Page:The Saxon Cathedral at Canterbury and The Saxon Saints Buried Therein.djvu/77

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ST. FEOLOGILD

when under the Injunction issued in the name of Edward VI they were probably buried beneath the pavement at this spot.

None of the extant Canterbury Kalendars contain the name of St. Feologild. His rule lasted less than three months, but the fact that he was counted a Confessor of the Faith, proves that long before he was called to administer the Southern Province, his character for holiness of life and personal piety was well known and appreciated in those far-off days, records of which are so scanty that even the chroniclers are silent regarding him.


TRANSLATION OF THE CHARTER OF ARCHBISHOP ATHELARD, A.D. 803.

✠ I Athelard by the Grace of God humble Archbishop of this Holy Church of Canterbury by the unanimous advice of the whole Holy Synod to the congregations of all Monasteries which have in times past been dedicated by the Faithful in perpetual liberty to Christ Our Lord, In the Name of The Almighty God and by His Tremendous Doom, I charge, even as I have received command from the Apostolic Lord Pope Leo, that from this time forth, they shall never presume with rash attempt to elect for themselves lay or secular persons as Rulers over the inheritance of The Lord; but as it is directed in the privileges granted by the Apostolic See and also as it has been handed down by Holy Canons by Apostolic Men in the beginning of the Nascent Church or in like manner settled by the possessors of Monasteries themselves, they shall study to observe their monastic rights by that rule of observance of discipline. If therefore, which God forbid, they should spurn or hold for naught, this our own and our Apostolic Lord the Pope's command, let them know that they will have to render an account before the Judgment Seat of Christ, unless they make amends beforehand.

These are the names of the Holy Bishops and Venerable Abbots, and Priests and Deacons, who with the consent of the whole Holy Synod, have for confirmation of the aforesaid matter subscribed the sign of the Holy Cross.

Here follow the names, headed by that of the Archbishop, of 89 Bishops, Abbots, Priests and Deacons, ending thus:

"Done in the well known place which is called Clofeshoas, in the year from the Incarnation of Our Lord 803, the 11th Indiction the 4th day of the Ides of October (12th Oct. A.D. 803)."

The Decree of Archbishop Athelard concerning the Liberty of Churches.[1]

  1. Facsimiles of Anglo-Saxon Manuscripts, by Lt.-Col. L. Cameron*, R.E., and W. Basevi Sanders, 1878.
    * Lt.-Col. L. Cameron is incorrectly notated, it is meant to reference Lieutenant-General John Cameron, Director-General of the Ordnance Survey, 1875-78 (Wikisource contributor note)

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