An Epitome of Anglican Church History from the Earliest Ages to the Present Time

PREFACE.

IF it be asked why this book has been written-seeing that so many valuable sketches of various portions of the history of our Church have been published from time to time-I reply that I believe it will be found useful notwithstanding, because I have endeavoured to compress into a small space the leading events of Anglican Church history as a whole; and this may cause it to be acceptable to those who possess neither the opportunity to obtain, nor leisure to peruse, more detailed and voluminous works.

This volume professes no originality: it is simply a compilation. The only merits which I venture to claim are diligence in seeking, and accuracy in relating, the facts recorded. I have in all instances cited my authorities; and in cases where the subject seemed to require it, I have frequently transcribed the events related as nearly as possible in the words of the author referred to.

I have endeavoured to keep steadily in view the antiquity of our Church and its endowments, the gradual encroachments and errors of the papacy, with the necessity which thereby arose for reformation, and above all the unbroken continuity of our Church from the earliest ages to the present time.

It will be observed that special attention has been given to Wales and its ecclesiastical affairs. The reason is that much misconception prevails respecting that branch of my subject, especially amongst the natives of the principality themselves; but lest the circumstance should be attributed to mere Celtic fervour, I may be permitted to say that I am English by birth and parentage, though a resident in Wales and warmly attached to its interesting people.

To the many kind friends who have placed their libraries at my disposal, my grateful thanks are due. Without that aid the progress of my Work would have been difficult.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

From the First to the Fourth Centuries.

Arrival of the Romans in Britain, B.C. 55. Julius Cæsar's account of the inha-

bitants. Their religion. The Romans return, A.D. 43. Caractacus. Possible

introduction of Christianity. Pompina and Claudia. St. Paul. The date of

the introduction of Christianity cannot be ascertained. Diocletian persecution

in Britain about A.D. 303. Alban, the first British martyr. Constantine

Chlorus. Constantine the Great. Ireland, then known as Scotia. Scotland

known as Caledonia or Albania. The Picts' wall

page 1

CHAPTER II.

Fourth Century.

Constantine becomes a Christian and protects Christianity. Church festivals.

Bishops of Antioch, Alexandria, Rome, and Constantinople. Constantine

removes the seat of government to Constantinople. Institution of councils

and synods. Provincial and general councils. Council of Arles, A.D. 314.

British bishops there. Canons passed at Arles. The Arian heresy. Council

of Nice, A.D. 325. The Nicene and Athanasian creeds. Baptismal fonts. St.

Jerome and St. Ambrose. Tottering state of the Roman empire. Theodosius

delivers Britain from the invasion of the Picts, &c. His son Theodosius the

Great. The empire becomes divided into that of the East and West. The

Roman forces are withdrawn from Britain, A.D. 410. Rome taken by the

Goths under Alaric. Progress of the Britons under the Roman sway page 7

CHAPTER III.

Fifth Century.

Remarks respecting missionaries from Britain and Scotia. Celestius. Palladius.

Fastidius. Ninian. St. Patrick. He founds the bishopric of Armagh. Is

called the apostle of Ireland. The isle of Man. Pelagius. His heresy-it is

reproved by Augustine bishop of Hippo. The heresy brought into Britain,

429. Germanus, bishop of Auxerre. His first visit to Britain. His second

visit, 447. The Gallican liturgy. The Church of Gaul confers great benefits

on that of Britain. Question of the origin of the latter. Its probable strength

and extent previous to the departure of the Romans. The schools of Dyfrig

and Illtyd, known under their Latin names of Dubricius and Iltutus. The

Romans encouraged study. The synod of Vaison. Origin of parochial

churches. St. Augustin, and his mother Monica. Devastation of the African

Church by the Vandals

page 13

CHAPTER IV.

Fifth and Sixth Centuries.

State of Britain after the departure of the Romans. Vortigern. Arrival of

Hengest and the Jutes in isle of Thanet, A.D. 449. Their settlement in Kent.

The Angles. The Saxons. All were kindred tribes. King Arthur. The

bards. Llywarch Hên. Taliesin. Myrddin, or Merlin. Aneurin. Lengthened

struggle of the Britons against the invaders. The former retain Strathclyde

and Cornwall or west Wales, and retire into Wales. Origin of the name of

Wales. Predictions of the bards unfulfilled. List of the Anglo-Saxon king-

doms. Cerdic, the west Saxon, is the founder of our royal line

Page 18

CHAPTER V.

Fifth and Sixth Centuries.

Origin of monasteries. Anthony their founder. Hermits. Rules of St. Basil.
The first in Europe were in Italy and Gaul. They were at first nurseries for
the Church and places for study. Differences between the monasteries of
Great benefits derived by the British

the eastern and western churches.

Church from those founded in this century. Advantages of combined action in
dealing with the masses, and its renewal in the present day. Dubricius. Caer-
Pawl Hên. Cunedda Wledig. Churches founded in Wales.

worgorn, &c.

Family of Brychan. Merthyr-Tydfil. Cynllo. The Scots sail from Scotia

to the Mull of Cantyre. They give their name to Scotland. That of Ireland

derived from Ierne. Cornwall and St. Piranus. The Goths in Gaul. Attila,

king of the Huns. Clovis, king of the Franks, conquers Gaul and becomes

a Christian. Leo, bishop of Rome. Final break up of the Roman empire in

the west, and rise of the power of the Roman bishops. Dubricius becomes

bishop of Caerleon, holds a synod at Brefi, in Cardiganshire, retires to Bardsey

island, and dies there, 522. Bishopric of Bangor. St. David. Teilo, bishop

of Llandaff. St. Bride. Cadvan. Llanbadarn-fawr. Caergybi or Holyhead.

St. Columba. Iona. Bishopric of St. Asaph. Gildas, the historian. The British

bishops of London and York retire. Armorica, now Brittany.