their Order, male and female, in Ducatu Brunsvicensi, ac Hildeseniensi, Hal-
berstadiensi, Verdensi dicecesi, and invested with full powers for the purpose
(see the commission in Busch, p. 486). John Busch was appointed Subprior in
Wittenburg, A. D. 1439, was commissioned first with the reformation of the con-
vent of Sulta near Hildesheim (1. c. p. 491 seq.), and from that time forward was
very active in the service. — At a later period Canons fiom Windsheim, with
Jo. Mauburnus at their head, were called upon to undertake the reformation of the
Augustine and Benedictine convents in France, see Gallia Christiana VII. p. 836.
1744. XII. p. 1770. See the correspondence between Mauburnus and Erasmus,
Ibid. VII. Instrura. p. 280.

' Concerning which see Busch I. c. 43 seq. in Leibnitius II. p. 841 seq. Tri-
themii Chron. Hirsaug. II. p. 350 seq. ejusd. Chron. Spanhemiense in 0pp. hist,
ed. Freheri P. II. p. 350 seq. J. G. Leu ckf eld's antiquitates Bursfeldenses,
od. histor. Beschreibung des ehemal. Klosters Bursfelde, und der daher rührenden
Bursfeldischen Societät Benedictinerordens. Leipzig u. WolfenbUttel, 1713. 4to.
It was begun by John of Minden, who was at Constance at the Benedictine
chapter as representative of the convent of Rheinhausen, and himself had been
a zealous advocate of reform. Having been appointed Abbot of the convent
Clus near Gandersheim by Otho, duke of Brunswick, 1430, he undertook and
carried through a reform ; as also in the convent of Bursfeld, where he was ap-
pointed Abbot, A. D. 1433. After this he connected himself with John Rode,
Abbot of St. Matthews, near Triers, who was distinguished by like zeal in the
cause, and the union of these two convents laid the foundation of the congrega-
tion of Bursfeld. By the influence of these convents, namely, many of the Bene-
dictines in Saxony and Westphalia, as also on the Rhine, having been reformed
(see Symbolae ad hist, monasterii Lacensis ex codd. Bonnensibus depromtae. Bon-
nae, 1826. 4to. p. 8 seq.), an association was formed amongst them. In this reforma-
tion also the Regular Canons were called on to assist, see Busch I. c. 46. p. 844
seq. He relates, I. c. 43. p. 841 : Pra;fati patres Johannes (v. Minden, whom he
calls de Northern) et Rembertus (Prior in Wittenburg) a Concilio Basileensi bullas
impetrarant, ut unusquisque eorum sui Ordinis monasteiia sexus utriusque per
Saxoniam et Ducatum Brunsvicensem assuinto adjutorio cum invocatione brachii
sascularis possent reformare : et cuncta ad id necessaria in bullis eorum sunt ex-
pressa, videlicet ut per censuras ecclesiasticas eos ad se reformandum possent
compellere cum invocatione brachii saecularis, cum absolutionibus a sententiis
quibuscunque. He dates these bulls, however, before the reformation of the
convent Clus, at which time the Council of Basil had not yet met ; but probably
both events took place in 1435, see note 4. The Council issued a new call for the
reformation of the Benedictine convents, dd. X. Kal. Martii, 1439 ( Trithemii opp.
pia ed. Busaus, p. 1016 seq.).

^ He empowered John Busch, and Paul, provost of the Maurice-convent in
Halle, 1451, to reform all the convents of the Canonici reguläres per provinciam
Magdeburgensem et Moguntinam, Saxoniam et Thuringiam ; see the document in
Busch IV. c. 2, p. 956. The aim of the reform was given as Ibllows : Volumus,



288 Third Period. Div. V. A. D. 1409 — 1517.

In spite of all these efforts, however, only a partial reformation
could be effected." The custom which had been introduced into
almost all the convents of sharing the revenues, and the independence
which this secured them, had for the monks too great a charm.^ At
Constance a Cistercensian monk even undertook formally to justify
this practice ; '-^ and afterwards the most frivolous pretexts were sought

quod omni diligentia hujusmodi visitatores invigilent, ut tria substantialia omnis
Religionis, sc'iWcQt paupertas, castitas et obedientia, oxactissijiie observcntur, et
uniforinitas habitus ac moruin in vestro Ordine ubique observetur ; ita quod nemo
Canonicorum regularium Ordinis vestri utriusque sexus professus — sine Koqueto
(Ital. Roccetto) romano cum manicis deinceps incedere prKsumat, omnibus dispen-
sationibus — non obstantibus.

' Jo. JViderus (a Dominican prior in Basil, "f 1438) de visionibus ac revelatio-
nibus (or formicarius) I. c. 7, ed. v. d. Hardt. Helmst. 1692. 8vo. p. 97 : De
reformatione particulaii in civitate Ecclesis possibili in multis statibus et religioni-
bus non dubito. Quin easdem indies introduci videmus in quibusdani monasteriis
et conventibus, sed cum quanta difficultate, novit altissimus. Si enim pra;sente
generali Concilio in Basilea annis sex ncc ununi quidem fragilis sexus monasterium
coöperante etiara s^culari consulatu rcfoi-mari potuit propter quorundam inhabi-
tantium vitam malam et eisdom junctam saevitiam : quid quaeso sperandum est de
virorum nobilium vel literatorum collegiis, qui ruinas et deformitates suas, in
spiritualibus existentes domibus, non modo armis chalybeis, sed etiam quae deteriora
sunt verbalibus et ligneis possunt del'endere ! The Augustine Eremite, Jo. Schi-
phower de Meppis, says, 1504, in his Chion. Oldenburgensium Archicomitum, in
Meibomii Rerum Germ. T. II. p. 170, ad ann. 1426 : Circa hsc tempora reforma-
tio magna pliu-imorum monasteriorum in diversis mundi partibus fuit. Et nota,
()uod hujusmodi reformationes leguntur facta», sed pene nulla remansit, quin solito
moi-e per successum temporis ad pristinum relaberetur languorem post venerabili-
um patrum mortem.

8 See the account given by Buschius I. c. 4, p. 480, of the condition of the
convent Ludinkerka in Friesland, before the reform, A. D. 1128 : Ante reformati-
onem pauci ibi fuerunt sacerdotes, et plures conversi ultra XXX. aut L., qui
pactum fecerant cum conversis Conniani monasterii Ordinis Cisterciensis ad unum
milliare inde distans, quod mutuo se juvare vellent cum centum viris armatis :
idcirco totam illam Frisis partem sibi subjugaverant. Quidam autem Vasallus
circa monasterium in castro habitans — retulit ad Episcopum Trajectensem de mala
et pessima eorum vita, quorum nullus erat continens, et omnes proprietarii,
habentes secum moniales in monasterio, quae aliquando imprasgnatse genucrunt.
Cognovi ibi Abbatem, cujus pater conversus dictus fuerat, mater vero monialis. —
Episcopus autem Fridericus de Blankenheym, vir prudens et literatus niisit illic
Ambasiatores suos, — qui personas dicti monasterii visitantes, invenerunt omnes
pene conversos sine regula et professione ibi intrasse, et usque tunc in prssens
ibidem per multos annos sic permansisse. Quarentes autem, quomodo ad habi-
tum conversorum assumendum pervenissent, responderunt ; quam primo hie intra-
vimus. plures hie vidimus alba tunica et scapulari indutos, et tanien in armis
hellicis cxpc<litos. Comparavimus igitur etiam nobis album pannum, unde tunicas
albas, caputia alba, scapularia nobis fieri procuravimus, et per nos ipsos eas
induimus. Interrogarunt, an aliquid audissent dn regula ? Responderunt: nun-
quam, sed unusquisque nostrum aut monialem, aut conversara, aut aliam mulierem
sibi assumpsit, cum qua sine copulatione matrimonii dormivit. It was not so bad
in all the convents, but a division of property, incontinence, a worldly life, and
neglect of the rules we find in all the unicfoimed convents.

9 Anonymi Ordinis Cisterc. propositio affirmativa in Constant. Cone. ann. 1417,
oblata et examinata, quod monachi Cistercienses possint propria possidere bona
(in V. d. Hardt Cone. Const. III. p. 120 seq.), c. 1. Licitum et fas est interdum
dispensare, quod monachus seu religiosus de scitu Pralati sui habet res temporales
ad usviin bonum et necessarium, quando cogit necessitas excusabilis, aut suadet
utilitas notabilis. c. 5: To prevent discontent and murmuring, proficuum est,



Chap. III. National Clmr dies. ^ 139. History of Monacliism. 289
out to ward off the impending reformation. i° Not unfrequently the

quod in retroactis temporibus Abbates vel fecerunt conventuum consensu tacite,
vel expresse in rei veritate, vel saltern gratiose cum religiosis eis subditis, quod
ipsi et eoium quiJibet habeant et possideant aliqua pro victu et vestitu. — Non
tarnen sic possidentes de scientia, scitu et consensu Abbatis, tales sunt dicendi
proprietarii. Quia solum possident ad usum et non ad proprietatem, ct possident
nomine monasterii, et non nomine proprio. (Then c. 3 : Illud in Monacho est
proprium, quod cclatur Abbati. c. 5 : This iollovvs from 12 qu. 1. JV<;)i dicatis.
Nam ibi textus dicit, quod nihil possidere possent sine Abbatis licentia. Ergo
Abbatis licentia possunt.) Cap. 6 : Et sic quasi in omnibus monasteiiis nostri
Ordinis sive per statutum, sive per dispensationem, ut pra?dictum, consuetudo
inolevit, etiam dudum pacifice observata et prascripta, propriis Prselatis et etiam
Dominis Visitatoribus scientibus et consentientibus. Qua; consuetudo non debet
leviter toUi, maxime ubi timetur verisimiliter scandalum plurimorum. This work
was answered, Magni Monachorum Visitatoris constitutio negativa, quod monachi
propria non debeant possidere bona (1. c. p. 130 seq.). So too the Reformatorium
condemns this work, and shows the evil consequences of a division of property
amongst the monks (lib. III. Tit. X. c. 2, in v. d. Hardt I. X. p. 705) : Cum
abdicatio proprietatis ita monastics profession! et reguls sit annexa, quod nee
summus Pontifex contra eandem valeat dispensare ; nihilominus tarnen quamplures
reguläres persons utriusque sexus, et quasi indifferenter omnes, paucis duntaxat
exceptis, salutis sute immemores, interdum ante ingressum religionis et quandoque
post, pecunia sibi industriose congregata vel recepta ab amicis et parentibus, necnon
jura, possessiones, reditus, pensiones, portiones, prsbendas, animalia, et alia bona
emerunt, sen emi fecerunt et procurarunt ; proprio et saepe nomine alieno multos
contractus tanquam negotiatores exercent; pecunias inde acquisitas, vel alias
undecunque provenientes ad libitum proprife voluntatis expendunt ; quamplures
quoque hujusmodi pecuniam et alia prsdicta contra scitum et voluntatem superio-
rum suorum occulte vel illicite tenent in suarum pericula animarum. Quorum
praetextu et occasione ex tunc vestitum emunt, claustralia loca ad placitum dese-
runt, mansiones sibi seorsim procurant, victum et potum singularem extra conven-
tualem locum sibi disponunt, vel in mensa communi in praesentia pauperum fratrum
aut sororum eadem scandalose consumunt, reliquis fratribus ant sororibus, similia
non habentibus, magnam egestatem cum amaritudine anirni patientibus. Ex quibus
surgunt invidias, detractiones, rancores, scandala, applausiones, comessationes, in-
obedientia, incontinentia, aliaque infinite exorbitantiae regularis disciplinac. Alle-
gantes, se posse hujusmodi abusus detestabiles de licentia et indultu suorum
superiorum talibus consentientium, aut talia dissimulautium, licite exercere.

'" Jo. JViderus (see above, nste 7) de reformatione status cenobitici (ed. Ant-
verp. 1611. Svo., contents see in H. v. d. Hardt Autographa Lutheri et Costaneo-
rum. Helmst. 1693. Praef. p. 30 seq.) lib. I. c. 4 seq. answers in 15 chapters
quindeciin argumenta deformatorum Clericorum et religiosorum, quibus se tuentur,
ne a forma sseculi recedant. Namely, objiciunt complexionis debilitatem ; receptam
consuetudinem ; Praslatorum peccata ; reformationem esse novitatem et singulari-
tatem ; esse expectandum cum reformatione usque ad generalem reformationem
Ecclesias ; reformare esse Ordinem dividere, et notam personarum in eo ponere ;
se jactant vivere ut proceres eorum ; objiciunt dispensationem eis datam ; dicunt,
necessaria in victu se non habere ; objiciunt status nobilitatem vel dignitatem ;
timent sequi in divino officio personarum paucitatem ; conqueruntui-, reformationem
sequi pacis turbationem ; arguunt, sequi lapsum gravioi'em et apostasiam vel hujus-
modi ; ostendere nituntur, quod ex laxa vita majora sequantur bona quam ex
reformatione; objiciunt, modum procedendi in reformatione ineptum. AVorthy of
remark, lib. II. c. 9, on the question, unde proveniat, quod communiter omnes in
Ecclesia clament reformationem debere fieri, et tamen fere nullus, quando refor-
mari incipitur, id ferat. Of the difficulties experienced in reforming the Order of
the Camaldulenses, see Ainbrosius, from 1431 General of the Order, {f 1439, Ho-
doeporicon, ed. Florent. 1678. 4to.) description of his visits to the convents, and
Epistolarum, lib. XX. in Marlene et Durand veterum Scriptorum amplissima
coUectio, T. III. p. 1 seq., compare Meiners Lebensileschreibungen berühmter
Männer aus den Zeiten der Wiederherstellung der Wissench. Th. 2. S. 222 ff. :
as regards the Regular Canons and the Benedictines, see Joh. Busch.
VOL. III. 37 â– 



290 Tliird Period. Div. V. A. D. 1409 — 1517.

reform was resisted by open force. ^^ In very few cases was it adopted

" At the Reformation of the Benedictine convent of St. Godehard in Hildesheim,
John iSusch having expelle<l one of the nionl<s, wlio would not submit to the
measures proposed, the inoiil<'s brother sent him a cliallenge (Jo. Busch I. c. 50.
in Leibnit. II. p. 850: frater ejus carnalis iiiilitaris, in Ducatu habitans Brunswi-
censi, literam ditlidationis sigillatam mihi misit, ad me et fratres meos captivandum,
occidendum, bona nostra diripienda, et domes nostras comburendas), but was com-
pelled by the bishop of Hildesheim and the duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg to recal
it. At the convent of St. Michael in Lüneburg, 1470, the monks rung the alarm
bell and summoned the citizens to their help, so that duke Otho, and tiie bishoj) of
Verden, as well as the reforming abbots, had to seek their safety in flight (Busch
I. c. 53. p. 852). At the convent of Laach, James de Fredis, who had been sent
there as Prior with some monks, to introduce a reform, found himself in constant
danger of his life (see Jo. Boutzbach, from 1499 a monk in this convent, in Gieseler,
Symbolce ad hist, monast. Lacensis, p. 25 : in tantum sese irreformatis — opposuit, ut
solus ipse, utpote pvx ca;teris constantior, ipsis magis odiosus habitus fuei-it et oneri.
Hinc sape conclave illius effringentes, eumque efifugantes, evaginatis gladiis de
dormitorio per fenestras fugicntem persequuti sunt), and after six months' stay was
forced to flee with his friends to Triers (1. c. p. 24). The elector of Triers had to
expel the monks by force, cum assumpto sibi exercitu (1. c. p. 27). The nuns were
even more troublesome. The Canonesses of Wennigsen told duke William of
Brunswick, and the Reformers plainly (Busch II. c. 1. p. 858) : nos omnes pariter
conclusimus et simul juravimus, quod nolumus nos reforniare, nee regulam nostram
observare : rogamus, ut non faciatis nos perjuras. They then began in concert a
song of execration : exeuntibus nobis de choro circa dormitorium, nioniales statim
omnes extensis brachiis et pedibus in modum crucis ad pavimentum chori super
ventres sues se posuerunt, et altissimis vocibus antiphonam : jyiedia vita in morte
sumus, per totum exclamaverunt. Nos autem hujusmodi voces audientes putaba-
mus, responsorium fuisse : revelahant cceli iniquitatem JudcP. Unde Dux tei'ritus
totam suam terram metuebat interiie. The relatives of the nuns now interceded
for them. This proving in vain, the nuns refused to admit the duke, so that it was
necessary to force the doors. They were only induced to yield by the threat of
being carried away in carriages ali-eady provided for tlie purpose : on the following
day, however, they retracted their consent, and the duke, who had already departed,
had to return with an armed retinue. One nun was now so much affected, that she
statim corruens in tei-ram, sensus suos amisit. This was construed as a miraculou.s
punishment, and made the others more submissive. When getting together their
effects, some of them were so infuriated, that they ollas suas tam valide a se pro-
jecerunt, ut pedes earum ad pavimentum confringerent. Busch, on his journey
back, was twice attacked by armed men, and narrowly escaped with his life. In
the Cistcrcensian convent of Mariense (1. c. c. 3. p. 862 seq.) the nuns also set up
a song of malediction : in choro incipientes antiphonam : Media vita super nos
altissimis vocibus decantaverunt, et per Ecclesiam cum tali cantu nos prosequentes,
etiam candelas de cera ardentcs super nos et contra nos in terram projecerunt : et
una juvencula, extra Ecclesiam super cimiterium nos secuta, cum cantarent :
Sancte Devs, Sancte Jortis, sancte et immortalis, etc., trina vice cantando, geni-
bus flexis etiam terram in signum nostra maledictionis ter niomonht, ct lapides ac
terram post nos projecit. After this they took refuge in a gallery super testudinem
chori et Ecclesire satis alte et late consccndeiunt, and could only be induced to
come down by the threat of being sent out of the country- The Prioi- of Sulfa
was commissioned to reform the neighbouring convent of Derneburg, but found
great didiculty in the undertaking (1. c. c. 1.3 seq., p. 874 seq.). The nuns gave
away their means of support (c. 14), ut dicere noi)is possent, (juod non haberent,
unde in conniiuni vivcrent, ct ita earum reformatio propter paupertatem impedire-
tur. Etiam per hoc efliccre gestiebant, ut parentes et cognati earum, qui annuos
eis rcditus dare consueverunt, jure luereditario aut alias apud se dispositos ante
reformationem, quando in propriis vixerunt; postassumtam communem vilam tales
eis reditus dare dencgarent, communitatein nutrirc nolenfes, qui propria« f'llias scu
nepotcs de propriis bonis suis hbenter enutrierant. Busch was attacked by a friend
of the nuns with a long knife. In visiting the cells of the nuns, one of them let
liim go in first, and then shut and fastened the door upon him, so as to keep him



Chap. TIL National Churches. §139. Histori/ of Monachism. 291

by the monks voluntarily. For the most part it was forcibly carried
through by the sovereigns, or the bishops,^'- or was made unavoidable
by the poverty into which the excesses of the monks had brought
them.i^ But though the most rigorous measures were sometimes
adopted to subdue the obstinate monks/"* the reformation of the con-

for a long time prisoner. De castero nunquam in aliquo Monialium monasterio in
aliquain clausuram praecedere voliii, ne mihi aliquid simile ibidem contingeret,
prajsertim unde leviter exire non potui. Sed quandoduas vel tres me pra'cedebant,
tunc eas bene sequebar. Una sola praecedens non mihi sufficiebat, ne cum una
sola ad tempus ne recluderent, dicentes super me, quod non cogitassem. At last,
after three years, the nuns succeeded by the help of their relations, in getting as a
substitute for Busch, the Cistercensian Abbot in Marienrode. He caused most of
them to be transferred into other convents, and introduced into theirs the Cistercen-
sian rules.

1^ The most zealous advocates of this reform were Otho, the one- eyed, duke of
Brunswick-Lüneburg, Albrecht, duke of Austria, and William HI., duke of
Saxony. See the decrees of the bishop of Halderstadt, and William, duke of
Saxony, both dated A. D. 1451, in Busch IV. c. 4, 5. p. 959. Comp. /. G. Rein-
hard de jure Principum Germania;, comprimis Saxonia; circa sacra, p. 139 seq.

" Jac. Junterbui-gii (see § 135, note 31) de negligentia Pralatorum lib. in
Walchii monimenta medii a;vi II. II. p. 109: Di\itias pepeiit — religio, — pro-
leque vastata mater, nee proles beata, tlum disciplina cessat, regnatcjue simultas,
i. e. hypocrisis, deficit Ecclesiae virtus paritei-que facultas. Nam aperte videinus,
quod monasteria olim in reformatione opulentissiraa jam adeo depauperantur, quod
etiam cum pauco et tenui victu parietes et tecta a?dificiorum a ruina couservari non
possunt. Et ubi quondam I'eformationis tempore LXX. aut plures fratres commode
nutriebantur regnantibus nonduni proprietariis, octo aut decem vix educari possunt
sine penuria. In hoc manum Domini contra proprietaiios ad ulciscendum mani-
feste cernimus armatam. Deticiente nunc causa donationis temporalium bonoi-um,
seil, magna antiquorum patrum devotione et vitae sanctitate, propter quam bona
collata sunt, deficere et cessare debet effectus in ipsa bona teinporalia, ideo non
immerito eis modo auferuntur. Also vice versa it was often found, Buschius I.
c. 52. p. 852 : in monasteriis, ubi ante reformationem vix decem aut duodecim
homines de bonis Monasterii vivere poterant et se nutrire, vidimus post reformatio-
nem plus quam quinquaginta aut centum in copia omnium rerum abundantissime
se nunc nutrire. Sometimes such expedients as the following were resorted to,
see Bern. Wittii (a Benedictine in Liesborn, about A. D. 1517) hist, antiquae occi-
dentalis Saxoniae seu nunc Westphalise, Monasterii, 1778. 4to. lib. VHI. p. 558, ad
ann. 1460 : Eodem fere tempore in ipsa item Padeburnensi diocesi in monte dicto
Hallesberge, in desolata quadam Ecclesia, nescio cui opilioni revelationem factam
fuisse vulgatum est, quasi s. Jacobus, ejusdem Ecclesiae patronus, se ibi, piout in
Compostella Gallatiae hactenus, peregrinis suis patrocinium concessurum spopon-
disset. Curritur certatim ad locum, prodigia et signa ibidem fieri publicatur, multa
a peregrinis pecunia defertur. Fuere tarnen, qui rem profundius ruminarent ac
dicerent, nullum unquam ibidem verum miraculum factum fuisse, illusione diabo-
lica rem procuratam, ut scilicet novam jam assumptam in Corbiensi monasterio
reformationem eliminaret. Locus enim Corbiensi monasterio subjectus erat ; hoc
ipsum autem monasterium jam diu a regulari observatione defecerat, unde aliquan-
do necessariorum defectu reformationem accipere aut loco cedere artati sunt. At
Abbas s. Jacobi thesauris ac peregrinornm oblationibus sustentatus aratrum dese-
ruit, ac post tergum vidit, et membratim habentes unde voluptuose viverent,
expulsis qui reformationem inducere laborabant, quam ob causam in sanctions vitae
propositum consensissent, docuerunt. Eiiminata autem religione iterum inchoata,
paulatim et miracula et peregrinationes solitae cessaverunt. Corvey was reformed
148(), and joined the congregation of Bursfeld.

" Especially by duke Albrecht of Austria, see Biisch HI. c. 22. p. 928, de
reformatione per suspendium : A Benedictine abbot being unable to induce his
monks to enter upon a reformation, Albrecht ordered them all to be assembled, and
asked each of them singly whetlier they would submit. Those who refused were



292 Third Period. Div. V. A. D. 1409 — 1517.

vents was far from complete, and the complaints of the corruption of
the monks still continued. i-* The reformed convents, therefore, of
eiich order, united themselves into separate congregations, in which
a strict supervision was exercised to prevent any relapse. ^'^ Of these
the Bursfeld Congregation of German Benedictines became the most
celebrated. 1^



ordered to go out : the duke, however, had previously given orders to his servants,
lit quemcunque de domo Capituli exire viderent, statim apprehenderent, et funem
ad Collum ejus ligarent, et in domo ad hoc deputata ad trabcs suspenderent. Cap.
24. Reformatio facta per ßagella. Another abbot, who could not manage his
monks, availed himself of the assistance of the same prince to take them, magnisque
catenis, manicis et compedibus pedes et manus eorum constringens, ad postes
dormitorii eos fecit astringi et affigi. Divinorum autem tempore quando in chore
hora; cantabantur, libros cantuales jussit eis anteponi,ut ibi horas cantarent canoni-
cas, quasin choro cantai-e recusabant. Qui ibidem cantare nolnit, tam diu, scapulis
denudatis, magnis virgis casdebatur, seu etiam vestibus usque ad cingulum dimissis
vel ultra, donee poena urgente carne cuteque laceratus cantare compelleretur.
Tempore refectionis fratrum conventualium fecit similiter. Cibum et potum jussit
els tunc anteponi, et si manducare nollent, fecit eos acerrime vapulare, donee
cibum attingentes manducarent ct biberent, ut jubebantur. Cumque per aliquod
tempus die ac nocte ita cantare cogerentur, et suo tempore manducare, horum
exactoribus cum viigis recentibus carnes eorum exsulcantibus et livore conficienti-
bus ; tandem de necessitate fecerunt virtutem, prominentes, sponte et libenter se
velle in choro cantare, et in refectorio comedere, ut ab iis plagis possent liberari ;
regulam quoque suam et tria substantialia libentissime se velle amplius servare,
nee de teneritudine, impotentia aut perversitate aliqua amplius facere querelam,
sed in cunctis se libenter velle obedire.

** Of the corruption of the convents in Switzerland in the 15th centurj', see
Joh. V. Müller u. R. Glutz Blotzheims Geschichten Schweizer Eidgenossen-