Benno Bishop of Meissen in Saxony and Apostle of the Slavs

CONCERNING SAINT BENNO BISHOP OF MEISSEN IN SAXONY AND APOSTLE OF THE SLAVS LAID TO REST AT MUNICH IN BAVARIA.

IN THE YEAR 1106

PRELIMINARY COMMENTARY

Concerning the chronology of his life, the Author, the Miracles; & the cult following his Canonization.

Benno, Bishop of Meissen, laid to rest at Munich in Bavaria (S.)

G. H., D. P.

S. Benno flourished in the eleventh century of Christ & the beginning of the following, born in the year 1010 at Hildesheim in lower Saxony, & soon in the year 1015 handed over into the service of S. Bernward, Bishop of Hildesheim, The time of his birth, his kinsman; & by him both while living, & while dying, commended to Wiger Provost of the monastery of S. Michael, that with worthy morals & humane studies he might be instructed. These having been duly accomplished over some years, in that same monastery in the year 1028 he began the monastic life, His monkhood, & so advanced, that in the year 1035 he was to be promoted to the Diaconate, & in the year 1040 to the Priesthood. He was also created Abbot in the year 1042, but after three months, by his own vow, from that office he was freed. While meanwhile by the Emperor the Church of Goslar was being built, & by S. Leo IX Roman Pontiff being consecrated, S. Benno to it as Master & Canon was taken on in the year 1049, His canonry, that he might be Leader to the new congregation & Prefect of Ecclesiastical discipline. Which when he had done for seventeen years, in the year 1066 he was elected & consecrated Bishop of Meissen. His episcopate, In which dignity he persisted forty years, a true Pastor of his own, prepared to lay down his life for his sheep, having suffered exile & many persecutions; while adhering to S. Gregory VII Supreme Pontiff, & fleeing to him at Rome, he detested the rebellion of Henry the emperor. At last having become also Apostle of the Slavs, of his death. full of days & merits, he migrated to the heavenly fatherland in the year 1106 on the 16th day of June, renowned for miracles in life & after death.

they were supported by letters, seals, witnesses, or a public notary, or the most ample authority of Prelates, as is indicated below in the Life no. 43, indeed his sacred body too in the year 1270, was translated by Witigo the Bishop, to the middle of the church. It is indicated also at no. 53, that a most ancient little book of his life in the monastery of Hildesheim was recently miraculously found, which would that it might happen to be found again! But at last, when at Rome with Alexander VI & Julius the Second his Canonization was being seriously treated, Jerome Emser, Doctor of the Sacred Canons, accurately described the Life of that same S. Benno, The Life published, the author being Jerome Emser, & published it in print in the year 1512, reprinted by Lawrence Surius, which we also give in our manner divided & illustrated with notations. There are extant various lucubrations of the same Jerome Emser, published before & afterward, such as: Dialogue against the drunken, Assertion of the Mass against Luther, On the Canon of the Mass against Zwingli, on the same disputation to the Dean of Prague, on the disputation of Leipzig, & his other little books. He also translated into the German language the New Testament, & adorned it with learned annotations. The rest of his doctrine will appear from the reading of this Life.

[3] The Miracles of S. Benno were then printed at Rome in the year 1521, the Miracles are added taken from various informative Processes; & the folios of the Processes themselves, then exhibited at Rome, are cited in the margin with the number of witnesses; just as we exhibit all those things, adding here & there our Annotations. * To those Miracles is prefixed the Life, by way of an epistle, for persuading the Canonization, to Leo X Supreme Pontiff, with this beginning: Our ancestors were accustomed, Most Blessed Father, to decree divine honors to those who were well deserving of the Christian name: from which manner of piety Christian men in this our age by no means shrink. For you are the best witness, with how great zeal & diligence the French strove last year, that Francis of Paola (in the print "Minoritan" had crept in for "Minim") most holy indeed that man, together with a double epitome of the Acts, one of the best & greatest of the Saints might be judged by you. To whose will you, just & honest indeed, by your singular benignity toward all good men, were unwilling to be wanting. Which since you did it rightly & honestly & willingly, you showed us great hope, that now at some time it will come about, that you will enroll Benno, endowed with excellent virtue & plainly divine, in the number of the Saints. Which if so, as we hope, will be done by you; you indeed will seem to bestow upon a most holy man the most ample fruit of virtue; which both will be worthy of you, & to Christian men grateful & salutary. And that you may understand of what man we speak, the life of Benno, offered to Leo X for Canonization. & those things which after his death happened by divine power, I shall briefly relate… This done he thus concludes: You have, most blessed Father, the life of Benno, & those things which after his death by no means obscure divine signs appeared. It remains now, that you enroll so great a man, by your greatest authority, in the number of the Saints. From which thing you indeed will obtain great fruit: for at one & the same time, you will both bring light to the divine Benno, & concerning our Emperor Charles V, the Duke of Saxony, John Frederick's father, the father of him whom afterward Luther seduced; & finally all Meissen, with the title of the Margraviate belonging to the Saxon Electors, you will well deserve.

[4] That epistle is followed, without any title, by the deeds of the Life, as they are named at the end, which are found noted in very many archives of notable Churches. They are indeed here & there interpolated for clearer understanding with parentheses; The older of these is here prefixed to the Life, yet where I find them I leave them within ( ) brackets together with those Acts, as being short & ancient, it pleases me to prefix them to the more prolix Life, since for composing this they seem thus to have given light to the Author, so that unless in one place or another he had something not to be found in that Epitome, it would be thought to be in it that little book which he said was Miraculously found. These moreover being printed & far & wide published at Rome, by Adrian VI in the year 1523 was celebrated on Trinity Sunday, which then was the last day of May, the solemn Canonization, both of S. Benno himself, to which is subjoined his posthumous Glory, & of S. Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, already before decreed by Leo; just as we shall give it described in his posthumous Glory, from the Itinerary of that same Adrian the Pope, which in vol. 3 of his Miscellanies Stephen Baluze published for us, through Blasius Ortiz, Canon of Toledo & Vicar General, & companion of that journey, accurately set down in letters. The Bull made thereupon, which indeed pertains to S. Benno (for concerning S. Antoninus it was not published except by Adrian's successor Clement VII) was immediately published, just as it is had in vol. 3 of the Bullary, collected by Cherubinus Laertius in the Appendix; from the Itinerary of Adrian VI, the Bull of Canonization, & for that same it was also for the greater part printed by Matthew Rader in vol. 3 of Holy Bavaria. But from it, the epitome of the life & miracles inserted there in the same being omitted, the rest pertaining to the history of the Canonization we shall give, under the same title of Posthumous glory; & whatever besides we received at Munich, concerning the body translated thither, under the year 1576 & after four years into the church sacred to the Mother of God & the miracles there following.

[5] These printed in German, together with the Life & the history of the translation, partly at Munich in the year 1602, partly at Freising in the year 1604, The Translation to Munich, & the miracles done there, we had found, going to Rome in the year 1660, among the Collectanea of our John Gamans, then remaining at Aschaffenburg. But when Henschen remembered them, weaving this Commentary which we interpolate, two years before his death, that is in the year of Christ 1679, by letters given to R. P. Eusebius Truchses, then Rector of the College of Munich, he asked that same man, that he would take care to have all these things rendered into Latin by some one of his men. That man took it willingly upon himself: For since at this time, he said, especially S. Benno is venerated by the inhabitants of this city, that he may keep the plague far from it; I think him to be propitiated by no other kind of service more, which in the year 1680 after his Jubilee was celebrated than that which is laid upon me by Your Reverence. Soon therefore to P. Francis Halden, then his preacher in the church of the Mother of God, together with Henschen's letters he gave the command, of executing those things. There was then recurring opportunely the hundredth year from the translation of the Body, to be most solemnly celebrated by the decree of the Princes & City: but at the same time it kept the Father Preacher occupied with the care of the panegyric, to be continued in the coming June through a whole octave: perhaps also, since on our part nothing was urgent, the publication of June being then still far off, he judged it better that he should wait, until, the solemnity being completed, he could add whatever it had brought worthy of that memory.

[6] Meanwhile paralysis seized Henschen, & suspended almost all his studies; they are rendered from German into Latin. the letters also which he had given to Munich were sought, hidden among other papers as happens: wherefore at his & Rector Truchses's admonition I wrote new letters, about to recall to memory what we wished, which Truchses's successor receiving—Truchses being then translated to the Government of the Province—R. P. Jacob Willi, himself also most zealous of our work, of his own accord incited that same P. Francis, running of his own accord, to the work; which when he afterward sent to us in the year 1681, on 22 October, Henschen had already departed to his Saints as we trust; having almost died upon those very studies, which with his evil somewhat lightened he had resumed, on the 11th day of the preceding September. What therefore he himself could not do I supplied, & a good part of that version I inserted into that same Posthumous glory of S. Benno, begun to be composed by Henschen. Now I return to his Commentary, which he left to be thus finished.

[7] S. Benno was taken as Patron of the city of Munich, Sacred cult at Munich, at Breslau, & with solemn cult his feast is celebrated, even in the churches of the Religious. We have the proper Offices of the Saints of the diocese of Breslau in Silesia, by the authority & command of Leopold William Archduke of Austria & Bishop of Breslau in the year 1672 published, as also the proper Offices of the Saints of the Sacred Order of the Crosier-bearers with the red star: in which under a double rite the feast is prescribed to be celebrated, & both the Prayers & the Lessons are taken from the Bull of Canonization. at Hildesheim; We have also the proper Offices of the Church & diocese of Hildesheim printed in the year 1657; in which is prescribed the Ecclesiastical veneration of S. Benno. his memory in the calendars. His Relics have perhaps been shared with several other churches: to our Antwerp one certainly a certain particle fell, & is kept with the other minor Relics of the Saintly Confessors together in one chest. Besides, his memory is inserted in the Sacred tables of the Roman Martyrology, in the Benedictine calendars of Wion, Dorganius, Menard, Bucelinus, & in the Births of the Holy Canons of Constantine Ghini, everywhere at this day 16 June. Besides we said at the day 31 May that in the same Benedictine Calendars & in Ferrari the memory is made of the Canonization performed on the said day. We finish with the wish of Rader: Divine Benno, give a return also, to your blood & fatherland & See. Cherish us: them, like lambs straying from the sheep, lead back to the folds of the just Pastor & the Church.

OLD EPITOME OF THE ACTS

From the Roman edition of the year 1621.

Benno, Bishop of Meissen, laid to rest at Munich in Bavaria (S.)

FROM THE OLD PRINT, BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

[1] Benno from the illustrious & most famous lineage of the Counts of Saxony, Nobly & piously educated begotten of Frederick & Bezela his parents; to Bernward, then Bishop of Hildesheim, who to him was joined by consanguinity (& who afterward, on account of the merits of his life, among the Saints was numbered) to be imbued with letters & good morals he was handed over. And by the care & diligence of the then Abbot of the Monastery of holy Angel (which he himself had erected & endowed at his own expense), & of certain Monks singular in doctrine, & notable for probity of life, he becomes Abbot of S. Angel, he was excellently learned in letters; & so chastely & religiously taught to live, that, Bishop Bernward having died, he of his own accord took up the habit of Religion in that same Monastery, & so shone with sanctity of life, that, the Abbot failing (as a most shining exemplar) he was compelled to take up the rule, care, & dignity of the Abbacy. But ambition being despised (loving rather humbly to be subject, than with the danger of arrogance to preside) not long after to this dignity he yielded it up.

[2] But God regarding his humility (who puts down the mighty from their seat, & in the exaltation of the humble delights) suffered not the light to lie hidden in darkness, Provost of Goslar. nor the merits of his life to pass without remuneration: since the report of his praiseworthy fame so filled the ears of Henry the Third Emperor, that, he being drawn out of the Monastery by the license of Leo the Ninth Roman Pontiff, to the Provostship of the church of Goslar (called the Imperial Chapel) (which he was accustomed to confer only on men of most approved life) he chose that same man, & compelled him to accept it: there were of these Provosts his predecessors very many raised to Archiepiscopal & Episcopal dignities, Bishop of Meissen. nor a few placed in the number of Bishops. Further B. Benno (to whom perhaps the celebrated life of those gave a spur) as one who thought it base & shameful to degenerate from their succession; so in the exercise of the office of the Provostship bore himself, that to them neither in dignity, nor in sanctity of life was he unequal. Since (his merits thus requiring it) in the fifty-sixth year of his age promoted to the Bishopric of the Church of Meissen: he ruled praiseworthily, increased its rights & authority by his genius & solicitude in such a way, & took such care of his flock, that neither before nor after him could any other Bishop of that Church deservedly be equaled to him or even preferred, just as the memorable deeds of his life easily demonstrate.

[3] When Pope Gregory the Seventh & Emperor Henry the Fourth pursued each other with mutual hatred, adhering to Pope Gregory, & each strenuously aimed at the deposition of the other, & for this kind of cause through the Emperor (whose authority then was great even in ecclesiastical matters) a universal Council in Germany, & through the Pope a Council in the City was gathered; & all the prelates of Germany & of the Gauls, terrified by fear of that Emperor, convened in Germany; among the few an obedient son of holy Mother Church was found; who obeying the commands of the Pontiff, Emperor Henry & the Margrave of Meissen being excommunicated, he is seized: publicly announced the Emperor & the Margrave of Meissen adhering to him, with the other confederates & accomplices their abettors, in the church of Meissen as excommunicated; & fearless he shut out the Margrave himself from the church; & its doors being closed, that access to it should be open to him no longer; when he directed his journey to the Pontiff, he threw the keys into the river Elbe, great & navigable. But that he followed the side of the Pontiff, & had gone to his Council, was the more troublesome to the Emperor, who had raised him up, the more he felt himself deserving of him. As soon therefore as he could, he cast Benno into prison, & exposed the goods of that Church to plunder.

[4] then released he gathers the Clergy again, At length however with God as helper (who is accustomed to anoint with the oil of gladness those loving justice & holding iniquity in hatred), being freed, when he returned to his Church, in the gills of a fish, brought to him from the river into which he had thrown the keys of the church (wonder!), he found them, & with joy unlocked it: he gathered the dispersed Clergy into one, & composed the dissolute: & a certain manner of singing being given (which up to the present in that church is observed), he caused the divine offices hitherto neglected to be resumed. He preaches to the Slavs, The Vandals or Slavs, & whatever other men committed to his care he found to have fallen away from the faith, & whoever had never received it, with equanimity he converted to it, & in the same made them firm. The jurisdictions also of villages & places, the revenues & proceeds, & many other goods, by his industry to the Church were given & otherwise acquired. A collegiate church in that place near the city of Meissen, where he was accustomed to give himself to contemplation, he leaves traces to endure, he erected & endowed. In two villages, one of which, to flee the tyranny of the Margrave of Meissen, the other to convert the Vandals to the faith, at times he dwelt. Of this blessed man the footprints of his feet, which he then left by walking about, are seen less injured by the growth of grasses, or by other accident in so long a time (which both by sight & hearing is wonderful) than if they were beheld made by a recent twinkling of the eye. Further the house, which among the Vandals he had in use, in which no row of stones nor kind of cement by which they seem to be glued together, & a thatched roof corroded by age is seen: as also the house preserved safe while the rest were consumed: &, if the village in which it is situated was several times depopulated by enemies: & consumed by fire, yet still in its structures & buildings so unharmed & whole is beheld, that those seeing it are compelled to marvel, that God preserves the habitation & footprints of the feet of His Saints unharmed.

[5] This blessed man, because he protected the goods & rights of the Church, struck with a slap by the Margrave & resisted with all his might those usurping them, the Margrave of Meissen then pursued with keen hatred. And when once he was admonished benignly & with charity, that he should not interfere in them, & should restore what he unduly detained; the Order & dignity Episcopal being despised, with fervid wrath he struck the venerable old man, who already through forty years had administered the pastoral Office with all praise, he foretells his punishment, on the jaw. To whom when he himself (inspired by the divine spirit) prophesied that he would receive the punishment of this guilt in the following year, on the same day on which he committed it, & it now, the year being come round, had arrived; the Margrave both ridiculously repeated the prophecy of that man (now dead), & opprobriously did not fear to despise it. But while these things were being spoken, by a sudden & unexpected death he died & did not escape the threatened punishment. He crosses the Elbe with dry foot, This man, when in his journeys the facility of crossing the aforesaid river Elbe by the bridge was at some time intercepted, crossed it with dry foot. And when, as he was sometimes accustomed, he changes water into wine, he had approached the farmers or workmen in the meadow, & perceived them parched with thirst; by the sign of the Cross of Christ (who did the same in Cana of Galilee) he turned water into wine. And when he knew the people in a certain valley while he preached there also to labor with thirst; he draws forth a spring, with the staff, which he used for his support, (just as Moses from the rock) the earth being struck he caused water & a spring, from which still it flows abundantly, to gush forth: & that spring is called holy up to today, & the valley itself holy.

[6] He blessed a little bell in a place near Meissen: he blesses a bell against storms, whose sound, as the inhabitants of that place affirm, kept the whole territory & district too immune & free from lightning & storm (even though the nearer adjacent places are more often injured by them) up to the present. There is besides a field, through which he himself was accustomed frequently to make his way; which beyond the others round about, more fruitful & fertile, exists always free from all storm. In a Village called Naumburg, he is present in two places at once, in which (that he might more freely give himself to prayer & contemplation) he sometimes withdrew, & celebrating the divine offices, at the very same time in the church of Meissen distant from it by twenty-four miles, he was seen to be present miraculously. But why do I delay? Of his blessed & angelic life from the day of his death until now, there are so many most evident signs & wonderful prodigies, that of him always hitherto there has been & daily grows so vehement & celebrated an opinion, dead he is renowned for the gift of healings, that no one, held by any or incurable infirmity, but firmly hoped to obtain health; or deprived of the light of his eyes, but to recover his sight; no one found in so great a danger, but to escape it, his aid & help being implored, & so often obtained it, that all to him (who restored to health the limbs of countless sick with diverse & incurable diseases, & very many from the dead to the vital airs) as to a unique & singular protection fled.

[7] he preserves his garments unharmed in the tomb, for 200 years, But of these miracles, how many are clear by ancient & most open documents, & famous & illustrious witnesses; but innumerable by the famous popular opinion of all that & the surrounding country, are most clearly evident; there is no one in those parts who does not know, that his priestly garments, with which that blessed body was clothed, dug out of the sepulchre (in which more than two hundred years they had been hidden), remain incorrupt & unharmed. And the Margrave of Meissen, William by name, who burdened the church & Clergy with intolerable burdens, he chastises the Margrave of Meissen & usurped the goods of the Provostship, on three following nights, by this Blessed one (who as is believed by the assiduous prayers of the Provost is entreated), appeared to him in sleep: & that he should restore those things, & should no longer interfere concerning ecclesiastical persons or things, being warned (when he counted such dreams as phantasms worthless, & no otherwise than Pharaoh's heart his hardened, & was disposed to imposing more insupportable things) on the fourth night by the appearance of the touch of a glowing torch, not without fruit. which he (who again appeared to him in sleep) seemed to carry in his hand & to bring against him, in his left eye without any injury was blinded; & compunct in heart he restored all things usurped to the Church, made good the damages: enlarged the endowment & its revenues, & erected four simple Benefices (called Vicarages) in that church, & from his own goods abundantly endowed them; & in it also, out of reverence for this Blessed one (whom he gloried to have seen in sleep) chose his burial.

D. P.

[8] Epilogue of the Editor These deeds of his life, which in very many ancient archives of notable churches are found noted, are in those parts more than famous & known. But with how many & how great stupendous miracles after his death he shone, & daily shines more & more, since from the most diligent inquisitions, processes, & full proofs, so often had & made thereupon for the establishing of their truth, they are so clear, that they now pass into notoriety; it seemed superfluous here to transcribe them & to occupy parchments in vain. These last words are the Editor's, & probably of the Procurator staying at Rome to urge the cause; just as I think also that all the words are his, included in the context by Parentheses ( ). But to the context itself I noted nothing, although here & there I could; for this reason that the individual Notes, of which there would have been use here, will be more fitly read at the fuller Life. The Dedicatory letter prefixed to the Life. Receive then this consequently, the Dedicatory epistle being premised, which Surius in his manner confesses was omitted by him, just as it came to us transcribed at Munich. For although it may seem not to pertain to the history of the life; there is yet always even in such things something which may delight the studious of antiquity. Certainly by no means idle is this Dedication, which explains the origin of the Princes of Meissen & the remarkable monuments of piety: with the effigy procured at Rome. & indicates itself to have been written on the author's birthday, in the year 1512. Receive also the effigy of the Saint such as before the little book printed at Rome it is placed, with the fish bringing back the keys of the church, & the figure of his seal & the family badge of the Saxon Electors, which same also the Maschasviozy in Meissen use, but with a Rue garland drawn in the opposite direction: where the head of S. John the Baptist placed on the seal seems to denote the same Patron of the Church of Meissen.

This will be able to console the desire for the other, which in Naumburg a town of Meissen pertaining to the County of Waldeck, Emser num. 56 testifies a most ancient painted one to be seen for its age, & which thence to hope (if however it still survives) we scarcely dare. But perhaps this very one is that which we give, the indications of Sanctity being omitted, thus sculpted at Rome, lest it should seem to prejudge the judgment there to be instituted.

LIFE

By the Author Jerome Emser, Collated with those things, which were sent to Leo X, & are contained in the Bull of Canonization.

Benno, Bishop of Meissen, laid to rest at Munich in Bavaria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR D. P., FROM JEROME EMSER, FROM THE OLD PRINT.

DEDICATION.

To the most famous & most powerful Prince, George Duke of Saxony: Governor of Hesse, Landgrave of Thuringia, & Margrave of Meissen. To his most Clement Lord, the most humble Orator Jerome Emser, Licentiate of the Sacred Canons, felicity & victory.

Because the House of the Princes of Saxony The Life of Divine Benno, formerly Bishop of Meissen, most famous & most powerful Prince, if less elegantly, yet diligently & faithfully this year written by me, to your illustrious Glory humbly I offer, & dedicate: both because by your liberality & clemency I at length obtained that leisure of writing; & because to no one does the dedication of this book more fittingly belong, than to him, under whose power Meissen, once Saxony's daughter, but now its Lady, is established. Indeed by God's providence I judge it to have been done, that those most ancient Princes of Saxony, Henry b I think, & his son, & his Grandson Otto, she was well deserving of Meissen in founding, raising, & illustrating Meissen were so diligent & solicitous, as if hither once their name, hither their arms & insignia were c to migrate, they had divinely foreknown. That too is worthy of admiration, that since with them those two virtues beyond the rest were always most familiar, namely to do beautiful & great things, & to extend Divine worship as widely as possible; the renowned Princes of Meissen made both these virtues so peculiar & proper to themselves, that the truest Offspring & progeny of the Ottos they can be believed not undeservedly. For, to be silent of their deeds, just as almost no Church of Germany is found, which did not once feel the munificence & liberality of the Ottos; so from the renowned house d of Meissen scarcely any one ever went forth, who did not declare his piety toward the Heavenly Ones by some notable either Monastery or Church building, & founder of several monasteries munificently instituted at his own expense. This testify not only so many monuments of the old Princes of Meissen throughout Saxony, Thuringia & Meissen, of monasteries of both sexes lying here & there & of sacred buildings; but in this our age too the Churches of Ernest e of Magdeburg the Archbishop, & of Frederick f the Elector of Halle & Wittenberg, exceeding almost human genius, to which the best Princes suffered nothing to be wanting, which either to the highest adornment of the house of God, or to the use of its ministers could be desired. Nor can your Highness's devout mind toward God, even from the single Convent of the Friars Minor & that Monastery, which at your own expense for them in the city of Mount S. Anne g recently built from the foundation, with greater gifts & benefits day by day you heap up, lie hidden. For who would be silent of so praiseworthy & holy a custom of his Princes? George the founder of Mount S. Anne Who would not proclaim, commend, & to heaven extol so divine a virtue in them? Truly never were lacking to the most noble House of Meissen from the beginning (on account of this very emulation of divine worship) things bravely done at home & abroad. There was not lacking to it the glory of riches, nor the affinities & connections of Kings & Emperors, nor whatever finally in great & famous Princes we are accustomed to admire. Only the negligence or envy of writers was lacking, pregnant from those things which indeed was the chief cause to me, that, the study of the Sacred Canons & Theology being interrupted, to writing I betook myself. Because in my judgment indeed I could consult better for the common fame & glory of the people of Meissen, than by expressing with the pen & bringing to light the Angelic life of this most holy Father, his death precious in the sight of the Lord, & the most evident signs & prodigies of his sanctity; to which here & there are mixed very many things most worthy to be read, both of the affairs of Meissen & of foreign things. Receive therefore, this Life the Author dedicates in the year 1512. most Clement Prince, with serene & cheerful countenance the firstfruits of your bard; & before we come to the history, read through the origin & felicity of your race, & farewell, about to number Nestorian years. From Dresden, on my Birth day, namely the 26th of March, in the year of salvation 1512.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

PROLOGUE.

[1] About to describe the life of the most blessed Father Benno of Bennopolis, formerly the tenth Bishop of the renowned Church of Meissen; In a populous region I deemed it worth the labor before all things to commit to letters the situation, origin of the city of Meissen itself, & the traces of the old Ecclesiastical discipline, preserved up to these times: both because this was attempted by no one before: & because it is unworthy, that that city should be unknown among foreigners, which is the head & mother of the people of Meissen, easily the chief of all Germans (which however with the peace of others I would say): not only by the richness of the soil & the abundance of all goods, & fertile but also by urbanity & most refined manners. For the same people of Meissen is peculiarly pious toward the Heavenly Ones, liberal toward guests, splendid at home, composed abroad: but the field not only with grain & wine, but also with gold & silver luxuriates. Of gems it brings forth the diamond, beryl, jasper, amethyst, topaz, & pearls. With tin, iron & almost every kind of metal it teems: besides it produces marble, & most recently of all discovered amber. It gathers rivers, passable by rafts & ships a; the Elbe once the boundary of Germany b, the Mulda c, the Tschoppen d, the Elstra, & very many others: & torrents & rivulets almost innumerable. Nor are lacking to it coppice woods, & groves the high lairs of wild beasts: nor pastures glad with cattle, & flowery meadows. in which the chief cities are Meissen, Leipzig, Of air too it enjoys so great a temperance, that it nourishes even the crocus & some other foreign shrubs not unwillingly. Hither I deem are to be referred the gentle & placid manners of the people of Meissen, & such handsome bodies: since, Aristotle also being witness, it matters not a little, under this or that face of the sky men are procreated. Houses here they build, either cut of dressed stone, or compacted of baked brick.

[2] The individual cities too have something venerable of their own, Dresden, & in which they surpass the rest: of which Meissen the head is notable for its pontifical See, & a citadel marvelously vaulted up to the very summit. Leipzig famous for the study of wisdom, is also far & wide celebrated by the thrice-yearly assembly of merchants. Dresden the seat of the Princes, has a stone bridge across the Elbe vaulted with twenty four arches; a work of no less value than any of the ancients' either pyramids or colossi. Mount S. Anne. Besides there are four mountain cities, of no obscure name, founded from the silver mines alone, or silver pits (as they call them), not so long ago, & named from the individual mountains. Of which the most ample of all, that of S. Anne, scarcely twelve years before we wrote these things, was a wood. It is wonderful (to be silent of the houses) that so great a circuit of walls, so many towers & ramparts, in so brief a time could be erected. But concerning the felicity & affluence of the land & people of Meissen, Henry the Fowler thus far: but now let us return to the city itself. Whose first foundations Henry surnamed the Fowler laid, himself the first among the Germans (Blondus Flavius & Aeneas being authors) Emperor Augustus: a man notable for piety & modesty: to whom the name of Fowler was given for this reason, that those, who, by the choice of the Princes, summoned him to take up the Empire, found him simply setting snares for birds. Nor was there lacking to a deed so humble the mystery of divine providence: since he a little later took the Queen of all birds, the Roman Eagle I think: worthy of the Empire, & the very Roman Empire, by his own great virtue both his own & his son Otto the First's, to the perpetual glory of the Germans he claimed.

[3] But although certain Italian writers do not reckon this excellent Fowler of ours among the Emperors (for this reason that he did not enter Italy, & did not take up the crown to be placed by Pontifical hands according to custom) yet if one weighs with himself the causes, by which he, moved, set aside both, it will easily appear, that too unjustly for those reasons, a man endowed with every Imperial virtue, is deprived of the name of Emperor alone. For that he did not set out into Italy, the history of the Franks excuses him with these words, saying; that to such a degree he preferred the worship of God, the defense of the poor & of widows, & the discipline of preserving peace, to every secular dignity, that he could give no labor about driving the tyrants from Italy (who like mercenaries & hirelings, one succeeding another, were tearing apart the Empire). yet he is not crowned, But the crown, even offered unsought, to place upon his head he abjured; deeming it unworthy thence to hunt glory, whence Christ his King had been mocked. But if in the German the Italians condemn this: why not likewise in their own Titus? whom when the neighboring nations wished to crown for the Jewish victory, of such honor (as Philostratus writes) he answered himself to be unworthy. For he himself had not been the author of such works: but to God, demonstrating His wrath against the Jews, he had lent his hands. Whom that Apollonius of Tyana vehemently thence commending, testified him to be a man abounding in genius & modesty. Just as therefore neither did this example of his modesty hurt Titus, so that he should be the less held an Emperor; so neither will it be able to hinder our Henry, but that into the Roll of Emperors he most worthily ought to be admitted.

[4] In the tenth year therefore of his Empire, of human salvation 930, He builds Meissen in the year 930, while along the bank of the Elbe he wandered fortifying it against the assaults of the barbarians; captivated by the glades & the pleasantness of that mountain, which Meissen still occupies, he began there to build a city under happy auspices. To which from the rivulet Missin, which flows at the foot of the mountain from the North, giving the name, he had it thenceforth a safe protection against enemies; for this reason that that mountain on one side had the river Elbe very great, on the other indeed by two other mountains & as many valleys, as by certain ditches, was by nature fortified. But of the city of Meissen the situation is almost the same, as that of the whole country. For the river Elbe receives the East, Bohemia claims the South, Saxony the North, but the West looks toward the Thuringians. This therefore is the origin of the city of Meissen, this its situation. Its founder, in the third year thereafter joining battle with the Hungarians, then Pagans, depopulating Saxony, three years later victor over the Hungarians. near Merseburg of the Thuringians, with memorable slaughter routed them; & the tribute, which to them up to this time was wont to be paid, on the poor & pious uses of the Churches he bestowed. A hundred thousand f Hungarians in that war were lost, more led captive, very many escaped by flight. The Emperor after so notable a victory, had conceived in his mind, in the city of Meissen, which in the time of the Hungarian war he had opportunely used, to establish a Pontifical See: but after many proofs of virtue by an untimely death g he was carried off, & left the business to his son Otto, surnamed the Great, to be completed.

[5] Otto I founds the Cathedral Church. This man, as he was a man conspicuous for all piety, & most observant of divine worship, fulfilling his father's commands not slothfully, began to set the Cathedral, which still stands, a church to be dedicated to God the Best & Greatest, to Divine John the Apostle, h & to Donatus Bishop & Martyr of Christ (to which he set as boundaries i the spring of the river Oder: & from it by a straight way up to k the head of the Elbe, & thence to the Western region, where is the confine of two regions, namely of Bohemia & l of Niska; & thence through the forest toward the West up to m the mouth of the Mulda, & so downward through both banks of the Mulda, until it again discharges itself into the Elbe), & the men of these places & their fortunes, subject to the Pontiff alone. with all the emolument of land, crops, cattle, & all the riches & goods, both present & future, by the authority & under the diploma n of John XIII Supreme Pontiff he gave to the said Church of Meissen & consecrated. Moved by so great a liberality of the Emperor that same Pontiff, Under Burckhard the first Bishop. that liberally he too might act toward him, granted a most beautiful privilege to the new Church of Meissen: namely that, free from its very first origin, it should in perpetuity be subject to no Metropolitan, or to anyone endowed with any title or honor, except to himself & his successors the Roman Pontiffs.

[6] To the Church thus constituted the Emperor o destined a certain Burckhard, as the first Bishop, a venerable man & notable for much religion, confirmed by John aforesaid together with the Bishopric itself, he instituted a College of Canons & Priests of Christ: who after the manner of their times, The Canons live together in common, at first to have all things in common, & at the same time to eat at one table, & to sleep together in one place, the Canonical hours & all the divine offices alike & with much dignity & reverence to celebrate; neither in choir, nor outside choir to do anything else, than either to pray, or to be rapt with eyes & hands turned up to heaven, no license being given in that same place (which is the custom of many) of conversing: which custom up to the present day in the Church of Meissen is piously & holily preserved. For where the Priests by no necessity to choir are bound, into the most hidden corners they betake themselves; & seeking the more secret places of the temple, either with bended knee, or prostrate with the whole body prone they adore. clothed with a black mantle & a linen garment, The same Burckhard too, vehemently desiring the Clergy of his Church, just as by honesty of morals & life, so by dress too to be distinguished from the rest, first taught them to use a black mantle, with a linen garment cast over: with which vestment they walk even today, yet not except at fixed times of the year, & especially on the fasting weekdays of Lent. With equal care & solicitude the Bishops following Burckhard, but especially p Heico, Gerundus, Bruno the second, Witigo, & he from whom we began, Benno: all indeed remarkable for sanctity of life, planted there all ecclesiastical discipline & honesty, & transmitted it to posterity.

[7] But although in the interval of time, the common life of the Clergy of Meissen, into a proper & private one gradually passed away: There was added of the Emperors yet from that pristine emulation of divine worship & observance not only was nothing relaxed, but even always more & more grew in that place religion. The argument of which is, that just as captivated by the devotion of the old Clergy of Meissen & the sanctity of life the Emperors once Henry, the second, the third, & likewise the fourth, to the Church of Meissen beyond the munificence of the Ottos, gave castles q Wutrze, Buche, Bock, Gedau, & the liberality of the Princes of Meissen; Bresznitz, & others not a few; so also the renowned Princes of Meissen, the ancient custom of the Clergy not ceasing, did not cease, themselves too, following the footsteps of the ancient Emperors, the church of Meissen up to the present day always more & more to adorn, with various structures, altars, chapels, & their ministers, & with offerings of gold & silver, gems & other precious things & gifts. For the temple, twice more august than it had once been, by their labor & expense was built; & joined at the end a chapel, where is the mausoleum, & their common burial: in which also old spoils hang, & trophies snatched from the enemy.

[8] Nor is it to be omitted in this place, when we treat of the increase of religion & of divine worship of our Church of Meissen, & the Chapel of the Princes, that, whereas once at certain & fixed only hours the divine offices were read in it, today no hour, no time whether of day or of night, nor any space of day or night is free from singing & the hymns & praises of the Saints. In which indeed the Church of Meissen has been magnificently preferred to all not only of Germany, but even of the city of Rome's basilicas & sacred buildings: & alone of all earthly shrines & temples emulates & represents that heavenly & supramundane harmony of the Angels, where likewise without intermission to resound sweet sounds, our sacred Theology testifying, we have learned. But lest it seem wonderful to anyone, by what tenor it can be done; we have deemed the whole order of so tenacious a worship here opportunely to be subjoined, provided those snub-nosed critics & weighers of the Latin language & faultfinders go away: since this matter is to be treated by us not with Ciceronian or Gellian allurements of words, but with ecclesiastical names, lest while in figures & circumlocutions we labor, our intention meanwhile become more obscure.

[9] At the beginning therefore, that we may begin the day after the manner of the Athenians from noon, & day & night, perpetual singing: when now the twelfth hour of the noontide day has sounded, the lesser Scholastic boys precent Vigils: for so today are called those prayers & hymns, which for the departed spirits we offer to God. These finished, immediately there are present the eight Priests appointed for this, whom they call Chaplains of the Princes: because in their chapel first also Vigils, then Vespers & Compline they sing of the Mother of God. These up to almost the second hour (for we here follow the reckoning of the lesser dial r) being protracted, the Canons & the whole Clergy, their own Vigils too without delay (where the day demands), then their lawful task, namely the Vespertine assembly & Compline for the time finish. There succeeds to these forthwith a certain other sect of psalm-singers, (commonly they call them Grabatos, because beside the bier or sepulchre of the Princes they sit) who they too first Vigils, then Vespers also & Compline on alternate days, now of the passion of Christ, now of the Compassion of the Virgin Mother, & on every third day the history of the Transfiguration sing. And these indeed protract their task up to the second or third watch of the night. These departing, there come on the Octavians, so called, because beginning from the eighth hour of the night, the remaining time up to deep night by psalm-singing they continue. The labor of these the greater choir likewise receiving, the matutinal office, in the mid silence of the night, melodiously performs. Meanwhile another order of the Grabatos is prepared: who their hours, according as it was begun in the evening, pursues. To these again succeed the Chaplains of the Princes (to use their words) Matins & the remaining hours of the great Mother of God, then the first Mass of her (this is the highest kind of Christian sacrifice) & likewise another for the dead in their order daily celebrating. These finished, those scholastic boys in the greater choir, just as in the evening Vigils, so in the morning too help by chanting him performing the sacred rites of the dead. When day has dawned, Prime & the remaining Hours of the divine offices, as the time demands, are also harmoniously performed. And before the highest Sacrifice, for the most part two or three Masses solemnly precede, destined to the glorious Body of Christ, or to His victorious Cross, or to the tutelary Saints (whom they call Patrons). All the sacred rites being offered, the remaining time up to the twelfth hour again of the noontide day is completed with the song of psalms without cessation. At the same moment, the business in the same series by assiduous turns is repeated, silence being condemned in perpetuity.

[10] This so excellent work was of the Princes s Ernest & t Albert, of Saxony Dukes & Margraves of Meissen etc. These two most famous brothers, by their own native devotion & piety, having meditated so grateful a service to heaven, founded by the two brother Dukes by common money & expense, founded perpetual stipends for the ministers varying by the hour: worthy on this account, that those who their own things so cheerfully conferred on God, may receive from Him the reward of eternal retribution. Since in this, recalling the ancient zeal of the old German Princes toward the Heavenly Ones, as if now abolished, to their sons too & grandsons they left examples of divine worship always more & more to be propagated. Ernest the Elector One of them was Ernest namely, Elector of the Roman Empire, to whom at Rome once by Sixtus the fourth a golden Rose was given: which he returning gave to the Church of Meissen as a gift, where among the sacred Relics of the temple, which there are held very many, & indeed most precious, it is worthily kept. But the other was Albert, restorer of that same Empire then almost collapsed under Frederick III & most faithful defender, & Albert who had nothing dearer, than that same Roman Empire, won for us by the virtue of the old Germans, with all his might to protect, & from every external injury to defend: for which he spared neither his own goods, nor his proper blood. He first subjugated the Frisians both to himself & to the Roman Empire: to whom also Innocent VIII, while he was then warring in the parts of lower Germany, a Rose, who subjects the Frisians to the Roman Empire. of solid gold cast, of his own accord transmitted in testimony of his virtue & of things well done: he sent also an epistle, in which calling him the right hand of the Empire, he extolled him with praises up to heaven. To narrate here the virtue & glory of that Prince both in peace & in war, is neither of our ability, nor of the present design.

[11] To the Church of Meissen therefore we must return: in whose middle his body, of whom we treat, The body of S. Benno there shone with miracles, namely of the venerable Father Benno, more precious than all gold & gems, honorably deposited more than four hundred years now, with frequent virtues & miracles in Christ shines: which the votive tablets hanging there & the gifts abundantly show. Whose life, & the labors drained for Christ, & the nation of the Slavs converted by him in great part, & the miracles for so many ages back continued up to this day, to the honor of the highest God about to write, let us happily set out.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

p Of these Heico is held the third Bishop, Gerundus or Gerung the 17th, Bruno the second the 20th, Witigo the 24th, & so these three sat long after S. Benno.

q Heico is said to have added the towns Wurzen, Bickam, Buckam, & Lubbentzam.

r By the lesser Dial I understand that by which the natural day is divided into twice twelve hours, drawn from midnight to midnight; in which manner, approved therefore by the Astrologers, because from an invariable & always similarly recurring point of time it takes its beginning, all Europe follows, only the Italians excepted; who, since with Ecclesiastical hours from sunrise formerly they used, in some century of the middle age (I know not by what first author) instituted twenty-four hours to be numbered from the always variable setting of the sun; & yet they have all their daily actions from sunrise to begin, & need to name the hour of rising in the morning, again & again another & another; & to accelerate or retard the course of the wheeled clocks, according as the sun rises earlier or later; not to speak of sundials, of whose making the method is even more perplexing to themselves. Cardinal Bellarmine, who had long lived in Belgium, being once asked, whether he preferred the Cisalpine or the Transalpine Clock; cleverly answered; That it could not but seem good to him, on which two nations conspire, in almost all things mutually contrary to each other, the Spaniards & the French.

s Ernest died in the year 1486 grandfather of John Frederick, deprived of the Electoral dignity by Charles V.

t Albert grandfather of Maurice, substituted as Elector by Charles V, & of Augustus the Elector, from whom the present Saxon Electors proceed.

OLD DIVISION.

The Index of Chapters prefixed to the Life Surius omitted: for it was not burdensome to him to leave to each one the titles, which he found singly noted; but to us because that is not convenient, about to make longer Chapters in the manner now received. Receive them here jointly, with the numbers in our division to correspond to each of them.

CHAPTER I.

The birth, education, studies of S. Benno.

CHAP. I.

[12] Born at Hildesheim Among the famous cities of Saxony that one, which now commonly is called a Hildesheim, was once called Bennopolis, from a certain Benno (as they say) a Frisian founder: hence to our divine Benno the name, hence the surname Bennopolitan. For in that city from his tender years educated, & with the sacred garment clothed, he grew into that man, such as, God favoring, we are about to write of. His father was a Count b of Saxony, not far from Goslar c dwelling: but his mother Bezela, as it were "well zealing" or "good d zeal" was named. These two when they did the will of the Most High, & in the law of their God faithfully persevered, two sons the Lord gave them; his father a Count of Saxony, Christopher, who afterward succeeded his father in the County, & Benno this our man, who having renounced (as we shall say) the world, preferred to be the Count of Christ rather than of this world. Of these two brothers mention is made by the letters of Henry IV which are had at Goslar on the mountain of S. Peter, confirmed afterward by King Adolph in these words. Henry by the favoring divine clemency King: To all faithful of Christ & of ourselves, both future & present, we wish it to be known, how we, on account of the intervention & petition of our beloved mother Agnes the Empress Augusta, a certain estate, with his brother Christopher which had been of Christopher the Count, & of his brother Benno our Chaplain, in the village of Partimiles, in the district of Northdoringen, to the altar of S. Peter, which is in the eastern region of the village of Goslar, on the mountain which is called Mount S. Peter, etc. into property we have handed over, granted etc. Given on the third day of March, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation 1062, but in the eighth year of our ordination, the sixth of our reign, the twelfth of our life. These things were faithfully excerpted there. But that our Benno in those same letters is called the king's Chaplain, the cause is, that at that time he was a Canon of the Church of Goslar: which both was itself a Chapel then royal, & all its Canons were held & named as royal Chaplains (to use their words). Which below in its place we shall more plainly narrate. These things therefore here I have deemed to be foretasted, that I might leave no scruple to the reader, especially in the very vestibule of the history; noted in the letters of Henry IV in the year 1052. & at the same time so famous a birth of Divine Benno, by many hitherto on account of the antiquity of the times unknown, at length bring to light. But before I proceed further, it will be not absurd to explain the reason of the name itself: & how many men have been illustrious by that name, at least in a few words to touch upon.

[13] Benno in the old Slavic language is said to be the same, as in Latin e Benedict. There flourished by this name men not uncelebrated; one indeed Bishop f of Osnabrück, on account of the merit of his life called Benno, enrolled in the number of the Saints; another Bishop of Oldenburg g, a man powerful in work & speech, who driven from his See by the unfaithful Slavs, to B. Bernward h then Bishop of Bennopolis, an exile & fugitive turned aside; by whom benignly received & deemed worthy of hospitality, at length in the consecration of the monastery of S. Michael, which that same B. Bernward at his own expense in the northern part of the city of Hildesheim had built from the foundation, a name common to many famous men, the Duke of Saxony, suffocated by the pressure of the people, in that same place was buried, not without an opinion too of sanctity: his Bishopric in the course of time to Lübeck i a maritime city was translated. A third was Bishop of the Church of Utrecht k, frequently employed in public assemblies of Princes & graver business of the kingdom by Henry l IV on account of his singular industry. A fourth was Duke m of Saxony, in the time of Otto II, a most excellent Prince indeed, & a strenuous defender of the churches, especially against the Slavs then everywhere attacking our faith: that there were likewise other n Bennos besides those whom we have mentioned, is sufficiently clear: yet it is not of our undertaking here to put down the nomenclature of each, for whom it abundantly suffices that there have been so many notable.

III

[14] Because we have fallen into mention of the Slavs, it is worthy to be known, afterward to be the Apostle of the Slavs that nation (whether departed from Scythia once, as Sabellicus seems to think, or from elsewhere) not only Illyricum, Istria & Dalmatia, but also toward the North, a great part of Saxony, & almost all the nearer shore of the Northern Ocean, from the river Elbe up to the Baltic sea, claimed for itself by arms. Of whom those who were called Nordalbingians o, occupied once Dithmarschen, Stormarn, the Duchy of Holstein, & Hamburg the maritime city: the Runi, who are also the Rugians, Lübeck, p Stralsund, Wismar & the neighboring cities: after whom the Pomeranians & q Obotrites, who then of Mecklenburg r the Brizani & Stoderani, now those of Havelberg & Brandenburg, each placed their seats. Who afterward beyond the Elbe the Nisici & Liutici, (whom today we call Lusatians) but on this side the Elbe up to the Saale the river of the Thuringians, were called Sorabi: for all those places the Slavs once had usurped for themselves. But that even the Bohemians themselves & the Poles, were of foreign & by origin Slavs, Aeneas Sylvius, of no contemptible credit among historians, is author. These things therefore we have thought to be inserted into this our work, since since in all these to be converted to Christ not a few once most holy men, Bishops, Priests & Monks, some in some, others in other places labored hard, until this icy cold of the North was dissolved by the heat of the word of God; but especially our Benno here for those, who had settled around both banks of the Elbe in his diocese, to be recalled from their error, did diligent labor; & very many of them by his frequent sermons & signs converted to the faith, just as in its place clearly we shall prove. Nor does it escape me, that on account of this very cause perhaps Divine Benno by many up to now has been believed to have been a Slav: but this false opinion of the common people below also I shall refute. Now let us pursue the begun history.

[15] Brought forth into this light our Benno in the year of human salvation 1010, he is taught by S. Bernward the Bishop & Wiger his preceptor: when he was passing the fifth year of his age, a little boy still, he was handed over into the service of the aforesaid S. Bernward, Bishop of Bennopolis: who also himself begotten of the illustrious blood of Counts, was a kinsman of our Benno & a relation. Wherefore mindful of that, which is written, The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord, the boy handed to him first of all he made to fear God: & for the clearing away of his literary study soon, he gave him as preceptor Wiger, Provost of his own monastery of S. Michael, a man excellently adorned with morals & letters. Psalm 110. Under whose discipline in a short time he so advanced, that, a boy of the best disposition, he promised great hope of himself. For as that age was learned, & cultivated humane studies (which from several most eloquent men of his time & their monuments one may see) so our Wiger did not suffer the boy committed to him to shrink from the more polished studies: & first in drawing & forming the ancient letter-shapes, & those which today by Venetian printers into use s have been recalled, he luminously instructed him: just as the letters written by his own hand, & at his church of Meissen up to the present day preserved, easily prove: then with poems too he exercised him, yet not except divine & lacking all obscenity of words. Nor with difficult Minerva had the boy already learned to play with verse & to compose hymns. Wherefore both to all, but especially to his Patron S. Bernward he had greatly bound himself, & he was as grateful to heaven, as to men.

[16] But the holy Bishop Bernward, now in the extreme old age of his life seized by fevers, at five years old he aids the sick S. Bernward: began so persistently to be ill, that he lay sick for a whole five years. In which time his single solace was the boy Benno, now by poetizing, now by reading, now by disputing. But especially most pleasing to him was the most diligent service of the boy, who not for a moment went away from the old man. But when now the end of the most blessed Father Bernward was at hand, the boy being called together with Wiger his pedagogue, he used a speech to him of this kind: You see, my son, me worn out by assiduous fever, & this sinister health of body, & whatever of adversity there was, up to the end constantly to have borne: for we cannot return to God, except cooked in the furnace of tribulations & adversity. But if even those, who have lived rightly, disturbances & pains surround; how much more by the just judgment of God do those, who without any fear of God live like cattle, both here unhappiness occupies, & in the future misery. Wherefore if you are wise, or if by reason of age you yourself cannot yet be wise, at least acquiesce in our admonitions; & this world, filled with toils & anxieties; stuffed with guile, fraud, lies, snares & traps; polluted with blood, crime & iniquities, like some contagious & virulent plague flee, execrate, & despise, & to God alone adhere. Which that you may more easily attain, & your age, still waxen, may not be bent to vice, corrupted by no corruption of evil men; from the side of this preceptor of yours henceforth nowhere depart; & to him, if you love me, in all things obey in your father's place. These things said, having kissed the hand of the boy, to Wiger the Provost he again & again commended him. dying he is commended by him to Wiger: But he himself, all his affairs being disposed, full of days, rich in good works, & secure of the ethereal mansion prepared for him, his eyes suddenly closed, migrated to the Lord, buried in his monastery of t S. Michael, where also he shines with miracles.

[17] It can scarcely be said, with how great mourning & grief the passing of this blessed man afflicted the mind both of all his citizens, by whose action moderating he bears his death; & of our Divine Benno, not because they envied him the glory, to which invited he had departed; but because, by reason of their excessive love of him, they would prefer either that he should still live, or that with him they should have died their last day. But when Wiger (to whom the guardianship of the boy had been committed) noticed him on account of his immoderate grief of mind, which his frequent groans & tears betrayed, too much to waste away & pine; he began with bland words now to console him, now to chastise him, & the unbridled impulses of his youthful mind with the bridle of senile gravity to restrain; asserting, that this is a common necessity of fate to all, which neither Christ (when He alone could) wished to avoid; nor was the death of his kinsman to be wept in womanly fashion, which he himself so constantly & with equal mind bore; especially since renowned for so many virtues & miracles in Christ, he left behind him an evident sign of his beatitude. The man, very eloquent, added that death was nothing else than the end of the evils of this world, & the beginning of a better life: for the sake of which thing the people of Cadiz once consecrated a temple to death & an altar, & exhibited divine honors, as to the common rest & port of all miseries. By which words Benno being appeased, both moderated his grief somewhat, & from that time hating the vain lot of mortals, with himself firmly resolved, as soon as through his parents it should be allowed him, to take up the sacred habit; & in that same monastery, whatever space of life the fates should grant, by serving God to pass, by a most wholesome institute of life indeed.

[18] An Epitaph too in the course of time the same Benno composed for the blessed man Bernward, as is had even today in that same monastery, & he composes the Epitaph. & his Brethren attest, of this tenor:

In this ditch of the tomb are shut the bones of the Bishop, Bernward the wondrous & magnificent man. Who the diadem of his country, radiant like a renowned gem, Acceptable to the Lord, pleased the people. For he was a Bishop worthy of the Church, Whom God Emmanuel & Michael love. At last on the twelfth, in the eleventh month, on the Kalends, Happy, he changes this life for the Angelic.

From which little verses indeed it sufficiently appears, that he was neither ignorant of the metric art, nor yet an affecter of painted verse, but content with a slender & simple style.

[29] But if to delicate ears & those having a rhinoceros's nose, that little verse will perhaps seem ridiculous: Whom God Emmanuel love & Michael (for the rest are pretty enough), I would they should remember, that the blessed man Bernward was singularly devoted to divine Michael, & on this account dedicated the monastery, built at his own expense, to his name, & there wished to rest. Which well weighed it is clear, that the aforesaid little verse did not so rashly fall from our Divine Benno, as at first perhaps front it could seem. But these things let us let go, since those who within are driven by the divine spirit, count the outer husk of words as nothing, & love a well-ordered life more than a well-ordered speech. he grows up under the rigor of scholastic discipline. But holy Bernward died in the year of salvation 1022, at which time most rigid was at Bennopolis the scholastic discipline of the boys, for whom (as is read in their Annals) not only to be absent from choir, table, or dormitory, but even to be present too late, was a sin. They were compelled also daily to present their writing to the Dean, & to recite the very Psalms: nor more timidly in the cloister, than in the schools did they seem to withdraw the hand from the ferule. By such bridles therefore our Benno being restrained, even the slipperiness of adolescence, by which almost all of us slip, bravely trod down.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

p Better known by the name of Stralsund.

q King of the Obotrites was S. Canute the Martyr, whose various Acts we illustrated 7 January, where we also treated of these Slavs: who in the prior Life & in some others are called Wandals: because they succeeded into those lands, whence they themselves once departed.

r The Brizani, occupied the lands situated around Britzen, a town of the middle March, on the Oder & the Baltic sea.

s By Latin or Roman letters he means, of which, as well as of Greek, the types, before the year 500, first at Venice to be fabricated Aldus Manutius instituted; whereas before only the German were in use among the printers, such as the first inventors of the art at Mainz & Haarlem had taught to form.

t The Church of S. Michael, Merian being witness, is one of those six, which the Catholics were compelled to cede to the Professors of the Augsburg Confession.

CHAPTER II.

His Monkhood at Hildesia: his Canonry at Goslar, his Episcopate at Meissen.

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[20] Adorned with illustrious gifts: The youth Benno of great hope, & amiable both in gifts of body & of mind, the admonitions of his preceptor, contrary to the manner & custom of his age, both gladly heard, & alacriously embraced. And when now under his yoke & discipline he had come to the pubescent years, never noted with any levity, nor using other than the common food of the Brethren, nor fatigued by less abstinence & labor than they, to all the warfare of Christ he was diligently exercised by his master. Nor was this wrestling-ground of virtue grievous to the youth: his father being dead, rather he rejoiced more, when he understood himself to be an example of abstinence & endurance even to the elders. But neither by the bland words of friends dissuading him, & with many & splendid conditions inviting him to the world, nor by any art of persuasion could his mind be changed. He was now solidified upon a firm rock: nor had there fallen from his mind the sound doctrine of B. Bernward & his last farewell. with the consent of his pious mother, But it happened that at the same time his father, who for the sake of propagating the stock had more vehemently invited him to the world, departed from human affairs; & he himself freed from his father's power easily hoped that with his mother, whom he knew devout & religious, he would obtain leave to enter Religion. Nor did his pious mother oppose his vows: rather vehemently commending him for it, she promised, that the still slender state of the monastery with her own resources not illiberally she would foster: for she was a woman of approved religion & honesty, & (to put it in one word) worthy of such a son.

[21] Cheered, Benno, by so benign an assent of his pious mother, he becomes a monk, & embraces sacred studies: when now to the manly toga he was nearest, taught by the Holy Spirit to reprobate evil & to choose good, in the eighteenth year of his age took up the sacred habit & with it the increments of the holy virtues: & soon professed in that, which we said above, monastery of Hildesheim, putting after him his childish studies & poetic trifles, the most sacred volumes of the Prophets & both Testaments, & the commentaries of the Fathers thereon, day & night he ruminated. To prayers, vigils, & fasts much more intensely than before he gave himself. The abstruse too & recondite meanings of Theology, which he had meditated & explored more deeply than the rest, not unwillingly he unlocked. Who (as their annals teach) by his most sacred eloquence, in the sadness of any anxiety being consoled, & freed from the snares of the ancient enemy, the ways of perpetual life entered. Some report also, created Doctor of sacred Theology: that before he entered Religion, in France he gave labor to the study of Theology, & in that faculty was decorated with doctoral insignia, which honor then was of all the most excellent. To which opinion not a little lends credit, both the title of Master, which among the monuments of the Church of Goslar (as we said before) even today he holds; & that several noble men of the same century betook themselves to the same kingdom of France, for the sake of sacred letters: which by Charlemagne's labor & expense, into the gymnasium of Paris a once were introduced is sufficiently clear. Wherefore nothing prohibits that Divine Benno, even after his profession, was sent thither by his Abbot for the sake of study: yet lest we should seem to assert uncertain things for certain, he is consecrated Deacon, we have left those things in the middle.

[22] From the time of his religion taken up Benno up to the twenty-fifth year of his age, in which he received the sacred order of the Diaconate, in the eyes of all most holily & most innocently conversed: & from that time up to the thirtieth year of his life always more & more in religion advancing, Priest: in humility & patience shining before all, his Abbot Adelbert willing & commanding, into the priesthood at length he was initiated: which he with such reverence & dignity approached, with such cleanness & purity exercised, that to the brethren too he was a wonder & admiration. With abstinence so great he thence macerated himself, that rarely did he take supper with them. At the altar he was all aflame: nor ever with dry eyes could he perform the divine office. It happened therefore, that in the fourth year thereafter, the aforesaid Adelbert having died, part of the Brethren elected this our Benno, but part a certain Sigebert, then he was Abbot for three months. & himself indeed a good man, of a milder life however, & more given to secular affairs. And when Benno strove with more votes than Sigebert himself, nonetheless to him gladly & of his own accord he yielded: beseeching his electors, that the contemplative life of his they would not impede with exterior cares & actions: yet for three months he was compelled to stand in the office, until with often weeping eyes he obtained release of the duty. Hence it is that in the catalogue of the Abbots of that same monastery in his order & place it is thus written: Benno our Brother & Father, is elected Abbot: but for a short time he stood in the rule, namely for three months: afterward made Bishop of Meissen, he shines with miracles; there buried, where also into Bishop he was anointed. These things there.

[23] This Ecclesiastical prefecture being laid down, our Benno had resolved to pass the rest of his life in privacy, & either in prayer, or in divine reading only: but the omnipotent & glorious in His Saints God, who exalts the humble of heart, [After the church at Goslar built by Henry the Emperor, & consecrated by Pope Leo,] & casts down the proud from the seat, did not suffer this most shining candlestick always to lie hidden under a bushel. Luke 1. Whence shortly afterward it happened, that the most pious Emperor Henry, King the III, caused the Church of Goslar (whose foundations already before b Conrad his predecessor had laid, either his father or his father-in-law) finished with magnificent & Royal worship to be dedicated by the hands of the most blessed Pontiff Leo c IX, there being present Cardinals, Bishops, & Abbots, to the number of 73. Which Church indeed when that same most worthy Emperor, a special henceforth (to use his words) Chapel of the Empire & its Canons royal Chaplains (as above we foretasted) wished everywhere to be held & named; he becomes there Master & Canon. he gave exact labor, that men worthy of so great an honor, & approved both in letters & in the morals of holy conversation, he might set over that same Church: since there he had also established the seat of the Kingdom. There were chosen therefore from almost all Germany men both most learned, & most observant of religion: among whom also our venerable Benno, by the greatest entreaties of the Emperor, with the aforesaid supreme Pontiff assenting & commanding, at last with difficulty drawn out of his monastery, & to the said Church of Goslar (insofar as he might be leader of the new Congregation of spiritual armor, & instruct it in the rudiments of Ecclesiastical discipline) into Master & Canon he was appointed. But how praiseworthy & holy a life once that first congregation of the Canons of Goslar led, an argument can be, not only this, that several of them were enrolled in the number of the Saints, very many were deemed worthy of the appellation of Blessed (while they still lived): but also that thing most worthy of memory, that since the designation of Bishops was still in the power of the Emperors, few from elsewhere than from that same royal (as it was called) Chapel, both under the aforesaid Henry III, & his son IV, & his grandson V Kings of equivocal name, to whatever Bishoprics ascended; so that, that the matter may be done by example, whence 46 Bishops created & 2 designated are numbered. the names of them, & also of the Sees, to which each was raised, in the following chapter come not unfittingly to be recounted by us.

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[24] Rumold I Provost, afterward Bishop of Constance.

Engelhard II Provost, Archbishop of Magdeburg.

Gunther III, Bishop of Bamberg.

Werner IV, Bishop of Merseburg.

Anno V, Archbishop of Cologne.

Bruno VII Provost, Bishop of Würzburg.

Otto VIII, Bishop of Ravenna.

Suider IX, Bishop of Bamberg, afterward Pope Clement II.

Hartwic X, Archbishop of Magdeburg.

William XI, Bishop of Verona.

Bertold XII, Bishop of Terni.

Arnold XIII, Bishop of Passau.

Bruno XIV, Bishop of Vercelli.

Gerold XV, Bishop of Ravenna.

Crafft XVI, Designated of Meissen.

Matro XVIII, Bishop of Verden.

Herebert XIX, Bishop of Liège.

Eckhard XX, Bishop of Poland.

Gotfrid XXI, Bishop of Regensburg.

Eppo XXII, Bishop of Worms.

Udalric XXIII, Bishop of Strasbourg.

Cono XXIV, Bishop of Freising.

Conrad XXV, Bishop of Utrecht.

Landolf XXVI, Archbishop of Trier.

Ricolf XXVII, Archbishop of Mainz.

Erpho XXVIII, Bishop of Münster.

Henry XXIX, Bishop of Augsburg.

Hetzelin XXX, Bishop of Hildesheim.

Henry XXXI, Bishop of Paderborn.

Eylbert XXXII, Bishop of Numen.

Litmar Master, Archbishop of Hamburg.

Hildolf Master, Archbishop of Cologne.

Adelhog XXXIII Provost, Bishop of Hildesheim.

Eckhard XXXIV, Bishop of Speyer.

Conrad Canon, Bishop of Hildesheim.

Lutolf Canon, Bishop of Halberstadt.

John Master, Major Provost of Halberstadt.

Rudolph Vidame, Bishop of Schwerin.

Conrad Canon, Archbishop of Magdeburg.

Valentine XXXV Provost, Bishop of Minden.

Gunther Canon, Designated of Magdeburg.

Sigfrid XXXVI, Bishop of Hildesheim.

Arnold XXXVII, Bishop of Bamberg.

John Canon, Bishop of Havelberg.

Henry Canon, Bishop of Havelberg.

These & other Provosts & Canons of the old Church of Goslar, to so diverse Sees of Italy, Germany, & the Gauls, once by the nod of the Emperors destined Bishops, whoever wishes to see more fully: at that same church will find, together with other monuments of antiquity most worthy. To Benno our discourse hastens.

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[25] Seventeen years our venerable Benno conversed at Goslar, S. Benno liberal toward that church: in which he showed himself remarkable in the genus of virtues, & acted the part of a Canon & Master complete in all respects, with frequent vigils, frequent fasting, assiduous prayers, & with large alms of his patrimony of his own: for he gave from his hereditary goods to the aforesaid church of Goslar not a few estates, mills, houses & perpetual rents too: which all the Canons of that same church up to the present day use, & whose letters, monuments & diplomas thereupon they have reposited with themselves. But although the most blessed man Benno earned no common favor of all those, who in his time had warred for God with him in the Church of Goslar; he joins himself more closely to S. Anno the Provost. for this reason that he was upright & whole, & a vehement lover of fraternal peace & domestic concord; but especially with him & B. Anno, then Provost of Goslar, but afterward Archbishop of Cologne, was a most close intimacy & mutual love in Christ: since one was to them to will & to refuse; to will namely the good, & to recede from evil. Wherefore it is wonderful to say, how much in a short time together with God they advanced, & how pleasant & firm a friendship like morals & the same zeal for heaven begot in them. For truly then in them was fulfilled that of the Psalmist; Behold how good & how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell in unity. Psalm 132. O lawful Priests of Christ! Would & would that this knot & this bond, namely the charity of Christ & the zeal of divine things, joined our Priests too & the Prelates of the Churches! For thus their hidden rivalries & hatreds being removed from the midst, through the bond of fraternal concord, both to their own would they be more honorable, & to their adversaries even more formidable: nor would the churches thus be injured, their goods plundered, & almost all ecclesiastical authority perish. But whither have I wandered? To our Orestes & Pylades, namely Anno & Benno, the pen must be recalled. Whose so great benevolence among themselves nothing so fostered, as that, of which I had just spoken, the fraternal charity of Christ, which, as the Apostle says, is the bond of perfection. Col. 3. With this therefore as leader from virtue into virtue walking, how each by God was exalted, & faithful in a little over many was set, as briefly as I shall be able, hence I shall append.

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[26] In the year of salvation 1055 the most blessed Anno, by Henry III aforesaid, then Archbishop of Cologne, with great assent of all good men, obtained the See of the city of Cologne, a man who so many disturbances & conflagrations of commonwealths, which in his time everywhere arose in the Empire, alone either to bear with equanimity, or from his city by singular prudence knew how to ward off. Bidding farewell therefore to his dearest friend Benno, Be of good courage, he said, Brother; nor would I have you think, that I shall be unmindful of you, but the intimacy begun between us, where by presence we cannot, at least by letters we shall foster: Anno therefore, wherever he shall be, count to be yours. Nor did he promise it so humbly, as by the event afterward he explained it. For the aforesaid Emperor having died a little after, he granted the kingdom to his son Henry IV, anointed at Aachen not so much before. Who when he was still a boy, with his mother Agnes the Empress for some time was educated: & a short time after he came into the guardianship of the aforesaid Anno Bishop of Cologne: for which causes, writers vary, & by his procuring, nor does it pertain here. Certain however it is, that until the King should complete his boyish years, the sum of affairs, by the consent of all, with Anno resided: who, the Church of Meissen being vacant about that time, by the death of Crafft a little before Provost of Goslar, easily effected, that the same Church of Meissen to his old friend Benno, whose innocence & dignity of life he had long held explored, even though he thought of no such thing, was committed.

[27] & raising up his spirit, Him reluctant (perhaps for love of the contemplative life) by letters as faint-hearted he vehemently rebuked, & to undertaking the bishopric exhorted; asserting, that enough now enough had his virtue been tested at Goslar: nor had the most holy Apostles once always grown old in one place; that now hither, now thither, by sea, by lands, the shoots of divine plantation they had carried about. Let him beware therefore, lest the talent handed to him, when at Meissen now on account of the neighboring & unbelieving nation of the Slavs he could double it, he should rather hide, & seem to flee labors for Christ; which would be more an indication of a slothful than a religious mind: for thus contemplation must be given to, that from action, he is elected Bishop of Meissen. in which all the praise of virtue would consist, the mind with the body should not shrink: & thus the beauty of Rachel must be loved, lest the fecundity of Leah meanwhile be held in contempt. For just as the stars differing from stars, most becomingly paint one face of the sky; so to the Church of Christ one & sole, both the active & the speculative life, not only for ornament & adornment, but also as most necessary, are. By which words not so much persuaded as as it were compelled Benno, the offered province at last undertook; not ignorant however (the divine Spirit revealing) by what waves he was to be tossed, & how great tribulations & adversities in the Episcopate he was to tolerate: to all which he offered himself a voluntary victim to God.

[28] In the year therefore of human reparation 1066 our venerable Benno by f Werner Archbishop of Magdeburg is clothed with the Pontifical vestment, suffused with the liquor of holy oil, consecrated by the Archbishop of Magdeburg, & Bishop of our renowned Church of Meissen, the tenth from Burckhard its first Pastor, is set over it. The blessing therefore received in the usual manner, soon to him hastening to Meissen the Clergy & people of the whole city congratulating & venerating ran to meet him, & led festively into the greater church, in the Pontifical See they place him, with great applause of all & immense joy of the whole city. But he within himself dwelling, & by the present honor in nothing elated, always had that in his mouth, & silently under his breast turned over: Not to us O Lord, not to us, & joyfully received but to Thy name give glory. Psalm 113, Heb. 5. Mindful besides of that which is written, Every Pontiff, taken from among men, is appointed for men, in those things which are to God, that he may offer gifts & sacrifices for sins; first of all, in the sight of all the people the Sacred rites in the solemn manner he celebrated, with such devotion & such a fountain of tears, that with dry eyes those, even who had stony hearts, could not see him. The sacred rites being brought into the midst, turned to the people, in the popular tongue first, of the excellence & dignity of the Christian faith, of worshiping the highest & true God, & the joys of the blessed spirits, & the torments of the wicked, graphically & with great admiration of all he discoursed.

[29] amid the Sacred rites he harangues the people & Clergy. Then to the Canons & Clergy directing his discourse, he addressed them with such a speech: Since by God it has been done, men brethren & lords, that neither to me thinking of it nor seeking it this place (which to us may remain happy on both sides & auspicious) was destined; I henceforth to this most worthy Church of yours, & to its advantages & honor this soul, & whatever is in me, which I know how exiguous it is, the whole I promise & devote. Nor will any labor be grievous to me, nor to love dangers, which to us however dearest brethren (unless from on high God avert it) both many & great threaten; provided that your, & this Church committed to me, salvation, honor & advantage, so as becomes a good Pastor in all ways & according to my strength I promote: for which neither shall I fear the threats of the powerful, nor the loss of things to be lost, or of this little body even shall I make much account: but you with your prayers & supplications will aid me. For especially pleasing to me is your devotion, & the well-instituted religion: which by my predecessors, doubtless most holy men, so becomingly ordained, I pray & beseech God the Best & Greatest in my time too into worse may not slip, but for the praise & glory of Him always more & more may grow in this place: that for the common at last labor & a life well led, we may deserve together to enter into the common joy, & of the desired beatitude to obtain the little reward. So having spoken, both to the bystanders he drew forth tears, & himself too with weeping eyes to perform the Sacred rites begun returned.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER III.

His Episcopal care, exile, Roman journey, the conversion of the Slavs confirmed by miracles.

[30] He goes before by example An old proverb it is, Office shows the man. And truly how great prudence the most blessed our Benno had, how provident in counsel, how just in judgment, did not appear before, than when in so great a height he was established: for neither departing to the right nor to the left, all things, whatever by word he admonished, by deeds himself he fulfilled. Not pompous, not elated: but his works he adorned with much piety toward the poor; deeming this alone to be his own, that naked & destitute into this world he had come. Especially of Ecclesiastical things & of divine worship his care was solicitous. Whence since after the manner of the ancients the chant was still irregular in the church of Meissen (which even in other places one may see from certain most ancient Graduals & Antiphonaries as they call them, in which a single, he hands down the regular use of singing; or even sometimes no line, & with few & undistinguished little notes antiquity was content) our Benno with deliberate labor, the regular & lawful use of singing, according to the rite & custom of the Church of Hildesheim, to Meissen first introduced: & he made that harmoniously & elegantly up to the present day be sung, whatever he himself instituted. For those new & exotic histories which today some sing, is an invention of the moderns, lacking the law & measure of the musical art.

[31] This analogy & agreement of the Hildesheim & Meissen chant, whether in the festive, such as was kept at Hildesia or in the simple manner the divine offices are performed, first of all detected the venerable & excellent man, Lord John Hennig, Professor of sacred Theology & most worthy Dean of the said Church of Meissen; to whom recently surveying Saxony, for the sake of these things I was destined a companion: where both by the most worthy Saxon men we were most benignly received; & almost all those things which are here inserted, partly with our eyes we saw, partly from the monuments of letters we drew. But these & other things the most worthy Pastor Benno concerning the divine worship, in his Church of Meissen, prudently ordained & constituted: for he was most learned of all ceremonies, & about the divine office from infancy versed: nor did anything lie hidden from him that pertained to Ecclesiastical discipline.

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[32] The divine offices being rightly disposed, soon the most blessed Pontiff turned his mind to visiting the individual villages & towns of his diocese, He visits all the churches of his diocese: & all the Churches & their Rectors; which also every year in his own person village by village & door by door he diligently did. Accordingly looking out on both sides for the salvation of souls, now among the Priests, that both by word they should teach, & by deed prove their doctrine; lest perchance preaching to others, they themselves becoming reprobate, should grow vile to their hearers; now among the subjects, that obeying the word of their Priests, the word of salvation & whatever pertains to the faith, diligently from them they should learn & observe. But if any he found to comport themselves in that manner, vehemently he praised: but if otherwise, gently correcting into better he changed them. With such grace was he endowed, & with such equilibrium between poor & rich he divided himself, that everywhere all loved him; & obeying his admonitions, peacefully among themselves lived, & with fraternal love mutually loved each other. The word of God too so luminously, so sweetly he treated & preached; that for many even miles, for the sake of hearing him, they flocked together.

[33] But the man of God had, in the individual regions of his diocese, & turns aside to his own castles, one castle, in which in the time of his visitation he might turn aside: namely in the East & in upper Lusatia, a Gedau; in the South, b Bresnitz; in the West, c Neoburg commonly Naumburg; but to the North, not far from the city of Meissen, Zscheylau, where today also a Collegiate church is had. On account of the frequent incursions of the barbarians & hostile devastations, rare then were the cities in that land: for both Stolpen, Wurzen, & Mögeln towns much later came into the power of the Church of Meissen. But the aforesaid castles, Bresnitz, Gedau, some of which obtained from S. Henry the Emperor. & not a few others, Henry the Emperor the second, he who afterward was enrolled in the number of the Saints, & by the Italians is held the first, to the Church of Meissen once had given as a gift, on account of the prayers of Eico the third Bishop of Meissen. Who also himself a Bishop of excellent merit indicated the sanctity of his life by certain miracles, which after his death were discovered & committed to letters; whose glorious life d Dietmar formerly Bishop of Merseburg, as devoutly as elegantly wrote. Wherefore there is no reason that we should longer delay here: for Benno's affairs not Eico's are being treated. But if there were leisure, I could mention certainly very many Bishops of the Church of Meissen, to have once been of such religion & cleanness, that the appellation of Blessed (while they still lived) they doubtless deserved. But account must be had by us, lest wandering farther afield, both the series of the begun work we interrupt, & the reader at the same time with tedium we wear out.

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[34] These things being settled, which pertain to the divine worship & the salvation of souls, He cares for & augments the estates of the Church the most holy Bishop Benno, noticing the Ecclesiastical stipends, on account of the neighbors', now the Slavs', now the Bohemians', wickedness & habit of plundering, to be not a little diminished; gave also diligent care, lest to his Church, either for the divine worship, or for feeding the poor, anything should be lacking: whence from those, to whom he himself sowed the heavenly things, the temporal subsidies of the Church by a certain right of his he confidently asked. Of whom a certain Bor, a man of equestrian Order, of great devotion, not a few things gave him from his goods, & to the Church of Meissen by perpetual right appropriated. Likewise also Henry IV, King of that name, while he was still under the yoke of B. Anno Bishop of Cologne, to the Church of Meissen, some estates & goods, by the liberality both of others & of his mother, according to royal munificence liberally granted. But also Bezela, mother of Divine Benno, all her goods being sold off, her son after he had obtained the Episcopate hither too had followed: to whom he granted the castle e Gedau to dwell in, & as often as there he discharged the duty of his visitation, to the aged & decrepit little woman he was a great solace. Who even while still living, & then after her death (for shortly afterward she died) to the Church of Meissen, whatever from dowries, paraphernalia, or any other goods whatsoever she should leave, by testament bequeathed: from which her most pious son a perpetual memory at the Church, & that Sunday office, which on Sunday too there they perform, rents being procured for this, instituted.

[35] Thence there prevailed a rumor among posterity (as we hinted above) that our Divine Benno was born at Gedau: his mother having stayed with him at Gedau & died there. since it was handed down by memory, & to the inhabitants up to the present day it is even clear, that his mother once dwelt at Gedau. But this false opinion of the ignorant common people easily explodes, both the name itself Benno, given to him from his country Bennopolis, & the most ancient monuments of the monasteries of Hildesheim & Goslar, above by us exhibited. But not only by these & other increments & goods, the most blessed Pontiff Benno enriched & augmented his Church of Meissen; but even also those things which in his time from it by force & injury were taken away, under anathema & dire imprecations of divine vengeance to restore & repair he began: of which also below in its place individually we shall comment.

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[36] Above it has been mentioned, that a vast multitude of Slavs, wandering in gentile error once in the diocese of Meissen, The Slavs to be led away from idolatry both beyond & on this side the river Elbe, had settled: whom although Henry the King III most pious with the perpetual epithet Emperor, not so long before Benno had undertaken the Episcopate, had made tributaries to the Empire, & to undertaking the faith of Christ in great part had compelled; very many however of them looking back, in the pagan rite, the honor which they owed to Christ, replacing in idols, the piety of the faith being abandoned, in their ancient errors anew had involved themselves; of which f Radigast was in great veneration among them. But among all the deities the primacy held g Swanthewitz: whom professing to be the God of gods, from his oracles & responses they conducted all their affairs. But Swanthe in the Slavic language is the same as holy; but Witz is interpreted light. And since the constant opinion of the magi is, that all demons are invited by blood; the Priest however of Swanthewitz persuaded his men, that this one unless with Christian gore could not be appeased: whence what is abominable even to say, to him every year a Christian man, whomever the lot cast up, they were accustomed to sacrifice: for the black demon, whose name was Zeernebock, in whose power they believed evils to be, they more devoutly honored, deprecating harmful things: for Zeerne means black, but Bock or Bohu means God among them. To these individual Priests were dedicated, & various libations of sacrifices, & a manifold cult of religion: which as superstitious & unworthy of relation deliberately we pass over.

[37] Groaning therefore the most pious Father Benno, fruitfully intent, that the wretched people by the illusions of demons were thus snatched headlong; he deemed it of his office & pastoral duty to show light to the blind, salvation to the sick, & the way to the erring. To which indeed so holy a work when he had devoted himself wholly, & wisely indeed first applying gentle fomentations to the wounds, reduced more daily by the affability of his speech to Christ; the insidious devil, taking ill, that the people unconsecrated to himself, were sprinkled with the mystic wave, & from his camp became deserters (the Lord permitting, by which the virtue of the servant of God, agitated by the waves of human life, might shine forth more) made for him another business, & impelled him with such storms & tempests, that the care of the Slavs being abandoned he was compelled to commit his sails to the winds. And because his greatest virtue & constancy then especially was beheld (since adversities test men) therefore I think it will be not unpleasant, if the state of those same times I explain. For it matters not a little, as it is wont to be said, into what times each one has fallen.

[38] First of all that famous Saxon war made those times tempestuous, h which with Henry IV was waged with great obstinacy of mind on both sides. From which although our Benno had innocent hands, yet the flames of the neighboring conflagration he could not escape; he is relegated by Henry IV with the other Nobles of Saxony: either for this one thing, that he too was of the primary blood of the Saxons, who to the King was utterly hateful; or (which I should more believe) because God so wished His vessel to be cooked in the furnace of tribulations, & as it were gold in the fire to prove. For He permitted that by the aforesaid King the most innocent Bishop, by no fault of his own, was seized, & sent into exile: where also the other princes were kept, namely Magnus i & k Hermann Dukes of Saxony, l Wetzilo (who is also Werner) Archbishop of Magdeburg m, Burckhard of Halberstadt, & Werner n Bishop of Merseburg o; Frederick Count Palatine of Saxony & several other Chief men: of all of whom, on account of the implacable wrath of the King, there was no hope of safety, nor other than the expectation either of speedy death or of perpetual prison. But Benno neither about his life, nor about his captivity solicitous, only the fall of his own Church inconsolably, & the causes of so great evils, as truly as briefly a little here lamented; for this reason that the angry King even that very thing too, through a certain Burckhard, a fierce & man of military audacity, miserably devastated. For a little before that time Dedo the Margrave had died, leaving Henry his son still a boy: whom the King led away with him as a hostage, & had educated in the royal court: but the said Burckhard he constituted prefect of Meissen, that the March meanwhile in his fidelity he might contain, until the infant should grow up.

[39] But of this devastation makes mention Lampert p the monk of Hersfeld, a noble writer of histories, because they seemed to have favored those. where of the expedition he speaks of the aforesaid King: who feigning a journey into Hungary, led his army through Bohemia & the March of Meissen upon the unforeseeing Saxons, wishing to oppress them while yawning (as it is wont to be said). But these are Lampert's words: The King therefore came as far as Meissen, a city situated on the confine of Bohemia & Saxony; where by the citizens peacefully into the city received, the Bishop of that city he seized & all & whatever was his he plundered; adjudging him guilty of treason on this alone, that during the whole time of the Saxon war he had destined no messengers or letters to him as indices of the fidelity preserved toward the Commonwealth. Pag. 225. But a man of Ecclesiastical poverty, & having nothing or little of military pomp, could perhaps not make vows against the Commonwealth, q nor bear arms: nor would he, friend or enemy, have been of great moment to either these or those parties. These things our Lampert word for word. By which he bears ample enough testimony to our Divine Benno, that he was a man of ecclesiastical poverty & had gaped neither after riches, nor after glory; nor was a friend of war, but of peace.

[40] Another ruin of that time was the calamitous sedition of the same Henry IV with r Gregory VII: from which also to the holy man Benno not a little labor & danger increased. Then he adheres to Gregory VII, For the highest hinges of the world being at discord among themselves, there was made a confusion of the elements, that is, of the lower Prelates; & the shepherd being struck, the sheep of the flock were dispersed. For of all the Bishops of Germany very few were found, who to the Roman Pontiff then kept whole faith: of whom were Anno of Cologne, Wecilo of Magdeburg, Bucco & Burckhard of Halberstadt, Werner of Merseburg, & our Benno of Meissen: the rest almost all followed the royal side. Omitting therefore for a little Benno, the causes of this so pernicious dissension too I shall briefly set down. Alexander II having died there was substituted for him the aforesaid Gregory, whose name before was Hildebrand: & because without consulting the Emperor, namely only the Romans favoring, he had ascended to the summit of the Apostolate, hence first against him the head of accusation was taken: persecuting the Simoniacs & concubinaries, for the custom then was, that no one should be saluted as Roman Pontiff, except whom the Imperial authority had destined or approved. Secondly it also begot the greatest envy against the Pontiff, that, that for extirpating the two greatest vices of the Priests, namely the simoniacal depravity & lasciviousness, so constant labor he gave, the concubinaries & simoniacs all everywhere striking with anathema. But the Emperor himself too for the same causes, often vainly summoned to synodal responses, at last when he would not purge himself, from the Church first he cut off by Peter's sword, then from the kingdom too he deposed him, all royal administration being taken away, & the subjects absolved from the oath of fidelity. Wherefore the confused Emperor, a council being held at Worms of the Bishops agreeing with him, the Pontiff in turn deposed: & there were given to him letters full of revilings: whom Henry wished to cast down, by which that he himself should of his own accord abdicate the Pontificate, which by force & fraud he had seized, shamelessly was commanded. To such madness had the Emperor been led by the blind lust of the Priests (who then frequent were with him). For they feared, if with the Pontiff he should return into favor, it was over with their concubines, whom they valued more than either their own salvation, or public honesty.

[41] But how unworthily they reviled Gregory, a proof can be the formula of his election, which Platina & Blondus Flavius the Apostolic writers noted with these words: We the Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, although it was clear that he was lawfully elected. Clerics, Acolytes, Subdeacons, Priests, in the presence of the Bishops, Abbots, & many, both of the ecclesiastical & the lay order, elect today, the 10th of the Kalends of May, in the basilica of S. Peter in Chains, in the year of salvation 1072, as the true Vicar of Christ Hildebrand the Archdeacon, a man of much doctrine, great piety, prudence, justice, constancy, religion, modest, sober, continent, his house honestly governing, hospitable to the poor, in the bosom of holy mother Church freely from his tender years educated: whom indeed with that power we wish to preside over the Church of God, with which Peter by the command of God once presided. These things they. Which best esteem of himself the pious Pontiff by no means disappointed, but up to the end lawfully striving carried through. Whence Platina adds, at the close of the things done by him, that at last at Salerno he dies, a man certainly to God grateful, prudent, just, clement, Patron of the poor, of the orphans & widows, & the unique & most keen defender of the Roman Church, against the wickedness of the heretics, & the power of evil Princes, trying to occupy ecclesiastical things by force.

ANNOTATIONS OF G.H.

p Lambert of Schafnaburg, or Aschaffenburg, monk of Hersfeld, wrote a Chronicle up to the year 1077, in which he lived, which is extant published by Pistorius.

q In Surius the particle "or" had been intruded, & disturbed the sense.

r S. Gregory VII is inscribed in the Roman Martyrology 25 May, on which day his various Acts we illustrated: & to those we refer the Reader.

CHAPTER IV.

The Roman journey, the return, the conversion of the Slavs, the solitary Life, miracles.

[42] Dismissed from prison, In these heats therefore of the times; when the Pontiff all both Ecclesiastical, & secular Princes, who had any commerce with the King, had bound with the direst bonds of the Church; & on the contrary the Emperor interdicted from water & fire those, who obeyed the word of the Pontiff; so was the Church of God rent, & the kingdom divided against itself, that with graver hatreds between the Priesthood & the Empire at no time ever was there labor: for each, both Pontiff & Emperor, this for the earthly, that for the kingdom of God his cause most constantly pleading, settled the strife only by death. But truly the Emperor, when he understood the minds of the Princes under the pretext of religion gradually to fall away from him; dissembling for the present the hatred, which against the Saxons he nourished, the captives of that nation (among whom also was Benno) by surrender he released, & to their own with impunity to return permitted: commanding nothing else, & restored to his church. than that mindful of so great a benefit henceforth they should keep whole faith to him, & the cause of the common kingdom with him against the Pontiff defend. They departing promised, that, as long as he justly administered the Empire, & ceased to persecute the Church of God, they would nowhere be wanting to his advantage & honor. But what kind of man the same King thereafter, both toward the Sacrosanct Apostolic See, & everywhere in the Empire showed himself, in others one may see: for to us it pertains in nothing, except so far as it concerns our Divine Benno.

[43] he consoles the Canons, Returning therefore the most blessed Pastor Benno to his Church of Meissen, desolate & devastated he found it, which with so great zeal & adornment before he had adorned. Which calamity although it was more bitter to him, than either the prison or the exile penalty had been; yet feigning hope in his countenance, & pressing the grief deep in his heart, his Canon Brethren, made to meet him with weeping eyes, & lamenting their fortunes, benignly he embraced & consoled, again & again that with his mouth repeating; The Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away: as it pleased the Lord, so it is done: blessed be the name of the Lord. Nor was there delay, but at once with unbroken mind to restoring the ruin of his church with all his might he turned: & had not the wickedness of Burckhard the Prefect of Meissen obstructed him, (of whom above too we made mention) easily all the things taken away he would have recovered. The same Burckhard was of evil disposition, by Burckhard's death he is freed from his tyranny. & endowed with a depraved nature, besides ready of tongue & hand. And since more the Emperor's, than his God's commands he observed, on the blessed man Benno he inflicted many vexations, & his pious endeavors, by what arts he could, he frustrated. Not however with impunity: for of his crimes soon he gave just penalties, by his subjects on account of his cruelty & savagery miserably slain. For his horse, on which he hoped for flight, otherwise most swift, then when he was assailed, the spurs being somehow applied, could not move a foot, until the rider transfixed with frequent wound breathed out his wretched soul. And in this manner was freed our Divine Benno from the tyranny of Burckhard the Prefect.

XXIII

[44] In the year from the Christian birth 1076, Pope Hildebrand, moved by frequent complaints, Gregory to Rome, indicted a Council at Rome; & summoned the King through his Legates lawfully to this, that he should be present, & of the crimes which to him for the sold Ecclesiastical dignities (which then were the Emperors') were objected, plead his cause; otherwise let him know that he without any delay, on the same day from the body of holy Mother Church, by the Apostolic sword was to be cut off. Hearing which the Bishops of Germany & Gaul, to whom the severity of the Pontiff was known, & his vehement zeal toward the house of God, fearing lest perchance together with the King, they themselves should suffer something harder for their deeds, by common counsels approach the King; & disturbed over these things, which had been announced by the Pontiff, by soothing & consoling, they bid him be of good courage; for that the Council would be void, nor was he to be obeyed, who without his command & beyond the custom of his elders, had thrust himself of his own accord upon the Ecclesiastical summit; deeming namely their single safety & the stability of their honors to turn on this hinge, if they could effect, that he should not be Apostolic. Henry summoning all the Bishops to Worms, The King therefore seduced by their suggestion, a little before the appointed day of the Council, all who in his kingdom were, Bishops, Abbots & Prelates of the Churches at Worms (as above said) ordered to convene, wishing to treat with them about deposing the Pontiff, if any way, if any means lay open. When therefore the most blessed our Benno, both by the Pontiff's, & by the Emperor's edict was urged & by each under dire threats was summoned, between the rock & the sacred place (as is in the proverb) placed, into that at last of Susanna he fell; Straits are to me on every side, & what to choose I know not. Dan. 13:22. For if the commands of the Apostolic See I shall despise, I am anathema, & made outside the Church; but if the Emperor's commands I shall neglect, as guilty of high treason, the prison & exile before known I shall not escape.

[45] He himself sets out for Rome; At last all fear being shaken off with himself he resolved, the synagogue of Satan being abandoned, the obedience of the Apostolic See unto death to confess; especially since he was not ignorant, that the right of celebrating a Council, by the sanctions of the sacred Canons, was granted to the Roman Pontiff alone. So seizing his journey toward Rome, to the indicted Council, not without much labor & difficulty, he arrived: since the Emperor everywhere had set ambushes for those tending thither, which he however relying on divine help unharmed crossed. But coming to the Pontiff, by him, because a one of almost all the Bishops of Germany, he had dared to obey God more than men, vehemently praised, & into no common friendship was received. [the keys of the church having been ordered to be thrown into the Elbe if the King should be excommunicated:] They report by the still constant fame, that departing he committed the keys of the church of Meissen to two of his Brethren the Canons, that if the King being excommunicated, those who were of his party did not refrain from entering the church, the doors being shut, they should throw them into the river Elbe: which also was done. For in the said Council the King, on account of his contumacy, with all his accomplices, with a grave anathema was struck; & it was synodally decreed, that henceforth it should be lawful to no man to sell or buy any Ecclesiastical dignities: which disease then had very much crept in, not so much from the King himself, otherwise a magnanimous & with every Imperial virtue endowed man, as from the avarice of his courtiers, & the ambition of the candidates. Which from the following chapter is sufficiently & more than sufficiently shown.

XXIV

[46] The execrable heresy of Simoniacal depravity, on account of which then not only the King himself's, who having promoted Lambert the Monk by Simony, but also of many Bishops, Abbots, & Prelates the fame was endangered, which also was the chief cause, on account of which the Pontiff the Ecclesiastical sword against them to draw was compelled; Lambert the noble Monk of Hersfeld in his Chronicle graphically censures, thus saying: At the same time Meginward b Abbot of Reichenau of his own accord abdicated his dignity: into his place, not through the door of election, but through the burrow of Simoniacal heresy, forthwith burst Rupert Abbot of Bamberg surnamed the Money-changer, a thousand pounds of purest silver being counted into the treasury of the King. Pag. 184 This man by most sordid gains & usuries, which even while still a private man in the monastery he had exercised, had amassed for himself infinite money; & therefore the deaths of Bishops & Abbots with anxious expectation had long sighed for. And when their longer living, on account of the impulse of his unbridled ambition, by which headlong he was snatched, to delay him grievously & most impatiently he bore; to such madness he came, that besides the secret gifts, by which the favor of the ear-whisperers was to be bought, to the King too a hundred pounds of gold he promised, that, the Abbot c Widerad a man of exceptional sanctity being cast out, to him the Abbacy of Fulda might be handed. And truly what he nefariously coveted, he had introduced the custom of selling churches most disgracefully he would have obtained, had not a few, to whom the Ecclesiastical laws were dearer than money, in the King's face, that he should not do it, opposed. By this therefore inauspicious & new kind of fowling this custom was introduced into the Church, that public dignities are prostituted for sale; & ecclesiastical men are esteemed not by Innocence & integrity of life, but by quantity of money; nor is it asked in those to be promoted, Gregory striving against it, who more worthily can preside, but who more dearly can buy. These things he. Rightly therefore the best Pontiff Gregory perhaps prepared an antidote for this disease. For if this plague of those too poisoned the minds, who to this world dead, & to have renounced all the ornament of this world seem; how much rather those too, who place the highest felicity & the ultimate end of beatitude in honors & dignities, to internecine destruction would have ulcerated, corrupted, vitiated, had not the most wise physician cauterized it with the cautery of excommunication, scarcely at last out & outside the Church eliminated? Wherefore not undeservedly our Divine Benno to so holy a man obeyed, subscribed, adhered.

XXV

[47] While our Divine Benno tarried with the Pontiff, who in order to retain Benno longer, there came to Rome a certain venerable Father, by name Theodoric, one Suffragan of the Bishops, who defending the cause of the King together with him had been execrated. Wherefore the said Theodoric, lest he should make himself a participant of so great a crime, approached the Pontiff, & since he was poor, asked from him a subsidy of life. But he, that longer Divine Benno, in whose intimacy he greatly delighted, he might detain with him; that same Suffragan substituted for our Divine Benno, & destined to Meissen, that, the true Pastor being absent, the ministry of the Pontifical office meanwhile he might fulfill. To whom both by Apostolic & by Divine Benno's letters the Canons admonished, assigned one Prebend in the Church of Meissen: among whom for some time he lived praiseworthily, full of virtues & of honest conversation's morals. he grants him a Suffragan. But on a certain day when for the sake of the Episcopal duty Colditz d, a town of that same diocese, together with his Chaplain he sought, with much old age burdened; suddenly on the way he began to faint: & carried to the nearest mill, to which Komlitz even today the name is, with great devotion he closed his last day. But he had committed to his Chaplain, that, asses being placed to the bier, which the miller had at hand, into whatever Ecclesiastical place by chance he should be led, there he should bury him. The asses therefore by a straight way toward the Church in the village of Hart led, gave the cause of his being buried there: of whom indeed the villagers still mindful, with some miracles & signs declare him illustrious. And this indeed was Theodoric's end.

[48] But meanwhile the Princes, touched by religion, gradually their necks began from the Emperor's yoke to withdraw; & now not only in clandestine meetings, but in public assemblies also, At last, Relics & Indulgences being received, of substituting another King among themselves to treat. Wherefore the Emperor's forces being broken, when nothing more of fear there was, Divine Benno, who for much, now time had adhered to the Pontiff's side, a return at last to his fold, scarcely with great prayers obtained. To him departing the Pope, as a sign of true affection, gave no common Relics of the Saints: which he the whole time of his life religiously cultivated, & as a certain heavenly treasure venerated. There is extant from those same Relics around his tomb, up to the present day, a certain thing wonderful to say: that namely, enclosed in silver, or in a pax (as they call it), the little potions, to some indeed kissing them appear, but to others by no means. Nay even to those to whom to see them happens, they do not always show themselves: but now present they are, now as if by some illusion the eyes of the beholders they elude. Some report that our Divine Benno at other times also & under other Pontiffs too, namely Victor & Urban Gregory's successors, went to Rome: but to us, besides that which we just now described, pilgrimage, nothing certain is clear. Wherefore to his return from that same expedition the following discourse hastens.

XXVI

[49] The most blessed Father our Benno, the affairs of his Church being expedited with the Pontiff, Benno returns to his Church, Rome at last being left, through the sloping ridges of the Apennine, through the pleasant fields of Flaminia, through the narrow gorges of the Raetian Alps, passing the Vindelici & Norici; to his city of Meissen, with the most precious Relics & indulgences laden, happily arrived. But that at his first arrival the city should not be moved, nor that to him the Clergy with the wonted pomp of platters should proceed to meet him, under the appearance of a pilgrim to the public inn unknown to all he turned aside. The inhabitants record up to the present day, that the guest, while a certain huge fish, brought from the river Elbe at the same chance hour, he began to disembowel; under the gills or fins of it found the key of the Church, which Divine Benno after his departure had commanded to be thrown into that same river. & he receives its keys with the fish. Of which thing the fame when soon the whole city it had filled, the Canons the aforesaid inn suddenly rush, & recognizing their Pastor, with the greatest applause of the whole city, to his Church conduct him. Who blessing the people in the usual manner, from the crowd up to the next day scarcely at last could tear himself away.

[50] But in the morning, no weariness of so great a journey obstructing, immediately he did the Pastoral office; & while sacrificing, in a sermon to the people the Apostolic benediction announced & grace: & those who for avoiding the King's indignation, even by the mere participation of conversation were subject to Ecclesiastical censures, all at once by the power granted to him he absolved & reconciled to the Church. & those excommunicated being absolved Wherefore scarcely can it be said, how great in a short time was made a concourse to him from the neighboring towns & peoples, who all with one mouth cried out; You have come O desirable one, whom we awaited in darkness, that you might lead out the bound from the dungeons. For of them the much greatest part with the bond of excommunication was ensnared, whom the pious Father with hasty joy leading back to his Church received: by Apostolic authority & as once to the lost son the fatted calf, that is the fat bread of Christ, penance being first enjoined sacramentally exhibited; & so the sons of perdition into vessels of election happily he converted. But the Lord gave him grace & a rest from evils, that henceforth the remaining years of his life up to decrepit old age passing in peace, to restoring his Church & extirpating the tares, which now for a long time in the Lord's field had sprouted up, tranquil labor he could expend: which also diligently he accomplished. And because especially in his mind clung the ancient care of the Slavs; then he has peace. therefore with what zeal, with what doctrine, & with what signs of miracles he at last recalled them from their ancient errors to the infallible truth of Christ, as briefly as I shall be able in the following I shall comprehend.

XXVII

[51] It is fitting here to remember those things, which above of the Slavs we discoursed: who namely both banks of the Elbe settling around, Again preaching to the Slavs with a gentile & superstitious rite, the honor, which to the Creator they owed, to created things exhibited; the wood which they hewed, & the stone which they cut, irrational, adoring. Of whose morals when Divine Benno had made Gregory the Pontiff more certain, a mandate & the duty of Apostolic legation from him he received, with the power of preaching to them the word of God, & of absolving from certain cases, even reserved to the Apostolic See. Wherefore there was made daily a greater concourse to him of peoples, he leads them to penance & faith especially of the Slavs, of whom some still mindful of the pristine doctrine, which to them the pious father, before he was sent into exile by the King, had handed down, out of desire & love of his sacred eloquence of their own accord offered themselves prostrate to him, & of the crime they had committed with mourning & grief asked pardon. But he, as he was gentle of heart & prone to forgiving, with welcoming hands them, & as if by the right of return to Christ returning, received; & Scriptures to them both of the old, & of the new Testament proposing, how much in heaven was joy over even one sinner converted, not only to tears, but also to whatever kind of satisfaction easily induced them.

[52] But when the multitude of those flocking together the city did not hold, a place fit for a sermon he chose, namely one valley pleasant with sunny glades, he persuades the converts to break their idols a thousand paces from the city, between East & North exposed. Hither therefore in troops flying many thousands of men, his most sacred sermons, of the highest & true God, of the first origin of men & their fall, of the Incarnation of the Word, & the restoration of the human race, & the other mysteries of that kind with erect ears drank in. Very many too were so compunct in spirit, that the idols, which at home they had, in the sight of the holy man bringing forth, they broke in pieces, & so by the leading & auspices of Divine Benno made their souls safe. But on a certain day, when the people laboring with the most fervent heat of the sun, their thirsty mouths longer could scarcely bear; the most blessed Father Benno, his eyes lifted upward, & a prayer made to Him, who turns the rock into pools, & the cliff into fountains of waters, with his Pastoral staff is said to have struck the earth: from which soon a spring of leaping water gushing forth, & for the thirsty draws forth a spring: the dry lips of men with heavenly liquor washed & refreshed. Psalm 113. A testimony of that thing is, that the same spring is sacred, & the valley e itself holy up to the present day is called by the inhabitants. The man of God did likewise other miracles too in the same place, by which the people of the Slavs rude from the beginning, not only by word, but also by deed he might teach, how great was the virtue & power of the Christian faith. But we in our manner only the more solid things embrace.

XXVIII

[53] Although, as I said, many of Divine Benno's miracles, which are celebrated in the discourses of the common people, & by the tradition of the elders have come to posterity, here to pass over is my counsel, he turns water into wine, both himself & his boy. especially because in brevity we all rejoice: yet that of water made into wine, & the crossing of the Elbe, since besides the corroboration of common fame they were committed even to letters, in that most ancient little book of his life, which recently in the aforesaid monastery of Hildesheim (where once he made his first stipends of spiritual armor) was miraculously found, I dare not be silent. For it is written in that same book, that when Divine Benno on a certain day to the workmen in the meadow had gone out, they being fatigued with thirst & labor, the sign of the Cross being made, the water into wine he changed. Which when his boy had observed, water being brought to him, Lo, he said, I shall do as my Lord. Who being asked what he had done; A Cross, he answered, over it he made. And when the boy did the same, by the merits of the blessed man & the simplicity of the boy the water soon the taste of wine put on. He crosses the Elbe with dry foot

[54] But when now the day was tending to its setting, & Divine Benno by a straight way through the bridge to the city could not come, he turned his journey to the nearest streams of the Elbe, & fortifying himself with the Cross, the river with dry foot crossed. Which seeing a certain peasant, who him with a wagon of hay was following, forthwith through the water followed, & unharmed crossed over: but Benno the audacity of the man vehemently rebuking, forbade both that he should do it any more, he enjoins silence on the frogs & that to anyone what had been done while he lived he should disclose. But the man of God was wont sometimes by praying & meditating to circle the fields: there when once beside a certain marsh a chattering frog croaks in the muddy waters: lest it should disturb him contemplating, he bids it be a Seriphian, for there are in f Seriphus frogs all indeed mute. A little thence having passed, there came to his mind that of Daniel: Bless ye whales & all that are moved in the waters the Lord: bless all beasts & cattle the Lord. Dan. 3. Fearing therefore lest perchance more grateful to God might be their song than his prayer, to them again he commanded, that with their accustomed voice they should praise God: which soon the fields & the air with their chattering stridor fill.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER V.

Virtues, revelations, death, Translation, miracles. The cause of the deferred Canonization.

[55] Betrayed both by these & by other miracles Benno, vehemently within himself blushed, fearing, lest perchance whence more celebrated might begin to become among men the fame of his name, thence with God he himself might more grow vile, the Apostle saying: If still men I should please, wishing to be hidden & to be free for God he withdraws to a solitary place I should not be the servant of Christ. Gal. 1. Lest therefore he should be held an affecter of popular favor, with silent counsel he debated with himself, by what especially manner the frequency of men he might avoid, & in some solitary place lying hid, God alone he might serve: & therefore, his affairs at his church carefully composed, he himself toward the West, to the farthest bounds of his diocese, namely the village of Naumburg, with very few conscious of his way withdrew: & there a little shrine in honor of the divine Virgin & of all the Native-deities of heaven consecrating, with the most precious Relics & Indulgences endowed it, which recently from Rome he had carried with him. But near the building, one humble cell, for himself & the Priest whom he had with him, he built there with this mind, that henceforth, except when the Episcopal duty of care required, from it he should nowhere depart. But the more the humble servant of Christ wished to be hidden, the more the propitious divinity deigned to magnify him, & thence there the crops ripen more quickly. up to the present day testifying, how grateful to heaven was the service of this beloved servant of His. For in certain paths of the fields, which he, there in his manner after the task of the divine Office walking & meditating, with his most holy feet trod, the grain still today more quickly grows golden & ripens, nay even a far more fertile harvest in that same place, than through the neighboring fields round about is born. Which I not only from the writings of others, but also with my eyes have found out: & I saw that truly God is wonderful in His Saints. But the same precocious fertility of a certain field at Gedau, where likewise once contemplating he walked, by the Parish-priest of that same place, recently under oath, in the examination of certain witnesses, was deposed. Psalm 67.

[56] What then? Shall I be silent or not, the notable things which of the gift of agility to our Divine Benno almighty God conferred? By no means at all. For to the memory of men it has been handed down by common voice & fame, that when the most blessed Benno frequently after the handling of the Sacraments from the eyes of his Chaplain vanished, he is snatched by divine power to the church of Meissen. & by the gift of agility in his church of Meissen suddenly was set, & thence all the Sacred rites being finished at the accustomed hour of dinner with his Chaplain again in the said village present was wont to be; the Chaplain once caught by vehement admiration, observing most diligently his master departing in the morning, & soon following found nothing of indication besides a few footprints in the fresh hoarfrost: but immediately as if by a whirlwind snatched, in the said church of Meissen, behind the back of his Lord kneeling, on his feet he stood. Whom when the divine Father felt in spirit to be present, & he himself the Sacred rites being completed in his manner soon again to his cell, but the Chaplain scarcely on the second day returned: (for the distance of the places is 24 thousand paces a) gravely he rebuked him, & under the bond of anathema forbade, that while he lived to any man what had been done he should disclose; so far was it from the blessed man, that his own glory he should seek. But we neither these things rashly assert, nor shamelessly deny: since many similar things of the Tutelary Saints of our native soil, (Swabia I think) the Divine Conrad namely b & Udalric, as well as certain other holy Fathers, are written, & are held for confessed. Besides in memory of Divine Benno even today every year is celebrated a great concourse of people in the said village of Naumburg, on the three days preceding & following the feast of all Saints, to whose name (as we said before) the pious Pontiff once with his own hands the Church dedicated. he is venerated in the Church dedicated by him in honor of all Saints. There are also there the ruins of his cell & certain other monuments, & also his image painted on the wall of the inner church, with a diadem & pontifical mitre & with a title written over it: Saint Benno Bishop c: which all to the spectators augment devotion & grace.

[57] While B. Benno declined the tumult of the city, delighting himself with the solitude of his cell, & to the meditation of divine things more freely than before giving himself, many revelations he had, by which the sweetness of future rest, at least cursorily & as far as is permitted to a wayfarer, he is believed to have tasted. Taught by Revelations, By the same revelations too illumined, many future things before they happened, he is reported to have foretold: of which two at least by no means contemptible here to recite let it suffice. Of which one in the old Cella, a notable monastery of the diocese of Meissen, was fulfilled & committed to letters. For when the man of God long once before the Cella was founded, was making by chance a passage in that place, & saw there a flock of doves settling in a band, turned to his companions: Lo, he said, this place is, to which after a short time a certain new Religion will fly together, [he foretells certain things about the Cistercian order & a monastery to be built] by whose prayers a great crowd of mortals will be saved. Nor was the oracle vain. For the divine Order of the Cistercians having afterward arisen, Otto Margrave of Meissen d the monastery of Cella to the said Order, as its first founder, made sacred, & beyond what can be believed wonderfully endowed.

[58] Another of Divine Benno's prophecies was, which to the Margrave (whom they declare to be Henry son of Dedo) striking him on the jaw, he is reported to have foretold, that on the same day, the year being come round, the slap given to him he would avenge. & struck with a slap The same Margrave was very devoted to King Henry, for this reason that with him (as above we narrated) from boyhood he had been educated. And when the same King, now a coffin-ripe old man, new disturbances again in the Empire stirring up, the horns now long fallen again to heaven was raising; by his own son consigned to prison, his soul polluted with much blood, contrary to the Poet's sentence e, with dry death at last to the lower regions destined. But the Margrave aforesaid, since the Apostolic See & Ecclesiastical censures by despising he wished to please the King more than was just, nor even from the goods of the Church of Meissen now long ago taken away by the King abstained, or them to the said Church however admonished intended to restore; & when on a certain occasion by Divine Benno, for this more gravely he was reproved, nor by reason objected could dissolve it; with wrath at last roused, nothing to the gray head, nothing to the sacred order deferring, the venerable old man with a hard slap he struck. To whom the pious Pontiff, destruction to the Margrave of Meissen, not indeed of his own injury mindful, but by the spirit of a heavenly sentence revealing taught, foretold that it would be, that in the following year, on the same day, of the crime committed he would give the penalties. Nor did to the saying faith fail. For the year being come round when the day said for the vengeance toward evening had now inclined; the Margrave, who with a hard heart of so great a crime had done not only no penance; but even holding in mockery the holy man's presage, to his Counselors turned & as the Dictator Caesar f once Spurina the soothsayer mocking; Lo, he said, the day, which black to us Benno had threatened would be, without harm is present: terribly looking at him. not considering that the day had indeed come, but not yet passed. So while still speaking, suddenly by the inevitable judgment of God not placid, as before, but with grim & terrible countenance attacking him, & demanding penalties, he seemed to see him: for he was a little before deceased, his men therefore, that they should bring help to him, since Divine Benno assailed him, in vain having besought, falling on his knees, by sudden death is said to have perished; not so much for the laid violent hands on the Saint of the Lord, as because, as some have handed down, he did not enter to him for the cause of the orphan & widow, but rather, an oppressor he was of the poor, & a plunderer of ecclesiastical things. There are extant in the same place diverse signs g cut in the stone, in memory & monument of that thing left to posterity.

XXXI

[59] After the most blessed Father Benno, the laborious course of this life up to extreme age vigorously & constantly traversed, that to his wearied now after very many dangers ship a safe port was present, & eternal rest impended on him by the spirit revealing knew; hasty for joy his Canon Brethren convoked into one, with such a speech addressed them: The hour is come, most pleasant Brethren, which I for many years back, before his death he harangues the Canons: I know not whether with greater solicitude, or desire always awaited. I desired indeed often, that I should not see the evils, with which in my days the little ship of S. Peter was tossed; nor that after the sanctuaries of this Church committed to me were profaned, & the spoils divided among enemies, I should longer survive, to close my wretched life. I feared on the other part, lest perchance even by this very thing, that the darts of divine temptation little constantly or too softly I should seem to bear, the just indignation of almighty God I should incur. At last God's grace being implored, the zeal of the ancient Fathers imitating, King Henry's prison & exile, Burckhard's grave & notable contumelies, the Margrave's last himself threats & blows, & whatever with sacrilegious hands on me it pleased to perpetrate, with brave mind I bore, until, the malice of the perfidious men being fulfilled, the secret judgments of divine providence should follow. But no cause in me did they find, except that the obedience of the sacrosanct Apostolic See I confessed, of the most holy man Gregory the seventh & his successors the cause intrepidly protected, & the things of my Church wickedly taken away, by whatever ecclesiastical censures & penalties I could, I strove to vindicate. This was the accuser's against me sum. But, whether by right I did it or by wrong, the eternal Judge's tribunal I appeal to, to which the present this hour calls me. But there will come quickly after me King Henry & the other temerators of Ecclesiastical power: whom between & me God will judge.

[60] But since you on account of my departure I see to be made sadder; this meanwhile from me consolation receive. he foretells that his successor would be a man fearing God, A Successor in my place you will have a man good & fearing God, who your Ecclesiastical estate in great part will augment. And that the more, that after my death to those, who the divine office hitherto were wont to impede, more will be cast of terror & dread. For I if, what I hope, grace with God I shall find, the patronage of this Church once undertaken through all age & ages I shall protect: & the cause of it & of my successors assuming, to accuse I shall not cease those, who by rash daring, either against this Church, or against its ministers & goods presume to commit anything, that they bear it not with impunity. he undertakes the perpetual patronage of his Church But if a little in accusing I shall seem more negligent, so let my successors persuade themselves, that it is approved partly by God their patience, partly the penance of the injurers is awaited: Who if hardened from their undertaking to desist are unwilling, they shall feel that not far off from them is perdition. But on the contrary to the benefactors of my Church all happy & prosperous things with God I shall obtain by prayer. But you dearest Brethren, if far from all rivalry & hatred embracing mutual charity among yourselves, not with the topmost lips only, but with good heart mutually saluting, if the divine worship not slothfully emulating, if the Ecclesiastical commonwealth at last rather than your own advantages & private causes among yourselves you shall protect; the more in all these things faithful & sincerer God shall find you, the more easily me for you interceding He will hear. As therefore here on earth I was, so also with God ready you will have me, according as the merits or demerits of each shall demand, a patron or an avenger. These with a very severe countenance & senile gravity having spoken, & the hands of each in the usual manner kissed, them to hymns & psalms he bade to apply themselves: but he himself a devout prayer to God having made, he dies in the year 1106 on 16 June. the Ecclesiastical viaticum first received, the burden at last of his wearied body laid down. They report that immediately the place was breathed upon with a sweet odor, something heavenly into the nostrils of all inspired, until him, according to the dignity of the Pontifical office, in his church of Meissen honorably they buried. But he died on the sixteenth of the Kalends of July, in the year of salvation 1106, of his age 96, Henry IV dies as Benno had foretold. but of his Episcopate 40.

[61] Benno being deceased, his See received the venerable Herwic, founder of the Collegiate Church of Wurzen, whom Henry h X, Archbishop of the Church of Magdeburg, consecrated. But, just as the pious Father had foretold, shortly after his death, namely on the 7th of the Ides of August, in the same year the aforesaid Henry King IV, as if of extortion accused by him, miserably died. Whose corpse for five years (as they say) lacked ecclesiastical burial. There died also the Margrave, the striker of Divine Benno, in that manner which above we said. By whose fall admonished his successors, to the Church of Meissen not only the things taken away restored, but from their own goods too always more & more added: on account of which up to this day always more & more too by God they have been exalted & prospered. But the most blessed after his death with no less merits & miracles with God shone, than once in life, to those fleeing to his sepulchre very many benefits obtaining: but here he shines with miracles: of whom some cured of various sicknesses, very many from grave dangers & anxieties freed, some even from death raised. Of all of which the credibility i at the Church of Meissen by letters, seals, witnesses, & either by public notary, or by the most ample authority of Prelates is supported.

[62] But his Translation from the humble place, where once he had ordered himself to be buried, to the middle of the Church, where now his tomb honorably constructed is seen, was made about the year of the Lord 1270: at which time the venerable Bishop k Witigo, of this name the II, a vehement lover & preacher of Divine Benno, certain Indulgences too to that same translation conferred, that fuller might be the devout people's joy. The same Bishop Witigo too with that wine, with which Divine Benno's bones were washed, & from the earthly dust commended, as with a most wholesome rivulet of oil, sick people very many healed. Of all of whom the names & kinds of diseases with his own hand he noted, he is translated in the year 1270. & at the Church of Meissen likewise in perpetual memory of the thing deposited. But the chasuble with which had been clothed the divine Father Benno, & the pastoral Staff, as if recently laid down, with him in the sepulchre were found, without any decay, which also drew no small virtue from the most holy body. For, to be silent of old things; a certain matron of the diocese of Meissen, from the village of Prentzindorff, near Freiberg, in this our time by a demon seized, to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led, when by no exorcisms the demon from her could be put to flight, The chasuble being incorrupt the demon is expelled she was clothed at last in Divine Benno's Chasuble, & given into her hand the pastoral Staff; which being done the demon cried out: Now is the time that I go out: yet I shall leave to my hostess a sign, by which she may perpetually remember me. And soon, the other leg of the woman being opened, terribly he was dashed out. But the hole which he had made, by no art of physicians curable, the woman even today bears, & (as is to be feared) until she lives it will not be abolished.

[63] Besides, as he was pious toward suppliants, so severe against the obstinate the divine Father, according to his promises, often was found. For the Margrave William, he who died at Grimma, appearing in vain to the Margrave injurious to the church when the once Provost of Meissen Brutenus by name often had exhorted him, that from the exactions & servitudes, with which the colonists & subjects of the Church of Meissen beyond right & custom he heavily burdened, he should desist, nor could him from his undertaking turn aside; to the help at last of Divine Benno he fled: who entreated at last by the assiduous prayers of the Provost, to the Margrave in sleep l appeared, arguing & warning to remit the unjust burdens. And when he by the persuasion of his Counselors, saying that the deliriums of dreams were not to be cared for, in nothing amended himself; at last he tears out his eye. another time during sleep, again Benno seemed to him to rush in, & with the torch which he carried in his hand again to burn his little eye. Who rising in the morning & feeling himself one-eyed, at last compunct in heart, to the Church of Meissen not only the given damages repaired; but moreover many gifts conferred, by which, as is to be hoped, blessing for cursing from God he merited. It is read however that both this one, & Divine Benno's striker, by God frustrated of hope of offspring, died without a lawful heir, in penalty of the injured ecclesiastical liberty.

[64] He foretells the deaths of the Canons: Lastly although the most blessed Benno his Church of Meissen & its Canons from various dangers & the snares of enemies mercifully always by his merits delivered; nonetheless yet to those very ones too, when they did anything foolish, he did not spare: but a hard father to hard sons, with grave & manifest indeed punishment, their faults to expiate was wont: their deaths too, a few days always preceding, with a strong & vehement certain blow to foretell he is reported: m warning indeed them, that the coming wrath by the swift remedy of penance they should avoid. There are besides these other things too many in number excellent deeds, most worthy of writing, & pleasant to read, which of our most blessed Father Benno are related, the great works & miracles of God; but to sound the retreat for us at some time & to leave even to posterity a place for writing it is: for not all things can all attain; nor shall I myself seem to have begotten little of glory & ornament for the people of Meissen, I who first their riches & this heavenly pearl, so many ages back hidden, into light have brought: & it will be enough for us to have demonstrated, Epilogue. that our Divine Benno from the cradle, up to the last breath of life, by virtues & sanctity of life was renowned: nor was prophecy lacking to him, & the revelation of heavenly secrets; nor the grace of healings, & the vengeance of impious men; nor at last the raising of the dead: by all which the Lord magnified him, in the sight of Kings & Princes, & in the midst of His people, & to him a crown of perpetual glory He gave.

XXXIII

[65] Because some are wont to wonder, why for so long a time the Canonization of Divine Benno, though diligently sought, has not had its success; therefore lest that wonder a scruple at last, as is wont to happen, beget in anyone; The Canonization deferred by God's providence, in this last chapter at last openly I have deemed it to be treated; for what causes this work, as grateful to heaven, as to men profitable & salutary, hitherto day by day has been put off. At the beginning therefore the constant assent of all the wise of the whole world & in confession it is, that all things of mortals depend on & are governed by the Divine providence, which both wills & can each in its own time & place, just as more opportune it knows, to men to apply & minister. But if so it is, who will not believe that this work, so pious & holy, by a certain hidden providence too of God, both for the greater glory of Him, & for the ampler profit of men, hitherto has been delayed & is reserved for better times? And indeed in farmers one may see this: who if for three or eight days the sky to their wishes does not pour down, immediately their mind they despair, & lay down hope; they suspect ill, fear worse, complain that it is over with the year's crops, as if God had forgotten the wonted care of mortals. But when soon against the hope of all it has cleared, & Phoebus the clouds dispersed with vital heat has warmed the lands again; then at last the works of Divine providence they praise, & conscious of their error are compelled to confess, that the best moderator both of times & of all things is God; & that the sun was present far more timely, than if they themselves like Phaethon had driven its quadrigae with their own hands. No otherwise indeed at the best time God reserves to Divine Benno his apotheosis by silent counsel with Himself. Let it cease therefore the solicitude of mortals: since as it is written, The works of God are perfect. But this reason perhaps to pious minds may satisfy: but to the pertinacious & humanly wise, other besides causes of this delay we shall give.

[66] For Benno being soon deceased, while still recent was his with men conversation, there was no one, who then to this thing to aspire dared. For it is not wont to be sought or even granted, the benefit of Canonization, except by long time, & with grave maturity by miracles approved & sanctity of life; on account of the misery of the time, nor likewise except by immense profusion & expense of moneys. But because in the following courses of years, the Church of Meissen many times, on account of the incursions of the barbarians & neighboring wars devastated & impoverished, therefore for making so great expenses no faculty then was present. But most recently when to n Alexander VI the first report of this thing was made, the same Pontiff destined Commissaries, certain Cardinals of the holy Roman Church, who should examine the cause: but before the business was concluded, the Pontiff closed his last day, then also the Commissaries (to whom the thing was now known) died. So to Divine Julius, the present Bishop of the city of Rome, again supplication was made, who also himself for this work gave Commissaries the once most Reverend Cardinals, Raymund of Gurk, Melchior of Brixen, & the Lord of Alexandria: by all of whose authority & benevolence; since two especially of them the sepulchre of Benno, & certain miracles with their own eyes had seen, the wished-for end now we would have without doubt, had not by their untimely death o God to us manifestly wished to show, & the death of Alexander 6 & the Commissaries that there had not yet come the time destined to this work by His providence. Which also is the cause, that the Lord Canons & those whom it concerns, although their labor not slothfully they apply, beyond measure however the Pontiff not too much urge; both on account of the arduous of his Holiness's both domestic & public occupations, & the crises of these times; & because of the sanctity of their divine Pastor, whom with them daily to shine with new signs & miracles they behold with their eyes, in nothing hesitating, the time foreordained by God with calmer mind they await. For these therefore causes up to this day has been delayed the Apotheosis or Canonization, as they call it, of Divine Benno, while he himself in private nonetheless, as a pious Confessor of Christ, by very many is venerated & invoked. Since for proving the sanctity of Confessors, not the effusion of blood is sought, or any kind of punishment, but the credibility & magnitude of miracles only: by which he to many now thousands has been beheld, the most high Lord our God bestowing: to whom be praise, honor, brightness, & thanksgiving, through the infinite ages of ages.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

A SYNOPSIS OF THE LIFE,

By the same Author expressed in elegiacs.

Benno, Bishop of Meissen, laid to rest at Munich in Bavaria (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR EMSER

There lies an ancient city, neighbor to the vast Bohemians, noble for its cluster-bearing mountain, & for its soil: noble for silver, gems, & for the riches of every mine the free city of Meissen : Meissen the German tongue calls it. At its foot the gnashing Northern Elbe, proud with its bridge suspended on beams, departs. But on the topmost summit is joined, of the beautiful church a palace more beautiful, worthy of Jove, a palace which, lovely with its Parian columns throughout, could have set the Dardanian citadels behind it. For this with cut stone, & wondrous vaulting, surpasses all the houses we have seen before. But yet of the joined Church not the least is the praise: that free it is subject to none, but to you O Pope. That it was founded once by the great Ottos, & that with a Meissen prince it was always safe. And that its Clergy, in the whole city most refined, full of honesty, religion, faith. By whom the Saints are praised with assiduous song: divine worship flourishes: Here they sing hymns, by night & day sacred. Here for dukes, or Governors a common sepulchre: Here are the bodies of many holy Fathers. Here lies Albert by fame known above the sky, lately the great glory of the Saxon house. Here hang the trophies offered by the fierce Frisians, whom the Duke here taught to bear the Saxon bridle. Here, here, especially, the medley of our little book, Benno lies buried in the midst of the sacred building. Benno, who here once most worthy by high merits S. Benno Bishop was the tenth Bishop, a good Pastor everywhere. For whether you regard his life, or his miracles, his every deed shows a holy man. They show either rivers passable with dry soles, or the scaly throng hidden in the rivers. His unharmed garments, his unconsumed bones confess it, buried more than sixty lustra in the ground. And the long road which he traversed in one hour, the earth pressed by his sacred foot more fertile. The relics portend by hidden fugitive leap, liberal toward the poor, which only chaste eyes can perceive. The old colonists add hence wondrous & memorable things, with whom the Father here lived not without praise. For he lived for widows, for orphans, lived for the needy; to these too he distributed, he did not heap up his wealth. Nor did he suffer his body to grow torpid on soft down, or to luxuriate in a purple robe. Nay tireless zealot of the just & fair, for his flock he devoted both estate & soul. For his flock the outstretched palm, cruel blows, he endured, & fists & exile, for his. Hence while he lived & fed them no tyrant having suffered much, dared then to harm Benno's sheep. Or if anyone attempted it, not even dead did them he leave unpunished, but was a grave avenger. Part with foot inflamed, part with swollen throat felt, what the injured deity of the holy man can do. There are some who, caught in their eyes, who, expiated by death, atoned for & washed away the sacrilegious crime. Yet many & the greater part conscious of their guilt, while they wept the wicked deeds of their undertaking, And when grieving they drew sighs from a deep heart, merited pardon, & restored double: There is no punishment so vehement or grave wrath of the Gods, but where one repents, a man can bend it. Who sought pardon not heard by them? Who groaned in vain? what prayers did they refuse? Especially Benno, to no mortals ever difficult, to none denying just petitions: at whose tomb the hanging votive offerings gather, as many a sick man brought, his aid received. Here one is seen with breast transfixed by torn iron: Here another with broken leg fears to perish. Here one fell once supine from the topmost citadel: That one was overwhelmed amid the rushing waters. Here one placed amid the flames draws sighs: Here one beset by a strong enemy takes to flight. He shines with Miracles at his tomb Here one complains of fevers, another of fierce gripings of the belly; Here one wishes the sinews would be absent from his wretched foot. That one deplores elephantiasis, this one hernias: or hemorrhoids, or grieves of the stone. Finally whoever is present returns thence with placid health. Nor does Benno suffer prayers to have been void. The Prince felt his aid: his royal consort too felt it, who before had wept continually for her sick husband: Now beautiful she smiles joined to her husband, & hangs waxen votives to the divine Father. Hence frequent from other nations too thither a throng hastens burdened with various ills. Hither come the Thurii, the Prussians, the Sarmatian, the Slav; The Author complaining of the delay of the Canonization? hither the neighboring Bohemian often makes his way. Often too warned in dreams at midnight, hither the Cimbrian brought his foot from the northern pole. Though a thousand come, a thousand too bring back health: this proves of course that the man is holy. For although none does this without sacred divine power: no evil man does such & so great signs. And yet (unworthy!) for four ages now & beyond, while he prevails by these merits more & more, No one of the Pontiffs has deemed him worthy of due honor, no one has enrolled him among the Saints, before the Sacred rite. This while I lately with myself bitterly fumed, now these now others accusing as guilty: I groaned that so great a virtue had lain hidden in darkness for so long a time, so many good deeds of the man. For of course I thought it could have come about by envy: which (unless it be powerless) suppresses every good. I accused all, to whom he had once done good: but more the Canons & the men of Meissen. he introduces the Saint appearing to him Nor was it much lacking but that then both men & Gods I should have called ungrateful & unmindful of good. Until in a sleep poured upon me, by I know not what divine power, Benno seemed to me to speak such words: You falsely accuse the holy Fathers, Jerome, in vain you are indignant with my Brethren thence. It is not the Pontiffs', not the carelessness of the Brethren, that to me they have not yet established sacred altars. Nor the less do I feed on ambrosia, or drink nectar: this popular honor does nothing for the Saints. warning that meanwhile he should venerate him. Nor so much do the libations of cold stone to the heavenly ones, as modesty & probity & a holy life please. Who has lived life innocently, let him be blessed here; even if the beasts gnaw his left limbs. But you since kindled with pious love of me so you seek to burn incense at our hearths: Do not doubt that things appointed will come at their own time by fate, which God now covers by hidden reason. Meanwhile let our manes, I pray, rest: & whom with incense you cannot, see that you venerate with piety. These said, Benno vanished on sudden wings: These said, from sleep was I loosed.

Here followed of Bartholomew of Steneberg, Philosopher & Orator, a lyric Poem to Divine Benno, woven of five strophes; but of such slight elegance, that compared with Jerome's verses that poem must seem altogether insipid to those not wholly devoid of the Muses. So it being omitted, I finish with the Epigram, with which Jerome began the edition, placing it before the Dedicatory at the front of the little book, after relating from the Saint, for the labor expended, the grace of health otherwise despaired of.

Divine father Benno for life accept a life, For with this requital nothing will be greater to you. You seemed to me to prolong my mortal life by prayers, When I was destitute of medical help. An immortal name & life I render back to you, For your powers are thence better known by my writings.

THE MIRACLES OF S. BENNO

Benno, Bishop of Meissen, laid to rest at Munich in Bavaria (S.)

D. P., FROM THE OLD PRINT, FROM THE GERMAN PRINT, G. H.

Part I. Performed before the Canonization. From the Print at Rome in the year 1521.

PRELIMINARY LITTLE WARNING.

These miracles plainly declare the sanctity of B. Benno; but many for the sake of brevity we have passed over, which in former times were brought into the open. But these were published at Rome, under the Pontificate of the most holy Father in Christ our Lord, D. Leo Pope X, in the ninth year of the same, after Christ born 1521, on the 12th day of March. So it is read at the end of the little book, which thence to the beginning I preferred to draw back, to give credibility to the things to be related below: of which some since they are had more fully in the German editions; it appears that they are noted in the very Processes more distinctly, with all circumstances; & it can be, that from those (if indeed they still are extant, as it seems they are) sometime a grand treatise be made, such as of S. Francis of Paola, Yves the Priest, & the like we have collected. Now what is at hand we give: But not in the same form in which it is printed. For the curator of the Roman edition this purpose had, that the Cardinals & others judges of the cause might have a Summary of the miracles, which with their proofs & circumstances they could read in the Process: therefore especially he took care to note the folio, where each might be found, & the number of witnesses affirming each thing, which he did in this manner. In the context of Chapter III. (which chapter, because it is more prolix than the rest, I divide into three little Chapters) after each miracle he added, in what number they were in the order of the examined, the Witness or Witnesses in the margin signed by number alone. All which to us, not having the Processes themselves, cannot serve; except the number of Witnesses, which from the margin to the text I shall transfer, noting after each miracle how many were of each miracle Witnesses II, III, V, VIII etc., not in what order they gave testimony: But the Titles prefixed to each Paragraph, e.g. RAISED FROM THE DEAD VIII, by which written in Capital letters the context is interpolated, into the Margins I shall cast; & thus I think it will be, that of that ancient edition nothing will the Reader miss, which seems to make to the purpose.

CHAPTER I.

The Miracles of B. Benno, confirmed by certain Witnesses, produced by compulsion.

[1] Raised from the dead XI Cunigundis, daughter of Henry Preusser a noble man, five years old; when in one bed with her parents she slept, by I know not what accident smothered she died. Who then to the sepulchre of Divine Benno carried: a vow being made revived in the year 1277 a. Witnesses II. Conrad a certain infant in the river Cana drowned, a vow being made revived in the Year 1279 b. Witnesses II. Thomas a certain youth in the village of Koczsperg overwhelmed by a great weight of earth, then indeed dug out of the earth plainly lifeless: when no hope of life from elsewhere appeared; the faith of Divine Benno being implored, he was raised in the year 1279 c. Witness I. Gutta, handmaid of Hermann de Schirmenicz a gilded Knight, by a grave fall having died, after a vow revived in the year 1267. Witness I. A boy a year and a half old, by a most grave disease worn out, was held for dead: after a vow he recovered in the year 1391. Witnesses II. A certain woman at Meissen bore a lifeless infant, who after a vow began to breathe: & was plainly brought back to life, in the year 1292. Witnesses IV. A certain youth, water from a spring when he wished to draw; into the spring fell, & by that accident died. And when from earliest morning up to evening for dead he was held, at last a vow being made he revived in the year 1279. Witnesses V. When once Bitigo d Bishop of Meissen on the feast of Divine Donatus (whom the church of Meissen venerates as a tutelary deity) the Christian people publicly was teaching, it happened: that a two-year-old boy, who in a well had died, to the sepulchre of Divine Benno was carried, & at that very time suddenly revived in the year 1281. Witnesses II. Likewise to a certain Rustico a two-year-old boy in the waters had perished, who to the sepulchre of Divine Benno carried revived. Witness I. Likewise a boy of seven years of a certain gilded Knight from a bridge into a ditch had fallen & thence plainly extracted dead, after a vow revived. Witnesses IV. A certain girl, by name Catherine, from a higher part of the house fallen, for a whole hour for dead was held: a vow being made she revived. Witness I.

[2] A certain shoemaker, by name Theodoric, by a most grave disease worn out, Those imperiled by various diseases saved VI. & indeed in such a way that the physicians utterly despaired of his life; by a draught of that wine with which had been washed the bones of Divine Benno, he recovered in the year e 1267. Witnesses VI. Bitigo Bishop of Meissen turning aside once to the moderator of the parish of Dresden, found there a girl who was gravely ailing, & was being consumed wholly by putrefaction. She a vow being made immediately recovered, in the year 1277. Witnesses VIII. The wife of the prefect of the citadel of Grocz her son ill-affected to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led: who after a vow recovered, in the year 1243. Witness I. Bitigo Bishop of Meissen in the town of f Eisenach passing the night, a certain citizen had a daughter who by a long ailment had wasted away: & indeed in such a way that her health was altogether despaired of. But at last she to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led recovered. Witness I. A boy nine years old by so great a disease affected, that for twenty days no food he took; a vow being made, he came out unharmed in the year g 1339. Witness I. Nicholas a certain rustic man had contracted a most foul putrefaction of the face from the urine of dormice: he after a vow recovered health, in the year 1394. h Witness I.

[3] Frenzied freed II. A girl called Elisabeth, frenzied, with hands & feet bound, could not be held: a vow being made she returned to herself in the year 1394. Witness I. A certain Clara was raving, & she for twelve years with fetters & chains bound, at last by a vow is healed, in the year 1394. Witness I.

[4] a certain possessed woman freed. The woman Gutta for four years possessed, often to such a degree of madness came: that she herself to lay hands on herself wished. But when she returned to herself, a vow to Divine Benno making, & it paying, of demons she was freed, in the year 1394. Witnesses III.

[5] from mutes speaking II. A boy passing his fifteenth year became mute plainly & the use of speech utterly lost. And when for five weeks & as many days he was mute; to the sepulchre of Benno led a vow being made he began to speak in the year 1210. Witnesses VIII. Likewise the Woman Gertrude when for five years she had been mute; at last to the sepulchre of Benno led, recovered the faculty of speaking, in the year 1280 i. Witnesses VIII.

[6] To the blind & II who were ill-affected in their eyes VIII. An infant of six months deprived of his eyes for some time, at last a vow being made received the use of them in the year 1278. Witnesses III. Likewise another certain boy deprived of one eye, the deity of Divine Benno being invoked, the power of seeing recovered, in the year 1391. Witness I. The daughter of Nicholas the carpenter, blinded utterly, a vow being made all blindness dispelled, most rightly saw, in the year 1311. Witness I. Agnes a woman of Prague when by a long blindness she was vexed; a vow to Divine Benno she made: who suddenly the eyes of her opened. But she unmindful of so great a benefit deferred to pay the vow. By which it came about; that she again with great pain of the eyes was afflicted. Wherefore converted to penance (since she was conscious of her ingratitude) to Divine Benno a vow double greater she made. Which being done, utterly she recovered. Which she herself by oath before a Notary & witnesses most sacredly affirmed in the year 1394 k. Likewise a certain woman dwelling at Meissen for a decade blind, after a vow was healed in the year 1394. Witnesses III. A certain citizen of Meissen by a most grave pain of the eyes affected, at last using the counsel of his wife, a vow to Divine Benno made: & immediately recovered, in the year 1394 l. Witness I. Elisabeth, wife of a certain gilded Knight, for eleven weeks caught in her eyes m, a vow being made began to be better: then indeed to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led, utterly was healed, in the year 1394. Witness I. A certain woman one eye utterly had lost, but with the other not rightly enough saw. And when that one with a certain sharp wood she had so injured, that of all sight she feared it was over; a vow being made with both eyes she began to see, in the year 1394. Witness I.

[7] A certain woman from the town of n Dobeln deaf to the sepulchre of Divine Benno fled & a vow to him made: the deaf healed III & suddenly to hear she began in the year 1277. Witness I. Likewise another certain woman, by a long interval of time deaf: a vow being made heard: & this before a Notary & witnesses confessed in the year 1394. Witness I. A man a certain rustic by name Jerome for six years deaf, a vow being made heard, in the year 1394. Witness I.

[8] Begutta a certain woman into paralysis when she had fallen, six months lay sick: The paralytic cured XI at last with a vow to the sepulchre of Divine Benno carried, recovered, in the year, Witness I. 1267. Ludwig a certain for six months entangled by paralysis, when by no remedy he could be cured; a vow being made his former soundness recovered, in the year 1270 o. Witness I. Cunigundis a certain woman paralytic after a vow recovered in the year 1270. Witness I. Likewise a Girl of Pravehagen, for three months paralytic, after a vow was healed, in the year 1394. Witness I. Likewise a certain Agnes, for a decade paralytic, after a vow recovered, in the year 1394. Witnesses 4. John a certain rustic, for six years paralytic, after a vow to his former health was restored, in the year 1394. Witnesses IV. A woman a certain from p Northusen, which is a city of the Diocese of Mainz, a most grave pain of the feet had contracted. Which disease now "Persian," now paralysis the physicians call: she, I say, a woman to Divine Benno a vow when she had made, utterly recovered, in the year 1394. Witnesses III. Thomas Hayem, for twelve years by paralysis so worn out, that his hands he could not move; a vow being made, he was healed, in the year 1394. Witness sworn I. A girl for twelve years both paralytic & lunatic, by a vow is healed in the year, 1394. Witness sworn I. Likewise a certain woman for twelve years paralytic; by a vow is healed in the year, 1394. Witness sworn I. Likewise another certain woman, by name Elisabeth, for seven years paralytic, a vow being made, was better. And when to pay the vow to Meissen she betook herself, on the very journey to the former another vow she added: & immediately to her former health was restored, in the year 1394. Witness sworn I. q

[9] The lame cured IV. A certain man, by name Conrad, for four years had been lame, & indeed in such a way that wherever he wished to go on a staff he leaned: at last to the sepulchre of Divine Benno fleeing, to right health was restored: so that leaving there the staff he, home unharmed, & rightly walking, took himself, in the year 1394. Witnesses 6. A certain woman in her feet for a whole year ailing, & indeed in such a way ailing that to go she could by no means: a vow being made was healed, in the year 1394. Witness I. Another certain in the soles of her feet a very great pain had contracted. And when the soles putrefied were being consumed utterly, a vow being made rightly to be well she began, in the year 1395. r Witness I. Likewise another by oath affirmed, that she from her early age up to the twentieth year of her age in one of her feet had labored, & at last a vow being made, was healed, in the year 1294.

[10] From inflation or swelling of the body freed VI. The wife of the noble man Ulmar Camez, in body so inflated, that no one doubted but that she would die, her husband however, who made much of the deity of Divine Benno, for her a vow made, & her to the sepulchre of Benno led. By which it came about, that she immediately recovered, in the year 1392. Witnesses 4. Another likewise inflated, to Divine Benno by the prayers of her husband when she had been commended, recovered, in the year 1392. Witnesses 2. Likewise of a certain youth, fourteen years old, the feet were in very great swelling. Who by his mother to Divine Benno commended rightly to be well began in the year 1394. s Witnesses 4.

[11] The contracted restored IV. In the presence of Bitigo Bishop of Meissen a certain needy woman, for a long time contracted, to the sepulchre of Divine Benno came, who a vow making, in the sight of all recovered, in the year 1273 t. Witnesses 6. Likewise another in like manner for fifteen years contracted, a vow being made was healed, in the year 1279. Witness I. Bitigo was once Bishop at Dresden: at that time a certain woman bore a contracted boy: & indeed so contracted, that to a man he was not similar. He a few days after to the sepulchre of Divine Benno with a vow carried u the right form of body & condition obtained, in the year 1277. Witnesses 10. The daughter of a certain Knight with soles twisted across born, after a vow the right form of her feet began to have in the year 1390. Witnesses 2.

[12] There was born to a certain citizen of Meissen a daughter, in the breast equally & in the back humpbacked: The humpbacked freed from deformity IV. & indeed in such a way that herself to raise in no way she could. To this disadvantage another was added, that she had her feet inverted: she I say, when she was passing her sixth year, by her parents to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led, a vow being made a good form of body received, in the year 1277. Witnesses 2. A boy so humpbacked that to go he could not, to the sepulchre of Benno carried, a vow being made, from all deformity of body, was freed in the year 1279. Witnesses 4. A boy of six months a hump had, which to such magnitude had grown, that to the head similar it seemed. He, I say, a boy to the sepulchre of Divine Benno carried, & to it placed, immediately that deformity cast off in the year 1278. x Witnesses 5. Likewise a boy two years old for six months humpbacked, after a vow from deformity was freed. Witnesses 5.

[13] A woman for a whole year y by a flux of blood laboring, from a flux of blood cured V. to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led, recovered, in the year 1277. Witnesses 3. Likewise another by a menstrual flux so debilitated, that all hope of life she lost: a vow being made, rightly to be well she began, in the year 1291. Witnesses 2. A boy of ten years, for ten weeks entangled in dysentery, when by the physicians he could not be cured; & to such a degree was debilitated, that he doubtless had to die; a vow by his parents being made recovered, in the year 1392. Witnesses 4. Into dysentery fell a girl of ten years & she for eight weeks when by remedy she could not be healed, after a vow rightly to be well began, in the year 1392. Witnesses 2. Likewise a certain woman for five years vexed by a flux of blood, when the physicians could not cure her, a vow by her husband being made (who then at Meissen was) recovered in the year 1394.

[14] Petriza a woman a boy ten years old had, who labored with the falling sickness. From epilepsy healed V. He immediately after a vow recovered, in the year 1274. Another certain boy by the same disease laboring, after a vow was healed. A certain townsman of Lejic, for seven weeks epileptic, after a vow recovered, in the year 1394. Witnesses 4. Likewise a certain boy, for a whole year epileptic, a vow being made his former soundness recovered, in the year 1394. Witnesses 2. Another certain boy a year and a half, every single day, six times by the falling sickness seized, a vow being made recovered, in the year 1394. Witness I.

[15] From plague & abscesses freed IV A certain citizen of Freiberg by quinsy laboring, & by that disease so debilitated, that his life was despaired of by all, a vow being made was healed in the year 1277. One witness. Otto Erckenbirch had a son, in whose neck a huge abscess was growing. The boy therefore when food he could not take, the help of Divine Benno was implored. Whose deity to the boy brought to the extreme crisis came to aid, in the year 1297. Witness I. A certain woman infected with plague, a vow being made was saved in the year 1392. One witness. The daughter of a certain citizen z of Hain fell into the plague: & when by the disease she was so worn out, that for four hours lifeless she lay, to herself at last suddenly she returned, & her father admonished, to Divine Benno a vow that he should make; who to her then when outside her own power she had been placed, appeared she affirmed. The father therefore a vow making, his daughter saved, in the year 1390. Witnesses 3. A fever-sufferer cured 1.

[16] A certain rustic into a most grave fever fell, & when of his safety all despaired, a vow being made recovered, in the year 1394. Witness I.

[17] Lepers healed II. A certain woman, by name Elisabeth, for four years leprous, after a vow to her former health was restored, in the year 1394. Witness I. Another certain dwelling at Meissen leprous, a vow being made forthwith was healed in the year 1394. Witness I. α.

[18] Christian, Marshal of the Bishop of Meissen, when with his Lord abroad setting out, by a most grave pain of the kidneys to be tortured he began. from the stone freed I. And when himself to Divine Benno he commended, the stone (which of so great magnitude was, that without danger of life it could not be expelled) dissolved of its own accord through the male member flowed out in the year 1394. Witnesses II.

[19] From apoplexy freed II. Ramnold a Canon of Meissen to sleep when he had gone, by apoplexy was seized: & when with the greatest pain he was affected, the help of Divine Benno he implored: but indeed the pain in nothing remitted. He fell asleep, but during his rest to himself he seemed this voice to hear: God does not hear sinners. The next day therefore his sins with the greatest penance he confessed, & the vow paid, & the same good health recovered, in the year 1394. Witness I. John Coltener, a Canon regular of Leipzig by apoplexy was touched, & indeed so touched, that for three days neither could he eat nor speak. On the fourth day at last, when in his name someone the sepulchre of Divine Benno visited, & a vow for him made, he recovered, in the year 1394. Witnesses VI.

[20] The maimed healed II. A boy a year and a half old in his right hand maimed was, to it was added a very great pain of the shoulder: he left by the physicians, who altogether despaired, to Divine Benno was commended, & immediately recovered in the year 1270. Witnesses III. Likewise another passing the 14th year of his age, in both hands was maimed. And when for a whole year now every third, now every fourth day by a most grave disease he was afflicted: sometimes so debilitated he was: that to the ground he fell: & for 30 hours for dead was held. When therefore a vow for him was made, both he himself revived, & maimed in his hands to be ceased, in the year 1278. Witnesses V.

[21] Nicholas β Bishop of Meissen once when he was a captive; Captives freed II. the help of Divine Benno being implored was freed. Which he himself in the Chapter of Meissen publicly testified, in the year 1391. Witnesses VI. Brother John de Groneberg, who presided over the sacred things at the Sepulchre of the Lord, together with the Duke of Burgundy & the Bishop of Constance, to Jerusalem setting out, by the King of Aragon captured; when many other vows he made, then the help of Divine Benno he implored. Who to him during his rest appeared with venerable gray hair & with Episcopal habit endowed, & bade him be of good courage. For tomorrow you will be freed, he said. Which thus happened. For the King of Cyprus on the next day to them came to aid in the year 1394. Witnesses XV γ.

[22] from certain sicknesses healed II. A boy three years old by worms so was tortured, that from his nostrils equally & ears much blood he poured out. What more? the physicians despaired: to Divine Benno was made a vow: the boy recovered, in the year 1270. Witnesses IV. A certain woman of Leipzig the disease of a fistula & indeed that most grave in one foot had contracted. And when in it for four years she had labored, at last B. Benno wishing to visit, & to him a vow making, on the very journey was healed in the year 1394. Witness I.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

p Northusia a free & Imperial city of Thuringia on the river Zorge, almost midway between Erfurt & Halberstadt. q In the German it is ascribed to the year 1300, & the cured man is said to have been of Glowiz, & to have with difficulty crept to Meissen on foot: & witnesses are added, who were present at the miracle, Nicholas Esserwerthensis, Bernard Eibbenwerthensis, Nicholas Schumans, Stephen Mayr Notary & others 8 August narrating what they knew.

r More fully this see below num. 93.

s It seems to be that of whom num. 90; but he is said to have so labored for 14 years.

t And here was wrongly printed 1394; more correctly & fully German num. 79.

u There it is said that the boy was brought when now three weeks he had been baptized, & this the parents testified on the 3rd day of Pentecost the celebration of the dedication being finished & the divine service performed.

x It seems altogether the same of whom below num. 81.

y Rather, a year & a quarter, but he came on the eighth day after the feast of the Apostles, & was from the village of Brogtizio, as the German has.

z Of Jacob Doleber; but the witnesses were John Radeburg Vicar & Jacob Leitner in the month of May.

α She is named, & the matter more fully is had num. 91.

β Nicholas, the 32nd Bishop, is noted in the catalogues to have died in the year 1385, but perhaps it should be read in the year 1395.

γ These things about the Jerusalem journey seem obscure, the Duke of Burgundy in the year 1394 was Philip the Bold founder of the Burgundian House among the Belgians, died at Halle in Hainaut in the year 1404; the Bishop of Constance on the Rhine was Burchard, the 70th of that See; the Bishop of Coutances in Normandy was William Crevecurius, the 65th of that See. The 20th King of Aragon was John, & the King of Cyprus James Lusignan.

CHAPTER II.

Miracles from the testimonies of certain men in the general inquisition.

[23] Raised from the dead & freed from dangers of life VIII. A certain carpenter, on a certain house a roof when he wished to place, from a higher part (which a height of thirty cubits had) fell, & by that accident two ribs of his body broke, & the other arm gravely injured. Who when for dead was held, a vow by the bystanders to Divine Benno made began to breathe, in the year 1496. Witness I. A boy of three years a from Freiberg from a window (which a height of fifteen cubits had) fell, & for some time held for dead, after a vow revived, in the year 1499. Witness I. A certain citizen b. of Bautzen so gravely ailed, that the physicians, his safety despaired, the man left. But to a single keeper him they committed; who when he saw once the sick man of all breath destitute & lifeless utterly: his eyes (as to the dead we are wont to do) he closed, & his hands composed, & to his wife the death of her husband announced. She indeed vehemently disturbed, when no hope anywhere she perceived to Divine Benno fled & from him with pious prayers for her husband life obtained, in the year 1495. Witness I. There is a certain village by name Colni, where five men, eating I know not what poisonous thing, immediately all in a miserable manner lifeless fell. Which when a certain woman standing by saw, by commiseration moved; for them to Divine Benno a vow made. By which it came about, that these into life suddenly were brought back, in the year 1495. Witnesses XXVI. A certain woman from childbirth so debilitated was, that by her mother & other women, who to her were present, dead she was judged. But she a vow being made began to breathe, in the year 1498. Witnesses XXVI. A boy by a recent birth brought forth, lifeless when he was, dead was believed; for him therefore a vow was made, & immediately revived, in the year 1498. Witnesses LXII. Likewise another certain boy, by a most grave disease lying sick, to die seemed: who after a vow made revived, in the year 1498. Witness I.

[24] At a certain time there was a great inundation of the river Elbe. And when three men in a skiff to cross wished, it happened, Those imperiled in the waters saved II. that the force of the river overturned the skiff. Two therefore of them perished; the third somehow clinging, to the skiff the help of Divine Benno implored & to him a vow made. Wherefore immediately from danger he was freed, in the year 1449. Witnesses VII. A certain man from the bridge of Meissen into the Elbe fell: who into so great danger brought, Divine Benno implored; therefore into a certain island carried he escaped. And he said that an old man, of honest form especially & venerable, was present to him, in the year 1471. Witnesses VII.

[25] The frenzied freed from frenzy III. A certain Priestly Nun, from a great & long ailment into frenzy turned, after a vow by the Abbess & the other nuns made to herself returned, in the year 1499. Witness III. Udalric de Vulfferstorff Dean of Meissen, a man both of noble birth & with great dignity endowed: he, I say, by a long ailment worn out, at last into frenzy fell. And when the physicians of his life had despaired, the help of Divine Benno was implored: he therefore immediately recovered, in the year 1493. Witnesses III. A certain woman unexpectedly to such a degree of madness came, that of life to her nothing of hope was remaining : who a vow being made health recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I.

[26] Fever-sufferers cured IV. The moderator of the parish of Dresden by fevers seized, after a vow recovered, in the year 1497. Zedena, the mother of our most Illustrious Prince, into a most grave fever when she had fallen, a vow being made recovered, in the year 1469. Witness I. The prefect of the citadel of Meissen John Helbick, by fever seized, a Persian disease besides supervening, to Divine Benno fled, & forthwith was healed in the year 1499. Witness I. Likewise two women, entangled by fevers, after a vow recovered: of whom of one in the folio of the process, 651, of the other in fol. 724 you will find.

[27] from the stone freed I. Zedena the mother of our most Illustrious Prince, a woman especially honest & chaste, by the stone for twenty years had labored. But at last to Divine Benno a vow making, from the stone was freed, in the year 1495. Witness. I

[28] from a flux of blood cured I. A certain woman of Dresden a flux of blood had nor by any remedy could be cured; but at last to Divine Benno fleeing, forthwith recovered, in the year 1495. Witness I.

[29] Freed from pain of the head III. A woman by very great pain of the head tortured after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I. Nicholas de Caricz a gilded Knight, so great a pain of the head had contracted, that by the physicians by no remedy could be cured: after a vow recovered in the year 1497. Witness I. Likewise another certain man, by the same disease plainly lifeless, after a vow recovered. Witness I.

[30] A paralytic healed I. A certain paralytic woman a vow being made immediately after two days health recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I.

[31] A mother & daughter c of Görlitz, in their eyes ill-affected when they were, after a vow recovered, Freed from pain of the eyes IV. in the year 1498. Witness VII. A certain Priest a very great pain in one eye had contracted: after a vow was healed, in the year 1497. Witnesses II. Likewise to a certain woman each eye gravely ached; a vow being made she recovered, in the year 1498. Witness I. Likewise another, on account of very great pain, in one eye almost blinded, after a vow recovered, in the year 1498. Witness I.

[32] Andrew a certain townsman d of Bischofswerda in one foot for 15 years ailing, Freed from pain of the feet VIII. a vow being made, good health recovered, in the year 1498. Witness I. The moderator of the parish of a certain village by very great pains of the feet tortured, after a vow rightly to be well began, in the year 1498. Witness I. A woman a certain from one foot gravely laboring, after a vow was healed, in the year 1498. Witness I. Likewise another in her legs by very great pain affected, a vow being made recovered, in the year 1497. Witness I. Likewise another certain by name Elisabeth, of Freiberg in her feet ailing to the sepulchre of Divine Benno coming, a vow made by which it came about, that unharmed herself home she took, in the year 1498. Witness I. The Provost of the Canons regular of S. Aphra in the city of Meissen at a certain time one foot gravely had struck: & when for ten weeks in that foot he had labored, at last a vow being made recovered, in the year 1496. Witness I. A certain rustic, in his feet ailing, when many remedies he had applied, & could not be healed; to Divine Benno fled & immediately recovered.

[33] from swelling of the body freed IV. A woman, eating I know not what poisonous thing, a dangerous scabies contracted. After a vow forthwith was healed in the year 1479. Witnesses II. The Prioress of the monastery of nuns nearest to the city of Meissen a great swelling in one foot with the Persian disease e joined had contracted: after a vow recovered, in the year 1479. A townsman a certain of Kamenz, by a lizard (which kind of animal among us is poisonous) infected, after a vow unharmed escaped, in the year 1499. Witnesses IV. To a certain boy the neck had greatly swelled, & thence very great pain he had felt: & indeed so that for six weeks to rest nothing he could give: a vow being made, rightly he to be well began, in the year 1499. Witness I.

[34] A certain citizen of Freiberg, in his right foot contracted, The contracted healed II. after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I. A woman a certain of Görlitz, so contracted, that by no remedies she could be cured: a vow being made was healed in the year 1499. Witness I.

[35] From plague freed III. A certain woman of Meissen into plague fell, who a vow being made was saved in the year 1496. Witness I. Nicholas a certain Citizen of Meissen by plague together with his wife & daughter infected was, after a vow recovered all, in the year 1496. Witnesses IV. Nicholas de Schonberg, a noble boy, by an abscess infected, & on that account for 7 weeks lying sick, by a vow recovered in the year 1499. Witnesses III.

[36] A certain girl by the French disease seized after a vow recovered, from the French disease freed VII. in the year 1499. Witnesses II. A certain woman, by the French disease gravely worn out, after a vow was healed, in the year 1499. Witnesses V. Likewise to a certain Dorothea, by the same disease laboring, in her last breath the deity of Divine Benno came to aid, in the year 1499. Witnesses II. A certain citizen f of Torgau by the French disease infected, after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witness III. Two Sisters of whom one four g years, but the other fourteen old was, by the French disease laboring, after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witnesses IV. A certain citizen of Meissen & his wife into the French disease had fallen, after a vow however recovered both, in the year 1499. Witnesses II. Likewise another certain woman by the French disease infected to be healed could not: who after a vow recovered in the year 1499. Witnesses II.

[37] John Bose h Bishop of Merseburg a great indeed man & noble, From various dangers freed VIII. when once his City to blaze with fire he saw, & indeed so to blaze, that the fire by no human counsel could be extinguished; the help of Divine Benno (whom he always greatly had cultivated) he implored. By which it came about, that that fire immediately was extinguished, in the year 1495. Witness I. A certain girl into a deep well falling, in the very fall to Divine Benno a vow made. But before to the water she fell, she felt herself lifted up, & was saved, in the year 1499. Witness I. A certain boy in a well had died; & when there for three days submerged he had lain, at last he was extracted, & a vow being made revived, in the year 1499. Witness I. Dresden (as it is the head of our land) an ample & great city, by fire once was blazing: but there were consumed by the fire eighteen buildings, to which contiguous was the house of a certain honest woman. And when that house from the heat of the neighboring buildings was kindled, the Lady the help of Divine Benno implored; & admonished the bystanders, the same they should do: a vow therefore being made, the fire was extinguished, in the year 1487. Witness I. When Meissen by fire was blazing, a certain woman all her furniture into a certain vault bringing, her house, which soon to perish she thought, deserted. And when to her came to mind those things, which under the deity of Divine Benno daily were being done, a vow she made. Which being done the fire was extinguished, in the year 1451. Witness I. George Huifener of Görlitz, by I know not what driven, death to himself to bring was thinking, which when he noticed Thomas Nasonpis his relation, the man to Divine Benno with pious prayers & a vow commended. George therefore from frenzy freed, with himself to be began, in the year 1498. Witnesses II. A certain woman in childbirth greatly labored, & indeed so, that her safety despaired, the help of Divine Benno was implored. By which it came about, that immediately a twin birth she brought forth, in the year 1494. Witness I. Likewise another certain woman, in the same way imperiled, a vow being made happily was delivered, in the year 1495. Witness I. Likewise many other women, in childbirth laboring, after a vow were delivered. Of whom everywhere in the process Fol. 393, 624, 644, 724, 727, & 731. From various diseases freed XXIII.

[38] The Dean of Freiberg to Meissen once came, & there into a most grave disease fell, of whose life the physician despaired. Then Zedena i, of our most Illustrious Prince the mother, a vow for him to Divine Benno making, the man saved, in the year 1494. Witnesses IV. A certain Priest of Görlitz, by a most grave disease seized, lay sick: persuaded he by the moderator of the parish a vow to Divine Benno made, & immediately recovered, in the year 1494. Witness I. There came at a certain time to Meissen a certain Citizen of Bautzen, not that Divine Benno he might cultivate, but that business I know not what he might finish. But by his host he was led to the sepulchre of Divine Benno. And when of the sanctity of Divine Benno the miracles & honor, which to him the Christian people had, he was being taught; answered he, that it did not become him who was not Canonized so to cultivate. As if those who to Benno divine honors gave were superstitious. What happened? when that man of Bautzen home returned into a disease far most grave he fell. Conscious of those words, by which Divine Benno he had despised, by penance led, a vow with sacrifice to him made: immediately therefore recovered. Afterward indeed of that benefit unmindful the vow to pay for a long time deferred. It happened moreover that by a certain accident his arm he broke, then admonished of his ingratitude that he the vow which he had made would pay with another vow he confirmed: wherefore again he was healed. But by the same vice of ingratitude as before given, Benno he neglected. What then? Into the cellar of wine from a higher place with very great danger he fell: & that arm, which before he had broken, gravely he struck. Then to true penance turned, a third vow, to the former he added: & them at the same time all he paid, thinking these all to him for the cause of ingratitude to have happened, in the year 1493. Witnesses III. A certain rustic, for eight weeks by dysentery laboring, after a vow recovered in the year 1498. Witness I. A woman a certain for three days by very great pains was tortured: she after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I. A certain woman by a disease sudden afflicted, a vow being made was healed, in the year 1499. Witness I. A girl of eight years, down very high steps fallen, her back had broken: she after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witness I. A woman into a cough when she had fallen & by that disease for seven weeks she labored, a vow being made was healed, in the year 1499. Witness I. The most Illustrious Prince John, of our most Illustrious k Duke George son, gravely ailing by the common prayer of the Nuns of Freiberg to Divine Benno commended forthwith recovered. Which the most Illustrious mother of his testified, in the year 1499. Witness I. The servant of Zedena the most Illustrious woman, by a grave & long disease worn out, by the most Illustrious matron to Divine Benno commended, his former health recovered in the year 1495. Witness I. The Abbess of the monastery of Meissen by pleurisy laboring, a vow being made from the disease was freed, in the year 1499. Witness I. A mother & son by a most grave disease laboring after a vow recovered, in the year 1499. Witnesses III. There had assailed a certain woman a sudden certain disease, & indeed so, that altogether she lay sick: a vow being made was healed, in the year 1499. Witness I. Likewise another certain, for a whole year by a most bitter disease debilitated, after a vow recovered, in the year 1497. Witness I. Likewise another for six weeks gravely affected, after a vow recovered, in the year 1498. Witness I. A certain youth by a most grave disease entangled, & indeed so entangled that the physicians of his safety despaired. He a vow being made recovered, in the year 1498. Witnesses VI. A certain Clerk of Meissen on account of a grave ailment out of his mind, a vow being made, to himself returned in the year 1499. Witness I. A boy two years old, & beyond, gravely ailing after a vow recovered. But when the parents the vow did not satisfy, the boy more gravely, than before he had been affected, to ail began. By which it came about, that the parents by conscience of their ingratitude stirred a double vow to Divine Benno paid: the boy therefore was healed. A certain citizen of Meissen a most grave disease had contracted, but after a vow recovered, in the year 1495. Witnesses II. A certain woman by very great pain in one arm was tortured: she after a vow was healed, in the year 1495. Witness I. A boy by adverse health gravely affected was, & indeed so affected, that he altogether had to die. But there was present to him a certain Woman, by name Agnes, who by commiseration moved, a vow for him made. Which being done the boy immediately recovered in the year 1499. Witness I. Likewise another boy in the same way ailing, a vow by his father being made recovered, in the year 1489. Witness I. A woman a certain by a most grave ailment oppressed, & by the physicians left utterly, after a vow to her former health was restored, in the year 1492. Witness I. A certain boy by a certain disease vehemently debilitated, to the sepulchre of Divine Benno led, recovered, in the year 1492. Witness I.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER III.

The Miracles of Divine Benno Bishop of Meissen, written down in the second & special inquisition in the regions.

[39] Raised from the dead 8. Near Meissen there is a village, which the inhabitants call Niderfere. Here the wife of a certain Peter Pesches, an infant dead bore. And so when for two hours the boy dead had remained; a vow to D. Benno made, to life was recalled, & to the boy the name Martin was given. Witnesses 3, in the order of the examined, 204. Which last notice, to us by no means useful, not being able to exhibit the Process, henceforth will be omitted, & only from the margin will be noted, how many to each miracle ascribed are the witnesses. Not far from the same place & under the diocese of Meissen in a village, Ubige by name at the town a Hayn, in a similar way an infant lifeless brought forth, after half an hour a vow to D. Benno made, revived. Witnesses 5. In b Wallachia near Moldum (which town of the diocese of Molcofia is) the little son of a certain skinner, at night during nursing by his Mother smothered, & lifeless six hours held, D. Benno's name being invoked, & a vow through a certain Brother Stephen Minorite made, to life was restored. Witnesses 2. At Freiberg in Meissen plays, after the example of the Lord's passion every seventh year most magnificently are celebrated. Here when in a crowd of about two hundred men, the steps by excessive weight pressed down with the very spectators had collapsed; a youth passing his thirteenth year, who himself under that building had placed, by the fall at the same time was crushed, & indeed so that at the beginning nothing of human form appeared. But afterward from the ruins dug out, when three whole hours without any sign of life he had lain, a vow by the bystanders to B. Benno made, a short time after to life returned, & without any defect of body was healed. Witnesses most worthy of faith two from certain knowledge.

[40] From unclean spirits freed 2. A certain Rector of the Parish church of Ciczko, for a whole two years by a demon vexed & inhabited, a conjuration being made by a certain John Schilda in D. Benno's name, from the demon was freed: Witnesses 3. A woman too, Anna by name, of the village of Preczendorff of the diocese of Meissen, whose body since a domicile of unclean spirits had been made, to Divine Benno's tomb produced & his name being invoked was freed, & the demons put to flight. Witnesses 3.

[41] From blindness & pains of the eyes freed 16. But now in the other diseases & defects both of bodies, & of minds so often was observed Divine Benno's aid, that it cannot even be comprehended in number all. Yet a few out of many, & those which only by the gravest & most honest witnesses confirmed are, it will not irk for the sake of testimony to bring into the midst. A skinner of the municipality c of Kemnitz, Michael Reichel by name, for forty continuous years the gravest pains of the eyes suffered. After various remedies applied at last blinded, when a whole year thus without the use of his eyes he had remained, a vow at last being made, by the help of Benno divine, that whole & well sound he received, which by human medicaments depraved he had lost. Witness I. Another girl of four months, called Utilia, of a certain Ambrose Sorge the daughter, up to her fifteenth year of age by the gravest pains of the eyes vexed, & at last in both eyes caught, a vow being made, her sight received; & also from an abscess which in one eye in a deformed manner had grown, was freed. One witness. The wife of a certain Valentine Cleringk, an inhabitant of the little town d Oschatz of the diocese of Meissen, Lucia by name, when a whole year by pains of the eyes gravely she was tortured, & also in one eye for the space of five months deprived, a vow being made forthwith was cured. Witnesses two. Another woman fifty eight years old Juliana Ranaferdine by name, of the diocese of Meissen after a continuous five years' pains blinded, a sixth year wholly blind remained, until a vow she made: by which from blindness she was freed forthwith. Witnesses two. Henry de Schlejinicz Baron, & of the most Illustrious duke of Saxony e George the Marshal, than which one blind man no one in that province was more known: of fifty years he himself by perpetual pains of the eyes & great perturbations of mind affected, while by long medicaments he profits nothing, a vow at last being made by Divine Benno's help recovered. One witness. Walpurgis widow of Thomas the miller of the diocese of Meissen for two years blind remaining, & only by long pains blinded by a vow is illumined. Witnesses in four. Sigismund Ihan a townsman of Meissen had a son of nine years, Dominic called: that boy's eye the point of a spindle had penetrated & when by remedies none the dangerous wound could be cured, a vow being made in a short time is healed. One witness. Catherine the wife of Christopher Augustine, of the municipality of Bautzen, for four years pains of the eyes suffered, & in a fifth whole year blinded, a vow being made light received. Witnesses two. Agatha, wife of a carpenter a certain Michael, of the diocese of Meissen for eight years by the same pains of the eyes vexed, & in the left eye caught, a vow being made, is cured, & the eye receives. Witnesses two. A girl of two months Catherine called, daughter of Christian Leonard, of the municipality of Torgau from that time up to her second year of age, to see nothing was seen: & to her after that time a vow being made, the eyes opened immediately were. Witness one f. A boy of three years son of John Niderau, of the little town of Dipesnalde, the use of his eyes for a whole year from pain lacked; a vow being made light received. One witness. A girl of eighteen years Margaret by name, by a year's pain blinded, a vow being made is cured. The father of the girl Wolfgang Leupolth a cultivator of the village of Sichenbergk. Witnesses 2. Another girl of four years, to whom Anna the name, of the municipality of Freiberg, her father Valentine Unaner, for eight months pain of the eyes suffered, & in a ninth blinded, in the fourth after month a vow being made, is restored. Witness I. Margaret wife of John Peseler, of the municipality g of Kamenz, of the diocese of Meissen, more than a year by the same pains of the eyes vexed, & for some time blind; when by no remedies human she could be cured, by a vow, by Divine Benno's help was cured. Witnesses 2. Francis Olsthleger of the municipality of Görlitz, & he from pain in both eyes for twenty days' space caught, on the twenty-first day a vow being made without delay is restored. Witnesses 2.

[42] The tongue of a mute man loosed. A townsman of Kemnitz a certain, Gabriel Stolcze, a daughter from his wife had received both mute & epileptic; & when her so affected then up to her eleventh year of age he had raised; to the man came to mind to make a vow to Benno for his daughter. Which being done to the girl at one & the same time both voice was restored & health: of all which things a witness she herself was, & to the Lord Commissaries before them to each interrogation answered. Witnesses 4.

[43] The herdsman of the cattle of the nuns of the Monastery h of Gerisvalde, of the order of S. Benedict who was called Simon, From frenzy freed 24. by a deadly wound in the head struck, & from it frenzied made, a vow being made was preserved. Witnesses four. The woman Anna by name wife of Lawrence Puchs, of the village of Hermisdorff, of the diocese of Meissen by frenzy seized, Benno's name being called, was appeased, & from the disease freed. One witness. A boy of four years, Wolfgang by name, his father Oswald a Statuary of Freiberg by a long ailment into frenzy fallen, a vow being made is freed. One witness. Magdalene, wife of a certain Valentine Altsthmer, from childbirth frenzy had assailed; & she for two days when she had endured, a vow being made, was turned away. Witnesses two. Another Margaret, wife of Valentine Heckel, of Kemnitz, when a whole year by that very disease she had labored, at the tomb of Benno placed was cured. Witnesses two. Paul Hase of the diocese of Meissen, when from a long & acute fever frenzy he suffered for fifteen days' space, by a vow is freed. One witness. The same too in Cordula happened, wife of Peter Cricz, of the little town i Rochlitz an inhabitant, who also from a long fever frenzied, by a vow was freed. Witnesses three. The same too in the municipal Councilor of the little town of Pirna, Jerome Promnicz by name, who from an ailment for three days by frenzy seized, a vow being made both in mind & body recovered. Witnesses two. This same of whom I spoke a little after, & in his daughter of three years, to whom Walpurgis the name he had given, she herself by that frenzy laboring, Divine Benno's help again felt, & the infant is a vow being made from the disease immediately cured. Witnesses two. Memorable indeed what to Antony Czottel of the diocese of Meissen happened. He when a whole year by frenzy distracted was, as often as to the tomb of Benno he was produced, so often to reason he returned: & as long as there he was detained, so long master of his mind he remained. But when again he departed, by the disease he was assailed: so that easily you may understand, that not only in those heavenly minds of the divine men, but in that part too, which on earth is left, divinity plainly is present. He indeed a vow afterward being made, from that disease entirely was freed. Witness I. The wife of Paul Braven, a townsman of Meissen, Ursula by name, by a continued flux of the menses, & pains of the head growing worse, into frenzy turned, by a double vow on each occasion made is cured. Witnesses two. A boy Balthasar by name, son of Nicholas Schindeler municipal Councilor of Meissen, passing his fourth year; by the bite of a rabid dog injured, & a little after himself too into rabies turned, a vow being made comes to his senses, & was healed. Witness I. A boy apprentice of John Langi a shoemaker of Leipzig, from an ailment for twelve days by frenzy distracted, a vow being made immediately to himself returned, Witness I. Sebastian Groneualt had children Sebastian & Clara, both of whom at almost the same time frenzy had assailed; & when by remedies in vain he labored, to Divine Benno a vow being made is fled: & by the disease each was freed. Witness I. Agnes, wife of John Rubelants, of the municipality of Pirna after a disease of the body by frenzy seized, & for three months vexed, at last by a vow is saved. Witnesses 2. A soldier a certain of the territory of Bamberg, Conrad Falcke by name, through pleurisy into frenzy fallen, Divine Benno being invoked & a vow being made, sound & well right departs. Witnesses II. Matthew Fabri of the municipality of Freiberg four had children, who all from the touch of a rabid dog, themselves too into rabies turned, by divine mercy a vow to Benno being made are freed. Witness I. A townsman of Lauban, of the diocese of Meissen, whose name was Lawrence Riederer, by a long pleurisy & fever by frenzy seized, a vow being made from all trouble freed was. Witnesses 2. John Barth of Gosswig, which village not far from Meissen is distant, by great perturbations of mind into frenzy cast; & when so affected for two days he had remained, immediately by a vow being made freed was. Witnesses 2. The same frenzy Cristina, of Matthew a certain tailor of Kamenz the wife, had assailed. And when besides the woman by unclean spirits to be vexed seemed, by Benno's name alone into her ears several times shouted, from all Disease & heaviness was freed. Witness I. Matthew Richman, to whom of the Priesthood of the parish Church of the little town k of Luckau provision had been made, by a certain ailment preceding into frenzy had fallen, & by it for three days vexed, a vow being made both in mind & body is restored. Witnesses 2. A girl passing her nineteenth year, of Bartholomew Thomas a townsman of Görlitz the daughter, Anna called, eleven continuous months by frenzy labored. And when by no human art a remedy could be found, by Divine Benno's help; a vow being made, was healed. Witnesses 2. The widow Elisabeth of Michael Meders deceased, by an ailment for three days frenzied, a vow being made, is saved. Witness I. Another girl of sixteen years, her father Martin Marcz, of the village of the Three taverns, from a disease preceding into frenzy turned, a vow being made from frenzy is freed. Witness I.

[44] A deaf man restored. From a ringing of one ear, the use of both deprived, & for three months deaf, Oswald Scheyn, of the most Illustrious Duke of Saxony George the personal cook, a man fifty years old, a vow for his ears to divine Benno being made, on the spot is healed. Witness I.

[45] A lame man rectified. A great indeed, what follows, & memorable proclamation of faith & good hope: Peter Colpe, of the municipality of Ostbach, a man, his sixty-seventh year now passed, at the last for almost six months in his feet contracted, while thus as he was lame, the temple he enters, & to the priest praying in a sermon about the miracles & sanctity of Benno faith piously he has, & hope conceives; sound & upright he departed. Witness

I.

[46] The paralytic or contracted healed 14. In feet & hands contracted two brothers, Donatus & Lucas, sons of Paul Rubenczal of the village of Baubenicz, vows being made, are rectified. Witnesses two. Peter Richter, of the little town of Hayn an inhabitant, almost three months in hands & feet contracted, a vow being made sound departed. Witness one. When for an infant indeed of three years, son of John Clarman of the municipality of Pirna, for eight months' space contracted various vows were made; at the last only that, which to Benno had been made, profited: & the boy on the spot was healed. Witnesses three. A girl of twelve years Otilia by name, daughter of a certain George Bartisth of the town l of Witgenau, from excessive contraction of her limbs her soul was giving up: but a vow being made was preserved & healed. Witnesses three. The little daughter of George Duke of Saxony of two years, to whom Magdalene m the name they had made, in both feet contracted when all the art of the physicians in vain labored, by a vow was healed. Witnesses three. A farmer of the village, which Colonia is called, John Schuman by name, by excessive & long labor, in almost his fortieth year of age contracted; a vow being made, is restored. Witnesses three. Henry Crautner, municipal Councilor of Meissen, by colic suffering often was infested, so that sometimes in his strength he failed, at the tomb of Divine Benno placed & with pious affection his help invoking, from the most troublesome disease entirely freed was. Witness I. another Councilor of the same municipality, Lucas Pincker by name, from one foot suddenly contracted, a vow being made, suddenly recovers. Witness I. Margaret, wife of a certain Thomas the Bohemian of the diocese of Meissen, for six months in her feet contracted, by a vow is restored. Witness I. A rustic a certain of the village of Matersdorff, Jacob Ranfft called, of forty years, in one foot contracted, a vow being made, healed was. But when in the payment of the vow more negligent he was, nor the promises fulfilled; behold suddenly in both feet he is contracted; & himself to have failed understanding, another vow he makes & again in one foot immediately freed was. But in the other not before than to the tomb of Divine Benno he himself approached. By this document more openly what can be sought? Witnesses I. A woman of forty years, Barbara called, wife of John Uniurde a townsman of Leipzig, which town of the diocese of Merseburg is, almost five months contracted, when by no remedies of physicians she could be healed, to Divine Benno with pious affection when she had fled, a vow being made by divine medicine restored was. Witnesses 2. John Molitoris, Rector of the Parish Church of the little town of Dippoldiswalde, of 62 years, through all his limbs almost contracted, in three days by a vow suddenly is healed. Witness I. Another Rector of the parish Church of the village of Bobericz, Caspar Schwenczer by name, in his sixtieth year of age in one foot to the fifth week contracted, & daily more & more with the evil growing strong, a vow being made, forthwith recovered. Witness I. Of noble birth born John de Lokericz, of lower Lusatia, passing his sixty-second year, from contraction of the feet four months had lain sick, when a vow being made, forthwith is healed. Witness I.

[47] The inflated reduced to good condition 8. A little woman pregnant, wife of Wenceslaus Lipezigk, Elisabeth by name, in the groin inflated, a vow being made, is cured. Witness I. Caspar Tile, municipal magistrate of the little town of Kemnitz, by a swelling along with pain of the testicles vexed for three days, by a vow is freed. Witness I. A farmer of the village of Obern, Bartholomew Lemam, his spine had injured, whence the whole back vehemently had swelled: a vow being made, is freed. Witness I. Another girl of three years, her father John Schuman of the village of Coln, suddenly inflated & now then more & more with the evil growing worse; a vow being made immediately freed was. The girl's name Margaret was. Witnesses III. Simon, a little infant of six months, son of Simon Brethstneyder, whose member by a certain disease infected, enormously had swelled a vow being made continuously is healed. Witnesses 2. Stupendous what follows. A little infant, scarcely yet a year old, his father Stephen Vulpe of the municipality of Leipzig, by the suggestion of a most faithless servant-girl eight needles had swallowed, whence its intestines being wounded continuously the whole body to be inflated began. And when by every human remedy it was despaired of, Divine Benno's faith by a pious vow implored, the needles through the rear it discharged all, & the boy was preserved. Witnesses 2. Another boy at Meissen, son of Caspar Gerlach, in a similar way a needle had swallowed, whence continuously swelling & growing black, dying he fell: the help of Divine Benno being implored, in life he is preserved, & the needle through the gum discharges. Witness I. A woman Hedwig by name, wife of a rustic a certain Blasius Naumans of the village of Dalnicz, by a flux of the menses for a whole three years stopped up enormously had swelled: by a vow immediately is loosed. Witness I.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER IV.

Another part of the same Miracles.

[48] A gout-sufferer cured. That gout is incurable is received in the opinions of many: by it labored the Parson Priest (as now we say) of the parish Church of the little town a of Sonnewalde, a man passing his fifty-fourth year old, by which very reason every remedy was despaired of. He however the other medicines being neglected, to Divine Benno after he had fled, a vow being made, was cured. Witness 1.

[49] from the falling sickness or epilepsy freed XXIX. Nor indeed do they think epilepsy easier to cure: from this however these who follow all, only a vow being made, by Divine Benno's help freed & preserved it is clear. A little infant, son of Martin Lavenhayn of Geriswalde. Witnesses 3. Another infant of six months, Antony by name, of the little town of Rusben, who by the fault of his father George Schockolth into the disease had fallen. Witness 1. The girl Anna, her father Wolfgang Sricleman of Kemnitz who from the hour of her miscarriage up to her third year of age by the same disease had labored. Witness 1. Another Apollonia, daughter of Gabriel Stulcs of the diocese of Meissen, in her eleventh year of age vexed. Witnesses 2. The son of Balthasar Schiferdecker of two years, Wolfgang called, who for three months almost without remission by the same evil was aggravated. Witness 1. Another John, son of Erhard the tailor, a year only old, & for a month in his cradle by this disease continuously vexed. Witness 1. Antony Sculteti a townsman of Oschatz, whom twice this evil had assailed, both in his twenty-sixth year of age & in his thirtieth. Witnesses 2. Wolfgang, son of Valentine Richter, of two years an infant, eight days continuously by epilepsy prostrated. Witnesses 2. Another Wolfgang, a year-old son of Paul Reichs, a farmer of the village of Sthebnicz, when by the same epilepsy he was infested, a vow being made b to Divine Valentine, to whom our countrymen the proper care of this disease have dedicated: nay even to the disease itself the name of Valentine they have given, it is sufficiently clear that nothing was accomplished. Whom afterward by Divine Benno's help through a second vow invoked, continuously healed it is clear. Witnesses 2. In this way too a little girl of three years, Ursula by name, daughter of Andrew Maurer of the little town of Oschatz, when she too by this evil infected through various vows around the diverse temples of the Saints was carried about, nor yet anything was accomplished; at the last a vow to Divine Benno being made, was healed. Witness 1. In his twenty-third year of age Wenceslaus Podam, a townsman of Oschatz, by this disease first seized, & from that time up to his ninth year vexed, the faith of Divine Benno at last through a vow being implored, was healed. Witness 1. A year-old girl, daughter of George the Bohemian of the little town of Colditz, by a vow from epilepsy was freed. But when the parents in fulfilling more slowly acted, into the disease the infant again fell; nor before is freed than a second vow being made & the former paid. Witnesses 2. Walpurgis a girl of eleven years, her father Lawrence Cappe of Pirna, from a defect of the stomach for three weeks no food could either retain or digest. Whence a little after into epilepsy fallen, & from it for three days mute, a vow being made from all evil condition is freed. Witnesses 2. Another of the same name, daughter of Jerome Promnicz in her second year of age by epilepsy also infested, by a vow was cured. Witnesses 2.

[50] And although in this part with examples especially we abound, not to be passed over however it is, what in the municipality of Kamenz happened. Here when the Canons & Clergy intensely gave labor, that the name of Divine Benno at some time in the Roll of the Saints through the Roman Pontiff might be written; & this design when a certain one of the townsmen

Wenceslaus Eckelbergk called, too petulantly interpreted; suddenly by a punishment present he is struck, the boy, whom in the cradle he had, by epilepsy immediately seized. And of that thing, when afterward he had come to his senses, himself a witness was: so that easily we may understand, that not only of aiding, but also of avenging the power with the Saints of God is shared. Witness 1. A girl a year and a half old, Anna by name, her father a Rustic of the village of Ditmansdorff, Paul Mildenbergk, in the space of one day & night from the same disease twelve times had fallen. And when no not only of liberation, but not even of life hope was remaining; a vow being made, both was saved & cured was. From the same village Ursula, daughter of Simon, six years old, when a whole year by the same disease she had labored, by a vow was saved. Witness 1. The little daughter of two years of John Spindeler, of the municipality of Meissen, from epilepsy & paralysis by one & the same vow was freed. Witnesses 2. John, son of Nicholas Wittich, a townsman of Meissen of three years, a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. Lucas son of Thomas the Bohemian, from the hour of his birth up to his second year of age, by this disease often keenly vexed, a vow being made, is cured. Witnesses 3. Anna, two-year-old daughter of Caspar Hawolt a townsman of Meissen, by the same disease often lying sick, by a vow is freed. Witnesses 4. Andrew, son of John Schubarth, of the village of Oberbobericz, his fifth year old, by the same disease oppressed a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. A girl passing her third year, by the same epilepsy infested, immediately by a vow freed: the girl's name Anna her father Ambrose a baker of the little town c of Mithwede. Witness 1. Donatus a youth of fourteen years, son of Simon Mobis, from the same disease by a vow alone is freed. Witness 1. Valentine a boy of four years, his father Nicholas Hayn of the municipality of Freiberg again by epilepsy prostrated, a vow being made is saved. Witness 1. Catherine wife of John Munczers of Freiberg, a very rich man, by epilepsy again seized, immediately by a vow was cured. Witness 1. An infant of two years, Andrew son of Nicholas Rechel, of the municipality of Görlitz, twice by epilepsy seized, immediately a vow being made was purged. Witness 1. A woman of forty years Catherine by name, wife of Bernard Rose, by the same evil often vexed, at some time a vow being made was freed. Witnesses 2. A youth born of a most splendid place, of the order of Princes or the Illustrious as they call them, twenty-two years old, himself too by epilepsy laboring, a vow to Divine Benno being made, was healed; the Bishop of Brandenburg this for testimony asserting. Witnesses 3.

[51] Wolfgang Meyler of the municipality of Oschatz, from plague freed & in life preserved V. from plague giving up his soul, a vow being made is cured. Witnesses 2. A townsman of Meissen of thirty-eight years, Nicholas Fabri called, noticing himself infected with plague, a vow being made, at that very moment is freed. Witness 1. Of the same surname Vincent, in a similar way infected, by a vow is freed. Witness 1. In the village of Herolt a certain Wolfgang Lofer in subterranean tunnels digging out metal incumbent, by flying mercury deadly infected, a vow to Divine Benno being made is freed. Witness 1. A youth of twenty-four years, John Friso by name, of the little town of Bischofswerda, when a pestilent in his body abscess for three months he had borne, nor a remedy was found: nay the evil daily more & more grew strong, & he himself wasted away; a vow being made, was saved & cured was. Witnesses 2.

[52] Fallen from a height & in life preserved X. Francis Brose, a man in the municipality of Freiberg of no obscure name, fallen into a mineral cavern three ladders, that is, twelve fathoms deep, beyond all human comprehension, by a vow unharmed was preserved. Witness 1. A rustic of the village of Martbach, falling from a tall oak, his limbs in a cruel manner by the touch of the branches & the earth torn apart, a vow being made, survived. The man's name Nicholas Cluge. Witnesses 2. A youth passing his eighteenth year, Valentine of Valentine by name, Cricz of Kemnitz, from a higher part of the house onto the ground fallen, his head injured & other limbs, in life, a vow being made, was preserved & healed was. Witnesses 2. From the Tower forty cubits high of the town of Meissen a watchman falling, when during his fall Divine Benno's help he had shouted out, unharmed to the ground was brought, & by that fall in that place nothing was more celebrated. Witnesses 7. Sittich de Berlewicz, a man of an ancient & noble family born, when the horse on which he sat into a leap he excited, in the very leap together with the horse dying he fell, & because he deserved to see Divine Benno in spirit, as if from the lower regions recalled to life returned. Witnesses 2. Bernard Freydiger of Meissen, into a well no less deep than narrow fallen, a vow being made, all astonished safe escaped. Witness 1. Into another well a youth nineteen years old, Sebald Birckenaver by name, of the little town d of Wurzen had fallen, & when in the very fall of Divine Benno mindful he was, unharmed came out. Witnesses 2. George Moller of the village of Hermsdorff, from a higher part of the house fallen, his head & other limbs bruised, a vow being made, was saved. Witnesses 2. A girl of four years Catherine, daughter of Nicholas Dobet, of the little town e of Volckenstein, from a high dwelling falling, almost all her limbs had broken, & when from that fall an hour whole without breath she had lain, a vow being made to life is recalled. Witness 1. A Clerk of Mainz Andrew Stum, from a higher place upon a great heap of stones fallen, & all his limbs bruised, for some time lifeless was held. And when a vow being made to himself he had returned, no otherwise than one who in spirit Divine Benno's help had felt, first of all his name without the instinct of anyone he saluted. Witness 1.

[53] John Offenstein, an inhabitant of the little town f of Lommicz, a man passing his fortieth year old, From dropsy cured 3. & for three years dropsical a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. A woman passing her forty-seventh year, Euphemia by name wife of Jacob Hascke, of the little town of Reichenbach, from a certain prior disease into dropsy fallen, & thus for two years vexed, when meanwhile through physicians nothing was accomplished, a vow being made, by Divine Benno's help was cured. Witnesses 2. Another Anna, wife of Michael Rapfuf of Görlitz, & also a daughter from her born, & by the same name called, both from a disease preceding into dropsy fallen, vows one after another being made, are freed. Witness 1.

[54] From dizziness of the head freed 2. A man passing his seventieth year; Philip Hentzel of the little town g of Rusben, for four years by continual dizziness of the head vexed, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. Another of forty years Matthew Reicman of Luckau, by a double disease vexed, dizziness of the head & also another certain ailment, by a vow suddenly is freed. Witnesses 2.

[55] [Drowned in the waters recalled to life & also from dangers of the waters freed & rescued 14.] A boy of two years, of Henry de Arusvalde, a man of a noble family, in the citadel of Citzlitz, in a vessel full of milk by accident submerged & afterward extracted, when two hours without breath he had remained, by a vow being made immediately revived. Witness 1. A girl of six years Gertrude, daughter of Valentine Ruswig of the village of Causnitz, by accident in a spring submerged, when she was extracted, for half an hour for dead was held, until a vow being made to life is recalled. Witnesses 3. Thirteen men in a skiff a river were navigating, & when by accident the skiff was overturned, three who in the very danger vows had made (among whom a certain George Vader a citizen of Meissen) to the other bank unharmed escaped; all the rest submerged. Witnesses 3. The pastor of the municipality of Meissen, when in a river, into which he had fallen, a whole hour he struggled, all astonished a vow being made, the danger escaped. Witness 1. John Maurer of Sonnewalde a fifty-year-old, imperiled by a boat in a river, in a similar way by a vow escaped. Witness 1. The son of a baker of Meissen, his tenth year old, when two hours under the waters he had lain, & from that time lifeless extracted, a vow being made is recalled to life. Witnesses 2. An infant a year old, of Urban Ruchemneister of Pretyvensis, which of Saxony a town is; by a herring bone, which to the boy swallowing it in the windpipe of his throat had adhered, suffocated; a vow being made continuously is loosed, & the boy revives. Witnesses 2. Near Rusben the little town, the son of a certain miller from the river dead extracted, a vow being made to life returned. Witnesses 2. Nicholas Wittich a citizen of Meissen, by sudden inundations of the waters seized, & into the midst of the waves precipitated when no hope of life remaining he sees, Divine Benno's help being implored unharmed escaped. Witness 1. A boy of five years, Matthew son of Burchard, a townsman of Meissen from the middle of a river rescued, while lifeless in his mother's bosom for some time bewailed, a vow being made suddenly revives. Witnesses 2. An infant a year old, in a similar way from the river dead extracted, a vow being made is recalled to life, the Boy Erasmus by name, his father Matthew Tachter. Witnesses 2. John Neter of the municipality of Leipzig, of twenty-four years, when in a river he was bathing, swimming by the waves is seized, & submerged was: a vow through his brother being made the danger escapes. Witness 1. Jerome a boy of three years, of Martin the tailor of the little town of Doblen son, in a vessel full of water suffocated, by a vow to life is recalled. Witness 1. Ferrymen at the Elbe river when at the time, in which the ice is loosed, & through the waves the crusts by force great & impetus are borne, with a great weight the river were crossing. And in the middle of the river by such force of storms & ice they were oppressed, that it was over with their safety they thought. And when in so great peril they were involved, that themselves by no human help to be freed they saw; to Divine Benno's mercy fleeing, & a vow to him being made, they were preserved: & to the other bank unharmed brought. Witness 1.

[56] from pleurisy cured 5, Juliana wife of Wolfgang Seydenhans of Kemnitz, by pleurisy tortured for three days & nights continuous, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. Thomas Woyth of Hayn, in his forty-third year of age by pleurisy up to the fifth month vexed, a vow being made is freed. Witnesses 2. Antony Bottel, passing his thirtieth year, for three days & nights by continuous pleurisy laboring, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. Conrad Falce, of the diocese of Bamberg, his thirtieth seventh year old, & he by a grave & long pleurisy & also a tertian fever vexed, by one vow being made, is healed. Witnesses 2. Antony Abbot of Buche, which is a Monastery of the Cistercian observance of the diocese of Meissen, a man of fifty-five years, eight days by pleurisy infested, when by the physicians' remedies he could not be cured, a vow being made, by Divine Benno's help cured was. Witness 1.

[57] Simon, a year-old son of Nicholas Lebemans, an inhabitant of the village of Marthbach, Cured of consumption 3. from consumption, from which a whole year, that is his whole life he had labored, a vow being made, cured was. Witness 1. A girl of five years old, Margaret of John Bothners of Pirna, four months by the same consumption seized, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. A man of seventy, of a noble family born, Mincquitz by name, of the citadel of Sonnewalde, five years by the same disease infested & consumed, a vow being made is cured. Witnesses 2.

[58] A noble man of the family of Wedelstorf of the diocese of Halberstadt, The mutilated restored 21. to whom a horse by a kick of its heel had broken his foot, a vow being made, without physicians in his foot was cured. Witness 1. This same man at some time a grave wound in his head having received, when so great hope in Benno he placed, that for it the physicians' help he scorned; by a vow again is healed. Susanna, wife of Michael Kuchemeister of Freiberg, from a certain higher little bridge falling, her leg had broken, & the help of Divine Benno being implored, without defect was healed. Witness 1. Philip Henkel of Rusben, by the wheel of a passing cart along his face cruelly crushed, & indeed so that it was over with his life it seemed; a vow being made in life was preserved. Witness 1. In a similar way the girl Sophia, daughter of a fisherman of Marthbach, whose head by the weight of a wheel turning round had been diminished; a vow being made, in life was preserved. Witnesses 3. Thomas Musigen of Kemnitz, by a deadly wound in his head struck, his skull & even the very brain broken, given up by the physicians, a vow being made, in life was preserved. Witness 1. Barbara, wife of John Soldiner, so great a wound in her arm had received, that it by the extreme part of the skin only adhered: & when the physicians advised it should be cut off, the woman to Divine Benno's mercy fleeing, a vow being made, the arm adhered & was healed. Witness 1. In this very way a certain Balthasar Eryk of Kemnitz in his finger struck; which when by the tiniest, only by skin hung, a vow being made, adhered & was cured was. A Rustic boy of seven years, son of Peter Groll of the village of Schrebitz, by a club along his temples so gravely was struck, that dying he fell down: & when his parents another remedy did not see, Divine Benno's help they implored; & a vow after they made, the boy much blood to vomit began, & was preserved. Witness 1. But the wife of a certain Lawrence Reyters in her leg, was injured which so gravely was broken, that it only by skin was held; to Divine Benno a vow being made, without other human medicine, in three days was cured. Witnesses 3. In the same way a man of forty years, Valentine Clering, fallen from a height, when a rib he had broken, without other medicaments by a vow alone was healed. Witnesses 2. Likewise also the Woman Elisabeth, wife of John Jeuczeler of Pirna, in her arm, which also was broken, by a vow alone without remedies, & that in a very short time, was cured. Witnesses 2. A certain Clerk of the Church of Meissen, by a lead mass in his head so gravely was struck that dying he fell down. And when for slain he had been taken up, a vow being made to life is recalled. Witnesses 2. Paul Gravert, with the horse on which he sat collapsing, his leg had broken, & when by the physicians for six months' space he could not be cured, & the force of the pains & putrefaction daily grew strong; to Divine Benno a vow being made, immediately is healed. Witness 1. A carpenter a vehement & deadly wound having received, when for some time from life to have migrated he seemed; a vow being made, is roused. Witness 1. John Werner, a deadly wound in his breast having received, & from it all reason & sense taken away, when now to his death nothing seemed nearer, by a vow immediately to himself returned, & was healed. Witness 1. Michael, of John Meuger of Leipzig a fourteen-year-old boy, in his belly along the navel by a knife up to the hilt driven in, through his intestines wounded; when by the physicians to be able to live in no way it seemed, a vow being made he lived & was healed. Witnesses 3. A girl in her eleventh year old, Anna by name, daughter of a certain Peter Meth of Dobeln, by the weight of a passing wheel crushed & extinguished, a vow being made, to life is recalled. Witnesses 2. A boy of three years Wolfgang, of the noble family of the Dragenses born, in his left side through his ribs along his precordia by a spindle penetrated, a vow to Divine Benno being made, from all danger was preserved. Witnesses 2. The same man of whom we said, in age now adult, in his forehead by a lance struck, a most deep wound when he had received; a vow being made, Divine Benno's help again felt, & was preserved & healed. Henry h Duke of Saxony, when with his horse falling his leg had broken: & when by the physicians long & in vain it had been labored, & the wound itself more & more grew worse, to Divine Benno a vow being made, in a brief time afterward was healed. Witness 1. Burning with St. Anthony's fire 7.

[59] Margaret, two-year-old daughter of Burchard Losze, of the village of Hermesdorf, by St. Anthony's fire in her feet inflamed, when one hope in incision remained, joined with great peril; a vow being made, her feet, without cautery or any human help, from her body of themselves fell off. Witnesses 5. A boy passing his sixth year old, Valentine by name, son of Martin Brosse of Rusben, in his arm by the same evil blazed: a vow being made whole was healed. Witnesses 1. The woman Gertrude, wife of Thomas Cleyn of the diocese of Merseburg, a wound in one foot having received, when it by negligence by St. Anthony's fire was kindled, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. In a similar way in one foot inflamed a girl, eight years old, Margaret daughter of Caspar a doctor of medicine of Leipzig; when by the industry of three physicians long nothing was accomplished, a vow being made, was cured. Witnesses 3. Andrew Glaser of Pirna, from a wound which in his left hand he had received by the physician's carelessness by St. Anthony's fire is breathed upon, a vow being made, is freed forthwith. Witness 1. Peter, a Fisherman of the village of Oberboberik, in his foot ill-affected from excessive motion by St. Anthony's fire inflamed, when a vow he had made, was freed. Witness 1. Strachota the Bohemian, of a noble family born, a courtier of Duke George the Saxon, when in his arm by the same evil seized he was; a vow being made, was freed, the Duke George himself attesting this. Witnesses 4.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

CHAPTER V.

The third part of similar Miracles.

[60] A girl of thirteen years Margaret, daughter of John a bathkeeper of Rusben, by the French disease a so gravely labored, from the French disease & also other abscesses cured 46 that one eye utterly she lost; by a vow was freed. Witnesses 2. Of the same little town John, son of Michael Steyn by the French disease a whole year vexed, by a vow is freed. Witnesses 2. Andrew son of John Schultecz, 16 years old, by the French disease through his whole face, in a cruel manner gnawed, a vow being made, is healed. Witness 1. Anna, of George Cunheit of Nossen of fourteen years, for a whole year in one foot the French disease suffered, a vow being made, forthwith recovers. Witness 1. A year-old girl, Margaret by name, of Valentine a carpenter of Kemnitz, with twenty ulcers for one month and a half infected; a vow being made in the space of ten days is cleansed. Witness 1. Three little infants of Andrew the Scribe of Kemnitz by the French disease by one contagion together infected, & for some time cruelly tortured; a vow being made, immediately & at the same moment all were freed. Witness 1. A youth Simon, his father Simon Siphen, from his twentieth year of age through a whole four years by the French disease exhausted & corroded, a vow being made, recovers. Witnesses 2. In a similar way another John Rasphe of Kemnitz of thirty years, when for five years by this very disease most cruelly he was vexed, a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. Wolfgang of Balthasar Schifferdecker, from a long French disease so contracted, that from a paralytic he did not much differ, & thus when some years he had been, a vow being made, is cured. Witness 1. Scarcely his forty-fifth year old, Paul Leo, of the village of Roffau, three months from the French disease laboring; a vow being made in three days' space is freed. Witnesses 3. Anna, daughter of Valentine Steinsetzer of Lommitz, from the French disease in her thirtieth year of age paralytic & frenzied, a vow being made, from all at once, namely three most grave diseases, forthwith was healed. Witnesses 2. Dorothea, of Adam Keylbau, of the village of Wachnitz, from her seventh year of age into the eighth month through very many limbs of her body so cruelly corroded, that the bones bare without flesh stood out, a vow being made, in a short time is cured & restored. Witness 1.

[61] Nicholas Clinger of the village of Pruber at the little town of Lommitz in his fifty-second year of age, in his face with many ulcers infected; when a vow to Benno he had made on the third day after he had contracted the evil, was freed. Witness 1. A tailor of Pirna John Tencler, in his twentieth year of age when with the French disease he was infected, & by it for two months he had labored, nor could meanwhile by any remedies be cured; a vow being made, forthwith recovered. Witness 1. The same man, of whom we spoke, in his ninth following year in his tongue an abscess having contracted; when from it three months he had ailed, a vow being made, again was cured. Witnesses 2. A certain Urban Domsich a Chaplain of Görlitz, when as a youth from the French disease by which he labored by a vow he had been freed, & afterward in fulfilling more negligent he was; by the same disease again is seized, nor before is freed, than a new vow promised & the old paid. Witness 1. A rustic of the village of Niderau, Urban Gosman, a man of forty eight years by an abscess in his throat so beyond measure swelling, that little was lacking but that he was strangled, a vow being made, freed was. Witnesses 2. A man passing his sixty-fifth year old, Matthew Hangk of Meissen & he by the French disease laboring, a vow being made, was cured immediately. Witness 1. Of a noble family born Urban Rhote, of lower Lusatia sprung, a long time by the French disease vexed, a vow being made, very soon is healed. Witnesses 5. Matthew Fabri, a Clerk of the town of Golsen, from an incurable abscess by a vow suddenly is freed. Witness 1. In a similar way a certain Martin Cochel, a Rustic of the village of Grobern, forty years old, by a dangerous abscess, & he too, & which admitted no remedy, immediately a vow being made, was healed. Witnesses 2. A girl of four years, Catherine of Michael Wincklers of Belgern the daughter; from that time by the French disease seized, & up into her thirteenth year of age vexed & consumed, at last a vow being made, in a short time recovers. Witnesses 2. The daughter of John Bavelbergk of three years, with an abscess to the size of a goose egg on her face arising, when by no remedies she could be cured; a vow being made immediately was healed. Witness 1. Nicholas Fabri a sexagenarian, by the French disease infected, Benno's help through a vow being implored, on the eighth day after, in which the disease he had contracted, was freed. Witness 1. The disease of a fistula nine years suffered Anna, wife of Philip Asmansdagi Glocke, immediately by a vow being made was healed. Witnesses 3. Alexius Worffpeil of the municipality of Zeitz, to whom when under his chin an abscess so great erupted, that a little after his whole face it occupied & corroded, a vow being made was freed. Witnesses 2. Peter, son of Paul Clemens of Merseburg, of twenty-eight years, by the French disease infected, after long tortures & he too by a vow is freed. Witness 1. A man of a noble family born, John de Crokau in his fiftieth year of age, the French disease in his nostrils having contracted, when sixteen months whole by remedies in vain he tried, at last himself to Divine Benno's help turning, a vow being made, was healed. Witness 1. Euphemia wife of Matthew Elderich of the village of Lupan, from her twenty-seventh year of age, a whole year after by the French disease vexed, a vow being made without any human medicine was healed. Witness 1. Three little boys of Donatus Globis of Dresden by a certain new & foul scabies; which was unknown to all the physicians, by one contagion infected, a vow being made, at one & the same moment all are freed: the boys' names, Balthasar, George, Bonaventure. Witnesses 2.

[191] Another follows by which we are warned of the Saints of God to think piously nor petulantly to speak. The woman Anna thirty-five years old, wife of John Scoppels of Oschatz, by the French disease for some time affected, to Divine Benno fleeing, a vow being made, in a very short time healed was. And when the upright woman what she had promised now to fulfill desired, there comes her husband, leading the woman from her purpose by words, & meanwhile the helps of the Saints & the woman's superstition mocking. But what happened? Scarcely had the woman to her husband's admonitions obeyed: behold for you by a punishment each is struck present, & not now as before the woman, but he who from both was born & to each equally dear was, the son, by the same French disease suddenly being seized. Which when the husband noticed, & of his error repented, Divine Benno's mercy imploring, a vow himself for his son to be made ordered, & freed immediately was. Witnesses 2. A man a sexagenarian Nicholas Helsche, of the village of Lavehaim, by reason of a great abscess in his throat contracted, so that little was lacking but that he was suffocated, a vow being made, without other remedy was loosed. Witness 1. Ursula, wife of Bartholomew Reyn, of the village of Lavenheim, six whole years the French disease in her privy parts suffered, when by that putrefaction the flesh almost all up to the bones was consumed; a vow being made without other remedies continuously was healed. Witness 1. Catherine wife of Peter Wulke of Hayn a whole decade by the same disease laboring, & a son meanwhile bearing infected by that very evil: a vow being made, in a short time at one & the same time is healed. Witnesses 2. Christopher Meidnig of Brunberg, by the French disease eight years vexed, a vow through his wife being made, is healed. And when the woman in fulfilling more negligent was by two great adversities was affected; & when this of the neglected vow the cause to be she judged; another vow being made, freed was. Witness 1. Nicholas Molitoris, & he a Clerk of Konsberg, by the French disease infected, & in his face cruelly gnawed, & indeed so that men his meeting fled & turned away, for which cause the man by great perturbations affected, Divine Benno's mercy through a vow being implored, freed was. Witness 1. Bonaventure Ruchler of Görlitz for five years by the French disease infested, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. Balthasar Schwarcze a youth in his twentieth year of age, by the French disease so through all his veins infected, that the physicians the man could not be cured said; a vow being made, is healed. Witness 1. A man a fifty-year-old Matthew Sebe of Görlitz, when a whole decade in one foot, by the French disease he was infected, & eight years the labor of physicians in vain he had tried; a vow being made, in a short time is healed. Witnesses 2. John Alberti, Rector of the parish church of the town of Ploczke, the disease of a fistula suffered for twenty-one years, when by medicines he could not be cured; a vow being made, was healed. Witness 1. Valentine Benis of Konsberg, by the French disease a long time vexed, a vow being made, without any medicaments is healed. Witness 1. Elisabeth, of an ancient & noble family of the Luttichii born, by the kind of disease of figs (piles) infected, when from elsewhere no hope of liberation appeared; a vow being made, recovered. Witness 1. R. P. Jerome Bishop b of Brandenburg, by the French disease seized; through a vow forthwith is healed. Witness 1. A gilded Knight of the family of Bugenhagen, Marshal of the Duke of Pomerania, by the French disease so infected, that by the physicians he could not be cured; a vow being made, beyond the opinion of all is freed. Witness 1. Charles c of Münsterberg, Duke of Silesia, by the French disease & he infected, a vow to Divine Benno being made, at that very moment is freed. Witnesses 6.

[63] In the town of Romnits Dorothea, wife of Michael Seidel, when giving birth she had so labored; that the midwife & the other women who were present, Women in labor freed from Dangers 13. the fetus necessarily extinguished to be said, & on that account the woman to lay hands on herself tried; a vow being made a son alive & strong was brought forth. Witnesses 2. Cordula, daughter of Peter Creytz of Rochlitz, a lifeless fetus into the twenty-fourth hour in her womb containing, & not yet able to be delivered; a vow being made was delivered, & in life preserved. Witnesses 3. Ursula wife of Simon Sthants, four times single lifeless fetuses she bore, at which the woman gravely grieving, a vow being made a fifth alive she brought forth. Witness 1. The same too in the village of Geyl happened to a certain Brigid, wife of John Neuheyer, who also four lifeless fetuses after she had brought forth, a vow being made a fifth prosperously she bore, & a living boy brought forth. Witnesses 3. Elisabeth, wife of Clement Cuntzel of Hayn, in her forty-second year of age pregnant, at the time when childbirth was at hand, both sick & so inflated, that no hope of safety remained; a vow being made, all danger escaped. Witnesses 3. A girl twenty years old Margaret, wife of George Bergers, up into the fifteenth day gravely in labor laboring; when by no industry she could be freed, a vow being made, immediately bore. Witnesses 3. Another girl Ursula by name, wife of Matthew Burchardi of the village of Bonsch, then first pregnant, & to the pains of those giving birth unaccustomed, the pains rushing on to lay hands on herself tried: vows being made by those who in childbirth were present women, the woman gradually is appeased, & prosperously bore. Witnesses 3. Elisabeth, wife of Matthew Gabisch, by a sudden certain fear terrified, when a womb she bore, to make a miscarriage was driven: & when in the very danger a vow she had made, an immature indeed fetus, alive yet she bore. Witness 1. Margaret wife of John Stormer, three days in labor laboring; when from it the skilled women the fetus to live could not say, & of the mother there was peril, a vow being made, each was saved, & a fine boy was brought forth. Witnesses 2. Catherine, wife of Peter Sorgenfrei, to whom when before childbirth the very fetus in her womb was extinguished, & the woman in the greatest peril was; a vow being made, was loosed; & the infant the mother unharmed extracted. Witnesses 2. Margarita, wife of Michael Reichel of Dippoldiswalde in childbirth & with the greatest pains & greatest peril subjected because the fetus not directed toward the head, as the rest, but transverse the exit had entered, a vow being made was freed, & prosperously bore. Witnesses 2. Barbara, wife of Martin Ulman of Görlitz, when her fourteenth she had borne, & continually fetuses dead she had brought forth; a vow being made, at last a daughter alive she brought forth. Witness 1. The wife of Paul the tailor, her passages obstructed giving birth when in the gravest peril she was placed, a vow being made a monstrous infant she brought forth: who also a little after by a similar vow being made rectified was. Witness 1.

[64] A year-old girl, Margarita of Valentine the carpenter of Kemnitz, from fevers freed 16. in her thirteenth month by fever vexed, a vow being made at that moment is freed. Witness 1. Erasmus son of Valentine Fritzko in his 17th year of age by a fever continuous up into the twelfth day laboring, a vow being made is freed. Witnesses 2. Balthasar Erik of Zwickau his sixty-sixth year old, a whole two years by fever vexed: a vow being made is strengthened. Witness 1. George Albertus of Ruffen, in his twenty-fifth year of age, a month and a half by fever so gravely assaulted, that all use of his senses he lost: & because in that alienation of mind Divine Benno to see to himself he seemed; to his former health, at the same time made master of his reason, forthwith is restored. Witnesses 2. Wolfgang Leyptzik of Oschatz, from these miracles of Divine Benno one suppressing, by a fever continuously is seized. And when this the cause of the disease he himself thought, he resolved with himself the miracle no longer to be silent of & forthwith recovered. Witness 1. John Tentzeler of Pirna twenty-nine years old, more or less three months by fever vexed, & also in his tongue from another certain disease laboring, by one & the same vow, from a double evil freed was. Witnesses 2. A man in his seventy-sixth year of age Nicholas Specht, a Clerk of Kamenz, by a long fever so exhausted, that he could not live to the physicians it seemed, a vow being made is strengthened. Witnesses 2. Gallus Franck, Rector of the Parish church of Culmnitz a sexagenarian, while to Rome for the sake of piety he set out, by so vehement a fever in the City was seized, that to the physicians not to be able to escape it seemed. But behold while in his last extremity he struggles, to see he seemed Divine Benno in spirit, & unexpectedly recovered. Witnesses 2. A girl of five years old, Agnes daughter of John Cluge, into the fifteenth day by a fever continuous vexed, while at the last to fail she seemed, a vow then to Benno being made freed was. Witnesses 2. A man a seventy-year-old Judocus Schmit, by a most acute fever & that continuous up into the tenth day vexed, a vow being made, is freed forthwith. Witness 1. Nicholas Keul, a rustic of the village of Lupe from his fortieth year of age up into the third month by a fever laboring, & vehemently exhausted, a vow being made is strengthened. Witness 1. Margarita, wife of Peter Hase of Gleisenberg, a whole summer by a tertian fever laboring, a vow being made, is strengthened. Witness 1. Another example, by which impious incredulity about the Saints is punished. A certain Nicholas Stoell had a son, Matthew by name, passing then his twenty-second year of age, he when with a fever he labored, his mother a vow to Divine Benno for her son to make wished: which when her husband noticed, a man of a harder neck, his wife from the pious purpose he frightens away, nay forbids, her folly & superstition mocking. Wherefore not so long after, he himself together with his wife, by a similar fever is seized. Which when easily it admonished the man of his error, he repented, & when Divine Benno's help with pious affection he had invoked, a vow being made, all together freed were. Witnesses 2. Barbara, wife of John Ecbler of Görlitz, in her twenty-seventh year of age, into the fourteenth day by a fever continuous exhausted, when to the last it had come, a vow being made freed was & preserved. Witness 1. Another of the same name, but greater in age, wife of Nicholas Reiche, after a tertian fever three months she had labored, a vow being made, was strengthened. Witness 1. Walpurgis a three-year-old daughter of John Cathe a farmer at the town of Mutzen, when by a fever lurking under the skin infected, her soul to be giving up she seemed; a vow being made in life is preserved & freed. Witness 1.

[65] from a flux of blood & also excess of the menses freed 7. Simon Tischer of Hayn, his thirtieth year old, from a long through his nostrils flux of blood failing, a vow being made, is strengthened. Witnesses 3. Ursula, wife of Jacob Tochen, of the village of Wildenheym, in her twentieth fifth year of age, up into the third month a flux of the menses suffered, a vow being made, is strengthened. Witnesses 2. Gutta, wife of Christopher de Maltitz a gilded Knight, in her thirty-fourth year of age, by a long & continuous flux of the menses exhausted, a vow being made, is strengthened. Witnesses 2. Barbara, wife of Stephen Wulpis of the diocese of Merseburg, in her thirtieth year of age by a perpetual flux of blood vexed, when by the physicians it was despaired, a vow being made, forthwith is cured. Witnesses 2. Anna, wife of Andrew Caterin a citizen of Torgau, of thirty years, up into the second month a flux of blood suffered, a vow being made is healed. Witnesses 2. Another of the same name, wife of George Geys of Dresden, in her twenty-seventh year of age, her flux of the menses beyond a second month impeded, & thence ill-affected, a vow being made, is cured. Witnesses 3. Nicholas de Charis, a man of a noble family born, in his sixty-fifth year of age, with a flux of blood through his nostrils so growing strong, that by no help of physicians it could be checked; a vow being made, is cured. Witness 1.

[66] Jacob Perkicht of Kemnitz, of thirty years, by pains of the stone long vexed; from the tortures of the stone freed 5. when the physicians' help long in vain he had tried, a vow to Divine Benno being made, is freed. Witness 1. Erhard, a three-year-old boy of George Coler of Lommitz, by a long pain of the stone vexed, a vow being made, a little stone, not smaller than a plum-stone, through the passages of urine he ejected. Witnesses 2. Frederick de Witzleben, a man of an ancient & noble family born, & also a gilded Knight, by the most vehement pains of stones tortured, & the physicians' help in vain having tried a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. Catherine, wife of John Muntzer of Freiberg, pains of the stone for some time suffered, when by the physicians she could not be cured, a vow being made, is freed. Witness 1. Margaret, wife of Bartholomew Biher of the village of Gosser, her fifty-third year old, for eighteen years by pains of the stone vexed, a vow being made is freed. Witness 1.

[67] freed from apoplexy 5. George Henschel, of the village of Weyschen, while from the ground something with a heavier effort to lift he strives, by apoplexy in his hand is seized: which when up into a second month dead it had remained, a vow being made, revives. Witnesses III. Jacoba, wife of Frederick, of the family of Witzleben a gilded Knight, of the diocese of Halberstadt, in the nocturnal time by apoplexy seized, a vow by her husband being made, is freed. Witnesses 2. Christina, Prioress (as they call her) of the Convent of holy Mary Magdalene of penance in the town of Lauban, of the diocese of Meissen, by apoplexy seized, a vow being made is saved; & also from a disease, which in one foot she suffered, at the same time is freed. Witnesses 2. R. P. John Bishop of Naumburg d in his sixtieth year of age by apoplexy seized, & for some time alienated from his mind, a vow being made to himself returned. Witnesses 2. R. P. Martin, Abbot of Altzelle, of the diocese of Meissen, by apoplexy seized, by the help of Divine Benno is believed preserved. Witness 1.

[68] A boy of two years of George Bottiger, of the village of Dithmandorf, From burning or scalding freed 2. of the diocese of Meissen, with water boiling by imprudence drenched, when the boy half-cooked on one side seemed, & all of his safety despaired, a vow being made is preserved. Witnesses 3. The house of Martin the smith a Clerk of Goslar, when the little town itself whole by fire perished, & all the neighboring buildings with fire blazed; a vow being made, in the midst of the flames untouched preserved was. Witness 1.

[69] At Freiberg a boy brought forth, along his knees entangled in fetters, who by a vow by his father being made continuously is freed: the father's name George Heidenreich. Monstrous births corrected 4. Witnesses 2. Marta, daughter of Martin Weber, of the village of Raicczemtz, of three months, with an abscess in one leg contracted, & from it lame made; by the touch of the Relics of Divine Benno is healed. Witnesses 3. A boy, of the noble family of the Dragenses, to whom Wolfgang afterward the name was made, brought forth with two in his mouth tongues, a vow being made is amended, & the other tongue vanished. Witnesses 2. Lawrence, son of Donatus Keilenberg of Strelen, when in his nose, in which he was hurt, the help of a physician he uses; the use of his nostrils all the passage being closed both lost: & thus a year whole when he had remained: a vow being made is restored, a lost boy is found & the nostrils are opened. Witness 1. A boy of three years John of Matthew Wueys of the Oder in a forest neighboring the town by accident had escaped, & in it up into the third night had wandered, all meanwhile being ignorant whither in the world the boy had been snatched away; a vow being made, is recovered. Witness 1.

[70] R. P. Jerome Bishop of Brandenburg then when in minor orders he was by little robbers in hope of plunder captured, a vow being made, with all his things safe escaped. Witness 1. John Trischo of Briznicz in his eightieth year of age by enemies under hope of a ransom captured, a vow being made is freed. Witness 1. from prison, bonds & siege freed 3. Henry Duke of Saxony, by a grave siege in Frisia through treachery pressed, a most foul besides danger of death set before him; when no hope remained, but that into the hands of the enemy he would come; a vow being made the siege is loosed, & the band of enemies is dispersed. Witness 1.

[71] But now to be passed over that is not, which in the church of Meissen is wont to happen. Certain other things clearly testifying Benno's help. There as often as from the number of the Canons some one is about to die, so often on that night which precedes the hour of death, so great a noise through the pulpits & seats of the whole temple is heard, that those who for the nocturnal chants in that same temple are destined, often have testified, that they by so great horror struck, that the chant for fear to interrupt for some time they were compelled. Which indication since also in certain other Saints of God has been proved, nor in this ever to have failed has been found; I know not whether it is not reckoned a most firm argument of divinity. Witnesses 2. But of the Margraves two in the Life of Benno it was said: of whom one, when the most holy man through contumely he had struck, the year after at that very hour, in which that had been done, now then Benno being dead, who this future had foretold, when the wicked Prince on a certain bridge walked, amid the hands of his own men by a certain apparition, which from the clouds had appeared, of life was deprived, & of his slaughter on that bridge today is seen a trace. But the other, when the church injuriously he treated, & its goods against all right & divine law usurped, in sleep several times by Divine Benno in vain warned; when thence he was not moved, one eye lost he gave the penalty & came to his senses. Witnesses 3. There is extant besides that bell too in the village of Schonberg, which because by Divine Benno blessed it is, by its very sound all force of the sky from the neighboring fields & cottages it averts. Witnesses 5. Not far from the same place, in the village of Naumberg, a path there is up to this day whole, made by the walks of Divine Benno: in whose circuit no injury of storms or tempests hitherto has been observed. Witnesses 4. But that cottage, in which the most holy man to have dwelt it is clear in the village of Gedau, however humble, still unharmed yet stands: & what is more wonderful, since this with thatch is covered, & thrice meanwhile the neighboring buildings all by fire have blazed, not without divine will untouched perpetually has been preserved. Witnesses 90.

[72] Thus far as briefly as could be done, of those things which by Divine Benno divinely & miraculously were done, Conclusion, Not because not very many here have been omitted, or as though those which here have been said sufficiently copiously & with dignity seem to be narrated; but because to him whose purpose was to write only an index of those things, of nothing so much as of brevity account had to be taken.

ANNOTATIONS OF G. H.

APPENDIX

From the German printed editions rendered into Latin.

[7] Thus far the things produced proceed, only the names of the cured being indicated & the kind of evil dispelled: which manner of writing, since it seemed to do little for the taste of the pious people; he who arranged the Acts to be read in German preferred, the order of times being kept, to collect certain principal things, with several circumstances: of which some already in the notes we have touched, certain in the aforesaid sufficiently explained we omit, others in this order to be read we propose.

[74] In the year 1270 the head of a girl eaten by worms is cured In the year after the birth of Christ 1270, (in which namely the body had been translated & elevated) to Divine Benno grateful at Meissen presented himself Hermann de Schilove, for the recovered health of his three-year-old daughter by that Saint's patronage, whose head a certain kind of worms ate, the evil thus daily growing worse, that the art of the healers in expelling it succumbed. In so great peril of his offspring the pious mother, to D. Benno for her safety a vow made, which soon she paid. Which being done, the infant on the tomb of the Divine one being placed, forthwith recovered. The mother, for this notable benefit grateful, by a vow bound herself, the girl as long as by reason of her age she could not walk, the mother neglecting the vow is punished. every year with a gift to Divine Benno's tomb to lead. But when to pay the vow she had neglected, her husband from a tree not very tall falling, immediately by apoplexy, & her daughter by the former disease again lay sick. The mother, mindful of her vow, the girl & her husband to the Divine one's tomb at Meissen led; & for each the former & stable health recovered. All which things he himself Hermann, & his wife Agnes, & also Hedwig their neighbor sworn said.

[75] About the same nearly time Ludwig de Gifridsbach when from the feast of S. Thomas up to Easter lame gravely he had lain sick, an enfeebled arm is cured by Divine Benno's help recovered: who, all now of his safety despairing, warned in sleep, that to D. Benno a vow he should make; as soon as the dreams he obeyed, sick to be ceased. A little after Peter a certain fisherman, an inhabitant of the Elbe river, together with his wife Petrisia, with Paulina the neighbor witnessing, sworn affirmed, that his son a year and a half old so suddenly in his right arm useless had been made, that of restoring it the physicians despaired, until at last a vow being made to Divine Benno the infant he commended: who to the holy man's tomb carried, a moment sooner to pain in his arm ceased.

[76] a woman contracted wholly. In the year 1273, when in the collegiate Church of Meissen of the lower choir the altar in honor of the Great Virgin was being consecrated, there was present among the crowded people a woman, so caught in all her limbs, that into a ball contracted her knees touched her breast, many years now of the use of her feet deprived, to roll herself, & now with supports now with hands creeping to push herself from one place to another was accustomed. She at the evening time thus moving herself, to Divine Benno's tomb through the midst of the people's multitude rolled, up to night in prayers persevered: & when now were to be closed the doors of the temple she cried out: O holy Benno, be present to wretched me, asking your help, that to this afflicted little body Jesus Christ may deign to impart health; forthwith to her limbs vigor returned. Wherefore she, leaving at the Divine one's tomb her supports, many who at this prodigy were present, being present, being questioned, how long thus wretched she had been; whence by home; with whom she had dwelt; whom she could give as witness of those things, which she said; two noble virgins she named in the village of Heynizio dwelling, to them forthwith the truth of the matter to explore were sent, Theodore at S. Afra Provost of the Order of S. Augustine, & Conrad Custodian of the Church of Meissen. To whom those virgins with their whole household by oath asserted, that the aforesaid woman, beyond half a year in all her limbs caught, by their alms with them in the same house had dwelt; & during the whole time, in which with them she had lived, sleep never could take; & by reason of the bitterness of her pain the whole night wailing, lest the rest of others she should disturb, apart into another room necessarily had to be sent away.

[77] In the year 1277, when on the third day of Pentecost a at Meissen in the hospital the Dedication of the temple was being celebrated, in 1277 a woman struck with apoplexy, the use of her ears recovered. Meida N. of Dobeln, whom apoplexy six months had fixed to her bed, the help of D. Benno being invoked at his tomb recovered.

[78] Henry de Owa, with his wife Jutha, asserted, a humpbacked woman, that his daughter also Jutha called, with a hump had been born which on her at last gradually into such a mass had grown, that the wretched girl upright herself to lift could not: moreover with inverted feet, so that their soles went backward, she walked. After therefore she reached her sixth year, the girl to D. Benno's tomb with a vow they led: there from her hump & the inversion of her feet freed, safe home with her parents she returned.

[79] & two ulcerous people. A certain butcher of Freiberg, Nicholas by name, by a great & deadly ulcer ailed: to whom when medicaments were applied, Nicholas D. Benno's help shouted out, which being done, by a violent cough the ulcer burst, which soon the swelling being removed subsided. Of Otto Erckenbert, a townsman of Meissen, the son, with so great an ulcer around his throat had swelled, that the infant neither his mother's breasts to draw, nor any other food enjoy could: a vow by his parents to D. Benno being made, from the evil was freed.

[80] On the third day of Easter, in the year 1278 thanks b gave to D. Benno, for their infant's health, in 1277, a humpbacked person, Nicholas N. of Grimma, & his wife Christina; affirming, that their six-month-old infant within four months with a hump of a human head magnitude had swelled, but the infant being commended to D. Benno, the harmful swelling had receded. Witnesses sworn were three neighbors, Walter, Joanna, Irmingard, several Canons hearing, & a great frequency of the people.

[81] & maimed in his hands, In the same year related Peter of Burchardorf not far from Grimma, together with his wife, that his son Martin, 14 years old, a whole year in both hands lame had been, & every four days falling to the ground the greatest pains had endured: but when on the Saturday before the feast of D. Michael the country he had sought, at the plow collapsed had expired, & for half a day's space for dead had lain. Until at last the mother to D. Benno for him by a vow bound herself: which being done to the youth life together with health returned. The matter by oath they confirmed, a great multitude of people hearing, Matthew, Henry, & Bertha, their neighbors.

[82] Of a certain farmer of Kozbrobe, & of Bertha his wife the ten-year-old son Albert, in 1279 a suddenly dead boy revives, a certain herb dug from the earth had swallowed. When then spring-water for dinner to bring he wished, on his return collapsed, he died. The neighbors the sad case to his parents as quickly as possible reported: who the youth up to night thus dead bewailed. At last a vow to D. Benno being made, again to live he began. Sworn said the parents, with several neighbors, John Bauri, his wife Christina, Peter, Andrew, Martin, Henry, who all of the deed done were present, in the year 1279. In the same year to a woman of Freiberg Petrisa by name, a contracted person is raised, her ten-year-old son Albert, by the falling disease laboring, by his mother through a vow to D. Benno commended, from the evil forever freed was. In the same year a certain woman Berchtrada by name, her son Nicholas to D. Benno's tomb led, to whom within half a year thus were contracted his legs that upright himself to raise, & to walk any more he could not: but when the mother on the Divine one's tomb him had placed, & a candle had lit, the boy well to be, & to walk to be able, said; the matter itself gave faith to the saying. Affirmed sworn Berchtold the blacksmith, & his wife Kunigunda, with whom the aforesaid Berchtrada two nights in lodging was. In the same year on the Birthday c of S. Donatus, a certain widow Elisabeth of Hardeck, a journey of thirty miles having measured to Meissen came, the use of her left foot & hand is recovered, who for fifteen years in her left hand & foot lame, from her place to move herself except by contrivances could not. The parish-priest of that place that she to D. Benno should commend herself advised: whom when she had obeyed, both of her foot & left hand the use recovered, having brought back in memory of the matter to the Divine one's tomb the supports, which to make her journey she had used. In her foot & hand to have been caught by oath they affirmed, Henry Zan a citizen of Meissen, Mechtild his wife, & Gertrude, with her for two nights with her lodging used. But recovering they saw several Canons, the Dean & Provost of Bautzen, the Custodian of Meissen, the Provost of Wurzen & others.

[83] In the same year, on the feast of the Divine Virgin assumed into heaven, a drowned person is resuscitated, to D. Benno grateful presented herself a woman at S. Gotthard, an inhabitant of the Chana river, Christina by name; whose little son Conrad a year and a half old, his parents in celebrating the arrival of new guests unobservant, into the river fallen, & submerged, for the interval of an hour under the waves lay. Which noticing the servant-girl by her cry John Baur, an inhabitant of that place, roused. Who entering the water, the infant on the bottom found dead extracted: whom D. Benno, a vow being made commended to him, soon to life restored. The matter so to be, not only the parents by oath affirmed, but also the neighbors, Peter, Bozlaus, & Benedict, eyewitnesses said. On the feast of S. Gallus d the farmer Peter de Kozebrode, to D. Benno's tomb with his ten-year-old son Thimo came. He entering a quarry, the ground collapsing from above, so was crushed, that the mass of earth, which had covered him, & overwhelmed by a collapse, scarcely by ten wagons could be carried away, he lay buried under this mound for so long a time, as a mile in going can be made. The father, the sorrowful news being heard, running up with others after he removed the earth the dead boy extracted, to whom the parent immediately on his knees fallen life from D. Benno recovered. In the aforesaid year, on the day e of S. Ursula, speech is restored to a mute a woman from the Isenberg field to D. Benno's tomb with her led her son Jacob 15 years old, testifying with hearing the very Bishop of Meissen Witigo the second, the Provost, Dean, & other very many Canons, & of both orders men, this son of hers once with her at Meissen had been, on the return indeed fallen so suddenly had become mute, that for almost six weeks the use of his tongue he lacked: at last by his neighbors warned that him to D. Benno's tomb she would lead she vowed, which now being done, to the youth speech had returned.

[84] In the year 1235 on the Saturday before the feast f of S. Vitus, Gertrude of John de Ziegowe wife, for five years mute from the day of Pentecost, & in 1280 mute women. up to the said day of Saturday to D. Benno at his tomb for the use of her tongue a suppliant was, at the evening time at last heard, speech received. There came with her to Meissen Nicholas a citizen of Gubin, son of Gerhard de Stadt, & Euphemia of Nicholas Lerer, who this in the presence of Peter Guardian, & F. Helinbert of the Order of S. Francis of the Church of Meissen the Custodians, Hartmann, & John Vicars sworn said.

[85] In the year 1300 together with her sister to Meissen came Margaretula Fravenstein, in the year 1300 an ulcerated shin is cured, a widow of Leipzig, who for a whole four years of the use of her feet deprived, & the most bitter tortures endured had been, when one shin gaping with nine holes continually with foul corruption flowed: at last to D. Benno a vow she uttered that his tomb she would visit, if through the health of her feet it should be allowed. Which being done, the harmful pus continuously dried up; & she together with her sister her vow paid. To her affirming this were present Lawrence de Lockau, John de Esster-Werth a Priest, John Koch, & Stephen Mayr, a Notary public. & a woman touched by paralysis; In the same year on 22 July related Romfoldius a Canon of Meissen, with hearing Henry de Elsterberg, & Nicholas de Elsterberg, of the Church of Meissen Vicars, Stephen Mayr a public Notary, that he recently sound & strong to bed had gone, but at night so great tortures suddenly in one shin had felt, that by the contagion of the pain gradually even his precordia were corrupted, by apoplexy himself to be touched he had believed, especially since his right foot to move from its place he could not. In so great calamity to have fled he himself to the known to B. Benno saving help, & to him a wax offering to have vowed: then when a little he had fallen asleep, into his ears this voice to have slipped; but not except after his sins confessed. God does not hear the prayers of sinners. Which heard himself on the next light as soon as possible by confession his soul to have purified, & pouring himself out at the Divine one's tomb in prayers, sound & vigorous home to have returned, God in His Saint so wonderful without end with praises extolling.

[86] one fallen from a height is resuscitated: On the day after the Kalends of August, Catherine Myllerin of Korsebog, her infant son in her arms to D. Benno's tomb had brought, who from the upper story of the house headlong fallen for the space of an hour as dead had been bewailed; but as soon as to Divine Benno a vow being uttered offered he was, he revived. To his mother reporting this were present Nicholas, & John, of Elsterwerth brothers both priests, & Stephen Mayr a public Notary. On the same day also John Benemeister of Dresden, his safety to D. Benno owed, one lame for six years is healed, who for six years with a lame & ill-afflicted body lay sick, the Princes of the Apostles at Rome in vain for recovering his health solicited. Home from Rome returned, much everywhere narrated of D. Benno's clemency toward the sick he heard: wherefore he too by a vow binding himself his help shouted out. Which accomplished, at that very still moment of time sound he came out. He said sworn in the presence of Nicholas of Elsterwerth a Vicar, John of Camenz the Margrave William's courtier, Stephen Mayr a Notary. On the fifth of August Osterholta of Northusen, for five years flowing with blood, who for a whole five years by a flux of blood labored, given up by the Physicians, to D. Benno health owed: her husband, when to Meissen he had come, to D. Benno commended: which one home returned Osterholta to health was restored. Narrated this openly with hearing John Lobenizio, Conrad of Eckersperg a Vicar, Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Stephen Mayr a Notary.

[87] Nicholas Techwiz of Eziz two almost months by the falling Disease labored, so gradually destitute of strength, from the falling disease laid out, that within four weeks neither drink nor anything else he tasted, & a whole eight days not even a word with his mouth could utter: wherefore his life being despaired his kinsmen now about the inheritance disputing candles for paying him the last rites had procured. His wife the given-up-for-dead by all husband by D. Benno's promised offering, commended, which being done, he on the next light better to be began, his face foully eaten away, food & drink took, gradually entirely recovered. He these all things with his wife by the said oath affirmed, to D. Benno most abundantly for so great a benefit giving thanks, with hearing Conrad Lobdano, Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on the 14th of August. Nicholas Hofman of Freiberg dormice his face with their pestilent urine had besprinkled, from which they infected his face with venomous ulcers; which putrefying the flesh in a foul manner from his cheeks flowed down. He by the unexpected evil struck, to D. Benno's tomb the refuge of the wretched fled, & a vow being uttered to his face his former health recovered. an arthritic person, Heard these things him testifying of himself John of Wurzen a priest, Andrew of Hamberg a Notary, John Gottfridt, Stephen Mayr likewise Notaries, on the 17th of August. Thomas of Hayn for 12 years by the joint disease labored so, that his feet their office to perform, except with supports applied could not: his hand too without the help of others drink to his mouth to bring he could not, after D. Benno's help with a vow uttered to him invoked, to walk on his feet without any support could. To see the prodigy Berthold of Gebese, Nicholas of Elsterwerth, Stephen Mayr a Notary. On the 18th of August.

[88] Adelheid Heringin of Meissen, for X years by incredible pain of the eyes tortured was, laboring in eyes & feet, & moreover for a whole month in her feet labored: an offering for averting the double evil at D. Benno's tomb hung up, forthwith of her vow she became master was, & to God & her Savior Benno most abundantly gave thanks. There were present at the deed Nicholas of Elsterwerth, John Schreiber of Halberstadt, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on the 24th of August. Kunne, & a certain woman with several diseases, wife of Henry Stainmez of Northusen, for XI years unheard-of in one foot pains sustained, besides apoplexy, & St. Anthony's fire not rarely at intervals the wretched woman seized. An offering to D. Benno uttered, outside the city of Meissen at S. Nicholas she was present at a sermon. There it seemed to her, that all her diseases like water through the bottoms of her feet slipped away: which noticed on her feet raised (which before she could not at all) safe home she returned. There testified Nicholas of Elsterwerth, John Lobenizio a Vicar of Meissen, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on the 24th of August. Clara of Schweidnitz a girl, arthritic & apoplectic, for XII years by the joint disease, & apoplexy labored: every month too destitute of reason so insanely she raved, that with bonds applied by force she had to be restrained. As soon as to D. Benno for her safety she by a vow bound herself, from each disease freed was. There were present at the miracle John of Wurzen, George Leitner of Schilov, Stephen Mayr a Notary, & Margaret of Gommerfeld, who these all things by oath confirmed, on the 24th of August.

[89] John, of Nicholas of Eckersperg the son, an epileptic, a whole year by the falling disease labored, after his parents for their son's safety to D. Benno a vow uttered, to be assailed by that evil thereafter ceased. So testify Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Francis Suseliz a Shoemaker of Meissen, & Stephen Mayr on the 30th of August. Elisabeth de Borne for XX years by the joint disease lay sick, arthritic. so that from her place to move herself she could not. In so persistent a calamity to D. Benno's tomb a vow being made she fled, & soon the use of her limbs recovered recovered. To her testifying of herself were present John of Wurzen, Nicholas of Elsterwerth priests, Nicholas of Cometava from the Diocese of Prague, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on the day before the Kalends of September. On the same day Henry Altendorff of Windenborg, for the following benefit to D. Benno at Meissen gave thanks. On Wednesday g, which the feast of the B. V. assumed into heaven followed, herds are preserved from robbers. a band of six hundred horsemen into that tract of the region, in which he himself dwelt, to plunder had run out, driving off cattle of every kind met: which noticed, Henry, for his own & his neighbors' herds, which under the custody of boys in the nearest field were grazing, solicitous, God & D. Benno shouted out, promising within XV days himself the Divine one's tomb to visit, if his cattle the enemy untouched should leave. Ratified too the vows were: for although one century of the horsemen not far from those pastures wandered, peaceful yet thence it went away. Said this sworn, with hearing Bernard of Gebese, John Lobeniz Vicars of Meissen, & Stephen Mayr a Notary.

[90] Nicholas Voyt, a citizen of Meissen, long so in his eyes with the greatest pain labored, that little from blindness he was distant. His wife admonished him, that D. Benno's help he should invoke. The counsel being approved a candle to the Divine one as an offering he vowed: which being done, pus, of a chickpea magnitude, in 1394 one almost blind is healed, from his eyes to slip down to him seemed was, & at that moment to see as ever at other times he began. With Ramfoldio a Canon testifying, Berthold of Gebese a Vicar, Albert Cappelndorff a citizen of Meissen, Jacob Leitner, Stephen Mayr a Notary, in the year 1394, on 12 June. Peter Keseler for two years & a half by the falling disease labored, an epileptic & six times a day not rarely by that evil seized was; whence into so vehement a disease he fell, that of sound reason him destitute all believed: to these all things him a fever for XVII days with most keen cold burned. As soon as D. Benno's help being invoked, a candle to him as an offering he vowed; from each disease freed was. Said these things himself sworn, with hearing Nicholas of Elsterwerth, Matthias de Calou Vicars, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on 14 June. A certain Peter, from the village of Ahorn sprung, for XIV years in his feet so labored, that to walk he could not: poisonous pustules, & swellings that evil had summoned. But when recently together with his mother to Meissen for the sake of pilgrimage he had come, laboring in his feet for 14 years, & much of S. Benno's toward the sick benefits he had heard, his mother him with a wax offering to the Divine one commended, & for him health recovered. This testifying heard Andrew Graff Cantor & Canon, Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Sigismund of Fensterwald, Nicholas Pruchner of Luben, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on 14 June.

[91] one-eyed & dim-sighted, A woman of Meissen, Ottilia by name, for five years was one-eyed, in the other eye too so useless, that with it rarely indeed she could see; moreover with her blinded eye onto a very sharp stake she had run, & her pupil almost from its seat had knocked out which to her most monstrous pains created. After then her misery a vow being made to D. Benno she had bewailed, a leprous woman, to each eye light returned. Noted this her testimony Nicholas of Elsterwerth, Jacob of Herzenberg, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on 16 June. A matron of Meissen, surnamed Isenhutin long with leprosy so vehemently was infected, that her whole household her company shuddered at, & at last from her had to be separated: in this calamity to D. Benno's tomb with prayers & vows she fled, & in a short time from leprosy was purged. Said this she herself sworn, in the presence of Nicholas Palano, Nicholas of Elsterwerth, Stephen Mayr a Notary, on 16 June.

[92] two sick women a mother & daughter, On the same day to D. Benno for restored health gave thanks a mother & daughter, she Adelheid, this Kele by name. The mother long by the greatest pain around her precordia tortured, but the daughter so in her feet ailing was, that a whole year neither to stand, nor to walk she could. Each, D. Benno's help being invoked, her disease deserted. This of themselves asserting were present, John Hersteinius a Canon, Henry Sleinizius, John Lobenizius, Vicars; Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Stephen Mayr a Notary. The very Reverend Father John Koltener, a Canon Regular of S. Augustine of Leipzig, in his right arm & tongue suddenly apoplectic, neither voice to utter nor food to take for three days could. But the patronage of D. Benno being implored, both the use of his tongue & arm freed from the disease he received. This testify John of Wurzen, John Stainbach a Canon, Nicholas of Elsterwerth a priest, Stephen Mayr a Notary. On the Kalends of September.

[93] in 1395 one with her soles eaten away. In the year 1395, a certain matron, surnamed Willenlow of Aldendorf, which place is distant ten miles from Erfurt, for many years the most bitter pains in the soles of her feet sustained, which soon swollen to putrefy began, the flesh falling away bit by bit. She turned herself in this torture to D. Benno's tomb, & his help with tears & prayers shouted out, a little after to health restored. She sent the series of this miracle to Meissen, together with silver soles as an offering by a messenger, paralytic & arthritic, whom this in her place affirming heard John Radeburg, & an honest woman a citizen of Meissen, Tannmanin surnamed, on 15 June. Elisabeth Redelichin, of Langenbut not far from Rochlitz, in her whole body by paralysis & the joint disease ailing, lay sick for VII years' space, neither to walk nor to move herself able. Vowed she herself to D. Benno's tomb she would visit, if by his patronage she should recover. Immediately so much better to be she began, pain of the head, 1483. that step by step, with difficulty however, to walk she could. Wherefore to the road toward Meissen she girded herself, & while she made her journey, D. Benno with repeated prayers she invoked. Which being done not far from Rochlitz entirely she recovered. By oath these things affirming there were present Andrew Graff a Canon, Paul of Freiberg, John Radeburg a Vicar, Nicholas Homud a Canon of Wurzen, on 19 June. A certain Canon of Meissen, by a difficult disease, & especially by long pains of the head afflicted, to D. Benno, by whose help health he received, a candle as an offering hung up, in the year 1483.

ANNOTATIONS OF D. P.

INSERTION OF D. P.

On the Canonization of S. Benno, & the translation of his body to Munich.

§ I. The order of the prior act, from the Itinerary of Pope Adrian VI.

[1] The order of things demands, that the Miracles being related which preceded the Canonization, we should not pass to those, which in the twentieth year after the Translation followed (for hence a new beginning the German texts take for us, From the Acts of Adrian 6, rendered into Latin) of each Act let us say what we can. As far as the first is concerned besides the Bull of Canonization, of which in the following §. we have the Itinerary of Adrian VI, from Spain to Rome up, & the events of his Pontificate, by Blasius Ortiz, in Decrees a Doctor & Canon of Toledo & General Vicar, with the greatest fidelity collected; & inscribed to the most Illustrious & most Reverend Lord D. John Martin Silicaeus, Archbishop of Toledo, & of the Spains Primate etc.; but brought to light, from an old Ms. Codex of the College of Navarre at Paris, in book 3 of the Miscellanies of Stephen Baluze 1680; where Chapter XXX is inscribed, on the Canonization of the Blessed Antoninus & Benno: for at the same time both were celebrated at Florence, in the year 1523 on the 31st of May; but not at the same time published of each Canonization the Bull. For Benno's was published while Adrian still lived; but Antoninus's, he being dead, by his successor Clement VII: yet so that each nowhere mentions the other at the same time canonized: just as is to be seen at the day 2 of our May, in the posthumous Glory of S. Antoninus §. 2. That Chapter XXX thus has it.

[2] it is had that at the same time was canonized S. Because among other deeds by the Pontiff to be remembered, the chief was the Canonization of the Blessed, Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, & also Benno of Saxony, which Antoninus he celebrated on the Kalends of May (rather on the day Before the kalends of June) of the aforesaid year: therefore to this little work, as a most worthy thing, in such a form celebrated, to annex I wished. But first it must be asked, what is Canonization. According to John Andreae chap. I on the relics & veneration of the Saints, To canonize, is to enroll someone by the supreme Pontiff in the Catalogue of the Saints; since to no one is it permitted to venerate someone, even if miracles he has done, as a Saint, & that from the accustomed form, because often through evil men certain quasi-miracles are done. With great moreover instance must be sought the Canonization: nor does the Pope easily be moved to the inquisition of the sanctity of one to be canonized, nay he ought to defer the commission of investigating that one's life, that it may be seen meanwhile whether the fame & miracles continue. But if it be so then he commits the inquisition upon the life & miracles of the man to be canonized, as more fully these are handed down in the said first chapter.

[3] the cause being maturely examined & reported: And first indeed the cause of the aforesaid was committed by the Pontiff to Judges, in the places of Florence, & Saxony, that diligently through Witnesses of the life, morals, & miracles of the aforesaid Antoninus & Benno they might be informed, as the laws decree, especially the text of the Chapter, "Venerabili," on Witnesses, whose letter is such. To our Venerable Brother the Bishop & Chapter of Corosopitum & to all the Abbots, at Cîteaux in general Chapter gathered. And below: To your discretion we command, that the Witnesses, whom the Abbot & Monks of S. Martin of the Cistercian Order, upon the Life & miracles of pious memory M (Maurice) Abbot of the aforesaid monastery shall have thought fit to produce, you take care to examine one by one, with that diligence, which is wont & ought in the reception of witnesses to be applied. The information therefore of the aforesaid Antoninus & Benno, which when even the Theologians had weighed, by the Judges according to the Apostolic mandate had, under faithful custody is sent to the Pope: & it he himself to one of the Auditors of the sacred Palace to be examined handed; that through him it might be discussed, whether it was rightly done, & whether sufficient proof for the canonization there had been he might weigh. Who indeed that he had found it suitable & juridical to the Pontiff reported. Which again the most holy Father to the Theologians committed, that they might judge, whether the morals, life, & miracles of the Saints were worthy or not for them to be canonized: & according to their votes (since all things rightly had been found) with the most Holy Lord our Pope present, with the most Reverend Brethren Prelates, many other men in letters & nobility famous, the Canonization in public Consistory was proposed in this manner.

[4] Two indeed consistorial Advocates declamatorily, [& consistorially it had been judged that to the Canonization one should proceed;] one indeed of one, the other of the other the life, miracles, & other things of this kind, that manifest they might become to all, to the root expounded; beseeching the most Blessed Pope, that those men, who by sanctity & example in the way of their pilgrimage eminent, into the Catalogue of the Saints to aggregate he would. Then the Pontiff, after their narration, thanks to God gave, who never up to the end of the ages Saints & Just men to bestow ceases: & that more holily all things might proceed, a three-day fast & prayers to God to be poured out to the Prelates all enjoined, that He himself by His goodness into their hearts, if true were the miracles, their approbation from heaven might infuse; but if false; to avert might deign. And the fast being performed, after a three-day fast & repeated voting, the Cardinals & other Prelates, with our most Blessed Father, in the palace convened: & in a public assembly of their life & sanctity, whether of approbation or of improbation worthy they were, just as to each from above was given, they conferred. And although many of the Prelates, that act adorning, solemnly the matter had discoursed; yet the chief was, a most upright Father, Lord Didacus Ramirez, Bishop of Cuenca, with prudence & letters most full. And after a long altercation among all it was agreed, that the holy men be canonized.

[5] The Pontiff in the Vatican Basilica, So after two or three days, the most Holy one with Clergy & People to the Basilica of the Apostles, into a place boarded higher ascending, amid the solemnities of the Mass, with a high & intelligible voice their praises treating, & all to well-doing exhorting, with these words harangued was: Glorious is God in His Saints & in majesty wonderful; whose ineffable height of prudence, by no limits enclosed, by no bounds comprehended, by the censure of right judgment the heavenly equally & earthly things disposes; & though all His ministers He magnifies, with high honors adorns, & possessors of heavenly beatitude makes; those however, that to the worthy worthy things He may repay, with more powerful insignia of dignities He raises, & with more abundant retribution of rewards He pursues, the people in a sermon having addressed, whom more worthy He recognizes & commends by the greater excellence of their merits. So also kind Mother Church, His holy footsteps following, & by the praiseworthy example led; although all set in the heavenly kingdoms, to extol with solicitous zeal, & with sonorous proclamations to extol does not cease; Antoninus however & Benno, the chosen athletes of God, with special honors disposes to be venerated. And therefore the circumspect prudence of the holy See, which intent on salutary acts & to works of piety exposed, gladly executes what are God's; the foregoing solicitously & worthily considering, & with due meditation surveying, to the honor & glory of the divine name, the exaltation of the catholic faith, & the safety of the faithful, deservedly judged & duly provided, that the servants of God through the holy & catholic Church are to be venerated.

[6] We therefore, by pious counsels led, & by worthy zeal excited, both Saints to be held & venerated he pronounces, some of our predecessors the Roman Pontiffs of special devotion following with affection, to imitate solicitously intending, who certain Saints have canonized; with the consent of our Brethren equally & assent, the Blessed Antoninus Archbishop of Florence, & Benno of Saxony, into the Catalogue of the Saints we enroll, & their Feasts, Masses, & Offices, in their commemoration, through all the churches of the world, every year in perpetual future times, to be celebrated we grant & ordain. he allows nothing of expenses to be made, The bystanders indeed with concordant jubilation praised together the Lord, saying, Te Deum we praise etc. And although a sum of moneys not small in a similar act, both in the Pontifical household to be clothed, & in other expenses is wont to be consumed; the most circumspect however Pope such expenses, as alien from sanctity & from the purity of the Canonization to be made forbade. Which rarely (since money at a great price is held) seen among men I reckon: but not without complaint of the households & others, their reward expecting, it was done.

[7] This passage of Ortiz when I Daniel Papebroch to Pope Adrian's praise in the Chronico-historical Attempt simply had transcribed, no word added by which that the best Pontiff's sense should seem mine to make, in all that latitude with which perhaps it could be taken; nor yet any restriction to it I had applied, in himself & his household thinking that no one would be so foolish, as to suppose that the Pontiff absolutely had condemned by word or deed, what he knew by so many of his most holy predecessors too to have been practiced; it pleased my adversaries a terrible accusation to form before the Apostolic See. Indeed I think abundantly to have dispelled the calumny in Part I of my Responses to the Exhibition of errors imputed to me Art. 2 §. 18. Here however of it I wished to make mention, because now first from the most Erudite Magliabechi I receive the aforesaid Canonization's Acts, & in the rest so far favored, as far as S. Antoninus they regard, most accurately & most securely described by the Dominican Procurator of the whole cause; & from them various things I understand, by Ortiz not sufficiently explained. And first that the Pontiff did not forbid that any expenses should be made, as if they were absolutely alien from the sanctity & purity of such an act, but that they should not be made for his own person & his household to be clothed etc.: but for the other uses he had wished some moderation, namely that to the supplicants only should be remitted, so that they were restricted to 1800 ducats on the part of S. Antoninus, as much as honestly could be done, the reward of labor to each being saved, & the majesty of an action so magnificent. So to the Datary it was commanded I read, that those expenses he himself as graciously as possible should tax, but he taxed them at two thousand ducats of the Chamber, of which sum a thousand eight hundred ducats, from the Florentines' alms collected were represented by the Procurator himself, before to the public Consistory it proceeded, the Pontiff himself much contributing that with such a sum the cause could be expedited. Probable it is on the part of the Emperor, for Benno supplicating, a no less or even larger sum was expended; why not also, on the part of S. Benno? & therefore all those Acts here could have been published: but because in them scarcely once or twice both Benno himself & the Imperial Legate is named, more fitting I judged the most worthy relation to be read, to defer to the supplement of May, when S. Antoninus's Acts will be brought to the anvil again.

§. II. The same act & others preceding, from the Bull of Canonization more distinctly is explained.

[8] In the bull after the exquisite Life & miracles, The Bull is extant in vol. 3 of the Bullary, by Cherubinus Laertius compiled, in the Appendix, & begins: The exalted Lord the militant Church of precious living stones, to that highest cornerstone Christ Jesus united with most adorned variety decorated, with a wondrous structure to found disposed: & it is explained, a descent being made from the Patriarchs & Prophets, through the other orders of the Saints, up to the Virgins & widows. §. 2 it is declared, how God in that same Church raised up the glorious Confessor Blessed Benno, to the supernal company deservedly to be associated, nay more truly associated; who among the other athletes, by his merits & examples, the holy Church itself, with divine grace cooperating, manifoldly decorated; & of the present time the darkness, by the splendor of his lamp, wonderfully illustrated. Which is shown §. 3 & 4, where are indicated the virtues & some miracles by which in life & after death he was renowned & which we have set forth. Then in the said Bull the same Pontiff these things adds:

[9] There could here very many other miracles be brought: he narrates that asked by Charles V & other Princes, for many by divine Benno's merits from the dead raised it is clear: many of various diseases cured; finally that he who made a vow, no one of his benefit did not feel. On account of which our most dear in Christ son, Charles King of the Romans & of the Spains the Catholic, into Emperor elected; & our beloved sons, Albert Presbyter of S. Peter in Chains, & Matthew Deacon of S. Angelo, Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church; & our venerable Brothers, Richard of Trier, & Hermann of Cologne Archbishops, by their patent letters; as well as the beloved sons, the noble men, Ferdinand Archduke of Austria, & George & Henry brothers german, Dukes of Saxony, Landgraves of Thuringia, & Margraves of Meissen, through our venerable Brother John Bishop of Meissen, Nuncio & Orator to Us by them destined, & the beloved son William de Enkenvort, Bishop-elect of Tortosa, Datary & our domestic Prelate, their with us & the See Apostolic also Orator & business Agent, humbly caused supplication to be made; that the foregoing diligently being inquired & explored, to the Blessed man's Canonization to proceed we would deign. Whose indeed prayers gladly to assent we would wish, & especially we would rejoice, that such a Canonization in our times by a certain divine ministry happened; & moved by the miracles, & to us just it seemed, that this same B. Benno, whom now God in the heavenly glory of the choir of the Saints worthy to have made, by very many & manifest indications & miracles had shown, on earth too of the Saints' due honor should not be defrauded; not immediately a matter of so great weight & moment to be done; but, according to the old & praiseworthy custom, cautiously & maturely to be considered we deemed.

[10] the triple Process being examined being proved After a triple inquisition therefore, from of recallable memory Alexander the sixth first, & then Julius the second, & successively Leo the tenth, our predecessors too commissions upon this duly made; at last the same Leo the tenth, to three too of the Roman Church Cardinals, from the three of their orders, namely our venerable brothers, Bernardino of Ostia of the holy Cross in Jerusalem, & Antony of Albano Bishops, then with the title of S. Vitalis Presbyter, & John of SS. Cosmas & Damian Deacon, of the Cardinals of his Brethren, (of whose number, although absent, then we were) with counsel & assent committed, that they, the Processes seen & examined, published upon that same blessed man's life, morals, fame & miracles, before & after his death by his intercessions by God done, & all other things to the Canonization of the Saints of this kind necessary, themselves upon all & each diligently should inform; & through them found out, in their secret Consistory, as the custom was, faithfully should report. And when the Cardinals themselves, the diverse Processes seen & examined, in the parts of Germany by the aforesaid See's commission had, & to our Curia transmitted; & of witnesses worthy of faith the depositions, for the dignity of so great a thing, & the votes of the Cardinals, duly weighed; of the aforesaid miracles & sanctity of life & other things by law required, a faithful Relation to Us in several too secret Consistories had made; & We their & all the Cardinals' votes, for celebrating the said Canonization, convenient & conformable had found; & for more celebrated execution the beloved son John Baptist of Siena, Doctor of both Laws, & of our hall Consistorial Advocate, in public Consistory all things of that same Blessed man's life, morals, fame & miracles copiously had recounted; & to us humbly had supplicated, that to that same Blessed man's Canonization, mature deliberation being premised, to proceed we would deign.

[11] We, for the things related before Us first of all the greatest thanks to almighty God giving, the appointed prayers & fasts being commanded asked all in that same public Consistory then standing by, that with their prayers & fasts the Church of God they would aid; & that it the Most High in no way in such Canonization's office to err would permit, instantly they should pray. At last after some days, convoked anew in our hall Consistorial, in the palace Apostolic, all & singular, who then were present in the Roman Curia, Ecclesiastical Prelates, namely Patriarchs, Archbishops, Bishops, in the presence of those same our Brethren, of the said Roman Church the Cardinals, those same Processes upon that same Blessed man's life, morals, fame, & miracles published, through that same John Baptist briefly & summarily to be repeated we caused. Which when from the series, by the Cardinals & others to whom that duty by Us had been enjoined, narrated & expounded had been; & all the bystanders the Prelates, what to them upon such Canonization's business seemed, being asked, with unanimous consent, nothing at all disagreeing, had answered, that to them it seemed, that the same Blessed man among the saints deservedly be enrolled & numbered; We again humble to that same almighty God, on the 31st of May the 1st Sunday after Pent. that to His Blessed servant with due honors to be pursued, our hearts to illuminate He had deigned, thanks giving; to his Canonization, the first Sunday after Pentecost, which then occurred on the last day of the month of May, in the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred and twenty-three, we deputed: & in the Basilica of the Prince of the Apostles of the City, an ample wooden platform according to custom to be prepared & adorned we ordered. Upon which indeed today, with all the Clergy & people standing by, of the life, miracles, & fame of that same B. Benno, with humble & devotion full, as is the custom, a sermon being had, & then the Litany & the hymn, Veni creator Spiritus, throughout devoutly being sung, as also by the Procurators of the cause of that Canonization, & by that same Charles into Emperor elected at the aforesaid See constituted Orator, from Us with great instance asked to be pronounced, to be enrolled among the saints the same B. Benno (since now all things were consummated, & all the Church's accustomed ceremonies upon that matter duly we had observed) God before our eyes having, to the Canonization of the same Blessed one under these words to proceed we deemed & proceeded.

[12] To the praise & honor of the holy & undivided Trinity, & the exaltation of the Catholic Faith, B. Benno into the Catalogue of the Saints he inscribed, & of the Christian religion the augmentation, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ & of the Blessed Peter & Paul the Apostles & Ours, with our Brethren's counsel, we decree & define; that of good memory Benno, formerly Bishop of Meissen, is a Saint, & in the Catalogue of the Saints to be enrolled, & him in that same Catalogue of the Saintly Confessors we describe: ordaining, that by the universal Church every year his feast & office, just as for one Confessor Pontiff, on the sixteenth day of the month of June, that is on the day of his deposition, devoutly & solemnly be celebrated. And moreover by the same authority to all truly penitent & confessed, who every single year to the sepulchre of that same S. Benno on the same day shall come, seven years & as many quarantines of the penances enjoined upon them mercifully we relax.

[13] These duly performed, & begun by Us, & he invoked by the proper prayers in the Mass being sung: & sung up to the end by our cantors, the hymn, Te Deum laudamus; in its end too the Cardinal Deacon in chant saying, Pray for us B. Benno, & by the choir answered, That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ; We forthwith the proper Prayer of the same Saint with a high voice sang, saying: God, who us by B. Benno the Pontiff's glorious confession surroundest & protectest; grant us both by his imitation to profit, & by his intercession to rejoice. Through our Lord Jesus Christ Thy son, who with Thee lives & reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit God, through all the ages of ages. Then indeed by the said choir was answered. Amen. A solemn Mass there We ourselves celebrated, of the said then occurring Sunday first after Pentecost. The Collects each under one conclusion terminating, the aforesaid too & the other special ones being added of the same S. Benno the Collects immediately following: for the secret namely: Thy Saint, we beseech O Lord, Benno Confessor & Pontiff may everywhere gladden us, that while we recall his merits glorious, with thee always patronage we may feel: with its conclusion, namely Through Christ etc. Then indeed the Postcommunion we subjoined, saying: We beseech O Lord, with salutary mysteries filled, that of Thy Saint Benno the Confessor & Pontiff, whose solemnities we celebrate, also by the intercession we may be aided; he grants Indulgences, with a similar conclusion. And so the Mass itself up to the end, with the usual ceremonies, according to the Apostolic Ordinary, there duly we terminated; & an Indulgence plenary to all at this Office then standing by, devoutly we bestowed. The present letters in testimony of the foregoing granting, to the praise & glory of almighty God, who in His saints is wonderful, & glorious lives & reigns, blessed in the ages of ages.

[14] But because difficult it would be these present letters to the notice of all to bring, & he concludes the Bull, we will & decree, that to their transcripts, by the hand of a Notary public subscribed, & with the seal of some Prelate Ecclesiastical fortified, faith be given undoubted, in all & through all; & by them everywhere it be stood, as if the original letters of this kind were exhibited or shown. To no one therefore at all of men let it be permitted this page of our decree, definition, description, statute, relaxation, concession, & will to infringe, & to it by rash daring to go contrary. But if anyone this shall presume to attempt, the indignation of almighty God & of the Blessed Peter & Paul His Apostles let him know himself to be about to incur. Given at Rome at S. Peter's, in the year of the Lord's Incarnation one thousand five hundred and twenty-three, on the day before the Kalends of June, in the year of our Pontificate the first.

To Castello Seen W. de Enkenvort T. Hezius Registered with me T. Hezius: on the back it is signed of the Apostolic Bulls.

The same all you have in Matthew Rader, vol. 3 of Holy Bavaria pag. 186 & following, & indeed from the original more faithfully transcribed, from the original Ms. more sincerely published by Rader than printed in the Bullary: where the Bull is read given, in the year of the Pontificate the sixth; & that not in cipher, by which in the margin rightly is noted Dat. P. an. 1; but with the number at length expressed. Which more than a simple & venial error, proves a license given to the typesetters (men for the most part most ignorant) of at length extending the numeral notes of the copies brought to the press, with danger of most frequent & most grave errors. But that Rader from the original transcribed the Bull gives, prove also the marginalia of the Ministers subscribing, usually in the Bullary omitted, & here solicitously to the numbered, if not to anything else, at least in argument of a faithful transcription.

[15] That Canonization most ill affected Luther, whom Rader says in the Life of S. Benno, Luther gnashing in vain grieved vehemently, that his impious dogmas at the same time by the great miracles of D. Benno were refuted. So an impious mouth against the holy man he thrust out, & a book in his native tongue put forth, to which this Inscription he made. Against the new idol & ancient devil, at Meissen to be exalted. These impious & Patroclian papers of Luther, Adam Tanner, of our Society a Theologian, & by the monuments of his genius famous, with three orations refuted, at Ingolstadt, in the year 1608, on the 14th of the Kalends of July published: whom Tanner refuted: in which these three questions he treats. Whether Luther was a Prophet of Germany, especially indeed of that glory, with which now S. Benno in Bavaria shines? Then: Whether Luther of the past illustrious deeds of S. Benno is a fair estimator? Thirdly, Rightly did Luther once both to the Canonization & exaltation of S. Benno oppose himself? Where Tanner shows that Luther a false Prophet was, & a true poet, although no verse he could make. Most iniquitous then a Judge & censor of the deeds of S. Benno: impiously finally that he opposed himself to the Canonization.

D. P.

[16] But as much as the impious heresiarch grieved, the glory of S. Benno being amplified, so much rejoiced the of the ancestral religion in Germany tenacious Catholics: George however Duke of Saxony wondrously rejoicing, & especially that one in the Pontifical letters named & by Rader praised, that renowned hero of Saxony, of Meissen the Princeling George, who in that cause most vehemently had labored; & when, what his Ancestors & he himself especially had wished he had obtained, letters about this matter gave to the Dukes of the Bavarians, William & Louis, by which he asked, that the Pontiff's authority, by which D. Benno among the Blessed to dwell, & with public cult to be venerated had announced, in his Bavarian provinces & chief cities, at Munich, Ingolstadt, Landshut, Landsberg, in a sermon should be proclaimed, & before the doors of the temples the tablets themselves should be set up. There are kept those of Prince George & John Bishop of Meissen letters in the archive of the chief church of Munich, which I myself in the native tongue written with pleasure read. So Rader; who since in the brevity proposed to himself (which however here not moderately he exceeds) by no means was permitted those letters in Latin to be read to exhibit; also exhorting the Bavarians to promulgate the bull. a thing by no means to be neglected I judged, nor so notable a monument of Saxon piety to be withdrawn from the posterity of Princes, by that same S. Benno's prayers with God happily to it beginning to be brought back. But to no other end profited that attempt of mine, than that John's other letters originally on parchment written, & with a great waxen seal fortified were found word for word such, as already Henschen from that same Rader transcribed had left, as below are read num. 19. But those aforementioned, if still they be found, will be able to serve a supplement to be made hereafter. One thing here I would note that I believe the Translation followed by many miracles, of which however the notice consigned to no writing perished up to the year 1539.

§. III. The translation of the body from Meissen to Munich, followed by a miracle.

G. H.

[17] In the Pontifical Bull set forth in the preceding §., are praised George & Henry, brothers german, Dukes of Saxony, Landgraves of Thuringia, & Margraves of Meissen; who through John Bishop of Meissen, George the Catholic Duke being deceased, Nuncio & Orator to the Roman Pontiff by them destined, humbly caused supplication to be made, that to S. Benno's Canonization to proceed he would deign. Would that thus with equal step had proceeded both! not so dissimilar of each would have been the end. Henry the Younger, by Luther driven mad, into heresy fallen all with him posterity drew; the elder Prince George (the words are of Lawrence Surius in the Commentary of the deeds of his time) with a generous & plainly German fortitude of mind, in the ancestral religion of his Ancestors most constant, & to Charles V Emperor far the best always most devoted, worthy truly on many counts, whom all posterity with praises should bear, whom Luther egregiously with revilings & contumelies, & indeed with impunity, often had reviled, in the year 1539 closed his last day of life the most Famous & most upright Prince of Saxony George: by whose death the greatest harm received the Christian religion. For no children he left. & his brother Henry the Lutheran succeeding, So by testament he wrote heir his brother Henry, & his sons Maurice & Augustus, on this condition that nothing in religion they should change. There were sent to Henry, who this to him should propose: but meanwhile died the pious Prince, & immediately Henry the whole dominion occupied, & into all the places of Meissen, Thuringia & Saxony, which Prince George had obeyed, Luther's dogmas introduced; These things Surius: which in Bzovius & other Historians too are related. But to S. Benno let us return.

[18] amid the Sacrileges of the heretics, Rader, this same deploring, thus proceeds: George being deceased, with whom at the same time Catholic piety in Saxony & Meissen was buried, there followed most wretched & hostile to heaven & earth times: in which not enough was it for the impious, sacrilegious hands to the sacred seats & buildings of the Saints to bring, to spoil the temples, to pollute the sacred altars, of the Heavenly Ones the statues to break, all from the sanctuaries ornaments to strip away, gold & silver, precious garments & furniture to carry off, sacred with profane, profane with sacred to mix, all to profane; unless into the bowels of the earth they went, the sacred ashes & manes of the Saints to defile. Whose however fury Benno, through the care of his successors, escaped, for a while in the secret chambers of the Bishops kept, The body of S. Benno preserved: until Albert V, the renowned Duke of the Bavarians, & a great column of the Catholic name of that age, through letters of that most holy Bishop the sacred pledge earnestly sought, & in the year 1576 happily obtained: as the public testimonies of the Meissen Pontiff & College of Priests, which I subjoin, testify.

[19] by John Maltiz the Bishop We John, by the grace of God Bishop of Meissen to all about to see these our patent letters, salvation in the Lord we pray, we attest & make known. When the Church of Meissen, the Cathedral & native church of our Bishopric, persecution suffered from the Lutherans, under Henry Duke of Saxony; the most Reverend John, by family Maltiz, at that time Bishop, fearing lest in that perturbation & irruption of the temples & breaking of the images, the Relics of the Saints there for the longest time, with great veneration kept & preserved, should be plundered & profaned; wishing to provide for such dangers, opened the tomb or sepulchre magnificently built; in which D. Benno the Bishop's body solemnly hidden was, & there for the longest time with many miracles was renowned, most holily visited & honored had been. & those holy Relics of the whole body of D. Benno, together with the hairshirt, mitre, carried to the citadel of Stolpen; & pastoral staff of that same Divine one, & other Relics, namely the skull of D. Donatus Martyr, which however by age into pieces had fallen, the finger of S. Paul the Apostle & certain other unknown Relics, because their labels by age perished, in a tin box hidden he removed: & into the chapel of the citadel of Stolpen, his Episcopal Seat, distant six miles from the Church of Meissen, of the same Bishopric transported. In which place they remained, while lived the aforesaid Bishop, & his Successor Nicholas Kerlewisius. In whose place when we indeed unworthily into Bishop elected succeeded, it happened that immediately at the beginning of our Pastorate into exile driven, harsh things we suffered.

[20] Meanwhile the Reverend Nicholas Gruner, a Presbyter of advanced age, then under a bed enclosed, to whom was the sacristy of that chapel committed & entrusted, by divine grace willing, memory had of the hidden Relics in the citadel of Stolpen, which just now we named, & with great affection of piety, to that place hastening, from the aforesaid chapel removed, & within the bed of his chamber enclosed most holily for a while kept, until we from exile restored; the growing age of the aforesaid Priest to our hands, those holy Relics faithfully handed over. After our return from exile, it was transacted, with our Chapter consenting, & in the sepulchre of one Bishop in the town of Wurzen deposited. that the citadel of Stolpen to the most Illustrious Duke Elector of Saxony by exchange should be handed over; therefore the aforesaid Relics we placed with our hands in the sepulchre of John Bishop of Meissen by family Salhausen, our predecessor, which sepulchre even today wholly stands in the Collegiate Church of B. Mary the Virgin of the town of our Bishopric Wurzen, with this our intention, that these holy Relics up to the last day there safely ought to remain.

[21] But indeed when the most Illustrious Duke of Bavaria Albert, by the intercession of our Dean Jerome de Komerstat, of pious memory, the Relics sought; we thought the aforesaid hidden ones into a safer place to send back. We drew out therefore with our hands the aforementioned box, afterward to Albert Duke of Bavaria given, & the holy Relics we found & recognized: & to his Highness, as to a Catholic Prince, with a willing & devout mind for preventing profanation submissively we offered, transmitted & handed over. We attest again & again that the aforementioned Relics in truth by our predecessors the Bishops, Clergy & people, up to our times piously cultivated & most holily were preserved, & by many were renowned miracles: of which the index together with the description of the Life of S. Benno & certain other things, to the most Illustrious Highness of the Duke of Bavaria we handed over. Of this matter for greater faith, for confirming the very truth, this our diploma by the impression of our great seal we have confirmed. Done in the residence of our Bishopric of our town of Wurzen, on Laetare Sunday, in the year of restored salvation one thousand five hundred and seventy-six. John, by the grace of God & of the Apostolic See elected & confirmed Bishop of Meissen, as well as Provost of Naumburg, for greater & firmer testimony with his own hand subscribed. Thus far the diploma, in which the cited John de Salhausen flourished as the 40th Bishop of Meissen up to about the year 1518, when there was elected John de Schleiniz, who sent as Orator to Rome was present at the Canonization of S. Benno, & to him substituted John Maltiz here above mentioned, & having died in the year 1549 had as successor Nicholas Kerlewisius, to whom he testifies himself to have succeeded, John Haubitzius, the author of this diploma & as if with the body of S. Benno, even divine protection had departed, the Bishopric thenceforth devolved to the Lutheran Princes, Augustus & Christian Dukes of Saxony, & Christian the Elector, & others.

[22] Munich, says Rader, in the year 1576, which now at Munich in its own chapel is honored, Divine Benno entered, & in the palace of the Prince for four years as a guest cultivated, At last in the year 1580 with great ceremony & festivity, into the greatest church of the Blessed Virgin carried, there a foot & seat eternal he fixed … There was built for him before the choir of the chief church, in the very temple, a most noble either chapel or mausoleum; where in the altar, to his name inscribed & dedicated, his sacred Relics are placed. With so great moreover a frequency of flocking people he began to be cultivated, that in one some year, which was the thousand six hundred and third, eighty parishes, with banners & public supplications, before D. Benno appeared. with the greatest concourse & miracles. To the Bavarians so dear he is, & deservedly, that for no riches & abundance him to exchange they would wish or suffer. These things Rader, who adds that he as a youth in the year 1580 in the more polished then letters versed, of the most holy triumph, when the sacred Relics to the church of the Mother of God the Virgin were transferred, a spectator, cultivator & admirer was.

D. P.

[23] Thus far Henschen: who when in that same Rader he had seen, Their books full sought that there are read whole volumes, of which one after another was published, in which S. Benno's prodigies copiously are described, which by all hands are handled; them indeed diligently he sought, but sooner from the living departed than they were brought. But there was brought one from the German exemplar of the year 1608 also somewhat of the aforenoted translation a little more distinct narration in this sense. Brought to Munich the Relics for some years' space remained in a certain private place of the court, a more distinct relation of the Translation brought, until in the year 1578 Lord Kommerstat of pious mem. of the Ducal Chamber Counselor, to a certain man, who of the ecclesiastical counsels of his Serene Highness was, the matter a second time disclosed. He, as being a spiritual man, to these continuously intent, to the address of his Serene Highness to be admitted sought, & him in the presence of the most Serene Consort about this matter advised, with submissive observance insinuating, how indecent it is, so great Relics in a place as it were private, without honor & reverence, to lie: pious & advisable it would be, if to the most serene Ancestors, the tomb of the Emperors & Dukes, into the Collegiate of the Divine Virgin they were transferred, that with annual there cult Divine Benno might be honored: it would be perhaps, that the Best Deity, on account of his intercession more miracles would do. Some weeks being spent on deliberation, done in the year 1580 to the church of the D. V. called again to himself the aforesaid Ecclesiastical Counselor, the Sacred Relics to him he granted; whose however translation various impediments into the year one thousand five hundred (and eighty) put off: when first, although not without difficulty, in the retinue of some of the most Serene Heads, to the aforesaid Church besides other Relics carried, & in the high altar deposited they were.

[24] And this Divine Benefactor various soon hung-up offerings demonstrated; miracles soon following as also various papers, which were of this tenor (God & Divine Benno, by his intercession, me from this & that evil freed) The Bishop himself too from Aw, now to his extremity brought, & of the use of reason destitute, to S. Benno's patronage commended, to his mind & health returned. To another too Bishop a drink, in which this Divine one's Relics had been placed, the evil, These in the year 1601 beginning to be published, by which dangerously unexpectedly seized he had been, all wiped away. Miracles these on account of the feared heretics' & perfidious calumnies long suppressed; another at last manifest miracle, which in the year 1601 with a woman who was afflicted in her foot, in that very church happened, into light & veneration drew. The miracle this was such, that all conscious of this to the press it to be committed urged, which both of foreign kingdoms the devout cultivators might rouse, & the suppliant hands of those same to curing a silver image of the Divine one might open with the greatest liberality, by which aided then by others' too piety, that, which now to see it is, a silver image to the Divine one he set up. So daily of pilgrims increased the number, a silver statue is made. that to the Ecclesiastical functions in the choir scarcely place it permitted; wherefore the H. Relics thence anew removed into some vacant altar were placed again, until the most Serene Duke of Bavaria William with those contributing too of every state other devout ones, in honor of this Saint a chapel, scarcely to any in Germany second, to be built took care. Of the miracles there is no end; so that rightly to say it is permitted; The hand of the Lord is not shortened, & a new chapel. that it cannot Save; nor is heavy His ear, that it does not hear. Isaiah LIX & that; Wonderful is God in His saints. Further since the wonderful cases, into which Divine Benno's, as has been said, Relics came, of sinister talk here & there the cause had given; few knowing the series of the matter; it pleased this true relation into light to publish: whose testifying letters & seal, as also other documents, the Collegiate of Munich has. Whence to see it is permitted, how wonderfully these Relics, not only against heretics & other enemies of the Church were preserved & defended; but also how celebrated by the Best Deity were rendered they were.

[25] After these from other German prints, those (I believe) of which I said Rader made mention; was brought a great abundance of Miracles from the year 1601 up to the 22nd of the same century at Munich performed, The other Miracles how here they are given. & into Latin rendered by P. Francis Halder, which will constitute for us the second Part of this argument, but without any Annotations: for it did not seem worth the labor each cured person's homeland more accurately to scrutinize, since nothing else almost occurred, about which our diligence could be occupied. One thing I would warn, that the days & years are noted, not in which the miracle was done; but in which it was testified duly & into the books referred it was. License too to me to be made I ask, for the favor of foreigners, of several consonants a difficult in the same syllable concurrence in the Bavarian names hardly to bear, of smoothing it by the interposition of a second vowel in those places, where the gentler dialect admits it, writing e.g. for Horl num. 7 Horel, for Stadler num. 13 Stadeler, for Sedlmayr num. 19 Sedelmayr, for Hinstrmuller num. 22 Hinstermuller, & others similar. Although I am not ignorant, that that of the second vowel before liquids elision, & of two into one syllable contraction, a wondrous grace procures to the German, as now refined is held, tongue. But lest anyone be terrified by Schm, Schn, Schw at the beginning of syllables placed, let him know that that Sch almost not more is worth than the sounds S & that Schmid or Schweick scarcely otherwise sounds than Smid, Sweik & that the ch placed after S only the hiss of the S itself strengthens, that sharper it comes out. Finally know that these all things received are to be referred to the care of R. P. Frederick Milholtzer, in the year 1690 Rector in our Munich college who to his there preacher P. Francis Halder this of the work committed.

PART II.

Miracles performed at Munich in the 17th century. From the German prints. By the Interpreter P. Francis Halder S. J.

IN THE YEAR 1601.

[1] Agatha Obermairin of Wessobrunn, 40 years old, on the recent feast of Pentecost suddenly so bitter pains in her left shin felt, In the year 1601. A woman for her dead foot, using a wooden one, that day & night to rest never could. By the patronage then of distinguished men into the electoral Hospital promoted, for 14 weeks there lay sick, by the support of a crutch with great difficulty walking, until at last altogether with a wooden foot, which with thongs to her body she bound, with the greatest however difficulty she used. And although the physicians in applying every kind of medicaments their parts strenuously did, their labor however all they lost, so gradually the shin growing, that to be cut, to be burned, to be pricked, without any of the sick woman's sensation it could. She would have permitted herself her foot beneath the knee altogether to be cut off, had not the physicians her from this purpose dissuading, a warm bath in the coming summer prescribed. By chance about the day to D. D. Simon & Jude sacred, outside the hospital to a banquet admitted, having heard S. Benno's miracles moved, much of S. Benno's toward the sick prodigies to be read from his history she heard: whence she of her misery admonished, with tears to heaven her hands lifted; promising, that, as soon as it should be allowed, a Mass in D. Benno's honor to be done she would take care at the altar of the holy Cross, where on the solemn days that Divine one's sacred remains to the people to be seen to be exhibited are wont; hoping herself altogether by D. Benno's patronage from so great a calamity to be able to be freed. Deferred she this purpose into the third week, although continuously that it she should execute in dreams she was admonished. Wherefore on 19 November in the year 1601 the Priest D. Leonard Haner, who to her on the next light a Mass should read, she appointed. In the morning having confessed to P. Charles Leopold of the Society of Jesus Preacher & Theologian, in the temple of the B. Virgin born sacred, with other distinguished matrons, whom she had wished to be present, she was present; & twice with the same to the offering with her wooden foot the altar she approached. while on 19 Nov. she attends a votive Mass at the Relics When the offering being performed to her place she was returning, suddenly as if a swoon she suffered, to the ground collapsed she was; where she was, what she was doing, almost not knowing. When at last lifted, & to her chair brought she had been, returning to herself, a heat a certain in her dead foot she felt, & at that same moment of time its toes to move she could. For joy then scarcely mistress of herself, a knife she sought; & the bonds of the wooden foot broken & it cast away on her own steps now the altar approaching, from the Priest's hands the sacred Communion she took, in body & soul, if ever otherwise, most holy. These all things so to have been done sworn said herself Agatha Obermayrin: her restored to life she rejoices. the same testify all the Physicians by their own handwriting, in whose power she had been; & Anna Gasnerin, Anna Kheprunnerin, Sybilla Gandnerin & others. For perpetual memory of the matter also the wooden crutch at D. Benno's altar is kept.

[2] Of Udalric Kracker a citizen of Munich the wife Maria, is cured an infant's dead arm in a dangerous indeed childbirth with difficulty a fetus brought forth. The infant scarcely with the sacred font washed had been, when his left little arm swelling, a notable wound contracted. Of human help, the care of physicians being applied, nothing was omitted; all things however in vain were; for the infant's arm gradually so dried up, that touch it no longer felt. Under these things the new mother visited Jacob Zweng then Councilor's wife, & her consoled, related an unwonted miracle, which S. Benno recently in a lame woman performed; persuading, that she too of her infant's health by a vow should commend. Obeyed forthwith the mother: the following night the infant now better was: the next light the swelling subsiding altogether recovered. To see the prodigy eyewitnesses Sigismund Pochen & his master, Surgeons, Apollonia Nadlerin, Maria Segerin widows. On the Kalends of December.

[3] Of Christopher Mayr, citizen & letter-carrier of Munich, & of another two holes in the mouth. the little son Christopher, a year and a half old, two holes in his mouth had, which to him the greatest pains created: & although the solicitous mother, using the counsels of the healers, & medicine long these wounds to cure had tried; her labor however she wasted, since the two holes daily larger became, with the greatest danger lest the mouth altogether should rot. The mother D. Benno mindful, & of his prodigies even by a dream admonished, a Mass in his honor to be said, with a wax offering vowed: which performed when the infant home from the temple they had brought back, forthwith without any further medicine these double wounds of the mouth it lost. Witnesses sworn were John Pfanzelte, Anna Baumstauberin, & others. On 15 December.

In the year 1602.

[4] in 1602 a useless shin is healed, Anna Mittermayrin of Anteling near Duntenhusium, for 12 years from pains of the shin lay sick, the origin of the evil unknown. Long under the power of the healers she was; who her at last altogether gave up. Wherefore a wooden crutch using, on which about to walk with her whole body she had to lean, of recovering health long she had despaired. At last Jacob Zweng Councilor of Munich's wife, by commiseration toward the afflicted woman touched, whom well long since now she had known; sent to her, who to her of D. Benno's miracles should report, & persuade that to be done in his honor a Mass she should take care, & by a vow she should bind herself. To which counsel when she had obeyed, in a moment restored her foot without any support home she returned: testify these all things Jacob Zweng Councilor, his Wife, with the whole household. On 7 February. a man twenty years with hernia,

[5] Andrew Schmid, a citizen of Munich a seventy-year-old, for 20 years ruptured was, with the greatest on that account tortured pains sixteen times a day not rarely to lie sick compelled he was: but when much of D. Benno's prodigies he had heard, & had read, for receiving health in his honor a Mass to be said he took care, & with a wax offering bound himself. The sacrifice being performed receded so long an evil, & to him the best health succeeded. Of the matter witnesses were Alexander Eurel a Priest, Andrew himself's wife with the whole household. On 26 March. A heretic by a gun incurably wounded,

[6] Daniel Molitor a soldier, from Bamberg old sprung, years five above thirty old, when in Hungary he soldiered, ten before St. Martin's days, with some musketeer infantry to besiege a citadel Laka by name near Canischa had been sent. There by a Turk a certain, from a little wooden hut aiming, with a leaden ball around his precordia pierced, a whole three years the greatest pains, the fatigued in vain in curing the wound healers' industry, drained out. When at last to Munich he had come, sick & most ill faring, of S. Benno, much to be narrated he heard, & by a vow healed he becomes Catholic. who to him too on 20 March in a dream, in a Bishop's appearance, to have appeared he seemed: to whom (although a heretic) a Mass, with a waxen soldier's image he vowed, at which he himself together with his wife, & many others in the temple of the B. V. was present. Which finished, when gradually with the pain remitting the wound closed; there came to him to mind, that God to him a heretic man conferring this singular of health benefit, perhaps that he might avoid the perverse religion, & to the Orthodox might pass over had admonished. Wherefore Father Marquard Leo, of the Order of S. Francis Lector, he approached; & there taught the Roman faith's articles, a Catholic professed was; certain, the Orthodox faith up to his last breath to defend. The matter, as it was narrated, many of the highest & lowest of Munich testified. On 8 April.

[7] George Horel, a Citizen of Munich a sexagenarian, for a year and a half blind was, a blind man is illumined, in his left eye light through a surgeon recovered: thence so bitter a pain the other eye invaded, that by its vehemence into madness to be brought all believed. Two months held the persistent torture, until at last D. Benno's help by a promised wax offering he invoked, which duly performed, & the vow paid, all pain in a point of time departed. In thanksgiving for a whole year daily a rosary in honor of D. Benno he would recite he promised. Witnesses he cited his wife, & the whole household, & all the neighborhood. On 26 May.

[8] The noble & distinguished Lady Anna Nothafftin etc., years old two above 30, is healed a pain of the arm, long from a most keen pain of the arm lay sick, & danger there was, lest, since she was pregnant, to the fetus something happen: to bear even her arm she could not without another's support. When her sister now of this health a message had received, a wax offering for her to Divine Benno under Mass vowed. Forthwith her the pain, & the torture of the arm left. Indicated this, by the command of his Lady, sent to Munich Ernest Caesar; & her vow in her place diligently paid, on 21 July.

[9] On the 26th day of July there was brought into the temple of the B. Virgin a writing, apoplexy, of a certain man of an illustrious princes' family sprung, who suddenly by apoplexy touched neither to speak, nor to move one side could. When indeed his wife, for averting this calamity, by a vow of Mass & an offering, with D. Benno had interceded, within half an hour the use of speech received he recovered.

[10] Of John Leckner the wife Helena, a forty-year-old, for four days so acute in her left arm pains sustained, that day & night continuously by reason of the too keen sensation of them she wailed. a pain of the arm, The men's remedies being despaired, her husband to D. Benno fleeing, in his honor a Mass to be done took care: which finished immediately Helena better to be began, & the next night entirely recovered. Testified Leonard Harrer, a Priest, who the Mass did, Simon Franck, Andrew Engelsperger with the whole neighborhood, on 24 July.

[11] John Muller, of Ottenhof, for 20 years by a grave disease entangled was, a grave 20-year disease, which every week him so exercised for a whole three days, that of himself not master & frenzied he seemed. Wherefore to D. Benno a vow he made, thence by that disease no longer infested, on 3 October.

[12] George Kriminer years four above 50 old, of Obermerbach, for two years so great tortures in his left shin endured, that on two crutches leaning to walk he had. After these, the evil to the other shin too passing, still two years lay sick the wretched man. At last when much of S. Benno he heard, & not rarely too a dream about this Divine one he had; through his help, by a promised wax offering with a Mass, forthwith recovered. Witnesses were John Gutgabler the Parish-priest, John Schmidt, George Halzmayr of Obermarbach; on 7 October.

[13] George Stadeler of Klainthal, a seventy-year-old, for six weeks so blind was, a long blindness, that of a guide, if at any time to go out he wished, need to him there was. After he himself to Divine Benno a vow being made commended, without anyone's guidance to Munich came, & there his vow paid. Witnesses he produced four of the neighbors together with his wife, on 28 October.

[14] an invalid knee, Martin Vischer a whole year in his knee labored, & at last with the evil growing worse for two months to walk he could not. As soon as a Mass to be done in D. Benno's honor he vowed, within three days health he received. Heard these things him relating the Very Reverend Lord Francis N. Licentiate Dean at the B. Virgin's, Leonard Hamer, a Priest, John Scharman Custodian, on 10 November.

[15] Of Leonard Walther of Tölz, a three-year-old infant, an epileptic boy, by the falling disease so seized had been, that daily once him the dread evil exercised. But from which the father, for the infant's health a Mass to D. Benno with a wax offering vowed, no longer any indication of the disease is found. Related this the father himself, in the presence of Leonard Harrer, Paul Greinwolt, Priests at the D. Virgin's.

[16] Christina Schmidin, a 13-year-old girl, of Innsbruck, beset with pustules, for 8 years in her whole body with pustules & foul ulcers so beset was, that by no medicine she could be cured; whence to such a degree at last of misery she came, that by public alms to her out of commiseration given she lived. Her sister elder by birth, of the greatest D. Benno's miracles admonished, the girl's health to him, a Mass to his honor being promised, commended. Which being done, the pustules & ulcers forthwith without any medicine vanished, & the girl recovered. Narrated, Elisabeth Schmidin the girl's sister, & Regina Chorantin of Innsbruck. On 19 November.

[17] Caspar Zolner, a carpenter, in a certain building work doing, while beams on high with others he raised, a grave hernia, a hernia contracted; whence it came about, that his trade being renounced, by collected alms chiefly he lived. But the of D. Benno's toward the sick benefits being heard, forthwith entering the temple of the B. Virgin, with bended knees at a certain altar, for his health prayers to the aforesaid Divine one poured. Which while ardently to do he persevered, there seemed to him from behind these voices to his ears to slip: Do not cease, you will be heard: Twice therefore he looked around, a human that voice thinking: after these things immediately better he was & entirely recovered. Witnesses were Kilian Berthold a physician, & some of the neighbors, on 22 December.

In the year 1603.

[18] deprived of both eyes, Apollonia Remfin of Weilheim after childbirth in both eyes was caught, & a whole month the day she did not see. After indeed pious men's counsel using, to D. Benno two Masses with a wax offering she vowed, gradually her sight she recovered. Testified this Maria Vierekin a citizen of Munich, Anna Wildin, Ursula Huberia, of Weilheim, on 7 April.

[19] John N. a sixteen-year-old youth, of Weissenfeld, for three years mute, for three years mute in the village of Atting a little bell for speech using, long by collected alms lived, but when, the fame running about everywhere, much of S. Benno's miracles he had received, on 23 May this holy Bishop in sleep to him appeared: & it seemed, that he was warned, that to the aforesaid Divine one's patronage, with a Mass & wax offering by a vow himself he should commend. Awakened immediately certain words to utter he could: suddenly then so great an infirmity the youth for half & a whole day invaded, that very many his soul to be giving up believed. Soon however from this disease recovering, speech's use entirely he received. The matter, as it was done, testify Paul Kain, George Pägel, Wolfgang Sedelmayr, Matthew Keller, Simon Künder. On the day before the Kalends of June.

[20] Euphrosyna Zächlingerin, still a young girl, by dropsy to her extremity had been brought: dropsical, to D. Benno however by a vow commended, to health again restored was. Related the Noble & vigorous Lord Peter Casull etc. the girl's guardian, who for perpetual memory, the series of the deed on a painted tablet at D. Benno's altar to be hung up took care. On 7 June.

[21] a dying boy & foully swollen, Martin Häberel, an eight-year-old boy, of Aufkirchen, of Margaret Häberlin son, in the year 1602 about the Christmas feasts by a deadly disease seized, in his last extremity lay, a whole eight days of speech bereft: besides in his whole body like a bellows swelling, for two months without any hope of safety lay sick. Finally when his mother for her offspring to D. Benno a vow had uttered, that same still night the swelling subsided, & in the morning the boy safe & unharmed rose. Eyewitnesses were all the neighbors. On 29 June.

[22] an epileptic, Leonard Ehemon of Freising, by the falling disease seized, to D. Benno a Mass & wax offering by a vow uttered; & by that evil soon forever freed was. Witnesses he cited Wolfgang Zehentmayr, Wolfgang Ehemon, George Hinstermuller, Barbara Zehentmayrin, of Freising. On 4 July.

[23] a dying woman one Of the Noble & vigorous Lord Sebastian of Haunsperg etc. the wife, a whole month by a deadly disease entangled, by the physicians now given up was. For her safety a silver offering having promised the Noble & vigorous Lord Sebastian her husband, D. Benno invoked: who immediately recovered. On the day before the Kalends of August.

[24] Of John Feichtmayr of Aubing the daughter Anna, & another 22 years old, beyond a year gravely ailed, but in the last months so the disease grew strong, that not even on her feet to stand she could, & to death now near was believed. In this crisis of things to D. Benno a Mass with an offering she vowed, to which paying the vow, her the father to Munich in a chair to be carried took care. But not even then better to be she began, nay lest in the return home she should die, danger there was. On the third day however the infirmity her deserted, & strong & sound to render to her savior thanks to Munich came. The prodigy by their testimony confirm Wolfgang Leander the Parish-priest, Wolfgang Gaspar, Sebastian Schweickart, of Aubing.

[25] Of three-year-old John Baur of Dietenhof the son Thomas, by chance falling by accident upon a most sharp wood his left eye had pierced: an eye injured by a splinter: the point beyond a month in the infant's eye remained, not without great of a graver misfortune danger. As soon as D. Benno's help by a vow being made the parents implored; appeared the wood's point, that to be extracted with the pupil safe it could. Testify John Pihlmeyr of Dietenhof, & John Mayr of Lochkirchen. On 22 September.

[26] George Urban, a stonemason of Dingelfing, a shin twice broken from a fall, from the top of a building onto the underlying pavement fallen, his right shin twice had broken: from which gravely ailing for six weeks, much blood he discharged. By chance from an affection of commiseration a noble & most pious virgin the lying-sick man visited. She to him greatly persuaded, that S. Benno's help for recovering health he should implore. Obeyed forthwith the sick man & immediately better to be himself felt. But because his foot to move still he could not, double crutches using he walked; continuously a pilgrimage to Munich, which to D. Benno he had vowed, meditating. When then to make the journey himself unequal seeming, the matter long he had deferred, his foot up to the knee dead no longer any touch felt. He by this recent calamity terrified by repeated to D. Benno prayers, & his dead foot; pardon of his negligence asked: & as to feel again his foot began, to the way to Munich himself for the vow's sake committed, & within nine days on wooden leaning crutches thirteen miles measured. Entering therefore the temple of the B. Virgin, the chief altar to go around he prepared; when to him to mind came to try, whether to stand on his feet or to walk he could; & both crutches being moved into his right hand, the whole choir without any support he went around. Thanks then to his savior given, the wooden instruments, for memory of the matter, at his altar he left; & sound & strong home returned. On 26 September.

[27] an infirm shin, Of George Perckhoffer of Peissenberg the son, likewise George, a 17-year-old youth, for eleven weeks from his left shin lay sick, in vain the healers' labor to cure it applied: at last the parent to D. Benno for his son's health a Mass with a wax foot vowed: which being done, the wound coalescing, the youth recovered. This testify George, John Lander surgeons; George Leis, all of Peissenberg.

[28] Barbara Stolnreiterin, of Eichenhusum, a fifty-year-old, another contracted, for 15 years in her right shin laboring, on two crutches walked; keen, especially with the weather changing, pains endured, whence with the sinews drawn her foot shorter than the other came out. Wherefore she too a promised Mass, & wax offering, with D. Benno an end of her misery sought. Thence soon so much better to be she began that some little of the way to make without a crutch she could. But when her husband, to whom incredible it seemed after so many years his wife again to recover to be able, the vow for her to pay refused; anew the pain & torture grew strong: Finally against the will almost of her husband to Munich herself to be carried she took care; & there the vow paid sound entirely home she returned. Confirmed this by his testimony the Noble & vigorous Lord Ligsalzeti, who to the sick woman that vow persuaded, & George Niderreiter a citizen of Munich, Wolfgang Bauschneider of Eichenhusum. On 14 October.

[29] a foot gaping with 7 wounds: George Gern, of Mittbach, of Balthasar Gern the ten-year-old son, for a whole four years in his right foot with seven wounds gaping labored, from which a bone a finger's length from the flesh separated had been extracted. Wherefore long in vain sought among men a remedy, at last the father for his son to D. Benno by a vow of Mass interceded: who him within five days to health restored. Testify, Udalric a Surgeon, George Baur, Caspar Kirchlehter, of Mittbach. On 14 October.

In the year 1604.

[30] John Thal of Thalrinten for 30 weeks in his feet labored, & in each 12 wounds open & gaping he counted. Are cured feet with 12 wounds each; Various with vain effort medicaments applying, at last of human help he despaired. By chance on a certain day there came to him mind D. Benno, whom at Munich for prodigies renowned he had heard. Soon with the greatest of recovering health confidence, to be read in the Divine one's honor a Mass himself he would take care promised: after which, without any further medicine, the manifold ulcers coalesced. This affirm Cyriacus Wirth of Tegernsee, Caspar Thern, Matthew Camerer of Rothen. an unknown disease, On 16 February.

[31] Of John Widhopff of Ottendihel the son George, for 7 years from an unknown & incurable disease lay sick: but by a Mass & an offering to D. Benno commended, a little after health he received. Testified Lord Isaac Schuessl the Parish-priest, one-eyed, George Schnebel with the whole neighborhood. On 4 March.

[32] Virgil Hainzel for 15 years one-eyed was, after then a vow being made D. Benno at Munich with fervent prayers he invoked, about to return home, the eye in which he had been caught; to himself opened he felt. Witnesses he cited all the neighbors. a paining shin, On 3 May.

[33] John Stemele of Peissenberg, for two years the most bitter pains in his right shin sustained, so that very often he lay sick. At last when to D. Benno a pilgrimage to his altar at Munich, & certain prayers he had vowed, he recovered. Witnesses were Vitus Luzi George Bermele his neighbors. & an ulcerous shin, On 27 May.

[34] Of Wolfgang of Rhain the little daughter Catherine, a five-year-old, for two years great tortures in her left shin, from a gaping & open wound, sustained, that whole time neither to stand nor to walk able. In applying medicine to expense the father did not spare: but all things in vain were. As soon as for the girl's health, in honor of D. Benno, at Munich a Mass to be done he took care, within 14 days the harmful ulcer coalesced, & the little daughter health recovered. The matter by their testimony confirmed Christopher Masthel, John Kottenhauser neighbors. On 3 June.

[35] Elisabeth Landesin of Peissenberg, beyond seven years in her left arm with three ulcers open labored, & at length now the matter had been brought, likewise an arm to be cut off, that to be cut off the arm the Surgeons judged. She in this calamity D. Benno mindful, with great confidence herself to him a promised wax offering commended: who to her within a short time health & arm restored. Witnesses, besides her husband, she cited George Haugenbacher, an epileptic woman, & the whole neighborhood, on 9 June.

[36] Ursula, of Peter Zwaiger of Woxav the daughter, long by the Herculean disease seized was, almost every single day with that dread frenzy agitated. Her father much of S. Benno's miracles everywhere narrated hearing, & aching in her whole body, his help too for his daughter a vow being made implored: who soon from the disease freed was. Testified Peter Angerer the Parish-priest, Catherine Hilgethunin. On 14 June. The aforesaid Catherine Hilgethunin for a whole six years with great pains of body afflicted, a pilgrimage to D. Benno being uttered by a vow, recovered. debilitated by pustules,

[37] Of Wolfgang Sigel of Pruck the wife, Anna by name, the whole winter gravely ailed, with double, & those great pustules so infested, that with the disease daily increasing, even to stand on her feet, & to walk she could not. By chance on a certain night her husband D. Benno in a dream saw: & soon for his wife's health himself his altar at Munich to visit vowed. From which she immediately, without any human help, safe escaped. Of the matter witnesses were George the Surgeon of Eis-pach, Joachim Stuber likewise a Surgeon, a man with hernia, & Andrew Scharb. On 18 June.

[38] Blasius Teudspeck a citizen of Eisen, eight years pains & tortures huge from a hernia endured, a vow being uttered to D. Benno with prayers, gradually recovered. Witnesses he named John Meyrpocken, a dying man, Caspar Pfleger, citizens of Eisen. On 7 July.

[39] Balthasar Westenrieder of Egelfing, a whole month deadly lay sick, & the Eucharistic feast taken death in moments he expected; when to him his son, Fr. Kilian Westenrieder, Professed & Priest of Polling, the impressed in print D. Benno's miracles read aloud, from which immediately confidence in the aforesaid Saint being drawn, to him a wax offering he vowed. Four days after the other son, Ambrose Westenrieder, for his parent at Munich the vow paid: & home returned, sound & doing his work found him. a man suffering grave tortures, Witnesses the aforesaid sons. On the day as above.

[40] Of the said a little before Ambrose Westenrieder a four-year-old infant, the greatest pains from an unknown kind of disease sustained. But when the parent on the next Feast of Corpus Christi to Munich had come, under Mass B. Benno's patronage for his sick offspring implored: & home returned the infant at that very hour, in which for his health to D. Benno prayers he had poured, to have recovered he understood. Testified his Brother F. Kilian Westenrieder, Wolfgang Stromary, George Brunhulter. On the day as above.

[41] George Seiz, of Rauchenleschberg a soldier, now of Augsburg a garrison-soldier, in Hungary near Canischa, by a ball through the middle of his shin pierced, a shin pierced by a ball, for 7 weeks from the wound lay sick: & when all the healers' industry their labor had wasted, 24 besides holes in him the foot broke, which for a whole three years never coalesced. At last when of S. Benno much fame he had received, with fervent prayers, & vows for his safety to his altar a pilgrimage, the Divine one's help he invoked: & within a short time nothing besides scars in his foot harmful remained. Witnesses he cited Valentine Schmid, Henry Fux, Vitus Kesselbaur, Sebastian Sackerar Chaplain at S. Mauritius of Augsburg, on 11 August.

In the year 1605

[42] blood from a wound continually flowing, Adam Picker, a public Notary of the city of Speyer, by night in his right arm wounded, so with blood flowed, that him no one of the physicians to staunch could. Into the extreme therefore brought of life crisis, six weeks lay sick. For safety it was to remember D. Benno, of whose toward the sick prodigies much he had heard. Wherefore his help ardently invoked, that he would visit the Divine one's altar he vowed, if by his patronage he should recover: soon no having at all a wound to his former health he received. Related these things himself with hearing Lord George Endres, Lord John Kemethulter, Leonard Schmid of Ingolstadt, John Graser on 5 March. a dying boy,

[43] Of Catherine Strasserin of Mayburg the son Jacob, a five-year-old, suddenly into a deadly disease falling for a whole hour as dead was bewailed; & to him now a funeral linen, in which to be wrapped he was, they prepared. The father however, a singular bearing toward D. Benno confidence, him for the boy's safety with tears beseeched, a wax offering being promised with a Mass if in life he should remain: when behold for you the boy now under the linen cries out & revives. Witnesses cited the boy's mother all the neighbors, on 18 April.

[44] an eye injured by a gun, Regina Hucberin of Anzing, by accident by a hand-gun in her face wounded beyond a week the use of her right eye lacked: but after to D. Benno a wax offering she vowed, to see as before she began. On 7 May.

[45] caught in his feet, Of George Schmid of Pezkirchen the son John, a thirteen-year-old boy, beyond a year and a half in his feet so caught was, that to stand he could not. By the help however of D. Benno, to whom by a vow of Mass commended he had been, within 14 days he recovered. Testified the Brothers Jerome, & Rupert Engelschal of the Order of S. Augustine on the day as above.

[46] & eaten away by St. Anthony's fire, George Custor of Mainburg, by St. Anthony's fire even from boyhood in his left foot infested was, & often per year for two or four weeks from it lay sick, of food & drink by reason of the sensation of pain almost bereft. He fled therefore to D. Benno, & in his honor a Mass himself to be read he would take care promised, with an offering added. From that time the disease him deserted. Confirmed this by their testimony Michael Sachs, John Schwegler, & all the others of Mainburg, on the day before the Kalends of June.

[47] Of John Regel of Dendhusum the son Martin, beyond a year in his feet so caught was, that of their offices, another maimed, as if entirely dead, by him to be lacked it was. The father for his son's health to D. Benno's altar at Munich a Mass to be done took care: & when it finished home he returned, meeting met his neighbors, his son at home sound & to walk able announced. This although to believe scarcely he could, when home he came, true to be he found. Witnesses were George Gerel, George Schwaiger, John Epp, with the whole neighborhood.

[48] Ursula Rosmundin, a girl of Munich, a whole three years a crutch using from her left foot lay sick: the foot to be cut off. & because in the letting of blood a sinew had been broken, so gradually grew strong the force of the evil that to be cut off the foot the Physicians judged. Four times in her extremity on that account lay Ursula, always against death with the last viaticum fortified. At the last to her in mind D. Benno came; whose forthwith help, a promised in his honor Mass & offering, she sought. When therefore the aforesaid Mass she attended, & leaning on a crutch to the altar for the offering's sake to approach she wished, a certain crack in her sick foot she heard, & at that same moment herself sound to be perceived. Wherefore soon without a support to the altar approaching, thanks for so great a benefit given, the wooden instrument at her Savior's tomb she left. To see the prodigy as many as the Mass attended. On 10 June.

[49] Leonard Reichard of Waidkirchen a fifty-year-old, for three years blind was, & long from every part wretched lived. for three years blind, At last his wife Barbara, Divine Benno's miracles continually inculcating, urged, that himself to the Divine one, a Mass & vow being uttered, he should commend; which performed within four days his blindness he lost. Testified George Kräl, Wolfgang Mayr, of Waidkirchen. On 24 June.

[50] Barbara, of John Reismuller of Ascholding the wife, caught in her feet, a whole year in her feet caught was, neither to walk nor to stand on her soles able, with the greatest pains tortured. On the feast of the D. Forerunner, D. Benno's patronage for health, a solemn in his honor Office being promised, she implored. The vow paid, soon so much better she was, that to stand & to walk she could, but not without a crutch. At last at the Easter feasts, a repeated by an uttered Mass vow, gradually entirely she recovered. A witness she named the whole neighborhood. On 24 June.

[51] Simon Konig of Aibling beyond a month deadly lay sick. sick unto death, In this extreme danger of life there appeared to him in sleep D. Benno: to whom when, taking in his honor the sacred Communion, for his safety he had supplicated forthwith sound & safe he rose. Witnesses with him he brought N. Hoffbaur, Margaret Seiblin, Barbara & Margaret Lidlin, of Aibling, on 26 June.

[52] Erasmus Landrichter of Kelheim, a 16-year-old youth, a whole four years in his right hand an open, & with foul corruption flowing ulcer had; & having sought long in vain at Ingolstadt, Regensburg, Munich, to heal the wound, among various Surgeons & physicians, remedies, when all to be cut off the hand with one mouth judged; his mother, an uttered to D. Benno vow, of her son's right hand within three days health obtained. A witness the aforesaid mother named the Noble & vigorous Lord John Udalric of Stingelhaim etc. Prefect in Kelheim, & Rupert Landfridshaimer etc. On 28 June.

[53] Michael Holzhauser of Didiswang, about half a year ruptured, the hand to be cut off, a vow being made by his parents to D. Benno for his son, forthwith recovered. Besides the parent this testified, Michael Eberhard the Parish-priest, Frederick Zosmüller, John Reiser, of Didiswang.

[54] Catherine Pesmüllerin of Neuburg, beyond a year from a wound a useless arm had: a man with hernia, but having heard D. Benno's miracles, by her own instinct, a promised to his sacred Relics pilgrimage & offering, the pains being driven off a little after, her arm's use recovered. The matter by testimony confirmed Sebastian Forster, & his wife. On 28 August.

[55] John Frederick Osterhaimer of Trier, a surgeon, 22 years old, from a certain draught given to him first in his head, from sorcery paralytic, soon in his whole body an ailment & weakness of strength contracted; so that on his feet to go not able, by carts & wagons from one place to another to be carried he had to. At last even to Munich carried with the greatest hope of receiving health, to D. Benno (of whom at Regensburg first he had heard) himself by a vow bound, six times himself at the Divine one's altar a Mass he would attend. Which vow that he might pay, with the greatest difficulty, in great part by creeping, at last into the temple of the B. Virgin he came, & there at D. Benno's altar a Mass hearing, three times to the offering on a staff leaning he proceeded. Which being done a certain crack in his feet to be made he perceived. Congratulating therefore himself a happy omen, & to rise striving, himself to have recovered entirely he felt. On 29 September.

[56] dropsical, Eva Knopflerin, of Schrobenhausen, 30 years old, for 16 years from dropsy lay sick: of given-up by all health held, after to D. Benno a pilgrimage to his altar she vowed, gradually subsided the swelling, & the dropsy vanished. Witnesses of the matter were John Schuster, George Haskosser. On 20 September.

In the year 1606.

[57] a frenzied man, Augustine Cammerer of Landshut, years old one above twenty, the preceding year at Pfaffenhofen, by night about the ninth hour, so by sudden frenzy seized was, that not knowing by reason of the fury what he was doing, to Dingelfing he ran out, & there like a madman for some time in bonds detained, afterward to Landshut led back was, & with other frenzied people in a workhouse shut up. On a certain day there visited him Rev. Lord Andrew Kreidenhuber Parish-priest at the Holy Spirit; & persuaded, that for averting this his calamity, D. Benno's patronage he should implore. Obeyed forthwith the wretched man, & a pilgrimage himself to Munich to the Divine one's altar with an offering promised. Which being done subsided forthwith the frenzy, & Augustine from the workhouse was sent out; with a chain however bound in the hospital two weeks, until more entirely he was dismissed. Of the matter witnesses were Wolfgang Lachner, George Mittermayr, of Landshut. On 10 May.

[58] Of Christian Hayn of Dillingen the son John Wolfgang, a man with hernia, for two years now ruptured was. Anxious about his offspring's health the father, for him a sacred Communion & a journey to D. Benno's altar vowed, with a Mass in his honor to be read. After the father, this vow paid, from Munich home returned; the infant from every part sound he found, & the matter to Leonard Harrer, who the Mass read, by letters transcribed, which still are extant. Moreover witnesses he named, Michael Haffner a Surgeon, Giles Fischer, citizens of Dillingen. On 18 May.

[59] The Very Rev. Master Balthasar Diedel, Parish-priest in Beurstatt, formerly from sorcery ulcerous, when sick lying a medicated draught he had taken, the pain & all the torture into his left foot descended, which soon by a great ulcer burst for 15 years the ailing man to his bed fixed: of human help, to cure the wound, nothing was omitted: but all things vain were: Wherefore the aforesaid Lord Parish-priest to D. Benno fleeing, that he would read in his honor at his altar a Mass, if to health he should be restored, promised. This vow being uttered, without any medicine, soon recovered. A witness was the whole neighborhood. On the Kalends of June.

[60] Apollonia Weiglin, of John Weigel of Oberzeitebbach the daughter, injured in her eye, a 17-year-old girl, on the Carnival days through the street passing, upon a masked man ran; who her with charcoal about to blacken, so her left eye struck, that for a whole half-year by it she was endangered. For, besides that the pupil glaucoma veiled, so great from it tortures she endured that almost she went mad: at last when to drive away a cataract by the spell of some chiromancer, not knowing that this was forbidden by the Church, and then, blinded by the enchantment, she had allowed herself to be bewitched, and lost the other eye as well, becoming now altogether blind; her hands too swelling up like a bellows. After this, mother and daughter, turning to the patronage of St. Benno, vowed that they would visit his altar with an offered votive gift: shortly afterward the daughter recovered her sight. As witnesses she cited the whole neighborhood. August 25.

[61] a paralytic, Wolfgang Baur, of Wahingen, paralyzed for forty weeks, lay mortally ill. But when the noble and vigorous Lord Diepold of Burgau had recounted to him many things about the miracles of St. Benno, and had persuaded him to have a Mass celebrated in honor of the Saint, he gradually recovered so far that he was able to go to Munich to discharge his vow. As witnesses he named Georg Wimer and Johann Mandaler, citizens of Pfarrkirchen. September 7.

[62] Anna Burckmayr, a widow of Morenweis, twenty-nine years old, grievously tortured throughout her whole body by enchantment, had four years earlier been bewitched out of envy by a certain wandering charlatan, and felt at first the most bitter pains in her head, then, as the evil spread more widely, throughout her whole body. For two whole years the torments always increased, so that the wretched woman could find no rest by day or night. Therefore, having been admitted at Munich into a poorhouse, medicines of every kind were applied. Yet all were in vain. and, from one At length she came to such a state of misery that she could not walk without support. After six months, therefore, dismissed by the physicians and surgeons as incurable, she lived for eight months with a certain pious married couple, in the greatest torments, without any medicine: at last she was again advanced by the physician Dr. Adam Faber into the Hospital of St. Elizabeth. There, although the physicians and surgeons employed every effort in treating her, they wasted all their labor. dismissed as incurable to one or another hospital, On which account she was also dismissed by these as hopeless after four months, with pious admonitions that, being beyond human healing, she should take refuge in the patronage of St. Benno, having promised a Mass and Communion in his honor. The sick woman at once seized upon this salutary advice: and when she had already passed several months in the hospice, always lying down or sitting, spending her time amid the greatest hardships in tears and prayers, she longed with the utmost desire to receive the sacred Communion at St. Benno's altar (which she had vowed). Hence on the morning of October 25, while according to her vow she hears Mass and communicates, her soul cleansed by a careful confession, she had herself carried to St. Benno's altar; and there she was present at Mass fully in possession of herself, and when this was finished, as the second Mass, which she had ordered to be celebrated for herself, began, her spirit suddenly so failed her, and so great a dizziness seized her head, that she did not know what she was doing or where she was; although the outward appearance of her body remained so steady that all present testified that she had persevered in prayer, and had received the Eucharistic God with open and eager mouth. But as soon as she received the sacred Communion, coming to herself she rose; and removed the chair on which she had been sitting. Then, when those who had carried her into the church ran up to place the sick woman again in her chair, she forbade it; and said that she could now walk. Soon falling on her knees, and again and again rising, she is restored to herself, still tottering in her gait like a drunken person, she asked why the divine repast was not being administered to her. And when they assured her that she had already received it, completely restored to herself, having given thanks for so singular a benefit of the Divine mercy and to her Healer, she returned home sound and unharmed in mind and body. She herself related all this under oath; with the physicians of both hospitals in which she had been as witnesses: besides which many mortals of both sexes were present at the event. In the year 1607

[63] are healed, a delirious man, The noble and vigorous Lord Johann Georg of Seibelstorff, etc., having lain ill for three quarters of a year, became delirious: but after the noble and vigorous Lady Anna Euphrosyna of Seibelstorff, wife of the aforesaid vigorous Lord, vowed three Masses with a votive offering to St. Benno, he recovered. His two virgin daughters discharged the vow on behalf of their father, who confirmed these things by their testimony.

[64] a woman incurably ill, Johanna Feselmayr of Ingolstadt was for a whole month so violently ill that, from the sensation of pain, she could not turn herself onto either side in bed. She used very many medicines to drive away the disease, but all were in vain: at last, mindful of St. Benno, when she was already believed to be at the point of death, she promised a Mass to be read in his honor, with Communion and a gift: and that very same day, the disease being removed, she ceased to be bedridden. As witness she names the whole household, and Maria Walter together with the neighbors. April 24.

[65] Ursula Hulber of Stein, a girl of sixteen years, an ulcerated foot, suffered for a year and three months in her right foot from open and harmful ulcers: and although, treatment being applied, she was rid of one or another sore, soon nevertheless they sprouted again; and the evil grew so strong that the girl for three months could not stand on her feet, all affirming that the leg must be amputated. But when, through a vow, the patronage of St. Benno was invoked by her mother, the girl herself, soon restored to health, discharged the vow. The witnesses of the matter were Johann N., a surgeon, Christoph Hackner, and other neighbors. May 4.

[66] an immovable shoulder, Wolfgang Mayr, of Mangelheim, who for two years could not move his right shoulder, recovered when a vow was made to St. Benno. As witnesses he named all the neighbors. May 22.

[67] an apoplectic, Stephan Aumayr of Nozing lay ill for a whole half-year, and, as though struck by apoplexy, could not move himself, and was even deprived of speech for fourteen days, indeed, being brought to the extremity, he could not receive the sacred Communion. At last, commended by a vow to St. Benno, who had appeared to him in his sleep, he at once came out safe. Johann Otto the parish priest, and Michael Aumayr testified, on the day as above.

[68] Michael Sax of Alcimmon, when together with others he was shooting arrows at a target during the Easter holidays, a girl injured by a dart fixed in her forehead, suddenly, as he looked back, the bowstring, which he had already drawn, unexpectedly loosed the fitted arrow into the forehead of a girl who happened to be watching the game; and the dart had penetrated so deeply that it could scarcely be drawn out with all his force. In this unexpected mishap, with the greatest anxiety of mind, lest anything worse should befall the girl, he passed the day shunning notice like a fugitive. At last, recalling St. Benno, he ardently invoked his patronage for the girl's safety, with a vow of a Mass and Communion. This done, the girl recovered within that same week. As witnesses he cited Sebastian Schliessel, Thomas Brach, Johann Nicolaus N. May 25.

[69] Anna Mayr of Savel was gradually deprived entirely of her sight. blind, But when she had ardently implored the help of St. Benno (who had appeared to her in her sleep), for the averting of her blindness, with a pilgrimage promised to his altar and a Mass; she recovered the light to her eyes, as soon as she discharged the vow in the church of the Blessed Virgin. By their testimony Leonard Bueller and Johann Knobel, neighbors, affirmed this. June 30.

[70] Anna, daughter of Johann Zollner of Haimhusen, a girl of fifteen years, an epileptic, suffered for a whole year from the falling sickness: at the very first, the dreadful evil had so seized her in the church of Kohenberg during divine service, that she seemed about to depart from life at once, and the preacher himself, leaving the pulpit, ran up to assist the dying girl. The father, in this misery of his offspring, vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a journey to his altar for her health: thereupon the disease entirely left the girl. As witness he names Michael N. the parish priest, and Johann Hoëkel and others. October 2. In the year 1608.

[71] a paralytic, The most illustrious and most noble Lord Jacob Andreas of Prandis, free Baron in Leonburg and Vorsi, etc., in one of the preceding years, was suddenly seized in his whole body, on account of an imbalance of the humors, with so great an illness that for several days he lay motionless like a paralytic. But after he had made a vow to St. Benno for his health, he was again restored to health. Then in the year 1606, when the same most illustrious Lord suffered most grievously and long in the head, pain in the head, and the industry of the physicians in warding off the disease was fruitless; taking refuge in the patronage of St. Benno with a renewed vow, which he himself, being present, discharged, he recovered. But the powerful hand of St. Benno, which the most illustrious Lord had now twice experienced as his preserver, was not wanting to his most illustrious wife either. In the year 1607, on August 26, she had had a delivery that was indeed happy, but so difficult that it was necessary to wash the scarcely-born infant hastily in the sacred font. in danger from childbirth, A little after, the new mother was brought by a grave illness almost to the extremity; and, since all feared lest anything human should befall her, she had now to be fortified with the sacred Viaticum. The aforesaid most illustrious Lord, seeking the asylum of St. Benno known to him, promised him a gift by vow for the safety of his most dear wife. The Saint heard him even in this calamity, and bade her be well. After these things, the infant herself too, Anna Christina, a dying little infant, once while her mother was scarcely recovering, fell into a dangerous illness, which so afflicted her in a short time that she was already held by all for dead, no further sign of vital breath being perceived. The anxious lordly father commended his offspring to St. Benno with a vow made, and soon recovered her health; but when afterward he was somewhat doubtful whether he should make public this cause of his vow, or, suppressing it, satisfy the Saint his preserver within the domestic walls by private piety; he took the second course. Thereupon the infant was at once seized again by the former illness, and was given up for lost by all. In this danger of losing his offspring, the lordly father immediately renewed his intention: and with a renewed vow he promised that, for the greater glory of St. Benno, he would make manifest by open letters and by his own signature the prodigy that had occurred before in his offspring. and again; This done, at once her vigor returned to the infant, and the best health. There exists concerning these wondrous benefits of St. Benno the handwriting of the illustrious Lord de Prandis himself, by which he confirmed all these things by his own testimony. Moreover, present at the event were the most noble Joanna Jacoba, born of Lamberg, full sister of the aforesaid illustrious new mother: Elizabeth Scheler of Herdorem, born of Prandis, and others. February 6.

[72] Caspar Pissenger of Altmos, ruptured for three years, endured such great torments a man with a rupture that he despaired of further life. But after he made a vow to St. Benno, at once entirely sound, he felt no more pains. Leonard Fell and Leonard Riëgen, with the whole neighborhood, testified. March 21.

[73] Margareta Schmid, in Aurolzminster, suffered for fourteen days the greatest pains from an open ulcer of her right foot, an ulcerous foot, in vain were medicines applied to heal the sore. At last, when she had heard many things about the miracles of St. Benno, having made a vow of certain prayers to be discharged for her whole life, with a votive offering, she recovered on the spot. As witnesses she cited Leonard Fregschlag the surgeon, Christoph Brunpeck, Johann Diespeck. April 29.

[74] The little son of Wolfgang Lechner of Veldmaching was so seized by a foul ringworm that the violence of this disease ate away the top of his head. the crown of the head eaten away, His parents, anxious for the safety of their offspring, commended her to St. Benno, with a Mass to be read in his honor and a votive offering promised. He, ratifying their vows, at once restored health to the little son. The matter was confirmed by their testimony by Johann Scharp, Wolfgang Psiemel. April 30.

[75] Margareta Stanhl of Freising was infected with foul ulcers for a full two years: foul ulcers, by a vow made to St. Benno in his honor by her parents, she recovered her former health. The witnesses were Wolfgang Angerer, Simon Baur. May 9.

[76] Anna Marckl of Polling was seized by the falling sickness for more than fourteen years, epilepsy, [but] as soon as she vowed three Masses to be read to St. Benno, she ceased to be assailed by that evil. As witness she named the whole neighborhood. On the day as above.

[77] eaten-away pupils are restored. A four-month-old infant, three days after holy baptism, when it was being washed by its grandmother, had suddenly lost its sight, and when its eyes were opened, suddenly no pupil appeared, foul pus oozing in their place. This matter, because it astonished many as unusual, brought the grandmother under suspicion of having harmed the infant: who, fearing for her reputation, at once took refuge with St. Benno: and, a Mass having been promised in his honor, recovered for the infant its pupils, and light for the pupils. There testified, together with the grandmother herself, Georg Zeizel, Georg Clas, all of Esting. May 11.

[78] Simon Baur of Iedensing, when he was plowing on a certain hill, is saved, having been dragged to death by horses, was dragged and snatched by horses driven into a frenzy across an immense space of field, most grievously mangled with wounds in his head and his whole body. At last, carried home by neighbors who restrained the horses, for three whole days, unable to speak, he lay within the borders of death: but when the sick man's friends made a vow to St. Benno for his safety, in a short time, the use of his tongue restored, he entirely recovered. There spoke under oath together with him Wolfgang Angerer, Leonard Ziegelmüller. May 13.

[79] and a man covered with ulcers from drinking poison, Wolfgang Angerer of Iedensing, when he swallowed some poisoned thing or other, developed huge pustules, which afterward broke out into ulcerous openings to the number of forty, foul and harmful pus flowing continuously, [and] for sixteen weeks the immense torments that arose therefrom, never relieved, held him. At last, when human healing had been despaired of for the sick man, St. Benno appeared by night; urging that, if he wished to be well, he should make a vow to him, and set out to Munich to his altar together with his wife. He obeyed gladly, and with his wife discharged the vow according to the Saint's prescription, from which health immediately returned to the sick man. There testified Simon Baur, Magnus Fregenckher, neighbors.

[80] Andreas, the seventeen-year-old son of Nicolaus Unhach of Argau, an epileptic from hail, overwhelmed by hail in the Alps, became so stiff that he thereupon contracted a grave disease similar to the falling sickness, often for a whole hour's space being held for dead: a Mass having been promised in honor of St. Benno for his safety, he recovered on the spot. Besides his father, the witnesses were Laurentius Hueter, Paulus Rapp, neighbors. May 26.

[81] The four-year-old little son of Adam Fertel, Johann, by some accident dashed backward to the ground on his back, a dead man is raised, for two hours was lamented as dead. But after the mother vowed to St. Benno the funeral cloth already prepared, with a wax candle, the boy began to move himself again and to live. The witnesses were Lord Leonard Armüller the parish priest and all the neighbors. May 22.

[82] Georg, the little son of Johann Köbel of Hellenstein, are healed, a boy going blind, going blind in his right eye from a cataract, by a Mass promised by his parents' vow in honor of St. Benno with a wax votive offering; and by a setting-out to his altar, recovered his sight completely. The matter was confirmed by testimony by the parish priest of that place, and by Stephan Magerer, on the day as above.

[83] three paralytics, The wife of Johann Kirchpainer of Lauchov, and two sons, paralytic for a whole two years, were for a whole month without any motion of their bodies. After the father vowed a Mass to be read in honor of St. Benno, soon all recovered. There testified Sixtus, and Caspar Stindel of Lauchov. May 30.

[84] Christina, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Elisabeth Hellinger of Stürzheim, was paralytic for eleven years from birth, entirely deprived of the use of her feet, [and] when the mother had long sought from God by prayers whence she might recover health for her offspring, St. Benno appeared toward night. a girl crippled in the feet, She at once made a vow to this Saint, and in the morning the daughter rose entirely sound: who at once together with her mother sought Munich, to satisfy her Healer. The witnesses present were Johann Neumayr, Johann Hulbar, neighbors. June 14.

[85] and one boy, The little son of Walburga Gewolf of Straubing for a whole two years could not stand on his left foot, but, commended to St. Benno by his mother with a silver votive offering, soon recovered the use of his foot. The matter was affirmed by their testimony by Georg Wienner, Johann Abensperger. June 18.

[86] Georg, the little son of Richildis Sechover of Geisenfeld, and another, seized for a full two years by disease, was also for some while crippled in his feet. The mother, having sought medicines among men in vain, took refuge with St. Benno by a vow for the health of her offspring, [who] freed her from both evils. June 27.

[87] a man crushed by a fall, Georg Mayr of Hergezwys, in the previous year fell from a cherry tree onto his head and arms to the ground, and was endangered in his life: since this fall had so afflicted his body that for the space of three weeks he could not bring his hand to his mouth. But when he made a vow to St. Benno with a votive offering, a little after he recovered his former health. He confirmed the truth of the matter, with Caspar Landtman and Michael Gayl as witnesses. July 4.

[88] a woman sick for four years, The offspring of Margareta Pauman of Adelzhusen, ill for a whole five years, was restored to health by the help of St. Benno, which the mother had most ardently invoked with a vow made. Besides the mother, Michael Leder and all the neighbors testified to the matter. July 5.

[90] A great wart had long infested the face of Anna Gramon of Pfaffenhofen near the eye, with great danger a dangerous wart, lest from it harmful humors should descend into the eye. After a votive offering was vowed to St. Benno, the wart, in no way curable before by any medicine, departed in a moment, no trace of itself left behind. The witnesses were Adam Gram, Johann Reinhardt of Pfaffenhofen. October 16. In the year 1609.

[91] In the month of December of the previous year a pestilential plague had so seized a certain house, in the village the plague is extinguished throughout a whole village, of Maisach, that in a short time it carried off nine mortals. The neighbors, fearing lest the contagion should spread more widely, by common consent vowed a pilgrimage to St. Benno's altar at Munich, together with their parish priest: this done, in a moment the pestilence halted within its bounds; fearing even to attack a girl of sixteen years, an inhabitant of the contagious house.

[92] are healed, a foot crushed by a horse, Four years before, a horse had crushed the right foot of Regina Stalmaister with its driven hoof: who, when she perceived that the cure of her wound was making little progress, made a vow to St. Benno for the recovery of her health, and soon, the foot being doomed to be lost, she recovered. The witness was the noble Ursula Pfal of Haselbach, with others worthy of trust. June 15.

[93] a little girl deprived of walking, Anna, the daughter of Apollonia Demhauser of Ingolstadt, seven years and a half old, for five years could neither walk nor stand on her feet. The mother commended the safety of her offspring to St. Benno with a vow made, and within three days recovered for her the use of her feet. The mother confirmed the matter by the testimony of men worthy of trust. June 21.

[94] a man with a rupture, Martin, the six-year-old little son of Georg Mayr, a citizen of Munich and a musician at St. Michael's, had been ruptured from his earliest infancy, very many remedies having been applied in vain to drive away the evil. At last the father, suppliant, promised to St. Benno a Mass to be read in his honor for his offspring, from which the boy at once began to be better, and to recover entirely. As witnesses the father named Christoph Chumpft, and all the neighbors. June 22.

[95] Three years before, suddenly one foot of Apollonia Obermayr so swelled, a foot deadened, and grew callous, that, as if it were dead, she ceased to feel with it. And although nothing of human aid was lacking to the sick woman, yet all came to nothing; since not a few even feared that the foot must be amputated. In this manner despaired of by almost all, with a Mass to be read promised to St. Benno, within three days she recovered the health of her foot. Men worthy of trust affirmed the matter as true. July 11.

[96] Catharina Luz, born at Perwa, a girl of sixteen years, badly afflicted in the feet, sustained for a whole three years the most bitter pains in her feet, no remedy being found among men to soften the torments. In which calamity the girl's mother Ursula vowed a votive offering to St. Benno for her daughter, from which the sick girl was gradually freed from the disease. Eyewitnesses were all the neighbors. Moreover, Johann Gallus and Andreas Hulber heard the matter related as it occurred. July 16.

[97] a man with a rupture, Anna, the daughter of Johann Gerbel of Ehingen, living at Vienna in Austria, had borne a ruptured infant, whom, when the mother commended him to St. Benno with a Mass promised, she soon perceived to be sound. Johann Gerbel himself, the new mother's father, said this under oath. On the Kalends of August August 1.

[98] Johann Schon, of Underknoring, two years before seized by the falling sickness, an epileptic, was assailed five times at various times and places, in a horrible and unheard-of manner, by this most atrocious evil. In so great a calamity, when he had despaired of human aid, he took refuge with the heavenly ones: to which end he bequeathed for votive offerings five glass lanterns in various churches, among which a most beautiful and excellent one to St. Benno. Thereupon, when, though the disease had long ceased, he still doubted of the constancy of his health, he earnestly besought the Divine mercy by prayers, that it might render it stable and perpetual for him. Wherefore, eight days before the feast of St. Michael, a wondrous and angelic form appeared to him toward night, advising that, if he heartily desired a firm stability for his health, he should set out to Munich to St. Benno. Awakened from sleep, he soon related this vision to others, and took the road toward Munich for the sake of his vow, which he also discharged there by receiving the sacred Communion, with no doubtful hope that his health, which from a year before had ceased to be assailed by the falling sickness, would remain assured. As witness he named the whole neighborhood. September 10.

[99] Martin Hörl of Ried suffered for a whole half-year incredible torments in his right foot below the knee. suffering in the foot, And although he allowed nothing of medicines to be lacking to him, yet all were in vain. Toward night St. Benno came into his mind; to whom at once he vowed a setting-out to his altar at Munich with a votive offering, and within the space of ten days he recovered. The whole neighborhood testified. November 15. In the year 1610.

[100] Ursula N., the kinswoman of Georg Storck of Zeiselmaur (which place is in Austria not far from Vienna), given up for lost by all, a dying woman, lay for three days at the extremity, to be revived only by liquid let in through an oaten straw. The aforesaid Georg Storck, mindful of St. Benno, promised for the bedridden woman a Mass to be read in his honor: and she, that very same night, was restored to health. As witness this Georg Storck, here present, named the whole neighborhood. May 8.

[101] a paralytic on one side, Elisabeth Mausel, of Winning, for a full six years on the left side of her body, from her foot all the way to her shoulder, the most bitter torments, with medicines applied to no purpose, she exhausted, the pain stopping neither by day nor by night. At last St. Benno, whose aid she had implored with a Mass promised, restored health to her. May 13.

[102] Sabina Hulber of Abperck, on April 18, had left her infant, not yet a year old, alone in the cradle, a boy about to be choked by a fragment of glass, when another child of three had put into his hands a sharp little shard of a mirror, which, at once put into his mouth, he swallowed, and held it for about half an hour in his throat. From which the infant, his breath almost cut off, soon seemed about to be suffocated. The mother, suddenly terrified by the evil, called for the help of her neighbor Ursula Trinckgelt. With whom soon hurrying up, she invoked the help of St. Benno, a Mass promised by vow. This done, the infant at once cast the glass out of his mouth, and remained sound. May 21.

[103] Georg Mader, a surgeon of Mülhusen, was so seized by apoplexy during the Christmas holidays that, as often as this evil afflicted him, around midday he was without speech, indeed sometimes he passed almost two days and two nights unable to speak. After this, suppliant to St. Benno for his health, he vowed that he would visit his altar. The Saint rendered him so firm and so sound, the deadly disease driven off, that within ten hours he ran twelve miles to Munich for the sake of his vow. As witnesses he employed Johann Mayr and Georg Hulber. May 30.

[104] a man bent over from pains, Georg Turing of Vochburg, for a full two years, sustained great torments in his back, loins, and right foot, so that, like a hunchback, he had to walk with his body bent over: human healing therefore being despaired of, he commended his health to St. Benno with a wax votive offering, and soon felt himself sound, having become bound by his vow. As witnesses he named all the neighbors. On the day as above.

[105] Georg Purckel for a whole two years suffered with the greatest pains in one arm, weak in the arm, the effort of the healers being futile. On a certain day St. Benno appeared to him, to whom he soon vowed a Mass to be read with a wax votive offering, and shortly recovered the use of his arm. There testified Georg and Johann Turinger, brothers. The day before the Kalends of June May 31.

[106] a man seized by erysipelas, Ludovicus, son of Agatha Moz, a citizen of Munich, a youth of eighteen years, for a whole six years was seized by erysipelas, tormented with the greatest pains; and his hands swelling up like a bellows. For his health the mother, two years before, by a vow made, interceded with St. Benno, and soon obtained for him what she had asked. June 7.

[107] pain in the head, Apollonia Hazelpastet of Vilbach, for a whole year endured the greatest pains of the head: but, a votive offering being promised to St. Benno, she recovered. As witnesses she cited Manhard Ziegler, Apollonia Budlhofer. June 10.

[108] a man crushed by a horse, Georg Schweller of Friburg, two years before, on the holy day of St. Magdalen, crushed by a horse that had collapsed to the ground, lay for about half an hour under this weight, his life endangered. In this mishap, mindful of St. Benno, he vowed a pilgrimage to his altar with a gift, and soon, freed from the horse unharmed, he rose. The witnesses were Christoph Strohulbar, Bartholomäus Schonberger, of Strafwalen in the Diocese of Salzburg. June 11.

[9] an epileptic, Bartholomäus Schonberger of Straswalen, from the Diocese of Salzburg, for a full four years suffered from a disease not much unlike the falling sickness: who he too, finding no remedy for the evil among men, recovered his health by the help of St. Benno, to whom he had vowed a pilgrimage to his altar. There testified Christoph Strohulber of Straswalen, and Georg Schweller of Friburg. On the day as above.

[110] Elisabeth Stokl of Munich long suffered in one breast, a putrefying breast, and the physician, judging it to be gangrene, bade her despair of recovering health. But she, impatient of the pains, by vow vowed a wax votive offering to St. Benno: this done, the harmful ulcer, having burst, vomited forth together with the pus all the pains, and restored health to the sick woman. Heard her relating these things about herself, the Reverend Lord Georg Stalhalber, chaplain in Haudhausen, Johann Grasser, Johann Gallus N. June 15.

[111] a man afflicted by a fall, Stephan Dischinger, a carpenter of Augia, while he was doing his work, having fallen from a height, so dashed his body to the ground, that the physicians and surgeons asserted that it was all over with his life. His wife, turning to St. Benno on behalf of her husband, vowed a Mass to be read in his honor, and within a short time recovered health for him. As witnesses of the matter she named Lord Johann Stalhulber, who read the Mass, Franz Praitenaicher, Sebastian Hofman. August 22.

[112] Johann, the little son of Anna Reuter of Pulav, two suffering in the eye, for about half a year suffered in one eye with the greatest risk of blindness, and by day and night for eight days, from the sharpness of the pain, passed his time in mournful wailing. But after the parents made a vow to St. Benno for their offspring, the evil shortly after vanished. There testified Leonard Denkäcke, Johann Forster, neighbors, on the day as above.

[113] Wolfgang Schober of Hohenwart, for a full two years suffered with the greatest pain in his eyes: when he vowed a vow to St. Benno, he was freed from all torment. August 28.

[114] one eaten away by erysipelas, Otilia Horl of Oezenhusen, two years before, had been seized by erysipelas, and had contracted large pustules in her face, which created in her such sharp pains that she could not take rest for a whole eight days. She often had in mind to open the pustules, but was always prevented by her household, who feared lest she lose her sight altogether. In such bitter torments, the heavenly aid frequently called upon, St. Benno appeared to the sick woman; bidding that she should have a Mass celebrated for herself at Munich at his altar, and that she should beg the means for it in the manner of a mendicant. At this vision it seemed to the glad woman that it would be a greater service to God if she discharged the vow by her own liberality and her own money. To her, with willing mind, the divine Benno was again present, in the appearance of one warning that she should not spurn his counsel: which, soon eagerly seized, within a few days both the pain and the pustules vanished.

[115] Barbara, the twelve-year-old daughter of the aforesaid Otilia, long carried about a scabby head, and her scabby daughter, most people supposing it to be infected with scurf: the mother took refuge again with the mercy of St. Benno, and for her offspring vowed a wax votive offering. He, soon ratifying her prayers, within eight days cleansed the daughter of all scab: both vows the mother discharged on September 11. The neighbors all would give testimonies of the event, if it were required.

[116] crippled in the feet, Elisabeth, the little daughter of Caspar Weinhart of Staingriss, for a whole three years crippled in her feet, was accustomed only to creep with hands and knees from one place to another. By her parents, a Mass with a votive offering being vowed in honor of St. Benno, she was better from day to day, until at last she could walk entirely on her feet. As witnesses the father cited Georg Weinhart, and Michael Widman. September 13.

[117] a dying woman. Anna, the eighteen-year-old daughter of Maria Kolb, of Niderhoff, long lay grievously ill, for twenty-four hours unable to speak. The parents, terrified by this calamity, on behalf of their offspring, vowed to St. Benno a Mass to be read, with a votive offering and a gift. Thereupon, the disease being gradually softened, the daughter recovered both speech and health. This vow, with a pilgrimage, the mother and daughter carried out together with Caspar Winen, a surgeon. September 25.

[118] Anna Wumer of Landshut, a widow, six years before, having collapsed to the ground by a grave fall, injured in the arm, had injured her right arm, in which she soon felt immense pains; which so gradually grew strong that for a full four years she could not place her right hand on her head. In this calamity, not a few neighbors, pitying her, were the prompters that she should vow a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno for the health of her arm: when the sick woman obeyed them, all torment shortly ceasing, she recovered the use of her right hand. As witness she named the whole city of Landshut. September 27.

[119] three boys sunk in the waters are saved, On October 11, Christoph Scharbel of Feldgeding gave thanks to St. Benno at Munich for the following benefit. When the aforesaid Christoph Scharbel, with a hay wagon, on which he had placed three children—one a seven-year-old named Michael, another a nine-year-old, Sebastian, and a thirteen-year-old girl, Barbara—was making for home; he had to cross a river by a ford with the wagon, the bridge being collapsed at that time. While he is carried through the waves, a sudden whirlwind that arose overturned the wagon, and sank all the children in the river, whom, swimming under the waters for about three hundred paces, repeatedly raising their heads—except the daughter, whom he already thought to have perished—the father, having caught sight of them, went ahead to the other ford, to draw them out as they were carried there. Meanwhile, mindful of St. Benno, he made a vow to him for the life of the children. When this was done, he saw from afar his youngest son Michael, having seized a clod of turf, rolling himself out of the water, and at the same time drawing his brother and sister out of the channel: all of whom, by the doubtless help of St. Benno, came out safely onto dry land. There testified Sebastian Scelmayr, Martin Marckel.

[120] are healed, a knee swollen from a fall, For Catharina Zeterpeur of Wasserburg, an eighteen-year-old girl, dashed to the ground by some accident, the knee swelled to the size of a head. Having thereupon suffered great pains, she wearied the art of the healers in vain; when all, at last despairing of a cure, asserted that the foot must be amputated, the sick girl, for six weeks unable to stand on her feet, besides this was suffering the most bitter torments throughout her whole body: wherefore she took refuge with St. Benno, having been given up for lost by men, and promised a Mass to be read in his honor with a gift. Thereupon, the pains being gradually softened, and the swelling subsiding, she recovered: she discharged her vow together with her mother. October 18.

[121] The son of Johann Stubenbeck, a citizen of Munich, hands and feet swollen, twenty-seven years old, for a whole two years had his hands and feet so swollen that he could not move a single joint in them. In so long-lasting a disease, the mother on a certain day, for the health of her son, vowed that she would have a Mass read in honor of St. Benno, and would receive the sacred Communion. After this vow, at once the swelling diminished, and gradually vanished. The young man's parents satisfied the Healer, Caspar Gabler, Johann Rumpel, citizens of Munich. October 22.

[122] Wolfgang Zehetmayer of Dagelsing, an octogenarian, for twelve years afflicted with the greatest pains of his whole body, pain of the whole body, after he vowed a solemn office to be sung to St. Benno, was freed from all torment. As witnesses he cited the Very Reverend Lord M. Mayr, parish priest in Vering, who sang the office, Bernard Megerel the cantor, Abraham Wisreütter the organist. November 18. In the year 1611.

[123] scabby hands, Michael Reumayr of Zezeckhoff, for thirteen years had a scabby hand, no medicine being found among the surgeons to drive away the evil. When the same plague had also attacked the other hand, fearing lest something worse should follow from this, he had a Mass read in honor of St. Benno. When this was done, he shortly recovered a clean hand. Heard him relate these things, Jacob Mang, beneficiary at the Blessed Virgin's, Georg Weyer, sub-sacristan at St. Benno's. February 10.

[124] one woman with arthritis, Anna, the nineteen-year-old daughter of Johann Lochner of Geissenbrunn, for eight years suffered from a joint disease. For her health the father vowed to St. Benno a wax votive offering, and an annual pilgrimage to his altar as long as he should live: thereupon, soon being better, the daughter recovered in her whole body. The witnesses were Johann Neumayr, and Johann [N.]. The day before the Kalends of April March 31.

[125] and another, Ursula Rhörl, three years before seized by a joint disease, for ten weeks could not walk on her feet. St. Benno appeared to the woman thus afflicted, and commanded that she bind herself by a vow for her health, and have a Mass celebrated in his honor. She, glad indeed at this vision, did not know where St. Benno was venerated: which, when she learned it, she at once obeyed the Saint, and recovered her health. There testified Georg Iager, who brought her to Munich. The matter was related in the presence of the Very Reverend M. Johann Haselbeck, and Georg Weyer, sub-sacristan of St. Benno's. April 7.

[126] a third, also mute, Margareta, the thirteen-year-old daughter of Christoph Kolbinger of Haidhusen, during the past Christmas holidays had been afflicted with a joint disease, from which evil, when she had again been freed, suddenly she lost her speech, the cause of the matter hidden from all. The father, with a vow made to St. Benno, commended his daughter's safety to him, who soon recovered her speech. Present to the parent relating these things were the Reverend Father Spizer, and Georg Faustner. April 10.

[127] Anna Gretter of Votting for a whole month suffered in her eyes, blind, and lost her sight altogether. As soon as she vowed a Mass to St. Benno, she recovered the daylight for her pupils. On the day as above.

[128] Elisabeth, the wife of Johann Aman of Grunwald, a paralytic, six years before, in childbirth terrified by I know not whom, became paralytic in all her limbs: for two years too, from this terror, she was delirious. But after she was again restored to a sound mind, on the day of Pentecost St. Benno appeared to her, splendid in pontifical garb, commanding that she have a Mass celebrated in his honor at Munich: when she had at once obeyed this command, she shortly recovered.

[129] The same Johann Aman begat a son blind for five years, blind, who, commended to St. Benno by his father with a votive offering vowed, soon ceased to be blind. Present at the relation of both prodigies were the Very Reverend Father Richard Petenbeck, canon at the Blessed Virgin's, Georg Weyer, sub-sacristan of St. Benno's, Johann Gallus, Georg Faustner. On the day as above.

[130] crippled in one foot, Antonius Widman, a court musician, during the Easter holidays suddenly crippled in one foot, could not walk. From which evil St. Benno, to whom he had vowed a Mass, the means for it being collected by begging, soon freed him. There testified Antonius Bullasi, and Johann Hailgemayr, likewise court musicians. April 18.

[131] Johann Angermüller of Ingolstadt, from … half a year before had so contracted paralysis a paralytic, that for twenty-one weeks he could not walk on his feet. And so, while he lay bedridden, having fallen into sleep, he dreamed that he was pouring out prayers at Munich on bended knees at St. Benno's altar, and that, these being finished, he was returning home on foot. When he awoke, he called to himself the daughter of a certain citizen, who was serving the sick man. To test whether he had dreamed truly, he bade her lift him from the bed: this done, standing on his feet, he could soon walk through the middle of the bedroom, and afterward being better daily, he was entirely freed from the disease. The witness was the Very Reverend Father Jacob Waizenberger, Doctor of Sacred Theology, parish priest in Wembding, on the day as above.

[132] Michael Aechtler of Staingaden, in the previous year, had suddenly lost his hearing in the bath, deaf, so that he perceived neither the sound of guns nor of the bronze bell. In this so disastrous a case, he vowed a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno, who soon restored to him the use of his ears. The matter was confirmed by his testimony by the Most Reverend Lord Georg the Abbot, and the Venerable Convent of Staingaden: likewise by Johann Weinhart, a surgeon. April 28.

[133] a dying woman, Anna, the wife of Matthäus Engelmayr of Neustatt, in the previous year lay so grievously ill that she lived for ten days without speech. As soon as her husband vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a votive offering of four florins, she recovered. The witnesses were Johann Vischer and Caspar Mayr. May 5.

[134] Maria Wurnhor of Dillingen, four years before, long suffered in her right side with the greatest pains. a pleurisy patient, She vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage to his altar, and, the vow performed, she ceased to be assailed by the torment of her side. Present to her relating this were Georg Weyer, Johann Gallus, Michael Dorffschmid. May 10.

[135] a woman nearly mad from grief, The husband of Apollonia Wildpoëk of Khimerzhoff, going out into the wood sound and well in the morning to gather wood, was overtaken by sudden death on the way and died: at which news received, she was so deprived of life by grief that, a new mother shortly after, she came not far from being deprived of her sound reason. Her friends were the prompters to her, now almost going mad, that she should commend herself to St. Benno by a vow, and, when this was performed, since she had also undertaken to see to it that the matter should be entered in the commentaries, a little after she was better. The same was testified by her neighbor Vitus Wanner. The relation was heard by Georg Weyer the sub-sacristan, and Johann Gallus. May 12.

[136] Georg Keller of Eyssensperg, a man with a rupture, for seventeen years was ruptured with the greatest torments. Five years before, he vowed to St. Benno a wax votive offering, the means for it to be begged together, and an annual gift as long as he should live. Thereupon, the evil gradually yielding, he now feels, entirely sound for two years, no pains. Heard him relating this about himself, the Reverend Lord Balthasar Zwick and Georg Weyer the sacristan. On the day as above.

[137] Petrus Ruesfasis of Sarnen, on the holy day of St. James suddenly paralytic, a paralytic and madman, on the following feast of St. Michael was altogether out of his mind: and although before he could not move himself, yet from his madness he so raged that he drove all from himself. Meanwhile St. Benno appeared to his wife, at which vision she, glad at once, vowed a Mass to him for her husband: who within two hours was again endowed with sound reason. This was testified by two neighbors, Wiliwald Scheringer, and Johann Prunaver. May 23.

[138] weak in the arms? Apollonia Kain, for more than five years suffered with incredible pain in both arms; and at last the evil so grew strong that she could not put on her clothes by herself. In this misery she vowed a double Mass to St. Benno, and recovered. The matter she herself related to Johann Gallus, Georg Weyer the sub-sacristan. On the day as above.

[139] Georg Fottner of Kiebach, a man with scab, had brought up from infancy in his house a certain boy, Michael Schimpft, but a foul scab had invaded the twelve-year-old, which always exercised him more and more throughout his whole body for two years. The aforesaid Fottner at last commended the boy's safety to St. Benno with a Mass and a wax votive offering, the means for it to be begged together in the manner of a mendicant. From that time the disease left the boy. He said these things, with Jacob Schiesl, Leonard Schedl, Georg Weyer the sub-sacristan, Johann Gallus, listening. May 25.

[140] Georg Stain of Michelav, for a whole month suffered with the greatest torments in the head: pain in the head, as soon as he vowed a wax votive offering to St. Benno, he recovered. Present at the relation were Georg Schwaiger, Johann Gallus, sub-sacristan of St. Benno's.

[141] Catharina Haider lived for a whole year without sleep: long without sleep, during which time St. Benno came into her mind. To whom, when she had vowed a Mass to be read, sleep again returned. She said this in the presence of Johann Gallus, and Michael Dorffschmid the sexton. On the day as above.

[142] Maria, the fourteen-year-old daughter of Georg Keckerel of Dalhusen, long had a scurfy head, all fearing that the girl was infected with foul scurf. a girl with scab, But after the father besought St. Benno for his daughter with a votive offering vowed, she was shortly cleansed of the foul scab. On the same day the matter was related, with Jacob Sturmb, Martin Asam, Johann Gallus, and Georg Faussner listening.

[143] Johann Simmer of Ellenberg, for many weeks was deprived of hearing, deaf, but, having promised a wax votive offering to St. Benno, he recovered the use of his ears. Heard him relating this were Christoph Simer of Ellenberg, Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan, and Georg Faussner. On the day as above.

[144] Ursula Maschl of Deisenheim, four years before was so badly sighted, going blind, that she could no longer recognize people. In the utmost risk of blindness, mindful of St. Benno, she vowed a pilgrimage to his altar at Munich, who a little after restored to her her former clearness of sight. As witnesses she named Sebastian Reitler, Caspar Hulbec, neighbors.

[145] Balthasar Kegelsperger of Kegelsperg, three weeks before caught a poisonous weasel, injured by a poisonous tooth, which he had not recognized; from whose pestilential bite he so swelled in his whole body, that, given up for lost by all, he was held for dead for about half an hour. In this peril of life, the wife commended her husband to St. Benno, with a Mass vowed and a pilgrimage to his altar. Thereupon the swelling gradually subsided, and he recovered. Present at the relation were Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan, and Georg Pall. June 12.

[146] sisters sick in the hands and eyes, Margareta Seheierl, a citizen of Munich, had two daughters, of whom the first, Anna by name, of nine years, for more than two years had swollen hands, [and] many thought her seized by erysipelas; the other, Margareta, of eleven years, was for a whole two years badly sighted, both incurable among men. Wherefore the mother, taking refuge with the heavenly ones, promised to St. Benno for her daughters a Mass and a double votive offering: and for each of them she obtained health without any medicine. The mother said these things, in the presence of the Reverend Lord Johann Halhulber, who read the Mass, Johann Gallus, and Caspar Schonaver. June 15.

[147] an incurable wound of the foot, one man, Johann Witmayr of Rehin, for twenty-five years lay ill from an open wound of the foot with the greatest pains, neglecting nothing of human healing; yet all in vain. After these things, half a year before, he implored the help of St. Benno with a votive offering promised: after this vow he was at once better, and within eight days the foot and the wound knit together without any medicine. Present to him relating these things were the Reverend Lord Georg Fischer, beneficiary at St. Peter's, Caspar Schonaver. June 28.

[148] Anna Walsch of Undervering, for twenty years suffered in her foot in the same manner; and another, in vain was treatment of the wound applied, since all called it incurable. In so long-lasting a calamity she vowed a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno, and shortly, without any human aid, she understood herself to be sound. The matter was related to the Reverend Lord Balthasar Lehner the beneficiary, and to Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan. July 6.

[149] a man suffering from various diseases, Sigismund Seyfrid, canon of Breslau, when he was devoting himself to studies at Ingolstadt in the year 1610, on August 20 began to be bedridden, [and] soon there was added to the disease a Hungarian fever together with consumption, with blood too flowing continuously from his nostrils: after this his feet also long swelled, and for a long time he passed sleepless nights, [and] at last, seized also by a joint disease, he could not move himself from the spot for three months: finally pleurisy, wasting, [and] hip-pain, invading in one body, so wore down the sick man that he seemed a breathing corpse. He, beset by so many grave diseases, took refuge with St. Benno, a Mass and a votive offering vowed to him: which vow being made, he recovered on the spot. July 7.

[150] Lucia Klingenberger of Ranzhofen, for seventeen years lay ill from open wounds of the feet, and, very many expenses being made in vain for the sake of medicines, the feet to be cut off, she often took counsel about amputating the feet. Meanwhile she heard a certain priest relating many things about the miracles of St. Benno, which he daily performed at Munich on the sick. The sick woman at once conceived great trust in this Saint, and vowed that she would have a Mass read in his honor, and would visit his altar at Munich: which vow, when she had discharged it, at once her feet began to be better, and the wounds to close. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord Balthasar Zwick, Melchior Miller, Johann Gallus, and others. August 16.

[151] a woman sick unto death, The noble and religious Lady Catharina, born of and in Schwanau, Maschwander, Prioress of the convent of Imbach in Austria, lying mortally ill, vowed a pilgrimage to St. Benno's altar with a gift: who soon restored to her her former health.

[152] The servant and steward of the said convent, Stephan Schwabaur, knocked from his horse by stones thrown by enemies, grievously injured in the head, one man and wounded in the head, lay for several days doubtful of life. Whose safety, after the aforesaid religious Lady Catharina commended it with the same vow which she had made for herself; he recovered, and both for himself and for her, on August 25, satisfied his Healer at Munich.

[153] Wolfgang Hulber of Westhusen, on the holy day of St. Udalric, and another, struck by someone with a stone at a wedding, bled for three hours; and for two hours, out of his senses, was held by all for dead. But as soon as he came to himself, he promised a votive offering to St. Benno by vow: who soon heard him, restoring his health. October 30.

[154] likewise one frenzied man, Wolfgang Alzinger of Grassav, was suddenly seized in mind with frenzy, and for twelve weeks sustained immense torments of the head. When others on this account wished to consult soothsayers, he, by no means tolerating this, placed all his hopes in the Divine mercy. On a certain day, as he was walking in his garden beside a brook, St. Benno appeared, in that form in which he is represented to those who venerate him at Munich; and urged that, if he wished to be well, he should have a Mass celebrated for himself. When he had undertaken to do this, he was better from day to day. But he resolved to put off the discharge of his vow until the coming spring, [and] soon was agitated by his former frenzy and madness: but as soon as he came to his senses, he resolved to discharge his vow, [and] was freed from the dreadful evil. As witnesses he named all the neighbors. November 18.

[155] Johann Praun, frenzied for more than a year, was for a whole month in chains, and another. Commended to St. Benno by his neighbors and friends with a Mass and a votive offering promised, he was left by his frenzy. There testified Martin Ermayr, and Leonard Abelzhauser, neighbors. December 13. In the year 1612.

[156] The wife of Johann Geltinger of Langenpreising, likewise a mother with her offspring, driven raving by some fanatical terror, had been disturbed in mind, which evil her nursing infant too drew from its mother, and the infant from frenzy could no longer be kept in the cradle. The father, struck by this twofold calamity, besought St. Benno, with a Mass and a votive offering vowed: and soon recovered for them a sound mind. The witnesses were Georg Ehman, Johann Haclber, neighbors. January 5.

[157] The three-year-old infant of Johann Pardiesser was ruptured for two years, ruptured, having thereupon suffered great pains. After the parents made a vow to St. Benno for their offspring, that same night the little boy recovered. Present at the relation were the Reverend and religious Lord Paulus Grunwaedt, Balthasar Lechner, beneficiary at the Blessed Virgin's. March 10. The nine-year-old son of Johann Mayr of Zechenbrunn, last autumn for three whole days was so afflicted by epilepsy an epileptic that he was held by all for dead. The parents, anxious for the health of their offspring, by a vow made for this interceded with St. Benno, and soon drove away every disease from their son. There testified Johann Dässe, and Christian Eysenman, neighbors. March 7.

[158] and two epileptics, Sebastian Winter of Porenbach, in the previous year, was afflicted sixteen times by epilepsy, which disease at one time had deprived him of the use of his ears for thirty-four hours; pitying the sick man's lot, Caspar Winter his brother vowed a Mass and a wax votive offering to St. Benno, [and] when this was done soon freed his brother from the disease. The witnesses were Caspar Winter, Matthäus Kapp, neighbors. April 10. Caspar Stoekl, seized three times by epilepsy, his wife commended to St. Benno with a Mass vowed, [and] the disease at once left him. May 2.

[159] Caspar, the ten-year-old son of Martin Samb of Eschenlach, had been born with a rupture. For him the parent vowed to St. Benno a Mass with a gift. ruptured, Wherefore, the boy having been carried to Munich, after the Sacrifice, when about to hand him over to Tobias Geiger the surgeon for the sake of an operation, he found no trace at all of the evil any more. The witness was Tobias Geiger the surgeon, and the neighborhood. May 8.

[160] Johann Zela of Dillingen, three years before, lay grievously ill of a heart ailment, a heart patient, since his chest, gaping with large openings, would not close together by any treatment. In so dangerous a disease he vowed a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno: this done, at once the wounds knit together without any medicine. Heard the matter related, the Reverend Lord Paulus Grienwaed, and Georg Faussner. May 22.

[161] M. Michael Copp, in the previous year entangled in a grave disease, was in danger of losing his hearing. hard of hearing, In this juncture of affairs he called upon the help of St. Benno, with a Mass and a votive offering promised, and on the spot was restored to his former health. The matter was related in the presence of the Reverend and religious Lord Balthasar Leckner the beneficiary, and Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan. May 26.

[162] Georg, the nine-year-old boy, son of Johann Jais of Derching, ruptured, was ruptured for three years. All the medicines applied coming to nothing, the father was advised to commit his son to the patronage of St. Benno. When he had at once obeyed this counsel, a Mass with a gift promised to the Saint, the rupture vanished. As witnesses the father named Georg Mantel, Leonard Wagner, neighbors. June 16.

[163] Johann, the twelve-year-old son of Anna of Ainspack, was lame for four years: but after the mother made a vow for him to St. Benno, he gradually recovered the use of his feet. Present at the relation were the Lord Paulus Grienwaed, and Georg Faussner. June 22.

[164] an epileptic, Georg Clas of Derching, for a whole two years suffered from the falling sickness. As soon as he vowed that he would visit St. Benno's altar for three years, each time with a votive offering; he ceased to be agitated by that evil. Present to him relating this about himself were Michael Dorffschmid the sexton, Caspar Schönaver, Georg Faussner. On the day as above.

[165] The one-year-old infant of Wolfgang Stainer of Niderstroën, an infant scorched, had fallen into a heated pot, from which it contracted a grave disease. The parents vowed to St. Benno as much wax as the infant might equal in its own weight. Thereupon the disease immediately left the offspring. The father related these things to Thomas Niclas, a surgeon of Inning, Christoph Weber of Lochkirchen, Johann Gallus the sacristan, etc. On the day as above.

[166] Wolfgang Märckel of Heinckhusen for fourteen years suffered a heart ailment. a heart patient, But after, the past Lent, he promised a pilgrimage to St. Benno's altar with a votive offering by vow, at once he was better. He said this, with the Reverend and religious Lord Balthasar Leckner the beneficiary, and Caspar Schonaver, listening. Likewise June 22.

[167] The son of Catharina Brantl of Landshut, a youth of seventeen years, crippled in the arms, and the eyes, crippled in both arms the past Lent, came out incurable to the surgeons and physicians: besides this, blind for more than a month, he was deprived of the use of his eyes. The mother, mindful of St. Benno, for her son's safety vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage with a votive offering, from which the boy was freed from both evils. Present to him relating this were the Reverend M. Joachim Schoffselmayr, Johann Gallus, and others. June 24.

[168] an epileptic, Barbara, the twelve-year-old daughter of Elisabeth N., for a whole eight days suffered from epilepsy, and for three days lay unable to speak. After the mother, by a Mass vowed for her daughter's health, interceded with St. Benno, within the space of half an hour she recovered. Heard the mother testifying these things, the Reverend Lord M. Joachim Schoffselmayer, Caspar Schönaver, Leonard Frölich. June 26.

[169] blind, Georg, the nineteen-year-old son of Caspar Zigler of Aismanschafft, for a whole year suffered in his eyes, at last for three weeks, being blind, he entirely lost the use of them. And so, all despairing of the youth's sight, the mother, the Divine mercy being invoked, vowed a Mass to St. Benno, and the son gradually recovered the daylight for his pupils. Present at the relation of the miracle were Caspar Schönaver, Johann Gallus, sub-sacristan at St. Benno's. July 2.

[170] a boy dead from a fall, Caspar, the six-year-old son of Apollonia Märckl, a widow of Munich, fallen down the stairs, was for a full quarter of an hour held for dead: the mother, astonished by this accident, called upon her neighbors Anna Widman, Zettenpfening: who, soon hurrying up, no sign of life being found in the infant, together with the mother vowed a votive offering to St. Benno for his safety. After which the boy, soon beginning to weep, revived. The matter was related to Michael Dorffschmid, Johann Vicezschneider, etc. On the day as above.

[171] Mathias Rechter of Ederhusen, for twenty-two years suffered great pains in his back, pain of the back, [and] after he vowed by vow a Mass and a silver gift to St. Benno, recovered. The witnesses were the Reverend Lord M. Samuel Forster, priest at St. Salvator's in Bettpruun, and Michael Widman of Konigslehen. July 12. deaf,

[172] The noble and distinguished Lady Scholastica Sper lacked the use of her left ear for a whole five years, then of her right for half a year, [and] at last, in the utmost peril of losing her hearing, vowed a Mass and a gift to St. Benno, when his miracles were being proclaimed on his feast day: and on that same day she discharged the Mass and the gift: this done, she gradually recovered. This relation of hers was noted down by the Reverend Lord M. Georg Hamermaister the curate, in the presence of Johann Gallus, and Caspar Schonaver. July 14.

[173] the Hungarian disease, The distinguished Lady Euphrosyna Sturm, a citizen of Passau, for two months lay ill of the disease which they call Hungarian, given up for lost by the physicians and confessors. In so grave a peril of life, she vowed by vow to St. Benno, of whose benefits to the sick she had heard many things, a silver votive offering with a Mass. After which, in a moment of time, made again mistress of herself, she recovered, and on July 27, together with her neighbor Regina Mairwiser (who had herself too, seized by the same disease for several weeks, recovered her health by the help of St. Benno), discharged the vow. Heard the matter related, the Reverend and religious Lords Vitus Peil, Paulus Grienwald, Balthasar Lechner the beneficiary, etc. pains of the whole body,

[174] Barbara, the wife of Caspar Castermuller of Augia, for seven weeks sustained great pains in her whole body, especially in her feet, on which she could not stand. In these torments St. Benno came into her mind by night, to whom she soon vowed a Mass for her health, [and] thereupon was free from all evil. Heard her testifying this, the Reverend Otto Henricus Lindemayr, Georg Goldtschmid. about to be choked by a swallowed nail,

[175] Michael, the three-year-old son of Catharina Streicher of Munich, had swallowed an iron nail. The nurse, having tried to extract it, wasted her labor. In the utmost peril of the infant, the mother vowed a Mass with a votive offering to St. Benno, after which the boy unharmed cast out the nail. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord Wilhelm Daumgartner, who celebrated the Mass, Georg Faussner and others. September 20.

[176] Anna, the wife of Sebastian Roggler of Deming, crippled in both feet, lay ill for six weeks, unable to walk, crippled in the feet, but only creeping with knees and hands. In this calamity she vowed by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage with a votive offering: thereupon she so gradually recovered that she was able, present herself, to discharge the vow on October 6. She said these things, with the Reverend and noble Lord Caspar Hirschaver, canon at the Blessed Virgin's, M. Albert Kircher, listening. The witnesses were Andreas and Leonard Khölch, neighbors. In the year 1613.

[177] On January 14 a wagon laden with wine had crushed Georg Gilg of Augia, fallen under a wagon, under which weight he lay for a full quarter of an hour doubtful of life. Meanwhile the Blessed Virgin and St. Benno appeared to him, to whom he soon commended himself with a vow made; and at once, he knew not how, he rose unharmed from the cart. Present to him testifying these things were the Reverend Lord Vitus Peil, Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan, Johann Stockinger, and others.

[178] Apollonia, the wife of Andreas Reisser of Vierkirchen, for half a year suffered in her feet with the greatest pains, crippled in the feet, the use of which she lacked for several weeks. But after she vowed by vow to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage with a votive offering; the torment being gradually softened, she recovered. She said these things, with the Reverend Lords Wilhelm Prumgarttner, Paulus Grienwald, and Johann Gallus, listening. February 2.

[179] a foot to be cut off, Michael Mayr of Ainling lay ill for three years from an ulcerous foot, the surgeons wasting their effort in applying treatment. Yet, lest he leave anything untried, he went to Inderkhing into a warm bath. There, although the wounds closed, a little after they nevertheless burst open with far more savage torment, wherefore the healers altogether judged the foot, as incurable, must be cut off. In this juncture of affairs St. Benno appeared to the sick man, to whom he bound himself by vow with a Mass, a pilgrimage, and a votive offering promised. Thereupon, healed without any medicine, the foot knit together. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord M. Caspar Bogner, master of ceremonies at the Blessed Virgin's, Lord Balthasar Fischer, who read the Mass, and Johann Gallus, sub-sacristan at St. Benno's. February 27.

[180] Johann Schiessel, a citizen of Mosburg, when, a fire having broken out by accident, he had run up to extinguish it, fallen from a roof, fell from the roof [and] lay for six hours doubtful of life. The wife, in this mishap of her husband, vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a votive offering: after which her husband soon began to move himself again and to recover. As witnesses she cited the Reverend Lord Jacob Has the chaplain, and other neighbors. March 2.

[181] Quirinus Fischer of Uffing, when in a certain duel he interposed himself as mediator, a hand to be cut off, grievously wounded in his right hand, had contracted a swollen wound, incurable in the judgment of all the healers, and most judged that the hand must be cut off. Meanwhile he vowed a Mass by vow to St. Benno, and, full of hope of recovering his right hand, bade the surgeon persist in the treatment: after which the wound, healed in a short time, recovered the use of the hand. He related these things in the presence of the Reverend Father Balthasar Schonaver of the Order of St. Francis, and Leonard Haner the curate at the Blessed Virgin's. April 13.

[182] an incurable scrofula and difficulty of urination, On May 8, for the safety of his children, Sebastian Praitmayr of Weiterieth gave thanks to St. Benno at Munich; the first of whom, of nine years, Michael by name, three years before had contracted a scrofula in his neck, to be driven away by no remedy: the other, Johann, of five years, for two nights and days could not make water. When the father commended them by a twofold vow to St. Benno, he freed both from the evil. Heard these things related, the Reverend and religious Lords Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Johann Richardus Pettenböck, and Johann Gallus.

[183] Caspar, son of Johann Rieger of Merlbach, an infant mangled by a goose, two years and a half old, when the parents were attending divine service, a goose had so mangled with its bites, that, his lips and his whole face swelling, he did not have the use of his left eye for the space of three days. The mother, returned home, astonished by the pitiable spectacle, vowed by vow a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno for her little son: who soon lost both the swelling from his face and the darkness from his eye. Present at the relation were the Reverend and religious Lord Caspar Hirschaver the canon, and the Reverend Father Wilhelm Faber of the Order of St. Francis the Seraphic. May 11.

[184] blind, Rosina Schmid of Ruepersell, of seventeen years, for six weeks blind from a cataract, a pilgrimage having been promised by her mother to St. Benno's altar by vow, again saw as before. She said these things in the presence of the Reverend Lord M. Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Wilhelm Paumgarttner. May 18.

[185] crippled in the feet, Christina, the nine-year-old daughter of Stephan Hermansdorffer of Hermansdorf, crippled in both feet, for three years could move no joint of them. In this calamity the father, six years before, for his offspring vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a votive offering, [and] she within eight days recovered the use of her feet, and together with her parents discharged the vow on May 20. As witnesses they named all the neighbors.

[186] one mute, Wolfgang, son of Barbara Conrad, in the year 1611, being beaten by a certain peasant, for seven weeks lacked the use of his speech, which the mother, as soon as she vowed a Mass to St. Benno, recovered for him. As witness she named the whole neighborhood. May 27.

[187] Johann N., a boy of about thirteen years, another from birth, mute from his earliest years, long lived in the village of Diessenhofen by begging alms; and when, as his age advanced, he had become more robust, he hired out his labor to the farmers of that place in pasturing cattle. At last one of the neighbors, Georg Kaiser, pitying the afflicted boy, took him into his house to be raised and fed. Afterward, in the year 1612, for his safety he vowed by vow to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage to his altar. And so, when during the Mass the Divine Host was being elevated, suddenly the boy, beginning to speak, asked the aforesaid Georg Kaiser whether this was St. Benno? Who, exceedingly glad at this prodigy, gave thanks without end to the Divine mercy. Present at the relation were the Reverend, noble, most learned Lords Johann Pantaleon Pronners, Christoph Ligsaelz, canons, and others. July 4.

[188] Felicitas, the wife of Johann Schmutter of Deissenhusen, near Weilheim, crippled in the foot, for two months could not stand on her right foot. As soon as she vowed a Mass to St. Benno, she recovered. Heard this related, Georg Khelteniessee a neighbor, Georg Faustner. July 23.

[189] an apoplectic, Michael Christel, a hunter, on the Thursday before the Pentecost holidays, struck by apoplexy, lay for four whole days mute and out of his senses. After, restored to himself, he bound himself by vow to St. Benno with a Mass and a gift vowed, he recovered his health and his former strength. These things were testified by Simon Firsterwalter, and the innkeeper of Neukirchen. August 8.

[190] Anna Eschel of Roth, on Ash Wednesday began to be bedridden from her left foot, and for ten days an immense torment held in it, hindered in walking, so that for several weeks she could not walk. On a certain night she dreamed that she was attending Mass at St. Benno's altar, and hanging up a wax votive offering for her foot. When, awakened, she had vowed that she would in fact do this, three days after, the pain being softened, she could again go her ways as before. The witnesses were Georg Vogler, and her confessor Father Melchior Carl, a monk of Roth. August 21.

[191] Georg Oechniger of Rottenburg, for a full quarter of a year having suffered immense pains in his head, hands, great pains, and feet, recovered by the help of St. Benno, to whom he vowed a Mass and a votive offering. These things were confirmed by their testimony by the Reverend Father Ernest Pollner of the Order of St. Francis, and the noble Lord Paulus Mayr, secretary of the Chamber. August 27.

[192] Georg Hirschpoëk of Wollenmes, for a whole month lay swollen like a dropsy patient: swollen in the whole body, but as soon as he vowed by vow a Mass and a pilgrimage to St. Benno, the swelling subsiding, he was restored to his former health. There testified Wolfgang Zätl, Johann Reitmayr, neighbors. The day before the Kalends of September August 31.

[193] Regina, the eight-year-old little daughter of Eva Hechenrieder of Friedling, crippled in the feet, long sustained immense torments in all her limbs, for about half a year lacking the use of her feet. On a certain night she saw St. Benno in her dreams: which, when she had related to her father in the morning, he, on the holy day of St. James, vowed to St. Benno for his daughter a Mass and a pilgrimage to his altar: who soon endowed her with her former health. The witnesses were Georg Wolff, and the neighbors. October 29.

[194] a paralytic on one side, Wolfgang, son of Martin Sedlmayr of Lanzhof, a youth of twenty-one years, for three years sustained the greatest pains in his right shoulder, and could not move his hand to his mouth or head from the bitterness of the torment. The mother, mindful of St. Benno, for her son promised by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a votive offering: who, the pain being gradually softened, restored to him his former health. Present at the relation were the Reverend and religious Lord Jacob Mang the beneficiary, and Christoph Venator, on the day as above. In the year 1614.

[195] Two years before, three enemies at Augsburg attacked Marcus Mayr of Augsburg, ruptured, and so beat him with blows that, wounded everywhere throughout his whole body, he contracted a rupture, from which for a whole three years he sustained the greatest pains. At last, after he vowed that he would attend a Mass at St. Benno's altar, and would there receive the sacred Communion, within four days, without any human aid, he was freed from that evil. He said these things, with the Reverend and most learned Lords Michael Hartel the chaplain, and Jacob Mang the beneficiary at the Blessed Virgin's, listening. February 22.

[196] Johann, the thirteen-year-old son of Wolfgang Hulber of Ruemersheim, an epileptic, for a whole year was afflicted with the horrible disease which they call St. Vitus's dance: which evil often seized him ten times in one day. The father, mindful of St. Benno, commended the boy's safety to him by a Mass with a votive offering vowed: whom soon that horrible dance left. The father said these things, with the Reverend and religious Lords Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, and Christoph Venator, canon at the Blessed Virgin's, listening. March 20.

[197] a prolapse of the navel, Anna, the three-year-old little daughter of Georg Lang of Pulchschlag, for a whole year suffered from her navel, the evil taking increase daily. On a certain day it came into the father's mind to vow, for his daughter's health, a Mass and a pilgrimage to St. Benno's altar: which when he had done, the wound of the navel knit together. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Caspar Schiltaver chaplain of Innhusen. May 3.

[198] Two years before, ulcerations of the mouth so infested Jacob, the little son of Georg Hirler of Hochhalting, that, from the great bodily infirmity contracted from this, he was believed near to death. The mother, who had heard many things related about the miracles of St. Benno, an ulceration of the mouth, made a vow to him for the safety of her offspring. Thereupon the boy soon began to recover and to live. This was related in the presence of the Reverend Lord M. Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan, etc. May 6.

[199] For Walpurga, the fifteen-year-old daughter of Johann Feldmayr of Kurzenried, a frequent swelling of the eye, for a whole four years, every two months her left eye swelled, continuously moist, and impatient of light. When the girl was suffering great pains from this, the parents invoked St. Benno, vowing a sacred pilgrimage and a votive offering; and soon obtained health for her. Heard these things testifying, the Reverend M. Caspar Pogner, Christoph Venator, etc. On the day as above.

[200] Catharina Pierl, wife of Georg Pierel of Raittenbuch, crippled in the feet, six years before lay ill for fourteen days deprived of all use of her feet. In this grave disease and great torments, mindful of St. Benno, she continuously implored his help, vowing by vow a pilgrimage and a Mass, and shortly recovered. Present to her testifying these things about herself were the Reverend Lord Christoph Venator, Johann Gallus, on the day as above.

[201] Epilepsy had so violently afflicted Martin, the eleven-year-old son of Barbara Clas of Assenhusen, an epileptic, that he was long thought dead. Whence the terrified mother, with two neighbors, implored the powerful help of St. Benno, with a Mass, a pilgrimage, and a gift vowed: and soon felt themselves heard, the boy being healed of that disease forever. Heard this related, the Reverend M. Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Christoph Venator, etc. May 13.

[202] Georg, the eighteen-year-old son of Barbara Bernhart of Hersch, a dying man, for two years lay ill of an unknown kind of disease; which on a certain day afflicted him so dreadfully that for three hours he was out of his senses and held for dead. In this peril of the life of her offspring, the mother vowed a Mass to St. Benno, and within a quarter of an hour recovered health for him. The prodigy was noted by the Reverend M. Caspar Pogner, Johann Gallus, sub-sacristan at St. Benno's. May 18.

[203] Anna, the six-year-old little daughter of Wolfgang Schmid of Plieming, long bedridden: two years before, bedridden from the Christmas holidays until Easter, suffered great pains in her whole body. But as soon as the father commended the safety of his offspring to St. Benno with a Mass vowed, she recovered her health. As witness the father named the whole neighborhood. May 25.

[204] On June 17 Christoph Castel of Olstat, a fire is averted; gave thanks to St. Benno for the following benefit. On the feast of Corpus Christi, in the said village of Olstat, two houses had burned down from a fire that arose, and the fire already threatened a third, which belonged to the aforesaid Christoph Castel. His brother, having seen this, vowed to St. Benno a cow and a pilgrimage for the safety of the house. Thereupon soon, a contrary wind blowing, the fiery plague was driven back from his brother's roof. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord Richard Pesenbeck the canon and Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies at the Blessed Virgin's.

[205] Augustinus, the twelve-year-old son of Anna Oberlin, are healed, a boy with scrofula, had been born with a scrofula the size of an egg. After the mother promised that she would reward St. Benno with an annual gift as long as she should live, that foul growth gradually vanished. The aforesaid Anna Oberlin brought with her to Munich an iron and bent nail, which other children had put into the mouth of the aforementioned Augustinus, while he was still lying in the cradle, [and] which at once went down into the infant's throat, [and] which, when it was related to the mother as she was threshing grain in the yard, another about to be choked by a swallowed nail, running up at once, she tried in vain to extract the nail from his mouth: since she drove it down much more into the gullet, and so for two hours the infant retained the iron hook in his throat, which then swelled in a horrible manner. The mother, astonished in this juncture of affairs, repeated her former vow, an increase being added for each year. At once the infant began to belch, and to eject the nail unharmed: who, although for three whole days, his throat being grievously wounded, he was without food, nevertheless shortly recovered. The relation of the matter was heard by the Reverend and religious Fathers Franciscus Castner and Augustinus Hengsperger, Franciscans, Caspar Pogner, etc. June 14.

[206] Johann Praum of Isen, a hundred-year-old old man, an old paralytic, for a whole year lay paralytic and motionless. In this disease, when St. Benno had come into his mind, he vowed to him a Mass and a pilgrimage. Which when it was done, being better from day to day, he could walk again. The vow for their father, invalid from age for it, was fulfilled by his three sons Melchior, Stephan, Sebastian, and their wives, who named the whole neighborhood as witness of the matter. July 27.

[207] Michael Erl of Hinderholz, half a year before lacking hearing for twelve weeks, deaf, recovered it, a Mass and a pilgrimage vowed by vow to St. Benno, within fourteen days as excellent as before. As witness he cited his brother Stephan Erl, and the whole neighborhood. July 29.

[208] Georg, the twelve-year-old son of Michael Tottenkolber of Hobertshusen, a foot to be cut off, had contracted a great abscess in his right foot; from which the foot was so gradually ruined that the surgeons, despairing of a cure, judged it must be cut off. The father in this calamity, a pilgrimage and a votive offering being promised by vow for his son, took refuge with St. Benno: who within a month restored to him the health of the foot. There testified Johann Heberzhoffer, and Johann Huber. August 5.

[209] Ursula, the three-year-old little daughter of Michael Schmeus of Potemes, pain of the head, for two months sustained the greatest torments of the head. But when the parents invoked the patronage of St. Benno by a vow made, the torment being shortly softened she recovered. This miracle was noted by Georg Schwaiger, and Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan. September 27.

[210] Balthasar Rieger of Wolfratshusen, the past winter, five enemies had so beaten with fists and another kind of weapons, grievously beaten, that for eight months he was without both speech and hearing. The physicians, asserting that the interior of the head was entirely shattered, affirmed that it was all over with his life. In the utmost torment, on a certain night St. Benno came into the sick man's mind: to whom he at once vowed a pilgrimage and a votive offering. Thereupon at once, the pains being softened, a great quantity of pus flowed out from each ear, and the sick man recovered. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord M. Simon Perckhaimer, Georg Faustner, etc. October 6.

[211] Michael Nueber of Kissing, when throughout his whole neighborhood the cattle were dying, vowed a calf to St. Benno for the safety of his herd: and in this manner kept all his cattle safe. This he testified in the presence of the Reverend Lords Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Christoph Venator, etc. October 8. In the year 1615.

[212] The noble and vigorous Lord Johann Simon Wagneregg, deprived of the faculty of sleeping, on January 15 was entangled in a disease, which soon took from him all sleep. Who a little after, by a letting of blood, was changed into a kind of fever (the physicians call it Synochus), [and] grew worse still, sleep being even more shut out: and although the aforesaid noble and vigorous Lord, on the judgment of the healers, took sleep-inducing medicines; yet all human healing lacked effect. Wherefore, taking refuge with the heavenly things, alms having been bestowed on the poor, he had a Mass celebrated for his health in honor of St. Benno, and cleansed his soul by a careful confession. When this was done, that same night, without any medicine, sleep returned: and at last, the patronage of the Blessed Virgin, to whom he had also made a vow, contributing not a little to it, he recovered entirely. This miracle the noble and vigorous Lord Wagneregg himself ordered to be noted, and subscribed with his own signature.

[213] Jacob, the nine-year-old son of Leonard Nigelhaimer of Weil, an epileptic, for two years and a half, six, seven, or eight times daily, epilepsy afflicted. Many antidotes for driving away the evil having been sought in vain, the parish priest of that place was the prompter to the boy's father, to vow a pilgrimage and a votive offering for the safety of the offspring to St. Benno. Which counsel when he had soon seized, the disease left his son. As witness the parent named his parish priest and the whole neighborhood. April 26.

[214] Thomas, the five-year-old little son of N. Hochenmorger of Hochenmorg, a submerged boy is raised, not far from his house had fallen into a marsh, all unaware how long he had lain there. By chance a servant, having entered the water with horses to water them, on seeing the boy, raising a cry, summoned the parents and the whole household: who, having fished out the one lying there, for the space of an hour found in him no sign of life. In this pitiable mishap, the parents, calling upon the help of St. Benno, vowed by vow a pilgrimage and a Mass with a votive offering. After which at once the boy, moving his tongue, gave a sign of life, and shortly revived sound and unharmed. As witness the father cited his whole household. May 6.

[215] crushed by the fall of a tree, When Wilhelm Gelb of Perg was cutting down an oak in the wood, that tree splitting through the middle, a great part of it falling crushed his eleven-year-old son, who had gone out to gather wood together with his father, shattered the top of his head, mutilated his hand, [and] so bruised his sides and belly that they soon swelled horribly: the father for about half an hour noted no sign of life in the boy: while therefore he was already lamenting his son as dead, suddenly, as he looked back, St. Benno appeared in white raiment: to whom he soon vowed for the life of his offspring a Mass and a pilgrimage. Thereupon at once the boy, as if drawing snores, made a sound three times; and a little restored to himself, flowed with copious blood. Whom the father, wrapped in his toga, carried home, and shortly rejoiced to find sound and unharmed. The matter was confirmed by his testimony by the parish priest of Pämbkirchen, who celebrated the Mass; the father also asserted that the whole neighborhood could testify to it. May 14.

[216] Maria Filker of Gallapach, when she was making for the mill, an apoplectic, suddenly struck by apoplexy, had the whole left part of her body as if dead: but as soon as she promised by vow a pilgrimage to St. Benno, she recovered. Present to her testifying these things were the Reverend Lord Thomas Westermayr, beneficiary at St. Peter's, and Johann Gallus the sub-sacristan. May 17.

[217] The distinguished Lady Ursula Lang of Wembding, lying grievously ill the previous year, sick unto death, and given up for lost by the physicians, whom the knowledge of the disease escaped, promised by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a gift for her health; and shortly came out sound and well. Wherefore, on May 26, bound by her vow, together with her husband, she offered to St. Benno two silver tablets inlaid with ebony, of which one represented the image of our Savior, the other the Blessed Virgin Mary; and dictated the miracle to be noted to the Reverend Lord Richard Petenbeck the canon, and Lord M. Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies.

[218] Eva, the wife of Georg Ertl of Loberweiting, suffering from the foot, for about half a year suffered in her left foot with great torment. In the most bitter pains she vowed by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage, and a Mass with a votive offering. Thereupon soon being better, although she employed surgeons in the treatment, she nevertheless ascribed her health more to the patronage of St. Benno than to their art. Heard her testifying these things, the Reverend and religious Lord M. Caspar Pogner the master of ceremonies, Michael Cammermayr. May 29.

[219] The four-year-old son of Caspar Forgs of Peygart, near to death. likewise Caspar, for a whole year lay grievously ill: which disease so emaciated the boy that he seemed to be a breathing corpse. The mother for his health vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage, and soon obtained [it]. Present at the relation were the Reverend Lord M. Caspar Pogner, and Ægidius Gabler. On the Kalends of June June 1.

[220] Andreas, the eleven-year-old son of Catharina Morten of Pulch, when together with his peers he was racing on horseback in the field, a boy fallen from a horse is raised, thrown from it, was for nine hours held for dead. The mother in so great a calamity promised by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a votive offering: after which the boy at once revived, and together with his parents discharged the vow. Heard these things related, the Reverend and religious Lords M. Joachim Schoffelmayr, and Caspar Pogner. June 6.

[221] are healed, in the eyes Elisabeth Schneider, an octogenarian of Leidtssett, blind the whole winter, by a vow made to St. Benno, recovered her sight. June 8. The two little daughters of Johann Hechendorffer, and crippled in the feet. Catharina of two years, Anna of six years, for fourteen weeks suffered in their feet, and could not stand on them. The parents, anxious for their offspring's lot, vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a Mass. Thereupon soon both daughters recovered. As witness the father named the whole neighborhood. On the day as above.

[222] The nine-year-old son of Barbara N. of Alenzhusen, in the first year of his infancy, contracted a rupture, ruptured, and suffered from it for three quarters of a year. But, commended to St. Benno by his parents, who vowed a pilgrimage and a votive offering, he recovered his health without any human healing.

[223] an incurable foot, Magdalena, the thirteen-year-old little daughter of Wolfgang Jacob of Stainhart, suffering from a foot incurable to the physicians, was restored to health by the help of St. Benno, to whom she had vowed by vow a pilgrimage and a votive offering. On the day as above.

[224] a woman driven to despair, Apollonia Preuner the infernal enemy for a whole three years tried to drive to despair by various temptations. On a certain day, when Orcus assailed her with all his might as she was washing near a certain lake, and almost forced her to throw herself into the waters; she called upon St. Benno with a vow made. Thereupon the destroyer no longer dared to assail her with such thoughts. June 12.

[225] Johann Udalric, son of Lucretia Zimer, had from birth a swollen groin. ruptured, The physicians, judging it a rupture, urged a cutting. Which, when the mother, abominating it as too harsh a remedy, refused, she called upon the help of St. Benno for the said son, with two Masses with a votive offering vowed by vow: from which forthwith that dangerous swelling subsided, the infant being safe.

[226] For Margareta Anna, the little daughter of the aforesaid Lucretia Zimer, a dangerous swelling, an infant still of fourteen days, both little breasts had swollen quite dangerously, no physician daring to put a hand to the treatment because of the tenderness of her age, and all antidotes falling to nothing. The mother again invoked St. Benno, with a Mass and a votive offering promised by vow, and recovered health for the infant. As witnesses she named men worthy of trust.

[227] are healed, a paralysis, Margareta Schmid of Aling, three years before paralytic for seventeen weeks, by a vow made to St. Benno, recovered: which she discharged June 15.

[228] The noble and most learned Lord Christoph Rumbler, Doctor of Both Laws, suffering in his right arm from an abscess, was restored to health, an abscess in the arm, after his wife vowed for him to St. Benno a Mass and a golden gift. June 16.

[229] Georg Obermayr of Aremried, for a whole year was afflicted with immense pains of the body. The healing of mortals having been tried in vain, taking refuge with St. Benno by the vowing of a Mass and a votive offering, he came out free from all torment. June 29.

[230] pain of the head, Maria, the thirteen-year-old little daughter of Johann Loer of Wangen, for fourteen days sustained the most bitter pains of the head. But by a vow made by her father to St. Benno, she recovered. July 4.

[231] a rupture, Adam, the one-year-old infant of Johann Aumüller of Hochenberg, by a vow made by his mother to St. Benno, was freed from a rupture. The father with the son discharged the vow. July 15.

[232] Michael Peidenrieder of Hechendorf, for three weeks lay grievously ill, a delirium, and, while the disease lasted, for a full eight days was delirious: his wife, mindful of St. Benno, for her husband vowed to the Saint a pilgrimage and a gift of an ox, and soon obtained health for him. October 26.

[233] a paralysis, Lady Catharina Praxedis, prioress of the convent of Regensburg, seven years before, lay entangled in a grave disease and paralytic. After the art of the physicians had been wearied in vain, the help of St. Benno being invoked, she recovered.

[234] Johann, the three-year-old little son of Georg Sciz of Bulchschlag, a rupture, born with a rupture, for three years suffered the greatest pains from it: wherefore the mother, in so malignant a state of her offspring's health, vowed by vow to St. Benno a Mass and a votive offering: who soon rendered the infant free from that evil. September 12. In the year 1616.

[235] Georg, son of Georg Reisner of Wenigmünchen, likewise named Georg, apoplexy eight years before seized three times, an apoplexy, and drove blood out through each ear. After the father vowed a Mass for his son to St. Benno, he freed him from the disease forever. January 12.

[236] Catharina, wife of the said Georg Reisner, for a year and a half suffered incredible torments of the back: pain of the back, commended to St. Benno by her husband with the same vow as her son, she recovered her health.

[137] Melchior, the four-year-old son of Christoph Menich of Munich, an ophthalmia, for fourteen days suffering in his eyes with the greatest pains, recovered their health from St. Benno, to whom the father had vowed a Mass and a votive offering. January 19.

[238] Stephan, likewise the four-year-old little son of Thomas Psackhmayr of Lucre, mute, mute up to the fourth year of his age, by the patronage of St. Benno learned to use speech, to whom the father had by vow dedicated a pilgrimage, a Mass, and a votive offering. August 19.

[239] The most noble Lady Isreda, born of Perlach, a toothache, for fourteen years suffered in her teeth with the greatest torments, and, from their bitterness, had to be guarded as if disturbed in mind or insane: and so, when she almost despaired of an end to her calamity, by a vow made she took refuge with St. Benno, which she discharged on March 10, two and those golden bracelets having been offered, being thereupon free from all pain of the teeth.

[240] pain of the foot, Johann Winckel, for a whole five years suffering in his right foot with the greatest torment, the previous year recovered by the patronage of St. Benno, to whom he had vowed a Mass and a votive offering. October 28.

[241] a man sunk in water is revived; Jacob, the two-year-old infant of Georg Walch of Schaindorf, fallen into a vessel full of water, lay there for a quarter of an hour, and at last, drawn out, was for three quarters of an hour held for dead. But when the mother invoked the help of St. Benno with a votive offering vowed by vow, he revived. October 29.

[242] pain of the arm is healed Catharina Obermayr, for three years having suffered pains in her arm, by a votive offering vowed to St. Benno recovered its health. November 26.

[243] Caspar Simon, entangled in a grave disease, vowed a Mass to be read to St. Benno, and a grave disease. and soon recovered: he discharged the vow November 27. In the year 1617.

[244] is aided, deaf, Apollonia Schranckner of Kapffstain, eleven years before, had lost her hearing, and for three whole days lacked the use of it: but after she promised by vow to St. Benno a Mass and a Rosary to be recited, she began to hear again as before for four years. But because she put off discharging her vow, although admonished even by dreams, she paid for her negligence with her former deafness for seven years, until she satisfied her divine Healer. The vow performed, her hearing returned to her. January 13.

[245] a fire is warded off, In the village of Pöswang, eight days before the feast of St. James, nine houses struck from heaven by lightning burned, and the flames already threatened the roofs of Johann Abel: which his wife, having seen, vowed to St. Benno for the safety of her house five florins as a gift; thereupon at once the fiery plague was turned aside and quieted. On the Kalends of May May 1.

[246] Georg Pauchover, a citizen of Munich, the previous year fallen into the river Isar, a man about to be drowned is saved. unskilled at swimming, snatched away nine hundred paces by the eddies, was in peril of his life. Wherefore in this utmost danger he invoked the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary: and a certain matron, Maria Rengold by name, having seen him tossing on the bank, vowed a Mass to St. Benno for his safety. By the twofold help of which Saints he soon emerged unharmed onto dry land. May 15.

[247] are healed, swollen breasts, Agatha Stadler, a widow of Peisenperg, in a dangerous swelling of the breasts promised by vow a Mass to St. Benno, and soon recovered. May 21.

[248] May 24. Georg Föderel of Rainburg discharged his vow to St. Benno with a wax shrine, because the Saint kept his house unharmed from a most dangerous fire that was consuming fourteen houses.

[259] Thomas, the fourteen-year-old son of Johann Finckenzeller of Schilper, a three-day disease, St. Benno freed from a grave and three-day disease, after the father commended his safety to the said Saint, with a Mass and a silver gift promised.

[250] Georg Sedelmayr of Iming, on a Sunday before divine service having gone out to fish, a violator of the Lord's Day, seized, is aided, though his wife strongly dissuaded him from doing so without having heard Mass, spent almost the whole day in catching fish. At last, seized by someone, whom however he could not see, he was thrown into the water. He, terrified, implored the help of the great Benno, with a Mass promised at once: and soon came out onto dry land; inwardly admonished to leave the water. After which, again thrown to the ground by the invisible wrestler, he rose, and, returned home, remained out of his mind for fourteen days. Then brought to the monastery of Benediktbeuern, when, even in his delirium, he spoke of nothing but St. Benno, he recovered the use of his reason. All of which he confirmed both by his own testimony and by that of his brother Johann Sedelmayr. June 22.

[251] Georg, the one-year-old infant of Caspar Grain of Winding, an epileptic, for a whole month epilepsy afflicted. In this misery of their offspring the parents took refuge with St. Benno with a Mass vowed; from which forthwith the disease left the infant. July 12.

[252] Anna, daughter of Margareta Scheirer of Inderstorf, suffered so violently in her head pain of the head, that she lost the use of both eyes. The parents vowed a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno for their offspring, to whom soon her sight returned: they discharged the vow July 14.

[253] Caspar Eisenreick for a whole year suffered grievously in his head, and epilepsy, to whom afterward a fever and epilepsy were added; which several times deprived the sick man of his sound mind: the wife, anxious for her husband's safety, commended him to St. Benno, who, gradually being better, recovered entirely. July 15.

[254] an epileptic about to drown, Johann Langwiser of Ingolstadt, six years before, fallen into a river by night, for three hours, wandering through the channel, could find no way out anywhere. Brought therefore into the greatest peril of life by the water burning with wintry cold, he vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage, a solemn Mass, and a votive offering; and emerged safe from the waves. The wife discharged the vow for her husband August 8.

[255] Michael, the eleven-year-old son of Maria Lundner of Eistelsried, a man immersed in a river is revived, bathing in the stream, snatched away by the currents, remained some while under the waves. The matter a single girl, who was present, noticed; who, crying out that Michael was sunk in the water, summoned those nearby, who were drying hay in the field. Of whom one, having entered the stream, drew out the boy, held for dead for more than half an hour. Meanwhile one of the said boy's kinswomen ardently implored St. Benno, with a Mass and a pilgrimage vowed by vow. After which soon he, his breath recalled, showed himself alive, and at once came out sound and safe. The witnesses were as many as worked in that field. August 14.

[256] Sebastian, the ten-year-old son of Georg Widman of Antorf, a grave navel pain is healed, for a whole six years suffered incredible pains in his belly beneath the navel. Wherefore the parents for a whole year employed a surgeon in his treatment: who, when he wasted his effort, and everything fell into worse, the parents promised by vow a pilgrimage to St. Benno's altar and a Mass to be read: this done, the boy began to be better day by day, and recovered entirely. June 30.

[257] Catharina Eissenberger, the previous year for a whole month lay mortally ill, a dying woman, for five hours doubtful of life, and given up for lost by all. While this, as all thought, last agony lasted, she suddenly cried out: Here is St. Benno; at which her mother, with the greatest trust, promised by vow to the said Saint a pilgrimage and a Mass. The daughter afterward within six days was restored to health.

[258] To Johann Westermayr of Hanfeld, lying mortally ill for nine weeks, St. Benno appeared, and bade him make a vow to him, if he heartily desired health. The sick man at once obeyed, and vowed a Mass and a pilgrimage, and shortly, being sound, discharged the vow September 12.

[259] Maria, the little daughter of Johann Löderer of Ainhof, thrush so infested two blind girls, that the whole year she lacked sight. But after the mother made a vow to St. Benno for her health, within a short time she recovered the use of her eyes. September 30.

[260] Anna Fischer of Wenigmünchen, for two years having suffered the most grievous pains of head and eyes, at last entirely lost the use of her eyes, which, as soon as she vowed a Mass to St. Benno, she recovered within fourteen days. On the day as above.

[261] a toothache is cured, Caspar Kholkauf of Khimensterf, infested by a toothache almost to the point of madness, by a pilgrimage vowed by vow to St. Benno was freed from the torment. November 2. In the year 1618.

[262] and bleariness: Eva Schawaiger of Dinghartingen, the previous year suffered dangerously in her right eye: which, continuously bleary, she feared she would lose altogether: on a certain day St. Benno came into her mind, to whom as soon as she promised that she would have a Mass read, he kept her eye unharmed.

[263] Johann Nidermayr of Hernzell, in the month of March in the wood together with his servants had cut down an oak; are aided, a man laid low by the fall of a tree, which, when, falling, it had fallen onto another opposing tree, this one too had to be cut down so that the first should fall. This done, the said Nidermayr advised the servants to flee, lest they be crushed by the fall of the tree, [and] when all had seized this counsel, the fall of the oak struck the master's head with such force that, laid prostrate on the ground, he was for a full hour held for dead. There was among the servants a certain one, Sebastian Balter by name: he commended his master with great trust to St. Benno, who soon, coming to himself, returned home unharmed.

[264] Johann Carel for twenty weeks suffered in his left leg with the greatest torment, suffering in the leg, and could not stand on his foot. On a certain night, as he lay abed, St. Benno came into his mind: to whom he at once vowed by vow, for his health, a Mass and a votive offering. Thereupon soon, the pain being softened, he was better, and discharged his vow May 22.

[265] flowing with blood, Anna Hillmayr of Allerzhusen for a full year suffered from a flux of blood. After she vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a Mass, within two days she recovered. June 4.

[266] Johann, the thirteen-year-old son of Caspar Bistel of Finsing, ruptured, had in infancy contracted a rupture. By which calamity the parents, terrified, vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage, the vow to be discharged if the boy should become older. Thereupon the evil within a few days, without any human aid, vanished. May 6.

[267] a dropsy patient, The foster child of Margareta Weiher of Augia, a six-year-old little boy, Christoph, so swelled with dropsy that for fourteen days, from the sensation of pain, he could not take rest, infested also by the stone: at last, commended by his nurse to St. Benno with a votive offering promised, he was freed both from the swelling and from all torments. On the feast of the Blessed Virgin Assumed into heaven August 15.

[268] Mauritius Möringer of Eichstätt, a student youth of sixteen years, pierced through with a knife, the previous year, run through the right side by his younger brother in a quarrel with a knife, was in peril of his life. Astonished by this mishap, the mother Eva-Susanna commended her son's safety to St. Benno, with a Mass and a silver gift vowed by vow; and rendered unharmed the life of the youth, made doubtful by this grave blow. The vow was discharged together with Mauritius by Johann Christoph his tutor. August 28.

[269] Peter, the fifteen-year-old son of Johann Stadler of Wessofont, born blind, blind from birth on account of a swelling of the eyes, for three weeks did not behold the light. To whom at last St. Benno, the parents vowing for their son pilgrimages and a Mass, gave sight, the swelling being driven off. August 28. In the year 1619.

[270] in danger from childbirth, The noble and distinguished Lady Renata Bürmayr, having had a most difficult delivery, suffered thereupon the greatest pains of her whole body; by which brought almost to the extremity, she invoked St. Benno with the greatest trust. To whom after she vowed a Mass and a gift of a florin, she recovered her health. April 9.

[271] Margareta Schneider, around the Christmas holidays, for seventeen weeks sustained incredible pains of the head, almost with the danger of losing her reason. pain of the head, In these most grievous torments St. Benno appeared to her, commanding her to make a vow to him. Which, when she had done, a pilgrimage and a Mass being vowed, she came out free from all pain. May 4.

[272] flowing with blood, By the merciful help of the same Saint recovered Agnes N., suffering for two months from a flux of blood, after she promised him a Mass to be read by vow. May 8.

[273] two mute, The ten-year-old son of Leonard Kholkauff, for a whole five years mute, obtained speech from St. Benno, to whom the father had vowed a Mass. On the day as above.

[174] Christoph, the five-year-old son of Catharina Planck, who himself too for three years lacked the use of speech, by the patronage of St. Benno, to whom his parents commended him, vowing a Mass and a pilgrimage by vow, began to speak: which miracle, the vow discharged, on May 11 they reported to be noted.

[275] Jacob, the seven-year-old son of Michael Lauttenschlager of Khumat, a dying boy, entangled in a grave disease, passed five days without food; for whom, already given up for lost, the father made a vow to St. Benno, and kept him alive and unharmed. May 14.

[276] Johann, the one-year-old infant of Andreas Seidel, was ruptured from birth. ruptured; Whom, when the father had handed over to a surgeon to be treated, the surgeon did not dare, because of the tenderness of his age, to use the harsh remedy of cutting; and was the prompter to the father to commend his offspring to St. Benno by a vow made. Which when he had done at once, a Mass and a pilgrimage promised; the rupture vanished. The witness was Caspar Seidel, brother of the said Andreas. May 20.

[277] Michael Hafner of Deckendorf, for a whole two years suffering in his feet, a man weak in the feet had to use crutches: after he long wearied in vain the art of surgeons and physicians, he recovered, a vow of a Mass and a pilgrimage made to St. Benno. On the day as above.

[278] and a woman; Walburga, the wife of Antonius Schlechneber of Haugen, for a full year lying grievously ill, lacked all use of her feet. For whom, when her husband had vowed a pilgrimage to St. Benno, within eight days, without any medicine, she came out sound and safe. May 28.

[279] Johann Konig of Pretschlaipf, two years before, dangerously and out of his senses, was sick for fourteen days. sick unto death. His son Georg, suppliant to St. Benno for his father's safety, dedicated a painted tablet, on which the image of the Most Holy Trinity was depicted: who soon, ratifying the vows, restored health to the sick man. May 29.

[280] Johann Schwailer, a citizen of Munich, for more than a month suffering in his right foot, hindered in foot and arms, could not stand on it, [and] besides, so great a pain suddenly tormented both arms that he could touch his mouth with neither hand. In this twofold calamity he promised by vow a Mass and a votive offering to St. Benno, and on the very day holy to his Healer, recovered. July 4.

[281] two with fever, Johann Deuschel, likewise a citizen of Munich, together with his wife Barbara, for nine weeks lay ill of a fever: a Mass promised by vow to St. Benno, both were freed from the disease. July 9.

[282] an apoplectic, Johann Perlacher, returning to the city from the village of Perlach, first a sudden dizziness whirled; which shortly ceasing, near the bridge of the Isar, as if struck by apoplexy in both knees, collapsing to the ground, he could not go further, but, placed on a cart, was carried home. And so, when he had lain crippled in his feet for four whole days, on July 9 by night St. Benno appeared, to whom he had before vowed a Mass and a votive offering for his health: and Benno seemed twice to touch the sick knees with his sacred staff, having urged (so he dreamed) that he help him in carrying a certain little chest, on which his image was placed: thereupon at once he could walk on his feet as before.

[283] Martin, the year-and-a-half-old infant of Johann Grimb of Dachov, blind, for eleven weeks was blind. In this calamity the father for his little son dedicated a calf by vow: who within eight days recovered one eye (the other drying up). July 28.

[284] pain of the arm, Catharina Closs of Puchniz, after she vowed a Mass to St. Benno, recovered the health of her arm, in which for a full half-year she had endured the greatest torments. September 6.

[285] The throat of Catharina Jägerpeck had so swelled, suffering from quinsy, that she had to go without food and drink; in this juncture of affairs she vowed by vow a wax votive offering to St. Benno, and shortly was better. September 24.

[286] The wife of Johann Graff of Mammendorf, frenzied and crippled in the feet, for a whole five years delirious and frenzied, for a full three years had to be kept in chains, and at last was crippled in both feet. The husband for his wife's safety promised by vow a votive offering to St. Benno, [and] she soon recovered the health both of her feet and of her mind. November 5.

[287] Johann Mayr of Wiebling, for six weeks suffered in his left foot with the most bitter pains, suffering in the foot, without any rest by day and night. His wife, when she had long applied human remedies in vain to heal her husband, vowed to St. Benno a Mass and a pilgrimage; who within a short time bestowed health on him. November 12. In the year 1620.

[288] Caspar Seelshover of Perckusa, for twenty years infected with a certain poisonous scurf in his left arm, and the arm, at great expense bid in vain for health from the surgeons: which at last, three years before, after he vowed to St. Benno a pilgrimage and the sacred Communion, he recovered within three weeks. As witness he named the whole neighborhood. January 20.

[289] Johann Eberel of Munich, for six weeks lying grievously ill, besides was infested by a dangerous abscess around the chest: in danger from an abscess, now given up for lost by all, he dedicated by vow a Mass and a gift to St. Benno, after which soon, the harmful ulcer having burst, he gradually recovered. March 25.

[290] Catharina N. Six years before fell into a dangerous disease in childbirth, delirious from childbirth, raving as if out of her mind. Afflicted in this manner, she promised a wax votive offering to St. Benno, and was freed from the disease. April 14.

[291] Barbara, the seven-year-old little daughter of Wolfgang Dumbperger of Irenperg, an apoplectic, a year before was several times seized by apoplexy: commended by her parents, who vowed a Mass and a pilgrimage by vow, to the patronage of St. Benno, she was restored to health.

[292] Georg Enckel of Underkaltenbach, two years before, fallen from a horse, lay for a night and half a day out of his senses, a dying man from a fall, and held for dead. The wife for her husband's safety vowed a Mass and a pilgrimage: who soon, a sign of life given, within eight days came out sound and safe. July 27.

[293] The twenty-year-old son of Christoph Ritter of Kun, ten years before crippled in his left arm and foot, for a whole year suffered the greatest pains. After the father implored the help of St. Benno, a vow of a Mass made, a paralytic on one side he shortly recovered his former health. September 28. In the year 1621.

[294] a dying man, Georg Gedaver of Landshut, during the past Christmas holidays, falling into a mortal disease, lay ill without any hope of safety. As soon as in his stead Lord N. Imberlander invoked St. Benno with a vow of a Mass, within a few days he recovered. April 8.

[295] a man tormented in his whole body Andreas Pfundmayr of Bacher, two years before, afflicted with the greatest pains of all his limbs, lay ill for a full half-year. In so grave a disease, with great trust of recovering his health, he made a vow of a Mass and a pilgrimage to St. Benno: and within a short time, without any human healing, came out safe and unharmed; and discharged his vow, giving thanks without end to his Healer, on May 30.

[296] and a girl, Barbara, the little daughter of a certain woman of Durnhorn, after she became three years old, for a whole three years was grievously ill in her whole body: but by a votive offering vowed to St. Benno by her mother, she recovered. May 21.

[297] a dying man, By the help of the same Saint a six-year-old little one, given up for lost by all, recovered his health: and, become more advanced in age, placed his own signature, as witness of so great a miracle, upon the altar of his Healer. On the day as above.

[298] a jaundice patient, Anna Eismanniz of Detterried, jaundice had so violently seized that none of the healers dared to put a hand to treating her, her nose now beginning to putrefy, wherefore, deprived of human aid, she obtained health from St. Benno, to whom she had vowed a Mass and a votive offering. On the day as above.

[299] a heart patient, The wife of Georg Planck of Wünd was infested with such great pains of head and heart that she lost hope of further life. As soon as she called upon the help of St. Benno with a vow of a Mass, she was restored to health. On the same day as above.

[300] ruptured, Andreas Deer of Oberfinding, for a full five years ruptured; a vow of a Mass and a pilgrimage to St. Benno made, he was freed from that evil. On the day above said.

[301] a man with vertigo, Georg, the son, likewise named Georg, of Georg Ofner of Germerswang, of eight years, was infested by a certain vertiginous disease of the head: which, when it assailed him, forced him to take to his bed. The father, suppliant for the safety of his offspring, dedicated a votive offering to St. Benno, [and] the son was soon freed from all disease. June 9.

[302] a woman with headache, Anna Kolzöpel of Waidkirch, for a full five years suffered in her head with the greatest torment, all fearing lest from the pain she lose her mind, after she promised by vow a votive offering to St. Benno, came out free from all pain. On the day as above.

[303] a man swollen in the body, Michael Horman of Harazell, for ten weeks was swollen in his whole body, and out of his mind. His wife, the art of the healers having been applied in vain to the treatment, took refuge with St. Benno, with a votive offering and a gift vowed by vow; and recovered for her husband the longed-for health. June 9.

[303] Apollonia Magd of Underumbach, by a vow made to St. Benno, suffering from fever, was freed from a Hungarian fever. On the day above said.

[304] mute and about to be choked, Johann Iserck, six years before, had suddenly lost his speech, his throat besides so obstructed by an abscess that, his breath being cut off, he seemed about to be choked. From which twofold evil he came out free shortly and happily, a vow of a votive offering made to St. Benno; and at last discharged the vow, which up to this day he had put off, admonished by a dream, June 14.

[305] Anna Beür, vexed by long-lasting pains of the head, pain of the head, ascribed her health to St. Benno, to whom she had vowed a votive offering and a gift. On the day as above.

[306] Maria, the twenty-year-old daughter of Magdalena Schwastetter, another, the foot, suffered such sharp pains in her right foot that she could not walk. For whom, after the mother implored the patronage of St. Benno with a vow of a pilgrimage and a votive offering; from then, now for three years, she has enjoyed the best health. June 14.

[307] The five-year-old little son of Balthasar Stepperel of Munich, mute, likewise named Balthasar, for a full four years was mute: to whom St. Benno, invoked by his parents, who vowed a Mass and a votive offering, gave speech. June 18.

[308] Jacob, the twelve-year-old son of Johann Neimer of Mittenwald, crippled in the feet. now five years old, could not stand on his feet. The father, fearing lest he be crippled in them altogether, made a vow to St. Benno; and at once the boy that very same week learned to walk. July 30.

[309] Johann Perger, in a dangerous fire of his whole neighborhood that within a quarter of an hour was consuming fourteen houses, vowed a calf to St. Benno: a fire is warded off, who, the wind being immediately changed, kept this devotee's house, alone of all unharmed by the flames. October 5. The witnesses were all the neighbors. In the year 1622.

[310] Margareta, daughter of Georg Gebhart of Ohenbach, a frenzy is cured. five years before was grievously seized by frenzy: which disease afflicted her several times atrociously. But after her father vowed by vow to St. Benno a pilgrimage and a Mass, freed from that evil forever she recovered. May 27.

THE YEAR 1680,

the hundredth from the body's translation into Bavaria.

[311] The celebration of this year began on June 15, when in the afternoon a most splendid procession of suppliants was led, through the greater part of the city, a solemn Procession being instituted, all the way to the Electoral palace. There went before the members of the several Congregations in greatest number: standards were borne, images adorned on litters, sacred Relics in splendid array. There followed all the families of the Religious. Then the whole clergy in long order, and the College of Canons. The sacred remains of St. Benno were carried, enclosed in a precious tomb, and adorned with liberal and much silver by the most serene Maximilian Philip, Duke of Bavaria, the Relics are carried about, then Administrator of the Bavarian Electorate. Upon the tomb was seen the silver effigy of St. Benno, wrought with most elegant workmanship, which most illustrious matrons had adorned, endowed with gold and gems. At the side, priests bore the Mitre, the Staff, and the Cope of the holy Prelate, of which the latter had remained intact in the sepulcher for two hundred years. After these, the most serene Elector Maximilian Emanuel [and] the most serene Maximilian Philip, with his most serene Consort, accompanied. The footsteps of the Princes were thronged by the Nobles, Senators, Nobles of the court household, and finally the whole city. The Ambrosian hymn followed Vespers, with a thrice-doubled crash of cannon, by the soldiers in the market and the streets, then afterward, with immense applause, and the festive boom of bronze engines, more celebrated from the twin towers of the church of the Blessed Virgin, and along the fortifications of the city. the octave is celebrated Panegyric sermons on St. Benno were delivered before the assembly by our ordinary preacher, throughout that Octave, eleven in all, the most serene Maximilian Philip the Administrator with his most serene Consort and the whole court always present, and with an unusual concourse of the city. The church of the Blessed Virgin, where in this age the sacred remains of St. Benno are preserved, was ingeniously adorned with emblems, chronograms, and inscriptions. This above all is memorable: that for a whole hundred years, from when the sacred Relics of St. Benno migrated from Meissen into Bavaria, from their arrival at Munich, that royal city of the Province of Bavaria, no breath of pestilence has ever blown upon it, while they are present, so welcome an inhabitant is St. Benno to the Bavarians. I said, While present: for in the year 1634 of this century, it is said that there was no plague while the body was present. when the pestilence raged even at Munich, the sacred remains of St. Benno were in flight at Salzburg (which city is most strongly fortified within a mountain), that they might be snatched from the Swedish fury. At the return of those Relics the plague ceased, nor after this did it dare to follow; even if in the years 1679 and 1680 of this century the same plague infested the neighboring Provinces. For this whole time, each week a solemn Mass was sung in the church of the Holy Virgin, in honor of St. Benno, to whom this year 1681, for the city and the whole fatherland preserved from the plague, as to a Patron and Healer, public thanks were given by a Solemn Procession: in which his sacred Relics were again carried through the city. The Ambrosian hymn followed the supplication, and, the festive applause concluded, again along the fortifications of the city, and from the twin towers, to the church of the Blessed Virgin, the engines of war. These things I, Franciscus Halden of the Society of Jesus, unworthy preacher at the Holy Virgin's, here conducted and witnessed; the emblems and chronograms were printed in type.