Servatius Bishop

ON ST. SERVATIUS BISHOP OF MAASTRICHT IN BELGIUM.

A.D. CCCLXXXIV

Servatius, Bishop of Tongres, of Maastricht in Belgium (St.)

BHL Number: 7615, 7621

BY G. H.

CHAPTER I.

The city Maastricht. The deeds of St. Servatius in various Councils. Euphratas vindicated from heresy.

Of Lower Germany or present-day Belgium are several places, celebrated by the name of Trajectum, and from the crossing of the rivers Scheldt, Meuse, and Rhine so called. There are above Valenciennes on the Scheldt, Pons and Trajectum, commonly Tricht, Trajectum on the Scheldt, as has taught me a man of distinction by nobility and learning Francis of Dixmude, Toparcha de la Balgue, with whose conversation at Valenciennes I once enjoyed: and his I have mentioned IV February in the Life of St. Veronica §5. But more eminent are two other cities of that name, both once adorned with the Episcopal throne, one on the river Meuse, the other on the ancient bed of the Rhine. The former from its situation higher up is called Trajectum, Meuse, in Teutonic speech Ober-Tricht and Obtricht. By which name also Ammianus Marcellinus (who flourished in the time of St. Servatius) in book XX of his Histories Obtricense he wrote a town of the Meuse. Most Belgians, as the river Masa, so the city Maas-Tricht they call. The other city on the Rhine, Onder-Tricht, and contracted Utricht or Utrecht, Rhine, and in Latin Ulterior-Trajectum and Ultrajectum named, of old (while the Episcopal Seat was at the other Trajectum on the Meuse) was the metropolis of the Frisians, but those abhorring the Christian faith: who afterwards through Apostolic men cultivated, was given near the end of the seventh century the first Bishop St. Willibrord, St. Hubert (who had transported the See from upper Trajectum to Liège) by several years surviving. Which things although by no means ambiguous, yet some writers, and these two by some confused. deceived by the proximity of the names, various Bishops of the prior See to this Church and diocese Ultrajectine have transferred. Thus St. Amandus the Bishop of Trajectum on the Meuse (to spare more examples) Ultrajectine See on the Rhine Bishop have called Gaspar Bruschius in the Bishops of Strasbourg, Martinus Crusius part 1 of the Suevian Annals book 10 chapter 6, Petrus de Marca book 1 of the History of Béarn chapter 25, Samuel Guichenon in the History of Bresse and Bugey from the MS. Martyrology of the monastery there of Nantua, and several others. But omitting now Ultrajectum, of Trajectum on the Meuse must we treat.

[2] Of this city, the glory and crown was St. Servatius the Bishop, who at divine warning, the destruction of his city Tongres forestalling, its Patron St. Servatius, thither he betook himself, and soon on this XIII May, on which he is venerated, from this mortal life departed in the year CCCLXXXIV. Collecting his Acts from ancient monuments, the first notice of him we find in the Council of Cologne, in the year CCCXLVI. After the Consulate of Amantius and Albinus on IV Ides of May held: at which Jacobus Sirmondus annotates these things: Of this Council we have seen no manuscript exemplar. Therefore we represent the Surian edition, except that in the nomenclature of Bishops for Articlavus crept in ^a Laticlavus, in the year 346, at the Council of Cologne, further Verdun, whose Bishop Santinus, formerly was called the city of Clavi, the city, teaches among others Bercharius the Presbyter, who a brief history of the Bishops of Verdun to Dudo the Bishop wrote. Thus Sirmondus. But in place of the Author Bishop of the Mediomatrici, the name of Victor was read there many have observed, on account of heresy of the Bishop forced, referred below number 13. And to Simplicius is given the Bishopric of Autun, when there seems then to have sat St. Cassianus, and after him Egemonius, and then in the following century Simplicius, as we have said on the Life of St. Amator I May. Let us therefore be permitted, with the indulgence of the reader, to indicate, that we judge that another name also crept into the same text, either falsely supplied by some smatterer, or by an unskilled scribe far from the truth deformed; namely of the very Bishop of Cologne, but by others in the Council of Bishops perhaps wrapped in deep silence, that his fame might be consulted, or for the name of Eupraxius, Euphrasius or another similar wrongly written; Euphratas, I say, a man both most learned and most upright, as soon will be evident: indeed whom we judge to have detected the wickedness of another, and into the place of his deposition to have been substituted. Over this Council of Cologne presided St. Maximinus of Trier, who is commonly held to be the XXVII Bishop of that See, and at least according to us, who eight of them banish to Tongres, would be the nineteenth. But the Catalogues of the Bishops of Cologne are so imperfect, that still in Sammarthani after Maternus is placed second Euphratas. Maternus was present at the first Council of Arles in the year CCCXIV: of whose Successors (if there were several before Euphratas) we judge this Pseudo-bishop to have been, and to have conspired with Photinus and the divinity of Christ to have abjured: of whom in that Council among fourteen Bishops penultimate St. Servatius the Bishop said: What N. the Pseudo-bishop did, or what he taught, I have learned not by opinion but by truth, on account of the joined city of the neighboring place, he subscribed; with St. Athanasius cited as witness against him, in which I publicly and privately resisted him often, when he denied Christ as God, with Athanasius Bishop of Alexandria and many Presbyters and Deacons hearing. And therefore I judge he cannot be a Bishop to Christians, since with sacrilegious voice he denied Christ as God; nor should he be judged a Christian, who shall be found neighbor to him. Thus St. Servatius: but when he resisted with St. Athanasius hearing, except when he at Augusta of the Treveri with St. Maximinus an exile dwelt, could with St. Servatius have run to Cologne, and the Pseudo-bishop have admonished, and St. Servatius resisting him have heard? formerly residing among the Treveri. But that St. Athanasius was in this his exile from about the month of February of year CCCXXXVI until the month of June of year CCCXXXVIII, we have shown 2 May at his Life chapter 10, at which time we judge St. Servatius to have been created Bishop of Tongres, and what follows therefrom, that for about XLVII years he lived in that dignity. The Pseudo-Bishop (as Bucherius writes book 9 of Roman Belgium chapter 6 number 9) thus condemned and deposed, a little later through old age and grief is supposed to have wasted away, and against Neuss on the Rhine to have been buried. Which we have not yet read elsewhere.

[3] There succeeded in the next year CCCXLVII, with Eusebius and Rufinus as Consuls, the Council held at Sardica, a city of Thrace, on the borders of each Empire, subject to Constans and Constantius, with Julius the Roman Pontiff and the said Constans the Emperor exerting themselves: in the year 347 he is present at the Council of Sardica, to which set out the said Euphrates, Bishop of Cologne in the place of the Pseudo-bishop ordained; then several other Bishops, who had been in the Council of Cologne, and with them Maximinus of Trier, and Sarvatius of Tongres, in Greek Σαρβάτιος, in others also Servatius written: through whom could the Council have come to know the Photinian heresy, which is reported to have been there detected in the author Epiphanius heresy 72, there Bishops gathered from twenty-five Provinces declared St. Athanasius with his innocent, and concerning that matter wrote everywhere, each subscribing after Hosius, as we set forth more fully on the Life of St. Athanasius chapter 15 and 16. Elected then by the whole Council were two Bishops, Vincentius of Capua and Euphrates of Cologne, as men distinguished by extraordinary sanctity and most illustrious doctrine: whence sent to the Emperor Constantius with Euphrates whom appointed to Constantius the Emperor, Athanasius in the epistle to those leading the solitary life, describes in these words: Sent by the holy Council on the legation Bishops, Vincentius of Capua, which is the metropolis of Campania, and Euphrates of Cologne, which is the metropolis of upper Gaul, that for the decrees of the Synod the Emperor Constantius the Bishops, whom he himself had ejected, would allow to return to their Sees: and to that opinion by Constans the most pious to his brother letters given, by which he commended the Bishops to him. But those wonderful men and to any deed prompt (the Eusebians and Arians, namely) when these Legates at Antioch they had seen, in common indeed into counsel they enter: but yet so, that Stephen (Antiochene Bishop the Arian) the fable of the entered counsel to be carried out he should undertake, the snares laid by the Arians become evident, as one most fitting for things of this kind. The business undertaken, he hires a public prostitute on the very feast of the most holy Pasch, and her naked through the shadows they send into the house of Euphrates the Bishop. The prostitute however, since at first believed a youth was who was summoning her, promptly was following. But after, thus deserted by them, a man sleeping, ignorant of all things, she beheld; and considering more diligently, the face of an old man and the appearance of a Bishop she perceived; immediately she sends up a cry and complains of violence: They on the contrary beg her to be silent, and a false crime against the Bishop to concoct. As the day therefore was dawning the deed is divulged, and the whole city ran together: and those who in the Palace were, by the wonder of the matter were moved, and were unwilling that it be handed over to silence. It comes to judgment, the pimp betrays those, who the prostitute had summoned, and they then the author of this matter Stephen to be show: for they were his Clerics, who had agreed with the pimp. Stephen therefore of Episcopal dignity is stripped, and in his place is substituted Leontius the castrated; not for any other purpose, than that there should not be lacking a defender of the heresy. But the Emperor Constantius a little compunctious returned to himself: and from conjecture from those things, which against Euphrates they had designed, made, similar to be their calumnies against others he judging, the relegated from Alexandria into Armenia Presbyters and Deacons immediately to return he orders, and distinctly to Alexandria he writes, that no further Athanasius's Clerics or laymen they should persecute. Then after ten months Gregory dying, he summons Athanasius with all honor, not once or twice, but three times to him most friendly letters writing, by which he encouraged him, and exhorted to come: and sent to him Presbyter and Deacon that with greater confidence to him he might return.

[4] All these things St. Athanasius: to which Theodoret in book 2 of the Eccl. Hist. chapter 9 has added many smaller circumstances, namely that by Constans the Emperor was joined to the Legates Salianus the Praetor, and they make the man's virtue known, a man notable for piety and justice: A crowd of fifteen men in the Bishops' lodging hidden, who when the prostitute had entered would raise tumult: That of the Legates the elder Euphrates, in the outer chamber sleeping, and at the noise of feet awakened, having heard and seen the woman as if at the sight of a demon was terrified, and to the arms of the Cross and prayer took refuge: At length with the doors closed by Vincentius, and seven of the number of the lurkers seized, by Salianus it was commanded, that the inquiry should be held in the palace. All which things on the Life of St. Athanasius are explained chapter 16. The Pasch cited above, on whose feasts the prostitute was sent in, was of the year CCCXLVIII, and was celebrated on day III April. Followed then the abdication of Stephen from the Antiochene Episcopate, and after ten months the death of Gregory of Alexandria. Afterwards by many letters invited St. Athanasius, when before setting out for Rome he had met Julius the Pontiff, took the journey to Antioch, and was kindly received by Constantius: at which time the Legates Vincentius and Euphrates already long since had returned to their Sees. But it is altogether most absurd even to think, that after all those things such a man fell from the faith, as some have dreamed, whom it would be foolish to say afterwards lapsed, with greatest injury to him. For how could afterwards he have been detected and condemned in that Council, which the year CCCXLVI to have been celebrated the added Consuls demonstrate? Or how could this much later have been celebrated, over which St. Maximinus presided, in the year CCCXLIX dying, as we shall show on his Life XXIX May? How also St. Servatius, with Athanasius hearing, resisted a man now Photinian after all the aforesaid, and that under the end of his life, as Surius and others after the Acts of the Council wish: when once having departed from the Gauls Athanasius, never to it returned, and Servatus lived to year CCCLXXXIV? What will it be to overturn the whole history of the Council of Cologne, with times and persons confused, if this is not to mix all things? Let another show, if he can, an easier way than that which we have held, for resolving the controversies arising from this Council; it we shall gladly enter.

[5] In year CCCL Magnentius had assumed tyranny, and Constans the Emperor having been killed, possessed Empire in Italy, Gaul and Africa. To the same Emperor sent also seems St. Servatius in the year 351 By him sent to Constantius the Emperor Legates, Servatius and Maximus the Bishops, likewise Clemens and Valens: who when through Alexandria they had passage, the Arians seized opportunity to slander St. Athanasius, as if through them to the tyrant he had written: which crime he stoutly removed from himself in the Apology to Constantius. There had been in the Council of Sardica among the Italian Bishops Maximus, and among the Gallican our Servatius, there as here in Greek Σαρβάτιος written. As, moreover, afterwards to Maximus invader of the Empire embassies undertook SS. Ambrose and Martin, so also these to procure the quiet of the Church, could have been sent to Magnentius, and that in the year CCCLI, when he had his Empire more peaceful.

[6] In year CCCLIX, with Eusebius and Hypatius as Consuls, was held in Italy the Synod of Rimini for seven months, from June to December. then in year 359 he is present at the Council of Rimini At this also was present St. Servatius, of whom and St. Phœbadius Bishop of Agen the memory in that especially is celebrated. Of this Synod the deeds Sulpicius Severus expounds in book 2 of the Ecclesiastical History, and we have at length described on the Life of St. Hilary XIII January: but here we give a few from him which to St. Servatius especially pertain, in such words published: At Rimini a city of Italy, Constantius the Emperor a Synod to be assembled orders, with 400 Bishops. and that to Taurus the Prefect he commands, that those gathered in one he should not before dismiss, than into one faith they should consent; with the Consulate promised to him if the matter to effect he had brought. So with sent through Illyricum, Italy, Africa, the Spains, and the Gauls Magisters officials, summoned or compelled four hundred and somewhat more Western Bishops, at Rimini came together: to whom all provisions and stores to be given the Emperor had ordered: but to ours, that is, to the Aquitanians, Gauls and Britons it seemed indecent, with the fiscal supplies refused, with their own expenses they preferred to live … Meanwhile the Legates of the Council of Rimini from the part of ours the Emperor compels to be united in the communion of the heretics, and to the same drawn up by the wicked a faith he hands over, with deceitful words wrapped, which Catholic discipline with hidden perfidy, would speak. For the word "Usia," as if ambiguous, and rashly by the Fathers used, nor from the authority of the Scriptures proceeding, under the appearance of false reason he abolished, lest the Son be believed of one substance with the Father. The same faith confessed the Son like the Father: but inwardly was at hand a fraud prepared, that he should be similar, not equal.

[7] Thus the Legates dismissed, the Prefect was instructed, that the Synod he should not before dissolve, than to the drawn-up faith to consent all by subscriptions they should profess. And if any more obstinately should resist, and various drawing toward Arianism, provided that this number within fifteen should be, into exile they should be driven. But with the Legates returned, although deprecating royal violence, communion was denied. Indeed when the decrees that had been made were learned, greater perturbation of things and counsels: then little by little most of ours, partly through weakness of intellect, partly through weariness of the journey overcome, gave themselves to the adversaries, with already after the return of the Legates the upper hand, and the church, with ours thence thrust out, obtaining. And once made an inclination of minds, in companies to the other side they yielded: until to twenty the number of ours was diminished. But these the fewer they were, the more valid: and most constant among them was held our Phœbadius, and Servatius, Bishop of the Tongres. These, since with threats and frightenings they had not yielded, with St. Phœbadius most constantly persists, Taurus with prayers approaches, and weeping conjures, more lenient counsel uti they should take: that closed within one city the Bishops now seventh month had been spending: with the injury of winter and lack worn down, no hope of return is given. What at last would be the end? They should follow the example of the majority, the authority at least from the number they should take. And indeed Phœbadius declared himself ready for exile, and for every punishment, in which he should be demanded; he professed, that the faith conceived by the Arians he would not receive.

[8] So in this contest some days were spent. When little they were profiting toward peace, but at last he too led into the fraud little by little he himself more broken at last under the proposed condition is overcome. For Valens and Ursacius affirming, that the present faith conceived by Catholic reasoning, by the Easterns with the Emperor as author brought forth, with sin was repudiated: and what end of discords would there be, if what to the Easterns had pleased, to the Westerns should displease? Lastly if anything less fully in the present faith published seemed, they themselves should add what they thought ought to be added, ready to give in those things which had been added consent. The favorable profession with willing minds of all was received: nor further dared ours to resist, now in any way to put an end to the matter desiring. Then the professions conceived by Phœgadius and Servation began to be published: he seemed also to yield, in which first is condemned Arius and all his perfidy: but moreover not equal to the Father, and without beginning, without time the Son of God is pronounced. Then Valens, as if helping ours, added a sentence, in which lay hidden deceit: That the Son of God is not a creature, like other creatures; and the fraud of profession deceived the hearers. For with these words, by which similar to other creatures the Son was denied to be, a creature, however, only better than others, was pronounced. Thus neither side could utterly think itself to have conquered or been conquered: because the faith itself was for the Arians, but the professions afterwards added were for ours, except that one which Valens had subjoined; which then not understood, late at last was perceived. In this manner the Council dismissed, with good beginning, and led back to the way by St. Hilary, with foul exit was consummated… Then Hilary Bishop of Poitiers ordered to return to the Gauls, judging it best to recall all to amendment and penitence, with frequent Councils within the Gauls; and with almost all professing concerning their error, what at Rimini had been done they condemned, and into pristine state of the Churches the faith they reform.

[9] Thus there. St. Phœbadius is venerated XXV April, where we said that a book against the Arians was written by him and praised by St. Jerome. Things similar to these by St. Servatius, in hatred of Arianism, soon to have been done we do not doubt. They are said indeed two to have resisted sound counsels, Saturninus Bishop of Arles, and Paternus of Périgueux, but each from the Church was cast out, especially when with Julian reigning the Bishops returned to their Churches, then with St. Hilary taking care, those frequent Councils within the Gauls were held, writes Severus, not naming them, nor in what part especially of the Gauls they were celebrated indicating. it is not known whether he was present at Councils held afterwards, One alone of all is known the Parisian of year CCCLXII, and that in the time of Julian the apostate, in which the formula of faith by the Arians with the name of Usia suppressed founded, and at Rimini accepted, was condemned; the Catholic faith expounded, and to the Eastern Bishops sent. To this however are missing the subscriptions of the Bishops, among whom perhaps Servatius, unless impeded by disease or other thing held his place: or once deceived by the Arians, from all assemblies of Bishops he abhorred, and afterwards did not wish to attend any Synod, from one of which returning St. Severinus of Cologne but for himself and his diocese to attend alone took care. At this time I would believe to have happened, that St. Severinus Bishop of Cologne, to Euphratas, not in the Council of Cologne of year CCCXLVII, but after ten or sixteen years substituted, came to Tongres, on ecclesiastical matters to confer with St. Servatius now an old man: which in the Life of St. Evergislus his successor in Surius on day XXIV October, not without the admixture of the common error about Euphratas, is thus narrated. The Arian heresy was then prevailing also in the Gauls, which the most blessed Severinus everywhere strove to put to flight. And when with that intent he was visiting also Tongres… he first of the Brothers, who that Church with care and dignity governed, called to him; from him diligently inquiring about their faith and zeal for divine worship. He responded to each thing what the matter seemed to require: and among other things even the wonderful first-fruits of virtues of Evergislus the religious boy he accurately set forth. Bucherius chapter 5 of the historical Disputation after the first volume of Chapeauville, takes these things as if after the death of St. Servatius and the destruction of the Tongres, recommending the boy St. Evergislus, St. Servatius led him with himself. dealt with him who in the vacant See of the wretched city the relics in any way administered in sacred matters. But when that Life is not of the first note and was written long after; just as its author erred in inventing the cause of this excursion, as if among the Tongres the perfidious Euphratas had over-sown the wheat of sound doctrine with the cockle of impious dogma, for the rooting out of which the work of Severinus was necessary; thus the same seems to have been ignorant, what Bishop that Church then had, or whether at all it had any one, when thence was led St. Evergislus. But the cause which St. Severinus could have had of visiting Tongres still standing, far more probably we shall believe to have been one of those several Gallican Synods, from one of which returning he, took care to approach St. Servatius, so that of things done in the Synod and decreed he might inform him, who perhaps had asked it from him before.

[10] Finally to these times pertains (if it is true) what in the Maastricht MSS. under the end of the miracles is contained in these words: At the time when blessed Pastor of the Church Servatius the seeds of the divine word in his everywhere Episcopate with all diligence was sowing, there came to him the Count of the town of Louvain, named Porus, weighed down by an incurable disease, which on his nose he bore: whom God at the prayers of the blessed Bishop to health straightway restored. By whose miracle's grace that Count to the blessed man half of the temporal lordship of the town of Maastricht by hereditary right conferred: Half of the lordship of Maastricht which the Church of Liège, to which it was transferred, today is known to possess. Thus there, from which can be gathered the affection of St. Servatius toward the people of Maastricht, whom as his own diligently in the Christian faith and morals he instructed. On day third May in the Life of St. Alexander Pope we showed Aurelian, in the time of Trajan the Emperor under whom that one suffered, to have been Count of both militias in Isauria, and such titles to have lasted even to the times of Arcadius and Honorius. In the same way were called Counts, those whom the Emperors or Presidents of Provinces and Pro-consuls from their Comitatus sent, to administer some dominion or city and with arms to defend. Many things about the similar dignity of Counts among the Romans Olivarius Vredius gathered, in the History of the Counts of Flanders chapter one. So also could in Belgium of the Roman militia have presided someone, with the title of Count; whom unskilled posterity, no other in these parts more ancient Count knowing, than the Lovaniensian, some many centuries afterwards first beginning to be named, with that city's title proleptically have signed; with added perhaps with the same license the name of Porus, taken from the History of Alexander the Great. The same Count could also have acted with the Emperor, by whom and how delivered to St. Servatius? that to the rights of the church of Tongres should be added the half of the imperial revenues at Maastricht, and that for the favor of St. Servatius. Rather however I would say, that long after the death of this Saint and the church built under his name, in the time of the Frankish Kings (under whom whole towns and cities by allodial right at times were possessed by men of chief nobility) some lord of Maastricht by the same right, of his own right the half gave to St. Servatius that is, to his church: which manner of speaking most usual, often gave occasion of attributing to living Saints miracles long after their death performed. But this right of the Bishops of Liège some, uncertain when, drew to himself through some agreement with the Monastery or Chapter of St. Servatius, that it and his church should be emancipated, in future to be under Imperial protection.

CHAPTER II.

Roman journey. Time of death. Succession of Bishops. Chronology established.

[11] After Julian reigned Jovian, then Valentinian and Valens brothers, terrified by fear of the Huns, to whom then was joined the son of the former Gratian, and to his father dying Valentinian the younger was substituted. Then with Valens for the V time and Valentinian the younger as Consuls, in year CCCLXXVI, the Goths from the people of the Huns ejected and expelled, writes in the Consular Fasti Idatius. Two years afterward Valens died, when the Huns occupied Pannonia, and in it fixed their seat, and struck terror into neighboring Germany and Gaul: by which then moved St. Servatius, the Roman journey he undertook writes Gregory of Tours in book 2 of the History of the Franks chapter 5 in these words: Then there was a rumor that the Huns wished to break into Gaul. There was at that time among the Tongres town Servatius, a Bishop of extraordinary sanctity: who attending to vigils and fasts, with frequent shower of tears bedewed, the mercy of the Lord beseeched, that never this unbelieving people, and to himself always unworthy into Gaul to come he would permit. But perceiving by spirit, that for the offenses of the people this had not been granted to him; he took counsel, that he should seek out the city of Rome, namely that with added patronages of Apostolic virtue, he approaches the thresholds of the Apostles. which humbly to the mercy of God he begged, he might more easily merit to obtain. Approaching therefore to the tomb of the blessed Apostle, he was beseeching the help of his goodness, in much abstinence, with greatest hunger consuming himself, so that for two and three days without any food and drink he remained, nor was there any interval, in which from prayer he ceased. And when there many days' spaces in such affliction he tarried, he is reported from the blessed Apostle to have received this response: Why do you, most holy man, trouble me? For behold near the deliberation of the Lord it is wholly determined, that the Huns into Gaul shall come, and them with greatest tempest must depopulate. Now therefore take counsel, But by divine warning hasten swiftly, set your house in order, prepare your burial, seek clean linens. For behold you shall depart from the body, nor shall your eyes see the evils which the Huns shall do in Gaul, just as the Lord our God has spoken. This from the holy Apostle the Pontiff response received, his journey he hastens, and the Gauls swiftly seeks again: and coming to the city of the Tongres, what was necessary for burial with himself quickly takes; and bidding farewell to the Clerics and remaining citizens of the city, he announces with weeping and lamentation, that they would no further see his face. he migrates to Maastricht, But they with great wailing and tears accompanying him, were supplicating with humble prayer saying: Do not abandon us, holy Father: do not forget us, good Pastor. But when they could not call him back with weeping, with the blessing received with kisses, they returned. He however approaching the city of Maastricht, struck with a slight fever, departed from the body: and washed by the faithful near the same public mound was buried. Whose blessed body how after of many times' spaces it was translated, in the book of Miracles we have written, says Gregory, and we below shall report.

[12] That year was CCCLXXXIV, in which he passed from this life on the thirteenth day of May, the second feria of Pentecost, he affirms to have read in the most ancient Trajectine Church's pittacium Vendelinus chapter 7 of the Salic Laws. he died in year 384; And the characters agree most well: for in the said year, with cycle of the Moon 5 of the Sun I, Dominical letters GF, Pasch fell on XXIV March, and Pentecost Sunday on XII May. There had elapsed then two and forty years after the held Council of Cologne, in which St. Servatius was present as Bishop, but some years before adorned with Episcopal dignity: so that he seems in it to have lived about seven and forty years, nor are we necessarily compelled to grant many years beyond seventy of his life. St. Remigius, a whole century younger, in the twenty-second year of his age was Bishop of Reims ordained, and after seventy-four years he had ministered in the Episcopate, in his ninety-sixth year of age completed the course of his holy contest. If however some wish to ascribe eighty years or somewhat more to Servatius, not for that reason a contentious rope shall we draw. The Salian Franks were dwelling quietly at that time near Toxandria a place, on the borders of the Tongres, in seats by the Romans precariously granted, nor any to neighbors did they instill fear. However not to them in this his flight did Servatius depart, whom alien from the faith of Christ and in their cult of idols obstinate he had found: but to the citizens of Maastricht, by him in orthodox religion and sincere piety instructed migrated. Nor is it difficult immediately after his death, to the above-mentioned time referred, to find an occasion, by which into these provinces of Lower Germany the depopulating Huns ran out, and the Tongres devastated. For Maximus had invaded the Empire, and corroborated it for himself with Gratian the Emperor killed, on VIII Kalends of September, Indiction XI, Merobaudus II and Saturninus Consuls, as Count Marcellinus writes in the Chronicle, that is in year of Christ CCCLXXXIII.

[13] Against this Huns called by Gratian writes Baronius, the Huns then invaded, the rumor against Gratian, who partly the British sea with ships, partly Gaul with incursions infested; but that Gratian did this he proves with no ancient testimony: indeed with the Alans allies of the Huns, that war was then with Gratian to indicate seems Zosimus in book four, when this cause of soldiers alienated from Gratian he says was, that certain Alan deserters received and enrolled in the army numbers, with large rewards he honored; and so much esteemed, that to them of greatest moment things he entrusted, no account of his soldiers being had. For they would not be called deserters, unless they had come from enemies. Let us grant however by the same mediators peace between Gratian and the barbarians to have grown together (for cognized of many soldiers' defection from himself, Gratian not daring to commit to dubious faith of the rest the die of battle, took flight toward the Rhaetias, Noricum and Pannonias and Upper Mysia, long since occupied by barbarians, certainly as toward friendly regions) yet not their aids could he in such sudden trepidation have summoned, unless perhaps to come to him. Nor should he have sent them into Britain or Gaul by long circuit; but rather joined them to himself, and opposed Maximus, who having transmitted by ships the Ocean to the mouths of the Rhine had landed, but after his death by Bantho the Count summoned. and with the armies which were in Germany and the other regions according to this approving the election, was now ruling over all Lower Germany, and against him was coming. Finally St. Ambrose, on behalf of the brother of Gratian killed Valentinian functioning in a second legation to Maximus, to him objecting against him, that the Count Bantho the barbarians sent in for him; did not respond, that they were long since called by Gratian: but excuses that not against him, but against the Iuthungi, who were depopulating the Rhaetias, the Hun was summoned, as you have in epistle 27: indeed praises, that when he himself surrounded by ranks of barbarians into Italy was pouring himself, Valentinian the Huns and Alans, approaching Gaul through the lands of Alemannia turned aside. Let us say therefore Bantho was the one, who under the appearance of repelling from the Rhaetias the Iuthungi, the Huns and Alans had stirred up after the death of Gratian; and them while Maximus occupies Gaul, depopulating ran through all those, which had first joined themselves to him, regions of Upper and Lower Germany, perhaps in the very year CCCLXXXIV, when on XXI October upon the same, besieging Cologne, seem to have fallen the virgins of Ursula, namely when these were already on the return, with the Tongres and Reims and several other cities destroyed; and when, the traces of them was following Maximus, that against similar incursions afterward to fortify those same regions, and the See of empire for himself at Trier to constitute. Thus could it have happened, that St. Servatius's death was soon followed by the destruction of the Tongres.

[14] In the preliminary treatise to this volume we treated chapter 3 of Hadrian Valesius, How St. Gregory of Tours is to be explained when he mentions Attila. obtruding two Bishops for this single Servatius, and this irruption of the Huns to the times of Attila and the year of Christ CCCCLI transferring, as if then another Servatius or Aravatius from life had departed. But why does not Valesius in this place argue against the credit, false writings, negligence and excessive security, oblivion of his words, and other errors of Gregory, which he says he has refuted, lest anyone hereafter by the authority of so old a historian be deceived. Indeed such censures, most injurious to a most excellent writer, I do not approve: yet it is worthwhile to read how he treats the same one, narrating the irruption of the Vandals. It was not enough for him that in volume I book 5 page 209 and following Gregory he had charged with error, but in the preface to the following volume he added these things: At the beginning of book second the Kings of the Vandals first in Spain, then in Africa five only for seven, and not even in order, enumerates Gregory, with Geiseric and Gunthamundus omitted: and with Thrasamundus reigning the Vandals from Spain into Mauritania to have crossed, and through the whole of Africa to have spread he says, which by the leadership and principate of Geiseric to have been done is established. Meanwhile those things were more public, more recently done, and to the whole world more known, than that first irruption of the Huns into these Belgian regions, to which then Gregory joined, what afterwards under Attila happened. Besides he is wont external things, although disparate, to join: for as in the said place the Kings of the Vandals; so, book 3 chapter 20, he joins the Kings of the Spanish-Goths, indeed also chapter 17 of the same book 3 at once proposes the Bishops of Tours predecessors of his See, although not by sufficiently exact reckoning. Let it be said therefore that he in his own way did, when here he joined several irruptions of the Huns: and so the parent of the history of the Franks, and a man celebrated for sanctity and Ecclesiastical cult, can be explained and excused; but not so Valesius, when his authority, elsewhere with him so light, as inevitable here he objects to us, receiving no explanation of this more obscure place, much less accusing of negligence or error its author in his way. But to St. Servatius let us return. He had been, as said, in year CCCLXXXIV on the second feria of Pentecost on day XIII May from this mortal life departed, with the Episcopal See designated in the city of Maastricht, this explanation is confirmed by the succession of Bishops: and buried near the public mound or military road, to which today is adjacent the illustrious Church dedicated to his name, as we ourselves there present observed. But this is said to be in that place, where St. Maternus, in honor of Christ the Savior and of St. Peter is reported to have built a Church, an ancient tradition. The Relics then of the Saints of Tongres there were brought and have hitherto been preserved is certain, so that even on this account it can be believed that the Cathedral was there transferred: of which matter we have treated more fully in the Preliminary treatise chapter 9. To St. Servatius succeeded St. Agricolaus, who is reported to have restored the roof of the tomb of St. Servatius, cast down by the violence of the winds: who about the year CCCCXX dying and at Maastricht buried, we have said V February on his birthday. In the time of this Agricolaus the citizens of Hoy the Church of Bl. Mary, by the Huns with the town destroyed, rebuilt, an ancient tradition. After the death of Bl. Servatius, says Aegidius, with completed seventy years, which the Lord granted to penitence to all fleeing to his tomb, through Gaul erupted the savagery of the Huns, with leader namely Attila. Aegidius was preceded by Harigerus thus writing. After that vengeance, which is read to have been done by the Huns, with Vandalic likewise cruelty following, uncertain by what space of time the Church of Tongres was without Pontiff. Hither namely them impelled the authority of St. Gregory, joining the first slaughter from the Huns with the other after years, if precisely you wish to count, LXVII later: and as if not only at that time, but also long afterward until the age of St. Remigius the Church desolate had lain, each writer mixing many things about the Franks, then at last report the ordination of St. Agricolaus and the subsequent Bishops. of whom the first St. Agricolaus around year 400 seems ordained But that in this they greatly are mistaken from this is evident, that the seventh of them Falco, was contemporary with St. Remigius himself. So we altogether hold St. Agricolaus, who is said to have restored the roof of the tomb of St. Servatius cast down by the violence of the winds, to have died about the year CCCCXX, as we have said on the day of his Birth V February.

[15] I add now that the author of his ordination seems to have been St. Evergislus, mentioned above, the Bishop of Cologne. He indeed, as in his life is read, by the Pastoral burden urging him with care and solicitude, but also with love of the paternal soil stimulating, inflamed with the fervor of faith, to the Tongres set out, to eliminate the filth of idolatry, which namely thither had been brought by the Franks, after the first departure of the Huns under Valentinian ruling all of Hesbania. And he indeed while he was intent on restoring things there, by night by robbers killed and at Tongres buried, with similar there began to shine of miracles glory, by which at Maastricht Servatius: but ordained by him as Bishop, terrified by that slaughter, in a place open and half-ruined he did not think fit to remain, but at Maastricht to fix his See. [the same was done by his successors at Maastricht other seven in the same 5th century.] The same did his successors, especially after the second destruction under Attila in year CCCCLI: so that not by other than the Trajectensian Bishops' name they would be reckoned; and so would be called in the following century in the time of St. Gregory of Tours, when the Episcopal See was at Maastricht, and the very designation of the Tongres had ceased, for certain I hold. But there were in that same fifth after St. Agricolaus century among holy Bishops seven other Bishops of the Church of Maastricht, all inscribed in sacred fasti, namely Ursicinus reported on the Kalends of October, Designatus on the Ides of January, Resignatus or Renatus on the Kalends of December, Sulpitius or Supplicius on XVIII January, Quirillus on XXX April, Eucherius and Falco on XX February. This is the very Falco, who by St. Remigius in a sharp epistle near the end of the fifth century was rebuked, that Presbyters and other ministers of the Church of Mouzon he had appointed, and indeed at the beginning of his Episcopate. But he ignorant that the said Church to the Episcopate of Reims pertained, with zeal for divine honor and care to be taken of the salvation of souls had done it. But these things we have related, so that the reader may observe, so many Bishops to have presided over the See of Maastricht in so short a time, that the death of St. Servatius beyond the year already fixed should not seem to be deferred.

[16] Another note of time, by which can be confirmed the Chronology, likewise from the age of St. Auctor Bishop of Metz referring the death of St. Servatius to year CCCLXXXIV, and overturning the figment of Valesius, inventing two Servatii, can be drawn from the age of St. Auctor Bishop of Metz: to whom on the journey to Rome instituted of deprecating destruction cause St. Servatius to have approached narrates Harigerus below, and after him all the writers of the Servatian Life. There had sat this St. Auctor with St. Servatius in the Council of Cologne; but with a single letter changed through the inadvertence of copyists in the Acts Victor he is written: which error already before observed was by Meurissius the Bishop in the History of the Bishops of Metz, by Aegidius Gelenius book I on the Greatness of Cologne syntagma 6 notation 3, Claudius Robertus in Gallia Christiana and others. St. Auctor is inscribed on day X August in several Martyrologies, hand-written and printed, and in Saussaius in the Gallican Martyrology is said, in vindicating piety, to the Council of Cologne a no small suffrage and adornment to have brought. Him Meurissius says to have sat for nine and forty years. Among the more illustrious Bishops of Metz also is reckoned in the Life of St. Deicolus, on XVIII January edited by us, where are named Clemens, Caelestis, Adelsius, Auctor, Arnulphus. His successors were Aefletius, Urbicius, Bonolus, Terentius, Gunsolinus or Gosselinus from St. Auctor the sixth: under whom the city of Metz at another time to the fury of the Huns, over whom presided King Attila, was subjected asserts the cited Meurissius. So if from fear of the same Attila approaching, as Valesius wishes, about to go to Rome St. Servatius with St. Auctor at Reims dealt, it will be necessary also for the people of Reims to give two Auctors, or one Victor, the other Auctor, who otherwise also would be doubled. of whom the first was present at the Cologne Synod, the second under Attila lived; just as he distinguished Servatius from Arvatius: and the same all without any of the slightest authority pretext Valesius would have to fasten on the people of Reims, what attached to those of Maastricht we have dispelled. Since both is escaped by our opinion, putting the meeting of SS. Auctor and Servatius under the first arrival of those Huns, who one century later under Duke Attila a second irruption into Gaul made, by saying that Gregory of Tours this alone and nothing else wished to be signified, when at the first mention of the Huns also Attila he mentioned.

CHAPTER III.

Acts of St. Servatius written by Harigerus Abbot of Lobbes from the edition of Chappiavilla; the rest indicated in passing.

[17] In the XI and XII century of Christ and onward, various variously collected the Acts or Life of St. Servatius, Omitting the fables which Iucundus collected, of whom with us ecgrapha collected from various MSS. exist. Among these, as in style more prolix, so also in age earlier was Iucundus the Presbyter. He however by what levity believed the dreams of a certain Armenian fabulist about the Genealogy of the holy man, we have seen in the preliminary Exegesis; whence it is that neither in the rest, which he has; nor are found in the older monuments about the Saint, can we have safe credit in him, and the same we are forced as to those things to abrogate from the rest following him, the writers of the Servatian Legend. Wiser than he was, who at the borderline of the X and XI century flourished, the Lobbes Abbot Harigerus, relying alone on older (which would that they still existed) Acts of St. Servatius, we have from Harigerus, having followed older Acts in the Chronicle of the Bishops of Tongres, Maastricht and Liège these things wrote, which, with the interpolations of Aegidius of Aureavalle omitted, it is pleasing here verbatim to set forth, according to the correction and emendation of our Rosweid by hand made to the trust of an old exemplar: now indeed, as I think, from the two preceding chapters abundantly is established, to what times the individual things should be referred. Thus therefore he in John Chappeavilla, whose pages I shall enumerate here in the margin in which the individual things are in his first volume on the deeds of the Pontiffs of Liège, to be found.

[18] At that time, namely when the Huns began to devastate Gaul, about whom he had prefaced a prolix narration, St. Servatius the tenth was presiding over the Tongres Church, a man illustrious for the honesty of all virtues. page 28 Whose origin and lineage, although some think to have descended from the family of the kindred of the Lord Savior; that nothing is established about his fatherland, since however the place of his birth we have not at all received, nor the causes of his coming from elsewhere have we anywhere heard, therefore we cannot be easy to believe; nor to so great an opinion, which perhaps from piety is brought forth, do we judge altogether to be derogated: since according to Tully it ought not to be shameful, for us to confess we do not know what we do not know; and to the assertors of this opinion it befits ignorance rather modestly to confess, than irreverently for piety to lie. * This man indeed (as in his older Acts we read) of a generous stock of great men born, nobly born, but only that he was born of noble stock more nobly conversant, the Pontifical Petalum he bore, the Lord's sheep from the lurking wolf he protected, for the same, even if the sword of the persecutor was lacking, prepared to bear martyrdom. page 30 In the days indeed of his Priesthood pleasing God, approved and found just, in the time of imminent wrath seeking that for the barbaric irruption reconciliation should be made. For provision Divine then at that time had kindled many torches according to need, who could both dispel the shadows of worldly error, and calm the storms of the tribulation raging in such turmoil. Whence a certain Metricanus, writing brilliantly enough, says:

By such patrons of the Church everywhere firm, in a most difficult time of the Gallican church, They stand against rain-bringing storms with shaking wind, And from above the rock cannot tremble at ruin.

And concerning this blessed man specially among others:

Servatius, by preserving faith, preserves perishing By praying the people, strongly comforting Maastricht.

And Blessed Lupus Bishop of the city of Troyes

While all wars destroyed, By praying defended Troyes.

[19] The Huns beginning to make devastation: And Jerome, to Ageruchia upon contempt of the world writing an epistle, upon such slaughter also takes lament, of which these are the words: That we still rare here remain, is not from our merit, but from God's mercy. Innumerable and most ferocious nations have occupied all the Gauls: whatever between the Alps and Pyrenees is, which by the Ocean and Rhine is enclosed, the Quadus, Vandal, Sarmatian, Alans, Gepids, Heruli, Saxons, Burgundians, Alemanni, and (O lamentable republic!) the Pannonian enemies have devastated… And because the pious perish with the impious, many of the saints, both clerics and monks and nuns, in this destruction it happened to perish. Cities, although most fortified, by long siege were overturned, the churches of the Saints were burned, the altars were profaned with the blood of priests slain before them, boys and unwed girls were suffocated, Virgins consecrated to God were violated, Monks and Clerics to mockery and spectacles were exposed, and to all in common various face of deaths was applied… Nor only ours were punished with this penalty, but also the defenders of the Arian heresy the Goths, who alone to Valens Augustus and the Romans in Gaul seemed to resist and oppose, by the Huns were cruelly devastated; and Athalaricus their King, for the innocent blood which he had too much shed, driven from the kingdom merited to be exiled… page 31

[20] Their arrival B. Servatius knowing and hearing, and at once fearing about the irruption of his city, with many tears and afflictions of the body the mercy of the Lord beseeching, he went to Rome to deprecate the slaughter of the Tongres, that his people from the wickedness of the perfidious he might guard. page 37 But perceiving by spirit, with the sins of the people impeding, that to him in no way was granted, the thresholds of the Apostles Peter and Paul he decreed to approach, that for his Tongres at least deliverance through their merits he might merit to obtain. With everything therefore prepared for the journey suitable, and with companions taken with him necessary, on his citizens of fastings and prayers over so great a peril he enjoined the urgency: and so the journey undertaken, first the prudence of B. Auctor, Bishop of Metz, he sought. page 38 But blessed Bishop Auctor, and likewise of the village of St. Auctor about to pray for the city of Metz. having had with B. Servatius deliberation, adjudged his intention to be ratified, at once asking that for him and his city more profusely there a prayer be poured: so that since through himself to Rome he could not approach, by his most holy prayers, with the Apostles intervening, the desired deliverance for the citizens entrusted to him he might merit to obtain. Approaching therefore the tomb of B. Peter, he beseeches by his intervention help, that with his merits and prayers occurring from the Tongres and Metz city should be warded off the unspeakable race of the Huns. page 39 In this assiduously persisting in prayer, with greatest hunger he was afflicting his body, bedewed his face with tears coming forth from a pious breast, There at the tomb of St. Peter is offered to him a vision nor was there interval in which he was free from prayer. And by day indeed the patronages of other Saints he frequented, but by night to the suffrages of B. Peter he returned. At length since without intermission he did not cease to strike the ears of the most clement God, with such a vision he merited to be consoled.

[21] He was seeing, and behold before the altar of the greater church as if a throne placed, and on it sitting the Most High, both with the assembly of holy Angels, and of holy souls surrounded. Two also of conspicuous countenance men, before that very throne with knees bent now the majesty of the Lord, now the help of his most holy Genitrix to implore (whom it is established were the chief of the Apostles, Peter namely and Paul) and for the preservation of the Gauls more earnestly to supplicate. And because the venerable man B. Servatius, with his supplication, the prayers also of Blessed Auctor of the Bishops of Metz offered; he saw on the Northern part standing a person, with white and precious garments clothed (which without doubt is established was the Protomartyr Stephen) and to him the holy Apostles certain responses bringing, and from him to the Almighty's majesty certain supplications referring. The holy Servatius therefore, astounded by this contemplation, the holy Apostle Peter addresses: Why do you, said he, most holy man, trouble me? You may know that it is foreordained by the most just sanction of the Almighty, that the Huns Gaul shall attack, by which he understands the Tongres are to be devastated, and all the towns and castles of Europe shall level: that the Tongres city by the inhabitants' sins demanding shall be overturned; but the Protomartyr Stephen, whom you have hitherto seen us speaking with, for his Metz Church may you know to be heard, that the danger of the rest of the city he should not endure. But you, most holy soul, in the lot of the Saints already preselected, shall live among sinners, from the world's turmoil shortly to be transferred, lest your eyes see the evils that are about to come upon the earth: at Metz only the church of St. Stephen is to be preserved. nor shall you have in the wicked and therefore perishing city a tomb: but it has pleased the Most High the town to preserve for you, Maastricht, that there may be buried your holy body. This oracle the venerable Pontiff Servatius having received, his return he hastens, and passing through the city of Metz to B. Auctor he indicates, what in the responses he had received.

[22] * Having gone forth at length to the Tongres city, with the Clergy together with the people called together, he was exhorting all to be solicitous in the salvation of their souls, who returning to Tongres bids farewell to his own: over whom hung so great a danger. page 43 He said however to them: Now from the assembly of your fraternity I cannot conceal, what for three days dissimulating I am at last compelled to say. Concerning your salvation I approached the tomb of B. Peter, of this city the preservation by supplication submitted I sought; but with your sins demanding inevitable hangs over it ruin: upon you also immortal hangs perdition, unless from your whole heart precede a conversion of morals. Wherefore I am prohibited both here to dig for myself a tomb, and to the village of Maastricht to cross over hence I am ordered; that there my last day may take me, lest me it should happen with you your evils either to behold or to suffer. From this day forth my face you shall not see, nor further me with you tarrying shall you behold: since after a brief time this little body I am about to leave, nor hither hereafter to return. Yet however I desire you to be certain, that if for the saving of bodies I cannot intervene, for your souls at least their incolumity ever to obtain I shall take care.

[23] These things therefore by B. Servatius tearfully delivered, soon the whole standing people with great cries roared: lamentation and wailing from each sex grew. page 45 But the man of the Lord, and at Maastricht having died and been buried, with the necessities of burial brought with him, from the Eastern gate of the church of Tongres on foot goes out, and by direct path the Maastricht town seeks. And when he had come to Maastricht, struck with a slight fever, after a little he abandoned his fragile body, and by faithful men near the public mound, on the third Ides of May, was buried. page 47 After his death the Huns, with very many cities of Gaul overthrown, there follows the effect of the prediction. also razed the city of the Tongres; then seeking the city of Metz, on the eve of Pasch, with sieges they surrounded it. Wearied however by long siege when of withdrawal now they were dealing, the walls of the city spontaneously fell, and an entry to those returning opened. Immediately the city entered, with all destroyed they handed it over to fire, with the oratory of B. Stephen remaining intact, which seemed by a certain most splendid man standing above to be defended.

[24] Thus far Harigerus: in which many things Aegidius interweaves, mostly received from Iucundus: Many uncertain things added from Iucundus. and entirely and to its proper places each thing expressed in Chappeavillus, which since they obtain little trust with us, it does not please to enlarge with these the bulk of this work. The sum of all is nearly this. With an Angel as guide he came to Tongres, and from him after the Pastoral staff handed over is raised to the Pontifical Cathedra: speaking of divine things by all of whatever nation he is understood: daily he celebrates Mass, nor besides the Body of the Lord, the taste of other foods has: in various ways the sick he heals and demoniacs frees: by the Tongres after various inflicted contumelies from the city he is driven: he is received at Maastricht in the basilica by B. Maternus consecrated: intent on contemplation he knows the evils about to come, and these he sets forth: requested he goes on pilgrimage to Rome to the thresholds of the Apostles: he receives a response, and from B. Peter the Apostle a silver key, with power of closing heaven and opening. On the return by the Huns he is captured: with celestial brightness illuminating the prison, and his face like a sun shining, into wonder of the Huns he comes: sleeping in the field by an eagle he is protected: the faith of Jesus Christ he professes, and to some knowledge of him he leads the Huns: thirsting a fountain he draws forth healthful for drinking: a column of fire from his cell to the heights of heaven seen to be raised: silk by Angelic hands placed above his body. Concerning these things nothing is to be noted besides the key, and especially of the key received from heaven, which although according to the opinion of the common people the Saint is said to have received from heaven, and as such it is shown today, and is taken as a sign of the Chapter, with which all its Acts are signed: yet several learned men, into whose opinion I strongly incline, think one to be of that kind, such as from the tomb of St. Peter received and from the filings of his chains containing something within the knot, often we read that the Roman Pontiffs for honor's sake had sent to those well-deserving of the Church Princes, or even those coming to Rome had given: just as is permitted to see in the Register of St. Gregory the Pope book I Epistle 25, book 6 Ep. 23 and 25, book 7 Ep. 35. After him also Pope Vitalian to the wife of Oswiu King of Northumbria a Christian sent a similar one, witness Bede book 3 chapter 29; and St. Gregory II to Charles Martel, as the Continuation of Gregory of Tours reports chapter 110.

[25] There was then, when we believe St. Servatius went to Rome, there as Pontiff St. Damasus, which more probably was given by St. Damasus the Pope, in year CCCLXXXII ordained. He therefore that key gave to St. Servatius made of a mixture of silver and bronze; not as if conferring with it the power of binding and loosing (for this he had received when he was ordained Bishop) but as a pledge of fraternal charity and memory of St. Peter, whom in his successor about to venerate to Rome he had approached. Holy Servatius also when migrating from Tongres is reported to have brought with him the bones of holy predecessors dug up, so writes in additions to Harigerus in Chappeavillus Aegidius chapter 27. St. Servatius hastily of the Saints Valentinus, Navitus, Marcellus, Metropolis, Severinus, Florentius, Martinus, Bishops of the same city, and of other Saints the Relics to be taken orders, and Crosses, vessels of the divine mystery, and at once the necessities of his burial … Then suddenly voices are heard from heaven singing hymns, and the journey of the sacred Bishop and the holy Relics, from the gate of Tongres to the gate of Maastricht, and of the relics translated of 8 predecessors with concerts accompanying. But as this last, about the song of the Angels, from pious fiction seems to have been added by the author Iucundus: so the first also about St. Servatius, the Relics of his Predecessors carrying out, perhaps was written by gratuitous conjecture: since it was not sufficiently established, who first the said translation took care of. I after the destroyed second time by the Huns following Attila of the Tongres, or even after the Servatian Basilica built by St. Monulphus, would more gladly believe it to have been carried out. No certainty of likelihood persuades it about St. Servatius, who seems to have had no other care, than that with himself to carry out the equipment of his soon-coming funeral. For St. Agricolaus if anyone wishes to fight, and him at least the said translation's author to believe, let him have his own opinion for himself, until he confirms it with some surer document.

[26] The feast of the Saints resting at Maastricht under double rite was once celebrated VI February, in the same place among the Praetermissi at length we taught. who with others are venerated 6 Feb. But of all at once was recited this Oration: Grant to us we beseech, Lord, your servants, through the merits of your holy Confessors, Servatius, Monulphus, Gondulphus, Martin, Valentinus, Candidus and Amandus, and others, who in the present Church rest: that by their pious intercession from all adversities we may always be protected. You see how in the said Oration is mentioned from the ancient Bishops of Tongres SS. Valentinus and Martin, and St. Servatius to each See assigned, and besides from those of Maastricht Monulphus, Gondulphus and Amandus, although his body is preserved at Elnone in the Amandine monastery, of whose Head Relics other still the Maastricht people have. Who is added St. Candidus the Bishop, from elsewhere is reported to have come to the venerable Relics of St. Servatius at Maastricht, and there to have died VII June: on which day together with St. Valentinus Bishop of Tongres he is venerated. We have an Epitome or Marrow of the Deeds of the Treveri by John Enen and John Scheckmann, published in year MDXVII, in which notable Relics of the Trevirian Churches are reported. We have also three distinct ancient little books, about Relics preserved in the Churches of St. Maximinus, St. Paulinus, and St. Matthias; and nowhere have we found mention of the eight Bishops above reported; but only of St. Maternus, whose body at Trier in the Cathedral Church is preserved: which fact confirms us in that opinion, by which we judged in the preliminary Exegesis their names to have been wrongly intruded into more recent Catalogues of Trevirian Bishops.

CHAPTER IV.

Twofold Translation of the Body. Sacred cult. Relics elsewhere.

[27] Gregory the Bishop of Tours, in book on the Glory of Confessors in a very ancient MS. Liège codex of St. Lawrence chapter 72 these things in these words writes: Of the annual miracle of the tomb untouched by snows Servatius indeed Bishop of Maastricht in the time of the Huns, when to break into Gaul they were rushing, is reported to have been: who is also reported buried near the very bridge of the public mound. Around whose tomb, although snow would fall, yet the marble, which above was placed, was never moistened: and although those places by the frost of great cold are bound, and snow even to three and four feet thickness covers the earth, the tomb in any way does not touch. For it is given to be understood that he is a true Israelite. For to those, between walls of waters, waters are not for destruction, but for safety: and around this Just one's tomb falling snow, is not for moistening's cause but for honor's: and you may see around mountains snowy raised up, nor yet touching the boundary of the monument: and we do not wonder if the earth is covered with snow, but we wonder that to touch the place of the blessed tomb it has not dared. For very often devotion and zeal of the faithful an oratory built of wooden and smoothed boards, moved St. Monulphus, but immediately either they were swept away by the wind, or spontaneously fell. And I believe these things to happen, until there came one who would build a worthy fabric in honor of the glorious Bishop. With time advancing coming into this city Monulphus the Bishop, a great temple in his honor constructed, builds him a temple and translates the body. composed, and adorned: into which with much zeal and veneration translated the body with great virtues prevails. Thus far the Tours one, who in the same sixth century with St. Monulphus flourished, but somewhat younger. But Monulphus of all his estates heir wrote St. Servatius (among which the castle of Dinant is reckoned) and Clerics fearing God and fervent in heavenly love, who under him worthily for God should be soldiers, he added not a few; over all the benefits of Christ, around St. Servatius in his times done, rejoicing greatly: and as was worthy, wonderfully glorified him in gold and silver, and all things also in which for divine ministry there is need, as is read in the MS. Acts, or also in Chappeavillus from Aegidius. Buried is St. Monulphus, as also his successor St. Gondulphus, in the middle of the Church of the most glorious man Servatius. Both are venerated on day XVI July, and of these sacred bodies, under the same monument with the bodies of SS. Valentinus and Candidus deposited, we shall speak on their natalis day VII June.

[28] Another translation of the body of St. Servatius is reported done in the time of St. Hubert, on the occasion of victory over the Saracens on the very day of the feast of St. Servatius obtained. This seems to be the one, which in the Annals of Fulda and others is narrated on occasion of Eudo cast into flight in year DCCXXIV, The same afterwards under Charles Martel, where then in year DCCXXV these things are read: Saracens by Eudo into help of him called with their King Abd-ar-Rahman, the Garonne and Bordeaux reach, with all places devastated and Churches burned with fire. The Basilica also of St. Hilary at Poitiers they burn: but afterwards in year DCCXXVI, Charles, meeting the Saracens with a strong hand, and relying on the help of God, their King with infinite multitude prostrated, and with enemies conquered with triumph returned. This war and the following Translation of the body of St. Servatius we have in many MSS. extensively described, and here we give, just as in the old parchments of the Church of St. Servatius at Maastricht in year MDCLXVIII we found, the prefatory author does not seem coeval. It is however of this kind.

[29] With Charles Martel governing the monarchy, innumerable phalanxes of Saracens overran the boundaries of the Franks. This Charles knowing, and lifting his anger, with great zeal swiftly to drive the enemy from the borders, alas! did not allow time to gather the legions of his own; with the few however whom he was leading with words and example he instilled boldness; and everywhere surveying the enemy camps, and attempting an entry of breaking in, now he was bloodied, now he bloodied: but he did not prevail, after various fortune against the Saracens, because too unequal the sortie was. Little by little with thousands of his soldiers, like snows from the Alps, and hailstones from clouds falling, through their squadrons and wedges flowing together, with Christ's help invoked, and trumpets resounding, the battle again he engaged, and the enemy's wedges to night straying and fighting he cut down, nor yet did he prevail: for the number of adversaries was still greater. There was offered that evening and that night a spectacle of human casualties miserable: each gazed sadly at the heaps of their slain, before their eyes sitting in decay, and beasts cruelly devouring the corpses of their comrades-in-arms, and trees dripping with bloody dew, on which birds had carried up the entrails of Heroes with cruel claws. They gazed, I say, sadly, and were saddened beholding such things with moistened eyes. With night declined the minds of noble youths, when they saw the stars of heaven falling, and with the bent pole of Arcturus the dubious turns of the near again battle they feared; yet the same attended to the Leader's virtue, and the name of Christ; willingly again they desired the contest, and the barbarians prepared nonetheless their battle line. Iron again with deadly shower is joined: most of all the image of death is turned: the Emperor at the side weakening provided, also chosen legions behind he sent in; the slacking he was rebuking, having gained a notable victory over them the eager from their own merit he was praising, and lest the supreme virtue should waver, anxious he was praying. Citizens, as is believed, Angelic from above from the court of God, and happy souls of Saints with Christ now reigning, beholding these things from the citadel of heaven, were pitying the empty wraths and vain tumults, and that so many so great labors are for wretched mortals. So while with deadly alternation between battle lines, the heads of the falling both sides snatched up rapidly the bird of dread death, the part each utterly to consume; at length with God protecting the Christians, the strength of the nations like smoke was scattered. Then also the bravest of the barbarians, who had remained until then in the camps, when their men giving backs they see, run up, decide; but nonetheless fall, and trampled by the feet of horses perish. On the day of St. Servatius. This was done on the day of the festivity of B. Servatius: and undoubted both to victor Charles, and to all who his help in the morning specially had invoked, by his merits was granted to him on that day victory. He goes to Paris, it pleased the Triumphator and all the Princes, this Saint to be more solemnly celebrated on earth, of whose so many and great help continually shone forth from heaven. Sent to Maastricht is Bishop Willigisus, that if any things had fallen into ruin in the temple, to the memory and veneration of him he should restore; if any less perfect he should consummate. Which diligently through that same Bishop was fulfilled. For he erected also above the tomb of the holy man a ciborium, with gold and gems most lucid like a mirror.

[30] But to the same Willigisus the Venerable man, on a certain night soothed by sweet sleep, a venerable man stood by, he ordered the Saint of the Lord to be raised from the earth: incongruous, saying, whose body by St. Hubert is to be raised to lie under a bushel, who heaven and earth with the ray of sanctity should illustrate. The vision to Hubert, then Bishop of the same See, he indicates: he still further the will of the Lord judges should be sought. Why should I report once and again three-day fasts, consulted responses, fears, hopes, so many tears, so many prayers? The subterranean secretary having been found at last, appeared a place full of all pleasantness: and behold seats in a circle, in which all the adornment and treasure of the Church of the Tongres, in higher rank the relics of the Saints, in the middle of precious marble they beheld a sarcophagus, in which the Saint of the Lord they believed buried. Meanwhile what is found is taken up, and with grief mixed with unspeakable joy is placed before the altar; for it was not yet permitted to presume, that anything upon the Altar should be placed besides the sacrifice, which is the table of the Lord of hosts. They wondered however beyond all things, that the sacred vestments had no harm or decay from the position of so long a time. With the sarcophagus opened, and not the body of the Saint found, howling and despair, fear and stupefaction seized all, since they feared he had been stolen secretly. Spent is that night in vigils, and the day in fasts. The following night about cock-crow, when the rest of animals through all lands with sleep had relaxed cares, the Maastricht people counsel over the highest matters were turning, in the monument built by St. Monulphus discovered, and the upper oratory's monument they visit; into which however, that he had been by St. Monulphus translated they hitherto were ignorant. With opened however with greatest reverence the monument, so great suddenly fragrance of sweetness was poured forth, that of all aromatics the redolences incomparably it surpassed. Hands are extended to heaven, multiplied are vows to God: appears the sacred body wrapped in linens and silks: with which removed they raise the golden Cross from the breast; from beneath the head of purest gold a necklace, in which was a piece of the wood of the Cross of the Lord: on the right the Pastoral staff: on the other side handed over to him formerly at Rome by B. Peter the silver of wonderful work key. Caskets also of electrum most lucid, on each side many. Why should I mention the Pontifical vestment? indeed by no corruption injured. They take up also a certain silk, on the day of his deposition by the hands of Angels, with a thousand faithful of Christ standing by, brought, and over him most diligently placed. From his face when they remove the sudarium, as if irradiated by the noonday sun, the whole sanctuary shone forth. Fear at once huge and stupor, and through everyone's limbs cold blood ran: he fills the place with light and odor, they fall to their knees, beat their breasts, pour forth tears, and fill the place with cries: Were you alive, Father, and not dead; or if a sacred end had taken you away, do you bring the true glory of resurrection? After these things more diligently gazing on the lifeless body, and wishing to apply their hands, like glowing iron and burning coals transfigured limbs they contemplated. Again stupor, again despair; but a Psalter snatched up someone, exclaimed with the verse first delivered: Arise, why do you sleep, Lord? Arise, and do not drive away in the end. Which voice with the rest pursuing, the brightness began to be diminished to tolerability, and is placed in a new casket. and at length he is raised: and in a coffin, inside silver, outside gilded, is placed. Meanwhile, like cinnamon and balsam aromatic, he gave the fragrances of various odors and sweetnesses. With doors closed while these things were done within, the splendor of a fearful miracle the temple surrounded outside, and instilled great terror and joy to those gazing.

[31] Thus far the Maastricht MS. In other MSS. is added the memory of this translation to be celebrated annually solemnly on VII Ides of June, June 7 in year 726. on which day it is inscribed in the MS. Martyrologies of Liège of St. Lambert, of Brussels of St. Gudula, and many printed, and the Ecclesiastical office under double rite is prescribed in the Tongres and Maastricht Breviaries printed two hundred years ago, and nine Lessons in one, and six in the other are recited drawn from the prescribed account. This elevation of the body seems still done in year DCCXXVI, since from the obtained victory had elapsed days twenty-five. For in the following year DCCXXVII died St. Hubert, and as most wish on day XXX May, whose however chief feast falls on day III November on which the body incorrupt was found and elevated. But the prior Translation under St. Monulphus seems done on the very day of the deposition. For in the ancient Hieronymian Martyrology apograph of Lucca on this XIII May these things are had: At Maastricht the deposition of St. Servatius the Presbyter and Confessor, and Translation and Dedication of the basilica. In the Blumian Apograph thus near the beginning is read: Natalis 13 May. At Maastricht the deposition of the most holy Servatius the Bishop and Confessor. In the Apograph of Corbey of Paris printed are these things: At Maastricht port in Gaul deposition of St. Servatius the Bishop and Confessor: which Florus more clearly explains in these words: At the port of Maastricht the natalis of St. Servatius the Bishop, and then many things about the Roman journey and response of St. Peter are indicated. Rabanus also begins his eulogy thus: On the same day in the town of Maastricht the natalis of St. Servatius the Bishop and Confessor, and many more things from Gregory of Tours he describes, with the construction of the temple by St. Monulphus. Similar things have Ado, Usuard, Notker and the other later Martyrologists with the present-day Roman Martyrology. About the silk, above the body of St. Servatius found, mention is made in the Life of St. Norbert VI June. About Charles Martel we have at length treated XX February on the Life of St. Eucharius Bishop of Orleans §3 and 4, and his vision about his damnation, we have shown is plainly to be rejected.

[32] There flourished at that time the Fontanella monastery on the Seine, in whose Chronicle in Acherius volume 3 of the Spicilegium chapter 12 these things about the Relics of St. Servatius are handed down: His Relics and Church at Fontanella Wando took up the rule of the monastery from year of the Lord's Incarnation DCCXLII, which is the first year of the Principate of Carolomannus and Pippin sons of Charles Martel. Therefore the same religious man Wando, while from the Maastricht castle where he had been led for exile, with permission and order of the most glorious Prince Pippin he was returning, pledges of Relics of B. Servatius the Confessor he taking with himself brought: and coming to this place built a basilica in honor of the same Confessor of Christ, near the church of the blessed Prince of Apostles Peter, on the southern side of the same church. In which he placed a solarium, so that through steps upward one ascends: and he placed there one altar, in which of the Relics of the aforesaid Confessor he placed. In which place, on account of the merit of the same nourishing Confessor, many virtues by the Lord wrought are established to be. For of many one I shall bring forth. The lamp which before the altar of this basilica hung, famous for miracles: after into it once oil was placed, spontaneously the liquid of oil for the use of the lamp, with no one adding anything, through many years flowed: until a certain stone-cutter (as by the report of a certain venerable old man I have learned, who at that time in this monastery dwelt) secretly took it from there; and so afterwards on account of the deed of this profanation it ceased to flow. Another memorable miracle also into this work to insert I have judged opportune. For at a certain time, that is in year of the Lord's Incarnation DCCLVI, which was the fifth year of King Pippin, the Church of B. Peter through the fault of negligence by fire was burned: this however the basilica of B. Servatius the Confessor was contiguous to it. And when balls of raging flames sought the heights, that church is freed from the fire. some of the Brothers approached that very religious man Wando, who in the same basilica of the most holy Servatius was residing, and warned him to go out, fearing, since it adhered to that which was suffering the fire, lest similarly by fire it should be burned. Then the same man of the Lord is said to have responded: If he can, indeed me St. Servatius and this basilica, which with devout heart I have built, from these fires defended he may make: but if not, willingly with it itself a temporal fire I do not refuse to undergo. In the same basilica finally, as he had said, insisting on prayer he remained: and with the basilica of St. Peter burned, this remained unharmed by the protection of B. Servatius the Bishop. Thus there. We have at length treated of the Fontanella monastery XIV April on the Life of St. Lantbertus the Abbot, then Archbishop of Lyon.

[33] There flourished also at the same time St. Angilbert Abbot of Centula, whose Acts we have illustrated XVIII February. He acquired the Relics of many Saints, and adorned, likewise at Centula, and in altars deposited, among which the Relics of St. Servatius placed at the chapel or altar of St. Maurice are said number 45, which in the writing of St. Angilbert are mentioned number 18 among the Relics of Confessors. The founder of the said Centula monastery was St. Richarius, from whom now it has its name situated in the Pontivian region, as we have at length set forth on his Acts XXVI April. At Rome, At Rome in the basilica of St. Peter that there is a chin of St. Servatius, is read in Baronius at year 828 num. 23, and in the Roman Sanctuary of Abbot Piazza. But Pessina in the Diary of Prague asserts that to the Emperor Charles IV, At Prague. when in year MCCCLXXII he was at Maastricht, by the Maastricht Chapter was given a part of the head (this he himself afterwards through letters described as small, to which adheres a part of the upper jawbone with four teeth) and for adorning it the most illustrious Lord Servatius Baron of Engelfluss, Knight of the most holy Sepulchre of our Lord, for his exceptional piety toward his holy Patron, took care that a silver pectoral statue should be made: which then the same Knight in year MDCLXXIV on day I March to the church gave, and in the same year and month piously died on day X. He had been born at Maastricht with his brother Angelo, of our Society a most useful worker for the conversion of entire regions infected with heresy, and crossing with him into Bohemia, the piety toward the Saint which from the homeland he there brought, in places Swanenbach, Mnissech and Hrasstitz acquired among the Bohemians he introduced, with a notable Chapel at Mnissech under his name's invocation built, with grand bells, and pictures elegantly painted, representing the miracles and deeds of St. Servatius, with various and beautiful adornment. About several other Relics of St. Servatius existing at Cologne is treated below in the Annotations to Chapter 8.

CHAPTER V.

Miracles wrought in the time of Charlemagne, and others done in the ninth and tenth century.

FROM MSS.

[34] Miracles wrought in the time of Charlemagne are indicated. Gregory of Tours above number 16 reported, asserts that now, that is in his time, and in the sixth century of Christ, the body of St. Servatius prevails with great virtues. These however if they were Written, do not now exist. Some seem to have been exhibited to Charlemagne while at Maastricht not far from Aachen he was dwelling, or certainly while in some year, between his with the Saxons wars, the Paschal festivity at Maastricht he spent. For then, as many MSS. have, on the Vigils of the most sacred night, while the lessons were being read, two in the sight of all were healed before the altar women, one humpbacked, the other contracted; and a paralytic also one in the hospital house, in addition a possessed person bound with two chains horridly before. So with stupor very many of the noble, with belt loosed, themselves to divine ministry there pledged. While however the Emperor was spending much time, of so great a man gladly speaking or hearing the praises; the book of his miracles before him was * offered, and by all was held a miracle. Thus there. There followed in the ninth century of Christ a great persecution of the Northmen: when, as Regino Abbot of Prum says, In the persecution of the Northmen, in year DCCCLXXXI in the month of November two Kings of the Northmen, Godefridus and Sigefridus, with an inestimable multitude of foot and horse settled in the place, which is called Hasloe, near the Meuse: and at the first attack devastating neighboring places, the city of Liège, the camp of Maastricht, the city of Tongres they consume with fire. The same things they refer to the said year the Annals of Fulda in these words: They with the army restored and the number of horsemen amplified… devastated Cambrai, Maastricht and the district Hasbanian and all Ripuaria etc. Meanwhile that they could not despoil the temple of St. Servatius all the MS. Acts of St. Servatius everywhere relate, in which these things are read: The Danish race, powerful in arms and minds, his temple is miraculously preserved. the temple of Maastricht famous they invaded: but as if by a whirlwind inhibited from entry, on each side with ladders the heights they ascend, with linen, straw, fomenting they cast in fire: but many of them with the flame turning back upon them were burned, several with hands inseparably hanging to the tiles, a ridiculous monster they hung. Who does not understand, what gratifying sight to wretched eyes they offered by hanging? At last to themselves returning, and vows vowing, by God's clemency and the holy Bishop Servatius's indulgence they were released. Thus there. About this matter are inscribed on ancient pictures these verses:

The Northmen moved by envy strove to burn the shrines, But against them the burning flame turned itself back.

[35] In the year after this miracle about thirty Quintilingebergus, in others Quedelinbrogus, by the Germans Quedlinburg, a city in the County of Reginstein between Halberstadt and Ermesleben, on each side two German leagues distant, on the river Bode, by Henry the Fowler King of Germany, in the tenth century of Christ was surrounded with walls; and in it was built an illustrious monastery of nuns, dedicated to St. Servatius Bishop of Maastricht: At Quedlinburg a Church erected to St. Servatius by B. Mathilda the Queen. into whose Church the same King is said to have transferred the stole and staff of St. Servatius in the aforesaid Acts of St. Servatius. The wife of this Henry was B. Mathilda the Queen, whose Life we have illustrated on day XIV March. There number 10 it is indicated, that the King's body to Quitilingeburc was transported, where he himself had decreed to rest, and that the body of B. Mathilda the Queen having died they buried in the basilica of St. Servatius near the tomb of King Henry, with great honor, where she herself had decreed to rest, and to await the day of judgment: which there number 33 can be read, no mention being made of the body of St. Servatius there through Otto the Emperor at the instigation of B. Mathilda translated, and after three years secretly by night taken away, and to Maastricht carried back. Which however history in many MS. codices of Maastricht is narrated in this manner. Otto her son, of the Romans made King, rose with paternal virtue, like a lion from his lair: he came to Rome, the resisting subdued, himself ordered to be ordained Emperor, and the adornment of so great a name from the Frankish to the Teutonic peoples first magnanimously transferred. The mother therefore of Otto Augustus, considering that from her veneration of B. Servatius she and her offspring had exceeded the citadel of equal right, her son with unwearied prayer importuned, that for the cause of the cult of God being amplified, His body to the said Church by Otto I the Emperor translated to visit the basilica built for her in Saxony, were to be brought the Relics of the same Saint. She prayed and obtained. But brought the relics of so great veneration the pious Jesus King of Kings with a thousand signs honored: and a high-sounding praise resounded continuously in the clouds, with all hearing. The Saxons saying then with too great gladness; We do not know to fear the Lord in the perfidy of devotion, and we shall not let Servatius go from us.

[36] Infinite despair and calamity grew for the Maastricht people, and was being increased daily through three years' time. Then at the appointed time with the inhabitants of that land going to the festivity, but with too great license to security and feasts relaxing themselves, secretly thence taken back is reported to Maastricht, when through the solemn day with games and cups wearied, on the following night they lay down, soothed by the gravest sleep; secretly explorers of the Maastricht people their Beloved one, sent there, with opportunity offered entered the church, the casket of the sacred body from the altar they snatch up, the ropes of the bells they cut, the doors they close, withdraw, depart, and escape. With dawn risen the Saxons wake, and their loss discovered, in vain at length, who should overtake the fugitives, they appoint. Beyond therefore the trust and vows of the Saxons, with the most pleasing pledge to the pristine seat by divine cooperation brought back, with all shouting in answer; Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, so great a largess of healings was forthcoming, that the mute spoke, and shines with miracles. the dropsical was dried into health, the demoniac was cleansed, the deaf heard, the blind received sight, and the voice resounded the stars of those saying; God came into the camps. On the seventh of the Ides of June with him entering the Maastricht temple, the lamps of the walls and crowns, in the hands also of those standing candles divinely with wonderful lightness were kindled. With the pulpit ascended, those who together had come, how great things had done for them God on the way, protecting them from following enemies through a column of cloud, were narrating: and with hands extended to heaven, were saying: Were you not Leader, Lord, in mercy to the people whom you have chosen? Have you not also borne your Saint, Lord, in your strength, to your holy habitation? The Saxons ascended and were angry; griefs seized the inhabitants of the Bode: then were disturbed the courtly Princes; trembling held the counselors of the Empress, all stiffened the friends and kindred of those nuns: they were made unmoving like a stone, until passed through your legates, whom you sent for the bringing back.

[37] Thus far that account. Further that among the Northern Germans there was the highest reverence and veneration toward St. Servatius, The cult of the same Servatius among the Northern Germans. the ancient Breviaries of those regions show: of which we have several, namely of the Churches of Erfurt in Thuringia, Hildesheim in the vicinity of Brunswick dominion, Cammin in Pomerania, Ratzeburg and Lübeck between Mecklenburg and Holstein, Minden and Osnabrück in Westphalia: in which is prescribed on this XIII May the Ecclesiastical Office of St. Servatius to be recited. There flourished at the same time Giselbertus of Lorraine universal, that is upper and lower, Duke, on account of having married the daughter of Henry the Fowler King of Germany. He in year DCCCCXXXIX, by the Rhine river swallowed up perished, when already Otto three years after his father's death in Germany had reigned. Meanwhile in the following account to him are attributed, what to Henry the father pertain: and accordingly the following are not by an author plainly coeval written, and are these: Giselbertus Duke of Lorraine, son-in-law of Otto the Greater, Maastricht from his father-in-law the Emperor sought and received; Giselbertus the Duke from new walls being built is deterred. and loving the habitation of the place, the space of the Servatian memory and royal Palace decided to surround with a wall. But Blessed Servatius on one of the nights appearing to him, why a different foundation he had laid, except what by him had been laid, he asked. Whom recognizing the Duke from the image of him, expressed in gold in the sanctuary, he responded: That another was laid, Lord, neither did I know, nor see. To whom the Saint: That which the right hand, said he, of the Most High founded, except by sins eradicating cannot be destroyed, but stable and solid will remain forever. These things gently said he ordered to desist from the undertaken, namely so that the Lord might prove himself to be the wall of that place, in the likeness of the city, whose light is the Lord, and whose lamp is the Lamb.

[38] But the wife of the same Duke a certain silk of wonderful preciousness from the Saint's treasury, when she was curiously contemplating the treasure of the temple, took: The Duchess on account of silk taken away and with feminine levity a russolembum, to the measure of her body, thence ordered to be made for herself. With which insolently clothed, on the festivity of the same Father Servatius, the eyes of the common people about to occupy, in the morning she proceeded to the basilica, of her own conspicuousness striving the wanton brightness, while golden ribbons and translucent gems with red glow the dawn was striking. Among the Agenda of the Masses moreover, in her seat slothful sleep crept in, and suddenly something unusual crying: Spare, spare, your handmaid: spare, Lord Servatius, O illustrious Father, she said. A third time into such words she broke out, before the whole multitude, with a huge uproar excited. Running from his throne the Duke, asks about this event: But she; As I came, Lord, said she, unhappy; as I sat; as cruel sleep overcame me; I saw Lord Servatius, sitting on a golden throne before this holy altar, is said to be punished. and around an assembly of venerable men. At whose feet when I desired to be prostrated, a certain horrid one with my hair seizing me cruelly turned away; and my side and shoulders striking with a club, unless quickly the holy Father himself the right hand of peace had extended, my soul from this little body he would have cast out; by drawing also my garments he wished to expose me naked, since, oh shame! this silk unjustly from the treasures of this Church I took; mad! who feared not to extend my hand against the Christ of the Lord. All were astounded, blessing God the knower of hidden things. The Duke moreover blushing at the fault of his consort, to B. Servatius in reconciliation magnificent gifts before all offered. Thus the censure of the Saint repressed the petulance of Royal offspring. Soon I shall report what also of his familiars later he did. Thus there. But Gerberga the Duchess after the death of Giselbertus her husband was married to Louis IV King of the Franks called Transmarinus. But what soon follows, were said after the death of Otto III, who departed life in year one thousand and second, whom succeeded St. Henry.

* otherwise "ablatus"

CHAPTER VI.

Miracles done in the XI century, from many MS. Codices.

[39] *After the death of Otto the Younger, son of that Otto, who fought in Calabria with the Greeks, before the Election of the next Prince to succeed was confused the kingdom too much. Invaders of the estate of St. Servatius In this license of error a certain of the Powerful, situated not far from the camp of Coblenz, claimed for his property B. Servatius's estate. The Maastricht people with the bier of their Patron brought, like a most strong warrior, began to take possession of things. Immediately by the invader were sent who would cast them out: but on the day of the Lord Servatius whatever the adversary had shut against them, unbarred lay open, are punished by sudden death: and the very man and all the accomplices of the crime a terrible vengeance occupied. For amid the delights of feasts, threatening and insulting Satan suffocated them. Others seeing wondered, were disturbed and were moved, and trembling seized them. To the people of Coblenz then asking, that thither the sacred coffin should be carried for the grace of blessing; among many thousands of the people, against the castle with crosses placed in the field, and with the caskets of meeting Saints, the bier of the sacred pledge from the head into the citadel raised itself: and to the southern mountain, on which from the memory of the Blessed one he is venerated, three times as if greeting it inclined. Greeting, I say, it inclined, or as about to depart now from there, to bid farewell to his consort, the Saint of the Lord thus showed.

[40] Of the Gulisanus people in the aforesaid allod the boys, in the autumn time, the vineyard of B. Servatius by night entered, about to steal grape clusters. One was drawing out a knife, another was drawing in the cluster; that one was plucking grapes, part placing in baskets: when suddenly an elder appearing brighter than the sun; Why, boys plucking clusters are made unmoving. said he, boys, have you rushed to lay waste my vineyard? Whom I, if not weaker age bent me, would punish: yet you here shall await your parents. These things said he departed, but their bodies cold torpor oppressed, and as their individual limbs with various gestures had he beheld, so they stiffened equally, like the wife of Lot, like into stone images. With the morning star risen by their parents everywhere they are sought: scarcely at last after some time intricated by the monster of so great affliction they are found. The gestures of each betrayed the cause why they had come: they moreover what they had seen, or what was said to them they were reporting. Who soon could expedite the cries of the people? who the anguishes of the mothers? Are extended counsels and griefs even unto evening, and late at last with suppliant vows the indulgence of B. Servatius obtained, the boys are released: the vociferations of the rejoicing countrymen are heard on high. With seized then by each one of the right of his comrade to Maastricht, to God thanks about to render, the votive journey they entered. With such guard, good guard of the night, good, I say, guard of the night, your suppliants, Servatius, in all hours and moments cherish.

[41] In the time ^b of the Emperor Conrad in the family of Hoy, which formerly to the Saint of the Lord the King Suendebaldus had offered, there was a young illegitimate man, from whom of a few little coins for his head at the altar a tax was demanded. refusing to pay the tax But him of more free stock's offspring elated, that by the example of his lower kindred he should render dues, no assembly of citizens, no reasoning of jurists, no confession of parents, nor with sweet speeches of persuasions could anyone subdue. At length in contending grew tired all, he swore; Amen, as long as on his feet he stood, from this resistance he would never desist completely. becomes paralytic, The matter is deferred to the morrow. The unhappy on that night by paralysis is consumed of feet. With the sun bringing back the day heavenly vengeance is announced in the assembly: the son of confusion is brought into the midst: the entire surface from such even to the soles to inflexibility to have hardened are proven: and thanks by all to God, and from himself now at least recognizing the wretched are vows multiplied to B. Servatius, nor yet has any at all followed of incolumity recovery. Justified therefore is the authority of the Prophetic word, that only vexation alone shall give understanding to hearing. Isaiah 28:19

[42] ^c Henry the second, Roman Emperor Augustus, as great in mind and weight of virtues, as in beauty of bodily stature lofty, Henry II with a monastery built of B. Servatius (as he himself was wont to relate) the help often in peace and war he had experienced, first or among the first toward God this Patron for himself choosing, the monastery ^d of Goslar by his order constructed, both in honor of the Apostles ^e Simon and Judas and of B. Servatius dedicated to be wished: whom though by the twelve-fold dignity of Apostleship, yet not inferior in distinction of works to pass over he was unwilling. Of which devotion's amplifying glory, after one and another legation, himself for the relics of the same Father came to Maastricht: and at last with what he had desired obtained, glorying he triumphed back. In honor therefore of him a golden head he decreed to be wrought, includes the Relics in a golden head, which by sight delightful to all, the memory of the Saint more closely on plebeian minds would impress. Gold is cast into the fire, once removed is polished to perfection: presented to the Emperor it displeased, since the gems, which bore the likeness of eyes, indeed altogether indifferent equality counterfeited. With Royal magnanimity royal wrath the artificers consigned to prison, as impostors. For vengeance: since they had boasted, that no one was to be found, who more unerringly through the malleating art than themselves anything could effigy or know. Further lest of so great a King so great devotion be contaminated with innocent blood, the pious on the same night Servatius in vision to him in common stood by, and the imprisoned bound to be led out requested. At length of all things, which in his honor or love the Emperor anywhere had done, kindly conscious and mindful showing himself; in addition, Do you consider, said he, my son, the face which you love? Is not what now to your mind offers itself, the same face in the same way expressed in gold? after the apparition of St. Servatius, thus not otherwise than God willed the hands of the artificers the work disposed. Awakened and gladdened the Augustus the work and workmen ordered to be presented, with the goldsmiths preferring all then dangers, than the work itself and angry of the Emperor face to behold. But by him with spontaneous indulgence they were favored: indeed approving the not-unequal similitude the Emperor, both of the golden head and of the person through vision speaking to him in order to friends he expounded the vision, and from the mouth of all alike glory to God resounded. Famous soon in the royal court and forum it became known; That the Emperor Henry by the visitation of Blessed Servatius was honored. With himself finally through the courtyard royally descending, and all the people of diverse sex and age to the basilica hastily running, the golden image, with the greatest exultation of Clergy and soldiers, places it on the altar. through the Caesarian hands to God upon the altar with gifts and vows a thousand thousand was offered. Went forth therefore an edict from Augustus Henry, that the religion of Servatian veneration, with the highest devotion forever and ever should be held in the Goslar market-town.

[43] In the time of the same Augustus still, in the level lands of the surrounding vicinity of the Franks, of old a small church to the memory of B. Servatius had been built, the loom of those laboring on his feast day flows with blood. rare however access; which both whether it had been consecrated or not, the harm of subsequent oblivion left in doubt. But since once a year, namely on the day of the Servatian festivity, that it might be frequented the country folk had the custom; two women at one time, in the same way thither after the rest during the Agenda of Masses, with their garments wholly and heads and hands sprinkled with blood, were arriving. Asked the cause of so great a wonder, they responded: While others were running to the church, alas! at importunate ministry of weaving work they had been, that themselves the threads of their loom suddenly such portent had dripped. Hastily it is sent, the loom is brought, of blood most fertile it is seen: with a price given by the women it is bought, before the door of the church is hung up: that day of feasts more deeply then at last to be honored annually is judged. The next day the blood ceased to flow: the loom however there long after hung, nor about the consecration of the basilica of that, any thereafter doubt arose, but that thus it had been, as the people before annually, although uncertain, had honored. A sad name is judgment to the guilty, lightning to mountains, tempest to ships, to his despisers is Servatius. But may you be from the opposite also, Servatius, your reader joyful, your Bishop herald, of the individual men, in the manner of God, responding to vows and thought.

[43] The same Emperor Henry the second some fields of the possession of St. Servatius, situated at Jülich, to a certain Cologne nobleman asking as a gift conceded, Occupying the fields of St. Servatius, with his daughter perishes: not knowing however that they were of B. Servatius, and to the prebends of his Canons assigned. The Cologne man therefore with wife, daughter and family this estate entered, and with most joyful feasts a banquet made, since this received from the King's hand to his only daughter for future dowry he assigned. In the middle of the following night, his only daughter by Satan was suffocated. In the morning the family the daughter extinct finding, terribly gnashing, filled the house with cries. Terrified also by such prodigies, the father of so great a deed the author, to Maastricht to the tomb of the Saint wished to flee, but to enter the basilica of the Saint by no means could. Confused he despaired: despairing returned, but the said estate by no means entered. For with the wicked spirit harassing from his chariot he fell, and among the lifting hands of his servants dying failed. None of the friends the aforesaid further to touch fields dared. The Augustus also his error, when he recognized, shrank from: and swift legates, that what the counsels of the impious had taken away, with worthy gifts should be returned, sent: pardon also for ignorance he asked, and with the Maastricht people unanimously praying for him, he avoided the danger.

[45] With the second Henry, Augustus of the Roman City, raised to the immortal seats, St. ^f Anno of Cologne Bishop, and likewise ^g Everardus of Trier Pontiff, with the Duke of Lorraine ^h Godfrey, and Count ⁱ Palatine Henry, met in the camp on the Rhine shore Andernach, for the sake of strengthening the Empire. There ran out to meet them the family of B. Servatius, those parts inhabiting (whom a certain soldier of the Palatine there present, The family of St. Servatius two Advocates acting tyrannically whom they had as Advocate, had violently oppressed, and from whom they were enduring plundering of the goods of the Church) humbly interpellating that from violence he should desist, and the goods of the Church return, which to himself hitherto he had claimed. Seeing therefore the Soldier swollen against himself acting wishing, he was threatening, that much worse after the departure of the Princes upon the informers he would inflict. No delay: there was in the Princes' retinue a chained bear, who with broken suddenly leashes the proud Soldier attacked, and with rabid charge emptied his entrails, nor of the corpse ate, one is killed by the bear, but as if nothing except harmful to kill and the innocent to avenge he wished, with wonderful gentleness to his master returned. The Primates recognized what had happened, and were horrified beholding, and the holy family of Servatius from the cruel tyrant rescued, gladly to its own returned: but the severity of so great vengeance then terrified all. The same family another Defender or Advocate from the Palatine sought, and a young man very noble received: who at first showed himself devoted, afterwards bad, finally worst. Again griefs, again grew cries. After three years passed, the Princes again entering colloquy at the camp Andernach, the family of St. Servatius there running out was crying out against their oppressor: and since on account of the great causes of the province he himself did not have audience, the other falling from his horse dies. on the bank of the Rhine river was walking sad. Meanwhile the Advocate himself preparing for sailing, and the family of St. Servatius on the sand more nearly observing, and with derision biting back his words, said: Who are these stupid ones and at leisure, who the courts of the Magnates dare to approach, so that on our name with complaints the Princes they weary: for I know that of their Servatius foolishly presuming they are proud. Was not Servatius a man, just as we men are? And saying these things his foaming horse arrogantly mounted, and some of them to trample beastly with hooves wished: but by the just judgment of God preempted unhappy, backward he fell, and most miserably ended his life.

[46] Henry also the Palatine and Duke of Lorraine Godfrey, punished Henry the Count Palatine, poor men were afflicting with iniquitous judges, and on the affairs and family of B. Servatius were inflicting many evils: whence it happened that Henry, besides his other deeds, against the holy Pontiff of Cologne Anno waging war, by divine vengeance into a reprobate sense was handed over. ^k Mathilda his most noble consort in the conjugal bed with an axe he brained, and deserted by his soldiers, and compelled by friends, with tonsure received he entered a monastery. and Godfrey Duke of Lorraine. Godfrey indeed, while he was leading the army into Italy, saw in sleep B. Servatius, and a youth following him, a sword from each side sharpened with the right hand brandishing; to whom when St. Servatius, with finger designating the Duke, said; Rush against this savage one, who very many on our Brothers inflicted slaughter; immediately the youth into his entrails the sword plunged; the Duke however waking, cried out that he was killed, and immediately began to suffer dysentery: his wife [l] Beatrix by name, fearing the death of her husband, doctors consulted: who distrusting their arts persuade the Duke to return into Lorraine, if perhaps with natural food and air the danger of death he might be able to escape. He returned and pressed with too great anguish [m] died in the land, in which most he had offended God and B. Servatius.

[47] A certain nun woman, from the borders of Metz brought, and thence seduced to Maastricht, before the door of the Basilica of the Saint was left Servatian; for with the temple's door closed, those who had brought her, A nun seduced there her dismissed. The woman therefore long alone standing, again and again at the door knocking, and much vociferating, after copious tears, the door, which barred before had been, she saw thrown open. She, to whom no one of visible beings present or having come was established, her step further was hastening. So entering the Western crypt, in the same way closed but divinely unbarred, of the secretarium of Blessed Servatius she crossed the door. There prostrate in prayers, with happy sleep she was made drowsy. For St. Servatius to her openly stood by, and to her all the seducers' tricks revealed. Among these things the Church custodian, the door open finding, and the woman in the secretarium discovering, with stupor and fear mixed was seized. The Woman, as she perceived; Do not be disturbed, Lord, said she, and in order to him all the evils which she had endured she made known. is admonished by St. Servatius not to follow her seducers: When such things remembering, weeping she gave thanks to Christ, came in from the forum young men, that she should go more swiftly urging. She refused: they asked the cause; she related the history of her betrayal and of the fraud of those. They ask shrewdly, how she knew; she responded that there had appeared an old man to her, of whose beauty and grace nothing she had ever beheld similar, the cause of her journey he had asked; And when I had not what to respond, your heart he revealed to me and lest further I should follow he intimated. Confused too greatly the pestilent ones, and what they had brought, taking those things, withdrew hastily. But the Confraters of the Church with all consolation were comforting the trembling, until known to her ones with legation undertaken brought her back to her proper places, with worthy praises extolling the great works of him, who such great things through his servant Servatius works as miracles.

[48] At Maastricht happened a certain marvelous thing. There was among the Canons of St. Servatius a certain quite religious one, who the honor of God, and of his Father St. Servatius with all his heart loved, and in that which is of blessing, which of eternal salvation, always was intent. But of human salvation the adversary the devil envied him, and a certain boy so seduced, theft is impeded. that almost every day through a window he would enter his house, and whatever he found, especially food, would snatch from him. On a certain day while he had entered as usual, and what he had found he had gathered; at the exit hanging on the window he stuck and by a noose suspended even unto death he was laboring. With Mass finished came out from the Church that Confrater, and home came: and seeing the thief hanging he groaned, wondering vehemently that of so trifling a one the Lord took care. Turning immediately to the thief, he forgave what he had sinned; and he went out, and fully freed, as if nothing he had suffered.

ANNOTATIONS.

* The unhappy battle and death of Otto 2 is indicated 23 April, on the Life 2 of St. Adalbert Bishop of Prague chapter 2. But the death of Otto 3 is described 16 March in the Life of St. Heribert Archbishop of Cologne chapter 2. To him on 24 January of year 1002 in Italy died was substituted St. Henry, with whom reigning, the things related here happened.

CHAPTER VII.

Other things of the same XI century, from the same MSS.

[49] The Count of Brabant, ^a Henry by name, while the affairs of the Maastricht Canons he was invading, St. Servatius to him through vision, that he should cease, enjoined. At last, since the fool was not corrected by words, The Counts of Brabant Henry him with blows he afflicted: which since he was ashamed to confess, with most bitter languor he merited to be pressed. By necessity therefore led, the visions of correction he expounded to friends. Terrified they were exhorting, that whatever badly had been usurped, as soon as possible should be returned. With him that putting off from morrow to morrow; his friends for him went to the estate, and for the distinction of the boundaries fixed a stake; but on the next day they received it cast out. They fixed again on the second and on the third day, nor could the stake stand firm in the earth: for too far into the inheritance they had advanced. While thus for the fixing of the stake delay is drawn out, the Count is worn down with most grievous pain: and behold a man unknown coming up, said himself conscious of the truth, the stake he fixed, no one of the called ones contradicted, the controversy ceased, and the Count recovered. ^b Otto Count of Brabant devastated the possessions of B. Servatius, and Otto for injuries inflicted on the Saint were punished. and of three youths and their father the feet atrocious cut off: over which the Servatian family, with breasts beaten and hands clapped together, sighed; if there was any in heaven piety, over these things judgment they demanded. Immediately the Lord stirred up the enemies of Otto upon him, who made a slaughter of a thousand men, nor was there number of silver and gold, and garments and animals and buildings, which booty consumed and the force of flames. Fire also invisible the feet and hands of Otto burning was scorching, whence wailing of dire torment day and night he himself uttered, until brought to Maastricht for the injury he made satisfaction, gifts offered, intercession on his behalf of the Canons obtained: and so health received rejoicing and trembling to his own returned.

[50] It happened sometime, that the Maastricht Canons, a case to plead were present at Aachen, over the Church and the goods of Echt, which formerly ^c Gerberga sister of Otto the elder Emperor, and wife of Giselbertus Duke of Lorraine slain by soldiers, and at Maastricht with royal magnificence buried, for the reconciliation of his soul handed over to B. Servatius. While the Relics of St. Servatius are carried to Aachen, Which after long litigation was adjudged to them, if however the aforesaid donation by oath according to custom they should confirm, and the bier with the Relics of their Patron through seven Noble Soldiers on the same day they should ask to be carried with them. In going a woman blind and weak, who when she sensed the crowd thither turned herself, suppliant fell to the ground, and rose healed. At the same hour a man born blind received sight, the mute was speaking, the contracted was healed, and other gifts of healings shone forth, until at Aachen to the Palace they came. The business completed according to vows, while with not unequal glory the bier was being carried back, a lame boy leaped forth safe, many are miraculously healed: a contracted woman stood upon her feet, and walked upright: and so with infinite retinue of people in the praises of God and joys to their own returned. But the obstinate ^d Count Gerard, who of this deed was the inciter, struck with fever, himself and all the nobles for pride confessed worthy of just punishment. Immediately he sent Legates to Maastricht, asked for a drop of water which had touched the bones of the most pious Father, and received tasted and the danger escaped. O Father, to be feared by the obstinate, to be venerated by suppliants, merciful to the wretched, Servatius, to those following your patronages! although he not only to suppliants brings help, but often succours even those not invoking.

[51] A certain stranger, named David, with mad frenzy at Maastricht was vexed, two furious are restored to sound mind. and this in the days of recalling the Lord's Passion: of whom why should I mention his ravings, and runnings, cries, wounds or slaughters, and how much against the citizens he raged; when him, whom a legion of demons had entered, not unequal in furies, against the very guards of the holy temple Canons frequently in fury he rushed; and to such a degree indeed, that on the most holy night of the Paschal vigil the doors of the basilica after Compline he broke into, and with the sacred baptism's water himself mad sprinkled. Luke 8:36 Cast out at last before the doors of the Church with unconquered fury he was making tumult. As the people were gathering with the Canons into one, that at Matins they should praise God, great was the fear lest suddenly the noisy one should burst in, and of those gathered for divine religion the eyes and intentions by interrupting he should contaminate. But heavenly grace had preordained otherwise: for it is announced that before the doors he lay quietly soothed by sleep: he himself also a little later of sound head awakening, where he had been for so great a time he wondered vehemently. Asked moreover about the quality of his condition, This, said he, in the middle of the night an old man brighter than the stars, this Church coming out of, having seized me on the ground placed me; and with the sign of the holy Cross each of my limbs healed, saying, Give B. Servatius thanks, my son, since through him God to life restored you. Do you think there was joy to those recalling what kind of one they had seen him yesterday and the day before? From Lombardy a certain came to Maastricht, who often himself into the Mosa river he hurled, like a boy, whom his father in the Gospel often into fire, often into water by a demon driven asserted; but through the grace of God someone always from the people running to help, snatched out from danger drove him back: yet he hurt no one at Maastricht, although at Liège a little before he had killed a boy. Matthew 7:14 On a certain day, while he was laboring greatly, by what sense it is not known snatched up, the Church of St. Servatius he entered, before the altar he fell, slept, waking healthy he went out. For thanksgiving therefore for two years in the same Church he served. Afterwards unhappily he revisited his country, and there he fell into the prior sickness; and although vows many he made, he profited nothing. At length kindred and relatives, where before he had recovered recalling, the same raving brought back to Maastricht to the monument of B. Servatius, where for the second time he received health, gave thanks to God, and his country no longer revisited.

[52] Emperor Henry the second held forty guilty in prison, to whom no intercession of Primates, no gracious redemption could prevail to obtain impunity. The keeper of the prison, with the people flowing in flocks at the imminent feast of B. Servatius, Captives 40 guard multiplied for the bound: but there is no wisdom, no prudence, no counsel against God. For when night had completed half its course, a certain one in the shadows brighter than the sun stood by, and to the guilty said: Peace be to you: and orders the bound to leave the town. They however responded; on the feast of St. Servatius are freed With all others rejoicing about the feast of St. Servatius, upon us wretches by the citizens with various accusations oppressed punishment is doubled. Me, said he, that one whose now feast is celebrated has sent to you, that loosed from chains with joy you should depart. They while they tremble, wonder, and the face of the speaker mark, from their eyes that one of those gaping disappeared. Indeed in the increase of the miracle the Augustus meanwhile saw a man of Angelic countenance, with two beautiful young men, and by Henry 2 Emperor. and to the Emperor himself said: You ought, Emperor, of your beloved Servatius today in the boys, whom to prison you assigned, to remember. Suddenly the vision of them from his eyes disappeared. When the sun had appeared in the morning, the keeper of the prison anxious at the feet of the Emperor prostrated himself, and with palms outstretched; May, said he, your servant, Emperor, be spared by your unconquered eye. Yesterday however at the feast of the Patron, with so great a multitude of people raging, the keepers of the prison I multiplied: but today when I returned, all the watchmen lying down heavily soothed I found, and with doors open, those whom in the evening bound I had left, were going free. Heard clemently these things, and with the Augustus rejoicing, joy was shown to all. are led to the temple, Then with him preceding to the basilica, before the entrance of the temple presented the guilty, were relating what they had seen, what they had heard, what to themselves had happened. They led into the sanctuary, by the Caesarian hand are given to St. Servatius. Hence a manifold voice is heard, praising God over such benefits of B. Servatius.

[53] Are healed a paralytic, A poor man from Esseda, a certain paralytic, Walter by name, brought to the memory of the blessed Man, outside the Church for many years was lying: and perhaps wholly by the harshness of the cold extinguished he would have perished, unless a Canon of good remembrance, named Adelbert, in his lodging the same like Lazarus into his bosom often had brought. So with many days passing, the patience of one, the compassion of the other was exercised: until in the summer time the festivity of Blessed Servatius came round: in which to the paralytic perfect health, and perfect to the Canon was proven the love of compassion, and so both's burden and labor the Servatian sanctity bore. A certain lame man, to several Maastricht inhabitants through kinship known, and a lame man had come to Maastricht. He so that his prayers he might offer to God more attentively, after the Canonical hours in the Church remained more frequently, whom the Custodians of the Church as a hypocrite many times outside the Church with insult cast out. He himself also all things patiently bearing inconveniences, sometimes before the Church's doors stayed all night. For more bitter force of grief was burning him in soul, of whose humanity indeed the Lord regarded. While therefore on a certain day the Servatian name he had invoked, in the middle of the Church before the holy Cross prostrated, with veins burst his blood flowed copiously. He a groan of horrendous cry from the depth of his breast brought forth. The bystanders were astonished, what had happened inquiring: the salvation of the saved became known to the Clergy, and all the people, when they saw, gave praise to God.

[54] Further a certain Fleming with twenty-eight ships was approaching England: and behold on the fourth Ides of December, about the third hour, Are saved those endangered by storm; a tempest the Ocean was tossing most harsh, so that the sailors cast out whatever was in the ships. From sudden cold were loosened the limbs of the sailors, followed the cry of those trembling, and the men vowed vows to all the Saints, with eyes to heaven, hands raised to God, and each invoking the Patrons of his nation on account of imminent destruction; but only the Fleming the only Saint was invoking for his preservation Servatius. But suddenly from the midst of so great motions, as if by the hand of a man, to the shore was drawn the boat which contained the Fleming. Indeed by no means is to be suppressed, that those who had escaped shipwreck, the person of St. Servatius having appeared to them mournfully narrated, and indicated all things which decreed divinely on the other ships had happened. After namely they themselves from such a whirlpool themselves miraculously rescued wondered and congratulated each other; they came to Maastricht, the tomb of the Blessed visiting, and the history of their salvation expounding, and their vows fulfilling: at length with thanksgivings of divine with joy to their own they returned.

[55] There was in Alsace a certain Abbess of honest life and fame, reading the Life of the Saint is preserved from harm. who had a little book about the life and miracles of B. Servatius: to whom came a certain Bishop from Saxony, her kinsman, with religious men, having affection of reading the Life of the same St. Servatius: in which affectionately reading he was greatly delighted. Meanwhile thieves, who in the vicinity were dwelling, conspired, that the horses of the absent Bishop, which were in the pastures, they would steal. But the Bishop with too great desire of reading overcome, slept without supper. And behold there was at hand he whose life he was reading, and to the Bishop revealed the counsel of the iniquitous. Awakened however the Bishop gave thanks to God, and with a boy sent the men and beasts saved he found: after three days however to his own he returned glorifying God, and all the works of the pious Father Servatius revealing to all ^e.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER VIII.

Other things transcribed from six MS. Codices.

[56] A certain Soldier, by birth a Brabanter, free by stock, A wicked Soldier, by sudden death of evil and depraved disposition, of body vast and strong, weighed every right and wrong as equal, and the sacred and profane he had nothing between, the modest and meek with greater atrocity threatened. Who in one day raging in the midst of the people, was made heavy upon him the hand of the Lord, and with many gazing with sudden ruin he fell dead. Stupor and fear not undeservedly seized those present. Carried then by friends home, the next day he was being carried out for burial. In the proceeding however, while in the long-sided extended and covered he was being carried on a bier, an unexpected spectacle the dead man offered: he moved his limbs, with hands rolled the coverings off, in the middle of the bier sat up, and with reversible countenance turned his eyes around: the accompanying crowd astonished himself he beheld. What at once not of fear, what not of wonder! Part hastened to run a course in different directions; part the forehead with the sign of the Cross to fortify; for others with the cold of horror knees to fall; few with solid faith near at hand to stand. For those who had borne the four-cornered burden on shoulders, as if by fire imprudently touched, or by a serpent in herbs suddenly trodden, when to be moved above the head the corpse dead they saw, seized with fear bloodless they paled, cried out, restored to life, from above leaped down, far in flight driven scarcely at length their feet fixed, and at the novelty of so great a portent lifeless from afar they whispered. He moreover who had revived when he beheld each thing, when he understood what was being done, with fingers folded into knots, his breast he beat, and with grievous sigh groaned: Then on his feet he is raised up, advances, speaks. Whom fear had driven away, the warmth of curiosity calls back: in mid circle they surround, throng: whether he had truly died, where he had been, whether he had seen anything, they ask.

[57] He at length with spirit settled: As soon, he says, as yesterday with eyes and breast the bitter night I underwent, when this little body as a workhouse I left, and my limbs as garments I put off, and myself a spirit naked and one suddenly I saw; then at last unhappy by demonic fraud I understood I was deceived, he asserts he was afflicted with most grievous torments; then all the deeds late I recognized which I had done: nor me with right scale's weight of merits to the seats and councils of innocent souls through the way of the just transferred, but to the places of torments with demons impelling the way of sinners snatched me up. Who the kinds, who the horrors, who the immensities should report or believe, of the punishments of that lot and harsh changes of sulfur-spewing flames and dire cold? After innumerable tortures and unspeakable pains, again I was raised up into the air, and I encountered there also fires, even by the powers of the air to be horrified at. Of those fires with the greatest pyre I was placed, was burned, was consumed; into ashes even unto dust, as indeed truly to me it seemed, I was reduced. With this prelude of infernal punishments I was as if gratis driven about: yet at last, for the beginning of another evil, to the dread Christ Tribunal to be examined I was being dragged. Alas the wretched lot of the unhappy, who deserve the sweet grace of God! But why am I revolving these things to you in vain, or to many perhaps about to be harmful? Why do I delay? Why not rather something which the time needs do I undertake? The heavenly Light, and life of souls, and the Angels conscious of those things I swear, that I fear with incredible words to derogate from the trust of truth, and to you in not converting to accumulate the harm of unbelief: but no one untried in those of that age either of the pious joys, or of the wretched expiations can to the fullest weigh. Then indeed those standing more ardently are inflamed, and each thing earnestly inquire, promise the devotion of believing and the participation of conversion. He proceeds himself trembling, and with trembling heart invoking God. I was led forth, accused, examined; nonetheless I was convicted, condemned, cast out: but with Servatius patronizing him an indulgence of 7 years' penance, awaiting were prepared before the gate in the form of vultures the demons, the guilty about to snatch to the lower hells. I saw, fainted, with utmost despair anxious I stuck. The necessity of that moment to be incessantly meditated by every man. I was being demanded for most minute thoughts and verbal trifles a reckoning, who the great deeds to expiate I could not. Into Tartarean smoke all hope would have vanished, unless for me then, that one of singular piety and merit, St. Servatius, of the judging Lord the feet had approached; and obtained for me life; not spiritual that, but corporal this; nor for delight length of days, but for penance only seven years. Turned to me; Console yourself now, son, said he; and that of his anguish always to be mindful I should be he enjoined: which from my heart precept neither the iron crop of spears shall ever drive away, nor the wound-bringing showers of darts, nor the polished swords of meeting legions reaping whatever in their way unto death, not the terror of lightning, not the all-undermining fire, no loves, no griefs, no deaths, nor than every death more terrible the tempestuous horrors of the sea.

[58] Finally with great fame of goodness, the holy Servatius himself, in sacred deeds greater, the saving hand extended, and me a thin almost ash touched. Soon the hard remnants of the still raging fire in me the sacred touch extinguished, and the scars closed: and unharmed my spirit to the limbs stiff with cold death he restored. Whom I the more of so great kindness and power I understood, he came to Maastricht and there at last piously died. the less it is fair that his face from our breast be obliterated, but to honor him, but to venerate him, but his will always to follow. Learn rumors others from others: I of calamity Tartarean am present witness: who although nature made unhappy, by no means however further truth shall accuse of being a liar. The hours indeed slip and the days and months, and years to me the truces are shortened, to the terrible tribunal to return. There has struck however now my heart great hope of salvation, and at the same time of the blessed patron of mine Servatius the sight has struck ardor, that of him as the name to love, so also the monument to visit. Such things uttered he directed his journey to Maastricht, and many of those hearing with not dissimilar devotion accompanied. There multifariously to God and to heavenly aids thanks returning, and other oratories of Saints in every direction, the fruits of penance producing, going around; after winters four and three glad he lay down: and as pure minds always the Saints love; to that good conscience now the holy guarantor Servatius appeared; and he, with the body falling back to the four elements from which it had grown together now with holy soul, and to the image of the highest Trinity reformed, with Servatius, who for him the lands as patron had approached, to the congregations of the just dancing he was going.

[59] On the bank of the Rhine, not far from the city of Cologne, A priest devoted to St. Servatius, on a mountain dwelt a certain ^b Presbyter of great life and most holy: he was wont almost every night to be vigilant in psalms and other divine praises, at dawn the mysteries of the Lord's passion to celebrate, by celebrating to offer himself a living and true sacrifice to the Most High. Hence indeed to the people far and wide in that region placed pleased: pleased indeed also to the elders all, no less Clerics and laymen. While he was on the mountain, to divine things wholly he was at leisure. But when he descended to all he condescended sick and weak, mindful of the Lord's custom, who lest the invalid and the weak should labor, always sought the lowest places. He refreshed the poor, he visited the sick, doing these things he became all things to all. Besides the Churches of the Saints and their memorials he always frequented, and especially of B. Servatius at Maastricht. On a certain day, is visited by him in death. while as usual he ascended the mountain, very gravely he began to be infirm. Having called immediately friends and kindred, all things which he had, with his own hand he distributed: heavenly things to love, earthly things to trample under foot he was exhorting. When suddenly the person of the Lord Servatius to be present he rejoiced, and breaking out into these words, said: Rejoice with me, dearest brothers, since what I always wished now I see. And turning to him with all hearing; Receive, said he, Father Servatius, my spirit. And in the same hour he fell asleep in the Lord. Then all who were present glorified God and B. Servatius, truly knowing that he had been saved through him.

[60] It is worthwhile to make known the name of St. Servatius in many ways, who truly from him, of whom the Psalmist sings, My God, my mercy, to the falling world is destined the door of mercy and salvation. Psalm 58:18 In the town [c] of Nivelles, among the flock of girls [d], there was a woman, who noble had a noble nephew in the world: her brother lived in the manner of seculars, A noble youth who for what they have done think it no danger to live on stipends not their own, their own in all ways to retain, wraths and enmities for their own to have, who do not know how to weigh that of the Apostle; The world passes away and all its concupiscence. 1 John 2:17 He at a certain time at the feast of the glorious Bishop Servatius, pilgrimaged to St. Servatius barefoot and in linens, on foot to Maastricht he went; the faithful patronage of this Saint faithfully implored, what he implored merited for himself, as in what follows shall be evident. Thence having returned on the eighth day by enemies he is seized and killed: his niece in alms and prayers for the salvation of his soul more attentively was insisting, vigils or fasts more than usual was conducting, and of pious life a commendable conversation in the sight of God was amplifying. on his return is killed and announces himself saved. Within thirty days of his death these things were happening; when on one of the nights to the half-waking niece in prayers the youth appeared, and asked by her how it was with him, whether with the elect or reprobates his lot he had received; Well, said he, sweet niece, do not fear; the right hand, by which the souls of the faithful with happy delight rejoice, I received; and the left, which exercises the punishment of the wicked, and to the impious Tartarus sends, I escaped. Before the eighth day, on which by death I was punished, the holy and pious Servatius's thresholds I had approached: whose faithful patronage, which faithfully I had implored, happily I obtained, by which powerfully powerful the wrath of the strict examination, while due punishment he averted, he obtained for me undue mercy. Satisfied the listening niece with words of joy of the speaker the joyful image: and made more certain; By what, said she, dignity does Servatius prevail among the Heavenly? And he; Holy, said he, Servatius, of whom faithfully you ask, is the saver of the heavenly Court. These last words of him speaking, and the vision ended for her hearing.

[61] The Count of Louvain a certain Servatian possession's estate invaded, wickedly possessing the estate of the Saint, and to a certain Soldier, named Eustachius, granted it. Meanwhile the Maastricht Canons the possession of their Patron with many proclamations were demanding. It pleased at length B. Servatius, that for himself he should be the Advocate. Therefore to a certain holy man through vision appearing, he ordered to be announced to the uncle of the said Eustachius, that in the same year of life he was to have the end; which also was done. Indeed with him dead through the same devout man to Eustachius himself he threatens, that on account of the said possession within the course of the year of death he was to undergo the sentence. Believed he, contrite, when penitent he had returned it, in the death of the uncle the truth of the announcer experienced: and at last penitent and to himself well counseling, the pious Confessor Servatius's tomb with bare feet approached: confessed the fault: and not only what was demanded by the Canons returned, but also his own goods to the Saint of God devoted and humble offered. Then having undertaken penance, a pilgrimage he undertook into Galicia to the suffrages of St. James the Apostle, to Blessed Servatius specially himself and his way committing. When therefore he himself on return was seized by grave illness, the time of death to be at hand for him he believed. Then piously and humbly with compunction, the faithful Servatius, recovers from disease. to whom he had committed himself tearfully implored, that to him either swift death or swift health he would grant; since on his account his companions of the journey were being delayed. But soon when he had prayed these things he was weighed down with sleep. And when he had awakened, he rose; and so well he felt himself, that he wondered at such sudden virtue. And returning to his savior Servatius, to God immense thanks he rendered, witnessing to all the manifest in himself virtue and piety of him.

[62] The Abbess of Bellisia with religious devotion was wont to read the life of St. Servatius, and from too great affection, wherever she went, reading the Life of St. Servatius this little book frequently she carried. It happened that at a certain time, when to the parts of Alsace she had set out, that in the house of the Bishop her kinsman, with whom she was lodged, a certain familiar Clerk of his was, who in those places had grave enmities and lurkers against his life. For it is the custom among the hard inhabitants of that region, in inflicting vengeance, to bear no reverence to the sacred Clergy. This Clerk therefore, when the night vigils were being conducted, returning from the monastery, found the little book of the aforesaid Life lying on a seat; and sitting with a light long-desired by him the Life began to read, and in reading by sleep was suddenly seized; and a little dozing, he saw an old man stand by him with venerable gray hair, such things to him saying: Why, said he, are you dozing? Rise quickly, and the imminent death as soon as possible escape, saved by the benefit of Servatius, whose Life you are reading. admonished by him He leaping up suddenly cried out for help, that such things to him St. Servatius had said. Now for him a horse was being prepared lest delaying he be seized by enemies. And when it was said to him, a dream was not to be believed. Never, said he, shall I judge this dream vain: now the enemies are in the vicinity. With the horse mounted therefore as quickly as possible he burst into flight, his safety to faithful Servatius with great faith committing. He had scarcely escaped a single mile although running swiftly; he escaped death soon to be inflicted, when behold a multitude of armed men bursting into the house from which he had gone out, with incredible fury all things disturb, all the lodgings and each of the chambers' hidden corners raging burst into, if perchance lying or hiding the little Clerk in some corner they should chance to behead. But he fleeing and saved, was a great example to all, that those do not lose grace, who of this Saint piously and faithfully shall read or hear the Life.

[63] The same Abbess once being sick, lay thus for three days, Abbess and Clerk devoted to the Saint that she seemed to hang in expectation of death alone. It seemed to her, that there appeared to her B. Servatius in Sacerdotal habit, with a staff in the left, holding a thurible in the right: whose cloak, with which he seemed clothed, namely the cope, as is the custom for Bishops to be made, the following youth with each hand was drawing forth from the arms. And when to her he had offered the thurible as if for the smell of incense; as if from the very jaws of death recalled, in herself she experienced, that pious it was and salutary the memory of so great a Pontiff to have. Likewise a certain Clerk of Aachen being sick, and now in the borders of death placed, in this manner through the same Servatius to life was recalled. with the same appearing they are healed. He saw the blessed Mother of God Mary on a throne sitting, and on each side standing by her B. Servatius, and Saint Nicholas, namely to whom he had been devoted, praying for him. But B. Servatius himself stood closer, and prayed more attentively, and B. Mary herself his salvation, for whom he was being asked, granting. To which matter trust gave immediately the following recovery. For thereafter he recovered, who already in great part already-dead had been.

[64] Certain Cologne Clerics together with laymen had gone for prayer to Jerusalem. And when on the sea by tempest they were laboring, they made a vow concerning their things of fifteen pounds, to the service of any Saint vowing them, namely by whose patronage and present danger they would escape, Endangered on the sea and for the rest a safe journey would complete. And when uncertain they were about a Patron, and each one according to his judgment or affection this and that Saint preferred in patronage; those who were of sounder counsel, dreading this dubious uncertainty, to the morrow the matter put off, to God's ordination rather committing, not whom they themselves should choose, but whom God should deign to grant them as protector. So in the morning all, either by hidden inspiration of heart taught, or by an open vision of night admonished, by gravest necessity of imminent danger compelled, all unanimous as if with one mouth invoke pious Servatius: the same Patron chosen him before others then to themselves more clement to be judging, with tears they invoke and choose as helper, the said fifteen pounds specially to his service vowing. After therefore this vow they confirmed, immediately the tempest ceased, and then with no danger suffered all unharmed to their own returned. That money, which to this saint they had vowed, they paid at Cologne in a certain [e] little church dedicated to his name, unharmed they return. which formerly by B. ^f Severinus Bishop of Cologne in the same place, in which over the same B. Servatius, returning from Rome, received into hospitality and praying, by night a column of light from heaven sent down he had seen (who also at the passing of St. ^g Martin heavenly melody had heard) was named Porta-cæli (Gate of heaven).

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IX.

Other miracles especially done in the XV century.

[65] Another miracle to be recalled with all devotion. ^a For Henry Duke of Bavaria, with arthritis and gout [was] touched, so much that his limbs he could not move; Henry Duke of Bavaria gouty and contracted is healed. indeed contracted and from their use wholly destitute, just as is proper to that disease to do [b]. Touched however by the Holy Spirit, who kindled his mind, through vision he was admonished, that he should go to Maastricht, and visit the sacred relics, and there the Divine and of B. Servatius our Patron suffrage implore. Therefore while the church (he saw) the image of our Savior hanging on the Cross and there preserved, devout he prayed, that through the virtue of his most holy Passion the use of his limbs he would grant and healthy he would send back. The prayer completed, he rose unharmed; [c] with the Crucifix from the knees almost to the shins and feet falling, where the Duke before suffered greater anguishes: which until today most openly is seen by those gazing. The Duke returning to his own brought the Duchess his consort to Maastricht: and there staying, with good end he ended life; near the same church of B. Servatius in [d] a small crypt with his children he is buried; is buried in the same place. and to Blessed Servatius many possessions, villages and estates he acquired: which the often-mentioned Church even today, to the glory of God and the increase of his cult, is known to possess.

[66] A certain woman came to the Church of B. Servatius, who with miserable pestilence of the belly was swollen, so much that like a bag distended by inflating wind, so the skin of her whole body turgid and distended seemed. a dropsical woman There was at hand then a certain Clerk, named Rado, of that Church Custodian: to whom the wretched woman greatly supplicated; that to her of the pledges of B. Servatius some blessing he should bestow, since she had faith, that by his virtue from that death she could be freed. It seemed good to the said Clerk to wash a particle of the Lord's Cross which is held there in water, and the same water to the woman asking faithfully to give to drink: which when he had done, is healed by washing of the Cross of St. Servatius, and she with great faith had drunk, having gone out immediately so much of harmful humor she vomited, that it was a wonder to all the body of one human so great destruction how ever it could have borne. Soon returned with a great voice and great tears she gave thanks to God, showing in her limbs loose skins, which that pestilence cast out by vomit had emptied; so that he who her before had not seen, in this could perceive what she had suffered, or by whom freed she had been. About that Cross we believe is treated here, which in year DCCXXVI with the sacred body is said to have been found above number 30: wherefore before to the following miracles done in the XV century, which here consequently after the first collection were inscribed, whose Key I make the transition; it pleases here from Aegidius monk of Aurea valle to relate something about the Key, similarly found near the body, which he narrates in the Additions to c. 28 of Harigerus; since Aegidius so much before the XV century flourished, indeed at the end of his history professing, that to his pen silence he imposed at the ending of the year of the Lord MCCLI. They are however these.

[67] There is preserved in the aforesaid place, where in body rests B. Servatius, that Key, which from the Apostle Peter he received, while he prayed near God for the imminent destruction of Gaul: which is known to be of this virtue, that if at any time a plague of mice or any such thing fields invades, it itself carried through the fields all such putrefaction utterly extinguishes. Witnessed Clerics, who carried it sometime through the fields of Hesbania, Toxandria, and Saxony, wont to be carried about for driving away mice, when by the same way they had come they returned, that they had found heaps of mice extinguished. This sometime with the treasure of the church by thieves at night was taken away. The Clerics however for it rather than for the treasure not a little saddened, decreed for this commonly to invoke the Lord, and a triduan fast and solemn litanies for themselves enjoined. When therefore performing the litanies further they proceeded they see from afar to a certain thorny thicket the greatest multitude of birds had alighted, with God indeed through this giving an indication of this thing for which he was being prayed to. Indeed the thieves, when part of the treasure they had drawn off, divinely terrified the remaining part and the very Key under the thorny thicket in dug-up earth had hidden. They dug therefore and so they found. But what to the heap of grief was added, the very Key into two parts broken they found. is received and reintegrated by miracle. When therefore to faithful and proven artificers to be reintegrated it was committed, nor any of them was followed by effect; with all grieving and anxious, appearing to one of the said the faithful Patron Servatius, said it cannot by human art be repaired, what by man was not made: was to be sought divine help, where human ingenuity should fail. So therefore admonished, after sunset on the altar that key they place, and at Matins to the solemnities rising they receive it whole and solid, to God and their Provider B. Servatius giving thanks in all things. Thus far Aegidius: hence to our MSS. I return.

[68] In the year of the Lord, one thousand four hundred, fifty-nine, Year 1459 there came on pilgrimage to Maastricht, a certain Frenchman, and confessed before all the Canons and Chaplains of this Church of St. Servatius of Maastricht, with a vow of visiting the Saint's tomb a dead man, how the naked body of his brother already deceased had been placed on straw spread on the ground, until the vital warmth would fail: and while in a coffin or bier he ought to be placed for burial; the body raised itself and revived, calling his aforesaid brother attesting these things, and to the present brother said sighing: Behold, brother, I give thanks again to B. Servatius, who near God obtained for me, that I revived, that the vow which I had vowed of approaching his tomb might be fulfilled, for so long he rises again until he commends it to his brother. which prevented by death, alas! I did not fulfill. I supplicate, my brother, with all my heart, that in my name you promise this you will do, that I may return rejoicing, where I am ordered to go: and with his brother promising to do this, the same body inclined again downward to the ground, and no further spoke, nor remained in him any sign of life, and was buried. And in sign of the truth of this notable miracle, the brother narrating these things took with him the Pastor and two neighbors of his Parish, who with him at his expense visited the thresholds of B. Servatius at Maastricht, and as good witnesses attested the aforesaid to be true.

[69] In the following year there came to Maastricht a certain layman from France, Year 1460 a drowned one revives and attested before two custodians of this Church of St. Servatius, that his son, whom he brought with him there, had been submerged in water: and through the invocation of divine help and of St. Servatius, the same son was restored to land and to life. In the same year sixty fulfilled their vows several sailors from Normandy, and a tempest is calmed. affirming to the custodians of this church, that from a great tempest of the sea by invocation of God and of St. Servatius they were freed, and safe to port had come.

[70] In the year LXI came to the tomb of St. Servatius a certain Frenchman, naked in body, Likewise in the year 1461. who with broken planks before a certain mill into the water fell, and while the force of the whirlpool was striving to submerge him, he as long as he could was invoking St. Servatius: to whom under water it seemed that B. Servatius, whom he invoked, had drawn him by the hand to land, and so from the danger of submersion he had escaped. And so to have happened he attested to this Church's custodians with clear voice. In the year LXIX on the second-to-last of October there came to Maastricht, vows of pilgrimage fulfilling, and 1469 they are freed from the waters. four sailors from Brittany, affirming themselves to have been in greatest danger of the sea, and despairing wholly of life were invoking God, and vowed to visit the thresholds of B. Servatius: and immediately the tempest ceased, and to port unharmed they came, offering gold and a wax ship. In the same year, on the feast of St. Martin of Tours, two sailors from Lower Brittany, from a town, in French called [e] Cornuailge, came to Maastricht; affirming that in the same danger of the sea with the four aforesaid they were, and through the invocation of God and the promise of a vow at the tomb of St. Servatius were freed, and two ^f Salutias offered to B. Servatius.

[71] In the year of the Lord MCCCCLXX, on the VIII of May, came several pilgrims, from a village, in French called Jaurac, an infant dead is restored to life: of the country of Normandy to the number of fifteen persons, to the tomb of B. Servatius: among whom one man named John Moisnereaux affirmed, that in his absence his son, being an infant of one year, was prevented by disease, and so much was vexed by infirmity that he had expired. His wife, named Peronia, the body lifeless covered with a linen cloth, that to the earth he might be committed. By chance from outside came the father of the infant, and from sadness of the unforeseen death of his only son in mind he was disturbed not a little. At length he began to entreat and invoke Divine help, and they vowed to B. Servatius he together with his wife, that they would visit his tomb at Maastricht, and would give to him a mass of wax to the size of their infant, that God would revive their infant. And immediately the infant wailing breathed and recovered, and even now is alive: and this miracle happened before the festivity of the Nativity of Christ recently past, and the other pilgrims this same attested, praising the great works of God in St. Servatius wrought.

[72] In the same year and day expounded another pilgrim with his wife of the number of the aforesaid pilgrims, that they had a feminine offspring, only one, still living, of five years and over: who from the day of her birth had a rupture, and remained until the fifth year: the rupture of another is cured. and so miserably was vexed with the issue of her viscera through the female parts, that with great pain hardly could they be put back. Therefore the said parents, this to us expounding, and the remedy of doctors not finding, were despairing of the life of the only their daughter. At last when human help failed they began to invoke God, and vowed even on the next days to visit the thresholds of St. Servatius, and to offer to him a wax body of the size of their daughter, if health of the said sickness God would deign to grant their daughter. Behold in wonderful manner the daughter immediately recovered, and further of rupture felt nothing, and all hearing gave praise to B. Servatius: and other pilgrims this same miracle affirmed to have been done.

[73] There was also in the number of the aforesaid pilgrims another woman with her husband, in year 1470 a woman in childbirth is freed. from the same place born: who expounded, with attestation of her husband, and of other pilgrims, with him on pilgrimage coming to the thresholds of the Church of St. Servatius, that she within this current year so much labored in childbirth, that from pain she lost rest and speech. And since in so great infirmity she remained four days, all women present despaired both of the life of the mother and of the offspring. At length the husband, for wife and offspring, vowed to God, if his wife could be freed from the offspring, and the offspring received baptism, he himself with his wife would visit the thresholds of the Church of St. Servatius. And immediately God showed his power: and a son was born and baptized: affirming that on this account they came hither, fulfilling their vows, and glorifying God for the merits of our most glorious Patron B. Servatius, which also their pilgrims assertively to have been done attested [g].

[74] [h] In the year of the Lord one thousand five hundred ninety-eighth, year 1598 of the month of May on the twelfth day, before Reverend Lord John Groetheynen, of the Collegiate Church of Divine Servatius of the town of Maastricht on the Mosa Canon and Camerarius, for examining a certain pilgrim, named Jacob John, born in Borey of the province of France under the diocese of Soissons, by the venerable Lords Dean and Bishop of the said Church of St. Servatius deputed; concerning that which the same Jacob John was saying and asserting, that to himself by the benefit of God omnipotent and merits of Divine Servatius, while on the fourth day being on the journey toward Maastricht, a possessed mute where he had decided to go for visiting the church of the said Divine Servatius, was restored speech, of which somewhat earlier he was saying he had been deprived. This Jacob in the presence of me the underwritten Notary, for this purpose by the said Lord John Groetheynen deputed, assumed, with previous solemn oath, by him bodily taken of the truth being told, said and declared: First that more than two years before the restored speech to him he was possessed by a demon, and so vexed by him, that for the space of eighteen months wholly mute was made, and three days or thereabouts before the feast of the Purification next past at Soissons he was exorcised by the Curate of Marsiem, in vain exorcised in the presence of the Most Reverend Lord Bishop ⁱ of Soissons, and remained nonetheless mute. Second the same Jacob says, that he had promised himself by religion's sake to visit the aforesaid Church of St. Servatius of Maastricht: who on the fourth day after now they were on the journey, near the end of March of the year one thousand five hundred ninety eighth aforesaid, felt the agitations of the malign spirit, with which before he was badly affected, for the most part to be calmed, so that from that time speech he received, and quietly the most sacred Office of Mass to be present he is able, which without greatest griefs and agitations of the demon before he could not perform. coming to Maastricht by vow he is freed and speaks. Then separately called the wife of the said Jacob John, Joanna Mechay, and on the above-mentioned premises examined, with solemn oath taken about the truth being said, said and attested in all things, just as her husband Jacob the aforesaid declared. Antonia Join widow, sister of the aforesaid Jacob John, on the above premises with previous solemn oath examined, said and attested, that on next feast of the Nativity of John the Baptist will be a year, since she returned to her aforesaid brother, and saw him possessed and badly vexed by the demon: and that she was present where at Soissons he was exorcised: and that after exorcism he remained mute, and were shaken his hands still afterwards, when the evil him seized, and that he had vowed to visit the church of St. Servatius of Maastricht. In the rest she agrees with the others as above. Above which the said Lord John Groetheynen asked an act to be made, and in perpetual memory of the matter; and through me the Notary underwritten in this book to be registered. Thus subscribed. Symon de Bellemonte, by sacred Apostolic and Imperial authorities, and by the Council of Brabant admitted Notary, to the premises assumed.

ANNOTATIONS.

CHAPTER IX.

Two miracles wrought in the XVII century.

[75] William Lipsen, at St. Servatius the Dean, these things faithfully copied from his originals, attested, signed with his own hand. The second we from French into Latin translated, and the French MS. with us we keep. The first miracle is therefore as follows.

I Mark vanden Tympel, Religious Professed of the Society of Jesus and Priest, In year 1630 with quartan fever in the faith of a Priest affirm and assert: that, when now the tenth month was passing, since I had been laboring with quartan fever, and after various doctors and medicines applied, sent at last I had been to Liège, that there I might drink the Spadan water; meanwhile it came into mind to drink at Maastricht on the Mosa water from the Cup of St. Servatius, holier than Spadan not without frequent miracle. Going there to the altar of the Saint I made a vow, namely on the eve of the feast XIII May to fast, and on the very day in honor of him annually to celebrate. Three times sacrifice there I offered, three times water I took. The quartan fever left me, and a fourth time I did for thanksgiving. In trust of this these things by my hand I wrote and subsigned, and to Maastricht from Liège I sent in year MDCXXX, on July XIII. Signed was Mark vanden Tympel, Priest of the Society of Jesus.

I attest the underwritten Reverend Father Tympel, of the Society of Jesus, the above-written declaration before me to have exhibited, by drinking water from the cup of St. Servatius is freed, and professed, that thus it had happened just as in it is narrated, to the greater glory of God and St. Servatius, which to all reading it I desire to be attested for trust etc. At Liège on day XIII July of year MDCXXX. Signed John Baptist de Ninis I. C. of Perugia, Apostolic Protonotary and of the Most Illustrious Nuncio Auditor.

And was on the margin an expressed seal.

In the same year MDCXXX, I Godefridus Henschenius, who these Acts of St. Servatius bring to light, came to Louvain for studies Theological, and four years there with the said Mark vanden Tympel I lived, Father Mark vanden Tympel S. J. using the same Confessor with the rest of the household, and his sermons held in our temple I heard, as before in year MDCXXIV the same also from the Pulpit of the Church of the Professed House of the Society of Jesus to the Antwerp people I heard pleading the divine word: whom I know long before was Superior of all the Fathers, who in the Holland mission and adjacent provinces for the consolation of Catholics, there under the yoke of heterodox dwelling, in their hideouts then were living. The same Mark vanden Tympel was at Rome when Pope Gregory XV lived, and to him dying he attended, and pious prayers suggested. At length the old man from this mortal life departed XVII May year MDCXXXVI. But to another much more illustrious miracle let us proceed translated from French.

[76] In year 1661 Before the Dean and Canons In the year one thousand six hundred sixty first, on the twenty-third day of May, there had gathered in the chapter place of the famous Collegiate Church of St. Servatius the very Reverend, noble and learned Lords, Lord William Lipsen, Dean; Andrew Mantelo, Licentiate of both Laws Scholastic; Frederick de Grammaie, Cantor; Martin Bevers, Licentiate of Sacred Theology, Pastor of the parish of St. Matthew, now of St. Catherine; John Velen, Licentiate of sacred Theology, Pastor of the parish of St. John, now of St. James; Andrew van Beul; all of the said Church Canons; John Gysen, Chaplain and custodian of the Relics; likewise Andrew Bouwens, Anthony Vaes, Hieronymus Stas, Licentiates of both Laws; John Baptist Gaethovius Doctor of medicine, and Robert Carbonier sworn Surgeon: before whom introduced appeared an honest woman, a woman testifies named Poncetta Coquelet, widow of Francis Cornet, originating from the village Estione, near Charleville, in which town she dwelt over thirty years, of age thirty-eight years, accustomed to prepare wool by the fuller's craft. She seriously admonished, lest easily she bind herself by oath, or anything contrary to the truth utter, between the hands of the said Lord Dean an oath in fact taken said, that when about two years before on the feast of SS. James and Christopher, she was between the villages Horna and Escoma, three leagues from Charleville distant, in the open field under a pear tree, she was struck by lightning; and by its violence and stupor thence contracted cast to the tree, that from the stroke of lightning incurably struck in the arm tortured, and thence to have retained a certain contraction in the left arm so troublesome, that it was rendered useless to her, nor in any way could be moved; and continuously without intermission it inflicted such pain, that not without difficulty could she, even at night, rest. Rendered also was that left arm much shorter, than was the right. Made therefore impotent she had to be helped by Mary Brayard, who for some years had cohabited with her. Various remedies were applied, even friction of oil, by kindly counsel of some honest men and judgment of Lord Gallardus surgeon of that place. But she experienced no consolation, so much that from the beginning of last Lent she set aside every use of any medicine, application or unction, finding the affected arm continuously to ruin into worse; and at last on day Wednesday of holy week she had to be fortified with the sacrament of extreme Unction. Then when on the day after the Paschal feast the most holy Eucharist she had communicated, she received a certain devotion of binding herself by vow of pilgrimaging to Maastricht to St. Servatius, by vow she came to Maastricht, and soon in fact vowed: and consequently elapsed thence seven days, namely on day Tuesday seventeenth of this month of May, with another company having boarded a ship, for the cause of fulfilling the vow, hither she came on yesterday's day, namely twenty-second of this month. But today about the sixth hour in the morning entering the said Church of St. Servatius, about to fulfill her devotion, after Confession sacramental she received the holy Eucharist of the Body of the Lord: and soon she was overwhelmed with great pain, and was suddenly healed; and very extraordinary, in the shoulder of the left arm; whence she felt the evil to be derived into the arm, and afterwards a vehement extension of the said arm; and at the same time some loss of consciousness she suffered. Which then ceasing, she felt herself free from all pain, and the arm so healthy rendered, as if no incommodity she had ever had: and it for any use, as before, she could employ. These all things from her confession written, were to her read, and she persisted in her statement, asserting most truly so all things had happened: but she did not know how to write so as to subsign her name.

[77] The same things attested under oath by five companions of the journey: On the same day and year, before the said Lords in the same place sitting, there appeared Claudia Adam, widow of the deceased Lilius Baucherus, of age about fifty-five years, residing at Charleville in a house neighboring to the house, in which dwells Poncetta Coquelet; Mary Brajard, of age more or less fifty years; Joanna Beraut, wife of John Joly, of years eight or nine over forty; Joanna Gaunin, wife of Nicholas Clouët maker of combs for carding wool, having attained thirty-five years or thereabouts; Alisonna Gaignier, of twenty years. These all dwelling at Charleville, and Brajard (as said) in the same with Poncetta Coquelet house, belonging to a certain shoemaker iron worker, named Louis Vignol, and the others except the last in the vicinity of those in the street of the Jews; under oath (whose force to them had been abundantly intimated) declared themselves well for very many years past to have known the said Poncetta Coquelet, their fellow citizen; and her from the feast of SS. James and Christopher of the year one thousand six hundred fifty-ninth seized by some misfortune of the left arm, so that with it she could not for any service use: and since one in company all into the city Maastricht to St. Servatius on pilgrimage had come, declared her on this very day about the seventh hour, soon after the holy Communion, to have fallen into a certain debility; from which freed she declared, herself from her evil to be wholly healed, and no further of any evil to suffer the sense, as if never any was she vexed, and that she with the left arm equally freely as with the right uses, indeed in fact has shown it: and for their knowledge alleged the cause of cohabitation, of vicinity and of acquaintance, which of her they had and still have, and the above written with their own eyes have observed. And when these all things were to them read, they persisted, all things so to be true, nor that they to so depose had been before instructed, or by any composition so to do had been induced. And to these subsigned William Lipsen Dean, Andrew Mantelo, Fred. Grammaye, Martin Bevers, John Velen, Andrew van Beul, John Gysen, Andrew Bouwens, Hieronymus Stas, Robert Carbonier.

[78] Before us Notaries in the supreme Lordship of Arches, and in the presence of other Officials, citizens and merchants of the said Charleville, named below and subsigned, The same things at Charleville there appeared Poncetta Coquelet, widow of Francis Cornet, dwelling in the said Charleville: who told us, and under oath, which she owes to God and justice, attested, how on the twenty-fifth of July day of SS. James and Christopher, in the year one thousand six hundred fifty-ninth, from the said Charleville having gone out, she undertook a journey toward Carthonia; and when between Escoma and Horna, hence three leagues distant, she was; about the fourth hour and fifth in the morning, the air filled with clouds great darkness procreated, and on account of the vehement wind terrified toward a tree she approached, where on account of thunder, she narrates her misfortune, by the violence of the wind with crash twisted back, was struck by a certain blow; and her soles of feet and shins were blackened and burned, and the very tree vehemently shaken and to some extent extirpated. Then there she remained, while the storm by fall of hail little by little subsided: then with great pain, and as if with sulfur filled, her journey she advanced; thinking herself death to have escaped, since with the holy Scapular she was girt: and on return seven or eight hours she spent, that journey of three hours about she might complete. Returned to Charleville, for six weeks she was bed-bound, since on her feet she could not stand; and the more remedies she applied, the worse she had: wherefore she was forced to omit those remedies. Besides from thunder her left arm she had mutilated, with its nerves so twisted back, that no nourishment was admitted, under a certain form of paralysis, with vehement pain of it. There were applied various remedies, and recovered health by votive pilgrimage; also friction of oil at the judgment of the honorable man Nicholas Gallardus surgeon and pharmacist: but no consolation experienced, she abandoned medicines, applications and unctions. At last the evil so for the worse rushed, that on day Wednesday in holy week she had to be fortified with the sacrament of extreme Unction. The day after Pasch, having taken the holy Eucharist of the Body of Christ, and various prayers having been recited, she vowed a pilgrimage to St. Servatius in the city of Maastricht. Wherefore on day seventeenth May of this year one thousand six hundred sixtieth, in the port of the said Charleville she boarded a ship, and to herself joined Companions Claudia Adam, widow of Lilius Bucher of fifty-five years; Mary Brajard, of about fifty years; Joanna Beraut, married to John Iolly of also fifty years; Joanna Gauvin, married to Nicholas Clouet artificer of combs for carding wool, born thirty and five years; and Alisonna Gaiguiere, unmarried girl of about twenty years. These all have domicile at Charleville; and by familiar acquaintance joined and together they came to Maastricht on Monday's day, twenty-second of the said month of May. There on the following day at the sixth hour, after made Confession and taken the holy Eucharist, she was overwhelmed with vehement beyond measure pain of the left arm, and in its extension supreme weakness she suffered: which then freed, she knew herself to be without pain, and to suffer no evil; and now to the arm restored its pristine vigor, with which to this day for every service she uses, just as she was wont before.

[79] On occasion of which we recognize a miracle, in her by God shown through the intercession of St. Servatius, whom for this effect with vows and her prayers she had invoked. Equitable therefore is and just, Eleven sworn witnesses of Charleville are brought in, that with thanks given to God we recognize with authentic acts the obtained benefit: just as she herself asked the Lords Odo Pillenum, John Pelterium, John Archambaldum, John Milletum, James Robinetum, Anthony Morellum, James Cheaux, James Deloches, John Briancourt, and Peter Briancourt, all merchants and citizens of the said Charleville, likewise the said Lord Gallardus, who had undertaken to heal her, and this juridical petition had persuaded. All these by unanimous consent, after the conceived oath in usual manner, sworn to us attested, themselves to have seen this Poncetta Coquelet, from day twenty-fifth July of year one thousand six hundred fifty-ninth, for about seven weeks bed-bound, and of the left arm by stupor struck; nor could her service to be enjoyed, except after her return from the city of Maastricht, where she had pilgrimaged to St. Servatius. Which same likewise by oath and attestation was confirmed by the above-cited Claudia Adam, Mary Brajard, Joanna Beraut, and 5 women companions of the journey. Joanna Gauvin and Alisona Gaignere, who with the said Coquelet had undertaken the same pilgrimage; and in going toward Maastricht had seen her infirm and in arm left mutilated, and on return healthy, and with free use of the said arm as of the other, as above is related. Wherefore at the request of the said Coquelet, these acts of the matter done in testimony of truth were perfected, in the presence of venerable and prudent men, Lord Robert Bertrand Presbyter, Parish Priest and Dean of the said Charleville in his own dwelling, in which this gathering was instituted, Marius Canel, Charles Coichon Counselors of his Highness the Most Serene of Mantua supreme Lord of Arches and Charleville, also Advocates and Generals of the said Lordship; and Master John Halma, Procurator Syndic of the same city; then also Notaries, Secretaries and Tabellions of the said Charleville. On the twenty-second of June, in the year one thousand six hundred sixty-first, was this writing made.

There was on the margin an impressed seal in red wax. And there were below placed various signatures and signs of the said respective appearing.