with alterations of kingdomes, warres of infidels against the Christians,
and victories of the Christians against the infidels. And as they wondered
at these relations, he declared vnto them the passion of the seuen
Sleepers, with the proportion and shape of cache of their bodies (which
things, no man liuing had as then committed vnto writing) and that so
plainely and distinctly, as if he had conuersed a long time in their
company. Hereupon the earle sent a knight, the bishop a clearke, the Abbot
a monke vnto Maniches the Emperour of Constantinople, with the letters and
gifts of their King. Who giuing them friendly entertainment, sent them ouer
vnto the bishop of Ephesus; and wrote his letters vnto him giuing him
charge, that the English Ambassadours might be admitted to see the true,
and material habiliments of the seuen Sleepers. And it came to passe that
King Edwards vision was approued by all the Greeks, who protested they were
aduertised by their fathers, that the foresaid seuen Sleepers had alwayes
before that time rested vpon their right sides; but after the Englishmen
were entered into the caue, those Sleepers confirmed the trueth of the
outlandish prophesie, vnto their countreymen. Neither were the calamities
foretold, any long time delayed: for the Aragens, Arabians, Turkes and
other vnbeleeuing nations inuading the Christians, harried and spoiled
Syria, Lycia, the lesser Asia, and many cities of Asia the greater, and
amongst the rest Ephesus, yea, and Ierusalem also.

* * * * *

The voyage of Alured bishop of Worcester vnto Ierusalem, an. 1058. Recorded
by Roger Houeden in parte priore Annalium, fol. 255. linea 15.

[Sidenote: A.D. 1058] Aluredus Wigorniensis Episcopus ecclesiam, quam in
ciuitate, Glauorna a fundamentis constraxerat, in honore principis
Apostolorum Petri honorifice dedicauit: et postea regis licentia Wolstanum