The Chronicle of the Canons Regular of Mount St. Agnes | Page 3

together a short chronicle concerning the beginning of our House, and
the first foundation of our Monastery on Mount St. Agnes, that the said
chronicle may be a comfort to them that are now alive, and a memorial
for them that come after. Wherefore humbly assenting to their pious
desires, I have gathered together a few things out of many, and these I
have seen with mine own eyes, or have heard from the Elders of our
House, or else have gathered from the writings of others.
Some of the Elders who first dwelt in this House have told us that or
ever there was a monastery builded in this place, and before any man
had yet come hither to serve God, there did often appear to the
shepherds and to them that dwelt near, visions of men in white raiment
who seemed to go in procession round the mount: and the signification
and meaning hereby portended became clear enough afterward as time
went by, when the monastery by God's grace begun in this place by a
few Brothers and afterward finished with much toil came into being
and a great company of Brothers dwelt therein--for then it was seen
how the Devout Congregation of Canons Regular being clad in white
raiment did serve God with devotion, singing hymns and psalms and
celebrating Mass; also reciting the proper Canonical Hours to His
praise every day, and praying for our benefactors, both living and dead,
especially for them that are buried in this Monastery.

THE CHRONICLE OF THE CANONS REGULAR OF MOUNT ST.
AGNES.
CHAPTER I
_Of the first founders of the Monastery at Mount St. Agnes, and how
Master Gerard Groote first pointed out this place to them_
The House of Mount St. Agnes, which lieth outside the walls of the
town of Zwolle, and on the eastern side thereof, had its origin and
completion in this way.

The place used to be called in the vulgar tongue Mount Nemel and lieth
not far from Zwolle, but one may traverse the distance in the space of
an hour. Now there were in the State of Zwolle certain faithful men
who had been turned wholly to God by Master Gerard Groote. These
men had builded them an house, in a suburb belonging to the city, near
an ancient Convent of Beguines, and here they served God humbly and
with devotion. Amongst these the chief was John of Ummen, a man
dedicated to God, and greatly beloved by Gerard; and with him there
abode likewise Wychmann Rurinch, Reyner, son of Leo of Renen, and
two or three others that were well disposed. Moreover, a certain Clerk
that dwelt in those parts named Wittecoep, had joined himself to them
and lived among them devoutly. There was also the mother of John of
Ummen, named Regeland, a widow of ripe age, who ministered to the
necessities of these servants of God, giving good heed to the care of the
house as a faithful Martha. Most gladly would she listen to the Word of
God, and, like Mary, was never sated with the sweetness of the Holy
Scriptures that were read.
When any one at meal-time read somewhat incorrectly and stammered
over the words, this venerable woman said to him "Read no more and
do not defile the Word of God lest harm come to holy things and they
that hear be offended in thee. Let another read that hath better skill
thereto, that we may all understand and be edified."
After no long time this good woman came to the end of her life on the
Thursday in Holy Week after Mass was ended, and she was buried at
Zwolle by her friends and the Brothers. From that hour and day, for
three whole days, her son John Ummen fasted from every kind of food
to promote his mother's salvation, and he neither ate nor drank aught
until the dawning of the day of the Lord's Passover, and yet was he as
whole in body and in strength as if he had been well fed every day.
And as these servants of God lived in poverty and at the common
charge it came to pass that many men that were in the world,
considering their holy life, came together to them, being eager to serve
God and to leave the world, in the hope of an eternal gain. Meanwhile
it happened that the venerable Master Gerard Groote came to Zwolle

about the beginning of Lent, and of necessity abode there certain days,
since he was anxious to comfort his poor children, for it was his desire
to refresh with the word of consolation those whom he had drawn to
leave the world. So a very great company of people came together to
his preaching, and