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The Chronicles of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agneswritten by Thomas A Kempis. Translated by J. P. Arthur. 

M. 

[Dedication in Greek which cannot be reproduced]. 

CONTENTS

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

PREFACE

THE CHRONICLE OF THE CANONS REGULAR OF MOUNT ST AGNES

I. Of the first founders of the Monastery at Mount St. Agnes, andhow Master Gerard Groote first pointed out this place to them. 

II. Of the building of the first House on Mount St. Agnes. 

III. Concerning the names of the first Brothers and their labours. 

IV. Of the scanty food and raiment of the Brothers, and howwondrously God did provide for them. 

V. Of the consecration of the first chapel and altar at Mount St. Agnes. 

VI. Of the year and place in which the first four Brothers wereinvested. 

VII. How the monastery was removed from Westerhof to Mount St. Agnes. 

VIII. How John Kempen was chosen as the first prior of Mount St. Agnes. 

IX. How the Burial-ground at Mount St. Agnes was consecrated. 

X. Of the Brothers who were invested by John of Kempen, the firstPrior. 

XI. Of the death of Brother Wolfard, Priest in the Monastery of MountSt. Agnes. 

XII. How Brother William Vorniken was chosen to be the second Prior inthe House of Mount St. Agnes. 

XIII. Of the death of Brother Nicholas Kreyenschot. 

XIV. Of the consecration of our Church and of four Altars in the Houseof Mount St. Agnes. 

XV. Of the death of the beloved Father John Ummen, the first Founderof the Monastery of Mount St. Agnes. 

XVI. Of the pestilence that afflicted mankind, and how some of ourBrothers died in this plague. 

XVII. Of the death of William, son of Seger, a Priest in Hasselt. 

XVIII. Of the death of our most reverend Lord Frederic, Bishop ofUtrecht. 

XIX. Of the death of Brother John Vos of Huesden, who was the secondPrior at Windesem. 

XX. How Brother Theodoric of Kleef was chosen to be the third Priorof the House on the Mount. 

XXI. Of the death of Brother Egbert formerly Sub-Prior at the House onthe Mount. 

XXII. How our Brothers and other Religious were driven from the land byreason of the Interdict. 

XXIII. Of the return of our Brothers from Frisia to Mount St. Agnes. 

XXIV. Of the death of Brother John of Kempen, the first Prior of MountSt. Agnes. 

XXV. How Theodoric of Kleef, third Prior of the House on the Mountlaid down his office, and was absolved therefrom. 

XXVI. How Brother Henry of Deventer was chosen to be the fourth Priorof the House of Mount St. Agnes. 

XXVII. How Father Henry, the fourth Prior, resigned his office, and howFather George was chosen to be the fifth Prior. 

XXVIII. Of the ancient Reliquary of St. Agnes, and how it was gotten. 

XXIX. Of the death of Brother Henry, son of William, the fourth Priorof our House. 

SO FAR THE CHRONICLE WAS WRITTEN BY THOMAS OF KEMPEN; THE RESIDUE THEREOFWAS DONE BY ANOTHER. 

FROM THE CHRONICLE OF OUR BROTHER THOMAS OF KEMPEN CONCERNING MATTERS NOTPERTAINING TO OUR HOUSE. 

I. Concerning the year in which that reverend man, Florentius ofWevelichoven, was made Bishop of Utrecht. 

II. Of the death of John Ruysbroeck, first Prior of the Groenendaal. 

III. Of the death of the venerable Master Gerard Groote, a man mostdevout. 

IV. Of the great eulogy passed upon Gerard by a certain doctor. 

V. How, after his death, the number of the Devout and the Order ofRegulars did increase. 

VI. Of the consecration of the Church, and the investiture of thefirst Brothers in Windesem. 

VII. Of the death of John de Gronde, a Priest. 

VIII. Of the death of the most Reverend Florentius of Wevelichoven, Bishop of Utrecht. 

IX. How Frederick of Blanckenhem was chosen to be Bishop. 

X. How the monastery at Northorn was founded. 

XI. Of the death of that most devout Priest Florentius, Vicar of theChurch of Deventer. 

XII. Of the death of Everard of Eza, a Curate in Almelo and a greatmaster of physic. 

XIII. Of the death of the Priest Amilius that succeeded Florentius atDeventer. 

XIV. Of the first investiture of the Sisters of our Order inDiepenvene near Deventer. 

XV. How the monastery in Budiken was reformed. 

XVI. Of the death of Gerard Kalker, a devout Priest, and Rector ofthe House of Clerks. 

XVII. Of the death of Henry of Gouda, a devout Priest, at Zwolle. 

XVIII. How the Sisters in Bronope were invested. 

XIX. The death of Wermbold the Priest. 

XX. Of the death of John Cele, Rector of the School at Zwolle. 

XXI. Concerning John Brinckerinck, a disciple of Master Gerard. 

XXII. Of the death of Gisbert Dow, Rector of the Sisters at Amsterdam. 

XXIII. As to the gaining of Indulgences at the stations in Rome. 

XXIV. The letter of the Cardinal of Bologna. 

A LETTER CONCERNING THE FIRST INSTITUTION OF THE MONASTERY AT WINDESEM. 

TRANSLATOR'S NOTE

The Chronicle of Mount St. Agnes is the only work of Thomas a Kempis ofwhich no English translation has yet appeared, and even in its originalform the book is not readily accessible to readers, since the only textis that published by Peter and John Beller of Antwerp in 1621. Theordinary collections of the works of a Kempis do not contain theChronicle, although there is no doubt as to the authenticity of the book, which is of considerable importance to students of the movement known as"The New Devotion, " and to those who are interested in the Brotherhood ofthe Common Life. The last nine pages of the Latin text have been addedby an anonymous writer, and carry on the chronicle from the year 1471, inwhich a Kempis died, to 1477, but since this portion of the book isincluded in the first printed edition, and contains a notice of theauthor written by a contemporary member of the community, I have includedthe addition in the present translation of the Chronicle. 

The Mother House of the Chapter to which the Monastery of Mount St. Agnesbelonged, was the Monastery at Windesheim, of which we have a fullaccount from the pen of John Buschius, a younger contemporary of aKempis. This work is too long to be included in the present volume, although the Antwerp edition before mentioned puts the two Chroniclestogether; Busch's "Chronicon Windesemense" will therefore appearseparately; but as the account of the foundation of the Mother House, written by William Voern, or Vorniken, supplements the information givenby a Kempis, a translation of it is annexed to this book. The writer wasPrior of Mount St. Agnes before his promotion to the same office in theSuperior House, and it was under his rule that a Kempis spent the earlyyears of his priesthood, those years in which he composed the first partat least of the great work with which his name is associated. WilliamVorniken also tells in outline the story of the conversion of the LowCountries to Christianity by Anglo-Saxon missionaries, and for all thesereasons it has been thought that his "letter" may be of interest toEnglish readers. 

It will be seen that the spelling of proper names is both peculiar andvariable, but the principle observed in this translation has been toadopt the spelling given in the text, except in cases where variation isevidently the result of a printer's error, and in those instances inwhich the writer _translated_ names, _e. G_. , Hertzogenbosch appears inthe Chronicle as Buscoducis, and Gerard is called sometimes Groote, Groot, or Groet, and sometimes Magnus. 

Further accounts of the lives of some of the Brothers who are mentionedin this Chronicle may be found in a translation of another work of aKempis published last year, and entitled "The founders of the NewDevotion, " Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner & Co. ; and the history of theother houses of the Chapter to which the Monastery of Mount St. Agnesbelonged, has been treated exhaustively by Dr. J. G. R. Acquoy, "HetKlooster te Windesheim. " Utrecht, 1880. 

For the English reader the best accounts of the Brotherhood and of aKempis himself, are the works of Rev. S. Kettlewell and Sir F. R. Cruise. The former, however, is quite unreliable as a translator, and drawsuntenable deductions from extracts whose purport he has misunderstood;but the latter is both accurate and interesting, being in fact theleading English authority on the subject which he has made his own. 

PREFACE. 

The pious desire of certain of our Brothers hath constrained me to puttogether a short chronicle concerning the beginning of our House, and thefirst foundation of our Monastery on Mount St. Agnes, that the saidchronicle may be a comfort to them that are now alive, and a memorial forthem that come after. Wherefore humbly assenting to their pious desires, I have gathered together a few things out of many, and these I have seenwith mine own eyes, or have heard from the Elders of our House, or elsehave gathered from the writings of others. 

Some of the Elders who first dwelt in this House have told us that orever there was a monastery builded in this place, and before any man hadyet come hither to serve God, there did often appear to the shepherds andto them that dwelt near, visions of men in white raiment who seemed to goin procession round the mount: and the signification and meaning herebyportended became clear enough afterward as time went by, when themonastery by God's grace begun in this place by a few Brothers andafterward finished with much toil came into being and a great company ofBrothers dwelt therein--for then it was seen how the Devout Congregationof Canons Regular being clad in white raiment did serve God withdevotion, singing hymns and psalms and celebrating Mass; also recitingthe proper Canonical Hours to His praise every day, and praying for ourbenefactors, both living and dead, especially for them that are buried inthis Monastery. 

THE CHRONICLE OF THE CANONS REGULAR OF MOUNT ST. AGNES. 

CHAPTER I

_Of the first founders of the Monastery at Mount St. Agnes, and howMaster Gerard Groote first pointed out this place to them_

The House of Mount St. Agnes, which lieth outside the walls of the townof Zwolle, and on the eastern side thereof, had its origin and completionin this way. 

The place used to be called in the vulgar tongue Mount Nemel and liethnot far from Zwolle, but one may traverse the distance in the space of anhour. Now there were in the State of Zwolle certain faithful men who hadbeen turned wholly to God by Master Gerard Groote. These men had buildedthem an house, in a suburb belonging to the city, near an ancient Conventof Beguines, and here they served God humbly and with devotion. Amongstthese the chief was John of Ummen, a man dedicated to God, and greatlybeloved by Gerard; and with him there abode likewise Wychmann Rurinch, Reyner, son of Leo of Renen, and two or three others that were welldisposed. Moreover, a certain Clerk that dwelt in those parts namedWittecoep, had joined himself to them and lived among them devoutly. There was also the mother of John of Ummen, named Regeland, a widow ofripe age, who ministered to the necessities of these servants of God, giving good heed to the care of the house as a faithful Martha. Mostgladly would she listen to the Word of God, and, like Mary, was neversated with the sweetness of the Holy Scriptures that were read. 

When any one at meal-time read somewhat incorrectly and stammered overthe words, this venerable woman said to him "Read no more and do notdefile the Word of God lest harm come to holy things and they that hearbe offended in thee. Let another read that hath better skill thereto, that we may all understand and be edified. "

After no long time this good woman came to the end of her life on theThursday in Holy Week after Mass was ended, and she was buried at Zwolleby her friends and the Brothers. From that hour and day, for three wholedays, her son John Ummen fasted from every kind of food to promote hismother's salvation, and he neither ate nor drank aught until the dawningof the day of the Lord's Passover, and yet was he as whole in body and instrength as if he had been well fed every day. 

And as these servants of God lived in poverty and at the common charge itcame to pass that many men that were in the world, considering their holylife, came together to them, being eager to serve God and to leave theworld, in the hope of an eternal gain. Meanwhile it happened that thevenerable Master Gerard Groote came to Zwolle about the beginning ofLent, and of necessity abode there certain days, since he was anxious tocomfort his poor children, for it was his desire to refresh with the wordof consolation those whom he had drawn to leave the world. So a verygreat company of people came together to his preaching, and many devoutlysubmitted themselves to his counsel, for sometimes he would preach twosermons in one day so as to water the chosen vineyard of the Lord. Andif he had determined to preach after the midday meal, he would remainpraying in the Church or walking in meditation in the churchyard, takingno food himself, while he awaited the return of the people. For thisreason they that loved his holy discourse were unwilling to stay away toolong, but would sit them down in the churchyard or in the Church, andtake beforehand places that were convenient and near the pulpit, so thatat the proper hour they might the more readily hear and understand theWord of God. And when Gerard had done his faithful preaching, each wouldreturn to his own concerns rejoicing with eager heart, and praising Godfor all the things he had heard. And they marvelled above measure at thehumble bearing of the Master, and were edified thereby, that he, a man ofso great fame and knowledge, one that had friends great and famous, should go about the streets with so meek an aspect, and showing littlecare for his attire; for he cared not at all about worldly things, andsought only to gain a great usury of souls for God. He was wellfavoured, kindly in word, and courteous to all, so that any man whatever, whether a stranger or born in the land, even though poor and unknown, might speak to him and receive from him some discourse upon the things ofGod. The good saw this and rejoiced thereat, but the froward gnashedwith their teeth and spake evil of Gerard. A certain man, therefore, oneof the great ones of the State, came near to him, and rebuked his wordsand deeds, for the man himself took more pleasure at that time inworldliness than in the things of God. "Why, " said he, "dost thoudisquiet us, and bring in new customs? Cease from this preaching, and donot disturb or frighten men. " But Gerard made answer with wisdom andconstancy: "I would not willingly suffer you to go to Hell, " and the mansaid again with indignation: "Let us go thither in peace, " but the kindlyand good Master replied: "I will not do so; if thou wilt not hear, therewill be some who will gladly give ear"--but we must return to ourhistory. 

When the most beloved Master was sojourning in Zwolle for the purpose ofpreaching the Word, some of his disciples aforementioned who dwelttogether there came to him secretly and confessed that they desired tolive a life further removed from that of the world, for they could notbear to mingle with worldlings without suffering hurt to their spirituallife; and they said that they would choose to dwell without the City ifhe should agree thereto. They begged him therefore, as loving sonsspeaking to their father, to condescend to go with them some little spaceoutside the City to look for a place convenient wherein to live quietly. Then Gerard assented to their pious prayers, and when the next day dawnedhe prepared for the journey and taking with him the brothers Wychmann, Reyner, Henry and James Wittecoep, he went with them towards themountains of Nemel to a place that was foreordained of God, and separatedfrom the multitude; for men were seldom seen to come thither or to passby, and patches of thorns and nettles grew here and there upon the hillsand valleys. So as they went forth the wind beat against them, hutneither rain nor wind could stay the Master from the straight course, andhe went on rejoicing and said pleasantly to his companions: "I will gobefore you and shield you from the wind with my cloak. " But as they drewnear to the place, they went up to the top of an hill, and having made acircuit round the mountains for some little space, they at last beheld avalley, that was narrow and deep, upon the northern side of the mountain, and Gerard's disciples asked him a question, saying: "See! most belovedMaster, how good is this place, and how private; here we may hide for thelove of Christ, as of old the holy Eremites did hide in the mountains andin caves in the earth. " But this they said in simplicity of heart out ofthe fervent zeal of their devotion, and their desire for a life moreremote from the world, for they thought there they could be hid, screenedby the thickets of brushwood. But the Master being most discreet andwise in counsel soon dissuaded them from this purpose, for a place thatlieth low doth never suit the human complexion, nor would a place sonarrow avail in future for many men to dwell in. So they withdrew theirfeet prudently therefrom and visited another mountain that was near; andtheir wise leader saw that on the south side thereof was a level placefit for crops, and he said to them that stood by: "Place your tabernacleat the foot of this mountain--then shall ye be able to make a littlegarden for your herbs and fruits on the level place toward the south. Ifthe Lord grant me life I will be here often with you. " Having visitedthis place and walked about it through God's inspiration, they returnedagain to the City together, leaving the issue of the matter to thepleasure of the Almighty. But in the same year the beloved MasterGerard, that light and lamp of devotion that shone upon his country ofUtrecht, was taken away from this world to receive the reward of hislabours, and he went up from the vale of our lamentations to the mount ofeverlasting bliss. 

CHAPTER II. 

_Of the building of the first House on Mount St. Agnes_. 

But after the passing of the Master, who must ever be held inremembrance, the new branch of his planting ceased not to bear fruit;moreover the heaven shed dew upon it from above, as Gerard at the end ofhis life had promised, so that our land yielded increase in her season;and the men above named continued to carry into effect the intentionwhich they had formed in their minds. The chief mover in this holy workwas James Wittecoep, the son of one Thomas Coep, a man who had been amagistrate in the town of Zwolle; and he did all that in him lay topromote the foundation of an house on the mountain for the servants ofGod. Goswin Tyasen, who afterward became a Canon Regular at Windesheim, assisted him in this business, for he, relying upon the goodness of God, and having the ear of his fellows, was eagerly desirous to move them tochoose this place. There were others also of like purpose, but these twowere the chief men amongst them, and they all relied upon the help oftheir friends, but especially upon the co-operation of the mercy of Godby Whose nod all things are determined. Therefore they besought theheritors of Bercem and Nemel, joint owners of the farm, to grant them aportion of the land, and the site where now the Monastery is builded, andthe owners thereof did freely grant their request and gave them the landfor the Brothers to dwell in. When they had obtained the power to buildupon the spot pointed out to them aforetime by Master Gerard, they set inorder a small house, at the bottom of the mountain, that had been givento them by a certain matron, and some labourers assisted them in thiswork. This house was builded of logs and earth, but was only roofed inabove with common thatch. But when this poor little habitation, on anhumble site on the lower part of the mountain was builded, no man dweltthere, because it lacked household stuff; yet certain of the Brotherswhose hearts were set on the completion of the work would visit it, andsometimes one or two would sleep upon the straw there, in their clothes, but for their food they either brought somewhat with them or returned totheir friends in the town. 

Scarce have I known of any place or house that was begun in so greatpoverty, and yet came, in despite of divers hindrances, to so great anincrease of prosperity; but Jesus our Saviour Himself began in thedeepest poverty, and His lack did make rich Holy Church. This housetherefore, poor at first, unknown and hidden, did deserve in process oftime to be more widely increased through the blessing of our Father inHeaven, Who doth ever turn His Face toward lowly things, but doth lookfrom afar upon the lofty. For as wealthier persons came and broughttheir goods into the common stock, the place whose beginning was so poor, and its outward appearance so lowly, grew to be a yet fairer vineyard ofthe Lord of Sabaoth. For the tillers of the farm and the country folk ofthe land of Bercem and Nemel, seeing that an house was now builded on themountain and that devout men had come together there to serve God inhumility and simplicity, gave and assigned to them and their successorsthe aforesaid place in honour of Holy Religion, and that prayers might beoffered for them and their friends; which grant they did also confirm inwriting to any others whom God Almighty should see fit to associate withthem. In regard to this holy gift and this pious request made by consentof the owners of the place, there was but one deed executed relating tothe first and original foundation. This is attested by the seals of manyhonest men, and in it is given a short description of the manner of theCommon Life and of the wholesome rule so far as this same was applicableto the conditions of the Brotherhood in the early days. These thingswere done and finished in the year of the Lord 1386 on the Friday beforePalm Sunday, and a year and a half after the death of the aforesaidMaster Gerard. 

CHAPTER III. 

_Concerning the names of the first Brothers and their labours_. 

These are the names of those first Brothers, the devout men who began tobuild the House of Mount St. Agnes and to dwell there. First JamesWittecoep, the chief promoter of our House and the earnest keeper thereofin all things. He afterward became a Priest in Zwolle and served theAltar in the Hospice there, where he died after making a good confession. Secondly, there was John Ummen, son of Assetrin, whose mother was calledRegeland. He, though blind and unlettered, was yet the familiar friendand devout disciple of Master Gerard, and he became the first Rector ofthe House, being a good man and a comfortable. Thirdly, there wasWychmann Roerinck van Hellender, a pattern of poverty and patience; he, putting aside his friends, who were many, became an humble hearer ofGerard, and was Procurator to this poor little congregation. 

Other upright men also were joined to these chief Brothers, being drawnto give up the world by the sweet savour of the reputation of this newand holy congregation. Their names are worthy of the fame of a goodmemorial, for they were shining lights of holy poverty, obedience, continence, and daily toil. The first was Reyner, son of Leo of Renen ofthe diocese of Utrecht, who often made pilgrimages out of his devotion;but afterward became converted by Gerard's preaching and gave up theworld. The second was Reyner the younger, a man without reproach, poorand accustomed to toil. He, too, came from Renen which is in the dioceseof Munster. The third was called Gerard the cook, for he at the firstwas cook to the House, but afterward became the porter, a man fervent indeed, and devout in prayer, who was born at Deventer. All these knewGerard Groote in the flesh, and often heard him preach the Word of Godamong the people. By these humble, simple-hearted, and devout littleservants of Christ--these who did verily despise the world--was our Houseon mount Nemel begun, which House after that it became a Monastery wascalled Mount St. Agnes. Moreover by little and little several devoutclerks and lay folk from the neighbouring towns and from far offdistricts came to join these men, and they earned their daily bread bythe labour of their hands. For none was allowed to avoid his task, nonemight go about idly, neither did any dare to talk of worldly matters, butall were taught to labour for the common good, and to call often upon Godin prayer at the appointed hours after the manner of the holy Fathers inEgypt: for these, too, did labour with their hands, but during the hoursof toil they never ceased from prayer. Likewise they had received thisrule from Master Gerard, that none ought to be accepted save such as werewilling to labour with their hands and take part in the Common Life. Wherefore the clerks were diligent in writing the books of HolyScriptures, and the lay folk busied them with bodily labour and tillage. Some also followed the tailor's craft, others wove wool and flax; othersagain made baskets and mats, or did divers tasks for the good of thecommunity at the bidding of their Superior. Outwardly indeed they led alife of poverty and toil for Christ's sake, but the love of the heavenlylife made sweet the present indigence. If one went forth on anybusiness, he would first utter some short word concerning the things ofGod, or would speak the Name of Jesus, and some other would reply with"Christ" or "Mary" as his devotion impelled him. For a great while theylived together in this companionship, and until the time of thefoundation of the Monastery, all alike, both Clerks and Lay folk obeyedtheir first Rector, John of Ummen, a zealous man and well skilled inspiritual things. With such diligence did they follow the virtue ofobedience that none dared even to drive in a nail, or do any little thingwithout the knowledge of the Rector or Procurator, for they receivedfraternal correction by way of warning for the least neglect, nor wasthere given any place for excuse, but every man did humbly acknowledgehis fault, and was forward to promise amendment. But if any were notready to obey, or should cling stubbornly to what was good in his owneyes Father John would chide him more sternly as the manner of the faultand the quality of the person did demand. Sometimes fired with yetgreater zeal for discipline and in order to affright the other Brothershe would say to some that were ill content, or slow to take his Orders:"Lo! the door standeth open. If any will go forth, let him go: I wouldrather have one that is obedient than many that are disobedient. By thefavour of God I may readily find others who will cheerfully do what yerefuse. " Thus by the voice of his authority he would curb theill-contentment of some. Also he used to say that unwilling and sluggishBrothers were false prophets who thought that naught was profitable savewhat was good in their own eyes. 

Once it happened that the elder Reyner was sent out with some otherBrothers to guard the reeds, lest the cattle that passed by might chewand injure them. But when the time for the midday meal came all the restwent in, and Reyner alone remained on watch in the fields, and afterwardshe, too, went in to take his sustenance. Then he was asked wherefore hehad not come in with the others at the appointed hour, and he answeredthat he had remained outside thinking to do the more good thereby, andprevent danger to their stuff. But Father John replied, "Would that thebeasts had despoiled all our goods so that thou hadst come in with therest as in duty bound. This would have pleased me better. " Then wasReyner deeply penitent, and groaning he prostrated himself humbly on theground asking for pardon, and saying that he would never do the likeagain. But yet John was full of comfort and kindness to those that weretempted or oppressed with any weighty matter, for he had the graciouspower of consoling all, whatever might be the cause for which they cameto him. Master Gerard himself often sent divers persons to be instructedby him in the way of God, saying to them, "Go to blind John of Ummen, that devout and upright man, and whatsoever he saith unto you, do it. " Healso bore this witness about John, saying "That blind man hath bettersight than all that are in Zwolle, " meaning that though he lacked naturalsight, yet was he illumined inwardly by the radiance of truth, and showedthe way of eternal salvation to many that resorted to him, and gave themthe guidance of the true light. 

Among these early Brothers so great was the zeal of their love that eachstrove to surpass the other in doing work that was humble; and they wereeager in lowly service one to the other. So while one was asleep anotherwould rise up earlier than was customary and finish his work; but if anywere somewhat slower in going forth to his labour, some other that wasquicker would take his place, and it was often found that some task wasfinished though none knew who had done it. By this means was charityshown in deed, and humility of heart was preserved, according to thesaying, "Love to be unknown. "

All that dwelt in the House were stirred up by a like devotion to domenial tasks and fulfil humble offices. Wherefore the clerks and weaverswould not avoid the work in the fields, but when called thereto atharvest time they would go forth with the rest to gather in the sheavesof corn. Following the rule of obedience, and acting for the commongood, they made the hay, or dug the ground, or planted herbs, wheneversuch work must needs be done. So, too, holy David doth praise them thatfear God, and doth minister sweet words of consolation to them thatlabour well, saying: "Thou shalt eat the labour of thy hands, well isthee and happy shalt thou be. "

CHAPTER IV. 

_Of the scanty food and raiment of the Brothers, and how wondrously Goddid provide for them_. 

Who can tell how poor was their food while they laboured at their dailytoil? Their victual was coarse, their drink ungenerous, their raimentsimple and rude, so that naught did minister to the lusts of the flesh, but the needs of the body were satisfied soberly enough. They were oftencompelled to eat food that was of evil savour through lack of bettervictual; but constant toil and hunger made herbs and pulse to be pleasantto the taste. Fish was given to the community seldom, and eggs morerarely still, but yet of their goodwill the Brothers would give these tothe sick, or to strangers, if by any means they could get such things. Wherefore one hath said, "When the reign of poverty is long, pleasuredoth endure but a little space. "

On certain days the rule allowed them to eat flesh meats, but if at suchtimes a larger mess was set before them, yet was it not more daintilycooked. Furthermore, certain amongst them, who while they dwelt in theworld had been taught to love a very different fare, were now contentwith scanty and coarse food, doing great violence to their lusts thereby;but yet they bore all these things patiently after that saying of Christ, "The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it byforce. " Sometimes when supper was ended scarce aught did remain to bedivided amongst them on the day following; at other times there was lackof utensils or cooking pots, or suitable food would fail; but God theMaker of all things, who of old did feed the people in the wilderness, did not desert the Brothers on the Mount. So it once came about thatwhen they had consumed almost all their food, Gerard the cook beinganxious for the morrow, made his lack known to Father John, saying sadly"What shall I set before them to-morrow?" But John consoled his sadnesswith kindly words, and exhorted him to have faith in the Lord, who dothnot fail them that hope in Him. And when that day had drawn on toevening, Everard of Eza, Curate of Almelo, came unexpectedly in hischariot as if sent by God to comfort the poor. He was received by theBrothers eagerly and reverently, and they brought him in as if theHospice was his own, for he loved the House and all that dwelt therein byreason of their utter poverty and their simple manner of life, andbecause their desire was to hinder none, but to profit all men; moreoverhe was united to Father John by a special bond of love. Wherefore, whenhe had determined to travel to Windesem, or had business at Zwolle, hedelighted to come first to the Brothers on the Mount; and being a mightyshepherd of souls as well as a most skilful physician, he alighted fromhis carriage and fed souls that were in want thereof with the fodder ofthe Holy Word, and likewise cheered the faint of heart by giving them thefood they lacked. He had brought with him fine meal, and flesh, and hegave the same to the Brothers for their common use; and they receivingthe gifts he offered were all comforted by their better fortune, and gavethanks to God and to Everard that of his bounty he had provided for themand succoured them in their so great need. At another time, also, diverspoor Clerks had been called from Zwolle to help them in some work, wherefore certain of the Brothers went down to fish in the brook Vecht, whose course is near to the mountain. So they let down their nets in thename of Jesus, and by the grace of God, who made all waters, there weretaken of the fish called bream a number equal to the number of theirguests. 

At that time Gerard Bronchorst, a Canon of Utrecht, and a great friend tothe devout, was in authority at Deventer, and he gave two cows to ourBrothers on the Mount, but forasmuch as God would prove their patienceand increase their faith, one of the cows died, though the other oneremained whole. And the wondrous goodness of God provided that the oneshould give so large a yield of milk as to suffice for all the Brothers, though they would have thought that they would scarce get enough fromtwo. Then was seen the fulfilment of the word of the prophet Esaias, whosaith: "It shall come to pass in that day that a man shall nourish ayoung cow, and for the abundance of the milk he shall eat butter. "

At the beginning of their common life the Brothers were despised byworldlings, and they bore patiently the derision of them that passed by;also they were called by vile names in scorn, and suffered much evilspeaking and many injuries from the envious; but the patience of the goodovercame the malice of the froward, and the freedom of their goodconscience gave them the greater joy because of the scorn that was castupon them. For although men that were ill-disposed would insult thesepoor little ones of Christ, and blushed not to speak evil of theinnocent, yet many that feared God would praise their holy conversation;such men assisted them with kindly deeds and help, being moved thereto bypious reasons. 

One of the community, a Lay Donate and an upright man, was employed infeeding the cattle, and as he was driving an herd of swine in the fieldhe met an ancient crone, who began to abuse him and to hurl unseemlywords at him. And the devout Brother answered her gently, saying, "Gooddame, tell me my faults freely, and chide me sternly, for I greatly lacksuch chastisement, " but the woman hearing this was smitten with inwardremorse, and said in a changed voice: "What should it profit me to helpyou to the kingdom of heaven, but myself to hell!" for she perceived thatby her chiding the Brother earned fresh merit, but she punishment for herfrowardness. 

It came to pass that as two of the Brothers were at work together out ofdoors, one by mischance did unwittingly hurt the other somewhat, and hewho had done the injury prayed the other to pardon him for God's sake. But the Brother who was hurt in body was whole in heart, and said: "Evenif thou hadst slain my father I would freely pardon thee, " and those thatstood by and heard his saying were edified, and glorified God for thegracious words that proceeded from the sufferer's mouth. May these fewthings that I have told of the early deeds of our elders be pleasing tothe reader. 

CHAPTER V. 

_Of the consecration of the first chapel and altar at Mount St. Agnes_. 

On the Vigil of the Feast of St. John the Baptist, and in the year of ourLord 1395, was consecrated the first chapel on the Mount of St. Agnes theVirgin, and the first altar therein was dedicated in honour of thatsaint, and of the most blessed Mary Magdalene, by Hubert, the Suffraganand Vicar-General for Pontifical Acts to our most Reverend Father andLord, Frederic, Bishop of Utrecht. 

And after the rite of Consecration, when the Dedication Festival was athand, being the Sunday after the Nativity of St. John, Reyner, the Curateof Zwolle, came and was the first to sing a Solemn Mass in the chapel, wherein he offered the sacrifice of perpetual praise to God, for he wasfriendly disposed to the Brothers, and at unity with them. So from thatday forward the Holy Mysteries of our Redemption were celebrated there byPriests and Clerks, and on festivals, hymns to the praise of God weresung to stir up devotion of heart. 

Having made this holy beginning, the lowly band of Brothers was kindledto a still greater love of the worship of God, but in after time, whenthe new and larger church in the monastery was builded and consecrated, the dedication of this former chapel was transferred to the latter bylicence of the Bishop, but as was more seemly, it was dedicated first toSt. Mary and afterward to St. Agnes. After this, when nearly three yearshad gone by, the desire of the Brothers to build a monastery burnedfiercely within them, and the elder amongst them especially, with theirRector, were eager to do this work and carry it forward with all speed, for certain urgent reasons did compel them. They saw that withoutmonastic discipline the way of life in the House could not continue to beordered duly, and therefore they determined that the habit of an holyorder must be their refuge, for they were instant to make prudentprovision for themselves and those that should come after, and to stopthe mouths of them that spoke evil, because such men did strive with thecunning of this world to disturb the lowly and simple lives of theBrothers. Moreover, though they were still poor and had not thingssuitable to their need--either proper buildings or service books--yet didthey try to begin the work, trusting in the mercy of God and heartened bythe help of good men. And one spake of them and marvelled that men sopoor should wish to build a monastery and to take religious vows, thoughthey had no hope of increase, but Father John of Ummen, ever a lover ofpoverty, answered him, saying: "I have always heard from holy men thatpoverty is good, being both the cause of all good and the means ofincreasing the same. "

CHAPTER VI. 

_Of the year and place in which the first four Brothers were invested_. 

In the year of the Lord 1398, on the 18th day of January, being the Feastof St. Prisca, Virgin and Martyr, our Right Reverend Lord Frederic ofBlanckenhem, the renowned Bishop of Utrecht, issued his license to thedevout priests, Egbert van Lingen, and Wolfard, the son of Matthias, andto the other Clerks and Lay Brothers that dwelt on Mount St. Agnes, inNemel, near Zwolle, for it was his desire to increase the glory of God, and to promote the cause of Holy Religion. By the full authority vestedin him he gave them leave to build a monastery for the Order of CanonsRegular in any fit and proper place in his diocese, so that they mightworthily and devoutly serve as the soldiers of Almighty God in theRegular Order, following the rule of the blessed Augustine. So havingobtained this licence in their favour, they chose a place in the freeholdland that is called Westerhof, in the district of Gherner and the parishof Dalvessen, the curate of which parish, who was an honourable man namedFrederic Denter, giving his assent to their purpose. They determined toset their monastery here because they had found no other site that wasfitting, although they sought anxiously elsewhere a place of habitation. At this time the men of Zwolle would not suffer a monastery to be buildedupon the Mount at Nemel, though this was done in after days by the favourof God, but Egbert Mulart had given them this land at Westerhof. He wasa most upright man, and one in authority, being of gentle lineage inHasselt, and he was a trusty friend and a special patron of the devout. Here then they builded for their first need a small chapel, which theylet consecrate in honour of Mary, the most Blessed Mother of God, andalso other buildings of moderate size, and they reverently called theplace "The Garden of the Blessed Mary, " in honour of Christ's gentleMother. When these things were done, the day drew nigh on which theBrothers of this House should be invested there. Now on the day of theLord's Annunciation, which is the solemn Feast of the Blessed Mary everVirgin, Mother Church doth celebrate throughout all the world the firstact of our Redemption. So that when that holy day had dawned with fairsunshine there came the Reverend Lord Hubert, Bishop of Yppuse, andSuffragan to our Lord Bishop of Utrecht, for he had been summoned thitherupon that day. And when the waxen tapers and crosses and the otherornaments were ready, he there consecrated the burial ground, and thethree altars, and then at the High Altar, which he had dedicated, he sungMass with solemn music. 

Afterward, in his reverend presence, and in the face of a large companyof other religious, both Clerks and Lay, Brothers who had come togetherfrom every quarter to keep this Festival, the first four Brothers of ourHouse were invested by that reverend and devout man, John Wale, Prior ofthe Regulars in the state of Zwolle, for he had been summoned for thisvery purpose. This number four did mystically signify the number of thefour Evangelists, and the names of these Brothers, which are worthy to becherished by them that come after, are here set down. The first wasBrother Egbert of Lingen, who had been chosen for the priesthood by theBrothers on the Mount three years before this time. 

The second was Brother Wolfard, son of Matthias of Medenblike, a priestof great age. 

The third was John Ummen, a Clerk who came from Campen, a kinsman of Johnof Ummen, our first founder. The fourth was Dirk of Kleef, a Clerk whocame from that state. These four made their profession on the same day, and when the Divine Mysteries had been celebrated, and their bodies hadbeen refreshed, they spent the day in spiritual rejoicing and brotherlylove. Brother Egbert was the Senior in standing and took the place ofRector of the House until a new Rector appointed by the Chapter shouldcome; then he gave place to Brother Wolfard and stood humbly behind him. The Clerks who were not yet invested with the habit of the Order werethese:--Wichbold, son of John of Deventer, Henry Huetinc of Deventer, John of Kempen, of the diocese of Cologne, Hermann of Kempen, of the samediocese. 

After Easter, when a general Chapter was held by the Fathers at Windesem, these were received into the Order, and their names were set down andwritten as members of the Fellowship of Houses belonging to us: theFathers also provided them a suitable Rector, and after a little spacethat religious and devout Brother, Egbert Lingen, was sent to them. Hehad been a member of the Monastery of St. Saviour, at Emsten, and forabout a year, that is, until the coming of the new Prior, he ruled overthe House, as will be shown hereafter. Throughout the summer of thissame year the Pestilence was heavy at Deventer, Zwolle, Campen, and theneighbouring towns and districts, so that it often happened that twentyor thirty men were buried in one day in the divers parishes of thesetowns. 

About this time and on the Feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, died Reyner, Curate of Zwolle, and two priests that were his chaplains. He was a good man and pitiful to the poor, and ever cherished a specialdevotion to St. John the Baptist. At this time also died many devoutpersons, both men and women. 

CHAPTER VII. 

_How the monastery was removed from Westerhof to Mount St. Agnes_. 

In the same year of the Lord 1398, on the 26th day of the month ofAugust, two days before the Festival of our Holy Father Augustine, didthat most kindly Lord Frederic, by the grace of God, Bishop of Utrecht, issue a further licence. He did ever most faithfully promote theinterests of our House, and was our special patron, and he had compassionupon the Brothers who were invested a short time before at Westerhof, inthat they were ill-content with the place, and ill-provided for there, byreason of divers hindrances and impediments that were not agreeable tothe religious life. The Bishop therefore, hearing of these hindrancesand the true causes thereof, gave them licence to transfer themselves andall their goods from the aforesaid place to Mount St. Agnes, so soon asmight be convenient, and to retain the same rights and privileges as hehad before conferred upon them. Thus for the second time they obtainedhis full and gracious consent to their desires, and Conrad Hengel, thenVice-Curate of Zwolle, likewise assented to their pious wishes. 

Therefore on the eve of the day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross theyreturned to the place that they had long possessed and where the greaternumber of their friends still continued to dwell, with blind John ofUmmen; they left, however, some few Lay Brothers at Westerhof to arrangetheir affairs. 

Moreover the Bishop of Utrecht had given them a licence for theconsecration of a burial-ground for the use of the monastery that theyshould found on Mount St. Agnes. But when Hubert, the Bishop Suffragan, came for this purpose and entered into Zwolle, he was not allowed tocontinue his journey to the Mount until the Magistrates had first spokenwith the Lord Bishop of Utrecht, for they thought to dissuade him fromhis opinion. From this cause the consecration of the burial-ground wasdelayed for the space of a year, until the return of the Bishop ofUtrecht, for the said Bishop during the year had gone to the Curia atRome, and he ordered that the cause of both parties should be put off andawait his coming and presence on his return. But when he had come backfrom Rome and entered his own country in safety, certain of our Brotherscame to him and asked him once more to give permission for theconsecration of the burial-ground, and he, yielding to the importunity ofhis friends, did freely grant their petition. So he issued his commandsagain and ordered the consecration of this place, for he loved it andpaid no heed to the complaints of the adversaries, since he preferred thehonour of God and the progress of religion rather than the unjust wordsof worldlings, who, as is well-known, do often oppose the desires of goodfolk. From that time forward he showed special love to the House on theMount, and extended to it yet fuller patronage, so that one day when hewas riding round the mountain on his way to Zwolle, he asked one of hiscompanions, saying: "What is this place, and what manner of men dwellhere?" and his Vicar answered him: "Beloved Lord, dost thou not yet knowthat place? This is thy monastery, this is Mount St. Agnes, and theBrothers of the Mount dwell there. " And the Bishop made answer: "It iswell--may God preserve them. "

It came to pass in this same year, 1398, in the month of September, whenthe Plague was still amongst us that a well-disposed Lay Brother namedJohn, son of Faber, who was smitten with the pestilence, came from Zwolleto the mountain, and sought hospitality in the name of God. And beingreceived in charity, his disease grew heavy upon him, and he died on theFeast Day of St. Maurice the Martyr. But after his death certain of theClerks and Lay folk, being infected with the Plague, were taken from thislife after a little while, but several others grew whole of theirsickness, for the Lord had mercy upon them. 

Lastly, on the day after the Feast of St. Francis the Confessor diedJohn, son of Nicolas of Campen, a Lay Brother of great age, who had beenthe gardener. 

On the day of the translation of our holy Father, Augustine Gerard Bouleft this bodily life. He was a man of great strength, who had been afarmer, and his native land was Holland. 

On the Feast of St. Calixtus, Pope and Martyr, died Hermann Restikey, aClerk of the diocese of Cologne; he was born in the town of Kempen, andwas well learned and skilled in singing and in binding books. When hedrew near to death he asked that a taper might be lighted quickly andgiven into his hands, and holding this above his breast he began to saydevoutly and often to repeat: "Mary, Mother of Grace, Mother of Mercy, dothou protect us from the enemy and receive us in the hour of death, " andhaving said this, he breathed forth his soul. 

On the day after the Feast of the Eleven Thousand Holy Virgins, John ofKempen fell asleep in the Lord; he was a devout Clerk of the diocese ofCologne who had just been received into the Religious Order, but he diedor ever he could take the habit, for death was beforehand with him. Hewas kinsman to the aforesaid Hermann, whom he had persuaded to withdrawfrom the life of the world when he was Sublector in the town of Campen. These greatly loved one another in life and death, they came from onecity and province, they were of one heart in their good purpose, andalike steadfast therein. This John, who continued a longer space in theservice of God, was a man of great kindliness and sobriety, and was wellskilled in the work of husbandry. For at harvest time when all mustlabour more than usual he was diligent in helping therein. And sometimesat night he would gather in the crops of the poor, and often weariedhimself by this work of piety; but in this year the weather was veryrainy, and the crops were in such danger that he gathered in those thatgrew in the watery places, and binding them into sheaves carried them onhis own shoulders out of reach of the waters. 

On the Feast Day of the Saints Crispin and Crispian died Wichbold, son ofJohn of Deventer, a man of good lineage. For a long time he lived adevout life in Zwolle, but afterward finished his days yet more devoutlyon the Mount. Being an eager lover of the Scriptures he edified many byhis holy discourse. On the Feast Day of St. Martin the Confessor, Henryof Deventer fell asleep in Christ; he was a Clerk and the companion andfellow citizen of Wichbold, and likewise a very humble and gentle man. One day he was plastering the inner walls of the cells in the dormitoryof the Brotherhood with soft mortar in company with another Clerk. Butit happened that as the mortar was somewhat violently dashed on to thewall some did come through the cracks of the battens into Henry's face(for he was standing on the other side of the wall) and befouled himgreatly. But he who had done the deed, looking to see who had beenbespattered by the mortar, and seeing the Brother who was so greatlyloved with his face befouled, implored his pardon in dolorous wise. ButHenry was rather merry than vexed, and answered: "There is no hurt done, be not disturbed. I care not for it. " So gentle was he that none eversaw him angered or heard him complain. 

The day after the Feast of Brixius, Confessor and Bishop, died Hermann ofLaer, a man of great age who came from Campen. 

On the Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle, died Gerlac ten Water, a Clerk ofthe town of Kampen. He had a deep devotion to the Blessed Virgin, andwas still in the flower of his youth, but in this same year he left theworld and his parents and entered the monastery with joy, and he made agood end to his life when came the time appointed for him to die. Thesewere buried in the Chapel of St. Agnes, which afterward became theChapter House, because there was no other consecrated ground in the whichthey could be buried. But as the space was very narrow, some were buriedin a neighbouring spot, because it was hoped that a burial-ground wouldsoon be consecrated there. 

But in the year 1407, in the time of William Vorniken, the second Prior, and after the consecration of the new chapel, the bones of some of theseBrothers were taken up and buried again in the other burial-ground on thewestern side of the chapel, where now several Lay Brothers who knew themlie buried also. 

In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Martin, the Bishop, BrotherEgbert Linghen, the first Rector, invested two converts; their namesbeing Brother John, son of James of Hasselt, and Brother John Eme ofZwolle. 

In the year 1399, on the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, Brother Godefriedof Kempen, who was born in the diocese of Cologne, was invested by thefirst Rector. He was a skilful writer and singer, and he wrote onemissal for the High Altar, and three Antiphonaries, and likewiseilluminated several books. Also he painted and adorned the altars of thechurch most beautifully with the figures of saints. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

_How John Kempen was chosen as the first Prior of Mount St. Agnes_. 

In the year 1399, after Easter, John of Kempen, one of the community atWindesem, was chosen to be Prior of the House of Mount St. Agnes. 

By the help of God, he, the first Prior, did govern the affairs of theHouse, with the many poor inmates, zealously and devoutly for nine years. Also he added to the possessions of the monastery in laudable wise, providing buildings and books and other things needful. He it was thatordered the building of the chief part of the church walls, and he madeready much timber for the finishing of the roof. He began to plant anorchard on the south side of the cloister, and he set forest trees roundit on every side. This is that very garden that Gerard Groote, longbefore, pointed out to the Brothers that they should grow their herbstherein. For a long time wheat was grown, but a great while after herbswere planted. 

In the days of the Prior, mountains and hills were made low, and hollowvalleys were filled up: then was fulfilled to the letter that which iswritten in Esaias, a text oft spoken of by the Brothers in the midst oftheir toil: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hillshall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the roughways plain" . . . 

It is no easy task to tell with what toil and sweat this mountainousplace was turned into a level plane, and this sandy soil made abundantlyfruitful. Very heavy and long was the labour of preparing a site for theburial-ground and church, for here the slope was steeper than in otherplaces, and extended over the whole face of the ground. Yet by littleand little and by labour done at divers times this hill was taken awayand the matter thereof thrown outside the boundary wall into a deepvalley toward the north: so that to the wonder of many scarce a trace ofthe said hill could be seen. And the Brothers who worked by turns therewould say to one another: "True is the word of the Lord which He spake:'If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed ye shall say to thismountain, be thou removed from hence hither and it shall be done!' Butsince faith without works is dead, we do firmly believe that if we putour hand to this work in the name of the Lord, we shall quickly removethis mountain. " So it was done, not to this mountain only but also toothers that stood round about the monastery when the boundaries thereofbegan to be enlarged and to be surrounded by a wall of stone. Besidesthis Prior John set up the following needful buildings: namely, aRefectory for the Brothers and another for the Lay Folk, a kitchen andcellar, and cells for guests, also a sacristy for Divine service betweenthe choir and the Chapter House. And he himself was the first among themthat laboured, and would carry the hod of mortar, and dig with the spadeand throw the earth into the cart. When he had leisure he was instant inreading holy books, and often worked at writing or illuminating. Hecaused several books to be written for the choir and the library, andbecause they were poor he appointed certain Brothers to write for sale, as was the custom from old time. This many of the Brothers were zealousto do, but others set themselves manfully to the tasks without. 

In the year 1399, Indulgences were granted to the people of Zwolle by theApostolic See, and Pope Boniface the Ninth granted these to be gained byall that were truly penitent at the Church of St. Michael on the Feast ofthe Finding of the Holy Cross, and on the Feast of St. Michael. 

In this same year, I, Thomas of Kempen, a scholar at Deventer and anative of the diocese of Cologne, came to Zwolle to gain indulgences. Then I went on, glad at heart, to Mount St. Agnes, and was instant to beallowed there to abide, and I was received with mercy. Afterward, on theday before the Feast of St. Barbara the Virgin, came William, son ofHenry of Amsterdam, who also, at that time, lived at Deventer with thedevout Clerks. 

CHAPTER IX. 

_How the Burial-ground at Mount St. Agnes was consecrated_. 

In the same year, 1399, after the Feast of St. Remigius, the Prior andBrothers of our House took counsel and aid from their friends, and busiedthemselves about the consecration of the burial-ground, which ceremonyhad been delayed for a long while because of the hindrances above named. But when they knew that our Lord of Utrecht had returned from the Curiaat Rome they came to him in Wollenhoven, where he then lived, and readilyobtained their petition through the mediation of their most trustyfriends, the noble Sweder of Rechteren and the priest Henry de Ligno. 

So that Bishop Frederic, our most kindly lord, delayed not to send to hisSuffragan bidding him to come with all speed and consecrate the burial-ground on the Mount, and the Suffragan also when he had read the letterof his Superior was found eager to perform this pious act; and he camewithout delay with the messengers who had been sent to him, and on theday after the Feast of the Eleven Thousand Virgins, and at about the hourof Vespers, he consecrated the burial-ground that lieth within thecloister of the monastery, the Prior, Brothers, Clerks, and servants ofour House being present at the ceremony. When the rite had beenperformed duly, a gentle rain fell and watered the consecrated groundwith the dew of heaven, and all that dwelt thereabout rejoiced with greatjoy, for that the place had been consecrated by the Bishop, and that themouths of the adversaries who strove to hinder the foundation andprogress of the monastery were evidently stopped. 

So when the rite of consecration had been performed by the authority ofthe Bishop, he went himself on another day to Windesem and thereconsecrated the new choir and the four altars. 

CHAPTER X. 

_Of the Brothers who were invested by John of Kempen, the first Prior_. 

In the days of this venerable man our first Prior and Father, sevenClerks and three Converts were invested, and the day and year of theirinvestiture are written below. Likewise he received the profession ofBrother Godefried of Kempen who was then about twenty years of age. 

In the year of the Lord 1401, on the day after the Dispersion of theApostles, was invested Brother John Drick of the city of Steenwyck in thediocese of Utrecht. He was before a priest, and Vicar of Steenwyck, andafter less than a year of probation he made his profession by licence ofthe Prior of the Superior House, on the birthday of St. John the Apostle;and he afterward was chosen Procurator. 

In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Brixius, Bishop and Confessor, was invested William, son of Henry (who was called William Coman) ofAmsterdam in the State of Holland. He was now twenty-three years of ageand had lived with the devout Brothers at Deventer, but FlorentiusRadewin, before his death, sent him to Mount St. Agnes. 

In the same year, on the day before the Feast of St. Catherine theVirgin, was invested Brother Frederic, a Convert who was born inGroninghen in the State of Frisia, and lived for a long while on MountSt. Agnes with the first founders of the monastery. 

In the year of the Lord 1402, on the Vigil of the Nativity of Christ, wasinvested Brother Gerard, son of Tydeman, who was born in Wesep, a town inHolland: he wrote divers works for the use of the monastery and for sale. In the year of the Lord 1403, on the day of St. Pontianus the Martyr, wasinvested Conrad, a Convert; he was a tailor and was born in the Countshipof Marck. 

In the year of the Lord 1405, on the Festival of the Four CrownedMartyrs, Brother Alardus, a priest, and John Benevolt of Groninghen werealike invested: Alardus was forty-six years old and a Frisian by nation;he had been Curate at Pilsum, which was his native place, and was a goodand devout man. 

In the year of the Lord 1406, on the Feast of Corpus Christi, which fellin that year on the day before the Feast of St. Barnabas, two brothersthat were Clerks, and one that was a Convert, were invested. These wereThomas Hemerken of the city of Kempen in the diocese of Cologne, and ownbrother to John of Kempen the first Prior. The father of these wascalled John and their mother Gertrude. The other Clerk was calledOetbert Wilde of Zwolle, whose father's name was Henry and his mother'sMargaret. The Convert was Arnold Droem of Utrecht who brought greatwealth to the monastery and was in charge of the Refectory. 

CHAPTER XI. 

_Of the death of Brother Wolfard, Priest in the Monastery of Mount St. Agnes_. 

In the year of the Lord 1401, on the Feast of the Holy Martyrs John andPaul, Brother Wolfard, son of Matthias, died in the monastery pertainingto our order, which is called the House of the Blessed Virgin in theWood, and lieth near Northorn. He came from Medenblic, a town inHolland, and was one of the four first Brothers of our House. He was aman of great stature and grave deportment, eloquent in discourse, and hishoary head was comely to look upon. He took part in the labours of theyounger Brothers, and would perform lowly tasks, such as washing thetrenchers, digging the ground, carrying stones, or collecting wood. Itwas his wont to come early into the choir, to be alert in watching, enduring in fasting, careful in celebrating the Mass, and devout inprayer. Once he was asked by a Religious what he had eaten duringAdvent, and whether he had had eggs from time to time; and he madeanswer: "Blessed be God, throughout Advent I have seldom taken eggs orfish, but I have eaten pulse only and have kept the fast in greatcontentment. "

So when by the ordinance of God the end of his life was at hand, and thetime when his good deeds should receive a better crown, he made a mostedifying end after the manner and order following:

At that time and in this year there was a notable pestilence in our Houseof the Blessed Virgin in the Wood, whereof the Prior and many Brothersdied, and the one priest who survived, Brother John of Groninghen, aweakly and feeble man, was left desolate save for the presence of onenovice, Brother Honestus. But our Brother Wolfard, hearing of the deathof these Brothers, and of the grief of them that were left desolate, wasgreatly moved with compassion for this House. One day, therefore, whengirt for labour, he said in a tone of pity to me, as I stood by him, "Whocould deserve to have his portion with these good Brothers of Northorn, and to earn an end like theirs?" For he had known divers of theseBrothers, and the place where they dwelt, and he loved their holycompany. And as he was telling me many good things concerning them, Brother Arnold, a Convert from Northorn, entered in at the gate of ourmonastery to ask for one of our priests and when Brother Wolfard saw himcoming he ran joyfully towards him and embraced him. But hearing thecause of his coming, he said that he himself was ready to go with him ifit were pleasing to the Prior, and his obedience should permit. AndArnold, seeing his readiness to come, rejoiced thereat, and said: "Mostbeloved Brother, how good would it be that thou shouldest do so. " Thenthe Brothers were called together and considered who should be sent tosuccour those Brothers in their strait, and they determined upon BrotherWolfard, who was of fitting character and age, and he, being moved bycharity, assented to their resolution. On the next day at sunrise, heset forth to Northorn with Brother Arnold, being ready to lay down hislife for the Brothers after the example of Christ, that he might save iteverlastingly. So he said farewell to the Brothers of Mount St. Agnes, who wept at his departure, and left the monastery never to returnthither; but he knew not how soon he should be removed to a Higher Mount. In thus leaving the place and the Brothers he overcame his natural manand fulfilled the law of charity, following, in his death, the example ofChrist. Therefore he entered into the Monastery of Mary, Mother ofChrist, which is in the Wood, and within a few days he there made an endof his life, and was buried by the Brothers of the House aforesaid. OurBrother Egbert hath told me that long ago Gerard Groote had said to ourbrother: "Wolfard, thou shalt know two conversions, " for in the days ofMaster Gerard, Wolfard had begun to be well disposed to the religiouslife, but afterward he was turned away to the world: yet after manyyears, by the grace of God, it came about that he was again pricked tothe heart, and, leaving his pastoral charge, he changed his worldly life, and was among the first of the Brothers to take the religious habit, andhe thus ended his life with a happy death struggle. 

CHAPTER XII. 

_How Brother William Forniken was chosen to be the second Prior in theHouse of Mount St. Agnes_. 

In the year of the Lord 1408, on the Vigil of Ascension Day, BrotherWilliam Vorniken, from the Monastery at Windesem, was chosen to be Priorof Mount St. Agnes. He was the second Prior of our House, which he ruledfor seventeen years, being a lover of poverty and discipline. After thathe was taken away from us he was promoted to the Superior House atWindesem, and became Father General of all our Order. He it was wholooked to the roofing of the church, the making of new stalls in thechoir, and the provision of fair vestments to be worn by priests andservers on festivals. Also he enlarged the borders of the monastery, andsurrounded the whole with a wall of stone; he built a new dwelling forthe husbandmen and placed a byre for cattle near the gate, likewise inthe year of his departure he began to make a mill and to build a brewery. In several places he planted trees of divers kinds, of which some werefruit trees; and he made smooth the slopes of the mountain, which for themost part still remained steep, and this he did by carrying away thesandy soil. 

He ordered the altars to be beautified with pictures, and good store ofbooks to be written for the choir and the library. Yet in the midst ofall these things poverty and simplicity were dear to him, and with hisown hand he illuminated many books. He took divers Lay Brothers to dwellwith him, for he saw with the eye of charity that they would earn thereward of eternal life by faithfully cleaving to their holy labours, andliving the common life under obedience. Some of these he received asDonates, others he invested with the habit of Converts. 

During the years that he was Prior he invested fourteen Clerks, whosenames, with the days of their investiture, are written hereafter. 

In the year 1408, on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel, was investedBrother Nicholas Creyenschot, a native of the town of Kampen, a youth inyears but upright in character. 

In the year 1410, on the Feast of All Saints, two Brothers were investedtogether, namely, Wermbold, a priest of Kampen and kinsman to John ofUmmen, and Gerard Ae of Utrecht. 

In the year 1411, on the Vigil of the Nativity, three Brothers wereinvested together, namely, John the son of Gerard, John Bowman, andGerard son of Wolter, a Convert; all these came from Zwolle. In the year1413, on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin, was investedBrother John of Lent, a town one mile from Zwolle. In the year 1418, onthe Vigil of the Nativity, three Brothers were invested together, namely, Rudolph of Oetmersen in Twenthe, Otto Lyman of Goch in Geldria, and Henrythe son of James of Zwolle. 

In the year 1421, on the Vigil of the Nativity, two Brothers wereinvested: namely, Henry, son of William, of Deventer, and Deric Venemanof Zwolle. 

In the year 1423, on Easter Eve, two Converts were invested, namely, Gerard ten Mollen of Zwolle, and Gerard Hombolt of Utrecht. 

In the year of the Lord 1424, on the Feast of the Annunciation of theBlessed Virgin Mary, these three Brothers were invested: John Lap of thetown of Neerden in Holland, Christian Anversteghe of Campen, and HelmicBraem of Herderwijck in the State of Geldria. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

_Of the death of Brother Nicholas Kreyenschot_. 

In the year 1410, on the Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle, NicholasKreyenschot died just after sunset. He was a youth of good disposition, and sprang from a notable family of the town of Kampen. He was abouttwenty-three years of age, for God dealt pitifully with him so that hisshort span of life fulfilled the task of many years, and he escapedlonger struggles in this present life; for eight months and ten daysafter his profession he left dwelling in this present world and departedto the other. The virtue of obedience shone brightly in him, as wasseemly in a good youth. Who should say, "Brother, come hither, " andNicholas would not come straightway, or "Begone, " and he did notstraightway depart? Moreover, a good return came to the monasterythrough his means. It happened in a time that he upset and broke a jar, and so grieved was he at this mischance and loss, that he wept bitterly. Once also he made ready a sharp rod, and came to the sub-Prior, saying:"I entreat thee, Father, for God's sake, to inflict a sharp disciplineupon me, for I do often transgress, nor do I make any progress. " He wasburied in the eastern part of the cloister near the wall of the churchand beneath the steps of our dormitory. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

_Of the consecration of our Church and of four Altars in the House ofMount St. Agnes_. 

In the year 1412, on the 8th day of the month of April, being the Fridayafter Easter, our church was consecrated, being dedicated in honour ofSt. Agnes the Virgin and Martyr of Christ. The rite was performed byMatthias of Biduane, the Suffragan of our Lord and Reverend Father inChrist, Frederic de Blanckenhem, Bishop of Utrecht. Many religiouspersons and priests were present thereat, namely, the Prior of Windesem, the Prior of Belheem, Conrad Hengel and John of Haarlem, who were priestsat Zwolle. Many other honourable persons also, both men and women, youngand old, men of the town and men of the country, came together to thisdedication. There was great joy in the hearts of all, and a generallicense to enter the monastery was given to strangers, as our statutesallow to be done on that day only. So when the consecration had beensolemnly performed, the Bishop came forward in his mitre to consecratethe four altars. First he dedicated the High Altar in the Choir inhonour of the Holy Trinity, the Blessed Mother of God, St. Agnes theVirgin, and the Apostles of Christ, and he sang Mass in solemn wise forthe dedication of the church and altar. 

Then going out of the Choir into the northern aisle of the church, hededicated the Altar in the greater chapel in honour of the Holy Cross andthe Blessed Martyrs, and afterwards the Altar which is in the midst ofthe church on the left of the Choir in honour of the Blessed Mary everVirgin, and of St. Augustine the Bishop, who is Father of our Order. 

Lastly, he dedicated the Altar on the south side of the Choir in honourof the most Blessed Mary Magdalene, St. Catherine, St. Cecilia, and theEleven Thousand Virgins. 

This done, masses were celebrated at the several altars, and the Host ofSalvation was offered up in all reverence to God. But after midday, theBrothers being gathered together, he consecrated the burial-ground forthe interment of the dead outside the church and on the western andsouthern side thereof. 

On that day he granted Indulgences for forty days to them that were therepresent, and a like grace to all the benefactors of the church and allthat visited the altars, as was set forth clearly in the Bishop's letterconcerning the consecration of the church. In this same church therestill stand the two altars that were consecrated in Westerhof at thefirst foundation of the House in that place; for these, by consent of theBishop of Utrecht, were transferred to this church after the return ofthe Brothers from Westerhof. One of these was consecrated in honour ofSt. John the Baptist and the Blessed Apostles St. Peter and St. Paul;this doth stand on the south side of the church. The other was dedicatedin honour of St. James and St. John the Apostles. 

The Sunday after the Feast of the Blessed Gallus the Abbot (which is inthe month of October), was appointed to be kept in every year as theanniversary of the dedication of this church and the several altarstherein; and on this day also is kept the Dedication Festival of theHouse of the Blessed Virgin in Windesem and of the Convent of Nuns atDiepenveen, to the glory and honour of the most Blessed Trinity. 

In the same year, when their General Chapter was held at Windesem, thevenerable Fathers of the Canons Regular in Brabant came thereto, and wereaccepted and united to our Fraternity, together with the Houses belongingto them. 

In this year from the Feast of Pentecost onward the Canonical Hours weresung in our church after the monastic manner. 

CHAPTER XV. 

Of the death of the beloved Father John Ummen, the first Founder of theMonastery of Mount St. Agnes. 

In the year 1420, in the evening of the 1st day of September, the Feastof St. AEgidius the Abbot, died that holy and faithful servant of Christ, John Reghelant, formerly a most beloved disciple of Gerard Groote, whosediscourses he used to hear. He was born of honest parents, and forseveral years was educated in Zwolle; but while he was yet a youth he wasdiseased in the eyes, and God allowed him to fall into darkness, and hecontinued blind to the end of his life; but yet the less he could see theouter world, the more brightly did the grace of God illumine himinwardly. His mother, whose name was Regheland, was devoted to God, andoften went on long journeys to visit the shrines of Saints in companywith her blind son, whom she would lead by the hand, taking him with herto hear sermons in church, and leading him onward to every good thing. 

So when the venerable Master, Gerard Groote, was preaching in Zwolle, andthrough God's inspiration was bringing compunction to many, the Lord didopen the heart of this His servant also, and did inflame him, whereforehe began to love Gerard much, and often sought to be instructed by thedoctrine of so great a man. For this cause he left wandering about theworld and sought to serve God in quietness, also he exhorted all thatcame to him to despise earthly desires, and take hold on that new life inChrist which Gerard taught by his holy manner of living. 

Therefore he took to him certain men that were well disposed, and withthem he began to live the Common Life in Zwolle, but afterward they tookup their abode upon Mount Nemel (which is now called Mount St. Agnes), because they wished to dwell outside the tumult of the world. Here theygathered a larger company, the which he governed for many years withfaithful devotion, assisted by divers helpers, until the monastery wasfounded, for he did not fear the many hindrances that met him. But atlength when the monastery was builded, and a Prior instituted in thecanonical manner, John, being filled with brotherly love, and led by ayet fuller zeal for souls, took with him certain laymen of ripe age andbegan to form a new congregation in honour of the Holy Trinity, in thefield of St. John, near Vollenhoe, which congregation, by the favour ofGod, he did enlarge greatly. And when in the process of time the numberof the Brothers was multiplied, he and many others took the habit of theTertiaries, and he continued to his life's end to be the humble servantof the Brothers and their first Rector. He was one of the first andoriginal disciples of Gerard Groote, and had many spiritual discourseswith him, for it was from Gerard that he learned the way of an holy life, and he submitted himself and his little ones fully to Gerard's counseland discretion. Being prevented in due season by God's grace, FatherJohn was devout, and is worthy of remembrance, for that going on day byday he reached forward continually to the things that are before, being anotable lover of poverty, one that kept lowliness and loved sobriety. Hewas the very beauty of purity, a pattern of simplicity, a strong upholderof discipline, an enemy of sin, a light of virtue, an ensample ofdevotion, strong in faith, long suffering in hope, prodigal in charity, and one that did convert many from the vanity of the world. A few thingsconcerning him are written in the beginning of this book. 

So being wearied by his many years, when the day of his release fromcaptivity was nigh, and he was dwelling in the house of the Sisters atAlmelo, he fell sick; and having fulfilled seventy years of life, he fellasleep in the Lord and was buried in the chapel of the Sisterhood there. After his happy departure, John of Resa, a devout priest, was chosen asthe second minister of the House of St. John, and he sought and obtainedfor that House certain privileges that were needful, and also theconsecration of the burial-ground, which things were granted by theVenerable Frederic, Lord Bishop of Utrecht. After him Christian, anative of Zeeland, and one that had made his profession, was chosen aspriest to that House, and was the third to administer and rule the same. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Of the pestilence that afflicted mankind, and how some of our Brothersdied in this plague. 

In the year 1421 there was a notable pestilence in Deventer, Zwolle, Kampen, and the neighbouring towns, and during the three months of summermuch people of the land were slain thereby. In the same year, after theFeast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the Cross was preachedagainst the heretics of Prague, who stirred up a grievous persecutionagainst Holy Church, the clergy, and the Christian people; and led awaymany faithful persons by threatenings and deceits: likewise theydestroyed monasteries and churches, and put many persons to a crueldeath. In the same year in the month of September the disease laid holdon certain of our household, for the pestilence did mightily increase, and on the Octave of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, after High Mass, aLay Brother named Nicholas died. He was born in Drenthe, and had beenour miller, a man of good reputation and life, and well beloved by allthat were in the House. 

On the Feast of St. Lambert, Bishop and Martyr, and about the hour ofVespers, died our Brother Oetbert Wilde, a fervent and devout priest. TheBrothers were with him when he died, and they offered up prayers afterthe accustomed manner. He was in the thirty-eighth year of his age, andthe fifteenth after his profession: he came from Zwolle, where he wasborn of very honest parents, and he loved our patroness St. Agnes theVirgin with a special devotion. In the beginning he suffered manyweaknesses and temptations, but afterward, by the help of God, he waschanged into another man, mightily uplifted from pusillanimity of spirit, and endowed with much grace of devotion. He died happily after a goodstruggle, and on the next day his body was buried next to BrotherNicholas Kreyenschot on the eastern side of the cloister, and Mass andprayers were said for him. 

On the Feast of St. Michael, after Vespers had been said, Nicholas, sonof Peter, departed this life. He was a Donate of our House, and acarpenter, being a man of great stature and mighty strength, and he hadlived for more than twenty years in the House of Mount St. Agnes. Hecame from Monekedam in Holland, and having lived with us from the verybeginning of the monastery, he left a good memorial of his skill andindustry in his craft in the building of the church, and the new stallsfor the Brothers in the choir. His body was laid in the burial-ground ofthe Laics, toward the south part and near the path. 

On the day of St. Jerome the Priest, at about the time when the middaymeal was ended, died Riquin of Urdinghen, a Donate of our House whoattended the sick. He departed after a brief agony, while Litanies weresung round his death-bed: his native place was in the diocese of Cologne, and during the twenty-five years that he lived in the House on the Mounthe never visited his friends, nor saw his native land once he haddeparted from her. He loved the Blessed Virgin with singleness of heart, and on the seventh day of the week he abstained from one portion ofpottage out of devotion to her. In these three desires he was heard ofthe Lord before his death, namely, to die on an high day, and amid theBrothers--for he greatly loved them--and to have a short death struggle;which things were so brought to pass by our good Lord even as he haddesired them out of his good and simple heart. 

On the Feast Day of St. Luke the Evangelist, at about the fifth hour ofthe morning, died Adam of Herderwijck, a Donate of our House, who hadsojourned in this place for twenty years. He submitted himself to diverstoils and discommodities by his devotion and faithfulness to the businessof the House; he was pitiful to the poor, kindly to the afflicted, and inthis time of stress he ministered with care and diligence to the Brothersthat were sick. His body was laid in the burying ground of the Laicsnear the other Donates, and after his burial the pestilence was stayed, for God had pity on us, and some that had been smitten by this strokegrew whole of their disease. 

In this year, after the Feast of All Saints, Brother Gerard Ae, once aninmate of the House on the Mount, died in Frisia in the Convent of theNuns at Berghen. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Lucia the Virgin, PeterValkenburrigh the Priest departed this life. He had lived an humble lifefor a long while with the Brothers in the Field of St. John nearVollenhoe, and he desired to be buried upon Mount St. Agnes, where he haddwelt in former days, with the first Brothers of the House; for they ofthe Field of St. John had not as yet a consecrated burying ground; so hewas laid to rest on the eastern side of ours next to Winald the Priest, who was once chaplain to our Lord Frederic, Bishop of Utrecht, and afriend to the Brothers on the Mount. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

Of the death of William, son of Seger, a Priest in Hasselt. 

In the year of the Lord 1422, on the Vigil of Ascension Day, which wasthe day following the Feast of St. Potentiana, died that devout priest, William, son of Seger, the Confessor of the Sisters of the Third Order atHasselt. He was born in Zwolle, and was buried, as he had long desired, on the eastern side of the precinct before the Prior's Cell. There werepresent at his burial these venerable men, namely, Father Wessel, firstSuperior of Kleerwater, near Hattem, Father John Haerlem, Confessor ofthe Sisters at Zwolle, Father Gerard Trecht, and Father Stephen Mulart, who were priests in Hasselt. Also many other honourable men, and friendsof the said William, came together to his burial from the aforesaidtowns, and the Prior of the House recited the burial office with faithfuldevotion in presence of the Brothers. 

After his death Father Gerard Trecht was called by the Fathers of ourOrder to rule over the aforesaid Sisters in the room of the departedBrother. 

In the same year, during the days of Pentecost, peace was establishedbetween the men of Utrecht and Holland, and those of Geldria, for duringa whole year they had been at grievous enmity, and many deeds of rapine, murder, and arson had been wrought in evil wise on both sides. 

In the month of September, on the day before the Feast of S. S. Cosmasand Damianus, Brother John Pric, a priest and inmate of the House ofMount St. Agnes, died in Thabor in Frisia. He was born in the town ofSteenwyck, and had been Vicar of the Church of St. Clement in that place, but after several years, at the request of the Prior at Thabor, he dweltfor a time with the Brothers of that House, and in the same year manydied in the pestilence, amongst whom he also fell asleep in the Lord, andwas buried with the other Brothers in that place on the eastern side ofthe cloister. This was his motto for the novices: "He that doth notaccustom himself to exercises of humility at the beginning of hisconversion, and doth not break down his own will, shall seldom become agood Religious. "

In the month of October, on the day of the translation of St. Augustinethe Bishop, there died at Zwolle that honourable dame, Mary, the widow ofHenry de Haerst, our neighbour. She was truly pious and pitiful towardsthe needy, and often came humbly to Mount St. Agnes to hear the HolyOffices. Moreover, she abstained from all wordly adornments in hervesture, and she left a good bequest to our Brotherhood on the Mount, where also she doth lie buried in the church in the same tomb withBartold her son. 

In the year 1423 there was such mighty cold and frost that endured fromEpiphany even to the Feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch, that thehardness of the frost brought great masses of ice across the waters. Wherefore at the beginning of March, when the snow and ice meltedsuddenly in the heat of the sun, a great flood of waters followed, andthe dykes were burst by the rushing thereof, so that much of the cornland was overflowed, and the seeds perished. 

In the summer of the same year the boundary wall round our monastery wasfinished even from the south to the western side, and a new gate wasmade. 

In this same year, on Easter Eve, two Converts were invested, namely, Brother Gerard ten Mollen, and Brother Gerard Hombolt, as is recordedabove. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

Of the death of our most reverend Lord Frederic, Bishop of Utrecht. 

In the year of the Lord 1423, on the Feast Day of S. Dionysius, Bishopand Martyr, which is the ninth day of October, that most reverend andrenowned Lord Frederic of Blankenhem, the illustrious Bishop of Utrecht, went away out of the light of this world, being about eighty years ofage. 

He ruled the diocese of Utrecht strenuously and in honourable wise duringthirty years, for the grace of God Almighty succoured him: his power wasincreased by many victories, and he gave the Church peace, his countrysafety, and his people tranquillity before his death. This is he thatwas a potentate of renown, a pillar of the priesthood, a guiding star toClerks, a father to the Religious, a friend to all devout persons, adefender of the orphan, an avenger upon the unjust. 

This is he that was the glory of rulers, the delight of subjects, thatupheld dignity among the aged, and uprightness amongst the young, he wasa pinnacle of learning, the ornament of the wise; he gave weapons to thewarriors and a shield to them that strove: he inspired terror in hisfoes, and courage in his people; he was an ornament to the nobles, anhonour to princes, a glory to the great ones of the land. Who could tellhis praises in worthy wise, for in his days all was well ordered in theland of Utrecht! Prelates were honest, and priests pious in the worshipof God; the religious were devout, the virgins were chaste, the peoplewere fervent in the faith, judges were firm, and wealth grew abundantlyin the cities. In these days also, schools for learning flourished, especially at Deventer and Zwolle, and a vast multitude of learners cametogether from divers states and regions, both near and afar off. Andbecause the Bishop feared God, honoured Holy Church, and loved anddefended all that served the Lord, therefore the Majesty on Highprotected him from the enemies that were round about, making rebelliousnations subject to him, especially those Frisians who had invaded histerritories. Moreover, God did make his days illustrious by manymarvellous deeds, so that an age of gold seemed to have been granted tohis land of Utrecht. But this did appear more evidently after theBishop's death, when a schism--exceeding lawless and long enduring--aroseand increased among Clerks and people alike. And this the reverendBishop feared should come about, for he was a prudent man and a learned;moreover, he knew the manners of the cities and the seditious ways ofsome of the nobles whose insolence he had been able to restrain andsubdue with difficulty, and the exercise of great valour. "After mydeath, " said he, "they will know that they have had a good lord, for theyall wish to be masters, and to have none set over them, wherefore itshall be ill with them. " And he prophesied truly, for the whole land ofUtrecht suffered grievous loss for her sedition, and shall long mourn thesame, as will be shown briefly in the proper place. 

So this illustrious ruler died in his castle that is called Horst, notfar from Utrecht, and his body was brought by a seemly train of followersto the church at Utrecht where his predecessors were buried, and there incompany with the other bishops in an honoured tomb upon the right side ofthe choir he doth rest in peace. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

Of the death of Brother John Vos of Huesden, who was the second Prior atWindesem. 

In the year of the Lord 1424, on the Saturday following the Feast of St. Andrew, being the second of December, the venerable Father John Huesden, who was the second Prior of Windesem, died in the sixty-first year of hisage. He had been a disciple of Master Gerard Groote and FatherFlorentius, Vicar of Deventer, and on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, inthe year following the investiture of the first Brothers, he himself wasinvested there together with Henry Balveren. A short time after BrotherWerner, the first Prior, was absolved from his office, this John Huesdenwas chosen the second Prior of the House, being then in the twenty-eighthyear of his age. By the help of God he continued as Prior for thirty-three years and ruled the House in a laudable manner: also he was of muchprofit to the whole Order, being a most comfortable and kindly Father toall the devout Brothers and Sisters that were in the whole Diocese, forhe was charitably disposed to all alike. He ordered the writing of manybooks for the monastery, being a fervent lover of the holy writings, andwas specially devoted to our Father Saint Augustine, a store of whosebooks he collected diligently. He was also at Constance in the days ofthe General Council, whither he went in company with John Wale, thevenerable Prior of Zwolle, and the cardinals and other prelates receivedthem both kindly and with reverence. 

Now it came to pass a few days before his death, and within the Octave ofSt. Martin the Bishop, that two Brothers came from Mount St. Agnes toWindesem to commune with the Prior. And one of them had a dream afterthis wise, which vision did foretell the Prior's death; for he saw thespirits gathered together in Heaven and hastening as if to the death-bedof some one, and straightway he heard a bell toll as if for the passingof a dying man, and the sound hereof aroused him, and he awoke. Sorising from his bed and desiring to go to see what had happened, heperceived no man, for it was before the fifth hour in the morning, andthe Brothers were yet asleep. So, returning to himself, he kept silence, and the thought came to him that our Father the Prior should soon departhence. Yet he told naught of this vision to any that were in the House, but to a certain Clerk that was coming from Brabant and journeying in hiscompany he said privately: "Tell Hermann Scutken, who sojourneth atThenen, to come quickly if he would speak with our Father at Windesem, for if the vision that one hath seen this night is true, I wot that heshall not long abide here. " So when fifteen days were passed thisReverend Father died on the day aforesaid after High Mass, and before themidday meal the Mass of the dead was sung for him, and his body wasburied in the choir before the step of the sanctuary. 

On the Vigil of the Epiphany after the death of this venerable Father, Brother Gerard Naeldwijc, the Procurator of the House, was chosen to bePrior; but he was greatly grieved thereat, and after a long while heconsented, though against his will. Being lowly and gentle he might notbear the honour and burden of this place, and he sought earnestly withmany prayers to be relieved from the care of so great a charge, and whenthe next General Chapter was held he sought to be absolved from hisoffice of Prior, which petition was granted to him. So after he had beenabsolved, and when the Fathers were still gathered together, BrotherWilliam Vorniken, the Prior of Mount St. Agnes, was chosen by the sameGeneral Chapter to be Prior of the Superior House. And when he knew ofhis election he too was stricken with dismay, for he was afraid of theburden, which is indeed a thing to fear. So he wept abundantly, sayingagain and again that he was unworthy, and striving mightily against thisthing in every manner, yet was he obliged to obey and to take uponhimself for Christ's sake the yoke of so great a burden, being compelledthereto by his obedience and the determination of the more part. Therefore, at length, he consented, and after weeping bitterly he wasconfirmed and inducted into the office, and all that were in the Housegave thanks to God and were glad; but the House of Mount St. Agnes wassaddened above measure and wept when her faithful Pastor was taken fromher, for she knew none like to him. 

CHAPTER XX. 

How Brother Theodoric of Kleef was chosen to be the third Prior of theHouse on the Mount. 

In the year of the Lord 1425, the House of Mount St. Agnes bereft of herPastor (who had been chosen for and translated to the Superior House) wasinstant to provide for herself another suitable ruler in accordance withthe canons. Wherefore the Brothers were gathered together, and on theSaturday after Pentecost the Mass of the Holy Spirit was celebrated afterthe monastic manner, and all the members of the Chapter came together tothe Chapter House. When the opinion of each had been heard, BrotherTheodoric of Kleef, our Sub-Prior, was chosen, and those venerableFathers, the Prior of Windesem and the Prior of the House of the BlessedVirgin, near Northorn, took part in this election, and confirmed the sameas an holy act by the authority committed to them. 

Brother Theodoric was one of the elder Brothers of this same House, andhad been among those that were first invested: he had a long training inthe good life, and he wrote summer and winter Homilies together withcertain other books. 

After his election as Father and third Prior of our House, many evilsbefel in the diocese of Utrecht, which same did mightily afflict ourHouse and all the devout in the land. This was by reason of a schismbetween Sueder of Culenborgh, who was confirmed as Bishop of the diocese, and the noble Rodolph of Diepholt, and the long continued strife betweenthese two did disturb many Clerks and citizens of the land. 

In the same year, on the Feast of the Visitation of the Blessed VirginMary, and after Compline, died our Brother Conrad, a Convert. He was thetailor, and was born in Scyrebeke in the Countship of Marck, and hadlived at Deventer under Florentius, which devout Father sent him to MountSt. Agnes when he had learned the tailor's art. He lived devoutly andhumbly with us for many years, making, cleaning, and mending the raimentof the Brothers, but toward the end of his life it was his chief delightto think that he had often cleansed their clothing, for he hoped by hislabours in this regard to have cleansed also the stains of his own sins. He was a man right pure and modest, and one that loved poverty andsimplicity, and he ardently longed to be released and to be with ChristJesus and Mary, whom he often called upon by name at the last: moreover, it was given him to die a peaceful and an holy death on this day of HerFestival, and his body was laid in the burying ground within the cloisterof the monastery, hard by the northern gate, toward the wall of theeastern building. In the same year Sueder of Culenborgh was confirmedBishop of Utrecht by the authority of the Apostolic See, and he wasaccepted by the people of Utrecht, and of certain other towns, but by theStates of Overyssel he was not received. Wherefore these States wereplaced under an Interdict, and a great controversy arose among Clerks andpeople, for some observed the Interdict, but the chief ones of the Stateswith those that clove to them, clamoured against it. 

Alas! Holy God! on the day before the Feast of St. Lambert we ceased fromour singing by reason of the Interdict that was published against us! Forthis cause the nobles of the land and many of the vulgar had indignationagainst us and other Religious, and we suffered many insults, and at lastwe were driven to go forth from our country and our monasteries in orderto observe the Interdict. 

In the same year, on the holy day of Christ's Nativity, were invested twoClerks that had been Probationers a long while, and also one Convertnamed James Cluit of Kampen who had studied for some time at Deventerunder John of Julich, the famous and devout Rector. The Clerks wereBrother Gerard Smullinc of Kleef, who had attended the school at Zwolleunder Master John Cele, the excellent Rector with whom he dwelt for somespace as a fellow commoner: and Brother James Ae, a Convert from Utrecht, and kinsman to Brother William Vorniken who was once our Prior. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

Of the death of Brother Egbert formerly Sub-Prior at the House on theMount. 

In the year of the Lord 1427, on the day after the Feast of St. AEgidiusthe Abbot, and after the third hour of the night, Brother Egbert ofLinghen died at Diepenveen in the House of the Sisters of our Order. Hewas Rector and Confessor of that House, and was buried in the churchthere, outside the choir and between the two chancels, the Prior ofWindesem being present at his burial. 

This Brother was born in the town of Ummen and baptised in the church ofSt. Bridget: but when his parents removed to Zwolle, he being a youth ofgood disposition began to attend the school under Master John Cele, andearnestly to profit thereby. And when he heard the honourable reputationof the House on the Mount he came thither eagerly: now the elder JohnUmmen then ruled over it, and his wholesome exhortations touched Egbertto his good, so being now sufficiently advanced in learning he left hisparents, and in humility and devotion joined himself to theseBrothers--the poor little ones of Christ. Afterward he was promoted tothe Priesthood in this same House, and since the grace of devotion grewin him, in a short time he, with two others, took the Religious habit. These three were the first to take it, and Egbert the first amongst them. Also he was for a time Sub-Prior of our House on the Mount, being a manof good heart, eloquent in word, diligent in writing, a comforter of themthat sorrowed, quick to forgive injuries, and one that did rejoice withall his heart at the progress of others. He adorned many of the chantbooks in the choir with beautiful illuminations, and also divers booksfor our library, and sometimes those that were written for sale. Heloved our House on Mount St. Agnes above all places that are on theearth, and he laboured right faithfully for the building thereof. Moreover, when his parents were dead, he, their only son, received alltheir goods as their lawful heir; and these were given for the common useof the Brothers who had heretofore lived in great lack. Wherefore yearby year memorial is made of him and his parents in the monastery forthese benefits, as is justly due. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

How our Brothers and other Religious were driven from the land by reasonof the Interdict. 

In the year of the Lord 1429, the strife between them that followedSueder and them that clave to Rodolph--who had been chosen to beBishop--still continued, and heavy threats were made against the Regularsin that they obeyed the letter of the Apostolic See and the commandmentsof Sueder, Bishop of Utrecht. And since they would not consent to theappeal of Rodolph, nor maintain his cause, they were driven either tobegin again to sing the services of the church or to depart from thecountry, they and all their company. 

Then did the Priors take counsel with their congregations, and they choserather to give place to the people that were enraged against them, and tobe exiles for justice' sake than to consent to such commandments to thescandal of all the devout, for these had already gone away from a greatpart of the country, leaving their own houses and their native land. 

Therefore, when this grievous choice was made known before the Fathersand Brothers of our House, there was but one opinion amongst all, namely, that they must prepare to sojourn in a strange land and so keep obedienceto the Apostolic See, but that they should leave in the monastery certainof their household that were Lay Brothers, Converts and Donates, whomight keep the House. Thus were the Brothers driven forth, and theydeparted publicly before sunset on the Feast of St. Barnabas the Apostle. Moreover the Brothers of Windesem with their household went forth towardNorthorn, and they of Bethlehem in Zwolle went over the Yssel to thedistrict of Geldria. But the Brothers of Mount St. Agnes abode atHasselt for the first night, and on the next day they took ship forFrisia meaning to go to their Brothers at Lunenkerc, to help and comfortthat House which they had begun to reform. And by the help of God, whilemany of our Brothers sojourned there, the House soon came to be wellordered. There were together in the hired ship in which they crossedover twenty-four of our household, both Clerks and Lay Brothers, andthese abode three years in Lunenkerc for the name of Christ and theChurch of God; and the exile from their own land, which they tookpatiently, bore notable fruit. 

These are the names of our Brothers and the others of our household, bothClerks and Laics, who were driven from the land of Utrecht and from ourmonastery for their obedience in the matter of the Interdict which theyobserved for more than a year by command of the Apostolic See. 

First our venerable Father the Prior, who was called Brother Theodoric ofKleef; the second was Brother Thomas of Kempen, the Sub-Prior; the third, Brother John Ummen, who was stricken in years and weak; the fourth, Brother Gerard Wesep; the fifth, Brother John Benevolt; the sixth, Brother Wernbold Staelwijc; the seventh, Brother John Bouman; the eighth, Brother Henry Cremer; the ninth, Brother Henry of Deventer; the tenth, Brother Dirk Veneman; the eleventh, Brother Helmic; the twelfth, BrotherChristian; the thirteenth, Brother James Cluyt; the fourteenth, BrotherGerard Smullinc; the fifteenth, Brother Cesarius, a Novice; thesixteenth, Brother Goswin, son of Pistor, a Novice. 

Likewise there were two Converts, namely, Brother Arnold Droem andBrother James Ae; three Clerks that had not yet received the Religioushabit, namely, Hermann Craen, Gosswin ten Velde, and Arnold ten Brincke;two Donates named Gerard Hombolt and Laurence, and also John Koyte, aguest and familiar friend of our House. All of these were received forthe first night as the guests of the Sisters at Hasselt, who showed greatcharity and humanity towards us, and they lamented and wept bitterly thatwe were driven out with violence. But since all the Brothers could notfind room nor beds wherein to sleep, these Sisters had compassion upon usand brought us their own bedding wherewith they prepared a place for usto sleep in the stable on the hay and straw, and here we all sleptcommodiously enough. Many of the citizens in Hasselt also had compassionupon us and wept, but certain envious folk that thought ill of us mockedour Brothers and spake lightly of them, but of these divers did afterwardrepent. On the second day, when morning came, we hired a small ship andcame by way of the sea to Frisia, the land we sought, having takensustenance by the way; but we used both sails and oars and gat us acrossnot without great hazard for the wind was contrary. Thus we went thitherfor the name of Christ and to keep obedience to the Holy Roman Church, the which we all desired to obey, and we committed ourselves to God Whoshowed forth His mercy toward us, and snatching us from the peril of thesea brought us safely to our Brothers in Lunenkerc. 

In the year 1430, on the 19th day of December, being the day before theVigil of St. Thomas the Apostle, died our beloved Brother John, a priestwho was born at Kampen. He was third among the first four who receivedinvestiture, and he died after midday and was buried on the right side ofBrother Oetbert. He wrote in excellent wise the Chants in the books thatare for use in the choir, for he was a good singer, and a man of modestcharacter, and showed himself to be able and skilled in divers kinds ofwork at harvest time and in the building of the House. When we weredriven forth he went with the Brothers to Frisia, though he was weak, forhe chose rather to share their exile than to abide alone with a few LayBrothers to keep the House. But afterward he was sent back before therest, for his sickness compelled us to do this: so having fulfilledthirty-one years in the Religious Life, he fell asleep in the Lord. 

In the year 1431, on the Feast of St. Stephen, Pope and Martyr, BrotherGoswin Becker died in Lunenkerc. He was in the beginning of the thirdyear after his profession, but was not yet in Holy Orders, and he wasburied in the cloister of the monastery there. He was the son of oneJohn Limborgh, otherwise Becker, and was born at Zwolle. 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

Of the return of our Brothers from Frisia to Mount St. Agnes. 

In the year of our Lord 1422 (1432), license was granted to members ofthe Religious Orders, and to devout Priests and Canons, to return totheir own places and monasteries which they had left in order to observethe Interdict of our Lord the Pope, but some few were excepted as beingsuspected of taking part in the sedition. Now the Bishop of Matiskon hadbeen sent as Legate of the Apostolic See to make terms of peace, and toremove the Interdict that had been pronounced to maintain the cause ofSueder as against the noble Rodolph, who had been chosen to be Bishop. Many Prelates and Religious Brothers were gathered together to meet theaforesaid Legate in the town of Viana, and the Fathers of our ReligiousOrder and Devotion, the Priors of Windesem and of Mount St. Agnestogether with many others--devout Priests, who had been obedient to theInterdict--entered into Utrecht rejoicing, after holding friendlyconverse with the Legate. Then the Brothers returned each to his ownHouse bearing with them sheaves of peace, the reward for their long exilewhich they had endured outside the diocese, and so by little and littlethey returned to their own monasteries eagerly and with devotion; forsome of the Brothers of our House returned on the eve of the Feast of theAssumption of the Blessed Mary, and some about the Feast of St. Michael, while a few were left in Frisia to minister to the needs and preserve thediscipline of the House at Lunenkerc. 

Through all things blessed be God who alone doeth great marvels!

CHAPTER XXIV. 

Of the death of Brother John of Kempen, the first Prior of Mount St. Agnes. 

In the same year, on the fourth day of November, at midnight, diedBrother John of Kempen, the first Rector and Confessor of the Sisters atArnheim, being in the sixty-seventh year of his age. He had been Rectoror Prior in divers places and Houses that were newly founded, namely, atthe Fount of the Blessed Virgin, near Arnheim, where he was the firstRector when that House was founded, and here he invested divers Brothers:afterward he was chosen to be Prior of Mount St. Agnes and ruled theHouse for nine years: then he was sent to Bommel, and he began the Housethere with a few Brothers. After this he was chosen to be Prior of theHouse of the Blessed Mary, near Haerlem, in Holland, over which he ruledfor seven years. At another time he was deputed to be the first Rectorof the Sisters at Bronope, near Kampen, and at last he ended his lifehappily in a good old age and in obedience in Bethany, which is byinterpretation "the House of Obedience, " and he was buried within thecloister after Vespers. I was with him and I closed his eyes, for I hadbeen sent by the Visitors to bear him company, and I abode with him for ayear and two months. After Easter, in this same year, the House ofBethany was incorporated into the General Chapter. 

In the year of the Lord 1433, during Lent, three Clerks were invested, namely, Brother Hermann Craen of Kampen, Brother John Zuermont ofUtrecht, and Brother Peter Herbort of Utrecht. In the same year diedSueder of Culenborgh, Bishop of Utrecht, and after his death PopeEugenius confirmed Rodolph Diepholt, who had been chosen before, to beBishop of the diocese. 

In the year 1434, on the Feast of the Conception of the Glorious VirginMary, was invested Brother Bero, a Clerk, of Amsterdam. 

In the same year, on July 28th, died Margaret Wilden, a matron of greatage and mother of our Brother Oetbert. She was buried in the broadpassage at her son's head, and on the northern side of the cloister. 

In the year of the Lord 1436, on the Octave of the Feast of St. Stephen, Proto-Martyr, Brother John, the first Convert of our House, died inBeverwijc, near Haerlem. He was a faithful man and prudent in business, wherefore he was sent abroad with Brother Hugo of the same House, andbound by his obedience he accepted the mission. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Juliana the Virgin, after Lauds, died John Benevolt, a Priest of our House, who was born in Groninghen, aman of great simplicity and innocence; he was buried on the eastern sideof the cloister, on the right of Brother John Ummen. 

In the same year, on the Feast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, in thefirst hour after midday, died Brother Alardus, a Priest of Pilsum and aFrisian by nation. He was well stricken in age, being above seventy-sixyears old, and had lived the Religious Life for thirty years. He was aman of great gentleness, and in the celebration of the Mass careful anddevout. He was ever among the first to go into the choir and the CommonRefectory of the Brotherhood until his last sickness. It had been hisdesire to die on this Feast because he had often celebrated it at theAltar of the Holy Cross, and according to his prayer so it was done untohim. He often said to me, "The best dish that is set before me in theRefectory is the Holy Reading, the which I gladly hear: wherefore I donot absent myself willingly lest I should miss the fruit of that HolyReading during the meal. I delight also in the presence of the Brothers, in that I see the whole congregation there present taking their foodunder strict discipline. " At length he was weighed down with years, andthough he could not walk alone, he came leaning upon a staff to theentrance of the choir to hear the Brothers singing; then he took holywater, and bowed the knee toward the High Altar. On the days when hecelebrated he often received a special consolation from God Himself. 

In the year of the Lord 1438, on the day after the Feast of St. Gregorythe Pope, died Brother Rodolph, a Priest from Oetmeshem, who had beenPrior of the House of St. Martin the Bishop, in Lunenkerc, in Frisia, near Herlinghen. He had been sick a long while with dropsy, and on theday aforesaid he breathed forth his soul between the ninth and tenthhours in the morning, and he was buried on the right of Brother Alardus. In the same year, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Maryever Virgin, six Clerks were invested, namely, Brother Henry Becker ofZwolle, Brother John Zandwijc of Rhenen, Brother Ewic, also of Rhenen, Brother Telmann Gravensande of Holland, Brother George of Antwerp, andBrother Arnold, son of Conrad, of Nussia. In the same year there was agreat famine in divers parts of the land, and in a short space a mightypestilence followed; also in that year, on the Vigil of the Nativity ofChrist, and after High Mass, died John Eme, a Convert, who was cellarerto our House. 

In the year of the Lord 1439, on the Feast of St. Peter ad Vincula, andearly in the morning, before the fourth hour, died Wermbold Stolwic ofKampen, who was a Priest before he began the Religious Life. He wasoften sick of a fever, and being weakened thereby he fell asleep in theLord, having made a good confession, and was buried after Vespers. Hewrote the music in some of the Chant books in the choir. 

In the same year, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, there was an earthquake in divers places, and in the summer following agreat pestilence in divers parts, and many devout Brothers and Sistersdeparted from this present world. 

In the year 1440 the great building on the western side of the monasterywas set up, to receive guests and the Lay folk of our household, and theroof thereof was finished in stone on the day before the Feast of ourHoly Father Augustine. At this work many of our Brothers laboured longand bravely, while others attended to the choir. 

In the same year four brothers died in the pestilence, namely, BrotherArnold Droem, a Convert, Goswin Witte, a Clerk and Oblate, DirkMastebroick, a Donate, Hermann Sutor, a Novice. Likewise many of ourneighbours in Haerst and Bercmede died of this plague, and by their owndesire were buried in our monastery. 

In the year of the Lord 1441, on the Feast of St. Petronilla the Virgin, died our beloved Brother Christian of Kampen, the Infirmarius, for he wassmitten with the plague. He was very attentive to the sick and plaguestricken, to whom he ministered faithfully to the death. On the sameday, when noon was hardly past, died John Clotinc, a Lay Brother andOblate. He was a man very devout, and a pattern for his long service inthe brewery and the mill, and for his frequent prayers. These died onthe same day and at the same hour after High Mass when Sext was done, andafter Vespers, when the Vigils had been sung, they were buried in peace. After their death, by the mercy of God, the plague in the cloister wasstayed. 

In the same year and month, but before the aforesaid Brothers, and on theday before the Feast of St. Pancras, died the elder Wermbold, a Donate, who was born in Hasselt. 

In the year 1442, on the fourth day of March, which was the third Sundayin Lent, the venerable man, John of Korke, Bishop Suffragan to our Lordof Utrecht, consecrated the burial-ground upon the eastern side of thechurch, together with the cloister thereof, likewise the passage beforethe Brothers' Refectory, and that on the western side that goeth frombefore the cells of the Converts to the entrance of the church. Also onthe northern side the ground to bury strangers in, with the whole circuitthereof, but the part in the midst of it had been consecrated aforetimewith our church. Moreover, the Bishop granted indulgences for forty daysto them that walked devoutly round the burial-ground. Besides these, heconsecrated the precious and fair Image of the Blessed Virgin with theChild Jesus, that standeth above the altar which is dedicated in honourof Her and of St. Augustine (this is that altar which is set in the midstof the church before the choir), and he granted forty days' indulgence tothem that should recite five Aves devoutly and on bended knees before thesaid image. Likewise, he consecrated another small image of the BlessedVirgin, that is placed before the gate of our monastery, and he grantedforty days' indulgence to them that should recite three Aves theredevoutly and on bended knees. 

In the year of the Lord 1443, on the day of St. Prisca, Virgin andMartyr, and after midday, died our beloved Brother, John Bouman, aPriest, who was once our Procurator. He had been sick for a long whilewith a quartan fever, whereby his body was wasted, and he finished hislife with a happy agony. He was born in Zwolle, and for many yearsendured labours and divers infirmities, and this saying of Christ wasoften in his mouth: "In your patience ye shall possess your souls. " WhenI visited him at the end he said to me, "How gladly I would every day gowith the Brothers into the choir if I were strong enough God knoweth!" Hewas full of faith and compassion, and he gladly read and heard of thePassion of our Lord Jesus Christ; he had, moreover, a special devotion tothe Blessed Mary Magdalene, for he was born on Her Feast Day, whereforehe often said the Mass for Her Feast, or humbly asked another to say itfor him. About a month before his death a certain Brother had thisvision after Matins: it seemed to him that the Brothers were singing theVigil in the choir, and that a corpse was there. And after the Vigil thedoor of the choir was opened, and certain Lay Brothers of our householdcame into the choir and stood round the corpse; amongst these were seentwo Lay Brothers who were already dead that came to the burial, namely, Brother John Eme and Hermann, son of Wolter (now they had died four yearsbefore this time). These, with the rest of the household, went forth asif to follow the corpse going through the gate upon the south side of thechoir, and they went in procession to that part of the precinct where ourBrothers, who are Priests, are wont to be buried--and straightway thevision disappeared. Then that Brother held his peace and began to thinkwithin himself: "It may be that some one of our Brothers shall soondepart out of this world, and we shall sing the solemn Vigils of the deadfor him. " And so it came to pass, for when the month was ended, BrotherJohn Bouman died, and the things seen in the vision were fulfilled in dueorder on his behalf, and he was buried near Brother Christian. He livedin the Order of Regulars for thirty-one years and twenty-six days, and hehad friends in Zwolle that were good men and great: moreover, notableincrease of goods came to our monastery from him and from his parents. 

In the year of the Lord 1444, on the Feast of All Saints, was investedHenry Ruhorst, a Clerk, who was born at Kampen. 

In the same year, on the Octave of the Assumption of the Blessed VirginMary, the Regulars of Haerlem, by the will of all, took upon them therule of the cloister. 

After the Feast of St. Bartholomew, three of our Brothers who werePriests, were sent to found the new House of Roermund. 

In the year of the Lord 1445, on the day before the Feast of St. Bernardthe Abbot, our beloved Brother Caesarius Coninc died. He was a native ofUtrecht, and Prior of Lunenkerc, but he had made his profession at MountSt. Agnes. He went on the concerns of his House to Antwerp, where hefell sick, and having been in a fever for nearly eight days he fellasleep in the Lord, and was buried there in the Convent of the Sisters ofour Order. He held the office of Prior for eight years, and he departedfrom this world in the forty-sixth year of his age, and many goods camefor the use of the monastery from his parents. 

In the same year, during Advent and after, a flood of waters overwhelmedmany lands and drowned the crops in Betua that pertains to Geldria andHertzogenbusch. 

In the year 1446, on the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed VirginMary, two Clerks were invested, namely, Brother James Spaen, fromGeldria, and Brother Henry, son of Paul of Mechlin in Brabant; the formerof these attended the school at Deventer, and had a brother who was aReligious at Northorn: the latter attended the school at Zwolle. 

In the same year, on Palm Sunday in the month of April, there was a greattempest, snow, hail, and the breath of the storm, and thunder was heardtherewith. In the night of that day the dyke between Wilsen and Kampenwas broken down, and the cattle and beasts of burden at Mastebroic weredrowned. In Zutphen the tower of the church was set afire by lightning, and the roof was cleft above, and certain persons were wounded, and somewere slain by this sudden mischance--in other parts also divers houseswere destroyed by fire. In Zwolle, after Mass, a mighty terror fell uponthem that were in the church, and the shutters were shaken from thechurch windows by a lightning stroke. In the same year, on the dayfollowing the Feast of St. Odulphus, and at the seventh hour whenCompline was done, died Brother Frederic, son of John, a Convert fromGroninghen. He was an aged man of about eighty years, and one of theelders amongst them that first dwelt in this place. In many things hewas profitable to the Brothers, for he shaved their heads and bloodedthem and dressed their wounds, and did other faithful service to the sickand the plague stricken; at length, wearied with age and having a goodfoundation of holy deeds, he fell asleep in the Lord. He came to MountSt. Agnes to serve the Lord in the sixth year after the death of MasterGerard Groote, with the first Brothers that dwelt here, and with thosevery poor Lay folk, the disciples of Gerard, of whom I have writtenabove. He lived therefore in this place for sixty-six years, reckoningthe years of his conversion from the beginning thereof to the year of hisdeath inclusively, and Brother John Kempen, the first Prior of thisHouse, invested him as a Convert on the Feast of St. Katharine theVirgin, in the year of the Lord 1401, he being the third of the Convertsthen invested. 

In the same year, on the Octave of the Holy Trinity, and on the night ofthe Feast of the Saints Gervase and Protasius, died Brother Arnold, sonof Conrad of Nussia, being twenty-six years of age. He had been in thepriesthood for one year, and for nearly fifteen days had been sick of atertian fever, but God had pity on him that in a brief space he fulfilledmany years, and by the swiftness of his course escaped the hazardousdefilements of the world; now he had finished eight years in theReligious Life. 

In the year of the Lord 1447, on the day before the Feast of St. Agnesthe Virgin, two Clerks were invested, namely, Everard ter Huet of Zwolleand James Spenghe of Utrecht. 

In the same year the Clerks at Alberghen, near Oldenzale, received thehabit of Holy Religion in the Order of Canons Regular of St. Augustine, and they were invested on the day of the Finding of the Holy Cross. 

CHAPTER XXV. 

How Theodoric of Kleef, third Prior of the House on the Mount laid downhis office, and was absolved therefrom. 

In the year of the Lord 1447, that venerable Father, Theodoric of Kleef, third Prior of our House of Mount St. Agnes the Virgin, coming home fromthe General Chapter, called the Brothers together, and humbly sought tospeak with them so that when the Visitors of the House came he might beabsolved from his office of Prior. For twenty-three years he had ruledthe House with fatherly care, and he was weary with many labours. Hewould have made this petition a year before, but that the urgency ofdivers concerns of the House had hindered him from so doing, and hepleaded the weakness of his age and that his senses were clouded. Hearingthese things the elder Brothers spake with the members of the Chapter, and thinking to show mercy toward their beloved Father who had longserved them to the best of his power, they gave a kindly hearing andassent to his petition. Wherefore the three eldest amongst them, onbehalf of the other Brothers and at their request, came to the Visitors, for they were sitting in a private room to hear the opinion of each oneof the Brothers, and on bended knees with their hands clasped theybesought them instantly, and with all their hearts, to grant absolutionto this Father for that he was infirm and aged; this they said was thetime to show him pity, and this was what he desired as he had told tocertain of them privately. 

The Visitors therefore heard the opinions of all, and finding that themore part of them that were gathered together demanded this thing of setpurpose, did piously admonish the Prior that he might yield to thepetition of the Brothers and resign his office out of consideration forhis own weakness of body. The good Father hearing this prostratedhimself humbly before the Chapter, and returning thanks to the Brotherssaid that he was ready to resign into the hands of the Prior of theSuperior House the burden of that office which he had long borne. 

But since the duty of holding visitations at certain other houses hadbeen laid upon them, the Priors of Windesem and Zwolle besought ourBrothers that such visitations might be held by the known and formerPrior as the Chapter had ordained, and when these were done, then at aconvenient season the desire of the Brothers concerning the absolution ofthe Prior should be fulfilled. 

So when the matter of the visitation was finished, the Priors ofAmsterdam and of Hoern returned, and coming to our monastery did a secondtime examine the opinion of the Brothers in private, and they found thatthe more part were still of one heart, and constant to their opinion thatthe Prior should be absolved, though some few of the younger Brothersdissented from the rest. 

Hearing this the Visitors, by the authority to them committed, absolvedthe Prior on the day after the Dispersion of the Apostles, thinkingthereby to provide for the peace and usefulness of the House. Then inaccordance with the statutes of the Chapter they bade the Brothers tokeep fast for three days for the election of a new Prior; then theyreturned toward Holland to their houses, since their own needs compelledthem so to do, but they besought the venerable Prior of Windesem to deignto be present in person at the election when the Brothers should choosetheir Prior. And this was done, the grace of God providing for us, sothat the petition of the brothers, which they had made long since, cameto a good issue in the election of a new Prior, for which election theydid invoke the Holy Ghost and poured out prayers to God instantly both inpublic and in private. 

CHAPTER XXVI. 

How Brother Henry of Deventer was chosen to be the fourth Prior of theHouse of Mount St. Agnes. 

In the year of the Lord 1448, on the 20th day of June (July), when thethree days' fast was ended, the Brothers came together to sing the Massof the Holy Spirit on the day before the Feast of St. Praxedes theVirgin; but the Mass of the Blessed Virgin had been said in privatebecause it was the Sabbath. Then after the end of Mass, and when Sextwas done, the Brothers went forth from the choir to the Chapter House tochoose a new Prior; and the venerable Prior of Windesem, with the Priorof Zwolle, was there present with them, for he had been called andbesought to hear the election. So, having held a short conference withthe Brothers, and the manner of election being read, the Prior ofWindesem exhorted the members of the Chapter to choose a fit person to bePrior following the commandments of God and Canon Law. There were herepresent twenty-one Brothers that were electors, and two who were far awayhad written letters wherein they expressed their will. So the Brothersthat were electors went away a little space outside the doors of theChapter House, and the two Priors aforesaid came and stood by the altarin the Chapter House, the door thereof being open, and with them were thethree elder Brothers. There they stood to hear the votes of each manseparately, for they could be seen by all, but none could hear what wassaid. Then the votes of each being heard and counted, our Sub-Prior, Brother Henry, son of William of Deventer, was chosen and nominated to bePrior, having the votes of the more part recorded for him on the paper, namely sixteen. Some there were beside that did not choose him, but ofthese three Brothers did not vote at this time, and two chose theProcurator, James Cluyt. Then one of the elder Brothers, on behalf ofhimself and of the more part, besought the Prior of the Superior House toconfirm the election, who straightway appointed the next day to be thelast for any to oppose. And when none made opposition to the manner ofthe election, nor said aught against the Brother who was chosen, thePrior elect was called to consent to his election which had been madeaccording to the canons, so that it might be duly confirmed. And hestraightway prostrated himself in the midst of the Brothers protestingthat he was not sufficient, and he humbly besought to be relieved of thisburden, but when he could not gain his purpose, and dared not obstinatelyto resist, he gave consent in an humble voice, being overcome by theinsistence of the Brothers and compelled by his obedience to hissuperior: and he submitted himself to the ordinance of God for the sakeof observing brotherly love and the needful discipline of the cloister. So when he had been confirmed by the Prior of Windesem he was led in tothe choir in the presence of all the Brothers, and placed in his stall, and prayers were offered up. After which done all the members of theChapter straightway went into the House, and following the accustomedmanner all the professed Brothers took the vow of obedience to theirFather, the new Prior, and after them the Converts, and lastly theDonates did the like. When this was done they spent the day with joy andgiving of thanks, and at last their Fathers, the Priors of the otherhouses who had taken part in all that was done, said farewell to them, and the Brothers left the garden and returned to their cells. When thebell rang for Vespers they came together to the choir, and sang theVespers of St. Mary Magdalene with cheerful voices. After three days theBrothers were called together to the Chapter House, and the Priorproposed that in accordance with the statutes they should choose anotherSub-Prior, so on the Feast of St. James the Apostle, before the hour forVespers, Brother Thomas of Kempen was nominated and elected after a briefscrutiny. He was one of the elders, being sixty-seven years of age, andin past times had been appointed to this office, and albeit he knewhimself to be insufficient and would have made excuse, yet he did submithim humbly to the assembled Brothers, for his obedience bade him so todo; neither did he refuse to undergo toil on their behalf for the love ofChrist Jesus, but earnestly besought the prayers of his comrades andBrothers, for he trusted rather in the grace of God than in himself. 

In the same year, during the summer season, the crops were grievouslyravaged in divers places by the mice, which ate the corn while it wasstill growing up and when it was in the blade. Our Lay Brothers, therefore, dug ditches and put in the ground jars filled with water, andsuch was the craft with which they did this that a vast number of themice were drowned in these jars, and they slew in divers places manythousands. These creatures had caused great loss to us and ourneighbours by ravaging the wheat, the barley, the oats, and the peas, andalso the green crops in the fields that were for the fodder of thecattle. 

About the beginning of the month of September there was a notabletempest, and a great flood of waters broke in upon us (for the sea hadburst his banks), and this did overflow our pasture land and destroyedthe grass and the fodder. By this same tempest many ships that hadadventured themselves upon the sea were overwhelmed with all their crews. 

But herein again the good and merciful God did provide for us, for ourfishers took great store of fish by reason of this flood, and these didsuffice the Brothers and their guests for food during many days. 

In the year of the Lord 1449, on the Feast of St. Bernard the Abbot, wereceived the precious relics of certain Saints and Martyrs who werecompanions of Gereon, Duke and Martyr, and of others that were companionsof the Eleven Thousand Holy Virgins of Cologne. These did the venerableAbbot of St. Panthalion send to us from the many relics that are in thatmonastery. 

Likewise Egbert Tyveren, a Donate of our House, brought back to us fromCologne, as true relics, certain small fragments that were given to us bythe Carthusians, and by the Regular Brothers of our own order in theHouse of Corpus Domini. The Prior and the Brothers of our House beinggathered together in the choir before High Mass brought these relics intothe church, carrying the Standard of the Cross and lighted tapers intheir hands, and afterward the Prior placed them on the different altars, having enclosed them in reliquaries in seemly wise in honour of theSaints. 

In the same year, on December the 16th, our Brother Godefried of Kempendied in Brabant in the House of the Sisters of the Regular Order that iscalled the Cloister of the Blessed Virgin, near Zevenborren. Thisconvent was afterward destroyed utterly by fire in the year 14--, and theSisters were removed to Brussels with great honour by the Duchess ofBurgundy. 

In the year of the Lord 1450 many faithful servants of Christ went toRome to gain Indulgences, which our Lord, Pope Nicholas V, by advice ofthe Cardinals, and moved himself by piety and mercy, had granted by aBull in the previous year. Then did many Christian folk that sojournedon this holy pilgrimage return whole, but many died by the way, and manyin the city of Rome. 

In the same year, in Holland, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Zwolle, Kampen, Deventer, Zutphen and many other towns and hamlets, a bubonic plagueraged, and many devout persons and religious, as also many worldlings, departed from this present life. In the same year the winter time wasvery mild, with but little snow and thin ice, but the wind was cold. InLent, and at the beginning of March, our fishers took great abundance ofthe fish called smelts, wherewith, during the Fast, our Brothers werefed, and also many poor beggars at our gates. 

In the same year the men of Zwolle builded a great and lofty bridge ofstrong wooden timbers across the River Vecht, not far from our monastery, to serve the necessities of their own folk and the convenience of menthat would come thither; the cost thereof was six hundred Rhenishflorins. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. John before the Latin Gate, BrotherGerard of Deventer, whose surname was Bredenort, was invested. 

In the same year, on the twenty-ninth day of August, died James Oem, Rector of the Sisters at Bronope, near Kampen, who for nine years hadexercised a kindly rule over that House. After his death the Prior ofWindesem appointed Brother Dirk of Kleef to be Rector and Confessor ofthis House. He had been formerly Prior of Mount St. Agnes, and was theeldest of the Brothers of that monastery. 

In the year 1451, on the Octave of Easter, which was the day before theFeast of the Finding of the Holy Cross, died Dirk Poderen, a servant ofour House, a poor man and an aged, being about eighty years old: he hadlived with us for twenty years. 

In the same year, on the Vigil of the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle, and at the ninth hour, when Compline had been said, died Brother Gerard, son of Wolter, a Convert who was sixty-eight years of age lacking twomonths, and had lived the Religious Life for nearly forty years. ThePrior and the Brothers were present with him at his death: he wasfaithful and earnest in good deeds and words, and he was buried on thewestern side of the passage with the other Converts. 

In the same year a new mill was builded, and finished with much labourand cost, for the greater convenience of our House. 

In the same year the House of the Regulars in Cologne which is called"Corpus Christi, " and standeth in the parish of St. Christopher theMartyr, was received into our Chapter. At this time, namely, after theFeast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin, our Brother, Henry Cremer, was sent to act as Sub-Prior of this House, and Brother Gerard of Kleefwent with him to be the Rector. 

In the same year there was a grievous pestilence in Cologne, and as isreported by many, twenty-five thousand persons are reckoned to have diedthereof. 

In the year of the Lord 1451, our most Reverend Lord Nicholas de Chusa, Cardinal with the title of St. Peter in Chains, who was Legate for theland of Germany, came to the diocese of Utrecht, after that he hadvisited the upper parts of Saxony and the cities and townships ofWestphalia. He came likewise to Windesem, where he was received withhonour by the Brothers, and held a conference with them, and by theauthority of the Apostolic See he granted Indulgences on the occasion ofthe Jubilee to all that were subject to our General Chapter. When he wasasked whether one might go to Rome to gain Indulgences without speciallicense, he replied: "Our Lord the Pope himself hath said, 'Better isobedience than Indulgences. '"

In the year of the Lord 1452, a great and grievous loss befel the city ofAmsterdam, a famed and populous city in Holland, for a fire broke forthon the Feast Day of Urban, Pope and Martyr, and the wrath of God wentforth in particular against the congregations of religious persons, bothmen and women; so great was the fire that the more part of the cityshould seem to have been destroyed, and scarce a third part thereof wassaved. Fourteen monasteries are known to have burned almost to theground, and verily great misery was caused thereby in the sight of allmen, such as had not been heard of from very ancient times until thatday. Many virgins that had taken the veil, putting aside their maidenmodesty, wandered about the city lamenting and begging for hospitality, whereby the hearts of many were moved to tears. Everything was buried, from the great Church of St. Nicholas to the ancient Convent of the Nunsof our Order inclusively, and in the other direction from the Church ofthe Blessed Virgin Mary to our monastery exclusively, for God in Hismercy spared that House that it was unhurt. 

In the same year, on the Feast of the Commemoration of St. Paul theApostle, and after Vespers, our beloved Brother Henry Cremer died atWindesem; on the day following, being the Octave of St. John the Baptist, his body was brought to our House, wherein, through the mercy of God, hehad lived for nearly thirty-three years in the Religious habit; this wasdone that at his life's end he might not lie in a strange land afar fromour House, but might be buried according as he desired amongst ourBrothers. He was faithful in his labour, in the writing of books, and inhis attendance in the choir; and being zealous for discipline he kept awatch over his mouth and loved his cell. Formerly he had been Prior inRickenberrich in Saxony for nearly eleven years, and afterward for a fewyears abode in Diepenveen with two others his companions, but he wasinstant in his petition to return to the Brotherhood, and obtained hisdesire; after this he was sent to Cologne, but returning thence he diedat Windesem and was buried in our House. 

In the year of the Lord 1453, a strange pestilence fell upon the men ofcertain towns and the villages adjacent thereto. This plague befel afterthe Feast of St. John the Baptist, and was notable by reason of thebenumbing of the throat and the pain it caused in the breast and side. Atthis time many of our Brothers and the Lay folk of our Household who werelabouring hard in the fields--for it was harvest--were smitten sogrievously by the benumbing of their throats that they could scarce speakor eat. There was a north wind that was very cold at night, but by dayturbulent and dry, and many were chilled thereby and fell sick. As aremedy against this, some clothed themselves in stouter garments andabstained from cold food and drink, and these grew well by reason oftheir abstinence and care to keep themselves from too great cold, for Godhad pity on them; but some that neglected these matters died after threedays, or even two, being weakened by the numbness. 

When this disease first broke forth, our Brother Gerard ter Mollen, aConvert, fell sick and received the Unction after Compline on the day ofthe Translation of St. Martin the Bishop: in the night following, beforethe hour for Matins, his sickness grew heavy on him and he died. He wasa faithful labourer, ever ready to toil for the common weal, and he wasin the sixtieth year of his age, having fulfilled thirty years and threemonths in the Religious Life: he was buried in the western path at thehead of Gerard, son of Wolter. 

In the same year, in the month of July, and on the Feast of theTranslation of Benedict the Abbot, died Dirk, son of Arnold, a young manwho was a Laic and Fellow Commoner, that came from Bericmede: he hadreceived the Sacrament of the Holy Unction, and died after High Mass hadbegun. 

In the same month, on the day following the Feast of St. Margaret theVirgin, when Compline was done, and the Ave Maria had been said, diedHenry Diest, a Donate of our House: he was nearly forty-eight years ofage and had fulfilled thirty years in this House. 

In the same month, on the day following the Feast of Alexius theConfessor, Dirk Struve, a Laic and Fellow Commoner, died after Compline, having received the Holy Rite of Extreme Unction. He had lived long inthe House, and on the day following when the first Mass had been said hewas laid in the burying ground of the Lay Brothers. 

After him, and on the night before the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, before Matins, died Everard Ens of Campen, a good and faithful Laic andFellow Commoner, who had lived with us for fifteen years. 

In the same year, in the month of August, on the night before the Feastof St. Dominic the Confessor, and before Matins, died our most belovedBrother Theodoric of Kleef. He was the third Prior of our House, and anold man and full of days, for he was seventy-six years old, and hadfulfilled fifty-five years in the Religious Life. When the firstBrothers were invested here, he was the fourth to receive the Habit, andfrom the very beginning of the monastery, before any of the Brothers hadreceived investiture, he with the Clerks and Lay folk in this place hadbegun to serve the Lord in much poverty and toil. Moreover, it hadalways been his desire that by the favour of the Lord he might end hislife in this same House with the Brothers, and be buried amongst them, and so it came about, for he was laid in the eastern passage by the sideof our Brother, Henry Cremer, whom he had drawn to the Religious Life, and whom he had loved with all his heart. Thus it came about that asthey had loved one another in life, so in death and in the grave theywere not divided. 

In the same year and month, on the day following the Feast of Sixtus, Pope and Martyr, and when noon was past, died Dirk, son of Wychmann ofArnheim, who had lived here for two years. 

In the same year, in the month of August, on the Feast of St. Lawrencethe Martyr, and in the morning after Prime, died Matthias, son of Williamof Overcamp, a Donate of our House, who had been overseer of husbandryfor a great while. He often suffered pain from the stone, and at lengthfalling sick with a disease in the throat, and being bowed with age, hefell on sleep in holy peace in the seventy-second year of his age, havingendured many labours; for when the monastery was founded he came hitherwith his father, William, a tailor, of great age, and being then but tenyears old, he began that good course which was brought to this happyissue. He was laid in the burying-ground of the Lay folk before theentrance to the broad cloister. At this time of pestilence in our Houseit befel that a certain Brother, while sitting in his cell, heard a soundat the door thereof as of one knocking twice, but when he arose to openthe door he could not see or find any man there. And marvelling at thematter he thought that perhaps some one might be like to die, and on thenext day the bell was tolled for the death of Dirk Struve, a Laic of ourhousehold. So also before the death of Brother Theodoric of Kleef, oncethe Prior of our House, the like thing happened two days before he fellsick. 

In the year 1454, on the morning of the fourteenth day of March and afterPrime, died Brother Gerard Hombolt, a Convert, in the fifty-fifth year ofhis age. He had fulfilled thirty years in the Religious Life, and for agreat while was cellarer of the House, in which office he was faithfuland zealous for the common good, so far as our poverty in temporal wealthand the number of persons to be served did allow. He was buried in thewestern passage before the door of the church with the other Converts. 

In the same year, on the sixteenth day of May, the venerable Father JohnLap died in the House of Elisabethdal, near Roremund, of which he wasPrior, but he had made his profession as a Brother of our House of MountSt. Agnes. He was in the fifty-fifth year of his age, and being a loverof discipline and of the Religious Life had fulfilled thirty years andnearly two months therein. 

In the same year, on the day before the Feast of the Exaltation of theHoly Cross, and about the second hour after noon, died DionysiusValkenborch, a Donate of our House, being seventy-three years of age. Hehad lived an humble and holy life with us for a great while, near tofifty-five years; at first his tasks were to feed the swine and milk thecows, but when he grew old he was made the gatekeeper, with another tohelp him, and ending his temporal life in a good old age he left a fairensample to all. 

In the same year, in the month of August, on the day following the Feastof the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, there was a heavy rain bothin the uplands and the lowlands, and much corn and seed perished thereby, and we suffered great loss in our farm by the overflowing of many waters. In the same year, on the Feast of Gallus the Confessor, and at about theninth hour, when Compline was ended, died Brother John Zandwijc of Renen, a Priest of our House, being thirty-eight years old. He had sufferedlong from the stone, and was patient and gentle, and he had fulfilledsixteen years and near seven months in the Religious Life. On the daybefore the Feast of St. Luke, when Mass was ended, he was buried by theside of Theodoric of Kleef in the eastern passage of the cloister; herehe rests in peace, freed from the many toils and perils of this life, forhis desire was to be released and to be with Christ. 

In the year 1455, on the Feast of the Conversion of St. Paul, two Clerkswere invested, namely, Brother Henry, son of Bruno, and Theodoric, son ofArnold Wanninck; both came from Deventer, and had honourable parents andfriends, and in the year following they made their profession togetherupon the same day. 

In the same year, on the Octave of the Feast of the Apostles Peter andPaul, when Matins was ended, died our venerable Father, WilliamVoerniken, the fourth Prior of Windesem. He was buried in the choir bythe side of the venerable Prior John Huesden, for these two greatly lovedone another, wherefore after death they shared one tomb in the church. Hewas eighty-two years of age, and had been the second Prior of the Houseon Mount St. Agnes. 

In the same year, on the 22nd of April, when Prime was done, died JohnMastebroick, a Laic and servant of our House, who was faithful in labourand devout in prayer. He was about seventy years old, and had lived withus for nearly forty-five years, and he departed to the Lord in holypeace, desiring an eternal reward for his many labours. He was laid withthe servants in the burial-ground of the Lay folk and Donates of ourHouse. 

In the same year, on the 9th of October, the day before the Feast ofMarcus, Pope and Confessor, when Compline was done, died Gerard, son ofHermann, a Laic and servant of our House; he was a stonemason and afaithful worker so far as his powers did allow, but he was often sickwith the complaint of the stone, from the tortures whereof he died, though he bore the same with much patience; and he left all the goods hehad as a bequest to the monastery. 

In the year of the Lord 1455, on the 17th day of November, within theOctave of the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop, four altars in our churchwere consecrated by Iodocus, who was Bishop Suffragan, Doctor in SacredTheology, and belonged to the order of Preachers. He had received ageneral commission from the General Chapter of Utrecht, and heconsecrated the several altars after this wise. First the altar which ison the north of the church, and in the upper part thereof, in honour ofSt. Michael the Archangel and all the holy Angels: secondly, the altarwhich standeth upon the same side, but in the lower part of the church, in honour of the holy Confessors, Gregory, Ambrose, Jerome, Bernard, Francis, and Lebuin. Thirdly, the altar which is in the midst of thechurch, in honour of the holy Confessors, Martin the Bishop, Willibrordthe Bishop, Nicholas the Bishop, and Antony the Confessor. Fourthly, thealtar which standeth on the south side, toward the end of the church, inhonour of the Saints Anne, Elizabeth, Monica, mother of our holy FatherAugustine, and all holy widows. 

Likewise he consecrated the Holy Cross that is over the door of thechoir, and certain images of Saints, namely, of St. Augustine the Bishopand St. Agnes the Virgin: also two small figures, the first of St. MaryMagdalene, the second of St. Agnes in the Coffer; also the image that isover the altar of the Holy Cross that showeth the blessed Virgin Maryholding the Crucified Lord, Who lieth on her breast: also the images ofSt. James the Apostle, St. Katherine the Virgin, and St. Barbara, Virginand Martyr. 

In the year of the Lord 1456, on the Feast of St. Antony the Confessor, Brother Gerard, son of Dirk, who came from a place near Zwolle, wasinvested as a Convert. He was a man well stricken in age, and had livedwith us in honest wise for thirty years, being a good husbandman; beforehis investiture he had been an humble Donate, for we had many of thatdegree amongst us. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. James theApostle, died John Smyt, a Laic and servant of our House. He was drownedin a deep pool that had been filled by the rain, and with him perishedfour very good horses that were drawing a cart to fetch fodder. At thattime the weather was very rainy, so that many crops were destroyedthereby. The Brothers therefore brought back this servant of God to theHouse, and after Compline laid him in the burial-ground of the Laics. Moreover, they celebrated Mass for him, and offered up prayers that hemight receive the reward of his labours. By God's providence, he and theother Laics of our House had received Communion, as was the custom, onSt. James's day: and he himself had lived with us for one year, beingskilful and diligent in the smith's craft. 

In all things blessed be God, Who scourgeth us, and also healeth ourstripes, for though we lost above an hundred florins by the drowning ofthe horses, yet did the good Lord save us and our country from the armyof the Duke of Burgundy, who was laying siege to Deventer; for after theFeast of St. Matthew peace and concord were restored between the Duke andthe cities and people of this land. 

In the same year of the Lord 1456, on the Feast day of St. Lucia, Virginand Martyr, and in the morning when High Mass for her festival wasalready begun, died that fervent lover of discipline, Brother WilliamComan. He was born in Amsterdam, in Holland, and for a great while hadlived an humble life amongst our Brothers, and he was seventy-eight yearsand four months old. On the Feast of St. Brixius, Bishop and Confessor, he had fulfilled, by the help of God, fifty-five years in the ReligiousLife, for this was the anniversary of his investiture, and on this day hecelebrated Mass for the last time, for he was sick from that day forwarduntil the Feast day of St. Lucia, whereon he ended his life with a happyagony; and he was buried in the eastern passage by the side of ourBrother John Zantwijc. 

This William Coman left many a good ensample of patience, poverty, andabstinence, for the imitation of them that come after; and in the days ofthe venerable Prior, William Vorniken (who was the second to hold thatoffice in our House) he was Procurator, and afterwards Sub-Prior. Thenfor three years he was Prior of the House at Amersfoort, after which hewas Rector of the Sisters at Bronope near Kampen for fourteen years; butat last, as age had come upon him, and his hearing failed by little andlittle, he returned to our House and Brotherhood, where he died in holypeace, and he was buried amongst the Brothers after the accustomedmanner. 

In the same year died Gerard Smullinc, the first Rector and Prior of theHouse at Ruremund, who, after that he was absolved from his office, wentto gain Indulgences at the Shrine of St. James at Compostella, in whichplace he was buried. 

The anniversary of his death and that of his parents is kept on the dayfollowing the Feast of St. Elizabeth, because we know not surely the daythereof. 

In the year of the Lord 1457, on the day of St. Benedict the Abbot, andat eleven o'clock at night, Theodoric Herxen, a venerable Father of piousmemory, and a priest of seemly life, died at Zwolle, being seventy-sixyears old. He was the second Rector of the House of Clerks in Zwolle, and ruled it for forty-seven years; also he was Confessor to many devoutBrothers and Sisters, and his whole life, from the time that he was offull age, was spent in discipline of character and in virtue. 

CHAPTER XXVII. 

How Father Henry, the fourth Prior, resigned his office, and how FatherGeorge was chosen to be the fifth Prior. 

In the year 1458, on the day following the Feast of St. Matthias theApostle, Brother Henry, son of William, the fourth Prior of the House, resigned his office. Now he had lain sick for a great while and was weakfrom fever; wherefore, prostrate upon his bed in the presence of all theBrothers, he besought them with many tears and exhorted them to agree tochoose another Prior in his room, according to the lawful statutes of theOrder. 

Hearing this all the Brothers were grieved, and for three days theyfasted after the accustomed manner, praying for guidance in the comingelection, which was held on the Thursday after the third Sunday in Lent, for which day the Introit is "Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord. " Sowhen the Mass of the Holy Spirit had been said and the hours were done, the election was held in the choir in the presence of all the Brothers;and that venerable Father the Prior of Windesem was also present withthem to hear the opinion of each one; likewise Brother John Naeldwijc andBrother James of Cologne, Prior of the House of the Blessed Virgin atBelheem in Zwolle. 

When the opinion of each had been heard, George, who was a Brother of ourHouse, but at this time Prior of Briel, was chosen by the greater numberof votes. Some indeed chose Bero, Prior of Beverwijc, but all consentedhumbly and peaceably to the judgment of the greater number; so by commonconsent Brother George was elected, being a Father most beloved, andhimself a lover of the rule. 

In the same year four Brothers were invested, three of them on the dayfollowing the Feast of St. George the Martyr, and the names of these wereHenry Hierde of Herderwijc in Geldria, Hermann Borken of Westphalia inthe diocese of Munster, and Theodoric of Zwolle. The fourth, namely, John Orsoy of Kleef, was invested soon after, on the Feast of thebirthday of our Father St. Augustine. 

In the same year there was a notable pestilence in Deventer, Zwolle, andKampen, the which had raged in Utrecht and the neighbouring places in theprevious year. Verily this scourge of God was pious and pitiful towardsChristian folk, as hindering them from dwelling long in this world so asto love it rather than the kingdom of Heaven. At this time many devoutSisters in Deventer and Zwolle departed to Christ. 

On the day following the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed andGlorious Virgin Mary died our beloved Brother Henry Ruhorst, theSub-Prior of our House, being forty years old, and he was buried in theeastern cloister by the side of our Brother William Coman. 

In the same year and month, on the Feast of St. Jerome and after midday, died Hermann, son of John, a Laic who was Sub-Infirmarius, being twenty-six years old. He was a poor man, who was born in a place near Wessel inthe district of Kleef; and being received by us, he showed himself readyto do whatever was laid upon him. 

In the same year, in the month of October, and at noon on the Feast dayof St. Dionysius the Bishop, Brother Gerard Wessep died in Zwolle. Hehad been sent to the Monastery of Belheem, and of his obedience andbrotherly love he went thither after the death of many of the Brothers ofthe House; for of these ten had died, as well as certain Laics that wereof the household. After the hour of Vespers he was borne to a carriageand brought therein to our House, as he had desired, and he was buriedwith the Brothers in the eastern cloister, by the side of the Sub-Prior. At the time of his death he had fulfilled almost fifty-six years in theOrder, being in the seventy-seventh year of his age. He wrote many booksin the Latin and Teutonic tongues for the choir, the library, and forsale; and he was forward to perform many labours for the common good. Above all he was very faithful and ready in tending the sick and dyingtill the moment of their departure; for he feared not then to tend andstand by diseased and plague stricken folk, serving them for the sake ofGod and brotherly love. So the Lord willed to reward him also, with theBrothers that were dead in Belheem; wherefore, when he had spent fifteendays in Zwolle, he fell sick of the plague, and God took him from thetoil and trouble of this present life and gave him eternal peace andrest, which things--as oft he told me with clasped hands--he had longdesired. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. Martin theBishop, at the hour of Vespers, died our beloved Brother James Cluit, adevout Priest and first Rector of Udem, being sixty-three years old, andhe was buried before the High Altar. His memory shall continue to bepraised and blessed, for he was beloved of God, an ensample to us all, and his own stern judge. 

In the year of the Lord 1459, on the Feast of the Epiphany and at aboutthe fifth hour in the morning before Prime, died Everard of Wetteren, thecook, a devout Donate, who was eighty years of age and over. He haddwelt formerly in Deventer with Lambert Gale, a tailor, and in the daysof Florentius, who sent him to Windesem, he was first tailor of theHouse; but the Brothers at Windesem sent him on to Mount St. Agnes beforethe members of that community were invested with the Religious habit, andthere he helped to sew and make the garments in which those first fourBrothers were habited, whose investiture in the year 1398 is describedabove. After some while spent in this office he was sent to serve in thekitchen as assistant, and he afterwards became chief cook, in which posthe served all the Brothers faithfully for above thirty years. At length, wearied with years, he was relieved from his labours and slept in peace, being an old man and full of many days. 

In the same year, within the Octave of the Nativity of the Blessed VirginMary and on the Feast day of the holy martyrs Protus and Hyacinthus, atnoon died Gerard Hombolt of Utrecht, a Donate of our House, who was fifty-nine years old. He was very zealous, faithful, and devout in the serviceof God, particularly in the things which pertain to the glory and honourof the Blessed Virgin Mary; moreover, he procured a most fair image ofher, and a corona of polished brass holding many candles, and certainother ornaments that are set above the altar of the Blessed Virgin. Thesethings he did out of his great devotion, and with a pious intention ofadorning our church in honour of the Blessed Virgin and St. Agnes. 

First he was Hospitarius and afterward Refectorarius to the Brothers, andall things that were committed to his charge he kept honestly and incleanly fashion, seeing to the provision of all needful vessels, napkins, and towels. On a time when many guests had come to the House he bade thecook provide all things necessary for them; but the cook, being troubledat this unaccustomed number, was heavy at heart, for he feared lest hemight not be able to satisfy all as he fain would do, but Gerard Hombolt, putting his trust in the Lord, said, "Make the sign of the Holy Crossover the pots and the cooked food and God shall give His blessing and asufficiency. " So the cook did as Gerard had said, and blessed theprovision again and again in faith, and behold the good Lord, seeingtheir faith, gave them an increase so that all had enough; and when themeal was done there was abundance left over, insomuch that the fragmentsthat remained sufficed for a full meal at supper. 

In his youth, and before he entered the monastery, Gerard, out of hisgreat devotion, visited the Holy Land--Jerusalem, Bethlehem, and theother places hallowed by our Saviour; and he was disposed, if it shouldbe allowed him, to visit them once again before his death. But the goodLord changed his love for the earthly Jerusalem to love for the Jerusalemwhich is in Heaven, into which he entered (as I hope) through theintercession of the Blessed and Glorious Virgin; for on all the Vigilsbefore Her feasts it was his wont to fast, eating nought save bread nordrinking aught save beer; and it was within the Octave of the Feast ofHer Nativity that he departed in holy peace out of this present world tothe realms of Heaven, having made a good confession, being contrite, andhaving received the Unction. Much wealth also came to our House throughhis means, and he died in the fifty-ninth year of his age, having livedwith us for thirty-five years. 

In the year of the Lord 1460, after the Feast of the Purification of theBlessed Virgin Mary, there was a mighty frost. The bitter cold began onthe Feast day of St. Scholastica the Virgin (which was the first Sundayin Lent), and endured until the middle of the fast, so that men andhorses heavily laden could walk everywhere upon the frozen waters insafety, and carry their goods across the same. Likewise in many placesthere was lack of fodder and straw wherewith to feed the beasts, for theground was dry and frost bound, wherefore men could not get them freshgrass to feed the cattle. For this cause some poor men brake up theroofs of their houses and gave of the thatch to the beasts: and this lackof grass endured until the first of May. 

In the same year, in the month of April, and on the second Sunday afterEaster, which was the day before the Feast of Vitalis the Martyr, BrotherGerard Cortbeen was invested: he was a Priest, and a native ofHerderwijc, a good man, honest, faithful, and thirty-two years of age. 

In the same year our church was adorned in seemly wise, the roof thereofand all the flat spaces of the inner walls being painted in fair coloursto the glory of God and in honour of St. Agnes the Patron Saint of thechurch. Amid the bright colours were written these three names Jesus, Mary, Agnes, which of holy purpose were painted in large and blackletters, and they stand forth clearly to be read by the eyes of all thatenter the church. 

In the same year, on the Feast of the Dispersion of the Apostles, betweenthe hours of Tierce and High Mass, died Deric, son of William, acarpenter and servant of our household who was a Fellow Commoner. He wasborn in Zwolle and was now thirty years of age, having lived a good, humble, and peaceable life in this House for nearly eleven years. 

In the year of the Lord 1461, on the morning of the Feast of St. Emerentiana the Virgin, and before the hour of Prime, died Herder Stael, a very honest man, and a fellow citizen with us at Zwolle, being seventy-four years old. He was a special and faithful friend to our House formany years. As was his wife also particularly in the troubled times ofBishop Rudolph, when our Brothers were constrained to leave the monasteryand to go to the House belonging to our Order in Lunenkerc. At that timethis good man bought our crops as they stood in the fields near themonastery, and out of an honest purpose bade his servants to reap andharvest the same. Afterward he sent the fruits of the ground, and theprovender that had been gathered, to our Brothers in Lunenkerc by littleand little, for they had been sent thither as it were to a place ofexile. This same Herder Stael lived with us for nearly a year before hisdeath, being moved so to do by a deep desire, and having a holy and firmpurpose to serve God. He died as aforesaid in holy peace and in anhonoured old age, and his body was laid in the broad cloister; hisfriends from Zwolle being present at his burial. 

CHAPTER XXVIII. 

Of the ancient Reliquary of St. Agnes, and how it was gotten. 

In the same year 1461, George, the venerable Father of our House, askedand obtained from the Canons of the great church at Utrecht the ancientReliquary of the most holy Agnes, Virgin and Martyr, and the belovedPatron of our House, but her relics were not therein contained. It wasin her honour that our church was consecrated in the year of the Lord1412, and on the Friday in Easter week, as is set forth more fully abovein the chapter entitled "Of the Consecration of our Church. "

Two of our Brothers that were ordained to be Priests, namely, BrotherHenry, son of Bruno, and Brother Theodoric Wanninck, brought back thisholy Reliquary with them, journeying from Utrecht by way of Holland, andacross the sea, not without danger and fear, for the sea was turbulent. Yet through the help of God, and the merits of St. Agnes the Virgin, theywere protected from these perils and reached an haven of safety. A fewdays afterward, on the eve of the Feast of St. Scholastica the Virgin, they brought the Reliquary to Mount St. Agnes, and our Brothers, with allthe Laics of our household, hearing this, did rejoice exceedingly. 

The Reliquary was borne into the church with all devotion and reverenceand placed in the sanctuary of the choir near the High Altar and beneaththe arch in the northern wall. The bones of the Saint had rested fornearly three hundred and fifty years in this Reliquary, which was anhumble one, being of wood and covered with plates of brass and gildedwork. But at last a new and most fair coffer of silver adorned with goldwas made for her by the Canons of the great Church of St. Martin atUtrecht. 

Likewise one should note that it was in the year of the Lord 1413, in thetime of Frederick of Blanckenhem, the Reverend Bishop of Utrecht, thatthe relics of this most Blessed Saint Agnes the Virgin were removed withall reverence from the ancient wooden Reliquary into this new one ofsilver fairly gilt. This was done on the second of December, being theday following the Feast of AEgidius the Abbot, by that Reverend manHermann Lochorst, Dean of the great Church of St. Martin the Bishop. Heit was, chiefly, who had procured that the holy relics of the Saintshould be removed in this manner; and a great while afterward George, ourvenerable Father and Prior, earnestly begged for the ancient Reliquary, which our House had long desired, and by the insistence of his friends heobtained the same from the Chapter and Canons of the church. Thesethings were done in the year 1461, as is written above. 

In the year of the Lord 1462, on the night of the Feast of St. Juliana, Virgin and Martyr, died our beloved Brother John, son of Hessel ofZuermont, who came from Utrecht. He was a timid man, and ready for anylowly task; moreover, his will was always good to serve the monastery tothe best of his power. Yet through the weakness of his nature and painsin his head, he often stayed outside the choir, but by his work withouthe redeemed the time which he could not spend in devotion within thechurch. 

A few days before his death he said to certain of the Brothers that heshould die shortly, and indeed the end came somewhat suddenly to him, foron the day before the Feast of Juliana the Virgin he was well andcheerful, but in the night following some weakness, whereof we knew not, came upon him, and he was found dead before the bed in his cell; beingclad in his under garment he lay prostrate upon the floor with his feetstretched out and his arms close to his side, looking as though he werecommending himself to God and to the Holy Angels: for no man was with himat the last to give him comfort, since none knew of his agony, but aftersupper-time, because they saw that he was not present, certain Brotherssought him in the cell where he slept, and they found that he was goneaway from this world, and had fled to Christ as we do piously hope andbelieve. He came of very good and honest parents in Utrecht, and hadmany friends and kinsmen that were living the Religious Life. And so atlength, after many labours and much pain of heart and body, he was takenaway from the miseries of this present life, in the fifty-fourth year ofhis age, having spent twenty-nine years in the Religious Life. After theoffice of the Mass had been said duly, and the Psalms and Vigils had beenrecited, he was buried in the eastern side of the cloister, on the rightof Brother Gerard Wesep. 

In the same year, after the Epiphany, there was a most bitter frost, which lasted throughout Lent and longer, and the great drought washurtful to the pasture lands whereon the beasts were fed. 

CHAPTER XXIX. 

Of the death of Brother Henry, son of William, the fourth Prior of ourHouse. 

In the same year, and upon the 10th day of March, being the second daybefore the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, died our most beloved Brotherof pious memory, Henry, son of William, who was a native of Deventer. Hedeparted at the fifth hour after midday, when the Vigils of the dead hadbeen sung; and our beloved Father George and all the Brothers werepresent with him, praying during his happy death struggle, and many Laicsof our household were there also. 

He had been the fourth Prior of our House, and having sought instantly tobe absolved from his office because of his oft infirmities, he livedthereafter for four years amongst the Brothers, being humble, gentle, exemplary, devout, and reverent to all. To none was he burdensome, butto all men kindly, comfortable, pitiful, helpful, cheerful, modest, peaceable, and silent. Amid elders and prelates he was lowly andcourteous, towards the young and weakly he was sweet and amiable. Becauseof his good and modest manners, his uprightness, fidelity, and the honestbearing which he showed (as a Religious ought to do) whether walking orstanding, speaking or keeping silence, he long held the office ofProcurator for the House; for he was chosen for that post in the firstplace, and afterward was made Sub-Prior. But at last, by God'sordinance, he was promoted to be the fourth Prior of our community, inwhich office he was confirmed in all peace and charity. For ten years hecontinued to be Prior, ruling those that were under him by the goodnessand modesty of his character rather than by rough speech; he was instantin his zeal for reading, for prayer, and holy meditations whensoever suchexercises were possible. Well might one write and say of him many ofthose things that the blessed Bernard doth write concerning Humbert, theservant of God, who was the devout Sub-Prior in St. Bernard's House. Himdid Henry strive to imitate, for he too was devout, beloved of God andman, and a servant of Christ. He died in the sixty-first year of hisage, having entered upon the forty-second year of his Religious Life, andhe was buried on the right side of Brother John Zuermont. 

In the same year, on the day before the Feast of St. Ambrose theBishop--this day being the Saturday before Passion Sunday--and at thefifth hour of the morning before Prime, died Dirk ten Water, anhonourable citizen and magistrate of Zwolle, who had been received as aFellow Commoner, for he greatly favoured the devout. 

He abode in our House as a guest for six weeks, being sickly the while, but it was his intention to serve God and to remain with us: also he wasa notable benefactor to the House in his lifetime and at his death; andhe died in peace in the sixty-eighth year of his age, being fortified bythe sacraments of the church. He was buried in the tomb of his mother, Swane ten Water, beneath a sarcophagus of stone that standeth in ourchurch before the Altar of Holy Cross. 

In the same year, on the last day of August, and within the Octave of theFeast of St. Augustine, before Matins, died the humble and devout Laic, John Bobert, being forty years old. He came from the diocese of Treves, and formerly was our shepherd, but afterward he became porter to themonastery, and he was very faithful and pitiful to the poor. Havingfulfilled twelve years in this House, he fell asleep in peace, and waslaid in the burial-ground of the Lay folk. 

In the same year, during Advent, on the Octave of the Feast of St. Andrewthe Apostle, and before Prime, died an aged man named Gerard Poelman. Hewas a Donate of our House, and was born in Zwolle, but he lived with usfor sixty-two years, having come to us in the days when we were stillvery poor, and lacked goods, buildings, books, and holy vestments. Hisparents often succoured us and did us much kindness, for they weresomewhat wealthy, and they gave or lent us money to buy provision, because they loved their sons who dwelt with us, namely, Henry, and thisGerard that was the younger brother. These two had one sister, whosename was Adelaide, a devout virgin, who for many years ruled over theHouse of the Beguines at Nyerstadt, where at length she died amid thenuns, and she was buried by the Brothers of the Regular Order inBethlehem. 

At first this Gerard was the tailor of our monastery, as was also hisbrother Henry, but afterwards he faithfully discharged the duty offisherman, but when weakness compelled him to abandon this task, hebecame the gardener, and was skilful in growing vegetables and herbs ofdivers kinds. At last, wearied with years and overborne with toil, hefell asleep in a good old age, for he was eighty-one years old, and inreturn for his labours received a crown of life at the hands of the Kingof Glory. He was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics and servants ofthe House, on the western side of our church, and the venerable, devout, and holy Father George performed the rites. 

In the year 1463, on the day before the Feast of Quirinus the Martyr, that is on March 29th, and at about the eighth hour when Compline wasdone, died John, son of James, a faithful Laic of our House and a goodhusbandman; he was an Oblate and Resignate, and was born in Dalssen;moreover, he proved himself to be useful and skilled in his work amongour husbandmen. He was well beloved, and lived in this monastery fortwenty-eight years, but having fulfilled forty-six years of life, hedeparted in holy peace, and was buried near Gerard Poelman, in the burial-ground of the Laics, on the Wednesday before Palm Sunday. 

In the same year, on the 15th of May, being the fifth Sunday afterEaster, and the third day after the Feast of Servatius, three youngClerks were invested, namely, Peter, son of Simon, of Liege, William, sonof Peregrinus, of Kampen, and Arnold Wanninck of Deventer, own brother toTheodoric Wanninck of our community. Brother Peter, the first of these, was twenty-three years old; the second, namely, William, was twenty-one;and Arnold Wanninck, the younger, was twenty. At their investiture ourFather George performed the ceremony and celebrated High Mass of theResurrection. 

In the year 1464, on the 15th of May, being the Tuesday after the Feastof the Ascension of our Lord, Hubert, son of Nicholas, of Amersfoort, whowas thirty-five years old, was invested as a Convert of our House. Forsome years he had been town crier, and he was well beloved, being atrusty friend to the devout Brothers and Sisters in their business. Whenhis wife was dead and his sons had received their portions, he chose toleave the world and humbly to serve God in the monastery; so after aprobation of nearly three years he was invested solemnly as a Convert. 

In the same year, and on the day following the Feast of St. James theApostle, died Andrew, son of Hermann, of Sichele, a faithful and devoutLaic of our House and an Oblate to God. He had no possessions of hisown, nor did he leave behind him any private store, no not one mite. Hecame to our monastery on the Feast day of St. Agnes, in the year of theLord 1419, being then twenty-one years old; and having fulfilled with usin the service of God nearly forty-four years, being then sixty-fiveyears of age, he departed from this world. His death came about througha sudden mischance, for having fallen from a horse, he was hurtgrievously, and commending himself to God, he fell asleep in holy faithand peace. And he was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics. 

In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Matthew, Apostle andEvangelist, there fell a great tempest of wind, and many trees werebroken and torn from the earth; likewise large ships were sunk in thesea, and in many parts, as also at Rome, the pestilence raged so that agreat multitude of men that had thought to live long died thereof. 

In the year of the Lord 1465, on the Feast of the Annunciation of theBlessed Virgin Mary, a young Clerk named Reyner Koetken was invested. Hewas nineteen years of age, and sprung from an honourable stock, havinggood parents and friends at Zwolle: moreover, he had three sisters whowere living the Religious Life as Beguines in the House of Wyron thatlieth near the city without the northern gate. 

In the same year, in the month of March, and during the Lenten season, God succoured our House by granting us to catch a great number of fishesin the river Vecht, which is near the monastery, and these sufficed forall that dwelt with us, and likewise for the poor, and for strangers;also many traders came from the regions of Westphalia and Saxony to buythese fish which are called smelts. 

In the same year a new monastery was founded in Zwolle for the Order ofPreachers. 

In the same year, in the month of July, and on the day before the Feastof St. Praxedes the Virgin, died our beloved Brother Henry Lymborgh, aPriest, who was born in Zwolle. He was fifty years old, and he wasburied in the eastern cloister, by the side of Henry, son of William, ourfourth Prior. Often he fell sick with the stone, and at the end, havingfulfilled twenty-seven years in the Religious Life, he had a slightstroke of palsy in the face, and he fell asleep in peace amongst theBrothers. In the same year, in the month of October, and on the dayfollowing the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (that is, the night ofthe Feast of St. Leodegarius, Bishop and Martyr), died John Tyman, anative of Holland. He was a faithful Laic and an Oblate, and when hefinished his course was seventy years of age. 

For forty-five years he lived with us humbly, and in obedience workingwith the husbandmen, albeit for a long time he had been lame; and after along trial by sickness he rendered up his soul with patience, and waslaid in the western burying-ground with the other Laics. 

In the same year, and on the day before the Feast of the holy Martyrs, Crispin and Crispian, one Bernard Irte died at Zwolle, being a citizen ofthat city, and son of Lambert of Irten, a magistrate of the State. Hewas a friend to our House, and during his lifetime often visited ourchurch, in which out of his devotion to St. Agnes the Virgin he desiredto be buried, and he was laid with the Converts in the western cloisterbefore the door of the church. 

In the year 1466, on the night of the Feast day of St. Maurus the Abbot, and before Matins, died Wolter Eskens, the father of Gerlac, ourcellarer; he was an ancient man, being ninety years old, and he had beenformerly our husbandman on a certain farm pertaining to the monastery atWindesem, but he was born in the town of Raelten. In his old age he lefthis friends and acquaintance, following his son Gerlac, who was afaithful Oblate, and he lived in our House for nearly eleven years beforehis death. 

Long had he been bowed with age, yet he hastened to the church everymorning to hear Mass, leaning upon a staff. He was very good and patientin bearing his bodily weakness, and he fell asleep in the Lord, givingthanks. So after Mass had been said for him, he was buried with theLaics and servants of our House, in the burying-place of the Donates. 

In the same year, on the Octave of the Feast of St. Agnes the Virgin, died Christian, a Priest, who was eighty years old. He was Curate of TerHeyne, and a special friend to our House, and out of his devotion hechose to be buried with our Brothers, so he was laid in the easterncloister in the same grave with Hermann Gruter the Priest. 

In the year of the Lord 1467, on the third day of the month of March, andbefore Compline, died Hysbrand, our tailor, a Resignate and Oblate, whowas born in Amsterdam, a town of Holland. For thirty years he had livedwith us, and he was laid in the burying-place of the Laics, being seventy-two years of age when he died. 

In the same year, on the Feast day of the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, died Tidemann Mulart, a native of Hasselt. He was a Resignate and anOblate, who had long discharged many hard tasks as a servant of ourHouse, for he abode with us for near of forty-four years, and at lengthhe departed in peace, being seventy-two years old, and he was laid in theburying-place of the Laics. 

In the same year the Brothers and members of the House at Windesembuilded and enlarged their ancient church to promote the honour of God. 

In the same year, after the Feast of Pentecost, our Father George buildeda new kitchen that was greater and more stoutly wrought than the former, for the old kitchen was roofed with reeds and thatch, and he builded thisnew one by reason of the peril of fire, and also to rid us of certain illconveniences, and to promote the good of the community. 

In the same year, on the night of the Assumption of the Blessed andGlorious Virgin Mary, and after the Te Deum had been sung, died thedevout Laic, Nicholas Bodiken, who was an Oblate of our House. He servedChrist faithfully, and showed special devotion in singing the praises ofthe Most Blessed Virgin. 

A few days before his death he was seized with grievous pain in the headand his other members, but being purged by this sore suffering in thebody, he gained an happy issue therefrom, for his end was such as hewould have wished, and he met the same with a good will and with completeresignation on the day aforesaid, which was the solemn feast of theBlessed Virgin. 

When supper was ended, Nones of the Blessed Virgin were sung, and Vigilsrecited for him, and then he was laid in the burying-place of the Laicsand amongst the Oblates and Donates of our House; being in the seventy-ninth year of his age when he died. He had lived for a great while withus, but the needs of his mother and grandmother constrained him to takecare of them, which thing he did, having taken counsel with the Prior ofour House, but after that they died in Zwolle, he returned to themonastery at Mount St. Agnes. After this he fulfilled thirty years incomplete subjection to our rule, and on the Feast day aforesaid he fellasleep in the Lord, and all that dwelt in this House bore witness to hisgood report. 

On this same Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, our mostbeloved Father George took the Ciborium of the Venerable Sacrament fromthe altar with all reverence, and the whole body of members, going beforehim in procession round the cloister, sang the Response, "Felix namque. "After they had returned to the choir, they bowed the knee before theRevered Sacrament which was placed upon the altar, and sang the Antiphon, "Media Vita, " with the verse and the Collect proper to times ofpestilence, for at this time the plague had begun both here and in manyplaces. 

In the same year, by the blessing of God, our orchard bare much fruit, but the fields, though they stood thick with corn, were hurt by thecontinued rain that fell at harvest time. Wherefore frequent prayers toGod for fair weather were made at the time of Mass, and the seven psalmswere recited in the choir. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, died Arnold ofNemel, an aged farmer, who was a neighbour and a good friend to ourHouse. He was laid in the western cloister before the door of thechurch, and in one grave with his son. 

In the same year, after the Feast of All Saints, and after Compline, onthe day before the Feast of Leonard the Confessor, died Arnold, son ofGerard of Werendorp, who was our miller, a faithful Laic and FellowCommoner of our House. He was a man greatly beloved and profitable tothe Laics of our household and all the Brothers, and he died after thathe had finished the thirty-third year of his age, having continued withus for fourteen years. He was laid in the burying-place of our Laics bythe side of Nicholas Bodiken. 

In the same year, 1467, Albert, son of Hubert of Amersfoort, was investedon the day of the Conception of the Glorious Virgin Mary, being twenty-three years old, but he had attended the school at Zwolle for four years. 

In the year of the Lord 1468, in the month of April, on the day followingthe Feast of St. Ambrose the Bishop and in the middle of the night, before Lauds, died Godefried Hyselhan of Kampen, a Laic and Donate of ourHouse, being eighty-three years of age. For a great while he was themiller of our monastery, and a man faithful and upright in hisconversation. Afterward he became our porter, and showed himself pitifuland kindly to the poor; but at length, worn out with years, he died inpeace, for God had mercy on him: and he was laid in the burying-ground ofthe Laics. 

In the year of the Lord 1469, on the day after the Feast of the HolyInnocents--which day is the Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, andfalleth within the Octave of the Lord's Nativity--died Brother Gerardthat was called Cortbeen, whose death befell after supper, and before thehour of Vespers. Before he entered the Religious Life he was a Priest, and he was born at Herderwyjc, but for ten years past he had lived theReligious Life amongst us in piety and devotion. Often he endured muchtoil in time of harvest, and in winter also he would cut wood in themarshland, for he was a strong man and apt for coarse and heavy toil, yethe neglected not the inner things of God. At the last he was afflictedof the Lord with a dropsy in the legs, and after bearing the scourge ofthis infirmity he departed out of this world to the Lord in the forty-second year of his age. So Mass and Vigils for the dead were said forhim, and he was buried in the eastern cloister. 

In the year of the Lord 1470, on the third day after the Feast ofServatius the Bishop, two Clerks, and one Laic who was a Convert, wereinvested. This was on a week day, so as to avoid the concourse of men, and the gathering together of a crowd of friends from the world. 

Of these Clerks the first was Otto Graes of Deventer, who was twenty-twoyears old and had two brothers living the Religious Life as Priests inthe Regular Order: of these one was at Windesem, the other in the Houseof Bethlehem at Zwolle. The second of the Clerks was Rudolph, son ofGerard, a native of Amersfoort, who was twenty-one years old, and hadsojourned for a while at Zwolle before he entered the monastery. Thethird was Henry Kalker, a Novice and Convert, who came from the region ofKleef, and was thirty-seven years of age: he lived with us before hisinvestiture, dwelling amongst the Laics, and he was a good tailor, butsometimes he served in the kitchen, and sometimes ministered to the sick:after a while, by reason of his uprightness, he was invested as aConvert. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of the holy MartyrMaurice and his companions, and after Matins had begun, died our BrotherPeter Herbort, a Deacon who was sixty-five years old. He was of weakframe, and by nature very frail, so that he was unable to observe many ofthe statutes, yet he often received discipline in the Chapter for hisfaults: also he washed the heads of the Brothers when they were shaven, and rejoiced to serve the others as reader in the Refectory. At length, having fulfilled forty-three years in the habit of the Regular Order, thetime came for him to go forth; so being contrite of heart, having madehis confession and received the Communion and the Unction, he fell asleepin the Lord in good confidence and faith amid the prayers of theBrothers. For our Father George, with many of the Brothers, was presentwith him, but the rest remained in the choir to sing Matins and Lauds. After supper Vigils were sung for him and for our other benefactors, andhe was buried in the eastern cloister by the side of our Brother GerardCortbeen. 

In the year of the Lord 1471, that is to say, on the Feast day of Antonythe Confessor, and in the morning after High Mass, died that devout Laic, Gerlac, son of John, who was born hard by Zwolle, that is to say, atDese. He was seventy-two years old, and for the last fifty-three yearsand more had lived with us in great humility, simplicity, and patience. He bore many toils and privations, and amongst the other virtues that heshowed, he was especially notable for the virtue of silence, so thatthrough all the day he spoke but very little, and even during the hoursof toil he gave an example of silence to others. 

A short while before his death he was smitten with apoplexy, and becamepartly delirious and he was laid in our burying-ground with the rest ofthe Laics. 

SO FAR THE CHRONICLE WAS WRITTEN BY THOMAS OF KEMPEN; THE RESIDUE THEREOFWAS DONE BY ANOTHER. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. James the Less, and after Compline, died our most beloved Brother Thomas Hemerken, who was born in the cityof Kempen, in the diocese of Cologne. He was in the ninety-second yearof his age, and this was the sixty-third year after his investiture;likewise he had been a Priest for above fifty-seven years. 

In the days of his youth he was an hearer of Florentius at Deventer, bywhom also he was sent, when twenty years old, to his own brother, who atthat time was Prior of Mount St. Agnes. From this same brother hereceived his investiture after six years of probation, and from the earlydays of the monastery he endured great poverty and many labours andtemptations. 

Moreover, he wrote that complete copy of the Bible which we use, and alsomany other books for the use of the House, and for sale. Likewise hecomposed divers little books for the edification of the young, whichbooks were plain and simple in style, but mighty in the matter thereofand in their effectual operation. 

The thought of the Lord's passion filled his heart with love, and he waswondrous comfortable to the troubled and the tempted; but as age grewupon him he was vexed with a dropsy in the legs, and so fell asleep inthe Lord and was buried in the eastern cloister by the side of BrotherPeter Herbort. In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Lambert, andafter Prime, Brother Hermann Craen the Vestiarius died of the plague, being sixty-four years old. In the beginning he was Sacristan, butafterward, and for above fifteen years, Vestiarius. Then for thirteenyears he held the office of Procurator, but being set aside from thatoffice, he was for the second time appointed to be Vestiarius, in whichvocation he gained much praise for that he provided sufficiently forevery man so far as the means of the House did allow. After that he wasset aside from his office of Procurator he bore himself patiently: and hehad lived the Religious Life with us for thirty-eight years and a half:but in the day aforesaid, when Vigils had been sung for him, he wasburied after supper-time in the eastern passage. 

In the same year, on the day before the Feast of St. Francis, and afterMatins, Wichman Spuelre died of the plague. He was a young Laic abouttwenty-five years of age who was born at Doesborgh, but for above fouryears he had lived with us; and being chosen to be Sub-Infirmarius heserved the sick with kindliness and in gracious wise, wherefore heobtained great praise from all men. He was laid in the burial-ground ofthe Laics, but on the day following, namely, on the Feast of St. Francis, and just before one o'clock, three Priests and one Lay Brother wereanointed with the oil of the sick. In the same year, on the day afterthe Feast of St. Francis, Brother Henry, son of Paul of Mechlin, who wasa Priest, died of the plague. He was nearly forty-six years of age, andwas Infirmarius, in which same office he had served the Brothersfaithfully for fifteen years; but he had lived with us in the ReligiousLife for twenty-four years and a half, and he was buried in the easterncloister beneath the steps, and in the same tomb with NicholasCreyenscot, who died before. 

It is told of this Brother, as an ensample and memorial of him, that onthe third day after that he was smitten with the plague, seeing that suresign of death which is vulgarly called the "Death Spot, " and while hisstrength of mind and body were yet whole in him, he asked for the habitto be brought wherein, after the custom of the Order, he must be buried;and when it was given him he put it on without help from another, andwith his own hand sewed up the forepart thereof lest others mightunwittingly look upon his body. Then after supper-time was ended, he, with the Infirmarius who was acting for him, read the Litanies and theseven penitential psalms for all his negligences; and as an act ofgratitude for all the benefits that God had bestowed upon him, he addedthe Te Deum Laudamus. So at length, about the hour of Vespers, havingmade a good confession, he rendered up his soul, Father George beingthere present with him, while the Brothers were singing the versesantiphonally in the choir. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Marcus the Pope, when dinner wasended, Peter, son of Nicholas, a Laic of our household, died of theplague. He was born in Amsterdam, and was about fifty years old, but hehad lived with us for twenty-five years and a half, being employed in thebrewery. He was a strong man of great stature, and a pattern to theLaics by reason of his close observance of the habit of silence, hisregularity in reading the Vigils, frequenting the church, and such likeexercises. He was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. Dionysius theMartyr, and before the ninth hour in the evening, Brother Peter, son ofSimon, who was born in Liege, died of the plague; now he had lived withus in the Religious Life for nine years and a half. By nature he wasvery timid and modest, and at the beginning of his conversion he hadsuffered many temptations to cowardice, albeit he was afterwardsdelivered from these by the grace of God. So he yearned for death withgreat desire, longing to be released and to be with Christ, and he waslaid in the eastern cloister. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. Luke theEvangelist, and after Matins, Peter, son of John, died of the sameplague. He was a Laic and Resignate of about seventy-three years of age, who was born in Utrecht; but he had lived with us for about fifty-fouryears, and was employed in binding books. By nature he was very weakly, especially in the head, and he often received discipline for hisnegligences, being punished therefore: yet he did gladly serve for theBrothers at Mass, and at the last, in the time of the plague, he got hisdeath through ministering to the sick, and died in the presence of FatherGeorge, and was laid with the other Laics in their burying-ground. 

In the same year, on the day following the Feast of the Eleven ThousandVirgins, and in the morning after Prime, died our Brother John Kysendael, who was born at Orsoy in the land of Kleef. He was almost thirty-fouryears old, and had lived with us in the Religious Life for fourteen yearsand nearly two months, being much beloved for his holy conversation andhis virtuous life. Moreover, he served the Brothers humbly in his officeof sacristan for nearly four years, and so that versicle which is sungfor confessors was apt and fitting for him "who was ever pious andprudent, lowly and modest, sober and chaste and peaceful so long as thispresent life endured in his bodily limbs. " He was buried in the easterncloister. 

Two hours afterwards, on the same day, and of the same plague, diedHermann Crom, a Laic and Resignate, who was born in Utrecht, being nowsixty-four years old, but he had lived with us for nearly thirty-fouryears; he was of great service to the Brothers, first in the office ofSub-Infirmarius, and afterward in making ready the Refectory andministering to the other needs of those Brothers that were weak and old. At length, as he served the sick, he was smitten with the plague, and waslaid in the burying-ground of the Laics. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, and aftersupper-time, Laurentius died of this same plague. He was a Laic andDonate, and his native place was Alsen, a town near Tyel in the parts ofGeldria. He was seventy-three years of age, and had been barber to theHouse, having lived with us for near forty-five years. A great companyof strangers resorted to him hoping to be cured by his skill as asurgeon, for he had some good knowledge of that art. He was laid in theburying-place of the Laics. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop, and before thetenth hour in the evening, Ludolph the miller died of the plague. He wasborn at Delden in Twenthe, and was nearly thirty-seven years old, but hehad lived with us for three years and a half. He fell sick throughtending the plague-stricken, for he was at this time their faithfulservant; and having made a good confession, and being filled with afervent love of God, he died and was laid in the burying-ground of theLaics. 

In the year of the Lord 1472, on the Feast day of St. Ambrose, which fellon the Sunday after Easter, died Brother Everard ter Huet, a native ofZwolle, and Prior at Bergum, where for ten years and more he had ruledthe Brothers in laudable wise. Having fulfilled forty-three years oflife, twenty-five of which he had passed as a member of our Order, hedied at last, being smitten with the plague, and was buried in the churchof the aforesaid monastery. 

In the same year, on the fourth day after the Feast of St. Ambrose, andwhen Prime was done, died our Brother John Lent that was a native of aplace near Zwolle, being nearly eighty years old; but he had lived withus in the Religious Life for about fifty-nine years. He was very strictin his observance of the rule, and a pattern to the Brothers, but atlength, being worn out with the disease called stone, he died, and wasburied in the eastern cloister. By his writing he was of much profit tothe monastery, for he attained great excellence in this art, wherefore hewrote many books for sale, and many for the choir and the libraries, wherein he left a notable example for others to imitate. 

In the same year, on the day of St. Potentiana the Virgin (which was theTuesday after Pentecost), and when Vespers were done, Johson of Tric diedof a rupture. He was a Laic and Resignate, a native of Zwolle, andseventy-five years old; but he had lived with us for fifty-one years, being a pattern to the Laics by the toils that he bore, and his obedienceto discipline. By reason of his trustiness he was often set over thehusbandmen at Lunenkerc at the time of our exile, and also at home, thatis, at Mount St. Agnes. But at the last he died suddenly and withoutmaking confession, for death was beforehand with him; howbeit he receivedthe Unction, and he had made his confession two days before he died, andhad received Communion with the others on the Feast of Pentecost. 

In the same year, on the fourth day after the Feast of St. Lucia, diedGherard, son of Hermann, a Laic of our household, who was born nearAlbergen in Twenthe. He was nearly fifty years old, and had lived withus for twenty-three years. His stature was small, but his mind great, and he directed our husbandry with all diligence; but at length he fellinto a consumption owing to a kick from a horse, and having lingered along while, he died, and was laid in the burying-ground of the Laics. 

In the year of the Lord 1473, on the 28th day of June, two Brothers wereinvested as Clerks. The first was Stephen Putselaer, who was born atDoesborgh, and had attended the school at Deventer; he was now twenty-twoyears old. The second was John, son of Tric, a native of Amsterdam, whohad sojourned at the school of Zwolle for nearly four years, and at thetime of his investiture he was at the beginning of his eighteenth year. 

In the year of the Lord 1474, on the day before the Feast of St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr, and in the morning between the sixth and seventhhours, died Brother Otto Lyman, a native of Goch, being nearly seventy-six years old, but he had lived with us for fifty-five years and a littlemore. He was very zealous for discipline, and most strict in observingthe rule of silence; also it was his custom to attend all the services inthe church, each in its season, so much so that although weakened by oldage and an apoplexy, he did not forgo this custom to the very end of hislife. Besides this he carefully observed a voluntary poverty both in thematter of his clothing and with regard to the furniture of his cell. During his life he wrote many books for the library; but at length hisinfirmities grew upon him, and he fell asleep in the Lord in the presenceof the venerable Prior and the Brothers, and was buried in the easterncloister. 

In the year of the Lord 1474, on the day of St. Urban, Bishop and Martyr, brother Martin, son of Nicholas, was invested. He was nineteen years ofage and was born at Amsterdam, but he had attended the school of Brusselsfor three years. 

In the year of the Lord 1474, on the second day after the Feast of theConception of the Virgin Mary, and after Matins, died Brother TheodoricVeneman, who was born near Zwolle, being now seventy-two years old; buthe had lived a laudable life with us for fifty-two years, lacking twomonths. He was of ripe character and a pattern Brother; moreover, he waszealous in observing the rule of silence and quietness, but at length hefell sick and slept in the Lord, and the venerable Prior George and theBrothers were with him at his death. He was buried in the easterncloister. 

In the year of the Lord 1474, on the day of St. Agapitus the Martyr, diedGoswin ter Beeck, a Laic of our household, who was born in Zwolle, being-- years old, but he had lived with us for about fifty-three years; hislife was a very pattern, and well ordered, both in word and deed; he hadbeen our miller for more than forty years, and was very faithful to theHouse. In that he greatly feared that death should come suddenly, hemade his confession to the venerable Prior after due preparation, and ashort time afterwards he met that death which he had feared, for Godordained it so. 

In the same year died our beloved Brother Gerard, son of Tric, that was aConvert. This befell on the second day after the Feast of St. Lucia, Virgin and Martyr, and after Matins. He was eighty-two years old, andfor many years had been a Donate, but having lived honestly amongst usfor more than thirty years he was invested as a Convert, for so it seemedgood to the Prior and the whole Brotherhood. He was most strict inobserving discipline, weighty in word and character, austere towardhimself, and a lover of poverty. Moreover, he directed our husbandry, and that of two other Houses of our Order, to wit, the Houses at Anyhenand at Lunenkerc, also that of the monastery belonging to the Order ofSt. Benedict which is called the House of Kleerwater, near Hattem; forout of charity to the Brothers of that House the venerable Prior lentGerard to them. So having lived with us for nearly fifty-four years inthis honest and devout wise, he fell asleep in the Lord and was buried inthe western passage which is called "The Strangers' Passage, " togetherwith the other Converts. 

In the year 1475, on the fourth day after the Feast of Maurice and hiscompanions, and about the fifth hour in the morning, died William Brant, a Laic of our household, but a Clerk in regard to learning. He was bornat Kampen, and was now nearly seventy-five years old; but he had livedwith us for nearly sixty years. Although he was notable for knowledge, yet he desired to continue humbly, modestly, and in quietness unto hislife's end in the condition of a Laic, and specially to avoid the sin ofdetraction. Beside his unceasing labours in other matters, he awakenedthe Brothers for Prime during forty years. 

In the year 1473, on the third day after the Feast of St. Matthias theApostle, and in the morning, died Encbert of Tyveren, a Donate and FellowCommoner of our House, being eighty-three years old. Amongst othervirtuous habits, he had one that is specially worthy to be remembered, namely, that if any did him a wrong, he would easily and withouthesitation grant full forgiveness for the same, whenever the offendershowed any sign of charity toward him. Being fired, moreover, withcharity and love for God and his neighbour, and with a zeal for soulsthat ceased not night or day, he strove for their good whenever he hadopportunity; and of this many can bear witness, both men and women, forwhom he obtained places fit for them wherein they might serve God. 

In the same year and week, namely, on the fifth day after the Feast ofSt. Matthias, John Bodien (?) died at Deventer. He was a Laic of ourhousehold, and being oppressed by infirmity he went to Deventer to takecounsel of a physician, and there died in his brother's house; and sincehe was born of a good stock, his body was brought back to us with honourby his friends, and laid in the burying-ground of the Lay folk. For afew years after his conversion he served in the kitchen, and coming tohis life's end he fulfilled the toils of many years in a short space. 

In the year of the Lord 1477, on the Octave of the Feast of thevisitation of the Blessed Mary, and after Nones, that is at about theeighth hour, died Gerlac, son of Wolter. He was a devout man and verytrusty; a Laic and Resignate that was born at Ralt, and he was nearlyseventy-one years old. On the day before his death, and after Compline, he took his supper in the kitchen according to his custom (for he wascellarer) and by a mysterious visitation of God he suddenly was deprivedof all sense and strength. He lost the power of speech, and he lay untilnext day struck down with apoplexy without speaking or eating, and diedafter Nones at the hour aforesaid. He had lived with us for nearly fortyyears, during twenty-three of which he had fulfilled the duties of theaforesaid office with faithfulness and care, being almost always in hiscell and ready to carry out the wishes of the Brothers. He was laid withthe other Laics in that burying-ground of ours that pertains to them ofthat condition. 

In the same year, on the Feast of St. AEgidius, and after Compline, thatis to say about the middle of the seventh hour, died that devout Laic, Albert, son of Florentius. He was a Resignate and about seventy-threeyears old, but he had lived with us for nearly forty-five years, and fora long while served the Brothers patiently in the kitchen. Butafterwards he was very serviceable to the sick, and to the Infirmarius, by catching and bringing them fresh fish. He was laid with the others inthe burying-ground of the Laics. 

FROM THE CHRONICLE OF OUR BROTHER THOMAS OF KEMPEN CONCERNING MATTERS NOTPERTAINING TO OUR HOUSE. 

CHAPTER I. 

_Concerning the year in which that reverend man, Florentius ofWevelichoven, was made Bishop of Utrecht_. 

In the year of the Lord 1479, Florentius of Wevelichoven, aforetimeBishop of Munster, was enthroned as Bishop of the Church of Utrecht onthe Festival of St. Willibrord, first Bishop of that See. 

He was a prudent man of honest life, ripe age, and a lover of religion, and under his rule, which was during the reign of our Lord Pope Urban VI, Gerard Groote flourished, that venerable master who was truly great byreason of his life, his learning, and the words of his preaching. 

CHAPTER II. 

_Of the death of John Ruesbroeck, first Prior of the Groenendaal_. 

In the year of the Lord 1381, and on the second day of December, beingthe Octave of St. Katherine, Virgin and Martyr, the venerable and mostdevout Master John Ruesbroeck died in the district of Brabant. He wasthe first Prior of the Monastery of the Groenendaal near Brussels, whichMonastery pertains to the Order of Canons Regular; he was then in theeighty-eighth year of his age, and he was buried before the north end ofthe High Altar in the choir. He took the Religious habit in theaforesaid place amongst the first who were there invested, being thensixty years of age; and, by the help of God, he fulfilled the office ofthe Priesthood for sixty-four years. His holy and glorious doctrine waspublished far and wide over the land of Germany, and giveth lightthereto. This was he whom Master Gerard Groote visited, together withJohn, a scholar from Zwolle, for he thought that his writings were worthyto be compared with those of the greatest doctors. Moreover, he had putforth many books that were most devout, touching matters of the higherunderstanding, which books, of his wisdom, he wrote in the Teutonictongue; and he poured forth in liberal abundance that grace of heavenlysweetness which he had received from God, for the use of his neighbourand them that should come after in the Church. There are eleven bookswhich he composed either before or after his entrance into the ReligiousLife; and less the tale should be incomplete, the book of his lettersdoth make that number up to twelve. 

There was in the same monastery, under this venerable Master, a Convertwhose name was John, a man very devout, who did humbly devote himself tohis life's end to serving in the kitchen, and he was illumined withspecial grace for divine contemplation. He compiled a great and notablebook, filled with high and heavenly doctrine, in the which he dothcommend his most beloved father, John Ruesbroeck, in most excellent wise. 

In the same monastery also were certain other most devout Fathers andReligious Brothers, eminent for their life and wisdom, as their holyworks that have come down to us do testify. 

Concerning the life and writings of John Ruesbroeck and Brother JohnCocus, more is told in a little book that hath been put forth of late, and that is entitled "Of the Origin of the Monastery of the Groenendaal. "

CHAPTER III. 

_Of the death of the venerable Master Gerard Groote, a man most devout_. 

In the year of the Lord 1384, on the Feast day of the blessed Bernard theAbbot, and at the fifth hour, after Vespers, Gerard, surnamed Groote, died at Deventer, in the time of the pestilence; he was a venerable manand beloved of God, and the forty-fourth year of his age was nearly done. 

His body was borne to the Parish Church of the most Blessed Virgin, Mother of God, and therein was laid with due honour not far from thesanctuary. His father's name was Werner Groote, and he was a Schepen andmagistrate of the same city; his mother was called Heylwige, and both herhusband and she were of high place and mighty in honour and riches, judged after the measure of worldly dignity; but Gerard, by God'sinspiration, put aside the burden of riches and despised the pomps of theworld on the which he had relied carelessly for a long while, and for thesake of an humble Christ took upon him a garb of humility. Suddenly hewas changed into another man, so that all wondered, and he became a ruleof life to Clerks and Lay folk alike. Hereafter, by the pattern of hisgood conversation and the exhortation of his holy preaching, he withdrewmany persons from the vanities of the world and laid upon them the gentleyoke of Christ. Likewise he resigned all his ecclesiastical benefices, but he kept some small portion of his father's goods to provide for hisown necessities. Much he gave to the Religious, and his dwelling-houseand homestead lie bequeathed for ever to the poor Sisters, or Beguines, whom he had gathered together in that same place. Of his humility hetook upon him the rank of a deacon so that he might be able to preach, but he would not take priestly orders because of the awe in which he heldthe same. 

On a time he went toward Zwolle in company with Peter, Curate of theChurch of Deventer, and his companion questioned him with friendlyboldness, saying: "Beloved Master, why wilt thou not be made Priest, since thou art well lettered and fitted to rule others?" But Gerard madeanswer: "I would not be Curate of Zwolle, no, not for a single night, formy cap full of golden florins. " And Peter being astonished said: "Whatthen shall we feeble and wretched folk do, for our knowledge and our lifeare less worthy than thine?" And this word of Master Gerard had so greatweight that this same Peter did afterward renounce his pastoral chargeand did maintain himself upon a single benefice, and that one to which nocure was attached. Gerard, moreover, wrote profitable treatises, andmany letters to divers persons, and from these writings one may seereadily enough how great a zeal for souls was in him, and how deep anunderstanding of the Scriptures. He translated two books of JohnRuesbroeck from the Teutonic into the Latin tongue, and these areentitled: "Ecce Sponsus" and "De gradibus amoris. " Likewise hetranslated "The Hours of the Blessed Virgin, " and certain of the Hoursfrom the Latin into the Teutonic tongue, so that simple and unlearnedLaics might have in their mother tongue matter wherewith to occupythemselves in prayer on holy days; and also that the faithful, recitingthese Hours, or hearing them recited by other devout persons, might themore readily keep themselves from many vanities and from idle talking, and so, being assisted by these holy readings, might make progress in thelove of God and in singing the divine praises. Once a certain man whowas united to him in the bonds of friendship, asked him, saying: "Mostbeloved Master, of what use are all these books which you carry on sogreat journeys?" And Gerard answered: "For good living a few books areenough; but we must have all these for the instruction of others and todefend the truth, so that if any might not believe me yet they may assentto the authority of the saints. " Many other good things also MasterGerard did in his life, as certain worthy records of him tell us, so thatfrom the small band of his disciples there grew at length a great companyof devout persons. 

CHAPTER IV. 

_Of the great eulogy passed upon Gerard by a certain doctor_. 

Master Gerard of holy memory, he who was called "The Great, " has passedhappily to the Lord. Truly he was "The Great, " for in his knowledge ofall the liberal sciences, both natural and moral, of civil law, canonlaw, and of theology, he was second to no one in the world, and all thesebranches of learning were united in him. 

He was a man of such saintliness and gave so good an example in hismortification of the flesh, his refusal of temporal advantages, hiscontempt for the world, his brotherly love for all, his zeal for thesalvation of souls, his effectual preaching, his reprobation and hatredof wickedness, his withstanding of heretics, his enforcement of the canonlaw against those that broke the vow of chastity, his conversion to thespiritual life of divers men and women who had formerly lived accordingto the world, and his loyalty to our Lord Urban the Sixth--in all thosethings I say he gave so good an example, that many thousands of mentestify to the belief that is in them that he was not less great in thesevirtues than he was in the aforesaid sciences. Master William ofSalvarvilla, Cantor at Paris, Archdeacon of Brabant in the Church ofLiege, an eminent doctor in theology, compiled the above eulogy from thatwhich he heard from the lips of men worthy of credit, and from his ownknowledge of Master Gerard, and he believed beyond all doubt that it wastrue. 

CHAPTER V. 

_How, after his death, the number of the Devout and the Order of Regularsdid increase_. 

After the death of the venerable Master Gerard Groote, the devotion offaithful persons in Deventer, Zwolle, Kampen and the neighbouring townsbegan to grow mightily in the Lord, so that in a short time there arosemany congregations of men and women that served God, dwelling together incommon and in chastity of life after the manner of the primitive Churchand that laudable custom of the holy Fathers that was introduced by theApostles. 

Some of these who could ill abide the concourse of people in the cities, sought habitations that did befit them far from the places where men docongregate, and having builded them poor little houses, determined tolead a hidden life therein after the example of the ancient Fathers; butin process of time, as their numbers and their goods increased, they tookupon them the habit of holy religion, for God so ordered it, andconverted their houses into Monasteries of the Order of Canons Regular, thinking thereby to be the more profitable. This same memorable Master, inspired with a spirit of prophecy, foretold this thing, namely, that thenumber of the devout should increase mightily, for to a certain Priest, who was his friend, and afterward became a Canon Regular at Zwolle (fromwhom also I heard the saying), he said: "Behold, beloved, this good thingwhich by God's help hath been here begun, shall be increased yet more, and this little spark shall kindle many fires throughout all Holland andGeldria. "

Thanks be to God that as we have heard, so have we seen with our own eyesthe fulfilment of this prophecy, and that not only in the regions roundabout, but also in the parts afar off and in the upper provinces. He hadit likewise in mind to found, with the help of certain friends, amonastery for Regulars who should take the habit which he had seen inBrabant in the house of John Ruesbroeck, but this purpose he committed tothe followers whom he had made firm in the faith of Christ, that theyshould fulfil it, for death was beforehand with him, and this was, indeed, fulfilled effectually by these same disciples in after days. 

CHAPTER VI. 

_Of the consecration of the Church, and the investiture of the firstBrothers in Windesem_. 

In the year of the Lord 1387, on the day before the Feast of St. Luke theEvangelist, the first Church of the Monastery in Windesem was consecratedin Honour of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God. 

This place received the name Windesem from the village that lieth near toit, and it is one mile from Zwolle, toward the south; near the easternside thereof is the River Yssel; also some space away is Hattem, thestrongest fortress in Geldria. 

On this same day six Brothers made their profession and were investedwith the habit of the Order of Canons Regular, who observe the rule ofAugustine, the glorious Bishop and Father of our Order. The names ofthese are as followeth:

Brother Henry of Huxaria, a Priest. 

Brother Werner of Lochem, in Geldria, the first Prior of the house there. 

Brother John of Kempen, in the diocese of Cologne, who was afterwardPrior at Mount St. Agnes. 

Brother Henry Wilde of Hertzogenbosch, in Brabant. 

Brother Berthold ten Hove, a native of Holland, who conveyed to us hispatrimony and the place where the monastery standeth. 

Brother Henry Wilsem of Kampen, a man of great probity, who was formerlya great one in the world. He was eloquent in discourse, humble andearnest in the service of God. 

With these and others that loved holy religion, this new foundation ofthe Order of Canons Regular in the diocese of Utrecht had its beginningafter the happy death of Master Gerard Groote, and under the rule ofFlorentius, Bishop of Utrecht, it increased by little and little, but inprocess of time it began to grow yet more fruitfully in divers places. All the men above named, save only one, had been disciples of MasterGerard, by whom they, with many other Clerks, were drawn to the amendingof their lives, being imbued with his wholesome exhortation. 

CHAPTER VII. 

_Of the death of John de Gronde, a Priest_. 

In the year of the Lord 1392, on the 17th day of May, being the dayfollowing the Feast of St. John before the Latin Gate, and at the fourthhour in the morning, John de Gronde died at Deventer, in the house ofFlorentius. He was a devout Priest and a mighty Preacher of the Word, and it was in the fortieth year of his age. The town of Octmesheim, inthe district of Twent, and the diocese of Cologne, was his native place, and he was a man adorned with modesty and eloquence, and the venerableMaster Gerard let summon him from Amsterdam in Holland to hear theconfessions of the devout, likewise Gerard committed to him thegovernance of the Sisters of his House. For awhile he abode with thefirst Brothers in the ancient House of Florentius, and rose up with theothers in the morning to recite the Hours; and when the time for risingcame, he awoke straightway and went forthwith to arouse the otherBrothers, knocking and saying: "Arise, watch and pray, that ye enter notinto temptation. " Of this thing Master Gerard maketh mention in theletter which he wrote to the priests at Amsterdam, what time he besoughtthat John should be sent to him, for this alacrity did especially pleasehim. 

As his death drew on, Father Florentius, who earned the love of all thedevout, stood by him to comfort and console him; to whom John spake, saying: "Lo! the adversary doth strive to disquiet me, and would confoundme at the last. " But Florentius answered: "Fear not but trust in theLord, and keep silence as to those things that are cast up against thee. "Then John, as one truly obedient, said: "In the name of the Lord, " andthese were the last words that he spake before his death. He was buriedin the Church of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, by the side of MasterGerard and in the same tomb, for it was in this church that he had oftproclaimed aloud the Word of God. Likewise from time to time he wouldpreach at Zwolle and hold colloquy with the Brothers on the mount, urgingthem to hold with constant mind to the course they had begun. So thesetwo on earth are covered by one stone, and one Stone, that is anheavenly, did make them firm in the true faith; as they loved one anotherin life, so in death their bodies are not divided. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

_Of the death of the most Reverend Florentius of Wevelichoven, Bishop ofUtrecht_. 

In the year of the lord 1393, on the Feast day of St. Ambrose the Bishop(which in that year was Good Friday), while the Holy Office of the Lord'sPassion was being said in the church, our most Reverend Lord Florentiusof Wevelichoven, Bishop of Utrecht, departed from the light of the world. He died in the city of Hardenberch, having ruled his diocese for twelveyears and five months in laudable and glorious wise, and his body wastaken to the Church of the Blessed Martin at Utrecht, and was buried withhonour in the choir beneath the steps of the sanctuary. Here a taper iskept lighted as a memorial of his good reputation, for verily he was alover of the true light, and a defender of his country. In discipline hewas very strict; and spent naught needlessly or to any unprofitable end, but all that was justly owed he paid honestly, repaying loans, restoringbuildings that were decayed, setting up new ones, fortifying towns andcastles. He loved the things of God and prudently disposed of worldlymatters; by his servants he was beloved, to the poor he was pitiful; hecherished all devout persons, and was accepted of Clerks and people. 

CHAPTER IX. 

_How Frederick of Blanckenhem was chosen to be Bishop_. 

In the same year, the noble and famous Lord Frederick of Blanckenhem, formerly Bishop of Strasburg, was chosen to the See of Utrecht andconfirmed by the authority of the Apostolic See. He was one of loftymind, famous for knowledge and prudence, and by the help of God he ruledthe diocese for many years with great glory, and guarded his country byhis victorious might. Beneath his rule the Order of Canons Regular andthe devout multitude of Brothers and Sisters spread far and wide, andrejoiced in their prosperity in all regions that lay beneath hisjurisdiction. 

In this year also three monasteries were founded in Holland, nearAmsterdam. One belonging to the Carthusian Order, one to the CanonsRegular, and one to the nuns of that same order: this last lieth withinthe city and near the ditch. 

CHAPTER X. 

_How the monastery at Northorn was founded_. 

In the year of the Lord 1394, about the time of the Feast of thePurification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Clerks belonging to thehousehold and congregation of that venerable Priest, Master Everard ofAlmelo, a Bachelor in Physic or Medicine, began to prepare a place for amonastery; for of their own free will and by his council they haddetermined to build an house in Vrensueghen upon an hereditament that iscalled Enoldint. So having obtained license from that Reverend Lord Ottoten Hoye, Bishop of Munster, and having the consent of the Dean, Archdeacon, and Chapter, which was given on the 1st day of May, a smallOratory was consecrated in this same place during the Advent followingand on the Feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. This Oratory stood wherenow the church is builded, and there on this same day four Priests of thehousehold of Everard were invested with the habit of the Order of CanonsRegular; they were admitted by Wenomar, Bishop of Sebale, a member of thethird Order, and Vicar-General for Pontifical Acts to Otto, the ReverendBishop of Munster: now the names of the Brothers by him admitted arethese:

The first was Henry Kyndeshof of Deventer, and there were also Herpe ofLippe, Hermann Plectenberrich, and John of Julich. Of these HermannPlectenberrich was chosen to be the first Prior, and the four abode bythemselves under the authority of the Bishop of Munster, because theirfounders would not have them subject to any other, but in the year of theLord 1400 they were placed under the authority of the Chapter-General ofWindesem, which is in the diocese of Utrecht, and lieth near Zwolle, asit were one mile distant. 

CHAPTER XI. 

_Of the death of that most devout Priest Florentius, Vicar of the Churchof Deventer_. 

In the year of the Lord 1400, on the day before the Feast of theAnnunciation of the Blessed Mary ever Virgin, and when it was now late, and the Ave Maria had rung, there died in his own House at Deventer thePriest Florentius Radewin. He was a man of holy life and the belovedFather of all the devout, an humble Vicar of the Church at Deventer, aMaster of the University of Prague, and he was now in the fiftieth yearof his age. He was born at Leerdam that is subject to the Count ofArkel, but when he heard of the fame of Master Gerard, he left his nativeland and became his devout follower and disciple, and in a short space hewas a Father to many devout persons, and the first founder of thecongregation of Clerks in Deventer. 

His garb was simple and gray in colour, his bearing was composed, hisbodily presence full of grace, and his aspect lovable. His hair wasblack, but his beard somewhat gray; his face was thin and had but littlecolour, his forehead was bald and his gait and bearing were full ofdignity. 

Once he came on a visitation to Mount St. Agnes, and the Brothers wereglad at his coming, and the elder amongst them asked him to deliver somediscourse, so he spoke a few words to them on humility and charity, andat the end he added: "See now, ye may be sickened of these words that yehave heard from me, " for he did not think that he could say aught worthyto be heard. Nevertheless he was mighty to comfort the devout, and itwas a pleasant thing to see him and hear his words. Also the wordswherein he confessed that he was not skilled to speak were received asvery edifying, and some of the Religious wrote what he said on theirtablets and in their books. 

This most holy man of God flourished in the days of that venerable LordFlorentius of Wevelichoven and the illustrious Frederick of Blanckenhem, the two famous Bishops of Utrecht. 

When his death was announced to them of the city, the Canons and Clerkscame together to attend the burying of so great a man, and a vastmultitude of people followed as far as to the Church of St. Lebuin, wherein he was buried before the altar he had served, which is dedicatedin honour of St. Paul. His life that was adorned with virtue is morefully set forth in the DIALOGUS NOVITIORUM. 

CHAPTER XII. 

_Of the death of Everard of Eza, a Curate in Almelo and a great master ofPhysic_. 

In the year of the Lord 1404, on the first day of the month of April, died that reverend man Everard of Eza, the Curate of Almelo and a greatmaster in physic. He often gave the benefits of his healing art withoutprice to many that were sick, but especially to the poor. Likewise hefounded and in a special way provided for the Monastery of the BlessedVirgin in the Wood near Northorn, in the Countship of Benthem, and heprocured that some of the Clerks who lived with him should be investedthere. Amongst physicians he had a great reputation; of the nobles hewas honoured, by worldlings he was feared, by the religious he wasbeloved, and for a long while his fame was good in the land. Moreover, he had been a close friend to Florentius, the Vicar of the Church atDeventer, and rejoiced to visit him; and he often succoured him in hisinfirmities and expended anxious care upon him; likewise he said ofFlorentius that it was a thing above human nature that a man so weakshould live so long, unless it were that God preserved him. 

But let it not be a marvel to any how it came about that these tworeverend Fathers and Masters were thus of one heart in the service ofGod, for He who brought together the Blessed Peter and Paul to preach inRome did also unite Florentius and Everard in Deventer, to be as it weretwo bright lights in the world, to dwell together as Brothers like mindedin the House and there to comfort themselves and others. 

But the conversion of this reverend Master Everard came about after thismanner, and was brought by the co-operation of God to an wholesomeeffect. When the venerable Master Gerard, of whom mention is made above, was preaching the Word of God to the people outside the walls ofDeventer, Everard hastened to come to his preaching, for he had heardGerard's fame and was puffed up with the wisdom of this world; so he camenot of brotherly love, but out of a curious mind, desiring to knowwhether the Master's teaching was consonant with his fame, for he did nothunger for uprightness but rather would catch him in his talk. Yet hestood not openly among the common and simple folk, but behind a pillar, as one that hideth; and behold Almighty God Who knoweth the heart, neither can any hide from His face, did fill the quiver of the preacherwith sharp arrows wherewith in secret he pierced through the heart ofthis curious hearer, who, being pricked thereby, laid aside all thenaughtiness of his former vanity, and became a devout disciple of thepreacher. For when the preaching was done, he came near to the man ofGod, and made known how the Lord had dealt with him by means of thepreaching, and how this had befallen him as if the preacher had traversedall the hidden places of his heart and seen all the secrets thereof. SoMaster Gerard received him and confirmed his charity toward him, and atlength Everard became his companion and helper in preaching; but not longafter his conversion Master Gerard departed to the Lord. After hisdeparture the old enemy stirred up no small enmity against the devoutdisciples, but God was present with them, giving to them patience andconstancy. Now many of the devout were ignorant of Master Everard'sconversion, but he wished to join himself to the disciples of Christ thatdwelt in Deventer in the House of Florentius; the Brothers, however, whenthey saw him were afraid, and began to flee from before his face as lambsfrom before the wolf, and they gat them into the hidden places of theircells; yea, and Florentius himself was fearful, for he knew not whatEverard might mean, who aforetime had been harsh enough and had opposedthe devout Brothers. 

Everard therefore said to Florentius: "Wherefore do these Brothers fleeaway?" and he answered: "They know not with what mind thou art come, " butEverard said, "I am come to amend my life, " and when he was still held insuspicion of Florentius, he said after due thought and protesting hisinnocency: "If ye will not believe my words, at least believe mine acts--Ipray you give me a cell for a season, and prove me therein of what spiritI am. " Therefore they took him and assigned to him a cell where he livedlong and was wholly converted; for as once he had gained great knowledgeof medicine, so now he received no small light in the law of the Lord andin the holy Scriptures. 

After this he accepted the dispensation of God towards him, namely, to bestill and attend to his heavenly calling, and also following herein theexample of Florentius, to gather together into his own house at Almelocertain Clerks and Lay folk, with whom he lived for many years under duediscipline. Moreover, lest they who were so gathered together should bescattered abroad after his death, he began to think of a fit place wherethey might serve God together, and by His help he found such a place ashe desired for the founding of a monastery, and here those Brothers whomhe had formerly invested in an humble manner were placed. To them hedistributed gifts out of his own substance, namely, gold and silver, books and other things for their use, for building and for needfulexpenses. As regardeth the foundation of this monastery see above, underthe year of the Lord 1394. He was buried in his own church at Almelo, where he had governed his people for many years, and he left a goodmemorial among the devout whom he cherished and loved as a father. On atime when I attended the school at Deventer, I fell sick, and with suchcare did he tend me that by the mercy of God a like sickness fell notupon me for many years after. 

In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Gregory the Pope, the buildingof our church was begun by brother John of Kempen, the first Prior. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

_Of the death of the Priest Amilius that succeeded Florentius atDeventer_. 

In the year of the Lord 1404, on the day before the Feast of St. Barnabasthe Apostle, Amilius the Priest died at Deventer; he was a mighty zealotfor souls, kindly in feeding the poor, austere to himself, compassionateto the sick, comfortable to the troubled, and he was about thirty-twoyears of age. 

He came from the parts of Geldria near Tyele, and coming to Deventer heattended school there for a while, but when he was amongst the foremostof the students he left the school and clave to Florentius, for it washis desire to serve God. Afterward Florentius procured his promotion tothe priesthood, and before his death placed him over the wholecongregation, likewise he did commit to his charge the governance of theHouse as being his beloved disciple. This burden that was laid upon himAmilius undertook with much sorrow, and though he was not minded todisobey the command of so great a Father, yet with weeping eyes, lamentation and sighing, he professed himself unworthy of thispreferment; likewise in his secret prayer he mourned bitterly, for hedesired rather to have the tasks of the kitchen laid upon him than to bepreferred to the honoured post of governing men. For in the kitchen heever rejoiced in his servitude, being safer therein, and having a goodconscience; but in the other office a thousand dangers met him, bringingno small care with them. Yet God did not long delay to answer theprayers and sighs of his humble servant, for his burden on earth enduredbut a short while, and having fulfilled four years and near to threemonths in the care of governance, the Lord rewarded his faithful labourswith eternal rest. His body was laid in the burying-ground of St. Lebuinthe Confessor, near that of Lubbert, a Priest of his own House. Therealso was John of Viana buried, and there Reyner Haerlem the acolyth andmany other devout Brothers and Clerks of the House of Florentius rest inpeace. After the death of Amilius, John Haerlem succeeded as ruler ofthe House, but he was afterwards chosen to govern the sisters at Zwolle, and Godefred of Wesel filled his place, for the Fathers in their prudencedid so ordain it. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

_Of the first investiture of the Sisters of our Order in Diepenvene nearDeventer_

In the year 1408, on the Feast of St. Agnes the Virgin, the Sisters ofthe Order of Canons Regular in Diepenvene near Deventer were firstinvested. This investiture was done by Brother John Huesden, thevenerable Prior of Windesem; and there were present also the Prior of theHouse of the Fount of the Blessed Virgin near Arnheim, Brother John ofKempen, Prior of Mount St. Agnes, and many other devout persons, both menand women, who came together eagerly to be present on so notable a day. So then there was great joy for the heavenly marriage of many devoutmatrons and virgins; but the sound of much weeping ascended to heavenalso. The number of them who took on them the habit and the order thatfolloweth the rule of the Blessed Augustine the Bishop was forty-three, and of these three first made their profession the same day, but theothers remained Novices for a year. Many of these Sisters were gatheredand brought from Deventer from the house of Master Gerard Groote, afterthat the numbers there began to be increased, and John Brincerinckgoverned and guided them for a great while. 

CHAPTER XV. 

_How the monastery in Budiken was reformed_. 

In the year of the Lord 1409, William van den Berg, Bishop elect ofPaderborn, began to reform the monastery at Budiken, transferring it fromthe rule of Canons Secular to that of Canons Regular; and he published onthis occasion the licence for their transference, at the end of which arethe words following: "To the honoured John Wael, Prior of the Monasteryat Zwolle, that is in the diocese of Utrecht, we do by these presentsgrant, concede, and allow the privileges hereafter following, namely, that he may attach to the Church and Monastery at Budiken a suitablecongregation of men devoted to God, when opportunity doth offer, and thatthey be under the Order of Canons Regular, conforming to the ruleobserved in the Monastery at Zwolle so far as the rule there obtainingdoth permit. We are led to grant this licence for this special reason, namely, that St. Meynulsus, the founder of this monastery, is believed tohave belonged to the Order aforenamed; let the said John Wael thereforeset over this same congregation a Prior or Superior as may seem expedientto him. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

_Of the death of Gerard Kalker, a devout Priest, and Rector of the Houseof Clerks_. 

In the year of the Lord 1409, on the Vigil of the Nativity of Christ, Gerard Kalker died at Zwolle. He was a devout Priest and Rector of theHouse of Clerks in the said town, and his age was thirty-six years. Thetown named Kalker in the district of Kleef was his native place, but whenhe was attending the school at Zwolle he joined himself to the devoutBrothers, and himself became one of their congregation. Afterward he waschosen to dwell in the new House that had been built for a congregationof Clerks by Meynold of Windesem, a rich citizen of Zwolle, and after awhile was instituted as Rector of the same House, being held worthy ofthat office by his Elders. He was one of great stature and innocency oflife. In word kindly, in counsel wise, in bearing composed; to the poorcompassionate, to strangers courteous, and the citizens loved him;moreover, he burned fervently with divine love to gain the souls of many. He was a zealous follower of Florentius, whom he esteemed with all hisheart and loved as his dearest Father; likewise he left behind him manydevout Brothers whom he had built up to the highest virtues. He wasburied in our monastery at Windesem, and Theodoric Herxen, his disciple, succeeded him as Rector. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

_Of the death of Henry of Gouda, a devout Priest, at Zwolle_. 

In the year of the Lord 1410, on the day of St. Gregory the Pope, Henryof Gouda died at Zwolle. He was a devout Priest and Confessor to theSisters in that place, having been of old one of the disciples ofFlorentius, and he was born in Holland near Schoonhoven. Being learnedin the Scriptures he was a mighty preacher, and one that did trulydespise the world and its riches; he feared not to reprove the vices ofsinners, and in his frequent preaching he strove for the salvation of hisneighbours; moreover, he kept a strict watch over his own conscience, andguarded his good reputation and humility of life. On a time, as he waspassing through the street in a city that is far away, some boys whom heknew not seized him from behind by his cloak, and mocked him with jestsbecause it was his wont to go clad in very simple attire, and a long sad-coloured cloak, for he seemed to take no thought of any outward thing, nor to desire honour. So being thus entreated and disturbed he lookedback and said to himself: "Here ought we to dwell, for at Zwolle they sayunto us, 'Sir, sir, ' yet what merit do we gain thereby?"

Likewise he came sometimes to Mount St. Agnes, and sought to speak withthe Brothers in their cells, and as he was holding converse with acertain one of them, he said, amongst many other good things, "Very goodis the life that ye pass here, and the more safe is the road that yetraverse in that ye abide in the cloister afar from the multitude of men. I, who almost every day do traffick with worldlings, what can I learnthereby save the acts of worldly men? I am a man untaught, neither haveI knowledge of the life of contemplation, nor do I seek to take hold onlofty matters--but sometimes I can preach in simple words to untaught andcommon folk--yet henceforth I purpose to amend myself with morediligence, and by God's favour to apply myself to things of greatermoment. " When he said this, that Brother was greatly edified at thehumble words that proceeded from his mouth. It is said also in hispreaching he uttered this notable saying: "Why should I say more? Wordsdo beget a multitude of words--and acts beget their kind. The fruit ofthe Word is its fulfilment in deed. "

He was buried in the church at Windesem, where also certain other devoutBrothers and Priests do sleep, and after him John Haerlem was preferredto rule over the Sisters in Zwolle, since the well-being of the House sodetermined it; he was one that was sufficiently skilled in sacredlearning, and he had lived long and devoutedly in Deventer, and moreoverhad ruled the House of Florentius for several years. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

_How the Sisters in Bronope were invested_. 

In the year of the Lord 1411, on the day of the Conception of the BlessedVirgin Mary, the Sisters of the Order of Canons Regular in Bronope werefirst invested. This House lieth outside the town of Campen, which townis near the bank of the Yssel where that river runneth down to the sea. This investiture, with indelible and perpetual vows to live the life ofthe cloister, was conferred by the Reverend Fathers and the Priors of ourOrder, namely, John Vos of Huesden, Prior of Windesem, and WilliamVorniken of Utrecht, Prior of Mount St. Agnes near Zwolle. To these thecare and visitation of the House, and likewise of the house at Diepenvenethat lieth without Deventer, were afterward committed by the GeneralChapter. But the number of these Sisters who were first invested in thisplace was fourteen, of whom ten became nuns, and four Converts; and ofthe ten nuns four did make their profession on the same day; the othersix, and the four Converts remained for a year as Novices. 

In the year of the lord 1412, a General Chapter was holden and the housesof the nuns at Diepenvene and Bronope were incorporated as members of thesaid Chapter. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

_The death of Wermbold the Priest_. 

In the year of the Lord 1413, on the Vigil of Pentecost, being the nightof the Festival of Barnabas the Apostle, and at the eleventh hour, diedWermbold, a devout Priest of laudable life who was Confessor to theSisters of the third Order in the House of St. Caecilia. He came fromHolland, from a place near Gouda, and for long had stood as a burning andshining light in the city of Utrecht, enkindling many by the word of hispreaching and drawing them to the path of right living by his goodexample and his wholesome counsel; for he was a zealous lover of the holyScriptures, and an eloquent preacher to the people, one well beloved forhis eminent continency of life, and honoured by great folk. He procuredthat divers books of sacred theology should be written, and translateddivers sayings of the Saints into the Teutonic tongue so as to profit thefaithful Lay folk who were earnestly desirous to hear the Word of God. Atlength, when his pious labours in the service of God had been fulfilledwith many trials, the good Lord of His great kindness favoured Wermboldwith a most sweet consolation in a vision that was revealed to him. Hisbody was taken for reverent burial to the choir of the Church of St. Caecilia, and the last words he spake as life departed were: "For ThouLord only hast set me in hope. "

CHAPTER XX. 

_Of the death of John Cele, Rector of the School at Zwolle_. 

In the year of the Lord 1417, on the ninth day of May, which in that yearwas the fourth Sunday after Easter, the reverend Master John Cele died atZwolle in the diocese of Utrecht. 

He had ruled the scholars there strictly, being an excellent instructorof youth, a zealous lover of the divine Name, and one that closelyattended the choral and other offices of the Church and taught others so. This most faithful man, eminent for his honest life, ruled the school formany years, and with discernment taught many of his pupils to love holyreligion and the following after God. What Order that is illustrious forits life or reputation hath not had monks that were his pupils? Althoughabove others the Canons Regular, the Cruciferi, and the Cistercians havegained many adherents to the Order from among his students, and of thesesome, being endued with the grace of virtue, have become fathers ofmonasteries and rectors of churches. For the pupils who were under hisrule learned from their good Master to despise for Christ's sake theglory of this world that vanisheth away, and that in the whirlpool ofthis mortal life nothing is better and holier than to spurn theenticements of the world and to fight for the Lord of Heaven. In hisdays it was a lovely thing to enter the town of Zwolle and to see thechosen multitude of scholars that did attend the school. Who could tellin worthy wise with what fatherly care he strove to instruct all inlearning and character, and to the leading of an upright life, and theholding of a good repute? For this purpose he often set before them andquoted the authority of the holy Scripture, and strongly encouraged themto copy sentences from the writings of the Saints. Furthermore, he gavethem regular instruction in singing, taught them to attend the churchassiduously, to honour Priests, to love religion, to hold converse withdevout and learned men, to pray yet more often, and gladly to take theirpart in singing the praises of God. He himself was there present withcheerful countenance, directing the whole choir in their harmoniousmelody; and likewise on feast days he often played on the organ, rejoicing greatly in this task, and being herein a true imitator ofDavid, that holy king who played upon the harp and danced before the arkof God, singing His praises. In process of time the fame of John Cele'sgoodness went forth to the utmost parts of Germany, and his sayings andopinions reached to the ends of the earth, borne thither on the lips ofhis pupils. The men of Brabant with the Flemings, they of Holland withthe Frisians, they of Westphalia with the Saxons came in crowds to studyunder him, and having borne themselves studiously in the school, returnedwith their learning to their native places, men of Treves and Cologne, Liege and Utrecht, Kleef and Geldria were found here; and youths thatwere apt for learning gathered together from other villages and castlesand made great progress in knowledge. The richer paid their own expensesout of their sufficiency, the poor gathered in bands to beg, givingthanks to the hands that helped them. These did the Master instructgladly and without price when besought so to do for God's sake, for hewas a true father of the needy, and he exhorted them to strive to turntheir studies to God's service; but wandering and froward fellows hewould not admit nor endure, but either by correction changed them to abetter mind or drove them forth from his presence, lest the naughtinessof such presumptuous persons might work ill to them that were welldisposed to obey, and disturb the peace of the studious flock and theirRector. So he was a rod of fear to the idle, but a staff of protectionand safety to them that were well disposed to learn. Many of hishearers, when they had laid fitting foundation of knowledge, flew higherto loftier studies, and those who bore them diligently were promoted tothe degree of Masters in a short while, and certain of these applyingthemselves to yet fuller knowledge were found worthy to be counted in thenumber of the Doctors. 

The great city of Paris doth know, holy Cologne and Erfurt do confess, and the Curia at Rome is not ignorant of this, namely, the number oflearned men whom the school of Zwolle sent forth while Master John Celeruled her with all diligence, which thing he continued for a great while, even until his hair grew white, for they say that this venerable Mastergoverned the scholars here for more than forty years. 

This is his great glory, that so vast a multitude of his scholars speakwell of him, so many illustrious Clerks praise him, so devout a companyof monks still remember his name. 

All things were well at Zwolle beneath his rule; they of the world werenot at enmity with the scholars, the devout might serve God freely wherethey would, the Religious were under good supervision, and Priests ofhonest life were accepted of the citizens. 

They who governed the people feared God and were endowed with wisdom andriches; moreover, amongst them were many learned magistrates who had beenof old disciples of John, and as was fitting, they ever held him in loveand reverence. He had collected many books for his own use, both ofphilosophy and divinity, and he directed that after his death theseshould be distributed for pious uses; for some he left as a piousbequest, and for the good of his own soul, to churches, some tomonasteries, and some to the poor. So this is that revered and justlypraised Master John Cele, a native of the town of Zwolle, a man welltaught, learned, not puffed up by knowledge, sober, chaste, humble, anddevout. 

Once he had gone to the country of Brabant with the venerable MasterGerard Groote to see face to face that man most dear to God, JohnRuesbroeck, one that was illustrious for his life and doctrine, for hehad known him from afar, since his fame was noised abroad, and thisjourney he made out of love for his devout and holy life. JohnRuesbroeck received them both in fatherly wise, and after a few days theyreturned to their own habitation, greatly refreshed by the words of hismouth and by his living example. This is more fully set forth in thebook of the life of that memorable Father. From this time forth theflame of brotherly love burned yet more vehemently in the heart of each, and, indeed, John Cele did wondrously love Gerard from the very beginningof his preaching, ever holding him dear, and a man of one heart with himin Christ, one that did treat well of the Word of God before the people, showed a pattern of life in his own conduct, and was very fervent in hiszeal for souls. For this reason Master John bore the reproach of men andmuch evil speaking from the froward, who never fail so to entreat themthat do well; and this befell him because he encouraged and praised theacts of the Master and the glorious words of his preaching, yet was henot overcome by the snarls of envious folk, nor ceased greatly to extolGerard, but before the magistrates and the people he spake freely onbehalf of the Religious. To him did Gerard address certain friendlyletters, and John, who loved the Master's words with all his heart, didcollect the whole number of his epistles, because of his delight inreading them. Likewise he did often mention the venerable Master by nameto his scholars, as one whom he knew well, and in his own pleasant voicedid recount his deeds for an example to them. This is the end of thelife of John, that faithful servant of Christ Jesus, to whom may Godgrant to enjoy the glory of heaven with all the saints. His body wasburied at Windesem, in the ancient cloister, near the door of the church. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

_Concerning John Brinckerinck, a disciple of Master Gerard_. 

In the year of the Lord 1419, on the 26th of March, that is to say, onthe day following the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, JohnBrinckerinck died at Deventer. He was a man beloved of God, a devoutPriest and Rector, and Confessor to the Beguines in the House of MasterGerard Groote. He was born of good parents in the city of Zutphen, inGeldria, and in the years of his youth he began the devout life throughthe preaching of Master Gerard, for in a short while he became a discipleof the Master and was adorned with special grace; moreover, he heard manygood things from him, and received from his mouth words of heavenlywisdom, for he oft held converse with him in the House, and yet moreoften without when they journeyed. 

After Gerard's happy death, John was ordained to the priesthood, and whenJohn de Gronde, the first Confessor of the Sisters at Deventer died, heruled the said Sisterhood which Gerard had founded, being set up as thesecond Rector thereof, in which office he was a zealous minister, and hegoverned the Sisters in most excellent wise for many years, for Godhelped him. Sometimes he preached the Word of God in church to thepeople, and he drew many to the service of God as handmaids of Christ;and when the congregation of Sisters had begun to grow in merit and toincrease daily in number, he began to build a monastery for the Nuns ofthe Order of Regulars outside the city of Deventer towards the north, awork done with great and daily labour, and he ruled the same moststrictly with all diligence. 

Through his example and his counsels, which promoted the salvation ofmany, a great number of other Houses for Nuns were begun in divers parts, of which some were under the discipline of the Canons Regular, whileothers professed the rule of the third Order and were incorporatedtherein. 

His body was taken to his own monastery at Diepenvene, and there buriedin the choir before the High Altar, and after his death John Hoef waspreferred to be Rector of the Sisters in Deventer, but the care of theNuns was committed to the Prior of Windesem. 

CHAPTER XXII. 

_Of the death of Gisbert Dou, Rector of the Sisters at Amsterdam_. 

In the year of the Lord 1420, on the day before the Feast of the Nativityof the glorious Virgin Mary, Gisbert Dou died in Holland. He was aPriest of reverend life and Rector and Confessor to many Sisters inAmsterdam, and he did also promote and found two monasteries for theCanons Regular. This man of God, from the beginning of his conversion, was very familiar with Gerard Groote, and his close friend, for he knewhis inmost thoughts better than did any other mortal man, both the goodthoughts and the bad alike, and whatever Gerard did in his life, for hewas his Confessor and his most faithful confidant in those things whichpertain to the examination of the conscience. He held with him, therefore, most devout colloquies, frequently conferring with him as tothe condition of the Brothers or Sisters, and the things needful topreserve the devotion which had begun in many places. But through thebounty of God he lived safely for many years to comfort the good, and heoften preached the Word of God publicly in the church to the people. Hewas kindly and liberal in hospitality to all who came to him, a faithfulhelper of the poor, a sweet comforter to the sad, a staunch friend to theReligious. The mighty looked favourably upon him, the simple folk andthe community loved him, and learned men and prelates heard himreverently; and so having fulfilled seventy-five years of life, he diedin a good old age amongst the Fathers of his House, and was buried in theConvent of the Sisters of our Order. 

In the year of the Lord 1450, Peter de Mera, Chamberlain to our LordEugenius IV, obtained a letter granting Indulgence to our House, namely, to the Prior, the Brothers, the Converts, the Donates, and the Oblates inthe House on Mount St. Agnes; and the purport of his letter was asfolloweth:

"Most blessed Father and most holy Lord, This petition is made to furtherthe salvation of the souls of your devout servants Theodoric the Prior, the Canons or Brothers, and the other members of the community who dwellin the Monastery on Mount St. Agnes, near Zwolle, following the rule ofthe Order of Canons Regular, which monastery is in the diocese ofUtrecht: likewise on behalf of the servants of this same House, and ofother Priors, Canons, Brothers, members of the community, and servants, who shall dwell from time to time in the aforesaid monastery; whereforethat in future they may be ordered in more wholesome wise we beseech yourholiness to deign of your grace to grant them Indulgence to the effectfollowing, namely, that as long as they continue in the verity of thefaith, the unity of the Holy Roman Church, in obedience and in devotionto your holiness and your successors, the Chief Pontiffs of the HolyRoman Church, who shall be canonically elected, so long a suitableConfessor chosen by them shall have power under the authority of theApostolic See to grant to them when in articulo mortis full remission ofall sin which they may have confessed with contrition of heart. Providedalways that they presume not to do any unlawful thing through theirreliance upon this Indulgence, and provided also that so soon as they arenotified of this Indulgence they keep fast on every Friday for one wholeyear, or do some other act of piety: but if they have neglected to fastor been unable to do so, or if it hath been their custom heretofore so tofast on every Friday, then they shall be bound to perform some otherspecial act of grace in accordance with the directions of the aforesaidConfessor. 

"The privilege desired in this petition is granted to all professedBrothers, Converts, and Oblates, under perpetual vows, so long as theylive in the observance of the rule. 

"Given in the presence of our Lord the Pope, "C. ARMINIENSIS. 

"It is asked also that the aforesaid licence hold good without lettersApostolic to confirm the same. 

 "Granted. C. ARMINIENSIS. "

CHAPTER XXIII. 

_As to the gaining of Indulgences at the stations in Rome_. 

To the venerable and devout Priors at Windesem and Mount St. Agnes nearZwolle, and to the Priests and Fathers unfeignedly beloved in ChristJesus, these, from Brother Everard Swane of the House of the BlessedVirgin in the Wood near Northorn, your unprofitable servant, goodFathers. Venerable Fathers, most beloved in Christ Jesus, my love isever ready to serve you, and I was desired by divers persons, yea, andbesought, as I understood, by some of your Brothers also, to write to theCuria to enquire as to the virtue and extent of the Indulgences grantedat certain stations in Rome by our most Holy Father Pope Eugenius IV, thegranting of which Indulgences was promoted by my Lord the Cardinal as yedo know. I was required to ask the virtue of such, and how they might beobtained; this thing, therefore, I did long since, and I have received areply to this effect, namely: "That no man may know fully the virtue andextent of these Indulgences, because from the time of St. Peter onward, Indulgences beyond number have been given and granted by diversPontiffs. "

I have spoken likewise on this matter with certain persons that are aboutthe Court, and to put the matter shortly, these also are unable to giveany certain decision in the matter, but, arguing it amongst themselves, some said that the remission of all sins may be obtained at any station;others held and said that all Indulgences granted throughout the wholecity may be obtained at any one of the stations. Which is the truerargument I dare not to say, beloved Fathers, but this I know full well ofmine own knowledge and experience, that Cardinals, Prelates, and others, both men and women, throughout the whole city, are wont to be zealous invisiting each several station; neither is it the usage there to make anyreference to the virtue or extent of the Indulgences, even inwardly, butevery man doth commit this matter to God Who alone doth know the tale ofthe same, and we too ought to follow this custom. But as concerning thegaining of the same, of which I have made mention above, the Chamberlainof my Lord Bologna, who returned to this country a short while ago fordivers purposes, hath told me thereof by word of mouth, and he saith thathe himself was present when the Indulgences were granted. Every man thathath made his confession and is contrite, and hath fulfilled theconditions laid down in the letter wherein the Indulgence wasgranted--that is, living in common and in the observance of the rule--maygain the same in the church of his own monastery. And these conditionsare that he enter the church with the same intention that he would havein Rome were he present there on the proper days for visiting thestations; that he prostrate himself before the altar which he would havechosen there, and pour forth his prayers or certain repetitions of thePater Noster as devoutly as he may: that he celebrate Mass: or visit theseveral altars saying the Pater Noster or other prayers after the samemanner as that which is customary in the aforesaid city. In short, ifany man doth as is aforesaid, there is sure hope that he will gain theIndulgences just as if he were actually present in Rome, as is set forthalso in the said letter. Therefore, beloved Fathers, ye may, if itplease you, tell these things to the Brothers of your House, or to anyothers ye will that desire to be informed as to the matters set forthabove, and in this do as may seem expedient to you. As for our LordEugenius the Pope, aforementioned, who hath granted and given usIndulgences so freely, and my Lord of Bologna who procured the grant, andothers who have laboured in what manner soever to this same end, ye will(as they do trust) make mention of them in your prayers, especially onthe days proper for the stations, committing them to God for the sake ofJesus the humble. And may He see fit to keep you, and all that arecommitted to your charge, safe in His holy service. 

Written on the day following the Feast of St. Philip and St. James, inthe year of the Lord 1443. 

CHAPTER XXIV. 

_The letter of the Cardinal of Bologna_. 

Antony, by the mercy of God, Bishop of Ostia, Cardinal of the Holy RomanChurch, and commonly known as the Cardinal of Bologna, to all and each ofthe Canons Regular, our beloved in Christ, and to all other persons thatare Converts or Lay Brothers in the House of the Blessed Virgin in theWood, and in the Houses elsewhere that belong to the said Order of St. Augustine in whatever diocese they may be, and who live in the observanceof the rule, and to others who shall see these presents, greeting:

It is a just thing, and one consonant with reason, to bear witness to thetruth; wherefore by the tenor of these presents we do notify your wholesociety, and bear witness that our most holy Father and Lord Eugenius IV, by divine providence Pope, by his Apostolic authority hath granted toeach and all of you Indulgence and Concession following at my prayer andinstance, the same being delivered by word of mouth and needing nofurther confirmation by letters Apostolic. Ye are not bound in any waywhatever to avoid any man, even though he be for the time being heldunder sentence of excommunication, either at the time of the celebrationof the divine Mysteries or at other seasons (unless indeed there be anyin your churches that are publicly denounced as excommunicate), nor shallsuch intercourse be held to impute guilt to you or to any one of yourcompany. Likewise and by similar authority he doth grant to you, thatthose among you that for the time being do suffer infirmities in the bodybe not bound to say or recite the Canonical Hours during the time of suchinfirmity, nor be deemed to be under such compulsion so that they beexcused by the counsel of such suitable Confessors as may be chosen fromyour body. 

Likewise that each Prelate of your several churches shall have authoritywith regard to vows to make pilgrimage across the seas, to the shrine ofthe Blessed Peter and Paul, or other places of pilgrimage which ought tobe paid by you, or any one of you, from time to time, to commute the sameto other acts of piety. 

Furthermore and by the authority aforesaid he doth grant to the followersof your devotion this concession:

Whereas Indulgences have been granted by the Apostolic See to faithfulpersons all and sundry who from year to year devoutly visit certainchurches in the which "stations" are appointed for certain days--and ofthese churches some are within, and some without the city--and whereasthese Indulgences are granted to persons who visit the said churches onthe days for which stations for this purpose are appointed;

Now therefore he doth grant that each and all of you, being trulypenitent and having made confession, may and ought to enjoy the benefitsof such Indulgences just as if ye had actually and in person visited thechurches aforesaid. 

And this concession shall avail both for the present and time to come forever, so that it hold good for those of you only who shall continue tolive in common, and in your own community (that is under the GeneralChapter), and shall persevere in the observance of the said rule. 

A LETTER CONCERNING THE FIRST INSTITUTION OF THE MONASTERY AT WINDESEM. 

Here beginneth the preface to the work following: with the wholeaffection of my heart and mind, and with the service of my voice do Iexalt God, the Invisible, the Almighty, and His only begotten son ourLord Jesus Christ. 

My most beloved Brother of old, when I told the tale of the former stateof this House, of the Fathers and Brothers thereof, and their blesseddeeds, and when I related also the origin of this foundation, thou didstseem to lend an ear somewhat readily thereto. Furthermore, thou didstmake request that some memorial thereof should be committed to writing(for so it seemed good to thee), because they who saw and knew the formermembers of the House and the fervour of their lives, are now almost alldead; and I am as it were the dregs of the cup, the very last of all; andbeing already worn with age, it is like that I shall not be suffered toabide long with thee. For this cause thou dost affirm that it should beprofitless and wasteful that by the lapse of time things that mightperchance serve as an example and tend to the edification of some, shouldpass over to forgetfulness. 

Wherefore I have fulfilled thy petition, though mayhap not thy fulldesire, since my manner of writing is coarse and ill-kempt; for whichreason I have made no mention of thy name, nor of my own; and this is ofset purpose lest if this poor letter fall at any time into the hands ofanother, he might be offended on the very threshold and so not care to goforward any further. 

II. _The history of the origin of the New Devotion_. 

Now in the days of old the land of the English did abound in men greatand holy, by whose saintliness and doctrine (as saith the venerable Bede)that land was watered like the Paradise of the Lord; and so it was thatcertain rivulets of that water, through the mercy of God, flowed down tothis our land to make it fruitful. For this country was up to that timetruly parched and ill-tended, inasmuch as doing service to idols, andbeing ensnared in the errors of the heathen, it was held captive of thedevil. 

III. _Of them by whom this land was turned to the Faith of Christ_. 

As for the first and chief of these spiritual rivulets, namely that greatman and true saint, Willebrord, we know the tale of how he appeared hereby sure testimony. For in the time of Pepin, King of the Franks, and hisson Charles the Great, and when 700 years more or less had elapsed sincethe birth of the Lord, Willebrord with eleven others did irrigate thesaid land with the waters of their holy preaching. Moreover, with thehelp of his companions he did busy himself with breaking up the groundwith the ploughshare of discipline, yet not without much difficulty; andin a short space the task of spreading the faith did prosper wondrouslybeneath their hands; for God worked with them, and did confirm theirwords with signs following. 

Of a truth how great a fervour of faith and devotion flourished in thisour land under their guidance, and for a long while after their days, isshown to this day, not only by the testimony of the books which we haveread, but also by those countless churches and monasteries which, as wesee, were builded on every side where the temples of idols had beenoverthrown. 

IV. _A lamentation over the waning of the aforesaid fervour_. 

But, fie upon it, this first fervour and regular observance of disciplinedid in process of time grow so lukewarm and feeble, that the outwardframework thereof alone remained, and as for the fruitfulness of thetruly spiritual life, the devil might seem to have said in the words ofEsaias, "and with the sole of my feet have I dried up all the rivers ofdefence. "

A certain aged man and an honoured priest spake in my hearing of thisdrouth and failure of devotion, and referring to the time of which Itell, he said that in the days of his youth and in these parts of the LowCountries, all things pertaining to devotion and charity were so broughtto nothingness, that if any were touched inwardly by a desire to amendhis life, he would scarce find one single man from whom to ask counsel;nor scarce one spot where he could put these fledgling desires into aplace of safety, unless it were among the Carthusians; for amongst themReligious observance and the vigour of spiritual life did flourish atthat time, but scarce amongst any others. 

V. _Of the rise of the New Devotion in our land_. 

Since, therefore, there was such drouth throughout the whole land (ashath been said before) that there seemed to be no trace anywhere of theancient devotion, the good Lord looked down from Heaven upon the earthwith the eye of His mercy, and made rise a little fount in these failingdays and in our land that was desert, pathless, and unwatered; whichfount grew by little and little to be a river (as is said in the Book ofEsther), and after a while into much water to irrigate not trees that arecorruptible, but souls, which truly are the plants of that garden whichis of the Spirit and faileth not. 

VI. _Of Master Gherard Groet_. 

Master Gherard Groet was this memorable fount, and not unworthily is hethus typified, having been small in his lowly esteem and abnegation ofhimself, but as his name doth signify, in the sight of God mighty tooverthrow by the sword of this word of the Lord the foes that rise upagainst the salvation of His elect, so that he and his beloved sons mightgain the inheritance of Israel. One may say fitly enough of this manwhat St. Augustine saith of Paulinus, who from being very rich became forGod's sake very poor and yet with full store of holiness. 

Moreover, like Anah, he found the hot springs in the desert, namely, thesweetness of divine love beyond common measure, together with abundantzeal to gain souls, and an hatred of wickedness. 

Having these things before his eyes he spared not while he lived eithertoil or cost, for he went about preaching everywhere in hunger andthirst, in cold and nakedness. 

VII. _Of his death_. 

At length after much strife, and having converted many to Christ, thismost blessed Father passed happily to the Lord in the year of the Lord1384; and he left the residue of the work, of which he himself had doneenough, to his little ones, those whom he had gathered under his wingsthat they might promote the salvation of many and be their pattern, whomalso he had nurtured with the milk of his goodness and his sweet-savoureddoctrine; for it was his intention that through them should be finishedthat work which he had ever in mind, and had striven to carry into effectso far as he could; namely, to snatch souls from the jaws of the deviland restore them to their Maker. This work his followers in their timewere not backward to do, neither have their successors to the present dayceased to fulfil the same task. 

VIII. _Concerning Florentius and his companions_. 

Of these primitive disciples of Master Gherard, the first and chief wasthat Florentius, son of Radewin, who was wonderful in all holiness andhonesty of character, and whose name that House, which was the first ofall the congregations of Clerks only, doth still retain. In like mannerone House at Deventer still hath its name from Gherard Groet, because itwas the House wherein he dwelt, and afterward this was the first of allthe congregations of women. This Florentius with his companions thatwere men of light, and whose names and deeds are of record, made no smallgain of souls for the Lord, especially amongst the scholars that wereClerks, and by their labours the monasteries of divers orders werepropped up in no slight degree and reformed also, the Lord working bytheir means. 

IX. _How like things were done in other cities_. 

Florentius seeing that this was good, and that indeed no sacrifice couldbe more acceptable to God than zeal for souls, sent devout and learnedmen to other cities also to do a like work, especially to places wherethere were schools largely attended, such as Zwolle, Doesborch, Herderwijc and the like; and these men lived a common life like that inthe congregation already founded, and gained their livelihood by writingbooks. They studied most of all to draw to Christ such scholars as wereClerks and when they were so drawn and converted, to send them to theseveral monasteries and congregations, there to serve the Lord. Moreover, the conversion of these and their conversation was a cause and means ofsalvation to many, as we found out afterward in the case of divers ofthem. So much of their calling Clerks to Christ. 

X. _Of the names of the Fathers and Rectors of the first congregation_. 

Furthermore, with regard to the Fathers of the former congregations (togo back a little to my former subject), I, in the hearing of ChristJesus, without whom nothing can be begun or founded duly, do say asfolloweth:

"Through what act of grace or miracle came it to pass that as MasterGherard Groet was preaching and sowing the seed everywhere, there wereadded to him so suddenly and unexpectedly men of such kind and so great, for these were of one mind with him, and every one of them in each cityand place burned with the zeal with which he also burned to exhort andconvert a people that was stiff necked. Yet with all diligence they setthem to the task of gathering together virgins as pearls from the shellsand most pure lilies from the thorns. These were in their days truebridesmen and friends of the bridegroom, who hear and rejoice because ofthe bridegroom's voice: who strove with emulation in God's behalf topresent the whole body of plighted virgins whom they had gatheredtogether as one chaste virgin to one husband, even to Christ. 

Thou dost ask, perhaps, "Who are they whom thou dost so commend, and whatare their names?" Hear then:

In Deventer, John Brinckerinc ruled over the virgins that were firstgathered together there, and from these in after days sprang the House atDyepenween, which was under the same Rector. 

In Zutphen was Henry of Huesden; in Doesborch, Tric Gruter; in Zwolle, Henry of Gouda; in Kampen, Tric of Gramsberch; in Utrecht, Werembold. InAmersfoort, William son of Henry; in Leyden, Peter of Poel; in Harlem, Hugo Goltsmit; in Amsterdam, Ghijsbert of Oude; in Horn, Paul ofMedenblic. Likewise in Enchusen, Paul of that city; in Pormereynde, Nicolas of that city; in Almelo, Everard of Eza; likewise in Schutdorp, Henry of that city. These are the holy men whom the Lord chose with loveunfeigned to carry on and complete His work which Master Gherard Groethad begun in wholesome wise by His inspiration, as hath been set forthalready. Holiness made them priests, learning made them doctors, diligence made them profitable rectors of many congregations, and zealfor the gaining of souls made them notable preachers as hath been foundin the case of many of them. O happy day on which that great Gherard wasborn amongst us, for he was the fount and source whence flowed the watersof salvation to our land, so that what before his time had been parchedbecame a pool, and the thirsty land, springs of water. 

XI. _Of the multiplication of the devout, especially of virgins_. 

From this time forth the fount that once was small began to grow by meansof the rivulets aforesaid into abundant waters, that is, monasterieswithout number and congregations also which fed them, so that it shouldseem that the saying in Exodus was fulfilled which saith of the sons ofIsrael how that when Joseph died his seed was multiplied exceedingly andfilled the land. Thus it came to pass that the people, both men andwomen, loved a life of virginity, and in chastity emulated the dwellersin Heaven. But above all there was a vast band of women that werevirgins who despised the thought of motherhood, and spurned this floweryworld with contempt, ever showing by their thoughts, their deeds, andtheir bearing, that they desired rather to be united to that Spouse Whois in Heaven. What state is there to-day, what township or city in thewhole province of Cologne but rejoiceth to have known the savour andscent of these same lilies? Yet was there diversity in their lots, foras Paul doth testify of himself, so too was it with them; some having asavour of life unto life, and some a savour of death unto death. But inthis the matter of their election is most clearly shown, and likewise thefact that they were not of the world, because they ever bare the world'shatred and persecution, sometimes suffering at the hands of parents andkindred, sometimes from rulers and the common folk of the cities andtowns, beneath which persecution they bore themselves with all patienceand humility; yet they suffered most greatly from false teachers andpreachers who were zealous to assail with mad words, and to persecute amanner of life that they knew not, yet did not they not prevail. 

XII. _How a certain monk of Cologne was put to confusion_. 

For example, one such was preaching in Cologne at the time of the Pragueheresy, and he said among other matter: "Ye do go to Prague to contendwith heretics whom ye might find readily in your midst--even in St. Gereon's Street"--by which he signified the Sisters of the congregationwho dwelt in the said street. But the great ones of the city took theword very ill, saying that such a thing was never heard, namely, thatheretics should dwell in the fair city of Cologne. But why should I saymore? At length the matter was referred to the bishops and to theuniversity, and, save that the monk had somewhat speedily sought refugeby flight, it would have conduced to his own detriment that he everpreached that word in Cologne. 

XIII. _How the Sisters were examined_. 

Forthwith Master Henry de Gorinchem was sent to enquire into the chargeof the false preacher aforesaid (for this Master Henry was held in thehighest esteem among theologians at that time), and he did skilfullyperform the task assigned to him, examining the affairs and condition ofthose Sisters with all diligence, and when he understood clearly theirsincerity in the Faith; their obedience in all things to Holy Church; howthat they had given up all personal property both in goods and in theirown will; their chastity and how in all things they did imitate theMother of Christ; their patience in watching, fasting, and in seeking togain their whole sustenance by the labour of their hands, he wasastonished thereat and returning to those who had sent him he spakeopenly, saying, "If this life be not that in which every Christian oughtto follow Christ, then have I never read the Scriptures. " And from thattime he bore such goodwill toward them, that very often he would helpthem in their suits, and likewise by his will he distributed notablegifts amongst them. 

XIV. _Concerning Master Bernard de Reyda_. 

Next in order there was the disciple and successor of this doctor, namely, Master Bernard de Reyda, who may fittingly be reckoned amongstthe most illustrious, and he ruled over the Sisters aforesaid until thepresent day, being also their Confessor and Fellow Commoner. But whitherhave we come? Verily it was our purpose, according to thy petition tosay somewhat of the first members of our House at Windesem for thydelectation: but I do confess I have been led further than I thought bymy desire to bring forth into the light the names of the Fathersaforementioned who were well known to me, fearing lest in process of timethey should be hidden altogether in the darkness of silence, which thingGod forbid. But in the second place, the savour of these sweet-scentedlilies that were now spread far and wide amid the monasteries andcongregations, did compel me to bear some testimony as to their numberand their most holy conversation, while the breath of life is yet wholein me. For unworthy though I be, I have conversed with them for thesemany years past, visiting and holding colloquies with them, and I haveever found them firm in the faith, and in deed effectual; wherefore letany man say what he will of them, but I say with Balaam: "Let me die thedeath of the Righteous, and let my last end be like theirs"--but let usreturn to the purpose whence we have wandered. 

XV. _Of the origin of the House at Windesem_. 

So under Florentius and his companions there grew a great company ofdevout persons, both Clerks and Laics, who either wished to dwell withthem or at least relied upon their wholesome admonition and counsel. 

Amongst these were two men of no mean rank according to worldly dignity, sagacious in mind and sufficiently learned for their degree, namely Henryde Wilsen, a citizen of Kampen, and Goswin Tyasen, a citizen of Zwolle. These two, being prudent men and well skilled in worldly matters, were astrong stay to Florentius and his companions, and ever present helpers inall the work that the Lord had ordained should be done through them. 

But when they saw how, that after the death of Master Gherard Groet ofholy memory, the heavens continually dropped honey, and how that from theseed which Gherard had planted and the skies bedewed from above, manycongregations of men and women began to spring up on every side, theyrejoiced with exceeding joy; also they began to hold many colloquiesamongst themselves, as to how this good beginning that had its wholesomeorigin from God might continue unshaken for a yet longer space to Hisglory, and the salvation of many souls. 

They found by God's inspiration that this might be done by the meansfollowing, that is to say, if a monastery of some approved order, butpreferably of the Canons Regular, should be founded, under whose shadowall the devout turtle-doves might have a secure refuge from the swoop ofthe falcon. But where might a place be found, and the other things alsothat were needful for the carrying out of such a work? For, as saith theApostle of the calling of the primitive Church, so amongst these alsothere were not many rich, not many noble--save them that their virtue didmake noble and them that voluntary poverty did make rich before God. 

Wherefore these Converts prayed to the Lord with all their hearts, thatHe, without whom no good thing is begun, carried forward, or ended, mightdeign effectually to show them what might be His good pleasure in thisbusiness; and they remembered likewise that Master Gherard Groet everkept the same purpose in mind, although he could not carry his desireinto effect, for death was beforehand with him. 

XVI. _Concerning Brother Bertold, and the site of this monastery_. 

The Lord therefore, that He might show how He was the cause and thebeginner of all these things, stirred up the spirit of a young Clerknamed Bertold ten Hove, who was the owner of broad meadows, andparticularly of an estate that is called "Hof to Windesem"--where byGod's aid we now do dwell--and he, coming to Florentius and his company, did of his own act and free will offer to give himself and all hispossessions into their hands for the service of God, and he desiredearnestly that a monastery might be builded in the aforesaid place, ifthis might be done. 

When they knew this, all betook them to praising God, reaching up theirhands toward Heaven; for they held it as a most sure sign that He hadheard their prayer, and had promised to be, by some means or other, thepromoter of this cause. Straightway so many of them as were owners ofhouses or lands sold them and put the price into Florentius' hands, or atleast resigned the same for the use of the monastery that should bebuilded. 

XVII. _Of the goodwill and consent of Florentius the Lord Bishop_. 

Forthwith they began to be instant with the venerable Lord Florentius ofWevelichoven, who was then Bishop of Utrecht, for his consent to thefounding of a monastery, and for the privileges needful for thisbusiness; and him they found most gracious in all things, for he had aspecial love of virtue. 

This was done in the year of the Lord 1386, and by the co-operation ofGod (good men also reaching forth an hand to help them) the affair soprospered that in the year following, that is in 1387, on the dayfollowing the Feast of St. Gallus the Confessor, an humble church andburial-ground and also four altars were consecrated in due order byHubert, the venerable Bishop of Yppuse, in honour of the Holy Trinity, and the Blessed Virgin and others. 

XVIII. _Of the first Brothers of this monastery_. 

But since it is written, "Not the people for the place's sake, but theplace for the people's sake, " we must see who were the first to dwellhere; since indeed these were the founders and the pattern of all who didafterwards come under the Chapter of Windesem. 

In the first place there was Henry of Uxaria, at that time the onlypriest amongst them, and he was appointed Rector by the Bishop, by whosecommission the said Henry received the Religious habit from thesuffragan. 

Next there was Henry de Wilsen and Goswin Tyasen, who were invested asClerks, that did devote themselves, for they would not be promoted toholy orders by reason of a stain that did unfit them under the rule. Alsothere were these following: Brother John of Huesden, Brother Henry Wilde, Brother Werner Keencamp, Brother Bertold ten Hove, Brother John Kempis, and Brother Henry Balveren. All these were sons and disciples ofFlorentius, from whose breast they sucked in abundance the milk of allgoodness, which same they poured forth without stint for their posterityin after days. 

These men and certain others of the community, whose will was goodthereto, were marked out by Florentius to build the monastery in theplace aforesaid, and to take the habit of Holy Religion therein to theGlory of Christ; which task they were forward to fulfil with wisdom andall speed; also to the men above named there were added, a short spaceafterward, certain persons of like intention and fervour, namely, JohnOtto of Zoes, Henry Loder, Arnold of Kalkar, Gherard of Naeldwijc, Johnof Broechusen, and others. 

XIX. _The praise of the early Fathers_. 

O Windesem, these are they by whom thy first foundations were laid, through whom was kindled that bright light, namely, the rule of the trulyRegular life; so that thou who wast then as a grain of mustard seed, theleast of all herbs, wast enabled to grow into a great tree, beneath theshadow of whose branches fowls of heaven, without number, might taketheir pleasant rest. 

XX. _How the Brothers aforesaid were promoted in other monasteries_. 

At last when many houses that sprung from the same stock had been foundedon all sides, both for men and women, there was scarce one of them butdesired that a pastor might be provided from amongst the aforesaidBrothers of Windesem. 

This we did see with our own eyes and hear in after days, how BrotherHenry of Uxaria was appointed by the Bishops to be the first Rector ofthis House, which office he held for but a short time; then we did seeBrother John of Huesden, a young man in years but hoary in mind, whoruled this church of ours for above thirty-three years in wholesome wise, to the great increase of our goods, both spiritual and temporal, and wasbeloved of God and man. When he died Brother Gherard Naeldwijc waschosen by all the Brothers to take the place of the departed Prior, yetscarce for half a year could he bear the honour and burden of this careby reason of his exceeding lowliness, but he renounced the office ofPrior and cast off the burden thereof in presence of all the Brothers, though this was contrary to the opinion of the whole community, andlikewise to that of the Fathers gathered together in the Chapter. 

Likewise we have seen how Henry Wilde was chosen to be Prior at Eemsteyn, Brother Werner at Horn, Brother John Kempis at Mount St. Agnes, BrotherArnold Kalkar at the Fount of the Blessed Mary, Brother John Otto atAmsterdam, Brother Henry Loder at Northorn, Brother John Broechusen atLeerdorp, and so forth. 

XXI. _Of the pattern of virtue left for us by the Fathers_. 

And now, in the last place, one must see how virtuous were these men, andwhat an example they left for us to imitate. But no one amongst menknoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of a man which is in him;yet by considering his outward deeds one may guess what lieth hiddeninwardly in him. 

XXII. _Of their simplicity and poverty_. 

One may know by the humble plan of the former House which they buildedhow greatly these men loved simplicity and holy poverty. For the innerwalls thereof were small, and the House was covered in with reeds orthatch; so at that time what is now the part behind the church was thewhole church itself; and the chapel that is now was then the refectory;the brewery was the kitchen, and the old brewery was our mill house andinfirmary. Moreover, the bounds of the monastery were so narrow that thepresent inner wall on the north of the barn was then the extreme outerwall of the House. So the whole was lowly and small, being arranged toreceive but few inmates. 

XXIII. _Of their Victual_. 

They kept a frugal and poor table, not so much of necessity, or throughlack, as out of love of poverty, and the habit which was implanted inthem, which same they had acquired together with the disciples ofFlorentius. 

So on a time I heard Brother Gherard Naeldwijc say in pleasantry that inthose times on fast days they would sometimes divide one fig into four orsix portions that so the great quantity of the bread they consumed mightbe seasoned by those fragments. On a time also there come to us, I knownot whence, half a jar of salted salmon, and as the Brothers weredoubting what should be done therewith, Brother Henry de Wilsen, beingever greatly zealous for discipline, persuaded them that by all means itought to be sold lest such new and unaccustomed dainties should begin tobe brought in. 

At this time they had no flocks of sheep, nor any fishery, nor fishers, but so piously and soberly did they live that Gherard of Bronchorst, aCanon of St. Saviour's, who once sojourned for a while with the Brothersat Windesem, was wont to say in his own pleasant manner, "None faresumptuously in Windesem unless it be the swine and the guests. " So alsoto drink wine and eat roast fowls were held in Windesem to be mattersthat should be referred to the Bishop. 

XXIV. _Of their Vesture_. 

Their vesture and their utensils were notable examples of their truelowliness and simplicity, so that I remember to have seen those venerableelders, Brother Henry of Uxaria and Brother Henry de Wilsen, wearinggarments that were altogether worn through by constantly rubbing againstthe seats as they leaned back, and these were botched about the elbowswith great patches of rough cloth. But if men of their quality wore suchvesture what wonder if the younger men in those days were not morefreakish than they in the matter of clothing?

Indeed, I lie if I have not seen some of our household that were Laicswearing sad-coloured garments made of bark fibre, in providing which andlike garments also Brother Henry Balveren, the Vestiarius, showed greatzeal, as did the tailor, Brother Herbert, a Convert who was formerly adisciple of Gherard Groet. 

They had likewise certain hair shirts which were lent from time to timeto divers of the younger Brothers for the taming of their vices andconcupiscence, and one of these was as rough as those hair cloths withwhich the brewers' cauldrons are wont to be dried. 

XXV. _How they avoided all occasion of scandal_. 

One may see how greatly they preferred their own good report and theedification of all men before all worldly good, by this tale; namely, that on a time two young men of Deventer came to Windesem, of whom onewas called Goswin Comhaer (a man who was afterward a great example), butthe other was Conrad Mom. These earnestly sought to be received here, but the members of the House made answer saying that in this region therewould be too much talk if this were done, and if they remained in thisplace, for their parents dwelt hard by: let them rather go to Eemsteyn. And receiving this reply the men took it ill enough, so that I heard oneof them exclaim in a sad voice: "May God pity us in that we cannot obtainor know any place of rest for this cause, namely, that we are rich. " Andthey went obediently to Eemsteyn. 

XXVI. _Of their Charity_. 

These men also were wondrous charitably disposed toward all that didlack, especially toward new Houses of our own order that were begun inpoverty. These they desired to help to an extent even beyond theirpower, by transferring to them both goods and men, as is manifest notonly in the matter of the two youths aforementioned, but also in the caseof divers others that were rich and desired to dwell with them. Thesethey did often direct to other monasteries to relieve their needs, forthey sought not what might be profitable to themselves, but rather whatshould be so to others. Thus they sent Arnold Droem to Mount St. Agnes, Stephen Wael to the Valley of Peace, and Brother Nicholas Bochorst toNazareth, and so forth. 

In like manner it was agreed by the community with regard to Brother Johnten Water that he should be sent to the Fount of the Blessed Mary wherethere seemed to be notable scarcity; yet by his lowliness and his greatimportunity that he should by no means be parted from the Brothers, hedid overcome this resolution. 

But the well spring of their goodness ceased not with these, rather itdid flow forth and reach all men, especially poor Clerks and members ofthe Houses of the New Devotion. What man did ever return from them empty-handed? for if the petitioner were rich, he brought back counsel, if hewere poor he received help. 

XXVII. _Concerning Gherard of Renen_. 

There was in those days, that is, amongst the first Fathers, a man ofgreat age, who was by no means the least of his own folk, and his namewas Gherard of Renen. He would sojourn for long spaces of time with theBrothers at Windesem, for he was bound to them by an exceeding love: andbeing on a time in the House at Utrecht wherein I dwelt, and in thepresence of a certain honourable matron who was his kinswoman, he beganto speak of the aforesaid Brothers, their manner of life and theirvirtues, and I myself was there present also. So then this woman wassuddenly kindled to so great fervour by the things that she had heardthat she suddenly burst forth with these words: "Ah, if I were a man, andmine own master, no one should hinder me from going to such a community. "And I verily believe that until this man told his tale I myself had neverheard mention of Windesem. 

XXVIII. _Of the privileges obtained for the binding together of theChapters_. 

After a short while it came to pass that three daughters were born to theHouse at Windesem, namely Eemsteyn, the House of the Blessed Virgin, andthe House of the New Light near Horn. And when in this manner the numberof the monasteries had grown to four, by the advice of Florentius and theother Fathers aforenamed, they sent to the Curia at Rome in the time ofBoniface the Pope, who granted them leave to gather together a GeneralChapter together with authority and fitting privileges and so forth; forup to this time they had agreed to remain directly under the rule of theBishop. Gherard of Bronchorst, who hath been named above, did take uponhim this mission with all devotion, but Reyner Minnenbode, the founder ofthe monastery at Eemsteyn paid, as it is said, all the expenses thereofin most liberal wise. 

XXIX. _Of their manner of holding the Chapter_. 

But when the Fathers and Brothers of these four Houses held a Chapter intheir humble fashion, the Fathers of the congregations whose names aregiven above would come together, or at least some of them, and sit themdown to deal with matters concerning not the acquiring of worldly wealth, but the conversion of souls and the maintenance of the common good. Andat that time all were as it were one fold and one flock, and in very deedone body in Christ. 

XXX. _The Conclusion_. 

What sayest thou to these things now, Brother most beloved, rememberingthat thou wast a wild olive, and meet for eternal fire, and seeing thatthou art now grafted, in despite of nature, on this fair and fruitfulolive tree, and art become a partaker in its fatness? Canst thou doaught save proclaim with the whole inward love of thine heart, "Great isthy mercy to me, O Lord, and Thou hast snatched my soul from thenethermost Hell"? For it is written of Catho that he would praise hisgods mightily--he being but an heathen--and extol his own good fortune, in that it had been permitted to him to be born in that land, and at thattime when he could see Rome and her Empire flourishing in the height oftheir prosperity; and if this is true, Brother most beloved, what returnwilt thou make to the Lord thy God for that it was given thee to be bornand to live in this time of His Most abundant Goodness, and in a landwhich He, the Lord, hath blessed? Hadst thou lived in the days of thyfathers, before our land was illumined by the light of Grace of which somuch hath been said already, what else could have befallen but that thoushouldest have done even as they did? From which it doth follow thatthou also wouldest have gone even whither they went, there to abide forever. 

O happy days in which were born the leaders and chiefs of this new armyof ours, I mean Gherard Groet and Florentius, and their son's sons also, and they that are born from them continually! and so it shall continue tothe end of time. Amen. May the Mother of Grace grant thee to followtheir footsteps and to hold fast their doctrine. 

* * * * *

Here endeth the letter concerning the first institutors of the monasteryat Windesem, which letter was written by the venerable Father WilliamVoern.