CORNISH DEDICATIONS. 263 



Treves. After his departure, however, the unworthy bishops 

 who had accused Priscillian, returned to the charge, and wrested 

 from Maximus an order for the execution. Informed of what 

 had been done, S. Martin hurried back to Treves to procure the 

 safety of the rest of the sect, and he refused communion with the 

 Spanish bishops who had brought about the death of PriscilKan 

 and his six companions. 



Maximus soon became dissatisfied with the government of 

 half the Empire of the West, and resolved on the conquest of 

 Italy. He accordingly collected an army, and marched into Italy. 

 He entered Milan in triumph, but was defeated, and lost his life 

 at Aquileia, in 388. His followers were dispersed and Cynan 

 Meiriadog and his Britons never again saw their native land. 

 "Britain," says Gildas, "was thus robbed of her armed soldiery, 

 of her, military supplies, of her rulers, and of her vigorous 

 youth, who had followed the footsteps of the above mentioned 

 tyrant, and who never returned." 



What became of Helen after the death of Maximus is not 

 known. Probably she fled from Treves to her native land to her 

 son Owen, who had been left there as regent. 



She has been thought by the Welsh to have induced 

 Maximus to construct the paved Eoman road, the Sarn Helen, 

 which traverses South Wales. 



In Wales she is esteemed a Saint and has a chapel bearing 

 her name in her native Carnarvonshire. 



By Maximus she was the mother of four sons, Owen, Peblig 

 (Publicolus), Ednyfed, and Constantine. Owen is said by Welsh 

 authorities to have refused to pay the annual tribute to Rome, 

 and to have made Britain independent. 



Whether her son Constantine was made Prince of Dumnonia 

 we do not know. It is somewhat remarkable that she should 

 have more churches and chapels dedicated to her in Devon and 

 Cornwall, than in Wales. 



To Helen are dedicated : — 



The Parish Church of Helland (Llan Helen). 



The Parish Church of Paracombe (N. Devon). 



The Parish Church of Abbotsham (N. Devon). 



A Chapel at Davidstowe, licenced by Bishop Lacy, Aug. 30, 

 1443. 



