A01115:299
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the ChurchAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church
An abridgement of the book of acts and monuments of the Church: written by that Reverend Father, Master John Fox: and now abridged by Timothy Bright, Doctor of Physic, for such as either through want of leisure, or ability have not the use of so necessary an historyAn abridgement of the booke of acts and monumentes of the Church: written by that Reuerend Father, Maister Iohn Fox: and now abridged by Timothe Bright, Doctour of Phisicke, for such as either through want of leysure, or abilitie haue not the vse of so necessary an history
London: printed by I. Windet, 1589
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
The fourth was by Gurmundus, 1a pagan, king of the Africans, who joining with the Saxons, wrought much mischief against the Christians. In so much, that Theonus B. of London, §301and Thaodiceus, of York, with the rest of the people, did pack away, some into Cornwall, some into the mountains of Wales, an. 550. and remained till the time of Ethelbert 2king of Kent, §324an. 589. In whose reign, the faith was first received of the Englishmen,3 by means of Gregory, bishop of Rome, who in the year 598. sent Austen into England, and with him about xl. Preachers, to instruct and convert the people. The occasion was offered by seeing certain children of the land to be sold at Rome: where considering their beauty, he had compassion on them: & thereupon, when the Bishopric of Rome fell unto him, next after Pelagius, he sent Austen, with the other Preachers. Who passing on their journey, were greatly afraid, and discouraged, considering the barbarousness of the people. But being comforted by Gregory, and persuaded, they went on their journey, and came to the Isle of Tenet,4 on the Eastside of Kent. Near unto which landing place was the Palace of the K. not far from Sandwich, which the Inhabitants of the Isle then called Richburgh: whereof some part of the ruinous walls ⟨p. 71⟩is yet to see. The king that reigned at that time was Ethelbert the fifth king of that province, who at that time had married a Frenchwoman Christened, whose name was Berda, 5whom he had of that condition, that she should with her bishop Lebardus 6enjoy the faith. By means whereof he was the more flexible to embrace the preaching of the faith of Christ.