St. Bruno, Founder of the Carthusian Monks, A. D. 1101. St. Faith or Fides, and others.
St. Faith.
This name in the church of England calendar and almanacs belongs to a saint of the Romish church.
According to Butler, St. Faith was a female of Aquitain, put to death under Dacian. He says she was titular saint of several churches in France, particularly that of Longueville in Normandy, which was enriched by Walter Giffard, earl of Buckingham. He also says she was “patroness of the priory of Horsam, in the county of Norfolk;” that “the subterraneous chapel of St. Faith, built under St. Paul’s, in London, was also very famous;” and that “an arm of the saint was formerly kept at Glastenbury.” Nevertheless, Mr. Audley thinks, that as the ancient Romans deified Faith according to the heathen mythology, and as christian Rome celebrates on August 1st the passion of the holy virgins, Faith, Hope, and Charity, it is highly probable these virtues have been mistaken for persons; and, admitting this, Dr. M. Geddes smartly says, “they may be truly said to have suffered, and still to suffer martyrdom at Rome.” Mr. Audley adds, “There is indeed the church of St. Faith at London; but as our calendar is mostly copied from the Romish one, that will account for the introduction of the good virgin amongst us.”[343]
St. Bruno.
This saint was an anchoret and the founder of the Carthusian monks. He is stiled by writers of his own age “master of the Chartreuse;” from his order comes our Charter-house at London.
A prelate of the same name is renowned in story, and his last adventures are related in verse.
Bishop Bruno.
“Bruno, the bishop of Herbipolitanum, sailing in the river of Danubius, with Henry the Third, then emperour, being not far from a place which the Germanes call Ben Strudel, or the devouring gulfe, which is neere unto Grinon, a castle in Austria, a spirit was heard clamouring aloud, ‘Ho! ho! bishop Bruno, whither art thou travelling? but dispose of thyself how thou pleasest, thou shalt be my prey and spoile.’ At the hearing of these words they were all stupified, and the bishop with the rest crost and blest themselves. The issue was, that within a short time after, the bishop feasting with the emperor in a castle belonging to the countesse of Esburch, a rafter fell from the roof of the chamber wherein they sate, and strooke him dead at the table.”
Heywood’s Hierarchie of the blessed Angels.