St. CUTHBERT    

THE LEGEND OF St. CUTHBERT. WITH THE ANTIQUITIES OF THE Church of DURHAM.  
By B. R. Esq  
LONDON, Printed for Christopher Eccleston at his shop in St. Dunstan's Churchyard, 1663.   

The PROLOGUE.  
THough much of the ensuing Discourse be no more consistent with common Reason and probability, the the Fables in the Koran, and so cannot have any design of engaging the faith of the Reader to the verity of the relations yet things of this nature giving some shadow of satisfaction to the mind, and being free from any real prejudice to Virtue of Religion men thrifty enough in the expense of their time, are not seldom content to allow some waste hours in reading them, and perhaps with some profit and observation. At that time when this Legend bears date, Miracles were cheap enough, and the credulous ignorance of the Vulgar was easily abused with religious impostures. But howsoever such juggles may appear now to the eyes of the more generally knowing and undeceived world, I should have charity enough to believe that the antique invention of them was upon the account of promoting the esteem of Holy Religion, were not the observation too palpably notorious that they all tended over much to the end of private gain or reputation to the Miracle-mongers; Not that I call in question the reasonableness of that ancient policy how ridiculous soever it appears now; for he was no unwise or unlearned 
* Sir W. Raleigh.  man, which said, That the wisdom of one age is the foolishness of another.  
Who was the Author of this Book, or when by him compiled, or upon what account, (though probably for his own private divertisement) I do ignore in an equal degree, and am not able to give any other account thereof, then what the Treatise itself affords. Had he published it himself (without any improbable conjecture) it had passed censure with greater security, the Author being a master of so much stile and language as the Book itself bespeaks him. I am only instrumental in committing it to the Stationer, and guilty of the vanity of this Prologue.  
B. R.   

THE LEGEND OF St. CUTHBERT; WITH The ANTIQUITIES of the Church of DURHAM.  
HISTORY, and PROPHECY (set back to back) make up the true Image of Janus, whose two faces Time past and future honour as their Overseers. In History, Time lives after she is dead; in Prophecy, before she is born. In the one she beholds what she was; in the other, what she will be. But sigh the Theory of Time to come is the prerogative of a Deity, Man must be modestly content with this blessing bestowed by History upon Mortality, that through our Grandfather's eyes we may see what hath been. This is all our sublunary Eternity, if at the funeral of things History become the Epitaph, and rescue their memories from the grave that entombs their ashes. And this duty I own to that Country, where I had my Cradle, to renew the decayed Epitaphs upon the Tombstone of her Antiquities.  
Geographers deal with Countries, even as Astronomers with their Asterisms, and fancy them into shapes and resemblances: so that by the liberty of fantasy, Italy is compared to a man's leg, Spain to an Oxhide, Britain to an Hatchet; I may liken the Bishopric to the Letter Δ, and Durham to a Crab, supposing the City for the body, and the Suburbs for the claws. This Country lieth in the bosom of the Ocean, and is embraced in the arms of two crystal Rivers, Teeses, and Derwen. The ancient Inhabitants in the time of the Romans, were the Brigants; in the Heptarchy of the Saxons they were called Deiri: for the honour of which Province, the Children thereof in the time of Aella being to be sold at Rome, gave occasion of the replanting of Christianity, by Angustine the English Apostle, sent hither by Pope Benedictus, at the entreaty of Gregory then Archdeacon of Rome: who facetely alluding to the names of their Nation, Province, and King, concluded ut Angli Angelis similes de irâ Dei eruerentur, & Allelujah cantare docerentur. The first of the Saxon Kings (who made conquest as well of Religion as Men) that in this Province was dipped in the sacred Laver of Baptism, was the renowned Oswald, Qui Genti suae primitias sanctitatis dederit; and is observed to be the first of the English Race, that was illustrious by miracles. This Prince sent once for a learned Monk out of Scotland (Aidanus by name) to convert his Subjects from Paganism, and seated him in the Episcopal Chair of Lindisferne, Anno Dom. 635. where while the Bishop taught in the Scotish tongue, the King understanding both languages, stood and interpreted his Sermons in English. This great Monarch, that great and pious Founder of the Church (to whose womb all the Churches in the North own their birth) in a battle with a Pagan Prince lost his life and the day. But with this advantage (whiles Penda left him not a head to wear a Crown withal) he received a more glorious Diadem of Martyrdom; And as fury persecuting revenge after death tore his body in pieces, so the devotion of Time dispersed the relics to several places, 
— Nempe jacere  
Uno non potuit tanta ruina loco.  For whose sepulchre there was as great contention amongst the English Churches, as in old time amongst the Grecians for the Cradle of Homer. His Corpse were brought to Lindisfern, and from thence translated with St. Cuthbert his body to Durham Abbey. His Arm was preserved in a Silver Casket at Bedburga, or Bambrough, not far seated from the Holy Island, and at that time the great Metropolis of those parts. This sacred Relic retained the blessing of Aidanus, and was honoured as a Monument of incorruption. An History which to this effect by Beda is related, That upon an Easter day as the King sat at dinner, his servants told him that there was poor folk that expected alms at his gate; who forthwith bid him both carry them meat, and distribute the platter (which was of silver) among them; with which fact of charity Aidanus (who sat by him) much delighted, took him by the right arm, with this hearty wish, Never let this arm perish! This glorious Martyr's death was the end of Aidanus life, and the Pagans at one blow killed a Prince, and a Bishop with sorrow, who thought it a sin to live, after so good a King was dead: the Soul of which Bishop St Cuthbert happened to see (in the dead of the night) carried up with great melody by a Choir of Angels into Heaven: which vision so seized upon his affection, that resolving upon an holier course of life, he betook himself to the Monastery of Mailros, built by Aidanus by the bank of Tweed, and in his journey thither shown a great specimen of his humility, devotion, and gratitude; for being seized upon both by night, and hunger, he was forced to enter into an empty cottage, where he found no other host for entertainment than a horse, who eating, and turning up the hay, discovered part of a loaf, which some Shepherd had hid; at which the Saint right glad, said Grace, and thankfully giving the horse one half, satisfied himself with the other, and lodging there all night, the next day came to Mailros; where he no sooner entered, but Boysilous Prior of the same Abbey (as if he had read in his Forehead a Prophetical Physiognomy of his future Sanctity) ran, and embraced him in his arms, and presented him to E●ta the Abbot, who committed him to Boysilous for his Tutor, with whom I leave him, teaching him St. John's Gospel; which book in honour of the Scholar, was kept in Durham in Prior Turgots' time, called Codex Sancti Cuthberti: on which, after so many Centuries of years, no Moth ever durst presume to feed.  
This Lindisferne by the royal Charter of Oswald, became the Mother Church, and Nursery of Religion amongst the Bernicians under Aidanus, from whom the Episcopal race of the Prelates of Durham reckon their succession. In ancient description it was an Island but twice a day, and embraced by Neptune only at full tide, and at Ebb shaked hands with the Continent: (for so I may call the voluminous Isle of Great Britain, in proportion of this little Isle, which in a Monk of durham's topography was in compass 8. miles.)  
In this Holy Island, (so Christened for St. Cuthberts' sanctity) stood the renowned Monastery founded by King Oswald, where Finanus, Aidanus his successor, built a Cathedral of wood thatched with reeds, which resembleth those times, when  
Jupiter angustâ vix totus stabat in aede,  
Inque Jovis dextrâ fictile fulmen e●at.  
Frondibus ornabant quae jam Capitolia gemmis,  
Pascebatque suas ipse senator oves.  
But is was not long, till Eadbert, Saint Cuthbert his successor, instead of this consecrated thatch, apparelled over the whole Church with a robe of Lead; a work of devotion and cost; though it is not the Mason, but the Worshipper that makes a Church.  
In this Island 14. Bishops successively ascended the Episcopal seat, among whom St. Cuthbert was accounted as a glorious Star of the first magnitude in the firmament of the Church; who when he had lived a Monasterial life 15 years in the Abbey of Mailros, was preferred by Eata to the Priory of Lindisferne, which dignity he bore 12 years in such sanctity of life, that the Devil (as I cannot blame him) was much grieved at his Virtues; who among other Cheats (with which the Monks make the Devil a fool) in a certain village, as the Saint was preaching, set an house on fire, to draw the people from his Sermon: which, when the Country folk marvelled they could not quench, it was discovered to St. Cuthbert to be fantastical fire, and the Devil's delusion. But after 12 years, (as before) he resigned up his Priorship, to become an Hermit, choosing the Island Ferne, seated in the main Ocean, for the place of his Hermitage, Anno Dom. 676. This Isle, as void of men, as full of Devils, became the scene or stage whereon Saint Cuthbert acted all his Miracles; for at his arrival, the Spirits that had frequented this Isle, were glad to fly, and forego their title. The Rocks poured out their water, and the Earth, (as if there had been a return of the Golden Age) brought forth Corn without Tillage. And here he consecrated 9 years to Contemplation, so wholly devoted to Heaven, that he forgot he was on Earth, and in a whole year to put off his shoes. And although he wanted Men for his Auditors, yet he ceased not to preach to the Birds, that eat up his Corn, who so confuted them out of this text, Non aliena concupisces, that they would never after eat his barley. In like manner he reclaimed two Crows from stealing, and rapine, that plucked off his thatch from his Anchorage to build their nest, and made them so penitent, that they lay at his feet prostrate for absolution, and the next day brought him a piece of Pork to make him satisfaction, with many more Wonders, if they might be related upon the credit of a Legend. But here is enough to show what advantage the Monks took of that Age's Devotion, whose practices were to devise Miracles of their Saint, which (as Superstition is always credulous) were as easily believed. Thus, to gain a reverend opinion from the Pagans of Christianity, to cousin the people with Legends of wonders, who while they defended Truth with Falsehood, and their Impostures discovered to wiser Ages, have made Religion rather suspected, than any way advanced it; for Truth never needed the protection of Forgery, but will carry away the Victory without Hypocrisy. But Saint Cuthbert recalls my digression to his Isle, where he had so many combats with the Devil, that (if you will borrow an Optic Glass from Superstition) you may see the print of his feet in many places there, till this day. It any landed at his Island to see him in devotion, he ran into his Hermitage, and discoursed out of his window: only in love he bore to the Abbatesse of Collingham, at great entreaty he sailed into Cocket Isle to her; where every night (as his custom was) going down to the shore to pray, two Sea-monsters came kneeling to him, and worshipping him: who when they had received their blessing, returned to the deep, and he again to his Anchorage, where whiles he imprisoned himself, and lived more obscured in his Cell, the more illustrious was his fame abroad; and in a Synod at Twiford upon Slu, in the presence of King Egfrid, he was chosen Bishop. This dignity was prophesied unto him, when he was a boy, by an Infant of 3, years old, who gravely told told him, It becomed not a Bishop to play with children. But Saint Cuthbert had so wedded his affections to a solitary life, that neither letters, nor Ambassadors from the Synod, could either command, or persuade him to take upon him the government of the Church; till the King himself, attended with the Lords of the Nobility, sailed to this Isle, and with the same company might have besieged, and taken a City, whiles he was conquering St. Cuthbert's resolution. Thus (though the case be now altered) honour pursued him, that fled from her, and preferment found him out, that hid himself from it. The Bishopric of Hexam was then void, to which Eata removing, gave place to St. Cuthbert to be installed in Lindisferne. King Egfrid also to enlarge his Diocese, gave him a great part of the City of York, and also the City of Luell, with 5. mile's circuit about it, where Saint Cuthbert built a Nunnery, besides other Royal Donations, as the Abbey of Mailros, and Rippon; But St. Cuthbert his mind was always on his anchorage, whither he shortly betook himself, and in his Cell ended his life, and began his miracles, Anno Domini 687. But if I were to make his Funeral Oration, 1 would not insert among his praises that he was an Anchoret; for thus to unman himself, to contemplate himself into a Deity, argued more pride, than Religion. 'Tis true, that an Hermit is either a god, or a beast; yet sigh man is more symbolical with the one, than the other, it is easy to suspect, which way the Metamorphosis will tend; For if you would have the lively picture of an Hermit truly represented, look upon Nabuchadnezzar in his curse, when he was driven from men, and did eat grass as the Oxen, when his body was wet with the dew of Heaven, till his hairs became as eagle's feathers, and his nails as the claws of birds. Thus therefore for an Hermit to excommunicate himself from being a holy Citizen of the World, what is it else but to sin against the Common weal and definition of a man, to whom society is as natural as to be a Creature: so that whiles others think it devotion in him, I shall rather think it a melancholy distemper.  
Saint cuthbert's last Will and Testament directed to the Monks, was, to bury him at the East side of his Oratory, in a Coffin that the Venerable Tuda gave him, and for to wrap, or wind his Corpse in the sheet that Ver●a Abbatesse of Tinmouth once sent him for a token, which for the reverence of that Holy woman he had never worn in his life-time. And lastly, if they should be invaded by Pagans, to carry his bones away with them. Thus Saint Cuthbert Sainted himselt in his life-time, and gave them notice, what a precious Relic he should be, when he was dead. All these Petition▪ were duly performed; only at the request of the Monks, he permitted that his body should be transported to Lindisferne; where, in St. Peter's Church, at the right side of the High Altar he was solemnly laid in a Tomb of Stone. Now were the times when the Doctrine of Miracles begun to build Cburches, and Religious Houses so to swarm, and multiply, that all England seemed but one great Monastery, and called by the Pope, Terra Sacerdotum. But Time (that hath the Sublunary World for her continual banquet) hath so fed upon these ancient buildings, that some she quite devoured, others picked to the bone, and what she hath left for standing dishes, Hostility hath quite eaten up and defaced: besides that great Climacterical year, when Henry the 8th durst incur those thundering Anathematas, which (by the appointment of the Monks) attended the violation of Abbey-lands, 
Si de tot laesis sua numina quisque deorum  
Vindicet in poenas, non sat is unuserit.   
But I most bewail those Abbeys whose Names are buried in their ashes, and their very ruins suffer the death of a Sepulchre, and die twice, because they want a Monument that they lived. Of these Monuments of Devotion, that live the life of memory, and belonged once to St. Cuthbert, stood Collingham; This Monastery consisted of Monks and Nuns, over whom Ebba was some time's Abbatesse, who received her veil of Finanus the second Bishop of the Holy Island. Among the Bernicians likewise was the Episcopal seat of Hagustaldum, or Hexam, bestowed by King Alfred upon Saint Cuthbert, which Malmesbury (somewhat mistaken in the Scale of Miles) placed but 50 miles from York, and commendeth (for beauty of structure) before any building on this side the Alps. In this Church sat 9 Bishops, among whom the learned John of Beverley (not to be named by an Oxford man without a preface of honour) was advanced to that dignity by King Alfred, and then swayed the Pastoral Staff, till he was translated to York. In his younger years he was brought up (according to the nobility of his birth) under Hilda Abbatesse of Strenshall, or Whitby in Yorkshire, of which she was also Foundress. Afterward he was Scholar to the Genius of Learning, Theodore of Canterbury, who born at Tarsus is Cilicia, was the first that brought Learning into England, as well as Religion; who bringing over with him Homer, (the first we read of in this Isle) and other good Authors, instructed many Famous Scholars in the Greek Tongue, and Mathematics, where among the rest I find Saint Beda, Herebald, Whilfride, and this John of Beverley; who at the translation of the School of Crekelade (which Theodore had there planted) to Oxford, was the first Master of Art in that University, as it appreareth out of an ancient Window in Salisbury Library under John of Beverleyes' Picture: And he that goeth higher to fetch the Antiquity of Oxford, than from his time, doth but grope in the dark. This age of 800 years is enough to prove Cambridge the younger Sister, till Lelands' deduction will follow, that Sigebert King of the East Angles founded that University; because Bede, and after him Malmsbury relate that he erected divers Schools in this Kingdom; but in neither Author, Grant or Cambridge is mentioned, nor in any Writer since for 400. years after, to be an University.  
But to return with pardon to Saint Cuthbert, who had now lain Eleven years in his Sepulchre, when the Monks thought by this time to take his bones disrobed of flesh, and put them among other relics; But whiles they opened his Coffin, they start at a wonder; they looked for bones and found flesh; they expected a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and saw an entire body, with joints flexible, and his face so dissembling Death, that else where it is true that Sleep is the image of Death, here Death was the image of Sleep; nay his funeral weeds were so fresh, as if putrefaction had not dared to take him by the Coat. This was rather to pay his debt to Heaven, than to Nature, that after he should restore his soul to God, he should keep back the payment of his body from corruption. This Miracle of incorruption Bede reports, who was eleven years old at Saint Cuthbert his death, in relating whereof he made no Lie, but told one, the History of whose Life and Death he writ, and took upon trust from the information of the Monks of Lindisfern, who had deflowered all the miracles of Saints in Holy Writ, and bestowed them upon their Saint Cuthbert: so barren brained Monks were they, that would not invent new ones, but such as were writ before to their hands; for Adam could not be commander of the creatures in the state of innocency, but St. Cuthbert also must have the savage beasts to do him homage. Abraham could not entertain three Angels under on Oak, but Saint Cuthbert must have Angels for his guests as the Monastery of Rippon. The Children of Israel could not eat Manna, and Angels food, but Saint Cuthbert must have three Loaves bestowed upon him by an Angel, which were baked in Paradise. A Raven could not bring Elias flesh, but an Eagle must bring Saint Cuthbert fish. And here also this miracle hath an Idea in the Scripture, that when his Mother sailed with him from Ireland into Scotland, the books of the Psalms fell into the sea, which forthwith was swallowed up of a Sea calf, and delivered to them at their landing: Take but the Psaltes for a man, and the Sea calf for a whale, and here you have the History of Ionas, with many such Histories of wonders, with which the Monks delighted the superstition of the times. This illustrious miracle of Saint Cuthberts' body incorruptible after death, raised the Church to that height of renown, that King Celwolphus in opinion of his sanctity, forsook his Royalty to become a Monk in Lindisferne, bringing with him such Kingly treasures and donations of Lands, that he seemed rather to resign his Kingdom to the Church, than to his Successor, and became a Monk, to make St. Cuthbert a King, bestowing upon him Warkeworth Castle, Heycliffe, Billingham, Woodchestre, Huttingham, Edulingham, Elingham; Towns that (for aught I know) have either outlived their names, or names that have survived their Towns. But above all, he was a welcome man to their Monastery, that for his sake it was granted the Monks of Lindisferne of drink wine, who were before to drink water, thought they that drank after St. Cuthbert in his Cup, found sometimes water turned to wine, without a Miracle. This devout Prince, after he had divers years worn a Monks Cool, was entombed in Norham, which Town Ranulphus Bishop of Durham fortified with a Castle.  
After this Miracle of incorruption, Eadfrid The Bishop caused him to be laid in a new Sepulchre, and to be placed in more state, and reverence, about the pavement of the Sanctuary: for it was not fit, that he should have his grave among the dead, whose body seemed to live without a soul, and with a sleep to cheat mortalisy of a death.  
By this time the very ground that St Cuthbert had trod on was accounted holy, who made every place he frequented a Church. Eadfrid in Honour of his presence built up his Hermitage, where (as if after St Cuthbert a genius of Sanctity had frequented that place) Etheldred a Monk of Rippon lived an Hermit 12 years.  
Thus for a long time flourished the Monks of this Church, till the Danes disturbed their prosperity, who now begun to make incursions upon the frontiers of this land, continuing their piracies, and invasions, till they had made a complete conquest in King Harold, which Monarchy shortly after yielded to the Norman victory, and England twice Conquered in seventy years. These were the times when so many Monasteries (which the Devotion of former ages had erected) had their Funerals, and Entombed themselves in their own ashes; Then perished that famous Emporium of Hartlepoale, where the Religious Jew built a Nunnery, of which 〈◊〉 own I may say as Hildebert of Rome, Quammagnifueris integra, fracta doces.  
The ruins show how great she was in her Glory, but now remains to passengers as a Monument of Devotion, and Hostility; Then were demolished the two Monasteries of St Peter and Paul at Wormouth, and Jarro built by two Abbots, Celfr●d and Benedict. Those two Societies mutual fraternity had so sirmely united, that they seemed but one Monastery in two places, and shall ever be famous, while the memory of Venerable Bede shall be honoured of the learned: for (in those times) in the same Monasteries he had his first education under Benedict a Reverend Abbot, and one whom Antiquity defraudes not of those due praises, that he procured choice books from beyond Sea for his Monastery: and was the first that brought into England the use of Glass windows into Churches. In his riper years he was brought up by Theodore, under whom he was instructed both in sacred and secular learning, and attained to that maturity of judgement, that never writer since hath brought greater honour to his Nation: whiles he confined himself to his Celestina, his fame travalled to Rome, where Pope Sergius, in a letter to Celfrid the Abbot, earnestly entreated him to come in person: but for aught I know, without accepting the Pope's courtesy, he died in his Monastery, which in memory of his presence, after it had lain waist by the Pagans 208. years, was re-edified by Adwin a Monk  
The fury of the Danes still increasing continued by the Sea coast to Tinmouth, where Herca of St Cuthbert his acquaintance had been Abbatess: so that it was high time for the Monks to look about them; for they begun to-understand by the overthrow of their neighbouring Abbeys, that it was in vain to think that the Danes would (like the Devil) be affrighted away with Holy water, and saw by the bad success of Monasteries, that it was not safe trusting the protection of a Saint, and so concluded (according to St. Cuthbert his will) upon flight: and putting all their relics in Saint Cuthbert his Coffins, left the Pagans the spoil of an empty Church, Anno Domini 893. now it was Eardulphus his fortune to be Bishop in those troublesome times, who with his whole Clergy of people followed Saint Cuthberts' body, carried by seven Monks (as Esq of his body) besides whom none might presume to touch his Coffin under the danger of Vzzahs' punishment. These miseries had been enough to have unsainted Saint Cuthbert, when pursued both by foes, and overtaken by an homebred enemy, famine that would afford him no relief. They were now driven to the Irish sea, and might well complain with the old Britain's to Boetius the Consul, Repellunt nos Barbari ad mare; Repellit nos mare ad Barbaros, inter haec oriuntur duo genera funerum, aut jugulamur, out in●rgimur Not far had they sailed from the shore, when both the Sea and the winds were up in arms, and both agianst their Pinnace, which both Aeolus and Naptune might have worshipped for her sacred carriage of a Bishop, and his Clergy, with so many relics, that it seemed rather a Cathedral then a ship: but the Sea had not that Religion to hear their prayers, threatening them so near with shipwreck, that they had not that confidence in their Saint to encourage the Mariners with Ne metuas, Cuthbertum vehis, who now himself wanted some other Saint to invocate for help, and was in danger to be drowned, after he was dead. Where had then been the Church of Durham, and the devotion of Kings to his Sepulchre? Where had then been the tutelary Deity against the Scots, and the lands of the Church, called Saint Cuthbert his Patrimony? How then should Saint Cuthbert his haly. marke-folke be free from Tribute, and service in War; and the fat Monks fed so many years, with ease, and plenty; if now their Saint had been entombed in the sea, andhad erected his Episcopal seat amongst the fishes? This Sacrilegious storm struck the ship with such a palsy, that it shaked out the Text of the Evangelist into the Sea: This Book in honour of Saint Cuthbert, Eadfrid had writ with his own hands, and Bilfrid the Anchorite had curiously painted; in which art of drawing the Monks were admirable expert, who with such pictures knew bow they enhaunted vulgar eyes. The art, I confess, is both ingenuous, and commendable; only it argues, that the Monks were at great leisure. Thus whether the Sea envying the land such a precious Jewel as Saint Cuthbert was, strove to have it herself; or whether he himself raised the tempest, to show that their attempt for Jreland was against his mind, forthwith both the Sea, and the winds conspited, and brought them to the shore, where was great joy at their arrival, much sorrow for their Book being drowned; till Hundred, one of the seven squires of his body, was bid by Saint Cuthbert in his sleep to go seek on the shore at Whiterne where he found it in its former splendour, without the blemish of a letter. If this be true, then sure I am, this Book had better fortune in the Sea, than the Books of Saint Cuthbert have now in his Library at Durham, which once was a little Vatican of choice manuscripts, but now rather a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, than a library: rather a place of a Sepulchre, than a place to conserve books; for since the art of Printing was invented, whereby men after a more cheap way could attain to some superficial Learning; old manuscripts were bequeathed to the Moths: and Pigeons, and Jackdaws became the only students in Church libraries: and books were wounded with penknives for their pictures, with as great cruelty, as Cassia, or Johannes Scotus martyred by their own Scholars.  
But to return, Hundredus had also in a night an Oracle from Saint Cuthbert that he should repair to a Tree, on which he should find a dun Horse proffering his service to draw the Wain, whereon they should lay Saint Cuthbert his Coffin. The conduct of this Horse (as guided by Saint. Cuthbert) they followed, whithersoever he went, and at length by the providence of the Horse, or Saint Cuthbert, they came to Creca, where (for 4. months') they were kindly entertained by the Abbot, and had leisure to tell stories of their travails ' And here again Saint Cuthbert played the Pope, and in a vision sent Eadred Abbot of Luel, upon and Embassage to the Camp of the Danes, that they should Crown Guthred King; But what authority Saint Cuthbert had to nominate a King, or what reason the Army had to believe a dream, must be ranked among his Miracles. Now for Guthred to be made a King, what is it else but to be Saint Cuthberts' subject, and to oblige his Royalty to those Monks that as impudently encroached upon so fair an advantage? For first they obtain the Restauration of the Episcopal See in Cuncacestle on the street of Eardulphus, where he ascended the Poncificial chair, under the protection of this new King, to whom (once more) the aforesaid Abbot must bring a message from Saint Cuthbert in a dream to bid him give all the lands between Weer and Tyne for ever to his Church; or else the Monks would be ready to upbraid him with ingratitude: Thus was the poor Prince robbed of all his Kingdoms, and received a 〈◊〉 ●o set on Saint Cuthbert his head. They proceeded also further to demand the freedom of a sanctuary for St. Cuthbert his Church; that whosoever should commit any crime, might fly to this Sepulchre, and have 37. day's rescue: that neither magistrates, nor Justice might curb the freedom of offending, either against Heaven or state; for no other use was commonly made of asylus', than that men might sin more securely, and disloyally appeal from the King and his Laws to the protection of a Saint. Thus was the King cheated of his Sovereignty by the Monks, who had now got the art of enslaving the devotion of Kings to their private and false purposes. At this time also the great Alfredus sworn fealty to St Cuthbert and his Clergy by whose help he was persuaded he had got the victory over the Pagans, and not only confirmed to them by his Royal Charter what Guthred had given them, but also freed the Inhabitants in the land of Saint Cuthbert from tribute, and service in War, with fearful Anathematas to any of his successors, who durst infringe any of the said liberties. What else was this, than for a King to deprive himself of that service, which even by the law of nature is due to a Prince from a subject? In what esteem this St. was to King Alfred, I gather from the consecration of the Chapel to Saint Cuthbert in the University College in Oxford, in which College I have seen King Alfrid and Saint Cuthbert painted together; the King thus bespeaking the Saint in a Pentameter: Hic in honore tui Collegium statui.  
Saint Cuthbert thus replying in an Hexameter, Quod statuisti in eo, pervertentes maledico.  
But I observe that Saint Cuthbert was either an angry Saint, or the Monks used to curse in his name, as appears by a Distich in Trinity College engraven in a Wooden beam, built for a fraternity of Monks, by Thomas Hatfeild Bishop of Durham: Anno Domini 1343.  
Terras Cuthberti qui non spoliare verentur,  
Esse queant certi, quod morte mala morientur.  
But to return, King alfred's devotion to Saint Cuthbert whom he made to share with him in his Sovereignty, and honoured his name under his own coin, as it is proved by the true portraitures of some silver Money digged up Anno Domini 1611. in little Crosby in Lancashire, and sent to the Learned Antiquary, and my honoured friend Mr. Thomas Allen of Gloucester Hall in Oxford.  
Thus after the aged Eardulphus (the last Bishop of Lindisferne, and first of Chester) had shared with Saint Cuthbert in prosperity and adversity, and had seen the flourishing estate of this new Church (sprung up like a Phoenix out of the ashes of the former) full of days, and honour yielded to nature, and was entombed at Chester Anno Domini 894. in which year also died the victorious Alfred, who on his Deathbed bequeathed the love he bore to Saint Cuthbert as a precious legacy to his son Edward: chargeing him to be an Heir as well to his Devotion, as to his Kingdoms: King Edward also zealous in propagation of Piety (as if it had been ex traduce to these Princes to honour St. Cuthbert) left his son Athelstan executor of his love to that Church. In this high and mighty Prince, the heptarchy completely expired, who was the first absolute Monarch of this land, after the Saxon conquest, which was great joy to St. Cuthberts' Monks, that they had so great countenance of a King that was as willing as able to protect them; of whom they gave this report, that never any King so dearly loved Saint Cuthbert, or bestowed upon his Church more Princely Donations than Athelstan, whom the Monks had brought to that obedience of misseemely Devotion, that he came in Pilgrimage to St. Cuthberts' shrine barefoot. How could not the Monks but (like Magicians, when they meet) laugh one at another to see Royalty so captivated under superstition, and Majesty so dejected, when the end of their pretended Sanctities was only sloth, and fatness. This devout Prince leading an army into Scotland diverted aside to Saint Cutberts' sepulchre, imploring his aid, and patronage in his Wars, and with many princely gifts bought the good wishes of the Monks in his journey. The soldiers also offer, at the King's command, 96. pounds, when it had been more sit, that Saint Cuthbert out of his Church-treasure should have bestowed as much on them, who with their sword and blood obtained the victory: yet Saint Cuthbert, and the benedictions of his idle Monks must have the glory of the conquest; which opinion made King Ethelstans' brother in a like occasion into Scotland take Saint Cuthbert in his way, honouring the Sepulchre with many kingly offerings, and renewing to them the Charters of his predecessors. And here I will not deny, but as it may be expedient for the Common Wealth by way of policy, that some men (though altogether guiltless of that art) be thought by the vulgar people skilful Magicians, or Conjurers, that they who will rather trust God with their unlawful secrets than man, might be more afraid to offend, lest they should be bewrayed: So the King might make good use of that opinion of Saint Cuthbert, being a tutelary Deity against the Scots; In conceit of whose protection, certainly the English Soldiers were much encouraged, and animated to the great disadvantage of their enemies, and obtaining the victory. As also this persuasion kept this part from frequent incursions, when the Monks had invented so many fearful miracles that befell those that attempted either by Hostility or stealth to wrong any thing belonging to the Saint. But I wonder, how the Monks could maintain this Imposture so many years, when men growing wiser begun to suspect the falsehood of the Monks, as devisers of miracles for their own gain: and it seems the Monks were put to a great shift to maintain the Saintships of Saint Thomas Becket, and Saint Cuthbert, when they pretended such amity between them, that they that belonged to Saint Cuthbert must be made whole by Saint Becket: a small journey for a sick man to travail between Canterbury and Durham. But the Monks knew full well, that some would not be able to undertake the Pilgrimage, others rather to use the Saint-ship of a Physician; some again to be content rather to die at home, others to recover in the way; lastly some, either to die in their journey, or else to save the credit of their Saint, that they should never come thither.  
But to return to the Monks of Chester, who with their Bishop enjoyed such calm of Ease, that they make no noise in History, till the rumour of the landing of Danes troubled their rest; This was the 115. year after they had seated themselves in Chester; when Aldwinus then Bishop was bid by Saint Cuthbert in his sleep to avoid the fury of the Danes. But after six Months, and peace concluded, in their return from thence, there happened a weighty miracle: for at Wardenlaw East from Durham, Saint Cuthbert his Coffin was so heavy, that all the company that accompanied his corpse, could not draw the wain whereon they lay; by which they perceived so much of Saint Cuthbert his mind, that he would not be carried to Chester. At length after the preparation of three days fast, it was revealed to Eadmarus a devout Monk, that Dunholme was the place of his perpetual rest: and then two or three could draw the cart, which before the whole Diocese of people could not so much as move. Now concerning the vulgar fable of the duu Cow and the Milk maid, that directed them to Dunholme, I find nothing in the Historians of this Church who would not leave out any thing that concerned Saint Cuthbert by way of a miracle. The Topography of Dunholme was at that time more beholden to nature for fortification then fertility, where thick Woods, both hindered the stars from viewing the earth, and the earth from prospect of Heaven. Here the Monks with extempore devotion made with boughs and branches of trees rather an arbour than a Church to place Saint Cuthbert in: but from this Chapel of boughs they translated him to another Church, Whitekerke, where he rested in ease. Aldwinus the Bishop raised up no small building of stone work for his Cathedral Church; where all the people between Coqued and Tease were at work three years, and were paid for their pains with expectation of treasure in heaven; a very cheap way to pay workmen for their wages! Into this new Basilica St. Cuthberts' walking body in the 309 years after his first burial in Lindisferne was with great solemnity enshrined in the presence of Cuthred Earl of Northumberland. Among the Monks that attended Saint Cuthbert to Dunholme was one Rigulphus, who was 210. years old: an History to be ranked under the same place with the wand'ring Jew: a poor Monument to be remembered by, sigh he gives no account to posterity of his extended age; when number of years is the only commendation of a man. Another of Saint Cuthberts' followers was Eathred a Monk, who for 6. years before he died could never speak, but in the Church where (as if Religion had then lent him a tongue) no man was more vocal to sing his part; these were the beginnings of the Church of Durham, where Aldwinus the last Bishop of Chester, and first of Durham, first ascended the Episcopal Chair, Anno Domini 996. in King Etheldreds' reign, who whiles Saint Dunstane was baptising him, defiled the Holy Saint with the fruit of his womb, at which St Dunstane swore by God, and by his Mother, that he would prove a lazy fellow; howsoever to prove the laziness of the Monks of Durham, he gave Saint Cuthbert, Darlington with the appurtenances, where afterwards Hugh Pusar built both a Nunery, and a Church. To these possessions Sunculphus one of the Nobility added Bradbury, Mordon, and Sockburge, so ready was the Devotion in those times, to give all to the Church, and to become poor to be made rich in the world to come.  
Aldwinus dying in the 24th. year after his removing to Durham, left only the West-tower of the Church for Edmundus to finish, who was his successor, and chosen Bishop by a voice out of Saint Cuthberts' Tomb, or perchance by a Monk (his good friend) who lay hid under it: for I do not read that Saint Cuthbert ever drank in his pottage, that (as it is by the Proverb) he should speak in his grave. But without jesting he was a reverend Prelate, whose days had the honour which his predecessors attained not to: that now the Danes became worshippers of Saint Cuthbert in Durham, who had burnt his Church in Lindisferne: who now from Pagans turned Christians in that excess of Devotion, that Cumulus their King came five miles barefoot to his Tomb in Durham, and gave to the Saint his Church so many Towns as would breathe a fat Monk to repeat them, Wacfeild, Evenwood, Ingleton, Middleton, Staindrop, and Rabye, where the predecessors of the nevil's, who lie entombed at Staindrop Church, built the Castle, and held it of the Church of Durham, for the annual rent of four pounds. The Monks of Durham had now so fair a Church for their Saint to rest in, that they were ashamed that ever he had lain in Chester, where the Church made of wood seemed to remain a Monument of their former poverty, till Egilrick the Bishop took away this eyesore, and built Saint Cuthbert a Church of stone, which methinks was but a Posthumus dignity to the Saint, and like as if a man should sister his guest to lie meanly, when he is gone to provide for him a better lodging. In digging the foundations of this Church he found such a Mass of Coin, that resigning his prelateship to his Brother at Durham, he returned to his Abbey at Peterburge. But the King hearing of his Wealth, took occasion to pick a quarrel with him, and seizing upon his riches imprisoned him at Westminster. This King was Duke William the Conqueror, who approaching York with an Army so affrighted the Monks at Durham, that once more they must have Saint Cuthbert upon their back, and fly with him to Lindisferne, coming the first night to Jarro, the second to Bedlington, the third to Tugahala, the fourth to Holy-Island, whether they entered dryshod, it being then the time of low Ebb, though the Monks compared it to the miracle of Jordan or the Red Sea, as if the water in Homage to their Saint had fled back to give them entrance; but the Monks shortly repaired again to Durham, where the Conqueror returning our of Scotland, would needs see the incorruptible Saint so magnified. And never were the Monks to afraid to have their Imposture discovered; for now they had no leisure to cheat the spectators with a living Monk in stead of a dead Saint: but made so many delays and entreaties to the contrary, that the King with a Fever of Anger was put in such a heat, that hastening out of the Church, and taking Horse, the Monks in their History make him never stay his course, till he had passed over the Tease: King William shortly after went about to abrogate the royal Charters of the former Kings, whereby Saint Cuthbert his Hally-wark-folke were freed from tribute. But Saint Cuthbert in a sleep beat the demander with his pastoral staff, that the next morning not able to rise, he was glad to send his Cloak to Saint Cuthbert his Sepulchre, and to ask pardon, before he could receive any ease. After this the King had a reverend opinion of Saint Cuthbert, and restored Billingham to the Church, with other villages: and made Walcherus Bishop of Durham) Earl of Northumberland Thus the Monks had victory over the Conqueror, and brought him under their Religion, who had subdued the land with his sword. All this while the Church of Durham was but growing to her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, and height of Glory, which she obtained under the Magnificent Prelate William of Carleife, who thought the Church that Aldwin built too little for so great a Saint, and therefore it was plucked down, and the foundations of a more ample Church laid: Malcolmus King of Scotland, and Pryor Turgot laying the first three stones, August 11th. 1093. for which Famous work Anthony Beak (one of his successors) with a great sum of Money got him to be canonised, and enrolled among the Saints.  
This Reverend ancient Abbey (advanced upon the shoulder of a Mountainous Atlas) is so environed again with Hills, that he that hath seen the situation of this City, hath seen the Map of Zion; and may save a journey to the Holy land: she is girded about with the Renowned River Wear, in which (as in a Crystalline) she might once have beheld the beauty, but now the ruins of her Walls. Into this Sumptuous Church was the last and great translation of Saint Cuthbert, the tradition of whose incorruption Pryor Turgot and the rest of his Brethren had great disire to confirm with their eyes, and to show him publicly to the people at the day of his translation. At night therefore the Prior with seven of his Brethren meet at his Tomb, and taking up the stone, they found a Chest covered with leather, in which they found the Book of the Evangelist, which had fallen into the Sea; a goblet of pure Gold; and an Ivory comb: lastly opening the second chest, they beheld the flesh and body of their Saint lying on his right side to give place to the rest of the Relics, which were so many that this Coffin seemed a Charnel House; for besides his own body, there was the bones of Venerable Bede, the head of King Oswald, part also of the bones of Aidanus, Eudfrid, and Ethelwaldus Bishop of Lindisferne. All which Relics with due Reverence they placed in another part of the Church, laying only Saint Cuthbert on his back; they placed King Oswalds' head between his hands. At the day of his translation Ranulphus instead of a Funeral preached his Resurrection Sermon, and published to the people the incorruption of St. Cuthbert his body, which after 418 years was yet flexible, and now might plead prescription with the grave to be immortal. Thus in great Solemnity they inshrind him besides the Altar in the presence of the Abbot of Sagium, the Abbot of Saint Maries in York, and the Abbot of Saint Germans, with thosands of people spectators of the Miracle. This was the place of his rest, where so many Treasures were daily offered that the Monks needed not to study Alchemy for Gold, having such a Philosopher's stone as Saint Cuthbert was to convert money to their purses, who had that repute of Sanctity, and frequency of worshippers, that in his shrine to this day you may see the pious dilapidations of Ancient devotion: and the very stones worn out with kneeling. Here Saint Cuthbert for four hundred years slept without disturbance: only he complained once in a dream to a Monk of a Mouse that troubled his rest and made her nest in his Tomb. Hence he lay in Honour and peace, till Henry 8th. sent that Earthquake among Monasteries and Sepulchers of the Saints which he caused to be opened to find treasure. Among which (saith Harpe-feild) the Tomb of Saint Cuthbert was so broken up with that Irreverence, that with the violence of the blow upon the Coffin, they wounded his Leg; finding the whole body entire save the tip of his Nose that was wanting: his very grave  were so free from corruption, as if they had been kept rather in a Wardrobe than in a Sepulchre: upon his finger he had a Ring with a Saphire stone in it, which for Reverence of the Saint they durst not take off, but at the Command of Bishop Tonstal shut up his Tomb as was before. All this might be true, and yet Saint Cuthbert more beholden to the art of his Monks, than his own Sanctity, for his incorruption; for it was Ancient amongst the Egyptians to embalm the bodies of their dead Kings, and with Searecloathes to preserve their Carcases for many ages from putrefaction, and yet they were thought no Saints such as Saint Cuthbert was: in honour and reverence of whose Saint-ship till Edward the firsts time, none presumed to be buried in the same Church with him, as though unworthy to lie under the same roof with such an incorruptible Saint. The most ancient Monuments therefore are to be searched out in the Chapter House, where Bishop Walcherus Earl of Northumberland lieth entombed, who erected those ancient buildings called the Farmary, for the Monks of Jarroe, whom with licence from Gregory the seventh he translated to Durham, but was miserably slain in Gates-Head Church: whose death occasioned Odo Bishop of Bayoun to be sent hither to take revenge; sed Excessit medicina modum— For he both depopulated the Church; and robbed the Country of divers Ornaments. In the said Charter House lieth William of Carleif, with Prior Turgot Archdeacon of Durham, and afterwards Bishop of Saint Andrew's in Scotland, a polite writer of the History of the Church. Lastly to omit others, I shall speak a little of Saint Goodrick, who because he is one of my Country Saints, I will show you what he was, out of an old manuscript writ by one Nicholaws of the Priory of Finchaly. Saint Goodrick in his former years was a Pedlar, and carried his movable shop upon his back from Fair to Fair; afterward to make a better fortune he ventured into Flanders, Denmark, and Scotland; and by the way used to visit the Holy Island, much delighted to hear the Monks tell stories of their Saint Cuthbert: which so deeply affected him, that he would needs in heat of devotion undertake a Pilgrimage to the Holy Island: and again after his return to England by the advice of Saint Cuthbert he repaired to his Holy Sepulchre, and also washing his feet in Jordan, there left his shoes, vowing to go barefot all his life after. At his second return he was admonished by Saint Cuthbert in his sleep to build him an Anchoridge at Fenchallie near Durham, where he lived in that heat of Devotion, that he used to stand praying up to the neck in the river that run by his Cell, which holy custom so angered the Devil, that once he stole away his , as they lay on the Bank: but Goodrick seeing him, brought him back with an Ave Mary, and forcing the Devil to be just against his will made him restore them: which were so course, as (I think) he that stole them, would scarce have worn them: for his Jerkin was of Iron, of which he wore three suits in the time of his Hermitage: a strange Coat whose stuff had the Iron-monger for the Draper, and a Smith for the Tailor; neither was his lodging much unsuitable to his , who had the ground for his bed, and a stone for his pillow. His tutelary Angel oft played the Sexton, and rang his bell to awake him to his Nocturnes; who for want of beads used with pebble stones to number his prayers; his diet was as corpse as his coat; and as his shirts were made of sackcloth, so half the Meal that made him Bread was ashes. The Devil used to act Proteus before him, and with his shapes rather made him sport, than affrighted him; only as Saint Goodrick sat by the fire, the Devil came behind him, and gave him such a box of the ear, that he had felled him down, if he had not recovered himself with the sign of the Cross. Thus after he had acted a Legend of miracles, he ended his scene and his life Anno Domini 1170. little deserving this Honour to be bestowed by Hugh Pusar the Bishop on his Cell, who had told him, that he should be seven years blind before his death: so that the Bishop believing the Holy Hermit, and deferring his repentance (which Goodrick meant of the eyes of his understanding) died unprovided for death: But if good deeds be satisfactory, then died he not in debt for his sins, who repaired many of the Episcopal manors, builded Darlington Church, founded the Hospital at Allerton, the famous Sherburne Hospital near Durham; built Elvet Bridge with the Chappells upon it; who bought of King Richard the first the Earldom of Sadbury for his successors; and last of all built that beautiful work the Gallile or our Lady's Chapel, now called the Consistory, into which he translated Saint Bedes bones, which lie interred under a stone of Marble; from this place (I conjecture) the great Bell in Alby hath its name, and perchance is the same, which in an Old Manuscript I find to be drawn from London to Durham by twenty two Oxen: under the Consistory Table lieth entombed Cardinal Langley Bishop of Durham, and Lord Chancellor of England, who built the Music and Grammar Schools. In the Choir lieth Bishop Beaumount under a spacious Marble inlaid with brass, besides whom Bishop Anthony Beak Patriark of Jerusalem, who had the principality of the Isle of Man, was enshrined in the Altar. He built (saith Leland) the Manor of Aukland, and repaired Barnard, and Anwick Castle, and made Chester a Collegiate Church. No Ancient Monuments of Women are to be seen here; for till of late no female was to enter into Saint Cuthberts' Churches; since once on a time (as he was preaching) the Devil came to his Sermon in the shape of a most beautiful Woman: who so drew away the attention of the auditors by gazing upon her, that Saint Cuthbert throwing Holywater at her found that she was a Devil. But as for Saint Cuthbert himself, I observe his nature did not much loath the company of his holy sifters: for Hilda, Alfreda, Verca, Elba, and other Abbatesses were of his intimate acquaintance: and if he had so distasted that sex, he had not built a Nunnery at Carile. But to return, in the Choir at the North side lieth Bishop Skirlaw, who built the Steeple at Holmes Church; and a great part of the Lantern of York-minster: who bestowed moreover two hundred pound on building the distributory at Durham: which is the Chequer over the Abbey gates. The relics of this Abbey were as many as there are Saints in the Pope's Almanac; for hence was Saint Giles to fetch his tooth at the Resurrection, another Saint his leg, another his hipbone, another his skull, another his knuckle bone: and if you would know what price relics were at in those days, ask Malmesbury what Egelmothus Archbishop of Canterbury gave as he came from Rome for Saint Augustine's arm which he brought from Paria, and he will tell you, that it cost him a hundred talents of Silver, and one of gold, by which bargain he hath made himself (by Record) a fool to posterity, and those that have read that in Pliny, Mala emptio semper ingrata, eo quod maxime domino exprobrare stultitiam videtur.  
But of all relics to make merry with, this is one; Elfride a Monk had got one of Saint Cuthberts' Hairs, which laid upon the Coals, would be red-hot, and return again to its former colour: thus not so: much as a Hair of Saint cuthbert's could escape without a miracle. Among other monuments of this Abbey the brazen desk is not the least, which was the joint guilt of a reverend Prebend of this Church, and his Son who added the Globe; and the Eagle to that sumptuous basis and column, which was the twelfth part of a great Candlestick, found hid in the vault of the Church; who both lie buried under two Marble stones, inlaid with Brass, as you enter in at the Choir door on your left hand. The subterraneous passages under this Church, as in other Abbeys, are many: but what end these substructions should have in the maker's intent, whether to conceal their treasures in time of invasion, or for worse purposes I cannot determine. By those Caverns, the Abbey and the Castle certainly shaked hands together under ground. The Castle was built by William the Conqueror for the defence of the City, the Iron gate whereof was set up by Bishop, Tonstal, who also built the Tolbooth. The Tower (in which Philip Potier Bishop of Durham had Licence by Richard the first to set up a Minthouse, and coin Money) was repaired by Richad Fox, and Bishop. Winton the Honourable founder of Corpus Christi College in Oxford, whereof at this time I am a member. In the Chapel of which College were two Altars, the one called, Ara Trinitatis, the other, Ara Sancti Cuthberti.  
To conclude, the whole Castle was repaired, and beautifully adorned, and enlightened with Windows by the Reverend Bishop now Incumbent, under whom the Church of Durham seems to renew her age, and take a new lease of her Eternity, which for the internal beauty of her high Altar, Cathedral music, sacred laver, and other ornaments may challenge her sister. Churches for Priority.  
Thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉, or like one that at once salutes a multitude, I have taken a confused survey of the Monuments of this Church, with that distracted method and brevity, that I have rather seemed to take an Inventory of her Antiquities, than to have compiled an History. As it is I offer it upon one of the Altars, which the Romans used to erect with this inscription, Diis Patrus.  
FINIS.