous  /  after  her  desydery.  1498 

215 

Whan  the  day  was  come  /  of  theyr  appoyntment,         1499 
The  nobles  of  the  realme  /  and  lordes  were  redy 
To  attende  on  theyr  souerayne  /  at  his  commaundyment. 
Kynge  Yulfer  prepared  /  all  thynge  pleasauntly 
And  of  his  court  /  had  chosen  a  noble  company  1503 

In  theyr  best  aray  /  royalte  /  and  renowne, 
To  offer  saynt  werburge  /  to  god  and  relygyon.  1505 

216 

The  kynge  on  his  Tourney  /  rode  forthe  royally,  1506 

The  quene  hym  f olowed  /  as  is  the  custome  ; 
Werburge  succeded  them  consequently ; 
The  peeres  and  his  counseyll  /  knewe  well  theyr  rowme, 
Dukes  /  erles  /  lordes  /  and  many  a  worthy  barowne,    1510 
Knyghtes  /  squyers  /  gentyls  /  of  her  kynred  also,       [1512 
With  ladyes  and  gentylwomen  /  &  seruauwtes  both-two. 

217 

Whan  the  kynge  approched  /  the  sayd  monastery,         1513 
Saynt  Audry,  than  abbesse  /  toke  her  holy  couent 
And  mette  the  sayd  kynge  /  and  all  his  company 
With  solempne  processyon  /  and  gretynge  benyuolent, 
Praysynge  our  lorde  god  omnypotent  1517 

Whiche  of  his  goodnes  /  to  that  congregacyon 1  i  p.congrecacyon 
Sende  them  a  syster  /  of  suche  perfeccyon.  1519 

218 

Wereburge  requyred  /  by  the  order  of  chary te  1520 

Mekely  on  her  knees  /  to  enter  relygyon. 
Saynt  Audry  receyued  /  of  her  benygnyte 
And  graunted  fre  lycence  /  after  her  petycyon. 
Gladde  were  also  /  the  hole  congregacyon  1524 

And  sange  (Te  deum),  with  moche  reuerence, 
Magnyfyenge  our  lorde  /  of  his  prouyclence.  1526 


60  WERBURGE   RECEIVES    THE   VEIL    FROM   ST'    AUDRY. 

219 

She  was  receyued  /  with  moche  solempnyte  1527 

Into  the  holy  order  /  after  her  entent, 

To  proue  her  sadnes  /  and  humylyte 

(As  is  the  custome),  and  so  be  obedyent, 

To  lyue  euer  after  /  humble  /  chast  /  and  contynent.     1531 

Than  dyd  theyr  loye  /  merueylously  encreas, 

Consyderynge  her  pacyens  /  and  perfyte  holynes.  1533 

220 

Her  royall  dyademe  /  and  shynynge  coronall  1534 

Was  fyrst  refuted  /  for  loue  of  our  sauyoure, 
The  poore  vayle  accepted  /  and  the  symple  pall, 
The  royall  ryche  purpull  /  reiected  that  same  houre, 
"With  other  clothes  of  golde  /  sylkes  of  great  honoure  ;  1538 
She  toke  lowe  appareyll  /  vestures  that  were  blake — 
All  her  plesaunt  garmentes  /  she  clerely  dyd  forsake.     1540 

221 

Also  she  refused  /  her  fathers  realme  and  royalte,         1541 
All  ryches  /  rentes  /  pleasures  /  possessyon, 
With  all  worldely  honoures  /  full  of  vany te ; 
Lowly  submyttynge  her  /  vnder  subieccyon, 
Yertu  to  encrese  /  myndynge  moost  relygyon ;  1545 

She  refused  yet  more  her  owne  proper  wyll, ' 
Put  all  to  her  abbesse  /  her  order  to  fulfyLL  1547 


IF  Of  the  great  solempnyte  kynge  Vulfer  made  at  the  ghostly 
mar y age  of  saynt  Werburge  his  doughter  /  to  al  his 
loners  /  cosyns  /  and  frendes.  Ca.  xvi. 

222 
*ff>ynge  Vulfer,  her  father  /  at  this  ghostly  spousage    1548 

Prepared  great  tryumphes  /  and  solempnyte, 
Made  a  royall  feest  /  as  custome  is  of  maryage, 
Sende  for  his  frendes  /  after  good  humanyte, 
Kepte  a  noble  housholde  /  shewed  great  lyberalyte        1552 


FESTIVITIES   AT   HER   SPIRITUAL   MARRIAGE.  61 

Bothe  to  ryche  and  poore  /  that  to  this  feest  wolde  come — 
No  man  was  denyed  /  euery  man  was  well-come.  1554 

223 

Her  vncles  and  auntes  /  were  present  there  all :  1555 

Ethelred  and  Merwalde  /  and  Mercelly  also — 
Thre  blessed  kynges  /  whome  sayntes  we  do  call ; 
Saint  keneswyd  /  samt  keneburg  /  theyr  systers  both-two, 
And  of  her  noble  lygnage  /  many  other  mo  1559 

Were  redy  that  season  /  with  reuerence  and  honour, 
At  this  noble  tryumphe  /  to  do  all  theyr  deuour.  1561 

224 

Tho  kynges  mette  them  /  with  theyr  company  :  1562 

Egbryct,  kynge  of  kent  /  brother  to  the  quene, 
The  seconde  was  Aldulphe  /  kynge  of  the  eest  party, 
Brother  to  saynt  Audry  /  wyfe  and  mayde  serene, 
With  dyuers  of  theyr  progeny  /  and  nobles,  as  I  wene ;  1566 
Dukes  /  erles  /  barons  /  and  lordes  ferre  and  nere 
In  theyr  best  aray  /  were  present  all  in-fere.  1568 

225 

It  were  full  tedyous  /  to  make  descrypcyon  1569 

Of  the  great  tryumphes  /  and  solempne  royalte 
Belongynge  to  the  feest  /  the  honour  and  prouysyon 
By  playne  declaracyon  /  vpon  euery  partye  ; 
But,  the  sothe  to  say  /  withouten  ambyguyte,  1573 

All  herbes  and  floures  /  fragraunt,  fayre  and  swete 
Were  strawed  in  halles  /  and  layd  vnder  theyr  fete.      1575 

226 

Clothes  of  golde  and  arras  /  were  hanged  in  the  hall,    1576 
Depaynted  with  pyctures  /  and  hystoryes  manyfolde, 
Well  wrought  and  craftely  /  with  precyous  stones  all 
Glyterynge  as  Phebus  /  and  the  beten  golde 
Lyke  an  erthly  paradyse  /  pleasaunt  to  beholde.  1580 

As  for  the  sayd  moynes  /   was  not  them  amonge 
But  prayenge  in  her  cell  /  as  done  all  nouyce  yonge.     1582 

227 
The  story  of  Adam  /  there  was  goodly  wrought  1583 


62  THE   HALL    IS    HUNG    WITH    TAPESTRY 

And  of  his  wyfe  Eue  /  bytwene  them  the  serpent, 

How  they  were  deceyued  /  and  to  theyr  peynes  brought ; 

There  was  Cayn  and  Abell  /  offerynge  theyr  present, 

The  sacryfyce  of  Abell  /  accepte  full  euydent ;  1587 

Tuball  and  Tubalcain  /  were  purtrayed  in  that  place, 

The  inuentours  of  musyke  /  and  craftes  by  great  grace.  1589 

228 

Noe  and  his  shyppe  /  was  made  there  curyously,  1590 

Sendynge  forthe  a  rauen  /  whiche  neuer  came  agayne, 
And  how  the  douue  retourned  /  with  a  braunche  hastely, 
A  token  of  conforte  and  peace  /  to  man,  certayne  ; 
Abraham  there  was  /  stand  ycge  vpon  the  mount  playne 
To  offer  in  sacryfyce  /  Isaac,  his  dere  sone,  [1594 

And  how  the  shepe  for  hym  /  was  offered  in  oblacyon.  1596 

229 

The  twelue  sones  of  lacob  /  there  were  in  purtrayture,1597 
And  how  into  Egypt  /  yonge  Joseph  was  solde, 
There  was  inprysoned  /  by  a  false  coniectour, 
After  in  all  Egypte  /  was  ruler  (as  is  tolde) ; 
There  was  in  pycture  /  Moyses  wyse  and  bolde,  1601 

Our  lorde  apperynge  /  in  busshe  flammynge  as  f yre 
And  nothynge  therof  brent  /  lefe  /  tree  /  nor  spyre.     1603 

230 

The  ten  plages  of  Egypte  /  were  well  embost,  1604 

The  chyldren  of  Israeli  /  passynge  the  reed  see, 
Kynge  Pharoo  drowned  /  with  all  his  proude  hoost ; 
And  how  the  two  tables  /  at  the  mounte  of  Synaye 
Were  gyuen  to  Moyses  /  and  how  soone  to  ydolatry      1608 
The  people  were  prone  /and  punysshed  were  therf ore, 
How  Datan  and  Abyron  /  for  pryde  were  lost  full  youre.  1610 

231 

Duke  losue  was  ioyned  /  after  them  in  pycture,  1611 

Ledynge  the  Isrehelytes  /  to  the  lande  of  promyssyon, 
And  how  the  sayd  lande  /  was  dyuyded  by  mesure 
To  the  people  of  god  /  by  equall  sundry  porcyon ; 
The  ludges  and  bysshops  /  were  there  euerychone,        1615 


REPRESENTING   APOSTLES,    MARTYRS,    AND   CONFESSORS,    63 

Theyr  noble  actes  /  and  tryumphos  Marcyall 

Fresshly  were  browdred  /  in  these  clothes  royall.  1617 

232 

Nexte  to  hye  borde-lorde  /  appered  fayre  and  bryght    1618 
Kynge  Saull,  and  Dauyd  /  and  prudent  Salomon, 
Roboas  succedynge  /  whiche  soone  lost  his  myght, 
The  good  kynge  Esechyas  /  and  his  generacyon ; 
And  so  to  the  Machabees  /  and  dyuers  other  nacyon     1622 
All  these  sayd  storyes  /  so  rychely  done  and  wrought, 
Belorcgyng  to  kyng  Yulf  er  /agayn  y*  tyme  were  brought.  1624 

233 

But  ouer  the  hye  desse  /  in  the  pryncypall  place,  1625 

Where  the  sayd  thre  kynges  /  sate  crowned  all, 
The  best  hallynge  hanged  /  as  reason  was : 
Wherin  were  wrought  /  the  .ix.  ordres  angelycall 
Dyuyded  in  thre  lerarchyses  /  not  cessynge  to  call        1629 
'  Sanctus  /  sanctus  /  sanctus/  blessed  be  the  tryny te, 
Dominus  deus  sabaoth/  thre  persones  in  one  deyte.'       1631 

234 

Nexte  in  ordre  suynge  /  sette  in  goodly  purtrayture,    1632 
Was  our  blessed  lady  /  floure  of  f emynyte, 
With  the  twelue  apostles  /  echeone  in  his  fygure, 
And  the  foure  euangelystes  /  wrought  moost  curyously, 
Also  the  dyscyples  /  of  chryst  in  theyr  degre,  1636 

Prechynge  and  techynge  /  vnto  euery  nacyon 
The  faythtes  of  holy  chyrche  /  for  theyr  saluacyon.       1638 

235 

Martyrs  than  folowed  /  ryght  inanyfestly  :  1639 

The  holy  innocent es  /  whome  Herode  had  slayne, 
Blessed  saynt  Stephan  /  the  prothomartyr  truly, 
Saynt  Laurence  /  saynt  Vyncewt  /  sufferynge  great  payne, 
With  many  other  mo  /  than  here  ben  now,  certayne;  1643 
Of  whiche  sayd  martyrs  /  exsample  we  may  take 
Pacyence  to  obserue  /  in  herte  for  chrystes  sake.  1645 

236 
Confessours  approched  /ryght  conuenyent,  1646 


AND  SUBJECTS  TAKEN  FROM  PROFANE  HISTORY. 

Fresshely  enbrodred  /  in  ryche  tysshewe  and  fyne  : 

Saynt  Nycholas,  saynt  Benedycte  /  and  his  couent, 

Saynt  lerom  /  Basylyus  /  and  saynt  Augustyne, 

Gregory  the  great  doc  tour/ Ambrose  &  saynt  Marty  ne ;     1650 

All  these  were  sette  /  in  goodly  purtrayture— 

Them  to  beholde  /  was  a  heuenly  pleasure.  1652 

237 

Vyrgyns  them  folowed  /  crowned  with  the  lyly,  1653 

Amonge  whome  our  lady/  chefe  presydent  was  ; 
Some  crowned  with  rooses  /  for  theyr  great  vyctory : 
Saynt  Katheryne  /  saynt  Margarete  /  saynt  Agathas, 
Saynt  Cycyly  /  saynt  Agnes  /  and  saynt  Chary tas,        1657 
Saynt  Lucye  /  saynt  Wenef  ryde  /  and  saynt  Apolyn ; 
All  these  were  brothered  /  the  clothes  of  golde  within.  165  9 

238 

Vpon  the  other  syde  /  of  the  hall  sette  were  1660 

Noble  auncyent  storyes  /  &  how  the  stronge  Sampson 
Subdued  his  enemyes  /  by  his  myghty  power ; 
Of  Hector  of  Troy  /  slayne  by  fals  treason, 
Of  noble  Arthur  /  kynge  of  this  regyon;  1664 

With  many  other  mo  /  whiche  it  is  to  longe 
Playnly  to  expresse  /  this  tyme  you  amonge.  1666 

239 

The  tables  were  couered  /  with  clothes  of  Dyaper,        1667 
Rychely  enlarged  /  with  syluer  and  with  golde ; 
The  cupborde  with  plate  /  shynynge  fayre  and  clere. 
Marshalles  theyr  offyces  /  f ulf ylled  manyf olde. 
Of  myghty  wyne  plenty  /  bothe  newe  and  olde,  1671 

All-maner  kynde  /  of  meetes  delycate 
(Whan  grace  was  sayd)  to  them  was  preparate.  1673 

240 

To  this  noble  feest  /  there  was  suche  ordynaunce,          1674 
That  nothynge  wanted  /  that  goten  myght  be 
On  see  and  on  lande  /  but  there  was  habundaunce 
Of  all-maner  pleasures  /  to  be  had  for  monye ; 
The  bordes  all  charged  /  full  of  meet  plente,  1678 


A    MINSTREL    SINGS    OF    ALEXANDER,    OF    ROME.  G5 

And  dyuers  subtyltes  /  prepared  sothly  were 

With  cordyall  spyces  /  theyr  ghestes  for  to  chere.          1 680 

241 

The  loyfull  wordes  /  and  swete  communycacyon  1681 

Spoken  at  the  table  /  it  were  harde  to  tell, 
Eche  man  at  lyberte  /  without  interrupcyon, 
Bothe  sadnes  and  myrthes  /  also  pryue  counsoll, 
Some  adulacyon  /  some  the  truthe  dyd  tell ;  1685 

But  the  great  astates  /  spake  of  theyr  regyons, 
Knyghtes  of  theyr  chyualry  /  of  craftes  the  comons.    1687 

242 

Certayne,  at  eche  cours  /  of  seruyce  in  the  hall 
Trumpettes  blewe  vp  /  shalmes  and  claryons, 
Shewynge  theyr  melody  with  /  toynes  musycall. 
Dyuers  other  mynstrelles  /  in  crafty  proporcyons 
Made  swete  concordaunce  /  and  lusty  dyuysyons — •       1692 
An  heuenly  pleasure  /  suche  armony  to  here, 
Reioysynge  the  hertes  /  of  the  audyence  full  clere.       1694 

243 

A  synguler  mynstrell  /  all  other  ferre  passynge,  1695 

Toyned  his  instrument  /  in  pleasaunte  armony 
And  sange  moost  swetely  /the  company  gladynge, 
Of  myghty  conquerours  /  the  famous  vyctory, 
"Wherwith  was  rauysshed/  theyr  spyrytes  and  memory ;  1699 
Specyally  he  sange  /  of  the  great  Alexandere, 
Of  his  tryumphes  and  honours  /  endurynge  .xii.  yere.  1701 

244 

Solemply  he  songe  /  the  state  of  the  Eomans,  1702 

Ruled  vnder  kynges  /  by  polycy  and  wysedome, 
Of  theyr  hye  iustyce  /  and  ryghtfull  ordynauns 
Dayly  encreasynge  /  in  worshyp  and  renowne, 
Tyll  Tarquyne  J>°  proude  kynge  /with  y*  great  conf  usyon  1 706 
Oppressed  dame  Lucrece  /  the  wyf e  of  Colatyne ; 
Kynges  neuer  reygned  in  Rome  /  syth  that  tyme.         1708 

245 

Also  how  the  Romayns  /  vnder  thre  dyctatours  1709 

F 


66       OF    OESAR,    AUGUSTUS.       THE    GUESTS    RETURN   HOME. 

Gouerned  all  regyons  /  of  the  worlde  ryght  wysely, 

Tyll  lulyus  Cesar  /  excellynge  all  conquerours, 

Subdued  Pompeius  /  and  toke  the  hole  monarchy 

And  the  rule  of  Rome  /  to  hym-selfe  manfully;  1713 

But  Cassius  Brutus  /  the  fals  conspyratour, 

Caused  to  be  slayne  /  the  sayd  noble  emperour.  1715 

246 

After  the  sayd  lulyus  /  succeded  his  syster  sone,  1716 

Called  Octauyanus  /  in  the  imperyall  see ; 
And  by  his  precepte  /  was  made  descrypcyon 
To  euery  regyon  /  lande  /  shyre  /  and  cytee, 
A  trybute  to  pay  /  vnto  his  dygnyte  :  1720 

That  tyme  was  /  vnyuersall  peas  and  honour : 
In  whiche  tyme  was  borne  /  our  blessed  sauyoure.         1722 

247 

All  these  hystoryes  /  noble  and  auncyent  1723 

Reioysynge  the  audyence  /  he  sange  with  pleasuer, 
And  many  other  mo  /  of  the  newe  testament, 
Pleasaunt  and  pr of y  table  /  for  theyr  soules  cure, 
Whiche  be  omytted  /  now  not  put  in  vre.  1727 

The  mynysters  were  redy  /  theyr  offyce  to  fulfyll 
To  take  vp  the  tables  /  at  theyr  lordes  wyll.  1729 

248 

Whan  this  noble  feest  /  and  great  solempnyte,  1730 

Dayly  endurynge  /  a  longe  tyme  and  space, 
Was  royally  ended  /  with  honour  and  royalte, 
Eche  kynge  at  other  /  lysence  taken  hace, 
And  so  departed  from  thens  /  to  theyr  place ;  1734 

Kynge  Yulfer  retourned  /  with  worshyp  and  renowne 
Frome  the  house  of  Ely  /  to  his  owne  mansyon.  1736 


ST    WERBURGE    IS    SOLEMNLY    PROFESSED.  67 

IT  Of  the  holy  profession  &  ghostly  conuersacyon  saynt 
Werburge  vsed  at  Ely  in  relygyon  /  vnder  saynt  Aud-ry 
her  ablesse  and  cosyn.  Ca.  xvii. 

249 

whan  this  vyrgyn  /  the  spouse  of  Ihesu,  1737 

Had  fully  contynued  /  in  holy  relygyon 
With  mekenesse  /  pacyens  /  and  all  vertu 
Fully  the  yere  /  of  her  probacyon, 

Than  she  made  instaunce  /  for  her  professyon  1741 

Ynto  saynt  Audry  /  her  lady  and  abbesse ; 
Whiche  soone  was  graunted  /  with  great  gladnesse.       1743 

250 

Ordynaunce  they  made  /  and  great  royal te,  1744 

Her  frendes  were  called  /  agaynst  that  season ; 
She  was  professed  /  with  great  humylyte, 
The  obseruaunce  done  /  with  due  deuocyon : 
She  made  solempne  vowe  /  of  ghostly  conuersacyon,     1748 
Mekely  to  obserue  /  obedyence  and  chastyte 
Endurynge  her  lyfe  /  and  wylfull  pouerte.  1750 

251 

By  the  exsample  /  of  her  perfeccyon  1751 

Many  dyuers  persones  /  of  her  noble  lynage 
Refused  this  worlde  /  and  entred  relygyon, 
Benouwsynge  vayne  pleasures  /  ryches  and  maryage, 
Enclyned  to  vertue  /  for  theyr  ghostly  auauntage,         1755 
As  may  be  specyfyed  /  here  after  folowynge 
Theyr  names  /  theyr  astate  /  and  theyr  good  lyuynge.  1757 

252 

Now  this  gloryous  vyrgyn  /  after  her  desyre  1758 

Is  ghostly  maryed  /  to  our  lorde  Ihesu, 
Accordynge  to  her  entent  /  and  true  loue  entyre, 
She  dayly  encresed  /  frome  vertu  to  vertu, 
With  more  stray ter  lyfe  /  vyces  to  subdu ;  1762 

The  longer  she  endured  /  in  relygyon 
The  better  she  prepared  /  her  herte  to  deuocyon.  1764 

F  2 


68  ST-  WEKBUKGE'S  HOLY  LIFE  AT  ELY. 

253 

And  tho  this  vyrgyn  /  clerely  dyd  forsake  1765 

All  ryches,  honours  /  and  pleasures  worldly, 
With  all  possessyons  /  for  her  lordes  sake, 
She  thought  than  she  reygned  /  moost  lyke  a  lady, 
Cause  that  she  lyued  /  in  chrystes  seruyce  clajly;          17G9 
And  certayne  it  is  /  holy  scrypture  recordynge, 
'  Who  serues  well  god  /  dothe  reygne  lyke  a  kyngo.'     1771 

254 

In  prayer  /  penaunce  /  and  /  contemplacyon  1772 

Was  all  her  busynesse  /  and  study  alway, 
Compasynge  by  what  maner  of  medytacyon 
She  myght  best  please  /  our  lorde  to  his  pay, 
Offerynge  her  persone  /  a  true  sacryfyce  euery  day  j     1776 
No  labour  her  greued  /  loue  was  so  f  eruent ; 
Her  body  vpon  erthe  /  her  soule  in  heuen  lent.  1778 

255 

Swete  /  comly  creatures  /  ladyes  euerychone,  1779 

Sekynge  for  pleasures  /  ryches  and  arayment, 
Blynded  by  your  beaute  /  and  synguler  affeccyon, 
Consyder  this  vyrgyn  /  humble  and  pacyent : 
A  spectacle  of  vertue  /  euer  obedyent ;  1783 

Beholde  how  she  hase  /  clerely  layde  away 
Her  royall  ryche  clothes  /  and  is  in  meke  aray.  1785 

256 

your  garment es  now  be  gay  and  glory ous,  1786 

Euery  yere  made  /  after  a  newe  inuencyon, 
Of  sylke  and  veluet  /  costly  and  precyous, 
Brothered  full  rychely  /  after  the  beest  facyon, 
Shynynge  lyke  angels  /  in  your  opynyon,  1790 

Where  lesse  wolde  suffyse  /  and  content  as  well 
As  all  that  great  cost  /  folowynge  wyse  counsell.  1792 

257 

A  playne  exsample  /  now  ye  may  take  1793 

Of  this  myghty  kynges  dough ter  dere, 
Whiche  for  the  loue  of  god  /  dyd  forsake 


HER   ONLY   LOVE    IS    CHRIST,    HER   SPOUSE.  69 

All  suche  vayne  pleasures  /  and  garmentes  clere ; 

She  gaue  herself  e  /  to  penaunce  and  pray  ere  :  1797 

"Wherfore,  fayre  ladyes  /  do  way  suche  vanyte, 

Prepare  your-selfe  /  to  vertue  and  humylyte  1  1799 

258 

Some  of  lowe  byrthe  /  excellynge  theyr  degre  1800 

Done  couet  to  haue  /  as  royall  ryche  vesture, 
Worldly  honours  /  also  the  sufferaynte, 
As  they  were  ladyes  /  by  lyne  of  nature : 
Of  dredefull  mysery  /  they  bere  the  fygure,  ICO 4 

Prowde  as  a  Pecocke  /  whelynge  full  bryght ; 
All  is  but  vanyte  /  contentynge  the  syght.  1806 

259 
Gloryous  vyrgyn  /  replete  with  synguler  grace,       1807 

Endowed  with  souerayne  gyftes  celestyall, 
Refusynge  voyde  pleasures  /  whan  thou  had  space, 
And  honours  transytory  /  whiche  hath  brought  in  thrall 
A  thousande  persones  /  in  ruyne  to  fall ;  1811 

A  myrrour  thou  arte  /  of  vyrgynall  clennes, 
Of  true  obedyence  /  and  perfyte  mejtenes.  1813 

260 

So  Werburge  professed  /  to  her  rule  full  ryght,  1814 

A  redolent  floure  /  all  viertue  to  augment, 
As  Lucyfer  shynynge  /  a  clere  lampe  of  lyght ; 
For  whome  her  spouse  /  god  sone  omnypotent, 
Shewed  many  myracles  /  to  euery  pacyent,  1818 

A  sygne  her  loue  was  /  supernaturall, 
Closed  in  our  lorde  /  by  grace  supernall.  1820 

261 

The  excellent  goodnes  /  of  this  moyhes,  1821 

And  fame  of  vertue  /  with  humylyte, 
Transcended  all  other  /  in  perfyte  holynes ; 
So  that  sundry  persones  /  approched  that  party 
For  ghostly  conforte  /  counsell  and  remedy.  1825 

Suche  as  to  her  came  /  pensyue  /  woo  /  and  sadde, 
Departed  ioyfull  /  in  soule  mery  and  gladde.  1827 


70  THE   LIFE   OF    ST'    AUDRY,    ABBESS    OF    ELY. 

262 

She  dayly  prouyded  /  for  ghostly  treasure  1828 

To  buylde  her  a  place  /  a  sure  mansyon, 

Euer  to  remayne  /  with  ioye  and  endure 

In  pleasure  perpetuall  /  without  corrupcyon : 

Whiche  she  optayned  by  her  deuocyon  1832 

After  this  departure  /  to  reygne  as  a  presydent 

In  eterne  blys  /  with  god  omny potent.  1834 


V  d.  lytell  treatyse  of  the  lyfe  of  saynt  Audry,  aobesse  of  Ely  / 
and  of  her  holy  couersacyon  and  great  deuocyon  /  wider 
whome  saynt  Werburge  was  made  nonne  /  and  professed. 
Ca.  xviii. 

263 
*7r~Hi.Q  yere  of  our  lorde  .vi.  C.  ix.  and  thyrty  1835 

Regned  saynt  Anna  /  kynge  of  eest-Englande  ; 
Whiche  maryed  saynt  Hereswith  /  of  the  North  party. 
They  had  noble  yssue  /  as  we  vnderstande  : 
Prynce  Aldulph  and  lurwyne  /  in  story  as  is  founde,    1839 
Saynt  Sexburge  the  quene  /  and  blessed  Audry, 
Saynt  Ethelberge  /  Withburge  /  — a  holy  progeny.       1841 

264 

This  blessed  Audry  /  called  Etheldred,  1842 

Of  two  great  kyngedomes  /  lynyally  descendynge, 
"Was  borne  in  Suffolke  /  as  sayth  saynt  Bede, 
In  a  lytell  vyllage  /  called  Exmynge.i  1  r-  Exnynge. 

This  noble  prynces  /  and  dere  derlynge,  1846 

With  many  great  vertues  /  of  grace  illumynate, 
Magnyfyed  her  parage  /  and  royall  astate.  1848 

265 

This  blessed  Audry  /  from  her  yonge  aege  1849 

Was  dysposed  euer  /  vnto  sadnes, 
Obedyent  lowly  /  vnto  her  parentage, 
Encreasynge  in  vertue  /  and  constaunt  sobrynes ; 
Worldely  pleasures  /  dysportes  /  and  wantonnes,  1853 


71 

Lyghtnes  of  language  /  and  all  presumpcyon 

In  this  sayd  vyrgyn  /  had  no  domynacyon.  1855 

266 

Sad  and  demure  /  she  was  in  countenaunce,  1856 

Nothynge  enclyned  /  vnto  f ragylyte  j 
Benynge  and  pacyent  /  without  perturbaunce, 
Meke  /  curteys  /  gentyll  /  full  of  humylyte ; 
Pryde  /  statelenes  /  and  sensualyte  18GO 

Were  not  in  her  fouwde  /  by  any  condycyon, 
Curteyse  in  byhauour  /  vnto  euery  persone.  1862 

267 

No  man  was  greued  /  nor  toke  dyspleasure  1863 

At  this  sayd  mayden  /  in  her  fathers  hall, 
Euery  honest  persone  /  and  reasonable  creature 
Were  pleased  with  her  /  bothe  one  and  all, 
None  dyscontent  /  pryuate  nor  generall ;  1867 

She  was  so  meke  /  and  full  of  pacyence, 
That  people  desyred  /  to  come  to  her  presence.  1869 

268 

She  was  beauteous  /  fayre  and  amyable,  1870 

Pleasaunte  to  beholde  /  in  gyftes  of  nature, 
Her  countenaunce  comly  /  swete  /  louely  /  and  stable ; 
Nothynge  dysposed  /  vnto  worldely  pleasure, 
More  lyke  an  angell  /  by  all  coniecture  1874 

Than  a  fragyll  mayde  /  of  sensuall  appetyte — 
For  in  vayne  pleasures  /  she  had  no  delyte.  1876 

269 

Whan  that  she  came  /  to  yeres  of  dyscrecyon,  1877 

Dyuers  her  moeued  /  in  way  of  maryage  ; 
Some  offered  ryches  /  royalte  /  and  renowne, 
Some  other  possessyons  /  landes  and  herytage, 
And  some  the  sufferaynte  /  her  mynde  to  asswage ;       1881 
All  these  she  refused  /  for  the  loue  of  Ihesu, 
To  whome  she  auowed  /  her  chastyte  full  tru,  1883 

270 
After  that  Yenus  /  had  her  longe  assay  led  1884 


72        AUDRY    IS    MARRIED    TWICE,    BUT    REMAINS    CHASTE. 

To  peruerte  her  mynde  /  to  worldly  affeccyon, 

And  of  all  nettes  and  engynes  /  therof  had  fayled, 

Than  came  to  her  presence  /  a  prynce  of  renowne, 

Called  duke  Tonibert  /  of  the  eest  regyon ;  1888 

Whiche  longe  desyred  /  to  haue  her  in  spousage, 

At  the  laste  optayned  /  the  wyll  of  her  parentage.         1890 

271 

Ynto  whiche  thynge  /  he  wolde  neuer  enclyne,  1891 

For  all  the  mocyon  /  of  her  hye  parentes, 
Tyll  she  was  assured  /  by  heuenly  doctryne 
To  kepe  her  vyrgynyte  /  clere  in  conscyens ; 
Than  she  consented  /  without  concupyscens,  1895 

And  with  the  sayd  duke  /  she  lyued  in  chastyte, 
Bothe  mayden  and  wyfe  /  almost  yeres  thre.  1897 

272 

After  whose  dethe  /  she  remayned  in  Ely,  1898 

In  fastynge  /  prayer  /  vygyls  /  and  penaunce — 
Whiche  place  was  gyuen  /  to   her  loynt  and  dowry 
By  Tombert  her  husbande  /  with  great  pleasaunce. 
This  yle  of  Ely  /  by  deuyne  purueaunce  1902 

"With  muddy  waters  /  is  compased  aboute, 
Theyr  enemyes  to  greue  /and  strongely  to  holde  out.    1904 

273 

Thyder  came  Egbyrct l  /  kynge  of  the  north  parte,       1905 
To  desyre  saynt  Audry  /  in  matrymony.  1  r-  Eafrid. 

To  whome  she  wolde  neuer  /  consent  in  herte, 
Eor  no  maner  counseyll  /  that  myght  be  done,  truly — 
Tho  her  syster  Sexburge  /  moeued  her  tenderly —         1909 
Tyll  the  angell  of  god  /  assured  her  to  be 
Quene  /  wyfe  /  and  mayde  /  kepynge  vyrgynyte.  1911 

274 

Than  Audry  graunted  /  maryed  for  to  be  1912 

Ynto  this  foresayd  /  noble  kynge  Egfryde. 
And  at  the  maryage  /  was  great  solempnyte, 
Tryumphes,  honoures  /  on  euery  syde ; 
Great  cost  and  royalte  /  they  dyd  prouyde.  1916 


AUDRY  ENTERS  CAN-WOD  ABBEY,  RETURNS  TO  ELY.   73 

Frome  Ely  departed  /  vnto  his  owne  place, 

In  the  North  parte  d  welly  nge  /  with  great  solace.         1918 

275 

By  the  grace  of  our  lorde  god  /  moost  of  myght,  1919 

And  helpe  of  his  mother  /  blessed  mayd  mary, 
By  prayer  of  Audry  /  and  by  myracle  ryght 
Togyder  they  lyued  /  bothe  in  pure  chastyte  : 
The  naturall  mocyon  /  of  his  lascyuyte  1923 

Was  shortly  slaked  /  and  feruent  desyre, 
By  myracle  /  as  water  quencheth  the  fyre.  1925 

276 

Whan  he  apperceyued  /  her  asured  constaunco,  1926 

Her  perfyte  holynes  /  and  chast  contynence, 
His  herte  reiosed  /  of  her  contynuaunce. 
Of  whome  she  desyred  /  with  humble  reuerenco 
And  synguler  supplycacyon  /  to  haue  fre  lysence  1930 

At  Canwod  abbay  /  to  enter  rely gy on ; 
Whiche  the  kynge  graunted  /  for  her  deuocyon.  1932 

277 

Saynt  Ebba,  syster  /  vnto  saynt  Oswolde,  1933 

Was  abbesse  and  ruler  /  of  that  congregacyon. 
Where  blessed  Audry  /  ryght  as  she  wolde, 
Was  reuerently  receyued  /  into  relygyon  ; 
And  after  the  yere  /  of  her  probacyon  1937 

Professed  there  was  /  by  bysshop  Wylfryde ; 
Where  all  worldly  honours  /  she  set  on  sjde.  1939 

278 

Frome  thens  she  departed  /  to  the  yle  of  Ely,  1940 

More  quyetly  to  lyue  /  out  of  busynesse, 
For  drede  of  the  kynge  /  her  husbande,  truly, 
Purposynge  to  take  her  /  frome  that  holynesse. 
She  toke  two  may  dens  /  with  her,  doubtlesse  ;  1944 

And  in  theyr  lournay  /  our  lorde  of  his  grace 
Shewed  dyuers  myracles  /  at  eche  restynge-place.          1946 

279 
The  archebysshop  of  yorke  /  Wylfryde,  her  confessour,  1947 


AUDRY,  ABBESS  OF  ELY,  BUILDS  A  NEW  MONASTEEY. 

Was  depryued  f rome  his  benefyce  /  by  the  kynge  cruelly ; 

Obserued  pacyence  /  laudynge  our  sauyour 

And  folowed  saynt  Audry  /  to  the  place  of  Ely — 

Whiche  (as  afore  is  sayd)  was  her  loynt  and  dowry —  1951 

And  electe  her  abbesse  /  on  that  congregacyon, 

Moost  worthy  to  be  /  for  her  holy  conuersacyon.  1953 

280 

Where  Audry  buylded  /  a  chyrche  of  our  lady,  1954 

With  helpe  of  kynge  Aldulph  /  her  brother  naturall, 
Dystaunt  a  myle  /  frome  the  olde  monastery 
Founded  by  saynt  Austyn  /  for  meryte  spyrytuall ; 
Whiche  place  all  desolate  /  she  edyfyed  full  specyall      1958 
By  her  prouysyon  /  an  other  noble  monastery, 
The  yere  of  grace  /  syxe  hundreth  seuenty  and  thre.     1960 

281 

Whan  the  werke  was  ended  /  as  her  wyll  was,  1961 

She  endowed  the  abbay  /  with  fraunches  and  lyberte 
And  gaue  the  hole  yle  of  Ely  /  to  that  place, 
With  all  commodytes  /  profettes  /  and  yssues,  fre 
Frome  all  exaccyons  /  exempte  clerely  to  be  1965 

Of  kynge  and  bysshop  /  confyrmed  it  at  Rome,  [1967 

With  all  prelates  &  prynces  /  consentynge  of  this  regyon. 

282 

In  short  tyme  and  space  /  to  Audry  dycl  resorte  1968 

Relygyous  men  and  women  /  a  great  company, 
Professed  in  that  place  /  for  theyr  ghostly  conforte, 
Renounsyrige  vayne  pleasures  /  &  honours  transsytory  ; 
Amonge  whome  saynt  Werburge  /  professed  solemply,    1972 
Promysed  in  audyence  /  to  lyue  a  lyfe  monestycall 
After  saynt  Benettes  rule  /  for  the  lyfe  eternall.  1974 

283  [1975 

Also  the  yere  of  grace  /  syxe  hundreth  seuenty  and  nyne 
In  the  moneth  of  lulii  /  in  the  nynth  kalendas 
To  heuen  departed  /  saynt  Audry  the  quene, 
Than  reygnynge  in  Kent  /  kynge  Lothary  by  grace, 


THE    LIFE   OF    ST>    SEXBURGE.  75 

Aldulph  in  eest-Englande  /  her  brother  whiche  was,     1979 
Kynge  Offryde 1  her  husbande  /  in  Northumberlande, 
Also  kynge  Ethelrede  /  than  reygnynge  in  Mercelande.   1981 

1  r.  Egfryde. 

IT  A  Irene  rehersal  of  y  lyfe  of  saynt  Sexburge  /  graund- 
mother  to  saynt  Werburge.  And  of  her  comynge  to  Ely 
to  her  syster  Audryfrom  Shepay  monastery.  Ca.  xix. 

284 
/7THe  holy  matrone  /  and  quene  saynt  Sexburge,         1982 

A  kynges  doughter  /  &  moder  to  kynges  twayne, 
Syster  to  saynt  Audry  /  &  graundmother  to  Werburge, 
Of  noble  parentage  /  is  comen,  certayne, 
Of  two  realmes  descendynge  /  lynyally  and  playne  :      1986 
By  her  father  /  from  the  realme  of  eest-Englande 
And  by  her  mother  /  frome  Northumberlande.  1988 

285 

Her  father  saynt  Anna  /  as  sayth  myne  auctour,  1989 

"Was  kynge  of  the  eest  parte  /  sone  to  Egnicius  ; 
Whiche  Anna  was  maryed  /  with  moche  honour 
To  Hereswith  /  dcughter  to  kynge  Herericius 
And  syster  to  saynt  Hylde  /  the  vyrgyn  gracyous ;       1993 
To  whome  saynt  Edwyn  /  the  gloryous  martyr, 
Kynge  of  Northumberlande  /  was  great-graundfather.   1995 

286 

This  sayd  kynge  Anna  /  lyued  a  longe  space  1996 

In  welthe  /  worshyp  /  honour  /  and  prosperyte 
With  his  quene  Hereswith  /  by  synguler  grace, 
Obseruynge  lustyce  /  pacyerice  /  and  equyte, 
Kepte  the  preceptes  /  of  god  almyghte,  2000 

Mercyfull  and  lyberall  /  to  the  poore  in  payne ; 
Whiche  kynge  by  Penda  /  was  murdred  and  slayne.      2002 

287 

As  the  ryuer  passeth  /  oftetymes  the  heed-fountayne,  2003 
The  lytell  graffe  or  ympe  /  transcendeth  the  tree, 
Lykewyse  theyr  chyldren  /  encresed,  certayne, 


SEXBUEGE    IS   MARRIED    TO   KING   ERCOMBERT   OF    KENT. 

In  mekenes  /  pacyence  /  and  perfyte  charyte 

Aboue  theyr  parentes  /  in  vertue  and  benygnyte  ;        2007 

So  that  theyr  name  /  lynage  /  and  hye  astate 

By  them  was  magnyfyed  /  praysed  and  decorate.  2009 

288 

Kynge  Anna  and  Hereswith  /  had  a  noble  yssue  :         2010 
Syxe  goodly  chyldren  /  pleasaunt  to  beholde — 
None  fayrer  in  this  lande  /  myndynge  all  vertue 
And  to  all  good  maners  /  dysposed  manyf olde ; 
yet  was  theyr  fayrenes  /  not  equall  to  be  tolde  2014 

To  theyr  deuocyon  /  and  synguler  goodnes ; 
Whose  names  expressed  /  ben  afore,  doubtles.  2016 

289 

Sexburge,  the  eldest  /  of  the  systers  all,  2017 

Instructe  by  her  parentes  /  in  vertuous  dyscyplyne, 
Eolowynge  theyr  counsell  /  in  herte  full  specyall 
Prepared  her  soule  /  after  theyr  doctryne 
Fer 1  aboue  the  age  /  of  so  yonge  a  femynyne  ;  1  p-  For-  2021 
So  that  euery  day  /  by  grace  and  wysdome 
In  her  dyd  growe  /  some  plant  of  deuocyon.  2023 

290 

In  all  this  realme  /  dylated  was  her  fame  ;  2024 

That,  whan  she  approched  /  vnto  lawf  ull  aege, 
Prynces  /  dukes  /  erles  /  herynge  of  her  name 
Desyred  to  haue  Sexburge  /  in  maryage, 
And  busyly  laboured  /  vnto  her  parentage.  2028 

This  mayd  was  maryed  /  with  honour  full  excellent 
Vnto  Ercombert  /  the  noble  kynge  of  Kent.  2030 

291 

To  whome  kynge  Ethelbryct  /  graundfather  was,          2031 
The  fyrst  chrysten  kynge  J  of  Saxons  and  chef e  floure, 
Baptysed  by  saynt  Austyn  /  thrughe  heuenly  grace ; 
He  was  to  holy  chyrche  /  a  specyall  benefactour  : 
Monasteryes  and  pryores  /  founded  with  great  honoure.  2035 
Kynge  Eadbalde  his  sone  /  exemple  of  hym  toke, 
Whiche  was  father  to  Ercombert  /  as  sayth  my  boke.  2037 


SEXBURGE' s  CHILDREN.     HER  VIRTUOUS  LIFE.         77 

292 

This  lady  Sexburge  /  cyrcumfulsed  with  grace,  2038 

After  her  desyre  /  and  vertuous  entent 
Had  leuer  the  monastery  /  than  the  fayre  palace, 
The  chyrche  to  vysyte  /  than  with  maryage  be  lent ; 
But  to  her  parentes  /  she  was  euer  obedyent,  2042 

Folowynge  theyr  counseyll  /  and  of  her  frendes  dere 
In  lawfull  maryage  /  toke  the  sayd  kynge  her  fere.       2044 

293 

A  noble  generacyon  /  she  hadde  by  the  kynge  :  2045 

Egbryct  and  Lothary  /  two  prynces  prepotent, 
And  two  holy  doughters  /  in  vertue  shynynge, 
Ermenylde  and  Erkengode  /  by  lynyall  descent. 
This  Ermenylde,  maryed  /  with  honour  equyualcnt       2049 
Ynto  kynge  Vulfer  /  had  a  royall  yssue  : 
The  glory ous  Werburge  /  replete  with  vertue.  2051 

294 

Her  syster  Erkengode  /  refused  vtterly  2052 

Honours  /  worshyp  /  and  worldly  possessyon, 
Ryches  /  maryage  /  and  pleasures  transytory, 
Went  vnto  Fraunce  /  with  humble  deuocyon, 
At  the  Cytee  of  Burges  /  entred  relygyon,  2056 

Where  Ethelberge  her  aunt  /  was  ruler  and  abbesse ; 
Togyder  they  lyued  /  in  perfyte  holynesse.  2058 

295 

This  honorable  Sexburge  /  and  blessed  matrone,  2059 

Refusynge  worldly  honours  /  and  solempnyte 
Preferred  mekenesse  /  and  perfyte  deuocyon 
Aboue  all  ryches  /  power  and  dygnyte, 
Auoyded  ambycyon  /  obserued  humylyte,  20 G3 

Ypon  poore  people  /  euer  had  compassyon 
And  them  releued  /  with  due  mynystracyon.  2065 

296 

She  made  her  palace  /  manytymes  an  hospytall,  2066 

Her  pryuate  cubycle  /  a  deuoute  oratory  ; 
As  a  kynde  mother  amyable  /  in  courte  and  in  hall 


78 


SEXBUEGE    ENTERS    SHEPPEY   MONASTERY. 


Mekely  f  ulfylled  /  the  seuen  werkes  of  mercy ; 
Oftetymes  in  the  chyrche  /  selde  amonge  company ;      2070 
yet  euer  whan  she  myght  /  haue  tyme  and  space, 
Magnyfyed  and  praysed  /  our  lorde  in  secrete  place.      2072 

297 

She  instructe  her  husbande  /  in  ghostly  vertu,  2073 

To  great  lolynesse  /  and  synguler  perfeccyon. 
So  by  her  counseyll  /  with  the  grace  of  Ihesu 
Frome  infydelyte  /  purged  was  that  regyon  ; 
Destroyed  theyr  ydolles  /  theyr  sectes  euerychone,         2077 
Restaured  temples  /  vnto  chrystes  honour, 
Founded  monasteryes  /  by  her  cost  and  labour.  2079 

298 

The  kynge  by  her  mocyon  /  commaunded  stray tly         2080 
All  his  people  and  subiectes  /  vpon  sharpe  correccyon 
To  obserue  prayer  /  and  penaunce  deuoutely 
And  truly  for  to  fast  /  the  holy  tyme  of  Lenton. 
The  archbysshop  Theodorus  /  and  fathers  of  relygyon,  2084 
Consyderynge  her  pacyence  /  and  benygnyte 
Reioysed  in  her  dedes  /  and  praysed  the  trynyte.          2086 

299 

Whan  the  famous  Ercombert  /  the  sayd  kynge  of  Kent,  2087 
Foure  &  twenty  yere  had  reygned  /  in  honour  full  royall 
"With  blessed  Sexburge  /  his  quene  excellent, 
Than  he  departed  /  frome  this  lyf e  mortall. 
The  quene  prepared  /  the  obsequyes  funerall,  2091 

With  great  lamentacyon  /  and  great  royalte, 
As  was  conuenyent  /  for  his  state  and  degre.  2093 

300 

After  that  Sexburge  /  refused  worldely  pleasure,  2094 

Entred  relygyon  /  professed  chastyte, 
At  Shepay  monastery  /  in  Kent  full  sure, 
Buylded  at  her  cost  /  full  honorable. 

After  electe  Abbesse  /  and  ruler  of  that  companye  ;     2098 
To  whome  she  was  /  a  myr^our  of  mekenes 
And  exemple  of  vertue  /  and  proued  holynes.  2100 


SEXBURGE  BECOMES  ABBESS  OF  ELY  AFTER  ST'  AUDRY.   79 
301 

As  she  was  occupyed  /  in  medytacyon,  2101 

An  heuenly  messanger  /  to  her  was  sent, 

Shewynge  how  for  synne  /  and  transgressyon 

Englande  shulde  suffer  /  great  punysment 

And  be  subdued  /  with  greuous  torment.  2105 

Wherfore  she  lefte  /  in  good  rule  that  place 

And  dyd  electe  to  them  /  an  other  abbace.  2107 

302 

Sexburge  toke  lycence  /  of  her  systers  all,  2108 

Commendynge  them  /  vnto  the  trynyte, 
And  so  departed  /  fro  her  chyldren  spyrytuall ; 
With  labour  attayned  /  to  the  hous  of  Elye, 
There  to  be  subiecte  /  to  Her  syster  Audrye  2112 

And  to  her  doctryne  /  apply  her  entent, 
Vnto  relygyon  /  euer  founde  obedyent.  2114 

303 

Saynt  Audry  was  gladde  /  of  her  systers  comynge  ;      2115 
In  lyke  maner  /  were  all  the  hole  congregacyon, 
With  myrthes'  and  solace  /  in  soule  reioysynge 
To  haue  the  presence  /  of  so  worthy  a  persone. 
There  lyued  togyder  /  in  perfyte  deuocyon,  2119 

Tyll  blessed  Audry  /  frome  this  lyfe  mortall 
Departed  was  /  to  the  lyfe  eternall.  2121 

304 

After  whose  buryall  /  Sexburge  was  electe  2122 

To  be  abbesse  and  ruler  /  ouer  that  couent. 
Whiche  to  all  vertue  /  her  mynde  dyd  erecte ; 
And  the  .xvi.  yere  after  /  with  labours  dylygent 
She  translate  saynt  Audry  /  that  noble  presydent,        2126 
Beynge  hole  incorrupte  /  also  substancyall 
In  body  and  in  vesture  /  by  grace  supernall.  2128 


80  ERMENILDE   ALSO   ENTERS    ELY   MONASTERY. 

IT  How  saynt  Ermenylde  after  the  dethe  of  kynge  Vulfer,  her 
husbaude,  was  made  a  nonne  at  Ely  /  vnder  her  motfier 
saynt  Sexburge  abbesse  /  and  Werburge  her  deuoute 
daughter.  Ca.  xx. 

305 
/tTNF  Mercyews  the  kynge  /  whan  the  foresayd  Vulf ere 

Had  regned  in  honour  /  worshyp  and  royalte       [2129 
With  saynt  Ermenylde  his  quene  /  fully  .xvii.  yere, 
Ynto  euerlastynge  blysse  /  departed  than  he 
And  buryed  was  /  with  moche  solempnyte  2133 

In  Lychefelde  chyrche.  /  after  hym  there  dyd  succede 
In-to  the  kyngdome  /  his  brother  Ethelrede.  2135 

306 

The  quene  for  her  husbande  /made  great  lamentacyon,  2136 
Dolefully  lamentynge  /  nyght  and  day  his  departure, 
As  nature  enquyred  /  endurynge  a  longe  season, 
Remayned  in  wydohode  /  and  mournynge  vesture ; 
yet  after  all  heuynesse  /  penaunce  /  and  dysconfyture    2140 
She  reioysed  in  soule  /  to  be  at  lyberte, 
Entendynge  relygyon  /  by  grace  of  the  trynyte.  2142 

307 

Soone  she  departed  /  to  the  hous  of  Ely,  2143 

"Refusynge  this  worlde  /  pleasures,  possessyon, 
Instauntly  requyred  /  with  perfyte  humylyte 
To  be  a  moynes  /  accepte  in  relygyon. 

Gladde  was  the  abbesse  /  of  her  conuersyon  2147 

And  thanked  our  lorde  /  of  his  specyall  grace ; 
So  dyd  all  the  systers  /  within  the  sayd  place.  2149 

308 

Her  naturall  mother  /  blessed  Sexburge,  2150 

That  tyme  was  lady  /  and  chef e  presydent ; 
There  was  professed  /  her  doughter  Werburge, 
An  exemple  of  mekenes  /  to  all  the  couent. 
Ermenylde  thanked  god  /  and  was  obedyent  2154 


HER  LIFE  AT  ELY,  WITH  HER  MOTHER  AND  DAUGHTER.       81 

To  her  mother  Sexburge  /  a  myrrour  of  vertu, 

Also  to  her  doughter  /  the  spouses  of  Ihesu.  2156 

309 

It  passeth  mannes  reason  /  playnly  to  expresse  2157 

Her  vertuous  lyfe  /  and  ghostly  conuersacyon, 
In  prayer  /  penaunce  /  and  proved  mekenesse, 
In  perfyte  obedyence  /  and  synguler  deuocyon, 
In  vygyls  /  abstynence  /  and  in  hye  perfeccyon,  2161 

The  cotydyane  labours  /  her  body  to  chastyce, 
That  her  soule  may  be  /  to  god  true  sacryfyce.  2163 

310 

Bycause  that  "Werburge  /  in  order  was  senyoure,          2164 
Her  mother  Ermenylde  /  gaue  her  the  sufferaynte, 
Preferrynge  her  doughter  /  with  mekenes  and  honoure ; 
But  yet  her  doughter  /  of  a  naturall  amyte 
Preferred  her  mother  /  with  humble  senyoryte  ;  2168 

And  so  bytwene  them  /  was  a  -swete  contencyon 
Wheder  shulde  more  subiecte  be  /  to  other  in  relygyon.  2170 

311 

Afore,  whan  Ermenylde  /  was  vnder  maryage,  2171 

Ynto  holy  matrones  /  she  was  comparable  : 
Sara  /  Rebecca  /  Rachell  /  and  Sybell  sage, 
And  saynt  Elysabeth  /  with  other  mo  honorable ; 
Now  in  relygyon  /  she  is  moost  notable,  2175 

Knowen  by  her  vertues  /  and  sadde  dysposycyon 
What  vnder  matrymony  /  was  her  intencyon.  2177 

312 

Ermenylde  subdued  /  by  synguler  deuyne  grace  2178 

All  fragyll  mocyons  /  and  sensualyte, 
Lyke  maner  as  ludyth  /  Olof ernes  slayne  hace ; 
She  mortyfyed  all  pleasures  /  lustes  and  volupte, 
Lykewyse  as  laell  /  dyd  the  pry  nee  Sysare ;  2182 

A  duches  of  vertue  /  as  whylom  was  Delbora ; 
Ysed  the  oratory  /  in  prayer  as  dyd  Anna.  2184 

313 
After  the  departure  /  and  wofull  buryall  2185 


82         ERMENILDE    IS    MADE   ABBESS   AFTER   ST     SEXBURGE. 

Of  Sexburge,  her  mother  /  abbesse  and  lady, 

Her  doughter  Ermenylde  /  the  blessed  monyall, 

Was  chosen  abbesse  /  and  ruler  of  Ely — 

As  sheweth  dan  Wyllyam  /  of  Maluysbury  2189 

How  fyrst  was  Audry  /  than  Sexburge,  her  syster, 

Afterwarde  was  abbesse  /  Ermenylde,  her  doughter.     2191 

314 

The  lyfe  of  Ermenylde  /  was  euer  vertuous,  2192 

Pleasaunt  to  god  /  and  her  systers  euerychone  ; 
In  the  syght  of  god  /  her  dethe  was  precyous, 
Playnly  notyfyed  /  by  her  conuersacyon. 
She  vertuously  gouerned  /  her  congregacyon,  2196 

Frorne  this  lyfe  departed  /  to  eternall  glory, 
As  sayth  her  legende  /  the  Idus  of  February  ;  2198 

315 

And  buryed  was  /  with  moche  lamentacyon  2199 

In  the  holy  monastery  /  and  house  of  Ely 
Amonge  her  parentage  /  and  congregacyon ; 
Where  she  is  shryned  /  with  her  aunt  saynt  Audry 
And  with  her  mother  /  saynt  Sexburge  rychely  ;  2203 

For  whome  our  sauyour  /  of  his  specyall  grace 
Sheweth  dayly  myracles  /  in  that  sayd  place.  2205 

316 

One  of  the  myracles  /  we  shall  now  rehers  2206 

Our  lorde  for  her  shewed  /  at  Ely  abbay 
After  her  translacyon  /  the  story  dothe  expres. 
It  fortuned  in  Whytson  weke  /  vpon  a  thursday, 
An  Englysshman  was  bounden  /  in  wofull  aray,  2210 

Fetered  with  yrons  /  bothe  on  handes  and  fete, 
Wrongfully  accused  /  as  ye  may  all  wete.  2212 

317 

By  instaunt  request  /  he  gate  hym  lycence  2213 

To  vysyte  the  tombe  /  of  saynt  Ermenylde. 
Whome  he  requyred  /  with  humble  reuerence 
And  meke  petycyon  /  frome  the  herte  full  mylde, 
To  be  delyuered  /  and  fully  reconsylde.  2217 


MIRACLES   OF    ST<    ERMENILDE  :    FETTERS    BROKEN.  83 

Whose  humble  desyre  /  and  synguler  supplycacyon 

Was  fully  graunted  /  to  his  consolacyon.  2219 

318 

At  this  tyine  /  whan  this  holy  man  was  prayenge,         2220 
Whan  the  Deken  redde  the  holy  gospell, 
By  meane  of  Ermenylde  /  to  our  lorde  and  kynge 
Frome  his  handes  and  fete  /  the  yrons  done  fell, 
By  grace  aboue  nature  /  merueylously  to  tell,  2224 

That  the  sayd  yrons  /  in  syght  of  all  the  bretherne 
Sprange  vp  sodenly  /  and  lyght  vpon  the  aulter.  2226 

1F  Aliud  miraculum. 

319 

7^  IS"  other  myracle  /  declare  now  may  we,  2227 

Done  at  the  sayd  Ely  /  by  this  holy  matrone, 
In  presence  of  the  pryor  /  and  all  the  fraternyte, 
Whiche  pryor  of  this  mater  /  had  best  notycyon. 
A  scole-mayster  of  Innocentes  /  after  the  custome         2231 
Gaue  lysence  /  vpon  saynt  Ermenyldes  day 
To  all  his  chyldren  /  to  sport  them  in  play.  2233 

320 

Whan  the  feest  /  and  solempnyte  was  done,  2234 

The  yonge  tender  chyldren  /  wanton  and  neclygent, 
Dredynge  theyr  mayster  /  for  fere  of  correccyon 
To  the  holy  shryne  /  they  assembled  full  dylygent, 
Trustynge  therby  of  pardon  /  after  theyr  entent,          2238 
Desyred  theyr  mayster  /  for  saynt  Ermenyldes  sake 
To  pardon  theyr  trespas  /  and  no  dyspleasure  take.       2240 

321 

The  mayster,  fulfylled/  with  hastynes  and  enuy,1 1  p-  euny-  2241 
Toke  them  frome  the  tombe  /  with  great  indygnacyon, 
Without  dyscrecyon  /  punysshed  them  greuously, 
Gyuynge  no  honour  /  to  the  saynt  ne  deuocyon 
Rebuked  them  sore  /  sayenge  with  insultacyon  : 
'  Trowe  ye  to  be  spared  /  from  punyshment  this  day 
For  saynt  Ermenyldes  sake  ?  /  nay,  nay,  do  way !  '        2247 

G  2 


84  A   SCHOOLMASTER   LAMED   AND    RESTORED. 

322 

After  all  this  done  /  the  nexte  nyght  folowynge,  2248 

Whan  the  sayd  mayster  /  to  his  bedde  was  gone, 

His  great  vnkyndenes  /  saynt  Ermenylde  remembrynge 

Rewarded l  hym  Justly  /  after  his  guerdon  :         l  p-  Rewamed. 

His  handes  and  his  fete  /  prompte  to  persecucyon,         2252 

Were  sodenly  smytten  /  made  lame  /  contracte  also ; 

No  power  had  to  ryse  /  to  moeue  nor  to  go.  2254 

323 

This  sodayne  punysshement  /  langour  /  confusyon         2255 
Vexed  hym  greuously  in  all  his  body, 
Moost  terryble  of  all  /  of  helthe  desperacyon 
Inwardly  hym  troubled  /  with  peynes  horryble. 
But  yet  by  grace  /  he  thought  best  remedy  2259 

Sende  for  his  chyldren  /  vpon  the  other  day, 
Humble  asked  them  pardon  /  in  a  wofull  aray;  2261 

324 

Desyrynge  his  scolers  /  for  loue  and  charyte  2262 

To  cary  hym  moost  caref  ull  /  to  her  sepulture, 
To  requyre  for  hym  grace  /  helthe  and  prosperyte 
Of  god  and  saynt  Ermenylde  /  with  all  theyr  cure. 
They  toke  hym  tenderly  /  ye  may  me  leue  full  sure,     2266 
Amonge  them  all  /  with  mynde  dylygent 
And  brought  to  the  shryne  /  this  wretched  impotent.   2268 

325 

They  prayed  for  hym  /  to  our  blessed  sauyour  2269 

And  to  saynt  Ermenylde  /  a  longe  tyme  and  space, 
Knelynge  on  theyr  knees  /  wepynge  full  sore, 
In  prayer  and  psalmody  /  for  his  helthe  and  solace : 
And  so  contynuynge  /  by  our  lordes  great  grace 
He  that  afore  was  lame  /  bothe  on  fote  and  hande, 
Restored  to  helthe  /  departed  hole  and  sounde.  2275 


ST'    WERBURGE   MADE    PRINCIPAL   OP   ALL   NUNRIES.        85 

IT  How  kynge  Ethelrede,  seynge  the  holy  conuersacyon  of 
Werburge,  his  nece  /  made  her  lady  and  abbesse  at 
Wedon  /  Trentam  /  and  Hambury.1  And  by  her 
counseyll  and  exsample  was  made  monke  at  Bardeney 
allay.  Ca.  xxi.  1  p-  Humbmy. 

326 
'TT'He  famous  prynce  /  and  foresayd  Ethelrede,  2276 

Brother  to  kyug  Yulfer  /  as  lawfull  enherytour 
To  the  sayd  kyngedome  /  dyd  nexte  hym  succede, 
Electe  of  his  peeres  /  with  worshyp  and  honour, 
Penny tted  by  his  chyrche  /  to  be  theyr  gouernour,       2280 
Bycause  prynce  Kenrede  /  his  brother  sone, 
"Was  yonge  and  not  able  /  to  rule  his  kyngdome.  2282 

327 

This  sayd  kynge  Ethelrede  /  clerely  consyderynge         2283 
With  due  cyrcumstaunce  /  the  hye  perfeccyon 
Of  Werburge,  his  nece  /  and  vertuous  lyuynge, 
Her  great  holynesse  /  and  ghostly  conuersacyon, 
Dayly  encresynge  /  with  feruent  deuocyon,  2287 

The  excellent  fame  /  and  myracles  full  ryght 
Shewed  by  our  sauyour  /  bothe  day  and  nyght :  2289 

328 

These  good  exsamples  /  grounded  in  vertu,  2290 

Moeued  kynge  Ethelrede  /  in  soule  and  in  mynde  : 
And  clerely  conuerted  /  throwe  the  grace  of  Ihesu 
To  despyse  this  worlde  /  wretched  and  blynde, 
Pryncypally  by  grace  /  wry  ten  as  we  fynde,  2294 

For  her  great  goodnes  /  and  vertues  excellent 
He  made  her  lady  /  ruler  /  and  presydent  2296 

329 

Ouer  all  the  nonnes  /  of  euery  monastery  2297 

"Within  his  realme  /  to  gouerne  and  to  guyde, 
To  instructe  and  informe  /  and  to  exemplyfy, 
To  encrese  deuocyon  /  vpon  euery  syde, 
Yertue  to  exalte  /  to  subdue  vyce  and  pryde ;  2301 


86   WERBURGE  FOUNDS  TRENTHAM,  HANBURY,  AND  WEDON. 

That  holy  relygyon  /  pleasaunt  to  chryst  Ihesu, 

Myght  dayly  encrese  /  frome  vertu  to  vertu.  2303 

330 

Also  he  gaue  Werburge  /  great  possessyon,  2304 

Landes  /  and  rentes  /  ryches  withall, 
To  edyfy  and  repayre  /  places  of  relygyon 
After  her  desyre  /  with  fauour  specyall. 
"Wherwith  she  buylded  /  famous  memoryall  2308 

Two  fayre  monasteryes  /  Trentam  and  Hambury,1  l  P-Humbmy. 
Possessed  with  rentes  /  landes  /  and  lyberte.  2310 

331 

Also  by  sufferaunce  /  of  the  sayd  kynge,  truly,  2311 

She  translate  the  kynges  maner  of  Wedon, 
Whiche  was  in  Hamptonshyre  /  vnto  a  monastery 
Of  holy  women  /  obseruynge  relygyon, 
Suffycyently  endowed  /  with  lybertes  /  possessyon.        2315 
Of  whiche  sayd  places  /  she  had  the  gouernaunce, 
As  worthy  maystres  /  all  vertue  to  auaunce.  2317 

332 

The  yere  of  grace  /  syxe  hundreth  foure  score  and  nyen, 
As  sheweth  myne  auctour  /  a  Bryton  Giraldus,  [2318 

Kynge  Ethelred  /  myndynge  moost  the  blysse  of  heuen, 
Edyfyed  a  collage-chyrche  /  notable  and  famous 
In  the  subbarbes  of  Chester  /  pleasaunt  and  beauteous,  2322 
In  the  honour  of  god  /  and  the  Baptyst  saynt  lohan, 
With  helpe  of  bysshop  Yulfryce  /  and  good  exortacyon.  2324 

333 

Also  at  the  humble  /  and  synguler  supplycacyon  2325 

Of  blessed  Egwyn  /  bysshop  of  worcestur, 
This  kynge  gaue  a  place  /  for  a  f undacyon 
To  buylde  a  monastery  /  to  relygyous  brethur 
At  Eusam  vpon  Auen  /  for  heuenly  tresur,  2329 

With  a  large  precynct  /  to  compas  all  the  abbay, 
More  quyetly  to  serue  /  our  sauyour  nyght  and  day.     2331 

334 
After  this  tyme  /  Ethelrede  the  kynge  2332 


K.    ETHELEED   FOESAKES    THE   WOELD.  87 

By  his  counseyll  maryed  /  a  beautefull  lady, 

Called  quene  Ostryde  /  a  woman  of  good  lyuynge, 

Borne  in  the  North  parte  /  doughter  to  kynge  Oswy — 

To  whome  saynt  Oswalde  /was  vncle,  truly.  2336 

The  yssue  bytwene  them  /  after  to  succede 

Was  a  noble  prynce  /  nomynate  Colrede.  2338 

335 

Agaynst  his  enemyes  /  the  kynge  gate  vyctory,  2339 

Fortunate  in  batayle  /  sore  oppressed  Kent. 
In  all  this  regyon  /  famous  was  his  chyualry  j 
Namely  he  subdued  /  at  the  water  of  Trent 
Egfryde  of  Northumberlande  /  a  kynge  auncyent,         2343 
His  brother-in-lawe  /  whan  Egfryde  agaynst  reason 
Entred  his  landes  /  by  subtyll  intrusyon.  2345 

336 

But  after  that  Ostryde  /  his  quene,  was  slayne  2346 

By  people  of  the  North  parte  /  moost  cruelly, 
The  kynge  frome  that  tyme  /  by  grace,  certayne, 
Chaunged  his  maners  /  and  lyuynge  dayly 
Frome  temporall  cures  /  and  busynesse  worldly  2350 

To  ghostly  werkes  /  and  contemplacyon, 
Sekynge  for  heuen  /  with  pure  deuocyon.  2352 

337 

Specyally  he  folowed  /  saynt  Werburge  counsell,  2353 

Ysynge  hym  after  /  her  swete  ghostly  doctryne ; 
The  clere  exsamples  /  as  we  afore  dyd  tell, 
Moeued  his  conscyence  /  to  ghostly  dyscyplyne 
With  suche  contrycyon  /  by  specyall  grace  deuyne,       2357 
That  all  vayne  pleasures  /  and  honours  transytory 
Were  clere  expulsed  /  and  put  out  of  memory.  2359 

338 

This  kynge  refused  /  his  septre  and  crowne,  2360 

Clothes  of  Tyshew  /  and  purpull  full  royall, 
With  ryches  /  lybertes  /  pleasures  /  possessyon, 
For  the  loue  of  Ihesu  /  in  herte  pryncypall 1  /     J  p-  pryncaypaii. 
And  for  the  meryte  /  of  his  soule-helth'e  withall.  2364 


88        ETHELRED  BECOMES   MONK  AND  ABBOT  OF  BARDNEY. 

So  whan  he  had  reygned  /  nyne  and  twenty  yere, 

He  chaunged  his  habyte  /  sayth  the  story  clere;  2366 

339 

At  a  relygyous  place  /  nomynate  Bardenay,  2367 

In  Lyncolne-shyre  /  vnder  his  domynyon, 
Synguler  byloued  /  of  hym  alway, 
Desyred  the  habyte  /  with  meke  supplycacyon 
And  was  receyued  /  professynge  relygyon,  2371 

Euer  after  to  obserue  /  the  essencyals  thre  : 
Obedyence  /  chastyte  /  and  wylfull  pouerte.  2373 

340 

He  assygned  his  crowne  /  and  temporall  dygnyte          2374 
Ynto  prynce  Kenrede  /  his  brother  sone, 
As  true  enherytour  /  to  haue  regalyte. 
For  in  pure  obedyence  /  prayer  and  medytacyon 
Ethelrede  encresed  /  with  feruent  deuocyon ;  2378 

And  as  declareth  /  wyllyam  of  Maluysbury, 
After  was  made  abbot  /  of  the  sayd  monastery.  2380 


11  The  holy  conuersacyon  of  Tcynge  JZenred,  brother  to  saynt 
Werburge  /  &  how  he  refused  his  crowne  /  and  was  made 
monke  at  Rome  /  &  ther  departed  a  holy  confessour. 
Ca.  xxii. 

341 

whan  kynge  Etheldrede  /  by  heuenly  grace  2381 

At  Bardenay  abbay  /  professed  relygyon, 

Than  prynce  Kenrede  /  his  successour  was 

And  toke  the  Empyre  /  the  septre  and  the  crowne 

With  moche  worshyp  /  royalte  /  and  renowne,  2385 

As  nexte  of  inherytaunce  /  by  law  naturall 

To  be  kynge  of  Mercyens  /  by  dyscent  lynyall.  2387 

342 

This  noble  kynge  Kenrede  /  replete  with  vertu,  2388 

Brother  to  Werburge  /  obserued  truly 

The  commaundymentes  of  god  /  &  his  lawes  moost  tru, 


K.  KENRED  ENDOWS  EVESHAM  AND  CEDES  IT  TO  THE  POPE.  89 

Obedyent  to  our  sauyour  /  and  lorde  almyghty, 

Loued  holy  chyrche  /  moost  tenderly,  2392 

Mynystred  lustyce  /  to  his  subiectes  all, 

Mercy  full  to  the  poore  /  pyteous  and  lyberall.  2394 

343 

In  all  his  realme  /  was  no  dyuersyte,  2395 

Malyce  was  subdued  /  rancour  and  debate, 
Vertue  encreased  /  true  loue  and  charyte, 
Enuy  was  exyled  /  and  all  pryuy  hate ; 
Thefte  /  murthur  /  robry  /  were  founde  at  no  gate,       2399 
True  men  myght  lyue  /  without  vexacyon ; 
Pollers  /  promoters  had  no  domynacyon.  2401 

344 

He  gaue  to  our  sauyour  /  and  bysshop  Egwyn  2402 

For  ghostly  meryte  /  with  moche  honoure 
Of  tenementes  and  landes  /  playnely  to  determyne, 
Within  worcetur-shyre  .iiii.  score  and  foure, 
To  maynteyne  the  monastery  /  spoken  of  before,  2406 

Euesham  vpon  Auen  /  byfore  lawfull  wytnes, 
As  the  legende  of  Egwyn  /  truly  dothe  expres.  2408 

345 

To  the  courte  of  Borne  /  kynge  Kenred  went;  2409 

So  dyd  Offa  kynge  /  of  the  eest-Saxons, 
Also  bysshop  Egwyn  /  by  one  assent, 
Deuoutly  to  vysyte  /  all  the  hole  stacyons 
Of  the  cytee  of  Home  /  with  humble  supplycacyons,     2413 
Thankyuge  our  lorde  /  of  his  mercy 
Hath  them  preserued  /  and  all  theyr  company.  2415 

346 

This  holy  bysshop  /  and  kynge  Kenrede  2416 

Offered  to  our  holy  father  /  pope  boneface 
With  mekenes,  deuocyon  /  for  ghostly  mede 
Afore  his  collage  /  wytnes  in  that  case, 
The  foresayd  monastery  /  and  relygyous  place,  2420 

Erome  that  day  euer  after  /  to  be  clerely  exempte, 
To  the  popes  holynes  /  immedyatly  obedyent.  2422 


90   KENKED'S  DONATION  CONFIRMED  BY  A  *  SEYN  '  (SYNOD). 

347 

Whan  they  had  optayned  /  perfyte  expedycyon  24.23 

Of  all  theyr  bulles  /  after  theyr  entent, 
They  toke  lycence  /  and  had  the  popes  beneson, 
And  towarde  Englawde  /  retourned  and  went, 
Praysynge  our  lorde  /  with  herte  and  loue  feruent         2427 
For  theyr  good  spede  /  and  prosperous  lournay, 
Preserued  in  good  helthe  /  all  to  theyr  countray.  2429 

348 

After  all  this  done  /  Kenrede  the  sayd  kynge  2430 

Commaunded  to  be  had  /  a  counseyll  generall, 
By  letters  myssyue  /  his  peeres  and  lordes  cytyoge 
Shortly  to  be  present  /  with  hym,  one  and  all, 
As  well  the  spyrytualte  /  as  the  temporalL  2434 

The  Seyn  was  kepte  /  at  a  place  called  Alue, 
And  thyder  assembled  /  his  prelates  of  degre.  2436 

349 

Berthtunaldus  /  the  archebysshop  of  Canturbury,  2437 

The  archbysshop  of  yorke  /  called  "Wylfryde, 
"With  bysshops  /  suffreganes  /  archdekens  many, 
Dukes  /  erles  /  barons  /  vpon  euery  syde, 
Knyghtes  /  esquyers  /  and  comunes  that  tyde  2441 

Were  redy  to  knowe  /  the  kynges  mynde  and  pleasure, 
Well  ordred  in  place  /  and  scylence  kepte  sure.  2443 

350 

This  glory ous  Kenrede  /  crowned  with  golde,  2444 

Clothed  in  purpull  /  rose  vp  fro  his  place, 
After  due  salutacyon  /  the  cause  mekely  he  tolde 
Why  he  for  them  sende  /  and  wherfore  it  was : 
That  they  shulde  testyfy  /  with  hym  in  this  case  2448 

What  landes  he  gaue  /  towarde  the  f  undacyon 
Of  the  sayd  monastery  /  with  grete  deuocyon,  2450 

351 

And  how  for  that  abbay  /  he  went  to  Home  2451 

And  made  the  place  subiecte  /  immedyatly 
To  our  father  boniface  /  and  gate  an  exempcyon 


KENRED  ABDICATES  AND  ENTERS  A  MONASTERY  AT  ROME.    91 

For  euer  to  remayne  /  to  the  sayd  monastery, 

"With  pardons  and  pryuy leges  /  there  redde  openly,       2455 

And  many  other  benefytes  /of  great  commodyte, 

Wryten  in  theyr  grauntes  /  who  lyst  them  to  se;          2457 

352 

Requyrynge  the  lordes  /  spyrytuall  and  temporall         2458 
To  graunte  to  the  same  /  with  good  entent 
And  it  to  confyrme  /  and  roborate  specyall 
With  charters  and  dedes  /  and  seales  patent. 
To  whose  petycyon  /  they  dyd  all  consent,  2462 

Made  confyrmacyons  and  grauntes  them  amonge, 
"With  a  terry  ble  sentence  /  who  do  the  the  place  wronge.  2464 

353 

Kynge  Kenrede,  consyderynge  /  the  great  holynes        2465 
Of  his  noble  parentes  /  his  vncles  euerychone, 
Theyr  royall  progeny  /  the  sufferaunt1  goodnes,     1  r>  sufferane. 
From  this  lyf e  transytory  /  to  heuen  agone ; 
Namely  the  vertue  /  and  feruent  deuocyon  2469 

Of  his  syster  Werburge  /  and  his  auntes  all 
Moeued  his  mynde  /  to  seke  for  lyfe  et email :  2471 

354 

And,  as  saynt  Bede  sayth  /  whan  this  noble  kynge       2472 
Had  regned  fyue  yere  /  in  great  prosperyte, 
He  forsoke  this  worlde  /  and  chaunged  his  lyuynge, 
Eefusynge  his  crowne  /  septre  /  and  dygnyte, 
All  vayne  honours  /  ryches  and  regalyte,  2476 

And  made  his  vncles  sone  /  pry  nee  Coelrede, 
To  take  his  empyre  /  after  hym  to  succede.  2478 

355 

So  with  all  gentylnes  /  and  humylyte  2479 

The  kynge  of  his  subiectes  /  toke  leue  specyall, 
Commendynge  his  people  /  to  the  trynyte 
Them  to  conserue  /  spyrytuall  and  temporall. 
Of  his  departure  /  dolorous  were  they  all.  2483 

Thus  for  the  loue  /  of  our  sauyoure 
He  refused  this  worlde  /  pleasures  and  honoure.  2485 


92     WEEBURQE  CONSECRATED  ABBESS  BY  BISHOP  SEXWULFUS. 

356 

And  went  to  Home  agayne  /  the  yere  of  grace  2486 

Seuen  hundreth  and  eyght  /  by  full  computacyon, 

Vysytynge  the  stacyons  /  frome  place  to  place ; 

There  was  professed  /  to  saynt  Benettes  relygyon, 

Ysed  vygyls  /  fastynges  /  prayer  /  medytacyon ;  2490 

Where  this  holy  monke  /  frome  this  lyfe  transytory 

With  vertu  departed  /  to  eternall  glory.  2492 


1T  Of  Y  feruent  &  ghostly  deuocyon  of  saynt  Werlurge  /  & 
vertuous  gouernaunce  of  her  places  \&ofy  great  humi- 
lite  she  vsed  to  her  sisters  /  &  al  other  creatures. 
Ca.  xxiii. 

357 

/7THis  venerable  Werburge  /  &  moynes  gracyous, 
For  her  great  vertue  /  and  perfyte  holynesse 
Electe  to  be  gouernour  /  ouer  the  nonnes  relygeous 
By  her  vncle  kynge  Ethelrede  /  of  his  goodnesse 
Ouer  dyuers  monasteryes  (as  is  sayd)  expresse, 
Was  consecrate  abbesse  /  and  lady  gracyous 
By  the  bysshop  of  Lychefelde  /  nomynat  Sexwulfus.    2499 

358 

And  thus  she  departed  /  fro  the  hous  of  Ely, 
Wherin  she  vsed  /  heuenly  medytacyon, 
With  lycence  optayned  /  in  mynde  sad  and  heuy ; 
So  were  the  systers  /  and  all  the  congregacyon 
Of  her  departure  /  knowynge  her  conuersacyon ; 
But,  as  wolde  charyte  /  they  had  great  gladnes, 
Knowynge  by  her  vertue  /  relygyon  to  encres. 

359 

The  spouses  of  Ihesu  /  and  floure  of  benygnyte 
Consyderynge  her-selfe  /  a  lady  and  presydent, 
Ordered  her  monasteryes  :  ryght  well  and  wysele, 
Receyued  in  systers  /  chast  /  humble  /  obedyent, 
Oner  them  made  rulers  /  vertuous  /  and  pacyent,  2511 


2493 


2497 


2500 


2504 


2506 


2507 


HOW  SHE  GOVERNS  HER  SISTERS  BY  HER  OWN  EXAMPLE.    93 

Her  subiectes  to  instructe  /  and  counseyll  day  and  nyght, 
Vertue  to  exalte  /  and  vyce  depryue  aryght.  2513 

360 

This  noble  abbesse  /  remembrynge  her  duty,  2514 

"What  charge  it  is  /  to  rule  a  congregacyon, 
Humble  requyred  /  the  grace  of  god  almyghty 
And  dylygently  prepared  /  to  supple  her  rowme ; 
Pryncypally  she  gaue  /  to  them  euerychone  2518 

Perfyte  exsample  /  of  vertue  in  her  dede, 
With  vertuous  doctryne  /  the  same  to  precede.  2520 

361 

A  myrrour  of  mekenesse  /  she  was  to  them  all,  2521 

A  floure  of  chastyte  /  and  well  of  clennes, 
The  fruyte  of  obedyence  /  in  her  was  specyall ; 
Refusynge  vayne  pleasures  /  honours  and  ryches 
Content  with  lytell  /  an  exsample  of  lowlynes  2525 

As  dothe  belonge  /  vnto  wylf ull  pouerte ; 
Pryde  had  no  resydence  /  but  all  humylyte.  2527 

362 

She  was  a  mynyster  /  rather  than  a  maystres,  2528 

Her  great  preemynence  /  caused  no  presumpcyon ; 
She  was  a  handmayd  /  rather  than  a  pryores, 
Seruynge  her  systers  /  with  humble  subieccyon ; 
Subduynge  her  body  /  to  penaunce  and  afflyccyon,         2532 
Subiecte  to  the  soule  /  as  reason  wolde  shulde  be, 
A  true  sacryfyce  /  offered  to  the  trynyte.  2534 

363 

It  was  no  merueyll  /  tho  all  her  couent  2535 

Ynder  suche  a  ruler  /  encreased  in  vertu, 
Seynge  her  exsample  /  afore  them  dayly  present, 
Euer  augmentynge  /  throwe  the  helpe  of  Ihesu ; 
"Worldy  desyres  /  she  clerely  dyd  subdue ;  2539 

She  neuer  ware  lynon  /  by  day  or  by  nyght, 
All  ryche  vayne  vestures  /  she  set  by  them  but  lyght.  2541 

364 
In  prayer,  medytacyon  /  the  tyme  she  dyspent,  2512 


94 


HER   HUMILITY,    PIETY,    ABSTINENCE,    ETC. 


Proued  : ,  for  euery  nyght  /  longe  afore  matyns 
She  x  wolde  vpryse  /  at  an  houre  conuenyent 
And  deuoutely  say  /  afore  our  lordes  presens 
Dauyd  spalter  holly  knelynge  /  with  great  reuerence, 
Or  that  her  systers  /  came  to  the  oratory 
To  say  dyuyne  seruyce  /  fyndynge  her  all  redy. 

365 

At  after  matyns  /  she  vsed  contemplacyon, 
Contymially  abydynge  /  vnto  the  day-lyght 
Prostrate  on  the  grounde  /  or  knelynge  in  deuocyon, 
Wepynge  full  tenderly  /  with  teeres  downe  ryght ; 
Many  holy  oraysons  /  she  sayd  day  and  nyght ; 
Pyteous  /  mercyable  /  and  full l  of  charyte 
To  the  poore  people  /  in  theyr  necessyte. 

366 

This  lady  obserued  /  suche  sharpe  abstynence 
That  one  dayly  repast  /  wolde  her  well  suffyse  ; 
Delycate  dysshe  meetes  /  were  put  out  of  her  presence ; 
So  nature  were  content  /  in  moost  humble  wyse, 
The  "Wbrde  of  god  /  was  moost  delycate  seruyse ; 
Myndynge  moche  more  /  the  soule  to  satysfy 
Than  please  and  content  /  her  enemy,  the  body. 

367 

These  sayd  exemples  /  with  many  other  mo 
Pleasaunte  vnto  Ihesu  /  she  taught  her  couent, 
Them  to  preserue  /  frome  theyr  mortall  f o, 
By  synguler  vertue  /  grace  to  augment. 
Her  precepte  and  lyuynge  /  were  euer  corespondent, 
She  neuer  commaunded  syster  /  do  any  thynge 
But  it  was  f ulfylled  /  in  her  owne  doynge. 

368 

She  exorted  her  chyldren  /  euer  to  deuocyon, 
With  manyf  olde  doctrynes  /  ydlenes  to  exchewe  ; 
Lyke  a  tender  mother  /  had  pyte  and  compassyon, 
She  dayly  fedde  them  /  and  nourysshed  in  all  vertue, 
And  dylygently  prayed  /  our  sauyour  Ihesu  2574 


1  T.  The. 


2546 


2548 


2549 


2553 

1  P.  fulll. 

2555 
2556 


2560 


2562 


2563 


2567 


2569 


2570 


CAUSES  THE  LEGENDARY  AND  VITAS  PATKUM  TO  BE  BEAD.  95 

Them  to  preserue  /  of  his  inf  ynyte  grace 

Frome  peryll  of  peryshynge  /  in  blysse  to  se  his  face.  2576 

369 

Also  the  .xii.  degrees  /  of  humylyte,  2577 

Pacyence  /  quyetnes  /  and  great  perfeccyon 
"Were  well  obserued  /  with  true  loue  and  charyte, 
Amonge  her  systers  /  the  hole  congregacyon ; 
And  the  thre  essencyals  /  of  relygyon  :  2581 

Wylf  ull  pouerte  /  chastyte  /  and  obedyence, 
were  truly  fulfylled  /  proued  by  the  consequence.          2583 

370 

As  for  a  pastyme  /  amonge  her  systers  all  2584 

She  caused  to  be  redde  /  auoydynge  ydlenesse, 
The  swete  legendary  /  for  a  memoryall, 
And  Yitas  patrum  /  shewynge  great  swetenesse, 
"With  other  narracyons  /  of  grace  and  goodnesse.  2588 

Ofttymes  to  her  couent  /  she  had  a  comyn  sayenge : 
*  Please  god  and  loue  hym  /  and  doubte  ye  nothynge.'    2590 

371 

All  reders  excuse  me  /  tho  I  can  not  expresse  2591 

For  lacke  of  lernynge  /  the  vertues  morall, 
The  hye  perfeccyon  /  and  proued  holynesse 
Of  this  pure  vyrgyn  /  and  sanctymonyall, 
"Wherwith  was  decorate  /  her  lyfe  monestycall,  2595 

Manyfest  with  myracles  /  by  meryte  of  her  mekenesse, 
As  the  true  hy story  /  playnly  dothe  expresse.  2597 

372 

The  worthy  myracles  /  of  this  vyrgyn  pure  2598 

Dylated  were  /  thrugh  all  this  regyon, 
By  deuyne  sufferaunce  /  aboue  nature, 
Profytable  /  to  euery  chrysten  synguler  persone ; 
In  sekenesse  /  trouble  /  peyne  or  vexacyon  2602 

Of  her  they  haue  refuge  /  helpe  /  and  socoure 
By  her  merytes  /  and  prayer  /  that  euery  honoure  (!).  2604 

373 
Her  merytes  were  /  moche  more  commendable  2605 


96       MIRACLES.       GEESE  WASTING  THE  FIELDS  OF  WEDON. 

Than  were  her  myracles —  /  manyfest  and  playne  : 

For  why  by  her  merytes  /  famous  and  notable 

Sygnes  and  myracles  /  Tv^re  shewed  full  playne, 

In  the  house  of  Ely  /  by  grace  of  our  sufferayne          2609 

And  in  euery  place  /  where  she  kepte  resydence. 

Of  whome  parte  folowen  /  in  this  rude  sentence.  2611 

T[  How  at  Wedon  wylde  gees  were  pynned  by  her  commaundy* 
ment  /  &  also  releshed  &  put  at  lylerte.  Ca.  xxiiii. 

374 
'TTHis  holy  vyrgyn  /  whan  she  dwelled  at  Wedon,      2612 

In  Northamptonshyrn  /  with  a  deuoute  couent — 
Whiche  place  somtyme  /  was  the  kynges  mansyon, 
Translated  to  an  abbay  /  by  her  commaundyment — 
A  myracle  was  done  /  by  this  noble  presydent,  2616 

As  the  true  legende  /  playnly  dothe  vs  say 
And  all  the  inhabytauntes  /  vnto  this  present  day.       2618 

375 

A  great  multytude  /  somtyme  of  wylde  gees —  2619 

Comunely  called  Gauntes —  /  made  great  destruccyon  x 
Ypon  her  landes  /  pastures  /  waters  /  and  f eldes,  1  p-  descrypcyon. 
Deuourynge  the  comes  /  and  fruytes  of  Wedon, 
Greuous  to  her  subiectes  /  within  that  possessyon  ;       2623 
The  people  coude  fynde  /  no  suffycyent  remedy, 
But  shewed  theyr  complaynte  /  to  Werburge  theyr  lady. 2 6 25 

376 

Whan  Werburge  had  herde  /  this  greuous  complayne  2626 
How  the  comes  were  wasted  /  J)e  tenauntes  hurte  therby, 
Her  herte  was  moeued  /  with  charyte  than,  certayne, 
To  saue  her  fruytes  /  and  helpe  her  company ; 
Wherfore  she  commaunded  a  seruaunt  go  hastely          2630 
To  dryue  those  wylde  gees  /  &  brynge  home  to  her  place, 
There  to  be  pynned  /  and  punysshed  for  theyr  trespace.2632 

377 
The  messanger  merueyled  /  and  mused  in  his  mynde     2633 


WERBURGE  BIDS  A  SERVANT  DRIVE  THEM  TO  HEU  HOUSE.    97 

Of  this  straimge  message  /  stode  styll  in  a  study, 

Knowynge  it  well  /  it  passed  course  of  kynde 

Wylde  gees  for  to  pynne  /  by  any  mannes  polycy, 

Syth  nature  hath  ordeyned  /  suche  byrdes  to  fly ;          2637 

Supposynge  his  lady  /  had  ben  vnreasonable 

Commaundynge  to  do  /  a  thynge  vnpossyble.  2639 

378 
With  wordes  of  conforte  /  she  sayd  to  hym  agayne  :    2640 

*  Go  in  my  name  /  do  my  commaundyment.' 

The  seruaunt  went  forth  /  thynkynge  all  but  vayne, 

Ynto  the  foldes  /  where  the  byrdes  were  lent, 

And  sayd  his  message  /  with  mynde  and  good  entcnt :  2644 

*  My  lady  commaundes  you  /  byrdes  euerychone, 

Afore  me  to  go  /  vnto  her  proper  mansyone.'  2646 

379 

A  merueylous  thynge  /  transcendynge  nature :  2647 

Vnto  his  wordes  /  the  gees  were  obedyent, 
Not  one  departed  /  fro  thens,  ye  may  be  sure, 
Of  all  the  nombre  /  that  there  were  present ; 
Towarde  her  place  /  afore  hym  they  went,  2651 

Mekely  /  as  yf  they  had  reason  naturall ; 
Vnto  her  presence  /  he  brought  the  gauntes  all.  2653 

380 

Dredefully  darynge  /  comen  now  they  be,  2654 

Theyr  wynges  traylynge  /  entred  into  the  hall, 
For  great  confusyon  /  after  theyr  kynde  and  propryte, 
Mournynge  in  theyr  maner  /  abydynge  one  and  all 
Her  wyll  and  Judgment  /  with  mercy  specyall  j  2658 

Lamentynge  all  nyght  /  there  in  captyuyte 
Tyll  the  morowe  after  /  withouten  lyberte.  2660 

381 

All  that  same  nyght  /  Werburge  dyd  contynue  2661 

In  deuoute  prayers  /  and  ympnes  celestyall, 
After  her  olde  custome  /  vsed  in  all  vertue. 
In  the  mornynge  after  /  the  byrdes  that  were  thrall 
With  hye  voyces  (as  yf  it  were)  on  her  dyd  call  2665 

H 


98        SHE  RESTORES  TO  THE  GEESE  A  MISSING  COMPANION", 

For  grace  and  pardon  /  of  theyr  offence, 

And  of  departure  /  to  haue  fre  lycence.  2667 

382 

Than  she,  full  pyteous  /  to  euery  creature,  2668 

Ypon  these  byrdes  hauynge  compassyon 
Delyuered  them  /  frome  all  daunger  and  cure, 
Frely  to  departe  /  vnder  this  condycyon 
That  none  of  them  /  vpon  the  lordshyp  of  Wedon         2672 
Shulde  make  destruccyon  /  nor  lyght  by  any  way 
On  comes  or  fruytes  /  neuer  after  that  day.  2674 

383 

Neuertheles  a  seruaunt  /  one  of  the  gees  dyd  take        2675 
And  pryuely  hydde  it  /  agaynst  iustyce  and  ryght, 
Ynknowynge  to  Werburge  /  suche  brybry  to  make. 
The  byrdes  departed  /  moost  glad  to  take  theyr  flyght, 
From  theyr  tender  ludge.  /  but  whan  they  sawe  in  syght 
One  of  theyr  felawes  /  taken  frome  theyr  company,     [2679 
The  sayd  great  nombre  /  of  gees  retourned  hastely.      2681 

384 

They  flewe  ouer  /  this  blessed  vyrgyns  hall  2682 

Mournynge  and  waylynge  /  after  theyr  entent, 
And  wolde  not  departe  /  but  fast  on  her  dyd  call — 
yet  they  durst  not  lyght  /  for  drede  of  her  commaundyment — 
But  in  theyr  maner  &  kynde  they  sayd  /  '  o  swete  presydent, 
Why  suffer  ye  suche  wyckednes  /  done  for  to  be          [2686 
Anendes  our  felawe  /  agaynst  all  ryght  and  chary te  ? '  2688 

385 

Werburge  went  fyrst  /  to  knowe  wherfore  and  why      2689 
These  byrdes  retourned  /  so  hastely,  certayne. 
By  grace  she  perceyued  /  the  cause  of  it,  truly, 
And  tryed  out  the  truthe  /  of  all  the  mater  playne. 
She  restaured  the  byrde  /  to  his  felyshyp  agayne,         2693 
And  gaue  them  a  lesson  /  or  they  went  her  fro, 
How  they  shulde  pray se  /  theyr  maker  an d  suff erayne,    2695 
Sayenge  (benedicite  volucres  celi  domino). 


WHICH  HAD  ALREADY  BEEN  BOASTED.      ANOTHER  MIRACLE  :    99 

386 

But,  as  Wyllyam  Maluysbury  /  sheweth  expresse,         2697 

The  goos  that  was  taken  /  and  stollen  afore  away, 

Was  rested  and  eten  /  the  same  nyght,  doubtlesse ; 

So  whan  it  was  asked  /  for  vpon  the  other  day,          i  r.  after 

The  bare  bones  were  broughft]  /  afor1  this  lady,  veray  :  2701 

And  there  by  the  vertue  /  of  her  benedyccyon 

The  byrde  was  restaured  /  and  flewe  away  full  soone.    2703 

387 

Certaynly,  frome  that  tyme  /  vnto  this  present  day,     2704 
As  all  the  people  knowe  /  dwellynge  aboute  Wedon, 
The  foresayd  wylde  gees  /  attempten  by  no  way 
To  hurte  theyr  fruytes  /  ne  lyght  in  that  possessyon. 
No  merueyll  it  is  /  remembrynge  the  deuocyon  2708 

And  true  loue  she  had  /  to  god  omnypotent : 
For  vnto  vertue  /  all  thynge  is  obedyent.  2710 

1T  How  a  tyraunt  without  pyte  punyshynge  an  Innocent  was 
punyshed  /  &  after  made  hole.     Ca.  xxv. 

388 
jCOrther  to  declare  /  the  pacyence  andhumylyte         2711 

And  'the  synguler  grace  /  grounded  in  this  abbas, 
As  in  the  true  legende  /  playnly  ye  may  se 
"We  shall  parte  rehers  /  to  augment  your  solas. 
Werburge  had  a  seruaunte  /  whiche  named  was  2715 

Alnotus,  a  man  /  of  meke  conuersacyon, 
Knowen  by  his  merytes  /  after  due  probacyon.  2717 

389 

Also  a  baylyfe  she  had  /  a  cruell  tyraunt ;  2718 

Whiche  pyteously  punysshed  /  without  reason 
And  wounded  greuously  /  Alnot,  her  seruaunt, 
Without  any  greuaunce  /  at  the  place  of  Wedon. 
Werburge  for  pyte  /  and  great  compassyon  2722 

Afore  this  caytyfe  /  kneled  on  her  knee, 
Prayenge  hym  to  cease  /  for  loue  of  the  trynyte ;          2724 

H  2 


HER    '  BAILIF       IS    PUNISHED    FOE    HIS    CRUELTY, 
390 

Sayenge  :  '  why  does  thou  punysshe  /  this  innocent,     2725 

Causeles,  without  mercy  /  whiche  I  byleue  playne 

Is  more  acceptable  /  to  our  lorde  omnypotent 

Than  many  other  be  /  for  his  mekenesse,  certayne  ?  * 

The  baylyfe  at  her  prayer  /  wolde  not  refrayne,  2729 

But  punysshed  hym  styll  /  in  his  fury  and  pryde  ; 

Tyll  the  vengeaunce  of  god  /  fell  on  hym  that  tyde.     2731 

391 

Incontynente  his  heed  /  his  necke  /  and  his  face  2732 

Were  tourned  backwarde  /  lyke  a  persone  monstruous, 
Contrary  to  nature  /  for  his  great  trespace, 
Crucyate  with  sorowe  /  and  peynes  hyduous, 
Contynually  encreasynge  /  to  beholde  pyteous.  2736 

At  the  last  remembred  /  of  the  best  remedy : 
Fell  prostrate  to  the  fete  /  of  Werburge,  his  lady,         2738 

392 

And  cryed  vpon  her  /  with  wofull  chere,  2739 

Wepynge  /  lamentynge  /  his  great  inyquyte : 
1  My  louely  lady  /  and  maystres  moost  dere, 
Helpe  me,  swete  abbesse  /  in  this  necessyte  ! 
I  haue  offended  god  /  now  pray  for  me,  2743 

And  I  wyll  neuer  /  endurynge  all  my  lyfe 
Dysplease  no  more  /  man  /  mayde  /  ne  wyfe.'  2745 

393 

Whan  Werburge  consydered  /  his  great  contrycyon,     2746 
His  woofull  herte  /  and  lamentable  crye, 
Vpon  hym  she  had  /  tender  compassyon  ; 
Beholdynge  his  greuaunce  /  and  tender1  agony,     ir>  terrible? 
'  Good  brother/  she  sayd  /  '  who-so  wyll  haue  mercy     2750 
Must  be  mercyable  /  as  in  prouerbe  wryten  is  j 
Who  is  without  mercy  /  of  mercy  shall  mys.  2752 

394 

*  Call  vnto  mynde  /  thy  owne  wycked  dede  2753 

In  puny  shy  nge  this  poore  man  /  without  offence ; 
To  se  his  punyshment  /  my  herte  sore  dyd  blede, 


A  MIRACLE  SAVES  WERBURGE  FROM  BEING  OPPRESSED.     101 

I  kneled  afore  thy  fete  /  desyrynge  indulgence ; 

Thou  toke  no  regarde  /  to  my  prayer  ne  presence,         2757 

Wherfore  the  lustyce  /  of  god  almyghty 

Vpon  the  is  fallen  /  for  thy  synne  soday[n]ly.'  2759 

395 

Whan  she  had  ended  /  her  ghostly  exortacyon,  27CO 

Perceyuynge  hym  penytent  /  with  great  humylytc, 
Gladde  to  amende  /  vyce  and  transgressyon, 
Anone  vnto  prayer  /  she  went  with  charyte, 
Opteyned  forgyuenesse  /  of  the  blessed  trynyte  :  2764 

His  fysnamy  /  restaured  to  his  kynde  agayne, 
Bothe  bodyly  and  ghostly  /  cured  was,  certayne.  2766 

396 

This  forsayd  Alnotus  /  by  synguler  grace  2767 

Refused  this  worlde  /  pleasures  and  vanyte, 
Went  vnto  wyldernesse  /  and  anchoryte 1  was.  i  p.  macboryte. 
Whome  theues  martyred  /  to  heuen  blysse  went  he, 
At  Stow  besyde  Bukbrydge  /  buryed  was,  trule ;  2771 

For  whome  our  lorde  /  of  his  infynyte  goodnes 
Shewed  many  myracles  /  affyrmynge  his  holyncs.          2773 

51  How  dyuers  prynces  folowynge  sensualyte,  intendynge  to 
violate  this  vyrgyn  bi  power  /  bi  myracle  were  put  to 
confusyon.  Ca.  xxvi. 

397 

7^1  Nother  sygne  was  shewed  /  by  the  kynge  of  blys    2774 
Of  a  wanton  prynce  /  folowynge  sensualyte 

And  his  fragyll  appetyte  /  in  doynge  amys ; 

Entendynge  by  vyolence  /  power  /  and  auctory te 

To  depryue  Werburge  /  of  her  vyrgynyte,  2778 

Espyed  a  season  /  to  fulfyll  his  entent, 

Whan  she  was  solytary  /  and  no  man  there  present.     2780 

398 

By  force  than  he  began  /  this  mayd  to  assayle.  2781 

But  she  trustynge  in  god  /  to  be  her  protectour, 

Escapynge  his  presence  /  cast  her  sacrat  vayle 


)2   ANOTHER  TIME  AN  OAK-TREE  OPENS  TO  CONCEAL 

For  lyghtnesse  and  ease  /  to  fle  from  the  traytour : 

The  sonne-beame  receyued  it/whiche  hanged  that  houre.2785 

Whiche  myracle  sene  /  the  prynce  fledde  away  ; 

That  vyrgyn  was  preserued  /  by  grace  that  day.  2787 

399 

If  An  other  myracle  /  was  done  in  Kent  2788 

In  the  vyllage  of  Hoo  /  yet  full  memorous. 
A  sensuall  prynce  /  of  wycked  consent 
Purposed  to  maculate  /  this  vyrgyn  gloryous, 
Consyderynge  her  persone  /  so  fayre  and  beauteous  ;    2792 
Taryed  the  season  /  to  fynde  her  solytary, 
By  power  to  oppresse  /  this  gracyous  lady.  2794 

400 

Whan  the  tyme  was  comen  /  he  thought  conuenyent,   2795 
After  her  f uryously  /  he  ranne  a  fast  pace. 
She,  knowynge  his  mynde  /  and  x  vnchast  entent,        i  P.  add 
Seynge  no  remedy  /  by  man  in  that  place 
Called  to  our  sauyoure  /  for  his  helpe  and  grace,  2799 

Sayenge  :  '  blessed  lorde  /  for  thy  endeles  py te 
Defende  me  this  daye  /  and  saue  my  chastyte  1 '  2801 

401 

And  as  she  fledde  /  frome  this  cruell  persone,  2802 

She  ranne  for  socour  /  to  a  great  oke-tree. 
By  grace  the  sayd  tree  /  opened  that  same  season, 
Sufferynge  this  mayd  /  to  haue  sure  and  fre  entree ; 
"Wherby  she  escaped  his  /  wycked  tyrannye.  2806 

Whiche  tree  to  this  day  /  endurynge  all  the  yere 
By  myracle  is  vernaunte  /  fresshe  /  grene  /  and  clere.  2808 

402 

Of  the  sayd  oke-tree  /  is  a  famous  opynyon  :  2809 

That  no  man  may  entre  /  the  sayd  concauyte 
In  deedly  synne  bounden  /  without  contrycyon ; 
But  in  clene  perfyte  lyfe  /  who-soeuer  he  be, 
May  entre  the  sayd  oke  /  with  fre  lyberte.  2813 

And  nygh  to  that  place  /  a  chyrche  is  now  dedycate 
In  the  honour  of  god  /  and  werburge  immaculate.        2815 


SHE    CURES    MANY   SICK   FOLK   WHO    VISIT   HER.  103 

403 

IT  Many  other  myracles  /  our  blessed  sauyonr  2816 

Shewed  for  this  vyrgyn  /  of  his  goodnes, 

Conforte  to  the  people  /  in  sekenes  and  langour 

That  to  her  wyll  seke  /  in  theyr  dystresse. 

Her  excellent  vertue  /  and  great  holynesse  2820 

By  sygnes  and  myracles  /  were  dayly  manyf est 

To  many  a  creature  /  with  peynes  opprest.  2822 

404 

The  fame  wherof  sprange  /  so  fast  aboute,  2823 

Notyfyed  playne  /  in  all  this  regyon  : 
The  people  approched  /  withouten  doubte 
To  knowe  her  blessed  /  and  holy  conuersacyon 
And  of  these  myracles  /  to  haue  probacyon,  2827 

By  the  syght  wherof  /  they  myght  all  gloryfy 
With  ioy  and  gladnesse  /  our  lorde  god  almyghty.         2829 

405 

There  was  no  sekenesse  /  nor  infyrmyte  2830 

That  mankynde  had  /  nor  vexacyon, 
But  by  her  prayer  /  and  humylyte 
Makynge  for  them  /  to  our  lorde  intercessyon 
They  were  restaured  /  to  helthe  and  saluacyon  2834 

All,  by  the  meryte  /  of  this  vyrgyn  pure, 
A  synguler  refuge  /  vnto  euery  creature.  2836 

406 

To  the  dombe  was  gyuen  /  speche  and  language,  2837 

To  blynde  theyr  syght  /  to  defe  theyr  herynge, 
To  halte  and  lame  people  /  helthe,  in  euery  aege, 
By  deuyne  grace  /  and  her  ghostly  lyuynge. 
The  people  approchynge  /  nygh  to  her  in  dwellynge,     2841 
By  cally[n]ge  to  her  /  in  the  name  of  Ihesu 
Had  theyr  petycyon  /  by  her  synguler  vertu.  2843 

407 

Some  other  that  were  /  fully  possessed  2844 

"With  wycked  spyrytes  /  vexynge  the  mynde, 
Or  with  sekenes  incurable  /  myserably  greued, 


HER  APPROACHING  END. 


By  her  dayly  prayer  /  aboue  course  of  kynde 

Of  theyr  dyseases  /  they  shulde  remedy  fynde,  2848 

And  from  her  departe  /  in  soule  with  gladnesse 

Whiche  to  her  came  /  sory  in  peyne  and  wretchednes.  2850 


1T  How  saynt  Werburge  gaue  knowlege  to  her  systers  of  her 
departure,  &  how  she  ordered  in  vertue  her  sayd  monas- 
teryes  afore  her  dethe.     Ca.  xxvii. 
408 

'TTHis  blessed  abbesse  /  and  vertuous  floure,  2851 

The  well  of  clennes  /  and  humylyte, 

Called  to  mynde  /  the  wordes  of  our  sauyour 

Rehersed  by  Mat  he  we  /  in  his  euangely  : 

*  The  vyctoryall  crowne  /  of  eterne  glory  2855 

Is  gyuen  to  them  /  that  be  redy  eche  houre, 

Wysely  attendynge  /  whan  they  be  sende  fore.'  2857 

409 

This  texte  was  euer  /  in  her  memoryall,  2858 

Prompte  alway  redy  /  as  a  true  spouses 

To  wayte  on  her  spouse  /  whan  he  wyll  call, 

Her  lampe  replete  /  with  oyle  of  mekenes. 

Synguler  gyftes  /  she  had  of  chrystes  goodnes  :  2862 

Inspyred  with  the  spyryte  /  of  prophecy, 

Secrete  thynges  to  come/  knowynge  therby.  2864 

410 

She  knewe  the  season  /  was  hastely  comynge  2865 

Of  her  departure  /  fro  this  lyfe  mortall. 

Wherfore  she  ordred  /  sadly  euery  thynge 

Within  her  monasteryes  /  and  charges  spyrytnall, 

Yysytynge  her  couent  /  with  her  presence  personall      2869 

Gaue  knowlege  to  them  /  that  soone  and  hastely 

She  shulde  departe  /  frome  this  lyfe  transytory.  2871 

411 

Afore  her  were  called  /  the  systers  of  yche  place,          2872 

And  were  apoynted  /  who  shulde  succede 


SHE  ORDERS  HER  BODY  TO  BE  BURIED  AT  HANBUBY.   105 

After  to  be  gouernour  /  ruler  /  and  abbesse 

To  the  pleasure  of  god  /  and  theyr  ghostly  mede ; 

Specially  commendynge  /  vertue,  as  we  rede,  2876 

What  meryte  they  shall  haue  /  of  god  almyghty 

In  spyrytuall  cures  /  that  done  well  theyr  duty.  2878 

412 

All  other  offycers  /  within  eche  monastery  2879 

Were  assygned  by  Werburge  /  theyr  presydent, 
And  vnder  obedyence  /  charged  full  depely 
Theyr  offyce  to  execute  /  vertue  to  augment, 
For  the  synguler  profyte  /  of  all  the  couent.  2883 

She  gaue  to  yche  place  /  landes  and  possessyon 
Suffycyently  to  serue  /  all  the  cougregacyon.  2885 

413 

Whan  she  had  ordeyned  /  eche  place  in  charyte,  2886 

Dyschargynge  her  conscyence  /  chargynge  them  all 
To  obserue  relygyon  /  with  perf yte  humylyte 
After  her  exemple  /  and  doctryne  pryncypall, 
She  had  perf  yte  knowlege  /  by  grace  supernatural!      2890 
Her  body  shulde  rest  /  in  the  place  of  Hamburgens 
After  her  departure  /  by  deuyne  prouydens.  2892 

414 

Wherfore  she  commaunded  /  the  couent  of  Hambury  2893 
Wysely  to  attende  /  with  all  theyr  dylygence 
Vpon  the  ende  /  of  her  lyfe  transytory, 
Wheresoeuer  it  be  /  to  come  with  benyuolence 
And  incontynent  take  /  her  body  with  reuerence          2897 
And  brynge  it  shortly  /  vntp  theyr  monastery, 
There  to  be  tumylate  /  after  her  desydery.  2899 

415 

As  it  pleaseth  our  lorde  /  and  celestyall  sufferayne       2900 
To  sende  to  his  seruaunte  /  his  vysytacyon — 
The  day  was  apoynted  /  the  houre  incertayne 
Of  her  departure  /  frome  worldly  vexacyon  : 
The  messanger  of  dethe  /  the  ende  of  trybulacyon,      2904 


106  WERBURGE    TEACHES   HER    SISTERS. 

Oppressed  this  lady  /  moost  worthy  fame 

Ryght  at  her  monastery  /  noniynat  Trentame.  2906 

416 
She  thanked  her  maker  /  sayenge  day  and  nyght          2907 

*  Well-come  be  the  vysytacyon  /  of  god  almyghty.' 
She  called  her  systers  /  present  afore  her  syght, 
Her  entente  rehersynge  /  to  them  tenderly, 

Desyrynge  all  them  /  to  folowe  dylygently  2911 

The  lawes  of  god  /  with  honour  and  reuerence 

And  to  her  counseyll  /  to  gyue  fully  credence  ;  2913 

417 
Sayenge  :  'dere  byloued  systers  /  in  our  sauyour,         2914 

0  spyrytuall  chyldren  /  my  derlynges  moost  dere, 
Whiche  haue  refused  /  all  worldly  honour 

To  serue  our  lorde  /  with  herte  and  mynde  clere, 
Suffer  no  synne  /  in  your  soule  to  apere,  2918 

But  wasshe  it  away  /  by  bytter  contrycyon, 
With  prayer,  penaunce  /  and  true  confessyon.  2920 

418 

*  And  trust  ye  well,  your  true  obedyence,  2921 
your  chast  lyuynge  /  and  wylfull  pouerte, 

your  dayly  prayers  /  vygyls  /  and  abstynence 

That  ye  haue  obserued  /  her  vnder  me, 

Shalbe  recompensed  /  a  thousande-folde,  trule,  2925 

Whan  ye  shalbe  taken  /  fro  this  lyfe  transytory  ; 

your  rewarde  shalbe  /  with  immortall  glory.  2927 

419 
'As  for  my  dethe  /  whiche  approches  nere,  2928 

1  drede  nothynge  /  tho  nature  feref ull  be  : 

I  knowe  for  certayne  /  who  departeth  well  here 

Is  newe-borne  agayne  /  to  loye  and  felycyte. 

Iche  chrysten  man  hath  /  a  threfolde  natyuyte  :  2932 

Fyrst  of  his  parentes  /  by  cours  of  nature 

Borne  to  many  troubles  /  and  sorowes,  sure;  2934 

420 
'By  the  seconde  byrthe  /  whiche  is  more  excellent,       2935 


HOW  DEATH  IS  BIRTH  TO  A  NEW  LIFE  AND  TO  FREEDOM.    107 

Ab  fonte  of  baptym  /  we  haue  regeneracyon, 

By  fayth  professed  /  to  god  omnypotent 

And  made  the  chyldren  /  of  ghostly  saluacyon, 

To  auoyde  by  grace  /  all  wycked  temptacyon,  2939 

To  be  inherytours  /  of  loy  perpetuall, 

Folowynge  the  counseyll  /  of  holy  chyrche  withall ;      2941 

421 

'  The  thyrde  byrthe  /  moost  ferefull  and  to  be  dredde,  2942 
Is  whan  the  soule  /  departeth  fro  the  body 
To  payne  or  blysse  /  and  leues  the  corps  dedde 
To  tourne  agayne  to  erthe  /  to  wast  and  putryfy. 
In  this  thyrde  byrthe  /  by  callynge  aferre1  for  mercy  2946 
Our  soule  shall  lyue  in  blysse  /  euerlastynge,  1  r-  afore  ? 

Crowned  with  vyctory  /  for  our  chast  lyuynge.  2948 

422 

'The  swete  byrde,  closed  /  in  a  cage  a  longe  season,      2949 
Gladly  entendeth  /  to  fly  at  lyberte  j 
The  prysoner  fetered  /  and  cast  in  depe  dongeon 
Euer  supposes  /  to  be  rydde  frome  captyuyte : 
The  soule  of  mankynde  /  moost  dygne  of  dutye,  2953 

Naturally  desyreth  /  proued  by  reason, 
To  be  delyuered  /  frome  bcdyly  pryson/  2955 

H"  Of  Y  ghostli  exortacyon  saynt  Werourge  made  to  her 
systers  in  her  sekenesse  /  and  how  deuoutely  she  receyued 
Y  sacramentes  of  holy  chyrche  byfore  her  deth. 
Ca.  xxviii. 

423 

'TTHe  day  knowen  /  to  her  by  reuelacyon  2956 

Of  her  departure  /  by  sygnes  euydenfc, 
She  sende  for  all  /  the  hole  congregacyon, 
And  in  presence  /  of  all  her  holy  couent 
She  called  for  the  blessed  sacrament ;  2960 

To  whome  she  sayd  /  with  wordes  expresse 
With  wepynge  teeres  /  and  great  mekenesse  :  2962 


108       WERBUKGE   HUMBLY  EECEIVES   THE   SACRAMENT. 


424 

'Well-come  my  lorde  /  well-come  my  kynge,  2963 

Well-come  my  sufferayne  /  and  sauyour, 

Well-come  my  conforte  /  and  ioy  euerlastynge, 

My  trust  /  my  treasure  /  my  helpe  and  socour, 

Well-come  my  maker  /  and  my  redemptour,  2967 

The  sone  of  god  /  moost  in  maieste, 

Withouten  begynnynge  /  and  endeles  shalbe.  2969 

425 

'  I  byleue  that  thou  /  for  all  mankynde  2970 

Frome  heuen  descended  /  of  thy  charyte 
And  was  incarnate  /  scrypture  dothe  mynde, 
In  the  vyrgynall  wombe  /  of  blessed  marye, 
And  suffered  dethe  /  to  make  vs  all  fre,  2974 

Descended  to  hell  /  roose  the  thyrde  day, 
Ascended  to  heuen  /  and  our  raunson  dyd  pay;  2976 

426 

'  And  I  knowlege  to  the  /  with  pure  entent :  2977 

On  Shorpthursday  /  after  thy  passyon 
Thy  moost  blessed  body  /  in  sacrament 
Thou  gaue  to  vs  /  for  our  communyon, 
To  be  our  defence  /  and  ghostly  tuycyon,  2981 

Now  present  here  /  in  forme  of  breed, 
To  ludge  mankynde  /  bothe  quycke  and  deed.  2983 

427 

'0  sufferayne  sauyour  /  replete  with  grace,  2984 

I  the  beseche  /  haue  pyte  vpon  me 
And  in  my  soule  /  make  a  dwellynge-place, 
Expulce  all  vyce  /  synne  and  mysery ; 
Defende  my  soule  /  frome  our  aduersary,  2988 

Saue  and  protecte  me  /  from  peynes  infernall 
And  brynge  thrugh  thy  mercy  /  to  ioye  perpetuall.'     2990 

428 

Thus  with  reuerence  /  and  great  humylyte  2991 

She  receyued  /  the  blessed  sacrament, 
The  seconde  persone  /  in  trynyte, 


SHE  EXHORTS   HER   SISTERS   TO   VIRTUE   AND   CHARITY.    109 

In  perfyte  fayth  /  hope  /  and  lone  feruent, 

With  great  contrycyon  /  as  it  was  apparent,  2995 

Her  herte  lyf  te  vp  /  to-warde  heuen  on  hye 

Abydynge  the  wyll  /  of  god  almyghty.  2997 

429 

She  exorted  /  her  systers  euerychone  2998 

That  were  there  present  /  in  companye, 
Desyrynge  them  all  /  with  supplycacyon 
To  remembre  her  /  sayenge  with  hurnylyte  : 
*  My  systers  in  god  /  now  knowe  may  ye  3002 

My  dayes  ben  ferre  past  /  comynge  is  the  houre. 
Wherfore  I  betake  you  /  fyrst  to  our  sauyour ;  3004 

430 

'  Prayenge  you  tenderly  /  for  the  loue  of  me  3005 

In  deuyne  seruyce  /  loke  ye  contynu ; 
Obseruynge  pacyence  /  mekenes  /  and  chastyte, 
Encresynge  in  relygyon  /  by  the  grace  of  Ihesu^ 
"  Who-so  perceuers  /  in  herte  and  mynde  true  3009 

"Vnder  obedyence  /  to  the  extreme  day, 
Is  sure  to  be  saued  "  /  scrypture  so  doth  say.  3011 

431 

'Also  remembre  /  that  all  worldly  royalte,  3012 

Honour  /  ryches  /  pleasure  /  possessyon, 
If  ye  consyder  /  are  but  a  vanyte, 
Nothynge  assured  /  to  trust  therupon ; 
"Wherfore  dyspose  you  /  to  vertue  alon  £016 

Whyle  ye  endure  /  in  this  lyfe  mortall, 
Tyll  that  ye  come  /  to  loy  perpetuall.  3018 

432 

'Secondly '  she  sajd  /  'systers,  I  you  pray  3019 

Kepe  x  well  the  order  /  of  perfyte  charyte,  i  p.  kept 

Neuer  declynynge  /  fro  it  by  no  way, 
As  ye  haue  taken  /  exemple  of  me ; 

Iche  loue  other  /  and  worshyp  in  theyr  degre,  3023 

So  that  no  murmure  /  nor  dyssymulacyon 
Be  founde  amonge  /  this  holy  congreg.icyon.  £025 


110 


WERBURGE  PRAYS  FOR  HER  CONUENT. 


433 

Be  euer  lowly  /  humble  /  and  obedyent  3026 

With  due  reuerence  /  worshyp  and  honoure, 
Folowe  the  mynde  /  of  your  presydent, 
Ynto  your  x  heed  /  and  ghostly  gouernoure.  i  r.  y0u 

Kepe  well  chastyte  /  that  precyous  floure,  3030 

So  that  no  thought  /  of  sensualyte 
Corrupte  your  mynde  /  to  breke  vyrgynyte.  3032 

434 

Se  that  ye  vse  /  dyscrete  temperaunce,  3033 

Abstenynge  frome  vayne  superfluyte  j 
Se  that  amonge  you  /  be  founde  no  varyaunce, 
Kepe  well  the  degrees  /  of  humylyte.' 

These  and  many  other  /  exemples  of  chary te  3037 

She  taught  her  couent  /  of  synguler  deuocyon, 
How  they  shulde  optayne  /  to  hye  perfeccyon.  3039 

435 

Thyrdly  she  prayed  /  sayenge  with  mynde  dylygent :    3040 
'  O  blessed  sauyour  /  I  desyre  the 
Saue  and  defende  /  my  hole  couent 
And  theyr  monasteryes  /  of  thy  great  pyte 
Frome  peryll  of  peryshynge  /  and  frome  enmyte,  3044 

That  all  the  subiectes  /  of  our  congregacyon 
May  well  obserue  /  theyr  holy  professyon.  3046 

436 

*  And  graunt  me,  swete  lorde  /  throwe  thy  goodnes  :    3047 
Who-so  in  thy  name  /  vpon  me  dothe  call 
In  langour  /  mysery  /  in  peyne  /  or  sekenes, 
Also  women  with  chylde  /  in  peynes  thrall, 
May  haue  remedy  /  and  helpe  specyall;  3051 

And  people  in  pryson  /  halte  /  blynde  /  and  lame 
By  me  may  magnyfy  /  thy  gloryous  name.'  3053 

437 

Than  she  requyred  /  with  humylyte  3054 

The  spyrytuall  suffer  age  /  of  holy  vnccyon, 
Her  soule  to  conforte  /  frome  all  aduersyte ; 


WERBURGE    DIES    AT   TRENTHAM    3    FEB.    (699).  Ill 

She  toke  her  leue  /  and  kyssed  them  ycheon. 

Alas,  what  herte  /  myght  shewe  the  lamentacyon,        3058 

The  wepynge  /  waylynge  /  and  wofull  heuynes 

At  the  departure  /  of  theyr  swete  may st res  ?  3060 


IT  Of  the  departure  of  saynt  Werburge  vnto  heuen  at  the  dbbay 
of  Trentam  /  fro  this  miserable  lyfe  /  &  what  lamenta- 
cyon her  systers  made  for  her  dethe.  Ca.  xxix. 

438 

all  her  infyrmyte  /  peyne  and  busyn«sse  3061 

She  vsed  prayer  /  and  medytacyon, 
Callynge  for  mercy  /  by  interyor  mekenesse 
With  wepynge  eyes  /  and  great  lamentacyon  ; 
Eemembrynge  in  herte  /  our  lordes  passyon ;  3065 

Commendynge  her  couent  /  vnto  our  sauyour 
To  be  theyr  defence  /  ayde  /  and  protectour.  3067 

439 

The  peynes  encreased  /  of  her  infyrmyte,  3068 

The  panges  doubled  /  her  peyne  to  augment, 
Nature  decayed  /  vnto  suche  debylyte 
That  the  sygnes  of  dethe  /  appered  euydent. 
The  houre  approched  /  after  all  Judgment :  3072 

"Wherfore  all  thynges  /  were  redy  preparate, 
As  was  conuenyent  /  for  so  noble  a  state.  3074 

440 

Her  spouse  Ihesus  /  hauynge  pyte  and  cure  3075 

Ypon  his  spouses  /  in  extreme  dystresse, 
Wolde  not  suffer  her  peyne  /  longer  endure, 
But  sende  his  angels  /  with  great  lyghtnesse 
To  conforte  his  seruaunt  /  in  peyne  and  sekenesse,        3079 
To  dyssolue  her  wo  /  and  great  penalte 
And  brynge  vp  her  soule  /  to  eterne  felycyte.  3081 

441 

There  derknes  was  tourned  /  all  vnto  lyght,  3082 

Langour  and  trouble  /  vnto  prosperyte, 


112         ANGELS  CARSY  HER  SOUL  TO  HEAVEN. 

The  day  was  gouernour  /  ouer  the  nyght 

"Whan  that  she  passed  /  this  lyfe  transytory, 

Bondage  and  thraldome  /  were  brought  to  lyberte.        3086 

The  tyme  of 1  loye  /  and  euerlastynge  pleasure  i  p.  ef 

"Was  approchynge  to  Werburge  /  euer  to  endure.  3088 

442 

A  multytude  of  angelles  /  shynynge  moost  clere  3089 

Were  redy  to  gyde  /  with  humble  reuerence 
The  soule  of  werburge  /  as  truly  dyd  apere, 
And  brought  it  to  blys  /  vnto  the  hye  presence 
Of  almyghty  god  /  moost  of  magnyfycence,  3093 

Clerely  releashed  /  frome  peynes  of  purgatory 
To  be  rewarded  /  with  euerlastynge  glory.  3095 

443 

This  blessed  vyrgyn  /  gloryous  and  pure,  3096 

In  stedfast  fayth  /  hope  /  loue  /  and  charyte 
The  thyrde  day  of  February  /  ye  may  be  sure, 
Expyred  frome  this  lyfe  /  caduce  and  transytory 
To  eterne  blysse  /  coronate  with  vyctory,  3100 

Chaungynge  her  lyfe  /  myserable  and  thrall 
For  infynyte  ioye  /  and  glory  eternall.  3102 

444 

With  moche  honour  /  these  spyrytuall  mynysters          3103 
Conueyed  the  soule  /  aboue  the  fyrmament, 
Passynge  the  seuen  pianettes  /  and  all  the  sterres, 
Ynto  the  presence  /  of  god  omnypotent, 
'  Syngynge  full  swetely  /  theyr  songes  equyualent  3107 

Of  pleasaunt  armony  /  of  conf orte  and  blys, 
Salutynge  her  mekely  /  with  wordes  reuerent  3109 

Yeni  dilecta  :  veni  coronabiris. 

445 

The  thre  lerarcheses  /  were  redy  present  3111 

With  heuenly  melody  /  to  receyue  this  monyall, 
The  quere  of  vyrgyn s  /  mette  her  incontynent 
With  great  solempnyte  /  and  processyon  royall, 
Presentynge  her  soule  /  with  myrthes  angelycall  3115 


HER  BODY  IS  DRESSED.     LAMENTATION  OF  THE  SISTERS.    113 

To  Ihesu,  her  spouse  /  to  whome  he  sayd,  truly, 

'  Well-come,  dere  dough ter  /  to  blysse  celestyall,  3117 

Intra  in  gaudium  :  domui  tui.' 

446 

In  meane  tyme  and  space  /  this  venerable  body  3119 

(The  soule  departed)  lay  whyte  /  streyght  /  and  colde^ 
Semynge  as  on  slepe  /  she  had  ben,  verely, 
With  swete  odours  fragrant  /  passynge  manyfolde 
All  spyces  and  herbes  /  in  erth  may  be  tolde;  3123 

The  place  was  so  pleasaunt  /  full  of  delyce 
Lyke  as  it  had  ben  /  an  erthly  paradyce.  3125 

447 

This  forsayd  venerable  congregacyon  3126 

With  wepynge  teeres  /  and  syghes  lamentable 
Wasshed  the  swete  body  /  after  the  olde  custome, 
And  dressed  the  corps  /  with  clothes  honorable, 
Prepared  all  necessaryes  /  pleasaunt  and  commendable ;  3130 
To  churche  she  was  brought  /  solemply  in  syght, 
With  feruent  deuocyon  /  to  be  watched  all  nyght.         3132 

448 

And  as  they  watched  /  with  due  mynystracyon  3133 

Ouer  the  sayd  corps  /  deuoutly  prayenge, 
They  made  great  mournynge  /  and  lamentacyon 
Euerychone  to  other  /  for  her  departynge ; 
'  Alas,'  they  all  sayd  /  with  wofull  waylynge,  3137 

'  Our  solace  /  our  helthe  /  is  clere  gone  away  1 
Alas  for  sorowe  /  what  shall  we  now  say?  3139 

449 

'The  sterre  of  our  conforte  /  is  extyncte  clere,  3140 

The  lanturne  of  our  lyght  /  is  taken  vs  fro, 
The  floure  of  chastyte  /  is  layd  vpon  a  bere, 
The  myrrour  of  mekenes  /  now  lyeth  full  loo, 
The  treasure  of  relygyon  /  from  vs  now  is  ago.  3144 

Our  sorowe  encresed  /  wretchednes  /  and  mysery, 
Syth  thou  arte  departed.  /  alas,  what  remedy?  3146 


114    '  SWETE  LADY,  THOU  ART  GONE  !  O  CRUEL  DEATH  !  ' 

450 

' Our  hertes  ben  plonged  /  in  great  wo  and  peyne,        3147 

Our  myndes  are  medled  /  with  heuy  langour ; 

How  shulde  we  now  rest  /  frome  mornynge,  certayne, 

JBeholdynge  now  deed  /  whylom  our  protectour  ? 

Swete  lady,  thou  art  gone  /  frome  vs  for  euermore ;      3151 

Our  deedly  sorowe  /  replete  with  bytternes, 

For  waylynge  and  wepynge  /  can  neuer  ceas.  3153 

451 

'  With  herte,  mynde  and  voyce  /  to  the  we  do  call :      3154 
0  blessed  Werburge  /  our  moost  dere  maystres, 
O  sufferayne  lady  /  and  ruler  of  vs  all, 
"Why  hase  thou  vs  lef te  /  in  suche  heuynesse  ? 
If  thy  wyll  had  ben  /  it  is  knowen  expresse,  3158 

Thou  myght  haue  taryed  /  with  vs  by  petycyon. 
Alas,  remedylesse  /  is  our  lamentacyon !  3160 

452 

'  Frome  vs  thou  arte  taken  /  and  gone  is  our  solace,      3161 
The  myrrour  of  vertue  /  is  deed  now  with  the, 
The  tryed  stock  of  truth  /  and  the  grounde  of  grace 
Is  pyteously  decayed  /  our  hope  and  sufferaynte. 
O  blessed  sauyour  /vpon  vs  haue  pyte,  3165 

Sende  vs  our  conforte  /  by  thy  great  myght  agayne 
As  thou  hase  reysed  many  /  from  dethe  to  lyfe,  certayne.3167 

453 

1 0  dredefull  dethe  /  cruell  enemy  to  nature,  3168 

With  dolef ull  heuynes  /  on  the  we  may  complayne, 
Takynge  our  heed  frome  vs  /  to  our  great  dysconfyture, 
Hath  brought  vs  to  thraldome  /  wof ulnes  and  peyne ; 
Nother  kynge  ne  emperour  /  thy  fauour  may  optayne,  3172 
But  he  must  departe  /arested  with  thy  launce. 
Thanke  we  god  of  all  /  for  it  is  his  pleasaunce.'  3174 


THE  FOLK  OF  TRENTHAM  WISH  TO  EETAIN  THE  BODY.   1 15 

Tf  How  the  hamburgenses  tokz  the  blessed  body  of  Werburye 
frome  Trentam  by  myrade  &  brought  it  to  Hamburg  /  & 
of  Y  buryall  of  werburge  /  &  of  manyfolde  myrades 
shewed  for  her  merytes  .ix.  yere  after  her  translacyon. 
Ca.  xxx. 

454 
'TTHis  gloryous  vyrgyn  /  and  moost  blessed  abbace     3175 

Departed  from  this  lyfe  /  caduce  and  transytory 
(As  afore  is  sayd)  the  yere  and  tyme  of  grace 
Almoost  seuen  hundreth  /  the  thyrde  day  of  February, 
To  celestyall  blysse  /  and  infynyte  glory;  3179 

Her  subiectes  oppressed  /  with  wylfull  pensyuenesse, 
With  great  trybulacyon  /  care  and  heuynesse.  3181 

455 

But  where  werburge  gaue  /  in  commaundyment  3182 

To  bury  her  corps  /  at  place  of  Hambury, 
As  was  the  wyll  /  of  our  lorde  omnypotent ; 
Her  subiectes  of  Trentam  /  whiche  had  her  body, 
Purposed  her  wyll  /  and  entent  to  deny,  3186 

Prepared  to  kepe  /  the  corps  by  stronge  hande, 
"With  them  to  remayne  /  as  ye  shall  vnderstande.         3188 

456 

The  sayd  people  of  Trentam  /  watched  full  dylygent    3189 
Her  corps,  fulfyllynge  /  the  obsequyes  funerall, 
Entendynge  to  auoyde  /  and  frustrate  her  testament 
Gate  a  great  company  /  by  power  Marcyall, 
Closed  fast  theyr  doores  /  and  gates  one  and  all,  3193 

Made  sure  yche  place  /  by  theyr  prouydens 
For  to  kepe  the  corps  /  excludynge  Thamburgens.         3195 

457 

But,  as  Salomon  sayth  /  sentencyously,  3196 

'  There  may  be  no  counseyll  /  power  ne  prudence, 
"Wysedome  of  man  /  nor  naturall  polycy, 
To  derogate  or  chaunge  /  deuyne  sentence ; ' 
Proued  euer[y]  day  /  by  true  experyence :  3200 

i  2 


116        THE   FOLK   OF   HANBURY   CARRY   HER   BODY   AWAY 

'  Tho  mankynde  prepose  /  his  mynde  to  f  ulfyll, 

yet  god  dysposeth  /  all  thynge  at  his  wyll.'  3202 

458 

And  as  they  watched  /  the  same  sayd  nyght  3203 

Moost  busyly  /  to  execute  they[r]  wyll  and  entent, 
By  deuyne  prouydence  /  passynge  mannes  myght 
Sodeynly  on  slepe  /  was  all  that  couent, 
Theyr  company  and  mynysters  /  that  were  there  lent,  3207 
Hauynge  no  power  /  for  to  waken,  doubtles ; 
God  so  prouyded  /  for  theyr  great  maystres.  3209 

459 

Than  shortly  resembled  /  vnto  that  sayd  place  3210 

The  people  of  Hamburgens  /  a  great  company, 
"With  the  mynysters  of  god  /  people  full  of  grace  : 
And  anone  by  the  wyll  /  of  our  lorde  almyghty 
The  lockes  and  the  barres  /  of  that  sayd  monastery      3214 
Fell  downe  to  the  grounde  /  by  power  supernall, 
Without  mannes  hande  /  that  enter  they  myght  all.     3216 

460 

Whiche  myracle  proued  /  the  people  of  Hambury         3217 
Entred  Trentam  abbay  /  with  mynde  reuerent, 
And  founde  there  on  slepe  /  all  the  other  company, 
Man  /  woman  /  and  chylde  /  all  that  were  present. 
They  kneled  all  downe  /  and  worshypped  the  sacrament, 32 21 
Praysynge  our  maker  /  of  theyr  good  spede, 
Theyr  specyall  socour  /  euer  at  theyr  nede.  3223 

461 

Her  blessed  body  /  from  Trentam  they  dyd  take,          3224 
Gladly  departynge  /  out  of  the  monastery — 
Nother  man  nor  woman  /  had  power  to  wake, 
Tyll  they  were  passed  /  all  greuous  Jeopardy ; 
Magnyfyenge  our  lorde  /of  his  grace  deuoutly,  3228 

Solemply  syngyng  their  songes  celestial! 
With  infinite  gladnes  /  and  comfort  spirituall.  3230 

462 
After  all  this  done  /  this  holy  congregacion  3231 


AND    BURY   IT   AT   HANBURY.       MIRACLES.  117 

With  reuerence  /  honour  /  and  solempnite, 

"With  wepynge  tearis  /  for  pure  affection, 

With  lamentable  songes  /  masse  and  dirige 

Buried  the  corps  /  of  this  blessed  ladie  3235 

Right  in  the  chauncell  /  of  the  sayd  abbay, 

There  bodily  to  rest  /  as  her  wyll  was  alway.  3237 

463 

All  obsequies  ended  /  therto  belongynge  3238 

As  was  agreable  for  suche  a  president, 
The  systers  departed  /  with  clamour  and  mournynge, 
Plonged  in  heuynes  /  and  to  their  celles  went, 
To  wepe  and  wayle  secretly  /  their  hartis  to  content,    3242 
Criynge :  *  alas,  alas  /  nowe  buried  haue  we 
The  exemple  of  vertu  /  mekenes  /  and  chastite  1 '          3244 

464 

And  as  the  history  of  her  lyfe  /  doth  expresse  3245 

In  a  boke  nominat  /  the  thrid  Passionary, 
After  the  buriall  of  this  patronesse 
The  place  was  decorat  /  with  myracles  many, 
Manifest  to  the  people  /  of  euery  progeny  3249 

Howe  god  almyghty  of  his  speciall  grace 
Hath  done  for  his  seruant  /  in  short  tyme  and  space.    3251 

465 

For  many  people  greued  with  infirmite,  3252 

Dolorous  of  hert  /  and  interiour  tribulacion, 
Heuynes  of  mynde  /  or  other  penalite, 
To  her  graue  resortyng  /  with  feruent  deuocion, 
Sekynge  for  remedy  /  with  great  contricion,  3256 

Anon  by  her  prayer  /  vnto  our  sauyour 
They  were  released  from  peyne  and  langour.  3258 

466 

Also  by  her  merite,  suffrage  and  peticion  3259 

Euery  humble  creature  had  helpe  and  succour ; 
To  distract  persons  /  was  yelded  reason, 
wikked  spirites  expulsed  were  that  same  hour, 
Impotent  and  feble  to  helth  she  dyd  restour,  32 03 


118        SHORT   RECAPITULATION   OF    ST'   WERBURGE's    LIFE. 

Halt  and  lame  had  passage  /  the  blynde  had  perfect  syght, 
The  dombe  had  speche  /  the  deffe  herynge  ryght.  3265 

467 

Women  with  childe  /  beynge  in  great  ieopardy,  3266 

Namely  in  trauelyng  /  greued  with  wo  and  payne, 
Whan  they  myght  nat  come  /  sendyng  to  her  oratorye, 
Makynge  true  oblacion  /  restaured  were,  certayne, 
To  helth  and  prosperite  /  from  wo  delyuered  playne ;    3270 
And  if  they  obteyned  a  relique  from  the  place, 
The  mother  and  childe  /  by  it  founde  speciall  grace.      3272 

468 

The  deuout  pilgrym  /  the  perfit  maryner,  3273 

The  true  laborer  /  the  marchant  with  richesse, 
The  caref ull  pore  man  /  the  peynfull  prisoner 
Were  sondry  tymes  delyuered  from  wo  and  distresse ; 
Men  /  women  /  childer  /  sekynge  with  mekenes  3277 

This  glorious  virgyn  /  with  humble  supplicacion, 
Founde  soone  remedie  /  helpe  and  consolacion.  3279 

^  A  litle  breue  rehersall  of  her  lyfe  /  and  howe  for  her 
myrades  shewed  y  couent  of  Hambury  purposed  to 
translate  her  body  /  by  the  helpe  of  Mercyens.  Ca.  xxxi. 

469 
/7THis  gloryous  lady  /  and  gemme  of  holynesse  3280 

Of  fyue  myghty  kynges  /  descended  lynyally, 
A  prynces  /  an  enherytryce  /  replete  with  mekenes 
Refused  all  pleasures  /  pompe  /  and  vayne  glory, 
Entred  rely gy on  /  professed  at  Ely,  3284 

A  spectacle  of  vertue  /  dwellynge  in  that  place 
And  a  floure  of  chastyte  /  electe  by  synguler  grace.      3286 

470 

Her  honorable  vncle  /  kynge  E their ede,  3287 

Consyderynge  her  vertue  /  and  hye  deuocyon 
Made  her  gouernour  /  for  ghostly  helthe  and  mede 
Ouer  all  the  monasteryes  /  within  his  regyon, 


ST>  WERBURGE  <A  PRINCESS,  A  VIRGIN,  A  NUN,  ETC.       119 

For  the  sure  encresement  /  of  perfyte  relygyon;  3291 

Foure  of  these  monasteryes  /  we  haue  in  memory  : 

As  Wedon  /  Trentam  /  Repton  /  and  Hambury.  3293 

471 

"Whan  she  was  ruler  /  and  chefe  presydent  3294 

Of  these  sayd  places  /  vnder  god  almyghty, 
Than  vertue  and  goodnes  /  dayly  dyd  augment 
By  heuenly  grace  /  to  the  soule-helthe  of  many, 
And  by  her  exemple  /  and  doctryne  ghostly  3298 

Kynges  /  lordes  /  barons  /  refusynge  theyr  royalte 
Entred  relygyon  /  with  great  humylyte.  3300 

472 

Her  lyfe  and  doctryne  /  agreed  bothe  in  one,  3301 

Proued  in  effecte  /  by  specyall  gyftes  of  grace : 
Many  she  conuerted  /  vnto  contemplacyon, 
To  prayer  and  penaunce  /  whyle  they  had  here  space. 
Her  couent  and  subiectes  /  within  euery  place  3305 

By  her  excellent  vertue  /  and  hye  dyscrecyon 
"Were  gratiously  gouerned  /  for  theyr  saluacion.  3307 

473 

Her  dwellynge  was  most  at  the  place  of  Wedon,          3308 
Where  many  myracles  were  shewed  openly ; 
And  at  Trentam  abbay  /  of  her  foundacion, 
From  peyne  she  departed  to  eternall  glory ; 
After  her  entent  was  buried  at  Hambury;  3312 

Of  whom  it  may  be  sayd  /  *  here  lyeth  nowe  present 
A  princesse  /  a  virgin  /  a  nonne  /  and  a  president.'       3314 

474 

The  deuout  couent  of  her  congregacion,  3315 

Whiche  hath  long  wayled  /  with  sorowfull  payne, 
Nowe  haue  great  cause  to  make  consolacion 
And  gyue  due  honour  to  our  lorde  and  sufferayne, 
Knowynge  that  Werburge  /  in  blysse  is  nowe,  certayne, 
For  them  all  dayly  a  true  mediatrice  [3320 

In  the  heuynly  trone  /  afore  the  hie  Justice.  3321 


120   THOSE  OF  HANBURY  RESOLVE  TO  TRANSLATE  THE  BODY. 

475 

Our  sauiour  lesus  /  graunter  of  all  goodnes,  3322 

Consyderyng  the  mekenes  /  and  pure  virginite 

Of  Werburge  his  spouse  /  and  proued  holynes, 

By  speciall  grace  /  preserued  her  body 

To  his  laude  and  honour  /  his  name  to  magnifye,  3326 

Both  hole  and  sounde  /  from  natural!  resolucion, 

As  her  soule  was  clere  from  vice  and  corruption. 

476 

This  immaculat  mayde  /  shenyng  more  bryght  3329 

Than  radiant  phebus  in  the  triumphant  trone, 
With  the  quere  of  virgins  /  prayseth  day  and  nyght 
The  blessed  trinite  with  due  adoracion, 
Of  perpetuall  pleasure  hauyng  the  fruycion,  3333 

A  singular  intercessour  for  her  seruauntes  all 
That  here  in  erth  mekely  to  her  wyll  call.  3335 

477 

And  though  her  body  do  rest  nowe  in  graue,  3336 

yet  notable  signes  contynually  be  done : 
Some  warned  in  their  slepe  comfort  to  haue 
By  visityng  her  place  /  callynge  her  vpon, 
With  contrite  hert  makyng  true  oblacion.  3340 

Whiche  thynge  contynued  by  space  of  .ix.  yere 
With  meruailous  myracles  euydent  and  clere.  3342 

478 

The  couent,  consyderyng  suche  great  company  3343 

From  diuers  partes  /  resortynge  to  theyr  place 
In  pylgrimage  to  Werburge  /  for  helpe  and  remedy, 
Entended  to  translate  this  glorious  abbasse, 
To  exalte  her  body  replet  with  great  grace  3347 

To  her  great  honour  /  comfort  to  eche  creature — 
Pite  that  suche  a  relique  shulde  lye  in  sepulture.  3340 

479 

To  the  prayes  and  honour  of  god  omnipotent  3350 

And  of  saint  Werburge  laude  and  reuerence 
The  couent  and  the  people  by  one  assent 


THE  BODY  IS  ELEVATED  IN  PRESENCE  OF  K.  COELRED.  121 

Desired  Coelrede,  than  kynge  of  merciens, 

For  aide  in  this. case  /  helpe  and  diligence.  3354 

("Whiche  thynge  graunted  )  the  day  appointed  was ; 

The  clergy  and  the  comons  reioised  with  solace.  3356 

1T  Of  the  solempne  translation  of  this  glorious  virgyn  saynt 
Werburge  /  and  of  the  great  myracles  done  at  the  sayd 
season  by  the  myght  of  god  and  merite  of  this  gracious 

lady.     Cap.  xxxii. 

480 

At  the  day  appoynted  of  her  translacion  3357 

Kyng  Coelred  and  his  counsell  were  redy-present, 

With  bysshops,  and  the  clergy,  men  of  deuocion, 

Her  systers  and  subiettes,  a  religious  couent ; 

The  comon  people  from  eche  place  thider  went  3361 

With  great  gladnes  /  the  hole  for  pleasure  gostly, 

The  seke  and  impotent  for  helth  and  remedy.  3363 

481 

The  bysshops  and  clergy  stode  vpon  one  parte  3364 

Of  her  holy  graue  /  and  her  systers  echone, 
Syngynge  and  praysynge  the  blessed  trinite; 
The  kyng  and  his  counsell  with  great  deuocion 
Stode  on  the  other  parte  in  contemplacion.  3368 

The  graue  was  opened,  eleuat  was  the  chest 
Wherin  her  holy  corps  .ix.  yere  fully  dyd  rest.  3370 

482 

Whan  this  sayd  monument  discouered  was,  3371 

Suche  a  suauite  and  fragrant  odoure 
Ascended  from  the  corps  by  singular  grace, 
Passyng  all  wordly  swetnes  and  sauour, 
That  all  there  present  that  day  and  hour  3375 

Supposed  they  had  ben  /  in  the  felicite 
Of  erthely  paradise  /  without  ambiguite.  3377 

483 

And  as  eche  man  thought 1  by  naturall  reason  i  P.  thaught  3378 
Nothyng  shulde  remayn  of  that  blessed  body 


122      THE  BODY  IS  FOUND  INCORRUPT  AND  SWEET-LOOKING. 

But  the  bare  boones  /  all  els  to  resolucion  : 

The  couerture  remoued  by  the  sayd  clergy, 

The  corps  hole  and  sounde  was  funde,  verely,  3382 

Apperyng  to  them  /  on  slepe  as  she  had  ben, 

Nothyng  depaired  /  that  ther  coude  be  seen.  3384 

484 

Her  vesture  appered  hole,  clere  and  white,  3385 

No  parte  consumed  /  for  all  the  longe  space, 
Fragrant  in  odoure  /  repleit  with  delite, 
As  at  the  fyrst  season  whan  she  buried  was ; 
But  whan  discouered  was  her  swete  face,  3389 

Beautye  appered  more  white  than  the  lile, 
Mixt  with  rose  colour  /  moost  faire  for  to  se.  3391 

485 

Her  louely  countenaunce  /  so  comly  to  beholde,  3392 

And  her  swete  fisnomy  /  with  fairenes  decorat 
As  fresshely  apparant  /  moost  pleasant  to  be  tolde, 
As  at  the  fyrst  day  /  whan  she  was  tumulat. 
No  doubt  ther  of  /  for  she,  with  synne  nat  maculat,       3396 
Ysyng  all  her  lyfe  in  clennes  and  virginite, 
From  bodily  corruption  /  by  grace  must  saued  be.         3398 

486 

The  clergy,  yet  serchyng  more  diligently  3399 

Her  precious  body  /  and  interiour  vesture, 
Eleuat  the  corps  full  reuerently 
"With  moche  worchip,  honour  and  cure, 
Founde  nothynge  perisshed  in  shap  nor  figure  3403 

For  all  the  long  space,  tyme  and  contynuaunce 
She  lay  in  sepulture  by  diuine  ordynaunce.  3405 

487 

Whiche  famous  myracle  /  notified  so  clere,  3406 

The  clergy  with  her  systers  in  ioy  and  honour, 
The  kyng  and  his  counsell  all  therat  present  were, 
"With  voice  melodious  made  a  great  clamour, 
Praysyng  and  magnifiyng  our  blessed  sauiour  3410 

"With  celestiall  songes  /  and  hymnes  full  of  blys, 


THE  BODY  IS  CLOTHED  AND  ENSHEINED  AT  HANBURY.  123 

Deuoutly  rehersyng  /  with  all  their  deuour  341 2 

Mirabilis  deus  in  sanctis  suis.  3413 

488 

With  that  the  comon  rude  people  euerychone  3414 

In  the  sayd  churche-yarde  standyng  without, 
Heryng  the  clergy  syng  with  suche  deuocion, 
Towarde  heuen  they  cried  /  and  busely  dyd  shout, 
The  space  of  .iii.  houres  /  or  nere  there-about,  3418 

Worshippyng  our  lorde  /  with  voice  shrill  and  loude 
In  hert,  wyll  and  mynde  /  as  well  as  they  coude.  3420 

489 

After  all  this  done  /  her  blessed  body  3421 

Was  wasshed  and  reclothed  with  vesture  precious 
By  the  sayd  couent  of  the  place  of  Hambury. 
The  bysshops  were  reuesshed  in  pontificalibus, 
And  all  the  clergy  syngyng  with  voice  melodious          3425 
Kneled  all  downe  and  gaue  due  reuerence, 
Honour  and  worship  to  her  corporall  presence.  3427 

490 

Thus  they  resceyued  with  perfit  humilite  3428 

This  sacrat  relique,  hole  and  substanciall, 
And  layd  it  in  a  shryne  with  great  solempnite, 
Enowrned  with  riches  sumptuous  and  roiall, 
Prepared  by  the  kyng  /  and  ordeyned  inspeciall,  3432 

Entendyng  that  this  relique  and  gostly  treasure 
Perpetually  with  them  shulde  remayne  and  endure.       3434 

491 

People  oppressed  with  greuous  infirmite,  3435 

Distract  persons  /  halt,  blynde  and  lame, 
Resortynge  to  her  shryne  with  humilite 
Shortly  were  cured  by  callynge  of  her  name  ; 
Impotent  creatures  (the  legende  sayth  the  same)  3439 

Touchyng  her  tumbe  /  were  cured  from  payne  ; 
Whiche  tumbe  remayneth  at  Hambury,  certayne.         3441 

492 
After  she  was  translate  /  knowen  it  is  well,  3442 


124     DATE  OF  THE  TRANSLATION:  708,  21  JUNE. 

The  clergy  to1  procession  /  went  after  to  mas,  ir.  in 

Honoryng  and  praysyng  /  the  kyng  of  Israeli 

And  blessed  Werburge  /  with  moche  solace. 

Whan  diuine  seruice  duely  ended  was,  3446 

The  bisshops  gaue  theyr  holy  benedictions  ; 

The  people  departed  glad  to  their  mansions.  3448 

493 

This  holy  sayd  fest  of  her  translacion  3449 

Was  ordeyned  and  celebrate  with  solemnite, 
As  sayeth  Ranulphus  in  his  policronicon, 
About  the  yere  of  grace  .vii.  hundreth  and  .viii.,  sothle, 
The  .xi.  Kalendas  of  the  moneth  lulii ;  3453 

Regnyng  in  mercelande  the  said  Kyng  Coelrede, 
Than  bysshop  of  Lichefelde  was  Hedda  /  as  we  rede.    3455 

IT  Howe  the  body  of  saynt  Werburge  continued  hole  /  and 
substanciall  at  Hambury  after  the  translacion  by  the 
space  of  two  hundreth  yeres  /  tyll  the  danes  were  comon 
to  this  lande  /  or  it  felle  and  was  resolued  vnto  powder. 
The  .xxxiii.  Chapitre. 

494 

This  rutilant  gemme  and  specious  floure  3456 

Hole  and  substanciall  remayned  at  Hambury 

Two  hundreth  yeres  in  beaute  and  colour, 

By  singular  grace  /  and  angelicall  custodye, 

Tyll  the  danes  were  comon  of  malice  and  misery,          3460 

Of  ire  and  myschief  /  as  we  vnderstande  ; 

We  meane  the  comyng  of  pagans  to  this  lande.  3462 

495 

Whiche  danes  by  sufferaunce  and  dispensacion  3463 

Of  almyghty  god  /  for  synne  and  iniquite 

Punysshed  vnpiteously  all  this  region 

with  a  wofull  plage  of  great  crudelite, 

The  sharpe  swerde  of  deth  /  hauynge  no  pite,  3467 

Spared  no  creature  /  prest  nor  religious, 

Long  tyme  duryng  in  their  malice  odious.  3469 


THE  BODY  REMAINS  ENTIRE  TILL  THE  DANISH  INVASION.    125 
496 

Than  this  vitall  glebe  by  diuine  ordinaunce  3470 

Voluntary  permytted  naturall  resolution, 

Lest  the  cruell  gentils  /  and  wiked  myscreauntes 

"With  pollute  handes  full  of  corrupcion 

Shulde  touche  her  body  /  by  indignation  ;  3474 

"Whiche  pagans  were  enemyes  to  our  lorde  lesu, 

Rebels  to  holy  churche,  vnfeithfull  and  vntrue.  3476 

497 

Howe-be-it  the  power  of  our  swete  sauyour  3477 

Myght  haue  continued  the  body  of  his  syruant 
All  that  longe  season  in  worshyp  and  honour, 
As  he  preserued  of  his  grace  abundaunt 
Many  sayntes  of  this  realme  hole,  fresshe  and  vernant  3481 
viii.  hundreth  yeres  agon  /  to  this  present  day, 
And  like  so  to  endure  /  hole  and  clere  alway.  3483 

498 

Sothely  to  considre  /  our  lorde  omnipotent,  3484 

Glorious  in  his  sayntes  /  scripture  doth  specifie, 
Of  his  diuine  prouidence  /  pleasure  and  intent 
Some  haue  resolued  /  for  the  greatter  glorie 
Of  their  resurrection  for  the  tyme,  truly,  3488 

Some  other  to  continue  without  corruption, 
To  the  true  example  of  his  promission.  3490 

499 

Many  holy  martyrs  /  for  Christ  haue  byn  slayne,         3491 
The  hie  prestis  of  god  murdred  cruelly, 
Some  with  wylde  bestes  deuoured,  in  certayne, 
Some  cast  in  fiers,  on  cooles  to  broyle  and  fry, 
Vpon  many  other  byrdes  fedyng  openly —  3495 

Of  whom  the  prophet  clerely  doth  reherce : 
*  The  more  peyne  here  and  wo /the  more  glory,  doubtles.'  3497 

500 

The  glorious  martyr  Stephan  (as  is  red)  3498 

In  this  present  lyfe  dyd  myracles  many, 
Neuertherles  /  he  raised  no  people  that  were  deed ; 


ST'    WERBURGE   STILL   HELPS   HER   SERVANTS. 

But  after  the  resoluynge  of  his  blessed  body 

He  raised  deed  men  to  lyfe  agayne,  truely,  3502 

That  the  great  power  of  lyfe  myght  sprynge 

From  iniurie  of  deth  /  by  our  heuen  kynge.  3504 

501 

Great  was  the  respect  of  diuyne  grace  3505 

In  the  body  of  Werburge  /  without  resolucion, 
Shewed  by  her  myracles  /  for  mannes  helth  and  solace ; 
But  greatter  was  the  hope  of  the  eterne  renouacion1  [3509 
In  her  body  resolued  to  naturall  consumption,     i  P.  reuouacion 
"Whiche  for  her  merites  to  this  present  day 
Helpeth  all  her  seruantes  that  to  her  wyll  praye.  3511 

502 

Therfore  worshyp  we  with  singular  deuocion  3512 

The  holy  lyuynge  of  this  virgin  gratious  ; 
For  why  /  all  the  halowynge  of  her  conuersacion 
Belongeth  to  the  honour  of  our  lorde  lesus, 
Whiche  of  his  grace  hath  made  her  so  glorious  3516 

And  graunteth  his  mercy  /  and  of  synne  remyssion 
To  all  them  /  for  whom  /  she  maketh  intercession.        3518 

503 

Blessed  pure  virgin  /  moines  and  abbasse,  3519 

O  venerable  werburge  /  mekely  we  the  pray, 
Make  thou  supplycacyon  /  to  the  graunter  of  grace, 
After  this  lyfe  present  /  that  all  we  may 
Come  to  heuen-blysse  /  whiche  lasteth  for  ay,  3523 

There  to  beholde  /  the  gloryous  trynyte,  [3525 

To  whom  be  laude  /  worshyp  /  honour  /  &  endeles  glorye. 


127 


[  BOOK  II.  ] 

IT  The  table  of  the  seconde  boke  of  ]>e  gloryous  vyrgyn  sayut 
Werburge. 

P  the  comynge  to  this  lande  of  paganes  /  and  of 
the  trouble  of  this  lande  /  and  how  ye  kynge  of 
•     Mercyens  for  drede  departed  out  of  this  lande  / 
and  how  longe  saynt  Werburge  contynued  incor- 
rupte  and  hole  at  the  abbay  of  Hambury    .   ,  ,  Ca.  i. 

^f  How  the  people  of  Hambury  brought  the  shryne 
to  Chester  /  and  of  the  solempne  receyuynge  of 
it  /  by  all  the  inhabytauntes  of  the  countre  .  .  Ca.  ii. 

IT  A  lytell  descrypcyon  of  the  fundacyon  of  Chester  / 
and  of  J)e  abbay-churche  within  the  sayd  cytee  / 
where  the  holy  shryne  remayneth Ca.  iii. 

IT  A  breue  rehersall  /  of  the  fyrst  fundacyon  of  the 
mynster  of  Chester /&  of  the  instytucyon  of  seculer 
chanons  /  in  the  tyme  of  kynge  Edwarde  senyor.  Ca.  iiii. 

IT  Of  the  notable  myracle[s]  of  saynt  Werburge  in  ye 
tyme  of  chanons  /  and  fyrst  how  she  saued 
Chester  from  the  destruccyon  of  Walshe  men  .  Ca.  v. 

^f  Howe  sa^nte  Werburge  cured  and  healed  a 
woman  thre  tymes,  whiche  was  halt  and  lame,  to 
helthe  and  prosperite  agayne Cap.  vi. 

IT  Howe  saynt  Werburge  saued  and  defended  Chester 
from  innumerable  barbarik  nacions  purposynge 
to  destroy e  and  spoyle  the  same  cite  vtterly  .  .  Cap.  vii. 


128  THE   TABLE   OF    BOOK    II. 

IT  Howe  saynt  Werburge  by  her  merite  sent  fruyte  to 
a  barayne  Woman  by  synguler  prayer  made  vnto 
her Cap.  viii. 

IT  Howe  a  woman  with  childe  by  peyne  brought  out 
of  her  mynde  &  reason  by  saynt  Werburge  was 
restaured  to  prosperite  and  helthe  agayne  .  .  .  Cap.  ix. 

IT  Of  a  nother  woman,  vnlaufully  wurkyng  was  made 
blynde  and  sore  punysshed  /  and  by  saint  Wer- 
burge was  restored  to  syght  agayne Cap.  x. 

^]  Howe  saint  Werburge  restored  to  helth  &  pros- 
perite .vi.  lame  &  halt  persons  by  singular 
grace Ca.  xi. 

^[  Of  a  yonge  man  vnryghtfnlly  hanged,  was  thries 
delyuered  from  deth  by  saynt  Werburge  to  helth 
and  prosperite Cap.  xii. 

IT  Howe  at  the  maner  of  Vptow  saynt  Werburge  re- 
frayned  wilde  horses  from  distruction  of  her 
cornes ca.  xiii. 

IT  Of  a  chanora  of  Chester  hauyng  his  leg  broken,  was 

restored  to  helth  by  saint  Werburge  his  pafrones     Ca.  xiiii. 

1]'  A  breue  rehersall  or  cronicle  of  certayne  kyngis  / 
and  howe  kyng  Edgar  came  to  Chester  /  also  howe 
erle  Leofrice  repared  diuers  churches Ca.  xv. 

^[  Of  the  comyng  of  Willyam  cowquerour  to  this 
lande  /  &  how  Lupe  was  fonder  of  Chester 
monastery ca.  xvi. 

^[  Howe  saint  Werburge  taught  her  monke  to  kepe 

pacience  for  the  greatter  merite  and  glori  to  come       ca.  xvii. 

^J  Howe  sandes  rose  vp  within  the  salt  see  ayenst 

Hilburghde l  by  saint  Werburge  at  the  petition  of  i  r.  Hiiburghee 
William  constable  of  Chestre Ca.  xviii. 

U  Howe  Matilde  countesse  of  Chestre,  cou??sellynge 
her  husband  agaynst  the  monasterie,  was  drowned 
at  Bartflowe  with  many  other  mo  Cap.  xix. 

IT  Howe  a  great  fire,  like  to  destroye  all  Chestre,  by 
myracle  ceassed  whan  the  holy  shryne  was  borne 
about  the  towne  by  the  monkes Ca  xx. 


THE   TABLE  OF   BOOK   II.  129 

^f  A  breue  reliersall  of  the  myracles  of  saynt  Wer- 

burge  after  her  translacion  to  Chestre Ca.  xxi. 

IT  A  charitable  mocio/i  /  counsel  /  &  desire  to  al  thinha 
iDitantes  w*iii  the  couwtie  palatin  of  Chester  for 
>e  monastori ca.  xxii. 

<[[  A  litle  orison  or  prayer  to  >e  blessed  virgin  saint 

Werburge  by  the  translatour  of  this  warke     .   .     Ca.  xxiii. 

^f  A  short  conclusion  of  this  litle  werke  to  the  reders 

by  the  translatour    .,,,,,,,,.,..     Ca,  xxiiii. 


131 


[  BOOK  II.  ] 


The  prologe  of  the  translatour  of  this  lytell  treatyse  in  the 
seconde  boke. 

1 

Ow  whan  we  consyder  /  with  mynde  dylygent  1 

The  merueylous  maners  /  &  synguler  condycion 
Of  the  comyn  people  /  symple  and  neclygent, 
Whiche  without  lytterature  /  and  good  informacyon 
Ben  lyke  to  Brute  beestes  /  as  in  comparyson,  5 

Rude  /  wylde  /  and  boystous  /  by  a  prouerbe,  certan, 
'  Good  maners  and  conynge  /  maken  a  man.' .  7 

2 

Saynt  Paule  sayth  /  shewynge  to  the  Romans  8 

How  all  thynge  wryten  /  in  holy  scrypture 
Is  wryten  for  our  doctryne  /  and  ghostly  ordynans, 
For  our  great  conforte  /  and  endeles  pleasure. 
All  thynge  is  knowen  playnly  /  by  lytterature,  12 

Morall  vertues  /  be  noted  by  it  full  playne 
Frome  vyce  and  neclygence  /  to  abstayne,  certayne.          14 

3 

What  were  mankynde  /  without  lytterature  ?  15 

Full  lytell  worthy  /  blynded  by  ignoraunce. 
The  way  to  heuen  /  it  declareth  ryght  sure 
Thrugh  perfyte  lyuynge  /  and  good  perseueraunce ; 

K  2 


132      PROLOGUE  TO  BOOK  II  :    ON  THE  USE  OF  LITERATURE. 

By  it  we  may  be  taught  /  for  to  do  penaunce  19 

Whan  we  transgresse  /  our  lordes  commaundyment ; 

It  is  a  swete  cordyall  /  for  mannes  entent.  21 

4 

How  shulde  the  seuen  /  scyences  lyberall  22 

Haue  ben  preserued  /  vnto  this  day, 
The  wysdome  /  of  the  phylosophers  all, 
But  alone  by  lernynge  /  it  is  no  nay. 

The  notable  actes  /  of  our  fathers,  I  say,  26 

(yf  litterature  were  nat)  myght  nat  nowe  be  tolde, 
Nor  auncient  histories  and  crony cles  olde.  28 

5 

The  la  we  of  ciuile  /  and  of  holy  canon  29 

By  study  be  preferred  with  moche  honour 
To  execute  iustice  /  and  for  due  reformacion  ; 
The  most  blessed  doctrine  of  our  sauiour, 
The  actis  of  the  apostoles  /  with  the  doctours  four,  33 

Be  preserued  by  wrytyng  /  and  put  in  memorie, 
With  the  lyues  of  saintes  many  a  noble  storie.  35 

6 

Of  whiche  histories  we  purpose  speciall  36 

To  speke  of  saint  Werburge  /  vnder  your  protection, 
Declaryng  the  ende  of  her  lyfe  historiall 
As  we  haue  begon  /  and  made  playne  mencion 
In  the  fyrst  volume  by  breue  compilacion,  40 

There  playnly  descriuyng  her  liniall  discens 
Of  .iiii.  myghty  kyngdomes  by  true  experience  J  42 

7 

Also  we  haue  shewed  in  the  sayd  littell  boke  43 

Her  goodly  maners  /  and  vertuous  disposicion 
Of  her  yonge  age  /  who-so  lyst  theron  to  loke ; 
And  howe  her  bretherne  suff red  martyrdome ; 
Of  her  fathers  realme  a  litell  discripcion ;  47 

Howe  she  was  professed  in  the  place  of  Ely ; 
Of  her  conuersacion  within  the  sayd  monastery ;  49 


I  WILL  TELL  HOW  ST'  WERBURGE's  BODY  GOT  TO  CHESTER.  133 

8 

After  for  her  vertue  /  ho  we  she  was  made  abbasse  50 

Of  diuers  monasteries,  flouryng  in  vertue  ; 

And  of  the  great  miracles  whiche  there  done  was 

For  her  great  charite  /  by  the  grace  of  lesu ; 

Howe  diuers  of  her  kynrede  dyd  clerely  exchewe  54 

All  wordly  pleasures  and  honours  transetory, 

Professynge  obedience  at  the  place  of  Ely;  56 

9 

Also  we  haue  shewed  vnder  your  licence  57 

Of  her  departure  from  this  lyfe  mortall, 
And  of  her  sepulture  at  the  place  of  Hamburgence ; 
The  manyfolde  myracles  shewed  by  grace  supernall, 
The  wofull  lamentacion  of  her  systers  all ;  61 

And  ho  we  after  .ix.  yere  of  her  translacion 
By  diuine  ordinaunce  miracles  were  done.  63 

10 

We  humble  require  you  of  your  charite  64 

To  this  seconde  abstract  to  graunt  pardon, 
Consyderynge  wo  omytte  whilom  the  historie 
And  speke  of  cronicles  /  makyng  a  digression  ; 
It  is  of  no  ignoraunce  /  nor  presumption,  68 

But  to  enlarge  the  mater  and  sentence, 
To  gladde  the  auditours  /  and  moue  their  diligence.  70 

11 

In  our<?  seconde  boke  expresse  no  we  wyll  we,  71 

Ynder  your  licence  and  speciall  tuicion, 
Of  this  blessed  virgin  /  flourynge  in  chastite, 
Why  and  wherfore  she  came  to  Chestre  towne, 
Principally  by  miracle  /  and  diuine  prouision,  75 

And  howe  for  synne  /  vice  /  and  wykednes 
Danes  oppressed  this  lande  with  wretchednes,  77 

12 

And  howe  she  was  receyued  at  Chestre  citie ;  78 

Of  the  f yrst  f oundacion  of  towne  and  the  place ; 
Of  the  great  myracles  there  shewed  openlie 


134    I  SHALL  ADD  THE  HISTORY  OF  CHESTER  AND  ITS  ABBEY. 

To  chanons  and  monkes  /  by  singular  grace, 

Vnto  euery  creature  in  extreme  case,  82 

Howe  Werburge  delyuered  the  towne  from  ernnite, 

From  dredfull  fire  /  and  plages  of  miserye.  84 

13 

Also  encronicled  foloweth  here  expresse  85 

A  brefe  compilacion  of  kynge  Edwarde  seniour, 
Of  kyng  Ethelstam  /  the  great  worthynes, 
Of  humble  kyng  Edgare  l  regnyng  as  emperour,      i  r.  Ergar<? 
Of  his  comyng  to  Chestre  /  of  his  great  honour  ;  89 

And  howe  Erie  Leofrice  repared  of  his  charite 
The  mynstre  of  Werburge,  gyuyng  therto  liberte  ;  91 

14 

Of  the  seconde  foundacion  of  the  sayd  monastery         92 
From  secular  chanons  to  monkes  religious 
Soone  after  the  conquest,  sayth  the  historye, 
By  the  erle  of  Chestre  nominat  Hug.  Lupus, 
With  counsell  and  helpe  of  blessed  Anselmus;  96 

And  of  the  great  compas  of  the  sayd  abbay, 
Enuired  with  walles  myghty  to  assay  ;  98 

15 

Howe  Richard 1  erle  of  Chestre  by  myracle  ryght  i  p.  Ki0«  99 
Was  preserued  from  daunger  of  Walshemen, 
And  howe  he  was  drowned  about  mydnyght 
Purposyng  to  distroye  the  monastery,  certen. 
Celestiall  signes  were  shewed  to  men  and  women,  103 

To  children  and  innocentes  by  singular  grace 
Of  blessed  Werburge,  patronesse  of  the  place  :  105 

16 

These  miracles  specified  /  and  many  other  mo  103 

This  virgin  shewed  within  Chestre  cite, 
Whiche  at  this  tyme  we  let  ouer  go, 
Lest  to  the  reders  tedious  it  shulde  be. 

Almyghty  god,  both  one  two  and  thre,  110 

Sende  vs  of  theyr  grace  to  make  a  good  ende  : 
Helpe,  lady  Werburge,  this  warke  to  amende.  112 


HORRIBLE  TOKENS  PRECEDE  THE  INVASION  OF  THE  DANES.     135 

IT  Of  the  comynge  of  cr mil  pagans  to  this  lande  /  and  howe 
saint  Werburge  longe  lyenge  hole  and  incorrupt  at 
Hambury,  than  was  resolued  to  ponder.  And  howe  the 
Tcynge  of  merciens  was  chased  from  his  lande.  Ca.  i 

17 

7^1  Fore  the  comyng  of  danes  to  this  lande  113 

Merueilous  signes  were  shewed  in  syght, 
To  conuert  the  people  (as  we  vnde[r]stande) : 
Sterres  in  the  heuen  shynyng  full  bryght, 
Dyuersly  mouynge  apperyng  day  and  nyght,  117 

Rennynge  in  the  ayre  dredfull  to  beholde, 
By  longe  continuaunce,  sayth  the  story  olde  ;  119 

18 

Flamyng  fire  /  dragons  in  the  ayre  fleynge,  120 

Thondryng  /  and  layth  /  erth-quake  moost  terrible, 
With  many  other  signes  /  as  cometis  blasynge, 
"Were  seen  in  the  ayre  /  to  nature  horrible ; 
Vpon  clothynge  of  people  bloddy  dropes  odible  124 

Euydently  appered  :  the  yere  of  grace 
vii.  hundreth  .Ixxxvi.  in  many  a  place.  126 

19 

By  whiche  sayd  signes  wonderfull  to  se  127 

Two  plages  of  pestilence  folowed  incontinent : 
The  first  was  great  derthes,  hungre  and  pouerte, 
The  seconde  was  the  greuous  and  sore  punysshement 
Of  the  cruell  danes,  cursed  and  fraudulent;  131 

Whiche  trouble  began  the  .iiii.  yere  of  Bricticus, 
Kyng  of  westsaxon[s]  /  saith  maister  Alfridus.  133 

20 

The  thyrde  yere  folowyng  these  signes,  in  certen, 
Danes  and  Norwaies  enterprised  this  lande, 
In  the  north  partie,  an  hoost  of  armed  men, 
Whiche  cruelly  spoiled  and  distroied  holy  Ilande, 
With  Tynmouth  abbay  /  and  all  that  myght  be  fonde,    138 


136   WHY  GOD  SUFFERED  THE  DANES  TO  WASTE  ENGLAND. 

Drowned  and  slewe  the  people  euerychone, 

Brenned  churches  /  townes  /  spared  no  religion.  140 

21 

In  short  tyme  after  the  prenominate  pagans  141 

At  tamysmouth  reentred  this  realme  agayne, 
Destroyed  many  cites  by  their  myghty  ordynaunce, 
Oppressed  London  /  Canturbury  by  power,  certayne ; 
The  kynge  of  Merciens  to  escape  was  fayne  ;  145 

Kyng  Adoulf us  made  the  danes  a  batell, 
To  whiche  kyng  by  grace  the  victorye  befell.  147 

22 

yf  ye  wyll  consydre  the  cause  wherfore  and  why         148 
Our  lorde  suffred  pagans  to  punysshe  this  region, 
The  treuth  was  this  :  for  synne  specially. 
For  in  the  primatiue  churche  /  with  great  perfection 
Kynges  /  quienes  /  dukes  entred  religion,  152 

Professed  obedient,  chaste,  without  propurte, 
Yertue  to  encrease  /  true  loue  and  charite  :  154 

23 

That  tyme  was  iustice  ministred  with  mercy,  155 

True  loue  and  amite  founde  in  euery  place  ; 
Dissimulacion  /  pride  and  fals  enuye 
Durst  nat  appere  in  halle  nor  in  palace, 
Exfcorcion,  pollynge  opteyned  no  grace  ;  159 

The  commaundementes  of  god  were  obserued  a-ryght, 
Charite  was  feruent  /  encreasynge  day  and  nyght.  161 

24 

By  proces  of  tyme  /  as  sayth  myn  auctour,  162 

Through  great  possession  /  power  /  and  liberte 
Vertue  decreased  in  holy  churche  day  and  houre, 
Holy  religion  decayed  pitiousle, 

Charite  was  colde  /  iustice  and  equite,  166 

Extorcion,  disceyte  were  vsed  euery  day, 
Couetise  /  pride  /  lechery  were  ryued1  alway  :     ir.  ryue  168 

25 
Therfore  our  lorde  of  his  great  ryghtwisnes  169 


THE   DANISH   FURY.  137 

Suffred  cruell  people  to  entre  this  region, 

A  scourge,  to  correct  synne  and  wykednes  ; 

Like  a  swarme  of  bees  from  dyuers  nacion, 

"Whiche  had  no  pite,  mercy  nor  compassion  :  173 

Danes,  Gotes,  Norwayes,  and  scottes  also, 

Pictes  and  the  wandeles,  with  mony  other  mo.  175 

26 

These  foresayd  fearfull  and  cruell  nacions,  176 

Moost  cruell  pagans,  dyd  great  persecucion, 
From  the  begynnyng  of  Adelwlfe,  kyng  of  westsaxons, 
Tyll  the  comynge  of  normans  vnto  this  region, 
The  space  enduryng  by  full  coinputacion  180 

Two  hundreth  yeres  complet  .xxx.  also, 
With  the  swerde  of  vengeaunce,  fire  and  moche  wo.        182 

27 

The  yere  of  our  lorde  .D.CCC.  fyfty  and  one  183 

At  Tamysmouth  arriued  a  great  hoost  of  pagans 
"With  .iii.  hundreth  ships,  and  .1.  men  of  armes  echone  j 
"Whiche  destroied  Douer  /  and  put  the  lande  to  greuans  ; 
Agayne  Bernulphus,  the  kyng  of  Mercians,  187 

The  paynyms  preuayled  /  and  caused  his  hoost  to  fie  ; 
Whiche  fortune  enforced  them  more  bolder  to  be.  189 

28 

But  the  yere  of  grace  .D.CCC.  sixe  and  sixtie  190 

The  greattest  noumbre  of  the  pagans  all, 
viii.  kynges,  entred  this  realme  by  victorie, 
Norwaies  /  gootes  /  Wandels  /  danes  in  especiall, 
With  many  other  nacions  within  in  generall ;  194 

Kyng  Hingware  and  Hubba  than  came  to  this  lande, 
Whiche  slewe  saint  Edmunde,  kyng  of  Estenglande.       196 

29 

The  cruell  paynyms  and  tyrauntes  moost  furious,  197 

Repleit  with  malice  /  pride  /  and  enuye, 
Seruauntes  to  satan  and  ministres  malicious, 
Purposed  to  desolate  holy  churche  wyckedly  : 
Lrenned  monasteries  and  spoiled  vtterly  201 


138  THE  DANES  ADVANCE  TO  REPTON,  EXPULSE  K.  BUHDRED. 

Many  churches,  chapels,  of  a  mortall  hate, 

Slewe  religious  men,  and  nonnes  dyd  violate.  203 

30 

The  people  were  punysshed  in  euery  place ;  204 

To  olde,  sicke  and  impotent  they  shewed  no  mercy, 
yonge  soukyng  children  coude  fynde  no  grace, 
Wyddowes  and  wyues  were  put  to  vilany, 
Maydens  were  corrupt  /  and  slayne  chamfully.  208 

So  all  this  realme  endured  confusion, 
Put  to  greuous  peyne  /  deth  /  and  affliction.  210 

31 

After  these  infidels  had  ben  at  London  211 

And  there  accomplisshed  theyr  cruell  entent, 
They  soone  preceded  towarde  Lincoln  region, 
From  thens  directly  with  hasty  iugement 
To  the  realme  of  Merciens,  noble  and  auncient,  215 

Right  vnto  Repton,  where  the  kynge  lay ; 
Robbyng  and  spoilynge  all  in  theyr  way.  217 

32 

This  kynge  of  Mercelande,  called  Burdredus,  218 

Regnyng  .xxii.  yere  vpon  the  merciens, 

"Was  clerely  expulsed  by  the  pagans  furious, 

And  went  vnto  rome  with  pure  conscience  j 

Where  he  is  buried  by  diuine  prouidence —  222 

Whiche  kyng  was  cosyn  by  discent  liniall 

To  blessed  Werburge  so  glorious  and  pudicall.  224 

33 

This  gracious  virgin  and  preelect  abbasse,  225 

Buried  at  Hambury  (as  is  sayd  before) 

Continued  incorrupt  and  hole  in  that  place 

In  vesture  and  body  .ii.  hundreth  yere  and  more ; 

But  whan  the  danes  came  with  suche  rigour  229 

To  Repton  abbay  /  than  she  was  resolued, 

And  of  deuocion  full  richely  shryned.  231 


THE  PEOPLE  BEING  STl  WERBURGE'S  SHRINE  TO  CHESTER.     139 

Howe  ike  people  of  Hambury  brought,  the  shryne  to 
Chestre  /  and  of  the  solemne  receyuyng  of  it  by  all  the 
inhdbitauntes  of  Chesshyre.  Cap.  ii. 

34 

meane  tyme  the  danes  pitously  destroyed  232 

The  monasteries  of  Werburge  /  Trentam  &  Wedoft, 
As  they  many  other  places  had  euyll  oppressed 
In  the  north  and  eest  part  of  this  region ; 
The  kyngdorne  of  Kent  suffred  lyke  punicion,  236 

The  lie  of  Wyght  endured  moche  turment : 
So  dyd  the  Westmarches  /  for  punysshement.  238 

35 

The  people  of  Hambury,  wysely  consyderyng  239 

The  comynge  of  danes  vnto  Repton, 
And  of  the  departure  of  Burdred,  theyr  kyng, 
Howe  all  Englande  was  in  great  affliction, 
And  howe  they  were  next  to  endure  punicion —  243 

"Whiche  forsayd  Repton  was  distaunt  from  Hambury 
The  space  of  .v.  mile,  sayth  the  history —  245 

36 

The  Hamburgenses  with  all  the  comons  and  clergy,        246 
Dredynge  full  sore  the  pagans  flagellacions, 
Of  their  lyues  desperate  /  but  for  the  shryne  specially, 
To  our  blessed  sauiour  made  dayly  inuocacions 
With  vigils,  prayers  and  feruent  meditacions,  250 

To  preserue  the  countrey  /  the  relique  /  the  shryne 
From  daunger  of  enmite  and  miserable  ruyne.  252 

37 

As  they  continued  in  cotidian  prayer,  253 

The  best  remedie  sekyng  for  to  fynde 
To  auoide  vexacion  and  all  greuous  daunger 
Of  theyr  great  ennemies  cursed  and  vnkynde, 
The  holy  goost  inspired  theyr  mynde  257 

To  take  the  shryne  with  great  humilite 
And  brynge  it  to  Chestre  from  perill  and  enmyte.          259 


140   THE  CLERGY,  &C.,  GO  IN  PROCESSION  TO  MEET  THE  SHRINE. 

38 

They  toke  this  riall  r  clique  of  reuerence  260 

With  great  mekenes,  deuocion  and  feruour, 

Through  the  grace  of  god,  theyr  helpe  and  defence, 

Came  to-warde  Chester  with  diligence  and  honour — 

A  place  preordinat  by  our  sauiour  264 

Where  her  body  shulde  rest  and  worshipped  be, 

Magnified  with  miracles  next  our  ladie.  266 

39 

IT  Whan  the  clergie  of  Chestre  and  the  cite^ens  267 

Ilerde  tell  of  the  comynge  of  this  noble  abbasse, 
They  made  preparacion  and  great  diligence, 
In  theyr  best-maner  worship  and  solace 
To  mete  this  relique  of  singular  grace  ;  271 

The  great  estates  /  and  rulers  of  the  countray 
Were  redy  to  honour  saint  Werburge  that  day.  273 

40 

First  was  ordeyned  a  solemne  procession,  274 

With  crosses  /  and  baners  /  and  surges  clere  lyght, 
The  belles  were  tolled  for  ioye  and  deuocion  ; 
The  ministres  of  god  in  coopes  redy  dight, 
With  censours  of  siluer  /  to  encense  her  body  right;      278 
All  prestis  and  clerkes  redy  to  say  and  synge 
Preceded  in  ordre  /  this  holy  virgin  praysyng.  280 

41 

Next  to  the  clergie  approched  in  degree  281 

The  lordes  of  the  shyre,  knyghtes,  barons,  all; 
With  f eruent  deuocion  /  praysyng  the  trinite 
Whiche  sent  to  them  suche  comfort  spirituall. 
The  cite3ens  ensued  with  gladnes  cordiall,  285 

With  bokes  and  beades  /  magnifieng  our  maker 
For  this  great  treasure  to  kepe  them  from  daunger.        287 

42 

Venerable  virgins  next  sette  in  ordre  clere,  288 

With  lilies  in  theyr  handes  /  coronate  with  chastite, 
Good  widowes  and  wyues  appoynted  well  were, 


'WELCOME  TO  CHESTER,  SWETE  LADY.'  141 

Gyuynge  true  thankes  vnto  this  virgin  fre. 

!N"ex[fc]  them  assemble  all  the  commonte  292 

In  all  goodly  maner,  dyuised  by  discrecion, 

Praysynge  saynt  Werburge  with  humiliacion.  294 

43 

"Whan  they  approched  to  her  hie  presence  295 

And  comon  were  afore  this  relique  most  riall, 
They  kneled  all  downe  with  mycle  reuerence, 
Salutynge  the  shryne  with  honour  victoriall, 
Magnifiyng  with  melodye  and  tunys  musicall  299 

This  glorious  virgin  /  nothyng  done  amis, 
Syngynge  Te  deum  to  the  kyng  of  blysse.  301 

44 

The  lordes  /  the  cite^ins  /  and  all  the  commons  302 

Mokely  submytted  them-selfe  to  the  shryne, 
With  manyfolde  prayses  and  humble  supplicacions, 
With  interiour  loue  /  and  morall  discipline, 
Trustyng  all  in  her  to  sane  them  from  ruyne,  306 

From  greuous  daunger  /  and  cruell  enmite 
By  her  entercession  vnto  the  trinite.  308 

45 

They  gaue  due  thankes  vnto  this  abbasse,  309 

Deuoutly  sayenge  knelyng  vpon  kne  : 
*  Welcome,  swete  lady,  replet  with  grace, 
The  floure  of  mekenes  /  and  of  chastite, 
The  cristall  of  clennes  and  virginite ;  313 

Welcome  thou  art  to  vs  euerychone, 
A  speciall  comfort  for  vs  to  trust  vpon  1  315 

46 

1  Welcome,  swete  princesse  /  kynges  doughter  dere,        316 
Welcome,  faire  creature  /  and  rose  of  merciens, 
The  diamonde  of  dignite  /  and  gemme  shenyng  clere, 
Virgin  and  moiniall  of  mycle  excellence  j 
Welcome,  holy  abbasse  of  hie  preeminence,  320 

The  rutilant  saphire  of  syncerite, 
Welcome,  swete  patronesse,  to  Chestre  cite  !  322 


142  THE  SHRINE  IS  BROUGHT  TO  THE  ABBEY  OP  CHESTER. 

47 

'  Thou  art  our  refuge  /  and  singular  succour,  323 

Oure  sure  tuicion,  next  to  the  trinite, 
Oure  speciall  defence  at  euery  houre 
To  releue  thy  seruauntes  in  all  necessite ; 
Thou  art  our  solace  and  helpe  in  eche  degre,  327 

Oure  ioye  /  trust  /  and  comfort  /  and  goostly  treasure  : 
Welcome  to  this  towne,  for  euer  to  endure  ! '  329 

48 

1f  Agaynst  her  comynge  into  Chestre  cite  330 

The  stretes  were  strawed  with  flours  fragrant, 
The  mancions  and  halles  edified  rialle 
"Were  hanged  with  arras  precious  and  pleasaunt, 
Torches  were  caried  on  eche  syde  flagrant ;  334 

Also  ouer  the  shryne  was  prepared  a  canaby 
Of  cloth  of  golde  and  tissewe  riche  and  costly.  336 

49 

Thus  with  great  worship,  decoure  and  dignite  337 

Of  all  the  clergie,  lordis  and  cite3ens 
She  was  receyued  with  great  humilite 
Into  the  cite  with  humble  reuerence, 

The  clergie  syngyng  with  mycle  diligence,  341 

The  comons  prayeng  with  loue  f eruent, 
Folowynge  this  relique  after  their  entent.  343 

50 

In  procession  they  passed  all  in  to  the  towne,  344 

With  ioye  and  great  gladnes,  ye  may  be  sure, 
In  ordre  togyther,  in  charite  and  deuocion, 
Praysyng  our  sauiour  and  this  virgin  pure ; 
They  brought  full  solemple  with  gostly  p[l]easure  348 

This  riall  relique  to  the  moost  noble  place 
Within  all  the  cite,  as  our  lordes  wyll  was.  350 

51 

This  seconde  translacion  of  this  virgin  bright  351 

From  Hambury  abbay  vnto  Chestre  cite 
Was  celebrate,  with  ioye  and  gladnes  full  right, 


THE  FOUNDATION  OF    CHESTER  (AFTEE  POLICRONICON),     143 

The  yere  of  our  saueour  in  his  humanite 

viii.  hundreth  complet  .v.  and  seuentie ;  355 

Alured  regned  than  kyng  of  this  region, 

Victorious  and  liberall  /  coronate  at  London.  357 

52 

This  kyng  deuyded  in  .iiii.  partes  his  richesse :  358 

One  parte  to  the  poore,  the  seconde  to  religion, 
The  thyrde  part  to  scholers  /  the  fourth  to  bild  churches ; 
And  of  a  day  naturall  /  he  made  trium  diuision : 
viii.  houres  to  rede  and  praye  with  feruent  deuocion,      362 
viii.  houres  occupied  with  businesse  naturall, 
And  other  .viii.  houres  to  rule  his  realme  riall.  364 

henric'.  li°.  v. 

Nobilitas  innata  tibi  probita[ti]s  honorem, 
Armipotens  Alurede,  dedit  /  probitasq^  laborem, 
Perpetuumq^  labor  nomen  :  cui  mixta  dolori 
Gaudia  semper  erant :  spes  semper  mixta  timori. 
Si  modo  victus  erat  /  ad  crastina  bella  parabat, 
Si  modo  victor  erat  /  ad  crastina  bella  pauebat ; 
Tarn  post  transactos  regni  viteq$  labores  / 
Christe 1  ei  sit  vera  quies  /  sceptrumq^  perenne.      i  r.  chnstus 

IT  A  litel  description  of  the  foundation  of  Chestre  /  and  of 
the  abbay-churche  within  the  sayd  cite  /  where  ye  holy 
shryne  by  grace  remayneth.  Cap.  iii, 

53 

Two  cites  of  legions  in  cronicles  we  fynde  :  365 

One  in  south- Wales  /  in  the  tyme  of  Claudius 

Called  Caeruska  /  by  britons  had  in  mynde, 

Orels  Caerleon  /  buylded  by  kyng  Belinus ; 

Where  somtyme  was  a  legion  of  knyghtes  chiualrous.    369 

This  cite  of  legions  was  whilom  the  bysshops  se 

Vnto  all  south-wales  /  nominat  Wenedocie.  371 

54 
Another  cite  of  legions  we  may  fynde  also  372 


144  CHESTER— CARLLEON — 'CITY  OF  LEGIONS.'  FIRST  FOUNDER? 


In  the  west  part  of  Englande  /  by  the  water  of  Dee, 

Called  Caerlleon  of  britons  longe  ago, 

After  named  Chestre,  by  great  auctorite ; 

lulius  the  emperour  sende  to  this  sayd  cite  376 

A  legion  of  knyghtes  /  for  to  subdue  Irelande ; 

Like-wyse  dyd  Claudius  (as  we  vnderstande).  378 

55 

The  founder  of  Chestre  /  as  sayth  Policronicon,  379 

Was  Lleon  Gauer  /  a  myghty  stronge  gyaunt, 
Whiche  buylded  caues  and  dongions  many  one, 
No  goodly  buyldyng  /  propre  ne  pleasaunt ; 
But  the  Kynge  Leil,  a  briton  sure  and  valiaunt,  383 

Was  founder  of  Chestre  by  pleasaunt  buyldyng, 
And  of  Caerleil  also  /  named  by  the  kynge.  385 

56 

Ranulphus  in  his  cronicle  yet  doth  expresse  386 

The  cite  of  Chestre  edified  for  to  be 
By  the  noble  romans  prudence  and  richesse 
Whan  a  legion  of  knyghtes  was  sende  to  the  cite, 
Rather  than  by  the  wysdome  of  Britons  or  policie  ;        390 
Obiectyng  clere  agaynst  the  britons  fundacion, 
Whiche  auctour  resteth  in  his  owne  opinion.  392 

A°  gratie.  Ixv. 

57 

Kyng  Marius,  a  bryton,  regnyng  in  prosperite  393 

In  the  West  partie  of  this  noble  region, 
Ampliat  and  walled  strongly  Chestre  cite 
And  myghtyly  fortified  the  sayd  foundacion. 
Thus  eche  auctour  holdeth  a  singular  opinion.  397 

This  Marius  slewe  Reodric,  kyng  of  pictis  lande, 
Callyng  the  place  of  his  name  Westmarilande.  399 

58 

This  *  cite  of  legions,'  so  called  by  the  Romans,  400 

Nowe  is  nominat  in  latine  of  his  proprete 
Cestria  quasi  castria  /  of  honour  and  pleasance : 
Proued  by  the  buyldynge  of  olde  antiquite 


CHESTER  HEAD  OF  NORTH  WALES.    EARLY  CHRISTIANITY.    145 

In  cellers  and  lowe  voultes  /  and  halles  of  realte  404 

Lyke  a  comly  castell  /  myghty,  stronge  and  sure, 

Echo  house  like  a  toure,  somtyme  of  great  pleasure.       406 

59 

Vnto  the  sayd  Chestre  all  northwales  subiect  were         407 
For  reformacion,  lustice  and  iugement ; 
Theyr  bysshops  see  also  it  was  many  a  yere 
Enduryng  the  gouernaunce  of  brutes  auncient ; 
To  saxons  and  britons  a  place  indifferent ;  41 1 

The  inhabitauntes  of  it  manfull  and  liberall, 
Constant,  sad  and  vertuous  /  and  gentyll  continuall.       413 

60 

Of  frutes  and  cornes  there  is  great  habundaunce,  414 

Woddes  /  parkes  /  forestes  /  and  beestis  of  venare, 
Pastures  /  feeldes  /  comons  /  the  cite  to  auaunce, 
Waters  /pooles/  pondes  /  of  fysshe  great  plente ; 
Most  swete  holsome  ayre  by  the  water  of  dee;  418 

There  is  great  marchandise  /  shyps  /  and  wynes  strang, 
With  all  thyng  of  pleasure  the  cite^ens  amonge.  420 

61 

The  yere  of  our  lorde  a  hundreth  sixe  and  fyfty         421 
Reigned  vpon  this  lande  a  briton  kyng  Lucius, 
Whiche  with  great  desire  required  instantly 
His  realme  to  be  baptised  of  pope  Eleutherius.1 1  P.  Eicntherius 
Whose  charitable  mocion  was  harde  full  gratius  :  425 

The  pope  enioyed  /  graunted  his  peticion 
And  sende  .ii.  doctours  to  conuerte  this  region.  427 

62 

The  doctours  by  prechyng  and  singular  grace  428 

In  short  tyme  conuerted  the  greatter  Britayne ; 
The  people  confessed  their  synne  and  trespase, 
Bapti}ed  all  were  /  forgyuenes  dyd  attayne  ; 
Idolatrie  cessed  through-out  this  lande,  certayne  ;  432 

With  grace  circumfulced  and  lyghtned  was  England^, 
By  faith  to  god  professed  was  all  Wales  and  scotlande.  434 

L 


146       CHESTER    CHRISTIANISED    SOON    AFTER   K.    LUCIUS. 

63 

Kynge  Lucius  ordeyned  /  by  the  doctours  mocion  435 

xxviii.  bisshops  in  this  realme  for  to  be, 

And  .iii.  archebisshops,  for  gostly  exhortacion, 

To  reduce  the  people  to  vertue  and  humilite. 

At  London  was  set  the  chiefs  archebisshops  se,  439 

The  seconde  in  south- Wales  at  cite  of  legions, 

The  thyrde  was  at  yorke,  all  subiect  to  the  britons.        441 

64 

Churches  were  edified  in  many  a  place  442 

Here  in  the  more  Britayne  with  diligent  labour, 
Christis  faith  encreased  by  speciall  grace, 
Faithfull  religion  delated  euery  hour ; 

Diuine  seruice  was  songon  &  sayd  with  great  honour,     446 
True  faith  and  deuocion  were  dayly  encreasynge, 
Namely  in  Chestre  by  grace  continuall  abidynge,  448 

65 

Certaynly,  sith  baptym  came  to  Chestre  cite,  449 

Soone  after  Lucius  /  and  afore  kynge  Arthure, 
By  the  grace  of  god  and  their  humilite, 
The  faith  of  holy  churche  dyd  euer  there  endure 
Without  recidiuacion  and  infection  /  sure ;  453 

Wherfore  it  is  worthy  a  singular  commendacion, 
Aboue  all  the  citees  and  townes  of  this  region.  455 

66 

The  perfect  begynnyng  and  fyrst  foundacion  456 

Of  the  monasterie  within  the  sayd  cite 
Was  at  the  same  tyme  by  famus  opinion 
That  baptym  began  within  this  countre  ; 
The  great  lordes  of  Chestre  of  landes  and  auncetre         460 
First  edified  the  churche  for  comfort  spirituall 
In  honour  of  the  apostels  Peter  and  Paule.  462 

67 

Whiche  churche  was  principall  to  all  the  citie,  463 

And  the  mouther-churche  called  withouten  doubt ; 
It  was  their  buriall  by  great  auctorite, 


THE   FAITH    REMAINS    INTACT    IN    CHESTER.  147 

To  all  this  sayd  cite  /  and  .vii.  myle  without ; 

The  cemiterie  was  large  to  compase  it  about.  467 

But  what  by  sufferaunce  and  processe  of  tyme 

Many  olde  customes  ben  brought  now  to  ruyne.  469 

68 

In  whiche  mother-churche  of  Peter  and  Paulo  470 

All  holy  sacramentes  ministred  dayly  were, 
With  great  encreasement  of  vertues  all, 
Continuall  endurynge  more  than  .COG.  yere, 
In  the  britons  tyme  /  of  blodde  noble  and  clerc,  474 

Afore  the  comyng  of  saxons  to  this  lande, 
Whiche  with  apostasie  enfected  all  Englande.  476 

69 

So  after  that  the  Angles  /  lutes  /  and  saxons  477 

By  fortune  of  batell  /  power  and  policie 
Had  clerely  subdued  all  the  olde  britons 
And  them  expulsed  to  wales  and  wylde  countre, 
The  faith  of  holy  churche  remayned  at  chestre  cite         481 
In  the  sayd  churche,  truely,  by  singular  grace  alone, 
Like  as  the  faith  of  Peter  neuer  fayled  at  Home.  483 

70 

What  tyme  saint  Austin,  the  doctour  of  Englande,     484 
Had  baptised  Ethelbrut,1  kynge  of  Kent,  i  r.  ttheibrict 

And  by  relacion  dyd  fully  vnderstande 
That  the  faith  of  Christ  most  digne  and  excellent 
In  the  citie  of  legions  was  truely  remanent,  488 

In  the  churche  of  the  apostoles  Peter  and  Paule, 
He  magnified  our  lorde  with  thanke  speciall.  490 

71 

That  season  there  was  a  noble  monasterie  491 

xii.  myles  from  Chestre,  nominate  Bangour, 
Where  religious  monkes  lyued  vertuouslye, 
Almost  .iii.  thousande  /  obedient  euery  houre, 
Without  possessions  /  lyuyng  by  theyr  labour  :  495 

Vnto  whiche  place  he  sencle  for  helpe  at  nede, 
To  conuert  the  saxons  (sayth  venerable  Bede).  497 

L  2 


148  KING   OFFA   EXPELS   THE   BRITONS. 

72 

Saynt  Austin  approched  the  cite  of  legions,  498 

Where  the  sayd  couent  afore  hym  were  present : 
"Whom  he  required  to  preche  to  the  saxons 
The  faith  of  holy  churche  and  baptym  diligent. 
To  whose  humble  prayer  /  they  were  disobedient,  502 

Obseruyng  no  charite.  /  yet  for  theyr  great  pride 
Many  of  them  were  slayne  by  kyng  Ethelfride.  504 

73 

That  season  the  britons  remayned  vnder  licence  505 

Of  Angles  and  saxons  within  the  sayd  cite, 
Tyll  the  dayes  of  Offa,  kynge  of  merciens, 
Regnyng  in  the  west  marche  with  great  victorie ; 
Whiche  kynge  expulsed  by  power  and  chiualrie  509 

All  brutes  and  walshemen  clere  out  of  his  londe, 
In  peyne  of  punysshement  none  there  to  be  fonde.         511 

74 

Whan  the  said  churche,  hauynge  great  liberte,  512 

Dayly  augmented  in  vertue  and  holynes, 
Prestis  and  clerkes  praysed  the  holy  trinite 
And  the  sayd  apostoles  with  great  mekenes, 
The  cite  encreased  in  worshyp  and  ryches;  516 

Churches  were  edified  with  feruent  deuocion 
In  sondrie  places  within  the  sayd  towne.  518 

75 

This  noble  kyng  Off  a  agaynst  the  pagans  519 

Of  .xvii.  batels  had  euer  the  victorye  ; 
Confederate  was  with  great  Charles,  kyng  of  Frauwce, 
And  edified  saint  Albans  monasterye  ; 
Of  Englande  first  toke  the  hole  monarchic ; 
Gaue  Peter  pens  vnto  the  court  of  Home  ;  524 

Translate  to  Lichefelde  the  se  of  Canturbury  ; 
xxxix.  yere  regned  fully  in  this  region.  526 


ST  WERBURGE'S  SHRINE  TRANSLATED  TO  CHESTER  IN  875.  149 

If  A  brefe  rehersall  of  the  first  foundation  of  the  mynstre  of 
Chestre  /  and  of  the  institution  of  secular  chanons  in 
the  tyme  of  kyng  Edwarde  senior.  Cap.  iiii. 

76 

/7THe  yere  of  grace  .D.CCC.  seuynte  and  fyue,  527 

Kyng  Alured  regned  1  vpon  2  this  region,       J  £  ^ti^on' 
The  relique,  the  shryne  full  memoratyue 
Was  brought  to  Chestre  for  our  consolacion, 
Reuerently  receyued,  set  with  deuocion  531 

In  the  mouther-churche  of  saint  Peter  and  Paule, 
(As  afore  is  sayd),  a  place  moost  principall.  533 

77 

In  whiche  holy  place  vnto  this  present  day  534 

She  bodilye  resteth  by  diuine  prouidence, 
And  so  by  his  grace  shall  continue  alway, 
In  honour,  worshyp  /  and  mycle  reuerence  ; 
A  deuout  oratorie  of  vertue  and  excellence,  538 

Prepared  by  our  lorde  /  where  speciall  remedy 
Is  agayne  all  greuans  in  soule  and  in  body.  540 

78 

The  primatyue  gyftes  gyuen  to  the  place  541 

Immediatly  were  after  her  comynge 
Of  deuout  people  replet  with  grace 
In  the  dayes  of  the  f orsayd  Alured  kyng : 
Of  landes  and  libertes  they  made  moche  offerynge  545 

To  god  and  saint  Werburge  /  after  theyr  possession, 
Tristyng  to  her  prayer  and  sure  protection.  547 

79 

The  people  with  deuocion  and  mynde  feruent  548 

Gaue  diuers  enormentes  vnto  this  place : 
Some  gaue  a  coope  /  and  some  a  vestement, 
Some  other  a  chalice  /  and  some  a  corporace, 
Many  albes  and  other  clothes  off  red  ther  was,  552 

Some  crosses  of  golde  /  some  bokes  /  some  belles ; 
The  pore  folke  gaue  surges  /  torches  /  and  towel les.        554 


150     ELFLEDE   FOUNDS   THE   MINSTER   OF   ST>  WERBURGE. 

80 

The  cite^ens  offered  to  the  sayd  virgine  555 

For  the  great  miracles  amonge  them  wrought 

Many  riall  gyftes  of  Jewels  to  the  shrine, 

Thankynge  our  lorde,  that  hath  vs  all  bought, 

And  blessed  Werburge  in  worde,  dede,  and  thought —  559 

Women  and  children  she  mynded  full  gracious, 

As  testifieth  the  archebisshop  Antoninus.  561 

81 

Diuine  seruice  was  obserued  deuoutly  562 

Euery  day,  encreasyng  with  feruent  adoracion 
As  the  feest  required  /  and  the  solemnite, 
To  the  honour  of  our  lorde  and  hie  glorificacion ; 
Preistis  and  clerkes  with  pure  meditacion  566 

Obseruynge  their  dutie  gaue  vertuous  example 
Of  great  perfection  to  the  comon  people.  568 

82 

After  kyng  Alured  /  regned  his  son  569 

Edwarde  senior,  by  liniall  discence, 
Crowned  the  y ere  of  grace  .ix.  hundreth  and  one, 
with  wordly  glorie  and  great  preeminence ; 
Buylded  castels,  townes  of  myghty  defence,  573 

Subdued  the  danes  .vii.  tymes  in  batell ; 
Encreased  his  realme  manfully  and  well.  575 

83 

That  tyme  the  realme  of  merciens  was  translate  576 

By  the  kynge  /  and  gyuen  to  duke  Ethelrede, 
A  noble  man  of  auncetre  /  politicke  and  fortunate, 
Which e  maried  his  syster,  lady  Elflede, 
Doughter  to  the  forsaid  valiant  kynge  Alurede ;  580 

The  sayd  gentilman  was  wyse  and  vertuous, 
Sad  and  discrete,  pacient  and  famous.  582 

84 

This  lady  Elflede,  duchesse  of  merciens,  583 

Had  speciall  lone  and  singular  affection 
To  blessed  Werburge,  and  true  confidence  : 


ELFLEDE    INSTITUTES    SECULAR    CANONS.  151 

Wherfore  she  mynded  with  great  dilectacion 

To  edifie  a  mynstre,  a  place  of  deuocion,  687 

To  this  holy  virgin,  for  profite  of  her  soule, 

Enlargynge  the  churche  of  Peter  and  of  Paule.  689 

85 

She  moued  her  husbande  with  great  mekenes  590 

To  supplie  the  same  dede  of  his  charite, 
And  diuers  other  nobles  of  theyr  goodnes 
For  aide  in  that  cause  after  their  degree, 
loyfull  was  the  duke  of  the  mocion  gostle,  594 

Glad  were  the  nobles  within  all  the  shire 
To  founde  a  mynstre  after  her  desire.  596 

86 

Afore  the  holy  roode  in  a  table  writen  is  597 

At  saint  lohans  churche  without  the  sayd  cite, 
Howe  that  prince  Edmunde,  the  thyrde  son  e-wia 
Of  Edwarde  senior,  true  foundour  shulde  be — 
To  whom  lady  Elflede  was  aunt  by  auncetre.  601 

So  betwix  twayne  was  founded  in  short  space 
An  holy  mynstre,  of  vertue  full  and  grace.  603 

87 

They  sende  for  masons  vpon  euery  syde,  604 

Counnynge  in  geometric  /  the  foundacion  to  take 
For  a  large  mynstre,  longe,  hie,  and  wyde, 
Substancially  wrought  /  the  best  that  they  can  make, 
To  the  honour  of  god  /  for  saynt  Werburge  sake ;          608 
At  the  est  ende  taken  theyr  sure  foundacion 
Of  the  apostoles  churche  /  ioynynge  both  as  one.  610 

88 

Whan  it  was  edified  /  and  curiously  wrought  611 

And  all  thyng  ended  /  in  goodly  proporcion. 
Than  riche  enormentes  were  offred  and  brought 
Of  the  said  nobles  with  great  deuocion ; 
Temporall  landes  /  rentes  /  possession  615 

Were  gyuen,  for  euer  to  mayntayne  the  place 
Of  blessed  Werburge  by  singular  grace.  617 


152      THE  SAME  ELFLEDE  REBUILDS  AND  FORTIFIES  CHESTER, 

89 

Spirituall  ministres  were  elect  also  :  618 

Secular  chanons,  of  great  humilite, 
To  synge  and  psalmodise  oure  sauiour  vnto, 
Within  the  sayd  mynstre  hauynge  a  perpetuite ; 
Prebendes  were  assigned  to  that  fraternite,  622 

With  townes  /  borowes  /  and  fredomes  manifest, 
Continually  encreasyng  vnto  the  conquest.  624 

90 

And  the  olde  churche  of  Peter  and  of  Paule  625 

By  a  generall  couTisell  of  the  spiritualte 
With  helpe  of  the  duke  moost  principall 
Was  translate  to  the  myddes  of  the  sayd  cite  ; 
Where  a  paresshe-churche  was  edified,  truele,  629 

In  honour  of  the  aforesayd  apostoles  twayne, 
Whiche  shall  for  euer  by  grace  diuine  remayne.  631 

91 

Also  we  may  note,  holdyng  none  opinion,  632 

This  lady  Elflede  of  her  charite 
Of  the  sayd  mother-churche  translate  the  patron, 
Caused  the  sayd  oratorie  reconciled  to  be 
In  the  honour  of  the  most  blessed  trinite  636 

And  of  saynt  Oswalde,  martyr  and  kyng, 
For  the  loue  she  had  to  hym  continuynge.  638 

92 

The  yere  of  our  lorde  .ix.  hundreth  and  .viii.  639 

This  noble  duchesse  with  mycle  royalte 
Eeedified  Chestre  /  and  fortified  it  full  ryght, 
Churche  /  house  /  and  wall,  decayed  piteousle. 
Thus  brought  vnto  ruyne  was  Chestre  cite  643 

First,  by  Ethelfride,  kyng  of  Northumberlande, 
And  by  danes  /  norwaies,  vexyng  all  Englande.  645 

93 

Also  she  enlarged  this  sayd  olde  cite  646 

With  newe  myghty  walles  stronge  ail-about, 
Almost  by  proporcion  double  in  quantite 


TRANSLATES    ST"    OSWALD'S    BODY    TO    GLOUCESTER,  ETC.       153 

To  the  forther  byldynge  brought  without  clout ; 

She  compassed  in  the  castell  enemies  to  hold  out  650 

Within  the  sayd  Walles,  to  defends  the  towne 

Agaynst  danes  and  walshemero,  to  dryue  them  all  downe.  652 

94 

After  the  deth  of  her  husband  Ethclrede  653 

She  ruled  the  realme  of  mercelande  manfully, 
Buylded  churches  /  and  townes  repared  in  dede, 
As  Staf orde  /  Warwike  /  Thomwort  /  and  Shirisbury  ; 
Of  newe  she  edified  Runcorn  and  Edisbury.  657 

The  body  of  saynt  Oswalds  also  she  translate 
From  Bardeney  to  Gloucetur,  there  to  be  tumulate  :       659 

95 

Where  she  edified  a  noble  monastery,  660 

With  licence  of  her  brother  afore  nominate, 
In  honour  of  saint  Peter  /  ouer  the  blessed  body 
Of  the  sayd  saint  Oswalds  /  kyng  and  martyr  coronate. 
In  wiche  monastery  this  lady  was  tumulate,  664 

The  yere  of  our  lorde  .ix.  hundreth  and  nyntene ; 
"\Vhom  myn  auctour  prayseth  in  this  wordes  serene  :      666 

henric'.  li.°  v. 
0  Elfleda  potens  /  o  terror  virgo  virorum : 

Victrix  nature,  nomine  digna  viri. 
Te  quoq^  splendidior  fecit l  natura  puellam,   1  r.  Tu  quo  sp.  fieres 

Te  probitas  fecit  nomen  habere  viri. 
Te  mutare  docet l  sed  solum  2  nomina  sexus,      i  r.  decet,  2  soiam 

Tu  regina  potens  /  rexq^  trophea  parans. 
lam  nee  cesarei  tantwra  meruere  triumphi, 

Caesare  splendidior  virgo  virago.     Yale. 

1F  Qf  the  notable  myracles  of  saynt  Werburge  shewed  in  the 
tyme  of  chanons  /  andfyrst  howe  she  saued  Chester  from 
distruction  of  walshemen.  Cap.  v. 

96 
'TTHis  glorious  Werburge  and  virgin  pure  667 

By  singular  grace  of  god  omnipotent 
Shewed  many  myracles  to  euery  creature, 


154     MIRACLES  OF  ST<  WERBURGE  AFTER  HER  TRANSLATION". 

To  blynde  /  dombe  /  halt  /  lame  /  and  impotent, 
Tn  the  cite  of  Chestre  /  whan  her  shryne  was  present,  671 
Like-wyse  as  in  her  lyfe  at  Wedon  /  at  Hambury — • 
Witneseth  the  same  her  true  legende  and  history.          673 

97 

Wherporje1  to  the  honour  /  prayse  /  and  laudacion       674 
Of  lesu  /  the  seconde  persone  in  trinite,  1  P.  where 

And  of  this  virgin  a1  speciall  commendacion,  ir.  to? 

We  purpose  to  reherse  nowe  with  charite, 
Ynder  the  protection  of  you  that  shall  the  reders  be,    678 
Parte  of  the  myracles  /  with  mynde  diligent 
In  this  humble  stile  /  and  sentence  consequent.  680 

98 

The  first  myracle  /  that  our  blessed  sauiour  681 

Shewed  for  his  spouses  /  after  her  translacion 
To  Chestre  :  was  nye  the  tyme  of  Edwarde  seniour, 
Son  to  kyng  Alured,  famous  of  renowne. 
The  Name  of  britons  was  chaunged  that  season,  685 

Were  named  walshemen,  in  the  montaynes  segregate, 
Euer  to  the  saxons  hauynge  inwarde  hate.  687 

99 

The  Walshemen  that  tyme  had  ouer  them  a  kyng      688 
Called  Griflfinus  /  to  be  theyr  gouernour, 
Electe  by  the  comons  their  appetite  folowyng, 
Endurate  with  malice  /  couetise  and  rancour, 
Ennemies  to  englisshemen  /  as  is  said  before.  692 

This  kyng  entended  by  mortall  enuy 
The  cite  of  Chestre  to  spoyle  and  distrye.  694 

100 

A  myghty  host  discended  from  the  mountans,  695 

Well  armed  and  strongely  approchyng  the  cite, 
Prepared  for  batell,  with  them  great  ordinaunce. 
The  sayd  Griffinus  and  all  his  company 
With  his  power  passed  ouer  the  water  of  Dee —  699 

Whiche  ryuer  adioynneth  to  the  sayd  towne, 
Betwene  Englande  and  Wales  a  sure  diuision.  701 


SHE  PROTECTS  CHESTER  AGAINST  K.  GRUFFINUS.  155 

101 

This  kynge  layd  siege  vnto  Chestre  cite  702 

With  all  his  great  host  /  there  honour  to  wyn — 

By  policie  of  warre  /  encreasynge  myghtyle. 

For  whiche  the  cite^ens  remaynyng  within 

were  sore  disconsolate,  like  for  to  twyn  :  706 

"With  wofull  heuy  hartes  they  dyd  call  and  crye 

Vpon  blessed  Werburge  for  helpe  and  remedye.  708 

102 

The  charitable  chanons  with  great  deuocion  709 

Toke  the  holy  shryne  of  theyr  patrones, 
Set  it  on  the  towne-walles  for  helpe  and  tuicion, 
Trustynge  on  her  to  be  saued  from  distres. 
But  one  of  the  ennemyes  with  great  wyckednes  713 

Smot  the  sayd  shryne  in  castyng  of  a  stone, 
And  it  empaired  /  piteous  to  loke  vpon.  715 

103 

Anone  great  punysshement  vpon  them  all  lyght :  716 

The  kyng  and  his  host  were  smytten  with  blyndnes, 
That  of  the  cite  /  they  had  no  maner  of  syght ; 
And  he  that  smote  the  holy  shryne,  doubtles, 
Was  greuously  vexed  with  a  sprite  of  darkenes,  720 

And  with  hidous  payne  expired  miserably — 
The  kynge  was  sore  a-dred  /  and  all  his  company.  722 

104 

Shortly  the  kynge  remoued  his  great  host,  723 

Departed  from  the  cite  without  any  praye, 
And  gaue  in  commaundement  in  euery  coost 
Saynt  Werburge  landes  to  meynteyne  alway, 
Assigned  her  possessions  euer  after  that  day  727 

With  the  signe  of  the  crosse,  a  token  euident, 
In  pleasyng  this  virgin  /  for  drede  of  punysshement.     729 


156     ST'  WERBURGE  CURES  A  LAME  WOMAN,  EADGIDA,  THRICE. 

^  Howe  saynt  Werourge  cured  and  healed  a  woman  thre 
tymes  (whiche  was  halte  and  lame)  to  helth  and 
prosperite  agayne.  Cap.  vi. 

105 

the  cite  of  Chestre  (the  legende  doth  expresse)       730 
An  honest  matrone  dwelled  /  Eagida  nominat, 
Whiche  by  continuaunce  /  and  payne  of  sickenes 
Was  made  halt  and  lame  /  of  helth  all  desperate  ; 
yet  to  saynt  Werburge  her  hart  was  eleuate,  734 

Instantly  required  with  humble  supplicacion 
This  holy  virgin  for  helth  /and  preseruacion.  736 

106 

Anone  by  the  merit e  of  this  lady  clere  737 

The  pacient  restored  to  helth  and  prosperite, 
Gaue  honour  and  thankes  to  Werburge  and  prayer, 
Entendyng  euer  after  her  true  seruaunt  to  be 
And  truely  continue  lyuyng  in  pure  chastite.  741 

Bub  shortly  she  brake  her  promesse  made  in  syght, 
Folowyng  her  appetite  and  carnall  lustes  full  ryght.       743 

107 

She  had  great  riches,  welth  and  prosperite  744 

And  maried  with  pleasure  after  her  entencion  ; 
Wher[for]e  thries  she  endured  her  olde  infirmite, 
And  thries  was  cured,  by  meke  intercession, 
To  helth  of  body  from  peynfull  contraction.  748 

Thus  by  the  merite  of  this  virgin  pure 
She  was  deliuered  from  peyne  thries  to  pleasure.  750 

108 

This  forsayd  Eadgide,  prudently  ponderyng  751 

These  notable  miracles  with  her  gostly  eye, 
Gaue  great  co7>imendacion  and  speciall  thankyng 
To  almyghty  god  /  with  feruent  humilite 
And  to  saynt  Werburge,  knelynge  on  kne,  755 

Came  to  her  oratorie  and  gaue  an  oblacion 
To  the  holy  shryne  with  singular  deuocion.  757 


SHE   SAVES   CHESTER   FKOM   THE    DANES   AND   SCOTS.      157 

IT  Howe  saynt  Werburge  saued  Chestre  from  innumerable 
barbarike  nations  /  purposynge  to  distroye  and  spoyle  the 
sayd  cite  vtterly.  Cap,  vii. 

109 
7^1  N  other  tyme  innumerable  barbarike  nacions  758 

Came  to  spoyle  Chestre,  to  robbe  it  and  distry, 
(Sayth  the  hi  story  e)  from  diuers  regions  : 
Harolde  kyng  of  danes  /  the  kynge  of  gotes  &  galwedy, 
Maucolyn  of  Scotlande,  and  all  theyr  company,  762 

"With  baners  displayed,  well  armed  to  fyght ; 
Theyr  tentes  rially  in  hoole  heth  were  pyght.  764 

110 

They  set  theyr  ordinaunce  agaynst  the  towne  765 

Ypon  euery  side  /  timorous  for  to  se, 
Namely  at  the  northgate  they  were  redy-bowne 
By  myght,  police  to  haue  entred  the  cite. 
The  cite3ens  dredyng  to  be  in  captiuite,  769 

Made  intercession  vnto  this  holy  abbasse 
For  theyr  deliueraunce  in  suche  extreme  case.  771 

111 

The  deuout  chanons  sette  the  holy  shryne  772 

Agaynst  theyr  enemies  at  the  sayd  northgate, 
Trustynge  to  Werburge  to  saue  them  from  ruyne 
And  shewe  some  myracle  to  them  disconsolate. 
For  the  cite^ens  were  of  their  lyues  desperate,  776 

Passynge  mannes  mynde  to  escape  theyr  daunger 
But  all-only  by  merite  of  this  virgin  clere.  778 

112 

As  the  kynges  were  sautynge  this  forsayd  cite,  779 

Trustyng  for  a  praye  to  haue  it  euery  hour, 
One  of  the  sayd  ennemies,  replet  with  iniquite, 
Nat  worshyppyng  ye  virgin  /  nor  dredyng  our  sauiour, 
Smote  this  riall  relique  with  a  stone  in  his  rancour,        783 
Brake  therof  a  corner,  curiously  wrought, 
Cast  all  to  the  grounde  :  than  sorowe  came  vnsought.     785 


158   ST'  WERBURGE  APPEARS  IN  A  VISION  TO  A  BARREN  WOMAN, 

113 

The  sayd  malefactour  nat  passynge  the  place  786 

Yexed  with  the  deuill  for  his  greuous  offence, 

Roryng  and  yellyng  his  outragious  trespase, 

Tore  his  tonge  a-sonder  in  wodely  violence, 

Miserable  exspired  afore  them  in  presence;  700 

Satan  ceased  nat  to  shewe  great  punysshement 

Vpon  his  soule  and  body  /  by  signes  euident.  792 

114 

These  kynges  considerynge  this  soden  vengeaunce  793 

Amonge  them  all  lyght  so  soone  and  hastely, 
Shortly  remoued  theyr  great  ordinaunce, 
Departed  from  the  cite  with  theyr  company ; 
Callyng  on  this  virgin  fast  for  grace  and  mercy,  797 

Promyttynge  neuer  after  to  retourne  agayne 
To  disquiete  her  seruauntes  and  cite,  in  certayne.  799 

IT  Howe  saynt  Werburge  by  her  merite  sent  frute  to  a 
barrayne  woman  by  syngular  prayer  made  vnto  her. 
The  .viii.  chapitre. 

115 

Noble  gentilman  /  a  consul  in  office,  800 

Descendyng  of  the  hie  and  riall  blodde  of  costy, 
Elected  a  spouses  at  his  owne  deuice, 
A  swete  faire  gentilwoman,  curtes  and  comly, 
Nominat  ludith  /  ioynned  to  hym  in  matrimony ;  804 

With  whom  this  lady  lyued  a  longe  season 
Barrayn  and  fruteles  of  generacion.  806 

116 

She  daily  lamented  her  great  wretchednes,  807 

As  woman  infortunate  full  of  miserye, 
Prayed  to  saynt  Werburge  with  interiour  mekenes 
For  remedy  and  helpe  agaynst  that  wofull  infamye, 
Desired  to  haue  issue  and  frute  of  her  bodye,  811 

If  it  pleased  god  /  and  this  virgin  also, 
Most  greattest  comfort  to  brynge  her  hert  from  wo.        813 


WHO,    FOLLOWING   HER   INSTRUCTIONS,    CONCEIVES.       159 
117 

Saynt  Werburge  appered  to  her  in  vision,  814 

In  white  bright  vesture  /  clere  as  the  cristall, 

Expressynge  wordes  of  great  consolacion, 

Most  ioyfull  to  ludith  to  make  rehersall : 

Commaundyng  her  by  the  effect  speciall  818 

To  go  to  her  churche  with  singular  deuocion 

And  praye  our  sauiour  with  humble  supplicacion,  820 

118 

Also  for  to  compasse  her  holy  aulter  821 

With  a  linen  cloth  /  knelyng  on  her  kne, 
And  after  for  to  take  the  same  cloth  in-fere 
And  compas  her  wombe  about  reuerentle. 
This  ludith  was  ioyfull  /  and  rose  vp  yerle  825 

And  truely  f ulfylled  this  gostly  vision ; 
From  thens  departed  to  her  propre  mancion.  827 

119 

Soone  after  this  wyfe  afore- rehersed  828 

Conceyued  a  childe  and  had  succession, 
Praysyng  this  virgin  in  hart,  worde  and  dede ; 
And  after  the  tyme  of  her  purificacion 
Of  the  same  faire  cloth  she  made  oblacion,  '  832 

Richely  set  in  syluer  /  well  wrought  in  compas 
With  many  riche  enormentes  she  sende  to  this  place.     834 

120 

After  came  her-selfe  vnto  the  monastery  835 

With  many  of  her  neyghbours  /  there  nye  dwellyng, 
Praysyng  and  laudyng  this  glorious  lady, 
With  cordiall  thankynges  makyng  theyr  offeryng, 
Of  this  great  myracles l  true  witnes  bearyng ;  i  r.  myracie  839 
Departed  from  the  place  with  ioy  and  deuocion 
All  the  sayd  company  /  eche  to  theyr  mancion.  841 


160  ST'    WERBURGE   HELPS   A   WOMAN   IN   PAIN. 

^  Of  a  woman  great  with  cliilde  with  peyne  brought  out  of 
her  wytte  /  by  saynt  Werburge  was  restoured  to  reason 
agayne.  Cap.  ix. 

121 

the  prouince  of  Chestre  /  knowen  it  is  of  olde,      842 
A  certayne  man  dwelled  /  of  great  honeste, 
Whiche  had  a  doughter  disposed  manyfolde 
To  sondrye  vertues  /  clermes  /  and  humilite. 
This  humble  mayde  ioyned  was  in  matrimonye  846 

To  an  honest  yong  man  /  of  whom  she  conceyued 
And  was  great  with  childe  /  openly  perceyued.  848 

122 

Whan  the  tyme  approched  of  her  deliueraunce,  849 

Vexed  she  was  with  mycle  wo  and  payne, 
Continually  enduryng  /  with  suche  hidous  greuaunce 
That  out  of  her  mynde  she  went,  incertayne ; 
All  phisike  and  medicyns  were  founde  to  her  in  vayne  :  853 
No  comfort  in  erth,  helpe  nor  remedye 
For  her  myght  be  founde  in  suche  extremite.  855 

123 

Her  father  and  mother  /  and  her  frendes  all  856 

Brought  theyr  dere  doughter  with  great  deuocion 
To  saynt  Werburge  churche  /  requiryng  speciall 
This  blessed  virgin  /  with  humble  intercession 
To  helpe  the  pacient  from  all  vexacion,  860 

Promyttynge  an  oblacion  to  this  lady  bryght 
Whan  she  vnto  reason  were  comen  a-ryght.  862 

124 

And  as  she  slepped  at  the  aulter  ende,  863 

Wof ully  cruciat  with  peynes  hiduous, 
Passyng  mannes  cure  it  for  to  amende : 
Anone  by  the  merite  of  this  virgin  glorious 
She  was  released  from  all  payne  greuous  867 

And  fully  restored  to  her  reason  agayne, 
Had  good  deliueraunce  /  and  spedde  well,  in  certayne.    869 


A  WOMAN,  STRUCK  BLIND,  IS  CURED  BY  ST>  WERBURGE.    161 
125 

Whiche  myracle  knowen  /  her  frendes  euerychone          870 

And  all  the  good  matrons  of  the  sayd  cite 

Came  holly  togyther  with  theyr  oblacion 

To  the  holy  shryne,  thankyng  with  hart  fre 

This  blessed  virgin  of  her  benignite,  874 

Whiche  is  so  redy  a  mediatrice  alway 

To  helpe  her  true  seruauntes  both  nyght  and  day.          876 

1F  Howe  an  other  woman  wilaufully  wurkynge  was  made 
Uynde  /  and  by  saynt  Werburge  restored  was  to  her 
syght  agayne.  Cap.  x. 

126 

Within  the  same  cite  afore  the  abbay-gate  877 

Dwelled  a  woman  /  which  brake  the  cowniaundement 
Of  god  and  holy  churche  /  hye  sabbot-day  dyd  violate 
Vnlauf  ully  wurkynge  :  wherfore  great  punysshement 
Fell  vpon  this  woman  with  peynes  equiualent,  881 

Sodaynly  smytten  /  wurkynge  full  busely 
With  greuous  blyndnes  /  and  mycle  miserye.  883 

127 

This  woman,  consyderynge  her  syght  was  gone,  884 

The  pleasure  of  this  worlde,  her  helpe  and  succour, 
Hauynge  to  lyue  by  /  small  riches  or  none, 
Cried  maynly  '  out  out,  alas '  euery  hour, 
*  Wo  is  me  wretche,  f  ulfylled  with  dolour !  888 

Alas,  I  was  borne  to  abyde  this  wofull  day 
My  maker  to  displease  !  /  alas,  what  shall  I  say  ? '        .    890 

128 

She  called  to  memorie  with  hye  discrecion  891 

The  myracles  that  Werburge  shewed  to  mankynde  : 
By  grace  she  repented  /  with  suche  contricion 
That  water  distilled  from  her  eyes  blynde, 
Dolefully  lamentynge  /  that  she  was  so  vnkynde  j  895 

Ruthf  ully  was  brought  to  Werburge  oratory, 
Trustyng  in  this  virgin  to  haue  remedy.  897 

M 


162       ST'   WERBURGE  CURES  SIX  BLIND  AND  LAME  PERSONS. 

129 

As  she  continued  in  her  supplicacion,  898 

Wofully  wepynge  /  abidyng  the  great  grace 

Of  blessed  Werburge  /  with  singular  inuocacion, 

Anone  she  was  cured  to  helth  and  solace, 

Restored  to  her  eye-sight  /  she  passed  the  place,  902 

Praysed  our  lorde  and  this  virgin  pure, 

Was  a  holy  woman  after,  ye  may  be  sure.  904 

If  How  saint  Werburge  restored  to  helth  and  prosperite  vi. 
lame  and  halt  persons  by  singular  grace.     Cap.  xi. 

130 
'TTHe  excellent  fame  of  this  glorious  lady  905 

Dilated  was  through  all  this  region, 
Manifest  by  myracles  full  honorably  : 
Therfore  from  diuers  partes  came  many  a  person 
For  helth  of  body  and  gostly  conuersacion,  909 

Some  to  be  cured  from  payne  intolerable 
And  some  of  olde  sores  that  were  incurable.  911 

131 

Amonge  whom  there  came  vnto  her  place  912 

Sixe  wofull  persones  /  cured  for  to  be, 
Halt,  blynde  and  lame,  besekyng  her  of  grace 
With  humble  supplicacion  vpon  them  haue  pite,     i  p(  treares. 
With  wepynge  teares  x  sayenge  /  '  o  souerayn  ladie,         916 
O  imperiall  princesse  /  and  kynges  doughter  dere, 
Heele  our  disease  by  thy  instant  prayer  1  918 

132 

'  0  blessed  virgin  and  holy  moiniall,  919 

O  glorious  abbasse  /  and  worthy  gouernour, 
O  pereles  par  ens  and  ministre  spirit  uall, 
O  celestiall  gernme  resplendent  with  honour, 
Praye  for  vs  wretches  vnto  our  sauiour,  923 

That  we  may  opteyne  here  mercy  and  grace, 
Cured  of  our  sekenes  /  after  to  se  thy  face.  925 


A    YOUNG   MAN    IS    CONDEMNED    TO    THE   GIBBET:  163 

133 

'  Thy  name  transcendeth  this  realme,  swete  lady,  926 

Thy  myracles  magnifien  thy  great  goodnes, 

Thy  worshyp  encreaseth  with  honour  and  glorie 

Daily  euermore  through  thy  great  holynes  : 

She  we  no  we  thy  power  /  cure  vs  from  sekenes,  930 

That  by  the  we  may  prayse  the  kyng  of  blis, 

As  thou  hast  cured  many  one  or  this/  932 

134 

By  these  meke  prayers  /  in  hert  full  penitent,  933 

And  many  other  orisons  sayd  priuatly 
Callyng  on  this  virgin  with  deuocion  feruent, 
For  certayne  /  or  they  passed  the  monastery 
They  were  all  cured  from  peyne  and  malady.  937 

In  wytnes  wherof  /  and  triall  as  it  was 
Theyr  staues  remayned  longe  after  in  the  place.  939 

IT  Howe  a  yonge  man  tkries  hanged  vnlaufully,  was  thries 
delyuered  by  saynt  Werburge  from  dethe  to  lyfe  and 
lyberte.  Cap.  xii. 

135 

7^1  Lmyghty  god  gaue  in  commaun dement  940 

By  moises  la  we  /  to  his  people  echone, 

No  innocent  to  slee  by  wrongfull  iudgement 

Nor  causeles  to  punysshe  by  greuous  oppression, 

Also  to  beware  of  lyght  suspection.  944 

"Wherof  a  myracle  we  shall  no  we  expresse, 

Done  in  Chestre  cite  by  Werburge  theyr  patronesse.       946 

136 

A  certayne  yonge  man  dwelled  in  the  cite,  947 

Honest  in  maners  /  and  of  good  conuersacion, 

Disposed  to  vertue  and  humilite  : 

Was  arrest  and  taken  of  a  lyght  suspicion 

By  the  officers  and  rule[r]s  of  the  sayd  towne,  951 

Gyltles  accused  most  innocently, 

Condemned  and  iudged  to  deth  shamfully.  953 


164   A  WHITE  DOVE  DESCENDS  AND  BREAKS  THE  ROPE. 

137 

After  sentence  gyuen  /  ministres  were  all  redy  954 

Vpon  the  iudgement  to  do  execucion : 

He  was  fettred  and  brought  to  the  gebbet  by  and  by 

And  as  a  stronge  thefe  hanged  ther-vpon. 

His  frendes  and  cosyns  for  hym  made  great  mone — •       958 

Alas,  what  tonge  myght  expresse  the  wo 

They  made  that  tyme  departynge  hym  fro?  960 

138 

And  as  this  innocent  hang  in  his  payne,  961 

He  called  to  mynd  the  manyfolde  goodnes, 
The  myracles  of  Werburge,  shewed  her,  certayne, 
Howe  she  had  saued  many  in  great  distres  : 
So,  whan  he  myght  no  wordes  expresse,  965 

In  mynde  he  required  her  /  and  humblie  dyd  pray 
From  shainfull  deth  to  saue  hym  that  day.  967 

139 

Whan  all  the  officers  departed  were  thens  968 

Supposynge  the   soule  seperate  from  the  body, 
A  white  doue l  descended  afore  them  in  presence      i  p.  done. 
And  lyght  vpon  the  gebbet  immediatly ; 
The  byrde  with  his  by  11  brake  the  rope,  truely,  972 

The  prisoner  escaped  that  tyme  from  deth, 
Shortly  reuiuynge  toke  naturall  breth.  974 

140 

Whiche  thynge  notified,  so  meruailous  in  syght,  975 

The  ministers  returned  /  theyr  labour  in  vayne : 
Toke  this  innocent  by  power  and  myght, 
Ypon  the  sayd  gebbet  hanged  hym  agayne.1  *  On]eiesi|iaIlza  miss5ns 
Thus l  he  was  delyuered  by  myracle  from  payne :     i  r.  Times  ? 
The  tortuous  turmentours  cessed  their  tyrranny, 
Permytted  the  prisoner  to  go  at  liberte.  981 

141 

Whiche  myracle  knowen  /  his  frendes  and  cosyns  all      982 
Returned  agayne  with  glad  mynde  and  chere. 
The  prisoner  mette  them,  louyng  god  in  spec 'all 


ST  WERBURGE' s  PARK  AT  UPTON  is  WASTED  BY  HORSES.  165 

And  blessed  Werburge  in  his  best  manere. 

The  deuout  cite3ens  approched  them  nere,  986 

Went  all  to  the  shryne  the  virgin  thankyng ; 

The  belles  were  tolled  for  ioy  of  this  thyng.  988 

*H  Howe  at  the  maner '-place  of  Vpton  saint  Werburge  restrained 
wylds  horses  from  destruction  of  cornes  put  in  by  theyr 
ennemyes.  Cap.  xiii. 

142 
Lso  the  thyrde  season  approched  to  Chestre  cite        989 

Many  crnell  ennemyes  in  the  part  of  Wirall, 
Purposyng  to  spoyle  /  and  distroy  all  the  countre, 
The  people  and  theyr  frutes  /  theyr  corne  and  catall. 
The  cite^ens,  dredyng  to  be  captyue  and  thrall,  993 

Fortified  the  cite  with  men  of  armes  bright, 
Hauynge  sure  artillarie  for  to  defende  and  fight.  995 

143 

The  husbandes  of  the  countrey  about  there  dwellyng,     996 
Agaynst  the  sayd  ennemyes  makyng  sore  prouysion 
Brought  their  corne  <fe  cattell  /  their  husolde  remaynynge, 
In  assurance  to  be  /  to  the  parke  of  Vpton, 
Saynt  Werburge  landes,  from  all  distruction —  1000 

Whiche  parke  from  Ypton  was  distaunt  a  myle  space, 
A  prebende  to  a  chanon  of  her  mynstre  and  place.        1002 

144 

These  wycked  ennemies  fulfylled  with  malice,  1003 

Agaynst  all  conscience  and  ordre  of  charite, 
In  no-maner  wise  dredynge  the  hie  iustice 
Entred  the  sayd  parke  with  mycle  cruelte, 
Pulled  downe  the  paale  at  pleasure  and  liberte,  1007 

Put  in  theyr  horses,  made  great  distruction 
Of  cornes  and  catell,  of  a  hie  presumpcion.  1009 

145 

Werburge,  remembrynge  theyr  great  wyckednes,          1010 
Theyr  malice  and  myschief  agaynst  her  possession, 
By  myracle  shewed  her  power  and  goodnes, 


166    ST'  WERBURGE    PUNISHES    THE   VIOLATION    OF   HER    PARK. 

Preseruynge  her  seruauntes  from  all  vexacion 

And  punysshyng  her  ennemies  with  great  affliction,      1014 

As  she  hath  done  many  seasons  or  this 

By  mean  to  her  spouse,  our  lorde  kyng  of  blis.  1016 

146 

Whan  the  corne-sheuys  laye  broken  afore  them  playne,  1017 
The  horses  had  no  power  any  part  to  take  : 
For  why  ?   by  myracle  /  theyr  heedes  all,  in  certayne, 
"Were  vp  holder  in  the  ayre  /  theyr  bodyes  sore  dyd  quake, 
They  touched  no  frutes  /  wast  they  dyd  none  make.      1021 
Of  the  principall  doers  /  some  raged  out  of  mynde, 
Some  smetyn  with  palsy  /  some  lepre,  halt  and  blynde.  1023 

147 

Whiche  punysshement  knowen  vnto  all  the  host,  1024 

The  rulers  and  captens  without  any  delaye 
Knyt  agayne  the  sheuys  /  that  none  shulde  be  lost, 
With  tremblynge  hartes  humbly  began  to  praye 
This  holy  virgin  to  saue  them  that  daye ;  1028 

Ypon  a  condicion  /  escapynge  from  payne : 
Endurynge  theyr  lyfe  neuer  to  turne  agayne.  1030 

148 

From  that  tyme  furth  ther  dare  no  nacion,  1031 

Consyderyng  the  power  of  this  virgin  pure, 
Approchyng  Chestre  cite  to  make  derogacion  ; 
Denmarke,  Goet,  nor  Galway-scot,  ye  may  be  sure, 
Cruell  danes  nor  walshemen  dare  nat  procure.  1035 

Wherfore  the  cite^ens  haue  cause  to  loue  the  place 
And  thanke  this  virgin  for  her  helpe  and  grace.  1037 

If  Howe  a  chanon  of  Chestre  hauyng  his  leg  and  thie  broken, 
was  restaured  to  helth  by  saynt  Werburge,  hys 
patronesse.  Cap.  xiiii. 

149 

Within  Chestre-mynstre,  that  holy  place,  1038 

Dwelled  a  chanon  nominate  Ylminus, 
Sad  of  disposicion  by  syngular  grace, 


A    CANON,   ULMINUS,    BREAKS    HIS    LEG:  167 

Humble  and  pacient  /  discrete  and  vertuous, 

Liberall  and  honest  /  gentyll  and  piteous ;  1042 

And  for  a  pastyme  this  was  his  pleasure, 

To  hunt  and  to  hauke  to  confort  nature.  1044 

150 

And  as  this  chanon  rode  for  his  solace  1045 

On  huntyng  with  other  honest  company, 
By  fortune  vnfrendly —  /  the  more  pite  was, 
Both  horse  and  man  fell  to  grounde  sodendly, 
In  perill  of  theyr  lyues  standynge  in  ieoperdye  :  1049 

The  horse  downe  lyenge  oppressed  the  chanon, 
Brake  his  leg  a-sondre  /  with  blod  great  effusion.          1051 

151 

Whan  by  his  company  the  chanon  was  vp  take,  1052 

He  fell  in  a  swowne  for  anguisshe,  wo  and  payne, 
All  wordly  riches  redy  to  forsake 
For  one  hour  of  quietnes  to  be  had  agayne ; 
Ynto  his  mancion  they  brought  hym,  certayne,  1056 

Where  he  continued  in  mycle  wo  and  langour, 
Abydyng  allonly  the  mercy  of  our  sauiour.  1058 

152 

Couwnyng  surgeans  were  sought  vpon  euery  syde,         1059 
To  cure  this  gentylman  from  penalite  \ 
But  none  of  them  /  by  wysdome  coude  prouyde 
Clerely  to  heele  hym  /  and  do  hym  remedye. 
Thus  he  remediles  /  in  extreme  ieopardye  1063 

Prayed  to  saynt  Werburge,  his  patronesse, 
For  helth  and  remedye  /  of  her  great  goodnesse.  1065 

153 

Whose  humble  prayer  with  inward  loue  feruent  1066 

Was  graciously  harde  of  her  charite  : 
For  right  soone  after  appered  euident 
A  byrde  like  a  doue,  most  clere  for  to  see, 
Into  the  chanons  chambre  the  byrde  flow,  trule,  1070 

Among  the  company  /  and  anone,  doubtles, 
The  place  was  repleit  with  odour  and  swetnes.  1072 


168       ST"  WERBURGE  CURES  THE  CANON'S  LEG. 

154 

Soone  after  the  company  euerichone  1073 

"Were  sadly  on  slepe,  a  thynge  meruaylous, 

And  afore  the  pacient  by  playne  vision 

Saynt  Werburge  appered  in  his  syght  full  glorious, 

Sayeng  :  'my  chaplayne  and  seruaunt  vertuous,  1077 

"Why  be  ye  absent  from  diuine  seruice, 

Nat  doynge  your  dutie  accordyng  to  iustice  ? '  1079 

155 

*  Ma  dame/  he  sayd  /  'and  swete  president,  1080 

It  is  well  knowen  to  all  the  cite 
Of  my  mysfortune  and  harmes  euydent, 
Howe  my  horse  almost  had  oppressed  me. 
Wherfore  an  impotent  I  endure  mysere;  1084 

It  is  no  feyned  cause  /  that  I  do  expresse. 
I  beseke  you  of  helpe  nowe,  swete  maistres.'  1086 

156 

Saynt  "Werburge,  euer  piteous  and  merciable  1087 

Ypon  her  seruantes  in  great  distresse, 
Conforted  her  chaplayne  with  wordes  delectable, 
Proued  in  effect  by  her  excellent  goodnes 
To  his  syght  and  felynge,  as  he  dyd  expresse :  1091 

She  touched  the  foote  /  that  sore  and  broken  was, 
Cured  it  holly  from  payne  by  singular  grace.  1093 

157 

Whan  she  had  cured  thus  this  impotent,  1094 

Anone  she  departed  out  of  his  syght. 
The  chanon  gaue  honour  to  god  omnipotent 
And  to  this  virgin  and  lady  bryght 

Of  this  gostly  vision,  comfort  and  lyght ;  1098 

All  peyne  was  past,  sekenes,  vexacion, 
Helth  was  come,  by  playne  probacion.  1100 

158 

The  chanon  rose  vp  the  same  mydnyght  1101 

And  went  to  mattens,  as  custome  was. 
His  bretherne  were  glad  with  all  theyr  myght, 


ENGLISH    KINGS   AFTER   EDWARD  SEN.:    ETHELSTAN,       169 

Praysed  our  lorde  of  his  singular  grace 

And  "Werburge,  patrones  of  the  sayd  place  ;  1105 

Also  with  honour,  reuerence  and  humilite 

The  bretherne  sange  te  deum  solemle.  1107 

IF  A  orefe  rekersatt  of  certayne  kynges  /  and  how  kyng 
Edgar  Q  came  to  Chestre.  Also  liowe  Leofrice,  Erie  of 
Chestre,  repared  diners  churches.  Cap  xv. 

159 

JJfter  the  decesse  of  kynge  Edwarde  seniour  1108 

Ethelstan  his  sonne  was  coronate  at  London 
Kyng  of  this  lande  /  regnyng  in  honour 
With  power,  regalite  by  true  succession ; 
Valeant  in  chiualry  and  actes  euerychone,  1112 

Subdued  danes  /  scottes  /  norwayes  /  britons  all, 
Opteyned  triumphe  /  and  dignite  imperiall.  1114 

160 

The  fourth  yere  of  his  reigne  /  and  the  yere  of  grace    1115 
viii.  hundreth  .ii.  and  seuenty  by  full  computacion 
Guy  erle  of  Warwike  by  fortune  slayne  hase 
Colbrond  the  gyaunt  /  floure  of  danes  nacion. 
The  sayd  kyng  Ethelstan  by  power  and  renowne  1119 

Thries  subdued  danes  /  and  slewe  the  kyng  of  Irelarcde, 
Nominat  prince  Anlaff  /  as  we  vnderstande.  1121 

161 

This  noble  Ethelstan  was  good  and  gracious  1122 

To  all-holy  churche  /  namely  to  religion, 
Ryghtfull  in  iudgeraent  /  liberall  and  piteous 
To  his  true  subiectes  through  his  dominion ; 
To  mynstres  and  holy  places  had  great  affection,  1126 

Confirmed  theyr  foundacions  with  libertes  clere, 
Whose  noble  actes  be  touched  a  lytell  here  :  1128 

Kegia  progenies  produxit  nobile  stemma, 
Cum  tenebris  nostris  illuxit  splendida  gemma, 
Magnus  Ethelstanus,  patrie  decus  /  orbita  recti, 
Illustris  probitas  a  vero  nescia  flecti. 


170    EDMUND,  ETC.,   EDGAR    THE    *  FLOUEE   OF    ENGLAND.' 

162 

After  Ethelstan  regned  Edmunde,  his  brothur,  1120 

Fyue  yeres  in  honour  /  hauyng  great  victory. 

Princis  Elred  and  Edwyn  succided  eytherothur, 

In  great  busines  with  scottes  and  danes,  truly. 

Next  whom  meke  Edgare  /  sayth  the  history,  1133 

xvi.  yere  of  age  /  coronate  at  Kyngston, 

With  peace  and  quiet nes  first  ruled  this  region.  1135 

163 

In  whose  natiuite  the  blessed  Dunstan  1136 

Herde  angels  singe  with  mycle  melody : 
'  Peace  is  nowe  come  to  Englande,  certan, 
Quietnes  /  and  rest  /  honour  /  and  victory.' 
Of  cornes  and  frutes  that  tyme  was  plentie  j  1140 

Danes  /  norwaies  /  scottes  /  britons  in  euery  place 
Submytted  them-selfe  to  the  kynges  grace.  1142 

164 

Science  encreased,  true  loue  and  amite,  1143 

Vertue  was  exalted  in  all  this  region ; 
Monasteries  were  edified  of  his  benignite, 
Endowed  with  riches  /  and  riall  possession  : 
xl.  religious  places  by  famous  opinion  1147 

Were  newly  buylded  by  the  sayd  noble  kyng, 
In  sondry  places  of  this  realme  standyng.  1149 

165 

Secular  prestes  expulsed  sothely  were  1150 

From  diuers  monasteries  with  great  discrecion, 
Religious  persones,  repleit  with  vertue  clere, 
Entred  their  places  cause  of  deuocion ; 
Charite  was  feruent  and  holy  religion  ;  1154 

The  lyues  of  sayntes  were  soth  in  eche  place, 
And  written  in  legendes  for  our  comfort  and  grace.       1156 

166 

Many  shyps  were  made  vpon  the  kynges  cost  1157 

To  serche  by  the  se  all  his  lande  about, 
That  no  alian  entre  in  no-maner  cost, 


EDGAR,  AT  CHESTER,  RECEIVES   THE  HOMAGE  OF  8  KINGS.    171 

By  policie  and  manhod  to  holde  all  his  ennemies  out. 
Danes  /  norwaies  /  scottes  durst  nat  ones  loke  out — •    1161 
Suche  drede  all  nacions  had  ensuynge  the  tyme 
That  kyng  Edgare  regned  by  prouidence  diuine.  1163 

167 

In  progresse  he  passed  ones  in  the  yere  1164 

Eche  quarter  of  the  realme  with  his  company, 
To  se  that  his  subiectes  well  ordred  were 
And  the  lawe  obserued  /  iustice  with  mercy. 
Than  was  none  oppression,  wronges  nor  iniury,  1168 

Debate,  malice,  rancour  myght  nat  be  founde ; 
True  loue  and  charite  was  in  all  the  londe.  1170 

168 

Kynge  Edgare  approched  the  cite  of  legions,  1171 

Nowe  called  Chestre  /  specified  afore  ; 
Where  .viii.  kynges  mette  of  diuers  nacions, 
Redy  to  gyue  Edgare  reuerence  and  honour, 
Legiance  and  fidelite  depely  sworne  full  sore  1175 

At  the  same  cite  :  after  to  be  obedient, 
Promyt  at  his  callyng  to  come  to  his  parliament.          1177 

169 

From  the  Castell  he  went  to  the  water  of  Dee  1178 

By  a  priue  posturne  through  walles  of  the  towne ; 
The  kyng  toke  his  barge  with  mycle  rialte, 
Rowyng  vpwarde  to  the  churche  of  saynt  lohn  ; 
The  forsayd  .viii.  kynges  with  hym  went  alone  :  1182 

Kynge  Edgare  kept  the  storne  /  as  most  principall, 
Eche  prince  had  an  ore  to  labour  with-all.  1184 

170 

"Whan  the  kynge  had  done  his  pylgrimage  1185 

And  to  the  holy  roode  made  oblacion, 
They  entred  agayne  into  the  sayd  barge, 
Passynge  to  his  place  with  great  renowne. 
Than  Edgare  spake  in  praysyng  of  the  crowne :  1189 

*  All  my  successours  may  glad  and  ioyfull  be 
To  haue  suche  homage,  honour  and  d ignite.'  1191 


172   EDGAR  VISITS  THE  MINSTER.     EARL  LEOFRIC  OF  CHESTER. 

171 

Also  it  is  to  be  had  in  memory  1192 

That  this  sayd  Edgare  and  his  princis  all 

Came  with  great  reuerence  vnto  the  monastery, 

To  worshyp  saynt  Werburge  with  mynde  liberall ; 

"Where  he  gaue  fredoms  and  priuileges  speciall,  1196 

With  singular  possessions  of  his  charite, 

Confirmynge  the  olde  grauntes  by  hye  auctorite.  1198 

172 

This  Edgare  was  nominate  in  cronicles  expresse  1199 

1  The  floure  of  Englawde  '  /  regnyng  as  emperour, 
Lyke-wise  as  Romulus  to  romains  was  of  prowes, 
Cyrus  to  the  persis  /  to  the  grekes  their  conquerour, 
Great  Charles  to  frenchemen  /  to  troians  Hectour ;       1203 
Famous  in  victorye,  preignant  in  wysdome, 
Vertuous  and  pacient  /  feruent  in  deuocion.  1205 

henric'.  li°.  v. 
Auctor  opum,  vindix  scelerum  /  largitor  honorum, 

Sceptriger  Edgarus  regna  superna  petit. 
Hie  alter  Solomon  /  legum  pater  /  orbita  pacis, 

Quod  claruit  bellis  /  claruit  inde  magis. 
Templa  deo  /  templis  monachos  /  monachis  dedit  agros  : 

Nequitie  lapsum  /  iusticieq}  locum. 

173 

Also  from  the  byrthe  of  our  blessed  sauiour  1206 

A  thousande  fyfty  yere  /  and  seuyn  expresse, 
In  the  tyme  of  saynt  Edwarde  kyng  and  confessour, 
As  William  Maluesbury  beareth  wytnes, 
Than  Leofricus,  a  man  of  great  mekenes,  1210 

Was  erle  of  Chestre  and  duke  of  merciens, 
Son  to  duke  Leoffwin  by  liniall  discence.  1212 

174 

This  noble  Leofric,  sayth  policronicon,  1213 

Of  his  deuocion  and  beningne  grace, 
Namely  by  the  counsell  and  vertues  mocion 


! 


LEOFEIC    REBUILDS    THE   MINSTER    IN    1057.  173 

Of  his  lady  Godith,  countes  whiche  was, 

Reedified  churches  decayed  in  many  a  place,  1217 

Also  he  founded  the  monastery  of  Leonence, 

By  the  towne  of  Herforde  /  and  the  place  of  Wenlecence.  1219 

175 

This  erle  repareled  a  noble  olde  monastery,  1220 

Euesham  vpon  Auen  /  gaue  them  great  riches  ; 
Also  founder  was  of  the  abbay  in  couentre, 
Made  the  cite  free,  for  loue  of  his  countesse : 
At  the  cite  of  Chestre  of  his  great  goodnes  1224 

He  repared  the  College-churche  of  saynt  lohn, 
Endowed  it  with  riches  and  enormentes  many  on.         1226 

176 

This  erle  of  Chestre,  the  sayd  Leofricus,  1227 

Of  his  charite  /  and  feruent  deuocion 
To  the  honour  of  god  /  reedified  full  gracious 
The  mynstre  of  "Werburge  within  the  sayd  towne, 
Gaue  vnto  it  riches  and  singular  possession,  1231 

Endowed  the  sayd  place  with  fredoms  and  liberte 
And  speciall  priuileges,  confirmed  by  auctorite.  1233 

177 

So  the  sayd  place  encreased  in  honour,  1234 

In  great  possessions  /  fredoms  /  and  richesse  j 
With  singular  deuocion  vnto  our  sauiour 
And  prayse  to  saynt  Werburge,  theyr  patronesso, 
The  chanons  obserued  vertue  and  clennes,  1238 

Daily  augmentyng  by  diuine  sufferaunce 
Ynto  the  comyng  to  this  lande  of  normans.  1240 

^[  Of  the  comyng  of  Willy  am  conquer  OUT  to  this  lande,  and 
howe  Hug.  Lupe,  his  syster  sonne,  was  founder  of  Chestre 
monasterye.  Cap.  xvi. 

178 
/7THe  yere  of  grace  .M.  sixe  and  thre-scour,  1241 

The  .xiii.  day  of  the  moneth  of  October 
The  duke  of  Normandy  /  William  conquerour, 


174     THE  SEE  OF  LITCHFIELD  TRANSFERRED  TO  CHESTER. 

Pight  a  stronge  batell  /  displayed  his  baner, 

Of  normans  and  frenchemen  hauynge  great  power,        1245 

Subdued  kyng  Harolde  /  opteyned  all  the  londe, 

Was  coronate  at  London  /  made  saxons  all  bonde.         1247 

179 

For  diuerse  great  causes  he  came  to  this  countre :          1248 
First  for  deth  of  Alured,  his  nere  kynsman ; 
The  proscripcion  of  Robert  archebisshop  of  Canterbury ; 
The  periury  of  Harolde  agaynst  conscience  playne ; 
The  promys  of  saynt  Edwarde  made  to  hym,  certayne,1252 
That  the  sayd  Wylliam  shulde  enioye  the  crowne, 
If  the  kyng  departed  without  succession.  1254 

180 

A  generall  counsell  was  celebrate  at  London,  1255 

That  all  bysshops  sees  by  helpe  of  the  conquerour 
From  borowes  shulde  be  translate  to  a  famous  towne 
Within  their  diocese  /  to  the  greatter  honour. 
Ryght  so  they  all  were  /  sayth  myn  auctour ;  1259 

Also  the  see  of  Lichefelde  was  translate  to  Chester, 
By  helpe  and  sufferaunce  of  the  bysshop  Peter.  1261 

181 

With  Wylliam  conquerour  came  to  this  region          12G2 
A  noble  worthy  prynce  nominate  Hug.  Lupus, 
The  dukes  son  of  Britayne  /  and  his  syster  son ; 
Flourynge  in  chiualry,  bolde  and  victorious, 
Manfull  in  batell  /  liberall  and  vertuous  :  1266 

To  whom  the  kyng  gaue  for  his  enheritaunce 
The  counte  of  Chesshire,  with  the  appurtinaunce,         1268 

182 

By  victorie  to  wynne  the  forsayd  Erledom,  1269 

Frely  to  gouerne  it  as  by  conquest  right ; 
Made  a  sure  chartre  to  hym  and  his  succession, 
By  the  swerde  of  d ignite  to  holde  it  with  myght, 
And  to  calle  a  parlement  to  his  wyll  and  syght,  1273 

To  ordre  his  subiectes  after  true  iustice 
As  a  prepotent  prince  /  and  statutes  to  deuise.  1275 


HUGH    LUPUS    CONQUERS    CHESSHIBE.  175 

183 

This  valeant  knyght  with  a  myghty  host  1276 

Descended  from  London  to  wynne  the  sayd  counte. 
But  the  lordes  of  Chesshire  rose  from  euery  cost, 
Agaynst  hym  made  batell  and  had  the  victorie ; 
Thries  they  preuayled  agaynst  the  erle,  trulie.  1280 

After  he  optayned  to  his  fame  and  honour 
The  erledome  of  Chestre,  entred  as  a  conquerour.          1282 

184 

He  gaue  to  his  knyghtes  after  theyr  desire  1283 

Lordshyps  and  franches  /  and  great  possession, 
"With  riche  mariages,  within  all  Chesshire, 
Exalted  his  seruauntes  to  hye  promocion ; 
Ynto  holy  churche  had  special  deuocion,  1287 

Maynte[in]ynge  iustice  /  commendyng  vertue, 
Deposyng  vice  by  the  helpe  of  lesu.  1289 

185 

After  the  departure  of  his  vncle,  the  conquerour,          1290 
Whan  "William  Ruff,  toke  the  regalite, 
Than  blessed  Anselme,  the  famous  doctour, 
Dyd  viset  this  lande  oft-tymes  of  his  charite, 
Glad  to  refourme  /  and  brynge  vnto  vnite  1294 

Where  was  debate  /  and  mycle  diuision, 
By  diligent  labour  /  and  good  exhortacion.  1296 

186 

This  forsayd  erle  of  his  benignite,  1297 

Interiously  louynge  holy  religion, 
Repleit  with  vertue  and  feruent  charite, 
Sende  for  saynt  Anselme  vnto  London, 
To  come  to  Chestre  at  his  peticion  1301 

And  there  for  to  founde  a  religious  place 
In  honour  of  Werburge  by  diuine  grace.  1303 

187 

Blessed  Anselme  at  the  erles  supplicacion  1304 

Came  vnto  Chestre  with  gladde  chere  shortly : 
Where  he  founded  an  abbaye  of  holy  religion, 


176    LUPUS  FOUNDS  STl  WERBURGE*S  ABBEY  IN  1093. 

A  pleasaunt  place  and  a  noble  monasterye, 

In  worshyp  of  god  /  and  saynt  Werburge,  sothely,       1308 

The  yere  of  grace  by  full  computacion 

A  thousande  .iiii.  score  .xiii.  yere  alon.  1310 

188 

All  secular  prestes  /  and  chanons  also,  1311 

Within  the  sayd  place  af ore-tyme  dwellyng 
"Were  clerely  dismyssed  /  and  letten  go ; 
Religious  monkes,  perfect  in  lyuynge, 

Receyued  were  gladly  their  rule  professynge.  1315 

Saynt  Anselme  ordeyned  Richard  of  Beccense 
To  be  their  abbot  with  great  preeminence.  1317 

189 

Landes  /  rentes  /  libertes  /  and  great  possession,  1318 

Eranches  /  fredoms  /  and  priuileges  riall 
Were  gyuen  mekely  to  that  foundacion, 
Maners  /  borowes  /  townes  /  with  the  people  thrall, 
And  many  faire  churches  /  chapels  wit  hall,  1322 

Wardes  and  mariages  were  gyuen  that  season 
To  god  and  saynt  Werburge,  cause  of  deuocion ;  1324 

190 

Kyng  Wyllyam  Ruff,  son  to  the  conquerour,  1S25 

Confirmed  the  foundacion  /  with  great  auctorite, 
Endowed  the  monastery  with  mycle  honour 
Of  fredoms  /  franches  /  also  liberte. 

The  place  that  tyme  was  made  as  fre  1329 

As  the  sayd  erle  was  in  his  castell, 
Or  as  hert  myght  thynke  /  or  tonge  myght  tell.  1331 

191 

Saynt  Anselme  departed  thence  vnto  London  1332 

And  was  made  archebisshop  of  Canturbury. 
To  the  place  he  gaue  a  sure  confirmacion, 
With  singular  priuileges  to  be  had  in  memory ; 
Of  whom  it  is  written  here  folowyng,  truly :  1336 

Hie  vir  dum  vixit,  extirpantes  maledixit 
Werburge  iura  presentia  siue  *  futura.  i  P.  sine.    1338 


HE  SECURES  IT  BY  WALLS,  ETC.       MIRACLES    CONTINUED.    177 


192 

This  noble  prince  gaue  of  his  charite  1339 

Riall  riche  enormentes  vnto  the  sayd  place, 

Coopes  /  crosses  /  Jewels  of  great  rialte, 

Chales  /  censures  /  vestures  /  and  landes  dyd  purchace ; 

A  librarie  of  bokes  to  rede  and  synge  there  was — •        1343 

Of  whiche  riall  iewels  and  bokes  some  remayne 

Within  the  sayd  monastery  to  this  day,  certayne.          1345 

193 

The  founder  also  buylded  within  the  monasterie  1346 

Many  myghty  places  /  conuenient  for  religion, 
Compased  with  stronge  walles  on  the  west  partie 
And  on  the  other  syde  with  Walles  of  the  towne, 
Closed  at  euery  ende  with  a  sure  postron,  1350 

In  south  part  the  cimiterie  inuironed  rounde  about, 
For  a  sure  defence  ennemies  to  holde  out.  1352 

194 

The  .ix.  yere  aftre  this  riall  foundacion,  1353 

This  noble  founder  the  .xxvii.  day  of  luly 
Departed  to-warde  the  heuenly  mancion. 
Next  whom  his  son  Richarde  succeded,  truly, 
Than  regnyng  in  honour  the  first  kyng  Henry.  1357 

Also  the  place  had  their  fraunches  and  fredom 
Afore  the  sayd  cite  a  hundreth  yere  and  one.  1359 

I"  Howe  saynt  Werburge  taught  her  monke  and  chaplayne  to 
kepe  paciens  for  his  greatter  merite  and  glorye  to  come. 
Cap.  xvii. 

195 

7^1  Fter  the  translacion  of  Chestre  monasterye 
From  secular  chanons  to  monkes  religious 

By  helpe  of  Anselme  archebisshop  of  Canturburye, 

Supportyng  therto  the  founder  Hug.  Lupus, 

As  afore  is  specified  full  memorous, 

A  monke  there  dwelled  of  vertuous  disposicion 

Ynder  obedience  /  nominate  dan  Symon. 

N 


1360 


1364 


1366 


178       ST'    WERBURGE    EXHORTS    A    MONK    TO    BEAR    WROXG. 

196 

Tliis  brother  Simon,  his  tyme  well  vsyng,  1367 

Nowe  in  vertuous  study  /  nowe  in  contemplacion, 

Nowe  in  deuout  prayer  /  nowe  busely  wryttynge, 

Somtyme  in  solace  /  and  honest  recreacion, 

Obserued  deuoutly  his  holy  religion,  1371 

Obedience  /  pacience  /  and  wylf ull  pouerte, 

Mekenes  /  meditacion  /  with  pure  chastite.  1373 

197 

For  whiche  examples  and  signes  of  vertue  1374 

Diuers  of  his  bretherne  repleit  with  enuy 
Were  fully  confederate,  entendyng  to  subdue 
This  honest  prest  by  malice  and  policy  : 
They  layd  to  his  charge  open  wronges  and  iniury,         1378 
They  punysshed  &  oppressed  hym  with  great  affliction, 
Dayly  augmentyng  by  subtyll  collusion.  1380 

198 

Dan  Symon,  offendyng  no  brother  at  all,  1381 

Obserued  pacience  /  euer  callynge  for  grace, 
Wepyng,  lamentyng  with  syghes  cordiall 
His  fortune  vnf rendly,  remediles  /  in  that  case  ; 
Entended  to  depart  to  some  other  place,  1385 

Of  a  scrupulous  conscience  /  seyng  no  redresse, 
Was  redy  to  precede  plonged  in  heuynes.  1387 

199 

Werburge  appered  to  this  monke  in  vision,  1388 

Bryghter  than  Phebus  in  his  meridian  spere  : 
'  My  seruaunt/  she  sayd,  callyng  hym  vpon, 
*  Why  be  ye  so  sad  /  and  heuy  of  chere  ? 
Wheder  entende  ye?  shewe  the  mater  clere  ! '  1392 

'  Alas,'  he  sayd,  '  ma  dame  and  patronesse, 
For  sorowe  I  can  nat  my  peynes  expresse.  1394 

200 

'Diuers  of  my  bretherne  ben  greued  at  me,  1395 

"Vexyng  me  dayly  with  great  tribulacion, 
Causeles  on  my  part  deserued,  trule, 


THE    WELSH    RISE   TO    INTERCEPT   EAKL   RICHARD.       179 

In  worde  or  en  dede  gyuyng  none  occasion. 

I  can  nat  be  quiet  amonge  that  congregation;  1399 

Wherfore,  swete  lady,  vnder  your  licence 

I  purpose  to  departe  in  sauynge  my  conscience.'  1401 

201 

Saynt  "Werburge  pacified  his  mynde  and  entent  1402 

"With  wordes  of  comfort  and  holy  scripture, 
Made  hym  be  humble  in  hert  and  pacient, 
'  Thy  sufferaunce  shalbe  great  ioye  and  pleasure, 
And  for  thy  pacience  thou  maist  be  sure  1406 

To  haue  rewarde  in  blis  perpetuall 
At  thy  departure  from  this  lyfe  mortall.'  1408 

202 

Wherwith  saynt  Werburge  departed  sodeinl[y]  1409 

To  the  blys  of  heuyn  euer-endurynge. 
The  monke  was  meke  in  hert  and  mery, 
Obserued  her  doctrine  this  lyfe  continuyng, 
Gaue  good  example  of  perfect  lyuynge  1413 

Ynto  his  bretherne  /  and  at  his  departure 
For  his  pacience  passed  to  eternall  pleasure,  1415 

^T  Howe  sondes  rose  vp  within  the  salt  see  agaynst  Hilburghee 
ty  saynt  Werburge  at  the  peticion  of  the  constable  of 
Chestre.  Ca.  xviii. 

203 
'TTHe  seconde  erle  of  Chestre  after  the  conquest          1416 

Was  erle  Richard  /  son  to  Hug.  Lupus  : 
Whiche  Bicharde  entended  all  thyng  to  the  best ; 
To  visite  saynt  Winifride  in  hert  desirous, 
Ypon  his  iourney  went  /  myn  auctour  sayth  thus,         1420 
Deuoutly  to  holy-well  in  pylgrimage, 
For  his  great  merite  and  gostly  aduantage.  1422 

204 

Whan  the  wicked  walshemen  herd  of  his  corny ng          1423 
After  a  meke  maner  vnto  that  party, 
They  made  insurrection,  inwardly  gladdyng, 

N  2 


1 80      A  FORCE  SENT  TO  HIS  ASSISTANCE  FINDS   NO  SHIPPING. 

Descended  from  the  mountaynes  most  furiously, 
Agaynst  the  erle  raised  a  cruell  company ;  1427 

Bytwxt  hym  and  Chestre  lettynge  the  kyngis  way, 
Purposynge  to  slee  or  take  hym  for  a  praye.  1429 

205 

The  erle  son  perceyued  theyr  malicious  entent :  1430 

In  all  hast  possible  sende  to  Chestre  secretly, 
To  warne  his  constable  by  loue  and  commaundem[en]t, 
Wyllyam  the  son  of  Nigell  /  to  rayse  a  great  army, 
To  mete  hym  at  Basyngwerke  right  sone  and  spedely    1434 
For  his  deliueraunce  from  deth  and  captiuite 
Of  the  wyld  walshemen  /  without  humanite.  1436 

206 

The  constable  congregate  in  all  goodly  hast  1437 

A  rnyghty  stronge  host  /  in  theyr  best  arraye, 
To-warde  Hilburghee  on  iourney  ridyng  fast, 
Trustyng  vpon  shippes  all  them  to  conuaye — 
Whiche  was  a  riall  rode  that  tyme,  nyght  "and  daye.     1441 
And  whan  they  theder  came,  shyppyng  none  there  was 
To  carie  all  them  ouer  in  conuenient  space.  1443 

207 

Alas,  what  hert  may  thynke  /  or  tonge  well  expresse    1444 
The  dolorous  greuaunce  /  and  great  lamentacion 
That  the  host  made  /  for  loue  and  tendernes, 
Knowynge  their  great  maister  in  suche  persecucion  1 
Some  wept  and  wayled  without  consolacion,  1448 

Some  sighed  and  sobbed  /  some  were  in  extasy, 
"Without  perfect  reason.  /  alas,  what  remedy?  1450 

208 

"Wyllyam  the  constable,  most  carefull  man  on  lyue        1451 
Of  his  mysfortune,  in  suche  extreme  necessite 
Called  to  hym  a  monke  there  dwellyng  contemplatyue, 
Required  hym  for  counsayle  and  prayer  for  his  charite. 
The  monke  exhorted  hym  to  knele  vpon  his  kne,  1455 

Humblie  to  beseke  "Werburge,  his  patronesse, 
For  helpe  and  remedy  in  suche  great  distresse.  1457 


BY  A  MIRACLE  OF  ST>  WERBURGE  THE  DEE  GIVES  PASSAGE.    181 
209 

The  constable  content  anone  began  to  praye  :  1458 

'  O  blessed  Werburge  and  virgin  pure, 

I  beseke  the  mekely,  helpe  me  this  day, 

That  we  may  transcende  this  ryuer  safe  and  sure, 

To  saue  and  defende  my  lorde  from  discomfiture  ;          1462 

And  here  I  promytte  to  god  and  the  alone 

To  off  re  to  the  a  gyffce  at  my  comyng-whome.'  1464 

210 

Whiche  prayer  ended,  with  wepyng  and  langour,  1465 

Beholde  and  consydre  well  with  your  gostly  ee 
The  infinite  goodnes  of  our  sauiour  : 
For  like  as  to  Moises  deuided  the  redde  see, 
And  the  water  of  lordan  obeyed  to  losue,  ,       1469 

Ryght  so  the  depe  riuer  of  Dee  made  diuision, 
The  sondes  drye  appered  in  syght  of  them  echone.         1471 

211 

The  constable  consyderynge  /  and  all  the  company        1472 
This  great  myracle  transcendyng  nature, 
Praysed  and  magnified  our  lorde  god  almyghty 
And  blessed  Werburge,  the  virgin  pure. 
They  went  into  wales  vponthe  sondes  sure,  1476 

Deliuered  their  lorde  from  drede  and  enmite, 
Brought  hym  in  safe-garde  agayne  to  Chestre  cite.       1478 

212 

The  said  Wyllyam  constable  came  to  the  monasterye,     1 479 
Thanked  saynt  Werburge  with  meke  supplicacion, 
Fulfylled  his  promes  made  in  extremite  : 
Offred  to  the  place  the  village  of  Neuton ; 
Afterwarde  he  founded  the  abbay  of  Norton.  1483 

And  where  the  host  passed  /  ouer  betwix  bondes, 
To  this  day  ben  called  'the  constable  sondes.'  1485 


182 


EARL  RICHARD  CLAIMS  ABBEY  LANDS 


IT  Howe  Matilda  countesse  ofC/iestre,  counselling  her  husbande 
agaynst  the  monastery  of  Chestre,  was  drowned  at 
Barflewe,  with  many  other  mo.  Cap.  xix. 


213 


1486 


JlFter  the  decesse  of  Hug.  Lupe  prenominate 

Richarde,  his  son,  .vii.  yeres  of  age, 
Was  elect  Erie  by  the  kyng,  and  creat ; 
With  counsaile  gouerned  his  landes  and  heritage. 
At  yeres  of  discrecion  he  toke  in  mariage  1490 

The  lady  Matild  /  nece  to  the  first  kynge  Henry, 
Doughter  to  erle  Stephan,  (sayth  the  history).  1492 

214 

At  his  begynnyng  he  was  a  benefactour,  1493 

A  founder  to  the  place  by  landes  and  possession, 
By  franches  and  libertes  /  ayde  /  helpe  /  and  succour, 
Gyuen  to  the  abbay  /  augmentyng  the  f oundacion  : 
Proued  by  his  actes  of  singular  deuocion  1497 

Enduryng  long  tyme  /  tyll  that  his  lady 
By  wycked  counsaile  moued  hym  the  contrary e.  1499 

215 

It  is  red  in  scripture  ho  we  quene  lesabell,  1500 

Ambicious  of  honour  agaynst  all  ryghtousnes, 
Peruerted  her  lorde  Achas  /  kyng  of  Israeli, 
To  sle  Nabath  for  his  vineyard,  doubtles  ; 
Also  Athalia  /  the  bible  sheweth  expresse,  1504 

Commaunded  to  slee  the  kynges  children  all, 
That  she  myght  regne  sole  princesse  imperiall :  1506 

216 

Ryght  so  this  Matilde,  clerely  refusyng  1507 

The  steppes  of  Sara  /  Rebecca  /  and  Rachell 
And  other  good  matrons  :  but  imitacion 1  takyng  1  P.  mutacion 
Of  these  wycked  women  Athali  and  lesabell, 
Peruerted  her  husbande  by  her  subtyll  counsell  1511 

To  aske  of  the  abbot  the  maner-place  of  Salton 
With  the  appurtinaunce  /  by  famous  opinion.  1513 


HE   THREATENS    TO   TRANSFER   THE   ABBEY.  183 

217 

Thabbot,  by  counsell  of  his  bretherne  all,  1514 

Denyed  to  graunt  their  propre  possession, 

The  patrimony  of  Christ,  and  their  landes  seuerall 

To  the  sayd  erle  Bicharde  and  his  succession, 

Gyuen  by  his  father  at  the  first  foundacion.  1518 

For  whiche  thyng  the  erle  and  Matilde,  his  lady, 

Hated  thabbot  /  the  bretherne  /  and  the  monastery.      1520 

218 

The  erle  and  his  countesse  went  to  Normandy,  1521 

To  viset  their  f rendes  and  cosyns  naturall ; 
So  dyd  the  princis  /  their  father  kyng  Henry, 
With  many  estates  of  the  blodde  riall. 

These  princis  fauored  no  saxon  at  all ;  1525 

The  erle  conominat  in  malice  and  hate 
Agaynst  the  monasterie  /  as  a  man  endurate.  1527 

219 

Satan  sende  forth  his  seruauntes  in  hast  1528 

To  enf  ect  the  erles  hert  with  venomous  poison. 
The  bedyls  of  Belial  attempted  full  fast 
The  erle  and  his  countesse  /  to  kepe  theyr  opinion ; 
Detractours,  flaterers,  cause  of  promocion,  1532 

Trustyng  therby  to  opteyne  fauour  and  grace 
Excited  their  myndes  agaynst  the  sayd  place.  1534 

220 

The  erle  sore  attempted  by  his  gostly  ennemy,  1535 

By  wycked  people  callyng  hym  vpon, 
Namely  by  the  counsell  of  Matilde,  his  lady, 
Entended  to  alter  and  chaunge  the  foundacion 
Of  the  sayd  abbay  to  a  nother  religion,  1539 

Confirmed  the  same,  sweryng  most  depely, 
At  his  whom-comyng  to  Englande  /  from  Normandy.     1541 

221 

Thabbot  and  couent,  knowyng  this  great  perell  1542 

By  speciall  louers  and  frendes  secretly, 
Were  pensyue  and  sorowfull  (it  was  no  meruel]), 


184      RICHARD   AND    HIS    WIFE    DROWNED    NEAR    HARFLEET. 

Their  hertes  plonged  in  wo  and  misery, 
By  naturall  reason  hauyng  no  remedy,  1546 

Consyderyng  his  malice  encreased  more  and  more 
Agaynst  the  monastery  /  with  wordes  of  rigour.  1548 

222 

They  had  their  hope,  trust  and  confidence  1549 

In  blessed  Werburge,  their  patronesse  : 
With  wepyng  eies,  clere  in  conscience 
They  called  her  vpon  in  all  their  distresse  : 
*O  glorious  virgin,  lady  and  swete  maistres,  1553 

Metigate  the  malice  by  thy  benignite 
Of  Richarde  our  lorde  /  mekely  we  praye  the.  1555 

223 

'  Suffre  hym  neuer  to  distroye  thy  place  1556 

By  wycked  consell,  malice  and  enuy, 
Founded  and  dedicate  by  heuenly  grace 
In  honour  of  god  /  and  the  specially ; 

Protect  /  defende  /  and  saue  thy  monastery,  1560 

Thy  landes  /  thy  libertes  /  and  thy  seruauntes  all, 
As  thou  afore-tyme  hast  done  continuall.'  1562 

224 

In  meane  tyme  the  erle  entended  spedely  1563 

From  thens  to  depart  /  and  retourne  agayne, 
To  fulfyll  his  entent  agaynst  the  monasterye, 
By  the  subtyll  mocion  of  his  countesse,  playne. 
A  ship  was  prepared  /  all  thyng  redy,  certayne ;  1567 

The  prince  of  England  /  the  erle  and  his  lady 
Toke  shippyng  at  Barflewe,  and  all  their  comp[any].     1569 

225 

Certaynly,  they  say  led  but  a  lytell  space  1570 

"Whan  agaynst  them  roose  a  contrarie  wynde. 
The  mariners  to  gyde  the  ship  had  no  grace, 
The  stormes  so  great,  hiduous  agaynst  kynde ; 
On  a  rocke  they  ranne  /  no  remedy  myght  fynde  ;        1574 
Incontinently  the  ship  barst  all  in-sondre ; 
The  erle  and  his  feliship  were  turned  all  vndre.  1576 


ST>  WERBURGE  TELLS  THE  SACRISTAN  OF  THEIR   FATE.      185 


226 

No  man  ne  childe  scaped  from  deth  that  tyme,  1577 

But  one  pore  seruaunt,  whiche  swamme  to  the  londe. 

Suche  was  theyr  fortune  by  sufferaunce  diuyne. 

Many  of  theyr  bodis  l  were  neuer  f  onde.  1  P.  bedis. 

Thus  was  their  power  made  thrall  and  bonde,  1581 

Theyr  lyues  were  lost  within  a  s[h]ort  space 

Whiche  were  cruell  ennemyes  vnto  her  place.  1583 

227 

On  saynt  Katharins  day  at  after  mydnyght,  1584 

Whan  matens  were  ended  /  and  bretherne  gon, 
Some  mournyng,  waylyng  for  drede  full  ryght, 
Some  busie  in  prayer  and  contemplacion  : 
Werburge  appered  to  the  secristan  alone,  1588 

Sayenge  :  '  ye  may  be  ioyf  ull  in  god  and  mery  : 
Erie  Bicharde  is  drowned,  your  mortall  ennemy.'  1590 

228 

The  same  glad  tidyng  shewed  an  honest  woman  1591 

Tollyng  at  the  churche-dore  the  sayd  day  and  hour, 
As  she  was  commaunded  by  Werburge,  in  certan, 
To  thabbot  and  couent  plonged  in  great  langour. 
(Whiche  myracle  herde)  they  pray[s]ed  our  sauiour      1595 
And  blessed  Werburge  /  with  hert  deuoutly, 
Syngyng  Te  deum  full  solemply.  1597 

^T  Howe  a  great  Jire,  like  to  distroye  all  Cheslre,  by  myracle 
ceased  /  whan  the  holy  shryne  was  borne  about  the  towne 
by  the  monkes.  Cap.  xx. 

229 

the  incarnacion  of  our  sauiour  1598 

A  thousand  /  a  hundreth  yere,  .Ixxx.  also, 
On  sonday  in  mydlenton  /  the  .viii.  houre, 
Whan  euery  paresshen  theyr  churche  went  to 
As  all  christen  people  of  dutie  shulde  do,  1602 

A  fyre  by  inf  ortune  rose  vp  sodeinly, 
All  flamyng  feruent  or  the  people  dyd  espy.  1604 


186   IN  1180  A  GREAT  FIRE  BREAKS  OUT  IN  CHESTER. 

230 

This  fearefull  fire  encreased  more  and  more,  1605 

Piteously  wastyng  hous  /  chambre  /  and  hall ; 

The  cite^ens  were  redy  their  cite  to  succour, 

Shewed  all  their  diligence  /  and  labour  continuall, 

Some  cried  for  water  /  and  some  for  hookes  dyd  call,    1600 

Some  vsed  other  engins  by  craf te  and  policy, 

Some  pulled  downe  howses  afore  the  fire,  truly.  1611 

231 

Other,  that  were  impotent  /  mekely  gan  praye  1612 

Our  blessed  lorde  /  on  them  to  haue  pite ; 
Women  and  children  cried  '  out  and  waile-a-way/ 
Beholdyng  the  daunger  and  perill  of  the  cite ; 
Prestes  made  hast  diuine  seruice  to  supple,  1616 

Redy  for  to  succour  their  neyghbours  in  distres 
(As  charite  required)  and  helpe  their  heuynes.  1618 

232 

The  fire  contynued  without  any  cessynge,  1619 

Feruently  flamyng  euer  contynuall, 
From  place  to  place  meruaylously  rennyng, 
As  it  were  tynder  consumyng  toure  and  wall. 
The  cite3ens  sadly  laboured  in  vayne  all ;  1623 

By  the  policie  of  man  was  f  ounde  no  remedy 
To  cesse  the  fire  so  feruent  and  myghty.  1625 

233 

Alas,  great  heuynes  it  was  to  beholde  1626 

The  cite  of  Troye  all  flamyng  as  fire ; 
More  pite  of  Rome  cite  was  manyfolde, 
Feruently  flagrant  /  empeiryng  the  empire  : 
As  to  the  quantite,  the  cite  of  Chestire  1630 

Myght  be  assembled  this  tyme  in  like  case 
To  the  sayd  citees,  remedeles,  alas  !  1632 

234 

Many  riall  places  fell  adowne  that  day,  1633 

Riche  marchauntes  houses  brought  to  distruction, 
Churches  and  chapels  went  to  great  decay ; 


ST-  WERBURGE'S  SHRINE  is  CARRIED  ABOUT  THE  TOWN.  187 

That  tyme  was  brent  the  more  part  of  the  towne ; 
And  to  this  present  day  is  a  famous  opinion  1637 

Howe  a  myghty  churche,  a  mynstre  of  saynt  Michaell, 
That  season  was  brent  and  to  ruyne  fell.  1639 

235 

Whan  the  people  sawe  their  power  insufficient,  1640 

By  diligent  labour  /  wysdome  and  policye 
To  subdue  the  fire  /  but  styll  dyd  augment : 
To  almyghty  god  they  dyd  call  and  crye 
And  to  saynt  Werburge,  the  gracious  lady,  1644 

For  helpe  and  succour  in  suche  wretchednes, 
Wepyng  and  waylyng  for  woo  and  heuynes.  1646 

236 

Thabbot  and  couent  of  the  sayd  monasterie,  1647 

Religiously  lyuyng  in  holy  conuersacion, 
Repleit  with  mekenes  and  feruent  charite, 
Toke  the  holy  shryne  in  prayer  and  deuocion, 
Syngyng  the  letanie  bare  it  in  procession,  1651 

Compasyng  the  fyre  in  euery  strete  and  place, 
Trustyng  in  Werburge  for  helpe,  aide  and  grace.  1653 

237 

Whan  they  had  ended  the  holy  letanye  1654 

From  place  to  place  procedyng  in  stacion, 
Anone  a  stremyng  sterre  appered  sodaynlye, 
A  white  doue  descended  afore  the  congregacion 
Approchyng  as  to  helpe  them  /  a  signe  of  consolacion.1658 
The  people  reioysed  of  that  gostly  syght 
And  praysed  saynt  Werburge  with  power  and  myght.  1660 

238 

So  by  the  merite  of  this  blessed  virgin  1661 

The  fire  began  to  cesse —  /  a  myracle  clere — 
Nat  passyng  the  place  /  where  the  holy  shryne 
Was  borne  by  the  bretherne  /  as  playnly  dyd  appere. 
The  cite3ens  dyd  helpe  in  their  best  manere ;  1665 

The  feruent  great  fire  extincted  was  in-dede 
By  grace  aboue  nature  /  in  story  we  may  rede.  1667 


188      IT  WOULD  BE  TEDIOUS  TO  RELATE  ALL  THE  MIRACLES. 

239 

The  clergie,  the  burges  /  and  the  comons  all,  1668 

Consydeiyng  the  goodnes  of  this  virgin  bright, 

"With  tendernes  of  hert  and  loue  in  speciall 

Magnified  and  praysed  our  lorde  god  almyght 

And  blessed  "Werburge  by  day,  also  nyght,  1672 

"Whiche  hath  preserued  of  her  great  charite 

Chestre  from  distraction  in  extreme  necessite.  1674 

240 

Ynto  her  shryne  the  people  all  went,  1675 

The  clergie  before,  in  maner  of  procession, 
Thankyng  this  virgin  with  loue  feruent 
For  her  mercy  and  grace  shewed  them  vpon ; 
Deuoutly  knelynge  there  made  oblacion,  1679 

Sayeng  full  sadly  /  '  we  shall  neuer  able  be 
The  place  to  recompence  for  this  dede  of  charite/  1681 

If  A  Irene  rehersall  of  the  myracles  of  saynt  Werburge  after 
her  translation  to  Chestre.     Cap.  xxi. 

241 

fore-sayd  myracles  and  signes  celestiall,  1682 

By  diuine  sufferaunce  shewed  manifestly, 
Magnifien  this  virgin  and  blessed  moiniali 
"With  mycle  worshyp,  honour  and  victory, 
Playnly  declaryng  vnto  your  memory 

"What  singular  grace  /  worshyp  /  and  excellence  1687 

Our  sauiour  shewed  for  his  spouse  openly, 
As  is  rehersed  at  masse  in  her  sequens.  1689 

242 

To  expresse  all  myracles  written  in  the  place  1690 

In  a  boke  nominate  the  thrid  passionarye, 
It  wolde  require  a  longe  tyme  and  space, 
To  the  reders  tedious  (no  meruayle  sothly). 
Wher[for]e  we  omytte  to  writte  of  them  specially, 
But  touched  in  generall  vnto  your  audience,  1695 


A   SHORT    SUMMARY  OF    ST>    WERBURGE's   MIRACLES.        189 

To  reioyse  and  comfort  your  hertes  inwardly, 

As  ye  may  considre  in  her  sequens.  1697 

243 

Certaynly,  it  is  knowen  by  bokes  expresse  :  1698 

Sith  that  saynt  Werburge  came  to  Chestre  cite, 
By  the  power  of  god  and  myracle,  doutles, 
She  hath  defended  the  towne  from  ennemite, 
Prom  barbarike  nacions  full  of  crudelite, 
Of  whom  we  haue  shewed  with  diligence,  1703 

Preseruyng  her  seruauntes  /  and  the  monastery, 
As  is  declared  in  her  true  sequence.  1705 

244 

Also  of  her  goodnes  preserued  she  hase  1706 

The  sayd  towne  from  fire  in  extreme  necessite ; 
Many  diuers  tymes  to  their  ioye  and  solace 
Keleuyng  the  cite^ens  in  wo  and  penalite. 
For  it  is  well  knowen,  by  olde  antiquite 
Sith  the  holy  shryne  came  to  their  presence,  1711 

It  hath  ben  their  comfort  and  gladnes,  truly, 
As  playnly  appereth  in  her  sequens.  1713 

245 

Also  to  blynde  men  she  hath  gyuen  syght,  1714 

To  dombe  men  speche  right  perfectly, 
To  deffe  men  their  heryng  pleasaunt  and  right, 
And  helth  to  sicke  men  repleit  with  debilite, 
Delyuered  prisoners  from  captiuite, 

Passage  to  lame  men  /  to  mad  men  intelligence ;  1719 

Suche  myracles  shewed  this  blessed  lady, 
As  ye  may  vnderstande  in  her  sequens.  1721 

246 

Women  with  childe  by  her  had  good  delyueraunce,       1722 
Virgins  defended  from  shame  and  vilany ; 
Her  seruauntes  were  cured  from  wofull  greuaunce, 
Marchantes  and  mariners  delyuered  from  ieopardye ; 
Other  were  saued  from  hangyng  shamf ully  ; 
A  speciall  comfort,  succour  and  defence  1727 


190 


STl  WERBURGE    IS    CALLED    PATRONESS    OF    CHESTER. 


To  all  caref ull  creatures  sekyng  for  remedy, 

By  singular  grace  /  as  sayth  the  sequens.  1729 

247 

No  wofull  person  in  payne  and  wretchednes,  1730 

Man,  woman,  childe  /  who-so-euer  they  be, 
Comynge  to  the  abbay  with  perfit  mekenes, 
Makyng  supplicacion  to  this  lady  free, 
But  they  departed  ioyfull  and  rnerie 

To  theyr  dwellyng-place  by  her  beniuolence, '  1735 

And  for  their  lyuyng  had  all  thyng  necessarie, 
As  written  is  playnly  in  her  sequens.  1737 

248 

For  whiche  great  myracles  and  signes  continuall  1738 

This  blessed  Werburge,  floure  of  humilite, 
Of  the  people  is  called  for  grace  supernall 
'  Patrones  of  Chestre  '  /  protectrice  of  the  countre. 
Where  next  our  sauiour  and  his  mother  Marie 
She  hath  great  honour,  prayse  and  preeminence,  1743 

As  most  condigne  to  beare  the  principalite, 
In  witnes  wherof  recordeth  her  sequens.  1745 

249 

This  holy  abbasse  and  lady  imperiall  1746 

Hath  ben  president  in  Chestre  monasterie, 
Theyr  trust  /  theyr  treasure  /  and  defence  speciall 
In  mycle  reuerence  .vii.  hundreth  yere,  trulie ; 
And  so  shall  continue,  by  grace  of  god  almyghty, 
To  the  worldes  ende  in  hie  magnificence.  1751 

To  whom  be  honour,  worship  and  glorie 
Euer  to  endure  /  as  sayth  her  sequens.  1753 

IT  A  charitable  motion  and  a  desyre  to  all  the  inhabytauntes 
within  the  countie  palatine  of  Chestre  for  the  monasterie. 

Cap.  xxii. 

250 

ye  worthye  nobles  of  the  west  partye,  1754 

Considre  in  your  mynde  with  hye  discrecion 
The  perfite  goodnes  of  this  swete  ladye, 


PRIVILEGES  AND  FREEDOMS  OP  HER  ABBEY  AT  CHESTER.  191 

We  mean  saynt  Werburge,  nowe  at  this  season, 
"Whiche  hath  ben  your  helpe  and  singular  tuicion, 
And  so  euer  wylbe —  /  haue  this  in  your  mynde  1759 

Whan  ye  to  her  call  with  humble  supplicacion : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterye  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1761 

251 

Remembre  /  at  the  foundacion  of  the  sayd  place  1762 

your  predecessours  and  fore-fathers  redy  were 
To  gyue  for  their  soule-helth  by  singular  grace 
Parcell  of  their  landes  and  possessions  mere 
To  our  sauiour  and  to  saynt  Werburge  clere, 
Redy  to  off  re  them  with  humble  hert  and  mynde          1767 
In  perfit  oblacion,  with  Hug.  Lupe  their  f oundere : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1769 

252 

Many  helde  their  landes  of  the  sayd  monasterie  1770 

By  tenure  grand-seriante  /  and  some  by  homage, 
By  tenure  franke-almoigne  /  other  by  fealtie 
With  seruice  de  chiualere  /  and  some  by  escuage, 
Some  by  petit-seriant  /  and  by  tenure  burgage, 
As  in  their  euidentes  and  grauntes  they  may  fynde :    1775 
Tres  maners  de  rentes  /  with  tenure  villenage : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1777 

253 

The  place  hath  speciall  franches  and  liberte,  1778 

Hauynge  certayne  wardes  of  landes  and  mariage 
Of  diuers  gentilmen  within  the  sayd  counte ; 
All  theyr  tenauntes  and  seruauntes  haue  fre  passage 
Within  all  chesshire  without  tolle  and  pillage — 
Suche  auncient  fredoms  in  their  dedes  they  fynde,         1783 
Gyuen  by  theyr  founders  for  gostly  auauntage  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1785 

254 

The  erle  gaue  the  place  many  great  fredoms  1786 

Within  Chestre  cite  /  whiche  ben  knowen  of  olde, 
With  singular  priuileges  and  auncient  customs, 


192 


YE  LORDS  OF  CHESTER  BE  NEVER  UNKYNDE, 


Saynt  Werburge  faire  /  with  profites  manyfolde, 
That  no  marchandise  shulde  be  bought  ne  solde 
Enduryng  the  faire-dayes  (in  writyng  as  we  fynde)       1791 
But  afore  thabbay-gate  /  to  haue  and  to  holde  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1793 

255 

Therfore,  lordes,  barons  /  ye  rulers  of  the  count  re,        1794 
We  you  nowe  exhorte  in  our  sauiour, 
Discretly  considre  with  your  gostlie  eie 
The  myght  of  this  may  den  and  chaste  floure, 
Shewed  by  myracles  euery  day  and  hour — 
Whan  she  was  required  with  true  hert  and  mynde,       1799 
In  all  busines  she  hath  ben  their  protectour  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1801 

256 

Whan  your  forefathers  haue  ben  in  great  perell,  1802 

In  ieoperdie  of  lyfe  on  see  and  on  londe, 
Or  like  to  be  slayne  by  ennemies  in  batell, 
Or  taken  by  warre  in  prison  fast  bonde  : 
Ynto  this  virgin  /  as  we  vnderstonde, 

Whan  they  called  and  cryed  with  contrite  mynde,         1807 
They  escaped  all  daunger  /  cam  whom  safe  and  sonde  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1809 

257 

Marchauntes  passynge  with  marchaundise,  1810 

From  lande  to  lande  truly  entendyng, 
If  they  were  taken  with  cruell  ennemyse 
Orels  were  put  in  perill  of  perisshyng  : 
If  they  to  this  virgin  deuoutly  praying 
Made  supplicacion  with  humble  hert  and  mynde,  1815 

Anone  they  opteyned  theyr  humble  askyng  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1817 

258 

If  any  of  you  [was]  1  vexed  with  infirmite,  iom.     1818 

With  sekenes  incurable  /  or  other  vexacion, 
As  l  wronges,  iniuries,  and  other  maladie.  *  P.  Ar. 


BEWARE   TO   INJURE   HER   MONASTERY. 


193 


Ynto  saynt  Werburge  makyng  intercession 
And  to  her  place  promysyng  an  oblacion 
With  contrite  hert  and  penitent  mynde,  1823 

They  were  soone  cured  from  all  affliction  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1825 

I  259 

And  you,  honest  matrons,  remembre  you  all  1826 

The  goodnes  of  this  virgin  full  of  grace  : 
Whan  ye  in  trauelyng  vpon  her  do  call 
Or  haue  any  relique  sende  from  the  place, 
ye  fortune  and  spede  well  in  short  tyme  and  space ; 
And  diuers  may  dens  louyng  a  chaste  mynde  1831 

From  vilany  ben  saued  by  her  purchase  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1833 

!  260 

But  eche  contray  /  shire  /  and  congregacion,  1834 

Some  be  disposed  to  vertues  generall, 
And  some  to  the  contrarie,  proued  by  reason  : 
Folowyng  their  mynde  and  appetite  sensuall 
Haue  shewed l  vnkyndnes  to  the  place  spirituall,     i  P.  sheweb 
And  haue  ben  sore  punysshed  /  take  this  in  mynde,      1839 
To  all  other  f olowynge  and 1  example  speciall :  i  r.  an 

Wherfore  to  the  monastery  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1841 

261 

There  was  neuer  man  of  high  nor  lowe  degree,  1842 

Lorde  /  baron  /  knyght  /  marchaunt  /  and  burges, 
Attemptyng  to  infringe  their  rightes  and  liberte, 
Remaynyng  in  the  same  malice  and  wyckednes, 
But  if  they  repent  shortly  theyr  busynes 
Askyng  absolucion  to  theyr  conscience  blynde,  1847 

Vengeance  on  them  doth  lyght,  doutles  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monastery  be  neuer  vnkynd.  1849 

262 

Diuers  malefactours  agayne  good  conscience  1850 

Attemptyng 1  to  take  there  seuerall  possession     i  r.  attemptyd 
By  subtell  policy  and  wrong-feyned  euidens, 


194  SHE    SEVERELY    PUNISHES   TRANSGRESSORS. 

By  proued  periury  and  fals  collusion, 

Whiche  in  theyr  iniury  and  wronge  mesprision 

Without  repentauns  in  theyr  consciens  blynde  1855 

Sodenly  haue  ben  drowed  a  sharpe  punycion  : 

Wherfore  to  the  monastery  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1857 

263 

Other  haue  be  glad  to  alienat  the  patronage  1858 

Of  certayne  churches  by  malice  and  enuy, 
By  a  fals  enquest  for  theyr  owne  auauntage, 
Defraudyng  the  right  of  the  holy  monastery  : 
Suche  euill  doers  remaynynge  in  theyr  tyranny, 
Without  satisfaccion,  in  their  consciens  blynde,  1863 

Lyke  wretches  expired  moste  myserably  : 
Wherfore  to  the  monastery  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1865 

264 

Other  haue  ben  besy  serching  day  and  nyght  1866 

To  infringe  theyr  fraunchis  and  fridome  auncient 
By  fals  record  es,  oppugnant  to  ryght, 
As  hath  ben  proued  by  persones  indifferent ; 
yet  they  haue  procured  and  sought  wronge  iugement 
Agaynst  their  libertes,  in  conscience  blynde  :  1871 

Sodayne  and  euyll  deth  f  olowed  them  consequent : 
Wherfore  to  the  monastery e  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1873 

265 

Some  other  haue  be,  parauenture  on  late,  1874 

Studious  to  disquiet  the  place,  the  company, 
And  diuers  libertes  haue  alienate, 
Also  tolled  their  franchis  fraudulently, 
From  the  sayd  place  well  know  en  in  memory  ; 
Suche  mysdoers  we  moue  in  conscience  blynde  1879 

To  mende 1  their  wronges,  lest  payne  come  sodeynly :  i  p.  maende 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1881 

266 

Suche  malefactours  considre  nat  discretly  1882 

Howe  all  suche  landes,  libertes  and  fredoms 
Were  gyuen  to  Christ  and  ben  his  patrimonye, 


A   PRAYER   OF   THE   AUTHOR   TO   ST'    WERBURGE. 


195 


And  nat  allonly  to  religious  persons ; 

For  all  suche  fraunches,  priuileges,  possessions 

Of  charite  were  gyuen,  of  pure  conscience  and  mynde  1887 

To  god  and  saynt  Werburge  with  great  deuocions  : 

Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1889 

267 

Nowe  for  to  make  a  finall l  conclusion,  i  P.  small     1890 

We  well  perceyue  in  auncient  bokes  olde, 
All  suche  transgressours  /  holdyng  their  opinion, 
Obstinate  in  malice,  indurate  and  bolde, 
Some  haue  ben  slayne  /  some  drowned  in  water  colde, 
Some  shamfully  hanged  rebukyng  their  kynde,  1895 

Some  wretchedly  departed  /  some  cruciat  manyfolde : 
Wherfore  to  the  monasterie  be  neuer  vnkynde.  1897 

H  A   litell  orison   or  prayer  to  the   blessed  virgine  saynte 
Werburge  by  the  translatour  of  this  werke.     Ca.  xxiii. 


268 

Blessed  Werburge  and  virgin  glorious, 
Descended  by  auncetrie  of  blod  victoriall, 
Doughter  to  kynge  Yulfere  /  and  Ormenilde  vertuous, 
O  sufferayne  lady  and  famous  moiniall : 
With  hert  and  true  mynde  on  the  I  call, 
Thou  art  my  succour  /  my  helpe  in  all  distres  : 
Defende  and  saue  me  from  peynes  inf email 
By  thy  meke  prayer,  swete  patrones. 

269      . 

0  rutilant  gemme  clerer  than  the  cristall, 
0  redolent  rose  repleit  with  suauite, 
Whiche  for  the  loue  of  thy  spouse  eternall 
Refused  hast  all  vayne  pleasures  transetore, 
Honours  /  riches  /  and  secular  dignite  ; 
Nowe  regnyng  in  heuyn  as  a  quene,  doutles, 
Praye  for  thy  seruaunt  to  the  lorde  of  mercy, 
Mekely  I  beseke  the,  swete  patronesse. 


1898 


1903 


1905 


1906 


1911 


1913 


196  PRAY   FOR   ME,    SWETE   PATRONES  1 

270 

O  sufferayne  lady  full  of  singular  vertue,  1914 

Myndyng  most  religion  from  thy  infancy 
Elect  to  the  a  spouse  our  sauiour  lesu, 
Professed  obedience  at  the  house  of  Ely, 
Where  thou  obserued  the  sensuals l  thre  *  r.  essenciais 

By  grace  aboue  nature,  playn  to  expresse  :  1919 

Optejne  me  power  to  haue  victory 

Ageynst  myn  ennemyes,  swete  patrones.  1921 

271 

0  floure  of  virgins  and  comly  creature,  1922 
Syngyng  with  angels  in  the  heuenly  toure, 
Transcendyng  the  saphir  and  diamounde  pure 

In  worship,  praisyng,  beaute  and  decur  ; 

What  tong  can  reherse  thy  ioy  and  honour, 

Whiche  is  ineffable  for  man  to  expresse  ?  1927 

Beseke  thy  spouse,  our  blessyd  sauiour, 

To  graunte  me  mercy,  swete  patrones.  1929 

272 

For  thy  great  vertu  and  hie  discrecion  1930 

Chosen  thou  was  a  pyler  here  to  be 
Of  diuers  inonasteryes,  to  encrease  religion 
By  thy  gostly  doctryne  and  humilite  ; 
Exsample  thou  gaue  of  perfit  charite 

Vnto  thi  subgettis  as  a  kynde  maistres  :  1935 

Helpe  me  thy  seruaunt  of  thy  benignite 
To  please  my  maker,  swete  patrones.  1937 

273 

No  maruell  it  was  thought  thy  subgettis  all  1938 

Were  vertuous  and  perfect  in  contemplacion, 
Vnder  suche  a  ruler,  a  hed  and  principall, 
Whose  gostly  example  and  exortation 
Were  corespondent,  accordyng  in  one — 
Thy  precept  and  deed  were  vnit  with  mekenes :  1943 

In  this  vale  [of]  misery  be  my  protection, 

1  humble  the  require,  swete  patrones.  1945 


PEAY   FOE   THY   SERVANTS — THY  MONASTERY  1 


197 


274 

Glorious  abbasse  and  floure  of  chastite,  1946 

Carboncle  shenyng  bothe  day  and  nyght, 

All  this  region  by  thy  noble  progenie 

And  by  the  is  decorat  vnder  god  almyght ; 

The  presens  of  thy  blessyd  body  right 

Reioisith  thy  seruauntis  in  all  distres,  1951' 

Thou  art  our  refuge  and  lanterne  of  light : 

Succour  thy  seruauntes,  swete  patrones.  1953 

275 

0  pereles  princes,  lady  imperiall,  1954 

0  gemme  of  holynes  and  noble  president, 
Comfort  to  all  creatures  in  paynes  thrall, 
Releuyng  all  secke,  f  eble  and  impotent ; 
A  myrrour  of  mekenes  to  euery  pacient, 
Whose  myracles  magnifien  thy  great  goodnes  :  1959 

Defende  thy  seruauntfes]  from  greuous  turment 
By  thy  supplicacion,  swete  patronesse.  1961 

276 

O  noble  sufferayne  and  singular  pro  tec  trice  1962 

Of  thy  true  subiectes  by  speciall  grace, 
In  all  necessite  a  sure  mediatrice, 
From  greuous  oppression  preseruyng  thy  place, 
A  lanterne  of  lyght  in  eche  wofull  case 
To  illumine  thy  people  plonged  in  heuynes  1967 

With  great  consolacion  and  gostly  solace  : 
No  we  lyghten  our  conscience,  swete  patronesse.  1969 

277 

Swete  louely  lady,  mekely  I  the  praye,  1970 

For  thy  great  mekenes  and  perfect  charite, 
Make  thou  intercession  both  nyght  and  day 
For  thy  true  seruauntes  vnto  the  trinite, 
That  we  may  opteyne  here  grace  and  mercy 
And  of  our  synne  to  haue  forgyuenes,  1975 

Afterwarde  to  come  to  eternall  glorie ; 
Helpe  nowe  and  euer,  swete  patronesse.  1977 


198 


L'ENVOYE.     READER,  EXCUSE  IMPERFECTION  1 


If  A  breue  conclusion  of  this  litell  werke  vnto  the  reders,  by  the 
translatour.     Cap.  xxiiii. 

278 

With  tremblynge  penne  /  and  hand  full  of  drede      1978 
In  termes  rude  translate  nowe  haue  we 
The  noble  historye  of  saynt  Werburge  in-dede, 
Besekyng  all  them  for  their  good  humanite  « 

Whiche  this  litell  proces  shall  beholde  and  se,  1982 

For  to  adde  and  minisshe  and  cause  reformacion 
Where  nede  requireth  after  your  discrecion.  1984 

279 

At  her  lyfe  historiall  example  may  take  1985 

Euery  great  estate  /  quene  /  duches  /  and  lady, 
To  encreace  in  vertue  /  and  synne  to  forsake, 
To  obserue  mekenes  and  prayer  deuoutly, 
With  pacience  of  hert  /  and  almesdede,  truly.  1989 

If  thou  be  widowe  /  her  lyfe  well  folowyng 
Thou  mayst  be  sure  in  blis  to  haue  a  wonnyng.  1991 

280 

If  thou  be  religious  /  wearyng  blacke  vesture,  1992 

Take  good  example  at  this  holy  abbasse ; 
Her  lyfe  wyll  teche  the  how  thou  shult 1  endure          *  r.  shait 
In  holy  religion  /  opteynyng  mycle  grace 
With  mekenes  /  meditacion  /  mesure  in  eche  place,       1996 
And  howe  thou  shalt  kepe  thy  sensuals  thre 
Consideryng  in  heuen  thy  rewarde  to  be.  1998 

281 

If  thou  be  a  virgin,  of  hie  or  low  degre,  1999 

Takyng  imitacion  of  this  virgin  bright 
Thou  mayst  well  obserue  the  floure  of  chastite 
And  thy  spouse  shalbe  the  lorde  most  of  myght ; 
On  whom  if  thou  attende  redy  day  and  nyght,  2003 

Thou  shalt  haue  merite,  as  recordeth  scripture, 
With  .v.  wise  virgins  after  thy  departure.  2005 


GO    FORTH,    LITTLE    BOOK,    TO    THE    PEOPLE  !  199 

282 

The  cause  mouyng  vs  this  werke  to  begyn,  2006 

It  was  to  auoyde  slouth  and  idelnes, 
And  most  for  the  loue  of  this  holy  virgin, 
Whiche  is  our  suft'erayn  lady  and  patrones. 
As  for  baudy  balades  full  of  wretchednes,  2010 

And  wanton  wylde  gestis  /  we  purpose  none  to  make, 
For  drede  of  losyng  tyme  /  clothed  in  vesture  blake.     2012 

283 

Go  forth,  litell  boke  /  lesu  be  thy  spede  2013 

And  saue  the  alway  from  mysreportyng, 
Whiche  art  compiled,  for  no  clerke  in-dede, 
But  for  marchaunt  men  /  hauyng  litell  lernyng, 
And  that  rude  people  therby  may  haue  knowyng          2017 
Of  this  holy  virgin  /  and  redolent  rose, 
Whiche  hath  ben  kept  full  longe  tyme  in  close.  2019 

284 

To  all  auncient  poetes,  litell  boke,  submytte  the,  2020 

Whilom  flouryng  in  eloquence  facundious, 
And  to  all  other  /  whiche  present  nowe  be, 
Fyrst  to  maister  Chaucer  /  and  Ludgate  sentencious, 
Also  to  preignaunt  Barkley  /  nowe  beyng  religious,      2024 
To  inuentiue  Skelton  and  poet  laureate  ; 
Praye  them  all  of  pardon  both  erly  and  late.  2026 

285 

If  there  be  any  thynge  within  this  litell  boke  2027 

Pleasaunt  to  the  audience  /  contentyng  the  mynde, 
We  praye  all  reders  /  whan  they  theron  do  loke, 
To  gyue  thankes  to  god  maker  of  mankynde, 
Nat  to  the  translatour  ignoraunt  and  blynde  ;  2031 

For  euery  good  dede  /  done  in  any  cost 
It  cometh  allonly  of  the  holy  gost.  2033 

286 

Almyghty  god,  both  one  two  and  thre,  2034 

We  desire  the  with  humble  supplicacion, 
Saue  holy  churche  of  thy  benignite, 


200      A  BALADE  TO  THE  AUCTOUR  (  +  IN  1513). 

And  all  ministres  in  holy  religion ; 

Preserue  the  kyngis  grace,  the  Peeris,  the  region,          2038 
Defende  our  monasterie  and  thy  seruau[n]tes  all, 
And  graunt  vs  by  grace  to  come  to  blis  eternall  1  2040 

FINIS. 


A  balade  to  the  auctour. 

287 

O  thou  disciple  of  Tully  most  famous 
Nowe  flourisshyng  in  the  floures  of  glorious  eloquence, 
Like  as  appereth  by  your  stile  facundius, 
Full  worthe  laude,  prayse  and  preeminence,  4 

Put  forth  your  werkes  full  sure  of  sentence — 
Whose  auctour  /  what  though  vncertayne  be  his  name 
Of  all  the  reders  exalted  shalbe  in  fame. 

288 

Alas,  why  shulde  this  delicious  werke,  8 

Thus  surely  sette  by  pured  science, 
To  be  examined  by  my  rudenes  all  derke, 
Whiche  knowe  full  well  myn  insufficience, 
Sith  I  haue  lerned  by  longe  experience  12 

That  dulled  age  in  werkes  of  poetry 
Must  nedes  gyue  to  poetes  place  and  victory. 

289 

Glorious  god  and  kynge  eternall, 

We  magnifie  thy  name  as  is  but  ryght,  16 

Sith  thou  gaue  to  vs  a  floure  most  riall, 
Redolent  in  cronicles  with  historicall  syght ; 
Whiche  nowe  is  departed  from  this  temporall  lyght 
The  present  yere  of  this  translacion  20 

M.D.  xiii.  of  Christis  incarnacion. 
Cuius  anime  propicietur  deus. 

An  other  balade. 

290 

0  frutefull  histore  /  o  digne  memoriall, 
Enbawmed  with  doctrine  of  virtues  infinite, 


ANOTHER    BALADE.  201 

With  termes  exquised  /  and  sence  retoriall, 

To  spiritual!  hertes  a  singular  delite,  4 

Fragrant  and  facunde  /  of  englisshe  exquisite, 

Holsome  in  doctrine  /  for  those  that  it  desire : 

Auaunce  you  to  rede  it  /  for  it  is  exquisite, 

Folowynge  theffect  to  kepe  you  from  hell-fire.  8 

291 

Reioyse  Chestre  /  reioyse  ye  religious 
And  thanke  your  maker  of  his  beniuolence 
That  hath  you  gyuen  suche  treasure  preciouse, 
Aduocatrice  /  in  your  most  indigence  !  12 

O  virgin  werburge  /  of  double  excellence, 
Conserue  thy  seruauntes  dayly  familier, 
Preseruyng  them  from  inconuenience, 
The  for  tensue  /  that  art  theyr  lode-sterre.  16 

292 

Amonges  the  whiche  to  thyn  honour 
One  of  thy  clientes  /  with  morall  retorique 
Hath  chaunged  newly  /  o  mayde  most  swete  flour, 
Thy  legende  latine  /  to  our  language  publique  :  20 

Preserue  his  soule  /  and  make  bym  domestique 
Within  the  heuyns  /  in  whiche  that  thou  art  sonko  — 
With  deth  preuent  /he  myght  nothyng  replique  : 
Harry  Braddeshaa,  of  Chestre  abbay  monke.  24 

293 

O  cruell  deth  /  o  theffe  vindicatyfe, 
To  persons  vertuous  ennemy  mortall, 
Of  this  good  clerke  thou  hast  abbreged  the  lyfe, 
Preuentyng  hym  with  thy  dede  stronge  fatall.  28 

yet  in  dispite  of  thy  most  venomus  gall 
He  hath  translate  this  legende  profitable 
And  left  it  for  holsome  memoriall 
To  all  his  sequaces —  /  a  gyft  most  couenable,  32 

294 

With  polysshed  termes  /  and  good  sence  litterall, 
No  place  there  voyde  /  but  vertue  abundeth. 


202       ANOTHER  BALADE  TO  SAYNT  WERBURGE. 

Theffect  is  manifest :  for  science  ouer  all 

Rethorically  thy  sentence  groundeth,  36 

All  vices  surely  it  confoundeth. 

Shewynge  the  legende  of  this  mayde  pure, 

Her  shenyng  lyfe  eche- where  redoundeth. 

Suche  steppes  folowyng  /  we  hope  in  them  tendure.  40 

An  other  balade  to  saynt  werburge. 

295 

With  hert  contrite  accepte  my  supplicacion, 
Aydynge  my  fraylete  and  lyfe  vacillaunt, 
Renegate  and  contumace  in  all  obstinacion, 
Bewrapt  with  all  synne  /  detestable  and  recreaunt ;  4 

Vouchsafe  to  supplie  lesu  and  geat  graunt 
Remyssion  to  haue  of  my  synnes  generall, 
Greuous  and  thrall  /  that  I  may  the  auaunt : 
A,  gentill  Werburge  /  to  thy  doctrine  me  call.  8 

296 

Wherf ore  thy  father  /  thy  mother  Ermenilde 
Enclined  both  to  dedes  catholique, 
Ruffine  and  Kenrede  /  thy  bretherne  were  fulfilde 
Both  with  great  grace  /  through  martyrdome  both  like,    12 
With  diuers  of  thy  kynne  magnifique 
Redact  in  the  catholique  papall : 
Geat  me  suche  grace  to  voyde  all  synnes  inique 
And  gentill  Werburge,  to  thy  doctrine  me  call.  16 

297 

With  faithf till  clennes  /  thy  soule  was  sure  preserued, 
Euer  contynuynge  in  doctrine  celicall, 
Refusyng  vanite  /  from  vertue  neuer  swarued 
But  in  all  grace  remaynyng  principall ;  20 

Ynto  thy  deth  exhortyng  great  and  small 
Ruled  to  be  /  to  the  preceptes  diuine — 
Gouerned  by  grace  /  were  thy  disciples  all : 
A,  gentill  Werburge,  call  me  to  suche  doctrine.  24 


ANOTHER  BALADE  TO  SAYNT  WERBURGE. 


298 


203 


Wordly  felicite  abiect  from  my  courage  ; 

Enuy  and  pride  /  with  lustes  voluptuous, 

Rancorous  cupidite  myn  hert  sore  do  aswage, 

Bryng  oyntmentes  sanatiue  for  my  sores  dolorous  ;  28 

Vnclose  thy  succours  /  and  be  beniuolous, 

Kedy  to  be  preseruyng  me  from  pyne  : 

Gouerne  my  lyfe  from  all  actes  daungerous, 

And  gentill  "Werburge,  call  me  to  thy  doctrine.  32 

299 

Be  nowe  beniuolent  /  whan  I  shall  on  the  call, 
Vnto  thy  slaue  /  as  my  trust  hath  ben  sure  ; 
Leue  vnto  me  for  a  memoriall 

Knowlege  effectuall  of  thy  lyfe  pure,  36 

Lyuynge  ther-after  /  and  so  tendure, 
Euer  in  purite  my  lyfe  to  contynue, 
yeldyng  thankes  for  thy  most  holsome  lure  —  • 
Christ  ouer  vs  holde  his  hande  /  al  vices  teschue.    Amen.     40 

1[  And  thus  endetk  the  lyfe  and  historye  of  saynt  Werburge. 
Imprinted  by  Richarde  Pynson  I  printer  to  the  kynges 
noble  grace  /  With  priuilege  to  hym  graunted  by  our 
souerayne  lorde  the  tynge.  A°.  M.D.  xxi. 

(Engraving  on  the  last  page,  with  the  printer's  monogram.) 


GLOSSAEIAL  AND  GENEKAL  INDEX. 

BY  W.  M.  WOOD. 


abbace,  79/2107,  abbas,  99/2/2, 

abbess. 

abbreged,  201/27,  abridged. 
Absalon,  44/1044,  Absalom, 
abundeth,  201/34,  aboundeth. 
actes  marcyall,  10/51,  martial 

acts,  warlike  deeds. 
Adeldryde,     St.,    daughter    of 

prince  Ermenred,  22/397. 
Adelhere,  a  son  of  Egnicius, 

20/334- 

Adda,  a  holy  priest,  24/459. 
adioynneth,  154/670,  adjoins. 
Adla,    a    South    Saxon    king, 

14/i53. 

adowne,  52/1302,  down, 
afore,  39/902,  before, 
afore  nominate,  153/66 1,  before 

named. 

affynyte,  25/477,  affinity, 
agayne,  137/1 87,  against, 
ago,  113/3144,  gone. 
Aldulph,  king,  son  of  St.  Anna, 

20/343- 

Alfryde,  son  of  king  Oswy, 
24/456. 

Alfrydus,  Mayster,  13/129. 

alian,  170/1159,  alien. 

Alle,  a  Mercian  king,  14/173. 

allonly,  167/1058,  alone,  only. 

almyght,  20/349,  88/871,  al- 
mighty. 

Alnotus,  the  servant  of  St. 
Werburghe,  unjustly  pun- 
ished by  her  bailiff,  99  ;  he 
becomes  an  anchorite,  101. 

alon,  109/3016,  alone. 


Alured,  king,  laudation  of,  143 

ambyguyte,  61/1573,  am- 
biguity. 

Am  on,  44/1046,  Hainan. 

ampliat,  144/395,  amplified, 
extended. 

amyddes,  32/686,  amidst. 

anguissyng,  2/39,  anguish. 

Anlaff,  king  of  Ireland, 
169/1 121. 

Anna,  St.,  a  son  of  Egnicius, 
20/335. 

Anselm,  St.,  at  Chester, 
175/1301. 

apere,  106/2918,  appear. 

aperynge,  36/8 1 6,  appearing. 

apoynted,  104/2873,  appointed. 

apostoles,  132/33,  apostles. 

approchyng,166/iO33,  approach, 
appear  against. 

arayment,  68/1780,  display. 

archdekens,  90/2439,  arch- 
deacons. 

Archythofell,  44/1044,  Achi- 
tophel. 

arested,  114/3173,  arrested, 
stopped. 

armony,  65/1693,  harmony. 

armure,  25/472,  armour. 

arrest,  168/950,  arrested. 

artillarie,  165/995,  artylere, 
16/228,  artillery. 

Ashdum,  the  battle  of,  27/531 

a-sondre,  167/1 051,  asunder. 

assay,  134/98,  assault. 

Assuerus,  44/1046,  Ahasuerus. 

astate,  55/1399,  estate. 


206 


GLOSSARIAL    AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


asured,  86/820,  assured,  satis- 
fied. 

at,  30/6 1 8,  from. 

attempten,  pi,  99/2706,  at- 
tempt. 

attempted,  188/1535,  tempted, 
goaded. 

auctoryte,  14/170,  authority. 

auctours,  21/358,  authors. 

Audry,  St.  (=  St.  Etheldred), 
abbess  of  Ely,  daughter  of 
St.  Anna,  20/340 ;  receives 
St.  Werburge  as  a  nun,  59  ; 
life  of,  70  et  seq. 

audytoures,  21/364,  hearers  or 
readers. 

aulter,  88/2226,  altar. 

auncetry,  17/263,  ancestry. 

auncyent,  1 5/203,  48/II7I, 
ancient. 

Austyn,  18/269,  St.  Augustine  ; 
at  Chester,  148/498. 

auaunt,  202/7,  advance,  mag- 
nify. 

auauntage,  191/1784,  advant- 
age. 

auoyde,  v.,  115/3191,  make  void. 

auaunce,  v.,  16/233,  advance. 

aydynge,  202/2,  aiding. 

ayre,  10/23,  alT' 

Bangour  =  Bangor  monastery, 

147/492. 
baptym,  18/293,  146/449,  bap- 

tism. 

barbarike,  157/758,  barbaric. 
Bardenay  Abbey,  88/2367. 
barowne,  59/ 1510,  baron, 
barrayn,  158/8o6,  barren, 
barst,  184/1575,  burst, 
batell,      147/478,       174/1266; 

batayle,  16/227,  battle, 
bawdy  balades,    12/90,    ribald 

tales. 

baylyfe,  99/2718,  bailiff. 
Beccy,  a  holy  priest,  24/459. 
Bede,  the  venerable,  13/128. 
bedes,  84/752,  beads, 
bedyll,      48/1023,       183/i53o> 

beadle,  sergeant,  servant, 
beestes  of  venery,  16/21 6,  beasts 

of  the  chase, 
beestis,  145/415,  beasts. 


begon,  132/39,  begun. 

ben,  pi,  10/25,  109/3003,  be. 

benedyccyon,  52/1307,  benedic- 
tion. 

beneson,  90/2425,  benison. 

Benettes  (St.)  rule,  74/1974. 

beniuolence,  190/1735,  benevo- 
lence. 

beniuolons,  203/29,  benevolent. 

benynge,  71/1858,  benign. 

benyuolent,  54/1345,  benevo- 
lent. 

Beorswyde,  the  queen  of 
king  Hereryc,  19/310. 

here,  118/3142,  bier. 

Berta,  the  wife  of  king  Ethel- 
bryct,  22/381. 

besyly,  51/1269,  busily. 

besynes,  10/45,  business. 

beseke,  181/1460,  beseech. 

besekyng,  198/1981,  beseech- 
ing. 

besely,  9/20,  busily. 

beten,  61/1579,  beaten. 

bewrapt,  202/4,  clothed. 

Bishoprics  established  in  Eng- 
land, 27/544. 

bitwene,  15/2O2,  between. 

blake,  60/1539,  black. 

blasynge,  135/122,  blazing. 

blod,  195/1899,  blood. 

bloddy,  135/124,  bloody. 

blynde,  108/2838,  blind. 

bokes  hystoryall,  15/184,  hooks 
of  history,  historical  books. 

bonde,  v.,  41/957,  bound. 

bondes,boundes,  15/183,  bound- 
aries. 

borde-lorde,  68/1618,  lords  of 
the  feast,  seated  at  the  high 
table. 

bordes,  64/1678,  tables. 

borowes,  152/623,  boroughs. 

both-tow,  21/378,  both  too  = 
also. 

bowes,  44/io66,  boughs. 

boystous,  131/6,  boisterous, 
ignorant. 

Bradsha,  Henri,  compiler  of 
this  book,  acrostic  on  his 
name,  1 . 

braulynge,  10/51,  brawling. 

brenned,  89/893,  burned. 


GLOSSAEIAL   AND   GENERAL    INDEX. 


207 


brent,  187/1636,  burnt. 

brere,  88/724,  briar. 

brethur,  86/2328,  brethren. 

breue,  1 82/40,  brief. 

breuely,  11/83,  shortly. 

brothered,  64/1659,  embroid- 
ered. 

browdred,  68/1617,  embroid- 
ered. 

brutes,  148/5 10,  Britons. 

Brystowe,  15/191,  Bristol. 

Brytons,  18/139,  Britons. 

brybry,  98/2677,  bribery. 

bulles,  90/2424,  bulls,  Papal 
ordinances. 

Burdredus,  king  of  Mercia, 
cousin  of  St.  Wurburghe, 
expelled  from  Britain, 
138/218. 

burges,  188/1 668,  burgesses. 

burghes  royall,  15/205,  royal 
boroughs. 

buryenge,  18/287,  burial. 

buxum,  10/25,  buxom. 

byforne,  42/1009,  before. 

byleue,  45/io88,  belief. 

byleuys,  v.,  46/1113,  believes. 

byloued,  54/1360,  beloved. 

byn,  125/3491,  been. 

bysshop-sees,  27/544,  bishop- 
rics. 

byssop,  47/1138,  bishop. 

bytter,  106/2919,  bitter. 

bytwyx,  19/31 8,  betwixt,  be- 
tween. 

caduce,  112/3099,  115/3176, 
caducous,  falling  early  or  by 
chance. 

Caerleil,  144/385,  Carlisle,  the 
city  of,  founded  by  king  Leil. 

Caerlleon,  the  ancient  name  of 
Chester,  144/374. 

canaby,  142/335,  canopy. 

captens,  166/1025,  captains, 
officers. 

carboncle,  197/1947,  carbuncle. 

catall,  165/992,  cattle. 

cause,  170/1153,  because. 

caytyfe,  41/958,  caitiff. 

Cead  (Ced,  24/459,  Cedda, 
27/555),  St.  =  St.  Chad,  in- 
structs Vulfade  and  Ruffyn 


in  the  Christian  faith,  44  et 
seq.  ;  miracle  worked  by,  61 
et  seq. 

celicall,  202/1 8,  heavenly,  ce- 
lestial. 

cemiterie,  147/467,  cemetery. 

censours,  140/278,  censures, 
177/1342,  censers. 

Cerdicus,  first  king  of  the  West 
Saxons,  14/156. 

cesse,  186/1625,  cease. 

cessed,  49/12 15,  ceased,  stopped. 

chales,  177/1342,  chalices. 

chamfully,  188/208,  shame- 
fully. 

chanons,  53/1327,  canons. 

Charles  =  Charlemagne  of 
France,  148/521. 

chartre,  174/1 271,  charter, 
agreement. 

chastyce,  v.t  10/41,  chastise. 

chekemate,  58/1470,  check- 
mate. 

chere,  178/1391,  countenance. 

Chesshyr,  1 5/202,  Cheshire. 

chest,  121/3369,  coffin. 

Chester,  the  reception  of  the 
shrine  of  St.  Werburghe  at, 
141  et  seq.  :  the  foundation 
of,  143  et  seq.  ;  called  a  "  city 
of  legions,"  148/372  ;  the  city 
of,  saved  from  king  Griffinus, 
154  ;  also  from  innumerable 
barbaric  nations,  157  ;  the 
burning  of,  186. 

Chester  cathedral,  the  founda- 
tion and  building  of,  149  etseq. 

chyfe,  14/175,  89/916,  chief. 

chyrches,  28/563,  churches. 

cimiterie,  177/1351,  cemetery. 

citegens,  2/25,  citizens. 

"City  of  legions,"  two  places 
so  named,  143/365. 

ciuile,  132/29,  civil  (law). 

clene,  47/1141,  clean. 

clennes,  69/i8i2,  104/2852, 
cleanness. 

clerke,  12/io8,  scholar. 

clerely,  98/2539,  clearly. 

clothes.  68/1617,  tapestry. 

clypped,  37/857,  called,  elected. 

Cochede  [ICoelrede],  a  son  of 
king  Ethelrede,  18/286. 


208 


GLOSSAEIAL   AND    GENERAL   INDEX. 


Colbrond  the  giant,  169/1  n  8. 

collage-chyrche,  86/2321,  col- 
legiate church,  cathedral. 

comen,  40/947,  come. 

comly,  145/405,  comely. 

commonte,  141/292,  commons, 
commonalty. 

communed,  46/1131,  received 
the  holy  communion. 

comon,  v.>  141/296,  come. 

compasynge,  68/1774,  endea- 
vouring. 

complayne,  96/2626,  complaint. 

compleccyon,  48/n86,  com- 
plexion. 

compleccyons,  11/57,  appear- 
ances. 

comunes,  90/2441,  commons 
(the  people). 

comunete,  16/226,  community, 
commonalty. 

comynly,  10/37,  commonly. 

concauyte,  1 02/2810,  hollow  of 
a  tree. 

concordaunce,  65/1 692,  concord, 
harmony,  melody. 

confort,  20/350,  comfort. 

coniectour,  62/1599,  conjecture. 

consecrate,  92/2498,  conse- 
crated. 

conserue,  91/2482,  preserve. 

constaunce,  85/794,  constancy. 

contracte,  25/478,  84/2253,  con- 
tracted. 

contumace,  202/3,  contuma- 
ciousness. 

contynu,  17/256,  continue. 

conuenyent,  78/2093,  proper. 

conynge,  131/7,  knowledge. 

cooles,  125/3494,  coals,  fires. 

coopes,  140/277,  copes,  clerical 
raiment. 

corespondent,  196/1942,  corre- 
sponding. 

cornes,  96/2627,  grain. 

coronall,  60/1534,  coronet, 
crown. 

coronate,  56/1419,  crowned. 

corporace,  149/551,  linen  cloth 
to  cover  consecrated  bread. 

correcke,  12/io8,  correct. 

correcked,  52/1312,  corrected. 

corrupt,  138/2O8,  corrupted. 


cost,  175/1278,  coast,  side, 
cosyn,  188/223,  cousin, 
cosyns,  164/958,  relatives, 
cotidian,    139/253,    cotydyane, 

81/2162,  quotidian,  daily, 
couenable,  201/32,  convenient, 
couent,  59/1514,  convent, 
couerture,  122/3381,  cover,  the 

clothing  of  a  corpse, 
counceyled,  49/1207,  concealed, 

contrived,  misconstrued, 
counnynge,   15 1/605,  cunning, 

learned. 

countray,  140/272,  country, 
countred,  16/236,  encountered, 
cours,  v.,  16/217,  hunt, 
course  of  kynde,  97/2635,  tne 

custom  of  nature, 
create,  10/29,  creat>   182/1488, 

created. 

cruciat,  160/864,  tormented, 
crucyate,     100/2735,     excruci- 
ating, 
crudelite,  124/3466,    189/I7O2, 

cruelty. 
Cryda,  the  first  king  of  Mercia, 

14/170. 

Crysten,  21/376,  Christian, 
cubycle,  9/5,  place   for    lying 

down  in,  bedroom, 
cupborde,    64/1669,    sideboard 

holding  the  plate.     [Not  the 

modern  cupboard.] 
cure,    2/19,      labour,      work ; 

66/1726,  health, 
cures,  57/1453,  charges, 
curteys,  71/1859,  courteous, 
cyrcumfulsed,  77/2038,  circum- 

fulgent,  shining, 
cytee,  53/1343,  city. 

debate,  175/1295,  disputation. 

debylyte,  111/3070,  debility. 

decesse,  169/1 108,  decease, 
death. 

deceuable,  58/1341,  deceitful. 

declyne,  2/15,  incline,  cast 
down. 

decorate,  76/2009,  decorated. 

decoure,  142/337,  decorum. 

dedes,  191/1783,  title  deeds  re- 
lating to  lands. 

dedycate,  102/2814,  dedicated. 


GLOSSARIAL  AND  GENERAL  INDEX. 


209 


Dee,  the  river,  15/i88  ;  miracle  [ 

of  its  drying  up,  181. 
defe,  103/2838  ;  deffe,  189/i7i6, 

deaf. 

degest,  51/1264,  disperse. 
Deiram,  Hereryc,  the  king  of, 

19/309. 

deken,  88/2221,  deacon. 

delated,  146/445,  increased. 

Delbora,  86/802,  Deborah. 

clelyce,  118/3124,  delight. 

delyted,  88/729,  delighted. 

demerytes,  88/872,  faults,  sins. 

clenayed,  24/465,  denied. 

depaired,  122/3384,  impaired. 

depaynted,  61/1577,  pictured. 

depely,  105/288 1,  deeply,  care- 
fully. 

derke,  200/1  o,  dark. 

derlynge,  41/967,  darling,  loved 
one. 

derogate,  v.,  115/3119,  make 
void,  overturn. 

derogacion,  166/1033,  dispar- 
agement. 

descriuyng,  132/41,  describing. 

descryben,  v.pL,  1 5/2O3,describe. 

despyce,  48/1177,  despise. 

desse,  68/1625,  dais. 

deetruccyon,  96/2620,  destruc- 
tion. 

desydery,  59/1 498,  desideration ; 
105/2899,  desire,  request. 

dethe,  39/01 6,  death. 

deuyne,  72/1902,  divine. 

dight,  140/277,  dressed. 

digne,  200,  last  line  but  one, 
worthy. 

dilated,  162/906,  spread  abroad. 

dilect,  I/ 1 1,  loved. 

dirige,  117/3234,  mournful 
dirge. 

discens,  132/41,  discence, 
150/570,  descent. 

disceyte,  186/167,  deceit. 

distract,  117/3261,  distracted. 

distrye,  154/694,  destroy. 

doctours,  132/33,  doctors,  but 
here  the  four  Evangelists  are 
meant. 

does,  100/2725,  dost. 

dolours,  50/ 1 237,  troubles,  pains, 
misery. 


dombe,  108/2837,  dumb. 

Donmeue  [?  Domueue],  wife  of 
Merwald,  24/448. 

done, pi.,  44/1059,  69/i8oi,  do. 

dongions,  144/381,  dungeons. 

doutles,  193/1848,  doubtless. 

douue,  45/1094,  dove,  pigeon. 

dredde,  107/2942,  dreaded. 

dropes,  135/124,  drops. 

drowed,  194/ 1 856,  raze/drowned. 

due,  50/1240,  diligent,  circum- 
spect. 

Dunstan,  St.,  170/1136. 

Duyna,  a  holy  priest,  24/460. 

dyaper,  64/1667,  diaper. 

dyfterre,  86/788,  defer. 

dygne,  107/2953,  worthy. 

dylated,  17/242,  28/433,  spread 
out. 

dyscrecyon,  88/2243,  discretion. 

dyscryue,  20/347,  describe. 

dyscus,  82/691,  discuss. 

dy  spent,  93/2542,  spent. 

dysshe,  94/2558,  dish. 

dystylled,  56/1425,  ran  down. 

dytche  Offa,  17/251,  Offa's  ditch 
between  England  and  Wales. 

dyuised,  141/293,  devised. 

dyuydent,  15/199,  a  divider 
(said  of  the  Mersey  as  separ- 
ating the  kingdoms  of  Mercia 
and  Northumberland) ;  see 
also  17/249. 

Eadbalde,  king  of  Kent, 
22/387. 

Eadburg,  St.,  22/383. 

Eadfryde,  a  eon  of  kingEdwyn, 
19/307. 

Eadgide,  Eagida,  miraculously 
cured  by  St.  Werburge, 
156. 

echeone,  68/1634,  echone, 
181/1471,  each  one. 

eche-where,  202/39,  every- 
where. 

Edelfled,  daughter  of  king 
Oswy,  25/490. 

Edgar,  king  of  England, 
170/1133  J  receives  the  hom- 
age of  eight  kings  at  Chester, 
171. 

Edmunde,  prince,  one  of  the 


210 


GLOSSARIAL    AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


founders  of  Chester  minster, 

151/599. 

Edwyn,  king  of  Northumber- 
land, 19/303. 
edyfy,  ».,  28/563,  build, 
ee,  181/1466,  eye. 
Eest-Englande,  the  fifth  Saxon 

realm,  14/i66. 
Eflede,  the  duchess,  one  of  the 

founders  of  Chester  minster, 

150/583. 
Egnicius,  a  son  of  king  Titylus, 

20/331. 
Egbyrct  ( =  Egfrid),  king,  second 

husband      of     St.      Audry, 

72/1905. 
Egbryct,son  of  kingErcombert, 

22/409. 

Egwyn,  bishop,  89/2402. 
eies,  134/1551,  eyes, 
electe,  154/690,  elected, 
elected  to,  80/639,  chose  for. 
Eleutherius,         the         Pope, 

145/424. 
eleuat,       121/3369,       eleuate, 

51/i28o,  elevated,  raised  up. 
Elflede,  wife  of  Peada,  25/497. 
Ella,    a    South    Saxon    king, 

14/153- 
embost,     62/1604,      embossed, 

depictured. 
Emma,  wife  of  king  Eadbalde, 


empaired,  155/715,  damaged. 

empeiryng,  186/1629,  impair- 
ing. 

enbawmed,  200,  last  line,  em- 
balmed. 

enbrodred,  64/1647,  embroid- 
ered. 

encense,  140/278,  incense. 

encresed,  88/2378,  increased. 

endurate,  154/691,  endowed, 
filled  with;  188/1527,  en- 
raged. 

Engystus,  Duke,  rules  in  Kent, 
14/150. 

enherytour,  88/2376,  inheritor. 

enherytryce,  118/3282,  inheri- 
trix. 

enioyed,  58/1333,  found  favour 
with;  145/426,  filled  with 


enormentes,  149/549,  15 1/6 13, 
ornaments. 

enowrned,  128/3431,  ?  put  in 
an  urn,  or  environed,  sur- 
rounded, or  adorned. 

enquest,  194/1 860,  inquiry. 

enquyred,  80/2138,  re- 
quired. 

ensample,  12/iu,  example. 

enspyred,  29/599,  inspired. 

ensued,  140/285,  followed. 

Enswyde,  St.,  son  of  king 
Eadbalde. 

enterprised,  135/135,  entered, 
overran,  endeavoured  to  make 
prize  of. 

entree,  102/2805,  entry,  en- 
trance. 

entysement,  43/1035,  entice- 
ment. 

enuired,  134/98,  environed,  sur- 
rounded. 

Eorpwaldus,  a  son  of  Kedwalde, 
20/329. 

equypolent,  18/291,  having 
power. 

equyualent,  86/803,  equivalent. 

Erchenwyn,  first  king  of  the 
Eastsaxons,  14/i62. 

Ercombert,king  of  Kent,  19/317 
(Ercumbert,  22/402). 

Erkengode,  daughter  of  king 
Ercombert,  28/413. 

erle,  40/948,  earl. 

Ermenberge,  St.,  wife  of  St. 
Merwalde,  18/289. 

Ermenberge,  St.,  daughter  of 
prince  Ermenred,  22/395. 

Ermenburge,  St.,  daughter  of 
prince  Ermenred,  22/396. 

Ermengyde,  St.,  daughter  of 
prince  Ermenred,  22/398. 

Ermenred,  a  son  of  king  Ead- 
balde, 22/390. 

Ermenrycus,  king  of  Kent, 
21/365. 

Ermenylde,  St.,  wife  of  king 
Wulfere,  19/298. 

Ermenylde,  daughter  of  king 
Ercombert,  28/412. 

Ermenylde's  reply  to  the  auda- 
cious request  of  Werebode, 
40  et  seq. 


GLOSSARIAL    AND    GENERAL  INDEX. 


211 


Ermenylde,  St.,  becomes  a  nun, 

80. 
escuage,      191/1773,      scutage, 

holding  by  knight  service, 
essencyals,  88/2372,  essentials, 
est,  151/609,  east' 
Estsex  =  Essex,     the      fourth 

Saxon  realm,  14/i62. 
eterne,  54/1356,  eternal. 
Ethelbryct,  son  of  king  Ermen- 


ryc  21/372. 
thelbrvct 


Ethelbryct  the  martyr,  22/392. 
Ethelburg,  St.,  22/383. 
Ethelburge,  St.,  daughter  of  St. 

Anna,  20/341. 

Etheldrede  the  martyr,  22/392. 
Ethelred,  king,  a  son  of  king 

Penda,  18/280. 
Ethelrede,     duke    of    Mercia, 

150/577. 
Ethelrede,   uncle  of  St.  Wer- 

burge,  becomes  a  monk,  85 

et  seq. 
Ethelwod,  a  son  of  Egnicius, 

20/334- 

Ethelstan,  king  of  England, 
169/1109. 

euangely,  104/2854,  gospel. 

euery-chone,  24/450,  every 
one. 

euidens,  193/1852,  evidence. 

euidentes,  191/1 77  5,  indentures. 

Eustach,  St.,  45/1097. 

exaccyons,  74/1965,  exactions, 
taxes,  imposts. 

exchewe,  133/54,  eschew. 

exemples,  94/2563,  examples. 

exortacyon,  33/730,  51/i28o, 
exhortation. 

expedycyon,  90  /  2423,  de- 
spatched. 

expresse,  13/142,  22/410,  ex- 
actly. 

expulce,  108/2987,  expel. 

expulsed,  10  /  33,  expelled, 
banished. 

exquised,  201/3,  exquisite. 

extincted,  187/1 666,  made  ex- 
tinct, put  out,  extinguished. 

e-wis  =  ywis,  Iwis,  151/599,  I 
know. 

eytherothur,  170/1 131,  one  the 
other. 


facundious,  199/2O2I,  full  of 
words. 

failed,  v.t  52/1302,  fell,  did 
fall. 

fayrenes,  76/2014,  fairness. 

faythtes,  68/1638,  facts. 

fealtie,  191/1772,  the  oath  of 
loyalty. 

felawes,  98/268o,  fellows,  com- 
panions. 

feldes,  96/2621,  fields. 

feliship,  184/1576,  fellowship. 

femynyne,  76/2O2I,  woman. 

femynyte,  63/1633,  women, 
womanhood. 

fere,  v.,  50/1232,  fear. 

ferefull,  10/48,  afraid. 

ferre,  45/io82,  far. 

feruent,  185/1 604,  fiercely. 

fettred,  164/956,  fettered. 

fire,  135/120,  fiery. 

fiers,  125/3494,  fires. 

Finanus,  bishop,  26/521. 

fisnomy,  122/3393,  face. 

flammynge,  62/1602,  flaming. 

fleynge,  135/1 20,  flying. 

floure,  104/2851,  flower. 

floure,  54/1363,  chief,  most 
eminent. 

flourynge,  17/243,  20/327, 
flourishing. 

foo,  42/962,  foe,  enemy. 

foldes,  97/2643,  folds  for  sheep, 
etc. 

folowen,  pl.9  96/26ir,  follow. 

folysshenes,  12/92,  foolishness. 

.fonde,  10/25,  found. 

forsayd,  175/1297,  aforepaid. 

forthermore,  27/547,  further- 
more. 

fortuned,  44/1055,  happened. 

fragyll,  7 1/ 187  5,  frail. 

fragylyte,  71/1857,  frailness. 

franches,  175/1284,  franchises. 

franke  almoigne,  191/1772, 
holding  land  by  praying  for 
the  souls  of  the  dead. 

fraunches,  74/1962,  franchises. 

fraylete,  202/2,  frailty. 

fredoms,  191/1783,  liberties, 
rights,  free  from  taxes. 

fridome,  194/1 867,  freedom. 

fro,  9/5,  from.          p 


212 


GLOSSARIAL   AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


fruycion,  120/3334,  fruycyon, 
10/32,  fruition. 

fru  teles,  158/8o6,  fruitless, 
barren. 

fully,  39/903,  complete,  full. 

fullsore,  51/1255,  full  sore, 
sorrowfully. 

fundacyon,  86/2327,  founda- 
tion. 

funde,  122/3383,  found. 

forth,  166/1031,  forth. 

fysnaniy,  101/2765,  face. 

fyry,  88/887,  fiery,  fierce. 

fysshe,  145/417,  fish. 

galwedy,  157/76 1,  Gal  way-scot, 
166/1034,  the  people  of  Ire- 
land. 

garde,  181/1478,  guard. 

gate,  18/290,  begot. 

Gauer,  144/380,  Gower. 

gauntes,  96/2620,  gannets  (wild 
ducks). 

Geaf,  21/361,  Saxon  for  Shem. 

geanalogy,  17/,  line  I  of  chapter 
heading,  genealogy. 

geat,  202/5,  202/15,  get. 

gebbet,  164/956,  gibbet. 

gentyls,  59/1511,  gentlefolk. 

gestis,  199/2011,  jests,  merry 
tales. 

ghestes,  65/i68o,  guests. 

ghostly,  32  /  692,  45  /  1088, 
46/H24,  h°ly>  spiritual. 

ghostly  scyence,  34/766,  holy 
knowledge. 

gladde,  133/7O,  gladden,  make 
glad. 

gladle,  52/1294,  gladly. 

gladynge,  65/1697,  making 
glad. 

glotony,  2/32,  gluttony. 

goddes,  39/890,  goddess. 

Goet,  166/1034,  Goth. 

gostle,  151/594,  spiritual,  holy. 

Gotes,  137/174,  Goths. 

grand-seriant,  191/177 1,  holding 
land  by  great  service. 

gratius,  145/425,  gracious. 

grauntes,  191/1775,  grants, 
leases. 

grauntfather,  18/277,  grand- 
father. 


grauyte,  29/609,  gravity. 

Gregorye,  St.,  18/269. 

gretynge,  59/1516,  greeting. 

greuaunce,  39/910,  greuans, 
137/186,  offence. 

greued,  68/1777,  grieved. 

greuous,  13/140,  grievous. 

Griffinus,  king  of  the  Welsh- 
men, his  attempt  on  the  city 
of  Chester  frustrated  by  St. 
Werburge,  154. 

Guy,  Earl  of  Warwick, 
169/1 1 17. 

gyaunt,  169/1 II 8,  giant. 

gyde,     112/3090,     184/1572, 

?uide. 
^  ties,  163/952,  guiltless,  inno- 
cent. 

Gyrarde,  13/130,  the  chronicler, 
gyrdell,  52/1301,  girdle. 

habundauiice,  64/1676,  abund- 
ance. 

hace,  8 1/2 1 80,  has. 

hallynge,  63/1627,  tapestry. 

halo wynge,  126/3514,  sacred- 
ness. 

Hambury  =  Hanbury,the  mon- 
astery where  St.  Werburge 
ordered  her  body  to  be 
buried,  105/2893. 

harde,  145/425,  heard. 

harneys,  16/230,  war  equip- 
ments. 

Harolde,  king,  the  perjury  of. 
174/1251. 

harte,  44/1056,  stag. 

hast,  58/1492,  haste. 

hastely,  104/2865,  quickly. 

hauke,  -y.,  167/1044,  hawk, 
hunt. 

heed,  33/727,  100/2732,  head. 

heedes,  166/1019,  heads. 

heele,  v.,  167/io62,  heal. 

helthe  eternal,  45/ 1 08  5,  spiritual 
health. 

Hely,  45/1095,  Elisha. 

Hengyst,  Duke,  comes  into 
Mercia,  13/137. 

her,  35/792,  v.,  hear. 

herde,  140/268,  heard. 

Hereryc,  son  of  king  Eadfride, 
19/309. 


GLOSSARIAL   AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


213 


Hereswith,  wife  of  St.  Anna, 
20/338. 

Herforde,  1 6/210,  Hereford. 

hertfully,  39/41 1,  heartily. 

herynge,  49/ 1 2 1 3,  hearing, 
76/2026. 

Heryswith,  St.,  wife  of  king 
Hereryc,  10/314. 

heuen,  51/1273,  heaven. 

heuen-blysse,  58/1482,  the  bliss 
of  heaven. 

heuynes,  51/1256,  heaviness. 

heyre,  55/1384,  heir. 

hidous,  155/721,  hideous,  hor- 
rible. 

hie,  125/3492,  high. 

historiall,  182/38,  history,  his- 
torical. 

hole,  58/1472,  whole. 

holly,  161/872,  168/1093, 
wholly. 

holsome,  145/41 8,  wholesome. 

Holy  Ilande,  135/137,  Holy 
Island,  near  the  coast  of 
Northumberland,  destroyed 
by  the  Danes. 

homage,  191/1771. 

homycyde,  50/1245,  homicide. 

Hoo,  in  Kent,  the  miraculous 
oak-tree  at,  102/2789. 

Hoole  heth,  157/764,  a  place 
near  Chester. 

hoost,  135/136,  host,  number, 
multitude. 

Humbre,  15/195,  the  river 
Humber. 

husbandes,  165/996,  husband- 
men, farmers. 

husolde,  165/998,  household. 

hyduous,  100/2735,  hideous. 

hye,  12/85,  40/931,  high, 
mighty. 

Hylde,  St.,  daughter  of  king 
Hereryc,  1 9/311,  25/491. 

hy  story  all,  18/266,  historical. 

hyght,  19/314,  called. 

laphet,  21/362,  Japhet. 
iche,  109/3023,  each. 
Ida,  a  Mercian  king,  14/173. 
ierarchyses, «  68/1629,    ierarch- 
esses,   112/3111,  hierarchies, 


the  threefold  order  of  priest- 
hood. 

lerumannus,  Bishop,  26/522. 

Ilande  Vecta,  27/534,  the  Isle 
of  Wight. 

illumynate,  70/1847,  illumin- 
ated. 

imytacyon,  30/6 1 8,  imitation. 

incertayne,  105/2902,  in  certain, 
certainly. 

incontynente,  100/2732,  forth- 
with. 

indurate,  195/1893,  hardened, 
obdurate. 

infortune,  185/1 603,  mischance, 
misfortune. 

inhabyte,  53/1327,  in  residence. 

inique,  202/15,  iniquitous. 

innocentes,  88/2231,  children; 
134/IOO4,  infants. 

inprysoned,  62/1599,  im- 
prisoned. 

inspeciall,  128/3432,  in  special, 
specially. 

instaunt,  82/2213,  pertinacious. 

instructe,  78/2073,  instructed. 

insultacyon,  88/2245,  insult. 

interiously,  175/1298,  intern- 
ally, earnestly. 

interyor,  39/891,  internal. 

ioynned,  158/8O4,  joined. 

ioynt,  72/1900,  jointure,  mar- 
riage portion. 

Isrehelytes,  62/i6i2,  Israelites. 

ludith,  a  barren  woman,  re- 
lieved by  St.  Werburge,  158. 

lurwyne,  St.,  daughter  of  St. 
Anna,  20/342. 

Keneburge,    St.,    daughter    of 

king  Penda,  18/282,  24/457. 
Kenred,  king,  brother   of    St. 

Werburge,  life  of,  88  et  seq. 
Kenrede,  St.,  19/300. 
Keneswyde,  St.,  a  daughter  of 

king  Penda,  18/282. 
Kenuherus,  a  son  of  Redwalde, 

20/328. 
Kenwalcus,     the      Westsaxon 

king   conquered   by   Vuli'er, 

27/532. 
Kent,  the  first  realm  of  Saxons 

in,  14/148. 


214 


GLOSSARIAL    AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


knowen,  16/234,  known. 

knowes,  41/953,  knowest. 

knowlege,  108/2977,  acknow- 
ledge. 

Kyneswith,  the  queen  of  king 
Penda,  18/278. 

kynred,  18/125,  kindred. 

lad,  43/1015,  I011*)  ungainly 
fellow. 

Lancashyr,  1 5/202,  Lancashire. 

lanturne,  118/3141,  lantern. 

lande  of  promyssyon,  62/i6i2, 
Land  of  Promise. 

lascyuyte,  78/1923,  lascivious- 
ness. 

layth,  135/121,  lightning. 

leed,  25/487,  laid  (i.e.  buried). 

lefe,  62/1603,  leaf. 

legiance,  171/1175,  allegiance. 

Leil,  a  British  king,  the  founder 
of  Chester  and  Carlisle, 
144/383. 

lent,  41/970.  It  means  that 
"  the  most  mighty  king  that 
ever  was  born "  (i.e.  the 
Saviour)  was  only  lent  to  the 
world. 

Lenton,  78/2083,  Lent. 

Leofric,  Earl  of  Chester, 
172/1213,  re-edifies  the  min- 
ster of  Chester,  173/1230. 

lepre,  166/1023,  leperoua. 

lernyng,  199/2OI6,  learning. 

letanie,  187/1651,  litany. 

letten,  pi,  176/1313,  let. 

lettynge,  180/1428,  stopping, 
hindering. 

leue,  v.,  37/852,  84/2266,  be- 
lieve. 

leues,  v.y  107/2944,  leaves. 

leues,  n.j  44/io66,  leaves  (of 
trees). 

lile,  122/3390,  lily. 

liniall,  132/41,  lineal. 

Lleon,  144/380,  Llewellyn. 

lolynesse,  86/804,  78/2074,  low- 
liness, humility. 

lorshyppes,  15/183,  lordships. 

Lothary,  son  of  king  Ercom- 
bert,  22/409. 

loners,  50/1252,  friends,  kins- 
men. 


Lucius,  a  British  king,  causes 

the  realm   to    be    baptized, 

145/422. 
Lupus,      Earl      of      Chester, 

174-175. 

lycence,  79/2 108,  leave, 
lycens,  14/146,  licence, 
lyen,  v.  pi.,  18/284,  I*6- 
lygnage,  21/354,  lineage, 
lygne,  21/362,  line,  lineage, 
lyght,  93/2541,  little, 
lyght,  v.',  88/2226,  lighted, 
lyghtned,  145/433,  enlightened, 
lynon,  93/2540,  linen, 
lynyall,  18/277,  lineal, 
lysence,  54/1369,  licence,  leave, 
lytell,    12/io6,   70/1845,  little, 

small, 
lytterature,    131/4,    literature, 

letters, 
lyue,  43/1022,  life. 

ma  dame,  168/1 080,  madam, 
my  lady. 

maculate,  ».,  102/2791,  stain, 
defile ;  122/3396,  stained, 
defiled. 

maende,  v.,  194/1 880,  mend. 

magnifien,  188/1684,  magnify. 

magnifique,  202/13,  magnifi- 
cent. 

maners,  176/1321,  manors. 

manfull,  42/996,  145/412, 
manly. 

manheed,  28/569,  manhood. 

mansyone,  97/2646,  mansion. 

Marceyl,  St.,  a  son  of  king 
Penda,  18/280. 

margaryte,  28/417,  pearl. 

Marius,  a  British  king,  ampli- 
fies the  city  of  Chester, 
144/393. 

marriage  feast  of  St.  Werburge, 
description  of  the  solemnities 
at  the,  60-66. 

Marwalde,  St.,  a  son  of  king 
Penda,  18/280. 

maryed,  67/1759,  married. 

Matilda,  Countess  of  Chester, 
182-185. 

Maucolyn  =  Malcolm  of  Scot- 
land, attempts  to  capture 
Chester,  157. 


GLOSSARIAL   AND    GENERAL   INDEX. 


215 


may,  88/720,  maid. 

maydyn,  34/764,  maiden. 

maynteynge,  175/1288,  main- 
taining. 

maystres,  86/2317,  maystresse, 
18/133,  mistress. 

mede,  20/339,  happiness ; 
89/2418,  merit, 

mediatrice,  119/3320,  media- 
tress. 

medicyns,  160/853,  medicines. 

medled,  114/3148,  oppressed. 

ineetes,  64/1672,  meats. 

melody,  51/1264,  music,  mirth. 

memoratyue,  45/1097,  memor- 
able. 

memorous,  14/159,  memor- 
able 

memory-all,  104/2858,  memory, 
mind. 

mendes,  51/1267,  amends. 

Mercia  takes  its  name  from  the 
river  Mersey,  15/197. 

mercy  able,  94/2554,  merciful. 

Mercyens  =  Mercians,  descrip- 
tion of  the  realm  of  the, 
13-17. 

Mereum  [?  Mereuin],  a  son  of 
St.  Merwalde,  18/292. 

Mersee,  15/196,  the  river 
Mersey. 

Merslande  =  Mercia,  the  sixth 
Saxon  realm,  14/169. 

meruailous,  164/975,  marvel- 
lous. 

meruayle,  42/989,  merueyll, 
88/722,  marvel. 

mesprision,  194/1854,  mispri- 
son. 

metigate,  184/1554,  mitigate. 

minisshe,  198/1983,  take  from. 

Miracles  of  St.  Werburge, 
153-169. 

mocyon,  55/1379,  intention; 
56/1430,  proposition. 

moder,  75/1983,  mother. 

moeued,  88/889,  moved. 

moines,  126/3519;  moynes, 
23/413,  61/1581  ;  moiniall, 
141/319 ;  monyall,  12/98, 
82/2187,  nun. 

mone,  9/i6,  moon. 

monestycall,  74/1973  monastic. 


montaynes,  154/686,  moun- 
tains. 

monye,  64/1677,  money. 

moost,  108/2968,  most. 

more  Britayne,  146/443,  greater 
Britain. 

most,  9/13,  greatest. 

mouther-churche,  146/464,  mo- 
ther-church. 

mundayne,  1/6,  worldly. 

musture,  16/227,  mustering  to- 
gether for  warlike  purposes. 

musyke,  62/1589,  music. 

mutabylyte,  11/65,  changeable- 
ness. 

mutacion,  182/1509,  imitation. 

mycle,  141/297,  much. 

myddyll,  24/449,  middle. 

mydleriton,  185/ 1 600,  the  middle 
of  Lent. 

myghty,  64/1671,  strong. 

Mylburge,  St.,  a  daughter  of 
St.  Merwalde,  18/290. 

Myldred,  St.,  a  daughter  of  St. 
Merwalde,  18/290. 

Mylgyde,  St.,  a  daughter  of 
St.  Merwalde,  18/291. 

mynded,  28/575,  made  up  his 
mind  to. 

mynstre,  134/91,  minster 
(church). 

mynystred,  89/2393,  adminis- 
tered. 

myrthes  angelycall,  112/3115. 
angelical  mirth. 

myschefe,  50/1234,  treachery, 
wickedness. 

my  sere,  168/1084,  misery. 

myssyue,  58/1493,  missive,  fit 
for  sending. 


nat,  1/13,  not. 

natyuyte,  106/2932,  nativity. 

ne,  1/7,  nor. 

nece,  182/1491,  niece. 

neclygent,  88/2235,  131/3, 
negligent. 

Noe,  21/359,  45/1093,  Noah. 

nomynate,  26/517,  named. 

nomynyon,  15/179,  remem- 
brance. 

nonnes,  188/203,  nuns. 


216 


GLOSSARIAL    AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


Northumberlande,  the  seventh 

Saxon  realm,  14/173. 
Norwaies,  135/1 35,  Norwegians, 
nother,  116/32:26,  neither, 
notycyon,  80/2230,  notice, 
nouyce,  61/1582,  novice, 
ny,  28/565,  nigh. 
nyen,  86/2318,  nine. 

oak-tree,  miracle  of  the, 
102/2802. 

obsequyes  funerall,  78/2091, 
funeral  obsequies. 

obseruen,  10/24,  observe. 

obstinacion,  202/3,  obstinacy. 

odible,  135/124,  odious,  hor- 
rible. 

Off  a,  king  of  Mercia,  17/244. 

Offa,  the  first  Saxon  king  of  all 
England,  148. 

oke,  102/2803,  oak. 

omytte,  133/66,  omit. 

ones,  49/i 216,  once. 

oppugnant,  194/1 868,  repug- 
nant, opposed. 

optayned,  15/2o6,  obtained. 

or,  163/936,  before. 

oraysons,  94/2553,  orisons. 

ordinaunce,  157/765,  war 
material. 

ordynans,  131/IO,  ordinance, 
guidance. 

ore,  171/II84,  oar. 

orels,  41/956,  42/101 1,  143/368, 
192/i8i3,  or  else. 

organicall,  l/i,  melodious. 

Ormenil  =  Erinenhilde, 
195/1900. 

Osfryde,  a  son  of  king  Edwyn, 
19/308. 

Oslaua,  wife  of  prince  Ermen- 
red,  22/391. 

pacyens,  60/1533,  patience. 

parage,  70/1848,  quality,  high 
parentage,  blue  blood. 

parauenture,  194/1874,  perad- 
venture. 

parentage,  72/1890,  parents. 

paresshe,  152/629,  parish. 

paresshen,  185/i6oi,  parish- 
ioners. 

partye,  39/900,  part. 


Passyonary,    the,    a    book    in 

Chester  monastery,  32/694. 
paynt,  10/52,  gloze  over,  flatter, 
paynyms,  137/1 88,  pagans. 
Peada  [?  Penda],  a  son  of  king 

Penda,  18/279. 
Penda,  King  of  Mercia,  son  of 

Wybba,  18/274 ;  grandfather 

of    St.  ^  Werburge,    18/277  ; 

a  description  of  his  acts  and 

chivalry,  23-25. 

pensyuenesse,  56/1423,  pensive- 
ness,  sadness. 

perceuers,  109/3009,  perseveres, 
peres,  28/570,  peers, 
perfite,  2/36,  perfect, 
persed,  38/886,  pierced, 
peryllous,     53/1341,     perilous, 

dangerous. 
Peter's  pence  first  sent  to  Koine 

by  king  Offa,  17/25.8. 
Peterborowe    =    Peterborough 

Abbey,  18/284  ;  the  founda- 
tion of,  53. 
petit-seriant,  191/1774,  holding 

land  by  petty  service, 
petygre,  13/124,  pedigree, 
peyne,        62/1585,       95/2602, 

160/864,  pain,  trouble, 
peynes  infernal!,  196/1904,  the 

pains  of  hell. 
Pharoo,  62/i6o6,  Pharaoh, 
phisike,  160/853,  physic, 
pight,        174/1244,        pitched, 

fought. 

pillage,  191/1782,  taxation, 
pitiousle,  136/165,  piteously. 
pitously,    139/232,     piteously, 

grievously, 
plage,       62/1604,       124/3466, 

plague. 

playnes,  86/829,  plainness, 
plonget,  38/888,  plunged, 
pollers,  89/2401,  tax-gatherers, 
pollute,  125/3473,  polluted, 
pollynge,     186/159,    excessive, 

unjust,  taxation, 
polyce,  17/242,  policy. 
Poly  crony  con,       1 8/130,       tie 

Polychronicon. 
pontificalibus,  123/3424,  ponti- 

ficial,  clerical  robes, 
porcyon,  62/1614,  portion. 


GLOSSARIAL   AND   GENERAL    INDEX. 


217 


porte,  88/884,  part. 

postron,  177/1350,  posturne, 
171/1179,  gate. 

power  imperyall,  15/i86,  im- 
perial power. 

praye,  166/724,  prey. 

prayes,  120/3350,  praise. 

prehemynens,  13/123,  Pre' 
eminence. 

preiudyse,  42/999,  prejudice. 

prenominate,  186/141,  before- 
named. 

preordinat,  140/264,  pre- 
ordained. 

preparat,  9/5,  preparate, 
64/1673,  111/3073,  prepared. 

prepotent,  21/355,  76/2046, 
very  potent,  most  potent. 

presens,  197/1950,  presence. 

prestis,  125/3492,  priests. 

preuayled,  137/1 88,  prevailed, 
got  the  better  of. 

primatyue,  149/541,  earliest. 

princes  put  to  flight  by  St. 
Werburge's  miracles,  101, 
102. 

priue,  171/H79,  privy,  secret. 

probate,  46/1114,  on  proba- 
tion. 

professed,  54/1372,  make  public 
profession. 

profettes,  74/1964,  profits. 

prolongynge,  38/882,  delaying, 
putting  off. 

promoters,  89/2401,  informers. 

promyssyon,  re.,  62/i6i2,  pro- 
mise. 

promyt,  171/1 177,  promised. 

promyttynge,  158/798,  pro- 
mising. 

prone,  62/1609,  inclined. 

propre,  159/827,  proper,  own. 

propurtes,  16/223,  proprytes, 
17/239,  properties. 

protectryce,  12/ioi,  protectress. 

pry  mate,  9/21,  head,  maker, 
God. 

pry  me,  44/1054,  early  morning 
time. 

prynces,  pi,  68/1318,  princes 
(i.e.  the  martyrs  Wulfade  and 
Ruffyn). 

prynces,  12/97,  princess. 


pryores,  76/2035,  priories. 

pryue,  66/1684,  private,  privy. 

psalmodise,  152/62O,  sing 
psalms. 

pudicall,  188/224,  bashful, 
modest. 

punicion,  139/236,  punishment. 

punysment,  79/2104,  punish- 
ment. 

pured,  200/9,  ma(ie  pure. 

purpull,  00/2445,  purple. 

purtrayed,  62/1588,  portrayed. 

purtrayture,  62/1597,  portrai- 
ture. 

putryfy,  107/2945,  putrefy. 

purueaunce,  72/1902,  provi- 
dence. 

pyctures,  61/1577,  pictures. 

pyght,  157/764,  pitched. 

pyler,  196/1931,  pillar. 

pyne,  208/30,  pain,  trouble. 

pynned,  96/2632,  impounded. 

Quadriburge,  daughter  of  king 

Cryda,  18/273. 
Quadryburge,    wife    of    king 

Edwyn,  19/304. 
quere,  112/3113,  choir,  quire. 

Ranulphus,  a  gibe  at,  for  giving 
a  Roman  origin  instead  of  a 
British,  to  the  city  of  Chester, 
144/386. 

raunson,  108/2976,  ransom. 

ray nynge,  22/411,  reigning. 

realte,  145/404,  royalty. 

recidiuacion,  146/453,  back- 
sliding. 

recon  forte,  44/io6i,  recomfort, 
refresh. 

reconsylde,  82/2217,  reconciled. 

redact,  202/14,  set  up,  en- 
shrined. 

rede,  177/1343,  read. 

redde,  v.,  88/2221,  read. 

redemptour,  108/2967,  re- 
deemer. 

reders,  96/2591,  readers. 

redolent,  69/1815,  199/2oi8, 
sweet-smelling. 

reduce,  146/438,  subject,  con- 
vert. 

redy,  104/2859,  ready. 


218 


GLOSSARIAL   AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


redy-bowne,    157/767,    set    in 

readiness. 
Eedwald,  son  of  king  Tytylus, 

20/326. 

reed  see,  62/1605,  Red  Sea. 
refourme,     175/1294,    reform, 

amend. 

refused,  67/1753,  renounced, 
refuted,  60/1535,   refused,  put 

off,  rejected, 
regaly,  22/407,  regalyte,  37/832, 

88/2376,  royalty, 
rehers,  32/682,  rehearse, 
reioised,  121/3356,  rejoiced, 
releashed,  112/3094,  released, 
relique,  118/3271,  relic, 
relygeous,  92/2495,  religious, 
remanent,  147/488,  remaining, 
remedylesse,  114/31 60,  without 

remedy. 

remoeued,  37/853,  removed, 
renegate,  202/3,  renegade, 
repareled,    173/1 220,    repaired, 

renovated, 
repared,      134  /  90,      repaired, 

amended, 
replete,  25/483,  64/1 548, repleit. 

122/3387,  filled,  full, 
replique,  201/23,  reply, 
required,  192/1799,  requested, 

sought  after. 

resceyued,  123/3428,  received, 
resolucion,  122/3380,  turning  to 

dust, 
resolued,  125/3487,  turned  into 

dust, 
resoluynge,   125/3501,   turning 

into  dust. 

restaured,  78/2078,  restored, 
retoriall,  201/3,  rhetorical, 
retrograt,  9/2,  retrograding, 
retynu,  30/644,  retinue, 
reuesshed,         123/3424,        re- 
vestured, 
reuiuynge,    164/974,  reviving, 

coming  to  life  again, 
reynynge,  18/265,  reigning, 
reysed,      44/1056,       114/3167, 

raised,  roused, 
riall,  140/26o,  royal,  regal, 
rialle,  142/332,  royally. 
Eicula,  daughter  of  king  Ere- 

menric,  21/369. 


roborate,  91/2460,  corroborate. 

robry,  11/56,  robbery. 

rode,  180/1441,  road". 

ronne,  9/1,  run. 

roose,  v.,    188/2975,   184/1571, 

rose. 

rored,  v.,  50/1233,  roared, 
rowme,   59/1509,  room,  place, 

position. 

Ruffyn,  St.,  19/300. 
ruthfully,  161/896,  sorrowfully, 
rutilant,      124/3456,     141/321, 

brilliant,  shining, 
rybaudry,  10/50,  ribaldry, 
ryches,  19/31 8,  progeny, 
ryghtwisnes,  136/i69,righteous- 

ness. 
ryued  =  ryue,  136/1 68,  rife. 

Saba,  the  queen,  35/791. 
sabbot,  161/879,  Sabbath. 
Sabryne,     15/191,     the     river 

Severn, 
sacrat,   52/1299,   sacred,    holy, 

blessed, 
sacrat  vayle,  101/2783,  veil  that 

had  been  blessed, 
sad,    166/1040,     staid,     sober, 

quiet. 

sadde,  29/6oi,  solemn, 
sagittari,  9/i,  Sagittarius. 
Salomon,  35/790,  Solomon, 
sanatiue,  203/28,  curative, 
saueour,  143/354,  Saviour, 
sautynge,  157/779,  assaulting, 
sauyoure,  13/134,  Saviour. 
Saxons  in  Kent,  14/148. 
scole-mayster,  83/2231,  school- 
master. 

scolers,  84/2262,  scholars, 
scylence,      12  /  1 14,     90  /  2443, 

silence. 

seased,  24/461,  ceased, 
season,  102/2793,  opportunity, 
secke,  197/1957,  sick. 
secristan,  185/1588,  sacristan, 
segregate,  154/686,  separated, 
sekenes,     57  /  1456,    sekenesse, 

95/2602,  sickness,  illness, 
selde,  78/2070,  selden,  24/461, 

seldom. 

Sem,  21/360,  Shem. 
sence,  201/3,  sense. 


GLOSSARIAL   AND   GENERAL   INDEX. 


219 


sende,  49/I2OO,  104/2857,  sent. 

sene,  102/2786,  seen. 

sensuals  thre,  106/1918,  essen- 

ials,  the  three  essential  rules 

of  Christian  life, 
sent,  47/H59,  scent, 
senyor,    48/1175,    senior,    old 

man. 

senyoure,  81/2164,  elder, 
septre,  1 4/151,  sceptre, 
sepulture,  84/2263,  sepulchre, 
sequaces,  201/32,  followers, 
sequens,  189/1697,  sequence, 
seruice  de  chiualere,  191/1773, 

tenure  by  knight's  service. 
Sexburge,  St.,  lii'e  of,  75  et  seq. 
Sexb urge,  daughter  of  St.  Anna, 

20/340. 
Sexburge,  St.,  daughter  of  king 

Hereryc,   19/315;    and   wife 

of  king  Ercombert,  19/317. 
Sexwulfus,  bishop  of  Lichfield, 

92/2499- 

seynge,  98/2537,  102/2798,  see- 
ing. 

shalbe,  86/820,  shall  be. 

shalmes,  66/1689,  musical  in- 
struments. 

shap,  122/3403,  shape. 

shenynge,  120/3329,  shining. 

sheuys,  166/1017,  sheaves. 

shewen,  15/184,  shown. 

Shorpthursday,  108  /  2978, 
Shrovethursday,  Holy  Thurs- 
day. 

shulde,  11/71,  should. 

Simon,  a  monk,  comforted  by 
St.  Werburge,  178-179. 

Sledde,  king  of  Essex,  21/369. 

slee,  25/474,  180/1429,  slay. 

slepped,  160/863,  slept. 

smetyn,  166/1023,  smitten. 

smot,  155/714,  smote. 

sobrynes,  29/6o8,  sobriety. 

socour,  24/467,  succour,  aid. 

sodayne,  50/1232,  sudden. 

sodeynly,  42/994,  sodendly, 
167/1048,  suddenly. 

solas,  99/2714,  solace. 

solemply,  21/380,  65/1702, 
solemple,  142/348,  solemnly. 

solempne,  38/866,  solemn. 

solempnyte,  60/1 527, solemnity. 


sondes,  181/1471,  sands, 
songe,  v.,  65/1702,  sang, 
songon,  146/446,  sung, 
sonne,  9/i6,  sun. 
sonne-beame,  51/1276,  beam  of 

the  sun. 

sonke,  201/22,  sunk, 
sothe,  10/40,  truth, 
sothely,  170/1150,  truly, 
soukyng,  1 88/206,  sucking, 
soule-helthe,  43/992,  health  of 

the  soul. 
South  sex  =  Sussex,  the  second 

realm  of  Saxons  in,  14/152. 
spalter,  94/2546,  psalter, 
spedly,  44/io68,  speedily, 
spende,  11/76,  spent, 
spere,  178/1389,  sphere, 
spousage,  31/666,  60/1548,  be- 
trothal. 

spouses,  104/2859,  spouse  is. 
sprite,  155/720,  spirit, 
sprytes,  108/2845,  spirits. 
St.  Alban's  monastery  founded 

by  king  Offa,  17/257. 
stacyons,  89/2412,  stations, 
statelenes,  71/1859,  stateliness, 

self-exaltation, 
sterre,  84/748,  112/3105,  star, 
stock,  114/3163,  foundation, 
stomake,  56/1432,  stomach. 
Stone  Priory,  the  foundation  of, 

53/1324. 

Stone,  in  Staffordshire,  82/685. 
storne,   171/1183,    stern   (of   a 

vessel). 

strang,  145/419,  strong, 
strawed,      61/1575,       142/331, 

strewed, 
strayned,    44/1058,    worn    out 

with  fatigue, 
strayter,  67/1762,  strictly, 
stremyng,  187/1656,  streaming, 

shining. 
Strenyshalt,    the     Abbey     of, 

25/492. 

stydfastly,  57/1445,  steadfastly, 
styrpe,  2/23,  stock, 
suauitie,    121/3372,    195/1907, 

sweetness,  fragrant  odour, 
subbarbes,  86/2322,  suburbs, 
subget,  10/42,  subject, 
subieccyon,  60/1544,  subjection. 


220 


GLOSSARIAL   AND    GENERAL    INDEX. 


subiettes,  121/3360,  subjects. 

sufferaynte,  1 4/167,  86/822, 
69/i  802,  sovereignty. 

suffreganes,  90/2439,  suffragans. 

sulfyse,  68/1791,  suffice. ! 

sunbeam,  miracles  of  the, 
51/1275,  102/2785. 

supple,  186/1 6 1 6,  supply. 

surges,  140/275,  wax  candles. 

surgeans,  167/1059,  surgeons. 

suspection,  168/944,  suspicion. 

suynge,  62/1632,  ensuing,  fol- 
lowing. 

swarued,  202/19,  swerved. 

swerde,  137/1 82,  sword. 

sweryng,  188/1540,  swearing. 

swowne,  167/1053,  swoon. 

sykernesse,  68/1341,  surety, 
safety,  steadfastness. 

Syon,  17/260,  Heaven. 

Synaye,  62/1607,  Sinai. 

syruant,  125/3478,  servant. 

syth,  57/1437,  since. 

tamy smo  uth,  1 36/ 1 42,  the  mouth 
of  the  Thames. 

taryed,  102/2793,  waited. 

tendure,  202/40,  203/37,  to 
endure. 

tensile,  201/1 6,  to  ensue. 

tenure  burgage,  191/1774,  hold- 
ing land  by  the  tenure  of  a 
burgess. 

tenure  villenage,  191/1 776,hold- 
ing  land  by  a  base  tenure. 

tere,  v.}  50/1231,  tear. 

thabbot,  183/1 5 14,  the  abbot. 

Thamys,  15/193,  the  river 
Thames. 

than,  68/1639, tnen- 

the,  40/943,  thee. 

theder,  180/1442,  thither. 

theffect,  201/8,  the  effect. 

themselfe,  26/506,  themselves. 

Theodorus,     the      archbishop, 

27/549- 

there,  198/1851,  their. 

tho,  68/1765,  though. 

thondryng,  135/1 21,  thunder- 
ing. 

thrall,  97/2664, 69/i  8 10,  captive, 
thraldom. 

thrid,  117/3246,  third. 


thries,  169/1 120,  thrice. 

thro  we,  86/2292,  110/3047, 
through. 

thrught,  40/934,  through. 

thyder,  46/i  101,  thither. 

timorous,  157/766,  fearful. 

tissewe,  142/336,  golden  tissue. 

to,  10/30,  in. 

toke,  164/977,  took. 

Tombert,  duke,  first  husband 
of  St.  Audry,  72/i888. 

toure,  145/406,  tower. 

tortuous,  164/980,  perverse. 

toyned,  66/1696,  tuned. 

toynes,  l/i,  tones,  musical 
notes. 

transcende,  181/1461,  cross 
over. 

transcendynge,  15/190,  progress- 
ing. 

translate,  52/1285,  transform. 

trauelyng,  118/3267,  travail. 

traylynge,  97/2655,  trailing, 
draggling. 

Trentame  =  Trentham  Mon- 
astery, where  St.  Werburge 
died,  106/2906. 

tresour,  86/823,  treasure. 

trespace,  160/2734,  trespass. 

tresur,  86/2329,  treasure. 

treuth,  186/150,  truth. 

tristyng,  149/547,  trusting. 

trium,  143/361,  threefold. 

trone,  119/3321,  throne. 

trowe,  88/2246,  think. 

tryumphes  marcyall,  68/1616, 
martial  triumphs. 

tuycyon,  13/i22,rule,  authority. 

tumbe,  128/3440,  tomb. 

tumulat,  122/3395,  put  in  the 
tomb. 

tumylate,  82/690,  105/2899, 
entombed,  enshrined. 

tunys,  141/299,  tunes,  melody. 

turmentours,  164/980,  tormen- 
tors. 

twayne,  14/174,  twain,  two. 

twyn,  v.,  155/7o6,  burst. 

tymerous,  10/48,  timorous. 

tynder,  186/1622,  tinder. 

tyrant  bailiff,  miracle  of  a, 
99. 

tysshewe,  64/1647,  tissue. 


GLOSSARIAL  AND  GENERAL  INDEX. 


221 


Tytylus,  king  of  East  England, 
20/325. 

vacillaimt,  202/2,  vacillating. 

valeaunce,  16/236,  valour. 

varnaunt,  29/6o6,  verdant. 

varyacyon,  68/1340,  variation, 
changeableness. 

vayle,  60/1536,  veil. 

venare,  145/415,  venery,  the 
chase. 

venery,  16/2 1 6,  the  chase. 

vengeable,  44/1041,  revenge- 
ful. 

vernaunte,  102/2  808,  verdant, 
flourishing. 

vertues,  172/1215,  vertuous. 

vestures,  51/1275,  clerical  gar- 
ments, sacred  apparel. 

vexed,  50/1230,  tormented. 

Vffa,  the  first  Saxon  king  of 
East  England,  14/167. 

vilany,  198/1832,  villainy 

vindicatyfe,  201/25,  vindictive. 

viset,  175/1293,  visit. 

VI minus,  Canon,  restored  to 
health  by  St.  Werburge, 
166/1039. 

vnccyon,  110/3055,  unction. 

vnneth,  50/1227,  uneasy. 

vnit,  196/1943,  united. 

vnpiteously,  124/3465,  without 
pity. 

vnpossyble,  97  /  2639,  impos- 
sible. 

vnryghtfully,  20/336,  wrong- 
fully, treacherously. 

vnto,  47/1141,  until. 

vnyte,  81/674,  unity. 

volupte,  8 1/2 1 8 1,  voluptuous- 
ness. 

Vortyger,  king  of  the  Britons, 
18/139. 

voue,  38/866,  vow. 

voultes,  145/404,  vaults. 

voyde,  57/1453,  empty. 

vre,  66/1727,  use,  very  common. 

Vulfade  and  Ruffyn,  the  bro- 
thers of  St.  Werburge,  rebuke 
Werbode,  42-3. 

Vulfer,  the  greatest  of  the 
Mercian  kings,  and  father  of 
St.  Werburge,  15/i8 1 ;  chosen 


king  of  Mercia,  26-28 ;  de- 
scription of  his  marriage  with 
St.  Ermenylde,  28-31  ;  causes 
his  sons  Vuflade  and  RufFyn 
to  be  martyred,  49  ;  he  be- 
comes a  holy  man,  50  et  seq. 

vulgares,  11/84,  common,  un- 
lettered, folk. 

vygyls,  53/1335,  vigils,  watch- 
ings. 

vylayne,  41/949,  low  order, 
villein. 

wace,  22/390,  was. 

Waile-a-way,  186/1614,  Well- 
away  !  (a  cry  of  distress). 

Walles,  14/144,  the  country  of 
Wales. 

Walshemen,  148/5 10,  Welsh- 
men. 

Wandeles,  137/175,  Vandals. 

ware,  v.,  98/2540,  wore. 

warke,  134/ii2,  work. 

wast,  v.,  107/2945,  waste. 

way,  69/1798,  away. 

Wedon,  the  miracle  at,  96. 

well-come,  61/1554,  welcome. 

Wenedocie,  a  "  city  of  legions  " 
in  South  Wales,  143/371. 

Werbode,  a  false  knight,  the 
tale  of  his  villainy,  38  et 
seq. 

Werburge,  St.,  the  prologue  in 
honour  of,  1 ; — genealogy  of, 
17-23 ;— daughter  of  king 
Wulfere  and  St.  Ermenylde, 
19/300  ; — a  brief  declaration 
of  her  holy  life  and  conver- 
sation, 32-34 ; — how  she  is 
sought  in  marriage,  and.  her 
answer  thereto,  34-37  ; — she 
is  sought  in  marriage  by  the 
false  Werbode,  38-40;  she 
rebukes  Werbode,  42  ; — she 
desires  to  become  a  professed 
religious,  53  et  seq.  ; — she  be- 
comes a  nun  at  Ely  monas- 
tery, 58  et  seq.  ; — description 
of  her  life  and  conversation, 
67  et  seq.  ; — her  fervent  and 
holy  devotion,  92-96  ;  mir- 
acles worked  by  her,  96-104  ; 
— she  obtains  knowledge  of 


222 


GLOSSARIAL  AND  GENERAL  INDEX. 


her  approaching  departure, 
and  gives  her  parting  injunc- 
tions to  her  followers,  104- 
111  ; — her  death  and  the 
lamentation  of  her  followers, 
111-113  ;  her  body  is  taken 
from  Trentham  and  brought 
to  Hanbury  by  a  miracle, 
115-118  ;  short  sketch  of  her 
life,  118-121 ;  her  body  is 
enshrined  at  Hanbury,  121- 
124,  and  continues  "hole 
and  substanciall "  for  two 
hundred  years,  124-126  ;— 
the  shrine  containing  her  re- 
lics is  taken  to  Chester,  139/ 
259; — account  of  the  miracles 
performed  by  her,  159  et  seq. ; 
— an  orison  or  prayer  to,  195  ; 
— a  ballad  on,  194. 

werke,  74/1961,  work,  building. 

wers,  42/i  01 1,  worse. 

Westmarilande  =  Westmor- 
land, 144/399,  named  after 
a  British  king  Marius. 

Westsaxons,  the  third  realm  of 
Saxons,  14/155. 

whan,  18/269,  when. 

wheder,  48/1194,  178/1392, 
whither. 

whelynge,  69/1805,  wheeling, 
parading. 

whilom,  199/2021,  sometime. 

whom,  192/1 808,  whome, 
181/1464,  home. 

whom-comyng,  188/1541,  home 
coming. 

whylom,  20/324,  whilom,  in 
time  past. 

Whytbye,  19/312,  Whitby. 

wiche,  153/664,  which. 

wiked,  125/3472,  wicked. 

Wild  geese,  the  miracle  of  the, 
at  Wedon,  96. 

William  the  Conqueror  comes 
_to  England,  173/1241. 


Withburge,  St.,  daughter  of  St. 
Anna,  40/342. 

withouten,  pi.,  48/1190,  with- 
out. 

wodcles,  145/415,  woods. 

Woden,  the  progenitor  of  the 
Angles,  Jutes,  and  Saxons, 
21/356  ;  his  ancestry  traced 
back  to  Sem  [Shem],  21/360. 

wodely,  158/789,  madly. 

wonnyng,  198/1991,  dwelling- 
place. 

worldy,  93/2539,  wordly, 
150/572,  worldly. 

wroken,  43/1028,  wreaked. 

wrong-feyned,  198/1852,  false. 

wry  ten,  91/2457,  written. 

Wulfade,  St.,  19/300. 

Wulfer,  a  son  of  king  Pen  da, 
18/279. 

wurkynge,  161/88o,  working. 

Wybba,  king  of  Mercia,  son  of 
Cryda,  18/273. 

wydohode,  82/2139,  widow- 
hood. 

Wylfryde,  the  Archbishop  of 
York,  73/1938. 

wynes,  145/419,  wines. 

wysele,  92/2509,  wisely. 


yche,  104/2972,  each, 
yclieon,  111/3057,  each  one. 
ydolles,  88/867,  idols, 
yeldyng,  203/39,  yielding, 
yerle,  159/825,  early, 
yle,  72/1902,  isle, 
ylnes,  34/740,  evil, 
ympe,  75/2004,  scion, 
ympnes,  97/2662,  hymns, 
yonge,  55/1400,  young, 
youre,  62/i6io,  in  time  past, 

long  ago. 
yrefull,   50/1235,   full    of    ire, 

raging, 
yrons,  82/22 II,  irons. 


Richard  day  and  Sons,  London  and  Bungay. 


VICTORIA    UNIVERSITY    LIBRARY 

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SEP  1      1981