8 INTRODUCTION. 
Notwithstanding these misfortunes, the monastery 
increased in riches, power, and dignity. It was: 
considered as the head and origin of the Benedictine 
order !®, By the benefactions of princes its revenues 
were enormous, and the buildings magnificent. A 
new church was consecrated by Alexander the 
second attended by all the princes of Italy. # 
was invested with extraordinary privileges, wa 
4 
several princes retired to it, as Carloman elder bre 
ther of Pepin, Ratchis king of the Lombards, his 
wife Tasia, and her daughter Ratrudis*’. 4 
However the institution of the Benedictine ordet 
16 Totius fons religionis et origo. Mab. vol. ii. p. 223. 
7 Grev. vol. x. part. i. p.214. Murat. Script. Ital. vol. wa 
p- 174. Mabil. vol. v. p. 34.; vol. ii. p. 115.; vol. iv. p- 420: 
745.; vol. v.170. Gian. vol. ii. p. 71.; vol. i. p. 368.5 Voie 
p- 70. 131.147, In 747 and 750. = 
SES ee eae ee 
MRE NNO T 
* 
