A67922:1926
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol.…Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol.…
Acts and monuments of matters most special and memorable, happening in the Church. [vol. 1] with an universal history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitive age to these latter times of ours, with the bloody times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions against the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperors, as now lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realm of England and Scotland. Newly revised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time again published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the help of Christ our Lord) John Fox, which desireth thee good reader to help him with thy prayer.Actes and monuments of matters most speciall and memorable, happenyng in the Church. [vol. 1] with an vniuersall history of the same, wherein is set forth at large the whole race and course of the Church, from the primitiue age to these latter tymes of ours, with the bloudy times, horrible troubles, and great persecutions agaynst the true martyrs of Christ, sought and wrought as well by heathen emperours, as nowe lately practised by Romish prelates, especially in this realme of England and Scotland. Newly reuised and recognised, partly also augmented, and now the fourth time agayne published and recommended to the studious reader, by the author (through the helpe of Christ our Lord) Iohn Foxe, which desireth thee good reader to helpe him with thy prayer.
London: printed by John Daye, 1583London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1583
Book 3 › ¶ King Ethelstane, or Athelstan.Book 3 › ¶ King Ethelstane, or Adelstane.
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 of his sisters, being a virgin of singular benty Hugo the French king required to be given unto him: sending to King Ethelstane precious and sumptuous presents,1 such as were not before seen in England. Among the which presents & gifts, besides the rare odours of sundry favours & fine spices: and besides the precious & costly gems, namely of Smaradges of most redolent green, besides also many and great coursers and palfreys richly trapped, especially of one jewel (as writers make inention) which was, a certain vessel finely and subtly made of the precious stone Onichinus so radiantly wrought, that in it appeared the lively corn growing, and mens images walking. &c. Over and besides was sent also the sword of Constantine the great, with the name of the possessor written in golden letters, where in the hast of the same all beaten in gold,2 was one of the iron nails, wherewith our Saviour on the cross was nailed. Of the verity whereof I am not disposed at this present much to say what I suspect, but that this in the Ecclesiastical story of Eusebius, is evident. That two of the foresaid nails of Christ, was spent on the bridle of Constantine: the 3. he cast into the Sea in a raging tempest. Wherefore, if Christ were nailed with 4. nails, perhaps this nail might be one. If he were nailed but with iij. I see not how this story can stand with other stories, neither how this fourth nail can stand with truth. Among the rest moreover, was the spear (as is reported) wherewith the side of our Saviour was opened: which also the said Constantine was wont to carry in the field against his enemies: with a portion likewise of the holy cross enclosed in Crystal: Also a part of the crown of thorn in like manner enclosed. &c. Of the which Relics, part was given to Winchester, part to the Church of Malmesbury, where king Ethelstane was buried. As this King was endued and enlarged, by the gift of God (the serter up & disposer of all kings) with great victories of worldly renown: having under his subjection both the Scots, and Britons, and the whole Monarchy of the land: So he devised divers good and wholesome laws for the government of the same, as well concerning the state of the orders Ecclesiastical, as also of the secular or lay people.
The fourth of his sisters, being a virgine of singulare benty Hugo ye French king required to be geuen vnto him: sending to King Ethelstane pretious and sumptuous presents,