The Annals of the Barber-Surgeons of London

by Unknown

In the cover of a Latin Bible, printed in 1470, I discovered some vellum padding, which on examination proved to be a MS. of XIth century, consisting of part of a collection of the lives of the Saints, interspersed with prayers, etc., and which probably had been read in some Convent refectory during the hours of meals. This MS. is moreover curious, as those portions intended to be sung have certain signs affixed, known as “neumes,” which, before the more modern method of musical notation was introduced, were employed to denote musical expression. An account of the martyrdom of Cosmo and Damian, together with their brothers, is here preserved, but as the original is in very contracted Latin, the following translation will, perhaps, better supply its place:—

The souls of Cosmus and Damianus the Just are in the hands of God.

There have moreover been crowned these five brothers Cosmus, Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius.

Furthermore we beseech Thee, Almighty God, to grant that we, who commemorate the nativities of thy Saints Cosmus and Damianus, may by their intercessions be delivered from all present and future evils. Amen. The blessed martyrs Cosmus Damianus, Antimeus, Leuntius and Eutrepius, were committed to prison by order of the governor; and on the following day, the proconsul sitting on the judgment seat, caused an enormous fire to be made, and the above-named men to be led out of prison and cast into its midst. But on account of their prayers the fire lost its power over these saints. The governor was astounded, and the executioner, thinking that the circumstances which had happened with regard to the martyrs of God depended on their magical arts, ordered them to be again interrogated. But, when they remained firm with a cheerful and joyous countenance rendered more noble by torture, he ordered crosses to be made, and the martyrs, when stretched upon them, to be pelted with stones. Accordingly, when the blows recoiled on those that delivered them, the governor, inflamed with excessive rage, gave orders to attack them with arrows, so that at a less distance the steel might at least penetrate. But, although he had not been able to injure them in any way, many of those who discharged arrows and who stood near withdrew on account of the wounds that they received.

For so is the testimony.

Seeing accordingly that his ill will was overcome by Divine power, the governor ordered them to be mutilated with a sword.

The blessed martyrs were put to death on the Twentieth day of September; and their bodies were buried by devout men in a holy spot not far from the city of Ægae.

Mrs. Jameson relates a legend somewhat similar to the above, and states that it was of great antiquity, being transplanted into Western Europe in the first ages of Christianity. The Emperor Justinian, having been recovered, as he supposed, from a dangerous illness by the intercession of these saints, erected a superb church in their honour. Among the Greeks they succeeded to the worship and attributes of Æsculapius; and from their disinterested refusal of all pay or reward, they are distinguished by the honourable title of Anargyres, which signifies moneyless, or without fees. These saints are commemorated on the 27th September, and all over Europe have ever been the patron saints of the Barbers and Surgeons; they are also the patrons of the Medici family, and as such they figure on the coins of Florence.

1540. In the bowl of the grace cup given by Henry VIII to the Barber-Surgeons, the arms of the Barbers impaling the Surgeons are cut, but this is merely the fancy of an engraver, and of later date than the cup.