¶ Here beginneth the life of saint Radegunde. The table. ¶ The prologue of the translator of the life of maiden Radegunde ¶ Of the progeny of saint Redegunde and how she was taken in battle and brought in to france and their married to king Lothary. ¶ Of the virtuous living of saint Radegunde under spousage/ and how she continued a virgin. ¶ Of the great devotion of maiden Radegund in the time of lenten/ and of the great mercy & pity she used to all captive prisoners. ¶ How queen Radegunde showed a miracle delivering prisoners out of captivity. ¶ How blessed Radegunde desired to be religious and of a miracle showed at her departure by the way going to religion. ¶ How she was made religious & after elect abbess and how by grace she was preserved from danger of her husband king Lothary. ¶ Of the fervent devotion and the great penance and charitable works this moniall used in religion. ¶ Of the great perfection and straight penance this abbess Radegunde used in time of lenten. ¶ Of the great affliction and hard punishment lady Radegund used above the course of nature in the said time of lenten and of her ghostly conversation to every creature. ¶ How this holy abbess reformed her sister negligent with a little exhortation following. ¶ How blessed Radegunde delivered a woman possessed with a fiend from danger and pain to health and prosperity. ¶ How a rat was slain without hand approaching to hurt the virtuous labour of saint Radegunde. ¶ How saint Radegund by prayer revived a laurel tree to burge & bring fourth leaves without rote. ¶ How saint Radegunde by humble supplication restored a young Nun from death to life again. ¶ How saint Radegund saved her servants from peril of perisshing/ which brought a part of the holy cross from the emperor. ¶ Of diverse miracles in general/ and how this abbess saved diverse sick persons from jeopardy of death ¶ How Radegunde th'abbess cured two sick women from infirmity/ unto health and prosperity. yet some be disposed to contemplation To prayer to study/ of their goodness And some (the more pity) to sloth/ and idleness Now sith that I am lowest of degree A man of holy church by true profession considering the conditions of people worldly (As afore is said) my fully entencion By divine grace and ghostly supportation Is for to write the life historical Of Radegunde the princess queen and moniall After my reason me think more convenient To spend winter nights in such business For dread of temptation and causeless insolent Rather than to lose such time in idleness Which to all vice/ is rote and mistress Envy to virtue/ a stepmother to study occasion of ruin/ and mickle malady. A secondary cause/ moving me thereto To write the life of this virgin glorious Was the instant desire/ and petition also Of special friends/ honest and virtuous Which lately required me fall memorious With singular request/ and humble instance This life to discrybe/ with due circumstance To whom I granted/ under this condition That of their wisdom/ they would excuse me And take this poor deed/ of no presumption Nor done for vantage/ avoiding vaynglore But alonely to content their mind and satisfy Where they know well my insufficience My great ignorance/ and also negligence The third cause moving most principally Is for to extol/ the glorious name Of this holy virgin/ and gracious lady With honour/ reverence/ and excellent fame To the comen people/ desiring the same Whose life hath been kept silent many a day Known to few persons within this country Therefore I require/ and pray you everichone That this little treatise shall read or see To accept my mind with your discretion And it to correct after your charity amend the matter/ where is necessity For sith it is known/ that I am no clerk Under protestation/ I proceed to Work And where I unworthy/ this treatise begin I humble beseek our blessed saviour His mother also marry the virgin To be my help/ comfort/ and succour Now sweet Radegunde/ of virgins the flower Make supplication/ unto the trinity And direct my pen to describe thy stori ¶ Of the progeny of saint Radegunde and how she was taken in battle and married to Lothary a king of France. THe year of our saviour by full computation five hundredth fully from the nativity As divers auctors makyn description rained in France in honour and ryalte Two noble kings/ Childebert/ and Lothary Every king knowing his part and region To them belonging/ by right and custom At the same season/ as saith the history A noble prince/ rained in Africa Named in chronicles king Berengary Borne at a city named Thorynga within the said kingdom now called Barbarea Which prince Whilom famous in renown Till that dame fortune unfrendly put him down. Which foresaid prince king Berengarius Had in succession a noble princess A devout lady/ and a virgin glorious Nominat Radegunde/ a gem of holiness A flower of virtue/ and a mirror of meekness whose ghostly governance enduring her life Unto all people may be a perspectyfe This king Berengary by misfortune in battle Was piteously subdued/ by kings of France His realm conquered/ piteously to tell Losing his honour land/ and governance And Radegunde taken/ such was her chance By power removed/ from her land natural Among strangers to be continual When the king and the realm subdued were And maid Radegunde taken for a pray Than the kings of France for her in fere Intended battle/ which should have the may For she was beauteous and pleasant verray Humble/ gentle/ courtese/ and most fair truly yet she by lot fell/ unto king Lothary For if Radegunde had not delivered be Great cruelty/ business/ and vexation Had fortuned among kings three Through great disdain/ pride/ and ambition For the realm of France in a triniall kingdom Than was divided chronicles do express As the sequence of saint Martin doth rehearse This lady Radegunde/ thus taken away And by chance delivered to king Lothary Was brought with worship in to a country called Ueromandensis unto the kings city Nominat Atheras/ to be kept in surety There to be nourished/ and have refection Doctrine and discipline/ with high discretion ¶ King Lothary considering her gentleness Her virtue/ patience/ and proved wisdom Her great humility/ constance/ and soberness Daily increasing with augmentation Intended to marry speedily and soon Lady Radegunde/ and virgin serene To make her his spouses and lovely queen Unto this marriage and feast there was Made great preparation/ and rialtie The halls were hanged/ with clothes of arras richly embroidered in rial Imagery The xii apostles well set in degree Martyr's/ confessors/ and virgins withal were their purtered/ with crown victoriall Over the side tables curiously were wrought Ancient histories of authority Of patriarchs and prophets wisely out sought Of the old and new testament set properly Histories were painted of poetry Chambers were strawed with flowers fragrant well decked with hangings/ fresh/ fair/ and vernant This princess was clad in clothes of gold In sylkesse/ velvets/ and tissues fine A coronal was ordained richly to be hold And crowned therewith/ as crystal did shine Set with rial stones/ the sapher celestyne The diamond/ the diadeke/ the ruby/ the topas The carbuncle/ the emerall/ the pearl their was Lords of the land were ready present Dukes/ earls/ barons/ and knights doughty The commons assembled ever diligent To give attendance as was their duty The day was appointed/ of the matrimony The chapel enowrned with mickle richesse The clergy attending at an hour express ¶ King Lothary passed from his rial palace With many mighty peers and lords of his land Radegunde him followed a princess full of grace With ladies many one the fearest could befounde They came to the chapel as we understand All thing was prepared to that solemnity Ornaments and vestures of great ryaltie The bishop was ready/ with his ministers all To execute his office/ of the said matrimony The observants was done with honour rial The mass was song/ with mickle melody With bells/ and orgons'/ and solemn minstrelsy The sacrament of spousage/ was celebrat that day With reverence and worship/ in their best array From thence they departed/ to the kings palace The said king and queen/ the lords/ and clergy All things well ordered (as afore said was) To attend in the hall marshals were ready Of meats and drinks/ their was great plenty Ueneson Wildfowl mickle abundance The condites of wine ran with great pleasance But for all this ryaltie/ and worldly pleasure Which was prepared/ at this solemnity The queen Radegunde passing course of nature Most dreadful in heart/ was for her virginity Desired our saviour of his endless charity As he for us all suffered better passion To preserve her body from all corruption ¶ Of the virtuous living of saint Radegund under spousage/ and how she continued a pure virgin When the day declined & come was the night And all people passed eachone to his lodging The heart of Radegunde was little of might yet privately she went to her chamber weeping Made great lamentation dolefully sighing Required our lord to help of his pity To whom she had offered afore her virginity Alas what tongue can plainly express Or heart may think/ the dreadful jeopardy This lady Radegunde feared doubtless When her lord was laid her sweet body by Her soul was rapt/ her mind in an ecstasy plunged in heavens/ woe and penalite More liefer to be deed/ than lose her chastity But as scripture saith/ our blessed saviour Is ever ready in extreme necessity To help his servants both day and hour When they do call/ with pure humility He saved saint Agnes/ saint Lucy/ saint cecily With many other more/ from all corruption Right so he preserved Radegunde that season For when Lotharias desired to supply Natural pleasure and voluptuous intention By divine power and by miracle sothlie His fervent desire with carnal affection Were clearly extincted for above reason Such frail concupiscence of love entire Soon seized as water quencheth the fire Other sundry seasons/ when the said king Was moved at will/ to have his desiderye The queen found remedy/ at her own liking Sometime feigning sickness/ and infirmity Sometime not disposed to such fragility Sometime occupied/ in labours diligent Other time objecting/ the time not convenient Thus by the grace/ of her spouse jesus She ever preserved her true chastity giving herself/ to prayer and to virtue Lowing our lord/ of his benignity And his mother Marry/ flower of virginity Which of his mercy/ and infinite goodness Hath her preserved/ in all distress And though she was married to king Lothary A worldly prince/ seeking for honour She clearly refused/ such pomp and vain glory And served her spouse/ our saviour Transitory pleasures/ worship and decoure Were truly abjected/ and all such felicity More humble in will/ than parmitted dignity In worldly vanites/ she had no pleasure To give good example/ was her hole intent Sermons to here/ was all her great cure Love and charity in heart were ay fervent Her lands and tents/ given by assigment Were truly tithed/ Where was necessity To captive prisoners/ and people in poverty All rents/ and richesses/ that she might come to Were distribute to monasteries in devotion Besekyng the covent to pray for her also And for her lord/ and all the region Unto such places/ as she might not come By personal presence/ for distance of place thither she send alms in short time and space This noble queen had a principal mind Upon the poor people in great penalite Showing works of mercy/ according to kind Helping all woeful wretchesse in misery Thinking all myspend/ that they had not truly believing that Christ in every poor creature Lay secret and prive under their figure When she was richly/ served at her table With costly dayentes and delicacy with mighty winds strong and comfortable Convenient for her estate and regalie With such meats she nolde content her body But did abstain/ and took refection With small pottage of her own decoction To punish her person/ more straight & sharply reviving her spirit to meditation She ware the herd here/ next to her body With precious clothes reclothed there upon Discrete abstinence/ against rebellion Wisely oppressed/ by the help of jesus Her corpse making/ apt to prayer and virtue As Radegunde lay with her prince of right She asked licence of a common custom To departed and rise from bed every night For natural necessity/ according to reason From whom when she was departed and gone She went to prayer all night following plat upon an here/ on her knes kneeling So with continuance/ all the night season Fervent in soul/ to please god almighty Till her vital spirit by true devotion Were almost confused/ and put in jeopardy Thorough colnesse frost/ and all her body From sensual feeling of her wits five clearly were expulsed/ by mind contemplative Wherefore it was said of her lord and king Of his true subgettes/ and the commons all That his noble lady/ by ghostly living Was not as queen/ but rather a moniall The king her blamed in terms rural Reproving her customs/ with great confusion Whom she humble suffered without contradiction. ¶ Of the great devotion she used namely in time of lenten/ and of the great pity she had to all captive prisoners. When the time of lenten approached near To speak of her penance/ is a straight thing For at the same time/ with conscience clear She send to a religious woman in living Nominat Pia/ her fully mind sheweng To whom this moniall/ knowing her intent Send Radegunde an here sealed full diligent Which here this lady (as rehearsed is) With reverence received/ and put next her body Trusting in the vesture great comfort and bliss Pleasant to our lord/ to her soul remedy And yet she would were clothes richly Upon the said here in the time of lenten Expelling fame/ and worldly commendation Upon solemn days/ and feestes principal The queen was revest/ with clothes of gold With tissewes fine/ and velvets at all And when the common people/ young and old Praised such garments/ with fame manifold She utterly abhorred/ such rial rich clothing Send them to churhces/ for priests in to sing By fortune if Lothary her lord were absent Who would then believe/ her singular devotion Her prayer/ abstinence/ and heart penitent Her great contrition and humble supplication Ever remembering our lords passion Submitting herself as unto his feet Wasshesing his wounds/ with tears salt and wet She refused gluttony/ by virtuous temparaunce Our saviour jesus was her hole refection Upon bodily feeding/ gave little attendance Daily providing her soul's sustentation Great vigilles/ penance/ and holy orison refreshed her soul/ and the body also No penance was tedious for her to do If any transgressor were judged to die Or any man suffered wrong accusation She was so merciable/ and full of pity For them to the king/ she made intercession kneeling full meekly/ desiring petition And to his counsel with prayer continual Till she had pardon/ and grace for them all All the kings court/ example might take To use humility/ and great gentleness At lady Radegunde/ and sin to forsake For why she was called/ of more and of less Rather a minister/ than to be a mistress Deligent to serve/ every time and season Poor/ as well/ as rich with great devotion Nother man ne child/ dwelling in the palace Was discontent/ at this sweet lady She had such wysdone/ and singular grace Transcending other ladies/ of memory Duke's/ earls/ and barons/ and all their progeny Example may take/ at this queen rial To increase in meekness/ and virtuous moral By her great prudence/ and exhortation The king was moved/ to grace and pity Merciable to the poor/ in all his region Having compassion/ liberal/ and free To execute justice prompt with mercy A good benefactor/ to places religious By the instant motion/ of his queen virtuous. ¶ How queen Radegunde showed a great miracle delivering prisoners out of captivity. THis noble queen every solemn day Of custom would rise early as the light And go to her chapel/ secretly to pray Serving our saviour/ with all her heart and might Ensuing marrow Magdalayne in mind full right To matins/ and to mass/ after she would gone And all day following use meditation Thus by continuance/ in grace and goodness In prayer/ abstinence/ vigils/ and chastity: This lady Radegunde/ queen and princess Replete with meekness/ virtue and charity showed diverse miracles/ within the country The first miracle/ was done in the palace (As saith the history) by divine grace As Radegunde passed the palace by a prison where many prisoners were fettered in durances For her pastime/ solace/ and consolation With lords/ knights and other servants When the prisoners perceived/ being in penance That it was the queen/ their sovereign lady With loud voice/ they began on her to call and cry O noble princess/ O kings daughter dear O lady of grace/ and queen imperial Succour us thy servants which lie bound here Extend thy charity/ upon us wretches all deliver us from death/ save from pains thrall Be merciful to us/ hartfully we the pray And we will amend our lives/ after this day This lady hearing/ such great lamentation Inwardly was moved to mercy and pity Required to know/ with tender compassion What people cried on her so piteously The servants answered again (verity) Saying that they were beggars at the gate Common to have alms of so great estate Also the jailer again all conscience Rebuked his prisoners unpiteously Caused them be still/ and keep silence Manasing them to beat/ punish/ and mortify: Conciled the truth/ from his sovereign lady Thus the said prisoners/ put to more pain Had pain upon pain/ without mercy certain But the next night following/ by miracle right The fetters/ the bonds/ of the prisoners all Suddenly were broken/ and loosed in their sight And they were delivered from pains thrall They passing from prison/ the gates down did fall They came the said night/ to Radegunde their lady Thanking her eachone/ for her grace and mercy They kneeled on knee/ for gladness weeping Saying O sovereign lady/ and mistress Honour be to thee/ grace and long living Which hath delivered/ us from distress Personally this night/ or else one in thy likeness Now blessed jesus/ redemptor of us all Reward you this deed in the bliss eternal ¶ How queen Radegund desired to be religious/ & of a miracle showed/ at her departing by the way going Which miracle known this blessed lady Made instant desire/ and humble supplication To her husband and lord king Lothary That she might have license to go to religion Whose meek request/ and singular petition At last was granted/ with difficult Of the said king/ to be at her liberty She loved our lord/ in heart/ word/ and deed Of this fire grant/ and good expedition She send to saint Inedard bishop in good speed desiring him for charity/ and of his devotion For to receive her in to holy religion The place was appointed/ the time secretly Of her coming to Pictavis religious to be In the mean while Radegund gave to the poor Moche rial richesse/ and vestures liberally Reserving to her person/ and her use no more Than she daily used/ for honour necessary So alone proseded/ unto the monastery From the kings court/ privily in the night Unknowen to each creature/ save to the king of might Upon the other day/ where the king perceived The sudden departure of his lady sufferayne He bitterly wailed/ that he was dysceved Send diverse messengers/ with a sure captain first to inquire/ and bring her again Supposing to have her/ in short time and space After she approached/ to the religious place But the holy ghost/ confortour of all care defended Radegunde/ at this extremity For as she passed/ the fair fields all bare She said to an husband/ busy in husbandry People will follow after/ for to pursue me From which company I decline certain praying the consyle/ my presence/ and it lain It behoveth the not/ from the truth to varray Say that thou seem come this same way The season/ day/ and time/ running full hastily Thou did sow this corn affirming it varray And thus excuse me/ hertfully I the pray She passed this ploughman/ in to a secret place For dread druly daring/ trusting our lords grace Incontinently the corn newly cast in ground Began for to blade and bear in every place To ear and to ripe (her enemies to confound) All ready to be shorn/ within an hour space The oats began to shed/ the husband busy was And made great provision with sickle & sith that morn To cut down the oats/ in saving of the corn After the said virgin/ messengers made great haste Shortly to to supple their lords commandment They found the husband reaping corn full fast Whom they required/ to show on pain of prisomment If any fair lady/ or maid by him went To tell when/ and whither/ and which way that she is Avoiding great displeasure/ showing not amiss Worshipful masters/ the husband than can say Such a fair lady/ we se this way gone running fast and speedily the same self day That we cast this corn in the earth alone Swearing to them deeply for more affirmation The courteours/ believed this honest man certain And heavily returned to the king again ¶ How Radegund was made religious/ & after elect abbess of Pictauis/ & how by grace she was preserved from danger of her husband the king. When night approached/ this foresaid fair lady privily departed to the place of Pictavens' Thanking our lord/ and his mother Mary Of her expedition/ with micle reverence The abbess of the place gladded of her presence So did the covent/ and the company all Of this noble queen/ to be conventual meekly she made singular petition To be religious using life monastical Thabbess granted/ and the covent eachone received her gladly/ and made her a moniall Where first she laid a side her purple and pall All rich vestures/ of gold/ and tissewes fine Her crown/ and coronal/ set with stones celestyne She was reclothed/ with religious vesture The mantel of meekness/ the vail of black colour The wympull of wailing/ of humble gesture With other many vestures/ of virtue that same hour Thus for the love of our saviour All worldly pleasures vain/ and transitore She hath refused/ obedient to be When the year passed of her probation She truly professed the essencials three Made a solemn vow afore the congregation Obedience to keep also pure chastity enduring her life/ with wilful poverty She received the ring/ of heavenly spousage Was married to jesus enduring this pilgrimage And as mine author plainly doth express The venerable Antoninus/ in his history This lady Radegund/ of her great goodness builded afore time the said monastery By the help of her husband king Lothary Where after she was elect lady and abbess By help of saint Medarde a man of great grace When she was abbess/ she took to her company A number of virgins in high perfection To whom she gave the example daily Of pure humility/ and perfit devotion Of virtuous living/ and contemplation Performing in her person/ for ghostly meed All thing commanded/ to her sisters in deed But the mortal enemy/ of all mankind Considering in her/ such grace and virtue By malice/ and envy/ forecast in his mind By some subtlety/ this maid to subdue He tempted her husband/ a prince full of virtue By power/ and sloth to take his wife again Out of religion/ the more pity certain This said king Lothary/ in conscience blind Came with his company/ to the city of Turon Under craft/ and polesy prepensed in mind With the notable prince/ Sygibert her son dissembling pilgrimage/ and ghostly entencion Approaching Pectavis/ the rather that he might Take from religion/ his wife that same night When Radegunde/ hard tell his subtle polysy How he was paruerted as man without grace She wept and wailed/ in soul tenderly For sorrow of her husband/ which sometime was In her heart no comfort/ was found nor solace For dread of deceit/ and imagined treason praying to our lord/ for help that same season She made secret letters/ and send her intent Closed and sealed/ unto saint Garmayne bishop of Parise/ which than was present With king Lothary/ making her complaint Woefully lamenting/ expressed in deed plain Desiring the bishop/ with humble supplication To convert the king/ from his wrong opinion When saint Germayne these letters had reed He prostrate himself to the feet of the king Afore saint Martyns' tomb praying him in deed By the order of charity/ many salted tears weeping And for the love of god/ to confirm his asking That he no further/ would proceed in way Nor come to Pectavis/ for dread of death that day The king considering/ in soul his great trespass With bitterness of heart/ remembering his petition Should come of Radegund/ by singular grace With contrite heart and mind/ made plain confession Excusing his default/ by evil suggestion Prostrate his person unto saint germans feet Desiring indulgence/ with salted tears and wet Reputing his presence/ simple and unworthy For to call again his wife/ from religion Which is the spouse/ of our lord almighty And under his licence entered profession Required the bishop speedily to gone To lady Radegunde absolved for to be Lest punishment fell on him/ soon and hastele Which thing the bishop was glad for to do Came to Pectavis/ unto her oratory And kneeled at her feet/ desiring her also To forgive the king/ his intent and misery Which thing she did in heart/ and word gladly Thanking our lord/ that she was at liberty To serve him day & night/ delivered from captivity. ¶ Of the fervent devotion of saint Radegunde and of the great penance and charitable work she used in religion. WHat heart may think or tongue is sufficient To express the virtuous of this moniall In devout orison/ in vigils convenient In discreet abstinence/ in vestures small Example giving unto her sisters all To the common people/ how they in great virtue Should daily increase/ pleasing our lord Ihesu This abbess used silde/ to eat white breed But of rye or berly/ kept secretly That no man perceived/ how that she fed Her drink was water or little better daily From her profession by saint Medarde truly Her repast was pottage/ and herbis for to eat Nother fish/ flesh/ eggs/ fruits/ ne milk meat Also after the usage/ and rite of saint Germayne She had a little miln in her secret cell alone In which all the lenten/ she laboured certain As would well suffice for four days refection A marvel how she did satisfy every person Where nothing wanted/ that was necessary The more that was given/ ever the more plenty When obsruauntes were done/ each saturday at night She took a linen cloth cloused about her body And washed the heeds of all poor folks aright Rubbing all their soris/ sickness/ and malady She aided and succoured/ and did them remedy After combed them/ or they passed the place Nothing abhorring such meekness in her was To all poor creatures/ the province round about She ever ministered/ the work of pity giving to them clothing/ of alms without doubt Both linen and wollyn/ sitting for their degree When they were grieved/ with any infirmity She took their vestures/ and washed them eachone With her own hands/ after did them upon She send for poor folk/ in her hall to dine Afore the rich estates/ for all their clothing rial She served the said poor/ after Christis doctrine first water to their hands/ with a towel to them all To persons impotent/ she ministered special Washing their mouths/ their hands lovingly such was her custom/ she was so full of pity When all the service/ on the table was set She would stand fasting/ to make them good cheer And divide their victuals/ as she might get Showing them good counsel their soul is to lere All blind/ halt/ and lame/ to her were full dear Whom with her hands/ she fed with a spoon After gave them drink/ with Christ's been soon Women full of leper and vile corruption In arms she would embrace/ and kiss sweetly And gave to them clothing/ and refection That many of them/ were healed thereby Wherefore it was said/ O thou sweet lady Who shall the kiss/ or approach the near Which kisses/ such lepurs most vile in fere. ¶ Of the great perfection/ and penance that lady Radegunde used in the time of lent. THis noble Radegunde/ & venerable abbess All the time of lent after her profession When she solitary in her cell set was She abstained from breed/ & costly refection Using herbis/ pottage/ made of malous alone Without oil/ and salt/ except upon the sunday She took breed alone/ a little for that day She abstained so sore/ from drinking of water The xl days of lent/ with such great penury That she might not sing nor say with voice clear The service of god/ nor orison privately She used the rough here/ next her tender body Watching all the night/ using meditation Her bed was dry ashes/ and an here laid upon Her clothing was so poor/ simple and small She had not a sleeve/ upon her arms to do But of her hoses/ she made twain at all To cover her from cold/ from frost/ and winters woe Thus she did punish/ her proper body so That she assembled a servant for to be Rather than an abbess of great authority Also when her sisters all in bed were laid This lady Radegunde/ would every night Wipe clean their shows like a poor maid And with soft ointment anoyent them full right Make all thing ready/ again the day light Of all vile labours/ that among them there was She would first serve most subject in the place Wherefore as her course/ came weakly about She swepped all places/ of the monastery All great vile burdens/ she bore them out From streets and corners/ fulsome for to see Secret purgations horrible to the eye She nothing disdained nor was dismayed On her childers to carry (in story as is said) She humbled herself as lest in degree Bearing would to the fire/ in her arms twain Serving her sisters vexed with infirmity Preparing sustentation/ meat and drink certain Washing their fysnamy/ and feeding them plain Sundry times kissing them with great humility Thereby recovering divers from penalite Unto all people/ she showed good liberality Truly fulfilling her holy profession Their feet and hands/ washing at the first entre Of strangers to the place/ desiring them of pardon Where was no offence/ but all thing well done Example giving/ of meekness and charity Unto all ladies within christente. ¶ Of the great affliction/ & hard punishment that the lady Radegunde used above the course of nature in the said time of lent. THis noble princess maiden Radegunde A comely queen/ a moniall/ an abbess A flower of virtue/ a rose most rubicunde Of our lord was elect/ & circumfulsed with grace To be ruler and lady/ of a religious place Whose straight herd penance/ fame and holiness We can not discrybe nor them express This blessed abbess/ all the time of lenten Suffered bitter penance/ & marvelous punishment Using certain bands of iron in custom Fast knit to her neck/ and arms in chastment Also iii iron chenes/ about her body went Full straightly bound/ the holy fast enduring To punish more piteously her flesh freating That when forty days of lent were past And the maid minded to take them away The said bands and chenes/ remained so fast Piercing her body that she ne might verray Without great violence/ remove them that day That blood issued down fro the neck/ to the feet In diverse parties of her body full weet She caused to be wrought for greater penalty A plate of copper/ the sign of the cross having Which laid in the fire/ in her cell solitary She took the said plate/ as it was hot brenning And laid to her flesh/ as a martyr suffering punishing her corpse to bring it in subjection Obedient to the soul/ by pain and devotion This abbess added new pain upon pain In punishing her person/ more grievously For why all the lent (saith the story plain) notwithstanding her vigils/ and abstinence openly She exercised new penance/ and pains secretly The here set with bristles/ and yet she used more A chafyngdisshe of coals/ to be set her afore Thus when she was set/ solitary in her cell Her body quaking/ and her members all Dreading grievous pains/ marvelous to tell Her soul was armed/ to suffer pain temporal She broiled her body/ with the said fire material To anymat/ and refresh the soul in reason To stand as a martyr/ where was no persecution Hoot brenning brass/ she laid to her sides Her tender flesh trembling/ the skin was consumed The body was combust/ with many grievous wondes The flesh from the bones/ in sundre partis divided The blood semydecot to the earth distilled Showing the verity/ of the passion certain Where silence was kept/ for all the grievous pain Thus a fragile femynyn/ for the love of Ihesu Patiently suffered grievous punishment Using continually/ devotion and virtue Prayer/ almisdedes/ and charitable fervent Thorough which by grace/ there followed incontinent Miracles (for why) all vain pleasures transitory Radegunde refused/ minding most our messy. ¶ How this holy abbess using meditation reformed her sister negligent/ with a little exhortation following. THis lady never spoke/ again good conscience She never defamed/ nor used detraction Again verity/ she never bore evidence She never dissimuled/ nor used adulation hastiness/ ne ire/ debate/ nor derision She prayed for her enemies/ to amend by grace Moving her sisters/ to the same in the place Great gravity goodness/ and humility True love to god/ in her heart was fervent Patience in adversity/ faith/ hoop/ and charity justice attemperance/ fortitude were lent With prudence benignity ever resplendent ghostly example/ with good exhortation Had residence in Radegunde/ and holy religion Her example was better/ than a commandment Unto her subgettes/ within the monastery Her doctrine was profitable/ and expedient By her fact and deed/ she gave exemplary Unto her subgettes/ and all the famyle Her precept and deed/ agreed both in one As Christ gave example/ for our salvation Also afore midnight most commonly she said All David psaulter/ long before mattence After when her sisters/ in bed were laid She still continued/ praying in presence Of the blessed sacrementes/ departed not thence Till the day light/ kneeling in devotion With weeping tears/ and meek meditation That under licence/ and reformation Of all them that this little work shall see We purpose to rehearse/ with divine protection part of her miracles/ following the story Requiring all readers/ of their pure charity To excuse my ignorant boldness also And acccept mine intent simple though it be Quia bona voluntas/ reputetur pro facto This gracious Radegunde/ ceased day nor night principally to praise our lord/ with supplication Her mind heart/ & mouth/ with all her ghostly might singularly was set her spouse Ihesu upon As she was fervent/ in her contemplation A moniall Codegunde by a postern prevatly passed without licence/ out of the monastery (Which thing known) th'abbess followed shortly And would have called her by name Codigunda In stead of which name/ she said verily Come again dear sister (hallelujah hallelujah) As the mind thought/ so spoke Radegunda Right so it fortuned/ after many a season Her soul was so fervent/ upon meditation Sweet worthy princesses/ borne of great rialte Duchess'/ countesses/ lady's everichone Following your appetite/ and sensuality In worldly worship/ and vain delectation diversity of garments made of their new fashion With delicate dayntes repasting every day The body to conserve/ in lust and liking ay Behold and consider with your interior eye This humble abbess/ lady and woma● How she refused all worldly dignity richesse/ reverence/ and honour imperial Uayne/ vestures/ garments/ possessions withal Entered religion/ with great humility Truly observing/ the essencials three Also for suffering/ in this present life A little while pain/ for love of our saviour Using prayer penance/ and life contemplative Now she is exalted/ in heavenly honour Whose glory shall ever increase/ more and more Wherefore noble lady's/ example ye may take At this holy queen/ all vice to forsake O blessed Radegunde O worthy princess Lady and queen/ virgin/ and moniall O virtuous abbess/ and sufferayne masters Now triumphant/ in the see celestial We pray the meekly/ pray for us all That after this life/ and mortal passage We may come to bliss/ and eterne heritage. ¶ How blessed Radegunde delivered a woman possessed with a find/ from danger and pain/ to health and prosperity. ascertain woman dwelled by the monastery Which was possessed/ with a spirit infernal By long continuance enduring misery Sore vexed/ and grieved/ with pains thrall Tearing with violence/ as a be'st brutal Man/ woman/ and child/ with great cruelty In a hiduous rage/ alas the more pite Thus she possessed suffered mickle pain The mind sore moved/ alienat from reason The profit of her soul/ forgetting certain To charitable works/ had no entencion free-will was tollyd so was devotion She had no power to say nor do truly But as the said fiend put in her memory She was straight bound/ both foot and hand For dread of mischief/ and wickedness Her friends dwelling within the land Were woeful in heart/ no marvel doubtless Considering their kinswoman/ in such distress With weeping wailing/ they came meekly Besekyng maid Radegunde/ for help and remedy O comely creature/ and kings daughter dear O virtuous lady/ moniall and abbess We call to the kneeling afore the here Have pity and compassion/ in this extreme case Be thou our secure/ comfort and solace Help this woeful wretch/ humble we the pray By thy prayer and might as thou well may Unto whose prayer petition and desire Saint Radegunde/ was moved to compassion Commanding them all/ with love entire To bring the said woman/ and woeful person Unto her presence/ hastily and soon Her friends were glad/ and made good cheer joyful to fulfil the commandment in fere When they approached/ to this woeful patient Ready to convey her/ to the holy place The said wicked sporyte/ moved her intent Ever to the contrary/ by power and menace She railed/ and raged/ and spit in their face At the last by power/ wisdom and might This woman was brought/ before this lady bright On whom she had compassion/ and petty And anon commanded/ in presence of them all That wicked spirit/ and mortal enemy To cease of his grievance/ and pains thrall And shortly to the ground/ before her to fall Also to depart this said woman fro Never more to vex her with pain nor woe A none the spirit obeyed/ the commandment Might no longer tarry/ day nor yet hour Immediately departed/ from the feeble patient With an hideous cry full of great dolour The woman rose up out of her languor And kneeled down/ thanking god almight And blessed Radegunde of this miracle right. ¶ How a rat was slain without hand approaching to hurt the virtuous labour of saint Radegund. THis abbess used sometime meditation Sometime prayer/ vigils/ and abstinence Whilom in labours/ & worldly occupation The time to dispend/ in virtuous excellence And as my author giveth intelligence This lady had wrought/ with great business Aclew of yarn in avoiding idleness Which clew Radegunde hang forth in the son At her chamber windo to take air and dry And anon their came a mighty great ratton approaching the yarn to gnaw it/ and destry But as soon as she touched the clue certainly In the first morsel she fell to ground deed Without man's hand (in story as is reed) ¶ How saint Radegunde by prayer revived a laurel tree to burge and bring forth leaves without any rote. THis venerable virgin commanded also Her servants to remove a great laurel tree Far from the place where it did grow To set it securl● within the monastere Right afore her cell/ to comfort the company Which laurel tree/ by the rote cut a way Was brought/ and transplanted into a garden gay The said laurel tree without rote which was Began soon to fade/ to wider/ and to dry The leaves fell a down of pleasure/ and solace Nature in it decayed/ and no marvel securly But when the virgin perceived it truly She supposed and imputed all to her person Cause of negligence/ or want of devotion Than Radegunde began meekly for to pray That the said laurel might revived be And anon by miracle/ the same self day The tree newly burgened/ pleasant for to see And brought forth leaves vernant in suavite With fresh fair branches/ covering the ground The tree had a new rote/ as it was tried and found. ¶ How saint Radegunde by humble intercession restored a young Nun from death to life again. ANother season/ when this holy abbess Was in her cell using meditation She herd a great weeping/ & crying alas Among the servants/ & congregation The cause was this by plain demonstration A virtuous sister/ a young moniall That time departed from this life mortal Radegunde up rose full speedily To comfort the company/ with compassion Desiring the servants/ to bring the deed body Secretly to her cell/ and solitary mansion After she commanded them/ all and one Without any tarrying to departed their way Unto their business/ and for the soul to pray When all thing was ready for the burial In mean time Radegund prayed our saviour By space of vii hours for this young moniall Unto the body the spirit for to restore Whose prayer ended the soul that same hour Reverted to the corpse/ restored to life again Cured from all sickness/ vexation/ and pain. ¶ How saint Radegunde saved her servants from paryll of perishing which brought a part of the holy cross to Pectavis. THis virtuous abbess/ send to the emperor Of Constantynople for a portion Of the holy cross/ on whom our saviour For us suffered death/ and paid our ransom The messengers obtained their meek petition received a little part of the cross certain From thence departed/ to their lady again And as they passed/ sailing on the see Suddenly rose up winds most hideous The air for derkened by craft of our enemy Great storms approached mighty/ and marvelous The tempest increased/ ever more grievous The mariners were busy in each part to attend And laboured full fast their lives to amend The storms and tempestis/ continued ●●uly Forty days and forty nights/ withouten ceasing The mariners were mased mated/ and weary The ship was ever in apparel of perishing So when the messengers knew no other thing But death approaching of their lives desperate They called on Radegund/ & said with mind elevate O lovely lady and blessed abbess O holy virgin/ and kings dougther dear O virtuous moniall replete with great grace Help now thy servants from paryll and danger Defend us from death/ which approacheth near Cease these great sees O sweet masters Speed us in our journey/ thorough thy goodness Suffer never the enemy of all mankind By malice and envy/ to drench us all Also sweet lady/ call to thy mind That we have now brought/ a relic special And done well our message/ by grace supernal Therefore madame/ in this necessity Pray for us all/ to the blessed trinity Right shortly appeared/ in all their sight A white doufe flying/ the ship all about The tempest ceased/ by miracle right The winds were laid/ within and without The see was quiet/ withouten doubt The marchandes/ the mariners/ with voice jocunde magnified our maker/ and maiden Radegunde The messengers came whom/ all in prosperity And brought with them/ the relic/ of reverence Which solemnly was set/ in the monastery With honour/ worship/ and mickle diligence And when it came to open sight and presence Miracles were showed/ by it every day Unto the people/ of the said country. ¶ Of diverse miracles in general/ and how this abbess saved diverse seek persons from jeopardy of death. WHat memory or reason is sufficient To remember the miracles of this lady What tongue can express/ or pen is convenient Plainly to describe/ all the noble story It were a pleasant work for the monk of Bury For Chaucer or Skelton/ father's of eloquens Or for religious Barkeley to show their diligens yet under licence/ speak we in general Part of the miracles/ of this virgin bright Where a sick man in sleep by monition special received of Radegunde a candle light Soon after by her grace/ comfort and might He was well cured from all infirmity Restored to health/ and to prosperity Also another man feeble and impotent Endured such sickness/ and debylite That by the space of ten days consequent He took no sustenance/ meat nor drink truly To whom this maiden (of her great charity) Came for to visit/ and the patient anon Cured from sickness/ received refection. ¶ How Radegunde th'abbess cured ii sick women from sickness/ and in fyrmite unto health and prosperity. A Noble gentle woman Bella nominat Wife unto Gylbard/ of the realm of France With sundry sickness/ and blindness cruciat Long time enduring/ such woeful penance Was brought to Radegunde/ for help of her grevans Her friends woeful pensive in mind Desired this virgin/ for to help the blind This abbess replete/ with grace and pity Signed this woman/ unto our saviour With the sign of the cross/ for help and remedy Making intercession/ for her that hour The sick was delivered/ from pain and languor Cured from blindness/ had her sight again She thanked our lord/ and Radegunde certain Also another woman/ was cured from pain By merit of this maid/ and singular supplication Having a great bile/ between her shoulders twain Of long continuance/ full of corruption For the woeful woman/ she made intercissyon Unto our saviour/ and king of mercy To send her health/ help and remedy And when the said orison ended was This swollyn bonche horrible to nature Did burst a sundre/ with the skin in that place A worm issued out of a great stature Which was destroyed afore them full sure The patient was healed/ from pain in sight By grace above kind/ and miracle right. ¶ How this abbess healed diverse sick women some from fevers/ and some from vexation of our ghostly enemy. A Certain devout religious moniall Was vexed all the day with great colnesse And in the night time/ with heat over all As a fervent fever/ of woe & painfulness That she might not serve/ our lord god doubtless Nother night nor day/ for sore vexation Which was to her soul/ a double tribulation This blessed maiden/ replete with grace certain Commanded warm water/ to be had in high Which water she touched/ with her hands twain Gave it to her sister/ the pain to mortify So when she touched/ the said sick body The moniall received health and prosperity Cured from all qualities/ of such contrariety Another woman long had in possession Of a wicked spirit prostrate/ in the pavement Was brought to this maid for preservation On whom she had pity/ and prayed full delygent Our lord to deliver the spirit from the patient She blessed this woman/ and the devil right sure departed shortly/ by the secretis of nature ascertain maiden dwelling in France Nominat Roda was vexed day and night With the cold fevers/ and painful grievance Which meekly was measured/ to this lady bright By whose humble orison all pain ceased right The fevers were fled/ health approached near Or the candle was ended/ saith the story clear A religious abbess/ menaced full sore blessed Radegunde excommunicate to be Except she would heel/ and save from langore A woman possessed/ with a spirit painfully By grace so it fortuned/ that within days three Our old adversary/ departed her fro The woman was delivered/ from pain & ghostly wo. ¶ Of the ghostly vision she had afore her infirmity & of the noble exhortation she made to her sisters in her sickness & pain. How to the glorious passage/ of this abbess Pass we with gladness/ and felicity Which in her time/ was a flower of grace An example of virtue/ and benignity A mirror of meekness/ and pure chastity A virtuous governor/ of her congregation To bring them to glory/ and heavenly mansion Such grace she obtained/ of our saviour That afore her passage/ a hold year full right Our lord send his angel/ with mickle honour To be her comfort/ help day and night The angel appeared/ to this lady bright In form of a young man/ most fair to be told Which gladded her soul/ and mind manifold The angel showed Radegunde in vision A glorious place/ in the celestial see Prepared for her/ to have fruition Where joy is infinite/ and endless glory rehearsing these words/ with great jocundite O glorious abbass●/ queen and moniall Our lord to the sendyth/ greeting special Showing how/ for thy virtue and meekness Thy vigils/ fastings/ and devotion Thy weepings/ wailings/ and tenderness Thy bitter penance/ and sharp affliction Thou shalt have merit/ and glorification And in my diadem thou shalt sure be A precious gem/ resplendent with beauty Sweet virgin to the I plainly express To jesus thy spouse/ thou shalt come hastily From worldly vexation/ pain and besenesse To abide and endure/ in joy perpetually Which singular comfort/ and vision ghostly Secretly she showed/ unto sisters twain Virtuous in living/ such grace to obtain soon after this said ghostly revelation Sickness approached her and infirmity The messenger of death/ and worldly separation Daily increased with woe and penalty Her body was brought to such debilyte That she sore dread her life every day The pangs and passions doubled always As she endured such langore and sickness She send for her sisters/ and all the covent exhorting them to virtue and goodness Principally to keep our lords commandment With ghostly perfection/ and be ever patient Use meekness in heart/ and true charity With love unto god/ from the heart fire She said dear sisters/ I pray you everichone Daily to observe the essencials three Of saint Benettes rule/ your holy religion Parfyt obedience/ and wilful poverty With the flower of cleanness and pure chastity Keep your doctrines/ and customs spiritual With ghostly observants/ and ceremonies all Honour and love our lord above all thing Occupy the time in meditation In devout prayer and discrete fasting In vigils penance/ and contemplation Call unto mind your straight profession Observe the order ye be professed unto Remember this lesson/ what so ever ye do Also my counsel is/ that ye shallbe content With the visitation of god all mighty Whether he send you pleasure or punishment Quietness vexation health or infirmity For this ye know/ by his authority The child whom the father loveth most dear He doth most punish tenderly in fere. ¶ With what patience and devotion lady Radegund received the blessed sacrament & extreme unction afore her departure AFterward she asked the holy communion With mickle reverence/ and humility To comfort the soul again temptation At the sharp passage/ of this mortality Where priests/ and clerks/ were all ready Their office to supple right convenient And brought with them/ the blessed sacrament At whose coming/ this reverent Radegunde With ghostly comfort humbled her body Saying to the sacrament/ with heart jocund Welcome my maker/ god son almighty Welcome my redeemer/ and king of glory Welcome my joy/ comfort and solace My trust/ my treasure/ in every place As the church teacheth/ I believe stydfastly That thou descended from bliss eternal And was incarnate/ in maiden Mary Suffered passion/ and death most thrall Man soul to redeem/ from pain infernal And that thou institute/ thy blessed body In furme of bred to us sacramentally Thus with great weeping/ and fervent devotion In true faith/ hope/ and charity Radegunde received the holy communion To preserve the soul from jeopardy With all observance/ and suffrage ghostly After all this she asked extreme unction For spiritual comfort/ and salvation And as she lay in such extremity Suffering great pain/ abiding the hour She be took her soul/ unto the custody Of Ihesu her spouse/ our blessed saviour Also to visyt her/ they came with great honour Many sad citesyns widow's/ virgins pure Lamenting and weeping/ for her departure They held up their hands/ toward heaven on high Piteously crying/ made great lamentation Saying O blessed lord/ god almighty Why suffers thou this maid/ depart from us alone Fatherless children without consolation Good lord if it be thy will and pleasure permit her to abide with us and endure O blessed abbess/ thou art our succour Our singular comfort/ both day and night Our help and refuge/ again all languor Our special defence/ under god almight Alas sweet masters/ and lady bright Why will you depart/ from us so hastily But again death/ may be no remedy. ¶ Of the departure of this holy abbess/ and how she appeared the same hour to a noble perfect/ curing him from sickness of his throat. THis venerable virgin/ expired soothly The xiii day of August/ to bliss eternal Angels were present/ with mickle melody To receive the soul/ from the life temporal For ever to reign/ in the see celestial To have her merit/ and glorification For her great virtue/ and contemplation And at the same hour/ of her departing Quareours labouring/ in the mount thereby Herd sweet armony of angels singing One said how the voice of a sad company Ascendeth to the ears of god almighty Suffer her no longer to endure distress Take her to joy/ and eterne quietness When the angels saying/ thus ended was They received the soul/ of this fair lady And brought it singing/ to the celestial palace (As afore is said) to reign eternally Unto which place/ of endless glory Pray for us abbess/ and holy moniall That we may thither come/ both one and all Manifold merits/ and miracles memorative Magnifien this maid/ with great magnificence enduring the time/ of this present life And at her departure/ known by experience For she appeared ghostly in presence The same hour she passed/ from this life dolorous To a great governor/ called Demolemus This said Demolemus/ was painfully cruciat In his breast and throat/ by host and swelling His breath restrained with passions tortuat Right like to expire/ at every hours ending Radegunde bade him/ straightly commanding To lose vii presoners/ within his jail and hold And he should have health/ and pleasure manifold (Which vision passed) he waked suddenly Calling to mind/ her will and commandment knew well by the vision/ that this noble lady Than was departed from this life present Proving the truth/ by messengers diligent afterward he send his servant to the prison Delivered all captive from pain and affliction incontinently by merit and grace of this abbess Demolemus mended/ of sickness and infirmity His throat and his heed/ which woeful was Were soon delivered/ from all penalty His breath restored/ at his own liberty This foresaid ruler/ and the prisoners all Praised this virgin/ with mind special Which said miracles notyfied plain Thorough the country/ and all the region Many poor prisoners/ suffering great pain Made daily prayers/ and humble supplication Unto this lady promising an oblation Desiring her suffrage with humility Were saved from death/ and put at liberty. ¶ How saint Radegund cured one of her servants from the plague of fire sitting in her chair without authority and right. Soon after the departure of this pure virgin A woman of Uivoberga one of her famylye Of high ambition willing to domyn Sat in her cha●er/ right presumptuously Commending herself/ that place most worthy So when she had done/ this offence grievous The punishment of god/ fell on her dolorous Her body burned/ as doth a hot furnace The find ascended/ to the air on high The pain continued/ and never ceased was Three days and iii nights/ enduring fervently This woeful woman seeing no remedy With heart penitent/ made plain confession Of her evil deed and high presumption She said sweet Radegunde/ have pity on me O comely queen/ forgive me mine offence Cease this fervent plague/ I pray to the Pardon my pride/ and great negligence I have offended/ your high pre-eminence And evil trespassed/ against your high honour Save me sweet lady/ from pain and dolour Also the people/ on her had compassion Tenderly for her/ prayed kneeling on knee Unto our saviour/ with high devotion And to saint Radegunde/ her help to be Anon this virgin/ on her having pite Ceased this fervent fire of punishment This woman was saved/ and cured from torment. ¶ A breve rehearsal of the great profit and remedy found by true oblation made to this moniall. THese foresaid miracles/ and other many one Infinite to rehearse all seriously This virgin showed/ by singular devotion Unto all people sick and in misery Desiring her prayers/ and suffrages meekly All such departed from her with gladness Which came to her presence/ in woe and heaviness Among all miracles after our intelligence Which Radegunde showed by her humility One is most usual had in experience Among the common people/ noted with heart free By offering of oats/ after their degree At her holy altars where miracles in sight Daily have be done by grace day and night By oblation of oaths/ halt/ lame/ and blind Hath been restored/ unto prosperity Dumb men to speak/ above course of kind Sickemen delivered/ from pain and misery Maidens hath kept their pure virginity Widows defended from grievous oppression And clerks exalted/ by her to promotion Many other miracles/ she showed express To every estate/ religious and rural By her great virtue/ merit/ and goodness Which be not rehearsed/ here in special But who so list to know her miracles all May further inquire/ of their benignity The book of her miracles where in they written be Which miracles/ who readeth seriously Mark/ mind/ and bear them well away Shall find that our lord god/ the king of glory showeth his mighty power day by day For all such: which in their hearts find may Him to love/ and serve above all thing And him to follow/ gladly in their living Like as did/ this virgin pudical As in her life I have made mention She forsook the pleasures/ great and small Of this world: and set all her affection poorly to live in straight religion In prayer/ fasting/ and worthy penance With watch/ labour/ and simple sustenance She viseted the sick persons impotent And ministered/ with good heart and mind To them such things/ as were convenient She succurred both lame/ halt/ and blind And the sore lazars/ where she did them find She washed/ and touched their sores tenderly And never abhorred/ any malady Her alms she gave/ there as she saw need To monasteries/ and persons religious briefly to speak/ many a virtuous deed She fulfilled: for which our lord jesus For her showed such miracles glorious What time she was here in this world living And also sith her hens away parting. ¶ A prayer or orison of the blessed queen Radegunde moniall and abbess. O Noble princess/ flowering in virtue Borne of kings blood/ by course of nature O blessed Radegund the spouses of jesus A mirror of meekness/ to every creature In thy young age/ refusing worldly pleasure Now reignest in heaven/ and joy lasting ay We the beseek/ sweet virgin pure Preserve and defend us both night and day O comely queen/ and lady excellent Sometime under spousage/ living in chastity Intending for to please our lord omnipotent And the world refuse with all vanity A wife and a maid as few other be Wearing the herd hear under garments gay At our departure of thy benignity Preserve and defend us both night and day Thy chaste conversation under matrimony Ever intended holy perfection Daily fulfilling the werkesse of mercy And upon the poor having compassion relieving prisoners in woeful affliction Most merciful princess proved all way We the require/ with humble supplication Preserve and defend us both night and day And when thou was in holy religion Thou showed example of humility To all thy sisters/ and congregation How they should keep their chastity Their true profession/ the essencials three A lantern of light/ shening verray Wherefore we pray the of thy charity Preserve and defend us both night and day Every creature in this present life May take of the perfect imitation Both queen and princess/ lady and wife Remembering thy straightness in religion Thy prayers/ penance/ vigils/ meditation The torment of thy body/ without delay In every time namely in lenten Preserve and defend us both night and day Also for thy virtue and great holiness Many miracles were showed both day and night People were cured/ by the from sickness Halt and lame healed/ blind had their sight Impotent persons/ restored to might Wickyd spirits abject/ it is no nay Of thy great charity sweet lady bright Preserve and defend us both nigh and day O beauteous gem and sapphire celestial O worthy diamounde/ shening with honour In the heavenly troune with joy angelical Praising and loving our blessed saviour Make thou intercession/ sheweng thy deuou● For us thy servants/ as thou well may Namely at this time/ and at every hour Preserve and defend us/ both night and day O rubicunde rose vernant in pulcritude Our daily comfort/ pleasant to be hold O lily white flower/ shening with claritude O radiant star/ passing pearl and gold Our singular defence/ and succour to be told To thy spouse jesus/ for us thou daily pray That we may repent/ our sin manifold Preserve and defend us both night and day For us make instance/ O gracious lady O queen and princess/ moniall and abbess That we may obtain here pardon and mercy And clear be absolved/ from sin and trespass And after this life/ to see the glorious face Of the blessed trinity/ in bliss to our pay Where joy is infinite/ and eternal grace Help virgin Radegunde/ both night and day. ¶ A breve conclusion/ & end of this poor translation moving the readers to accept this little unworthy to be red. Dear beloved brother/ in our lord jesus My faithful lover/ and special friend Glad I am to know your goodness & virtue To whom with humility I me recommend showing to you that I have brought to end And translate in to english/ the noble story Of maiden Radegun●e as ye desired me Requiring you tenderly of your gentleness To accept this present poor translation Excusing my ignorance/ and simpleness Taking my mind/ and humble intention Which work is done/ of no presumption Also pardon my terms though they rude be fruitless of sentence full of prolixity Now to all poetis flowering most eloquent And to all other/ that this life shall read or see With humble submission/ I do it represent Desiring them all/ of their charity To correct and reform it where is necessity Which said translation/ and indign work Is for common people/ written for no clerk And where this virgin/ and gracious lady Hath be kept silent and close a long season Known to few persons/ within this country Therefore we purposed/ under her protection To declare her life and ghostly conversation Dilating her fame/ and show her excellence Extolling her name with great magnificence Every great estate/ empress/ queen/ and duchess Example may take at this moniall To increase in virtue/ and proved meekness In church to be devout/ and courtesy in hall And to the poor people for to be liberal Every true matron her doctrine following In heaven may be sure to have a woning And who so that is a person religious May learn at this lady to keep patience To be humble in soul/ gentle and virtuous Observing chastity/ and true obedience With wilful poverty/ without concupiscence And ever content be with what jesus doth send giving humble thanks unto your lives end. Go fourth little book/ black be thy vesture As ever mourning enable to come to light Submit the also unto every creature Which reason hath desiring to have a sight O blessed saviour/ and lord most of might Preserve this poor book from hate and enmity With all humble readers of thy benignity. Amen. ¶ Thus endeth the life of saint Radegunde Imprinted by richard Pynson printer to the kings noble grace Cum privilegio a rege indulto. * ⁎ *