Appendix 2: Letter from Fulco, Archbishop of Rheims, Primate of the Franks, and legatus natus of the Apostolic See, to Alfred, Most Christian King of the Angles²⁸⁹

To Alfred, the most glorious and most Christian King of the Angles, Fulco, by the grace of God Archbishop of Rheims, and servant of the servants of God, wisheth both the sceptre of temporal dominion, ever triumphant, and the eternal joys of the kingdom of heaven.

To Alfred, the most glorious and most Christian King of the Angles: Fulco, Archbishop of Rheims by God’s grace and servant of the servants of God, wishes you an ever-triumphant earthly reign and the eternal joys of the kingdom of heaven.

And first of all we give thanks to our Lord God, the Father of lights, and the Author of all good, from whom is every good gift and every perfect gift, who by the grace of His Holy Spirit hath not only been pleased to cause the light of His knowledge to shine in your heart, but also even now hath vouchsafed to kindle the fire of His love, by which at once enlightened and warmed, you earnestly tender the weal of the kingdom committed to you from above, by warlike achievements, with divine assistance attaining or securing peace for it, and desiring to extend the excellency of the ecclesiastical order, which is the army of God. Wherefore we implore the divine mercy with unwearied prayers that He who hath moved and warmed your heart to this would give effect to your wishes, by replenishing your desire with good things, that in your days both peace may be multiplied to your kingdom and people, and that ecclesiastical order, which as you say hath been disturbed in many ways, either by the continued irruptions and attacks of the pagans, or by lapse of years, or by the negligence of prelates, or by the ignorance of subjects, may by your diligence and industry be speedily reëstablished, exalted, and diffused.

First of all, we thank our Lord God, the Father of lights and the source of all good. Every good and perfect gift comes from him. Through the grace of his Holy Spirit, he has been pleased not only to shine the light of his knowledge in your heart, but also to kindle the fire of his love there, even now. Enlightened and warmed by his love, you earnestly seek the welfare of the kingdom entrusted to you from above. Through military achievements and with God’s help, you gain or secure peace for it. You also wish to extend the excellence of the Church, which is the army of God. Therefore, we pray tirelessly for God’s mercy. May he who has moved and warmed your heart to pursue these aims fulfill your wishes by satisfying your desire with good things. May peace increase in your kingdom and among your people during your reign. You say that the order of the Church has been disturbed in many ways. This has happened through the continued raids and attacks of the pagans, the passage of years, the negligence of church leaders, or the ignorance of those under them. May your diligence and effort quickly restore, elevate, and spread that order.

And since you wish this to be effected chiefly through our assistance, and since from our see, over which St. Remigius, the apostle of the Franks, presides, you ask for counsel and protection, we think that this is not done without divine impulse. And as formerly the nation of the Franks obtained by the same St. Remigius deliverance from manifold error, and the knowledge of the worship of the only true God, so doth the nation of the Angles request that it may obtain from his see and doctrine one by whom they may be taught to avoid superstition, to cut off superfluities, and to extirpate all such noxious things as bud forth from violated custom or rude habits, and may learn, while they walk through the field of the Lord, to pluck the flowers, and to be upon their guard against the adder.

You wish to accomplish this chiefly with our help. You also seek counsel and protection from our see, over which St. Remigius, the apostle of the Franks, presides. We believe that divine inspiration has prompted this request. In former times, St. Remigius delivered the Franks from many errors and taught them to worship the only true God. In the same way, the Angles now ask his see to provide someone to teach them his doctrine. They want someone who can teach them to avoid superstition, cut away what is unnecessary, and root out all harmful things that spring from broken customs or rude habits. As they walk through the Lord's field, they may learn to pick the flowers and guard against the adder.

For St. Augustine, the first bishop of your nation, sent to us by your apostle St. Gregory, could not in a short time set forth all the decrees of the holy apostles, nor did he think proper suddenly to burden a rude and barbarous nation with new and strange enactments; for he knew how to adapt himself to their infirmities, and to say with the Apostle, ‘I have given milk to you to drink, who are babes in Christ, and not meat’ (1 Cor. 3. 2). And as Peter and James, who were looked upon as pillars (Gal. 2. 9), with Barnabas and Paul, and the rest who were met together, did not wish to oppress the primitive Church, which was flowing in from the Gentiles to the faith of Christ, with a heavier burden than to command them to abstain from things offered to idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood (Acts 15. 29), so also do we know how matters were managed with you at the beginning. For they required only this for training up the people in the knowledge of God, and turning them from their former barbarous fierceness, namely, that faithful and prudent servants should be placed over the Lord’s household, who should be competent to give out to each of their fellow-servants his dole of food in due season, that is, according to the capacity of each of the hearers. But in process of time, as the Christian religion gained strength, the holy Church felt it neither to be her inclination nor her duty to be satisfied with this, but to take example from the apostles themselves, their masters and founders, who, after the doctrines of the Gospel had been set forth and spread abroad by their heavenly Master Himself, did not deem it superfluous and needless, but convenient and salutary, to establish the perfect believers by frequent epistolary exhortations, and to build them more firmly upon the solid foundation, and to impart to them more abundantly the rule as well of manners as of faith.

St. Augustine, the first bishop of your nation, was sent to us by your apostle St. Gregory. He could not explain all the decrees of the holy apostles in a short time. Nor did he think it right to burden a rude and barbarous nation suddenly with new and unfamiliar laws. He knew how to accommodate their weaknesses and say with the Apostle, ‘I have given milk to you to drink, who are babes in Christ, and not meat’ (1 Cor. 3. 2). Peter and James were regarded as pillars (Gal. 2. 9). They met with Barnabas, Paul, and the others, and did not want to place a heavier burden on the early Church. Gentiles were entering the Church and coming to faith in Christ. The apostles commanded them only to abstain from food offered to idols, sexual immorality, strangled animals, and blood (Acts 15. 29). In the same way, we know how matters were handled among you at the beginning. To teach the people about God and turn them from their former barbarous fierceness, they required only one thing. Faithful and wise servants were to be placed over the Lord’s household. These servants had to be able to give each of their fellow servants a portion of food at the proper time. In other words, they had to teach each listener according to that person’s capacity. But in time, as the Christian religion grew stronger, the holy Church felt neither inclined nor obliged to be satisfied with this. Instead, the Church followed the example of the apostles themselves, its teachers and founders. Their heavenly master had personally taught and spread the doctrines of the Gospel. Even so, the apostles did not consider it unnecessary or pointless to strengthen mature believers through frequent letters of encouragement. They considered it useful and beneficial to build them more firmly on the solid foundation. They also gave them fuller guidance on conduct and faith.

Nevertheless, she too, whether excited by adverse circumstances, or nourished by prosperous ones, never ceased to aim at the good of her children, whom she is daily bringing forth to Christ, and, inflamed by the fire of the Holy Spirit, to promote their advancement, both privately and publicly. Hence the frequent calling of councils, not only from the neighboring cities and provinces, but also, in these days, from regions beyond seas; hence synodal decrees so often published; hence sacred canons, framed and consecrated by the Holy Spirit, by which both the Catholic faith is powerfully strengthened, and the unity of the Church’s peace is inviolably guarded, and its order is decently regulated: which canons, as it is unlawful for any Christian to transgress, so it is altogether wicked, in clerk and priest especially, to be ignorant of them; the wholesome observance and the religious handing down of which are things ever to be embraced. Seeing that, for the reasons above stated, all these matters have either not been fully made known to your nation, or have now for the most part failed, it hath appeared fit and proper to your Majesty and to your royal wisdom, by a most excellent counsel—inspired, as we believe, from above—both to consult us, insignificant as we are, on this matter, and to repair to the see of St. Remigius, by whose virtues and doctrine the same see or church hath always flourished and excelled all the churches of Gaul since his time in all piety and doctrine.

Nevertheless, whether stirred by adversity or sustained by prosperity, she never stopped seeking the good of her children, whom she brings forth daily to Christ. Inspired by the fire of the Holy Spirit, she never stopped promoting their progress, both privately and publicly. That is why councils are frequently called, drawing people not only from neighboring cities and provinces but also, in these days, from regions across the sea. It is why synodal decrees are so often published and sacred canons are established and consecrated by the Holy Spirit. These canons powerfully strengthen the Catholic faith, safeguard the unity and peace of the Church, and regulate its order properly. No Christian may lawfully break them, and ignorance of them is utterly wicked, especially for clerics and priests. We must always embrace the faithful observance of these canons and their religious transmission to future generations. For the reasons stated above, all these matters have either not been fully made known to your nation or have now largely fallen into neglect. Your Majesty, in your royal wisdom, has therefore considered it right and proper to consult us, insignificant as we are, on this matter. You have also chosen to turn to the see of St. Remigius. We believe this excellent decision was inspired from above. Through the virtues and teaching of St. Remigius, his see, or church, has always flourished since his time. It has surpassed all the churches of Gaul in every aspect of piety and doctrine.

And since you are unwilling to appear before us, when you present these your requests, without a gift and empty-handed, your Majesty hath deigned to honor us with a present that is both very necessary for the time and well suited to the matter in hand; concerning which we have both praised heavenly Providence with admiration, and have returned no slender thanks to your royal munificence. For you have sent unto us a present of dogs, which, of good and excellent breed, are yet only in the body and mortal; and this you do that they may drive away the fury of visible wolves, with which, among other scourges, wielded against us by the righteous judgment of God, our country abounds; and you ask us, in return, that we should send to you certain watch-dogs, not corporeal, that is to say, not such as those with whom the prophet finds fault, saying, ‘Dumb dogs, not able to bark’ (Isa. 56. 10), but such as the Psalmist speaks of, ‘That the tongue of thy dogs may be red through the same’ (Ps. 68. 23), who know how and are qualified to make loud barkings for their Lord, and constantly to guard His flock with most wakeful and most careful watchings, and to drive away to a distance those most cruel wolves of unclean spirits who lie in wait to devour souls.

You are unwilling to present your requests to us empty-handed, without a gift. So your Majesty has honored us with a present that is both timely and well suited to the matter at hand. We have praised heavenly Providence with admiration and offered abundant thanks for your royal generosity. You have sent us dogs of good and excellent breed, though they are only bodily and mortal. You sent them to drive away the fierce wolves that roam our country. These wolves are among the many scourges inflicted on us by God’s righteous judgment. In return, you ask us to send you certain watchdogs that are not bodily. You do not mean dogs like those the prophet criticizes, saying, ‘Dumb dogs, not able to bark’ (Isa. 56. 10). You mean dogs like those the Psalmist speaks of: ‘That the tongue of thy dogs may be red through the same’ (Ps. 68. 23). These dogs know how to bark loudly for their Lord and are fit to do so. They constantly guard his flock with the greatest vigilance and care. They also drive far away those most cruel wolves, the unclean spirits that lie in wait to devour souls.

Of which number you specially demand one from us, namely, Grimbald, priest and monk, to be sent for this office, and to preside over the government of the pastoral charge. To whom the whole Church, which hath nourished him, gives her testimony from his childhood, with true faith and holy religion, and which hath advanced him by regular steps, according to ecclesiastical custom, to the dignity of the priesthood. We affirm openly that he is most deserving of the honor of the episcopate, and that he is fit to teach others also. But indeed we wished that this might rather take place in our kingdom, and we intended some time ago, with Christ’s permission, to accomplish it in due time, namely, that he whom we had as a faithful son we might have as an associate in our office, and a most trustworthy assistant in everything that pertained to the advantage of the Church. It is not without deep sorrow—forgive us for saying so—that we suffer him to be torn from us, and be removed from our eyes by so vast an extent of land and sea. But as love has no perception of loss, nor faith of injury, and no remoteness of regions can part those whom the tie of unfeigned affection joins together, we have most willingly assented to your request—for to you we have no power to refuse anything—nor do we grudge him to you, whose advantage we rejoice in as much as if it were our own, and whose profit we count as ours: for we know that in every place one only God is served, and that the Catholic and Apostolic Church is one, whether it be at Rome or in the parts beyond the sea.

From among these, you specifically ask us to send Grimbald, a priest and monk, to take up this office and oversee the pastoral charge. The whole Church that nurtured him bears witness to his true faith and holy devotion since childhood. The Church has also advanced him to the priesthood by the usual steps, according to Church custom. We declare openly that he fully deserves the honor of becoming a bishop and is fit to teach others as well. But we wished that he might become a bishop in our own kingdom instead. Some time ago, we intended, with Christ’s permission, to make him a bishop when the time was right. Then the man we had known as a faithful son would share our office. He would also be a most trustworthy assistant in everything that benefited the Church. Forgive us for saying that it is with deep sorrow that we let him be torn from us. We regret that he must be taken so far from our sight, across such a vast stretch of land and sea. But love does not perceive loss, and faith does not perceive injury. No distance can separate those joined by a bond of sincere affection. So we have most willingly agreed to your request, for we cannot refuse you anything. Nor do we begrudge you his presence. We rejoice in your advantage as much as if it were our own, and we count your gain as ours. For we know that one God alone is served everywhere. We also know that the Catholic and Apostolic Church is one, whether in Rome or in lands beyond the sea.

It is our duty, then, to make him over to you canonically; and it is your duty to receive him reverentially, that is to say, in such way and mode as may best conduce to the glory of your kingdom, to the honor of the Church and our prelacy; and to send him to you along with his electors, and with certain nobles and great personages of your kingdom, as well bishops, presbyters, deacons, as religious laymen also, who with their own lips promise and declare to us in the presence of our whole church that they will treat him with fitting respect during the whole course of his life, and that they will inviolably keep with the strictest care the canonical decrees and the rules of the Church, handed down to the Church by the apostles and by apostolic men, such as they could then hear from us, and afterwards learn from him their pastor and teacher, according to the form delivered by us to him. Which when they shall have done, with the divine blessing and the authority of St. Remigius, by our ministry and the laying on of hands, according to the custom of the Church, receiving him properly ordained, and in all things fully instructed, let them conduct him with due honor to his own seat, glad and cheerful themselves that they are always to enjoy his protection, and constantly to be instructed by his teaching and example.

It is our duty, then, to hand him over to you according to Church law. It is your duty to receive him reverently. You must do so in the way that best serves the glory of your kingdom, the honor of the Church, and our office as bishop. We must also send him to you with those who elected him and with certain nobles and leading people of your kingdom. They include bishops, priests, deacons, and religious laypeople. Before our whole church, these people personally promise and declare that they will treat him with due respect throughout his life. They also promise to keep the Church’s decrees and rules strictly and without fail. The apostles and apostolic men handed these down to the Church. They could hear the decrees and rules from us at that time, and later learn them from him as their pastor and teacher, in the form we gave him. Once they have done this, let them receive him properly ordained and fully instructed in all things. His ordination will take place with the divine blessing and the authority of St. Remigius, through our ministry and the laying on of hands, according to the custom of the Church. Let them then conduct him with due honor to his own seat. They should be glad and cheerful that they will always enjoy his protection and receive constant instruction from his teaching and example.

And as the members feel a concern for each other, and when even one rejoices they rejoice with it, or if even one suffer all the other members sympathize with it, we again earnestly and specially commend him to your Royal Highness and to your most provident goodness, that he may be always permitted, with unfettered authority, without any gainsaying, to teach and to carry into effect whatever he may discover to be fit and useful for the honor of the Church and the instruction of your people, according to the authority of the canons and the custom of our Church, lest, haply—which God forbid!—any one, under the instigation of the devil, being moved by the impulse of spite and malevolence, should excite controversy or raise sedition against him. But should this happen, it will be your duty then to make special provision against this, and by all means to discourage by your royal censure all such persons, if they should chance to show themselves, and check barbaric rudeness by the curb of your authority; and it will be his duty always to consult for the salvation of the people committed to his pastoral skill, and rather to draw all men after him by love than to drive them by fear.

Just as the members of a body care for one another, they all rejoice when one rejoices. If one suffers, all the others share its suffering. So we again earnestly and especially commend him to Your Royal Highness and your most thoughtful care. May he always be free to teach and put into practice whatever he finds suitable and useful for the Church’s honor and your people’s instruction. May he do so with full authority and without opposition, according to the canons and the custom of our Church. Otherwise, someone prompted by the devil and driven by spite and malice might stir up controversy or rebellion against him. God forbid that this should happen! But if anyone does stir up controversy or rebellion against him, you must take special care to prevent it. By every means, use your royal censure to discourage anyone who acts in this way, and use your authority to restrain barbaric rudeness. For his part, he must always look to the salvation of the people entrusted to his pastoral care. He should seek to draw all people after him through love rather than drive them through fear.

May you, most illustrious, most religious, and most invincible king, ever rejoice and flourish in Christ the Lord of lords.

May you, most distinguished, devout, and unconquerable king, always rejoice and flourish in Christ, the Lord of lords.