THE
ADMIRABLE
LIFE
OF
S.
WENEFRIDE
,
VIRGIN
,
MARTYR
,
Abbesse
,
&
Patronesse
of
Wales
.
Permissu
Superiorum
Anno
1635.
〈…〉
THE
ADMIRABLE
LIFE
OF
SAINT
WENEFRIDE
Virgin
,
Martyr
,
Abbesse
.
Written
in
Latin
aboue
●00
.
yeares
ago
,
by
ROBERT
,
Monke
and
Priour
of
Shrewsbury
,
of
the
Ven.
Order
of
S.
BENEDICT
.
Deuided
into
two
Bookes
.
And
now
translated
into
English
,
out
of
a
very
ancient
and
authenticall
Manuscript
,
for
the
edification
and
comfort
of
Catholikes
.
By
I.
F.
of
the
Society
of
IESVS
.
Her
memory
is
worthily
honoured
amonge
Men
,
whose
Soule
is
passed
to
the
ioyes
of
Angells
.
S.
Max.
hom.
in
S.
Euseb.
Permissu
Superiorum
M.DC.
XXXV
.
Noble
and
Princely
Ladies
,
haue
made
You
a
Stranger
to
Wales
for
the
greatest
part
of
your
life
;
yet
your
Marriage
since
,
with
a
chiefe
Gentleman
of
that
Country
,
and
many
Children
borne
there
(
liuing
partes
of
your selfe
,
as
that
great
Prince
of
Philosophers
calleth
them
)
may
worthily
make
me
repute
you
S.
Wenefrides
Countrey-woman
.
Your
singular
Deuotion
besides
,
to
that
renowned
Saint
,
and
great
Patronesse
of
WALES
▪
which
lately
caused
you
(
as
I
haue
heard
)
to
measure
,
with
no
few
Attendants
of
friends
and
seruants
about
you
,
the
whole
length
of
that
Countrey
,
to
visit
the
deuout
&
memorable
Plac●
of
her
Martyrdome
,
added
to
that
former
Respect
,
and
a
constant
desire
withall
in
my selfe
,
to
honour
,
in
what
I
may
,
&
serue
you
;
haue
powerfully
preuayled
,
&
moued
〈◊〉
to
present
this
transla●ed
Life
of
that
glorious
VIRGIN
,
ABBESSE
and
MARTYR
,
especially
vnto
you
.
Who
as
a
bright
morning-star
ceaseth
not
euen
now
,
to
shyne
,
in
her
owne
knowne
Graces
,
and
daily
Honours
done
by
deuout
people
vnto
her
;
when
as
other
Stars
,
in
this
late
darkenes
,
ouerwhelming
our
Countrey
,
are
quite
vanished
out
of
liuing
mens
sights
:
I
meane
,
innumerable
Men
,
and
Women
of
Wales
,
very
conspicuous
in
tymes
past
,
for
their
admired
Sanctity
,
and
honoured
in
Churches
dedicated
particularly
vnto
them
,
are
now
vtterly
forgotten
,
and
neuer
againe
,
as
knowne
Saints
,
to
be
honoured
by
vs
,
vntil
in
glory
we
shall
ly
Light
hath
scarsly
euer
beene
obscured
,
in
your
owne
,
or
your
Husbands
ancient
Families
.
A
rare
Happines
in
these
tymes
,
and
to
few
Houses
of
Noble
note
,
so
graciously
affoarded
by
the
Authour
of
all
Graces
,
whereby
,
their
earthly
Worth
,
hath
with
heauenly
Graces
ben
happily
matched
;
and
are
so
eminently
now
graced
,
by
Your
owne
particular
Vertues
,
as
S.
Wen
fride
will
gladly
accepe
such
a
Patronesse
of
hert
Life
printed
,
who
so
holily
imitateth
the
same
,
as
it
was
acted
by
her
.
Wherin
her
Blessed
Intercession
hath
already
,
and
will
I
doubt
not
,
perseuerantly
assiste
you
,
by
obteyning
of
her
Diuine
Spouse
,
Temporall
Blessings
,
and
Eternall
Graces
,
for
you
and
yours
;
which
I
daily
wish
,
and
hartily
pray
for
,
as
your
euer
deuoted
friend
,
and
seruant
,
In
Christ
IESVS
,
I.
F.
THE
TRANSLATOVRS
PREFACE
TO
HIS
READER
.
AMongst
many
people
Apostolically
conuerted
to
the
Fayth
of
Christ
,
the
Britans
or
ancient
Inhabitants
of
England
,
are
vndoubtedly
to
be
numbred
,
as
Origen
4.
in
Ezechielem
,
Tertullian
contra
Iudaeos
,
Dorotheus
in
his
Synopsis
,
Theodoret
,
and
others
haue
expresly
affirmed
,
besides
many
home
proofes
,
and
pregnant
testimonies
of
that
their
so
timely
conuersion
.
Which
primitiue
Fayth
of
theirs
hauing
byn
,
by
a
continuall
mixture
of
Romans
,
and
other
Infidells
liuing
amongst
them
,
and
persecuting
them
for
the
same
,
exceedingly
decayed
;
was
againe
cultiuated
by
Fugatius
,
and
Damianus
Apostolicall
Preachers
,
sent
for
that
purpose
by
Pope
Elutherius
vnto
them
,
the
very
next
age
after
the
Apostles
.
Since
which
tyme
albeit
they
lost
to
the
Saxons
,
the
greatest
,
&
fruitefullest
part
of
their
Country
,
and
were
enforced
to
betake
themselues
to
the
mountanous
places
of
Wales
(
as
now
it
is
called
)
and
Cornewall
;
yet
haue
they
still
vntill
this
last
age
,
vnalteredly
maintayned
their
primitiue
Fayth
,
and
Religion
,
as
in
the
first
two
Chapters
of
the
Protestants
Apology
for
the
Roman
Church
,
written
by
that
learned
man
M.
Brerely
,
is
most
cleerly
proued
,
&
demonstrated
.
And
to
recompence
perhaps
,
their
Constancy
therein
,
and
sufferings
for
it
,
they
were
blessed
from
tyme
to
tyme
with
great
numbers
of
Saintes
,
flourishing
amongst
them
;
so
as
many
Parishes
in
Wales
and
Cornewall
,
retayne
no
other
names
at
this
day
,
then
such
as
anciently
they
receaued
from
holy
Men
and
Women
liuing
in
them
.
Amongst
all
which
no
one
was
for
sanctity
&
miraculous
testimonies
thereof
,
more
then
S.
Wenefride
famously
renowned
;
and
her
Monuments
now
after
a
generall
vastation
of
Monasteries
,
and
Saintes
memories
in
our
Countrey
,
remayne
vndefaced
,
and
no
lesse
glorious
in
Wales
and
England
,
then
S.
Catherines
Tombe
on
Mount
Sinai
,
amongst
fierce
Mahometans
and
Paynims
,
is
straungely
,
yet
conserued
.
And
as
the
Sepulcher
of
that
renowned
Saint
,
is
by
faithfull
people
in
those
Easterne
parts
of
the
world
Religiously
visited
:
so
in
like
manner
do
multitudes
of
holy
Pilgrims
frequently
now
resort
vnto
the
place
of
S.
Wenefrids
martyrdome
,
&
wonder
to
see
such
a
floud
of
Cristall
pure
Watēr
gushing
there
at
once
,
out
of
the
Earth
,
and
a
most
sumptuous
Chappell
standing
yet
ouer
it
.
So
that
the
three
Fountaynes
neere
Rome
,
which
issued
miraculously
out
of
the
ground
,
where
S.
Paul
was
martyred
,
are
not
by
much
so
curiously
with
building
couered
.
Moreouer
,
the
waters
of
this
holy
Well
,
seeme
to
haue
in
them
more
then
naturall
vertues
,
by
giuing
a
musky
,
and
most
delightfull
sweetnes
to
the
greene
mosse
growing
on
the
wals
of
this
stately
inclosure
,
and
colouring
all
the
stones
which
lye
in
the
bottome
thereof
,
with
spots
,
as
it
were
,
of
pure
bloud
,
in
them
strangly
appearing
.
Many
miracles
also
haue
ben
done
heeretofore
to
manifest
the
sanctity
of
this
place
;
which
because
they
haue
not
ben
by
depositions
of
persons
sworne
,
and
publique
Instruments
authentically
approued
,
I
forbeare
heere
further
to
mention
,
then
as
my
Authour
doth
afterwards
recount
them
;
and
will
only
say
,
that
this
Venerable
and
Costly
monument
,
is
the
more
to
be
admired
,
for
that
it
standeth
in
so
hilly
,
poore
,
and
barten
a
Countrey
,
which
hath
scarsly
any
thing
,
but
this
fayre
building
remarkable
in
it
,
exactly
therefore
drawne
out
by
M.
Speed
in
his
Table
of
Flint-shyre
,
and
in
his
Comment
historically
declared
;
yet
with
this
tale
ridiculously
added
,
that
Catholiques
visiting
the
Well
,
do
really
belieue
the
rednes
of
the
stones
to
be
the
Martyrs
very
bloud
,
and
the
Mosse
growing
therein
her
hayre
,
like
to
one
of
Ouids
Metamorphosing
Fables
.
The
Life
of
this
Noble
Virgin
and
Martyr
,
was
diligently
and
authentically
gathered
(
as
himselfe
in
his
Prologue
professeth
)
by
Robertus
Salopiensis
,
a
learned
Monke
and
Priour
of
Shrewsbury
,
of
the
holy
order
of
S.
Benedict
,
liuing
in
King
Stephens
tyme
,
&
for
his
great
sincerity
,
by
Cardinall
Baronius
,
Surius
,
Capgraue
,
Pits
,
Posseuinus
,
and
others
,
worthily
commended
.
Whose
booke
coppied
truly
out
of
an
old
authenticall
Manuscript
,
I
haue
heere
in
sense
faithfully
translated
,
and
done
no
otherwise
in
altering
the
Authors
old
phrases
,
scarsely
expressible
in
good
English
,
then
as
if
I
had
stripped
some
body
out
of
Welsh
course
frize
,
and
put
him
into
a
suite
of
English
playne
Karesay
.
And
if
the
matter
of
the
Booke
,
conteyning
in
it
sundry
strange
and
miraculous
passages
,
shall
seeme
ridiculous
to
Protestants
chancing
to
read
them
,
it
is
not
much
to
be
wondred
at
,
sithence
they
will
be
their
owne
choosers
,
euen
in
the
very
beliefe
of
sacred
Verities
themselues
,
diuinely
reuealed
;
and
sleight
,
as
fabulous
Legends
,
the
Liues
of
Saintes
,
written
by
S.
Athanasius
,
S.
Ambrose
,
S.
Hierome
,
S.
Climachus
,
S.
Gregory
,
and
other
holy
Fathers
.
It
sufficed
my
Author
,
and
so
it
shall
me
,
that
deuout
Catholiques
for
whose
instruction
and
comfort
he
penned
first
his
Historie
,
will
piously
and
probably
assent
to
that
,
which
heere
is
credibly
proposed
vnto
them
,
auoyding
two
extremes
therein
;
the
one
is
of
belieuing
things
ouerlightly
,
&
the
other
of
belieuing
nothing
at
all
but
as
fancies
,
and
selfe-opinions
do
guide
them
.
The
which
,
in
Sectaries
following
commonly
this
latter
extreme
in
their
iudg-ment
of
Catholique
writings
,
is
a
kind
of
Infidelity
,
and
Impiety
mixed
togeather
:
for
if
God
be
wonderfull
in
his
Saintes
(
as
the
Royall
Prophet
telleth
vs
,
Psal.
67.
)
and
Christ
in
his
Ascension
towards
heauen
did
so
expresly
promise
,
that
these
signes
should
follow
such
as
did
belieue
in
him
,
In
my
name
(
said
he
)
they
shall
cast
out
Diuells
,
they
shall
speake
with
new
tongues
&c.
why
should
we
vpon
probable
testimonies
refuse
to
belieue
,
such
wonders
to
haue
ben
done
by
Saintes
,
as
diuine
testifications
of
their
true
Fayth
,
and
great
graces
heere
obtayned
?
The
sacred
body
of
this
Virginall
Blessed
Saint
,
was
solemnly
translated
to
Shrewsbury
in
this
Authors
tyme
in
the
yeare
of
our
Lord
1138.
and
raigne
of
K.
Stephen
,
and
there
,
in
his
owne
Abbey
magnificently
interred
,
that
greater
honour
and
veneration
,
in
so
populous
,
and
Religious
a
Citty
(
as
that
was
then
)
might
be
yielded
vnto
it
;
where
it
continued
,
for
aboue
400.
yeares
,
till
Heresie
preuayled
vtterly
to
ouerthrow
in
our
Country
the
publique
profession
of
Catholique
Religion
,
and
deface
the
Venerable
monuments
thereof
euery
where
almost
then
extant
.
In
which
common
ruine
&
calamity
hapning
,
the
shrine
of
this
great
Saint
with
numbers
of
others
became
sacrilegiously
defaced
,
and
her
sacred
Reliques
lye
since
dispersed
God
knoweth
where
or
how
,
vntill
by
his
omnipotency
,
they
shall
come
to
be
vnited
againe
,
&
most
gloriously
raysed
,
For
God
(
sayth
the
same
holy
Prophet
Psal.
33.
)
doth
conserue
all
the
bones
of
his
seruants
:
and
it
hath
increased
I
doubt
not
their
ioyes
accidentall
in
heauen
,
to
haue
had
heere
on
earth
for
his
sake
,
their
Reliques
by
the
Churches
enemies
,
and
haters
of
true
Religion
contemptuously
abused
,
after
due
Reuerence
yeilded
by
deuout
people
vnto
them
,
and
singular
blessings
receaued
from
Almighty
God
by
their
powerfull
intercession
.
Neither
haue
moderne
Sectaries
shewed
in
any
one
act
more
,
the
little
Communion
,
which
they
haue
in
this
world
,
or
are
likely
to
haue
in
the
other
,
with
the
Saintes
of
Christs
Church
,
then
in
contemning
,
scattering
,
and
destroying
their
Reliques
,
of
which
in
generall
S.
Ambrose
writeth
thus
,
Serm.
93.
de
Sanctis
Nazario
&
Celso
.
If
thou
aske
me
what
I
honour
in
their
flesh
and
bones
now
dissolued
and
consumed
?
I
honour
in
the
Martyrs
flesh
,
the
scarres
of
those
woundes
,
which
for
Christ
he
susteyned
;
I
honour
the
memory
of
his
vertue
still
liuing
;
I
honour
in
his
ashes
the
seedes
of
Eternity
;
I
honour
the
body
that
taught
me
to
loue
Christ
,
and
not
to
feare
the
cruellest
death
for
him
.
Why
should
not
faithfull
soules
honour
that
body
,
which
Diuells
tremble
at
?
&c.
quod
Christum
honorauit
in
gladio
,
quod
cum
Christo
regnabit
in
caelo
:
that
body
,
I
say
,
which
honored
Christ
in
the
sword
,
and
which
shall
reigne
with
him
in
Heauen
.
These
(
sayth
S.
Basill
speaking
of
the
40.
Martyrs
Reliques
)
are
those
who
protect
our
Countrey
,
and
like
strong
Towers
guard
vs
from
our
enemies
.
Wherefore
I
may
vse
,
of
such
as
scattered
,
and
destroyed
the
holy
reliques
of
S.
Wenefride
,
and
many
other
Saintes
in
our
Country
,
S.
Gregory
Nazianzens
words
in
his
first
Oration
against
Iulian
the
Apostata
;
Thou
hast
not
reuerenced
the
Hoastes
slaine
for
Christ
,
whose
bodies
,
yea
very
drops
of
their
bloud
,
or
other
small
signes
of
their
passions
,
can
worke
the
same
effects
which
their
soules
themselues
can
doe
;
to
wit
such
sudaine
cures
of
infirmities
and
diseases
,
as
S.
Austin
lib.
22.
de
Ciuitate
Dei
cap.
8.
affirmeth
by
S.
Stephens
Reliques
,
as
they
passed
through
Afrique
towards
Rome
,
to
haue
byn
done
in
his
presence
:
which
Protestants
will
as
little
belieue
,
as
they
do
the
miraculous
passages
of
S.
Wenefride
recounted
in
this
Historie
,
amongst
whome
there
is
no
one
so
straunge
,
but
the
like
may
be
found
in
other
Saintes
liues
,
by
holy
&
ancient
Fathers
authentically
written
;
and
in
some
of
them
far
more
straunge
:
which
piously
read
,
&
probably
belieued
by
faithful
soules
for
1400.
yeares
since
,
cannot
but
temerariously
be
reiected
now
,
and
contemned
by
Protestants
;
whose
corrupt
Iudgment
,
as
I
regard
not
in
this
my
translation
:
so
I
hope
good
Catholiques
will
read
it
with
edification
and
comfort
.
For
it
may
well
delight
them
,
as
it
doth
me
,
to
thinke
that
we
haue
anciently
had
such
store
of
renowned
Saintes
liuing
in
our
Country
,
as
,
besides
this
life
,
D.
Harpsfeld
,
the
English
Martyrologe
,
Prudentiall
Ballance
,
M.
Broughton
,
and
other
ancienter
historians
do
witnesse
,
though
the
Names
,
and
liues
of
the
greatest
part
of
them
are
only
in
the
booke
of
life
registred
,
and
will
in
the
generall
Iudgment
be
gloriously
reuealed
.
That
S.
Wenefride
likewise
,
should
liue
againe
,
after
her
head
cut
off
,
and
do
the
things
which
heere
are
written
of
her
in
her
Historie
(
the
chiefe
blocke
which
incredulous
Readers
perhaps
will
stumble
at
)
is
no
more
hard
to
be
belieued
,
then
that
Lazarus
after
he
had
ben
dead
,
and
stinking
in
his
graue
,
should
liue
agayne
,
sit
at
table
with
Christ
,
and
be
Bishop
of
Marsills
in
France
many
yeares
after
.
And
if
it
be
obiected
that
Christ
himselfe
,
did
worke
that
miracle
,
able
to
do
all
things
:
I
may
well
answere
,
that
he
promised
his
owne
power
,
and
far
greater
wonders
then
himselfe
had
wrought
,
to
be
done
by
his
seruants
,
extant
now
in
authenticall
Histories
as
certainely
since
performed
.
Lastly
,
I
intreat
my
courteous
Reader
,
for
a
Conclusion
of
this
my
Preface
,
to
note
&
mend
with
his
penne
,
these
ensuing
errours
of
my
Translation
,
committed
in
the
printing
by
strangers
,
wholy
ignorant
of
our
English
tongue
.
Faults
escaped
in
the
Printing
.
-
PAg.
24.
lin.
7.
dele
that
-
Pag.
45.
lin.
9.
where
read
which
-
Pag.
75.
lin.
1.
as
read
or
-
Pag.
82.
lin.
9.
their
read
his
-
Pag.
88.
lin.
5.
dele
so
-
Pag.
94.
lin.
vlt.
his
read
this
-
Pag.
103.
lin.
11.
dele
most
-
Pag.
109.
lin.
16.
saying
read
said
-
Pag.
119.
lin.
vlt.
noble
Virginity
,
read
Martyrdome
for
your
Virginity
.
-
Pag.
120.
lin.
1.
dele
of
your
Martyrdome
.
-
Pag.
121.
lin.
14.
dele
he
-
Pag.
128.
lin.
5.
Charity
read
Clarity
-
Pag.
146.
lin.
16.
in
,
read
in
a
suddaine
-
Pag.
148.
lin.
14.
and
to
be
,
dele
to
-
Pag.
165.
lin.
3.
fall
read
fell
-
Pag.
173.
lin.
10.
Wales
,
read
that
Countrey
.
-
Pag.
204.
lin.
7.
streames
read
streame
-
Pag.
225.
lin.
2.
hath
read
had
-
Pag.
251.
lin.
9.
was
read
he
was
-
Pag.
269.
lin.
vlt.
little
read
so
little
.
The
Prayer
,
and
Sequence
of
S.
Wenefride
,
taken
forth
of
the
ancient
Missall
of
England
,
according
to
the
vse
of
SARVM
.
Oratio
.
OMnipotens
sempiterne
Deus
,
qui
beatam
Wenefredam
Virginitatis
praemio
decorasti
:
fac
nos
quaesumus
eius
pia
intercessione
,
mundi
huius
blandimenta
postponere
,
&
cum
ipsa
perennis
gloriae
sedem
obtinere
.
Per
Dominum
nostrum
&c.
The
Prayer
.
ALmighty
and
euerlasting
God
,
who
hast
adorned
Blessed
Wenefride
with
the
reward
of
Virginity
;
grant
vs
we
beseech
thee
,
through
her
poius
intercession
,
to
set
afide
the
delights
of
this
world
,
and
obteyne
with
her
,
the
throne
of
euerlasting
glory
.
Through
our
Lord
Iesus
Christ
&c.
SEQVENTIA
.
VIrgo
vernans
velut
Rosa
,
Agni
Sponsa
speciosa
,
Martyr
Christi
pretiosa
,
Wenefreda
floruit
.
Ex
Britannis
oriunda
,
Fide
firma
,
spe
iocunda
,
Actu
sancta
,
mente
munda
,
Mundi
mendâ
caruit
.
Hanc
occidit
Carodocus
,
Quem
mox
sorbet
Orci
focus
,
Qui
prauorum
extat
locus
,
Quo
Sathan
exuitur
.
Huius
argumento
rei
,
Fons
ebullit
nutu
Dei
,
Rubricatae
speciei
,
Quo
caput
praeciditur
.
Mira
multa
hic
patrantur
,
Caeci
vident
,
muti
fantur
,
Morbi
omnes
effugantur
.
Cum
fide
petentium
.
Gloriosa
Wenefreda
,
Maris
fluctus
nobis
seda
,
Ne
fiamus
hosti
praeda
,
Pia
fer
praesidium
▪
Amen
.
The
same
in
old
English
.
As
a
sweete
Rose
in
pleasant
spring
,
Of
heauenly
Lambe
Spouse
louely
faire
And
Martyr
deare
of
Christ
our
King
S.
Wenefrede
did
flourish
heere
.
Descended
well
of
Brittish
race
,
In
Fayth
now
firme
,
and
Hope
secure
,
With
workes
Holy
,
and
Soule
in
Grace
,
From
worldly
filth
perseuered
pure
.
This
sacred
Mayd
did
Cradocke
kill
,
And
him
Hell
swallowed
presently
,
Where
teares
in
vayne
do
run
downe
still
And
Sathan
burnes
incessantly
.
A
Token
sure
of
this
strang
thing
,
Bespotted
all
with
blouddy
red
,
A
Well
by
Gods
command
doth
spring
Where
Tyrant
fierce
cut
off
her
head
.
Heere
wonders
great
Gods
hand
doth
worke
The
blind
do
see
,
the
dumbe
do
speake
,
Diseases
which
in
bodies
lurke
Are
cured
,
when
Fayth
is
not
weake
.
O
glorious
Virgin
Wenefrede
,
To
vs
the
raging
sea
appease
,
And
free
vs
so
from
Sathans
dread
That
he
on
vs
may
neuer
seize
.
Amen
.
THE
FIRST
BOOKE
,
conteyning
the
History
of
S.
Wenefrids
Life
.
CHAPTER
I.
Of
S.
Beuno
his
great
sanctity
;
how
he
was
inspired
by
God
to
goe
to
S.
Wenefrids
Father
;
how
liberally
he
was
entertayned
by
him
,
and
had
his
only
child
commended
for
her
Education
vnto
him
.
IN
the
Westerne
part
of
great
Britanny
,
called
Wales
,
conioyned
Eastwards
in
the
same
continent
,
with
England
,
and
rounded
on
all
other
sides
with
Seuerne
,
and
the
Ocean
,
flourished
in
times
past
innumerable
Saintes
men
and
women
of
singular
sanctity
and
merit
,
as
their
seuerall
Shrines
,
and
stately
Monuments
yet
remayning
do
testify
;
amongst
who
me
,
in
King
Eluith
the
second
his
tyme
,
one
S.
Beuno
was
for
his
wonderfull
graces
especially
renowned
;
who
hauing
,
out
of
a
holy
desire
to
imitate
the
pouerty
of
his
heauenly
Lord
,
and
to
become
a
true
Pilgrime
heere
on
earth
,
forsaken
his
owne
Countrey
,
and
trodden
vnder
foote
such
glorious
pompes
,
and
pleasures
of
the
world
as
he
might
at
home
haue
enioyed
,
made
himselfe
first
a
Moncke
,
and
soone
after
arriued
to
such
perfection
and
sanctity
of
life
,
that
he
became
a
common
Father
of
Religious
persons
.
For
no
sooner
had
he
built
a
Church
and
Monastery
in
one
place
,
and
setled
there
in
regular
discipline
and
great
purity
of
life
,
a
certaine
number
of
Religions
persons
,
but
he
trauelled
to
another
part
of
the
Countrey
,
to
do
there
the
like
also
,
as
Gods
holy
spirit
for
the
benefit
of
many
,
peculiarly
directed
him
;
so
that
at
length
he
entred
into
the
territory
of
a
rich
,
&
potent
Lord
called
Theuith
sonne
to
a
chiefe
Counsellour
of
the
King
,
&
a
principal
gouerner
of
the
Country
,
who
equalled
his
Illustrious
birth
,
by
his
Noble
,
Religious
,
&
exemplar
demeanours
.
When
Venerable
Beuno
came
to
this
Lords
house
,
he
was
most
respectfully
by
him
entertayned
,
and
after
charitable
salutations
passed
betweene
them
,
the
Saint
tould
him
,
that
he
was
sent
by
God
to
erect
a
Church
in
his
Territory
,
as
he
had
done
in
other
places
:
and
I
doubt
not
(
said
he
)
but
that
God
hath
by
a
very
feruent
and
peculiar
inspiration
,
drawne
me
hither
from
his
other
seruants
,
with
whome
I
liued
els
where
with
great
content
,
to
performe
some
great
good
particularly
for
you
,
and
yours
.
Wherefore
for
his
diuine
Maiesties
seruice
,
I
humbly
intreate
a
small
part
of
your
ample
inheritance
,
to
rayse
therein
a
Church
,
where
others
with
my selfe
will
daily
pray
for
your
safety
.
The
Noble
man
moued
with
the
Saintes
Venerable
aspect
and
speaches
,
resolued
forthwith
,
to
graunt
what
he
asked
,
and
yielded
this
wise
answere
vnto
him
:
With
good
reason
,
holy
Father
,
am
I
bound
to
giue
you
a
part
of
what
Lands
I
possesse
,
for
the
seruice
of
him
,
who
gaue
all
vnto
me
:
and
I
conceaue
indeed
that
you
haue
pleasured
me
much
,
in
asking
this
Charity
of
me
,
more
profitable
to
my selfe
,
then
to
you
.
Wherefore
this
very
Mannour
which
now
I
liue
in
,
I
do
from
this
tyme
forward
wholy
alienate
from
my selfe
and
all
myne
,
yielding
the
possession
,
&
all
right
therof
most
gladly
vnto
you
:
and
hauing
no
more
then
one
child
,
a
tender
Virgin
,
the
greatest
delight
indeed
,
and
worldly
ioy
of
my
hart
,
I
will
besides
bequeath
her
to
your
holy
instructions
,
and
prayers
,
that
her
life
may
be
holy
,
and
her
conuersation
such
,
as
may
be
pleasing
to
God
,
and
contentfull
to
me
also
.
And
hauing
put
the
Saint
in
possession
of
the
place
,
and
promised
moreouer
to
help
him
in
the
building
by
him
intended
,
for
a
conuenient
aboad
of
Gods
Religious
children
and
seruants
,
he
chose
afterwards
a
place
for
himselfe
to
dwell
in
,
vpon
a
high
hill
ouer
against
it
,
that
when
he
could
not
inioy
the
holy
mans
presence
,
he
might
a
far
of
looke
at
least
towards
him
,
and
recreate
himselfe
often
in
the
day
,
by
being
with
him
holily
and
continually
imployed
in
the
seruice
of
God
,
spiritually
conioyned
.
CHAP.
II.
How
S.
Wenefrides
Parents
did
help
the
Saint
in
building
his
Monastery
;
become
also
with
their
Daughter
his
deuout
Auditours
and
obedient
children
:
How
likewise
S.
Wenefride
vpon
hearing
S.
Beuno's
exhortations
,
resolued
to
leaue
the
world
,
and
conserue
her
virginity
,
intreating
him
to
mooue
also
her
Parents
thereunto
.
WHen
the
Saint
began
to
build
his
Church
and
monastery
the
Lord
Theuith
did
not
faile
with
meanes
liberally
to
further
it
;
vouchsafing
also
many
times
to
put
his
owne
hands
to
this
holy
worke
for
the
example
of
others
,
and
the
sooner
to
finish
it
,
as
a
thing
by
him
for
the
glory
of
God
,
and
good
of
his
owne
scule
,
exceedingly
desired
.
So
as
the
Church
was
no
sooner
raysed
,
and
made
fit
for
the
holy
man
to
preach
,
and
offer
the
diuine
Sacrifice
in
,
but
himselfe
with
his
Wife
and
Wenefride
his
Daughter
,
were
daily
and
deuoutely
present
,
at
such
holy
exercises
,
he
obseruing
still
this
Custome
to
place
his
Child
at
the
Saintes
feete
whilst
he
preached
,
willing
her
to
be
attentiue
to
his
speaches
.
Which
became
not
fruitles
in
her
soule
,
holily
euen
then
in
her
tender
yeares
,
and
graciously
prepared
feruently
to
practise
in
her
life
,
such
heauenly
documents
as
from
the
Saints
mouth
she
continually
learned
.
And
her
delight
in
hearing
him
was
such
,
as
with
leaue
of
her
Parents
she
often
visited
him
alone
by
her selfe
,
to
be
enriched
the
more
,
with
a
profitable
,
and
practicall
knowledge
of
diuine
verities
from
him
.
And
albeit
her
Parents
,
as
their
most
gracious
and
only
child
,
dearely
affected
her
,
and
had
placed
(
after
a
worldly
manner
)
the
only
hope
of
their
posterity
in
her
,
by
resoluing
with
an
ample
dowry
to
marry
her
in
due
tyme
,
to
some
Noble
and
chiefe
person
of
the
in
this
doubtfull
conflict
,
betweene
humane
&
diuine
loue
passing
in
her
thoghts
,
the
powerfull
illuminator
,
and
best
Directour
of
holy
soules
interiourly
suggested
this
counsel
vnto
her
,
that
by
Saint
Beuno
,
whose
holy
speaches
had
occasioned
this
pious
resolution
first
in
her
hart
firmely
then
rooted
,
to
propose
it
vnto
her
Parents
,
whose
power
and
authority
she
wisely
knew
to
be
very
great
with
them
,
by
reason
they
honoured
him
much
,
and
in
all
things
he
said
,
gladly
obeyed
him
.
Wherfore
one
day
finding
him
alone
,
after
his
manner
holily
retired
,
she
humbly
and
boldly
manifested
her
purpose
thus
vnto
him
.
Holy
Father
,
I
come
here
to
make
knowne
vnto
you
the
holy
fruites
of
your
speaches
,
and
Gods
graces
togeather
in
my
Soule
,
whereby
I
haue
byn
effectually
,
and
(
I
hope
)
happily
moued
to
estrange
my selfe
wholy
from
Worldly
contentments
,
and
to
consecrate
my
Virginity
purely
to
him
,
who
liberally
gaue
me
the
beeing
I
haue
,
and
hath
hitherto
conserued
this
enriching
Treasure
graciously
in
me
;
Humbly
beseeching
you
,
to
obteyne
for
me
,
my
Parents
good
leaue
and
permission
so
to
continue
.
The
Saint
forthwith
as
beyond
all
expression
delighted
to
know
that
the
seedes
of
diuine
grace
sowne
by
his
speaches
,
were
beginning
to
grow
so
happily
in
her
,
willingly
vndertooke
to
obteyne
of
her
Parents
what
she
desired
throgh
the
confidence
which
he
had
in
their
singular
piety
towards
God
,
&
readines
to
do
what
his
diuine
Maiesty
would
haue
them
.
CHAP.
III.
S.
Beuno
proposeth
S.
Wenefrides
desire
to
her
Parents
,
obteyneth
their
grant
therin
;
they
giue
away
in
almes
her
intended
dowry
,
&
ioy
to
see
rare
beginninges
of
future
sanctity
,
and
solide
vertues
in
their
Daughter
.
THe
holy
man
,
a
powerfull
Oratour
with
them
who
as
Children
reuerently
respected
,
and
desired
to
obey
him
,
in
a
heauenly
language
imparted
vnto
them
S.
Wenefrids
desires
,
and
made
them
withall
capable
to
know
,
that
it
would
be
no
ordinary
act
of
their
due
loue
to
God
,
gladly
and
freely
to
dedicate
to
his
seruice
what
in
this
world
was
dearest
vnto
them
.
Their
answere
vnto
him
,
with
teares
of
ioy
and
praysing
of
Christ
for
his
graces
affoarded
,
so
singularly
,
to
their
child
,
was
no
other
then
a
full
,
and
free
leaue
giuen
to
S.
Wenefride
of
forsaking
the
world
to
serue
her
heauenly
Spouse
,
who
by
so
high
and
holy
a
vocation
,
had
called
her
vnto
him
.
And
so
wishing
her
a
happy
progresse
therein
,
they
resolued
also
to
draw
out
of
the
same
this
benefitt
to
themselues
,
that
giuing
away
to
the
poore
,
her
ample
dowry
for
a
secular
mariage
by
them
prepared
,
and
distributing
in
holy
vses
besides
,
a
very
great
part
of
their
owne
princely
wealth
and
possessions
as
troublesome
vnto
them
,
and
(
with
pouerty
delighted
)
due
to
the
king
of
heauen
,
who
by
espousing
their
Child
was
growne
to
be
heyre
as
it
were
vnto
them
;
they
might
run
more
lightly
the
way
of
his
commandements
,
&
in
a
holy
freedome
from
worldly
solicitudes
spend
,
&
end
the
remainder
of
their
life
in
gayning
to
themselues
heauenly
treasures
eternally
to
enrich
them
:
wherein
they
became
animated
afterwards
by
the
rare
example
of
their
daughters
vertues
;
who
ouer-ioyed
at
first
with
their
leaue
so
obtayned
,
and
freed
from
former
feares
of
worldly
entanglements
,
daily
extended
herselfe
to
courses
of
sanctity
and
perfection
by
frequent
and
feruent
practises
of
humility
,
and
punctuall
obedience
to
her
holy
Father
,
permitted
by
her
Parents
freely
vnto
her
.
So
as
now
a
corner
neere
his
Cell
where
she
might
frequently
visit
him
,
and
delightfully
drawe
,
through
her
eares
to
her
soule
,
the
vitall
breath
of
his
heauenly
discourses
,
was
in
the
day
tyme
her
delightfullest
mansion
:
and
watching
whole
nights
in
the
Church
,
kneeling
or
prostrate
before
the
Aultar
,
when
extreme
wearines
and
deadly
sleep
did
not
possesse
her
,
was
to
be
as
in
her
spouses
bed-chamber
,
raised
by
amourous
thoghts
of
his
wonderfull
Perfections
,
and
rapt
with
pure
delights
,
freshly
euery
day
communicated
vnto
her
.
So
as
to
heare
him
only
named
caused
a
iubily
in
her
soule
,
by
blushing
and
teares
to
such
as
beheld
her
sweetely
discouered
.
And
as
internall
guifts
did
wonderfully
adorne
her
;
so
were
not
externall
graces
wanting
vnto
her
:
for
her
face
was
matchles
in
bewty
and
by
a
rare
modesty
exceedingly
graced
.
Her
speach
was
sweet
,
neuer
but
leasurely
and
wisely
vttered
.
The
comly
stature
likewise
and
proportion
of
her
body
in
all
parts
thereof
,
though
poorely
clad
serued
to
grace
her
in
the
eyes
of
others
;
so
as
the
Diuell
emulating
those
high
beginnings
of
sanctity
in
her
,
and
fearing
withall
what
her
example
might
worke
in
tyme
,
for
the
drawing
of
others
to
like
courses
of
Perfection
,
he
ceased
not
to
lay
many
snares
to
intrappe
her
,
and
with
new
temptations
raysed
by
others
for
her
greater
merit
&
glory
at
last
,
incessantly
to
try
her
;
the
beginning
of
which
shall
in
my
next
Chapter
be
declared
.
CHAP.
IV.
How
S.
Wenefride
was
found
alone
by
the
Kings
sonne
in
her
Fathers
house
;
and
in
daunger
to
haue
byn
violated
by
him
,
escaped
towards
the
Church
,
and
was
in
the
way
cruelly
beheaded
for
constantly
refusing
to
yield
her
pure
body
vnto
him
.
S.
Beuno
hauing
fully
ended
the
fabrique
of
his
Church
,
and
consecrated
the
same
to
Christ
,
was
daily
visited
by
great
multitudes
of
such
as
dwelled
in
places
neere
him
;
&
amongst
them
S.
Winefreds
holy
Parents
,
neuer
fayled
in
his
sacrifices
and
sermons
to
heare
him
;
so
as
on
a
sunday
whilst
they
were
in
the
Church
,
&
their
daughter
by
some
needfull
,
or
charitable
occasion
,
contrary
to
her
custome
,
detained
at
home
,
Prince
Cradocus
,
king
Alan
his
sonne
,
with
a
lustful
wicked
purpose
entred
the
house
,
pretending
that
he
came
to
speake
with
the
Lord
Theuith
her
Father
.
The
Holy
Maid
,
suspecting
no
worse
of
him
at
first
,
after
courteous
salutations
passed
betweene
them
,
and
excuses
by
her
humbly
made
,
of
being
alone
,
vnattired
,
and
vnable
in
her
Parents
absence
fitly
to
intertayne
him
as
his
Princely
dignity
required
,
intreated
him
with
all
,
to
repose
himselfe
in
a
more
conuenient
roome
of
the
house
,
till
after
diuine
seruice
ended
,
her
Father
should
returne
,
and
be
free
to
speake
with
him
.
To
which
simple
candor
and
plainenes
of
her
speaches
gracefully
vttered
,
the
Prince
infuriated
with
loue
of
her
faire
person
,
and
lustfull
desires
presently
to
inioy
her
,
replyed
,
that
he
would
willingly
expect
the
returne
of
her
Parents
,
if
herselfe
in
meane
time
wold
be
pleased
to
consent
vnto
his
will
,
so
deuoted
vnto
her
that
for
the
fauour
then
expected
from
her
,
he
would
according
to
his
Birth
,
and
Power
,
euer
afterwardes
be
ready
to
honour
and
serue
her
:
threatning
withall
,
presently
to
rauish
her
,
if
she
yielded
not
willingly
to
his
motion
.
The
holy
Virgin
though
trembling
for
feare
,
&
blushing
at
the
immodesty
of
his
speaches
,
yet
lost
not
her
wits
in
so
needfull
an
occasion
;
but
present
with
herselfe
,
&
diuinely
also
at
that
instant
assisted
,
she
humbly
and
patiently
answered
him
,
that
she
doubted
not
of
enioying
honour
,
wealth
,
and
worldly
contentment
by
being
espowsed
to
so
Princely
a
person
:
but
because
(
said
she
)
the
present
poore
attire
wherein
you
haue
so
on
the
sodaine
taken
me
,
suiteth
not
to
so
high
a
motion
,
or
indeed
beseemeth
your
presence
,
giue
me
leaue
,
I
beseech
you
,
to
enter
my
chamber
heere
by
,
presently
to
alter
it
.
To
which
her
request
(
albeit
with
some
loathnes
to
be
delayed
in
his
purpose
)
he
yielded
his
consent
:
so
that
she
now
finding
herself
in
her
chamber
,
freed
out
of
his
hands
,
and
hopeles
of
any
rescue
or
succour
to
be
otherwise
affoarded
her
,
ran
out
by
a
backe
way
,
as
fast
as
she
could
,
towards
the
Church
,
where
her
Father
and
his
people
would
,
she
doubted
not
,
be
able
to
saue
her
.
But
he
impatient
in
his
desires
,
and
suspecting
indeed
that
which
happened
,
brake
into
the
roome
,
and
finding
her
not
there
,
pursued
her
so
hastely
in
her
flight
,
as
on
a
hill
side
neere
the
Church
he
furiously
apprehended
her
,
vowing
with
his
sword
drawne
in
his
hand
,
&
a
countenance
full
of
wrathful
indignation
that
if
forthwith
she
consented
not
to
his
will
,
so
full
of
honourable
loue
towards
her
,
he
would
strike
of
that
head
from
her
body
,
&
deforme
that
face
therein
,
which
formerly
he
had
loued
.
Whereunto
the
holy
Virgin
(
as
another
.
S.
Agnes
to
her
carnall
Louer
)
vndauntedly
replyed
,
that
she
had
holily
espowsed
herselfe
,
&
that
also
with
her
Parents
consent
,
to
the
king
of
Heauens
sonne
,
in
power
,
beauty
,
and
goodnes
incomparably
exceeding
him
;
and
vpon
his
experienced
loue
towards
her
,
she
would
euer
remaine
to
him
so
faythfully
,
constantly
,
and
vnalteredly
deuoted
in
the
affections
of
her
hart
,
as
she
wold
gladly
loose
her
head
and
life
,
for
refusing
to
admit
any
corriuall
togeather
with
him
.
Neither
shall
your
terrours
(
said
she
)
or
threats
draw
me
from
the
sweetnes
of
his
Loue
,
or
make
me
not
go
,
as
I
haue
promised
,
purely
vnto
him
.
Whereupon
he
,
in
a
furious
scorne
to
be
slighted
so
by
her
,
&
knowing
withall
that
whilst
she
liued
the
vehemency
of
his
loue
could
not
be
asswaged
,
gaue
her
with
his
sword
so
deadly
a
stroake
on
the
neck
,
as
her
head
thereby
and
body
became
instantly
parted
;
the
body
falling
without
the
Church
dore
,
and
the
head
within
it
;
so
as
the
floore
therof
being
somewhat
declining
,
as
built
in
the
hanging
of
a
hill
,
it
tumbled
towards
the
people
,
kneeling
togeather
before
the
Aultar
,
astonishing
them
with
the
sight
thereof
no
lesse
,
the
afterwards
it
made
them
worthily
to
wonder
,
in
seeing
a
cleere
and
plentifull
spring
newly
then
beginning
to
run
out
of
the
ground
in
the
same
place
,
where
her
head
had
first
fallen
vpon
;
visited
since
that
time
by
holy
pilgrimes
from
places
farre
&
neere
,
and
by
miraculous
graces
,
and
cures
frequently
affoarded
to
sickely
,
and
grieued
persons
,
famously
renowned
.
CHAP.
V.
The
lamentations
made
at
S.
Wenefrids
death
,
aswell
by
the
people
as
by
her
Parents
;
how
likewise
S.
Beuno
procured
by
his
prayers
a
dreadfull
reuenge
of
her
death
vpon
the
Author
thereof
glorying
in
his
cruelty
:
and
then
putting
the
head
&
body
togeather
,
sought
to
obteyne
of
God
,
her
returne
to
life
againe
.
THE
people
moued
with
so
dolefull
a
spectacle
,
as
was
the
virgins
head
,
bloud
,
and
body
,
before
them
,
ceased
not
with
out-cryes
to
expresse
their
griefe
and
anger
togeather
towards
him
that
committed
so
haynous
an
outrage
.
Her
Parents
likewise
called
by
their
cryes
to
the
place
,
lamented
the
losse
of
their
holy
sweet
child
,
lying
butchered
so
villainously
,
and
vnexpectedly
before
them
,
with
more
then
imaginable
expressions
of
sorrow
.
S.
Beuno
in
like
manner
,
now
ready
to
celebrate
,
leauing
the
aultar
,
and
approachinge
to
the
doore
,
was
wholy
dissolued
into
teares
of
compassion
and
griefe
to
behold
his
deare
Pupill
and
child
,
lying
so
cruelly
murdered
,
before
her
consecration
to
Christ
,
solemnly
soone
after
by
him
intended
:
and
beholding
in
this
his
griefe
,
her
Murderer
standing
proudly
by
,
&
wiping
his
bloudy
sword
on
the
grasse
,
so
far
from
repenting
him
of
the
deed
,
without
feare
of
God
or
man
,
as
he
gloried
proudly
therein
,
with
the
holy
virgins
head
in
his
hand
he
went
towards
him
;
and
looking
him
in
the
face
,
said
vnto
him
.
Thou
wicked
man
,
for
as
much
,
as
without
regard
of
innocency
or
beauty
,
thou
hast
murdered
a
Princely
Virgin
,
no
lesse
noble
then
thy selfe
,
and
art
not
,
as
thou
oughtest
to
be
,
sorry
aswell
for
the
horrible
sacriledge
,
as
foule
murder
heere
committed
detestably
by
thee
;
I
do
heere
beseech
,
my
heauenly
Lord
,
for
the
example
of
others
at
least
,
to
execute
presently
,
his
dredfull
Iudgment
against
thee
who
hast
murdered
his
spouse
,
troubled
his
people
,
violated
his
Saboath
,
and
besprinkled
with
bloud
this
holy
House
,
to
his
honour
and
seruice
consecrated
by
me
.
And
the
effect
of
his
words
,
to
the
terrour
and
wonder
of
all
present
,
was
such
,
as
the
Prince
fell
dead
sudaynely
before
him
;
and
which
increased
the
astonishment
of
the
people
,
his
dead
body
was
presently
either
swallowed
vp
by
the
earth
,
or
taken
away
by
Diuels
,
so
as
no
signe
thereof
afterwards
appeared
.
This
done
,
S.
Beuno
often
kissing
the
virgins
dead
face
,
and
bathing
it
with
his
teares
,
put
it
to
her
body
,
&
coueringe
them
with
his
cloake
,
after
he
had
breathed
in
her
mouth
,
prepared
himselfe
to
goe
to
the
Aultar
,
warning
the
people
and
her
Parents
especially
,
to
cease
their
lamentations
,
&
conuert
them
into
prayers
to
the
Creatour
of
soules
,
&
the
sole
rayser
of
bodies
after
death
,
that
he
would
be
mercifully
pleased
,
as
he
called
Lazarus
to
a
new
life
rotten
before
,
and
stincking
in
his
graue
;
so
to
rayse
this
Princely
Spouse
heere
butchered
for
her
loue
towards
him
:
and
this
chiefly
for
the
glory
of
himselfe
,
edification
of
his
people
,
and
comfort
of
her
parents
,
who
so
freely
before
had
dedicated
her
,
in
purity
of
life
perpetually
to
serue
him
.
CHAP.
VI.
How
S.
Wenefride
was
raysed
from
death
to
life
,
and
her
Head
reunited
to
her
body
by
S.
Beuno's
prayers
,
with
a
small
white
circle
remayning
in
the
place
of
her
Necke
where
it
was
cut
;
&
other
wonders
gracing
stil
the
place
of
her
Martyrdome
.
AFter
the
holy
man
had
ended
his
Masse
,
and
the
people
their
prayers
,
lifting
vp
his
hands
towards
heauen
,
he
prayed
in
this
manner
:
O
Lord
Iesus-Christ
,
for
whose
sake
this
holy
Virgin
contemned
the
world
,
and
coueted
heauenly
things
;
vouchsafe
by
the
tender
bowels
of
thy
mercy
,
loue
,
and
bounty
,
to
graunt
vs
the
effect
of
our
vowes
now
made
,
&
prayers
offered
heere
humbly
vnto
thee
:
and
albeit
we
are
fully
persuaded
,
that
this
Godly
Virgin
who
liued
holily
,
&
dyed
constantly
for
thee
,
be
now
highly
exalted
in
heauen
also
with
thee
,
wanting
no
more
the
society
of
vs
mortall
&
miserable
Creatures
;
yet
to
manifest
thyne
Omnipotency
,
and
that
supreme
dominion
which
thou
hast
ouer
soules
and
bodies
,
neuer
dead
to
thy
power
of
raysing
&
reuniting
them
;
for
the
greater
merit
also
of
her
soule
,
whose
body
heere
lyeth
before
vs
,
we
craue
a
new
life
for
her
,
and
that
she
may
returne
,
after
a
long
&
plentifull
haruest
,
of
new
merits
heere
gayned
,
more
enriched
&
diuinely
beautified
vnto
thee
,
the
beloued
of
her
Hart
,
and
Eternall
spouse
,
who
with
the
Father
and
the
holy
Ghost
,
doest
rule
in
earth
,
and
raigne
in
heauen
,
for
euer
and
euer
.
And
when
the
people
had
cryed
with
great
deuotion
,
Amen
vnto
his
prayer
,
the
Virgin
as
newly
wakened
from
sleep
,
wiped
her
eyes
&
face
,
besmeared
with
sweat
and
dust
before
,
as
hauing
tumbled
on
the
ground
,
filling
all
present
,
and
her
Parents
there
amongst
them
,
with
ioy
and
admiration
;
obseruing
also
,
as
they
more
fixedly
beheld
her
,
a
pure
white
circle
,
no
bigger
then
a
small
threed
,
to
remayne
in
her
faire
Necke
,
shewing
the
place
where
it
had
ben
cut
off
before
,
and
was
miraculously
then
to
her
body
conioyned
;
which
because
it
euer
afterwards
remayned
conspicuously
seene
after
the
same
manner
,
Brewa
,
her
name
before
,
is
said
to
haue
ben
changed
by
the
peoples
great
veneration
,
and
loue
towards
her
,
into
Wenefride
by
Wen
,
which
doth
signify
white
in
the
old
British
tongue
,
added
vnto
it
,
&
2.
letters
thereof
,
for
better
sound
quite
altered
.
And
in
many
apparitions
of
her
to
men
,
and
women
after
her
second
corporall
death
,
authentically
recounted
,
this
white
Circle
in
her
necke
conspicuously
appeared
;
to
giue
worldly
soules
thereby
to
vnderstand
,
the
particular
glory
which
she
had
receaued
of
her
heauenvly
spouse
for
suffering
that
wound
,
so
constantly
for
him
.
And
whereas
the
valley
where
she
was
martyred
,
had
ben
called
euer
before
a
dry
or
barren
bottome
,
it
was
for
the
Christall
fountayne
of
pure
waters
,
breaking
miraculously
out
of
the
ground
where
her
head
first
fell
,
called
afterwards
in
memory
of
this
miracle
,
Finhon
,
which
in
old
Welsh
doth
signify
a
fountayne
or
well
:
&
indeed
as
this
fountayne
was
wonderfull
in
the
first
origen
therof
,
so
did
the
same
by
miraculous
cures
of
men
&
beasts
,
either
bathed
in
that
water
,
or
drinking
therof
,
become
famously
afterwards
,
renowned
.
In
memory
likewise
,
that
store
of
the
Virgins
pure
bloud
had
ben
spilt
in
that
place
,
and
to
signify
withall
how
sweet
a
Sacrifice
was
offered
there
by
her
;
the
stones
of
the
Well
,
are
either
dyed
,
or
spotted
all
ouer
with
drops
,
as
it
were
,
of
bloud
;
and
the
mosse
growing
about
it
,
is
,
as
with
muske
yet
to
this
day
sweetly
perfumed
.
The
miracle
of
her
raysing
from
death
to
life
diuulged
in
those
partes
,
gayned
to
S.
Beuno
so
great
a
fame
of
his
singular
sanctity
,
and
power
with
God
to
obteyne
any
thing
,
that
multitudes
thereupon
of
Gentil
people
in
those
dayes
,
for
their
instruction
in
the
Christian
fayth
and
Baptisme
,
repayred
vnto
him
:
whose
famous
acts
,
and
S.
Wenefrids
holy
life
after
her
being
raysed
,
shall
in
the
rest
of
this
booke
be
briefly
declared
.
CHAP.
VII
.
How
S.
Wenefride
was
solemnly
veyled
by
S.
Beuno
,
and
fully
instructed
in
the
true
knowledge
&
holy
practise
of
a
Religious
life
.
How
likewise
he
tooke
his
leaue
afterwards
of
her
,
prophetically
fortelling
the
sanctity
of
her
life
,
and
her
gayning
to
Christ
of
many
soules
.
S.
Wenefride
,
as
another
Lazarus
restored
to
a
new
life
,
with
a
fresh
feruour
of
heauenly
loue
and
deuotion
,
applyed
herselfe
to
learne
from
so
great
a
maister
as
S.
Beuno
was
,
how
to
rayse
her
already-illuminated
soule
to
the
height
of
Religious
Perfection
,
choosing
for
that
purpose
to
sit
at
the
Saints
feet
,
as
S.
Mary
Magdalen
did
at
the
feet
of
our
Sauiour
,
neuer
satiated
with
the
delicacies
,
which
fell
from
that
heauenly
Table
vnto
her
,
by
his
most
pious
speaches
,
and
deuout
instructions
;
&
within
a
smal
tyme
out
a
restles
and
most
amorous
desire
,
fully
to
be
what
an
height
of
sanctity
&
perfection
the
spirit
of
God
,
for
the
glory
of
himselfe
&
good
of
others
,
intended
to
raise
her
,
sought
more
and
more
to
illuminate
her
soule
by
heauenly
documents
,
&
practicall
lessons
,
for
the
direction
of
herselfe
,
&
others
in
a
spirituall
and
Religious
life
;
which
she
as
a
very
apt
scholler
did
not
only
learne
,
but
practise
also
in
such
a
manner
,
that
the
Saint
was
ouerioyed
to
behould
her
.
And
finally
finding
her
fully
enabled
not
only
to
guide
herselfe
,
but
others
also
,
in
courses
of
Perfection
,
he
called
her
Parents
one
day
vnto
him
,
and
tould
them
,
that
as
they
had
liberally
graunted
vnto
him
a
Church
,
and
house
for
the
seruice
of
God
,
and
help
of
his
seruants
:
so
had
his
diuine
Maiesty
liberally
requited
their
Charity
towards
him
,
by
singular
graces
affoarded
to
them
,
and
especially
to
their
Childe
,
whom
now
they
might
well
choose
,
and
propose
vnto
themselues
,
as
a
Mistresse
able
to
guide
them
in
their
Redeemers
seruice
,
and
as
a
bright
shining
patterne
of
religious
Perfection
.
Wherfore
being
diuinely
called
to
another
place
,
I
must
heere
(
said
he
)
leaue
you
to
the
helpes
of
Heauenly
Graces
,
which
will
not
be
wanting
vnto
you
,
persisting
as
now
you
do
holily
in
Gods
seruice
,
and
to
the
carefull
direction
of
your
Daughter
.
And
then
,
conuerting
himselfe
to
S.
Wenefride
:
Our
Lord
(
said
he
)
deare
Child
,
hath
appointed
you
to
succeed
me
heere
in
my
holy
labours
,
and
abiding
in
these
parts
,
to
go
onwards
happily
your self
,
&
to
guide
others
fruitfully
,
in
the
way
to
eternall
life
,
as
hitherto
I
haue
taught
you
.
And
doubt
not
,
but
by
the
mouing
example
of
your
death
for
him
already
susteyned
,
and
the
holy
conuersation
of
your
life
,
you
wil
be
able
to
performe
what
I
haue
said
;
and
in
this
very
place
,
gather
togeather
for
your
heauenly
spouse
,
many
pure
and
deuout
Virgins
,
guided
vnto
him
holily
by
you
.
But
know
withall
,
that
you
shal
not
heere
end
your
dayes
,
but
that
after
seauen
yeares
,
in
prayer
and
pennance
spent
in
this
place
,
to
your
owne
great
Merit
,
&
singular
edification
of
others
,
our
gracious
Lord
will
call
you
to
another
,
that
strangers
also
may
in
the
knowledge
and
true
seruice
of
him
be
illuminated
by
you
:
and
know
also
that
heerby
your
memory
shall
become
glorious
in
future
ages
,
and
your
merits
published
to
the
whole
world
,
by
miraculous
cures
,
&
helpes
affoarded
vnto
sickly
,
and
distressed
persons
praying
vnto
you
.
CHAP.
VIII
.
Wherein
is
declared
S.
Wenefrides
griefe
for
her
Holy
Fathers
departure
,
and
his
comfortable
speaches
vnto
her
,
concerning
particular
Graces
intended
by
God
towards
herselfe
,
and
others
by
her
.
THe
Godly
Virgin
being
excessiuely
grieued
at
her
holy
Fathers
departure
,
he
to
confort
her
in
so
deep
an
affliction
,
tooke
her
by
the
right
hand
,
and
lead
her
to
the
fountayne
which
miraculously
had
risen
in
the
tyme
,
&
place
of
her
martyrdome
,
&
sitting
togeather
vpon
a
stone
neere
to
the
side
of
the
well
,
called
therefore
to
this
day
S.
Beuno's
stone
:
You
see
(
said
he
)
heere
the
monument
of
your
sufferings
,
and
behold
also
the
stones
therein
steyned
as
with
your
bloud
,
shed
for
your
Heauenly
Spouses
sake
;
be
you
therfore
now
attentiue
,
and
mindfull
of
what
I
shall
fore-tell
you
concerning
three
especiall
ter
my
departure
now
from
you
,
into
a
remote
part
of
this
●land
,
God
will
giue
me
a
Cell
neere
the
sea
shore
,
&
when
you
would
send
any
letters
,
or
tokens
vnto
me
(
as
his
diuine
Maiesty
wold
haue
you
to
do
,
and
I
also
do
intreate
the
same
of
you
once
at
least
euery
year
)
cast
them
only
in
the
streame
of
this
fountayne
,
and
they
will
,
passing
into
the
Ocean
by
many
creekes
,
and
turning-shores
,
be
diuinely
,
&
safely
directed
vnto
me
:
which
graces
likewise
to
the
worlds
end
shall
be
diuulged
gloriously
of
you
.
And
hauing
ended
this
his
speach
,
he
led
her
backe
againe
vnto
the
Church
,
and
said
then
vnto
her
:
Behould
heere
this
Church
,
&
lodgings
about
it
,
which
hauing
byn
built
by
the
charitable
magnificence
of
your
parents
,
and
my
labours
,
I
leaue
vnto
you
,
to
be
conuerted
into
a
copious
monastery
of
Chast
,
&
Deuout
Virgins
,
who
moued
by
your
instruction
,
&
holy
example
of
life
,
shall
togeather
with
your selfe
,
meritoriously
practise
those
heauenly
documents
,
which
,
by
a
perfit
contempt
of
the
world
,
and
a
full
abnegation
of
themselues
(
the
two
maine
grounds
of
Religious
perfection
)
I
haue
often
deliuered
by
my
speaches
vnto
you
.
Stupendious
miracles
also
done
for
the
temporall
&
eternall
good
of
many
,
repayring
to
this
very
place
,
shall
heerafter
be
effected
,
to
the
prayse
of
their
heauenly
Maker
,
and
euen
bruit
beasts
shall
not
want
their
share
in
such
blessings
;
striue
therfore
,
deare
Child
to
exhibit
your selfe
in
all
things
,
as
a
liuely
patterne
,
and
example
to
others
of
all
Vertue
.
As
for
my
poore
selfe
,
I
shall
goe
whither
Gods
spirit
will
guide
me
,
&
euer
retayne
in
my
hart
and
soule
,
a
Fatherly
and
louing
memory
of
you
.
presence
,
alwayes
edified
by
your
example
,
&
instructed
by
your
speaches
.
Which
words
of
hers
,
together
with
her
flowing
teares
so
moued
the
Saint
himselfe
,
as
also
her
louing
Parents
,
and
others
that
were
present
,
as
not
to
haue
their
owne
sorrow
,
by
staying
longer
with
her
,
increased
,
after
he
had
blessed
her
with
his
hand
,
(
as
hauing
no
toung
through
griefe
to
speake
a
word
more
vnto
her
)
hastned
his
pace
faster
then
modesty
would
permit
her
to
follow
him
,
vntill
at
length
he
was
gon
quite
out
of
her
sight
,
neuer
more
in
this
world
to
behold
him
;
so
that
returning
with
her
companions
homeward
,
for
many
dayes
after
she
remayned
in
her
sorrow
,
till
tyme
at
length
,
&
discret
thoughts
hauing
eased
her
hart
,
she
wisely
and
maturely
,
began
to
reflect
vpon
his
heauenly
discourses
and
lessons
formerly
giuen
vnto
her
,
both
how
she
might
practise
them
herselfe
,
and
draw
others
also
to
the
exercise
therof
.
Which
in
a
short
tyme
,
Gods
grace
and
the
force
of
her
holy
Example
,
did
so
happily
effect
,
that
a
great
number
of
Noble
and
deuout
Virgins
,
trampling
worldly
wealth
,
Honours
&
pleasures
vnder
their
feet
,
for
the
glory
and
seruice
of
Christ
,
betooke
themselues
to
her
gouernment
,
&
liued
in
religious
discipline
holily
vnder
her
;
commanding
or
teaching
them
nothing
but
what
herselfe
practised
first
amongst
them
,
as
a
shining
cleere
Light
,
in
safe
paths
of
sanctity
,
to
guide
them
;
yea
with
such
a
sweet
mildenes
,
&
motherly
loue
towards
them
,
that
with
equall
merit
,
and
contentment
they
obeyed
her
commands
,
and
obserued
such
rules
as
she
had
established
amongst
them
.
Her
wholsome
aduises
also
they
receaued
as
heauenvly
oracles
;
&
such
remedies
as
in
their
difficulties
,
&
temptations
she
wisely
&
compassionably
gaue
them
,
had
a
heauenly
kind
of
force
presently
to
free
them
.
Mi
-
she
dwelt
,
but
far
and
neere
against
her
will
,
began
to
be
so
diuulged
,
from
very
remoteplaces
of
the
kingdom
;
so
as
many
flocked
to
see
,
&
speake
with
her
,
and
were
so
edified
by
her
Angelicall
behauiour
,
&
wise
speaches
vnto
them
,
that
they
were
very
loath
to
leaue
her
company
,
and
accounted
those
people
blessed
who
liued
,
alwayes
neere
her
.
But
most
of
all
the
holy
Virgins
that
were
placed
vnder
her
care
,
&
domestical
gouerment
,
reputed
themselues
happy
,
by
hauing
for
their
Guide
,
no
lesse
tender
a
Mother
in
her
deare
loue
towards
them
,
then
a
wise
mistresse
by
instruction
and
example
holily
to
direct
them
,
as
her
holy
Father
had
formerly
taught
her
;
towards
whome
during
her
life
,
she
euer
retayned
a
most
gratefull
memory
of
her
present
life
,
and
a
thousand
blessings
besides
receaued
from
him
.
In
particular
also
she
forgot
not
the
yearely
token
she
had
promised
to
send
him
.
Wherefore
partly
with
her
owne
hands
,
and
partly
by
the
help
of
her
sisters
,
she
had
imbrodered
a
faire
vestement
to
send
vnto
him
,
and
hauing
in
the
beginning
of
the
month
of
May
,
almost
a
yeare
after
his
departure
,
finished
the
same
,
wrapping
it
vp
in
a
wollen
cloath
,
she
went
with
her
sisters
,
&
many
others
to
the
welsside
,
where
casting
it
into
the
water
,
she
said
;
O
holy
Father
I
send
heere
according
to
your
command
&
my
promise
,
this
smal
token
of
my
loue
vnto
you
.
The
which
,
to
the
great
wonder
of
many
viewing
the
same
,
as
it
passed
by
the
well
streame
downe
into
the
Riuer
,
and
so
into
the
sea
,
remayned
dry
,
and
no
whit
moistned
by
the
water
:
So
that
in
a
short
tyme
,
being
diuinely
directed
,
it
was
cast
on
the
shoare
50.
miles
off
hard
by
the
Monastery
,
where
the
holy
man
liued
,
and
he
casually
going
forth
tooke
it
vp
,
wondring
at
first
what
it
should
be
,
till
at
length
opening
the
bundle
CHAP.
XI
.
Of
the
great
Talents
which
Christ
gaue
vnto
S.
Wenefride
for
the
good
of
others
;
and
how
she
yearely
remembred
to
send
her
token
to
S.
Beuno
,
vntill
,
to
her
great
griefe
,
she
had
his
holy
end
reuealed
vnto
her
;
soone
after
which
,
she
changed
the
place
of
her
aboad
,
as
he
had
foretold
her
.
ALbeit
many
Graces
were
worthily
admired
in
his
holy
Virgin
,
by
those
who
knew
,
and
conuersed
with
her
,
as
her
high
&
lasting
vnion
with
God
in
extaticall
prayer
,
her
great
austerity
,
her
Angelicall
purity
and
innocency
of
life
,
her
powerfull
authority
in
commanding
her
subiects
,
with
admirable
humility
and
sweetnes
conioyned
;
yet
nothing
was
more
wonderfull
in
her
,
then
the
deep
knowledge
of
heauenly
verityes
,
and
ardentzeale
of
her
Creatours
glory
,
still
manifested
in
her
exhortations
to
her
owne
subiects
,
&
speaches
to
strangers
that
came
to
visit
her
;
so
as
she
did
fill
their
harts
more
with
enflamed
desires
to
serue
Almighty
God
,
then
their
eares
with
the
sound
of
her
wordes
:
euer
attributing
the
graces
of
her
soule
first
to
Christ
,
&
next
to
S.
Beuno
his
Great
seruant
and
her
Teacher
,
to
whome
she
euery
yeare
sent
her
promised
token
,
or
present
after
the
manner
aforesaid
,
vntill
his
holy
death
,
and
circumstances
thereof
were
reuealed
vnto
her
;
whose
losse
she
frequently
afterwards
deplored
,
albeit
she
had
ben
diuinely
assured
,
that
according
to
his
wonderfull
merits
heere
on
earth
,
he
was
in
heauenly
ioyes
,
highly
exalted
:
the
particulars
of
whose
holy
life
from
his
Childhood
till
his
death
,
and
great
miracles
afterwards
,
are
authentically
recorded
in
his
yet
extant
and
certaine
monuments
.
After
whose
glorious
discease
,
she
began
to
feele
most
perfect
desires
in
her
-
that
place
,
in
a
deuout
memory
of
her
martyrdome
there
for
him
susteyned
;
the
which
effect
of
her
prayer
was
by
his
diuine
Maiesty
accordingly
graunted
as
hath
ben
testified
since
by
numberlesse
miracles
wrought
at
that
Well
,
or
Fountaine
,
in
curing
the
bodily
&
spirituall
infirmities
of
all
humble
Clients
and
suppliants
in
that
place
vnto
her
.
CHAP.
XII
.
How
S.
Wenefrid
was
directed
by
God
in
her
iourney
to
a
holy
man
called
Deifer
,
whose
Counsell
she
was
willed
to
follow
:
of
whom
many
things
are
by
the
Author
occasionally
heere
recounted
;
and
how
worthy
he
was
to
be
chosen
by
God
,
for
S.
Wenefrides
Directour
in
the
place
of
S.
Beuno
.
S.
Wenefride
hauing
in
earnest
prayer
recommended
her
iourney
to
God
,
was
inspired
to
goe
with
her
companion
,
to
one
Deifer
a
holy
Man
,
liuing
at
Botauar
,
who
should
further
direct
her
.
This
man
was
indeed
,
for
his
Sanctity
in
those
dayes
,
&
miraculous
testimonies
therof
,
famously
renowned
;
for
by
his
prayers
he
had
raised
out
of
the
ground
a
goodly
spring
in
a
place
that
was
dry
before
,
&
obteyned
likewise
of
God
,
that
the
water
thereof
should
haue
a
supernaturall
force
to
cure
all
soares
&
diseases
of
such
as
did
drinke
therof
,
or
wash
their
soares
therewith
.
And
amongst
many
miracles
besides
recounted
of
him
whilst
he
liued
,
this
one
performed
after
his
death
is
especially
renowned
,
to
wit
,
of
two
Theeues
who
hauing
stolne
two
horses
out
of
his
Churchyard
,
posted
with
them
most
speedily
out
of
the
Countrey
:
but
the
next
day
the
owners
finding
them
gone
,
humbly
prostrated
themselues
before
the
Saintes
Aultar
,
and
presented
therat
two
Candels
for
the
purposely
heere
recounted
,
that
my
Reader
may
know
the
merits
&
great
sanctity
of
blessed
Deifer
,
to
whom
S.
Wenefride
,
for
the
knowledge
of
her
iourney
,
was
diuinely
directed
.
CHAP.
XIII
.
How
S.
Wenefride
came
to
the
Holy
man
Deifer
,
and
after
she
had
bin
charitably
welcommed
,
and
entertayned
by
him
for
one
night
,
she
was
the
next
morning
sent
,
for
a
further
direction
,
to
another
Saint
called
Saturnus
,
dwelling
at
Henthlant
.
THe
holy
Virgin
after
due
inquiry
made
,
where
the
Village
Botauar
stood
,
and
of
her
way
vnto
it
,
committing
to
God
her
Monastery
at
Finhon
,
and
friends
there
about
,
began
with
her
companion
cherefully
her
iourney
towards
Blessed
Deifers
Cell
,
eight
miles
distant
;
where
at
her
arriuall
,
she
was
by
the
Saint
charitably
welcommed
;
and
hauing
related
the
cause
of
her
comming
,
and
how
she
had
byn
diuinely
in
her
prayer
,
directed
vnto
him
,
he
tould
her
that
concerning
either
herselfe
,
or
her
iourney
,
God
had
not
as
then
reuealed
any
thing
vnto
him
:
But
haue
patience
(
said
he
)
a
little
this
night
,
to
stay
heere
at
my
cell
,
and
his
diuine
maiesty
the
whilst
will
vouchsafe
perchance
to
reueale
his
holy
pleasure
vnto
me
.
Whereunto
she
humbly
and
thankefully
agreed
,
as
being
confidently
assured
,
that
Almighty
God
had
not
vainely
,
and
to
no
purpose
,
directed
her
vnto
him
.
The
Saint
,
as
his
manner
was
,
praying
the
whole
night
,
a
heauenly
voyce
towards
the
morning
saying
thus
vnto
him
;
Tell
Wene
-
CHAP.
XIV
.
How
Saturnus
entertayned
S.
Wenefride
in
his
Cell
,
and
telling
her
,
how
much
God
should
be
honoured
by
her
,
he
directed
her
to
a
holy
place
called
Guitherin
,
where
she
should
find
one
Elerius
,
a
Blessed
Abbot
of
religious
men
to
direct
her
,
and
a
monastery
of
chast
Virgins
,
who
would
gladly
submit
themselues
vnto
her
.
S.
Wenefride
much
reioycing
at
the
direction
which
Blessed
Deifer
had
giuen
her
,
and
confirmed
in
her
comfortable
persuasion
that
Christ
the
Author
of
her
iourney
,
would
not
in
his
care
and
protection
be
wanting
vnto
her
,
humbly
and
thanckfully
tooke
her
leaue
of
him
,
and
went
on
forwards
with
her
companion
towards
Henthlant
where
Saturnus
remayned
.
Comming
thither
she
was
most
charitably
receaued
by
him
,
as
hauing
bin
,
concerning
herselfe
and
her
iourney
,
before
hand
diuinely
instructed
;
and
causing
her
to
remayne
that
night
in
prayer
,
and
holy
conferences
with
him
,
he
gaue
vnto
her
(
to
her
great
comfort
)
many
heauenly
&
holy
lessons
,
and
towards
the
morning
he
tould
her
,
that
their
was
a
place
,
not
far
off
called
Guitherin
,
stored
with
the
pretious
reliques
of
many
Saints
who
had
formerly
liued
there
,
in
great
holines
of
life
,
and
deerenes
vnto
God
,
blessing
the
place
for
them
;
and
for
that
cause
greatly
reuerenced
by
deuout
people
repayring
vnto
it
.
This
place
(
said
he
)
is
destined
by
God
for
your
earthly
habitation
,
and
to
be
sanctified
more
by
you
;
where
also
you
shall
find
a
holy
Abbot
called
Elerius
,
of
so
great
mortification
,
prayer
,
&
vnion
with
God
,
as
the
world
,
and
all
contentments
therof
are
wholy
dead
vnto
him
.
To
this
Man
then
am
I
willed
to
send
you
,
and
to
tell
you
with
all
,
that
you
shall
find
there
a
heauenly
tranquillity
of
mind
,
and
a
Monastery
of
chast
Virgins
,
trayned
vp
from
their
Infancy
in
vertue
,
liuing
also
now
holily
togeather
,
yet
ordeyned
by
God
to
be
raysed
by
your
holy
Example
and
Instructions
to
higher
and
perfecter
wayes
of
gayning
sanctity
and
religious
perfection
;
and
they
will
in
time
,
for
that
end
,
humbly
and
gladly
be
ready
to
submit
themselues
vnto
you
,
as
to
a
Mother
and
Abbesse
,
sent
by
their
Heauenly
spouse
purposly
vnto
them
.
CHAP.
XV.
How
S.
Wenefride
going
to
Elerius
,
was
in
the
way
,
saluted
most
charitably
by
him
;
how
also
after
they
had
spent
a
whole
night
in
prayer
togeather
,
she
was
led
by
him
to
the
monastery
of
Virgins
,
and
there
after
high
prayses
vttered
of
her
,
she
was
commended
as
a
companion
diuinely
sent
vnto
them
.
S.
Wenefride
replenished
with
incredible
ioy
at
Saturnus
speaches
vnto
her
,
especially
in
hearing
how
holy
a
place
she
was
going
vnto
,
and
that
she
should
find
there
a
Monastery
of
chast
virgins
to
liue
withal
,
desired
to
know
of
him
the
way
thitherward
,
crauing
withall
his
holy
blessing
for
the
better
speed
of
her
iourney
.
The
Holy
man
,
guiding
her
himselfe
some
part
of
the
way
,
for
the
great
reuerence
he
bare
towards
her
,
after
he
had
giuen
her
his
blessing
,
caused
his
Deacon
to
accompany
her
throughout
the
whole
iourney
to
Elerius
,
who
being
diuinely
forewarned
of
her
comming
,
and
all
other
particulars
of
her
life
,
met
her
for
honours
sake
vpon
the
way
,
and
after
he
had
led
her
into
the
Church
,
and
prayed
a
while
with
her
,
he
imbraced
her
in
a
fatherly
louing
manner
,
bidding
her
be
of
good
comfort
:
for
,
said
he
,
(
taking
her
a
part
from
the
Deacon
,
and
her
Companion
)
I
haue
already
diuinely
vnderstood
of
your
noble
Virginity
,
with
other
gracefull
signes
of
your
martyrdome
,
in
the
place
thereof
yet
remayning
,
and
will
be
gladly
ready
to
help
you
,
in
the
cause
of
your
iourney
vnto
me
.
Whereunto
S.
Wenefride
replyed
,
that
she
had
nothing
more
concerning
herselfe
to
tell
him
,
but
that
as
she
had
ben
by
Gods
holy
spirit
guided
vnto
him
,
so
would
she
be
humbly
ready
to
receaue
his
further
directions
,
and
be
in
the
future
course
of
her
life
an
obedient
Child
,
and
Scholler
vnto
him
.
The
Saint
by
this
her
humble
and
modest
answere
being
exceedingly
edified
,
tould
her
,
that
they
would
if
she
pleased
,
spend
that
night
in
holy
prayer
togeather
,
for
their
surer
direction
,
in
so
important
an
occasion
:
and
he
hauing
receaued
towards
the
morning
,
new
illuminations
from
heauen
about
her
,
replenished
with
excessiue
ioy
,
he
rose
from
his
prayer
,
and
hartily
imbracing
her
,
willed
her
to
be
confident
,
that
God
would
not
be
wanting
in
the
wonted
effects
,
and
gracious
increasing
of
his
Fatherly
loue
towards
her
;
&
so
leading
her
out
of
the
Church
to
the
Monastery
of
Virgins
gouerned
by
him
,
he
made
this
speach
vnto
them
.
Deare
Children
of
God
,
reioyce
,
for
that
your
heauenly
spouse
hath
sent
a
new
star
of
wonderful
brightnes
to
shine
heere
among
you
,
&
prouided
such
a
companion
for
you
,
as
wil
with
new
treasures
of
merited
graces
enrich
her
owne
soule
,
and
yours
also
by
the
many
rare
examples
,
and
high
practises
of
religious
Perfection
,
which
from
tyme
to
tyme
she
will
exhibit
profitably
,
and
holily
vnto
you
.
For
this
is
Wenefride
that
renowned
Virgin
,
whome
you
haue
heard
to
haue
suffered
a
glorious
death
,
for
her
virginity
defended
.
This
is
she
,
whose
Triumphs
are
sung
in
Churches
,
and
her
Trophies
do
yet
illustrate
the
whole
Prouince
which
she
dwelled
in
.
This
is
she
CHAP.
XVI
.
Of
the
commendation
which
the
Saint
made
of
S.
Wenefride
to
the
old
Abbesse
of
the
Monastery
;
and
how
she
quickly
there
deserued
his
prayses
by
her
eminent
,
and
heroicall
Vertues
.
S.
Elerius
hauing
spoken
so
much
of
her
sanctity
generally
to
all
the
sisters
of
the
Monastery
togeather
,
conuerted
his
speach
vnto
the
Venerable
old
Abbesse
called
Theonia
,
a
very
holy
woman
,
saying
thus
vnto
her
.
To
you
,
most
deare
Mother
,
I
recommend
especially
the
respectfull
entertaynement
of
this
sacred
and
deare
spouse
of
Christ
,
sent
(
as
I
say
once
againe
)
diuinely
vnto
you
,
wherby
you
may
gather
how
highly
she
is
to
be
honored
by
you
;
&
ioy
withall
that
the
Author
of
all
graces
hath
in
sending
her
hither
so
louingly
regarded
you
:
&
with
this
he
departed
,
leauing
S.
Wenefrid
amongst
them
,
who
suitably
to
his
high
prayses
,
began
to
shine
in
her
wonderfull
perfections
,
and
by
heroicall
acts
of
vertue
to
infuse
a
new
Charity
amongst
them
,
easily
by
all
discerned
,
&
by
the
Abbesse
especially
,
who
was
no
raw
beginner
in
regular
and
holy
courses
.
Her
abstinence
(
they
noted
)
was
admirable
,
her
prayer
continuall
when
charitable
occasions
interrupted
not
the
same
,
&
very
often
extaticall
;
a
profound
Humility
in
all
her
gestures
and
speaches
plainely
appeared
,
neuer
praysing
herselfe
,
and
sensibly
troubled
when
others
for
any
thing
did
extoll
her
.
Patience
the
first
fruite
of
Charity
,
as
S
Paul
reckoneth
it
,
seemed
to
haue
possessed
so
fully
her
hart
,
and
so
firmely
setled
the
affections
thereof
,
as
all
Anger
,
Enuy
,
and
other
disordinate
Passions
of
that
kind
were
wholy
dead
vnto
her
.
Her
Commands
had
euer
such
sweetnes
and
discretion
conioyned
,
as
it
delighted
all
the
other
to
do
whatsoe
-
ioyed
in
her
deuout
scholler
and
the
other
was
no
lesse
pleased
in
hauing
such
a
Mistresse
,
so
diuinely
prepared
by
Christ
,
for
her
.
CHAP.
XVII
.
How
S.
Elerius
experiencing
S.
Wenefrids
great
wisedome
and
Vertue
in
many
conferences
with
her
,
preached
her
sanctity
to
his
Brethren
;
And
of
the
many
people
,
who
moued
with
the
fame
of
her
Martyrdome
and
holy
life
,
came
from
places
farre
and
neere
,
to
see
,
and
speake
with
her
.
S.
Elerius
liuing
with
his
Monks
,
not
far
off
,
in
a
most
retired
,
austere
and
deuout
manner
,
delighted
many
tymes
to
visit
the
holy
Virgin
in
her
Monastery
,
discoursing
of
heauenly
misteries
and
vertuous
Practises
with
her
;
and
found
her
so
cleerely
illuminated
in
the
one
,
&
so
solidly
grounded
in
the
other
,
that
hauing
admired
her
himselfe
,
and
returning
home
to
his
brethren
was
wont
to
vtter
wonderfull
prayses
of
her
vnto
them
.
And
her
fame
at
length
by
the
mouths
of
many
became
so
diuulged
,
as
from
places
far
&
neere
,
infinite
numbers
of
all
sortes
of
people
flocked
vnto
her
,
some
to
know
,
and
see
so
noble
,
louely
,
and
holy
a
Virgin
,
who
had
lost
her
head
to
saue
her
virginity
,
and
after
death
for
her
Spouses
greater
honour
had
ben
by
a
holy
Man
miraculously
raysed
to
life
,
accounting
the
place
and
company
she
liued
in
,
most
blessed
by
her
presence
:
Others
,
by
their
great
importunity
and
earnest
prayers
obteyned
to
see
the
white
pure
circle
stil
remayning
in
her
necke
,
denoting
the
wound
which
in
her
martyrdome
she
receaued
;
the
sight
whereof
caused
them
to
shed
many
teares
of
loue
,
and
ioy
that
Christ
had
triumphed
so
gloriously
in
her
first
,
and
sent
her
afterwards
so
happily
vnto
them
.
S.
Wenefrid
herselfe
would
gladly
out
of
her
great
and
profound
humility
haue
denyed
them
that
fauour
;
but
a
charitable
desire
of
their
good
,
gayned
many
wayes
thereby
,
and
the
other
Virgins
intreaties
,
made
her
willing
to
affoard
that
contentment
vnto
them
,
as
fearing
not
be
made
proude
with
their
excessiue
prayses
,
or
apt
to
assume
vnto
herselfe
any
merit
,
of
being
so
praysed
;
the
high
knowledge
indeed
which
she
had
of
Gods
attributes
and
perfections
,
compared
with
her
owne
fraylties
and
nothing
,
being
two
sure
grounds
of
solid
humility
in
her
.
CHAP.
XVIII
.
How
S.
Wenefride
prophetically
foretold
in
order
,
the
death
of
Theonia
first
;
next
her
owne
;
and
lastly
the
holy
end
of
Elerius
:
How
also
after
the
death
of
Theonia
,
she
was
made
Abbesse
by
Elerius
,
and
gouerned
that
Monastery
in
all
sanctimony
,
till
her
dying
day
.
BLessed
Elerius
visiting
on
a
tyme
S.
Wenefrid
in
her
Monastery
,
to
conferre
,
as
his
custome
was
,
of
holy
things
,
tould
her
,
speaking
occasionally
of
the
happines
to
dye
well
,
that
he
had
often
reioyced
to
thinke
,
that
he
should
haue
her
neere
him
at
his
death
,
and
afterwards
to
pray
for
him
.
No
Father
(
said
she
prophetically
vnto
him
)
it
will
not
fall
out
so
,
Christ
hauing
ordayned
the
contrary
.
For
first
,
you
shall
liue
to
bury
holy
Theonia
our
deare
Mother
,
and
me
also
some
few
yeares
after
;
which
done
,
you
shall
in
short
at
Blessed
Elerius
his
hands
for
her
viaticum
towards
heauen
,
&
breathed
out
her
pure
,
and
holy
soule
,
gloriously
by
Angels
accompanied
thither
.
After
whose
exequies
solemnly
and
deuoutly
performed
,
holy
Elerius
ordayned
S.
Wenefride
Abbesse
in
her
place
,
to
gouerne
the
Monastery
,
which
she
,
in
her
humility
,
for
a
tyme
resisted
,
till
Obedience
to
the
Saint
,
and
Charity
to
the
sisters
instantly
beseeching
her
to
vndertake
the
charge
,
preuayled
with
her
.
No
sooner
was
this
Office
thus
imposed
on
her
,
but
she
,
like
a
Candle
set
on
a
candlesticke
higher
then
before
,
began
to
cast
out
more
brightly
her
cleere
rayes
of
Vertues
,
and
to
giue
a
new
light
&
life
,
as
it
were
to
the
whole
Monastery
,
by
her
heauenly
speaches
&
examples
;
so
as
her
humility
by
the
dignity
of
her
Office
,
with
her
Patience
,
Charity
,
and
other
Vertues
,
though
admirable
before
,
seemed
now
to
haue
ben
very
much
increased
in
her
.
CHAP.
XIX
.
Of
the
high
esteeme
that
S.
E.
lerius
himselfe
,
with
other
Religious
,
and
secular
Per.
sons
made
of
S.
Wenefride
:
And
of
the
miracles
which
she
wrought
in
her
Monastery
,
by
curing
all
sorts
of
distressed
,
or
sicke
people
repayring
vnto
her
.
S.
Wenefride
had
not
liued
long
Abbesse
of
the
Monastery
,
before
the
fame
of
her
sanctity
&
wisedome
came
to
be
,
throughout
that
whole
prouince
,
so
vniuersally
diuulged
,
as
Principall
persons
both
of
the
Clergy
&
Laity
repayred
frequently
vnto
her
,
neuer
departing
without
singular
edification
,
by
her
behauiour
and
speaches
Yea
euen
theeues
,
&
robbers
themselues
,
with
other
notorious
Malefactours
,
by
her
gracious
aspect
and
effectuall
exhortations
made
charitably
vnto
them
,
were
from
their
euill
wayes
,
oftentimes
reclaymed
.
And
now
,
not
only
in
priuate
houses
,
but
in
poore
,
as
not
the
least
superfluity
was
admitted
by
her
;
yea
want
of
needfull
things
,
when
at
any
tyme
they
hapned
,
were
most
welcom
vnto
her
.
She
suggested
also
no
lesson
,
more
often
to
her
sisters
,
then
that
they
should
haue
alwais
their
Redeemers
example
before
their
eyes
,
to
imitate
those
Vertues
,
which
he
exercised
for
them
,
and
to
be
carefull
to
haue
a
pure
intention
in
what
they
did
,
only
to
please
him
.
Fortitude
and
Patience
she
euer
praysed
,
and
commended
vnto
them
,
as
needfull
,
and
certaine
remedies
,
victoriously
to
ouercom
all
temptations
,
wherein
their
merit
more
,
then
in
not
feeling
of
them
,
consisted
;
for
that
by
this
,
and
not
by
the
other
they
should
come
to
be
crowned
.
Prayer
,
she
was
wont
to
tell
them
,
well
made
,
did
dilate
their
soules
to
receaue
plentifull
graces
;
and
holy
actions
did
fill
them
,
when
they
were
humbly
and
feruently
performed
.
CHAP.
XX.
How
S.
Wenefride
was
forewarned
of
her
death
,
&
prepared
herselfe
for
the
same
;
And
how
by
acquainting
S.
Elerius
and
her
sisters
therewith
,
she
filled
their
harts
full
of
heauines
,
and
affliction
.
S.
Wenefride
as
a
full
Pomegranut
of
heauenly
merits
,
&
ripened
to
fall
on
the
ground
,
that
she
might
rise
in
a
new
spring
,
more
gloriously
afterwards
,
was
in
the
feruour
of
her
course
,
&
speedy
running
towards
the
goale
of
religious
Perfection
,
warned
by
her
deare
Lord
,
that
he
meant
shortly
to
call
her
vnto
him
.
Which
most
welcome
newes
,
as
of
a
happinesse
long
before
,
and
instantly
desired
,
raysed
the
thoughts
and
affections
of
her
soule
to
a
more
feruent
vnion
with
her
Creatour
,
in
extaticall
prayer
for
whole
dayes
and
nights
togeather
,
in
humble
acts
,
and
painefull
exercises
of
her
Charity
towards
others
;
in
fasting
likewise
and
other
great
austerities
,
euen
as
those
,
who
to
make
a
longe
iourney
in
a
short
tyme
,
do
redouble
&
widen
their
paces
.
And
that
she
might
not
leaue
her
beloued
friends
vnwarned
of
her
departure
on
the
suddaine
from
them
,
she
imparted
first
to
S.
Elerius
himselfe
,
the
Call
she
had
receaued
from
her
Sauiour
,
and
afterwards
to
her
sisters
;
whose
sorrow
thereat
was
little
inferiour
to
the
excessiue
ioy
,
which
herselfe
,
by
the
comfortable
thoughts
of
going
to
her
Lord
,
continually
receaued
,
and
aswell
by
flowing
teares
as
dolefull
speaches
they
expressed
the
same
vnto
her
.
But
she
,
as
with
a
face
then
wholy
turned
from
the
world
towards
heauen
,
intreated
them
to
conforme
their
will
to
their
Creatours
pleasure
therein
,
and
not
to
doubt
,
but
that
she
should
by
her
prayers
in
heauen
,
be
more
profitable
,
then
by
her
presence
heere
on
earth
she
could
be
,
vnto
them
.
For
that
(
said
she
)
is
not
a
Country
of
ignorance
,
but
of
knowledge
,
cleerely
reuealed
,
whereby
the
Blessed
vnderstand
their
friends
necessities
heere
on
earth
,
and
being
vnited
to
the
fountayne
of
Charity
it selfe
,
they
will
be
no
lesse
powerfull
,
then
ready
to
procure
speedy
helps
and
remedies
for
them
;
which
I
do
promise
to
do
for
you
,
my
beloued
deare
Children
,
after
Christ
shall
take
me
vnto
him
.
And
whereas
(
said
she
)
to
other
worldly
soules
vnwilling
to
dye
,
and
fearefull
to
behold
the
face
of
their
high
ludge
,
whome
they
are
guilty
in
their
liues
,
grieuously
to
haue
offended
,
Death
commeth
as
a
cruell
iaylor
to
breake
down
their
mortery
houses
,
and
to
drag
them
forcibly
vnto
him
:
So
,
to
holy
Soules
,
he
euer
commeth
as
a
welcom
guest
,
and
therefore
findeth
the
dore
of
their
hart
open
to
receaue
him
;
like
vnto
men
expecting
the
returne
of
their
Lord
from
his
hea
-
she
with
a
glad
patience
,
to
goe
to
her
heauenly
Spouse
,
silently
sustayned
,
often
and
earnestly
beseeching
him
,
not
to
let
the
infernall
Enemy
be
frightfull
vnto
her
in
her
last
agony
.
And
finding
by
her
much
weaknes
,
&
forces
decayed
,
that
her
dissolution
approached
,
she
called
for
the
Saint
her
Confessor
,
to
receaue
the
diuine
Sacrament
of
him
,
as
a
safe
protection
in
so
dreadfull
a
passage
.
And
behoulding
her
sisters
kneeling
round
about
her
,
and
grieuing
aboue
measure
to
loose
her
presence
,
no
lesse
comfortable
then
profitable
vnto
them
;
Deare
Children
(
said
she
)
grieue
not
so
,
I
beseech
you
,
at
my
happines
thus
approaching
,
but
reioyce
rather
with
me
,
that
I
shall
fully
now
enioy
him
in
heauen
,
whome
in
earth
heere
,
I
haue
loued
.
Treade
also
,
so
neerely
as
you
can
,
my
footesteps
,
by
seruing
him
as
I
haue
done
,
&
contemning
for
his
sake
,
such
baites
,
and
base
pleasures
as
the
world
can
affoard
you
.
Let
your
promised
fayth
to
him
be
inuiolably
obserued
,
who
by
his
mercyes
and
merits
is
only
able
to
bring
you
comfortably
to
this
passage
,
and
eternally
to
crowne
you
.
Conceaue
your
bodies
,
though
youthfull
and
faire
,
to
be
(
as
truly
they
are
)
but
loathsome
prisons
of
your
soule
,
and
mortery
houses
,
apt
,
if
you
take
not
heed
,
to
pollute
,
&
defile
you
:
and
persuade
your selues
assuredly
,
that
so
miserable
a
world
as
this
is
,
and
full
of
temptations
,
can
yield
no
true
happines
or
pleasures
without
daungers
vnto
you
.
To
others
also
that
came
to
visit
her
,
she
ceased
not
at
times
as
her
voyce
would
serue
,
to
giue
profitable
aduises
,
&
aboue
all
,
that
they
should
be
ready
,
for
that
passage
which
herselfe
then
was
entring
into
;
and
to
spend
their
liues
in
such
sort
,
as
they
might
receaue
comfort
when
that
moment
should
approach
,
on
which
Eternall
weale
,
or
woe
dependeth
.
sweet
manner
,
comforting
herselfe
and
him
also
,
by
a
certaine
hope
,
they
shey
should
meete
againe
ere
longe
,
and
liue
in
heauen
eternally
togeather
;
she
afterwards
humbly
besought
him
,
that
her
body
might
be
buried
neere
vnto
Theonia
her
holy
Mother
,
which
the
Saint
gladly
promised
.
And
soone
after
,
in
an
act
of
feruent
prayer
,
vpon
the
3.
day
of
Nouember
she
breathed
out
her
pure
soule
into
her
Redeemers
hands
,
ready
to
receaue
it
.
Which
being
perceaued
by
S.
Elerius
,
and
the
sisters
praying
about
her
,
they
fall
into
such
new
complaints
,
and
sad
expressions
of
their
sorrow
,
that
the
Saint
was
enforced
,
to
smother
his
owne
griefe
,
and
to
comfort
them
all
he
could
,
by
declaring
,
that
she
was
only
gone
to
Heauen
before
them
,
where
gloriously
,
vnited
with
God
,
she
would
be
no
lesse
powerful
&
ready
then
when
she
liued
in
earth
,
by
her
prayers
to
help
them
.
Her
body
nothing
changed
in
the
louelines
thereof
by
death
,
was
neere
vnto
Theonia
solemnly
afterwards
interred
,
euen
in
the
ashes
,
as
it
were
,
of
many
other
great
Saints
,
buried
in
that
place
before
,
amongst
whom
Cheb
and
Sennan
,
the
one
lying
at
her
head
,
and
the
other
by
her
side
,
were
for
sanctity
&
miracles
in
their
dayes
famously
renowned
,
and
had
Churches
therfore
(
euen
yet
remayning
in
that
Prouince
)
to
their
memories
erected
;
wherein
by
wonderous
signes
their
glory
with
God
is
now
frequently
testified
.
And
albeit
these
two
,
&
other
innumerable
Saintes
haue
ben
interred
in
that
holy
ground
;
yet
was
the
same
,
for
S.
Wenefrides
Sepulcher
afterwards
especially
honoured
,
&
graced
with
numberles
,
and
notorious
miracles
,
by
her
prayers
there
obteyned
.
S.
Elerius
also
,
soone
after
holily
disceased
,
&
was
buried
in
a
Church
erected
to
his
Name
and
memory
,
in
which
at
this
very
day
Almighty
God
,
through
his
merits
and
prayers
worketh
miraculous
cures
vpon
persons
either
diseased
,
or
distressed
.
The
End
of
the
first
Booke
.
THE
SECOND
BOOKE
,
conteyning
the
miracles
wrought
at
S.
Wenefrides
Well
;
as
also
vpon
her
Translation
to
Shrewsbury
.
CHAP.
I.
Of
the
great
concourse
of
people
to
her
Well
,
graced
by
miracles
,
no
lesse
then
before
,
after
her
departure
from
that
place
.
ALmighty
God
ceased
not
by
wonderfull
miracles
to
grace
the
holy
place
of
S.
Wenefrids
martyrdome
,
after
he
had
inspired
her
(
as
hath
ben
said
)
before
her
death
wholy
to
abandone
it
,
to
the
end
deuout
people
,
perchance
,
in
other
parts
of
the
Country
might
come
to
know
the
eminent
sanctity
of
her
life
,
and
herselfe
perfect
the
graces
of
her
soule
,
by
liuing
humbly
,
and
obediently
amongst
strangers
,
as
she
did
for
many
yeares
,
vntill
by
her
singular
merits
&
exemplar
life
,
she
was
ordeyned
against
her
will
,
to
be
a
holy
Mistresse
and
gratefull
Gouernesse
of
many
Virgins
We
may
also
conceaue
,
that
this
humble
Virgin
,
(
who
was
wont
to
blush
,
yea
and
shed
teares
,
when
she
heard
herselfe
praysed
)
desired
,
&
obteyned
of
her
heaueuly
Spouse
,
to
goe
out
of
the
way
,
as
it
were
,
and
absent
herselfe
from
that
place
,
where
she
could
not
choose
but
be
seene
,
and
honoured
by
multitudes
of
people
,
daily
visitting
her
Well
,
as
the
miraculous
Trophy
of
her
martyrdome
there
susteyned
;
wondring
first
,
to
see
such
a
source
of
pure
water
breaking
out
of
the
ground
vpon
which
her
head
first
fell
;
next
,
to
behould
the
stones
therein
,
as
with
drops
of
her
bloud
strangly
stayned
,
or
died
rather
;
and
lastly
to
smell
the
greene
mosse
growing
about
the
Well
,
with
a
musky
sweet
odour
more
then
naturally
perfumed
.
It
was
(
I
say
)
a
pleasure
no
doubt
,
and
much
by
the
holy
Virgin
desired
,
to
liue
out
of
the
noise
of
her
owne
prayses
there
daily
resounded
;
especially
when
to
the
wonders
of
the
place
it selfe
,
other
miraculous
Cures
began
to
be
wrought
vpon
leaprous
,
blind
,
and
all
kind
of
diseased
persons
,
either
by
drinking
of
the
water
,
or
bathing
themselues
in
it
:
of
which
some
few
,
in
the
Chapters
following
shal
be
by
me
declared
.
CHAP.
II.
Of
a
blind
maid
restored
to
her
sight
,
by
washing
her
head
in
S.
Wenefrids
Well
,
and
praying
in
her
Chappell
.
A
POORE
Carpenter
dwelling
not
far
from
S.
Wenefrides
Well
,
had
a
Daughter
borne
blind
,
who
hauing
hard
of
the
wonderfull
cures
wrought
there
,
by
the
intercession
and
merits
of
that
holy
Virgin
,
ceased
not
to
importune
her
Father
daily
,
that
she
might
be
ledd
to
that
miraculous
Well
;
and
hauing
finally
obteyned
the
same
,
she
first
bathed
her
head
in
the
water
thereof
,
and
then
being
conducted
to
the
Chappell
neere
vnto
it
,
she
spent
the
whole
night
deuoutely
in
prayer
,
that
God
would
be
pleased
through
the
merits
and
intercession
of
the
Saint
,
there
martyred
for
his
sake
,
to
bestow
vpon
her
corporall
sight
,
the
better
to
serue
him
afterwards
:
&
falling
into
a
slumber
,
towards
the
morning
in
a
corner
of
the
Chappell
,
she
was
no
sooner
awaked
,
but
she
found
herselfe
to
see
perfectly
;
which
being
perceaued
by
her
Father
,
he
ceased
not
,
togeather
with
his
Daughter
,
ioyfully
to
proclayme
that
miraculous
fauour
by
S.
Wenefrids
powerfull
prayers
,
euidently
obteyned
.
The
fame
of
this
miracle
generally
diuulged
,
bred
a
fresh
deuotion
in
others
,
to
repayre
in
like
manner
to
that
place
,
for
obteyning
help
,
and
comfort
in
their
corporall
and
spirituall
distresses
;
and
they
were
not
frustrated
of
their
hopes
,
faythfully
,
and
deuoutely
so
conceaued
:
whereby
the
former
great
Fame
of
the
place
,
became
more
vniuersally
and
gloriously
diuulged
,
to
the
honour
of
him
,
by
whose
omnipotency
and
gracious
goodnes
these
miraculous
cures
were
multiplied
,
delightfully
glorified
in
the
honours
done
to
his
Saintes
,
and
in
their
glories
eternally
exalted
.
before
the
Aultar
,
vttered
his
complaintes
to
the
Saint
of
the
iniury
,
and
losse
therby
sustained
,
beseeching
her
to
punish
,
as
they
deserued
the
wrongfull
Authors
of
that
and
other
mischiefes
,
to
the
great
harme
of
honest
people
sinfully
committed
,
and
by
some
exemplar
reuenge
taken
vpon
them
,
to
warne
,
and
deterre
others
,
from
violating
in
like
manner
,
the
safety
of
her
Chappel
,
and
reuerence
due
vnto
it
;
and
so
departed
onwards
in
his
iourney
,
not
frustrate
afterward
of
what
he
had
prayed
for
.
For
Almighty
God
,
in
honour
of
S.
Wenefrid
and
her
Chappell
,
forthwith
afflicted
the
Theefe
that
had
vnloosed
,
and
taken
away
the
horse
,
with
such
a
raging
extremity
of
payne
,
throughout
his
whole
body
,
that
he
often
desired
to
be
freed
by
death
from
so
intollerable
a
torment
,
daily
increasing
on
him
,
till
the
humours
which
caused
the
same
,
fel
into
his
right
arme
,
making
it
first
to
swell
,
and
afterwards
to
rot
in
a
most
horrible
,
and
loathesome
manner
,
vntill
at
length
humbled
by
affliction
,
and
hopeles
of
all
ease
otherwise
he
came
in
a
very
penitent
manner
,
to
the
Saints
chappell
,
confessing
his
fault
,
&
demaunding
her
pardon
,
with
many
teares
,
for
so
great
a
wrong
and
insolency
committed
there
by
him
.
Vpon
this
his
humiliation
he
became
eased
by
degrees
,
and
by
little
and
little
cured
of
his
paineful
vlcer
,
praysing
God
,
and
the
holy
Martyr
for
their
mercyes
towards
him
,
&
remayning
euer
afterwards
whilst
he
liued
,
a
dreadfull
example
,
to
warne
others
,
from
violating
,
as
he
had
done
,
the
sanctity
of
that
place
,
or
wronging
S.
Wenefrids
clients
running
for
succour
in
their
distresses
vnto
her
.
The
Fame
also
of
this
miracle
diuulged
abroad
,
increased
much
the
peoples
opinion
of
the
place
,
and
their
deuotion
towards
the
Saint
,
who
had
shewed
herselfe
so
powerfull
a
Patronesse
of
her
Chappell
,
and
Defendresse
of
such
,
as
for
their
safety
,
and
protection
from
iniuries
,
repayred
vnto
it
.
CHAP.
IV.
How
certaine
Theeues
who
had
stolne
a
Cow
neere
to
S.
Wenefrids
Chappell
,
and
driuen
her
through
Rocky
wayes
,
were
notwithstanding
traced
by
her
footesteps
in
the
hard
stones
miraculously
imprinted
,
and
so
enforced
to
leaue
her
to
the
Owners
pursuing
them
.
ANother
Miracle
,
no
lesse
wonderfull
then
the
former
hapned
in
this
manner
.
Certaine
Theeues
hauing
stolne
a
Cow
,
out
of
a
pasture
neere
to
S.
Wenefrids
Chappell
,
&
driuen
her
through
Rocky
high
wayes
,
that
they
might
not
by
her
footing
be
traced
,
it
fell
out
far
otherwise
:
for
the
Cow
trod
not
one
steppe
,
but
as
if
she
had
gone
in
durty
deepe
wayes
,
wherby
her
footing
,
and
the
theues
also
themselues
,
so
plainely
appeared
,
that
the
owner
&
his
Neighbours
,
the
next
morning
missing
the
beast
,
did
very
easily
see
which
way
she
was
driuen
.
Whereupon
they
following
the
tracke
with
all
speed
,
came
so
neere
to
ouertake
the
Theeues
,
that
they
were
constreyned
in
great
feare
to
fly
away
,
and
leaue
the
Cow
behind
them
to
their
pursuers
.
Who
at
better
leasure
afterwardes
considering
how
the
Cowes
feet
had
miraculously
made
prints
in
the
hard
stones
as
she
was
driuen
away
,
but
not
as
she
returned
,
perceaued
it
to
be
an
euident
miracle
,
and
for
such
,
to
the
honour
of
S.
Wenefride
,
by
king-trade
,
to
abstayne
likewise
from
theft
,
especially
out
of
any
place
,
neere
to
the
Saintes
Chappels
.
CHAP.
V.
Of
daily
Cures
done
vpon
sicke
children
throwne
into
the
streame
of
S.
Wenefrids
Well
;
and
of
others
also
cured
miraculously
of
agues
,
&
hoat
feauers
,
by
drinking
of
the
same
water
.
IN
processe
of
tyme
,
this
sacred
Fountayne
,
the
Trophy
,
and
triumphant
signe
of
S.
Wenefrids
Martyrdome
,
became
so
famously
renowned
,
for
miraculous
cures
done
by
the
waters
thereof
,
that
Mothers
were
vsually
wont
to
throw
their
young
children
sicke
of
any
disease
,
into
the
streame
running
from
the
same
,
who
became
presently
cured
,
by
the
touch
of
those
waters
.
Such
also
as
had
Agues
,
or
hoat
burning
Feauers
in
any
part
of
the
Country
,
were
wont
for
a
certaine
and
present
remedie
therof
,
either
to
drincke
a
draught
of
that
pure
fountaine-water
,
or
if
they
had
it
not
at
hand
,
to
put
in
some
one
of
the
blouddy
stones
,
taken
out
of
the
Well
,
into
a
draught
of
any
other
water
,
and
became
thereby
presently
cured
.
In
like
manner
such
as
had
any
swelling
or
soare
about
them
,
were
accustomed
to
bath
the
part
affected
,
with
the
said
water
,
and
found
present
remedy
thereby
.
The
first
vse
of
which
remedies
,
for
all
sorts
of
sores
and
diseases
,
is
said
to
haue
ben
taught
by
the
holy
Virgin-Martyr
herselfe
,
who
visibly
after
her
death
CHAP.
VI.
How
diuers
thefts
from
places
neere
vnto
the
Well
,
were
by
S.
Wenefride
miraculously
punished
;
and
how
the
Authors
became
warned
and
penitent
for
the
same
.
THE
streames
of
water
breaketh
out
of
Saint
Wenefrides
Well
,
in
such
abundance
together
,
as
within
one
furlongs
space
it
driueth
a
mill
,
neuer
standing
still
for
want
of
water
euen
in
the
greatest
drought
of
summer
,
nor
is
euer
hindred
from
grinding
,
by
any
freezing
of
the
streame
,
by
which
it
is
driuen
in
winter
.
This
Mill●
,
by
certaine
theeues
,
was
vpon
a
tyme
robbed
in
the
night
,
and
the
Irons
thereof
were
carried
away
to
be
put
into
another
mill
built
not
far
from
thence
by
those
that
stole
them
:
but
through
the
merits
of
S.
Wenefride
a
strange
euent
hapned
heer
about
for
the
Mill
into
which
these
Irons
were
put
,
could
neuer
be
made
to
turne
,
or
grind
any
thing
therewith
:
so
as
the
stealers
thereof
mooued
at
length
by
the
miracle
more
than
once
experienced
,
broght
them
back
againe
,
and
confessed
their
fault
penitently
in
the
Saintes
Chappell
;
warning
others
thereby
not
to
commit
the
like
theft
in
placesneere
vnto
it
for
feare
of
beeing
,
by
her
prayers
,
punished
for
it
.
By
this
Miracle
so
diuulged
,
many
people
also
were
moued
the
more
to
glorify
God
,
in
those
wonderous
things
which
he
did
,
to
testifie
,
the
great
merits
of
this
holy
Virgin
S.
Wenefride
,
ioyfully
relating
to
one
another
,
how
S
Beuno's
prediction
of
the
innumerable
Cures
which
should
be
done
by
those
miraculous
waters
,
and
by
the
Virgins
owne
prayers
,
began
to
be
now
fulfilled
,
when
as
humbly
prostrate
on
her
knees
before
her
departure
from
that
place
,
she
besought
her
heauenly
spouse
,
corporally
to
blesse
,
and
spiritually
to
sanctifie
those
who
in
of
his
Court
,
called
Roger
,
through
his
great
piety
and
zeale
to
mantayne
Gods
seruants
,
built
in
Shrewsbury
a
sumptuous
faire
Monastery
,
and
endowed
the
same
with
sufficient
reuenewes
,
to
his
owne
great
prayse
,
and
the
benefit
of
that
Citty
;
which
Monastery
being
ended
,
&
Religious
men
with
their
Superiour
placed
therin
,
they
began
,
piously
to
complayne
that
they
wanted
reliques
in
their
Church
,
whereas
that
Country
of
Walts
in
innumerable
places
was
stored
aboundantly
with
them
,
by
reason
of
so
many
great
Saintes
,
men
&
women
,
who
formerly
had
flourished
in
great
sanctity
of
life
,
and
miraculous
testifications
therof
,
throughout
that
whole
Kingdome
.
Whereupon
to
haue
their
Church
hallowed
,
&
their
new
Monastery
guarded
with
such
sacred
pledges
,
munificently
placed
,
&
duly
honoured
by
them
,
they
began
to
inquire
after
some
speciall
Saint
,
whose
Reliques
might
happily
be
gotten
for
that
purpose
by
them
;
during
which
deliberation
of
theirs
,
a
Monke
of
this
their
Monastery
,
fell
very
sicke
,
in
body
,
and
so
distracted
in
mind
withall
,
that
not
only
his
Brethren
there
,
but
in
Chester
and
other
places
also
,
hearing
of
his
pittifull
case
,
ceased
not
to
pray
most
hartily
for
him
.
And
as
in
Chester-Abbey
,
the
Subprior
of
that
Monastery
,
a
godly
man
,
called
Radulphus
,
had
one
day
ended
his
prayer
for
that
end
,
he
fell
into
an
vnusuall
kind
of
sleepe
,
to
whome
a
woman
,
the
meane
while
,
in
a
very
glorious
habit
appeared
,
and
said
:
If
you
desire
the
sicke
Monks
health
,
let
some
one
of
you
goe
,
&
say
a
Masse
in
the
Chappell
,
neere
S.
Wenefrids
Well
for
him
,
and
he
shall
presently
recouer
;
&
so
she
vanished
.
The
Moncke
heerewith
awaked
,
durst
not
for
some
tyme
impart
this
vision
vnto
any
,
as
fearing
little
credit
would
be
giuen
vnto
it
,
vntill
at
length
,
the
wise
began
to
be
singularly
deuoted
vnto
her
,
and
labouted
by
all
meanes
possible
to
get
some
particle
of
her
Virginall
sacred
Body
vnto
them
.
CHAP.
VIII
.
Of
the
earnest
desire
which
the
Abbot
&
Monkes
of
Shrewsbury
had
to
get
the
body
of
S.
Wenefride
vnto
them
:
And
how
finally
after
many
yeares
,
&
very
great
difficulties
,
they
obteyned
the
same
.
THe
Abbot
&
Monks
of
Shrewsbury
,
for
many
yeares
persisting
in
their
holy
desires
,
of
getting
S.
Wenefrides
body
,
obteyned
at
length
in
the
peacefull
reigne
of
King
Henry
the
first
a
Grant
therof
,
but
by
reason
of
wars
,
and
many
tumults
happening
in
that
Countrey
after
this
Kings
death
,
it
was
not
effected
vntill
the
second
yeare
of
King
Stephens
reigne
,
when
as
the
holy
Abbot
Herbert
in
a
consultation
of
his
Monkes
,
ordeyned
Robert
his
Prior
,
togeather
with
one
Richard
,
a
chiefe
Monke
of
the
same
Monastery
,
to
go
into
Wales
about
it
.
Before
whose
going
,
the
said
Robert
,
more
solicitous
then
others
in
the
businesse
,
directed
diuers
letters
vnto
friends
in
Wales
,
best
likely
therein
to
assist
him
,
who
promised
gladly
their
help
,
&
wished
him
to
hasten
his
comming
amongst
them
.
Wherfore
beginning
his
iourney
he
first
visitted
the
Bishop
of
Bangor
,
in
his
way
,
and
was
by
him
directed
to
a
Principall
Lord
who
ruled
in
that
Country
,
&
by
him
him
very
courteously
receaued
.
As
soone
as
the
Noble
Man
,
had
vnderstood
the
that
tould
them
,
how
the
Inhabitants
therabout
,
hauing
heard
of
their
comminge
,
were
exceedingly
troubled
thereat
,
and
absolutely
resolued
to
hinder
them
in
their
pretence
,
and
not
to
suffer
the
chiefe
Saint
,
&
Patronesse
of
their
Countrey
,
by
strangers
to
be
carried
away
from
them
.
And
(
said
he
)
from
this
their
resolution
generally
taken
,
no
fauour
or
power
of
any
man
liuing
,
will
be
able
to
draw
them
.
These
words
being
plainely
and
sincerely
vttered
,
very
much
troubled
Prior
Robert
and
his
companions
all
that
night
;
but
yet
praying
all
togeather
,
and
humbly
crauing
Gods
direction
&
assistance
in
their
intended
busines
,
they
neuerthelesse
aduentured
,
to
prosecute
their
iourney
,
&
comming
the
next
day
neere
to
the
place
,
Prior
Robert
thought
good
to
remaine
himselfe
in
a
Farmers
house
,
priuatly
lodged
that
night
,
and
to
send
the
Prior
of
Chester
and
the
other
Priest
to
Guitherine
before
him
,
as
men
well
borne
,
and
knowne
in
that
Country
.
After
they
were
gone
,
Prior
Robert
,
rising
as
his
custome
was
by
night
to
say
his
mattins
,
was
certified
by
one
of
his
company
,
a
good
deuout
man
,
that
a
glorious
Virgin
had
appeared
that
night
to
him
,
bidding
him
goe
to
his
Prior
,
&
tell
him
from
her
,
that
he
should
be
of
good
comfort
,
because
he
should
ioyfully
and
prosperously
,
effect
the
busines
which
he
came
for
,
by
the
help
of
her
,
whose
honour
he
hath
so
particularly
sought
;
and
hauing
accepted
of
his
holy
intention
,
will
ioyne
also
with
him
,
in
the
performance
therof
.
Prior
full
of
good
hope
,
to
obteyne
that
,
which
his
speach
imported
;
so
as
in
the
morning
,
he
comfortably
declared
to
those
who
were
with
him
the
vision
he
had
also
receaued
,
and
willed
them
therefore
to
prepare
presently
for
their
iourney
.
But
before
they
were
ready
,
a
messenger
came
from
the
other
Prior
purposely
sent
,
to
hasten
them
forwards
&
to
certifie
them
withall
,
that
Almighty
God
,
and
the
Saint
herselfe
had
disposed
all
things
,
so
prosperously
,
for
them
,
that
they
should
not
returne
without
obteyning
what
they
desired
.
This
ioyfull
message
receaued
,
they
went
on
,
and
making
what
speede
they
could
,
they
came
early
in
the
morning
to
the
Church
where
S.
Wenefrides
body
was
certainely
interred
,
and
hauing
for
a
while
at
her
shrine
deuoutely
prayed
,
the
chiefe
Priest
of
the
Parish
came
in
,
and
courteously
saluted
them
,
as
they
did
him
likewise
in
a
very
humble
manner
,
earnestly
intreating
him
withall
,
to
be
their
charitable
helper
,
in
carrying
away
the
Saintes
body
with
them
,
to
a
place
where
it
should
be
more
magnificently
interred
then
there
it
was
,
and
daily
honoured
,
by
multitudes
of
people
,
desirous
to
haue
so
sacred
a
Treasure
reposed
amongst
them
.
CHAP.
X.
How
the
Parish
Priest
courteously
condescended
to
their
desire
,
as
hauing
byn
before
hand
diuinely
prepared
,
to
deliuer
the
body
of
S.
Wenefride
vnto
them
.
THe
good
Priest
patiently
hard
their
request
,
and
courteously
tould
them
,
that
he
for
his
part
,
would
easily
graunt
what
they
desired
of
him
,
as
hauing
had
for
sometyme
before
,
the
will
of
God
,
and
of
Note
this
place
well
,
&
my
words
also
,
whereby
I
do
command
thee
,
that
if
some
moneths
hence
any
persons
come
to
open
this
Sepulcher
,
&
to
carry
away
she
Saintes
body
with
them
,
hinder
them
not
in
their
holy
designe
,
but
assist
them
in
all
thou
maist
,
least
by
dooing
contrary
to
what
I
heere
diuinely
foretell
thee
,
some
painefull
&
vnremediable
sicknes
,
to
punish
thy
disobedience
,
do
happen
vnto
thee
.
And
hauing
vttered
these
words
,
this
Angel
,
as
I
thinke
he
was
,
vanished
away
.
So
as
I
wil
not
faile
for
my
part
,
to
help
you
in
your
purpose
,
by
persuading
others
also
,
who
are
owners
of
this
village
,
to
yield
willingly
the
Saints
body
:
and
for
this
purpose
I
haue
ordeined
them
to
come
themselues
hither
vnto
you
.
CHAP.
XI
.
The
Priours
speach
vnto
the
people
assembled
in
the
Church
,
about
obteyning
their
leaue
to
carry
away
S.
Wenefrids
Body
;
and
how
their
consent
was
finally
obteyned
.
THe
Priour
seeing
the
people
in
great
numbers
assembled
,
by
an
Interpreter
tould
them
,
that
he
and
his
Companions
were
come
,
diuinely
warranted
,
to
procure
of
them
S.
Wenefrids
body
,
that
in
their
Citty
,
and
Monastery
much
deuoted
vnto
her
,
it
might
more
than
it
could
be
there
,
honoured
and
respected
;
&
the
Blessed
Virgin
Martyr
herselfe
(
said
he
)
as
your
Pastour
heere
partly
knoweth
)
hath
by
many
visions
manifested
her
willingnes
hereunto
,
and
will
not
be
pleased
with
such
as
shall
dare
heerein
to
resist
her
.
To
which
speach
of
his
,
they
gently
harkened
,
and
became
inclined
thereby
to
graunt
what
he
requested
:
one
only
amongst
them
opposed
himselfe
,
and
clamorously
tould
them
in
presence
of
the
rest
,
that
they
should
neuer
be
depriued
,
by
his
will
,
of
so
sacred
a
Treasure
,
as
was
the
body
of
that
Saint
,
who
had
liued
holily
,
and
dyed
happily
in
that
place
,
leauing
her
reliques
to
be
honoured
by
them
,
no
lesse
then
they
had
ben
by
their
Ancestors
before
them
,
Allmighty
God
hauing
from
tyme
to
tyme
,
by
miracles
,
approued
the
pious
deuotion
of
people
towards
them
.
This
passionate
boldnes
of
the
man
much
troubled
the
Prior
,
so
as
to
stop
his
mouth
,
and
gayne
his
consent
,
he
caused
one
of
his
company
to
giue
him
money
very
largely
,
by
which
he
was
so
altered
,
as
that
others
not
knowing
the
reason
of
his
change
(
carefully
from
them
concealed
)
wondered
thereat
;
and
imputing
the
same
to
some
miraculous
operation
wrought
by
God
and
the
Saint
,
began
to
yield
their
owne
consents
somewhat
more
willingly
,
then
before
,
and
finally
after
many
consultations
passed
among
themselues
,
at
last
they
all
fully
agreed
,
&
consented
that
the
Saintes
body
should
be
presently
taken
vp
,
and
deliuered
decently
vnto
them
.
For
which
resolution
the
Prior
and
his
companions
very
hartily
&
courteously
gaue
them
thankes
,
&
without
any
delay
desired
to
enter
the
holy
I
le
,
wherin
the
Saintes
Shrine
had
ben
for
many
ages
deuoutely
visitted
by
holy
Pilgrims
,
and
many
wonderfull
cures
vpon
diseased
persons
frequently
performed
.
Neither
did
they
find
her
body
there
alone
,
but
many
holy
bodies
both
of
men
and
women
also
were
found
lying
by
it
;
hauing
without
the
place
of
their
buriall
,
a
woodden
lardge
porch
,
wherein
the
people
vsed
to
kneele
and
pray
;
esteemed
also
sacred
of
it selfe
for
this
continuall
miracle
,
that
if
any
beast
came
to
feed
of
the
grasse
neere
vnto
it
,
it
presently
dyed
;
&
racles
wrought
at
Guitherin
Church
,
by
S.
Wenefride
,
and
other
Saintes
there
interred
,
this
one
as
freshly
happened
,
was
vnto
the
Prior
and
his
companions
thus
certainely
recounted
.
A
certaine
labouring
man
two
yeares
before
,
presumed
,
for
some
vse
,
to
cut
downe
a
bough
of
an
old
Oake
,
growing
neere
the
Church
dore
in
holy
ground
yielding
also
a
conuenient
shade
,
and
shelter
to
such
deuout
pilgrimes
as
could
not
sometimes
enter
into
the
Church
for
the
Concourse
of
people
,
but
were
forced
to
stay
without
,
and
pray
vnder
it
:
Who
had
no
sooner
strooke
his
Hatchet
into
the
bough
,
but
it
became
therein
immoueably
fixed
,
and
his
whole
hand
and
arme
did
likewise
cleaue
so
fast
vnto
the
handle
of
the
hatchet
,
that
they
seemed
to
haue
grown
vnto
it
,
&
by
no
force
were
able
to
be
remoued
.
The
poore
man
finding
himselfe
in
this
distresse
,
cried
out
for
help
,
which
his
neighbours
hearing
,
they
came
running
to
the
place
,
but
finding
him
in
that
most
pittifull
plight
,
stood
amazed
at
the
miracle
,
as
not
able
any
way
to
help
him
.
Wherfore
by
their
aduise
he
began
to
repent
him
of
his
fault
,
and
humbly
besought
,
amongst
the
other
Saints
,
S.
Wenefrid
to
help
him
.
The
rest
also
ioyning
in
like
prayer
with
him
,
after
they
had
cryed
aloud
and
all
togeather
,
Holy
Wenefride
take
pitty
on
him
,
his
hand
was
presently
loosed
from
the
hatchet
,
and
his
arme
to
all
freedome
restored
.
Which
euident
miracle
seene
by
the
people
,
they
renewed
their
wonted
veneration
to
the
Saint
.
They
shewed
also
vnto
Priour
Robert
and
his
companions
,
the
Cut
which
the
man
had
made
in
the
branch
of
the
tree
,
remayning
still
for
a
testimony
thereof
:
so
as
with
very
good
reason
,
they
all
much
reuerenced
that
holy
place
,
by
innumerable
miraclesso
diuinely
graced
.
CHAP.
XIII
.
How
Priour
Robert
,
the
Author
of
this
historie
,
did
himselfe
take
vp
the
holy
body
of
S.
Wenefride
,
and
carry
it
towards
Shrewsbury
;
How
also
in
the
way
,
he
wrought
a
miracle
by
some
of
the
earth
,
found
in
the
Holy
head
of
that
Blessed
Martyr
.
PRior
Robert
hauing
had
a
generall
leaue
from
the
Pastour
of
the
Church
and
his
parishioners
to
take
vp
the
Saintes
body
,
went
downe
without
a
guide
into
her
Tombe
or
Sepulcher
,
and
by
an
interiour
light
,
communicated
then
diuinely
vnto
him
,
knowing
where
it
lay
,
caused
the
Tombestone
to
be
remoued
,
and
labourers
to
digge
towards
the
body
;
which
when
they
had
found
,
the
Prior
causing
them
to
goe
forth
out
of
the
Vault
,
he
only
with
some
Priests
and
Religious
persons
,
stayed
behind
,
singing
psalmes
of
ioy
deuoutely
togeather
,
&
into
the
sicke
mans
stomack
,
but
he
fell
soundly
asleepe
,
and
when
he
awaked
,
found
himselfe
of
his
daungerous
and
painefull
infirmity
perfectly
recouered
.
By
which
most
euident
Miracle
,
the
credit
of
those
sacred
reliques
,
to
the
great
ioy
of
the
Priour
himselfe
and
his
companions
,
was
diuinely
confirmed
,
and
the
deuotion
of
all
present
towards
them
increased
.
Others
also
there
present
did
learne
from
thence
,
what
due
veneration
&
reuerence
was
to
be
yielded
afterwards
vnto
them
.
CHAP.
XIV
.
How
Priour
Robert
,
after
seauen
dayes
iourney
,
arriuing
with
the
sacred
Reliques
at
Shrewsbury
,
was
by
his
Abbot
commanded
to
place
them
in
S.
Giles
his
Church
neere
the
gate
of
that
Citty
,
vntill
all
was
ready
for
their
sollemne
receauing
into
the
Monastery
:
With
anotable
miracle
which
happened
in
that
place
.
PRior
Robert
&
his
company
in
seauen
dayes
ended
their
iourney
backe
againe
with
the
sacred
treasure
to
Shrewsbury
;
and
hauing
before
giuen
notice
to
the
Abbot
of
their
approach
,
they
were
willed
by
him
to
stay
,
and
repose
the
same
decently
in
S.
Giles
his
Church
neere
the
gate
of
the
Citty
,
that
the
Lord
Bishop
and
his
Clergy
,
with
the
rest
of
the
people
might
be
warned
therof
,
and
in
sollēne
procession
bring
them
to
the
Monastery
.
And
for
the
greater
honor
of
them
in
the
meane
time
,
prayed
all
the
night
that
God
through
the
merits
&
prayers
of
great
S.
Wenefrid
,
would
be
pleased
to
cure
him
,
he
fell
towardes
the
morning
into
a
slumber
,
and
before
the
Priest
came
to
say
the
first
masse
,
he
was
to
the
wonder
of
all
present
,
&
of
the
whole
Citty
likewise
,
perfectly
cured
,
and
made
whole
;
so
as
after
he
had
sounded
forth
thankeful
prayses
to
God
&
the
holy
Martyr
,
he
returned
without
help
of
others
ioyfully
homewards
on
his
feet
.
CHAP.
XV.
With
what
solemnity
&
pompe
S.
Wenefrides
body
was
brought
vnto
the
Abbey-Church
of
Shrewsbury
:
And
of
a
strange
Miracle
which
happened
thereat
.
THE
former
miracle
increased
much
the
fame
of
these
holy
Reliques
brought
into
the
Citty
,
and
the
opinion
also
of
S.
Wenefrids
sanctity
,
so
that
the
concourse
of
people
was
very
great
,
daily
honoring
the
holy
Virgin
in
them
.
Priour
Robert
in
the
meane
tyme
hauing
by
order
of
his
Abbot
,
treated
with
the
Bishop
about
the
solemnity
of
bringing
her
body
from
S.
Giles
his
Church
to
the
Monastery
;
it
was
agreed
betweene
them
,
that
the
people
of
the
Citty
and
Country
likewise
should
be
warned
of
the
certaine
day
when
this
solennity
should
be
kept
,
and
the
Bishops
blessing
&
indulgences
for
such
a
feast
promulgated
,
to
all
that
should
be
present
in
the
procession
.
Whereupon
,
the
throng
of
people
kneeling
on
ech
side
of
the
streetes
&
shedding
teares
of
ioy
for
such
a
blessing
,
brought
amongst
them
,
was
so
great
,
that
it
was
a
wonder
to
see
how
gratefull
their
deuotion
was
to
God
,
and
to
the
Saint
thus
honored
by
them
.
At
which
tyme
also
hapned
an
euident
miracle
in
the
sight
of
all
,
worthy
heere
to
be
related
.
The
morning
wherein
this
solemne
procession
was
miraculously
in
the
ayre
,
ouer
their
heads
,
and
yet
be
kept
from
falling
downe
vpon
them
,
till
the
solemnity
was
ended
:
and
therfore
they
redoubled
their
praises
to
God
,
and
to
the
Saint
,
as
Authors
of
this
great
miracle
wrought
euidently
before
their
face
.
The
Procession
ended
and
the
Bishop
and
Priests
arriued
with
the
Reliques
at
the
Monastery
,
they
were
by
the
Abbot
,
and
his
Religious
,
as
lewells
aboue
all
valew
,
most
reuerently
receaued
,
&
vpon
the
high
Aultar
,
dedicated
to
S.
Peter
and
S.
Paul
,
magnificently
placed
,
where
many
apparent
miracles
for
the
help
of
soules
and
bodies
,
are
,
to
Gods
great
honour
glorified
in
his
Saintes
,
daily
performed
:
whose
Name
be
praysed
for
euer
and
euer
.
Amen
.
CHAP.
XVI
.
The
Conclusion
,
of
the
Translatour
,
vnto
this
second
Booke
of
S.
Wenefrids
Life
,
and
Miracles
.
I
May
say
heere
of
S.
Wenefrids
miracles
(
of
those
later
especially
wrought
in
Shrewsbury
vpon
such
as
honoured
the
Saint
,
and
were
cured
by
the
vertue
of
her
reliques
)
what
S.
Augustine
in
his
22.
Booke
of
the
Citty
of
God
,
and
8.
Chapter
,
hath
left
written
of
a
blind
man
miraculously
restored
to
sight
,
and
other
like
miracles
done
at
Millan
,
whilst
he
liued
there
,
at
the
holy
bodies
of
S.
Geruasius
and
Protasius
,
diuinely
reuealed
and
translated
by
S.
Ambrose
to
another
place
,
as
S.
Wenefrids
Reliques
were
from
Guitherine
vnto
Shrewsbury
;
that
the
Citty
,
to
wit
wherein
they
were
done
,
grandis
era●
,
&
immenso
populo
teste
res
gesta
est
,
was
great
,
and
an
immense
concourse
of
people
able
to
testifie
the
verity
of
them
.
So
as
he
must
want
dit
in
such
Historicall
verities
,
as
they
will
belieue
any
Gentill
,
or
Heathen
Author
before
them
;
the
which
my selfe
haue
proued
by
many
experiences
,
and
for
an
example
,
I
will
heere
mention
one
.
It
was
my
chance
some
yeares
since
,
to
be
the
guest
of
a
Protestant
Gentleman
in
England
,
of
especial
note
and
ranke
in
the
Countrey
wher
he
liued
,
who
seing
me
one
day
fixedly
to
look
vpon
a
faire
picture
hanging
in
his
Hall
,
wherein
the
diuers
torments
of
some
Primitiue
Martyrs
were
liuely
represented
;
Syr
,
said
he
,
who
can
belieue
(
as
for
my
part
I
cannot
)
that
men
,
to
men
,
and
for
Religion
only
,
euer
vsed
such
barbarous
cruelties
,
&
more
then
butcherly
inhumanities
?
To
whome
for
clearing
of
so
certaine
and
testified
a
truth
,
I
alleaged
what
Tertullian
in
sundry
places
of
his
workes
S.
Cyprian
,
S.
Iustine
the
Martyr
,
S.
Hierome
,
S.
Ambrose
,
and
other
innumerable
Fathers
,
had
either
expresly
affirmed
,
or
supposed
of
these
Martyrs
torments
,
&
that
in
bookes
either
written
to
the
Martyrs
themselues
,
or
to
Heathen
magistrates
their
Condemners
;
yet
preuayled
I
nothing
,
till
calling
for
Tacitus
,
a
Gentill
Author
,
and
most
hatefull
enemy
to
Christ
himselfe
,
with
all
such
as
faithfully
professed
him
;
I
shewed
this
Gentleman
what
he
had
left
written
of
Nero's
cruelty
,
vsed
against
Christians
,
by
causing
them
to
be
put
vpon
stakes
in
eminent
places
of
Rome
,
cloathed
in
pitcht
shirts
,
with
their
armes
extended
,
and
so
to
be
fired
in
darke
nights
,
as
torches
to
the
Citty
;
with
other
like
in
humane
torments
,
exercised
vpon
them
.
Whereupon
he
began
to
credit
what
his
Picture
represented
:
and
being
asked
againe
by
me
,
why
he
belieued
not
before
so
many
testimonies
which
I
had
cited
vnto
him
,
out
of
the
holy
Fathers
;
he
plainely
tould
me
(
and
it
is
the
common
persuasion
of
Prote
-
The
End
of
the
second
Booke
.