Of the death of Brother Henry, son of William, the fourth Prior of our
House.
In the same year, and upon the 10th day of March, being the second day
before the Feast of St. Gregory the Pope, died our most beloved Brother
of pious memory, Henry, son of William, who was a native of Deventer. He
departed at the fifth hour after midday, when the Vigils of the dead had
been sung; and our beloved Father George and all the Brothers were
present with him, praying during his happy death struggle, and many Laics
of our household were there also.
He had been the fourth Prior of our House, and having sought instantly to
be absolved from his office because of his oft infirmities, he lived
thereafter for four years amongst the Brothers, being humble, gentle,
exemplary, devout, and reverent to all. To none was he burdensome, but
to all men kindly, comfortable, pitiful, helpful, cheerful, modest,
peaceable, and silent. Amid elders and prelates he was lowly and
courteous, towards the young and weakly he was sweet and amiable. Because
of his good and modest manners, his uprightness, fidelity, and the honest
bearing which he showed (as a Religious ought to do) whether walking or
standing, speaking or keeping silence, he long held the office of
Procurator for the House; for he was chosen for that post in the first
place, and afterward was made Sub-Prior. But at last, by God's
ordinance, he was promoted to be the fourth Prior of our community, in
which office he was confirmed in all peace and charity. For ten years he
continued to be Prior, ruling those that were under him by the goodness
and modesty of his character rather than by rough speech; he was instant
in his zeal for reading, for prayer, and holy meditations whensoever such
exercises were possible. Well might one write and say of him many of
those things that the blessed Bernard doth write concerning Humbert, the
servant of God, who was the devout Sub-Prior in St. Bernard's House. Him
did Henry strive to imitate, for he too was devout, beloved of God and
man, and a servant of Christ. He died in the sixty-first year of his
age, having entered upon the forty-second year of his Religious Life, and
he was buried on the right side of Brother John Zuermont.
In the same year, on the day before the Feast of St. Ambrose the
Bishop--this day being the Saturday before Passion Sunday--and at the
fifth hour of the morning before Prime, died Dirk ten Water, an
honourable citizen and magistrate of Zwolle, who had been received as a
Fellow 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 was
a notable benefactor to the House in his lifetime and at his death; and
he died in peace in the sixty-eighth year of his age, being fortified by
the sacraments of the church. He was buried in the tomb of his mother,
Swane ten Water, beneath a sarcophagus of stone that standeth in our
church before the Altar of Holy Cross.
In the same year, on the last day of August, and within the Octave of the
Feast 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 the
monastery, and he was very faithful and pitiful to the poor. Having
fulfilled twelve years in this House, he fell asleep in peace, and was
laid in the burial-ground of the Lay folk.
In the same year, during Advent, on the Octave of the Feast of St. Andrew
the Apostle, and before Prime, died an aged man named Gerard Poelman. He
was a Donate of our House, and was born in Zwolle, but he lived with us
for sixty-two years, having come to us in the days when we were still
very poor, and lacked goods, buildings, books, and holy vestments. His
parents often succoured us and did us much kindness, for they were
somewhat wealthy, and they gave or lent us money to buy provision,
because they loved their sons who dwelt with us, namely, Henry, and this
Gerard that was the younger brother. These two had one sister, whose
name was Adelaide, a devout virgin, who for many years ruled over the
House of the Beguines at Nyerstadt, where at length she died amid the
nuns, and she was buried by the Brothers of the Regular Order in
Bethlehem.
At first this Gerard was the tailor of our monastery, as was also his
brother Henry, but afterwards he faithfully discharged the duty of
fisherman, but when weakness compelled him to abandon this task, he
became the gardener, and was skilful in growing vegetables and herbs of
divers kinds. At last, wearied with years and overborne with toil, he
fell asleep in a good old age, for he was eighty-one years old, and in
return for his labours received a crown of life at the hands of the King
of Glory. He was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics and servants of
the 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 was
done, died John, son of James, a faithful Laic of our House and a good
husbandman; he was an Oblate and Resignate, and was born in Dalssen;
moreover, he proved himself to be useful and skilled in his work among
our husbandmen. He was well beloved, and lived in this monastery for
twenty-eight years, but having fulfilled forty-six years of life, he
departed 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 after
Easter, and the third day after the Feast of Servatius, three young
Clerks were invested, namely, Peter, son of Simon, of Liege, William, son
of Peregrinus, of Kampen, and Arnold Wanninck of Deventer, own brother to
Theodoric 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 our
Father George performed the ceremony and celebrated High Mass of the
Resurrection.
In the year 1464, on the 15th of May, being the Tuesday after the Feast
of the Ascension of our Lord, Hubert, son of Nicholas, of Amersfoort, who
was thirty-five years old, was invested as a Convert of our House. For
some years he had been town crier, and he was well beloved, being a
trusty friend to the devout Brothers and Sisters in their business. When
his wife was dead and his sons had received their portions, he chose to
leave the world and humbly to serve God in the monastery; so after a
probation 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 the
Apostle, died Andrew, son of Hermann, of Sichele, a faithful and devout
Laic of our House and an Oblate to God. He had no possessions of his
own, nor did he leave behind him any private store, no not one mite. He
came to our monastery on the Feast day of St. Agnes, in the year of the
Lord 1419, being then twenty-one years old; and having fulfilled with us
in the service of God nearly forty-four years, being then sixty-five
years of age, he departed from this world. His death came about through
a sudden mischance, for having fallen from a horse, he was hurt
grievously, and commending himself to God, he fell asleep in holy faith
and peace. And he was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics.
In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Matthew, Apostle and
Evangelist, there fell a great tempest of wind, and many trees were
broken and torn from the earth; likewise large ships were sunk in the
sea, and in many parts, as also at Rome, the pestilence raged so that a
great 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 the
Blessed Virgin Mary, a young Clerk named Reyner Koetken was invested. He
was nineteen years of age, and sprung from an honourable stock, having
good parents and friends at Zwolle: moreover, he had three sisters who
were living the Religious Life as Beguines in the House of Wyron that
lieth 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 fishes
in the river Vecht, which is near the monastery, and these sufficed for
all that dwelt with us, and likewise for the poor, and for strangers;
also many traders came from the regions of Westphalia and Saxony to buy
these fish which are called smelts.
In the same year a new monastery was founded in Zwolle for the Order of
Preachers.
In the same year, in the month of July, and on the day before the Feast
of St. Praxedes the Virgin, died our beloved Brother Henry Lymborgh, a
Priest, who was born in Zwolle. He was fifty years old, and he was
buried in the eastern cloister, by the side of Henry, son of William, our
fourth Prior. Often he fell sick with the stone, and at the end, having
fulfilled twenty-seven years in the Religious Life, he had a slight
stroke of palsy in the face, and he fell asleep in peace amongst the
Brothers. In the same year, in the month of October, and on the day
following the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel (that is, the night of
the Feast of St. Leodegarius, Bishop and Martyr), died John Tyman, a
native of Holland. He was a faithful Laic and an Oblate, and when he
finished his course was seventy years of age.
For forty-five years he lived with us humbly, and in obedience working
with the husbandmen, albeit for a long time he had been lame; and after a
long trial by sickness he rendered up his soul with patience, and was
laid 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 of
that city, and son of Lambert of Irten, a magistrate of the State. He
was a friend to our House, and during his lifetime often visited our
church, in which out of his devotion to St. Agnes the Virgin he desired
to be buried, and he was laid with the Converts in the western cloister
before 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, our
cellarer; he was an ancient man, being ninety years old, and he had been
formerly our husbandman on a certain farm pertaining to the monastery at
Windesem, but he was born in the town of Raelten. In his old age he left
his friends and acquaintance, following his son Gerlac, who was a
faithful Oblate, and he lived in our House for nearly eleven years before
his death.
Long had he been bowed with age, yet he hastened to the church every
morning to hear Mass, leaning upon a staff. He was very good and patient
in bearing his bodily weakness, and he fell asleep in the Lord, giving
thanks. So after Mass had been said for him, he was buried with the
Laics 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 Ter
Heyne, and a special friend to our House, and out of his devotion he
chose to be buried with our Brothers, so he was laid in the eastern
cloister 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, and
before Compline, died Hysbrand, our tailor, a Resignate and Oblate, who
was born in Amsterdam, a town of Holland. For thirty years he had lived
with 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 an
Oblate, who had long discharged many hard tasks as a servant of our
House, for he abode with us for near of forty-four years, and at length
he departed in peace, being seventy-two years old, and he was laid in the
burying-place of the Laics.
In the same year the Brothers and members of the House at Windesem
builded and enlarged their ancient church to promote the honour of God.
In the same year, after the Feast of Pentecost, our Father George builded
a 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 this
new one by reason of the peril of fire, and also to rid us of certain ill
conveniences, and to promote the good of the community.
In the same year, on the night of the Assumption of the Blessed and
Glorious Virgin Mary, and after the Te Deum had been sung, died the
devout Laic, Nicholas Bodiken, who was an Oblate of our House. He served
Christ faithfully, and showed special devotion in singing the praises of
the Most Blessed Virgin.
A few days before his death he was seized with grievous pain in the head
and his other members, but being purged by this sore suffering in the
body, he gained an happy issue therefrom, for his end was such as he
would have wished, and he met the same with a good will and with complete
resignation on the day aforesaid, which was the solemn feast of the
Blessed Virgin.
When supper was ended, Nones of the Blessed Virgin were sung, and Vigils
recited for him, and then he was laid in the burying-place of the Laics
and 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 with
us, but the needs of his mother and grandmother constrained him to take
care of them, which thing he did, having taken counsel with the Prior of
our House, but after that they died in Zwolle, he returned to the
monastery at Mount St. Agnes. After this he fulfilled thirty years in
complete subjection to our rule, and on the Feast day aforesaid he fell
asleep in the Lord, and all that dwelt in this House bore witness to his
good report.
On this same Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Mary, our most
beloved Father George took the Ciborium of the Venerable Sacrament from
the altar with all reverence, and the whole body of members, going before
him in procession round the cloister, sang the Response, "Felix namque."
After they had returned to the choir, they bowed the knee before the
Revered Sacrament which was placed upon the altar, and sang the Antiphon,
"Media Vita," with the verse and the Collect proper to times of
pestilence, for at this time the plague had begun both here and in many
places.
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 the
continued rain that fell at harvest time. Wherefore frequent prayers to
God for fair weather were made at the time of Mass, and the seven psalms
were recited in the choir.
In the same year, on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, died Arnold of
Nemel, an aged farmer, who was a neighbour and a good friend to our
House. He was laid in the western cloister before the door of the
church, and in one grave with his son.
In the same year, after the Feast of All Saints, and after Compline, on
the day before the Feast of Leonard the Confessor, died Arnold, son of
Gerard of Werendorp, who was our miller, a faithful Laic and Fellow
Commoner of our House. He was a man greatly beloved and profitable to
the Laics of our household and all the Brothers, and he died after that
he had finished the thirty-third year of his age, having continued with
us for fourteen years. He was laid in the burying-place of our Laics by
the side of Nicholas Bodiken.
In the same year, 1467, Albert, son of Hubert of Amersfoort, was invested
on 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 following
the 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 our
House, being eighty-three years of age. For a great while he was the
miller of our monastery, and a man faithful and upright in his
conversation. Afterward he became our porter, and showed himself pitiful
and kindly to the poor; but at length, worn out with years, he died in
peace, for God had mercy on him: and he was laid in the burying-ground of
the Laics.
In the year of the Lord 1469, on the day after the Feast of the Holy
Innocents--which day is the Feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury, and
falleth within the Octave of the Lord's Nativity--died Brother Gerard
that was called Cortbeen, whose death befell after supper, and before the
hour 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 the
Religious Life amongst us in piety and devotion. Often he endured much
toil in time of harvest, and in winter also he would cut wood in the
marshland, for he was a strong man and apt for coarse and heavy toil, yet
he neglected not the inner things of God. At the last he was afflicted
of the Lord with a dropsy in the legs, and after bearing the scourge of
this 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 for
him, and he was buried in the eastern cloister.
In the year of the Lord 1470, on the third day after the Feast of
Servatius the Bishop, two Clerks, and one Laic who was a Convert, were
invested. 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-two
years old and had two brothers living the Religious Life as Priests in
the Regular Order: of these one was at Windesem, the other in the House
of Bethlehem at Zwolle. The second of the Clerks was Rudolph, son of
Gerard, a native of Amersfoort, who was twenty-one years old, and had
sojourned for a while at Zwolle before he entered the monastery. The
third was Henry Kalker, a Novice and Convert, who came from the region of
Kleef, and was thirty-seven years of age: he lived with us before his
investiture, dwelling amongst the Laics, and he was a good tailor, but
sometimes he served in the kitchen, and sometimes ministered to the sick:
after a while, by reason of his uprightness, he was invested as a
Convert.
In the same year, on the day following the Feast of the holy Martyr
Maurice and his companions, and after Matins had begun, died our Brother
Peter Herbort, a Deacon who was sixty-five years old. He was of weak
frame, and by nature very frail, so that he was unable to observe many of
the statutes, yet he often received discipline in the Chapter for his
faults: 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, the
time came for him to go forth; so being contrite of heart, having made
his confession and received the Communion and the Unction, he fell asleep
in the Lord in good confidence and faith amid the prayers of the
Brothers. For our Father George, with many of the Brothers, was present
with 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, and
he was buried in the eastern cloister by the side of our Brother Gerard
Cortbeen.
In the year of the Lord 1471, that is to say, on the Feast day of Antony
the 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, at
Dese. He was seventy-two years old, and for the last fifty-three years
and more had lived with us in great humility, simplicity, and patience.
He bore many toils and privations, and amongst the other virtues that he
showed, he was especially notable for the virtue of silence, so that
through all the day he spoke but very little, and even during the hours
of toil he gave an example of silence to others.
A short while before his death he was smitten with apoplexy, and became
partly delirious and he was laid in our burying-ground with the rest of
the Laics.
SO FAR THE CHRONICLE WAS WRITTEN BY THOMAS OF KEMPEN; THE RESIDUE THEREOF
WAS 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 city
of Kempen, in the diocese of Cologne. He was in the ninety-second year
of 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, by
whom also he was sent, when twenty years old, to his own brother, who at
that time was Prior of Mount St. Agnes. From this same brother he
received his investiture after six years of probation, and from the early
days of the monastery he endured great poverty and many labours and
temptations.
Moreover, he wrote that complete copy of the Bible which we use, and also
many other books for the use of the House, and for sale. Likewise he
composed divers little books for the edification of the young, which
books were plain and simple in style, but mighty in the matter thereof
and in their effectual operation.
The thought of the Lord's passion filled his heart with love, and he was
wondrous comfortable to the troubled and the tempted; but as age grew
upon him he was vexed with a dropsy in the legs, and so fell asleep in
the Lord and was buried in the eastern cloister by the side of Brother
Peter Herbort. In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Lambert, and
after Prime, Brother Hermann Craen the Vestiarius died of the plague,
being sixty-four years old. In the beginning he was Sacristan, but
afterward, and for above fifteen years, Vestiarius. Then for thirteen
years he held the office of Procurator, but being set aside from that
office, he was for the second time appointed to be Vestiarius, in which
vocation he gained much praise for that he provided sufficiently for
every man so far as the means of the House did allow. After that he was
set aside from his office of Procurator he bore himself patiently: and he
had 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 was
buried after supper-time in the eastern passage.
In the same year, on the day before the Feast of St. Francis, and after
Matins, Wichman Spuelre died of the plague. He was a young Laic about
twenty-five years of age who was born at Doesborgh, but for above four
years he had lived with us; and being chosen to be Sub-Infirmarius he
served the sick with kindliness and in gracious wise, wherefore he
obtained great praise from all men. He was laid in the burial-ground of
the 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 were
anointed with the oil of the sick. In the same year, on the day after
the Feast of St. Francis, Brother Henry, son of Paul of Mechlin, who was
a Priest, died of the plague. He was nearly forty-six years of age, and
was Infirmarius, in which same office he had served the Brothers
faithfully for fifteen years; but he had lived with us in the Religious
Life for twenty-four years and a half, and he was buried in the eastern
cloister beneath the steps, and in the same tomb with Nicholas
Creyenscot, who died before.
It is told of this Brother, as an ensample and memorial of him, that on
the third day after that he was smitten with the plague, seeing that sure
sign of death which is vulgarly called the "Death Spot," and while his
strength of mind and body were yet whole in him, he asked for the habit
to 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, and
with his own hand sewed up the forepart thereof lest others might
unwittingly look upon his body. Then after supper-time was ended, he,
with the Infirmarius who was acting for him, read the Litanies and the
seven penitential psalms for all his negligences; and as an act of
gratitude for all the benefits that God had bestowed upon him, he added
the Te Deum Laudamus. So at length, about the hour of Vespers, having
made a good confession, he rendered up his soul, Father George being
there present with him, while the Brothers were singing the verses
antiphonally in the choir.
In the same year, on the Feast of St. Marcus the Pope, when dinner was
ended, Peter, son of Nicholas, a Laic of our household, died of the
plague. He was born in Amsterdam, and was about fifty years old, but he
had lived with us for twenty-five years and a half, being employed in the
brewery. He was a strong man of great stature, and a pattern to the
Laics by reason of his close observance of the habit of silence, his
regularity in reading the Vigils, frequenting the church, and such like
exercises. He was laid in the burial-ground of the Laics.
In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. Dionysius the
Martyr, and before the ninth hour in the evening, Brother Peter, son of
Simon, who was born in Liege, died of the plague; now he had lived with
us in the Religious Life for nine years and a half. By nature he was
very timid and modest, and at the beginning of his conversion he had
suffered many temptations to cowardice, albeit he was afterwards
delivered from these by the grace of God. So he yearned for death with
great desire, longing to be released and to be with Christ, and he was
laid in the eastern cloister.
In the same year, on the day following the Feast of St. Luke the
Evangelist, and after Matins, Peter, son of John, died of the same
plague. 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-four
years, and was employed in binding books. By nature he was very weakly,
especially in the head, and he often received discipline for his
negligences, being punished therefore: yet he did gladly serve for the
Brothers at Mass, and at the last, in the time of the plague, he got his
death through ministering to the sick, and died in the presence of Father
George, and was laid with the other Laics in their burying-ground.
In the same year, on the day following the Feast of the Eleven Thousand
Virgins, 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-four
years old, and had lived with us in the Religious Life for fourteen years
and nearly two months, being much beloved for his holy conversation and
his virtuous life. Moreover, he served the Brothers humbly in his office
of sacristan for nearly four years, and so that versicle which is sung
for confessors was apt and fitting for him "who was ever pious and
prudent, lowly and modest, sober and chaste and peaceful so long as this
present life endured in his bodily limbs." He was buried in the eastern
cloister.
Two hours afterwards, on the same day, and of the same plague, died
Hermann Crom, a Laic and Resignate, who was born in Utrecht, being now
sixty-four years old, but he had lived with us for nearly thirty-four
years; he was of great service to the Brothers, first in the office of
Sub-Infirmarius, and afterward in making ready the Refectory and
ministering 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 was
laid in the burying-ground of the Laics.
In the same year, on the Feast of St. Simon and St. Jude, and after
supper-time, Laurentius died of this same plague. He was a Laic and
Donate, and his native place was Alsen, a town near Tyel in the parts of
Geldria. He was seventy-three years of age, and had been barber to the
House, having lived with us for near forty-five years. A great company
of strangers resorted to him hoping to be cured by his skill as a
surgeon, for he had some good knowledge of that art. He was laid in the
burying-place of the Laics.
In the same year, on the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop, and before the
tenth hour in the evening, Ludolph the miller died of the plague. He was
born at Delden in Twenthe, and was nearly thirty-seven years old, but he
had lived with us for three years and a half. He fell sick through
tending the plague-stricken, for he was at this time their faithful
servant; and having made a good confession, and being filled with a
fervent love of God, he died and was laid in the burying-ground of the
Laics.
In the year of the Lord 1472, on the Feast day of St. Ambrose, which fell
on the Sunday after Easter, died Brother Everard ter Huet, a native of
Zwolle, and Prior at Bergum, where for ten years and more he had ruled
the Brothers in laudable wise. Having fulfilled forty-three years of
life, twenty-five of which he had passed as a member of our Order, he
died at last, being smitten with the plague, and was buried in the church
of the aforesaid monastery.
In the same year, on the fourth day after the Feast of St. Ambrose, and
when Prime was done, died our Brother John Lent that was a native of a
place near Zwolle, being nearly eighty years old; but he had lived with
us in the Religious Life for about fifty-nine years. He was very strict
in his observance of the rule, and a pattern to the Brothers, but at
length, being worn out with the disease called stone, he died, and was
buried in the eastern cloister. By his writing he was of much profit to
the monastery, for he attained great excellence in this art, wherefore he
wrote 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 the
Tuesday after Pentecost), and when Vespers were done, Johson of Tric died
of a rupture. He was a Laic and Resignate, a native of Zwolle, and
seventy-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 obedience
to discipline. By reason of his trustiness he was often set over the
husbandmen at Lunenkerc at the time of our exile, and also at home, that
is, at Mount St. Agnes. But at the last he died suddenly and without
making confession, for death was beforehand with him; howbeit he received
the Unction, and he had made his confession two days before he died, and
had received Communion with the others on the Feast of Pentecost.
In the same year, on the fourth day after the Feast of St. Lucia, died
Gherard, son of Hermann, a Laic of our household, who was born near
Albergen in Twenthe. He was nearly fifty years old, and had lived with
us for twenty-three years. His stature was small, but his mind great,
and he directed our husbandry with all diligence; but at length he fell
into a consumption owing to a kick from a horse, and having lingered a
long 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 were
invested as Clerks. The first was Stephen Putselaer, who was born at
Doesborgh, and had attended the school at Deventer; he was now twenty-two
years old. The second was John, son of Tric, a native of Amsterdam, who
had sojourned at the school of Zwolle for nearly four years, and at the
time 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 seventh
hours, 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 little
more. He was very zealous for discipline, and most strict in observing
the rule of silence; also it was his custom to attend all the services in
the church, each in its season, so much so that although weakened by old
age and an apoplexy, he did not forgo this custom to the very end of his
life. Besides this he carefully observed a voluntary poverty both in the
matter 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 his
infirmities grew upon him, and he fell asleep in the Lord in the presence
of the venerable Prior and the Brothers, and was buried in the eastern
cloister.
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 of
age and was born at Amsterdam, but he had attended the school of Brussels
for three years.
In the year of the Lord 1474, on the second day after the Feast of the
Conception of the Virgin Mary, and after Matins, died Brother Theodoric
Veneman, who was born near Zwolle, being now seventy-two years old; but
he had lived a laudable life with us for fifty-two years, lacking two
months. He was of ripe character and a pattern Brother; moreover, he was
zealous in observing the rule of silence and quietness, but at length he
fell sick and slept in the Lord, and the venerable Prior George and the
Brothers were with him at his death. He was buried in the eastern
cloister.
In the year of the Lord 1474, on the day of St. Agapitus the Martyr, died
Goswin 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; his
life was a very pattern, and well ordered, both in word and deed; he had
been our miller for more than forty years, and was very faithful to the
House. In that he greatly feared that death should come suddenly, he
made his confession to the venerable Prior after due preparation, and a
short time afterwards he met that death which he had feared, for God
ordained it so.
In the same year died our beloved Brother Gerard, son of Tric, that was a
Convert. This befell on the second day after the Feast of St. Lucia,
Virgin and Martyr, and after Matins. He was eighty-two years old, and
for many years had been a Donate, but having lived honestly amongst us
for more than thirty years he was invested as a Convert, for so it seemed
good to the Prior and the whole Brotherhood. He was most strict in
observing discipline, weighty in word and character, austere toward
himself, and a lover of poverty. Moreover, he directed our husbandry,
and that of two other Houses of our Order, to wit, the Houses at Anyhen
and at Lunenkerc, also that of the monastery belonging to the Order of
St. Benedict which is called the House of Kleerwater, near Hattem; for
out of charity to the Brothers of that House the venerable Prior lent
Gerard to them. So having lived with us for nearly fifty-four years in
this honest and devout wise, he fell asleep in the Lord and was buried in
the western passage which is called "The Strangers' Passage," together
with the other Converts.
In the year 1475, on the fourth day after the Feast of Maurice and his
companions, 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 born
at Kampen, and was now nearly seventy-five years old; but he had lived
with us for nearly sixty years. Although he was notable for knowledge,
yet he desired to continue humbly, modestly, and in quietness unto his
life's end in the condition of a Laic, and specially to avoid the sin of
detraction. Beside his unceasing labours in other matters, he awakened
the Brothers for Prime during forty years.
In the year 1473, on the third day after the Feast of St. Matthias the
Apostle, and in the morning, died Encbert of Tyveren, a Donate and Fellow
Commoner of our House, being eighty-three years old. Amongst other
virtuous habits, he had one that is specially worthy to be remembered,
namely, that if any did him a wrong, he would easily and without
hesitation grant full forgiveness for the same, whenever the offender
showed any sign of charity toward him. Being fired, moreover, with
charity and love for God and his neighbour, and with a zeal for souls
that ceased not night or day, he strove for their good whenever he had
opportunity; and of this many can bear witness, both men and women, for
whom 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 of
St. Matthias, John Bodien (?) died at Deventer. He was a Laic of our
household, and being oppressed by infirmity he went to Deventer to take
counsel of a physician, and there died in his brother's house; and since
he was born of a good stock, his body was brought back to us with honour
by his friends, and laid in the burying-ground of the Lay folk. For a
few years after his conversion he served in the kitchen, and coming to
his 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 the
visitation of the Blessed Mary, and after Nones, that is at about the
eighth hour, died Gerlac, son of Wolter. He was a devout man and very
trusty; a Laic and Resignate that was born at Ralt, and he was nearly
seventy-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 was
cellarer) and by a mysterious visitation of God he suddenly was deprived
of all sense and strength. He lost the power of speech, and he lay until
next day struck down with apoplexy without speaking or eating, and died
after Nones at the hour aforesaid. He had lived with us for nearly forty
years, during twenty-three of which he had fulfilled the duties of the
aforesaid office with faithfulness and care, being almost always in his
cell and ready to carry out the wishes of the Brothers. He was laid with
the other Laics in that burying-ground of ours that pertains to them of
that condition.
In the same year, on the Feast of St. AEgidius, and after Compline, that
is to say about the middle of the seventh hour, died that devout Laic,
Albert, son of Florentius. He was a Resignate and about seventy-three
years old, but he had lived with us for nearly forty-five years, and for
a long while served the Brothers patiently in the kitchen. But
afterwards he was very serviceable to the sick, and to the Infirmarius,
by catching and bringing them fresh fish. He was laid with the others in
the burying-ground of the Laics.
FROM THE CHRONICLE OF OUR BROTHER THOMAS OF KEMPEN CONCERNING MATTERS NOT
PERTAINING TO OUR HOUSE.
CHAPTER I.
_Concerning the year in which that reverend man, Florentius of
Wevelichoven, was made Bishop of Utrecht_.
In the year of the Lord 1479, Florentius of Wevelichoven, aforetime
Bishop of Munster, was enthroned as Bishop of the Church of Utrecht on
the 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 by
reason 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, being
the Octave of St. Katherine, Virgin and Martyr, the venerable and most
devout Master John Ruesbroeck died in the district of Brabant. He was
the first Prior of the Monastery of the Groenendaal near Brussels, which
Monastery pertains to the Order of Canons Regular; he was then in the
eighty-eighth year of his age, and he was buried before the north end of
the High Altar in the choir. He took the Religious habit in the
aforesaid place amongst the first who were there invested, being then
sixty years of age; and, by the help of God, he fulfilled the office of
the Priesthood for sixty-four years. His holy and glorious doctrine was
published far and wide over the land of Germany, and giveth light
thereto. This was he whom Master Gerard Groote visited, together with
John, a scholar from Zwolle, for he thought that his writings were worthy
to be compared with those of the greatest doctors. Moreover, he had put
forth many books that were most devout, touching matters of the higher
understanding, which books, of his wisdom, he wrote in the Teutonic
tongue; and he poured forth in liberal abundance that grace of heavenly
sweetness which he had received from God, for the use of his neighbour
and them that should come after in the Church. There are eleven books
which he composed either before or after his entrance into the Religious
Life; and less the tale should be incomplete, the book of his letters
doth make that number up to twelve.
There was in the same monastery, under this venerable Master, a Convert
whose name was John, a man very devout, who did humbly devote himself to
his life's end to serving in the kitchen, and he was illumined with
special grace for divine contemplation. He compiled a great and notable
book, filled with high and heavenly doctrine, in the which he doth
commend his most beloved father, John Ruesbroeck, in most excellent wise.
In the same monastery also were certain other most devout Fathers and
Religious Brothers, eminent for their life and wisdom, as their holy
works that have come down to us do testify.
Concerning the life and writings of John Ruesbroeck and Brother John
Cocus, 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 the
Abbot, and at the fifth hour, after Vespers, Gerard, surnamed Groote,
died at Deventer, in the time of the pestilence; he was a venerable man
and 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 the
sanctuary. His father's name was Werner Groote, and he was a Schepen and
magistrate of the same city; his mother was called Heylwige, and both her
husband and she were of high place and mighty in honour and riches,
judged after the measure of worldly dignity; but Gerard, by God's
inspiration, put aside the burden of riches and despised the pomps of the
world on the which he had relied carelessly for a long while, and for the
sake of an humble Christ took upon him a garb of humility. Suddenly he
was changed into another man, so that all wondered, and he became a rule
of life to Clerks and Lay folk alike. Hereafter, by the pattern of his
good conversation and the exhortation of his holy preaching, he withdrew
many persons from the vanities of the world and laid upon them the gentle
yoke of Christ. Likewise he resigned all his ecclesiastical benefices,
but he kept some small portion of his father's goods to provide for his
own necessities. Much he gave to the Religious, and his dwelling-house
and homestead lie bequeathed for ever to the poor Sisters, or Beguines,
whom he had gathered together in that same place. Of his humility he
took 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 held
the same.
On a time he went toward Zwolle in company with Peter, Curate of the
Church of Deventer, and his companion questioned him with friendly
boldness, saying: "Beloved Master, why wilt thou not be made Priest,
since thou art well lettered and fitted to rule others?" But Gerard made
answer: "I would not be Curate of Zwolle, no, not for a single night, for
my cap full of golden florins." And Peter being astonished said: "What
then shall we feeble and wretched folk do, for our knowledge and our life
are less worthy than thine?" And this word of Master Gerard had so great
weight that this same Peter did afterward renounce his pastoral charge
and did maintain himself upon a single benefice, and that one to which no
cure was attached. Gerard, moreover, wrote profitable treatises, and
many letters to divers persons, and from these writings one may see
readily enough how great a zeal for souls was in him, and how deep an
understanding of the Scriptures. He translated two books of John
Ruesbroeck from the Teutonic into the Latin tongue, and these are
entitled: "Ecce Sponsus" and "De gradibus amoris." Likewise he
translated "The Hours of the Blessed Virgin," and certain of the Hours
from the Latin into the Teutonic tongue, so that simple and unlearned
Laics might have in their mother tongue matter wherewith to occupy
themselves in prayer on holy days; and also that the faithful, reciting
these Hours, or hearing them recited by other devout persons, might the
more readily keep themselves from many vanities and from idle talking,
and so, being assisted by these holy readings, might make progress in the
love of God and in singing the divine praises. Once a certain man who
was united to him in the bonds of friendship, asked him, saying: "Most
beloved Master, of what use are all these books which you carry on so
great journeys?" And Gerard answered: "For good living a few books are
enough; but we must have all these for the instruction of others and to
defend the truth, so that if any might not believe me yet they may assent
to the authority of the saints." Many other good things also Master
Gerard did in his life, as certain worthy records of him tell us, so that
from the small band of his disciples there grew at length a great company
of 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 passed
happily to the Lord. Truly he was "The Great," for in his knowledge of
all the liberal sciences, both natural and moral, of civil law, canon
law, and of theology, he was second to no one in the world, and all these
branches of learning were united in him.
He was a man of such saintliness and gave so good an example in his
mortification of the flesh, his refusal of temporal advantages, his
contempt for the world, his brotherly love for all, his zeal for the
salvation of souls, his effectual preaching, his reprobation and hatred
of wickedness, his withstanding of heretics, his enforcement of the canon
law against those that broke the vow of chastity, his conversion to the
spiritual life of divers men and women who had formerly lived according
to the world, and his loyalty to our Lord Urban the Sixth--in all those
things I say he gave so good an example, that many thousands of men
testify to the belief that is in them that he was not less great in these
virtues than he was in the aforesaid sciences. Master William of
Salvarvilla, Cantor at Paris, Archdeacon of Brabant in the Church of
Liege, an eminent doctor in theology, compiled the above eulogy from that
which he heard from the lips of men worthy of credit, and from his own
knowledge of Master Gerard, and he believed beyond all doubt that it was
true.
CHAPTER V.
_How, after his death, the number of the Devout and the Order of Regulars
did increase_.
After the death of the venerable Master Gerard Groote, the devotion of
faithful persons in Deventer, Zwolle, Kampen and the neighbouring towns
began to grow mightily in the Lord, so that in a short time there arose
many congregations of men and women that served God, dwelling together in
common and in chastity of life after the manner of the primitive Church
and that laudable custom of the holy Fathers that was introduced by the
Apostles.
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 do
congregate, and having builded them poor little houses, determined to
lead a hidden life therein after the example of the ancient Fathers; but
in process of time, as their numbers and their goods increased, they took
upon them the habit of holy religion, for God so ordered it, and
converted 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 the
number of the devout should increase mightily, for to a certain Priest,
who was his friend, and afterward became a Canon Regular at Zwolle (from
whom also I heard the saying), he said: "Behold, beloved, this good thing
which by God's help hath been here begun, shall be increased yet more,
and this little spark shall kindle many fires throughout all Holland and
Geldria."
Thanks be to God that as we have heard, so have we seen with our own eyes
the fulfilment of this prophecy, and that not only in the regions round
about, but also in the parts afar off and in the upper provinces. He had
it likewise in mind to found, with the help of certain friends, a
monastery for Regulars who should take the habit which he had seen in
Brabant in the house of John Ruesbroeck, but this purpose he committed to
the followers whom he had made firm in the faith of Christ, that they
should 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 first
Brothers in Windesem_.
In the year of the Lord 1387, on the day before the Feast of St. Luke the
Evangelist, the first Church of the Monastery in Windesem was consecrated
in Honour of the glorious Virgin Mary, Mother of God.
This place received the name Windesem from the village that lieth near to
it, and it is one mile from Zwolle, toward the south; near the eastern
side thereof is the River Yssel; also some space away is Hattem, the
strongest fortress in Geldria.
On this same day six Brothers made their profession and were invested
with the habit of the Order of Canons Regular, who observe the rule of
Augustine, the glorious Bishop and Father of our Order. The names of
these 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 afterward
Prior at Mount St. Agnes.
Brother Henry Wilde of Hertzogenbosch, in Brabant.
Brother Berthold ten Hove, a native of Holland, who conveyed to us his
patrimony and the place where the monastery standeth.
Brother Henry Wilsem of Kampen, a man of great probity, who was formerly
a great one in the world. He was eloquent in discourse, humble and
earnest in the service of God.
With these and others that loved holy religion, this new foundation of
the Order of Canons Regular in the diocese of Utrecht had its beginning
after the happy death of Master Gerard Groote, and under the rule of
Florentius, Bishop of Utrecht, it increased by little and little, but in
process of time it began to grow yet more fruitfully in divers places.
All the men above named, save only one, had been disciples of Master
Gerard, by whom they, with many other Clerks, were drawn to the amending
of 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 day
following the Feast of St. John before the Latin Gate, and at the fourth
hour in the morning, John de Gronde died at Deventer, in the house of
Florentius. 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, in
the district of Twent, and the diocese of Cologne, was his native place,
and he was a man adorned with modesty and eloquence, and the venerable
Master Gerard let summon him from Amsterdam in Holland to hear the
confessions of the devout, likewise Gerard committed to him the
governance of the Sisters of his House. For awhile he abode with the
first Brothers in the ancient House of Florentius, and rose up with the
others in the morning to recite the Hours; and when the time for rising
came, he awoke straightway and went forthwith to arouse the other
Brothers, knocking and saying: "Arise, watch and pray, that ye enter not
into temptation." Of this thing Master Gerard maketh mention in the
letter which he wrote to the priests at Amsterdam, what time he besought
that John should be sent to him, for this alacrity did especially please
him.
As his death drew on, Father Florentius, who earned the love of all the
devout, stood by him to comfort and console him; to whom John spake,
saying: "Lo! the adversary doth strive to disquiet me, and would confound
me at the last." But Florentius answered: "Fear not but trust in the
Lord, 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," and
these were the last words that he spake before his death. He was buried
in the Church of the Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, by the side of Master
Gerard and in the same tomb, for it was in this church that he had oft
proclaimed aloud the Word of God. Likewise from time to time he would
preach at Zwolle and hold colloquy with the Brothers on the mount, urging
them to hold with constant mind to the course they had begun. So these
two on earth are covered by one stone, and one Stone, that is an
heavenly, did make them firm in the true faith; as they loved one another
in life, so in death their bodies are not divided.
CHAPTER VIII.
_Of the death of the most Reverend Florentius of Wevelichoven, Bishop of
Utrecht_.
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's
Passion was being said in the church, our most Reverend Lord Florentius
of Wevelichoven, Bishop of Utrecht, departed from the light of the world.
He died in the city of Hardenberch, having ruled his diocese for twelve
years and five months in laudable and glorious wise, and his body was
taken to the Church of the Blessed Martin at Utrecht, and was buried with
honour in the choir beneath the steps of the sanctuary. Here a taper is
kept lighted as a memorial of his good reputation, for verily he was a
lover of the true light, and a defender of his country. In discipline he
was very strict; and spent naught needlessly or to any unprofitable end,
but all that was justly owed he paid honestly, repaying loans, restoring
buildings that were decayed, setting up new ones, fortifying towns and
castles. He loved the things of God and prudently disposed of worldly
matters; by his servants he was beloved, to the poor he was pitiful; he
cherished 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 and
confirmed by the authority of the Apostolic See. He was one of lofty
mind, famous for knowledge and prudence, and by the help of God he ruled
the diocese for many years with great glory, and guarded his country by
his victorious might. Beneath his rule the Order of Canons Regular and
the devout multitude of Brothers and Sisters spread far and wide, and
rejoiced in their prosperity in all regions that lay beneath his
jurisdiction.
In this year also three monasteries were founded in Holland, near
Amsterdam. One belonging to the Carthusian Order, one to the Canons
Regular, and one to the nuns of that same order: this last lieth within
the 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 the
Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Clerks belonging to the
household and congregation of that venerable Priest, Master Everard of
Almelo, a Bachelor in Physic or Medicine, began to prepare a place for a
monastery; for of their own free will and by his council they had
determined to build an house in Vrensueghen upon an hereditament that is
called Enoldint. So having obtained license from that Reverend Lord Otto
ten Hoye, Bishop of Munster, and having the consent of the Dean,
Archdeacon, and Chapter, which was given on the 1st day of May, a small
Oratory was consecrated in this same place during the Advent following
and on the Feast day of St. Thomas the Apostle. This Oratory stood where
now the church is builded, and there on this same day four Priests of the
household of Everard were invested with the habit of the Order of Canons
Regular; they were admitted by Wenomar, Bishop of Sebale, a member of the
third Order, and Vicar-General for Pontifical Acts to Otto, the Reverend
Bishop of Munster: now the names of the Brothers by him admitted are
these:
The first was Henry Kyndeshof of Deventer, and there were also Herpe of
Lippe, Hermann Plectenberrich, and John of Julich. Of these Hermann
Plectenberrich was chosen to be the first Prior, and the four abode by
themselves under the authority of the Bishop of Munster, because their
founders would not have them subject to any other, but in the year of the
Lord 1400 they were placed under the authority of the Chapter-General of
Windesem, which is in the diocese of Utrecht, and lieth near Zwolle, as
it were one mile distant.
CHAPTER XI.
_Of the death of that most devout Priest Florentius, Vicar of the Church
of Deventer_.
In the year of the Lord 1400, on the day before the Feast of the
Annunciation 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 the
Priest Florentius Radewin. He was a man of holy life and the beloved
Father of all the devout, an humble Vicar of the Church at Deventer, a
Master of the University of Prague, and he was now in the fiftieth year
of his age. He was born at Leerdam that is subject to the Count of
Arkel, but when he heard of the fame of Master Gerard, he left his native
land and became his devout follower and disciple, and in a short space he
was a Father to many devout persons, and the first founder of the
congregation of Clerks in Deventer.
His garb was simple and gray in colour, his bearing was composed, his
bodily presence full of grace, and his aspect lovable. His hair was
black, but his beard somewhat gray; his face was thin and had but little
colour, his forehead was bald and his gait and bearing were full of
dignity.
Once he came on a visitation to Mount St. Agnes, and the Brothers were
glad at his coming, and the elder amongst them asked him to deliver some
discourse, so he spoke a few words to them on humility and charity, and
at the end he added: "See now, ye may be sickened of these words that ye
have heard from me," for he did not think that he could say aught worthy
to be heard. Nevertheless he was mighty to comfort the devout, and it
was a pleasant thing to see him and hear his words. Also the words
wherein he confessed that he was not skilled to speak were received as
very edifying, and some of the Religious wrote what he said on their
tablets and in their books.
This most holy man of God flourished in the days of that venerable Lord
Florentius 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 Clerks
came together to attend the burying of so great a man, and a vast
multitude of people followed as far as to the Church of St. Lebuin,
wherein he was buried before the altar he had served, which is dedicated
in honour of St. Paul. His life that was adorned with virtue is more
fully set forth in the DIALOGUS NOVITIORUM.
CHAPTER XII.
_Of the death of Everard of Eza, a Curate in Almelo and a great master of
Physic_.
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 great
master in physic. He often gave the benefits of his healing art without
price to many that were sick, but especially to the poor. Likewise he
founded and in a special way provided for the Monastery of the Blessed
Virgin in the Wood near Northorn, in the Countship of Benthem, and he
procured that some of the Clerks who lived with him should be invested
there. Amongst physicians he had a great reputation; of the nobles he
was honoured, by worldlings he was feared, by the religious he was
beloved, 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 at
Deventer, and rejoiced to visit him; and he often succoured him in his
infirmities and expended anxious care upon him; likewise he said of
Florentius that it was a thing above human nature that a man so weak
should 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 two
reverend Fathers and Masters were thus of one heart in the service of
God, for He who brought together the Blessed Peter and Paul to preach in
Rome did also unite Florentius and Everard in Deventer, to be as it were
two bright lights in the world, to dwell together as Brothers like minded
in the House and there to comfort themselves and others.
But the conversion of this reverend Master Everard came about after this
manner, and was brought by the co-operation of God to an wholesome
effect. When the venerable Master Gerard, of whom mention is made above,
was preaching the Word of God to the people outside the walls of
Deventer, Everard hastened to come to his preaching, for he had heard
Gerard's fame and was puffed up with the wisdom of this world; so he came
not of brotherly love, but out of a curious mind, desiring to know
whether the Master's teaching was consonant with his fame, for he did not
hunger for uprightness but rather would catch him in his talk. Yet he
stood 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 preacher
with sharp arrows wherewith in secret he pierced through the heart of
this curious hearer, who, being pricked thereby, laid aside all the
naughtiness of his former vanity, and became a devout disciple of the
preacher. For when the preaching was done, he came near to the man of
God, and made known how the Lord had dealt with him by means of the
preaching, and how this had befallen him as if the preacher had traversed
all the hidden places of his heart and seen all the secrets thereof. So
Master Gerard received him and confirmed his charity toward him, and at
length Everard became his companion and helper in preaching; but not long
after his conversion Master Gerard departed to the Lord. After his
departure the old enemy stirred up no small enmity against the devout
disciples, but God was present with them, giving to them patience and
constancy. Now many of the devout were ignorant of Master Everard's
conversion, but he wished to join himself to the disciples of Christ that
dwelt in Deventer in the House of Florentius; the Brothers, however, when
they saw him were afraid, and began to flee from before his face as lambs
from before the wolf, and they gat them into the hidden places of their
cells; yea, and Florentius himself was fearful, for he knew not what
Everard might mean, who aforetime had been harsh enough and had opposed
the devout Brothers.
Everard therefore said to Florentius: "Wherefore do these Brothers flee
away?" and he answered: "They know not with what mind thou art come," but
Everard said, "I am come to amend my life," and when he was still held in
suspicion of Florentius, he said after due thought and protesting his
innocency: "If ye will not believe my words, at least believe mine acts--I
pray you give me a cell for a season, and prove me therein of what spirit
I am." Therefore they took him and assigned to him a cell where he lived
long and was wholly converted; for as once he had gained great knowledge
of medicine, so now he received no small light in the law of the Lord and
in the holy Scriptures.
After this he accepted the dispensation of God towards him, namely, to be
still and attend to his heavenly calling, and also following herein the
example of Florentius, to gather together into his own house at Almelo
certain Clerks and Lay folk, with whom he lived for many years under due
discipline. Moreover, lest they who were so gathered together should be
scattered abroad after his death, he began to think of a fit place where
they might serve God together, and by His help he found such a place as
he desired for the founding of a monastery, and here those Brothers whom
he had formerly invested in an humble manner were placed. To them he
distributed gifts out of his own substance, namely, gold and silver,
books and other things for their use, for building and for needful
expenses. As regardeth the foundation of this monastery see above, under
the 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 good
memorial among the devout whom he cherished and loved as a father. On a
time when I attended the school at Deventer, I fell sick, and with such
care did he tend me that by the mercy of God a like sickness fell not
upon me for many years after.
In the same year, on the Feast day of St. Gregory the Pope, the building
of our church was begun by brother John of Kempen, the first Prior.
CHAPTER XIII.
_Of the death of the Priest Amilius that succeeded Florentius at
Deventer_.
In the year of the Lord 1404, on the day before the Feast of St. Barnabas
the Apostle, Amilius the Priest died at Deventer; he was a mighty zealot
for souls, kindly in feeding the poor, austere to himself, compassionate
to the sick, comfortable to the troubled, and he was about thirty-two
years of age.