1583 Edition | Book 2 | Page 151 
Close(d. 757) [ODNB]
King of the Mercians (716 - 57)
In exile under cousin Coelred; formed a close relationship with the hermit Guthlac. As king, he was dominant south of the Humber; murdered by his bodyguards.
Æthelbald attended the synod in 747 called by archbishop Cuthbert. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Æthelbald received a letter from Boniface, archbishop of Mainz, admonishing him for his sinful life and oppression of churches. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Æthelbald decreed that churches should be freed from all public charges. Bede died during his reign. 1570, p. 150; 1576, p. 112; 1583, p. 111.
Æthelbald founded Peterborough Abbey. 1570, p. 177; 1576, p. 134; 1583, p. 133.
Æthelbald, after King Ceolwulf retired to a monastery, invaded and despoiled Northumbria. With other Saxon kings, he so dominated the Britons that they no longer attacked. Æthelbald placed heavy exactions upon Cuthred, King of the West Saxons. Eventually Cuthred attacked Æthelbald, and after a protracted war, defeated him. The next year Æthelbald attacked again and was killed. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
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Close(fl. 757) [ODNB sub Offa]
Took over the kingship of Mercia at the death of Æthelbald in 757; ousted by Offa
Beornred was said to have killed Æthelbald while in battle against the West Saxons. He was removed by Offa, who succeeded him. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Beornred was deposed and was burnt in the same year. 1570, p. 150; 1576, p. 112; 1583, p. 111.
Close(672x5? - 754) [ODNB]
b. Exeter; monk; missionary in Germany, with commission from Gregory II in 719; consecrated missionary bishop in 722; given archiepiscopal status without a fixed diocese 732.
Archbishop of Mainz (746 - 54); church reformer; martyr
Boniface was consecrated bishop by Pope Gregory II and made papal legate to the Germans. He converted many, held councils, ordained bishops, canonised saints and built monasteries, including that of Fulda. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Boniface, on instruction from Pope Zacharias, authorised the deposition of King Childeric III of the Franks and confirmation of Pippin the Short as king. 1570, p. 172; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Cuthbert, archbishop of Canterbury, sent Boniface a copy of the reforming acts of the synod held at Clofesho in 747. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Boniface wrote to Æthelbald, king of the Mercians, admonishing him for his sinful life and oppression of churches. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Close(d. 764) [ODNB]
Brother of Cenred of Northumbria
King of Northumbria (729 - 737); abdicated in favour of his cousin Eadberht; became a monk of Lindisfarne
Bede gave his Anglorum Historia to Ceolwulf to be approved and amended. 1570, p. 170; 1576, p. 128; 1583, p. 127.
When Ceolwulf retired to Lindisfarne, the monks were allowed to drink wine or ale, having previously been allowed only milk and water. 1570, p. 170; 1576, p. 128; 1583, p. 127.
Close(d. 760) [ODNB]
Archbishop of Canterbury (740 - 60)
Cuthbert convened a synod at Clofesho in 747. A program of reform for both monastic and secular clergy was enacted. Cuthbert sent a copy of the acts to Boniface, archbishop of Mainz. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Close(d. 756) [ODNB]
King of the West Saxons (740 - 56)
Associations with Æthelbald of Mercia; in 750 Cuthred rebelled against Æthelbald
Æthelbald, King of Mercia, placed heavy exactions upon Cuthred. Eventually Cuthred attacked Æthelbald, and after a protracted war, defeated him. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Close(fl. c. 750)
Consul and warrior for King Cuthred of Wessex against Æthelbald of Mercia
He was said to have been crucial in Cuthred's victory over Æthelbald. 1570, p. 171; 1576, p. 129; 1583, p. 128.
Close(d. 796) [ODNB]
King of the Mercians (757 - 96); dominant ruler in England by the end of the reign; built military earthwork, Offa's Dyke, against the Welsh; had Æthelberht, king of the East Anglians, beheaded in 794
Offa, kinsman of King Æthelbald, ousted Beornred and became king of the Mercians. 1570, p. 171, 1576, p. 129, 1583, p. 128.
Offa won victories over Eadberht of Northumbria and Æthelred of the East Angles. He established an archbishopric in Lichfield, with the agreement of Pope Adrian. He chased the Britons into Wales and built a defensive dyke. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 130; 1583, p. 129.
Alcuin was sent to Charlemagne by Offa of Mercia in hopes of cementing peace between them. Charlemagne held Alcuin in high esteem and made him abbot of Tours. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129
Charlemagne sent a letter to King Offa, praising Pope Adrian I. 1570, p. 175; 1576, p. 132; 1583, p. 131
Upon his return from France to England, Alcuin complained about the state of the country into which he had arrived in letters to Offa of Mercia, Æthelred of Northumbria and Æthelheard, archbishop of Canterbury. 1570, p. 176; 1576, p. 133; 1583, p. 132.
Offa of Mercia gave one of his daughters to Beorhtric of Wessex in marriage. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Æthelberht, king of the East Angles, came to Offa's court to marry his daughter. Offa had him murdered due to the counsel of his wife. 1570, pp. 151, 154; 1576, pp. 113, 115; 1583, pp. 112, 114.
Cynethryth, Offa's queen, suspected that Æthelberht was coming to Offa's court, under pretence of marrying their daughter, to murder him and the Mercians. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
Offa had Æthelberht brought in on his own and then had him beheaded. 1570, p. 173; 1576, p. 131; 1583, p. 129.
In repentance for Æthelberht's murder, Offa brought in the Peter's Pence. He gave lands to the church, built monasteries and the abbey of St Alban's in penance. 1570, pp. 150, 173; 1576, pp. 112, 131; 1583, pp. 111, 129.
Close(d. 644) [ODNB]
Bishop of York 625 and of Rochester 633; one of the monks sent by Gregory I in 601; worked to convert Eadwine of Northumbria
Eadwine of Northumbria was converted and baptised by Paulinus at York. 1563, p. 18; 1570, pp. 150, 163; 1576, pp. 112, 122; 1583, pp. 111, 121.
Eadwine was reluctant to convert, but Paulinus worked patiently to persuade him. Paulinus baptised many people in the rivers of the realm, and he built a stone church at Lincoln. 1570, p. 163; 1576, p. 122; 1583, p. 121.
Paulinus was the first bishop of York, consecrated by Justus, archbishop of Canterbury. Upon the death of Justus, Paulinus consecrated Honorius as his successor. 1570, p. 163; 1576, p. 122; 1583, p. 121.
After the death of King Eadwine, and the conquest by Cadwallon of Gwynedd and Penda of Mercia, the subsequent disorder forced Paulinus to flee into Kent, along with Queen Æthelburh and her daughter Eanflæd. There Paulinus became bishop of Rochester. 1570, p. 163; 1576, p. 122; 1583, p. 121.
CloseUnknown location of 747 synod; probably in Mercia, perhaps in Middle Anglia [ODNB sub Cuthbert]"
predecessors had forgone, since the tyme that Paulinus had left the sea, & fled to Rochester, as is before declared. MarginaliaEgbert Kyng of Northumberland. The said Egbert also erected a noble Library in Yorke, whose example I would other bishops now would follow.
About the beginning of the raigne of this Egbert, was Cutbert Archbishop of Canterbury: who collected a great Synode of Bishops and Prelates, in the yere of our Lord, 747. MarginaliaAnno. 747. in the month of September, neare to the place called Clonesho. In the which Synode assembled, these decrees were enacted. MarginaliaEx Malmesb. lib. de gestis pontifi. Anglo. Cutbert. Archbishop of Caunterbury.
[Back to Top]1. First, that Bishops should be more diligent in seing to their office, and in admonishing the people of their faults.
2. That they shoulde liue in a peaceable minde together, notwithstanding they were in place disseuered a sunder.
3. That euery Bishop once a yere should go about al the Parishes of his Dioces.
4. That the said Bishops euery one in his dioces should monish their Abbots & monks to liue regularly: and that Prelates should not oppresse their inferiors, but loue thē.
5. That they should teach the Monasteries which the secular men had inuaded, and coulde not then be taken from them, to liue regularly.
6. That none should be admitted to orders, before his life should be examined.
7. That in Monasteries the reading of holy Scripture should be more frequented.
8. That Priests should be no disposers of secular busines.
9. That they should take no mony for baptising infants.
10. That they should both learne and teache the Lordes Prayer and Creede in the English toung.
11. That all should ioyne together in their ministery after one vniforme rite and maner.
12. That in a modest voice they should sing in the church.
13. That all holy and festiuall dayes should be celebrate at one time together.
14. That the Sabboth day be reuerently obserued & kept.
15. That the vij. houres Canonical euery day be obserued.
16. That the Rogation dayes both the greater and lesser should not be omitted. MarginaliaThe rogation dayes had not then that superstition in them as they had afterward.
17. That the feast of S. Gregory, and S. Austen our Patron, should be obserued.
18. That the fast of the foure times shoulde be kept and obserued.
19. That Monkes and Nunnes should go regularly apparelled.
20. That Byshops should see, these decrees not to be neglected.
21. That the Churchmen should not geue them selues to dronkennesse.
22. That the Communion should not be neglected of the Churchmen.
23. Item, that the same also should be obserued of the laye men, as time required.
24. That lay men first shoulde be well tried, before they entred in Monkerie.
25. That almes be not neglected.
26. That Byshops should see these decrees to be notified to the people.
27. They disputed of the profite of Almes.
28. They disputed of the profite of singing Psalmes.
29. That the Congregation should be constitute, after their habilitie of their goodes.
30. That Monkes should not dwell among lay men.
31. That publike prayer should be made for kinges and Princes.
These decrees and ordinaunces being thus among the Bishops concluded: Cutbert the Archbishop, sendeth the copy therof to Boniface, MarginaliaBoniface an English man Archb. of Mentz. whiche Boniface otherwise named Winfride an English man borne, was than the Archbishop of Mentz, and after made a Martyr, as the Popish stories terme him.
[Back to Top]This Boniface being, as is sayd, Archbishop of Mentz in the time of this foresayd Synode, wrote a letter to Ethelbald king of Merceland: MarginaliaEthelwold kyng of Merceland. which Ethelbald was also present in the same Synode, of whome Bede maketh mention in his historie, calling him proude Ethelbald, and the greatest of the Saxon kinges in his time. First this Ethelbald after the departing of Ceolulphe into his Monkerie, inuaded and spoiled the countrey of Northumberland. Moreouer he exercised mortall and horrible warre a long space wyth Cudred, otherwise of some named Cutbert, King of Westsaxons. Furthermore he with other Saxon kings, so impugned the Britains, that from that time they neuer durst prouoke the Saxons any more. At length the said Cudred refusing the intollerable exactions of proud Ethelbald, doth incounter with him in battaile: Where notwythstanding the great power that Ethelbald had to him adioyned, of theMercians, of the Eastsaxons, of the Eastangles, and of Cantuarites: yet the saide Cudred through Gods power, and the meanes of a certaine valiant warriour called Edelhim a Consul, ouerthrewe the pride of Ethelbald, after a sore and terrible cõflict. MarginaliaEdelhim a strong and valiaunt warriour. Pride ouerthrowne. Which Ethelbald notwithstanding repairing his power againe the next yeare after, renued battaile with the foresayd Cudred. In the which battaile Ethelbald after hee had raigned xlj. yeares in Mercia, was slaine by one Beornered, who after raigned in that dition but a smal tyme. For Offa nephew to the sayd Ethelbald expulsed the sayd Beornered, and succeeded king in that prouince of Mercia, where he raigned xxxix. yeares, of whom more followeth hereafter (the Lord Iesu speeding therein our purpose) to be declared as place and time shal require. In the meane season not to forget the letter before mentioned of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz, sent vnto thys Ethelbald: I thought the same not vnworthy here to be inserted (at the least the effect thereof) not so much for the authors sake, as for that some good matter peraduenture may be picked thereout, for other Princes to behold & consider.
[Back to Top]MarginaliaA letter of Boniface. otherwise called Winfride sent to kyng Ethelbalde.REgi & filio charissimo, & in Christi amore cæteris regibus Anglorum præferendo Ethelbaldo, Bonifacius Archiepiscopus legatus Germanicus Romanæ Ecclesiæ perpetuam in Christo charitatis salutem. Consistemus coram Deo, qui nouit an verè atque ex animo dicam: Quando prosperitatem vestram, & fidem, & bona opera audimus, lætamur. Quando autem aliquid aduersum vel in euentu bellorum, vel de periculo animarum de vobis cognoscimus, tristamur. Audiuimus enim quòd eleemosinis intentus, furta & rapinas prohibes, & pacem diligis, & defensor viduarum & pauperum es, & inde gratias Deo agimus. Quòd verò legitimum matrimonium spernis, si pro castitate faceres, esset laudabile. Sed quia in luxu & adulterio & cum sanctimonialibus volutaris, est vituperabile, & damnabile. Nam & famam gloriæ vestræ, coram Deo & hominibus confundit, & inter idololatras cõstituit, quia templum Dei violasti. Quapropter fili Charissime pœnitere, & memorare oportet, quàm turpe sit, vt tu qui multis gentib9, dono dei, dominaris, ad iniuriã eius sis libidinis seruus. Audiuimus præterea quòd optimates penè omnes gentis Merciorum, tuo exemplo legitimas vxores deserant, & adulteras & sanctimoniales constuprent. Quod quàm sit peregrinum ab honestate, doceat vos alienæ gentis institutio. Nam in antiqua Saxonia, vbi nulla est Christi cognitio: si virgo in materna domo, vel maritata, sub coniuge fuerit adultera, manu propria strangulatam cremant, & supra fossa sepultæ corruptorem suspendunt, aut cingulo tenus (vestibus abscissis) flagellant eam castæ matronæ, & cultellis pungunt. Et de villa in villam missæ occurrunt nouæ flagellatrices: donec interimant. Insuper & vinuli, quod est fædissimum genus hominum, hunc habent morem vt mulier viro mortuo, se in rogo cremantis pariter arsura præcipitet. Si ergo gentiles Deum ignorantes, tantum zelum castitatis habent: quid tibi conuenit fili Charissime, qui Christianus & rex es? Parce ergo animæ tuæ: Parce multitudini populi tui pereūtis exemplo tuo: de quorum animabus redditurus es rationem. Attende & illud, quid si gens Anglorum (sicut in Francia, & Italia, & ab ipsis Paganis nobis improperatur) spretis legitimis matrimonijs per adulteria deficit: nascituraq; sit ex ea commixtione gens ignaua & Dei contemptrix, quæ perditis moribus patriam pessundet: sicut Burgundionibus & prouincialibus, & Hispanis contigit, quos Saraceni multis annis infestarunt propter peccata præterita?MarginaliaNihil factum quod non factum prius. Præterea nunciatum est nobis, quòd multa pruilegia Ecclesiarum & monasteriorum auferens, ad hoc audendū duces tuos exemplo prouoces. Sed recogita quæso quàm terribilem vindictam Deus in anteriores reges exercuit, eiusdem culpæ conscios, quam in te arguimus. Nam Celredum prædecessorem tuum stupratorem Sanctimonialium, & ecclesiasticorum priuilegiorum fractorem, splendidè cum suis comitibus epulantem spiritus malignus arripuit: & sine confessione & viatico, cum diabolo sermocinanti, & legem Dei detestanti animam extorsit. Osredum quoq; regem Deiorum & Bernicorum, earundem culparum reum, ita effrenatum regem egit: vt regnum & iuuenilem ætatem contemptibili morte amitteret. Carolus quoq; princeps Francorum monasteriorum multorum euersor, & Ecclesiasticarū pecuniarum in vsus proprios commutator, longa tortione, & verenda morte consumptus est. Et mox infra: Quapropter fili Charissime, paternis & obnixis precibus deprecamur, vt non despicias consilium patrum tuorum, qui pro Dei amore celsitudinem tuam appellare fatagunt. Nihil enim bono regi salubrius, quàm, si talia commissa cum arguuntur, libenter emendentur. Quia per Salomonem dicitur: Qui diligit disciplinam, diligit sapientiam. Ideo, fili Charissime, ostendentes consilium iustum, contestamur
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