Confessors
Acta Sanctorum, May 16
Source text: Public Domain. English translation/apparatus/encoding: CC BY-NC 4.0, Wroot Press.
https://actasanctorum.org/may/day-16/confessors.html
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ON THE HOLY CONFESSORS
RAGNOBERTUS THE BISHOP AND ZENO THE DEACON,
AT BAYEUX IN NORMANDY.

7TH CENTURY

[Preface]

Regnobertus the Bishop, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

Zeno the Deacon, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

BHL Number: 7060, 7064

BY THE AUTHOR D. P.

[1] Bayeux or Bajocum, an Episcopal city is
in lower Normandy, to which the surrounding
region is commonly called le Bessin, the people formerly
Bajocasses or Biducasses were called.
This among others a Bishop had St.
Ragnobertus, in others Ragnebertus, Regnobertus and

Renobertus; [The Acts of the twin Translation] whose and St. Zeno his Deacon's bodies,
how in the IX century of the Christian era, after a triple of those
Saints' apparition, from Bayeux carried off, and to a certain
church of St. Victor translated a certain Hervaeus,
described in a grave nor barbarous style about the year 868
someone, who present was at least at the second translation,
from the said St. Victor's church to the new of St. Salvator about
the year 851, and at no. 9 narrates a miracle of an energumen
freed as by himself seen. This history we give from a MS.
of Belfortius, collated with two very ancient Codices of St. Vincent
of Vergy in Burgundy (whither for fear of the Normans
was translated at last the body of St. Ragnobertus, if not also
of Zeno) and of Auxerre by Peter Francis Chifflet
communicated. [by an eyewitness described:] It is not explained in that history, inasmuch as
in a matter then known, where in places was that St. Victor's church:
but considering the journey's reckoning, by which from Bayeux to Nogerolas
near Lisieux on the first day, but on the third was come to
the proper estate of that same Hervaeus, by the indication also of the neighboring as
to us it seems places, now Belleville and Froberville
called, we think to be signified the church of St. Victor in
the Pays de Caux, midway between Rouen and Dieppe on the way, four
on each side French leagues distant, which Clerical at that
time was, but in the XI century almost the middle, by a noble certain
Cleric was given to the monks of St. Audoenus with the title of a Priory,
and in the year 1074 erected into an Abbey, to this very
century enduring.

[2] He was present at the Synod of Reims under Sonnatius, about the year
of Christ 630, [a legend under the name of St. Lupus fabricated] Ragnebertus of Bayeux: that he is that very
of whom we treat St. Ragnobertus no one I believe would doubt,
unless in several MSS. were extant two little books, from a most fabulous
certain of his legend and the history of the translations conflated,
of which the prior of that legend the author thus feigns to preface,
I Lupus, although unworthy of the Church of Bayeux
the third from St. Exuperius, the second from B. Ragnobertus
Bishop, the life of St. Exuperius or the acts of B. Ragnobertus
my master, who me a Deacon ordained,
briefly have treated: and although wisely I could not,
some part however, which unworthy with my eyes
I saw and with my ears I heard, to expound I have not neglected.
The latter little book is finished with such of the author, equally falsely pretended, [by the same perhaps who interpolated the acts of the Translation;]
clause, in the two MSS. above-cited and that which Acherius
inserted in volume 12 of the spicilegium: I Joseph, a sinner
Priest, and of all the servants of Christ the last,
formerly however of the Aquitanians' King the Chancellor,
now of the illustrious King Louis of liberal letters
although undeserving the preceptor, and of the same sacred Palace's
Chancellors' ministry having discharged; formerly in the studies
of letters at Tours under the erudition of Amalricus of Tours
Archbishop instructed with Paul of Rouen
Archbishop … (of whom I Joseph
a sinner Priest, when to this writing
provoked my pen I applied, both these aforesaid Bishops
in one same month from the present lacked life)
not as I ought these things to write I took care, since neither suitable
of the charm of eloquence I was, but with rusticity's foolishness
by error suffused. Whence prostrate at all the
faithful's feet lying, humbly I ask
that at my words you be not indignant.

[3] [and who Louis III of the Franks K. Preceptor and Chancellor he lied himself,] The kingdom of Aquitaine had held Pippin the of Louis the Pious
son second, up to the year 838, leaving
a successor son also Pippin, whom his uncle Charles
the Bald of kingdom and liberty deprived in the year 852, when his son
Louis the Stammerer the year of his age was passing the 9th; that very
moreover kingdom of Aquitaine he gave to another son of his Charles,
and this dying in the year 855 to the aforesaid son
Louis, years now born 23, the same kingdom
transferred: and finally in the year 877 deceased,
had him of the Frankish monarchy the heir: to this indeed succeeded
his sons Louis and Carloman in the year
879: of whom the prior a year and a half only reigned,
years at the least born 16 when he died in the year
881. Therefore of this when he wrote himself the preceptor by feigning
this pretended Joseph, he seems himself the author to make
of the Translation aforesaid. But it betrays the imposture the diversity
of style, by which that Translation truly is described, and by which this insipid
patch and some others to the same adjoined; on the contrary indeed
with those things which to St. Lupus are imputed of the same patches
the phrase so agrees, that we are compelled of one writer the offspring
to recognize. [from inept patches sufficiently it is recognized,] The inept also ingenium of him betrays in so foreign
a place inserted the mention, of Amalricus and Paul Archbishops,
as if in the same month dead; which that true to be
under such a testimony might be believed (for died both in the year
854 or 5) the sense however whole disturbs a parenthesis,
nothing to the matter making. But how unworthy it would have been to a man
of such kind, under St. Lupus's name either to feign anything, or by
others fabricated to receive as probable?

[4] We have that very B. Lupus's Acts, November 25 to be given
(would that entire!) from MSS. of the Charterhouse of Coblenz and
of Cologne with this beginning: B. Ruffinianus, [That legend moreover is to the truer Acts of St. Lupus contrary,] the third from B.
Exuperius Bishop of Bayeux, St. Lupus of the Bayeux
city's territory sprung, whom baptized
to liberal studies he had given over, when to the order
of the Diaconate he was promoting; a certain one with him of ordination
Levitical the grace receiving, by name Stephen,
with a lofty voice began to proclaim, saying; Lord Ruffinianus,
this whom you consecrate a Deacon, your know
to be the successor. To blessed therefore Ruffinianus
from this light withdrawn, of the whole people and Clergy the will
that with Pontifical honor B. Lupus to be most worthy
asserts: among whom to Silvester of Rouen the Archbishop
by night an old man certain appeared, saying; The man
illustrious Lupus, whom for Himself God has chosen, without delay
to God's flock Pastor constitute. Hence to us
certainly can it be established about St. Lupus's age; since the Chronicle of Rouen, [who in the 5th century flourished,]
at the beginning of the XIII century written and by Philip Labbe
edited, Silvester's Episcopate refers to the year
334, and that all receive and confirms the series of Prelates
of Rouen, while between Silvester and Germanus,
who in the year 361 at the Council of Tours was present, alone
Malsonus is named. To the same make, which from St. Amandus's
monastery we have received lessons, together with St. Lupus's relics
thither brought, thus beginning: There was therefore, in the time
in which Aegidius a Roman King reigned in the Gauls, a man
of admirable sanctity Lupus. But Aegidius, of the Roman
militia Leader, the Franks Childeric the son of Merovaeus put to flight
received in the year 458, nor before 463 their exile
recalled; so that with the aforenoted Silvester's age, to whom
of the See years 8 or 13 are assigned, most well agrees
the time, in which Lupus already a Bishop to have flourished is said. Who
when he is called the third from St. Exuperius, [in the order of the Bishops of Bayeux the third.] so that he himself St. Exuperius
is understood the first, the second Ruffinianus, the third
Lupus, is had of the Bayeux Episcopate the beginning to the fourth
century's end referable; when also of Avranches,
of Coutances, of Lisieux, and of Séez in the same region
the Churches their first Bishops seem to have received, and that of Rouen older into a Metropolitan erected. A greater
certainly of the individual antiquity no one builds up, nor the names
of any one who earlier sat are brought forth.

[5] But how well these things among themselves agree, so much
to them are adverse the figments, [and meanwhile is feigned in the 2nd century ordained, St. Ragnobertus's successor,] under the name of the aforesaid Lupus proposed;
in which it is said, St. Exuperius, St. Clement the Pope's disciple,
by him with others (who however better perhaps to
Decius the Emperor's times by Gregory of Tours are referred)
into the Gauls sent came to Bayeux, and there among the first
converted by him and baptized Ragnobertus, advanced
through all the sacred Orders' grades up to the Priesthood,
together with Zeno, on whom the Archdeaconate office he enjoined.
Ragnobertus indeed upon the dead Exuperius's body
on a mountain built a church, then by St. Saturninus
Bishop of Toulouse divinely admonished consecrated
Bishop of Bayeux in the Brivensis village, whither him the Angel into
Saturninus's meeting had directed: whence returned, on the mountain
Phas, one mile from the city, where the people the Gospel to receive
refused, built an oratory of St. John, and
understood those obstinate ones not by him, but by his disciple
Lupus to be converted: then a small in the city church
by St. Exuperius built destroying, a greater basilica he raised,
and another in the name of St. Stephen; to which a long after
time a part of his own things by testament of charters
he confirmed; and finally by God's command his disciple Lupus
he ordained a Deacon, and him commended to the people, to be
to it after him a spiritual father, and on the third from then
day he died on the 17th of the Kalends of June, years of the Episcopate 90, of life
120 numbering, buried in the Basilica of St. Exuperius.

[6] [St. Ruffinianus St. Exuperius's successor excluded] Who does not see, St. Ruffinianus by this pact to be excluded
from the number of the Bishops of Bayeux, but to holy
Ragnobertus hardly three hundred years of the Episcopate would suffice,
that ordained by St. Clement's disciple, he should have ordained a Deacon
St. Lupus, after him immediately to succeed? By the use besides
of those first centuries, in which had lived and
written Lupus, by no means was it, Priests to call others
than Bishops; here however thus also are called Presbyters;
and indeed into this grade ordained to Zeno is said enjoined
the Archdeaconate Office, which in antiquity
to Deacons alone belonged. Add that the name of Ragnobertus
or Renobertus Frankish is, nor probably before
the Franks' into Gaul coming in the V century in Gaul heard.
So that a wonder it is the Frankish writers, who of the Episcopates
Catalogues wove, without hesitation to have received this order,
by which to themselves succeeded Exuperius, Renobertus,
Ruffinianus, Lupus; and by the Sammarthani of error to be argued
those, [and with Ragnobertus doubled without cause: who truly in the 7th century lived.] who St. Renobertus from Ragnobertus, Sonnatius of Reims's
coeval, do not distinguish. So firm namely prejudices
make writings, under a great author's name a great showing forth
authority, until more accurately they be examined:
which by us to be done if grievous to some is, let them know far more grievous
to learned men it is ecclesiastical history to receive entangled
with knots insoluble, as long as from those masked writers
is not drawn off the mask, by some centuries' patience
relying and the favor of cities and peoples, their and their
churches' beginnings as ancient as possible to be said rejoicing
and to be believed desiring.

[7] [His miracles unknown,] Miracles both living and dead to have wrought St. Ragnobertus,
by whose merit burial in a church and a cult
public he obtained, I do not at all doubt: but nothing of them to writing
to have been handed down also I think. Wherefore, that still
as a Doorkeeper he is said seven energumens to have freed from unclean
spirits, invoked His name who them from Mary
Magdalen to go out commanded; and from the Brivensis village returning
consecrated Bishop, a staff sent to have healed a paralytic;
and at his first into the city of Bayeux entrance, a of blood flux
laboring woman and many sick and energumens,
that I do not of great esteem to be made. Nor of more would I make
the eulogy, which Saussay in the Gallican Martyrology in these words wove in, At Bayeux St. Renobertus the Bishop and Confessor,
who St. Exuperius's received from the sacred laver son,
heir also for the gifts of outstanding sanctity of the Pontificate
to be merited; and by the divine gift's execution
of many the minds to piously acting inflamed,
finally with a life religiously led's insignia noble,
after many works of piety rested in the Lord: this
indeed of every holy Bishop can be said. [the translation into Burgundy on the 24th, not the 14th of Oct. is venerated,] More proper
is what he adds: his sacred spoils in St. Exuperius's temple
laid, afterward the Danes rushing into Neustria, to Oringeium,
in Besançon of the Sequani the Metropolis's
borders, translated, the day October 14 by that translation
notable there rendered. But neither these things without error are:
for what Oringeium he calls, Quingeium it is, and for
the 14th day to be noted it had been the 24th.

[8] The same no whit more accurate in the Supplement to the 2nd day
of September, thus writes: At Bayeux the translation of St. Renobertus
Bishop and Confessor, [the prior to the church of St. Victor not September 2.] and also of Zeno
his minister: whose bodies, on a mountain laid
and divinely revealed, Walfugus the Bishop
from the earth dug up to the church of St. Victor conveyed,
and with fitting apparatus replaced to be venerated. Far
from Bayeux was the church of St. Victor, into which were brought
those sacred bones, [but December 28 it happened.] on the third after they had been re-dug
day the 5th of the Kalends of January, as is gathered from the Acts:
the latter indeed Translation, from the church of St. Victor to the new
of St. Salvator, to be celebrated is said, and indeed in MSS.
some Martyrologies is noted on the 8th of the Kalends of April:
and to this with Freculfus of Lisieux, and Ansegaudus
of Avranches, [the other in St. Salvator's March 28,] Baltfridus of Bayeux his presence and
work lent: but Walfugus a Bishop
no of the Gallican Episcopates diptychs have known.
Greven in his to Usuard additions,
and from this in the Germanic Martyrology Canisius, on April 23
refer the memory of Renobertus Bishop of Bayeux,
who in life and miracles famous, [the birthday perhaps April 23,] 40 years in
the Episcopate completed, rested in the Lord. Thus perhaps
it was found in some old to a Norman of a certain
church or that very of Bayeux's use written and augmented
Usuard's copy. But why not here the true Natal
was? but this day May 16 assumed by the Bayeux people
was, and by the fabulist now confuted as
the day, from an old outside sepulcher to the Cathedral
of Bayeux, or of some within the same Cathedral
elevation; when in the same of Greven and Molanus additions
is read in the first place, on that very day to be done the commemoration
of B. Renobertus, Bishop and Confessor,
a man of great sanctity.

THE TRANSLATION OF THE BODIES
At Bayeux to the churches of St. Victor and St. Salvator
By a coeval Author from MSS.

Regnobertus the Bishop, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

Zeno the Deacon, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

BHL Number: 7063

BY A COEVAL AUTHOR FROM MSS.

CHAPTER I.

The prior Translation, by the Saints thrice appearing to Hervaeus commanded, and by the same made.

[1] In the year of the Lord's Incarnation eight-hundredth
forty-seventh, in the Indiction
tenth, the Lord by Sergius the Pope presiding, [a]
Balfridus [b] the Church of Bayeux ruling, appeared
with St. Zeno the Archdeacon the most blessed Ragnobertus
to a certain venerable man, [The Saint himself and Zeno to be translated commanding appears to Hervaeus,] by name Hervaeus,
and with bland him in a vision addresses words
saying: Arise man of God, go to the city of Bayeux,
and ascend the place which is called the Mount-of-the-Church,
where formerly were buried the Bishops of the city:
you will find there a basilica, in honor of God and
Exuperius, the first of that city's Bishop, built,
but now of its ornaments stripped, forsaken
and solitary, and in which no is performed
divine office, whence also of its fall the ruin
it shows. In it of the blessed Confessors Ragnobertus
the Pontiff, and of his minister Zeno the bodies
uncared-for rest, without any of dignity or honor
reverence. And therefore I command in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, that thence them with the highest
religion dug up to be led you cause to the proper of your honor
places; and a keeper of them at all time made,
provide for them to be buried places with such splendors
worthy, in which honorably to remain they may. Which
said, soon they vanished. He moreover
rising, the reduced vision which he had seen to
memory, consternated in mind, the admirable
shuddered at sight, believing himself by a phantasmatic illusion
deluded: and therefore to no one he indicated, but utterly to oblivion
delivered. Considering namely with many
crimes' weights himself subjected, [and again with the sending of a fever,] and in the age's businesses
involved, in no way himself he believed of visions
heavenly to enjoy; nor to dare the Saints'
bodies from sepulchers to lift, or to the proper places to carry off.
But a certain space of time being passed,
again the same man venerable was present; and the same
Hervaeus, on his left side lying, on the right
side struck; rebuking him harshly, that he had omitted
the command of the vision, which to him the Lord through
His servants had deigned to reveal. Who thus seized,
for three afterward months with a fever's torment
was vexed. This moreover second vision, on the eighth of the Kalends
of July to him was shown: which he nevertheless,
as the prior, utterly on account of his fragility's consideration
incredulously dismissed.

[2] At the coming moreover of the Nativity of our Lord
Jesus Christ most solemn night, after the cocks'
crowing came to the aforesaid Hervaeus two men, of whom
one clothed in Episcopal garments seemed;
the planets moreover, which from above they used, with a saffron
gleamed aspect: with which also in his very body's
translation we saw him wrapped, and even today in
the sepulcher with that very body to remain we confirm
[c]. [But St. Zeno, who with the Blessed was present
Ragnobertus, covered with garments most white of a Deacon
seemed, which in the translation of his body nowhere
appeared.] Was indeed the same venerable one,
terrible in aspect, lofty in stature, [and a third time the extreme things threatening,] with adorned of the head's
hair, with hoariness resplendent, with a ruddy face
and a modest whiteness suffused. Who before him standing,
with terrible him words addresses, saying: I
am Ragnobertus with Zeno my companion: a third time
to you sent we are by the command of God almighty, who shows
to you through us the secret of His mercy. But
you disobedient and contumacious, in no way to obey
you wished; and because these things which to you we announced making little of,
not only to oblivion you have delivered, but
nor do you attend even that to you from heaven of secrets the hidden things
are revealed, despising of our legation the command in your mind
to ponder; behold it will be completed upon you, what
the Lord by the Prophet's voice speaks saying; Who would not
the blessing, it will be far from him, and he will put on
the curse like a garment. [Ps. 108, 18] Know moreover,
that from this day, unless of the precepts the commands to perform
you will have striven, for which disobedient for so great
a time you have been, with languor very much you will be consumed,
and such of your body's plague the detriment, that besides
holy Job, no of men to life returning
so great of his body's pains will have paid: and through
this you will be chastised, lest any more by divine persuasions
admonished thus incredible of gifts heavenly
secrets you should judge: but if still even with a most elated
of contumacy mind to defer you try, and God almighty's
commands to fulfill you refuse; with the disease elephantine
touched, with leprosy also in your whole body struck,
with the gore of ulcers through the minutest of the body's bounds
gushing, thus you will be struck, that hardly any of friends
of the putrid body to bear is able the scars:
and with such having undergone a funeral, in hell buried
you will be. That these things moreover in mind you may ponder, whether
of acting to you by the Lord is granted power, or as
you have received efficaciously to fulfill you can, fifteen days'
space to you is granted. Act now man of God, remember
my discourse, and the brought to you from heaven vision
in mind ponder: and because two to you offered seem,
which rather are of your health the remedies to be performed
do not neglect to determine; since by divine judgment
either pains of the present life you will receive, or future ones
eternally you will pay.

[3] [He terrified] These said from the man's sight they departed. But suddenly
terrified, awaking, from the bed in which he lay
he rose, and what he had seen with the mind's reason with terror
he penetrated: and to the church, to which in the evening he had come
for the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ to be celebrated,
he flew: and the in God's praises
of the festive night office performed, also the daytime of the most sacred
day's ministry by hearing he discharged. Therefore on the same
of the Nativity of the Lord day to that same city
terrified he proceeded; desiring to Balfridus of the city of Bayeux
the Bishop to make open the revealed things. But when him there not
he had found, as quickly as possible [d] to Lindis the city he returned:
and there Freculfus of that same city's venerable
Bishop found, all things which he had seen, he indicated. [Freculfus Bishop of Lisieux being consulted,]
The Prelate moreover these things hearing to these to be performed him
to corroborate was zealous, saying: If what you assert, to you
truly was announced, act, man of God, as quickly as possible, that you may perform
what to you by the Lord is enjoined: the Lord
indeed, who to you these things commanded to be revealed, will be in your company
your, and Him you will have a most strong of your work helper;
and He will direct His peace's Angel with you, who you
may guard, and through the way of salvation your steps to walk
may make, that according to the Lord's command all things to busy yourself about
you may. But if by a phantasy's illusion a certain in the manner
of dreamers you are taken, and this you have tried rash
to do; without doubt of the present life's peril,
and of your soul and your things' loss you will incur,
and pains you will suffer eternal.

[4] Thus instructed by the most Religious Prelate Freculfus's
counsel Hervaeus, taken with himself two venerable
Presbyters, Guinemarus namely and Harduinus,
in haste to Bayeux the city, [and two Priests being received,] where the Saints' rested
bodies, proceeded: yet secretly that same
city, on account of the Britons' ambushes, who at that time
that same land had occupied and with much slaughter the region
oppressed, he entered. Entered moreover
Hervaeus that same city's church, the Lord's help
besought. The evening drawing on the day,
when the sign to the Compline's office sounded, he entered
with the Priests the church, in which were the Saints'
bodies of the Confessors: and they began to dig the sepulcher
of the Blessed Bishop Ragnobertus: [the sacred bodies he re-digs] and thence devoutly
with the divine gift's protection, with joy great
filled, gathered the aforesaid Priests the bones of B. Ragnobertus
the Pontiff: and lifting from the sepulcher with
all of devotion's reverence, bound them with a pall
and in a new vessel placed them. [and Zeno's body he lifts] After these things to Zeno's,
his formerly disciple's, sepulcher they came:
to which their hands laying, they took him from the tomb,
in which he lay, and in another vessel enclosed.
The day at length dawning, the Saints' bodies with hymns
and divine praises carrying, from the city they went out:
there was moreover on that day about all the region so dense
of air a fog, that hardly each other to see they could,
which to the way's aid very much profited. On the same
day Balfridus, that very city's Bishop, of a nefarious crime
had been before the glorious King Charles accused:
and on account of that, because to a holy synod by
him gathered he had flown, was absent from the city, and
in the synod the office, from which deposed [e] he had been, recovered,
and even with gifts adorned very many returned.

[5] Meanwhile proceeding the aforesaid men with the Saints'

bodies, evening being made they turn aside to rest, in
a villa which is called [f] Nogerolas; and there on that night
resting, [and first to Nogerolas, thence into the basilica of St. Victorius he carries.] in divine praises the night through-vigil
they led. But morning being made lifting on their shoulders
the Saints' bodies, the journey, which the Lord admonishing
they had begun, to take they began. Came moreover to meet
them a very great throng of people, and on every side
religious Priests of God: and while on the second
day they proceeded now with much throng, it happened that
they came into a place, where certain wicked men a man
by night had killed: and while for burial his body
was given for an alms, began Hervaeus
to announce to the people, that for his soul God's mercy
they should implore. It happened that also a blind
woman there came from birth, by name [g] Hedewigga,
and the light, which always she had lacked, received,
and there the Lord pitying before the Saints' obsequies
health merited: [Blindness is healed] which on the fifth [h] of the Ides
of January was done. To grow moreover their lights
(although they are wont at that time the days with too much rains
to abound) never they ceased: but continually
and inextinguishable they remained. Lifting moreover
their bodies from the place where they had stopped, they came
into the Basilica, in honor of B. [i] Victor dedicated,
which on the proper [of the mother namely] of that very
Hervaeus is built: [a withered hand,] and there they deposited them
upon the altar. The dawn indeed of the day rising, while
the Saints' fame in the region grew frequent, came
a certain man a hand having withered, which for no
use was apt, which also to his mouth in no
way he could lead, and was healed. On the eighth at length
day a certain woman, Savenildis by name,
to the Saints' sepulchers with four-day fevers vexed
flew, and from which she was held by the infirmity cured
was. Many indeed with fevers seized, from the neighboring
on every side regions to the aforesaid Saints'
bodies with their devotion's vows coming, [withered limbs and various diseases.]
of their petition's effect merited, and
unharmed to their own returned. With various moreover
infirmities, and various languors tormented, their vows
bringing they came, and the Lord aiding
in the same place were cured [k].

ANNOTATA.

if however the vision befell about the year 847's beginning, it could the same still
living have befallen. The MSS. of Vergy and of Auxerre note the year
846: but this with the indiction 10 does not agree, except from the month of September:
and then between the first vision and the second, on the 8th of the Kal. of July made,
could precisely a half year have flowed; just as it flowed from the second to
the third made on the 8th of the Kal. of January. The same MSS. more licentiously interpolated, thus
have. In the year 7 reigning King Charles (it is this year, from June to be begun, to each of the said years 846 and 847 common)
the son namely of Louis the Emperor, Sergius the Roman Church governing
the Apostolate's honor, in which time was captured the church of B. Peter
the Prince of the Apostles: which last absolutely false is, I know not whence taken: for nothing such in Sergius II, of whom here we treat, Anastasius.




be believed done in the Council of Paris of the year 846 according to Sirmond: in which
similarly suspended was Ebbo of Reims. Others in the year 847 it done
establish, whom follows Labbe in the new Councils' edition.

league's space distant from Lisieux, but from Bayeux by full ten leagues, so that
very much to have hastened it behoves the bearers, who so great a journey within one day
with the holy bodies completed.

g. Otherwise Bedenigga.

the third from the carrying of the Saints' bodies day be understood, just as above
the second, and soon below the eighth in the very place of resting, built
now sepulchers and the bodies within placed.


k. There followed
a long digression about the miracles and deeds of the Saints with fruit to be read;
which plainly to be intruded it appears. It is enough that it can be read in
Acherius.

CHAPTER II.

Another apparition of St. Ragnobertus and the body's translation to the church of St. Salvator. Various miracles.

[6] About the same time a blind man certain of the Le Mans
city was, by name Hildegarius, who through
the slumber of night was admonished, [A blind man is illuminated,] that he should proceed to the Saints'
bodies, for his light's recovery.
Who soon by the hands of a certain servant supported, to
their monuments led, by the Lord's grace, the light's
office, which long he had lacked, whole made, received.
Nor that to be passed over is, that a paralytic
certain woman, by name Gisildis, for years five with body
loosed lay, [a paralytic woman is healed,] nor any member to its
act's office to have could: who when by the hands of her
maidservant brought, before the Saints' bodies prostrate
rested. To whom the most blessed Ragnobertus the Pontiff,
and Zeno his Companion appeared in an excess
of mind, and said to her: Arise, go to Hervaeus, and
say to him, that he build a church in honor of holy Salvator,
in a clean and uncontaminated place, since
in no way wishes God, that in this place we rest. [a]
The aforesaid therefore woman, [by whose admonition,] when the admonitions she heard, answered;
What am I, that when these things I shall have announced believed I ought to be?
in no way about this am I to be believed. To whom B.
Ragnobertus the Confessor, said: Do as to you I command,
and I will make in you of credulity a sign, through which altogether
to your sayings will be believed. Arise in the name of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and be from this by which you are held infirmity
loosed.

[7] She moreover from her bed whole rising, announced
to Hervaeus what she had seen and heard, [to the church of St. Salvator,] and what commanded
to her had been. These things the man religious Hervaeus hearing,
began in mind to ponder, in what place and whence, and with what
expenses a church in honor of holy
Salvator he should found. He found indeed a place the Lord
admonishing to this most worthy, and with his own
expenses, not as he wished, but as he could, a church
in honor of God and our Lord Jesus Christ
he founded: and from his poverty's abundance with summits
he raised, and with various species adorned, and the whole
work God aiding to the perfect even brought through.
And now had come of that same church's dedication's
time, and of the blessed bodies the day of translation,
where were present venerable and by merits illustrious Prelates,
namely Freculphus of Lisieux the Bishop, [March 23 they are carried,] and
also Baltfridus of Bayeux the Prelate [and of Avranches
the Church Ansegaudus [b] the Pontiff] who called
by Hervaeus, on the tenth of the Kalends of April with their parishes
came, and to the divine Numen's praises to be celebrated
admonished, and with them of the whole night the vigils
with fitting offices solemnly consummated.
The dawn therefore of the day rising, they clothe themselves with garments sacred
with a multitude of Priests the Pontiffs, for
translating the Saints' bodies: and a place most clean
where they should deposit them, they prepared, whither of the whole
province the people and the whole order Clerical
to the festal day had flowed together. And when all awaited
of so great a solemnity the gladness; the aforesaid Prelates
B. Victor's church, where the Saints' bodies
were, entered. Lifting moreover their bodies,
with hymns and divine praises to the newly built
house they carried: in which to God almighty
three altars built were, of which in the middle
a place for the Saints' bodies to be buried apt seemed:
and there in the right wall the Blessed Confessor and
Bishop Ragnobertus is buried, St. Zeno
at the left in the earth is laid, and there even to the present
day they are venerated.

[8] Before by the aforesaid Prelates there they were carried,
through the sanctification's grace the house within and
without is consecrated, [3 altars by as many Bishops being consecrated,] and there three altars are consecrated,
of which the first Freculphus of Lisieux
the Bishop in honor of our Lord Jesus Christ
blessed: the middle moreover Baltfridus of the Church of Bayeux
the Prelate in honor of St. Ragnobertus founded.
The third indeed the Prelate of Avranches Ansegaudus
in honor of the holy Mother Virgin Mary and St.
John the Baptist constituted. These thus completed are buried
the Saints' bodies: each one in its place
proper with praises and to God worthy honors
arranging: there is joy of the whole fatherland, and of those exulting
resound the praises and even today perpetual remains
the gladness. How great of Monks was present the order!
Of Canons how very great a throng! Namely from
the neighboring provinces there had flowed together all the multitude
of the people, [no rain hindering.] and even until to burial they were delivered with
hymns and praises specially exulting, they accompany
with hymns and canticles or with whatever
exultations. But what of joy on that day
was done, to be kept silent in no way it seems. Rain
for the whole that region like rivers had watered,
but in the place, where the people for the festivity to be celebrated
had assembled, nothing at all rained. In a wondrous
manner, to those from elsewhere coming the shower had harmed; there
indeed to those the feast keeping by no means it had hindered. And so
the Priests, the Saints' bodies without the rains'
impulse burying, to their own with joy returned
were.

[9] Moreover what almighty God, on the same of the translation
of the Saints and the church's dedication day, [There are healed mute persons,]
through His servants' merits to work deigned,
for future times to many's progress to memory
is to be commended. A mute certain woman, Hildeburgis
by name, from birth, on that day spoke. Because
indeed of the new translation; of the new church's consecration
the day had shone, with a new the Lord of miracles
sign it to illustrate willed. Another indeed we saw
on the same day a miracle, which is to be recounted. [an energumen woman,] A certain
woman, Bertruda by name, who by a demon was vexed,
there on the same day was freed. [a blind woman,] Moreover a blind
woman, at the Saints' bodies' places, where before
the translation they had rested, sitting, of mercy
the Lord's asking gifts, on the very festivity's day illuminated
was. By these therefore three of the Lord's signs the day
that is discerned illustrated: and since three within are
built altars, of three miracles there were effected
the signs: indeed is celebrated this festivity [c] on the 8th
of the Kalends of April. A certain Hermericus by name,
blind from the very mother's womb coming, sight, [a blind man,] which
always he had lacked, there received, and to the former merited
to be reformed health: and so of his light the received brightness,
rejoicing to his own returned. But when filled with joy, by the way by which he had come praising God returning,
he met a certain Priest on a horse sitting,
by name [d] Gulsuidus, and he said to him: Whence come you, and
whither go you? Are you not that one, who lately the light lost
with a guide through the levels of ways walked? To whom
he: I am, who never the sight of heaven, except
today, to see merited; but always by others' hands,
the ways through which a journey I had I proceeded. To which the Priest:
By whose to you it seems merit this to have been done, that the lost
light you received? Who answered: Of the holy
Confessors Ragnobertus and Zeno by the merit freed
I am. Then the Priest mocking, with a rod, [to whom not believing with a broken leg he is punished.] which
in his hand he carried, his leg striking, said: Thus indeed
acted, as you boast, the Lord through these His servants
a miracle; just as I now will break my leg.
And while he struck, this saying, his leg; straightway
the blow a pain follows, and to the ground from the horse falling,
with a broken leg he appeared. By which token is made manifest
both the blind man to have been freed by the Saints' merits,
and on account of the incredulity of the Priest, the leg to have been
broken. There came moreover the discourse into all that region
that, and nowhere was a place, where the name
of the Lord was not found, and the Saints' names and
merits with veneration were remembered.

[10] There was moreover from [e] Baliola the villa a certain woman
sprung, who a flux of blood suffered for much
time. She to the Saints' bodies her vows brought
coming, [very many sick are cured,] and from this freed was there of infirmity,
and health received to her own returned. But because
proceed very many of signs miracles, which the Lord
through His servants wrought, and who also to
this them place to be brought commanded, and many follow
in the same place done, worthy we have judged
from very many a few to insert. For who to enumerate
is able how many sick daily there, the Lord granting,
from various languors are cured? No sick man
is, who there for his sickness's cause coming, there does not
merit to be heard and cured. Wherefore hither and thither
with various vexed infirmities coming, our Lord
Jesus Christ being propitious, to be healed they merit. Whence
manifestly it is gathered, that while exteriorly visibly
they are healed, interiorly through almighty God's piety from
many of sins' bonds they are loosed, are relieved
the offenses, are washed away the crimes, and various of sins'
kinds, the holy Spirit's grace illustrating, are healed.
With various languishing, to the same holy place
for health's grace flowing together, [a blind man and his blind daughter,] came also a certain
blind man from the villa aforesaid Baliola, by name Odricus:
and while to the Blessed Confessors' bodies
he came, prayer made, his light's brightness to receive
merited: and who blind had been coming, seeing
with joy filled returned. His also daughter, the brightness
of her [light] lacking, which formerly to have
she could not, on the day of their festivity, the Lord pitying,
to have merited: and like her father, the received of her
brightness sight, thence exultantly to her own returned.
Came besides a certain lame woman, Regnoara by name,
by others' hands carried to the place of curation, [and another lame woman.]
and there of her weak members received health,
and by her own steps without another's suffrage,
the Lord governing, to her own returned.

ANNOTATA.


Baltfridus of Bayeux and Heirardus of Lisieux of the Churches the Bishops
was present at the Council of Soissons 2, in the year 853. Dead therefore then was
Freculfus, in the year 852 still subscribed to the privilege of the monastery of St. Remigius
in the Synod of Sens. What if from the Quierzy in Picardy assembly
returning the aforesaid Prelates in the year 849; and through the Rouen
diocese, there where a new church was building Hervaeus, passing; by
the same were invited to a translation the next year to be made, when
some new assembly them into those parts called? The words here []
enclosed have the MSS. 2 above-cited; and to be added it appears from soon
to be related the enumeration of consecrated by the individual Bishops altars.

c. Thus
on the day March 25 is referred the memory of St. Ragnobertus in some MSS. and
in Ferrarius, but as on such a day at Vergy in Burgundy received, which
hence is refuted.

d. Otherwise Gulfuidus.


CHAPTER III.

The remaining miracles of the Saints.

[11] That also to insert it pleased, which the Blessed Confessor
to Hervaeus disobedient to his admonitions foretold.
For in the third of his vision's order, [Hervaeus with various diseases is tormented,] by rebuking
he foretold, him many adverse things to suffer, because to his
admonitions he had not believed, and the commands of the Lord incredulous
he had not fulfilled, but to oblivion all things he had delivered, and
the Saints' precepts he had not attended: and therefore is fulfilled
the discourse of the Saints, although late. There came indeed upon
Hervaeus a plague to tell intolerable, a tribulation
of heart, of all the members a dissolution, so much
that through eighteen months continuous of heart and
of body there followed a pain: and now almost of flesh failing,
so that hardly, unless the Lord sustaining, to live in
so great a body's weakness one is able, and for a little
the torments to tolerate, which to tell neither can be, nor even
believed. Finally refreshment neither by day, but nor
by night of the body he felt: food and drink only
water was: who neither to the other side to turn
could, nor a hand to his mouth to lead: and so by such
consumed torments, through the aforesaid for a very long
time was vexed. But when now the time of the mercy
of the Lord was imminent, that from so great a pain
in whatever manner he might receive a suffrage, he remembers
the before-granted to himself license by our Lord
Jesus Christ the Saints' merits to be conferred. To the Saints'
therefore sepulcher he was brought: and there the Lord
favoring, of health the help merited and of his unharmedness's
health. Finally his wife, [there is healed his feverish wife,] Milesendis
by name, a woman of good religion, by fevers vexed
three-day, the holy place going to, is cured and from
her vexation healed. Demoniacs very many
there brought, through their merits daily are cured.
From of teeth moreover the pains, [and other sick,] to holy Zeno's
sepulcher very many coming, and vows paying
are freed: with whatever various tormented
of torments pains, before the Blessed Confessors'
tombs pardon asking, of souls and bodies
the healings to receive merit.

[12] But indeed to write it is not a shame what about the incautious
of rapines presumption to a certain wretch happened,
and how great of miseries slaughters him followed
were, and with what of his death's torment his life miserably
he lost, a worthy of vengeance his punishment incurring.
There was a certain wretch, the cruelty of rapines in the manner
of beasts exercising, one of the tyrants from
the companions of a certain most unhappy Martinus; [having stolen sheaves of corn and against St. Ragnobertus a blasphemer,] who according to
his custom's will the holy place impudently entering,
sheaves of corn whatever binding with a band, began to take and from the same
holy place proudly to snatch. Whom when a certain of the servants
of God, Gotardus by name, from his cell going out, thus
acting saw; with bland him words he addresses,
saying: Why, Brother, the holy place so irreverently
have you entered? and why a heap of ears, of which
this place's Brothers to live ought, with you do you strive to carry off?
He indeed to heap up of his malice the vow,
full of an unclean spirit, said: Even if Ragnobertus
of ears were a sheaf, indeed to my horse
him to be eaten I would have given. These things hearing Brother
Gotardus, to his little cell hastily returned: and the door closed,
the Lord's mercy to implore began, and
the Saints' merits to remember. Then the aforesaid
man with the corn's sheaves [a] to the villa, Promerendum [b]
by name, proceeded: where while a certain house he entered,
to his horse the sheaves to be eaten he gave, and
to the man whose house it was, indicated in what place the sheaves
he had found, and how by force he had taken them, and what words with
the servant of God he had spoken: To whom the man said, Against
your soul, wretch, to have done let it repent you: go, return
to the holy place, and carry back what presumptuously
hither you have brought, and by penance led humble yourself
in the sight of God and His Saints, [into fury rapt and blaspheming he dies,] lest there come
upon you the fury of God, and indignation, and consumed
by a demon you perish. But he answering said, by no means,
by my health, thus I will do; but if
the same Saint a sheaf were, indeed to my horse
to be eaten I would give. He therefore speaking,
fell the horse and was dead. Then seized by a demon
the wretch, put his fingers into his eye, and that plucked out,
said: Receive St. Ragnobertus the eye from me taken
for your sheaves. Similarly also tearing out the other,
he said: Receive also this in of my cruelty the misery
for your sheaves: he returned moreover to his tongue, and with teeth
his own cut from his mouth with his hand he drew it out. And so
of three joys of his own body by the law taken away,
of three sheaves the vengeance he paid. At last miserably
of his head the hairs by tearing dead
he was. [c]

[13] To be added besides it seems still a miracle,
in a certain wicked man done, who for his presumption's
execrable deeds a worthy of vengeance obtained
merit. [the doors broken, having stolen 3 measures of grain,] For a servant a certain of the brother of Hervaeus,
whose name was Modingus, and the name of the Lord
of his Crelion, goaded by the devil, approached boldly
to a certain house with corn full, of theft's
cause: and because the door's key he found not, with his foot thrice or
four times he struck, and into three parts the door of the house
he broke. Thence of three measures [d] a sack full
by fraud he carried off. To which work on the third day of punishment the vengeance
death followed: [cut into 3 parts he perishes:] for his body into three
parts was divided, and because the door of the house into three
parts he divided, three also of grain measures by stealth he carried,
of three parts by the cutting his body cut off
was, and so with such a death worthy his life he ended.

[14] [Charles the Bald from a pain of teeth freed] Charles at last the King of France, of Aquitaine,
of Neustria most glorious, with a pain of teeth touched, vows
to the Blessed Confessors' [sepulcher] sent, and
at once remedies obtained, whose most noble spouse
Ermentrudis [e] the venerable Queen for of her munificence's
and piety's merit, asked of the aforesaid King the munificence,
that something proper to bestow he would deign
on the holy Confessors: to whose petition holy he assented,
and of his property a gift, for of his most venerable
spouse the merit, [possessions he gives.] on the blessed Confessors bestowed
he: and through his authority's precept there
things with all integrity certain in benefice
to have, and perpetually to be had and held confirmed.
There was moreover the same magnificent King Charles
about places to divine worship given over most devout, so that
no of his predecessors, of the Emperors namely
and parents or Kings there was, who with so great
of his munificences' things by adorning to churches
conferred: wherefore the villa which is called Veteres-domus

the Prince, with the son of the aforesaid most noble King,
Louis [h] by name: and there Hilispogius, counsel
with the Franks' most noble having taken, to Louis
the King's son of Neustria [i] the kingdom gave, and in this kingdom's
part him to reign constituted. And in the same agreement
King Charles, for of his most noble spouse Ermentrudis's
devotion, to the Blessed Confessors, just as to other
Saints' places, of his own bestowed, to the servants of God
and handmaids' stipends, whence the Lord granting
with other whatever things, which there other God
fearing conferred, might live of the same church's
Brothers. But the greatest of Queens Ermentrudis
not only to this to be done the King provoked, but
also a pall to the Blessed Confessors' bodies
sent, saying: From the things obtained, of my sins
pardon and life eternal to obtain may I merit,
and the pall sent the unwearying of my pain not to feel
presently I seek; which thus of her faith we have found
to have been confessed: because these things also in the first
of the glorious King Louis the year namely the son
of the great King Charles and of Ermentrudis his most noble
spouse, and the glorious Queen, for the love of God
the Father Almighty and the blessed Confessors Regnobertus
the Pontiff, and his companion Zeno's veneration
conferred: granting our Lord Jesus Christ,
to whom honor and glory in the ages of ages,
Amen.

ANNOTATA.



c. Here
again the interpolator the sense had disturbed, digressing to the eternal of the sacrilegious
damnation to be inculcated. There followed then in the MS. of Belfortius the cure of Melisendis, but according to the MSS. of Vergy and of Auxerre Hervaeus's wife she was, not of this sacrilegious one.



of Nomengius the Briton, war waged for his father: and to this in the year 862 dead
succeeding, slain was he in the year 866, as in the Annals of Metz
is read: he came moreover to Charles in the year 863, and to him yielded the places, which
he held in the County of Anjou, as writes Argentré bk. 2 ch. 22.




APPENDIX.

On the Relics of St. Ragnobertus translated into Burgundy.

Regnobertus the Bishop, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

Zeno the Deacon, of Bayeux in Normandy (S.)

BY THE AUTHOR G. H.

Illustrious in the Besançon of Burgundy Archbishopric is
the monastery of Baume, by St. Euticius the Abbot, whose Acts we gave
January 13, in the IX century founded. From this monastery
depends the Priory of St. Ragnobertus, near Quingey
a town, so called because the body of St. Ragnobertus thither brought,
hitherto upon the altar in a stone chest is kept. The day
to this translation sacred is October 24, and inscribed in the ancient
Breviary MS. of Besançon, and another in the year 1590 printed,
but in this are prescribed all things from the Common of a Confessor
and Pontiff. But in the monastery of Baume and the Priory of St.
Ragnobertus are lessons proper, [The Priory of St. Ragnobertus] of which the last about this
translation of this kind: Some afterward some
years being elapsed, when the Normans through those regions to rage continued,
of the holy Bodies the keepers and bearers into
Burgundy a refuge had, [in it the cult and Relics] and of B. Regnobertus
of the sacred bones a part signal into the Besançon
diocese brought, to a religious near Quingey little monastery,
to the Baume Abbey from ancient times
belonging, a name gave: where the holy Bishop,
not human only to be healed souls and bodies,
but also to be driven away of cattle the diseases
himself most benign shows. [as in other places of Burgundy.] Celebrated is also St. Regnobertus's
memory both in the Vergy St. Viventius
monastery, both also in the town Varzy of the Episcopate
of Auxerre: which into churches distributed,
and perhaps with Zeno the Archdeacon's relics mingled,
of Regnobertus the Bishop the bones in veneration are. Thus
there. He is venerated moreover at Vergy March 26 and August 12:
but at Varzy August 21. Ferrarius in the Catalogue
general St. Ragnobertus thought to have been Bishop
of Besançon, because in that diocese he is venerated. About St. Viventius
translation into Burgundy in the year 886, not 868, made
we treated January 13, [translated about the year 886.] at which also time these St. Ragnobertus's
relics into Burgundy to have been translated we think.
In the Cathedral Church of Bayeux a Chasuble sacred, which
he used in the most holy Mass's sacrifice, with the highest veneration
is kept, and sometimes in public supplications
for occurring necessities not without benefits from heaven
given is carried about, [His Chasuble at Bayeux.] as to us an eyewitness James
de Machault of our Society a Priest wrote from Paris,
adding in our little chapel some sacred relics of him to be kept.
St. Zeno's day at Bayeux or elsewhere proper nowhere
have I found: wherefore to his master in the title we have joined him
with whom common he had both of life the time, and of cult and
of translation the manner.
