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 FLANAGAN

94

FLANDERS

two religious institutions of priests. Tennessee be- came a diocese with see at Nashville in 1838.

His only visit to Europe and Rome was not under- taken until 1835. He spent four years in France and Italy in the interests of his diocese and of the propa- gation of tlie Faith, visiting forty-six dioceses. Every- where he edified the people by the sanctity of his life, and well authenticated miracles are ascribed to his intercession. He returned to America in 1839, trans- ferred his see to Louisville, and crowned his fruitful life by consecrating, 10 September, 18-18, a young Ken- tucky priest, Martin John Spalding, as his thirtl coad- jutor and successor in the See of Louisville. The cor- ner-stone of the cathedral of Louisville was laid 15 August, 1849. He died peacefully at Louisville, sin- cerely mourned and remembered to this day. His only writings are his journal and a report of his diocese to the Holy See.

Spalding, Life, Timef! and Character of Benedict Joseph Flaget (Louisville, 1852); Shea, Hist. Cath. Ch. in U. S. (New York. 1904): Webb, The Centenary of Catholicity in Kentucky (Louis- ville, 1884).

Camillus p. Maes.

Flanagan, Thomas Canon, b. in England in 1814, though Irish by descent ; d. at Kidderminster, 21 July, 18G5. He was educated at Sedgley Park School. At the age of eighteen he proceeded to Oscott — that is " Old Oscott ' ', now known as Mary vale — to study for the priesthood. The president at that time was Dr. Weedall, under whose supervision the present impos- ing college buildings were about to be erected. The students and professors migrated there in 183S, after the summer vacation, Flanagan being thus one of the original students at the new college. There he was ordained in 1842, Bishop (afterwards Cardinal) Wise- man being then president. At this time Oscott was the centre of much intellectual activity, many of the O.xford converts during the following years visiting the college, where some made their first acquaintance with Catholic life. Flanagan, who throughout his course had been an industrious and persevering stu- dent, was asked by Wiseman to remain as a professor, and as such he came into contact with the new con- verts, his own bent towards historical studies creating a strong bond of sympathy between him and those who had become convinced of the truth of Catholicism on historical grounds.

In 1847 Flanagan brought out his first book, a small manual of British and Irish history, containing nu- merous statistical tables the preparation of which was congenial to his methodical mind. The same year he became prefect of studies and acted successfully in that capacity until 1850, when he was appointed vice- president and then president of Sedgley Park School, and he became one of the first canons of the newly formed Birmingham Diocese in 1851. The active life of administration was, however, not congenial to his tastes, and he was glad to resume his former position at Oscott in 1853. It was at this time that he began writing his chief work, a " History of the Church in England". In order to allow him more leisure for this, he was appointed chaplain to the Hornyold fam- ily at Blackmore Park, and his history appeared in two volumes, during his residence there, in 1857. It was at that time the only complete work on the Church in England continued down to present times, and, though marred by some inaccuracies, on the whole it bore wit- ness to much patient work and research on the part of the author. His style, however, was somewhat con- cise, and Bishop Ullathorne's remark, that Canon Flanagan w.as a compiler of history rather than .a vivid historian, has often liieii quoted. The year after the appearance of Ins Clnnch history, we find Flan.agan once more installed in his old position as prefect f)f studies at Oscott, where he remained for eighteen .months, when his health gave way. The last years of hia life were spent as assistant priest at St. Chad's

Cathedral, Birmingham. He died at Kidderminster, whither he had gone for his health.

Flanagan, Manual of British and Irish Hist. (1847); Idem, Catechism of Bug. Hist. (1851); Idem, Hist, of Church in Eng. (1857); Cooper in Diet. Nat. Biog, s. v.; Gillow, Bibl. Diet. Eng. Cath., s. v.; Husenbeth, Hist, of Sedgley Park; Oscotian, Jubilee No. (1888); Obituary notices in The Tablet and Weekly Register.

Bernard Ward.

Flanders (Flem. Vlaenderen; Ger. Flanderen; Fr. Flandre) designated in the eighth century a small territory around Bruges; it became later the name of the country bounded by the North Sea, the Scheldt, and the Canche; in the fifteenth century it was even used by the Italians and the Spaniards as the synonym for the Low Countries; to-day Flanders belongs for the most part to Belgium, comprising the provinces of East Flanders and West Flanders. A part of it, known as French Flanders, has gone to France, and another small portion to Holland. Flanders is an un- picturesque lowland, whose level is scarcely above that of the sea, which accounts for the fact that a great part of it was for a long time flooded at high water. The country took its present aspect only after a line of downs had been raised by the sea along its shore. The soil of Flanders, which for the most part was unproductive, owes its present fertility to intelligent cultivation; its products are various, but the most im- portant are flax and hemp; dairying, market-garden- ing, and the manufacture of linens are the main Flem- ish industries. At the time of its conquest by the Romans, Flanders was inhabited by the Morini, the Menapii, and the Nervii. Most probably these tribes were of partly Teutonic and partly Celtic descent, but, owing to the almost total absence of Roman colonies and the constant influx of barbarians, the Germanic element soon became predominant. The Flemings of to-day may be considered as a German people whose language, a Low-German dialect, has been very slightly, if at all, influenced by Latin.

it is likely that Christianity was first introduced into Flanders by Roman soldiers and merchants, but its progress must have been very slow, for Saint Eloi (Eligius, c. 590-660) tells us that in his days almost the whole population was still heathen, and the conver- sion of the Flemings was not completed until the be- ginning of the eighth century. Towards the middle of the ninth century, the country around Bruges was governed by a marquess or " forester " named Baldwin, whose bravery in fighting the Northmen had won him the surname of Iron Arm. Baldwin married Judith, daughter of the Emperor Charles the Bald, and re- ceived from his father-in-law, with the title of count, the country bounded by the North Sea, the Scheldt, and the Canche. Thus was founded, in 864, the County of Flanders. Baldwin I was a warm protector of the clergy, and made large grants of land to churches and abbeys. He died in 878. His successors were Baldwin II, the Bald (878-919), Arnold I (919-964), Baldwin III (958-961), and Arnold II (964-989), who could not prevent Hugh Capet from annexing the Comity of Boulogne to the royal domain of France. The son of Arnold II, Baldwin IV, the Bearded (989- 1036), was a brave and pious prince. He received from the Emperor Henry II the imperial castle of Ghent and its territory. From that time there were two Flanders: Flanders under the Crown, a French fief; and imperial Flanders, under the suzerainty of Germany. Baldwin V, of Lille (1036-67), added to his domains the County of Eenhan or Alost. He was re- gent of France during the minority of Philip I. Bald- win VI, of Mons(U)67-70), was also Count of Hainault in consequence of his marriage to Riehilde, heiress of that county. He reigned only three years, and was s\iccerded in h'landers by his brother Robert the Friesman (1070 1093). Robert II, of Jeru.salem (1093-1111), took a leading part in the First Crusade. He annexed Tournai to Flanders and died fighting for