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One day a heavily armed squadron of ships came to the harbour of the village carrying pirates from the North whom we usually call Normans. They are a wild and very cruel race of people, always thirsting to shed human blood, coveting other people's belongings, capturing young men and maidens and slaughtering old people without pity. When they arrived unexpectedly all the inhabitants of that area were terrified and did not know what to do or where to turn. For they had no means of defence, and no way of retreating without abandoning their wives, children and their belongings. So they blew their trumpets, called all the population together and fled to St Aubin's Church. There they prayed earnestly beseeching and imploring Aubin to help them, support them and be their leader and standard bearer.
13. In the midst of this tumult and panic, a certain man of high rank, who was conspicuous because of his outstanding appearance, came forward in the guise of a soldier, fully equipped with shining weapons. No one knew who he was, but he rebuked them for their stupidity and said: "O you cowards of little faith, why do you hesitate to do battle with these godless people - especially when our blessed Aubin, who has been with us so long, is ready and prepared to give you help? Surely it is not impossible to triumph with Christ as our Master where we are opposed by few or many? Remember David, that unarmed youth, who laid low with one stone the giant Goliath who was dreaded by all." The spirits of all were roused by these words and they rushed against the enemy who were now approaching and ready to attack everywhere without the slightest hesitation. The little flock of St Aubin attacked their foe - it was the few against the many, the unarmed against the armed, the unskilled in warfare against the skilled - but they trusted not in their own strength but in the power of God and overthrew the forces of the enemy. The pirates realised very quickly that they were fighting against God and not against men and, leaving many bodies of their company on the shore, they fled even more quickly than they had come. They embarked on their ships and did not dare to invade that region any more.
14. So with the help of the Saint, they defeated the enemy and put them to flight. After making enquiries they discovered that in this mighty clash of arms not one of their number had died or had even been wounded; the only missing person from their ranks was this unknown soldier who had inspired them. At this they were all smitten with grief and sorrow because they thought that he had been killed (for he had rushed against the enemy lines in front of them all ). They carefully examined all the bodies of the dead to give him an honourable burial. But there was no trace of him and there seemed little doubt that it was the presence of an angel sent by God to deliver his devoted people. When everything was over, they assembled with joy at the basilica of the holy Confessor, offering him their prayers with their sacrifice of praise.
15. At the time when the venerable Abbot Othbrannus was in charge of the monastery of St Aubin at Angers, God who has pity for our human wretchedness, showed that he condemned reckless and foolish swearing of oaths as a very horrible practice. By a catastrophe which befell one of the inhabitants, he filled the hearts of some with terror - but he consoled the rest by the relief which this same person eventually experienced. There was a certain young man named Fulco, who was the son of a soldier called Therdoricus from the fort called Camilliacus. On a certain day which was kept sacred to Mercury by some of the older heathens, he was doing a job for his father and journeying to Toarciacum (so-called in the neighbourhood) with loaded donkeys. The purpose of the journey was to fetch grain and as they were returning with the animals loaded up, Fulco tried to adjust the sack on the donkey's back as it was slipping; in so doing, he aggravated a nasty wound in his hand which he had recently suffered and which started to give him severe pain. His anger was kindled against the person who had wounded him (although not actually present) and he wanted to express his feelings by using the name of our beloved Aubin to call down oaths and curses on the head of this miscreant. But after he prepared to utter these oaths rashly in the name of our Saint, before he had actually voiced the words to express his anger and emotions, he was suddenly struck dumb. When his companions asked him why he was silent all he could do was to nod his head and burst into tears; so they took him to his father.
16. It was not long before news of this event spread throughout the whole district and the parents of this man, at his request, decided that they must seek help for their son by discovering what offence he had committed to merit losing his speech. His father, together with his friends, took his son to Angers and commended him to the prayers of the monks, the spiritual successors of the Blessed Aubin. The Abbot and the monks received the man and offered humble prayers for him to God and to St Aubin. When the roan had prostrated himself over the sacred remains of the Saint, the monks enjoined him to show devotion and perseverance. Then they shut the doors of the chapel (for it was the evening) and retired, leaving him alone inside. After much moaning and weeping (for he could not utter any words), the man suddenly fell asleep. Immediately St Aubin stood by his side clothed in white and of gentle countenance. He first uttered words of pity and then told the man to get up and speak. Then he explained the reason for this misfortune - because the man obviously had not just suffered this for his own sins but for the sins of all those who rashly and carelessly had used the name of God and the saints in uttering profane oaths. After this, Aubin warned the man to mend his ways, to show reverence to God and his saints and to enjoin all whom he possibly could to beware of making these unlawful oaths. He also told him to order all the servants of that church to keep up this practice in that place so beloved of God; for in that way they would deservedly obtain this honour vouchsafed to all who minister faithfully to God. Finally, Aubin exhorted the man to devote his whole life to the service of God in that very place. After these words, the Saint departed and, as the young man subsequently told us, he came through the glass which covered his tomb and disappeared. Immediately the dumb man cried out, "St Aubin, why are you leaving me?" The monks assembled at once on hearing the cry of the dumb man who was now speaking. This same dumb person told us all these things speaking normally (I was present and, unworthy as I am, I witnessed this wonderful miracle). We acknowledged the mercy of God who had taught us by the example of this one man to beware of this coil. Then in sweet hymns of praise we extolled the greatness of God - who liveth and reigneth, one God, world without end.
Amen.