probably not meant to sever Britain from the Empire. For thirty years
it remained in limbo.
Another entry of interest appears in the chronicles maintained by Prosper of Aquitaine, which ran parallel to the Gallic Chronicles. Prosper lived throughout this period, about
390–465, and had a keen awareness of events, especially during his role as notary to Pope Leo the Great. He records the following event for the year 429:
Agricola, a Pelagian, the son of the Pelagian bishop Severianus, corrupted the British churches by the insinuation of his doctrine. But at the persuasion of the deacon
Palladius, Pope Celestine sent Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, as his representative and, having rejected the heretics, directed the British to the catholic faith.
Prosper is the only source for the date of Germanus’s visit to Britain, placing it right in the middle of that period from the end of Roman administration in 409 to the
apparent domination of Britain by the Saxons in 441. Germanus was a native of Auxerre, in north-central Gaul, and came from an aristocratic family. Trained in law, he became a governor of Armorica
and was raised to the rank of dux. In 418, he was appointed Bishop of Auxerre.
Constantius of Lyon wrote a “life” of Germanus, Vita Sancti Germani , around the year 480. Although it was written while those who knew Germanus were still alive, the Vita shows little evidence of research. Any factual reliability is buried beneath a welter of hyperbole and hagiophily.
Constantius confirms Germanus’s visit, saying that it had arisen following “a deputation from Britain”. We do not know who in Britain sent the deputation, but it shows that
Britain was not isolated, and that there was traffic to and from Gaul, and probably the rest of the Mediterranean world.
Constantius tells us that Germanus, with Bishop Lupus, crossed the Channel during winter. They were beset by a great storm, but through prayer arrived safely in Britain. We do not know where
Germanus landed, but it was probably at Richboroughin Kent, where there was a strong Christian community. Constantius reveals that they were met by “great crowds”
who had come “from many regions”, and that news of their arrival spread far and wide. Eventually the Pelagians, who had gone “into hiding” for fear of Germanus, reappeared,
“flaunting their wealth” and prepared for a debate at a “meeting place”. Constantius does not tell us where this was, but as he tells us that soon after the debate Germanus
visited the shrine of St Alban, we may presume that they met at the Roman amphitheatre at Verulamium. Verulamium was the third largest town in Britain and remained fully functioning throughout the
fifth century.
During the debate, Germanus, through his inspired responses, out-manipulated the Pelagians and received the accolades of the crowds. Constantius goes on to say that a man “of high military
rank” gave his young blind daughter to the bishops to heal. Germanus suggested that the tribune take his daughter to the heretics, but the heretics blanched at the idea and begged the bishops
to cure the girl, which they did. Germanus and Lupus won the day and “this damnable heresy had been thus stamped out.”
After visiting the shrine, Germanus tripped, injuring his foot, and had to be taken to a house where he was confined to a bed for several days. A fire broke out, burning several houses
“roofed with reeds”, and the wind carried the flames towards the house where Germanus lay. Although the flames engulfed the surrounding houses, Germanus’s was spared.
What Constantius tells us next is most revealing:
Meanwhile, the Saxons and the Picts had joined forces to make war upon the Britons. The latter had been compelled to withdraw their forces within their camp and, judging
their resources to be utterly unequal to the contest, asked the help of the holy prelates. The latter sent back a promise to come and hastened to follow
it remained in limbo.
Another entry of interest appears in the chronicles maintained by Prosper of Aquitaine, which ran parallel to the Gallic Chronicles. Prosper lived throughout this period, about
390–465, and had a keen awareness of events, especially during his role as notary to Pope Leo the Great. He records the following event for the year 429:
Agricola, a Pelagian, the son of the Pelagian bishop Severianus, corrupted the British churches by the insinuation of his doctrine. But at the persuasion of the deacon
Palladius, Pope Celestine sent Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, as his representative and, having rejected the heretics, directed the British to the catholic faith.
Prosper is the only source for the date of Germanus’s visit to Britain, placing it right in the middle of that period from the end of Roman administration in 409 to the
apparent domination of Britain by the Saxons in 441. Germanus was a native of Auxerre, in north-central Gaul, and came from an aristocratic family. Trained in law, he became a governor of Armorica
and was raised to the rank of dux. In 418, he was appointed Bishop of Auxerre.
Constantius of Lyon wrote a “life” of Germanus, Vita Sancti Germani , around the year 480. Although it was written while those who knew Germanus were still alive, the Vita shows little evidence of research. Any factual reliability is buried beneath a welter of hyperbole and hagiophily.
Constantius confirms Germanus’s visit, saying that it had arisen following “a deputation from Britain”. We do not know who in Britain sent the deputation, but it shows that
Britain was not isolated, and that there was traffic to and from Gaul, and probably the rest of the Mediterranean world.
Constantius tells us that Germanus, with Bishop Lupus, crossed the Channel during winter. They were beset by a great storm, but through prayer arrived safely in Britain. We do not know where
Germanus landed, but it was probably at Richboroughin Kent, where there was a strong Christian community. Constantius reveals that they were met by “great crowds”
who had come “from many regions”, and that news of their arrival spread far and wide. Eventually the Pelagians, who had gone “into hiding” for fear of Germanus, reappeared,
“flaunting their wealth” and prepared for a debate at a “meeting place”. Constantius does not tell us where this was, but as he tells us that soon after the debate Germanus
visited the shrine of St Alban, we may presume that they met at the Roman amphitheatre at Verulamium. Verulamium was the third largest town in Britain and remained fully functioning throughout the
fifth century.
During the debate, Germanus, through his inspired responses, out-manipulated the Pelagians and received the accolades of the crowds. Constantius goes on to say that a man “of high military
rank” gave his young blind daughter to the bishops to heal. Germanus suggested that the tribune take his daughter to the heretics, but the heretics blanched at the idea and begged the bishops
to cure the girl, which they did. Germanus and Lupus won the day and “this damnable heresy had been thus stamped out.”
After visiting the shrine, Germanus tripped, injuring his foot, and had to be taken to a house where he was confined to a bed for several days. A fire broke out, burning several houses
“roofed with reeds”, and the wind carried the flames towards the house where Germanus lay. Although the flames engulfed the surrounding houses, Germanus’s was spared.
What Constantius tells us next is most revealing:
Meanwhile, the Saxons and the Picts had joined forces to make war upon the Britons. The latter had been compelled to withdraw their forces within their camp and, judging
their resources to be utterly unequal to the contest, asked the help of the holy prelates. The latter sent back a promise to come and hastened to follow
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