They were introduced into England about the middle of the seventh century.
[335] The paper is entitled, “Licentia per Regem Edwardum Quartum, pro unione Prioratûs de Llanthony Prima, in Wallia, Prioratui de Lanthony juxta Gloucestriam.”
[336] In the Original, the contrast between the two monasteries, in their position and outward circumstances, is thus picturesquely and forcibly drawn. Speaking of the introduction of the old Canons to their new cells on the Severn, he says—Nam valdè dissimiliter sibi respondere experti sunt, urbem Gloucestriæ et montem Hatyre [Hatterilhills], et fluvium Sabrinæ, et aquam Hodanie; Anglos, ditissimos et Wallenses pauperrimos: Illic, agros fertiles; hîc saltus steriles, unde illorum copia blandientæ illecti; istorum inopia urgente pertæsi locum istum, nec hominum quorum libet nec dum religiosorum inhabitatione dignum censuerunt.
The next is quite in keeping:—
Audivi quidem dici et ex parte credo, quosdam linguæ levitate (et utinam non odii livore) desiderâsse ut quilibet hujus Ecclesiæ lapis lepus foret: alios autem, quod in pace illorum dixerim, ore sacrilego impetisse ut Ecclesia cum omnibus officinis abyssi voragine absorberetur! Omnes verò Ecclesiæ hujus redditus pro suo arbitrio expenderunt; illic excelsa et decentia officinarum ædificia fabricantes; hìc verò fabricata situ et vetustate deferentes.
Et quoniam eis indignissimum videbatur ut locus [old Llanthony] tam antiqua religione sacer et tam amplis possessionibus ditatus, omninò virorum religiosorum residentiâ destitueretur, destinare solebant genes debiles, et abjectiores, qui nec sibi nec aliis multum prodesse valebant, qui non immeritò cum Apostolo dicere poterant: tanquam purgamenta fratrum facti sumus omnium paripsima usque adhuc.—Pri. de Lanth. ord. S. Aug.
[337] In old writings it is spelt Hodenay, Hondy, Hodenie, &c.
[338] We have not introduced the original Welsh; but the reader may see the whole in the “Historie of Cambria, now called Wales, a part of the most famous Yland of Brytane, by David Powel, Doctor in Divinitie, c̄ privilegio. 1584.”
[339] State of Europe during the Middle Ages.—Hallam.
[340] Ibid.