The Life of Saint Boniface

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TH E L IFE O F SA INT BO NIFA C E

BY WILLI BALD

TRANSLATED INTO ENGLISH FOR THE FIRST TIME WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES

I S G EO RG E W . RO B N O N SECRETARY OF THE HARVARD GRADUATE SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

CAMBRIDGE HARVARD UNI VERSITY PRE S S LONDON : HUMPHREY MI LFORD OXI ORD UNIVERS ITY P RE SS 1 9 1 6 C GH 1 1 6 OP YRI T, 9 HARVARD UNIVERSITY P RESS MANIBUS

SAMUEL COLCORD BARTLETT HENRICI ELIAE PARKER EDUARDI RUSH RUGGLES LUDOVICI POLLENS RUFI BYAM RICHARDSON MARVINI DAVIS BISBEE CAROLI FRANCISCI RICHARDSON

PROFESSORUM DARTMUTHENSIUM INTER ANNOS MDCCCXC ET MDCCCXCIII SACRUM SEDEM SEPULCRI SERVET IMMOTUS CINIS MEMORIA VIVAT NOMINUM

P R E FA C E

’ THI S ﬁ rst English translation of Willibald s Life Of

n r Sai t Boniface , the Apostle of Ge many, is based on ’ Wilhelm Levison s edition of the text : Vi tae S and i

’ ’ ' ’ B omfati z A rchi epi scopi Moguntzm (Hannoverae et — Li siae . 1 . p , pp 5 7 I am glad to express my obli gations to P rofessors Ephraim Emerton and Edward Kennard Rand of Har vard University for helpful suggestions ; and to Mr.

D z l Frederick C . iet , who has kind y examined for me a number of editions and translations in the B ritish

Museum . For some of the references in the notes I am indebted

r to earlier commentato s . Where these references I seem to have become common property, have con sidered speciﬁc acknowledgment unnecessary .

For Of I the sake convenience , have employed cer

n t in ll tai abbrevia ions the footnotes , as fo ows

E tola r B o i am et Lulli is e. Erns Diimmle S . n . t , f p i i e Karolini H . E olae Merowin c t In M . G. , pist g i Berolini A vi om . e , t ( ,

ta Germaniae Histori ca . M . G. H . Monumen

’

P ne P atrolo za Latina . P . L ac ue aul Mi J q s g , g

R OB INS ON . GE O GE W . R AMB I G MA ACHU E C R D E, SS S TTS ,

une 1 1 . J , 9 5

C O N TE NT S

PA GE INTRODUCTION THE LIFE OF SAINT BONIFACE

A LIST OF EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS OF THE LIFE

I DEX OF A H R 0 N UT O S CITED IN THE NOTES . 1 5

GENERAL INDEX 1 09

INTROD UCTION

THE chi ef sources from which our knowledge of Saint ﬁ n Boniface is drawn are , rst , the writi gs of Boniface him hi s ad self , particularly Letters , with the letters dressed to him which have been preserved with hi s l own ; secondly, the Life by Wil ibald . The Life of ’ l i Liud er 2 Gregory , the sa nt s beloved disciple , by g , also presents a number of valuable notices ; and the Sturmi 3 Ei il 4 Life of Abbot of Fulda, by g , gives the best and fullest account of the beginni ngs of the great ‘3 ni abbey of Fulda , the special delight of the decli ng

r 6 yea s of Boniface , and the spot which he chose as the

7 m r ﬁn al resting place for hi s body . Other conte po ary

r ni r mate ial includes a few passages in the chro cle s , and

' i Of E a 3 in the Lives of Will bald , bishop ichst tt , and

W nn ebald Heidenheirn 9 r y , abbot of , b others , and rela 10 11 ti es H . v of Boniface , by the Nun of eidenheim

1 Abbot of Saint Martin at Utrecht ; died about 7 75 .

’ 2 n i h Mim r Apostle of the Frisians and Saxo s b s op of ste c. 804

809 ; died 809 . 4 3 Died 2 2 i 8 . D ed 7 79 . 5 Mar Ri il ita S turmi 1 . 2 . Foun ded 1 ch 744 g , V , 3

’

ber Hauc Ki rchen eschzckte Deutschlands i 2 d cd. E . 86 Al , ; t k , g , ( , i i Le . 66 . ps c, p 5 7 belo . E . 86 a es 0 , ; p g 79 , 9 , w 9 i Willibald di ed not be ore 86 . P a e belo . B sho g 7 7 , w p f 7 1 Died 19 December 76 . 1° n baldi : ui carnale ro in ui a is et san uini Vita Wyn e , 4 q p p q t t g ” copulatione i110 fuerat so ciatus atque glutinatus . 11 e ri en the Li e of illibald rom his The Nun appears to hav w tt f W , f

1 1 I 2 INTRODUCTION

The extant works of Boniface comprise a grammar , ﬁ some fragments on metres , poems , letters , and fteen 1 S Livinus 2 sermons . The Life of aint , formerly hi m wrongly ascribed to , was probably composed 3 about the middle of the eleventh century . The grammar (A rs Domni B omfacii A rchi epi scopi at Martyri s) was edited by Angelo Mai in 1 83 It may

dic a ion and no es not lon a er 2 une 8 and the Li e oi W nne t t t , g ft 3 J 7 7 , f y ! bald a li le la er rom the rela ion of his sis er Waldbur a abbess of tt t , f t t g . — Heid nh eim and of his riends and disci les . Bo h Li es are rin ed e , f p t v p t

i tor s I . in . G. H Scr e M p , xv , 1 The authenticity of the sermons has been doubted; but without

Re b r Kir See the remar s of . . tt e chen e en cau . W sufﬁ ci t se k F g, g i in en 1 6 . 0 f d Adol D ut hlands GOtt 8 8 . an schi chte e sc ( g , 4 , pp 4 ; f

Eber Geschi chte der chri stlich-lateinischen Literatur bis z um eitalter t , Z i i 6 1 Le s c . . Karls des Grossen ( p , p 4 - The so called P oenitenti ale S . B oni aczz rin ed b An on ose h f , p t y t J p Binterim in his Denkwii rdi keiten der christ-katholi schen i ra!re g K , v , 3 - n in i s r en orm r Ma ence . 0 6 ca no t es be ea lier ( y , pp 43 43 , t p t f e her i ub n than the ninth century . Wh t ts s sta ce may be in part de ri d rom th ea chin s of Boni ace has been a ma er of di c i n ve f e t g f tt s uss o . B ‘ H . as er chleben Die ussordnun en de ab andi W . s F . W s , g r endl schen

n 2 P H. Kijlb a tl i Hall . 8 . . h Kirche ( e, p 9 , ; , S mm ic e S chr ﬂen des R i on 1 ii heili en Boni acius ( a sb 8 . f. H . . S chmi z Die g f t , , pp 439 ; J t , nd di Bussdi sci li n der i r he i Ma n Bussbiiche a e c e ce . r p K , ( y , p 745 . August Nii rnberger publishes from Vatican manuscripts some doc

‘ inal ra m n a cribed to Boni ace P r e s s . ro ram des b i l at t f g t f g m k n g . k hol i schen G mnasiums z u Neisse 1 8 Neisse ii n y , 7 ( , pp . xv 3 . O e of these fragments is highly in teres ting to students of the tradition of the R man a i o exempl vi rtut s . 2 irs ublished b Nicolaus Serarius E istola B oni n F t p y , p e S . fac — Mo n . 2 2 2 u tiae . ( g , pp 33 5 3 ilhelm a enbach Deutschland G W W tt , s eschichtsquellen im Mittei in i alter th cd. Berl 1 0 . 1 (7 , , 9 4 , pp 47 , 433 . 4 Classi corum A uctom m e Vaticanis Codi cibus editorum Tomas VII

m e — Ro 8 . ( , pp . 475 54 INTRODUCTION 1 3 be assigned without hesitati on to the period of the ’ l author s teachi ng activity at Nhutscelle . The work is

li all D 2 wholly based on ear er writers , above onatus ; but the material is revised with a view to the practical 3 needs of teacher and scholar . The fragments on metres 4 probably date from the 5 I same period . They appear to be based largely on si l 6 dore of Sevil e . Of the poems the most important is a series of

r 88 twenty riddles on the vi tues and vices , in 3 hexa

r ﬁr 1 6 1 r mete s . John Allen Giles published the st ve ses in from a manuscript in the B ritish Museum ; and the whole poem , from a Cambridge manuscript , in The best edition is by Ernst Diimml er 9 (Bero

i r lin , The iddles cannot be said to possess

1 Pa e belo imbued i h the elo uence of the art of g 33 , w w t q amm ar gr .

2 Max Mani iu Gesckichte def latei nischen Literatur des Minel t s,

alters i Muni ch . 1 . , ( , p 49 3 I bid . 4 ’ P rin ted in Thoma s Gaisford s S criptores Latini Rei Metri cae o ii — and in ar b Au us Wilmanns in Ox n . 8 ( , pp 5 7 7 5 5 ; ( p t) y g t ,

th Rh nis Museum Neue ol e xiii . 0 . e ei ches , F g , x pp 4 3 f 5 P a e belo imbued i h the i h modula ion of the g 33 , w w t p t y t

elo uence of me res E . 8 . q t , 9 6 Wilma nn s notes a comi cal mi sunderstandi ng on the part of Boni ’ a i r E o i ae i — ilmann s s re erence is ron f ce . Is do e ( tymol g , , 3 7 W f w g) ’ says prasae autem stadi um sero viguit; Boniface renders thi s Orati oms i autem studi um primum eg t S eron . 7 — he com le e oem as . No B oni ii O a ii . 10 1 1 t t fac per , , pp 9 5 p t p , in hrou h a mi sunder i i . err Mani i ron l s o . c t t us w g y say ( p , , p g t g ’ s tanding of a passage in Dijmml er s preface . 3 — — A ota B edae Lan ranci cl ali orum . 1 8 2 8 . necd , f , , pp 4 , 3 45 9 — Poe e La ini Aevi arolini i . 1 . M . G. H. , ta t C , , pp 3 5 14 INTRODUCTION much merit as poetry ; nevertheless they are import ant because oi the light whi ch they shed upon the ideas

r in tro and character of Boniface . We have a b ief duc t d ion , and then ad resses of the ten principal virtues and

: O H as many vices Love , rthodoxy, ope , Justice , Truth , M P P H ercy, atience , Christian eace, Christian umility,

ini r H D Virg ty ; G eed , aughtiness , Gluttony, runken E I V ness , Luxury, nvy, gnorance, ainglory, Negligence ,

Wrath . That the riddles were composed after Boni face entered upon his work in Germany has been in

2 f. I ferred from verses 3 3 , in the address of gnorance

m r a ni Ob q uod se pe am vit me Germa ca tellus, mi n l r Rustica gens ho um Sc afo um et S cythia dura .

In i r ad add tion to the iddles , there remain verses Dudd 1 i dressed to , which may have served as a ded ca 2 tion of the grammar ; and lines attached to letters to 4 r 3 Z Nitha d and Pope acharias . The letters were ﬁ rst edi ted by Nicolaus Serarius in 5 5 1 605 ; the best editions are those of P hilipp Jaﬁ é

1 iimml r o . i t . 1 6 . D e , p c , pp f 2 i . 1 . Mani ius o . cit. t , p , , p 49 3 E . . , 9 4 - li Dii mmler o . ii . . 1 1 ub e all e e a B oni E . 0. c sh s h s s , 5 , p , pp 9 , p t i i a re a . He al o a n a ina iv o ati i armi na h ce s ss s rm . t f C , w t p f g C , (p Boni ace but i hdra s the ascri ion in his edi ion of the Le ers f , w t w pt t tt

r r E . 1 0 . prin ted eleven yea s late . 4 5 i i ni A i i E istolae S . B oni ii Mart ris P r mi Mo unt rchie sco p fac y , g p p ,

‘ an u A toli luri u P nti cum Re um ali orum. Germ or m pos , p umq e o fi . g , é

Mo untiae 1 60 . g , 5 5 Mon en a In his Bibli otheca Rerum Germanicarum tom . iii um , ( t Mo in 2 - 1 gunt a) . pp 4 3 5 INTRODUCTION 1 5

1 ( 1 866) and Ernst Dummler The collection in whi ch they are preserved includes not onl y letters of hi s Boniface and successor Lul , but many written to them , and a number of others of the same time ; besides d 2 3 a few earlier ones by Al helm and others , apparently included as models of composition . The letters of

i r 1 6 Boniface , wh ch cover the pe iod from about 7 nearly to the time of his death , are of great interest and 4 . S n value ome are to the popes , concerni g questions of doctrin e and admini stration ; 5 one is a striking mes sage Of admonition to Ki ng A ethelbald of Mercia ; 5 others are to the F rankish rulers ; 7 but a peculiar charm attaches to those whi ch the saint wrote to hi s -S 5 5 devoted Anglo axon friends , male and female , as nk suring them of his warm and constant love , tha ing 10 11 them for gifts , and asking , now for advice , now for their prayers in his behalf 12 and in that of the pagan 13 Germans whose conversion he sought , but perhaps

1 M r i i r i i 2 1 In H . E i olae e owin c et Ka olin A vi . M . G. s e , p t g , , pp 3

43 1 . 2 in er e . E . 1 2 6V s , , , 3 ; ( v ) 5 — I in er I bid . 8 OI O V se . , 4 , 5 , 7 , ; ( v ) 4 S e hen III ibid . 108 10 . To acharias i bid . 0 86 to Z , , 5 , ; t p , , , 9 5 5 bid. . I bid . 0 86 1 . I , 5 , , 09 , 73 7 I id b . , 48, 93 , 107 . 5 1613 2 8 6 6 6 8 1 4 9 , 3 , 33 , 34 , 3 , 3 , 9 , 74 , 7 s, 7 , 7 , 9 2 I 10 2 6 66 6 6 bid , 7 , 35 , 5 , , 7 , 94 . 9 1° id 2 0 8 1 . I b 7 , 3 , 7s, 7 , 9 11 I bid 2 6 n 3 . 33 , 34 . 3 , o 12 I bid 2 0 8 6 66 6 6 1 , 7 , 3 , 33 , 34 . 3 , s, , 7 , 74 , 7 , 9 , 94 11 6 i a eneral re ues to all God- earin Catho Ibid . , 38, 5 . 46 s g q t f g li es of English race and stock to pray for the conversion of the h n eathe Saxons . 1 6 INTRODUCTION

1 I most eagerly of all for books . beseech that thou

r O f S P copy fo me in gold the epistles my lord , aint eter H the Apostle , unto the honor and reverence of the oly Scriptures before the eyes of ﬁ eshly folk when I ” 2 preach .

r E D . Giles has given nglish translations of letters of

D r Boniface to Bishop aniel of Wincheste , the Abbess 3 i har . D r I N t d . Bugga , and the youth saac Gregory Smith translates the letter to Bugga ; others to the Abbess Eadburga and to Abbot D udd ; and part Of one 4 E K to P ope Zacharias . dward ylie has translated the 5 correspondence of Boniface and his English friends .

ﬁ r 1 The sermons , rst p inted in 73 are most easily ’ ’ accessible in Giles s 7 or Migne s 5 edition of the works

D r . of Boniface . Giles , in the preface to the second

di r E volume of his e tion , tu ns into nglish Remy Ceil ’ lier s summary of their contents ; and a translation of ’ D r 9 S B oni a e . part of one may be found in . mith s f c In the sixth sermon is an especially vigorous denunciation i of heathen practices , and a l vely description of the place of torment that awaits those who are guilty Of them or of other capital sins .

1 E 2 6 6 1 . I id 33 , 34 , 35 , 3 , 75 , 7 , 9 b . , 3 5 5 B i i i — n i O era . 1 2 2 0 o ac E . . 6 f p , pp , 3 , 94 , 9 . — B oni ace 8 1 E 6 0 f pp 93 4 5 , 94 , 34 , 5 5 The En li sh orres ondence o S ai nt Boni ace Lon on 1 g C p f f ( d , 9 1 1) ’ in the series called The n Ki g s Classi cs . 5 ’ At Paris in Edmond Marténe and r in r , U s Du and s Veterum S crip torum Am lissima oll t — C e i o om . ix c t coll . 1 p , , 85 2 18 . 7 London l ii — 18 : vo . 1 , 44 , pp . 5 7 07 . 5 — P . L . vol. l i Pari ii s 2 . , xxx x ( s , coll. 843 87 2 P p . 99 ﬁ . INTRODUCTION 1 7

ni l a The Life of Bo face by Wi lib ld , the translation of

hi r w ch we give , was w itten within a few years of the ’ saint s death , almost certainly not later than at ’ ni Lul the request of Bo face s successor, , and of Bishop

bur l Me in oz Wiirz . g g of g Wi libald , a priest of Anglo 2 S r axon o igin , is an author worthy of all respect as regards industry and veracity . The chief defects of

: his work are two a style inﬂated and obscure , sup ported by no suﬁi cient foundation of grammatical knowledge ; and the comparative scantiness of the in formation whi ch he suppli es concerni ng much of the 3 later life of Boniface . Fortunately the omissions can be supplied in part from the other sources .

r or r Later lives of Boniface are p inted , in full in pa t ,

V B i a ii and di scussed by Levison in his itae on f t . These i n n add l ttle or nothi g to our knowledge ; i deed , they have rather served to confuse the history of the saint . f This is particularly true , in di ferent ways , of the worthless Mayence legends collected in the work whi ch ’ Levison calls the Fourth Life , and of the attempts to simplify and populariz e made by the monk Otloh of E di hi s St. mmeram , the most stinguished writer of

1 L i n B i a . e so itae on m . v , V f , p x 2 iii f He wa lon con used i h Sain illi bald I bid . . v W , pp . s g f w t t , i i i onf i n ma b raced f Ei I . vi To h s c us o e o o bi . b sh p chstatt . d , pp f . t y t ’ Manitius s amaz ing reference to him as a relative of B oni face . Cc i hte d a ni Lite atur des Mittelalters . 1 6 . schic er l tei schen r , , p 4 — 5 m n ion Po e acharia s 1 i h hom E . . he does not e g , t p Z ( 74 5 w t w a enbach di scusses the Boniface had a copious correspondence . W tt ion D utschland Geschiohts uellen enera ue i n o e omiss . e s g l q st o f th s q ,

i 1 . , pp . 5 1 f I 8 INTRODUCTION

his time, whose work was written during stay at Fulda in the years 1 06 2 to The modern literature relative to Boniface is impos in g in quantity, particularly in Germany ; of its aver One age quality not so much can be said . may begin with the notices annexed to the editions whi ch I have E His named, and with the sections in the cclesiastical ’ o H E r Geschi chte der tories of R ttberg and auck , in be t s

h i stli ch-latei ni schen Li teratur Max M c r , and in ani ’ tius s Geschi chte der latei ni schen Li teratur des Mi ttelal

’ ters : P otthast s We wei ser l these , with g , wil point the

In E r way to further study . nglish the e is little of

r r l B oni ace schola ly wo th , save for the book et f , by I S r The F athers or E n saac Gregory mith , in the se ies f g

li sh Readers . E We are indebted to ngland , on the other hand , for ’ l S ﬁn e Wi n rid a terwards called Wil iam elwyn s poem f , f B on ace if (Cambridge and London , in blank 2 ’ In r verse . German poet y Johann Baptist Rousseau s 2 Das B oni azius-Li ed M 1 8 f ( ayence , 5 5) is not without ’

Dr. i L . W ss s B oni acius fﬁ merit atin poem f , a xed to

1 P etitionibus vestris ra res uldenses rou scientiae meae , f t F , p t arvitas ermi sit ar r i i i n i a n i e e studu . P et st s enim u sa c ris o r p p , p , t t p t st

Bonifacii i am reci uo uidem ele anti ue ut ote sanc i Willi v t p p q g q , p t baldi stilo anti uitus edi am sed in locis uibu dam ita inﬁ rmo in el , q t , q s t lectui velatam ut difﬁcile atea t uo ora io tenda t han e en n ia , p q t , c go s te t ” a ertiori reserar m loh B e . O t ita oni a ii P rolo . p , V f c , gus 2 1 9 5 lines . 7 Z ur Eri nnerun an die V li n -B i g erherr chu g des heil. Wi nfried on az ius des A astels eon Deuts hland E z a nz f , p c und r bi schofs eon M i , bei der eil hundert dhri en J ubel ei er i n de f j g f o ssen Martyrium im J uni 1 85 5 . i - ix s a es . There is a curiou P l i 0 2 F fty p g s o it sche Apostrophe (pp . 5 5 )

2 0 INTRODUCTION

n m to his labors in enforci g unifor ity within the church , and in seeking the conversion of the pagan folk With

. No out, must always remain an open question doubt certain tendencies , political rather than religious , in the German historical writing of the last half-century have tended to exalt the proportionate importance of I his work as an ecclesiastical organiz er . think the man himself saw more truly, as the witness of his ’ martyr s death attests . T HE L I F E O F SAI NT BON I FA C E

T HE L I F E O F S A I NT B O N IFA C F

P ROLOGUE

TO the lords venerable and truly in Christ most dear ,

Me in oz Lul and g g colleagues in the episcopacy, Willi bald , priest in the Lord , though unworthy . P aying due complaisance Of obedience to your holi fi i ness , but with no con dent rel ance upon my own liter I h i l ary training , have c eerfully obeyed in w l and act your pious fatherly command . With my feeble strength I have begun and carried through unto the end the difii cult task whi ch ye imposed upon me . But I beseech that if the result shall be otherwise than as your wish desires , ye weigh justly the weakness of my nfi i rmity and the loftiness of the task laid upon me , since it is the strongest proof of my regard that I do

di . If not refuse obe ence to your sublime command , on I l hi the other hand , shal accomplish anyt ng worthy l ﬁ and that shal pro t our times , assuredly it must be as 1 cribed di v to the ine gift , and to your command and earnest desire ; since sometimes the pious wish of one who earnestly desires may be likened unto the hand of

1 r an i ea of Prolo ue to his oin illibald is For the wo ds d d s the g t p t, W largely indebted to the prefatory letter preﬁxed by Victorius Aqui tanus to the Easter Table whi ch he sent to Archdea con Hilary of i ui s imi ix Berolini R . H Auc ore Ant s m . G s o e in 45 7 M . t q , ( , pp . 67 7 f . 2 4 WILLIBALD

Oil ress a man who presses the p , and by the strength of its pressing Obtains at least a little of the sweet fruit Of the longed for knowledge , and , bestowing it , revives For m the fami shi ng . your holiness has deter ined to make equal , even to prefer , the foolish to the wise , and the less capable to the prudent , and to commit to

' me in my ignorance that which surely without eﬁ ort ye could have presented in the language of the wise . But I entreat that the supplication of continual prayer may bedew him whom the Oilpress of your command hath

I hi s pressed . entreat that mind , dulled by the fog of

s onta sloth , may be awakened by the wish of your p neous : love in order that for the task , to which it has been summoned through your compulsion , it may be l strengthened by a vigorous iterary style .

For i at the request of rel gious and Catholic men , to ﬁ whom , whether in the parts of Tuscany or the con nes of Gaul or the approaches of Germany or even withi n the bounds of Britain , great report had come of the fame and of the daz z ling miracles of Saint Boniface the

n r martyr , ye have constrai ed me to w ite , after the pat tern of those whose pure lives and virtuous characters the most holy fathers have put on paper in elegantly 1 be circumlocutory language and handed down , the

Of I ascer ginning , course , and end his life, as should tain it , making the most careful investigation in my

(IIS Ci IeS ’ WI'l O power , from the narration of his p had long tarried with him , or of yourselves . And as , when the

1 Ele anti verborum amba e An ll i i g g . exce ent descr pt on of Willi ’ bald s own i al l de of s ty e . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 2 5 covenant of the ﬁ rst transgression was cancelled 1 and

He esi us the rays of the true light began to dawn , g pp , who is reported to have come to Rome in the time of 2 i ﬁ ve r Anacletus , publ shed , it is said , books of chu ch 3 hi story for the proﬁ t of readers ; and as Eusebius of

Caesarea, the most famous among the writers of hi s

hi s i P am hi lus tory , and ass stant , the martyr p , com posing the hi stories of their own and preceding times

in with wondrous eloquence of language , published 4 m r r r r 5 nu e able volumes ; and , fu ther , as G ego y of

r r in i a blessed memo y , a man most lea ned l ter ry studi es

occu in r and p g the glo ious height of the apostolic chair , wrote the life of the sainted confessors , exhibiting a l di marvel ously managed alectic style , and published

r 5 the work in four books in syllogistic fo m , which to i this day, placed in the l braries of the churches , bring to posterity the laborious grandeur of kn owledge : so ye bid me to reveal to thi s age and to the ages to come

hi s the life of the saint , and lofty virtues , his practice of

r 7 l . a piety , and the st ength of his abstinence But though I kn ow that I am a slight and insigniﬁcant

1 Hebre s ix 1 . w , , 5 2 — Anice us bisho of Rome 1 P 1 68 : some imes nown a t , p 5 7 t k s Ana cletus I . 3 S ain erom e De Viris Illustribus 2 2 . t J , , 5 I bid 8 1 . . , 5 — Gre or the Grea o e 0 60 . g y t, p p 5 9 4 5 Dialogorum Li bri I V de Vi ta et Mi raculi s P atrum I tali corum et de

A eternitate A nimaram. 7 Here and in the following sentence Willibald borrows words and ’ l rom e rolo ue of Ruﬁ nus Hist i a phrases free y f th p g s or Monachorum.

f. . ll . P . L , xxi , co 387 2 6 WILLIBALD

r writer to tell so great a sto y, yet, since the wish of I your benevolence demands , will attempt , with your hi hi aid , t s task w ch ye have given me in charge : not relying on the pride of my own presumption , but trust ing conﬁ dently in the assistance of Catholics ; nor seeking from my weak pen the spreadi ng abroad of my own glory ; but furnishi ng by the relation of so great a

ﬁ r story an example that shall pro t reade s , as each , i hi learn ng from t s pattern , is led to better things by the o n perfection of his w progress .

2 8 WILLIBALD and hi s soul panted after that life every day ; for already he had subdued unto his Spirit all that is tran sitory and determined to meditate upon the things of I eternity rather than those of the present . ndeed ,

or when certain priests , clerks , had gone out to the lay

r folk to p each unto them , as is the custom in those 1 countries , and had come to the town and house of the ’ r saint s fathe , presently , so far as the weakness of his

r hi tender years pe mitted , the c ld began to talk with nl hi them of heave y t ngs , and to ask what would help 2 an him d his inﬁrmity for the future . When thus in protracted medi tation he had thought

hi s long of heavenly things , and whole being was strain ing forward to the future and upward to the thi ngs

are r hi s which on high , at last he laid ba e his heart to

hi s . father, and asked him to take desire in good part

His father , astounded at the tidings , rebuked him most vehemently ; and , on the one hand , forbade him with

r hi m threats to abandon him ; on the othe , incited with blandishments to the care of worldly business ; that he might subdue him to the temporal gain of a

r hi s own transitory inhe itance , and, when death came ,

1 Bede ita hberti and Histor a Ecclesi asti ca iv 2 V S . Cut i , , 9 , , , 7 ’ Giles s ransla ion : It wa n th u om of the En li sh eo le ( t t ) s the e c st g p p , ha hen a cler or ries came in o the o n he all at his com t t w k p t t t w , t y , mand ﬂoc ed o ether to hear the ord illin l heard ha was , k t g w , w g y w t said and more illin l rac i ed ho hin ha he could hear , w g y p t s t se t gs t t t y ” and under n i in a ears to sta d . The practice of tinerant preach g pp have fallen into di suse early in the eighth century upon the general ins i u ion of i t t t par sh churches . 2 In the sense of human rail a in Hebre s iv 1 2 VII f ty, s w , , 5 ; v , ; , THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 2 9

r hi s hl leave him gua dian , or rather heir , of eart y goods . U sing the deceitful subtlety of human cunning , he strove in long talks to turn aside the young heart from

ﬁl r r the ful ment of the purpose it had fo med , and p om

m r r ised , with any a ﬂatte ing wo d , that this active ’ life would be more tolerable to the chi ld s tender years than the contemplative life of the monastic warfare 1 that so he might restrai n the boy from the attempt to carry out thi s purpose ; and incite hi m to the vo lu u u n pt o s ess of mundane luxury . But the saint was ’ already in his boyhood ﬁlled with God s spirit ; and

r hi s r the mo e father held him back , the mo e he took

xi i stout heart , and an ously panted to provide h mself 2 a treasure in heaven , and to join himself to the

r r sac ed study of letters . And it happened in wond ous

r n wise , as eve the divi e compassion is wont to act , that God in hi s foresight bestowed upon his young soldier consolation in his undertaking and an increase of

r Of anxious desi e , and a hasty change mind in the ob stinate father : so that at one and the same in stant of im t e sudden sickness crept upon the father, whom the un expected moment Of death already threatened ; and ’ the boy s pious desire , long balked , increased most

w r ﬁ s iftly, and , with the aid of the Lo d God , was ful lled and perfected in its increase . ’ For the saint s father according to the ﬂesh , when by the wonderful judgment of the di spensation of

1 i iu The Li e o S ai nt S everi nus En lish ransla ion S ee Eug pp s, f f , g t t

i n . 1 . ambr d e . (C g , p 45 , 2 Ma e vi 2 0 Lu e 1111 . tth w, , ; k , , 33 3 0 WILLIBALD

k z God great sic ness had sei ed upon him , quickly put away his former obstinacy of heart, made an assembly hi s l of the kindred , and of own free wil , but moved i hi by the Lord , d rected the boy to the monastery w ch 1 Ad-E scancastre is called by a name of the ancients , and committed him to an embassy of trusty messen Wulfhard gers to deliver to the faithful , who was

r . hi s r abbot of that monaste y The little boy , f iends

hi m Wulfhard standing beside , addressed discreetly , n i hi s 2 and , making his request i tell gently, as parents

r had taught him aforetime , decla ed that he had long desired to submit himself to the monastic rule . w ki Forth ith the father of the monastery, after ta ng counsel with the brethren and receiving their bene di of u 3 ction , as the order the reg lar life demanded , granted his consent and the fulﬁlment of the boy ’ s hi wi . s sh And so the man of God, bereaved of father i accord ng to the ﬂesh , followed the adoptive father of 4 n hl our redemption , and , renounci g the eart y gains of r di the wo ld , strove to acquire the merchan se of an

: di eternal inheritance that , accor ng to the veridical voice of truth , by forsaking father , or mother , or lands , i hi or the other th ngs w ch are of this world, he should

r r receive a hund edfold , and should inhe it everlasting 5 life . 1 Exeter. 2 ’ Perha r h r la i ps at e re t ves . 3 Sain Benedi c of Nursia Re ula . t t , g , 3

1‘ Roman iii s 1 1 2 . , v , 4 , 5 , 3 5 M a he xix 2 . tt w, , 9 CHAPTER II

How IN THE BEGINNING HE OVERCAME THE PASSIONS OF Y OUTH AND CLAVE To ALL THAT WAS GOOD

THE ﬁ rst section of our narrative is now completed , 1 though in outline . Next we shall brieﬂy make known the virtuousness to which the saint trained him self in the beginni ng of hi s studi ous life : in order that after we

l r have aid the foundation of the fabric of our wo k , the loftiness of the structure may li ttle by little be raised

’ hi h r g e to the summit . For after he waxed in age and in admirable strength n 2 of k owledge , and the seven years of infancy glided

n r away, and the glory of boyhood came , by the i spi a tion of heavenly grace he was enriched with great and ni unutterable dig ty of mind , as is shown by the ex hi di amples given later in t s work ; and , living accor ng f l to the model a forded by the ear ier saints , and in

i r obedience to the ord nances of the vene able fathers , he was manifested and adorned by the purity of many v r M r i tues . o eover he was so kindled by divine genius , and so applied himself especially to the exercise of revolv reading , that in all the moments and hours and

r ing years that we e added to his life , the helps and the

1 i An imi a ion of Aldhelm De Laude Vi r initati s 0 . Le son t t , g , 4 v poin ts out other verbal borrowings from Aldh elm in the notes to his

ion 1 1 1 2 1 1 8 2 2 0 . edi t , pp . 3 , , , 4 , , 7 , 4 , 5 2 I i Hi alen i Et molo iae xi 2 Bede Vita S . Cuthberti 1 . s dorus sp s s, y g , , ; , ,

3 1 3 2 WILLIBAL D divinely augmented gifts of the P rotector on high were also increased within hi m . And the more he progressed

r in the school of the p iesthood , the more , as trusty men who were his intimate associates have borne certain

hi s di witness , did daily studies , in continual me tation i him day and n ght upon literary training , incite to the

hi m m ar increase of eternal blessedness , and protect vellously against the inimiCal persecutions of diabolical O r suggestion , which among men are wont ften to cove the tender ﬂower Of youth as it were with a kind Of fog

hi s of cloudy darkness ; so that also , because of cease less care and long solicitude and hi s perpetual exami nation of the sacred laws , and by the help of the Lord i God , the seductive passions of youth with n him , and the assaults with which ﬂeshly lusts at ﬁ rst assailed

hi m . , for the most part subsided And more and more hi s studies carried him forward to the general instruc 1 tion of the people , which , after the passage of no great

Of interval time , he began , enlarged , and perfected , in accordance with the episcopal ordinance Of ecclesiasti

For cal prescription . he despised the perishable adorn hi hi s h ments of t s world , and in child ood , under the

Wulfhard moderate government of Father , kept the pattern of the monastic life well and duly for many u w years ; ntil , hen Sportive boyhood was over and 2 hi manly youth began , the more glowing desire of s

1 es ribed la er in his cha er and in the ollo in The As d c t t pt f w g . con ’ of aﬂ and Le ison ha the re erence i to Boni a jecture J é v , t t f s f ce s later

a i i i amon the a ans canno be acce e . ct v t es g p g , t pt d 2 i His alen i Et m l i At our een . Is dorus s s o o ae xi 2 . W i f t p , y g , , ill bald e r o a e in mind hi a sa e o I re or h app a s t h v t s p s g f sido , t e similar one THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 3 3

ﬁr him spirit ed to go , with the consent and advice of hi s trusty fellow servants and of the father of the mon aster r r y , to neighbo ing monaste ies also , whither he was

r 1 summoned by the want of teache s of readi ng . And when in wish and spirit he asked constantly and with great perseverance in prayer that the approbation mi of the Al ghty should be present unto him , at length , inspired by divine grace from heaven , he came to the 2 monastery whi ch even to thi s day is called Nhutscelle ;

r r and , incited by the spi itual love of lette s , chose the

i Of Winbert Of r 3 mastersh p Abbot blessed memo y, who was venerably governing the monastery under the dis ci li ne Of r i i p the ule, and the compan onsh p of the breth

hi m . ren who there dwelt with in the Lord And so ,

i Of joined to the fellowsh p of the servants God , he exhi bited with great z eal Of meditation devoted service

r v to the Lord God , and labo ious perseverance in igils , and the work of reading the di vi ne word ; so that he was imbued not only with the eloquence of the art of grammar and wi th the pithy modulation of the elo

uence r 4 r q of met es , but also with the st aightforward

en one o e in the re erences to the eriods of human of B ede , m ti d ab v , f p life which he makes here and els ewhere . 1 B ut the connec ion sho s ha the The la nguage is ambiguous . t w t t r lack of teachers was at Exete . 2 r lin or Nu shalli n be een Winches er and Sou ham on Nu s g , t g , tw t t pt ;

el has it as S wyn , ’ lle hel erin under Win on s see Nutesce , s t g t , ’ n o er narro channel loo s Where woodland Ha ts w k , l To the fair Is e . 3 Boni ace E . 6 . Mentioned by f , , 3 4 It is to thi s period tha t we may best assign the gramma tical

Boni ace men ioned in the In roduc ion . and metrical writings of f , t t t 3 4 WILLIBALD exposition of history and with the triple interpretation 1 of spiritual knowledge , and at last shone so praise worthily in immense knowledge of the Scriptures and ill r in sk of teaching, that he was even a teache to others

of the traditions of the fathers , and a model master , who before did not refuse to be the pupil of inferiors .

For n it is the manner of holy conversatio , that he dare not prefer himself to others , who has refused to be sub ject to others : because he will not be able rightly to apply to inferiors the service of Obedi ence which he does not duly render to those that are set over hi m by 2 r the di ection Of heaven .

This service the saint in such wise gave, under a ’ all r monk s obedience , to the membe s of the com

i all di mun ty, and above , as the scipline of the rule

hi s demanded , to abbot, that in accordance with the prescribed pattern of the noble constitution of the blessed father Benedict 3 he applied himself wi thout ceasing to daily labor Of hi s hands and to the regular performance of hi s duties : bein g an example for all n r h of right livi g , in wo d , in conversation, in fait , in

1 oannes Cassianus Conlati ones xiv 8 1 S irital is au J , , , , p tem scientia e enera sun ria ro olo ia alle oria ana o e g t t , t p g , g , g g ibid . , xiv 8 Do rin er im i e , , 7 ct a v o s pl c m historicae expositionis ordinem pandit . Cassianus gives as an ill ustration Jerusalem : which in his or is a ci of the e s b ro olo the so of a t y ty J w ; y t p gy , ul m n ; by alle or the church of hris an a o e g y, C t; d by an g g , the heavenly city

of God. 2 Gre or the Grea B i olo i i I in P . L . l l ii co . 1 g y t, g , , , , xxv , 5 6 c . 3 Sain B enedic Re ula 8 : Idleness is the enem of the t t, g , 4 y soul ,

36 WILLIBALD

the mysteries . And supernal grace so sustained him , di that , accor ng to the example of the distinguished

r preacher and the wo ds of the teacher of the Gentiles , he held fast the form of sound words , in the faith and 1 love of Jesus Christ ; studying to show hi mself ap

r proved unto God , a wo kman that needeth not to be ” 2 ashamed , rightly handling the word of truth .

1 II Timo i 1 2 h . t y, , 3 CHAPTER III

THA P O THE WO D OF I C IO To AN T HE R FFERED R NSTRU T N ALL , D THAT HE DID NOT ASSUME THE OFFICE OF INSTRUCTION OF HI S OWN WI OR B O HE A I THE P OP AGE LL, EF RE TTA NED R ER

WE will turn for a time to the general manner of the saint ’ s daily contemplation and the long continued

his r : r abstemiousness of f ugality that , mounting highe i di and h gher , we may more rea ly relate concisely and

l the brieﬂy his lofty works , and fo low to the end study

Of i his venerable l fe , and explore it more precisely ; and that by a just moderation of the balance Boni face may become an example for us of eternity and a manifest pattern of apostoli c learning . Through the examples of the saints , he happily ascended the steep path of nl heave y knowledge , and , going on before the people as a leader, he went into and opened the gate of the 1 Lord our God , into which the righteous shall enter . hi And from his c ldhood even to decrepit old age , he particularly imitated the wisdom of the departed f athers , inasmuch as he daily and continually commit ted to memory the words of the prophets and apostles , written with holy pen , and the glorious passion of the n hi n martyrs , put in writi g , and also the gospel teac g of the Lord our God ; and , in the words of the apostle , r 2 whether he ate or d ank , or whatsoever he did , he

1 2 rin hian 1 . P salms c iii 1 2 0 . I o s , xv , 9 , C t , x , 3 3 8 WILLIBALD always rendered unto God with heart and voice the commendation of p raise and the hi ghest degree of de i voted jubilation , accord ng to the word of the psalm ist I will bless the Lord at all times : hi s praise ” 1 For shall continually be in my mouth . to such an extent was he inﬂamed with ardent desire for the S hi criptures , that often he applied mself with every effort to imitating them and listening to them ; and the matters which were written for the instruction of the people , he paraphrased and preached to the people with wonderful eloquence of speech and very shrewdl y

He added parables . had such a right proportion of dis

r cretion , that neither was the ene gy of his rebuke lack

r ing in gentleness , nor the gentleness of his p eaching in

r z r ene gy ; but as the eal of ene gy kindled him , so the gentleness of love made him mild . Accordingly , to the rich and the powerful and to yeomen and slaves he em ployed an equal discipline of holy exhortation , so that

r neither did he fawn upon the ich and ﬂatter them , nor

r did he oppress slaves or yeomen by seve ity ; but , in

all the words of the apostle , he was made things to all 2 An d z men , that he might gain all . d he di not sei e the

ﬁ r hi s certi cate of heavenly inst uction of own will , or before the time ; nor di d he usurp it by stubbornness

r Of ili and robbe y ; but in the progress his holy hum ty,

r being thirty years or more of age , and suppo ted by the choice of his master and friends , he received the certif i cate 3 in accordance with the rule of the canonical

1 P lm 2 sa s i 1 . in h n 2 I or ia s ix 2 . , xxx v, C t , , 3 The ordina ion as rie i t p st, w th the tonsure . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 3 9

1 constitution , and , enriched by divers gifts and pres

r oﬂi ce in ents , ente ed upon the rank of the priestly such wise that he was wholly devoted in will and act to m i in the works of al sg v g and compassion , so far as he had power under the severity of the rule and of the monastic life , and that he always anticipated the hours ni i i of the ghtly Vigils , and occupied h mself d ligently in

i r r di d the to lsome se vice of p ayer . Anger not steal

hi s hi s r away patience , nor rage shake forbea ance ; lust

hi s di d i subdued not continence, nor gluttony d shonor his abstinence ; but he so subdued him self to every frugality of fasting, that , drinking neither wine nor nk 2 strong dri , he imitated the fathers of the two testa n ments , and might say, with the disti guished teacher

I r of the Gentiles , keep under my body and b ing it

: I into subjection lest that by any means , when have ” 3 I . preached to others , myself should be a castaway

1 orbi ir F ddi ng elevation to the priesthood before the age of th ty . 2 D eu eronom i 6 ud es iii 1 Lu e i 1 . t y, xx x , ; J g , x , 4 , 7 , 4 ; k , , 5 3 I in hian or s ix 2 . C t , , 7 CHAPTER IV

HE A N TO K B Y ALL THE OB THA T W S SE T ENT N LES , AND THAT AFTERWARDS HE WENT To FRI SIA

HA VING brought together above some scattered ex S i amples of the lofty virtues of aint Bon face , we con hi sider that the matters w ch follow , relating to the persevering strength with which he both held fast to the good things that he had begun and also urged on hi s and quickly hastened soul to all other good things , certainly ought not to be passed by in silence . We

r have learned them from the repo t of trusty men , and are solicitous to set them down in the clear disclosure

Of writing . For a long time he tempered his mind with the vir tues enumerated above, and advanced from day to day in the aforesaid rank of the priesthood to loftier proofs

. Of Ine Of of good things Then , in the reign , king the S 1 West axons , a sudden emergency impended upon the rise of a new di ssension ; and immediately the chi ef

Ine men of the churches , with the advice of King , sum moned a council of the servants of God . And presently , di when all were assembled , a most healthful scussion concerning thi s recent di ssension wisely arose among the priestly ranks of the ecclesiastical order . And ,

1 6 — 2 88 7 5 .

40 THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 4 1

r r adopting the more p udent measu e , they decided to send trusty legates in the Lord to the archbishop of the 1 B ertwald : city of Canterbury , by name lest it should

r be ascribed to their presumption or teme ity , if they a v did anything without the d ice of the archbishop . And when the entire senate and the whole order of the

r i cle gy agreed upon and adopted th s prudent measure , immediately the king addressed all the servants of

m es Christ , asking whom they would charge with the sage Of thi s embassy . Then unexpectedly the supreme

in Winbert abbot Christ , by name , who ruled over the

Nhutscelle Wintra r monastery of ; and , who di ected the monastery whi ch is called Tyssesburg ; 2 and Beor di C wald , who ruled with vine governance the loister which is called by a name of the ancients 3 Glestinga burg ; 4 and also many other fathers of thi s holy way of hi life summoned the saint and led m before the king . And the kin g charged him with the message and with him i knowledge of the embassy , gave compan ons , and

hi m hi s r w i sent on way with his g ace . Charged ith th s

r r message , the saint afte a prospe ous journey came to

Kent in accordance with the commands of the elders ,

di r and screetly declared to the a chbishop , possessed of the ﬁl 5 i h let of the h ghest priesthood , everyt ing in due

r sequence , just as he had been inst ucted by the king .

1 3 i 6 2— 1 The old a n Arch S o . b shop 9 73 . x s 2 4 i r Gla s onbur . T sbu y . t y 5 I nfula : a classical reminiscence coming down to Willibald hrou e D Laudibus i r i nitatis and E istola ad t gh Aldh lm ( e V g , 33 , p

i . 0 1 e an Boni a e E . 0 See lso Ac rcium : pp 4 , 2 9 Gil s) d f c ( , 33 , 5 , a

Isidorus Hispalensis, Etymologiae, xix , 3 0 . 4 2 WILLIBALD

w r And so , having received a illing answe , after not

hi s many days he returned to own country, and wisely

r delivered the willing answer, of the venerable a ch

i Ine r bishop to K ng , and to the afo ementioned serv ’ i r r ants of God in the k ng s presence , and b ought g eat

to benev joy all . And so thenceforth , by the wonderful d hi s olence of the ispensation of God , name was so spread abroad , and was held in such honor , not only among all lay authorities but also among all ranks Of

r ad the ecclesiastical service , that f om that time he vanced r r more and mo e, and ve y often took part in their synodal assembly . But because a mind consecrated to God is not lifted

r r up by the favo of men or sustained by p aise , he

r began, with g eat care and solicitude , to hasten more i n hi s intently to other th gs , and to shun the society of i relatives and connex ons , and to desire foreign places

r more than those of the lands of his paternal inhe itance . But when thus for a long space of time he had most sagaciously weighed well the plan of leaving country

r and elatives , at length he took occasion to consult

Winb ert r di s Abbot of blessed memo y , and openly

him hi s hi r closed to all the secrets of soul , the to care l i wi fu ly concealed with n his conscience , and th most urgent prayers appealed to the soul of the sainted

Winbert inber . W t to consent to his desire , astounded ﬁ w ni at rst ith great wonder , for the time being de ed the longed for journey to the entreaties and prayers of hi s disciple , that he might stay the execution of the l proposed plan ; but at last , through the prevai ing

4 4 WILLIBALD

i there a wh le , paid due praise to the Lord God day and night .

r r But a hostile quar el which a ose , on the occasion of

r r r a seve e attack of the pagans , between Cha les , p ince

Of r Of and glorious duke the F anks , and Radbod , king

r l confu the F isians , threw the fo k of either side into 1 sion ; and now the greatest part of the Churches of C r hrist , which formerly in Frisia we e subject to the

Of r r r empire the F anks , we e wasted and overth own , whi le Radbod conducted an oppressive persecution M and the servants of God were driven out . oreover , heathen shrines were reared , and , sad to say, the wor

hi Of . s p idols was restored Then the man of God, per ceivin r Trecht 2 g the wickedness of pe verseness , came to ,

r a and waiting the e some days , addressed King R dbod , who came thi ther : that by compassing and viewing

Of many parts those lands , he might diligently inquire whether in the future an opportunity of preachi ng would be anywhere opened to him ; and purposing in hi s soul that if in any portion of thi s folk a way of ap

r proach for the gospel should eve become visible, he

3 Of would minister the seed the word of God . And

i r th s , after the passage of many years , the glo ious evi dence of his martyrdom attested . southeas t of Utrecht : the chi ef emporium of the surroundi ng region un il it ell in o the hands of the Dane in the ni n cen u t f t s th t ry . Adolf Soetbeer gives some valuable notes on D orstet in Forschungen z ur deutschen Ge hi chte iv 00 — 0 sc , pp . 3 3 3 . 1 In 7 1 6 .

2 e e R t a Utr cht (th oman Ul r traj ectum or Traj ectum ad Rhenam) . 3 II orin hians ix 10 . C t , , THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 4 5

But it is the singular property Of the holiness Of

for r saints , that when the time being they pe ceive that their labor avails nothi ng because there is no greenn ess

r o of life in the spi itual Sprout , they remove to wh lly 1 2 different places that are proliﬁ c of fruitful labor :

one r since dwells in a place to no pu pose , if the fruit of n holiness is lacking . Therefore the sai t , when he had dwelt for a moderately long time in the barren land of

Frisians Of the , and the summer and some small part

r r the autumn had passed , now left the egions that we e

Of withered by the lack the dew of celestial fruitfulness ,

hi s r ni and , taking with him t avelling compa ons , de parted to his native country . Seeking the retirement

Of hi s monastery , he there , received by the love of the

i hr exult ng bret en , spent also the winter of the second 3 mi i year , that he ght imitate the apostol c voice of the i ! I teacher of the Gentiles , say ng for have deter ” 4 mined there to winter .

1 i wi h be ma nu cri Monacens s 1086 . Readi ng foecunda th t e st s pt, ma e n en The ul a e readin oecundo hich Le i son ollo s s o s se . v g t g f , w v f w , k 2 ii l i ol 0 Gre or the Grea Dialo i in P . L . c . 1 . g y t, g , , 3 , , xv , 4

3 Tha is two win ers and one summer : rom the au umn of 1 6 to t , t f t 7 the spring of 7 18 . 4 i iii T u 1 2 . t s, , CHAPTER V

How AFTER HI S ABB OT DI ED HE TARRI ED A LITTLE TIME WI TH THE B HRE AN R C M To ROM I RET N, D AFTERWA D A E E W TH LETTERS OF INTRODUCTION FROM HI S B ISHOP

HAVING now touched brieﬂy and in part upon the vir

n hi s en tues of the sai t , we shall make clearly known hi suing story, just as we have ascertained the facts from the reports Of newsmongers : that the path of his life and character may be forever more plainly mani fest to those who direct themselves toward the pattern

r Of his holy conve sation . When he had passed the great peril of the journey h and escaped un armed from the abysses of the sea, and on his return had betaken hi mself to the fellowshi p of hi s brethren and then joined their company for many

r hi s days , at length heavy so row took possession of

hi F r r r s . o mind , and a f esh g ief oppressed soul now he saw the aged limbs of his teacher grow weaker ; and at

r last , while the cong egation of the monks stood by, ’ Winbert s i sickness waxed exceedingly, and am d shak ing and trembling the day of hi s death was at hand ; and ﬁnally the saint saw Winbert lay aside the prison

the r r hil of body and b eathe his last b eath , w e the

r mourning monks looked on sadly . Often in the hea ts of saints the sympathetic piety of compassion shines with special brightness : since for the moment they are THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 4 7

wont to be greatly saddened , but, cleaving to the pre n cept of the apostle, they receive everlasti g consola 1 tion in the Lord .

r r thr The saint now kindly add essed the b e en , and ,

the Of r mindful of tradition the fathers , u ged them with spiritual discourses to preserve perpetually and in all

r things the model of the constitution of the ule , and the pattern of ecclesiastical prescription ; and taught that they should submit themselves to the governm ent of 2 some spiritual father . Then all with one mind and one voice earnestly demanded that all should implore our

i t r u sa nt , who at hat time was called Winf id , to ass me

r oﬂi ce the pasto al of abbot over them . But anon the ’ saint contemn ed hi s country s riches and abandoned the primacy of government ; and , being now ready and

ﬁl hi s m prepared to ful predeter ined purpose, excused himself with sagacious care , and declined and refused the whole inh eritance . When now the winter time had passed and the

r wa mth of summer began to glow, and the pristine pur oi pose the gliding year was renewed , he strove with the utmost solicitude to renew and repeat the journey

hi n r in w ch he had laid aside . Then, taki g lette s of troduction r D r 3 f om aniel of blessed memo y , watchman 4 of the people of God , he essayed to come to Rome, to

1 II orin hians i II h l n ii T essa onia s 1 6 . C t , , 5 ; , , 2 Sain B enedic Re ula 6 t t, g , 4 . 3 Bisho of Winches er 0 A s to the le ers e no e p t (7 5 tt , se t below . 4 P lebi s . See DuCan e Glossari um Modi ae et I n mae Lati nitatis g , ﬁ , ) s . I . It will be noted that the word had a wide ecclesiastical mean 4 8 WIL LIBAL D

a for the threshold of the postles . Yet a while he was

r i detained by the need of the emain ng brethren , now fatherless ; and in such wise di d his love of the wailing monks and compassion for their double sorrow Oppose

r his plan for the moment , that he was opp essed with

r w a . g eat mental anguish , and knew not which y to turn

For r r he fea ed , on the one hand , lest , if he depa ted , the

o hi o r ﬂ ck w ch had been c mmitted to his maste , and ’ i r a wh ch was now without a shephe d s w tchful care ,

r should be exposed to biting wolves ; on the othe , that

the autumn season of goin g abroad might fail him . And

hi s when , not unmindful of piety, almighty God with hi s wonted clemency wished to deliver from anxious

r r r r a o g ief his servant , who was pe tu bed by such g e t p

Of i pression soul , and to provide a pleasant d rectorship for r D ni o the ﬂock , p esently Bishop a el t ok thought for

r r i r the b ethren , and set ove th s chu ch a man of good

S our n quality, tephen by name, and sent sai t , who

r wished to go upon his long pilg im journey , safe to his destination . Forthwith the saint bade farewell to the breth ren and departed ; and in fulﬁ lment of hi s wish went thr ough a great extent of country to the place which now, as we have said above , is called by the name Lun n de wich . And swiftly mounting the side Of a swift e ship , he b gan to try the unknown paths of the seas ; the sailors danced ; the huge sails rose to the breath Of

ff z the northwest wind , and with a sti bree e and a

ing . P ossibly some might here prefer the rendering diocese or 7 pari sh . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 4 9 lucky voyage they quickly sighted the mouth of the 1 r IS Cuent r rive which called , and we e now safe from

’ all danger of shipwreck . They came safe to dry land ;

t Cuen tawich 2 re but hey pitched camp in , until the maini ng multitude of the company should have gathered together .

hi da When all were collected , w le each y the cold of

r r and winte threatened , they set fo th ; they went to

Of r many churches the saints , and p ayed that by the help of God ’ s throne they might surmount the snowy

n r r r Alpi e heights mo e safely , and expe ience g eater

r kindness at the hands of the Lomba ds , and escape more easily from the malicious ferocity of the haughty

3 ff r soldiers . And when by the su rage of the pat onage of the saints and the ordinance of the Lord God the whole band Of companions that clave to the retinue Of our saint prosperously approached the threshold of

S P r r un aint eter the apostle , immediately they etu ned

r r measu ed thanks to Ch ist for their safety . And having entered with great joy the church of Saint P eter

Of r chief the apostles , most of them b ought divers gifts , asking the annulment of their sins .

Now when not many days had passed , the saint i r spoke to the venerable pope of the apostol c see , G eg c r ﬁ r y of blessed memory , second from the st and r r Of p io to the latest that name , who in the common

1 The anche a small ream h f Boulo ne . C , st a few miles sout o g 2 P robabl no far rom l y t f Etap es . 3 The milites or Byz antine troops that garrisoned the Exarcha te of

Ra enna . Paul Ro h Geschichte d Bene i alwesens Erlan en v t , es ﬁc ( g ,

. 2 0 e . . pp 94 f . 8 also b low, p 5 8 5 0 WILLIBALD

1 speech of the Romans is also called the Younger , and discovered to him in order the whole occasion of hi s journey and visit, and explained the nature of the ardent desire for whi ch he had labored long and hard and anxiously . The holy pope , suddenly looking to

r r wa d him with chee ful countenance and laughing eyes , inquired whether he had brought letters of introduc 2 ff hi s . r o tion from bishop The saint , aroused , th ew hi s o cl ak , and produced a note folded conformably to

3 r r custom and a lette , and gave them to the admi able

r : man of holy memo y who took the letter , and at once signed to the saint to withdraw . The apostolic pope perused the letter and examined the note of intro

r r duction, and the eafter had busy daily confe ence and

for debate with the saint , until the summer season set

r On ting fo th the return was at hand . But when the

1 Gregory II (7 1 5 2 The importance attached to such letters is well indi cated by a

assa e in a le er of P o e S mmachus to Bisho Caesarius of Arles p g tt p y p , dated 1 1 June 5 14 Et in ha c parte magnopere te volumus esse sol licitum ut si uem d alli na v l Hi ania r i ni u l i , , q e G ca e de sp eg o b s ecc es as ici ordini s ad ue oﬂi cii necessi as ad nos eni re con ulerit cum t q ! t ! v p , fraterni tati s uae notitiam i er ere rina tioni s arri iat ut ne honor t t p g p , c e us er i noran iam ali uam contumiliam atia tur et ambi uitate j p g t q p , , g ’ de ulsa a nobis animo securo in communi oni ratiam o it admi tti p , s g p ss .

M .G. H E is olae Merowin ici et Karolini A evi i Berolini p t g , ( , 1 pp . 4 f. 3 Carta P re uma l n ex more i nooluta . s b y a formal ecclesiastical ote of in roduc ion e i stola ormata u en e a numerical ke t t ( p f ) , a th ticat d by y no n onl o the ini ia here are ood e am le of the e istola k w y t t ted. T g x p s p t — ma a in . or M . G H . L e es sec . . 68 and a rie dis ussion f , g , t v , pp 5 5 7 5 , b f c ’ in Ar hur Gir an el de D l i . 1 . In t y s M u ip omat que (Paris , p 8 1 addi ion to his as is indi ca ed th ain arri an o n r of t t , t , e s t c ed pe lette in r duc ion o resumabl the one reser ed and rin ed E . 1 1 . t t , p y p v p t , ,

5 2 WILLIBAL D with its gathering mouth where the honey-ﬂowing r ni sweetness of nectar is hidden , and , utte ly disdai ng all bitter and deadly sap , bears the sweetness to the hi r ves ; and , to illustrate by the wo ds of the apostle, i hi 1 r all . p oves th ngs , and holds fast that w ch is good

O r a S in Thuringia the saint, in acco d nce with the com

a hi m o r mand l id upon by the apostolic bish p , add essed with Spiritual words the elders of the church and the

of chiefs the whole people , and summoned them to the

r true way of knowledge and the light of unde standing ,

r which before , seduced by perverse teache s , they had

r for the most part lost . But the priests and elde s Of whom some devoted themselves to the pious wor 2 hi of r s p almighty God , while othe s , contaminated and the polluted by unchastity, had lost chaste continence which those who serve the sacred altars ought to keep

Of hi s he corrected , warned , and taught to the best

r ni ability by the p eaching of the gospel , tur ng them from the perverseness of malice to the rectitude Of the

o canonical c nstitution . Next he entered Francia in company with the

r r 3 breth en . Being info med of the death of Radbod ,

n o 4 ki g of the Frisians , he rejoiced with great j y, and ,

r Fr m r desi ing that isia also ight eceive the word of God ,

1 I The lonian ssa s 2 1 . , v , 2 Marri ri ed p ests . 3 In 7 19 . 4 ’ So Bu a ro e to Boni ace i h re erence to Radbod d gg w t f w t f s ea th, I re urn han i ho cea in to almi h od e t t ks w t ut s g g ty G , b cause he hath cas do n be ore hee Radbod the enem of the a o t w f t , y C th li c ”

urch . E . 1 ch , 5 . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 53

1 m r im ediately went up the rive by ship , and reached

r n lands uncultivated by the heavenly p eachi g . And

’ ' now that ﬁ erce King Radbod s persecution was at an

the i r end , sa nt p ovided the seed of the celestial doc

r trine , and , satisfying the hunger for the wo d of God ,

su ersti refreshed the multitude , famished by pagan p

hi r tion , with the food of the preac ng of ete nity . And when speedily the spontaneous accomplishm ent of the ’ r hi s r wo k followed hea t s desire , and the longed for light Of the predestined doctrine began to shi ne by the

r L r r o dinance of the o d God , and the sove eignty of glorious Duke Charles over the Frisians was strength

Of ened , now the war trumpet the heavenly word

and r sounded , the voice of the preachers thunde ed ’ z hi with the coming of heaven s fertili ing dew, w le the word of God was propagated by the venerable Willi 2 brord and hi s fellow workers . But because he saw

r that the harvest truly was plenteous , but the labore s 3 r r we e few , our holy se vant of God also became a fel low worker of Archbishop Willibrord for thr ee years 4 5 un rr r n in r inte uptedly, and , labo i g much Ch ist, de stroyed temples and sanctuaries and built churches

r Willibrord and orato ies ; and , helped by , brought no small people unto the Lord . But when Archbishop Willibrord had grown old and

r was burdened with the weight of many years , he dete

r mined , pa tly at the suggestion of the company of dis

1 Rhi ne The o a e mus ha e been ra her do n the ri er. The . v y g t v t w v 2 — 4 1 —2 2 Born in 65 7 5 8 . 7 9 . 3 5 i R man xv 1 2 . M h ix . o s att ew, , 3 7 , , 54 WILLIBALD ci les for p , to provide his decrepit old age a relief in his mi great nistry, and to choose a faithful man from the small congregation who would be able to rule so great

H our a folk . aving summoned servant of God , he urged him , with wholesome instruction , to undertake m him the episcopal com and and rank , and to assist to ’ m rule God s people . The saint in his hu ility hastily

r r refused , answe ing that he was not wo thy of the rank of bishop ; and prayed that so great and high a digni ty might not be imposed upon him whi le he was still reckoned a youth in years ; and averred that he had not yet attained the age of ﬁfty years required by the 1 standard of the canon law : in order that by every denial and excuse he might utterly avoid thi s exalted

r illibrord rank . Therefo e Archbishop W of holy fame

r hi m t r rep oved wi h mild words , diligently u ging him

ff r m to accept the pro ered rank , and particula ly pre is ing the extreme indigence of the subject folk . But ’ when not even Willibrord s reproof moved the saint to to consent undertake this exalted rank , then through long delays and evasions a spiritual strife arose be h tween them , and t ere was a harmonious discord of glorious dispute . The saint, on the one hand , pre

r hi s vented f om accepting by sublime humility , refused the hl r Willibrord hig y honorable ank ; , on the other , hi s ensnared by passionate longing for most pious gain , coveted the salvation of souls . After they had thus O n alternately advanced pposi g arguments , our holy

1 Gre or the Grea Dialo i II 2 and o her a sa es ci ed b g y t, g , , ; t p s g t y L i n ev so in hi s note . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 5 5

r Of k r 1 se vant God , as if set in a ind of spi itual race ,

r r i : brought fo wa d a wholly acceptable excuse , say ng ! Most holy bishop ! P ilot Of the struggle of the spirit ! 2 I brought to the nations of Germany the P 3 r . I cha ge of blessed ope Gregory of holy memory , ambassador of the apostoli c see to the western lands of

r r r the ba ba ians , volunta ily attached myself to thy lordship and governance ; and I did thi s from the

Of l choice my own free wil , without the knowledge of I my sublime masters , to whose service am bound and

hi r subject by my vow even unto t s day . Whe efore

r a without the dec ee of the postolic see, and without its

m I r com ission and authentic command , da e not under ” take a rank so distinguished and sublime .

M r oreover , he added a reasonable p ayer and request ,

I r r saying beseech the efo e , that thou elect to send me , who am bound by the fetters of my own solemn

r m ﬁ I p o ise, back to these lands to which at rst was ” sent by the apostolic see .

Willibrord , the man of God , when he learned the ’ occasion of the saint s great promise , bestowed upon hi m a benediction , and immediately gave him liberty 4 r to go away . The saint , depa ting straightway,

1 I orinthians ix 2 . C , , 4 2 I orin hians ix 2 II Timo h II iv 8 Sain Au us C t , , 5 t y, , 5 ; , 7 , ; t g

ine De A one hristi ano. t , g C 3 The mediaeval practice permi tted the use of this phrase as a term Ho mann f i a ell a for the dead. G . D . er of honor or the l ving s w s f , V mischte B eobachtungen aus der deutschen S taatsgeschichte und Rechten

lm 1 60 ii 6 . (U , 7 , P 7 4 Probably to this journey may be assigned the beginning of the Li d er ita i i l ran i h ou h Gre or . u V d sc pleship of the nob e F k s y t g y g , 56 WILLIBALD reached a place named Am anaburch : 1 in the language

r r of the apostle , nou ished up in the wo ds of faith and ” 2 r of good doct ine , whereunto he attained .

i r G. H S cr to es 1 . 6 . Th r Gre ori i A bbatis 2 in M . e s o g , , p , xv, , pp 7 f t y l - i ﬁnel ara hrased b Se n in his oem . 1 1 . s y p p y wy p , pp 3 5 1 Amonebur in Hesse-Nassau on the ri er Ohm Amona : abou g , v ( ) t n mile e of Mar r seve s as t bu g . 2 I Timo h iv 6 . t y, , CHAP TER VI

WE b have narrated brieﬂy , proceeding from the e ’ n n r our gi ni g step by step , the p oofs of saint s Virtue , and the perseverance of his labor in the Lord : that we may recall to memory more minutely and in mass the

a l succeedi ng ex mples of hi s excel ence . When he had brought unto the Lord a vast people

Frisians among the , and many, educated by him in

r i r spiritual lea n ng , had come to knowledge of the t uth in r r the beaming ays of the t ue light ; then indeed , pro tected r r by the Lord , he went to othe pa ts of Germany ’ Of hi i L for the sake preac ng , and , w th the ord s help , h Am anaburc . r r r came to The e twin b othe s ruled ,

D etti c namely and D eorulf. The saint summoned

r r hi Of them f om the sac ilegious wors p idols , which they wrongfully practised under a kind Of name of Chris tiani ty ; and withdrew a very great multitude of

r t people from the malevolent supe sti ion of heathenism , having disclosed to them the way of right understand in r rr g, and caused them to put aside their hor ible e ors ; ’ r r Of r and , having gathe ed a cong egation God s se vants ,

for r . built a cell a monaste y And in like wise , near to

h r Of S in in t e borde s the axons , by preach g the gospel junctions he set free from the captivity of devils the H people of the essians , who yet wandered in pagan rites . 58 WILLIBAL D

When he had cleansed many thousand people from

r r thei invete ate paganism and given them baptism , he

r ﬁ t di ected to Rome a messenger , a faithful bearer of

r B nna and Of his lette , y by name ; by the service the voiceless word disclosed in order to the venerable

r o all i fathe , the bishop of the ap stolic see , the th ngs ’ whi ch by God s gift had been brought to pass in him ;

o illumi and sh wed how a great multitude of people, nated r r r by the divine Spi it, had eceived the sac ament

r . r r r of regene ation But also , w iting fu the , he asked concerning thi ngs which pertained to the daily need of the church of God and the progress of the people : that he might Obtain the counsel of the apostolic see . When Byn na the messenger had remained at Rome for some i days , and the t me of his return was already at hand , he received in exchange from the bishop of the apos

r An d toli c see an answe to his embassy . imme diatel r o hi s r y retu ning , he now br ught to master , afte the passage of no long time , a letter written by the apostolic see .

r r When the saint had read the lette that was b ought,

r vi he gathe ed that he was in ted to Rome , and sought lﬁl h f in haste to fu the ighest degree O Obedience . With out hr delay, attended by a t ong of clients and sur

a r r r rounded by t ain of the b eth en , he traversed the

r lands of the Franks and the Bu gundians , and , having

rr surmounted the ridges of the Alps , the te itories of the 1 2 marches of Italy and the boundaries of the soldiers .

And when he beheld the walls of the Roman city,

1 2 See abo 1 n . . e . See . n : . v , p 5 , 3 p 49 , 3

60 WILLIBALD

n apostolic bishop , beseechi g his benediction who quickly raised him from the ground , and returned to our servant of God the writing in whi ch the sound and

r t i inco rupt truth of fai h was man fest , and made him sit by his side . And he instructed him , with whole

i i to some teach ng and admon tion , preserve ceaselessly

r and inviolate this bulwa k of faith , to preach it earnestly unto others to the limi t of his strength . And he brought forward many other matters relating to the holy reli gion and the true faith and questioned the

r ahn ost saint conce ning them , so that they spent the whole day in mutual conversation . And at last the pope inquired how the peoples who before had wan dered in error and crime received the lessons Of the

r faith thr ough hi s teaching . And when he had lea ned for a certainty that the saint had adm itted an exceed ing great multitude Of the commonalty from the sacrilegious worship of devils to the fellowship Of the

i him r holy church , he int mated to that he had pu posed fﬁ to impose upon him the o ce of bishop , and to set him ’ over the peoples that before had lacked a shepherd s

Of care , and in the words the Lord our God , fainted ,

r 1 as sheep having no shephe d . But the saint, because he dared not contradict thi s great bishop set over the apostolic see , consented and obeyed . And so the most hi gh bishop of holy authority appointed a day Of hi 2 ordination , namely the t rtieth of November . After the sacred day of the holy solemnity had

S r dawned , being the natal day of aint And ew and the

1 M 2 a e ix 6 . tth w, , 3 7 2 2 . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 6 1

rdi day set for the o nation , the holy bishop of the apos tolic see im posed upon the saint the dignity of the episcopacy and of the name Boniface ; 1 and brought him the book in whi ch the most sacred laws Of the constitution Of the church have been compiled a t the l Of 2 m di assemb ies the bishops ; co man ng , that thence forth thi s order of episcopal di scipline and customs u 3 sho ld remain unshaken in his hands , and that the

1 An error as is sho n b the occurrence of the name in se eral , w y v l r i n 1 n 1 P robabl r e e s r en be ee a d 2 2 . E . 1 2 1 . G e tt w tt tw 7 9 7 , , 4 , 5 y g ory conferred the L atin name upon Win frid on the occasion of his

i i R m 1 ﬁrst v s t to o e in 7 9 . 2 Tha i a manual of the canon law : er robabl ha of Dion t s, v y p y t t y i i R ttber i n es hi t De tschland . 06 . s us . e rche c ch e u s g , K g , , p 4 3 i i Th r a i h B n a e r r E . 1 6 . I Boni e o din on oa of o c s ese ed . t t f p v , ,

ace bisho b the race of God romi se hee Sain P e er rince of f , p y g , p t . t t p the a os les and th i car blessed P o e Gre or and his successors p t , y v , p g y , , b the a her and the on and the Hol S iri Trini inse arable y F t S y p t , ty p , and b his th mos sacred bod to e hibi all ai h and uri of the y t y t y, x t f t p ty ’ hol a holi c ai h and i h God aid to abide in the uni of the y C t f t , , w t s , ty same aith in hich assuredl all the sal a ion of hris ians is at f , w y v t C t ’ tested; in no wise at any one s persuasion to enter into agreement a ains the uni of the comm on and uni ersal church but as I ha e g t ty v ; , v said to e hi bi in all ma ers m ai h and uri and uni on to hee , x t tt y f t p ty t and to the roﬁ of th church to hich the Lord God ha h i en p t y , w t g v

o er to bind and loose and to th ica r a oresaid and his successors p w , y v f ; and also I promi se that if I shall have knowledge of bishops living con rar to he ancien in i u ions of the hol a hers I ill ha e no t y t t st t t y f t , w v Na more if I shall ha e omm on r in r o r i h m . c uni o te c u se w th t e y , v

o er to orbid hem I will orbid if not I will s rai h a ma e p w f t , f ; , t g tw y k

i r li r if as I ra ma not be the a hful e or to m a o o c o d. But f t p t y p st l , p y y case I shall a em in an ise or iri or on an occasion to do an , tt pt y w Sp t y y con rar to the nor of his m romi se ma I be condemned thing t y te t y p , y at the e ernal ud men and incur the unishmen of Ananias and t j g t, p t hi ra who re ume to rac ise decei and to li e un o hee e en Sapp , p s d p t t t t v ” concerni ng their own property . 6 2 WILLIBALD

subject peoples should be instructed by these examples . But also he gave to him and to all subject to him the friendship of the holy apostolic see thenceforth for

1 hi s e ever . And by most sacred letter he plac d our saint, now a bishop , under the protection and pious 2 care of the sovereignty of glorious Duke Charles . After Boniface by long and devious ways had visited

the territories of great peoples , he came to the aforesaid him prince of the Franks , and was received by with

He D k r veneration . delivered to u e Cha les the letters of the abovementioned Roman bishop and of the apos 3 l hi s hi r to ic see , and , subject to lords p and pat onage ,

D r returned , with the consent of uke Cha les , to the land of the Hessians where before he had tarried . H Now at that time many of the essians , brought under the Catholi c faith and conﬁrmed by the grace 4 i of the sevenfold spirit , received the lay ng on of hands ;

Thi s is in substance the oath taken by the Italian bishops of the time who were immedia tely subject to the see of Rome (episcopi suburbi carii e ce for the omi i n of e romi e of lle iance to ) , x pt ss o th p s a g Em ir an Em ror the p e d pe . 1 This special relation ship of friendship or brotherhood between the Roma n see on the one hand an B nifa an ho hol on the , d o ce d his use d

o her was rene ed at the accession of re o III in 1 See . 6 t , w G g ry 73 . p 7 , M n i i belo . e on of t i al i 108 in s so made of b Boni ace E . w t t y f , , 86, , le ers to acharia an S e hen III tt Z s d t p . 2 . h r a r i E 2 0 . T e e lso emain general letters of commendat on given b Gre or to Boni ace under da e of 1 December 2 2 addressed y g y f t 7 , Universis Christi ani s and lero o dini t le i ano her Thurin i s C , r , e p b ; t g Christianis hi ch doub less er ains to hi s ime and ano her Universo w t p t t t , t - o lo rovi n i a . u Altsaxon i ma . 1 2 1 c e um h ch so belon . I bid 1 p p p w y g , 7 9 , 3 The le r f ro ec i n i e o o ssued b harl i E . 2 2 . tt p t t y C es s , 4 Isaiah xi 2 Isidoru Hi alen i o ia e VII S ain , , ; s sp s s , Etymol g , , 3 ; t THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 63

h ul ot ers indeed , not yet strengthened in so , refused to in t r n accept heir enti ety the lessons of the i violate faith . M l oreover some were wont secretly, some open y to iﬁ sacr ce to trees and springs ; some in secret , others openly practised in spections of victim s and divina tions , legerdemain and incantations ; some turned their attention to auguries and auspices and various ﬁ 1 hi mi sacri cial rites ; w le others , with sounder nds ,

the abandoned all profanations of heathenism , and

' committed none of these things . With the advice and counsel of these last , the saint attempted , in the place 2 l Gaesme re v cal ed , while the ser ants of God stood by

3 i r z his side , to fell a certain oak of extraord na y si e ,

ll Oak which is ca ed , by an old name of the pagans , the 4 hi of Jupiter . And when in the strength of s steadfast 5 heart he had cut the lower notch , there was present a u 5 i great m ltitude of pagans , who in the r souls were most earnestly cursin g the enemy of their gods . But

Au us in e De S ermone Domi ni i . . BOhm er Re esto I m eri i g t , , , 4 ; J F , g p , M a r I c En lb r uhlb che nn bru . 8 i 1 d cd. b e e s , (3 , y g t , k , p 3 , no . 76a . 1 E , 43 2 here are in Hesse e eral laces The location is uncertain . T s v p m na ed Geismar. 3 S uccidere. 4 The Latin rendering of the Teutoni c Thor. 5 et f the ﬁrs or lo er no ch cut to the Cum arborem succidiss . O t w t , centre of the tree from the side toward whi ch it was in tended that the

ree all t should f . 5 loh u it Ad arboris incisionem ma na a ano AS Ot p ts , g p g rum multitudo concurrit assembled no doubt from the farms and

illa for mile around hile the axe was ma in its slo ro ress v ges s , w k g w p g h ood through the toug w . 64 WILLIBALD

1 r when the fo e side of the tree was notched only a little, ’ suddenly the oak s vast bulk , driven by a divine blast from above , crashed to the ground , shivering its crown of branches as it fell ; and , as if by the gracious dis

ensati on M H p of the ost igh , it was also burst into four r z parts , and fou trunks of huge si e , equal in length , were seen , unwrought by the brethren who stood by .

At this sight the pagans who before had cursed now , on the contrary , believed , and blessed the Lord , and put away their former reviling . Then moreover the t most holy bishop , after taking counsel wi h the breth ren , built from the timber of the tree a wooden oratory, and dedicated it in honor of Saint P eter the apostle! ’ When by the favor of God s will all that we have ﬁ told was ful lled and accomplished , the saint went on to Thuringia . And he addressed the elders of the

1 i f r Ad odi um uidem arbore raec so. O the second u e or m c q p , pp , or no on the side hich a eman and ec a or a a he r f e tch , w x sp t t s f ced s t t ee i fell in the Opposite di rect on . This passage has been an inveterate stumbling-block to interpret r m Otloh to Am d all ha e i en renderin e uall unsati e . ro s s F t, v g v g q y s a or erha s because he lac ed the rac ical ac uain ance i h f ct y, p p t y k p t q t w t ’ the woodman s craft which we may assume in Boniface and Willibald a a on of the ei h h cen ur If we a e i n r s S x s g t t y . t k succid sset a d p aeci so as

echnical erms of oodcra as I ha e done and if we su ose ha t t w ft, v , pp t t ’ the oak was to some e en hollo Willibald s accoun become in all xt t w, t s im r n r i n r l po ta t espects cons ste t and c edib e . It ma be ob ec ed to his in er re a ion ha i r to y j t t t p t t , t t t equi res us take succidisset as used in a different sense from succidere in the preceding sen en e hi no m i c . T s does t see a erious Ob ec on oh Bonnell t s j t : Otl , , Ktilb and Arnd to name no others ha e reco niz d h ence of , t , , v g e t e exist the difference hou h none of hem has chanced to hit u on the same , t g t p ren dering for succidisset. THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 6 5

i u church and the ch efs of the people , and s mmoned them to forsake their blind ignorance and to return to

r the Ch istian religion which they had before accepted . 1 For the sovereignty of their kings came to an end ; and under the perilous leadershi p of Theotbald and

H i r eden , whose d sast ous and dangerous sway over them rested rather on tyr anny and devastation than on loyalty , a great number of their counts were visited with bodily death by the two tyrants , or captured and

off r r carried by the enemy , and we e so g eatly strait ened by evils Of various sorts that the remaining rem nant of the people had submitted to the dominion of

r the Saxons . And when the sove eignty of the religious k du es ceased , there ceased also in the land attention to

r i r hr Ch istianity and rel gion , and false b et en , seducing

: the people , were brought in who under the name of

r religion introduced a large and perverse he etical sect .

f Torchtwine B erehthere E anbercht O whom are and , 2 Hunraed r and , whoremonge s and adulterers , whom ,

: 3 in the words of the apostle , God hath judged who stirred up a most vehement conﬂict against the man of f God ; but, opposed and con uted by the words of truth , they received a just judgment of recompense . When the renewed splendor of faith had dawned

r among the people , and the chu ch was snatched from the great snare of error ; while the friends of the pro fane enemy and the abovementioned dangerous se ducers of the people were now banished : the saint

1 Mor ro erl du es as he are called in the ollo in sen ence . e p p y k , t y f w g t 2 3 ii H r s i . Married cler . eb e gy w , x , 4 66 WILLIBALD

entered upon a harvest truly plenteous , yet with few

1 ﬁr reapers . And at st he endured great want of this ’ i world s goods , and frugal liv ng ; and , though strait

r ened and distressed by g eat indigence, scattered the 2 seed of the word Of God . But when little by little the i multitude of the bel evers increased , and the roll of the li preachers too was multip ed , then also churches were

n r n quickly restored , and the preachi g of his doct i es was diffused in many ways ; and the united servants of God and the most holy monks were gathered to h gether , and a monastery was built in the place w ich is

3 rairn called Orthorpf. These procured food and ent for themselves by labo ring assiduously with their own 4 hands after the manner of the apostle . The report of hi s holy preaching was so spread abroad , and increased to such a degree, that already his fame resounded thr ough the greatest part of E urope . And from the parts of Britain an exceed ingly great mul titude of the congregation of the serv Of : ants God had come unto him readers , and writers f . O r also , and men learned in other arts these a ve y great number put themselves under the instruction of

l r m his ru e, and in ve y many places sum oned the people

1 Ma he ix . tt w, , 3 7 2 Liud er Vita Gre orii 2 re er to ri g ( g , ) f s thi s pe od they were obli ed to li e b the or of heir hands and ome im in r g v y w k t , s t es fea of death to ﬂee with their people to the ci ty from the persecution of the a ans and there to d ell s rai ened b hun er for n un il p g ; w t t y g ma y days, t the citiz ens gathered their forces and again drove back the pagans i h the ron h n w t st g a d. 3 4 Ohrdruf near Go ha . I orin hians iv 1 2 , t C t , , .

68 WIL LIBALD

rejoiced greatly , and , being exceedingly strengthened in by the devoted support of the apostolic see , and spired by the aid of the divine mercy, built two 1 Frideslare . One churches to the Lord was in , which he consecrated in honor of Saint P eter Chief of the

Ham anab r h 2 i apostles . The second was in u c ; th s he

r dedicated in honor of Saint Michael the a changel . Moreover he attached two small monasteries to the

r chu ches , and added to these no small company of the servants of God , so that unto this day glory and bless ing and thanksgivings are devoutly Offered to the Lord

God .

When all this was duly accomplished , he went to the

D Hu obert 3 lands of the Bavarians , where then uke g reigned , and employed among them most assiduously hi s for r ardor p eaching , and went around to many churches and inspected them . And he was armed with

z r so great eal of divine fortitude , that t uly he con dem ned r and cast out , in accordance with the dec ees

r hereti of the canons , a ce tain schismatic beguiled by

Eremvulf a cal depravity , by n me , and amended the

r people from the perverse idolat y of his sect . And he

r r es departed , and retu ned to the b ethren who were tablished : under the diocese of his governance having ,

r according to the wo d of the apostle , a desire to come 4 unto the brethren .

1 Fritz lar. 2 T m Am n r h o he a e as a abu c ab e . s , v 3 Di no r ed t late than the beginning of 736 . 4 R omans 2 . , xv , 3 CHAPTER VII

How HE EXP ELLED THE HERETICS FROM THE PROVI NCE OF THE B RI I I IT I O O P RI H AVA ANS, AND D V DED NT F UR A S ES

WE have occupied some time with selected examples S of the merits of aint Boniface , in order that we may

r r set forth , b ieﬂy indeed , the strong direction of eligion by whi ch he guided himself unceasingly through all

or periods of hi s life . F in truth among saints it is a

s i m practice of long tand ng , that they i prove them

hr of selves daily t ough the examples others , and that the strength of love in their hearts increases with the decrease of the reckoning of their days . When no small number of churches had been built H among the essians and in Thuringia , and a warden had been provided for each church , then , accompanied th i by a band of the disciples , he came for the ird t me to Rome , on account of the brotherly communion of the sacred apostolic bishop and of the whole clergy that he might enjoy the salutary conversation of the apostolic father , and , being now advanced in age , com mend himself to the prayers of the saints . But when after the immensely long journey he was presented to

r r S the lo d apostolic , Grego y the Younger the econd , he was kindly received by the pope , and was held in such great veneration by everyone , as well Romans as

69 7 0 WILLIBAL D

hi s strangers , that many ﬂocked together unto whole

hi . For n o some teac ng of Fra ks and Bavarians , and als

r i r of Saxons a riving from Brita n , and of other p ovinces , a prodigious multitude clave sedulously unto his ad monition . And when he had tarried in these regions 1 for Of a great part of a year , and had made the round

Of in the relics the saints , praying as he went ; then

o oi deed , having again saluted the venerable bish p the

r apostolic see , he retu ned home , honored and enriched ’ I n . e with gifts and saints relics Coming to taly, he 2 tered Ticena hi s m the walls of the city , and , as li bs Liut were already weary from old age , rested with

r L prand , the hono able king of the ombards . 3 D r I r epa ting from taly, he visited the Bava ians , not i O u only because of the nvitation of dilo their d ke, but

r also of his own desi e , and remained among them

r r many days , p eaching the gospel of the wo d of God . He renewed the sacraments of the true faith and of

r r religion , and d ove away the dest oyers of churches

r r r and perve te s of the people . Of these some fo merly falsely preferred themselves to the rank of the episco pacy ; some assigned themselves to the priestly oﬂi ce ; some by these inventions and innum erable others mi s

a . l led great part of the people But the saint, a ready i nf i ded cated to God from i ancy, and not endur ng the u hi s D ins lt to Lord , restrained uke Odi lo and the whole multitude from the un just heretical false sect 4 and from the lewd deception of the priests . And with

1 Ab 2 3 o 8 . u P ia . I t 73 av n 739 . 4 The relation of Boni face to the work of the earlier Celtic mi s THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 7 1 the consent of Duke Odilo he divided the province of the Bavarians into four parishes , and to rule them

u r made fo r bishops , whom he ordained and aised to f k . O ﬁr the episcopal ran these the st , John by name , assumed the episcopal chair of the church in thetown 1 S alz burch . Erembert which is called The second was , th who ruled as chief watchman e church at Freising .

hi Gaibald r The t rd , , was shephe d and guard of the h 2 churc in the city of Regina . And when all things

hr r were duly performed , and the C istian o der was

r r established , and the canon laws we e resto ed among

r t hi s the Bava ians , hen he returned home to own churches . And he governed the people committed to hi s ro care, and watched the folds of the ﬂocks , and p vided sentinels for the church ; and so delivered the

irn o 3 sheep from the jaws of pi us wolves . When the temporal kingdom of glorious Duke

ﬁni shed 4 Charles was , and the sovereignty of his sons P Carloman and ippin waxed strong , then indeed , by the help of the Lord God and at the suggestion of Saint sionaries in Germany is discussed in detail by August Ebrard in his essa s Di e i roschottische Mi ssionskir he des sechsten si ebenten und y , c , , achten ahrhund t nd ih er itun und B ede t n au d J er s , u re V bre g u u g f em

Festland Gii tersloh and B oni atius der Z erstbrer des olum ( , f , c banischen Kir t au d F t a Gii tersloh chen ums f em es l nde ( , 1 r Salz bu g . 2 Ra i bon — The hree com le e the al e of bisho s t s (Regensburg) . t p t t p i im Th o r bi o Vivilo of orda ned b Boni ace at his e . e u h sh y f t t f t p , P assau ha bee ead ordained b Gre or III as is e ressl , d n alr y y g y , xp y ’ s ed in re r le r f 2 ob r conﬁrmin the es abli sh tat G go y s tte o 9 Oct e 739 , g t

m n o i ho . e f the b ri s . E . t s p c , 45 3 4 l M r l e in c ober 1 . ohn 1 2 . har es a e di d O J , x , C t t , 74 7 2 WILLIBALD

hr Boniface the archbishop , the testament of the C is

i ﬁr in sti tu tian rel gion was con med , and the synodal tions of the orthodox fathers were established in proper w s form among the Franks , and all a amended and cleansed by the authority of the canons . The wrongful connection of laymen with concubines was in part severed at the exhortation of the saint ; 1 while the impious union of clergymen with wives was disjoined 2 and put away . And through the teaching of Saint Boniface such great ardor of divine love was kindled in

P r Carloman and ippin , that to a large extent they f eed the church from the perverse worship to which it had been long accustomed : wherein it had lost the right of nh 3 eternal i eritance , being involved of its own will , and

r t deceived by the suggestion Of heretics . Fo o such a degree had the sect of heretics choked the light of i sp ritual doctrine among the people, that the dark fog of heretical deception had covered a very great part f . wo O of the church T the heretics , for example , Alde 4 r r r be t and Clemens , led astray by p ofane g eed of

1 a tulare i on 2 M r h H i r i S uess ense a c : in M . G. a ula ia C p , 744 , 4 C p t , i 2 , p . 9 . 2 Le ison uo es Ca i tulare S uessi onens e 8 also Karlmanni v q t p , 3 , ; it la e 2 1 A ril 2 Ca u r 1 6 on . 2 f. or in the E stolae 6 . p , p 74 , , , 7 , pp 5 , pi , 5 In all hese cases ho e er the ordin i ambi uou rh t , w v , w g s g s pe aps purposely so . 3 H br ix e e s 1 . w , , 5 4 Aldebert a Galli c seudo-sain is an in eres in ﬁ ure of hom , p t , t t g g , w one would like to know more than is contained in the scanty and ar ial no i r i H o d r t p t t ces that have su v ved . e w ul appea o have been a ro he n i i n r p p t a d v s o a y somewhat of the type of the late Joseph Smi th . lemens a s ubborn Bible S co or Iri hman ro e u r m di C , t t , s , p f ssed a s p e e s THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 73

1 r money , assiduously tu ned the people from the way of

. S ni truth But when aint Bo face the archbishop , with

of P r the consent Carloman and ippin , glo ious dukes ,

Of C r expelled them from the unity the hurch , they we e ,

r r S in the wo ds of the apostle , delive ed unto atan for the destruction of the ﬂesh , that the spirit may be

r 2 saved in the day of the Lo d . re ard for the ie s of the hol athers erome Au us ine and Gre g v w y f J , g t , g or and sou h r h r o ha i ond c b the rece s of the y, g t at e t s pe h s c u t y p pt

B oo of D e r no 0 6 2 a it la e S uessi o u e o m . E . 6 C u r k t y , 5 7 , 5 9 , , , 7 7 ; p M nense 2 arch 2 . , 744 , , 7 1 ! uod crimen ii sdem ab ipso Bonifatio minime obiectum est. L i o ev s n . 2 I o hi rin ans E . . C t , v , 5 ; , 5 9 CHAPTER VIII

How THROUGH HI S WHOLE LIFE HE P REACHE D ZEAL OUSLY ; AND WITH WHA T END HE LE FT THI S WORLD

1 O R n u l r F U sy odal co nci s we e held , where there gath

r s r s e ed together bishops and priest , deacons and cle ic , D and all ecclesiastical ranks , whom uke Carloman of illustrious memory caused to be summoned under the i r hi . sove eignty of s kingdom At these , Bon face , arch bishop ; rul er of the bishopric of the city of Magonti a by the consent and gift of Carloman hi mself ; legate of

ﬁr the Roman church and of the apostolic see , sent st by

r see r the holy and vene able bishop of that , Grego y the S Younger , or the econd , to count from the First ; then

n r by the honorable Gregory who was the You ge , count in S i g from the econd , or the Th rd , to count from the

i I r F rst ; Boniface , say, u ged that numerous canons and ordi nances of the four principal early councils be preserved for the wholesome increase of the heavenly 2 : r n l 3 doctrine in orde that, as in the Nicene cou ci , when Constantine Augustus admi nistered the empire of the

r wo ld , the falsehood of the Arian blasphemy was over hr ﬁf t own ; as the assembly of a hundred and ty fathers ,

1 - 74 2 747 . 2 Willibald condenses the succeedi ng summ ary of the four principal councils rom Isidorus His alensis Et molo i vi 1 f p , y g ae, , 6 . 3 In 2 3 5 .

76 WILLIBALD

1 For known . it is the nature of the world , that even f if it be recruited , it daily suf ers damage and decrease

t r within itself ; while if it is not ho oughly renewed , it

r expends itself and vanishes away , and hu ries breath lessly to its predestined end . Wherefore in the pilgrim

of r ir age this mo tal life , if for healing sp itual leaders have ascertained any matters for the common proﬁ t of the weak in this world , even if at times these matters have been introduced into the minds of men , they ought to be preserved and most strongly defended by im Catholics , and held with minds determined and

: or movable lest human oblivion steal upon them , the enticing delight of worldly enjoyment impede at the

r instigation of the devil . Fo this reason our holy bishop of the Lord , moved by sharpest anxiety in this regard , sought to deliver the folk from the baleful 2 beguiling of the crooked serpent , and very often urged Duke Carloman to assemble the synodal meeting : that both to men then livi ng and to later generations the wisdom of spiritual learni ng might be disclosed and the r knowledge of Ch istianity come , while the snaring of souls was averted . After he placed a mirror (as it were) of canonical rectitude before all ranks for a pattern of right living , and the way of truth became clearly visible to all ,

Boniface , being old , weak , and decrepit , presented a

1 Boni ace ro e to Po e acharias earl in 2 The old me f w t p Z , y 74 n sa ha the ran s ha e held no s nod for more han ei h ear y t t F k v y t g ty y s, nor had an archbisho nor es ablish or r n p , t ed e ewed in any place the ” n l of h ur h ca on a s t e ch c . E . 0 . w , 5 2 Isaiah ii 1 . , xxv , THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 7 7

for hi s plan wholesome himself and feebleness , and in accordance with the rule of ecclesiastical management

r for : provided a pastoral magist acy the peoples that ,

r i di whethe he l ved or ed , the folk might not lack pas H tors and their healing care . e promoted to the epis 1 di copal order two men of good ligence , Willibald and r di Bu chard , and vided unto them the churches com mitted to his charge in the innermost parts of the East

r Franks and the conﬁnes of the Bava ians . To Willibald he entrusted the government of his diocese 2 in the 3 place named Haegsted . To Burchard he delegated 4 5 fﬁ Wirz aburch rank and o ce in the place called , and allotted to his province the churches in the borders of the Franks and Saxons and Slavs . And even unto the glorious day of his death he opened without ceasing the narrow way 5 of the heavenly kingdom unto the multi tudes . P r ippin , fortunate successor of his b other Carlo

7 r man , by the grace of God received the oyal kingdom of the Franks , and there being now a slight lull in the 5 3 di . sorder of the peoples , was raised to the rank of king

1 In 74 1 . 2 i tores 1 . 10 . . H Scr Vita Willibaldi in M . G , 5 , p , xv , , p 5 3 5 i Wii rz bur . E chstatt . g 4 5 M he V II 1 . E . 0 1 . a , 5 , 5 , 5 3 tt w , , 4 7 Carloman abdicated in 74 7 and became a monk . 3 — 749 75 1 3 R ni F an orum Hannoverae o ember 1 . A nnales e r c In N v , 75 g ( ,

in i tor Rerum Germani carum . 8 10 Pi in was 1 895 : S cr p es ) , pp , pp h om of the ran s and anoin ed b chosen king according to t e cust F k , t y i o Boniface of hol memor and was roclaimed the hand of Archb sh p y y, p ” Rettber re ec s the king by the Franks in the city of Soissons . g j t 78 WILLIBALD Then he began solicitously to fulﬁ l the vows he had sworn unto the Lord , and to restore without delay the i synodal ordinances , and to renew the canon cal mys teries which his brother in accordance with the exhor

’ tation of Saint Boniface the archbishop had faithft commenced , and to prefer Boniface in friendship and honor , and to obey his precepts in the Lord . But i 1 because the saint , oppressed by bod ly weakness , was not altogether able to attend the synodal assemblies ,

r r he now dete mined , with the app oval and advice of

i ni hi s the glorious k ng , to set a proper mi ster over 2 . H ﬂock e appointed Lul , his able disciple , to teach the multitude of the great church, and advanced and him mi ordained to the episcopal rank , and com tted to him the inheritance which he had won in Christ by Lul earnest labor . was the trusty comrade in the Lord

f ri of his pilgrimage , and was witness both of the su fe ng 3 and of the consolation . Now when the Lord wished to deliver hi s servant from the temptation of this world and to raise him up i from the tribulations of the temporal l fe, then it was

ac determined by the ordinance of the Lord , that , Of companied by the servants God , he should come to F ti risia , which afore me he had left in body , not in mind : in order that where ﬁr st he entered upon his

r hi hi s ﬁ active p eac ng and pro ts and rewards began , anoin in of Pi in b Boni ace and u or hi osi ion b a t g pp y f , s pp ts s p t y r n l i i i es hi t ca eful a a ys s of the Frankish chron cles . K rcheng c ch e De a i — 1 H th r th utschl nds . 8 . auc on e o he hand acce s e , , pp 3 3 39 k , t , pt

i . 1 s or . i rchen es hi hte Deutschlands 2 e . 6 . t y K g c c , ( d d ) p 5 1 2 3 i i E . . I bid. II orin h ans . , 93 C t , , 7 THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 79

r there also , leaving the wo ld , he might receive the charge of recompense . He foretold the comi ng day of hi s death to Bishop

r t Lul by a marvellous and in a way p ophe ic forecast , and made known to him with what end he was at last hi m hi to leave the world , and set before in order s plans for the building of churches and the teachi ng of the

i lﬁl r . I people des re , said he , to fu the jou ney set I l l before me . shal not be able to ca l myself back from the welcome departing journey . For now the day of 1 my departure is at hand , and the time of my death approaches ; now I shall put aside the prison of the

r r z recom body , and retu n to the p i e of the eternal pense . But do thou , dearest son , conduct to comple tion the building of churches whi ch I have commenced

D r in Thur ingia . O thou most earnestly ecall the

rr people from the trackless waste of e or . And do thou complete the construction of the basilica already 2 begun at Fulda , and bring thither my body aged by ” 3 many hastening years . And having made an end of i i r Of th s d scou se , he added to it more words the follow

: Son r ing sort , saying , provide by thy most p udent counsel everything which must be joined to our use in thi s our journey ; but also lay in the chest of my books i a l nen cloth , wherein my decrepit body may be ” wrapped .

1 H im iv T o h 6 . t y , , 2 See re or Ri ch er B eitra e z ur Ges hi chte der Grabeskirche des G g t , g c B i i - ubildum 1 0 hl . on fati us i n Fulda in Festgabe z um B on fatius J 9 5 ul (F da , 3 E . , 86 . 80 WILLIBALD

At this sad speech Bishop Lul could not restrain his

r . S sobs , but forthwith wept unrest ainedly Then aint Boniface made an end of the conversation and turned

H r to other matters . e did not draw back f om the hi 1 journey w ch he had undertaken , but , after a few ’ days interval , took travelling companions and went 2 r i h on boa d sh p , and pushed down the R ine , seeking t ﬁ haven at night ime, until he entered the moist elds of the Frisians , and passed in safety across the lake 3 A elm ere which in their tongue is called , and made a round of inspection along shores barren of the divine 4 z Of r seed . And after escaping peril and ha ard ivers

r and the sea and of the great wate s , he went safely into

r danger , and visited the pagan nation of the F isians , whose land is divided by the intervening waters into

r r many ter itories and dist icts , yet in such wise that the different names indicate the property of a single nation . But since it would be tedious to repeat the districts in order , we desire to mention by name only those whi ch are veraciously cited to afford connection to our narrative : that place and language may equally ’ m our trans it story of the saint s piety, and disclose the end with which he left this world . SO all he traversed Frisia , and removed the pagan worship and overthr ew the erroneous way of heathen

1 At thi s poin t the pun ctuation of the older texts is preferable to ‘ tha of aﬁ é and Levi n who be i ir n w r ra h in mi t J so , g n the e pa ag p the d dl of en n e a s te ce . 2 This voyage must be placed in the summ er probably the early mm r i r su e e the of 75 3 or of 754 . 3 Aelmere e Nobl , th e Sea n ow the Zuyder Zee . 4 M he iii L iii 1 a u e 1 . tt w, x ; k , v , THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 8 1

r r ism , and ea nestly p eached the word of God ; and , t having des royed the divinity of the heathen temples ,

r z he built chu ches with great eal . And now he bap tiz ed r many thousand pe sons , men and women and little ones , being aided by his fellow soldier and suf fra an E oba m g bishop , whom he sum oned to Frisia to

hi s aid the feebleness of old age , charging him with the bishopric in the city whi ch is called Trecht; and by

are : priests and deacons , of whom these the names

Wintrun Walthere Ethelhere g and and , endowed with r Oﬂi ce r H the sace dotal of the p iesthood ; amund ,

S cirbald L , and Bosa , assigned to the service of evites ;

Wacchar Gundaecer Illehere Hathovulf and , and ,

r raised to the conventual o der of monks . These with Saint Boniface published widely through the people 1 L the seed of eternal life, and , supported by the ord

God , made it known to such an extent , that even as in accordance with the pattern of the apostolic custom 2 r on they were of one hea t and one soul , so they had e ’ r r and the same marty s c own , one and the same reward of victory . After the splendor of faith of whi ch we have spoken dawned through Frisia , and the happy end of our ’ 3 saint s life approached , then , accompanied only by a

1 Lu e i ii 1 1 Th i h or of o e seed s t e d G d. k , v , w 2 i Ac s v 2 . t , , 3 3 i i A r o E i ita a i 1 . r r n cco di n t l V S t rm a in M G. H Sc to e g g , , s ( p s, ,

. hi s was in the second summ er of the risian minis r a er an p t F t y , ft in e in r n In the en h ear a er he remo t rven g winte in Germa y . t t y ft ved to the hol lace ulda the hol Archbisho Boni ace ha i n a en y p !F ! , y p f , v g t k counsel i h the in and o her hris ians en to the ar her lace w t k g t C t , w t f t p s 8 2 WILLIBALD

hi s number of hi s personal followers , he pitched tents 1 hi B ordne hi by the bank of the river w ch is called , w ch is upon the limits of the di stricts which in the country

r tongue are call ed Ostor and Weste aeche . But be cause he had appointed unto the people , already scat

r ﬁr te ed far and wide , a holiday of con mation of the neophytes , and of the laying on of hands by the bishop

z Of ﬁ upon the newly bapti ed and their con rmation , 2 hi s every man went unto own house , that in accord ance with the precise comm and of the holy bishop all might be presented together on the day set for their conﬁrmation .

Wholly opposite was the event . When the appointed day had dawned , and the morning light was breaking h after the rising of the sun , t en came enemies instead

r hi of friends , new licto s instead of new wors ppers of the faith ; and a vast multitude of foes , armed with

i r r 3 s spears and sh elds , ushed with glitte ing weapon

Of the risians hich ere addi c ed to the a an orshi and here F , w w t p g w p , t by teaching and baptiz ing brought a vast multitude ofpeople unto the

Lord . Thence a er a lon ime de ar in he came in sa e to his ft g t p t g , f ty r n B ut in the oll o in e r he came in own chu ches in Germa y . f w g y a aga to the moist ﬁelds of the Frisians ; for he desired to complete the work i of preachi ng wh ch he had begun . 1 m in D r in of ri l n The Boo the u ch o ce es a d. , t p v F 2 ohn vii J , 53 3 Bibrantibus : wrongly rendered as passive (mit geschwungenen

Wa en b Bonn ell Kijlb and Arnd as indi ca in sound mit ﬁ ) y , , t ; t g (

' ' ’ Wa en eton b Simson who i led as ra b the ill-o -the-wis ﬁ g ) y , s t y y w p ’ au hori of Otloh ara hr I e i a the id mean o be t ty s p p ase . tak t th t ea t t con e ed is ha of the la of li h u on swi l mo in s eel as in v y t t p y g t p ft y v g t , ’ Scott s story of the attack on the smugglers in Guy Mannering : The ress became uriousl a i ed hile ome ndea ored to de end p f y g tat , w s e v f

84 WILLIBALD

. w him , and he will release your souls But also ith t fa herly speech he incited those standing near , priests ’ n and deacons and men of lower ra k , trained to God s

: Men service, saying and brethren , be of stout heart ,

l are and fear not them who kil the body , since they not ul 1 able to slay the so , which continues without end ; but rejoice in the Lord , and fasten to God the anchor

r of your hope . FO straightway he shall render you the reward of perpetual recompense , and shall give you an abode in hi s heavenly palace with the angels who dwell on hi gh . D o not enslave yourselves to the empty pleasures of this world ; be not seduced by the vain flatteries of the Gentiles ; but endure fir mly here the sudden moment of death that ye may be able to reign with Christ for all time . While with such exhorta tion of doctrine he was kindly inciting the disciples to the crown of martyrdom , quickly the mad tumult of pagans rushed in upon them wi th swords and all the ’ equipment of war , and stained the saints bodies with propitious gore . Having worked their will on the mortal flesh of the

z just , the exultant throng of heathens at once sei ed the

r spoils of victo y , the fruit of their damnation , and ,

r wasting the camp , shared and plunde ed the booty .

But also they stole the chests , in which were many o b volumes of b oks , and the boxes of relics ; and , e lieving themselves enriched by a great abundance of

r gold and Silve , carried away the cases , locked as they

r hi . we e , to the s ps Now in the ships was the daily 1 M atthew, x, 2 8 . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 85

sustenance of the clerics and attendants , and some wine still left of the same supply . And when they

n ~ found the beloved dri k , the heathens hastily com menced to sate their thirsty maws and to make their

r i r stomachs d unken with w ne ; and at length , th ough the wonderful direction of almighty God , they took

i o counsel , and began to discuss concern ng the bo ty and spoils that they had taken , and to deliberate how they might mutually share the gold or silver which they had not even seen . Whi le they held wordy dis cussion over the riches they reckoned so great , again and again di spute and quarrels sprang up ; and ﬁnally m there began such en ity and discord , that insane

z i n fren y d vided the ragi g throng into two factions ,

r i r and at last they tu ned the weapons , with wh ch ea lier

r r r r they had mu de ed the holy ma ty s , against each other in merciless strife . After the most part of the raging thr ong had been

r laid low, the survivo s ran rejoicing to the wealth

i r gained by the loss of souls and life , wh le the ivals who opposed them respecting the passionately coveted treasure lay dead . Having broken Open the boxes of books , they found volumes instead of gold , and for

r r silver , leaves of divine lea ning . Thus dep ived of the

r r precious reward of gold and silver , they scatte ed ove the meadow some of the books which they found ;

r r others they th ew away , casting some into the eed i thickets of the marshes , h ding the rest each in a dif i ferent place . But by the grace of alm ghty God and through the prayers of Saint Boniface the archbishop 86 WILLIBAL D

and martyr , the books were found a long time after , nh sound and u armed , and returned by the several dis coverers to the house 1 in which even unto this day 2 they are of usefor the salvation of souls . S ad at the loss of the wealth on whi ch they had reck ’ oned r r . r , the mu derers retu ned home After th ee days respite , they experienced in their own possessions a

r greater loss , and also paid life for life in ret ibution . For the omnipotent Author and Reformer of the world

hi s wished to avenge himself on enemies , and with the z eal Of hi s wonted compassion to take revenge for the 3 D blood of saints shed for hi s sake . eeply moved by the recent act of mad wickedness , he wished to show hi s openly wrath , too long deferred , against the idola

1 Presumably the ca thedral at Fulda . 2 Three boo s the so-called codi ce B oni ati ani a cribed b radi k , s f , s y t i hi collec ion ar res r ed in e n a on to e e e i e . t t s t , p v th La d sb blioth k t Fulda

arl Scherer Di e odi ces B oni ati ani i n der Landesbibli othek zu Fulda C , C f ,

’ in F t a z B - M Lindsa es be um oni atius J ubilciu ulda W . . g f m (F , y, a — f e e E rl I rish Mi nuscule S c i t O ord . 1 2 . One o th s y r p ( xf , pp 4 , cut almos hrou h b some shar in s rumen is radi ionall identi t t g y p t t , t t y fi ed with the book mentioned In the Life of Boniface attributed to i ho L As I was m in B Radbod of rech e i on i . a s p Ut t ( v s , V tae, p k g in uirie concernin Boni ac In e me r ion on he nce ha I q s g f e th sa eg , t cha t t mi h find some ma erial for m or I wa old ha a cer ain oman g t t y w k , s t t t t w wa et li in hou h rea l enfeebled b a e who was on to s y v g , t g g t y y g , w t asser i h an oa h ha she was resen hen the soldi er of hris t w t t , t t p t w C t was beheaded and o sa ha hen he wa smi en b the s ord he , t y , t t w s tt y w covered hi s head wi th a copy of the holy gospels : that beneath it he mi h recei e the ro f as i and h m h ha e its g t v st ke o the sass n, that e ig t v de nc in dea h h d lo it or in lif fe e th, as e a ved s w ds e . 3 R on P m 0 m Bremen uses the e ela i xvi 6 s l l i 1 . Ada of v t , , ; a s , xx x , e n r r r nn ion Gesta Ham s co d of these efe ences in a ve y similar co ect . mabur i l P nti m i gens s Ecc esiae o ficu , , 49 . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 87

ters . And as the unexpected tidings of the temporal slaughter of the sainted martyrs ﬂew through the dis tricts l i and Vil ages and the whole prov nce , and the Christians learne d of the corporeal death of the m ar tyrs , they at once collected a very large expeditionary

r force , and , being war iors prepared to take speedy vengeance , hurried to the boundary . After the lapse ’ of the three days period mentioned above , they en tered the land of the infidels as unharmed but un w friendly guests , and overthrew ith prodigious carnage the pagans who came up against them . The pagans were unable to withstand the fir st onset of the Chris fli tian folk , and consequently betook themselves to ght and were slaughtered in great numbers . Fleeing , they lost their lives and household goods and children . But the Christians took as spoil the wives and little ones 1 l of the superstitious fo k , their menservants also and

a . maidservants , and returned to their own l nd And it came to pass in wondrous wise , that the neighboring

t r mi s hea hen that survived , shattered by p esent of fortune , were enlightened by the glory faith and preferred to shun eternal torment ; and , thoroughly

r ﬁ ni r u te ri ed by the admi st ation of the divine reb ke, i accepted , upon the death of Bishop Bon face , the proof of hi s doctrine whi ch they rejected while he lived . l z With swel ing sails and favorable bree es , the body of the sainted bishop , and also those of the other

r r r ma ty s , were b ought after not many days across

1 enesis i 2 Numbers i . G , xxx v , 9 ; , xxx , 9 88 WILLIBALD the sea which is called A ehn ere to the abovenam ed city of Trecht . There they were deposited and in terr d 1 hf e , until religious and fait ul brethren in the

Ma ontia Lord arrived from g , sent by Ship by Bishop

Lul, the successor of our holy bishop and martyr of

r ri Ch ist , to b ng the corpse of the saint to the monas

o ri hi t ry which he had built du ng his life , and w ch is situate on the banks of the river Fulda . Of these

r r H r b eth en there was one , adda by name , the p omoter

r z r of the journey and o gani e of the party , who led a life of singular sanctity and peculiar chasti ty and con

tinence . r who To him especially, with the b ethren

w t hi m o e r went i h , Bish p Lul ntrusted the pe formance of this embassy and the bringing of the sacred body : that greater honor Of devotion might be paid to the

the venerable saint , and that witness of many might

r prevail mo e in those matters which they heard or saw . When the honorable brethr en of this holy company

the Trecht r came to city of , a small c owd of the people gathered to Oppose them . When the crowd heard how

r P an edict had been issued by glo ious King ippin, the

r count of the city proclaimed an interdict, and fo bade that the body of Bishop Boniface should be removed

r r thence . But the st ength of the Almighty is stronge ’

r . h r di than men s st ength W e efore imme ately, in the

r r r presence of all , a ma vellous and memo able mi acle

r r hr was hea d , w ought t ough angelic rather than human ll r . he unde standing The of the church , untouched by

Of i human hands , was rung , as a token the admon tion

1 Ei il Vita S turmi 1 g , , sa . THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 89

the all of sacred body ; so that , smitten by sudden fear r stu eﬁ ed and terror , we e p , and trembled exceedingly , and cried out that the body of thi s righteous man must be given up . And so at once the body was yielded , and was honorably removed by the aforesaid brethr en

r r 1 of sac ed memory , and without labo of rowers was brought on the thir tieth day after the saint ’ s decease i to the abovementioned city of Magont a . The wonderful providence of alm ighty God brought it to pass , that on one and the same day , though the t ime had not been beforehand set and appointed , there

r hi r assembled unto the fune al of t s g eat man , as if the

r day had been set and p edetermined , not only the

or r a r ambassad s who b ought the s c ed body , but also many faithful men and women from di stant and widely ’ scattered countries . Moreover the saint s successor in

oﬂi ce r his venerable , Lul , bishop of the Lo d , who at ’ a r th t time was p esent in the king s palace , came to the city of Magontia as it were at the same hour and mo

r ment, though he was altogether igno ant of the occa 2 of . sion , and knew not the arrival of the sacred body

1 P er Rh eni alveum navim trahere et su eriora e ere coe e , p p t p

n mi 1 b . ru . Vita S tur t , 5 2 This passage is di scussed at length by Michael Tangl in his essay

” ' Das Todes ahr des Bonifa ius in eitschri t des Verei ns ur hess j t , Z f f i sch Ges hichte und Landeskunde Neue ol e xvii assel e c , F g , x (C ,

r ho r to ei h some ha hea il 2 . I a ea s to me e e pp . 43 f t pp , w v , w g w t v y ’ in Tan l s con en ion see belo ha B oni ace died in not aga st g t t ( w) t t f 7 54 , ’ In the la er ear Lul s resence at the 75 5 as stated by Willibald. tt y p alace at erneuil near the end of une is robable sin ce Kin p V J p , g Pippin had assembled there a synod of almost all the bishops Of the ” i ri i 2 — Bohmer-Mii hlbacher a a ula a . G uls . M C p t , , pp 3 3 7 ; , 90 WILLIBALD

z And all , strangers and citi ens , were oppressed by sorrow and grief , yet rejoiced abundantly and were glad . For in viewing the temporal and bodily death

r of this great bishop , they g ieved , on the one hand , for

hi s i the loss of corporeal presence , wh le on the other hand they beli eved that he would be protector to them and theirs for all time to come . Wherefore ,

i r r the r hea ts to n by these conﬂicting emotions , the

wi r people , th the p iests and deacons and every cc clesiastical nk r ra , ca ried the dead saint to that place 1 which he had determined upon while alive . They

r prepared a new sarcophagus in the chu ch , and placed

r the body there with the customa y rites of sepulture .

r And when all was duly pe formed , they returned to

r . their homes , comfo ted by the power of faith But in the place where they interred the sacred body there was an abundant succession of divine blessings .

r Th ough the prayers of the saint , those who came thi ther possessed by divers inﬁrmities obtained healing remedy Of body and mind . Some already moribund in

ahn ost the whole body and completely lifeless , at the

i mmer of also Pi in wa ne Re e ta I . 0 In the su g s , , , pp 4 f . 754 pp s ar i ri Par s at Verbe e and 2 8 ul at St. D enis . Re esta i 1 . 8 . , ( J y) g , , , pp 3 f ’ But Tan l s conﬁden asser ion Wahrend derselben ei ha e Lull g t t , Z t tt in h r Eile in R i n n m mm n i Ochste e e e se a de Hof unte o e , um s ch rasch die Nachfolge in Mainz bei Pippin und dem am KOnigshof weilenden ” Pa s z u sichem is in ru h the mere con ec ure and in i e p t , t t st j t , , v w of the care wi th whi ch B oni face had provided for the succession before hi r mo unli l de a ure to ia . bo and E . a s p t Fris (p 78, a ve ; , st ke y one on the face . 1 The a e l t d Ei i h L i h o re ain he c th dra a Ful a . g l says t at ul w s ed t t t bod M at a ence . Vita tur i 1 . y y S m , 5 b

CHAPTER IX

How IN THE PLACE WHERE THE B LOOD OF MARTY RS WAS H m G O I AP P R TO O WHO R S ED, A F UNTA N EA ED TH SE WE E INSP ECTING THE PREP ARATIONS F OR A CHURCH

’ HAVING recounted the saint s distinguished deeds in

i r ch ldhood , boyhood , youth , and the p ime of life , and

r even in old age , let us return to those wonde s that by the help of the Lord were wrought to declare to mortals ’ i ’ the sanctity of the saint s l fe , after this world s race was run and that life was happily ended ; and recall to memory a miracle for folk to remember and repeat . Venerable Bishop Lul told us the story of the miracle P even as he learned it from glorious King ippin , who

r in turn heard it f om eyewitnesses . As Lul related it

l . to us , it was as fol ows In the place where Of yore the precious blood of the

r r holy marty was shed , the chu ch and a great part of the Frisian folk planned to rear high upon a deep foun hi dation an earthen mound . T s was because of the 1 r vast irruptions of the neap and sp ing tides , which in i Of alternation d sturb the tides sea and ocean , the less 2 n cuing of the waters and the ﬂoods . O the mound they proposed to raise a church as was done later 3

1 Ledonis ac mali nao i nruptiones . 2 Bede De T Rati 2 . , emporum one, 9 3 Alchuini de E ~ Dedi cated to Saint P aul and B oniface . Versus c cle ia a Poet La ini Aevi arolini i s S ncti Liud eri in . . g , M G H ae t C , 0 p . 3 4 :

Ad u hin P do or Boni a ius inde j vat c aulus , ct f t , i ” Haec illis quoniam constat simul aula d cata.

9 2 THE LIFE OF BONIFACE 93 and to erect a habitation of the servants of God in the same place . But when now the mound was wholly ﬁ nished and the entir e work of its erection was com leted r p , the esidents and inhabitants of that place , i u hav ng ret rned home , had some discussion among themselves in regard to the want of fresh water , which throughout ahn ost all Frisia occasions the greatest fﬁ di culty both to men and to beasts . Then at length , ’ r r through the Lo d s compassion , a ce tain man , Abba

r r by name , who in acco dance with the edict of glo ious King P ippin administered the ofﬁ ce of count over that district and place and was director of the work in r him question , taking com ades with , mounted , and rode round the hill , and inspected the mound . Sud denl y and unexpectedly the steed of an attendant ,

hi r w le merely stamping on the g ound , felt it sinking and giving way altogether , and wallowed , its fore legs held fast in the soil , until those who were more active and skilful jumped down very hurriedly from their steeds , and pulled out the horse that was stuck

r i fast in the ea th . But at once a m racle stupendous and worthy to behold was made manifest to those who

. i r were present A fountain , exceed ng clea beyond the

r manner of that country , and wond ous sweet and pleas

r n r ant to the taste , came bu sti g out , and , penet ating

r r so th ough unknown channels , ﬂowed fo th , that it seemed already a very large brook . Astounded by

h r t is miracle , they eturned home with rejoicing and

r gladness , and made known to the chu ches those matters which they had seen .

A LI ST O F E D ITI ONS AN D TRANSLATIONS O F T H E L I F E

A LI ST O F ED ITION S AN D TRAN S LATION S O F T HE LI FE

(a) Editi ons

t Henricus C anisius . S anc i Willibaldi Epi scopi Ei chstadiani

Li ber de vi ta S . B oni acii Mart ris Germanorum A f y , pos li A rchie i sc i untini to o Mo . Nunc ri , p p g p mum editus

ex manuscri ti s codi ci bus Monasterii Rebdor ensis p fi , e Eichst um n r D . A b r o adi et Ma ci et Cl . l e ti B u er p p , g ifi ng i P rocancellarii A cademi ae I n lstadi e o nsi s fire. g , In hi s

A nti ua Lecti o tom . ar s u a In olsta i g , iv, p s ec nd ( g di , — — 1 1 2 - pp 337 39 , 74 745 h r a e wi a new r a and a i l T is is epe t d, th p ef ce dd tiona no s on e on of Canisius a te , in the sec d diti , by J cques

B asna e Thesaurus Monumentorum . Amstelae g ( , etc ,

am or Antver iae vol. . 2 2 d i p , in ii , pp 7

r M o a Serarius in E istolae S . B oni acii Ma t ris o Nic l us , p f y (

- — untiae 1 60 n ew a . 2 2 . g , 5 ; with title p ge, pp 53 84 From a manuscript furnished to S erarius by Andreas r Of ran or en rom o Webe F kf t, supplem ted f the editi n of i m Canisius . i : P rolo in V ta Pass one Beg ns gus i m, vel a i Mart ris Chr r e o o Be tiss mi y isti, A chi pisc pi B ni f ” acii .

1 io L o Me in oz o D Willibaldo Bonifac ull . Ti le . e t , p 33 7 ; , , , g g , pp — — — Notae et variae lectiones . 8 1 0 e . 1 86 338 4 ; t xt, pp 34 3 ; , pp 3 7 39 ;

i f cii ri tam a . Willibaldo e i l i n in i am . Bon a sc S x Var ae ect o es V t S , p , - ni Monasterii Windber ensis in Ba aria . 2 . membra s m . s . g v , pp 74 745 2 — Te . 2 2 2 . xt, pp 3 49 98 EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS

r ita . B i i r h Lau entius Surins . V S on faci A c iepi scopi Mogun i ni Germanorum A ostoli ci art ri s auth re t M o S . ili , p y , W d r E tat e bal o p imo i s ens Epi scopo. In the fourth edi tion of his De P robati s S auctorum Vitis or Vitae S auctorum — l ni e ri inae . Co o a A n . L ( g pp , Ju ius, pp 49 57 acks

Chapter IX . In a o of S r n Au ustae a ino the l test editi n u i s ( g T ur rum, — ’ 1 875 80) Willibald s work is omi tted .

n Mabill on . Vita S aneti B oni aci i E i sco i Ma untini Jea f p p g , r l d i i i ci u et art i s Auct re il i bal o s us d s l . E M y , o W p p o x

i ni s i et N la erari . A t . Hcuri c o omo 4 Ca i , ico o S In cta

S anct rum Ordi ni s . B enedi cti a l m r ar o S , s ecu u te tium, p s — u a Lutetiae P arisiorum . 2 . sec nd ( , pp 4 7 In on of the enetiis the second editi same (V , — 1 2 PR 5 (text, pP 3

f e r God ried H ns n and Dan van P a enb oeck. Vita I e che i l p , Tr r uct re l ibald r ter E . a o Wi l o P esby o. x Ms evi ens i et

d t r i r r e i i ibus t i bus ani si e a ii ac abil ni . In on , C , S , M io s

A cta S anctorum n tom . Antver iae . , Ju ius, i ( p , pp — ! — id . 60 ib Venetii s . 60 d 4 473 ; ( , pp 4 473 ; e itio

novissirna ra oann Carnandet n s tom . , cu nte J e , Ju iu , i — P ar s s et oma . 6 . ( i ii R e, pp 453 4 5

o H nr P er . ta G r tz Vi S . B oni acii A rchi e i sco i e g ei ich f p p , uct re i lli ald r t r r a o W b o P esby e o. In Monumenta Ge

mani ae Hi storica S cri tores II Hannoverae 1 82 , p , ( , 9) — 1 . PP 33 3 53 (text, pp 333

De ta a e i i r John Allen Giles . Vi vel P ssi one B at ss mi Ma

t ri s B on acii auctore Willibaldo. In S ancti B oni y if , his

acii O era uae extant Omni a Londini vol. ii f p q ( , ,

- . 1 1 82 . ro Serarius n ion pp 43 F m , with some eme dat s r z f om P ert .

I OO EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS

ita at auct re illi ald . Wilhelm Levison . V B onif n o W b o In his Vitae S ancti B onifatii A rchi epi scopi Moguntini

- Hannoverae et Li siae . 1 . i a ( p , pp 57 W th full ’ and excellent introduction and good notes . Levison s work is included in the series S criptores Rerum Ger mani carum i n usum S cholarum ex Monumenti s Ger mani ac Hi stori ci s separatim edi ti ; but it is in no sense a ’ repetition of P ertz s edition .

(b) S electi ons

Martin Bouquet prin ts extracts in his Recueil des Hi s d G les et de France P r tori ens es au a tom . a s j , iii ( i , — 6 no v l éd. n orn . . 66 66 a d pp 4 ( u el e , t v — m M bill on . . 2 2 no e éd . ro a pp 4 4 4 5 ( uv lle , F

r r Ha an and l am S s Councils and A thu West dd Wil i tubb , E cclesi asti cal Documents relating to Great B ritain and — rel ol . x r 2 so I and v O o . 2 6 , iii ( f d, pp 95 9 , give much Of Chapter IV as in this translation is comprised

in the on ara ra la k n a n . sec d p g ph, c i g the l st sente ce

From Jaﬁ é .

Ern Du mmler in Monumenta Germani ac Hi storico E st , , pis li i i — 0 1 o a Karo n Aevi i B erolini 1 8 . 00 t l e , ( , 9 pp 5 5 ,

gives a recension of the P rologue from manuscripts .

Dat leven des Erwerdighen hilligen Bi sschops und mertelers su te B ﬁf n n n onifacy. A tee th ce tury Low German trans a on of L l al o a r l ti the ife by Wi lib d, with s me b idgment and the omi ion of P rolo inn n f ss the gue, the beg i g o C a r VIII and C a r IX and w some a h pte , h pte , ith ddi tions from the Life attributed to Bishop Radbod of EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS 1 0 1

Utrecht . The translation was m ade at Freckenhorst in

s a a . It has n i e We tph li bee ed t d by W . Dorow (Denk mater alter S rache und Kunst i I onn 1 82 . p , , , B , 3 , pp 53

n . D 86 a d H. S u as L ) eben des h. B on aci us by J ch lte ( if , des A ostels der Deutschen i n niederdeutscher r p , S p oche , ar n o and Mii nster W e d rf ,

H nr E ar ei ich du d B onn ell . Leben des heiligen B onifacius l A d von Williba d. us er Lateinischen Urschrift des achten J ahrhunderts zum ersten le ubertr e Ma a . n r n 1 8 . g Be li , 56 H l i Philipp edwig Kii lb . Wi l balds Leben des heiligen B oni In facius . his S ammtliche S chriften des heiligen B oni — ius a s on ol . . 2 ac v 1 2 0 . f (R ti b , ii , pp 3 7 illi d’ Bernhard Eduard Simson . W bal s Leben des heiligen B on azius nach der A us abe der numenta Ger if , g Mo

’ ’

mani ae ubersetzt und erklart. r n 1 86 . ir Be li , 3 A sp ited

and s olarl ran l on oo no . ch y t s ati , with g d tes

Willibalds Leben des he li en B acius . Wilh elm Arndt . i g onif

e hic tschr ber der d t en r eit III . In Di Gesc h ei eu sch Vo z , V — a r un r 2 . an rlin . 1 s on J h h de t , B d (Be , pp 47 ; ec d — i a o L . 1 2 . rn an editi n ( eipsic, pp 5 A dt t cip ted the edi tors of the text in using though only to a — mi x n s an s Monacensis li ted e te t the be t m u cript,

1 086 .

’ d heili en B oni aci us M . i n . i lli bald s Leben es M . W lde W g f , An a n i aus den Monumenta Germani ae itbersetzt. ppe d x

— to his B eda des Ehrwitrdi en Ki rchen e (pp . 3 1 5 360) g g

' d r A el ach en chaﬂhausen schichte e ng s s (S ,

Le n der Leiden des seli sten Heinrich Joseph Mertens . be o g

Mart rers B on azius ver asst von Willibald. In y if , f his

Ko s amili e a on etc . . Ei ne heilige nig f (R tisb , , pp — f nf r or . 1 2 4 1 75 . O i e i value 1 02 EDITIONS AND TRANSLATIONS

(d) French Translati on

C r art e . Vi e de S aint B on ace A rchevé ue ha les B h lemy if , q de Ma ence ci art r écrite an Huiti eme iécle r y M y , S pa Wil

libalde P retre du Di ocese de Ma ence et com létée u , y , p a

‘ Nenvi emo S iecle ar S aint Lud er P remi er Ev ue d p g , eq e In hi ie d Mimigerneford. s Les V s e tous les S aints de France de uis lo P remier S iecle n e anné Ver p , euvi me e ( i — a ll L ill a in . 0 s i es, the fe by W ib ld coll 7 5 745 ; ’ — x ra r m i er s L f r l . o L ud o G o . e t cts f g ife egory, c l 745 759

I N D E X O F A UT HO RS C I T E D I N T HE N OT E S

A am of B rem n d e 86 . Phili i n a s . , pp , 3 5

Al c i n 2 . u Psalms 8 86 . , 9 , 3 7 , 3 ,

Aldhelm 1 1 . Re ela on , 3 , 4 v ti , 86 . A ecta B o l a a nal l andi n . Romans 0 68 , 99 . 3 . 3 5 . 53 . . 83 A nnales Re ni Francorum 1 Thessalonians 2 8 g , , 5 , 3 . l Arnd Wilh elm 6 8 2 . II Thes a onian t , , 4 , s s , 4 7 . in a n 2 Au us e S i 6 . I Timo h 6 . g t , t , 5 5 , t y, 3 5 , 5 II Timo h 6 8 t y. 3 . 5 5 . 79. 3

B ede 2 8 1 1 2 . i us . . . 3 . 3 3 . 43 . 5 . 9 T t , 4 5

B enedi c of Nursia ain 0 Bin erim A . . 1 2 . t , S t , 3 , t , J ,

° hm r 0 BO e . 6 8 . 3 4 . 4 7 , J F 3 , 9 , 9

BIB THE B onn ell H . E . 6 8 2 . LE , , , 4 ,

A c s 8 1 . t , I orin hi ans 8 C t , 3 7 . 3 . 3 9. 5 5 1 Ca itulare S uessi onense 2 . p , 7 , 73 66 78 . n nn . Cassia us , Joa es, 34

II ori n hi ans 8 ' t , 44 : 4 7 a 7 C ICCI O 8 . C , 3

D ni l . a e , 3 5

Deu eronom . t y, 3 9 Du an e . C g , 47

n i 8 . Ge es s, 7 r in 1 6 . Durand, U s , Hebre s 2 6 2 . w , 5 , 5 , 7

iah 6 2 6 . Isa , , 7

er Adol 1 2 . Eb t , f , ohn 1 8 2 , J , 3 5 , 7 ,

r Au us 1 . Ebra d, g t , 7 ud es , J g , 3 9 1 11 8 1 88 8 ° E 8 . . . 9 . 9 2 80 8 1 . Luke, 9 , 3 9 , ,

i us 2 . Eugipp . 9 Mar . k , 3 5 2 0 60 66 Matthe w , 9 , 3 , 53 , , , Fest abe zum B oni ati us-J ubi 80 8 8 . 7 7 , , 3 , 4 g f

‘

laum 1 0 86 . r 8 . Numbe s , 7 9 5 , 7 9 , Forschun en z ur deutschen Cc I P eter, 83 . g

hichte . mon . sc Phile , 3 5 , 44 1 06 INDEX OF AUTHORS

Gais ord Thomas 1 . Poetae La ini Aevi arolini f , , 3 t C ,

Giles . A . 1 16 . i 1 I 2 , J , 3 , . 3 . 4 . 9

Gir Ar hur 0 . Scri tores ii 8 1 . S ee Ei il . y, t , 5 p , , g h r a 2 cri or 1 1 2 Gre or t e G e S t es 6 . g y t , 5 , 34 , 4 5 , p , xv , , , 5 , 7 7 S ee Liud er Vita 54 g , Willi baldi Vi ta W nnebaldi , y . r M a h r n elber Hauc Albe I I 8 . iihlb c e E 6 k , t , , 7 , g t , 3 , 89 ,

G . D . . 0 Ho mann . f , , 5 5 9

l n i r r rus His a e s s 1 1 2 Nurnbe e Au us 1 2 . Isido p , 3 , 3 3 , g , g t , f Heidenh im Nun o e , the , see V ta Willibaldi Vita W nne i , y

ff P 1 2 80 aldi . Ja e, hili pp , 4 , 3 , . b

rome S ain 2 . Je , t , 5

l h 1 8 6 6 8 2 . Ot o , , 3 , 4 , l r ann Ca itu are 2 . Ka lm i p , 7

H . 2 2 . t a 2 K b P . 1 6 8 P atrolo i a La in I 6 iil , , , 4 , g , , 5 , 34 ,

K lie Ed ard 1 6 . y , w , 4 5 B o i c 1 2 o i te ti ale S . n a i i . P en n f ,

‘ n ilh m 2 l katkol Le iso W el 1 ra m des k ni . v , , 7 , 7 , P rog m o g asiu s eu ischen Gymn m Nei sse,

M . Lindsa W . 86 . I 2 . y, ,

Li d r 66 . u ge , 5 5 ,

R er . W. 1 2 6 1 8 . ettb g , F , , , 7

l 2 . Mai An e o 1 sches Museum 1 . , g , Rheini , 3

Mani iu Max 1 1 I . r re or . t s, , 3 , 4 , 7 Richte , G g , 79

Marténe Edm ond 1 6 . R h Paul . , , ot , , 49

F . 8 . Mart rolo i um uldense 8 Rousseau . B . 1 y g , 3 , J ,

Mi ne . P . see P atrolo i a Ruﬁnus 2 . g , J , g , 5

Latina .

Monumenta Germani ac His B oni atii et Lulli E istolae S . f p , tori ca

An i mi Auc ores t uissi ix 2 . t q , , 3

a i ularia i 2 8 . C p t , , 7 , 73 , 9 lae M r i r r r! 6 E is o e owin ci et c e e Ca 8 . p t g S h , ,

K r ni 2 . mi z H . . 1 a oli Aevi ii 1 0 . ch , , 5 , 5 S t , J ,

S ee S . B oni atii cl Lulli co 8 2 . f S tt , E tolae Rer Germani pis . S criptores um

L . 0 . e es sec . aru g , t v , 5 c m, 7 7

G E N E RA L I N D E X

Abba ran ish coun . B erehthere o on n , F k t , 93 , pp e t of B oni Adalharius E helh r t e e 8 n . I . ace ( ) , 3 , f , 65 . - Ad Escancastre E e er 0 . B ertwald arch i ( x t ) , 3 , b shop of Can Aelmere the Zu der Zee 80 terbur 6 2 ( y ) , , y ( 9 4 1 f .

88 . Bibranti 2 bus 8 n . , , 3 . A helbald in f M r et o e cia I . Boni ace Sain 1 1 2 2 . , k g , 5 f , t , , 4 , 5 Aldebert Galli c seudo-sain name of 6 . , p t , , 47 , 1 — 2 . ri in 2 7 f w t gs Of, 1 1 6 .

Aldhelm 1 . Li e Of b Willibald 1 2 , 5 f , y , 7 , 3 AI S the 1 8 D . . 49 . 5 . 5 93 A lt a s xones 6 2 n . 2 . la er li es 1 . , , t v , 7 f Amanaburch AmOnebur 6 modern li ra ur r ( g) , 5 , te t e elative 68 to 1 8 . 5 7 . , f

Anacle us Ani ce us 2 . im or anc n t ( t ) , 5 p t e a d character of Anani a 6 1 n . . hi r s s o 1 . , , 3 w k , 9 f Anci en he h ol i m s t t e d Sa on h s o her 2 . t , ( x s) , t , 7 — 0 1 hi s a her 2 0 . 3 . 4 f t , 7 3

An les . earl desire for the monas ic g , 43 y t Anoin in o P n — f i i the li e 2 0 . t g pp , , f , 7 3 n r n . 9 . e te s the monastery at

Ariani sm . E e er 0 . , 74 x t , 3

Au uries 6 . earl s udies 1 . g , 3 y t , 3 f i n u 2 . r m he as o A us in in n . e co s g t e , Sa t , 7 , 4 ov es t p s of

Aus ices 6 . ou h 2 . p , 3 y t , 3

r m Nhutscelle . e oves to , 33

B r r a learni n of . a aria s . e b n , 5 5 g t g , 33 f B a a n 1 68 0 1 ains ame as eacher and v ria s, the, 5 , , 7 , 7 , g f t - rea er 8 . 7 7 p ch , 34 3

dained ries 8 . Bee imil o he 1 . or , s e f t , 5 f p t , 3 f

B ell r of h 88 . abs inence of . , mi acle t e, f t , 3 9

B enedi c Sain of ursia embass to an erbur 0 11. t , t , N , y C t y, 4 B eo ald b of Glas on ﬁrs missionar ourne to rw , a bot t t y j y - bur 1 risia 2 . y, 4 . F , 4 4 5 1 1 0 GENERAL INDEX

oni ace a ain at ut celle Bri ain 2 6 B f , g Nh s , t , 4 , 6 , 70 . B a 6 . u ab e . 4 f gg , b ss, 1 6 m Burch r ﬁrs ourne to Ro e 1 . a d bisho of Wurz bur t j y , 4 7 5 , p g,

labors in Thurin ia 2 6 H. . g , 5 , 4 , 7 7 B r 6 . u ndi an h 9 , 7 7 gu s, t e , 58 . n m n r aids Willibrord in risia 2 B n a esse e 8 . F , 5 y , g , 5

56 . con er s man Hessians Caesarius bisho of Arles 0 v t y , , p , 5 ,

f. 6 2 ff. n . 2 . 5 7 , second ourne to Rome 8 an erbur 1 j y , 5 C t y, 4

6 2 . arloman du e of Aus rasia C , k t i ordina ion as b sho 60 ff. 1 1 2 t p , (74 7 . 7 . 73 . 74. 76. under the protection of 7 7

illi r R m 1 . harles Mar el 6 2 . Ce e e 6 C t , , y, l mi ssionari s in ells the sacred oak 6 . e ic e Ger f , 3 f C t

recei es reenforcemen s rom man 0 n . . v t f y, 7 , 4

En land 66 . halcedon ouncil of g , f C , C

made archbisho 6 . p , 7 7 5 M r l ranki h builds churches 68 . harles a e s ma , C t , F y inspects the B avarian or of the palace and duke of

churche 68 . Aus rasia 6 2 1 s, t , 44 , 53 , , 7 . mens e elle r hird ourne to Rome 6 . le d om the t j y , 9 f C , xp f m church b Boni ac s schi s a ics in B a ace 2 . att k t y f , 7 f d c B o i a a aria 68 0 . Co i es n ti ni 86 n . 2 . v , , 7 f f , ,

ordains bisho s 1 8 . onfession of ai h . p , 7 , 7 7 , 7 C f t , 59 at the ran i sh church coun ons an ine the Grea Roman F k C t t t , — m r r . cils , 7 1 76 . e pe o , 74 conﬂic wi h Aldebert and ons an ino le ouncil of t t C t t p , C m n 2 le e s . . C , 7 f 74 f

a oin s Lul hi s successor ouncils ecclesias ical 0 f. pp t C , t , 4 ,

he e of Ma en e . . ﬂ . f. 8 2 in t s e c 8 1 f n . . y , 7 7 , 74 , 7 7 , 9 , hi ﬁn al mi iona r m h s ss r wo in ri ean War t e 1 8 n . I . y k C , , , — risia 8 82 . roo ed ser en the 6 . F , 7 C k p t , , 7

he mar rdom 8 2 if . n n r t Cue t a che ri e . ty , (C ) v , 49 — the se ul ure 8 0 . Cu nta ch . p t , 7 9 e wi , 49 mi racle ollo in hi d a h s f w g s e t , — Danes he n . . 90 93 . , t , 43 , 4 Dani el bisho of inch er Bordn e Boorn ri er 8 2 . W es ( ) , v , , p t — B n 0 1 6 . osa, deaco , 81 . (7 5 4 , 4 7 , 48

GENERAL INDEX

H esi us 2 . Lul u r eg pp , 5 , s ccesso of Boni face in

Here ics . the bisho ric of Ma ence t , 74 f p y ,

in Thuri n ia 2 6 . I 1 2 8 f 88 8 g , 5 , 5 s. 7 , 3 . 7 . 79 . 9.

in B a aria 68 0 . 2 . v , , 7 9

amon the ran s 2 . Lundenwi ch Lon n g F k , 7 f ( do ) , 43 , 48 . early Celtic missionaries in m Ger an 0 n . . y, 7 , 4 Macedoniu d mn s con e ed . H ian h 2 H. . , , 7 ess s , t e , 5 7 , 6 , 67 , 69 5 Ma ontia Ma ence ci Hilar Roman archdeacon 2 g ( ) , t , 74 , y , , 3 , y y 8 8 , 89 . n . 1 . M ai An lo 1 . Hu obert du e of the Ba , ge , 2 g , k Mani i us Max 1 . t , , 8 arians 68 . v , Me in oz bi o Hunraed o onen of Boni g g , sh p of Wii rz , pp t

bur 1 2 . g, 7 , 3 ace 6 . f , 5 Mi ne . A . 1 6 . g , J , l Mi ite n . . s , 49 , 3 Iar mon h 1 . , t , 5

Miracle . 0 . s 88 f f 2 . , , 9 , 9 f Ill h re mon 8 1 . e e , k ,

Incan a ions 6 . t t , 3 Inc kin Of the es Sa on , g W t x s es orius e communi ca ed — N t , x t , (688 7 2 5) 40 ff 7 5 2 7 n l s 1 : Nhutscelle urslin Nut (N g, {5151236 gi séirille 1 3 lhn mon l a' aS er I g) ’ t YI 3 ) 33 ,

l 1 8 0 . Ita 5 : 5 ; 7 y: Zi r I ineran reachin , p ac ice t t p g t i ce ounci l of N , C 74 .

o 2 . f, 8 isan mon h 1 . N , t , 5 i har N t d, 14 , I 6 .

aﬂé Phﬂi ) 1 ‘ J , f p 4 f m Nun o Heidenhei the 1 1 . . , ,

rome ai n 2 n . . Je , S t , 7 , 4 o bisho of alz bur J hn, p S g,

Oak of u i er the 6 . J p t , , 3 f

Ken 1 . Odilo du e of the B a arians t , 4 , k v ,

K lie Ed ard 1 6 . 0 . y , w , 7 f h il ress simile of t e 2 . O p , , 3 f f hr mon r Lateran the . Orthor O druf as e , , 59 p ( ) , t y

main . Le erde 6 at 66 . g , 3 ,

L vi on Wilhelm 1 . oraeche dis ri c in risia e s , , 7 Ost , t t F ,

L r nd in of he Lom 8 2 . iutp a , k g t

r 2 1 0 loh mon of t . Emmeram ba ds (7 1 5 , 7 . Ot , k S ,

m r 0 1 . Lo ba ds he 1 . , t , 49 , 5 , 7 7 f GENERAL INDEX 1 I 3

ans 1 f. 2 n I Pag , 9 , , . 66 Sain P e er ora or of at 3 , 5 7 , , t t , t y ,

n . 2 . Gae m r s e e , 64 . — i ia 2 f. 0 in r s 8 8 . Salz bur ch Salz ur b . F , 44 , 5 , 7 ( g) , 7 1

Hessians f. 6 f. 6 a h . S ira 6 1 n . . , 5 7 , 3 , 7 pp , , 3

Thuri n ians 6 6 . Sa ons of En land g , 5 , 7 x , g , 43 , 7 0 . slau h er B oni ace and his Sa ons eo le of German g t f x , p p y , 5 7 , ion 2 if com an s 8 . 6 p , 5 . 7 7 . uarrel o er the boo 8 if S chisma ics see Her e ics . q v ty, 4 t , t

chas ised 86 . Scirbald deacon t , f , , 81 . h hea hen rac ices 1 6 6 . S c ia 1 . t p t , , 3 yt , 4

m . P am hilus 2 . Selw n Willi a 1 8 p , 5 y , , ’ im l he a Rom r ol Pil r s od e t t e Se arius Nic aus 1 . g g , , , , , 4 ’

Seron 1 n . 6 . 59 , 3 ,

Pi in du e of Neus ria rom e en old s i he 2 . pp , k t (f S v f p rit , t , 6

of Aus rasia rom Sla es 8 . t (f v , 3 l in of h ran s 1 a s I . k g t e F k (7 5 S v , 4 , 7 7

1 2 f 88 2 Smi h Isaac Gre or 16 1 8 . 7 . 7 . 73 . 7 7 . t , g y , ,

2 . Soissons n . . 9 . 93 , 7 7 , 9

h . n . 2 n . 2 . ol ers t e 8 P lebis , 4 7 , 4 , 6 , S di , , 49 , 5

in s sacriﬁ ces to 6 . Po has Au 1 8 . r tt t , gust , Sp g , , 3 h n II o e 2 6 2 Step e , p p (7 5 ,

Radbod kin of the risians n . 1 8 n . 2 . , g F , 9 , 2 e hen successor of Winbert 44 . 5 . 53 St p , ,

8 . in Ra i bon . Reg a ( t s ) , 7 1 4

mi abbo of ulda I I . e tber . W. 1 8 . Stur R t g , F , , t F ,

80 8 n . 1 . Rhine the n . 1 , , 53 , , , 9 , T o ius I the Grea Ro m . heod s Ro ans, 69 , t ,

man em eror . m 2 8 6 6 . Ro e , 1 9 , 5 , 4 7 , 5 , 7 , 9 p , 7 5 Theodosius II em eror of the oh nn B a is 1 8 . Rousseau, J a pt t , , p

har ﬁ i iou mon of Eas 08 . Rut d, ct t s k t (4 7 5 Theotbald Thuri n ian chie Hirschau, 1 9 . , g f ,

65 .

Thurin ia 1 2 6 f. 6 6 a cial ri s 6 . S criﬁ te , 3 g , 5 , 5 , 4 , 7 , 9 ,

n ha l hur h of at . Sai t Mic e , c c , 7 9

Thuri n i Chri stiani 6 2 n . 2 . a r h . Haman bu c , 68 g , ,

a n P e er church of at Ticena P a i a 0 . S i t t , , ( v ) , 7

Tides the 2 . l r . Frides a e , 68 , , 9 h r h of at Torchtwine o onen of Boni Saint Peter, c u c , , pp t

6 . om . ace R e, 49 , 59 f , 5 1 14 GENERAL INDEX

Trecht U rech ci 8 1 Westeraeche dis ric in risia ( t t) , ty, 44 , , t t F ,

8 2 . 88 f .

Trees sacriﬁces to 6 . illibald a u hor of h L , , 3 W , t t e ife of

h mi u o nne . B ni Trit e s a s 1 o ace 1 1 1 . , J , 9 f , , 7

Tur e 1 8 n . 1 . Willibald bisho of Eichs a k y, , , p t tt ,

Tuscan 2 . 1 1 y , 4 . 7 7 T ssesbur Tisbur monas Willibrord En lish mi ssionar y g ( y) , , g y le of he or 1 . a os t risians t y, 4 p t F ,

53 if . Uncul i a ed ﬁ elds me a hor Winbert abbo of Nhutscelle t v t t p , t , f 6 of the 1 . 1 2 , 5 3 3 . 4 . 4 4

h e Trecht . n r a o of r U rec se Wi t a bb Tisbu 1 . t t , , t y, 4

Wintrun ries 8 1 . g , p t ,

m n i n of . r ic i s i s ec o 6 Wirz aburch Wiirz bu . V t , p t , 3 ( g) , 7 7

Vivilo bisho of P assau 1 World na ure of the 6 . , p , 7 , , t , 7 - n . 2 . har a o Of Ad E can Wulf d, bb t s

Vo a es 8 . cas re 0 2 . y g . 4 f t , 3 , 3 h Rhin 80 8 8 W nebald abbo of Heiden on t e e 8 . n , 53 , , , 9 y , t

on A lm r 80 8 . h m 1 1 . e e e, , 7 f ei ,

m n Y m . Wacchar o 8 1 . eo en 8 , k , , 3 Waldbur a abbess of Heiden g , ia o 1 1 heim 1 1 n . 1 Za har , , . c s , p pe (74 4 ,

Walthere riest 8 1 . I 6 6 2 n . 1 6 n . 1 . , p , , , , 7 ,