Prologue #

¹ Here begins the Prologue to the Life of St Dubricius, Archbishop.

² The ways of life and deeds of the holy Fathers are therefore handed down to the memory of many in ancient collections, so that, encouraged by their splendid examples, we may with all our effort imitate their conduct and manner of life in the paths of their actions and devotions. For their merits, worthy of praise, testify that their spirits live on in the heights above, and that they live in Christ and Christ lives in them, through the frequent and remarkable miracles that occur in them [Gal 2:20].

³ Moved by these considerations, I, Benedict, a monk by habit of the Abbey of the Apostle Peter at Gloucester, and encouraged by prayers and trusting in the merits of the most blessed Archbishop Dubricius, judged it worthwhile to set my hand to this labour and to arrange his deeds, even if in a simple style. My purpose was that the unlearned too might grasp what is written, as the learned do; and that sinners like myself might not, through ignorance, be deprived of the patronage of so great a patron, but rather, recognising his outstanding merits before the Lord, might obtain his intercession.

⁴ For when I had long devoted my efforts to the study of the deeds of the holy Fathers, and had learned that Saint Dubricius was, among all the saints then living in Britain, the most eminent in merits and in life, and most renowned for signs and for the grace of healings, I was deeply distressed that his deeds should be unknown. For by the testimony of the ancient teachers above all others I came to know that his advocacy of intercession before the Lord was of great power. Therefore I did not shrink from compiling and gathering together, in writing, whatever I found concerning this Father in the authoritative records of the Fathers.

Chapter 1 #

¹ There was, then, a certain king named Regulus of the region of Ergyng, called Pepiau, known in British as Clavorauc, which in Latin is interpreted as Rheumaticus or Foamy. He had formerly gone out on campaign against his enemies, and, having returned home with victory, he ordered his daughter, whose name was Eurdil, after the labour of battle had been completed, to wash his head.

² But when she attempted to carry out her father’s command, the father perceived from her condition that she was pregnant. Therefore the king, greatly inflamed with anger, ordered her to be shut up in a certain leather vessel and cast into the river, so that wherever chance might carry her she would be drowned in the deep waters. Yet because this did not please God, it could not be done. For even before the child whom she carried in her womb was born, the Lord deigned to show mercy and protection, to reveal of what merit that child would be: since the mother could in no way be submerged by the waters. For as often as she was placed in the river, so often was she borne back unharmed to the bank.

³ At this, the father, enraged that he could not succeed in drowning her in the waves, resolved that she should be burned with fire. At his command a pyre was at once prepared for her death and as a warning to other young women; and into it the daughter of the same king, Eurdil, was cast alive into the blazing flames.

⁴ But on the following morning, when he believed that she had been completely consumed by the fire, the father sent messengers to see whether any trace of the burnt body remained. They found her unharmed, holding in her lap the son whom she had given birth to in the midst of the pyre; and neither her clothing nor her hair had suffered any burning [Dan 3:23–27]. A great stone was also placed nearby, where she had brought forth her son, as a sign of the child’s birth.

⁵ The place where the child was born was called in British Macle, because the blessed little man was born there; which place is now, through corruption of the English tongue, called Meddelega. When the child received the washing of regeneration, he was called Dubricius [Tit 3:5], and he was immediately filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit.

⁶ As for who his father was, it is altogether unknown to the people of this age. And for this reason certain misguided persons falsely claim, in their tales, that he had no father at all.

Chapter 2 #

¹ When, therefore, the father had received from his servants news of the marvellous benefits and signs previously shown to the girl, which the Lord had worked for her and for the child born of her, and moreover, when he heard of the wondrous appearance and beauty of so small a child and of the grace of God shining forth in him, greatly desiring to see these things for himself, he ordered his daughter with her newly born child to be brought to him at once.

² When they were presented before him, he immediately embraced the little infant with a father’s affection, and from that time onwards he began to love him above all his sons and grandsons. He also made him heir to the estate on which he had been born, which is called by the natives Matle, that is, “Good Place”, because a good or blessed man had been born there.

³ Furthermore, after a few years had passed, the same King Pepiau appointed Dubricius heir of that whole island, and ordered that it should henceforth be called Miserbdil, from the name of his mother, that is, Eurdil.

⁴ From then on the boy advanced daily in age and wisdom [Luke 2:52]. And when he reached a suitable time for learning, he was entrusted to be instructed in letters. Soon afterwards he shone forth with remarkable prudence together with knowledge of divine teachings. And although still young in years, he quickly became old in understanding and mature in the strength of learning; and through eloquence and skill in both Testaments he was proclaimed with such renown throughout the whole of Britain that from almost all the provinces of the entire kingdom not only the unlearned but also the learned, of differing opinions, flocked to him in order to be instructed and built up.

⁵ Among these his principal disciples are known to have been Saint Theliau, Samson his disciple, Ubelinus, and Aidan, together with sixteen others, whose names we have judged it inappropriate to insert into this history; besides these, there were a thousand other clerics whom he kept with him for a period of seven years to be trained in the liberal arts in a territory called Hentlan, situated beside the bank of the river Gui, that is, the Wye, setting before them in his own person a perfect model of religious life and charity.

⁶ Moreover, the Doctor likewise, in the land of his birth, namely on the island of Miserbdil, near the bank of the river called the Wye, chose for himself and for the multitude of his disciples a suitable dwelling-place, rich in woods and fish. He governed this school for many years, giving the place the name Mothros, that is, “Place of Pigs”. There he lived in the utmost holiness through the course of many days, preaching and teaching both clergy and people, his doctrine shining forth throughout the whole of Britain like a lamp set upon a lampstand [Matt 5:15], with every superstition of false teaching removed.

⁷ And during all the time in which he preached the word of life to the Britons [Phil 2:16], that people preserved the sincere faith and the catholic doctrine.

Chapter 3 #

¹ When therefore the blessed Dubricius flourished at once in teaching and in powerful eloquence, and was enriched by the endowments of his most noble birth, the entrance of so great a man into paradise was made ever more manifest to the faithful people through his preaching together with his example. For as the toil increased in his body, so much the more did he rejoice in bearing so great a burden, remaining intent upon the reward of the heavenly homeland. Indeed, by the laying on of his hands the ailments of many different illnesses were frequently driven away; and whoever came to him weak or afflicted returned joyful and restored to health [Mark 16:18].

² Because of this, the report of his holiness and of his devout dedication to the divine commandments—already known before—soon made him famous, and afterwards most renowned throughout the whole of Britain.

³ Accordingly, as the course of earlier years rolled on to the time when the Pelagian heresy had infected almost the whole world with its poisonous teaching, Saint Germanus of Auxerre and Lupus were sent by the bishops of Gaul to eradicate it, so that they might preach the word of God to the Britons and restore the catholic faith by utterly rooting out that deadly heresy.

⁴ For their Christianity had been corrupted, partly because of the pagan Saxons whom King Vortigern had allied with them, and partly because of the Pelagian heresy, whose poison had for many days crept through many among them. The Britons, indeed, had often sent messengers to the bishops of Gaul to beg for help, because although they did not assent to the false teaching of the heretics, they were nevertheless unable to abolish it completely by their own arguments, owing to the obstinate resistance of those in error.

Chapter 4 #

¹ But when the same teachers of doctrine had thoroughly rooted out that same heresy, they consecrated bishops in many regions in order to strengthen the orthodox faith. Above all, over the western bounds of Britain, they consecrated the blessed Dubricius as metropolitan archbishop. He had been canonically chosen by Ambrosius Aurelius, king of the whole monarchy of the Britons, son of Constantine and brother of Uther Pendragon, the father of King Arthur, as well as by all the clergy and people of that archdiocese.

² Now the said King Ambrosius was generous in giving, diligent in divine worship, modest in all things, and above all one who shunned falsehood: gentle, pious, and kind, swift on foot, swifter on horseback, and most skilled in the ordering of an army.

³ When Tremorinus, then metropolitan archbishop of the City of the Legions, had died, the same king, so that the memorial of the nobles of Britain—namely four hundred and eighty consuls and barons—whom Hengist and his Saxon accomplices had slaughtered by a wicked betrayal on Mount Ambrius, now commonly called Stonehenge, might be made everlasting, caused great stones, which remain there to this day in their memory, to be brought from Ireland, having sent his brother Uther there with a large force to transport them.

⁴ When these stones had been brought, he sent messengers throughout the various parts of Britain and proclaimed that all the magnates of the realm, together with the clergy, should assemble at Mount Ambrius, in the district now called Salisbury, so that they might restore with great honour the burial of the same men. In obedience to this decree, bishops and abbots from every order assembled, as had been commanded to them.

⁵ And when all were gathered together on the appointed day, Aurelius placed the diadem upon his head and celebrated the feast in royal fashion, devoting three successive days to the solemnity. At that time, indeed, two metropolitan sees were without their pastors: namely York and the City of the Legions, which is commonly called Caerleon. Desiring to restore rulers to these sees by common counsel, the king granted York to the illustrious Samson, a man renowned for holiness, and entrusted the archiepiscopal see of the City of the Legions to the celebrated Dubricius, whom divine providence had chosen beforehand for that see.

⁶ And when he had duly ordered these matters and others in his kingdom, he commanded Merlin the prophet to set up the stones around the burial-place which he had brought by ship from Ireland; and this was done.

Chapter 5 #

¹ After a few years had passed, the renowned King Ambrosius Aurelius was put to death by poison. His brother Uther Pendragon—whose surname Pendragon means “dragon’s head”—succeeded him in the kingdom; but he too did not remain long, and paid the debt of death, to the near ruin of the whole of Britain.

² After his death, the nobles of the Britons gathered from various provinces in the city of Silchester, urging Dubricius, Archbishop of the City of the Legions, to crown King Arthur, the son of Uther Pendragon, as king. Urgent necessity pressed upon them, for after the death of the same king the Saxons had summoned their compatriots from Germany and were attempting to uproot the Britons utterly from their homeland. Indeed, they had subjected to themselves the whole part of the island stretching from the river Humber as far as the sea of the men of Kent.

³ Therefore the venerable Dubricius, grieving over the calamity of his country, associated with himself the bishops and set the diadem upon Arthur’s head, making him king. Arthur was then fifteen years of age, a youth of unparalleled courage and generosity. For divine goodness had bestowed upon him such grace that he was loved by almost all peoples. When he was initiated within the royal territories, he showed generosity according to custom.

⁴ Once he had taken possession of royal power, he boldly attacked the Saxons in many battles; yet he was not able to drive them entirely out of the kingdom. For this reason, having summoned the clergy and the chief men of his realm, he took counsel with them as to what should chiefly be done against the incursions of the pagan Saxons. By common agreement, messengers were sent by the king to Armorica, that is, Lesser Britain, to Hoel, ruler of that land, to inform him of the calamity of Britain.

⁵ When the same ruler learned of this, he embarked with a fleet and fifteen thousand armed men, and, with the help of favourable winds, landed in the port of Hamo, now called Southampton. He was honourably received by Arthur, and, after taking counsel with Saint Dubricius, they set out with a great force for the city of Lincoln, which at that time was besieged by the Saxons, and there engaged them in battle.

⁶ On that same day six thousand of the Saxons fell: some were drowned in the rivers, others were struck down by weapons. The rest, struck with terror, turned their backs in flight, until they reached the forest of Caledonian Forest; and there, when they were surrounded by the Britons, they were at last forced by hunger to surrender. Arthur, having gained the victory, took all their gold and silver, received hostages from them so that they should pay him tribute each year, and allowed them, now bound by treaty, to return home with their ships alone.

⁷ When these things had been done, after a few intervening days the Saxons were ashamed of the agreement; gathering their forces, they turned back from the journey they had begun, broke their treaty, and laid siege to the city of Bath. When Arthur learned of this, he hastened to break up the siege, setting aside for the time being the oppression of the Picts and Scots. Finally, when he came in sight of the enemy camps at close quarters, he addressed his men with the following speech. Because the most impious Saxons have scorned to keep faith with me, I, keeping faith with my God, will strive to avenge the blood of my fellow citizens. Arm yourselves, men, arm yourselves, and bravely attack these traitors, whom, with Christ’s help, we shall without doubt overcome.

⁸ As he went on saying these things, Saint Dubricius, Archbishop of the City of the Legions, climbed to the summit of a certain hill and addressed the army in a loud voice as follows:

⁹ “Men distinguished by your Christian profession, let compassion for your fellow citizens and for your homeland remain firm within you. If those who have been destroyed by the treachery of the pagans are not defended by you with all your strength, they will bring everlasting disgrace upon you. Fight for your country, and if death should come, willingly endure it for the same. For such a death is itself victory and the salvation of the soul. For whoever dies for his brothers offers himself to God as a living sacrifice [Rom 12:1], and he is without doubt following Christ, who deigned to lay down his life for his brothers [John 15:13]. Therefore, if any one of you should meet death in this battle, let that death be for him repentance for and remission of all his sins, provided that he does not shrink from receiving it in this way.”

¹⁰ Without delay, encouraged by the blessing of the blessed man, each hastened to arm himself and to obey his commands. Arthur himself indeed, clothed in armour worthy of so great a man, placed upon his head a golden helmet engraved with the image of a dragon. He also protected his shoulders with a shield upon which the image of Saint Mary, the Mother of God, was depicted, whom he frequently called upon for aid.

¹¹ Then, like a lion rushing with his followers into the Saxon ranks, helped by the intercessions of the blessed Dubricius, he overcame them; and by invoking the name of the blessed Mother of God he struck down many thousands. Finally, when all their princes and leaders had been slain, he forced the few who had escaped the slaughter, in pitiable fashion, to surrender.

¹² In this way indeed the same king, by the prayers and merits of the holy Dubricius, was victorious in all his battles; and he obtained all the kingdoms—whose individual names it would be tedious to list—from the Alps with the neighbouring regions and islands as far as the furthest Thule, that is, Iceland; and he either brought their kings and princes under his dominion or slaughtered them with great cruelty.

Chapter 6 #

¹ Therefore, since for a little while we have digressed from the course of our narrative in order to show the merit of the man of God, let us now apply our pen to the matter proposed.

² The blessed Dubricius not only enlarged the metropolitan see of the Church of the City of the Legions with abundant possessions, but also enriched the Church of Llandaff, consecrated in honour of Saint Peter the Apostle, with estates and many territories, fertile fields, woods, and fish-filled rivers.

³ As patron, he likewise visited the monastery of the venerable Abbot Illtud, which had been built in the province of Glamorgan, during the season of Lent, in order to correct what needed correction and to strengthen the discipline of holy religion. For there dwelt certain men of great holiness, though others, and worse, were also present through envy. Among them lived the distinguished Samson of Dol, son of Amon, who through the blessed Dubricius was judged worthy to be promoted to the sacred orders, namely the diaconate and the priesthood, and finally, by divine revelation, to be consecrated as a bishop.

⁴ Whenever he was promoted with the accustomed blessings to the sacred orders, a most white dove was seen by the blessed bishop and by Saint Illtud the Abbot descending from heaven upon his head, and remaining there without departing while the sacred rite was being completed [Matt 3:16].

⁵ The various duties of the monastery of the holy father Illtud were customarily entrusted to different brothers of the community, as circumstances required. Thus the administration of the storehouse was imposed upon the venerable Samson, because of the outstanding grace of God that excelled in him above the others—though he resisted it, whether he wished or not. Day and night he ministered to the monks, to guests, and to the poor, and so won the goodwill of the common people.

⁶ There follows a miracle concerning the vessels entrusted to Samson’s care: when they had been emptied of wine by the guests, they were again filled by divine power [2 Kgs 4:1–7].

Chapter 7 #

¹ The miracle of the daughter of Guidguetana, possessed by an evil spirit, healed by Dubricius.

Chapter 8 #

¹ Therefore, when King Arthur had restored the condition of the whole country to its former dignity, he took as his wife Guinevere, born of a noble Roman lineage. Then, after he had brought Norway, Denmark, Gaul, Aquitaine, and Anjou, together with all the other provinces and with Eustria—that is, Normandy—under his rule by force of arms, he returned once more to Paris and held his court there. Having summoned clergy and people, he confirmed the peace of the kingdom according to lawful custom.

² Afterwards, when the cities and peoples there had been pacified, he returned to Britain at the beginning of spring. And when the solemn feast of Pentecost was drawing near [Acts 2:1], greatly elated by so great a triumph, he at once resolved to hold court and to have himself crowned with the diadem. He therefore invited the kings and dukes subject to him to that festival, so that he might celebrate it with greater honour and establish peace among his nobles. For this reason he formed the plan of carrying out his purpose in the City of the Legions.

³ For in Glamorgan, situated in a pleasant location beside the river Usk, and surpassing other cities in wealth, it was fitting for so great a solemnity. It was distinguished by two notable churches: one, consecrated in honour of Julius the Martyr, beautifully adorned with a choir of virgins dedicated to God; the other, built in the name of the blessed Aaron, his companion, and supported by a community of canons. A third held the principal and metropolitan see.

⁴ When, therefore, all had gathered in the City of the Legions and the festival was at hand, the archbishops were led to the palace to crown the king with the royal diadem. The blessed Dubricius, since the court was being held within his diocese, prepared himself for the celebration of divine worship and for royal service, and undertook the care of this event.

⁵ At length the king, crowned with the laurel, was conducted in royal splendour to the church of the metropolitan see. On his right and left two archbishops walked, holding him. Four subordinate kings—namely of Albany, Cornwall, Dyfed, and Gwynedd—whose right this was, went before him carrying four golden swords in their hands. A great assembly of various orders also sang before him with marvellous harmonies.

⁶ On the other side, the archbishops and bishops likewise led the queen, adorned with her insignia and crowned with a diadem, to the monastery of veiled virgins. When the procession was completed, such singing took place in both churches that, because of the overwhelming sweetness, the knights who were present did not know which of the churches they should go to first. Thus they rushed in crowds now to one, now to the other; and even if the whole day had been devoted to the celebration, it would have produced no weariness.

⁷ Finally, when the first three days of Pentecost had passed in worship, on the fourth all those who rendered service to the king in order to obtain honours were summoned; and each was enriched with appropriate possessions, namely cities and castles. The clergy, moreover, were given, according to what was fitting for each, the vacant sees of churches whose pastors were lacking.

Chapter 9 #

¹ The blessed Dubricius, therefore, longing with all his strength for the eremitical life, and desiring to be released from the burden of the archiepiscopal office, voluntarily laid aside the see of his former dignity. He was succeeded in the archbishopric by the holy David, the king’s uncle, whose life shone with virtues and miracles and was an example of all goodness.

² In the place of Saint Samson of Dol, as bishop of Dol, the illustrious presbyter Teilo of Llandaff was consecrated, with the support of King Hoel of the Armorican Britons, for his teaching and character commended him highly.

³ The bishopric of Silchester was also assigned to Maugennus, and that of Winchester to Duvianus, both men of praiseworthy reputation.

Chapter 10 #

¹ This also must not be passed over in silence: while the venerable Dubricius remained in the administration of the archbishopric, King Arthur, aided by his counsel and prayers, prospered in all his undertakings and continually triumphed in every war; and his monarchy stood in the greatest peace. But once he was deprived of the patronage of the most holy Dubricius, for as long as he lived he was never free from the turmoil of warfare, until he himself fell in battle.

² Indeed, on the very day on which Saint Dubricius laid aside the care of the archbishopric, twelve envoys of Lucius Caesar arrived, threateningly demanding tribute from Britain and delivering to the king a letter from the emperor, swollen with grandiloquent words. Arthur, greatly provoked to anger by this, after first taking counsel, was strongly stirred to engage in conflict with the emperor. Therefore he asked all the kings, dukes, consuls, and barons there assembled for assistance in attacking the Romans.

³ From these he gathered one hundred and eighty-three thousand two hundred horsemen, apart from the foot soldiers, who were beyond number; and at last he crossed the sea with his entire army, setting out for Autun. There he encountered the emperor and his vast host, and they joined battle. Arthur nevertheless triumphed, although almost all his nobles were slain, except for Gawain and King Hoel, his nephews, and a few others; Lucius Caesar himself, together with all his warriors, was killed.

⁴ When these matters had been concluded, swift messengers reported to Arthur that his nephew Modred, to whom he had entrusted the care of Britain, had wickedly seized the diadem and had shamefully married Queen Guinevere. On hearing this, King Arthur, inflamed with furious anger, returned at once to his homeland with the island kings who had survived the slaughter, though not without great distress.

⁵ On his return, after several battles had been fought between himself and Modred with heavy losses on both sides, they finally met with swords drawn. Arthur was mortally wounded by Modred; but rushing upon him with greater force, he immediately struck him down and sent him, together with many of his followers, to the realm of the dead. Thus they fell by mutual wounds.

⁶ I have therefore recounted these events concerning Arthur so that it may be clearly evident to all with what great blessings he prospered so long as he was supported by the intercessions of the blessed Dubricius, and by what great disasters and misfortunes he was cast down and overwhelmed, for as long as he lived, once he had been deprived of them.

Chapter 11 #

¹ Perceiving, therefore, that concern for this world brings great harm to those who desire the heavenly kingdom, the man of God, Dubricius, so that he might pass more readily from what is deceptive to the blessed life, judged it worthwhile to embrace the anachoretic life. Casting off all worldly enticements and cares, and voluntarily laying aside his archiepiscopal dignity, he withdrew from public affairs. Accordingly, with many holy men and disciples who lived by the labour of their own hands, he dwelt for several years far from the world on the island of Bardsey Island, which is called Enlli. In the end he exchanged the hardships of wretched poverty for true blessedness.

² Worn down by old age, yet filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, he deserved to attain the long-desired everlasting joy and the reward of the heavenly kingdom on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of December. For on that day, released from the bonds of the flesh, he returned to his Lord the talent entrusted to him, with profit [Matt 25:14–30].

³ The same island of Enlli, where the blessed Dubricius in the final days of his life led a holy life of religion and sanctity, lies at the extremity of the realm. Because of its remoteness and the perilous crossing of the sea, it was anciently called in British Rome, on account of the holiness of the place. For there, as it is said, the bodies of twenty thousand martyrs and confessors, and even more, lie buried at rest, awaiting the blessed immortality and the resurrection to immortal blessedness [1 Cor 15:52–54].

⁴ That same island is surrounded on all sides by the sea: on the eastern side it rises with a prominent headland, while on the western side it is flat, rich in grassy fields and in the water of sweet springs. Moreover, the surrounding waters abound in dolphins; the ground is free from serpents, toads, and frogs; and, what is more commendable than all else, no young person dies there, but all live on into old age.

⁵ Of the many miracles, we have set out only a few; for the records of the most holy way of life of the man of God had either been impressed upon perishable material and destroyed by the fires of enemies, or had been carried away into exile by the actions of men. But whatever we afterwards discovered about the blessed Dubricius through diligent study in the writings of the ancient Fathers or in the works of historians—whether concerning where he was buried among the tombs of the holy men of Enlli, or where he was later translated, and how or by whom, indeed in the days of which princes, he was brought to Llandaff—we have taken care to indicate briefly in writing.

⁶ We have done this so that, through his merits and prayers, we may be found worthy to share in that glory, through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.

Chapter 12 #

¹ Therefore, in the year of the Lord’s Incarnation 612, Saint Dubricius, formerly Bishop of Llandaff and Archbishop of the Church of the City of the Legions, which is now called Caerleon, passed to the Lord on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of December.

² But in the year 1120, a leap year, on the sixth day of the week, the Nones of May, he was translated from the island of Bardsey Island (Enlli) by Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, with the favour of Ralph, Metropolitan of Canterbury, and with the assent also of David, Bishop of Bangor, and of Gruffudd, ruler of Gwynedd, which in English is called Snowdon, together with the counsel of all the clergy and the people. On the tenth day before the Kalends of June, a Sunday, he was honourably received into his church at Llandaff with a fitting procession, the holy relics of the same saint being met and welcomed with reverence, and he was veneratedly laid to rest in a tomb within that same basilica.

³ At that same time the whole of Glamorgan was afflicted by extreme drought, for it had not rained in that province for eight weeks. But at the arrival of the holy relics of the most blessed Dubricius, abundant rain was poured out, and it was of great benefit to the people.

⁴ Finally, on the fourth day before the Nones of June, a Wednesday, Urban, Bishop of Llandaff, of pious memory, having rested a little from the great labour of the journey and rejoiced not a little at the acquisition of the relics of so great a patron, first kept a fast and persevered in prayers. He then summoned his clergy—namely Elni, the dean, a man of great prudence, and Isaac, his chaplain, of outstanding integrity, together with the other ministers of the holy altar—and they set down the most sacred relics of the eminent Dubricius upon the ground.

⁵ While these were being carefully washed with water in three basins by the hands of the same bishops, namely Urban and David, before the altar of Saint Peter the Apostle and of the holy confessors Dubricius, Teilo, and Oudoceus, the water, in a wondrous manner, immediately began to bubble up when it touched those blessed pledges, as if a red-hot stone had been thrown into it. Nor did they marvel only at the bubbling of the water: although it had been cold, they suddenly perceived it to be exceedingly hot. Indeed, for as long as the bones were being washed by them, the heat of the water increased and the sound of boiling water was heard. Truly, God is wonderful in his saints [Ps 68:35].

⁶ At length the bishop, filled with joy, returned one of the bones of the arm into the water; and when it sank to the bottom, with nothing touching it, it floated and moved here and there by divine power for about an hour, not without the wonder of all present. When the same bishop first observed this, he immediately summoned the said dean and chaplain and ordered them to contemplate the movement of the bone, so that every word might stand on the testimony of two or three witnesses [Deut 19:15], and that, seeing the miracle, they might give thanks to God, who by his ineffable mercy wonderfully glorifies his saints.

⁷ When these things had thus been accomplished for the honour and benefit of the Church of God, the relics of Saint Dubricius were together placed in a tomb in the old monastery, before the altar of the holy Mother of God, on the north side. Afterwards, Bishop Urban, considering the narrow confines of the monastery to be unworthy of so great patrons, decreed that it should be enlarged. Therefore, when the old monastery had been pulled down, a larger one began to be built in honour of the Apostle Peter and of the holy confessors Dubricius, Teilo, and Oudoceus, in the year 1121 of the Lord’s Incarnation, on the eighteenth day before the Kalends of May, a Wednesday. This was done after he had received letters for himself and for his church from the lord archbishop, bearing his blessing and granting remission of penance to all who provided benefits and assistance for the work that had been begun.