(CIRC. A.D. 840.)
[Roman Martyrology. Authority:--A life written by Eginus the monk,
about the year 960, not, apparently entire, and the Lections of the
Breviary of Camerino.]
S. Ansewin, or Hanse-win, was a native of Camerino, in Tuscany. He
retired in early life into the solitude of Castel-Raymond, near
Torcello, after his ordination as priest. He was appointed chaplain
and confessor to the emperor Louis, and in 822, he was nominated to
the bishopric of his native city. A strange legend of his expedition
to Rome to receive consecration has been recorded by his biographer.
On arriving at Narni, with a cavalcade of nobles and friends who
accompanied him from Camerino, they put up at a tavern for refreshment,
and asked for wine. The publican, an ill-conditioned fellow, served
them with what they desired, but Ansewin, looking at it, detected that
it was watered, and sharply rebuked the taverner. The man surlily
replied that they must drink what was set before them, and that it was
no odds to him whether they liked his wine or not.
"Now, friend," said the bishop-elect, "we have no drinking vessels with
us, so bring us forth horns or goblets."
"Not I," answered the publican, "I provide wine, but customers usually
bring their own cups."
"But, friend, we have none with us." "That is your affair, not mine,"
answered the fellow rudely. "Then we must do what we can," said
Ansewin, drawing off his cape, and holding out the hood. "Come, host!
pour the wine in here." The man stared, and then burst into a roar of
laughter. But Ansewin persisted. "Then, fool, I will do so, and waste
the liquor, but mind, you pay for it," said he. "Pour boldly," said the
bishop-elect, holding the hood distended; and the inn-keeper obeyed.
Then two marvels occurred, the hood retained the liquor, and served as
a drinking horn to all the company, and the water which had diluted the
wine separated from it, and flowed away over the edge.
He ruled his diocese with great prudence, and in time of famine,
by his wise regulations and abundant alms, greatly relieved the
sufferings of the poor. He was absent from his dear city where he had
been born, and which he had ministered to with so much love, when he
was stricken with mortal sickness. He was greatly distressed at the
prospect of dying out of his diocese, and ordered a horse to be brought
that he might ride home. His companions, seeing death in his face,
remonstrated; but he persisted in his command, and when his horse was
brought to the door, he descended, supported by his friends to it. Then
the horse knelt down, and suffered the dying man to mount him without
effort. As soon as he was in Camerino, he ordered all his flock to
assemble to receive his final blessing, and then gently expired.
Relics at Camerino, in the cathedral, and a portion of the shoulder in
the Vatican.
In art he is represented with his hood full of wine.