fourth general council was convened Valentinian. III. at Chalcedon by order of the emperor MARCIAN to refute the doctrines of Eutyches, and Nestorius. The Eutychian heresy confounded the Godhead and manhood of Christ in one nature: while the Nestorian, divided the Godhead and manhood into two persons. Both however were con demned. Roman Empire in the West A. D. 476.-Destroyed by Odoacer.-A. D. 500. 41. Clovis, king of the Franks, at this period established his power in Odoacer. Gaul, and put an end to the Roman rule in that province; ten years after he became a convert to Chris tianity, and was baptized by Remigius bishop of Rheims; an example soon followed by most of his subjects. 42. CHRISTIANITY EXPELLED.—Ambrosius (Emrys Wledig) who had taken the command of the Britons on the death of Vortimer, A. D. 487., gained many successes over the Saxons, and having restored partial peace, he immediately urged the clergy to the repair of their churches. Convening a council of Britons, he appointed Sampson to the vacant archbishoprick of York; and Dubricius (Dyvrig) to that of Caerleon, which the latter prelate held with that of Llandaff. The Saxons however ultimately prevailed, and gradually gained possession of the entire of Britain. Christianity was expelled the country, and the bishops and clergy compelled to escape into Cornwall, Wales, and other mountain districts, or to quit the country; and for a period of one hundred and fifty years the Gospel was banished from Britain, 41. When, and by whom was the Roman power overthrown in Gaul? 42. Who succeeded Vortimer? What was the melancholy result to Christianity of this introduction of the Saxons into Britain? and its place occupied by Saxon heathenism. At the close of the century Ambrosius was succeeded by his brother Uthyr, (some say his nephew Arthur.) A. D. 500. Summary of the Fifth Century. At the beginning of this century Christianity was introduced among the Picts by St Ninyan (A. D. 420.)-In the South the heresy of Pelagius so powerfully prevailed that the British bishops were obliged to send to Gaul for aid to check its progress: two learned Gallican bishops, Germanus bishop of Auxerre, and Lupus bishop of Troyes, came over, and completely refuted the heretical teachers: they also applied themselves to arms, and after repelling the excursions of the Picts, returned to Gaul. (A. D. 429.)-But a few years afterwards Germanus was summoned again, and he brought with him this time Severus, bishop of Treves, and two experienced teachers, by whose means after again refuting the Pelagian heretics, he established monastic institutions, and seminaries of learning, and introduced the Gallican Liturgy. (A. D. 442.). About this period, St Patrick was greatly advancing Christianity in Ireland. Soon after Vortigern having called in the Saxons to assist him in repelling the Picts and Scots (A. D. 449.); they de termined on occupying Britain itself, Christianity was in consequence expelled the land, and the British Church was forced to find an asylum in Cornwall, Wales, and other mountain districts, and for a hundred and fifty years Saxon heathenism prevailed. CENTURY VI. ANGLO-SAXONS: Arthur.-A. D. 517-547. 43. ST DAVID.-The history of the Theodoric, British Church is now without a Emp. of West. record; the rule of Uthyr was occupied in perpetual 43. What occurred during the reigns of Uthyr, and his successor Arthur? Who was St David? when did king Arthur die? when was the Saxon Heptarchy completed? Theodoric, Emp. of West. conflicts with the Saxons, and on his death (A. D. 517.) he was succeeded by his son ARTHUR, who was crowned king by Dubricius, archbishop of Caerleon. During Arthur's reign, two seats of learning were founded, one at Bangor Vawr (in Carnarvonshire) by Deiniol, which soon after became a bishopric, and he, its bishop; and one at Heullan on the Wye, by Dubricius. Dubricius soon after resigned his See to Dewi or St David; who, with the consent of king Arthur, removed his seat from Caerleon to Menevia, now St David's in Pembrokeshire. St David was held in such high esteem by his countrymen as to be regarded in after years as the patron saint of Wales: he is said to have founded twelve monasteries, and to have lived to the age of one hundred and forty-six years. Arthur, after a troubled reign, at length died, A.D. 542., and was buried at Glastonbury. In a few years after, the Saxon Heptarchy was completed in Britain A. D. 547. Saxon Heptarchy.—A. D. 550–563. 44. CHURCH IN WALES, &c. At this period flourished Gildas, the first British historian; he was a monk of Bangor, and for some time had charge of the abbey of Llancarvan. Kentigern (Cyndeyrn) abbot of Glasgow now came into Wales, and founded the abbey of Llanelwy in Flintshire, of which place he became the first bishop. He soon after resigned his see to his pupil Asaf, from whom it eventually acquired the name of St Asaph; St Petrock at this time also was flourishing in Cornwall; from whom is derived Petrocstow, or Padstow. St Columba was also distinguished at this period for his zeal and eloquence; he was a native of Ireland, where he was 44. What learned men of Britain flourished about the middle of the sixth century? What is known in respect of St Columba? The born about A. D. 532., and applied himself to theological learning; having Heptarchy. founded the monastery of Dearmach (the field of oaks), he crossed over into Scotland, where he preached to the Picts, and revived the ancient monastic order of Culdees. Bridius, the king, presented him with the island of Iona or Icolmkill, where he founded a monastery, which gave birth to many other similar institutions, all subject to that of Icolmkill; and in this island St Columba was buried A. D. 597. 45. Saxon Heptarchy.-A. D. 587-590. CHRISTIANITY REVIVED IN KENT.-Britain was now in the full possession of the Saxons, three tribes of whom had come over from the continent to share in the spoil of the country; viz. the Angles, Jutes, and Saxons. The first mentioned tribe being more predominant, from them the country took the name of England; and it was at this period divided into seven kingdoms, known in history under the appellation of the Saxon Heptarchy. It was usual to appoint one of the kings as supreme ruler over the rest, who, for the time, enjoyed the title of Bretwalda (the Wielder or lord of the Britons). At this period ETHELBERT, king (oiscinga) of Kent, was the Bretwalda. He had married Bertha (Aldeberga) the daughter of Charibert (Cherebert), king of the Franks (of Paris), who was a Christian. Bertha stipulated for the free profession of her religion before she would quit her native country; she therefore brought over in her household a Gallican bishop named Liudhard, who regularly solemnized divine worship in the old British church of St Martin close 45. What was the extent and nature of the Saxon rule at the time of the Heptarchy? What circumstances connected with the sovereign of Kent facilitated the introduction of Christianity into England by Augustine? The to Canterbury, the place of her residence, and who probably was instrumental in the Heptarchy. conversion of many of the Saxons. 46. GREGORY AND THE SAXON SLAVES.-It now happened, that as GREGORY, who was afterwards the Pope, was passing through the streets of Rome, he was attracted in the slave market by the appearance of some boys of very fair and most interesting countenances being exposed for sale. On learning that they came from Britain, where they were then involved in Pagan darkness, he enquired of what nation; and hearing that they were Angles; he replied 'well may they be so called, for they are 'like angels, and ought to be co-heritors with the 'angels in heaven.' When he heard also that they came from the province of Deira; true indeed,' he replied, for from the wrath of God (de Dei ira) are they to be delivered and instructed in the mercy 'of Christ' and when told that the king of Deira was Ella; in the same significant manner he answered, 'that one day he trusted that not Ella, 'but Ellelujah (Hallelujah) would be sung in those 'dominions.'- Bede II. 1. A. D. 596. 47. GREGORY'S DESIGN.-Gregory from that day was resolved on converting to Christianity the AngloSaxon race. Being prevented, however, by the attachment of every one with whom he had to do, from making a personal visit to the island for that favourite design, he at first directed a priest of Gaul, named Candidus, to buy some English lads of seventeen or eighteen, and educate them for missionaries 46. What is said to have turned the attention of Gregory to the conversion of England? [e. 1.] 47. Whom did Gregory send to England to convert the Anglo-Saxons to Christianity? [e. 1.] The provinces of Deira and Bernicia then formed the kingdom of Northumbria. C |